Alex Wesley

*"Controlling the narrative is everything. You can't have any more loose threads, so anyone who might have overheard anything you said to Diamondback or Shades in here is a threat."
"You're absolutely correct."
"I'm at your service."*
―Alex Wesley and Mariah Dillard[src]
**Alex Wesley** was the assistant of Mariah Dillard, who remained loyal to his boss throughout her entire political career, despite their ongoing challenges faced by her family history and Damon Boone's challenges. As Dillard's position became challenged following the violent murder of Cottonmouth, and the arrival of Diamondback, Wesley stayed by Dillard's side, despite her rising in the criminal underworld of Harlem. Wesley had continued to help Dillard gain power and authority within Harlem, advising her on rebuilding her relationship with Tilda Johnson and fighting back against Bushmaster. However, following her arrest by the New York City Police Department, due to Shades' turning into an informant, Dillard had ordered the execution of anyone who could testify against her, with Wesley being included, as he was shot.

## Biography

### Political Advise

#### Mariah Dillard's Interview

*"Alex, no one goes in the back, and make sure these people don't scuff up my floors."
"They will stay immaculate, Madame Councilwoman."*
―Mariah Dillard and Alex Wesley[src]

Wesley had joined Mariah Dillard, as she had prepared to do an interview with WJBP-TV about her work in Harlem, with Dillard ordering Wesley to ensure that nobody went upstairs in her Brownstone, and that nobody damaged her floors with their camera equipment, with Wesley promising to keep the floors immaculate for as long as the filming crew were there. Wesley then took a step back, as Thembi Wallace spoke to Dillard about their upcoming interview, and what Dillard wanted to focus on.

As Wesley stood by, Dillard and insisted that she wanted to discuss Harlem, as well as her New Harlem Renaissance, although Wallace insisted that this would be boring to listen to Dillard making the same speeches again. Wesley watched on as Wallace suggested that they do a similar interview to Barack Obama's, where he had sung Al Green, insisting that they could make their interview more fun. As the frustrated Dillard insulted Wallace's ideas, Wallace walked back to her camera crew, while Dillard had turned back to Wesley, who could only nervously shrug.

Wesley stood behind Dillard, as she and Wallace began the interview, where they discussed her Brownstone and Damon Boone, before Wallace played Dillard's earlier statements. However, Wallace then changed the interview, bringing up family photographs of Dillard with Mama Mabel and Cottonmouth, before noting that her offices at the Crispus Attucks Complex were raided by an unknown figure, before millions of dollars had been discovered in Dillard's office. This resulted in Dillard returning to Wesley and ordering him to get the camera crew out of her home.

However, while the camera crew was leaving, Wesley was then called back into the room by Dillard, as Wallace had returned and demanded a statement from Dillard about the New York City Police Department having just arrested Cottonmouth at Harlem's Paradise, for crimes such as corruption, extortion, as well as the murder of Detective Rafael Scarfe. Wesley then burst back into the room and pushed Wallace and her camera crew out of the Brownstone, refusing to allow Dillard to make any comment about this situation, despite Wallace still calling out to her.

#### Shades' Unexpected Visit

*"Do you need anything?"
"Scotch, neat."*
―Alex Wesley and Mariah Dillard[src]
Wesley had kept himself upstairs in the Brownstone, while Mariah Dillard had a meeting with Damon Boone, during which Boone had advised her to step down from her position in the council in the wake of the arrest of Cottonmouth, which Dillard had refused to do. Once Boone had been sent out of the Brownstone, Wesley rejoined Dillard and asked what she needed, to which Dillard had demanded a scotch, which she had also ordered to be given to her neat.

However, as Wesley went to get this drink for Dillard, he had instead discovered that Shades had managed to break into the Brownstone, as Dillard questioned how he had gotten in there. Shades had then told Dillard that he needed to talk to her, before turning to Wesley and insisting that it had to be alone. Dillard had then sent Wesley out of the room, while she spoke to Shades alone, where they discussed the situation with Harlem now that Cottonmouth's Criminal Empire was falling apart, although Dillard eventually told Shades to leave Brownstone.

