“I know.” I smirked.
“He also moved his mom, and the little bit of family that he has away. They are off the grid completely. You know Dre and his men can locate them in the next couple of hours so that’s not a problem.” Tone added.
“Smart man.” I gave Tone my full attention as Dre pecked away at his phone.
“So, what’s the actual problem?” I asked ready to shift all my focus back on Mira.
“He’s been sitting low while his men sit high, they’ve become more aggressive with orders from Smack. He’s found a new connect?—”
“What’s the new connect information?” I gritted out.
“I-I’m working on that.” Dre stuttered out of nervousness.
“The south and north Kingpin’s called for a meeting with you. I did a little digging, and they’ve already had a side meeting with Smack.” Dre added.
“That meeting is canceled; I’ve already conversed with them. Dre just wants to get it all out and make sure he leaves out no detail while relaying the message to you. They don’t won’t war from you, Grand.” Tone said, clearing his throat.
“Then there’s no problem. I’ll get ready now.” I stood to my feet ready to go after Smack. It was time for me to put him out of his misery.
Tone’s lips pressed together, a hint of conflict flickered across his steady gaze. He set his phone down on the bench, exhaling as if weighing each word then stood.
“The problem is, even with Smack laying low and his men being more aggressive, things start to feel unsettled. You know how the city moves, no matter if it’s the east, west, south, or north…. Even if one side gets active, another starts talking. Things have been peaceful since the last war, you stamped your name in blood…The other kingpin’s want no problems, but that doesn’t mean that new possibilities have not crossed their minds...”
I leaned back, letting his words settle between us. It was always like this: one problem dissolved, another surfaced. Tone talking on my behalf wouldn’t be good enough to step on any second’s thoughts, I understood that as soon as he said it. Either way it went, I needed to gear up and leave so my presence could be felt.
“Dre,” I looked down at him as he typed away at his phone. He stopped typing and looked up at me.
“Your still on your ass, get me everything I need…you have an hour?—"
“But-” Tone sighed taking a step forward. Dre didn’t stop for Tone’s but, he already knew how imperative it was for him and my men to get the information that I needed right away. “You—Mira, swimming, this new rhythm…you’re changing, even if you don’t see it yet… And I know it’s too soon but today shows a change. Maybe that’s the real shift that we all keep feeling. Just keep your head above water bro. I’ll watch your back and keep my ears to the ground. Just promise me you’ll try to let yourself be happy, at least for today.” Tone looked me right in the eyes.
“I would love to remain happy, but there’s a board to control.”
Tone stepped closer, his voice low but steady. “Listen, Grand… you’ve carried this city on your back longer than anyone should. You’ve bled for these streets, paid dues nobody else can count. Don’t you think you’ve earned a day, just one where youlet the world spin on its own? Mira… she’s good for you, man. She’s not just a distraction; she’s a reminder that you’re more than the mess out there. Your more than playing the hood’s Robin hood,” he chuckled.
Silence pressed between us as I replayed his words in my head then said them aloud.
“The hood’s Robin Hood?” I lifted my brows.
Seconds later we both shared a contagious laugh together.
“Hell yeah, Staress said that shit to me the other night while we were lying in bed together. You always at the top of Grand Corp doing your batman villain brooding shit.” Tone said.
I smirked but didn’t say anything as Tone lit his blunt.
“Yeah, the hood’s Robin Hood.” He chuckled exhaling his blunt.
I raised an eyebrow.
“I mean it…you out here feeding people, giving them jobs that pay more than the average. You save addicts, build programs that help out the poor. You’re keeping kids out the same trap we were raised in. But then in the same breath, you’ll put a bullet between a man’s eyes if he crosses you.”
“That’s balance.” I shrugged.
“That’s what I’m saying…you always toe that line. You build, destroy, rescue, and even ruin… but I gotta say Kenric…sometimes I really see you.” He eyed me seriously.
I looked at him sideways confused by his last set of words.
“You always see me?” I pressed.
