Page 44 of Crown: Phase 4

“Yes, ma’am. How are you?” Nivéa waved as she greeted her.

“I’m doing well this evening. How about you all?”

“I’m straight as long as y’all tend to my wife.” Crown replied.

“Of course, Mr. Knight. What a lucky lady.” Kathy said, taking a moment to take him in before glancing at Nivéa. “Everything is ready. We’ll start with the massage, then you can sit for your nails, Mrs. Knight.”

“Hmph, I see.” Nivéa watched Kathy closely as she moved behind the counter, feeling a shift in her mood. The woman had literally blushed, as if she were mesmerized by Crown.

Kathy led them through the spa’s private area and showed Nivéa into a room set up just for her. Crown had arranged for a prenatal massage, followed by a mani and pedi, and access to a private relaxation area. After telling her to undress and put on the robe, Kathy stepped out for privacy.

“You had this place shut down, didn’t you?” Nivéa asked Crown as he began to help her undress.

“Yep, you know what it is…how I’m comin’ ’bout you. Don’t like them ankles being swollen.”

“You getting a massage, too?”

“Nah.”

“Good. Unless Maxwell out there is doing your massage, I don’t think I’m okay with that.” Nivéa nodded toward the guy they had passed in the hallway, having read his name tag.

“I can massage you just fine at home. Kathy is something else. I don’t wanna have to whoop her ass up in here.”

“Hush that noise, woman.” Crown chuckled, reaching out to trace her dimple with his thumb. “I figured you wouldn’t like that. However, Maxwell ain’t touching shit but a hot bullet if he lays a hand on me or you.”

“Oh, I know. I was just joking about him.” Nivéa laughed, standing on her toes to kiss his lips.

“Gone, baby. I’ll be waiting for you on the other side.” Crown said, smacking her ass.

A short while later, Nivéa lay on the massage table with her eyes closed, relishing the prenatal massage. For the first time in days, her shoulders began to loosen, and the tension in her lower back slowly faded. She even indulged in the spa’s new Japanese head spa ritual, where her scalp and hair were washed and massaged while she relaxed over the treatment basin. By the time it was finished, she felt lighter. After her mani and pedi, she met Crown in the private relaxation room, wearing a plush robe that matched the one he had already slipped into.

“How you feel?” He asked, half-asleep in one of the cushioned lounge chairs.

Nivéa rolled her shoulders slowly as she stood in front of him. “Like I got a whole new body. Thank you. It was much needed.”

“You know I got you.” Crown rubbed on her thigh.

“You like my nails? I decided to change the color.” Nivéa held out her hands.

Crown took her hands, inspecting them closely before glancing down at her feet. He noticed she had opted for a vibrant neon pink.

“Yeah, but are them mu’fuckas still gon’ glow in the dark?”

Nivéa cracked up. “Yes, silly. I made sure of it. I know you really like that.”

“Bet.”

Crown slipped out of his robe and helped take off hers, leaving them both completely naked. They took full advantage of the private space, settling onto one of the wide submerged steps in the warm hydrotherapy pool. The soothing sound of water cascading from a stone waterfall filled the room while soft blue lights glowed beneath the water, giving the space a calm, peaceful feel.

After a while, they moved through the water with one another, enjoying the freedom before returning to the steps. They joked, laughed, and talked about everything except the realities waiting for them outside those walls. Nivéa shed her mother and businesswoman personas, while Crown allowed himself a brief escape from the pressing war outside. Still, he remained vigilant…a habit he couldn’t shake. Two chrome-finished Glocks rested within reach.

Still, Nivéa got the man underneath the crown. She rested her head against Crown’s shoulder and closed her eyes as she sat in his lap. It felt good to simply be with him. Whenever she was with Crown, she got to turn her brain off and live softly, knowing whatever issue existed, she wouldn’t have to carry. He would handle it.

It wasn’t until his burner started vibrating back-to-back next to his guns that the peace was broken. Nivéa just stared at him, shaking her head as she let out a little laugh. She had to laugh to keep from fucking crying. He had just left the streets. What else could they possibly need from her husband? She needed him right now and didn’t want to have to leave…didn’t want him to have to leave her.

“Ignore it, ma. That’s what I’ma do.” Crown told her.

“I can’t. I don’t wanna be the reason something happens and you missed it. You brought it in for a reason.”