After breakfast, Marcus and I go down to my basement gym. I’ve used a lot of crummy, dirty ‘dungeons’ in my time, but I have to admit that having my own gym in the basement of this building has been a pampering I like.

As I roll out my shoulders, Marcus gets right to the point. “All right, Ryker, I know you said you needed a vacation, and I understood. I didn’t call you except for big issues the whole week you were up in Niagara or wherever the hell it was you guys went.”

I laugh lightly. We didn’t get anywhere near Niagara Falls. Just me, Sarah, and a cabin in the woods overlooking a lake. “Which I appreciate.”

“Good, but you know I need you here now, right? We’ve got to establish our control. It’s only been a few weeks since you killed Waters.”

I cross the room to the wall of ‘accessories’ that I like to use and select a set of medium-intensity resistance bands. They’re good for warming up, and I want to work my back today. “I know. But this transition needs to happen as rapidly as possible, Marcus. I’m getting out of the life. Sarah is my priority now.”

Marcus gives me a questioning look, waiting while I do my shoulder exercises, the whole time looking uncertain even after I just told Kendra the same thing. “You’re really doing this, giving up everything for her after working so hard for years? I know you keep saying it, but damn, part of me still doesn’t believe it. Or maybe I just don’t want to.”

I think back over the years, fighting for every scrap until I could make a name for myself, the nightmares after my early jobs when my stomach would roll with what I’d had to do, earning respect bit by bit as I proved myself to the crews on the ground in this city. No one thought I had what it took. I started from there, fighting my way up and making a name for myself. Yes, the last few years have been better, controlling and strategizing from the top of the hierarchy as boss, but it still comes at a price—one I’m no longer willing to pay.

Instead of explaining all of this to Marcus, I go over to the pullup bar, clipping the band to the post between my feet before grabbing the bar overhead, making each pull harder as I go up. I shake out my arms again and reply. “Yep, she’s it, the one and only for me. I told you when it all happened that she’s more important than anything. Except maybe you, man. And regardless of what Jacob Waters may have been, Sarah’s not part of this world.”

“I can see that,” Marcus says, agreeing.

I start my first set of pull ups, going all the way up and down as I feel my muscles work. After ten, I let go and shake out. “You know better than anyone that I don’t do things half-assed, taking care of this city or loving her. I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. The city’s yours, Marcus. Don’t fail it.”

Marcus hears my challenge and smirks, pulling off his shirt and rolling his own shoulders out. “Fail it, huh? Let’s see who fails first then. Alternating sets of eight?”

We go to it. Marcus has always been not only my little brother, but my biggest supporter and the person who pushes me to be the best I can be. At least until Sarah. We go back and forth, the rules long established until we both fail at the same point, neither of us getting more than six reps on the last set. Leaning against the wall, Marcus chuckles. “I still say you cheated on that last one.”

“I’m a crook. Of course I cheated,” I joke back. “So, you feeling better about all of this?”

Marcus laughs, shrugging. “Holy shit, man, gimme a little time to let it sink in still. How you wanna do this then?”

I undo the band and head over to the bent-over row machine, sliding on plates until I’m sure I’m challenged. “Just like we talked about before my vacation. You’re gonna run the show, be the face, and I’ll be the man behind the curtain. You’ve been doing street-level lieutenant stuff for a while now, so it’s just a slight step up. Let everyone think I’m running it quietly for a while so it’s not like it’s happening so fast, but it’s all you. Your decisions, your rewards. And your consequences.”

“That I’ve got no problem with,” Marcus says as I start my first set of heavy rows. “But what about on the big level? All the bosses around town know you’re the king now, man. How are you going to get them to accept my word around here?”

“We’ll transition,” I reply, switching arms on my exercise. “Any meetings, we both go, so they get just as used to you as me. Then, once they all know you, I step back. By then, the word should be out that you’re the man in charge. Still, keep me in the loop so I know what’s going on, and we’ll transition as slowly as you need. You can keep me on as your ‘business consultant’, because I’ve always got your back if you need anything, brother. Deal?”

Marcus gestures with his hand, and I get out of the way so he can do his set. “Deal. So first up, the streets. They’ve been on lock now for two weeks, Ryker. I’m worried that if it goes much longer, the pressure cooker’s gonna get too much. Everyone knows our crew’s the control valve. I think we’re ready to roll back full-steam for the boys and the girls. Junkies are getting pretty fucking antsy, and I had to spot a few girls some cash to cover their bills for their kids.”

