

### DEADLY

### ENCOUNTERS

### A Novel by

### SHAVONTAY LYNN

~~~

Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales are entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2015 by ShaVontay Lynn Cox

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN 978-0-9862018-0-6 Paperback

ISBN 978-0-9862018-1-3 EBook

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014922289

S. Lynn Publishing, LLC

P.O. BOX 62802

Phoenix, AZ 85082

www.slynnpublishing.com

I dedicate this book to my lost loved ones,

my cousins Dominique and Terrill

and my friends, Thai, George, Chantel, Cherrel,

Kent, Hughlen, and Jacoby.

Your memories will remain stored in my heart.

# Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Epilogue

Preview: Ratchiva'z

#  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This has been one very long but amazing and inspiring journey. To be writing this page alone gives me an adrenaline rush. So many times I have doubted myself and my talent, so many times I procrastinated and allowed fear to keep me from reaching my goals. First and foremost this wouldn't be possible without GOD giving me the strength to overcome all road blocks. To my mom and dad (Elaine and Mann) thank you for bringing me into this world and raising me to be the woman that I am today. Thank you momma for providing for me even in the toughest times no matter what, even if I didn't have what I wanted I ALWAYS had what I needed. You are by far the strongest woman I know and your battle isn't over yet. Keep fighting! Thank you to ALL of my friends and family who have given me continuous support through the years and for waiting ( _Very_ _impatiently_ ) for this moment and having faith in me. To my sisters Kikee thank you for _absolutely_ EVERYTHING you have done for me you are an amazing sister and I would not trade you for anything in this world., Rese, Tammy, and Kijana thank you for pushing and pushing and pushing me (Kikee and Rese mostlyJ) Sometimes that push was all I needed to get me going again. To my bro Anthony (Spook) thank you for being a brother to me and always being there for me and the girls. To my Aunties Ronda, Tonya, Suga bo, and Sonya who would always say, "Girl if you don't finish that book." you have been one of my biggest supporters from the beginning when I was filling up notebooks and writing on scratch paper. To my cousins, my R.O.D.S, my squad, Skeat, Toya, Quel, Mookie, AJ and Nee Nee, Stooch, Doe, Pumpkin, Meechie, Angie, Mieco, Gee Kidd, Marquis, Diamond, Shanaye, LaLa, Porsh and Gee, man way too many to name but I love ya'll to the MAX! Missy I know you thought I forgot about you (LOL) you up next you got too many crazy stories share them with the world! I love you babe. To my Teala even through the ups and downs we have had you always remained solid, you kept supporting me and never stopped believing that I could get the job done. I love you cousin and thank you for that tough love cause we all need it sometimes. To my best friends, April, Ashley (Beans), and Donye, each of you know me in a different way and almost better than I know myself you have helped shape me into the woman that I am today helping me overcome obstacles and hardships and realizing my worth and what I deserve. Thank you for loving and supporting me and just being there through whatever. To my babies Sariyah and Zamari-Dominique mommy loves you and I do this in hopes that I will inspire you to one day follow your dreams too. To all my other supporters and friends, just to name a few: Shanice, Tiana, Danielle, Angela, Marcus, Sche-Karace, Naomi, Angelica, Selina, Latavia, Danny Gwen, Arlana, Shevada, and so many more that I have not named, you have not been forgotten. To Ashley Gibbs... you are a life saver! Thank you for being awesome and working with me and allowing me to be a part of your dream while making mines a reality and last but certainly not least, my love Turhon, I love you with everything in me. Thank you for all those days and nights that you would force me to stay up telling me I need to finish well I'm _finally_ finish. This is what you all have been waiting for so thank you, again because ALL of you keep me going so sit back and enjoy!

#  Prologue

Jocelyn looked in her rearview mirror again at the beige cutlass that had followed her from Semaj's stash house. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed her husband but he didn't answer.

"Baby where are you?" She said to herself. She was about 15 minutes from her house so she dialed her daughter Amber. The car suddenly smashed into the back of her Range, causing her to jump the curb and run into a tree.

Thank god she had worn her seatbelt, something she rarely did, but with what she had on her, she didn't need any reason to get pulled over. By the time she thought to reach for her pistol, guns were jammed in her face.

"Don't even think about reaching for that fucking gun." One of the shooters said.

"You two mutha fuckas must don't know who I am." Jocelyn said. She was unfazed by the guns that were pointed in her face. She would make sure that they were personally dealt with by her king Semaj.

"We don't give a fuck who you are, just give us the money and we won't blow your fucking brains out," said one of the shooters.

"Fuck ya'll pussy ass niggas. You want to rob a woman but you don't have the balls to get at a real boss nigga." She had over a hundred thousand dollars in cash and 2 kilos that she was picking up for her husband Semaj. Jocelyn was all about her husband and her daughter Amber. She would ride for them even if it cost her life so she wasn't going out like that.

"I don't want to shoot you but I will so pop the fuckin trunk!" The second shooter told her. Jocelyn could identify him with her eyes closed, but he would still pay the consequences.

Her cell phone rang and it was Semaj. She would never have time to answer it. She took a deep breath and mumbled, "I love you baby," then yelled "Fuck you!" as she grabbed her gun that she kept under her steering wheel for easy access.

As soon as they saw her reaching for her gun they began emptying their clips. Jocelyn was a strong woman, because by the time their clips were empty she had mustered up enough strength to get off two shots, hitting one of the shooters before she took her last breath.

They grabbed the bags from the car, hopped in their g-ride and smashed off.

"Fuck!" The shot gunman yelled punching the dashboard.

"Chill man, we didn't have a choice. The bitch should have gave us the money." the other one said. His adrenaline was pumping. He was thinking about what he would do with his half of the money.

"Damn man I didn't want to kill her. I knew this shit was a bad idea."

"Nobody is going to have a clue it was us. Besides she recognized you so we had to kill her."

"Yea whatever." He reached in the glove compartment and pulled out a blunt to smoke and ease the pain that he was feeling from his wound, silently praying that no one would find out what they had done.

***

By the time Semaj got to the scene it was roped off. He was enraged. He felt as though his heart was beating outside of his chest. Jocelyn's brother, HT hopped out of the passenger side of the truck. He knew his sister was dead. He knew what yellow tape meant.

"Somebody better tell me where my fucking wife is!" Semaj ranted.

"Don't you think the scene of a murder is the last place you want to show up?" Detective Carson teased.

Semaj spit in his face and then punched him. The uniformed cops backed off as if Semaj was the chief in command. He walked over to where his wife's body lay still on the grass, her body covered with a white sheet. She had been hit more than five times.

"No Jossie! I'm so sorry baby. I'm so sorry I missed your call." Semaj kissed his wife's lips for the very last time, he held her as HT kneeled down and kissed his sister on the forehead. They both stood stone faced, with eyes colder than Alaska and walked back over to Semaj's truck. No one said a word to them.

When they pulled into Semaj's driveway, HT sat in the truck. Not a tear left his eye, he didn't blink, didn't speak, and didn't move. Semaj understood. When Semaj entered the house, Amber was coming down the stairs with her friend Jackie.

"Daddy have you talked to my mom? I missed her call and when I call back I don't get an answer," She stopped when she saw him covered in blood. She started to shake her head before he could get the words out.

"I'm sorry baby girl. I couldn't make it in time, she's.... Your mom is gone."

"My mom is what?"

Semaj grabbed his daughter and hugged her tight, knowing that was the only piece of his wife that he had left.

Jackie sat on the bottom of the stairs and cried. Jocelyn was like a mother to her. She had been there for her when her real mother wasn't. She couldn't believe that she was gone.

HT could hear Amber screaming from outside. He was now outside the truck pacing back and forth. He was both hurt and angry. He could no longer hold back. He repeatedly punched Semaj's truck door until his hands bled....

#  Chapter 1

"You are such a whore." Amber laughed at Jackie as she playfully spun on the pole that they had just installed in the bedroom of her new apartment.

"I'm not a whore, I just love money and I love dick. And if I can get some cash too then that's a plus."

"I don't want to see anything happen to you Jack. You're my best friend. I'm tired of hearing the shit that these lame ass niggas are saying about you."

She waved her off, "I'm not worried about these niggas, half of them money is longer than their dicks and the money ain't that long trust me. There is only one dick that God created that makes me go absolutely insane and that's Ken."

"Are ya'll still fucking?"

Ken was Amber's male best friend. She hooked them up once upon a time, thinking that maybe Ken could get Jackie on the right track and out the streets, but boy was she wrong.

"What do you think? He can't face the fact that he's head over heels for me. He just puts on a front."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt." Amber told her. She hated to see her going down the road she was on. She knew it would only lead to self-destruction.

Jackie was the closest thing that Amber had to a best friend besides Ken and her college friend Carmen. Jackie was the girl that would fuck your man better than you. Whatever man she wanted, she got. She was known for being scandalous. Amber and Jackie had been friends since grade school. Jackie practically lived at their house. Her mom was never home and when she was she was closed in her room with whatever nigga that she was fucking for the season, now Jackie was that very same way. Jackie was into the fast life. She fucked with niggas that lived the fast life, drove fast cars, and made fast money. When she met her drug dealing boyfriend Mayne, that was her ticket that she needed to get away from her mom, she moved in with him and they have been inseparable, until now. Jackie got her own place because Mayne started catching feelings for her and anytime that happened, she ran. Jackie just didn't catch feelings. She got what she needed and kept it pushing she didn't want to be tied down by anyone.

"Enough about me, when are you going to get your own place, or at least move into your old house. I mean your dad left it for you, yet you continue to live with that old hag." Jackie said. She plopped on the bed beside her friend.

"Watch it," Amber told her. "I don't want to leave my grandma and besides, I can't face that house right now. There are too many memories that remind me of my mom."

"Well when will you be able to face it? Your grandma wants you out she just hasn't said it. You have to live your life Amber, that's what Jossie would have wanted. I'm sure she's looking down on you and seeing how hurt you are. You have got to let her rest."

Jackie always kept it real no matter what. She told Amber what she needed to hear. And that's why their bond was so strong. Amber just couldn't bring herself to live without her mom. She missed her so much. And she had yet to let her go.

"Alright, enough sad talk. Do you have your residency tonight? Let your best friend take you out." Jackie said sitting up.

"No. but I'm not going out, I promised myself these last few months I wouldn't do any partying. My board exam is coming up and I need to be focused. Why don't you call Carmen?"

"Damn take a break. Have some fun. And Carmen is your friend, you know I don't like her uppity ass."

"Carmen is not uppity and the last time you told me to take a break and have fun, I failed my chemistry final."

"Yeah, but at least that fine ass professor of yours let you take the test over."

"After your ass seduced him!"

Jackie laughed, "Those were the days. I would literally have your ass out all night and I still made sure you got to class on time. You should be thanking me."

Amber shook her head as she reminisced.

"Come on best hang out for a while," Jackie begged.

"I guess I can hang out for a few hours, I'm going home to take a nap. Call Carmen and I don't want to hear the bullshit." Amber slammed the door not giving her a chance to respond.

They attended a new spot called Club Lavish. It was in downtown LA. They pulled up to the curb and valet parked Jackie's Benz. That was her baby and there was no way that she would park in the parking lot. Amber or Carmen didn't blame her. She had gained enough enemies to where if anyone spotted that rag top beauty they would strip it down to the bone. The line was wrapped around the building, but they strutted to the front of the line. Jackie whispered something to the bouncer, and just like that, her and her girls were in, and of course the bystanders that had been waiting hours to get in were hating.

"This place is hot!" Carmen yelled over Problem thumping through the speakers. Amber had to call her and practically beg her to come out, because of course Jackie didn't.

Amber met Carmen while in premed at Charles Drew University. Carmen was in nursing school. Amber had studied for her undergraduate and premed degree at the same time. As soon as she introduced Carmen to Jackie they clashed, it was like throwing water into a grease fire. Amber always thought it was because Jackie was guarding their friendship

Amber rocked the shit out of a black Nicole Milles strapless dress that accented every curve of her voluptuous body with some come fuck me heels, but of course she wasn't going to be fucking anything why? Because she was still a virgin. Yes, her cherry had been well intact. She was saving her goodies for a certain someone. Jackie rocked a backless Prada dress, shoes and clutch, while Carmen kept it simple she wore a halter top, shorts, and Jimmy Choo's. They were escorted to a VIP booth, where there were bottles already waiting. All eyes were definitely on these three ladies as they strutted through the club. The men were lusting and the women were shooting daggers.

"I am definitely not drinking." Amber pushed the bottle of Cîroc away that Jackie was handing her. Across the room, she spotted Bear eyeing her. He had tried numerous times to get at her, even after she ratted him out to his baby momma Reesha of six years and three kids. Bear was a small time weed man that acted like he was pushing big weight. He sold weed out of Reesha's project. Nobody that knew him like that bought his bullshit bags. She rolled her eyes and sat on the plush leather sofa that decorated the VIP area.

"Drew better step it up, I might find me a new baby daddy tonight." Carmen said as she downed her second shot.

Jackie rolled her eyes, "Come on best, let's dance!" She pulled Amber to her feet.

"I'm going to chill, you and Carmen go ahead."

"I didn't bring you out to sit your ass down and look cute."

"In a minute, I promise," she shooed them away.

"Whatever bitch," Jackie reluctantly grabbed Carmen's hand and dragged her to the dance floor.

Amber was in her zone and sipping on her drink, that she had finally decided to order when she saw the most incredible figure coming her way, Jaylene Tristan Anderson. He was the perfect 6'1, combination of Cuban and African American. He had the perfect hair, the perfect mocha skin, and the perfect body. His pouty lips made any woman want to melt. He slid in the booth next to her hypnotizing her with his Gucci Guilty cologne.

"What's up ma?"

"What's up?" To Amber, the booth seemed to suddenly heat up.

"Why are you sitting over here all alone? You're too beautiful for that."

"Carmen and Jackie went to dance, I wasn't feeling it."

"Well make sure when you are feeling it, that first dance is with me."

They were laughing and flirting when Amber looked up and saw Carmen and Jackie staring them down.

"What's up Jaylene?" Carmen asked. She was stumbling all over the place.

"What's up? D' let you out tonight?"

"Phisssh, your brother does not own me." She flopped down next to Amber downing a bottle of water.

"Yeah whatever. What's up Jackie?" Jaylene said.

"Nothing much."

"Look I have to go take care of some business, whatever ya'll want for tonight is on me. Don't get too wasted." he said before he whispered, "I'll see you later" in Amber's ear. The liquor was definitely starting to hit her.

"What happen to I'm not drinking?" Jackie interrogated.

All she could do is giggle like a school girl.

"This bitch is drunk. Let me find out this nigga got your pussy in a fit." Jackie teased.

Amber laughed flipping her the finger. They took more shots and Amber headed back to the dance floor with them. She didn't spot Jaylene, so she danced with her girls. The DJ started playing Tyrese, Sweet Lady, when she felt someone wrap their hands around her waist, she immediately knew who it was. They danced as if they were the only two on the dance floor, they were in tune with each other.

Jaylene was whispering the words to the song in her ear, causing her to go absolutely crazy.

"Jaylene, I have a man," she said.

"He can't love you like I can. You need a man that's not wild and out there."

"And you're not?"

"Come on ma, you know what I mean."

"What took you so long to get at me?"

"I'm a busy man. My money comes first."

"Well if your money comes first, then where do I fit into your little picture?"

"Yo JT! We need to handle this." Jaylene's boy Tone came and interrupted them. Amber felt like Cinderella at the ball and the clock had just struck midnight.

"I'll be back." he told her before he disappeared through the crowd with Tone.

Although Amber was a virgin she had a boyfriend. In fact, her boyfriend was Jaylene's brother's best friend. Amber started dating Prime after her mom died. She ran into him at the cemetery while she was having one of her melt downs visiting Jocelyn's grave. He was such a charmer. She loved his dimples and curly lashes. A lot of people mistook him for a weak person, but they soon found out that he was far from that. He was reckless and hot headed. Amber loved Prime, but she was not in love with him.

By the time the bar had made the last call for alcohol, Amber, Jackie, and Carmen were beyond wasted.

"Who's driving ya'll home?" Bear came over and asked.

"Not you!" Amber said mushing him with her index finger.

He grabbed her wrist. "Let me take you home and I can get my boy to drop them off."

"Nigga ain't nobody dropping me off!" Jackie said. "Bear why you always trying to get at my girl, you know we cool with Reesha."

"Me and Reesha been done. I just take care of my kids."

"You taking care of more than just your kids. We outta here, Jack lets go." Amber said dragging her away.

Carmen could barely stand up, Amber found Jaylene and had him carry Carmen to the front where they waited for the valet to bring Jackie's car. Jaylene helped Carmen into the backseat and called Drew to come and pick her up. Amber climbed into the front and rolled the window down to get some air.

"You know your man will be pulling up with Drew any minute now. Let me take you home." Jaylene said.

"I'm good I'll catch you some other time." Amber told him.

Jackie was sitting in the driver seat burning a hole in Amber's head. She was trying to figure out why the one time Amber had a chance to go with Jaylene she didn't. She would have jumped before he even got the chance to ask. Her girl was tripping.

"Alright. I'll see you later, ya'll be safe." Jaylene said before heading back into the club.

"It has got to be the liquor that got you making these fucked up decisions." Jackie said as soon as Jaylene was out of sight.

"I can't go with him, I'm not in my right state of mind. I need to be sober."

"Fuck that you should have-" she stopped mid-sentence when Drew snatched the back door open, shaking his head at Carmen's drunkenness.

"Hey you." Prime came and opened the passenger door pulling Amber into his arms.

His combination of weed and liquor caused her head to spin. He grabbed her ass and pulled her in to get a kiss.

"Okay love birds. Are you going with your man or what?" Jackie asked.

Amber grabbed her purse from the seat and told her best friend to have a safe trip home. She walked with Prime to his car.

"So what's up you miss me?"

"Of course I do."

"Spend the night with me."

The liquor had her body on fire and with the kisses that Prime was giving her added fuel to the already blazing fire that Jaylene had ignited.

"Not tonight babe just take me home."

Prime put the car in gear and pulled off.

"What's the deal with the attitude?" Amber asked.

"You tell me what's up, because we been together for a minute and you still holding on to your virginity."

"When the time is right."

"Jesus will be back before the time is right for you." He mumbled.

The rest of the ride to Amber's house was silent. Bitches were always trying to get at Prime and as far as she could tell Prime wasn't cheating, but she never put anything past a nigga and her mom had taught her that. Amber was not ready to give her virginity to Prime. She was so consumed in her career she hardly ever thought about sex. Besides, her best friend was having enough sex for the both of them.

#  Chapter 2

Amber could hear her grandma moving around the house getting ready for church. She was balled up under the covers with a major headache. Any sudden movements and she would be hugging the toilet.

"I assume that you won't be going to church since you stumbled in here at 3am." Betty had found her way to her granddaughter's door. She stood in the doorway, waiting for Amber to answer but she pretended to be sleep. She didn't feel like hearing the routine Jackie is the devil speech. "I know you're not sleep, but that's okay. I'll pray for you anyway. You have some mail from your dad on the table, you should take a trip to see him." She stood there for a minute before she grabbed her bible and headed out the door.

Betty only wanted the best for her granddaughter. She tried to warn her daughter Jocelyn about being the wife of a drug dealer, but she never could force her stubborn daughter to listen. And now she saw her granddaughter headed down that same path. Amber waited until she heard her grandmother pull out of the driveway before she got out of bed. When she stood up her head started to spin something terrible. She went into her bathroom threw up the alcohol that invaded her stomach, took two Tylenols then hopped in the shower. She threw on a pair of Hudson jeans and a tank top and headed over to Jackie's, but not before taking the letter from her dad and throwing it in the shoe box that she kept tucked in the back of her closet, she didn't even bother to read it, just like the last few.

When Amber got to Jackie's she was lounging in a pair of boy shorts and a sports bra, rummaging through boxes that were waiting to be unpacked.

"You were always such a procrastinator." Amber told her looking around at all the half full boxes scattered about. Her brand new Italian leather furniture was still wrapped in plastic.

"And that's why I have you, to help me not procrastinate. You can start in the kitchen, that's all new stuff." She pointed to the Calphalon and Al-Clad cookware sets that rested on the counter.

"I'm charging your ass too. Here I am with a hangover and you got me over here unpacking pots and pans that your ass is never going to cook in."

"Please, you love me. Now get to work." Jackie snapped her hands.

By the time they were done unpacking Jackie's apartment, it was midday and Amber was exhausted all over again. She grabbed her overnight bag from the trunk of her cocaine white 2014 BMW x6. After she took another shower, she waited for Jackie to get dressed and they headed over to Queensdale, the neighborhood block. Queensdale was everybody's hangout and it was always booming with life. On any given day you could pull and up and it was guaranteed to be live. Amber parked and they walked down the street where Ken was engaged in a heated dice game.

"Fuck this dice game blood." Tone said snatching up the dice and throwing them far out of sight.

Everybody snatched up their bills as they laughed at him.

Ken stuffed his fat stack of bills in his pocket before giving Amber a hug. Ken had been in the game for a long time. He had always been hungry for money, and his mom had a hard time keeping her son out the streets. He started standing on the block at the age of twelve. There were very few on the streets that he trusted. Amber was like a little sister to him. When he dated Jackie, he was all in and she was all out. He couldn't help the fact that he had a soft spot for her. When they were dating she got pregnant and aborted their baby and that made him furious. From that moment on, he treated her like shit unless they were fucking.

"Let me hold something." Jackie said teasing him.

"Bitch please." They never got along in the presence of others. Something about Jackie always sparked anger in him. He hated the fact that he couldn't lock her down and that he couldn't shake his feelings of her.

"You sure do know how to act in front of company."

"My bad for not knowing how to treat a hoe."

"Fuck you Ken!"

"You already did, plenty of times." He laughed.

"I don't have time for this funny acting nigga. I'll be back I'm going to Mayne's house." Jackie said walking up the street.

Amber shook her head. She knew Jackie wasn't coming back. She was going to get a quick fuck and keep it pushing. She knew Jackie too well and Jackie knew how Ken would flip out but they liked to push each other's buttons. Not long after Jackie left, Prime and Drew pulled up.

"Hey sexy." He said as he gobbled the remainder of the chips he had in his hand so he could give Amber a hug.

"Watch those cheesy fingers." She said jumping back from his hug.

"I'm not going to get Cheetos on you. Come give me a hug."

"Where have you been all day?" Amber asked him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You know I only have one day out of the week that we can really chill together."

"Getting money. That's all I do baby. Let's go chill I been up two days straight, I'm ready to lay under my woman."

"Yo Drew I'm out. I'm rolling with Amber."

"Fa show." Drew said. He was on his knees with a rack in his hand ready to start another dice game.

Prime got in on the passenger side and let his chair all the way back. He knew he was lucky to have her. All he needed was her virginity to seal the deal.

"Are you staying over tonight?" he asked. "I don't know why you just won't pack your shit and move in with me. At least we could see each other a little more."

"I'm not moving in with you Prime. Your ass is always out of town anyway."

"That's why I want you there. I need something to come home to. It would be nice if I could make love to my girl. I think it's cute that you saving yourself and all, but I'm going to marry you so you don't have to hold out anymore. I'm beginning to think you scared of the dick." Prime teased.

"Please, I'm not scared. I'm just waiting for the right time." The truth was, she was saving it for somebody else.

"Well I hope it's soon, because you be straight teasing a nigga."

"You be teasing yourself."

"You walk around in tight ass jeans and little ass shorts and I'm teasing myself?"

"You should see me in my scrubs."

"Baby you can have rags on and that shit will still turn me on."

Amber shook her head, "You are truly crazy."

"I'm crazy about you boo."

"Oh you got cap. Is that what you're out here telling your little groupies?"

"I don't fuck with these hoes, you are all I need."

Prime really loved Amber, and he thought she loved him just as much. Even though from time to time he would fuck around on her, he knew she was worth all the waiting. And tonight he had planned to put a stop to that.

As soon as they hit the door, Amber went and took a shower, ever since she started her residency she had become so germ phobic that she found herself taking at least three showers a day. When she came out of the bathroom, Prime had candles lit all around his bedroom.

"I knew your ass was up to something." Amber told him.

"I'm not up to anything, I just want to cater to my woman." Prime said. He kissed her and sucked on her bottom lip. She loved when he did that. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist while he carried her to the bed.

She moaned as he kissed all over her body.

"Baby let me give you what you need." Prime said as he made his way down.

"Baby...not tonight...mmmhmm....please don't-." Before she could stop him, he was already sucking on her clit. Her pussy was throbbing and she could no longer hold back, she wrapped her legs around his neck.

Prime was working his tongue and Amber was on the verge of coming.

"Oh shit baby, don't stop. Fuck!" Her body started shaking uncontrollably, tears were streaming down her face. She came so hard and he swallowed every bit of her juices and then came up to give her a kiss.

"See what you're missing. There's no way I could be giving this to somebody else. They would be knocking my door down." He had his rock hard dick right at her opening.

"Baby just make love to me before I change my mind." She pleaded.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Before we go there let me just tell you that once I get in don't be begging me to stop." He smiled. Just as he was slipping the condom on, his cell rang. "What up D?" it was Drew. Prime got up and took his call in the other room. His erect dick bounced around as he walked making Amber want it even more.

While he was on the phone Amber contemplated if this was what she wanted. Of all the days they spent together they never got one interruption. She wondered why seconds before she was ready to finally give in something interrupted. She got out of the bed, legs still weak and turned on the shower. A few minutes later, Prime came and joined her.

"I'm sorry baby, some shit went down, and I have to go."

"Don't worry about it. I need some rest anyway. I'll be here when you come back."

"You know I love you Amber. Don't be mad I can't leave my man hanging."

"I'm not mad. Go handle your business. When the time is right, it will happen." She kissed him and got out of the shower. Prime got out of the shower, put his clothes on, then went to the closet and retrieved his nine, loaded it and headed out the door.

#  Chapter 3

"Amber call on line three." Robin said over the intercom. Amber was in Robin's office studying for her board exam. Robin was her senior physician educator.

"Hello." It was Jackie. She was just about the only person that called Amber at the hospital.

"What's up Best?" Jackie said.

"I'm studying what's up?"

"Damn I'll be happier than you when this shit is over, when can I have my best friend back?"

"I haven't went anywhere Jackie, I'm just busy."

"That's my point. What time are you off so I can pick you up? I want to go shopping and plus I want to get you a congratulations gift."

"I still have to pass my exam."

"Bitch please as much as you study, you know you're going to pass. You pass everything with flying fucking colors. Since you haven't passed your test yet, I guess you don't want that new Céline purse that you've been crying about. She teased.

Amber had been working so much she hadn't had any time to shop or do anything else. Her daily wardrobe had consisted of scrubs. Half of her closet was filled with stuff that still had tags on it.

"I didn't say that. I'll be ready at two."

"That's exactly what I thought. Be out front" Jackie said and hung up.

"Hey are you still on the phone?" Robin had peeked her head in.

"No, I'm done."

"You have been doing such a great job, I can tell that you genuinely love what you do, why don't you take the rest of the day off. I'm sure you have logged more than enough hours this week."

"Thanks so much Robin."

"You're welcome. And whenever you need to get away, my office is always here."

Amber was so happy to get a break. She packed up her stuff and called Jackie to come and pick her up early, she had decided to leave her car at the hospital and come back for it later.

When Jackie got to the hospital, her so called friend Daysha was in the car with her. Amber couldn't stand Daysha and she immediately gave her a stank look.

"Hi to you too Amber," Daysha said as she climbed in the back seat.

"Why you got this bitch with you?" Amber said. She wasn't going to pretend to be her friend when Daysha knew she didn't like her. Amber didn't understand why Jackie still fucked with her after finding out that she had fucked Ken right after they broke up.

"She's getting dropped off, chill," Jackie told Amber. "What happened to two-o-clock?"

"I finished early, but I'm not about to discuss my business in front of this hoe." Amber stated matter of fact.

"What's your problem with me? Cause I'm not going to be too many more of your bitches and hoes." Daysha said.

"My problem with you is that you're a fake ass bitch because you fucked my brother Ken, but you're always in Jackie's face. And you'll be how ever many bitches and hoes I want you to be. Matter of fact Jack pull over and let this bitch out before I be fucking her up in your car."

Jackie pulled the car over, there was no way she was about to drive while they were fighting. She couldn't help but laugh because she knew Daysha was not going to fight Amber.

"Jackie just let me out, I'll walk to the PJ's don't even trip."

"Bitch you was already about to walk." Amber continued to talk shit to her. Jackie wouldn't dare defend the next bitch over Amber. And besides what Amber was saying was true. Jackie wasn't worried that Daysha had fucked Ken, especially since she still was. They let Daysha out on 120th and Wilmington and kept it pushing.

"Your ass is crazy. Why you do her like that? We squashed that shit."

"Fuck that ya'll squashed it, I didn't. Fuck that hoe. Let's go shopping."

Jackie pulled off, and they headed to the mall. Amber had decided to let Jackie throw her a small celebration. When they got to the mall, they shopped like crazy. Jackie bought her the Céline purse that she had wanted, along with the matching wallet, and Amber picked out three different dresses for her party, one of which had to be ordered. After shopping for shoes, they stopped at the food court.

"Either I'm missing something, or your pussy is a gold mine. Your ass is always stacked with cash." Amber teased.

"Niggas pay for what they love. But on a serious note I'm so proud of you Amber. A part of me is jealous because I wish I would have went to school for interior design like I had planned." Jackie confessed.

"You still can. It's not too late. As much as you shop and party, I'm sure you can afford to go to school." Amber told her.

"I have to do something soon, because I'm pregnant." Jackie confessed.

"You're pregnant? By who?"

"Come on you know the only person I sleep with unprotected is Ken. I feel like he did this shit on purpose."

"Have you told him?"

"Yea right, so he can play me to the left. You know how he tries to put on a front like we're not still fucking. I swear to you, your best friend is crazy."

