Page 137 of River & Crown
"Okay, River," she groused, shaking her head.
"Why does it have to be all of that?"
"He's on his way over. Know that I'll kill him to protect you," she warned.
"Please relax," I said, and passed her the drink Destiny just finished making.
"Happy Birthday, Riv!" Sneaking up behind me as if I wasn't aware of his presence, Rakim spun the stool I was sitting on so I was facing him, then grabbed me in his arms. My eyes cut to Chosyn, who was mouthing numbers as she watched us.
"Umm, you can let her go. A hug that goes beyond ten seconds is reserved for friendly faces." Chosyn stood from her stool and smoothly pulled me out of Rakim's embrace.
He laughed, then wiped the corners of his mouth, but the flicker of anger that flashed in his eyes wasn't missed.
"Riv, tell your girl to chill. All these years later and Chosyn still gotta slick ass tongue. I would've thought my nigga King worked that outta you." He chuckled.
"Her name isRiver,for one. And King can't work shit outta me. He's dead. The only nigga I bite my tongue for is Wolfe Gravehart, my husband and the nigga who killedyour boy."
Rakim's jaw clenched. That simper in his tone moments before was gone.
"I ain't know you was a hoe like that. Maybe if I did, I might've tossed you some dick to keep you occupied and talking less."
"Rakim," I groaned, seeing him reach out to cup her chin. When Chosyn didn't move, Rakim brushed his thumb over her lips.
"Ah shit!" he hissed moving his hand to see blood bubbling from his thumb.
"Touch me again and I'm cutting your dick off just so I can keep you occupied and screaming more," Chosyn purred with that infamous blade resting between her plump lips.
"Bit—"
"Aht-aht! Didn't your momma teach you better than to raise your hand to a woman?" Honey snarled, jamming her gun into the back of his head.
"This who you running with now, Riv?" He tossed my way. "I thought we were family. Sincere is still your man even in death. I know my nigga turning in his grave with how you doing me right now."
"Nigga, Sincerewasher nigga! She got a real?—"
"Chosyn!" I huffed, stopping her from telling my business. "Honey, let him go and I'll walk him out."
"What?" she and Chosyn spat.
"I'll be quick. I promise."
I gently pushed Rakim, giving him the okay to walk. We made it out of the Vault and out of the hotel without anyone paying us too much attention.
"Why you keep looking around like someone's watching you?" he asked and leaned against the same GT-R I've been seeing lately.
"They just might be. What are you doing here, Rakim?"
"Damn, family can't come to say happy birthday? Sincere's death turned you cold, Riv," he whistled.
"It hurt when he died." I shrugged.
"Yeah, I know. A few other people and I are putting something together for him in a few days. You should come. I know Ms. Selene would like to see you."
"I don't know." Sincere's mom was a great woman, but looking at her was like staring Sincere himself in the face. She looked so much like her son that it was crazy.
"Riv, Sincere was damn near your husband with how long y'all were together."
My stomach churned. "I'll... I'll think about it."
