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The amber glow cast over the city as Lo stepped out of the service car.

A humid blanket of air kissed his skin, making it feel clammy.

This air was different than the Florida draft he was accustomed to.

It was thick, inducing sweat to make an appearance right away.

Landing in Isla Mujeres should’ve lifted his spirits.

The city was beautiful with shallow turquoise waters and white sand.

There should’ve been an immediate shift in Lo’s mood, but he couldn’t be happy until he spotted his beauty.

He still hadn’t heard from Bria, which only heightened his paranoia.

Thoughts of her being done with him for good made him queasy.

The kind that would have him hurling over the porcelain bowl, ejecting the contents from his stomach.

Lo feared nothing in life. He had been filled with courage ever since he was a teenager.

Yet Bria had come in and changed his understanding.

She terrified him in a way that wasn’t deemed healthy.

He needed her. Life couldn’t be lived if she wasn’t in it.

Lo walked inside the villa and closed the door.

The mansion was big with handcrafted doors and tile that gave it a Spanish charm.

He strolled down the hall and stopped in the kitchen where Kaylona conversed with a chef who was preparing a meal.

She was clad in a bikini top with the matching bottoms, showcasing her curvy form.

“Oh, shit.” She jumped, holding her chest. “You scared me. Hey, Lo.”

He gave her a nod of acknowledgement. “Where everybody at?”

“They’re out by the pool.”

He prayed that everybody included Bria.

“I’m surprised you came. You know you don’t like us peasants.”

He smirked, leaning against the door frame. “Why you always starting shit? That’s not true.”

Snickering, she countered, “I’m just saying. You’re the brother that’s always missing in action. But I’m glad you’re here. I wish Bria would’ve made it.”

Lo’s chest felt as if it had exploded with disappointment. It ached as he discreetly inhaled a deep breath. His hopes had been higher than the sun. He wished on more than one occasion for Bria to choose their marriage, but she hadn’t, and he had no one to blame except himself.

Lo managed to play it cool in front of Kaylona even though he wanted to fly into a fit of rage.

“She said her schedule wouldn’t allow it,” Kaylona continued. “But I’m glad you came though.”

Lo nodded. “I gotta use the bathroom.”

“It’s one over there.” She pointed over her shoulder.

Lo advanced toward the door and entered. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Bria’s number only for it to go to voicemail.

“Fuck,” he whispered harshly.

Suddenly, thoughts of doing more haunted him. He should’ve stayed in New York with her and nursed the emotional wounds he had caused. Giving her space was a terrible idea. Lo cursed himself for not pressing harder, especially when he was desperate to have her.

“Fuck this.”

Lo had swiftly decided to leave. There was no point of staying on this beautiful island without his love by his side.

Stepping out the bathroom, Lo went through the kitchen and noticed that Kaylona wasn’t there.

Saying goodbye was unnecessary since he knew Meco and Devyn would try to talk him into staying.

Exiting the house, the car was still parked out front.

Lo had hired the car service for the duration of his stay.

The driver got out and rounded the car to open the back door.

Getting inside, Lo slouched into the seat, feeling a depressive cloud hover over him.

“Where to, Mr. Crown?” the driver asked, starting the truck.

“The airport.”

“Alright.”

He pulled away, rounding the circular driveway. Lo looked to his left and noticed a car driving inside. He turned around, watching the car park out front. The back door opened, and a leg surfaced before the second one joined.

“Aye, hold on.”

The truck came to a stop as Lo narrowed his eyes. When she stepped out of the car, he did something he rarely did and grinned.

Damn, my baby showed up…

“Aye, go back in.”

“Are you sure, Mr. Crown?”

“Yeah, go.”

He pulled up behind the car Bria had just stepped out of.

Her driver retrieved her belongings from the truck.

Lo got out, prompting her to turn around.

Her smile stretched across her face as he walked toward her.

Without saying a word, he picked her up and kissed her lips with so much intensity that passion burned from both of them.

Lo didn’t want to let go. Ever. He didn’t need much but Bria was at the top of his list.

Reluctantly, he drew back, gazing at her as if it was the first time he had ever laid eyes on her.

“Damn, I thought you wasn’t coming.”

“I wasn’t because my schedule was too packed, but my class had been canceled so I came.”

Lo kissed Bria once more before lowering her to her feet.

This had to be top three happiest moments in his life.

