Page 31 of Hooked On A California Kingpin

“Good, I think you do need some rest. You’re starting to get bags under your eyes. Plus, you have to make time for yourself as well Kenya.” She gave me a sympathetic look and I almost caved in and let out a sob. I was miserable and felt so weak as a woman. My mother wouldn’t stand for it if she knew how bad I was letting a man control the strings of my own happiness. I wasn’t raised this way, I just loved Inferno so much and it happened so fast that I truly couldn’t help myself.

Janessa told me she would see me in the meeting room, and I plastered a fake forced smile. When she walked out, I released my breath and let a couple of tears fall before dabbing them away. I stepped back closer to the mirror and checked out my makeup. It was still picture perfect. I ran my hands over my now honey blonde hair, tucking away any flyaways. My hair is wrapped tightly in a perfect bun, making my eyes look more chinky. I slide my black blazer back on, over my white silk blouse and adjusted my pencil form fitting skirt.

I looked very classy with an edge of sexiness. Applying more nude lipgloss I puckered my lips and smiled. I gave myself a reassuring pep talk. Maybe Inferno was too busy and hadn’t had time for me, it was my fault that I got too deep into my own feelings and mind.

I constantly had to remind myself that Malice Ashonti Ruiz was no ordinary man. He didn’t have all the time in the world like most men did. His main focus was making money and then more money after that. But if a man really loves and wants you, he will make the time, my mom’s words echoed in my brain.

Shaking that off I exited the restroom and looked down the empty hallway. I took pride being at the Syndicate headquarters. It was a two-level furniture store with expensive luxury home décor and furniture imported from out of the country. It was my idea, and I found the perfect building on Melrose boulevard to set up shop. It was one of Inferno’s gold mines and it brought in lots of cash monthly.

The third level was made for staff only, the syndicate used the third level for our meetings that we had monthly. I caught the elevator to the third floor and walked a couple steps to our meeting room which had glass soundproof glass. I noticed a couple of new faces and frowned when my eyes followed Malice’s line of vision. He eyed a chick who was full figured rocking a two-piece black suit with a blouse that showed too much cleavage. She was beautiful, I couldn’t lie about that, but she couldn’t have been Malice type. I eyed her for a very long time, she seemed to be in her own world as she talked to the men that stood behind her chair. She sat in my seat, directly across from Malice.

I saw a big diamond ring on her finger and sighed in relief, the bitch was married. So why was Malice practically eye fucking her like he did me during meetings? Making my presence known, I opened the glass door and just like the queen I was, all attention was on me. Everyone spoke and greeted me properly except the mystery bitch that never stopped talking to the men that she brought with her.

Inferno cleared his throat and all talking seized as all attention was now directed towards him. I quietly took my seat next to Janessa, she sat properly with her notebook and iPad ready to take notes.

“Before, I allow Killa to take the floor and start our meeting.” He stood and my mouth watered at the sight of him. Every time I saw Inferno, he was dressed impeccably nice. He had on a Prada Re-Nylon black, short-sleeve shirt that zipped up showing a little of his chest. His Prada shorts was the same material as his shirt stopping past his knees. He only wore his iced-out Jesus piece chain with a diamond watch that probably blinded every one in the room. One pinky ring sparkled on his hand, and I froze at the sight of a white gold wedding band encrusted with diamonds.

He got married? As if he could read my thoughts and feel my pain, he looked over and winked at me then continued to roam the room with his eyes.

“I would like to introduce a new member to the Syndicate. Her name is Queen, she is my wife. Her street gang will have the syndicates protection, I want you all to get familiar with her because a lot of big things will be taking place within the next couple of months. Killa go ahead.” He took a seat, picked up his phone and started texting like he hadn’t just broke my fucking heart. When I took my eyes off of him, I looked across the table and made eye contact with Queen. Her stare down was lethal and cold, she no longer looked pretty to me. She had a dark aura about her and the look that was plastered on her face was a powerful one. I smiled at her, trying to be a little welcoming. I would never stop fucking Malice so she should open up and get used to her husband being shared.

