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his son’s exceptional reasoning Baron nodded his head in agreement. Normally Baron wouldn’t even consider sending A’shai. In his opinion it was too big of a risk. If A’shai was caught his entire future would be deaded with a prison sentence, but Baron knew that he couldn’t protect him forever. A’shai was right. He did need to know every aspect of the game. “Okay,” Baron conceded. “You’ll fly in and out on the jet. I don’t want you riding back with the work. Two of the workers can meet you there so that they can drive the semi back to the Midwest.”

“I can handle it, pop,” A’shai said.

“I know you can, but why risk it if you don’t have to? You would never catch me riding with that much product. That’s what you have soldiers for, Shai. You call the plays, and they execute them,” Baron answered. “Put the call in and tell Samad to expect you next weekend.”

“Why wait an entire week?” A’shai asked. He was tired of waiting. He was trying to get to Liberty as soon as possible and another week felt like an entire year.

Baron peered curiously at his son, sensing something was up. “Well, our people out of Flint haven’t run dry yet, and we’re still waiting for Pontiac too. There isn’t a rush. We move smart, not fast. Unless you know something I don’t know?”

A’shai shook his head and replied, “I’ll put the call in.”

The week crept by but A’shai kept himself immersed in the streets to keep his mind from going crazy. His anxiety was high as he thought of seeing Liberty again. He didn’t even know how she would react or if she would even recognize him, but this was something he had to do. He would never know if he didn’t try.

A week later he was sitting alone on the private jet headed for California. He had no game plan; he was just stepping out on faith hoping to lay eyes on Liberty. He couldn’t predict what the future had in store . . . he only hoped that she was included in his.

A’shai stepped off the plane and entered the black town car that waited for him on the ground.

“Greetings, Mr. Montgomery,” the driver said as he held open the door for A’shai.

A’shai stepped inside and immediately checked beneath the seat for the handguns that were stored there. He removed a .9mm Ruger and popped out the magazine, checking to ensure that it was fully loaded. He quickly put it back in place and cocked it back, placing a bullet in the head. Putting it on safety he tucked it in the shoulder holster beneath his suit jacket and leaned back comfortably as the driver pulled off and headed for Samad’s.

The car pulled up to the massive estate, and A’shai stepped out of the car. He tipped his driver and then walked up the stairs to Samad’s front door. He rang the bell and was greeted by Samad.

“Shai . . . how was your flight?” Samad asked as they shook hands and he welcomed him inside. A’shai’s eyes scanned his surroundings, searching for Liberty or any sign that she lived there.

“I wasn’t expecting for you to return so quickly. Business must be good in Detroit,” Samad commented.

“Business is good everywhere if the right person is running it,” A’shai replied as he took a seat in Samad’s great room. He sank into the expensive leather seat and placed his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward.

“Touché,” Samad remarked. “I take it the order will be the same this time around . . . since that was the stipulation that allowed me to give you the product at such a discounted rate.” Samad spoke freely, not worried about the repercussions of his words. He never had to worry about anyone walking into his home under false representation. If A’shai was wired up, Samad would have known as soon as he walked through the sensors on his front door. The alarms would have sounded off as if A’shai had stolen something.

“My word is good. We will never decrease our order. If the quantity does change . . . we’ll be copping more and that means good money for everyone involved. I don’t think you would have a problem with that,” A’shai stated.

Samad laughed and said, “No problem at all. How long are you in town for?”

“Not long at all. Just here to take care of a few things then it’s back to