Kings of the Castle

by Naleighna Kai

  After Crystal, Vikkas’ newly-hired assistant, led them through a winding underground corridor, she ushered them into the circular, state-of-the-art conference room where coffee, tea, juice, and delicate sandwiches graced a wooden credenza, Vikkas invited them to enjoy the refreshments. A glance around the room had Shaz wondering what kind of equipment lay behind several wooden doors decorated with ornate handles.

  Aside from Vikkas, seven other men stood around the room. Shaz knew four of them. Two were strangers he’d seen at the hospital on his way out after seeing Khalil—the one connection they had in common. The arctic blast of the air conditioning almost made him shiver. He was about to check the vibration from his phone when Khalil’s lookalike spoke.

  “Gentlemen, please take a seat.” His tone was low but commanding as if he was used to arresting people simply with his words.

  Jai and Reno ended their conversation, pulled out two navy executive chairs, and sat next to each other. Dro and Grant abandoned their drinks on the sideboard and took their seats. The newcomers—Kaleb and Daron—scanned the men before Kaleb claimed the empty space next to Reno. Shaz silenced his phone.

  “Has anyone managed to raise Dwayne?” Jai asked, putting a pointed look on Shaz, who had been the closest to him in high school.

  “Not a peep. Text, email, a phone call—he hasn’t responded to anything,” Grant said, crossing one slack-covered leg over the other.

  “Or anyone,” Reno chimed in. “I’ve tried too.”

  “And then there were … eight,” Vikkas said, the weariness in his voice unmistakable.

  Everybody’s attention went to Vikkas, who’d only brought a tablet into the room with him. His calm demeanor belied the life-threatening experience he’d been through with his father. A silk royal-blue tie sat snug inside a well-cut charcoal suit that probably cost an arm and a leg. Shaz knew this because he favored high-end suits as well.

  “There were wrongs that my father wanted to make right. He considered all of you to be ‘King material.’ My father asked me to chair this meeting, hoping you would understand the depth of what he requested and accept his offer. I know some of you grew up together, but let’s start by introducing ourselves,” he said. “For those who don’t know me, I am Vikkas Germaine.”

  He pointed to Daron. “Let’s start with you.”

  Each man gave his name and a summary of what he did for a living. When it was his turn, Shaz shared that he specialized in family immigration and did some voluntary work connected to his business. The meeting felt like high drama and cloak-and-dagger business, but he respected Khalil too much not to be here. He’d been shocked when he finally laid eyes on Khalil. The man was as pale as the sheets he lay on inside the intensive care unit.

  When Khalil opened his eyes and welcomed him, Shaz had been relieved. His mentor’s voice was much stronger than expected. Given the situation, Shaz held on to his questions. In a few sentences, Khalil revealed his involvement in The Castle, and where he had been shot. Shaz was impressed because of the property’s reputation and its exclusive clientele made up of tycoons and celebrities. Other than telling Shaz he had an assignment for him and his magnet school brothers within the organization, Khalil had revealed nothing else, leaving that to his son.

  Vikkas’ voice cut into Shaz’s straying thoughts. “I’m sure you’re wondering what exactly is expected of you, but bear with me.”

  A beep came from the cell on the table in front of him, and Vikkas scanned their faces. “Give me a moment, please. This is important.”

  Shaz’s mind went back to the hospital visit with Khalil. He left the place mystified but expecting to be fully clued in by the confidential document Khalil asked him to study before this meeting. The envelope arrived yesterday evening, which hadn’t allowed him much time. Given the fact that Shaz partly owed his success to Khalil, he’d done what his mentor asked. Now, he honed in on the three men he’d just met, wondering what their role would be in all this. He had a host of questions, but those could wait. First, he needed to know exactly what he was getting himself into. Guilt pricked him again over ignoring the information Khalil had sent and the first request he made four weeks ago.

  Vikkas pressed a button on a specialized remote. A pair of cherry wood doors slid open to reveal a huge flat-screen television anchored to a recessed wall. The property Shaz had only been vaguely aware of, and in which they now sat, appeared on the screen. “Gentlemen, The Castle and its restructuring will be the focus of this first meeting.”

  The men shuffled, and Shaz and Dro exchanged a glance before their gazes returned to the screen, where the sprawling property was still displayed.

  Vikkas gave them a whirlwind virtual tour of the premises, which to Shaz’s surprise housed not only an exclusive community, but a holistic clinic, gaming lounges, several gyms, a mega-exclusive gentleman’s club, and a ladies’ circle. Hearing about all the undisclosed businesses patronized by the rich and famous piqued his interest.

  “A physical tour will reveal the scope and expanse of The Castle and all that’s contained within this property. We’ll do that after this meeting.”

  His gaze rested on each man momentarily. “Any questions so far?”

