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The words caught in my throat. She looked at me with pleading eyes, silently begging me to say something loving about her son.

However, I couldn't lie to her. Had this been before Crown, I might've sat beside Selene for hours, crying and reminiscing about the boy I thought I'd spend my life with.

That version of me didn't exist anymore.

I wasn't Sincere's girl. I'm Mrs. Gravehart even when I'm not.

"Selene I?—"

"Wassup, Riv, I was looking for you," Rakim stated with a grin as he walked over, unknowingly saving me from breaking Selene's heart.

"Hey, Rakim." I smiled halfheartedly.

"Selene, do you mind if I steal River away? We have some catching up to do since we didn't get to talk much at her party."

"Oh my... I forgot your birthday passed. I always thought it was so sad how Sincere died a few days after your birthday." She said his name in a grief-heavy tone, like it broke her to remember him. "Go ahead with Rakim. You and I will catch up before you leave."

I offered Selene a tired smile as Rakim gently took my hand and led me outside to the parking lot.

"Thank you for that." I sighed, finally feeling like I could breathe again.

"It's nothing." He grinned.

Rakim leaned against the fence, one foot kicked up to steady himself.

His hand slipped from mine and dropped to rest in front of him.

With his head tilted, he dragged his tongue across his lips, letting his gaze follow the same slow path up my body.

Rakim took his time, lingering in places he had no business looking.

I shifted, folding my arms and stepping slightly to the side.

"You look good, Riv." He nodded in approval.

"Thanks. Life has been okay for me." I shrugged.

"Okay?" Rakim chuckled, but I caught the mocking edge in his tone.

"I heard life has been great for you. You got the BBs winning shit, your foundation has been getting recognition from local news outlets, and you work as a financial advisor.

You've got too much good shit happening for life to just be okay . "

Frowning, my brows pulled closed. "Are you stalking me?" I snapped, uncomfortable with how he knew so much about my life.

"Is that how it came off? I didn't mean it that way. I'm just saying I've heard good shit about you from my people."

"Why would your people know anything about me, Rakim?"

"Sincere's gone, and someone has to make sure no one fucks with his girl. I stepped up and handled shit."

"Why? I asked, shifting my weight again.

"Shit's not safe out here. Sincere kept you away from a lot. His enemies are still around, and the same niggas who knocked him off could double back and get at you. I have people in place to make sure shit like that don't happen."

"Enemies? Double back?" I blurted. "What's the point in doubling back for me... someone who has nothing to do with whatever Sincere had going on?"

"I've seen niggas kill for less, but if you need a solid reason.

.. you were driving the car when Sincere shot up that block.

Shit like that doesn't go without repercussions.

You see, they killed Alexis, then got Sincere a couple of years after.

It's nothing for you to stress about, tho'. I got you."

"Uh, okay... well, thank you... I guess." I turned slightly, ready to put some distance between us, but his voice tugged me back.

"Hol' up, I still wanna catch up with you. That was one hell of a party."

"Yeah, it was. Maybe we can go for lunch and catch up then.

"Lunch is funny since we both know your nigga won't let that happen. That was your dude from the other night, right?"

I nodded.

"Shit, I'm surprised he let you come out to celebrate Sincere."

"My man doesn't stop me from doing anything. He lets me know his opinion and I respect his wishes," I shot, feeling my body begin to heat.

"Yeah, that's dope. More women should be like that. Aye, let me ask you something. Word got back to me that you've been fucking with them Gravehart niggas. Chosyn got a baby by one of 'em, right?"

My brows furrowed at his question because he saw exactly who my nigga was, yet he didn't have much to say about him being a Gravehart nigga when Crown's gun was rearranging his tonsils. Chuckling, Rakim reached forward to pinch my chin.

"Fix your face, beautiful."

"Rakim, please," I huffed, smacking his hand away.

"You're making it seem like a nigga trying to look out for you is a bad thing."

"When the nigga isn't mine, it is a bad thing, especially when you're questioning me about business that has nothing to do with you."

"Oh, I get it! You're fucking a Gravehart, so it's fuck the people who came up with you."

"What?" I frowned. "Rakim, you and I have never been cool enough for you to question. Sincere fucked with you and out of respect for?—"

"Respect," He scoffed, cutting me off. "If you really respected Sincere, you wouldn't be fucking his enemy."

"Sincere and Crown don't know each other."

"Yeah, ight. He killed Sincere."

