Mya



I was scared shit less, to the say the least. We had successfully killed our parents, our sister and Banga all in one night without any slip ups. Everything seemed too nice and easy, so that wasn't sitting well with me. Nonetheless, with Matthew and Mariah gone, I knew one of us would have to step up and it had to be me unless I wanted Marquis taking out his anger on Prince and his family. So, while Marquis and Precious stood over what used to be our family, looking like they were about to cry, I stood up since I had to take control of things before Marquis could get the opportunity to.

"And that goes for anybody else that has anything else to say about what we plan on doing with the business," I spoke up, just as a warning to anybody that had something to say about the way I'm handling things. They can be taken out just as easily as Matthew, Mariah and Imani. "If you have an issue with shit, drink some of that wine because if you're not with us then you're against us."

"Chill, ain't nobody gon' do shit," Marquis said, finally gathering his emotions. "Precious, I didn't think you had it in you."

"I was tired of them, especially Daddy. He was getting out of control and the only way to stop him would've been to kill him. I planned on bringing that up to y'all awhile ago but I didn't wanna seem like I was crazy, so I just kept my mouth closed. Goldie, are you good?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Alright, so what should we do now then?" Precious asked us.

"Wait, we need to sit down and re—"

I rolled my eyes before I cut Marquis off. Now isn't the time to be all soft. We need to get these bodies out of here before somebody sees them. "The first thing we're gonna do is call up one of the guys that takes out the trash and get these damn bodies out of here. Then we're gonna have one of the cleaning crews come in here and clean things up so everything looks normal and we gotta take Matthew and Mariah's stuff out of here too, Imani included."

"I call the Rolex's," Marquis added.

"And I want Mama's clothes and shoes."

"Fine, then that means I'm getting all of her jewelry," I added. "But once all of that's done, we need to sit down and discuss what we're going to do first as a unit. We're not going to get revenge on anybody or retaliate against anybody because I have a better idea."

Marquis frowned. "Which is? 'Cause I ain't 'bout to kiss that little niggas' ass, on everything. I'mma have to be dead for that to happen."

I folded my arms. "Clearly you didn't hear me when I first started speaking. If you aren't with us then you're against us, which means you can take a swig of that wine and choke to death just like your dumbass parents. Now, do you want that to happen?"

Precious sighed. "Wait, just calm down Goldie. The three of us can't start fighting already. We need to stick together because we're all each other have left. Nobody's going to be drinking any of that wine, and before we go making any rash decisions, we're not making up with Prince and his family until we're all on board to do so."

"So, what do you think about it then?"

"I don't have an issue with it."

Figures. I knew her dirty ass would be doing anything she could to get back in good graces with Isaiah, since she claims he's some of the best she's ever had. All she wants is some dick, but if that's what it takes to get back on Prince's good side, then I'm fine with it. I knew Precious would be easy to persuade, but I knew Marquis would just be difficult because he can be.

"Marquis, you need to make the final decision," I told him, making him suck his teeth.

"Why me, yo? Why can't we just keep our distance from them niggas? I'm not saying we gotta retaliate, but just ignoring them is fine with me."

"Because Prince showed me everything regarding their business, meaning the money, the product, all of it. And he let us into his world, so with us being silent, they would take that as us working behind their backs. If we just come to amends with them, then they won't have to be worried about us and we won't have to be worried about them. But coming to amends doesn't have to mean we're friends, only that we're willing to be cordial and respect each other's space. How does that sound?" I asked him.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know if I can even be around that nigga Prince long enough without fuckin' him up. I promised myself the next time I see him, it's gonna be on sight. I let that nigga off easily because all of y'all were there. I don't fuck with him and I don't fuck with his family, period. I can't pretend I'm all right with the shit that went down. He's a bitch and the only reason you even thinking about this is because you tryna get your relationship back. That nigga ain't shit and after what happened, he's not gon' want you."

"First of all, you don't know him Marquis and you don't even know what my intentions are. I'm not looking to get my relationship back, because thanks to you, it's over. The only intentions I have are for our family to be successful without people plotting against us behind our backs or us having enemies. I just want us to run the business with no issues, and right now, our biggest threat is Prince's family. Because whether you want to admit it or not, they have a lot more going on than we do and he has generations backing him. They got shit going on here in Georgia and in California. If they wanted to, they could wipe us and our business out so I think it's best if we have them on our side."

