Page 32 of Rose
This washis.
The man the world called Savior. The streets called Khaos. But to this soil, to these people—
He was King Carter now.
“Wassup, Sav!” a voice called out—gruff, familiar, dipped in smoke andmemory.
Greg, one of the OGs who’d run beside Saint back in the day, sat posted in a gleaming old-school Benz, puffing a cigar like time never touched him. Savior grinned, teeth flashing white as he walked over and dapped him up.
“Wassup, OG. You good?”
“Blessed,” Greg replied, squinting up at him through dark shades. “Tell ya pops stop running from our domino game.”
Savior chuckled, low and warm. “I’ll pass the message. Good seeing you, old man.”
He nodded to a few others around the car before continuing down the sidewalk. The strip buzzed with music, laughter, and that deep kind of love only a tight-knit kingdom like this could build. It was joy woven into concrete. Family in every face. Power behind every smile.
But before he could reach the barbershop, a voice cracked through the air—sharp, commanding, impossible to ignore.
“I know yo ass is not about to walk past me without speaking—or grabbing a plate!”
Savior turned, already grinning.
Aunt Marley.
She stood across the street like sheownedit, and honestly, she did. His mother’s twin sister. One of the real matriarchs of the Carter family besides Selene. She had the kind of presence that made even the hardest hitters straighten up when she entered a room. Just like Sarai and Sincere ran beside Savior now, Marley had busted heads with Selene and Saint back in the day. After her husband died on a mission, she made sure the man responsible paid in blood. She was a legend.
“Hey, Auntie,” Savior said, leaning down to hug her.
She smelled like smoked ribs and cinnamon, her thick frame wrapped in a sundress that clung to curves still fierce in her fifties. Her long black hair fell down her back like she was still in her twenties.
“Hey, my baby.” She pulled back and handed him a heavy container wrapped in foil. “Ribs. Extra barbecue sauce. Mac and cheese. Greens. Hot water cornbread. And my famous ghetto tea. Just like you like it.”
The smell hit him like home. His stomach growled on cue, and the blunt he smoked earlier only made it worse.
“You already know. Thank you.”
“I gotta keep my babies fed.” She winked.
Then Marley’s tone dropped, soft and knowing.
“I saw the havoc you and your siblings caused last night.”
Savior chuckled. Everyone knew not to speak on business in public, but Marley always got a pass.
“I wish your father didn’t force this life on you,” she said with a faint smile. “Wish you focused on the businesses like your cousin. But... it’s in your blood.”
Savior didn’t speak, just nodded once. He heard what she said—and what shemeant.
“But I’m proud of the man you’ve become. Your father started all this, butyoutook it to levels unimaginable. And you kept your siblings safe, made sure they had a system around them.”
He met her eyes, steady. “I learned from the best. You and Ma were busting shit too. I see where Gold get it from.”
“That’s my baby. She need to bring her busy-body ass around more. She practically live in that damn restaurant now. Actin’ like I didn’t teach her everything she know.”
Savior laughed. He admired Sarai’s drive, respected the way she turned her pain into power. She was doing what she loved—and doing it well.
“At least Sinny come by,” Marley added. “Always high, but he come.”
