Page 29 of The Millionaire Mortician
Walking out of the brownstone, Maverick was grinning. “Told you. Lower numbers always get ‘em.”
I slid my hands into my pockets, eyes scanning the block. “We don’t sell ourselves cheap. We sell ourselves smart.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Same shit, nigga.”
“Nah, the difference is,” I stated as we got to the truck, “smart lasts longer.”
“Where to?” Don inquired.
“Yeah, whatever, nigga.” Mav looked at me. “Back to the dealership,” he instructed Don.
As we pulled off, I felt lighter walking away from that meeting. Bed-Stuy was added to the list. It was one less rival and one more client.
I couldn’t help but think about Daija again. If I could make moves in the streets, I damn sure could make the right move with her. She deserved that same energy. And soon, I’d give it to her.
The dealershipand funeral home offices had become our second homes as of late. Maverick and I stretched out in the leather chairs while paperwork was scattered across his desk.Business had been running smoothly, smoother than I expected for the first week. We played no games as we hit the ground running. Calls were made, and meetings were held. Now it was just a matter of waiting.
The first shipment from Don Rafael was going to be on its way in a few days. That’s when the real test would happen.
Maverick was leaning back, grinning like a man who liked what he saw. “Bruh, you feel that? This shit is different. This ain’t no nickel-and-dime game, nigga. We talkin’ big weight, territories, and a whole coast lookin’ at us now.”
I nodded, but my energy wasn’t quite where his was.
He caught on quickly, as he usually did. “Yo,” he stated, straightening up as he eyed me closely. “What’s up with you? You movin’ like somethin’ on your mind heavy.”
I rubbed my hand over my chin, thinking it over. “It is.”
“Talk to me,” he pried.
I exhaled slowly. “That night we met with Don Rafael, I was supposed to be at dinner with Daija. She literally waited for me for like two hours before she just left. Shorty really sat in that restaurant alone,” I stressed.
Maverick shook his head. “Damn.”
“Yeah, man,” I spoke quietly. “I ain’t even do the shit on purpose, but it made me think... how real is this relationship shit when you got the kinda life we live? Can a man like me really have both? A legit business, business in the streets, and a woman waiting at home?”
Mav chuckled without humor, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “That right there is the reason I don’t bother. I don’t need a woman sittin’ around wondering where I’m at, questioning me about late nights, worried if I’m gon’ make it home or not. I have fun, I do me, and that’s it. I don’t give the streets nothin’ to point at and call a weakness.”
I studied him. “You calling Daija my weakness?”
He shrugged. “Not her specifically. I’m sayin’ love makes men soft. You’re thinking about dinner when you’re supposed to be thinking about a deal. Me? I ain’t ever gon’ have that problem. The streets don’t need to know my heart is attached to nobody. That way, they can’t use my weakness against me.”
I let everything he said sink in. Mav had his way, and I had mine. Truth was, I wasn’t ready to let Daija go, not after building with her. She was more than just love. She was a balance for me. Still, I couldn’t ignore the weight of his words either.
Before I could respond, there was a knock on the office door. One of Mav’s security leaned in with his face serious.
“We got an unannounced visitor,” he informed us.
“Who?” Mav questioned with a confused face.
“He said his name is Frost.”
Mav’s eyes instantly flicked to mine. I stayed calm, leaned back in my seat, and told him to let him in.
Moments later, Frost walked through the door like he owned the place. Tall, dark eyes that were sharp, and a diamond cut glinting in his left ear. His aura carried weight, the kind of weight that needed no introduction. He made sure of it with his first words.
“You know who I am,” he stated flatly, scanning both of us. “Ain’t no need for names.”
Neither Maverick nor I flinched. We just watched him closely.