"Which one?" Amber laughed.

"Very funny bitch, you know he's psycho."

"Wait so I know you're not still drinking and smoking."

"I've been smoking, only because it helps the nausea. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. I can't be somebody's momma."

"Yes you can, I'll help you. Just don't get an abortion okay?"

Jackie didn't respond.

"At least promise me that you will talk to Ken first okay?"

"Fine. Let's finish shopping." Jackie said wanting to change the subject.

"So what is Mayne going to say about you being pregnant?"

"You know Mayne and I are more like friends."

They finished their last bit of shopping and then Jackie took Amber back to the hospital to pick up her car, Prime was coming over later. She only hoped that Ken didn't dis Jackie because that would definitely ruin her friendship with him. Yes Jackie did fuck around, but she had kept her shit in check. She always used condoms, never had an STD, an odor, nothing. So if she said that Ken was the father, she believed her.

When Amber was pulling into her driveway, Prime was coming up the street, and her grandma was on her way out. Amber and her grandma rarely saw each other. Her grandma was either at church or volunteering at the clinic she use to work at. After Jocelyn was killed she retired and after a while started volunteering. Whenever they did see each other, they were bumping heads about the company that Amber kept, including Prime.

"Hey baby." Amber said as she kissed Prime and handed him her bags."

"Damn what did you do buy the mall?"

"No. I'm waiting for you to buy it for me." She teased.

"Yea I bet."

"I'm so tired." Amber plopped down on her bed and began taking her shoes off.

"Let me get that for you baby." Prime grabbed her leg and began massaging her foot.

"Oooh that feels sooo goooood." She moaned.

"Oh you real funny." He stopped rubbing her feet and pinned her down to the bed, kissing her neck.

"Come on Prime, stop playing." Amber really wasn't in the mood she just wanted a nice massage so that she could lay down and rest.

"Who's playing, let me give you what you need. Why are you holding out on me?" he was still kissing her neck.

"Not tonight ok? I'm tired."

"You know what? Fuck it! We been together three years what's up Amber?"

"I'm not ready Prime."

"How long do I have to wait? Cause no man in their right fucking mind would even wait as long as I've waited to get some pussy."

"Well you can leave at any time. I'm not going to deal with this shit tonight, I'm tired. You can let yourself out."

"Call me when you're ready to stop acting like a bitch." Prime grabbed his keys and left.

She knew that he was frustrated. Something inside of her wouldn't allow her to love him like she wanted.

Over the course of the next ten months, Amber took her board exam. Her and Prime drifted farther apart. He started being out of town with Drew more and more and eventually the days that they use to spend together were no more. If she wasn't at the hospital she was at Jackie's helping her prepare for baby KJ. Ken had promised to be there for the birth of the baby, but only because Amber had asked him and of course threatened their friendship and he made it very clear that he wasn't signing the birth certificate and that was okay with Jackie because she knew he would be kissing her ass once the DNA came back. There wasn't a baby shower because Jackie didn't have many close friends and she just didn't want to have to deal with any drama while she was pregnant with her son.

Ken Jr was born 6lbs 8 ounces. Once Ken saw the baby, he didn't need a DNA test, he was the spitting image of his daddy. Three months after the baby was born, Jackie was back to her old ways. She kept her promise and never exposed her son to anything that she did. Whenever she was out doing her, KJ was with Ken's mom and whenever Ken saw her in the streets, he would beat her ass and drag her back home and Amber wouldn't hear from her for days. She knew Jackie would probably never change, but she took care of KJ and that was all that really mattered, to her anyway.

***

Amber was sleep over at Prime's and his phone kept going off but he wouldn't answer it. Any other time he would answer his phone when he was with her, so she figured he had started fucking around and if that was the case he would never get her virginity.

"Why don't you just fucking answer your phone or turn the shit off."

"What's up?" He answered. "I'm busy I'm with my girl.... Are you done?" he hung up.

"You know what? Just take me home. This shit is getting real old. We might as well be done."

"If you let me give you some dick you won't be so angry all the time."

Amber started gathering all of her stuff.

"Go give the bitch that's blowing your phone up some dick, because I'm done with you."

"You sure you want me to do that?" Prime had come up behind her and wrapped his arms tightly around her making sure she felt his hard dick. He loved when she was mad and fired up, it turned him on.

"Let go of me Prime." Her body was getting weak.

"You sure you want me to let go?" he kept his arms wrapped around her while he dipped two fingers in her wetness and then licked them. "Mhhmm. You sure you want me to let you go?"

Amber wanted to be fucked so badly. Prime kept his arm around her waist as he walked her back over to the bed and started feasting on her pussy. He had a surprise for her.

"Baby please." Amber pleaded.

"You want it?"

"Yessss. Oh God yes!" She said as she came, her pussy still throbbing.

Prime took out his rock hard dick and pressed it up against her clit until she came again, and then rubbed the tip up and down but he never touched her opening. When he felt her on the verge of coming again, he stopped and stood up.

Amber sat up on the bed. "Why'd you stop?"

"I want you to see how it feels to be left horny as fuck and sexually frustrated." He grabbed his sweats off the floor threw on a t shirt and was out the door.

"Fuck!" Amber vented. She had slipped. But she promised herself that she wouldn't let it happen again

#  Chapter 4

It was 4/20 and they were having a huge barbeque at Lueder's Park in Compton. Amber was tired as hell, because she had been up looking over the information that Robin had emailed her on the hospitals with the best trauma centers. She had taken a long hot shower and drunk a Monster and that had given her a little bit of energy. She was rocking booty shorts, a tank and some Jimmy Choo sandals and her hair was pulled back in a bun. Jackie and Carmen were chilling in the parking lot when she pulled up, she spotted Prime but she went over to her girls first.

"Damn girl you look worn the fuck out." Jackie said.

"I know right. I've been up all night."

"For what? You don't need a job, you set for life." Carmen said referring to the money Semaj and her brother Trell sent her every month.

"Why do you always say stupid shit Carmen, everybody is not going to stop their life for a nigga." Jackie said.

"Don't start!" Amber said before Carmen could come back with something. They argued every time they were in the presence of each other but today Amber didn't feel like entertaining their bullshit.

Jackie smirked and turned up her cup that had a mixture of peach Cîroc and a mango Arizona, satisfied that she had gotten the last laugh. They headed over to the crowd where the guys were hanging, Prime stopped Amber dead in her tracks before she could get there.

"Why you got them little ass shorts on?" He tongued her down.

"Because it's hot. What's wrong with you?" Amber could tell that Prime had been drinking, he grabbed her waist and walked behind her as they approached the crowd.

"I'm good now that my baby is here."

Amber could see that Jaylene was glaring at her across from where she was standing, Jackie nudged her, letting her know that she peeped it too.

"Nigga can I borrow my best friend for a minute, damn it's too hot for all that these niggas know what's up." Jackie pulled her from under Prime's hold.

"Fuck you Jackie."

"Why the fuck is this nigga all over you?" Jackie asked after they walked to a private area.

"Girl he's been having a fucked up attitude since we're not fucking and I think he's fucking around. One of his bitches is probably here," Amber said. She was still making eye contact with Jaylene. She knew with Prime acting the way he was, she would never be able to talk to him.

"Jackie did you fuck Tone?"

They all turned around seeing that it was Quisha, Tone's baby momma. She was always thinking somebody was trying to fuck him when his ass flirted with everybody and their momma. Compared to Jackie she was a stick and Amber was trying to figure out why she had walked her frail ass over to their table without any back up.

"Bitch nobody wants your man but you so I advise you to get the fuck up out my face."

When they tried to walk pass her, she grabbed Carmen by her pony tail from behind. Jackie grabbed her, and went to work on her face. Quisha didn't stand a chance. When her friends realized that she was getting her ass whooped, they called their selves coming to her rescue and that's when Amber and Carmen jumped in. Before you knew it, a rumble had started. There were bitches coming from every which way trying to get at Jackie. But she held her ground, laying them out one by one. This is how it went down every single time they came across one of Jackie's enemies.

Eventually Ken, Prime, And Drew came and started snatching bitches that were trying to run up. The police came and everybody started to scatter like roaches.

Amber hopped in her car, and right behind her was Ken and Jaylene she sped out of the parking lot behind Jackie. Amber knew she was mad, she could hear her talking shit. Amber was mad as well especially since she had broken one of her sandals.

"You good ma?" Jaylene asked caressing her neck from the back seat trying to put her at ease.

Her body tensed up at his touch. "I'm good."

They pulled up in front of Ken's place, his block was hot. Everybody from the park was pulling up one by one. Ken went in the house and grabbed his gun, anytime there was any kind of large crowd, it was best to stay strapped or get caught slipping.

"You look mad, what's on your mind?" Jaylene asked, he was still sitting in the backseat.

"I'm just tired of this shit. Jackie needs to get her fucking life together."

"Real shit though, you need to watch ya girl. I know you think that's your friend, but you gone see the real soon."

"What do you mean by that?" Amber was now turned, facing the back seat.

"All I'm going to say is watch her, and be careful with that nigga Prime, he don't have a lot of sense." Jaylene left her with that as he got out of the car and joined his boys.

Amber didn't want to get out of the car. She honked her horn at Jackie and Carmen and they came over.

"What's up Best? Get out the car. I know you're upset about your sandals, but I got you."

"It's not about the sandals Jack. You don't get tired of this shit? You have a son now you need to stop all this."

"Come on Amber not right now okay. I hear this shit enough from Ken and now you."

"Alright fine. I'm out." She pulled off leaving them standing on the curb.

When Amber got home, she took a long hot bubble bath. She wasn't in the mood for anything. She found a letter on her bed from her dad and for the first time in a long time, she decided to see what he had to say. The letter was saying how much he missed and loved her and that he wish she would come and see him. The letter also said that he would be coming home real soon, but she disregarded that statement. With fifteen years to life and only five served, there was no way that her dad would be home, anytime soon. Amber loved her dad, she was a daddy's girl at heart and he was a great provider. Semaj thought money could solve every problem. He felt there was never enough money to be made. That was his motto and he lived by it. His money, his wife, and his daughter always came first.

When Jocelyn died Semaj was arrested three days after she was laid to rest. The feds believed he was behind her murder and since they didn't have a strong enough case to indict him on the drug charges, they took what they could get. Amber knew better and so did everyone else. Semaj worshipped the ground that his wife walked on, and there was no way that anyone else would believe otherwise. Even with all the guns they found, not one was a close match to the murder weapon.

Amber was hurt that her dad had abandoned her when she needed him the most. He had prepared all the arrangements and didn't even bother to appear at his wife's funeral. She knew that he was too busy trying to find out who did it, but at the time she felt that being by his daughter's side was more important, so right now she just couldn't forgive him.

#  Chapter 5

Amber was at Jackie's place getting ready for her mini celebration at Club Lavish. They had been running around all day looking at condos. Amber had finally decided that she would get her own place. She had been bumping heads with her grandma more often than usual. And she would really enjoy her own space.

"I really think you should get the first one. That kitchen was to die for, and that island, do you know what you can do on that island?"

"Hmmm let's see, I can prepare food on it." Amber said.

"Yea well you can prepare other things too." Jackie laughed.

"Remind me not to eat at your house again."

"Please we never eat at my house anyway, unless you're the one doing the cooking." Jackie reminded her.

"How's my god son I haven't seen him in a week, let me find out you trying to keep him from me."

"Bitch please, between his daddy and his grandma I barely see him."

"I wonder why."

"As soon as I want to keep him more than a few days they start thinking I'm trying to keep him away from them."

"Why don't you try to work it out with Ken he loves you Jack. Even after all the niggas you fucked with."

"You know I find it really funny how you are head over heels for Jaylene yet you still with Prime what's up with that?"

Amber didn't respond.

"Oh now you can't say shit."

"Jaylene doesn't have time for me."

"Well I clearly remember him making time for you when we were leaving Lavish and you know I would have lied for you but you just blew him off."

"It wasn't the right time Jack and we were all drunk."

"So when will the right time be?"

Amber sighed before telling Jackie about the numerous times that she had come close to letting Prime be her first.

"So you've been holding out? I know you didn't just let him leave the pussy wet?" Jackie laughed as she passed Amber the blunt.

Amber pushed her hand away, "I told you I can't smoke anymore, one dirty test and there goes my career before it even starts."

"More for me then. So what happen to you saving yourself for marriage or whatever the hell your saving it for?" Jackie said as she hit the alarm on her car.

"Look my chica was throbbing and at the moment I didn't want to wait. Besides I don't even know if I'll ever get with Jaylene."

"Bitch please he wants you just as bad as you want him. And he must don't know that you a virgin cause I'm sure he would definitely be on it."

"Whatever hoe."

"I'm just saying, you got the best deal," Jackie puffed her blunt and backed out of her garage, "Virgin pussy, banging body, and you smart as shit with a medical degree if I was a nigga I would definitely fuck you, and if I didn't love dick so much I would fuck you too."

"Your ass is crazy. I can't deal with you right now." Amber was dying of laughter.

"On the real."

Amber checked her make up as they pulled up to the valet, "Later for Jaylene right now I'm content with Prime."

"Whatever you say. Prime is a dog."

"Let's just enjoy the night okay, Carmen is waiting for us."

When they got to their VIP booth bottles were waiting along with flowers and balloons that said Congratulations that Jackie and Carmen had purchased.

"Aww you guys are awesome." Amber teared up as she hugged her friends.

"You deserve it, and Momma Jossie would be proud." Jackie said as she popped open the bottle of Cîroc.

"What are we celebrating?" Jaylene had appeared out of nowhere.

"Amber passing her exam to become board certified." Jackie told him.

"Congrats."

"I'm waiting for my results, but Jackie is so sure that I'm going to pass that she wanted to celebrate early."

"You'll pass. Look I was on my way leaving. Enjoy your night." He hugged Amber.

"Thanks."

"Maybe me and you can hook up and celebrate." Jaylene winked at her before walking off.

Amber was fanning herself and downing her drink at the same time. Jaylene had her body covered in chills.

"See." Jackie said.

"See what?" Carmen was in her own world.

"Nothing, let's just dance." Amber sat her glass down and headed to the dance floor with her girls in tow.

Jackie, Amber and Carmen were chilling at the bar after dancing six songs straight. Some dark skinned chick at the other end of the bar kept giving Carmen fucked up looks. Usually Carmen was the one to ignore shit like that, but she was drunk and anytime alcohol was involved, Carmen was all the way live.

"Can I help you?" Carmen asked the girl.

"Here we go." Amber mumbled.

"You're Drew's friend right?" The girl asked, clearly trying to tick Carmen off.

"Excuse me?" Carmen asked

"I said, you're Drew's friend right? I always see you driving his car."

"Uh yea bitch because I'm not his friend that's my nigga."

The girl laughed, "Yea yours and everybody else's." Before the girl could bring her glass to her lips Carmen had bashed her in the head with a bottle of Champagne that was sitting on the bar.

"Bitch don't ever fucking disrespect me!" Carmen was bashing the girls head into the bar counter. Her eyes were glassy and her hair was everywhere. She looked so deranged, that people that had moved in to see the fight started backing away.

Suddenly a guy came out of nowhere and grabbed Carmen by the back of her neck.

"Get your hands off of her," Amber intervened. Suddenly she found herself being shoved backwards and she fell right into the arms of security dragging her out the back door. "Don't you fucking touch me! Put me down!" Amber kicked and screamed.

Jackie and Carmen were still inside the club fighting. One of the girls had a hand full of Jackie's weave.

"Let –my- fucking- hair go." Jackie said with each uppercut that she threw to the girls face until she finally loosened her grip for security to pry her hands away.

Once they were all outside, niggas got involved. One of the dudes held Jackie's hands behind her back while three girls jumped Carmen. Amber was coming from the back when she saw the commotion, she dialed Prime's number.

"Wassup baby."

"Meet me at Lavish, we just got into it with some bitches and got separated I think Carmen and Jackie are fighting some niggas." Amber was running towards the commotion and trying to explain the situation to Prime at the same time.

"We're on our way." Prime said and hung up.

When Amber finally caught up to the crowd, she jumped in to help Carmen. Before you knew it, Prime and Drew were pulling up on the curb. They both hopped out, guns drawn.

"Everybody back the fuck up!" Drew said.

The guy that was holding Jackie let her go and threw his hands up in surrender.

"Mother fucker." Jackie kicked him in his groin.

"Bitch ass nigga," Prime said shooting him in his leg. He walked up and stood over the guy, his pistol pointed at his face. "Tell me why I shouldn't blow your fucking brains out right now."

"Please don't kill my brother." The girl who started the fight cried.

"Bitch shut the fuck up!"

"Let's go nigga the police gone be pulling up." Drew said. He grabbed Carmen's hand, but she pulled away.

"Fuck you Drew! I'm tired of fighting over your cheating ass." Carmen said.

"Not now Carmen, get your ass in the car." He tried to reach for her again but she yanked her arm out the way and headed towards Jackie's car.

"Don't fucking touch me!"

"Yeah okay. I'll see you at home." Drew looked over at the girl who was kneeling over her brother and shook his head. He knew any chances he had of fucking with her were long gone.

"I'll call you bitches later, I'm going home with my man." Amber said as she hopped in Prime's ride.

"Are you okay?" Prime tucked his pistol back in his pants.

"So are you out here fucking around too? Tell me now, cause I don't want no surprises." Amber asked him as she climbed in the front seat and closed her door.

"You serious baby?" Prime asked. "You mad at me cause Drew fucking around?"

"Well I'm sure as hell ain't fucking you."

"That's your choice. I don't need to sleep around, my money is all I'm worried about. I'm not going to pressure you to have sex with me. I'm waiting for you. So don't get at me about fucking with a bitch."

"Whatever Prime."

"Are you coming home with me or what?" he asked.

"Why do you have a bitch to go fuck?"

"Your ass is drunk. What's up with the attitude? You trippin cause some shit my boy doing."

Amber ignored him.

"Okay, I see how you're going to act tonight.

The rest of the ride back to Prime's apartment was silent. Amber had the worst headache and every time she went out with her friends, they were fighting whether it was over Jackie fucking someone's nigga or somebody fucking Carmen's nigga. Carmen met Drew through Amber and she was warned not to fuck with him. Carmen dove head first into the relationship. Carmen's parents came from a prominent background. She had been kept from this part of the world. This part meaning the black part, the ghetto. The street life amazed Carmen and she wanted badly to be a part of it. The day she stepped foot on Compton grounds, she let go of any traditional values that her parents had instilled. She did any and everything that Drew asked her to do including taking him back time after time. He was the reason that she had dropped out of nursing school and her parents alienated her after that. She felt that Drew was all that she needed.

Amber needed to catch up on researching hospitals with the best trauma centers. She had been so busy chilling, she had been slacking on the things that mattered the most.

"Look I don't want to fight with you tonight. I'm going out of town in the morning and I hate leaving town with you mad at me cause then I can't focus." Prime told Amber after she had taken a shower. Whenever Prime and Drew went out of town it was always to do a lick. Prime wasn't a drug dealer, he robbed them. They never did any in town licks, because everybody in Compton knew them, and what they did so rather than risk getting caught or killed, they robbed out of towner's. This was one of the reason's Prime never got caught up, he did his dirt out of town he would never give a bitch the chance to throw salt in Amber's face. She was too good for that.

"Then don't fight." Amber said. She was really growing tired of her situation with Prime. She threw on a t shirt and got into bed.

Prime went to shower and got in the bed completely naked and pressed himself up against Amber.

"I'm not in the mood for this cat and mouse game tonight Prime." Amber was trying to hide the fact that she was turned on.

"You're the one who's playing cat and mouse, I'm ready to eat the cheese."

He was now kissing and licking and biting on the back of her neck, and it was feeling too good. "I know you want this, stop trying to fight it." Prime told her. "Just let me taste you." He loosened his grip, and got in position. Her juices were already coming from her pussy.

Prime started from there and licked between her thighs. Her juices were so sweet. He took his thumb and pressed up against her throbbing rosebud. She was soaking wet. He licked and sucked on her while he fingered her.

"Oh shit baby that feels good."

"Come for me baby." Prime could feel the vibrations coming and every time he felt like she was on the verge of coming, he slowed down and then picked up the pace, intensifying her orgasm.

"Fuuuck baby don't stop." Amber was tired of him teasing her, so she wrapped her legs around his neck and held his face down.

"Oh you wanna play dirty huh?" Primed plunged two fingers into her wetness and sucked long and hard on her swollen jewel until she came. He licked every drop that oozed from her opening.

"Baby you ain't right." Amber told him.

"You taste good." He smiled as he kissed her.

Amber got up to take a shower while Prime changed his bed sheets. While she was in the shower, she could hear him on the phone.

"Alright I'll see you in about an hour." Prime said and ended his conversation.

"I thought you weren't leaving until in the morning?"

"Change of plans. Drew wants to get there a little earlier."

"Why is it that every fuckin time we're together he calls and you jump and leave?"

"Come on baby you know what's up."

"Actually I don't so why don't you tell me."

"Look I don't want to argue are you gonna spend some time with me or what?"

"An hour?" Amber laughed. "You can keep your hour for the bitch you gone fuck when you go out of town."

Prime gave her a crazy look.

"What? You think I'm stupid. It's like you said, what nigga will wait three years? Sweetie I'm not new to this game. Just take me home Prime."

"You are crazy." He shook his head.

"Call it what you want."

Amber put her clothes on and started gathering all the stuff she had over at Primes. He would be crazy to try and stop her. His mind was focused on something else, so he didn't have time to argue with her. After she gathered all of her stuff, he carried it to the car for her and drove her home. He carried her stuff in the house and left her with her attitude.

#  Chapter 6

Amber was just getting into her sleep when her phone started ringing. She looked at the clock and saw that it was after 3 am.

"Hello." She answered with an attitude assuming it was Prime calling to plead his case.

"Damn girl you that mad at your man."

"Jaylene?"

"Yeah what's up? You good? I heard about what happen at the club."

"How'd you hear that?"

"The streets talk baby girl."

"How did you know that I wouldn't be with Prime."

"Because Prime is the kind of guy that doesn't realize what he has until it belongs to someone else."

"I don't belong to anyone. And besides look how long it took you to realize that I liked you before you got at me. What's up with that?"

"Oh now after all these years you can finally say that. But like I told you before, my money comes first. And you're not the type of girl that a nigga can just get at."

"So what's different now?"

"I'm ready for something different. You can have all the money in the world but what's the point if you don't have anyone to share it with?"

"So you just expect me to drop everything and leave Prime for you just because you want me now all of a sudden?"

"Come on Amber we both know that if I told you to leave that nigga you would, let's face it, I'm the better man for you, and you will soon see that. What's on your agenda for tomorrow?"

"Working."

"Take a break and chill with me for the day."

"Okay." Amber said.

"Alright, I'll call you later. I'll let you get your beauty sleep." Jaylene said ending the call.

After her conversation with Jaylene, Amber put her phone on silent and went back to sleep. She didn't want to be bothered with Prime whenever he did decide to call.

Jaylene was the kind of guy to walk in the room and demand every living things undivided attention without speaking a word. He trusted no one on the streets. His boys were Ken and Tone, that's it and that's all. They were more like brothers to him than Drew. Jaylene and Drew both had killer instincts Jaylene was the silent one and came at you when you least expected it, and Drew was the exact opposite, a live wire killing anyone and anything that got in the way of what he wanted. He had no remorse.

Any girl that ever came into contact with Jaylene fell head over heels. He had never fallen for anyone and never stayed in a committed relationship longer than a few months. He got what he wanted and gave them what he thought they wanted. If anyone ever crossed Jaylene or tried to come between him and his money, the easy way out would be to disappear. With his two boys having his back they ruled the streets of Compton. Whatever you needed they supplied and if they didn't have it they would get it. From dope to pills and lean, they had it all. The connect that Ken hooked up with a few years back kept their pockets fat. They ran a tight operation and mistakes were not to be made, period. Ken had a temper out of this world and on a good day when Jaylene would give passes, Ken gave none and there weren't too many good days in the hood.

Jaylene had wanted Amber for as long as she wanted him. But he knew the kind of girl that she was and he knew that she couldn't be treated the same way that he treated any other girl. Prime was no good for Amber and Jaylene knew this but he wasn't the type to throw salt on someone else to get what he wanted. He was on his way to meet up with Ken and picked up his phone to dial Amber.

"What's up." She answered.

"What's up with you? Are you ready for me to pick you up?"

"Pick me up?"

"Yeah, unless you want to meet me at Ken's place, I have to stop by there. I don't want to get you in trouble with your man."

"You mean you don't want to get in trouble with my man. If you were worried about me getting in trouble you wouldn't have asked me if I wanted you to pick me up." At this point Amber didn't care what Prime thought.

"I'm not worried. I'll be there in fifteen minutes." Jaylene said and hung up.

When Jaylene picked Amber up, there was hardly any conversation because he got a call and didn't end the conversation until they pulled up at Ken's place. As usual there was a dice game, and people standing around engaging in conversations and drinking.

"Well I see what took your ass so long to get here." Ken told Jaylene as he hugged Amber. "What you doing with this man Amber? You trying to start a war, cause you know that nigga Prime will straight kill a nigga over you." Ken laughed.

"Not this nigga." Jaylene said.

"I'm grown." Was all that Amber said.

"Yo don't even worry about that business, I just talk to Tone and shit is too hot right now." Jaylene told Ken.

Ken nodded his head in agreement. "Speaking of hot I heard that Prime and Drew been hittin spots around the hood for the past two weeks. None of ours though."

"I thought they only did out of town licks?" Amber asked.

"They were and niggas ain't talking head up fades for they shit, they talking about gunplay." Ken said.

"I don't care what they talking about, nobody is touching my brother." Jaylene said.

"Yeah well you better talk to the nigga before it be a war in these streets."

Amber shook her head, "I knew this nigga was trying to be up under me for something, I'm not about to be marked for death for nobody."

Amber could tell that Jaylene was in a fucked up mood, his demeanor had changed completely. While they furthered their discussion, Amber went inside Ken's apartment and helped herself to a sandwich. She was done with Prime. He was no good for her and any man that carelessly put her in harm's way was not the man for her. When she finished her sandwich, she headed back outside. On her way out, she ran into Prime and Drew in the stairway looking like they were up to no good.

She walked pass them, obviously ignoring Prime.

"So you gone act like you don't see your man? Come here baby I miss you." He moved in to hug her and she stepped back.

"I thought you were going out of town?" she asked looking over at Drew.

"We had a change of plans."

"Well we need to talk."

"Talk about what?

"I'll meet you in the front, I'm going to holla at my brother." Drew said.

"So what is it that we need to talk about cause I don't want to hear your bullshit right now."

"Well that goes both ways. I don't want to be looking over my shoulder and trying to dodge bullets because of the stupid shit you are out here doing. You need to get your shit together." She shook her head, "I don't even know why I'm wasting my breath on you." Amber turned her back and left Prime standing there. He called after her, but she ignored him.

Amber went and stood next to Ken who was getting ready to join the dice game. She saw Prime headed her way so she turned and faced the dice game. Prime wrapped his hands around Amber's waist and tried to kiss her but she moved her face.

"OK let's talk cause I see where this is going." Prime said.

Amber ignored him and glanced across the street to see Jaylene staring at her. When their eyes locked, they smiled at each other.

"You had your chance to talk"

Prime saw that Amber had her eyes on Jaylene and rage filled him. "So you want to disrespect me in my face? You fucking this nigga or something?" before she could respond, Prime had pulled out his pistol and headed towards Jaylene and Drew.

"This fool tripping for real." Ken said running across the street behind Prime. He was ready to take Prime out if he needed to.

"So are you fucking my girl?" Prime had his gun pointed at Jaylene's chest.

"Prime what the fuck are you doing?" Drew asked.

"If I was fucking her, trust me, she wouldn't be your girl. Now you might want to put that gun down before you hurt yourself." Jaylene was unfazed by the fact that Prime had a gun pointed at him. Prime knew better than to pull the trigger. Ken would take him out before he had the thought. If this were anybody else, Prime would have been dead but Jaylene spared him because this was his brother's friend. This was the only pass that he was giving him.

"Fuck that." Prime said, his gun still pointed.

"Prime put the gun down nigga. This is suicide." Ken told him. He already had his pistol drawn.

Life suddenly seem to stand still, as everyone on the block watched to see what would happen. Everybody respected Jaylene, this was his hood Jaylene wouldn't even have to touch Prime, he was surrounded by Jaylene's team.

Amber stood next to Ken with a look of disgust on her face.

"Trust me it ain't worth it Prime, let's go we have business to handle." Drew said.

"Listen to your boy cause I'm not gone tell you again." Ken said.

Prime lowered his gun without another thought and walked to his car. He was ready to kill something.

"If you leave with this nigga Drew I'm not cleaning up your shit no more." Jaylene said.

"You don't have to clean up shit for me. I'm good." Drew said as he walked away.

"I don't know why you with this lame ass nigga Amber. You need to leave him the fuck alone." Ken said.

"That's what I need to do for real."

Amber and Jaylene went and grabbed something to eat and Jaylene took her home. Despite the bullshit with Prime, Amber enjoyed being in Jaylene's company. It was totally different from being with Prime. He was always pumped up, talking reckless, and paranoid as hell that someone was out to get him. Jaylene was calm, laidback, and relaxed. She couldn't believe how chill he was when Prime had his gun pointed at him. She wondered if he had plans to retaliate, but she wasn't stupid, she had heard stories of what Jaylene had done to people and she was sure there was some truth in those stories.

#  Chapter 7

Amber sat at the table as she waited for Semaj to come out. She hadn't seen her daddy since he had been in federal custody. A part of her felt like getting up and walking out. She still couldn't allow herself to forgive him for leaving her. When Semaj came walking out, she immediately recognized her daddy. She missed him like crazy and for a split second she wanted to run into his arms and cry her eyes out. Looking at her daddy made her think about her mom. Jocelyn and Semaj were the perfect couple. Their love was so strong no one could ever come between them. No matter what problems they had they always worked it out and Jocelyn stood by his side no matter what.

