Page 29

Crown Gravehart

F or the past three weeks, I've spent most of my time combing the streets, looking for whoever fucked with Four's car.

Whoever the nigga was trying to set up shop in Ember Hills was probably right in my face.

I just couldn't see it, trying to figure out this situation with Four.

As far as I knew, Four didn't have enemies. She lived a regular life outside of racing, and from what I heard, the team she went against wasn’t beefing with the BBs.

"Don't be too hard on my daughter. She's hardheaded, but she's always had a problem expressing herself. She's going to dance around what you ask but listen because amongst the chatter will be the truth."

"I hear you, Ma." I nodded, entering the kitchen.

This morning, instead of dipping out like I usually did, I decided to stay.

I'd given Four all the space I could afford to give.

A nigga was going crazy without being able to touch her, to smell her, or tangle my fingers in her curls.

Real shit, as bad as I wanted to hear her side of how shit went down, I wouldn't push the issue if it meant she'll agree to wake up in my arms. I wanted to be selfish with her pretty blind ass.

I missed my baby. Sneaking into her room to watch her sleep wasn't enough. I needed her home where she belonged.

"Good. Come walk me to the door."

I followed her out the kitchen and over to the front door. I held it open as she grabbed her bag and keys.

"Don't be hard on yourself, either, Cortez. You're doing all you can. What happened to River isn't because of you." Lakelyn flashed me a reassuring smile, then pulled me in for a hug like she knew I needed that shit.

"Text me when you make it to work. If you need lunch, I'll have one of my boys drop it off."

"Will do."

I stayed at the door, watching as she got onto the elevator.

Closing the front door, I headed back into the kitchen with even more on my mind.

I believed Lakelyn meant what she said about this not being my fault, but at this point, that was the only logical reason that made sense.

Honor, Wolfe, and I haven't had beef with niggas in years.

The shit with Chosyn's pops was the most action we've seen in a minute.

We thought our biggest fucking threat was Lucian Mancinelli.

Honor even sat down with him to see if he had a hand in Four's accident.

None of us thought he did because he didn't have a reason to, but to be on the safe side, Honor asked, anyway.

If I couldn't find whoever was after Four, what kind of nigga would I be to give her my last name?

Crowning her the real Mrs. Gravehart wasn't me stacking claim.

It's my way of letting the world know Four was under my protection.

What is done to her is done to me. Her happiness fueled mine, and the same went for her pain.

Four being mine, wearing my ring, was a warning to these niggas.

Four was to be respected. She was meant to be seen, maybe even admired if niggas did it from a distance, but she was never to be touched.

The night of her race, someone went against the grain.

They hurt her and possibly took something from her that I couldn't give back or fix. For that, niggas had to see me.

"Crown."

Had Four not said my name, I still would've felt her presence. I was so in tune with more than just her physical, I knew her essence too. Turning around, I wasted no time scooping her into my arms.

"Crown." She giggled, laying her head on my shoulder.

A million words raced through my mind, all of 'em wanting to be what I said first. My lips parted, but all that came out was a breath of relief, so I held her. Her lying on my shoulder, with my face pressed into the curve of her neck, I inhaled her. Her scent was the air I'd been starving for.

"I missed you so fucking much, Four," I finally whispered, voice rough and low from fighting back the tears.

This girl's really got me fucking gone.

The thought was one that always crossed my mind whenever she had me doing shit, I wasn't used to doing. The last woman I cried over was my mom. I was a kid then but here I am a grown ass man holding back tears just from having her ass in my arms.

"I've missed you too," she cooed.

"Nah, I don't think you understand. I missed the fuck out of you. Life wasn't the same without you."

"Crown, please. I've only been here for a few weeks, and you've been right here with me, apparently."

"You don't get it, but I'm 'bout to show you what I mean."

I carried her back to her room, then gently laid her on the bed.

"Crown, what are you?—"

"Shhh."

I climbed into bed, her eyes watching me, wide yet inviting.

I laid beside her, not wanting to rush the moment, but unable to keep my hands away.

I reached for her face first. My fingertips brushed along her cheeks that glowed with a hue I knew all too well.

It was the golden undertone I missed being the cause of.

