Danny affirmed that he had and that their crew in Brazil would be of protection to the São Africana family while some of their crew was busy in Miami.

  “My thanks. You have the information of who Elias is and his old connects. His power here is too strong for me, so whatever you find out in addition to what I do, relay it immediately. As for work, keep me abreast of everything occurring there.”

  “I will.” Danny chuckled.

  “What?” I curiously asked.

  “You still stay several steps ahead; it is a good thing. If you do choose to stake out on your own, I’ll follow. I’m tired of working for the Klan,” he said in response to how ruthless our bosses could be to anyone of color.

  I felt light laughter in my chest at what he said, and I welcomed it with a slight chuckle. “Of course. When I rise, I always make sure family rises with me.”

  “We all appreciate that, too, man. I’ll keep you abreast of all going on here and send those weapons you requested.”

  A beep sounded on my cell, indicating another call. “Good. I’ll be in touch.” Flipping over, I answered, “Speak to me.”

  “The shipment of ammunition is now resting in your private warehouse.” It was Nighthawk.

  “Great. The Japanese connect is sending more weapons for us to stock.”

  “That is a good thing,” Nighthawk responded.

  “Definitely. Now, I have a request for you. Have you found out anything new, first of all?”

  A light shuffling sounded, then liquid pouring with a clink of something I assumed was ice. “My people are sifting through the streets. As of now I know you’re with Rize.”

  My nose twitched at that, but I wasn’t mad at it. Nighthawk and his crew were no joke when it came to security. They were right there with the Forty Thieves, which was why a few of them worked with the Thieves as well. “Indeed,” I calmly stated.

  “With all things and in all things, we are relatives. My brothers and sisters the Sioux say that and I believe in it as I see your actions follow the same path. I’m here to help in any way and right now I’m helping you, my brother,” Nighthawk explained.

  “So, I take that as you saying you’ve found out some new information,” I said.

  “More like it found me. But, I will inform you about that once I gather more information. For now, your hunch was right about Elias keeping a second location near your sister’s favorite hotel, the W.”

  A flash of a smirk slid across my face. I glanced at my uncle, who watched me in curiosity. As we sat, food was brought out to us. Large plates of oxtails, plantains, rice and peas, steamed cabbage, Festival, and escoveitch fish. Several empty plates with utensils were set out, along with glasses of ice water, and bottles of ginger beer. Nodding my thanks to the older beauty, who I knew to be the aunt of the leaders of Rize, I then returned my attention to the call.

  “If they were deeply involved, I figured that he’d stay near her favorite haunts, and the W is one of them.”

  Nighthawk gave a light chuckle at my comment. “Very smart. For now, we are watching him and trailing him to see where he’d move his base, now that it’s gone. The rest I will report to you as it comes to me. You have my word.”

  Reaching in my black jacket, I handed my uncle a thick envelope. He dutifully took it, then stood as Khalil stepped out. His face seemed to contort in pain. His arm was in a sling, and the side of his neck had a large bandage as well. My friend and his people had been aggressively attacked and hurt. It angered me, but I contained it. I owed them better protection.

  “Thank you, my man. Before I hang up, I ask if you can connect with the table and have them send two of their best. Rize is owed protection for the work they’ve done in protecting us in the Syndicate. I’m also giving them access to the Forty Thieves.”

  “Of course, boss. I’ll send my own immediately,” Nighthawk stated.

  “We’ll speak again, one.” I then hung up, and stood.

  Moving around the table I walked up to Khalil as Uncle Snap handed him the thick envelope. The evening sun started to drop and its shining light cascaded in the restaurant. Khalil handed the envelope to his aunt then walked toward me.

  “Take a seat, man. At this table we’re all equals,” I said, helping him sit down.

  “No doubt, fam. We thank yuh for this contribution of yours. As yuh see, we were hit hard,” Khalil said in his accented voice.

  “I’m seeing. I also noticed that the whole block was kill zoned as well?” I asked but really it was a statement.

  “Ah, yuh. Several businesses were hit by strays, and some homes,” he explained while tiredly taking his glass then lifting it to his lips for a sip of water. “How’s mi sister?”

