Chapter 16
Chapter
Sixteen
Heir
While Marz and I watched The Cosby Show, it gave me all the feels.
It was arguably one of the best black sitcoms of all times.
Not just because it was entertaining, but because of what it symbolized for our culture.
The representation it provided. And the fact that it was the foundation for one of my favorite shows—A Different World.
“That’s the kind of balance I want for my life and family when I get married,” I said after chewing my popcorn.
“Cliff and Claire were so balanced. They made time for family, friends, community, each other, and themselves. We saw them live full lives without having to sacrifice anything. And I loved the fact that they both worked and did what they loved. Claire was really that girl, and she still found the time to be successful and never lost herself in being a mom or wife.”
“And she didn’t play,” Marz added. “She might not have cursed people out but the classy way in which she put people in their place should have been studied. But she was still soft and kind and feminine as well. That’s not a common balance.”
“You’re right about that,” I agreed, lifting my phone from the couch as it vibrated.
At the sight of Daddy’s picture, I hummed softly under my breath as I answered. “Hey, Daddy. Y’all good?”
“Uh… yeah, Princess. I’m sorry to lay this on you right now, but your granny is sick.”
My heart dropped as I sat up in my seat. “What do you mean she’s sick?”
“We’re not exactly sure what’s going on. She grew weak and fell yesterday and spent the night on the floor because no one knew.”
“Oh my God!” I yelled, jumping up from my seat.
“When she didn’t send me her usual good morning text, I went over because I felt like something was wrong. That’s when I found her on the floor. Her face is bruised pretty bad and her hip is sore, but she has no broken bones. Her heart rate and oxygen are what’s concerning.”
“What are they saying, Daddy?” I asked as my eyes watered.
I didn’t realize I was pacing until Marz pulled me down to his lap and caressed my back.
“It’s up to her and God. She’s on oxygen and they are monitoring her heart. For now, we just have to wait and see.”
“O-okay.” Inhaling a deep, shaky breath, I massaged my thigh. “What hospital? I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Heir?”
“I don’t care, Daddy. I’m coming to see her.”
“Alright, Princess. If Marz will be with you and he thinks it’s okay, fine. We’re at the same hospital we went to when she had low oxygen the last time. Room 2112.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way. Give her a kiss for me.”
“Will do.”
After disconnecting the call, I tried to stand, but Marz wouldn’t allow me to. The sad look on his face told me all I needed to know before a word left his mouth.
“No,” I rejected.
“Heir…”
“I’m going to see her, Marz.”
“And I’ll take you,” he assured me quickly.
“Now.”
His head shook. “It can’t be now, Wifey. I’m sorry.”
“Why not?” I whined, trying to remove myself from his grip again.
“There are protocols that have to be in place, bae. I didn’t want to tell you this because I didn’t want you to worry, but Iman has had people driving around your job, your dad’s firm, and your parents’ house.
There’s no question that he follows your parents to see if they will meet up with you.
I cannot allow you to go to that hospital until it’s cleared and I know he won’t have anyone there waiting for you.
That’s a large space to cover, and a lot of cars and people to put through Eze’s software.
It’s going to take at least a day for him to do that, and that’s if he isn’t busy and can start it tonight.
We can’t go until I clear the hospital. I can’t risk it. ”
“If he had someone riding around, why didn’t your people follow them?”
“It was at random times, and we had no guarantee it wasn’t a setup for an ambush.
If they left their post to follow them, there was a chance someone else would pull up and do something to your people.
There was no guarantee they would lead them to Iman, so it wasn’t worth the risk.
It was more important that the guards always stay on their post.”
My fingers trembled as I gripped my forehead. “Can you just call Eze and see if he can start on it now? What will he have to do? Go up there and take pictures or something?” I asked, feeling my distress grow with each passing second.
“I’ll call him now, Wifey. I know you’re scared, but try to remain calm so you won’t work yourself up.”
All I could do was nod as I slid off his lap and started to bite my nail.
I heard Marz talking, but his words were going in one ear and out of the other.
All I could think about was my grandfather getting sick while I was in college, thinking I had time to finish my exams, go home, and see him, but he died.
I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye, and knowing that he’d been asking for me haunted me.
That wasn’t something I could allow to happen with my granny.
No matter what Marz said, I was leaving this house to go and see her.
Marz sighed as he sat next to me and took my hand into his, and I hadn’t even realized that he had gotten up and left the room.
“Eze is out of town.” My eyes squeezed shut as I rested my elbows on my thighs and palmed my face.
“He’s coming home in the morning to work on this for you.
To expedite the process, I’m going to send a few people to the hospital tonight to start.
