Page 75 of River & Crown
"Stop looking at me like you trying to fuck, knowing damn well you can't see none of this sexiness." He chuckled.
"Bye, Crown."
"Hang up on me, and I'm on your ass," he warned.
"What do you want?"
"We need to talk. Come downstairs and eat with your husband."
"Wait, you're here at my mom's house?" I quizzed, trying to get a better look at his background, but his face was too close to the screen. "How long have you been here?"
"Since late last night. I've been sleeping here to be close to you. I dip out in the morning before you wake up."
"Crown—"
"You wanted space, so I gave you that. I wanted to be in your vicinity, so I made it happen while still respecting what you wanted. Now come down and eat, or I'm coming up."
"Fine."
"Hurry up, a nigga's hungry, and Ma threw down. Bring your fucking glasses, too."
I hung up on his ass and wanted to scream. I didn't have my glasses, and Crown wasn't going to let up about it, meaning I now had to explain to the man who would place hell in the clouds and heaven beneath the earth for me that the night I crashed, I was wearing old ass contacts and that was probably the reason I didn't notice my steering wheel was loose.
Chapter 18
Crown Gravehart
For the past three weeks, I've spent most of my time combing the streets, looking for whoever fucked with Four's car. Whoever the nigga was trying to set up shop in Ember Hills was probably right in my face. I just couldn't see it, trying to figure out this situation with Four. As far as I knew, Four didn't have enemies. She lived a regular life outside of racing, and from what I heard, the team she went against wasn’t beefing with the BBs.
"Don't be too hard on my daughter. She's hardheaded, but she's always had a problem expressing herself. She's going to dance around what you ask but listen because amongst the chatter will be the truth."
"I hear you, Ma." I nodded, entering the kitchen.
This morning, instead of dipping out like I usually did, I decided to stay. I'd given Four all the space I could afford to give. A nigga was going crazy without being able to touch her, to smell her, or tangle my fingers in her curls. Real shit, as bad as I wanted to hear her side of how shit went down, I wouldn't push the issue if it meant she'll agree to wake up in my arms. I wanted to be selfish with her pretty blind ass. I missed my baby. Sneaking into her room to watch her sleep wasn't enough. I needed her home where she belonged.
"Good. Come walk me to the door."
I followed her out the kitchen and over to the front door. I held it open as she grabbed her bag and keys.
"Don't be hard on yourself, either, Cortez. You're doing all you can. What happened to River isn't because of you." Lakelyn flashed me a reassuring smile, then pulled me in for a hug like she knew I needed that shit.
"Text me when you make it to work. If you need lunch, I'll have one of my boys drop it off."
"Will do."
I stayed at the door, watching as she got onto the elevator. Closing the front door, I headed back into the kitchen with even more on my mind. I believed Lakelyn meant what she said about this not being my fault, but at this point, that was the only logical reason that made sense. Honor, Wolfe, and I haven't had beef with niggas in years. The shit with Chosyn's pops was the most action we've seen in a minute. We thought our biggest fucking threat was Lucian Mancinelli. Honor even sat down with him to see if he had a hand in Four's accident. None of us thought he did because he didn't have a reason to, but to be on the safe side, Honor asked, anyway.
If I couldn't find whoever was after Four, what kind of nigga would I be to give her my last name? Crowning her the real Mrs. Gravehart wasn't me stacking claim. It's my way of letting the world know Four was under my protection. What is done to her is done to me. Her happiness fueled mine, and the same went for her pain. Four being mine, wearing my ring, was a warning to these niggas. Four was to be respected. She was meant to be seen, maybe even admired if niggas did it from a distance, but she was never to be touched. The night of her race, someone went against the grain. They hurt her and possibly took something from her that I couldn't give back or fix. For that, niggas had to see me.
"Crown."
Had Four not said my name, I still would've felt her presence. I was so in tune with more than just her physical, I knew her essence too. Turning around, I wasted no time scooping her into my arms.
"Crown." She giggled, laying her head on my shoulder.
A million words raced through my mind, all of 'em wanting to be what I said first. My lips parted, but all that came out was a breath of relief, so I held her. Her lying on my shoulder, with my face pressed into the curve of her neck, I inhaled her. Her scent was the air I'd been starving for.
"I missed you so fucking much, Four," I finally whispered, voice rough and low from fighting back the tears.
