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“Nigga, you caught me off guard!” He tried squirming out of Maddy’s hold but failed miserably. “Give me my round, Lo! No off-guard shit. Just me and you squaring up.”

This time, Lo cackled while holding his stomach. Challenging him to a fight knowing he couldn’t throw hands was comical.

“I’ll kill your bitch-ass. You know you can’t fuck with me.” Lo snatched his keys off the table. “I hope you got the picture ‘cause I don't mind dropping your ass again.”

“Lo, leave until you learn how to act.”

Without saying another word, he stepped over them and headed toward the door.

There was no guilt for what he’d just done.

He wasn’t fazed by Maddy’s attitude either.

He had endured years of them speaking ill of his parents and despite their observations about them being correct, only he could talk about them. Not Maddy and not Durand.

Bria didn’t know if she was out of line or if she was in her correct place, but she had to do this.

Her heart drummed wildly in her chest as the pit of her stomach fluttered uncontrollably.

Hiking the stairs, she exhaled a deep breath when she made it to the door.

She was supposed to be in New York, looking for a new place and teaching her class.

But here she stood, ringing the doorbell and waiting anxiously for an answer.

The locks unlatched, prompting her pulse to quicken even more.

“Hey, girl.”

Bria beamed at Tori who looked absolutely gorgeous with her blond locs in a high ponytail.

“Hey, I hope I’m not out of line for stopping by unannounced.”

“Of course not. You're family. Come inside.”

Bria stepped into the regal foyer that was decorated with shiny marble tile, gold-trimmed staircase and a mural-painted ceiling.

“How you been? I haven’t seen you since the performance in Miami,” Tori gushed.

“Oh, I’ve been busy. I was actually in New York teaching a class. Have you had some gigs recently?”

She nodded. “Yes, I just did one overseas two weeks ago. I’ll be working on an album in the next few weeks.”

“Yours?”

Tori nodded. “Yes, and I’m so excited. It’s been long overdue.”

“I agree.” Bria cracked her knuckles. “Is Ada available?”

She wished her visit was one filled with catching up with Tori and sharing a few drinks. However, her need to speak to the woman that once birth Lo’s pain was far too urgent than a casual visit.

“She should be. I’ll walk you to her house.”

Bria followed Tori through the main level and out of the double French doors.

They walked along a flagstone walkway to another home.

Tori rang the doorbell and seconds passed by when Ada answered.

She was dressed in a dazzling kimono with a honey blonde wig with baby hairs styled along her hair line.

“What the hell you want? I hope you came to get a number for a hair stylist so she can retwist those raggedy-ass locs.”

Bria stifled her laugh, trying to figure out if Ada was joking or being serious with Tori.

“I actually came to get the number to the zookeeper so they can take your ass back to the wild kingdom.” Tori smiled and batted her lashes. “Bria is here to see you.”

Ada looked to her right and grinned immediately. “Oh, hey! What a lovely surprise.”

She pulled her in for a warm hug that was accompanied by the smell of jasmine and sandalwood. Pulling back, Ada held her shoulders.

“Are you okay? Is everything alright?” Ada questioned with concern.

“Uh, yeah. I just wanted to talk to you.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “Come on in.”

“Bria, be careful. You know when bears are hungry, they run amuck,” Tori warned.

Bria’s jaw dropped in disbelief. No way was Tori calling her mother-in-law an animal.

“Oh, why don’t you go play the piano with that long-ass nose of yours and make yourself useful. As a matter of fact, make a hit. Fake ass Patrice Rushen.”

Tori laughed as she walked back to the main house. As soon as Bria walked inside the home, she turned to Ada.

“You guys don’t like each other?”

“Hell no! She wanna be me so bad but she can’t ‘cause I’m the queen bee.” Ada smiled. “Besides, I got two daughters-in-law I adore, so two out of three ain’t bad.”

Bria shook her head, still in shock by them roasting each other.

“Let’s go in the backyard. It’s a beautiful day outside. Are you hungry? Would you like something to drink?”

“Oh, no, I’m fine.”

“Okay, let’s go out here.”

The backyard mirrored an oasis with an infinity pool, wet bar, and patio.

Bria took a seat and prepped herself for this conversation.

She’d thought about what she’d say on the plane but being in front of Ada was different.

She was vastly dissimilar to Maddy. Ada looked expensive.

Her makeup was applied perfectly; she sat up straight with her shoulders back.