  Leaning back some, our plates were filled by one of Khalil’s crew, a pretty golden brown girl with kinky long hair that fell to the middle of her back. She sported high tops, tight jeans, and a simple tank. From the contour of her face, I could tell that she was family of some sort as well. She had the look of Trinity to her. With a matching plump ass.

  I told her thank you, as Uncle watched the girl walk away. I wanted to chuckle but right now we were conducting business so I had to keep it professional. “Outside of her blasting anger at you being hurt and not letting her come home?” I chuckled with Khalil and made a face; then I continued. “Trinity is doing well and is protected. Monty is making sure of that.”

  Khalil gave a deep sigh then began to eat, while speaking with his hands. “What is going on, brah? What do you need me and my crew to do fah yuh?”

  “For now, I need you all to rebuild, and reinforce your place and block. I appreciate you and your family sending soldiers out in the street,” I said.

  “It’s irie.” Khalil gave a smile. “It was nothing for the overall objective. We were able to find out that that Elias nigga is working to collect surviving Irish. They helped point out our digs.”

  “Did they?” Immediately my mind went to Cory and Inez. My jaw clenched and I kept my cool.

  “Yuh. We took out as many as we could, though. You know? Fair exchange,” Khalil said with a light laugh. He licked sauce from his fingers, then wiped his mouth. Homie looked as tired and battle worn as I was, but it was good that he felt comfortable enough to eat with us like family. It made me dig into my food and enjoy the spices and flavors that took me on a mental trip to the Caribbean.

  Uncle Snap was next to me tearing into his oxtails, nodding at the conversation, before he spoke up. “Good deal. Have one of your leads give me a rundown on the remaining Irish wipeout. You think they might be ready for something new?” Uncle said, looking my way.

  “But of course. Khalil, I want you to take some people you trust and expand Rize.” A slick smile spread over my face as I watched Khalil’s eyes widen in joy. “Take over the Irish territory. If you have some members of the pale side in your crew, or Asian, it’s my suggestion that you use them to secure the old Irish pub and take it over as a yuppie Caribbean spot.”

  I paused in thought, thinking about the business end of what I was suggesting. It was Shanelle who gave me a deeper understanding on how we could profit from this exchange. She broke down the business logistics and I formulated the rest. I had to thank her again, when I saw her next.

  Returning my attention to the present, I lifted a piece of fresh cocoa bread, ripped it apart, and then dipped it in my oxtail sauce. “It’ll give you a cover, and generate legit cash flow, where they would have no idea, except possibly the true Irish mob that is lingering. Any who step to you, erase them. We need to micromanage that zone. The only Irish allowed to grow will be the ones we control and trust. But, on the real, I don’t trust those motherfuckers worth a penny. If you need more white faces, hit me up and I’ll send Creed and his people to back you. All startup funds will come from us. You good with this?”

  Khalil sat back, then wiped his mouth. He extended his free hand toward me then nodded. “Hell yeah, I’m good with this, brah!”

  Taking his hand, I shook it proudly. “Then heal up, and keep yourself low. You as a boss need to be protected from Elias and people who are like him. So be smarter in how you protect yourself. Bulletproof this place.”

  “Yes, add steel security doors, no bars. Build your security basement better. I’ll send some of my people who are construction workers here,” Uncle added while looking around as if he were appraising the place. “Shouldn’t cost a mint at all.”

  “Trin said that to me.” Khalil laughed then sat back. “I’ll do that. It ain’t my thing to hide, though. But, I’ll be smarter in how Trinity and I protect my base. Nigga opened my eyes, as did you two,” he added.

  “He opened ours as well,” I quietly said, then held up my hand.

  My cell was buzzing, as was Uncle’s. I knew when that happened that there had to be a family emergency. I saw that it was Navy, and I quickly answered, “What’s happened?” It was late in the evening now, meaning it was dark out. The fact that Navy was calling worried me. Had Elias come through on his word or what? I still needed to hit him before he hit us.

