Page 139 of River & Crown
"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 'boutRivmake sure what you say is worth dying over!"
"Crown stop!" I cried.
"NahRivtell 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.
