Long Live the Queen

by Saundra

Genres: Siblings

Synopsis

Urban lit star Saundra delivers her most incendiary novel yet as a good girl turned Cali drug queenpin goes nationwide, where the success is explosive, the new conspiracies brutal—and the betrayals could finally take her down for the count . . .
 
Once an innocent college-bound girl, Precious Cummings rapidly took over her lover”s LA drug hustle. Now with a nationwide empire handed to her by kingpin El Guado, she and her sexy partner Marlo control the country's most formidable crews. Their new ways to move product send profits into the stratosphere—and turn up the heat between her and Marlo. And with her new Miami night club becoming the place to be, there's no limit to what Precious can rule . . .
 
But becoming the queen means making enemies even savvy Precious doesn't see coming. While ruthless up-and-comers plot to dethrone her, Precious’s beloved twin sister, Promise, is getting way too high on money, sex, and drugs. And when sure-fire deals suddenly turn into scorched-earth disasters, Precious will have to beat the game’s merciless odds—and keep her kingdom from crumbling . . .
 
Praise for Saundra and her novels

“Tough, smart characters . . . fast-moving drama.”
—Booklist on Hustle Hard

“Saundra continues to flawlessly portray the dog-eat-dog code that Detroit goes by.”
—RT Book Reviews on Her Sweetest Revenge 3

“Saundra should be applauded. . . . Enthusiasts of the series will love revisiting Mya.”
—Library Journal on Her Sweetest Revenge 3
 

Release date: November 29, 2022

Publisher: Kensington Books

Print pages: 304

Sample

POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP

So many bullets rang out I lost count. But I suddenly felt arms I recognized as Marlo’s wrapped around my waist. My body folded into his as he pulled me backwards. The bullets stopped and all movement seem to instantly cease as the smell of gunfire filled my nostrils and clouded the air.

“Bab, you okay?” Marlo’s words blew down the crease of my neck and into my ear. Still feeling some type of way about him withholding that Pablo was his father, I took a swift step away from his embrace. My eyes landed on Salvador’s bloody, bullet hole-filled body, hunched over and lifeless, with all the color drained from his face. His henchmen lay in a pool of their own blood, dead. Other unknown men stood around glaring at the bodies with their guns still drawn as if they expected the bodies to move. I glanced over at Marlo, whose eyes were also now glued to the bloody scene at hand.

“Mane, what the actual FUCK!” he yelled, his eyes now on the tall Hispanic man, who looked to be about fifty, with curly hair and a small cherry like birth mark on his right cheek. And just as if he had just realized who he was Marlo mouthed, “El Guapo.” The name slid out of his mouth in a gruff but surprised tone.

Just as I had never met Salvador before until that day, I had never met El Guapo. I was aware of them both and their quest to be the one and only at the top. A position they both hungered, and I should say battled, for. And now it seemed settled in blood, and death. Just moments before Marlo and I were standing face to face with Salvador as he laid out his plans for us to rule as King and Queen of LA and Miami’s drug distribution. And here now, bold as shit, El Guapo stood before us voicing the same demand as we stood in a pit of blood, and uncertainty.

“Precious, I know you have seen me blowing up your phone.” The sound of Promise’s voice tossed me back into reality. But a hint of anger still tingled up my spine from those previous events. For a second, I had forgotten where I was. Staring out of my bedroom window for about the past hour I had been replaying those moments in Peru over and over in my head. I could only vaguely remember getting off the plane in LA and driving home from the airport.

The ride back from Peru was almost a blur as well. I had all but refused to discuss anything with Marlo besides the game plan for the new position that had been forced on us. To be honest there was nothing we could do. We had a duty that was bigger than us, we were employers, people’s livelihoods depended on us. We were how they ate. But our employers were no longer available to provide for us so that we could provide for our own. The life on which our bread and butter depended was now El Guapo. And he had christened us the new life that would oversee all supply and demand in our areas. It was simple, may our businesses rest in peace. And to be honest, possibly us. So here we were back in the states and our plane ride discussion revolved around that. Our approach had to be strategic. First things first, we had to meet with Crew leaders to let them know we were the new Pablo and Penelope, the new point of contact for collection and distribution. This would bring shock and jealousy, among other things. But one thing was for certain: none of that would change what was to be.

Before departing, Marlo and I decided the first meeting would be held in LA, so he would arrive promptly in twenty-four hours. He only had time to stop in Miami and pack another bag. Next up, I would head to Miami to be in the meeting that would be held there. It had to be clear to the Crews that we were bosses in both LA and Miami. In the meantime, I would have Mob schedule the meetings in LA.

