I gave a weary chuckle and took a look at his leg. It wasn’t bad at all. Just a flesh wound and one that went through his calf cleanly. If Inez were here, I was sure she’d patch him up with no issue. I exhaled and glanced up at my uncle at the thought of Inez.

  “We need a medic backup. We need people in the prison on our side, we need a fucking car, and we need to get the hell up outta here.” Tossing my uncle’s arm over my shoulder, I helped him stand up. “So, don’t die on me, old man. You need to live forever. Lead us out.”

  As he pointed ahead of us, we headed down the dark tunnel. “All that going on in your head, huh? Well, I’m not going anywhere. Watch my old ass become immortal, okay? Y’all need me,” he said with light humor in his voice. “What’cha going to do about that child Melissa? It was her, huh?”

  “Seems like it, and I’m not sure.” I exhaled slowly and kept it moving. “Feels like all of us kids are screwing up and have secrets.”

  “Yeah. That’s the nature of close families. Throw it up in the mob scheme of things and shit gets every more complicated,” Uncle explained as if this was nothing to him.

  “True that. Still, we need to find out if that was her, and what her angle is here and why. It better not be about some petty shit. I don’t think I can take another jealous sibling.”

  Uncle let out a deep laugh then groaned. “Damn my leg. It’s just not hitting me, and so what if it is? Clean her up straight or end her. It’s all up to you, boss.”

  I gave my uncle a look, then we kept it pushing until we made it across a block. The only reason I knew that was because of where the entry ended: near the highway. In front of us was an empty lot with a SUV waiting.

  “Called for pickup while you were talking to ya sister,” Uncle explained.

  The door of the black SUV swung open and out came Shanelle with Monty. They quickly ran over to us in a frenzy. Shanelle was in dark clothes: jeans, boots, jacket, and a handkerchief over her face. Her hair was pulled up in a bun. Monty was in a matching outfit and the same mask. My brother threw a black blanket over Uncle’s shoulders and head, as if he were James Brown. Shanelle gave me a handkerchief and I tied it while she glanced behind us in the tunnel, making sure that it was clear.

  Walking to the SUV, we all quickly climbed in, where I noticed a sniper rifle. It was Shanelle’s and I realized she was the one on the roof.

  “Take us to the Westin and get a medic in the building,” I ordered, leaning back, closing my eyes. If I had paid attention, I would have seen that the cops surrounded the club, which was also now on fire.

  Once at the Westin and after having our room secured, we entered through the back, masks off, faces downcast. Plastic with towels were laid out for Uncle to lie on as his leg was examined by our Syndicate medic.

  Two hours passed with me pacing the room. I glanced outside at the view of the city, in thought and on my cell. “Has everyone in the Syndicate been accounted for?”

  I listened to the voice on the other end give me the lineup about the status of the Syndicate table. According to Jai—who was laying low because of Trey along with several other of our staff who were employed by the Syndicate—we had several injuries and a death. One family head from the Commission was injured and Miguel, our Mexican head, was killed while he was at a family function. Ming Lee was currently in critical damage, with her eldest daughter Song Lee stepping in as the new head for now. The rest, for now, were in hiding and working on coming to Atlanta.

  Anger had me punching the window. Everything I worked for was now back to one. Whoever had come for my family had also single-handedly put the Syndicate on pause with one swift, effective move and that put a pit in my stomach. Who was this asshole?

  “Do we have any idea who this ex–São Africana is? I need to reach Delanna’s son, Amen, and his wife, Cintia.”

  Jai shuffled on the other end of her phone then spoke up. “Okay, I’m sending that SOS out to them now. If Cintia is busy with her filming and musicals on Brazilian Broadway then keep her protected in that, but get me Amen.”

  Since ending Delanna and putting her son in her place on the Syndicate, the South American pipeline had been going well until civil unrest occurred and our product Ink was taken.

  “I did speak to Cintia about our product’s whereabouts and who was kicked out of the São-A’s.”

  Rubbing my temples, my eyes were half closed while I glanced at everyone in the room. “And?”

