Page 40

Crown Gravehart

" I have the meeting set for eleven on Saturday," Syn said the moment she picked up the phone. I couldn't do shit but chuckle at her bluntness. No greeting, no simpers in her voice, just straight to business.

"How much longer you gon' treat me like I'm part of the dad's side of the family?"

"What?" She snickered but cut it short.

"You heard me."

"I did, but I don't get it."

"The dad's side don't ever get time with the kid. They're the if no one came to see you Otis was a person."

"Nigga, what?" This time she laughed hard as hell, causing me to smile. Syn was good people, and knowing we were somewhat at odds didn't feel right. "I swear I hate you."

"You love a nigga. That's why you've been in your feelings."

"No, I'm in my feelings because of how you came into my brother's house and treated me like the enemy. We've been through too much for you to think I'll willingly let someone come into Ember Hills and step on your toes."

Even though she couldn't see me, I nodded my head.

"You're right but look at shit where I'm coming from. A Mancinelli came to collect money and started talking about someone trying to fuck up what I have going on in a city that's run by you and your brother. If I was supposed to hear that shit from anyone, it was supposed to be from you."

"Lynx should have been the one to tell you. He handles shit out here. Niggas answer to him, but he didn't know someone wanted to set up shop. Didn't you have someone rob one of your spots seven months ago?"

"Yeah, we shut things down after Wolfe got married and went out of the country."

"And let me guess, Lynx knew nothing about that, either?"

"None of us did. The nigga who opened the trap did so, thinking he'll make the boss proud," I told her.

"I'm not telling you how to run your business, but don't count anybody out. Wolfe and Honor are your brothers. They'll die before they betray you, but everyone else needs to be fair game. Snakes don't hiss loudly. They move quietly, and slither where the grass feels safe and like home."

"Damn, Syn, you fucked my head up with that one." I sighed, tugging on one of my braids. I needed my shits done over. I thought Four might've been up for the challenge, but when I got home last night with her food, she was knocked out.

"I'm just saying keep your eyes open... especially with the ones you think are solid."

"Nah, I hear you. Lowkey that's some shit Honor might've said if his head wasn't in the clouds."

"Honor distracted? Nahhh!"

"This type of shit happens when you get into a relationship. Find someone your mean ass can tolerate, and you'll see," I joked.

"Nope, I'm fine being lonely. I like my peace too much. I've been meaning to ask, who all is supposed to be at this meet?"

"Shit, the regular people. Me, Honor, Wolfe, and Choyce. I'ma have Rize and Lynx stay at Four's party to keep an eye on shit."

"How is she doing?"

"Nah, who the fuck am I on the phone with?"

"Will you stop? I know what she means to you. You mean a lot to me, so I care about her... kind of." She laughed, knowing that shit was a lie.

"Yeah, ight, she's good though. Still trying to figure out what happened with her car."

"I had a job recently out in Jersey. Shawty, I caught my mark with was a racer. She told me a new team's been making noise on the racing scene."

"Get a name for me and I'll float it by River."

"I got you."

"Ight, I'll see you Saturday. Make sure you bring a card and money to the party."

"Bye, Crown!"

Hanging up, I left my phone on the couch and stood up to wake Four. I reached the steps, then stopped when I heard her coming down the hallway. It took her a little while to descend the stairs, but when she did, I stepped back, allowing her to fully come down.

"Hey, missed you in bed last night," she spoke softly.

"Yeah, my bad. I ate and ended up knocking out on the couch."

"Oh, okay. Are you hungry? I know it's a little late for breakfast, but I'm craving a McGriddle sandwich. You want one?"

Four was rambling and doing her best to shield her face from my view. Her curls were clipped in the back, pushing them upward and framing her face. Four hated her curls being in her face, so that shit was a dead giveaway.

"Four," I called out.

"Yes," she answered, peering over her shoulder.

"Look at me right quick."

"Crown, I'm hungry and?—"

"River." I didn't raise my voice, I didn't have to. Four knew how far to take her bullshit.

She turned around slowly with her chin buried in her chest. I filled the space between us, then reached for her chin. Pinching it between my fingers, I lifted her head.

"Please don't make a big deal about this.” She sighed.

For a second, I froze, my brain refusing to believe what my eyes showed me.

"Crown, say something."

Ignoring her, I took her glasses and put them on, thinking maybe Four wasn't the only one who needed an extra set of eyes.

