Chapter Six
Back at the house, Nivéa leaned against the headboard and FaceTimed Caresha on the cellphone Crown had left her.
The call rang four times before connecting, revealing Caresha’s face, her perfectly arched brows knitted together in confusion.
She leaned closer to the screen, and recognition softened her expression when she realized it was Nivéa.
“Girlll… sis. What the hell? I’ve been calling and texting you all damn day. I was literally on my way to your place, about to call the police. I just got off work. Where are you, and whose number is this?” She blurted, doing sixty-five on the street while trying to get to the freeway.
“I’m so sorry, sis. I didn’t have my phone. A lot went down today. I’m with Crown. This is his phone. You can reach me on here until I get another one.” Nivéa replied.
Caresha’s expression shifted as she processed the words. “What you mean, a lot happened, and I can reach you on here? What happened to your phone? And I thought you were done with him. What’s going on?”
Nivéa took a deep breath; the memory of that morning was still fresh and heavy. “Girl, Boe showed up at my house yesterday evening.”
“What?! He’s out?”
“Yeah. He forced his way inside, took my phone, and tried to make me leave town with him. He even put a gun to my head.”
Caresha’s hand flew to her mouth. “Sis… wait… what the fuck did you just say?”
“You heard me correctly. It’s a long story, but Ny and I are with Crown now. We’re safe.”
“Hell no, I’m coming to see y’all. Where does Crown live?” Panic crept into Caresha’s voice as she made a U-turn. “Send me the address. I’m on my way.”
“I want you to come, I really do. But I should talk to Crown first and make sure it’s okay.”
“Bitch, what you mean make sure it’s okay? I’m your sister.”
“Reesh, please. You know I don’t mean it like that. I’m just saying this is his home, and I want to be respectful. Let me check with that man before I start handing out his address.”
Caresha paused, thinking it over as she pulled into a CVS parking lot. “I get that, but you better talk to that nigga real soon. I’m talkin’… when you get off this phone with me soon. Shit.”
“I will, girl. I promise.”
“Where’s my baby?” Caresha asked, wiping the wetness from her cheeks. If something had happened to Nivéa, she would’ve lost her mind.
“She’s asleep in the other room.” Nivéa tilted the phone, letting the camera fall on the monitor next to her, where Nyla’s sleeping face came into view. Caresha’s expression instantly brightened.
“Look at her. She’s so peaceful despite the chaos her sperm donor just caused. Ugh, I swear I can’t stand that nigga. What all happened? Catch me up.”
Reluctantly, Nivéa spent thirty-five minutes detailing the entire situation, leaving Caresha even more worried than before.
“Sis, I’m grateful for Crown and his people, but you may still need to go to the police station.
I’ll take you myself. Where did Boe say he was going?
We have to let the cops know and get him off the streets before he tries something else.
Plus, maybe the nigga he works for can get to his ass in there and leave you out of it. I’m so scared. We have to do more.”
Nivéa sighed, thinking it over. She hoped she was doing the right thing. “I know, but Crown says he’ll handle it, and I trust him. Plus, I have no idea where Boe went. He didn’t tell me where we were headed when I was with him, only that we had to get out of town. That could be anywhere.”
As Nivéa held the phone, she wondered who Boe knew that could help him, but her mind felt foggy. She didn’t know if it was the stress or the fact that Boe had made her his rock for so long that she counted out everyone else.
The women talked for another hour until Nivéa heard the home alarm deactivate and Kerri’s voice drift through the air, accompanied by Nyla’s cries. She promised Caresha she’d call her back before ending the call.
Standing from the bed, Nivéa headed to grab Nyla before walking downstairs. “Hi, Mrs. Knight,” she said as she lifted off the last step.
“Hey, sweetie. I hope I’m not intruding. I just couldn’t rest until I checked on you two.”
“We’re doing fine. I’m still shaken, but okay nonetheless.”
“That’s understandable. You’ve been through something scary.” Kerri replied, smiling as she held up two wrapped plates.
“That son of mine told me you had everything you needed, but I bet he ain’t got shit cooked in here.”
Nivéa couldn’t help but snicker. “Not a thing. But we had a big lunch, and I’m still good from that. Honestly, I don’t have much of an appetite.”
