Jade

Chapter 21

A'mouri sat in one of the heavy leather chairs across from his father's mahogany desk, idly scrolling through his phone waiting on his father to wrap up his business call.

Amar'e paced his office floor, phone in hand, as he wrapped up a call with one of the casino's contractors. Business had been booming consistently for the past three years, with a drastic increase in business after A'mouri's welcome-back party. With the surge in success, they were now looking to expand and open another casino in Vegas.

"How's Eden and the baby?" Amar'e asked after ending the call, making his way to the bar situated in the office.

"She in Paris ignoring me." He mumbled, swiping out of his text thread and locking his phone.

"What you gonna do to fix it?" Amar'e asked, his back still turned as he poured two thousand dollar Macallan 25 into two whiskey glasses.

"Wasn't planning on doing anything, imma let her cool off." He said with a shrug, causing Amar'e to shake his head as he slid the drink over.

"Gonna cool off in another nigga arms," Amar'e said as A'mouri kissed his teeth. "What you wanted to talk to me about?"

"I was at the casino a couple nights ago and some capo nigga from the Ginori family pulled up."

"For what?" Amar'e asked, taking a seat behind the desk.

"Talking about some major story getting ready to leak. Said all five families about to be in the headlines, and the source of it is coming from us apparently."

"And we supposed to just take his word for that?" Amar'e asked, finishing off his drink.

"All I know is he tryna switch sides. Wants to get his way into the family, tryna make some real money."

Amar'e chuckled as he made his way to the bar again, pouring himself amother drink. "So I'm supposed to trust a snitch tryna flip sides?" He asked, taking a sip. "Fuck I look like?"

A'mouri shook his head. "I'm not saying believe him, but I'm thinking maybe we look into it."

Amar'e only operated on facts, on proof. But if there was even a possibility that someone from their own family was playing both sides, he needed to know.

"Aight, look into it." Amar'e said with a nod.

"Already on it."

————

The wheels of the jet touched down smoothly at Hartsfield-Jackson, the familiar skyline of Atlanta peeking through the tinted windows. Jade tapped her manicured nails against the armrest as the plane taxied to a stop, feeling anxious but excited. No matter how far she went, how many places she touched down in, ATL always held a different weight. It wasn't just home, it was her legacy. She still considered ATL home even though the last time she was there was Thanksgiving.

As soon as the doors opened, a warm breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of nostalgia. Her grandparents driver, James, was already waiting by the black Maybach, standing by the rear passenger door.

"Welcome home Miss Jade," he said with a smile.

"Thanks James, happy to be home." she said, slipping into the plush interior.

Jade took in the scenery from the back seat, the streets of Atlanta bustling per usual. She caught glimpses of familiar landmarks—the spot where her grandfather used to take her for ice cream, the high-rise downtown where she once swore she would have an office one day, and finally the roads leading to the Anthony Brown Academy, where she would be speaking tomorrow.