21 questions

17 : Can I lean on you ?

"Look bro I don't know what you're doing here but-"

Sharon shoots at one of his men. The others aim at her.

"Back the fuck up !" Tony orders them.

"Who are we waiting for, Tony ?"

"Dorian..." He clears his throat, "It's really not what you think it is."

Another man appears. I've never seen him before. He joins us in the center of this factory, a cigarette between his lips. He smiles.

"Sharon Carter," He greets her, "And Dorian Robinson... How interesting. I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect you."

"And who's speaking ?" I ask.

"People call me Clayton. My brother Clyde and I have been running the north of this city for quite a while now. We grew up there, born and raised. It belongs to us."

"I see. What's that little plan about ?"

"Come on, Dorian. Let's not make this moment so awkward. You've been running half the city for a while and we believe it's time for your old ass to quit. Since you're there, we can come to an agreement. Retire now or face the consequences."

I chuckle, "Killing me so hard you nigga gotta beg."

"We have a lot of respect for your oldest brother, may he rest in peace... We never met the man but he was a beast for sure."

"What's your point ?"

"Nobody wants a blood bath. Nobody needs to die. We're adults. We should be able to deal with this situation in a pacific way."

I can't help but to smile. He makes zero sense. Why would I give up on everything I've built just for some irrelevant threats made by two unconscious boys ?

"I don't think you realize the craziness of your request."

"With all due respect, your time has come to an end. You don't fight no more. You got clubs now right mister businessman ? Niggas like us been in the streets our whole life. You know the business but who gets their hands dirty ? At the end of the day, you just a boogie ass nigga who lives like a prince in his big ass castle. You just a wannabe gangster."

"See little man that's why you won't survive long in this shit. You got a boy mentality. Everybody can be rich. Getting richer is another thing. I can understand and respect y'all aspirations and shit but when you look at me and my empire, you realize you and I don't play in the same league. I heard y'all little threats and it's cute. Now I'ma be talking to you like men."

I light a blunt.

"This is my last time warning you. Whatever you got planned, forget about it. If you plan on killing me, forget about it. You got your lil territory, you make your lil money, just go spend that shit on bitches and have fun. But whatever you got in mind won't happen. I'm the most powerful man in this city, Clayton. If you were that smart, you would associate yourself with me."

"If there's a most powerful man in town that ain't you. But I know that you been fucking with a nigga that's really powerful tho."

I refrain myself from showing any emotion. Nobody knows about my alliance with the mayor except Sharon and Samuel.

"And from what I heard bro that man ain't happy with whatever y'all agreed on. You know how men are. They change their mind when a better opportunity comes along. But anyway I guess you got a lot of shit to talk about."

He smiles at Tony. We watch him leave the building. Sharon calls one of her men to make sure Clayton left the area.

"Look Dorian I'm sorry bro I didn't know how to approach you for that."