Chapter 8: The Price of Loyalty
I couldn't move.
My mother stood in the hallway, her eyes fixed on mine.
"Say that again.""
She closed her eyes.
"Darius was involved in your father's murder.""
Renee shook her head.
"No. That doesn't make sense. Darius was barely a teenager.""
"Not Darius," my mother replied.
"His father.""
Samuel stepped forward.
"His father's name was Marcus King. He worked with Victor and Samuel before Black Crown became what Malik inherited.""
I looked at him.
"Why would Darius be responsible for something his father did?""
"Because he knew what happened. And he spent years trying to hide it.""
My phone vibrated again.
Another message.
*WAREHOUSE ON DECATUR STREET. 11:30. COME WITHOUT THE POLICE.*
Darius had sent an address.
I looked at the time.
11:04.
"You're not going anywhere alone," Renee said.
"I don't have a choice.""
Samuel shook his head.
"You do. And the first thing you need to understand is that Victor doesn't want Jordan dead.""
"Then what does he want?""
"The boy's birth certificate.""
My mother opened the folder again.
Inside was a copy of an old property agreement. It contained the names of Raymond Carter, Marcus King, Victor Shaw, and Samuel Carter.
At the bottom was a paragraph about a trust.
My father's signature appeared beside it.
"What is this?"" I asked.
Samuel pointed to a section marked BENEFICIARY.
"Your father established a trust before he died. It contains ownership interests in several legitimate businesses and properties. He divided it between his children.""
I frowned.
"I thought everything went to Malik.""
"Malik received control of Black Crown. The trust was separate.""
Samuel tapped the paper.
"Jordan is named as a beneficiary because his mother was the daughter of the man who originally financed the trust.""
I stared at him.
"Who was his mother?""
"Tasha Bell.""
Renee looked confused.
"That doesn't explain why Victor wants the birth certificate.""
Samuel pointed to another name.
"Her father was a businessman named Elijah Bell. He financed Raymond's first legitimate auto business. When he died, his ownership shares were placed in the trust.""
"And Jordan inherited them?""
"Yes. Victor has been trying to get control of those shares for years.""
I finally understood.
The boy wasn't just another hidden member of the family.
He was the key to a fortune Victor couldn't legally touch without his identity being confirmed.
"Why didn't Malik tell me?""
"Because Malik wanted to protect the child first. He was still gathering evidence when Victor found out.""
My mother stepped closer.
"Andre, listen to me. If Victor gets that birth certificate, he can use the boy to claim the trust and remove everyone else from control.""
I looked at the clock.
11:12.
"I don't care about the money. I want Jordan safe.""
Samuel nodded.
"Then we need to get there before Victor.""
I shook my head.
"Darius told me to come alone.""
"That's because he knows someone is watching his phone.""
I looked at my mother.
"Can you stay with Trey?""
She nodded.
Trey protested immediately.
"I'm not a little kid.""
I knelt in front of him.
"I know. But your father trusted you with something important. You need to keep that card safe.""
He pulled the microSD card from his pocket.
"What if they come here?""
Samuel placed a small envelope in his hand.
"Then you give this to your uncle. Nobody else.""
Trey looked at the envelope.
"What is it?""
"The truth about Victor.""
I wanted to ask more, but there was no time.
Samuel and I left through the back entrance.
We took separate vehicles and approached the warehouse from opposite directions.
At 11:28, I parked behind an abandoned delivery truck.
The warehouse doors were partially open.
Inside, I heard a baby crying.
I rushed in.
Darius stood near a metal table.
He looked exhausted. His white shirt was stained with blood, and one side of his face was bruised.
Beside him sat Denise, holding a baby wrapped in a blue blanket.
Jordan.
"Where's Victor?"" I demanded.
Darius pointed toward the far side of the building.
"Not here yet.""
I approached Denise.
"Is he okay?""
She nodded.
"He's scared, but he's fine.""
I looked at Darius.
"Why did you kill my brother?""
His expression changed.
"I didn't.""
"You sent me that message. You brought me here. You're standing beside the child my brother died protecting.""
Darius looked down.
"Malik knew I had made a deal with Victor.""
"Then why didn't you tell him the truth?""
"Because I thought I could fix it.""
"By giving Victor control of Black Crown?""
Darius slammed his fist against the table.
"I NEVER GAVE HIM CONTROL!""
The baby began crying harder.
Darius immediately lowered his voice.
"Malik found out Victor was using me to get close to the trust. He told me to pretend I was still working with him.""
I stared at him.
"You're saying the warning on Malik's phone was part of a plan?""
"No. He really didn't trust me anymore.""
Darius looked at me.
"He knew I had lied. But he also knew I was the only person who could get Jordan out.""
I stepped closer.
"Then explain why you were at the hospital the night Malik died.""
Darius's face crumpled.
"Because I was trying to save him.""
He pulled out his phone and showed me a video.
It was security footage from the hospital corridor.
Malik was sitting in a wheelchair.
Darius stood beside him.
A nurse approached with a folder.
Malik looked at the camera.
Then he said something I couldn't hear.
Darius pressed the screen.
The audio became clearer.
"Take the boy to Denise. Don't let Victor get him.""
Then Malik turned toward Darius.
"And if Andre asks what happened to me, tell him the truth.""
The video ended.
I stared at Darius.
"What truth?""
He reached into his pocket and removed a small envelope.
"Malik knew he was going to die. He gave me this the night before.""
I took it.
Inside was a single photograph.
It showed Malik standing beside a man wearing a hospital uniform.
On the back, he had written:
*THE MAN WHO SIGNED MY DEATH CERTIFICATE ISN'T A DOCTOR.*
I looked up.
"What does that mean?""
Darius lowered his voice.
"It means Malik was alive when they declared him dead.""
My stomach tightened.
"You're telling me my brother might still be alive?""
Darius nodded.
"That's what I've been trying to prove.""
Suddenly, the warehouse lights went out.
Denise screamed.
A metal door slammed somewhere behind us.
Then a man's voice echoed through the darkness.
"That's enough, Darius.""
A flashlight clicked on.
Victor Shaw stood near the entrance.
May you like
And beside him was a man I had believed was dead for twenty years.
My father.