#### Assassination of Cottonmouth

*"You killed it out there... I'm sorry."
"Don't be, just get that clip up on the website within the hour. Send the link to all my supporters, the donors. If we play this right..."*
―Alex Wesley and Mariah Dillard[src]
In the wake of the brutal murder of Cottonmouth inside of Harlem's Paradise, Wesley had then been contacted by Shades, and ordered to bring new clothes for Mariah Dillard to change into, as her own had been stained with Cottonmouth's blood. Without question, Wesley did as instructed. Wesley would then meet with Dillard, as she was arriving at the 29th Precinct Police Station to make her statement, where the press were waiting for her and taking photographs and asking for comments.

Wesley and Dillard had then gone inside the Precinct, after Dillard had told the press that it was Luke Cage who was likely the man who had killed Cottonmouth. While they waited to make a statement, Wesley told Dillard that her comments to the press had killed, before apologising for the insensitivity of his choice of words. However, Dillard ignored his apology, and ordered Wesley to ensure that the footage of her comments were uploaded online within an hour, telling him to send it to all of his donors and supporters in order to help her political career.

However, while Dillard had been speaking with Wesley, they were interrupted by the arrival of Misty Knight, who had been sarcastically clapping for Dillard, calling her comments to the press an impressive performance. Wishing to speak to Knight alone, Dillard had then asked for Wesley to go back to the car and wait with Tony, which Wesley agreed to do, getting up and leaving Dillard alone with Knight. Following her brief conversation with Knight, Dillard left he Precinct without making any official statement, rejoining Wesley and Tony in the car.

#### Advising Mariah Dillard

*"People understand the threat, the kind of person you're up against. They're not talking about the money, or where it came from. I think if you play this right, you could have supporters with even deeper pockets behind you, who see this as a political issue, and see your cousin as a brave man who stood up to a freak."*
―Alex Wesley to Mariah Dillard[src]
Wesley returned to the Brownstone, where he found Mariah Dillard looking at her own reflection, as Wesley greeted Dillard by calling her Madame Councilwoman, only for Dillard to insist that this part of her life was over, due to the ongoing scandals. However, Wesley questioned if Dillard had seen how many emails and interview requests that she had been getting, noting that Thembi Wallace wanted another sit down interview with Dillard, which Dillard rejected.

Wesley had then shown Dillard some footage that had just been leaked to the media, showing the CCTV from the New York City Police Department, in which Luke Cage attacked two police officers before stealing their cars. Wesley went on to note that the officers were still alive, but somebody had leaked the footage, calling it too hot to hold back, as he showed Dillard the clip, much to Dillard's amazement. Wesley noted that it must be had seeing footage of Cage, noting that Cage killed Cottonmouth, to which Dillard insisted that justice would prevail.

Wesley then noted to Dillard that people of Harlem understood the threat that Cage posed, and the kind of person that she was up against, insisting that people were no longer talking about the money that had been discovered in the Crispus Attucks Complex, nor where it had come from. Wesley insisted that, if they played this right, Dillard could end up with new backers with even deeper pockets, who would see this as a political issue, changing the narrative to Cottonmouth being a brave man who stood up to Cage, who Wesley had called a freak.

In response, Dillard had questioned if Wesley actually wanted to use the demise of her cousin, which she had called her personal tragedy, for her own strategic political gain, with then caused Wesley to become nervous, believing that he had offended her and would face punishment. However, Dillard had then jokingly commented that she had clearly taught Wesley well, as they shook hands over the concept. Dillard had then told Wesley to go back home, as she was letting him finish his working day early, which Wesley thanked her for as he departed the Brownstone.

