Carl Weber's Kingpins: New Orleans

by R. Coxton

Genres: Urban Fantasy

Synopsis

<strong>Heavy is the head that wears the crown of a kingpin.</strong><br /><br />Mardi gras and crawfish aren’t the only things poppin’ on Bourbon Street. The Big Easy is turned upside down when Freeway is faced with lies and drama, and loyalty is called into question as he battles demons from the past and present.<br /><br /> Cal “Freeway” Moore, a well-known hitta and kingpin, knows all too well that running his New Orleans-based empire comes at a price. “Shoot first and ask questions later” is his motto as he fights to hold down his kingdom and maintain a healthy relationship with the love of his life, Belladonna. They say you keep your friends close but your enemies closer, but what if both are the same — and coming for his spot? 

Release date: August 22, 2023

Publisher: Urban Books

Print pages: 288

Sample

Five Years Later . . .

Belladonna stepped out of the shower. As water dripped off her chocolate body, Freeway could only admire his lady. He took a sip of wine and set the glass on the dresser. Then he grabbed the towel off the bed he had waiting for her. He lightly kissed her on the forehead. She pulled off his shirt and whispered in his ear as she snatched the towel out of his hand.

“You still thinking about going out tonight?” She licked his earlobe.

“Maybe, why you ask?”

“I want you to stay home. Do you love me or those streets?”

“You know I love you. Don’t do that.”

“Prove it!” She unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants.

Freeway always had money on his mind. Even though he ran a very lucrative illegal empire, he kept thinking of different ways to make more money. However, when it came to Belladonna, his thoughts of money instantly stopped. As she rubbed his chest, his heart began to beat fast. He picked her up and laid her on the bed. Then he sucked on her breasts, twirling his tongue around her nipples. She let out a fresh breath like clouds wrapping around a forbidden mountain. Finally, he slid his tongue down to her inner thigh.

“Freeway, I need you inside me, please,” she screamed with anticipation.

“How bad you want me?” He dropped his Polo jeans to the floor while pushing his tongue deep inside her, feeling all her moisture.

Belladonna wrapped her legs around his neck, pushing her pussy closer to his face. His tongue grinded on her clit. She was so close to reaching her climax that he snatched her legs open, thrusting his manhood inside her. She screamed out to God, reaching for her pillows, screaming even louder now. Belladonna rotated her hips, fucking Freeway back the way only she could. The wetter her pussy got from his strokes, the weaker Freeway got. Finally, he unloaded all his juices inside her, yelling he loved her. Then he collapsed over her body, breathing heavily. Their energy was so amazing. It was like they shared the same heartbeat. Soon, Freeway rolled over, feeling so amazed. So many years together, and the sex was still explosive.

“So, you still going out?” She ran her fingers through his long dreads.

“Boo, you do this every time. You know I got an empire to run.” Freeway exhaled for the conversation he was about to have.

“Yes, you do have an empire, an empire that’s worth $405 million. I don’t understand why you’re still doing this.” Belladonna jumped off the bed and headed for her walk-in closet.

“I’m making sure you don’t have to want for nothing ever.” Freeway began to put his clothes back on.

Belladonna was in the closet, not really looking for clothes. Instead, she was hiding the tears rolling down her face. She never wanted to look weak in front of her man. The way he saw her meant everything to her.

Freeway called her name twice. She quickly grabbed her plush Ralph Lauren robe that Freeway had paid to be made for her. When she walked out of the closet, Freeway knew she had been crying.

“Come on, Belladonna, why you crying?”

“I’m not crying.” She quickly wiped her eyes.

“Now, you know there is something I know better than money, and that’s you.”

“Tell me the truth, Freeway. Do you love your money and empire more than me?”

“Why would you ask me that?”

“Just answer my question, dammit.” Belladonna sat on the bed and crossed her arms.

