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T he second I stepped out of Carmen’s condo, shit hit different and not because of the breeze, ‘cause Miami always had that hot ass humid kiss, but because my mind was still wrapped around her and it shouldn’t have been.

It was the way she looked at me, the way she once again reminded me that she wanted my heart, and that shit did something to me.

But as usual, I had business to handle first.

I pulled off in the black matte GLE that I kept in her garage, already knowing my people were tailing me two cars behind.

I wasn’t taking no chances, especially not now with this bullshit going on.

After I made a call to O’Shynn telling her what I needed her to do, I headed straight to her spot.

She stayed in one of the high-rise units over the water too, and her shit was bougie as hell, but she earned every bit of it.

When I pulled up, her guards recognized the whip, and the elevator was already waiting for me like they knew I was coming.

Her penthouse was lit in soft gold tones, the candles was on low, and her silk robe flowed when she opened the door.

My lil sister was fresh-faced, with long red nails, and the dame boss ass energy she always carried, like a queen who didn’t flinch for no nigga.

O’Shynn’s penthouse felt like stepping into a luxury museum.

Glass was everywhere with sculptures worth more than most muhfuckas rent but it was her vibe though, that modern, yet dangerous look.

She made sure even her space said she was that bitch.

“Took you long enough,” she said, already walking away, with her heels clacking.

“I got caught up,” I replied, following her inside.

“You look like you been in your feelings,” she chuckled over her shoulder. “Carmen? I heard you kidnapped my girl this morning.”

I didn’t respond. I just gave her a cold, blank stare so she continued. “Bahamas? Really?” she asked, raising a brow while now scrolling on her MacBook. “You tryna do something sweet in the middle of a war?”

“I ain’t ask for your commentary O’Shynn,” I lightly smirked slightly running my hand over the top of my waves before adjusting my Glock in the small of my back.

“Just book the jet and make sure she feel like a queen when we land. You know the vibes and all that shit females like. I need flowers, candles, and a private beach villa.”

O’Shynn laughed, “Aight, Dom. I gotchu. But you soft as hell right now.”

“Nah, just real when it comes to my woman.”

She raised a brow. “Ohhh so now she’s yo’ woman huh? Yeah, shit is definitely taking a shift and I kinda like it.”

She didn’t say nothing else, but I caught the nod of respect. I wasn’t about to let Carmen think she was out here doing this shit alone. She held me down on the legal side when she didn’t have to. Now it was time I did the same for her emotionally, even if just for 24 hours.

After a few minutes, O’Shynn motioned to the laptop on her island. “I already got options pulled up for the Bahamas. The private jet leaves in the morning. I made sure the villa’s exclusive too with a private pool, personal chef, and enough champagne to bathe in if she’s into that kinda shit.”

My eyes scanned over O’Shynn’s body, and I frowned.

Something about her aura was dark, almost kinky like but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“What kinda shit you be into O?” I questioned.

With her eyes still fixated on the screen, she smirked and ignored me.

I glanced at the photos on her screen. Shit looked like royalty.

“Dope… and make sure she got them flowers and the balloons too.

Some personal touch type shit. Something she ain't expect.”

O’Shynn gave me a rare grin. “Look at you. The Miami King bein’ soft. Love must got you stupid.”

“Nah,” I said. “It got me focused.”

She tapped in a few things, then turned serious. “We gotta talk about the club though.”

“What about it?” I asked. As far as I knew, the paper was nice, and the club wasn’t flagged.

“Security caught a white Escalade sitting in the cut across the street three nights in a row. It wasn’t no tags, with tinted windows. It’s been posted from 10PM to close. Literally just... sitting and I’m just finding out.”

My jaw slightly tightened. “El Blanca, El Dorado, or a Fed tap?” I asked.

She nodded. “That’s what we think. Dique says it’s got snake energy all over it though.”

“I’ll handle it,” I replied in a flat tone. “Myself.”

“You sure? They might be hoping you get outta character.”

“They don’t know what character is. Iamthe fuckin’ character.”

Just then, the door opened again. Dique strolled in smelling like Dior Sauvageand weed. “Ayo,” he called out with his gold chain swinging. “I done took the fuckin’ test. I hope that baby ain’t mine or we gon’ have problems.”

I simply nodded my head. “I’m glad you really went.”

“Hell yeah,” he said, flopping on the velvet couch. “Keondra was mad as hell when I walked out with shades on and a straight face. Her ass was waitin’ on a nigga in the parking lot clockin’ me like tea. I told her if that child ain’t mine, I’m changin’ my fuckin’ number.”

O’Shynn chuckled. “You a damn fool.”

“But I’m a responsible fool from here on out, fuck this shit. Carmen hittin’ her ass with that cease and desist was the best shit she could’ve done. Ain’t no bitch bout to run to the blogs on me.”

“You headed back west?” I asked noticing the large Louis Vuitton duffle he was carrying.

“Yeah, only for three days though,” he said. “Gotta check the ports and link with them dudes pushin' the bikes and shit. The streets whisperin’ too loud right now. I need to shut that down before it gets too loud. I need to check on the new spot off Crenshaw and Slauson too.”

“Keep your burners on you,” I said. “And don’t let nobody follow you.”

He stood up before dappin’ me up. “Always ten toes slime... you know this.”

I nodded. “Let me know soon as you land.”

Dique hugged O’Shynn and left. O’Shynn then stood behind her custom bar pouring two shots of Reposado. “Toast,” she said, raising her glass. “To love, war, and loyalty… and the fuckin’ good life cause this shit don’t get no better than this.”

I clinked glasses with her and took my shot to the head. “And to keepin’ our empire out the feds’ fuckin’ mouth.”

I could feel the lil buzz in the air and it wasn’t from the liquor either.

Tomorrow I was taking Carmen out the chaos and into peace, some shit I had never done even if it was only for one day.

I owed her that and maybe I owed it to myself too.

But first… I had to make somebody disappear…

whoever was in that white Escalade was gon’ die tonight.