Chapter 1

One

Mercury

Back in Memphis

A few weeks earlier…

Nothing mademe prouder than watching my son, Marz, hesitantly walk over to the little girl he had a crush on with flowers and candy in his hand. It was Valentine's Day, and he wanted to show Kiana that he liked her. When the five-year-old came to me and asked me for money to buy his girl something for Valentine's Day, I was amused. I didn't even know he was aware of doing that kind of gesture, but seeing as his mother was a hopeless romantic, I shouldn't have been surprised.

Aries told me she noticed Marz talking to Kiana every day after school, and he'd always have a smile on his face when he got in the car. Apparently, they'd been craft buddies this month, so they were working together closely on a few drawing and painting projects. I thought it was cute and was more than willing to train him young to ensure he'd be a gentleman when he grew up.

To be sure it was okay, I told Aries to reach out to the little girl's mom. After she approved of Marz getting her something for the holiday, I took my little man to the store and set him up. He made her his own love note, and the shit was so cute I took pictures of it and sent it to all my homies last night. There was truly nothing that made me happier or filled me with more pride than my son.

Both Aries and I recorded Marz on our phones as he walked over to Kiana. When she noticed him coming in her direction, she smiled. Her mouth hung open, and she clapped at the sight of everything he had for her. She took the items hesitantly and thanked him before giving him a tight hug.

"Aww, they are too cute," Aries cooed, fanning her watery eyes so her tears wouldn't fall.

Chuckling, I ended the recording on my phone.

"We doin' good with him, huh?"

"For sure," she replied, wrapping her arm around me and resting her head on my shoulder as we watched them talk for a while before they locked hands and walked into their school. "That was just too cute. I'm glad I came up here to watch."

"Same." I agreed as she released me. "What you about to get into now?"

"I'll probably go home and get a little cleaning done. I'm not sure what Omar has planned for tonight, but I want to make sure I don't have anything to do but get Marz settled before we do our thing."

If it was for any other thing, I'd offer to make sure my little man was straight so she could go out and enjoy herself. Since I didn't like her nigga, I kept my mouth shut as we walked to our separate cars. Whether I had plans or not, I'd make sure I was gone so she would either have to stay home with Marz or make that nigga come to her.

I loved Aries because she gave me my first son. People often thought we were on some sneaky link shit. I had too much respect for her to play with her emotions and make her believe there was more between us than there was. For the sake of our child, I needed to make sure Aries and I forever remained on the same page, and since my son was a year old, that page had been one of platonic friendship.

As great as Aries and I coparented, our romantic relationship wasn't as peaceful… which was why we broke up. I believed we simply didn't have enough in common to sustain a fun relationship. She was cool, though, and I was grateful we got along as well as we did. I allowed her to live in the mother-in-law suite on my land, rent free, to make sure she was straight and my son was close.

Aries didn't work, so I made sure she had enough money to take care of her other bills and still enjoy herself. A part of me hated how serious things were between her and Omar without her demanding more support from him, but she accepted a bullshit excuse about him not doing anything for her financially because they weren't married.

I didn't need another nigga thinking my little man was his responsibility, so I took great pride in providing for him and Aries, but that was the biggest reason Omar would never have my respect.

"What are you getting into tonight?" Aries asked as I opened the door of her Tesla. "Or should I ask who are you getting into tonight?"

That made me smile. I could admit I had a healthy sex life. Aries may have been the last woman I was in a serious relationship with, but I rotated the women I dated and had sex with regularly. Being honest though, that shit was getting kind of played out. I was tired of getting to know women and learning them. There were times I wanted one woman to know, trust, and come home to, but I didn't see that happening for me any time soon—if ever.

"I have no idea, but I know I'm getting into something."

"Yeah, I bet." She chuckled as she buckled her seat belt.

"I'm about to run some errands. Let me know when you get home."

"Okay, be safe."

With a nod, I closed her door and headed to my car. I had three. Marz wanted me to take him to school in my black Camaro because it matched his outfit. That boy was something else.

Once I was settled in the car, I checked the notifications on my phone. A smile spread my lips at the sight of Asylum's text, letting me know he was going to be a father by blood for the first time. He was on a weeklong vacation with his woman, Dauterive, and I couldn't be happier for my best friend. Out of my crew, Asylum was the one we least expected to be in a new relationship with a baby on the way… seeing as just last year he was married to someone else.

That whole situation was a trip, but I was just glad he was finally with the love of his life and still able to maintain his father daughter relationship with his stepdaughter, True. After sending him my congratulations and letting him know we'd have to celebrate when they got back, I headed out of the parking lot to run my errands for the day. I turned up the Yo Gotti that was playing and cruised the streets with peace in my soul and love in my heart… even if I didn't have a woman to give it to. My life in all other areas was good, and I was grateful to God for that.

With a frustrated sigh,I rolled off Victoria. Even with the Hennessy in my system, I couldn't keep my dick hard. I kept telling myself getting it wet would keep it up, but I couldn't force myself to enter her soaking pussy. There was nothing wrong with Victoria. She was beautiful, thick, and down for whatever. It was me.

