L.A. Blues III by Maxine Thompson Read Free Book Online

have been paid, but don’t worry. I got something for they ass.”
    Blood pounded in my head. I didn’t say anything at first. Finally I spoke. “They claimed you owed them five million dollars. I don’t know what I went on that wild goose chase for if you already had the money.”
    â€œI had to get my woman back, too. It wasn’t just about the money.”
    â€œBut why would they get involved in a drug deal?”
    â€œLook, people are broke so they will do desperate things. I think they homes was in foreclosure.”
    I thought of Haviland and her blackmailer who had her over the barrel over faking a home invasion to keep from losing her Hollywood Hills mini-mansion in the height of the recession in 2009. “Do you know if these men are still with the FBI and the DEA?”
    â€œYes, they still with the DEA and the FBI, with they crooked ass. They shake down more drug dealers than the dealers. I guess when their money got low, they went after me and the money they knew I had from the files on me. They think they untouchable. Plan to retire drinkin’ mai tais on some island. Got kids in Ivy League colleges.”
    â€œWell, they didn’t get the money from me.”
    â€œDon’t worry. I paid those mothertruckers. They’re trying to drain all my money, but that’s all right. When I find them, they’ll be taken care of.”
    My heart clutched. “How did you get kidnapped? I’ve been so out of it, I haven’t had a chance to see what was going on. What do they have on you? Why did they set up the kidnapping?”
    â€œMoney. Simple as that. I got something on them and they couldn’t shake me down anymore. They figured if they had me abducted they could get a lump sum of money. If it wasn’t for you, I would have been killed.”
    â€œAnother question: did they give you money to go to Brazil?”
    â€œNo, they didn’t. They found out about the deal and was trying to intercept it and get the money. The cartels wound up keeping Appolonia. That’s what I’m here about.”
    I was hoping to divert him from that subject. “So how did you become a billionaire?”
    Mayhem became quiet, as if he was weighing what I’d asked him. He rubbed his clean chin with his right thumb and forefinger. It took what seemed like forever for him to answer. “Good investments on Wall Street.”
    â€œDo you think you’ll ever get out the game?”
    He gave me a strange look. “You know what my philosophy of life is?”
    â€œShoot.”
    â€œI didn’t choose my destiny. My destiny chose me. I live in one of the richest cities of America and I just want my part of the California dream. Fuck being broke. Before I get trampled on and never have any power or money, I’ll die first. I used to be called an inland terrorist when I was banging, but now I’m trying to go legit. I’m a businessman. It’s the American way. You either get, or you get got. We never got money when we were marching for freedom, and now we have no power.”
    â€œHow about President Obama?”
    â€œPsssssh.” He let out a long hiss. “That was just a fluke. The average Negro ain’t living his life.”
    â€œI’d—”
    â€œYou’d do what if you were in my shoes, born where we were born, and you were a Black man?”
    I pondered his question. I lay back on my bed, speechless. I really didn’t know what I’d do. “I don’t know,” I admitted.
    â€œI was trying to . . . I’m just trying to go legit, but that last bid kind of cut into my bank account. Plus, this system won’t let a nigga catch a break.”
    â€œNot from what I saw in your account . . .”
    Mayhem ignored my remark. “Well, anyhow, when I sent Appolonia to Rio that was going to be the last run in that line of business, because there’s too much shit going on in Mexico right