• 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 •

• 7 •

eneaj

I didn't have time to stand over Yenvy and Illiora and see what they were talking about. Plus, I wasn't even sure if Ill even wanted me to entirely know about the full situation. I brought back the paperwork I had been working on at the mansion into my office, going to sit down in my chair before Mrs. Smith popped her head in a moment later.

"It's time for Illiora to go up but she's still talking to your friend," she informed me. "Do you want me to go out and get her or?"

Mrs. Smith was an older woman, not super old, auburn twists the same shade as Ill's starter locs, a gentle style to her clothes much like an English teacher's, and a compassionate heart.

"See if anybody else is willing to go before her, and tell her to wrap it up. They can talk later," I nodded.

I went back to my paperwork, some more stuff on the lounge I was considering up in Dallas. I still didn't know if I wanted to take it or not. And I was sort of holding hope out that there would be some leases somewhere in Houston, now that I lived in H-town.

I poured myself something to drink from my mini stash and took my glass back down to the club, walking around and observing, nodding and smiling at my customers. I was at the top of my game.

But something was missing.

Something is missing.

"Eneaj."

I turned.

"Wassup? How did the convo go?" I asked Yenvy.

She looked a little troubled, no drink in her hand anymore. "Fine. But you might wanna start lookin' for someone else to fill Illiora's spot. Don't tell her I said that." Yenvy walked away, heading for the bathroom.

I watched her go, confused and worried.

Was Illiora leaving? Where was she right now?

I headed back to the dressing room, and when I didn't find her there, I glanced up at the girl's working. I wasn't gonna stop her while she was entertaining, so I waited against the wall, a frown now on my face too.

Whatever trouble she was in...it was real bad. Had to be. But I hope Yenvy would tell me what was really going on so I could get the full scope of things.

"Ill," I pulled her towards me as soon she started walking off.

"Look, I know. Just let me finish the night and I'll explain everything," she shook her head.

"We need to talk now. Fuck the rest of the night. Old friend to old friend," I stared into her eyes.

"Fine," she sighed tiredly, following me to my office.

"What happened?" I asked as soon as I closed the door behind her.

"Yenvy thinks I should relocate somewhere outside of Zinnias, or Dallas...outside of Texas."

"You lyin'," my mouth fell open.

"I ain't," she sighed, "She doesn't think it's safe for me to be out here, but she knows somebody up North who can represent me. I'm gonna speak up about what I saw, Eneaj. It wasn't...right."

"What did you see, Ill?" I asked softly.

"Someone innocent get shot. And the niggas I was around ain't tryna say shit. They wanna cover it up. Keep goin' to parties and throwin' money in sections and doin' the work that they do, but that shit is engrained in my mind," she pointed at her head, "I can't stop thinkin' about it, Eneaj."