Page 159 of River & Crown
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 bitchhelocked 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.
"Next time you wanna try to convince me of bullshit, leave this hoe wherever you found her."
Rakim grabbed Leah's arm and brought her body to his. She wrapped her arms around him lovingly, and it all made sense.
"River, I didn't take you to be a dumb bitch. Sincere used to brag about how smart you were and how you weren't like any of the bitches we grew up with. I don't know what you did to blindthat nigga, but you're just like them lowlife bitches. You'll see soon enough, tho'. The loyalty you have for your nigga is one-sided. The way you poked your chest out for dude is some he won't ever do for you. Pussy niggas are like that, tho'."
"I'll bet my life that he'll do the same and more," I said what I knew in my entire being to be true. I'm Mrs. Gravehart even when I'm not.
"Ight Riv, we gon' put that shit to the test soon enough," Rakim smirked. "There's no saving you, so I'ma respect that. For your sake, I hope you're right 'bout dude. It'll be fucked up to find out he did you how he did his once he finds out you drove the car Sincere was shooting out of."
My eyes widened, and my breathing stilled.
"This is the last olive branch I'm going to extend. I can protect you from Crown."
"Good thing I don't need protecting. Now, if you don't mind."
Now, over the conversation, I started to walk. I was barely a step away when Rakim's hand clamped around my arm. He yanked me back, my body jerked, colliding into his as Leah stepped out of the way. I inwardly cursed myself for not allowing Chosyn to teach me how to carry a blade under my tongue.
"Get the fuck off me," I grumbled, fighting to free myself from his grasp.
"Chill the fuck out. I'm not going to hurt you... yet. I'm willing to give you another chance to accept my protection."
"I don't want your fucking protection! Just let me go!"
"Siding with your nigga makes you an enemy. I'm the nigga in charge now, and my enemies never go untouched." Rakim's breath ghosted over my earlobe, sending a chill down my spine.
"Are you threatening?—"
