“Set up an interview,” I told him. “Not here, though. I’ll give you the location.”
Marc paused, brows knitting a little. “Got it. You want me there or…?”
“Nah. I’ll handle it.”
He didn’t ask any more questions. That’s what I liked about Marc. Solid nigga. He ain’t overstep. He didn’t need to know the past to follow the order.
“Cool. Anything else?” he asked, switching gears.
“New orders. Let me sign off so we don’t fall behind.”
I followed him into the back office, skimmed the list, crossed a few things off that weren’t moving fast enough, and stamped approval on the rest. Everything else looked solid. Clean shifts and updated schedules,. That’s why Linc’s stayed profitable. I kept my foot on every neck, whether I was in the building or not.
Before I left, I walked the floor. Let every muthafucka in there feel my presence. Let ’em know the boss ain’t just a name on the payroll.
When I hit the door again, Marc was back at his post.
“I’ll text you that location for Armani,” I said.
“Copy that.”
I was damn near at the truck when my phone buzzed. I smiled when I saw it was Goldie. I hit accept with a smirk. “Wassup, shorty?”
“You on the way home?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Because you were supposed to be done an hour ago, and your phone been dry like you forgot what communication looks like.”
I pulled the door open and slid in. “I was handling shit, Goldie. Had to double back on inventory, talk to Marc, clean up a lil’ bullshit. Damn, baby. Where the love at?”
She snorted. “At home, where you’re supposed to be.”
I leaned back in the seat, letting her voice settle me. “Benny been on one today?”
“What you think? He’s been on one since breakfast. Talking ’bout he wanna fight a bear. Where he even get that shit from?”
I laughed. “YouTube.”
“He’s three, Lincoln. If he squares up with a squirrel, he’s getting jumped.”
“Bullshit. I’ll shoot the fuck out that squirrel.”
She paused, voice softer. “You good?”
I didn’t answer right away. Just let the silence stretch.
“…Lincoln?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Just thinking. It’s been a long fuckin’ day.”
She let out a breath. “Alright. Come home, then. And don’t bring none of that heavy shit inside with you. You know I’ll get it up off you.”
I smirked. “Shit…I’m on the way.”
She hung up, and I sat for a second, eyes on the wheel, letting her words simmer. She didn’t always say a lot, but when she did, it landed. Home wasn’t just a house. It was her mouth, her heat, our wild-ass son, and that sharp tongue that kept me grounded.
I started the truck and pulled off. Time to take my ass home to all of that.
