Gwen parked her car a great distance away as she walked up to the Carter's Compound. Adonis followed close behind, his stride long and determined, while Janay trailed with a smirk, barely containing her excitement at whatever drama was about to unfold.

"Janay, I'm serious," Adonis warned lowly. "You bet' not be messy."

Janay waved him off like he was talking nonsense. "Boy, shut up."

Before Adonis could check her again, Gwen cut her sharp eyes toward Janay. "And I mean it, too. If you start anything with Kayla, I'll whoop your ass right here in front of everybody."

Janay sucked her teeth and crossed her arms.

As they moved closer, Gwen took in the sight of the Carter property. The compound was vast, stretching out further than she expected, but it was the peace surrounding it that got to her. It was different. A world away from the chaos Kayla had grown up in. And from the distance, she spotted Kayla sitting on the porch, knees to her chest, as Sherri gently brushed through her curls. The older woman hummed as she worked, the scene so intimate, so soothing, that it made Gwen's chest tighten.

Then she saw the way Sherri pulled Kayla into a hug before kissing her forehead and heading inside. And that's when she saw him.

Tank.

He moved in like it was second nature, seamlessly taking over, his large hands gently replacing where Sherri had been moments ago. The way he handled Kayla, like she was precious, made Gwen pause. She had no idea what she expected from this so-called truck driver, but it damn sure wasn't that. And it damn sure wasn't him.

Tank was fine.

Built like he could move mountains, with that thick country stance and a presence that demanded attention. Even from a distance, Gwen could tell he was the kind of man who didn't play about what was his.

Janay noticed, too. And for the first time, she was speechless.

She had been ready to clown Kayla, to crack jokes about her being knocked up by some old, sloppy, truck-driving man, but the second she saw Tank up close? That shit left her breathless. She wasn't expecting him. Wasn't expecting a man that looked like he belonged on the cover of a damn romance novel. And once again, Kayla got lucky. Even when life tried to shit on her, she still managed to land on her feet. It wasn't fair.

But Janay wasn't about to let that slide.

Gwen reached the gate first, ringing the bell. Within moments, Fred opened it, his stance relaxed but firm. "What y'all need?"

Gwen straightened her shoulders. "I'm here to check on my niece. I ain't here for trouble."

Fred studied her for a beat before stepping aside. "Come on in. But don't start no mess."

Gwen nodded. "We won't."

Adonis stayed quiet, but Janay rolled her eyes dramatically as they stepped inside.

As they got closer, the first thing Gwen noticed was Kayla's belly. Small, but there. And as much as she tried to keep her emotions in check, seeing her niece like this broke her.

"Kayla..." Gwen's voice wavered as she hurried forward. "Why didn't you tell me? When I asked you if you were okay—why didn't you tell me?"

Tears welled up in Gwen's eyes as she grabbed Kayla's hands, squeezing them tight. "I really failed you. I didn't protect you."

Kayla's bottom lip trembled as she held onto her aunt. "I was scared auntie. I didn't know how to say it."

"You don't ever have to be scared again, baby. You hear me?" Gwen whispered, holding her close. "You safe now."

Kayla nodded against her shoulder, a few tears slipping free, but she wasn't overwhelmed. This was different. This was warmth.

Tank stood behind her, arms crossed, watching everything unfold. His jaw was tight, his patience thin, but he stayed quiet, giving Kayla her moment.

Janay, however, couldn't help herself.

"So this what we doin' now?" She scoffed. "Y'all really actin' like Kayla is the victim?"

Adonis turned on her so fast, his voice sharp. "Man, shut the hell up."

Janay sucked her teeth. "Nah, for real. She run off, get pregnant by some country-ass truck driver, and now she livin' good?"

Tank exhaled slowly, his patience thinning fast.

"Janay, I swear to God—" Gwen started, but Tank's deep voice cut through the tension.

"Nah, let her talk."

His voice was calm, but there was something lethal underneath. His light brown eyes locked onto Janay like a warning. "Go 'head. Say what you gotta say."

Janay hesitated, suddenly aware that she might've crossed the wrong one.

Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

"Exactly." Tank smirked when she didn't respond. "Now, if you ain't got nothin' useful to say, go stand yo' ass over there and mind your business."

Janay huffed, crossing her arms again, but she didn't say another word.

Gwen sighed, rubbing a hand down her face before turning back to Kayla. "Baby, listen. I still want you to come stay with me." She softened her tone. "At least until the baby comes."

Tank chuckled, shaking his head. "That ain't happenin'."

Gwen's brows lifted. "Excuse me?"

