“He looks old enough to be your daddy,” Kiesha said and made a face.

  “Girl, if he’s dropping bands, he can be my daddy for the night!”

  “Uh-uh! See, that’s the liquor talking. No more for you tonight,” Kiesha joked.

  London was about to say something smart back, but then her face just froze. At first Kiesha thought she was about to throw up, but then she saw that London was looking at something behind her. Kiesha turned around to see what she was so fixated on, and she instantly caught an attitude. It was Stacy, Malcom, and their whole entourage. They had just gotten drinks from the bar and were walking their way. Kiesha glared at the boys with Malcom and wondered if they were the ones who did London dirty.

  “Is that them?” Kiesha asked, looking back at London.

  “Yeah, that’s all of them. Look, let’s not make a scene.”

  London’s request was instantly denied when Stacy spotted them in the crowd. A tickled smile came across her face, and she nudged her friends. Soon their entire crew, including the boys, were heading toward their table. Kiesha pursed her lips when Stacy stopped right next to her.

  “I didn’t know they were lettin’ lames up in here,” Stacy said loudly, and her friends laughed.

  “Yeah, well, I see they let the broke in,” Kiesha shot back and looked Stacy up and down, stopping at her shoes. “Actually, aren’t those my shoes?”

  “Yeah. You can have them back after I stomp your friend’s face in again.”

  Myra and Kennedy laughed loudly behind Stacy. Kiesha couldn’t put her disgust into words. She had just been having one of the best nights she’d had in a while, and Stacy was ruining it with her monstrous behavior.

  “Bye, Stacy. You can get out of my face now.”

  “Oh.” Stacy faked a gasp and put her hand over her mouth. “Did I upset the virgin? Are you still mad that Malcom is my nigga?”

  Kiesha’s eyes shifted to Malcom, who blew a kiss at her. She turned her nose up.

  “Why would I be mad? He’s a loser,” she said and directed her next words to him. “You know you’re a whole ho for what you did to my friend, right?” she asked him, not holding back.

  “Bitch, what did you just say to me?” Malcom stepped forward and leered down at her.

  Staring at him in that moment, Kiesha didn’t know how she ever found him attractive. Of course he was handsome, but she had been too busy looking at the attributes about him that didn’t matter to take notice of what did. Like the hardened look on his face, or the fact that his eyes could turn from hot to cold in a mere second. She then remembered what Adrian had said about his brother being a dangerous man, and Malcom might have been just as dangerous. If he didn’t care about hurting London in a public parking lot, he for sure didn’t care about harming her right there.

  “Go ahead. Repeat that shit, bitch, I dare you, so I can do you just like I did her for talkin’ to my girl crazy,” Malcom taunted her.

  “I—”

  “She said you’re a ho for what you did to her friend. Excuse me, a whole ho.”

  Kiesha recognized the voice that interrupted her and found that she was right when Adrian approached them and stood on the other side of the table. His face was expressionless as he stared at Stacy and Malcom’s crew, but there was a certain iciness in his eyes. Kiesha was shocked to see him there. Not only that, but he was dressed in regular street clothes. He had a few chains around his neck and was rocking the latest Yeezys. He looked good in suits, but she almost drooled seeing him then.

  “A . . . Adrian. I didn’t see you walk up.”

  “You’re speaking my name like you know me or something,” Adrian said coldly.

  “Nah, I . . . you know my brother, Drako. Y’all do business together.”

  “I guess I’m supposed to be impressed by you name-dropping a runner of mine. I’m not.”

  Kiesha watched the exchange and was surprised at Malcom’s sudden change in posture. He was nervous. Not only did he fix his tone while talking to Adrian, but she swore he was standing up straighter. Not only did his demeanor change, but so did that of the guys he’d brought with him. Stacy was standing beside him, looking mad at the fact that the man on Kiesha’s side had that kind of power.

  “Why you actin’ like that?” she asked Malcom with a stank face.

  “That’s Adrian Parks,” Malcom told her under his breath.

