Page 37

“No, it’s a marital issue,” Bria corrected her. “I’m going to find me a place in New York.”

Stella gawked. “You're having marital problems already?” She glanced at her watch. “You guys have only been married for five minutes.”

“Yeah, and it’s five minutes too long.” Bria couldn’t hide her disdain for Lo. He really wounded her the night at the hospital.

“Wow, I hate to hear that. So, are you getting a divorce?”

Stella wasn’t aware of Bria’s mob ties. She couldn’t explain how The Mob didn’t approve divorce unless there was some sort of domestic abuse. Lo hadn’t laid a finger on her, but he did cause her pain. The agony was so excruciating that she wanted nothing to do with him.

“I haven’t arrived at the point yet, but I definitely want space.”

“Aww, that sucks but hopefully, you guys will work it out.”

Bria shrugged, not having any hope for Lo.

He was a man who wasn’t going to change for not even her.

So, her hope in him had died. The two continued chatting and eating until they parted ways.

Bria arrived at The Westin Hotel where she had been staying at and got straight in the shower.

While there, she thought of the direction of her life.

She thought her marriage would guide her into new territory, such as marital bliss and possible babies.

Before getting married, Bria had it all worked out but now that Lo wasn’t cooperating, she had to look out for herself.

Lo felt like a detective trying to locate Bria.

After taking care of Dough, he packed a bag and hopped on a flight to New York City.

He still had a tracker on her and was able to find her location.

With him not having access to call her, he had to dig through bank statements just to find what hotel she was staying at.

Admittedly, Lo had never gone through these lengths for a woman.

Most of the time, he didn’t give a damn about them.

Yet he was suffering without Bria. The two weeks apart felt like two years.

He’d even made burner pages on Instagram and TikTok so he could keep up with her.

Lo had stolen most of her pictures and made an album that he visited every night before he went to sleep.

Ever since Bria had been gone, the nightmares had increased.

Her presence was missed terribly. Not having her there when he jolted out of his sleep had been a gut punch.

Lo realized he needed Bria, but he was scared he may have pushed her away for good.

He booked a car service before he got to the airport. Descending the escalator, he noticed a man holding up a sign with his name on it. Lo walked over and shook his hand.

“You can follow me, Mr. Crown.”

They walked to a black Escalade and got inside. It was late when he arrived but in New York that meant nothing. Lo made sure to check Bria’s location to assure that she hadn’t left the hotel.

“Where to, Mr. Crown?”

“The Westin.”

The driver pulled away and headed toward Times Square.

While in route, Lo thought of all the things he would say to Bria.

He wasn’t good with words. In fact, he never had to say much.

His body language was his preferred method of communication.

Still, Bria deserved an apology for how he had handled her at the hospital.

Lo had even wrote down a speech. The fear of rejection teased him in the distance because he was uncertain if Bria would accept his apology.

Despite his fear, Lo was still a man, and Dax always taught him that men have to do the hard parts.

There were no shortcuts in manhood. Always expect to take the short end of the stick.

According to Dax, men were required to take many L’s in life.

It was a part of a man’s journey. Lo prayed this wasn’t one of the moments where he had to take a loss since he truly adored Bria.

Once they arrived at the hotel, Lo got out and walked into the lobby.

It was elegant with warm tones and abstract lighting.

His finesse skills would have to come into play because he needed to see Bria right away.

Approaching the front desk, he noticed a Black woman typing on the keyboard.

When she looked at Lo, her mouth stretched into a grin.

“Hello, sir. How can I help you?”

Lo licked his lips, staring directly into her eyes. “I’m trying to surprise my wife, and I need your help.”

“Okay,” she chirped. “What can I do for you?”

Lo pulled out ten one-hundred-dollar bills and laid them on the counter. “You trying to make some extra money?”

Immediately, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, sir. I can’t give you any of her information.”

“I don't need you to do that. I just need you to call my wife’s room and tell her that she has a package down here.”

Apprehension covered her features as she slightly shook her head. “I don't think—”

“Aye,” Lo interrupted her. “I’m not trying to get you in trouble. I know you can use this bread living in high-ass New York. I’ma sit over there, and I’ll put the money in the cushion. Just call my wife and tell her it’s a package down here for her.”

“You're not trying to hurt her, are you?”

“Hell no. I just want to surprise her. Now can you do that for me?”

She gulped. “What’s her name?”

“Bria Crown.”

“…Okay.”

