The Conglomerate

by Danielle Santiago

Genres: African American Urban

Synopsis

Joey, Evan, and Cee hail from Charlotte’s infamous west side. Best friends since childhood, they have experienced highs, lows, and everything in between together.

Evan is one of the country’s most sought-after wedding and event planners. Cee is an A-list celebrity hairstylist. Joey is the East Coast’s most popular female club promoter. Combining their talents, they form the Luxe Group Conglomerate. At the height of the Conglomerate’s success, a series of mysterious fatal events occur. It is soon discovered that the secret past of one of the girls has come back to haunt them.

In this tale of luxury, betrayal, and lies, the girls’ friendship is put to the ultimate test. Lives are forever changed as the future of their lucrative conglomerate hangs in the balance.

Release date: June 28, 2016

Publisher: Urban Books

Print pages: 288

Sample

“Oh my God! Joey, how much longer are you going to be?” Cee questioned angrily. “I don’t know why you had to change anyway. There was nothing wrong with the first dress you had on.” Cee looked over at Evan. “Right?” she asked, hoping to get support from their best friend.

Evan refused to side with Cee, even if she was right. All of Cee’s complaining and rushing was irking her. “Just chill, Cee.” Evan sighed. “We’re still on schedule.” She went over to the small bar in the corner of the dressing suite. Dressed in a gold one-shoulder Grecian-style Oscar de la Renta dress, with her long blond hair twisted in a neat chignon on the side of her head, Evan looked like beauty in motion. Large gold chandelier earrings adorned her ears, radiating Evan’s toasted-almond skin. After making a dry martini, she sat down in a wingback chair on the other side of room, crossed her legs, and sipped her drink.

Cee cut her eyes in disgust at both of her best friends. Unfazed by Cee’s glares and comments, Joey stared at her reflection while adjusting a gorgeous eighteen-karat yellow gold Marco Bicego necklace. Once it was rested perfectly on her well-defined collarbone she admired the $18,000 gift that she’d purchased for herself.

Joey stepped back and gave herself a once-over. She was stunning in a deep burgundy floor-length St. John’s two-piece gown. Her silky top hung seductively off her shoulder, revealing just the right amount of cleavage. Gold specs accented the long sequined skirt. It hugged her tightly from the hip to the knee then let out elegantly. Joey moved in closer to the mirror, tousling her large red curls with her fingers and checking her makeup. She motioned for her makeup artist to come over. “I need little more blush please.”

“Are you fucking serious?” Cee snapped loudly, jumping up from her seat. Clutching the side of her long cream strapless gown, she stormed toward the door with her gold Casadei heels clicking loudly against the polished floor.

Cee’s exit was blocked by Evan, who stepped in front of the door just as she reached for the knob. “What is your damn problem, Cee? You’ve been acting like an impatient, spoiled child for the last hour with your whining and complaining.”

“Look, I’m tired as hell and—”

“Whoa!” Evan held up her hand, cutting Cee off. “You think me and Joey are not tired? We’ve been working just as hard as you if not harder.”

“Well, before you so rudely interrupted me,” Cee said, and rolled her neck, “I’m ready to go home with my husband and see my kids. You might know something about that if you had more than your white furniture and glass tables waiting on you at home.”

“Fuck you! You selfish bitch! Joey has kids too who she hasn’t seen in days, yet we both stayed after the ribbon cutting to personally work your grand opening, when it was over.” Evan pointed her finger directly in Cee’s face, nearly grazing her nose.

“Watch your finger,” Cee said, knocking it away with the back of her hand.

Evan placed it right back in her face. “You ran your wide ass up out of here like it was on fire. We had to finish working, then take a quick shower here while you got to go to the comfort of your house to relax, shower, and dress. So you can go suck one ’til it’s dry with all that rushing shit.”

The hairstylist and makeup artist exchanged nervous glances as they packed their things. They both had witnessed arguments between the ladies before, but never with low blows slung back and forth.

“You can miss me with all that drama ’cause you showered in a brand new twenty thousand dollar custom bathroom and not at the Motel 8. And the next time you tell me to go suck a dick,” Cee said, and moved in closer, “be prepared to throw hands.”

“That’s enough already!” Joey said, easing between the two. “This is the exact reason I didn’t say anything back to Cee. This is our night and there should be zero arguing, especially over petty shit.” She looked at Cee then at Evan; both of them were frowning hard. “Now fix your faces and let’s go.”

Once outside the room any evidence of internal strife among the friends was undetectable. The ladies were all smiles as they entered a ballroom to a waiting crowd of close to 1,000 people who had come to celebrate their current success at a $250-a-plate charity dinner.

