Page 27

Maddy smirked. “At least my son can say that his mother protected him. And please, you're taking care of a man who can’t do shit for himself. You didn’t win at life, Ada. You're actually drowning in misery.”

Lo cringed at the comment about Dax. It was a low blow, considering how the shooting altered his life forever.

Ada attempted to lunge at her, but Meco stopped her. “Move out my got damn way!” she screamed. “Your son ain't shit. He’s a lowlife who still has your flat titty in his mouth.”

“Get this fake hurt hoe away from my house before I go get my shotgun,” Maddy warned.

Lo was tired of the scene and advanced toward Ada. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her away and led her toward the car.

“You let that bitch come between us! How could you fall for her scheme? Did you not see what she was trying to do? You let her turn you against us!” Ada cried.

Lo opened the door to the car. “Get in!”

“No!” Ada hit him in his chest. “You let her do it! Why? Why would you let her ruin our relationship?”

There was something deep within, under all the resentment and bitterness that touched Lo.

Witnessing his mother sob pulled at what was left of his heart.

It would be foolish of him to say that Ada wasn’t hurt.

He was aware but so was he. He had to live with painful memories just like she did.

Lo couldn’t shake the images from his head.

He had to lay down with the nightmares and wake up with a mind that was consumed with his past. Lo felt for his mother, but he wouldn’t allow himself to fully extend compassion because he too was ruined.

“I’m gonna kill that bitch! Just wait!”

Lo grabbed her wrist and drew closer toward her face.

For the first time in years, Lo peered into his mother’s eyes.

All the emotions he’d been suppressing over the years came flooding his mind.

Suddenly, he missed everything about Ada.

Her touch, her one-of-a-kind scent, and her humor.

But he couldn’t allow himself to dwell in yearning for his mother.

He had sworn her out of his life years ago and couldn’t go back on his commitment to reject her from his life.

“Go home.”

Lo quickly let her go and spun around before he submitted to the temptation to hold her.

“You're weak, Kylo! You know she was wrong, but you can’t acknowledge it. You picked the wrong side!” Ada yelled.

He rotated quickly, facing her. “Nah, I chose the right side. The side that listened to me instead of ignored me. I chose the side that wasn’t worried about appearances and didn’t care what other people thought. That’s the fucking side I chose.”

Lo swiftly gave Ada his back and walked to where Bria was. She looked horrified wearing parted lips and widened eyes.

“Come on. We leaving,” he told her.

“No, Lo, don't leave,” Maddy begged. “Don't let your ignorant mama ruin the day.”

That was impossible when Ada had come to dig up a grave for his emotions. She’d exposed him. He felt naked because she’d brought up problems that he’d left behind twenty years ago.

“Nah, I’m good. Come on, Bria.”

Lo headed for his truck with Bria closely behind him.

Her heels clicked against the pavement as he marched down the street.

His mind was a scrambled mess. He couldn’t think straight.

His thoughts raced like they were on a track.

Lo had to get far away from Maddy’s house before he transformed into the beast he was known to be.

Getting inside the truck, he started the engine and took a deep breath.

Once he knew Bria was safely inside, Lo drove away at high speed.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Lo didn’t answer her because he couldn’t admit that he wasn’t okay. Instead of badgering him, Bria grabbed his free hand and held it. He wished he could convey to her the power of her touch. It soothed his overactive nerves in an instant despite his anger still being present.

The drive home was silent. There was so much to talk about, but Lo couldn’t fathom expressing anything.

He was too incensed to make a cohesive sentence.

The only thing he wanted to do was go smoke and be alone with his thoughts.

Arriving in the driveway, he pulled around the front and hit the button to unlock the door.

Bria peered at him. “You're not coming in?”

Shaking his head, he replied, “I’ll see you later.”

Sadness covered her features. She was disappointed but Lo couldn’t nurse her feelings at the moment. Not when his mind felt like it was in a blender.

Slightly nodding her head, Bria exhaled then got out the truck. Lo watched her walk inside the house before heading to his lab so he could ruminate in peace.

Days later…

Bria’s bonding time with Lo had been short-lived.

Ever since the blow-up with his family, he had retreated back to his cocoon, ignoring the outside world, including her.

He was back to his one-worded answers and no acknowledgement of her presence.

Bria was frustrated and didn’t know how she was going to endure this turbulence with Lo.

They had finally made strides in their marriage only for him to pull back once again.

After much thought, Bria figured out something.

Lo was triggered by his mother. There was something about her presence that caused him to shut down.

Once she witnessed the blow-up between Ada and Maddy, Bria determined that something had happened to Lo at one point in time.

All parties were wounded by the event. It broke her heart seeing Ada cry.

Her tears were the size of rain drops. There was so much pain in her voice that Bria wanted to hug her, but she didn’t want to upset Lo.

So, she watched in silence, hoping she would get answers to why this family was so broken.

Bria needed some help, so she drove to the bistro on the east side of the city to meet up with her mother. This was one of their favorite places to get lunch, mainly because of the beautiful view of the ocean. Bria walked inside, spotting her mother at their favorite booth.

“Well, hello,” Cecilia greeted, pulling her in for a hug.

