Chapter 21
This is the moment that everything that we've worked towards has started to make its way through the families. This is the moment to prove what we found is truly valuable information, or if it just keeps us in the same place we've always been.
Our leaders are on a red-eye to have this meeting as soon as possible because meeting on their turf is an act of good faith.
It's not in my wheelhouse to say one way or the other, but after having so much time looking for something like a solution, I can't help but be nervous that everything is for naught.
The entire court is here, plus Racquelle has all of the people in her inner circle, as well.
Liezel, who I've only seen a few times, is here, much to Nina's satisfaction.
If there's anything I've learned, it's that she looks up to this woman like a role model, and though I won't lie in saying that Liezel is a beautiful woman, I can't see the pieces of her that make up Nina.
Nina is beautiful in a different way that could not be compared to the kind of beauty that Liezel has.
And with all these powerful people in one room, I get nervous that it'll turn bad—and quickly. Any time there's been a large gathering of the families, it amounts to violence.
I'm not shocked to see Colton step forward, but I am shocked to see William Griffith. I couldn't imagine what his beef is with Dupont, but I'm sure he's about to tell us exactly that, since this is a meeting of how to make amends with not only Lafayette, but us too.
Blue is the first to sit with Redd standing behind him.
I stand behind Nina, who is sitting at Racquelle's left side, while Liezel is on the right, with Lidia standing behind both Racquelle and Liezel.
The most important of the Griffiths sitting at the table with his guards and entourage all crowding behind.
I recognize far too many of the faces I see standing with him, including Remo and Colton.
If I were someone who got nervous easily, now would certainly be the time with the energy buzzing around this table of bosses all gathered.
Racquelle is the first to speak, saying, "Which one of you is actually in charge?"
I fully expected it to be William, but it's not.
The man sitting next to him speaks instead.
"That'd be me," he says, standing from his seat, much to most of the guards in the room's dismay, as you hear the shuffling of them all preparing to protect their most valuable assets.
Racquelle doesn't seem to be completely surprised by this man standing here when she asks, "And who exactly are you?"
“Names Harrison, but you can call me Harry,” he says coolly. “If you couldn’t tell, pa’s got a trach tube now. I’m who you’ll be dealin’ with as the rightful second, the rightful ruler of Lafayette,
Racquelle chuckles. "Rightful in what way?" she asks. "I'm not saying that because I think there's any merit to what you're saying, but because I'm interested to know what gives you the right to be so bold in my presence. Too many in this room seem to be saying the same thing.”
"Well, I have plenty of rights. See, it was me who put in Senior's ear that Junior should come next because I knew it'd be easy for us to work around him. I don't know how familiar you are with the boy, but he was not fit. But once his life was—“
Racquelle speaks over him, “Yea, I know he wasn't, which is why I'm here.”
Now it’s Harry who chuckles, “No, no, no. It's why I'm here. You deviated from the plan that Lafayette already had in place. Then you took credit for cleanin’ up a problem that we already had under control." There's a murmur in the room as people talk to each other about the claim Harry has made.
Blue speaks up and the murmur comes to a swift halt.
"No, that's why we're all here, because there was a gap.
A big one that cost Lafayette our alliance in the first place.
If you had so much under control, why was our original partnership in the goddamn trash?
We knew it needed to be resolved, closed up right.
But you let that gap grow wider when it was me and Terrell Senior working together closely.
How does that make you the rightful ruler? "
Harry doesn’t back down, insisting, “Because after him was me, and if Racquelle had just minded her own business, I'd be doin’ what I was supposed to already be—unimpeded by her sheep.”
Racquelle scoffs. “Well, the fact is that the business was and is mine to mind in the first place, as I am Terrell's daughter. I’m his last living successor.”
"True, true,” Harry drolls, “We heard about that.
Doesn't make it any better. And, quite frankly, I don't want to work with anybody who accepts your rule. Unlike you, I have a problem with forcin’ people to be loyal to me. I'd rather them come on their own, like Colton here." Our Queen glares at the man’s sandy hair and hazel eyes, crossing her arms. At least he’s not in his sheriff’s uniform today. “Oh, you two have met?”
"No, but I've seen the tapes,” she says, likely meaning the ones we had all seen of Redd giving him a beating that no one thought he’d recover from.
Colton shifts, eyes focusing on his sudden movement. "Good. That segues into my situation rather easily."
"Colton!” Harry demands, “The fuck are you doin’?”
"Well, after the last month or so of healing my face after Redd so callously decided to rearrange it, I look good enough to walk down the aisle." There is no humor on the sheriff’s expression. He genuinely means what he’s saying.
"What fuckin’ aisle? What are you talkin’ about?" Blue questions looking to Redd but he doesn’t know either. Nina manages a giggle that hopefully only I can hear.
Redd steps aside to block Colton from his King’s path. "You're lucky you're not fuckin’ dead. Be happy to correct that.”
