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It wasn't my ego or reputation I was apprehensive about when I thought about what could happen to her once she’d left for work the next day, when she was out with her friends, running errands alone, all that.
I was concerned abouther.
Not what might be said aboutme.
My status around this city was what it was, motherfuckers knew my name. Every once in a while somebody might try me or one of my brothers, but that wasn't something I carried with me from day to day, it wasn’t triggering any anxieties over here.
This shit with Nala was… different.
A level of disquiet I’d never really had before, not even when Jess was my fiancée. Of course I’d made sure she was protected as well, but something about this felt unique, and I couldn't even chalk it up to feelings.
I was still learning and understanding Nalani. I’d loved Jess well before I put a ring on her finger. And those feelings had persisted past the time that we went our separate ways, because a lack of love didn't break us up.
Practicality did.
This time, I’d led with practicality and managed to make it down the aisle.
I didn’t know what this other shit was.
But whatever it was, I wouldn’t ignore it,couldn’tignore it, with the added layer of whatever the fuck William Stark was on. He was out of his kids’ hair from a business standpoint, but that element of personal involvement couldn’t be overlooked.
Not when he was beingsoreckless at the mouth.
It had taken some prodding, but Nalani sharedeverythingthat went down at the board meeting, including William’s comments about her mother. His words were unsurprising to me. His son didn’t look like him and I was privy to my father’s side of their whole friendship story.
The idea of Larena Joyce having an affair was no revelation to me.
And itshouldn’thave been to William, either. It had been well known among the friends that he wasn’t faithful, so expecting fidelity from his wife was wild.
Especially once she realized any wealth or business acumen he walked into their marriage with was nothing more than a fairytale.
But I didn’t tell her all that.
I didn’t tell heranyof that.
It didn’t seem like the timeormy place to connect those dots for her, but my mind was working through what my approach should be.
If nothing else was certain though, both William Stark and EJ would need to be dealt with.
In some way or another.
Which was the impetus of inviting Soren Stark to my house.
He was a good kid, barely thirty years old, but well-educated, not running around doing reckless shit, working in the family business. Most important to me, he was protective of his sister, and had the balls to stand up for her.
Andthe common sense to understand when he needed reinforcements.
Ones I would happily provide.
“So you’re seriously telling menobodyknows where this nigga is?” I asked, directing my question to Titan and Henry, to my left. For his own sanity, Ares wasn’t at this meeting. He preferred keeping his hands a little cleaner, and I was glad to oblige.
Henry shook his head.
“We’ve got ears to the street though,” Titan assured. “And if it comes down to it… he might be out of reach, but his people aren’t. He’s got lieutenants, soldiers… baby mamas, little cousins—”
“I’m not ready to go there yet,” I told him. “That’s an absolute last resort. I don’t think he’ll hide forever. He won’t like word that he’s pussy getting around. So let’s make sure everybody hears it, real loud.”
Titan nodded. “I’ll convey the message to the right people. Should we hit up the Blacks?”