"What's wrong with your hands girl? You can't respond to none of my letters." he said.

"I don't have anything to say to you." Amber made it clear that she was not happy to see him.

"You starting to look more and more like your momma. How has everything been going Ms. Doctor? I hear you took the test to get board certified."

"Yea I did."

"What's with all this attitude? What's your deal with me? I know you spoiled as hell but what's up? You can't talk to your daddy no more?" Semaj didn't understand why his daughter was so angry with him. He wondered if she blamed him for Jocelyn's murder, he sometimes questioned himself on the matter.

"What does it matter what the issue is? I honestly don't even know why I came down here. You haven't been there for me since my momma died all you do is have my brother send me money every month and I don't need it. What makes you think I need you to be here now? It's a little too late to go back to playing the daddy role." Amber stood up to leave.

"Sit your ass down." Semaj grabbed her arm before she could walk away and before the guards saw him. "I don't know what you out there doing and I don't care how much you hate me but I'm still your daddy and you're going to respect me! How do you think your tuition and all that other medical shit gets paid for? That doctor money ain't hardly paying for everything baby girl. ."

"You claimed to have loved mommy so much right? Why didn't you come to her funeral? All you care about is yourself. You don't deserve any respect from me." Amber's eyes were now filled with tears.

"Who the hell are you to tell me what the hell I deserve? Don't you ever fucking question the love I had for your mother, she meant the world to me. I know I wasn't there with you at the funeral and if I could have been there with you I would have. It's not what you think. It goes way beyond your understanding baby girl. I see you ready to go so I'm not going to keep you but I love you regardless of how you feel." Semaj stood up and left Amber sitting at the table. She had never saw her daddy shed a tear. Bringing up Jocelyn had hit a soft spot. Semaj still loved and missed his wife, nothing would ever change that. Amber was still a daddy's girl but she just couldn't forgive him for leaving her to deal with her mother's death on her own. When she got home and she called Jackie to meet her for lunch, she needed to get out of the house. She had so much on her mind and she didn't even realize it until after the visit with Semaj. Jackie picked Amber up from her place and they headed to Friday's to eat.

"How come you didn't tell me about the shit with Prime pulling a gun on Jaylene?"

"I haven't talked to you. I been stressed out. But we will talk when we sit down to eat. How's my god son?"

"He's good, I just dropped him off to Ken's mom."

"I'm proud of you." Amber told her.

"I know I run the streets and do my dirt, but KJ will always come first." Jackie told her.

"What's up with you and Ken?"

"He's crazy. I told you I don't think that we're compatible. All we do is fuck and fight."

"So let me get this straight, ya'll are not compatible for each other, but ya'll are compatible to fuck? That makes sense." Amber laughed as she dug in her purse for her phone she looked at the screen and it was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Is this Amber?" the female voice said.

"Who is this?"

"This is Yana. We need to talk."

"And what might we have to talk about?"

"I'd rather not discuss it over the phone."

"You can meet me at Friday's in the Towne Center if it's that important, I'm headed there now." Amber ended the call. "Well I guess Prime's dirt is finally catching up to him and if it's not Prime it's my dad, those are the only two reasons that any bitch could be contacting me."

"What about Jaylene? Or is he excluded?" Jackie teased.

Amber flicked her off as they pulled into a parking spot. Amber informed the hostess that they had one more person joining their party, and she asked to be seated at a booth. Jackie and Amber ordered food and drinks and they were on their third round when Yana finally appeared.

"Oh this has got to be good." Amber said at the visibly pregnant woman as she watched the hostess direct her to their table.

Yana pulled up a chair since the booth could not accommodate her seven month baby bump comfortably.

"I'm sorry that we had to meet under these circumstances. As I informed you on the phone, I'm Yana Prime's -"

"Sideline hoe slash baby momma." Jackie guessed then downed the rest of her patron shot.

"Excuse you. I'm not anyone's sideline anything. And if you knew better you'd -"

Amber put her hand up. "Why do you feel the need to tell me this?" Amber asked. A knife had just been lunged into her heart but she wouldn't let that show. Not only was Prime cheating but he had a baby on the way. She had already made up her mind to leave him after the incident with Jaylene but she hadn't had a chance to talk to him since then.

"I live in Atlanta, I've been seeing Prime for a year and after I got pregnant I told him that he needed to tell you or I would. So here I am."

"Well let me just tell you that I wish you the best of luck. And for future reference, don't feel the need to inform me of anything." Amber stood to leave

"I'm sorry if this hurts you." Yana said.

"Please I'm far from hurt. Prime is a typical nigga, and this here is typical nigga shit. This just confirms what I already knew." Amber walked off leaving her standing there.

Jackie wanted to beat her ass pregnant and all. She knew this was a low blow to Amber. But ever since Jocelyn died Amber had a way of concealing her emotions and blocking the world out. Yana felt defeated because she felt that since Amber didn't care, that she had won. Yana envied Amber she noticed that she was draped in designer clothes and Yana couldn't even afford the shirt that Amber was wearing. She wondered if Prime kept her looking nice, remembering the Chanel purse he had given her but she didn't accept it, assuming that it was stolen. She was not prepared for this outcome.

When they left Friday's, Amber had Jackie take her straight to Prime's apartment. She bleached and cut up every piece of clothing that he had then she went under his kitchen sink and cleaned out the safe that he had installed. Before leaving, she took out her Mac lipstick and wrote: _I hope the pussy was good. Congrats on the baby!_ on his living room wall then left her set of keys on the counter.

"Are you sure that you're okay?" Jackie asked Amber.

"Yes I'm sure. I will call you later."

Amber put her key in the door of her new condo and carried in the rest of her stuff that she got from Prime's. She threw the duffel bag with the contents of his safe under her bed and went to run her some bath water. She stepped into the steaming hot water, closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She tried so hard to hold back the tears. Although Amber was not in love with Prime she still cared and the fact that he was sleeping around cut her deep. She was glad that she hadn't given him her virginity. He didn't deserve it.

Amber was moisturizing her body, when her phone rang.

"Where the fuck is my money?" It was Prime.

"Fuck you. Prime. And don't fucking call me again." She hung up. Her phone rang again. "Stop fucking calling me!" She yelled.

"Damn girl you okay?" It was Ken.

"Not really. But what's up?"

"What do you need sis you know I got you?"

"I'm good. I just had a bad day, went to see my dad, then get back to find out that Prime got some bitch pregnant."

"What? Fuck that nigga. He was no good for you and I told you that already. But what's up with your pops? I heard he was coming home soon."

"Where did you hear that?"

"Trell told me."

"When did you talk to my brother?"

"It's been a minute. But look I called you to ask if you talked to Jackie? I been trying to reach her since earlier."

"Yeah she just dropped me off. What's up? Something wrong?"

Ken didn't say anything.

"Ken what's up?"

"This bitch is fucking Prime."

"She what?"

"She's fucking Prime.

"Are you sure?"

"I saw him leaving her house earlier today, when I went to get some stuff for KJ. I asked her about it but of course she denied it. She looked like she had been fucked every which way. I know it's hard to believe, I wanted to get the complete truth before I told you."

Amber felt as though her air support had been cut off. Her heart was pounding so fast she had to sit on her bed to catch her breath.

"I was with her all fucking day. ALL day! She was with me when the pregnant bitch told me about Prime. I can't believe that this bitch has gotten so low with the shit. We've been best friends since we were in fucking preschool." Amber's blood was boiling. She couldn't think straight.

"I told her she's not seeing my son until she get her shit together. She's popping pills and some mo shit."

Amber could hear Ken talking, but his words were going in one ear and out the other. She hung the phone up and threw on some sweats, tennis shoes, and a t-shirt. She was beyond pissed. She grabbed her keys off the counter and headed over Mayne's house. Ken was blowing her phone up. He knew her all too well and he knew she was going to confront Jackie. Ken pulled up to Mayne's house in record breaking time because Amber was getting out of her car. Jackie was standing in the yard with two other girls, who were dressed half naked. It was exactly the kind of company that Mayne kept at his house; prostitutes, smokers and drug dealers, and he wondered why his house was always being raided.

"Best what are you doing here?" She asked. She looked over at Ken and immediately knew why.

"Is it true Jackie?"

Jackie ignored her, "Really Ken? You couldn't let me talk to her first?"

"You obviously had no fucking intentions of telling me that you fucked Prime you were with me all day Jackie! Why did you do it? Was it the money? Or are you that much of a fucking tramp. I was your best friend. I'm in these streets fighting bitches with you left and right and this is how you do me? The one bitch that had your back."

Jackie had no words. The tears started streaming down her face, she was ashamed and disappointed. She never wanted to fuck Prime but once his dick was in her she wanted more.

"Now you don't have shit to say?"

"Come on Amber. This bitch ain't even worth it." Ken grabbed Amber's arm and lead her out of the gate.

"You don't even want him Amber."

"Who the fuck are you to tell me what I want? And if I didn't want him what gives you the right to go and fuck him?"

Amber was so disgusted she couldn't even look at Jackie. The only thing she heard was Ken calling her name when she lunged at Jackie.

It took Ken and Mayne to pull her off of Jackie. Ken had to damn near drag her to the car. He waited until she was in her car and then he followed her home to make sure that she wouldn't go back.

"Do you need me to stay with you for a while in case Prime tries to pop up?" Ken asked her.

"Naw I'm good. He doesn't even know that I moved. I didn't tell him for a reason. Are you good though?" Amber knew that Ken was just as hurt as she was because he still loved Jackie.

"I'm good. You get some rest. I'll check on you later." He hugged Amber, then hopped in his ride and left.

#  Chapter 8

Amber was laying in her bed with puffy eyes, in a daze thinking about the last day that she spent with her mother:

" _Wake up sleepy heads, were going shopping." Jocelyn had told Amber and Jackie._

" _Mommy, the mall doesn't even open until 10 o clock and besides, I have finals." Amber told her sitting up in her bed. Her mom was standing in her doorway looking as flawless as ever. The Bermuda shorts that she wore complimented her very plump ass. Jocelyn was glowing._

" _Well you have to eat breakfast and get dressed. All you do is study Amber let's have a mommy and daughter day."_

" _I'm down." Jackie said._

" _You're always down."_

" _Come on best stop being such a nerd. You know you're going to pass."_

" _Alright, alright I'm getting up." Amber and Jackie showered, got dressed, and headed down stairs to eat breakfast._

Jocelyn had made her favorite meal, steak omelets. When they entered the kitchen, Jocelyn and Semaj were filling each other up.

" _Get a room." Amber told them._

" _That's too boring." Jocelyn told her as she began cleaning up the kitchen._

" _Baby don't forget I need you to go pick up that money." Semaj told her._

" _I thought that was tomorrow. I wanted to take them shopping."_

" _You can still take them shopping but Daddy needs you to pick this money up first."_

" _Can we go?" Amber asked._

" _You know the answer to that question. I won't be long, I promise." Jocelyn kissed her husband and headed out the door to handle her business._

Two hours later she was dead.

Amber was snapped back into reality at the shrill sound of her phone ringing.

"Hello." She answered, her voice raspy.

"What's up Ma? You good. Ken told me what happened." It was Jaylene.

"I'm ok I guess."

"You don't sound ok. You sound depressed. Let me get you out the house."

"Where are we going?"

"Just get dressed and I'll be there in an hour." Jaylene ended the call. He was in the car with Ken and Tone and they were on their way to do a drop off to one of their spots.

Jaylene pulled into Amber's driveway and turned his truck off. He thought about calling her to let her know that he was outside, but instead he got out. He rung her doorbell twice before she came to the door with a robe on.

"I didn't expect you to get here in exactly an hour."

"I'm always on time. Why would I want to keep something looking as good as you waiting?"

"That's sweet."

"So are you going to let me in or do a nigga have to wait on the porch?"

Amber moved to the side so that he could come in.

Jaylene looked around admiring her taste, "If this the way doctors are living I'm in the wrong line of work."

"You're funny. I'll be right back, I just have to put my clothes on." Amber proceeded to her room where she put on jeans, a Versace embellished medusa head t-shirt and a pair of wedges. She unwrapped her scarf and let her hair fall down her back.

When she resurfaced, Jaylene was sitting on her couch on his cell.

"Well if that nigga was short he better have the money by midnight. I'll hit you later." He ended the call and looked over at Amber who was standing there with her hand on her hip.

"I guess that means you're ready?" Jaylene walked over to her and kissed her.

His lips were soft.

"What was that about?" she asked as they headed out the door.

Jaylene laughed, "I couldn't resist. We have to make a stop at my parents' house. It'll be quick, and then we can do whatever you want."

"I'd rather be doing you." Amber mumbled. She was quiet during the entire ride and Jaylene knew she had a lot on her mind so he didn't press her for conversation.

Jaylene's parents' house was laid. You would have thought it was something off of MTV Cribs. They had a double staircase that led to a balcony that overlooked the vestibule. The kitchen was huge and their dining room table was large enough to seat at least twelve people.

They headed to the back of the house where the den was located. It was modern and simple with a seventy inch flat screen television that hung on the wall a large comfy sectional and a mini bar.

"Are you hungry or thirsty?" Jaylene asked her

"No I'm good."

"Well the remote is on the couch. I have to help my pops with something. It will be quick." He left her sitting there so she grabbed the remote and clicked on the TV.

Jaylene's mom entered the room soon after he left. She was stunning. She had a honey complexion her frame was thin and her hair hung past the middle of her back. She looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine.

"Hello," her smile was radiant. "Are you here with one of my sons?" She asked.

"Jaylene." Amber responded.

"Well you must be special because Jaylene doesn't bring girls home," she extended her hand, "I'm Carla. Let me know if I can get you anything. It's just like a man to leave us women waiting."

"Ma are you messing with my company?" Jaylene asked as he reentered the room.

"Better me than your father. She's beautiful son." Carla winked at her son and went on her way.

"My pops gave me Lakers tickets for tonight's game, floor seats. Are you down?" He sat on the couch across from Amber and started rolling a blunt.

"Hell yes I'm down I love the Lakers." Amber couldn't help but stare at him as he rolled his blunt. It was so sexy to her the way he licked the blunt wrap. _"I just want to climb on top of you and --"_

"Are you ok? Did I take a long time or something? Cause you looking at a nigga all crazy." he asked interrupting her thoughts.

She cleared her throat, "I'm good I was just thinking."

"Let's roll then. The game starts in a few hours and I have to grab a jersey and we can grab some food." Jaylene stopped at the Fox Hills Mall and purchased matching jerseys for him and Amber and a pair of sneakers for her so that she could be comfortable.

The Lakers were playing Miami and they had a twenty point lead. The Cîroc shots they had before the game had Amber feeling herself because she was screaming and cheering with every point the Lakers scored. Jaylene just sat back and watched her. He wanted her bad.

"I have to make a run to handle some business. After I change, I can take you home or you can stay at my place and spend the night with me." Jaylene told her.

"Spend the night? Oh you trying to hit."

Jaylene laughed. "We got time for that."

"Oh we got time? You are something else."

"I am something else, because I can't be compared to the next. I'm far from the average and I'm nothing like the nigga you had."

"Whatever," was all that she could say.

"You're welcome to anything here. I'll be back in a few hours."

"I never said that I was spending the night."

"You never said that you weren't either." Jaylene left with a smirk on his face. He knew that Amber was trying to play hardball, but he knew that he could break her all the way down, and he would.

Amber was on cloud nine. Her day had went from bad to wonderful within a matter of hours and it was all because of the man that she had been yearning for her whole life. She was still hurt by the fact that the person that had been there her whole life had betrayed her in the worst way. She couldn't imagine life without her best friend, but she would have to get over it and pray that Jackie got control of her life before she came across something worse than the ass whooping that Amber had given her. As for Prime, he could roll over and die and she wouldn't shed a tear. Whatever feelings she had for him were completely gone now.

Amber was exhausted when Jaylene dropped her off at her place. They had been up all night talking and she had only slept for the two hours that he had left her at his place. When she checked her voicemail she had three messages from Jackie, one from Carmen, and one from her cousin Quinette telling her that she was moving back from Atlanta. She picked up the phone and dialed her cousin.

"Hello," Quinette answered on the first ring.

"What's up? Are you back in town yet?"

"Not for another week or two. I have to finish tying up some loose ends. Did you take your Board Certification exam yet?"

"Yeah. Just waiting to see if I passed."

"Girl you know you passed. Make sure you have some free time so that we can hangout."

"I will. Call me when you're back."

"I will."

Amber placed the phone back on the hook and her cell phone started ringing.

"Hello?"

"What's up sis?" It was her brother Trell.

"What's up stranger?" Trell was another person that she rarely heard from. He would put money in her account every month and then send her a text, but she hadn't heard her brother's voice or seen his face in a while.

"I'll be out there in a few days we need to catch up."

"You are your father's son."

"You know I'm always here for you Amber a nigga just be busy but I'm still your bro nothing will change that."

"Yeah. Yeah. So when are you coming down?"

"Thursday so make sure you clear your schedule at the hospital."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Don't see just do it. I'll talk to you later."

Amber had not seen Trell in over a year, and she wasn't looking forward to seeing him. Trell was another person on her list of people that abandoned her.

Later that night when Amber finished her shift at the hospital she came home to three threatening messages from Prime about the money she took. She deleted the messages and got ready for her shower. Before she got in, she pulled the duffel bag from under her bed and dumped it on the floor, there were stacks of bills that were bundled together, each bundle was ten racks there was at least eighty grand in bills. The other contents were a small black ring box, a gun, and a ticket for undeveloped photos. She picked up the ring box and opened it, but was confused by what was inside, she closed it and placed it in her closet safe along with the other items. After her shower Amber made herself an omelet and drifted off to sleep. It was a little after 2am when the ringing of her phone blared through the house. She reached over and grabbed the cordless phone from her nightstand.

"Hello."

"Tell me what is a man to do when he finds himself falling?"

"Pray that you don't hit the ground too hard when you reach the bottom."

Jaylene laughed, "Let me come lay with you."

"And if I say no?"

"Then I would say that I drove all the way over here for nothing."

"Well maybe you should call next time." Amber got out of her bed and walked over to the window and saw that Jaylene's car was in her driveway. "I'm on my way down." She placed the phone back on the receiver and grabbed her robe.

Jaylene was dressed in dark clothes; a black hoodie, black pants and all black Jordans.

"Why do you look like you just came from committing a crime?"

Jaylene ignored her question and entered the house. He had a red duffle bag in his hand. Amber headed back upstairs to her room with Jaylene in tow. She didn't bother asking her question again out of fear of what she would hear.

"I hope this isn't a booty call." Amber was removing her robe, and Jaylene had already undressed her in his mind.

He gave her lusting eyes, "Of course not. We want your first time to be special."

"Excuse me?" Amber was shocked and embarrassed. She wondered how he knew that she was a virgin.

"You heard me. The question is, how long do you plan on holding on to it? He walked over to her, grabbed a handful of her hair and tongued her down.

Amber's body was on fire. She was half sleep and that kiss had just woke her up. Her pussy was throbbing so hard, she thought it would explode.

"So how long?" he asked again.

"I don't know." She backed away from Jaylene and got into her bed. "We have time to figure that out."

"I'm gone ask you to stop playing with me. What do we need to figure out? The attraction is clearly there."

"You need to figure out what you want. You have clearly stated numerous times that your money comes first."

"I'm willing to bump my money to number two and give you the number one spot."

"We'll see."

Jaylene went and took a shower then climbed into bed with Amber and pressed his hard dick against her. "I think he likes you, you're mines whether you know it or not. _We_ are not taking no for an answer.

"I wasn't going to say no." Amber snuggled up in Jaylene's arms and drifted off to sleep.

***

Carmen was blowing Amber's phone up. She kept saying that she needed to talk to her and that she wanted her to come over for drinks.

"I'm coming Carmen. I don't know what's so damn important that you can't tell me on the phone. And this better not have anything to do with Drew's cheating ass."

"No just hurry please."

"I'll be there, I have to run a few errands."

Amber stopped at the bank on her way to Carmen's. She couldn't believe how fast she had moved on from Prime, but then again she couldn't believe that he had fucked her best friend and got another bitch pregnant either.

"If this bitch called me for Drew's bullshit I'm going to slap the fuck out of her." Amber said to herself as she knocked on Carmen's door.

"It's open!" Carmen yelled. She was in the kitchen making a blended Sex on the beach. She had something to tell Amber but she also called her over because Prime had asked her to talk to her. She told him that Amber was with Jaylene but she promised him that she would try.

"Damn about time you made it, this is my second batch."

"Well pour me a glass and tell me what you had to tell me that's so important that you are calling me every fucking minute." Amber snatched the drink from her hand and started drinking. "Is Drew here?"

"No they are out of town." Carmen lied. "So how have you been?"

"I'm great. I'm completely over Prime but I'm still hurt by Jackie's actions."

"I don't know why you are so hurt. I told you that you couldn't trust her. It was only a matter of time."

"So what is it that you have to tell me?"

"Oh...Um..."

"Umm what?"

"I'm pregnant."

"What?"

"I don't know what I'm going to do. And how in the fuck am I going to tell my daddy I'm pregnant by Drew you know how my parents feel about me talking to him and we just started talking again. So imagine me telling them about a baby. My dad is going to have a heart attack.

"Well you have some things to figure out but don't stress it. Have you talked to Drew yet?"

"No. I already know he's going to want me to keep it though. I knew I shouldn't have trusted that nigga to pull out." Carmen said.

"And I wouldn't be surprised if the nigga already know. He probably hasn't said anything out of fear that you're going to get rid of it."

"Girl if I had a facial expression that said abortion his ass would go crazy." Carmen laughed.

"You will be fine." Amber hugged her friend.

"There's something else that I have to tell you."

Before Carmen could say anything else, they both heard keys in the door.

"Damn why do you have all the locks on the door." Drew asked as he entered the house with Prime right behind him.

"Really Carmen?" Amber stood up and grabbed her purse.

"Amber wait."

"I can't fucking believe you. If you weren't pregnant I would fuck you up right now."

"You pregnant? Why the fuck are you in here blending drinks if you're pregnant" Drew snatched the glass from her hand.

"Let me talk to you Amber."

"We don't have shit to talk about." Amber walked passed Prime not even looking in his direction.

"Bitch don't turn your fucking back on me!" He grabbed the back of her neck. "Where the fuck is my money?"

Amber was trying hard to break free, but he had a firm hold on her. Carmen was screaming and begging for Prime to let her go.

"Drew tell him to let her go! Please!"

"Prime that's enough." Drew told him.

"That's your death sentence bitch!" Amber yelled at him as she hurried to her car.

"I am death and can't nobody fuck with me! Nobody!"

Amber hurried to her car and dialed Ken.

"What's up?"

"This nigga Prime just put his fucking hands on me." Amber screamed in the phone. She was doing 110 on the 105 freeway headed to Queensdale.

"What? Where you at?"

"On my way to your house. This bitch Carmen set me up. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

Amber pulled in front of Ken's apartment, grabbed a scarf from her backseat, and wrapped it around her neck. She didn't want the entire neighborhood in her business.

Ken was in his spare room counting cash with Tone, "Are you okay?"

"No I'm not okay, somebody needs to fuck this nigga up." What she really wanted to say was that she wanted him dead, but she didn't want that on her conscience. She looked over and saw Tone was placing a red dot on the first bill of each stack that they had already counted using a bingo dauber.

"Don't worry about nothing, you know I got you."

"Fuck that, we got you." Tone said.

"Let me see your neck." Ken unwrapped the scarf from her neck. Amber's neck was bruised.

"Damn." Ken said. He was hot. He went in his room, and came back with his pistol. "Tone call that nigga Jaylene."

Tone took out his cell phone and dialed Jaylene.

"We have to drop this money off. Stay here and I will be back to get you."

"No I'm going to go home so I can treat this bruise before it gets any worse."

"Are you sure? At least wait for Jaylene." Ken told her.

"I'm sure I'll be fine." She was trying to prevent from crying.

When Amber arrived home, Jaylene pulled up five minutes later and he was in a fucked up mood one because his brother had let this happen and two because neither Prime nor Drew could be found. They had left town. With the heat they had on them from their robberies they probably wouldn't be back for a while.

"You know you have to give that nigga his money back. Otherwise I'm gone have to kill this nigga. You don't have to worry about this drama and money is not a problem I got you Ma."

"I didn't need the money."

"Good, so when I find the nigga I will give it back to him."

Amber looked up at Jaylene, smiled, and kissed her man on the lips.

"I can't wait to taste those other lips."

"I bet. Are you coming back?" Amber went in the kitchen and grabbed an ice pack to help the swelling around her neck.

"Yeah I will be back but I have to handle this business. I'll be back soon." Jaylene kissed her again and he was out the door.

#  Chapter 9

"When will Trell be in town?" Quinette asked. She and Amber were out shopping and catching up. Amber's neck had completely healed and she was glad that she wouldn't have to explain to Quinette what had happened. Quinette was Semaj's niece and had been in Atlanta the past three years. She left to pursue a music career that she was never really serious about. After three years of being unsuccessful, she moved back to Cali.

"In a few days, and I can't say that I'm too excited to see him either."

"Well he is your brother, you can't cut everyone off. You have to tell them how you feel because nobody can read your mind."

"I guess you're right."

"Of course I am."

They were walking out of Saks Fifth Avenue when Amber spotted Jackie. She had baby Ken with her.

"Isn't that Jackie?"

Amber didn't say anything. She still couldn't believe that she had betrayed her the way that she did. She wished that Ken was with her so that she could go over and see KJ since she had not gotten a chance to see him since the fight, after all he was her god son. She made a mental note to have Ken pick him up so she could see him.

"She won't even look this way, I'm sure she sees you." Quinette continued.

Amber was getting agitated, "Fuck her, let's go before I have to whoop her ass again just because."

"So what's up with Drew? I ran into him the other day and a few times in ATL"

"That's Carmen's man, and she doesn't have a problem cutting another bitch over him. So leave that alone. Besides, he's a dog anyway." Amber warned.

"He said that they weren't together."

"Oh they are definitely together and they live together so even if they weren't, he's still fucking her. Just nip that in the bud Q."

"Fine."

After Amber dropped Quinette back off at her apartment she headed to the hospital. Halfway into her sixteen hour shift, she was in the break room skimming a Cosmo magazine when one of the RNs told her that someone was looking for her. When she got back to the nurses station, there was Jaylene standing there in jeans a hoodie and J's.

"Why do I feel like this is your up to no good look?" Amber smiled as she hugged him.

Jaylene laughed, "I like to blend with the darkness."

"What are you doing here?"

"I miss your presence. I came by to check on you, Tone dropped me off. Are you hungry?"

"I'm good, I just had a salad." Amber looked up and saw that Jaylene's eyes were red. She led him down the hallway to Robin's office, she always had the spare key.

"A salad? That ain't food. Let me take you to get something to eat."

"I can't babe, I have six patients and two are waiting to be admitted I need to make one more round before I leave."

"I'll wait."

Amber shook her head, "You look tired as hell. You can stay in here and rest while you wait."

Jaylene pulled Amber in for a kiss and slipped his tongue in her mouth. Her body was covered in chills. She finally broke free from him after a few minutes of heated kissing and returned to make her last round for the night. When they left the hospital, they stopped at Tams Burger and got food before they headed to Amber's house. When she turned down her street, she noticed that her garage was open.

"Did you leave that open?" Jaylene asked.

"Hell no!" she jumped out of her truck before Jaylene could dead the engine.

"Wait," he signaled Amber to get behind him, and he pulled his gun as they entered the house.

Everything looked to be intact until they entered Amber's bedroom, everything had been thrown around the room and there was a message on the wall that said: _DON'T FUCK WITH MY MONEY!_

Amber dug in her Hermès bag, grabbed her phone and dialed Jackie.

"Hello?" she answered surprised.

"Why the fuck did you tell Prime where I stay? Is the dick that fucking good?"

"Really Amber? What would I gain from telling him where you lay? And I'm not fucking him."

"Please you fucking everything with a dick between their legs."

"Hang the phone up Ma." Jaylene said grabbing her phone.

"Ugh. I am going to fuck this bitch up every chance I get!"

She looked in her closet and checked for her safe. And it was still there, untouched. She was confused as to why Prime would take the time to fuck her stuff up when her safe sat right there as soon as you open the closet, in plain view. She took pictures of everything, called a locksmith, then packed her a bag to go and stay at Jaylene's place. There was no way she was going to her grandma's house because then she would have to tell her that her house was broken into and she did not want that headache.

Jaylene took Amber to his house where he knew she would be safe and went to meet with his boys to get ready for the re-up they had scheduled in a couple of days.

"So what's up with you and Amber?" Tone asked. "You hitting that?"

"Get out my business nigga."

"He ain't hitting it." Ken and Tone said in unison before bursting into laughter.

"Both you niggas got me fucked up. Need I remind ya'll that I done passed ya'll a few bitches. So don't get it twisted. Pussy ain't a problem."

"Yeah well Amber like my sister nigga so if you stick it you better stick with it." Ken told him.

"I got you nigga." He gave Ken a pound.

"Ya'll remember that bitch Reyna from the projects?" Tone asked.

"Yea, the bitch with the Altima. What about her?" Ken asked firing up a blunt.

"Mannn. That bitch got some fire head."

"You hit that?" Jaylene asked.

"Last night. Shit I plan on hitting it tonight too."

"I can't fuck with them project hoes. They don't bring you shit but a migraine headache." Ken said.

"Enough talk about bitches, let's get to this money." Jaylene reminded them. He was always the one to make sure they stayed on point with everything. He wrapped up everything with his boys and headed back to Amber but before he did, he made a phone call.

