Chapter 35
“You don’t want to talk about this shit?” Svyn questioned when they were alone in his car. “We got dead niggas in OC. Niggas on the block getting antsy. Not to mention Javier literally wants you to deliver your woman to him. You don’t think he knows y’all together?”
Markus kissed his teeth. “That nigga don’t know shit but the quality of the bullshit he keeps snorting.”
“You got a point. So what’s the plan? How we getting this pipeline? You know droughts make muhfuckas nervous. Nervous niggas turn into wars they have no money or product to front,” Svyn shared.
In a series of events outside of Markus’ control, he was thrust into the number one spot.
He wanted it. The only thing was he thought that he was going to have to take it.
It was being delivered on a silver platter, and he needed to ensure he handled it right.
He needed to make sure what was left of his soul was intact.
“We get that pipeline like we get everything else. We take that shit. You know, B and Angel think they a step ahead of the program,” Markus stated. “They were too eager to tell me about the Reign shit. Those niggas tell on themselves every step of the way.”
“So why they still breathing? Like, at this point, auntie and them can just be mad,” Svyn stated. “Them niggas is wild cards.”
“It’s not about them being mad. It’s about honoring them. Aunt G is my key to the city. I honor her wishes, things run a lot more smoothly, and doors are opened for us. Anything against that is hell. I got good use for them, they’re so fuckin’ stupid they’d think I’m putting them on.”
“What’s the play?”
Markus looked over at Svyn. “Send Brantley back to OC. Tell him to get close to Javier’s team.”
“You don’t think that’s going to get tricky?” Svyn posed. “What we doing with Angel?”
“Nah, because Brantley is a little bitch and he’s going to tell him everything.
I want Javier gone before our time expires.
I want B standing right next to him. And I want Angel going crazy in the spot with nothing to do but plot.
Divide and conquer these niggas. Up security around the girls.
Tell them niggas to get ready and stay ready.
If they can’t handle that, they can get fuckin’ gone. ”
Svyn winced. “We got to handle this cash flow.”
“Tomorrow night, we’ll pull up on Rich. Tonight I got some other shit to handle.”
The closer he got to Reign, the more his aggravation rose. Not that he cared about her past, but because he walked into the meeting with Javier blindly. If he were going to require anything from her, he would need her honesty. It was as important as her respect.
He found himself taking the steps two at a time, leaving Svyn behind to catch up. Punching the code in the door, Markus turned the lock and rushed into the house. The smell of a home-cooked meal hitting him in the face, along with Reign’s wide smile. But it was her eyes – they told on her.
“Milli,” Reign crooned, happy to see him and feel the comfort of him against her. But bracing for the inevitable. Markus didn’t match her energy the way he’d done before, and she knew why. “Or not.”
Reign stopped herself from throwing her arms around his neck.
Instead, she opted for a simple hug around his waist, and while he accepted her embrace, his frame was stiff.
The irritation was present, denying them both the comfort they needed.
His coldness made her withdraw. Immediately, he regretted his avoidance.
Regardless of how he felt, there were standards he set.
How he handled her needed to be maintained.
But he needed her to understand that what he just walked into could never happen again.
“Let me talk to you in the room,” he muttered softly, pushing her in the direction of the stairs.
Nia’s eyes were pinned on Svyn’s each having an update for the other. Neither said anything after hearing Markus’ tone with Reign. If it weren’t playful, it was full of care. His tone, frigid along with his posture, was a warning to Nia that something didn’t go as planned.
Reign eased into the room, placing herself at a safe distance, teeth gnawing at her lip.
Markus glowered at her and palmed his face to settle himself before speaking. “Something you want to tell me? Something that you should have told me before I walked out this muhfucka?”
She sat on the ottoman foot bouncing. “I wanted to tell you. I didn’t know how.”
“By sayin’ it,” he grumbled. “That nigga you’re going to meet is the nigga that I ran from. Anything other than not saying shit.”
“I know. I didn’t-”
“You didn’t because…”
Reign looked up at him with those haunted eyes she had before. The glimpse only lasted for a second before she centered herself. “I was scared. I-”
Her eyes floated closed, and she pulled in a deep breath. It wasn’t a show or a play on his heart. She was regulating her emotions. “I didn’t want to ruin anything for you. I understand how this shit goes. I understand what you needed, and I couldn’t be the reason you didn’t get that.”
