Page 254 of Kentrell

“Shon.” I lifted my chin toward him.

He nodded, already knowing what time it was.

Walked behind the sectional… grabbed one of the three duffel bags I’d stashed before the meeting… and tossed it on the table with a heavy thud.

I walked over, unzipped the first one, letting them all get a clear look at the stacks inside.

Then I nodded toward Shady and his brothers.

“Go ‘head. Take one.”

Melly and Shawdee didn’t flinch.

They stepped up quick, like they’d been waiting on that cue.

But Shady…

Shady didn’t move.

Didn’t even blink at the money.

Just stood there… head tilted… like he was chewing on the decision.

Then finally…

“Leave that shit.”

His voice cut through the room like a blade.

Tension jumped up instantly.

Eyes shifted. Breathing changed.

Even his own brothers were thrown off… I could see it in the way they froze… both of ‘em lowkey pissed they couldn’t touch none of that bread.

“Consider this a gift… for not turning yo back on us like everybody else,” Shady said, locking eyes with me.

I stayed quiet… but that line hit.

His next words? Hit harder.

“I know how you feel about yo Pops… but he was solid too.”

Kenny and solid in the same sentence?

Yeah… nah.

Not compared to me.

But I let it ride.

“Hit me back when this shit done.” Shady turned, already motioning for his brothers to follow him out.

Won’t be no need.

The whole city gon’ know it.

I turned toward Oshon first… shook up with him.

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