Epilogue
“Hey, Money,” Fuego called over the music blasting through the lounge. “Somebody in VIP wants you and Svyn.”
Svyn looked up at him briefly, taking his eyes off of Nia and Reign laughing amongst themselves to look at Fuego. “You screened them?”
Fuego gave Svyn and Markus a slacked smirk. “You don’t screen this nigga.”
Markus gave Svyn a look before standing up. “Keep your eyes on them.”
“Got you, Money,” Fuego spoke up as the duo walked past him.
In the closed VIP room was guarded by two men, Bullet and another who introduced himself to Markus as Sonny.
Inside the room was a large man watching the party below.
Markus and Svyn heard the stories about Cree, but seeing him up close and personal solidified that they were at the top of the chain now.
To his left was another man he didn’t know.
Not as large but sizable, bald head, and intense glare.
“Cree Alexander,” Markus spoke up.
“Money Makin’ Markus,” Cree spoke with a smirk on his face. “Looks like you made it.”
“Looks like I did. What do we owe the visit?” Markus asked.
“Congratulations are in order. You’re on top, and there’s a lot of niggas looking up hungry to get to where you are. The thing with being this high up comes with protections.”
“Protections cost. What’s the cost?” Markus asked.
Cree shook his head. “You already paid the cost. Dropping your cousins, putting the legacy of Freeway Slim on your shoulders, and holding all this intact. We’ve been watching you. Anyone big enough to get Javier’s pipeline and regulate Ocean City is a bad muhfucka.”
“So if there isn’t a price, there’s an ask,” Markus pointed out. “What’s the ask?”
Cree looked over at Naji. “Naji and his lady run the west. I need your pipeline and his to handle the Midwest.”
“Whose running the territory?” Markus questioned.
“I got a guy coming out of prison. Samaaj. I need you in before I set him up.”
“Is he going to cause me problems?”
Naji spoke up. “Nah, he doesn’t even know he’s about to inherit this. We need to lock the territory down before the Crème de la Crème Cartel gets out of hand and before Queenie tries to run.”
Markus looked at Svyn.
“How much exposure?” Svyn questioned and then added. “And how many bodies?”
“Whoever you know in the city who's trustworthy,” Naji shared.
The two shared a look.
“We know a few niggas. When you need them?”
“Summer,” Cree spoke.
“Consider it handled. Enjoy the party,” Markus shared.
“Nahh, I got a lady back in the Hills that expects me,” Cree shared.
“I got one in DC who will not be happy if I miss the countdown. I’ll be in touch,” Naji shared, outstretching his hand.
The men began to part ways, and Cree stopped and looked at Markus. “Slim is proud of you. I know he is. Keep this tight, keep your nose clean. You’re the Don, they don’t always need to see you to know you exist, and you’re that muhfucka.”
“I hear you,” Markus replied, nodding his head.
“Congratulations on your seed. Only a woman carrying an heir is protected like that. Don’t let her go,” Cree advised.
“They’re going to have to kill me to get me up off her,” Markus stated with a chuckle.
“I like that. Happy New Year, gentleman.”
When Cree and Naji exited, Markus looked at Svyn’s giddiness over their faces.
Svyn pushed Markus back with both his fists in his shoulders, and Markus returned the gesture.
“I’m proud of you, nigga. The north is yours.”
“No, the north is ours,” Markus spoke. “You been with me since the beginning. You’ve been real. I need you to be the face, and I need you to put Rich as your eyes and ears. Before it gets to me, it goes through you. The shit is real now.”
“It’s been real, and it’s been on you. You just had to get here. Welcome to the top dope boy,” Svyn spoke, pulling Markus into a brotherly embrace. “Love you, nigga.”
“Love you, nigga.” They released one another, and Markus continued. “I’m getting my lady out of here. I’d like to have her in my bed before the year comes in.”
“Heard that,” Svyn laughed. “I’m right behind you with Nia.”
When Markus arrived home with Reign, she stood behind him, arms wrapped around his waist. “How does it feel?”
“Feels like I’m right where I need to be.”
She kissed the center of his back. “I got you back forever.”
The end