I had carved out a square of the city that contained the prime dope district. The Kings had a section. Bo had one, me and Kev, and the last one was ran by a little bit of everybody; whoever had the balls and the muscle. But I wanted all four. What I proposed to Faheem was that he take two and I take two. Allow The Kings to have any place outside of what was now called District Seven.

All Faheem and his team had to do was move in and execute.

We had the best product and the best price. I figured fair exchange wasn’t robbery. It wasn’t a total hostile takeover. However everyone did hear the same announcement, “This is the Seventh District and all business comes through District Seven. Everything will be fair, and we will make sure that we all eat. Spread the word and be glad that we didn’t kill you! Now, together let’s get this money!”

Three nights earlier, my first big shipment was robbed. And it was a huge lost for us.

It had started pouring down raining, and I didn’t want to go back home to an empty house. I looked over at Faheem. “That was a big L, Faheem.”

“Don’t sweat it. You win some, you lose some. It happens to every muthafucka at one time or another. It’s the only way to learn how to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Don’t be so hard on yourself, me or the team. At least we didn’t lose any bodies. But we still gotta find out who took our shit. That’s when shit is going to get ugly. But until then, I got this. You stressing over it ain’t going to change shit.”

“I’m trying not to stress, Faheem. But that’s easier said than done. Where are you headed to? You want to come up for a drink? I damn sure feel like I need a stiff one.”

“A drink? What you got to smoke up there? I ain’t got nothing on me.”

I parked the ride and we headed upstairs. Since I kissed him, he had been staying away. I liked that I had made him uncomfortable. We came inside, shut the door and went our separate ways.

This was it. I was going for it. He was finally ready to get this lovin’. Faheem was about to be the third man I’d slept with.

The nanny and Carlito were sleeping peacefully. I hurried to shower and put on a negligee and a silk robe. I freshened up with some more Coach perfume. Ready.

“Seven!” I heard him call my name, sounding impatient. Hold your horses, big daddy. I got even more excited.

“I’m coming now.” With each step I took, my heart was beating so loud I could hear it through my chest.