He groaned, unable to remain angry about it. “I’m not going to lie that shit had me fuckin’ tight.”
“Markus, I know. I’ve been consumed by it. So much has happened since you’ve been gone. I should have told you.”
His attention spiked. “What happened?”
“I stabbed some guy in the salon. Some nigga Kay-Dee knew. I’m assuming he was there to hurt me.”
Before she could get the next part of her sentence out, Markus erupted. “How the fuck a nigga even get that fuckin’ close to you? Where was Fuego and Bullet! Gahdamn it!”
Reign jumped back at the eruption. “They handled it! They shot him and took him out.”
“If that nigga was close enough to you to inhale your scent, it wasn’t fuckin’ handled soon enough. How did he even get in the salon?” Markus turned, yanked the bedroom door open, and whisked out of the room. Reign was on his heels. “Nia!”
“Markus, let me finish talking to you,” Reign huffed, taking off behind him.
“Nia!” Markus roared again. “When the fuck were you goin’ to say something?”
Nia and Svyn stopped whatever conversation they were having to find Markus bulldozing down the stairs.
“What are you screaming for?” Nia huffed.
“Who was that nigga Reign stabbed in the salon?” Markus pressed, making Svyn pop up and look at Reign.
“You stabbed a nigga?” he had an amused smirk on his face.
She nodded subtly.
“I know this ain’t the time, but your nigga owes me some bread.
He said you weren’t ‘bout that life. Said yo’ little ass wouldn’t bust a grape.
You look like a baby gangsta to me. I might make you my apprentice.
I can’t be the only nigga about torture around this bitch,” Svyn muttered. “You got that shit in you, don’t you?”
“Not the time,” Reign muttered, seeing the fumes coming off of Markus.
“Svyn, please.” Nia turned to Markus and shrugged as if it were just another day and another body. “It was G. The nigga needed to go anyway. I hand-”
“G!” Markus growled. “Tell me…”
“The nigga is dead and floating in the river,” Nia scoffed.
“Why are you barking and growling and shit? You told me to handle shit if it popped off. Shit popped off, and I handled shit. Well, ya girl handled it, got his ass right in the neck. He deserved it. I heard him talking all that shit about trim and getting a taster before sending her back to The Port. Reign did what needed to be done.”
“Needed to be done? Y’all don’t fuckin’ get it!
” Markus erupted again. His core rattled with the thought of losing, not just his position but Reign.
“The biggest play of my fucking life is riding on my ability to keep this shit locked in. B and Angel are walking time bombs. I can’t have this shit falling out too. ”
“Markus,” Reign softly spoke from behind him. His shoulders squared.
“Reign don’t,” he warned. “Don’t.”
“You’re spinnin’,” she softly replied.
Nia was readying herself to respond, but once she heard Reign’s softness, she knew that this was a moment he needed to have solely with her.
That was her power. When no one else could get through to Markus, his lady could.
She wasn’t going to interfere in a moment they needed to come back center. “We should go, Svyn.”
“I’ll touch base with you in the morning, Money,” Svyn said, patting his shoulder on his way out of the house. “Good job, Reign.”
Reign waited for them to be alone to continue. “This isn’t the time to unravel, Markus.”
“Stop callin’ me that Reign,” he huffed.
She moved into his view. “Emilliano. Look at me.”
His eyes darted to her. “This shit is getting too much. Every time I step out of this house away from you, it’s niggas trying to snipe me. I’m fuckin’ fallin’ for a stranger. ‘Cause I don’t know who you are.”
“First of all, watch your tone. Second, I think it’s fair to say we fell into something without knowing the particulars. And for the sake of my mistrust and withholding, I’ll tell you who I am. If that’s going to soothe what I did to your armor. I’ll tell you every detail if that’s what it takes.”
“You can never do nothing to my armor, Speechless,” he grumbled. “I don’t need the details. I’ve seen the marks and the scars. I’m clear on that. And the fucked up part is I can’t kill that nigga yet.”
“I can and I did. The problem with being so close to you is that they’re going to use me to get to you, and I let you walk into something that could’ve turned out differently.
