Page 198 of River & Crown
"Give me space," I muttered, voice breaking. "Crown and I... we're over."
Chapter 50
Honor Gravehart
"Time is winding down, Honor. We have to make a decision."
"You see me in this fucking hospital bed, right?" I spoke evenly, hoping she caught the hint not to piss me off.
There wasn't shit Choyce could tell me that I didn't already fucking know. Niggas were out here hunting my brother, and there wasn't shit I could do about it without making another deal with the devil.
"I didn't mean it like I'm rushing you. I'm just saying, Lucian isn't going to wait forever for an answer," Choyce muttered softly, a little too softly coming from her.
I narrowed my stare and really took the time to see her, and not the 'her' she forced people to see.
"What?" She frowned.
"Why do you care so much about dude? Do you even like him?"
"I care because dude is the father of my child. Do I like him? Once upon a time, but like his father, he's self-serving. Talon loved me as long as I was doing my part in keeping his secret. He was so into his own vices that he didn't realize that no matter what I did, Lucian was going to find every man he lovedand kill them. In the end, he and I both became bitter, and when you let that feeling fester for too long, hate forms. So, no, I don't like him, but Cherish loves him, and that's enough for me. I'll never take him away from her unnecessarily."
"But you'll put your sister in danger for personal gain?"
Choyce's shoulders slumped, my question hitting like two slugs to the chest. "I gave birth to Cherish. It's my job to make sure she stays happy. Having her father around does that so..." Her words fell short as her shoulders hiked.
I nodded, taking her at her word because, for the first time, there didn't seem to be a hidden motive, just a mother wanting what was best for her daughter.
"So, what's the plan?"
"I'll talk to Lucian," I answered.
"And say what!"
"Don't worry about it. He propositioned me, so I'ma handle shit."
"Honor." She sighed. The crease between her brows gave her away. Choyce was worried.
"Whatever ill feelings you have toward me can't matter if we're going to pull this off. I can't afford you making mistakes."
The vengeance and smugness that usually carried her tone were gone. The malice she wore like makeup... gone. Keeping people uneasy was foreplay for Choyce. Causing havoc was her love language, but this side of her wasn't on any of that shit. Choyce stood here vulnerable and worried.
"Then don't give me a reason to fuck shit up."
"She chuckled and then dropped her head. Bringing her eyes back to mine, everything that had been gone resurfaced.
"Keep your girlfriend in line, and there won't be a reason to give."
"Wife," I corrected her.
"Wife... girlfriend... kept bitch." She tossed her shoulders up, smirking. "It's all the same to me. Keep her out of our business, Honor."
The hospital room door opened with Navy walking in before I could respond.
"What's this?"
"How are you feeling, Honor?" Monique asked as she stepped into the room.
I glanced up, dragged from my thoughts. "I'm cool," I answered, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and planting my feet on the cold floor. "Am I good to leave?"
