

Black Eden Publications Presents...

Counterfeit

Dreams

www.SashaRavae.com

Counterfeit Dreams

Copyright© 2012 by Sasha Ravae

Black Eden Publications™ and all associated logos are trademarks of Black Eden Publications.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.

Any similarity to person living or dead is purely coincidental. For more information, contact,

www.SashaRavae.com.

ISBN: 978-1507650882

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Printed in the United States

Counterfeit

Dreams
Chapter 1

Reagan and Styles sat on the sofa watching the basketball highlights on ESPN from his game the night before. He watched himself float down the court and mesmerize his many adoring fans. Styles was very animated, so every time he played, he put on a show. The fifty-two inch flat screen sat on the wall with the sound on mute. Reagan sat on the opposite end of their ebony leather couch wearing one of Styles' old t-shirts, and her hair wrapped in a scarf. Styles pulled her out of bed to watch the game with him, but he spent the entire time on the phone.

"I know, nigga. The shit was crazy. I was doing my thang though. A nigga is really tryna show out cause I gotta renegotiate my contract in a couple months."

Styles got up and continued his conversation in the kitchen. Reagan sat with her arms folded across her chest. She was beyond irritated. Styles had been in town for only a few days, and this was the first night she had seen him. His team had a home game in Oakland, but he refused to let Reagan go. He always told her she was a distraction.

"Cameron, are you serious, babe?" Reagan whined.

"Let me call you back, nigga," Styles said putting his phone down on the grey granite countertop, "My bad, Rea. I'm just excited. This is my best season ever. People are really starting to pay attention to a nigga. Do you know what that could mean for me?"

Reagan got up and walked toward their bedroom. "Well, I'll leave you to yourself, Cameron."

"Damn, Rea, okay. Let me change my clothes, and then we can watch those 'Bad Girl' bitches or something," he said grabbing Reagan and setting her down back on the couch, "I'll be right back. Then it's just me and you. Promise."

Reagan loved Styles. They had been together for seven years, and he was all she knew. She was there before all the money and the fame, but ever since Styles got drafted into the NBA by the Golden State Warriors two and a half years ago, their relationship changed. He provided greatly for her, but soon he replaced his time, love and affection with jewelry, clothes, and money. That wasn't enough for Reagan, but she decided to let her frustrations go for the moment and enjoy the night.

Reagan heard the shower turn on in the bedroom. She walked into the kitchen and opened the stainless-steel, double-door refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water. Styles' phone started ringing on the counter, but Reagan didn't recognize the number. She and Styles got into it so many times about her going through his phone. He paid the bill, so he felt whatever was in it was his business. Reagan tried to restrain herself, but the voicemail icon taunted her.

Fuck that, she thought, if it's nothing then it's nothing. Styles changed his password more than he changed his clothes it seemed, but somehow Reagan always figured it out.

"0-4-1-6," she said out loud.

"You have entered an incorrect password. Please, try again," said the automated voice.

Reagan laughed. Every time Styles had to change his password, he would set it back to the default password until he thought of a new one.

"9-9-9-9. Stupid ass," she whispered to herself.

She immediately heard a female's voice. "Hey, baby, I had fun last night. I hate that you left this morning. I miss you already. Call me, k?"

Reagan was heated. She ran into the bedroom and threw the phone at Styles who was sitting on the bed putting on his clothes. The phone barely missed his head.

"What bitch were you with last night?" she asked with tears lining her cheeks. These arguments were so typical. Reagan expected groupies to be a part of Styles' new life. She just didn't think he would ever go for them, but to him, this was the life of a nigga in the league.

"Get outta here with that shit, Rea." Styles grabbed his phone and saw he had a missed call from Lanae. He met her while he was in town a couple of months ago, and he saw her from time to time when he came home.

"Now you can't answer? Nigga, fuck you. I keep going through all this bullshit for what, Cam? So you can leave me at home by myself while you go out and fuck the world? I'm cool." Reagan grabbed her white Louis Vuitton luggage set down from the closet and snatched random clothes and stuffed them inside the bags. She didn't know what she was bringing or where she was going, but she had to go.

"You're doing hella extra ass shit," he said getting up and taking the bags out of her hands.

"Fuck you," Reagan spat, "These hoes are steadily popping up, but I'm not supposed to say shit. Fuck that! All the money in the world ain't worth this shit. You're not worth this shit." She grabbed her duffle bag from Styles. He allowed her to pack up her side of the closet as he watched her struggle to fit everything in her five-piece set.

"So, where are you going, Rea?" Styles laughed. Reagan's episodes were funny to him. He knew she had nowhere to go, and he was all she had.

"To my nigga's house," Reagan said wiping the remaining tears from her face. Styles' shot into the closet and grabbed her by her throat. She clawed at his arms trying to release his grip.

"Bitch, where?" He looked at her like he expected her to answer. Reagan knew he would kill her if she ever cheated on him. The thought alone sent him over the edge. "You won't ever leave me. Know that, okay?"

Styles kissed Reagan on her lips and let her body drop to floor as she gasped for air coughing until she caught her breath. Reagan sat on the closet floor massaging her neck. Styles grabbed his phone from the bed and disappeared back into the living room.

$$$$$

The next day, Reagan woke up sore. She had blue and purplish bruises covering her neck. She stared in the mirror and tried to adjust her sweater to cover up the reminders of the night before. After being with the Warriors for a year and a half, Styles decided to move from a townhouse in the Oakland Hills to a condo in San Francisco with Reagan by his side. The change wasn't big, but she still hated it. She became adjusted to living in Oakland after moving from Sacramento, and she didn't want to have to start over again. The short trip across the Bay Bridge gave Reagan anxiety. She was trapped in Styles' dreams and ambitions. Each of them required her to just look the part of a NBA player's wife, so Reagan had to surround herself with less and less people who didn't help her fit that image. Her family was from Sacramento, but many of them moved to Atlanta a few years back. The only person Reagan could turn to was Styles' sister Robyn. Reagan and Robyn became close over the years, but anytime she did anything, Robyn ran back and told her brother, so Reagan was reluctant to call. She felt like a broken record always calling her after she and Styles fought, but she had to get out of the house.

"Hello?" Robyn answered the phone with sleep still in her voice.

"Hey, girl."

"Do you know what today is? It's your anniversary!" Robyn sang, in her best Tony Toni Tone voice, "Where's Styles? I tried to call him earlier, but he didn't pick up."

"Bitch, where you think?"

"What happened now?" Robyn asked without even thinking.

"Same shit, but fuck that. What's Sac looking like? I need to get out of this house. I'm bout to be on my way out there," Reagan said grabbing her cheetah print Betsey Johnson purse off the couch.

"You really gon' drive out here? I'm pretty sure you should be spending your anniversary with your nigga, Reagan."

"You would think that, but he's not here, and I don't have shit else to do."

"Okay, see you when you get here, Rea," Robyn said not in the moor to argue.

As Reagan was walking out of the door, she noticed a bunch of flowers sitting on the dining room table. When she walked back into the house, there were fifty pink orchids sitting in a Swarovski crystal vase with a white card laid next to it.

Happy anniversary, Reagan. You mean the world to me even though I'm not good at showing it...

Reagan balled up the card and threw it on the floor. She was not at all impressed with the gesture, so she left out of the door without looking back. She couldn't get five minutes away from the house before Styles called.

"Hey, babe, you get your gift?"

"Yeah, Cameron, the flowers are really nice. Thanks."

"Thanks?" Styles asked with confusion dripping from his voice.

"What else do you expect me to say? I'm pretty sure that it's our fucking anniversary, and I'm by myself, again, while you're probably out with those groupie-ass bitches. Must be nice."

"Rea, you know I have a game tomorrow, right? The coach doesn't allow bitches before a game," Styles laughed.

"Yeah, whatever, Cameron, I'm busy, so I'll talk to you later. Good luck on your game, though."

"Rea, I love you."

"Right..."

$$$$$

Two hours later, Reagan pulled into Robyn's driveway. The entire drive out to Sacramento was filled with thoughts of Styles. His infidelity was a constant occurrence in their relationship. As much as it happened, Reagan thought she would become numb enough to overlook it, but each time hurt like the first. She didn't understand why she allowed Styles to use and walk all over her, but despite everything he did, she loved him. Ten minutes later, her small Lexus coupe felt like an inferno. Not able to bear the Sacramento heat any longer, she got out of the car and walked up Robyn's driveway. When she got to the door, it was unlocked as usual, so she let herself in. She could hear Robyn running around upstairs.

"Rea?" Robyn yelled.

"Yeah, bitch, you ready?"

"Damn near. You got out here fast," Robyn said putting on the finishing touches to her make-up, "Come upstairs. I'm almost done."

Reagan walked up two flights of stairs to get to Robyn's third level. The whole area was used as her dressing room, and every time Reagan came over, she felt like she was at the mall. The furniture was covered with unopened shopping bags from Christian Dior, Gucci, Prada, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Robyn stood in front of her full-length mirror admiring her body. She wore a size ten, but there wasn't an ounce of fat on her. She was built like a goddess.

"Robyn, why do you buy all this stuff knowing you not gon' wear it?" Reagan asked watching her continue to try on clothes.

"Cause a bitch needs options," she laughed, "And why you all up in my mine? But here's a better question, why do you have that black ass sweater on, and it's 100 degrees outside? You are not in the City anymore."

Reagan pulled down her sweater and showed Robyn the bruises that covered her neck. This was not the first time she had seen bumps and bruises on Reagan's body, but it shocked her every time. She didn't want to believe that her brother was capable of doing something like that to any woman. Robyn knew that Styles and Reagan's relationship had been rough lately, but she didn't know it was that bad.

"Okay, you didn't drive out here for nothing, Rea. Let's go," Robyn said trying to ignore her friend's situation.

"Bitch, you know I can't go anywhere. Look at my neck. I just wanted to get out of the house. We can chill here."

"Let me take care of it." Robyn grabbed her make-up case, and they were out the door.
Chapter 2

After a few touches of concealer, Reagan's neck looked back to normal, but the make-up couldn't mask the pain that lingered. She never imagined being with someone who would hit her. Growing up, she saw her mother be abused by her many boyfriends, but Reagan promised herself she would never go through that. Now seven years later, she was exactly where she didn't want to be. After having lunch at Ella's, Robyn took Reagan to the spa for a day of pampering. Robyn loved her brother, but Reagan didn't deserve to be treated less than a queen. She wanted her friend to forget about everything and enjoy their weekend.

Robyn walked through the espresso colored awning into the spa's lobby to confirm their reservations. Reagan looked at the spotless marble floors and the giant crystal chandelier that sat in the middle of the room. She always thought Sacramento was country, but this spa was classy.

"Let me just go check in real quick," Robyn said walking down the hall to the reception area. Reagan sat down on a plush, brown leather couch as a waitress dressed in black came and brought her glass of champagne filled with strawberries. As the cold, bubbly alcohol soothed her throat, she tried to relax and forget about her problems with Styles.

"Hi, welcome to Le Rivage. How may I help you?"

"Hi, I have a reservation for two. Johnson," Robyn said pulling her Prada wallet from her purse.

The blonde receptionist twirled her hair while looking up her reservation. "Ummmm, yeah, it looks like your card was declined. Would you like to use a different one?"

"I'll just pay cash," Robyn said pulling out a wad of crisp one-hundred dollar bills.

"That will be $3,000, but we'll still need a credit card on file to hold the amount until you check out."

"That would be today," Robyn said becoming annoyed.

"Do you have a working card that you would like to put that amount on?"

"No, I don't. I would like to pay cash. I will only be here for a couple hours, so holding the funds should not be necessary if I have them right here. Where's the manager? I'm not gonna explain myself to some receptionist."

"You'll still need a credit card."

"Look, bitch..." Robyn hated to be embarrassed in front of people especially about money. She had plenty of it, so she demanded respect.

The other guests started to notice the commotion Robyn was causing, but the receptionist did as little as possible to correct the situation.

"What's going on, Robyn?" Reagan asked walking up to the front desk.

"This white bitch won't let me pay the bill. She's talking about I need a fucking credit card."

Robyn had about ten credit cards, so Reagan didn't understand why she didn't use a different one. "Just put it on mine," Reagan said pulling her Visa Black Card out of her purse.

"The card needs to belong to the registered guest. I can get you a reservation, ma'am, but it won't be until next week," the receptionist said smiling.

"This bitch is working my nerves, Rea. Fuck this," Robyn yelled down the hall, "Oh, and I'll be back, bitch."

She rushed to the parking lot to her car and struggled to find the keys to her silver Mercedes CLS in her oversized Prada bag. "Bitch, I need a drink after that," she said finally finding the key at the bottom of her purse, "You tryna go out tonight, right?"

"I guess," Reagan laughed.

"We have to get something to wear." Robyn opened the back door and placed her bag on the seat.

"I brought some stuff."

"And? It's my treat. You can't go out in shit you already got. Where's the fun in that?" she asked putting on her Dolce & Gabanna sunglasses.

$$$$$

"I'ma just let you know now, the amount of stores in Sac are limited."

"I see."

"Don't be bougie, Reagan," Robyn said stepping out of the car.

The mall was smaller than what Reagan was used to. With the amount of money Styles made, she only shopped in high end boutiques, but seeing the mall brought her back to a better time in her life. A time when things were simple. Reagan and Robyn searched high and low for an outfit for the night. After about an hour, they found the perfect dresses in Bebe. The sales girl spent the majority of the time catering to Robyn's every need. It seemed like she tried on every dress they had in her size. Reagan watched and waited as she put on a fashion show for everyone in the store. An hour later, Robyn finally decided on a $500 blue and black dress, and the sales girl hurried to collect her commission. Satisfied with their choices, they left the mall and went back to Robyn's house to get ready for the night. Styles had been calling Reagan the whole day, but every time, she sent him to voicemail. He didn't trip because Robyn was already playing secret spy. Once they got home, it took Reagan and Robyn two hours to finish getting dressed. Reagan wore her hair straight with a fossil colored draped dress and beige crystal peep-toe pumps. Her cocoa brown skin glistened against the dress. Even though she wasn't looking for anyone, she was definitely trying to be seen.

"Bitch, are you ready yet? Damn," she yelled upstairs, "It's already 10 p.m."

"Why are you tryna get up there hella early. Boo, I'm fashionably late everywhere I go. How else are people supposed to see you?" Robyn asked coming down the stairs in a blue sapphire and black, zebra print tube dress with black studded and beaded sandals. Although she curled her hair, it still touched the middle of her back. Robyn walked past a mirror in the hallway and had to glance over herself one more time before they could leave. Everything had to be perfect.

"Bitch, you're bad. Let's go. I haven't been out in months."

"I am, huh?" Robyn giggled, "Okay, I'm done. Let's go."

$$$$$

Robyn pulled her CLS to the front of club Rain. Clubs came and went in Sacramento, so it wasn't unusual to have two or three grand openings a month. Robyn knew the promoter, so he hooked her up with the club's most exclusive V.I.P. package. She sat in the car adjusting her make-up and as she was applying another coat of lip gloss, the valet came over to the driver's side.

"Keys, please."

Robyn seductively stepped out of the car and placed them in the young boy's hand.

"Please, don't scratch my baby," she winked. She bent over to grab her Dior clutch from the front seat of the car, and the valet never took his eyes off her ass.

"That's it, right?" Reagan asked impatiently. She was ready to get inside and party. Tonight, Styles was not a concern. She needed to have fun.

"Uh, ummm, yeah, my bad," the valet stuttered. He handed Robyn her claim ticket and watched as they walked toward the front.

"Ya'll have a nice night."

"Oh, we will, lil baby," Robyn said not giving him a second look.

Rain had people lined up around the block. The summer heat always made people step out in their best, but the security still combed the lines making sure people were in dress code. Luckily Reagan and Robyn never had to wait in line, so they walked right inside. Females stood aside sucking their teeth mad that they were able to bypass them.

"Who they think they is?" a girl who had been standing in line for over an hour yelled. The comments didn't bother them though. Robyn felt like if bitches stepped their own game up then they could do what she did too.

$$$$$

Brandon and Jewel heard about the new opening of Rain. It was supposed to be popping. Both of them had been busy working, so they decided to take a night off and go. The club was filled to capacity by the time they got there, but the greedy owner was still letting people in.

"Blood, this shit is light-weight smacking," Brandon yelled over the music.

"It's cool," Jewel said looking at all the people below. Rain had three levels, and Jewel and his niggas were all the way at the top. The V.I.P. was different from the other two floors. The first floor was for dancing, and it was packed from wall to wall. The second level was a lounge area with three different bars, and V.I.P. was at the very top. Jewel and Brandon had bottles of Patron Burdeos and Belvedere cracked everywhere. Groupies flocked to them wherever they went, and the baddest ones always managed to find their way into their section. Brandon flagged down a waitress who wore nothing but a matching white bra and panty set. Rain's V.I.P. was exclusive. There were strippers performing behind glass walls wearing only body crystals and glitter. The color changing lights reflected off of their bodies accentuating all of the girls' features, and they didn't work for tips. They were there purely for entertainment. Jewel and his niggas sat in the middle of the room, so they could see everything. The small, chocolate waitress finally made her way through the crowd. She fought past dudes grabbing her ass and disrespectful comments just to get to Brandon.

"Ay, lil baby, let me get another bottle of Patron."

"Just one? Ya'll look a little thirsty over here, boo," she said trying to make her tip as fat as possible, "But one is cool I guess."

Feeling challenged Brandon bought three more bottles. "Oh, money is not a problem. Bitch, I can buy you if I really wanted to," he said pulling out a stack of hundreds.

"Yeah, whatever," the waitress said rolling her eyes. She put up with a lot, but it was all for the money.

$$$$$

Reagan and Robyn walked up the glass stairs to the V.I.P. area, and James, one of the club's promoters, led them to their booth. He had been chasing Robyn for months, so anything she asked for, he gave her. His promotion company hosted most of the club events in Sac, so he was equipped enough financially to take care of Robyn's expensive habits.

"Alright, lil mama, let me know if ya'll need anything else. Ya'll should be good though," James winked.

The booth was big enough for at least ten people, and three bottles of Dom Perignon sat in a clear ice bucket.

"Thanks, James. This is more than enough." Robyn stood up and reached to kiss him as his 6'4, dark-chocolate body towered over her. "I'ma call you later, k?"

"You better," James said making his way back downstairs.

"This is nice," Reagan said pouring a glass of champagne.

Robyn opened her clutch and pulled out a pink Hello Kitty E-pill. "You want half?"

"Bitch, you know I don't fuck with that shit."

"More for me, tramp." She put the pill in her mouth and let it dissolve under her tongue. Whenever she went out, she had to either be high or drunk, so it only took seconds for her to feel the effects of the pill. She stayed high to balance out the lows.

"Let's go dance," Robyn yelled.

They went over to the balcony and stared at all the people beneath them. The club's light show had her focused as they flickered off of the walls and the glass floors. Following the lights around the room, Robyn noticed two guys standing on the other side of the club. They looked like brothers, and soon the tall, caramel-skinned one who she had her eye on started to look over in their direction.

"Girl, look over toward the wall."

Reagan flipped her hair and glanced through the room. "What, those niggas in the middle?"

"Yes, the tall one is fine as fuck. Let's go over there."

"So you can look hella thirsty? Ummmm, I think not. Plus, they have like ten hoes over there. I think they're good," Reagan laughed. She couldn't have cared less. Styles hadn't called her since earlier that day, and she knew exactly what he was doing; she just didn't know who he was doing it with, but she tried to shake off the thought of him cheating as they made their way back to the booth.

$$$$$

"Ay, you see those bitches over there?" Brandon asked pushing off a drunk light-skinned girl he had sitting on his lap. She rolled her eyes and sat down next to his potnah.

Trying to empty out a swisher, Jewel looked up and saw Reagan and Robyn. Robyn was dancing by herself with a glass in her hand. She had niggas leaving the stripper area just to come and watch her. She rode the beat like she was riding a dick, and niggas definitely noticed. Her dress inched up as she twirled her thick hips around. She had dudes gone, but Jewel couldn't take his eyes off Reagan whom sat in the booth looking at her phone, and from the expression on her face, she was not happy. She was by far the baddest female in the club. Her sexiness was subtle, but it spoke loud and clear to Jewel.

"Yeah, the little one over there is on," he laughed. He knew Robyn's type. She was putting on a show. "But, I'm tryna see what's up with baby sitting down.

$$$$$

Reagan watched Robyn work the room. She loved attention and would do anything to get it. Robyn didn't care that she had all the niggas in the room lusting after her; she was trying to get to Brandon. Not wanting to be a part of Robyn's strip show, she sat back in the corner texting Styles. Despite their fight, she wanted to check in to make sure everything was okay. Two minutes later, her phone lit up with a message from Styles. My phone is about to die. I'ma hit you later. That was his favorite line, and she knew exactly what it meant. She planned to go out with Robyn and forget about her relationship, but all she could think about was who Styles was with.

"Bitch, snap out of it," Robyn slurred. She was on her fourth glass of champagne.

Fuck him, Reagan thought. She put her phone back in her purse, and when she looked up, the dudes Robyn was looking at were making their way towards them.

"What's up, lil mama? I seen you by yourself, so you know I had to make my way over here," Brandon said to no one in particular.

"It took you long enough. I'm Robyn, and this is my sister Reagan," Robyn said motioning for Reagan to get up.

"Hi," she said still sitting down. They both were fine, but Reagan didn't feel like being bothered.

"Yep, I'm Brandon, and that's my nigga Jewel. Can we join ya'll?" He sat down in between Reagan and Robyn without getting a response. Robyn knew it wouldn't take long before he came over. Jewel sat across from Reagan, but he couldn't say anything. She captivated him. Her sandy brown hair fell in her face, and he watched as she seductively swept it behind her ear.

She can't know how sexy she is, Jewel thought.

Reagan looked up and saw him staring at her. She just smiled. She had to admit that he was attractive. His green eyes pierced her.

"You look like you're having fun," Jewel laughed at his attempt at breaking the ice.

"Naw, it's cool. I'm just a little preoccupied." Reagan looked over at Robyn who was all in Brandon's face. She had a dude or two for every day of the week, but she always tried to recruit more.

"You wanna dance?"

"Naw, I'm good, thanks though," Reagan smiled.

"Damn, you gon' do a nigga like that? So you just gon' sit here and look lost the rest of the night? You do know that you're at a club, right? Can I at least buy you a drink, a house, a car, something?"

"Jewel, right? I have a boyfriend but thank you."

"I can respect it, but that nigga is only temporary. I'ma make you mine. Watch."

"Boy, please."

Jewel and Reagan spent the rest of the night talking. She was attracted to him, but she knew she couldn't look at him wrong, or Robyn would run and tell Styles. And after their fight, that was the last thing she needed. Jewel embodied everything she wished Styles would be, but he wasn't her reality, so she admired him for the time being. Lost in their conversation, Reagan realized they had been talking for hours. Her night turned out better than she imagined. She felt like herself again for the first time in a long time, and for some reason, Jewel became her escape.

"I really enjoyed myself. Thank you. I'm sorry you got stuck with me, though," she said. Robyn had been preoccupied with Brandon from the moment they met, so Jewel did a good job at keeping her company.

"No problem, mama, thank you. It's nice to encounter a lady from time to time."

The club was winding down, and everyone started to make their way toward the exits. Brandon and Robyn exchanged numbers as they made their way outside. She had to make sure that she saw him again. The streets were flooded with intoxicated people trying to find their way to their cars, and the police circled the block to clear the crowd. Blue and red lights flashed throughout the chaos.

"Reagan, do you mind if I use your phone, right quick? My battery just died," Jewel asked.

Reagan handed him her phone without even thinking just as Robyn and Brandon walked up.

"You ready, bruh? I got some business to handle. I'm ready to cut," he said irritated.

"Yeah, nigga," Jewel said giving Reagan back her phone, "It was really nice meeting you. Maybe we'll run into each other again or something since you wanna play a nigga."

"Yeah, maybe," Reagan laughed.

The valet pulled up with Jewel's black Infiniti G37 coupe, and Brandon immediately got in the passenger seat. "Alright, ya'll be safe," he yelled from the window, "I'ma hit you, Robyn."

Jewel stood outside of his car waiting for Robyn's car to pull up.

"You sure you don't want me to wait with ya'll? I'm not tryna have no nigga snatch up my future wife," he smiled.

"Naw, we're good. Thank you, Jewel."

"Alright, I can take a hint, Reagan. I'ma let you do the choosing, baby." He hopped in his car and drove off, and Reagan watched until he was no longer in sight. She knew nothing would come from the night, but she couldn't help feeling something.

Robyn watched her expression as Jewel pulled off. She didn't notice them while they were in Rain, but maybe she missed something. "Bitch, don't tell me you were feeling that nigga?" she asked sobering up a bit.

"Please, I felt bad. I was tryna keep him company since his potnah couldn't seem to keep his tongue out your mouth."

"He was on me, huh? Girl, I think he's the one."
Chapter 3

The empty streets echoed as Jewel drove. The sound of his tires gliding across the pavement was the only thing that could be heard. He couldn't get Reagan off his mind. There was something about her, and he needed to find out what it was.

"So what was up with 'ol girl?" Brandon asked rolling a blunt.

"Nothing, I guess. She got a nigga, or at least that's what she told me."

"Her girl was on me though." Brandon sparked the blunt and let the smoke saturate his lungs. Smoking weed was like breathing to him.

"She was a trip," Jewel laughed, "That's the next one?"

"Naw, I wasn't really feeling her. Her potnah was looking right. You should've got on her," Brandon said passing Jewel the blunt as he pulled up in front of his two-story condo. Jewel parked next to his gold Lexus ISF. The two passed the blunt back and forth until only ashes remained, and they sat in the car allowing the weed to take over their bodies as silence penetrated the air.

"So what's up for tomorrow?" Brandon asked.

"Shit, I can't call it. I'ma hit you though. Money don't stop cause we do, so I know we gon' have something to do, feel me?"

"Yep, Hit me."

$$$$$

The night air caressed Jewel's face as he thought about Reagan. He couldn't get her off of his mind, and he didn't know why, but he had to shake it off. He had too many bitches to stress one. Jewel pulled into his driveway as the four-car garage opened on the side of his two-story house. He parked his Infiniti and walked to the front to check his mailbox before going inside. The various bills and solicitations only distracted his thoughts for a second. He pulled out his phone and looked at his missed calls. 415-510-0214-Reagan Taylor. Jewel stared down at the number and contemplated on whether he should call her. He wasn't sure how she would respond to him taking her number, but he had to give it a chance.

$$$$$

Robyn and Reagan got back to the house at 4 a.m. They stopped at Denny's after leaving Rain to get something to eat. Robyn's pill had her starving, but the Grand Slam breakfast she devoured didn't soak up any of the alcohol she still had in her system. She felt drunker than she did at the club. Reagan held Robyn up as she wobbled her way up her cobblestone driveway. Once they made it inside, Robyn couldn't make it up the two flights of stairs that led to her bedroom, so Reagan laid her down in the guest room. She took off Robyn's shoes and put her hair in a ponytail just in case she had to throw up. Robyn was too nauseous to change her clothes, so she laid in the queen sized bed sleep in her $500 dress. After getting Robyn situated, Reagan changed her clothes and put on one of Styles' old shirts. Wearing his shirts always made her feel like he was somehow with her. She went into the bathroom and removed her make-up. She had a nightly beauty ritual she did no matter what time it was, but as she applied an olive oil and sugar mask to her face and whitening strips over her teeth while wrapping her hair, her phone started to vibrate on the marble counter.

Finally, she thought. She hadn't talked to Styles all night. He definitely had some explaining to do. She picked up the phone, but she didn't recognize the number. The caller ID said, Jewel Sanchez. Reagan stared at the screen.

"It can't be the Jewel from tonight," she whispered. Reluctantly, she answered. "Hold on." Reagan poked her head into the bedroom, and Robyn was underneath the covers still knocked out. Her snoring was louder than usual, so Reagan knew she wasn't going to be waking up anytime soon. She walked out of the guest room and ran upstairs. She couldn't take the chance of Robyn overhearing her conversation.

"Hello?" Reagan asked out of breath.

"Damn, you make a nigga wait for everything. You know who this is, right?"

Reagan knew exactly who was on the other end of the phone. She was surprised that he had gone out of his way to get in contact with her, but she couldn't let it go any further than that.

"Yes, Jewel, your name popped up, but, ummm, who gave you my number?"

"You did," he laughed, "when you let me use your phone. I know you said you have a man and all that, but you can't ever have too many friends, right?"

Reagan was impressed that Jewel took the initiative to take what he wanted. She couldn't deny that she was attracted to him, but she'd never cheated on Styles and didn't plan to.

"So what do you want, Jewel? I mean I can't just pretend like I don't have a boyfriend who I've been with for over seven years. What type of bitch would I be?"

"The good kind, and that's why I'm digging you, ma. I can tell by your essence that you're different from all of these other females. I can't lie; I'm interested in you, but I respect that you have a relationship and a man that you're loyal to. The nigga is lucky he has you by his side."

Reagan sat on the bed holding the phone close to her ear. She didn't say too much; she just listened. It had been a long time since a man spoke to her like a woman and not an object. Jewel and Reagan talked on the phone until 8:00 a.m. They talked about everything from past to present. Reagan broke down her relationship to Jewel, and she told him she felt obligated to Styles because he brought her up from the bottom. He never left her side until he was drafted into the NBA. Reagan explained her situation to Jewel not looking for sympathy or for somebody to save her, but because she needed to vent. Jewel didn't expect Reagan to be so open with him, but he felt like he learned everything about her. Reagan lay on the bed and watched the sun rise out of Robyn's ceiling high window, and for the first time in months, she was relaxed.

"So I'm assuming you live in the City," Jewel said yawning. He was tired, but he would stay on the phone with Reagan for as long as she wanted.

"Yeah, Robyn lives out here, so I decided to stay with her for the weekend. It was too crazy at my house. I needed to get away."

"I feel it. You can always come stay with me. I got plenty of room."

"I bet."

"Reagan?" Robyn slurred walking up the stairs.

"I gotta go," she whispered into the phone.

"Can I call you later?"

"Text me." Reagan hung up the phone right before Robyn hit the door. When she walked in, she got in the bed and fell back asleep as Reagan lay next to her and drifted off with a smile on her face.

$$$$$

Before she knew it, Reagan woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. She climbed out of the California king size bed and went downstairs. Robyn was in the kitchen cooking the greasiest breakfast she had ever seen. She had fried potatoes and onions, smoked bacon, scrambled eggs with three different cheeses, and toast slathered in butter. Reagan was starving, but the smell of the food made her sick.

"Bitch, you need to eat. It's a little heavy, but it'll bring us back. I have a date today, so I need to be A-1."

"A date with who?" Reagan asked eating a piece of dry toast.

"With who else? My boo from last night. He called me this morning and said he'll be here in a couple of hours."

"Why is he coming so early?"

"Bitch, it's 3 p.m. You've been sleep all damn day. What time did you go to sleep?"

"I don't know. Right after I put you to bed, I guess. My body must've been tired, so where are you guys going?" Reagan asked changing the subject.

"To the moon," Robyn laughed.

"Well, I guess that means it's time for me to go home," Reagan sighed.

"You need to check on my brother anyway."

$$$$$

The sun beamed down on Brandon as he walked out of Fresh Cutz barber shop. He got into his black Arcadia Denali on 26s and pulled off into traffic. His barber kept him fresh, so he was feeling himself as usual. He pulled up on the block but didn't see Jewel's car. Jewel was always the first one to come, and the last one to leave. His money came before anything else. Brandon parked on the side of a rusty, black iron gate and hopped out. He cut through a line full of knocks to get to his nigga Will. Will was a runner for the M.A.C. Boys and had been down since he was thirteen. He was as loyal as they came.

Brandon waited for Will to serve each and every knock before he spoke. The block was active. The soulless shells of people each traced the steps of the ones before them looking for the poison of their choice. Small bags exchanged for crumpled dollars passed from one hand to another, and Will was a god on the block, giving life to those who sacrificed their very own just to get high. He breathed an air of newness to the fiends with every transaction he made, and Brandon watched in approval.

"What's up with Young Will?"

"Nigga, this money. What you doing here, bruh?"

"I was looking for Jewel."

"He hasn't been up here yet," Will said counting the earnings from his afternoon shift.

"Ay, if he comes down here, tell him to hit me."

"Yep."

Brandon walked back to his car and pulled out his cell phone to call Jewel. After five rings, he finally answered.

"Hello?"

"Nigga, you sleep?"

"Yeah, blood, my bad. I didn't go to sleep til like nine this morning. What time is it?" Jewel lifted his head off of the couch cushion and saw the clock said 3:30 p.m. Damn, he thought.

"What the fuck were you doing until 9 a.m.?"

"Talking to my wife," Jewel laughed.

"What wife?"

"Your bitch's potnah. I told you I gets mine, nigga."

"Yeah, yeah, anyway, I went and checked on Will, so shit is good in the South. I gotta bust this move right quick, and then I'ma meet up with Golden."

"Hit me when you get back. I need to holla at him too."

"Be ready, blood."

"I'm up. I'm up."

$$$$$

Brandon pulled up to Robyn's around 7:30 p.m. From the look of her house, he could tell she had a little money. As her silver CLS sat in the driveway gleaming, he began to think she could be beneficial after all. He walked up to the door and rang the doorbell, and a few seconds later, Reagan opened the door.

"Hey, Brandon, right?" she asked smiling, "Robyn will be right down." Brandon just stood there in amazement. She was more beautiful than he remembered.

"You need some help?" he asked noticing Reagan had two duffle bags sitting in front of the door.

"Naw, I got it. Thanks though."

A few minutes later, Robyn came walking to the door in a pair of black jeans, a white Diamond Supply shirt, and a black Dolce & Gabanna messenger bag. Her spiky, black pumps completed her outfit.

"Hey, boo."

"What's up, ma? You ready?" Brandon asked never taking his eyes off Reagan.

"Yep," Robyn squealed. She noticed his Denali parked behind her CLS. She could always tell when a nigga had money, and Brandon looked like his money was long. They were perfect for each other. "Where we going?"

"Out."

Reagan stood there waiting for her friend to say goodbye, but Robyn was glued to Brandon. "Alright, ya'll," she said grabbing her bags, "I'll call you when I get home, Robyn."

"Please do and tell Styles to call me."

"I'll tell Jewel you said what's up," Brandon laughed.

Reagan turned around and looked at him in confusion. "I guess," she said trying to be nonchalant. She hurried to put her bags in the trunk of her Lexus coupe and drove off, and Brandon stood there until he could no longer see her cream-colored car.

"Boy, let's go. She is not interested in your little friend by the way. She is damn-near married."

Not for long, Brandon thought.

$$$$$

The ride home was lonely. Reagan drove down Highway 80 aimlessly. Her thoughts got lost in the white stripes covering the freeway. Styles still hadn't called her, and she knew she would return home to an empty house. She tried calling his cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail. They hadn't seen each other in two days, and despite everything, she missed him. Trying one last time, Styles finally picked up.

"What's up, babe?"

"What's up? What's up? Are you serious?" Reagan screamed.

"What now, Reagan?"

"I haven't seen or spoken to you in two days, and all you have to say is, 'what's up?' I don't know why I try."

"Look, I was trying to give you some space. It must be that time of the month or something cause you been spazzing on a nigga for nothing lately. Anyway, how was your weekend with Robyn? Are you at home?"

"How did you know I was at Robyn's? Never mind," Reagan said already knowing the answer, "And no, I'm not home yet. I'm crossing the bridge. I know you're home though, right?"

"Naw, I have practice, but I'll be home later."

"Nigga, bye."

Reagan threw her phone on the floor. She couldn't believe Styles didn't care where she had been. Why did she put her all into Styles when he put nothing back into her? She was obviously in a relationship by herself. Cars raced past her as she slowed down to catch her breath. She was in more pain being with him than she thought she would be if she left. As thoughts of her escape filled her head, her phone started ringing. "I knew he would call back," she said aloud. She struggled to reach her phone on the passenger side floor, and the cars, next to her, honked as she swayed in and out of the other lane.

"Hello?"

"Hey, ma, I haven't talked to you all day. I was worried since you ignored all my texts," Jewel laughed.

"Boy, we just got off the phone this morning."

"Man, I was caked. I didn't really wake up til 4:00 p.m."

"You? I was out of it."

"So you still out here?"

"Naw, I left. Robyn and your boy had a date or something."

Jewel put the phone down and laughed. He couldn't believe Brandon lied about not wanting to see Robyn.

"What?" Reagan asked confused.

"Nothing. Nothing. Man, you be playing. We could've all went on a double date."

"Yeah, right, you are really tryna get me killed, aren't you?"

"Fuck that nigga. When am I gonna get to see you, friend?"

Reagan pulled off the freeway and followed the street up to her condo. The thirty-seven story complex loomed over her as she parked.

"How about tomorrow? You can come out here."

"Bet. Don't play. I'm not tryna shoot nobody."

"Whatever, Jewel, I'ma talk to you later, k? I just got home. I have to take my stuff upstairs."

"See, if I was there, you wouldn't have to do anything."

"Bye," Reagan laughed.

Walking into the lobby, the doorman asked to help Reagan. He tried to get at her every time he saw her. Trying to avoid conversation, she rushed past him to catch the empty elevator. The creepy man was old enough to be her father, but he steadily chased behind all of the young women in the building as if it was a part of his job description. As the doors closed, Reagan stood in the mirror-covered elevator and stared at her lonely reflection. Her home with Styles turned into solitary confinement for her. The elevator doors slid open on the top floor, and Reagan dragged her luggage down the deserted hallway. For some reason, the walk seemed longer than usual. She tried to run away from her isolation, but no matter how far she ran, she always found herself back in the middle of it. When she opened the door, everything was exactly how she left it. The condo was a shiny shell of a home. On the outside, it was perfect, but on the inside, it was completely empty.

After placing her bags down by the front door, Reagan sat on her bed and flipped through hundreds of cable channels. Television had become her only friend, but lately, that couldn't even hold her attention, so she turned off the TV and starred out of the window at the ocean view. The light-blue waves slammed against each other as little specks of people busily moved below her. There was so much life in the City, and Reagan envied it. Desperate for meaningful, personal contact, she called Robyn, but her phone was off. She must still be with Brandon, she thought, so she tried Styles' phone again, but he didn't pick up. She sat in her oversized bed and watched the daylight turn into nightfall. Her mind couldn't shut off, and her thoughts raced purposeless through her head. Reagan couldn't understand what was making Styles drift farther and farther away from her. They had plans of getting married, but she couldn't imagine dedicating her life to a stranger.

$$$$$

Jewel was usually up before the birds were, but his dreams of Reagan had him dead to the world. Brandon called him around 10:00 p.m. to make sure they were still meeting up with Golden. Golden was the leader of the M.A.C. Boys. He had taken Jewel and Brandon under his wing and formed them into the epitome of street soldiers. He was like a father to them, and he taught them everything he knew in hopes that they would keep his empire going.

Jewel tried Brandon's phone, but it went straight to voicemail. "Ay, bruh, when you done with Robyn, hit me." He couldn't believe he lied. Robyn was bad, but Jewel thought she tried too hard to seem like she was that bitch.

Jewel shrugged it off and picked up his black fitted cap off of the kitchen counter and walked out of the door. The three men always met at the same place, so Jewel didn't have to wait for Brandon.

$$$$$

Brandon pulled into Robyn's driveway after their date and parked his Denali. He took her to the movies and then for drinks at Aura. He didn't want to splurge on her yet. He had to see where her mind was first. He didn't know what position he wanted her to play yet.

"So I had fun. Thank you," Robyn said turning her body to face him.

"Yep, it was cool." He grabbed a Splitarillo from the middle console and broke it down. Swisher fillings fell from the brown wrapper onto his dark blue jeans. "You smoke?"

"Nigga, you know I smoke, so how bout we take this inside though?" she asked seductively licking her pink lips.

"I mean, we can, but I have some business to handle tonight, so I can only stay for a minute."

"So you got business with some bitch, huh?" Robyn asked rolling her eyes.

