Page 56 of Crown: Phase 4

Just as Crown went to stand, Kerri quickly approached with Nyla in her arms. Their voices had risen, pissing her off. On top of that, she’d peeped the nurse calling security.

“Both of y’all shut up.” She whispered harshly.

They looked up at her, momentarily silenced.

“This is a hospital. Watch your mouths, especially around this baby. This isn’t the time or the place for y’all to go back and forth.”

Danger looked away first, dropping his head. Crown exhaled deeply through his nose, rose from his chair, and went to see if he could join Nivéa. But the nurse told him that, due to the COVID restrictions still being enforced, only two people could go back at a time. Caresha’s mother had already been contacted and was there, too.

When Crown turned away from the desk, security was standing behind him, ready to approach. Crown’s large frame walked right past him, his broad shoulder bumping into his. He didn’t even give the man a chance to speak.

“Fuck outta my face, nigga, or you gon’ have a real problem fasho.”

∞∞∞

Nivéa’s leg shook beneath the chair, and her hands were clenched so tightly in her lap that she thought she might break a nail. Caresha had just finished telling her how she’d been sitting at a red light when someone opened fire on Danger’s car. She managed to drive off, but they chased her, shooting until she lost control.

Caresha also confided in Nivéa what she had left out during the police questioning…that she believed she had been followed. Whoever did this had probably mistaken her for Danger when she pulled out of his garage. Caresha knew that the tint on his Hellcat was so dark that there was no way the shooters could’ve seen who was behind the wheel.

That scared the hell out of Nivéa. Almost as much as seeing the bruises, cuts, scrapes, and gashes covering her best friend’s face and arms. The physical injuries were only part of it. She could also tell her girl was mentally shaken as well, and she didn’t blame her. She understood that being trapped inside that car while bullets flew would haunt her long after the wounds healed.

“Sis,” Nivéa called softly, taking a deep breath. “I am so sorry this happened to you. I’m glad you made it. If I would’ve lost you, girl…my life would’ve been over.”

Caresha nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks.

“It’s okay. I…I’m okay, sis. Scared as hell. Hurt, even. But I’m okay.”

Nivéa stared into Caresha’s face, fighting back another wave of tears as she reached over and gripped her hand.

“Why did you leave in his car? What was going on?”

“We got into it. I wanted to go home, but he wouldn’t take me then. So, I just took his car myself.”

A tear slipped from Nivéa’s eye. “You should’ve called me. You know I would’ve come.”

“I didn’t want to involve you since it was so late, especially with everything going on. But that… everything… should’ve stopped me from taking his damn car, too. I sat up all night thinking about how I didn’t want to be there and eventually just said fuck it. But I could’ve waited a few more hours. I’d already waited that long. My God, that was stupid of me. You know how I get when I’m mad, though.”

More tears fell from Nivéa’s eyes.

“It’s not stupid. I get it. But why were y’all mad at one another? I had just spoken with you, and y’all were good. I don’t get it.”

Caresha bit down on her bottom lip and looked down at her hands, slowly twisting her fingers together. After a moment, she glanced toward her mama sitting quietly in the corner, listening with a sympathetic but concerned expression. Carla hadn’t said much since Nivéa arrived, but she hadn’t missed a thing either.

Nivéa caught the look and understood. “Well, never mind that,” she said softly. “That doesn’t matter right now. All that matters is that you’re okay.”

“Now, wait a minute. Let’s not let what’s important get lost in the conversation.” Carla stood and walked over, gently caressing Caresha’s scalp. The worry in her eyes was potent.

“This was crazy, baby. Of course you shouldn’t just take somebody’s car without their permission. I do not agree with that at all. However, you should be able to ride in or drive your man’s car without the risk of getting shot at. You could’ve died.”

“Mama—”

“No, I’m still talking. Whatever is going on between you and him, I hope it’s over with. The police questioning you, asking if you knew whether he had enemies who would want to hurt you or him, is a damn red flag. You need to let this be an eye-opener, baby. I know you’re grown and will make your own decisions. But being grown doesn’t mean I stop worrying about you.”

Caresha’s lips trembled as she nodded. “I…I hear you, mama.”

Carla rubbed her shoulder as she focused on Nivéa.

“And Nivéa, baby, I know Crown is your husband now. But you need to be very careful as well. Your mama would freak out and tell you the same damn thing if she were here. But she’s not, so I have to be the one to say it. I know you love him, and I thought he was a fine young man when I met him at your reception. But now...I just don’t know. I was young once, too. Hanging out in these streets. And I know how things go down in that bike world. Can’t nobody tell me this didn’t happen because of them. I love you and Reesh very much and want nothing but the best for y’all. Please...be careful.”