Page 157 of River & Crown
The words caught in my throat. She looked at me with pleading eyes, silently begging me to say something loving about her son. However, I couldn't lie to her. Had this been before Crown, I might've sat beside Selene for hours, crying and reminiscing about the boy I thought I'd spend my life with. That version of me didn't exist anymore. I wasn't Sincere's girl. I'm Mrs. Gravehart even when I'm not.
"Selene I?—"
"Wassup, Riv, I was looking for you," Rakim stated with a grin as he walked over, unknowingly saving me from breaking Selene's heart.
"Hey, Rakim." I smiled halfheartedly.
"Selene, do you mind if I steal River away? We have some catching up to do since we didn't get to talk much at her party."
"Oh my... I forgot your birthday passed. I always thought it was so sad how Sincere died a few days after your birthday." She said his name in a grief-heavy tone, like it broke her to remember him. "Go ahead with Rakim. You and I will catch up before you leave."
I offered Selene a tired smile as Rakim gently took my hand and led me outside to the parking lot.
"Thank you for that." I sighed, finally feeling like I could breathe again.
"It's nothing." He grinned.
Rakim leaned against the fence, one foot kicked up to steady himself. His hand slipped from mine and dropped to rest in front of him. With his head tilted, he dragged his tongue across his lips, letting his gaze follow the same slow path up my body. Rakim took his time, lingering in places he had no business looking. I shifted, folding my arms and stepping slightly to the side.
"You look good, Riv." He nodded in approval.
"Thanks. Life has been okay for me." I shrugged.
"Okay?" Rakim chuckled, but I caught the mocking edge in his tone. "I heard life has been great for you. You got the BBs winning shit, your foundation has been getting recognition from local news outlets, and you work as a financial advisor. You've got too much good shit happening for life to just beokay."
Frowning, my brows pulled closed. "Are you stalking me?" I snapped, uncomfortable with how he knew so much about my life.
"Is that how it came off? I didn't mean it that way. I'm just saying I've heard good shit about you from my people."
"Why would your people know anything about me, Rakim?"
"Sincere's gone, and someone has to make sure no one fucks with his girl. I stepped up and handled shit."
"Why? I asked, shifting my weight again.
"Shit's not safe out here. Sincere kept you away from a lot. His enemies are still around, and the same niggas who knocked him off could double back and get at you. I have people in place to make sure shit like that don't happen."
"Enemies? Double back?" I blurted. "What's the point in doubling back for me... someone who has nothing to do with whatever Sincere had going on?"
"I've seen niggas kill for less, but if you need a solid reason... you were driving the car when Sincere shot up that block. Shit like that doesn't go without repercussions. You see, they killed Alexis, then got Sincere a couple of years after. It's nothing for you to stress about, tho'. I got you."
"Uh, okay... well, thank you... I guess." I turned slightly, ready to put some distance between us, but his voice tugged me back.
"Hol' up, I still wanna catch up with you. That was one hell of a party."
"Yeah, it was. Maybe we can go for lunch and catch up then.
"Lunch is funny since we both know your nigga won't let that happen. That was your dude from the other night, right?"
I nodded.
"Shit, I'm surprised he let you come out to celebrate Sincere."
"My man doesn't stop me from doing anything. He lets me know his opinion and I respect his wishes," I shot, feeling my body begin to heat.
"Yeah, that's dope. More women should be like that. Aye, let me ask you something. Word got back to me that you've been fucking with them Gravehart niggas. Chosyn got a baby by one of 'em, right?"
My brows furrowed at his question because he saw exactly who my nigga was, yet he didn't have much to say about him being a Gravehart nigga when Crown's gun was rearranging his tonsils. Chuckling, Rakim reached forward to pinch my chin.