"What up Bro?" Drew answered.

"Why'd you do it?"

"Do what?"

"You know what the fuck I'm talking about Drew. Why did you break into Amber's crib?"

"Nigga I don't know --"

"I know you did it. The money she took from Prime could have easily been accessed yet it went untouched. The nigga is not gone break in her house and not take his shit back."

"Look the bitch is fucking with my money and she needs to know her place."

"I'm only gone tell you once to watch your mouth, I will get the nigga his money back and that has to be the end of it, anything after that will be considered disrespect so if yo boy want his life then he better know his place."

"It's like that?"

"You of all people know me Drew don't test me nigga." Jaylene ended the call and headed home to Amber.

#  Chapter 10

Amber was laying on her bed staring at the ceiling waiting for Trell to get there. Trell was the spitting image of Semaj, just a younger version. He was 6'3 and muscular. Trell shared the same brown skin as Semaj and he had hair that he always kept in braids going straight to the back with one single rubber band at the end holding all the braids together in one ponytail. His mother and Semaj were more friends than lovers. They were drunk one night and next thing you know, Janet was pregnant. She kept the baby because she didn't believe in abortions and Semaj respected her decision. Nine months later, he had his first born son. When Trell was two Semaj met Jocelyn. They exchanged vowels and had Amber three years later. Jocelyn was the only woman that ever had Semaj's heart and there would never be another woman to fill that void.

When Jocelyn was murdered, the police thought it had something to do with Semaj setting her up and they started investigating him. There was no evidence that led to him so they implicated it to be a robbery and the case went cold. What hurt Amber the most was that he didn't even bother to show up for the funeral. The day of Jocelyn's funeral Trell had to carry Amber out of the church and back to the limo. She didn't even bother to get out at the cemetery. Trell was by her side the entire time but two days after the funeral he went back to St. Louis.

Amber was dozing off when she heard a horn outside. She peeked out her window and saw Trell pulling up in a plain black Lincoln Navigator. She knew it had to be a rental because it had no rims or TVs on the inside and that definitely wasn't like Trell.

"What's up with you girl. You looking all grown and shit." he said as he hugged his sister.

"If you haven't noticed I am grown."

"You still my little sister nigga. So what up with you how you been?"

"I been okay but you would know that if you call. What's up with daddy's case? He been stressing me out."

"Who that nigga don't stress out. I can't wait till the nigga come home so he can handle his own shit. But hey, that's Semaj for you. So you got any boyfriends that I need to know about?"

"Something like that. I got a lot of drama going on right now. It's complicated." Just as Amber said that, Prime pulled up behind Trell's truck.

"Damn this nigga do not give up." She huffed.

"Who is that?" Trell asked.

"An ex. This nigga got the nerve to be coming to my house after he put his hands on me and broke in my fucking house."

"This nigga put his hands on you?"

"Who the fuck is this nigga?" Prime asked as if he still had it like that.

"None of your damn business." Amber yelled.

"I'm her brother, you got a problem with your hands?"

"Amber ain't got no brothers, just like she ain't got no momma."

It took Amber about half a second to realize what he had said. But it didn't even take Trell that long before he knocked the smirk of Prime's face. Before Amber could register what was happening, Trell was standing over him with a pistol. He wacked him unconscious.

"Nigga don't ever fuckin disrespect my sister. I will kill your bitch ass."

By the time Trell was done beating the shit out of Prime his crisp white t-shirt had blood all over it. He snatched the shirt off and threw it in the front seat of the rental. He didn't even bother to ask if Amber was ok he saw the tears running down her face. All he could do was hug her. He knew his sister was still mentally unstable over the loss of her mother.

"This shit ain't over, you gone be dead nigga." Prime was picking himself up and talking shit at the same time.

"I won't hold my breath. You better get the whole fucking city if you come this way with heat." Trell gripped his pistol prepared to kill Prime if he had to, but instead of challenging him, Prime hopped in his ride and pulled off.

Trell's phone buzzed in his pocket, he reached in and pulled it out. "What up nigga? Yeah I just made it. I'm chilling with my sister right now I'll get at you in a hour or two just have the money ready." he said a few more words then hung up the phone. "You straight?" He asked Amber.

"Yeah I'm good."

"You definitely got Jossie's taste for real." Trell said as he checked out Amber's condo.

She smiled, "Nah I don't have shit on mommy, her style is out of this world."

"So where the spots at? You know we have to hang before I go back."

"There's this new spot called Lavish we can go there. Plus I told Quinette I would take her."

"Is she back for good?"

"Yup."

"Alright fa show then I got ya'll."

"I know you got me nigga." Amber said punching her brother in the arm. She could never stay mad at Trell for long. Besides she always knew that he was only a call away. She just chose not to call.

"Still the same, spoiled as ever."

"Whatever. Are you staying here?"

"Yea I'll be back in a few hours, Oh yea and you're about to be an auntie."

"Aww hell who got your tramp ass to have a baby?"

"Believe it or not your bro has settled down. You will meet her soon we're thinking of moving down here so I'll be bringing her down to look at some places."

"I can't wait to meet her." Amber was in disbelief, Trell was not the settling down type he was the fuck and keep it pushing type. He always had girls chasing and fighting over him so for him to say that he had settled down was an understatement.

#  Chapter 11

Jaylene was on his way to meet Trell, his out of town hook up. He had no idea this was Amber's brother. All he knew was Trell was in town visiting family and to drop off some work for him and get the details on what was happening on the block to make sure everything was safe and secure. As he pulled into the parking lot of Lueders Park he saw Trell slightly leaned back in the driver's seat of the black Lincoln Navigator rental. He pulled directly on the side of him, his truck facing the opposite direction grabbed the duffle bag that rested on the floor of the backseat and exited the truck.

"What up my nigga long time no see?" Jaylene greeted as he hopped in the truck with Trell.

"Yeah I know a nigga just been chillin' and shit. Everything straight?"

"Yeah you know everything stay good on my end, I don't take no fuck ups." Jaylene meant everything he said.

"That's why you and Ken are my niggas. Smoke this blunt with me before you go." Trell said lighting the blunt. He rolled up the windows and turned the air conditioner on full blast.

"So how long you in Cali?" Jaylene asked as he took a long puff of the weed that was twisted in a grape blunt.

"Just a few more days. Got some family things to do then its back home. I'll be moving out here in a few months or so my girl gone be having a little one soon we need a fresh start. And she not with all this back and forth traveling shit." As Trell talked he peered through the rear view mirror and noticed Prime pulling into a parking spot adjacent to where they were parked. "That look like the nigga I had to put hands on the other day."

As Jaylene leaned over the seat he noticed Jackie slanting over to give Prime head. He could tell Prime was blind to his surroundings because he had his head tilted back and his eyes closed. Jaylene was so high he couldn't even think straight. His heart pumped with so much rage he thought it was going to burst out of his chest. Without another word being spoken, he hopped out of Trell's truck and made his way over to the car Prime was driving without caring who was around and who was watching. Jackie had a mouth full of dick and they had no idea Jaylene was at the window. Trell was confused as to why Jaylene jumped out the car the way he did. He took two more puffs from the blunt and was right behind Jaylene ready for whatever was about to go down hoping they didn't draw too much attention knowing that they had enough drugs and money to put them under the jail.

Jaylene tapped on the window, "What up nigga? Get out the car."

When Jackie heaved her head up and saw Jaylene standing at the window and Trell right by his side, she knew it was all bad. She was surprised to see Trell though. The only thing she could think of was that Amber had called him to handle Prime.

Prime with a swollen shut black eye from the previous day stepped out the car prepared for any blow that was coming his way. He wasn't the type to let a nigga pump fear in his heart. And if he knew he couldn't take them by himself he was going to come back again and again until they gave him the respect he thought he deserved. He remembered Trell from the previous day so he knew this had something to do with Amber.

"What's up Jay-T? So we got beef now over a bitch?"

"Don't call me Jay-T like you know me, like we been cool or something. You need to watch who you calling a bitch. Remember you waived a pistol in my face nigga? You should have pulled the trigger. The next time you or that bitch put your fucking hands on Amber consider that your death sentence." Jaylene ranted.

Trell was standing there high as a kite trying to make sense of everything that was going on. When he heard Amber's name he had a flashback of yesterday and looked over at Jackie with a look of disgust on his face. His sister had been nothing but good to her. He wanted to beat the shit out of her so that by the time he was finished only a dog would fuck her.

"Fuck you and that bitch ass nigga. Yeah you blacked my eye and Jaylene you known in the streets but so what I don't give a fuck. Fear don't run through my veins. I'm a beast out here in these streets." Prime retorted.

"Prime let's go!" Jackie yelled.

"Bitch shut up. Nobody asked your rat ass to speak!" He yelled over his shoulder. When he turned back around there was a punch to his face. Jaylene had him slumped over the hood of the car as he repeatedly punched on his face.

Trell walked over to his truck, pushed his seat forward, and reached for his pistol. He was ready to kill Prime. Jackie jumped out the car scared for her life. She begged and pleaded with Trell to put the gun up, but he wasn't trying to hear shit she had to say.

"Trell no let me explain. It's not like that Amber-" Trell cut her off.

"You got my sister name in your mouth?" Trell was now waving his gun in the air. "Don't Trell please me bitch I'm gonna fuck around and put both of y'all asses in a body bag."

"Trell please." she continued to plea.

"Shut the fuck up!" He grabbed her by freshly sewn in weave and dragged her back to his truck. She kicked and screamed the whole way there. She hoped and prayed that she wasn't about to die. Trell had a rep for making people disappear that's what he did before Semaj got locked up he was in charge of all unpaid debts.

Jaylene got the last punch on Prime's face before he jumped in his truck and sped off behind Trell. Damn! Jaylene thought as he drove. He could not believe what was happening. Trell was Amber's brother. This shit was crazy. He knew that Semaj was her pops but what he didn't know was that Trell was Semaj's son. It was all coming to him, Amber having a brother from St. Louis, Semaj being her dad, Trell being his connect through his pops. So that meant he worked for Semaj, the most notorious drug dealer in the streets of Compton. It all made sense but he had no idea why it had never crossed his mind. He was usually smart when it came to shit like this. Furthermore what he couldn't believe was that he had just beat Prime's ass over Amber. He never liked Prime but they never had any real beef, even after Jaylene gave him a pass for pulling his gun on him. He was building strong feelings for Amber and he didn't know where they were coming from.

Jaylene pulled behind Trell as he pulled into the driveway of a single story house that sat on the dead end of a street called Gibson. Trell dug in his pocket and revealed a key ring with three single keys. He unlocked the door and the three of them entered the fully furnished house. Jaylene had never been there so he was confused and didn't know what to expect.

"So what's the deal?" Jaylene asked.

"Just chill out man this me. What you think I'm gone set you up?" Trell laughed.

"Shit you never know." Jaylene grinned.

"It's some fresh tees in the back if you want to take that shit off." Trell said pointing at Jaylene's bloody shirt. "Sit the fuck down somewhere what the hell you standing there for." Trell ordered Jackie.

"Trell I didn't mean to hurt Amber. Really I didn't. I know I fucked up." Jackie cried.

"My sister is the least bit worried about you and I should let her come over here and whoop your ass."

"She already did that." Jaylene laughed as he walked to the back to change his shirt.

Jackie didn't know what to think at this point. She had to come up with a scheme that would save her ass. The only thing she could think of was to seduce them both and convince Trell to let her go. At least if she was going to die she would ride it out. Literally. She has always wanted to fuck Trell but she really wanted to fuck Jaylene, and since her and Amber were no longer friends he was free to fuck. She felt bad about fucking Prime though. He really liked Amber. He didn't even look at her while they had sex and after he fucked her raw he told her not to ever say shit to him again cause she was a scandalous hoe. She smirked at his comments cause sooner than she had expected, Amber broke up with him and he was right back on her ass. The dick wasn't worth her friendship, but it was already too late.

"Damn I might have to get a couple of stitches or something." Jaylene had re-entered the room with his hand wrapped in a piece of cloth.

"Aww nigga you good. That's just a little scratch." Trell diagnosed. "So what you think I should do with this bitch? Torture her ass, chop her up, or just make it quick and shoot her in the head." Trell joked as if Jackie wasn't sitting right in front of them.

"I don't care what you do with the bitch you could have left her where she was at. We got business to handle though so make it quick." Jaylene responded. He looked over at Jackie and saw that she was staring at him seductively.

He shook his head. "You will never taste this dick. I don't fuck rats."

"So what about you Trell? I know you want to hit this." Jackie was offering her pussy like it was a piece of candy.

"You just don't stop do you? I don't want that, my man don't want that, a fucking bum wouldn't fuck you. I don't know why my boy Ken fucked you. I got something at home that's just my fit." Trell said grabbing his piece with pride.

"Let's drop this bitch off and handle our business. Fuck her." Jaylene added as he walked towards the front door.

Trell locked up his low key spot knowing now that since it had been revealed to Jackie he would have to relocate, He got in Jaylene's truck and they were off. They dropped Jackie at a corner and kept it pushing. They knew she would find her way back to where she belonged but either way if she did or if she didn't, they didn't care. They did their drop offs and Jaylene went to meet up with Tone and Ken to split their product for their spots. Jaylene was glad that he had talked Ken into getting back on his team. Ever since Ken got on parole he had decided to lay low but Jaylene knew it would be a matter of time before his hunger for money would overwhelm him. That's why Ken kept the small apartment on Queensdale, a few houses down from his grandmother's house where he was paroled. But all that was about to end because his parole sentence was about to end he knew that they were definitely going to have the streets on lock like they had in the past.

"So you know my little sister? You fucking her? I know you ain't doing that cause then I would have to kill you." Trell joked in a serious kind of way.

"Nah chill nigga it ain't even like that." Jaylene laughed. "Me and Amber go way back."

"Yea well I know my sister not a baby no more and I don't agree with the fact that she attracted to niggas like us but I'll deal with the shit only cause you my boy and I know how you get down." Deep down inside Trell didn't want Amber getting involved with Jaylene, yeah that was his boy but he didn't want her to live the same life her momma had lived she was a good girl and she didn't need to be washed up into their lifestyle.

"You know I'm not going to put your sister in any danger man. That ain't my style. I'm going to keep her happy and satisfied." Jaylene said trying to put Trell at ease.

"What you mean satisfied? You better keep your dick in your pants man."

"You wildin' yo." Jaylene could tell that Trell was a little edgy at the idea of him talking to his sister so he ended the conversation and they headed back to Trell's spot so Jaylene could pick up his truck.

Jaylene was really feeling Amber. She had been on his mind the last couple of days since they had been talking and spending time together. He knew deep down inside that she was probably the best thing for him but he still wasn't sure. He had always known that she liked him and Jackie confirmed it when she had secretly told him a few years back. She was just right for him; smart, sexy, nice body, she wasn't stuck up and she had her head on her shoulders; she had dreams and goals that she was going after. He also learned from Jackie that Amber was a virgin which was hard to believe with the body she had. He knew once he popped that cherry the rest was a wrap. The only thing he was worried about was Semaj. Word was that he would be getting out soon. He didn't want to mess up his connect. Semaj had access to the best product. Losing that would hurt his pockets in a major way. At this point it was already too late to contemplate so he would just have to take his chances and deal with whatever came along.

#  Chapter 12

As Amber pulled in front of her house she noticed Jaylene's truck parked behind Trell's rental. Her heart dropped, she didn't know what to think. It was obvious that Jaylene was inside the house with Trell. Amber knew Trell all too well and he was probably giving Jaylene hell.

"Why would he just pop up without calling? He knew my brother was in town." Amber sat in the car for about five minutes before she decided to get out. When she finally made it into the house she could hear voices and laughter, she walked down the hallway into the back room that she used as a den where she found Trell and Jaylene both high, eating junk food, and watching Katt Williams: The Pimp Chronicles. When Jaylene noticed that Amber had walked into the room he stopped laughing and looked at Trell.

"What's up sis?"

"What's up sis? What the hell are y'all doing? What are you doing at my house with my brother? You know him?" She wanted all of her questions answered not later but now.

"See what had happened was-" Trell started only to be cut off.

"Don't what had happen was me, be real you've known my brother all this time and you never said anything." She immediately inferred.

"Nah it ain't like that I didn't know this was your brother until today." Jaylene answered.

"Calm down Amber nobody is keeping secrets from you. To make a long story short, we do business together. We ran into Jackie and that punk ass ex-boyfriend of yours, your name came up, Jaylene beat the nigga ass, and we put two and two together. Now you know the rest."

"Bullshit." Amber rolled her eyes and paraded out of the room.

"Her stubborn ass ain't never satisfied. You can go talk to her man I'm not about to let her bring my high down." Trell said. He knew Amber was never content with the answers she got. Trell was never the one to baby her. He told her exactly what he thought she needed to know.

He stood up and told Jaylene, "If you want to sit down and explain the shit to her that's your business. I'm out." He snatched his cell phone off the table, walked out the front door, got in his truck and sped off.

Jaylene just sat there and pondered his next move before he got up to exit the house. "Yo I'm out." He yelled up the stairs.

Amber appeared at the top of the stairs just before he was walking out the door. "What happened to your hand?" she asked not wanting him to leave.

"It ain't nothing."

"It don't look like nothing to me."

"I'm good. So what's up are you going to get rid of your little attitude and kick it with me?" Jaylene asked.

"I don't have an attitude. I just don't like being lied to."

"I haven't lied to you about anything. No need to, if I don't want you to know something I just won't tell you. Get dressed we're going out."

Without asking any questions Amber went back upstairs, found something to wear, touched up her hair, applied her Mac lip gloss, and was out the door with Jaylene.

She hopped in the truck and rolled down the window and let the cool crisp air hit her face. She got Jaylene to talk about what had happened earlier in the day he left out the part about Jackie trying to fuck her way out of trouble. That would only piss Amber off. After about forty five minutes of driving they pulled into the parking lot of the Grand Lux restaurant. There was a two hour wait but because Jaylene knew the hostess, they were seated immediately.

"You fucking her?

Jaylene laughed, "Nah I ain't fucking her."

"Only time niggas got pull like that with a bitch is when they fucking her or have intentions to fuck."

"Do you think if I was fucking her that I would have brought you here, and that she would have seated me so quickly, seeing that I'm with you?"

"So tell me Jaylene, how many women are you currently intimate with?"

"None."

Their waitress seated them in a booth and brought them waters. "I'll be back in a moment to take your orders." She said before walking away.

"So nobody exclusive?"

"Nobody but you. What else you want to know?"

"How long have you been in the game?"

Jaylene gave her a suspicious glare. "Who are you the feds? Who said I was in the game?"

"I just know the life."

"Yeah right, sure you do. I been in the game since I was old enough to stand on the block. But I've moved up from there now I got little niggas standing on the block for me."

"So Trell is your connect?"

"You sure you ain't the feds? Open your shirt let me see if you're wired." Jaylene licked his lips.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She teased. "What about your dad?"

"What about him?"

"Is it a family business?"

"Nah pops stacked and got out."

"Do you think you'll ever get out?"

"I can't say, right now wherever there's money, there's Jaylene."

"Are you guys ready to order?" The waitress asked.

Jaylene ordered the Pasta Pomodoro with a Calypso Mojito and Amber ordered the Prime Top Sirloin with a Mai Tai. The waitress collected their menus and was on her way.

"So you got your own little team then?"

"Nah niggas is grimy on the streets, I don't trust easily. My main niggas are Ken and Tone. Ken just been low key for a minute because of his parole. It's not good for me to discuss my business with you. I don't want to ever put you in a position to have to cover or lie for me, so this conversation is as far as it goes. I don't ever want you asking about my business."

" _Who the hell this nigga think he's talking to? Don't ask about his business, shit I was about to be the center of his business."_

"My daddy always let my momma in on everything that was going on. He talked to her bout almost every decision he made before he made a move."

"Well that's your daddy, I'm Jaylene and this is how I like it. Let me ask you something. Do you blame your daddy?" Jaylene asked.

"No! I love my daddy and I know how much he loved my momma that's how I knew he didn't have anything to do with her death. I'm just mad cause no matter what he should have been there with me. I needed him more than anything in this world." The tears started to fill her eyes.

Jaylene was quiet at first.

"You good?" He finally asked.

"That's what everybody don't understand, as long as my momma is dead I'm not going to be okay. I close my eyes every night and wish that when I wake up in the morning that my momma would be here and everything is back the way it was. But then every morning I wake up and everything is the same!" To Amber, it seemed like no one understood her pain. You would think since her momma had been gone for so long that she would be okay but every day it took another piece of her, knowing that Jocelyn was not coming back.

"Look babe, I know that it hurts and I can't say I know how you feel because I don't but you have to move on. That's what your mom would want." He took his napkin and wiped her tears. "I'm here for you. Don't shut me out."

Amber didn't say anything, she excused herself to go to the restroom to get herself together. When she returned, their food was there. They enjoyed the rest of their meal without the subject of death, because it was putting both of them in an uneasy mood.

#  Chapter 13

Amber waking up to Jaylene was the most incredible feeling. She actually felt secure. She was falling for him fast. The only thing she feared was her losing him to the streets, just like she had lost her parents. She didn't want to experience another heart ache like the one she already had. Amber knew that Jaylene was waking up, because she felt his hard on.

"You see what you do to me?" Jaylene asked as he kissed the back of her neck.

Amber smiled, "Well I plan on doing a lot more." She turned around and wrapped her legs around him.

They kissed intensely for almost ten minutes before both their phones started ringing.

"Damn." Jaylene rolled over and grabbed his phone off the nightstand. "Wassup?"

Amber saw that it was Jackie calling her, she ignored the call and rested her head on Jaylene's chest while he continued his call. Jackie had been trying to reach out to Amber but there was nothing that she could say to change the way she felt. She now knew that there was really no one on planet earth that Jackie gave a fuck about except herself.

When Jaylene was done with his call, he ran his fingertips down her spine and chill bumps surfaced. "You know I got you right?"

"Where did that come from?" Amber lifted her head so that she could see him.

"I'm just saying, you don't have to worry about shit cause I got you."

"Okay." Amber got up and went to shower.

"What's on your agenda for today?" Jaylene yelled through the door.

"Not too much, I have a hair appointment then I'm going shopping, you're going to Lavish tonight right? I'm taking Trell."

"Of course I'm going." Jaylene watched her as she came out of the bathroom, lotioned and got dressed.

"Well I will catch up with you later." Amber gave Jaylene a quick kiss and was out the door.

***

Lavish was packed as usual, Amber had reserved a VIP booth for the night and of course there was bottle service. Amber complemented a metallic sequin and black lace dress by Nicole Miller, her hair was in a bun and diamond studs decorated her ears. Quinette wore a very red and very short Prada dress that stopped just below her ass. Any sudden movements and her goods would be exposed. They were both ready to turn up, and it had been a while, Quinette was a real party animal.

"Damn Q." Trell said when he saw his cousin.

When Quinette was younger she was a complete tom boy, but she had definitely grown out of that.

"Shut up Trell."

"I'm just saying, you look good cuz." Trell was dressed in Versace and his cocky, I'm the man swag had all the ratchets eyes.

"Thank you."

"You are clearly the hoe magnet tonight cause you are definitely attracting them." Amber told her brother.

"You jealous?"

"Don't flatter yourself. You just better wrap up." Amber told him.

"You look beautiful," Jaylene whispered in her ear.

"Thank you."

"Alright. This is my last night in town, so let's turn the fuck up."

"This nigga acting like he not moving out here." Quinette said before holding her shot glass in the air.

They took shots before heading to the dance floor. Trell was definitely the man of the night. Girls were flocking to him and Amber was sure that someone would be the lucky lady for the night.

"Settled down my ass." Amber and Quinette laughed as they saw Trell at the bar feeling all over some random chick. Amber knew her brother too well, baby on the way or not that nigga was not settling down.

"Why ya'll hating on the man?" Jaylene said.

"Who's hating?" Quinette asked. She and Amber sat down at the booth.

Amber really wasn't in the mood to party, but she tried not to show it. She had received her test results to become board certified and she had failed the oral part of the exam. She was disappointed in herself, she had not failed not one exam since she had been in medical school and the one that mattered the most is the one she didn't pass. Now she would have to put in even more time at the hospital before she could retake the test. Jaylene could tell that something was bothering her but he didn't want to press the issue, at least not yet. They continued to party until the DJ announced last call.

"I can't wait to move down here to be with you sis." Trell wrapped his arm around Amber's neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Eww keep your lips to yourself with your drunk ass." Amber frowned and wiped his kiss off with the back of her hand.

"Oh now you too good for a kiss from yo big bro? But for real sis, I miss you. And I know how you been feeling neglected and shit, but I got you."

"I know you got me Trell." Amber told him.

"Alright just making sure. I'm about to roll out." He gave Jaylene a pound.

"You good nigga?" Jaylene asked.

"I'm a grown ass man, hell yeah I'm good." Trell dug in his pocket and pulled out his keys then headed to the bar where his one night stand was waiting.

Jaylene and Amber dropped Quinette off at her apartment, and headed to Jaylene's place. When they got there, Amber headed straight to the shower and Jaylene made breakfast, it was Amber's favorite thing to eat after she had been drinking. Jaylene was making their plates when he realized that Amber had not come back downstairs. He headed upstairs to the bathroom. The shower was still running and Amber was sitting under the water with her head in her lap crying.

"What's wrong ma?" Jaylene asked. He had pulled off his clothes and climbed in the shower with her.

She kept her head down, "I didn't pass my board exam."

Jaylene stood her up and wrapped his arms around her as they stood under the water together. She had never felt so secure in the arms of anyone that she had been with. Jaylene didn't talk, he didn't lecture her, and he didn't tell her how to feel, he just held her and let her cry and that's all that she wanted. When she was done letting it all out, he bathed her, they got out of the shower, ate their food, and fell asleep in each other's arms.

#  Chapter 14

Jaylene was chilling at Ken's crib with him and Tone. They were smoking, talking shit and watching a Laker's game on Ken's 70 inch TV that hung on the wall of his new place. Since he was discharged from parole, he had moved from the block and he was back to his old lifestyle. No one knew where he laid his head except for his boys.

"Man, why you never told me that Trell was Semaj's son?" Jaylene asked puffing his blunt.

"Shit I thought you knew Einstein. The nigga look just like him."

"Naw I didn't know. But it makes sense why his name has never came up, and why it was so easy for us to take over these streets, cause technically the nigga is making money off of us."

"When Semaj got locked up, Trell took over. He was the only one the connect trusted to do business with so I linked up with him. Before he only ran shit in St. Luis. That's why it was the perfect plan. Niggas didn't know Semaj had a son. Shit I don't think the FEDS know. That's why the nigga stay low when he's in town."

"Damn I'm slippin." Jaylene looked at his blunt as if he wanted to blame it on the weed, then passed it to Tone.

"Don't trip though, he's good people." Ken assured him.

"That nigga trippin about you and Amber?" Tone asked.

"Nah we good." His dick jumped at the thought of Amber, he wanted her in the worst way. Ever since she had failed her exam, she was going hard putting in crazy hours at the hospital, if Jaylene didn't know any better he would have thought they were in the same line of work. They were hardly seeing each other, but he admired her for her dedication. She was dedicated to her career and he was dedicated to his money. His thoughts about Amber were interrupted by the ringing of Tone's phone.

"Wassup?.....Oh yeah?....Alright, we'll be there." Tone ended the call and stood up.

"Who was that?"

"That was Bones, he said that package from Kyle came up short."

"How short?" Ken asked.

"Five racks."

"Five gees?" Jaylene asked as if he hadn't heard right.

"Yup." Tone puffed the blunt one last time before putting it out.

Jaylene stood up, ready for action, "Where this nigga at?"

"The spot."

They headed over to a spot that they had on the west side of Compton. Everybody that worked for them knew they meant business and anybody that came up short had better come up with whatever was missing within 24 hours or else. They pulled up and hopped out, ready for action. As soon as they entered the door Kyle, the one that had come up short was laid out on the sofa that sat in the living room. Ken walked over to him and slapped him across the face with the butt of his pistol.

"Wake yo bitch ass up."

Jaylene grabbed the chair out the corner and sat right in front of Kyle. His gun dangled between his legs as he held it pointed to the floor. Kyle knew better than to sit up, because Ken or Tone would knock him back down. He held onto the side of his face that had already started to swell up.

"What I don't understand," Jaylene looked around confused, "Is how the fuck you laid up in here sleep, and you short five racks."

"Bones said he would take care of it."

Jaylene punched him in the face, breaking his nose.

Tone laughed, "Wrong answer Kyle. This the second time you came up short this month. We gave you a pass the first time, now I feel like you just saying fuck us."

Kyle was afraid to speak, He knew he had fucked up by stashing extra money. Jaylene, Tone, and Ken made sure everybody on the block ate well, but he wanted a little extra so he could put down on a whip. He figured that they were bringing in so much money, that they wouldn't notice, but they were always on point they calculated every sale, down to the last penny.

"Let me do this nigga." Ken aimed his pistol at Kyle's head ready to shoot, he was sure he wouldn't miss.

"Don't kill him, I got the money blood." Bones said, he walked in just in the nick of time, he dropped the money on the floor.

Bones was a 6'2 walking stick. His fighting skills were out of this world. He would easily put niggas to sleep with one punch. He ate, slept, and breathed on the block. The spot was his second home, and he hardly left it.

"You must got nine lives, cause this nigga Bones just saved your ass. Now you got twenty-four hours to pay this nigga back, cause I know he took that out of his own pockets." Ken told him before putting his gun away.

Tone left Kyle with a little message, "Never bite the hand that feeds you nigga. Stop being greedy."

"Make sure this nigga pay you back too." Jaylene told Bones.

"It ain't no thang, we family. He still learning."

Kyle was still sitting on the couch holding his nose. He was glad that Bones had his back the way he did. If he would have come five seconds later his brains would have been splattered.

"What's up with the re-up? When is Trell coming with the shit?" Tone asked. They were on their way back to Ken's house.

