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Jhene Aiko’s “On the Way” played in the distance.

Smoke sauntered from his parted lips while he stared at the woman sitting in front of him.

The scene had been set. She was good at motivating his sexual nature to make an appearance.

However, this night, Lo wasn’t consumed with sexual desire.

His thoughts were fixed on the girl he had met earlier.

If Picasso was asked to create the most beautiful woman on paper, he still wouldn’t come close to Bria’s radiance.

Beautiful women didn’t move Lo. They were scattered all over St. Parklynn, so it wasn’t a rare occurrence to see an attractive woman.

Bria was built differently though. Her curves weren’t ones that had been surgically enhanced.

She was toned and muscular but not in a masculine way.

She still possessed her femininity, but her body was cut.

He found it difficult to believe that she was a dancer.

Specifically, a ballet dancer. Ballerinas were usually slim with small builds, but Bria was tall.

If he had to guess, she was probably five foot ten with long, muscular legs and abs that resembled his.

Unexpectedly, he found her extremely attractive.

“Your mind is somewhere else, Lo.”

Tapping out of his thoughts, he focused on Jamira as she crossed one of her bare legs over the other. Her D-cups sat high on her chest as a diamond chain nestled in between her breasts. She was his link-up when he wanted to release some stress and a few nuts.

“Tell me what I want to hear,” he requested, taking a pull on his blunt.

She licked her lips and answered, “Well, I heard the feds are about to take Tuck down. I heard it’s a lieutenant working with them too. I’m not sure who yet but they're closing in on a lot of members from TLM. The sweep will be soon.”

“Tuck from The Legacy Mafia?” he questioned with a raised brow.

She nodded. “Yep, so that means Noble will be promoted to top dawg. I’m not sure how that’s going to affect the organization.”

The Noir Mafia was operated by the chiefs with structure and respect.

No one made a move without their approval.

If there was someone that wasn’t a fit for the organization, they were either ex-communicated or deleted, depending on the circumstances.

On the other hand, The Legacy Mafia ran amuck.

There was no honor amongst their society.

“One of your soldiers was taken into custody on Friday.”

Lo’s forehead rumpled. “Which one?”

“Romeo but he didn’t talk or anything like that. I think he was arrested for disorderly conduct. You know how the cops are in Boudoir. They get bored and try to fuck with the young niggas, especially if they suspect they're in The Noir Mob.”

Jamira worked at the St. Parklynn police station. She was his ears and eyes whenever they needed information on a case or a head’s up on any police activity. There were tons of law enforcement on Noir Mob’s payroll, but Jamira was Lo’s personal liaison, especially when it came to The Crown Family.

“I heard you're about to jump the broom. How come you didn’t tell me?”

He snorted, adjusting his body in the seat. “When do I ever tell you anything about my life?”

Snickering, she replied, “You got a point but still, I would’ve rather heard it from you that you're about to be someone’s husband.”

Lo chuckled at her reminder. A husband? Yeah, that had never been in the cards for him until his thoughts became darker.

Whenever there was some sunshine in his life, the moon would slide in front of it, casting a dark shadow that followed him around.

When Devyn got married, he didn’t see himself ever making that move.

It wasn’t until Meco jumped the broom that made him feel left out.

It was childish but Lo didn’t want to be the only bachelor in The Crown Family.

He wanted someone to call his own, but his characteristics would either run her away or draw her to him. He was hoping for the latter to happen.

“It’s a business move.” He shrugged.

“Business?” she quizzed, wearing narrowed eyes. “What kind of business?”

“Mob business.”

“Which means you're not going to tell me?”

Smirking, he bobbed his head. “You know the drill. Loose lips, sink ships.”

Playfully, Jamira rolled her eyes. “Here you go with that shit. I come in here and tell you everything. I could be fired but I still put a bug in your ear. How come you can’t do that for me?”

“‘Cause this ain't about just me. It’s other parties involved, and I ain't no chatty-patty-ass nigga. Besides, you don't need to know about what’s going on in my life.”

“Okay,” she drawled, uncrossing her legs and unveiling her bare kitty. “Maybe I’m allowed to ask you this. When you get married, what does it mean for us?”

“It means you will still be my home girl.”