Lo walked over to the sitting area and stuffed the money in the cushion.

He adjusted his body in his seat, hoping not to display how nervous he was.

His leg bounced as he waited impatiently.

Five minutes quickly turned into ten. He almost felt like she wouldn’t come down until the elevator chimed.

Seconds passed and Bria stepped out, wearing a look of confusion on her beautiful countenance.

For the first time in Lo’s life, his heart skipped a beat.

It was foreign territory for him to chase a woman.

In the past, the ball had always been in his court when it came to females that desired him.

Yet here he was, praying Bria would give him just a minute to apologize.

He rose from the chair, drawing her attention toward him.

Her expression turned to disappointment when her gaze landed on Lo.

Despite Bria’s scowl, she looked breathtaking wearing a two-piece lounge set covered by a short silk robe.

“What do you want?” Her voice was void of affection she once possessed.

“I came to holla at you.”

Shaking her head, she countered, “No.”

“No?” Lo repeated, stunned by her coldness.

“Yeah, no. I don't know why you even came here. Now if you’ll excuse me, I got shit to do.”

Bria turned and headed toward the elevator, causing Lo to spring into action and grab her by the elbow.

“Don't touch me!” she griped, snatching her arm out of his grasp.

“A’ight, I won’t touch you.” He held his hands up in surrender. “I just want five minutes of your time that’s it.”

Bria ignored him, pressing the button for the elevator. Lo was past alarmed by her behavior. He’d been fearful on the plane that he had gone too far and witnessing her disregard him like trash left him appalled.

“Bria,” he said gently.

Unwillingly, she looked at him wearing disgust in her eyes.

“Just five minutes, then I’ll leave you alone.”

There was silence as Lo held his breath awaiting an answer.

When she reluctantly ambled toward the sitting area, he exhaled like a balloon that had a slow leak.

Following after her, Lo sat on the opposite chair so he could look at her.

He didn’t know how it was possible for Bria to get more beautiful as time passed.

He wished they could sit like this for the remainder of the night so he could memorize every single detail on her face.

“Talk, Lo!” she snapped, breaking him from his daze.

“A’ight, um…” He had never been so frazzled in his life. Lo didn’t even recognize himself in this moment. Normally, he was sure of himself. His word rivaled the law, but Bria had him fumbling over his thoughts like a teenaged boy.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry for how I came at you at the hospital. It wasn’t right to take my anger out on you. Forgive me.”

Bria’s expression was impassive as she shook her head. “No.”

“No, what?”

“No, I’m not forgiving you. Actually, I want you to leave me alone. Go live your life and forget about us.”

Lo’s brows hiked, truly dumbfounded by her response.

How could she say that when they had made vows that promised eternity together?

They were the perfect fit; he just hadn’t been able to properly move her into his life.

Lo was damaged, that he could admit, but he wanted Bria.

No other woman would suffice. He had just began letting his guard down with her.

She was familiar, a comfort zone that he could live in.

There was no way he would allow her to walk away from him.

“Is that it?”

Her attitude was off-putting, but he deserved every ounce of it. She had endured enough of his attitude and seesaw emotions.

“So, that’s it? You wanna break up?”

She nodded, giving him an arched brow. The austerity of her face disclosed how serious she was about leaving him.

“There’s no way I can change your mind?”

“No.”

Bria stood, taking his mangled heart with her and stalked toward the elevator. Before she pressed the button, she spun on her heels and walked back toward him.

“You know, if it wasn’t for me, your brother would’ve been killed.

I risked my life to make sure he wasn’t hit.

The thanks I got from you were you trying to throw me under the bus in front of my family.

You’re a piece of shit, Lo. That’s why I won’t give you the time of day. Now stay the fuck outta my life.”

Bria’s words cut him like a machete. He bled out on the inside, wishing he could rewind the moments in his life and choose his words carefully.

His rage and selfish nature didn’t allow him to realize Meco was alive because of her.

Lo was ashamed of his actions. Fear had him in a head lock because he’d never seen Bria so incensed.

She stormed away, leaving him to sulk alone.

He watched her in pure agony as she boarded the elevator without looking back.

“Damn,” he whispered, not sure of what to do next.

He didn’t deem Bria as weak, but he was certain his apology would melt the iciness she possessed.

It had been wishful thinking. Bria wasn’t fucking with him and although his pride told him to grant her request, this time, Lo wouldn’t listen to it.

He had to give this marriage all that he had before he let her get away for good.