"Next week he'll be down for good." Ken said.

"Alright, I'll get at you niggas later I need some fucking rest." Tone said. He hopped out of Ken's truck and headed to his car.

When Jaylene left Tone and Ken he thought about going to the hospital to see Amber but decided against it. She had been a little moody since she failed her exam so he decided to just give her some space besides, he needed to focus on his money.

#  Chapter 15

Back In St. Luis....

"Yo Trell, Meet me at the spot, ASAP." Corey was pacing back and forth as he talked to Trell on the phone. Corey was 5'9 and full of muscle. His upper torso was covered in tattoos. Corey was Trell's top guy he was the most loyal and dedicated.

"Chill, I'm pulling up. This better be good nigga Khai tripping about me helping her pack this shit to move.

"This is definitely important."

When Trell bolted through the door, there was Corey and two of their block boys, Jon Jon and Juicy, and some guy that Trell didn't know.

"Who the fuck is this? What I tell ya'll about bringing mutha fuckas to the spot?"

"I ran into this nigga on the block, he was asking around for a nigga named Prime to cop some good. So I tell the nigga that nobody got nothing better than us, I give him a tester and he pulls this shit out of his wallet," Corey slammed the red label that they marked their product with on the table. Trell picked up the label. He could tell it was old, because the skull that was printed on the label was faded and edges were torn.

"The thing is though, everything has been accounted for so either this nigga is lying, or somebody is trying to pass some shit off as ours." Juicy said.

Trell frowned, "Who's the nigga you said sold you this?"

"Some dude named Prime. There were two of them, I don't know the other guy's name; he was real paranoid though. They said they weren't drug dealers and that they were trying to get rid of some shit."

"How long ago was this?"

"Few years ago. Three maybe four. Not sure. I ain't came across nothing like it until now."

"So let me get this straight you just go looking for some dude that sold you some shit four years ago?" Trell asked.

"Relapse." Was all the man said.

Trell's jaws clenched and he turned and punched a hole in the wall.

"You think you can hook me up something nice for my services?" The man asked ignoring Trell's frustrations. He was dead before anyone could blink. Trell had put two hollow points in his chest.

"Fuck yo services."

"What was that all about?" Corey asked.

Trell didn't answer, he was trying to process everything.

"Juicy and Jon Jon, get rid of this piece of shit." Trell stormed out, with a confused Corey on his heels.

"Wassup man talk to me." Corey pleaded.

"The nigga he said sold him the shit use to date my sister."

"Word? Is that why you mad?"

"Nah fool she ain't with him no more. He's not a factor."

"Come again?"

"He ain't on the team nigga! He never was."

"So you think Amber gave him the shit?"

"I don't know. But what I do know is the last time anything came up missing was when Jossie got killed. And he said it was a few years back, so what do you think?"

"Yeah but how can you be sure. I doubt she would set up her moms. You know how tight they were."

"I'm not sure, but I got a gut feeling. Could be her guilty conscience that's eating her up. Pack up and meet me at the crib and make sure them niggas take care of that."

"You know I got you." Corey gave Trell a pound and got on top of what he needed to do.

#  Chapter 16

Amber was on her way to the barbeque that Ken was throwing on Queensdale. The way it turned out you would have thought it was a block party. Cars were double parked, ratchets were posted up, guys were dripping with sweat hooping in the middle of the street and kids were running around despite the fact that it was far from a child environment. Amber knew that Prime was going to be there, because it was just like him to go where he was neither wanted nor invited. She was excited to see Quinette and Carmen, who she had finally forgiven for the stunt she pulled at her house. She knew that Drew had Carmen wrapped around his little finger so she had decided to keep her only so close. She was especially excited to see her man since they had not been spending hardly any time together. She had planned on making it known to all women that were in attendance that Jaylene was hers, because he was definitely on the most wanted list. Amber kept it simple and sported a pair of Frankie B shorts, a tank and a pair of red low top chucks.

As she walked up the block, Amber could feel all eyes on her, including Primes'. She spoke to a few people as she made her way over to Jaylene, tonguing him down.

"You think you're slick." Jaylene said as his eyes traveled across the street where Prime was watching. He could see the fire burning inside of him. He smiled and then winked at him.

Prime attempted to cross the street but Drew stopped him, then whispered something in his ear. Little did Amber know, not only was she making it known to the lusting women that Jaylene was off the market, she was also making it known to the men that were drooling over her.

"Can I talk to you Amber?" Jackie had approached her.

"You can get the fuck out my face. Don't you have some dick to go suck?" It hurt Amber to be so cold to Jackie, but at this point she didn't care.

"Come on do you really need to go there?" If it were anybody else, their teeth would have been on the ground, but Amber was her best friend, and she didn't want to fight, she only wanted to make it right.

"Get out of my face Jackie."

Jackie turned and walked away. She had tried everything she could, but it was now clear to her that Amber was done with her for good.

Amber left Jaylene and went to chill with Carmen and Quinette. They were posted on the hood of Quinette's Camaro.

"So what's the deal with you two?" Carmen asked.

'What does it look like?" Amber told her.

"Is Jackie still trying to call a truce?" Quinette asked.

"Of course she is, she's pathetic. She was never a friend to begin with." Carmen answered.

"Is she as pathetic as you are for setting me up to get ambushed by Prime?"

"Really Amber?"

"Really Carmen." Amber was angry all over again.

"Carmen let me holla at you for a sec." Drew came over and pulled her out of the crowd.

Amber caught a glimpse of him and Quinette locking eyes for a brief moment. She waited until Drew was out of sight to say anything.

"What was that about?"

"What do you mean?" Quinette asked.

"Don't play dumb Q' I saw the way you two looked at each other. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"No."

She cut her eye at Quinette, "Please don't come in my circle doing scandalous shit."

Quinette laughed, "You call this a circle?"

"I'm serious Q', they have enough shit going on."

"Alright chill."

"I'm going home." Carmen came over and announced. It was clear that she had an attitude.

"Why? Because Drew has one or more of his groupies here?" she glanced at Quinette, but Carmen didn't catch it.

"Please don't start."

"Alright, I'll see you later." Amber hugged her friend. She could feel Prime damn near burning a hole in her he was glaring so hard. Even though she didn't look at him, she could feel it.

As if he could sense something was wrong, Jaylene walked over with a container of food and asked if she was okay.

"I'm good."

"Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, but I don't really have the energy to eat right now. I'll eat it later.

"Give me your key, I'll put it in the car for you."

Amber handed Jaylene her key and then followed him to where she was parked.

"Are you coming over tonight?" he opened her trunk and sat the plate inside.

"You're not tired of me yet?"

"Nah, never. I don't see you enough. My birthday is next week, I got something planned so make sure you're free."

"What do you have planned? I thought that was my job."

"Don't worry about that."

"Are we keeping secrets already?"

"No secrets ma, it's a surprise."

Amber put her hand up, "Cancel whatever you have planned, I already have something set up."

"Alright." Jaylene agreed and gave her a quick kiss before they headed back up the street to the barbeque.

Amber noticed Drew and Prime standing off to the side in a deep conversation. Prime had his hand in his pocket, where Amber knew his pistol was. She had a gut feeling that something was about to happen.

"Amber I'm out. Niggas is about to trip." Quinette said.

"What you talking about? What niggas?" Jaylene got in combat mode scanning the crowds looking for anything out of the ordinary.

"I over heard two dudes saying they were about to clear this shit out."

"Where are they?" he was still scanning the crowd looking for an enemy or an unfamiliar face.

"I don't know, but I'm out." Quinette said before heading to her car.

Jaylene grabbed Amber's hand and headed over to where Ken and Tone were, that's when he saw two dudes closing in on Drew and Prime.

"Go to Ken's grandma house and get low and stay there until I come for you."

Amber did as she was told no questions asked, but before she could make it to the gate she heard Jaylene call out Drew's name. She turned around and saw the dudes drawing and after that all she heard was gun fire. Jaylene told her to go in Ken's grandmother's house, but her instincts told her to head for her car. Crowds were scattering, people were screaming and running to their cars. Amber made it to her car, thanking God that she had worn flats. The shooting seemed to last forever. She prayed that Ken and Jaylene were okay. By the time she got her car door open the shooting had ceased. She looked up and saw a third shooter headed her way she only had enough time to reach under her seat and grab the gun she had taken from Prime's safe. By the time she turned back around there he was and before she knew it, she had emptied the clip.

#  Chapter 17

"Fuck! Amber!" Jaylene yelled as he ran to Amber's car. All he saw was her car door open and a body on the ground. The closer he got the more he realized that it wasn't her laying on the ground. There she sat in her car, in a daze, still squeezing the trigger of the now empty gun.

The guy lay on the ground gasping for any ounce of air to breathe in, but he had no luck, Amber had emptied a full clip of hollow point bullets at close range. There was blood everywhere. Ken grabbed the gun from her hand.

"Are you good baby?" Jaylene grabbed her. She was still shaking.

"We gotta go like now! This nigga is dying and the police will be here any second, take her and go." Tone told them, as he picked up the shells from the ground.

"Ken take her car and meet me at one." Jaylene told him. One was their code word for where they rested their head. Jaylene put Amber in his car, and headed to his place. Amber still hadn't said anything.

"Are you good ma? I need you to tell me that you good." Even with the seriousness of the situation, Jaylene's dick got hard at the thought of Amber bagging a nigga.

"I'm good. What about the gun? And my car?"

"Don't worry about that." Jaylene dialed Trell on his cell.

"What's up?"

"I need you to come down tonight, no questions asked." Jaylene knew he couldn't say much on the phone even though he doubted anyone was listening, but you could never be too sure.

"I'll have Khai pack me a bag ASAP."

"Alright, meet me at one." Jaylene told him and ended the call. He put his hand on Amber's thigh and squeezed it. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. I should have protected you. I'm never leaving you again."

"It's okay."

"It's not okay. I would have never forgiven myself if something would have happened to you."

For the first time, Amber wished her dad was there. When they made it to Jaylene's house, he pulled in his garage and had Amber take everything off and he did the same, he put their clothes in a plastic bag and they headed straight to the shower. Jaylene could tell that she was scared, but she hid it as best she could. In situations like these she knew that any sign of weakness could not be shown. Amber did what she had to do, it was either him or her and she made her choice.

"So what's the plan?" Amber asked as she wrapped her towel around her and laid on the bed.

Jaylene was trying his hardest to focus on the situation and not on Amber. She was definitely his ride or die. "You don't worry about that. I got you." He walked over and kissed her before throwing on Nike basketball shorts and a t-shirt before joining Ken and Tone down stairs. Amber rested easy knowing that Jaylene would take care of everything. She trusted him.

***

Trell arrived a few hours later. He didn't know what to expect but he was prepared for the worst. He just hoped that it didn't involve police or losing money. He never had that problem with Jaylene, but you never knew.

"What's good Trell?" Tone gave him a pound as he joined them in Jaylene's living room.

"Shit nothing right now. What's going on with you niggas?"

Ken and Tone looked at Jaylene.

"Well wassup?" He asked again.

"Amber bagged a nigga today."

"She what? Trell put his hand up, "Wait hold up. You telling me that my little sister killed somebody? What the fuck happened? Where is she?"

"She's upstairs sleep. She's a little shook, but she's good. Some niggas tried to take out Drew and Prime on Queensdale today. They was bold enough to walk up on feet. I told Amber to go before the shooting started. I guess it was three of them cause dude met her at the car and she got off on him. Thank God she was strapped though."

"Where she get a gun from?" Trell asked.

"She took it from that nigga Prime when she left him."

"I got rid of that shit. No telling how many bodies on that thang." Tone said.

"And the body?" Trell asked.

"We took care of that." Ken told him.

"What about witnesses?" Trell didn't want his sister going down for a murder.

"Nobody we need to worry about. We got her," Tone assured him.

"Who is this nigga man? Ya'll fuck with him?"

"Hell naw. That's Drew's boy. I don't know the nigga he from ATL or some shit." Jaylene told him. "I've been trying to get a hold of Drew, but them niggas is ghost."

"Of course they are. I'm ready to give it to that nigga Prime on the real. He bringing heat to the block."

"We gotta make this move." Ken announced. He stood up and gave Jaylene and Trell a pound. "Hit my line if you need me." He said to Jaylene.

"Ya'll niggas stay on the move." Trell told them.

"Shit time is money and a nigga standing still gone stay broke."

"I hear you, shit I wish somebody told baby momma that shit cause her ass stay tripping." They all laughed. "But ya'll be safe." He pulled out a wrap and a small container of medical marijuana, "You got something to roll this on?"

Jaylene went in the kitchen and brought back a wooden tray.

Trell burst out laughing.

Jaylene handed him the tray, "What the fuck is so funny?"

"Niggas don't roll on magazines no more? You got a special tray?"

Jaylene laughed, "Fuck you nigga. Take it or leave it!"

Jaylene left Trell and went to go check on Amber. She was still sound asleep. He could tell that she had been crying. He knew it had hit a hard spot for her. He wished he could take away all her pain. Amber was getting to a place that no one had been before, and that was Jaylene's heart. He watched her sleep for a little while longer before he rejoined Trell for a smoke session

"My head is fucked up right now. I should have never let her leave my side."

"You did what you thought was best. If she would have stayed with you, she would have been in the line of fire." Trell told him.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"I'm not going to tell my pops. That nigga will be trying to break out for his baby girl." Trell laughed at the thought but envied Amber for it at the same time.

"So when is he supposed to touch down?" Jaylene asked.

"Shit it's a long process but knowing Semaj, he gone try to pop up."

"You tell him about me and Amber?"

"Nah, that ain't my place. I'm sure he already knows, but he hasn't said anything to me so most likely he doesn't. Semaj has a habit of withholding information. The nigga always know the answers to his questions before he even asks." Trell reminisced on his teenaged days. "Let me get out of here, I haven't had sleep in days."

"I know that feeling all too well."

"Tell my sister to hit my line tomorrow, I'm going to stay in town a few days until this shit die down"

"I got you." Jaylene closed the door, and headed upstairs to join Amber, he snuggled up behind her and planted kisses on the back of her neck.

"I think I'm falling in love." he whispered in her ear before falling asleep.

***

Amber woke up the next morning feeling well rested, she didn't know if was the pills she took or if she had just slept the day away, she rolled over to an empty space next to her, but heard the shower running. She in no way intended to worry about what happened, she trusted Jaylene and she was sure that he had been through this all before.

"Good morning Beautiful" Jaylene entered the room wrapped in a towel, water still dripping from his body.

"Good morning."

"Are you hungry? Trell stopped by last night. He wants you to call him."

"I'm not really hungry, but I'm sure that he has already reported back to his drill sergeant." Amber sighed then grabbed her cell phone and dialed Trell's number.

"What's up sis you straight?"

"Yea, I'm good."

Trell was rambling on about how he wasn't going to let anything happen to her and how he had decided not to tell Semaj about this incident, at least not until he was home. Amber was busying herself enjoying the sight of Jaylene's amazing body.

"Amber? Amber, did you hear what I said?" Trell asked.

"I hear you Trell."

Jaylene was ripped and toned in all the right places. Her eyes traveled down to the bulge in his towel.

Jaylene saw her eyeing his piece, "You ain't ready."

Amber was trying to focus on her phone conversation, but was too distracted. "Trell I'm going to call you back." She hung up and tossed her phone on the bed then trotted over to where Jaylene was standing inside his walk-in closet, trying to figure out what to wear.

"What makes you think that I'm not ready?"

"Cause once you get this dick, you gone go crazy."

"Maybe that's what I want to do." she kissed him.

Jaylene picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around him. He placed her right on his stiff pole just so that she could feel how big he was. He could feel the heat burning through her panties. He knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her, but he didn't want her first time to be rushed. He knew girls took that shit serious. Amber was grinding on him, causing his dick to get rock hard.

"Damn ma." Jaylene grabbed her by her hair, and kissed her long and hard.

"Take me baby."

"Nah ma, daddy gotta work. I don't want to rush your first time, I know it's special."

Amber poked her lips out.

"Don't worry I got you." Jaylene put her down and continued to get dressed.

Amber was a little frustrated but she wasn't mad, because little did Jaylene know, she had the whole plan mapped out. She just hoped she could hold out another week. Amber took a shower and got dressed.

"What's on your schedule for today?" Jaylene asked her.

"I'm going to the hospital for a few hours, then I'm going to go see my grandma."

"But you're coming back here right?"

"I didn't plan on it."

"Just be here when I get here." Jaylene gave her a quick kiss and was out the door.

#  Chapter 18

It had been a few weeks since the shooting at the barbeque and everything was slowly turning back to normal on Queensdale. The police came and tossed around some false accusations; but they came up with nothing as usual. It was a few days before Jaylene's birthday and Amber was meeting Quinette at her grandma's house so that they could go and shop for Jaylene's gift. He had everything a man could possibly want, she had no idea what to get a man that already had everything, the ultimate gift. Quinette had texted and said that she was up the street, Amber was digging in her Céline bag for her keys when the doorbell rang.

"Here I come!" she yelled, grabbing her phone off the coffee table.

The doorbell continued to ring and echo throughout the house. "I'm coming Q' damn, lay off the bell!" Amber headed to the door, nearly tripping over herself trying to get there. Amber swung the door open, she was stunned at the fact that her daddy was standing in front of her. She could tell that he had been out for a while because he was well groomed, dressed up, looking fly and smelling good. Semaj was screaming money! The image that appeared before Amber, reminded her of the daddy that she knew and loved in the past. Semaj hadn't aged a bit. Amber was happy that her daddy was finally home. She hugged him, embracing his presence and the fact that he was really there.

"So how long have you been out?" Amber asked.

"For a minute. You look like you're headed out, where are you going?"

"I just came to meet Q, we're going to the mall. I don't live here anymore."

"Well I came just in time then, I need to pick up a few things myself."

Amber didn't protest, she actually wanted to spend some time with her daddy, and she could use his taste to get Jaylene's gift. Quinette pulled up and hopped out, running over to her uncle Semaj. She was overly excited, in fact she was more excited than Amber.

Instead of driving Q's Camaro, they drove the black Nissan Armada that Semaj was pushing. It was already dressed up in rims. Amber knew that this would be his everyday car and he would bring out his most prized possessions when he wanted to show off. They cruised to the mall listening to Marvin Gaye and other oldies. Semaj was feeling good and grooving to the music. He was telling Amber about all the plans he had for them. Amber took note that not once did he mention getting out of the game, She knew he was never going to change, losing his wife just wasn't enough. When they got to the mall, they were doing so much shopping that Amber completely forgot about Jaylene's gift.

"What ya'll come to the mall for, cause it seem like ya'll spending all my money." Semaj joked.

"To find Amber's boyfriend a birthday gift." Quinette purposely blurted, revealing Ambers secret that she was trying to hide for as long as possible.

Amber shot her a look that should have killed her instantly.

"What boyfriend? Is that why you were too busy to write me?"

"No daddy, that's not why I didn't write you. I was eventually going to tell you when the time was right. What was I supposed to do? Open the door and say welcome home daddy, I have a boyfriend."

"Something like that." he laughed. "Well I'm going to have to meet this punk. He got you out here buying him shit. Does your grandma know about this boyfriend?

"Daddy don't start. I'm grown. I graduated high school, med school, and I don't have any kids. I walked the straight and narrow just like you and mommy wanted."

"You damn right you don't have no kids. You bet not. I'm not ready to be a Papa." Semaj got a call on his phone and that was Amber's que. After shopping for another two hours, Amber still didn't find Jaylene's gift. Semaj took Amber to his personal jeweler and Amber bought Jaylene a watch and diamond earrings. He bought Amber a tennis bracelet dripped in diamonds and diamond studs to match.

"I need to stop by my mom's before I drop ya'll off." Semaj told them.

"Oh hell no. Take me home." Amber hated Semaj's mom. She never referred to her as her grandma.

Semaj's mother was messy and full of drama. She and Jocelyn never got along and she didn't really have a relationship with Amber. Semaj's mom had always been jealous of Amber and her mom and because they were Semaj's world that was a problem for her.

"That lady is your grandmother I'll only be a minute."

"I don't want to be in the presence of anybody who doesn't like me."

"She does like you Amber, she just thinks that you are spoiled, which is true." Quinette butted in.

Quinette was pissing Amber off more and more, putting her nose where it didn't belong, but of course she would side with her uncle, after he had been spending money on her all day.

"Well no matter what the situation is, I have to stop over there and the world don't revolve around Amber, so sit back and chill."

"Well I will be sitting my happy ass in the car."

Amber wasn't in the car ten minutes before the welcome wagons started pulling up. She figured that if she sat in the car the whole time, that Semaj would eventually take her home, and after sitting in the hot car for thirty minutes, Amber got out, she refused to sit in the car while he sat in there mingling with his nosey, begging ass family so she made it her business to tell him that it was time to go. As soon as she walked through the door, there stood her so called grandma greeting her with one of her fake ass hugs. Everybody was hugging and kissing Amber like she was the one getting out of prison. She trotted through the room, barely speaking to any of her aunties and cousins. She found Semaj in the back room on his cell phone. He immediately ended the conversation. He could tell by the look that Amber had on her face that she was not waiting another second so he said his good byes and took her back to her grandma's house. When they arrived, Quinette hopped in her Camaro and pulled off not saying two words to Amber.

Betty was happy to see that Semaj and Amber were somewhat getting along. Amber left her daddy and grandma to talk and she went upstairs and called Jaylene.

"What's up ma?"

I need you to meet me at my grandma's house, are you busy?"

"Nah, just chillin. What's the problem?"

"You'll see when you get here." Amber hung up the phone and rejoined Semaj and Betty.

"Granny Jaylene is coming. Do you want me to have him grab you some food?"

"I'm fine."

"Jaylene? Why does that name sound so familiar?" Semaj asked.

"I don't know, I doubt if you know him though."

"You doubt it huh? Well we shall see about that when he gets here."

Jaylene arrived at Betty's house wearing bright red Nike basketball shorts, a white tee, and a pair of crisp white air forces. His hair was in a sloppy pony tail, yet he still looked so perfect to Amber.

"Why aren't you dressed?" She gave him a quick peck on the lips, then stood aside for him to come into the house.

"Dressed for what? I told you I was chilling. Where am I going?"

"Nowhere but I'm just saying."

"So what's up? Everything okay with your granny?"

"Yes, she's fine. I called you over here to meet my daddy."

"You bullshitting me right?"

"No I'm not." Amber led the way into the family room where he came face to face with the man who ran the city. "Daddy this is Jaylene, Jaylene this is my daddy Semaj." Something about the looks that they were giving each other revealed that they were already acquainted. Amber told herself that they couldn't possibly know each other.

"Amber give me ten minutes." Semaj said never taking his eye off of Jaylene.

Betty gave Amber a look that told her not to argue with him, she looked at Jaylene for approval before leaving the room. _"What the hell is going on? Why do I have to leave the room and what is so important that can't be said in front of me?"_ There were a thousand questions running through Amber's head and she wanted answers. She followed her grandma into the kitchen to see what she could pry out of her.

"Granny what's going on?" She asked immediately.

"I have no idea. Whatever it is don't go getting excited over it."

"I just want to know what it is they have to talk about without me in the room. Did you see the way they were looking at each other?"

"Yeah I saw it but don't go trying to be investigator and get into something that you don't need to be in Amber."

"Granny you know I'm hard headed."

"I know. Just like your momma." There was a long pause and nothing else was said. She left Amber in the kitchen to think about what she had just said. She sat there and ate two bowls of cereal before she went back into the family room.

They were wrapping up whatever it was that they were discussing when Amber made her presence known. Semaj gave her a hug and kiss and was out the door.

"So what did he say?" Amber asked.

"We didn't discuss you at all we were on some business shit."

"Business? So what does that mean he put you on? You work for him now?" She wanted to know exactly what business they had to talk about besides her.

"No he didn't put me on. Jaylene don't work for nobody. I'm not trying to discuss this right now Amber we'll talk later."

"So you're going to shut me out too huh?" she was on the verge of getting an attitude. She wanted to kick him the hell out but he was looking too good and she hadn't kissed those lips all day.

"I'm not shutting you out I just said we'll talk about it later. Don't press my buttons you know I don't like that shit Amber."

"Who said I'm pressing buttons?" she ran her tongue over his lips then slid her tongue in his mouth.

He pulled her close and they kissed for what seemed like eternity.

"Damn girl. Can you let a nigga breathe?"

"You don't need to breathe."

"You crazy woman." he laughed.

"I told you that you couldn't handle me," she teased.

"I didn't say I couldn't handle you." He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to her car.

If her grandma hadn't been home Amber would have let Jaylene fuck her right there in her grandma's house. She was having an obsessive desire for something that she never had before. She wanted him so bad and she knew she would be giving it up real soon. She had held out long enough and it was time to let go.

#  Chapter 19

It was Jaylene's birthday and his phone had been blowing up all morning. Amber was determined not to get side tracked, she made breakfast, showered, then hopped in the shower and called Robin. With all the drama her friends had going on she didn't want to be bothered with them so she asked Robin to help with her plans for Jaylene.

"It would be nice if I could get some birthday sex from my girl. What a nigga gotta do? Put a ring on your finger? Cause we can go shopping right now." Jaylene snuck up behind Amber and was kissing on her neck. It was barely noon and he had a bottle in one hand, and a blunt in the other.

"Come on babe, I have a lot to do and Robin is on her way."

"So what you can cancel all that shit and let me make love to you."

"I'm not just going to cancel, If you just chill, you will get what you want."

"Right now I want some pussy."

Amber heard Robin honk, and she was saved by the bell. "Gotta go babe!" She gave him a quick kiss and was out the door.

Robin and Amber hit the salon and the nail shop and headed to the docks to prepare the yacht that Amber had rented for them to spend their evening, she wanted something different and out of the ordinary. She decorated the yacht in rose petals and aroma therapy candles to set the mood. Since Jaylene loved sea food Amber cooked Steak, shrimp, baked potatoes, rice, and Lobster. By the time she was done cooking, she had less than an hour before Jaylene would arrive. She thanked Robin and sent her on her way.

"Make sure you rock his socks girl." Robin told her before leaving.

She was putting the finishing touches on her hair when she heard Jaylene call her name from the deck. She checked her reflection in the mirror one last time before going to greet her man. She wore a short black dress with no panties and no bra. It complimented her in all the right places.

"Damn Ma, you look sexy as fuck," Jaylene could have sworn at that very moment that every ounce of blood in his body had rushed down to his dick.

"Thanks babe, you look fly as well."

"Jaylene was rocking a black custom made Armani suit. He handed Amber the bundle of roses that he was holding.

"Something smells good." He embraced her and rubbed his hand down her backside.

"That's your dinner, are you ready to eat?"

"I'm ready to eat you." Jaylene was now nibbling on her ear.

"Come on baby let's eat, I slaved all day cooking for you."

"Wait who is going to drive this shit?"

"Me."

"Aww hell. You trying to kill me?"

"No silly, I use to go out with my uncle all the time. Besides, we're not going out that far. Come here." Amber pulled Jaylene close showing him the controls and what she was doing.

"So you did all this for ya boy huh?"

"Why not? You deserve it."

"So are you ready for this present that daddy has for you?" Jaylene was finishing the last of his food.

"Only if you are ready for the present that I'm ready to give you and only you."

Jaylene didn't waste any time carrying Amber down to the stage room. He laid her on the bed and kissed every inch of her body. Jaylene was licking sucking and biting on her inner thighs and it was driving her crazy.

"Baaabe ...I'm supposed to be pleasing you..." Amber's body was on fire, she had never felt like this before.

"You have done nothing but please me. You are my birthday gift, so let me enjoy it." Jaylene continued to tease her, by the time he actually made contact with her clit she was already soaking wet and ready to come.

"Jaylene baby make love to me."

Jaylene pulled out his masterpiece and penetrated her very slowly. He was nine inches of thickness so he went as slow as possible. She was so tight and wet that he thought he was in heaven. Because he didn't want to hurt her, he only went halfway in. Amber could feel her insides tearing away. She wanted to scream, but she held it in instead. Jaylene kissed the tears that rolled down her face. The more he stroked, the better it felt and soon Amber found herself grinding back.

"Go deeper baby. I want all of you."

"You sure you want me to go all the way?"

"Yes." Amber moaned.

"Shit." Jaylene picked up his speed, giving her long deep strokes. He kissed her as he plunged deeper. They were both drenched in sweat and the cool ocean breeze that crept through the window felt good. After a while he could feel that Amber was no longer tense and he went all the way.

"Yes baby, fuck me harder. I love you Jaylene.......oh shiiiitt, right there." Amber exploded with Jaylene, releasing the most gut wrenching orgasm that literally took her breath away for about three seconds.

Jaylene plopped down beside her to catch his own breath. He starred at Amber as she lay sprawled out on the bed, the moonlight shined through the window, causing her smooth brown skin to glow.

She laid her head on his chest, and they enjoyed the ocean breeze pouring in. Jaylene could tell just in her silence that she was thinking about her mom, so he gave her that moment.

#  Chapter 20

Club Lavish was packed for Semaj's welcome home party. Trell had finally moved and got settled, and for the first time since her mom had died, Amber felt like her family was complete. Trell had reserved every single VIP booth that Lavish had to offer. Everybody that was somebody was there. The DJ was spinning all of the latest hip hop and the floor was packed by eleven o clock. The club was almost at capacity and the line was still wrapped around the building.

Semaj was dressed in all white Armani from head to toe, that was his thing. If Jocelyn had been alive, she would be killing the game on his arm but instead he had Amber on his arm. She was dressed in an all-white Versace dress that was embedded with sequins and a plunging neckline. Her hair was perfectly straightened and it swung gracefully with each stride that she took. Everyone was dressed to impress. This was definitely a red carpet event. Semaj was well respected on the streets, so everyone had come out to show him love. Even Jocelyn's brother HT had come back into town to welcome who he considered a brother home.

