Defending Our Empire

The Case of The Ex(es)

*A lil filler. Just a little something something but ummm vote and COMMENT.*

Lucious took a sip of his coffee as Yana skimmed through the menu. "So I'm sure you didn't summon me for a free lunch." Putting the menu down, Yana took a deep breath. "I need to know for certain if you know my father. As much as I do admire your talent, my loyalty lies with my father. So if I'm part of some quarrel then let me know now." "This quarrel as you say, is about what?"

Lu stared at her, trying to knock her down slightly. "Well first I'm going to need you to stop trying to manipulate me. It's not working. You know what quarrel. I also know that you met my father rather recently. He's willing to take a payout." Lu leaned back, scratching his goatee. "A pay out for what?" "He's willing to accept no less than 10. Otherwise this war will keep going."

"The usual Mr Lyon?" A waitress asked as she came to take their orders. "Yes thank you," he answered, he zoned out when Yana recited her order.  "10 million dollars is a 250 percent markup. That's a hell of a lot of interest and quite frankly the way he's moving makes me believe that this quarrel you speak of is more than about money." "Like I said, that is all he's told me about. My father is very protective of me so he's not going to include me in altercations that could do me harm."

"So having you slip Reign that burner phone wasn't including you in harm's way?" Lu raised an eyebrow. He could tell that she was trying to say very little and keep Damon protected but who claims to protect their child from harm then makes them relay the messages? "I offered. He was just going to snatch her up and she's like a sister to me." "A sister you haven't spoken to since everything went down. I see."

"She wouldn't answer me then overnight her phone was disconnected." "Then how did you find her?" Yana bit her cheek. How did she find Reign? At a corner store at that. "We used to go there all the time when we left parties in Brooklyn. I was heading back out and stopped there. Wasn't expecting to see her since I hadn't found her in all this time."

Lucious could feel the lie protruding through her tone. She was put in charge of finding Reign. No matter how long it took. Lucious knew the game inside and out and he knew the type of game that Damon was playing. "And my wife?" "What about her?" "Do you know who she is?" Yana peered at Lu with confusion. "The one and only Cookie Lyon?" "Do you know who she is to Damon?"

"He knows her?" Lu retracted his original thought. Maybe she really didn't know about Cookie and Damon. "Aside from that shit, I do believe you're an amazing artist. I want to help you achieve your dream." "How do you know that singing for a label is my dream? You don't know the first thing of my life let alone my dreams."

Lu sat back and let out a heavy breath. "From talking to Reign today I know that you're caring. Helping those without them uttering a single help. You sing in small bars and coffee shops like my son Jamal did and still does. That's because you love the purity and passion in music. You want to be able to reach those with your voice and magical talent. Heal them from the inside. Uplift them with music. But you don't take any persons shit. Am I close?"

"If you're serious about this.....then you need to know more about me. You pride yourself in caring about your artists but how do I know you aren't like every other money hungry label?" "I have done many things and made so many sacrifices for the sake of our artists. I have gotten artists clean. I have gotten in best medical doctors around just to ensure my artists have everything they need. What is it that you need?"

She took a deep breath, wondering if she should say or not. "When I was 12 I was diagnosed with leukemia. I've been cancer free for 6 years now. I was.... cancer free for 6 years." Lucious froze as he caught her word change. A 14 year battle was a battle too long for anyone, especially a child. "I don't know what's left to do. I'm tired of chemo. I need some answers from someone else. The best of the best. Can you help me?"