That's why Yah-Yah was my right hand. Because she understood the game better than most niggas who'd been hustling their whole lives.
We stepped out of the car, and I adjusted my custom blazer, making sure my own piece was hidden but accessible. The night air was cool, but I didn't feel it. Before a big meeting like this, my blood always ran hot.
"Stay close," I instructed as we approached the entrance, the bass from inside already vibrating through the sidewalk.
The line outside Bleu stretched around the block, but we walked straight to the front. Kebo, a mountain of a man who used to run with my crew before I set him up with this security gig, spotted us immediately.
"Yatta!" he called out, unhooking the velvet rope. "Ladies looking beautiful tonight." He said Yah-Yah and Mya.
I dapped him up, as I slipped two hundred into his palm. "Good looking out, fam. My people already inside?"
"They in VIP section three. Sosa got here 'bout twenty minutes ago."
I nodded, guiding my sisters through the entrance, bypassing the metal detectors and pat downs. The club was packed, bodiesgrinding on the dance floor, bottles popping at tables all around. Bleu was the premier spot in Chicago right now, it was owned by some Nigerian dude who knew how to keep quality clientele coming through.
We moved through the main floor like royalty, people stepping aside when they recognized me. That's the thing about having a reputation in these streets, you don't always gotta announce yourself. Your presence does the talking.
"There they go right there," Yah-Yah nodded toward the elevated VIP section where I spotted Rah lounging on a leather couch, surrounded by bottles and a few thirsty-looking females.
As we approached the stairs, the security guard started to step forward, but Rah waved him off.
"They good," Rah called out.
The VIP section was dimly lit, with plush seating and a view overlooking the entire club. Rah stood to greet us, giving me a respectful nod before hugging both my sisters, the hug lingering a little too long with Mya for my liking.
"Yatta, What’s up Big bro?" Rah said, extending his hand. "I’m glad y'all made it. Let me introduce you to Sosa."
That's when I noticed the man sitting in the corner booth, watching our exchange with calculated interest. He was younger than I expected, maybe late twenties, early thirties, with dark skin and locs pulled back neatly. Beside him sat another dude, light-skinned with waves, observing everything with sharp eyes.
"Yatta," Sosa stood, extending his hand. His grip was firm, matching my pressure exactly. "I heard a lot about you. You got a solid reputation in these streets."
"Likewise," I responded, sizing him up. He was shorter than me but carried himself with the confidence of a man who didn't need to intimidate to be respected. "Appreciate you taking the meeting."
"Business is business," Sosa replied smoothly. "This my right hand, Trigg."
The light-skinned dude nodded at me, but I caught his eyes sliding past me to where Mya stood. Something in his gaze made me instantly suspicious, but I kept my face neutral.
"My lil sisters," I said, gesturing to Yah-Yah and Mya. "This is Yah-Yah and this is Mya."
We all took seats, with my sisters flanking me on either side. I kept my posture relaxed but my senses on high alert, scanning the club periodically for any sign of bullshit.
"So," Sosa began, signaling for a waitress to bring another bottle. "Rah tells me you looking for a new supplier. You’ve been having issues with quality and pricing with your current situation."
I nodded, choosing my words carefully. "Tre's product ain’t been cutting it lately, I’m just looking for a change, because not only do my customers have standards but I got standards as well.”
"Yea that nigga been slipping," Sosa agreed. "He getting sloppy. Word is he's facing some heat from the feds too."
That was news to me, but I didn't let it show on my face. If Tre was under investigation, cutting ties now was even more crucial.
"What can you offer that he can't?" I challenged, leaning forward slightly.
Sosa smiled, reaching into his jacket. My hand instinctively moved toward my piece, but he just pulled out a small vial filled with white powder. He slid it across the table to me.
"Purer than anything Tre's pushing. Straight from my Dominican connect, minimal handling between there and here." I pocketed the sample without examining it. I knew I would test it later.
"And the numbers?" I asked, getting to the heart of the matter.
"Thirty-five a key, minimum order of five. Price drops to thirty if you take ten or more."