Precious sighed. "Honestly, I gotta agree with Goldie. We gotta play our cards right with these people Marquis, especially now that it's just the three of us. We're underestimated, especially considering how many niggas they got to depend on. We just need to take shit slow and see where things go if we do decide to sit down and speak with them."

"We're going to sit down and speak with them," I corrected her. "And it's going to happen tomorrow."

"Man, why the fuck you moving so fast for? Why we rushing? Why can't I get some time to think? Fuck," Marquis shook his head.

"Because you're acting like a little bitch. Get over your feelings and realize what we're faced with right now. Since you aren't making any grown man decisions, I'm gonna have to make them for you. We're going over Prince's house tomorrow at 10. We're just gonna pop up over there on a nice tip and see where that gets us."

"It ain't gone get us nowhere but with Imani and y'all's parents. Man, y'all on some bull shit, on everything. Look, y'all have fun at y'all's little ponderosa tomorrow but count me out. I'm not with that goofy shit. And since y'all going over there to get some dick from them niggas, tell them I got some heat coming for them the next time I see them."

Marquis stormed out of the living room like a kid, like he normally does. I don't care about what he says. He's coming to Prince's house with us tomorrow even if I have to drag him over there myself. They won't take us seriously if we're not all over there and all trying to come to amends. They'll laugh at us if it's just Precious and I.

Precious leaned over to me and whispered, "He might have to go too if he can't shape up."

I nodded my head. "I agree. He has 72 hours to prove himself or he's dead too," I said as I walked away from her.

Aubrey



I looked down at the message I got from this dude named Banga I met a few months back. He said he was working for Theodore and was trying to get me on his team. He wanted me to meet up with him the other day to discuss business since he claims he's trying to go to Theodore about pushing more weight, and needed advice. I don't know why he's looking to me for advice when I just started working with Theodore, but I just agreed to it, even though I was a little skeptical about it all.

The problem is, this little nigga wasted my time by never showing up. I waited for him over an hour before I just got tired of waiting for his ass and pulled off. I even sent him a message about where he was at but that was over a week ago and I haven't seen or heard from him since. Nobody has seen or heard from him, and based on that last meeting at Theodore's warehouse, I think it's a good thing he never showed up to meet with me that day. I'd be another nigga with a hit out on him for even fucking with the likes of Banga.

But regardless of Banga, I had bigger fish to fry, that didn't involve Theodore's business. I really needed to see what the fuck was up with Jazmine and the shit she was doing while I was locked up. I know I shouldn't care about who she was messing around with since we weren't together but part of me wants to know, just so I can be aware of it. I don't like niggas knowing shit and I'm the one left in the dark because that's ultimately how I ended up in prison in the first place. I like to know what's going on, even if I wasn't around to know about it.

I stepped into my house and could smell and hear fish frying from the kitchen. I took a deep breath. Damn. I hope Jazmine doesn't lose her shit when I ask her about who she was messing around with and throw this hot ass grease on me. I'll be fucked up for life if she does that. I sighed as I kicked my shoes off by the front door and walked towards the kitchen, preparing myself for the argument I knew we were about to have.

I put a smile on my face as I stepped into the kitchen but I froze up when I didn't see Jaz standing at the stove; it was her evil ass mother frying fish in my kitchen half ass naked. She had her back to me but I recognized her stiff, greasy ass hair and wrinkly skin from anywhere. What the fuck is going on? My hands immediately balled into fists the longer I stood there and watched her work my kitchen as if she's been here plenty of times before to do so. "What the fuck are you doing in my house?"

Her mother quickly turned around with a frown on her face, looking uglier than I remembered her to be. "Excuse me, but I don't think that's any way to talk to the Grandmother of your children," she replied, pissing me off even more. Jazmine swore to me she wouldn't tell anybody about her pregnancy, not even her Mama, until the time was right. "Now, I want an apology Austin."

"First of all, fuck you. Second of all, you know my name ain't Austin, so get it right. Third of all, who even told you, you could be the Grandmother of my children? If it's up to me, you wouldn't even be seeing them because I don't want you to corrupt them the same way you did to Jazmine. Now, please tell me, what the hell you're doing in my house, using the food I bought, making a mess in my kitchen and utilizing the resources I pay for? I never told said you could come here."