It was entirely too early for her to be questioning him concerning his whereabouts, so he didn't even respond with an answer. A few seconds later, he opened the door and let all of the tobacco fall to the ground. He waited for Robyn to get out and lead him inside. She walked up the driveway making sure Brandon had a perfect view of her ass. Her hips pushed the seams of her jeans as far as they could go, and Brandon watched as she secretly tried to seduce him, but he knew exactly why she wanted him to come inside. When Robyn unlocked the front door, she led Brandon into the living room.

"Make yourself at home, babe. You want something to drink?"

"Yeah, whatever you got is cool," Brandon said sitting down. He picked up the remote from the end table, and turned on the seventy-inch flat screen TV that hung on the wall to Sports Center as the black and white announcers gave highlights to the Warriors' game from the week before. "Cameron 'Styles' Johnson scored an amazing 46 points. The way this kid is playing, he'll definitely be back for another season. Well, I mean if the Warriors are smart."

The surround sound system made Brandon feel like he was at the game. When Robyn came back, she handed him a glass of coconut Ciroc and pineapple juice before she turned the TV off.

"You like it, huh?" Robyn asked noticing Brandon finishing his glass.

"So what's up with Reagan?" he asked ignoring Robyn's question.

"What you mean?"

"I mean does she stays out here?"

"Naw, her and my brother stay in the City."

"She be coming out here a lot?"

Moving closer to Brandon, Robyn softly kissed him. "Why are you so concerned with Reagan?"

"Not like that. I mean if we about to be together, I wanna know everything about you. That would include your friends, right?"

Robyn couldn't believe that he was already ready for them to be a couple. She knew that it was only their first date, but everything felt right.

"Yeah, that's right, baby." Robyn went on to tell Reagan's whole life story. In the mist of it all, she made Styles sound like a king, but she made sure to leave out the violent details of Reagan and Styles' relationship. Brandon sat back and listened. Jealousy filled his heart, but he would never show it. He didn't know why he had feelings for Reagan, but it was something about her he had to have.

"Enough about that bitch," Robyn said standing up in front of Brandon. She bent down on her knees and unzipped his jeans. Brandon helped her open the top button as his dick popped out of his pants rock hard. Robyn slowly let him enter her wet, warm mouth. She sucked and spit on his dick until it glistened in the dimmed lighting. Brandon closed his eyes and let his head fall onto the back of the couch. He grabbed a fist full of her hair as she stroked his dick and let his balls rest in her mouth, but Brandon imagined it was Reagan's mouth slobbering all over him. The thought alone sent him over the edge. He shot his white, creamy fluid down Robyn's throat, but she didn't flinch. She stroked him until she got every last drop. After she was done, Brandon got up and saw she left no evidence. Her head game was crazy. He was beginning to think that Robyn would be good to have around for a while after all.

"Alright, baby, I gotta go," he said pulling up his pants, "I'ma call you when I'm done though."

"You better," she said wiping the corners of her mouth.

"Answer your phone," Brandon said walking outside to his car.
Chapter 4

Brandon drove to meet Golden at his office. He needed to talk to him about recruiting more runners. The M.A.C. Boys had most of Sacramento covered, but there were still a few untouched areas. Jewel and Brandon were lieutenants, so they had five to ten niggas under them doing their dirty work. Golden allowed them to push major weight. He supplied them with keys of heroin and cocaine to sell to his top buyers, but nobody made any moves without his approval. Brandon had a flock of niggas who wanted to get put on, but Golden had to give him the green light.

Brandon's phone beeped snapping him back from his thoughts. He had three new voicemails.

"Ay, bruh. When you're done with Robyn, hit me," he heard Jewel's voice echo into the phone. Brandon was heated. He wanted to keep him and Robyn a secret because to be honest, she was not a good look for him. He was used to bad women flocking to him, but he wanted someone who wanted more out of life, and Robyn didn't. She had money, but he could tell she didn't work for it. He worked hard for everything he had, so his bitch had to be a reflection of that. Growing up, Brandon only had his mother. His father Kenneth "Pimpin' Ken" Edwards was a well-known pimp back in the 70s. At the age of 17, his mother Maria Santiago was his bottom bitch who happened to get pregnant. When Pimpin Ken found out she was pregnant, he was far from excited. He beat Maria so bad, it was a miracle that she lived, let alone Brandon. When he found out she planned on keeping the baby, he kicked her out without a dollar to her name. During that time, she was strung out on crack, but once she felt the life that God had blessed her with growing inside of her, she vowed to change her life around.

After Brandon was born, he and his mother lived in a shelter. She worked hard in detox to become clean. After completing her treatment, she found a job as a waitress to support Brandon. Through all of their trials and tribulations, Brandon and his mother made it through the storms. He loved his mom more than anything in the world, and he hated seeing her work every day just to keep food on the table, so at 14, he decided to start working too, and the streets embraced him. A year later, Maria died of stomach cancer. Brandon was never the same after her death. The love that she had always provided him with was gone forever, and now he lived in desperation trying to find that love again.

Brandon didn't call Jewel back. It was 12:30 a.m., so he knew that he was already with Golden. Rushing to get to the meeting, Brandon pulled his car into a parking garage. Golden's office was in the heart of Downtown Sacramento. He wanted to blend in with all of the other professionals. His building housed the lawyers that dealt with all of their legal issues, amongst accountants, and anyone else who helped to clean up his money. Brandon parked on the top floor of the concrete parking structure. He noticed Jewel's car parked on the opposite side. The garage echoed as he made his way down the stairs. Once he got closer, lights from passing cars bounced off of the sidewalk illuminating the words Smith & Associates that were etched into the front glass doors. Brandon made his way to the back of the building, eased open the unlocked doors, and he ran up five flights of stairs to Golden's office.

"Boy, you called me down here, and you're late? I do have other business I could be taking care of," Golden said sipping a glass of scotch.

"My bad, G, I got caught up," Brandon said sitting down next to Jewel. Jewel tried to keep himself from laughing.

"So what's up, Brandon?"

"Basically, I feel like we need some more niggas out here, or at least I do. Me and Jewel have the South locked down, and I know Sacario is cool in Richmond, but I think if we're gonna take over Sac, we need more soldiers in the North and the East."

Golden leaned back in his mahogany-colored, leather chair with his hands on top of his head. His salt and pepper hair peeked through his fingers.

"What do you think, Jewel?" Golden valued his opinion. Jewel was a true businessman at heart, and he always thought out all his options before making any decision.

"I mean, you can never go wrong with expanding as long as we have the right people."

"Okay, Brandon, I'm trusting you on this. Hit me with the numbers tomorrow. Was that it?"

Jewel and Brandon looked at each other. "Yeah, that was it," Brandon said.

"Alright then." Golden sat behind his desk as they went back downstairs. After making it outside, Jewel made sure to lock the back door behind them.

"Nigga, why you ain't tell me you were trying to send more niggas out? We could've went to Golden together?"

"I mean if there's more money out there, why not? These little niggas be tryna get put on, so if we all can benefit, I don't see the problem."

"Yeah, you right, bruh. Anyway, what's up with my sis?" Jewel asked pushing Brandon off the sidewalk.

"Sis?"

"Robyn, nigga," Jewel laughed.

"Here you go with this shit." Brandon and Jewel crossed the vacant street towards the parking garage. The metal elevator clanked as it came down to the first floor.

"Bruh, don't lie. Reagan busted ya'll out."

The elevator slowly came to a stop. As the grey metal doors opened, they walked in.

"It ain't like that," Brandon said pushing the button for the top floor.

"Yeah, okay."

"Anyway, what you bout to do tomorrow?"

"I got some shit to do out in the Bay. I'ma get at you though, bruh," Jewel said getting into his car. He couldn't take the risk of Robyn finding out about him and Reagan. As much as he wanted to be with her, he didn't want to mess up home, so he would play his part until she told him otherwise. Brandon stood still and watched Jewel's red Mercedes SLK fade down the ramp as he stood in the darkened garage.

$$$$$

Robyn woke up with her phone blaring next to her head. She struggled to see the number across the screen. She stayed up and waited for Brandon to call, but he never did.

"I know you ain't sleep."

Robyn sat straight up and smoothed down her hair as if someone could see her.

"Naw, I was up, but you definitely didn't call me last night. I'm mad at you."

"My bad, I had some shit to take care of, but fuck all that, what you doing today?"

"I don't have any plans yet," Robyn said nonchalantly.

"You tryna get out the house?"

"And do what?" she asked smacking her lips.

"Just get outta Sac, damn. Ay, your mouth is too crazy for me. You gon' have to kill all that shit, Robyn. Forreal."

"Sorry, babe, what time you gonna be here?"

"That's more like it, baby. I'ma hit you and let you know. Just be ready."

$$$$$

Good morning, beautiful. I can't wait to see you, Reagan. Call me when you get up.

Reagan woke up with a smile on her face. She lay in bed and stared at the text message from Jewel. He was starting to make her forget about her problems with Styles. His attentiveness refreshed her life, and she was happy for the first time in a long time. She knew she was playing with fire, but somehow it all seemed worth it. She knew she deserved better; she just didn't know how to give herself better. She didn't deserve to be disrespected, taken for granted, or cheated on, but that's what was comfortable for her. Styles' empty side of the bed seemed miles away. He didn't come home the night before, but she wasn't surprised.

"Good morning, Rea," Styles said busting into the room carrying a tray full of food.

Reagan dropped her phone on the floor. The battery went one way, and the phone went the other. Styles walked over to her and placed a kiss on her forehead. He cooked her favorite breakfast—double chocolate chip pancakes with maple syrup covered bacon. A single pink rose laid aside a crystal glass of sparkling champagne and grapefruit juice. He sat the tray down next to Reagan on the bed, and she just stared at it.

"What's all this?" Reagan stuttered.

"I know I've been fucking up, Rea. There's no excuse for it. You have always been my first priority, and for some reason, I lost sight of that, but I'm back, babe. I swear."

Styles moved the tray to the side and laid his head in Reagan's lap. She leaned down and kissed Styles. As much as he hurt her, he always knew how to make her pain go away. The sunlight shined down on his dark brown skin and illuminated his hard body before he sat up and laid Reagan across the bed. Her t-shirt eased up her thighs and exposed her neatly trimmed pussy. Styles slowly pushed her legs apart and found his destination. Reagan gripped the sheets as her body jerked against his soft, wet tongue. He hungrily enveloped her clit letting his hand slowly stroke her insides. Feeling all of her anger and frustrations seep out of her body, she came. And just like that, she was back hooked. Her body went limp as he continued to suck her pearl intensifying her climax, and when he came up for air, Styles' face glistened with Reagan's forgiveness. Once again, she fell in love with the pain. Styles grabbed Reagan, and she fell asleep in his arms where she desperately wanted to be.

Later that night, Reagan woke up to Styles shuffling around in their closet. He tossed pants, shirts, and shoes over his shoulder onto the bed.

"Where we going, babe?" she asked yawning.

"I got a press conference tomorrow."

"Where?" Reagan got up and grabbed her sweatpants from out of the dresser.

"New York. I'll only be gone for like a week though."

Reagan walked over to the closet and grabbed her suitcase down.

"What you doing, Rea?" Styles asked continuing to fold his clothes. He watched as she struggled to reach the rest of her luggage.

"What you mean? That's what all this was about? You spent a couple of hours with me, so you could leave me here alone? Fuck that. Not happening, Cameron. If you have to be in New York for a week, I'll be right there with you," Reagan said rushing past Styles to get to her drawers.

"Man, don't start. This is business. I'm looking at all my options right now, Rea. I'm doing this for us. Stop being so fucking needy all the time. I'll be back before you notice I'm even gone."

"Nigga, what you mean? When are you not gone?" Reagan sat on their bed and stared down at the floor, "I swear, Cam, if you leave, I'm not gonna be here when you get back."

Zipping up his suitcases, he grabbed his cell phone and plane ticket from off the nightstand.

"Stop being dramatic, Rea. You ain't got nowhere else to go," he said kissing her on the cheek, "I'll call you when I touch down."

Reagan didn't move as she listened to Styles leaving. Tears fell to the floor as the door slammed shut. The sound echoed throughout the house, and soon the room confined her again. With no energy left to fight, she turned off all the lights and crawled back into their deserted bed.

$$$$$

It had been three days since Jewel had talked to Reagan. After promising to spend the rest of the weekend with him, she just up and disappeared. He tried to call her cell phone over and over again, but there was no answer. Jewel was tired of chasing her. She had a man at home, so he had to leave her alone. Jewel felt stupid that he let himself fall for Reagan after almost a week. His mind and heart were disconnected, and he struggled to reconnect the two, but Reagan made the choice for the both of them. Trying to get his mind off of the situation, he decided to go to Brandon's. Jewel dialed his number as he locked up his house.

"Hello?" Brandon said picking up on the first ring.

"What's up, nigga. You at the house?"

"Naw, but I'm bout to be in a little while. Why, what's up?"

"I'm bout to slide through."

"Yep, I should be there by the time you get there."

$$$$$

Jewel stopped by the liquor store before he made his way to Brandon's. The strip was flooded with police. They circled the block to make sure the area stayed dry, so niggas served their knocks in passing. The exchanges had to become quicker and more frequent. Jewel walked past his fellow d-boys and entered the store as his ex Kyrsa was coming out. They were only together for a few months, but he couldn't seem to shake her. He tried to rush past her unnoticed.

"Jewel!" she yelled standing in the store's doorway.

All of a sudden, a young, light-skinned nigga with dreads walked out staring Kyrsa up and down. Her smooth chocolate complexion glittered under the sun. Jewel moved to the side as the dread-head made his way toward her.

"Bye, nigga," she immediately said putting her hand up.

"Fuck you then, bitch," he spat walking away in defeat.

"Jewel, you gon' just let these niggas disrespect me like that?"

"Bitch, that ain't none of my business," Jewel said entering the store and leaving Kyrsa behind. He stood in line behind a heavy set black lady. Her hand was filled with various scratch-off and lotto tickets. Jewel kept his eye on the door to make sure Kyrsa had left, and after several minutes in line, he made it to the front.

"Can I help you?" a man asked in a thick Arabic accent.

"Let me get a pint of Hen and two packs of swishers." Jewel pulled out a wad of money and peeled off a hundred-dollar bill. He kept looking over his shoulder praying Kyrsa wasn't outside. The store owner put the ice cold bottle in a paper and plastic bag. Jewel grabbed the bag and the swishers off the counter and walked out. Kyrsa was nowhere in sight. In relief, he jogged across the parking lot to his car where Kyrsa was waiting inside.

"Bitch, how the fuck did you get in my car?" Jewel asked snatching the passenger side door open.

Kyrsa sat with her arms folded across her chest staring straight ahead. "You left the doors unlocked, Jewel."

"Ay, look, I'm not doing this crazy shit with you today."

"Well, you bout to do something, nigga, cause I'm not getting out," she said laughing, "We need to talk. I think you overreacted about JP. Yes, granted, we did have sex, but we need to just let the past be the past, boo. Damn."

"Come on with this shit." Jewel stood outside the car with his hands on top of his head. The sun shined brightly against the red candy paint. He stared at his reflection before grabbing Kyrsa by her hair and lifting her small frame from his black leather seat. "Bitch, go tell that shit to him," Jewel spat.

A crowd started to form at the sound of Kyrsa's cries for help. She screamed as his grip got tighter. Kyrsa was in love with money, and Jewel had more than enough. Her promiscuous ways made Jewel lose interest in her fast, but she promised herself she would win him back. The crowd laughed as she struggled to release Jewel's hold on her hair. After a few missed swings, he dropped her body to the ground. Blood trickled down her leg as the concrete scraped against her skin, but Jewel ignored her as he closed the passenger side door and made his way to the driver's side. Without thinking twice, he put his car in reverse as Kyrsa sat crying on the sidewalk. People attempted to help her off the ground, but she refused. Embarrassed, tears filled her eyes as she watched Jewel's $60,000 Mercedes drive away.

$$$$$

Brandon left Robyn's to meet up with Jewel. Hoping he would run into Reagan again, he became a permanent fixture at Robyn's house, and she loved it. She cleared space around the house for his stuff, but he played it from day to day. She could tell he was hesitant to move in, but she felt it would only be a matter of time before he was all hers. Reagan wasn't in Jewel's everyday conversation anymore, so Brandon assumed they were done before anything really began. It sickened him to hear Jewel talk about her. Reagan was meant for him. Jewel had bitches chasing behind him every minute of the day, so why Reagan? Brandon wasn't giving up on her; Jewel would just have to understand.

Brandon pulled up as Jewel was parking his car. After crossing the street, he ran through Brandon's immaculately cut grass to get to the front door. Water drops reflected the light as the sun shined down.

"Ay, nigga. You could've gone around."

"Fuck this grass. My shoes got wet," Jewel said wiping off his white $200 Supras.

Making their way inside, Brandon closed the garage. His house looked like a showroom. Between the out of town business trips, and the flocks of women he kept, he was rarely ever home. Before stepping foot on the Italian-imported carpet, Jewel took off his shoes. He'd known Brandon long enough to know the procedure. After taking off his shoes, Brandon went into the living room and turned on the fifty-inch flat screen. The TV blared as Brandon sparked up a blunt and searched around for the remote.

"You tryna get on this Madden?" he asked passing Jewel the weed.

"Naw, I'm good." Jewel cracked open the bottle of Hennessy. The dark brown liquid burned his insides, but he continued to guzzle the bottle. As he caressed his escape, the blunt burned and ashes fell on Jewel's jeans. Brandon sunk into his Franchesca sofa focusing on his NFL tournament. He only pulled himself away to hit the bottle or hit the blunt. Feeling the effects of the alcohol and weed mix, Jewel finally began to relax. Reagan's disappearing act and the situation with Kyrsa had him on edge.

"Blood, you remember that one bitch, Kyrsa?" Jewel asked watching the virtual football players run across the seeming realistic field.

"The dark one?"

"Yeah, I was fucking with her for a hot second, and then she started fucking on that nigga JP."

"Yeah, yeah, ok," Brandon said ashing the blunt. The weed had his head spinning.

"So I'm at the store, and I see her. I wasn't paying the bitch no attention, so she calls herself being mad. Tell me why when I came outside, she was in my car. I had to snatch her ass up. She caused a big-ass scene. I shouldn't have even done all that. Her crazy-ass loves that shit. Man, I don't see why I always attract all the fatals. On God," Jewel said swallowing a mouthful of Hennessy.

Brandon sat back laughing at Jewel's misery.

"Nigga, it ain't funny. I wouldn't be surprised if she called the boys."

Suddenly, Jewel's phone started to ring. He slowly reached down into his pocket as the rings became louder and louder. He tried to focus on the number, but everything was blurred.

"Hello?" Jewel slurred.

"Hey, it's Reagan."

Jewel stared at the phone before responding. Brandon was consumed by the game. The weed had him stuck, so he got up and went into his guest room.

"So you just disappeared on a nigga, huh? That's how we doing it now?"

"I'm so sorry. It was a lot of shit going on."

"You could've texted me, Reagan."

"I know, Jewel, but me and Cameron had this big ass fight. I just needed to be by myself. I'm sorry."

$$$$$

After finishing the game, Brandon realized Jewel left. When he heard him talking in the other room.

"It's probably that bitch Kyrsa," Brandon laughed, "He better stop playing with that girl." He slowly walked up to the half-opened door and listened.

"Are you okay, Reagan?" Brandon remained still as he listened to Jewel's conversation. "I can come out there now. Where you wanna meet?" Brandon continued to ear hustle as Jewel repeated the details back to Reagan. "Okay, I'm on my way," Jewel said ending the phone call.

Brandon made his way back to the living room before Jewel rushed out of the bedroom and grabbed his keys from off of the glass coffee table.

"What's up, bruh?" Brandon asked staring at the TV.

"That was Reagan. I'm bout to go see her. Something happened with her and her nigga."

"Where's he at?"

"I don't know. I mean I know she's with somebody, but I'm really feeling her, blood. I'ma play the back til she gives a nigga a chance. She's different than all these other bitches. I feel it. Ever since that night at Rain, we've been talking, so that gotta count for something, feel me? Nigga or not."

Brandon's heart was filled with jealousy again. Jewel was his nigga, but he refused to let him win Reagan's heart. He wanted her to see that he was the man for her. Not Jewel, her boyfriend, or any other man would be right for her.

"I'ma hit you when I get back though," Jewel said closing the door behind him.

$$$$$

Jewel raced to San Francisco to meet up with Reagan. The normal two-hour ride took him less than an hour as he maneuvered his way in between traffic weaving in and out seamlessly to get to her. The cold Bay breeze hit him across the face as he crossed the bridge. Traffic entering the City was at a standstill, so Jewel sat captive on the freeway watching the sun set. He felt his hands sweating as he inched closer and closer to the exit. Jewel knew Reagan wasn't leaving her boyfriend anytime soon, but he wanted to show her that he was there for her no matter what her situation was. He wanted her. Getting lost in his fantasy of them being together, his phone rang. It was Reagan.

"Hey, I just made it out here. You at the place yet?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna check in. How far are you?"

"I'm almost at the exit."

Ten minutes later, Jewel pulled up to Fleur De Lys. The white valet came and collected his keys and replaced them with a claim ticket. The streets were filled with passing people of all cultures. Many stood in line hoping to get a table, but reservations were needed to even sit at the bar. Jewel walked inside and saw Reagan seated in the front. She was more beautiful than he remembered. He watched as she sat playing with her hair. Her big sandy, brown curls sat messily on her head, and the oversized sweater she wore hung loosely off one shoulder as she stared attentively at the menu.

"Can I help you, sir?" the maître d' asked looking at Jewel suspiciously.

"Sorry, I'm meeting someone here. Last name Taylor."

The small host scanned the reservation list to find Reagan's name.

"Ah, yes. Ms. Taylor. She is right over here," he said leading him over to their table. When they arrived, he stood to the side as Jewel got situated.

"Your waiter will be with you shortly," he said placing the wine menu down and excusing himself.

"Hi," Reagan said smiling from across the table.

"Girl, don't play with me," Jewel said snatching Reagan's seat next to his, "You better give me a hug." He squeezed her reassuring himself that she was real. Reagan wrapped her arms around Jewel's thick, golden body. The embrace lasted long enough for her to become intoxicated by his Cartier cologne, but soon the waiter walked over with a basket filled with bread ending their reunion.

"Can I start you guys off with anything?"

Reagan sat undecided. The menu seemed never ending as she studied the wine list.

"Let's start off with the beef Carpaccio with the garlic aioli, the sesame and truffle oil sashimi, and two glasses of the '98 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame," Jewel said handing the waiter back the menus.

"I'll have that right out, sir."

"Carpaccio? Aioli? They don't have that in the hood," Reagan laughed.

"Don't assume, lil baby. There's more to me than what you think you know."

"I see."

Reagan and Jewel spent the rest of dinner enjoying each other's company. Reagan was surprised that he was cultured in gourmet foods and wines. She sat and wondered why Styles couldn't be as attentive. Jewel gazed into her eyes as she spoke, and he paid attention to her every word. She felt herself becoming lost again in his existence. She loved Styles despite his faults, but she had to admit to herself she was falling for Jewel. His pretty boy exterior only accentuated who he was on the inside.

After the appetizers, Jewel ordered a seafood dinner for the two of them that filled the table. Reagan was surrounded by Dungeness crab, lobster, scallops, and fresh water oysters. She felt herself losing control, and she loved it. She never knew what to expect with Jewel. Every time she thought she had him figured out, he would do something to change her perception of him. During dinner, he made it a point to take his time and enjoy their evening. He couldn't have Reagan like he wanted, so he cherished every second he could spend with her. "So you just gon' disappear again, huh?"

"No," she laughed, "I swear I had a lot going on, but I'm good now. I'm here, right?"

After all the dishes were cleared, Reagan looked up at the clock. She didn't know when Styles was coming home, but she knew she needed to be there when he did, and plus, she didn't trust herself alone with Jewel. "We've been here for almost three hours," she finally said.

"You gotta go?"

"Yeah, I think I should."

"Do you have time for dessert?" Jewel asked flagging down the waiter.

"You know I do" she laughed.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Yeah, can we get dessert?"

"Right away, sir."

A few minutes later, the waiter brought out a double chocolate truffle cheesecake with a Grand Marnier glaze. Reagan couldn't believe her eyes as she watched the waiter place the enormous dessert down on the table.

Jewel (hearts) Reagan was written in caramel on the plate. Jewel slipped the waiter $100 for the special order. Reagan was amazed at how he was always thinking of her.

"You like it?"

"I love it, Jewel. Thank you," she said blushing, "So you heart me, huh?"

"You cool," he laughed.

"I bet, so who'd you have to pay to get all this?" Reagan asked taking a bite of the chocolate cheesecake, but she couldn't help but notice Jewel staring behind her.

"Why you look like that?" Reagan turned around and couldn't believe her eyes. There were Brandon and Robyn waiting to be seated. The two stood hand in hand as the maître d' led them to their table. Robyn slowed her stroll as she noticed Reagan sitting in the corner alongside Jewel. Reagan tried to hide her face, but it was too late. She was caught. Robyn flew over to their table.

"Ummm, hi, Reagan, what's all this? Where's Styles?" she asked staring a hole into Jewel.

"Robyn, it's not what you think," Reagan said standing up.

"Oh, it's not, huh? Hmmmmm, 'Jewel loves Reagan'? After all my brother has done for you, you gon' cheat on him with this nigga?" Robyn asked knocking the cake to the floor.

"I'm not cheating on him with anybody, Robyn."

"What do you call it?"

Before Reagan could come up with an answer, Robyn punched her in the mouth. The two girls fought in the middle of the restaurant as the other patrons stared in horror. Reagan was Robyn's friend, but family always came first no matter what, so she wanted to take Reagan's head off for disrespecting her brother. Brandon grabbed Robyn off of Reagan and held her as she continued to kick and punch. Jewel helped Reagan off of the floor. Her hair was everywhere and her sweater was completely torn. Brandon tried to let Robyn readjust herself, but every time he put her down, she charged at Reagan.

"Bitch, this isn't over. Just wait til I tell my brother." Brandon had to drag Robyn out of the restaurant before they called the police on her. Jewel followed them out.

"Brandon, what the fuck?"

"Man, this shit is crazy. I'ma hit you later. I gotta get her ass outta here."

"Nigga, fuck you. I should have my brother beat your ass. You better take that bitch back to your house since you like breaking up happy homes," Robyn spat.

"Let's go," Brandon said snatching her by the arm, "I just wanted to take you out to a nice dinner, and you act hella stupid. I don't give a fuck who that bitch is fucking. That ain't your business."

All Jewel could do was shake his head in disbelief and go back into the restaurant. Robyn stood on the side of the street fixing her dress and hair. She pulled out her compact and checked her face for any cuts or bruises.

"You okay, ma?" Brandon asked.

"Yeah, I'm good. You should be asking if that bitch is okay."

"You ready?"

"Yeah," Robyn yelled pulling her phone out of her clutch purse. Brandon watched her as they waited for the valet to return his car. He was mad she hit Reagan, but he had to admit she played her part well.

$$$$$

Reagan stood in the middle of the bathroom staring at her bloody face. Her lip was swollen and her eye was cut. She attempted to fix her disheveled hair, but it was pointless. She took the torn sweater off and threw it in the small glass trash can. She couldn't believe Robyn found out about Jewel. It was her own fault though. She knew she could've been more careful.

"You okay?" Jewel yelled from the other side of the bathroom door.

"I'm fine," she said opening it.

Jewel stared at her bruised face. "I'm so sorry, Reagan. I don't know what the fuck that was. I swear I didn't even tell him where I was going, but even if I did, he wouldn't do no shit like that to me. That's my nigga."

"You sure?"

"What you mean?" Jewel asked leaning against the wall waiting for her to answer.

"Nothing, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so careless. I do have a boyfriend, or at least I did, and I wasn't acting like it. It's my fault," Reagan said beginning to cry.

"Come here."

Jewel held her as she released all of her pain onto his chest. He couldn't believe Robyn caught them, but in a sense, he didn't care. He wanted the truth to be out. He was interested in Reagan, and he wanted to be with her, no secrets.

"What you wanna do?"

"I need to go home and fix this."

"You sure?" Jewel asked in defeat.

"Yeah."
Chapter 5

After the fight at the restaurant, Jewel drove home uneasy about leaving Reagan alone. He offered to let her stay with him or even out her up in a hotel, but she was adamant about going home. He didn't know how or why Brandon brought Robyn to Fleur De Lys, but he did know that it made things harder for him. The situation only made Reagan cling to her boyfriend even more. Jewel pulled up to his house and saw Brandon's truck parked out in front. He walked to the side of the car and saw Brandon smoking a blunt.

"What's up, nigga?" Jewel asked getting in on the passenger side, "Why you didn't go in?"

"I left the spare key at the hut, but I came over here to apologize, nigga. I would've never brought Robyn to that restaurant if I knew ya'll were there too. I knew you were going out that way but fuck," Brandon said passing Jewel the blunt.

"It's good, nigga," Jewel said inhaling the smoke through his nose. He paused for a second and slowly exhaled the day away.

Brandon was like Jewel's brother. He knew Brandon wouldn't try to play him out like that, so as far as he was concerned, it was water under the bridge. They sat in Jewel's driveway for an hour and smoked an eighth Brandon had, and Jewel let the tree take him away a thoughts about how he was going to fix things with Reagan permeated his head.

$$$$$

After Jewel dropped her off, Reagan went home to pack up her stuff. She knew once Styles found out, he would kick her out anyway, so she thought she would be one step ahead of the game. The lobby was empty when she arrived. Not even the doorman was around. Her heels hitting the tile floor echoed throughout the room as she approached the elevator. She tried to go over each scenario in her head. She knew Styles wouldn't want to hear anything she had to say, but she had to figure out something. He was her family. He was all she had. She called Robyn over and over, but she sent her to voicemail. When Reagan got inside, the entire house was dark. She forgot to leave the kitchen light on before she left to meet Jewel. She dropped her keys on the dining room table and made her way to the bedroom. As she walked down the hallway, she heard the TV. When she eased the bedroom door open, she saw Styles asleep on the bed, and a vase filled with long-stemmed, red roses sat on the nightstand with a card. He wanted to make things right. He knew Reagan deserved better than he gave her, and he wanted to start being the man she needed.

Sorry, baby, you mean the world to me. There is no me without you. I LOVE YOU!—Cameron.

Reagan felt so guilty. Here she was with the man that was supposed to be the man of her dreams, but all she could think about was Jewel. She had to forget about him and focus on her relationship with Styles. A few minutes later, Reagan took off her clothes and nuzzled herself underneath him. He didn't wake up, but his body acknowledged her presence. Reagan kissed Styles on his forehead and drifted off to sleep.

Later that night, Reagan was awakened by hard blows to her face and body. She tried to shield and protect herself but failed. She didn't know what was going on, but soon realized it was Styles. He hovered over her and let his fists rain across her body, and he wouldn't stop until she felt the pain he felt. While Styles and Reagan were sleep, Robyn called. Reagan was her best friend, but she believed blood would always be thicker than water. Robyn told Styles everything, and of course, he was furious. At first, he didn't know how to react. He paced the room and stared at Reagan asleep in their bed. She looked so innocent. He tried to control himself, but when the thoughts of her and another man started to race through his head, he went crazy.

Here I am trying to make things right with her, and she's out fucking the next nigga? he thought. When Styles snapped back from his rage, he saw that their crisp, white sheets were covered with Reagan's blood as she lay lifeless on the bed. Unfortunately, her screams went unheard, and Styles began to panic. He watched as Reagan struggled to breathe. Unsure of what to do, he called Robyn. She didn't answer her phone that night, so Styles left a message. She loved her brother, but she hated being in his business directly. She was just the messenger.

"Sis, I don't know what happened. Is she alright? Please let her be alright. I'm..."

$$$$$

The next morning, Robyn decided to go to Styles and Reagan's house. She felt bad about their fight, so she wanted to apologize to her in person. She brought a small basket of chocolate chip, banana nut muffins hoping to make peace. When Robyn walked in, she saw Reagan's purse sitting on the dining room table. Taking that as a sign of reconciliation, she set the basket down and walked toward the back.

"Reagan? Styles? Ya'll better not be in here fucking," Robyn laughed. She knocked on the door, but no one answered. When she opened it, she saw Reagan's naked body sprawled across the bed. Her body was bruised and bloody, and her face was swollen. Robyn panicked. She had to call Brandon.

$$$$$

Reagan was rushed into the emergency room at Mercy Memorial Hospital by two young EMTs as she laid on the gurney unconscious. They were able to stabilize her vitals in the ambulance, but she lost a lot of blood. Robyn refused to leave her side as an Asian nurse closed a long white curtain behind her. She hooked Reagan up to a bunch of different colored tubes connected to various beeping machines that helped to replenish her fluids. The loss of blood caused her to become dehydrated. The nurse felt over her naked body and found Reagan had five cracked ribs, a broken nose, and she was suffering from internal bleeding, so she rushed past Robyn to retrieve the head doctor. When the white-haired man arrived, he examined Reagan's chart. Her life was on the line, and they had to move fast.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Williamson. Are you related to the patient?"

Robyn stood in shock as several nurses poked and prodded Reagan's arm with various needles. "Yes, she's my sister," Robyn said never taking her eyes from off of her.

"Well, miss, she has severe internal bleeding. We're going to have to take her upstairs to the Intensive Care Unit. She'll need immediate surgery to stop the hemorrhaging. Does she have any other family?"

"No, just me," Robyn said staring at the white speckled floor. The beeps of the machines taunted her as they became louder and more frequent.

Robyn knew that Styles couldn't come to the hospital. The police questioned her before they arrived, and she knew they would be waiting around to see if anyone else showed up.

"Do you know what happened to her?"

"No, doctor, I found her like this when I came to her house this morning." Reagan's blood covered her shirt and hands. Robyn tried to wipe it off, but they were stained.

"Does she have a significant other?"

"Not that I know of."

The nurses quickly prepped Reagan for surgery. Robyn walked to her bedside and placed a kiss on her forehead. Her face was swollen beyond recognition.

I can't believe he did this to her. There has to be some other explanation, she thought.

"Okay, we're ready to take her upstairs now. You can go to the third floor and wait in the waiting room there. I'll let you know if anything changes," Dr. Williamson said. Robyn watched as a group of nurses ran Reagan through two giant metal doors.

"Code Blue. Code Blue. Code Blue," echoed throughout the hospital from overhead.

Robyn made her way down the long hallway to the elevator, and the cold air chilled her soul. What if she dies? she thought. She never wanted it to go this far. She was mad at Reagan, but she didn't deserve to be in the hospital fighting for her life. Robyn entered the empty elevator, and pictures of Jesus and the Virgin Mary surrounded her as the elevator crept to the third floor. "She'll make it. She has to make it. She has to," Robyn whispered to herself.

When the elevator doors opened, she saw Brandon and Jewel talking to Dr. Williamson.

"She just arrived to surgery. We're hoping we can stop the bleeding."

"Can I see her?" Jewel asked.

"Unfortunately, even if the surgery is successful, she'll still be in critical condition, but once she's stable, she can have visitors."

"Thank you, doctor," Jewel said shaking his hand.

"No problem," he said disappearing back into the surgery area. Brandon and Jewel found seats right next to the entrance doors. Jewel sat on the cushioned seat with his head down, and Brandon quickly noticed Robyn staring at them from beside the elevator.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" she yelled from across the room.

Brandon shot up and pulled her over to where they were sitting. "Lower your voice."

"No, fuck that. You're the reason she's in here," Robyn said facing Jewel.

"Am I?" he laughed, "Naw, I think you and your punk-ass brother had a lot to do with this."

"You might wanna leave. My brother is on his way up here. I just got off the phone with him," Robyn said pulling her cell phone from her purse.

"And?" Jewel sat back and began to watch the news. Four flat screen TVs covered the maroon painted walls, and the cold air penetrated the room. Family members sat on edge waiting for the verdict of their loved ones. Mercy Memorial saw life and death pass through every single day, but the monotonous sound of people shuffling in and out irritated Jewel. No one spoke, but their pain couldn't be any louder, and the continuous news coverage that was playing couldn't drown out their cries. The room was enveloped by a suffocating fog of hope and despair. Many sat praying to a God they didn't even acknowledge or had long forgotten. Some prayers went unheard as doctor after doctor came out to deliver the news of recovery or death. Not being able to be alone with his own thoughts any longer, Jewel walked over to a long line-up of vending machines. He searched through the machines filled with junk food finally deciding on a bag of Tapatio Doritos. He wasn't hungry, but he needed something to occupy his mind. He popped open the bag as he wandered around the waiting room looking at various certificates and awards posted along the walls. After what seemed like hours, Dr. Williamson finally returned, and this time, Robyn was the first to run over to the doctor. Jewel stood to the side hoping Reagan was okay. He attempted to prepare himself for the worst, but his heart wouldn't let him.

"I am happy to say that Ms. Taylor's surgery was successful."

"Oh, thank God," Robyn cried out.

"The bleeding has stopped, but she's still pretty banged up. We gave her some Eszopiclone to help her sleep. Her body has endured a lot of trauma, so it's imperative that she rests."

"Can I see her now?" Jewel asked stepping in front of Robyn.

"Well, it's pretty late, but I guess one of you can sit with her. It'll be better if she wakes up to a familiar face. I'll let you guys decide."

"Nigga, I hope you don't think that you're gonna be that one," Robyn said sucking her teeth.

"Sure do. If it wasn't for you, Reagan wouldn't even be in here. I'm pretty sure when she wakes up you're the last person she'll want to see. So you're dismissed, bitch."

Jewel walked into the recovery area with Dr. Williamson leaving Robyn and Brandon behind.

$$$$$

Brandon and Robyn drove back to Sacramento in silence. He knew Robyn would run back and tell her brother about Jewel and Reagan, and even though he wanted him to find out, he didn't think he'd go as far as putting her in the hospital.

"Did your brother tell you he was gon' do all that?" Brandon asked pushing his Denali 110 m.p.h.

"I just told him what happened. He didn't say too much after that."

Brandon drove with his hands clinching the steering wheel. He became entranced by the sea of white lights on the left side of the freeway as Robyn sat silent in her own guilt. She tried calling Styles, but he never answered. She needed her brother for guidance.
Chapter 6

Reagan woke up with bright lights shining in her face. She had no idea where she was or what had happened. All she knew was her body ached as she attempted to sit up, but the IV in her left arm and her torso being tightly wrapped with white gauze kept her from moving too much. She scanned the room and saw Jewel asleep on a pull out bed alongside various assortments of flowers that filled the room and "Get Well Soon" balloons. She needed answers.

"Where am I?" she asked herself.

Jewel stirred in his sleep at the sound of her voice. Reagan had been put in a medically induced coma for three months. Although, the doctors were able to stop the hemorrhaging, they later discovered that she suffered from brain trauma, so the medication allowed Dr. Williamson to monitor her brain activity without any stress to her body. Jewel stayed with her every single day; he became a permanent fixture at the hospital. Robyn stopped by a few times but soon stopped. She was scared they would link her to Styles.

"Jewel?" Reagan's voice was scratchy from being asleep for three months.

Jewel jumped out of the cot as if he saw a ghost. He stared at her like it was his first time seeing her again. He was used to their one-sided conversations, but he was glad she had come to. Her weakened spirit seemed stronger.

"Hey, you feel okay?" he asked not wanting to scare her.

"Yeah, I'm just a little sore. How long have I been here?"

Jewel stared at her as if the question was foreign to him. "Three months."

"Three months? What the fuck happened?"

"Let me get the nurse, Reagan."

Jewel walked out of the room and ran to the nurses' station. After explaining what happened, an older light-skinned nurse flew into the room in absolute disbelief.

"Usually, the doctor would make the decision to take someone out of the type of coma she was in. It is very rare for the patient to come out on their own," the nurse said to Jewel as she checked Reagan's vitals in amazement, "Hey there, I'm nurse Glory. I've been your nurse while you've been here, sweetie." She pulled her stethoscope from around her neck and checked Reagan's heartbeat. "Everything looks good. Let me go get the doctor." Nurse Glory left the room with Reagan still trying to piece together the last three months of her life.

"Jewel, seriously, what happened? Where's Robyn and Styles?"

"Robyn brought you to the hospital. You had some internal bleeding and brain trauma. The doctors decided that it would be best if you rested."

"For three fucking months?"

"You almost died," Jewel said grabbing her hand.