I was tired of fucking on one woman after another. The pleasure, fun, and victory of a conquest was getting played out. My mind told me because it was Valentine's Day, I deserved to end my day in some pussy, but my heart wanted something… someone… different.

Running my hand down my face, I looked down at Victoria. It was clear she was frustrated as she sat up, but she remained silent.

"Look… I'm just not feelin' this shit," I told her honestly, looking around the hotel room I'd brought her to, because I never took a woman where I laid my head and raised my son.

"Why not? Do you need me to suck you off a little longer?"

My head shook as she rubbed my back, and even her touch was annoying me.

"Nah. I think I'm just going to call it a night." Standing, I ignored the chuckle she released. "You can stay here until morning if you want."

"You're serious?" Victoria asked, watching me slip into my pants. Since that was clear by my actions, I didn't bother answering with my words. "What the hell am I supposed to do for the rest of the night, Merc?"

"I don't care. Go somewhere. Have someone else come up here. Whatever you do, it just won't be with me."

With a pout, she crossed her arms over her chest and grumbled under her breath. I did feel kind of bad for leaving her without this dick, but I didn't feel bad enough to force myself to do something I genuinely didn't want to do. Pulling out all the cash in my wallet, I set it on the nightstand and gave her a kiss on the temple. Since I hadn't gotten her anything for Valentine's Day, I told her to treat herself with the money and have a good night. Lord knows I was going to—in front of my TV with a drink… enjoying my own damn company.

My peaceful nightof solitude was interrupted by Aries barging into my home. We had boundaries that allowed us to be respectful and considerate of each other since she lived behind me, so I could tell she was excited about something as she rushed into my home theater without bothering to knock or call me first. I let it slide since I wasn't entertaining anyone. Taking a swig of my beer, I kept my eyes trained on her as she skipped into the room.

"Merc!" she yelled before squealing and covering her mouth with her hands.

I took pride in being observant, so it didn't take me long to notice the ring on her left hand… her left ring finger. Scoffing, I shook my head as she came toward me.

"Omar proposed! I'm getting married!"

She stretched her arm out so far it almost hit me in my face. Chuckling, I took her wrist and lowered her hand to inspect the ring. It looked cheap as fuck, but I knew not everyone was able to spoil their woman and provide financially the way I could. Being an enforcer, for the clients I took on, was a seven-figure business. I didn't just provide security and protection; I was a hitta too. For Asylum, I was the head of his security, and I used to be a freelance musician as well. Money was something I'd never have to worry about… and neither would my son.

It was instilled in me if a man couldn't provide for his wife, he wasn't ready to be a husband yet. Still, I wouldn't speak on the cheap ring. There was an issue more pressing that needed to be addressed anyway.

Releasing her wrist, I told her, "I'on know how I feel about him being your husband."

Scoffing, she rested her hands on her waist. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't like Omar. I've only tolerated him because you seemed to like him. But he ain't good enough to be my little man's stepfather, so you need to give that mane his ring back."

For a while, she just stared at me. Done with the conversation, I returned my attention to the wall. The projector was showing an Unauthorized Biographies with Peter Graves episode that featured John Gotti. He was probably the most influential don I'd studied over the years. Not because I was out here selling drugs or managing gambling rings or loansharking, but because of the code he lived by and instilled in his men. Even after his episode, I'd continue to watch the show because I loved learning about people who had succeeded for inspiration… regardless of how their life ended.

"I'm sorry. I'm not understanding why you think you have a say in who I marry."

"The fact that we went half on a baby gives me that right. If I don't approve of the man you settle down with, he ain't gon' be around my son."

"Merc…" My head shook as I took a swig of my beer. "You haven't really even given him a chance."

"I don't have to. He was flawed and I saw that shit in him the moment we met. The fact that he doesn't take care of you takes away even less of my respect. He hasn't proved that he's worthy of you and can take care of you, and you think I'm about to give him your hand?"

"You are not my damn daddy!"

"But I'm your baby's daddy, so that's close enough."

She huffed and pushed her hair off her shoulder. Sitting next to me, Aries took my hand into hers. I heard the shaky breath she released, but that shit didn't sway me. There wasn't anything she could say to change my view of him. Only his actions could.

"Merc, please. I love you, and I value your opinion. I respect what we've built. But if I have to choose between your approval and finally getting a man who can love and take care of me… you're going to lose."

"You that hungry for love that you willing to settle for crumbs of it?"

Our gaze stayed locked as her nostrils flared. Standing, she charged out of the room, muttering, "You're not going to ruin this for me," under her breath.

After she slammed the door, I chuckled with a shake of my head. Even if she didn't agree with me right now, there was no doubt in my mind that Aries would eventually come to her senses and give that nigga his ring back. He wasn't worth her, and I'd be damned if I let him influence my son. On the off chance she did marry him, I could only hope he was ready for war, because I was going to make his life hell by showing just how ill-equipped he was to have access to anything that belonged to me—and that included the mother of my first child.