I sigh, knowing Marcus is right. I wish there were a magic wand I could wave to get rid of the junkies and the street girls, but there isn’t. The game’s been going on longer than I’ve been alive. We just have to make sure it’s as bloodless as possible. “Yeah, you’re right. Let loose on the grip and let things go on like they always have, but make sure the beat cops keep a close watch on the girls because it could get ugly at first. I don’t want any of the johns thinking they get some back-to-school special or something. And if we’re going to get Kendra working closer with you, I want her out there. Have her check in on the girls. You know they’d rather talk to another woman if they run into issues. Plus, none of the asshole johns are going to fuck with her if there’s an issue. Just be ready to back her up if she needs it.”

Marcus nods, then laughs lightly. “Kendra doesn’t need backup. Everyone’s afraid of her.”

It’s true. Back when she was in high school, just as she was getting into the life, an ill-informed pimp decided to try and ‘recruit’ Kendra. He ended up in the hospital with his left arm broken in three places and five teeth missing. The story on the street says that she was a breath away from chopping his dick clean off but decided the threat of it was enough . . . that time. Since then, nobody’s dared fuck with her that way. “Still, remember, just as I brought you up as my lieutenant, and I’m going to groom you to be king, Kendra needs to be groomed to take your old role. Or at least part of it.”

Marcus thinks for a moment, and I can see him mentally going down his bullet-pointed list in his head while I get the next set of my exercise in. “Okay. And the docks. Ships are already coming in back on schedule, so we’re good there, business as usual. Airport takeover is a done deal too, although we probably need one more meet-n-greet with Arnie down there so he’s settled down comfortably.”

“What about the guards at the airport?” I ask as Marcus gets himself into position. “Probably need to pay a few to keep them on our side.”

Marcus grins even as he grunts through the exertions of his work. “Already on that. We had a partner team on the take already, and one of them wants a cushy, safe job off the beat because he’s got a new wife and baby. I worked out their transfer, and both cops went happily. So no new outgoing funds, and we’ve got a senior duo placed inside the airport now. Still gotta tap-dance with the Feds, but that’s nothing new.”

I laugh because he’s so fucking brilliant, pulling shit like that like it’s nothing when it’s genius. “You did all that without my even needing to know about it. You see, Marcus? You’ve got this easily.”

My praise helps him grin even more, and we finish up our workout. As I pull my shirt back on, there’s a knock on the door, and Sarah comes in, Kendra right behind her. “Hey, Ryker.”

“We’ll be up in a minute, babe,” I tell Sarah. “Give me and Marcus another minute?”

“Sure. Just wanted to remind you that we’ll need to leave in about fifteen minutes to get to Police Plaza on time.”

I nod, glancing at Marcus. “Our car?”

“I took care of it,” Kendra replies. “You’ll have a Towncar outside the building in ten minutes.”

The two leave, and I shake my head. “She’s gonna be good for you, Marcus.”

Marcus shrugs, placing his right hand on my shoulder to get my undivided attention. “Ryker, this isn’t about business. Listen, you’ve always lived balls to the wall, but still, this is some crazy-ass shit. You know I’ve got your back no matter what, and if that includes taking the keys to the castle so you can settle with some pussy, I just have one thing to say.”

I growl at his calling Sarah ‘some pussy’, but before I can lay into him, he gives me a grin. It was his way of pointing it out. Message received, Marcus. I know some asshole in the future could use her as a weakness, but that’s why I want out of the game. “Point being, you’re a damn lucky bastard that Sarah-fucking-Desjardins would give a low-class fucker like you the time of day, much less fall in love with you like some twisted-up TV fairy tale. Don’t fuck it up, Ryker. She ain’t a princess. She’s a damn queen. And you’d best not forget it.”

I reach out, hugging my brother and clapping him across his sweaty back. “I haven’t stopped thinking the same thing, and I’m never gonna forget it either. Thanks for understanding. Now, go get your ass a shower down here while I go upstairs and do the same. I still gotta pick out a suit to wear for going to Police Plaza.”

“If you want my advice, Crown Royal purple with leather trim is always good,” Marcus says with a smirk. “And if you can, one of those bigass hats with a two-foot-long feather and a cane.”

“I think I’ll take Sarah’s advice instead. Business suit,” I reply, making Marcus roll his eyes. “What?”

“I see how it is. Find the love of your life and suddenly, your brother’s advice is no good any more. Next thing you know, she’s gonna make you dress and act decently and shit.”

Heading for the door, I laugh. “You never know, man. I might just learn what the hell a napkin is for. Besides, she might be good for you too.”

“What for?” Marcus asks.

I turn back, grinning. “You curse too damn much.”