Freeway was going to answer her, but right before he did, his doorbell rang. He told her to hold on, but she wasn’t feeling it. She rolled her eyes as Freeway went downstairs to answer the door. When he opened the door, his right-hand man, Jackal, stood there. Jackal was second in command to the empire Freeway built. Besides Belladonna, Jackal was the only other person Freeway trusted. However, Freeway was not happy to see him right now. Boy, was his timing terrible.

“Nigga, I thought I told you I would meet you at the club.”

“I know, but we got something important that came up.”

“So?” Freeway didn’t see his point.

“What you mean ‘so’? You know niggas want the empire we built.”

“Jackal, what’s the point of you being the second in command if you can’t conduct business without me?” Freeway felt frustrated.

“Why do you have to question my authority?” Jackal hated when his partner talked down to him this way.

“Look, go back to the club, and I’ll meet you there.” Freeway shut the door in Jackal’s face without waiting for his response.

Then he went back upstairs. He had to get Belladonna straight so he could leave the house and handle business. This would not be an easy task. When he reached the bedroom, he noticed Belladonna was talking with her friend Asia. Freeway did not like Asia at all. He felt she was too reckless and loose with her body. She took no responsibility for the way she lived. Belladonna saw the frown on Freeway’s face and hung up the phone.

“What did I tell you about that girl?”

“Don’t go there, Freeway. I don’t say shit about your low-life partner, Jackal.”

“That’s different.”

“How is that?” She felt like Freeway was just making excuses.

“That’s my business partner. Without him, I would not have built our empire.”

“Whatever. I’m about to go out to a birthday party.”

Freeway was changing his clothes and stopped buttoning up his red Dolce & Gabbana shirt when he heard Belladonna was going out. He thought it was ironic that she made that big a fuss about him leaving because things had changed since she had been invited out to a party. Freeway had to protect her at all costs, considering who he was. He was not going to allow anybody to use her as his weakness.

“I sure hope this party is at my club.”

“Actually, it’s not. It’s at Asia’s homeboy’s club.” Belladonna braced herself because she knew her man was about to snap.

“Have you lost your damn mind, Belladonna?”

“What?” She got off the bed to put on her sundress and Red Bottom high heels.

“You know damn well what. You know that’s Rozay’s club, and you know that nigga been wanting my spot.” Freeway was furious that his girl would think this recklessly.

“Baby, chill out. Rozay is out of town.”

“I don’t see how you can be friends with a bitch who hangs around a man I’m beefing with.”

“Me and Asia have nothing to do with you and Rozay’s beef, so please, leave us out of it.”

Even though Freeway knew Asia didn’t get along with Rozay that well, he still didn’t trust the idea, but he did have business to handle tonight. When it came to his empire, he couldn’t let anything get in the way. He knew he had to let it slide that Belladonna was going to his rival’s club tonight. First, however, he was going to put down some ground rules.

“Look, I need you back at this house by midnight.” He grabbed his gun and tucked it under his shirt.

“Freeway, I love you but don’t you dare give me commands like that. I’ll be back home when the party is over.”

“Belladonna, you can get fly out of the mouth all you want to. But don’t be the reason why some nigga get they head knocked off.”

Belladonna knew her man didn’t play any games when it came to her. It bothered her and turned her on at the same time. They both walked outside together and headed for the two-door garage where their cars were parked. Both drove Range Rovers. Freeway’s car was red, and Belladonna’s was black. Freeway refused to let her leave with an attitude. So, he walked over to make things right as a man should.

“Belladonna, I love you. Just be safe.” He kissed her on the forehead.

“I will, but you never answered my question.”

“What’s that?”

“Do you love me or your empire?” This was a question she desperately needed an answer to.

“Belladonna, now is not the time, please.” Freeway got into his car and drove off.

Belladonna was curious that he couldn’t answer the question. Finally, she got into her car and headed to the club to meet Asia. Tonight, she was going to put all the negative bullshit out of her mind and enjoy herself. For once, she wasn’t going to think about Freeway . . . just herself. She loved her soul mate, but it wasn’t about him tonight. She thought one day, he would learn to get his priorities straight.