2010 had been an extraordinary year for the three best friends from the west side of Charlotte; apart they each had thriving profitable careers. Joey was one of the top club and concert promoters on the East Coast. Evan was highly sought-after wedding planner and the owner of a PR firm that specialized in event planning. Cee, a master hairstylist to more than a few celebrities, also had a stable clientele list of 500-plus clients. The trio constantly worked together in some capacity, whether it was Evan doing PR for Cee’s and Joey’s projects, or Cee’s glam squad providing hair and makeup for Evan’s events. Since their businesses kept intertwining they decided to form a conglomerate called The Luxe Group. A year earlier they broke ground and began building their company’s home on a piece of land that Evan inherited from her father.

Today they were celebrating the grand opening of the Luxe Enclave, a semicircle of three buildings. At the entrance was Evan’s brainchild, the L Room: an event hall that consisted of five ballrooms, five dressing suites, a kitchen, and Evan’s PR firm’s offices. Next door to the L Room sat Cee’s creation, Luxurious: a two-story salon and full-service spa. The Luxe Group’s headquarters would be run from the fourth floor of the third building. It was five stories and it housed Club Luxe, a posh three-level nightclub only comparable to the nicest spots in Miami or Vegas. The Luxe Penthouse was a private membership club located on the fifth floor. Its grand opening would be later this week. Both clubs were created and executively managed by Joey.

Joey, Cee, and Evan held hands as they took the stage at the front of the room. The crowd was filled with family, friends, politicians, supporters, and celebrities. Evan took the microphone from the stand.

“I would just like to welcome everyone to the L Room and thank you for coming out to celebrate this special day with us. A special thank you to those of you here who also joined us for the ribbon cutting this morning. This night is . . . um,” she stuttered nervously as her eyes focused in on a man at the rear of the room who was giving her an icy stare. All of the color flushed from Evan’s face and it became covered with perspiration. “This night . . .” She tried to continue, but paused again as she fought the urge to panic. “I’m sorry but the staff is calling for me,” Evan lied. “I believe it’s important. Thank you and please enjoy the dinner.”

She handed Joey the mic and rushed off the stage. Cee and Joey exchanged curious glances. “That’s how it is when you’re the boss,” Joey joked while trying to figure out the cause of Evan’s sudden departure. “I would like to thank you for not only celebrating the opening of our Luxe Enclave, but also purchasing a two hundred and fifty dollar plate. As you know one hundred and seventy five dollars from each plate was set aside for the charity of our choice. We chose the Westside Boys and Girls Association, a place that Cee, Evan, and I credit for keeping us out of trouble with year-round sports programs.” Evan passed the microphone to Cee.

“Due to your generosity,” Cee said, and pointed at the crowd, “we raised $157,000.” The crowd roared with applause and two formally dressed models came out with a poster-sized check. “With pleasure we present this check to Westside Boys and Girls Association.”

An older lady and gentleman, representatives of the Westside Boys and Girls Association, came up to receive the check. After taking a few photos with the representatives Joey returned to the microphone. “Once again thank you, please enjoy your meal, and when you are done please come over to Club Luxe for the grand opening. The first two drinks are on me and we have free champagne all night.”

“What the hell is wrong with Evan?” Cee asked Joey as they stepped off the stage. “She looked like she saw a ghost.”

“I don’t know what’s going on with Evan. We rode to the gym together the other morning. I swear to God we weren’t there twenty minutes when she gets a call and just like that”—Joey snapped her fingers—“she got all jumpy and was ready to leave, but she absolutely refused to tell me what was wrong.”

“Well, she needs to tell us something right now, because that little episode just now was crazy.” Cee scanned the room. “Look, there’s Evan coming back in now. Come on. Let’s find out what’s up.”

“No,” Joey said. “You go start making the rounds and I’ll talk to Evan, because I don’t want the two of you to start going at it out here.” Joey went over to Evan. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine.” Evan smiled weakly.

“Oh, really? Well, why did you almost fall to pieces on the stage?”

“I thought I saw someone I knew from a long time ago and it shook me up a little, but I’m okay now.”

“All right. I’m going to let it ride for now,” Joey said, deciding not to push for the moment, “but I know you like I know myself and something isn’t right.”

“I’m good,” Evan assured her, walking away.

Yeah, right, Joey thought, and walked in the other direction.

After going around the room to personally greet guests at each table, Cee and Joey sat down briefly with their families. Instead of eating, Cee doted on her husband, Petey. Between their careers, and five children, the high school sweethearts didn’t get to spend much time together. Therefore, any time they got a moment to just sit together Cee would give him all of her attention. Petey was a great husband and a wonderful dad, and Cee never failed to show him how much she appreciated him.

