Jimmy Sanders
Jimmy's POV
Jimmy Sanders had left the meeting absolutely furious at Royal. Who the hell did this young punk think he was. Jimmy had been in the record business for over 25 years and he knew his game. Royal was like so many of these new artists thinking the rules did not apply to them. He would show him though. He would make his album fail and then Royal would come to him begging for his help, and when he did, he was going to have that beauty of his, Bella as his payment for getting him a gold or platinum record. He had to chuckle at the thought of that babe on her knees in front of him...doing his bidding, doing exactly what he told her to do.
Jimmy was 45 years old and was a very good looking black man. He was 6'0" wore his hair in a short, curly afro and wore primarily custom made suits and shirts. He had been married, but his wife, Monica, had left him a year ago when his Cocaine problem became worse after he had promised to go to rehab, which he did not do. He had 5 children, 3 with his wife and 1 from a previous relationship. It was the last one though that had brought the walls tumbling down in his marriage. The youngest of his children was an 11 month old girl that he had with a 19 year old groupie for one of the many groups he had helped to launch. When the girl was confronted by his wife she had told her a very difficult to hear story. She said that Jimmy had been out of his mind on Coke the night she had shown up backstage after a Fine as Wine concert. He had asked her who she was looking for and then introduced himself as their manager and taken her to a dressing room...only it was not their dressing room, it was a room that was not being used for this show. The young woman, whose name was Jessie, then told Monica that Jimmy had raped her. Monica had looked at the woman in disbelief, but as she continued to describe what had happened to her, Monica knew she was telling the truth. Monica had gone home and made some phone calls, plane reservations and was on her way out of the house with the children when Jimmy had arrived home. He asked her what was all of this when he saw the suitcases in the hallway. Monica had looked at him in total disgust and said "ask Jessie". He had grabbed her by her elbow, but she had reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out the Derringer he had bought her in happier times for protection when he traveled and put it to his forehead and demanded he let her go. Jimmy had only seen Monica in either one of their attorney's offices or a courtroom since. He was pissed as this divorce was costing him a lot of money.
Jimmy needed a taste. He went into his new office, locked the door and unlocked the top side drawer in his desk and pulled out a vial made of elephant tusk ivory. Reaching for the chain around his neck, he pulled out a little diamond and ruby encrusted handle of a white gold spoon. Tapping some of the expensive white powder into the spoon, he put the spoon up to his right nostril and snorted. Then he did the same to his left nostril...within 30 seconds he started to feel the effects. He swiveled in his chair and looked out of the windows that overlooked the Hollywood Hills. He was going to get even with Royal and Carlos and Andy and Royal's father for messing up his life and he was going to make sure they felt worse than he did when he was done. He looked at his watch and saw that it was 3:00 PM. He wanted a drink. He locked the vial back into the top side drawer, put the spoon back inside his shirt and headed for his car. He had another identical vial hidden in it. Going downstairs, he said good night to Maxine, the golden haired receptionist with the big tits and headed for his car. Getting in it he reveled for a moment at the thick brown leather in his Mercedes 500. He turned on the engine and pulled out of the garage. He drove to Century Blvd and turned toward the airport. There were a lot of gentleman's clubs on this strip and he was going to go into one of his favorites, The Platinum Club and have a drink and find some pussy. He needed to release the pressure and nothing was better for that than some Coke, Hennessey, and some poontang. Jimmy unlocked the glove box, pushed a button that accessed a hidden compartment and pulled out the small vial. He pulled out the small spoon around his neck and tapped enough for two snorts into it. After snorting them, he put the vial on the inside of his jacket pocket and went into the club. He would stay until it closed down at 2 AM. Before hooking up with some chick with big tits and ass, he called one of his buddies and told him he wanted to find out where Royal lived and he wanted to know tomorrow morning. His buddy, a former rapper and recently released convict asked what he was paying. "What did he want", Jimmy asked? "Some Coke"..."done". A half pound when he delivered the information was promised.