She shrugged her shoulders, turning back to the stove as if what I was saying wasn't important. "Well, my darling daughter Jazmine let me in. I was trying to me courteous and making dinner for the three of us but I see I'm only cooking for me, my daughter and my grandbaby."

I frowned. "Yeah, you do that. I wasn't eating none of that dry ass fish no ways. You'd probably poison me."

"And risk going to jail over a hoodlum like you that's going to be dead within the next 10 or so years anyways? No thanks, sweetie. I think I'll let the streets handle you because you've got a whole lot more coming for you than you realize."

"And so do you if you keep talking all that shit. Stop fucking with me Lisa," I demanded as I walked out of the kitchen. I swear, I can't stand that old hag. She always has something to say to me when she should be explaining what she's doing in my house in the first place. I never said she could come in.

I jogged upstairs and went straight to my bedroom since the door was open. Jazmine has some nerve bringing her old ass Mama up in my house without my permission. I busted in my bedroom.

"Yo, what the fuck is that broad doing in my house?"

Jazmine stepped out of the bathroom with a frown on her face and half a face of makeup on. "The only other person in this house is my Mama and I know good and damn well you're not talking about her."

"Well, you wrong as hell because I am talking about that broad. Why you got her in my house frying fish?"

"Because she wanted to come over."

"Why?"

"Because she wanted to see me."

"Why? 'Cause based on all that shit you got caked on your face, it doesn't look like you're staying for too much longer. You got somewhere to go?"

Jazmine smirked as she walked back into the bathroom but I followed right behind her. "Well, since you want to know so badly, I'm going to work tonight."

"You gon' go swinging around a pole with my baby inside of you?"

"That's what I just said."

"I forbid it."

Jazmine laughed as she continued packing make up on her face. "That's nice but I'm still going, regardless of if you want me to or not. I gotta get out here and make money. I can't depend on you for everything and if that means shaking my ass for an hour then I'm gonna do it until I'm ready to pop this baby out whether you like it or not. You don't see me complaining about the shit you do."

"You should be. I'm out here risking my life for you and this baby every damn day."

"I never asked you to and I don't complain because sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get money. You knew what you were getting yourself into working with Theodore in the first place."

"And you knew what you were getting into when you got pregnant with my baby. You promised me you'd stop stripping."

"I did."

"And you can't go back on your promise Jaz, damn. Why do I have to beg you to have some self respect for your ass? I mean, you got bitches running around the streets running your name through the mud because of this show you putting on for everybody. You not what these bitches claiming you are. You're above it but they don't see it. All they see is a pregnant girl swinging around on a pole and that's that shit I don't like."

Jazmine pulled her lipstick away from her lips and turned to me with a frown on her face. "Who's talking about me?"

"Everybody," I told her, even though I only knew about Lindsey and probably Adonis talking about her. But based on her track record, I'm sure it's more.

"Like who? Lindsey? Adonis? Beauty? Who? Because the only mother fuckers talking about me are the ones that are jealous of me. I mean, Lindsey's mad I had her cousin and she couldn't and Adonis is mad I chose you over him. The two of them are pathetic and vegetating in their own misery. I don't have time for either one of them and you need to stop listening to them, letting them cloud your brain up about me. And Beauty is just a big bitch that's mad I'm getting more money than her. Fuck her."

I sighed. "I'm not letting anybody get in my head. I just don't like niggas talking about me and mines."

"Who cares what other people think?"

"I don't care. I just don't want you and my baby getting talked about, especially when it's coming from Lindsey."

Jazmine sucked her teeth. "Wow. So that's where you got your information from? That broad? What was she lying about this time? That I fucked Theodore?"

"Nah, but she did say you were tryna get with him. You messed around with Isaiah, Cashmere and Adonis. Look Jazmine, I don't need anybody else's approval about you and I don't want anybody talking about you. I just want the complete truth from you so we can move the fuck on with our lives."

"I've moved on, I think you need to do the same."

"I can't if I don't know what's going on. Now, tell me what the fuck happened while I was gone or else."

She scrunched up her face. "Or else, what?"

"Don't worry about it. Just tell me. Please."

Jazmine sighed. "Fine. Adonis and I had been sleeping together for the past few years because Theodore set the two of us up. It was harmless until I cut him off when you came around. Now he's pissed. I only gave Cashmere head because Lindsey was bad mouthing me and I did it to make her mad but I only did it one time. I haven't even looked at him since. Isaiah gave me head a few months ago and that's it. If that's all the dirt Lindsey has on me, it's pretty thin. She needs to try a little bit harder."

