Chapter 8
Control could be both powerful and dangerous depending on who's hands held it.
For decades, power had been the only thing she trusted.
Men lied. Loyalty shifted. Love made people weak.
But power… Power never changed hands unless somebody took it from you.
However, as Macie stood in the mirror smoothing her red lips together after applying a fresh coat of Ruby Woo Mac Lipstick.
Her beauty had matured into something commanding.
The type of beauty that made people lower their eyes without realizing they were doing it.
She had spent years cultivating that image.
Nevertheless, as simple as it should have been, she couldn't decide which was worse–losing control of the family empire, or losing her son. Her life had undoubtedly changed when her late husband died, and though grief had nearly swallowed her whole, she’d clawed her way through for the greater good.
Losing him had felt like losing the foundation beneath her feet.
But before he took his final breath, he'd left her something that she'd fiercely held on to with every ounce of strength she had, and a ruthlessness that few could fathom.
Control.
Power.
Respect.
Macie had it all, but had lost herself in the midst of a purpose that didn't belong to her.
What had started out as her keeping her late husband's legacy alive, had resulted in her cashing out on a debt she'd never be able to repay.
Macie had lived the life of a queenpin and had done it with a level of class that was admirable, but her mind had shifted in a way that made her look at everyone as expendable, even her son.
She often thought of her husband's words before he died...
Life is a game, Macie. The ones who win are the ones who play it the best. We undefeated.
Her gaze never left the mirror as she sprayed herself generously with Amouage Honor 43 while smiling at the memory.
Yet beneath the designer clothes, diamonds, and polished exterior lived someone who no longer recognized where the mission ended, and obsession and greed began.
Somehow what started as preserving her husband's legacy had evolved into something far uglier.
As she put the perfume back in its place on her dresser, she turned to grab her phone from her bed.
Without thinking, she pressed Abel's contact, and held the phone as it rang one too many times.
When reality landed, she froze. Abel was indeed dead and never coming back.
The reality of his death still hadn't fully settled, not because she loved him, or because she was lost in grief.
Macie wasn't even sure she knew what love looked like anymore, but Abel had belonged to her, and had been useful.
He was not only a trusted ally, he'd become her secret lover over the years.
Macie hung up, remembering that Mitch had taken him from her.
She'd done a remarkable job at keeping their relationship hidden, but Mitch had to be the one.
He hadn't been out of prison for a full month yet, and already he was uncovering Macie's secrets; putting her under a magnifying glass that was nonexistent.
Every day he remained free felt like another threat to the foundation she'd built, and for the first time in years she felt exposed.
Macie hated that shit with a passion, and Mitch had her fucked up if he thought she wasn't getting his ass back.
If he thought she was going to surrender everything she'd sacrificed for, he was sadly mistaken.
There was too much at risk, she thought as she hung up the phone, tossed it into her purse, and grabbed her keys.
As she neared her bedroom door, she doubled back to get the sealed envelope with Promise's name and address on the front of it.
Enclosed were pictures of Sienna and Monroe meeting again for the first time.
Macie had been sitting discreetly in an unmarked car watching them in the shadows, she'd managed to capture the hug they'd shared before parting ways.
Macie knew the impact these pictures would have on Promise because real women hated being caught off guard with bullshit.
She also knew her son well and was banking on Monroe still trying to make sense of the earthquake that had just ripped through his life.
Which meant these photographs would arrive before any explanation ever could. And timing...Timing was everything.
It was a quarter after one in the morning when Macie stepped out of her front door. Everything was off balance, but she refused to be defeated by the vicious blows life was throwing her way..
"How you doin', Macie?" her new driver, Vory, greeted while opening the door for her.
"I'm good," Macie's response was smooth and clipped.
Vory closed the door, quickly circled the vehicle, then hopped in seconds later. "Where to?" Vory asked, looking up at Macie through the rear-view mirror.
"Post office," Macie instructed without looking up.
Vory nodded, but didn't speak further.
Jeezy's F**k The World crooned through the car speakers as Macie stared straight ahead, quietly calculating her next move.
Time always moved fast when shit needed to get done, but Macie wasn't one to complain.
Macie sat quietly, calculating. Planning and positioning pieces on the board because every move she made required strategy, as her intentions were to maintain her position as head of the family.
About twenty minutes later, Vory pulled in front of the post office.
“Drop this,” Macie said, handing him the sealed envelope, then texted him Sienna's address. “Take me to the address I just texted you,” she instructed as soon as he raised his window back up. Macie then sat back and prepared to cause more chaos.
Vory moved without hesitation, never asked questions, and would kill for Macie at the drop of a dime.
He’d been Abel’s backup for years. At 2:22 in the morning, Vory crept into a parking spot outside of Sienna’s brownstone, quickly parking the car, and getting out to open the door for Macie.
It was a quiet Brooklyn neighborhood that Macie had specially handpicked for Sienna and Monae that was maybe thirty minutes outside of Manhattan.
"I'll be back shortly, Macie said, getting out of the car, her heels clicking against the pavement like she owned the entire block. As she approached the house, she pulled out her cell phone, quickly swiped to Sienna's contact and pressed it. The line connected after three rings.
"Hello," Sienna rasped, half sleep.
"Get your ass up and answer the door," Macie ordered.
Sienna sighed. "Here I come," she replied, hanging up the phone.
The sound of Macie's voice had a way of stealing peace before she even entered a room.
Fear settled heavily in her stomach because Macie never brought anything good with her.
Sienna quietly climbed from bed and moved through the house, careful not to wake Monae.
She passed her daughter's room slowly. The sight of Monae sleeping peacefully always gave her strength.
And lately, it was the only thing that did.
Sienna dreaded every step she made towards the door because Macie's presence represented one thing– Fuckery to the hundredth degree.
Sienna walked lightly as she passed Monae's room, careful not to disturb her rest.
As soon as Sienna opened the front door, Macie walked straight through without an invitation. It wasn’t surprising because she’d never had any regard for anyone’s boundaries. Sienna quietly closed the door, then stood there silently waiting for the inevitable line of bullshit she knew was coming.
“Any progress with my son?" Macie got straight to it.
"I'm trying, Macie. I-"
"Do I look like I wanna hear your fucking excuses, Sienna?
" Macie snapped in a hushed tone. "You have one fucking job to do," Macie walked closer to Sienna.
"Now if the job I gave you is too hard, let me know, and I won't think twice about killing your weak ass right the fuck now," Macie threatened, the coldness in her voice instantly silenced Sienna.
Macie stepped closer.
“Macie, this isn’t going to happen overnight, I need –”
“I don’t remember asking for an explanation.
I need results. Why haven't you introduced him to Monae yet?
" Macie asked, but didn’t wait for an answer.
"Him meeting Monae is more important than him seeing your ass again. My granddaughter will be the only reason why he chooses your ass anyway. She’s the strongest card in your hand," Macie told her harshly, knowing it would strike a nerve.
Sienna scoffed, fighting to remain calm.
"My daughter isn’t a fucking card!” Sienna snapped, fighting to control her emotions. “If he chooses me, it'll be because he still loves me, Macie," Sienna spat. "Why is it so hard for you to realize that your son loves me?"
Macie laughed softly. "Why do you always have to be so fucking naive?
" She smirked. "Maybe he did have love for you in the past, but all that shit has dissolved in the shadows of his new bitch.
Let's just pray for your sake that Monroe will remember the love he used to have for you, and tap into the obligation he will feel knowing he has a daughter. "