Cee’s marriage was the envy of many women, but most didn’t know of the couple’s turbulent beginnings. At the age of thirteen, Cee had the great misfortune of becoming pregnant by a fourteen-year-old Petey. The fact that she was pregnant with triplets complicated matters exponentially. Both Cee and Pete were blessed to have big, supportive families. Although their mothers were furious at them, they banded together and helped out with the triplets so that the two young parents would be able to continue their education. Of course, Cee faced ridicule and gossip from the people in the community, especially her peers. She paid them no mind. Cee had been cornrowing and curling the neighborhood girls’ hair for free or candy since she was ten. Once she gave birth to a set of triplet girls, Taleah, Talia, and Tanine, the freebies went out the window. From then on out she charged every time she picked up her comb.

Pete went to work doing odd jobs for his grandfather’s towing and trucking company. At age sixteen Petey got his work permit and went to work full time at the trucking company. At this point Cee was enrolled in the cosmetology program at West Charlotte Senior High and worked as a stylist assistant. Upon graduating Cee became a licensed cosmetologist and Petey took on more responsibilities at the trucking company while attending UNC Charlotte as a business major.

At twenty the couple married and moved into one of Petey’s father’s rental properties. The early years of their marriage was no fairytale. Cee struggled with balancing her successful career and her young family. There was also infidelity on both their parts, in some aspect to be expected in their situation. Neither had experienced anyone else before taking their vows. In the long run both learned from their cheating that they only wanted one another.

Though it had been a rocky road, life had come full circle. Cee had become an übersuccessful stylist and salon owner. Petey was now the owner and operator of his family’s truck business. He’d expanded and taken the trucking company to heights his grandfather never even dreamed of. The triplets, or trips, as they were affectionately called, were in their freshmen year of college. In addition to the trips, Cee and Petey were the proud parents of a seven-year-old boy, Petey Jr., and a four-year-old daughter, Shelby.

Joey didn’t have much conversation for Zay, her husband of ten years. Yes, she’d been away from him more than usual lately, but this was the first meal that she’d had in two days and she was beyond starving so there wasn’t much time for talking. In a matter of minutes it would be time for her to head to over to the club to complete last-minute preparations before the grand opening that was only an hour away. While eating Joey did manage to keep a close watch on Evan, who had yet to sit down.

Although Evan was single and both of her parents were deceased, she did have aunts, uncles, and cousins in attendance. She zoomed around the room like a Tasmanian devil busying herself with the smallest things: things that Evan’s highly skilled staff was more than capable of handling. The dinner was flowing smoothly without a hitch just like all the events that Evan planned. Evan’s movements only confirmed Joey’s suspicions that Evan was hiding something serious.

“Slow down, baby,” Zay whispered to Joey. “Can you even taste the food?”

“I don’t need to.” Joey blushed. “Besides, I have to get over to Luxe to make sure everything is straight before the doors open.”

“There is nothing more for you to do. I stopped by there before I came in here. Everything is good, so slow down and enjoy your food.” He kissed her cheek. “When you’re finished, don’t take off like your girl ran off the stage for no apparent reason.” Zay chuckled.

“You caught that too?”

“Hell, yeah. I was standing at the back of the room and not one person motioned for her. I’ve been telling you for years something not right with ya girl.”

“Oh, Zay, please. There is nothing wrong with Evan. Just admit you don’t like her and you haven’t from day one.”

“Not true at all. I don’t dislike Evan. My instincts have just always told me that she got some extra shit with her.”

“The street nigga in you tells you she got extra shit with her.” Joey shook her head. “That has been my bestie for over twenty years. She has never done anything for me not to trust her and for the ten years that you’ve known her you’ve been trying to find something wrong with her.”

“I’ve been telling you for a long time you can be down with someone for thirty years and they will betray you like they never knew you. Anyways,” he said, changing the subject. He wasn’t going to waste his time arguing over something petty. “You are beautiful in that color.”

“Thank you, honey.”

“I meant to tell you that when you first sat down, but you went in on that plate like a beast.”

Laughing, Joey nudged him with her elbow. “Shut up, boy.” Biting her bottom lip sexily she eyed him up and down. “You are looking real presidential in that tux. If I had fifteen minutes I would take you in my office and do you real good.”

“Ain’t no ‘if’ about it. You got time.”

“Nah, I don’t have time. As a matter of fact,” Joey said, and looked down at her gold Rolex, “I have to go change my clothes right now. I’ll peel you out of that tux tonight and give it to you until the sun comes up.”

