Page 4

The wedding…

Bria sat in a daze as everyone scattered before her, trying to ensure that her day was close to perfection.

Her mind didn’t feel like it belonged to her as her heart drummed inside her chest. She couldn’t understand why she was so uneasy, considering this was a man that she didn’t have a relationship with.

Lo was merely a stranger; a lack of connection that she needed to join as one so her father could guarantee the safety of the family.

Her mother, Cecilia, carefully held her bouquet in her hands and placed it on the table. Clad in a black dress with a Bolero jacket, she turned to Bria and smiled.

“Honey, are you going to eventually get dressed? All the guests are arriving.”

Bria had already gotten her makeup done as well as her hair. She chose an updo style with tendrils that framed her face. She felt stunning but the gray cloud hovering over her wouldn’t allow her to feel any joy. It may as well been a gloomy day with the glum that dwelled inside her.

“Mama, she’s nervous. You know how the wedding days get,” Enya said, steaming her dress.

Cecilia sat next to Bria, swaddling her with the only comfort she could get from her mother. It was much needed and soothing as Bria rested her head in her mother’s bosom.

“My baby, tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”

“I don't know. I guess… I’m just anxious.”

“That’s to be expected.” Cecilia pulled back. “Getting married is a big deal, and the person who you get married to is an even bigger deal. Are you comfortable with this setup? You don't have to do it.”

Bria gave her a knowing look, causing her to chuckle.

Everything was riding on her shoulders at the moment.

Backing out wasn’t an option. In The Mob, if a person gave their word, they had to abide by it.

Despite Bria not being an official mob member, she still had to stand on her promise to join two families.

“Mama, you know I can’t turn back now. I already committed.”

“Listen, I know you're making this move for the family but I’m your mama, and your safety is my number one concern. Do you think you're going to be uncomfortable with your new husband?”

Bria shrugged, not sure how to feel about Lo. He was a big ole mystery that she couldn’t wait to solve.

“If you're not, then you need to tell me. I won’t make you do this.”

Sighing, she replied, “I’m good, Mama. I can handle this.”

“Yeah, Mama, you know Bria is the toughest out of all of us,” Cali joked. “Big strong ass.”

Rolling her eyes at her sister, she heard a knock at the door. When it opened, a woman entered wearing a smile so big that Bria couldn’t help but beam herself.

“Which one of you is Bria?”

Timidly, she raised her hand before the woman approached her.

Her jewelry dazzled against her sienna skin.

The blond unit on her head was melted so good that it looked as if it had grown from her scalp.

She was older but her skin was still flawless and free of wrinkles.

Her spirit was inviting as she held her hand out.

“I’m Lo’s mother, Ada.”

Quickly, Bria stood and wrapped her in her embrace. She had wondered about Lo’s family but didn’t have much information to work with. It soothed her knowing that she now had an extended family other than hers.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Bria said, pulling back.

Ada smiled, cupping her cheek. “You’re just too gorgeous. I’m so happy Lo has found someone, and I’m so happy to be here. If you need anything, please call or even come to me, okay?”

Nodding, Bria replied before grabbing her phone. “Okay. Put your number in my phone.”

Ada did as she requested then passed the phone back to her.

“It’s nice to meet all of you,” Ada mentioned, exchanging hugs with Cecilia, her sisters, and aunties. “I’ll see you out there.”

Ada walked out the suite just as Bria’s phone rang. Looking at the name, her body tensed, mulling over if she should answer. Falling victim to the urge, she walked to the bathroom and took the call.

“Hello?”

“Damn, you couldn’t tell me you were getting married today, baby?”

Releasing all of her stress through a heavy breath, Bria attempted to come up with an explanation that wouldn’t make her look like a bitch.

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“It’s cool, baby. I know your pops been on some bullshit lately. Trying to leave The Mafia and shit like he’s better than us.”

Gulping, she decided not to join him on that topic. It was far beyond her reach.

“You know I don't give a fuck about that marriage, Bria. You gon’ always belong to a nigga.”

“Dough, I don't need any problems from you.”

“It won’t be no problems. Just as long as you know what it is. You ain't cutting me off for no marriage.”

“I don't want to start off wrong, though.”

He chuckled. “Bria, you been doing wrong, especially when you gave me that virgin pussy. Ain't no need in trying to be morally correct. You mine, and I ain't coming up off you.”

Bria’s heart felt as though it had sunk to her stomach.