"And Theodore?"

"I was at a vulnerable spot when you were gone. Lindsey was tormenting me, I was broke and living with Theodore and Princess, Adonis wasn't looking to further our relationship so I kind of started to fall for the only person that was showing me any kind of genuine attention. I guess I got his intentions as a friend mixed up, thinking it was something more, because I was looking for something more but I was wrong. Nothing ever happened between the two of us, I swear on everything."

I sighed. "Good. I'm glad you finally came clean."

"You mad?"

"Nah."

"You sure?"

I nodded my head. I wasn't mad or pissed or angry about anything. I was more so relieved that she finally came clean to me about what was going on while I was away. I mean, it took months for her to finally open up but I'm glad I got the answers I was finally looking for. I'm not happy about her doing anything with Cashmere out of revenge. Shit. I'm not even mad at her for sleeping with Adonis because somebody had to keep her company while I was gone.

"Let me ask you something else."

She sighed. "Aubrey, I really have to get ready for work. Can it wait?"

Jazmine tried walking out of the bathroom but I caught her arm and pulled her back. "No, this shit can't wait. You love me Jazmine?"

She sighed. "Of course I do Aubrey. Why?"

"Just be quiet and close your eyes."

"Aub—"

"Jazmine," I cut her off. "C'mon and listen to me. Close your eyes."

"Fine but hurry this up. I have to go to work."

I sucked my teeth as I pulled the box with the engagement ring out of my pocket. Fuck it. What's the point in sitting around waiting to get engaged to her when I wanna be engaged right now? I know I said I wanted to fix our relationship with our parents before we moved forward but we need this engagement and wedding to happen before she has this baby, so I dropped down on one knee.

"Alright, open up your eyes."

Jazmine's eyes opened up and they widened as soon as she saw the ring in my hands. "Aubrey," she whispered as her voice began to crack. See, Jazmine isn't like the rest of these common hoes. She likes to act like it when she gets out of line, but deep down, Jazmine is a good girl. It just takes a lot to pull the goodness out of her.

"Will you marry me?"

"Hell no!"

I frowned and looked back at Jazmine's mother who was standing in our doorway, uninvited, per usual. This bitch always has something to say but that didn't stop Jazmine today.

"Yes, yes!" Jazmine smiled as she held her hand out.

Regardless of what her evil Mama had to say, I still slid the ring on her finger. Jazmine pulled me up and pulled me into a hug and I couldn't help but stare at her mother the entire time. I wanted to come and propose tonight but I really wanted to rub it in her Mom's face that she can't control Jazmine anymore, and neither can her father. Her mother watched on with a frown on her face, but all I could do is smirk in her direction.

Theodore III



I had to come from the basement one of these days, so I just walked out the other day. Nobody questioned anything since everybody had left my house except for Princess, Isaiah, and King. We all just kept it moving as if nothing happened and that was over a week ago.

I sat up a little in my seat when I heard feet running down the steps and I knew it was Princess. She's the only person I know that can run down the steps that quickly without falling. She ran into the kitchen seconds later with the biggest smile on her face and her Girl Scout's sash wrapped around her pajamas. Ever since she got a patch for selling the most cookies, she hasn't taken off the sash.

"Good morning Daddy," she smiled as she walked up to me. I bent down and let her kiss my cheek.

"Good morning baby girl. How'd you sleep?"

"Great. Good morning Mr. Jerome. What's for breakfast today?" she asked as she climbed into the seat across from me.

"Only the best for you Miss. Princess. I made you pancakes, eggs and sausage," he said as he sat his plate in front of her.

Princess smiled. "Thank you Mr. Jerome."

Once Jerome sat the plate in front of her, he stepped out of the kitchen, giving the two of us some privacy. "I got somebody coming over later today."

"Is it Mya?"

"No it's not Princess. I been told you me and her not cool no more."

"Is it Milan then?" she asked, making me sigh.

"Of course it's not Milan."

"Where's she at then? She hasn't been around here in weeks and I miss her. Auntie Jaz too. When is she gonna come back?" she asked, making me shrug my shoulders.

