I took a deep breath, pushing my untouched mimosa away. The truth was about to suck all the air out of this fancy brunch spot.
“It’s more than just being closed, Nori.” My voice cracked despite my best efforts. “Jupiter’s dead.”
Nori’s fork clattered against her plate. “What? How?”
“Bad coke. Someone sold her shit laced with fentanyl in my club.” I swallowed hard, the words burning my throat like acid. “Found her in the dressing room, blue lips, not breathing. By the time the ambulance came, she was gone.”
“Oh my God.” Nori’s hand shot across the table, grabbing mine. Her fingers were warm while mine felt like ice. “Queen, I’m so sorry.”
“That ain’t even the half of it.” I blinked back tears, refusing to break down in public.
“My mama was murdered two days ago. Someone broke into her place, shot her in the back of the head while she was sleeping.”
Nori’s eyes widened in shock. She immediately stood up, moved to my side of the booth, and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. Her familiar scent of Baccarat Rouge enveloped me as she pulled me close.
“Baby girl, why didn’t you call me right away? You shouldn’t be dealing with all this alone.”
I leaned into her, drawing strength from her presence. “I kicked ZaZa out too. After I found out she was the one stealing from me.”
“Jesus, Queen. That’s too much for anybody to handle at once.” She squeezed my shoulder. “How you holding up for real?”
The question hit me like a punch to the gut. How was I feeling? The truth was so twisted, so ugly, I wasn’t sure I could say it out loud.
“I don’t even know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Part of me is scared shitless. Whoever killed Mama might come for me or ZaZa next. But then…” I hesitated, shame crawling up my spine.
“Then what? You can tell me anything, you know that.”
“Then there’s this other part of me that feels… relieved.” The confession tasted bitter on my tongue. “Like this massive weight I been carrying my whole life is finally gone. She can’t call me at three in the morning needing bail money. Can’t show up manic, embarrassing me in front of my daughter. Can’t remind me of what she made me do…” I stopped myself before revealing too much, even to Nori.
“That don’t make you a bad person, Queen. It makes you human.” Nori’s voice was gentle but firm. “Your mama put you through hell. Having complicated feelings don’t mean you wanted her dead.”
I nodded, blinking back tears. “And now with Jupiter gone, the club shut down for the investigation… I’m just so damn tired of it all, Nori.” I sighed, letting the weight of everything finally sink in. “Sylk Road used to be my dream, my baby. But now? After everything that’s happened there? Jupiter dying there, the money problems, the constant drama? I’m done with it. For real this time.”
Nori’s eyebrows shot up. “What you saying, Queen?”
“I’m saying I’m ready to do something different with my life. Something that don’t involve watching people destroy themselves every night while I pour them drinks. Something that don’t have me looking over my shoulder wondering if whoever killed my mama is coming for me next.”
Nori stared at me for a long moment, her eyes calculating something. Then she leaned forward. “So sell it to me.”
I nearly choked on the sip of water I’d just taken. “What?”
“You heard me. Sell Sylk Road to me. I’ve been managing the account for years. I know the business inside out.” Her eyes were lit with excitement now. “I could take it over, rebrand it, make it something new.”
A laugh bubbled up from somewhere deep inside me, the first genuine one I’d had in weeks. “Sell it to you? Girl, I’ll give it to you.”
“Stop playing,” Nori said, but her voice had gone serious.
“I ain’t playing.” I met her eyes, letting her see I meant every word. “Take it. It’s yours. All that place has brought me lately is heartache and trouble. I’d rather see you do something good with it than watch it fall apart.”
Nori’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious right now? You would just… give me your club?”
“Dead serious.” I nodded slowly. “You been by my side through everything. There’s nobody I trust more.”
Nori’s eyes glistened with tears, but her face broke into a wide smile. She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “Damn, girl. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Say you’ll take it.”
“Hell yes, I’ll take it!” She laughed, then her expression turned mischievous. “So… does that fine-ass security guard come with the package? ’Cause Cannon’s muscles got muscles, and I wouldn’t mind having that view every night.”
