Legend Cartier
At seven in the morning, I stood beside the bed staring at a text from Jamir that made me forget how to breathe for a second.
Aria slept behind me, wrapped in the covers, one arm stretched across my side of the bed. The room was quiet except for her soft breathing and the air cutting through the vents.
I read Jamir’s message again.
Then again.
The messages and calls in Kash’s burner point to Street Kings organization being involved with the murder/set up of Kash. Still digging for specifics. Will get back to you as soon as I have more.
I texted Jamir back:
Keep this between us. Don’t tell Saint or Icon. I’ll tell them myself when it’s time. Keep digging. I need proof, not guesses.
He replied back right away:
Bet. But Legend, this don’t look good.
No, it didn’t.
I slid out of the room before Aria woke and eased the door closed behind me.
Then I called Tempo. While the phone rang, I walked barefoot down the hall, passing the kids’ rooms one by one.
It was Saturday, and the last thing I needed was all my babies waking up my wife.
One door was cracked, and I could see little feet hanging off the edge of a bed.
Another room had cartoons playing because one of the kids had fallen asleep with the TV on.
By the time I reached the stairs, I could smell Chef Eddie cooking in the main kitchen. The kitchen was a small hike from me and Aria’s wing, but I could still smell the aroma of sausage and bacon.
Finally, Tempo answered. “Legend, it’s seven in the morning.”
“I know.”
“This better not be about business before I’ve had my coffee.”
“It is.”
She sighed. “Of course it is. What happened?”
I sat in the what had turned into my “dad chair” in the living room. It was my big, comfortable recliner that my kids knew not to play in. “I need your advice.”
Tempo had taken a step back from the organization to be a wife, but I still went to her when a situation needed more than a gun and ego. Men loved reacting first and thinking after somebody was bleeding. Tempo could see and hear the parts most of us missed because we had too much pride and egos.
“Talk to me,” she said.
“Jamir’s been going through Kash’s burner phone. It looks like Kash was set up by or by somebody connected to the Street Kings.”
“The Street Kings have been solid since they started working with y’all.”
“They have.”
“They’ve been legit, hella respectful, and loyal.”
“Most disloyal men introduce themselves that way first,” I said. “That’s how snakes get close enough to bite.”
She released a slow breath. “Does Saint and Icon know?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“That’s why I called you. If I tell Saint right now, he’s going to lose his mind and start shooting before Jamir finishes his damn research. If I tell Icon, he’ll cut their supply immediately, and the whole relationship goes sour before we know who actually did what.”
“And if you say nothing, and the Street Kings are dirty, Kash’s blood sits on your hands longer than it should.”
“Exactly.”
“So, don’t say anything until Jamir is sure. I think you should keep it from everybody until you have the whole story.”
“And the Street Kings?”
“Watch them. Every move.”
My jaw worked as I thought about it.
“Legend, don’t let loyalty make you stupid, but don’t let suspicion make you reckless either.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “You right.”
I could practically hear the smile in her words as she quipped, “I know. That’s why you called me.”