The Lyons Den (Corrupt City)

Hakeem

Drake's new song Summer Sixteen blasted through my earbuds as I walked into my new office. The office that once belonged to my father Luscious Lyon. I smiled at the new changes that Camilla had made, black and gold everything. I sat down in my leather chair and placed my feet on my desk as I poured myself a glass of champagne. It felt good being in this position.

I felt like I was on top of the world. Lyon Dynasty was cool and everything but I didn't have any power, and since my mother Cookie couldn't handle security and making deals, I had to find a way out and make my own.

I was just like Luscious in a way, whenever I wanted something I went and made arrangements for me to have it, and I wanted Empire since day one. Jamal was talented but he didn't possess the image needed to run this company.

Andre on the other hand was business minded yes, but he didn't have the image either. I felt that this company was my birth right. Since I was pushed out of Cookie's womb, this company was meant for me.

Just as I pulled out my iPad there was a knock on the door. "Come in," I said as I took my shades off. Just then Jamal walked through the door with his hands in his pockets.

"Keem," he said as he walked up to the desk. "Jamal, take a seat," I said as I moved my feet off the desk.

"I'm not here to mingle. You know what you did was wrong Hakeem, Luscious has done us all wrong, but Empire was home to us all and you know that, it was the only out let for us all, Camilla and Melissa are playing you, you need -"

"Look what I need is for you too walk up out of here, I don't need no lecture from you, Cookie, or Luscious, this mines now, it's time to face reality sorry not sorry," I said as I stood up.

"Alright Hakeem, if that's how you want it, just remember one thing, family is all you got, don't let this change you," he said as he walked out. I chuckled and waved him off.

"Hakeem we have a meeting in five minutes," Melissa said through the intercom. "I'm coming down," I replied as I grabbed my iPad. I walked out of my office and down the hall the elevator.

I made it to the first floor and spotted Cookie and Luscious standing next to Andre and Jamal. I caught eye contact with Luscious and I stared him down. I had no reason to look away, I had the upper hand on him.

I took away something that he loved the most, it made me feel powerful. It made me feel like the king. I smiled as I walked into the conference room.

"Hakeem had arrived so now we will get down to the first order of business," Melissa said as I walked over to the blinds.

I caught eye contact with Cookie. I saw sadness and fear in her eyes. Whenever I looked in my mothers eyes she scared the hell out of me. Camilla gently touched my shoulder and I looked up at her.

I looked back at Cookie and closed the blinds. I walked back over to the head chair and sat down.

"First order of business is to remove Luscious Lyon and Jamal Lyon as CEO and Vice President from Empire and replace them with Hakeem as the new CEO of Empire, Hakeem how do you like that?" She smiled.

"It's my birthright," I smiled as I stood on top of the table. "Second order of business is to upgrade or security," I said as I grabbed the remote and jumped down off the table.

"I don't want anyone walking through those doors with out the proper badge, and I want a restraining order on Luscious Lyon, I'll spare the other Lyons," I replied as I flicked the tv on.

"Other than security we have other important issues, as of right now nobody is signed to Empire-"

"I'm already on that I have a talent show tonight downtown at the Bay, I'm looking for some fresh faces, new talent, Empire is a public company so we are open for options, other than Swift Stream were moving Empire to Apple Music, Tidal, Pandora, Spotify. We want other music to be heard across the globe," I said as I poured myself another glass of champagne.

"Secondly I want to move Melissa as Vice President of Empire, and Camilla as my assistant, who will handle all the business matters of this company, any questions, comments, concerns?" I asked.

Everybody shook their heads no. "Alright then, tonight we celebrate, celebrate for new management, new talent, and a new CEO," I said as we all raised our glasses.

"To the Empire!" I yelled. "To the Empire!" Everybody else yelled. As I sipped my champagne I smiled. I don't think anybody's ready for the new king of Empire. Hakeem No Lyon.

Candace -

"So y'all just gone sit around mopping around, while Hakeem is over there taking over the company?" I asked as I sat down on Luscious's couch.

"Candace right now is not the time, we have other important issues at hand," Cookie replied as she poured herself a glass of Moët.

"Where's Andre?" I asked. "He went home to check up on Rhonda,"

"Yeah I'm bout to head home too," Jamal replied as he gave Cookie a kiss on the cheek.

"Jamal-"

"Ma I gotta go, I can't just sit around, and act like everything's okay," he replied.

"I understand," Cookie replied.

"Yeah I'm leaving too, I gotta go check on Carol," I said as I looked at Luscious. I grabbed my purse and left my glass sitting on the coffee table. I gave Cookie a hug and me and Jamal left.

I honestly didn't blame Hakeem for what he did, Luscious deserved it, he needed to be knocked back off his pedestal. Him and Carol did Cookie wrong seventeen years ago when she was locked up in prison, and I feel that she needs to know now.

I don't know when the right time will be to tell her, but I do know that if they don't tell her what they did. I will. No matter how bad it would hurt her. They both owed it to her to tell her the truth.

Cookie -

After Jamal and Candace left me and Luscious went into his bedroom. We climbed in bed still in our clothes. I sat up against the head rest and Luscious laid in my arms. We laid there no talking involved just us caressing each other. I kissed his check and started caressing his head.

It had been a long time since me and Luscious had ever been this close with each other and it felt good. I have loved Luscious since we were younger, that love will never die. As I caressed his head I listened to him softly cry, whenever he was weak, I would hold him down no matter how he got on my nerves, or irritated my soul. I would always be his strength when he was weak. We were Lyons, nobody would ever break us, we were the strongest of the jungle. The streets were our jungle, yes this was a downfall but at the end of the day we would always be powerful.