Page 51

“No, Bria done lost her mind coming here challenging me in my own home.”

Bria strolled toward the hallway but stopped abruptly and turned around.

“I came here to let you all know that I was pregnant. Oh, and I’m never leaving Lo so you can stop plotting. Have a good day.”

“Bria, wait!” she heard her mother say but she had no more words for anyone.

She hurried out the house and got inside her car.

The front door opened, and she spotted Cecilia walking down the stairs.

Bria quickly drove off the property. A collage of the moments at her parents’ house played inside her head like a binge marathon.

She was in disbelief of every single moment.

Bria needed someone to talk her through her shock, so she dialed Lo, hoping he wasn’t busy.

“What’s up, Bri-Bri?”

“I just came from my parents’ house because I was going to tell them I was pregnant, but everybody got into it.”

“Why?”

“Well, my dad is trying to pin domestic violence on you so I can get a divorce. My sister told him about the incident that happened between me, you, and Dough. Then, I told one of her secrets because she had me fucked up. My Dad got mad then wanted further details. When I didn’t answer him, he threatened to slap me. ”

“Slap who?” Lo asked.

“Me.”

“Yeah.” He chuckled. “Niggas ain't that stupid.”

“No, he was really going to try and slap me. I saw it in his eyes.”

The phone went quiet for a moment until he said, “I’ll put your pops on his ass, permanently, Bria. I don't fucking play about you. I already don't like his pussy-ass, so I advise you not to tell me shit because I have no choice but to act on it.”

“…I know.”

“Where you at?”

“On my way home.”

“I’ll see you later.”

“Wait, what are you about to do?”

His tone had transformed from holding concern to sounding menacing.

“Put in some work.”

Bria groaned. “What does that mean?”

“You already know what it means. Now go home and chill out. Oh, and fuck your daddy and your whole family. Let them know plotting on me is only going to expedite their ending.”

“I don't want that for either of you guys.”

“Well, I ain't about to lay down when they trying to say I beat your ass, Bria.”

She understood his point but didn’t want any bloodshed on her behalf.

“I’ll see you when I get home.”

“Bye.”

As soon as Bria hung up, she noticed a call coming in from her mother. Right away, she sent it to the voicemail and turned up the sounds of Coco Jones “ On Sight ”. Bria was done with the Harvey Family for the day, possibly for good.

Later that night…

Lo sat in his car with his hood over his head, waiting patiently outside of The Ring for Douglas.

He had been a frequent visitor there for months, gambling away his money and fucking bitches on the side.

Lo didn’t inform Bria of it since it wasn’t her business.

What that man did with his time wasn’t even Lo’s business, however, Douglas had crossed the line.

Threatening to slap his wife was a guaranteed ticket for a bullet in his head.

He didn’t play about Bria and would never let anyone else do it either.

When his phone buzzed, he saw that he had a text message.

Bri-Bri: When are you coming home? I feel like you're up to no good.

Lo: Soon. Stop clocking my moves.

Bri-Bri: That’s my job. You're always in my business so I don't see what’s the issue.

Lo: No, it’s my job to keep up with u. U ain't my protector. I’m yours. Now, I’ll be home in a minute.

Bri-Bri: OK.

As soon as Lo looked up, he noticed Douglas exiting The Ring with his driver behind him. Swiftly, he grabbed his gun from under the seat then got out the car. Creeping behind the both of them, Lo hit the driver in the back of the head.

“Ugh,” he groaned as his body hit the ground.

Douglas spun around on his heels and came face to face with the barrel of Lo’s gun.

“What the fuck do you think you're doing?” Douglas fumed but Lo could see through his exterior that he was scared.

“Putting your bitch-ass down like I should’ve done months ago.”

Douglas swallowed hard. His eyes stayed on the gun no matter what.

“You think Bria would go for that?”

“I don't give a fuck what she would go for. You think I’ma go for a nigga who’s plotting on me, bitch?”

“You don't deserve my daughter.”

Lo smiled sinisterly. “Neither do you.”

He swung and hit Douglas across his cheekbone. His stout body hit the ground as Lo stood over him and hit him again.

“Oooow, shit!” he grimaced, holding his bloody face.

“Bitch, the day you slap my wife is the day your family gon’ come identify your body at the morgue. Don't ever talk to my girl like that again, nigga.”

Lo grabbed his collar, lifting his head from the ground. He struck him again, this time drawing blood from his mouth.

“Now let me put you up on game real quick. I’m not the man you should test. I’ll kill you and go home and act like I didn’t do shit.