Jimmy Sanders
Prince's POV
Prince suggested that he and Carlos take the girls out to dinner the night of their promo meeting. Although things were not finalized, both men knew they had won the war and in only a few weeks would have a fully defined promo plan including locations and dates. They went to Harold's, a lovely dinner place on the Sunset Strip. While only about 10 years old it was done Old Hollywood Style with booths and deep red leather seats and tufted seat backs in the booths. Prince ordered a bottle of Moet Champagne and shrimp cocktails for appetizers. Each of them ordered their meals and they ate and enjoyed good company, good food and dreaming aloud about the future. It seemed to be a nice, light-hearted evening. Only Bella seemed to know that there was something serious on Prince's mind. When the girls got up to go to the restroom, Prince pulled out his phone and called Andy. He had called Elaine earlier and told her he was not going to have time to stop by but he would see her after the next meeting in a week or so. He was catching a late flight out for Detroit tonight. He answered on the 3rd ring. "Hello"? "Hi Andy, this is Prince". "Hey man". "Andy, I have a real bad feeling about this Jimmy Sanders thing and I want to get some bodyguards for Bella and Elaine. If the guy is strung out...he will not be inhibited and he knows what would really hurt us and that is hurting them", Prince said. Andy said, "you know, while I did not think of it today, I think you may be right. But I do not want us to use any local talent recommended by the record company. Jimmy has deep roots in the business and I am certain someone would tell him and he might even identify who the guards were. Rather, I would prefer we use some men who are totally loyal to us. I have a few guys that your dad and I have known since childhood. Let me speak with them and I will call you back. When do you want them there", Andy asked? "NOW", Prince said. "Give me a minute and I will call you back" Andy said. Andy disconnected and called Royal and told him what was going on. They agreed the talent needed to come from Detroit. Royal said he would call David and bring him into the loop...Bella was after all his daughter. Andy would reach out to Frank and Larry Andrews and Phil Thomas. He would get them on the red-eye tonight or ASAP. He called Frank's number. Frank owned a very well respected Security company with his brothers Larry and Melvin. They had known each other since 3rd and 4th grade and were fraternity brothers although Frank and Larry had gone to Michigan State. He told Frank what was going on and said that he just needed to name his price. Frank said Larry was on his way to his place and that he would call him and they would pack and be on their way ASAP. Phil was one of their top guys and he would call him and get him ready too. "What flight did he want them on"? Pick one that they could make and just call him with the reservation and he would card it. He would also have a Black SUV waiting for them at LAX as well as reservations at a hotel near Prince's place. It seemed like hours but 20 minutes later the phone rang. Frank said they would be on a 6:00 AM flight that would land at LAX at 8:00 AM with the time difference and gave him the reservation number. Once they got to LA they could discuss the fee. They were brothers, the money was secondary to the safety of the girls, Prince and Carlos. I will be in touch when we get there. Andy gave Frank Prince's number and told him to call him first once he hit the ground. "Done" Frank said. Andy called and carded all of the reservations and then called Prince. Prince answered on the 1st ring. "Hey, Andy said." "Hey" Prince said. Andy could hear chatter and laughter in the background. "Are you with the girls", Andy asked? "Yes and Carlos. Talk to me", Prince said. "Frank and Larry Andrews would be on a 6:00 AM flight tomorrow morning along with Phil Thomas. They were very experienced Security Men and had handled high profile clients for their entire careers. The Mayor of Detroit, several Legal Counsels, Vice Presidents for the Auto Industry and the Detroit School Superintendent were among their many high end clients. They were also well versed in the electronic surveillance part of the job. If there was something they needed to know these guys would find it and would bring the equipment that they needed to do so. Prince, they are totally trustworthy and loyal to your father and to me" Andy continued...Royal and I have talked and Royal has talked to David...who also knew and trusted these men. Prince asked how much he owed him. "No charge. These are our daughters and you are our sons...just take care of the girls", Andy said. Prince waited until they got home to tell the girls and Carlos about the arrangements. They would take no chances with the safety of their women. Carlos told him thank you, but knew that Royal would have called his father. He excused himself to call his dad. Bella did the same thing and called hers. After all of the dad's were in the loop and reassured, the two couples said good night and went to their rooms.
Bella and Prince undressed and got in the shower. They did not talk much as they washed each other and smoothed lotion over each others bodies. Once in their night clothes they laid down on the bed. "Prince", Bella asked, "are you scared"? Prince thought about his answer as he wanted it to be totally truthful. "Mama, I am not scared, but I know that Jimmy is a very dangerous and out of control person who would not hesitate to do any of us harm. I want to ensure that he does not get that chance", Prince said. Bella nodded her head that she understood. Prince said, let's pray. They got up and kneeled at the side of the bed and said private prayers and then Prince said, "Father, you know this situation and know what will happen. Please guard my precious Bella with all of your might and power and do the same for Elaine, Carlos and me. We love you Lord and trust you completely. Thank you for all you are doing and will do in our behalf. In Jesus name, Amen"! They climbed back into bed, Prince kissed Bella and held her close. He continued to pray until he fell asleep.
