Page 73

Crown Gravehart

W aking up, I had missed calls from Wolfe, Rize, Honor, and even a few from Syn.

All of them followed up with texts asking if I was good.

I hit back Wolfe and Rize, letting them know I'd talk to them when I pulled up for dinner tonight.

Instead of texting Honor, I called him and rolled my ass out of bed.

"What the fuck is this I'm hearing about niggas shooting up Gigi's spot?" he barked the second he answered.

I pulled the phone from my ear and frowned.

"It's twelve in the afternoon, my nigga. Don't answer the phone, barking at me and shit. I was gonna tell you when I came to visit, but I see Navy beat me to it."

"I need you to come pick me up tonight," he snapped.

"What's the doctor saying?" I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Nothing that matters. Navy talked 'em into letting me leave in a few days as long as I get a home nurse, but I'ma need out this bitch today."

"Nah, bro, you need to stay and rest up. I got shit handled out here." I sighed, stepping into the bathroom and lifting the toilet seat.

"How, when Lynx, your right-hand, is running with the same nigga that's tryna put you in a box?"

Clenching my jaw, I let Honor's words settle before responding to avoid flying off the hinges.

"None of us knew Lynx was involved. Now that I know, it's handled."

"Nah, fuck that. Come get me after dinner with the fam."

"Navy told you about that shit too?" I frowned, flushed the toilet, and washed my hands.

"Gigi called me."

The phone went silent. Shit.

"Look, I don't need a lecture, ight? I know I fucked up."

"Choking her and pointing your gun at her isn't a fuckup, Cortez, that's a muthafuckin' pattern. You're turning into your father, and you don't even fucking see it. So I'ma ask you this shit once, and if you lie to me?—"

"I get it, Honor, you're the oldest, always tryna play therapist like you got me figured out or some shit.

I'm not Wolfe. You don't gotta talk me off the fucking ledge or throw a heavy-ass blanket on my shoulders.

I know what I did was wrong, but I'm not turning into that weak-ass nigga who killed my mom. "

"When you come get me, we'll talk more about it," he said, letting the gruff in his voice soften."

"Ight," I murmured.

I ended the call and stayed at the sink to wash my face and brush my teeth. When I was done, I headed into the kitchen for a bottle of water and something light to eat.

After leaving Honor's house last night, I came back to my crib, showered, then knocked out with my gun resting beneath my pillow.

Lynx knew how I moved and where I lived.

That nigga had the potential to strike at any moment, so I had to stay ready at all times.

My phone ringing made me smirk. I swiped to answer, waiting for the nigga to speak.

"Yo, Crown," Lynx called out, sounding like his normal self.

"Yeah."

"What's this I'm hearing about Gigi's spot getting hit up?"

"Who told you that shit?"

Lynx fucked up by asking about something I knew no one mentioned to him.

"Rize. I hit him this morning, asked if he wanted to do a pickup with me in Ember Hills."

"What'd he say?"

"He said some niggas sprayed Gigi's building, but everyone was good, but he's waiting on the word from you to make a move."

"Gigi wasn't home when it happened, thankfully. She's the closest thing I have to a mother. I can't imagine what I might've done if niggas killed her."

"That's why I hit you. I had to make sure you were good."

"I'm straight. Aye, Gigi's throwing something together for the family that I can't get out of, but tomorrow, I'ma hit you about going to see this nigga who popped back up in Four's life. Name's Rakim. He supposedly ran with Sincere."

"I ain't heard shit about a Rakim, but I'm down. Just let me know."

"Ight, bet. I'll hit you later."

I hung up and shook my head, wondering how Lynx moved and how he did without me knowing.

Snakes don't hiss loudly. They move quietly and slither where the grass feels safe... feels like home.

Chuckling as Syn's words replayed in my head, I called her.

"Nigga, when I call, you're supposed to answer," she snapped before I could say hello.

"That's not how this works, Emersyn. The only women I gotta answer to are Gigi, Lakelyn, and Four. Save that attitude for the nigga teasing the pussy instead of knocking it out the frame."

"Crown, please don't make me kill you."

"For telling the truth? You know how you get when the dick's not knocking that IUD around."

"I hate that I even told you that." She laughed.

"Shit, me too."

"Anyway!" she snapped. "I didn't call you for jokes. I called to tell you I heard from Choyce."

