Page 66 of Lau Ahi
James frowned at my probing as if it were none of my business. I’m sure he was still pissed I’d fucked up his hair. His light teak-colored skin was flushed and I was doing my best not to laugh at him. “When I can’t do things the way I want to—”
“You mean by beating the women who make you your money and drugging them when they don’t comply? Fucking right you aren’t going to be protected from being a piece of shit. The women either get treated well or your business doesn’t exist. And we can barely call it that to begin with since it’s not like the two of you are out on the ho stroll.”
“Who the fuck—”
Pappy intervened knowing this was about to get out of hand.
“Matty, how are the restaurants going?”
Matilda was my mother’s cousin who was legit-ish. She handled whatever she could for the family because it provided her with additional capital and protection for the family. Her restaurants were all over the city and had private rooms where deals went on and we had every one of them tapped so we could get the information we needed. Between her and her son Hakeem, the information they gathered was invaluable.
“Good. There was a sixteen percent increase in business just by us switching a few things around. We still have plans to open another location later this year.” She didn’t get too involved in these meetings just providing information and staying in her lane. She’d apparently taught her son well because he had a similar outlook on how to interact with us. They were both brown skinned and although Matilda was short Hakeem was only a few inches shorter than me. He was broad with the build of a tight end and he could be vicious when needed.
“Perfect. When we can get the details of the wedding things sorted out. Invitations will be made to the heads of the family. I don’t have to discuss with any of you how this goes.”
Hakeem scoffed at Pappy pissing me off even more. “Especially not since we’ve been doing it longer than you—”
“It’s clear that head start didn’t afford you shit in the way of success. You didn’t learn shit from your daddy about how to speak to your elders but nobody is going to talk to him,” I pointed toward Pappy not taking my eyes off Hakeem, “like he hadn’t single-handedly kept this family afloat. Your father will lose his son you keep running your fucking mouth.”
“Does anyone have anything else to report?”
The silence was expected, since none of us actually got along. The rest of the Franklins didn’t trust me because I’d been raised with Pappy who they saw as an outsider. And to make it worse they didn’t really trust each other. Of course Matty and her son and James Jr. and his were the extent of the Franklin familyon this level so I didn’t blame Matty for keeping them at arm’s length. And since I wasn’t exactly friendly I was sure she wasn’t too sure about me either.
I did just throw a knife in the middle of a meeting so I couldn’t blame her.
She had no overt issues with Pappy and they were both respectful, which made them alright with me.
“If nothing else I’ll see you all next quarter. If you have anything before then bring it to me or Ori directly.”
That caused a few glances around the table but no one said anything to rebut Pappy’s request. We stood signaling that the meeting was over and I could finally breathe now that this shit was done. I had too much on my mind and it made me crave a minute to get my thoughts together. This change was happening soon and despite being ready for it for years, it felt like it was coming all too fast.
“You know he’s going to be a problem.”
Not a question. A statement. One that was filled with enough self-assurance that I had to wonder if the voice expressing the concern had information I wasn’t privileged to.
I turned to the only decent cousin I had on the Franklin side, Hakeem, studying him briefly.
He’d wanted to stay behind and did so after he saw his mother off. I had to admit I was curious about what he wantedso I offered him a drink. A glass of Liam and Bhal’s top-level private reserve and he took it without hesitation. I wasn’t sure if he trusted me enough or was just that sure I wouldn’t kill him but he didn’t hesitate in taking a sip.
Pappy’s advice about me needing someone else besides myself was still ringing in my ears. I could’ve done like Auntie Safi did and have my wife be my second. It wasn’t like Asha hadn’t shown she had the mind for it. But something held me back from wanting her to get involved on this level. Deuce was protecting his wife when he took risks she couldn’t. There was no way I would have any woman, especially not my fucking wife, sticking her neck out for me like I was a bitch. It didn’t matter if this shit was arranged or not. My morals didn’t work that way.
He was tall, a testament that I couldn’t owe my height strictly to the mixed heritage of my Nakoa lineage. His hair was faded and he was what most people would consider a pretty boy. I could see the features that we’d received from a previous common ancestor. He was brown-skinned but with hazel eyes like mine that leant more to being amber instead of my bronze. He’d shown up dressed for the occasion, which I assumed meant that he was here to handle his business and then go about it. That didn’t mean he wasn’t on bullshit though.
Although his face didn’t hold any guile, I still didn’t immediately give him the benefit of the doubt. I’d long learned better. Especially from that side of the family.
“And why are you telling me this?”
His face cracked a smile, one that was more annoyance than joy, as he slipped a hand in his pocket. A tell to either channel his frustration or mask how angry he really was. “Are you naturally suspicious of everybody or is it just us?”
“Both as a matter of fact.” I had no issue with him answering my question with a question because his intentions would be made clear all too soon. People who spoke up either had nothingto hide or wanted to appear like they held all the cards. Time would tell which category he fell into.
“I’m not your enemy. There’s no part of me that gives a fuck about any of this shit.” He waved the hand that held his glass around the room, showing the power seat of the Franklin family. We’d moved further north toChocolate Cityback in the seventies and this became our family’s base of operations. When the Nakoa side joined it was a good spot because it gave us access to the ports our ships would use in Baltimore, the Chesapeake and was quick access to New York.
“You don’t care about the family business?”
His statement intrigued me but I wasn’t buying it. You had a choice in participating in this life or not. Even if the generation before you was in it, you could walk away as long as you stayed loyal and stayed silent. Allowing the branches of our family to live normal lives was key to what we had going on. Everyone wasn’t cut out for this life and it was better for people to realize it before they got in too deep. Those types became liabilities and that was something else we couldn’t have.
He chuckled before taking a sip of his drink. His movements were either a great performance or indicative of how he was truly feeling.
