After that, he pushed Wanda out and put Cassandra in charge and when she died he gave Freeze total control. “I know you been handling shit for years, but it’s always been somebody else, me, then Wanda, then Cassandra, callin’ the shots. But that’s over with. It’s your turn to run things. Me and Bobby are here to advise you if you need it, but you make the decisions.”
Then he passed over her again and handed to reigns to Nick. Black had always been protective of Wanda and her involvement in the business, so he told Wanda to focus on their legitimate businesses. Until now, he never really realized that Wanda wanted to be involved, that she was just as gangster as they were.
When they arrived, Black decided that he would hear them out, listen to their grievances and try to work out some type of solution to this so Nick and Wanda could get back to working together. “Or maybe I’ll just shoot them both,” Black said out loud.
“I was thinkin’ the same thing,” Bobby said.
“I was just thinkin’ out loud, Bobby, I’m not gonna kill them.”
“Suppose you can’t settle it?”
“I don’t know,” Black said and got up. He left the office and went to the bar. He saw Sonny Edwards at the table playing poker. When Sonny saw him, he cashed out and went to the bar.
“Evening Mike.”
“How’s it goin’, Sonny,”
“Question is, how you doin’?” Sonny asked.
“I’m trying to figure some things out.”
“I gotta admit, this thing with Nick and Wanda caught me by surprise, so I know that it’s gotta be fuckin’ wit’ you. I knew it was gettin’ outta hand when I saw Travis and Jackie with them two guns she always carryin’, walkin’ Rain out at gunpoint.”
Black laughed a little. “I’m sure that was the highlight of the evening.”
“That shit was only happening because you and Bobby were gone. Now that you’re back, I’m sure things will go back to normal,” Sonny said.
“I hope you’re right, Sonny.”
“You remember what you told me once?”
“What was that?”
“You said something about how every time you and Bobby step back a little, somebody always sees that as weak, and they try y’all. Then you and him deal with it; and everything goes back to normal.”
“It’s the natural order of things,” Black said remembering what he said.
“This ain’t no different,” Sonny offered.
“I hope not, Sonny, ’cause we usually just kill everybody.”
“I know. And this time, it’s a little different ’cause it’s your own people. But it’s the same. What you gonna figure out is how deep this shit goes. If it’s just some jealous shit or does one of them have their eye on your spot. Now if you wanna get out, spend the rest of your life in the islands with that gorgeous woman and your kids, then pick a winner, deal with the loser and move on. But I know that this is who you are. The shit is in your blood and retirement is the last thing on your mind.”
“You’re right.”
“I know I am, Mike. So do what you gotta do and you and Bobby gotta take control of your house,” Sonny told him.
“Thanks, Sonny. I appreciate your counsel,” Black said and Sonny went back to the table and got back in the game.
Black looked around and called Monika over. “What’s up?”
“I need you to do something for me.”
“I’m not heavy tonight,” Monika informed him. “All I got on me is a 9.”
“That’s all right, and besides, everybody thinks you’re always heavily armed so that will be enough for what I need you to do.”
“What you need?”