2.

The bass-heavy beat of the music pulsed through Zee's chest as she moved deeper into the club. The crowd inside was a familiar mix of hustlers, junkies, and hangers-on. Everyone was here for something—whether it was the music, the liquor, or the business that went on in the shadows. Zee slid past a couple of guys throwing back shots at the bar and made her way toward the back, where K-Boss always held court.

He sat in his usual spot, a corner booth raised just enough to give him a view of the entire room. K-Boss had the kind of presence that made people straighten up when he looked their way—tall, with a square jaw and a gaze as cold as the steel he carried. He wasn't the type to smile, not unless it was to seal a deal or intimidate someone. Tonight, as Zee approached, his expression was unreadable.

"You're late," K-Boss said, his voice low but cutting through the noise around them.

Zee slid into the seat across from him, casually dropping her bag at her feet. "I'm here, aren't I?"

He leaned back, eyeing her. For a moment, he didn't say anything, just let the silence stretch between them. K-Boss was good at that—making you uncomfortable, making you think. Zee had learned to hold her ground in those moments, not to fidget, not to give anything away. She met his stare with a steady gaze.

"I got something big lined up," K-Boss finally said, breaking the tension. "Something that'll set us straight for a long time."

Zee nodded, though she knew better than to ask too many questions upfront. K-Boss wasn't one to share details until it was necessary. But she could feel it—this was different. Bigger than the usual corner business, bigger than the mid-level connects they dealt with. If K-Boss was hyped, it meant the stakes were high.

He tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes narrowing. "But I need to know if I can trust you, Zee. Things have been moving fast lately. People talking. Heat coming down in places I didn't expect. I gotta know if you're all in."

Zee's pulse quickened, but she kept her cool. She knew exactly what he meant. The streets were buzzing with rumors of a crackdown, and with every passing day, the risks seemed to multiply. But K-Boss had no idea about the switches. She had kept that operation airtight, separate from his world. Still, his words lingered like a warning.

"I'm here, ain't I?" Zee said, shrugging. "You already know I'm solid."

K-Boss watched her for a beat longer, then nodded. "Good. You better be. You know I don't tolerate no loose ends."

Before Zee could respond, the booth's shadowy corner stirred, and another figure slid in beside K-Boss. Zee recognized him instantly—Breezy, K-Boss's muscle. Breezy had a reputation for handling problems with brutal efficiency. He didn't talk much, but his presence said enough. When he was around, someone usually got hurt.

"What's good, Zee?" Breezy asked, his voice low and smooth.

Zee nodded in greeting. "Same ol'. Just making moves."

Breezy's eyes flicked to the bag at her feet. "You bring the goods?"

Zee leaned down, unzipping the bag just enough to reveal the tightly packed bundles inside. The weed was top-shelf—K-Boss didn't deal with anything less. Breezy reached over, plucking one of the bags out and examining it with a practiced hand. After a moment, he nodded, satisfied.

"Alright, looks good," Breezy said, tucking the bag back into place. "We got a few buyers in the back waiting for this."

Zee nodded, already knowing the drill. She handled the handoffs, and Breezy handled anyone who caused problems. It was a smooth system, one that had worked for them time and time again. But tonight, something felt different. There was a tension in the air, something unsaid hanging between K-Boss and Breezy.

Before Zee could ask, K-Boss leaned in. "I need you to take this to the usual spot, but there's something else I want you to handle on the side."

Zee raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What's that?"

K-Boss exchanged a glance with Breezy before turning back to her. "There's a new player moving product through Cockeysville. Small-time now, but they got ambition. I don't like competition in my backyard."

Zee's heart skipped a beat. Competition wasn't unusual, but the way K-Boss said it made her think this was more than just another crew trying to hustle a corner. This was about territory, power—control. And if K-Boss wanted her involved, it meant things were about to get dangerous.

"You want me to handle it?" Zee asked, her voice steady despite the unease creeping up her spine.

K-Boss gave her a long look. "You know what to do. Send them a message. Make sure they understand who runs these streets."

Zee nodded slowly. She knew what he meant, and she knew what it would take to send that message. The game was changing, and so was her role in it. As she stood to leave, Breezy gave her a knowing look—one that sent a chill down her spine. He knew something she didn't. And whatever it was, it wasn't good.

She grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder as she moved toward the back exit. Her mind raced with thoughts of K-Boss's words, of the new player in town, and of the secret she still carried—the switches. She couldn't let them find out. Not K-Boss, not Breezy, not anyone.

As she stepped into the cool night air, the weight of the bag on her shoulder felt heavier than usual. The streets were quieter now, almost too quiet. But Zee wasn't fooled. She knew the heat was coming. It was only a matter of time.

And when it did, she would be ready.