  Adrian ignored them to focus on Kiesha and London. He took Kiesha’s hand and examined her. It was the same thing he’d done at the office. But that night, the care in his eyes made the butterflies in her stomach swarm. He lifted her chin with one finger and then brushed her hair out of her face with the same finger.

  “Are y’all okay?” he asked.

  “Yeah, we’re fine.” Kiesha nodded.

  “Good. You and your girl can go to that empty VIP section and tell them that Adrian sent you. They’ll take care of you,” he said after a few seconds.

  “O . . . okay. You coming?”

  “I have some business to handle. I’ll come check on y’all though.”

  Everyone, including London, was at a loss for words. She kept looking from Adrian to Malcom, who hadn’t said another word or moved. Kiesha rolled her eyes one last time at Stacy before taking London’s hand and leading her away to the VIP section.

  “Is that Adrian as in the one you work with? That Adrian?” London asked when they were far enough away.

  “Yes, girl.”

  “You told me he was fine, but you didn’t tell me he was foine! And who is he again?”

  “He’s a Realtor.”

  “No, bitch. You better open your eyes and stop being green. That man back there? He’s a boss.”

  Chapter 23

  Adrian waited for Kiesha and her friend to walk away before turning back to Malcom. It wasn’t hard to size him up. He was the little brother of someone making money, which meant he was nothing more than a shadow. And that probably made him feel inadequate, which was most likely the reason why he had no problem beating up women.

  “Malcom, that’s your name, right?”

  “Yup.”

  “I need you to know something about me, Malcom. I’m the last person you want to piss off, understand?”

  “Yeah, I understand.”

  “Good, good. Because see, if you ever again fuck with either of the two girls who were just sitting here, I’m going to kill your whole family and make you watch me do it. Now, do you understand that?”

  “I . . . I do.”

  Adrian gave him one more chilling glance before walking away. His trigger finger itched, and he couldn’t lie. He wanted to put a bullet between Malcom’s eyes, especially after seeing him threaten Kiesha, but he had other things that required his attention that night.

  He walked to the VIP section that Steelo was sitting in. Upon seeing him, the bouncer nodded respectfully and lifted the rope to give Adrian access. He walked up the stairs to the section and instantly saw both Steelo and Drako having a jolly old time. They had alcohol, wings, and big booties twerking in their faces. In fact, their smiles were a little too wide for Adrian’s liking.

  “Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”

  When his voice sounded, everyone looked in his direction. Steelo looked surprised to see him, but not frightened. Drako crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his seat. He sucked his teeth and glared. Adrian took that as he wasn’t happy to see him.

  “Adrian, my boy—”

  “We’re not boys,” Adrian interrupted Steelo’s greeting. “We’re not anything. In fact, I find it hard to believe I’m really staring at you right now.”

  “Yeah, why is that?” Steelo asked and smoothly sipped from his glass of dark liquor.

  “You know why. You’re not supposed to be here. You aren’t welcome.”

  “I beg to differ. All these people came out for me.”

  “That’s because most of them don’t know who you really are. Maybe the niggas on this stage rocking with you don’t either.”

  “Whoa, whoa. Calm down,” Steelo said, putting his hands up in an amused manner. “No need to be all hostile. Where is your old man? We should talk.”

  “You and I both know that if it were him instead of me, you and everybody up here with you would already be dead. But me? I’m thinking there must be a logical reason that you were crazy enough to show up back here.”

  Steelo sipped his drink again and hissed as it went down into his chest. Adrian’s eyes might have been on him, but he was scoping out the whole scene. He was paying attention to how far all their hands were from their waists. So far no one had made a move. Steelo set the glass on the table in front of him and stood up. He motioned his head to a bistro table in the section that nobody was sitting at. Adrian followed and sat across from him. He crossed his hands and waited for Steelo to answer his question.

  “You want to know why I came back here, huh?” Steel started. “I left too much money on the floor. That’s why.”

  “I think you might have forgotten that it’s your fault money was left on the floor. You know what you did. That’s something that can never be forgiven. My father was kind enough to banish you instead of killing you.”

