Deadly Saintes- The Complete Series Read online

  Deadly Saintes

  The Complete Series

  Nico Jackson

  Iceflo Publishing

  Contents

  Wrath

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Envy

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Vice

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Pride

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Vengeance

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Ambition

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Deceit

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Catch a Typo?

  Wrath

  Deadly Saintes Episode 1

  Wrath is a work of fiction.

  All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.

  This Complete Book is Copyright (c) 2018 by NorthStar Studios

  Deadly Saintes (and what happens within / characters / situations / worlds) are copyright © 2018 by NorthStar Studios

  All rights reserved. No part of this specific publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of NorthStar Studios

  1

  Reginald Sainte, Sr. was the kind of man women desired and men wanted to be. His oldest son, Reginald Junior, was never quite the man his father was. He had inherited his father’s love of fine clothing, soft walnut skin and his dark brown eyes, but he wasn’t quite as handsome. He wasn‘t quite as tall, and he didn’t have Senior’s charm.

  RJ poured himself a glass of vodka and drained it. He reached for the bottle, but his wife put her hand on his arm.

  “You know how your father is,” Chanel whispered. “You want to be stone cold sober when he gets home.”

  “I’m a grown ass man. You don‘t tell me what to do.”

  Chanel moved closer to him and lowered her voice even more “You need to be on top of your game when you talk to him, that‘s all I’m saying.”

  RJ glared at his wife.“Where the hell is he? He was supposed to be here an hour ago.”

  “You know Reginald will get here when he gets here,” she replied.

  RJ put the bottle back on the bar. He turned to his sister. “You‘re driving me crazy, Constance! Enough with the walking!”

  The clicking of her stilettos against the hardwood floors stopped. Lawrence Dixon tried to keep his face neutral. He had been watching the sway of Constance Sainte‘s hips as she walked back and forth. He caught a whiff of her perfume and tried to push down thoughts of the last time he had been close to her.

  Constance’s shoes were the exact shade of red of her dress. Her hair and makeup were flawless. Like her father, she believed appearance mattered. “Fuck you, RJ, you’ve been on my case since Daddy left.”

  “Somebody needed to,” RJ mumbled.

  Constance stood toe to toe with her brother. She looked him in the eye. “I don‘t think I heard you.”

  “Oh, you’re hard of hearing now?”

  “Don’t forget I did what you couldn’t. Daddy’s coming home because of Lawrence and me. You didn’t do a damn thing to make that happen. Probably didn‘t want it to happen.”

  RJ glared at his sister, but she never took her eyes from his. “If you weren’t my sister…”

  “What? You’d hit me? I’m not one of those weak ass bitches you‘re used to. Go for it, RJ.”

  Darius stepped between them. “Let’s take a breath here. We‘re family. We shouldn’t be fighting.”

  RJ snorted. “Stop with the preacher shit, Darius. You’ll get hurt when I beat Constance’s ass.”

  Constance tried to take a step toward RJ, but Darius held her back.

  “You better take your weak ass on, RJ. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can talk to me like you do your wife.”

  Darius put his arm around his sister and walked her over to the bar.

  Constance poured herself a drink and gave her sister-in-law a hard look. Chanel dropped her head.

  RJ felt his phone vibrate and snatched it from his pocket. He felt his siblings staring at him. He turned and walked from the room when he saw who was calling. “What did I tell you about calling me during the day?” he whispered.

  “But you can call me whenever you want?”

  “I didn’t mean it like that –”

  Destiny grunted. “It’s all good, Reginald.”

  RJ realized he was clenching his teeth and tried to relax his jaw. If Chanel heard him, there would be hell to pay. “Destiny baby,” he took a breath, “I used the wrong words. What we got is good. And I don’t want my family bullshit to mess it up.”

  “You mean you don’t want your wife to find out.”

  “I’m going to tell her. There‘s just a lot going on now.”

  “You think ‘cause you got money and you know big words I can’t see through you? All those fancy clothes you wear can’t cover up the ain’t shit motherfucka underneath ‘em. Call me when you’re on the way.”

  “I probably won’t –”

  “Get off the phone.” Chanel straightened his tie and smoothed his jacket. “You need to be focused. I have a feeling that something major is about to happen.”

