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“I know,” was his only response because he honestly didn’t have another one.

How could he explain his actions? A grown thirty-four-year-old man couldn’t control his tongue.

It was embarrassing. Lo didn’t realize how deep his words had cut until he got with Bria.

The image of her face at the hospital haunted him like a spirit.

It reminded him of how shitty he was to her that night.

Lo wished he could rewind and edit that moment out of their marriage.

He loathed how Bria had to live with the memory of him not being there for her.

“You have a wife now. You're her protector not her antagonist. How will she ever be comfortable with you if she can’t trust your actions? You're a man and you have to lead. You also have to exhibit some self-control. Being mean to her will only leave you lonely because no woman wants to be with a man that doesn’t treat her with respect.”

Lo had gotten chewed up again. First, by Meco and now Maddy. He deserved it though. No matter how much he expressed his feelings for Bria, she wouldn’t believe him because his actions always cancelled them out.

“Now, what are you going to do to get her back?”

Lo parted his lips to speak but when he heard the garage open, he nixed his response.

“Aye, Auntie, I’ll call you back.”

Lo hung up without hearing her reply. Slowly, he rose from the couch and walked down the hall.

The house was still dark when he heard a door open.

Reaching in the waistband of his jeans, he pulled out his gun.

Leaning against the door frame, Lo waited eagerly until the light illuminated the kitchen.

As soon as Dough spotted him, his body jumped, provoking a golden smile to surface on Lo’s lips.

“I heard you was looking for me, chump-ass nigga.”

Dough smirked. “You think breaking into my crib is about to make me bitch up? Nigga, this shit don't move me.”

“You right. I already seen how bitch made you are when I had your pussy-ass hanging from the ceiling.”

Dough stood silently, grilling Lo while he exchanged the same energy.

Lo didn’t like this nigga for obvious reasons but his number one was being that he was Bria’s first. There was this vengeance that would never depart him.

He had stolen a piece of Bria that should’ve been reserved for him only.

Taking him out would be one of Lo’s greatest justices.

“You fucked up. Not only did you try to kill me, but you got the wrong person. Bitch, don’t you know I got a fucking twin? Coming for him was a dummy move because that nigga is a certified shooter. He don't miss at all. Oh, yeah, did your homeboy make it?”

Without warning, Dough reached for the toaster and threw it at Lo. He dodged it but was hit in the shoulder. Dough took advantage of that distraction and ran out the kitchen. Lo took off after him as they ran down the stairs.

“Shit!” Dough hissed, fumbling when he tried opening the door.

He then ran down another set of stairs and into the basement. Lo arrived, smiling widely because he knew he had nowhere to go. When he had broken in earlier, he secured the entire house, learning every exit and window inside the ranch-style home.

“Where you going, my boy?” Lo taunted him.

“Nigga, fuck you! I ain't scared to die! Just know my people gon’ be on your ass. You’ll never get away with this shit.”

Lo wasn’t moved by his speech. He had it coming, particularly by him fucking on Bria. He could’ve taken him back to the lab and tortured him until he screamed for mercy. However, they had been down that road before. It wouldn’t have been as exciting for Lo the second time around.

“Hurry up, nigga!” Dough barked.

Lifting his left hand with the gun inside, Lo fired two head shots into Dough.

His body fell back, causing a loud thud to sound through the room.

Casually, Lo approached his body. Dough’s eyes were half-open as a puddle of blood became the backdrop for his corpse.

He fired two more rounds, ensuring that his casket would be closed.

“Bitch nigga.”

Lo turned away and ascended the stairs. Now that Dough had been taken care of, he had to embark on his quest to find Bria.

“You did fabulous. I can’t wait to see how these come out.”

Bria smiled at the photographer as she lifted off the small ottoman. It had been a long shoot—fourteen hours to be exact, and she was beat.

“Thank you so much. I was nervous, but I think they're going to come out great.”

“Oh, they will,” the small Black woman raved. “You didn’t even have to do too much, and I can already tell these will be some of the best photos of my career. We’ll be in touch once the campaign goes live.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Bria traveled to the dressing room to undress and put on her clothes.

Glancing at her watch, she noticed the time was approaching to meet Stella for dinner.

