“I said drop that bitch!” he pushed her body off the hood and then turned and slapped Barnes in the back of the head as he passed. “When I say drop that bitch, I mean drop that bitch. Not lay her ho-ass on a car.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
It was Monday afternoon when Sterling and Barnes arrived at DP’s car drop. First thing that morning, he was awakened by a call from DP and asked if he would meet him there. It seemed that the events of the last few days had convinced him to reconsider Sterling’s offer. Not only had he lost control of all his illegal businesses to Rain, he found out that morning that he had lost his legal businesses as well.
His father, Milton had built quite an empire for them, an empire that included, Essco Construction Materials, Milton Real Estate, Milton Automotive Parts Company, that sold to the auto industry, a chain of Fish and Chicken fast-food restaurants with locations throughout the tristate area, and the porno film studio with worldwide distribution. DP had power of attorney and planned to liquidate his ownership interest into cash to rebuild a new life for himself. He had already gotten a new identity and a fake passport.
However, when he met with his accountant and lawyer, supposedly to finalize things and transfer the money to a bank in the Caymans, they had more bad news for him.
“All of your assets are frozen, David, including the accounts that were set up to facilitate the sale of your father’s businesses,” the accountant informed.
Now that the plan had changed from destroy to confiscate, Ryder decided that there was no point recreating the wheel. So, instead of going all gangster about it, Ryder called Carla. She knew that if Rain was all over this like she was, then Carla would be all up in it for her.
“Of course, I am,” Carla said when Ryder asked.
Knowing how The Family operated, Carla had been shadowing DP’s accountant and lawyer while they were putting together the deals to sell off the Petty’s assets and was poised to take it on Rain’s command.
“And the bank has opened an investigation into your activities as credit union branch manager,” the lawyer added.
“On what grounds?” DP asked, but he already knew.
“The auditors suspect the you were using several accounts to operate loan sharking businesses and launder drug money.”
That was Carla’s doing too. It didn’t take her long to track the activity and was more than happy to send the information to the auditors.
DP buried his head in his hands. “What do I do now?” he raised his head enough to ask.
“My advice, you should join your father in Venezuela as soon as possible,” the lawyer said, stood up and extended his hand. “Good luck, David.”
Now that his circumstances had changed drastically, DP decided to accept the money that Sterling offered and get out of the city quietly. Sterling got out of the car, opened the trunk, and took out the bag with the money he was able to put together. “Wait here. This ain’t gonna take long.” Sterling told Hawkins and walked toward the office. DP was in there while Prune Face and Itchy were sitting outside.
“What up, y’all?” Sterling asked when he passed them and went in the office.
DP had no time for pleasantries. “Did you bring it?” he asked.
“Yeah, I got you,” Sterling said and put the bag on the desk. “But all I could get you that quickly was a hundred and a half. When you get where you going, I’ll get you some more.”
“Thanks, I should have did this when you offered it the first time, so thank you,” DP said, looking in the bag.
Sterling laughed a little. “They got you on the run now, huh?” he asked smugly, and DP didn’t appreciate his tone.
“Heard they at you too,” DP said and turned to open the wall safe. He had fifty thousand in cash in there; he took it out thinking that two hundred thousand dollars would work if he kept a low profile.
“What you talkin’ about?” Sterling asked.
“Venus.”
Sterling said nothing.
“What? You don’t think I hear shit?”
Once again Sterling said nothing, but this time, DP laughed.
“What’s funny?”
“Them … taking our shit.” DP laughed. “They just took my money. But what they took from you is a bit more personal. I know Venus was your heart. I’ll get more money, but you’ll never get back what the mutha fucka took from you.”
“Whatever, nigga. I’m out,” Sterling said because he wasn’t trying to hear any more of that shit. “Let me know where you land, and I’ll personally bring you some paper,” Sterling said and hugged his oldest friend. “Be safe.”