Chess Piece
Bria pulled her clothes out of the suitcase and threw them on the floor. There were piles of colored clothes along with whites placed on the fluffy carpet. Exhaustion caused her eyes to ache and display heavy bags. Bria could hardly sleep on the plane, which resulted in her being sleep deprived. All she wanted to do was throw these loads in the washer, eat, then fall into a deep slumber. Bria turned and picked up the colored clothes just as there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
A few seconds later, her father, Douglas, stepped inside the room, wearing a sneaky grin. Bria smirked as he closed the door and walked over to her. Douglas Harvey was one of a kind with a sense of humor that was a little dark but hilarious. He was the leader of The Harvey Clan. The man that made sound decisions that ensured not only their safety but sanity as well.
“My little dancer is finally home. How long will you grace us with your royal presence this time?”
Dropping the clothes on the floor, Bria offered her father a knowing look. “Oh, please, Dad. You act like you're home enough to even see me.”
“Touché.” He smirked, taking a seat on the slipper chair. “I need to talk to you about something important.”
Bria plopped down on her bed with one leg tucked under the other. Growing up with a father who was a boss in the mafia proved to be so unpredictable. There was so much that couldgo wrong in their lifestyle. Their way of life didn’t come with an instruction manual. There wasn’t a forecast that predicted the outcome of situations. Anything could go awry without a moment’s notice, which was why Bria braced herself for her father’s talk.
“We’re making moves in the family. Specifically, to Noir Mob.”
Her eyes expanded, surprised by the news. “Wow, so, no more Legacy Mafia?”
Douglas shook his head, sliding his elbows to his knees. There was stress in his features. The creased forehead and heavy sighs notified her of that.
“It’s time. There’s so much disorder in TLM. It’s unlawful and I have to think about my family as a whole. Things like if we are safe in the organization. Or will we have the right protection when trouble comes our way. Being a leader comes with a lot of responsibility, and I feel as though The Noir Mob is a better fit.”
Bria pondered her father’s words, trying to think about life without The Legacy Mafia. She, along with her two sisters, had been engrained in the mafia world. She’d been a witness to all kinds of unlawful crimes and not by choice. At times, her father’s life spilled into their home, prompting her to help cover up messes that could incriminate Douglas. Bria never had to think about covering for the family. It was like a rite of passage. The lifestyle was more dangerous than going to war overseas, but it was their way of life.
“Okay,” she drawled. “Did you tell Mama yet?”
Nodding, he answered, “Yes, I did. I actually told everyone about it. You're the last to know.”
Playfully, she rolled her eyes. “Per usual.”
Douglas snickered, reclining in the chair and resting his ankle over his knee. “I told you last because you're a very important part of this move.”
Bria’s brows lowered, wondering what Douglas had up his sleeve.
“How is that?”
“So, I spoke to the boss of The Crown Family the other day. He’s willing to accept the family into his but there’s only two ways in. Buy-in or marriage.”
Angling her head, Bria sassed, “Let me guess, you want me to marry the boss?”
“Not quite.” He paused for a moment, pinching his bottom lip between his thumb and index finger. “The underboss. That’s who you will have to marry.”
“Ugh!” she groaned, falling back on the bed. Bria gazed up at the mural ceiling, admiring the Black ballerinas that she insisted on having. Her life was literally like a moving train. It stopped for a moment but then would move faster than lightning. The double life she lived should’ve been studied by Harvard graduates. By now, she was a professional. An actress that could turn her roles on and off when needed.
“Come on, baby girl. It won’t be that bad. You know this was bound to happen.”
“I know,” she muttered. “I just… I wish I had more time to myself, ya know.”
“I’d say thirty-two years is enough time.”
Bria lifted up then looked at Douglas. “What kind of guy is this underboss?”
“Well, this one, is… different.” Douglas hesitated as his eyes shifted around the room. “I would say dangerous even. I would’ve preferred someone else, but he was the only person available.”
“Dangerous, Dad?” She pursed her lips. “You said that about Cali and Enya’s husbands, and they were associates. Those men barely had a seat at the main table.”
A deep grumble of laughter wafted from Douglas’ mouth. “Hey, I needed to sell the dream to them, okay?”
