Page 20 of Karrington

“What?” I checked, thinking I had something on my face.

“I take it things went well with the wife.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You got in the truck cheesing hard as hell, Boss. I haven’t seen you grin like that in a while.”

My eyes rolled slightly as I chuckled and put on my seat belt. “It ain’t even like that.”

“Mhm. You ain’t gotta play hard with me. I know what good pussy looks like, and your face is saying you got it a few times last night.” He leaned forward and stared at me. “Maybe even this morning.”

All I could do was laugh as I gave him a dismissive wave of my hand. I wasn’t the type of man who took pride or pleasure in talking about my sexual experiences with women to other men. I was far too possessive for that. I did, however, talk to them about my relationships from time to time. After Luna Ray, that ceased.

“I mean… She’s a sweetheart.”

He sucked his teeth and pulled out of the circular driveway. “I know that. How did it feel to be with her? You haven’t been with anyone romantically since Lulu, right? I know you fucked a few women but nothing serious.”

With a sigh, I looked out of the window and decided to give him what he wanted. Loki was persistent and wouldn’t stop until I did. I knew the crew would be wondering the same thing. They were so fascinated by the fact that I wasn’t an open book like the rest of them. It made them question me more.

“It wasn’t as awkward as I thought it would be. She was trusting and submissive to my lead, which made me want to please her. Not just physically but in all ways. She told me some shit that momentarily pulled me out of myself.” I cut my eyes at him briefly. “Her ex tried to take what was mine, Lo. I need to know who he is to make sure he suffers because of it.”

Loki’s head turned in my direction, and even without all the details, there was fire in his eyes. Loki wasn’t the man I’d call if I needed someone to get their hands dirty on my behalf, butwhen it came down to it, he was just as lethal as the rest of us. However, he didn’t care for violence and preferred to think of other ways to handle problems. That’s why I was considering him for my consigliere. So I knew, if he looked like he wanted blood, the rest of the crew would be worse if I told them.

“You saying what I think you saying?”

“Yeah. She said it didn’t go all the way, but he still violated her and took something from her she didn’t offer. Something that was for me.”

“You know who it is? Because we can go handle that right now.”

My head shook as I licked the corner of my mouth and looked out of the window. “Nah. She didn’t want to tell me because she knows what will happen to him when I find out. I told her she’s going to let me know eventually. I don’t want her to think I’m the kind of man that lets disrespect of any kind ride. For now, I want her to adjust to the marriage and moving in with me, but after that, she’s going to tell me.”

“When you find out, make sure you let me know.”

The Meeting

As I enteredthe upper level space of the restaurant, I sent my personal assistant the list of perfumes Eyela had texted me. I wasn’t playing when I said I wanted to make sure she never ran out. Over the years, I learned I gravitated toward women who smelled sweet or like baked goods. It made them appear edible to me. Even if I didn’t want to be attracted to them, I was.

Shoving my phone in my pocket, I looked around the room. This meeting area was on the top floor of my favoritesteakhouse. Its walls were soundproof, and it was swept for bugs before every meeting, though no one was allowed in here between meetings. The red and gold décor gave the space an old school luxury vibe. I took my place at the head of the large gold table. After making sure everyone who wanted food had ordered, I started the meeting.

“Thank y’all for coming,” I said, looking every man in attendance in the eyes.

Seated was Loki, Blaze, Bully, Angel, Jue, and Aspen. As much as I wanted my crew in on what I was about to do, I respected the fact that they were family men now and wouldn’t ask, because if I did, they’d say yes. The only reason Bully was here was because of his past experiences working for a mafia boss. Had it not been for that, I wouldn’t have involved him either.

Aspen and Blaze were both protectors with different styles of execution. While Aspen did defense only, Blaze was offensive, and he honestly didn’t give a fuck. He didn’t value life like the average person did. I heard at one point he killed a man because he sneezed on him and didn’t apologize. It was risky putting someone like that on the team, but it also was smart, because he would carry out orders with no questions asked.

Jue had a nice hustle going as a supplier who made deliveries to dealers while on the clock as a postman. Between his innovation and what Angel started with his old crew, Rahsaan and Kahmeer, I was confident the drug ring would still remain profitable even without crack and pills.

“With the passing of my father, I have been made boss of the Lowe Mafia. I have a few changes I want to implement that will change the structure of our organization for years to come. There is a chance someone will come behind me and reverse what I’m about to do, and as long as I can pave the way for my child, I’ll be okay with that.

“There’s also a chance these changes will create discord within the organization and put a target on my back from my own men. I’ll be at peace with that too. I said all that to say, after the invitation is extended, I want you all to be aware of the threat you might face not just from the outside but the inside too if you join me.”

I paused and gave them time to process what I said. “My elders have done a good job, but I do want men under me that I trust not only with my organization but the new changes as well. With that being said, I’d like to extend the following invitations. Loki, I invite you to be my consigliere.” He pounded his chest and his head bobbed. The emotion that covered his face suggested he was surprised, and I wasn’t entirely sure why. He had to know I’d choose him.

“Blaze, I invite you to be my enforcer. Aspen, I invite you to be my right hand man. Angel, I invite you to take over distribution. Jue, I invite you to be Angel’s second in command.” My knuckles tapped the table as I stared at Bully. His chin jutted out slightly. I didn’t want to ask him. I knew he’d say yes. Even though I needed him to say yes, I didn’t want him to. “Bully…” My jaw clenched.

“Yes.”

I smiled. “I didn’t ask yet.”

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