#### Hostage Crisis Aftermath

*"Please, no lectures!"
"This is just a thing. Things can be rebuilt, and when you do, you rebuild it as your legacy, not just the club's. I want to be a part of that."*
―Mariah Dillard and Alex Wesley[src]
Wesley would return to Harlem's Paradise with Mariah Dillard, in the wake of a major hostage situation and gunfight that had happened there. Wesley followed Dillard as they stepped over the broken glass, as Dillard noted how much Mama Mabel had loved the club, recalling how much she had fine tuned the club to meet her standards. Dillard had then cursed Diamondback for his part in causing all of this destruction to Harlem's Paradise, as well as her family's legacy, as Wesley watched on.

Dillard then noted that Wesley would likely advise her to make a statement to the media, commenting on Damon Boone, who had been killed during the crisis, although Wesley denied that this was going to be his advise for her. Despite being told that she did not want a lecture, Wesley told Dillard that the club was nothing but a thing, that could be rebuilt, noting that she could rebuild it as her legacy at the same time. Noting that Dillard could rebuild the Stokes Crime Family as well, he told Dillard that he wanted to be a part of that new legacy with her.

Having managed to get Dillard's attention, Wesley advised that they had to control the narrative around this situation, and therefore they could not have any loose threads, noting that anybody who may have overheard anything said by Dillard to either Diamondback or Shades, would be a threat to them. Dillard noted that she agreed with Wesley observation, to which he questioned how he could help her. Dillard subtlety questioned if Wesley would be willing to go all the way with her plans, to which Wesley made it clear that he would still support her.

#### Tracking Candace Miller

*"She left with Detective Knight, traffic got thick and I lost them. I'm sorry, I'm not used to doing anything like this."
"We'll find her again. Just knowing that she can't be trusted is helpful. You did a good job, Alex. Hey, you're my rock."*
―Alex Wesley to Mariah Dillard[src]
Knowing that she could expose them, Wesley tracked down Candace Miller through her friend Leslie, allowing them to discover that Miller had been meeting with Detective Misty Knight in the park, potentially discussing what really happened on the night that Cottonmouth had died, as Wesley followed them for a bit, before losing sight of them. As Wesley had updated Mariah Dillard on this situation, he also apologised for losing Miller and Knight in the heavy traffic.

However, Dillard insisted that she was not angry at Wesley for losing them, as Wesley had also noted that he was not used to following people in such as way, with Dillard commenting that just the fact that Wesley had learnt Miller was meeting with the New York City Police Department was useful for them, promising that they would be able to find Miller again. As he went to leave the Brownstone, Wesley was also told by Dillard that she considered him to be her rock, and that he had done a good job, as Wesley had then smiled at her and left.

#### Duel at Malcolm X Boulevard

*"Alex, you're the man."
"Anything you need, Madame Councilwoman, let me know."*
―Mariah Dillard and Alex Wesley[src]
Wesley received a call from Mariah Dillard, who informed him that Luke Cage was in Harlem, as Dillard instructed Wesley to contact Thembi Wallace was the tip, with Dillard's rejecting Wesley's question as to why he would tell Wallace, while Dillard also told him to inform Wallace that she was there too. By the time Wesley arrived at the scene, Cage had been fighting Diamondback in the streets of Harlem by Pop's Barber Shop, as a large crowd had formed around them, all in support of Cage during the ongoing fight.

Despite Diamondback being armed with a Battle Suit, Wesley watched on as Cage was eventually able to gain the advantage in the fight, and knocked him unconscious, with the New York City Police Department arresting Diamondback. However, in the aftermath of the fight, Wesley had witnessed Dillard being confronted by Detective Misty Knight, who arrested her under suspicion of the murder of Cottonmouth, as Dillard was handcuffed and taken back to the 29th Precinct Police Station to be questioned by Knight about Cottonmouth's death.

However, to prevent Dillard being taken to jail, Shades had managed to trick Candace Miller into going outside, where he proceeded to murder her. With no further evidence, Knight was forced to release Dillard, as Wesley and Shades collected her in her car. Dillard thanked Wesley for what he had done, to which Wesley noted that he would do whatever she needed. Wesley had watched from the drivers seat, as Shades handed Dillard the Stokes' Revolver, which he had just used to murder Miller, before they all drove away from Precinct together.