“Understood, baby. Well, I fixed you both plates. I’ll put it up, and you can have it whenever.”
“Sounds good. Thank you so much.”
“No problem. Speaking of my son, where is he? I noticed his bike was missing out front.”
“He got a call and had to go to the clubhouse at the last minute. He said it’ll be late by the time he gets back, so it’s just us.”
Nivéa didn’t realize she held a worried expression, but Kerri caught it and nodded with a sympathetic gaze. She understood; being with a Knight could be emotionally taxing.
“Yeah, well, I know what that feels like. Being the lady of a Knight ain’t no easy feat. Add President to that, and hell girl, you damn sure can’t be weak. But he’ll be okay. He’ll make it back.”
Nivéa laughed softly. “Yeah, I prayed he would make it back in one piece as soon as he left.” She gazed off. “Matter of fact, after the clubhouse incident, I prayed for him every night… even when we weren’t speaking.”
“Say what?” Kerri cocked her head to the side, caught off guard. She was already growing fond of Nivéa. “I love to hear it.”
They shared a smile, then settled into a comfortable silence as Kerri’s gaze was drawn to Nyla. “Mind if I hold her?” she asked sweetly.
Nivéa smiled and shook her head. “Not at all.”
“Great, let me wash my hands.”
Eager, Kerri rushed to the kitchen, set the plates down, and scrubbed her hands before drying them and returning. With a warm smile, she reached for Nyla, cradling her in her arms. It didn’t take long for her eyes to shimmer with tears.
“Oh, wow. Are you okay?” Nivéa asked, concerned.
“Girl, yes. Don’t mind me. These are just tears of joy.” Kerri replied, laughter bubbling from her.
“I always wanted a girl, but a few years after I had Hassan, I had to get a hysterectomy. My husband and I couldn’t try again, and it really broke my heart.”
Nivéa’s expression softened. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you. It was tough, but then Mo came along and filled that void. Well, until her ass flat-out told me she didn’t like shit I did or the clothes I picked out.
She just wanted to fit in with the boys outside, you know?
” Kerri laughed, feeling a tinge of nostalgia and sadness.
“But holding Nyla feels good. It’s a blessing. She’s so precious.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Nivéa said, touched by her sincerity.
She watched Nyla bat her long eyelashes and curl up in Kerri’s embrace. The whole interaction warmed her heart.
“Ohhh, wait a minute, little lady. Grammy doesn’t have anything but dust in these.” Kerri said as Nyla shifted toward her chest and opened her mouth.
Nivéa cracked up, especially because Kerri had given herself a name. She thought it was cute.
“She’s a little greedy. Plus, she just woke up. I’m going to get her a bottle since I pumped earlier. Would you like to feed her?”
“Heck yes. I’d love to.”
They laughed in unison.
“Thank you again for everything, Mrs. Knight.”
“Don’t mention it. That’s what family does, baby. I can stop by and help anytime.” Kerri concluded.
∞∞∞
Inside the black Tahoe, Jeezy pumped lowly through the speakers as Domo turned onto the long, wooded industrial road.
Ahead lay the Ravens’ clubhouse, a building painted matte black with silver-gray accents.
A detailed raven with wings spread wide, feathers edged in steel gray, and talons gripping a crowned skull was proudly displayed across the front wall, making it clear whose territory this was.
Danger sat in the backseat, jaw locked tight, his gun clenched in his hand. The throbbing in his leg had dulled; rest had made it manageable. He felt calm…too calm. But the nap wasn’t what calmed him. The thought of what was coming did.
Revenge was close.
With their lights turned off, both SUVs navigated a dark side lot behind the clubhouse, stopping just far enough for Danger to walk comfortably while remaining unseen, per Crown’s orders.
The engines died, and Danger stepped out, favoring his leg but never breaking stride.
Smoky was right behind him, close enough that he could feel his presence without turning around, while the rest of the members fanned out cleanly.
They cut through the side lot and slipped between trees and parked bikes, moving strategically.
As they inched closer, they split. Danger spotted the first guard posted near the side entrance.
He was a prospect, young and relaxed with his head bowed, buried in his phone.