That way, when he gets here, he’ll be able to start running his facial recognition software and checking the license plates. ”
“How long, babe?”
“Two days tops. One if the hospital isn’t too crowded. I’d be willing to check just the parking lot cars and the people on your grandmother’s floor to speed the process up if necessary. We’ll just have to be careful when we leave.”
Nodding, I sat back and licked the corner of my mouth before swallowing hard. Regardless of how long it took Eze to finish, I was going to see my granny—tomorrow.
I tossed and turned and cried all night last night.
Not just because I was thinking about Granny but because I was conflicted as well.
On one hand, I didn’t want to selfishly put my family or anyone else at risk by going to the hospital.
Iman had already proven he didn’t have a problem having a shootout in broad daylight, and Marz didn’t either.
I didn’t want to go up there and that happened.
I also didn’t want to wait two days and my granny’s condition got worse.
If she died and I was unable to say goodbye, my heart would be crushed, and I didn’t think that was something I’d ever be able to get over.
This morning, I called Jay and asked him if he could set up a meeting for me and Iman.
I needed to see my granny and get out of this damn house, and I didn’t want to wait two days to do it.
Of course Iman agreed, and when Jay offered to pick me up, I told him I’d meet Iman at a neutral, public location.
After writing Marz a note explaining everything, I booked an Uber and left while he was still sleep, grateful the guards hadn’t arrived yet.
As I stood in the lobby of the coffee shop, I convinced myself that this was a good idea.
I didn’t think there was a chance Iman would shoot first and ask questions later.
Regardless of the war he’d started with Marz, he still saw me as valuable, and I planned to use that to our advantage.
After taking a deep breath, I rolled my luggage inside and looked around until my eyes landed on Iman.
As when he was at his office, two men surrounded the table, making him look so out of place.
With a roll of my eyes, I walked over to them, ignoring Jay as he headed in my direction.
“Can we talk before you leave?” he asked, getting an immediate head shake out of me.
“Leave me the hell alone.”
“Oh, so you can talk to me when you need something but not when I want to talk to you?”
“Exactly, and seeing as I’m in this situation because of you, I dare you to have a problem with that.”
“Aight, baby. You got that.”
Iman motioned for me to sit down across from him, but all that wasn’t necessary. “Did you really need guards to meet me at a coffee shop?”
Iman smiled. “How was I supposed to know this wasn’t a way for you and Marz to set me up?”
Ignoring his question, I leaned against the table as I checked the time on my phone. “I need for this thing between us to be resolved. Now. I need to get back to my life.”
“I made my terms clear, Heir. I think this is a conversation you need to be having with your husband.”
“This started because of me. Technically my ex, but me. I’ve decided that I will work on your files and keep your account in exchange for peace.
It will take me a while to clean everything up and make it look legit, and you’re going to use that time to prove Marz and I can trust you.
If during the initial ninety days of me working with you you do anything crazy or try to take our lives, I’ve already forwarded your files to someone out of the state who will forward them to my boss, the police, and the IRS if something happens to me or Marz.
And do not try to find out who it is, because it’s not a family member or friend that you can track through my daily life. ”
“What happens at the end of the ninety days?” Iman asked.
“I’ll be done with your account, and I will also have set up your fake ass portal system by then. At that point, you will have to work with someone else. I know a shady accountant who would love to work with you and make some extra money under the table. He’s not as good as me but he’ll do.”
Shrugging, I pulled my phone out of my pocket again.
“You will not go after Marz or try to get him to work as your enforcer now or once the ninety days are up. If you do, I will immediately revoke your access to the payroll software I’m going to set up for you.
And trust me, you will not want me to do that, because not only will it stop you from being able to do your illegal ass shit, but every dime that you have in the accounts attached to it will be deposited into mine.
I will bleed you dry, motherfucka. Do we have an understanding? ”
Iman released a bark of laughter and looked up at Jay. “I see why you liked her.” He extended his hand for me to shake, but I rejected the gesture.
“Just your word will do.”
“I give you my word. If you work on my account and get it cleaned up, I’ll release you in ninety days. And for the bonus of the payroll setup and accounts, I will not go after Marz unless he comes after me.”
“Good. I’ll reach out Monday morning and send you access to my account portal. You’ll be able to see what I’m doing and track my progress. With that, please do not reach out to me unless it is an absolute emergency. I may be working for you, but I do not want to talk to you.”
As I headed out of the coffee shop, I fought back tears of relief.
Jay said Iman was grimy and an antagonist but that he was a man of his word.
I prayed that was the case and that he’d leave us alone.
Once I made it to the bakery next door, I called Onesty and told her to pick me up so I could get my car and then go and see Granny.