  “No one knows. Delanna had an issue with one of her family members several years back. The result ended in a shootout by a rival gang that severely cut the ranks of that family, but that’s it. No one was kicked out of the São-A’s. Many of the members are very loyal and only go out by death.”

  Frustration had me running my palm over my waves. “Find out who the hell exited them by death then! None of this shit is adding up!”

  “Calm down, Javon. I’ll handle it. The Ink, from what I understand, was taken by a new gang, but no one knows who they are; and the areas they are supposedly located at has turned up empty or as traps,” Jai explained.

  My head started to spin. Shit was sounding too set up, too cleanly done. I didn’t get it, but I needed to. “Just find out more. If I need to fly down to Brazil I’ll do that,” I said, hanging up in Jai’s ear.

  From how Shanelle watched me, she didn’t like what she heard on Jai’s end as well. “Lucky is in town. He made it down and wants to meet up,” she quietly spoke up.

  Her cell was at her side on the bed and Uncle Snap was near her feet, snoring. I stared at her for a long-ass time, remembering how we used to be with one another, remembering the times she fucked niggas and came to me like nothing had happened. Don’t get me wrong, I’d done some messed up shit too, but nothing hurt a man more than when he could smell another man on his woman. Nothing.

  “Why does he keep hitting you up on your line and not mine?” I asked calmly.

  Shanelle watched me quietly before speaking up. “I asked him the same and—”

  “And he continues to call you on your line.” I felt like saying some sarcastic shit but I kept it chill. “Do we have an issue?”

  When her eye twitched, I knew she knew what I was asking. “No, Von. Don’t even do me like that,” she said, then cast her eyes away from my glare.

  “Why shouldn’t I? We got a history, right?”

  My baby gave me a sharp look. Her face contorted then she looked me up and down where she sat. “This isn’t the time, Von. We have too much—”

  “Nah. This is the perfect time. See, if we’re all about to die over some other crap then it’s time we spoke. What is going on with you? Why’d you easily stay behind but be here now? Why is Lucky overstepping his role and contacting you over me?”

  “You feel threatened, huh?” Shanelle stood then came up to me. “Because if you are then I guess I should be about Jai.”

  I kept my chill and looked down at my heart. “Why? Jai is beautiful, but I’m not after her. I haven’t stepped out on you in years.”

  “Then I can say the same thing. Lucky is fine, but I’m not after him. I haven’t stepped out on you in years,” Shanelle countered, repeating me verbatim.

  A scowl spread across my face, then I moved out of the way. “Since he loves hearing your voice, let him know to meet me at the address I’ll text him.”

  “Von, don’t walk out. It’s too dangerous,” Shanelle said behind me.

  I ignored her. Too much shit was on my mind.

  “Wait! I’m pregnant! That’s what’s going on with me.”

  I stopped midway to the door, then turned around. At first, my main thought was whether it was Lucky’s, because of our conversation.

  “It’s yours. I’ve only been with you, Von. Can’t believe you’d look at me that way.”

  “He’s been calling, and you’ve been acting distant, Elle,” I said quickly, trying to explain myself.

  “So have you! But I’m not going into thinking you’ve fucked Jai! You’ve been distant too! Been talking to her a lot, too. Calling and texting,” she shouted at me.

  “She’s our attorney and Mama trusted her even in death. On top of that, I’m trying to bring in more women for the Syndicate to balance our bullshit. It’s not on some dick crap, baby!”

  “I can’t believe you. Fuck you, Von!” she added, turning away from me. “You always think the worst about me.”

  Embarrassment along with shame had me moving to her side to pull her to me. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry. For real. I shouldn’t have been thinking crazy, but you do the same to me.”

  When Shanelle pulled away from me, I felt like shit. “Don’t touch me right now. You know we’ve been trying, and I can’t believe your stupid ass.”

  Out of respect for her space, I backed up. It gave me time to realize what she had shared. Everything was making sense on her changed behavior. It also had me reflecting on her being here. “You need to either stay here or get out of ATL, Shanelle,” I immediately said.

