Page 120 of Lau Ahi
He glanced back and I motioned to the other doors, waiting for his answer. The decor of this place was tastefully done. Like a high-end boutique hotel with original artwork on the soft gray walls.
Hakeem laughed as he opened his office and invited me in. “Those are downstairs. I might do a lot of shit that ain’t on the up and up but selling pussy ain’t my style. That’s too fucking close to trafficking women and I ain’t about that. I leave that to the other side of the family. Those rooms are storage and offices.”
I nodded knowing exactly who he was speaking on. I monitored the shit that went on with Theo and the things he had his hands in. I didn’t like how he made his money so he didn’t get as much protection as the rest of the family businesses. Scamming was one thing but taking advantage of people was another. Pappy didn’t want to rock the boat by shutting down his brothels but I was about to capsize that shit as soon as I took over.
He opened his office door with a. Finger print scanner and when we walked in it looked exactly how I imagined. Big ass desk, a pole on one side of the room, probably for when he was interviewing new women and a bathroom to the right. The carpet was dark and the walls were black with gold accents. His shit was nice and when he walked behind his desk to the bar and held up a bottle I declined. Not because I didn’t want a drink but I never drank while doing business. Since the past was directly tied to how things were going to be handled moving forward this meeting was business.
“Should I be offended at your refusal?”
Hakeem watched me as he poured two fingers of liquor into his glass before he took his seat behind his desk. He noddedtoward the seat in front of me and I sat down once he’d given me the clear. It wasn’t that I needed his permission but I wanted to convey that I respected that this was his space and I had no desire to step on his toes.
“This is business so I treat it as such.”
“And here I thought we were gonna be friends and shit.” He was grinning as he took a sip and I was glad to see there were no hard feelings.
“Didn’t think that was something you did.”
“Could say the same for you.”
My brows lifted in agreement happy that the usual tension was gone between us. “A familial trait then.”
“Probably. The last name is the only thing that really binds us together. Loyalty for damn sure ain’t something they have a firm grasp of.” He looked aggravated by the thought of our mutual kin and I wondered why they had beef with one another.
“And you do?”
“Yeah. But that ain’t something that I can say and just think you’ll believe me.”
I eased lower in my seat becoming more relaxed the longer I sat here. “I find it weird that you want me to believe you. I don’t see what you get out of all of this.”
He put his glass down and sat forward with his body more tense than before.I’d offended him.“A man has to want something in order to be decent in this world?”
“From what I’ve seen, yes.”
Hakeem didn’t say anything but kept his eyes locked on me before he spoke again. “What is it that you want from me then?’
“Information.”
Hakeem laughed and eased back in his chair like my request wasn’t a big one. “Damn you said that quick as fuck.”
“I don’t have shit to lie about. You’d eventually find out my motives for the shit anyway. I wouldn’t insult you by thinking I could come to you with a lie and you’d take me at my word.”
His hands went to his chest almost an exact copy of the Denzel Washington gif. “Damn, I feel like you gave me a compliment.”
I scoffed, which made him laugh harder. “I did.”
“No explanation or nothing, just confirmation.”
My brow quirked at his response. “I didn’t take you as the type of man who needed more than that.”
“You’re right. I just find it funny.”
“What?”
He motioned to the space between the two of us. “This attitude must be in the bloodline. Most people tell me I’m a hard ass but I need to let them talk to you.”
“Wouldn’t be a good idea. The first time somebody irritates me I’d put a bullet in their head.”
“Again, a familial trait. But you didn’t come here to compare and contrast how we’re similar and shit. Tell me what you need.” His tone turned serious like he was ready to get down to business.
