Unfortunately a week later, we were forced to return to business.
During a Sunday dinner at Mom’s house, Rose sold the idea of my becoming mayor to my mother and uncles. They were overjoyed, and had faith in her vision.
She hired a top campaign manager the next day, and several plans were made for us to proceed further.
I can’t wait to beat Parks in this race.
While I wasn’t sure if I could win, I was pussy whipped enough to try for her. She wanted to beat Parks the right way, and I hoped to keep her next to me forever, knowing I would secretly kill him one day.
The rest of the week, Rose went over the recordings and transcripts from the ex-deputy mayor. She’d already got the backing of several New York new stations to take the story of Paradise’s deep corruption. The news would be released by the end of the month, revealing that Leo was the serial killer and that the city knew all about it and did nothing.
Now it’s time to work things out on my end.
With my men, I entered the Secret Garden and headed to the VIP section.
Are they all here?
I spotted Kashmere first. Dressed in a red fur, she sat at one end of the long table. A small army of red was behind her, and they all held guns at their sides.
Marcelo was on the other side, donning dark green. His gun lay on the table near his hand. Gunner stood by his side with his big arms crossed over his chest.
Marcelo and Kashmere glared at each other.
To my surprise, Lei sat at the chair in the middle. He appeared different today. He wore black sunglasses over his eyes. Usually, he had long hair. Somewhere between the funeral and now, he’d cut it off. A dark shadow cast over his face, looking like it would never leave.
A few nights ago, my security reported that Leo’s tracker stopped blinking. Hours later, my people caught Lei returning to Paradise on his motorcycle. They said a woman was on the back of his bike and riding with him. She wore a helmet so they couldn’t see her face.
Apparently a hearse followed them along with Duck and Chen on their own motorcycles.
Did he kill Leo, and who was the woman with him?
This morning, Kashmere called and told me that she was willing to talk, since Chanel’s body was returned to Serenity funeral home. She’d added that there’d been no harm to her body. However, Channel had been embalmed, dressed in red, and donning a new set of diamonds in the casket that she’d been delivered in. Red roses also filled her casket along with a new pair of guns.
While Kashmere must’ve still been pissed about it all, she at least came.
I was grateful.
Let’s hope no one kills each other.
I walked over to the only empty chair and lowered myself. My people positioned themselves behind me. I placed my hands on the table. “Thank you for coming.”
No one spoke.
“We have many things to make clear today.” I knitted my fingers together. “I’m going to address the easiest matter first.”
One of my men placed several fliers on the table. They all displayed my smiling face.
“I’m running for mayor.”
Kashmere spoke first, “Why?”
“Because if not for the Diamond Syndicate, the police would have never investigated Romeo or Chanel’s murders. It’s time that we seize real power and move toward more legitimacy under the law.”
She frowned. “And on Romeo and Chanel’s murders, do you have any suspects yet?”
“We do, but I’ll explain later.” Lei looked at her.
I pursed my lips together.
Kashmere eyed Lei with suspicion. “When?”
“After this meeting,” he said. “We’ll talk. Just you and me.”
Marcelo and I exchanged glances.
Kashmere slowly nodded. “Okay.”
“Since you’re in a talkative mood, Lei.” I raised my eyebrows. “When are you opening the East?”
“Give me a week.”
“What’s the delay?”
“There’s a funeral to prepare for. We’ll want our privacy.”
I processed that information and hoped for the best.
Marcelo spoke, “Where do we all stand?”
“With what?” I asked.
“There’s been division for the past weeks.” Marcelo gazed around at everyone. “Are we still the Diamond Syndicate or not?”
I looked at Kashmere.
“I don’t trust any of you. My sister and brother did. Now they’re dead.” Kashmere frowned. “As far as I’m concerned, the West is with the Diamond Syndicate on a probationary basis. We’ll see what happens in these next months.”
I nodded. “I’ll take that. Enough atrocities have come your way. Whatever we can do to heal the West let me know.”
Kashmere gave me a hint of a grin. “Don’t worry, Dimitri. I’ll send you a list soon.”
Conversation shifted to the imports and exports of business—guns and stolen luxury goods, brothels and drugs. Lei kept quiet most of the time. Marcelo and Kashmere held tense negotiations between the South and West.
After the meeting, I believed we were more divided than ever. Yet, hope still sparked within the dark corners of my mind.