Rain “Rebel” Crawford #3
Life had taken us down two completely different roads, but somehow we always found our way back to each other.
No matter how crazy life became, Crow was always there.
The reason I never told him about Titan attacking me at the cemetery wasn’t because I gave a damn about protecting that son of a bitch.
Honestly, Titan could rot in hell. I was protecting Crow.
Ever since we were kids, if somebody fucked with me, Crow took it personally.
And knowing him, He’d be looking for Titan before the night was over.
As much as I hated my sperm donor, that was one fight I needed to handle myself.
Hoping to end the conversation, I walked into the living room, grabbed the remote, and turned on the television.
I didn’t even make it to the menu when Crow stepped directly in front of the screen.
I sighed. “I should’ve known.”
“What?”
“You wasn’t gonna let me watch TV.”
“Damn right I ain’t.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “What the fuck were you thinking?”
“What you want me to say?”
“The truth.”
“You already know the truth.”
“I wanna hear it from you.”
I let out a slow breath, stood up from the couch, and tossed the remote onto the couch before looking directly in his eyes.
“Fine. I walked into Titan’s bar because I wanted to confront his bitch ass.”
Crow didn’t interrupt.
“I tore that motherfucker up,” I said proudly.
“I bet you did.”
“But Gao and Rudy jumped in.”
His face hardened all over again. “So it was three against one. And all of them are so- called men.”
“Yeah.”
Neither of us spoke. After a few seconds, Crow dragged a hand through his hair.
“You should’ve called me.”
I laughed. “For what?”
His eyes locked onto mine. “Because I am your protector. Now that nigga gonna pay.”
“No. This between me and Titan.”
“The hell it is.”
“Yes, it is,” I told him.
“The second he put his hands on you...”Crow closed the distance between us until only inches separated our bodies. “He made it my business too.”
My chest tightened. There it was. Exactly why I hadn’t called him.
Growing up, Crow had been deep in the streets.
Hustling was all he knew until that life finally caught up with him.
Watching my best friend disappear behind prison walls had fucked me up more than I ever admitted out loud.
I visited whenever I could. Answered every phone call and wrote every letter.
I refused to let him think he’d been forgotten.
When he finally came home, he busted his ass to build Crow Customs from the ground up.
He had a real business now and still worked with us on our illegal shit because he wanted to stay close to protect me.
Still, I wasn’t about to lose him again because of Titan.
“This ain’t your fight.”
“The hell it ain’t,” he spoke through his gritted teeth.
Before I could argue, Crow let out a frustrated sigh and walked past me into the kitchen. He yanked open the freezer, grabbed a bag of ice, then reached into the drawer for a clean dish towel. Wrapping the ice inside it, he turned and walked back over to me.
“Sit.”
“I’m fi—“
“Rebel.”
He didn’t raise his voice. Never had to because I always showed him the utmost respect. And besides, one look told me he wasn’t asking. Rolling my eyes, I dropped onto the couch.
“There,” I sighed. “Happy?”
“No.”
He stepped between my knees, his broad frame towering over me.
Up close, I caught the familiar scent of engine oil mixed with cedar cologne.
Fresh off work, he still looked like he’d walked straight out of the garage.
His fitted black T-shirt stretched across every inch of his muscular chest and arms, while tattoos disappeared beneath the rolled sleeves.
His leather cut hung open over faded jeans that fit him a little too damn well.
I hated to admit it, but that nigga was fine.
Crow gently slid one hand beneath my chin. “Look at me.”
Without any questions, I listened. His hazel eyes searched my face, taking in every bruise, every cut, every swollen spot.
“Damn, Rain.” They did a fuckin’ number on you.”
Before I could come up with something smart to say, he carefully pressed the cold towel against my swollen cheek.
I hissed. “Shit!”
“I know.”
“But hold still,” he spoke gently.
He kept the ice against my face, adjusting it every few seconds to cover the worst of the swelling. Surprisingly, his touch was gentle for a man whose hands spent all day working on motorcycles.
I watched Crow quietly, and his jaw was still clenched. Every now and then his eyes drifted to the bruises circling my neck before tightening with anger all over again. He wasn’t saying much. However, I knew exactly what was going through his mind. He wanted Titan.
“I’m gonna pay him a visit.”
I reached up and grabbed his wrist before he could pull away.
“No.”
His eyes met mine. “Rebel—”
“I said no.”
“You expect me to look at you like this and do nothing?”
“Yes,” I admitted.
“The fuck I am,” he said with his nostrils flaring.
“You hardheaded as hell.”
“Says the woman who walked into a bar by herself looking for a fight.”
“Touche,” I grinned.
As I watched him take care of me, one thought quietly settled in the back of my mind.
Honestly, I didn’t know what the hell I’d do without Crow in my life.
He had been there since grade school. While a lot of people disappeared, he never stopped showing up for me.
I was damn grateful God had given me a best friend like him.