"I don't know. Remember you told me about Jazmine being pregnant? Well, she has to start preparing for her family. Her and Aubrey both have to prepare for their baby so they're gonna be busy but I don't know about Milan. I haven't heard from her either," I replied, truthfully. I know I talked to Isaiah about looking for her but he still hasn't because he claims he doesn't want to get involved. I understand him not wanting to get involved but Milan is apart of our family and she doesn't deserve to be put through anything Mama and Pops are doing to her.

"Oh," she mumbled as I heard the front door opening.

I could hear voices and I knew it had to be Aubrey since he told me he was stopping by today to talk to me about something. Princess was right though. I haven't seen or heard from him and Jazmine in about a week, so I knew something had to have went down for them to be MIA for so long. Aubrey walked into the kitchen with a frown on his face. I was right. Something did happen for him to be this upset.

"Uncle Aubrey, I didn't think you were ever gonna see me again."

Aubrey put a smile on his face for Princess. "I told you I was coming back to see you again. You probably was missing me, right?"

Princess nodded her head. "Yeah, maybe a little bit. How are the babies though?"

"Good."

"When is Auntie Jaz gonna have them?"

"Soon," I butted in, making Aubrey scrunch up his face. I guess he didn't know I knew about the little secret he and Jaz were trying to keep hidden for the past couple of months. "Princess, why don't you give us a minute to talk?"

Princess nodded her head before grabbing her plate, climbing out of her seat and walking out of the kitchen so Aubrey and I could talk since he looked so distressed. As soon as Princess left, Aubrey plopped down in the chair she was previously in and sighed.

"So, I did something crazy last week."

"What? Like get Jaz pregnant and not tell me?" I asked.

"Man, I wanted to tell you but Jaz wanted to keep it a secret from everybody until the time was right."

"When was the time gonna be right? 'Cause she should be huge any day now since she's having three kids."

Aubrey scrunched up his face. "Three kids? Nigga, who told you that?"

I sucked my teeth. Damn. Maybe I shouldn't have listened to Princess about how many kids they were having. I knew three kids was a stretch though. "Nobody," I mumbled.

"That's stupid, my nigga. Jaz isn't having three kids. I mean, I know I got a heavy load but not heavy enough for three kids," he laughed. "As far as I know, Jaz is only having one kid. I don't even think we need more than one right now."

"Why? What's up?"

"So, I did something crazy the other day. Well, I actually did a couple things crazy the other day. I don't want Jazmine having any of my kids and we aren't married so I went to a jeweler to look at rings and shit. I ended up buying the rings on the spot that day but then I got a text from your sister talking about what Jaz was doing while I was gone. I was pissed off, so I went over Lindsey's spot and blew her shit up."

I frowned. I knew things had been too quiet while I was in the basement and I should've known Lindsey was in the middle of it because she's always in the middle of everything. And if it's not her, then it's Mama. I swear, the two of them are so much a like, they don't even realize it. They're always up in somebody's business and never minding their own. Their lives wouldn't be so horrible if they just focused on themselves instead of worrying about what everybody else is doing.

"I thought that beef between them was over," I replied.

"Apparently not. I got over Lindsey's spot, tryna check her about talking shit about Jazmine and what not, because regardless of how she might claim to feel about me, Jazmine's having my kids and I'm with Jazmine. Lindsey had her chance and now she wants me back."

I sighed. "No offense but Lindsey doesn't wan you. She's only fucking with you because she knows it'll get under Jazmine's skin. I don't know why the two of them have this on going beef with each other over you and every other guy they've ever dealt with, but they just do."

"I figured she was just trying to use me. I mean, I slipped up at one point man. She was all up on me and saying the right shit and I just made a mistake and kissed her. She was pissed when I pushed her off of me once I finally came to my senses so I checked her then. I haven't heard from her since so I know she's up to something. But I got a little paranoid about kissing her and went straight home to propose to Jaz."

"Lindsey just wants you because Jaz wants you. It's not for real and you shouldn't have fallen for her game. Lindsey's my sister but she's conniving and manipulative and will play up on your emotions to get her way. It's pathetic, especially considering how grown she claims to be," I shook my head. "But what did Jazmine say?"

"What'chu think she said?"

I shrugged my shoulders, laughing. With the two of them, I'd never know what would come out of the situation so I wasn't sure what she'd say. This proposal was just as much of a surprise to me as finding out they were having a baby. "Nigga, Ion even know. Jazmine been off her rocker lately so Ion know."

"She said yes, of course. Who could deny a nigga like me?"

"I mean, I could name a few females that turned you down," I laughed, making him suck his teeth.