"Word?"

"It's not like that. I reached out 'cause I wanted to know if her people found out the same shit I did. Long story short, the nigga Breeze who set up the meet, that's Rakim Edward."

"This nigga be everywhere." I chuckled.

"What's funny?"

"Rakim used to run with Four's ex, Sincere. I killed Sincere for fucking my ex. Now, Rakim's been keeping tabs on Four, amongst other shit."

"Shit... you sure y'all meant to be together and not destroy each other?"

I shrugged, even though Syn couldn't see it.

"Well... Sincere isn't his only connection to you. He fucks with Lynx, too."

"I know."

"You know? When were you gonna tell me?"

"Today. I need you to meet me somewhere."

"Send the address. I'll be there."

I hung up, then sent her the location for Gravehart Cemetery. The forecast promised rain, and somehow, that shit was fitting.

"Destroy the coffin and burn that bitch," I told the groundskeeper.

"I got you, but what you gonna do with those?" He nodded toward the duffel bag filled with the remains that were in the grave I'd just spent the last two hours digging up.

"We got a dinner reservation." I smirked.

"Do I even wanna know?" he asked, looking just as weary as he sounded.

I reached into my pocket, pulled out a knot of twenties, and tossed it to him.

"Nah, you don't, and you better not say shit."

"I can't chat about something I know nothing about."

"Good, and make sure you have the camera footage ready for me."

He gave a nod, then walked off, the coffin and tombstone rattling behind him on the hand truck. I waited until he was out of sight before tossing the shovel aside and zipping the duffle bag.

"Why are we meeting at a cemetery? And whose grave did you dig up?"

The light humor in her voice made me smirk as I stood.

"Syn, how did we meet?" I asked, my voice low, tone unreadable.

Her brows pulled tight. "Why are you asking that? You know how we met. Ask what you really wanna know, because I'm not in the mood for another round of accusations. I let that shit slide at my brother's house. I don't do second chances often, so choose your words wisely."

"I thought we were better than that, Syn. You handle shit for me, and I do the same for you. We had an understanding... or maybe I got shit twisted. Lynx introduced us. He can't be trusted. You see where I'm going with this?"

"You think I'm on some foul shit like Lynx?" The mirthless laugh she let out was bitter. "What's the grave for, Cortez?"

"You. I heard being buried alive can be traumatic. Thought it'd be fitting to bury a heartless?—"

"Aht-aht! Don't disrespect me, Cortez. Not when I don't deserve it. What Lynx is doing has nothing to do with me. If I wanted to knock you and your brothers off, I wouldn't need to infiltrate your team. I'm a Teixeira, Crown. I don't need to remind you what that means... do I?"

An eerie silence slipped between us. We stared, neither saying a word, both searching for the trust we'd built this friendship on.

"Syn, keep talking to me like that and I'ma think I hurt your feelings," I warned, breaking the stare off.

"You can't hurt what I don't have, but I am owed an apology. And I want it in food, some good-ass soul food would do the trick. I heard about a spot in the Grove that's supposed to be fire."

"Nah, I got a better spot. You free tonight?" I asked, throwing the duffle over my shoulder.

"I'm free all day."

"Cool. You're chilling with me. Come on."

"Are we not gonna discuss you digging my grave?"

"Technically, it wasn't your grave. I pulled another muthafucka out of it. You were just next up."

"Mhm." She smacked her lips, following me as I led us back to the parking lot.

"This feels more like Wolfe's speed. Are you okay? Is everything good with you and Four?"

"Shit's over with us." It hurt to admit that shit. "As for this other shit, just be happy I didn't bury your ass."

"You'd really do that to me?" she asked as we reached my car.

I tossed the duffle in the trunk, slammed it shut, and then turned to face her.

"Anyone who thinks they can fuck with the people I love gotta meet death in the worst way. Be happy you're not Lynx or that nigga Rakim."

"Meaning?"

"You know, but if you don't... think about what Killian would do to someone who tried to hurt you. Then think about what Wolfe would do if someone hurt Chosyn. What I've got planned for Lynx is worse." I paused, meeting her eyes. "So, like I said, be happy."

Stunned, Syn went silent.

"Follow me back to my crib."

She nodded and then got in her car. I did the same and pulled off thinking about how fucked up this family dinner was about to be.