  “Shanelle’s hurt, bro,” Navy spat out.

  The terror in his voice had me on edge. I pointed for Uncle to move from where he sat so that I could get out. He did so, while looking at his cell.

  “What happened, Navy?”

  His car roared in the background. I could hear him telling Shanelle to wake up. “She won’t wake up!”

  I glanced at the men at the table, and Khalil gave me a reassuring nod. “Gawn, brotha. We are good here. I’ll contact you later.”

  “Uncle, make sure he’s squared away with the final details. I’ll be near the car. We need to move out now,” I said, glancing at the two men and one women who were the Forty Thieves I brought with me.

  “Young Khalil . . .” was all I heard Uncle say as I walked to the back of the restaurant instead of the front and made my way through the kitchens to the back.

  “Navy, take her to our house since it’s closer.” I told him to go the back way. “I’ll have the medics waiting with the Thieves.”

  “A’ight. I’m on the highway heading there now. I’m sorry, Von,” Navy said into the phone.

  “Take a deep breath, and tell me if you feel her pulse then tell me what happened.” I tried to keep my voice calm and even as I asked that, although my heart was pumping a mile a minute.

  Everything we were doing was catching up on us. None of us had time to grieve. None of us had time to process the fact that we agreed to be a part of the crime world, and none of us had time to shift our everyday lives to cover our asses while building up our criminal backdrop. It all was piling up on us. The car chases, the battles, the running, everything.

  My head started to spin. The cool breeze of the night wasn’t helping against the heat I was feeling. A light compression was centering on my heart and I had to focus on my car just to keep it together. I couldn’t lose Shanelle and I knew that she couldn’t handle another child lost just because we were committed to living out Mama’s dreams. I was bred by the streets, raised in the streets; but how could a brotha like myself transform all of that and balance it out with a family?

  How did you do it, Mama? I felt myself mentally whisper in the heavens.

  I stood there racking my brain trying to pull it together as I listened to Navy explain how they went to Grady. What they did, I respected. It was a good idea to step back and go to the beginning of how this all started. It was just the fact that they now were running from more of Elias’s goons, with Shanelle passed out, that wasn’t working for me.

  Suddenly, the scent of fried catfish and okra wafted across my nostrils. I felt the light touch of a palm at my shoulder that slid to the side of my neck and gently squeezed. I knew that I was having a panic attack, but I didn’t expect to turn and see Mama standing behind Uncle Snap.

  She stood there with her apron on, looking like a Big Mama, with a knife in one hand and a mason jar of something clear in the other. Mama smiled lovingly at me when our eyes locked; then I heard her say, “I heard that Maya Angelou lady say something that I knew growing up, but never could put in pretty words like her. ’N’ right now, Von, you need these words.”

  I thought I asked, “What is that, Mama?” but my mouth didn’t move.

  “Von, baby, sometimes it is necessary to go through defeats so that you can know what it is and who you are in that lesson.” Mama gave me a stern look then took a sip from her glass. She stepped closer to Uncle Snap and appraised him in love before continuing. “It’s necessary, baby, but what also matters is that you don’t be defeated. That’s how I made it. All of this will pass and you’ll find your footing, boy. You are a leader; and don’t feel like you can’t do this.”

  Mama’s hand gently caressed Uncle Snap, then my jaw, before she hauled off and slapped me hard. Shaking her finger at me, she scowled. “Now, get your butt up before I shoot ya pinky toe off, boy.”

  A light chuckle came from me at that tone of hers; then I muttered what I always did when Mama was giving me a lecture. I quoted Winston Churchill, a man from history I had no respect for.

  “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

  Mama nodded in pride with a smile then faded away.

  I stood there looking at Uncle Snap, who had taken my cell from me. He pulled me into a tight hold then whispered in my ear, “I miss her too, nephew. She wouldn’t want you to break because of none of this, so take a minute, and pick yourself up. This family needs you and so does Shanelle. Let’s get to her, nephew. I’ll be by your side until I can’t be anymore.”

