Page 166 of Shâhzâdeh

He headed toward the large windows that were a key feature of most penthouses. We were in the middle of uptown, but unlike New York the skyline wasn’t so high that no sunlight or true city views could come through. This part of the city was a mix of residences and businesses so he could have access to what he needed. Because of the height of the building, he could see the training facility from his bedroom.

“How far is it from the facility?”

“You could jog to work because it’s less than ten minutes depending on foot traffic. There’s covered garage parking so even if they know where you live, they can’t get here because the security is about as good as in our building.” Quentin smiled and I knew he took pride in the team he’d put in at the complex.

Ahmad was looking around and nodding again but I wasn’t clear on what he was thinking. “The place is nice as fuck. But I need to look at something else.”

I was happy to accept his feedback because I had other listings I could take him to. “Okay, what specs—”

Ahmad raised his hand to gently interrupt. “Nah, I want this too. But it’s clear ain’t shit for me in Norfolk worth going back for. I need a long-term house.” That was shocking to me because I hadn’t looked at single-family homes for him.

“What kind of long term?”

“You staying here?”

“Well, yeah.”

His hands went into the pockets of his basketball shorts before he responded. “Then something I can have a family in. Whatever house you think will work.”

I nodded his understanding because essentially Ahmad had been an orphan too. His only family had been the ghosts of our parents and the memory of me that everyone tried to get him to deny. Our blood relatives hadn’t been good to him and I understood why he’d distanced himself.

“It’s a buyer’s market right now, especially if you’re paying cash.”

“Absolutely.”

I pulled out my phone to take notes and to send a message out to Navi to see if she had any leads for a single family mansion. Mentally, I was going through the ones I hadn’t shown Xerxes or his parents. “What part of the city do you want to be in? I’m sure you not gone care about the school system or anything like that because most people go to private school.”

His brows dipped and he glanced at Quentin before he continued. “Where y’all at?”

“We live outside of Charlotte but there are several upscale areas. There’s south Charlotte which is Ballantyne and South Park where Vincent is. Further north is Lake Norman, and out west you can custom build in the Sanctuary. If you want to go more rural you could have a bigger piece of land.”

“Show me whatever out the way. I need a dip off spot that’s not this place when I need a second to breathe. Y’all might not want me camping out in your guest house and shit.”

“Can’t. Me and Sho live there.” Quentin seemed to love needling Ahmad and it was clear they’d had a semi-close relationship before this.

“Damn.” He was smiling but I could tell he had something on his mind.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nah, I feel like I’m coming on too strong right now and I can get how that shit might be weird. I know them people ain’t do right by you since you ended up married to the last person you called your brother so I get why you’re hesitant.”

I laughed but I really appreciated that he was thinking of me in this situation despite how I knew he was feeling. “It’s really not that. I don’t know how to be a sister you know? The last time I tried to do that it ended up all weird. I’m working through that but still.”

“I get it. When me and Xerxes talked before he told me dude was no good. It’s why I’m trying not to be too crazy.” He confessed shyly and I could appreciate his honesty.

“Y’all talking behind my back is clearly going to be a thing. Since you want this place and I have a new task on top of it, can you tell me about our parents since we have all this free time?”

Ahmad smiled but it was still slightly sad. “Our pops is a legend. I know a lot of people looked down on him because of how he made his money, but maybe it was just the fact that I was his son that I could look past that.”

“So he sold drugs?”

He nodded unapologetically and I hoped he didn’t think I was being judgmental. “Weed. But pushed a lot of it. A lot of his credit came the way he didn’t tolerate disrespect.”

“He passed that trait right down to you didn’t he, Eight?” Quentin was smirking again and I was curious about the extent of their relationship. I knew it involved guns but that was all.

“You was pulling guns on me now you a fan?”

“I know talent no matter who it is. But one thing I won’t do is be derelict in my duties. Since she’s your sister, you should more than respect that. But everybody knows Eight.”

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