Chapter 4

Beethoven

It wasn'tuntil we'd finished our steak and potatoes that Pops finally continued the conversation. I didn't know what else he could have wanted to say that required privacy, but I certainly wasn't expecting it to be, "I need you."

Out of my thirty-one years of life, my father had never uttered those words. In fact, I'd never heard him say he needed anyone. For as long as I could remember, he was always independent and the boss of all bosses. He didn't need anyone; people needed him—and that included my mother.

I didn't think they'd ever showed me a loving, healthy relationship. They showed me partnership and respect, but over the years, that faded away. My last year of high school, they divorced. Though my mother wanted me to live with her, I chose to stay with my father. We were closer, and as a man, I felt like it was more beneficial that I stay and continue to learn from him. While I wouldn't say I regretted that decision, not having my mother around to shield me from who my father truly was showed me sides of him I didn't respect.

When it came down to business, I admired Tim Smith, boss of all bosses. As a father and a man, I resented him. Even with that resentment, I understood that was my issue and cross to bear, not his. He gave all he could and raised me as best as he could. Where he lacked, it was my responsibility to ensure I became a better version of him.

My mother and I were closer than ever. I respected her for staying with him as long as she did, but I was glad she was free to live as she pleased and be loved in a healthy relationship. Though she hadn't remarried, she'd been in a committed relationship with the same man for the last five years. Pops was married to the streets. He was passionate about this shit and didn't let anything come before it, not even his family.

"What do you need?"

Sitting back in his seat, he took a sip of his Old Fashioned.

"Your uncles and cousins are concerned. You know they always felt some type of way when it came to Robert. Envy. They hated that I let a non-Smith into the fold. Worse, he did better than them."

I nodded my agreement. That had never been a secret. Even though Pops was the boss of all bosses, he ran his organization like it was any other business corporation. He had a second-in-command, stand-ins on the off chance anything happened to him, lieutenants who worked directly with our men, and an advisory board that operated to make sure my father did what was best for the business as a whole, not just himself. So he may have made the final decisions when it came to things, but if at any point they felt like he could no longer run things successfully, they could have him removed.

I hated that he put the board in place, even if it was three of my uncles. I didn't like that anyone could take what he'd worked so hard to build. But that board gave his men more peace to trust his lead, and with the way they put their lives and freedom on the line for us daily, I guess that was all that mattered.

"What they tryna do? Keep you from putting someone in his place?"

"They want someone in the family to take his product monthly. I made it clear to them that none of them are capable of handling such a large amount. If we don't start to move that weight, they gon' start to feel the effect of it."

"And it won't affect your plate for quite some time. So I'm not sure why they are against what you planned to do."

"It's not that they're fully against it; they just want me to do it their way. They want me to keep Carlos out and I can't agree with that."

"Aight, so what do you need me to do? Because I know if you don't fold, it'll be trouble with the lieutenants soon."

"Right. All it takes is for a few of them to question my authority and I'll have to go on a fuckin' killing spree." He sucked his teeth and sat up in his seat, crossing his arms on top of the table. "I don't have the time or desire to rebuild my leaders. That's where you come in."

I assumed he was going to say he wanted me to kill anyone who went against him and start anew. It wouldn't have been the first time I had blood on my hands after an order from my father, and I was sure it wouldn't be the last. I wasn't just his stand-in; I was his enforcer too. When I first started in the organization I was on the streets and in the field to learn the business. After about five years I was able to advance and hadn't had to touch product to grow it or deal it since.

"You believe that keeping Carlos and Robert's team on is the best move financially?" I nodded. "And you agree that it'll be even better if we take over it completely?"

"I'on know about that, Pops." I sat up and looked around the restaurant, buying time while I tried to figure out how I wanted to say what I wanted to say. "It's not that I want to spare his life. I just feel like that's going to put a large weight on our shoulders. For the clientele Robert has, I'm not comfortable agreeing with taking over until after I've had time to see how his team moves and operates. If they can be trusted. If they will mesh with ours. The money would be good, but I need to know the risks will be worth it."

"I can respect that, and I also respect your honesty about it. That's why you're the only man I trust with this."

"With what, Pops? Just spit the shit out."

He chuckled and licked his lips. Usually he was straight to the point.

"The way to keep the peace with the board and still hold on to Robert's organization is to bring his son in with marriage since they aren't blood. That way, they will be family."

"I would agree, but you don't have a daughter for him to marry. You tryna give him one of your nieces? How are you going to pull that off?"

The playful expression that remained on his face from his laughter was replaced with one of seriousness.

"I don't want a niece to marry Carlos; I want you to marry his sister."

The hearty laughter I released brought tears to my eyes. There was no way he was serious about this shit. I had no desire to get married, and I for damn sure wasn't going to get married to someone I didn't even know.

"You're joking, right?" I asked as the last of my laughter died down.

"No, son. I'm serious."

Our eyes remained locked for a while before I damn near yelled, "Hell nah!"

"Bay…"

"Nah, Pops. Now, it's a lot I'll do for you and the business, but this ain't it."

He chuckled and shook his head as his tongue rolled over his cheek. "You say that as if you have a choice." I sat back in my seat. "You know family is over everything, and at times, that includes ourselves. You know how much this organization means to me. To us. This is your future. Your legacy. If you do this, it will prove to me that I can trust you to lead my men when I retire. If you don't, I'll make sure what I have never touches your hand." Pops stood. "Now I'ma give you twenty-four hours to think on it, though I've already made the decision for you. You're going to marry her, get inside their organization, and learn how it runs. When you're confident you're ready to take over, kill Carlos. I don't care what you do with the girl." He made his way to my side and palmed my shoulder. "Be at my place tomorrow at six for dinner with them, and please, be on your best fucking behavior."

It didn't matter how in control I tried to remain of my emotions. Before I could stop myself, I was standing and knocking everything off the table. All eyes were on me, including Pops'. With a grunt, he shook his head and smiled as he continued out of the restaurant.

Truth was, I knew there was nothing I could do to get out of this. I did want to take over eventually. I also was fully aware that family and this organization meant everything. If Pops believed this was the best way to keep Robert's business and please the board, there would be nothing I could do to get out of it. So, as much as I hated the idea of marrying someone I didn't know, I left At Steak defeated because that would soon be my future.