Chapter 4: KYENNA - A Street King's Widow

“Are we done here?” I asked Lloyd.

“Actually, I need to see you privately,” he said.

“See,” Raya pointed between us. “I know this shit is a setup. It’s all good because I’ll be waiting on my muthafuckin’ funds when I prove that this little girl is a King.”

“Nobody said she wasn’t, babe,” I told her.

This hoe had more of an issue with me than she had with my husband. I wasn’t even going to show up today because I wasn’t in the mood to argue with anyone about my husband’s decision. I knew he had a will, but I was unaware of what was in it.

“Well, your fuckin’ husband implied it. And my child is the only one without his last name.”

“Prove that the baby is his. I’ll see what we can do legally to get it changed,” I told her.

“Girl, fuck your uppity ass.”

Pops stood up and buttoned his jacket. I knew from the stern look on his face that he was over Raya.

“Raya, is there anything else you need from this meeting?” He asked.

“Why…why do y’all protect her like she’s some type of queen? She’s been speaking down to me since I walked in here.”

“Do you need anything else? I would hate for my security to escort you out,” he said sternly.

“Fuck this shit! Come on, Ryleigh,” she grabbed her by the hand.

“Aye,” Shameek called out.

“What?” Raya turned around.

“I’ll be comin’ to get her next weekend.”

“You can as long as she’s not with her,” she said, looking at me.

I wanted to be petty and tell Ryleigh I would see her next week. My time to get on Raya’s level would come soon enough. Right now was not the moment. She was already making herself look like a greedy bitch. Once Raya left, Averie had no stood up and approached me.

“It’s my understanding that Khari will be with you this weekend,” Averie said.

“That’s correct.”

“Kaiden wanted to know if he could come too. He wants some pictures of his dad to blow up and put in his room. Obviously, he enjoys his room over there as well. If he even still has a room.”

“Averie, your kids will always have their own space at my home. That is their home as well. I would never do anything to harm them or you.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“Always.”

She looked back at Shameek before making her exit.

“We’ll be outside,” Shameek said as they walked out to give me and the lawyer privacy.

“This is what he wanted you to have. You can read it here or wait until you get home.”

Home? Home hadn't been the same since this shit happened. I felt it was best to read it here because I was able to hide my emotions. If I read the letter at home, depression was going to ease its way back in. I took the letter from the lawyer’s hand and took a seat back at the table. My hands were shaking as I opened the envelope.

Ky,

If you’re reading this, then a nigga didn’t make it home to you. I tried. I really did. Shit, I hated to even have to write this shit. It was the only way I would be able to give you my last words without everyone being in our fuckin’ business. You’re the only person who ever made me richer without askin’ me for a dolla. Because you never asked for anything, I made sure to give you the world. You turned the Flush into a legitimate money machine. Yo’ ass came in and flipped my shit from illegal to legal with the paperwork. It was you that kept us alive financially when everyone thinks it was me. I was just the face, but it was you behind the scenes checking numbers and challenging our accountants to get the shit right. Hell, you challenged me a few times. Ky, you made me a better man. At one point I thought I had lost you forever. I’ll never forgive myself for doing you wrong. I never had to question yo’ loyalty.

I want to leave you with this…don’t let NOBODY convince you that you don’t belong in my chair. Take the throne, queen and show these niggas how to handle business. And any fuck nigga that you think is doing something grimy, you get them handled. Immediately!

With love,

Rah

I let the tears fall on the paper as I folded it back and placed it in my purse.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Well, The Royal Flush is yours. I will now take over as your lawyer, and anything you need, I’m here. I do mean if you need anything handled, call me.”

I held my hand out to Lloyd and walked out of his office. Everyone who was talking when I walked out stopped. Shameek was the first one to stand.

“You straight?”

I nodded, unable to get any words past the lump in my throat. My daddy wasn’t in the room with us, but I knew his ass would pop up. He walked up and wrapped his arms around me.

“What did he say?”

“My husband,” my voice cracked. “Just reminded me who the fuck I am.”

Shameek smiled. “That’s my muthafuckin’ nigga.”

“He always knew what he was doing,” Pops added to the conversation.

“I still don’t know if I can do it,” I told them.

“You can. He wouldn’t have left it to you if he thought you couldn’t.”

I looked over at Shameek, and he just watched me.

“You don’t have to figure it out today,” my daddy said.