### Criminal Life

#### Attending the Fundraiser

*"Hello, Tilda. I'm Alex, your mother's assistant."
"Got anything stronger?"
"Ha, you are Mariah's daughter."*
―Alex Wesley and Tilda Johnson[src]
Wesley had attended a fundraiser at the Studio Museum in Harlem, which was being hosted by Mariah Dillard. With the fundraiser in full swing, Wesley had noticed the arrival of Dillard's daughter, Tilda Johnson, as he approached her with a glass of champaign and introduced himself. Taking the glass of champaign from Wesley, Johnson had questioned if he had anything stronger to drink, to which Wesley laughed, and then jokingly noted that this proved that she was Dillard's daughter.

The pair were then joined by Dillard, who questioned if Wesley was taking good care of her daughter, which Johnson confirmed. Wesley had then politely excused himself, noting that it was nice to have met Johnson, as he left Dillard and her daughter alone to catch up. Wesley then rejoined Dillard once Johnson moved on, as Dillard questioned if Mark Higgins was at the fundraiser yet, which Wesley confirmed, noting that Higgins had been hanging out with Piranha Jones and looking at Stephanie Miller, just as Miller walked by and Wesley smiled at her.

Dillard reminded Wesley to call Miller by the name Billie, as they agreed that she was a capable girl, before watching her go and rejoin Higgins and Piranha. Wesley then questioned where Shades was, to which Dillard insisted that Shades was where he needed to be, claiming that all that mattered to her was ensuring that she had control over Higgins' money. Wesley then noted that he had already ensured that Miller would invite Higgins back to Harlem's Paradise for some more drinks once their fundraiser was over, which had greatly pleased Dillard.

Wesley had stood by, as Dillard took to the stage and discussed the plans for her Family First Initiative, which included the opening of the Shirley Chisholm Complex in tribute to Mama Mabel. Wesley watched on as Dillard told the story of how she met and fell in love with Jackson Dillard, before his untimely death, insisting that the work with the Initiative was to help single mothers, like she had previously been. Wesley had then watched on and clapped, as Dillard pointed out Johnson in the crowd, despite how uncomfortable this had clearly had Johnson.

#### Blackmailing Mark Higgins

*"Only thing that matters is that Mark Higgins stays in the pocket."
"I've already made sure Stephanie invites him to Harlem's Paradise for drinks. You can reel him in there."
"Ahab ain't got shit on me."*
―Mariah Dillard and Alex Wesley[src]
Having returned to Harlem's Paradise, Wesley had brought Mark Higgins up to Mariah Dillard's office, where he had applauded the speech that she had made back at the Studio Museum in Harlem. Wesley had then stood by, as Dillard noted to Higgins that she had always wanted to bring joy to people, but noted that joy was not free, as Wesley brought Stephanie Miller into the office as well, who handed Higgins the compromising photographs they had taken.

Wesley stood by, as Dillard dismissed Piranha Jones to protect him legally, with Wesley and Miller also leaving, while Dillard would tell Higgins that she wanted Higgins to allow the merger between Atreus Plastics and Glenn Industries, so she could make a profit on her shares. During Dillard's meeting with Higgins, Wesley had witnessed Tilda Johnson arrive at Harlem's Paradise, as she got past Wesley and interrupted Dillard's meeting, also Dillard was unfazed and introduced Higgins as her Family First Initiative's main investor, before Wesley escorted him out.

Once Wesley had taken Higgins out of Harlem's Paradise to consider Dillard's offer to him, he left Dillard and Johnson to speak privately. Eventually, Wesley was greeted by Shades, who had just returned from his meeting with Bushmaster and the Yardies, having successfully negotiated their deal to sell their gun businesses, and returned with the money that Dillard needed, having been paid even more than they had been asking for. Wesley had then taken Johnson out of Harlem's Paradise, and left Dillard and Shades to discuss their success.

