Page 18

"A bitch like me... gorgeous or not, is the last person to be put up .

" I frowned. "I'm thee shooter, the blade thrower, fire igniter, the lethal substance injector.

My gorgeous self is interested in many things other women find gory or sadistic.

Just like you, those pearly gates will never see me, but those flames.

.. I'll make sure to send you to them if you ever think about putting me up again. "

Rize's smile faded. Sweet talk and compliments did nothing but detonate my urge to kill the nigga giving them.

"Crown, it hurts my feelings that you didn't fill Rivian in on who I am. Hurt my feelings like that again, and I may have to add your name to my list ."

Without saying much, Crown knew exactly what I was implying. The list was the last place anyone in their right mind truly wanted to be. Had it been found by authorities, I'd probably be locked away doing some crazy number of consecutive life sentences since New York doesn't allow the death penalty.

I zeroed in on Crown, half expecting some witty comeback that would slice the undeniable tension in the room, but it never came. I studied his meek expression, desperately searching for the why that carried his silence.

“You being hurt is crazy, Syn. We both know your ass is incapable of feeling."

His words taunted me. They landed like a cruel joke. It was weird because I've expressed that same sentiment a few times. Hearing it from Crown in such a crude manner made what I thought gave me strength feel like a frailty. As hurt as I was, my confidence never faltered.

"Rivian, carry what I'm about to say with you.

Emotions and feelings are like an untamed storm that clouds a person's sense of reason.

They're fleeting, temporarily passing, taking a clear mind and losing it in a tide.

Emotions fade the bigger picture, and passion drowns the truth.

So yeah, I don't do feelings, emotions, or passion because I always operate in logic, even in this moment.

I'm giving a lesson instead of letting the unsettling urge to aim my gun between your eyes get the best of me.

Crown, you know I don't make empty threats. Tread lightly with what you say next."

"I guess I should be thankful, huh?" He snickered.

"You should, but since I know appreciation won't follow, I'll ask, why are you here?"

I was over the pleasantries of seeing my friend and wanted him out of my face before my urge took over.

"I got word that someone is moving in on my territory."

"I ask again... why are you?"

"Nothing happens in Ember Hills without Killian knowing. The way I see it, your brother is allowing someone to come in and set up shop. Out of the love I have for you, I'm here to ask if this is how your family treats a nigga who's always been a call away for you ?"

The weight that hung on his you wasn't lost on me.

Crown has always been loyal to me. Killian never dealt with Crown.

His point of contact was Honor. Crown and I built a relationship through Lynx.

We'd always been there for each other, no matter what.

I took a deep and controlled breath in an effort to control my anger, then stepped in his direction.

Grim and Ghost collars chimed as their heads followed my movement, ready to attack if necessary.

"Cortez," I gently spoke, letting him know my guard was down. "I would never allow anyone to come into Ember Hills to wipe you out. Whoever gave you this information is obviously trying to divide and conquer."

"Choyce."

"Choyce?" I frowned, unsure of who Crown was speaking of because it couldn't be Lucian's son's wife. From what I understood, she was nothing more than a beard for her husband.

"Choyce Bocelli," he clarified, and I was shocked.

"Talon's wife?"

Crown nodded, sending my head swirling, trying to make sense of how this happened.

"How?" I quizzed after coming up empty with a logical explanation.

"Long story short, she took over for her father, Chance, as Lucian's right hand. Well, Talon's right hand since he's starting to run things for his father," Crown explained.

"Hmph." I paused. "And you trust her?"

"No, but she has no reason to lie."

"Oh, but I do? The woman who has buried countless fucking bodies for you has a reason to deceive you?"

See... fucking emotions. I loved to think I didn't feel things, but I did. I didn't care for many. I only cared for three people on this entire planet — my Vovo, Killian, and Crown. That was it. Those three were the only people to ever get a rise out of me.

"Not saying you do, but I'm here to get answers."

"I'm telling you I would never allow anyone to?—"

"Yes, my gracious and loyal sister would never allow anyone to step on the roots you planted here, which is why she doesn't run this quaint borough of ours. Despite what she likes to think, Emersyn is emotionally driven."

Killian's voice traveled through the foyer like nails on a chalkboard.

Sharp, rigid, and shrilling. Both dogs rose in alert and then moved in unison with their rightful owner.

The three of them lurched forward until they were a breath away from Crown.

Rize and I were to their left, but we might as well have not been in the room at all.

"I half expected Honor to come to speak on this matter. It's nice to know he isn't the only king with a mouth." Killian snickered.

Crown's jaw flexed. His hands clasped in front of him, but not once did he glance down to look toward Killian's guards.

"Kings cling to power. They fear betrayal. My brothers and I fear nothing. Where kings rule, my brothers and I conquer. Where they hesitate, we aim to kill."

"Yet you stand in my foyer showing the utmost disrespect to my sister, who has, from what I understand, always been in your corner."

"Any disrespect I've shown is a result of what's been given first. Ember Hills is my territory, yet I'm hearing a stranger wants to eat off my plate.

I have no issue bleeding these blocks until I have the tongue, teeth, and throat of the nigga who dared to taste, chew, and swallow my muthafuckin' legacy.

Sense isn't a quality I possess or hold in high regard.

However, I do hold loyalty above all else, which is why I'm here. "

"I'm in business with Honor. As far as I'm concerned, the only Teixeira you owe loyalty and them to you is Emersyn. It was her and Honor's doing that allowed you to build this legacy you speak of. However, something you said did pique my interest. You believe Ember Hills is your territory?"

