18.

Zee sat alone in the dim light of her cousin's garage, her hands still steady despite the adrenaline that pulsed through her veins. She'd just taken out her first rival crew under The Broker's orders, and the power she felt was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. This wasn't about running K-Boss's errands anymore or staying under Breezy's radar. She was stepping into a new level of control, a new league.

But as the hours passed, the thrill of the night began to fade, replaced by the weight of her decisions. She knew that with every move she made, K-Boss's suspicion would grow. And Breezy? He was already watching her, waiting for the first sign of disloyalty. She had to stay sharp, had to keep ahead. There was no room for mistakes.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen, her stomach tightening as she saw Liana's name. Zee hadn't heard from her in days, and she could feel the tension brewing between them. Liana was the one person who'd been with her through everything, but now, with each secret Zee kept, the distance between them grew wider.

Liana: "We need to talk. Urgent. Meet me at our spot."

Zee's heart sank as she read the message. She wanted to see Liana, to explain everything, but how could she? Liana wasn't built for this life, for the secrets and the danger. But she couldn't ignore her either. If she wanted to keep Liana safe, she had to find a way to keep her close, without revealing too much.

The basketball court at the edge of their neighborhood was quiet when Zee arrived, the only sound the rustle of leaves in the cool night air. Liana was there, pacing, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She looked up as Zee approached, her expression tense, her eyes filled with worry.

"Zee," Liana said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What's going on? People are talking. They're saying you're… involved in something big."

Zee clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay calm. "It's just business, Li. You know how it is."

Liana shook her head, her face filled with frustration. "No, Zee. This isn't just business anymore. You're running with dangerous people. I'm worried about you."

Zee looked away, unable to meet her friend's gaze. She wanted to explain, to tell Liana about The Broker, about K-Boss and Breezy, but she couldn't. Liana was already too close to the fire, and if she knew the full extent of what Zee was involved in, it would only put her in more danger.

"Don't worry about me," Zee said, her voice hard. "I can handle myself."

Liana took a step closer, her eyes pleading. "Zee, please. You don't have to do this. We could leave. Get out of Baltimore, start fresh somewhere else."

The offer hung in the air, tempting, but Zee knew it was impossible. This was her life, her hustle. She'd come too far, built too much, to walk away now. And as much as she cared for Liana, as much as she wanted to keep her safe, she couldn't let her weakness show. Not now.

"I'm not leaving," Zee said, her voice firm. "This is my world, Li. It's what I'm good at."

Liana stared at her, a mixture of sadness and anger flickering in her eyes. "Fine. But if you keep going down this path… it's gonna end badly. You know that, don't you?"

Zee didn't respond. She didn't need to. The truth was, she knew the risks. She knew that the path she'd chosen could end in blood, in betrayal. But she'd accepted that. It was the price of power, and she was willing to pay it.

Liana took a shaky breath, her voice softening. "Just… be careful, Zee. Please."

Zee forced a tight smile, nodding. "Always am."

But as she walked away from the basketball court, the weight of Liana's words settled over her. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, that every move brought her closer to the edge. But she couldn't stop now. Not when she was so close to taking control.

Later that night, as she returned to her cousin's garage, she found a message waiting for her from The Broker.

The Broker: "New shipment needs moving. East side drop. Keep it quiet."

Zee read the message, her mind already calculating the logistics. A new shipment meant more money, more power. But it also meant more risk. The east side wasn't her usual territory, and moving product there would draw attention, especially from K-Boss's crew. But The Broker trusted her with this, and she couldn't afford to let him down.

She slipped into the garage, gathering the gear she'd need, checking her Glock, her mind clear and focused. This was it. Her moment to prove herself, to show The Broker—and everyone else—that she was ready for this.

As she moved through the dark streets, her senses on high alert, she felt a strange sense of calm. This was her world now, her life. And as long as she kept moving, kept pushing, no one could touch her.

The drop was set for an abandoned warehouse near the docks, a quiet spot where deals happened under the radar. When she arrived, a few of The Broker's men were already there, unloading crates from a truck, their movements quick and efficient. Zee moved in, her presence commanding respect, her reputation already beginning to precede her.

One of The Broker's men nodded to her, his expression wary but respectful. "Zee, right? The boss says you're handling this."

She nodded, her gaze sharp. "Let's keep it clean. No mistakes."

The man nodded, and the crew got to work, moving the crates into the warehouse, stacking them neatly in a corner. Zee kept watch, her Glock at her side, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of trouble.

But as the last crate was unloaded, a flicker of movement caught her eye. She tensed, her grip tightening on the Glock as she turned, her heart pounding.

It was Breezy.

He stepped out of the shadows, his gaze locked onto hers, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the air was thick with tension, the unspoken threat hanging between them. He'd been watching her, tracking her moves, and now, here he was, in the middle of her deal.

"Zee," he said, his voice cold. "You've been busy."

Zee forced herself to stay calm, her hand tightening around the Glock. "What are you doing here, Breezy?"

Breezy smirked, taking a slow step closer. "Funny thing, Zee. K-Boss sent me to check out a tip about some new operation on the east side. Imagine my surprise when I find you here."

Zee's mind raced, her heart pounding as she tried to think of a way out. Breezy was too close, too sharp. He'd seen enough to piece things together, to know she was working with The Broker.

"You're in over your head, Zee," Breezy said, his voice low and dangerous. "K-Boss don't like disloyalty. And neither do I."

Zee met his gaze, refusing to back down. She'd come too far to let Breezy take her out now. If he was here to threaten her, she'd have to make a choice—now or never.

"This is my world, Breezy," she said, her voice steady. "And I'm not going anywhere."

Breezy's smirk faded, his expression hardening. "Then you better be ready to fight."

As he turned and disappeared into the shadows, Zee took a deep breath, her mind racing. Breezy knew. And now, she had no choice but to confront him, to take control before he tore everything apart.

This was her game now. And she was prepared to do whatever it took to win.