Page 189 of River & Crown
I walked over to my car, yanked the door open, and slid in. I started the engine and peeled off, needing a minute to get my head right. Niggas were gunning for me and mine, and here I was beefing with the one person who was supposed to bring me peace in moments like this. I couldn't keep blaming her. River loved how she knew how but loving her was turning me into the man I'd sworn I'd never be... my father.
Chapter 48
Crown Gravehart
Waking up, I had missed calls from Wolfe, Rize, Honor, and even a few from Syn. All of them followed up with texts asking if I was good. I hit back Wolfe and Rize, letting them know I'd talk to them when I pulled up for dinner tonight. Instead of texting Honor, I called him and rolled my ass out of bed.
"What the fuck is this I'm hearing about niggas shooting up Gigi's spot?" he barked the second he answered.
I pulled the phone from my ear and frowned.
"It's twelve in the afternoon, my nigga. Don't answer the phone, barking at me and shit. I was gonna tell you when I came to visit, but I see Navy beat me to it."
"I need you to come pick me up tonight," he snapped.
"What's the doctor saying?" I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Nothing that matters. Navy talked 'em into letting me leave in a few days as long as I get a home nurse, but I'ma need out this bitch today."
"Nah, bro, you need to stay and rest up. I got shit handled out here." I sighed, stepping into the bathroom and lifting the toilet seat.
"How, when Lynx, your right-hand, is running with the same nigga that's tryna put you in a box?"
Clenching my jaw, I let Honor's words settle before responding to avoid flying off the hinges.
"None of us knew Lynx was involved. Now that I know, it's handled."
"Nah, fuck that. Come get me after dinner with the fam."
"Navy told you about that shit too?" I frowned, flushed the toilet, and washed my hands.
"Gigi called me."
The phone went silent.Shit.
"Look, I don't need a lecture, ight? I know I fucked up."
"Choking her and pointing your gun at her isn't a fuckup, Cortez, that's a muthafuckin' pattern. You're turning into your father, and you don't even fucking see it. So I'ma ask you this shit once, and if you lie to me?—"
"I get it, Honor, you're the oldest, always tryna play therapist like you got me figured out or some shit. I'm not Wolfe. You don't gotta talk me off the fucking ledge or throw a heavy-ass blanket on my shoulders. I know what I did was wrong, but I'm not turning into that weak-ass nigga who killed my mom."
"When you come get me, we'll talk more about it," he said, letting the gruff in his voice soften."
"Ight," I murmured.
I ended the call and stayed at the sink to wash my face and brush my teeth. When I was done, I headed into the kitchen for a bottle of water and something light to eat.
After leaving Honor's house last night, I came back to my crib, showered, then knocked out with my gun resting beneath my pillow. Lynx knew how I moved and where I lived. That nigga had the potential to strike at any moment, so I had to stay ready at all times. My phone ringing made me smirk. I swiped to answer, waiting for the nigga to speak.
"Yo, Crown," Lynx called out, sounding like his normal self.
"Yeah."
"What's this I'm hearing about Gigi's spot getting hit up?"
"Who told you that shit?"
Lynx fucked up by asking about something I knew no one mentioned to him.
