Chapter 3

Lena threw back the shot, the burn warming her chest as she licked her lips. The room was full of smoke and loud music, and the energy was thick—one of those nights where you could feel something in the air.

Cinco was right next to her, laughing, already passing her another shot.

"Aye, don't let me get you too lit your first night outside," he teased, leaning in slightly, his breath warm against her ear.

Lena smirked. "Boy, please. I can handle my liquor."

Ray laughed, shaking her head. "Aight, don't say that too loud, or you gon' have to prove it."

The shots kept coming, the music got louder, and Lena was feeling it now. She wasn't sloppy, just right—tipsy enough to loosen up, enough to really enjoy herself.

At some point, she ended up dancing, her hips rolling slow to the beat, catching the rhythm effortlessly. Cinco was behind her in an instant, hands light on her waist, matching her movements.

"Aye, you play too much," Lena said over her shoulder, feeling his grip tighten slightly.

Cinco chuckled, leaning in again. "Oh, I'm just tryna see what that TikTok balance like in real life."

She laughed, shaking him off playfully before stepping away. She wasn't no easy target, and she wasn't giving nobody the wrong idea.

That's when she glanced over—

Von.

Same spot. Same unreadable expression. But his eyes? Yeah, they were on her now.

He wasn't reacting, wasn't saying nothing. But the way he was looking—low, lazy, like he was watching just to see how she moved—made her stomach flip a little.

Lena straightened up, acting like she wasn't affected, but something about that man's presence was heavy.

"You not drinking?" she asked, tilting her head slightly at him.

Von lifted his cup slightly, the ice clinking. "I'm good."

His voice was deep, smooth. He didn't waste words, didn't give out unnecessary conversation.

Lena raised a brow, smirking. "You don't talk much, huh?"

Von shrugged. "Ain't got much to say."

"Bet," she said, playful but unbothered. "Silent type. Cool."

Cinco, still standing nearby, smirked. "That's just Von. You gotta earn a real convo outta him."

Lena scoffed, flipping her hair. "Ain't nobody tryna earn nothin'."

Von let out a slight chuckle, shaking his head. It wasn't much, but it was something.

The night went on, more drinks, more laughs, but Lena could feel Von's energy even when he wasn't looking at her. It was like he was in his own world, but still aware of everything.

At some point, she stepped outside for some air, feeling the warm Baton Rouge night settle around her.

She was standing near her car when she heard the door behind her open.

Von.

He stepped out, slow, lighting a Backwood with one hand, the flame from his lighter flickering against his tattoos. He exhaled the smoke, looking at her for the first time all night.

Lena smirked, crossing her arms. "Oh, so now you acknowledging me?"

Von took another slow pull before responding. "You new out here. Just peepin' how you move."

Lena leaned against her Scat. "And?"

Von exhaled, the smoke rolling off his lips. "You solid. But I can tell you don't know what kinda city you in yet."

Lena raised a brow. "And what kinda city is that?"

Von looked at her, his expression unreadable. "The kind you gotta be careful in."

It wasn't a warning. It wasn't a threat. It was just real.

And something about the way he said it made Lena's stomach flip again.

Lena studied Von, the way the orange glow  from his Backwood flickered across his face. He was serious—too serious. The way he said it, like he knew something she didn't, had her curiosity piqued.

She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "I ain't new to this. I done been around."

Von took another slow pull, exhaling before speaking. "Texas ain't BR."

Lena smirked. "Oh, so you think I'm green?"

Von chuckled low, shaking his head. "Nah, not green. Just... comfortable. Ain't nothin' wrong wit' that. Just know where you at."

Lena rolled her eyes, but deep down, she knew what he was saying wasn't for no reason. She had been here for what—a week? And while she was used to moving around big cities, she hadn't really felt Baton Rouge yet.

Before she could respond, the door swung open, and Cinco stepped out, stretching.

"Ayyye, what y'all got goin' on out here? Secret meeting or sum?"

Lena turned, smirking. "Something like that."

Cinco walked up, standing between her and Von. He smelled like cologne and Hennessy, his tattoos peeking out from under his shirt. He wasn't as tatted as Von, but he was still covered. The chains around his neck glistened under the streetlights, and his eyes—low from whatever he had been smoking—held a certain playfulness.

"I'on like how y'all got me missin' out on private convos," Cinco joked, looking between them.

Lena laughed. "Ain't nobody talkin' about nothing."

Cinco grinned. "Bet. Then bring ya ass back inside. Ray talkin' bout playin' a game."

Lena glanced back at Von, but he had already turned toward his car, uninterested. She didn't know what it was about him, but he had a way of making her wanna figure him out. He wasn't just some hood dude trying to be mysterious—he was lowkey for real.

"C'mon, Lena," Cinco nudged her, breaking her thoughts. "I know you competitive."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You don't even know me."

"Yet."

Cinco winked at her before throwing an arm over her shoulder, leading her back inside. Lena didn't move it. Cinco was cool, a vibe. The total opposite of Von. While Von sat in the cut, observing, Cinco was in the mix, making sure the room was lit.

When they stepped back inside, the music was still bumping, but the group had settled into a circle. Ray was in the middle, grinning.

"Aight, since we got a new member in the crew, we doin' 'Never Have I Ever.'"

Lena raised a brow. "Oh, so y'all childish."

Ray laughed. "Girl, just sit down and play!"

Cinco slid onto the couch, patting the spot next to him. "You scared, Lena?"

She rolled her eyes and sat down. "Boy, please."

Von had come back inside but was still standing near the doorway, arms crossed, cup in hand. He wasn't playing, that much was clear. But he was watching.

Ray clapped her hands. "Aight, first one. Never have I ever... messed with somebody I wasn't supposed to."

A few people put fingers down, laughing and talking over each other. Lena smirked and put a finger down.

Cinco caught it and leaned in, whispering, "Ooooh, storytime?"

She side-eyed him, grinning. "Ain't no story."

Cinco wasn't buying it. "Yeah aight."

Von, from his spot, was still watching. Still too quiet.

Ray went again. "Never have I ever got caught up by two people at the same time."

More laughs, more fingers going down.

Lena's went down too.

Cinco nudged her again. "Ayo, I think you might be a little toxic, Lena."

Lena smirked, sipping her drink. "I'm just honest."

The night went on like that—shots, laughs, light flirting. Lena could admit it was a good time. And Cinco? He made it easy. He was smooth, funny, had just the right amount of cockiness to keep her engaged.

But every time she stole a glance at Von, he was already looking.

Just watching.

Lena didn't know what that meant yet, but one thing was for sure—this city was about to get interesting.