Page 196 of River & Crown
"When it comes to that man right there..." I pointed across the table at Crown. " He doesn't know peace without me."
"You sure about that?" She laughed as if she knew something I didn't.
Without thinking, I lunged across the table, grabbing Syn by the front of her dress. I yanked her forward, knocking dishes and food off the table. Snatching the knife from the pan of turkey wings, I pressed it against Syn's throat.
Gasps and murmurs echoed around the room. Even Phoenix let out a wail that should've stopped me, but I wasn't thinking clearly. How could I, when even with a knife to her throat, Syn still looked at me like I was beneath her?
"If you haven't noticed by now, I'm very sure of where I stand with Crown, but if you wanna test it, I can slit your throat, tell him to let you bleed out, then have him bury your body."
"And you think he'll do it?" She had the nerve to ask.
I chuckled because Syn wasn't like most women. She didn't run away from danger. She thrived in it.
"I'd bet my life he would."
Her eyes didn't waver, and neither did mine.
"Four."
I didn't notice him move, but suddenly, Crown was in my space, his arms wrapping around me and pulling me away from the table. Syn stumbled back, then started toward me as Crown bent my wrist, forcing me to drop the knife.
"Please don't," Kysre spoke clearly, stopping Syn mid-stride with her gun.
"Listen to my sister because we don't miss," Kyree taunted, cocking her pistol.
Syn smirked, chest rising and falling fast. She stared the twins down, then turned to Crown. They locked eyes for just a second before Syn stormed out.
"Gigi and Lakelyn take Phoenix and give us the room," Wolfe instructed.
I could feel my mother's eyes on me, but I refused to look in her direction. She wouldn't understand that Crown was baiting me. He wanted me to show my ass because to him, that was how love was shown. He did some of the most outlandish shit in the name of love and wanted me to do the same. Tonight, I gave in.
"What the fuck was that, Four?" Crown barked, shoving me back.
I laughed, then let my teeth sink into my bottom lip. Stepping back into his space, I puffed my chest out and mirrored the glower on his face.
"You're what's wrong with me. The fact that I love you is what's wrong with me. Do you think I wanted to do that?" I questioned, pointing toward the knife. "You really brought the bitch you told me I had nothing to worry about to dinner withourfamily because the people in this room don't just belong to you, Crown. My mother was here, you know, the woman who let you sleep on her couch just so you could be around me. You showed her just how little you think of me. Then you let her talk crazy to me like she means more to you than I do. Is that it? I fucked up, and I don't mean anything to you anymore?" Biting my bottom lip, I shook my head. Crown was really taking me there.
"You know what..." exhaling deeply, I raised my hands in surrender. "I'm not doing this with you."
"What are you not doing, Four?" he asked, a dark smirk slowly curled at the corners of his mouth.
"This! Us! You! I'm not doing it anymore. I'd rather be?—"
"Rather what?" Crown sneered, stepping closer and bumping me with his chest.
"Aye, chill," Wolfe interjected, grabbing Crown by the shoulder. Crown jerked his shoulder, knocking Wolfe's hand off.
"I'm good. Four and I are just having a disagreement."
"This isn't a disagreement. This is me putting an end to this stupid-ass game you're playing."
"How could you let me go so easily, but hold on to a nigga whose address is a fucking cemetery?"
"This isn't about Sincere. Our problems have nothing to do with him?"
"We didn't have problems until that nigga, Four!" he barked.
"I tried to tell you. The night you told me about Emily, I wanted to do the same, but Wolfe showed up, and you said?—"
