Page 79

Emersyn Teixeira

" I can slit your throat, tell him to let you bleed out, and then have him bury your body."

For whatever reason, River's words still echoed in my head, even a week after she said them.

I couldn't shake the memory, and it wasn't because of the threat or the fact that Crown allowed it.

It was the way she said it. Until that point, anything River said to me was shaky like she was unsure of herself, but when she yanked me across the table and placed that knife to my throat, she came alive.

It was the way she believed Crown would let me die.

How she could say it, and his silence confirmed it.

There was a special kind of closeness that came with that certainty, and I wanted it, but I wasn't sure exactly what it was.

It wasn't love. I knew that for a fact. Love was reckless, unstable, a distraction wrapped in a pretty lie.

People got drunk off it and lost themselves in it.

That wasn't what I wanted, but whatever it was between Crown and River made something inside me ache, and I hated it.

Forever didn't seem appealing to me. I wanted a connection that didn't need flowers and promises to be real.

Something like Crown and River, only stripped down to its rawest form.

No love, just a bond that couldn't be broken.

Undying loyalty without the illusion of a happily ever after.

I wanted someone who knew how to bleed with me without asking me to fall.

That was the difference. They loved each other as if it were war.

I wanted someone to choose me... like it was survival.

I sipped from my glass of tea, wondering if something like that even existed.

"I don't want cute." At the sound of Killian's voice, I turned in his direction to see what he was fussing about today.

"I want loyal, protective. Mrs. Maroux is calm, but she saunters in mayhem. I want a companion who resembles her aura. One who will stroll beside her confidently and not blink if she chooses to wreak havoc, but join in."

Ignoring my entire existence, Killian walked through the kitchen with a woman walking beside him. At the mention of a Mrs. Maroux, I followed behind them out the double glass doors that led to the backyard.

"Nice of you to join us, Emersyn. Maybe we'll be able to find a companion for you, too," he said.

I didn't reply. I just walked quietly behind them to the open green space near the back wall.

A large, gated pen had been set up where low barks and claws against steel could be heard.

We stood in front of the pen, Killian in the middle, me to his left, and who I presumed to be the breeder to his right.

"I figured that much," the breeder finally replied to Killian's wants. "I brought all working breeds. They're young but trained for command and temperament."

The six dogs in front of us were impressive.

"That one," Killian said, pointing at the one that stood slightly apart from the others.

It was a young Doberman pup, body lean and lithe, with muscles just beginning to fill out beneath its soft coat. The deep mahogany fur glowed warm and rich under the afternoon sun. A single patch of pure white fur marked its chest, which was rare to see.

"Good eye," the breeder replied. "That's Sable. The best drive of the litter. She's young but advanced. She's obedient, territorial, but don't let her calm nature fool you. She'll take a man down if she thinks you're in danger."

Killian entered the pen and walked right over, reaching down with his hand out. Sable moved toward him slowly, then sniffed his palm once, then nudged it with her head.

Killian smirked. "Good girl."

The breeder watched, impressed. "She chooses who she trusts. You're one of the lucky ones."

"I'll take her. I'll be bringing her to her new owner within the next hour."

"Great. Let me get everything you need from my car."

Killian nodded, and the breeder walked back toward the house. I waited until she was far enough away to pry.

"Killian, who is Sable for?"

"Kysre," he answered shortly.

"Why are you buying her a dog after one conversation that wasn't even a real conversation?"

"I devoted myself. No amount of conversation is going to change that," he answered sternly.

"You don't know her," I huffed.

"I know what I saw when I looked at her, Emersyn. It was unlike anything I had seen before."

"And because you've never seen it, you think it's love?" I snipped, truly baffled by how Killian came to this conclusion.

Looking at me with pity, Killian shook his head and chuckled lowly.

"I asked you and others to help me find who I was in search of.

Everyone dragged their feet on the matter, as if my desire for a wife wasn't a pressing issue.

