Chapter 3
Thoughts of Milani drifted in and out of my mind as I gazed at the fading sunset through the warehouse dock door.
An involuntary smile spread across my face as I thought about the many times we sat out by my pool gossiping until the sun set.
Suppressed memories resurfaced quickly, with thoughts of Milani running through my mind.
Quinn still hadn’t reported anything back to me, and that was pissing me off even more.
The lights on the second level of the warehouse went out, notifying me that AC was officially late for our scheduled meeting.
I pulled out my phone and drafted an email to notify the Clayton family that they forfeited their money for the missing shipment since AC couldn’t read a clock.
“Sneaux Motha Fuckin Black, my favorite business partner,” AC’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
I turned to see AC swaggering into the dark warehouse without a care in the world.
Once he was a few feet away, I noticed the sparkly red lipstick staining his white button up shirt, explaining his tardiness.
Rolling my eyes, I turned to motion for my cousin Terrel to bring this crybaby his money, but froze when his grimy, uninvited hand found its way to my lower back.
“Why every time I see you, you look mad at the world?”
His voice was low and sultry, making my skin crawl.
I didn’t respond audibly. Instead, I raised my right arm and drove my elbow sharply into his ribs, knocking the air from him.
My gun was out and aimed at his head before he could process what happened.
My cousin Levi darted from the shadows where he was leaning against the wall, his deranged eyes trained on AC.
“Don’t shoot him!” I commanded because Levi was his uncle’s nephew. He moved like a maniac, then thought about the repercussions later. Just like my father. Although Levi didn’t pull the trigger, he pressed his nine against AC’s temple while he struggled to control his breathing.
I fluffed out my double breasted Dolce they were my brothers.
The bond we shared was unbreakable. I always knew they had my follow-up without a second thought.
We were all stair steppers, less than a year apart, with me being the oldest. Our family was unique in the fact that all three of us were heading the family. We didn’t need a one man dictatorship.
Traditionally, the firstborn son of the man on the throne was next in line to lead the family.
If he was unable to produce a male heir, the reins would be passed down to the next eldest male in the bloodline.
However, nothing about my life was traditional, not even my birth.
My mom went into premature labor while accompanying my father on a business trip in New York.
The labor was traumatic and complicated, ultimately leading to her losing both ovaries and robbing my parents of another chance to have a son to groom as my father’s successor.
If it weren’t for that, I’m positive my parents would have had more children, because they loved being parents.
The last warehouse dock door slid down, leaving minimal light in the space.
“I put a tail on AC. If he doesn’t go about his business and tries to circle back on any of us, I already gave them the green light, and we’ll let the chips fall where they may,” Levi notified me, returning with his gun safely on his waist.
“Thanks cousin,” I smiled at him.
“Always,” Levi nodded.
“Do you need anything else out of the office?” Terrel questioned, thumb pointing over his shoulder.
“No, I’m ready to go. I’m headed to Oland tonight. I need to check on shit at the lounge after my long vacation since neither of y’all have.”
“Aye man. When I put in on that lounge, I already made it clear my priorities would still be Premier,” Terrel replied, referring to his strip club.
That was his pride and joy since purchasing the club last year.
If Terrel wasn’t handling tasks for the family business, that’s where you would find him.
“And I was busy picking up your slack. This shit here gon’ always come first,” Levi noted before pulling me in for a hug. “Make sure you keep your head on a swivel and let Bill drive you.”
“Bill is definitely driving me tonight. I’m going for business, but I also want to decompress,” I admitted.
Terrel pulled the reinforced steel door closed, and we heard the click from the automatic locks before making our way towards the exit.
“What is up with you today? You been off and staring off into space all day,” Levi called me out. “You usually don’t even let motha fuckas get up on you close like AC did. Where your head was at?”
“I’ll let y’all know when I have a better idea,” I notified them.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Terrel queried.
“It means what I said,” I snipped, slipping into the backseat of the Suburban that Bill held open for me.
“She probably on her period. Leave her the fuck alone,” Levi shoved his older brother.
“Aye, keep them bear paws to yourself unless you want to lose a knee,” Terrel threatened.
“If you needed a Tylenol, you could’ve just said that.
” He redirected his attention to me, his arms spread wide, showing off the custom blue lining on his suit.
Terrel hated wearing plain black or grey suits for most of the day, but that was his way of rebelling against the system.
“Fuck both of y’all,” I groaned, motioning for Bill to close my door. They stood outside the warehouse watching me drive off before climbing into their own awaiting trucks. I knew them well enough to know they were discussing me.
I was off my shit all day, and not because we still hadn’t located the missing truck.
Leaning my head back in the seat, I relaxed and dug around in my purse for my blunt case.
We hopped on the interstate and went straight to Oland.
By the time we got through the Friday night traffic and I had showered, changed, and applied a light beat, it was pushing 12:30.
That didn’t stop me from doing a quick once over in the floor length mirror.
The black side seam tie up dress that left a sliver of my sides completely exposed was molded to my body like it was designed just for me.
I straightened the two gold necklaces that always remained on my neck and slipped on my black Dolce & Gabbana platform heels with the gold DG emblem on the heels.
Stepping back, I nodded because the heels elongated my legs and set the look off.
My phone vibrated inside my black and gold Dolce & Gabbana purse on the vanity.
I knew it was Quinn. Instead of wasting more time answering, I flung the chain strap over my shoulder and headed out the door.
Bill was already waiting near the entrance when I made it to the lobby.
My condo was a few blocks away, and I made it to the lounge in no time.
It was nearing one o’clock, but I had already taken a few shots before pulling up.