  “What? Why!” She turned in surprise.

  “Because if you lose this child too it will break you and hurt me. We need to be careful, clearly.”

  “No. You need me out here. I’ll protect our child at all costs, but I’m also going to protect you,” she disputed. “I’m calling an audible before you can even demand I leave you.”

  A frown set deep across my face. I wanted to curse her out, but I didn’t. I just stared at her then headed to the door. “Let’s go then.”

  “Where?” she quickly asked, following me.

  “To handle some mob shit and get my men in line,” I said sharply.

  Leaving the Westin, we ended up only a few blocks away in a private garage. We waited in silence. Shanelle stood against the side of the car, arms crossed in a slight pout, and I stood beside her, keeping her partially blocked just in case.

  While we waited, I spoke to her without looking at her. “The fact that you’re pregnant again has me proud, baby. I’m no doubt happy to be a father soon.” The feel of her hand against my arm had me briefly glance at her.

  “Me too, Von. I wanted nothing but this for you and me. I promise, I’ll take care of myself and be careful,” she softly said.

  I loved how her voice lightened the way it did. It was a mixture of love and a warmth only she could give. I was about to turn and kiss her, but I kept my gaze on the car that pulled up. As it parked, out stepped Lucky. With him were several men at his back. I watched him stare at me then glance at Shanelle while keeping his distance.

  “We’re alone,” I calmly said.

  Relaxing a bit, Lucky glanced back at me. “Tell me what’s going on, boss?”

  I swore there was some sarcasm in his tone when he called me boss. It had me fist my hands as I broke down what was going on.

  After, Lucky came up to me then exhaled. “I didn’t know what to think. So, you think this is some old shit linked to the OGs of the Syndicate?”

  “Yeah,” was all I said before walking up to Lucky, then slamming my fist into the side of his face.

  My blows were swift and purposeful. I watched as he slid back against the hood of his car. With that, I followed and used my hand to slam his head against the hood. Smashing his face, I pulled out my Glock, and I heard Shanelle behind me.

  “Keep back!” she spat out and I knew that she was pointing steel at his men.

  “Now, we cool and all, Lucky, but that camaraderie doesn’t extend to you doing two things: one, disrespecting my authority; and two, thou shalt not covet what isn’t yours.” Pressing hard on his face, I laid my pistol against his temple and continued speaking. “Meaning finding yourself trying to get between the thighs of my woman. Last I checked, her pussy comes willingly to me and only me. There’s no swaying at all. Understood?”

  When Lucky stayed quiet, I took the safety off my gun. “Can’t hear you, fam. I call you that because my mother trusted you. Now, if you can’t give that same trust and respect, then I’ll have to pull your seat.”

  “It’s cool. Just playing around, fam,” Lucky said between clenched teeth.

  “Good. I recognize that you’re not a pushover, and I don’t see you as one. You, the Commission, and I need to keep cool—” I started to say.

  As I spoke, Lucky pushed me back then sliced my arm with a blade I didn’t even see in his hand. Shit was so quick, most niggas would have thought it was magic. That mess cut clean like a hot knife in butter. Bright red seeped from my wound in my arm. I thought I was in shock for mere moments when I stared at Lucky like “this motherfucker,” then shot that nigga in his arm. Fair exchange.

  “Oh, shit!” Lucky spat out, holding his bicep. He cursed in Italian and bared his teeth. Ruby liquid seeped from between his fingers. He glanced between Shanelle and me, then grinned wide. He grinned like he knew something we didn’t or grinned like a madman. Either way, shit didn’t stop the pain in my arm from the cut he gave me.

  I was about to shoot that fool again until he said, “We’re even. Now what are we going to do about whoever is after our family?”

  Chapter 17

  Melissa

  Tears fell down the apples of my cheeks as I sat hidden in the upstairs VIP area of the club. I had come here after Elias and I met back at the hotel to empty the drawers and safe of the club. I had no idea that he was going to use my place as meeting ground for his killers. Once I saw that, my heart broke into a million pieces because on the monitors I saw Uncle and Javon. I didn’t plan this or expect them to come here.

