The words hung between them.
"And Nivéa? Is she okay?”
"She’s good. I handled it while she was asleep. She doesn’t know shit. Keep it that way. Don’t tell Caresha.”
Danger exhaled slowly through his nose and shook his head. Shit was crazy at the moment.
"You think this was connected?"
"I don’t think so, but I’ma find out.” Crown said before dropping the bomb on him. “It was Preach men at the cabin. I kept one alive.”
Danger eyed him, his trigger finger itching. Anyone who knew him knew that was never a good sign. The calmer he got, the more dangerous he became.
“Where the fuck is Smoky?” Crown questioned suddenly, scanning the area. “He inside?”
“Nah, I’m not sure. Nigga left last night; I ain’t seen him since.”
“The fuck you mean you ain’t seen him since?” Crown’s worry intensified. It wasn’t like Smoky to go missing, especially when shit was going down.
Just as Danger was about to respond, a van pulled up, interrupting their flow.
“Never mind that. You go handle the body shop. I got this.” Crown shifted his focus, walking off.
With his eyes narrowed, Danger watched as the head of the cleaning crew dragged Benjamin’s bloody and bruised body out of it.
Chapter Fourteen
ONE WEEK BEFORE.
Preach’s nightclub was packed. Music blasted through the speakers while people crowded the dance floor and tables. Waitresses moved through the room carrying bottles, women laughed with their friends, and cash exchanged hands all around the club. It was just another busy night for the Dessalinés Mob.
Dressed in a tailored black button-down with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, dark designer jeans, and a thick gold Cuban chain resting against his chest, Preach sat at the bar sipping rum as he watched everything unfold. Business had been good despite the Feds breathing down their necks and he was trying to keep it that way. He was focused on figuring out his next move when Benjamin appeared at his side.
“The Raven’s president is here asking for a word, boss.”
“The Raven’s president?” Preach’s thick brows knitted.
Benjamin nodded toward the entrance. “Gunner.”
Preach followed his gaze and immediately spotted the black leather vest, standing near the entrance. The silver raven stitched over the chest pocket caught the light in the club. He took another sip of his drink and set the glass down.
“Tell him to follow me.”
Benjamin nodded and walked off.
Preach finished his drink, then rose from the bar and headed toward the back of the club. Several of his men fell in behindhim. They never asked questions. When he moved, they moved with him.
A few moments later, Preach entered the back office. Benjamin escorted Gunner inside shortly after. The moment Gunner crossed the threshold, half a dozen guns came up and locked onto him.
The room fell silent as Gunner’s eyes traveled from one barrel to the next before settling on Preach. But he never flinched. That earned him a little respect. Not much.But a little.
In the center of the office, Preach stared at him. “Tell me why the fuck you’re here.”
Gunner met his gaze without fear. “Word in the street is you and Crown ain’t doing business no more.”
“And?”
“My gut tells me we got a common enemy.”