The screen lighting his face was just enough for Danger to lock in on him in the darkness.
Swiftly, he raised his weapon and fired.
The shot was clean and quiet, the silencer doing its job as the body dropped with a soft thud.
“What the fuck?” The member positioned at the front of the door turned, pulling his gun as he tried to register the noise.
But it was too late. Smoky crept up on him and fired, the bullet catching him in the back of the head. His body crumpled just as the other, blood splattering against the brick wall and streaking the metal door.
Inside, the music thumped through the walls as a few Ravens bobbed their heads to the beat, unaware.
It was late. Most of the members had already dipped.
Only eight were still holding the clubhouse down.
One was leaning back against the bar, nursing his drink.
Another lingered near the wall, lost somewhere between the music and his own thoughts.
Near the stage stood Kilo, the road captain, his attention fixed on their usual dancer moving beneath the lights.
Just like Crown had paid her to do, Candy was putting on a show, ass naked, rolling her coke-bottle frame seductively.
She kept most eyes locked exactly where they didn’t need to be.
While they watched her body, she always watched the room, clocking movements, exits, and positions.
She was the one who fed Crown the real intel, how many members would likely be present at the time, and where they’d be posted.
Money talked. Bullshit walked. She’d earned every penny.
Danger stepped inside first, taking the lead. In one smooth motion, he slid the suppressed pistol into his waistband and drew the Desert Eagle. He was done being quiet.
He wanted noise.
He wanted his presence known.
He wanted to look into the eyes of his enemies and see fear.
The moment he rounded the corner, he opened fire, spraying everything in sight.
Chaos followed. Remaining Ravens scattered in panic, trying to take cover while grabbing their guns.
Chairs scraped violently across the floor, and beer bottles shattered against the walls as they bust back.
Candy screamed and ducked behind the stage, playing her role as if she had no idea what was happening.
The gunfire exchange went on for a while. Black locked down the bar while Smoky and Domo cleared the back hallway. The rest guarded the front just in case more Ravens arrived.
Eventually out of bullets, Kilo crept up and rushed Danger from behind.
He went straight for the leg, kicking it hard, knowing exactly where the weakness was since he was the one who had put the bullet there.
He planned to fuck him up and take his weapon.
He never got the chance, though. Danger’s head was clear now, and he was focused.
He pivoted and drove an elbow into the side of Kilo’s head hard, rattling him.
As Kilo became disoriented, Danger smashed his gun into his face, then followed up with the move Crown had just taught him, sweeping with his good leg and taking the nigga off his feet in one clean motion.
Pain shot up his injured leg, sharp and unforgiving, but he welcomed that shit. Pain had never felt so good.
Danger stood over Kilo, gun aimed at him, and a cold smirk cutting across his face. He wanted to put a bullet in his head badly. Not only was he the one who shot him, but he was also the name Tommy had given to Crown as Lil Mo’s killer.
“You had to know I was coming for you, bitch ass nigga.” He said, then squeezed, the Desert Eagle ripped through Kilo until he felt satisfied.
When he finished, Danger moved through the rest of the clubhouse, checking corners and bodies, ensuring nothing could rise again. His eyes landed on the dancer, and he nodded towards the door, signaling for her to leave.
“Clear,” Smoky called out as he walked from the back.
All the Knights grabbed the gas cans a prospect had brought along. Danger dragged his leg as he moved, the pain sharper with every step, but he refused to slow down.
“You good, bro?” Smoky asked, clocking it immediately.
Crown had already made it clear. If Danger didn’t make it back, he didn’t need to bother coming back either. And Smoky wasn’t trying to test that line with his nigga.
“I’m straight.” Danger mumbled as he splashed fuel across the bar, along the walls, and over the stage, soaking framed photos and fallen bodies.
For a brief moment, Lil Mo’s laugh cut through his thoughts, clear as day, before he let the lighter fall.
The fire caught immediately as they walked out.
And by the time they pulled off, the clubhouse was fully engulfed in flames, and sirens could be heard in the distance.
Danger leaned back in the seat. Blood seeped through the bandage on his leg, dark and heavy, but he didn’t give a fuck.
For the first time in weeks, he could finally breathe.