  RJ tried to read his wife’s face, but he couldn’t tell whether she had heard his conversation. He followed her into the living room and took his place by the door, the rightful place of the King. Titus Webster joined him. RJ spotted the black Escalade as it began up the long driveway. The last conversation he had with his father played through his head, but he pushed it down, not wanting to shake his confidence. He glanced at Chanel’s hand on his shoulder. The small squeeze helped to calm him.

  “Remember, we have to get him alone so we can tell him about the deal.”

  “I got a plan,” he said.

  “We just need him to stay out of the way.”

  “I said I got it handled, Chanel. Get off my back.” Though she took a step backward, he still felt her touch.

  “And if he doesn’t, I do,” Titus said, clapping his hands on RJ’s shoulders. “You know I can always get your f
ather to understand, even if you can’t.”

  “Yeah I know.”

  “We’re still good on my cut, right nephew?”

  “We’re good, Uncle Titus.”

  “Then I got your back, just like always.” Titus poured himself a drink and rested in the chair next to the fireplace. He nodded once and raised his glass.

  Trey slid into his father’s place. “I want in.”

  “On what?” RJ asked..

  “Whatever you and my dad are planning.”

  RJ chuckled and tried not to smirk. “You ain’t ready. You’re still a baby in the game.”

  “I ain’t no fucking –” Trey lowered his voice “– I ain’t no baby. I’m ready to put in work.”

  RJ studied Trey’s eyes, impressed with the intensity. “We’ll talk later.”

  Constance sat next to Lawrence, careful to keep some space between them. She glanced at her youngest brother. Malcolm was sitting in the corner nursing a glass of tequila. He hadn’t said two words all afternoon. She sipped her scotch and glanced at Lawrence, then looked out the window. “He should have been here by now.”

  “Patience,” Lawrence replied. “He’ll be here soon enough.”

  Constance took another sip. “Not soon enough for me.”

  “Jovan isn’t home?”

  She shook her head. “He’s ‘training’,” she replied, making air quotes with her fingers.

  Lawrence shook his head. “Your husband has to be the biggest fool I’ve ever met. What kind of grown ass man thinks he can make a living playing video games? This isn’t going to make Reginald like him any more.”

  Constance grunted.” Do I look like I care?”

  Lawrence fought a smile and leaned toward her. “No,” he said softly. “I don’t believe you do.” He jerked his head toward the window. “Looks like your father finally made it.”

  A black Escalade pulled into the drive. Constance stood as the back door on the driver side opened.

  Reginald Sr. stepped out of the vehicle, tugged at his cuffs and adjusted his suit jacket. He slid a pair of Cartier Aviator shades over his eyes. His quick glance toward the house showed no concern for what awaited him on the other side. He checked the shine on his handmade Berluti shoes and went to the passenger side. He opened the door and helped a young woman out.  “Who the hell is that?” Constance asked.

  Darius joined her at the window.  “Maybe she’s our long lost sister.”

  “Shut up, Darius.” RJ peered out of the window next to the front door. He straightened his shoulders and his eyes connected with every person in the room. “No matter who the fuck she is, she ain’t coming between what we got going.”

  “Unless he made her the beneficiary of everything,” Lawrence said.

  “He wouldn’t be stupid enough to do that.” Constance stood with her back to the door.

  Lawrence sighed. “Men have done worse for a woman.”

  Constance set her drink on the cocktail table and joined RJ at the door. “Keep it together. RJ, best behavior.”

  He curled his lip. “Yes,mom.”

  Constance turned on a practiced smile. She smoothed her dress before opening the door. “Daddy.” She noticed his hand remained attached to the strange woman’s as he hugged her.

  “My baby girl,” Reginald said, cupping her face. Stepping around her to get inside, he finally broke the woman’s hold on him, shaking his oldest son’s hand. “RJ.” He stared into his son’s eyes. His hand tightened around his. “How’s the family?”

  “I’ve been taking care of us,” Constance said.

  RJ’s eyes cut in her direction. “Shut up.”

  Reginald sucked his teeth. “She must be right if that’s your reaction.”

  RJ’s shoulders dropped. “We worked together.”

  “How’s my reputation, son?”

  “Better than ever, sir.”

  Reginald continued down the line, greeting the rest his family, just about skipping over Darius, ending with Malcolm.

  “Baby boy.” Reginald hugged Malcolm and clapped him on the back. “Happy you’re here. I’ve heard about what you’re doing in Lansing and I’m proud.”

  “Thanks Pop.”

  “You still with...what’s that girl’s name?”

