"I had a hunch. That spot getting robbed made no sense. Then for Rize to find out instead of Lynx when that's supposed to be his city was off. I put Honey on him since she was already fucking the nigga. Neither of us had anything concrete until River told Honey about what happened when Crown killed Leah. I didn't get the chance to say shit 'cause I wanted to confirm everything."
My heart started hammering as flashbacks of what had taken place in the hospital flooded my mind.
"I was laid up in a fucking hospital bed, making a deal with the devil to keep Crown and River safe. Then he came in, and I told him about Sincere, and before I could fully get the shit out about Lynx, the nigga stole off acting just like a bitch."
"You brought that on yourself 'cause I fucking asked you?—"
"Fuck what you asked me, nigga! How many times do I gotta tell you… I'm not your bitch! I don't gotta answer to you. You're mad at me when you should be mad at yourself for not fucking thinking."
"Nah, don't try to flip this on me. This is about you being allergic to fucking honesty." Crown snickered.
"You want honesty—" I licked my lips, gripping the back of the couch.
"I keep shit from you because you don't fucking think. Your soft ass reacts to every emotion, yet it's me who gotta clean the mess that fucking follows. You killed Lynx and didn't think twice about who was gon' fill that position. Do you know who got the call about niggas tearing up Ember Hills because they wanted to fill the position you left vacant?"
I let that shit breathe, hoping Crown's dumb ass would step in and say what it was so I didn't have to.
"You can't even acknowledge your fuck up, but it's cool 'cause I handled that shit. Yesterday, I woke up and killed three niggas before I ate breakfast. Three niggas lost their lives because of your non-thinking ass, and I can't even get some appreciation? At this point, y'all muthafuckas might as well give me my own fucking day for all the work I put in to keep y'all safe. So nah, I can't be honest with a nigga who thrives off emotion. That's the quickest way to get us all killed. You're not built like me, my nigga. Maybe if you were, shit would be different. But this is my shit and in my shit niggas who crumble any time things go south… gotta sit outside until real niggas handle shit."
"You're talking big shit, but where would you be without me? Wolfe was too young back then to put in work. When we swept blocks… me creeping left, you right. You weren't dumpin' on niggas by yourself, I was right there making sure you made it back to Navy. Lucian gaveyouorders, but it wasuscarrying them out. If you're the realest nigga in the room, it's 'cause I made sure you could be that. You wouldn't have shit without me either, nigga. Keep tryin' to lil bro me and I'ma have your goofy ass kissing the muthafuckin' ring."
"Y'all niggas gotta chill. Shit shouldn't even be this deep," Wolfe cut in, standing between Crown and me. "We're brothers. We all helped each other. That's what binds us. Y'all letting dumb shit fuck up the family and?—"
"This family's been fucked up, Wolfe," I quipped. "Crown feels like I owe him some."
"Nigga, that's you," Crown scoffed. "You started all this shit, my nigga. Talking 'bout I'm an emotional ass nigga."
"That's what you are. Four's lucky you ran to that couch bitch, instead of letting your insecurities take over. If you didn't, the next time you choked her might've been her last?—"
The soft metallic click cut through the air like a knife through the first slice of birthday cake. Only there were no cheers, no smiles, just silence. And this silence didn't need an explanation when Crown was aiming at my chest. Crown's jaw locked. Wolfe's eyes cut between us. Everything else… frozen. Breath, heartbeat, and loyalty all stilled like the room knew one wrong move and blood would spill.
"This what you on?" I asked, my voice even, void of emotion.
"You tell me," Crown responded lightly. "I let you in my home after disrespecting me. I thought we could work out whatever this shit is between us. We both said hurtful shit, so I wasn't tripping, but you crossed the line, Honor. The line we as men draw when it comes to the woman we love. I've never in my life disrespected Navy. Not only because I love her, but off the strength of you. I would never bring her into our shit, that's how deep my respect goes for both of you."
He paused, chest heaving, but eyes darkening with something that promised death.
"You believe I'm that fucked up in the head that I'd kill the woman I love?"
"Crown, that's not what he—" Wolfe started, but I cut him off.
"Yeah, I do," I answered, not even seeing the gun or Crown anymore. All I saw was myself. Same rigid shoulders, tight jaw, tired eyes.
"I think shit could've gone left if you hadn't left for those two months," I murmured. "Leaving those you love takes strength."
My chest tightened. Leaving made Crown strong, and I envied that because I always stayed to protect.
"Staying would've made you soft. You were spiraling and realized you were a danger to Four. I'm proud of you for that. Despite what I said, I'm proud of you."
I swallowed my emotions, but the demons I'd freed didn't leave. They hovered, patiently waiting, knowing their moment was close.
"Niggas never talk about the strength it takes to leave. We just glorify staying. I stayed too long," I mumbled.
Silence pressed in, heavy and unforgiving.
"Control isn't about feeling numb. It's about knowing when the darkness has the wheel and pulling over before everybody dies. You did that. I'm proud of you." I half-smiled, then dropped my gaze.
"Maybe I gotta do the same."
