She snickered, then turned to take in his outfit…something she hadn’t bothered to do at first. He wasn’t in his usual office attire today; instead, he wore his familiar vest, jeans, and boots. That choice signaled to her that there would be no architecture business that day. Crown would be deep in the streets.
“This is one of those things you can’t tell me?”
Crown nodded slowly.
“Okay,” Nivéa said, pulling her wallet out of her Birkin and tucking the cards neatly inside.
She tried to be strong, but Crown noticed the slight tremor in her hand. Once her wallet was tucked back in her purse, he pulled her back into his chest. He understood what she had endured with Boe and recognized that she was defying her better judgment by being with another man from the streets. They both knew it deep down. Instead of feeling frustrated, Crown empathized with her at every turn. She was taking a chance on him, having fallen in love, and he didn’t take her love for granted. Crown would always bring her peace amid the chaos.
“Breathe,” he whispered, and she did, not even realizing she had been holding her breath. “I love you, ma.”
“I love you, too.”
“Six more years of this shit.”
“Six more years…” she echoed.
Nivéa felt a surge of anticipation for the future, eagerly waiting for the day he turned forty, when he could finally retire his patch and leave this life behind.
“Don’t wait up for me tonight. But tomorrow night, I got you. I’ma dick youdineuntil the sun rise.” Crown told her in his heavy southern accent.
Nivéa burst out laughing, popping him in the chest. “What is wrong with you?”
“Youwhat’s wrong with me. A nigga crazy in love.”
“I am, too. So, be careful and make it back home to me, Ahmad. I did not marry you just to turn around and have to bury you.” Nivéa pressed her forehead against his, growing serious.
“And I didn’t put a ring on your finger or a baby in you just to not spend forever wit’ you. I will do everything in my power to walk back through that door.”
After locking the house down and walking his girls out, Crown hopped on his bike and was gone in a flash. He made it to the warehouse in no time.
Inside, his club waited for him. Danger and Smoky at the head, exchanging a blunt. Crown joined, and by the time they finished, it was time for the meeting. Elijah and his men came suited up in two SUVs, backing in, and Crown watched intently.
Elijah exited first, Isaiah followed suit, and the others fell in line around him.
“Crown,” he nodded.
“Jah,” Crown flicked the blunt to the ground, stepping it out with his boot.
“Got my money?”
“You got my product?”
The two stared at one another until Elijah nodded, gesturing for Isaiah to set one of the packages on the table. He did so, and Smoky moved without having to be told. He opened it, examining everything closely before taking a small amount between his fingers. The room stayed quiet while he tested it. A few seconds later, he nodded once toward Crown.
“Shit is superior.”
That was all Crown needed.
Elijah closed the remaining bag calmly, and Crown nodded at Danger, who instructed two other members to start handing the duffel bags filled with money over.
The tension that naturally came with new business faded slightly after that. More handshakes were exchanged. A short conversation sparked between Danger and Isaiah while everybody loosened up some.
“Next month,” Elijah told Crown. “Same day, same time.”
“Bet,”
The two men clasped hands one more time before Elijah and his crew started making their exit. Right behind them, Smoky headed to the street, making sure the block cleared out. There would be no circling back around. He knew Danger fucked with Isaiah the long way, but they could never be too careful. It was always business with the Knights, nothing personal.