#### Preparing for the Inauguration

*"They're already scouting for the ceremony. Thembi Wallace's people called, she'll want a formal sit down after."
"That bitch can sit down on her ass and wait like everybody else. That formal enough for ya?"
"Play nice, Madame Councilwoman. Everyone loves a comeback story."*
―Alex Wesley and Mariah Dillard[src]
While working at Harlem's Paradise, Wesley had sent Comanche upstairs to go and give Mariah Dillard a cup of coffee. Wesley would later meet with Tilda Johnson, who he had escorted to the Shirley Chisholm Complex to meet with Dillard, with Wesley and Johnson discussing something weird, that Wesley promised he would look into, before they were greeted by Dillard, who noted that she wanted Wesley to bring Johnson there early.

While Dillard explained that she had wanted Johnson to see the building, and her work with the Family First Initiative for herself, before their opening that evening, Dillard had turned back to Wesley and asked him to remain outside, noting that she wanted him to ensure that no members of the press went inside the building yet. Wesley then noted to Dillard that all of the press had confirmed that they would be coming that evening for the opening, with Dillard insisting that the more would be the better, as she and Johnson went inside of the complex.

Once Wesley had been rejoined by Dillard, they noted that they were off to a good start, as the press were already arriving, with Wesley noting that they were already scouting for the ceremony. Wesley explained that Thembi Wallace's team had been in contact, as they wanted a sit down interview with Dillard, although Dillard insisted that she would still make Wallace wait for an interview, as she was still bitter from their previous interview. However, Wesley advised Dillard to play nice with the media, noting that everyone would enjoy her upcoming comeback story.

Dillard had then told Wesley to insure that all the media was put out live, as she did not want to be overshadowed by Jimmy Kimmel's program. Wesley had then asked if Johnson had accepted the job offer that Dillard had made her, just as Johnson stepped out of the building, with Dillard confessing that she did not know, while Wesley took a step back so Dillard and Johnson could discuss the offer. Johnson noted that she still wanted to run Mother's Touch, to which Dillard simply noted that this shop was causing her financial issues that could be solved with this job

Wesley had listened from the side, as Johnson noted that she had built Mother's Touch from the ground up, unlike Dillard, who had built her empire with the aid of Mama Mabel and the rest of the Stokes Crime Family. However, Wesley had then witnessed their conversation being interrupted by the arrival of Detectives Mark Bailey and Nandi Tyler, who had asked Dillard about the whereabouts of Mark Higgins, who had been reported missing by Cindy Higgins, although Dillard had denied knowing where he was, claiming to have not spoken to him much recently.

### War for Harlem

#### Bushmaster's Public Revenge

*"Please, please, everyone calm down! Everyone, calm down!"*
―Alex Wesley[src]
Wesley returned to the Shirley Chisholm Complex that evening for their grand opening, standing in the crowd and watching on as Mariah Dillard gave her speech, with Wesley holding the scissors ready to cut the ribbon. Wesley watched on as Dillard thanked everyone for coming, noting that they all knew how hard it could be to start over, just as Tilda Johnson arrived, and Dillard noted that they would do it together, before Wesley handed Dillard the scissors for her to officially open the building.

However, once Dillard had cut the ribbon, making a salute for Harlem, she had then opened the doors, only for Wesley and the other onlookers to discover a horrific sight, as they looked at the severed heads of Mark Higgins, Ray Ray and Cockroach Hamilton, who had been impaled on spikes in the doorway. As Wesley looked on in absolute horror, he then attempted to block the view of the camera, telling everyone to calm down and move back. However, Wesley was too late, and the images of the severed heads had been broadcast live, much to the complete horror of Dillard.

#### Reassuring Mariah Dillard

*"Everyone I ever loved has betrayed me. Mama Mabel, Uncle Pete, Cornell... Now, Tilda."
"You don't mean that."
"When I really needed them, where they been?"*
―Mariah Dillard and Alex Wesley[src]
Wesley returned to Harlem's Paradise, where he stepped into Mariah Dillard's office, just as she was becoming angry and throwing a glass across the room, as Wesley apologised for interrupting. However, Dillard asked Wesley to stay and asked him to pour another drink for her, and one for himself as well, which Wesley did. Once he handed the drink to her, Dillard smiled and suggested that they make a toast to trust and love, before cursing out both of these concepts and drinking.