His first being when Dax bought him and Meco motorbikes.

The second was when he reunited with his brothers.

This moment would more than likely be bumped up to number one.

Not knowing if Bria would stay with him had been a strenuous battle that left him depleted of energy and purpose.

She did something to Lo; casted a spell right before him and he wasn’t afraid to admit he was sucked into her web of desire.

Bria made him feel so worthy. He didn’t know how low his self-esteem had been until she entered his life.

She was comforting, gentle when he needed it, and a lover that he would walk hand in hand into eternity with.

“I was about to leave,” he admitted.

Her head reared. “Why?”

“Because you weren’t here, and I wasn’t staying here without you. You had a nigga thinking you were done with me.”

She grinned. “Oh, so you were scared?”

“What? I was scared when I was in New York. You weren’t fucking with me at all.”

She pursed her lips, throwing her bag over her shoulder.

“And I’m not sorry about that either. I had to give you the same energy you give me. Now come on so we can go inside.”

Lo grabbed her suitcase while she held his hand.

The couple walked inside the villa, and he placed her bag near the kitchen before walking outside.

The infinity pool was lit by a blue glow that reflected against the house.

Meco, Devyn, and Axel were all near the wet bar while Tori, Kaylona, and another woman swam in the pool.

“Bria!” Kaylona cheered, getting out the pool. Droplets of water poured from her barely there bikini as she rushed toward them.

“I thought you couldn’t make it.”

Bria shrugged. “I thought I wouldn’t, but I had a couple classes cancel so I came.”

Tori walked up, beaming hard with a margarita glass in her hand. “I’m so happy you both came, especially you.” She peered at Lo. “I feel like I don't know my brother-in-law.”

Lo smirked, not having a rebuttal. He never got a chance to know Tori, and he wasn’t sure of the exact reason. Maybe because getting to know her would require him to go to Devyn’s home where he knew his parents would be.

“Girl, he don't let anyone get close to him. Not even me,” Bria joked.

He side eyed her, causing her to laugh harder. He hated that she felt that way, but it was ultimately his fault.

“Let me go holla at my brothers.”

Lo left them to giggle amongst each other and approached the guys.

“I thought your bitch-ass wasn’t coming,” Meco said, giving him a handshake.

Lo greeted the rest of them with a brotherly hug before he took a seat next to Meco.

“I see you got your girl back.” Devyn smirked. “What did you do? Hold her hostage?”

Axel laughed. “He probably did.”

Lo smirked. “Fuck y’all.”

“Nah for real. How you get her to come?”

Lo glanced at Bria who was still engaged in a conversation with Kaylona and Tori.

“Honestly, I didn’t think she would come. I was about to leave when I saw that she wasn’t here, but she pulled up as I was driving away.”

“Damn, so you ain't talked to her?” Axel asked.

Lo shook his head. “Nah, not since I left her in New York.”

“You better be trying to make up for how you treated her at that hospital, nigga. You was out of pocket.” Devyn snorted.

“Shut your bitch-ass up,” Lo retorted.

He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he planned to make up for all the times he had been difficult with Bria. She deserved the world, and he swore to himself that he would make sure it was at her feet.

“Auntie told me you beat Durand’s ass the other day,” Meco announced.

“Word?” Devyn chortled. “Why you do that?”

“‘Cause he was running his mouth like a bitch. I warned him not to fuck with me, but he did, so I choked his ass up. I ain't even do shit for real. I think Auntie mad at me, too.”

“Good, ‘cause I don't like his lame-ass,” Meco added.

Devyn smirked. “You just jealous because Durand became Lo’s brother.”

Lo sighed. “Dev, stop saying that before he get mad at me again. You know he acts like a bitch about that.”

Meco cut his eyes at Lo. “It’s true, though. He left me to go play brother to the next man. That’s why it’s always gon’ be fuck you for that.”

“When y’all gon get over that shit?” Axel chimed in. “Y’all grown now.”

“I don't give a fuck what age I am. That nigga tried to replace me and wouldn’t talk to me.”

“Aye, we on vacation. No more talking about family drama. Here, Lo.” Devyn slid him a cold Corona across the counter. “Drink up, nigga. We got some top-shelf shit too if you want it.”

Lo was grateful for the save because his heart couldn’t take another bashing from Meco. Their unresolved issues would have to wait until he fixed his marriage with Bria. She was the most important person on his list of relationships to repair right now.