Page 160 of River & Crown
The screeching sound of tires cut through the air like a warning shot. I used the moment to pull away from Rakim. A matte black truck whipped into the parking lot with the enginegrowling low and angry just like its owner. The windows were blacked out, but I didn't need to see him. I felt him.
The passenger door opened, and Wolfe hopped out, smirking toward a scowling Rakim. Crown stepped out wearing a frown that carved deep across his handsome face, and with his gun in hand, making my breathing hitch. Without speaking, the air changed around us.
"The fuck going on?" Crown barked, eyes cutting between Rakim and Leah.
Rakim smirked. "Just catching up with River. Thought it was time someone told her what really happened to Sincere."
"Word." He chuckled. "Four, what this nigga tell you about me?" His eyes locked on mine as if they were tethered there.
"You called me Four," I murmured.
Crown stepped forward, calm and controlled, with his jaw tight. Pinching my chin, he angled my face in different directions, inspecting my face.
"Four."He chuckled. "What did this nigga tell you about me?"
"Tha-that you killed Sincere," I answered.
"Do you give a fuck if I did?"
"I..." My words choked off as Crown's hand left my chin and firmly grasped my throat.
"Do you give a fuck if I killed your ex, Mrs. Gravehart? I don't need a monologue as an answer. Shake your head and let your husband know how you're feeling."
Melting in his grasp, under his murderous stare, I swallowed hard, then shook my headno. Crown bowed his head, pressing his lips against mine, and I became undone. I gripped the front of his hoodie, bringing his body to mine. The kiss deepened not because Crown wanted it to but because I left him no fucking choice. Anything I might've said to Crown to fix our situation didn't matter. He didn't deserve words... my man deservedaction, and I prayed what I said in this kiss showed Crown just how much Sincere didn't matter to me because I'm in love with him.
"Ight, y'all done." I heard Wolfe chuckle. I giggled, breaking the kiss.
Crown pecked my lips, then aimed his gun at Rakim, but he kept his eyes on me.
"Four, what I'd tell this nigga about the next time he said some shit to my wife?"
"To make sure what he says is worth dying over," I happily answered.
"I never understood why muthafuckas like you think guns went extinct after you got yours," Rakim sneered.
"I never thought they went extinct. I just figured you're too pussy to pull yours since you prefer the taste of metal over the feel."
"Don't worry, I'll find out what you like soon," Rakim said with a mirthless chuckle.
A chorus of mechanical clicks followed as five men stepped into view with their guns aimed at Crown, Wolfe, and me.
"This was a setup," I spat, eyes locked on Rakim.
"Yup," Leah sassed now that she and Rakim had the upper hand. "I hope one of these niggas?—"
My fist cracked against her jaw, shutting her stupid ass up. I swung again, dropping her like dead weight. Rakim's gaze flickered from Leah to me, then he stepped forward.
"Nigga, think twice before touching mine," Crown warned, moving between us. "I don't care how many niggas you got with you. I'll kill you and gladly eat whatever bullets these muthafuckas send my way."
My stomach fucking dropped.
"Crown!" I choked out. "Let's just go."
"Listen to your girl,Crown." Rakim snickered.
Crown stepped forward until the barrel of his gun rested beneath Rakim's chin. The five men closed in, but Rakim raised a hand, stopping them.
"This is the second time I've seen your gun without you pulling the trigger," he said calmly.
