Chapter 7 #2
Shayla made it necessary once she found her way to me after Nari began posting our lives on her page.
She reached out, presenting herself as family.
I made clear that she wasn’t and wouldn’t be allowed in Nari’s life.
The next communication I received was a message propositioning sex with a promise to keep it from her cousin.
She was willing to fuck me on the low if I agreed.
I received those types of offers often, but having it come from someone in Nari’s so-called family had me seeing red.
I pulled up on Shayla that night to make clear that if she reached out again or so much as breathed my wife’s name, she would become a news story.
Those types of promises were better served in person, which was why I sought her out.
Needless to say, she got the point and hadn’t been in touch since.
It was also why I was confused by the fact that she would engage in a shouting match with Nari after I made my position clear.
The only thing I could come up with was that she wanted to possibly appeal to Nari’s need for family and work her way into her cousin’s life again so she could, by association, benefit from the privilege I provided Nari. But that wasn’t an option either.
Shayla attempted to wiggle out of my grasp, but I held firm and moved closer to her face.
“Apparently, you need a refresher course on what ‘stay the fuck away from my wife’ means.”
She swallowed hard and her eyes shifted. “I didn’t go looking for her. We just happened to run into each other and—”
“And you decided to try to devalue her place in my life. Maybe I wasn’t clear before.
She is my wife by choice. Not some piece of ass .
. .” I paused, allowing a minute for my eyes to travel the length of her body before they met hers again.
“. . . that I’m pimping out. The lifestyle I provide Nari is strictly because I love and cherish the woman she is.
There’s nothing within my power I won’t do to ensure her happiness, and that goes far beyond monetary things.
The concept may be hard for a woman like you to understand, considering your only asset is between your legs, but I would advise you to try harder to find some clarity. Understood?”
“Yeah, I hear you,” she mumbled, her eyes blazing with anger and embarrassment.
“Smart girl. Now run along, Passion . . .” When I used her stage name, her face hardened even more. “. . . Looks like you have a willing customer.”
I let her go, and she quickly moved the same arm to her chest, rubbing the spot where my hand had just been. As I gave her my back to leave, I heard the anger in her voice when she addressed the man who took a seat.
“You want a dance, daddy?” She was in a place befitting a woman of her stature.
An hour later, I sat in a cigar lounge with Toussaint. He had six men in the private room eyeing our every move, ready to react at the slightest twitch of a muscle that appeared threatening. Darius sat to my right and Cast stood just inside the doorway. He too was ready for gunplay if required.
“Ya know I can’t just turn a blind eye.” His accent was thick regardless of his years in the States. Toussaint was born and raised in Haiti and split his time between there and the U.S. He had men sprinkled across the entire East Coast, pushing the drugs he secured from us.
“I’m not asking you to turn a blind eye.
I’m only asking that you use your head.” A finger tapped my temple, which caused his already narrowed eyes to squint more while his lips pressed into a straight line, expressing offense.
I didn’t give a fuck. I was here for a specific reason, to make my case that it wasn’t my men who took out his family, Knotty.
He must have considered the obvious, but one could never be too sure.
There was nothing to gain from me moving so recklessly.
Had Knotty continued to ignore my terms, I would have dealt with him, just not in the manner that was executed.
“Ya questioning my intelligence, Akel?”
“No, because that’s not necessary. We exist in peace with each other. I don’t fuck with you, the same as you know to stay out of my way . . .”
“But Knotty was on your blocks in zones that weren’t approved, aye?” His hand lifted and a finger tapped his knee. “Disrespectful. I tell him no good, but his head is hard as stone, ego too big. Ya two had words.”
“I issued my warning. Had the disrespect continued, my next step would have been to place the responsibility on you. Had you not handled the situation, my issue would then be with you, not a boy trying to play a man’s game.”
Toussaint stared hard for a minute before he nodded and brushed his hand down his face. I was a man of integrity. I would have given Toussaint the chance to deal with Knotty. Reckless killing wasn’t good for business on either side.
“Meh product is gone. That’s a lot of money. Whoever ’tis wants it to be ya issue. Dat means I lost money ’cause of ya.”
“You lost money because your family didn’t follow the rules. That’s not my debt to pay, and I won’t. I will give you my word that once I have a name, you’ll have it too. I’ll give you time to collect, but that’s all you’re allowed. To collect what you’re owed.”
I was making it clear that the final call was mine.
“I’m owed blood. He killed one of mine. The retribution is on me to make right.”
“Understood, but that can’t happen, not this time. I’m the only one who ends this.”
Again, he stared for a moment before he offered a nod. “Ya have my word long as I have yours.” He wanted assurance that I would take the life of the person who killed Knotty.
I stood, adjusting my jacket. Darius was on his feet seconds after, followed by Toussaint. We shook on the terms, and just as I was about to leave, his voice stopped me.
“Ya wife . . .” There was a long pause before he continued. “. . . ’da streets are whispering.”
I turned to face him while Darius stepped forward, his hand resting at his waist. Cast did the same, placing him next to me.
Toussaint’s men moved into position, but he held his hand up, pausing their reaction.
“Easy, Akel. I respect the rules because I have my own family to consider. Just passing the word for ya to keep her close. Not all men understand what it means to dance with the devil.” His face remained stoic while referencing me as the devil. Smart man.
On occasion, I could be considered a monster, but there was no doubt in my mind he understood that no one had come close to experiencing the worst of what I was capable of. However, it would be unleashed for public record if anyone managed to touch my wife.
I tossed my chin before leaving, with Darius leading the way and Cast behind me. Our discussion would happen when there weren’t any unwanted ears listening.
“Why the fuck didn’t you ask for a name?” Cast glared at me through the rearview mirror. He was driving the SUV we left in while Darius was beside me.
“He wouldn’t have given one.” Darius spoke my thoughts before I got a chance to.
We shared a look of understanding. Cast didn’t have to question my intent because he too was clear on the rules.
His anger came from the fact that Nari had also worked her spell over him.
She was family, which created a sense of obligation for him to protect her, the same as he was sworn to protect me.
Only with Nari, it was more of a loyalty to the woman who had managed to steal his heart without trying.
It was what had him asking a question he already had an answer for.
Toussaint wouldn’t be labeled as a snitch; however, he wanted me to know that a weakness had been identified . . .
Nari.
As much as I hated that my life put hers in a challenging position, I was fully prepared to ensure she was never fully affected.
For now, that would have to be pushed aside.
My priority at that moment was leveling us again.
She and I needed to be on the same page and I was fully prepared to do whatever was necessary to ensure that happened.