Jewelry dazzled on her fingers, wrist, and neck.

While Maddy possessed a more homely look.

She opted out of heavy makeup while allowing her beautiful, unblemished skin to shine.

She was the complete opposite of Ada despite them sharing the exact same features.

“I’m so happy you’re here. I like to connect with all my daughters-in-law, even Tori’s funky ass.

” She playfully rolled her eyes. “I just didn’t know how to do it with you.

And the last time you saw me; I was in rare form.

I figured you damn sure wouldn’t want to connect with someone who was ready to set shit off. ”

Ada chuckled at the haunting memory while Bria attempted to play it cool so she wouldn’t make her feel uncomfortable.

“I know my sister probably told you that I’m crazy and a deadbeat but I’m tired of her thinking she’s Lo’s mother.”

“She actually hasn’t spoken ill of you in front of me.”

Ada snorted. “You ain’t gotta cover for her.”

“No, I’m serious. I actually didn’t come over here to talk about the incident that happened. I actually…” She paused. “Me and Lo had a conversation, and he told me… what happened to him.”

Ada’s chest inflated before it slowly fell. The mention of that moment caused her physical reactions just like it did Lo.

“And you’re here to judge me?” Ada quipped with tears gathering in her eyes. “Is that why you came here. So, you can tell me how I’m a terrible mother, too.”

“No, no, no.” Bria quickly reached out and grabbed her hand.

“I’m not here to shame you. I just… I don’t know why I came here.

Maybe I was hoping to hear your side. Not to judge you but to get the complete picture.

Lo is so hurt. He operates in his pain but not in a good way.

I just wanted to connect with you. That’s all. ”

A tear fell down Ada’s cheek before she reached for a tissue. “I can’t believe he told you. He won’t even tell his brothers what happened. I don’t even know the full story because he refused to open up.”

Their entire family had been damaged by Lo’s attempted sexual assault. More than anything, Bria wished healing for them all.

“I never meant to put my baby in harm’s way. I know he believes otherwise but I would never do that to him.” She sniffled.

“I know you didn’t.” She rubbed her hand.

“No, I’m serious.” Ada whimpered. “If I could go back, I would change everything. My boy would be with me, and he wouldn’t have to live with all those painful memories.”

Bria rubbed her lips together. “What happened from your point of view? How did your actions make him cut you and his father off?”

Ada’s eyes descended to her lap as she swallowed deep. “The way I found out was the most horrible experience of my life. I was ambushed. Comforting my son had been snatched away from me. When I tell you I was blindsided, I mean just that. This is how I learned of his attack…”

Heavy pants gushed from Lo’s mouth. He couldn’t catch his breath no matter how fast he ran after it.

His legs burned while branches from the trees cut into his skin.

Despite his physical fatigue, Lo couldn’t stop.

Not now. Not when danger lurked behind him.

He had been running for what felt like an eternity.

His feet were so cramped that his sprint had turned into a limp.

Dehydration bullied its way into his body, making his muscles spasm uncontrollably.

Lo couldn’t calculate how long he had been running.

His mind was far beyond the point of comprehension.

His body no longer allowed him to jog so he walked a slow stride with his hands resting on his hips.

His face showcased the agony coursing through his limbs.

Lo walked and walked and walked until he spotted familiar territory.

This neighborhood was the one that his Aunt Maddy lived in.

He would come over every so often to play with her son, Durand.

The closer he got to her home, the more the pain increase.

Lo was halfway down the walkway before he stopped and kneeled down.

The soles of his shoes had worn down so badly that the front flapped.

“Come on,” he whispered to himself.

Standing up, he made his way to the door and knocked hard.

When he spotted the doorbell, he pressed on it until the porch light came on.

Soon after, the door opened. Maddy appeared wearing a silk scarf over her head and a silky robe.

Her brows were knitted when she opened the screen door and realized Lo was standing on the porch.

“Oh, my Lord. Lo, what are you doing here at this time of night?”

“Auntie, he tried to get me.” He huffed, barely having the breath to get the words out.

Right away, Maddy pulled him inside, inspecting his body from head to toe before holding his arms and peering deeply into his eyes.

“Who tried to hurt you, baby? Tell me.”

He gulped, trying to soothe his throat that felt like sandpaper. “That counselor at the camp. He tried to kiss me. He made me touch him. He tried to pull my pants down, but I got away.”