Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Is that Mr. Marcelo?”
Zuri widened her eyes. “How did you know that?”
“Carmen brought him up when I was explaining that Marly and Scrooge were work friends.”
“Oh.”
“She said he is big.”
“He is.”
“But not as big as me.”
She ran her gaze down my body and swallowed. “That’s true too.”
“Who is he?”
“His name is Marcelo Romano and he—”
“Runs Rowe Street Mob.” I frowned. “Or has that changed since I’ve been gone?”
“No. It hasn’t.” She nervously tossed dreadlocks over her shoulder. “But. . .they are trying to shift to a more legal side of society—”
“Aren’t they still with the Diamond Syndicate?”
“They are, but the entire Syndicate is working toward legitimacy.”
I snorted.
Now it was her turn to frown. “Either way, Marcelo knows who you are—”
“You’re damn right he does.” I sneered.
“Are you mad?”
“I don’t like you working for thugs—”
“If it wasn’t for Marcelo and those thugs, Crimson Mob might have hurt me.”
I stiffened. “What?”
“When I was in law school, I used to waitress at the Emerald Enclave. Even with the restraining order, I wasn’t sure if Marly would respect it. So, I asked the bartender if he knew someone who could get me a gun.”
I gritted my teeth, hating that she had to protect herself from my enemies.
“The next night, I didn’t hear anything else from the bartender. However, Marcelo came up to me with a gun and bullets. Then, he sat me down and asked what I needed it for.”
Was that all he asked? Fucking piece of shit. Was he trying to hit on you? Or was he truly protecting you?
“I told Marcelo everything.” Zuri put her weight on the other foot. “He gave me the gun and promised me that he would talk to Francesca.”
Stunned, I raised my eyebrows. “He did?”
“Yes. He said he owed you. . .the Red Reaper.”
I pursed my lips together.
“Why did he owe you?”
“Once, him and his crew tried to take over territory in Shadow Heights. They were young, inexperienced, and thought nobody was in control, so I introduced myself.” I shrugged. “We had them surrounded. Completely outnumbered. Guns pointed at their faces. I’m sure their lives flashed before their eyes.”
Zuri’s eyes widened as she listened intently. “What did you do?”
“I let them go.”
“Why?”
“I saw potential in Marcelo. He was smart and ruthless. He had what it took to lead. I didn’t want to waste that on a war that would only cause unnecessary bloodshed. So, I made a deal. They would stay out of Shadow Heights and in return, I would let them keep their lives and maybe in the future when they got their weight, we could do business.”
“How did Francesca feel about that?”
“She didn’t like it.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “So that gun is from him?”
“Yes.”
I took in her green dress. “I thought you were wearing that color due to it being Christmas.”
“I’m part of the South, so I wear green.”
“Earlier, you pulled that gun out fast and looked like you knew how to use it.”
“On our off days, Marcelo let the other waitresses and me practice shooting at their gun range.” She sighed. “Eventually, Marcelo discovered that I was going to law school. I had some books behind the bar, and the next thing I knew, he had me in his office, grilling me about my future goals.”
“He paid for the rest of your years at law school?”
She quirked her brows. “How did you know?”
“Lawyers. Cops. Politicians. In our world, you can never have too many.”
“He paid for school and helped me move into this building with the promise that I assist him with legitimizing Rowe Street Mob after I graduate.”
“And how is that going?”
Zuri leaned against the counter, her gaze distant as she reflected on her journey. “It’s been a process. I started with real estate. Rowe Street Mob had a lot of properties under various names, mostly acquired through. . .less-than-legal means. I helped Marcelo transition those into legitimate holdings, setting up proper legal frameworks.”
Her eyes met mine, and there was a spark of passion in them as she spoke about her work. “We’ve moved into urban redevelopment projects. We’re turning old, rundown areas of the South into affordable housing and community centers for people that really need them.”
“That’s. . .fucking amazing.”
“It’s about giving back to the neglected. Rebuilding.”
Pride washed over me. “You were always smart and driven.”
She smiled. “It’s not just real estate, though. We’ve been diversifying. Investing in local businesses, startups, even a tech company. We’re trying to clean up the money, make sure everything’s above board.”
I couldn’t help but smirk. “So, you’re turning those thugs into a corporate empire.”
“People can evolve.” She studied me. “No one is ever defined by their past.”
“You’re at the heart of their redemption.”
“I’m just playing my part. Trying to use my skills for something positive.”
“As always, I’m impressed and proud of you.”
She stirred. “Well. . .that’s not important. Marcelo can help.”