Page 49 of River & Crown
"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 isyourterritory?"
"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 notyourterritory. 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 onyourterritory."
"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."