Reagan couldn't believe that Styles almost killed her. She wanted to believe that him beating her was only a dream, but the scars proved it was her reality. With no more tears left inside, she was unable to cry. The torment she put up with never reached to her life being in jeopardy. She had to be done.

"What about Robyn?"

"She's been up here a few times, but she stopped once the police started asking more questions. They said your dude was looking at a voluntary manslaughter charge."

Reagan leaned back in the bed. She couldn't believe her life had come to this point.

"Are you hungry?" Jewel asked snapping her back from her thoughts.

"Hell yeah."

"I got you."

$$$$$

"She woke up, nigga. After three months, she woke up. Hit me when you get this. I need you to do me a favor." After getting Jewel's message, Brandon stepped out of his meeting with one of Golden's potential clients to call him back.

"What's up?"

"Reagan just woke up," Jewel yelled. He thought he was going to lose her before he even got the chance to be with her.

"That's what's up," Brandon said masking his excitement. When Jewel was out hustling, he would stand in for him.

"But, ay, I need you to come and keep an eye on her for me. I gotta go to Miami for a few days with Golden."

"I heard. I'm over here meeting with the nigga from Maryland, but I'm pretty much done. I'll shoot out there as soon as I leave here," Brandon said anxious to see Reagan.

"Good looking, nigga. I'll only be a couple days."

"It's good."

"Ay, make sure that Robyn doesn't come up here. I know that's your bitch, but I can't take any chances, feel me?"

"I got you blood."

"Alright, let me get back with this food before it gets cold. Hit me when you're on your way."

"Yep."

Brandon hung up his phone and stepped back into the conference room at Golden's office. At the table sat an older white man and two middle aged Dominican men. Brandon smoothed out his black Armani suit before sitting back down.

"My apologies, gentlemen that was an urgent matter. Now, Mr. Holloway, I'm sure you'll be more than comfortable with our offer. I'm prepared to give ten keys today in good faith just for your agreement that we'll be your sole supplier."

The white man, Mr. Holloway, glanced over the numbers Brandon set in front of him. The three men huddled around each other before coming to an agreement.

"You can tell Golden I'm in."

"Good to hear, sir," Brandon said placing a black leather briefcase onto the conference table with tightly wrapped packages of cocaine inside. He handed it over to his new client, and the two men shook hands.

$$$$$

Robyn hadn't seen Reagan in months. The thought of her only brother going away to prison kept her from the hospital. Styles went to New York in hopes that the situation would die down. If the media got a hold of the story, he could kiss all of his endorsement deals goodbye. It would destroy his image, but the news of Reagan being in a coma devastated him. He checked on Reagan as much as he could through Robyn, and he prayed she was okay. He sent a bouquet of different flowers everyday hoping that would help her get better. He found out from Robyn that Jewel had been at the hospital the whole time she was there, but he had been with her for over seven years, and as far as he was concerned, she was his and nothing or no one could change that. He couldn't let her go; he had to fight for her. Styles was coming back into town, but he wanted to stay with Robyn because he didn't feel right being at home without Reagan.

"What time does your flight get in?"

"Around 12:00 p.m. I'm coming straight there though."

"Okay, that works."

"Have you heard anything about Reagan?"

"Yeah, my boyfriend just called and said she woke up today. I wanna go up there, but I'm scared, you know?"

"I think we should just wait til she gets situated, but I'll call you when I get to Sac. My plane is boarding now."

"Okay, I love you. Everything is gonna work out, Cam."

"I love you too, sis."

Robyn wandered throughout the house contemplating on whether she should contact Reagan. Maybe it was too soon to talk to her. She sat down on the couch and stared at old pictures of the two of them. Their friendship had endured a lot over the years, but nothing that ever compromised either of their lives. Getting lost in her memories, she didn't even notice Brandon walk in.

"What's up?" he asked sitting next to her.

"Nothing, have you heard anything else about Reagan?" Robyn asked wiping her eyes as tears fell without her control.

"Jewel just said she was awake. He sounded happy, so I'm assuming, she's straight." He grabbed the remote from the couch cushion and changed the channel to ESPN. An old Warriors game was being aired again. Brandon watched as Styles amazed the crowd up and down the court.

"I wish I would've went to that game," Robyn said focusing her attention on the TV, "He did so good."

"Who?"

"My brother. Number 14."

"That's Styles?" he asked confused. He never put two and two together. Everything started to make sense. The house, the cars, the money, Styles provided it all.

"He's pretty dope. Is he getting traded this year?"

"He's a free agent now, so a lot of teams have been putting offers on the table. We'll see."

Robyn loved the attention her brother received. It always made her feel important when people found out they were related. His fame and fortune somehow translated into hers, so her association with Styles opened up many doors that might've necessarily been closed without him.

"He's coming out here today. I can introduce you if you want."

"Hell yeah, I wanna meet him," Brandon laughed. He couldn't forget the fact that Styles hurt Reagan. He had to pay, and he knew the easiest way to get to him was through Robyn.

$$$$$

A few hours later, Brandon left Robyn's house to meet up with his young potnah Pop. He drove through Meadowview looking for him, but he didn't have to look too hard. Pop stood on the block shooting craps. The dice hit the concrete with a purpose as Pop, Slim, and a few other niggas from the M.A.C. Boys stood on the street corner hovering over a pile of wrinkled dollar bills, and a fleet of brightly painted cars were parked one right behind the other.

"Seven. Pay up," Slim said as he released the dice from his diamond covered fingers. The sun beamed down on the stones illuminating every color in the rainbow. The rings sat proudly on his hands with carats on top of carats.

"That wasn't seven, and I ain't got it," Pop laughed, "I gotta go anyway." They both noticed Brandon circling the block like a hungry shark.

"Where you going, bruh?" Slim asked.

"I'll catch up with ya'll later. I got some shit to do," Pop said grabbing his Caked Out t-shirt off of Slim's lime green Chevy Chevelle.

Brandon pulled up in front of the game, and they made his way to his car.

"Ya'll need to stop playing and get this money, nigga," Brandon said unlocking the door for Pop.

"I'm on it," Slim said retreating back to the block. Slim was Brandon's go-to man in the M.A.C. Boys as far as he was concerned. He worked hard in hopes that one day he could be Brandon's right hand. He did everything for the clique but never got any recognition.

Brandon threw up the two and smashed off leaving Slim and the others on the block. Pop sat in awe of Brandon's car. The plush insides, TVs, and navigation system had his mind blown. Pop wanted to be in Brandon's shoes. In his eyes, the M.A.C. Boys were gods. He wanted to get put on and was willing to do anything. Brandon knew Pop had heart for a young nigga; he was a soldier. At only 17, he put in more work than a lot of the OGs in the game, but he was still naïve. A while back, Brandon let Pop be one of his runners. He didn't let him push dope, just some tree here and there to keep a little bit of change in his pockets, and ever since then, Pop was on-call. Whatever Brandon wanted him to do, he did no questions asked.

"What's up, B?"

"I got a job for you, Young Pop," he said sparking up a blunt as he made his way toward the 99 North freeway entrance.

After inhaling a dark, cloud of smoke, Brandon passed the blunt to Pop who eagerly accepted it. The weed tasted different than his normal tree, but everything was always different with Brandon.

"You know I'm with it," he said inhaling the smoke and leaning his seat back. He was looking for a come up, and Brandon had something for him. Pop wanted to be a part of the M.A.C. Boys and move up in the ranks, so he planned on doing whatever could bring him one step closer.

$$$$$

Jewel and Reagan sat in her hospital room watching "The Real Housewives." He hated reality TV, but he knew she lived for it. She tried to catch up on three months of missed television with boxes of Wendy's chicken nuggets cluttered around the bed. Reagan's appetite was insatiable.

"I am so hungry," she laughed.

"I guess being in a coma will do that to you."

"Shut up."

Jewel sat back and admired Reagan's beauty. Even in a hospital gown, she was gorgeous.

"One more week, and then I can eat some real food," she said stuffing a nugget in her mouth.

"Reagan, I hate to do this, but I have to go away on business for a couple of days." Jewel felt horrible about leaving her alone. He spent the entire time with her while she was in a coma, but now that she was awake, he had to leave.

"It's okay, Jewel, you have a life outside of taking care of me," she said faking a slight smile. Jewel made her feel safe, and after what happened, she was honestly scared to be alone.

"Are you sure? I'll change some things around if you're not okay."

"I'm fine, Jewel. Really."

"Well, I asked Brandon to come down and keep an eye on you while I'm gone."

"Brandon? Naw, that's okay. I'll be fine," she said continuing to eat her spicy nuggets.

"He's just gonna make sure you have everything you need until I get back, and we figure things out."

"Figure things out like what?"

"Like where you're gonna live," Jewel said staring her in the eyes.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Brandon stood at the door with a handful of pink balloons.

"Where's Robyn?" Reagan asked rolling her eyes.

"At home. She didn't know if you wanted to see her or not."

"I don't."

"Well, that's why she didn't come. How are you feeling though?"

"Better, I guess. You can put those over there with the other bullshit," Reagan said pointing towards the flowers and balloons Styles sent, "No offense."

"None taken," Brandon laughed looking at all of Styles' unwanted gifts.

"Let me holla at you," Jewel said pulling Brandon out of the room. They walked down the hallway to the lobby before he began, "So I'm bout to go home and pack. My plane leaves at 9 p.m. tonight, so just make sure she's straight til I get back," Jewel said pulling his wallet out of his pocket.

"I got it," Brandon said, "She ain't gon' need that much in here." He would've paid anything for Reagan.

"I'll hit you when I'm on my way back. I'ma try to be back by Sunday."

"Take your time, nigga. Enjoy yourself. It's like you've been in a coma too. She'll be fine. I promise."

"Thanks, bruh."

Brandon appreciated Jewel taking care of Reagan while she was in the hospital, but it was his turn.

"Okay, I'm gonna call you as soon as my plane touches down," Jewel said kissing Reagan on the cheek as he walked back into the room, "We'll talk about everything when I get back, ma."

"Don't worry about me, Jewel. I'll be fine. I guess I'll just drive Brandon crazy for a while," she said smiling at Brandon, "Can I have a kiss goodbye?"

Jewel grabbed Reagan's face and softly kissed her. He let out every emotion he had been feeling for the past couple of months. He hated that their first kiss was a goodbye kiss, but he knew he was coming home to her. Brandon was disgusted seeing Jewel and Reagan together, but he closed his eyes and assured himself that soon she would be all his. He was now one step closer.
Chapter 7

Jewel stared out of the window as the airplane descended from the sky. Flight attendants hurried up and down the aisle checking the overhead baggage containers to make sure each one was secure. Thoughts of Reagan in the hospital alone without him consumed Jewel during the eight hour trip to Miami. Golden sat across from him on the phone sipping on a Heineken.

"You want something to drink?" he asked in between calls.

"The plane is about to land, G. I think they stopped serving drinks by now," Jewel laughed.

"Boy, that's not what I asked," Golden said flagging down a stewardess.

A light-skinned flight attendant stopped to assist Golden. Noticing Jewel's diamond Cartier watch, she bent down seductively as her already short blue and white uniform inched up her thighs. "Can I help you, sir?"

"Tiffany, is it?" Golden asked reading her name tag, "Can my son over there get a beer or anything? I know we're almost out of here, but he could use something to drink."

"No problem," Tiffany said gliding her tongue across her pink glossed lips.

Golden watched as she made her way to the back of the plane. Her round ass jiggled with each step she took. The pilot soon made the announcement that the plane would be landing, but Tiffany ignored the warning. Instead of making sure each passenger was secure, she wanted to make sure she arrested Jewel's attention. The plane began to jerk as the pilot released the landing gears, and Tiffany struggled to make it back to their seats in first class.

"Here you go, sweetheart," she said handing Jewel a green bottle of Heineken and a napkin, "Can I get you guys anything else?"

"No, thank you, Tiffany. Here's something for your trouble." Golden handed her a crisp one-hundred dollar bill. Jewel set the beer in the cup holder next to him and saw a phone number written on the plain, white paper napkin attached to it, but he set it to the side.

"I hope I hear from you later, sexy," she said winking at Jewel.

Golden couldn't help but laugh at Jewel's unwanted attention. He was irritated at Tiffany's thirsty attempt.

"G, I'm good. I know what you're trying to do."

"You looked like you needed something, and ol girl got something for you," he laughed, "You've been M.I.A. lately, Jewel. That's bad for business."

"I know, and that's my bad. I'm on it though. Promise."

"Hi, I'm your pilot Ron Harrison. It's about 5 a.m. here in Miami. As soon as we reach the gate, you are free to enjoy this wonderful city. Have a great day, and thank you for choosing American Airlines."

$$$$$

Reagan sat silent watching the news. Brandon stayed after Jewel left for Miami, but she was uncomfortable being alone with him. She blamed Robyn for her being in the hospital, and she couldn't seem to separate him from her because they were together, so he became invisible to her.

"So we're just gon' sit here and not talk?" he asked.

"What do we really have to talk about?"

"Shit, I don't know, the weather, sports, something. You're boring me, girl."

"Look, Brandon, I appreciate what you're doing for Jewel, but I'm okay. You can go home. I don't see why you drove all the way out here anyway."

"It's good. I got people out here."

"It's Wednesday. Don't you have to go to work or something?"

"Naw, I took the week off."

"What do you do if you don't mind me asking?" she asked not taking her eyes from off the TV.

"Jewel didn't tell you? I'm in sales," he laughed.

Reagan rolled her eyes in frustration. She hated that Jewel felt she needed a babysitter. She had been held captive for months in a hospital room, and Brandon was the last person she wanted to be around.

"Let me ask you a question."

"What?" Reagan asked finally focusing on him.

"What you bout to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean once you get outta here, what you bout to do?"

"I know Jewel wants me to move in with him, but I think it's too soon for us to live together," Reagan said staring at the white bed sheets, "I have feelings for him I think, so I don't know. We'll see though."

"Have you talked to Styles?"

Reagan shivered at his name. She hadn't seen or heard from him in over three months, and she was furious. Even though he sent flowers every day, he didn't call or come to see her at all while she was in the hospital. She still loved him, but deep down she knew they couldn't be together anymore. She still had unresolved feelings for him, but she couldn't imagine ever letting him leave her for dead again.

"Nope, and I don't plan to. What's up with you and Robyn though?" she asked attempting to change the subject.

"Shit, I mean she's cool, but I know she's not the one."

"The one?"

"Yeah, my wife. A nigga like me can be waiting for the one?"

"Robyn is a trip, but she might be wifey. You never know."

Naw, when I see my wife, I'll know. Trust." Brandon got up and grabbed a deck of cards from the table right next to Reagan.

"You tryna get your ass beat in Spades or what?"

"Spades?" she laughed, "What you know about some Spades?"

"I can show you better than I can tell you," he said shuffling the mismatched cards.

"So why do you fuck with Robyn if she's not the 'wifey' type?"

"Honestly, she's just something to do," Brandon said laying a ten of Hearts down on top of the uneven card pile they created.

"That's fucked up," Reagan said scanning through her hand.

"Females don't want a nice guy. Remember that," he winked.

"Who told you that?" she asked shaking her head.

"It's a proven fact, ma. If you're the perfect gentleman, you do your girl right, respect her, and treat her like a queen, and she'll fuck you over every single time. Guaranteed. Women only respond to strength. That's why ya'll gravitate to dogs, so if a man shows anything other than that, it's a wrap."

"So you treat all your women like shit?" Reagan asked trumping Brandon's ten of Hearts with a two of Spades.

"Like that, huh?" he asked, "But anyway, I treat women how they treat themselves. Period. People are more transparent than they like to think they are. It's all about how you read somebody."

"You have issues." She held her last card and waited until Brandon put his final Spade down. "Boom. It's in the blood, baby," Reagan said as she beat his Queen with an Ace.

Brandon looked amazed that he lost the game. "Girl that was only game one."

For the rest of the night, they sat up playing cards and talking. Reagan was starting to finally feel comfortable in Brandon's presence. He was honest about who he was, and she loved that about him. She had been around fake people for so long, and she was exhausted. Brandon surpassed her initial impression, and she was glad she took the opportunity to get to know him. She knew that because of his relationship with Jewel, she could trust Brandon. Styles never brought her around any of his friends. He was jealous of anyone looking or saying anything to her, so she loved that Brandon accepted her.

Reagan looked at the black clock hanging on the wall and noticed it was 3:00 a.m. Brandon sat next to the bed half sleep. He wanted to stay up to keep Reagan company, but the cold hospital air was making him tired.

"Ay, I'm bout to go. I'll be back tomorrow bright and early," he said trying to wake himself up.

"You're about to drive back to Sac?"

"Yep, it shouldn't take me that long to get back. The 80 should be empty."

"Why don't you just stay here tonight? You look hella tired. You can stay on the extra bed over there," Reagan said pointing to a cot sitting against the wall.

"You sure? I don't want to be put you out or anything."

"Boy, please." She got up and pulled an extra blanket from underneath the bed and pulled out the cot before straightening the sheets out for him. Brandon watched as Reagan bent down to tuck in the cover, and he fantasized what their life would be like together.

"There you go."

"Thanks, Reagan," he said lying down.

As if the last three months hadn't passed, she got up and began her nightly ritual. Brandon studied her as she wrapped her long hair and pinned it down. Before going into the small bathroom to change into the Victoria Secret Pink pajama set Brandon bought her. Coming out of the bathroom, she switched off the lights in the room.

"Goodnight, Brandon, and thank you for being here. You're a really good friend."

"No problem, ma."

He lay wide awake watching Reagan fall asleep as the moonlight illuminated her face, but he fought the urge to be closer to her. Soon, I'll be the only nigga you need, he thought to himself as he let his dreams of them together take him to sleep.

$$$$$

Styles counted the minutes before he was back in California. The time spent away from Reagan killed him, but the thought of her being with another man hurt him even more. He didn't understand how they got to this point. All he wanted to do was provide for her, but that wasn't enough. He wanted to make everything right again between them. He didn't know how he was going to get Reagan back, but at this point, he was willing to do anything. Styles' limo pulled up in front of Robyn's house, and a middle aged Mexican man came around the fourteen-foot car and opened the door.

"Thanks, man."

"No problem, sir," he said retrieving Styles' luggage from the trunk.

After bringing his bags up to Robyn's front door, the driver stood off to the side waiting for a tip. His black and white suit fit snugly around his protruding belly, and sweat beads fell from his brown forehead as he stood in the 100 degree heat waiting for compensation.

"Will that be all, Mr. Johnson?"

"Yeah," Styles said handing the driver a $50 bill.

"Thank you, sir," he said scurrying back to the limo slipping his earnings into his jacket pocket.

Styles stood outside admiring his little sister's house. He hadn't seen the two-story home since he closed the deal on it. The mini-mansion was a gift to Robyn after he was drafted. He traced the brick on the outside walls with his fingers; it felt like home. Styles heard music blasting from inside of the house, so he opened the door and let himself in.

"Robyn?" he yelled walking around.

She had redecorated over the years, so nothing was as he remembered it. Well, at least my money is being put to good use, he thought. The second guestroom led him into the living room where Robyn ran around frantically cleaning up. She wanted everything to be perfect for Styles. He had endured a lot over the past couple of months, and she wanted to make his homecoming as smooth as possible. She hated being away from her brother. They had been by each other's side their whole lives, so it was hard for her when he wasn't around. He was all she had.

Robyn vacuumed the floors and sang along to an old school radio station. Bell Biv Davoe's "Poison" blared through her Bose surround sound stereo system.

"What's up, sis?"

Robyn dropped the vacuum in shock. "Boy, you scared the shit out of me," she said grabbing her chest.

"My bad, the door was unlocked."

Robyn ran over to her brother and grabbed him with all of her might. "You look horrible, Cam," Robyn said touching his scruffy, unshaven face. She stared at him like it was her first time seeing him.

"I guess that's what not sleeping will do to a nigga."

"You hungry?" she asked walking into the kitchen. She cooked a feast preparing for his arrival. She made all of his favorites—fried chicken, greens and ham hocks, macaroni and cheese, sweet jalapeño corn bread, and peach and blueberry cobbler. Food was always a comfort for them. It was a way to suspend their problems at least for a little while.

"Naw, I'm good. Have you talked to Rea?" he asked sitting down on the plush leather couch needing to get right to the point.

"No, not yet, but I know she gets out in a couple of days, so I wanted to talk to her then. I'm sure she's gonna go home, Cam, so I think if we all get together and just talk about everything then that should fix it. It was just a misunderstanding. Ya'll will get through this. She's not just gonna throw away seven years. I don't care what happened." Robyn walked over and placed a plate full of food on the coffee table in front of Styles.

"Just try to eat something. You looking like this is literally bad for business, nigga, and I needs my money," she laughed.

"I see. With all the shit you got in here, I'm glad I can be your personal ATM, Robyn," he said stuffing his mouth with a fork full of macaroni and cheese.

"Whatever. Anyway, I want you to meet my boyfriend," Robyn said changing the subject.

"What boyfriend?"

"If you were around more Mr. NBA, you would know," she said popping him on the side of his head, "But we've been together for almost four months now, and I think it's time for the two most important men in my life to meet."

"Is that right?"

"Yes, that's right. I think you'll like him."

"Probably not. You only mess with suckas, no offense, so I doubt me and dude will have shit to talk about."

"Why are you so negative? I think he's the one, though. Watch. Soon, I'll be Mrs. Edwards."

"Here you go with this shit. Last month it was Mrs. Jackson."

"Well, that didn't work out," Robyn said sticking out her tongue, "But as a matter of fact, I'm bout to call your future brother-in-law now. I'ma hook everything up tonight."

$$$$$

Jewel and Golden stepped out of the terminal into the 90 degree Miami heat. A white man in a black suit holding a sign that read Smith stood by the baggage claim. Golden walked up to the driver and handed him two crisp one-hundred dollar bills.

"We're going straight to the meeting. No stops necessary."

"Do you have any luggage, sir?" he asked.

"Yes, but my son here will take care of those. Let's go."

The driver led Golden out of Miami International Airport to a sleek, black Lincoln Town Car. Golden got into the back of the car as Jewel struggled with the bags. The driver helped him load the luggage into the trunk, but after a few attempts, he made everything fit. The driver held the door open while Jewel made his way to the back.

"Damn, G, it just ain't my day, huh? You brought me all the way out here to be your errand boy?"

Golden pulled out two Gurkha Black Dragon cigars from his left coat pocket and handed Jewel one. The lighter sparked as he lit the ends until they turned bright red.

"No, not at all, Jewel. I brought you out here because Mr. Wright is your contact. I just came out here for the scenery, but I did want to open your eyes to what could be your situation if you keep all your focus on a little bitch," Golden said inhaling a thick cloud of cigar smoke, "See, Jewel, in this life, pussy is the least of your worries. Bitches flock to the money as long as you do. I put you in charge of this because I trust you can close the deal, but if your heart or mind isn't in it, I need to know now. You're an investment, Jewel." Ashes fell from the lit cigar as Golden tapped it on a crystal ashtray.

"I been in it. I took a time out, but by no means does that mean I'm less than the soldier I've always been, G. You trust me because I'm on my shit, and no bitch can change that."

"We'll see."

$$$$$

Reagan woke up to the smell of breakfast. Brandon fixed their plates while she slept. The tropical fruit plate, cheese eggs, bacon, and poppy seed muffins he had delivered filled the counter by the bed. Reagan sat up wiping sleep out of her eyes trying to focus on the meal.

"What's all this?"

"Breakfast, girl. I can't eat this hospital food. You hungry?"

"Hell yeah."

"And I figured since you get out tomorrow, we could celebrate."

"Damn, these days have flown by. Have you talked to Jewel? I haven't talked to him since he got to Miami."

"Naw."

"That's weird. I hope everything is okay," she said picking over her food, "Do you think he'll be here tomorrow to pick me up?"

"I don't know. He said he would." Brandon was irritated that Reagan was still so concerned about Jewel. He wanted to show her that they were supposed to be together. He needed her to forget about him, but Brandon swallowed his frustrations. It was only a matter of time before she would be his; he just had to stay patient.

Reagan and Brandon sat and enjoyed the day together. Robyn was blowing up his phone, but every time he sent her to voicemail. He didn't want any distractions. He dedicated all of his time and focus to Reagan. Robyn called back to back for thirty minutes straight before Brandon finally answered. He stepped out of the room and took the call in the hospital lobby.

"What's up?"

"Hey, babe, where you at? I've been trying to call you all day."

"I'm handling some business right now, Robyn. What's up?"

"Why are you rushing me off the phone? I'm sorry that I miss you, and I wanted to talk to you."

"Man, what's up?" he asked irritated.

"Well, I wanted to see if you wanted to have dinner tomorrow night? Styles finally made it out here, and I want you guys to meet."

Brandon smiled at the mention of his name. He could never forget what Reagan went through at the hands of him. "Oh, yeah, that works, babe," he said softening his tone a little.

"Okay, good, I'll let Styles know. I'll call you with the details later."

The sound of Reagan screaming broke Brandon away from the conversation. "Ay, let me call you right back," he said hanging up the phone as he ran down the long, white hallway back to Reagan's unit. Why did I leave?

When he got back to the room, he saw Reagan in Jewel's arms with a dozen of pink roses in her hand. She covered his face with kisses as Brandon stood in the doorway watching.

"Baby, when did you get back?" she asked grabbing Jewel around the back of his neck.

"I flew straight into San Francisco today."

"I was so scared you weren't gonna be able to pick me up tomorrow. I missed you."

Not being able to take it anymore, Brandon knocked on the opened door.

"What's up, nigga?" Jewel asked breaking his embrace from Reagan.

"I can't call it. What's up with you, bruh?" he asked hugging Jewel, "How was it?"

"It was cool. Miami is crazy, but everything went according to plan. You know Golden was happy I closed the deal on the property out there."

"Hell yeah."

Reagan sat with a smile plastered across her face. "Did you know he was coming in today, Brandon?"

"Nope, he surprised me too. Well, I'll let ya'll catch up."

"You going back to Sac, blood?"

"Yeah, I gotta meeting tomorrow, so I might as well."

"Alright, bruh, I'ma hit you later, and thank you. I see you held shit down," Jewel said scanning the room. Brandon made sure Reagan had everything she needed and more. Bags on top of bags sat against the walls.

"You know how I do, blood," he said grabbing his black Obey leather jacket from the back of a blue plastic chair.

"Thank you, Brandon. I really had fun," Reagan said smiling.

"No problem," he said disappearing out of the room.

$$$$$

The next day, Reagan was discharged from Mercy Memorial Hospital. She walked out feeling her freedom immediately being returned to her. She was relieved to be leaving San Francisco. The City represented all the pain and struggle she was ready to leave behind. The sun shined down on them as they made their way to Jewel's white Audi A7. Jewel took the time out to pack all of Reagan's gifts from Brandon into the trunk before they left.

"So I can't pick up anything from my house?"

"For what?" Jewel snapped, "Whatever is there can be replaced."

"They wouldn't have to be replaced if I could just go get my shit, Jewel. I don't see what the problem is."

Jewel put the car in park and stared at Reagan in silence. "Look, maybe this is too much for you. I'm not tryna rush you or pressure you. You have a family, Rea. You had a nigga before you met me, so maybe you should give that another try. Maybe it's just time for you to go home."

"I had a family. You're my family now, Jewel. I'm sorry. Fuck it. Let's just go."

Reagan looked out of the window at the foggy blue water beneath them as they left the City. Orange lights on the bridge flickered with each passing car. Reagan tried to detach herself from the situation with Styles. The life she had lived for so many years was slowly being erased with every mile Jewel drove. Although she was ready to start her new life, it was still hard for her to let go. Jewel was perfect for her. He stayed by her side when she needed someone the most, and she owed him. She owed it to him to be the person that he wanted her to be, so Reagan swallowed all of her nerves and reservations. She was ready. She wanted Styles and San Francisco to fade into a distant memory, so she sat back and enjoyed the ride to Sacramento. She tried to go to sleep, but her mind wouldn't turn off. Suddenly her phone started to vibrate. She had forgotten about the cell phone that was wedged inside her purse. Robyn grabbed it out of panic on their way to the hospital. Reagan struggled to clear out the old faded receipts and tubes of various colored lip glosses and lipsticks to find the ringing cell phone at the bottom of her bag, but she dropped the phone to floor in shock. It was Styles.
Chapter 8

"Reagan, you can't ignore me forever. I know what I did was wrong. There's no excuse. I don't expect you to forgive me right now, but I hope that one day we can get back to where we were. I love you, Rea. Please call me back."

Reagan listened to Styles' message on repeat. She didn't know how to respond. Deep down, she wanted to call him back, but she was broken. Nothing he could say would heal the emotional and mental scars he left, but Styles was a drug for Reagan. She knew he was bad for her, but that didn't stop her from wanting him. She was addicted. As soon as she and Jewel got back to Sacramento, Jewel had to meet up with Will and Brandon leaving Reagan at home alone. It was their first night together, so he needed it to be perfect. Jewel loved the idea of her being there when he woke up and there when he went to sleep at night, but he hated that he was in the streets so much. He wanted to dedicate himself to Reagan, but he had promised himself to the streets long before her, and Jewel loved being a dope boy. He worked from the ground up and put in a lot of work to be in his position. Golden blessed him with his lieutenant title seven years ago, and he took it very seriously, but now that he was getting older, he realized nothing was guaranteed.

After getting home, Jewel walked into his bedroom with a single, red rose in hand. He watched as Reagan sat on his king size bed in nothing but one of his white tees. He imagined her being his wife someday; he wanted to live for her. He wanted to build a life and a family with her, but he needed to get out of the game first. He had more money than he knew what to do with, but he felt he needed to hustle a little longer in order to live how he really wanted to, how he deserved to. He had expensive tastes since birth, and he always promised to provide himself with nothing but the best. He was addicted to the money, to the life, to it all, but he prayed Reagan would be his new addiction.

"Hey, babe, I'm so sorry. Things ran longer than I expected," he said walking into the bedroom.

"It's okay, Jewel, I need time to get adjusted to everything anyway. Your house is beautiful," Reagan said admiring the master bedroom.

Jewel's house was filled with different sculptures and rare paintings from his trips around the world. He was very interested in architecture, so he had the 7,489 sq. ft. house built from the ground up. The blue and green Mediterranean color scheme reminded Reagan of her trip to Greece with Styles. She didn't know where Jewel got his taste from, but she fell in love with the house immediately.

"Our house, Reagan."

"I know. I know. It's just gonna take me some time to get used to all this."

"Well, let me help you."

Jewel climbed onto the bed and sat Reagan up. He slowly slipped the t-shirt she wore off and over her head. Her nipples hardened as the cotton glided across her chest. The soft light bounced off of Reagan's naked body. She quivered as Jewel gently traced her skin with the rose he still held. He loved how the full red flower looked against her soft mocha-colored skin. Jewel teased Reagan until she begged him to enter her. He slowly kissed her awaiting lips and made his way down her smooth stomach. Reagan clinched the sheets in anticipation. She wanted Jewel from the moment she met him, but now that there were no obstacles in the way, she wanted to enjoy every piece of him. Jewel's dick thickened at the sight of Reagan's shaved pussy, and without warning, he dove in. He put both of her legs on his shoulders to make sure he could lick every spot, and juices dripped down his chin as he attacked her middle.

"Please fuck me, Jewel. I can't take it," Reagan said gripping his ears.

"You want Daddy to fuck you, baby?"

"Please," she whined.

Jewel rose from in between Reagan's legs wiping her wetness from his face. He pulled off his black Diamond Supply shirt and jeans and tossed them to the floor. Reagan admired his hard, caramel-colored body. His dick poked out of his boxers exposing all eleven inches, and she stared in amazement at Jewel's perfectly cut and sculpted body. She pulled him on top of her guiding his dick inside her moistness, and she inhaled as her pussy stretched to fit around him. The initial pain faded and was replaced with pure ecstasy. Jewel stroked her slowly making her cream and leak onto his black satin sheets, but the pace quickened as Reagan directed him with her hips. He gripped her thighs as he thrusted inside her. Reagan's moans drove him crazy. He felt his nut at the base of his dick, but he needed to make sure she came first. With every stroke he made, Reagan inched closer to her orgasm. Sweat dripped from Jewel's body onto hers, and she stared into his eyes and knew that she made the right decision. He captured her soul. Jewel bit Reagan's neck with force. Not being able to hold on any longer, she came. Her body jerked as she released every apprehension she had, and after a few more strokes, Jewel shot all over Reagan's stomach. The milky white fluid ran down onto the bed. Becoming lost in the feeling of ecstasy, they laid next to each other with their bodies misted with sweat, and no words were spoken. A few minutes later, Reagan drifted off to sleep in her new home, and Jewel fell asleep holding the woman of his dreams.

The next morning, Reagan woke up with the sun shining through the curtains in her face. She rolled over to see Jewel getting dressed. She focused her eyes to look at the alarm clock; it was 9:00 a.m.

"Hey, babe," Reagan said yawning.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Perfect," she said smiling.

"I'm glad, babe, but ay, I have a lot of work to handle today, but I should be back later tonight. I'm really sorry. The keys to the cars are in the kitchen, and I left my ATM card on the nightstand."

"Do you have to go in today? I haven't even been here a full twenty-four hours yet, Jewel. I don't wanna be here by myself," Reagan whined.

Jewel stopped in his tracks and made his way to the bed before kissing Reagan softly on the lips. "Baby, I'm sorry, but I have a lot to do. I'ma make it up to you though. I promise."

Jewel felt bad about leaving Reagan alone. He didn't want her to think that she left one neglectful nigga for another. At that point, he knew he had to slow down. He owed Reagan that. She gave up her old life for him, so he felt like he had to do the same. Jewel never let her know that he sold drugs. He told her he was in real estate. He owned a couple of houses around Sacramento and the Bay, so he had areas to invest his money into. Brandon and Jewel would flip their money by buying run down houses, fixing them up, and selling them for a profit. The housing market was down, but Jewel was a natural born hustler. He always found a way to make money. Deep down, he knew he needed to go legit, but he was so far in the game that he didn't know how to get out. Golden provided so much for him when he started out, and he was obligated to him now. Reagan let Jewel know from the beginning how much she hated drug dealers. She felt like they were selfishly poisoning the community. She told Jewel how Styles used to sell dope when they first got together. He hustled until he was drafted to provide for him and Robyn. Styles was the type of dealer who didn't care who he sold to just as long as they had all of the money. He didn't take any shorts, and that made the fiends hate him. One night, while he was on the block, a knock named Charlie came up to him with $7 and wanted a dime bag. Styles refused and brushed him off, but Charlie begged and pleaded with him. It was all the money he had, but Styles still wouldn't take it, so Charlie left the block defeated leaving Styles alone on the dark street corner.

Later that night, he returned. His eyes were blood shot, and alcohol seeped through his pores. He apologized for being short earlier that day, but Styles was irritated at his persistence. He was a businessman. All he wanted to do was serve his clients and leave the extra bullshit behind him, but Charlie wouldn't let the situation go. As Charlie continued to make small talk, Styles served stray knocks that crept up and down the street. Not being able to take it any longer, Styles offered Charlie a rock just to go away. Attempting to show his false appreciation and thank him for the poison, he grabbed Styles to give him a hug, but before Styles knew it, he was on the ground bleeding from his side. Charlie had shot him from close range. Not only did Charlie get the dope, but he got all the money Styles had on him, $4,800 cash. Since Styles was the only one on the block besides him, no one saw the altercation. Charlie ran down the street as fast as he could while Styles lay on the cold concrete sidewalk going in and out of consciousness. He could feel the bullet enter his body, but all he could remember were the bright red and blue lights flashing and the blaring sound of sirens, and then everything went BLACK. The next day, Styles woke up to find himself in a hospital bed with tubes running throughout his body. Robyn and Reagan both were asleep curled up in chairs right next to Styles' bed. Their young faces were covered with white covers the nursing staff gave them when they first arrived. Reagan woke up when she heard Styles moving around. She was so happy to see him open his eyes. She rushed over to hug him, but he was all bandaged up. He was too sore to even move. In a daze, he watched as blood seeped through the white quilted gauze. Styles didn't know how he made it to the hospital. Reagan explained that someone called the police when they heard the gunshot. Charlie shot Styles in his left side, and the bullet was stuck. He had to have surgery to remove it. No major damage had been done, but Reagan was furious. Even though she was grateful he wasn't killed, she couldn't understand how he could put his life in danger day-in and day-out, but Reagan would never understand. She always had her mother there to protect and provide for her when she was younger, but he lost his mother, and his father was never around. Styles' mother Janelle was found dead in a crack house by the police. She overdosed on heroin when he was only 13, so he became the only provider he and Robyn had. He didn't hustle for the money and fame; he did it to put a roof over his little sister's head and food in her stomach, but soon he just did it because he was used to it. They always say old habits die hard.

After he was released from the hospital, he knew he had to retaliate. He had no choice. His pride was on the line. He wanted out of the game, but he had to do one last thing. Styles wasn't mad that he got shot. He had to charge it to the game. He was mad he got caught slipping. He knew this was a sign that he needed to focus on his first love, basketball. He and Robyn had enough money saved up to be comfortable. Styles always saved his daily earnings, and he never spent money on unnecessary things. Robyn's well-being was his only concern. Two weeks later, Styles found Charlie walking down the street unexpectedly high as a kite, and when Charlie saw him, he ran the other way. He thought he killed Styles, but there he was right in front of his face. For a minute, he thought the drugs had him hallucinating until Styles yelled out his name. Charlie reluctantly walked toward him. He knew if he ran it would only be worse. He would take his beating like a man. He knew if Styles wanted to kill him, he would have done it by then, but Styles started off the conversation by apologizing. He assured Charlie he wasn't upset, and he respected him even more for taking what he wanted, and for that, he offered him a few of fat rocks. Charlie snatched the three pieces out of Styles' hand with no question. He glared at the chalky-white, crystallized coke rocks with amazement on his face. He was excited that Styles forgot about the situation. He juggled the crack between his fingers, imagining his high. In his mind, Styles had blessed him, and he would never forget it.

After a quick walk, Charlie floated inside of his rundown one-bedroom apartment. He immediately sparked his cloudy glass pipe and put fire to the rocks one by one. Smoke immediately infiltrated his lungs. He looked around the room in disgust at all the dirt and trash that accumulated over the years from not cleaning. He began to think about how he let himself fall so low, but then the drugs began to take effect eliminating every negative thought. After that, none of it seemed to matter anymore, and within a few minutes, he nodded off and fell into a deep sleep. While Charlie thought he was smoking some bomb, he was really smoking poison. Styles wanted him dead, but he refused to touch him himself. He had too much to lose. He would never put his or Robyn's life in jeopardy. When Styles cooked up the rocks before seeing Charlie, he mixed in sodium cyanide with the baking soda. He knew if he mixed it in while cooking it up, it wouldn't be detected, and Charlie slowly and painfully died within 45 minutes. He went into cardiac arrest, but no one was there to save him. When the police found his body, they assumed he died of an overdose, and in the eyes of the police, he was just another low-life drug addict off the streets. After Charlie died, Styles had a clear mind, so he went back to school for his sophomore year at Sacramento State. He could have cared less about getting an education, but school always came naturally to him. He just didn't see how knowing what they taught in school would help him survive in the real world. By Styles knowing calculus and statistics would not keep a nigga from murking him, but even though he hardly went, he kept a 3.0 grade point average. In high school, he was offered many academic scholarships, but he accepted a full one to Sac State. He planned to graduate and hopefully get drafted into the NBA. Styles knew he had skills on the court, so it wasn't a matter of if he was going into the NBA, it was a matter of when, but his plan happened quicker than he thought. One day after practice, Styles was approached by an assistant coach from the Golden State Warriors. He was in shock when he found out he was the first round draft pick in the league and from that moment, Styles knew he made it. It was hard for Reagan to forget the past, but she swore to herself that she would never be a hustler's girl again.

$$$$$

Brandon and Jewel met up with each other in the North. Brandon wanted to see what type of activity and competition was out there before he flooded the area. Golden had given them the green light, and he was ready to expand the empire. The Heights was filled to the brim with knocks. Brandon only saw a few block boys standing on the corner, but not one of them were making any real money. The rundown neighborhood had a lot of money potential, and Brandon planned to capitalize on it. Niggas stared as Jewel's white Audi A7 crept down the street. He and Brandon weren't seen around the North much, so certain people took notice. Brandon kept his 45 semi-automatic on his lap just in case. He knew some would be against the expansion, but they didn't concern him. The only option they had was to get with it. Brandon would take down anything on his way up.

