Kerri waved it off. “No, it’s fine. Save your apology. Things happen, baby. We made it work.”
Nivéa nodded, forcing a weak smile. “Thank you, Danger. For everything.”
He nodded from the driver’s seat, not bothering to speak or turn around.
As soon as the door shut, Kerri leaned in slightly. “Don’t mind him. He’s still hurting behind Mo, you know?”
“Yes, of course.” Nivéa took Nyla into her arms, pressing a kiss on her forehead as they headed inside.
Crown followed close behind, carrying the carrier, his jaw tight, emotions coiled and dangerous beneath his calm. If anything had happened to Nivéa or that baby, he would’ve turned Satin Hills into ashes without blinking.
“Mama, I appreciate you.” He said once they stepped aside.
“You know I got you.” Kerri replied as her eyes drifted back toward the living room, where Nivéa sat on the couch nursing Nyla like the world hadn’t almost swallowed her whole. “How’d you know to go there?”
“I got a tracker on her car.”
Kerri’s brow lifted slowly. “And does she know that?”
Crown shook his head as he slipped his hands into his pockets.
“I swear you’re every bit of your gotdamn father. But thank God you are.” She paused, then nodded to herself. “I’m going to drop your brother off and tend to him. I see she had some things in the bags for the baby. But I’ll bring whatever else y’all need. Just text me a list, okay?”
“If I think of anything, I’ll let you know. But I got everything they need here.”
Kerri glanced around the massive space carefully. “The baby will need somewhere to lie—”
“Everything is upstairs. She’s got a crib set, a swing, and I just bought a bouncer, too. Bottles, pacifiers, and diapers. The whole nine.” Crown cut in.
Kerri gave him a knowing half-smile, already seeing what he hadn’t fully admitted to himself yet. But she could see it all over him…this was becoming more than lust.
“Okay, that’s good. I’m gone then. I’ll give y’all some space. If you need me, you know where I’m at.” When she moved closer to Nivéa, she said,
“Nivéa, if you or the baby needs anything, just get my son’s phone and text or call me. I’ll bring whatever whenever, okay? I want you to relax.”
Crown didn’t interrupt, even though he’d already said he had everything. He knew how his mama was. Kerri was a nurturer. He let her do her thing. Once she left, he crossed the room and dropped into a squat in front of Nivéa, right in her line of sight. He needed to look at her and know that she hadn’t been harmed.
“Did he touch you?” He asked.
“He put a g…gun to my head. Put a fuckin’ gun to my head like I’m some nigga in the street, like I ain’t the mother of his kid. Then he kissed my forehead like we were together or some shit. It’s crazy. He was acting insane.” Nivéa’s voice cracked.
Crown’s eyes went dark; all he saw was red. “I’mma kill that nigga.” He said, the words leaving him before he could stop them. And he meant every single one.
Silence settled heavily between them. The only sound was Nyla nursing. Crown reached out, brushing his thumb against Nivéa’s dimple, hoping to soothe her.
“How did he get out? He made bail or somethin’?”
“How he got out is a long story, but he showed up at my place as soon as he did. I asked him to leave, but he wouldn’t. He forced his way inside with a gun and took my phone. I was up all night watching him, scared outta my damn mind. Then I got a chance to press the panic button this morning, but I forgot theywould call to check in first.” Her eyes filled again. “That’s when he put the gun to my head.”
“I’m sorry, ma. I’m sorry that shit happened, but it’s gon’ be corrected. Them niggas are supposed to send the police to you no matter what.”
She looked at him, her eyes red. “How did you know I was in trouble?”
“I know the supervisor at the security company. He let me know your silent alarm went off, so I came to your crib, but your neighbor let me know you had already left with that muthafucka.”
“So what, you set yourself as my emergency contact down there or somethin’?”
“Nah, ma. It’s just a nigga that owes me a favor. I told him to let me know if anything ever went wrong. That’s it.” Crown lied.
