Page 37

Rook walked off, and I immediately turned our call into a FaceTime.

"Damn, you're gorgeous." Crown smirked.

"How did you know we weren't inside his shop?" I asked, biting back a smile.

"You think you're the only one with an extra pair of eyes, Four?" He chuckled. "Don't worry 'bout how I know shit. Just know I always have eyes on you."

"Whatever!"

"Nah, don't whatever me. Tell your husband why he gotta keep eyes on you?"

"So, no other nigga can snatch me up," I joked but was the only one laughing.

"You joking like I don't got ARs, UZIs and a bunch of other shit you ain't ever heard of for any nigga who thinks about snatching you. You love playin' like I won't scorch the earth behind you."

"Where would we live then?"

"It doesn't matter. As long as I have you, I'll build us a new home from the ashes of our enemies."

My heart stuttered. I believed he'd burn the world down to keep me at his side. What I believed even more was my hand being the one to pass him the matches.

"Look at your looney ass falling deeper in love with a nigga," he cooed, making my cheeks hike and my eyes squint. "Now tell a nigga why he gotta keep an eye on you."

My smile grew wider as the words he's said to me on more than one occasion came to mind.

"Because I'm Mrs. Gravehart even when I'm not."

"Ding muthafuckin' ding!" he screamed loudly. "Aye, say it one more time."

"I'm Mrs. Gravehart even when I'm not," I cooed.

"I gotta hear you moan it when I'm in that pretty pussy. Nah, don't moan that shit when I'm fucking you. Fuck around and push out three babies with twelve pairs of eyes."

"Twelve?"

"Yeah, Four. Our kids coming out of the womb with eye problems fucking with you. Don't trip, tho' I'ma have their baby glasses sterilized and ready to go."

"Fuck you, Crown!" I laughed.

"Shit, that's what I'm telling you not to do. You moaning I'm Mrs. Gravehart even when I'm not in that breathless ass tone and I'm shooting your womb up with triplets. Don't believe me, test it out."

"Whatever, Crown. Is that all? I want to go talk to Rook."

"Yeah, that's all. Don't think I forgot about you crying when I first called you. We can speak on that later. Text me when you're on your way home. I'll meet you at your crib unless you wanna come to mine."

"We can do your house," I told him.

"Ight, bet. Hit me later."

"Okay."

"I love you, Four," he expressed, making my heart flutter.

"I love you, too, Crown."

"Yeah, I'ma fuck around and give you triplets."

"Goodbye, Crown." I laughed and hung up.

I locked up Chosyn's car and took our phones into the auto body shop.

Rook setting up shop across from the building his wife worked in was cute.

I wouldn't say their marriage was goals because I didn't know what all went on in their relationship, but the longevity was something I aspired to have.

Crown seemed like the type to always be there, but only time would tell.

"So, what's the time frame for my baby to be fixed?"

Almost two hours had gotten away from Rook and me.

While Chosyn had her session, we had one of our own.

We talked about my relationship with Crown mostly and touched on who might've messed with my car.

We both came up empty because I didn't have enemies.

I made sure my organization was clean. I made sure every girl I allowed to race as a Briar Beauty kept their external affairs out of our shit.

"Don't worry about it. Crown said he'll take care of it."

"He what?"

"He said he’ll have your car taken care of."

All I could do was smile because leave it to Crown to solve all my problems without me asking. We hadn't talked about me getting back to racing. I thought he'd be against it, so I avoided the conversation altogether.

"That man." I smiled harder.

"Must be nice." The familiar voice flipped my smile into a grimace. Catching on to the change in energy, Rook came and stood in between us.

"Leah, what are you doing here?"

"My car needs a tune-up. Don't tell me you forgot." She pouted toward Rook but kept her shifty eyes on me.

"I texted asking if we could reschedule because?—"

"I hope not because of... her ." The disgust was heavy on Leah's white ass tongue.

"Yes, he wanted to reschedule because of me .

Had I known, I would've told Rook to let you come.

With me out of commission, you can finally win a race or two.

Oh, wait, you don't have a team to race with.

Damn, just when I thought you'll make a great seat warmer," I sniped, moving so Rook was no longer between us.

"Cute." She giggled, letting her eyes roam over me. "I could never be a seat warmer for you. I've always been better than you. Crown knows it and?—"

Popping Leah in the mouth, I reared back just in case her ass swung on me.

"Bitch!" she yelled, lunging forward.

Rook grabbed her before she could touch me. I took advantage, popping her ass in the mouth one more time.