"These niggas look grimy over here, blood," Jewel said mugging a group of niggas in black hoodies standing in front of Sunland Liquors.

"Fuck them, bruh. The North is where it's at, so that's where we need to be. I'm tryna set up shop at least by tomorrow," Brandon said breaking down a blueberry swisher, "I think I'ma have Pop handle shit over here."

"Young Pop?" Jewel asked.

"Yeah, I have a good feeling about him. He's young enough to mold, feel me?" Brandon said filling the swisher.

"I guess, nigga, but I'm thinking we need to send Will out here."

"He's already in the South though."

"I know, but he knows our operations better than anybody. I think he would make money out here."

"Alright, we'll put Will in the front, and Pop can be his runner," Brandon said inhaling the grape smoke. His chest was on fire as he fought to keep it in, but he felt the effects almost instantly.

"Sounds like a plan then."

Jewel sped off leaving the North for the future. He thought about Reagan as he watched the knocks disappear in his rearview mirror. There was a lot of money to be made, but it wasn't worth losing her. He owed it to her and to himself to give their relationship a real chance. He wanted out.

$$$$$

Later that day, Golden sat at his desk going over the numbers Brandon had given him. He mapped out the main area, the people he would put there, their positions, and the potential profit they would be bring in. He thought of it all.

"Looks good, boys," Golden said looking over each paper.

"So I'm gonna have everything put in place by tomorrow."

"Sounds good," he said noticing Jewel sitting quietly to himself. He was usually proactive in their discussions, but he didn't say a word. "Jewel, how do you feel about everything?"

"I mean the numbers look right, so I think it'll be cool. I'ma be out there tomorrow with Brandon to make sure everything is straight."

"Naw, I need you with me this week, Jewel. We have to go to Texas."

"Texas?" Jewel and Brandon asked in unison.

"Yeah, Houston, I set up a meeting on Saturday, and I want you to be there. I need you to stay here and handle all this, B," Golden said pointing to the paper work.

"No problem," he said clinching his jaw. He hated that Golden went to Jewel for everything. He was there before him. He deserved to be Golden's right hand.

"Okay, Jewel, we leave tomorrow night. Sacario is driving out to meet us with the product. The deal is going to bring everyone involved a lot of money."

Brandon sat back disgusted. He didn't understand why all of a sudden he was being edged out. He wanted his hands to be in everything, and he was getting tired of sharing his position with Jewel. First Reagan, and now his money. Something had to give, but Brandon shook off his feelings and focused on the task ahead.

"I'll be ready," Jewel said reluctantly. He knew Reagan wasn't going to understand him leaving her again, but he couldn't say no to Golden. Not yet.

$$$$$

Reagan walked around the house like a zombie. The silence killed her. She was left alone with nothing but her thoughts. She sat in the living room staring at her missed calls. Robyn called her fifteen times in a row, and although she missed her, Reagan could never forget what she did. She had nothing to say to Styles or Robyn. Not yet. She fought the urge to revert back to her old life, to her old self. Getting over Styles was getting easier each day, but she had to remain strong. She looked around Jewel's house and imagined the life she could have with him. The life she deserved to have.

Jewel walked into the house close to midnight. He stayed with Golden going over the details of the Houston trip. It was hard for him to think about leaving Reagan again, but it was something he had to do. He learned over the years that Golden didn't understand the word "no," but Jewel wanted this to be his last run. He was going to talk to Golden about getting out of the game permanently.

As he walked towards the living room, he saw Reagan sleeping on the couch. He lightly placed a kiss on her lips waking her up. "Hey, babe."

"Hi, you just got home?" she asked struggling to see in the dark room.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. My meeting with Golden ran longer than I expected."

"That's okay. You're here now. That's all that matters," she smiled.

"About that, Rea, I have to go on a business trip tomorrow. It'll only be for about two days, and then I'll be home."

Reagan sat on the couch with her hands on her head. She felt like she was in the same relationship she just got out of. "Why the fuck did you bring me out here, Jewel? I could have stayed in Frisco for all this bullshit," she said walking into the kitchen.

"I know, and I'm sorry. The last thing I want you to think is that I'm anything like that bitch ass nigga cause I'm not. My job is really demanding right now. That's something that I can't control."

"That is the same shit Styles used to tell me."

"Reagan, I promise after I get back I'm gonna take some time off. I love you. I know we haven't spent a lot of time together, but I feel like our souls are connected somehow. I want nothing more than to be with you. I just need a little more time," Jewel pleaded.

Reagan, felt like her life was on repeat. She loved Jewel, but she used to be in love with Styles too. Every time he made a promise to her, he broke it, and she felt like she was setting herself up to fail again, but she had no other choice. She had to trust in Jewel. He stayed by her side when she needed someone the most, so she had to stay by his no matter what.

"Jewel, I'm trying to hold on. All of this is new for me. Styles is all I know, but I want to let the past go and focus on our future, so I'll be fine here. I'll just watch TV or something."

"You can go out, Reagan. You are not in prison," he laughed, "I know you were consumed with Styles and his life, but I want you to have your own life too. You need to relearn everything about yourself. You're not that nigga's shadow anymore."

Reagan didn't know who she was outside of Styles. He was her identity. Since he provided her with everything, he didn't allow her to do anything for herself, so she couldn't work. She had to leave college to provide a home for him, but now that she had a fresh start, she planned on taking advantage of what life had to offer.

"You're right, babe. I'll be cool."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

$$$$$

The next day Jewel took Reagan out for a day of rest and relaxation. He wanted to pamper her before he left, so they spent the day at Elysium Day Spa where Reagan got the works. She was used to being splurged on, but Styles never spent the time with her. Reagan watched as Jewel sat back and enjoyed his full body massage, facial, and mud bath. He wanted to spend the day doing whatever she had her heart set on. It was the least he could do.

A couple of hours later, after all the spa treatments, they made their way to Bistro Michel for lunch and ended up at the Westfield Galleria. Reagan tore the mall up. She bought all the latest collections from Louis Vuitton, Fendi, H&M, and True Religion. Money was not an object for Jewel, so whatever Reagan wanted, she got. Jewel sat in the dressing room watching Reagan try on a white Maxi length dress. The flowy fabric hugged her body in all the right places. Reagan admired her shape in the store's full-length mirrors as she mesmerized herself.

"You like this one, Jewel?" she shouted from the dressing room.

"Yes, babe, I liked the five other ones too," he laughed.

"Whatever. You never have an opinion," Reagan said returning back to the dressing room. She closed the black silk curtain as she changed back into her clothes. "I think that's it, babe. I'm set. We can go home after this if you want," she yelled through the curtain, "I know you probably want to lay down for a while before you leave."

"Yeah, you did wear me out." He stared at the wall of shopping bags she accumulated. She had expensive tastes, but she was worth every cent he spent.

While he waited patiently as Reagan gathered herself, the light from her iPhone peered out of the outside pocket of her purse. He fought every urge to look, but after the third time, he couldn't resist. Robyn Johnson - 3 Missed Calls appeared on the screen. Jewel couldn't believe that Reagan was talking to Robyn again. She was bad for her. Jewel restrained himself from causing a scene in the store. Reagan came out of the dressing room holding a pile of shirts, pants, skirts, and dresses. Stacy, the H&M associate, came to help Reagan carry everything to the cash register.

"Will that be all?" she asked.

"Yeah, I think I've done enough damage today," Reagan laughed.

"You can meet me in front at the register."

Jewel sat still staring at the wall. His jaw was tight, and he was gripping the chair arms.

"You okay, babe?" Reagan asked grabbing her Valentino rockstud feather print purse from the chair beside him.

"Naw," Jewel said getting up, "When were you gonna tell me you and Robyn were talking again?"

"What?" The question stunned Reagan. "We're not."

"So why do you have hella missed calls from her?" he asked holding up Reagan's phone.

"Key word, Jewel, missed...calls."

"This is not time for your mouth, Reagan. I don't want you talking to her. Period."

"You're really tripping right now. I haven't seen or talked to Robyn in months."

"Well, let's keep it like that." Jewel left Reagan standing alone in the empty dressing area and went to the register to pay for her clothes.

"Are you ready?" Stacy asked anticipating her commission.

"Yeah."

"Okay, your total comes to $1,386. Will that be cash or credit?"

"Cash."

After paying for a part of Reagan's new wardrobe, Jewel gathered all of her bags, and they silently made their way back to his car. Reagan felt guilty about not telling him about Styles and Robyn calling, but she wanted to figure things out for herself. She honestly didn't know where she stood with either of them. Jewel drove straight home. He wasn't mad at Reagan; he was mad at the situation. Robyn and Styles had caused her so much pain, and he didn't want them to ever be in a position to do it again. He wanted to protect her.

"I'm sorry," she said staring at the floor.

"For what?"

"What do you mean, 'for what'? For not telling you about Robyn."

"It's good," Jewel said not taking his eyes off the road.

"No, it's not. I didn't tell you cause I didn't call her back, but I am sorry, okay?"

"Reagan, I don't want them to hurt you anymore. I know it's hard to lose the only friend you had out here, but she's poison. Promise me you're not gonna talk to her."

"I promise."

$$$$$

Robyn tried to call Reagan once she found out she was out of the hospital, but all she ever got was her voicemail.

Hi, this is Reagan. Sorry I missed your call, but if you leave your name and number, I'll call you back.

Robyn left over ten messages but never got a response. She felt horrible about what happened, but she was only protecting her brother. Deep down, she felt if Reagan hadn't been creeping then none of that would've even happened. But despite it all, she planned to make it up to her best friend somehow. Robyn pressured Brandon every day to tell her where Jewel lived, but he wouldn't. He promised Jewel he would keep her whereabouts a secret until she was ready. Every time Brandon left the house, Robyn would run through all his stuff looking for phone numbers or any addresses, but she never came up with anything. Later that night, Jewel called Brandon to see if he could drop him off at the airport. Brandon purposely went into the other room, so Robyn couldn't hear his conversation. And like clockwork, she crept up to the opened door right behind him.

"What's up, bruh?" Brandon asked sitting on the bed.

"Ay, I'm leaving tonight. You think you can drop me off at the airport?"

"Yeah, when you tryna go?"

"Right now damn near."

"Is Reagan coming?"

"Naw, she's sleep. You know a nigga had to put that dope dick down before I left," Jewel laughed, "But I'ma need you to keep an eye on her for me. Robyn's been blowing up her phone lately. I need you to make sure she stays away from her, blood."

"I got you. We'll talk more when I get there, but I'm bout to head out right now," he said changing the subject.

Once Robyn heard Reagan's name, she knew what she had to do. Her suspicions were confirmed. Brandon knew exactly where she was, and whether he wanted to or not, he was going to lead her to Reagan. After Brandon hung up the phone, she ran back into the living room and hurried to turn on the TV pretending to be watching the news.

"Ay, I'm bout to make a run right quick. I'ma just meet ya'll at the restaurant," Brandon said grabbing his jacket.

"Where you going?"

"Don't trip. I'll be back."

Once he pulled out of the driveway, Robyn knew she had to follow him if she wanted any answers, so she grabbed her purse and car keys off of the bed and headed out. Brandon knew her ways. She was so predictable. Ever since Reagan was released from the hospital, she sweated him every day to tell her where Reagan was. Brandon refused every time, but if she found out on her own then that wouldn't be his fault, right? Robyn rushed to her car, and Brandon was already gone when she got outside, but he stopped at a red light and waited for her to catch up. After a few minutes, she saw him, but she tried to stay two cars behind, so he wouldn't notice her. At first, he was going to take her out the way to confuse her, but he decided to lead her straight to Jewel's house. He wanted the situation to finally be over, so the sooner the better.

After twenty minutes of driving through the streets of Sacramento, Brandon pulled up in front of Jewel's house leaving Robyn outside of the unfamiliar area. She parked a couple of houses down to remain unnoticed, but she was amazed at how beautiful Jewel's house was. It had to be worth a couple million at least. A white lady walking a miniature puppy snapped her out of her trance. She had to call Styles.

"Hey, I got some news. Reagan is here in Sacramento. The address is 4779 Castle View Lane."

Robyn felt bad about spying on Brandon, but she was lost without Reagan. She knew Styles would get her back, and soon everything would return to how it used to be.

$$$$$

After dropping Jewel off at the Sacramento Airport, Brandon doubled back to his house. He brought Reagan Chinese food from Wayne's Wok and rented a few movies for her. When he arrived, he stood outside of the front door frozen. He tried to rehearse everything he wanted to say to Reagan, but nothing seemed to come out right. Taking his chances, Brandon rang the doorbell. A few minutes later, Reagan answered with sleep still in her eyes. She didn't even remember Jewel leaving.

"Hey, Brandon, sorry, I was caked."

"That's okay. I would've said 'what's up' when I picked up Jewel, but you were sleep," he laughed, "Anyway, I have a dinner to go to tonight with Robyn, but I wanted to drop off a few things for you before I went."

Reagan stared at the greasy bag of food in his hand. The smell of house chow mein and shrimp fried rice made her mouth water. She loved having Brandon in her life as a friend. Somehow he always knew her favorites. Even though she missed Jewel, and she hated being away from him, it was nice having Brandon to check on her.

"How's Robyn doing?" she asked pulling a white plastic fork from out of the bag.

"She's good. She told me she's been tryna get in contact with you, but I told her, you probably just need some time."

"Yeah, I do, but tell her I said, 'hi,' I guess," Reagan said picking noodles out of the Styrofoam containers, "You sure you can't stay?"

"I wish I could, but you know how Robyn is."

"Awww, I think somebody is in love," she sang.

"Hardly, this is strictly business."

"I bet, but thank you again."

"No problem, ma. I'll probably be by tomorrow to check on you. Bring some more food by or something."

"You know I am not a prisoner, right? Let me take you out tomorrow. I really appreciate everything you've done for me, Brandon. Forreal."

"Alright, it's a date then," he winked.

"You're crazy. See you tomorrow."

$$$$$

After Brandon left Jewel's house, he met up with Robyn and Styles at Biba, an Italian restaurant Downtown, to have dinner. He was running late, and Styles was beginning to get impatient.

"Ay, I don't have all night, Robyn. Where is this nigga?"

"I just talked to him. He's pulling up now."

Ten minutes later, Brandon walked into the restaurant dressed to the nine. His charcoal Canali suit was flawless. His light caramel skin glistened under the restaurant's soft lighting.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I ran into some traffic on the 99," he said kissing Robyn, "I'm Brandon Edwards by the way. I've heard a lot about you. I'm a big fan, man." He extended his hand to meet Styles'.

"Nice to meet you, bruh," Styles said sizing him up.

Styles tried to act distant and distracted, but Brandon did his homework, and soon they became long lost friends. Throughout dinner, Brandon ordered rounds and rounds of Johnnie Walkers' Blue Label scotch. It was Styles' favorite.

"It's funny you and Robyn are related because we all went to the same high school, but I never put two and two together."

"Really? You went to Brighton?"

"I was like two grades under you, but you and my nigga Jewel Sanchez used to play ball together."

"Oh yeah, I remember him. Little light-skinned, mixed nigga, right? We did use to hoop together back in the day. That's crazy."

Brandon knew Styles' name sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it.

"Yeah, Jewel is the nigga Reagan is allegedly with now," Robyn said taking a sip from her lemon drop cocktail.

"Small world, I guess," Styles said nonchalantly, "So you're from South Sac?"

"Yep, born and raised."

"That's what's up."

Brandon made Styles feel comfortable when he started talking about their old hood, so for the rest of the night, they talked about the dope game, Styles' transition into the NBA, and Brandon and Robyn's relationship. After dinner, Brandon offered to take him out into the Sacramento night life to have a few more drinks, but Styles declined.

"I would, nigga, but I got some shit to take care of. We definitely need to hook up before I head back to the City though."

"Oh, most definitely, bruh. Hit me."

As they made their way out of Biba into the parking lot, Robyn made sure her brother was okay. He stumbled to his black Dodge Challenger feeling the effects of the five single malt scotches he had.

"You cool, Cam?"

"Yeah, I'm good. I like that nigga though. He's cool," he slurred.

"I told you punk, but call me when you're on your way home. I might be having a freak fest going on," she laughed.

"Naw, I'm probably not gon' be there tonight, sis. I'm going to get my wife back."
Chapter 9

Jewel stepped into a small conference room filled with men in different colored business suits. The air conditioner continued to tick as it struggled to fight the heat. The entire room stared at Jewel in anticipation. As if he could read all of their minds, he pulled out a key of pure Colombian cocaine from a black suitcase and set it down on the table.

"Now I know that you can get your product from anywhere, but we're willing to offer you something that other niggas can't."

"And what's that?" Kisino asked peering over his wire framed glasses. Kisino was an OG from Texas. He flooded cities with weed, heroin, and cocaine, whatever he could get his hands on. He'd known Golden for over twenty years, and they never mixed business into their friendship, but after having trouble with his connect, he ran to Golden.

"Loyalty," Jewel said slicing open the package, "Whatever price you get today, you'll get tomorrow." He slid samples across the chipped wooden table to each of Kisino's men. Kisino took the bright, white powder and rubbed it across his gums. The burning sensation let him know Golden's product was legit.

"So how much?" he asked pleased with the product.

"I can give you each one for ten."

"Kisino turned to his business partner to discuss the specifics. The big, dark skinned man sitting next to him pulled a black duffle bag from underneath the table.

"I'll need a hundred thangs by tomorrow," Kisino said handing over the duffle bag to Jewel. He scanned the bag filled with $100 bills to make sure the million was all there. This was exactly what he needed. He stared at the money in amazement. It was his freedom. He wanted to push weight long enough to stack, but after a few more deals, he was done.

"I'll have the other half sent to you tomorrow morning, Kisino," Jewel said counting fifty bricks from out of his suitcase.

After the transaction was complete, all of the men in the room filed out one by one. Kisino's partner grabbed the suitcase filled with cocaine and made his way to the door.

"Tell Golden I'll be fucking with ya'll from now on, young blood."

"No doubt. I got you."

$$$$$

Styles was anxious to see Reagan. It had been months since he'd talked to her. She didn't return any of his phone calls, and she wouldn't talk to Robyn. He was going crazy. He never meant to hurt her, but the thought of her being with someone else killed him inside. He vowed to himself that he would do whatever he had to do to get her back. He didn't know how she was going to react to him showing up unannounced, but he prepared himself for however she responded. After leaving the restaurant, he pulled up down the street from Jewel's house. The neighborhood was silent. He scanned the block of mansions until he found 4779. Three luxury cars sat outside, and he assumed there were more in the garage. He felt better knowing that Reagan was being taken care of in his absence. She was accustomed to the best.

After making sure Robyn gave him the right address, Styles stumbled out of his Challenger. He noticed a bright orange, candy-painted, old school Regal on 26s parked on the other side of the street. He walked by admiring the car and nodded to the young nigga sitting in the passenger seat. He tried to return his focus to Reagan, but the alcohol he had earlier at dinner had his head spinning. Only a few moments later, Pop crept out of the unregistered Regal with a .44 in his right hand. He slowly followed Styles up the block. Adrenaline rushed through his veins. He didn't want to kill Styles, but the money was talking to him. Brandon told Pop how Styles was the one who put Reagan in the hospital, and since Reagan was his big homie's main, he took it personally. Quiet as kept, Pop looked up to Jewel. He respected him fully. Jewel was the most unselfish person he knew. He made sure everyone around him was good before he worried about himself, and Pop admired that. He knew Brandon was an underhanded nigga, and he couldn't trust him, but at that moment, he tried to forget that. His main goal was about getting money. Pop wanted to be with the M.A.C. Boys since he was 12, and this was finally his chance. So if he had to kill some basketball nigga to do it then that was the price he had to pay. It didn't hurt that Brandon gave him $25,000 cash up front and had another $25,000 for him when the job was done.

Styles staggered up the stairs that led to Jewel's front door. He turned around and realized that Pop was right behind him, but it was too late. Before he could react, Pop put one in his head and two in his chest. The gunshots echoed throughout the quiet streets. Pop snatched his black-diamond cross pendant and the rest of the jewelry he had on his body before grabbing his wallet and keys. When he got back to the car, he threw the jewelry in the glove box and left Styles without looking back.

$$$$$

Reagan sat on the couch eating a bowl of red grapes watching infomercials. All of a sudden, she heard gunshots ringing outside. Against her better judgment, she ran to the window to look. She didn't see anything, but the shots were so loud that she knew it had to be near the house. When she got outside, she saw a body slumped over on the front steps. Her thoughts went to Brandon. Her feelings were changing, and she found herself feeling more then she should have. Suddenly, the outside lights illuminated Styles' face pressed against the cold ground.

"Oh my God. Oh my God," she screamed, "Somebody help."

She rushed to his side to check his pulse, but there wasn't one. He was dead. Reagan ran inside the house to call an ambulance. When she came back outside, she looked at his lifeless body with her eyes filled with tears. She never wanted to see him hurt. She had spent the past seven years with him, and as much as he hurt her, she still had love for him. The paramedics arrived five minutes later. They rushed over to Styles. His blood covered the speckled concrete. After not detecting a pulse, an EMT came and placed a white sheet over him. Four police cars came bolting down the street to the scene. After securing the area with yellow and black Do Not Cross tape, a short, husky detective pulled Reagan into the house while the other officers searched the yard for evidence.

"Hi, I'm Detective Roberts. Can you tell me what happened tonight?"

Reagan struggled to catch her breath. "I...I don't know."

"Did you know the victim?"

"He's my ex, but I haven't seen or spoken to him in months."

"So you don't know why he was in the area?"

"No, I didn't even know he knew where I lived."

"Okay, tell me what happened to the best of your knowledge, miss."

"I was here watching TV. I heard about three gunshots. They were really loud, so I knew they had to be close to the house. I went outside and saw Cameron on the stairs."

"Thank you for your time," Detective Roberts said handing Reagan a business card, "Call me anytime if you can think of anything else."

Reagan watched as the police packed up and left. The paramedics loaded Styles' body into a black bag and pushed him inside the ambulance on a metal gurney. The red and white lights flashed as they made their way through police cars and news vans. Reagan knew she had to call Robyn. After this, she was going to need her.

$$$$$

Pop drove Styles' car Downtown to an empty parking lot. He stripped him of anything he had of value. He took his watch, chains, earrings, everything, but he made sure he didn't leave any fingerprints. While he was sitting in his car waiting for Styles, he put on plastic gloves, and he covered his shoes with saran wrap. He couldn't afford to slip up. Everything was riding on this. He was so close to being an official M.A.C. Boy that he could taste it. Pop left the car keys in the glove box and put the plastic gloves and plastic wrap into a nearby garbage can. After making sure everything was clean, Pop called Brandon.

"Done," he said and quickly hung up as he threw on his black hoody and walked into the silence of the night.

$$$$$

Reagan rushed to Kaiser Hospital where she met up with Robyn and Brandon. Robyn sat in the waiting room with make-up smeared across her face. Styles was all she had, and now he was gone. Brandon did his best to console her, but there was nothing he could say to bring him back. Reagan walked into the empty emergency room and saw them sitting in a corner. She ran over to Robyn and held her. No words were spoken between the two. They let their tears, their pain speak for them. Suddenly two metal doors swung open, and a small Indian woman came out covered in blood.

"Ms. Johnson?"

"Yes," Robyn answered between sobs.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Rushon. I'm sorry, but your brother passed away at the scene of the crime." She stood still as Robyn absorbed the news. She was broken.

"Thank you," Brandon said holding her in his arms, "Can you give her a minute?"

"Sure. Take as much time as you need."

"Baby, I'll take care of everything, okay? You need to rest. This is a lot to take in right now. I'm so sorry, Robyn," he said lifting her head.

"Why him? He was a good person. Why, Brandon?"

Brandon held Robyn tightly as she cried on his chest. Reagan was jealous that he was showing her so much affection in front of her. He didn't even acknowledge her presence, but Reagan shook off her feelings and tried to focus on Robyn. After signing all of Styles' hospital documents, Brandon took Robyn home, and Reagan followed him to the house. She was heartbroken for Robyn, but she couldn't help but notice that she wasn't as sad as she should have been. Maybe it was because Styles had almost killed her, but she needed to be there for her friend, so she put all her ill feelings for him aside.

Twenty minutes later, Reagan pulled up in front of Robyn's house. She had been there countless times, but now it seemed so unfamiliar. Robyn and Styles were a part of the life she was trying to forget, but now how could she? Robyn fell asleep on the couch, and Brandon covered her up before pulling Reagan into the kitchen.

"You good?"

"Yeah, but I think I'm gonna stay here with her tonight," Reagan whispered.

"I think that'll be good for her," he said, "I'll be back in the morning when she wakes up, okay?"

Reagan wanted Brandon to stay. "Okay, just be careful please."

"Are you worried about a nigga?"

"Something like that," she laughed.

$$$$$

Jewel's flight arrived later that night. He had only been gone for two days, but he missed Reagan like crazy. He felt good knowing Brandon was looking after her. He was like a brother to him. They had been through a lot, and Jewel knew he could trust him with his life. When Jewel left home, he and Brandon got an apartment together, and that's how he got put on with Golden. Once Brandon introduced them, Golden took to Jewel instantly. He was somewhat of a square, but he had heart and was hungry, so Golden put them on small time. At 15, they started out selling tree but then upgraded to being runners. Not just anybody could be a M.A.C. Boy, so Jewel and Brandon had to prove themselves. They had been working with Golden for over eleven years, but Golden trusted Jewel more than Brandon. Jewel always played everything smart. He was a thinker. He never made any moves without going over every possible outcome. He was a business man before anything else, and Golden thrived off of that. He knew Brandon was thorough, but he was led by his emotions and would pop any nigga without thinking twice.

Jewel and Golden walked through a sea of people to get to the baggage claim.

"Jewel, you did good today."

"Thanks, G. You know I handle my business."

"Here's something for your trouble, boy," Golden said handing him a small black suitcase, "That's a quarter of the deal."

"A quarter mil?" Jewel asked placing the bag over his shoulder, "I didn't need that much, G."

"You deserve it. That ain't nothing though. Wait til you take over," he laughed, "We'll talk more about that later."

"Right," Jewel said shaking off his comment.

After collecting their bags, they made their way out of the airport to Golden's rental car.

"You need a ride, Jewel?"

"Hell yeah, I need to go meet up with Brandon."

Forty-five minutes later, Golden dropped Jewel off on the block. Various niggas came to pay respect to Golden. He was rarely in the streets anymore, so when he was, everyone took notice. Brandon walked up to the car to let him know about the activity in the North.

"I'ma get at you tomorrow, B. I'm tryna get up in some pussy tonight, so I don't have time," he joked.

"I respect it, G. I'll be by the office tomorrow," Jewel said hopping out of the Lincoln MKX. After making his way to Brandon's Coupe, he put his bags in the trunk.

"Ay, Jewel I really need to talk to you tomorrow. I'ma hit you in the morning," Golden said lighting a cigarette.

"Alright."

Brandon smashed off leaving the block behind him. He had a blunt waiting for Jewel, and he sparked it up with no hesitation. He had been in business mode for the past couple of days, so he needed to relax.

"So how was it, nigga?"

"Shit went cool, bruh. The nigga Kisino is a trip, but he got dough to spend. He bought a hundred kicks," Jewel said inhaling the cloud of smoke that surrounded him.

"Damn, like that?"

"Hell yeah, he said he was only gonna fuck with Golden from now on, so we're good," he said unzipping the black bag he got from Golden, "Here, bruh." Jewel counted $50,000 and handed it to Brandon.

"What's this?" he asked in amazement.

"Your cut, bruh, I mean I know you weren't there, but we're in this shit together."

"Good looking, bruh."

"You know I got you. Is Reagan at the house?"

"I keep forgetting you don't know. Blood, hella shit happened since you been gone."

"What you mean?"

"So I met the nigga Styles."

"Oh, forreal?" Jewel asked passing Brandon the weed.

"Yeah, he came over Robyn's house when I was over there the other day. Guess who that nigga is?"

"The nigga from the Warriors, right?"

"Cameron Johnson."

"Who?" Jewel asked confused.

"From high school."

"Oh, yeah, we used to hoop together. That's mainey. Bruh was cool back then. I know that nigga mad I got his bitch though."

"Not no more," Brandon laughed, "He's dead, blood."

"What?" Jewel asked in disbelief.

"Somebody popped him in front of your house a few days ago." Brandon sat back and let the information sink in.

"In front of where?" he snapped.

"The police said he was robbed and murdered outside the house."

How did he find out where we lived? Was Reagan still seeing this nigga? Jewel thought to himself. He didn't care who killed Styles or why. He just wanted to know why he was at his house. "Was Reagan there when all this happened?"

"Yeah."

"And she didn't say shit to you?"

"Naw, I mean I went to check on her, but nothing looked suspect. I didn't really talk to her like that until she came to the hospital."

"She went to the hospital? Robyn was there, right?"

"Yeah, nigga."

"Blood, take me to the house."

Jewel knew if something was going on, Brandon would have handled it, but still, things weren't adding up.

Forty-five minutes later, Jewel walked into the house expecting to see Reagan, but she was nowhere to be found. After searching each room, he called her cell phone over and over, but she still didn't answer.

"Babe, it's me. Ummm, call me back," he said leaving a voicemail. He tried to keep himself under control, but he could feel the anger growing in his chest as he paced the house trying to put the pieces together. "She's grown. She can do whatever she wants. I'm tripping," he said out loud as he walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The blistering hot water fogged up the room almost instantly. He breathed in the steam trying to calm down, but his heart rate sped up as he thought of Reagan running to Styles behind his back. He was mad, but in all actuality, he was just scared of losing her.

$$$$$

The next day, Reagan stood in the kitchen with Robyn preparing dinner. All of Styles' relatives came to pay their last respects. The quiet rooms were filled with many mournful aunts, uncles, and cousins dressed in all black. They cried for the loss of one of their own. Robyn walked around the house aimlessly. She tried to put on a mask of acceptance, but Reagan saw right through it. Brandon made his way around the house doing his best to comfort Robyn's grandma Honey. Her soulful cries could be heard from outside. Reagan's heart went out to their grandmother. Robyn was thankful that her brother was put to rest lavishly. Brandon didn't spare any expenses. Styles' casket was black trimmed with pure silver, and hundreds of deep, dark, red roses filled the church. The service was beautiful. Robyn broke down during Styles' eulogy. She could not find enough courage to say goodbye to her only brother as she watched people view his body and say their final words, but Brandon stayed by her side the entire time. Robyn was grateful to have him in her life.

Reagan rushed around the kitchen helping Robyn. She peeled potatoes, cut up vegetables, whatever she needed help with.

"Are you okay, Robyn? You look tired. Girl, I can handle this. You should go lay down."

"Rea, I'm good. People die all the time. I'll be fine," she said wiping the tears that slowly fell, "I just can't be alone, okay?"

"Okay." Brandon walked into the kitchen and grabbed Robyn away from the stove.

"Hey, babe, Honey is asking for you. I can take over in here."

"Okay, I'll be right back."

He walked over to the stove to check on the pot roast that was roasting in the oven.

"I don't know what she would have done without you, Brandon."

"It's the least I can do, feel me? I know this is hard for her," he said nonchalantly.

"She's really lucky to have you," Reagan smiled, "I'm probably gonna go home after dinner. She's tryna keep herself busy, so she doesn't have to think about it, but I know she needs some time to deal with all this. And plus, you'll be here, right?"

Reagan knew she had to leave. She couldn't stop the feelings she was starting to have for Brandon. She hated seeing Robyn and him together. She loved her friend, but she didn't think she was the right woman for him. Brandon deserved better.

"My bad, Reagan, with the funeral and everything today, I forgot to tell you. Jewel's home."

"What?"

"My bad." He knew if she wasn't there when he got home, Jewel was going to lose it. She ran to grab her purse on the counter and pulled out her cell phone. She had fourteen missed calls from Jewel. She called him back without listening to any of her voicemails.

"Hey, babe, I'm so sorry. I turned my phone off at the funeral."

"What funeral?"

"I keep forgetting I haven't talked to you. Styles was murdered the day before yesterday," she said softly.

"At the house, right?"

"Yeah, I don't know..."

"So you didn't think that was some shit I needed to know?"

"Yeah, but..."

"That nigga better be glad I wasn't home. I would've killed him myself. He deserved that shit," Jewel spat.

"Jewel, what is wrong with you? He lost his life," Reagan snapped.

"You must really think a nigga is stupid. I leave for a couple of days, and it's just good like that?"

"Jewel, it wasn't even like that."

"You're a fucking liar. Just come get your stuff."

"What?"

"You would wanna hurry up before you find all your shit on the curb."

"Jewel..."

He hung up the phone without listening to her explanation. He didn't understand how Styles found her if she wasn't talking to him. He didn't believe a single word she said. All the evidence was against her. To him, all a person had was their word, and now, Reagan's meant nothing. When Jewel was 15, he found out that his father had a secret family. All his life, he thought his dad was never in his life because of work, but it came out that he fathered another child. After Jewel's mother Laura found out, she hit Jewel's father with an ultimatum, but it didn't work. Mr. Sanchez wasn't happy anymore and wanted to continue his life with his mistress, Isabella. He told Jewel he would continue to provide for him financially, but he no longer wanted to be involved in his life. Mr. Sanchez pacified them with his money over the years, but Jewel just wanted a father. The millions of dollars his dad had meant nothing to him. After Mr. Sanchez left, Laura began to drink heavily to numb the pain of losing her husband, but as time went on, the divorce became easier for her. Mr. Sanchez made sure the life they were accustomed to remained, but Jewel's whole world came crashing down on his head because of his father's deliberate lies and infidelity. His life would never be the same. From that day on, Jewel never tolerated someone lying to him. Lying was an act of disrespect in his mind, and that act had to be punished. He loved Reagan, but he couldn't take her lying to him. He lost his whole family over a lie, and he refused to lose anything else.

$$$$$

Reagan did a hundred on the freeway to get home. She felt bad about not telling Jewel about what happened to Styles, but her first mind was to tend to Robyn. When she got home, Jewel was in the living room watching TV. Reagan sat down next to him on the beige suede couch, but he didn't speak.

"Are you serious with this shit, J?"

"Serious about what?" he asked fixated on the television screen.

"I swear I haven't talked to Styles since the day he put me in the hospital, and that was months ago. I was here, alone, and I heard gunshots coming from outside. Brandon said he was coming by. I thought he got hurt or something, so I went outside and saw Cameron dead on the stairs."

Jewel sat back without saying a word. He wanted to believe her, but his pride wouldn't let him. "So he just magically knew where we stayed? Get the fuck outta here. I think you should go stay with Robyn or something?"

"So whatever I say doesn't mean shit to you, right?"

"Not really."

"You're breaking up with me because Styles was murdered?"

"I'm just done. You're more trouble than you're worth." Jewel was through. He couldn't forgive her for putting what they built in jeopardy.

Reagan didn't grab any of her clothes. She took her purse and left without saying another word to Jewel. In her eyes, he was wrong. She loved him and didn't want to leave, but if he needed his space then she would give it to him. She sat in front of the house in Jewel's black Infiniti for hours. She regretted not being honest with him about Styles, but she didn't do anything to jeopardize their relationship. Jewel just needed time.

She had no idea where she was going, but she knew she didn't want to go back to San Francisco to Styles' condo. Now that he was dead, there was no point in ever going back, so Reagan called Robyn and told her about her fight with Jewel.

"He's really tripping right now."

"Fuck him. You can always come home. Whether Styles is here or not, you're always gonna be my sister."

"Thank you, Robyn. I should be there in the next twenty minutes or so."

"Yeah, it's good. I'm in Texas though. I left right after the funeral. Honey couldn't go home by herself, but I should be back in a few weeks."

"How's she doing?"

"She's not good at all."

Robyn left Sacramento to take her grandma Honey back home to Dallas. She got sick after Styles died. It was too much to handle.

"Give her a kiss for me."

"I will. The keys are under the mat. Call me when you get settled."

"Okay."

Reagan was happy Robyn offered to let her stay at her house. She needed a place to clear her head. She had to figure out a way to make Jewel forgive her.
Chapter 10

Brandon walked up Jewel's driveway toward the front door. It had been a couple weeks since he broke up with Reagan, and he had been M.I.A. Jewel wasn't answering anyone's calls, so Brandon decided to just show up. He pulled Jewel's spare key out of his pocket and let himself in.

"Jewel?" he yelled walking around the house.

"I'm upstairs, bruh."

When Brandon walked upstairs, Jewel was in his bedroom watching "The Best Man." Brandon didn't even recognize him. He looked like he hadn't taken a shower in weeks.

"Blood, what the fuck are you doing?"

"What you mean?" Jewel asked taking a sip of Ciroc straight from the bottle.

"It's 10:00 a.m., and you're sitting here drinking. You look like you haven't washed your nuts at all. Bruh, this ain't you."

"I'm good."

"Come on, nigga, what's up?" Brandon asked sitting down in a leather recliner.

Jewel looked around the room and saw the empty alcohol bottles scattered around. He knew he was slipping, but his pride was hurt. He didn't know where Reagan went, and, at that point, he didn't care.

"It's this shit with Reagan. I wanna believe her, but the shit sounded shady, and I mean even though we weren't fucking, she was talking to me behind Styles' back. Shit just don't add up, bruh."

"I feel it. How'd that nigga know exactly where you live? I know Robyn fa sho don't know."

"Exactly, but I'm done talking about that bitch. I need to get on this money hype, blood. What's up for today?"

"Shit, just the meeting."

"It is Thursday, huh? I forgot." Golden had meetings with his three lieutenants each week. He needed to make sure everybody's money was straight. "Alright, let me get dressed," Jewel said shaking off his defeat as he fought to get Reagan out of his mind. His bitch was once again the Almighty Dollar. He had to switch gears and put his focus back on getting paid.

$$$$$

Reagan lay in Robyn's queen-sized bed with crumpled tissues sitting next to her as she spent her time crying over Jewel. She called him at least five times a day but never got an answer. She knew he needed time; she just hoped it wouldn't be forever. The house echoed as Reagan walked into the kitchen. She cooked dinner, cleaned up, and later, finally made her way to the shower. She let the water clear her mind. The soap slid down her body as she scrubbed away her disappointment. In the middle of Reagan rinsing off, she heard a lot of noise coming from the back of the house. Robyn wasn't supposed to be home for another week, so she quickly made her way out of the shower. Water dripped to the floor as she wrapped her body with a giant white bath towel. She fought through the thick cloud of steam to the door. Reagan eased her way into the kitchen and picked up a fire poker from the fireplace in the guestroom gripping the handle until her knuckles turned white. When she walked into the kitchen, she saw Brandon with dinner plates from Bamboo Inn. The counter was filled with all of the foods she loved from her other favorite Chinese food spot.

"Boy, you almost got killed," she said setting down the fire poker.

"Damn, like that?" Brandon laughed.

"I didn't know it was you. I don't play those types of games." Reagan picked up a giant eggroll and took a bite. Brandon watched as flecks of the fried, crispy wrapper stuck to her lips.

"What you doing here?" she asked in between bites.

"I talked to Robyn. She said you were here alone, so I thought you would want some company, and since you can't cook, I knew your ass was over here starving."

"Shut up, Brandon, but I light-weight was though."

"See. Where would you be without me?"

"Have you talked to Jewel?" she asked changing the subject.

"You know I have," Brandon said looking down at his food.

"How's he doing? Is he still mad?"

"What you think, ma? But, I mean he's good. He just been on a hype lately. He rarely goes home. I just saw him at Golden's office before I came over here."

"Oh, forreal?" Reagan asked. She was crushed. She imagined Jewel was as miserable as she was. Maybe he is over me, she thought.

"How you been though?"

"Horrible. I miss him, Brandon," Reagan said tearing up. She tried to stop herself from crying, but her tears fell uncontrollably.

"Come here."

Brandon held Reagan in his arms as her damp skin stuck to his. He was in heaven. Brandon was exactly what she needed. He was always there for her. After they Brandon and Reagan finished eating, they sat up all night and watched TV. Reagan never laughed so much in her life. After watching a Martin marathon, Reagan fell asleep on the couch, so Brandon picked her up and put her in the guestroom. He laid her down on the bed and covered her up, but before he got out of the door, she called out his name.