As Freeway drove, he rolled down his window to feel the cool New Orleans night breeze. He couldn’t believe Belladonna had the nerve to ask that question again. He didn’t just build the empire for himself. He was doing it for her too. He knew she was spoiled, but damn, that question was an insult to his intelligence.

Freeway pulled up to the club he owned. As soon as he parked, Jackal made his way to the car. He had been waiting the last hour for his partner to arrive.

“Damn, it’s about time,” Jackal expressed his anxiety.

“Nigga, calm down.” Freeway rolled up his window and got out of the vehicle.

“Despite what you got going on at home, this is important.”

“My household is important too. If it’s so important, why didn’t you handle it?”

“Look, we both decided not to make decisions without the other present.”

“Well, you should have postponed whatever this bullshit is.”

They both walked together into the club. The music was hitting the ceiling, and the drinks were being poured and served. Money was definitely on the club tonight. The DJ announced Freeway’s name every time he entered the club. Freeway and Jackal were highly respected, but Freeway was always recognized first. Low-key Jackal was constantly jealous of that. Freeway was still trying to figure out what was so important that he had to be at the club tonight.

“Look, man, why am I here?” Freeway walked to the bar while waiting on an answer.

“Somebody wants to buy our empire again.”

“Jackal, really, you know how I feel about selling my empire.”

“I know, but this time, it’s different.”

“How is that?” Freeway received his D’ussé from the bar.

“They offering us five hundred million. That’s almost eighty million profit.”

“Who the fuck would offer us that much?” Freeway felt the offer was very suspicious.

“Before I tell you, you need to have a sound mind about this.”

“Jackal, now, you got me wondering about your choices,” smirked Freeway.

They headed to the VIP section that was made just for them. Bottles of the finest liquor were on the table, hot women were present, and a thick red rope blocked off the room. Freeway always wondered why women were in his section. He cared nothing for them. He was faithful to Belladonna. She owned his heart, and he was fine with that. They entered the section and sat at the table set up for them. Freeway leaned over and whispered in Jackal’s ear.

“Get these fucking women out of my section now. We about to do business. They don’t need to be here.” Freeway was very particular about who was around when he did business.

“OK, on it.” Jackal signaled to the bouncer to get rid of the women.

The bouncer rounded up the women and told them they had to go. They were all upset. They felt important dancing in the VIP around Freeway and Jackal, but they also knew how Freeway felt about Belladonna. All of New Orleans knew that he was faithful to her.

“Promise you’ll keep an open mind about this deal?” Jackal was trying to prepare Freeway for their business meeting.

“Why?”

“Because here he comes.” Jackal stood up to get ready to greet their guest.

When Freeway saw who walked into his VIP section, he pulled his gun out and cocked it.

“Get the fuck out of my club, Rozay—right now.” Then angrily, Freeway pointed his gun at him.

“Have you lost your damn mind bringing this snake nigga into my club?” Freeway screamed at Jackal while still keeping the gun on Rozay.

“Freeway, it’s not what you think,” Rozay explained.

Rozay stood there frozen in place, not knowing what to do. He wasn’t no punk, but he also knew Freeway would pull that trigger. There was a reason why Freeway was the boss in New Orleans. You couldn’t be soft to run a city like the Big Easy. That was why he only wanted to talk about the deal with Jackal. But that wasn’t going to happen. It really was Freeway’s empire. Jackal was just his hitta.

“Listen, Freeway, let’s talk about this like gentlemen.”

“So, do you take me for a fool?”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do here.”

“Then tell me why the fuck you are here.”

“It’s just like what Jackal said. I’m trying to buy your empire.”

“You got your own business, so why would you want mines?” Freeway still didn’t put his gun away.

“Freeway, I’d feel more comfortable if you’d let me sit down and put that gun away.”

“Come on, Freeway, put the gun away,” Jackal pleaded.

“Why should I do that? Me and this nigga been beefing for over ten years. Now, he suddenly wants to buy my empire?” Freeway didn’t trust anything that was about Rozay.

