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Meeting with Meco and Devyn was always a treat for Lo.

He would never admit it but when he was in the presence of his brothers, he felt at ease.

They were a reminder of what used to be.

A past that he wished to relive so he could savor a bit more before his transformation took place.

They argued like children, fought like soldiers, but they loved like it was their duty.

As if they had been assigned personally by God to adore each other with every breath in their body.

They were Crown brothers, Dax’s sons, and Ada’s babies.

“Here go this fake-ass nigga,” Meco joked.

Lo chuckled and took a seat at the bar. They typically met at Meco’s club or their garbage company when it was time to discuss business.

“Now, why I gotta be fake?”

“‘Cause you're volunteering to get married like it’s in your character to do,” Devyn bantered, adjusting his cufflinks.

“Knowing this nigga ain't the husband type,” Meco added.

Lo snorted. “You ain't the husband type, either, but look at you. Married to Kay Baby’s thick ass.”

The humor faded from Meco’s features immediately. “Don’t play with me, Lo. Her name is Kaylona to you.”

Lo turned to Devyn. “Aye, did you know when I first met her, she wanted me?”

Devyn’s thick brows rose. “Yeah right.”

“I'm for real. This is when Kaylona was just his surrogate. She was all over a nigga.” Lo grinned, knowing he was pissing Meco off.

“Only ‘cause she thought you were me. Stop putting on.”

Devyn chuckled. “Wait, she didn’t know you had a twin?”

Meco shook his head. “I didn’t tell her ‘cause I ain’t want her in my business like that.”

“You know this man was hating, too,” Lo instigated. “Kaylona was interested, and he didn’t like it.”

“Bro, change the subject before my finger start itching,” Meco ordered.

Lo found his brother’s warning hilarious, especially when he threatened to shoot him.

“So, we got some things to discuss,” Devyn inserted, being the leader he was known to be. “You sure about this marriage? This shit ain't no game.”

“Dev, why you acting like I just enlisted in the army? Marriage ain't tough.” Lo flicked his hand dismissively.

“Marriage is serious, Lo.” Devyn offered an austere stare. “Don't go into this thinking it’s a role or game you play. You about to be responsible for another person. She’s going to be yours to protect and provide for, nigga.”

Lo wasn’t surprised by Devyn’s speech. He was the husband type. He had been waiting for his wife for years with hopes that they would someday be together. Lo thought that was some sucka shit but he respected his brother’s quest. He even helped him with the process to acquire Tori.

On the contrary, being a husband was something Lo wasn’t afraid of.

He knew what it required, however, he wanted to do marriage his way.

Lo refused to be bound by the title of husband.

His wife wasn’t going to be a person he answered to.

This would only work if she followed his lead. It had to be done on his own accord.

Lo rested his elbow on the counter. “I know you my older brother, but I don't need your advice. I can handle this shit.”

“This man says that now.” Meco chuckled. “He thinks it’s a game.”

“Right and when his ass gets the blues, let that nigga drown,” Devyn hissed.

“I can swim.” Lo shrugged.

Devyn picked up the glass that was in front of him and swallowed the clear liquor.

“I need to talk to you about something serious, and I want you to have an open mind and let me finish what I need to say.”

On the outside, Lo seemed reserved but internally, he braced himself for Devyn’s oncoming speech.

“What?”

Devyn spun the glass with his middle finger and thumb. His eye contact was on the tumbler before he landed his undivided attention on Lo.

“I told Ma and Pops that you were getting married. They want to be there and before you say no, hear me out. They didn’t get a chance to be there when I got married.

Meco got married in the islands and Pops wasn’t able to make it.

I figured this would be their last chance to see one of their sons getting married.

And listen, I know you don't fuck with them, but you need to consider letting them be there. They have missed out on everything you’ve accomplished after the age of thirteen.

Think about letting them be there for you. ”

The burden Devyn just delivered to Lo weighed a ton.

Through their perspective, it was all so simple.

Allowing his parents to see his upcoming nuptials was a cakewalk but it was anything but that.

Lo’s issues with his parents were a bottomless pit.

Not even the bottom of the ocean could rival how profound his rift with his parents were.

Lo wished he had the words to inform his brothers of his feelings when it came to Ada and Dax.