That’s how coldhearted I am, my guy. Secondly, don't ever try to plot on me. I’m always ten steps ahead.

You trying to rescue Bria from me is crazy when she stays on my dick.

She love it here, nigga. Thirdly, mind your bitch-ass business.

My marriage ain't got shit to do with you and if you keep it up, I swear I’ll make good on my promise and keep Bria away from you.

Don't let me have to come see your ass again. Now let me know if you understand.”

“Alright,” Douglas griped with blood smeared all over his face.

“Now, tomorrow you gon’ call Bria and apologize for how you came at her. Tell her how proud you are of her and that you would never cause her harm. If she don't hear from you tomorrow, I’ll make sure your wife knows about these lil’ extracurricular activities. Now are we clear?”

“Yes.”

Lo dropped his head and straightened his posture. He was so tempted to put a hot one in Douglas, but he didn’t want to hear Bria’s mouth.

“Tomorrow, Douglas. I ain't playing with your ass.” He backpedaled, watching the two of them groan on the ground. Lo jogged to his truck and got inside. Cranking the engine, he drove out of the parking lot and dialed Bria’s number.

“Hello?”

That voice put him in a trance every time he listened to it. “What you doing?”

“Trying to find something to watch.”

“I’m on my way home.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, I want you naked so I can rub on you and plant my seed in your pussy.”

She chuckled. “You already did that.”

“Well, let me practice doing it again.”

“Yeah, okay, Lo. I’ll be waiting.”

“A’ight.”

The next morning…

Bria woke up feeling refreshed. After Lo came home, he rubbed her body down, eliminating the aches from her feet and tension from her shoulders. Afterward, he made love to her like it was the last moment in time. He’d fucked her so good, Bria got up and made him breakfast.

“What’s on your agenda today?” she questioned, taking his empty plate from him.

“I gotta go check up on some shit.”

“Will you see your brothers?”

“Nope.”

He stood and gulped down a bottle of water. When they were in Mexico, Tori informed her that the men had had an argument. Bria was worried because it had been over a week and each time she asked if he heard from his brothers, Lo always said no.

“When are you going to tell your family about our pregnancy?”

He shrugged before throwing the bottle in the garbage. “I don't know.”

“You don't care, huh?”

He turned to her, sporting pinched brows. “Care about what?”

“Me being pregnant.”

Lo advanced toward her and grabbed her chin. “I care about everything, including this baby. I’ll tell my people when I’m ready. It’s too early in your pregnancy to be announcing it anyway. We gotta go to the doctor first and make sure everything’s good.”

Bria relaxed immediately. She needed constant reassurance since Lo liked to shut down and opt to be a recluse.

“Okay.”

He cupped her face and kissed her lips. “Now what you doing today?”

“I have to do laundry and have a zoom call with Stella. I’ll be in for most of the day.”

Lo studied her face before kissing her again. “I’ll be back later.”

“Okay.”

Lo left for the day, and Bria began cleaning the kitchen. While wiping down the stove, her phone rang. When she saw it was Douglas, she ignored it and continued cleaning. It rang again, displaying his name.

“What?” she answered, annoyed that he had called her again.

“Hey, baby girl.”

His voice was vastly different from the day before when he threatened to slap her.

“What is it?”

“I just wanted to apologize for my actions yesterday. I never meant to make you feel bad. I was out of line and shouldn’t have threatened you. Please forgive your old man.”

Bria exhaled, hating how one simple apology could ease the tension between her and her father. She couldn’t act as if his actions didn’t hurt her, especially when he never showcased any aggressive behavior toward her before.

“You said you would slap me,” she reminded him. “You were out of line for that.”

“I agree. I was but I would never lay a finger on you. You're my baby girl. I was just stressed hearing about Enya having a sexual relationship with Tommy. Can you tell me when it started?”

Despite Enya blurting out her business, Bria felt bad for telling hers. That wasn’t how they operated as sisters. Typically, their business was always kept in their sister circle no matter how mad they made each other.

“I don't know. You have to ask Enya.”

“She’s not answering for me. I know she’s avoiding me because she doesn’t want to tell me the truth, but I need details.”

“Why? What are you going to do?”

“That’s none of your concern. Just forgive me for what I said to you earlier. I’m sorry, and I’ll never speak to you like that again. Also, I'm sorry for interfering with your marriage. I’ll stay out of it from now on. By the way, uh, where is Lo?”

“He’s gone.”

“Oh, okay. Tell him I asked about him.”

Bria’s nose crinkled as confusion took over her thoughts. She found it strange that Douglas asked about Lo when he hated him.

“Uh, okay.”