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Lo didn’t have a comeback. Bria wouldn’t let him live that moment down, and he completely understood it.

Without more conversing, the couple walked to Whole Foods Market to get a bite to eat.

She still acted as if she didn’t want to be bothered by him, but he didn’t mind her attitude as long as she was in his presence.

Lo grabbed an apple and went to sit at a table near the window.

Bria grabbed her meal and opted to sit at a different table.

Lo chuckled at her antics just as his phone rang.

“What, nigga?” he answered for Meco.

“I heard you went up to that mountain to save your marriage.”

Meco laughed, making Lo smirk.

“Don’t worry about what I’m doing. You need to be worried about Kay Baby’s big fine ass. Don’t forget she wanted me first, my boy.”

“You keep on playing with me knowing I’ll drop yo’ ass for her. Don’t make me see what Bria is about.”

“You can try and watch how you end up on my table.”

“Yeah, a’ight. When you coming home?”

“When she loses her attitude. She don’t even want to sit next to me. All at another table like I’m a fucking stranger.”

Meco cackled. “Damn, she ain’t fucking with you. Devyn told me how you spazzed out on her at the hospital. You ain’t shit.”

“I know but I’m trying to get my shit together. It’s hard,” he admitted.

“You can’t be her enemy, nigga. Let her in.”

Lo sighed, knowing that wasn’t as easy as he made it seem.

“Look, I called to let you know that I heard the basement flooded at that one house. The owners know all about it. They probably gon’ tear the shit up.”

Lo read between the lines. Dough’s murder had been revealed, which he didn’t give a fuck about. Lo was always war ready. He was prepared for combat and couldn’t wait for The Legacy Mafia to send more soldiers so he could body them all.

“Who gives a fuck?”

“Just putting you up on game. Make sure Bria is straight. You know she would be the first person they thought about.”

“They know better.”

“Oh, Kaylona is planning a trip for all of us. You and Bria should come.”

“Didn’t you just hear me say Bria’s not fucking with me? She won’t even sit at the same table with me, so I know she won’t go on a trip…” Lo thought for a moment. “Aye, have Kaylona invite her and act like it’s a girl’s trip.”

He figured this trip could be his plan B if things didn’t work out while he was with Bria in New York.

“I’ll let her know. Let me know when you touch down.”

“Yep.”

Lo hung up and fixed his gaze on Bria. She chewed on her salad while swiping on her phone.

“Aye, girl!” he yelled.

Bria looked mortified as she looked around at all the people staring at Lo.

“Stop it,” she ordered through clench teeth.

“Aye, girl in the black! Come here!” His voice rose another level.

“Lo,” she whispered harshly. “Stop being embarrassing.”

“Then come over here before I start acting real crazy.”

Begrudgingly, she grabbed her meal and shuffled over to the table where Lo was. Her face was wretched in annoyance as she plopped down in the chair.

“I really want you to go. You don’t know how to act.”

Lo leaned forward, appreciating all the features of her face. Her parents did their big one when they collaborated and produced Bria.

“I can’t wait to see your face on our future baby. Do you think we gon’ have a girl or a boy first?”

Bria scoffed. “With the way you act, I doubt if I even get pregnant. I don’t think you’re fit to be a father.”

“Ouch.” He feigned pain. “You don’t think I’ll be a good dad?”

“You’re not a good husband, Lo. How can you be a good dad when you’re not emotionally available? Do you know what it takes to be an active, healthy father?”

Lo pondered her question. Dax had been the best father until he let him down. Before then, he had been flawless, teaching them the game of life while balancing it out with love.

“Yeah, I know what it takes, and I know I can be a good dad.”

“Hmmph,” she snorted with doubt.

Lo grabbed her hand and surprisingly, she didn’t snatch away. “Tell me what’s on your mind. Get that shit off your chest.”

Bria peered at him, angling her head. “You want honesty?”

He bobbed his head.

“I thought I could handle you, at first. I see your pain, Lo. I even feel it at times because I feel in tuned with you, but I wish I could go back and reject my father’s proposal to marry you.

You’re a lot, emotionally. You’re inconsiderate as well.

Somehow, you think life is all about you and your way is the only thing that matters.

I’ve made my bad decisions in this marriage, which is why I took some licks from you, but I want to depart this train.

It’s leading us to nowhere. Every time we make progress, you push us back ten steps.