Amber left her dad to mingle while she joined Trell's pregnant girlfriend, Khai in the VIP.

"Girl you are killing it in that dress. Your dad and your bro are going to shut this mutha down." Khai told her.

Amber laughed, "You are crazy. You just make sure you keep that belly in VIP."

"So where is Mr. Jaylene?"

"He should be here soon. I had to leave before him since my dad insisted that me and Trell make the grand entrance with him."

They both laughed.

"And what are ya'll over here so giggly about?" Trell asked.

"None of your business," Amber told him.

"Yeah okay, none of my business."

"I have to use the ladies room." Khai pulled Amber's arm away from Trell.

"Come straight back!" Trell told her.

"As you wish," Khai bowed to him as they laughed their way to the ladies room.

The line was long, but because of Khai's baby bump they went straight to the front. As Amber waited for Khai to come out of the stall, she saw Jackie exiting one of the other stalls.

"Hey Amber." She approached cautiously.

Every time Amber saw her she wanted to whoop her ass. She was still hurt by Jackie's actions. She gave her the coldest look that you could imagine.

"Can you just hear me out please? I miss my best friend." She grabbed Amber's arm, but she snatched it away.

"You lost your best friend when you fucked my nigga. Get the fuck out of my face Jackie, or its going to be round two in this bitch."

Jackie didn't say anything, but her eyes were pleading with Amber, after seeing that she wasn't going to budge she washed her hands and left the rest room on the verge of tears.

"Is everything okay out here?" Khai asked as she exited the stall."

"Yeah, everything is fine. Let's get back to the section, I'm ready to turn up."

When they got back to the VIP area, there was Amber's Knight in shining armor. Jaylene was dressed in all white Versace pants, shirt, and vest that was decorated with gold embellishments. His Versace Medusa head chain swung from his neck.

"Damn Ma, you are definitely killing it in that dress." Jaylene looked her over before giving her a kiss."

"Thank you baby. You are definitely killing these niggas in here."

"That's what I do." he laughed.

"That's' what he better do as long as it took the nigga to get dressed." Ken added as he hugged Amber.

"I just ran into your girl." She told Ken.

"You know her ass is not missing a party like this."

"Are you good?" Jaylene asked her.

"I'm good." Amber kissed Jaylene on the lips before she rejoined Khai.

When Carmen and Quinette finally arrived, Amber had to leave Khai for a little while and hit the dance floor. Even though the club had hit capacity, they were still letting people in. The dance floor was body to body. When Prime came and wrapped his arms around Amber's waist she wanted to die. She knew it wasn't Jaylene. She could smell the liquor coming out of his pores.

"You must wanna die tonight." She told him as she removed his hands from around her waist.

"You fucked him didn't you?" Prime asked her.

"You fucked Jackie didn't you?"

Unbeknownst to both of them, Jaylene was in the cut watching them, more so watching Amber and how she reacted to him. He could tell from where he was that Amber was being cold to Prime. He knew that she was a good woman, and that she was not going to tolerate any bullshit. He knew that Amber never loved Prime. Her heart had always been with him.

"Calm down, I just want to dance with you baby." Prime told her.

"What are you even doing here? If you want your life, I suggest you leave."

"You of all people should know I'm not worried about the next nigga. When you gone let me taste that again?"

When Jaylene saw that Prime was getting a little too close, he headed their way.

She laughed, "Nigga you will never taste this again. Not ever!"

"Alright, well see about that," Prime disappeared in the crowd after looking over Amber's shoulder and seeing Jaylene approaching.

"What was that about?" Jaylene asked as he snuck up behind Amber.

"Nothing at all."

"If that nigga put his hands on what's mines again, he gone be pushing up dirt."

Amber was feeling too good to worry about the fact that Prime and Jackie were there. Her daddy was home, she had her man, and her brother. Nothing else mattered to her. She grabbed Jaylene's hand and they danced to Kendrick Lamar's Poetic Justice. After being on the dance floor eight songs straight, Amber headed back to VIP with Carmen and Quinette to spend time with her daddy. They took pictures, and made a toast to his homecoming.

"I'm glad to be back home with my family and my kids. I salute my son Trell for holding shit down and building a strong team while I was locked up now It's time to get back to this money. Compton is ours!" Semaj held his glass in the air and then took a shot. He was beyond wasted.

Semaj wasn't a drinker so when he did drink, it only took a few to get him there. He stumbled over to where Amber was sitting on Jaylene's lap. "Come here baby girl, come give your old man a hug."

"Damn pops, you wasting all the drink." Trell laughed.

"I don't give a fuck. I paid for this shit. Matter of fact tell them bitches to bring another round of shots for everybody."

"This nigga crazy." Trell shook his head as he signaled one of the waitresses over.

"What's up daddy?" Amber was trying to break free of his bear hug. Amber knew his sole purpose for getting as wasted as he was; was to not deal with the fact that his wife wasn't there.

"You better take care of my baby girl JT. I don't care how rich you make me, I will kill for this one right here." He threatened.

"I got you OG." Jaylene knew Semaj was drunk, so he didn't feel threatened and he was glad to have his blessing, either way he wasn't leaving Amber alone.

"What's up G'?" Ken came over and joined them.

"Just trying to chill with my baby. She be trying to act all mad, but I know she miss me. She's a daddy's girl."

"Of course she do. She just stubborn like all women." Ken said. He leaned over and whispered something in Jaylene's ear.

In the midst of their conversation, Amber noticed that Quinette had disappeared, she scanned the crowds and noticed her standing on the other side of the club with Drew and Prime.

"I have to take care of something real quick, I'll be back." Jaylene told Amber. He kissed her then went off with Ken.

The club didn't start to settle until about three am. By that time Amber was done for. All the Adios she had drank had her feeling the heat. She was ready to go home and take down her man. She said her good byes to her dad and Trell, who had just returned from taking Khai home. She knew he was about to go out and be a dog.

"Ya'll be safe, and JT hit my line in a few hours." Trell said.

"Alright." He gave Trell a pound and they headed to his truck.

Amber was all over Jaylene the entire ride to her house. He kept telling her to chill but her pussy was far from chilled. As soon as they stepped foot in the door, her dress was over her head. Jaylene bent her over right there in the middle of her living room and pushed his dick inside. Her juices were running down her leg.

"Oh God!" Amber yelled, feeling every inch.

"Don't call God now. This is what you wanted." He told her as he plunged deeper.

Her legs got weaker with each stroke, so Jaylene held her up as he pounded her from behind. It wasn't long before she started coming Jaylene continued to stroke her until she came again, then carried her into the bedroom and laid her on the bed. Jaylene gave her a sloppy kiss before sliding his tongue between her legs.

"Damn babe, that feels so good." Amber moaned. "Ohhh shit!"

He was sucking on her clit just the right way sending vibrations through her entire body. He inserted two fingers into her wetness as he continued to suck on her swollen rose bud. Each time she was on the verge of coming, he would stop then start back; intensifying her orgasm. Amber was in absolute bliss. The next time, he went in for the kill Amber locked her legs around his neck and fucked his face. Jaylene's tongue strokes matched Amber's hip strokes and she came, releasing every last drop into Jaylene's mouth.

"Damn you trying to kill a nigga." He snuggled up next to Amber, planting kisses on her neck. "I have to make a run, I'll be back in a few hours."

"The sun will be up in a minute. Where are you going?"

"To handle some business. I won't be long."

Jaylene hopped in the shower, got dressed, and was out the door.

#  Chapter 21

The fact that Amber wouldn't speak to her was not sitting well with Jackie. She missed her best friend and she knew that she had fucked up. There was no turning back. She gave KJ his Sippy cup and put him down before she popped two Vicodin. This had become her escape from dealing with all the bullshit in her life. She laid in her bed, waiting for the Vicodin to kick in and put her to sleep but it never did and the pain only got worse. She took two more, and another two thirty minutes later...

***

KJ was standing in his crib crying when his daddy walked in. Ken still had a key to Jackie's place although he had completely stopped fucking her after the incident with Prime.

"Jackie what the fuck!" Ken picked up KJ and carried him into the bedroom where Jackie was passed out across the bed. He walked around to the other side where she was and shook his head when he saw the empty pill bottle lying next to her. He quickly noticed that her body was too still. He didn't even see her chest heaving up and down. He sat KJ on the foot of the bed and went over to where Jackie was.

"Jackie! Jackie!" He shook her, slapped her, did everything he possibly could and when she still didn't respond after he put her in a cold shower, he pulled out his cell and dialed 911 then called his mom to come and pick up KJ.

The paramedics arrived in no time.

"We have to go. If we let her flat line, we could lose her." The paramedic told Ken. They were reeling her out on a gurney and Ken didn't want them to leave without him.

"Don't let her die please." He told them as they loaded her up. He was locking up her apartment when his mom finally got there. He got KJ in the car, secured his car seat then hopped in his car and sped off to the hospital. His head was fucked up. He couldn't deny that he had fallen for her. He tried calling Jackie's mom, but of course she didn't answer. He didn't know who else to call, so he dialed Amber.

"Wassup?" She answered.

"I need you to meet me at the hospital, Jackie OD'd on some pills."

"And?"

"Come on, don't be so cold hearted. I know you still got love for her somewhere in your heart ya'll been through too much. At least if you don't come for her, come for ya boy."

Amber was quiet before she finally sighed and said, "Alright."

When Ken got to the hospital, they wouldn't tell him anything. He was getting frustrated by the minute. Jaylene was blowing up his phone, but he refused to answer.

"Can somebody tell me what's going on?" He asked a random nurse.

"What's the patient's name?"

"Jackie Harris."

"The doctor is still with her, when we get a status, we will let you know."

"I've been here for a fucking hour!" Ken punched the wall..

Amber and Jaylene could hear Ken blowing up as soon as they stepped off the elevator. When they heard the sound from him punching the wall, they picked up their pace. Ken would for sure punch the nurse if she didn't tell him what he wanted to hear.

"I got him, just go." Jaylene told the nurse. He grabbed Ken and pulled him toward the elevators. "I'm taking him to get some air, see what you can find out." he told Amber.

She walked over to the nurse's station. Amber was trying so hard to hold back the tears. She silently prayed that Jackie wouldn't die. Even with everything that was going on, she wanted Jackie to know that she was still there. After about five minutes of trying to get some information, the doctor finally approached her.

"Are you family?"

"She's my sister."

"Well she's lucky to be alive. We had to pump her stomach to get the pills out. She flat lined twice on the way to the hospital. She's in a coma, but don't be alarmed, I anticipate her coming out of it by the end of the night."

"Thank you doctor." Amber told him before heading towards the waiting area.

"You don't want to see her?" The doctor asked.

Amber wanted to say ' _Hell fucking no!'_ But instead she said, "What room is she in?"

"1136, I'll be checking on her periodically from time to time. My name is Dr. Landen if you need me for anything."

"Thank you". Amber was not prepared for the sight that was before her. It broke her down. Jackie had a tube down her throat and her face was swollen like she had been filled with embalming fluid. Her hair was a complete mess. Amber pulled out her comb and combed and braided Jackie's weave. She knew that even in her worst state Jackie would be talking shit about waking up looking a hot mess. And she definitely wouldn't want Ken seeing her that way. Amber was getting choked up.

"You know I'm still mad at you. But I hope you pull through. You would never even take a 400 mg Motrin for a headache. Remember when my momma had to sneak a BC powder in your drink when you had cramps that one time?" Amber laughed as she reminisced. "What's going on with you Jack? More than likely I won't be here when you wake up but you need to get your shit together. Ken loves you. Ya'll have a son. I love you too if that matters. Just make sure you wake your ass up." Amber kissed Jackie on her forehead and went to sit in the chair that was across from her bed. It wasn't long before Jaylene and Ken returned. Their eyes were low and that was a definite sign that they had smoked a blunt or two.

"You good ma?" Jaylene asked her.

"Yes, can we go?"

"Whenever you ready." Jaylene told her.

Amber stood and went to hug Ken. "You be good. She'll pull through. The bitch is too strong not to."

"I will."

"Hit my line if you need anything." Jaylene gave Ken a pound and he and Amber headed back to his place.

"Are you sure you good? I know that's your girl."

"I'm fine!"

"I'm on your side ma you don't have to take it out on me." Jaylene told her. He knew Amber missed her. Jackie was good people, she just had fucked up ways.

"I just want to get some sleep that's all." When they got to his apartment, Amber headed straight to the bedroom, she didn't want to give him a chance to say anything to her. Amber had everything any woman could ask for a career, a good man, money, and the ability to have anything she ever wanted, yet she would give all that up if she could have her mom back.

While Amber slept, Jaylene made some phone calls and made turkey burgers for them. She woke up hours later, with a headache.

"You need to eat something, he told her."

"I'm not hungry." She just wanted to lay in bed, and be left alone, but she knew that was not going to happen.

Jackie over dosing had hit a nerve in Amber and now not only was she worried about her only best friend, she was missing her mom.

"What's up with you? Talk to your man." Jaylene sat on the edge of the bed and pulled the covers back. The look he saw on Amber's face, was the look of a helpless little girl. Her eyes were so puffy that you could barely tell that they were open.

"Everybody thinks I live this perfect life in this perfect little world, but I don't want it. All I want is my mommy. Every day I wake up and wish that this was all a nightmare." Amber sobbed.

Jaylene wiped her tears. "Baby I wish I could bring her back for you. I know you hurting and I don't want to see you like this. I want to see you happy and I'm sure your mom would want the same. You have to pull it together."

"Can you call my daddy please. "Amber just couldn't do it, she couldn't live without her mom. She started to cry hard. Jaylene grabbed his cell and called Semaj and of course he said that he would come after he was done handling business but he wouldn't dare tell Amber that, so he just told her that he was coming.

The one thing that Jaylene realized with both Amber and Semaj they both avoided dealing with Jocelyn's death by diving head first into their work. Semaj was consumed by the game, and Amber worked unheard of hours at the hospital and held everything in. She needed Semaj, but Jaylene vowed that he would be there for her no matter what.

Semaj arrived about an hour later, and Jaylene was glad that it didn't take longer than that. Before Jaylene took Semaj upstairs he told him Amber's condition and what had triggered it. Semaj was crushed when he saw Amber in the state that she was in, he had no idea that it was this hard for Amber. It was hard for him as well, but Semaj saw his daughter giving up on herself.

"Baby girl you can't be like this. Your momma don't want this for you and I damn sure don't. You are better and stronger than this."

"Why did you leave me? Why weren't you there?"

It was fucking Jaylene up to see Amber like this, and it was crushing Semaj even more. Amber and Jocelyn was Semaj's weak spot.

Semaj sat down on the bed and hugged his daughter. He let the tears flow. "I couldn't see my wife like that. To see her laying on that ground lifeless was enough for me. I wasn't gonna see her in a box. And I need you to understand that. Your momma was my queen and I'm sorry for not being there for you. I was so caught up in my own emotions I didn't think about how you felt I thought that your grandma and your family would be enough support for you."

"You and mommy are my family." Amber let what her dad was saying sink in. She realized what he was saying was true and she finally understood and forgave her dad.

#  Chapter 22

After a few days of being on suicide watch, Jackie was finally able to go home. Ken sent the baby with his mom and he stayed with Jackie.

"You don't have to stay here. Don't do me any favors." Jackie told him as she cut her hospital bracelets off and tossed them on her dresser. They were arguing about her taking the anti-depressants that the doctor had prescribed her.

"I know I don't have to, now take the fucking pills before I shove them down your throat." He held up the pills and a glass of water.

Jackie rolled her eyes before snatching the pills and the water.

"Good girl."

Jackie flicked him off and went over to her dresser to grab some clothes so that she could take a shower. Ken watched her ass as she moved around the room. Jackie could feel Ken's eyes watching her.

"Can I get some privacy please?"

"I seen everything you got, you don't need any privacy.

"You are full of shit Ken."

"I'm not going anywhere so shut up about it."

"Fine." Jackie pulled her shirt over her head and walked over to Ken.

"Put your clothes on Jackie, I'm not going there with you." He was busted. Jackie could see his dick print through his pants.

"Why? Cause you can't handle all of this being in front of you without touching it?"

Ken smirked, "Yea okay."

Jackie reached for his sweats, but he knocked her hand away.

"Are you still fucking Daysha?"

"Why does it matter? Are you still fucking your best friend's man?"

"I'm not fucking Prime." Jackie turned and headed towards the bathroom.

"Why'd you do it Jackie?" Ken's temper was going up.

"Look I told you I had a headache and the pills weren't helping."

"Not the pills Jackie. Why did you fuck Prime?" Ken had a look of disgust on his face.

Jackie hung her head in shame. Ken shook his head and headed for the door.

"Ken wait... Please."

"Wait for what Jackie? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Please, you and Amber are the two most important people in my life besides KJ. I need you."

"Yeah well, people in hell need ice water too."

"Fine, leave. What are you even here for? You already won't let me see my son so you might as well just get the fuck out."

Ken laughed, "I never knew not giving you the dick would get you this mad."

"Fuck you and your little ass dick!" Jackie turned to head back towards her bed but Ken grabbed her by the back of her neck.

"Fuck me and my what?" He gripped tighter as he bent her over the foot of the bed while using his other hand to pull his dick out of his sweats.

Jackie braced herself as Ken penetrated her, hitting her spot just the way he knew she liked it. Her wetness welcomed him. With each stroke, she got wetter and wetter.

"Mmm... wait."

"Don't say wait now. You was just letting those lips run loose." He let go of her neck and grabbed her hips. "What was that about my dick being little?" he was pounding her out. "Whose pussy is this?"

"It's yours daddy! This puss-ssy belongs to you!" Jackie was barely able to get her words out. She could feel herself about to climax. Jackie's walls choked the life out of Ken's dick as they exploded together.

They collapsed on the bed as they struggled to maintain a normal breathing pattern.

Ken stood up and pulled up his sweats. "If you give this pussy to anybody else, I'm going to kill you." He was dead serious. He was giving her another chance whether she wanted it or not.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." He headed to the bathroom and she followed.

"You are a real asshole. First you don't want to fuck me, then you fuck me silly, now you don't want me to fuck nobody at all?"

Ken turned to face her so she could see just how serious he was, "You needed me right? Well now you got me, and I'm not dealing with your bullshit so you choose where you want to be, with me and our son or pushing up daisies. You and KJ are coming to stay with me so pack ya'll some shit."

Jackie knew better than to say anything back. She went and did what she was told and that was that. Her and Ken were back together. She smiled on the inside.

#  Chapter 23

"Slow down baby." Jaylene told Amber. After her melt down, he took her to San Diego. He wanted to relieve some of her stress, and that's exactly what they had been doing.

"Baby I'm coming!" Amber screamed in ecstasy as she continued to ride him at a fast pace.

Jaylene grabbed a hold of her hips and held her down so she could feel every inch of him as they came together. Amber leaned in and kissed Jaylene before laying her head on his chest.

"When we get back, I think you should take a break from the hospital." Jaylene told her.

"I'm taking a break now. Besides when you choose a career like the one I have, there are no breaks."

"You need a break Amber. Just take a few extra days alright?"

"Okay, Okay." Amber rolled over and headed for the shower.

"I'm going to order us some food, I'll be right behind you." Jaylene told her.

Amber was getting out of the shower when her phone rang.

"Baby can you get that for me?"

Jaylene walked over to where her phone rested on the table. "Why is Drew calling you?"

"It's probably Carmen." She told him.

"Yeah."

"Hey Jaylene is Amber around? Can I speak to her?" It was Quinette.

Jaylene frowned at the phone then handed it to Amber.

"What's wrong?"

"It's your cousin." Jaylene tossed her the phone.

No matter how discreet Quinette and Drew thought they were being Amber had already known that they were fucking ever since Semaj's welcome home party. Amber didn't feel like addressing the situation.

"What's up Q?"

"Before you say anything, there's nothing going on. My phone went dead and I ran into Drew in traffic."

Amber knew she was full of shit. "So what's up?"

"When are you coming back so we can hang?"

"In a few days. I'll be busy until I don't know when though."

"Well look do you think you can ask your dad for some money for me? I haven't found a job yet and my funds are kind of low."

Amber sighed, "How much do you need?"

"Like four grand. Just to hold me until the end of the month."

"Don't worry about it, I'll give you the money."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Thanks cousin, I'll pay you back as soon as I get it."

"It's cool don't worry about it."

"Alright I'll see you when you get back."

"What was that about?" Jaylene asked as he answered the door to get their food.

"She wanted to borrow money."

"No I mean with her and Drew?"

"I don't know, she says her phone was dead and she happened to run into Drew."

Jaylene gave her a yeah fucking right look.

Amber hunched her shoulders, "Hey that's what she said."

Jaylene brought their food over to the bed and sat down beside her. "And how is she driving a brand new car if she's borrowing money?"

"Baby I have no idea. She claims somebody bought it for her."

"Then she needs to be calling that somebody not you." Jaylene didn't believe in loaning out money. And he didn't like the idea of Amber loaning hers out either.

"It's cool baby. She wanted to get the money from my dad but I told her that I would give it to her. It's only four grand."

Jaylene spit his drink out. "Come on Amber are you serious? Four racks? How the fuck is she going to pay you back?"

"I told her not to worry about it. Can we just enjoy the rest of this night?"

"Whatever you say Ma."

#  Chapter 24

When Amber and Jaylene made it back to the city, Amber met Quinette at the bank to give her the money that she had promised, then headed over to Trell's house while Jaylene handled his business. Trell had texted her and told her that he needed to talk to her ASAP. When she arrived at Trell's house, Corey answered the door.

"What up Amber."

"Hey stranger what are you doing here." Amber hugged him.

"Well you know Trell is my dog, so wherever he goes, I go."

"Yeah, that sounds about right."

"Look at you though, all grown up." Corey circled around her. His eyes landed straight on her very plump ass. He imagined hitting it from the back.

"Where's Trell perv?"

Corey laughed, "Hey I wouldn't be a man if I didn't look. He's in the back though."

Amber walked in the backyard, laughing as she saw Trell struggling to put together a swing set.

"What the hell are you doing? Isn't it a little too early for this Bob the builder?"

"Ha, laugh it off." Trell stood up and gave his sister a hug.

"So what do you have to talk to me about? I still a have to stop by the house to see dad before I head home."

Trell saw the way that Corey was drooling over Amber, "Let me talk to my sister."

"I got you" Corey said as he headed back into the house.

"So what's up," Amber asked again.

"How do you know Prime?"

"I knew him from being with Drew, I ran into him at the cemetery one day while I was visiting Mommy."

"So you just hook up with some random ass nigga that you barely know?"

"Not that it's any of your damn business who I hook up with but no I don't just hook up with random niggas, I told you I knew him through Drew. Why the fuck does any of this matter in the first place?"

"Well since you asked I just thought I would get your side of the story before I took this to pops."

"What do you mean my side of the story? What story?"

Trell told her about the encounter he had with the guy that was looking for Prime to buy drugs and how they hadn't took any losses since Jocelyn was murdered.

Amber shook her head, "So you think I set my mom up?"

"Nobody knew where she was going but you, Jackie and pops. Then out of nowhere this nigga and Drew pop up with money they didn't have before. All of a sudden there's a hit out on Prime and Drew and you murk some nigga that nobody knows in a parking lot, nobody knows what happened in that parking lot but you." Trell was looking for any indication that Amber was lying.

"You are fucking crazy. Are you that fucking desperate to feel like something more than daddy's illegitimate child that you concocted this outrageous story?"

"What's gonna happen when daddy's girl has nobody to turn to?"

"Fuck you Trell!" Amber was on the verge of tears. At that very moment all the love she had for her brother went out of the window. She didn't say another word to Trell and nearly knocked Corey over on her way out the door.

Amber was fuming when she left Trell's house, she headed straight to Semaj's house. She couldn't believe that Trell had the balls to ask her if she had killed her mother. Her stomach was turning flips, she thought she was going to be sick, but she held it together. When Amber got closer to her old home, it hit her that she hadn't been there since the FEDS had seized the property with the rest of Semaj's assets. She didn't even go back after the home had been released. She simply hired a cleaning company to keep the maintenance up.

As she pulled into the driveway, she noticed that there was a silver Range parked there. It was similar to her mom's, just a newer model. She called her dad and then Jaylene and didn't get an answer from either. She used her key to let herself in and as soon as she entered the smell of garlic filled her nostrils. As she made her way towards the kitchen, she heard footsteps approaching.

"Baby I thought you said-"

Amber came face to face with a tall, slender, Asian looking chick. Her hair was pulled back into a pony tail and she wore shorts, a tank top, and flip flops.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Stacy, you must be Amber." She smiled and extended her hand but Amber stepped backwards.

Amber started shaking her head as she was backing up. She headed straight up the stairs into the master bedroom and straight to the closet that used to be her mothers. All of Jocelyn's things were gone and had been replaced with another woman's. Amber started to hyper ventilate and the more she tried to calm herself the more upset she became. She headed back down the stairs just as Jaylene and her dad were coming through the door.

"How could you?" She yelled at Semaj. "How could you bring another woman into the home that you shared with mommy? It's not right for her to be here." Amber couldn't contain herself.

Jaylene reached for her but she snatched away.

"Baby girl I'm sorry. I didn't want you to find out like this. Nobody is ever going to replace your mom." Semaj went in to hug Amber but she ran out the door.

When Semaj tried to go after her, Stacy stopped him. "Let me talk to her please?"

"Stacy I don't think that's a good idea," Semaj told her. Jaylene agreed.

"Come on baby, you gotta let me try."

Semaj looked at Jaylene and all he did was hunch his shoulders. Stacy took that as an approval and went after Amber. She was sitting in her car with her head rested on the steering wheel. Stacy walked around to the passenger side and tapped on the window. Amber didn't move.

"I just want to talk, please."

Amber didn't move at first, then she hit the unlock button and Stacy got in. She waited for Amber to start chewing her head off, but she didn't.

"Amber first I just want to say that I am so sorry about your mother. And secondly I would never ever try to take her place or fill her shoes. I've been begging your dad to invite you and Jaylene over so that I wouldn't have to meet you under these circumstances."

"So Jaylene knew about you too?"

"Yes, but your dad asked him not to say anything."

"So how long have you known my dad?"

"A little over a year. I met him when I was visiting my big brother in the FEDS. He reached out to my brother and contacted me and we started talking on the phone. He just asked me to move in last week and I only agreed because he promised that we would find another house. Believe me I am just as uncomfortable being here as you are but your dad does not like to take no for an answer. I really care about your dad and I can tell that your mother was and still is his heart. I'm not asking you to love me but if you could at least give me a chance."

Amber looked at Stacy for any sign of deception, but she found none. Stacy seemed to genuinely care. She felt like she was betraying her mom for even entertaining the idea but she couldn't expect her dad to stay single forever. She just wanted him to be happy.

"I can't make any promises but I will tell you this, that man in there is all that I have left so if you hurt him in any way shape or form, I will fuck you up." Amber told her.

"So does this mean you will stay for dinner?" Stacy asked.

They both laughed. Stacy contemplated giving Amber a hug but didn't want to over step her boundaries. They went back into the house where Jaylene and Semaj were waiting to see if Stacy would return in one piece.

"Ya'll didn't have any faith in me." Stacy told them.

Both Jaylene and Semaj admitted that they were definitely surprised. They knew how bad things could get dealing with Amber when it came to Jocelyn.

"Am I that bad?" Amber asked.

"Hell yeah." Both Jaylene and Semaj said in unison.

Amber hugged Semaj, "I love you."

"I love you too baby girl."

"I'm going to wash up." Amber headed upstairs to the bathroom with Jaylene right behind her.

"You good?" he asked her.

"Yes, I'm fine. But it seems like my man is more loyal to my dad than he is to me."

"It wasn't my place to tell you, and if I had told you, who's to say that you wouldn't have blown up like you did today."

Amber ignored him and continued to wash her face. Jaylene stood behind her and planted kisses on her neck and shoulder. With each kiss that he placed, her body relaxed a little more.

"Let's go downstairs before my daddy come busting this door down."

They returned to the kitchen where they found Stacy and Semaj kissing passionately.

"See, we could've had us a quickie," Jaylene whispered to her.

It was uncomfortable for Amber to see her daddy showing affection to another woman. She tried to stop herself from getting choked up.

"You good baby girl?" Semaj asked her.

She forced a smile and said yes. As Jaylene and Amber were leaving, Trell was pulling up. They gave each other the coldest stares you could give a person. Semaj didn't notice, but Jaylene did.

"What up Trell?" Jaylene asked.

"Just business as usual." He was real stand offish to Jaylene. "Pops I need to holler at you." He headed straight into the house.

"What was that about?" Jaylene asked Amber when they were in the car.

"Nothing. Let's just go, I'm exhausted."

"Don't seem like nothing to me, but I'll see you at home," Jaylene headed to his truck after walking Amber to her car.

#  Chapter 25

Quinette was on her way out the door when her phone rang.

"What's up Ms Attitude?" It was Drew.

"What's up daddy?"

"Are you trying to stop by or what?"

"Stop by your house? Where's Carmen?" She asked surprised.

"Carmen isn't here, she's with Amber. Now are you going to come ride this dick or are you scared?"

"Nigga please, I'm on my way."

When Quinette arrived at Drew's place, he answered the door in his boxers and didn't waste any time undressing Quinette. He ripped her shirt open, popping all of her buttons. Drew pushed her onto the couch and dove head first into her wetness. He licked and sucked on her pussy until she was on the verge of coming then he threw her leg over his shoulder and fucked her until he climaxed. He pulled out and covered her body with his semen.

Drew walked over to the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of water and headed upstairs to the bedroom. Quinette followed him upstairs she immediately turned green with envy when she saw how amazing their bedroom was. She couldn't wait to fuck Drew in their bed. That would completely satisfy her jealousy. As if he could read her mind, Drew grabbed a pillow and placed it behind his head. He grabbed his dick and squeezed it.

