Page 41 of When It’s All Said And Done

“They are not. Rafi stopped all dealings with the US when your dad died. I figured it was part of his mournin’ but eventually I learned it was because he didn’t trust Juan to have the same grip that Javi had on those men. With Rafi being in PR, he needed someone he trusted to handle his affairs in the States.”

“So, he’s trustin’ that to a person he doesn’t fuckin’ know?”

“Nope, to a person I’ve vouched for since you were locked up. It was your mindset that put you above the rest and the way you held shit down while in prison spoke volume. I’m proud of you and your dad run’s deep in you.”

“Now how the fuck am I supposed to smooth over years of silent treatment towards niggas that were makin’ money with y’all?”

“I’ve kept in contact with them all this time. They aren’t happy with the product they’re currently gettin’ and can’t wait to be back locked in with the Santiago Cartel.”

“And why you can’t handle this alone?”

“Because I am not only a woman but I’m a black woman who is seen to the Santiago Cartel as a worker. You, however, you’re a man that Rafi is takin’ a strong likin’ too.”

“So, where are these men? Are they comin’ here?”

“Nawl, we’re goin’ to them. It’s more of a sign of respect.”

“We? And goin’ to them?”

“Yep. Rafi tasked me behind Juan’s back to introduce you to these men who are spread out throughout the states.”

“Wait we’re leavin’ Miami?”

“Yeah. We have like ten places to visit throughout the states. Once everyone is on board you’ll be cleaned out of whatever you’re sittin’ on.”

“And how do you know that to be true?”

“Because I was by your dad’s side when his dad tasked him with that same amount to push. He did it with every one of them.”

“Do you think Rafi knows?”

“Nawl, if he did then I would know. Although I wasn’t granted the opportunity to lead the cartel, I am still his right hand.”

“Well maybe you can tell him that after his threat and his son, I’m not goin’ nowhere without my family. All of my family.”

“Nasir, this is not no damn family vacation. This is business you are about to be in meetings which could lead to other gatherings you won’t have much time to be with your family.”

“I don’t want to be with them. I want to keep them safe and near me. I ain’t with the threatenin’ shit and if you want me to push weight to them folks you’ll oblige my demand.”

“And how many people are you tryin’ to bring?”

“Me, Chance, Nyla, Chanel, Nessa and Yas.”

“That’s doable. You just have to get them on board to where they aren’t tryna get in the way of the business you have to handle.”

“I can do that.”

It took me a few days to work up the courage to finally talk to Nessa about what was about to happen. We were set to leave for our recruitment tour, as I like to call it, in four days. We hadn’t had deep conversations since Yas’s birthday. I’d been respecting her space and keeping it about Nyla. That has been hard as fuck, but I was trying to respect her boundaries hoping that would give me some brownie points.

Knocking on her door, I waited patiently for her to come to the door. The moment she opened the door she took my breath away as she stood there in a tube top dress. The way it hugged her hips made me wonder if she had panties underneath. I shook away my intrusive thoughts before clearing my throat. Focusing my attention back on her face, her perplexed expression caused me to chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” She wondered.

“Nothing’s funny I was just astounded by your beauty,” I admitted.

“You came over just to look at me?”

“Nawl, we gotta talk. Where the girls?”