Wesley was then told by Dillard that everyone she had ever loved, had betrayed her, naming Mama Mabel and Pistol Pete as some of these people in her life who had either betrayed her or left her, as she looked across the office and had then named Cottonmouth as well. Dillard also noted that Tilda Johnson had also betrayed her, as she had not been able to get in contact with her, to which Wesley had insisted that Dillard did not actually mean that, which Dillard simply scoffed at, as she noted that whenever she had needed them, they had vanished.

As Wesley tried to comment on Shades, Dillard stopped him, noting that she had some words to say about Shades' commitment. Dillard then poured herself yet another drink, Wesley listened with some concern, to her ranting about how Piranha Jones had almost been captured by Bushmaster and the Stylers, which would have resulted in Piranha's death, and Dillard losing everything that she had owned. Dillard then confessed to Wesley that if it had not been for the actions of Luke Cage, who had managed to save Piranha's life, she would have lost everything.

#### Robbed by Bushmaster

*"Everybody in place?"
"One out front, one out back and two circling the block."
"Where's Shades?"
"He's taking care of something. Sure you don't want me to stay?"
"No, you get out of here, it's not your side of things."*
―Mariah Dillard and Alex Wesley[src]
While he was working in Harlem's Paradise, Wesley overheard a cry of anguish coming from Mariah Dillard's office, as he immediately rushed inside to check on her. Wesley discovered Dillard by her computer, explaining that all of her money had been taken by Bushmaster, after he had murdered Piranha Jones, as she told Wesley that they were not safe there, ordering Wesley to collect Tilda Johnson and bring her to her Brownstone, where she would collect her remaining money.

Wesley did as instructed, bringing Johnson to the Brownstone, where Dillard took the money that she still had from her safe, intending for them to take a jet out of New York City in order to escape from Bushmaster. As Dillard was putting her money into bags, Wesley explained that the Stokes Crime Family were circling the house to protect them, although Wesley had also confessed that he did not know where Shades was. Wesley had then questioned if Dillard needed anything more from him, as she instead ordered him to leave for his own protection.

#### Security Upgrades

*"Underneath all this, Atreus resin, it's three feet thick. They developed it with the intention of building a bunker that could withstand a nuclear attack."
"You think that this plastic bullshit is gonna prevent that man from coming to get you after what you did last night?"*
―Alex Wesley and Shades[src]
In the wake of the attacks on them from Bushmaster, Wesley had supervised upgrades in security at Harlem's Paradise, as he took Mariah Dillard and Shades on a tour of these upgrades. Going into the basement, Wesley showed Dillard the new panic room, which opened when Dillard placed her palm onto the touchpad, which Wesley explained was a gift from Atreus Plastics, much to the delight of Dillard, as the door unlocked and they stepped inside of the new panic room.

Wesley noted his ideas of where they could hang Dillard's artworks in the panic room, including her Jean-Michel Basquiat painting, with Dillard agreeing with his ideas. Wesley explained that the walls and floors were protected by three feet thick plastics, noting that these were developed by Atreus with the intention of building a bunker that could withstand a nuclear attack. However, Shades scoffed at Wesley's presentation, questioning if they really believed that any of these designs would be able to prevent Bushmaster from taking his revenge on Dillard.

Wesley stood by, as Shades had then insisted that nothing would actually be able to prevent Bushmaster from taking revenge on them, in the wake of the Massacre at Gwen's, in which Dillard had slaughtered Bushmaster's friends and family. However, Dillard remained unconcerned, noting that Shades had also been involved with this massacre, while she looked over to Wesley, and noted that, when the time was right, they would be able to kill Bushmaster themselves, although these discussions of violence had clearly made Wesley feel more uncomfortable.