"Crown, what are you doing? Wearing my glasses will probably give you a headache. My prescription is strong."

She wasn't lying. With her glasses, my vision was warped, but the bruises on her face were still visible.

"The bruises are real. Can I please have my glasses back?" she huffed.

"Four who the fuck... what the fuck—" I couldn't get the words out. My throat dried, each inhale scraping like sandpaper as anger elevated my pulse.

"Crown, you have to calm down."

"Give me a name," I gritted.

"No," she mumbled.

I chuckled humorlessly, waiting for Four to take heed to the warning.

"Crown, please just leave it alone. I get you want to protect me, but I handled it."

"Whoever beat your ass like you stole something is dead?" I asked.

"No, but?—"

"Then it's not fucking handled, River!" I gritted.

"Don't yell at me!" she spat.

"No one's yelling at you, Four. We don't even gotta speak. Give me a name and I'll shut the fuck up."

"I'm not telling you?—"

"Bet!" I smirked and walked over to the couch.

"Crown, why can't you let me handle this on my own?" River stepped into my space, reaching to grab my phone.

"River move," I warned.

"I don't understand why you and Chosyn always feel the need to fight my battles. I can take care of myself."

"Your fucking face says otherwise."

Mugging me, River folded her arms around her chest and flopped on the couch. She was such a fucking brat.

"I don't know how many times I gotta tell you that I got you, for you to understand that shit." I softened my voice and sat next to her on the couch. I reached for her legs and her stubborn ass moved out of reach.

"What's the fuckin' problem?"

"I don't need you to save me, Crown. I'm a big girl who has been dealing with big girl shit way before you came into my life."

"I'm not trying to save you. You're not a charity case to me, ight. I come on strong because I fucking care. Your well-being is important to me."

"My well-being is fine. I'm alive." She shrugged.

"You so fucking nonchalant 'bout this shit because you've never had a nigga who gave a fuck and stood on it."

"What?" She frowned.

"Whatever nigga you were fucking with before me might've told you he cared but the nigga didn't. That's why you're stuck on this handling it myself bullshit."

"You're such an asshole! Fuck you, Crown!" she spat.

"Fuck me because I wanna know who beat your ass?"

"No, fuck you for thinking I can't handle myself."

"Nah Four, fuck whoever made you believe your pain has to be silenced just to prove your strength."

"No one made me believe that," she said, narrowing her stare. River still didn't understand just how well I knew her.

"Keep lying to yourself and you'll never move on."

"What?" Her eyes ballooned, then slowly started to rest once she saw my confused expression. "I help people every day. I've pulled so many young girls and even grown ass women out of fucked up situations. What makes you think I can't do the same for myself?"

"You would have done it already."

What I said silenced the room. Four looked away, dabbing at her eyes. I let out a heavy breath, then called for her.

"Four."

I kept my voice soft to disengage whatever emotions she was ready to attack with.

"Yes, Crown?" She sighed.

I reached my hand out for her. It took her stubborn ass a few seconds but eventually she placed her hand in mine. I pulled her closer and motioned for her to straddle my lap. She gave in to me.

"Let me get that." I tapped her wrist, and she passed me her hair tie.

I did my best pulling her curls into a ponytail, then took in her appearance.

I pinched her chin to angle her face in different ways, making sure I caught wind of every cut, bruise, and scratch.

The bruising wasn't crazy, but the gash above her lip looked like it might leave a scar.

"Crown, please," she whispered.

"Who did it?"

"I already said I?—"

"I can easily call Chosyn, find out what happened, and take care of it, but I'm coming to you. I'm asking you to be honest with me."

"Leah." She sighed.

I nodded, kissed her on the forehead, then tapped her leg for her to get up.

"Don't kill her Crown," she pleaded as I stood to my feet. "I know you won't let what happened go unanswered, but Leah doesn't deserve to die."

"I'ma go shower," I told her and headed upstairs. I turned the shower on, then sent out a quick text.

Me: I need a favor.

Kyree:

Wassup?

Me:

Y'all know where Leah be at?

Kysre:

Why?

Me:

Do you or don't you?

Kyree:

Nigga, don't get snippy with my twin. I'm sure we can find her. Why?

Me:

She put her hands on Four.

Kyree:

Say less.

Kysre:

Consider it handled.