Chapter Ten
With Smoky and Danger riding closely behind him, Crown pulled onto Preach’s property and parked. The three dismounted their bikes, Crown leading the way as he peeped his surroundings. The compound was on point. Open gates, tracking cameras, and a few henchmen posted along the perimeter, weapons visible.
Preach’s right-hand, Benjamin, stepped forward, searching and disarming them one by one. “You two wait here.” He said, nodding toward Smoky and Danger.
Crown gave a slight nod to both before following the man. The path was long, the back eventually opening into a private training space where Preach was pushing weights. A few of his armed men were scattered around, watching intently as Crown entered the area.
Preach finished his set before acknowledging him. He sat up, grabbed a towel, wiped his face, and stood. When he reached Crown, he extended his hand.
“Crown, what do I owe this early meeting? I thought we handled everything the last time we spoke.” He asked as they shook.
“I got somethin’ I need to run by you. It couldn’t wait.”
Preach nodded as he lay back on the bench and started another set. “I’m listening.”
“I got word from my source that you have a snitch on your hands.”
The weights slammed back onto the rack immediately. Preach sat up just as quickly as he had lied down, his expression tightening as he locked eyes with Crown. The energy shift was immediate, and the men around the room straightened without being told.
“And who the fuck is this source?”
“My source is my source. That’s as far as that goes. I come to warn you.” Crown made clear.
Preach stared at him for a long moment, then stood as he reached behind his ear and collected his blunt. He reached for his lighter and sparked it, smoke curling through the room as he paced a few steps.
“You think I need you to warn me about my business? You think I’m incapable of handling my business, Crown?” Preach asked as he stepped directly in front of him. “Don’t let the situation with our product shortage confuse you on the fuck I am.”
Crown remained unfazed, looking him in the eyes.
“I’m here because I do business with you, so that makes itourbusiness, especially when the informant mentions the Knights as one of your buyers. That’s a problem for me.”
Preach studied him once more, then smirked as if amused. “Crown, you got some heavy balls coming in here checking me about my shit.”
“I ain’t checking you about nothin’. I’m just telling you what I know for both of our sakes.”
Preach took another pull from the blunt, inhaled deeply, then exhaled before nodding his head in understanding.
“Hmm, I see. Well, as you know, I respect your business. And I also respect you coming direct. However, the Dessalinés Mob can handle our own.” He tilted his head to the left, gesturing ahead. “Walk with me.”
As they navigated the maze of hallways, Preach took a pull from the blunt and said,
“Let me tell you something about the Baptistes. About my father Malcolm Baptiste.”
Crown walked nonchalantly, not particularly interested in hearing shit about Preach’s father. Still, out of respect, he listened without interruption. You didn’t get as far as he did without knowing when to stay quiet.
“That nigga came from nothing. Haiti. Dirt floors. Hunger. He didn’t inherit power. He clawed his way out of the mud and taught himself how to make money in a country that wasn’t familiar to him. He came over here and built an army. Brick by brick. Man by man. And with that, came power and respect. Thousands on his payroll. Politicians. Police. Judges. People who told him everything for the love of money. But most importantly, because of fear. When he was murdered, those same people worked for my brother. And once my brother fell ill, they began to work for me.”
Preach stopped in front of the door and finally turned, meeting Crown’s eyes fully.
“So, when a nigga thinks he got one up on me, trust I already know what he’s plotting and how.”
Preach gestured to his henchman to open the door, and when it did, Crown’s stomach twisted. He’d seen a lot in his life, had done a lot, but this was different. His world had rules. No women, no children.
“Who the fuck is that?” He questioned as a young woman’s body was being butchered.
“This was my little sister, Fabienne. That’s what happens when you betray me. I was alerted by my source as well, and the information I received revealed that someone close to me told Boe certain things, things I know for a fact went beyond what was shown to him. So, I recently had Fabienne followed by my PI, and it turned out to be true. She was fucking the help. So, there’s no need for you to worry about our little birdie. I’ve already been made aware, and he will be handled soon, him and everyone he loves. Our business is still good. I’ll send you the new details for the next meeting.”
Crown’s heart raced inside his chest, the first thought being that if Preach could do that to his own sister, it would be nothing for him to touch Nivéa. “About that birdie, there’s something else we need to address.” He quickly added.
