Page 54

Where y'all at? Crown texted me from Honor’s phone thirty minutes ago. I'm just now seeing it, but we gotta get outside.

Honey:

What happened? Lynx and Rize still chilling.

Chosyn:

Why did Crown text you from Honor's phone, and what were you doing that you didn't realize he texted you?

Navy:

Honor was shot!!

"I uh... I have to go," I blurted, stuffing my phone back into my pocket.

"Everything good?"

"Yeah, I uh have to handle something. Give me your phone. Text me with the info for the get-together and I'll try to come through."

"Ight." He handed me his phone, and with trembling fingers, I typed my number in and passed it back. "Ight Riv, don't be a stranger."

"I won't." I half smiled. "See you later."

Rakim glanced down the street, then turned back to me.

"Let me get a hug first."

Sucking my teeth, I allowed him to grab me and pull me in close. I was engulfed in his arms with one ear buried against his chest.

"Ight Riv be?—"

The sharp cracks of gunfire tore through the air from a speeding car at the end of the block. A black shadow holding a gun fired off shots in my direction. I froze, the sight bringing forth a memory I'd wished I had forgotten.

"Get down, River!"

Rakim yanked me down and wrapped his arms around me. Ruckus broke out. Screams and running footsteps added to the heavy knocking of my pulse.

Then it calmed.

Tires screeching faded.

Gunshots silenced.

Pedestrian's screams muted.

I opened my eyes as I felt Rakim start to move around. He stood up, searching around before reaching down to me.

"You're okay?" he asked, his voice rough but still calming.

"They... they must've been warning shots or blanks," I forced out.

"Who you fucking with that has niggas sending warning shots at your birthday party?"

His question was valid, but I didn't have an answer.

"How do I know they weren't for you?"

"I don't move around out here for niggas to wanna get at me. This isn't my home anymore, hasn't been for a while." Taking my hand into his, Rakim laced his fingers between mine. "I'm only asking in case you got yourself into trouble and need help getting out of it."

"I'm not messing with anyone who?—"

"Four!"

Shit!

"Four!"

Turning in Crown's direction, I quickly snatched my hand from Rakim.

Crown stalked over, jaw clenched, and eyes zeroed in on Rakim who was standing too damn close.

I took a few steps to create distance, but Rakim closed the space.

I let out a soft groan, seeing the humorless smirk on Crown's face.

His hands went from being balled into fists to reaching behind his back.

"Crown, please!" I rushed toward him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"Who the fuck is this and what's he doing touching you Four?" he snapped, unwrapping my arms and moving toward Rakim.

"The real question is who the fuck is you?" Rakim gritted.

My eyes bucked. "Crown, let me?—"

"The fuck you ask me?" Crown snapped, his voice slicing through the tension.

"Nigga, you heard me," Rakim derided, rolling his shoulders back like Crown was a chomp in his eyes.

"Rakim, this isn't necessary. Crown is?—"

"Riv, you don't gotta say shit. Matter fact get?—"

His words cut off mid-sentence. His mouth formed a perfect O, not out of surprise, but from the cold metal pressing against his lips. Crown didn't flinch. Confidence exuded him as he pushed the barrel into Rakim's mouth. My breath caught mid-inhale, chest tight, eyes locked on the gun.

"Crown," I murmured.

He didn't draw back or look in my direction. He just practiced control as his finger flexed against the trigger.

"Crown, not here!"

Hearing Wolfe, I let out a sigh of relief. His eyes cut toward me as he jogged past, then locked on Crown.

"Too much shit happened tonight. We gotta get the girls and move around." Wolfe's hands clapped on Crown's shoulder, snapping him back, but Crown kept his gun steady.

"Wolfe!" Navy shrilled, running over with everyone else.

"Grab Crown," Wolfe told Rize and Lynx.

I watched with silent tears staining my cheeks as they pulled back a smiling Crown. It wasn't his signature sly grin. Crown was showing all his adult teeth, back molars included, as he nodded his head.

"Nigga, next time you step to me 'bout Riv make sure what you say is worth dying over!"

"Crown stop!" I cried.

"Nah Riv tell that goofy nigga I don't make threats! I'ma nigga who keeps his word!" Crown shouted. Rize and Lynx were struggling to keep him back.

"Lynx, get Rakim out of here, please!"

Lynx looked toward Wolfe, who nodded his head in approval. Lynx shoved Rakim in the opposite direction.

"I'll make sure he doesn't kill him," Honey whispered to me.

"Thank you," I mouthed, then stalked off toward the hotel, where I watched Rize walk him inside.

"Crown!" I called after him. "Crown!"

"The fuck you want, Riv ?" he barked, silencing the entire lobby.

My eyes bucked in shock at his tone. Blinking back tears, I puffed my chest out and yelled with the same venom coiling around his words, "Fuck you Crown!"