Pistol Pete

Peter Stokes, nicknamed Pistol Pete in Harlem's criminal circles, was a mobster and member of Mama Mabel's crime family. When Mabel discovered him making deals with other criminal organizations, including the Colon Crime Family, and as a result, he was shot and killed by his own nephew Cornell Stokes under Mabel's orders.

Biography[]

Stokes Family[]

Protecting the Empire[]

Peter "Pistol Pete" Stokes, along with his brother Buggy Stokes and sister-in-law Mama Mabel, were known as notorious criminals in Harlem. Pete also was known as a talented musician and played at Smalls Paradise, where Buggy and Quincy McIver began their partnership, based on Bushmaster Rum and Harlem's Paradise. Despite their mutually beneficial partnership and friendship, Buggy attempted to kill McIver to keep the nightclub for himself, however, McIver managed to shoot Buggy before his death.^[1] Knowing that he will die soon as well, Buggy had Pete promised that he will take care of Mabel and their business, before he eventually passed away. Together, Pete and Mabel became the leaders of their crime family and self-proclaimed rulers of Harlem.^[2]

Dealing with the McIvers[]

Both Pete and Mama Mabel found out that Gwen McIver filed a lawsuit against the Stokes family to obtain a share of her husband's property in retalliation for what the Stokes family did to him. Represented by Benjamin Donovan, Pete and Mabel meet with Gwen at the resort in Kingston, as Gwen was represented by Terence Rogers. Pete said that nobody asked Gwen to stay away, but Gwen argued that she had other choice, due to what Buggy Stokes did to Quincy, which led to an argument with Mabel.

Rogers then claimed that Gwen's demands were justified, as she reminded Pete that he was present when Buggy and Quincy started their partnership. When Donovan argued the Stokes family owes her nothing, Rogers suggested opening their books in the court, but Pete only scoffed at the idea. Rogers stated Gwen would definitely win in the open court and suggested Pete and Mabel to settle it privately by giving his client her share of profits from Harlem's Paradise and the Bushmaster Rum. Pete and Mabel, however, could only laugh at Gwen's demands, making it clear that Gwen made a mistake by trying to get into a legal battle with them.

As a retalliation, the Stokes family murdered Gwen, by burning her hut with the Molotov cocktail in the Bushmaster Rum bottle. As they found out that Gwen's son, John managed to survive, so Pete returned to Jamaica to find him. Pete eventually found John in Trenchtown, working together with his uncle at the market. John approached Pete at the maket, asking if he needed any help, before Pete took out his gun and shot John in the gut. Pete told John that it was a revenge for what his father did to Buggy and left wounded John to bleed out on the streets.^[1]

Cruel Business[]

Living in Harlem, Pete became particularly close with his great-nephews, Mariah and Cornell Stokes, especially with Mariah. As Mariah was frequently bullied because of her skin color, Pete would always comfort Mariah, telling her that she is beautiful no matter what. Young Mariah found herself being enchanted by Pete, however, he decided to take advantage of it. Telling Mariah that it was just a game, Pete would sexually harass Mariah, so Mabel tried to protect her, by sending Mariah to various schools to get her education. However, Mabel failed to protect Mariah from Pete, who eventually raped Mariah, being unaware that she was pregnant with his child.^[3]

Mentoring Cottonmouth[]

Developing a bond with Cornell Stokes, Pete noticed his musical talent and tried to convince Mabel that he needs to pursue a musician career, rather than joining their crime family. Mabel, however, insisted that Cornell needs to be a man and work for the sake of the family, although Pete would frequently disagree with her and paid for Cornell's tuition. Pop and Donnie later came to the house, bringing cash and stolen watch to Mabel, inviting Cornell to join them on the streets, but Pete told him to stay and continue his piano lessons.

Mabel suddenly stopped Donnie, confronting him on his association with Colon Crime Family, noting that the Stokes Crime Family never allowed drug business on Harlem's streets. Donnie tried to excuse himself, saying that he was only trying to help, but Mabel furiously attacked Donnie and ordered Cornell to take Donnie downstairs and deal with him. Pete stopped Donnie when he nearly admitted that dealing with the Colon family was his idea, and tried to argue that Cornell was not ready. However, Mabel refused to listen, so Pete and Cornell took Donnie to the basement and stabbed him to death, for breaking the family's creed.^[2]

Fatal Mistake[]

Growing tired of working under Mama Mabel, Pete made a decision to break the family's creed and double in drug business. Taking Cornell Stokes to the audition, Pete made a detour at Spanish Harlem to establish a contact with the Colon Crime Family. While Cornell stayed with Domingo Colon, Pete spoke with Salvador Colon about potential partnership and their expansion into Harlem. However, when Cornell returned home, he told Mabel about Pete's conversation with Colon, so she realized what Pete was trying to do.