“Precious.” Promise said my name again when I didn’t respond to her, but this time there was concern in her tone. I blinked back my thoughts and quickly ran over in mind what she had said so I could provide an answer.

“I’m sorry. It’s my phone, I think the ringer is still off.” I was nonchalant about my phone hiccup. I had thrown it on the bed when I had strolled in my room, its existence not important to me at the time. I had only used it once since I touched back down in the states to call Mob. But I did remember turning the ringer off before we met with Salvador. I never wanted my phone ringing when I was in a meeting.

“I knew something was up. I rang the doorbell and was about to use my key until Rosa opened the door to let me in. What’s up with you today? Why are you standing here in a trance staring out the window? I know it is a beautiful day outside. But . . .” Promise took steps that brought her closer into my space. The concerned grimace on her face confirmed she knew something was up with me. I knew I had to come out with it because she was stubborn and would never let it go.

I sighed as my right arm came up and my hand went to the back of my neck. I could feel the tension built up, like a tight knot trapped. I rubbed lightly in the area, and pressed down a little to ease some of it. “Shit has been crazy.” I finally released with my eyes closed as the slight massage I gave myself took some pressure off. I slowly reopened my eyes. And made a quick mental note to schedule an appointment at the spa, to have them massage that stubborn tension right out. “Pablo and Penelope are dead. They were killed.”

“What?” Promise eyes grew wide and confusion burst from them. “I mean do you know what happened?”

I shook my head with disappointment. I couldn’t believe I just had to say it, it still sounded strange coming from my mouth. Pablo and Penelope were some of the most connected people I knew. To say they had been killed was a bit much, simply unreal. “Plies.” His name tasted sour in my mouth. “Turns out he was a snake.”

Shock was Promise’s reaction, it was clear she was at a loss for words.

“Yep, that bitch ass nigga wasn’t shit, not an ounce of loyalty. He was offered money to kill Clip just to get him out of the way. And he would have carried out the act, but somebody beat him to it.”

“Hell naw.” Promise head shook right to left. “But Clip was his boy.”

“Like I said, he was a snake. Only money and position mattered to him. Marlo and I were summoned out to Peru to meet with the big boss, Salvador. That is where I have been these past few days. And guess who’s already there when we arrived? Mr. Plies himself. Bold as flies claiming a pile of shit. Salvador said he needed someone to watch his distribution and spy on me for some time now. You know, when I first burst on the scene. Clip refused to do it. So, Plies jumped at the chance to be somebody and took the job. Long story short he didn’t get to Clip fast enough, but he murdered Pablo and Penelope for Salvador. Now Salvador, who wanted Pablo and Penelope out of the picture, had a plan for Marlo and me to take over in their position.”

“What do you mean take over in their position?”

“Salvador had plans to make Marlo and me the major distributors for LA and Miami.”

“Why you say, ‘had?’” Promise had been around me long enough to know my meaning in other words. She paid attention to detail when I talked.

“Salvador sucks dirt now and forever,” I confirmed with certainty.

“Sucking dirt?” She repeated the words as if to replay them back in her head for confirmation. Her eyes fell back to me. “What the hell happened to him? Or better question. Who happened to him?” Promise’s eyes squinted at me.

“El Guapo killed him.” I confirmed to ease her suspicion. I knew she thought right away I had finished him off. And while I would have liked to be the one to pull that trigger, the fact was El Guapo beat me to it.

“Okay this too much for me.” Promise threw her hands in the air to wave everything I had said off. “Where the hell is Plies’s rat ass at? I’ll pop a cap in him myself.” Her statement made me burst out with laughter. She laughed too. My sister was my keeper at the drop of a dime.

My tone went back to the seriousness the matter caused for. “No worries. Snakes don’t crawl long in this game. Plies is sucking dirt for now and forever also.” My statement was clear.

“Good. Wait, who did him the honor?”

“His sponsor, Salvador.”

Promise sucked her teeth. “See? What goes around comes around. Weak ass nigga.”

“A true fact. The proof is in the bullet,” I added.

“Oh, and this all works all for the good of you, now you don’t have to work for Salvador who clearly was a snake too.”

“Well, actually Marlo and I are now employed by El Guapo, who now holds Salvador’s power and has the same demands of us as Salvador,” I announced to her dismay. The immediate frown on her face confirmed that. I had laid out everything but purposely I had left out the part about Pablo being Marlo’s dad. I was not prepared to discuss that secret that had been kept from me. I didn’t even want to think about it but couldn’t shake it.