"Come over here and give him a kiss," he told her.

She did as she was told crawling on all fours with a devilish grin on her face as she took him all the way into her mouth.

"Fucckk!" Drew grabbed a handful of her hair and forced himself all the way down her throat. He was amazed that she didn't gag or choke. Carmen could barely fit half of him in her mouth before she started gagging. He grabbed her hair tighter as he released gallons down her throat. "Damn girl."

"Oh don't start complaining now. I'm just getting started." Quinette straddled him, grinding slowly as she put him back in the mood.

They were both on the verge of coming when they heard the door slam.

#  Chapter 26

"Babe Carmen is on the phone!" Jaylene yelled to Amber. She was getting out of the shower after having an early morning love making session.

Amber wrapped her towel around her and grabbed the phone. "Wassup?"

"I been calling you all morning, where the hell have you been?"

"I've been busy," Amber was watching Jaylene down a glass of milk.

"Uh huh, busy with a dick between your legs."

"Something like that." Amber laughed.

"I need you to hit a mission with me. I'll tell you about it when I pick you up."

"A mission? What the hell. I need to know what it is first." Amber didn't trust Carmen after she pulled that stunt setting her up with Prime so she needed to know exactly where she was going and why.

"I can't tell you or else you won't go. And it has nothing to do with Prime I promise. Just get dressed, jeans and tennis shoes." She hung up.

"Shit!" Amber tossed the phone on the couch.

"What's wrong?" Jaylene asked.

"Nothing. What time will you be back?"

"I don't know. I'll call you. Are you sure you good?"

"Yes I'm fine, I just want to be here when you get back."

Amber headed upstairs after Jaylene left and got dressed. She knew there was drama involved whenever Carmen wanted to buss a mission with her. Her missions consisted of cheating ass Drew and his ratchets. She threw on a pair of Hudson jeans and a tee and put her hair in a ponytail. By the time she was finished, Carmen was honking.

"Damn I said Jeans and tennis shoes." Carmen said as Amber hopped in her Lex truck.

"And I have on jeans and tennis shoes."

"Bitch you couldn't throw on a pair of Nikes you got on Louboutins and got them diamond studs in yo ear. Did you not hear the part I said about hitting a mission?"

Amber was getting irritated, "Whatever, just tell me where we going and who is Drew fucking this time?"

"I don't know you tell me?"

"What do you mean? I don't know who's fucking your nigga."

"When was the last time that you talked to your cousin Quinette?"

"Bitch I know you did not pick me up to interrogate me about Drew's dog ass."

"No I didn't, but the bitch number is in his call log a little too frequently."

"Okay so what do I have to do with this? I haven't talked to Q since me and Jaylene got back from San Diego."

"So take me to her house."

"You must have lost your mind if you think I'm about to show you where this girl live. That's my cousin Carmen. What you need to be doing is going to get your shit and leaving Drew alone. If he can't keep his dick in his pants then you need to either except the shit or be done with it. Now you have two options, you can either turn the car around and take me back home, or I can go with you to get some of your things. I know you don't want to go back to your parent's house and hear the I told you so speech, so you can stay at my condo, since I'm hardly there."

Carmen sighed, "Fine. I'll stay at your place for a few days until I figure some things out. Let's just go get my stuff, Drew is usually gone by this time so it won't take long.

When they arrived at Carmen's house, Quinette's Camaro was parked in the driveway.

"Well I guess we get to kill two birds with one stone." Carmen pulled her car in the driveway, blocking Quinette in.

They entered the house, and Carmen slammed the door behind them and headed upstairs with Amber right on her heels. Carmen was fuming and Amber felt her pain. She didn't understand why Quinette would do something so disrespectful and fuck Drew in the home that he shared with Carmen. While Quinette and Drew were trying to get their clothes on, Amber unintentionally caught a glimpse of Drew's piece.

" _Him and Jaylene are definitely brothers."_ She thought.

"What the fuck Drew!" Carmen yelled.

"Baby calm down." Was all his punk ass had to say.

Quinette had an 'ah ha smirk on her face, right before Carmen knocked it off. Drew just shook his head and left the room like it was nothing. Amber had thought to just go down stairs and let Carmen finish whooping Quinette's ass because she felt that she deserved it, but decided to break it up especially because Carmen was pregnant.

"Your trifling ass ain't shit Amber, how the fuck you let this bitch get at me? So much for family."

"Don't yell that family shit, cause the only time I hear from you Q is when you need something."

"Whatever." Quinette grabbed the rest of her things and left.

Amber had to stop Carmen from sending Quinette's ass tumbling down the stairs. Drew was sitting in his truck on the phone when they came out of the house. Carmen hopped in her truck and rammed it into the back of the Quinette's Camaro then pulled out of the driveway and retrieved a metal bat from her trunk, the same metal bat that her, Amber, and Jackie had used numerous times for this very same occasion.

"Carmen what the fuck is your problem!" Drew yelled at her. He hopped out of his truck after she smashed his windshield.

"You're my mutha fuckin problem!" BAM! She smashed the back windows out.

"This bitch is psycho." Quinette hopped in her smashed up car and sped off.

"Carmen chill, they are not even worth it." Amber finally swooped in and grabbed the bat.

"I'm so fucking tired. Let me get my shit so we can go." Carmen headed back in the house and up the stairs and Drew followed her.

Amber already knew that Drew was about to talk her out of leaving, so she dialed Jaylene on her cell.

"What up baby?"

"Jaylene, I need you to come get me from Carmen's house. Her and Drew got into it."

"I'm on my way. Is that bitch ass nigga Prime there?"

"No, not yet anyway. Just hurry up please."

Just as Amber was ending her call, Prime was pulling up. She went back into the house and sat on the couch, hoping that either Carmen would come down so they could leave or Jaylene would get there. When Prime came into the house, Amber didn't even acknowledge his presence.

"You can't stand to be around a nigga huh." He eyed her from head to toe, noting that she had gotten a little thicker. "You know I loved you."

"Save your breath cause I don't want to hear the shit Prime, just stay the fuck away from me."

Jaylene pulled up noticing that their front door was wide open and that there was glass everywhere. He just wanted to get Amber and get the hell out of there. He couldn't stand to be in the middle of any drama and he for damn sure didn't want his woman getting caught up in none. As he entered the house, Drew was coming down the stairs alone.

"What up bro?"

"Drew what the hell is going on?" Jaylene asked.

"Long story, but don't worry its nothing that I can't handle. Carmen said she'll call you later Amber."

"Fuck you Drew," she walked pass Prime and out the door.

Prime had his eyes on Amber the entire time and Jaylene had his eye on Prime.

"You need to get your shit together." Jaylene told Drew as he turned to leave.

Drew waived him off.

#  Chapter 27

Semaj was blowing Amber's phone up, but she had another mission. She didn't feel like dealing with Semaj and Trell's bullshit. She sent him to voicemail. She was headed to Quinette's apartment to confront her about Drew. She needed to know what was going on with her cousin. Her Yves Saint Laurent heels clanged on the cement stairs as she trotted up to the third floor.

"Q!" She banged on the door until it swung open. And to her surprise, there stood Yana with her two month baby girl. Amber was confused, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I live here."

"Where's Quinette?"

Yana stepped aside and let her in. Quinette came out of her room and flopped on the couch. Her right eye was black and nearly swollen shut. She gave Amber a smug look. Amber had already put two and two together.

"You know I would ask you what's going on but I guess it's clear to me that you two bitches knew Prime and Drew before you even moved back to Cali. You sat there and listen to me confide in you about my problems with Prime and you knew the whole fucking time that he had another bitch on the side. So much for that family loyalty shit that you be screaming huh?"

"Let's not talk about family, cause you really don't fuck with us. You never have. Just like your momma never did. My uncle took care of this family until your momma came along, then it was all about Jocelyn. Jocelyn this and Jocelyn that."

"Are you fucking serious right now?"

"As a heart attack. And just like your momma you think the world owes you something."

Amber looked at Quinette with disgust she thought her cousin had to be doing drugs to be talking the way she was. "My daddy never turned his back on you. He's always passing out money. My daddy is the reason you were even able to go to Atlanta to pursue that busted ass music career. Don't blame me and my momma for ya'll not having shit. My daddy took care of his family. His wife and his daughter. Are you so fucking mad because you so badly want to be me. You are so fucking pathetic Quinette. I should have known that you were just like the rest of your begging ass family."

Had Yana not been cradling her baby, Amber would have made her eye match Quinette's. When she got to her car, her phone started blaring again.

"Yes daddy." She answered.

"We need to talk."

"Not now daddy."

"Get to my house. Trell is on his way."

She took a deep breath, "Fine, I'll be there."

"Don't take all day Amber."

"I'm coming." She hung up.

When Amber got to Semaj's house, Trell hadn't gotten there yet. She parked her car and went into the house. Semaj met her at the door, and greeted her with a kiss.

"Why you dodging me?" He led her into the family room.

"Because I don't have time to deal with your son's bullshit."

"What's going on with you and your brother?"

"Why don't you ask him since he knows every fucking thing?"

"Watch your mouth, I'm still your daddy."

"Yeah, Yeah."

"So what's up?" Semaj asked her again.

"Your asshole son accused me of setting mommy up."

"What?" Semaj had no idea because Trell hadn't told him yet.

"He has some crazy idea that I had my ex, Prime kill mommy all because some guy came looking for Prime about some drugs he said was stolen when mommy got killed, and on top of that he accused me of trying to get Prime killed," Amber waved her hand. "Anyway supposedly I'm the mastermind behind all this shit. So I don't have shit to say to Trell and I would rather not be here when he gets here so can I go?"

"Alright, I'll talk to him and see what's up? In the meantime when I call you answer."

Amber rolled her eyes, "Fine. Where's Stacy?"

"Out looking at houses."

"Are you selling the house?"

"The house is yours Amber, I can't stay here, I never planned to stay here."

"I don't know if I can either."

"Well we can't sell it."

"I'll figure something out, I have to go. Tell Stacy I said hi." She kissed her dad and was out the door.

Trell was pulling up as she was leaving. She didn't even acknowledge his presence. She put her car into gear and pulled off.

When Amber got to Jaylene's place, he wasn't there yet so she made dinner. She had planned to tell him that she was pregnant, sixteen weeks to be exact. She had already started to feel the baby's kicks even though she was barely showing.

It was 4:30 am when Amber rolled over at the sound of Jaylene's phone echoing through the room. After the third call she reached over and answered it.

"Hello."

"Can I speak to Jaylene?" It was a female voice.

"He's sleep, who is this?" Amber asked.

"This is Mesha, his girl."

Amber sat up in her bed, "Sorry sweetie you got the wrong Jaylene because this one is laid up next to his girl"

"Well I was his girl just a few hours ago, just tell him I said to drop that money off ASAP!" she hung up.

Amber was pissed. She threw his phone at the wall and it shattered to pieces. Jaylene jumped up out of his sleep reaching for his gun.

"What the fuck!" Jaylene yelled after turning on the light.

"You got bitches calling your phone at four in the morning about money talking about she's your bitch!"

"Why are you tripping? Who am I next to?" Jaylene was wide awake now.

"Yea, and who the fuck were you next to a few hours ago? Cause according to Mesha, you were with her." Amber was out of bed and putting on her clothes.

"You of all people should know me better than that. I was at the spot and Mesha push weight for me and Ken so come back to bed and I'll deal with her later."

"Fuck you Jaylene. Why don't you go and lay with Mesha." She stormed out the room, cursing herself for parking in the driveway when she saw that Jaylene's truck was blocking her in.

Jaylene sat on the edge of the bed with a smirk on his face. Amber was having a hard time being mad at him.

"If you want your truck I suggest you move it, before I move it for you."

"Get in the truck Amber." Jaylene told her as he grabbed his keys off the dresser.

"For what? Unless you're taking me to an abortion clinic I'm not going anywhere with you." Amber knew she had fucked up as soon as the words left her mouth.

"What?" Jaylene walked up and grabbed her arm. "What the fuck did you just say?"

Amber snatched away and headed to the truck, "Nothing."

When Jaylene got in the car, he gave Amber a stare that sent chills through her body. He didn't say another word to her, because if she said one more thing about an abortion, he was going to blow her fucking brains out. Jaylene pulled into the driveway of a house that was one of their spots. There were a few people outside including Mesha, She beamed when she saw him exit the truck.

"You must be bringing me over here to whip this bitch ass." Amber attempted to get out of the truck but Jaylene signaled her to stay where she was.

"Who the fuck do you think you are calling my phone at this time of the morning talking shit to my girl?" Jaylene asked Mesha.

She glanced at the truck and smiled at Amber. That was the wrong move, because Jaylene pulled out his pistol and pointed it at her head.

"So you think this shit is a game?" Her 14 inch quick weave was seconds from being blown to 27 pieces.

Amber's heart was pounding, but she would never give Mesha the chance to even assume that she gave a fuck if Jaylene were to blow her brains out right there.

"Damn JT chill out," another one of his block boys said, looking around as if there was anyone walking the streets at that hour besides smokers.

"Nigga I run this shit! Unless all of you niggas want to be broke and starving I suggest you shut the fuck up."

"I'm sorry," Mesha started to plea.

"Damn right you sorry, and since my girl broke my phone, guess what? Your ass don't get paid."

"Come on JT it was a fucking joke," She cried.

"And now, your ass working for me is a fucking joke. Get yo shit and get on. And if any of you niggas let that bitch back in, y'all asses is out too!" Jaylene headed back to his truck. "Got me out of my fucking bed for this bullshit."

Jaylene showed no mercy when it came to his money. So when you played with his money, he felt like you were saying fuck him and he wasn't one to be fucked over.

"Are you fucking happy now?" he yelled at Amber. "I'm not fucking that girl and no other bitch. You got me blowing up my spot for this shit."

Amber didn't say one word, but she smiled on the inside, because she was glad that Jaylene had dismissed that low budget hoe.

#  Chapter 28

"Did you get Prime's shit from your condo?" Jaylene asked Amber. He had finally caught up to Drew and was going to meet with him so he could give him Prime's stuff.

"It's all in the duffel bag in the closet." Amber walked over to the closet and grabbed the duffel bag that she kept his stuff in.

Jaylene admired her and her growing baby bump. He knew that she was picking up weight, but he had been so focused on trying to reach out to Drew that he brushed it off.

"Why you looking at me all crazy?" Amber asked him.

He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, grabbing her ass. "Just thinking about me being the only nigga that ever hit this makes my dick hard."

"So you think." She stepped out of his hold and threw him the duffel bag.

"Nah Ma, don't even play. I know I popped that cherry and nobody else is hitting that because it conforms to daddy's dick only."

"Whatever."

Jaylene unzipped the bag and frowned at its contents.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'll be back later." Jaylene gave Amber a quick kiss, and was out the door.

Amber got dressed and was on her way out the door, headed to the hospital when Carmen called her.

"What's up Carm?

"I'm leaving Drew. My mom and dad agreed to let me come back home until I can get on my feet, as long as I go back to school."

"That's good. You deserve so much more than Drew's cheating ass. And at the rate he and Prime are going he's going to lose his life over bullshit."

Carmen sighed, "Yea I guess so."

"So what about the baby are they ok with you being pregnant and due any day now?"

"Of course they are not ok with it, but they would rather have me pregnant and at home than pregnant and with Drew. I just wanted to let you know in case you don't hear from me for a while. I need to get myself together."

"Okay, well you know that I am always here if you need me."

"Thanks," Carmen hung up.

***

Jaylene sat in the interrogation room mean mugging the detective that sat across the table from him, he had no idea why he was being arrested or why he had been pulled over in the first place, but luckily he had removed the money from the duffel bag and placed it in a safe place. He had no intentions of giving Prime the money back, especially since it didn't belong to him.

Detective Demour opened the file that contained the photos from the crime scene of Jocelyn's' murder and showed them to Jaylene.

"You know her right?"

"Cut the bullshit. Don't ask me questions you already know."

"So tell me something I don't know big man."

"I don't know shit, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you shit."

"So you want to play this game? Do you really want to play with your life Jaylene?"

"Either tell me why I'm here or let me the fuck go cause you wasting my time and yours."

Detective Demour looked at Jaylene, trying to read him but he showed no sign of fear or nervousness. He was desperate to solve this case. He was new on the case and not only that, he was on Semaj's payroll and had been for years. He had taken over the case after the original detectives went under investigation for tampering with evidence. Solving Jocelyn's murder would benefit him in both his career and his pockets. He was so close he knew someone that knew Semaj well had set this up but he just didn't know who. Jaylene turned up clean but he wanted to be sure that he was completely in the clear, after all, he still had a job to do.

"You know, it would be a shame if Amber found out that her precious boyfriend was behind her mother's murder."

Jaylene laughed, "It's a shame she won't, because I didn't have anything to do with it and I know you don't have shit on me. You're just a bullshit detective, trying to find a come up to boost your shitty career. Either book me or let me go, because I don't have time to play these silly ass games. I'm done talking."

Their session was interrupted when the captain walked in, and called Demour into the hallway. When he returned into the room with Jaylene he had an 'I got your ass' look on his face. "Well it looks like we have something on your ass after all. You sure you don't want to talk?"

Jaylene stood up and placed his hands behind his back. He wasn't worried. He knew whatever they had found or "planted" wasn't his. Detective Demour slapped the handcuffs on his wrists and read him his rights.

#  Chapter 29

Amber sat at window twenty-eight as she waited for Jaylene to appear on the other side of the glass. He had been booked and sent to Men's Central Jail. She didn't know what he had been booked on and no one else seemed to know either. She had been up all night crying and debating on whether or not to come and see him and here she was. When Jaylene finally sat down, she picked up the phone and placed it as close as she could to her ear so that she could hear. She couldn't stop the tears from falling.

"Stop crying Ma, this is a minor setback."

"Is it Jaylene or will this be a regular routine in this relationship?"

"Chill man, I said it's a minor setback. I don't want to see you crying. Let me worry about this. I don't even want you coming up here."

"What? What do you mean you don't want me coming up here?" Amber couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Just what I said. This place is filthy and I don't like the shit you have to go through just to see a nigga for thirty minutes. I don't want you or my baby exposed to this shit. Just sit at home and daddy will be there soon."

"I'm going crazy without you Jaylene."

"And I'm going crazy not being able to be there for you while you are pregnant with my baby. I'll be home soon, I promise."

Amber told Jaylene she loved him, and just that quick their visit had ended. She couldn't be mad at him for not wanting her to be there. She was almost seven months and she didn't want to jeopardize going into premature labor so she promised herself that she would try to relax. She dialed Carmen's number when she got back to the car but she sent her straight to voicemail. She had been trying to get in contact with her for the past few days to hang out, but had no luck. It was the same thing every time. She needed someone to help her keep her mind off of Jaylene being locked up so she dialed Ken's number.

"What up sis?" Ken answered.

"Nothing just stressed. I just came from seeing Jaylene."

"How's my nigga doing?"

"He's good. He told me he didn't want me coming to see him anymore."

"That's good. You don't need to be up in there. Let him handle his business he gone be straight. He's a rider."

"Yeah I know."

"If you need anything let me know."

Amber hesitated before she said anything, "Is Jackie around?"

"Yeah why wassup?"

"Nothing, I just miss my friend that's all."

"So wassup you want to talk to her or what?"

"Yeah put her on."

Ken put Amber on hold while he took Jackie the phone. She could hear him telling her that he was taking KJ with him and that he would be back later.

"Hello." Jackie said. She didn't want to seem too happy to hear from Amber, especially since she didn't know what her intentions were.

"Hey can you meet me somewhere?"

"Yeah sure, is everything okay?" Jackie asked her. She knew something was wrong Amber didn't sound like her normal self.

"Just meet me at the spa. I'm about twenty minutes away." She hung up.

When Amber pulled up to Lee's Resort & Spa she asked herself was it a good idea to meet with Jackie, but it was too late she had already told her she was coming. She parked and went inside and asked for a two party quiet room. She got her pedicure started while she waited for Jackie to arrive. When she finally did get there and Jackie entered the room, Amber could tell that she had been crying. There was an awkward silence before Jackie spoke.

"Look Amber I just want to say that--"

Amber put her hand up. "I don't want to hear why you did it Jackie. It should have never happened. But I'm over it. Prime is out of my life. I miss you and I feel that our friendship is worth too much to just throw it away. It will never be the same because I can't trust you. I just want to work on rebuilding. You have always been there for me and I just really need that right now."

They were both in tears. Jackie understood, and she hugged her friend. After that there wasn't another word spoken about it and before you knew it, it was like none of the drama between them had ever happened. They enjoyed their pedicures and foot massages, which was well needed for Amber because her feet had been swelling for the past few days.

"What's been going on with Drew and Carmen?" Jackie asked.

"I haven't really talked to her since she called and told me that she was leaving Drew. She went back home. I tried calling her a few times, but she didn't answer."

"I know me and Carmen never really got along, but she needs help."

"I know, that's why she went back home."

"Carmen is not with her parents, I just saw her the other day with Drew and she didn't look good for a pregnant woman."

"Are you sure?" Amber asked.

"Yes I'm sure. I think she's doing powder. When she saw me, she looked really nervous."

"Carmen would never touch that stuff."

"You know her better than me. I thought maybe you knew."

"No, I haven't seen her too much since she had that fight with Quinette. She is really letting this nigga bring her down."

The look on Jackie's face told Amber that she was serious. Jackie didn't have a reason to lie. Sure Jackie and Carmen never got along but it wasn't to the extent where they would bad mouth each other. Amber hadn't seen Carmen but it was too hard to believe that Carmen was on drugs. After leaving the spa with Jackie, Amber felt more relaxed. They grabbed a bite to eat and did a little shopping before going their separate ways. Amber was just walking in the door of Jaylene's apartment when the phone started ringing.

It was Carmen, "Hey I was calling to check on you, Drew told me about Jaylene. You want to hang out for a few hours."

"Actually I just got in and I'm exhausted. So you're back with Drew?"

"I couldn't stay with my parents, it was worse than ever before."

Amber couldn't get what Jackie had told her off of her mind, "Are you doing powder?"

Carmen immediately got defensive, "Who the fucked told you that?" Carmen laughed when she remembered that her and Drew ran into Jackie, "I guess you're that desperate for friends that you went running back to that bitch."

"You're the one sprung over a nigga that don't give two fucks about you. This nigga is stripping you of everything you have and you don't even know it. Don't call me next time this nigga is fucking some bitch in your bed." Amber slammed the phone down. Drew had totally transformed Carmen and Amber wanted no parts of it.

She left her bags in the middle of the floor and laid across the bed. She was just starting to drift into a deep sleep when her cell started ringing, it was Jaylene.

"What's up Ma, you good?"

"I'll be good when you come home."

"I'll be home soon, I go to court in the morning. But don't come if you are going to be crying and shit. I don't want you stressing."

"I'll be there." Stressing or not, Amber was going to be front row in that court room as soon as the doors opened.

"Alright, get some rest. I love ya'll."

"We love you too."

#  Chapter 30

Ken, Tone, Drew, and Amber had been in the court room since 9 am and they still hadn't called Jaylene's name. Amber didn't know if it was a good sign or not, but the baby was kicking the entire time, so much that she had to leave the court room. She was pacing the hallway trying to relieve some of the pain. When she finally decided to head back to the courtroom, the rest of them were on their way out.

"What happened?" Amber asked.

"They dismissed it." Tone told her.

Ken was shaking his head, "This nigga damn near got us put the fuck out." He was pointing at Drew who made his way to the elevator with the first crowd that had exited the courtroom.

Amber was still rubbing her belly, "So what time are they releasing him?"

"Later." Ken said. "You go get some rest I'll pick him up."

"I'm going with ya'll." Amber told him there was no way that she was about to let Jaylene get out and disappear."

"Alright come on." Ken told her.

Tone and Ken took Amber out to lunch and then they chilled at Ken's place until they got the call from Jaylene saying that he had been released. When they pulled up to the courthouse, Jaylene was standing out front. He opened the back door and slid in next to Amber.

"What's up Ma?'

"I missed you so much." Amber wrapped her arms around Jaylene's neck and kissed him as the tears slid down her face.

"Stop crying, Daddy's home." He placed his hand on Amber's stomach and the baby started up again. "See, my son know what time it is."

Ken dropped them off at Jaylene's apartment and Jaylene promised to get up with him and Tone later. As soon as they entered the house, Jaylene was all over Amber.

"I missed you like crazy." He told her in between kisses.

"Not as much as I missed you."

"Take a shower with me."

Before Amber could answer he had picked her up and took her into the bathroom and started undressing her. They washed up and before Amber knew it, she was laid out on the bed with Jaylene's head between her legs. Jaylene was eating her pussy so well, she thought she was going to pass out. When he entered her, she could have sworn that his dick touched her soul. She got wetter with each stroke and the wetter she got the deeper he went. Jaylene couldn't hold out any longer, he exploded, releasing every drop inside of her.

Jaylene planted kisses all over Amber's body, causing her to shudder. "This is my son, I can feel it."

Amber giggled, "So can I. This child has been acting up all day."

"I told you that's because he knows that daddy is home"

Jaylene cooked a small dinner for them, fried chicken, steamed broccoli, and mashed potatoes and rubbed Amber's feet until she dozed off. Once Jaylene was sure that Amber was in a deep sleep, he dressed in all black and was out the door.

***

Jaylene sat in the truck with Ken and Tone in deep thought. He was trying to figure out the missing piece to the puzzle. They were sitting outside one of their spots monitoring the traffic, something they did every now and then.

"You good?" Ken asked.

"I'm straight, just trying to figure some shit out that's all."

"Whatever it is you know we got your back right?" Tone asked.

Jaylene sighed and rubbed his face he was tired of holding it in, "This nigga my brother running with is not who he say he is."

"What you mean nigga?"

"When I got pulled over, I was on my way to meet up with Drew to give him this nigga Prime shit, you know the shit Amber took from his safe. The first thing that caught my attention is that some of the stacks got our stamp on it."

"What stamp?" Tone was confused.

"Nigga, the mark that you put on the first bill of each stack so you know it was counted already."

"So where is the money? Did the police get it?" Ken asked.

"Nah, I stashed it in the house before I left. I had no intentions of giving this nigga that money back until I find out where it came from. But the icing on the cake is this, when the police searched my car they found the bag with the rest of his shit and they found a bullet that matched the gun that was shot from the gun Jocelyn had when she died."

"So where the bullet come from?" Tone asked.

"Not from me nigga, I never been shot before."

"You tell Amber?"

"Nigga is you crazy? I can't have her worried about this shit. And I thought about telling Semaj or Trell, but it ain't no guarantee them niggas gone believe me."

"Well for one, we know you didn't do it because we were out of town on some other shit, and for two we ain't telling them niggas until we get some more info. Trell already been on some weird shit lately and I'm not trying to fuck up our paper flow." Ken was trying to let all this information sink in.

Jaylene's phone rang, interrupting their thoughts. It was Drew.

"What's up?" Jaylene wasn't feeling his brother, and he made it clear that he wasn't happy to hear from him. Jaylene had spent a lot of time thinking while he was in jail and something about his brother wasn't sitting right with him.

"What's up bro where you at?" Drew sounded nervous and he was out of breath.

"Shit chilling, what you want nigga?"

"I need you to meet me somewhere man, I fucked up big time. I need your help."

"Nah nigga I told you I wasn't fucking with you."

"Please bro don't leave me hanging with this."

"Where you at?"

"I'm parked on Tamarind, by the warehouse. Are you coming or not?"

"I'll be there don't move." Jaylene hung up.

Ken took Jaylene to where Drew was parked. He had his seat all the way back to where you could barely tell that someone was in the car. Ken parked his truck on the opposite side of the street and Jaylene got out.

"What's up?" Jaylene asked. He had his pistol tucked in his hoodie just in case.

"I fucked up man, I fucked up big time."

"What the fuck are you talking about Drew?"

Drew popped the trunk and they walked to the rear of the car. He opened the trunk, exposing Carmen's unconscious body.

"Drew what the fuck is wrong with you? What did you do to her?"

"We were fighting and it happened so fast."

"You have to get her to a hospital."

"No fuck that I'm not going down for this shit. Drew pulled out his pistol and was ready to shoot her, but Jaylene knocked his hand out the way.

"I can't believe you nigga, she's pregnant with your daughter." Jaylene got Carmen's body out of the trunk and carried her to Ken's truck then he walked back over to Drew. "I'm done with you nigga, don't call me for shit."

They took Carmen to the hospital, and told them that they had found her in an alley. Luckily Robin was there to keep them updated on her status only because she knew them. About an hour later, Carmen's parents arrived. They had no idea who Jaylene, Ken and Tone were, they assumed they were there for another family member. When Robin returned to the waiting room, she informed them that they had to perform an emergency C section and that Carmen had died during the procedure.

Carmen's mom couldn't handle it. Once Jaylene told her that he was Drew's brother she immediately held him responsible and said that she would press charges. Jaylene left the hospital furious. He had Ken take him back to his truck and he headed home. He had no idea how he would break the news to Amber.

#  Chapter 31

There was something wrong with Jaylene and Amber couldn't put her finger on it, but she knew it had something to do with Drew and his drama. She placed her hand on her stomach as she tried to ease the pain from the baby kicking so sporadically. After a while Jaylene entered the room, pulling his shirt over his head.

"What's up? You good?" He asked, tossing his shirt in the laundry basket.

"Yea, I'm good." Amber lied.

Jaylene didn't say a word he just headed for the shower. When he came out of the bathroom, Amber was sound asleep. He yanked the covers back and climbed between her legs planting soft kisses on her belly before entering her. She let out subtle moans as he stroked her awake. When she opened her eyes, tears began to stream down her face. He kissed each one still giving her long hard strokes that caused her body to shudder. Nothing had ever felt so good in her life.

