“How the hell you become an Atkins if yo’ sister was the one that married one?”
“She paid for my name change so that you wouldn’t question my role in your life. There’s so many secrets floating through the Atkins bloodline, it don’t make no sense. Come to think of it, I’m glad I never visited Sage Springs. They’ve altered that city to cater to them, and I want no parts. My sister is no longer a partof it so there’s really no use in leaving Florida at all now,” she confessed.
Seems to me like Rose was the brains of the family. Sending my mama away because of the shenanigans back in her hometown was nothing but a mother’s love. Keeping everything my mother left for me in her care and handing it over afterward was love. There was a catch to this shit though, I knew it. I was thirty-one years old and ain’t nobody told me shit.
“You never answered my question on who Royce is. Why Rose ain’t been down here to give me what my mama left me? Who these people Ma?” She thought I ain’t notice but just because she gave me a lil’ backstory I was gon’ let my initial question go.
“Royce Sr, is the reason you’re here baby boy. He’s also Rose’s oldest child. Rhema developed a love hate relationship for him, but their relationship isn’t for me to speak on. Like I said, you’ll have to ask your uncle about this. Sage Springs is hell on earth, and I’ll die on that hill. You’re successful and that lil’ $10,000,000 is chump change to you. I’m not telling you not to claim it because it is Rhema’s gift to you. I am saying, get it if you want it, and come home!”
Tears filled her eyes, and I could tell she was scared of losing me. She ain’t have nothing to worry ‘bout though. I was gon’ get what was mine and bring my ass back to the orange state. I trusted her words more than anyone else’s. She was the only person I could love unconditionally and vice versa. I knew where home was and it damn sure wasn’t in no bullshit ass Sage Springs.
“Oh, that’s without a doubt. If I can get this Yonnis nigga to come to me, then that’ll be even better. Fuck all this though. I done made my mama wait long enough. You ready to go see her?”
Nodding, she stood and left without a second thought. I eyed the pile if letters on the table and felt something shift in me. That demon a nigga harbored was awakening and I had no idea as to why. From the way Daisy spoke on the family, I just knew I was ‘bout to catch a body or two before walking away. Hell, anybody that had beef with my mama or daddy had beef with me. Seemed to me like Royce Sr. was that one.
Walking into the warehouse, the many niggas that lined the walls, as well as the stairs all waited for my arrival. It was that time of the month for niggas to check the fuck in and pay what they owed. I had over a two hundred niggas waiting for a bonus. When it came to feeding families, I was feeding plenty. My empire made it possible.
My path was cleared as I walked deeper into the grand space. The women that were working the tables stopped working and cleared the room. It was time to talk business, and their presence wasn’t needed. They entered the backroom that was set up specifically for them.
I didn’t stop moving until I was upstairs standing at the banister. I had eyes on everyone in the room. Each zone stood separated so when the funds and shit got collected, I’d know who to blame. As usual, Kong stepped up and started regulating shit.
“Y’all know how this shit go. Shut the fuck up and listen!” he yelled.
When the room went quiet, I knew I had their undivided attention. Everyone was in attendance, even fuck ass Enzo. Locking eyes with him, my head fell to the side while a sly grin graced my lips. He was relentless now that he’d been replaced. It was obvious he had words for me.
“You lost?” I questioned. I didn’t give a fuck ‘bout embarrassing a nigga. I’d already beat his shit in at Sin, but clearly that wasn’t enough.
“I need to holla at you Bentley,” he said loud and clear.
“Again?” I pulled my gun from my waist gripping it tightly.
“Yeah, again.” He wasn’t backing down. He was standing tall with his head held high and that was the most heart I’d saw in this nigga in a long time.
Cocking my shit, I said, “Come holla at me then.” I had no problem dropping his ass where he stood.
Kong gave the crowd his back to speak to me. “Not right now Bent. It’s way too many eyes, and we don’t know what these niggas will do or say for real.”
He was the levelheaded one, yet everybody feared him because he was with the shits. Lil’ did they know, it was me that had to be talked down all the damn time. He saved a lot of niggas in this room, and they didn’t have a clue about it. One day they’d thank him.
“Fuck you, nigga,” I said through gritted teeth.
“I’m married, but I might give you a go in another life. You kinda cute,” he jested causing me to chuckle and loosen up a lil’ bit.
“I done told you ‘bout that gay shit. Handle him while I talk to these niggas right quick. I’ll be in the office in a minute, and Kong, I ain’t handling yo’ job nigga.” All the crew needed to know was who the head nigga in charge was and that was it. Conversation flowed through Kong, not me.
“Nigga it’s yo’ empire. You can say a lil’ somethin’, somethin’ some damn time,” he threw back.
“You heard what the fuck I said.”
Kong shook his head and met Enzo at the top of the steps. He pushed Enzo toward the offices before he could rattle off two words to me. Once he was secured and out the way, I addressedthe crew. I wasn’t up for games today either, so I was straight to the point with everything I said.
“Who ain’t checked in yet?” I inquired.
Manny who was now over Zone Four raised his hand. I expected nothing less. It was good to see he knew the rules. That bread and product had to be approved first. It was too much being given and too much taken.
“We was waiting on you or Kong, boss,” he answered.
Nodding, I gestured for them to enter check in and each one of his zone members hoisted a backpack. From the thirty muthafuckas heading inside, I was sure the count was anywhere between a quarter and half a mill. The thought of the bread flowing through the money counters lowkey made my dick hard.