"Man, why you keeping tabs on me though little boy?"

"'Cause you be telling me all the females you holla at and majority of them turn your goofy ass down. You better be glad Jaz wifed you up."

Aubrey scrunched up his face. "For your information, I wifed Jaz up and I could've done the same to your sister and your Mama but they all playing with me. And see, I came over here to ask you a serious question but since you always tryna play me, I'mma just go."

I laughed. "So now you mad nigga?"

"Nah," he laughed, making me shake my head. "I want you to be my best man and I need my son to have a Godfather too. Ion have any friends so I had to make do with you. Just to let you know, you're my last choice."

I shoved him. "You always on that bullshit man! You know I'm your only friend."

"And I'm your only friend. I don't know what you were doing the past five years without me."

I sighed. I hate to admit it but I really don't have any friends besides Aubrey. I mean, I got Jaz but it's different. Aubrey's been my nigga since middle school and I tell him more than I tell Jaz but I wasn't gonna let him know that though. "I was living life, that's what I was doing but I'll be your best man and the Godfather but when did you find out you were having a son?"

"I didn't," he shrugged his shoulders. "I just know I'm having a son. No offense but Ion do little girls. I don't have time to be fighting off these bad ass little boys 'cause I remember when we were young and the shit we used to get into. Ion want none of these old heads looking at my baby girl, thinking nasty shit about her or tryna hurt her. And I'm not trying to see her get hurt by no niggas like us, so I'd rather have a boy. It's less stress with a boy."

"I know. I'm already stressed out with Princess as it is. She got a crush on some nigga now."

Aubrey raised an eyebrow. "Oh, for real? We gon' go beat this niggas ass or what?"

"I mean, I've been contemplating on doing it ever since you got here until you came in all pissed off. Don't be doing nothing to make my daughter like you and don't hurt her feelings either."

"Me? Why does she like me? Ion even look good like I used to."

"Oh, she likes your beard and deep voice," I said, making him laugh.

"Tell her to join the club. Most females like the deep voice and beard. Princess just has good taste, that's all. You can't be mad at her for liking a real nigga."

I sucked my teeth. "You gon' get'cho ass beat talking about my daughter like that nigga. Don't play with me."

Aubrey laughed. "Wait, so what about all those years you clowned me when I was pissed that Kennedy liked you? You just getting your payback now nigga. How does it feel?"

"I don't like it."

"Get over it," he laughed. "Anyways, I've been meaning to ask you something kinda personal. I mean, you ain't gotta answer it if you don't want to bu--"

"What?" I cut him off.

"You never told me what went down when you were with Cashmere and Nicole. Isaiah said when he found you, the bitch had you tied up and naked and you were unconscious. What happened man?"

I shrugged my shoulders because I honestly don't know what happened to me after I fought Cashmere. For a moment, I thought I was a goner when Cashmere was on top of me choking the life out of me. All I was processing is what would happen to Princess if I was gone. I wasn't thinking about anything else besides her. "Like Isaiah said, I was unconscious. That nigga Cashmere was choking me for awhile. The shit felt like hours, honestly. I vaguely remember how he got off of me but I do remember hearing a gun go off. Then the next thing I know, I'm downstairs in the basement here. I don't know what happened to me when they had me. I wish I knew."

Aubrey smacked his lips. "Nigga you know what happened to you. If you were naked and tied up to a bed with only Nicole in the house, then you already know what she was trying to do or did to you," he told me. "The real question is, have you been tested after dealing with her?"

"No because I wasn't dealing with her."

"But she dealt with you when you were unconscious. It's sick to think somebody would stoop that low to smash, but it's Nicole we're talking about. She'll do just about anything to keep you wrapped around her fingers. Because let's be honest, she had about 13 more years of having to deal with you before you completely cut her off. She was just tryna secure the bag by getting pregnant again, because ain't no way hell you'd ever go back inside of that loose cave of hers."

I mean, what he was spitting sounded right up around Nicole's alley. I knew she'd stoop low and do just about anything to stay in good graces with me but did she really think trying to get pregnant again would help her out? If she popped up talking about I got her pregnant, when I knowingly haven't touched her since we made Princess, then she's gonna have some explaining to do to the cops. By the time I was done with her, she'd be far under the jail. She should just be glad she's dead.

