Pannel & Hook

Chapter 20: Princes of Neverland

"Who's Jacob?". Kimi asked as we sat on the hood of someone's ride.

"He's our older cousin, I think you might've heard of him maybe, He's the Leader of the Queenswood Sparrows".

"Captain fucking Morgan!!". We could lean forward with mountainous surprise.

"He's one of the Princes of Neverland, not even the cops can touch him, has the biggest gang in the state".

I've never seen Kimi this impressed yet concerned about anything like she was more chill about getting shot.

"So, fuck us, right?". Thatch blew one last puff before squishing his roach into the dirt.

"These two, Blackbeard and Calipso, are the Princes of the West and Southside...I heard the names but I never knew it was y'all who took over the city".

"Wait, why are there four of you? I mean no disrespect but wouldn't it be easier to just take out the other three and have the Land for yourself?".

Nessa smiled in their curiosity or pride but there was no telling what was going down behind that red lipstick.

"Good question, I've thought of killing them before and Lord knows how many times we've tried over the years but even though from a tactical standpoint that is the smartest move, however, it's physically impossible for one person to control all of Neverland. It simply just takes too much time getting from one end to the next, pretty much defeating the purpose of killing the other three in the first place".

Like a fat grizzly, the man who she was sitting on, which I assume is hers, woke up from his nap and sat up as he wrapped his arms around her before resting his sleepy chin on her shoulder.

"Good evening my love, how'd you sleep?".

Nessa's already soft voice lightened as she kissed his cheek, leaving a red lip-shaped mark and wiping it after leaving more.

"Great, thanks to you". He looked to be over six feet tall, which is a wonder how she even got on top of him in the first place when she wasn't that much taller than me, then again that's ironically a low bar.

"Come on Hun, I have someone I want you to meet". She plopped herself off to the ground and slipped on some sneakers from the ride then took his hand, slowly walking this gentle giant towards us.

"This is Kimi, Petey's partner". They both smiled and shook hands while she and I squeezed each other with bear hugs. "And you remember Pete, don't you, Hun?".

"Yeah, of course". Fuck me, it's Nicholas, I didn't recognize him with that beard.

"Since your hardheaded brother stormed off before I could give him his gift". She signed and handed me a red jacket. "Pete, go to his second and get his keys then come back so you can take this to him".

Like a dog to its master, I turned to go as if I was possessed but snapped back to myself as I felt the pressure of Kimi's hand within mine.

"Kimi, you stay". From soft to precise as a cutting knife, her voice sliced through the air.

"Um...why?". Kimi asked rightfully confused while Nessa's kind smile shifted with her entire demeanor squeezing my heart with her gaze.

"Just a small chat, that's all". Before I could protest, Kimi let go of my hand and gave me a nod and for the first time I saw she was afraid...but it didn't feel like it was for her.

"Please be a good little brother for me and remember I'm asking nicely".

I look at Kimi one last time before making my way back to the party and making my way through the wave of bodies, searching for Manny.

Between the music and the lighting, it was hard to tell who was who until I found my way back upstairs and saw him at one of the doors smiling as Belle was basically pulling him in.

"Manny". I barely caught him but he stopped and told her to give em a second. "I need your keys".

"Aight". Without hesitation, he gave me his keys and with a hint of concern, he asked what for but threw his hand towards his lower back after I mentioned Nessa's name and just sighed before nodding and locking the door behind him.

-

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That was weird...anyways, I finally made it to his skyline and noticed the new car smell as I turned over the key and heard it purr watching the baby blue under glow illuminate the car.

"I'm in Manny's ride". No response. "Waiting on you".

After a few more worrying texts I grew uneasy wondering if Kimi would end up throwing hands with Nessa or something but then again, there's no telling who'd win that match since both love to fight.

My breathing started to grow heavy as my chest rose and fell with anxiety knowing my signal was shitty in these hills.

Minutes go by until I hear a knock on the glass but no one was there...I look to my right and then back to my left.

"FUCK!". Kimi popped up like a jack in the box and began laughing like it was the funniest shit ever as I rested my head against the wheel.

"Move over dummy, I'm driving".

"I damn near shat myself because of that shit babe". I said as I made my way around the car to the passenger seat.

"Awww, my poor baby". I never felt my eyes roll with such annoyance until she genuinely apologized with a kiss and handed me her phone with a location already set.