17.

The cold Baltimore morning hadn't done much to lift Zee's spirits, but as she stepped out of her cousin's garage and onto the street, she felt the beginnings of a plan forming. She'd spent the night mapping out her next steps, her mind racing through possibilities, potential allies, and loose ends that needed tying up. This wasn't just survival anymore. This was control. And if she was going to make it out of this, she needed to think two steps ahead of everyone—especially K-Boss and Breezy.

Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was The Broker.

The Broker: "Meeting set for 11 a.m. Location secure. Time to prove yourself."

Zee's stomach tightened as she read the message. She hadn't expected him to move so quickly, but she knew this was part of his style. The Broker didn't waste time, and he didn't give people room to hesitate. He operated in swift, calculated moves, and he expected the same from anyone working with him.

As she slipped her phone back into her pocket, her mind settled on the risks. A meeting at 11 a.m. meant she'd have to be out in daylight, exposed. It meant K-Boss's people—or worse, Breezy—might spot her. But she couldn't afford to miss this chance, not when the stakes were so high. If she wanted to establish her own operation, to keep Breezy off her back, she needed The Broker's support.

By the time 11 a.m. rolled around, Zee had made her way across town to a quiet, nondescript building tucked between a row of warehouses. The Broker's people had set up the meeting in a room at the back, far from prying eyes, shielded from the street. She stepped inside, her senses on high alert, scanning the room as she moved through the empty halls.

The Broker was waiting for her in a small, dimly lit room. He was seated at a table, his posture relaxed, his expression calm. Two men flanked him, their eyes sharp, their postures rigid, reminding her that The Broker didn't come without his own form of protection. Zee closed the door behind her, taking a deep breath as she walked toward him.

"Zee," he said, his voice smooth, almost welcoming. "Glad you could make it."

She nodded, keeping her expression neutral. "You wanted to meet. I'm here."

The Broker smirked, his gaze assessing. "Yes, I did. And I must say, I'm impressed. You've got nerve, making moves like this under K-Boss's nose. But nerve only gets you so far. Now, we need to discuss… expansion."

Zee felt a surge of excitement, mingling with the ever-present fear that hovered at the edge of her mind. Expansion. The word hung in the air, heavy with possibility. She'd known The Broker was ambitious, but hearing it confirmed made her realize just how high the stakes were.

"I'm ready," she said, her voice steady. "What do you need from me?"

The Broker leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "It's simple. You continue producing the switches, and I'll handle distribution. But we need to keep this under the radar. K-Boss is already suspicious, and if Breezy catches wind of this… well, let's just say, I'm not inclined to leave loose ends."

Zee nodded, the gravity of his words settling over her. She was treading dangerous ground, and one misstep could mean the end. But this was her chance, her way out, and she wasn't about to let fear hold her back.

"I'll keep it quiet," she promised. "Breezy won't find anything."

The Broker's smile widened, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Good. Because if he does, it won't just be you he comes after. It'll be everyone connected to you. And I don't tolerate failure, Zee. Not from my partners."

The warning was clear, but Zee held her ground. She'd made her choice, and now it was time to see it through. "Understood. What's the first move?"

The Broker's expression shifted, his smile fading as he leaned back in his chair. "There's a crew moving product in East Baltimore. Small-time, but they're gaining traction. I want you to handle them. Make it clear that there's only one player in town."

Zee's stomach tightened. This was more than just business. This was a test—a way for The Broker to see if she had the guts to hold her own, to take control without flinching. She'd done it before, but this felt different. This was the start of something bigger, a new level of power, but it came with a new level of risk.

"Consider it done," she said, her voice firm, though her mind was already racing. Taking on another crew meant more attention, more eyes on her. But if she could pull it off, it would be the proof The Broker needed to see her as an equal partner, not just another player in his game.

The Broker nodded, a satisfied look crossing his face. "Good. Remember, Zee—this is your chance to prove yourself. Don't disappoint me."

With that, he stood, signaling the end of the meeting. Zee took a deep breath, steadying herself before nodding and turning to leave. The weight of the task settled over her, but she couldn't let it shake her. She'd survived this long by being smart, by staying one step ahead. And now, as she walked out of the building and into the afternoon sunlight, she knew what she had to do.

The drive to East Baltimore felt longer than usual, the streets crowded, the air thick with tension. As she neared the rival crew's spot, a rundown building on the edge of a desolate block, she could see a few heads hanging around, talking, laughing, completely oblivious to what was coming.

She parked her car a block away, slipping into the shadows as she approached the building. Her mind was clear, her focus sharp. This wasn't just about survival anymore. This was about control.

With steady steps, she moved into the building, her Glock drawn, her movements precise and calculated. The men inside barely had time to react before she was on them, her presence like a storm ripping through the room. Shots rang out, echoing through the empty halls, leaving nothing but silence in their wake.

When it was over, Zee stood alone in the dimly lit room, her heart pounding as she looked down at the bodies scattered across the floor. She'd done it. She'd sent the message, loud and clear. This was her territory now, her game.

As she walked out of the building, the cool air hit her like a jolt, snapping her back to reality. She'd crossed a line tonight, a line she could never uncross. But for the first time, she didn't feel regret. She felt power.

Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was The Broker.

The Broker: "Well done. This is only the beginning."

Zee slipped her phone back into her pocket, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She was ready for this. She'd made her choice, and now, as the city stretched out before her, she felt a surge of confidence, a thrill she hadn't felt in a long time.

This was her world now, and she was ready to take it.