  “Ha. Kind? No, sending a man away from his home and his family is the most inhumane thing a person can do to a hustler. I had no money and no way to eat. Nah, I’m not going for that.”

  “You say that like you have a choice. We don’t have any room for a snitch here.”

  “You know what’s funny is y’all call me a snitch when I call it being a businessman. We all knock our competition off the chessboard in some way. I just went the smarter route about mine.”

  “What’s smart about telling on a motherfucka?”

  “It’s always a good thing to have the Feds eating out of your pocket. Create a dirty cop and let him get a taste of some real money, he’ll be eating out of that same pocket forever.” Steelo’s lips broke into a slow and sinister smile. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way. Your father is a good businessman, but see, there’s only room for one king in Miami.”

  “Were you behind that wannabe drug bust I saw on the news?”

  “Nah, that wasn’t me. That was my nephew.” Steelo nodded toward Drako, who was still sitting on the couch.

  “Nephew?” Now that was news to Adrian.

  “See, you might not think you’re like your old man. But you are just like him in some ways. Arrogant just like him. When Antonio said I couldn’t come back, it took me away from my family when they needed me the most. My sister died and left her kids in my care, but how could I care for them with no money? But neph right there, he’s just like me. He got that hustle in him.”

  “He has that snitch in him, too, I see.”

  “And you led him right into your den not knowing he was a wolf the whole time. And wolves are cunning. It wasn’t easy planning all of this. First he had to take Jerry down, and then he had to gain your trust to learn about your operation.”

  “You almost had us. ‘Almost’ being the key word.”

  “Oh, don’t worry. Very soon you’ll be knocked off the chessboard. You and your father. My nephew is looking forward to expanding our business with more territory. Just you wait.”

  “Now that I know the type of time you’re on, what makes you think I won’t kill you right now?”

  “Them,” Steelo casually said and pointed toward his entourage.

  Adrian looked in time to see them all stand up in unison. Their hands were on their waists, signifying that they were ready to shoot once Steelo gave the word. Drako stared at Adrian triumphantly like he had won a competition. To Steelo’s surprise, Adrian wasn’t moved at all. In fact, he chuckled.

  “That’s cute. Too bad they’ll be dead before they have time to draw their weapons.” Adrian lifted a finger up and down by his ear. Almost instantly, red dots appeared on all of Steelo’s men. Steelo himself had one on his chest, which Adrian pointed at.

  “What is this?” Steelo exclaimed.

  “You think I would come alone? I always keep a couple shooters with me. One more signal from me and they’re shooting you and everyone you brought with you.”

  Adrian wanted to give the signal so bad. But as he looked around, there were just too many people. They could get hurt, or worse. They could be witnesses. Killing Steelo and Drako there wouldn’t be smart. So instead, he relished the look of fear on Steelo’s face and stood up, knowing they couldn’t do anything to him. He patted the older man on his shoulder before walking away.

  “Remember, Steelo. While you’re playing chess, I’m playing Monopoly.”

  With that, Adrian exited the section knowing that a war had been ignited. But that was okay because he was ready.

  Chapter 24

  When Kiesha and London got to the VIP section, it was once again smooth sailing from there. The girls had an amazing time, and as Adrian promised, they were taken care of. Whatever they wanted, they got it. She and London decided not to drink anymore, but they did indulge in the free chicken wings and fries. Kiesha almost even forgot about the whole Malcom thing. By the end of the night, the girls were full and tired from all the dancing and singing they’d done.

  “Let’s head out before everyone else,” London suggested, and Kiesha nodded.

  They grabbed their purses and exited the VIP area. Kiesha tried to look around to find Adrian, but she couldn’t spot him. He told her that he would come over to the section, but he never did. Maybe he’d left already. Kiesha felt slightly let down because that meant she wouldn’t see him again until Monday.

  “You gonna call Cam?” London asked her when they were standing outside the club.

