Page 6 of Crown: Phase 4

Danger.

His aunt.

Smoky closed his eyes; everybody was looking for him. “Fuck it,” he said as he shot up from the couch.

Smoky hadn’t meant to stay this long. He’d come to drop off a bag filled with his dirty money and urge Maino to leave town. Then he planned to head back to the clubhouse, find his best friend, and come clean about everything, hoping Crown’s love for him would make him give Maino a pass. If it didn’t, at least Smoky could find peace knowing he’d gotten Maino out of state, far enough away that Crown couldn’t possibly track him.

But love had kept Smoky in Melrose far longer than he’d planned.

“As I said before, you can’t blame me for what I didn’t know. I’ve done everything I could to make this shit right. You wanna talk ’bout my love ain’t real? Nigga, I took a fuckin’ oath, yet here I am, going against my club… my brother… just to help you. But I can’t make you do anything. You right. You grown. So, whatever happens next, that’s on you.”

As Smoky snatched his helmet from the table and headed for the door, a storm of emotions washed over Maino. He hated this feeling, hated the emotional rollercoaster this forbidden relationship had put him on. Whenever Smoky stood in front of him, he could hold his ground. He could chew his ass out and stand on business. But the moment Smoky turned his back and started walking away, all that strength disappeared.

This wasn’t their first rodeo. They’d disagreed, fought, said shit they didn’t mean, and Smoky would leave. Eventually, he’d come back around, and they would make up. This time, though, was different…the circumstances were different. With so much going on, Maino wasn’t sure he’d see Smoky again. The thought twisted something deep inside him, fear quickly replacing the anger he’d been holding onto. He couldn’t let him walk out that door without saying what was really on his mind.

“Smoke, no matter what happens, I want you to know my love for you was real, too. It runs deep, and that’s why all this shit hurts. Maybe it’s more to my pain. I’m hurt about my dogs, but I’m hurt by the way you handle me, too. I wanted better for us. All I ever wanted was for you to stand with me. Ride for me like I’m willing to ride for you. Stop worrying about what everybody else thinks and just live in your truth. I appreciate you coming here and trying to protect me, but I don’t need that or yo’ bread. You know what I crave from you.”

The moment Smoky pulled the door open, he froze in his tracks. Behind him, Maino had finally stopped arguing, letting his heart speak louder than his anger. Standing in front of him, however, was a middle-aged white man dressed in charcoal slacks, a light blue button-down with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, and a dark sport coat. His hand was raised, ready to knock, but instead he reached into his jacket pocket, flipped open a leather credential wallet, and held it up just long enough for Smoky to see the badge and photo ID.

Smoky’s heart raced in his chest. Between Crown blowing up his phone, Maino refusing to leave town, and now a detective standing on the porch, the weight of everything crashing down at once was becoming too much to bear.

“Good evening. I’m Detective Lawson with the Satin Hills Police Department.” The man slipped his badge back into his jacket. “I’m looking for Emanuel Calloway.”

Hearing his name, Maino’s brows furrowed. He shot up from the couch and stepped in front of Smoky, taking control of the conversation before the detective’s attention could drift elsewhere. He was upset with Smoky, but he damn sure didn’t want him on the detective’s radar.

“That’d be me.”

“Mr. Calloway, how are you this evening?”

“I’m straight.”

“Good to hear. I’m here because I’m investigating the disappearance of Boris Thompson. I understand the two of you are related.”

Maino stood there, pretending to be shocked. “Disappearance?”

“Yes. Mr. Thompson has been reported missing.”

“Damn. Shit crazy.”

“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

Maino shrugged.

“Go ’head.”

“Did Boris Thompson come by this residence recently?”

“Yeah.”

Maino wasn’t stupid. The detective already knew the answer. This was about seeing if his story matched whatever information they had. Lying would only bring more heat to his doorstep.

Lawson glanced down at his notepad. “How long was he here?”

“Couple days.”

“What brought him here?”

“Shit, you said it. We family. He came through, we caught up on family shit, then he dipped.”