9. Damier
A fter dropping Dream off at work, I drove straight to my high-rise office in downtown LA. The sleek glass building reflected the morning sunlight, casting long shadows across the city. It had been months since I stepped foot in this place, and for the first time in a while, I felt like I was walking into something normal—something mine.
Mia was already in my office when I arrived, just like old times. She was sitting at the desk, a tray with breakfast and coffee neatly arranged in front of her. The smell of eggs, turkey bacon, and croissants filled the room, blending with the sharp, clean scent of her perfume. She looked up and smiled the moment I walked in.
“About time you showed up,” she teased, standing to give me a quick hug.
“It’s good to see you too, Mia,” I said, letting a rare smile break through.
“You’ve been missed around here,” she said, pulling back to look at me. “And by ‘missed,’ I mean I’ve been bored out of my mind since the club’s been closed.”
I chuckled, shaking my head as I took a seat. “You’ve been holding it down. I know I’ve been gone, but it’s good to see you kept everything afloat.”
“I did more than that,” she said, sitting across from me and sliding the coffee toward me. “I hired atmosphere models, security teams, promoters, a new chef, and bartenders for the reopening. We’re good to go whenever you’re ready.”
That caught my attention. I liked that Mia had been handling the hiring because it fit with the rebrand I’d been working on. I wanted everything about the club to feel fresh—legit, polished.
“Good work,” I said, taking a sip of the coffee. “Let’s make it happen. We’re back, starting this week.”
Mia grinned and handed me a folder. “Here’s your to-do list for the week. Thought I’d get ahead of it since I know how you like things.”
I nodded, flipping through the folder as we started going over the details. We ate breakfast while running through the logistics—inventory, soft launch plans, and marketing ideas. It felt good to be in the flow again, like a part of me I’d put on hold was waking back up.
When we were nearly done, Mia reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope, sliding it across the desk.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Lakers vs. Golden State,” she said with a smirk. “Courtside seats. Chief had his assistant drop them off this morning. He said it’s time for you to get back on the scene. And what better way than courtside at a game like this?”
I leaned back, twirling the tickets between my fingers. “That’s love,” I said.
Mia wasn’t done, though. “You should take Dream,” she added. “Show out a little. And maybe—just maybe—it’s time to think about another reality show. A couple’s thing. You and Dream showing off your life, polishing your image even more. It’s free publicity for the rebrand.”
I shot her a look. “Mia, you know I’m not doing another reality show. The first one was enough for a lifetime.”
She laughed, shrugging. “Had to try. But, seriously, take her. Let people see you’re still that guy.”
I nodded, sliding the tickets into my jacket pocket. “I’ll take her, but I’m not stopping there. Book a week-long trip to Turks and Caicos for us. She deserves it.”
“You got it,” she said, typing a note into her tablet.
Pulling out my phone, I texted Dream.
Got tickets to the Lakers game tonight. Courtside. You in?
She replied almost immediately.
My Dream: I’d love to go. I’m leaving work early to get my hair done. I’ll meet you at the penthouse.
I smiled, slipping the phone back into my pocket.
$$$$$$
The rest of the morning was a blur of calls and planning. By the time the afternoon hit, I was locked into my element, making moves for the reopening and finalizing contracts for my other clubs. The grind was steady, and for the first time in a while, it felt like I was in control.
Just after 3:00 PM, King and Hocus showed up at my office. King strolled in first, his usual calm demeanor masking the sharpness that always lingered beneath the surface. Hocus followed, nodding at me as he leaned against the wall.
“Good to see you back in your zone,” King said, dropping into the chair across from me.
“Good to be back,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “What’s that word?”
King didn’t waste time. “I found us a new plug,” he said. “Bigger than Felix. Better connections, more reliable.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Good. I’m ready to cut Felix off. The family doesn’t need him, especially after he blatantly said he doesn’t respect me.”
“That’s why I moved quick,” King said. “I talked to your mama about it, and she’s on board. But pulling out from Felix is gonna come with a fight.”
“I’m ready for it,” I said, my tone cold. “I’ve been trying to calm down, but I’m ready to go to war if that’s what it takes. Felix has been in this game a long time, and he acts like he runs it. But my father told me all of Felix’s weaknesses before he died. He knew a day like this would come, and he made sure I’d know how to handle it.”
King nodded, his expression approving. “Then it’s settled. We’re moving forward.”
The three of us sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the decision sinking in. It wasn’t just about Felix—it was about solidifying the Knight name and ensuring no one ever questioned our place in the game again.
The conversation lingered in my mind as they left, but I pushed it aside. Tonight was about Dream, about getting back on the scene, and about showing the world that I was still in control. Tomorrow, I’d handle everything else.