“Who you fuck on, right?” she asked with a raised brow.

Jamira was sexy with a slim build and short pixie cut. Her face was pretty with almond-shaped eyes and a beaming smile. She’d tempted him four years ago and he had been linking up with her ever since. She was freaky just how Lo liked them, but once he got married, he would have to put a stop to it.

“Nah, not no more.”

The hope she had cast over her features melted in an instant. She was salty, and Lo wished he could feel her disappointment but the part of him that was supposed to possess empathy for others didn’t exist.

“Damn, that hurt.”

He shrugged. “You’ll get over it. I ain't shit anyway.”

Jamira chuckled. “You really shouldn’t talk about yourself like that, especially when it’s not true.”

Lo glanced at her before finishing his blunt. Normally, he would indulge in her pussy and fuck her until she spelled out his name, but Lo was in no mood to have sex. Standing, he peeled off some bills for Jamira and tossed them on the bed.

“Go do a self-care day.”

Happily, she grabbed the money. “Thank you, Lo. You're always so generous.”

“I’m out.”

Lo headed out the room and went home so he could think about Bria without any interruptions from Jamira.

“I can’t believe Daddy hooked you up with an underboss. Why does he hate us so much and not you?” Enya fussed before gulping down her margarita.

Bria was at Cali’s house informing them of her first encounter with Lo. They’d begged her for the details after she departed from him, but Bria made them wait so she could talk to them in person.

“Right,” Cali added. “We had to start from the bottom, and Bria’s ass get to sit at the top. I’ll be damned if he didn’t plug you and say fuck us.”

“Y’all please stop acting like I hit the jackpot. Did you not hear me say that this man said I have to follow rules?” Bria stressed.

“Girl that’s how all the men in The Mob act.” Enya waved her hand dismissively. “Shit, even they have to follow rules.”

“Yeah, Bria, everybody has to follow rules in this life. You're not exempt, darling.”

Rolling her eyes, she couldn’t understand why her sisters were okay with their men giving them rules. She knew the basics of what not to do but Lo’s rules were a bit much, especially when he wanted her to text him back within five minutes.

“How does he look though?” Cali inquired. “Can you at least get aroused for him?”

It had been days since their encounter and Bria still couldn’t get the visual of Lo out of her mind. She couldn’t burn it away even if she tried.

“He’s beautiful.”

“Beautiful?” Cali quipped. “Girl, what kind of description is that?”

“Listen, there are attractive men and there are handsome men. Lo is beautiful to me.”

Enya and Cali looked at each other before they shared a gut-busting laugh.

“So, he look like a ponk?” Cali joked.

“Girl, no.” Bria laughed. “He’s all man, that I can tell, but to me he’s just simply beautiful. His attitude could use an adjustment but he’s fine as hell.”

Enya side eyed her. “I’ll be the judge of that. Bria, you know you like those medium ugly men.”

Bria snickered. “I can’t deny that. There’s something about a medium ugly man that I like. I don't want my man to look better than me so that’s why I go for the ones that’s cute if they keep themselves up.”

“So now you're about to be competing with your beautiful-ass husband,” Cali teased.

“I hope not,” she grumbled just as her phone rang. She looked at the screen and didn’t notice the number. Bria never hesitated to answer unknown numbers since they were usually companies looking to book her for a gig. “Hey, I’ll be right back.”

She stood and walked out on the terrace before she answered the phone.

“Hello? Hello?”

“Bria, what you doing?”

She looked at her screen then pressed the phone up to her ear. The deep tone didn’t sound familiar to her at all, so she asked, “Who is this?”

“You got that many niggas calling your phone?”

Bria hated how her mouth formed into a simper. His slick remarks instantly revealed who was on the other end.

“I should’ve known this was you. Do you always have to talk slick?”

“Yeah,” Lo said.

“What do you need?”

He chuckled. “You never answered my original question. What are you doing?”

“I’m at my sister’s house having drinks. What are you doing?”

“Talking on the phone to the future Mrs. Crown.”

Bria turned into mush. His words provided a bit of relief since she assumed she was doomed to hell by marrying Lo. She was pleased that he’d shown a preview of his softer side.

“Aye, listen, I wanna know what area you would like to live in?”

