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Shrugging, she answered, “I thought that, but I don't know. He don't give me gay. He gives me a nigga who just…”

“Don't give a fuck,” she finished her sentence. “Maybe he’s one of those men that like to play mind games before he fucks you. You telling me that he locked you in the house is a red flag.”

When Cali snickered, Bria couldn’t help but join in laughter.

“Girl, that pissed me off so bad. You should’ve seen how I walked out the room like a bad bitch, only to be pulling on door handles downstairs.”

Cali held her chest while giggling. “I can only imagine how you were looking.”

“Like an idiot.”

Bria’s phone vibrated, displaying Dough’s name.

“Let me take this. I’ll be right back.” Quickly, she walked to the bathroom and answered the phone. “Hello?”

“What’s up, baby?”

Hearing his voice was like feeling the sunshine after days of enduring a storm. The familiarity was comforting as her mouth lifted into a genuine beam.

“Hey. How are you?”

“You know me. A nigga been making moves. Been missing my baby like crazy. You still playing wife?”

“Yeah.” She looked down at her French manicure. “I’m trying.”

“That nigga got you going through it, huh?”

She snorted a chuckle. “Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah, I know you. You ain't being fulfilled. You needy as shit and that nigga ain't giving you what you need.”

“I’m not needy,” she protested, smirking.

“You are but ain't nothing wrong with it. I like my girl to need me.”

“Yeah, well, I wish he felt that way.”

“Fuck that nigga. What you got going on?”

“I have a performance in Miami tomorrow. It’s at the Adrienne Arsht Center.”

“Word? I got some business to take care of in Miami. I may pull up on you.”

“Really?” she gushed.

“Yeah, you act like I don't try to come and see you perform.”

Suddenly, regret consumed Bria like a demonic possession.

She wanted this from Lo but when she mentioned her performance, he said nothing.

He didn’t even ask if she wanted him to come.

Now as she sat listening to Dough, Bria wished she could go back.

Dough was supportive. He’d always been, but he wasn’t necessarily ready to settle down.

Their love affair was in secret but there was a bond there.

Bria cherished it so much and it hurt her to know that she would never be able to explore it freely.

“I know it’s just that… I really appreciate you. Your presence would be much appreciated.”

“I know. Send me the information.”

“Okay, I will.”

“I got some shit to handle so I’ll hit you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Bria exited the bathroom and joined Cali at the bar.

“What took you so long?”

“That was Dough.”

Cali’s brow arched. “Oh, are we playing with fire? What did he want?”

“He misses me, and I miss him like crazy. He’s going to come see me perform tomorrow night.”

“Wait, won’t your husband be there?”

“No, he won’t. He didn’t even offer to come. I told him about it, and he nodded. Like what the fuck? I’m never inviting him to anything else involving me.”

“Damn, that’s kinda fucked up. You would think he’d be there to support you. I’m starting not to like his ass.”

“Been there,” Bria declared. “I’m trying not to be that girl who runs to the next man because she’s not getting what she need from hers, but Lo hasn’t given me anything to hold on to.

Dough knows me and he’s invested. I don't want to cheat. I know that’s not the answer but I’m tired of being disregarded by my own husband. ”

“Girl, ain't nothing wrong with keeping Dough on the side. It ain't like your man pays attention enough to find out.”

Bria looked at her. “But I’m not a cheater.”

“Me either, but guess what? I have a standing appointment at the hotel on Thursday at two p.m.”

Bria gasped, looking at her sister like she had just cracked a cold case. “You're cheating on Rio?”

“Yes, and I’m not sorry. I’m unhappy in the bedroom. He’s cool but, baby, sometimes he don't get me to my destination. So, I have someone who’s going to do it for me. There’s no feelings involved. No talks of our personal life. Just fucking and undeniable sexual chemistry.”

Bria was stunned. Cali had never confessed to being unsatisfied sexually in her marriage. For the most part, aside from the first years of their marriage, she seemed as if she had fallen in love with her husband.

“I know, it’s shocking, right?” She chuckled, shaking her head. “I tried all kinds of things to get us to heat up, but that man just don't got it. Everywhere else, he’s great but the sex don’t hit like I need it to.”

Bria narrowed her eyes. “So, you're encouraging me to cheat?”

“Not necessarily. You see, when men don't get what they want out of their relationships, they seek it from another woman. They don't consult us. They don't give us a head’s up. They let their temptation and dick lead them to another bitch. And they do it so unapologetically. Your husband knows what he should be doing and he’s choosing not to. For whatever reason, he’s opting out of acting like your husband, therefore, I encourage you to always put yourself first. You don’t have to cheat, but make sure your needs are met. ”

Bria pondered her sister’s words before taking a sip of her drink. Cali was right. Lo knew he should’ve been giving her more and he chose not to.

I gotta put me first since he’s not doing it…

There wasn’t a night when Lo came to Meco’s club that it wasn’t lit.

Night after night, it was packed with people who just wanted to have a good time.

