Out of the Shadows

Chapter 3

The night is winding down, it's almost 3a.m. and we're sitting in VIP trying to figure out our next move. Nikki walks up to me and asks if she can speak to me for a minute. We walked to my office, I opened the door and motioned for her to enter ahead of me. I sat at my desk and waited for her to say what was on her mind.

"I know that was your cousin you fired earlier, and I won't get in between family. I know what it's like to have no one. This is my last night working here. Let her come back, just not as your manager." Nikki said.

"So, what are you gonna do? I asked her.

"I'm just going to take it one day at a time. I just found the only family I have left in this world, so hopefully I can reconnect with them and get my life together." She said sounding distant but excited.

"Well you got them now and I don't think they're letting you go anytime soon. You off the clock, come hang with your people. We haven't decided what we're getting ready to get into but you're welcome to join us." I told her going into my side drawer in my desk. I took $5000 out and went to hand it to her.

"What's that for?" she asked looking at me and the money strangely.

"This ain't that, when I said Niq was my wife I meant that shit. Chill with all that, this is for the exceptional work you did tonight. Half of our staff walked out on us and you handled that shit like a boss. I wouldn't have known they left, if I hadn't seen that shit myself. I think a bonus is in order. And Nikki I don't know your history as of yet, but just know they are my family. And if you're a part of them, you're family too. So just figure out what you want to do and we all will stand behind you." I told her, and I meant every word I said.

"Well since you put it like that I guess I do deserve it. Cause I did that." She said laughing.

"But on some real shit Roc I'll take it on one condition." She countered.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Either you give the staff a bonus too or I'll give it to them out of this money. I couldn't do it without them, they really stepped up tonight. You have a really good staff once all the bad apples are gone, you should get to know them. They're some real cool ass people. You have some characters working for you." She said smiling.

"Ok you got a deal, but I'll give them the bonus. Now until you figure out what you're gonna do, I need you to find a replacement manager if you don't mind. There will be a finder's fee, don't argue it is what it is." I say looking at her.

"Oh, I wasn't going to argue with you I just wanted to know why you can't do it?" She bluntly asked.

"I don't have the time, plus I know you will make sure the person is more than qualified. And if you do it I can tell people looking for a hand out to talk to you." I said seriously to her.

"So, you using me to take the heat off yourself? Roc you bogus as hell for that. But I can respect the truth, but if I do it I have full control over who gets picked then you get the final say of course." Nikki said looking at me waiting for my approval of her conditions.

"I don't have to approve shit I trust you to do this Nikki. You didn't have to save us last night but you did. So, you do this your way and I'm cool with that." I say to her.

"We cool? Can I get back to my girl now?" I asked smirking.

"Yea, you can. And by the way Roc about Niq, if you hurt her....I didn't let her finish. Because I know where this is going. I'm going to hear this from the other girls too.

"Hold that thought Nikki. You can threaten me later, I promise." I laughed standing up. We walk out the office and go back towards VIP where everybody was still sipping on their drinks and enjoying each other's company. Nikki walks up to Jazzy and said something to her before she went to the back to get her stuff. I'm hungry as hell, I think we should get something to eat before we call it a night. I look at all these fools and just smile at my people. I'd give my life for anyone of them and they'd do the same for me.