Instead of smiling back at me, she kept a blank face and winked at me. Something Inferno would do. Had she been around my man for so long that she copied what the fuck he did.

“Excuse me Killa, I hate to interrupt.” She cleared her throat, never taking her eyes off of me. I suddenly felt like the room had gotten stuffy when the AC worked just fine.

“What’s your name sweetheart?” I looked around to see if she was really talking to me.

“Yes, you… You have been staring at me since you walked up, outside the glass door. Tell me your name. First and last.” She finally broke her stone-cold expression and smiled.

“Kenya Monroe, Inferno’s assistant,” I added and looked over at Inferno to see if he was paying attention and if he would back me up. Inferno was still typing on his phone, he paused from one phone, put it down then picked up his second phone.

“I didn’t ask you what you were to my husband. Its obvious what all you do for him.” She chuckled. “Kenya Monroe don’t stare at me too long. I get uncomfortable when people stare at me pass ten seconds. My trigger finger too happy for that type of fuckery. Its nice meeting you.” She took her eyes off of me and looked at Killa who wore a smirk plastered on his bitch ass face. I shifted in my seat as I listened to Killa ramble on and on about guns and new potential gangs that he felt the Syndicate would profit over.

Killa was excellent at all the street shit, he aligned things properly and had become Inferno’s supplier easily making sure any drugs or guns that even touched the streets was solid. He was also a math genius and cold count up all money fast and be able to detect when someone was short just by holding a duffle bag of cash in his hand. Big B was the scary enforcer. If Malice or Killa sent Big B your way, you knew that you would be taking your last couple of breaths. Big B was as cold as they came, he looked and acted the part. I never really heard him say much, he always stood behind Inferno watching everyone closely. He was like Inferno’s second pair of eyes.

Thirty minutes of talking, it always took Killa that long to update and tell us everything that had been going on for the month. I didn’t give a damn, but a lot of other syndicate members that was into illegal dealings looked forward to hearing every word he spoke. Inferno basically sat in the meetings as the head over it all to agree or disagree. When he didn’t say anything that meant he was on board. Killa sat down with a satisfied look on his face. He picked up his blunt and sparked it. I got nervous because I knew my turn was coming up.

I waited for Inferno to give me the floor in which he did by simply saying my name, never looking up from his phone.

"I set up a clothing drive which is charitable, its also a way to give back to the communities. The event will be held next month around two p.m. I would like if everyone could attend to see the pleasant faces and appreciation that the community has.”

“Kenya, we ain’t tryna see no fuckin faces during the day. You know how much business we gots to handle?” Killa looked at me like I was stupid, and I was ready to curse his ass out.

“A fucking clothing drive, its like you pull shit out of that fake ass of yours each month.” My bottom lip dropped as I looked at Inferno.

“Careful Killa, let Monroe finish.” I released the breath I was holding.

“I started a funding account for the clothing drive, I also wanted to start another anonymous shelter for the homeless downtown L.A. which is also in the making but it’s taking time trying to find the perfect contractors. This will serve as a perfect tax write off.” I paused as Janessa nudged me; my hands were getting clammy. I was nervous, I loved helping people of the community just like Inferno did as well. He never spoke about the joy he had in doing it but deep down, I knew he liked giving back like I did to the unfortunate.

Now was the time to present this opportunity that I had been pondering on for months and I hoped he didn’t shut my idea down.

“I umm, wanted to have a special host for a gala fundraising event. Maybe a known celebrity to bring more celebrities out. The syndicate could make loads of money from that and…” Inferno finally looked up and focused on me.

“The clothing drive is a go; I like the sound of the shelters too. I will get back to you on the gala thing. If anybody else would like to add anything to the meeting, you can if not you all can leave.” I stayed seated but everybody else seemed over the meeting and ready to go. Queen and her men stood and walked towards the exit. She stopped right next to me and leaned down.

“I have a clinic, ask Malice about the info. Underneath all that makeup, I would love to give you a facial.” She smirked and kept walking. I wanted to throw my water bottle at the back of her head.

“Queen.” Inferno called her name and she stopped at the exit and waited saying nothing.