10
PRIME
Zainab was in the kitchen when I came downstairs, phone pressed between her ear and shoulder, scribbling something on a notepad while she talked.
“Yes ma’am, I can definitely do three dozen for the baby shower. What flavors were you thinking?” She glanced up at me, smiled, and held up one finger. “Uh huh. Uh huh. And that’s for the 28th? Perfect. I’ll send over a quote this afternoon.”
Sweet Zin was taking off. Ever since the gala, her phone had been ringing nonstop. Word of mouth was a beautiful thing, especially in DC where everybody knew everybody, and a good recommendation spread like wildfire.
“Okay, thank you so much. I’ll be in touch.” She hung up and let out a breath, adding another line to her growing list of orders. “That’s the fourth call this morning. I might actually need to hire somebody.”
“Told you.” I walked over and kissed her forehead. “You’re about to be booked and busy.”
“From your lips to God’s ears.” She looked up at me, studying my face. “You okay? You seem tense.”
I was tense. Had been since my phone buzzed last night and I saw Serenity’s name on the screen. A group text to me, Quest,and Justice:Family meeting tomorrow. Banks Reserve offices. 10 AM. Be there.
Serenity calling a meeting was unusual. Serenity calling a meeting after weeks of barely speaking to us was alarming.
“I’m good,” I said. “Gotta handle some family business this morning. Drop Yusef off at school first, then head to the offices.”
“Everything okay?”
“We’ll see.” I grabbed my keys from the counter. “I’ll be back this afternoon. You need anything before I go?”
She shook her head, but I could see the worry in her eyes. She knew me well enough by now to know when something was off.
“Just be careful,” she said.
“Always.”
I kissed her one more time—longer this time, deeper—then headed upstairs to get Yusef.
Banks Reserve occupiedthe top three floors of a sleek glass tower in downtown DC.
Quest had picked the location himself when he took over as CEO years after our father died. Said he wanted something that represented the future of the company—modern, sophisticated, a far cry from the smoky back rooms where Alexander Banks had built his empire.
The lobby was all marble and chrome, with a massive wall displaying bottles of our premium spirits behind museum-quality glass. Banks Reserve Cognac. Banks Reserve Whiskey. Banks Reserve Vodka. Every bottle a work of art, every label dripping with the legacy our father had built and our generation had expanded.
I noddedat the security guard—Tony, been with the company for fifteen years—and headed for the private elevator that went directly to the executive floor.
Quest and Justice were already in the conference room when I walked in.
Quest was at the head of the table, looking every bit the CEO in his tailored suit and fresh lineup. He’d inherited our father’s business mind and our mother’s ruthlessness—a combination that made him dangerous in the boardroom and deadly outside of it. At thirty-eight, he’d grown Banks Reserve from a regional spirit brand to an international powerhouse, with the casino project about to take us even higher.
Justice sat to his right, more casual in slacks and a button-down, his gold watch catching the light every time he moved. He was the CFO—the numbers guy, the one who made sure every dollar was accounted for and every deal was airtight. Also the family man, with his daughters Storie and Dream, the only one of us who’d managed to build something stable outside of business.
“About time,” Quest said as I took a seat across from Justice. “Serenity’s not here yet?”
“She called the meeting,” I said. “She’ll show.”
“You talked to her recently?” Justice asked.
“Nah. She’s been ghost since…” I didn’t need to finish the sentence. We all knew what since meant. Since we cut off her husband’s finger for cheating on her with her best friend.
“She’s been avoiding all of us,” Quest said, jaw tight. “Won’t return calls. Won’t come to Sunday dinner. Grandma’s worried sick.”
“Can you blame her?” Justice leaned back in his chair. “Y’all handled that whole Julius situation without even telling her. Took her choice away.”