"I'm never leaving you or my baby. I put that on my life," he whispered in her ear.

Amber wrapped her arms around his neck never wanting to let go. Jaylene made love to her until she begged him to stop, and when he did she fell into a coma. Jaylene lay in the bed wide awake, trying to figure out how he would tell Amber that Carmen was dead. He knew she would want to know how and why. Eventually he dozed off and not long after, her cell phone began to ring. Before she could wake up, Jaylene answered it.

"Hello." It was Jackie.

"Hey I was calling to check on Amber, is she ok?"

"She's fine, I haven't told her yet."

"Told me what?" Amber was now sitting up in the bed.

"I'll have her call you back." Jaylene hung up the phone, and walked around to Amber's side of the bed.

"Who was that?"

"Jackie."

"Is everything okay?"

"No," he hesitated before saying the rest. "Carmen died tonight."

"What? What do you mean she died? How?" Amber started breaking down. All she could think about was her last conversation with Carmen and how they had spoken to each other.

Jaylene held her all night. He couldn't get her to stop crying. All he could think about was their baby and if he or she was okay. It was almost noon when Amber finally got some strength to get out of bed. She called Carmen's parents and her dad told her that it was best if she didn't call again. He told her that he knew she and Carmen were good friends but her mom didn't want any of Carmen's friends around during their mourning. It hurt Amber to know that she wouldn't be able to say her last good byes to her friend. She had no choice but to respect her mother's wishes. Her dad promised to send Amber an obituary through the mail.

Carmen gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Her parents wanted nothing to do with the baby, so Jaylene's parents took responsibility for her. They named the baby Miracle. It took weeks before Amber was able to accept the fact that Carmen was gone. After the funeral Amber went to the cemetery and paid respect to her friends passing. She knew Drew was behind her death even if Jaylene kept denying it.

To keep her mind off of Carmen's death, Amber had Jackie meet her at her condo so that she could get the rest of her things. She decided to move in with Jaylene until they found a new place. They were going through a box of old pictures when there was a knock at the door.

"Good Afternoon Ms. Johnson." It was Detective Demour.

Amber was familiar with who he was and what he did, but she had no idea why he was at her door step. "Detective, to what do I owe this visit?"

"Wow that belly is huge, your dad didn't tell me you were expecting."

"If you don't mind I'm busy, so again, what do you want?"

"May I come in?"

Amber stepped aside so that he could enter. He followed her into the living room where Jackie was. She turned to face him, "So what is this about?"

"We discovered the body of Prime Jevar Taylor. You know him right?"

"That's my ex-boyfriend. " Amber said. She showed no emotion.

Jackie started to feel uncomfortable and excused herself, "I'm going to the restroom."

"So I take it that's not his child you're carrying then."

"Hell no. Prime and I have been over since he slept with my best friend."

"I take it that's your best friend that had to use the rest room all of a sudden."

"Look I don't have time for this. What is it that you need from me?"

"Well as I said before, we discovered his body and-"

"Wait, what do you mean you found his body? There must be a misunderstanding Prime isn't dead."

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but he was killed about 6 months ago. His body was found last week." Detective Demour showed her a crime scene photo. It definitely wasn't Prime in the photo. It was the guy she had killed in the parking lot the day of the barbeque.

Amber couldn't believe it. Prime was not who she thought he was.

"I think you should have a seat. There's more I need to tell you."

Jackie rejoined them, and she could tell that Amber didn't look so good.

"Are you okay?" Jackie asked helping her over to the couch.

"I think my water just broke." Amber said.

"The bullets that were pulled from the body were shot from one of the two guns that killed your mom." Detective Demour hadn't even shared this news with Semaj. He didn't want any suspicions to arise that he was dealing with Semaj on his own terms so he decided to break the news to Betty first but he discovered that she wasn't home and headed over to Amber's condo. He still had no weapon, and the only suspect he had was Jaylene, but he had to let him go. He had a confirmed through airline surveillance that Jaylene was out of town. There was no indication or motive that he had her set up.

"What? Are you sure?" Amber couldn't control the tears that were streaming down her face.

"Can this wait, I have to get her to a hospital." Jackie told the detective.

"Sure, here is my card. I'm the new lead investigator and I can answer any questions you or your grandma may have."

After Detective Demour left Amber called Jaylene.

"What's up Ma?"

"Baby, my water broke." Amber was sobbing uncontrollably.

"What?"

"Baby, hurry please, me and Jackie are at the condo."

"I'm on my way."

It look Jaylene about twenty minutes to get to her, on the way to the hospital she filled Jaylene in on what the detective had told her.

"Where's the gun?" she asked him.

"It's in a safe place, don't worry about that. Just worry about delivering my baby safely." Jaylene was worried that the baby wouldn't make it. She wasn't due for another three months

Amber was immediately admitted into labor and delivery and administered the epidural in case she would have to have an emergency C section. The baby's heart rate was dropping so they placed her on oxygen and started preparing for delivery.

Hours later, Amber pushed out a beautiful baby girl weighing 5 lbs. 11 ounces. She named her Jaylene, after her daddy. They called her Jaylee for short. Jaylene was excited.

"Damn baby, you did it, you pushed out my baby girl."

"She is going to be so spoiled." Amber said as she looked over at her grandma holding her.

"Well your place is definitely taken." Jaylene told her.

"Not a chance." Amber said.

"I think mother and baby should rest." The doctor told her visitors.

Betty handed the baby over to the nurse and kissed her granddaughter and told her that she would be back later to visit.

"I have to go meet up with Ken and Tone so we can take care of that gun, we need to get rid of it." Jaylene told Amber after everyone left the room.

"Can you deal with that later?"

"It needs to be done now Amber. Have Jackie stay with you." The truth was, he was trying to leave so he wouldn't run into Semaj. He needed sometime to figure everything out.

"Just make sure you call me." Amber told him.

"I will Ma, rest up. I love you." He kissed Amber and was out the door.

Semaj walked in thirty minutes later. He was fuming when Amber told him what Demour had told her. He was even more furious at the fact that no one had told him that Amber had killed someone. Semaj knew exactly who had killed his wife. He headed straight to the cemetery after leaving the hospital. He knew Demour had undercovers following him to make sure he didn't do anything stupid, but what Detective Demour didn't know was that Semaj had planned on getting justice himself. No amount of jail time was justice for him. He wanted the bastards dead.

Semaj knew that he couldn't rest until he got the person who had taken the love of his life from him and he didn't give a damn about going back to prison. But before he would let that happen, he would be laying next to her. He stared at the inscription on her tombstone as the tears rolled down his face.

"Damn Jossie. It's supposed to be me in this ground. I'm weak without you baby. Our baby don't look at me the same no more. Believe me when I say the niggas that did this gone be in the ground real soon. I got you." He kissed his hand and then touched her head stone before he walked away.

#  Chapter 32

Amber and the baby were released from the hospital after a week. Since Semaj and Stacy had moved into a new home they were staying at the house and her grandma had joined them. Jaylene's apartment had become a little crowded with all the baby stuff. Amber was actually thinking about remodeling the house and staying there. Jackie was on her way over to help Amber finish turning her old room into the baby's nursery.

"Are you sure the doc said six weeks?" Jaylene asked as he pushed Amber into a corner.

She pushed him back, "Yes I'm sure. I can't believe that you're thinking about pussy with all the shit that's going on. You know my dad thinks you're dodging him."

"I'm not dodging anybody." Jaylene pointed his finger at Amber.

Her cell phone rang and it was an unknown number.

"Hello?"

There was no answer on the other end, just breathing.

"Hello? Who is this? If this Prime you tell me where the fuck you got that gun from!"

The line went dead.

"Was that him?" Jaylene asked her.

"I don't know. They didn't say anything."

"Next time don't answer it." Jaylene threw on his hoodie.

"Where are you going? And where is the gun I asked you about."

Jaylene headed towards the door, ignoring her.

"Answer me!" Amber grabbed his arm but he snatched away and shoved her on the floor.

"Give me some damn space Amber!"

By the time she got up, he was already out the door. She dialed his number and didn't get an answer. Something in Amber told her Jaylene wasn't coming back. For some reason Quinette popped in her head and her mind drifted back to the day that her mother was killed and the phone conversation they had.

" _What's up Q?"_

" _Nothing just checking in, I miss you guys. When are you coming to visit?"_

" _I don't have any free time. Whenever I'm not at the hospital I'm studying. I should be studying now as a matter of fact but my mom and Jackie want to hang out." Amber said._

" _You deserve it, tell my auntie I said hi."_

" _I will as soon as she gets back. She went to pick up some money or something for my daddy."_

" _Auntie Jossie is a rider for real. Well I have to go I have to make a call I'll call you later."_

Ever since Quinette had been back in town there had been nothing but drama and she seemed to be the center of it all. Amber asked Jackie to ride with her, and asked her grandma to watch Jaylee. When they got to Quinette's apartment Amber told Jackie to stay in the car and keep it running. When she made it to Quinette's floor, there were movers coming out of her apartment. Amber overheard Yana telling Quinette that she would meet her at the house. Amber headed towards the apartment, passing Yana in the hall and giving her the dirtiest look.

"Going somewhere?" Amber asked as she put her feet in the door, before Quinette could close it.

"What do you want?"

Amber pushed her way into the apartment, You know I find it funny that Yana was your roommate from Atlanta and you moved her here, knowing that she was fucking Prime and you were fucking Drew, who happens to run with Prime in and out of town setting niggas up to get robbed. Tell me you didn't set my momma up."

Quinette shrugged, "that day, when I talked to you and you said you were waiting for your mom to come back so that she could take you and Jackie to the mall, I called Drew. He and Prime had just left from doing a job and I figured what the hell, more money for them equals more money for me. That was the job that got me my car. They weren't supposed to kill her though."

Amber reached in her purse and pulled out a gun. Quinette charged Amber and they fell backwards and Amber dropped the gun. Amber was able to get up first she got on top of Quinette giving her continuous blows to the face. Quinette caught Amber one good time and was able to get her off of her. Quinette tried to go for the gun, but Amber grabbed her leg and she fell. Amber got up and stood over her.

"After all I have fucking done for you. You set my mom up? I knew your ass was trifling." Amber kicked her.

"Shit happens." Quinette told her, spitting a mouth full of blood on the floor.

"Yeah, Shit happens." Amber told her as she continued to whoop Quinette's ass.

There was a knock at the door, Amber ignored it until she heard Semaj's voice.

"Daddy?"

"Open the door baby girl."

Amber went and opened the door. Quinette lay there, barely conscious.

"She killed mommy." Amber sobbed in her daddy's arms.

Semaj briefly comforted his daughter before going over to his niece. Amber had done a number on her.

"Why'd you do it Q? Was the bullshit car and chump change these niggas gave you worth your life?"

"Please uncle." Quinette cried.

"You killed my wife! I would have given you anything! All you had to do was ask. But you get these bum ass niggas to kill my wife and you still ain't got shit. Was it worth it?" Semaj knew what he had to do. Quinette made the choice to play dirty and she would pay the consequences. Semaj took out his phone and called Trell.

"What's up?"

"Any luck finding them niggas?"

"Nah. But I know they're around. I'll find them."

"Meet me at Q's place. I'll explain later." Semaj ended the call. "Amber go home. Me and Trell will handle this."

"But-."

"No buts Amber, just go."

"I love you daddy." Amber hugged her daddy before going back down to the car where Jackie was still waiting.

When Jackie dropped Amber off she promised she would come back after she picked KJ up from Ken's mom. Amber took a shower and checked on baby Jaylee. She called Jaylene and still didn't get an answer.

"Give him time Amber, he will call you." Betty told her.

"I know granny, but I need to know that he still loves me and Jaylee, I can't lose him."

Betty walked over to her granddaughter and hugged her. She had absolutely felt her pain.

"Come sit down," she patted the spot next to her on the sofa. She looked over at Jaylee who was sleeping peacefully in her bassinet. She took a moment to bask at the fact that Jaylene had spit her right out. They were identical.

Amber sat down next to her grandma and rested her head in her lap.

"The exact feeling that you are having right now, I had many years ago when your grandpa left me."

Amber looked up at her grandma with a crazed look.

"Yes, you're grandpa was a real gangster. He was deep in the game and our love was the same as your momma and daddy's and yours and Jaylene's. I was eight months pregnant when your grandpa was convicted of drug charges. My whole world crumbled and everything I owned was taken away from me. I had your momma and we started a new life. I stuck by your grandpa's side until he was sentenced to ten years. He cut us off. He said he didn't want us to suffer and soon the calls stopped, the letters stopped and he refused my visits. I was feeling just the way you are now."

Betty looked down and saw that Amber still had a confused look on her face.

"So what happened granny?" Amber asked.

"Eventually I moved on. It was hard, but I had moved on. Ten years later when your grandpa got out I was engaged to another man." Betty's mind drifted as she reminisced. "My heart was still with your grandpa and those men got in a crazy brawl over me"

"You are no good granny." Amber told her when she saw her granny crack a smile.

"Your granny was a good woman. And I had some good stuff."

"Eww granny that is too much." They laughed.

"Anyway," Betty waved her off. "Ultimately your grandpa won and our family was reunited."

"So do you think Jaylene will come back to me?"

"He will, trust me. Go get some rest I'll take care of Jaylee."

By the time Amber got out of the shower, Jackie had returned with KJ.

"Are you ok?" Jackie asked.

"I'm a little better I guess."

"Have you watched the news?"

"No why?"

"Well before I left, I saw that Quinette's building was on fire and not only that, an unidentified female body had been found."

"Have you talk to Ken?" Amber asked.

"Yeah, on my way over. He said he was going to call you."

"Do you think he knows where Jaylene is?"

"I'm sure he does. These niggas always stick together. But I told Ken that if he does know where Jaylene is he better tell him to bring his ass home."

Amber started to cry again. Her life was falling apart. Not only that. She hadn't been to the hospital in days and Robin kept calling her. She couldn't talk to her right now. Amber took two Tylenol and laid down. Jackie laid with her and tried to comfort her friend the best she could. She wished there was something that she could do.

#  Chapter 33

Semaj dragged Drew from his truck as his phone continued to vibrate in his pocket. Trell had been blowing him up. Quinette had told them where to find Prime and Drew, right before Semaj had cut out her tongue and set her apartment on fire. Just as Quinette had told them, Prime and Drew were at the new house with Yana. The plan was for him to meet up with Trell and Ken, but Semaj had other plans for Drew. Based off the fact that their families had been acquainted for years made it very personal for Semaj.

"Walk nigga." Semaj was pushing Drew towards Jocelyn's grave.

The cemetery was dark and cold. The smell of fresh flowers and old stone filled the misty air. They walked down the pathway to Cascade Gardens, the area where Jocelyn was buried. Drew knew he was about to die. In his head he was praying that his brother would save his ass. When they approached the grave, Drew looked down and saw that her grave was decorated with flowers and balloons that read Happy Birthday.

"On your knees nigga." Semaj told him.

Drew didn't move. Semaj kicked him to the ground. "You should've killed yourself after killing my wife nigga."

"She wouldn't give up the cash."

"Nigga don't speak! I don't want to hear your reasons and explanations. I had to kill my niece because of you niggas. Not only did you kill my wife, you had the balls to show your fucking face at her funeral and your boy get at my daughter. Well this is the end for you niggas. Happy Birthday baby." Semaj put one bullet in the back of Drew's head. He picked up one of the roses and walked back to his truck.

Semaj pulled his phone from his pocket and answered.

"Yeah."

"Where are you?"

"I'm with Jossie. Do that bitch ass nigga and meet me at the spot in an hour." Semaj hung up.

***

Jaylene was blowing up Drew's phone and ignoring Amber's calls. He couldn't talk to her right now. He didn't know where he got the instinct from, but he headed towards the cemetery. Prime and Drew were dead men walking. He just hoped that they would spare his brother's life. The cemetery of course was closed, but the gate was open. He drove through the cemetery and down the spiral road that was lined with tombstones, leading up to Cascade Gardens. He got out the car and walked to where she rested. The closer he got to her grave, the more his gut told him that Drew was already dead. He was about twenty feet from her grave when he noticed someone leaning over her headstone.

When he got closer, he realized it was Drew slumped over the headstone. He ran over and grabbed his brother and turned him over. His eyes starred up at him. They were painless, empty, and cold. He took his finger tips and slid his eyelids close. Jaylene's head was fucked up. His only brother was gone.

"Fuck Drew! Why'd you do it?" He paced back and forth as he tried to figure out what to do next.

Jaylene didn't know it, but Semaj was watching him from a distance, in the darkness. He could have easily taken Jaylene out if he wanted to, but he didn't. He knew Jaylene had nothing to do with the murder, and besides that Amber would never forgive him.

Jaylene called his dad.

"Did you find your brother?" his dad asked him.

"Yeah."

"Let me talk to him." Jaylene's dad was furious.

"He's dead, I was too late."

The phone went silent and Jaylene heard a loud crash at the other end of the phone.

"For the first time pops I don't know what to do. Drew killed Amber's mom and they murked him at her grave, today is her birthday. I love Amber and I love my daughter but I can't face her."

"That's your brother JT and I know you want to retaliate, but you can't. He killed the man's wife. A life for a life. That's the game. Your brother played dirty and he lost. All we can do is lay him to rest and pray that God has mercy on his soul. That woman didn't deserve to die. You have a family now and you can't turn your back on them."

"So I turn my back on Drew?"

"Drew is dead JT. I lost one son, I won't lose another. Bring your brother home." He hung up.

Semaj watched as Jaylene carried Drew back to his truck, hopped in and pulled off.

#  Chapter 34

Trell and Ken had Prime at a warehouse on Alameda that Semaj owned. They had already got the word from Semaj to take Prime out, but for some reason Trell was stalling.

"Let's do this nigga and bounce." Ken told Trell.

Prime laughed, "Yo, I already know I'm gone die. I'm ready. Yo boy look like he need some answers, so check this, ya'll think we me and Drew planned this shit? How do you think we even hooked up?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Trell asked.

"Blood ain't so thicker than water." Prime told him.

"So you saying my sister had something to do with this?"

"Nah, Amber had nothing to do with this."

Trell knew he had fucked up. Amber still wasn't talking to him and she probably never would.

"So stop speaking in riddles then nigga." Ken told him. He was ready to do Prime.

"I'm only telling you niggas this because I want Amber to have some closure. I owe her that much at least."

"Well start fucking talking." Trell told him.

"It was Q. I met Drew through her. They had been fucking around. They hooked up one night and he met her at the studio. That's how I met her. My boy used to do music with her. So anyway we did a lick and I came back with Drew to lay low. Soon as we got back, Q called us and said she had talked to Amber and that her mom was making a run for her dad we went after her not even knowing if she had the money or not. I convinced Drew to kill her cause she recognized him. She got off on us though." Prime laughed. "She got Drew in the arm."

"So ya'll took the money and the kilos, and got out of town?" Ken asked.

Prime didn't say anything. He just looked up at them with an I don't give a fuck attitude.

"What about the guy Amber killed in the parking lot?" Ken asked. He was trying to figure out who Prime really was.

"Don't worry about that. That was my problem, Amber took care of it for me."

Trell put a bullet in his chest, and Ken unloaded his clip at close range.

"Closed casket nigga." Ken said. He followed Trell to the truck and they went to meet Semaj.

Ken dialed Jaylene on the way to meet with Semaj but he got his voicemail. He knew his boy had nothing to do with the murder but he wasn't sure Trell or Semaj felt the same.

***

Amber stood at Jocelyn's grave wondering where she would go from here. She felt so incomplete without Jaylene. How could she blame him for leaving? The people they loved the most had cause heartache to each of them. Jaylene was the only man that Amber could give her heart to. She wanted Jaylee to have her dad just as she had hers, but she wasn't sure that would happen. It had been a little over a month and no one knew where Jaylene was. She hadn't even talked to her dad and Detective Demour was looking for him.

Amber's world was a total disaster and all because of Quinette's jealousy, she had lost her mother, Carmen, and now Jaylene. She placed the flowers on the ground and walked away. Amber dropped Jaylee off to her grandma and headed to the hospital. It was the only thing she could do to keep her from losing her sanity. The ER was crowded and by the time she had her first break, she had fifteen patients and she was becoming irritated by the second. Even the passion she had for being a doctor was fading. Amber headed to the bathroom where she broke down. She needed her dad more than anything in the world. This time she understood why he didn't stick around, but she still needed him.

"Hey, is everything ok?" Robin came in and asked.

Amber gave her a half smile, "Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Okay well your patient in 11B is asking for meds."

"I don't have a patient in 11B." Amber told her.

"You do now." Robin winked at her and headed to her office.

Amber let out a sigh and put her game face on. For now her tears would have to wait. She walked in the room and there was a man wearing dark clothes looking out of the window. The patient had the curtain pulled so she couldn't see.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Amber Johnson, are you a friend of the family?"

When Jaylene turned around, Amber's heart dropped to her feet. She ran over to him and they embraced each other, neither one of them saying a word. He held her and she cried.

"Alright, break that shit up." Trell came from behind the curtain and said. He pulled the curtain back, revealing Semaj.

"Daddy!" Amber ran over to Semaj, hugging him tightly.

Shortly after, Robin came into the room.

"You set me up!" Amber accused her.

"They told me not to say anything."

Jaylene grabbed Amber by the arm and got on one knee.

"What are you doing?" She asked. Her heart was pounding uncontrollably.

"You are such a cry baby." Trell teased.

Amber ignored him.

"Listen Ma, it took me a minute to realize that you and Jaylee are all I need and I can't turn my back on you no matter what the circumstances are. I loved my brother, but he dug his own grave and he got his karma. I wish I could erase all the pain you are feeling right now, but I can't, so I'm hoping you can let me make it better. I love you, and I want you to be my wife."

Amber turned to her dad and Trell, more so her dad.

"You have my blessing no doubt," Semaj told her.

She turned back to Jaylene, told him yes and gave him a kiss and he slid the biggest rock she had ever seen on her finger.

"Congratulations," Robin told her.

"Thank you. And thanks so much for everything."

"You're welcome, you deserve every bit of happiness that is coming your way. I'll take over your patients. Go home, take some time off, spend some time with that beautiful daughter of yours, plan that wedding, and come back when you're ready and don't forget to send me an invite."

"One more thing." Trell interrupted. He walked over to Amber. "I'm sorry sis for not believing you. I should have known all along that you didn't have anything to do with it. If you never forgive me, I can understand but I want you to know that I'm sorry."

Amber stood there not saying a word, as bad as she wanted to hate Trell, she couldn't. She gave her brother a hug, "Don't worry about it, we good."

#  Epilogue

2 years later...

"We have two male victims coming in with gunshot wounds." Robin told Amber as she raced passed her in the hallway.

Amber got up from her seat at the nurse's station and followed Robin to the emergency entrance. She saw the paramedics reeling them in one after the other.

"Do we have names on the victims?" Robin asked.

"Latrell Johnson and Antonio Wells." The Paramedic responded.

Amber froze when she heard Trell and Tone's government names.

Robin turned and looked at Amber, she looked like she was going to pass out.

"I'm going to get the other attending physician and I will let you know as soon as we stabilize them." Robin told Amber before heading down the hall with Trell and Tone.

Soon after, Jaylene, Ken, and Khai came rushing through the doors.

"Where's my dad?" Amber asked as she hugged Jaylene.

"He's on his way."

Ken's shirt was drenched in blood.

"What happened?" Amber asked.

"Not here," Jaylene told her.

A few moments later, Semaj burst through the doors.

"I have to call Tone's baby momma." Ken said as he walked to the other side of the emergency room.

"This shit don't look good. My nigga wasn't moving." Jaylene said pacing the floor. It was eating him up not knowing if his boy was going to make it.

"Amber go see what's up." Semaj told her.

Amber pulled herself together and headed to the back. When she got to the nurses station, Robin was coming out of the operating room. Her entire body was covered in chills. She could suddenly hear every noise in the hospital. Her heart was pounding out of her chest. Robin grabbed Amber's hand and took her into her office.

"Are they dead?" Amber asked.

"We are taking Latrell up to surgery, he was hit quite a few times."

"And Tone? What about him?"

"He was D.O.A. we couldn't revive him. I'm sorry Amber."

Amber couldn't take it. She broke down. Another person close to her had been taken away.

"We have to start surgery on your brother right away, his condition is still critical but he's fighting. If you want, you can take your family into the small conference room for privacy." Robin hugged Amber then left.

Amber hadn't prayed in a long time, but she got down on her knees and she prayed that God would spare Trell's life. Too many people around her were dying. When she got back into the waiting room Detective Demour was there questioning Ken and Jaylene. Tone's baby momma, his two sisters, and his momma had arrived. Everyone focused their attention on Amber. They were waiting to hear the news. She had delivered this news to numerous families but she had never been prepared to deliver it to her own.

"Trell is in surgery, he's in critical condition and Tone is--," She couldn't say it, she cupped her hands over her face and sobbed. "He didn't make it."

The waiting room turned into a complete disaster. Everyone was screaming and crying. Amber had never seen Ken shed tears but Tone was his dog, his right hand, they were sandbox babies. Jaylene held back, but she could see that he was about to crack. They both had the look of revenge in their eyes. Detective Demour handed his card to Jaylene and told him not to do anything stupid then left them to grieve. Jaylene tossed the card on the floor and followed Ken to the exit. Amber ran after him.

"Baby who did this?"

Jaylene turned and faced her with stone cold eyes. His expression was so blank that it scared her. He looked her dead in the eyes and said, "Prime," he gave her a kiss and headed to Ken's truck.

### To be continued...

#  RATCHIVA'z

### By: ShaVontay Lynn

### Coming Soon!
Part 1: Meet the Girls

Missy:

Missy was the down for whatever one she was down for whatever whenever no matter the circumstances, a true rider. She would hop out on a bitch in the middle of traffic. If there was a fight going up you could almost guarantee that Missy was there putting hands on a bitch. Let's just say her record is like Mayweather's 47-0. She would be cool one minute but soon as you piss her off everything in her path better move out the way or be destroyed...

"Where the fuck is Toya?" Missy asked. She was wrapping her long silky hair into a quick bun.

"You know that bitch never answers her phone." Taye said.

They had just pulled up on Missy who was on her way to go fight. She shook her head and hopped in the front seat.

"Where these bitches at cause I'm ready." Quel said from the back seat.

"I think these bitches is at the park. On God I'm bout to dog this bitch and take her whole check." Missy was punching her hand as she spoke.

"I don't understand how a bitch get her hair done and don't pay, but throwing big birthday parties." Quel said.

"Tsss bitch won't be having no party after today." Taye added. She was smashing down Rosecrans. They made a right on Bullis Road where Lueder's Park was.

Missy instructed Taye to pull up to the curb instead of in the parking lot where they were.

"Where my money at Tiera?"

"I told you when I get paid next week I'm going to pay you." Tiera told her.

Missy laughed, "It's funny that you wanna pay me next week, but you having a party tomorrow."

"Come on Missy stall her out, she gone pay you." Tiera's friend Nesha told her.

"Oh I know she gone pay me, I'm not worried about that." Missy stated matter of fact.

"She gone pay up, or get beat the fuck up, straight up." Quel said.

"Ain't none of that bout to go down." Nesha said.

Missy took off on Tiera and was giving her all face shots and Tiera was missing all hers.

"Hold yo head up Tiera! Hold yo head up Tiera!" Nesha yelled, she tried to break up the fight but Taye pulled her back. Nesha took a swing at Taye but she stepped back and came with a strong left.

Taye and Quel took turns tag teaming Nesha and nobody else dared to jump in. They knew how their squad got down, they would shut the whole park down in a matter of seconds. Missy had Tiera balled up on the ground stomping her out.

"Bitch.....I bet you won't....get yo hair done again and not pay me bitch!" Missy grabbed her by her hair and slanged her until the tracks started to rip from the cap that they were glued to.

Quel laughed, "What time yo party start bitch?"

"This bitch ain't having no party, Missy walked over to Tiera's 1998 Toyota Camry, reached her hand in the window, and grabbed her knockoff Louie bag. She dumped the contents on the ground and out fell a white envelope with two money orders and Tiera's SSI check. She picked up the envelope and walked over to Taye's car.

"Whoop!" Quel yelled as they hopped in and pulled off.

"Benihanas on this bitch let's go!" Missy said.

Taye:

Taye was the shy and quiet one and you know what they say, it's always the quiet ones you have to watch. Let her hit the blunt and take a few shots and she was all the way live. She wanted to get out the hood but didn't want to change her hood ways. She was the one with the skeletons that nobody knew about. She was sneaky and whenever caught she would turn on her good girl act real quick.

Taye and Young were leaving the theater when they ran into Beezy and his boy Jerk. Young threw up his hood and they threw up theirs.

"Taye why you with this wack ass nigga?" Beezy asked her.

"I'll show you wack." Young took a swing but missed.

The security rushed over before another punch could be thrown.

Beezy laughed and lifted his shirt up revealing his gun, "I'll see you again nigga."

"Let's go," Young dragged Taye towards the car. He tossed her the keys, "You drive."

Young climbed in on the passenger side of his Infinity truck and reached for what he thought was his gun, but was actually the gun Taye had replaced with his.

"Where am I driving to?" Taye asked.

"Your place."

That was music to her ears. It had been a few weeks since the fight with Tiera and Nesha and word had got back that Young was going to handle Missy, Taye, and Quel. Young didn't know that Taye already had something in store for him.

ShaVontay Lynn was born and raised in Compton, CA and currently resides in Phoenix, AZ where she is raising her two daughters. In May 2012 ShaVontay graduated from Rio Salado College in Phoenix, AZ with an Academic Certificate in Creative Writing. She is the founder of S Lynn Publishing, LLC. She gained a passion for writing at young age, filling up pages and pages of spiral notebooks, passing them around friends and family to read. When she is not working or writing she is spending time with her family.