"So she secures the bag by taking advantage of me while I'm unconscious?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "More than likely. You know that's how these broads are now a days. The only thing they work hard at is mooching off of other people and stepping on people's necks to get to the top. Don't even worry about her though. Just go get tested. I'll even go with you."

I scrunched up my face. "For what? What'chu been doing?"

"Nothing that I shouldn't be doing," he smirked. "But I'll be over bright and early tomorrow morning to take you to a clinic."

I sighed. "Alright," I mumbled.

"And one more thing before I go," he began as he stood up. "Does Princess know about Nicole and Tee Tee?"

"No. I told her well before this shit even went down that I don't want her around them because they're always up to something, always trying to scheme and plot on me and my family. Princess just listened to me. I don't think she really understood what I was telling her but she hasn't mentioned them in weeks, so I won't either. If I'm lucky, she'll forget all about them and if she doesn't, then I'll just tell her that they passed away."

Aubrey threw up his hands. "Fine with me. I don't need Princess knowing I'm a killer no ways," he chuckled, making me shake my head.

"Who have you killed?"

"Well, potential killer, damn. We all can't be like you," he laughed again. I swear, he hasn't changed since high school. He's mellowed out some but he's still the same person. "But come on, walk me out."

I scrunched up my face. "Why? You know the way out."

"We need to do some more talking, man to boy."

I sighed, standing up from my seat so I could walk him out. "Assuming I'm the man, right?"

"Wrong."

I tried to push past him to walk out of the kitchen first but he shoved me into the wall so he could get ahead of me. "When are you gonna grow up? You're gonna be a father soon," I said, pushing him out of my way so I was walking ahead of him.

"That don't mean I still can't ma--"

I scrunched up my face when I heard him stop talking. I know I pushed him but I didn't think I pushed him that hard to knock the words out of him. I turned back around and didn't see him standing in the hallway with me anymore. Now, he was just standing in the doorway of the living room with his mouth wide open. I sighed. He's always playing games. I turned around and walked back to where he was standing and I knew now why he stopped talking. In my living room, sat Mya, Precious and her brother all holding guns in their lap. But what threw me off the most was that Princess was sitting right beside Mya.

"What the fuck is y'all doing in my damn house?" I yelled, walking right up to the three of them.

Mya held up her key to my house. "My stuff is still here and this is my key."

"You need to give that shit the fuck back," I told her. I should've known my family was too lazy to get the locks changed after I kicked Mya out. That should've been the first thing they did since she still has a key and can easily get in and out of the house. I didn't even give them a chance to say anything else before I snatched Princess off of the couch. I turned to Mya. "You know how I feel about my daughter and you just gon' drag her into this?"

Mya's eyes widened. "Drag her into this? I never did a damn thing to Princess. We had been sitting here waiting on you to finally leave the kitchen when she ran past here and noticed us. I never manipulated her into coming in here nor did we hold her against her will. She willingly came in here."

"You're such a damn liar," I told her as I turned to Princess. "Did they hurt you?"

Princess quickly shook her head. "No. I was in here talking to Mya an--"

"Don't do that," I cut her off. "How many times I gotta tell you to stop talking to and about her? Mya's no good just like your Mama."

"Theodore!" Mya exclaimed. "You know I'm not a bad person."

"I don't even know who you are since you lied to me the whole time we were together, and while you were just working for me. You had me believing you were broke and had me giving you money for your hoeing services. I even moved you up in my crib with my daughter and the rest of my family and you still couldn't be honest with me, even after everything I told you I've been through. Then you got the nerve to just walk up in my house with your ugly ass family like y'all own the place. Get the fuck up outta my crib!"

"But Prince, I really need to talk to you."

"I don't wanna talk to you Goldie, leave!" I yelled, putting Princess on the ground. I bent down so I was looking her directly in the eyes. "Go to your room right now. I'll be up there in a few minutes. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Daddy," she cried as tears rolled down her cheeks.

I watched Princess run up the steps but I turned to Aubrey. "Make sure she goes to her room, a'ight?"

Aubrey nodded his head. "Yeah, I got'chu."

Aubrey jogged up the steps after Princess and I turned to Mya and her family, who were still sitting on the couch. "Look, y'all got five seconds to get out of my house or I'm dragging y'all out, starting with you, Goldie."

"Nigga, please," Marquis sucked his teeth. "Look, my sister said she got something to tell you so put your ego to the side and hear her out."