“I know we had beef, but it’s not about that. I promise you. Just hear me out.”

“You got five minutes of my time, so make it quick.” Freeway sat down, but he didn’t put the gun away. Instead, he just set it on the table.

“Can I please get a drink?” Freeway’s actions rattled Rozay’s nerves.

“Get your drink, and you’re wasting time.”

Rozay poured himself a drink, and his hands were shaking a little. He didn’t know what was on Freeway’s mind. Everybody knew how dangerous Freeway could be. He only had a soft spot for Belladonna and showed her love. Rozay knew he had to tread carefully having this conversation.

“Now that you have your drink, tell me why after all these years, you want to end our rivalry and buy my empire.” Freeway felt Rozay was up to no good.

“Honestly, we all know you’ll get out of the game soon.”

“Who the fuck told you that?”

“You been with Belladonna for ten years. I know you’re going to marry her soon. Besides, you don’t want no nigga trying you and using her as your weakness.”“Have you lost your mind speaking about my girl? Her name shouldn’t even be coming through your lips.”

“I know how you feel about Belladonna, but what I speak of is the truth, and you know it.” Rozay knew he was stepping into dangerous territory talking about Belladonna, but his point had to be made.

“Didn’t I just tell you to watch your fucking mouth?” Freeway reached for his 9 mm.

Rozay was starting to get uncomfortable again now that Freeway had grabbed his gun. This was the only way he could convince Freeway to sell his empire to him. He was trying to persuade Freeway that as long as he ran his empire, Belladonna would not be safe. Jackal knew he would have to step in at any moment now. He saw the rage in Freeway’s eyes hearing the word “Belladonna” come out of Rozay’s mouth.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but Belladonna is your weakness.”

“That’s it. I’ve heard enough.” He jumped up, flipped over the table, and smacked Rozay on the face with his pistol.

“Freeway, what the fuck, man?” Jackal tried to stop Freeway from his actions, but it was too late.

“Get your hands off me before I shoot your ass for setting up this fucked-up meeting.” Now, Freeway pointed the gun in his partner’s face.

“You really going to put a gun in my face?” Jackal was shocked.

Freeway ordered that Rozay be dragged out of his club. He had heard enough. He felt disrespected that this man was let into his club in the first place. Jackal had seen and heard enough from his partner. He also was about to leave . . . until Freeway stepped in front of him.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”

“First of all, Freeway, you need to get that gun out of my face. I’m your partner—not your enemy.”

“Are you my partner? Any good partner wouldn’t set up a meeting with a nigga I’m beefing with.”

“I was trying to give you a way out. You’re not the only one qualified to be a boss, you know.”

Freeway took a step back after hearing the words that had just left his partner’s deceiving lips. He had figured out what would happen if he had made the deal. Jackal would become partners with Rozay if Freeway sold his empire to him.

“You disloyal, ungrateful son of a bitch.”

“What?”

“Don’t you ‘what’ me, Jackal. You had planned on switching sides, didn’t you?”

“It’s not ‘switching sides’ if you’re no longer in the game, Freeway.”

“If we partners, we retire together. So you don’t go off and start building a whole new empire with my connect.”

“Freeway, do you know how selfish you sound?”

“Jackal, you better get out of my face before I put a bullet in your head.”

Jackal just shook his head and walked off. Freeway’s actions surprised him. But by the look in Freeway’s eyes, he was not playing. This was why Jackal was trying to get Freeway out of the game. Once you mentioned Belladonna, he would lose it. This behavior could cost Freeway everything. Freeway didn’t understand Jackal’s logic in all this. He only looked at it as Jackal replacing him as the boss of New Orleans. Freeway looked at his custom-made Rolex and realized it was past midnight. It was time for him to see if Belladonna had made it home yet.

Freeway walked past the club guards and let them know he was headed home and to let the girls back in the VIP section. Then he walked outside, feeling the crisp air running across his face. As he started his car, he thought about the night he had just had. He was tired of the headaches he was getting from running his business. Maybe he sho. . .