  Shaz had a thousand and he saw it in his brothers’ expressions, and Daron and Kaleb’s faces as well, but it was as if they were in one accord—they’d wait until they had more information. Each man either voiced a ‘no’ or shook his head. Their gazes, pinned to Vikkas, were a clue they were waiting for him to get to the details that would alter their lives substantially.

  Vikkas was like a puppeteer. With one click, the screen was again concealed behind the double doors. The silence was complete. Not even the air-conditioning dared to spew a sound into the room.

  “My father has owned this property for some time, constructing the rest of these buildings around a small bridge that existed for nearly one-hundred years. What it has become is far from his original vision. He wants to change that.” After a couple of beats during which he scanned their faces, he added, “That’s where you come in. He always knew you had the courage, integrity, and strength to complement and complete his vision for The Castle.”

  In five minutes, he outlined how The Castle had shifted from an incubator of dreams to a den of iniquity. “The Castle has maintained its reputation for those looking in from the outside. But my father discovered some ... let’s say, under-the-radar member activities that made him start delving further into the transactions related to The Castle, its subsidiaries, and offshore holdings. That’s what made someone want to end his life and mine.”

  The restlessness in the conference room was muted, but obvious. A range of expressions crossed the men’s faces, from unease to anxiety to anger. Shaz had a bunch of conflicting emotions of his own. Who would be bold enough to try to kill Khalil, and was he down for taking on whatever part he was supposed to play?

  As he listened, Shaz’s heart rate quickened. The heaviness in his gut told him there was more under the surface of the document he’d been fed. While it detailed the development of the property and the homes, businesses, and recreational facilities on site, he’d felt something was missing while he was reading.

  This was it.

  Vikkas’ voice pulled Shaz out of his thoughts. “My father has seen fit to appoint the group of you as Kings of the Castle, so to speak. Previously, my father allowed the members with the biggest stake to have a say in the general operations and to guide the direction of The Castle, its purpose, and financial holdings and properties. That’s about to change.” He opened a leather folder and brought an iPad to life. “What he requires of you is first that you accept the appointment as managing partner, which puts you all on a higher standing than any current member. Second, that you sign a confidentiality clause, and third, that you recognize what happens in The Castle stays in The Castle.” A faint smile crossed his face. “Sort of like Vegas, but more like …”

  “Reno,” the brothers supplied, except Daron and Ka
leb, who exchanged a curious glance.

  “He had the confidence you’d be all-in, because of his history with you and what he had charged you to do when you graduated.”

  A collective sound of acknowledgment came from the group, and once again, Shaz wondered about the men he didn’t know as well as the others. Were they Khalil’s students, as well? How did they fit into the scheme of things?

  “Do we have time to think about any of this?” Jai asked.

  “That was going to be my question,” Grant added.

  “You had time to do that while you were reading that confidential file,” Vikkas said, not bothering to hide his disdain.

  “What are the risks?” Daron picked up his hat and stroked the edge of the brim.

  Tapping his pen against the table, Vikkas said, “We have world-class safety systems on-site—”

  “Yet someone shot Khalil, didn’t they, and barely missed you?” Daron countered.

  Vikkas inhaled, and there was a momentary slip of his normal range of calm. “Yes, but under extraordinary circumstances. Trust me when I say this lapse has been taken care of and won’t happen again. My father somehow put you.” He glanced at Daron. “In charge of that without checking with me first.”

  “Will this appointment preclude any of the projects we all have going on now?” Shaz asked, frowning as he thought of having to take leave of his clients and the time-consuming work involved in keeping families together. “Businesswise, I mean.”

  “If anything, being associated with The Castle will enhance what you do.”

  That didn’t answer his question. Besides, he didn’t need more business. As things stood, he was overburdened half the time. He’d do anything for Khalil, but his clients also needed him. And that work had a humanitarian aspect as well. One of the major tenets of learning that Khalil had instilled in all of them.

  “What else is there?” Shaz asked. He’d always been one to question everything and find all the angles, which made him good at his studies and in his chosen field.

  Dro, Jai, Grant, and Reno frowned at Shaz, but then their gaze went to Vikkas as if they, too, expected something more.

  After studying Shaz for a few seconds, Vikkas’ focus went back to his tablet. He cleared his throat, then announced, “My father wants you to work together to restructure the operations of The Castle, but I’d like to put something else on the plate.”

  Everyone’s gaze shifted to him.

  “We need to find out who tried to kill him.”

  CHAPTER 27

  “I know this is dangerous territory, but can you contact any of your old buddies from your banging days?” Reno asked Kaleb, moving away from the group congregated outside of the conference room, shutting the door behind them, leaving the other men in their own conversation as they took a short break.

  Kaleb gripped the back of the leather chair and placed a smoldering glare on Reno. “Do you know what you’re asking of me?”

  Reno nodded, knowing this was a big query. “I just received an update from Skyler at the shelter. Zuri is a new client. Her father and fiancé are in Chicago searching for her and it’s not a good thing.”

