The Brothers

While the ladies were cleaning the kitchen, Cam, Odell and Colin were in Colin's office talking. "What the hell is Luke thinkin?" Cam asks.

"I don't know...but I don't see this lasting more than a few months." Colin says.

"Why can't y'all just be happy for the man. Ain't this what y'all wanted anyway?" Odell asks.

"There's a reason I said stay away from employees."

"Yeah, if something happens between them, she can try to sue or anything. She can make up anything to try to bring us down." Cam adds.

"Yes, and if you used that small ass brain of yours a bit more, you'd know why this is bad."

"Well there's nothin we can do, unless you make the nigga break up with her."

"Nah, I ain't gone do that. Just keep a close eye on the bitch." A quiet knock hit the door and Colin knew it was CJ. "Come in." The door slowly opens. "What's up bubba?"

"Auntie Kai and Auntie Kash are ready to go."

The fellas dap it up before leaving out of the office. Colin walks them to the door after everyone exchanges hugs and and goodbyes.

"Mom, are we staying wth dad tonight?" CJ asks looking at Aaliyah, then at Colin.

"Not tonight baby. Maybe some time next week." Aaliyah answers before Colin could.

"Awww mom. Why not. I don't have school tomorrow. Yeah, but we have church in the morning."

CJ sighs. "Fine. Dad you should come. You never do."

"We'll see. Y'all should get goin...I'll walk y'all to the car. Here, put your coat on." He says handing CJ his coat from the coat rack.

They walk downstairs to Aaliyah's black Range Rover. He opens the door for CJ first then walks Aaliyah to her door.

"What'd you think of Luke's woman?"

"Okay, I guess. Kind of basic, but ya know Luke, he really doesn't require much from a woman when it comes to being materialistic and all that shit." Colin chuckles. "I'm surprised you at how calm you were. I was sure you were blow the fuck up."

"You say that like you knew it was Carly that was coming."

"...I kinda did."

"And you didn't tell me. Aaliyah how could you?"

"I gave Luke my word. Listen, he really likes the girl. When was the last time he actually had some pussy in his life. Be happy for him."

"I don't care how much he likes her, I'm still gonna keep an eye on the bitch."

"Damn, that was disrespectful...and you don't ever call a woman out her name."

"Yeah, well, I've never seen a woman as a potential threat to my business either. First time for everything, right?"

"I guess so." She says before reaching for the handle on the door. "Oh and take your son up on his offer and go to church. You haven't stepped foot in one since college."

"I've told you.."

"He don't want you there, blah blah blah, and all that shit. If anyone knows that God always forgives, and no matter what you've done, or currently doing, you are welcome in His house, it's you. Hell, I'm not perfect. But I make my way there just about every Sunday."

"...except for the Sunday's after you've partied all Saturday night."

"You know what..." Colin chuckled. "Think about it." He dips down to give her a kiss.

"Goodnight Miss Aaliyah." Colin opens the door and she climbs in.

"Goodnight dad."

"Night Jr. I love you."

"Love you too."

"And you..." Colin turns to Aaliyah. "I love you."

"I love you." She responds.

***********

The following Monday, the guys meet up for breakfast at one of their regular spots to talk about club expansion in Miami. They're close to getting it up and running. Everyone shows up on time but Odell.

"Has anyone talk to Odell?" Cam asks.

"He said he'd be here when I talked to him last night." Colin says pulling out his phone. He dials Odell's number, and instead of Odell picking up, Akasha does.

"Hello."

"Kash?"

"Yes sir."

"Odell must have left his phone behind..."

"Umm nooo. He's right here."

"Oh. Uhh, can I talk to him."

"He's a little busy."

"Kash..." Odell says trying to sit up, but she pushes him back down.

"Shh." She says waving him off.

"I take it he won't be making the mandatory meeting this morning?"

"He might have to take a rain check. I head for the airport in the next hour, surely you understand."

"Yes ma'am, I do. Hey listen, when you take the leash from around his nuts, send him back out to play with the big boys, okay?" Colin says looking at Cam and Luke who are cracking up.

"Will do. Anything else?"

"No ma'am. And have a safe flight too."

"Thanks. Odell will talk to y'all soon."

"Alright." Colin hangs up and places his phone on the table. "Well he won't be joining us this morning. We'll just have to brief him on everything."

While the guys are having breakfast. Carly is back at Luke's place, barely waking up from a long night she and Luke had. Once she gets out of bed, she walks to his bathroom to brush her teeth. She's been over so many times, she has a toothbrush here.

After finishing her morning routine, she takes advantage of the time she has alone to take a look at his closet. She admires all the suits and shoes he has. Thinking if this goes far enough, maybe her closet will look as good and maybe she'll get treated the way Colin treats Aaliyah.

While in his closet, she stumbles upon a black duffle bag full of cash. A bag of cash that Colin asked him to keep there for him. Her brain was immediately flooded with questions and she needed answers. Luke was in for it when he got back to his place.

After breakfast, he heads straight home. Unlocking the door, he walks in and finds Carly sitting on the couch. "Hey babe."

"Hey." She says dryly.

"...you okay? Something up?"

"I uhh, found a bag full of cash in your closet."

"The fuck were you doing in my closet?"

"Is there something that I need to know? Don't lie to me."

"No." He says, trying his best to sound genuine about it.

"You lying son of a bitch, I just said don't lie to me." She says standing up.

"Wait a minute Carly." He says pulling her back down. "You want the truth?"

"Yes."

"You gotta promise to keep your mouth shut. You can't say nothin."

"You have my word." And from that point, Luke feels he can trust her enough to tell Carly what everyone outside of the crew doesn't know, all the way to the nickname Ghost.