Brian stood quiet, clenching his jaw. It was true that he’d been having disputes with his connect about money coming up short. The last thing he needed was to lose his connect altogether. Nevertheless, he didn’t take Chaz’s threat idly. “I’ll let it go for now, and not because of that little dust you kicking up. I don’t have time to raise a rug rat right now anyway. The only reason I filed those papers was to let Kennedy know that she don’t run shit but her mouth.”

“You telling me that you were willing to drag Jordan through some dumb shit just to prove a point to Kennedy?” Chaz shook his head. “Man, you are sadder than I thought.”

Kennedy was on the couch drinking wine from a big goblet when Chaz returned. Her eyes were red and puffy from nonstop crying. She stood up, “What happened?”

“I talked to that ignorant-ass nigga.” Chaz tossed his coat on the couch. “We came to an understanding. He’s going to drop it.”

“Did you hit him?”

“No, but I wanted to. I just threatened his pockets, the only thing that silly, greedy-ass niggas like him understands.”

“Thank you,” Kennedy said, tears filling her eyes. She dropped her head, sobbing heavily.

Chaz cupped her face in his hands. “Stop crying, I’ll never let that nigga take Jordan away from you.”

“It’s not that.”

“Well, what’s bothering you?”

“I have to go to Charlotte … Big Ma died today.”

Chapter 22

Rellie decided to return from her spa vacation early because she was bored as hell and she hadn’t spoken with Suef in more than twenty-four hours. When he’d sent her on a surprise trip to a luxury resort in Connecticut she felt like he was trying to get rid of her so he could be with someone else. Rellie arrived at the condo in the middle of the night, hoping to catch Suef up to no good so she could spaz on him. She unlocked the door gently and eased in quietly.

Inside, the condo was pitch-black and freezing. Rellie dropped her bags, closed the door, and fumbled for the lights. The one that she cut on barely lit the entry. Her heels clicking against the hardwood floors echoed loudly in the eerie stillness as she rushed to turn on more lights and some heat. As Rellie crossed the dark living room, she tripped, fell, and landed on top of Suef’s stiff, cold body. She jumped up screaming, stumbled to the floor again, and crawled away backward.