“Good. I’m looking for a man named Rich.”
The energy in the room changed immediately.
Marcellus’ expression twisted into a hard mask while the guards exchanged a quick look.
“What happened?” the dark-skinned one asked carefully.
“Lines got crossed,” I replied calmly. “At this point, war is inevitable.”
Silence engulfed the room for a second after that, but no one truly seemed surprised. If anything, they looked like they’d been expecting this conversation eventually.
The lighter-skinned bouncer rubbed his jaw before speaking. “Honestly? Everybody been waiting to hear from you and Booda. No one likes how that cat moves. He made plenty of enemies.”
Marcellus leaned back against the leather, his fingers steepled together as he studied me carefully. “Rich has been moving through the city like he owns it. Taking over territories, hitting dealers, and making too much noise. The streets are hot because of him and his people.”
“Where is he now?” I asked, keeping my voice steady even though my pulse was picking up.
“That’s the thing,” the dark-skinned bouncer said. “Nobody really knows, but word on the street is he’s been asking around about you.”
“He’s got people everywhere,” Marcellus continued. “Some of the old crew have joined his rank.”
“But the rest of us been waiting. We knew you and Booda would shake back,” the dark-skinned bouncer added.
“What’s your name?” I asked him.
“Kuttah.”
“And I’m DJ,” the light-skinned one said.
“Well, Kuttah and DJ, I’m about to hit that muthafucka hard, but I can’t do it by myself.”
DJ grinned. “You don’t have to. Like I said, everyone’s been waiting.”
My eyes lifted toward him. “How long would it take you to gather everybody?”
“A day.”
I nodded once. “You know where the warehouse is?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.” I adjusted the sleeve of my blazer. “Tell everybody to meet me there tomorrow at seven.”
Marcellus leaned forward. “What exactly do you need?”
My eyes moved between all three of them.
“Everything,” I answered. “I want to know where Rich sleeps, who he talks to, who he’s hiding behind, and who’s been helping him move his work.”
The room stayed silent while I continued.
“By the time y’all walk into that warehouse tomorrow, I expect to know everything about that nigga.” My voice stayed calm. “Down to the time and date he was born.”
CHAPTER 15
At seven PM sharp, the warehouse doors rolled open. Dim industrial lights hung overhead, casting long shadows across the concrete floor while men lined the walls in silence. Some sat on folding tables, cleaning guns. Others leaned against stacks of crates or stood around talking quietly amongst themselves.
The second my heel clicked against the concrete, every conversation inside the warehouse died. Heads turned immediately, and guarded eyes followed me as I walked through the entrance.
