“Smoky, go make sure everything's still running smoothly downstairs.” Crown ordered, cutting the lie off.
“Bet,” Smoky replied before turning to leave.
Calvin, still shaken, moved as if he would follow Smoky, but he didn’t get far. Crown’s gun went up and then fired, catching him in the back of the head and dropping him. His body hit the floor hard, blood splattering across the room and onto Rell.
“Lyin’ muthafucka,” Crown mumbled, shifting his attention back to a frantic Rell. “We been doing good business for five years, nigga. Why the sudden change of heart?”
Rell's chest rose and fell rapidly as he scrambled for words to save his life. “Crown, my friend… please.”
“I asked you a question.”
Rell swallowed hard, licking his lips. “I’m gonna get you the money. I promise you.”
Danger shook his head, knowing his brother like the back of his hand. He could see where this was headed. And just like he knew he would, Crown lowered the gun and fired, the bullethitting Rell in the right kneecap, dropping him completely to the floor as he screamed out in pain.
“Crown, please!” He cried out, clutching at his leg.
“Shut yo’ pussy ass up. You pretend business is slow and keep my muthafuckin’ money. Then you lie about your whereabouts when I come looking for answers, and your response is you gonna get it? You must’ve fallen and bumped that lopsided ass head of yours, bitch.”
It took everything in Danger not to chuckle because he knew if he did, Crown might fuck around and shoot him too. And he was right.
Crown was so enraged by the disrespect that he flipped over Rell’s entire desk with one hand, sending it crashing into the wall.
There was an eerie silence that followed as tears streamed down Rell’s pale face. Terrified was an understatement. There was no word that could describe the kind of fear he felt in that moment. Fuck the blood loss from the gunshot wound; his heart raced so fast he swore he was about to pass out from an irregular heartbeat alone.
Crown gave a slight nod toward Danger, who, without hesitation, laid hands and feet on Rell for a while, ignoring the pain in his own leg. And it wasn’t until Crown noticed Rell slipping into unconsciousness that he lifted his hand slightly, signaling for his brother to stop. He noticed something else as well. The snug cap that was around Rell’s head had fallen off, revealing patches of missing hair.
Crown walked over and grabbed Rell by the collar, dragging him up just enough to face him. He didn’t even have to ask again; Rell broke on his own.
“My son,” he sobbed through blood.
“A few months ago, I discovered I’m sick and had to take time off for chemo. I had him running things just until treatmentis over. But I discovered he’s been skimming. I’m trying to replace it, but I’m also dealing with cancer. It’s a lot. I would never steal from you, Crown.”
“Your son, huh?” Crown said, studying Rell’s head intently.
Rell grew quiet, defeated and terrified, knowing what he had just revealed. He didn’t want to give up his son to Crown, but he had other children to fight and live for. His oldest boy had always given him hell, but this time, he had gone too far.
Rell was drowning in bills from the luxury lifestyle his family had grown accustomed to, and his insurance didn’t cover most of his treatments. He was coming up short for everything because of his son’s theft. Rell didn’t know whether he was coming or going at this point…literally drowning in debt.
“And that would be Poe. Your oldest, correct?” Crown said, jogging his memory of everything he’d learned about Rell when they went into business together. He knew about the man’s kids, all his properties, down to how his wife looked, and all the vehicles they owned.
Rell bowed his head, crying harder as he clutched his leg. His son was a fuck up, but he still loved him dearly.
“Crown, I beg you for your mercy during this troubling time, my friend. A big mistake was made. And for that, I am so sorry. I will get you the money, plus interest. I swear to you.”
“Fasho,” Crown nodded, pulling a knife from his pocket and pressing it against Rell’s cheek. “You gon’ do that fasho. But that ain’t all I want.”
Rell’s body tensed as another tear slipped from his eye. He glanced at Calvin’s lifeless body and then back down to the knife held against his face, realizing just how far Crown Knight would go when crossed.
Crown leaned in closer to his ear and whispered,
“A nigga who steals from aKnight, doesn’t get to see anotherday.” He then slashed Rell’s cheek.
As blood flowed, Rell understood who that message was truly aimed at. The cut ached deeply, but the real hurt settled in when he thought of his son, who wouldn’t be so lucky as to just receive a permanent scar. He tried one more time.
“My boy…my boy.” He cried out in pure agony, holding his face. “He thought he was taking from me. He had no idea I was in business with you all, Crown.”
“That’s not my problem. It’s your duty to get my paper to me safely. His blood is on your hands.”
