Chereads / TRUE CRIMINAL EMPIRE / Chapter 50 - Meeting

Chapter 50 - Meeting

Tyrone leaned back in his leather chair, a sleek, polished desk in front of him in his newly established record label office. The place exuded wealth and success—glass walls, black marble floors, and modern art hung along the walls. His personal office was a showcase of power, with luxurious furniture, state-of-the-art technology, and a view of the city that reminded him of how far he'd come.

Across from him, the rapper Tyrone had been negotiating with looked at the contract with interest. Tyrone's lawyers stood off to the side, ready to close the deal. The conversation had been going smoothly until Tyrone's phone vibrated on the desk. It was Jamal.

Tyrone raised a hand to the rapper. "Hold up a sec," he said, sliding his finger across the phone screen to take the call.

"What's up, Jamal?" Tyrone asked, his tone calm but focused.

Jamal's voice came through, tense but controlled. "The gang bosses are at the club, bro. They all showed up. It's time for that expansion talk."

Tyrone's eyes narrowed slightly, his mind already shifting from the label to his street empire. He'd been planning for this moment, the expansion that would take his operation nationwide. The gangs in the city were the first step, but with them on his side, the sky was the limit. Cocaine wasn't just moving in his backyard anymore; it was about to spread across state lines and cities he didn't even control yet.

"Alright, I'll be there in an hour," Tyrone said, his voice steady. He ended the call and turned back to the rapper.

"Listen," Tyrone said, clasping his hands together on the desk. "We gonna wrap this up real quick. I got somethin' to take care of, but we'll lock in this deal right here." He nodded toward the contract. "You get with my team on the final details, we sign, and you're about to be bigger than you ever imagined. Believe that."

The rapper grinned, glancing at the paperwork and nodding. "For sure, man. I'm ready to roll."

Tyrone stood up, extending his hand, and the rapper shook it. "I'm gonna make you a superstar. We got the connections, we got the money, and soon, everyone's gonna be rockin' your name. But for now, I got business elsewhere."

With that, Tyrone grabbed his coat, sliding it over his broad shoulders before stepping out of his office. His mind was already on the next move—the nightclub, the gang bosses, and the expansion of his empire. The record label was just another piece of the puzzle, but the streets? The streets were where the real power lay.

As he walked to his car, Tyrone's focus sharpened. He had to remind the bosses who was in charge, make sure they understood that this expansion wasn't just about moving weight—it was about control. Tyrone was building an empire, and this meeting was the key to taking it from the shadows to the front lines of every city.

The streets belonged to him, and after tonight, so would the rest of the country.

Tyrone arrived at the nightclub, the low thrum of bass reverberating through the walls as he stepped into the private entrance. The place was packed, as always, but his business was upstairs in the VIP lounge where the real decisions were being made.

As he moved through the club, heads turned, and people greeted him with a mixture of respect and fear. Tyrone's presence commanded the room—everyone knew who he was and what he represented. Tonight was about solidifying that power, expanding beyond just being the king of the streets.

He reached the elevator at the back of the club, where Jamal was already waiting for him. Jamal gave a short nod as Tyrone stepped inside.

"They're all up there waiting. Blood Family, Southside Slayers, even some small-time heads trying to get in on this," Jamal said as they rode up to the top floor.

Tyrone took a breath, keeping his emotions in check. "Good. Tonight, we make sure everyone knows what's about to go down."

The elevator doors opened, and Tyrone strode into the dimly lit VIP lounge. A large table dominated the room, and around it sat the gang bosses—the Blood Family, Southside Slayers, and a few other regional players. They all turned to face him as he approached, Jamal at his side.

Tyrone didn't sit. He stood at the head of the table, his eyes scanning the room.

"Alright," he began, his voice calm but carrying authority. "We all know why we're here. The game's about to change. I got product ready to move—more than any of you ever seen. But I ain't looking to just flood my own turf."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"I'm talkin' expansion. Every city, every territory you control. I want my product in your hands, in your streets. This ain't a one-man show no more. This is about creating somethin' bigger. A network."

One of the gang bosses, a rugged, tattooed man from Southside Slayers, leaned forward. "And what's in it for us? We got our own supplies, our own connects."

Tyrone didn't flinch. He expected resistance, but he was prepared.

"What's in it for you?" he echoed, his tone cold. "You get to be a part of the biggest operation this city's ever seen. I got 15 tons ready to move, with more on the way. You want a cut of that money? You want your name to carry weight? Then you roll with me. And if you don't?"

Tyrone looked directly at the man, his expression hardening. "Then you'll be fightin' against somethin' you can't handle."

The room went quiet, tension hanging thick in the air. The gang bosses exchanged glances, weighing their options. They knew Tyrone's reputation, knew he wasn't bluffing. He'd just massacred the Los Ballas—a move that put him on the map in a way no one could ignore.

Finally, the Blood Family boss spoke up. "You're talking about nationwide expansion, but what about the heat? Cops are already breathing down our necks. The Feds are watching every move."