"What's up, Reagan?"

She sat up and stared at Brandon through the darkness. "Can you stay with me tonight?" Reagan didn't know what made her want him, but she did. She knew it was wrong, but she needed Brandon there. Jewel had her heart, but her body was yearning for a man's touch.

"Yeah, of course," he said walking back towards the bed.

Reagan and Jewel hadn't had sex in weeks, and her body was on fire. She would fantasize about Jewel at night and pretend her hands were his as she rubbed her sexual frustrations out, but that wasn't enough. Brandon slowly lay down on the bed next to her. The silence penetrated the air as they lay side by side. He wanted her more than she knew, but he respected her too much to press her. He got enough pussy on the regular, so he wasn't thirsty, but no bitch compared to Reagan.

Reagan couldn't take it anymore. Brandon's scent was intoxicating, and before she knew it, she leaned over and kissed him softly on his lips. Without saying a word, he slipped her towel from around her body. He wanted to please her. Reagan grabbed his belt and struggled to unfasten it. After the second attempt, his dick made its way out, and she slid his pants down and hopped on top. Brandon grabbed her hips to slow down her pace. Reagan grinded her clit against him as she bucked her body back and forth. The sensation sent shocks through her body. After a few more thrusts of her hips, Reagan came. She slowly eased off Brandon's hard dick and fell asleep.

$$$$$

The next morning, Reagan woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. She struggled to reach it in time.

"Hello?"

"Hey, bitch, you still sleep?"

"Yeah, I need to get up though."

"Well, I was just checking up on you. I really miss you, Rea. With everything that happened with Styles, I didn't get to tell you thank you. I really appreciate you being there for me. You didn't have to given the circumstances, feel me?"

"You know I'm always gonna be here," she said staring at Brandon sleeping.

"I'll be home soon. Honey is doing good, so I feel better coming back."

"Okay, well, I'll be here," Reagan laughed nervously.

"Bye, bitch."

Reagan hung up with Robyn with guilt in her heart. On one hand, she was in love with Jewel, but there was something about Brandon she couldn't ignore. She cared about him, but he could never take Jewel's place.

Brandon woke up next to his dream girl, but he was more confused than Reagan. He found himself falling harder for her.

"Good morning," he yawned.

"What happened last night can't happen again, Brandon. You're with Robyn, and I'm trying to work on things with Jewel. It was wrong. Wrong."

"So it didn't mean anything to you?" he asked fastening his jeans.

"What was it supposed to mean?"

"Something."

"I care about you, Brandon. I do, and I know that I shouldn't. I'm in love with Jewel."

"So that means I shouldn't do this then."

Brandon grabbed Reagan from off of the bed and kissed and sucked her neck until her juices started to flow again. She held onto his arms, and her head fell back in ecstasy as Brandon carried her into the bathroom where they spent the rest of the morning exploring each other's forbidden bodies.
Chapter 11

Reagan woke up in Brandon's bed with the sun shining in her face. She rolled over to his side, but he wasn't there.

"Brandon?" she called making her way out of the bed.

"I'm in the kitchen," he yelled back.

Reagan knew being with Brandon was wrong, but she couldn't help herself. Even though she had been fucking him for the past week, she still wanted to be with Jewel. Brandon brought Reagan to his house in Folsom just in case Robyn came home early or Jewel decided to stop by. Reagan was hesitant at first, but with Jewel's constant rejection, it was easier to go along with it.

"Good morning, baby," Brandon said cooking breakfast.

"It smells good. I'm starving."

"It's ready." He fixed their plates and sat them on the table. The poached eggs with toast, bacon, and fruit salad looked like something off of the Food Network.

"So what do you have planned for today?" Reagan asked taking a bite of her eggs.

"I got some business to handle. Golden called an emergency meeting."

"Is Jewel gonna be there?"

"Yeah."

Brandon tried to ignore Reagan's constant questions about Jewel. She was in his presence, so he didn't understand why she was still concerned with him.

"Ay, I'm bout to go," he said leaving the kitchen table.

"But you didn't finish your food."

"I'm not hungry anymore, but I'ma see you later tonight, right?"

"Yes, Brandon, I have nowhere else to go," Reagan laughed.

Brandon received a call from Golden the night before. He was holding an emergency meeting. Usually, it was only Jewel, Brandon, and Sacario, but this time, everybody was required to come, and for those who didn't, there would be a heavy price to pay.

$$$$$

Jewel pulled his Benz out of the driveway and made his way downtown to Golden's office. Golden sounded anxious over the phone, and he wouldn't discuss anything with Jewel, so he had no idea what he was walking into. The sound of Jewel's phone snapped him back from his thoughts; it was Reagan. She called him every chance she got. He missed her more than words could explain. He was lost without her.

"Hello?"

"Hey," she said caught off guard. She would call, knowing he wouldn't pick up, just to hear his voice on his voicemail.

"How you doing?"

"Horrible. Baby, I miss you. I am so sorry for everything. I would never want to jeopardize what we're trying to build. I wanna come home," Reagan whined.

"I miss you too. A nigga can't even lie; I haven't been able to function. I wanted to call you, but I just didn't know what to say."

"Just say you love me."

"I love you, Reagan. Will you come home?"

"Of course," she yelled.

"I have this meeting to go to."

"I know."

"What you mean?" Jewel asked confused.

"I meant I knew you would be busy. You haven't been answering my calls," Reagan said trying to change the subject.

"Oh, but yeah, can you meet me at the house in a couple hours?"

"Yes, baby."

"Okay, I'll see you later then."

"Jewel, I love you."

"I love you more, baby."

$$$$$

Jewel felt on top of the world after talking to Reagan. He felt like himself again. Now that his head was right, he was ready for whatever Golden had to say. Suddenly Brandon pulled alongside of Jewel's car with Pop in the passenger seat.

"What's up, nigga?" Jewel yelled over Brandon's pounding stereo system. The 15s in his trunk made the block rumble.

"Ain't shit. You look like you've been brought back from the dead, nigga," he laughed.

Jewel's flawless thirteen carat diamond chain shined against his crisp white Adapt t-shirt. "You know I had to bounce back, boy. My wife is home, so a nigga's straight."

"Oh, forreal? I thought that shit was dead?"

"I love her, blood."

"That's what's up," Brandon said putting his car in drive, "Let's get inside, bruh, before G starts tripping." He parked his car on the street, and Jewel followed right behind him. After they parked, Pop made his way out of Brandon's Lexus with a blunt in hand. He seamlessly emptied out the bag of weed inside the swisher, rolled and sealed it before they entered the building. Pop looked in amazement at how legit the office was. It was his first time being around Golden, but he hoped it wouldn't be his last.

"So Reagan came back?" Brandon asked opening the glass door.

"Not yet. She's coming back to the house after I leave here."

"Did she say where she was?"

"Naw, she probably went to a hotel or something."

Brandon refused to believe that Reagan was going back to Jewel. Things are different now. She's not leaving me. "Anyway, did G say what this was about?" he asked pulling out his cell phone.

"Naw, he just said the shit was important, and he needed everybody to be here."

"This shit sounds mainey, bruh," Brandon said taking the blunt from Pop.

The elevator ride was long. No one ever questioned Golden or what he said, so he was nervous. Thoughts of Reagan leaving mixed in with his anxiety. He was barely holding on. The stainless-steel doors opened to the main conference room exposing the tables filled with food and bottles of champagne. Certain niggas sat in the corners mad about losing money to be there, but everyone kept their comments to themselves. Jewel noticed Sacario sitting at the front of the room. His black and white fitted cap hung low over his Chinese slanted eyes, and his six-carat diamond earrings glittered against his deep caramel-colored skin.

"What's up with, bruh?" Jewel asked excitedly.

Sacario was never in Sac. He ran certain areas of Richmond, and he only came down twice a month to go over his numbers with Golden.

"Same shit, nigga. What's up with this though?"

"G didn't tell me either. It's crazy cause we all don't get together like this, feel me? He got every nigga from the bottom to the top up here."

After twenty minutes, Golden made his way into the conference room. His jet black three piece Armani suit was flawless. The loud conversations that preceded his arrival were lowered to a whisper once he stepped foot into the room.

"Gentlemen," he said scanning those in attendance, "Thank you all for being here this afternoon." Everyone struggled to find seats as he spoke. All of their attention needed to be on their leader. "I know this is unlike me to gather you all together in one room being that we all have different parts we play to keep this organization running smoothly, but what I'm about to say should not have to be repeated."

Golden paused to light his Behike cigar. He puffed the thick tube of tobacco against the flame as silence saturated the room. "Let me first say that I appreciate each and every one of you for your loyalty and hard work over the years. I have been in the game for over twenty years now, and at 45, I am very blessed to even be standing before you. As we all know, a lot of our brothers fell victim to this life we lead. I have put in enough work for two men, and I feel I have accomplished what I set out to accomplish. I am proud of what we have created here, but at the same time, I want to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor, my wife and children. I brought you all out today to announce my retirement."

Everyone was shocked. No one knew how to take the news of Golden leaving the M.A.C. Boys.

"Golden we need you here, man," someone said from the back, "You can't go, G."

"Jewel, Brandon, Sacario, can you guys come up here, please?" he asked regaining control of the room. The three men made their way to the front and stood side-by-side in front of their mentor. "These young men have soaked up all the game I have given them. They each have served me for over eleven years or so, and I am proud of the men they have become. Now being that I will no longer be the head of this organization, I have chosen a new general to lead the troops."

By this point in the meeting, everyone was on the edge of their seat. Brandon looked around the room and saw all of his niggas' eager faces. He was proud of what he built with Golden and was ready to accept the crown. About time, he thought.

"Now while this choice was easy by no means, the man who I feel will take the M.A.C. Boys to the next level is Jewel Sanchez."

The room went crazy. All his niggas were happy for him and for themselves. They knew this meant they would be getting paid too. Jewel was a good dude, so he deserved the promotion. Over the years, he proved himself more than enough. Jewel stood off to the side in shock.

"Jewel, come here, son." He walked over to his predecessor to accept his newfound responsibility. "I am handing this empire over to you, and I trust that you will be a great leader."

"Golden, I don't even know what to say right now. Thank you."

Jewel fought back his tears. He never thought Golden would ever retire, and he definitely didn't think he would leave it all to him.

"Alright, enough with all this sentimental shit. This is a celebration," he said picking up a flute of champagne, "To Jewel."

"To Jewel," everyone said in unison raising their glasses.

After the announcement, bottles were popping everywhere. Golden told everyone they could leave if they had business to tend to, but they stayed out of respect for both Jewel and Golden. This was a celebration for the M.A.C. Boys. Brandon sat toward the back of the room watching all of his niggas congratulate Jewel as he sipped his champagne trying to digest the events of the day.

Why, Jewel? he asked himself, I've done more than that nigga has ever done. This shit has gotta stop.

Jewel made his rounds saying goodbye to all his niggas before leaving the party. He knew that being general was going to take more from him, but he was ready. He had been contemplating on whether he should get out of the game, but this was the sign he had been waiting for. His plans to leave were officially postponed. Jewel barely made it out of the lobby before Golden caught up with him.

"Boy, I give you an empire, and you leave your own party?"

"My bad, G, I have something to take care of, but I'm ready for this. I want you to know that I'm dedicated one-hundred percent. I'm ready to work."

"I know. Go home and celebrate. We'll talk more tomorrow."

Jewel jogged over to his car cutting through traffic. The thoughts of him being a boss and being a major player in the game put his mind at ease. Money would come in faster than he knew what to do with. He was set.

How am I gonna explain all this to Reagan? He prayed she would understand and support him. He drove the entire way home trying to find the right words.

$$$$$

After hanging up with Jewel, Reagan packed up all the stuff she brought to Brandon's house. She knew she crossed the line by fucking him, but it was in the past. He had been blowing up her phone the whole day, but all he got was her voicemail. Making sure she didn't leave any evidence behind, she headed for Jewel's. When Reagan pulled up to his house, all she could do was admire its beauty. She was happy to be home. She left all her bags in the car and ran through the front doors hoping Jewel beat her there, but the house was completely empty.

Good, this gives me time to get everything together, she thought. Reagan planned to sit and have a romantic dinner with Jewel, talk, and let things fall back into place. She walked into the kitchen and scrambled the refrigerator and cabinets praying she could put something together, but before she started cooking, Jewel busted through the door searching for her.

"Babe?"

"I'm in the kitchen."

As soon as he came through the door, they locked eyes, and it was as if no words needed to be spoken. Jewel grabbed Reagan around her small waist and kissed her. She had to break their embrace to come up for air. He was fiending for her body. He swept the food she had placed on the counter onto the floor and set her body on top of the cold granite countertop. Reagan's thick thighs stuck to the counter as Jewel covered her body in kisses. They hadn't touched each other in over a month, and his body yearned for hers. Reagan slipped off the blue printed romper she wore and let Jewel feast on her pussy. Her back arched as he dove in head first. Reagan's juices flowed down her legs, and her head jerked back. She couldn't hold on any longer. After making sure she was satisfied, Jewel stood Reagan up and turned her around and entered her from behind with ease. He felt all of her wetness cover his dick, and he watched as her ass bounced up and down. It drove him crazy. His pace increased, and Reagan gripped the counter to absorb the blows.

"Baby, can you slow down?" she winced in pain, but her request fell on deaf ears.

Jewel grabbed her hips and pounded her pussy until he busted all over her ass. He released all of his anger onto her mocha-brown skin. He pulled up his pants and went into the living room without saying anything. Reagan stood in the middle of the kitchen naked and confused. He was always so gentle and sweet to her when they made love but not this time. After getting dressed, she found him sprawled across the couch with his shirt off, and the sun shining down on his hard, golden chest. She wanted to be mad at him, but his body wouldn't let her.

"Jewel, what was that?"

"Nothing, I'm sorry."

"Everything sounded good today, but now you're acting hella distant again. What happened?"

Jewel struggled to get the situation with Styles and Reagan out of his head.

"Nothing, I'm really sorry. I just haven't had none in a while," he said trying to change the subject.

"It hurt, Jewel."

"Come here."

Reagan slowly walked over to him and lay in his arms in silence as they both tried to relearn each other's bodies.

"We need to talk."

"Now?" Jewel asked closing his eyes, "Let me just hold you for a while, Reagan."

"Babe, we need to deal with everything."

"Okay, you go first," he said reluctantly sitting up.

Reagan sat up too trying to gather her thoughts. She really didn't know how to come at Jewel about Styles, but she knew they needed to discuss everything, or their relationship would never get better.

"Okay, I'ma be honest. Robyn and Cameron were calling me a lot after I came home from the hospital, but I never answered. I can't lie I wanted to. I missed Cameron. I missed my life, but I knew that things would never have gotten better if I stayed with him."

"So I was like a fucking consolation prize or some shit?"

"No, I love you, and I realized that if I gave Cameron another chance, I would be missing out on something real. The night he died, I had no idea he was even in Sacramento or how he knew where I was. I would never disrespect you like that, Jewel."

"I'm not tryna drive myself crazy over this, babe. I forgive you, okay?" Jewel said grabbing Reagan's face and placing a kiss on her lips.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, it's over and done with. You're mine, and that's all that matters to me, but now I need to talk to you about something."

"Yes, I'll marry you, Jewel," Reagan laughed.

"I bet, but naw, this is important, so I already told you about my family and all that."

"Yeah, about your mom and dad, right?"

"Yeah, but there's more to the story. My dad used to be a defense attorney, and he made a lot of money. I mean like millions, so growing up, I went to private school, we lived in a mansion, had summer homes, the whole nine. My dad worked all the time, so he was never really home, and my mother was usually on vacation somewhere, so I had to raise myself. When I turned 15, I decided to go to public school, and that's where I met Brandon. In high school, he was that nigga. He was only a freshman at the time, but he ran Brighton High."

"Jewel, why are you telling me all this?"

"Can you just listen? So Brandon ran with a group of niggas called the M.A.C. Boys. He started out as a runner for Golden."

"Your boss?" Reagan asked confused.

"Yeah, Golden was the leader of the clique. I admired Brandon because he commanded respect wherever he went, and I wanted that respect too, so, anyway, one day, I left school early. Brandon and some of his potnahs were hanging out in the hallway, and I walked right in between them. Brandon said some other-ass shit of course cause he felt I disrespected them. Anyway, to make a long story short, we fought. Brandon took off first, but I had something to prove back then, so I gave it to that nigga something vicious."

"Jewel, I have no idea where this is going."

"After the fight, we both got hauled off to the principal's office. The principal hated Brandon, and she was going to expel him for the fight. Brandon lost it. He might be a lot of things, but he's far from stupid. School was important to him, and in one quick moment, it was gonna be taken away from him. I confessed to starting the fight. Not to save Brandon, but I didn't want to look like a bitch."

"Okay, well, I'm glad you just wanted to talk about you and Brandon's bromance, Jewel."

"Reagan, forreal, ma, let me finish. After that day, somehow me and Brandon became thick-as-thieves, so being that we got so close, he eventually introduced me to Golden, and I started selling drugs at 15. I didn't need the money, but I wanted to belong to something bigger than myself, and Brandon became like a brother to me, so I naturally wanted to follow in his footsteps."

"Jewel, you already know how I feel about this shit, but that was a long time ago."

"There's more. At 18, I got access to my trust fund which was over $20 million dollars. I used that money to set me and Brandon up. I started hustling full-time, and we used real estate to clean up the money we made, but it's been an on-going thing."

Reagan sat on the couch with her legs crossed confused. "So you still sell dope?"

"Yeah, but it's on a larger scale now. I push keys. That's major weight. I don't small time anymore."

"So all this time, you've been lying to me? You talk all that shit about how you hate liars, and how you're an open book, but you've been lying to me for almost six fucking months now?"

"I didn't lie. I do own, buy, and sell houses, but that's not where the bulk of my money comes from."

"So Brandon sells drugs too?"

"Yeah, we've had the same title and worked right under Golden until today."

"What the fuck happened today, Jewel? Does this story get even better?" Reagan asked rolling her eyes.

"Golden stepped down."

"And? What does that have to do with you?"

"I moved up in the ranks. I'ma four-star now."

"A what?"

"I run the M.A.C. Boys."

"Wow," Reagan said in disbelief, "When we first started talking, I told you that I don't deal with dope boys. Styles put my life in danger more than once chasing a dollar. I love you, Jewel, but you're gonna have to tell him no. Period."

"It's too late. I accepted it."

"So you didn't think that this would be something that you should've probably talked to me about it first? You are so fucking selfish. This affects both of us, Jewel."

"I put my life and my freedom on the line every day while you sit back and enjoy the benefits," he said standing up.

"You've been doing this shit long before me, so don't bring me into your bullshit. You know what? Fuck this. You can be a low-life all on your own. You're so fake. This isn't your life. You stole Brandon's and tried to make it your own. You're a poser," Reagan spat.

"Bitch, fuck you. I'm good enough to be around your bougie-ass though. You ain't ever had shit of your own. Always chasing behind a paid nigga though. You're a money hungry bitch just like your hoe-ass potnah. My money was good at one point, right? You're always complaining about something. I'll never beg a bitch to be with me, dope boy or not. Know that."

"How can you say you love me, and you want to be with me, but you've been keeping all this shit from me, Jewel?"

"I don't."

"What?"

"Get your stuff. This back and forth shit is for the birds. We forced this. I'm not the nigga for you. You need to figure out who he is."

"So that's it? You're breaking up with me again because you're a fucking liar? You're right. We don't need to be together," Reagan said walking up the stairs to the bedroom, "I'll be the fuck out of here in fifteen minutes."
Chapter 12

Shuttles and taxis whizzed past Brandon as he stood outside the Sacramento Airport impatiently waiting for Robyn's plane to arrive. He flicked a lit cigarette to the ground ignoring the No Smoking signs plastered all around the terminals. A security guard with too much time on his hands saw the offense and took it as his chance to flex his guard card.

"Sir, you can't park here," he said pointing to Brandon's Lexus.

"This is a loading zone, right?" Brandon asked not taking his eyes from his phone.

"Yeah, but..."

"Well, I'm loading something, bruh," he said interrupting the man.

"Make it quick."

The night air was saturated with the heat from the day, and Brandon watched as crowds of people hurriedly moved inside, each one with a different destination. He searched through the crowd to find Robyn, but she was nowhere to be found. He tried to focus on her, but he couldn't tear his mind away Reagan.

Call me or text me, Reagan. Something, please! He had been blowing up her phone for the past couple of days. He left her voicemails and text messages but nothing. He couldn't accept that she was happy with Jewel. To him, they were meant to be together.

Robyn crept up behind Brandon and wrapped her arms around his waist snapping him back from his thoughts. "Hey, baby," she screamed, "I missed you."

"Hey, ma," Brandon said faking enthusiasm, "Damn, you had a nigga waiting for hella long."

"My bad, babe, they were talking about they thought they lost my bags. I had to go bad on the front desk bitch. It was hella shit going on. I'm ready now though, boo."

Brandon threw Robyn's luggage in the trunk of his car as she made herself comfortable in the passenger seat. He stared at her through the back windshield as her light caramel skin illuminated under the bright overhead lights. Getting lost in her image, a yellow taxi honked for him to get out of the way. The Asian cab driver had been waiting for over thirty minutes to get a spot in front. Brandon slowly walked over to the driver's side to irritate the cab driver a little more before he peeled out. After leaving the airport, Robyn sat quietly in the front seat waiting for Brandon to initiate a conversation. She had been gone for over a month, so she thought he would have more to say.

"So you didn't miss me?" she asked breaking the silence.

"My bad, Robyn, I just got a lot on my mind, but you know I missed you," Brandon said keeping his eyes on the road, "How's Honey?"

"She's good. The shock of the situation is finally gone, so she's dealing with everything much better. Texas isn't as country as I thought. They got some cool spots out there. I told her we would go visit her soon."

"Oh, yeah, we can definitely do that."

"How was everything here? Is Reagan still at the house? I tried to call her before I boarded the plane, but she didn't answer."

"Naw, Jewel said they got back together," Brandon said clinching the steering wheel.

"What? She said she was done with him. I don't know what she sees in that nigga," Robyn said shaking her head.

I don't either, Brandon thought. After twenty minutes, he pulled into Robyn's driveway.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so glad to be home." She ran up the stairs to the front door leaving Brandon behind.

"You're staying with me tonight, right?"

"Yes, baby," he said sparking up a blunt, "It's your first night back. What type of nigga would I be?"

Walking through the front door into the dark, deserted house sent chills through Brandon. He envisioned Reagan's naked body sprawled across the bed as they made love. He missed her.

"You want something to drink?" Robyn yelled.

"Yeah, some water."

She sauntered out of the kitchen in a black and white printed jumpsuit. Her pants formed around her ass as if they were painted on.

"You never wanna drink with me," she said handing Brandon a bottle of water.

"It's a week day."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, square, anyway, I have a present for you."

Robyn ran into the foyer to get her small Gucci duffle bag. She sat down next to Brandon and placed a white box on his lap. He slowly opened it and saw a $38,000 fifty-two carat VVS diamond and white gold chain. The diamonds shined even under the dim lights in the living room.

"What's this for?"

"Do I have to have a reason? I thought you would like it."

"I thought you said you were gonna cut back, Robyn. You filed for bankruptcy only two months ago, remember?"

"So."

"What you mean so? Your savings aren't gonna last if you keep spending reckless like this."

Robyn never thought Styles wouldn't be around to provide for her. He always bailed her out, so she was irresponsible with her money. When Styles first started hustling, he always made sure her pockets stayed fat, but at the end of the day, she never had anything to show for it. When she grew up, that didn't change much. She only lived in the moment. Brandon was the only person who knew about her financial situation. She explained to him that her lavish lifestyle had finally caught up with her.

"I don't have anything in savings," Robyn said looking at the floor, "I'm officially broke."

"So you don't have any money, but you bought this chain?"

"It's gonna take time to break these habits, Brandon, but I have you, right?"

He couldn't believe his ears. Robyn never needed him for anything, and even though she was sprung, he never felt he had a real grip on her, until now.

"Come here. You know I'm always gonna take care of you, Robyn," he said as she lay across his lap staring up into the eyes of her savior.

$$$$$

Reagan sat on the floor in her new, empty apartment searching for jobs on her laptop. She had enough money saved up from when she and Styles were together to last for a while, but she knew it would eventually run out. She needed a job fast. She was ready to do things on her own and take care of herself for the first time in her life. After Jewel kicked her out, she went to lease an apartment. She didn't want him to think that she needed him for anything. She knew she could have gone back to Robyn's, but she couldn't be around Brandon. She was depressed, and she just wanted to be alone and left in her own misery. As she continued to scroll through various job descriptions, the sound of her phone ringing distracted her from her job search.

"Hello?"

"Hi, can I speak with Ms. Taylor please?"

"Speaking."

"Hi, this is Tammy from Premium Moving Company. I just wanted to confirm the delivery of the furniture from the residence in San Francisco."

"Yes, I was told that I can expect everything tomorrow."

"That's correct. I was calling as a reminder and to make sure someone will be home to let our guys in."  
"Yes, I'll be here."

"Wonderful. We'll see you tomorrow at 9 a.m."

"Thank you."

Reagan decided to get all of Styles' furniture out of their condo instead of buying new furniture. She wanted to save as much as possible. Her whole attitude changed after breaking up with Jewel. Her entire life, she was dependent upon another person for everything, and because of that, she always put her needs and wants last. When she started college, she soon had to drop out because Styles didn't like Reagan being away from home. Jewel always encouraged her to finish up with school, but being with him made her stop seeing the point in it. She just wanted to be somebody's wife. She honestly thought Jewel was the one, but once again, she was wrong. Reagan sat against her bare beige wall and cried until her vision was blurred. She couldn't handle being alone again. The room was beginning to close in on her as she sat amongst the silence. Not being able to take it anymore, she called the one person who she knew could make everything better again.

$$$$$

Brandon and Pop drove to the North to meet up with Will. Brandon's cell phone vibrated on the charger as he did 90 m.p.h. on the freeway. He released his phone from the black curly wire and stared at it in disbelief.

"Now you wanna call a nigga back? What's up?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Like that? Look, I'm sorry, Brandon. I've been going through a lot these past couple of days."

"What happened?"

"Like you don't know."

"Know what?" he asked irritated at the circular conversation.

"Me and Jewel broke up. For good this time."

"Why?" he asked smiling.

"Because he finally admitted that ya'll sell drugs."

Reagan's words hit Brandon like a bag of white bricks. By no means was he ashamed of what he did. He just didn't want Reagan to find out like that. He wanted the truth to come from him.

"Damn."

"Anyway, I'm over all that. Can you come see me please? I don't want to be alone tonight."

"Where are you?"

"At my new apartment."

"What apartment?"

"Boy, are you coming or not?" Reagan asked impatiently.

"Yeah, what's the address?"

"137 Cedar Blossom Court. The code for the gate is #0216."

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute."

Brandon got off the freeway and turned back around toward the South.

"Ay, I need you to drop me off, Pop, and then go to the North to pick up this money from Will."

"Okay, blood. What you want me to do with the car after I'm done?"

"Just keep it. I'll get it from you tomorrow."

"Yep."

Brandon pulled up to a giant black metal gate that sat in front of Reagan's apartment. He rolled down the window and entered the code onto the cold metal key pad. After a few clicks, the gate slowly opened. Pop stared at each apartment unit in amazement. They looked more like town houses. Brandon parked his car a couple doors down from Reagan's and let himself out.

"I'ma hit you in the morning."

"Alright, blood." Pop made his way to the driver's side and watched as Brandon walked in the opposite direction of the car. He noticed Reagan standing in the driveway, but he didn't see Jewel. Naw, that's not Jewel's bitch, is it? he thought. He tried to justify the situation, but everything looked suspect at best.

After Pop dropped Brandon off, he went to pick up the money from Will and a couple other dope spots. He bundled up the cash and placed it in a plastic bag under the front seat. Once he got everything squared away, he stopped by the liquor store to get a couple of swishers to end his night. As he was walking into the store, Jewel was walking out.

"What's up with bruh? Jewel asked holding a bottle of Hennessy.

"Shit, just came from the North. Where you been at, blood? How you running shit and you M.I.A. all the time?"

"I know. Shit has been crazy lately. I'm good though."

"You sure? You tryna smoke?"

"Naw, I'm good. I'm bout to go back to the hut and get on this bottle one time."

"I feel it. Wifey's home, huh?" Pop asked hoping Jewel wouldn't confirm his suspicions.

"Naw, that bitch is gone. She couldn't handle the life, feel me?"

"Hell yeah, everybody ain't built for this, Jewel."

"Yeah, but anyway, get at me tomorrow. I'ma be at the office."

"Fa sho."

Pop walked into the store and bought two packs of swishers. That nigga Brandon is hella smirkish. After paying for the swishers, he grabbed them off of the counter and made his way back to Brandon's car.

$$$$$

Reagan stood in front of her garage with tear stains on her face.

"What's wrong?"

"It's really over this time, Brandon," she said in between sobs.

Brandon felt like things were going too perfectly for him. Jewel basically laid Reagan in his hands, and this time, he was not letting her go.

"Let's go in the house," he said guiding her back upstairs to her three-bedroom apartment.

After closing the door behind her, she sat on the floor and allowed her tears to continue to fall. Brandon tried to comfort her as best he could, but she was inconsolable.

Why the fuck is she crying like this over that nigga? She should be happy. We can finally be together now. "Reagan, stop crying. You don't have to worry about anything. I'm here," he said wiping away the tears that ran down her cheeks.

She was so thankful that she had Brandon in her life. He always looked out for her. Jewel left her in the cold, and she would never forget it. She wanted to hurt him like he hurt her. She saw what she needed to see in Brandon, and she knew he was willing to give her the world. The next morning, she woke up on the floor to an empty apartment. "What time is it?" she asked jumping up.

"12 p.m.," Brandon said yawning.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, I missed my delivery," Reagan whined, "I didn't even hear the doorbell. I gotta reschedule fast. I need my bed. This floor ain't cool." She hurried to walk into the kitchen and unplug her phone from the wall.

"What, that furniture?"

"Yeah."

"I told them to take that shit back."

"Brandon, why would you do that? As you can see, I don't have shit here."

"Cause I'm not bout to have you fill up your new place with old-ass furniture from the next nigga at that. We can go shopping today."

"I can't let you do that."

"You're not letting me do anything. Just think of it as a house warming gift."

$$$$$

Later that day, after getting lunch, Brandon took Reagan to West Elm to fully furnish her apartment. She picked out beds, couches, tables, chairs, pictures, everything a room would need and more. By the time they were finished, it only cost Brandon $29,000. Brandon felt like they were starting a new life together, so cost wasn't a concern to him. He didn't want her to have anything that reminded her of any other man, period.

After leaving West Elm, they went to Macy's to get bed sets and other essentials. Reagan vowed to become independent and do everything on her own, but it was so much easier having Brandon around to do it for her. She knew it was wrong for them to be together, but she was done with Jewel. She had to move on. If he could lie and be disloyal to her then her loyalty and devotion would go to someone who deserved it. By the time Reagan and Brandon made it back, every piece of furniture had been delivered and set up.

"How did you do this?" Reagan asked in amazement.

"I slipped the owner an extra $1,000. I didn't want you to have to wait."

"Thank you for everything, Brandon," she said placing a kiss on his lips, "So are we really doing this? Are we together now?"

"If you're ready."

"What about Robyn?"

"Let me worry about her."

"I know this is gonna fuck up everything," Reagan said placing her head in her hands.

"It's not. I promise. I'll talk to her."

"What about Jewel?"

"I know my brother. He'll get over it," Brandon lied.

"Oh."

Brandon knew Jewel wouldn't just accept their relationship, and he had secretly declared war, but he was a soldier. He was never afraid of bloodshed. Brandon never thought Golden would leave the M.A.C. Boys, let alone leave everything to Jewel. He knew once Jewel found out about him and Reagan, there would be tension in the clique, but with Reagan by his side, he felt untouchable.

$$$$$

A week later, Brandon showed up at Robyn's house in the middle of the night. He slowly eased the door open as it creaked and cracked against the pressure. Robyn sat in the couch wrapped in a blanket staring at late night infomercials.

"What bitch house you coming from?" she asked popping a cherry into her mouth.

"Man, go on with that shit. I was handling business. I had to turn my phone off because you calling a hundred times an hour is bad for business, ma."

"Well, say that then. I missed you. You could try and spend some time with me, Brandon. I am your girlfriend. You do know that, right?"

"I know, and that's my bad. I'ma make it up to you. I promise," he said leading her to the bedroom.

The next morning, Robyn woke up extra early to prepare for her date with Brandon. The night before, he promised he would spend the day with her, so she spent hours making sure her outfit and makeup were perfect. Her naturally curly hair fell to the middle of her back as she applied leave-in conditioner. Her sheer black cropped shirt sat right above her two-carat belly button ring, and she admired her body in the full-length mirror as she slipped into her Blank NYC jeans.

"Perfect." Robyn ran into the bedroom to see Brandon preparing for the day as well. "I'm ready, babe," she said smiling from ear to ear.

"I see. You look pretty, ma."

"Thank you."

"So where are we going?" Robyn asked in anticipation.

"It's a surprise."

Brandon started the day by taking Robyn to her favorite restaurant Mimi's Café for breakfast. He paid the chef $100 to cook an elaborate meal that wasn't on the menu. Robyn indulged as she filled herself with homemade pancakes with cognac syrup, sweet potato hash browns, a vegetable and feta cheese omelet, bacon, sausage, and an exotic plate of assorted fruits.

"Oh my god, I've never ate so much in my life," Robyn whined.

"That shit was on point."

"I swear if I never see another pancake in my life, it'll be too soon."

"Nobody told you to eat all that," Brandon laughed.

"Shut up."

Two hours later, Robyn found herself at Union Square in San Francisco. Brandon let her loose in every store and watched as she swiped his bank card without thinking twice. Dresses on top of shoes, on top of shirts and pants and skirts filled the paper and plastic shopping bags. Periodically, he would unload the merchandise into the car to make room for the rest of what Robyn bought. After spending $5,000, Robyn was ready to leave.

"I think that's enough for today," she laughed.

"I have one more surprise for you."

Brandon and Robyn found their way to his Lexus through a sea of people. He drove through twenty minutes of traffic to get to the Four Seasons Hotel.

"It's about time," she screamed.

"What you mean?"

"Brandon, we haven't had sex in like a month. I'm horny."

"Is that right?" he asked getting out of the car.

He handed the valet the car keys and walked Robyn to the outside elevator. She watched the City from the glass walls, and by the seventeenth floor, she could see all of San Francisco.

"You bring all your little tramps here, huh?"

"Why do you say shit for no reason? You sound hella stupid."

"It was just a question."

"I should of left your ass at home," Brandon said walking off of the elevator, "Let's go."

Robyn walked behind him trying to keep up. The long quiet hallway finally led them to the specialty suite. Brandon slid the key card to unlock the door without saying a word. The double doors swung open revealing the rose petals that covered the floors. Robyn walked through with her hand over her mouth. Beautiful plump pink roses sat on top of a table next to a silver ice bucket with two champagne flutes, the Jacuzzi tub was filled with bubbles to the brim, and the fireplace roared inside of the bedroom.

"You did all this for me?" Robyn asked feeling tears well up in her eyes.

"If you watched your mouth, you would get treated like this more often."

"I'm sorry, baby. Thank you for everything. This is beautiful," she said scanning the room.

Brandon walked into the kitchen and poured two glasses of champagne. Strawberry slices floated to the top as he filled the flutes.

"You tryna pop?"

"You know I am," she laughed.

Brandon pulled a small plastic baggy from his pants pocket and placed a red Mercedes Benz into the palm of her hand.

"Take half. These smack."

"Boy, you know I don't do halves." She threw the pill back and chased it down with the cool liquid. After a few minutes, the E-pill was in full effect. "I'm hot," Robyn said stripping.

One by one, all of her clothes fell to the floor, and Brandon watched as she seductively made her way into the Jacuzzi. Water quickly glided across her skin. Robyn's head fell back in ecstasy.

"Are you just gonna stand there?"

Without saying a word, Brandon slipped out of his clothes with the champagne bottle in hand. He struggled to find a comfortable spot inside the tub.

"Better?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Listen, Robyn, we need to talk."

"Later."

She grabbed the champagne bottle and finished the rest of the light gold alcohol. She slowly straddled herself on top of Brandon until his dick made its way inside her. He grabbed onto her thick hips and guided her body. The pill in her system intensified Brandon's every touch. The water swayed back and forth until it created small waves as Robyn found her rhythm. Her pussy throbbed as she bucked up and down onto his dick. He grabbed a fist full of her hair as he felt her wet pussy tighten. Robyn sloppily kissed him on his neck, biting him hard as he continually rammed inside of her. She arched her back and played with her pussy until she came. Her kitty pulsated as the water caressed her pearl. Gathering up enough energy, Robyn turned around to let Brandon enter her from the back. Coming out of the water, the cold air sent goose bumps across her glistening skin. She poked her ass out to give Brandon easy access. He grabbed a hold of her hips until he found her middle. He watched her ass bounce against his dick until he shot hot white cum all over her. He stroked his dick until every last drop came out while Robyn sat still trying to gather herself.

"I think I'm drunk."

"You should be. You took a whole bottle of champagne to the face."

Brandon walked up the small white steps out of the Jacuzzi and handed Robyn a robe. She struggled to catch her balance getting out of the water. Finally making it out of the tub, she put on and stumbled into the barely lit bedroom to find the king-size bed. Her body searched for the warmth of the fireplace.

"You cool?" he asked lying next to her.

"I'm good, so what did you wanna talk about?" she slurred.

"You know I love you, right?"

"Awww, baby, I love you too."

"There's nothing that I wouldn't do for you. I want you to be the mother of my children one day. Whatever I have is yours. You know that, right?"

"Yeah."

"I just don't want to get hurt," Brandon said looking away.

"Baby, I would never hurt you."

"You say that now, but mostly every woman who I've been serious about has only been with me for my money."

"You think I'm using you?" Robyn asked offended.

"No, but I would never want it to come to that. I was attracted to you when I first met you because you held your own."

"You don't feel like that anymore?"

"I mean you don't have Styles to depend on anymore. I have no problem taking care of you. That's what a man is supposed to do for his woman. I just don't want you to have to depend on me too. If we're gonna have a future together then we both need to bring something to the table. I am so lucky to be with you. You are the baddest woman a nigga has ever seen, and I think we can capitalize on that, baby."

"On what?"

"On you."

Robyn sat in the bed in silence. The glow from the fireplace illuminated Brandon's body. She stared at him in confusion.

"You want me to hoe-up, Brandon?" Robyn yelled.

"Don't look at it like that, baby. I'm just saying. You can make a lot of money using what God blessed you with. It's a business opportunity. I just want us to both contribute to our future, Robyn."

She tried to fake digest in front of Brandon, but she was use to selling her body for money. Before Styles was drafted, she would fuck niggas for money and gifts. She received clothes, shoes, jewelry, or whatever she wanted. Her overdeveloped body caught the attention of older men with deep pockets at a very young age.

After a few minutes of silence, she said, "I know that you would never put me or us in harm's way, so I'll do it, babe."

"Are you sure? I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do."

"Yes, I'm sure. I would do anything for you."

"Cool, my cousin Asaya is gonna come get you in the morning. You'll be staying with her for a couple of weeks."

"Whatever we need to do, baby."

This bitch is stupider than I thought, Brandon thought to himself. "Come here."

Robyn crawled over to him and fell into his arms. "I love you," she said kissing Brandon on the lips.

"I love you more."

$$$$$

The next morning, Robyn woke up to loud, hard knocks against the door. "Who is it?" she yelled.

She climbed out of bed and made her way to the front. She stood on her toes to see who it was, but she couldn't reach the peephole, so she reluctantly opened the door.

"Hola, chica, you must be Robyn. I'm Asaya." Her thick Dominican accent sounded as if she would start speaking Spanish at any moment.

"Hi, it's so nice to finally meet you. Let me go get Brandon," she said staring at Asaya. Her smooth golden brown skin glistened against the sunlight, and her jet-black hair flowed as she walked into the room. She was a goddess.

