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thirty-five
By his mother’s request,Londen stopped by for dinner before going to chill with the Gabriel brothers. Londen hadn’t planned to be so distant when he got out, but the conversation he had with Ace had been heavy on his mind. If he was going to live life differently, he’d need to make different choices and moves. As much as he loved hanging with the Gabriel brothers and the crew, it was too risky. Not only were they heavy in the streets, but a lot of them were reckless as hell. A fun night out could instantly be ruined because of one look or someone stepping on their shoe.
Londen felt the same way when it came down to his father. Before Londen’s release, Simpson was adamant about how much work they could get done once he got out. It didn’t seem to matter how much Londen said he was out of the game, Simpson believed it was just a phase.
It didn’t help that he was missing Lei like crazy. So far, Londen had gotten a lot done. He’d checked in on all of his business investments, paid for his favorite beach suite at The Rose Valley Hotel, and met with all of his attorneys and financial advisors. Harem, his mother, urged him to stay with them, but Londen wanted his own space… and a small space at that. Too many rooms increased his anxiety. Plus, a lot of habits he’d started while in prison would inconvenience others, so he simply preferred staying by himself.
The only other thing Londen wanted to do was make sure his standing in Rose Valley Hills was still good. The last thing he wanted was for enemies to try to cause issues while he was with Lei. Alternating between Memphis and Rose Valley Hills for the bulk of his life had given him popularity in both places. Lei was the only thing keeping him in The Hills. If it wasn’t for her, he would have stayed in Memphis the moment he was released.
Londen had already gotten his plan together for when he returned to Lei’s life. He couldn’t wait for the next three days to pass so he could see her. Now that he was released, he’d reconnected with her brother. Cade had his dealings with the Gabriel brothers, but he didn’t come around as much as he used to. He was more strait laced than most in the crew, but it hadn’t always been that way.
What Londen still hadn’t pieced together was why Ace had caught a body with a gun he’d used for other hits through others. Something was off with that, and it hadn’t set well within Londen for the past ten years. Ace wasn’t that reckless, and that was evident by the piece he had at his office. If Londen had to guess, he’d say Cade was the one who caught the body and Ace was covering for him.
Even if that was the case, Ace would never admit it. Cade had a lot to lose if he was ever charged with murder. Both men did actually. Londen could respect Ace taking the blame for his son, though, and now that he’d done time for the murder, it would never lead to a charge for either of them.
Pushing those thoughts out of his head, Londen opened the door to his parents’ home. Immediately, the sound of juke joint music filled his ears. His nostrils flared as he inhaled the scent of soul food coming from the kitchen. Londen’s steps increased in pace, hoping he could get a sample of whatever she was cooking.
“Damn, Ma. You got it smelling good as hell in here.”
Harem’s head tilted as she prepared for the kiss he always gave her on the cheek.
“It’ll be ready in about fifteen minutes.”
“What you got done that I can taste now?”
Harem chuckled as she stirred the cream sauce that she hadn’t taken her eyes off. “Nothing. You know I don’t allow tasting until it’s done.”
Though Londen sucked his teeth, he didn’t bother arguing with her. Harem had been that way since he was a kid. Sitting at the island, Londen looked around the kitchen. He remembered a simpler time in the ghetto, wishing they could have a home that was as big as this kitchen. My… how times had changed.
“You talked to Matthew?” he checked.
“Not today. Probably won’t call until the weekend.”
“He good though?”
“As good as he can be. You know he doesn’t have it as easy in there as you did.”
Londen’s eyes rolled toward the ceiling. He hated having these kinds of conversations with his mother. For whatever reason, she expected him to suffer while he was in prison just because his brother didn’t have as much freedom as he did. As far as Londen was concerned, he’d earned the lifestyle he lived while locked up and his brother hadn’t. It was Matthew’s choice to avoid making connections, and it was also Matthew’s choice to blow through all of his money and not invest. Granted, his family made sure he was straight, Matthew was a proud man. It was only so much that he would allow them to do.
“Where Pops at?” Londen asked, standing from his seat.
“Where he always is.” She chuckled. “In the attic with them old records.”
That got a genuine smile out of Londen. His father was just like him. They didn’t like large spaces. Out of their eight-thousand square foot home, Simpson spent the bulk of his time in the closet-sized attic listening to his vinyl records. Londen was grateful that Simpson finally had enough money to live such an easy life. He wished his father would leave the streets behind, but the addiction of that lifestyle was hard to shake.
Londen made his way upstairs and knocked before stepping into the small space. Simpson stood and the two embraced.
“Wassup, son?”
“Can’t call it. You good?”
“Yeah, I’m good. You gon’ be here long?”
“Long enough to eat and chill for a little minute. I’m meeting up with the Gabriels later.”
Simpson nodded and picked up his beer. “You want one?” he asked, pointing to the cooler that was next to his left leg. Londen extended his hand and accepted the beer his father offered. Before he could relax fully and take a swig, his father was saying, “I’m glad you’re here, because there’s something we need to talk about.”
Though Londen had an idea of what his father was about to say, he wanted to give Simpson the benefit of the doubt.
