Page 122 of Falling Into Gravity

“You said ‘shared evolution,’ right? So, let’s say the brand don’t move the way y’all want. Or the culture push back on the pivot. Then what? Who gets the last word?”

Todd chuckled nervously. “We’re not here to take it from you, Malik.”

Malik nodded again. “But youdowant to own part of it.”

“Well, equity is part of the structure?—”

“So I build somethin’ from pain and pressure, and y’all want to come eat off the plate after I done damn near starved makin’ it?”

Brady sat forward, tapping his pale thumbs on the table. “We don’t want to change the heart of it—just sharpen the edges. Make it scalable.”

“Iamthe edge,” Malik snapped. “Ain’t no polishing that. This app ain’t a side hustle. It’s a tool. It’s protection. It’s home. Y’all look at it and see market gaps. I see every person in Crescent who need a backdoor into safety.”

Hunter frowned. “But don’t you want more for it? For yourself?”

“I do,” Malik said calmly, “but not like this.”

Zaire opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Right then, Malik’s phone vibrated on the table.Quesha. Again. Fourth time this hour. Malik picked it up, sighed, and declined it.

Another buzz. This time a text from the therapist herself.Can’t start sessions until balance cleared.

Malik hesitated. Then opened his messages to Aku.

Can I ask you for a favor? I know you said if I ever needed anything.

Her response was almost instant.

Yes.

2k to 725 Bunker Street

On my way…leave your mark Black man

Black man—he adjusted his crown. Two words. One lifeline. He tucked his phone back into his pocket.

Brady was still talking, probably about projections or user metrics. Malik let him finish, then stood up slow, body still sore but spirit sharper than ever because his lady had just confirmed what he already knew.

“Again, you’d retain a percentage of equity. But you’d also be in a senior advisory role—guiding vision.”

He blinked. “Guiding my own vision?”

They hesitated. That pause told him everything. Brady looked over to Zaire for help.

“You want my shit,” Malik said slowly, “but not my say.”

“No,” Brady jumped in. “It’s a tree, remember?”

“And charge people for the shade,” Malik muttered.

The suits exchanged glances.

Todd adjusted his glasses. “We’d introduce tiered access. Basic remains free, but community leaders or high-use areas would have access to premium analytics. Paid services for higher-level engagement.”

Malik tilted his head. “Like what?”

“Well, imagine if a user could pay $2.99 a month and get early crime alerts, personalized safe routes, and integration with local emergency services?—”

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