"I said, that ain't happenin'," Tank repeated, his tone even, unbothered. "Kayla's my woman. This is her home. She ain't goin' nowhere."

Kayla turned to Gwen, her voice firm. "I wanna stay here."

Gwen exhaled, studying her niece. She wasn't used to Kayla being this sure, this solid.

"Alright," she finally said. "But I'm stayin' for a few days, at least. I need to see for myself."

Tank smirked, his grip on Kayla tightening. "Do what you gotta do. But trust me, ain't nobody takin' better care of her than me."

Gwen held his gaze for a moment longer before nodding. Something told her he wasn't lying. She was happy her niece had found a man that didn't play about her. If she was being honest, she didn't know what kind of man to expect, but Tank was the type that made it clear—Kayla was his. And from what she had already seen, he was about action, not just words.

"I'll give you that," Gwen said, crossing her arms. "You don't play about my niece."

Tank's lips curled slightly, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Ain't nobody gon' play with her. Not while she's mine."

Kayla leaned into his side instinctively, her fingers gripping the hem of his shorts. The weight of his presence made her feel secure in a way she never had before.

Gwen nodded, her smirk still in place. "Good. 'Cause if you ever do her wrong, you gon' have to deal with me."

Tank chuckled, his deep voice vibrating through Kayla's back. "That's cute. But you ain't gotta worry 'bout that."

Janay rolled her eyes so hard she nearly saw the inside of her skull. She had had enough of the lovefest. "Okay, this is real cute and all, but can we go inside or something? It's hot as hell out here."

Fred, who had been standing back observing, nodded toward the house. "Come on. Y'all can come in, but respect the house. Don't start no mess."

Gwen walked in first, Adonis right behind her. Janay dragged her feet, looking around at the property with something that sat between envy and disbelief.

The inside of Sherri and Terrance home was just as warm as the outside, filled with a welcoming energy that Gwen wasn't expecting. The scent of something slow-cooking in the kitchen wrapped around them as they stepped inside. Sherri was already setting out fresh glasses of sweet tea on the dining room table like she had been expecting them.

"Come on in, y'all," she said, her voice kind but firm. "Sit down and let's talk."

Kayla sat down next to Tank, her body leaning into his like second nature.

Sherri took a seat at the head of the table, looking directly at Gwen. "So, tell me, baby, what brings y'all here?"

Gwen exhaled before speaking. "I just needed to see Kayla for myself. My sister... well, she made it seem like my niece was out here in some bad situation. But from what I see, she's in good hands."

Sherri smiled knowingly. "She is. We love her here."

Gwen glanced at Kayla, her niece looking more at peace than she had in a long time.

"Alright, then," Gwen said, taking a sip of her tea. "Let's talk."

They all talked, and Adonis couldn't help but ask about the compound.

"All my children live on the land. Tank and Kayla live more left of our home, closer to the barn," Sherri told Adonis.

Adonis smiled at Kayla, genuine happiness lighting up his features. "I'm so happy for you, sis. Can I see y'all spot?"

"Yeah, come on," Kayla said, getting up.

They all moved outside, heading toward the golf cart Tank had parked near the porch. He wasn't about to let Kayla do too much walking, not with the stress she had been under, and especially not while she was carrying his baby. So, earlier that day, he went out and bought a golf cart to make getting around the compound easier for her.

"Tank really got you riding in style, huh?" Gwen teased as she climbed in.

"You already know," Tank replied, helping Kayla into the passenger seat before sliding in next to her.

The golf cart hummed as Tank drove them down the gravel path toward their place. The land stretched wide, green and peaceful, the barn off in the distance standing tall under the afternoon sun.

When they pulled up, Adonis let out a low whistle. "Damn, sis. Y'all living good."

The modern farmhouse stood proudly, its dark wood accents giving it a sleek yet cozy feel. A deep wraparound porch lined with rocking chairs and a porch swing made it feel like home. Parked in front of the garage was Tank's F-150 and Kayla's Bronco, sitting next to his massive rig.

Kayla smiled, proud of the life they were building. "Yeah, Tank made sure we have everything we needed."

Tank slid his arm around her waist. "Damn right."

Janay folded her arms, glancing around with a huff. She had to admit—this was not what she was expecting. She thought Kayla was out here struggling, barely getting by, but instead, she was tucked away in a whole damn dream house with a man who treated her like royalty.

Gwen looked around, nodding in approval. "Alright, I see you, Kayla. Let's check it out."

Tank led them up the steps, unlocking the front door and pushing it open. The inside was just as beautiful as the outside—open-concept with high ceilings, hardwood floors, and modern farmhouse touches everywhere. The kitchen was chef-worthy, marble countertops, and a massive island. A plush sectional sat in the living room, facing a fireplace and a mounted flat-screen.

