“What? I’m just speaking facts, baby.”
Her cheeks warmed up, but she tried to play it cool and turned toward the elevator, muttering, “Come on. We’ve got business to handle.”
I trailed behind her, slow, eyeing the way her ass moved with each step. That little switch in her hips was purposeful and confident. “Damn,” I muttered under my breath. “That walk is gonna be the death of me.”
She looked over her shoulder. “Eyes on the prize, sir.”
“Yeah, they are,” I grinned as we stepped into the elevator. She bit back a smile, shaking her head.
Later on, at the ribbon cutting, the applause hit before the scissors even big ass touched the ribbon. Reporters lined the barricades in droves, cameras flashing like we were celebrities. Suits and city officials clapped from behind the press line.
The entire Northside of Havencrest had shown up. In the crowd were residents, business owners, the media, and even a few clean-faced politicians who used to turn their noses up at me. Now they smiled in my direction like they’d been rockingwith me from the jump. Funny how fast power flipped a narrative.
I stood at the podium, in a black peacoat, crisp button-down shirt, tailored slacks, AP on my wrist, braids pulled back. Crook, Pointer, and Swank were all standing behind me dressed like the fucking Secret Service. Meanwhile, to the left of me, stood Princess, calm and flawlessly fucking beautiful.
The Northside was different now.
This gated community was cleaner than a bitch, structured, and functional. Affordable housing blended with luxury. Kids had a rec center, pools, a playground, a fitness hub, and a basketball court. Families had safety. I had ownership. Every nail, every wall, and every streetlight had my name attached to it.
Pointer leaned toward me. “I think they ready for you, bro.”
I adjusted the mic and cleared my throat.
“I appreciate everybody for showing up today,” I started, voice steady. “This has been a long time coming. What you’re looking at behind me isn’t just buildings. It’s opportunity. It’s change.”
Applause erupted as cameras flashed. I paused for effect, letting the crowd lean in a little.
“I wanna take a moment to acknowledge the loss of Councilman Lancaster. This was something he and I…” I cleared my throat like I needed a second. “…were supposed to work on together. It’s unfortunate he isn’t here to see it through.”
Cameras flashed again, and some folks nodded, faces drawn in sympathy that matched the facade of mine.
“He believed in this project and believed in bringing real change to inner city neighborhoods that have been overlooked for so long. So… we push forward in honor of that vision and in service of the people.”
Applause erupted again, and I let these muthafuckas think I really meant all that sentimental shit about Don. The real ones knew the truth. I glanced beside me as I reached for Princess’s hand before I continued.
“Together, we can do anything. I put my people first and I protect what’s mine.”
One lady from Channel 15 news raised her mic. “Mr. Richards, before the loss of Councilman Lancaster, you all were discussing other developments as well, correct? Can we expect more projects under your leadership?”
I smirked. “Absolutely. With an architect as smart and beautiful as my woman, you can expect a lot more from us and my team.”
Princess stepped in closer. Together, we cut the ribbon and the crowd cheered like we just dropped the winning play at the Super Bowl. My niggas dapped me up. A second later, I felt Princess lean in and whisper against my neck, “You did it.”
I pulled her in for a quick kiss on the lips that was respectable for the cameras, but just enough to let the city know who the fuck was next to me. “Nah, baby.Wedid it, baby.”
After handshakes and photo ops, the crowd started to move behind us as we offered a full tour of the gated community. Once it was over, my niggas, Princess, and I walked back toward the damn near vacant parking lot. They went their separate ways to handle business while we climbed into the back of the Rolls.
“Today was a good day,” she murmured, reaching for the champagne in the minibar. She poured some into two glasses and passed me one.
We clinked glasses. “It was,” I replied, gulping it down. “You ready to eat? We got reservations at that French spot you like.”
“Well, qui qui,” she smiled, sipping her champagne before taking my glass.
I chuckled, reaching into my peacoat for the blunt I couldn’t wait to smoke. After sparking it up, I took a deep pull, held it, and exhaled slowly. Princess kicked off her shoes, curledinto me, and I held onto her. Locking eyes with Belvin in the rearview, he slowly smirked, and I nodded once.
Say what you want. It is what it is. I wasn’t ashamed to say I was gone off the preacher’s daughter. No woman could say that they had me like Princess did and I was cool with that. She didn’t just change the way I move, she made me look in the mirror and own every part of me. The good, the bad, and the fucked up.
I’d built empires off fear and leverage, but loving Princess took intention, restraint, and growth I never thought to tap into. And I’d keep choosing her day after fucking day.