I moved my fingers lower, tracing along her jaw.

"You're perfect to me, Four."

"I'm not. I'm flawed just like everyone else, Crown."

"I know, and that's what makes you perfect for me. I don't give a fuck about them flaws." Kissing her lips, I sucked gently on her bottom one, missing the feel of her lips against mine. "I missed your curls, too." My hand slid into her hair. They got lost, but my spirit finally found solace.

The urge to explore more of her was intense. It drew me in like gravity. I moved from her lips to soak in the presence of her scent. My nose skimmed along her neck, drinking her sweet, intoxicating scent.

"Fuck, I needed your scent. It's the comfort I've been missing without you."

"Crown," she softly gasped.

My tongue dragged across her chest as I lowered my head. I toyed with her nipples through her t-shirt until they hardened just how I liked. Four had the prettiest titties.

"Crown we can... can't." Her chest rose and fell with each word, trembling down her spine.

Every part of me ached for River in ways words couldn't explore.

My addiction to this girl was unnatural.

My mental space became foggy at the sight of Four but when she moaned my name as her body gave into my command, a nigga became delirious.

I was no good in this drunken state, but here was the only place I wanted to be, and it had nothing to do with sex.

This was my need to worship her through touch, without lust, because looking at Four was looking at my greatest blessing manifested.

"I won't hurt you, Four. I just wanna feel you. Can I do that? Tell me I can. I'm begging you, beautiful," I crooned against her titties. Her nipples rested against my lips. Her neck was in my grasp. "Four, you gotta tell me something, ma. I need to hear you. Can your husband make you feel good?"

"Yes," she cried out.

Lifting her shirt, I wasted no time. I eyed her chocolate peaks, then slurped them into my mouth.

Her body shuddered, and a nigga went harder.

I sucked slow, deepening my pull each time I lovingly bit down.

Left to right, right to left, my thumb massaging whatever nipple I wasn't sucking like of candy.

A low hiss escaped her, and I smirked, knowing what was about to come next.

"Crown, I wanna cum," she whined, staring at me with those pretty brown eyes.

How could I tell her no? Four had come into my life unexpectedly and turned that shit upside down. I didn't realize how far gone I was until this moment. Four wanted to be fucked. She droned my name whenever she was done with foreplay and wanted to be dicked down.

Had this been any other bitch, my dick would've drilled into the missing piece of her uterus, but this was Four pleading with her lust-induced gaze. Her pleasure, wants, and needs always came before my own. Her requests were mine to fulfill, and this was no different.

Kissing down her chest, I used my thumbs to press into her nipples, rolling 'em between my fingers. Four's skin was soft and untainted. A nigga had to change that. Sucking along her stomach, I switched between hard and soft suffocation until purplish red marks started to show.

"You're gonna leave a mark, Crown," she whimpered, but wiggled her body upward to bring it back to my mouth.

"I know. You like that shit, don't you?" My words brushed against her skin.

Her only reply was soft chaunts dropping from her lips each time I bit into her then sucked the pain away. I continued down, leaving marks all over her toned stomach.

Reaching her waist, I kissed, starting from the left and affectionately moving to the right. As I reached the scar, she froze, tensing every muscle in her body.

"Four." My voice was low but loud enough for her to hear. "Four look at me."

Seeing she wasn't going to look. I took her by the hand, pulling her upright. I got off the bed, pushed her legs open, then kneeled between them.

"Four," I calmly spoke, biting back the grit. Four didn't need aggression in this moment. She didn't need a protector. She needed a safe place.

Her eyes, wet with tears, flickered down at me, making my heart ache. I held her stare and ran my fingers along her scar.

"Crown, stop." Grabbing my wrist, she shoved my hand away, then covered the area with her hands.

She turned away from me, shame creeping in as if she truly had something to be embarrassed about.

"Don't hide from me, Four." As gently as I could, I uncovered her hands from her scar. "Lean back on your forearms."

"Crown, please just stop." She cried harder.

The urge to wrap her in my arms cruised through me with the speed of lightning. Taking a deeper breath, I brought my eyes back to hers. Four really had me feeling like a bitch but for her I'll be that and whatever else.