“Damn, this is all a mess.”

“Some would say so.” I finally stepped away from the window. I walked over to the bed and picked up my cell phone. I had called Mob on the way from the airport and told him we needed to meet up. I had to get going. “Listen, I have to meet up with Mob. As usual I have business to handle, you know that never ends. But we’ll talk later.” I looked over at my twin then made a quick exit from the room before she could question me.

In the garage I jumped in my new white Ferrari 488 with Red Interior, while the garage door eased up, I slid on my Tom Ford sunglasses. I backed up just as Promise reached her black Porsche. She glanced over at the Ferrari and smiled. She was crazy about this car. I planned to get her one just like it for our birthday. I slowly drove down my driveway and made the interstate my destination. I knew rush hour was about to approach and I didn’t want to be a victim of it. I veered onto the freeway and let my Ferrari rip. I was in the mood for some speed, then a nice drink.

Downtown traffic was already deep. People were getting off work and in a hurry. I pulled up to a red light, and the vehicle next to me honked their horn. I glanced over at the blue minivan sitting stuck waiting on the light to change, and the white young blonde woman who was driving let her window down and yelled. “I love your car so much.” Then she gave me a thumbs up just as the light turned red. I was not in the mood, but I forced a smile before stabbing out.

I pulled up to the Bird & Bees bar, a hot spot in downtown LA. The crowd was always thick, but I been cool with the owner since DaVon had introduced us, they had been close. So, all I ever had to do was call ahead and one of their best tables was reserved for me. Soon as I took a seat Mob strolled in.

“What’s up Precious? Mannn that Ferrari out there lookin’ sweet and hot. When you gon’ let me bend some corners?” Mob always wore a serious look, so everyone always assumed he was mean. But he really was a sweetheart. Around me, he softened and would smile or even ask me to drive my whip. We were cool like that.

“You already know you can borrow that car whenever you ready,” I said. The waitress approached the table with our drinks. I had ordered two cognac shots for us both. I knew we would need them. At least I did. I had not had a drink since before Peru. And with the situation at hand, I really needed one. If only to mourn Pablo and Penelope, which I had not done yet. There had been no time. Business had to be handled first.

“A’ight. I’ma slide to pick it up one day.” He grinned, then looked down. “Damn, wait, two shots. This must be deep.” Mob sat down and ate me up with his stare. “Come on now, Precious, drop the bomb. You can’t sit there and make me sweat.”

“Drink up,” was my words to him. I picked up one of the shot glasses in front of me and put it to my lips and sucked down the brown liquid with intense energy.

Mob’s eyes never left my face, but he picked up one of the shot glasses in front of him and gulped it down. He set his empty glass on the table.

The brown liquid warmed me. I was ready to talk. “We have some major changes that are taking place as we speak. Marlo and I are now in charge of major distribution, and all collection for LA and Miami.”

Mob’s head moved a bit to the left. “Major Distribution of the product?” He seemed shocked and confused.

“Yes, the word has come down and we are now the link. Just like that.” Mob’s eyes grew wide then I could see the question on his face. Why was I meeting with him only? Where was Plies? After all, he was my right-hand man. And ever since he had assumed his position he was at every meeting as he should have been.

“That’s not the only change. Plies was out of pocket like a motherfucker. He now sleeps forever.” I knew I didn’t have to explain beyond that.

Mob’s shoulders seemed to sink as if I had dropped a bag of bricks on them. He appeared to suck in a breath. “Hell naw.” He finally released. “That nigga betrayed the code? Went against the grain?”

“Dirt in the ground, snake flat on his belly. He murdered Pablo and Penelope.” I picked up my last shot and downed it. I signaled the waitress over. “Please bring me two more.” I realized I needed to slow down on the drinks, but I really needed it. I could literally see Penelope and Pablo’s faces. In a way, they were the last connection I had to DaVon. I could remember the first time he introduced us on my first trip to Miami. Things were so different then. I was different then. I was an innocent girl, a regular citizen with regular dreams. Now . . .

“I’ll take two more as well. Damn, I can’t believe that nigga had the nuts to kill them.” Mob looked disgusted, then downed his last shot. He released a small grunt as it wet his throat. “I shoulda known that nigga was a fake. How da fuck I let that slip me?” Mob balled up his right hand. His pinky ring was shining so hard the lights from the ceiling bounced off it. “Pussy ass niggas can’t spell loyalty these days. Wish I coulda put that nigga to sleep myself woulda been my pleasure. Fuck boy.” I had known the information about Plies would bother him, nothing bothered a hustler more than knowing someone they trusted with their lives was a snake. When you on the streets making moves, getting money, claiming territories, you are for sure racking up enemies just as fast as you can do all three. Someone is always gunning for your spot. So, you need the ones you hustle with to watch your back. Because all situations are life or death. And to find out they were the enemy all along. It leaves a stain that’s hard to get rid of. Sometimes forever.

