“Why?”
“I’d rather not say over the phone.”
“Does this have anything to do with Shy and this Ferreira guy’s murder?”
“It does and it doesn’t. I’ll be back tonight, and I’ll explain everything and hopefully it will take care of Mrs. Black’s issue too.”
“Okay, Geno. Do what you gotta do, but I gotta tell Rain what’s up.”
“I understand,” Geno said, and he ended the call.
Once he found Valencia, they left the airport and caught a taxicab to Palais De Plaisir; the house that Jada built. Upon arrival, Geno and Valencia were escorted to the infinity pool by Ahanti Ahmed, and she served them cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. They were on their second drink when Kishana arrived, and she escorted Geno to Napoleon’s office.
“Geno, my man!” Napoleon shouted when Kishana showed him into the office.
“What’s up, Napoleon,” he said, shaking hands with him. “How you been?”
“I have been very well, my friend. And what about you, how are you and more importantly, what brings you to Freeport?”
“I’m doing great.”
“This is your first time here, right?”
“It is.”
“Come, let me show you around and you can tell me why you’re here,” Napoleon said, and they left the office. As they walked around the magnificent three-acre estate, Geno told Napoleon about Valencia and the reason for their visit to Palais de Plaisir.
“I see,” was all that Napoleon offered as they walked out on the covered terrace that overlooked the ocean. “and you are involved in this because?”
Geno pointed to her from the terrace. “Her name is Valencia DeVerão.”
“And you are in love with this woman?”
“I was once. A long time ago.”
“And now?” Napoleon asked as they entered the spacious grand room, with its stunning view of the ocean and the infinity pool.
“Honestly, Napoleon, I don’t know how or what I feel for her. All I can tell you is that she’s a friend who’s in trouble and she needs my help.”
“Does the boss know what you are doing? And when I say boss, yes, I do mean Purple Rain?”
“She lets you call her that?” Geno asked, having seen Rain shove her gun in somebody’s mouth and threatening to kill them for calling her that.
“She doesn’t like it, and she threatens to kill me each time I say it, but I am still alive,” Napoleon laughed. “So you can draw your own conclusions from that.”
Geno laughed. “Yeah, don’t call her that shit. And no, I haven’t told Rain, but Carter does know where I am and who I’m with. He said that he would tell her.”
“Good. At least you are on solid ground,” Napoleon said as they walked outside. Geno paused for a second to admire the stunning view of the ocean and the infinity pool. Valencia waved when she saw them standing there.
“Yes, my friend. I see what you like. She’s a very beautiful woman.”
“She is that.”
“The kind of beauty that causes men to make bad choices. Choices that are not good for him or his Family. Whether or not that is the case here remains to be seen. But with that said, I am not the one who she needs to be speaking with. I may run this island, but I serve at the pleasure of Jada West. It is she who you must speak with.”
“I see. I’ve heard a lot about her.”
“Yes, I am sure that you have. Ms. West is a formidable presence to be sure.”