Chapter 60 Zay
Zay
BACK IN LOS ANGELES…
“Gimmie that”
My grandfather’s office at his car lot in South Central already felt like a verdict before anybody spoke. My grandfather, Devon Laveau-Wells Sr., sat at the head of the wooden conference table.
Watching.
My father sat to the side, trying to look like he still had control of something.
I walked in and didn’t greet nobody.
Didn’t ask no questions.
Just pulled my chair out, sat down next to my grandfather, and leaned back. I was the one who told him to call this meeting. I wanted my father to know I was serious. I respected him more than my father. He was around and treated me like a son.
My grandfather spoke.
“I know everything that’s been going on, and I don’t like it. This family needs stability, not a shit show. And you’ve lost control of your house, Devon Jr.”
My father shifted in his seat immediately. “You don’t just hand my position over like it’s nothing!” he snapped.
I didn’t even look at him.
Just tapped my finger once against the table, slow, patient.
My grandfather didn’t react to his tone.
Didn’t raise his voice.
Didn’t argue.
He just turned his head slightly toward me.
Studied me.
Like he’d been doing for years.
“Zacian takes over.”
Silence.
Not the kind that waits for a response.
The kind that ends conversations.
My father stood up so fast his chair scraped against the floor.
“He’s not ready. He’s emotional. Reckless. Still thinking like a boy.”
I let him finish.
Let him get it out.
“And you thinking like a nigga that already lost.”
His eyes snapped to mine.
My grandfather’s gaze didn’t move from me.
“He’s already doing what you should’ve been doing,” he said calmly.
Another nail.
“You just didn’t see it.”
My father laughed.
But it wasn’t funny.
“You letting Yuna influence you,” he said, looking at me like he was trying to find something to grab onto.
“Watch how you speak on my family.”
My voice stayed low.
Flat.
That was a warning.
He felt it.
Because he didn’t say her name again.
My grandfather stood up.
That was it.
Decision made.
“It’s done. Shipments, payouts, recruits… everything goes through my grandson first. It’s time for this change,” he finalized.
He looked to my father:
“Step down before it’s taken from you.”
And then to me—
“Don’t make me regret this.”
I held his gaze. “I won’t.”
He nodded once.
That was respect.
Real respect.
Not given.
Earned.
My father stared at me like he didn’t recognize me anymore.
Or maybe like he finally did.
“You think you won?” he said, voice low now, dangerous in a different way.
I didn’t react.
Didn’t give him nothing.
“You just signed your own death sentence.”
I stood up. “We’ll see.”
When I got outside, the night air hit different after leaving a room like that.
Cleaner.
Like something just shifted in the world, and only a few people know it.
I got in the car, started the engine, and sat there for a second.
Not emotional.
Just… aware.
I pulled my phone out and hit FaceTime.
Emily picked up on the second ring.
Daylight filled the screen.
France.
Bright.
Soft.
Everything LA wasn’t.
“There go yo’ daddy, lil boy. He’s been saying your name all day,” she said, smiling.
Lil Zay popped into frame immediately, climbing all over her like she was a jungle gym.
“Dada!” he yelled.
That broke something in me.
Not weak.
Just… real. I was doing everything to make sure my son had a brighter future than I did.
I leaned back in the seat, a small smirk pulling at my mouth.
“What’s up, my boy?”
He started talking, words all over the place, excited, loud, happy.
Safe.
That’s what mattered.
Emily watched me.
“You good?” she finally asked.
I nodded once. “Yeah. It’s done.”
Her expression shifted. Not shocked. Not confused. Just… understanding.
She knew what was going on. Before she left for France, we had a long talk. I told her about my family being a secret mafia, told her about my beef with my parents, and told her I was taking over. I had to tell her, so she could know why her life was about to shift, and for the better.
“Yeah?” she said softly.
“Yeah.”
I glanced out the windshield, then back at the screen.
“Old man passed it down.”
Her lips parted slightly.
Then she smiled.
Proud.
“Okay, Big Zay,” she said, like she already knew.
Like she always knew.
Yuna stepped into frame behind her, leaning on the balcony railing, sunlight hitting her different.
She looked at me through the screen.
Calm.
But I could see it.
She understood what that meant, too.
“Boss man,” she said lightly.
I smirked.
“Don’t start.”
Lil Zay grabbed the phone again.
“Dada boss!” he yelled, laughing, not even knowing his life had just changed.
I let out a low chuckle.
“Yeah,” I said. “Something like that.”
Emily shook her head, smiling. “We’re proud of you.”
I nodded because I appreciated that coming from her.
More than I said.
“Y’all good out there?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she said. “We’re good.”
“Keep it that way,” I said.
Yuna gave me a look like she already knew what that meant.
“I will,” she said.
I held the phone a second longer.
Took them in.
Then nodded.
“I’ma call you later.”
“Okay,” Emily said.
Lil Zay waved.
“Bye, Dada!”
I ended the call.
The car went quiet again.
LA back around me.
Dark.
Loud.
Mine now.
I sat there for a second longer…
Then I pulled off into the night.