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“Understood but we’re here now to make sure we get a handle on things. It serves no purpose for us to argue over the past. We can neither change that or justify the consequences. Let’s focus on what needs to happen moving forward.”
“It’s bigger than just Crescent Falls,” James cut in. “If you don’t guarantee majority constituents then he doesn’t win the election. With the discourse of your families the votes all over the state will be split down the middle. Preston County has flipped because the corners are overflooded with dealers. Fryer County will only vote for a candidate that supports a governor who will ensure they get the factory that’s been promised. That means cleaning up the areas around the land promised to the companies, financially backing the construction.”
“So you’re flooding the smaller counties now?” Ez glared at Christian who shrugged. “It’s been packaged there for distribution. Not put out on the streets. The labor required also creates jobs. They can either work at my warehouses or kick in doors, robbing and stealing. It’s not a perfect solution but it’s a viable one.”
“So is training and providing legal jobs,” Ez murmured.
“Are we really going to waste our time on that argument? You know as well as I do that opportunity doesn’t guarantee commitment from the communities it’s meant to serve. Some people choose their paths regardless of what’s available to them. They don’t want to join a blue collar workforce. I allow a controlled environment for those that choose the streets over traveling a path of the straight and narrow. Let’s not forget it’s about balance. I could easily place a gun in their hands and tell them to go wild. I keep their pockets full and keep them out of our already overcrowded jails.”
He had a point but that was Ez’s soft spot. He understood when there was need, there would always be demand. That wasn’t our call to make. Our role was to ensure balance. “You do business the way you see fit as do we. We’re getting off track. We’re here to ensure that there is now an understanding about what needs to happen in order to gethimelected.” I pointed to Fisher who nodded his approval. I could read him well. He was the perfect candidate for governor. He had that clean cut image with street knowledge and edge. Fisher would be embraced in both worlds. Flexibility and understanding was what got votes. Appealing to the masses not one group or another was how to get support.
“Agreed.” Ez shot me a look paired with that smug ass grin. Already knew what he was thinking. This was where I needed to be, in the middle of things. Hands on. I didn’t want this shit. “Moving forward, no more private meetings. When decisions are made, they’re made by both families.” Ez narrowed his stare allowing his eyes to pass between Reid and James.
“I have no issue with that.” Reid shrugged
“Neither do I as long as we have an understanding about the promises made,” James added.
“I’m a man of my word as are the Omaris. You do your part, and we’ll do ours.” Christian’s cocky demeanor surfaced a little.
“So where do we start? We need to get our people in place to ensure we get the votes required for Fisher to step up when James’s term expires.”
“You and I need to agree on what concessions will be made. We’re both going to have to settle on our priorities for certain areas to make sure we both get what we need.” Reid, Fisher, and James all nodded at Ez. “Once Christian and I settle on our priorities for each of the prospective zones, we’ll pass that down so the rest of you can do what’s necessary.”
“Yeah because I need your officers to stop fucking with my people.” Christian glared at Reid.
“And I need your dealers to understand their zones so that my sponsors for the community centers feel comfortable writing checks.”
“You do realize that my dealers are the ones who keep order in these communities. It’s a balance of power, Omari. You think those families who live in those less fortunate areas give a damn about his officers telling them to stay in line? They don’t. Those dealers are their leaders, their hero. Without them there is no order.”
“I agree but your dealers when given too much power overstep and things get chaotic. We all want the mutual investment. Now that we’re back on the same page, let’s make sure we’re doing the work,together.” Ez stood and so did Christian.
“We’ll if we’re done here, I’m going to head out,” Reid stated, sending acknowledgement to all of us.
“Yeah, we’re gonna head out too.” James and Fisher were on their feet. They all shook hands with Ez and Christian, tentatively glancing at me. Nobody really fucked with me but that was understandable. I had a reputation. They didn’t know how to gauge me and decided it was best not to engage me at all when they didn’t have to. That worked best for me as well.
Once it was down to just me, Ez, and Christian I stood, ready to head out. I had no idea if they were staying, but I hadn’t planned it.
“Feels good to be back where we should be,” Christian stated with a cocky grin aimed at Ez.
“I won’t deny that. Shit flows better when we work together.”
“It does. It had to happen eventually. I just hope it continues to work the way it should.” Christian had eyes on me and I chuckled.
“Is that arrogance disguised as concern?”
“That’s me reminding you yet again that as much as I appreciate our families finding a common ground, my sister is still the priority. None of this shit matters if it means she gets hurt.”
I walked up on Christian, looking him right in the eyes. “I’ve given you my word. You either accept that or you don’t but regardless, what’s been me and your sister is our business. You need to understand that you and no one else will tell me how to handle my wife or anything concerning her.”
“Elias…” Ez warned but not because he was concerned about me. He knew that pushing too hard wouldn’t be beneficial to Christian. Christian simply smiled in confirmation.
“You gave me your word. I trust you to do what’s best for my sister but please understand. If I didn’t, there wouldn’t be a damn thing you could do to get in the way of me doing what was best for her.”
He extended a hand. I glanced down, smirked, and accepted it. We shook. I respected Christian and he respected me. That was enough.
“I’ll send over my zone priorities tomorrow.”
“You’ll have mine too.”
