Chapter 10

Beethoven

Three Days Later

This wasthe first evening in seventy-two hours that I wasn't working. Being a stand-in for my father didn't mean I did nothing. In fact, I did almost as much as he did. His right hand was aware of his role and responsibilities. There was a difference between his advisor and right hand or second-in-command. On the off chance something happened to my father, they wouldn't take his place—I would. So I didn't have to just be with him, I had to learn him and how he operated.

I also was the point of contact for our lieutenants, so whatever issues were going on with production, our workers, money, or customers, the issue came to me first to be screened. If it wasn't serious enough for Pops to handle personally, I took care of it with Omari, and we both were in need of a night out after the bullshit we'd been called in to take care of.

Since I shared with Omari the decision that had been made, we hadn't really had time to talk about it… until tonight. I could tell he was hesitant to ask me about it by how he pushed his glass from one side of the table to the other as he asked, "We just not gon' talk about this?"

"About what?" I asked, though I knew exactly what he was referring to. I just wanted to hear him say it. To admit that this was real.

"You actually going through with the marriage?"

"I don't have a choice. If I don't, he has to get rid of Carlos, which means we lose millions in profit."

With a sigh, Omari squeezed the back of his head. He didn't seem to be for this, which was a surprise to me.

"I'on know, man. Is it really worth all that?"

"It's not just about the money. This will solidify me as my father's replacement. The other two stand-ins won't matter. Automatically, all of this will belong to me." I paused before admitting, "But being honest, this makes me want to do my own thing. I respect Pops doing whatever it takes to keep the board on one accord, but you know I've never been a fan of that shit."

"I agree. The advisor I can rock with, but having an advisory board for his organization has never really made sense to me. If he's the boss of all bosses, no man should be able to usurp him or undermine his decisions."

"Now that I one hundred percent agree with. That's why even if I do this, it won't be for long. I'll give it a year and take this shit from Carlos, but it'll be a parting gift for Pops so I can do my own thing."

"Damn." Omari's head jerked as if my words struck him physically. "Well, you know I'm down for whatever. If you leave, I ain't stayin' in this shit without you."

I figured that would be the case, but it put me at peace to hear him say it. Regardless of how I felt about my father's business moves, I didn't think I'd ever want to leave him and do my own thing. Now, I was starting to feel like I had no choice. Between me taking care of mostly everything these days and being the face of the business, I didn't like having to answer to the board. What he'd done to Whiskee with Carlos was like the final straw. Some shit I didn't respect regardless of who was doing it, and taking away a woman's freedom in this manner was making me look at him a little differently. I always knew Pops would do anything for his organization and make anyone dispensable, but this was the first time that it ever directly affected me.

The Next Morning

My text messagesto Whiskee were green. I didn't think she would block me, but that was how I felt when I called and got an automated message. That didn't make sense. Before going into my mother's home, I decided to call Pops and see if he'd heard from Carlos that he and Whiskee decided to renege on the contract.

"Hello?" Pops answered.

"Did Carlos and Whiskee change their minds?"

"No, why do you ask?"

Deciding not to give him any ammunition, I decided on, "I was just making sure we were still good to go."

"Yeah, we are. He has the product now, so ain't no turning back."

"Aight, Pops. I'll see you later."

After disconnecting the call, I grabbed the doughnuts and coffee and headed to Mama's front door. I had a key, but since she had a lil boyfriend I never used it unless it was an emergency. It didn't take her long to answer, and at the sight of me and what I had, she gave me a wide smile.

"Hey, baby. It's so good to see you."

"It's good to see you too."

She waited until I'd put everything on the kitchen island to pull me in for a much-needed embrace. No matter how old I got or how gangster I was, nothing would ever make me turn away from my mother's hugs and love.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, opening the box of doughnuts. "I haven't heard from you in a while."

It wasn't just work that kept me away. I was struggling with how I would tell her about me and Whiskee. Mama and I naturally had a deeper emotional bond than me and Pops. When I was younger, I resented the way she tried to keep me away from Pops and the business. She tried to shield me from what I felt was inevitable. As an adult, I understood why.

Even if she accepted who my father was and what he was about, she wanted better… something safer… for her child.

I sat down at the island as she placed a doughnut on a plate for each of us. I would've been cool with a paper towel, but Mama was extra like that.

"I'm getting married," I blurted.

Her body wobbled slightly, causing her to grip the island. If this wasn't a serious situation, I would have laughed. No matter how old I got and how much I matured, I was goofy as hell… the one you couldn't sit next to at a funeral.

"Mama."

"You're what? To who? Why is this the first time I'm hearing about this? Is she pregnant?"

"Sit down, and I'll tell you everything."

