OWN IT.

LIII PART II

Meech scrunched up his face. "Nobody wanna think 'bout yo pops nuts."

"Shut up." Romeo said, laughing, which Corbin joined in on.

The night dragged on as the raids continued. They checked every stash house and every building, including Romeo's home, all came up empty. Romeo watched closely as Elijah and his team searched the main warehouse. This warehouse had nothing above ground; everything was below. Not enough to get Romeo arrested, but enough to spark interest.

"He ain't gon find shit." Meech muttered.

Romeo didn't say anything, just watched. He let out a breath when he heard the words "clear." He listened as they whispered to each other.

"Maybe the intel was wrong."

"Maybe Caine really ain't moving weight. This just a bunch of dead ends."

The anger on Elijah's face was prominent, even through the cameras. Romeo didn't understand why he wanted to find something so badly. Elijah was really willing to put his career at risk just to lock Romeo up. Romeo's expression was unreadable while he watched Elijah walk out of the final building.

When the raid officially wrapped, Elijah climbed into his SUV, silence swallowing the inside. He rested his head against the seat for a moment, eyes shut, anger simmering low. The warrants had bought him nothing but embarrassment. Maybe Romeo Caine was truly untouchable.

__________

Elijah swiped his badge and pushed through the heavy glass doors, the weight of the night settling into his shoulders. He really had nothing to show for hours of raiding stash houses and warehouses. Every spot had been stripped clean, and inside, he knew Romeo was watching from afar.

He walked the precinct hallway, jaw tight, hands flexing as if he was ready to hit a wall or anything else. One of his fellow detectives looked up from a desk and called out, "Aye Royce, someone's waiting for you."

Elijah furrowed his brows. "Who?"

The detective just nodded his head toward the far corner, where someone was sitting, legs crossed, and looking down at the ground. Dom.

Elijah approached her slowly, confused. They had never met at the precinct, not ever. When he finally got close, she looked up with her eyes bright.

"What's up?" He asked, voice low.

Dom smiled, her nails tapping against the folder in her lap. She leaned forward slightly. "I got it."

Elijah stared blankly, impatience twitching in his jaw. "Got what?"

Dom stood, closing the space between them. "I got Paco on the wire."

In Bel Air, Romeo was alone in his house. The silence carried heavily tonight, broken only by the faint buzzing of his phone on the counter. A text from Zhané flashed across the screen. He hadn't talked to her since being at the house. Part of him was still upset, and he didn't want to talk to her while upset. Deep down, he wondered if the baby was even his, and if that was the real reason behind her not telling him.

A sudden knock at the door made him exhale. He walked to the door, expecting to see Zhané on the other end. To his surprise, he opened it to find Nasir standing there with a look he couldn't quite place. Nasir didn't say anything, just brushed past him, going into the house.

Romeo furrowed his brows, closing the door behind them.

"What's up with you? You flew all the way here and can't even dap me up? Matter of fact, the hell you doing here?"

Nasir stood with his hands in his pockets, his face unreadable. "Did you kill Uncle Marcus?"

Romeo didn't say anything. He was actually caught off guard.

"What?" He asked. "That's what you came here for? To bring up a nigga that's dead?"

Romeo tilted his head, almost laughing at the fact. "Nigga you flew here for that? All angry and shit."

Nasir's eyes didn't waver. "Just answer the question, bro."

Romeo stared, calm as ever. Then he spoke. "I did."

The words hit Nasir like a brick. His lips parted, eyes widening in shock and anger.

"You serious? Are you fucking serious?" His voice cracked with anger.

Romeo looked at him, confused. "What–"

"How about Dre? Huh? Did Jaida even move, or you kill her too? You killing off our family like it don't mean shit!"

Romeo's jaw tightened, but he didn't flinch. "Everything I do got a reason behind it. Dre and Jaida dead, but I ain't kill 'em."

Nasir shook his head, pacing now. "Reason? You sound crazy, bro. You killed our fucking uncle! What about Mama?"

The name cut through the room. Romeo's nostrils flared, his whole demeanor changing in an instant.

"Nasir, I'll break your fucking face." He snapped, stepping forward. "Don't ever in your life ask me no shit like that."

They stood face to face. Nasir's anger was raw, but Romeo's was dangerous. The type of anger he feels and always acts on. Another knock at the door broke through. Louder this time. Romeo's head turned toward it, then back to Nasir. He relaxed his jaw before walking to the door. Nasir rubbed his hands over his head before following behind slowly.

Once Romeo opened the door, Elijah stood there with three officers behind him. His expression was brighter than it was just a couple of hours ago.

"Romeo Caine." Elijah said, voice firm. "You are under arrest for the murders of Michael Carter and Quincy Jackson..."

Nasir's chest tightened, his stomach dropping.

Romeo laughed, loud and sharp. "Aw, baby bro, you can finally use them weak ass cuffs." Romeo said as he held his wrist out.

He smirked as Elijah cuffed him, but Nasir was unraveling. Panic surged through him, his breathing unsteady as he backed into the wall and watched everything play out.

"Call Zhané." Romeo told him before snickering while the cuffs clicked shut. "Make sure she don't worry. Tell her I'm good."

Nasir couldn't move or speak.

Romeo glanced back at him, voice steady. "Relax Nasir. I ain't going nowhere."

But Nasir's panic only deepened. He was angry with Romeo, beyond it. Still, he was his brother.

"Nah. You going to jail, nigga." Elijah whispered to Romeo.

"Hot ass breath. Yo mama ain't teach you how to brush? The fuck." Romeo said, dramatically gagging.

Elijah ignored his comment, locking his eyes with Nasir. "It's good seeing you, lil' bro."

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FREE ROMEO 😪‼️

I just know the hate for Dom is at an all time high 😂