“Yeah, still thinking over how to approach it. Nigga might feel some kind of way about me knowing about his business while he doesn’t.”
Smoky nodded. “I think Pete just fucked himself, though. Why keep paying him if we got Spencer now?”
Crown shook his head. “Nah, we still pay Pete. We need somebody close to the streets, someone dealing with ‘em every day. Plus, Pete’s been solid with us. I ain’t cutting off anyone loyal.”
That was Crown to his core. If you were good to him, he would be good to you. He was hard on Pete, but that was by design. His grandfather and father had drilled into him early to never let up on a nigga, because the moment you relaxed, they thought they could slide something past you. So yes, Crown kept his foot on Pete’s neck, but he also recognized loyalty when he saw it. Pete had earned his place with the Knights.
“Enough of that. I need you to handle something for me soon.”
“Wassup?” Smoky asked, shooting him a curious look as he set his drink down and took a slow pull from his blunt.
Crown pulled out one of his burners, the tracking app open, and slid it over to him.
“This the tracker I put on Nivéa’s car. Last I checked, her ex was headed towards Melrose. I’ll have a name and photo for you by tomorrow. Once I give it to you, I want you and Black to head out there and get him. The car can be destroyed.”
“Melrose? Fuck is he doing all the way out there?”
Crown rubbed his beard, thinking it over.
“Not sure. Nivéa hasn’t said much about why he’s running. She’s still too shaken up to talk. But my guess is he’s trying to escape whatever case he’s fighting. It doesn’t matter, though. Bring his bitch-ass to me.”
“Bet.”
Three hours later, the men split up. Smoky and the rest rode out while Crown tended to other pressing matters.
Chapter Six
Back at the house, Nivéa leaned against the headboard and FaceTimed Caresha on the cellphone Crown had left her. The call rang four times before connecting, revealing Caresha’s face, her perfectly arched brows knitted together in confusion. She leaned closer to the screen, and recognition softened her expression when she realized it was Nivéa.
“Girlll… sis. What the hell? I’ve been calling and texting you all damn day. I was literally on my way to your place, about to call the police. I just got off work. Where are you, and whose number is this?” She blurted, doing sixty-five on the street while trying to get to the freeway.
“I’m so sorry, sis. I didn’t have my phone. A lot went down today. I’m with Crown. This is his phone. You can reach me on here until I get another one.” Nivéa replied.
Caresha’s expression shifted as she processed the words. “What you mean, a lot happened, and I can reach you on here? What happened to your phone? And I thought you were done with him. What’s going on?”
Nivéa took a deep breath; the memory of that morning was still fresh and heavy. “Girl, Boe showed up at my house yesterday evening.”
“What?! He’s out?”
“Yeah. He forced his way inside, took my phone, and tried to make me leave town with him. He even put a gun to my head.”
Caresha’s hand flew to her mouth. “Sis… wait… what the fuck did you just say?”
“You heard me correctly. It’s a long story, but Ny and I are with Crown now. We’re safe.”
“Hell no, I’m coming to see y’all. Where does Crown live?” Panic crept into Caresha’s voice as she made a U-turn. “Send me the address. I’m on my way.”
“I want you to come, I really do. But I should talk to Crown first and make sure it’s okay.”
“Bitch, what you mean make sure it’s okay? I’m your sister.”
“Reesh, please. You know I don’t mean it like that. I’m just saying this is his home, and I want to be respectful. Let me check with that man before I start handing out his address.”
Caresha paused, thinking it over as she pulled into a CVS parking lot. “I get that, but you better talk to that nigga real soon. I’m talkin’… when you get off this phone with mesoon. Shit.”
“I will, girl. I promise.”
“Where’s my baby?” Caresha asked, wiping the wetness from her cheeks. If something had happened to Nivéa, she would’ve lost her mind.