“Football season don’t wait on grief,” Pops said.

“I’ll go,” Shameek said. “I’ll make sure everything stays afloat until Kyenna is ready.”

“No,” I said.

“No?” Shameek frowned.

“If Rah left it to me, then I need to at least show my face.”

“I’ll go with you for support,” Shameek said.

The steam from the shower had finally lifted some of the heaviness off me. It had been two weeks since I’d done more than throw on a robe and cry myself to sleep. Today was different. I had somewhere to be. I stood in my closet staring at rows of clothes. My fingers stopped on a cream-colored pantsuit. Once I found a pair of shoes to go with it, I went to my vanity and started on my makeup. I had made a hair appointment for tomorrow. It was long overdue. In the meantime, I pulled the bonnet off and ran the blow dryer through my hair to stretch it so it could go into a sleek ponytail.

After I was satisfied with my face and hair, I put my clothes on. I followed it with my custom watch that Rah bought for our anniversary and his favorite perfume. My wedding ring hit the light and caused me to slow down for a minute. I could feel the sadness trying to sneak in.

“Ky, boss the fuck up. Shake this shit and let’s handle business,” I told myself in the mirror.

I grabbed my purse and phone and walked down the stairs with my head high. This was the first time that The Royal Flush doors were going to be unlocked for a staff meeting since the murder of Rah. It was like I wanted to get to the bottom of who did this to him, but I had to keep his dream alive at the same time. When I walked outside, Shameek had the King’s motorcade waiting for me. He refused to just let me drive anywhere alone anymore. I had to beg him and Pops to let me drive my husband’s car to the lawyer’s office. He had it set up just like it was when Rah was alive.

“I can’t drive today?” I asked Shameek.

“Here,” he handed me another set of keys. “He bought you this three months ago. I was hiding it at my house until your birthday. He had it customized. It’s bulletproof glass and all.”

My eyes shifted to where Shameek was pointing, and there was an all-black Maybach. I was confused because I told him I didn’t want anything this year but us to go out of the country and spend some time together without all the noise.

“I think he’ll be mad if it sits and collects dust,” Shameek stated.

I just held on to the keys.

“I can have one of the drivers drive if you want.”

“I’ll drive it.”

Shameek and I walked over and he opened the door for me.

“You’re safe. I’m right behind you and it’s two in front of you leading the way.”

I nodded as he closed the door. While he got in his car, I got my seat adjusted and started the car. My fingers ran across the initials of me and Rah and the steering wheel.

“I love yo, Rah.”

As we made our way to The Royal Flush, I took in my surroundings. Every time I passed the spot, I found my husband; my heart would drop. As we got closer to the Flush, I replayed that night and wondered if he saw anyone following him. It was unlike Rah to not be aware of his surroundings. I had so many questions that no one was giving me. It wasn’t like I had the time now to sit in and figure the shit out. We were now pulling up and security was outside waiting for me. I knew most of the employees because Rah would do an appreciation party once a year, usually around Christmas. I parked, and my door was opened.

“Thank you,” I told the security guard.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. King. I should’ve followed him that night.”

I pulled my shades off my face and looked up at the security guard. His name tag read Grif. I could’ve blamed him, but it wasn’t his fault.

“It’s okay. And call me Kyenna.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Please no, ma’am. Just Kyenna.”

“Yes ma…okay,” he corrected himself.

“You good?” Shameek asked as he stepped to my side.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Well, let’s do it.”

I walked through the door and the staff stood waiting for me. The music was playing and the tables were set up and ready for the dealers to go to work.

“Thank each of you for the flowers and phone calls. Y’all meant a lot to my husband. He knew each of y’all by name. I plan to keep the exact same energy he had. If you have any complaints, let me know so we can work through them.”

Everyone nodded and smiled as I made my way to Rahmelo’s office to have a meeting with all the managers. As soon as the office door was opened, I could smell him. The picture of himself above his chair was so him. I smiled as I headed to his chair. Slowly, I eased into his chair as Shameek stood at the door and the managers stood in front of me.

“First things first, nobody in this building will be losing their job because Rahmelo King is dead,” I said. “He built this place with love, loyalty, and respect. We’re going to honor that. The checks are still going to clear. The doors will still be open. And if anybody in this city thinks Rah’s death means they can play with what belongs to the King family, they got me fucked up.”