Page 30 of Karrington

When Merc and Asylum nodded their agreement, I tilted my head toward the ceiling and groaned.

“All three of y’all are newly married with babies. Merc and Sy, y’all got two kids. Fuck I look like asking y’all to be involved in this?”

“Bully got a baby on the way,andhe’s engaged,” Merc reminded me.

“Yeah, but he and Toe know this lifestyle. I wanted at least one of you at my side, and he was the best choice since his baby isn’t here yet. He can get a lot done before Innvy gives birth, and if at that time he needs to step down, I can replace him. Now getout ya feelings. I’m not asking any of y’all because I know you’ll say yes, and I want you out of this. End of discussion.”

Beethoven sucked his teeth and I laughed at his temper tantrum. I knew he was missing the excitement of the lifestyle, but I also knew he enjoyed the peace he was getting with his family. Nothing could beat that.

“Aight, we’ll accept that, but promise to come to us if shit gets out of hand,” Asylum said, and that was something I could agree to.

We talked for a little while longer before I headed to my meeting with Uncle Pete. As much as I didn’t want to talk to him, I was looking forward to getting home to my wife.

I knewsomething was up as soon as I pulled into Uncle Pete’s driveway and saw Uncle Johnny and Bosco’s cars as well. Family or not, I put my Glock at my waist before heading to the front door. Word was spreading that they were unhappy with the upcoming changes I was going to make. They were going to really lose their shit when they learned I wasn’t just changing my team but a few rules too. One change at a time, though. That would help keep everyone from getting overly emotional and saying or doing something they would regret.

Bosco opened the door, and he mugged me before giving me a handshake and pulling me in for a hug. Our relationship as cousins had always been competitive over the years. Resentment was on both sides. While he hated how I went up in rank because of my father, I hated the freedom he had to live his own life. Still, we were loyal to each other and there for each other when we needed to be. Our cousin rivalry had never come between that.

“Wassup, Boss?” A grin spread his lips that made me smile as he closed the front door.

“Cut that out.”

“What? You are the boss now. Gotta give you that respect.”

All I did was nod as I headed down the hall. I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or sarcastic, and I wasn’t in the mood to figure it out.

I found my uncles in the basement. They were seated around the poker table smoking cigars. I tossed my head back in a nod at the other three men in the room as my uncles stood to shake my hand. Uncle Pete offered me a beer and I declined. The sooner we got this over with, the better. We walked over to the pool table, and as he and Uncle Johnny started to play, Uncle Pete spoke.

“What’s this I hear about you changing the team?”

“We know that’s not true because we didn’t hear it directly from you,” Johnny added. Always trying to reason.

“You would have heard it from me if you came to my first official meeting as boss of all bosses. Do you know how disrespectful it was for my own family to not be in attendance? How do y’all expect your men to respect my leadership if you don’t?”

Bosco sucked his teeth and took a sip of his beer, but he remained silent. He’d stay that way unless and until his father got upset. Then, he’d feel obligated to step in.

“That wasn’t what it was at all, nephew,” Johnny said.

“That’s what it was for me,” Pete said. “My brother made you his replacement. I should have been the underboss. I been in these streets as long as you’ve been alive. It was hard enough submitting to him because I’m the oldest brother. Now, he expects me to submit to you too?” Scoffing, Pete leaned against his pool stick.

“It didn’t occur to you that he made that call for a reason?” I questioned, stepping closer to Uncle Pete. “You weren’t ready for the power then, and you aren’t now. Instead of bitching about it, you need to be trying to learn.”

“Whoa.” Uncle Johnny stepped between us and gently pushed me back.

“Aye, who you think you talkin’ to, cuz?”

“We’re not about to do this,” Johnny said as my hand lowered to my holster. “We just wanted to express our grievances about having to hear about the changes from someone else, but you’re right. Had we come to the meeting, we would have heard it from you.”

“This nigga just got off the nipple and you’re bowing to him already?” Pete scoffed and flicked his hand. “I’m glad he’s replacing me. I refuse to do what someone half my age says.”

With a long sigh, I looked toward Uncle Johnny. “If you want to talk, Unc, you know how to reach me. I’m out.”

Even with me knowing there was a chance they’d feel some type of way, I gave them far too much credit thinking they’d still respect me. Something told me the meeting would go left, and that’s why I had my piece. Did I think it would come to me defending myself against them? I wasn’t sure, but I’d prefer to be prepared and not take that chance.

Uncle Johnny walked me out to the car. When I leaned against it, he said, “Who are you replacing me with?”

“Angel.”

He chuckled. “The hoodlum I took under my wing.”

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