“Hey, Mama.” Bria pulled back. “Are you still sad without me?”

Cecilia rolled her eyes, making her laugh.

“Girl, please. Me and your father have been having a ball without you cramping our style.”

Smacking her lips, Bria took a seat. “Girl, don't nobody say that anymore.”

“Well, I do,” she quipped. “But your presence is missed. How has it been going with Kylo?”

Bria exhaled just as the waiter approached the table. After taking their orders, she left them alone.

“Well, it’s been up and down. When we’re up, it feels amazing but when it’s down, I just… I don't know. I pray this won’t be the theme of our relationship.”

“What’s the problem?”

“He has family issues, and it triggers him when he sees his mother. Something happened when he was a child, and I think his mother and aunt fought for custody over him. The aunt won, and the mom can’t get over it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, things got pretty intense when we were at his aunt’s house. His mom came over trying to shoot her.”

Cecilia’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“Yes, we left, and Lo has been in and out of the house. I’m trying not to bother him, but I am concerned.”

Bria missed Lo more than she thought she would. She hated how they had gotten sidetracked because of his family issues.

“Speaking of concern.” Cecilia paused. “I am concerned as well. I had a talk with Enya, and she expressed how you didn’t feel safe with Kylo.”

“What?” Bria inquired, confused by her mother’s statement.

“Enya said he did something to you and that you shouldn’t be alone with him.”

Bria gaped in bewilderment, trying to make sense of what she’d said. Typically, when she had conversations with her sisters, it stayed between them. She couldn’t believe Enya had violated her privacy and told their mother about her incident with Lo and Dough.

“He didn’t do anything to me,” she quickly denied. “I don't know why she told you that.”

“Are you sure? You don't have to lie.”

“I’m not lying. Lo doesn’t make me feel unsafe.”

Anymore…

Cecilia released a sigh. “I know you’ve always had this competition with your sisters and you wanna keep up with them. You don't have to stay in a bad marriage because of that.”

Bria’s mouth parted. “What are you talking about? I don't follow behind them, Mama. If I did, I would’ve married a long time ago. I’m good. Please stop listening to Enya and stop gossiping about my marriage.”

“Okay,” Cecilia drawled. “But if that man is hurting you, you need to tell us. Your father already had a talk with him, and it didn’t go too well.”

Bria’s brows rumpled. “A talk for what?”

“Well, the day you came over complaining about him, your father took it upon himself to talk to him. There were words exchanged but nothing more than that.”

Bria suddenly became enraged with not only her family but herself as well. She should’ve kept their problems in house rather than seeking advice from her family. They were proving to cause more problems than solve them.

“Why did he do that? I don't need him talking to Lo. I’m a grown woman who can handle her own husband.”

“Bria.” Cecilia sighed. “He was only trying to help.”

She shook her head and gathered her purse. “Y’all are not helping by confronting my husband and gossiping about my relationship. You're actually making the situation worse.”

“Where are you going?”

“To rehearsal. I suddenly lost my appetite.”

“Bria, wait. Don't get mad. We’re only concerned about you.”

“You don't need to be. If I ever need help, I’ll come and say it. Until then, please stay out of my business.”

Bria stormed out of the bistro and got inside her car. Turning the AC on right away, she sat for a moment, trying to tame her temper. After huffing out her irritation, she grabbed her phone and dialed Enya.

“Hey, sis. What’s up?”

“What’s up is you telling Mama about what happened between me, Dough, and my husband. Why would you tell her that?”

“I didn’t go into detail, but I did say that I was worried about you.”

“For what? Now you got her questioning me for no reason.”

“Did you forget you told us that he tortured that man in front of you? That’s abusive behavior, Bria. Then, he took you home and had sex with you. You don't find that creepy as hell?”

Bria could admit that the whole altercation was off. None of what occurred was normal, but she hated how Enya had gone to their mother about the situation. She made everything sound worse.

“The only thing creepy is you not minding your business. You know what? I can’t even be mad because I should’ve never said anything to you or Cali about it.”

“I was worried he was going to kill you. Forgive me for being a concerned sister.”

“Don't you see that I’m still breathing? He’s not going to do anything to me.”

Enya kissed her teeth. “You're married to a psychopath, sis. I think Mama has a right to know that.”

“And you're married to a lame-ass errand boy. At least mine ain’t gotta report to nobody like yours. Hmm, a man who don't play versus a man who waits around for his next move to be told. I think I’ll take the nigga who don't fuck around,” she shot sarcastically.

Enya gasped. “My husband isn’t an errand boy. He runs shit now and your husband isn’t a don. Just an underboss so don't start talking out the side of your neck. Just worry about that man who’s probably plotting your demise as we speak.”

“Oh, shut the fuck up before I make him plot yours next. Stay outta my business and stop telling lies to Mama. Tell about how your marriage lacks love. That’s some tea you should spill.”

Bria ended the call without waiting for a reply.

She was already stressed behind Lo and now her family had just pissed her off even more.

Lo was a lot to deal with. He was a genre she couldn’t quite figure out.

Nothing was the same with him. He was so unpredictable that trying to comprehend him was like completing an obstacle course.

Still, he was her problem and no one else to figure out.