Lo couldn’t blame them. The world was filled with so much distress that escaping reality and having a good time was always a good remedy.

He traveled down the hallway as the sound of the music became more distant with each step he took.

Approaching Meco’s door, he knocked then opened it to find both brothers inside.

Meco lounged on the sofa while Devyn sat in the seat behind the desk.

“What is Devyn’s stuck-up ass doing here?” Lo asked.

Meco smirked. “You know he only graces our presence when he want us to do a job.”

Lo slapped hands with them both before he took a seat in the open chair.

“So, y’all saying I don't fuck with you outside of The Mob?” Devyn inquired.

“Nah, but you rarely come to the club,” Lo noted. “What you got for us?”

Meco tapped in his phone then smirked at Lo. “You on the docket, my nigga.”

Lo turned to Devyn. “How?”

“The chiefs want you to meet with them.”

Lo kissed his teeth. “About what?”

“You probably did something we don't know about. Sneaky ass,” Meco joked.

“I don't sneak.” Lo scoffed. “What the hell they want? They only wanna meet with me?”

Devyn picked up the glass bottle of liquor on the table and poured a shot. “I don't know. They didn’t tell me. I’m sure it ain't nothing crazy though. But I need you to handle something for the family though.”

Lo smirked at him. “Like what?”

Devyn cleared his throat. “Tori was looking into getting her own studio, and she wanted the building in the Zora Neale District. Well, the administrator at the National Park Service is being an asshole and trying to prevent us from buying. So, I need y’all to put a little fear in his ass.”

Lo smiled immediately, ready to get his hands dirty. He lived for these kinds of adventures. Taking out opps and thinking of more clever ways to express himself through the art of killing was a passion that he couldn’t explain so he didn’t.

“You can handle it?” Devyn asked.

Lo kissed his teeth. “Don't ask me that shit.”

“You need me to ride with you?” Meco offered.

He shook his head. “I’m good.”

Devyn snorted. “You forced yourself on Meco when it was his turn, now you wanna ride dolo.”

“I told you he’s fake,” Meco groused.

Lo laughed. “Now I’m fake. Fuck it, you can come.”

“Nah, I’m good on you.”

Devyn shook his head. “Y’all niggas wild… Lo, what’s up with you and wifey? Is she still alive?”

Meco snickered, instigating by saying, “He probably got her locked in the room. His twisted ass.”

Lo smirked, trying to find the right words to say that would keep his brothers out of his business.

Bria was growing frustrated. Her silent treatment and sassy remarks were obvious of her impatience with him.

Letting her in required so much energy from Lo, and he didn’t have it in him.

The night terrors took too much of his energy.

Admittedly, Lo was too cautious to give Bria the key to his heart.

He had to keep her at arm’s length, at least until his nightmares let up.

“She’s straight. She keeps an attitude, but that shit don't faze me.”

Devyn slouched into his seat. “Your wife shouldn’t have an attitude after only one month of marriage.”

“Oh, yeah?” Lo challenged Devyn. “What should I do, love doctor?”

“See what’s wrong with her.”

“I already know what’s wrong with her. I’m not obtuse.”

Lo went to his phone and tapped on the app that he was able to locate Bria on. As his wife, he had to know all of her whereabouts. Asking her where she was headed was just to make sure she was being honest with him.

“Then, fix it. The fuck,” Devyn griped.

Lo looked at his brother. He was a savage but also a certified lover boy. It was no surprised that Devyn was encouraging Lo to fix the obstacle in his marriage.

“I will, eventually. What’s the name of the target?” he changed the subject.

“Thomas Cardiel.”

Lo bobbed his head. “I got you.”

His reputation in The Mob circuit was quite simple. He did the dirty jobs. The one that required a protection suit because it was bound to get messy.

“Did you handle ol’ boy for Jay?” Meco asked.

Lo bobbed his head. “Yep, cooked his ass to death.”

Devyn shook his head and placed the glass on the table. “You’re wicked as fuck. You need help.”

Lo chuckled. “If I need help, you need to be right next to me, you kidnapper.”

Meco snickered. “Right, ol’ desperate ass.”

Devyn cut his eyes at Meco. “Desperate? You were about to have a baby with a bitch that accused you of rape. Surrogate-hiring-ass nigga.”

Lo cackled so hard he held his stomach.

Meco tried to hide his smile, but he failed terribly. “Aye, if that shit didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have my girl or my baby. So, fuck what you talking about. I’d hire her again and again.”

Devyn stood. “You right. My niece would’ve never been born if you didn’t make that move. So, you won in the end. I’m about to go to the crib. I’ll holla at y’all.”

Devyn shook hands with Meco and Lo before he made his exit.

“How you gon’ handle ol’ boy? You wanna scare him or put him in the dirt?”

Lo shook his head. “We can catch him slippin’ and scare his ass. Ain't no need to murk him right now.”

Meco nodded. “A’ight, cool.”