  It showed that Elias was a million steps ahead of me on his plan and it pissed me off. He didn’t tell me anything of it, but now I was getting the brunt of it. My family was doomed. Smoke was pluming from where I had lit the bar on fire as glass shattered all around. I was scared. Javon’s words played back in my mind. If I told them what I did, how I stupidly planned Mama’s death, then how Elias took the reins and made me go through with it, maybe they’d forgive me somewhat. I wasn’t sure. A part of me wanted to believe him, but the street mentality I learned from my siblings and my time between foster homes just wasn’t allowing that trust. He’d kill me if he knew the truth.

  Standing, I gathered my things, and quickly exited. Shades on, hair smoothed back in a bun, I strolled out in my white and baby blue striped shorts, with a white baby-top lace shirt and matching heels. Diamonds sparkled on my wrists and in my ear. I looked like money and I felt like money. All I could do was take the earnings from the club, cash in on the insurance, and pay for a ticket to the Philippines, or France, where one of my sugar daddies lived.

  There was nothing here for me. Elias was becoming dangerous on a level I didn’t want to deal with. I loved me some strong men, but Elias was a weak man acting strong. The moment he started putting his hands on me, I saw it clear as day. He was crazy and deliciously sexy. But in all of that, he was a malicious man who was weak.

  I enjoyed our time in the sheets, but I really didn’t like him. There were some people with whom it takes time to see who they really are. Elias was one of them. A part of me felt that he could elevate me to where I wanted, but all he ever did was sex me, then manipulate me. I was deeply lost in his sauce and I let him lead me on a path I never thought I’d take. I hurt my family. I took out the one woman I loved above everything and now I was going to lose it all.

  Chalk it up to the game. I was deeply sorry. I just needed out of the poverty and streets. Being a part of a crime family wasn’t want I wanted. But, being a killer wasn’t what I sought to become, either. I blamed myself and Elias. I hoped that he got his karma. It was too bad that I wouldn’t be around long enough to see it.

  On my exit, all I could do was leave Von and the family some seeds pointing to Elias and the black cocaine he was dealing in. I had money, and I was stealing the rest of what I needed that would make me a self-made millionaire. I wasn’t as stupid as Elias felt I was and I intended to show him that. Mama Claudette’s plans for me had strengthened me. Me killing her had put me on the path where I needed to be to believe in myself. I just now had to act on it. I just had to be smart.

  I’m sorry, Von.

  Chapter 18

  Shanelle

  A week later and Javon was still dealing with the fallout behind someone trying to take out the Syndicate. Melissa had disappeared, confirming the family’s suspicion that she had turned on us. There was nothing worse than a fucking coward. I hated fucking cowards with a passion that couldn’t be explained. I was an advocate for owning your bullshit. If somewhere along the line a person fucked up, they should own it and deal with the consequences.

  The fact that she’d done some fuck shit and disappeared made me hate my sister. And I hated that I hated her. I’d lost two fucking sisters and Mama. It was just me and my brothers now. I had no woman to bond with. No one I could run to when I needed it, nothing. That shit hurt me so badly. I couldn’t explain the pain I felt day in and day out. I kept looking at Inez’s pictures, wishing I could have a do-over that wasn’t coming. Then I looked at Melissa’s pictures, wondering why she did it. What had we done to her? What was so bad that she would turn on us?

  We never made her feel like an outsider. In a family full of black and brown people, we loved her. Her race didn’t matter to us. Why, Melissa? What did we do? As I looked at old photos of us at parties, in clubs, out and about, pictures we had posted to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, I kept wondering and asking myself why.

  Tears fell down my face as I sat at the dining room table in Mama’s kitchen. It was where I’d last seen Inez. I’d tripped my sister to keep her from going after Javon while he was fighting with Cory. God, how I’d give anything, anything, to have them back. For as crazy as Cory was, he always had my back. No matter what. I felt as if I’d let him down too. How had we not seen the drug use and the change in habits? Yeah, he was good at hiding it, but still.