Page 207 of River & Crown
"Okay," she said, tossing her shoulders forward and scrunching her face. "What am I supposed to do with that information? Crown and I are done, so I really don't care what you and he are."
"I almost believed you." I snickered. "You love Crown, and he loves you. Stop being stubborn and show him that you want him just as much as he wants you."
"He told you I didn't want him?" she asked, softening her eyes.
"No, but I know Crown enough to read between the lines. Crown is always chasing, and it's rare he doesn't get what he wants. Crown comes on strong because life has shown him everything he's not worthy of... love, family, friendship. He's lost a lot. So, when people come into his life, he loves them hard... like loving them is a way to make them stay."
"And what he found in my closet made him believe he didn't deserve me." She sighed.
"Right." I nodded.
"What am I supposed to do if he won't even talk to me?"
"Get him to listen," I told her.
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"I've got an idea, but I'm also starving, so can we take this inside?"
"Fine," River said, then looked down at Sable. "Cute puppy."
"Thanks, but she's not mine. By chance... are you Kysre?" I asked the twin.
"Why?" she said, tilting her head slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips, but her eyes didn't match it.
"I'ma take that as a yes. Sable's yours." I handed over the leash, and she took it reluctantly. "My brother Killian wanted you to have her along with this letter."
I dug in my purse and pulled out the bronze envelope with her name written across the front in black ink. Kysre took the envelope and bent down to rub Sable.
"Okay, can we eat now?" Choyce asked.
"We can, but you're not invited," Chosyn spat, stepping toward her sister.
"You promised me a conversation," Choyce countered, standing her ground.
"I did, but you're not gonna force me into it. You can't manipulate me like you did with killing Chance. You want to know me? Then you're onmytime."
"No one's trying to manipulate you, but I must say, you play the victim role well. Don't worry about that conversation... because I no longer give a fuck."
"Good! I been not giving a fuck," Chosyn snapped, then stormed into the restaurant.
River rushed after her, and once Kysre scooped up Sable, she followed too.
"You okay?" I asked Choyce. Her chest was rising and falling fast as hell, but there wasn't a trace of emotion on her face.
"I'm fine. Go with them."
"I know we don't really like each other, but we came here together, kind of. If you leave, I'm leaving too."
"I appreciate that," she said quietly, "but it's okay. If my sister wants to act like a bitch, that's on her. I'm done trying."
There was such finality in her voice, I didn't know what to say. I just stood there listening as she called Kage. When he pulled up, Choyce didn't bother waiting for him to hop out and open the door. She rounded the back of the truck, climbed in, and they were gone.
I walked into the restaurant and took a deep breath. The host brought me to the balcony where River, Chosyn, and Kysre were already seated.
I slipped into the seat across from River and said, "Tonight, we're going to rob a Gravehart."
Chapter 53