#### Drinks with Mariah Dillard

*"Alex has always been loyal. His value is appreciating just when I need it."
"Leave."
"I say when he goes, not you."*
―Mariah Dillard and Shades[src]
Having learnt that Ingrid Mackintosh had survived the Massacre at Gwen's, Wesley was instructed to send Ricky and Tony to Clinica Sonando in order to locate her. Wesley would later enjoy some drinks and laughs with Mariah Dillard in Harlem's Paradise, where she offered him more drinks, although Wesley insisted that he should likely head home, while Dillard insisted that he call her Mariah, and not Madame Councilwoman.

As Dillard got closer to Wesley, almost sitting on his lap on the desk, they were interrupted by the arrival of Shades, who was clearly angered by what he had discovered, noting that Dillard had been quick to try and make Wesley her new lover. Dillard had then flirtatiously touched Wesley, noting how he had always been loyal, and his value was increasing. Shades then ordered Wesley to leave, although Dillard insisted that only she could tell him to go, although Shades then drew his gun, causing Wesley to quickly collect his jacket and then leave the club.

#### Meeting with Criminals

*"That went well."
"Nicely done. As for our other problem, my security team suspects he's watching us."*
―Alex Wesley and Hai-Qing Yang[src]
Wesley would attend a secret meeting at Calderwood Auction House, which had been arranged by Mariah Dillard, so she could negotiate with some of the criminal leaders of New York City, which included Rosalie Carbone, as well as Anibal Izqueda and Eric Hong. Once the meeting was complete, Wesley handed Dillard back her coat, and noted that the meeting had gone well, with Hai-Qing Yang also noting that he was impressed by how Dillard had handled the situation.

Wesley had then listened, as Yang noted that his sources had warned him that they were likely being watched by Bushmaster, to which Dillard remained unfazed, noting that this was the entire reason she had been setting up a trap for Bushmaster, which involved using the Yangsi Gonshi to produce Bushmaster Heroin to draw him out. With this complete, Wesley led Dillard out of the Auction House and back to Harlem's Paradise, unaware that Bushmaster was just stood on the other side of the street, watching them as Wesley walked with Dillard.

#### Arrest of Mariah Dillard

*"Anybody else roll?"
"No."
"Can't give them the chance to..."
"Everyone?"*
―Mariah Dillard and Benjamin Donovan[src]
However, despite all of Mariah Dillard's planning, she was eventually arrested following an attempt on her life by Bushmaster, during which Shades had helped the New York City Police Department to record his conversations with Dillard, allowing Misty Knight to arrest her. Wesley would attend Dillard's trial at the New York State Supreme Court Building, where she was defended by Benjamin Donovan against Blake Tower's accusations of the numerous crimes against her.

Wesley watched as Dillard's bail was denied and she was ordered to be sent to Ryker's Island by Amanda Garmon, having been accused of the murder of Cottonmouth, as well as the Massacre at Gwen's and illegal dealings with Atreus Plastics. The court became more dramatic as some Jamaican in attendance confronted her, before Rosalie Carbone quietly entered the courtroom. Wesley listened as Dillard then gave a speech, in which she insisted that Harlem needed her to protect it, warning of an incoming war to gain all f power that she had once held in Harlem.

#### Black Mariah's Executions

*"Tell your mother I'd never rat. I'd never roll over."
"What's going on?"
"Just about anybody that's ever worked at Harlem's Paradise is dead."
"Damn it, Alex! You knew who she was better than anyone. You should've walked when you had the chance."*
―Alex Wesley and Tilda Johnson[src]
While Mariah Dillard was being held in Ryker's Island, Wesley began to see that everybody who had ever worked at Harlem's Paradise was being assassinated, as part of Dillard's plan to ensure nobody made any statements against her that would get her convicted, like Shades had done. Terrified that he would be the next one to be killed, Wesley had then rushed to Mother's Touch and met with Tilda Johnson, desperately asking her to convince Dillard that he would never betray her trust.