Fortunately, I found Kysre on my own. That's all I'm willing to say on the matter because anything beyond that you won't understand.

" My brows slammed together as shock twisted into bitter disbelief.

"Just because finding love or wanting it isn't on my list of priorities doesn't mean I wouldn't understand."

"It's not that you're incapable of understanding Emersyn, you just refuse to."

"Whatever," I smacked, blinking back tears that only my brother could produce.

"Now, if you want to be the godmother of my children, help me find a way to get this puppy to Kysre. Your method can't involve blindfolds, handcuffs, or propofol."

"And I'm the one who knows nothing about love," I scoffed.

"Are you willing to help me or not?"

"I'll help. I planned on meeting with River to apologize for my behavior at dinner. Something tells me that if she does show up, she won't be alone."

"Should I be worried?"

Smiling, I pinched his cheek. "Never worry about me. Always worry about whoever else is in the room."

I stood outside the restaurant Chosyn had chosen for the meetup, waiting not only for her and River to arrive but also for Choyce. Choyce wasn't my first option since we didn't get along, but if I wanted to link with River, I had to get in touch with Chosyn.

Crown would have been my go-to, but he and I weren't really on speaking terms. He apologized for his part in that catastrophic dinner, and I accepted, but I still felt a way.

I didn't expect him to pick me over River.

I just wanted him to speak up on my behalf.

Either way, I bit the bullet and called Choyce to get Chosyn's number.

That didn't go without Choyce asking questions and making me promise to text her the location of the meetup.

I agreed because I didn't want to be here alone.

River wasn't showing up without Chosyn and maybe the twins.

I didn't want things getting out of hand because I genuinely wanted to apologize.

Having Choyce with me would take some of the pressure off me and put it on her.

A soft tug on the leash reminded me I wasn't completely alone.

Sable sat quietly by my side. Bending down, I rubbed my hand along her back and then stood up, noticing a black G-Wagon coming up the block.

I'd seen the car before, so I knew it belonged to Choyce.

The tinted windows made it hard to see who was inside, but when the driver's door opened, it wasn't Choyce who stepped out.

How did I realize how fine this nigga was before?

A man in every sense of the word unfolded from the truck, slowing time and thickening the air.

Kage moved to the other side of the vehicle as if he didn't rush for anyone, because he didn't need to, nor did he have to.

He opened the passenger door, and Choyce hopped out like she was the star of the show, only she wasn't. The two of them rounded the truck and stood in front of me.

I kept my face neutral as my eyes swarmed over this tall, built-for-war man.

He wore a fitted black tee that clung to his chest and arms in a way that made me want to find out if his tattoos were scribed on every inch of his chest, too.

His jeans were just as dark as his shirt and sat low on his waist. His skin was smooth, as far as I could see, and deep, like polished obsidian.

His jawline was sharp, his beard full and glistening in the afternoon sun.

Our eyes connected, and for a second, I almost let a simper fall across my lips.

Those fucking eyes .

There was nothing special about the color or the shape.

His eyes were as normal as any other black man's eyes, but the way he stared in my direction got me.

It wasn't soft like he was impressed with how good I looked.

There wasn't even a hint of curiosity. I didn't intrigue him, and that intrigued me.

His stare was knowing. He knew he stood out no matter what room he stepped into.

My breath caught long before I could play like I wasn't staring.

"Are manners another thing I have to teach you?" Choyce snipped, turning her nose up.

Kage smirked and let his eyes drag over me. My grip tightened on the leash.

"Greetings are a two-way street."

"Touché." She chuckled and then turned to the man of all men. "I'll be here for a while. I'll text when I'm ready to leave."

He nodded and then hopped back in the truck and sped off.

"He's your driver?" I asked.

"Kage is my best friend and business partner... among other things." Her eyes narrowed as one brow shot up. I chuckled to play off the lingering tingle between my legs courtesy of Kage.