"Hell no. I'm not putting my ego to the side because I don't wanna hear anything y'all got to say to me, so please get up outta my house."

Goldie folded her arms. "No. I'm not leaving until you hear me out."

"Fine," I shrugged my shoulders. I really wasn't in the mood to get physical with these people this early in the morning but niggas just don't want to listen to me. Like I told them I'd do, I walked up to Goldie and snatched her up by her hair so I could drag her out of my crib. As soon as I grabbed a chunk of her hair, she started pushing me off of her but that didn't stop me. The thing that stopped me was when I heard Precious and Marquis taking the safety off of their guns but Goldie never touched hers.

"Get'cho fuckin' hands off of her!" Marquis warned me.

I sucked my teeth. Damn. If only I was strapped; I could take all of them. I let go of Goldie's hair, but I was sure to snatch my house key put of her hand.

"Oh, there's more where that came from Precious smirked. "It's nothing to get several keys made."

"And it's nothing to get the locks changed."

"And we'll get that key too," she warned me. "Now, listen to what my sister has to say or else."

I turned my face up at the three of them, examining them. I can't believe they had the nerve to come over to my crib and try to threaten me in my own house. "Or else, what?"

"Or else we gon' have to go to desperate measures," Marquis replied. "It ain't nothing to pull a trigger and leave you laying in your own blood."

I folded my arms across my chest. "Try me."

"No!" Goldie yelled. "Can you please just sit down so we can talk to you?"

"No."

"Theodore, please? You already know I wouldn't be here if I didn't have to be."

"I don't know nothing about you since you lied to me for so long," I corrected her. "So, unless y'all talkin' money, which I doubt you're doing, you can leave."

"Actually, that's why we're over here."

"I'm not going into business with y'all, if that's what you're thinking."

"Of course not," Goldie replied. "We don't want any bad blood between us. Our parents aren't running out operation anymore, we are so we're going to be making the decisions. It was never our decision to go into business with you, it was our father's. We don't want to ruin two businesses that are already thriving, so we'll stay separate but mutual. We want to come to an understanding of what's yours is yours and what's ours belongs to us, meaning money, territory, fronts, everything. We'll keep everything separate just as long as we can get along with each other because we don't need any enemies right now and I don't think you do either, especially considering I know where you keep everything."

I slightly frowned. I was with her until she bought up knowing where I keep everything, but that's what she doesn't know. "I'm always one step ahead of you baby. You don't know anything about what I'm doing," I told her. I made sure we moved from our old warehouse and relocated somewhere else. And all of my money and products aren't in one location anymore.

"And that's good for you," she retorted. "Now, can you agree to be cordial with us and just stay out of each other's way?"

"That's what I planned on doing in the first place, unless y'all want a war. Because if it's war you want, then I can give it to you, considering you all are just a small proprietorship compared to me and what I have going on in my empire."

Goldie sighed. "We know your magnitude, which is why we don't want you against us. Are you willing to keep things cordial?"

"Yup."

"Good. So, the distributor is going to make his usual rounds around here next week. We've never been to the meetings, only my Dad's been so what should we expect?"

I smirked. "Me."

Marquis turned his face up. "So you're the distributor?"

"Of course. Why else do you think I'm so much bigger than you?"

"Why haven't we seen you before Prince?" Marquis asked.

"Because I like to stay low key, like in my house. Now, I listened to your plan, I agreed with it so now it's time for you all to hold up to the end of the deal."

"What?" Goldie asked.

"Y'all need to bounce."

"Fine," Precious rolled her eyes. "We'll leave but don't try to double cross us or we have some heat for you."

"As do you," I warned her as I followed the three of them out of my house. I made sure to watch as they all got into one car and pull off of my estate. Of course I'll keep things cordial with them on the streets, but as the distributor, they have to answer to me and buy their weight from me. So if I mistakenly forget to give them any weight, they won't make any money and their business will crumble. I swear, Goldie and her family fucked with the wrong one.

~~~

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300+ Comments.

How do you guys feel about this chapter? Does Mya's family have good intentions for Theodore's family or is she the only one with the good intentions? Should she trust her brother and sister? How do you guys feel about Aubrey proposing to Jazmine, despite what Lindsey had to say about her? How are their parents going to feel now that they're trying to get married to each other? How do you guys feel about Mya's family just popping up at Theodore's? Was it inappropriate to do with Princess there? Will they remain cordial with Theodore as the distributor?