Page 33 of Shâhzâdeh

“How soon do you need one of them to be there?” Now that he had the information he was back to business and I appreciated it. The thought of Vanya being unprotected in any capacity drove me crazy. She was a smart woman but she needed an assistant who was smart to the ways of this lifestyle.

“Ask if zhey’re amenable to it first. If not, I can always see if Ndi—”

“She knows Ndi too. And also knows that Ndi has a job already with the distilleries. You won’t be able to put that one past her. Besides, my cousins are getting restless since we’re closing in on spring break and they haven’t had to create or destroy anything lately. Hell, maybe I’ll send them both.”

He was out of his mind because I wasn’t going to keep those two from cutting up if they were already restless. “I’m going to put up a job posting wizin zhe hour. Zhey can send over an application and I will ensure it makes it to zhe top of zhe pile. How many holdings have zhey sold?”

“Within Georgia? They most recently sold Cardinal’s property and split the money amongst each other.”

“Nothing for zheir ozer sibling?”

He laughed and that’s when I could hear the other side of Priest seep out. Gone was my kind-hearted friend and the ruthless, near demented killer oozed to the front like Venom would one of his prey. “And what is that nigga gonna do with that kind of money in a fucking locked room, Xerx? Eat the gotdamn paper?”

He went back to laughing and I couldn’t help but join in with him. He’d had his cousin locked up for the last six months. After the shit we found out Damien did, I wasn’t surprised he was letting him rot the way he was. Damien deserved a slow descent into madness before he skipped his way to hell.

“If only zhe congregation could see how you acted.”

“They’d never need to see Priest, only Jahmir. They cross me though, I’m more than happy to help them find out why they shouldn’t have. But I’ll ask Navi if she wants the assignment. Lika seems focused on staying in the area.”

“Will being away from zhe school be an issue?”

“We’ll get it covered. Dove wanted more to do around here since I won’t let her do too much. If she takes over in Navi’s classroom, I’ll be her hero.” I could hear him grinning and knew he’d been doing his best not to be too overprotective of Ny now that she was pregnant. Mir wanted to be involved almost to an aggravating extent because his parents had been so negligent. He desired for Ny to feel supported always but I knew she was probably gone chop his ass in the throat. She was just as obsessed with him so she probably loved that shit.

“Glad I can be of service. Tell Navi whatever her price, I’ll double it.”

“You know we don’t charge—”

“But zhat doesn’t mean I’m not paying. I’ll set up an apartment for her in Vanya’s building so she isn’t too far away. And zhank you, Jahmir. You understand how important zhis is to me.”

“We all do. Let us know when we need to suit up. Them might be your people by blood, but we’re your family by choice. And we choose to stand behind you no matter who is in front of you. If you need help to handle shit, say the word.” Priest was tucked back in and Jahmir spoke from his heart, which made me grateful again for the men I called my brothers.

I glanced at the Charlotte skyline that seemed just outside of my window my mind wishing Vanya was going to walk through the door and bring me peace. “I know. And I appreciate you. But for now, zhe only person I need to pull into zhis is Ori.”

“What his ass gone do?” I knew Priest asked because we normally only pulled Ori on shit when we needed his help legally.

“You know he gets bored since he can’t do much wet work. Having him help wiz coordinating zhe delivery is key because of zhe ports and it’ll give him somezing to do. At least until it’s time to take his spot full time.”

“Smart. It’s been a minute and the last time I know he was irritated after having to deal with that woman in Texas. Said she tried to scratch his ass up.”

I’d heard how the woman that was working with Reza and Kamran acted up when she was getting arrested. Her ass was going through it in federal prison because those supremacist values didn’t hold too well with the people there. Especially not the Hispanic ones who were being detained.

“He’s never going to let me live it down. But at least she’s getting fucked up on a regular so zhat gives him some peace.”

“True. I’ll have Navi get on it when you send the word. But do me a favor.”

“What you need?” I paused because I had no issue with what he needed. He was going to help keep my love safe so a debt to him was owed.

“Make sure your Blarabian ass lets someone know what you need before it gets too late. We here for a reason. No one man has to shoulder the load alone.”

The madman was tucked back into his hole, and my friend was back out. He knew just what to say to strike at the heart of any man and I felt the conviction to do as he asked. “Says zhe one who built zhe equipment for his revenge and didn’t tell a soul. But I hear you, Priest.”

“Good. Give her a few hours and she’ll be on the way.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Hunting

VANYA

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