Asaya politely sat and waited for her cousin. She was hired to do a job, and she was ready. She was a stripper, but she did extras on the side. When it came to selling her body, she didn't walk the blade or post on the internet, she was requested by her clients. She was a professional hoe. Brandon told her that they would split the money Robyn made between the two of them, but she wasn't pressed for cash. Asaya had another girl online named Desire who she mentored in the game, but she was always looking for new opportunities. She had a five-bedroom house that Brandon bought for her in Antioch for situations like these. Her only thought was about getting money, and she couldn't focus on anything else, so he knew Asaya would turn Robyn into a moneymaker too.

After hearing the noise in the living room, Brandon walked out with sleep still in his eyes. "What's up, cuz?" he asked hugging Asaya.

"Shit, same old same old. She's beautiful, Bran. That picture you sent didn't do her enough justice."

"Thank you," Robyn said shyly.

"De nada, mami." Robyn and Asaya liked each other instantly. Robyn reminded Asaya of herself when she first got into the game. She was gorgeous with a beautiful body, but she was naïve. Asaya promised Brandon that she would teach Robyn everything she knew.

After about an hour of getting to know each other, Asaya was ready to get to work. "You ready, Robyn?"

Robyn was hesitant about leaving Brandon. He needs me, and if Brandon is thinking about our future then I have to too.

After she got dressed, the three made their way down stairs to the hotel's parking garage. Brandon ran to his car to unload all of the bags that filled his trunk. After getting everything to fit inside Asaya's red Acura NSX, they said their goodbyes.

"I'm gonna miss you," Robyn said crying.

"Baby, this is only temporary. I'm gonna visit you every week. You're only gonna be an hour away."

"I know, but it's not the same."

"Just remember this is for you and me," he said kissing her passionately.

"Vamos, chica," Asaya yelled honking the horn.

"Call me when you get out there."

"Okay, I love you."

"I love you more."
Chapter 13

Jewel walked into his newly furnished office and stared at his name etched in the glass door. The Sacramento skyline could be seen from his window. He walked over to the view and became lost looking at the people fluttering about the busy downtown streets below him.

"Hi, Mr. Sanchez, I'm Stephanie Roberts, your personal assistant. Here are your messages. Can I get you anything? Coffee? Water?"

"Naw, I'm good. Thanks though," Jewel said coming back from his thoughts.

"Well, you have a meeting with Mr. Smith at 3:00 p.m. today, and I think that's about it." Jewel's perky assistant rushed out of his office to answer the phone before it got to the second ring. "Sanchez & Associates, this is Stephanie. How may I help you?"

"Hi, is Jewel Sanchez available?"

"May I ask who is calling?"

"Reagan Taylor."

"One moment please."

"Mr. Sanchez. You have a call on line one," Stephanie said coming back into the office.

"Look, if we're gonna work together, call me Jewel, okay?"

"Sorry, Mr....Jewel. Jewel, a Ms. Reagan Taylor is on line one."

"I'll take it in here."

Jewel sat down at his desk and stared at the taunting red light that sat blinking on the phone. After a few seconds, he worked up enough nerve to answer.

"This is Jewel," he said nonchalantly.

"Hi."

"Reagan, what's up?" He hadn't talked to her in weeks, but her voice was still familiar.

"How's work?" she laughed nervously.

"The same. It keeps me busy, feel me?"

"I didn't know selling dope got you a personal assistant."

"There's a lot you don't know."

"Right, but anyway, I know you probably don't have time, but I really need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"About everything, Jewel. I just wanted you to know that I've been seeing somebody."

"That's what's up."

"That's what's up? So you don't have anything to say?"

"Was I supposed to?"

"Yes, we just broke up, Jewel," Reagan yelled.

"I'm happy for you. I obviously wasn't what you wanted, so I wish you and bruh the best."

"Jewel, it's..."

Stephanie entered the room with a pile of paperwork in hand. "Sorry, Jewel. Mr. Smith arrived early," she said leading Golden into the office.

"What's up, boss? I like how you look behind that desk, boy," he laughed.

"Hold on, G," Jewel said returning to his conversation with Reagan. "Ay, I gotta go, but I'm happy for you, forreal."

"Jewel, we really need to talk."

"Bye, Reagan." Jewel hung up the phone hoping to leave her and their failed relationship in the past.

"My bad, G."

"Who was that?"

"Reagan."

"Ya'll good, right? Niggas have been talking about her pretty little ass," Golden said putting his feet up on the mahogany wood desk.

"Naw, I had to cut that bitch loose. She didn't respect the game. I don't see why these niggas are talking about that."

"So you haven't heard?"

"Heard what?"

"About her and Brandon."

Jewel paced around the room with his hands on top of his head. He refused to allow Golden's words to penetrate his mind. "What you mean?"

"Word on the street is that they been fucking for the past couple of months now. I thought you knew, Jewel. You know how you niggas are. I thought ya'll smashed and passed her, feel me?"

"Naw, Brandon wouldn't do no shit like that. That's like my brother."

Feeling lightheaded, Jewel had to sit down. He felt like his world was crashing down at his feet. He knew Reagan wasn't right for him, but that didn't stop him from loving her.

"Jewel, bitches come and go. Don't let this affect business. This organization has to come first if you want to be successful."

"I'm good, G." This is just a mix up, he thought to himself, Brandon wouldn't do that to me.

$$$$$

Brandon woke up with the sun shining brightly in his face. He rolled over to see Reagan wasn't lying next to him. He traced her side of the bed with his finger. He loved waking up next to his dream woman every day. He felt he could finally be with Reagan the way he wanted to. Nobody was in their way anymore. He jumped out of the bed and slipped on his grey KR3W sweatpants. He walked into the living room and saw Reagan crying on the couch.

"Reagan, what's wrong?"

"This is wrong, Brandon. We shouldn't be doing this. Jewel and Robyn don't deserve this," she said covering her face trying to keep the tears from falling.

"Reagan, fuck everything and everybody. We are supposed to be together. Why can't you see that?" he yelled.

"I gotta tell Jewel."

"You don't owe that nigga any explanations, Reagan."

"I owe him everything. I can't do this anymore, Brandon. I'm sorry."

"So you're letting us go behind a nigga that couldn't give two fucks about you? I know Jewel better than you think you know him. Bitches throw they pussy at the nigga every minute of every single day. You think he is really thinking about you? Reagan, be real. I'm the only fucking one who sees the real you. I love you, and if you can't see that then I don't know what the fuck I'm here for."

"I don't either," she said opening the front door.

Brandon rushed out of the apartment trying to focus his thoughts. His mind was racing. He couldn't understand why Reagan couldn't let Jewel go. He did everything in his power to get her to love him, but there was always an obstacle in his way. Hopping into his car, he drove aimlessly. He couldn't focus on anything but Reagan.

She has to love me. She has to, he thought to himself.

By the time he realized where he was, he was parked right in front of Jewel's house. "It's time to man up," Brandon whispered. He ran up the driveway to the front door and let himself in. "Jewel?" Brandon yelled. The house echoed as he walked around searching for Jewel, but the house was empty.

He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed his number.

"What's up with bruh?" Jewel asked answering on the first ring.

"Where you at, blood?"

"On the block. What's up?"

"Ay, we need to talk. Where can you meet me at?"

"I'm busy, blood. Just say what you gotta say." Jewel already knew where the conversation was going, but he hoped he was wrong. They hadn't talked for weeks, and Jewel took their distance as a sign.

"I'ma just come out and say it," Brandon said pausing, "I want Reagan."

Jewel sat on the phone in silence. He couldn't believe his brother betrayed him. "Like that, blood? Out of every bitch out here, you had to fuck her?"

"I wanted her from the beginning. It is what it is."

"It is what it is? Blood, fuck you. You went about the situation like a bitch, my nigga. All this time you were smiling in my face, you were plotting against me? To keep it solid, if you would've asked me, I probably would've just gave her to you," Jewel lied.

"You don't have to give me shit. I get everything on my own. I don't need you to do anything for me. Chalk it."

"Blood, watch your mouth. You're being low-key disrespectful. You did all this for that bitch? Blood, if I wanted her, best believe that pussy would come running. She just got done begging and pleading for a nigga to come back today," Jewel said laughing.

Brandon sat silently gripping the phone until his knuckles turned white. "Oh, forreal? That is funny. Well, I've been hitting that from the beginning, so I guess we were both getting it in, bruh."

Jewel couldn't believe Reagan chose up on his nigga. It could have been anyone else. He would have taken it as a loss and charged it to the game, but Brandon was trying to play him like a sucka. Jewel knew the rumors were true in his heart, and he wanted to take Brandon's head off for his disloyalty, but their past restrained him.

"I'm not bout to sit on the phone with you like a female, my nigga," he said refocusing the conversation, "This shit is done."

"What that mean?"

"You're done, blood. If I can't trust you with my bitch, I fa sho can't trust you around no money, my nigga. It's done."

"Golden ain't going for that."

"Blood, if you didn't know, Golden doesn't run shit anymore."

Jewel knew Golden wouldn't agree with his decision, but he held onto his principles. He respected his opinion, but his business came before anything.

Brandon hung up the phone with nothing left to say. He didn't regret being with Reagan. He felt he deserved her, and he wasn't going to apologize for his feelings. He needed her.

"This isn't over," he yelled. His voice echoed throughout the house. He walked towards the front door, but his reflection in the mirror caught his attention. He stared at himself as if it was the first time. A few seconds later, he punched it and watched as the pieces of glass fell to the floor. "This isn't over."

$$$$$

Six Months Later...

Reagan sat on her king-size bed folding piles and piles of different colored clothes. The monotony of folding under, over, under, and over let her mind escape. She stared at Brandon's t-shirts and boxers in disgust. For the past six months, she had been playing wifey to someone who she couldn't have cared less about. Brandon ruined everything for her. She thought after Jewel found out about their relationship, he would have fought to win her back, but she was wrong. In the beginning, Reagan called Jewel all day every day, but once he found out that she was with Brandon, he changed all his numbers. More and more, Reagan found herself home alone. Brandon was always on the block trying to get it by any means. When Jewel found out about them being together, it caused a lot of tension within the clique. Jewel's first order of business was to banish Brandon and all his niggas from the M.A.C. Boys, so the clique separated into two groups. A lot of niggas left with Brandon. He promised them false dreams and led them to believe that he would soon take his place at the head of the table. It was only a matter of time, so all the shady and underhanded niggas went along with him. Jewel on the other hand had all his loyal potnahs at his side. Everyone knew he was thorough, so they proved their loyalty to him and stayed. Jewel wanted the organization to be about brotherhood, and Brandon proved that he couldn't be trusted.

"I gotta get out of this house," Reagan screamed.

After throwing the rest of the unfolded clothes back into a white, plastic laundry basket, she grabbed her purse and keys and headed for the door.

$$$$$

"Yes, Stephanie. I'll be at the office soon. Give me like an hour. I went to get something to eat."

"You have a meeting with Mr. Kisino Brown at 3:00 p.m."

"I'll be there, Stephanie. I need you to chill out," Jewel laughed.

"I don't get paid to chill, Jewel. I have a job to do."

"I promise I'll be there before 3:00 p.m."

"Bye, Mr. Sanchez. I mean Jewel."

Jewel hung up the phone and turned around to go back inside Sunshine's Soul Food Diner. He reached for the door handle, but before he opened it, he ran right into Reagan.

"Jewel?"

"What's up?" He grabbed the door handle again to go back inside, but she jumped in front of him.

"How you been?"

"Cool," he said trying to dismiss her again. He spent the past six months getting over her and all the pain she put him through, so he wasn't really in the mood for conversation.

"Can we talk?"

"We don't have shit to talk about, Reagan."

"Look, I know I was wrong for fucking with Brandon."

"Ya'll are still together, right?"

"That's not the point. I still love you, Jewel. I never stopped. We can work through this. I wanna come home."

"Home? Man, go on with that shit. I'm not tryna hear this. You're a grown woman so live with the choices you made."

"But..."

"But nothing. We have nothing to talk about."

Jewel pushed Reagan out of the way to go back inside Sunshine's, but she started crying because he wouldn't let her explain her side of the story. Jewel restrained himself from slapping her for making a scene outside of the restaurant. As far as he was concerned, he was done, and there was nothing she could do or say to get his trust back.

"Reagan, go home. You're embarrassing yourself," he snapped.

"I don't give a fuck about these people," she said pointing to the people going in and out.

Suddenly a young woman came out and said, "Jewel, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good, babe."

"Who are you? Reagan asked with an attitude.

"I'm Diamond. Jewel's baby's mom," she said smiling.

"Jewel doesn't have any kids, sweetie." Reagan stared at Diamond in confusion. She was about her height. She had long, thick, curly, black hair, and her cocoa-brown complexion glittered against her piercing grey eyes. She looked like she was from Brazil or somewhere. She was flawless. Reagan couldn't believe Jewel had moved on and to a female like her. In her mind, he was still hers.

"Sweetie, I don't know who you are or why you're arguing in front of this restaurant with my man, but you do need to know that me and Jewel have a son together."

"Jewel, who is this bitch?" Reagan asked waiting for him to clarify the situation.

"Diamond, let's go. This bitch is irrelevant," he said grabbing her hand.

"I ain't gon' be too many more bitches," she yelled over her shoulder.

After getting into the car, Jewel and Diamond headed toward the freeway back to his house.

"Jewel, who was that?" she asked setting their food in the back seat.

"This bitch I used to fuck with. The one who fucked Brandon."

"Oh, yeah, she's pretty."

"Fuck her."

"Sounds like you still have a little hostility towards her," Diamond laughed.

"Naw, I'm just done with the situation. I just wish she was too. Anyway, what time do we have to pick up Jailen?"

"Right now," she said looking down at her phone.

"Okay, I'ma drop ya'll off at home. I got some business to handle."

Jewel and Diamond had become inseparable over the past few months. They were together, but it wasn't serious even though they had a son. He let her know he couldn't take another serious relationship after Reagan, and she understood. He needed to focus on putting his life back together, and she was the perfect person to help him do it. Diamond, Jewel, and Brandon all went to the same high school together, and Jewel and Diamond started dating when she was in the twelfth grade. They weren't together but for a couple of months when she suddenly picked up and moved to Virginia. Jewel had gotten her pregnant, and her mom Paula made her move to Virginia to live with her grandparents hoping to escape the embarrassment of her daughter being a teen mom. She was a straight 'A' student, and she had a full scholarship to Spellman College in Atlanta. Paula felt Diamond ruined her life by getting pregnant, and she wanted her to get an abortion, but Diamond refused. She was responsible for making her baby too. She decided to lay down with Jewel unprotected. When she was two months pregnant, she moved to Norfolk, Virginia to finish her senior year at Norview High School and then went to Norfolk State University for college, but before the end of her first semester, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Jailen. Diamond never contacted Jewel in fear that he would deny their son. She struggled as a young mother, but she was determined to finish school so she could provide a better life for herself and her son. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, she decided to move back to Sacramento. A month after Jewel and Reagan officially went their separate ways, he ran into Diamond at a Jack-in-the-Box. He recognized her instantly. She was sitting down at a table waiting for Jailen to finish eating his chicken nuggets.

"Diamond?" he asked hoping she remembered him.

"Jewel? Oh my god." She looked like she saw a ghost.

"How you been? Is this your son?" he asked pointing at Jailen.

"Yes, this is Jailen."

"Damn, when did your ass have a baby?"

"Right after high school."

"That's what's up. You look good, D."

Over the next hour, they made small talk about their lives attempting to catch up on the past eight years. During the conversation, Jewel became more and more curious about who her son's father was. Diamond wanted to tell him he had a son, but back then, she was young, scared, and alone, but now she was tired of Jailen not having a father when in reality, it was no one's fault but her own.

"So what Sac nigga got you pregnant?" Jewel laughed.

"You."

Diamond didn't want any more secrets. It had to come out sooner or later for the sake of their son. She knew that running into Jewel wasn't an accident. It was a sign from God. Jewel sat in shock as he stared at the little boy sitting across from him. Jailen was his twin. The only thing he had from Diamond was her thick, curly hair. Jailen had Jewel's caramel skin tone, green eyes, and all of his facial features.

"What you mean me?" He didn't know what else to say. He prided himself on not having hella kids running around with different females. He wanted kids more than anything, and he vowed to himself that he would be a better father than he had.

"I got pregnant in high school, and my mom didn't want anybody to know, so she sent me away to Virginia to get an abortion. I couldn't do it, Jewel. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't know how you would feel."

"Diamond, I don't even know what to say right now. So I had a son for eight years, and you feel like I didn't need to know that?" he asked staring at Jailen.

"I know. I was stupid, but please, don't take it out on him."

Jewel was excited to have his son. He felt this was what he needed in his life; it was what he was missing. He now had a purpose, but he refused to let another female manipulate him again. In his heart, he believed Diamond, but he had to be 100% sure, so he asked her to take a paternity test. She had no problem with getting Jailen tested. She was willing to do whatever it took to have Jewel be a part of his life. After a few weeks of anticipation and anxiety, the test results proved that Jewel was Jailen's father, and from the moment the white nurse placed the results in his hands, Jewel fell in love with his son. Life couldn't be any better.
Chapter 14

Reagan drove home from Sunshine's with her head in a fog. Tears welled up in her eyes, but they refused to fall. She couldn't believe Jewel had moved on. He was the only good thing in her life, and now that he was gone, Brandon was the only person she had left. She had been calling Robyn for weeks, but her phone was disconnected. Brandon's only explanation was that she wasn't over Styles' death, so she moved back to Texas with her grandma Honey. This wasn't like Robyn, but Reagan respected the fact that she needed space to deal with her issues. Reagan just wished she was there to help her deal with hers. After an hour of driving around Sacramento, Reagan finally made it home. She reluctantly walked up to the concrete stairs to her apartment. With each step, she was closer to the reason why she and Jewel were no longer together. As she put the key into the lock to open the door to her entrapment, the air in the apartment suffocated her. Before she made it over the threshold, she tripped over a stack of her luggage. She unzipped her Louis Vuitton bag set and saw her clothes neatly folded inside. Everything in the apartment looked normal and in its place, so she was confused. She grabbed her phone from inside of her purse and dialed Brandon's number.

"What's up, baby?" he asked answering on the first ring.

"Why the fuck is my shit packed by the front door?"

"Because we're leaving."

"Leaving where?" she snapped.

"Just meet me at the airport in an hour, Reagan."

Before she could question him any further, Brandon hung up, so she grabbed her three-piece set and headed for the door.

$$$$$

Brandon drove around the North with Pop in the passenger seat. He knew Pop was spending more and more time with Jewel. Some would have even said that Jewel had taken Pop under his wing, and Brandon hated that. He was hungry for everybody's loyalty, but Pop's concern was about getting money. He knew Jewel didn't fuck with Brandon or any of his niggas anymore, but to Pop business was business, and Jewel respected his hustle. He saw the potential Pop had. He saw more in him then a lot of other people did, and he promised he would make Pop into more than just a hood nigga. Brandon and Pop whipped through the streets checking on different dope spots. Brandon's position had been downgraded, so he found himself doing the work of a runner, but in his mind, he was still on top. He knew it was only a matter of time before he became king. After they got done with their runs, Pop dropped Brandon off at the airport.

"Hit me if you need me, bruh," Brandon said pulling his bags from the trunk.

"Yep, when you coming back?"

"In like two weeks. You should be cool though. Keep the coupe."

"Alright, hit me when you get back. I'll come drop it off."

"Naw, I mean keep it, bruh. It's yours. It's time for you to start living and looking like a real boy out here. Splurge a little, my nigga."

Pop sat in the passenger seat of the gold Lexus in disbelief. The white leather interior was flawless.

"Good looking, B."

"You know I got you, Pop. When you fuck with real niggas, you get showered like a king. Know that," he said closing the car door.

Brandon watched his coveted protégé drive out of the airport parking grounds. He gathered his luggage and made his way inside the terminal. He was right on-time. After checking in, he spent thirty minutes struggling to get through the security checkpoint. A white TSA officer randomly selected him for inspection.

"Sir, please step to the side." The young TSA officer checked everyone who looked "suspicious," mainly every black person. He made Brandon remove anything with metal in or on it, his belt, and shoes. Brandon stood to the side half naked as the male security guard explored his body with a black wand searching for any contraband.

"Is all this necessary, bruh?" he asked feeling violated.

"Just doing my job, sir."

After finding nothing, Brandon was allowed to enter the main terminal. The long ride on the escalator gave him enough time to adjust himself. After putting back on his jewelry, he looked up and saw Reagan waiting at the gate. She stood with her arms folded across her chest and huge, black sunglasses covering her face. Reagan was irritated waiting in the airport alone. She watched as seas of people filled each terminal and gate. She wished she could walk into it and disappear. As she looked towards the escalators, she saw Brandon coming towards her. She didn't feel like doing anything, but she knew he wasn't going to let her get out of it.

"Hey, babe," he said kissing her on the lips, "Sorry, this dick riding-ass nigga was holding me up at security. I think he just wanted to feel on my dick."

"So why are we here, Brandon?" Reagan asked not interested in his story.

"I know you've been under a lot of stress lately, and we've been fighting over every little thing, so we're going on a little vacation, so you can relax."

"Where are we going?" she asked with a little more interest in her voice. He handed Reagan her plane ticket and a brochure. "The Bahamas?" she screamed.

"Yes, baby, we will be spending two weeks out there. Maybe this trip will make you love me again," Brandon said staring into her eyes.

Reagan was excited because this would be her first time in the Bahamas. At that moment, she knew why she cared about Brandon. He was always thinking about her, and she loved that. For the time being, she would have to put Jewel to the back of her mind and place her complete focus on Brandon.

$$$$$

After spending ten hours on a cramped airplane, Reagan was anxious for it to land. She stared out of the small circular window out into the ocean. The crystal blue water glittered as the sun shined down illuminating the white sand and fishes underneath. Reagan was blown away at how beautiful the island was, and she wasn't even off of the plane yet. She slowly felt herself starting to relax. After exiting the plane into Paradise Island, Brandon and Reagan took a short cab ride to the One & Only Ocean Club. Reagan admired the beautiful architecture of the beachfront resort. She walked around the lobby getting familiar with what the Bahamas had to offer as she watched a calypso band that sat in the middle of the lobby drawing in all of the tourists.

"Can I help you with anything, miss?" a dark-skinned man asked with a thick Caribbean accent.

"Oh, no, I'm waiting for my friend, sorry. Thank you though," Reagan said smiling politely.

"This is your first time here, no?"

"Yeah, is it that obvious?" Reagan laughed.

"Yes, my name is Elston by the way and yours?"

"Reagan."

"Nice to meet you, Reagan."

"You too, Elston," she said scanning the lobby for Brandon.

"How long are you here for?"

"I think about two weeks or so."

"Well, let me give you me number. Maybe we can have drinks or something," he said pulling out a card from his wallet.

"Naw, bruh, she ain't gon' be able to do all that," Brandon said walking up behind her.

"Elston, this is my boyfriend, Brandon. Brandon, this is Elston," Reagan said trying to break the awkward silence.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. She said she was here with a friend. I just assumed. Enjoy your trip," he said quickly walking out of the lobby.

"Friend, huh?" Brandon asked placing their bags onto a gold metal cart.

"I said boyfriend, Brandon. Shut up. Where's the room?"

"On the second floor."

Brandon led her to the elevator, and they stood in silence as the elevator slowly descended to the first floor. Reagan admired the beach as she stared out of the window. She was literally in paradise. I am gonna enjoy this trip, she thought.

After a few seconds on the elevator, the double doors opened up to reveal a small hallway that led to their ocean view suite.

"Here, babe, you do the honors," Brandon said handing Reagan the key card.

She slid the key through the slot and pushed the door open as the lock clicked. She was in awe of the wall sized window that sat above the beach. She could see everything. The sun shined through lighting the entire room with a golden hue, and a huge fruit basket sat on the white granite countertop in the kitchen next to a bottle of champagne.

"You like it, babe?" Brandon asked watching Reagan fall in love with the room.

"Like it? Brandon, this is beautiful. Thank you."

"Anything for you, baby, so what do you want to do?" he asked staring out of the window next to her.

"Honestly?"

"Yeah," Brandon laughed.

"I wanna go to sleep," she whined.

Reagan was exhausted from the situation with Jewel earlier and the ten hour plane ride.

"Let's go to sleep then," Brandon said leading her into the bedroom.

$$$$$

The next day, Reagan woke up refreshed from the salt water in the air. She felt like a new person. All her concerns about Jewel dissipated every time she stared out into the ocean. An hour later, Brandon walked out of the bedroom wearing a Cavi t-shirt with  A Tiziano khaki shorts. The diamond chain Robyn bought him accentuated every simple detail of his outfit. Reagan stared at him as if she was seeing him for the very first time.

"What you wanna do today?" he asked missing Reagan's amorous eyes.

"We have all the time in the world to go shopping and to eat. I want to take full advantage of this beach," she said going out onto the balcony.

The white sands glittered as it soaked up the sun. People of all shades of brown and black flaunted their bare skin, and Reagan watched as females walked around almost naked sticky with the water of the ocean and small grains of sand.

"We can do that. A nigga was really dressed to go sightseeing, but whatever you wanna do, babe."

Reagan ran into the bedroom to change into her emerald green and gold Trina Turk patterned bandeau bikini. Her body popped out in all the right places, and her flat, smooth stomach appeared smaller as gold chains from her bathing suit crisscrossed around her waist.

"You look beautiful," Brandon said as he watched her put the finishing touches on her beach look.

"It's not too much, right?"

"Naw, these hoes are gon' be mad though," he laughed.

"Please, these hoes are always mad."

Reagan grabbed her black, silk sarong and wrapped it around her thick hips and covered her face with her Black Dolce & Gabanna sunglasses. She was ready to explore Cabbage Beach. Once they arrived, Brandon rented a small private, shaded cabana. Steel drums echoed across the sands, and whole coconuts filled with coconut rum, pineapple juice, and coconut milk sat on top of the waterglass table. Reagan and Brandon spent the afternoon feasting on crab ceviche, fresh lobster tails with mango and pineapple salsa, and fried conch and calamari. After the fourth round of drinks, Reagan was feeling the effects of the island.

After a couple of hours on the sands of Cabbage Beach, they watched the sun fall over the horizon.

"I can't thank you enough for this, Brandon. Sac was suffocating me."

"Babe, you deserve to be treated like this every day. This is only the beginning."

Reagan stared into the dark blue sky at the burning stars above. At that moment, she knew there was more to life than what she had surrounded herself with.

"Brandon, I want to apologize for everything. I know you and Jewel aren't friends anymore because of me."

"Reagan, I love you. There's no need to apologize for anything. From the moment I saw you, I was in love."

"Nigga, shut up. You were so far up Robyn's ass. It was ridiculous," Reagan said lying against his chest.

"Naw, it wasn't like that. Robyn was on a nigga too hard. I couldn't even get the chance to say shit to you. Jewel's a good dude, so I knew that he would treat you right, but seeing you with him fucked me up inside. I just had to keep telling myself that one day you would really see a nigga for who he was, feel me? I care about Robyn, but she never compared to you."

"Speaking of Robyn, have you talked to her? I went by her house, but she wasn't home, and her phone is disconnected."

"Naw, after she told me that she was moving back to Texas, she said that she didn't think we would work out. She said she didn't have any time for a relationship."

"That is so weird. I swear that doesn't sound like her. She would never just leave like that. Something else is wrong."

"Babe, she's broke," Brandon said turning Reagan to face him.

"What?"

"She filed for bankruptcy a couple of months ago. She was waiting on Styles' condo to sell, but that money had to go toward the back taxes she owes."

"Damn," Reagan said in disbelief, "How did she fuck off all that money?"

"When you don't have any money coming in, the money you do have goes by fast I guess. She just needs time to figure everything out. She'll be back, babe."

"I hope so," Reagan said staring into the sky, "I hope she can forgive me."

"She will. You can't help who you fall in love with. I'm not apologizing to anybody for how I feel about you, Reagan Nicole Taylor."

Even though Reagan hated to admit it, she and Jewel were over, so right there on the sandy beach of the Bahamas, she decided to give Brandon the true chance he deserved. She stood up and slowly unwrapped her black sarong. The small bikini that covered her mocha-colored body fell to the ground as she released the gold chains. She straddled Brandon and pulled his crisp white tee over his head exposing his rock hard body. His dick pushed against his pants begging to be released, but as Reagan grabbed for his zipper, his phone rang.

"Answer it, Brandon," she said irritated by the interruption.

"Fuck that. I'm on vacation. Whoever it is can wait." He grabbed Reagan's hips as she grinded against him, but the rings from Brandon's phone became louder and louder with each passing second.

"Brandon, answer it."

He lifted Reagan's naked body from off his lap and grabbed his cell phone from the cabana table. "What?" he snapped.

"Brandon, Robyn is dead. Dios mio. She's dead, Brandon."

"Asaya, calm down. What are you talking about?" he asked walking out of the cabana toward the water. Reagan hurried to put her bathing suit back on while trying to listen to his conversation.

"She was acting weird this whole week, but I didn't think twice about it. I just thought she was having a bad come down off the coke. Usually, she is the first person up in the morning cooking, cleaning, or doing something," Asaya rambled, "But she didn't come downstairs this morning, so I went to her room and knocked on the door. She never answered."

"Asaya, what happened? I need you to focus, cousin," Brandon said trying to get her to get to the point.

"Lo siento, Brandon, I walked into the room and saw the TV on, but Robyn wasn't in there. I heard water running in the bathroom, so I walked in. She killed herself, Brandon. What do I do? What was I supposed to do?" she cried, "I called the police, and when they got here, they said she was dead. She cut her wrists, Brandon. All she left was a note on her nightstand."

"What did it say?"

"I'm sorry..."

Brandon couldn't believe Robyn committed suicide. He knew she was weak minded, but he never thought she would take it that far.

"I'll take care of everything, cousin. I need you to call Robyn's grandmother and let her know what happened. Tell her I'll call her tomorrow with all of the details."

"Who do I say I am if she asks how I knew Robyn?" Asaya sobbed.

"Tell her the truth," Brandon said hanging up the phone.

Robyn had been living with Asaya and Asaya's secret girlfriend, Desire for two months. Brandon talked to her like once a week, and she wrote him letters from time to time. Asaya and Robyn had become close over the months, so Asaya was able to switch up her whole mind frame. She was an official moneymaker thanks, and nothing else mattered to her except getting "Daddy's money." Robyn thought if she hoed hard enough then Brandon would be satisfied and send for her to come home. He came to see her a couple of times, but slowly he fell back. Depression grabbed Robyn and refused to let go. Without Brandon, she was forced to reflect on her life and all of her past mistakes. She didn't understand how her life changed so drastically. To cope with the pain, she started snorting cocaine. More and more, she spent her days filling her nose with the crystal white powder. It was the only thing that freed her mind.

Robyn regretted ever agreeing to live that lifestyle. Soon she became numb to the touch of strange men's hands. The smell of sexual desperation saturated her skin as old, fat, white men put their dicks inside of her until they were satisfied. Money was only a constant reminder of her worth, $250 for a half an hour, $500 for an hour. She knew her brother would have been disgusted if he were still alive. Styles was her life, so she was lost without him. Soon the cocaine numbed all of her feelings and nothing mattered, not even her love for Brandon. Everything was too much for her to handle. She wanted out. She refused to be like her mother even though she was following down the same path. After getting high one last time, Robyn decided to take her own life. She ran a hot bath but left out her usual Bath & Body Works Hawaiian Ginger bath salt. She stared through the clear water to the bright white bathtub floor. Emptiness surrounded her. After the tub filled up, she got in holding a kitchen knife in her right hand. As her body submerged, water slapped the floor as it fell. Robyn cried for about an hour watching her tears disappear inside the hot water while steam filled the room. She felt so alone with no one to confide in. She didn't trust Asaya; she knew she was just another income to her. Reagan and Brandon both abandoned her, and Styles was gone. She had no other choice. After looking around the fully decorated bathroom, she picked up the knife and slit both of her wrists. The pain faded, as her arms slowly floated down into the water. She no longer cried. She no longer felt pain as her bright red blood rhythmically painted the water. With every minute, her life seeped out. She would finally be reunited with the only person who cared about her—Styles.

Brandon couldn't have cared less about Robyn's death. He believed only the strong survived. She was one less person in the way, and he refused to let her ruin his vacation. After he finished talking to Asaya, he walked back up to the cabana where Reagan was waiting impatiently.

"Sorry, babe, that was my cousin Asaya."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is more than okay. She was just having problems with one of her roommates. I just had to talk her through it. It's fine though"

"Well, now that that's over. We can take this upstairs," she said grabbing his hand and leading him back into the hotel. Once the elevator doors opened, they attacked each other. Brandon's hands were all over her body. She had to break their embrace just to come up for air. The double doors slid open and Brandon and Reagan quickly walked back to their room. He got her all worked up, so she was ready to relive her stress. Even though her heart was still Jewel's, her body belonged to Brandon.

Without saying a word, Reagan led Brandon into the bedroom. She seductively slipped out of her bikini exposing her sand covered body. He followed her lead and took off all his clothes. His dick stuck out without any help. The sight of her alone drove him crazy. Brandon threw her down on the bed, eased her legs open and dove in head first. Her pussy started to leak as soon as he placed his tongue on her clit. He slowly circled her pearl with his tongue. Reagan tightly clinched the sheets trying to stop herself from coming. After fifteen minutes of Brandon making sure her pussy was nice and juicy, he slowly slipped his dick inside of her. Reagan exhaled in ecstasy.

"Daddy's dick feels good in that tight, wet pussy, baby?" he asked slowly stroking her kitty.

"Ummm hmmmm," Reagan moaned not being able to speak.

Brandon was a freak, and he loved when she was loud and talked nasty to him. As he increased the speed of his strokes, the words spilled out of Reagan.

"Fuck me, baby. I wanna bust this fat nut right on daddy's dick," she said turning over and sticking her ass out.

Brandon slowly entered her from behind. He grabbed ahold of her hips and watched the white grains of sand fall to the bed as he forcefully pounded her insides. Reagan felt herself coming. She couldn't hold on any longer.

"Oh, Jewel, I'm coming," she screamed releasing all of her frustrations. Everything in the room fell silent.

"What the fuck did you just say?"

Before Reagan could respond, Brandon pulled her up by her hair and slapped her back down onto the bed. He could not believe she disrespected him like that. All that he had done to be with her, and here she was lusting after Jewel. He refused to lose Reagan. She was his, and he wasn't giving her up to anyone. Brandon left the bedroom and started throwing stuff around the suite. He knocked over the table and threw a chair through the ocean view window. He punched holes into the walls as Reagan sat naked in the corner of the bedroom. She never saw him so mad. She didn't know what he would do next. He had never hit her before. She knew she was out of pocket, but she couldn't help it. The whole time they were having sex, she was envisioning that it was her and Jewel, but she never meant to let Brandon into her fantasy.

"I know you love me, Reagan. I'm not gon' let this nigga do this to us," Brandon yelled from the other room when suddenly the chaos stopped. Reagan got up and slowly walked out of the bedroom and saw that the front door was wide open, but Brandon was nowhere to be found.
Chapter 15

The sound of kids running past Jewel put him at ease. He watched his son Jailen, high off ice cream, cookies, and cake, bounce from video game to video game. He was in charge of keeping track of Jailen's hundreds of prize tickets, and he guarded them with his life.

"Can I get you anything, sir?" a young, Asian hostess asked Jewel.

"Oh, no, I'm good." He kept his focus on Jailen who was making friends with kids all over the game room.

"You sure? Let me get you some more credits on your Fun Card. My name is Jennifer by the way."

"Nice to meet you," Jewel said nonchalantly.

"I get off at 10:00 p.m., just in case you're interested in hanging out," she said passing him back his card with her number written on the back.

"Dad, Dad," Jailen yelled running to the front of John's Incredible Pizza, "They have two player games. Let's go."

"Ok, J, here I come."

"So will I see you later?" A line started to form but Jennifer's attention was elsewhere.

"Naw, I have plans, little mama," Jewel said walking with Jailen back into the arcade, "Thanks for the credits though."

After he found out Jailen was actually his son, it put his whole life into perspective. The transition came easy for them. He finally got the chance to be the father he never had. When he wasn't working, he was with his family. Jewel wanted to make up for the past eight years to Jailen, and the cost was never a concern. They spent the rest of the afternoon racing cars and motorcycles, killing aliens, shooting basketball, and riding rides. Ten-thousand tickets later, Jailen walked out of John's Incredible Pizza with a bag full of toys.

"You ready, man?"

"Yeah, Dad," he said excited about his winnings.

After picking up dinner from NY Pizza, Jewel and Jailen finally made it home. Jailen rushed into the house to find Diamond.

"Mom, Mom," he yelled.

"I'm in here, baby."

Jailen ran into the living room to show Diamond what he had won. He emptied the giant plastic bag onto the carpet.

"You won all this, J?"

"Yeah, Dad helped a little bit though," he laughed.

"Is that right?" Diamond asked kissing Jewel on the lips.

"Go put your toys in your room and get ready for dinner."

"I'm taking it ya'll had a good time?"

"Hell yeah," Jewel laughed, "Me and Jailen were in there putting in work."

"I got some more work for you later tonight," Diamond said winking.

"Do you now?" he asked pushing her down onto the couch.

He covered her neck and face with kisses and small bites until she begged him to stop. Diamond was the complete opposite of Reagan, and he loved that. And now that she and Jailen were in his life, he wanted to be around for them. His son gave him a second chance to do everything right. He knew he needed to get out of the game before it was too late.

"Can you guys get a room?" Jailen asked pretending to throw up.

"Boy, go eat," Diamond said breaking away from Jewel's hold, "You want me to make your plate, Jewel?"

"Yeah, babe."

He sat on the couch flipping through hundreds of HD cable channels. After finally settling for Sports Center, his phone rang.

"What's up, G? I was just thinking about you."

"Look, boy. I don't swing that way," Golden laughed.

"Come on, man, I just meant I needed to talk to you."

"What's going on?"

Diamond came into the living room with a plate full of pizza, a mixed green salad with bleu cheese dressing, and a cold Newcastle beer.

"Here you go, baby."

"Thanks, D. I'm bout to take this call upstairs. It's Golden."

"Okay."

Jewel ran upstairs to his office and shut the door behind him. "My bad, G."

"Look, nigga, I don't have time to be on hold."

"G, I'ma just be honest. I appreciate everything you've done for me. I mean you've been looking out for me since I was a kid, and I appreciate the fact that you saw enough in me to put me in charge."

"You don't have to thank me, Jewel. Over the years, you've proved yourself to me time and time again. You earned this."

"Yeah, but I don't know if this is what I want anymore."

Golden sat silent on the phone in confusion. Being in Jewel's position was something niggas literally killed for. "What brought this on?"

"I mean ever since I found out about Jailen, things have changed. I wanna be there for him. I don't ever want him to have to visit me behind some bars or bury me in the ground, G, and I don't want to occupy our time together with money. I know that don't mean shit from experience. I have more than enough money for us to be comfortable."

Jewel's money didn't only come from selling dope. He had several estates. Some he sold, and some he rented out. He even had some of his money tied up in the stock market. One thing his father did teach him was how to manage his money and make more of it.

"I can't say that I'm not disappointed, Jewel, but I respect it. This is why I got out. You've been a faithful soldier for over eleven years. If it's time, it's time."

Even though Golden was retired, he and Jewel still communicated with each other at least weekly. He looked at Jewel as more of a son than a business associate. Jewel had literally grown up before his eyes, so Golden was happy that he wanted to be there for his family. He knew there had been plenty of times that he thought he wouldn't make it home to his wife and kids.

"Nothing is final yet, G. I have a couple more deals to close."

"So who's gonna take your position? That's something you really need to think about."

Jewel informed Golden of the situation with Brandon even though he was already well aware. The streets talked.

"Brandon and his niggas separated themselves. I knew it would be bad for business to cut Brandon off completely, so I just demoted him. I don't feel like that nigga is ready to be a leader."

Although they both still handled their business together nothing was the same. Brandon and all his niggas started calling themselves the Get Rich Boyz. There was definitely funk between him and Jewel and all because of a female.

"I know you two can work this out. No bitch, and I mean no bitch, is worth all this, Jewel. Before Reagan came along, ya'll were tight. Blood couldn't make you no closer."