"No need to mark your territory. I don't do relationships."

"It wouldn't matter anyway. Kage is a virgin."

"The fuck!" I sputtered.

"Yup, but it's not my business to tell."

"Damn," I muttered.

"Right. Now, where are?—"

Genuine laughter cut Choyce off, and we both turned toward the corner to see where it was coming from.

River, Chosyn, and one of the twins walked toward us, smiling and talking like they didn't have a care in the world.

That is until they saw us. Their expressions immediately hardened into glowers.

I looked toward Choyce, and her nutty ass was grinning and showing all thirty-two.

"Chosyn, what the hell is she doing here?" River spat, staring me down.

"Why the hell is my sister here?" Chosyn fumed, also staring me down.

"Look, I?—"

"Why aren't you happy to see me, Chosyn?" Choyce taunted.

"Why would I be?" She shrugged.

"Look, I didn't come here for the petty back and forth," I commented, doing my best to ease the tension.

"Then why are you?" River shot.

"I asked Chosyn to bring you because I wanted to apologize. I had no business saying the things I said to you. Crown and I are only friends. We've always been just friends."

"Okay," she said, tossing her shoulders forward and scrunching her face. "What am I supposed to do with that information? Crown and I are done, so I really don't care what you and he are."

"I almost believed you." I snickered. "You love Crown, and he loves you. Stop being stubborn and show him that you want him just as much as he wants you."

"He told you I didn't want him?" she asked, softening her eyes.

"No, but I know Crown enough to read between the lines.

Crown is always chasing, and it's rare he doesn't get what he wants.

Crown comes on strong because life has shown him everything he's not worthy of.

.. love, family, friendship. He's lost a lot.

So, when people come into his life, he loves them hard.

.. like loving them is a way to make them stay. "

"And what he found in my closet made him believe he didn't deserve me." She sighed.

"Right." I nodded.

"What am I supposed to do if he won't even talk to me?"

"Get him to listen," I told her.

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"I've got an idea, but I'm also starving, so can we take this inside?"

"Fine," River said, then looked down at Sable. "Cute puppy."

"Thanks, but she's not mine. By chance... are you Kysre?" I asked the twin.

"Why?" she said, tilting her head slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips, but her eyes didn't match it.

"I'ma take that as a yes. Sable's yours." I handed over the leash, and she took it reluctantly. "My brother Killian wanted you to have her along with this letter."

I dug in my purse and pulled out the bronze envelope with her name written across the front in black ink. Kysre took the envelope and bent down to rub Sable.

"Okay, can we eat now?" Choyce asked.

"We can, but you're not invited," Chosyn spat, stepping toward her sister.

"You promised me a conversation," Choyce countered, standing her ground.

"I did, but you're not gonna force me into it. You can't manipulate me like you did with killing Chance. You want to know me? Then you're on my time."

"No one's trying to manipulate you, but I must say, you play the victim role well. Don't worry about that conversation... because I no longer give a fuck."

"Good! I been not giving a fuck," Chosyn snapped, then stormed into the restaurant.

River rushed after her, and once Kysre scooped up Sable, she followed too.

"You okay?" I asked Choyce. Her chest was rising and falling fast as hell, but there wasn't a trace of emotion on her face.

"I'm fine. Go with them."

"I know we don't really like each other, but we came here together, kind of. If you leave, I'm leaving too."

"I appreciate that," she said quietly, "but it's okay. If my sister wants to act like a bitch, that's on her. I'm done trying."

There was such finality in her voice, I didn't know what to say. I just stood there listening as she called Kage. When he pulled up, Choyce didn't bother waiting for him to hop out and open the door. She rounded the back of the truck, climbed in, and they were gone.

I walked into the restaurant and took a deep breath. The host brought me to the balcony where River, Chosyn, and Kysre were already seated.

I slipped into the seat across from River and said, "Tonight, we're going to rob a Gravehart."