  Zuri Okusanya had been in the States for five years, getting a degree in International Relations, only returning to Tanzania to celebrate her mother’s home-going. Her father forbade her to return to the States and demanded that she take her rightful place as Djimon’s wife, securing her future and the family’s finances since the Aku family pledged $200,000 as a dowry. The insult caused by her disappearance could only be rectified by two things—her compliance or her death.

  Reno shook his head in disbelief as he relayed the information to his friend. “She didn’t want an arranged marriage, and her father accused her of letting the Western world strip Zuri of her culture.”

  “Sounds like the movie Coming to America.” Kaleb grinned, but Reno didn’t crack a smile.

  “In addition to that, the Sovereign Kings are snooping around the transitional housing apartments,” Reno said, perching on the circular boardroom table. “I don’t know if they’re casing the place for a new stash spot for drugs or if her father has some connections here. Either way, their increased presence is putting all the women I’m protecting at risk. I had no choice but to move them.”

  “This is serious,” Kaleb said, and this time there wasn’t a trace of a smile or smirk on his face.

  “All I need is information, and you’re in a better position to get it than I am. I mean–––” Reno stepped back and gestured to his face. “Who’s gonna talk to this straight-laced pretty Italian boy?”

  “True dat.” Kaleb lightly chuckled, giving his friend a fist bump. “Once upon a time, I wouldn’t have flinched at the idea of administering street justice to these young punks.” He pulled out the chair and took a seat, then Reno followed suit.

  Reno placed a hand on Kaleb’s broad shoulder. “It shouldn’t have to go that far, but I’m confident you could handle that business.”

  “All jokes aside, there’s a reason why my family was uprooted to Detroit.” Lowering his voice as the other men filtered back in, giving them a suspicious look, Kaleb whispered, “To protect my mother, I turned state’s evidence against the leader of the gang. In return, I was granted immunity from prosecution and relocated. This week is the first time I’ve set foot in Chicago in fifteen years.” Kaleb paused, cracking his knuckles. “Ain’t no love for a snitch in the hood, but there are long memories. Evidently, one of your friends has one.”

  “Damn, KV. I thought your mother found a better paying job, and that’s why y’all had to move.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I guess that was your cover story?”

  “I couldn’t say anything,” Kaleb replied, shifting so the leather chair sighed under his movement. “Truthfully, I wasn’t supposed to keep in touch with anyone from my past. I saved your number in my new phone under the name Mariah and shuffled the area code around, so my mother didn’t recognize that it was a Chicago number.”

  “That’s extreme, but I understand.” Reno eyed Kaleb with a clearer appreciation of the value of their continued friendship, one the other kings weren’t aware of. “I’ll find another way.”

  “Your girl needs help,” Kaleb shot back, bumping Reno’s shoulder with his fist. “The kind a straight-laced pretty boy from Chatham can’t provide.”

  “Zuri isn’t my girl,” Reno protested a little too loudly, scanning the conference room to make sure the other men hadn’t overheard his mini outburst. “She’s a client.”

  Kaleb gave him the side-eye, and a half-smile. “But you care about her, right?”

  “On second thought, let’s table this entirely,” he replied, matching Kaleb’s intense stare. “Interacting with your old gang is one thing, but sniffing around them when a bounty might still be on your head is a risk that’s not worth taking.”

  “Agreed. We’ll figure something else out, but you didn’t answer my question about Zuri.”

  Reno grinned, clapping a hand on Kaleb’s shoulder. “I didn’t, did I?”

  CHAPTER 28

  The meeting ended with a new agenda on the table, and a date for all of the paperwork to be signed giving the men access complete rights, privileges and co-ownership of The Castle and all of its financial holdings and properties.

  Jai glanced at the one empty seat that remained at the table. “We need to go see about Dwayne.”

  “Why? He’s made it painfully obvious he wants no parts of this,” Kaleb said, placing his palms on the table. “So why would we even want him along for this ride?”

  “There’s an empty seat at this table,” Shaz said, gathering up the final documents and tucking them under his arm. “There’s a purpose for each of us.”

  “If we accept it,” Vikkas interjected.

  “Have you?” Reno shot back, almost glaring at him. “Why weren’t you here running things? You had to have known how bad it was.”

  “My place was with my father,” Vikkas countered. �
�I don’t have any regrets about helping with his work.”

  “And you didn’t get any vibe that these dudes were going rogue?” Daron asked, swiveling in the leather chair to face Vikkas. “None at all, huh?”

  “Too trusting,” Kaleb mumbled.

  “Hey, you can’t say too much about trust,” Grant said, glaring at Kaleb. “The only reason we’re giving you a pass is because Reno went in on us at the hospital.”

  “Let’s not go back down that road,” Vikkas warned before putting his focus on Daron and Reno. “I had suggested that I remain here, run things, but my father insisted that I be with him, wanting to make up for the times he spent babysitting other people’s children and neglecting his own.”

  The unspoken accusation that “other people’s children” meant the majority of the men in this room was not lost on anyone.