"It's the principle, G. Brandon should have been a man about the situation. I'm too old to be fighting, and I would never over a bitch. Reagan doesn't mean shit to me. I regret ever fucking with her. She's poison, and I don't want shit to do with her. I'm done with the situation."

"Well, if not Brandon then who?"

"I feel like Sacario would most definitely hold shit down. He's been doing his thing in the Rich. I think everybody would agree that he can handle the job."

Jewel hoped Sacario would be the one who could bring everyone back together. He knew the worst thing to have in any clique was internal destruction. It will bring you down quicker than anything from the outside.

"Well, it sounds like you thought this through, J. I don't know what happened to Brandon. He used to be on his shit. His priorities are not in order anymore. I support you in whatever decision you make. Just make sure it's the right one."

"I am, G."

"Alright, well give me a call later on this week or something."

"I will."

After hanging up with Golden, Jewel made his way back downstairs to the kitchen.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, just business, feel me?" he said washing his plate and placing it in the drainer, "Where's Jailen?"

"In bed," Diamond laughed, "He barely got through dinner."

"I told you we were putting in work."

"Like father, like son."

$$$$$

The next day, Jewel met Pop on the block. He was out doing what he did best. Jewel upgraded his supply from just tree to crack, coke, and heroin. Pop was making more money than he knew what to do with.

"What's up with bruh?" Jewel asked rolling down the passenger side window as he pulled up in his Infiniti in front of Pop.

"This money," he laughed.

"Ay, ride with me to the store right quick."

Pop ran into the trap house to tuck his bundle. He hated riding dirty, so he kept his work at work. After a few minutes inside the run down house, he ran out and hopped into Jewel's car.

"Where's little man at?"

"At school."

"That little nigga be keeping you busy, huh? You stay gone," Pop said rolling up a blunt.

"I know. That's why I'm stepping down," Jewel said with certainty.

"What?" he asked setting the swisher down.

"I'm done, bruh. Now that I have Jailen and Diamond, I don't see the point in all this d-boy shit, feel me?"

"Jewel, you're tripping. Golden just stepped down a few months ago."

"I know. I already had a conversation with him. This decision is for my family. A nigga's money is straight, so I don't see why I'm still here."

Pop sat back in silence while Jewel weaved in and out of traffic. At first, he thought Jewel was crazy for wanting to leave an opportunity like that, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Niggas were getting killed left and right for 100s and 50s. Everybody wanted to be that nigga and by any means. Pop had the hood dream like most niggas around him, but he knew everything you did eventually caught up to you, so he thought Jewel was smart for getting out before his shit caught up with him. After pulling up in front of the liquor store, Jewel hopped out and ran in. Pop sat back and thought about him stepping down. He knew he had to get out of the hood, but he couldn't leave the game just yet. He just got in right where he wanted to be, but Jewel was an influential person in his life, so when he talked, Pop listened.

A couple minutes later, Jewel came back to the car with a paper bag filled with a bottle of Hennessy and two boxes of swishers.

"So if you step down then that means Brandon is gonna be General?"

"Fuck naw, that bitch-ass nigga is a runner now. When I leave, Sacario is gonna take over."

"Does Brandon know that?"

"Nobody knows anything cause nothing is final yet, but I don't have to run shit by that nigga," Jewel said cracking open the bottle of Hen.

Pop was the one who played middle man between Brandon and Jewel. He didn't feed into the bullshit. He was about his money. Even though Pop had become close to Jewel, he refused to choose sides. He was loyal to Jewel and had his nigga's best interest at heart, but he wasn't about to lose money over Reagan. He knew she was throwing her pussy at Brandon, but Jewel didn't peep game fast enough. One thing Pop admired about Jewel was that he expected everyone who he kept close to him to be solid, but Pop knew nowadays, niggas were heartless. You can't put anything past anybody, not even your own mama.

"Fuck all this business shit. What's up with you though?"

"Shit, I went to the school house the other day to enroll."

"That's what's up, Pop." Even though he did his thing in the streets, Jewel convinced him to go back and finish high school. He didn't know how school would help him prosper on the streets, but he did know he couldn't be a hood nigga forever.

"Yep, I start next week."

"Watch, nigga, that shit is gon' help you in the long run. Stupid niggas sell dope for short term gain, but real niggas use this shit as a stepping stone, Pop."

"I feel it."

"Watch, bruh, you gon' thank me later," Jewel said passing him the bottle, "You going back to the block?"

"Yeah, but I'm bout to shoot to the house. I've been out here all day."

"You got that spot in Vacaville?"

"Hell yeah, I had to pull a few strings, but I got my keys last week. The bitch wasn't fucking with me at first, but I let my money do the talking."

Pop decided to get an apartment outside of the city and an Acura TL to ride around in. He felt like with as much dirt as he was doing, the better he could blend in, the happier he would be. Initially, he came into the M.A.C. Boys with the mindset of just getting money and bitches, but now his mission was to get enough money to have a better life. His parents had been addicted to crack before he was even born, so he knew what it felt like to grow up not having shit. He made it his mission in life to never have to feel like that again.

$$$$$

Later that night, Pop woke up to his phone ringing. He searched through the covers in the dark to find it.

"Hello?"

"Where the fuck you been at?"

"Trapping, bitch. What's up?"

"Am I seeing you tonight or what?"

"I wasn't planning on going out tonight, Gabby."

"Just come over. My parents are out of town."

"Yep, I'll hit you."

Gabrielle was one of Pop's groupies. He didn't really like her, but she was a bitch he tended to fuck on when he was bored. Whatever he felt like doing, she was always with it, no problem. She was just a female who wanted to be with a M.A.C. nigga, so she was willing to do whatever was needed. After Pop hung up, Brandon called.

"What's up, bruh?" he asked irritated.

"Where you at?"

"At the house."

"I need to meet up with you in the morning."

"I thought you were on vacation, blood."

"Naw, I left early, but meet me in like an hour."

"I thought you said tomorrow?"

"You know what I meant, nigga."

"Yep." That nigga is smacking, he thought to himself.

Pop knew Brandon needed to re-up. He didn't understand why he couldn't just do it himself, but that's how it was ever since he and Jewel fell out. Jewel didn't give everybody access to where he kept the supply. Brandon knew exactly where it was, but he knew it was bad. Jewel didn't trust him with anything anymore. Before the split, he had unlimited access, but now instead of Brandon going himself, he had Pop do it for him. Plus, he felt he was too major to make his own runs. About an hour later, Pop met up with Brandon on the block. When he saw Brandon's Denali, he parked down the street from the trap house. He walked up and saw Brandon sitting on the front stairs waiting. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. His white tee and khaki shorts were stained and wrinkled. Pop knew something was wrong. Brandon never went anywhere looking less than perfect.

"What's up?"

"I need you to make a run for me."

"How much you want?"

"Ten bricks."

"Yep."

"Good looking, but, ay, I got a proposition for you, bruh. We'll talk when you get back though."

"Yep."

Pop wanted to make the transaction go as quickly as possible. He walked back down the street leaving Brandon on the stairs to a '98 Toyota Camry and hopped in. The niggas in the M.A.C. Boys who made runs to the supply house had keys to a re-up car. This way if anyone was watching, nothing ever exchanged hands. Before Pop arrived, Brandon tucked a backpack filled with $100,000 in a secret compartment under the front seat. Once Pop got in, he checked for the money, and only after making sure it was all there, he drove off.

$$$$$

It had been over a week since Brandon left the Bahamas, and Reagan was just now getting home. Brandon didn't try to contact her at all after he left. She tried to call him, but all she got was his voicemail. Reagan knew she fucked up big time. She was supposed to be spending time with Brandon on a nice, romantic vacation, but all she could think about was Jewel. After she screamed his name out during sex, Brandon left without saying bye. He told her Jewel wasn't going to bother her anymore. Reagan just thought he was mad, but something was telling her it was something much more serious.

$$$$$

After working a double and dropping Jailen off at her mom's for the weekend, Diamond made it home to Jewel. They finally got the chance to be alone together. Jewel was starting to fall in love with Diamond. She was everything he needed in his life and more. His son was well taken care of, but she had been doing that for the past eight years. He always came home to a spotless house, and she worked on top of everything else she did. She was a Registered Nurse at Kaiser Permanente Hospital. She didn't need to spend Jewel's money because she definitely had her own, but now that she had her family back, her mind frame changed from her money to their money. Diamond was well aware that Jewel sold drugs, and she didn't like it, but she respected it. That's how he had been supporting himself since he was a kid, and it was paying off financially for him. She supported him in whatever he did, and that was another reason why he loved her.

Jewel and Diamond sat back on the couch eating a bucket of KFC's popcorn chicken and watching The Hangover 2. Diamond had seen it a hundred times, but it was one of her favorite movies.

"How was work today?" Jewel asked trying to break Diamond away from the movie.

"Busy. We were short staffed again. When I first got there, I had like ten patients to take care of. The doctors just want us to hurry up and discharge all of them, but it's not that easy. The shit was crazy. I'm thinking about transferring to Labor and Delivery. The ER is too fast paced for me," she said popping a piece of chicken into her mouth.

"You know you don't have to work, D."

"Jewel, what type of female would I be if I just let you take care of me?"

"A basic one," he laughed.

"Exactly, I know you make way more than I do, but I wanna contribute too, babe. We're a team."

Jewel grabbed Diamond around her waist and held onto her as if she was going to disappear. "I love you," he whispered into her ear.

"You better," she laughed. She got up to get an Arizona tea from out of the kitchen when the phone rang.

"You want something?"

"Naw, I'm good, ma." Jewel walked over to his house phone in confusion. Only a handful of people had the number.

"Hello?"

"Jewel, please don't hang up."

"Reagan, how'd you get my number?"

"You changed everyone but this one, Jewel."

"Well, best believe I'm changing this one too."

He hung up and sat back down on the couch. He didn't know why Reagan was calling, and he didn't care. She kept calling back, but Jewel let her go straight to voicemail.

"Do you want me to answer that?" Diamond yelled from the kitchen.

"Naw, I got it."

He walked back over to the black cordless phone and picked it up from its charger. He didn't even let her finish her sentence. All she got out was, "Jewel, I need to..." before CLICK. He was sick and tired of her ploys to try and reconcile their relationship. In his eyes, they were done. The phone rang again, and this time he answered on the first ring.

"Bitch, I told you to stop calling me. I don't wanna have you touched, so you better be cool." Before Jewel could hang up, he heard Pop's voice.

"Damn, bruh. You made me forget why I called."

Jewel couldn't do anything but laugh. "My bad, Pop. Reagan was playing on my phone."

"Still?"

"Still, but what's up?" he asked relaxing a little.

"Oh, yeah, I need to re-cop for Brandon."

"How much you want?"

"Ten."

"He gave you the money?"

"Yeah, it's all here."

"It's good then."

Usually Jewel was the only person niggas could go through to get dope, but he made an exception for Pop. He knew he could trust him. Very few people knew where the dope spot was, and even if they did, niggas wouldn't try to run up in it. Only the lieutenants and a few runners had access to it, but even then they had to get authorization.

$$$$$

Pop was on his way to the spot when Gabrielle called.

"What's up?"

"Nigga, it's almost 12:00 a.m., and you're still not here."

"And?"

"And I thought you were coming over? Where are you?"

"Bitch, first, don't worry about where I am. I told you I'ma be there. I'm handling business."

"Caseem, don't play."

"First off, it's Pop. Don't use my government like it's good, bitch. I'll be there in like an hour. Keep your phone on."

"Bye, Pop."

A few minutes later, Pop pulled up to what appeared to be an abandoned concrete building. He walked up to the front door and released the latch to a small fuse box. He entered a twenty digit password onto a keypad that was inside. The front door clicked several times and then slowly opened. Pop ran up five flights of stairs until he reached another door. He rang the buzzer and stood in front of a small camera.

"Password?" an unidentified voice asked.

"59587452103269587412."

"Who sent you?"

"J. Sanchez," Pop said staring into the camera.

"Your name?"

"Caseem Carter."

"How much you need?"

"Ten bricks."

"Access granted."

The giant double doors swung open revealing the all-white room. On the outside, the building looked like nobody had occupied it in years, but the inside looked like Dexter's Laboratory. Naked females stood on an assembly line cooking, breaking down, and packaging drugs of all kinds. Bricks flooded the room all day and night. Pop stared at the security cameras that filled the space. Very few people got to come inside. There were armed soldiers inconspicuously placed all over. The outside of the building was entirely covered in cameras, and there were doors that required a special pin number that changed every week. Plus you had to have prior authorization from Jewel. It was impossible to get inside unnoticed. Finally making it into the back room, Pop ran into Golden's nephew Smackz. He ran the whole operation. He graduated with a Pharmaceutical Science degree from Stanford, but he used his education to create a drug empire for his uncle. Smackz couldn't allow anything to go wrong because that would cost him his life.

"What's up Smackz? You got that for me?"

"How's it going, Pop? I haven't seen you in a minute," he said adjusting his black Gucci glasses.

"A nigga's been trapping."

"You said ten, right?"

"Yep."

"Here you go," Smackz said handing him a small black duffle bag.

Pop set the backpack filled with money down on the metal table and watched as Smackz counted the $100,000 in $100 bills.

"All there?"

"Yep, you're good to go."

"Good looking, bruh."

After Pop got done re-coping for Brandon, he called Jewel to tell him that everything went smooth. Once he hung up with Jewel, he called Brandon.

"What's up, bruh? Where you at?" Pop asked driving seventy on the freeway.

"I'm bout to pull up now."

Pop parked the Camry in the same spot as before. He positioned the duffle bag full of dope under the front seat and locked everything back up. He spotted Brandon still sitting spaced out on the stairs. He walked back to his car and called Brandon again.

"Ay, bruh, I got somewhere to be, but everything is there."

"I really need to talk to you, blood."

"I'ma get at you later."

$$$$$

After finally getting business handles, Pop made his way to Gabrielle's house. Dealing with Brandon always had him on edge, so he needed to relax. Gabrielle definitely had cream, but she was going nowhere in life. She had no goals except to lay up with a hood nigga. She strived to live her life as a hoodrat. She came from a good home with both of her parents, but somehow she fell in with the wrong crowd. She and her friends got off by saying they fucked with factors, and Pop was definitely that. Gabrielle was still in high school, so her parents were very strict. She wasn't allowed to have any guys in the house, let alone in her room, but that never seemed to stop her. After navigating his way through the upper class neighborhood, Pop pulled up to the two-story house and parked across the street. He pulled out his phone and called Gabrielle.

"Hello?"

"I'm outside."

"Here I come."

A few seconds later, Pop watched as Gabrielle skillfully popped off the screen to her bedroom window to let him in. He walked up to the window and climbed through. He hated sneaking around with her, but he knew how she got down. After Pop got into the room, he pulled out a bag of weed and rolled a blunt. They sat on her bed with their backs up against the wall and watched re-runs of The Wayne's Bros.

"Why did I have to go through the window if your mom and dad aren't here?"

"My sister is home from college, and she has a big ass mouth."

"This is what I get for fucking with a little-ass girl."

"Shut up, so anyway, where you been at, Pop?" she asked taking her focus from the TV.

"We've been over this, Gabby. You're not my girl."

"What am I then?"

"My potnah."

"You fuck all your potnahs?"

"Go head with all that shit."

"Exactly."

Gabrielle sat in silence playing with Pop's freshly hit dreads as he smoked and relaxed. The weed had him feeling himself, so he grabbed her by her long jet-black hair and started kissing and sucking all over her neck, but that was as much foreplay as she was going to get. He got off the bed and took off his clothes and rolled a condom on his eight-inch dick. His chocolate skin glistened under the moonlight. He grabbed Gabrielle by her tiny waist and told her to take off her clothes and slowly got undressed exposing her overdeveloped body. She wanted Pop to see everything she had to offer. At age 16, she knew how to use what God blessed her with to her advantage. Pop's dick got hard by just looking at her. He turned her around and bent her over the bed. Gabrielle bent all the way down, so her chest and arms were on the edge of the bed, but her ass was hiked up in the air. Pop entered her young, tight, wet pussy. He slowly pounded her insides until he felt her juices drip. The position Gabrielle was in was uncomfortable, but she continued to fuck him back. Pop knew he had to get back up with Brandon, so he increased the pace of his strokes. After a couple more hard thrusts, Pop busted a fat nut. He slid the condom off and dropped it into a garbage can next to the door. He found a towel by the closet and wiped off his dick. After he was done, he threw it at Gabrielle, so she could clean herself up, and then he started putting back on his clothes, so he could leave.

"I thought you were spending the night, Caseem?"

"What I tell you about that? I got something to handle. I'll probably be back though. I'ma hit you."

Before Gabrielle could say another word, Pop climbed out of the window, got in his car, and smashed off. The sound of his tires squealing echoed throughout the neighborhood. After leaving Gabrielle's house, Pop called Brandon.

"Ay, bruh, you still on the block?"

"Naw, I'm at the house. Come through."

"Yep."

$$$$$

Twenty minutes later, Pop pulled up in Brandon's driveway. It was pushing 3:00 a.m., but he was used to the late nights. They came along with the job. When Pop got to the front door, it was slightly cracked. He walked into the dark house and saw Brandon in the living room playing Madden with a fifth of Hennessy next to him and a blunt in his mouth. Brandon was cleaned up. He was freshly shaven, and had clean clothes on. He had gotten himself together in the matter of hours.

"What's up, blood?" he asked motioning for Pop to sit down.

"Shit, what's up though? You need me to cook some shit up, count some money, push some shit? What?"

"Naw, I haven't seen you in a minute. I was just tryna catch up with you."

"Well, I haven't been doing shit, blood, but, B, we could've did all this in the morning or something."

"I feel it, but I gotta get this out now," he said passing the blunt to Pop, "I work hard Pop. I've been putting in work for the M.A.C. Boys since I was 15, so there's no reason why I got passed over and Jewel got what is rightfully mine."

Pop didn't understand where the conversation was going, but he sat back and listened.

"Jewel is my brother, and he turned his back on me. It didn't have to be like this. He made it like this, Pop. From the moment I met him, he always took what was mine. I can't let him win again."

"Man, ya'll need to just gon' head and squash all this. No female is worth losing a brother over, B. This shit is bad for business."

"It's more than that, Pop. Jewel has gotta die," he said nonchalantly, "He has to pay for what he did to me, and you're gonna help me do it."

"I'm gonna help you do what?" Pop asked not believing what he just heard.

"You are Jewel's right-hand now. You're the only nigga that can get close to him. He's in the way, Pop. You may not see it now, but you will. He's starting to get in between me and Reagan, but more importantly me and my money." Brandon was so jealous of Jewel that it didn't matter that they had grown up together. He let the game change him, and now he was blind to everything.

Jewel was throwing Pop a huge 18th birthday party in a couple of weeks. He refused to let his nigga's shit get shot up or shut down, and he wanted to be a role model for Pop, so he was going to make sure that every one left their guns at the door, and security was going to be extra tight. A nigga wouldn't even be able to sneak in with a toothpick.

"Since nobody is gonna have a banger on them, this is gonna be the perfect time to catch Jewel slipping."

Pop couldn't believe Brandon had even thought of some shit like this. Jewel had been nothing but good to him. Brandon was the one who fucked him over. Pop's jaws locked and his teeth clenched, but he continued to listen to his plan to murder their brother.

"Since it's your function, you are gonna know the ends and outs of the building, so I need you to leave the back doors unlocked. I'ma be in attendance like everyone else, but by the end of the party, when everyone is perking, some of my niggas are gonna slip through the back door unnoticed and light that bitch up. I don't want you to trip, my main goal is Jewel. After the job is done, my niggas will leave the same way they came in. Everything should be clean hopefully. After Jewel dies, the M.A.C. Boys will naturally go to me like it should have in the first place, and I want you to be second-in-command. Between Styles and soon Jewel, you've proven yourself to me, Pop."

Pop sat in confusion. Brandon sensed his hesitation.

"Okay, I see you're having a hard time with this, Pop. That's understandable. Let me put it to you like this. If you're not with me, you're against me, and you can get it too, little nigga, but, hey, I don't want it to even come to that. Plus, there's a hundred racks on the table. That should be incentive enough, right?"

Brandon felt like he was beginning to take over shit, and it would be in Pop's best interest to go along with it.

Pop just sat there with a blank look on his face. "I'll do it, bruh."

$$$$$

After leaving Brandon's house, Pop sat in his car. He couldn't believe Brandon asked him to do some shit like that. He loved Jewel. He looked at him like his big brother. There was no way it was about to go down like that, but Pop didn't know how to handle the situation. He wasn't a snitch, but Jewel's life was in jeopardy. He was stuck in the middle. He didn't want to run to Jewel; he was a man, and he needed to handle it. This was his chance to prove himself to Jewel, but no matter what was about to happen, Pop was ready to let a nigga feel some heat.
Chapter 16

Reagan looked around her apartment staring at Brandon's stuff. It had been two weeks since their fall out. His clothes and shoes sat neatly in their place in the closet. She contemplated packing up everything, but she knew she had to work it out with Brandon in order to save Jewel. The sound of her phone ringing snapped her back from her thoughts.

"Hey, Brandon," she said looking at her caller ID.

"Hey, Brandon? That's all I get?" he asked in confusion.

"I talked to you yesterday."

"We're supposed to talk every day, Reagan. That's what people in relationships do."

"Is that right?"

"Yes, so when are you gonna let me come home?"

"I'm not ready yet." Brandon was changing, and Reagan didn't like who he was becoming. Honestly, she was scared for him to come back.

"Well, can you come over here for a little while?"

"I'll think about it, Brandon," Reagan said hanging up.

$$$$$

Jewel spent the next two weeks running himself ragged setting up for Pop's birthday party. He wanted it to be perfect. So far, he had everything in order. The club was reserved, and the guest list was set. He was only waiting on the final details for Pop's gift. He wanted to get him a car. Pop was very smart with his money, so Jewel thought he should indulge a little. He had an apartment in Vacaville and an Acura TL, but he didn't have a show car. He couldn't wait to see the look on Pop's face. After finalizing a few preparations, he decided to get a haircut before he picked up Jailen from Diamond's mom's house. As soon as he got in the car, his phone rang. Jewel didn't recognize the number, so he pressed Ignore. He turned up his stereo and drove to the barber shop. He made his way to the freeway to avoid the traffic on the streets. The unknown number started calling repeatedly, and against his better judgment, Jewel answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hi, J, it's Rea..."

Reagan didn't have to finish her name. He got his cell phone number changed three times, but somehow she still got in contact with him.

"Damn, this bitch is getting on my fucking nerves," Jewel said aloud.

Reagan called one more time, but this time he let the call go to voicemail. He was not concerned with Reagan. He was tired of her apologizing and trying to get back together. She decided to leave him. She decided to fuck his best friend. In his mind, it was her fault they weren't together.

Fuck her, he thought.

Finally arriving at the barber shop, Jewel parked his car and made his way inside. After twenty minutes, and a fresh cut later, he was ready to pick up Jailen.

"Hello?" he said answering his phone as he walked back to his car.

"Jewel..."

"Hey, Paula, sorry it's taking so long. I stopped and got a haircut real quick."

"Boy, hurry up. I have church at 4:30 p.m."

"My bad, I'm on my way right now."

As Jewel was driving, he checked his voicemail. After he entered his password, the automated voice said, "You have four new messages."

The first one was from Pop. "What's up, bruh? I ain't talked to you in a minute. Hit me back though, blood. In a minute."

The second one was from Diamond reminding him to pick up Jailen. The third one was from the owner of the car dealership where Jewel was buying Pop's car.

"Jewel, the car you've ordered is ready to be delivered. All of the desired customizations are complete. We just need you to confirm where you want it to be shipped. You can reach me at my office until 5:00 p.m., and if it's after hours, call me on my cell phone at 679-8343. Talk to you soon."

And the last message was, of course, from Reagan. "Listen Jewel, I know I am the last person you wanna hear from," she sobbed, "But I need you to listen to me for five minutes. I think Brandon is planning something. I really don't know for sure, but I just want you to know he found out that I'm still in love with you. I accidently called out your name when we were having sex. He snapped, J. I'm really scared. I might just be overreacting, but I have a bad feeling. Please be careful. Bye." Jewel couldn't really grasp the whole story, so he called her back.

$$$$$

Reagan sat on her bed feeling defeated in her attempt to warn Jewel. She didn't know what she would do if anything ever happened to him especially because of her. Even though she chose up on Brandon, she felt like leaving Jewel was one of the biggest mistakes of her life. Every day, she regretted ending it with him the way she did. She had everything while they were together, and now she had nothing. While lost in the regrets of her past, her phone rang. When she looked at her caller ID, she couldn't believe her eyes.

$$$$$

As the phone rang over and over, Jewel felt himself getting angry. He didn't know why he was feeding into Reagan's drama. Just as he was about to hang up, she answered.

"Jewel?"

Jewel started in a calm voice, "Look, I didn't call to talk about old times, bitch. You called and left that bogus-ass message for what?"

"J, I called because I'm trying to look out for you. I know it's bad between us, but that doesn't change how I feel about you."

CLICK.

Jewel was heated, but he refused to let Reagan fuck up his day. He didn't know what was going on with Brandon, but he knew he couldn't put anything past him, not after everything that happened. Trying to put their conversation behind him, Jewel walked up Paula's driveway to pick up Jailen. He rang the melodic doorbell and waited. A couple of seconds later, she answered.

"Hurry up and get this boy. He is working my last nerve." She placed a red, oversized church hat on top of her head as she walked back inside.

"Where is he?"

"Where he always is. On that darn video game. I'm not letting him bring it over here anymore. He doesn't want to do anything else."

"Jailen, are you ready?" Jewel yelled from the foyer.

"I'm coming, Dad. I'm tryna find my games."

"Hurry up. Your grandma is leaving."

Five minutes later, Jailen came running down the stairs with his videogame system in hand. "Ready."

"Say goodbye, J."

"Bye, Grandma," he said hugging Paula.

"When you coming back?" she asked placing a kiss on his forehead.

"When you call me," he laughed.

"Bye, boy."

After getting Jailen and his bags settled in the car, Jewel called Pop.

"What's up with you, bruh?"

"Shit, where you been at? I called you earlier."

"My bad, I had some business to handle."

"I feel it."

"Yep, you tryna get something to eat? Jailen wants to go to Denny's," Jewel laughed.

"That nigga loves those pancakes, but yeah, which one?"

"Is the one on Mack cool?"

"Yeah, I'm right around the corner."

"Alright, see you in a minute, bruh."

"Yep."

$$$$$

Pop arrived at Denny's first, so he walked to the front counter to be seated.

"Hi, welcome to Denny's. How many?"

"Three."

"Right this way," the waiter said directing him to his table. After being seated in a booth in the back of the restaurant, Pop started to look at the menu. "Can I get you anything to start with?"

"Yeah, let me just get a water."

"Okay, I'll get that out right away, and I'll be back in a few to take your order."

Pop sat in the booth stuck. The words and pictures on the menu all blurred together. He couldn't focus. Jewel was like family to him now, but he had a secret price on his head. Pop couldn't bring himself to tell Jewel about what Brandon was up to. He couldn't live with the fact that he had to run to him every time he had a problem no matter how close they were, but Pop wasn't fucking with Brandon.

If anybody is going to be laid up, it's gon' be that nigga, he thought.

He felt this was the perfect time to prove that he was a man and could handle his own. He wasn't in the M.A.C. Boys for nothing. Jewel had always looked out for him, and now it was Pop's turn to do the same.

Fifteen minutes later, Jewel and Jailen arrived to see that Pop was already there.

"Pop," Jailen yelled across the room.

"What's up, man?" he asked giving him dap.

"What's up with bruh?" Jewel asked sitting down in the booth next to Jailen.

"Ya'll took hella long. A nigga could have been done eating by now," Pop snapped.

"What's up with you, nigga?" Jewel could tell something was wrong, but he couldn't call it.

"My bad, blood, I'm just hungry," he said trying to play it off.

Jewel didn't believe him, but since Jailen was with him, he decided to let it go.

"I see your party is here," the waiter said approaching the table, "Are you guys ready to order?"

"Yeah, can I get the Bacon Slamburger with a Sprite," Pop said handing the waiter back his menu.

"And for you, sir?"

"Let me get an All-American Slam with extra bacon and an orange juice."

"And for you, little man?"

"Pancakes."

"You want any sides with that?"

"Nope."

"Okay, I'll get those orders in right away."

Twenty minutes later, Pop, Jailen, and Jewel were sitting with a table full of food. Jailen devoured his triple stack of pancakes within minutes and had to reorder. As they were eating, Jewel brought up his phone call with Reagan.

"Blood, tell me why Reagan hit me talking about I need to watch my back because Brandon is supposed to be plotting me."

Pop didn't have any reaction. The blank expression on his face refused to let Jewel know anything. Jewel was like a brother to him, so he was torn up inside.

"Yeah, that nigga has been acting hella weird lately."

"I'm not worried about that nigga. If he wants it, he knows where I stay, where I be at, all the shit."

Jewel was a pretty boy, but he was nowhere near soft. He was a soldier and would die for his, literally.

"Fuck all that shit, bruh. You ready for this party, nigga? The shit is gon' be ridiculous. I really went all out."

"Hell yeah," Pop said dryly.

"Damn, nigga, you don't sound like it."

Pop appreciated everything Jewel was doing for him. He never had a birthday party growing up, so this one was really special to him, but with everything going on with Brandon, he couldn't be excited.

"My bad, I'm not tripping cause I know you got a nigga. I'm just ready for all the naked bitches, nigga. You know I'm juiced," Pop said faking enthusiasm.

"That's more like it, nigga," Jewel laughed.

"So security is still gon' be there, right?"

"Hell yeah, you know how Sac niggas are. Security will be fully enforced."

Even though Jewel said he didn't want there to be any guns in the function, Pop knew that it wasn't a good idea especially now.

"I just hope everything goes cool," he said staring down at his plate.

"Why wouldn't it?" Jewel asked taking a bite of scrambled eggs.

"No reason."

$$$$$

The next day, Brandon woke up feeling refreshed. He had been stressed out the past couple of weeks being away from Reagan, but he was excited about Pop's party being only days away. After that, everything would be just as he wanted. He laid in his bed soaking up the sun that shined through the window. He played Jewel's death over and over in his head. Everything had to go perfectly. He knew Pop was apprehensive about cooperating, but Brandon knew he wasn't stupid. Everybody is out for themselves, no matter where they pretend their loyalty is, he thought. He hopped out of bed and got into the shower. The thought of Reagan saturated his mind. It had been three weeks since he got back from the Bahamas, and every day she refused to see him. They talked on the phone, but it wasn't the same for him. He knew he shouldn't have put his hands on her, but he lost it. The thought of Reagan still having feelings for Jewel killed him inside. Trying to put his feelings back in order, he called Reagan.

"Hello?" she asked answering on the first ring.

"What you doing?"

"Nothing, just getting dressed. What you doing?"

"Thinking about you. When can I see you, Reagan? It's been three weeks now. I'm going crazy."

"I miss you too, babe. I know you don't wanna talk about what happened, but I forgive you for everything, Brandon. All of this is my fault, and I'm really sorry. Me and Jewel are over. We've been over. I need you to believe that. Are you busy today?"

"Pack a bag. I'll be there in like thirty minutes."

"Okay, see you then, babe."

$$$$$

Reagan walked around her room slowly throwing clothes into a duffle bag. She cringed at the thought of having to be around Brandon. She loved Jewel, and she would do anything to protect him.

"I wish I never met this nigga," she whispered to herself.

Reagan knew she should have never cheated on Jewel especially with Brandon, but she was determined to get him back. She knew Brandon would never tell her if he was planning on doing anything to Jewel, but she was going to find out one way or another.

Twenty-five minutes later, Brandon arrived at Reagan's apartment.

DING DONG. DING DONG. DING DONG.

"Who is it?" she asked looking through the peephole.

"Who else would it be?"

"Why didn't you use your key?"

When Reagan opened the door, all she saw were dozens and dozens of white roses. Brandon walked into the house carrying the flowers and a huge white teddy bear.

"What is all this?"

"A truce."

"You look good, B." Reagan hugged Brandon for what seems like an eternity. For a moment, he seemed like himself again.

"Thanks, baby," Brandon said grabbing the back of her neck. He stared into her eyes as if he was trying to see inside of her soul. To him, Reagan was pure perfection.

Once I get Jewel out of the way, she will be all mine, he thought to himself.

Brandon kissed Reagan on her mouth, worked his way down to her neck, and kept going down. She didn't stop him. She moaned in ecstasy at his soft, electric touch. He got on his knees and lifted her thigh on his shoulder. He slid her black lace panties to the side and started to slowly lick and suck on her clit. Reagan's knees buckled. She grabbed a handful of Brandon's shirt trying to keep herself standing. Reagan's juices covered her pearl, and he watched as it glistened in the sunlight. He picked her up by her tiny waist and laid her down on the couch. He put his face in between her legs and returned his attention to her pussy. He slid two fingers in and out making Reagan leak onto her leather couch, but just before she was about to cum, he stopped. He went from eating her pussy, to kissing on her inner thighs, and then worked his way back up. He slowly licked leaving a wet trail across her stomach and stopped at her breasts. He sucked on her nipples while still playing with her pussy. Reagan couldn't think straight. She wanted him inside of her.

She lifted his head up and said, "Fuck me, baby."

Brandon pulled out his hard dick and slowly put in the head.

"You've been keeping it tight for Daddy?" he asked while biting and sucking on her neck.

"Of course."

Inch by inch, he slowly eased his dick inside her. He began to stroke her middle slow, but soon, he picked up speed. Reagan wanted to feel all of Brandon, so she turned around and let him hit it from the back.

"Oh, you want me to really fuck you, huh?" he asked grabbing her by her hair.

He pounded her pussy making her ass bounce back against his dick. Reagan's juices flowed down her thighs. She had cum so many times, her body felt weak.

An hour later, Brandon looked at the clock sitting on the end table and realized he had other business to take care of. After two more forceful pumps, he pulled his dick out and nutted all over Reagan's ass and the back of her thighs. She laid limply on the couch barely being able to move. She watched in a fog as Brandon got dressed. She stared at him and wondered how her life got to this point. A year ago, she was happy with the man of her dreams, and now she was sleeping with the enemy.

"You ready?" he asked slipping his chain back over his head.

"Yeah, let me get my bags." Reagan pulled down her skirt and walked into the bedroom as if nothing had just taken place.

Ten minutes later, Brandon put her bags in the backseat of his car.

"So how long are you gonna be with me?"

"Damn, you tryna get rid of me already? We're not even at your house yet," Reagan said smacking her lips.

"Not like that. I just meant are you ready to come home permanently?"

"Let's just take it one day at a time, Brandon."

He weaved in and out of traffic rushing home.

"Why are you going so fast?"

"I gotta hurry up and drop you off. I need to take care of a few things today."

"Like what?"

"Business, Reagan."

"So you brought me over here to leave me by myself. I could've just stayed home," she said crossing her arms across her chest.

"It's not even gon' take that long."

"Whatever."

Forty minutes later, Brandon pulled up in front of his condo.

"Are the car keys in the house?" Reagan asked snatching her bags from the back seat.

"Yeah, where you going?"

"To the mall. I need to go shopping."

"You need some money?"

"Yes, babe."

Brandon pulled out a knot and peeled off ten crisp one-hundred dollar bills. "Is this enough?" he asked handing Reagan the money.

"It should be."

"Alright, well call me if you need me."

"Bye, Brandon," she said slamming the car door and walking into the house.

After dropping Reagan off, Brandon pulled out a bag of weed and rolled a blunt as he made his way to the freeway. The sun was shining brightly on him, and he finally felt like he was being showed favor.

"In two days, shit is gonna be back to normal," he said aloud.

After smoking a blunt to the face, he pulled up on the block. His potnahs Reo and Slim were posted in front of the trap house.

"Nigga, we've been out here for like an hour," Reo snapped.

"My bad, bruh, I had to pick up my bitch. Get in."

Reo and Slim hopped in Brandon's Denali as he was pulling off.

"So what's up?" Slim asked in a thick southern accent.

"I already talked to Young Pop, so it's good. During the function, the back doors are gonna be left unlocked."

"I'm so ready for this shit, nigga. Jewel is a bitch. We ain't getting money like we should be, feel me?" Slim said passing Reo a blunt.

"A nigga is gon' be in his rightful position, boy, but listen, the only person that needs to get hit is Jewel. Don't go in that bitch wild westing shit, bruh. If niggas get in the way then that's one thing, but my main objective is Jewel."

"We got this, B," Reo said inhaling the purple smoke, "We are professionals."

"Alright, I'ma get at ya'll Saturday then," Brandon said pulling back around the corner, "I know ya'll got this. I trust you niggas."

"The M.A.C. Boys don't breed nothing but killers. Remember that," Reo laughed.

$$$$$

After Brandon dropped Reagan off, she took a shower to wash his sex from her body, but the hot water couldn't erase the smell. It penetrated her skin. She didn't understand how she kept falling into his trap, but she planned to find a way out. After she dried off in one of his copper-colored, oversized, cotton bath towels, she grabbed her Seven7 jeans and Motel tee out of her bag. She hurried to get dressed, do her hair and makeup. She wanted to get to the mall to get an outfit for Pop's party before it closed. The event was promoted all over the radio and internet, so Reagan had to look her best. She wanted Jewel to see what he was missing. While she was thinking about which stores she would hit up first, Robyn crossed her mind.

"It seems like I haven't talked to that bitch in months," she said aloud.

After Styles' death, they drifted apart more and more. She felt bad about cheating with Brandon. Robyn was head-over-heels in love with him, but Reagan let her pussy do the thinking for her. Brandon's only explanation was Robyn went bankrupt, and not being able to deal with Styles' death or the death of her finances made her leave Sacramento and move to Texas with her grandmother. Reagan and Robyn had been friends since they were teenagers. They had been there for each other through everything, and Reagan knew that didn't sound like her. Robyn never ran away from her problems. She always faced everything head on, so for her to leave without saying a word was out of the norm. Reagan lacked many things in her life, but she vowed that she would right everything she made wrong. She decided to swallow her pride and call Robyn at her grandma's house. Her heart was racing a mile a minute, but she had to come clean. Her relationship with Robyn was important to her. She sat down on Brandon's bed hoping to collect her thoughts. She didn't know what to say. She knew the conversation was going to be awkward because of her situation with Brandon, but Robyn was her best friend. She deserved to hear everything from her. Reagan just hoped she would be willing to forgive her. As Reagan became lost in her thoughts, the phone rang and rang and rang. Just as she was about to hang up, a loud voice boomed through the phone.

"Hello?" Grandma Honey answered with sleep saturating her voice.

"Hi, Honey, this is Reagan."

"Reagan? Lord have mercy."

Reagan loved Honey. She was far from a typical grandmother. When Honey used to live in California, Robyn and Reagan would go to her house every day after school. She was rarely ever at home, but even when she was, she would let them run wild. Honey was only 43 then, but she looked more like she was 30, so she stayed with men showering her with attention. She loved her grandchildren, and Reagan was around so much that she began to look at her in the same light. After her daughter Janelle died from a drug overdose, she went into a deep depression. At that time, she wasn't there to support Styles and Robyn. She could barely take care of herself, so she knew she couldn't be responsible for raising two kids. Once Styles and Robyn grew up, Honey made an attempt to become a part of their lives again. She didn't want them in the streets and end up like Janelle, so she always allowed Reagan and Robyn to do whatever they wanted when they were at her house—smoke, drink, or whatever crossed their minds. She always thought that would keep them safe. Reagan lost touch with Honey, so she didn't know how to start the conversation.

"Yeah, it's me. How you been, Honey?" she asked trying to make small talk.

"I've had better days."

Ever since Robyn's death, Honey hadn't been doing too well. To her, it seemed like everyone around her were dropping like flies. Her only daughter died from drugs, then her grandson was murdered, and now her granddaughter committed suicide. It was too much for her to handle sometimes. She was known to be a little wild back in the day. She dabbled in certain drugs and she loved to drink, but after hearing about Robyn's death, all of that stopped. Honey knew she was getting too old to be in the streets. Instead of looking toward the bottle or blunt to save her, she found her salvation in God. She tried everything to change her life before, but nothing ever worked. Her life was crumbling right before her eyes, and God was her last and final solution.

"Why weren't you there, Reagan?"