"It's what I know," Crown confidently answered.

"And what you know is only your interpretation of what's true.

You pay Syn thirty percent to move weight here.

Twenty for her and ten for me. Now, if you ask me, that sounds a little more along the lines of leasing than it does ownership.

Ember Hills is the only city in all the state of New York where black families, black legacies, and black ownership thrive.

The soil here is rich in our history and the blood of our enemies.

Yet, people like you who come from such gutter streets can't see beyond the grungy view.

Ember Hills is not your territory. It's mine.

" Killian's voice never spiked. It didn't have to.

We both learned words spoken with precision, cut deeper than any blade, and from the hunched brows and slight grimace on Crown's face, what Killian said broke the surface.

"Maybe this conversation should?—"

"Is that how you feel, Killian?" Crown asked, cutting me off before I could wave the white flag.

"The thirty percent I pay, no matter who it goes to, gives me the right to speak on this city as if it's my family's blood, sweat, and tears that it thrives on."

"You speak highly of a percentage that's merely pennies to me. Money and riches don't move me. Wealth has been sown into every letter of my last name, thanks to my ancestors."

Crown chuckled, taking a step back on his left leg. His hand brushed along his jaw as amusement sparked in his eyes.

"Wealth can be sown in every fucking letter of the alphabet, and I wouldn't give a fuck. I'm a man of loyalty, integrity, and fucking honor. I take a man at his word until I'm proven his word is no longer trustworthy. So, I ask you, Killian... is your word one I can no longer trust?"

The air in the foyer went from a light fall breeze to being thick and suffocating.

Killian and Crown stood toe to toe, neither speaking above their tenor.

Slight movement from Rize commanded my eyes in his direction.

His right hand shifted from being clasped in front of him to resting awkwardly at his back.

I appeared at his side, leaning in toward his ear but keeping my focus on Grim and Ghost. I sensed his tension, and my breath felt like an intrusion against his skin.

"Atta—"

Grim and Ghost shifted their bodies into a stance that spoke volumes about their next move. Tension rippled through their powerful frame as they lowered their head slightly, eyes locked on Rize, waiting for me to finish my command.

"Did you say your prayers?" I asked, slipping my hand into the waist of Rize's jeans and taking his gun.

"Relaxa," Killian commanded, and the dogs retreated to their resting stance.

"Crown, I like you. After this conversation, I also respect you.

Power and status don't frighten you or you," he gestured toward Rize.

"Now that I know the kind of man you both are let's have a conversation.

My chef cooked a meal far too large for me to enjoy alone.

We can indulge in great food and expensive wine and chat about who is attempting to make a move on your territory. "

"I appreciate your change of tone, but what's the catch? A few minutes ago, we were at each other's throats. Now you wanna talk about the nigga I plan to feed to your do?—"

"Grim and Ghost," Killian cut Crown off.

"The nigga I plan to feed to Grim and Ghost, limb by fucking limb."

"I'm not an unreasonable man. You proved yourself here, and for that, I welcome you to a seat at my table. Very few have received the offer. Don't be the one who declines."

I stared between Crown and Killian, waiting on the answer that would free the breath I was holding.

"Why the hesitation, Crown? Do you think I'll poison you?"

"Nah." Crown chuckled.

"Then what?"

"You don't strike me as a man who gives without getting something in return."

"After we discuss your little problem, I would love to speak to you about finding me a wife."

"Killian," I groaned, tired of this same song and dance. "You don't even like people."

"I can learn to like my wife as long as she loves me. What do you say, Crown? I've tasked Honor with finding me a bride, but it seems he is dragging his feet."

"It's only been six months."

"Six months too long. I have pressing matters that only a wife can solve."

"What pressing matters, and why am I just now hearing about them?" I questioned my brother.

"Simmer down, Emersyn. My issues have nothing to do with you."

"Oh, but everyone else can be involved," I smacked.

"I gave you a chance to find me a wife, but you declined."

"That's before I knew there was an actual reason for you wanting one."

"Helping someone doesn't have to be justified with a reason, Emersyn," Killian spoke like the true asshole he was.

"That's rich coming from you," I snipped, rolling my eyes.

"My assistance comes with a price because my reach is longer than most, yet with you, it's free of charge. Are you saying I don't deserve the same in return?"

"No, I... " I let my voice fade away, not really knowing what I planned to say in the first place.

"Exactly. Go wash up for dinner."

"Boy fuck you, I'm grown!"

"With ways of a child."

Sucking my teeth, I shoved Rize's gun into his chest. He lowly grunted, brushing his hand across mine.

I didn't miss the way my clit pulsed when we touched, but now wasn't the time.

Instead of going to wash up, I strutted my pretty ass out the front door.

Killian keeping secrets was new for me. I was so used to being his walking diary that I never once thought about how I might feel if things changed.

A psychiatrist once called us co-dependent in a therapy session.

I laughed in her face as Killian sat there with Grim and Ghost at his side.

That was our first and last session with that lady.

Mainly because when she went home that night, I was waiting for her with a Lorazepam cocktail.

While she drifted in and out of consciousness, her words slurring and incoherent, I told her all my innermost thoughts.

Killian's name was reoccurring probably because, in a way, Killian is my life purpose.

My innermost thoughts died with the psychiatrist after I slit her wrist. The Teixeira name was too prestigious for anything I said to get out, so she had to die.