“That ain’t happening,” Zay spat.

Joey frowned. “Why not?”

“First of all, I’m coming up out this monkey suit before I go in Luxe. And you know the sun will be up by time you get home. But, hey, we haven’t fucked in two weeks so what’s another day?” He winked, taking a sip of Hennessy.

“Really, Zay? You wanna do this right now?”

“Not at all. I’m only messing with you, baby. I know how hard you’ve been working and it has definitely paid off. I’m proud of you.”

Joey cupped his face in her hands. “I’m going to make it up to you. We’re going to leave together early.” She kissed him adoringly, and then said, “I gotta go. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

With fifteen years of club management experience in Miami and Manhattan, Bev Garcia, the operations manager of Club Luxe, ran a tight and efficient operation. Bev’s expertise came with an expensive price tag but it was well worth it. She had the club’s staff well prepared for the huge grand opening, which included: performances by three of the biggest stars in hip-hop and R&B; a two-hour open bar; and free flutes of champagne all night for VIP guests.

Two hours after the doors opened, the club was filled to the maximum capacity of 3,000. This forced the bouncers to turn away a line of hundreds. Clad in a short silk white romper and fuchsia platform pumps, Joey moved through her club, greeting guests, checking the five bars, and constantly making sure that celebrity guests and performers were okay.

When Bev went into the stock room, she found Joey loading bottles into a box she had tucked beneath her arm. “What are you doing?” Bev asked.

“I am getting some vodka and Patrón for the first-floor bars. They’re both almost out.”

“I know,” Bev said, then took the box from Joey. “That’s why I came to pull bottles. The bar hands are on their way to pick up the orders.”

“Well, I can at least help you pull bottles so the boxes will be ready when they get here,” Joey replied, reaching for the box.

“Joey, I have everything, and I mean everything, under control. I just sent three bottles of Ace up to your VIP section. Go celebrate your night to enjoy all of the hard work you’ve put in.”

Joey checked her watch. It was a little after midnight. “Okay,” she said reluctantly. “Thank you, Bev. You are doing a wonderful job. This night turned out much better than I ever imagined.”

“That’s what you hired me for,” Bev replied, smiling brightly.

“What kind of Ace did you send?”

“Two gold bottles and one rosé.”

“I’m going to get another bottle of rosé from the bar. That’s Cee’s favorite so I know it’s probably gone already.”

“All the bars are out of rosé. My next stop is the cooler to pull some more of that, too. When I get them I’ll send you some over by the waitress. Now go have fun.”

Joey slipped, unnoticed, into the largest VIP section on the second level. She snuck up behind Zay, who was standing next to Petey, watching the performances. Joey wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him.

“Hey, baby, I’m done working already and the night’s not over yet.”

“That’s what’s up,” he said, turning to face her. “I hope you still planning to give it to me until the sun come up.”

“I sure am. What’s up with Cee?” Joey asked, pointing at her best friend. Donning a slinky white off-the-shoulder minidress, Cee was standing on top of an oversized ottoman with a bottle of champagne in her hand, dancing and singing.

“You know what’s up with her.” Zay laughed, shaking his head. “She’s wasted.”

“I’m about to get just like her,” she said, dancing side to side. Joey looked around. “Where is Evan?”

“Hell if I know. I thought she was with you.”

“No.” Joey frowned. “I’ve only seen her twice since we’ve been in here. Whatever.” She shrugged. “She’ll surface eventually.” Notorious for hard partying, Joey had the bottle server pour her three shots of Cîroc, which she quickly downed and chased with a big swig of champagne. Minutes later she was up dancing on the ottoman next to Cee with her own bottle.

Evan smiled as she peered down at her two best friends from a restricted area on the third level of the club. She could tell that they were having a really good time. Normally she would be right there in the middle getting twisted with them. Due to recent, strange events she needed to be focused while in public.

Evan felt a tap on the shoulder and nearly jumped out of her skin. She spun around. “Oh, God, Bev,” she exclaimed, holding her chest. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry, but why are you not down there celebrating?” Bev questioned, wondering why Evan was in a secluded area of the club by herself. “Do you need a bottle of champagne or something? I’m about to go in the cooler room now.”

“No, I’m fine. I just needed a moment to myself. I’m not really in the partying mood right now.” Evan paused. “You know, Bev, I’m gonna break out. Can you tell Joey and Cee that I left?”

“Sure.”

Evan walked briskly through the Enclave parking lot to her reserved spot in front of the L Room. Once she was in eyeshot of her white Mase. . .