Page 194 of River & Crown
"You heard me," I seethed, biting back the hurt that was slowly creeping into my chest.
"River, you know?—"
Taking my phone from Chosyn, I ended the call and headed back into the house. Everyone I gave a fuck about seemed to only care about themselves. I didn't say a word to anybody when I walked back into the kitchen. I just grabbed the wine bottle off the counter, poured what was left into my glass, and walked off.
Bouncing my leg under the table, I sat in a fog of irritation while casual conversation floated around me. Jokes were tossed across the table like we weren't sitting dead-center in the eye of a fucking storm. I didn't understand how they all sat here smiling like our world wasn't falling apart, like our friends weren't turning into foes.
Truth be told, Rakim wasn't keeping me up at night. I knew that the men of the Gravehart name didn't fuck around. Rakim would be handled when the time was right. I didn't doubt that. What had my heart on edge was the absence of the man I love.
Damn, I really love Crown.
The thought crept in like an unexpected whisper, and I giggled before I could stop myself. My face burned with a blush I probably didn't deserve but refused to live without whenthoughts of Crown plagued my mind. Even after he forced me to dance with death, I still loved him.
Everything I thought Sincere was, every moment I clung to, shattered the second Crown told me the truth. That man I mourned for three fucking years... wasn't even mine. He promisedmyforever to Emily and kept his word since they were both dead. My lips curled into a bitter smile. A dry, humorless laugh came out louder than I intended because karma is truly a bitch. For a split second, I forgot I wasn't alone until all eyes turned to me. Even Phoenix turned her head to look at me.
"What?" I frowned.
"You're the one laughing," my mother said, brow raised. "Tell us what's funny?"
"I'm just thinking about how all this food is gonna be cold by the time Crown walks in here."
"I second that," Navy muttered, eyes fixed on the baked mac. "Can we just eat and say we waited?"
"Wolfe, where's your brother?" Gigi asked, setting down her glass.
Wolfe slid his phone into his pocket. "He said he's pulling up now."
Before anyone could say anything, the house alarm chimed, signaling the front had just opened. Chairs creaked slightly as everyone turned their heads toward the hallway.
I let out a childish laugh and asked, "Why are y'all acting like his royal majesty is walking in here? It's only Crown."
Rolling my eyes, I sipped from my glass. He stepped into the dining room as if he were exactly who he thought he was. His face was neutral, yet still so damn handsome. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words ran dry once I saw a woman trailing just a few steps behind him.
Poised.
Polished.
Unbothered.
The bitch wasn't one of us. That was clear. She sauntered into the dining room as if she didn't belong but also didn't care. She scanned the room, her gaze landing on me. I couldn't breathe. She was beautiful. Smooth skin, straight black hair that tickled the nape of her ass, fitted black dress, and sleek heels that clicked softly, letting you know they were a part of her everyday attire. My stomach flipped. I dropped my eyes toward the duffle bag Crown carried to keep from letting jealousy, confusion, and hurt show on my face, but even the bag felt like a threat.
"Who the fuck is this bitch?" Chosyn barked, shooting up with Phoenix in her hands.
I swallowed hard, forcing the lump in my throat down with a sip of wine I didn't even want anymore.
"Chosyn, language!" Lakelyn scolded.
"My heart, you better sit your ass down with my daughter in your hands."
"Y'all really going to get on me when he?—"
"Chosyn, it's fine," I reassured her. Her eyes cut toward me, burning with questions I refused to entertain.
"Whatever," she smacked and sat down. Wolfe leaned over, whispering something in her ear. She rolled her eyes at Wolfe, then looked toward me and winked.
"Crown, introduce us to your friend," Gigi instructed.
"Everyone, this is Syn. Syn, this is everyone," Crown rasped, refusing to look my way.