"Damn, Tank. You really did that," Adonis said, impressed.

"Gotta make sure my woman and my baby are straight," Tank said, pulling Kayla into his side.

Kayla's heart swelled. She had been through so much, but standing here, in their home, with the people who truly cared about her, Janay aside... she finally felt at peace.

Janay bit the inside of her cheek as they talked, her arms folded tightly across her chest. She wasn't listening to a word they were saying. Instead, her eyes roamed over the space, taking in every detail—the high ceilings, the expensive-looking decor, the way everything just fit together like a damn dream.

Jealousy bubbled up in her chest like a slow burn. She had always been jealous of Kayla. Always. And this, this just made it worse.

Janay didn't want her father to hurt Kayla—if anything, she was secretly glad his ass was sitting in jail. But that didn't take away the fact that, once again, Kayla had come out on top. Kayla always got what she wanted. Always got attention. And now, here she was, living in a damn near perfect house with a fine-ass man who treated her like she was gold.

It wasn't fair.

Janay's eyes drifted to Tank, who was standing next to Kayla with his arm slung protectively around her waist. The way he looked at her, like she was the only woman in the world, made Janay's stomach twist.

Tank wasn't just fine—he was fine as hell. Built like a damn linebacker, with that thick country accent and a presence that commanded attention. And what made it worse, he didn't play about Kayla.

Janay clenched her jaw. She had never seen a man ride for Kayla like that before. Never seen a man who would damn near kill for her. And it pissed her off.

Kayla had everything.

Janay swallowed her jealousy, forcing a tight smile when she caught Gwen's sharp gaze on her. She could feel her aunt watching her, reading her like a damn book.

"It's nice," Janay finally said, voice flat, before shifting her weight and looking away.

Kayla turned to her, studying her for a moment. She knew Janay too well. Knew when she was being fake. But Kayla wasn't about to entertain whatever energy Janay was on. Not today.

"Thanks," Kayla replied simply, leaning into Tank's hold.

Tank, however, wasn't stupid. He peeped the shift in Janay's mood. Peeped the way she was looking around like she was searching for something to pick apart. But he wasn't about to let nobody bring negativity into his home.

"Y'all want something to drink?" Kayla asked, breaking the tension.

Gwen nodded. "Yeah, water would be good."

Kayla turned to head to the kitchen, but before she could take a step, Tank grabbed her hand.

"Sit down, baby. I got it," he told her.

Janay's eye twitched as she watched Tank move into the kitchen without hesitation, opening cabinets like he already had the whole damn house memorized.

Of course, he does— because this was his home. Their home.

And Janay hated how much it made her stomach knot. Janay sat on the plush couch, her fingers gripping the fabric as she watched Tank move through the kitchen. He grabbed a few bottles of water from the fridge, his movements smooth, effortless. Comfortable.

Kayla sat back against the couch, resting a hand on her small bump as she exhaled softly. She wasn't stupid—she felt the tension rolling off her sister. But Kayla wasn't about to give Janay the satisfaction of a reaction.

Gwen noticed it too. The way Janay's eyes lingered just a little too long. The way her lips stayed pursed, like she was swallowing back words she really wanted to say.

Tank came back, handing out the water bottles before sitting beside Kayla, his arm immediately wrapping around her shoulders. Kayla melted into him, like it was second nature.

And Janay hated it.

She cracked open the bottle and took a slow sip, her eyes flicking from Kayla to Tank and then back to Kayla again.

"So how long y'all been together?" Janay finally asked, forcing a smirk.

Kayla raised a brow, catching the undertone in her voice, but she kept her composure. "For a little while now," she said simply, twisting the cap off her own bottle.

Janay scoffed. "Hmm. A little while and already pregnant. That's wild."

Gwen shot Janay a sharp look. "Janay."

Kayla inhaled through her nose, steadying herself. She knew Janay was trying to get under her skin. Trying to poke, to prod. But Kayla wasn't about to let her.

"Yeah, it happened fast," Kayla admitted, resting her hand on her stomach. "But I wouldn't change a thing."

Tank smirked, looking down at her, rubbing her shoulder. "Damn right you wouldn't." His deep voice rumbled through the room, and the way he said it, the weight in his words, made Janay's stomach twist even tighter.

Janay faked a laugh, shaking her head. "Must be nice."

Tank's eyes flicked to her, reading right through her bullshit.

"It is," he said, voice steady, making it clear that he wasn't the one to play with.

The room went quiet for a moment, tension thick enough to cut. Gwen sighed, rubbing her temples before turning to Kayla.