  “I don’t know.” Kiesha shrugged as the hot, humid air hit her stickily. “Probably not.”

  “I thought you really liked him.”

  “I mean, he’s cool. We vibe. But he’s just not—”

  “Him?” London asked and pointed at a vehicle approaching them.

  Sure enough, a red Cullinan slowed to a stop in front of them. The window was rolled down, so Kiesha could see Adrian in the driver’s seat. He leaned out the window toward them with a smile.

  “Y’all good?” he asked.

  “Yeah, we’re fine. I thought you left. You never came to the section,” Kiesha said.

  “I had to come out here and talk to my people. Do you ladies need a ride or anything?”

  “No, she drove us here.” Kiesha pointed at London.

  He nodded but didn’t drive off. They did their usual dance and just stared at each other, both wanting to say something, neither knowing what. Beside Kiesha, London cleared her throat and stepped to the side.

  “Kiesh, maybe he can take you home? I’m going to slide on my little boo, and he stays more out this way.”

  Kiesha was thrown off. London had never mentioned having plans after the club, let alone having a boo. But there she was, put on the spot.

  “Umm, I . . . Do you mind?” she finally asked Adrian.

  “Not at all. Hop in.”

  Adrian unlocked his doors, but before Kiesha walked off, she gave London a big hug.

  “You sure you’re okay to drive?” she asked.

  “Girl, that little buzz been done worn off. Make sure you call me in the morning, okay?”

  “I will.”

  Kiesha watched her walk to her car and didn’t stop until she saw her friend behind the wheel of the white Dodge Charger. She waved when London pulled off, and then she got into Adrian’s car. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, because his car’s aroma was becoming one of her favorites. When she opened them she found him staring at her.

  “What?” she asked shyly.

  “Nothing. You just have this ability to look fine as hell every time I see you.”

  “Thank you, sir. I must say, I like this look on you,” she said and tugged at the unbuttoned Cubs jersey. “You look normal.”

  “Normal? What’s that supposed to mean?” Adrian laughed as he started to drive.

  “Nothing bad. Just that at work you always seem so much older than what you are. Now you just seem—”

  “Normal,” Adrian finished for her.

  “Yeah. I would say like a regular nigga, but I think you proved tonight that there isn’t anything regular about you.” She looked over at him in wonder. “What was that tonight?”

  “What was what?”

  “You know, what happened with Malcom. I’ve never seen anything like that before. He straightened up at the mere sight of you.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe he just knew I wasn’t about to play about you.” He shrugged.

  “Bull. The way Malcom reacted, that wasn’t just fear. That was respect. He knew who you were, but I don’t think I do. Not really. Who are you, Adrian?”

  “Let’s just say I’m a man of a few faces, all of them solid though. But that’s all I can tell you, for now.”

  “For now, huh? Does that mean we’ll be spending more time together?”

  Kiesha didn’t know where that question came from. But she knew she’d asked it because she felt her lips move and heard her voice. She clearly wasn’t all the way sober because the liquid courage was still there.

  “I thought you and Cam were a thing.”

  “I mean”—Kiesha shrugged—“he’s cool and nice to me. I don’t want to hurt him. I just . . . I guess my mind is always on other things.”

  “Like?”

  He took his eyes off the road to glance over at her, and his gaze seemed to burn a hole in her cheek. She was ready to spill everything to him about how he made her feel. However, biology had other plans. Suddenly the overwhelming sensation to pee came over her.

  “Oh, my gosh, I need to pee so bad,” she said, holding her stomach, and his eyes grew wide.

  “Are you serious right now?”

  “Yes, Adrian, please! Pull over or something. I need to go bad!”

  “Nah, my condo isn’t too far from where we are now. We can stop there first before I run you home.”

  Kiesha didn’t have a weak bladder, but right then it felt like she did. She held it until they got to the tall building Adrian stayed in. He led her inside and into an elevator, where she leaned on a wall, crossing her legs. He would, of course, be so dramatic as to live on one of the top floors. Kiesha was so happy when she finally heard the ding and the doors opened.