Tyrone smirked. "That's where my connections come in. I got people in high places, politicians, law enforcement. They ain't gonna touch us. Not if we play this smart."

He glanced at Jamal, who stepped forward with a thick folder of documents, slapping it down on the table. "These are the routes, the drop points, and the people you'll need to know. Every single move we make is gonna be covered."

The bosses at the table exchanged looks, uncertain but intrigued by the level of detail Tyrone and Jamal were laying out. The air in the VIP lounge was thick with tension, but Tyrone remained calm, confident that they were on the verge of sealing the deal.

The Southside Slayers boss, the same rugged man who questioned him earlier, finally leaned back in his chair, looking impressed but still cautious. "You got all this mapped out, huh? Sounds like you've been planning for a minute."

Tyrone nodded. "Been thinkin' long-term since the day I took control. Y'all wanna stay in the game? You gotta be ready to adapt. The way things are now, we either expand, or we get swallowed up by someone else. I ain't lettin' nobody take what's mine."

Jamal added, "This ain't just about territory. It's about control. Tyrone's got the supply chain locked down, and we're makin' sure every move we make is protected. Cops, feds—none of them will get a whiff if we stick to the plan."

Another boss, a slimmer, more polished man from a smaller gang, chimed

in, adjusting his tie before speaking. "Protection is good, but what about the competition? There are other players out there who won't sit back and watch us take over their turf without a fight."

Tyrone gave a slow, deliberate nod. "I expected that. Look, anyone that wants to step up can try. But after what happened to Los Ballas, people know what happens when they mess with me. I'm not lookin' for unnecessary fights, but if it comes to it, we handle business."

Jamal leaned forward. "And if any of y'all have issues with your rivals, now's the time to let us know. We ain't just talkin' supply. We're talkin' about alliances. Strength in numbers. Tyrone's bringing an empire, not just a crew."

The Blood Family boss, a grizzled man in his fifties with gold chains draped over his neck, tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "You got ambition, Tyrone, I'll give you that. And after the way you dealt with Los Ballas, I don't think anyone's gonna doubt your willingness to use force. But what you're proposing—it's big. Real big. You sure you can handle that kind of weight without everything crashing down?"

Tyrone met his gaze, unwavering. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure. I've got the infrastructure, the people, and the connections. This isn't a gamble. It's a strategy. And I'm not alone in this."

He paused, looking each of the gang leaders in the eyes before continuing. "You can be part of something bigger than what you're running right now. More money, more power, and a lot less risk with the right people watching our backs. But it's your choice. I don't force nobody to do anything. If you don't want in, I'll respect that."

The Southside Slayers boss let out a low whistle. "Alright, Tyrone. You got balls, I'll give you that. I'll roll with you on this. But if things start lookin' shaky, you better believe I'll pull out."

The other bosses slowly nodded in agreement, one by one. Even the polished man from the smaller gang muttered, "We'll give it a shot."

Tyrone smiled coolly. "Good. Then it's settled. I'll have Jamal send out the details to each of you. Routes, product numbers, and contacts. We start small, but we move fast. Get your people ready."

As the meeting wrapped up and the gang leaders stood to leave, Tyrone took a deep breath. It was a critical moment, but things were falling into place. They were on the verge of something massive.

Jamal stayed behind with Tyrone as the others left. "That went smoother than I thought," Jamal said, leaning against the table.

Tyrone smiled, feeling the weight of responsibility but also a sense of pride. "Yeah, but now the real work starts. We gotta stay sharp. Every move counts."

Just then, Tyrone's phone buzzed. He glanced down, seeing an unknown number.

"Tyrone speaking," he answered cautiously.

The voice on the other end was calm, familiar, and female. "I see you're making big moves," Isabella Rodrigo said, her tone carrying a mix of amusement and intrigue. "Expanding, making alliances… I knew you'd be someone to watch."

Tyrone's jaw tightened. "What do you want?"

Isabella chuckled softly. "Don't be so hostile. I'm just making sure you understand what's at stake. You're growing fast, and fast growth attracts attention. People like me take notice."

Tyrone's grip on the phone tightened. "I told you before, I don't care about your operations or who you are."

"I know," Isabella replied, her voice now colder. "But soon enough, you will. We'll talk soon, Tyrone. You'll find out why I'm someone you can't ignore."

The call ended abruptly. Jamal, noticing the shift in Tyrone's expression, raised an eyebrow. "Who was that?"

Tyrone slipped his phone back into his pocket. "Isabella Rodrigo. She's playing games, but I ain't got time for her right now. We've got bigger things to focus on."

Jamal nodded. "You think she's a threat?"

Tyrone shook his head. "Not yet. But we need to keep an eye on her. She's got something up her sleeve."

With the meeting wrapped and new alliances formed, Tyrone knew that the next steps in his empire's expansion would be critical. But lurking in the shadows, Isabella's presence loomed, and Tyrone couldn't shake the feeling that her visit would be sooner rather than later.