  Gripping him by his shoulder, I took a moment to get my thoughts together. Taking a deep breath, I shook off my emotions and got to work doing as both he and Mama had told me. It didn’t take long for us to make it to the house. Once there, both Uncle and I sprinted inside.

  Everyone was hovering in the room. Navy stood by Mama’s bed staring down at a resting Shanelle with worry in his eyes. Clear tubing ran from her arm to the clear bag of liquid hanging by her bed. Several medics were around them but they moved to the side to allow me through.

  Without any hesitation, I took her hand then kissed it. When Shanelle gave my hand a grip, everything in me relaxed and I gave a sigh of relief. I wasn’t feeling her laid out like this. It hurt my heart. Watching her, quietly, I looked up when Navy came to my side.

  “They said she just needs some rest. Her electrolytes are off, and she didn’t heal up right from her time in the hospital. Oh, and she’s pregnant!” Navy gave me a look of surprise.

  I couldn’t help but give a quick grin while looking at Shanelle. “Yeah, Elle and I are going to be parents,” I said. “We just gotta keep her safe and let her run everything behind the scenes and not in the streets. I have to remember that,” I muttered to myself.

  We all stood there listening to the orders of the medics. Once I had them leave the room for a moment, I spoke to my family about what was going on. We all had to protect Shanelle at this point because if Elias got a whiff of this news, he’d use it against me. Shit, if it were Elias in this situation, I would do the same just to break him. Which was why I doubled up security, then sent word to go to Grady and kidnap the shooting survivor. He, his friends, and I needed to have some words.

  Later that night, because I couldn’t sleep, I pulled on my jeans, laced up my kicks, pulled on a sensible shirt, and grabbed my jacket. I then made sure I was strapped, grabbed a set of extra keys, then walked up the block, stopping by Ms. Lily’s to take her trash to the front of her house.

  Chapter 25

  Ms. Lily

  “It’s ’bout time you brought your fool ass over here like I asked ya,” I said to the boy—well, he was a full-grown man now, but still a boy compared to my old age—who had come to finally move my trash. “Ya mama always said you was a stubborn child.”

  Javon turned to look at me with a frown on his face, but it softened when he remembered the manners Claudette had taught him, I was sure. “I’m sorry it took so long. Been a little busy at the house,” he said.

  “No need to tell me that. I can see and hear.”

  The night was chilly. I was in my housecoat. My bones ached. Old age hadn’t been kind to me. Fate was probably coming around to kick my ass sooner rather than later. That was fine. I’d deserved no less. I’d done a lot of evil shit in my day. I welcomed my karma. But until that crotchety old sum’bitch came for me, I was gonna keep doing what I been doing.

  “Still need that stuff out of your basement?” he asked.

  “Naw, but I need you for summin’ else.” I tightened my housecoat then pushed the screen door open for him to come in. “Come on in for a minute, will ya?”

  He looked hesitant for a moment. I knew he had a weapon on him. He was paranoid as hell, too. Could tell by the way he kept looking over his shoulder, even with all the protection around him. I was old, but I wasn’t damn stupid. Sure wasn’t.

  Javon finally walked in. I closed the door behind us. Locked all seven locks on my door. Yeah, I was paranoid too. When you had done as much evil as me, paranoia was a friend. No lights were on in my house, just candles lit everywhere. The smell of the ethnic food I’d ordered earlier, some Caribbean food, could still be smelled in my home. Didn’t matter. The place was warm. The apple-cinnamon candles I burned made it smell inviting, too.

  “Come up to my attic. Got something for you,” I said.

  The boy seemed larger than life in my house. He was way taller than me. I was only about five foot two in heels. Javon was a strapping young lad, broad shoulders, lean muscles all over. And he strutted with a gait that had many a young girl crazy about him. He looked tired and stressed.

  “When’s last time you got some shut-eye, Javon?” I asked him as we walked through my hall. Pictures of family and friends hung on either side of the wall. Some in black and white. Some in color. The coloreds sat on one side of the wall, the black and white on the other. I got in the middle of the hall, just under my attic door and pulled the long, thick string there. The door to the attic creaked open, revealing a brown set of wooden stairs.