“So in lieu of all that, I’m going to need you to set these meetings up with the Crew leaders. You know what must be done. And you are familiar with them all, correct?”

“Ah, hell yeah. I know them all. Clip made sure of that. He told me I was to always know the leader of the pack.”

“Good. I need you to reach out to them and set it up, like for tomorrow. I know this is super last minute but this shit gotta be done quick. Ain’t no way around it. All they need to know is they must make this meeting; their product depends on it. But you are not to disclose no more than that.”

“Got it. What about the spot and the time?”

We paused the conversation as the waitress returned to set the shot glasses on the table. She exited and I continued, “Well, that is going to work the same way it does when we meet with our own crew. I will let you know about an hour before the meeting. You will tell them then. Marlo will touch down tomorrow. I’ll have my final decision then.”

“A’ight. I’ll start reaching out asap. Don’t worry, I got you.”

I nodded because I knew Mob could do it. We finished off our drinks then parted ways. I had to go by the dry cleaners to check on one of the pressors Katrina had been complaining about. I wanted to grab the warranty paperwork to take home to review. She had called the company to come out to look at it. But according to her it was acting up again, and they had been out twice already. I wanted to see exactly what the warranty said before I made my next move, possibly with the insurance company.

“I see you in that pretty white piece of heaven today.” Katrina was beaming as soon as I stepped inside.

The drinks had me feeling a bit more mellow, so I was able to give Katrina a sincere smile. Not like the one I had forced for the lady at the red light earlier. “What’s up, K?” I noticed a tall, light-skinned, muscle-toned, medium-built guy, with a flat top haircut, standing close to the counter. He glared at me then back at Katrina. Something told me he was not a customer, and they were acquainted on a personal level.

“Same ol’, wrapping up a few things before Regina gets here. But I want you to meet Lalah daddy, Kenneth. Ken, this is my boss lady Precious.” I had guessed right.

“What’s up.” He spoke in a deep throaty tone that I thought was disgusting.

“Hi.” I continued behind the counter and stood close to Katrina and looked him face on. His eyes seemed to get a bit shifty.

“Precious, you never met him before, but Mr. Larry did.” She referred to my dad. “He met him more than once. Ken, you remember Mr. Larry back when you used to come up in here?”

“Yeah, sho’ do. Your dad was nice. Always welcomed me when I came through.” I wondered if that was a hint for me to welcome him. That was the shady way it came off. I decided to ignore that.

“That he was.” I nodded. I wasn’t sure about this Kenneth. I did remember hearing his name a few times, although I had never managed to be here at the dry cleaners when he came by. I also remembered that my dad didn’t like him. From what my memory gathered he was not good to Katrina, and as my dad put it “not good for her.” And if my memory served me correctly, he had gone to prison. I really didn’t have time for pleasantries since I was on another mission. I excused myself to seek out that warranty. I was sure if he had just got home from lock up, they had some catching up to do.

To say my head was banging when I opened my eyes the next morning was an understatement. Those quick shots I had taken at the Bird & Bees with Mob had kicked in. Not only was my head banging like it was being beat by a drum, but my stomach was twisting and turning so hard I had no choice but barf its contents up into my toilet. But I couldn’t let that slow me down. Today was the first meeting and there was nothing getting in the way of that. So, after emptying my guts and popping two extra strength Excedrin I headed for the kitchen on foot, but the way my head was banging I seriously contemplated crawling there.

I nearly bumped into Rosa coming out of the kitchen. She was so short, sometimes I felt like I was towering over her. “I’m sorry, Rosa.” I apologized, trying to hold my balance. My head seemed to swim from my throbbing headache. I rubbed my forehead and tried to breathe slowly.

“It’s okay. Awww, I hate to see you suffer. Pfft.” She sucked her teeth. “That pot of coffee you asked for is ready to go. Come on, sit down and I’ll make you a cup.”

“No, I got it, Rosa. I’ll be fine, I just swallowed two Excedrin. I should be good in about five minutes.”

“How about breakfast? I can scramble you up some eggs and bacon. A full stomach might suck up the pain and some of that alcohol.”

“No, I’m good on the food too; this coffee is more than enough.” The thought of food made my head pound even more. I. . .