Seconds later, Kerri rushed out of the store. She was the one who had alerted Danger while he waited in the car. Her instincts screamed that something was off, and if she turned out to be wrong, then so be it. Better safe than sorry.
“Nivéa, sweetie, I’m going to ask you one more time. Are you okay?” She asked, pulling Nivéa’s face toward hers.
Nivéa closed her eyes, a deep breath escaping her chest, heavy with relief. She shook her head and answered,
“No.”
That was all Kerri needed to hear. She stepped forward and reached for the baby’s carrier inside the basket as Danger pressed the barrel of his gun deeper into the back of Boe’s head, ready to pull the trigger.
“Not here, son. Too many cameras. Let him go.” Kerri said calmly, authority lacing her words.
Danger bit down on his bottom lip, fighting the urge to pull the trigger anyway.
“Hassan,” Kerri called firmly. “Put the gun away. We have a baby present. This cannot happen right now. Let him go.”
Finally, Danger nodded. But before he removed the gun from the back of Boe’s head, he made sure to snatch the pistol he carried at his waist. The moment the pressure eased, Boe didn’t hesitate, taking off across the lot. Within seconds, he was inside Nivéa’s car, tires screeching as he burned rubber out of the exit.
“What happened? Why were you with him if you didn’t want to be?” Kerri asked, concerned.
“He just got out of jail. He showed up at my house and forced his way inside, trying to make me leave town with him.” Nivéa’s bottom lip trembled as she spoke.
She silently thanked God for placing Kerri in that store at the exact moment she needed saving. The fact that Boe had taken her car and debit card didn’t even matter to her; all that mattered was that she and Nyla were safe.
Kerri had more questions, but she understood this wasn’t the time for that. She nodded instead. “Okay. Calm down. You’re alright now. You’re safe.” Then she said to Danger, “Hassan, call your brother.”
Danger pulled out his phone, but before he could even scroll to Crown’s name, the sound of his Ducati could be heard. Confused, they all turned toward the entrance just as he pulled in. Smoky and the others followed, ready to protect Nivéa and her baby, on the strength of their president alone.
Chapter Three
With her arms wrapped tight around Crown’s waist, Nivéa sat behind him on his bike as he cut through the city with ease. She’d sworn she would never get back on a bike again after the chaos at the club. She’d said that shit with her chest. But there she was, holding on to him for dear life. Her baby girl rode safely with Kerri and Danger in Kerri’s truck, and she could’ve gone with them. Kerri had offered, but something in her needed Crown right now. She needed his solidness…needed to feel like she wasn’t alone or exposed anymore. Despite the violence she had witnessed with him, Crown made her feel safe. Since she met him, whatever worry she held loosened its grip, and she felt like she could breathe again. Like now.
They stopped at a red light, the sun beaming down on them.
“You alright, ma? That nigga touched you?” Crown asked, his voice calm but edged.
Nivéa didn’t answer. Her head was somewhere else, replaying everything she’d just escaped.
“Baby,” Crown called again.
That’s when the tears came. A little at first, then heavy, soaking her lashes, sliding down her cheeks, and dampening the inside of his helmet that he let her wear. Crown couldn’t see them, but he felt her body trembling against his back as shehyperventilated. He nodded and reached back to rub her thigh in slow, steady circles. He didn’t pressure her, just gave her reassurance.
“Aight, calm down. Just keep holding me tight.”
When the light turned green, Crown pulled off smoothly, lifting two fingers in the air to signal his crew to fall back. Smoky and the others peeled off in another direction, taking a right down a backstreet.
It took Crown only twenty minutes to reach his spot, though it was an hour away. The gates opened as he pulled in, and he just sat, giving Nivéa a minute to calm down. About ten minutes later, Danger arrived with Kerri and Nyla fussing in the backseat. Freshly awake and ready to eat, her cries filled the air.
“Oh my god. I am so sorry. I thought she’d stay asleep.” Nivéa said, removing Crown’s helmet and rushing off the bike, her hands shaking as she reached for Nyla.
“Hey,” Kerri said gently, climbing out the other side of the truck. “It’s okay, baby. Calm down. She’s fine. I want you to breathe.” Her voice stayed steady as she moved in front of Nivéa, cupping her face once more. “Breathe.”
“Okay…okay.” Nivéa deeply inhaled, then exhaled.
“She woke up about five minutes ago. I soothed her while Danger drove. Everything’s alright.”
Before Nivéa could fumble with the straps, Kerri smoothly unbuckled Nyla herself as if she’d done it a thousand times.
“Thank you so much for everything.” Nivéa said to her, swiping at a tear that slipped free. Her eyes drifted to Danger. “And I’m so sorry about all of this. He doesn’t need to be driving like that.”
