Get at Me #2
“When you said you were rolling through I almost didn’t believe you but here you are.
” Hakeem was smiling like he was happy my ass was in the building and I wasn’t sure what to make of that.
People didn’t express joy at my presence.
Hell, I was engaged to somebody who would scowl more than smile whenever she saw me.
Yeah, I knew it was a way of protecting herself and I was more than happy to take that on.
Part of me was always elated when I got a neutral or even joyful look to come across her face.
It was like I’d performed a miracle each time.
Probably need to give her a few more orgasms before that shit was a reality.
Asha didn’t trust anyone and I understood it. But just like I told her the first night I met her, I wanted to earn her trust. Damn sure couldn’t explain why but the desire was there. And every time she had doubts I did whatever I could to kill them.
“I don’t say shit idly. If I say I’m gonna do something, I do it.”
I was glad I hadn’t changed out of the clothes I’d worn to Pappy’s, differentiating myself from the men coming here to watch women shake ass.
The club was upscale but there was no mistaking my lack of desire to see what was on display.
I knew based on the profits that the women he had working here were the best available, but I knew they wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to the little half-evil psychopath I had at home.
Damn, maybe my ass likes her for real.
He extended his hand and I shook it more easily than in our previous interactions. Hakeem noted that I didn’t hesitate but he didn’t speak on it. I appreciated it because if he asked for an explanation one wouldn’t be forthcoming.
“Respect. You good with coming into my office or do you need to scope that shit out first?” The grin on his face made it clear he was teasing but I was glad he knew I wasn’t going to slack on some shit just because I’d shown up.
We had tech that surveilled this place constantly.
Nothing crazy had gone on, which is why I felt comfortable enough to move the way I was.
“I’m not afraid of you. You need to pat me down?” I held my arms out because I had no issue with him knowing I was strapped.
He looked me over before shaking his head.
“I already know you holding. Two at your side one at your back and another on your ankle. Your wild ass used to love all that secret gadget shit the few times I saw you growing up so I know you got something else crazy on you. It’s all love my way so I ain’t worried about it.
” He shrugged and turned his back to me, emphasizing that he wasn’t afraid.
I knew he had his people all over the club and someone probably had eyes on our interaction, including the two bouncers who were waiting by the door.
None of them made a move so I followed behind him when he entered the elevator up to his office.
“You think you got the upper hand?”
We stood on opposite sides of the car both with our stances relaxed. Again, a change from how we normally interacted but I wouldn’t call it unwelcome. The shit was just different and I was processing how I felt about it.
“Nah. I just ain’t giving you a reason to fuck my shit up so if having an arsenal makes you feel better, have at it.” He truly looked unbothered by all of this and he was either a great actor or was being truthful.
I chuckled at the arrogance he displayed but he could rest easy cause I hadn’t come here on bullshit. The doors opened and he walked through them again, giving me his back. “You’re way too trusting.”
“Only of people who deserve it. You won’t catch me doing that shit with anyone else in the family if that’s what you’re getting at.”
He shot me a knowing look before walking toward the door I assumed was his office. There were several other doors on the way and I kept my eyes open to ensure no one popped out of them gunning for me.
“Champagne rooms?”
He glanced back and I motioned to the other doors, waiting for his answer. The decor of this place was tastefully done. Like a high-end boutique hotel with original artwork on the soft gray walls.
Hakeem laughed as he opened his office and invited me in.
“Those are downstairs. I might do a lot of shit that ain’t on the up and up but selling pussy ain’t my style.
That’s too fucking close to trafficking women and I ain’t about that.
I leave that to the other side of the family. Those rooms are storage and offices.”
I nodded knowing exactly who he was speaking on.
I monitored the shit that went on with Theo and the things he had his hands in.
I didn’t like how he made his money so he didn’t get as much protection as the rest of the family businesses.
Scamming was one thing but taking advantage of people was another.
Pappy didn’t want to rock the boat by shutting down his brothels but I was about to capsize that shit as soon as I took over.
He opened his office door with a. Finger print scanner and when we walked in it looked exactly how I imagined.
