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“We’re interested in what this event can do. We also need to know what it’s gonna cost to get there.”

That brought the conversation where I wanted it. Will could compare us to every arena in the country. I needed to know what he expected us to spend and what he was bringing besides confidence.

We went through his proposal. I asked about his fee, who would be working with him, and which relationships he could actually bring to the table. He had answers. A few things still needed to be worked out, but he didn’t try to pretend otherwise.

I liked that better than the promise about Madison Square Garden.

Prime closed the folder when we finished.

“We’ll review this and get back to you.”

“Absolutely.” Will stood. “Anything else you need from me, call.”

We shook hands again. Quest walked him out while I looked at the figures one more time.

“What you think?” I asked Prime.

“I think I’m checking everything he just said.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear.”

“He sounds good. Let’s see if the people he worked with say the same thing.”

Quest returned and shut the door.

“We ain’t making a decision until Prime finishes the background check,” he said.

“Fine with me.”

I stood. I needed to check on Dream before she got too bored and wandered about the casino. I ain’t need her ass trying to play poker.

“How she doing?” Quest asked.

“Running my office.”

“Probably better than you.”

“Keep talking. I’ll send her in here with a list.”

“Unc is always ready to shape the youth. This will be all theirs one day.” He stretched out his hands.

He was right. My nieces, nephews, and daughters were going to inherit this, and we had to make sure it stayed airtight for them. Rita and Granddad gave us the game, we just needed to expand the playing board.

I headed back to my office and saw that Dream had fallen asleep on the couch. She had been a little sluggish since she broke her arm, but the doctors said that was normal. I just had to make sure she was eating healthy food and not jamming junk down her throat. And as much as she hated green veggies, those were at the top of the list for calcium.

I thanked the employee who’d stayed with her and took the chair behind my desk. She had sat in it and played with the gears so I had to readjust it.

For a minute, I looked at my phone.

I needed to speak with Melody. I couldn’t keep saying it and letting another day go by without figuring out how. She deserved a conversation where I actually listened. I needed one where I could ask about Roman without already deciding she was lying.

But tonight wasn’t open. Everybody had their own shit to do, and I had both my girls to get home to. My family had been helping whenever they could. I couldn’t keep expecting them to rearrange their lives because mine was a mess.

I wasn’t having that conversation with Storie down the hall listening for her name. I wanted time to sit with Melody, even if she spent the first part telling me to go fuck myself.

She would’ve earned that much.

Dream moved on the couch. I put my phone down and stood before she tried to sit up.