“For your standard C4, I can offer you a rate of five hundred dollars per kilogram,” I stated matter-of-factly. “But if you’re looking for something with a little more kick—say, RDX or TNT, you’re looking at a higher price point. RDX will run you about eight hundred dollars per kilogram, while TNT is a bit pricier at one thousand dollars per kilogram.” I paused, letting the numbers sink in before continuing. “Again, if you’re interested in bulk orders, we can negotiate a discount. And if you have any special requests or specific preferences, we can accommodate those too—for the right price, of course.”
Felipe and Pablo exchanged a glance, silently conferring before turning back to me with a nod of approval. “Those prices sound reasonable,” Pablo conceded.
“Excellent,” I replied. “I’ll need half upfront, with the remaining balance due upon delivery. Cash only, no exceptions.”
“Deal.” Pablo grunted, extending his hand across the table.
I clasped it firmly, sealing our agreement with a handshake.
After quickly hammering out the details of the delivery, Taye and I stood to make our exit.
Before leaving, I fixed a firm glare on both men. “Gentlemen, let’s get one thing straight: I’m in the business of arms dealing, not gangs. Idon’t pick sides, and I won’t be swayed by loyalty or allegiance.” Their eyes narrowed slightly, but they remained silent, waiting for me to continue. “If you want to do business with me, understand that I do business with whoeverIsee fit. The only color that I see is green.”
There was a moment of tense silence as they processed my words. I could see the defiance flicker in their eyes, but ultimately, they nodded in reluctant agreement.
“No innocent bystanders,” I told them. “I don’t deal in weapons for the slaughter of innocents or children. I refuse to have my name stained with their blood.”
Many arms dealers didn’t have the moral convictions that I did. But having grown up in the hood, I had seen far too many innocent people, especially children, die by the hands of careless criminals. This was the specific reason why I never sold weapons to the young gangs in my old hood that had no rules or morals. I couldn’t control how the weapons that I sold were used, but my clients knew that if they were tied to any murders of the innocent or youth, they would no longer have my services and would pay hefty consequences.
“Understood,” Pablo forced through tight lips.
I locked a steely glare on them. “I’ll be in touch when the delivery is locked in. Good day, gentlemen.”
Taye’s and my heavy footsteps echoed through the warehouse as we neared the imposing metal door. The hulking figure, drenched in sweat, who had granted us entry swung the door open, releasing us back into the warm night.
As we approached my truck, Taye waited until we heard the metal close behind us before asking, “You think they’ll play by the rules?”
“I am the only respected and reliable arms dealer on this side of the country. To get my quality and my prices, they will have to travel west or even out of the country, so they have no choice butto play by my rules. They don’t have a choice if they want to be able to fight their war.”
Hour later, I sat at the bar at Enchant, scrolling through Aviana’s Instagram like some kind of stalker, as if I hadn’t seen these same pictures countless times already.
Every time I tried to pull my eyes away, my thumb just kept swiping, moving to the next picture. I relished in the way her eyes shined in that way that always got to me. Then there was a shot of her in that red lace dress, looking innocent, as if she had no clue how fine she was. The more I stared, the more I felt like I was losing it.
I knew I had to get it together. Aviana was married. She wasn’t mine anymore, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the way her touch lingered when she showed me that condo the other day. But she had her life, her husband, and I had whatever I had with Lelani.
I was deep in my thoughts when I heard someone call my name. Before I could even react, I saw Lelani standing over me, and I hurriedly closed the app.
“What you doin’ here?” I asked, trying to play it cool as she walked up.
Lelani slid onto the barstool next to me with an unreadable expression. “Dinner ended early. I wasn’t ready to go home yet, so I had my mom drop me off.”
I leaned in and kissed her quickly. As she sat, I was already putting my phone back in my pocket, pushing the thoughts of Aviana out of my mind. I tried to focus on Lelani—on being here in the moment with her. But that lingering feeling of Aviana’s touch, the way she looked at me the day before, stayed with me, no matter how much I tried to shake it.
As the clock crept past midnight, I perched on the second-floor balcony of Enchant.
Enchant had become more than just a nightclub; it was a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from the mundane and the ordinary. My reputation allowed everyone to party peacefully in this domain. At Enchant, rivals partied alongside one another without fear of violence.
At thirty years old, it was starting to feel like I was living on borrowed time in the criminal world. It had started to feel as if it was time to put my intelligence into a new hustle that would be as lucrative but less dangerous, so I had invested in Enchant. Its success was birthing a new venture for me. I was hoping that soon, I could transition from a notorious arms dealer to a successful club/restaurant owner with nightlife locations all over the city.
I stood above it all, watching the scene below with that same satisfaction I always got when I looked out over Enchant. This place had become the spot, a real force in the nightlife game. The bass pounded through the floors, shaking the walls like the whole building was alive. The deejay had the crowd in a zone, locked into the beats, swaying and grinding.
The dance floor was packed. Bodies were moving in sync. Laughter, whispers, and the music blended into one. Some people were straight wildin’, standing on couches with their hands in the air like they were trying to touch the ceiling.
Lelani was still at the bar, hanging out with the bartenders she’d gotten tight with since we got together. Bottle girls were zigzagging through the crowd, holding trays full of bottles, heading to VIP.
The whole place was flowing like a well-oiled machine, and as I watched over my kingdom from above, I felt a swell of pride at what I had built.
My attention was soon drawn to a figure moving with purpose through the tight crowd. Mia’s determined stride set her apart from the sea of partygoers. Her attire made her even more noticeable. Unlike the other women who flaunted their beauty and body in revealing outfits, Mia was in leggings, a baggy t-shirt, and gym shoes. Her unkempt hair added to her distinctive appearance.