Once she was ready, Bria walked outside and got inside the service car.

She was exhausted but there was something about being in New York City that lifted her spirit.

It literally was a city that never came to a pause.

There was so much to do with a melting pot of people and cultures that left her inspired.

She had been there for a week and Bria had thoughts of actually staying.

Her stay in NYC was meant for business but it had quickly become a getaway from the man she was legally attached to.

Not only did she suffer a wrist sprain but the unveiling of who Lo was transpired as well.

He would never forgive her for cheating on him.

Whenever he was upset, he’d quickly remind her of how she’d stepped out on their marriage.

Witnessing him threaten to throw her under the bus in front of everyone was enough to place distance between the two.

Bria had thought long, toying with the idea of walking away and sadly, she had made her choice.

There was a part of her that wished she and Lo could have worked out.

He was magical when he was in the right headspace.

Bria burned with desire from just one look from him.

He captivated her with no effort, but he was a mess.

Lo was like a beautiful mansion with unkempt rooms. She saw the beauty of him, but she couldn’t get past the filth.

Bria had given all that she had, but she couldn’t endure any more of this ride called Kylo.

Bria walked inside Per Se and was escorted to the table where Stella was.

“Hey, sorry I’m late,” Bria greeted. “You know how traffic can be, and the shoot went longer than expected.”

Stella rose from her chair and gave her a hug. “No worries. I was just checking some emails.”

Bria sat and placed her bag on the open chair. “You would bring me to the place that serves finger food.”

Stella snickered, sipping from her martini. “It’s not finger food.”

“Girl, please. You know I need a full plate. Not these lil’ cute plates they serve in here. Anyways.” She propped her elbow on the table. “You got any updates?”

Placing her glass down, Stella sighed. “I do and one of them, you're not gonna want to hear.”

Bria’s stomach dropped instantly. “What is it?”

“They gave the role for Swan Lake to Katie.”

A sharp exhale expelled from Bria’s mouth. It was filled with exhaustion, rejection, and sadness. All she wanted was to continue excelling in her career despite her personal life being in shambles.

“I know it sucks,” Stella empathized.

“Yeah, it does,” Bria agreed with an attitude. “I’m seriously thinking about retiring from this industry. I’m tired of fighting.”

The spirit of defeat rode Bria’s back for years. Each time she didn’t get a part, she knew it was because of the hue of her skin. Being one of the few Black women in ballet had become so draining.

“Bria, don't. You're a brilliant dancer. It’s been a pleasure to represent you for the last seven years. You have accomplished so much in your career. All the magazine shoots, countless accolades, and being one of the few Black principal dancers at American Ballet Theatre. I know it’s been a struggle but Bria, you have accomplished more than most. Don't let this setback get you down.”

She exhaled. “Yeah, you're right. I just get so defeated when I know I'm better than someone and I still get looked over.”

“Listen, I get it. I truly do. It’s one of the reasons I fight so hard for you and my other clients. And because you're so good and I am too, I did get you booked for The Nutcracker.”

A smile tugged on Bria’s lips. “Now that’s something to get excited for.”

“It is. I’m hoping your wrist will be one hundred percent by then. How is it going with that?”

She glanced at the splint on her left wrist. “Thankfully, it was a mild sprain. For the first week, I iced it and elevated it. I think that helped with the healing process.”

Bria was so thankful that her wrist hadn’t been broken. It would’ve been a setback to her career if she sustained an injury like that.

“That’s good. Are you going to be prepared for your class tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’m definitely going to take it easy, but I’ll be ready for class for sure.”

While she was in New York, Bria had booked classes to teach at the American Ballet Theatre.

Teaching was another passion of Bria’s that she wanted to explore more.

The idea of opening her own dance studio had lingered in her mind for quite some time.

Now that she’d grown tired of being in the industry, she felt the time to execute was now.

“Hey, what do you think about me opening my own ballet school in Florida?”

Stella shrugged. “I don't think it’s a bad idea. I’m sure there will be so many dancers who will leap at the opportunity to be under Bria Harvey’s tutelage.”

Bria almost corrected her last name until she realized she wasn’t fucking with Lo anymore.

“Wait, are you going by your married name now?”

Bria shook her head.

“Why not? Is it a branding issue?”