I grunted and leaned forward. “Clifton and I used to be friends.”
“That’s putting it mildly. They were close.” Hedeon gave me a look. “Be honest or I’ll tell it.”
I clenched my jaw and stared into Leigh’s eyes, trying to pretend like Hedeon wasn’t in the room. In my mind, it was just me and her lying in a bed together, her legs intertwined with mine.
“I met Clifton when I was young, sixteen maybe. We were best friends, got into a lot of shit together. We met Hedeon a few years later, and we both started out in the crew together. But Clifton got into bikes and found a different path. He left the club, no hard feelings.”
“So then why are you in a feud?” she asked.
“When he left, he took money with him. He says that money was his, and I say that money was mine. That’s what started it. Then shit spiraled from there. We went at each other for a couple years, fighting each other in the streets, that sort of petting shit. The feud quieted down, but I know he never got over it, and I’m the type to hold on to a grudge.”
“It was about money?”
“Not just money,” Hedeon said. “There was a girl.”
I looked away, blood boiling. “She was nothing. She wasn’t part of it.”
“Her name was Alexis. Clifton was in love with her.”
“So what’s it matter if he left with her?” Leigh asked. “Unless you loved her too?”
“She’s my cousin,” I said.
“Oh.” Leigh blinked a few times and leaned back in his chair. “So he stole money from you and left with your cousin.”
“They’re still together, I hear,” Hedeon said, smiling a little.
“You all think it’s so fucking funny,” I said, trying to conceal my anger and failing. “But if that was your family? And your money?”
Hedeon held up his hands. “I’d be angry too.”
“You don’t forget that shit.”
Leigh went quiet and picked up her tea. She blew on it then sipped it and stared at the tray for a long moment.
“I think I’d be angry too. At her as much as at him.”
I grunted in reply. Hedeon laughed.
“And now we’re all caught up on your drama,” Hedeon said. “So the question is, what do we do about it?”
“I’m here to ask for permission to hit back. If you won’t give me muscle, fine, I’ll use what I have. But I can’t let this go unanswered. Clifton went too far.”
Hedeon nodded. “I agree. He went much too far.”
“Good.” I looked at Leigh. “And you should know. She’s going to be around.”
“Part of your plan?”
“That’s right.”
Hedeon looked at her. “A year ago, you never would’ve met me, no matter how bad things got.”
“What changed?” she asked.
“Power. The dynamics in the city. A lot of things.” Hedeon shook his head and lifted his tea to his lips but didn’t think. “Are you sure you can handle being around Owain? He’s not exactly your average man.”
Leigh snorted. “That’s putting it mildly.”
“She can handle it,” I said. “She already saved one stash when she didn’t ahve to.”
“Alright.” Hedeon took a sip and put it down. “I’m going to give you a lot of freedom on this one. If you trust her, then I trust her. If you want to hit Clifton, then I’ll support your play. But that’s as far as I’ll go. I won’t stop you, but don’t expect reinforcements.”
“Fine. I can handle that.”
“Good.” Hedeon glanced back over at Leigh. “And if I were you, I’d be careful. I don’t know what this one has over you, or why you’re hanging around him, but I’m willing to bet he’s a lot smarter than you realize.”
I smirked at her. She looked back at me.
“I think you’re right,” she said.
“Come on.” I pushed my chair back. “We won’t take up any more of your time.”
Hedeon nodded. Leigh took one last sip and stood. She lingered there, her small frame seeming out of place in Hedeon’s kitchen. I wanted to walk to her, lift her off her feet, tasted the skin on her throat.
“Thanks for seeing me,” she said, and walked past me and into the living room.
I glanced at Hedeon and he gave me a small, appreciative nod.
I followed her back out, down the front hall, and through the door. She didn’t look back as he got into my car and leaned back in her seat.
I climbed into the driver’s side, but didn’t leave right away. The family listening to Salsa music laughed about something.
“You’re right,” she said, voice soft. “He’s not what I expected.”
“He’s the second most powerful man in the city. Give him a few years, and he’ll be number one.”
“I believe you.”
I leaned toward her. “But you, little diamond, you were good. You were very good. Asked the right things. Said the right things. I’m very happy I brought you.”