Page 42 of Love & Vendettas

“They’re getting worried, of course.”

“Why don’t you let us take her out?”

“It’s not that simple, Parker. You know that. Former D.A. One of the most prominent attorneys in this city is nowrunning for mayor. Comes up missing or dead. That’s not a good look in anyone’s books.”

“Come on, man. You run this town.”

“Even my powers only go so far. Not that I can’t make it happen, but I have to cultivate a plan and work it detail by detail to protect everyone associated with it. When her time comes, it won’t be because she was murdered. At least not on the books anyway.”

Parker nods.

“Besides, it’s an election year.”

“All the more reason to get her out of the way as soon as possible. She’s going to stir up a hornet’s nest wherever she can, including the current mayor’s campaign, connections, and finances. If she looks too close, and I’m sure that she will, she might find a connection to you. That’s going to be questionable and give him a shaky chance at being reelected.”

“Nothing leads back to me, Parker.”

“And at the same time, all roads lead back to you.”

I nod and smile. That’s just the way that I like it. It gives me the power to run this city as I see fit, unbeknownst to its citizens. Having sisters who hold the offices of D.A. and city planner, a brother who owns a real estate firm, another who owns a construction firm, and a brother who’s a lead detective all work in my favor.

At any given time, I can call any one of them up to make something happen or cease to exist, and vice versa. It works because no one knows of our relationship or ties with each other. If Essence gets into office, not only will she bring a spotlight on that when she notices the connection, but she’ll also do everything in her power to prevent my father from being released and shake up our current power structure.

“Did you make sure that Aris took care of those initial donations that will fund her campaign?”

“Yep. They’re all set, and she’s accepted them. Once an inquiry begins, anyone will be able to see that she’s received funding from the shell company, Duke Holdings, which ties back to Bryson Gregory, one of the biggest drug dealers in the city.”

Aris created the shell company, Duke Holdings, for Bryson. Bryson works for me, and he appears to be the biggest dope dealer around, but that’s because no one knows what I really do.

They’re only aware of my umbrella firm, a private investment company, which is the front for my drug money. Under that firm, I also have a strip club, a casino, and a restaurant.

Years ago, when we lost our mother to the state mental hospital, I had no other option but to continue in the game. I stacked my money because that’s all I knew how to do. Not having any bills to pay or responsibilities, I mapped out a plan and worked the plan until it worked for me.

Staying with one friend after another and sometimes on the streets enabled me to keep my expenses down. I looked out for those friends along the way, showing my appreciation for all, they’d done.

I have a lot of friends in high places now, and I take none of them for granted. However, because of the route that I took in life, I try to stay as far away from them as possible to avoid tainting their businesses and reputations. But they’re always there if I need them, and I’m there for them.

I might have to call in plenty of favors when this is all said and done to eliminate Essence and leave her nothing but a mere, distant, and distasteful memory.

20 – ZAIRE – ON MY OWN

TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO

“I’m sorry, Zaire. We’ve tried everything that we know how, and I haven’t been able to find a family to place you with.”

“Yeah, I get it. No one’s trying to take care of a seventeen-year-old. It’s cool, Ms. Brew. It’s like I told you; I've been holding my family down for a minute now. I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”

“While that may be true, I have a responsibility to place you somewhere so that you’re not homeless. If that’s not with another family, then—”

“Hell, nah,” I say, standing from the table abruptly and causing the chair to fall backward.

“Zaire, honey, please don’t jump to conclusions. Why don’t you give it a chance before you dismiss the idea altogether?”

“I told you I’m not going to some group home like I’m some delinquent or something. I ain’t never been in no trouble.”

“The transition home isn’t for delinquents alone, but youth such as yourself who are transitioning into adulthood. They provide a stable place for you to reside, hot meals, tutoring, and homework assistance—”

“Don’t need that either,” I say, shaking my head as fury runs through me. My parents fucked up royally on this one.

---