  “Simone? Yeah. She’s on a girl’s trip with some of her friends.”

  Reginald released him. “On your dime right?”

  “Dad, please. She’ll be back in a couple days. Give her a chance.”

  He sighed and shook his head. Regret for not spending more time with his youngest son flowed through him. Dimples appeared in his cheeks. “I will for you.” He took Malcolm’s hand and pulled him into a hug. “Be careful son. You’ve made a good name for yourself. You’re worth plenty on your own, but your last name makes you worth even more. Don’t forget that.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “I am famished. Who’s gonna feed this old man?”

  “Aren’t you going to introduce us to…” Darius nodded in the dark skinned beauty’s direction.

  “Right. How could I forget to introduce my wife?”

  “Yo, your what?”

  “My wife,” Reginald repeated. “And my...” Everyone looked toward the door. He wore a slight grin as he went to the door. He opened it and his body blocked the person he exchanged Spanish sentences with. “Thank you Raquel. I’ll give you a call when we get back to the hotel. He closed the door before turning around. “I’d like you to meet your little brother. Say hello to David.” He cooed and laughed with the round cheeked baby in his arms. “Oh and say hello to your stepmother Eralia.” He slid an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. It appeared as if they were posing for a family portrait.

  Constance nearly let her glass slip out of her hand. She gripped it hard.  “Daddy, Lawrence and I need to talk to you.” she said.

  RJ stepped forward. “I need to talk to him first.”

  Constance’s eyes narrowed. “You can talk to him after I’m finished.”

  “What I have to say is more important.”

  “If that’s the case then you can say it in front of all of us,” she said.

  “I don’t have to say shit in front of you. This is between me and Dad.”

  Darius’ heart beat faster as his eyes darted back and forth between his siblings. His fingers twitched. It reminded him of his childhood, a time when his parents fought every day. He always tried to restore peace, and he was always in the middle. On one hand, he was his mother’s favorite. On the other, his father never respected him. Darius dropped his head. Constance and RJ could slug it out. They always did.

  “You’re always tryna hog his attention,” RJ said.

  “It’s not hogging when I’m presenting a solution. You probably just want to tell him about another one of the stupid deals you can’t get out of.”

  RJ and Chanel glanced at each other. “You don’t know shit about what I’m doing.”

  “And that’s the main problem. You act like nothing you do affects the rest of us.”

  They continued to go back and forth. Their voices got louder and their faces were closer together. It wasn’t long before they were nose to nose. A poke to RJ’s chest caused his hands to ball into fists. A shove made a thick vein protrude from his forehead.

  “Don’t push him again,” Chanel said.

  “You’re big and bad now, huh? RJ is my brother. If I want to push him, I’ll damn well push him.” Constance pushed him again.

  Chanel slapped her hand out of the air. “Do not do it again.”

  “Bitch, have you lost your ever loving mind? Are you forgetting you’re in my house?”

  “Stop it!” Darius said. “Stop fighting. Dad just introduced us to our little brother and this is how you act.” Taking his brother, he apologized on their behalf. “Constance, you and Lawrence go talk to daddy. RJ, be a gentleman and show Eralia around.”

  Reginald chuckled.  “Look who finally grew some balls.”

  “Where’s
his diaper bag?” Darius asked, wrinkling his nose. “He needs to be changed.”

  “In the car,” Reginald said.

  Chanel tried to stare down Constance, but she looked away first.

  “I’ll go get it,” Chanel said before she tiptoed out the door.

  Lawrence and Constance led the way to the office. She locked the door and took her seat behind the desk.. Coltrane’s saxophone eased through the speakers, providing both tranquility and privacy. Lawrence took his place on her right side and rested his hand on the back of her chair.

  “You two look cozy. Something I need to know?”

  “Really, daddy? Are you forgetting I’m married?”

  “I try to forget, believe me.” Where is that knucklehead, anyway?” Reginald realized that Constance wasn’t going to answer and settled into his favorite chair and moaned. “I’ve missed this chair. It still fits my ass perfectly.”

  Constance crossed her legs. “You’re going to accuse us when you brought some strange woman home with you?”

  “She’s not strange. But I still haven’t quite figured out how she works her hips in the way that she does.” Reginald stood, bent his knees and thrust his hips in circles, his lower lip disappearing between his teeth. “She can even do it when we’re in bed. You wouldn’t believe how good –