Returning to their house, Pete saw Mabel waiting for him and pouring him a drink, before recalling the promise he made to Buggy Stokes before his death. Pete assured Mabel that the family business was always his first priority, reminding Mabel that she was with him before she married Buggy, and he let that go. When Mabel asked why did Pete betrayed the family, Pete told her that he was supposed to be calling the shots and with the support of the Colon family, they could rule the whole New York City together. Mabel did not take Pete's answer kindly, and he asked Mabel about her plan, knowing too well that she would definitely have one. Mabel admitted that it was the case and Pete witnessed Cornell entering the room and pointing a gun at him.^[2]

Murdered by Cornell[]

Being held on a gunpoint by Cornell Stokes, Pete was taken to the backyard of their house by Mama Mabel. Pete tried to tell Cornell that he does not need to do any of this and he should not waste all his talent on being just a gangster. Pete noticed Cornell's shaking hands holding a gun and said that he is not built for the family business, hence why he paid for his piano lessons. Pete hoped that Cornell might become a better person and have a life that no one in the Stokes family could ever dream of.

Mariah Stokes joined them at the backyard, telling Pete that he deserves what was coming for him, after everything he did to their family, and her in particular. Pete tried to excuse himself by saying that it was just a game and she seemed having fun herself, which made Mariah very uncomfortable. Mabel then ordered Cornell to do what needs to be done, but Pete saw that Cornell was terrified of taking a life. Pete yelled at Cornell to keep his eyes open and look at him while he does the deed, but before he could say anything else, Cornell pulled the trigger and shot Pete twice. Pete could only silently collapse on the ground, dying from the gunshots, as Mabel assured Cornell that what he did was for the sake of the family.^[2]

Legacy[]

Mariah Dillard's Trauma[]

The New York City Police Department would later discover Pete's body and Rafael Scarfe invesigated the murder, however, he failed to find a culprit. Mariah Stokes later realized that she was pregnant with Pete's child, due to the sexual abuse he inflicted upon her. Mama Mabel did not allow an abortion and had Mariah to give birth to a girl named Tilda, who was given to Mamie Johnson. Mariah then married Jackson Dillard to obscure the fact of Pete being Tilda's father, although Mariah did not have much love for her daughter, as she would always saw Pete's face when she looked at her.^[3]

On the other hand, Cornell Stokes remembered Pete as his caring uncle and the only member of the family who wanted a better life for him. In the argument with his cousin, Cornell accused Mariah that she flirted with Pete on her own volition and everything that Pete did to her was what she wanted. Furious at Cornell for the implications that she wanted Pete to rape her, Mariah lost her temper and brutally murdered Cornell, screaming that she never wanted any of it.^[2]

Personality[]

Pistol Pete Stokes was known as a charismatic, but deceptive and cruel man, who always strived for power at any cost. During their feud with the McIver family, Pete had no problems with openly insulting Gwen McIver and attempting to kill her young son, as a retalliation for what Quincy McIver did to his brother. Mariah Dillard remembered Pete as incredible charming man whose charisma and comforting words made her fell in love with Pete, but he used to his advantage, sneaking into Mariah's room to sexually abuse her. Although Pete would tell it was just a game, Mariah was traumatized and had a disdian for her daughter Tilda, because she only reminded her of Pete.

However, Pete was very fond of Cornell Stokes, taking a notice of his musical talent and believed that Cornell should be in the school, like Mariah. Mama Mabel, on the contrary, was certain that Cornell must work for the family, although Pete would pay for Cornell's lessons regardless, believing that he can be a better person than any of them. Pete's powerhungry nature led him to developing a partnership with the Colon Crime Family and breaking the Stokes' anti-drugs rule, which eventually led to his demise, as he tried to do it behind Mabel's back.

Abilities[]

• Expert Marksman: As his name implies, Stokes was an expert in the use of firearms, particularly revolvers. Thus, he fatally wounded John McIver with his sidearm.

Equipment[]

Weapons[]

• Revolver: Stokes used a revolver in an attempt to assassinate John McIver by shooting him in the abdomen. However, unbeknownst to him, McIver survived the attack due to Maddah Myrie treating him with nightshade.

Facilities[]

• Stokes Brownstone: Pete lived at the family brownstone, together with Mama Mabel, Mariah and Cornell Stokes, which was also their base of operation. The brownstone eventually became Pete's grave, as Mabel took Pete at the backyard and ordered Cornell to kill him.

Relationships[]

Appearances[]

References[]

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