My head jerked back in shock. Rakim must've meant one of the other niggas I've fucked with because he couldn't have been talking about Crown.

"Damn, I hate to be the one telling you this, but he's been playing you. Why do you think Chosyn was so quick to tell me her nigga killed King? She fucks with Wolfe and his brother is?—"

"No... no... no! Crown didn't... Chosyn wouldn't..." My words tripped over my tongue, and my mind went blank.

"See, this is why I gotta keep an eye on you," he said, moving closer. "The closest muthafuckas to you been plotting."

Crown killed Sincere.

My chest tightened, as every conversation he and I ever had came flooding back. Not once did he mention Sincere or any of the people Sincere hung out with.

"You don't seriously think Crown killed Sincere," I said low enough for only the two of us to hear.

"You don't gotta take my word for it," he said. "Ask her."

Rakim chucked his chin in Leah's direction, who was now walking over.

"I hope she isn't your proof," I scoffed. "You know she was fucking Crown, too, right?"

"Nice to see you too, friend." She waved. A fake smirk played on her lips.

"Leah, stop with the petty shit," Rakim gritted. "Tell her."

"It's true. After Sincere died and you checked out, I started hanging out in the Grove.

I heard a rumor going around that Crown killed Sincere, and Honor helped to cover it up.

I wanted to tell you, but you were so distraught that I kept it from you.

I remembered Rakim used to fuck with Sincere, so I reached out and told him what I knew.

Rakim told me to get Crown to fuck with me, so that's what I did.

It took me some time, but I eventually put the pussy on him. "

"Bitch, please," I spat. "Crown dicked you down and tossed you to the curb like Wednesday's garbage. But let's say I believe you, why quit the BBs and try to break Crown and I up?"

"I didn't want you getting caught up with him.

You were still vulnerable when you started messing with Crown.

And then he was so persistent with you that I knew he had to know something about you being with Sincere.

Crown is charming and dangerous. I don't know if you know, but he killed his last girlfriend. "

"You hear a lot of shit without knowing facts," I sassed, feeling a way that Leah knew something he swore, I was the only one he told."

"That doesn't make anything I'm telling you less true. If Crown could kill his last girlfriend, what makes you think he won't do the same to you?"

"I'm not her, so I'm not worried. But if Crown is so dangerous, why were you willing to risk your life to set him up?"

"Friendship. I can admit I was jealous of your friendship with Chosyn. The two of you clicked in ways we used to, but I still love you. I figured if I got justice for Sincere, then you'll see Chosyn is just a selfish orphan bitch."

"No good for me like Crown, right?" I asked.

"Exactly! I saw through her bullshit. If anything, I deserve an apology."

A dry laugh escaped me because who did Leah think she was fooling?

"I'm sorry, did I miss the joke?"

"Leah, you are the joke. To think I owe you an apology is equivalent to watching a Dave Chappelle comedy special... straight jokes."

"What do I gain from lying to you?"

"It's never been about gain for you. All you care about is what you can destroy. Chosyn and I are too solid for me to believe this bullshit."

"Fine. I don't give a fuck." Leah shrugged.

"Look, I know this is a lot to take in, especially with Leah being petty, but what we've told you is the truth," Rakim insisted.

"There are too many holes in the story."

"I told you this bitch wasn't going to believe us." Leah's voice dripped with venom as the real her came out to play. "I fucking hate a dick-dizzy bitch because y'all hoes can't see past the dick y'all sucking on."

"How can you hate what you are? That's the reason you filled Rakim's head with lies, right? Fucking Crown wasn't an elaborate plan to get revenge for Sincere, was it? You just wanted to fuck on the nigga, which I understand because if I were you, I'd be pressed too." I laughed.

"Pressed? The same dick you have, I had. Nothing you have with Crown is special. He's a for everybody ass nigga." Leah shrugged.

"He's for everybody, but I'm the only bitch he locked down. For everybody, but he had you snapping pictures of us on your phone as a reminder that it was never going to be you. Stop fucking playing with me, Leah."

"I already whooped your ass once. Might fuck around and catch a body this time," Leah sneered as my lips curled, but my smile didn't carry heat, just emptiness.

I stepped closer, wanting Leah to hear me clearly. She'd been spared twice. There wouldn't be a third time.

"Tread lightly and remember you're only breathing because I allow it. Today can easily be your last," I warned, keeping my voice calm but sharp.

My gaze fell from Leah and landed on Rakim, who stood coolly wearing an unreadable grin.