“I trust the fact he ain’t got a choice. Niggas don’t want a war like the Knights will bring, especially with the Feds watching. Preach ain’t stupid. He sees what it is. But just in case I’m wrong, tell Sav to keep an eye on that nigga’s brother. If he makes one wrong move, we capturing big bro and cutting his fuckin’ head off next.”
After Preach demanded money, Crown realized their business relationship was over. He wasn’t paying a dime. He ordered one of the members to keep an eye on Preach. Within the seventy-two hours Preach had given him, Crown learned a few things through Sav. He discovered that Preach visited his older brother, Muhammad, at 6 PM like clockwork. Sav also found out that Muhammad was regularly escorted by his guard and assistant to a local doctor’s office for dialysis sessions lasting three to five hours. If necessary, Crown would strike then.
“Speaking of cutting heads off, I’m glad you went that route. You had me worried for a minute, bro. I thought you were gonna pay that shit and deliver him alive.” Danger intervened.
“Fuck I look like? Bitch-ass nigga wasn’t gettin’ a dime outta me. Just can’t reveal your hand with every move you make. Some shit gotta stay tucked away in here until it’s time for execution." Crown pointed two fingers at the side of his head.
He loved his people deeply and trusted them with his life, but he didn’t reveal everything in case one of them was ever captured and tortured. The shit was hard to think about, but necessary. Crown had seen the hardest niggas break when they were staring death in the face. He was forcing his to die, committed by the code. Death before dishonor. There was no room for sympathy; they all knew what they had signed up for.
“I hear you, bro.” Smoky said, nodding along with Danger. “If that’s all, I’m about to head out. Wifey ain't been too happy with a nigga barely being home. Got some makin’ up to do.”
“Say less, go handle your business.” Crown replied, bumping fists with him.
“Catch you later, bro.” Danger added, giving Smoky a dap.
Once the door closed, Crown turned his attention to Danger. He reached under his desk, pulled Lil Mo’s helmet from the slot beneath it, and slid it across. He watched as Danger froze, exhaled a slow stream of smoke, then leaned forward to grab it.
“I thought we were banned from the property.”
“We are. I had Prophet grab it for me and leave a fake in its place. Kasir replicated the original design exactly. Them other niggas won’t know the difference.” He sighed.
“Take it. Grab her Harley and build a new tribute. I know the Hayabusa was her favorite, but it’s too much heat trying to move and replace it.”
Danger nodded, gripping the helmet tighter. “Nah, this more than enough. I appreciate you, bro. Real talk. You always come through.”
Crown gave a small nod. Then, more quietly, he asked,
“How’s therapy going?”
Danger shrugged, his eyes still focused on the helmet. “It’s straight. She fine as hell though.”
“D, stay focused. That’s not why you there.” Crown lectured, shaking his head.
“I got you. I have been talking to lil mama, opening up, ya know?”
“Yeah, just make sho it’s about the right shit and not you tryna charm her out of her G-String, muthafucka.”
Crown wasn’t buying his bullshit. Danger had a reputation for getting sidetracked when it came to women, and he wanted his brother to take the sessions seriously, get the help he felt he needed.
“I hear you, bro. Chill.” Danger waved him off.
Crown poured them both a drink, making sure to pour some on the ground for Lil Mo as well. After finishing their drinks, Danger said,
“So, you settling down, huh.”
“That’s the plan.” Crown admitted.
“How you know, bro?”
“Know what?”
“Know Nivèa’s the one? I never seen you like this before.”
Crown ran a hand over his fade as he replied,
“On some real shit, it’s just this feeling you get. A vibe you can’t ignore. Like when y’all lock eyes, your whole life flashes in front of you, and you see nothing but her in it. Suddenly, shit you’ve never done before starts to happen to you. Your heart races, and you can barely form two words. Then when you get it and that shit’s fire, nigga…” He leaned back in his seat, lost in memory.
“Damn,” Danger said, taking a pull from his blunt. “A nigga ain’t never had that before. I’m tryna see what that be like.”