Jimmy Sanders
Bella's POV
This man Jimmy Sanders had made both herself and Elaine feel uncomfortable when they met him on Prince's birthday. It was almost unbelievable that he was now at the record company that Prince had signed with. She was concerned, not for herself so much but for Prince. She knew he would not hold back one iota if he thought that this man would harm her and she did not want him in any risky situations. As Prince held her and prayed so did she. She asked that her Lord and Savior send Michael and a cadre of Angels to protect them all and especially her Prince. "Please Jesus, protect him. In your name Amen"! She fell into a dreamless sleep.
When she woke the next morning, Prince was already up and after going to the bathroom to make her morning water and to brush her teeth she went into the kitchen to find him at the table and drinking a cup of coffee. She put her arms around him from behind his chair and hugged him. "Good morning baby", she said. "Good morning sweet Bella". He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her. He said "let's get you a cup of coffee and then have you get dressed as the Detroit crew will hit the airport in less than an hour and will be here in under two hours. Okay"? "Okay Prince". Bella got up and poured herself a cup of coffee and refilled Prince's cup. He dressed his and she did hers. They sat in silence at the table going over their own thoughts about the situation that they found themselves in. Finishing her coffee she rinsed her cup out, put it into the dishwasher and went and dressed quickly. She put on some black leggings and a black and silver top. She finished the outfit with silver modified ballet shoes and silver and onyx earrings with a matching bracelet. She went into the living room and sat on the couch next to Prince who had wandered into the living room while she dressed. Carlos came into the living room and Prince said "there is fresh coffee in the kitchen". The phone rang and it was Frank Andrews. They were enroute from the LAX airport. A few minutes later, Elaine came into the living room and received the same message about the coffee. Elaine asked if they wanted breakfast. "Maybe just some yogurt" Prince said. He really wasn't hungry. Bella said that would be fine for her too. Bella and Prince joined Elaine and Carlos in the kitchen and they sat down to yogurt, toast and the rest of the chopped fruit from the day before. The doorbell rang, Bella started for the door..."no baby" Prince said. "Let me get it". He got up and went to the door and looked through the peek out. It was Frank, Larry and Phil. Prince let them in and called the rest of household into the living room. They introduced themselves and Bella saw Prince's body relax somewhat. They said that they would run to the hotel to check in one at a time leaving two of them here at all times.
They wanted to familiarize themselves with the house so that they could plan their security. Bella and Elaine walked them through it. They checked the locks on the front door and the door to the garage and then the garage door itself. They decided to add a deadbolt to both doors and they would hard wire the garage door so that you had to input a code to open it. They also programmed GPS equipped panic buttons for each of them. One of them went to the nearest hardware store to get the type of deadbolts they preferred. The other two checked the back of the house. The beautiful view also acted as a natural barrier to people being able to approach the house from the back. The terraced homes made that a safety feature of the neighborhood. Larry went and recorded all of the license plates on the vehicles parked on the street for a full block each way. He would shortly load them and find out who they belonged to and do a search on each vehicle owner. More than anything they wanted to know who was parked that did not live on the street. Phil came back to the house with the needed locks and immediately began to install them. He then did the wiring of the garage and programmed the panic buttons. They would not only scare any perpetrators, but would also summon the police. Phil now called the local police station gave them the registration for the panic buttons and the address and phone number as well and advised that they were GPS equipped and could therefore be located wherever the holder was. When that was completed, Phil left to register at the hotel. He would return 15 minutes later and within 45 minutes all three men were registered and back at the house. They described how they would work shifts and assured them that everything that could be done would be done to protect them. They advised that neither Bella or Elaine should leave the premises without one of them with them. One of them would also be with Prince and Carlos as they went to the studio. The 3rd would stay at the house to ensure that no access took place. If they did not feel that was adequate as they worked the plan they would bring in an additional guard.
Prince said he would prefer that they did that right away as he wanted two men with the girls at all times. Frank said he would arrange for it right now. He made a phone call, but he called Chicago. His other brother, Melvin operated the Chicago office. He would be enroute within two hours. Prince and Carlos wanted to go to the studio later that afternoon to hear the mixings on the most recent three tracks. Phil would go with them. Larry and Frank would stay with the girls. Bella told them that they needed to go to the store to get food to feed them while they were in town. When they got back from the store Bella and Elaine put the groceries away and sat down in Bella's room and talked for awhile. The body guards were running the information on the parked cars and checking known associates as well as watching the traffic that came down the street. So went the next few days...but... they would not remain uneventful for long.