Communication wasn’t his strong suit. He didn’t know how to peel open his chest and empty all the emotions that had haunted him for the last twenty-one years.

Things weren’t as easy as they made it to be.

Again, Lo couldn’t explain that because he wasn’t great at being vulnerable.

The only emotion he was good at displaying was rage.

That’s when he got his point across, but Lo was in no mood to be incensed, especially when he was slated to meet his wife-to-be.

“Ma said she won’t even talk to you. They’ll just come and leave after the ceremony,” Devyn continued coaxing him.

Lo looked at Meco, who stared at him intensely.

He wanted to say no. He wanted to confess that seeing them would probably stir up sentiments that he had suppressed years ago.

What would he do at the altar when they arrived?

When he finally landed eyes on them? It had been years since he’d been in their presence.

What would his reaction be when the people that caused him the worst pain surfaced on what was to be the happiest day of his life?

“You ain't feelin’ it, huh?” Meco asked.

Lo expelled a labored breath. The topic of his parents angered him, but he didn’t want to be in that mood right now.

“I’ll think about it.”

Devyn’s forehead creased as his eyes expanded. “You for real?”

“I would’ve bet money that he was about to curse you the fuck out.” Meco snickered.

Lo didn’t feel like explaining why he was entertaining the idea.

It was probably due to him wanting to remain in this calm mood he was in.

Plus, every time the topic of the rift between him and their parents arose, they always started fighting, and Lo didn’t have the mental capacity to be ganged up on by Meco and Devyn.

“Yeah, now leave me alone about this shit until I decide.”

Devyn nodded. “I’m good with that. Ma about to be geeked up.”

“Don't tell her happy ass nothing until I tell you my decision,” Lo warned.

Devyn jerked his head back. “Who you talking to like that?”

“Your tight-suit-wearing ass.”

Meco laughed, making Devyn cut his eyes at him. “I’ll body both of you, niggas.”

“Not before I shoot you first. The fuck you think this is,” Meco hissed.

Lo glanced at his screen, realizing it was getting closer to the time to meet his bride-to-be. He rose from the chair and shook hands with both of them.

“I gotta go. I’ll hit y’all up later.”

“Aye, give some thought to what I said, for real, Lo. Don't be telling me what I want to hear.”

“Every word that comes out of my mouth is intentional. I don't gotta lie to your lil’ ugly ass.”

Devyn kissed his teeth. “You look just like me though.”

Lo smirked then left the club to prepare for this meeting with his new girl.

Bria had performed in front of thousands.

She had done techniques that were considered dangerous to her body but never had she been this nervous.

Everything about this moment made her nauseous.

Her stomach bubbled like boiling water as she got out the car.

She looked down at her appearance, making sure there was nothing out of place.

Quickly, a valet came to retrieve her keys.

Bria took small steps toward the entrance, contemplating if making a run for it would be wise.

That way she would avoid the pressure of being a stranger’s wife and get back to her regular program.

As tempting as it was, Bria knew she had to take one for the team.

Her father was making a transition to better pastures, and he couldn’t make that happen without her compliance.

Bria walked inside as jazz music floated in her ears.

She noticed the host smiling at her as she approached.

Doing a brief survey inside, she noticed there were no other patrons.

Quickly, she pulled out her phone to check if this was the right location.

After confirming it was, she peered at the hostess.

“Hello and welcome to The Fiftieth One. You must be Bria.”

She nodded.

“Great, your guest is waiting for you. I’ll take you upstairs.”

The anxiety amplified, making her legs tremble while trying to balance herself in five-inch heels. What if this man was ugly? What if he had bad breath? Would she be able to bypass all of his imperfections in the name of marriage? Bria wasn’t certain and she couldn’t make any promises.

I should’ve told Dad that I wasn’t ready…

No way could Bria live like her sisters.

Tolerating their husbands like they were a treatable disease and acting as if they were in love when they pined for other men.

Yeah, no, Bria wasn’t cut from fabric like that.

She prayed to the heavens that this wouldn’t be a three-peat of her sisters’ lack of romance marriages.

They walked through the main floor and up a set of stairs.

When they reached the top, Bria stopped in her tracks.