"Why wasn't I where, Honey?" she asked sensing the sadness in her voice.

Honey felt herself getting mad, but she was determined to change her ways, so she tried to keep her voice calm.

"You and Robyn were friends for over ten years. She always considered you her sister. I know I wasn't there for them kids when they were little, but they were not my responsibility. I tried to make things right. I don't think that Cameron or Robyn ever truly forgave me for not taking them in after their mother died, but I was dealing with my own demons. I wasn't there for Janelle, and I wasn't there for them either, and now I have to deal with their deaths for the rest of my life."

What is she talking about? Reagan thought to herself. She didn't want to interrupt Honey, but she knew something was wrong.

"Even though I wasn't there, I just assumed you would always be by Robyn's side, Reagan. She died alone. Nobody was there. Things were so bad that my baby felt she had to take her own life. I know her brother meant a lot to her, but why didn't she just talk to me? We all lost Cameron. Why, Reagan? Where were you, huh? Why didn't you stop her?" Honey asked sobbing.

"This is a dream. Robyn is not dead. She can't be. She only left a few months ago. Does Brandon know? Why didn't anyone call me?" she rambled to herself.

Reagan felt like the room was spinning. The phone slipped through her fingers and fell to the floor. All she could do was sit. Tears streamed down her face, but she didn't make a sound.

After a few seconds, she bent down to pick up the phone. Honey was still talking when she put it back to her ear.

"I'm sorry, baby. It's only been a few weeks, so it still hurts, but I guess I'm always gonna feel this pain."

Reagan couldn't sit in silence anymore. "Why didn't anyone call me, Honey? I saw Robyn a couple months ago. I don't understand. That was my sister. How the fuck is she dead? Nothing is making sense right now. What happened?" she asked crying. She couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Brandon told us that you were too upset to come to the funeral. I understand, Reagan. It's been hard for all of us, believe me."

"Brandon was at the funeral?"

"Of course, Reagan, you know that. He's the one who took care of all of the arrangements. One thing I can say is that the service was absolutely beautiful. My baby looked like a precious angel."

"Brandon said it was too much for me to handle?"

"He said you were on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and you were too fragile to attend the funeral."

"No, Honey, I didn't know about Robyn. You have to believe me. What happened?"

"Reagan, no one knew she was in that dark of a place. Brandon said that ever since Cameron died, she hadn't been herself. He noticed that she slowly started to isolate herself. I wish she would have talked to somebody, anybody. Maybe she would still be with us today."

"I didn't know." Brandon knew this whole time? Why didn't he tell me? she thought.

"I know this is hard. I have more bad days than good, but I trust that God's with her now, and she's not in pain anymore. Brandon was worried about you, so I understand why he didn't want you to come. I'm just glad that she had someone in her life who loved her, but if she was determined to kill herself then I don't know if anything could have stopped that. My heart goes out to Brandon. He barely got through the service."

Reagan was at a loss for words. Everything in her life had been flipped upside down.

She and Honey cried on the phone for what seemed like hours. "I didn't know. I didn't know," Reagan sobbed.

"I know it's hard. None of us knew, baby. This is not your fault. Let's pray. Father God, I just come to you today on behalf of Reagan. Please bless her in this time of hardship, Lord. Comfort her soul and let her know that Robyn is in your arms, God, where she is safe now. Continue to let Janelle, Cameron, and Robyn look over us, Lord. Please hear our prayers. In my Lord and Savior Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."

"Amen," Reagan whispered.

"Reagan, I need you to keep in touch with me, okay? You know I worry especially now. I couldn't deal with something happening to you too. I love you. Everything will be okay. God will make sure of that. Keep in touch, baby," Honey said hanging up the phone.

Reagan slowly lay down on the bed. "What am I supposed to do?"

If Brandon had something to do with Robyn's death then me and Jewel are in danger too.

She always knew there was something off about Brandon, but she didn't think he was a murderer. As she sat lost in her own head, Reagan noticed a small, metal lockbox in the back of Brandon's closet that she never noticed before. He attempted to hide it behind a couple of shoe boxes, but the sunlight reflected off of it. At first, Reagan wasn't concerned with the box, but soon curiosity got the best of her. She walked to the back of the closet and picked it up, but it was locked, so she got a nail file from her purse and began to pick the lock. The small padlock was flimsy, so within seconds, it popped open.

"What am I doing? If this was important, Brandon wouldn't hide it here," Reagan said to herself, but she proceeded to open the box anyway.

A bunch of unopened letters fell from the box. At first, Reagan was going to put it back, but against her better judgment, she decided to read them. Why is he hiding a bunch of old letters? As she read them, she realized they were all from Robyn. The first letter was dated only a few months back.

Babe,

It's been a couple of weeks now since I've been here. I'm starting to get used to everything and everyone. Asaya is so nice. I love her. We just clicked, you know? But anyway, I'm fine. I just miss you so much. I can't wait til you come down to see me. I know I'm doing this for us, but, babe, I'm so ready to come home. I know I talked to you today, but I think this is cute (smile), so write me back!

Love always,

Wifey

"What was she doing for them? Why was she kicking it with Asaya?" Reagan asked herself.

She knew Asaya. She met her once or twice in passing. She didn't know for sure, but she suspected she was a hoe. She was like a sister to Brandon, so she never brought it up.

Reagan continued to skim through each letter, and they mostly sounded the same, but the last letter sent chills through her.

Brandon,

I've realized that everything you've ever told me was a lie. I'm up here hoeing for you and for what? I've been here for over eight months, and you've only been up here a handful of times. I tried to understand that you're busy, but now you're ignoring my calls. I have nobody, Brandon. You're all I have left, or so I thought. I can't lose anybody else. I thought I was strong enough to get through this, but I can't do it by myself. I thought I was doing all this to benefit us, but I don't see how that's even possible anymore. I love you, and I just wanted to let you know that one last time. I can't take this life anymore. I want out. I'm sorry I couldn't be strong enough for you. I think everyone will be better off once I'm gone. I'm sorry, Brandon.

Robyn

As Reagan read the last letter, she began to cry. Brandon was responsible for Robyn's death, and she knew it was only a matter of time before he got to Jewel too.

Chapter 17

"So we'll have the open bars on all three levels, live entertainment per your request, and the monogram in the center of the club. Is there anything else, Mr. Sanchez?"

"Nope, Natalie, I think that's it. The guest list is confirmed though, right?" he asked the club promoter.

"Yes, as of right now, we're at five hundred and fifty," Natalie said looking down at her clipboard.

"Okay, that sounds about right."

"I'll see you around 10:00 p.m. then. Everything will be taken care of. All you have to do is come and enjoy yourself. I think Pop is definitely going to be surprised."

"It's not a surprise party. He knows about it," Jewel laughed.

"I may or may not have something else planned, Mr. Sanchez. I'm not just a promoter."

"Is that right?"

"See you tonight," Natalie winked.

Jewel walked out of club Rain to his Audi. He was happy he could do something for Pop. Even though they were both still in the game, Pop changed his whole mind frame around. He was no longer concerned with the women, the fame, or the money. He knew he couldn't be in the game forever. Jewel was proud of Pop, and he wanted to show him. After leaving Rain, he went to Les Voitures Etrangères car dealership to finalize the preparations for Pop's gift. He parked beside a fleet of million dollar cars becoming lost in admiration. The sleek, candy-painted exteriors glittered under the bright sunshine.

"Jewel, you know you could have just called me. You didn't have to come up here," the owner said in a thick Italian accent.

"Johnny, you know I had to come up here and personally see this thing," he laughed.

"Let's take a walk."

He followed behind Johnny to the back of the dealership. Mechanics of all shades and sizes rushed past Jewel as they worked, and the sound of car lifts, drills, and metal against metal filled the steel room.

"It's right back here," he yelled over the noise.

Johnny stopped in front of a car covered with a black plastic sheet. He quickly removed the covering exposing a gleaming white Bugatti Veyron with Chrome Asanti rims. Jewel stared at the car in amazement.

"So, just like you asked, we have the jet black leather interior, HDD navigation system, black metallic finish interior trim, 13-speaker premium sound system with automatic sound levelizer, an in-dash, single-feed, six-disc CD auto-changer with MP3 connect, and TVs in the headrests. I went all out for you, J."

"I think that 2.5 mil helped."

"Yeah, you're right," Johnny laughed, "So are you picking up this monster today, or what?"

"Naw, I need you to do me one last favor and deliver it to club Rain around 12:00 a.m."

"Got it."

$$$$$

Pop sat on his bed staring at his brochure from Brighton High School. Over the years, the school redeveloped itself and focused more on gifted and exceptional students from disenfranchised areas. It was like a private school without the private school tuition, and college preparation was emphasized. Pop studied the list of classes that were offered and was excited. He never took school seriously, but he knew this was his second chance to do right by himself.

"Fuck Brandon," he said aloud, "If that nigga wants to go to war then I'm ready."

Pop felt like the world had been lifted from his shoulders. His life was just beginning, and he refused to give it up for Brandon or $100,000. The thought of going back to school and finally having a regular life energized him. He was tired of dodging bullets and selling poison day-in and day-out to stack money. The empty souls he sold to praised him for the life he provided them with, but Pop knew there had to be more to life.

Pop walked over to his phone that sat on his dresser and saw he had a missed-call from Jewel. After several rings, the call went to voicemail.

"What's up, blood? My bad, I didn't hear my phone ring. I got a few runs to make, but I'm about to get dressed now, so I'ma hit you when I get back to the house.

After about an hour later, he was dressed and feeling fresh. He stared in the mirror and admired his crisp, black Diamond Supply Co. button-up and jeans. His CR3W shoes reflected the light with ease. The look was a change for Pop. He was used to blending in and staying under the radar, but tonight was the night he transitioned from childhood to adulthood, and he wanted to do it right. Pop left his apartment and drove out to Sacramento. Thirty minutes later, he was at his cousin Twin's house in Meadowview. Twin was an O.G., but he still was active on the block. He would be there until he died. Twin sat on his porch with a blunt in hand watching for unknown intruders riding around the neighborhood. Pop pulled up in the driveway and hurried to announce himself.

"What's up, cuz?" he yelled.

"Nigga, you don't just pull up like that," Twin said setting down his sawed-off shotgun.

"My bad, I need to hold something, cuz."

"Hold what, baller?" he asked looking at Pop's Acura.

"Nigga, that I ain't," Pop said dismissing the comment, "I need a gun."

"How you run with the M.A.C. Boys, and you don't have a gun?"

"Nigga, you asking hella questions. I need a new one and fast."

Pop knew since it was his birthday, he wouldn't be checked by security. He couldn't run to Jewel about Brandon. He was a man, and he believed a man took care of his own. He knew all he had to do was tell Jewel, and the goons would be there instantly, but Pop had something to prove to him and himself, so he had to handle the situation on his own.

Twin walked into the darkened house, and five minutes later, he came out holding a 39 glock.

"Is this cool?"

"Yep, this is straight, cuz," Pop said handling the gun, "It's nothing too major, but if shit gets ugly, it will definitely wake some niggas up."

"You good, Pop?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Let me get out of here though," he said handing his cousin $500.

"Good looking, Pop."

"All day. I'ma hit you though, Twin."

"Be safe."

"I'ma try," he said tucking the gun in his pants and running back to his car.

$$$$$

Jewel woke up and struggled to see the clock. The bright red numbers read 9:30 p.m. He hopped in the shower rushing to wash the day away. Twenty-minutes later, he was dressed and ready to go. His ten-carat diamond chain glittered against his white  Apliiq polo shirt, and after deciding on wearing his Analog jeans and black and white  Android Homme sneakers, his fit was complete. He walked downstairs and unplugged his phone from the charger. He was about to call Pop when he saw he had seven missed calls.

"I hate when people call and don't leave a message," Jewel said not recognizing one of the phone numbers, but he called the number back and on the first ring, a female answered.

"Hello?"

"Ay, did someone call this number?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Reagan started. "Jewel, please don't hang up. You have to listen to me."

"What? Damn, Reagan, I try to keep shit civil with you, but you are really pushing me. Why are you always blowing up my phone? We have nothing to talk about. A nigga gotta keep changing the number to keep your ass off my line, but somehow, you still end up on my phone."

"J, listen, I know that you don't want to talk to me, but it's important," Reagan said pausing. She didn't know where to begin, "Robyn is dead. Brandon was pimping her. She was hoeing with his cousin. I don't know what happened, but she's dead. She killed herself, and Brandon knew. He never said anything. He had her buried and everything, and he didn't say one word to me. I think he's trying to get everybody who's close to me out of the way. First Styles ends up dead, and now Robyn, baby, I think Brandon is gonna try and kill you. He keeps telling me that I'm never gonna have to worry about you again. Please don't go to Pop's party tonight, Jewel."

"Bitch, we ain't good. You don't have to worry about me now, and personally, I don't give a fuck what Brandon has going on. He know where I'm at. He could have been seen me about something, so point being, tell your bitch-ass nigga to come and see me then. I'll be here," he said hanging up.

That's like the third time Reagan called me on this bullshit about Brandon, he thought, These hoes are crazy. Jewel grabbed his keys from off of the kitchen counter and laughed all the way out of the door.

$$$$$

Brandon walked around Slim's dimly lit apartment beaming with excitement.

"Nigga, sit down," Reo said lighting their fourth blunt of the night, "You're making me nervous."

"Tonight, the kingdom is returning to its rightful owner."

"Long live the king," Slim said laughing.

"The job ain't done yet while ya'll niggas is all kicks and giggles," Reo snapped, "We need to focus."

"You scared, Reo?" Brandon asked laughing.

"Get the fuck outta here," Reo said inhaling the dark cloud of smoke, "It ain't about being scared. I'm just ready to do this shit. We sitting around here like it's a fucking pep rally or something. A nigga is ready to rock, B."

"Say that shit then, nigga," Brandon said grabbing the blunt from Reo, "By this time tomorrow, shit will be how it should have been from jump.

$$$$$

After picking up Pop at 11:00 p.m., Jewel finally made his way to club Rain. Reagan's concerns consumed him, but he refused to let her destroy Pop's night.

"You good, Jewel?" he asked breaking up a red E-pill.

"Yeah, I'm good. That pill hit me the wrong way. I'll be cool once we get inside."

Trying to shake the thoughts from his mind, Jewel pulled into a private parking garage right beside a white Bugatti. Pop hopped out to admire the rare car.

"Blood, whoever copped this is killing niggas right now. I've never seen this outside of magazines and shit, let alone in Sac." He walked around the Bugatti and peered through the smoky tinted windows.

"It's alright."

"Alright? Come on, nigga. Who you know got anything that even comes close to this? This nigga right here got dough. It cost $2 million at least."

Jewel glanced at the car and wanted to tell Pop that it was all his, but he wanted it to be a surprise.

"Nigga, let's go before somebody sees you being a groupie," he laughed.

"For that right there, I'll be that."

After exiting the parking structure, Pop and Jewel ran into a sea of people. The line was wrapped around the block. The guest list was already over capacity at five-hundred and fifty, but there was at least double that trying to all get in.

"Man, you would have thought a nigga was Chris Brown or something," Pop said observing the crowd, "I don't know half of these mothafuckas."

"You know anything with the M.A.C. name on it is always gonna shut shit down."

Five police cars circled the streets hoping to keep the event in order. Sirens blared in an attempt to keep people in order. Pop and Jewel pushed their way through the crowd to reach the front while everybody else was getting patted down by security. Pop felt like a rock star. He knew his name rang heavy in the streets, but he never expected a turn out that big. By this time, the pill he crushed up and mixed with pineapple juice was in full effect. As they walked inside the club, the different colored flashing lights immediately hit him in the face. Everything looked like a dream. Pop was floating.

"Man, it's as many people inside as there is outside," Jewel yelled over the music, but Pop didn't hear him. He was staring up to the third level and watched as girls of all races danced around clear poles. They had nothing else on but glittering body paint, but the light-show off of the strippers' bodies kept him focused.

"That's all you, Young Pop," Jewel said pointing to the top floor.

The flowing sea of people mesmerized him. He watched as half naked women did their best to attract a man in an almost ritualistic way. Thirsty niggas aggressively pursued them, but each girl swayed their hips to the beat hoping it would be enough to catch a M.A.C. Boy. A dark-skinned female with slanted eyes immediately caught Pop's attention. She was standing across the room by the bar, but she never broke eye contact with him.

"Go chill, I'ma catch up with you in a minute," Pop said leaving Jewel by the stairs.

Jewel noticed Pop's potential groupie, so he made his way into V.I.P. Bottles of Remy, champagne, Ciroc, Nuvo, and Patron filled each table. Every person from the clique was in attendance to show love to Pop, and Jewel watched as all his niggas took part in the celebration. He was happy he could make Pop's birthday a Sac event. He deserved it. The pill Jewel took before the club wasn't hitting him the way he wanted it to, so he picked a giant bottle of Patron and guzzled it like water hoping it would balance out the effect. He rarely went out and kicked it, so tonight he had to do it big.

$$$$$

At 12:00 a.m., the line was still wrapped around the block. The loud sound of the music penetrated the club. Reagan politely walked to the front of the line cutting in front of the many hopefuls. She couldn't believe how many people showed up.

"Sorry, lil mama, they not letting no more people in right now," a burley black security guard said eyeing her up and down.

"Not even just one more person?" she asked smiling.

It was cold outside, but Reagan was dressed like it was the middle of summer. Her gold and white Dior dress couldn't have been any shorter, and her round ass poked out even more against the fabric.

"I might have one more V.I.P band somewhere. You tryna kick it when I get off, mama, or what?"

"You know I can't say no for a favor like this, boo. I got you."

The bouncer placed the bright orange plastic band around her wrist.

"I'ma be waiting right out here," the bouncer said smiling exposing a mouth full of crooked teeth.

Reagan rushed passed the security guard into Rain to find Jewel. Once she got inside, she was amazed at how many people were in attendance. She made her way through the crowd and noticed Jewel in the very spot where they first met. Jewel, Pop, Sacario, and some other M.A.C. niggas were taking pictures with naked strippers, diamonds, bottles, and weed smoke filling each photo. Reagan walked up the stairs and counted them one by one. Her heart r was beating out of her chest. She attempted to put together her fragmented thoughts, but the thought of Jewel made her even more anxious. She stepped to the side to catch her breath and watched as strippers and waitresses flooded the hallway. After calming down, Reagan made her way into a small white leather booth. The lights were dimmed on the third level, so she struggled to keep her eye on Jewel.

Tonight, this shit stops, she thought to herself.

"Can I get you anything?" a light-skinned waitress in all white asked bringing Reagan back from her mission.

"Yeah, can I get a Goose and cranberry?"

"Okay, I'll be right back."

Reagan walked over to the balcony and stared at all the people below her. She envied them. She wanted her life to become simple again. All she wanted was Jewel by her side. What she worked so hard to get, she lost in an instant, but she was determined to put everything back in order. A few minutes later, the waitress came back with her drink, and Reagan continued her plan and followed the line of females that led her right to Jewel.

$$$$$

"Nigga, we probably took like a thousand pictures tonight. These hoes are hella thirsty," Jewel said laughing.

"Blood, you know how this shit goes," Sacario said taking a shot of Patron.

"I guess it just never gets old."

After the females cleared, Jewel noticed Pop wasn't around. He glanced over to his right and saw Reagan. He watched as she gave Pop a hug, and they talked for a while. The exchange of words had him on the edge of confusion. Jewel's pill had him feeling some kind of way. He knew if he was sober, he would have went bad on her for even being in his circle, but tonight there was to be no drama. Downing the rest of his Grey Goose, Jewel walked over to Pop.

"What's up, Reagan?" he asked out of politeness. He didn't want to open up any doors, but he had to admit, she was looking right. She was definitely one of the baddest females in Rain. He tried to resist her, but for some reason, he couldn't stop staring at her. He didn't know if it was the alcohol, or if he still missed her, but there was always something about her that kept his attention.

"Hey, Jewel, I just came over to wish Pop a happy birthday."

"I feel it. You here with that bitch-ass nigga?" he slurred.

"No, I came by myself. I am allowed to do that, right?"

"It's your world, lil baby."

Reagan and Jewel talked for a few minutes, and for once, in a long time, there was no hostility. They tried to keep the conversation friendly. She needed to avoid the discussion of her and Brandon at all costs. He was the furthest thing from her mind, and she wanted Jewel to know that. The sight of him broke her heart. Deep down she knew things between them would never be the same.

"You need another drink?" she asked looking at Jewel's empty glass as she attempted to erase the painful thoughts from her mind.

"Damn, I been taking these down," he said flagging down the waitress.

"That's why it's good to come prepared." Reagan handed Jewel a glass of Goose and cranberry juice.

"What did you do to it?"

"Damn, like that?" she laughed, "I was just trying to be nice, Jewel."

"Yeah, okay." He downed the alcohol in one gulp. The pill in his system eliminated the harshness of the vodka.

"You need to slow down, Jewel. You don't even drink like that."

"That's the point," he said scanning the room, "Where that nigga Pop go?" Jewel tried to tear himself away from Reagan. This was the first time since they broke up that they had been alone together longer than ten minutes. He was with Diamond now, and he adored her, but he didn't know if he could trust himself around Reagan. The familiar always felt way too good.

"I think he went down stairs. You wanna go look for him?"

"Yeah, it's almost time for his surprise," Jewel slurred.

"What surprise?"

"You'll see."

$$$$$

Pop tried to enjoy his birthday, but Brandon stayed in the back of his mind. He hadn't seen him all night, but he knew he was somewhere lurking in the shadows waiting. He cut through the crowd to the back of the club to make sure the back door was locked. He was ready to go to war with Brandon just based on he put him in the middle. He knew he would have to see him sooner or later, but the club wasn't the right place for niggas to start dumping. After making sure the big iron door was locked, Pop made his way back to Gabrielle. She managed to get inside without an ID, so he decided to entertain her for her efforts, and he was hoping she could help him relax.

Holding a half bottle of champagne in her hand, Gabrielle walked around like she was that bitch. She did her best to appear 21. Her red strapless Gucci dress put even the baddest girls in the club to shame. She had spent months chasing Pop, and tonight, she finally felt she had him. After spending fifteen minutes searching for him, she found him by the main stage.

"Not with you leaving me like that," she yelled over the music.

"My bad, Gabby. I was looking for you, but the club promoter came and snatched me."

"For what?"

"For this, I guess," he said pointing to the stage. Pop walked up the small staircase alongside Natalie. The M.A.C. Boys logo sat in the center of the floor.

"Happy Birthday, Young Pop," she said with a smile.

All of a sudden, the lights dimmed even more and five girls came on stage. They pulled a chair underneath the monogram and urged Pop to have a seat. He sat down with no hesitation. A crowd started to form around the stage, and once Pop became comfortable, Beyoncé's "Dance for you" came blaring through the speakers. Each girl did a special dance for him, and clothing was not an option. Gabrielle watched as the strippers slowly grinded against Pop. She noticed that he was enjoying it too much, but she kept her mouth closed.

$$$$$

"Do you see him anywhere?" Reagan yelled over the music as they made their way to the back of the club.

"Naw."

"You cool, J?"

"Yeah, I'm just hella hot." Jewel didn't know what came over him. He got tired out of nowhere, and he could barely hold himself up.

"You wanna get some air?" Reagan asked motioning toward the back door.

"Yeah, I just need like five minutes. I don't think that drink mixed right with this pill."

While Reagan was waiting for Jewel to come and talk to her, she slipped a Percocet in the drink she had for him. It would have him drowsy enough that she could get him to leave with her. She had been sipping on water all night, so she was straight. They cut through the club to get to the back door. Her car was parked right outside.

This is perfect, she thought, We can run away together and start over. I know he has a son now, but, shit, he ain't mine. We can finally start a real family.

The cold, night air slapped Jewel in the face causing sweat to drip down the sides of his head. He was on fire. He slowly sat down on the curb and started throwing up almost instantly. "I gotta get this shit out of my system," he mumbled.

$$$$$

Reo and Slim sat in Slim's black Tahoe posted. They had been waiting for almost three hours for the signal from Brandon. He was supposed to call, let the phone ring twice and then hang up, but they hadn't heard anything from him. Reo was getting anxious.

"Man, I'm ready to get this shit over with. Nothing should take this fucking long."

"Look blood," Slim said pointing to the street. He couldn't believe his eyes. Jewel was sitting on the curb hunched over with a girl rubbing his back a few hundred feet in front them.

"This couldn't be easier," he said pulling his Tec 9 mm from underneath the driver's seat, "Let's just pop this nigga."

Slim rolled down his window and aimed the gun at Jewel's head.

"Why, do they keep moving?" Reo yelled.

Slim didn't have a clear shot. Jewel was right within their grasp, but he knew if he took the shot, he would miss, and he couldn't chance that. Reo wanted to snatch Slim's gun and start lighting them both up, but suddenly, he realized who the girl was.

"Blood, tell me that's not Reagan?"

"Reagan?" Slim asked still keeping his gun aimed at Jewel.

"Brandon's bitch."

Slim looked a little harder and recognized her face. "That is her. Where the fuck is Brandon?"

Reo tried to reach him on his cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail. They knew they couldn't shoot Jewel now. If they hurt Reagan, they would both be dead before the morning guaranteed.

$$$$$

"Why the fuck do you keep pulling on me like that?" Jewel yelled, "I knew this was all some bullshit." After throwing up Percocet fragments, he felt better and came to his senses.

"Jewel, we have to get out of here. Brandon killed Robyn, and I know he's gonna try to kill you too. You have to believe me."

"Here you go with this shit. If it was all like that, he could've found me when I was by myself. Why would he try and murk me in front of hundreds of people, Reagan?"

"I don't know, but we have to leave," she said pulling on Jewel's arm.

Jewel was tired of dealing with Reagan. He just wanted her to leave him alone for good. In frustration, he grabbed her by her neck and pinned her against a brick wall.

"I was trying to be nice, but you're pushing me. If you see me walking down the street, bitch, walk the other way. I'm sick of you squawking about this nigga Brandon. That's who you wanted, right? You did all this to be with him, so be with that nigga. You are the biggest mistake I've ever made in life. I should've seen you for the hoe that you are, but that's my fault though. If you say one more word to me, I'ma have you hurt, and that's on my son."

Reagan couldn't even get a word out before Jewel dropped her body to the concrete like a rag doll. He walked back into the club and let the door slam behind him. Not once did he look back. She sat on the ground letting the tears flow free from her face. The idea that he didn't want to be with her hurt more than the bruised handprints he left around her throat. She sat still caressing her neck staring blankly at the ground watching as the passing car lights bounced off of the concrete.

"He has to believe me," she mumbled to herself. She stood up, pulled her dress down, and followed Jewel's steps back inside. She refused to give up.

$$$$$

Reo and Slim watched as Jewel hemmed up Reagan. They wanted to bounce out and empty a clip in him. His disrespect for Brandon fueled their fire, and after Reagan went back inside the club, they decided it was show time.

"This nigga is real disrespectful. Brandon must've got caught up. It's already 2:30 a.m. Let's finish this," Slim said pulling down a black ski mask over his face. The nine was burning a hole in his pocket.

After getting out of the truck, Slim checked to make sure it was unlocked. As expected the door opened with ease. He crept inside to the back of the club while Reo stayed outside to make sure no one came up behind them. The back of Rain was almost pitch-black, so Slim went unnoticed.

"That nigga Pop is a grimey-ass nigga," he laughed to himself, "I guess it really is money over everything."

$$$$$

"Something told me not to say shit to that bitch, "Jewel said shaking his head.

"Who?" Pop asked.

"Reagan. She was being cool for like ten minutes, and then the bitch started tripping again. I had to go outside cause I wasn't feeling right. I know that bitch put something in my drink cause all of a sudden, I just started feeling hella mainey. Anyway, blood, she was tryna pull me to her car talking about Brandon is gonna kill me."

"Damn," Pop said staring at the floor, "This shit is hella crazy."

"Tell me about it, blood."

Pop didn't know if Reagan was a part of Brandon's plan too, but he was ready for whatever was about to happen. A few minutes later, after Jewel got all of his frustrations out, Pop saw Reagan coming up behind him.

"Turn around, nigga," he said.

Jewel turned around and couldn't believe Reagan was standing right in front of him.

"Damn, what? What do you want from me, Reagan? In all seriousness, what? We have nothing left to talk about. You told me about Brandon, okay? If I say I believe you, will you leave me the fuck alone?" Jewel stared into her eyes hoping to find some sort of understanding, but there was nothing left. She was broken. She had tried everything.

"I love you," she said before he could say anything else.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BLAT, BLAT, BLAAAATTTT!

Reagan's body hit the floor before the last bullet rang. Blood splattered across Jewel's face and clothes. He checked his body, but he wasn't hit. He didn't know where the shots were coming from. He froze. He looked down at Reagan's lifeless face. Her eyes were still open.

"Get down," Pop yelled snatching Jewel down to the blood covered ground.

"Where the fuck did that come from?"

Pop noticed Slim in the back of the club. He pulled his gun out and started busting. He hit Slim in the shoulder, but he ran out of the back door before anymore bullets hit him. The club dispersed in every direction. People trampled over each other just to ensure their own safety. They observed Reagan's body sprawled across the floor but left her behind. Jewel stared at her in shock. He hated her for what she did to him, but he would have never wanted to see her lose her life.

"Jewel, Jewel," Pop said trying to bring him back from his thoughts, "Bruh, we gotta go. The boys are on they way."

As if he was stuck in a trance, he slowly got up never taking his eyes off of Reagan.

"Jewel!" Pop wanted to get out before the police came. Because there were so many people out, the police couldn't pinpoint anyone just yet, but he knew they could be suspects, so they ran out of the back door. Pop took out his gun hoping the coast was clear. As he eased the dented door open, he saw Slim's truck smash out of the parking lot. He picked up his gun and aimed it at the moving car. One shot shattered the back window causing Slim to lose control. He ran over an island into oncoming traffic. Pop was hoping to cause a distraction, so he and Jewel would be able to walk away.

"Is that Reagan's car?"

"Yeah, but that's hot. We need to get across the street to the garage, blood."

The streets were filled with hysterical men and women, police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. The red, white, and blue lights created a light show outside. Pop and Jewel watched as the police whipped past the parking structure to get to Rain. They slowly made their way across the street to where Jewel's car was parked. A sea of people stood in front of the club, so no one noticed them slip by.

"Ay, blood, I know this ain't the right time, but that Bugatti, that's all you," Jewel said passing Pop the keys. His hands shook as he handed over the gift.

Lost in a haze of chaos and death, Pop stared at the shiny new keys in confusion. How could he enjoy the car when Reagan's body was laid out on the floor? After taking a few seconds to stare into his future, Pop got into Jewel's car. With no one in sight, he eased out of the garage and drove in the opposite direction.

$$$$$

"Unidentified female. African-American. 25. Light brown hair," a police officer said into his hand radio.

Brandon stood outside waiting to run into Pop. He was confused because he didn't give the signal. He spent the entire night with a stripper named Maliyah, and he lost track of time in between the lap dances and private shows, but once he realized it, it was too late. He watched as the paramedics wheeled out a black body bag. He was convinced it was Jewel. He made way for the police who were questioning the crowd. Thankfully, there were many people who had information to offer. This allowed Brandon to make his exit. After walking up a few blocks, he found his car parked in an empty lot. He hurried to get in on the driver's side and dialed Slim's number. No answer. His phone kept going to voicemail.

"These niggas better be around somewhere," he said to himself.

After a few more failed attempts, Brandon decided to call Reo. On the first ring, he answered. "Ay, blood, shit is bad. She wasn't supposed to get hit, Brandon. I swear, nigga. She came out of nowhere."

"Hit who?"

"Slim's over here leaking. We saw Jewel outside in the back, so we were gonna off him right then and there, but he went back inside. When Slim got in there, he had him, Brandon. It's like she jumped right in front of him though."

"Reo, you better start making some sense. Hit who?"

Reo paused for what seemed like an eternity. "Reagan."

Without saying another word, Brandon hung up. 647-1020. Over and over again, he dialed. 647-1020. No answer. "Where is she?" he yelled. Not being able to think straight, he pulled into a darkened and deserted Valero gas station.

"Hi, you've reached Reagan. Sorry, I can't get to the phone right now..."

Reo is tripping. Reagan wasn't even there. He listened as Reagan's voicemail continued to play. "Ay, Rea, call me as soon as you get this."

He sat in his car staring out into space. Reagan was his everything. Things had been rocky between them lately, but he loved her. "I have to find her." He put his car into drive with only one place in his mind.
Chapter 18

"What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck?" Jewel asked out loud. All he kept picturing was how Reagan's eyes looked as the bullets pierced through her back. As much as he hated her for what she did, deep down, he still loved her. He would have never wanted to see her hurt. Pop sat in the passenger seat in silence. He blamed himself for Reagan's death. If I would've said something, all of this shit could have been taken care of.

He thought he was protecting Jewel, but with Reagan's death, he had to talk to him. Both of their lives were in danger now. He knew Brandon was going to find out that everything didn't go according to plan, and he couldn't be caught slipping again, or this time, they would be the ones in the body bags.

"It's Brandon, Jewel," Pop said breaking the haunting silence.

"What?"

"Brandon got at me the other day. He said he wanted your head and either I could get with it, or I was gonna get hit too. He wanted me to leave the back door in the club open tonight, so his niggas could come in, off you, and leave as easy as they came in."

Jewel couldn't believe what he was hearing. His hands tightly gripped the steering wheel turning his knuckles white. All that shit Reagan was saying about Brandon was true? Is this nigga Pop tryna get me too?

"I swear, blood. I was never going along with that shit. Honestly, I thought I could handle it by myself. I don't like running to you for everything," Pop said looking out of the window.

"But when my life is in jeopardy, nigga, you would wanna say something." With everything going on, the only things that came to Jewel's mind were Diamond and Jailen. Jewel struggled to reach his phone in his pocket as his hands shook without control. After a few seconds, Jewel was able to reach it. He called Diamond.

"Hey, babe, that was over fast. How was it? Was Pop juiced?"

"Baby, I don't have time to explain, okay?" Jewel said slowly, "Something happened tonight, so I need you to stay at your mom's. Don't answer the phone for anybody, but me. I'm gonna call you back and let you know what I need you to do, but until then, stay off the phone."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'll talk to you later. Stay by the phone, baby."

Twenty minutes later, Jewel pulled up into the garage in the back of his house. He didn't want anybody to see them go in. His mind was going a mile a minute. He never thought the beef between him and Brandon would ever escalate to this point. A fight over pride left Reagan without her life. From the beginning, Brandon and Jewel were the only family each of them had. The streets bonded them together. They were brothers, but he realized that it was all in the past. Jewel and Pop walked through the barely lit garage to a door that led to the living room. He walked over to the light switch and turned the lights on. As soon as they turned them on, he turned around and punched Pop in the face. He held his nose trying to stop the blood that started to seep out.

"Nigga, what the fuck?" he yelled.

"What the fuck? Nigga, I trusted you. This is probably a set-up right now. Both of you niggas are stupid as fuck. You were better off not telling me shit. I ain't going down like this, blood." Jewel reached for the gun tucked in his pants. BOOM. Pop's body dropped to the floor.

"Come on, Jewel. Don't you think if Pop was sticking to the fucking plan, you would already be dead by now, and I wouldn't of had to come all the way out here?" Brandon asked laughing. He walked out of the shadows into the living room with his gun loosely hanging from his hand. "But fuck all that. Where's my wife?"

Jewel sat next to Pop's limp body. His blood colored the carpet as it leaked from the bullet hole in his chest.

"Nigga, you should know where she is. You sent her into that bullshit. Her blood is on your hands."

Brandon paced back and forth. After a few seconds of silence, he raised his gun and shot Jewel in the shoulder. His body flew back into the wall. Brandon walked over to him, grabbed the gun from his pants, and threw it behind him. The sound of the gun sliding across the wood floor echoed throughout the house.

"Stand up, nigga," he said waving his gun in the air.

Jewel fixed his eyes on him. He knew this was it. He slowly stood up gripping his shoulder. If he was going to die, he was going to die as a man.

"I love you, Jewel. You're my brother. You were there when I had nothing." Jewel kept silent, never breaking eye contact. "I've worked so hard for what I have. This shit wasn't given to me, nigga. I didn't have a choice on if I wanted to be in this life. I was chosen."

Brandon walked around Pop's body spinning his gun, but he stopped when he got to Jewel and stared at him as if it was the last time. Lost in his fantasy, he slowly raised the gun and aimed it Jewel's head.

"This wasn't a choice, Jewel. This isn't a choice. You chose to do all this shit. I can't let you take what's mine though."

He looked into Brandon's eyes and said, "Then take it back."

BOOM!

Brandon's body hit the floor. Blood spilled from the back of his head. Jewel opened his eyes in disbelief. Twice tonight, he thought he was dead, and both times he was saved. He looked up and saw Golden standing in the same spot Brandon had been. They looked at each other in silence. Jewel hurried and grabbed Pop to make sure he was still breathing. His pulse grew fainter and fainter. Golden helped him carry his seemingly lifeless body to Jewel's car. His life left his body with every drop of blood that dripped.

The night lights flashed past Jewel as he sped down the street running every red light and stop sign. All that mattered to him was saving Pop's life.

"How did you know?" he asked keeping his eyes on the road.

"Pop called me earlier today. He went on and on about how he felt you were in danger, but he had a grip on everything. He said that he didn't want my help, just my advice. I didn't think it would come to this, Jewel," Golden said examining the gun he used to end Brandon's life, "But something told me that things weren't right. I went down to the club to find you, and I saw the paramedics taking out a body. I honestly thought it was you at first, but a police officer let me know it was a female."

"It was Reagan." In less than twenty-four hours, two people lost their lives, and Jewel didn't know who to blame.

"I tried to call you, but after you didn't answer, I decided to try your house. That was my last option. When I pulled up, I saw the garage was still open, so I walked in. I heard Brandon talking, but I couldn't see him, and I knew if he saw me, he would've shot first. I found your gun laying in the hallway."

Jewel pulled into Kaiser Permanente's Emergency parking lot. Golden got out of the car and helped him lay Pop down on the curb. After one final prayer, Jewel hopped back into the car and drove off. He watched from his rearview as men and women dressed in all white rushed outside. Pop's blood covered body was put onto a gurney and wheeled inside. Jewel wanted to stay by his side, but he knew there were too many questions that he didn't have the answers to. As he drove away, the night air suffocated him. He tried to breathe, but the chaos wouldn't let him. He entered a freeway entrance but didn't have a clear destination. After moments of nothingness, he finally spoke, "I'm done."

Golden didn't say anything. He just nodded.

"I can't do this anymore. I'm 26, and I feel like I'm old as fuck. I should be enjoying life, not fearing for my own every fucking day. This shit is not worth it to me anymore. I have Diamond and Jailen to look out for now. It's not just me," Jewel said looking down, "I'm out." Jewel drove Downtown in circles. The usually quiet streets made him nervous.

Golden had seen a lot in the game, so he understood how it could mentally swallow a man up. "Drop me off at the office, J. I have some calls to make," he said putting the gun in his pants, "You know whatever you need, I got you, right? You couldn't be any closer to me that my own sons."

"I appreciate that, but I have to make it on my own."

"I understand."

"But there is one thing though," Jewel said as Golden got out of the car.

"I'm already on it."

Jewel needed Brandon's body cleaned up and out of his house. With Reagan and Brandon dead, and Pop in the hospital, he couldn't take the chance on being connected. He watched as Golden took the back way into the office. The street lights brightly lit the back of the building, and he waited as he disappeared into the light. Once he was inside, Jewel drove off with a sense of aloneness. Reagan was gone. Brandon was gone. Life as he knew it was changed forever. He tried to push these thoughts to the back of his mind. He had to worry about his own family. Once Pop was back on his feet, he would send for him, but in the meantime, he had to get his family out of Sacramento. After deciding not to go back home, Jewel dialed Diamond's number to tell her to go to the airport. They needed to start over. His soul craved something new and not tainted with death and deception. Without hesitation, she answered on the first ring.

"Diamond, it's over, babe," Jewel said trying to regain some sense of reality. Suddenly, he heard screaming in the background. "Diamond? Diamond?" he yelled into the phone. No one answered, but the screaming continued.

"Now, Jewel, I know you didn't think it was gonna end like that, did you?"

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