Page 75 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings 2: The Finale
“Fine.”
Lowering myself into a chair at the iron table where I set my food, I leaned forward with my arms resting against my legs. Distraught, confused, but also excited, it was hard to pick an emotion right now with everything going on. Rossi wheeled herself closer to me.
“You know that I love you, right?” she whispered.
Slowly, I lifted my gaze and bobbed my head.
“All I have ever wanted for you and your brothers is the best.”
“You might not see it because you felt some type of way about her all this time, Ma, but Emerald is what’s best for me. I was resentful when she left too, and I moved reckless when I married Jordan. I only did that because I knew on some level it would hurt Emerald if she heard about it. She was always a presence in our marriage, whether me and Jordan spoke on it or not.” Sighing, I sloped back in my chair and rested a hand against the table. “But she feeds a part of me that a lot of people don’tunderstand or even care to. With Jordan, it was always like this prize she thought she won in some contest. Over the years, I did grow to love her, but I was never in love with her. How I feel about Emerald can’t ever be compared to another woman. She’s the bar.”
“I realize that after all these years, if I can’t change your mind about her, then it is what it is. I have to accept that. I’ll admit . . . I may have been wrong about her,” Rossi mumbled, causing me to sit forward attentively because I was sure I’d heard her ass wrong. Furrowing my brows, I tilted my head and stared at her.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Look, I’m biased when it comes to my sons and what’s best for them. I know what kind of women are out there. I’ve had to deal with them when it came to your father. I was once young and wild, stepping to any bitch who thought she was going to come at my husband. I heard Sapphire when he spoke about her that night at dinner. Hearing his admiration and the selflessness that Emerald displayed after losing her father . . . it gave me a lot to think about. I might have even put in a good word for her at that new media company so that she could get that job. I thought it would be perfect for her to get her feet wet and have something of her own. She’s been through a lot.”
Awestruck, I blinked a few times before clearing my throat. I didn’t want to get all emotional and shit, but the fact that Rossi had made that move showed that she was trying to move forward.
“Thanks, Ma. From the way she talks about it, she loves it. It’s perfect for her, especially now with her daughter here. She’ll more than likely have shared custody soon, and with the baby coming?—”
“Sounds like the future is going to be pretty exciting. I’m looking forward to becoming a grandmother again.”
“Soon as we can push past all the drama.”
“I have a feeling things will work out how they’re supposed to.” She smiled and reached up to stroke my cheek. “I’m going to go in and mingle. I came out here to let you know that Staten was looking for you. He’s summoned all of the lieutenants to the billiard room.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I jumped to my feet and moved to enter the house.
A couple of minutes later, I pushed the door open to my pops’ favorite room of the house. There was memorabilia from Black Wall Street, early edition newspapers that reported on black athletes, and other sports flags and whatnot arranged along the walls. A pool table was centered in the room, and about ten feet from that was a seating area and bar with a large TV mounted to the wall.
Staten had gathered everyone, including Brick, and they stood around with glasses of whiskey and cigars in hand. When I stepped inside, my brother bobbed his head.
“Close the door,” he instructed.
I could tell by all their expressions that they were anxious to hear what this was about. Brick and I were already aware. So while I went to pour myself a glass, he leaned against the pool table near the corner pocket, smoking a fat ass blunt and facing Staten. Both of my brothers were debonair in their black suits. Brick rocked an orange silk shirt and pocket square while Staten held it down in a hunter green. Each of them had the M medallion resting against their chests too.
“I’m sure that all of you are wondering why I gathered us here.” Staten gripped his whiskey in one hand and peered into the glass. “Since I’ve been home, a lot has been put into perspective for me. Family. Business. Separate, but they tie together. That’s what all this is about.” He waved his glass in front of him to emphasize his point. “Legacy. Longevity. All the things that my father instilled in not only me, but my brothers.I’m coming to you with a new business plan.” Staten brought the glass to his lips and took a sip. “We’ve all made enough money to last us a few lifetimes. My next seven generations are straight as far as I can see. We all have families, other people that we can invest in. Legitimate ways to make money. I want to change our entire market.”
“What you talking about?” Milan, our northern syndicate boss, queried.
“I’m talking about flipping the war in this country. Back in the day, they dropped the guns and drugs in our hoods, giving us all the tools to kill ourselves. We made our money off this shit. Destroying our own community. The Mareks have established many places to provide healthcare, utility, and rental assistance, as well as shelter, among other things. We are rebuilding. I’m asking that the rest of you figure out a way to come with us.”
“What does that mean, Staten?” Casten spoke up.
“It means that we’ve made our money by poisoning and getting rid of our own. So let’s do this . . . we move our businesses into the suburban areas. Wall Street, the college campuses, those areas where they don’t nickel and dime. We start flooding their streets with the product and still get money while building our other legitimate establishments,” my brother concluded.
There was a stir in the room. I could see the questions bouncing through all their heads while muttering and peering around at one another. Staten didn’t chime in. Instead, he grabbed the blunt when Brick passed it to him and studied it before bringing it to his lips.
“Do you have a plan for all this? Or is this something you decided on a whim? You have projections for the numbers?” Casten queried.
“I can get that to you. We currently have markets in these areas, but I’m talking about increasing. A much larger scale, in fact. We won’t have to have niggas in the trap or on the blocks.The shit is getting old anyway, and more snitches are being bred than real muhfuckas. Our organizations do very well separately, so I’m not asking anyone to jump on my bandwagon if they don’t see the vision. I just want to make sure you all are aware of what’s next for the Marek family,” Staten expressed.
“How long do we have to think about this?” Fuentes questioned.
“Take as long as you need. We’ve already started moving things in that direction. Brick will be taking over marketing and the role that Haco used to play. So if any of you need anything that usually went through him, you now deal with Brick.” Staten gripped his glass and motioned to our brother before bringing his drink to his lips for a taste. “Enjoy the rest of the party.” With those last words, my brother exited, leaving me and Brick alone with the other four men.
“Any other questions?” Brick checked with them, lifting himself off the pool table and facing everyone.
