Reckless

Epic 59

I wanted a steak... so I decided that I was going to take a small group of my men out for an expensive dinner... don't worry I wasn't taking any chances and had security posted everywhere. The group I decided to take was Uno, Preacher, Alonzo's cousins Logan and Meraux, as well as one of my young niggas... a dude by the name of Bali, by all accounts this was probably the craziest 17-year-old in the city and with Kooda's unfortunate demise I needed someone to fill his seat and Bali was in strong contention. I wished Frenchie, Yaseem, and Santerìa would've been here but Frenchie had something to do with Murda, Yaseem had family business to take care of, and Santerìa... well there's no telling what he was up to, that nigga only spoke when he felt it was absolutely necessary and given our history... he never thought it was necessary. But the person I wanted here more than anyone was Alonzo, but he had some catering job down in Memphis and wouldn't be back until later this week... I wouldn't go as far as to say I was missing him but since I couldn't get the oxtails that I was craving I would settle for steak instead. We walked into the restaurant and I could feel the uncomfortable white gaze watching us, as if they were waiting for one of us to pop off, but I had very strict instructions for all my men to be on their best behavior... unless it was necessary for us to show our ass.

"So Bali... I've heard that you really put in work during that little rescue mission, three bodies, that's quite impressive." I said looking at the dark skinned dude sitting at the end of the table.

"Light work..." Bali said shrugging. "I don't mean to step outta line but there is something I wanted to talk to you about... a couple of dudes that I've been working with.... well they've been talking about jumpin ship.... They don't feel comfortable with y'know......" Bali said and up until the last part he had been holding my gaze but towards the end, he diverted his eyes and that told me exactly what he was talking about.

"They don't approve of my situation with Alonzo?" I asked and Bali nodded. "How do you feel about it?" I asked, I had a feeling that some of my men would be uncomfortable with my connection with Alonzo, but if I was being honest I would've thought it would be some of the older dudes... if anything I wrongly believed the younger dudes would be more progressive in their thinking.

"Ayy as long as it doesn't affect my money, I don't care who you're fuckin...." Bali said shrugging. "I've been in a few rooms where these conversations have been taking place, it's only two dudes who really have an issue with it... if you want, I have no problem handling it." Bali said and I could see it in his eyes he was dead serious.

"I'll keep that in mind... Uno, I feel like I haven't really seen you since you got back from your trip.... how was it?" I asked turning to Uno, he turned to me and gave me a look... there was definitely some shyt he wanted me to know and some shyt he didn't want to say in public... we'd talk about that later.

"It was coo.... and the reason I've been so distant is because I'm trying to figure shyt out with Chess.... you know who that goes and you know how she is.... I think my main concern is......" Uno stopped mid-sentence as his eyes move from mine to the door, I had no intention of looking in that direction until he nodded, when I turned around Renee was walking into the restaurant.... bonus points because she was by herself... that definitely took some balls.

"Pictures don't do her justice, she's beautiful...." Meraux said and I rolled my eyes before getting up. It seemed like every man in the restaurant followed Renee to the bar, the devil in the red dress sat down and seemed completely unphased by all the attention she was getting.

"Red Sangria.... frozen fruit instead of ice." I said taking a seat next to her. "You know Ms. Preece... if I didn't know any better, I would assume you were following me.... you've been ghost for the past few weeks and all of a sudden you pull up to the place where I'm having a family dinner... seems suspicious." I said looking at her.