For that, I’m sorry. I’m not sorry for stabbin’ that nigga though.
He had that coming, and I’m tired of people looking at me and thinking I’m weak,” Reign started.
“I’m tired of being weak. I’m tired of being broken.
I am tired of being voiceless. And I’m over not having a true sense of self.
I never had that until you. I’m sorry for withholding information.
For lying next to you and not tellin’ you what I ran from.
And I wanted to so bad. Every time I started, it’s like fear froze me. ”
“You didn’t trust me,” Markus rumbled. “You didn’t show me your scars because you didn’t trust me with them.
Don’t get me wrong, standing that close to that nigga and having an idea of the hell he put you through and not being able to take that nigga out, sent me further over the edge.
But I understand in the beginning why you didn’t.
Nia told me you’d needed to trust me. You could’ve warned ya nigga about that nigga.
I just got to experience what peace is, I can’t lose that shit now. ”
Reign placed her hands on his chest and watched his entire being relax. “You’re scared. And I am too. We can be scared or we can fight back.”
“I need his pipeline. But more than that, I fuckin’ need you. You did something to me.”
She nodded. “I know. But you don’t need him. He wants me back, and I’m not going. I told you I was yours. I meant that.”
“Damn right you ain’t,” Markus grumbled. “I got a plan.”
“Want to tell me, or am I in time out?” Reign sassed, pulling away only to be pulled back and kissed.
His forehead gently butted against hers. “I owe you an apology, too.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I do. Because I have a feeling no one ever apologized to you. And I yelled at you, and you jumped. I’m sorry. You’re the only thing I got that’s pure. The thought of losing you drives me insane.”
“Don’t let it. I’m here. You marked me. I’m okay with that.”
“You sure, shit is going to get real, Speechless.”
“You’re right, it is. You’re about to become a Don. I only need three things from you,” Reign spoke up, moving away toward the stove.
“Name them,” he replied right on her heels.
“One, sit down. I made you dinner. Two, actual security at the shop, because I like working and my clients like feeling safe. Three, get your head right and fix your circle.”
“What you sayin’ to me?”
“What you know. I know they’re your family, and if I’m crossing the line, say that, but Angel and B have no good intent. With what you’re about to step into, you’ll have to make a choice. It’s you or them.”
“I’m handling them,” he assured.
“Okay. You’re about to have more money than you know what to do with. It’s time to diversify your portfolio.”
“You can help with that?” Markus’ brow peaked.
He found it amazing how Reign could wrap him up in a vortex, spin him around in a mirage of feelings, and then place him down softly.
All the while making the pressure on his shoulders feel weightless and straightening his crown.
If he were being completely honest, he didn’t know he was wearing one until she peered at him.
“I can help with whatever you need. I know how to grow a business.” Reign shrugged her shoulders. “That, outside of hair, has always been something I was good at.”
“You good at a lot of shit,” he said.
Reign turned around, holding a pasta bowl of homemade chicken parmesan and placing it on the counter next to a basket of bread and a salad. She was anticipating Nia and Svyn staying to help eat all of this food. “You’re trying to gas me because you want to hold my foot tonight.”
He waited until she put the bowl down to pull her close again. “No gas. You good at everything you do. You got some real power on you, in you, around you.”
Markus brushed a curl out of her face, making her shoulders relax. “Can we start tonight over?”
He peppered a series of kisses on her face. “Yes.”
“Welcome home, Emilliano. I’ve missed you,” she muttered against his lips, only for him to nip at them. “How was your trip?”
“Stressful and a nigga needs to take some fuckin’ edge off,” he grumbled, his hands caressing the growing roundness of her ass. “I missed you too.”
“How about you eat?” Reign hummed between kisses to his lips. “And then you join me in the shower?”
“You ate since I’ve been gone?” he questioned, inhaling the scent in her hair and on her neck. “Don’t even tell me. Sit down.”
“I’ll make it.”
“Mm mm, nah. I set a standard. I can’t undo that now. Sit down before you’re the one on the plate.”
Reign giggled and moved away. “Now that’s how you walk in here moving forward. Kiss me first, be mad second.”
“Oh, she likes me?”
Reign rolled her eyes. “We could revert.”
“Hell nah. We not doing that shit. Never again.”