"Baby, you sure you okay? I know you said you're good, but I just need to hear it from you again."

Kayla nodded. "I am, Auntie Gwen. For the first time in a long time... I actually feel safe."

Tank kissed the top of her head, his grip on her tightening slightly, reassuring her. Gwen's heart swelled. Kayla deserved this. She deserved love. Safety. And from what she was seeing, Tank was giving her all that and more.

Janay, however, couldn't take it anymore.

"I'm going to go outside for some air," she muttered, pushing up from the couch before anyone could say anything.

Kayla sighed, watching Janay walk out, knowing damn well she wasn't going outside just for air.

Gwen shook her head. "She's jealous as hell."

Kayla leaned into Tank, exhaustion washing over her. "I know."

It was getting late, and Kayla offered their guest rooms for them, but Gwen declined, saying she had already paid for a hotel room.

"I'm staying," Adonis announced, stretching his arms. "I wanna see more of the compound tomorrow. This place is nice as hell."

Kayla smiled at her younger brother, happy that at least he was genuinely interested in her new life.

Janay, however, let out an exaggerated sigh before speaking up. "I'm going to stay too."

Gwen's sharp gaze snapped to her niece, her lips already pressing into a tight line. "And why the hell is that?"

Janay shrugged, arms crossed over her chest. "Don't feel like being in a hotel room with you. You look like you wanna whoop my ass, and I ain't in the mood for all that. And I damn sure ain't tryna be around ma either."

Kayla exhaled slowly, already feeling the headache creeping in. She really didn't want Janay to stay. Not with her attitude. But she also didn't feel like going back and forth.

"Fine," Kayla muttered, rubbing her temples. "You can stay. Just... don't start nothing, Janay. I mean it."

Janay rolled her eyes. "Girl, whatever."

Tank had been leaning against the counter, arms folded as he silently watched everything unfold. He wasn't stupid—he peeped Janay's energy from the moment she stepped onto their land. And he already knew that keeping the peace with her around was gonna be a damn task.

"Come on," he finally said, pushing off the counter. "I'll show y'all to the guest rooms."

Adonis followed first, casually taking in the house as they walked, while Janay dragged her feet slightly behind. Kayla walked beside Tank, her body leaning into his slightly as exhaustion pulled at her.

Once they got Adonis settled, Tank led Janay to her room. "Here," he said, opening the door.

Janay glanced around, nodding slightly. "Hmm. Bigger than I thought."

Tank smirked. "Yeah, we don't do small 'round here."

She gave him a look but said nothing as she walked inside, dropping her bag on the bed. Tank stepped back, gripping the door frame as he locked eyes with her.

"Listen," he said, voice low but firm. "You stayin' here means you respect this house. You respect Kayla. You respect my family. If you can't do that, you can pack your shit and leave right now."

Janay stared at him, lips parting slightly before she quickly shut them. Tank didn't even raise his voice, but the way he looked at her? The weight behind his words? It was clear as day—this wasn't a man to test.

She swallowed hard and nodded. "I hear you."

"Good." He stepped back. "Sleep well."

Janay let out a slow breath as he walked away, shutting the door behind him. She sat on the edge of the bed, biting the inside of her cheek.

Tank was fine. Fine as hell. And now she understood exactly why Kayla looked so damn content.

Tank walked down the hall to his and Kayla's room, his body already craving the warmth of hers. As he stepped inside, he heard the steady stream of water from the shower and saw her silhouette through the steamy glass.

Kayla stood under the spray, massaging shampoo through her curls, her small but mighty bump on full display. Sixteen weeks along, and his baby was growing inside of her, a fact that made something deep in his chest tighten with pride—and pure, unfiltered desire.

Tank stripped off his shorts and briefs, his thick, muscular body fully exposed as he stepped into the shower behind her. The moment the hot water hit his skin, he let out a low grunt, but his focus remained on Kayla. He reached for the body wash, lathering his large hands before sliding them over her belly.

She shivered beneath his touch, not from the temperature but from him.

"Tank," she whispered, her voice barely carrying over the sound of the water.

"Shh, baby." His lips brushed the back of her neck, his deep, raspy voice vibrating against her damp skin. "Let me take care of you."

His hands roamed slowly, reverently, over the swell of her stomach, down to her thick thighs, then back up, cupping her full, heavy breasts. Kayla exhaled sharply, her head falling back against his chest as she let him explore her body like he owned it—because at this point, he did.

Tank smirked against her skin, his thumbs grazing over her sensitive nipples, already hard from the heat and his touch. "You're so damn beautiful, Kay," he murmured. "Carrying my baby... look at you."