"You're right, I am lucky,” he bows, flagrantly. “If I wasn't, I wouldn't be able to make the agreement that I so generously have brokered on Dupont's behalf."
Redd is still fuming, “What gives you the right to make any decisions on brokerin’ for Dupont? You're not part of this family."
"But you said that I was going to be loyal to Dupont until I died. I would owe Dupont until I died, and I'm still here…”
"Not for long, fucker," Redd says, baring his teeth.
Racquelle speaks. "Alright. Enough of this. What do you want? What are you bringing to the table?"
Colton tugs at his shirt cuffs and then adjusts the collar. “Despite what everyone thinks, I've only been trying to secure something I've wanted for a long time."
"What would that be?" The Queen asks.
"A wife,” the sheriff says plainly, as if this is a logical train of thought that anyone would have pieces together. He had said something about walking down the aisle, but I didn’t actually think he was serious. I don’t think anyone did.
"Is it really that hard to get some ass, Colton?” Racquelle laughs. “I’ll let you have a couple of nights at the Chrome, on the house, to stop this foolishness. How’s that sound?”
"It's not about getting it. It's about getting the ass I want." His eyes flash over to the woman to the right of Racquelle, who throws daggers his way from her own.
"And so you caused all this dissent so that you could lie with Liezel?” Racquelle looks toward her and they seem to exchange some words with looks alone. Then she says to the sheriff, “Liezel is still working. You could have just booked her."
I take a moment to check on Nina underneath me. My hand rests on the back of her chairs and she has remained quiet as she usually does in these meetings. I was surprised to even hear her giggle before. I’d like her to at least be present to see how her work has paid off for her family.
Now, she has almost entirely checked out.
Daydreaming about who knows what as the bickering between families continues.
I caress a few fingers over her shoulder, hoping the touch will, at the very least, ground her floating mind and it seems to register to her.
A soft sigh on her exhale before she places an elbow on the table to set her head on it, pink curls pooling on the surface of it.
"No, no, no, no, no. I don't want to book her.” Colton goes on, “I’d like to take her hand in marriage. Figured that you could arrange something like that for peace between Lafayette and the Griffiths.”
"There is no Griffiths and Lafayette. There is just Lafayette and Dupont.”
Harry takes this opportunity to speak up. “Well, you're right. Lafayette will stay as it is, but our faction, the Griffiths, will be its own entity. We won't work against you. Hell, we could even work together in the same capacity as we usually did."
"Working together would imply that I recognize that whatever this faction of yours is is valuable enough to deserve my business. I don't just work with anyone,” Racquelle clarifies, “So far, you have only been a hindrance to the progress that Lafayette could be making.”
"Neither do we," Harry scoffs. "And since it would behoove me not to lose any more men, at least a quarter of which would be comin' with us. I think a partnership between the three families would be good.” When he drops those numbers the lot of us are shocked to see how many people are truly on their side. It’s not a devastating number but it is certainly enough to halt profits and be a threat.
Harry continues, “Most commonly, we could align families through marriage.
Dupont, we could take Colton as our own.
Everyone can use a little help on the inside, can't they?
But we will allow Colton to return to Dupont unscathed in exchange for honorin' his wishes and ours. "
Blue balks, a noise conveying just how irritated he is. “He’s already been workin’ against us. What makes you think we even want him back?”
Harry’s head tilts, “He’s your pet project. Isn’t he? What would happen if he were out there with no one to hold all those highly sought after details of Dupont’s inner workings?”
"I won't do it," Racquelle says. “That’s not the kind of business I do. I’m not selling anyone into marriage.”
Liezel steps up after holding her tongue throughout it all. "What makes you think that that's even on the table?"
"Everything is negotiable, isn't it, Liezel?” Colton says, a glint in his eye from Liezel addressing him it appears. “It’s about that time anyway, right?” Lidia growls under her breath at the man who is getting too much leeway in a mess that he singlehandedly created for his own gain.
I don’t know if I should be impressed or pissed about all the destruction that could ensue if an agreement isn’t reached.
Nina speaks for the first time since the meeting has started, “You can't expect Racquelle to honor that. She advocates for women’s choice to make their life look however they want. You’re asking her to destroy her integrity just because a woman told you no.
” Racquelle pats her hand and it’s not condescending, it’s understanding.
The room goes quiet for a moment while everyone processes what the Queen’s most prized possession has said.
Harry breaks the silence. “For one woman, are you willing to go to war with us? Settle our lines and jump the broom. It’s simple. Or don’t and find out how strong Griffiths are. You prepared to war with us over somethin’ so menial?”
“We don’t deal in women. That’s final,” Racquelle says, not flinching at Harry’s threat.
“Neither does Dupont,” Blue agrees.
“If I’m the deciding factor, then there is no decision.” Liezel says, walking around Lidia who is still reaching for her as she comes around the table to where Harry and Colton wait. “No lives will be lost over something so pointless. You want to be married. It’s settled.” She huffs, “Fine. I do.”