She did, and I did. The more I talked, the harder her expression became. Even without her saying a word, Mama didn't like what I'd agreed to. When I made the decision, I didn't take into consideration how she'd feel about it. I didn't want her to be upset with me, but it really didn't matter. I had to do what I had to do to help Pops and keep the board from going against us. We needed this money to continue to flow. How we were advancing, my great-great grandkids would be set if I could operate without any distractions for a good three years. Then, I'd retire and never look back.

Sadness covered her face as she pushed the plate in front of her deeper into the island. "Your father has always been a selfish man, but this is just…" Her head shook as she struggled to find the words. "How could you agree to this, baby?"

"It's not just him I have to do this for. The entire board and organization will be affected by the loss too. Plus, marrying her guarantees my position as boss of all bosses."

"And that's what you really want?" Her eyes squinted, and damn looking at me, she peered through me.

With a shrug, I lowered my head briefly. No man could make me fold, but I could never lie or fake the funk with my mama.

"Yeah, it is. It's been my goal."

Her hand covered mine, forcing me to look into her eyes again. "Tell me the truth, Bay. You're holding back from Mama." I didn't respond right away, so she continued. "Your father is greedy. All he cares about is money and power. He says what he does is for the business, but it's for himself. Whatever benefits Tim best, that's what he does. Divorcing him was the best decision I ever made. I wanted you to come with me so badly, but I knew I wouldn't win a fight against your father." She chuckled as her eyes watered. "The day I left, he told me if I tried to take you, he'd kill me."

"What?" I almost roared, pulling my hand from under hers. "He threatened you?"

"There's no point in you getting upset about it now. It's done. But if you ever wondered why I didn't fight for you to come with me, that's why. He'd already taken my money and security; I didn't want him destroying our relationship or trying to kill me too. I knew that if I agreed to you staying with him that we would still be able to talk to each other. But even if he let me live, I didn't want him poisoning your head against me or trying to keep you from me."

That shit hurt my heart to hear, and I hated that she'd waited so long to mention it.

"Our marriage was arranged," she continued, "And I need you to promise me that you'll treat this young lady right. Treat her with respect, even if you never love her. She didn't ask for this. Don't make her suffer because of it."

"Hol' up." My hands lifted as I released a low chuckle. "Your marriage was arranged? By who? Grandpa?"

With a nod, Mama released a hard breath. "Yeah. Back in that day, Tim was selling less drugs. The bulk of his money was coming from him being a loan shark and gambling. Dad owed him a significant amount of money." Her shoulders sagged as she released a quick bark of laughter. "He couldn't read, so he didn't see there was a fifty-percent interest clause on the contract. Of course he couldn't pay that, so Tim demanded me instead. It was supposed to be a five-year marriage, but I got pregnant with you, and I couldn't leave you there with him."

"That's why you waited until I turned eighteen to file for divorce?"

Her head nodded and eyes blinked rapidly as she fought her tears. "Yes, it is," she almost whispered.

"Maaa," I stretched, standing. "Why didn't you tell me any of this before now? Ain't no way I would've let you stay in that marriage just because of me."

"And that's why I never told you," she said, using my hand to sit me back down. "I'd do it a million times over if it meant having you and keeping you safe. There's nothing I would change about you, even your father. It's his half of you mixed with mine that has made you who you are, and because of that, I will forever be grateful. I stayed because I wanted to nurture you and give you as much of a shield against your father as I could. I knew you'd have some ways like him but your heart…" She placed her hand on my chest. "Your character, it's different. I'm grateful to God for that."

Now that I was aware of their marriage being arranged, it made a lot more sense. I never felt the love between them, and that was why. Though I hated she stayed for as long as she did for me, I was grateful for it. If she hadn't, ain't no doubt in my mind that I'd be a bad mothafucka if only my father had raised me. Pops taught me the business and how to be a man; Mama taught me compassion, consideration, empathy… how to treat a woman and be a gentleman.

"Thank you for the sacrifice, and for sharing your truth with me."

"If you want to thank me, promise that you're going to treat that young lady like the prize she is. Remember, she's the reason you all are able to do what needs to be done for business. If you never love her, always treat her with respect. And when you exchange vows, don't live in a way that will embarrass her."

Even though I agreed, the thought of Whiskee having a life, a marriage, like my mother's didn't sit well with me. If I couldn't love her, I didn't want her—not for life. We'd have to get Pops to agree to this marriage lasting for just a few months, no more than a year. I wouldn't hold her hostage and keep her from being found by a man who could give her the love she truly deserved.

True enough, I could provide her with a damn good life materialistically and financially, but Mama was proof that shit didn't fill your heart or keep you warm at night. Whiskee deserved better, and I wouldn't be the man that stood in the way of her having that.