"Bitch, I'ma see you!" she shouted, losing her mind trying to get to me. Rook was having a hard time holding Leah back.

"See me then, hoe! I'm right here!" I shouted.

"Rook, get the fuck off me! Everyone wants to protect Four like her ass is special. That bitch ain't shit but a loser who still wants to suck the dick of a dead nigga!"

My eyes bucked hearing her say that shit.

Leah didn't have to worry about breaking free to get to me.

I ran up on her swinging. She stumbled back, tripping over Rook's feet and knocking them both down.

I stopped waiting for her to get up. She shot up, getting right to it.

This wasn't a high school, hair-pulling, face-scratching fight.

This was years of hidden resentment on her part, and me working out frustrations of my own.

I swung, but Leah ducked and came up with a right hook, catching me in the mouth.

Blood coated my tongue, catching me by surprise.

Leah wasn't fucking around, but neither was I.

We went punch for punch, pound for muthafuckin' pound until I punched Leah in the eye.

She reared back, catching her balance, then rushed me, knocking us both to the floor, rolling, kicking, fists landing wherever they could.

"Yeah, bitch, where's all that mouth now?" Leah gritted, sending a punch to my jaw. My head snapped to the right. Leah used the moment to her advantage to straddle me.

"Everyone's always running to your rescue but where the fuck is the calvary now?

Huh? Maybe I should record this and send it to Crown so he can see how weak his precious Four is.

" She snickered as I groaned, then gasped for air.

Her hands clung to my throat for dear life.

My eyes bulged. I wheezed jerking my legs and twisting my hips trying to get this bitch off me.

With her face twisted with pure wrath, lips curled, and eyes burning with jealousy, Leah leaned in closer, pressing her mouth against my ear.

"You've always thought you were untouchable. First, it was Sincere protecting you, then Chosyn, and now you have Crown. I don't see any of 'em here, tho'," she whispered. "Even Rook left you here to die. Where the fuck is your calvary Four? "

"Right fucking here!" Chosyn smashed her gun into the back of Leah's head, knocking her off me. "Rook, help River up!"

Rook came over, helping me from the ground and looking over my bruises. I gently pushed him away. "I'm fine."

"Bitch, how you let her beat your ass like that!" Chosyn barked, looking in my direction. Her eyes shifted toward where Leah laid. "Bitch killing you is going to be my pleasure."

"Chosyn, no." I sighed.

"What? Rook, get River a mirror so she can see her fucking face. Talking about some no . This bitch is dying!"

"I said no, Chosyn."

"River," she huffed raggedly.

"She's not worth it and not in Rook's shop."

"You got your ass beat and still a weak hoe," Leah snarled.

"Shut the fuck up, hoe!" Chosyn whipped Leah across the face with her gun until blood splattered against the chrome of her .22. "Say one more thing and I promise I'ma bury you. Bitches always wanna pop shit when their life is being spared."

"Chosyn, please." I sighed. My head was throbbing, and my throat was on fire.

"No! I can't kill her so you're gonna hear this fucking rant. That bitch should be on her knees singing your praises for sparing her. River, you better tell this hoe how we rode past the cemetery."

"Why would I tell her that, Chosyn?"

"So, she knows there's still plenty room for jealous, envious, backstabbing ass hoes!"

"Chosyn." I snickered.

"Don't say my name unless I can kill her!" she spat. "Look I'ma ask once more, are you sure you don't want me to send her to hell?"

"Chosyn, I said no."

"Give me my phone so I can show you your muthafuckin' face."

"Chosyn!"

"River!" she yelled back. "Fine, I won't kill her, but you know who will." She shrugged.

Crouching down, she used Leah's shirt to wipe the blood off her gun, then put it back in her ankle holster.

"Please tell Monica that I'm going to need another two hours once my husband finds out what I did," she said to Rook. "River, bring your ass because I'm so ashamed."

I looked at Rook and mouthed, "Sorry, " as I followed Chosyn out of the shop.

"Why are you ashamed of me?" I asked, getting in the car.

I pulled the visor down and reared my head back at how badly my face was bruised. The bruises weren't a deep color, so they'll probably heal quickly, but Leah definitely won this fight.

"See the way you jerked your head back? That's why I'm ashamed. Did I teach you nothing about fighting? When a bitch is beating your ass, you pick something up and bash her fucking head in"

"I wasn't thinking." I sighed.

"Obviously, but I'm not saying nothing else. Crown’s gonna be on your ass."

I let out a low moan and sucked my damn teeth.