SINCERE BELLAMY
Kai was already at the bar when I walked into the upscale lounge downtown. A bartender in a fitted black vest stood in front of Kai, pouring a drink that cost way more than it should.
Now that Christmas and New Year’s were over, it was time to get back to business.
The holidays had been different this year. I had spent Christmas and New Year’s with Rhythm. With Mothers of the Block right around the corner, Rhythm had been focused on creating the strongest pieces she’d ever produced. But somehow, I still managed to pull her away from the canvas long enough to celebrate the holidays with me. Things had been going so smooth with us that I had been reluctantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. But it never did. If anything, she got doper the more I learned her. She was only becoming more beautiful, more real, and more intense as time went on.
But I had been forced to crawl from under her and get back to business. Jamir had done his homework. Kai was being funded by The Crown, a Dominican crew known for moving messy. Theywere also known for washing money through construction and real estate when they could get a foot in the door.
“Kai,” I greeted as I approached him.
“Sincere,” he replied.
I took the seat beside him and the bartender silently signaled if I needed anything. I shook my head. I hadn’t planned on staying long. Mothers of the Block was finally happening tonight, and I wanted to get to Voss early to make sure everything was exactly how it needed to be for Rhythm.
“I hear you’ve been busy.”
Kai smirked. “I’ve been busy doing my job, just like everyone else.”
I angled my brow dramatically. “Your job? Or someone else’s?”
He reacted with a superb poker face.
I leaned back slightly. “It’s interesting how much attention you’re giving this project.”
“I’m just trying to protect the community, Brotha.”
I let him sip his drink before I said it. “All this ‘for the people’ talk is a front. You’re not fighting for the community. You’re dancing for whoever’s filling your pockets.”
Kai didn’t look at me, focusing on his glass. “Excuse me?”
“The Crown,” I said calmly. “They’re backing you.”
That got his attention. He set his glass down slowly, measuring me. “You’re reaching.”
I grinned cockily. “I don’t reach. They want something, and they’re telling you to stall the project until we give it to them.”
Kai’s response was uncomfortable silence that looked a little scared too.
He exhaled through his nose. “Let’s not pretend your people are clean either.” Then he held my gaze.
We both knew what that meant.
Finally, he dropped the act. “Fine. Yes, the Crown is involved. But don’t act self-righteous. You and I both know neither of us are moving independently. So I trust you won’t expose me. That wouldn’t end well for either of us.”
“What do they want?”
“Thirty percent ownership.” I laughed so loud that I got the attention of other businessmen around me who were talking money and deals.
“When the building sells units, they get paid.”
I laughed harder.
“When rent comes in, they get paid. When the value goes up, they get paid.”
“And if we don’t?” I asked, still cracking up.
Kai didn’t find my laughter humorous at all. In fact, it was pissing him the fuck off. “If you don’t play ball, we’ll slow everything down. We’ll drag the permits out. We’ll make the city come back and inspect every little thing. And we’ll start whispering to the feds about where your money came from. You know how fast gossip turns into a real investigation.”