With Johnson confused about what was happening, Wesley explained the situation and how many people had been murdered in the streets to protect Dillard from being sent away for life, which was being organised by Benjamin Donovan. In response, Johnson cursed Wesley, noting that since he knew Dillard better than anyone, he should have seen this eventually happening and walked away when he had the chance. However, Wesley insisted that he had wanted to walk away, but had not been able to, with Johnson agreeing that Dillard had a power over people.

Wesley noted that he knew that Dillard still loved her daughter and she was the only one who could help him, although Johnson told Wesley that she could not help him, telling him to leave her store before she called the New York City Police Department. As Wesley noted that Dillard was dangerous, even if she did not mean to be, Johnson noted that Dillard could not help this, because she was a member of the Stokes Crime Family, and therefore violence was in their blood. With that, Wesley had then reluctantly left Mother's Touch, while still fearing for his life.

Having failed to convince Johnson to help him, Wesley was left with no way of negotiating for his own protection, as he was soon found by Dillard's assassins, who proceeded to shoot Wesley multiple times in the chest, leaving his corpse in the streets of Harlem. Wesley body was soon discovered by the police, who cornered off the area, although Wesley's own mother still found the scene and cried out in anguish, upon seeing her son. Misty Knight and Mark Bailey would examine Wesley body, while Johnson witnessed this and decided to meet with her mother.

## Personality

*"You would use my personal tragedy for strategic political advantage?"
"Madame Councilwoman, I..."
"I taught you well."*
―Mariah Dillard and Alex Wesley[src]

*To be added*

## Facilities

* **Harlem's Paradise**: *To be added*
* **Mariah Dillard's Brownstone**: *To be added*
* **Shirley Chisholm Complex**: *To be added*

## Relationships

Allies* Tony
* Thembi Wallace
* Cornell Stokes/Cottonmouth †
* Piranha Jones †
* Stephanie Miller †
* Tilda Johnson
* Yangsi Gonshi
	+ Hai-Qing Yang †
* Luke Cage
* New York City Police Department
	+ Priscilla Ridley
	+ Misty Knight
	+ Mark Bailey
	+ Nandi Tyler
* Willis Stryker/Diamondback
* Candace Miller †
* Leslie
* Stylers
	+ John McIver/Bushmaster
* Carbone Crime Family
	+ Rosalie Carbone
* Korean Mob
	+ Eric Hong †
* Puerto Rican Mob
	+ Anibal Izqueda
* Stokes Crime Family - Former Allies and Killers
	+ Mariah Dillard/Black Mariah † - Former Employer
	+ Hernan Alvarez/Shades
	+ Ricky
	+ Tony
	+ Benjamin Donovan

## Appearances

* *Luke Cage*
	+ *Season One*
		- *Suckas Need Bodyguards*
		- *Manifest*
		- *Blowin' Up the Spot*
		- *DWYCK*
		- *Soliloquy of Chaos*
		- *You Know My Steez*
	+ *Season Two*
		- *Wig Out*
		- *I Get Physical* (mentioned)
		- *All Souled Out*
		- *The Basement*
		- *On and On*
		- *The Creator*
		- *Can't Front on Me*
		- *They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)*

## References

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki has a collection of images and media related to **Alex Wesley**.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki has a collection of quotes related to **Alex Wesley**.

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *Luke Cage: 2.13: They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)*
2. ↑ *Luke Cage: 1.06: Suckas Need Bodyguards*
3. ↑ *Luke Cage: 2.07: Manifest*
4. ↑ *Luke Cage: 1.08: Blowin' Up the Spot*
5. ↑ *Luke Cage: 1.09: DWYCK*
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 *Luke Cage: 1.12: Soliloquy of Chaos*
7. ↑ *Luke Cage: 1.13: You Know My Steez*
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 *Luke Cage: 2.03: Wig Out*
9. ↑ *Luke Cage: 2.04: I Get Physical*
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 *Luke Cage: 2.05: All Souled Out*
11. ↑ *Luke Cage: 2.06: The Basement*
12. ↑ *Luke Cage: 2.07: On and On*
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 *Luke Cage: 2.11: The Creator*
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 *Luke Cage: 2.12: Can't Front on Me*