She smiled. “Why? Are you getting us a house?”

“Yeah.”

“Can we live off the water? I love the ocean.” She silently clenched her teeth, hoping her request wasn’t too vast.

“A’ight.”

“ A’ight ?” she mocked. “Just like that?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t it be just like that?”

“Those houses on the water are expensive. I was assuming you would say no.”

There was a pause until he confessed, “I already got a house on the water and stop counting my pockets. Get that expensive word out of your vocabulary.”

“Really? You have a house on the water?”

“Yeah, I bought it years ago. I was on some impulsive shit at the time, but I still have it.”

Bria’s brows furrowed. “Wait, so you don't live there?”

“No, it was too much house for me.”

This man is so damn weird…

“So, now it’s our house?”

“Yeah.”

That had to be his favorite word. Bria wished Lo would elaborate more.

She was a yapper, who wanted to discuss everything under the moon.

He seemed to be closed off, and she didn’t know how to feel about that.

How would they mesh when she wanted to converse about her day or rehearsal or anything that came to her mind?

“Okay,” she drawled, trying to think of more to say. There was so much they needed to discuss, and Bria didn’t know where to start.

“Lo, do you expect fidelity from me?”

“Yeah, I do,” he responded with more bass in his tone. “In all aspects. Loyalty means everything to me so don’t test me, Bria.”

Sucking her teeth, she retorted, “Why you gotta get all mean? I was only asking a question.”

“I’m assertive,” he corrected her, making Bria roll her eyes. “But I mean what I said. Don't make me question your loyalty to me.”

“Are you going to reciprocate?”

“…Yeah.”

“That didn’t sound convincing, Kylo.” The fact that he took a pause gave Bria reason to question if he was being honest.

“I’m always honest. I don't lie, especially to you. You ain't nobody that I need to jack to.”

“I’m nobody?”

He chuckled. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Yeah, whatever… Do you want kids?”

“I never thought about it.”

Lo’s answer made Bria’s belly flop. More than dancing, more than anything in the world, Bria wanted to be a mom. She had been blessed with one of the best mothers in the universe, and she wanted to pass down what her mother had instilled into her to her own children.

“Well, I do. That’s a non-negotiable for me, Lo.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, what?”

“Then, we’ll have kids.”

Bria should’ve breathed a sigh of relief but there was something stopping her from doing so. Lo was so nonchalant about everything they were discussing unless it was loyalty. He was filled with emotion when that topic was placed on the table.

“So, is it true? You a virgin?” he asked.

Sliding her tongue across her lips, she gulped and said, “Yes.”

“So, I’ll be the only man you’ll ever be with?”

Swallowing hard again, she muttered, “Yes.”

He snorted a chuckle. “Yeah, a’ight. I gotta go. I’ll see you at the wedding.”

Before Bria could say another word, her phone beeped in her ear. Suddenly, she felt as if a weighted blanket had been placed on her body. Dragging her feet, she went back inside where Enya and Cali were engaged in an animated conversation.

“Who was that?” Cali asked.

“Lo… y’all I feel like shit,” Bria confessed, plopping down on the couch. “I just lied to him.”

“About what?” Enya inquired.

“He asked me if I was a virgin, and I said yes.”

Cali sighed dramatically. “Girl it’s 2025 now. Nobody is lying about being a virgin anymore. Hell, just keep it real.”

“I bet Dad told him that, which I find weird because why are they discussing your coochie?”

“Who knows?” Bria shrugged. “That’s something Dad made me promise to save for marriage. I’m sure that’s why he said that to Lo.”

“And he don't even know you already gave that box up.” Cali cackled.

Trying her best to hide her smile, Bria threw a pillow at her.

“I don't find this funny.”

“Girl, relax. He don't need to know anything about your pus prior to him. You’ll be fine.”

Bria hated lying, which was why she avoided it at all costs.

Starting her marriage with a lie was like applying for a job, knowing she would fail the drug test. Deception had already met them at the altar before they could get there.

Bria carried a burden that was bound to shatter into tiny pieces.

Would she be able to piece the trust back together if Lo was to find out about her lie?

She wasn’t certain and prayed that her little white lie wouldn’t grow into a virus that infected her impending marriage.