She moaned softly as his hands traveled lower, fingers teasing between her thighs.

"You know I can't get enough of you, right?" he rumbled, pressing his thick length against the curve of her ass, letting her feel how bad he wanted her.

Kayla let out a shaky breath, pressing back against him, her body already melting into his.

"Then take me, Tank," she whispered, her voice needy, desperate. "I'm yours."

Tank smirked as he leaned back against the shower wall, his thick fingers moving in slow, teasing circles over her clit. The extra layer of skin covering her clit made the sensation even more intense, and he could feel every twitch, every pulse as he worked her over.

Kayla moaned, her body going boneless against him, her head resting on his chest as she let him have his way with her. Tank had a way with his fingers, and she had long since given up trying to match the way he touched her. She had tried to rub her clit before, tried to chase that high on her own, but it never felt the same. When Tank did it, it was different—better.

"That's my girl," he murmured, voice thick with lust as he felt the way her body responded to him. "You love when I do this, huh?"

Kayla whimpered, biting her lip as she nodded. Her legs trembled as his fingers moved with expert precision, slow, deliberate, knowing exactly how to pull the pleasure from her body.

"You always get so wet for me," Tank groaned, feeling the slickness coat his fingers. He spread it around, rubbing deeper, firmer, making her legs shake. "This little pussy so damn greedy for me."

His dick twitched, aching with need as he watched her unravel in his arms. The sound of her moans, the way her body jerked with every precise stroke—it was all too much.

"Tank... please," she gasped, her nails digging into his thick forearm as the pressure built inside her.

Tank chuckled, low and deep. "I got you, baby. Lemme feel it." He pressed down just right, and Kayla's body arched, her breath catching before she shattered, her orgasm rolling through her in waves.

Her moans were drowned out by the sound of the water, but he felt every tremor, every spasm as her walls clenched around nothing. And fuck, the way she came—Tank swore he could watch that over and over.

But he wasn't done.

Before she could fully come down, he turned her around, lifting her against the wall, positioning himself between her thighs. "I need to be inside you," he growled, his voice rough with need. "Right now."

Kayla barely had time to catch her breath before she felt the thick head of Tank's dick pressing against her entrance. Her body was still pulsing from the orgasm he had just wrung from her, but the moment his tip rubbed against her slick folds, that need flared all over again.

"Damn, baby, you stay so wet for me," Tank groaned, his hands gripping her ass as he held her up against the shower wall.

Kayla whimpered, wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs locking around his waist. "I need you, Tank," she whispered, her voice breathy and full of want.

That was all he needed.

With one slow, deep thrust, Tank pushed inside her, filling her up inch by inch. Kayla gasped, her nails digging into his shoulders as he stretched her out. No matter how many times they had sex, he always filled her like it was the first time.

"Shit," Tank gritted out, his forehead pressing against hers. "You feel so damn good."

Kayla moaned, rolling her hips against him, wanting more, needing more. "Move, baby," she begged. "Give it to me."

Tank smirked, his grip tightening on her ass as he pulled out halfway before slamming back in. Kayla cried out, her back arching, her body surrendering to the way he took her.

He set a slow but deep rhythm, making sure she felt every inch of him as he moved inside her. The hot water cascaded over them, adding to the steam between their bodies.

"This my pussy," he growled against her lips, his strokes getting rougher, more deliberate.

Kayla whimpered, nodding frantically. "Yes, Tyler... all yours."

Tank grunted in satisfaction, his thrusts hitting deeper, harder. He could feel her walls fluttering around him, already on the brink again.

"You gonna cum for me again?" he asked, his voice thick, his hand slipping between them to rub her swollen clit.

Kayla's breath hitched. "Tank... I—oh my God!"

Her body spasmed as another orgasm tore through her, her moans bouncing off the shower walls. Tank groaned, feeling her squeeze him so tight it damn near took him out.

He gritted his teeth, burying his face in her neck as his strokes turned erratic. The way she came around him, the way she milked his dick—he couldn't hold back.

With one last deep thrust, Tank groaned, his body tensing as he spilled inside her, his grip on her tightening.

They stayed like that for a moment, breathing heavy, their bodies tangled together under the warm water.

Tank finally pulled back, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "You good, baby?" he asked, brushing a wet curl from her face.

Kayla smiled sleepily, her body still trembling from pleasure. "Always," she whispered.

Tank smirked, kissing her again before finally setting her back on her feet. "Come on, let's get you dried off before I end up taking you to bed and starting all over again."

Kayla giggled, leaning against him as they stepped out of the shower, completely wrapped up in each other.