Moving forward then falling backwards has been the theme in our relationship.

Lo, I’m a creative. When my mind isn’t right, then I’m unable to work.

I can’t dance to the best of my ability and deal with you treating me like I’m indispensable.

“Besides, you’re never going to forgive me for what I did with Dough.

Every time you get mad, you’re going to throw it in my face that I went to get head from a guy that was paying me more attention than you.

You rarely acknowledge how you ignored me or didn’t pour into our marriage, but I digress.

Let’s be cool. I know it’s hard to get a divorce but I’m willing to live apart.

I’m even going to look at a few places here.

I just think we’re better off not being in a relationship.

You have my permission to date whoever you want. Just let me go.”

Lo didn’t think it was possible for Bria to hurt him worse than she did when she cheated on him.

Her words were sprinkled with finality. He’d been around her enough to know that she was serious.

Doubt wasn’t evident in her suggestions.

She wanted out when Lo needed her in. He couldn’t fathom not coming home to her or feeling her knee in his back when they were sleeping.

Even that had become a normal he looked forward to.

Bottom line was that not having Bria in his life wasn’t an option.

Therefore, he had to pull out his big joker in an effort not to lose her.

“A’ight, listen.” He exhaled. “I feel what you’re saying, and I’m not just saying that.

You’re right, and I’ve been wrong. There is a reason for all the shit that I do, and I would like to tell you about it.

I can’t do it here because it’s too heavy.

Let’s talk tonight on some real shit. After you hear what I gotta say, I’ll give you the option to walk away. Cool?”

Bria nodded. “Sure.”

Lo glanced at the time on his phone. “I got a move to make. I’ll see you back at the hotel. Oh, and unblock my number.”

Lo stood and bent down to kiss her forehead. He then left with such a heavy heart that he felt like it would explode from the pain that Bria had put on it.

Luco was in a state of numbness. His shoulders were hunched due to the burden that sat on them.

His eyes were teary, but he didn’t dare let one fall.

Not when eyes were on him, awaiting his next move.

Luco had suffered tremendous losses over the years.

First it was his big homie, Pep, who was gun downed in the hood.

Then, his mother followed and after that his father.

Yet, this one seemed to strike him to his core.

Dough, his little brother, the boy that followed him around was gone.

Luco thought this could’ve been a possibility, but he had confidence that his brother would prevail.

Despite that, he’d died in combat, gruesomely, too.

Luco should’ve been proactive. He should have been the one with the bullet not him.

Now his brother was gone and the only person responsible was The Crown Family.

“So, what’s next?” Noble asked, sitting behind his desk.

He was so unaffected by Dough’s murder, not batting an eye when the news was told to him. Noble was always the man who never showed emotion. Maybe it was required for his role, but Luco wished he would have shown some consideration.

“What else is there to do? Ride down on those fuck niggas.”

Noble rested in his seat, swiveling gently. “Yeah, but what’s the plan?”

Luco hissed and paced back and forth. “You know what the plan is. Take every nigga out that’s attached to that bitch-ass nigga. I’m ready to lay that bitch down, too.”

Noble chuckled before disgustingly shaking his head. “That’s your plan? Just go and air that bitch out, huh?”

“Yeah. Why you always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Be condescending. If you don’t like what I have, then suggest something, nigga. Ain’t you the fucking boss?”

Noble glowered at him before his features softened. Rising from his chair, he rounded the desk and stood in front of him.

“I understand you just suffered a loss but let’s watch how the fuck you talk to me.

I show you respect, and I expect you to do the same.

” Noble cupped his chin, falling into deep thought.

“It’s obvious that these niggas keep beating you at your game.

They caught your brother slippin’ twice.

It ain’t no way that nigga shouldn’t have been put in the dirt by now. ”

“That’s what I’m saying. I’m ready to handle the shit.”

“You should’ve been handled it. You let your brother go to war by himself. His blood is on your hands, too.”

Luco’s head jerked, appalled by Noble’s accusations. “How the fuck you gon’ say that?”

“Nigga, look at the material. Your bro was found at his crib dead. Did you put some men on him? Did you send men to clip those niggas before they got him. All you did was chastise his ass and now look at you.”

The venom in his words felt like a kidney punch. Luco had to literally bend over just to relieve some of the pain. His pride wouldn’t allow him to accept fault for Dough’s murder. This wasn’t on him. Dough had done this to himself.