Big ass desk, a pole on one side of the room, probably for when he was interviewing new women and a bathroom to the right.
The carpet was dark and the walls were black with gold accents.
His shit was nice and when he walked behind his desk to the bar and held up a bottle I declined.
Not because I didn’t want a drink but I never drank while doing business.
Since the past was directly tied to how things were going to be handled moving forward this meeting was business.
“Should I be offended at your refusal?”
Hakeem watched me as he poured two fingers of liquor into his glass before he took his seat behind his desk.
He nodded toward the seat in front of me and I sat down once he’d given me the clear.
It wasn’t that I needed his permission but I wanted to convey that I respected that this was his space and I had no desire to step on his toes.
“This is business so I treat it as such.”
“And here I thought we were gonna be friends and shit.” He was grinning as he took a sip and I was glad to see there were no hard feelings.
“Didn’t think that was something you did.”
“Could say the same for you.”
My brows lifted in agreement happy that the usual tension was gone between us. “A familial trait then.”
“Probably. The last name is the only thing that really binds us together. Loyalty for damn sure ain’t something they have a firm grasp of.” He looked aggravated by the thought of our mutual kin and I wondered why they had beef with one another.
“And you do?”
“Yeah. But that ain’t something that I can say and just think you’ll believe me.”
I eased lower in my seat becoming more relaxed the longer I sat here. “I find it weird that you want me to believe you. I don’t see what you get out of all of this.”
He put his glass down and sat forward with his body more tense than before. I’d offended him. “A man has to want something in order to be decent in this world?”
“From what I’ve seen, yes.”
Hakeem didn’t say anything but kept his eyes locked on me before he spoke again. “What is it that you want from me then?’
“Information.”
Hakeem laughed and eased back in his chair like my request wasn’t a big one. “Damn you said that quick as fuck.”
“I don’t have shit to lie about. You’d eventually find out my motives for the shit anyway. I wouldn’t insult you by thinking I could come to you with a lie and you’d take me at my word.”
His hands went to his chest almost an exact copy of the Denzel Washington gif. “Damn, I feel like you gave me a compliment.”
I scoffed, which made him laugh harder. “I did.”
“No explanation or nothing, just confirmation.”
My brow quirked at his response. “I didn’t take you as the type of man who needed more than that.”
“You’re right. I just find it funny.”
“What?”
He motioned to the space between the two of us. “This attitude must be in the bloodline. Most people tell me I’m a hard ass but I need to let them talk to you.”
“Wouldn’t be a good idea. The first time somebody irritates me I’d put a bullet in their head.”
“Again, a familial trait. But you didn’t come here to compare and contrast how we’re similar and shit. Tell me what you need.” His tone turned serious like he was ready to get down to business.
That was interrupted by someone bursting through the door and we both stood in tandem guns in hand, aiming at the intruder. When I saw Theo come through the door with some thick-necked fuck walking next to him like he was muscle I pulled out my second gun keeping it trained on them both.
Theo didn’t break his stride as he walked into the office either out of stupidity or out of the misguided notion that I wouldn’t end his life.
“What’s this fake nigga doing here?” He was talking to Hakeem but had his finger pointing toward me. The lack of eye contact was disrespectful but I tucked it away for later.
“Fake?”
Theo’s eyes flickered to me, the hatred burning bright in them. He was dressed like money in designer from head to toe with too much jewelry. “Yeah. You were out there eating poi and shit, ain’t no real nigga in your blood.”
“I guess you're talking about the fact that I had a daddy who was only quarter Black.”
“That’s right.”
“Ain’t your mama white though?”
Theo rolled his shoulders back like that was some information I shouldn’t have known. Like his being biracial was less of a factor than mine. “Shit don’t matter. Her ass wasn’t around and I was raised by my father.”
“And I was raised by my mother. Your mother is who you learn your culture from.”
“At least until she dipped on your ass.” He turned to face me and I tucked one gun back into its holster but kept the other in my hand. I wanted to keep it in my hand so I could feel the satisfaction of knocking it him across the head.