Dough was her lover. A man she had been engaging in a secret love affair with for over two years.

Being one of the lieutenants in The Legacy Mafia gave Dough power and status that Bria wanted a piece of.

Their connection started off innocently and took a turn down passion street where she gave him her most sacred possession.

Her promise to Douglas had been broken, and Bria felt guilty for it until Dough filled her with dick that had her hooked.

“But, Dough,” she slightly whined. “I’m about to be married. I can’t be out here sneaking off with you and being someone’s wife.”

There was a pause before he released an exhale. “None of that shit matters to me, baby. You know how I feel about you. Shit, I should be the nigga marrying you.”

That prompted her to smack her lips. “Don't start blowing smoke up my ass. As friendly as you are with women, you know you weren’t ready to marry me.”

“I would have,” he stated matter-of-factly. “Your pops never gave me the fucking option. He just ran to The Mob like shit is sweeter over there. Doug a pussy for that.”

“Hey, don’t talk about my dad,” she warned.

“Who gon’ check me? You?”

She smirked. “You know I got hands.”

“And you got a mouth and sweet pussy to match. Look, I ain't trying to keep you from that show you about to act in. Just hit my line when you're free, baby.”

“Okay.”

Bria hated to end the conversation. Dough was like her favorite sweater.

He provided her comfort whenever life started to feel overwhelming for her.

He was rough around the edges, wild, and carefree but he also seemed to care about Bria.

His interest in her wasn’t just sex. Dough asked her about her dancing and even attended a few of her performances.

He’d send flowers and voice messages that got her through tough days.

The thought of not having him caused her throat to pang but she couldn’t be the girl who cheated on her husband.

After pondering for a few moments, Bria walked out the bathroom.

“Are you ready to get dressed?” Cecilia asked. “Your father will be here soon to escort you down the aisle.”

Bria forced a smile on her face, hoping she didn’t showcase the sadness dwelling inside her.

“Yes, I’m ready.”

Lo’s shoes tapped against the cement floor as he opened a door.

He walked through and approached another door.

Punching in a code, the locks unlatched, and he opened the vaulted door.

Heat swarmed him as his lips curved upward.

Shit like this evoked a sinister bliss that he couldn’t put into words.

His target laid on the steel table with his chest heaving in a slow fashion.

“You straight, Poe?” Lo asked, knowing this man was anything but good.

Sweat literally leaked from his pores, creating a puddle under his body.

The temperature in the room was one hundred and ten degrees.

His lips were cracked with dry skin peeling off.

Lo was intrigued. This was low level torture for him.

Restricting Poe from having water while upping the temperature in the room was pure torment.

“Please,” Poe begged just above a whisper.

Lo shook his head and walked over to the counter. Rummaging through the drawers, he found a thermometer. He headed back over to Poe who was now whimpering.

“Open your mouth, fam.”

Poe parted his dry lips, and Lo placed the thermometer under his tongue. After twenty seconds, it beeped, and he read that his temperature was 101°.

Lo whistled. “You will stroke out, eventually. Shit you might even go into shock.”

“Come on, bro. I’m suffering,” Poe cried with no tears since he was too dehydrated to conjure up any.

“I know. I made sure you were suffering. Your muscles are probably cramping. You’re dizzy and nauseous. You’ll start hallucinating soon then, eventually, you’ll be put out your misery.”

“Just kill me!” he shouted.

Lo smirked. “I would but as you can see…” He looked down at his attire. “I gotta go get married.”

“Bruh, come on,” Poe groaned. “This don't need to be.”

“You were working with the opps, and you know we don’t go for that shit. And to top it off, you fucked with Jay’s fifteen-year-old daughter. You were supposed to be his soldier, and you violated his trust. Nigga, you about to suffer for that bullshit. Stop all this whining. You earned this shit.”

“Man, I’m only twenty-one.” He gulped. “That ain't that much of an age difference. Plus, she’s lying. Her ass was trying to flirt with me.”

Lo bobbed his head. “You’re right. Six years ain't shit. Let me go turn the temperature up six degrees since six years ain't that much.”

“Nooooo! A’ight, Lo! I was just bullshittin’! Come on, fam!”

Lo walked over to the thermostat and turned the temperature up. Niggas like Poe disgusted him. Fucking with teenage kids while they weren’t in their full-grown mind would always trigger him.

“I’ll come check on you tomorrow, my guy.”

“Lo! Looooo!”