In a word, Edwina was a looker. She used her intelligence and her skills to take over the business.
“What? Did I say something wrong?” Edwina asked.
When they got back to The Four Kings, the house was packed as usual, and Ayisha reported to Marvin that everything was running smoothly in the gambling room.
“It’s early and we’re about a hundred over my projections for the night,” Ayisha said and poured them both a drink.
“And since we both know that your projections are always on point, this is a good thing.”
Ayisha looked at Marvin and then picked up a bar napkin and then she wiped Marvin’s cheek.
“What?”
“Blood,” Ayisha said and put the napkin in an ashtray, got a lighter and set it on fire. “And I’m guessing it’s not yours.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Marvin said as Ayisha got another bar napkin, dabbed it in some water and wiped Marvin’s cheek again. “But, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.
”
“Money Marv!”
When Marvin turned around, he saw Serek Pearson, a former drug dealer turned legitimate businessman. He used to buy weed from Marvin while he was dealing. While they were talking, Serek told Marvin that he was in the construction business now.
“That’s cool. How’s that going for you?” Marvin asked.
“It’s going great, but I got this big job coming up and I need fifty thousand dollars to buy supplies to start the job and all my money is tied up in the other two jobs I’ve got going.”
“That ain’t good.”
“No, Money, it ain’t. If I don’t get this money, I may have to back out and I ain’t trying to do that. I tried borrowing the money from the bank, but you know they turned a nigga down.” Serek laughed. “Money!”
“What?”
“Pull fifty grand out your pocket so I ain’t gotta default on this job,” Serek said and laughed, but Marvin didn’t; he saw the opportunity.
“Let me see what I can do for you,” Marvin said.
“You serious?”
“Yeah. You gonna be here for a minute?”
“Yeah,” Serek said excitedly.
“Stick around, I’ll get back with you,” Marvin said and went in the office.
“Just the man I wanted to see,” Marvin said to Judah.
“What’s up?”
“Lend me fifty grand.”
“You serious?” Judah asked.
“Yeah, I’m serious. I got something going and I need fifty to make it happen,” Marvin said.
“No problem. I ain’t got it on me but come by the house tonight after we close, and I got you.” Judah laughed “At no interest ’cause you my nigga and shit.”