Page 188 of River & Crown
"How'd you do that?"
She hesitated. "I... uh... I... um?—"
"Four," I rasped, steadying her. "Give it to me straight."
"Navy noticed Lynx first. When I looked in his direction, I realized he was sitting in a car I recognized... Rakim's car. I've seen it around randomly when I've been out and?—"
I pushed her back from me. "This nigga been following you and you didn't say shit?"
"Yes... well, no. I mean, I noticed the car but thought nothing of it. Not until my birthday, when I saw Rakim."
"This is why I can't fucking trust you," I muttered, jumping down from the counter.
"Because I didn't put two and two together?" she asked, brows drawn in.
"No, River. Because you figured the shit out and still said nothing. Youneverfucking say anything."
"A lot was happening, so I'm sorry I didn't think to tell you that a friend of my ex has been following me."
"Do you hear how stupid that sounds?" I grimaced. "Let me guess, keeping it to yourself made you feel closer to that deceased nigga, huh?"
Her hand flew before I saw it coming. The slap cracked across my face.
"Crown!" she shouted, but I was already moving.
I grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the fridge. The impact made her glasses fly off, skidding across the floor.
"This is what you want, right? For me to kill you and send you to that nigga you love?" I squeezed harder, watching the light fade from her eyes.
"C-Cort—" part of my name slipped past her lips, broken and hoarse.
"You wanna be with that nigga so bad, huh? Is life with me not good enough? Do I not love you enough? Do I not say I love you enough? What's got you strung out on bones when I'm here in the flesh, ready to give you the fucking world?"
I shoved harder into her throat.
"Crown, take your fucking hands off her!" Gigi's voice cracked through the kitchen like a gunshot.
I held on for a second longer before slowly releasing her. Four's body sagged as her lungs pulled in air, her eyes wide with shock.
"If I ever catch your hands on her again, Iwillkill you myself," Gigi growled.
I didn't look back. "I'm up. Make sure nobody leaves this house until I say so," I muttered, brushing past her.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Four gasped, scrambling to her feet.
"Let him leave," Gigi firmly stated. "He needs time. You'll see him tomorrow... for family dinner."
Leaving the kitchen, I didn't bother acknowledging Gigi.
I stepped outside, blood still boiling from what I had done. I stood there for a second, chest heaving. I was pissed.
At myself.
At River.
At the insecurities I couldn't seem to fucking shake.
I fucking choked her.
