Queen Pin

Well….this was a fan-fucking-tastic situation.

Brooklyn sat on the edge of Alonzo’s bed staring off into space, letting her thoughts run rapid in her mind.

 As if things weren’t complicated enough….

 And now…

 She was fucking pregnant!

 What in the fuck was she going to do, especially seeing that Alonzo had previously been going out of his way to avoid her after they had sex.  But ever since she snuck out, however,  he’d been stuck to her like glue.

 She didn’t know how she was going to break the news to him, or where they even stood.

 And what was worse was….

 She didn’t even know if the baby was his….

 “What’s the matter with you?” Alonzo entered his room, shirtless, showcasing his tall, lean form.

 Brooklyn studied him, admitting to herself that she was indeed catching feelings for the officer who rescued her. She wished their time together was under more normal circumstances.

 “I need to get out, Lonzo. I feel like I’m getting cabin fever,” she sighed.

 Rolling his eyes and pinning her with his glaze, he stated, “Oh, you didn’t get that out of your system the other day?”

 She rolled her eyes also. “Look. You get to go out to work and wherever else. I’ve been cooped up in this apartment for five weeks and I need to get out.”

 “If you think for a second I’m going to let you roam about after you admitted you almost ran into Perez’s men, then you’re a little slow,”

 “Well take me somewhere then, Alonzo! You can’t keep me trapped in here!” Brooklyn stood up, angry.

 “Absolutely not.” Alonzo spoke with finality, wanting to end the battle of wills once and for all. He needed to get from in her presence, especially with her looking as good as she was at the moment.

 “You have to leave for work sometime, Alonzo. I’ll leave again. So take your pick. Either take me somewhere or I’ll go on my own,”

 “Are you fucking serious right now Brooklyn?”

From the way she had her arms folded stubbornly, he could tell she was deadly serious.

 Two hours later, Alonzo walked behind Brooklyn sulking, wondering how he let her have her way….again.

He took her to a mall strip right outside the city, and her mood perked up immediately. She dragged him from store to store, mostly window shopping, but still buying a couple things here and there. If not for the situation at hand, Alonzo would have been having an ok time. When she wasn’t being a stubborn brat, Brooklyn was actually fun to be around. She was funny, energetic, and witty.

Her mouth was unfiltered, so he never knew what she was going to say.

A couple hours passed and the two sat outside enjoying sundaes. Brooklyn smiled brightly after their laughter died down from a joke he’d told. She’d have to be honest and say she was having the time of her life. And the ice cream was delicious and surprisingly gentle on her stomach. 

Her mood changed, however, when she spotted some people passed Alonzo.

Decarlos’s men…and behind them was Decarlos!

“Alonzo, I’m thirsty. Can you go inside and get me a drink? Please?”

Alonzo stared at her suspiciously. “How are you thirsty when we’re eating ice cream?”

“Please? I’ll stay right here, but I really need something to drink.”

Sighing, he stood. “Fine, but DON’T MOVE.” He gave her one last glance before heading inside the building, making Brooklyn sigh in relief. And she had good timing too, because Decarlos spotted her right after.

Knowing there was no way she could run, she did the first thing that came to her mind, she went to him, feigning a relieved look.

He stared at her angrily, his tone making her wince a bit. “You dare leave me?”

“N-no! Someone took me, DeCarlos! I’ve been trying to get back to you!”

He grabbed her wrist hard. “And who was that man with you? Was he the one who took you? él deberá sufrir. (he will suffer)”

Brooklyn shook her head, growing frantic. “No mi amor, él simplemente estaba ayudando (No my love, he was simply helping.)”

Sensing his suspicion, she knew she had to play into his love for her. “Estoy tan aliviado de que estés aquí. Te Hemos extrañado (I’m so relieved you’re here. We’ve missed you),” she placed his hand on her stomach for emphasis.

As she thought, it worked at deflecting his attention, and she tugged him towards his limo. “Vamos, por favor? Quiero ir a casa... (Let’s go please? I want to go home)”

Decarlos nodded and allowed her to take him to the limo. Once inside, she listened to him instructing his driver to take them to his hotel so they could prepare to return to Cuba.

In the midst of my trying to fix my game, EVERYTHING got deleted. Queenpin is gone. The good news is I have a backup from when I switched over to my laptop. The bad news is that was from last year and there's a shit ton of changes I made since then. I'm not going to lie, I almost said fuck it and decided to leave this story alone. Unfortunately, I can't because I've poured a lot of energy into it (more than I thought) and the thought of leaving it unfinished bothers me. So I will be taking some time to get back to where I am. I have a lot of rebuilding to do as well as finding all the cc that made my characters who they are. The road ahead will be long especially with my working but please be patient with me. Thank you to the ppl who've been on this ride with me and I hope you continue to bear with me 😘😘😘😘

It was well after midnight when Noire pulled up at home. Since it was the weekend, she wasn’t expecting Grant to even be home since Mirage got most of its business then.

She was surprised to see not only his truck in the yard, but the living room light was on. She hadn’t spoken two words to him since she slapped him in the club, and she was not planning to speak to him tonight either.

Unfortunately, Grant wasn’t having it tonight. He was waiting in the living room, arms folded as if he’d been waiting hours. She tried to ignore his presence, but he simply grabbed her wrist, stopping her from going into their room.

“Noire…” he started.

She snatched her arm away, glaring up at him but still not speaking.  He frowned down at her for what felt like hours before she felt him firmly snatch her again.

Looking up at him in shock, she shivered involuntarily. “Grant, what the fuck is your problem?” she snapped, not caring that her fiancé was still one of the most dangerous men in the country. She pulled away.

“You, Noire. I let you have some space, but you’re being mad childish.”

“I’m being childish?! You let that whacko take Brooklyn! She probably went through hell, and you knew this whole time. But I’m the one being childish?!”

“Yes, you’re being fucking childish, ma. You assuming shit and don’t know or understand anything. So because I’m a hood nigga, you automatically think the worst of me?”

Noire opened her mouth to argue but Grant interrupted her. “If I knew how much Brooklyn meant to you, why the FUCK would just I let her get kidnapped? What does that say about me? Huh?! I lost a child too, Noire! You think seeing you so depressed you couldn’t get out of bed didn’t affect me too?!”

That shut Noire right on up. She considered his words, and really gave some thought to the situation.

Grant took a deep breath, calming his nerves, and studied Noire. After a long moment of silence, he continued.

“I didn’t even know she was missing until you said it. And I didn’t know where until she’d already been with Decarlos for seven months. It wasn’t until then that Manic even mentioned that man took someone. I tried convincing him in letting her go. But with someone like Decarlos, you have to tread carefully. Cuz if I don’t, it could spark a war. I have a family to think of now, Noire. But I never stopped trying.” He calmly explained.

Noire stood there, silently, taking it all in. Manic…

She always knew there was something about him she couldn’t stand, and now she was sure she hated the man.

“I’m sorry.” She finally said. She sighed, feeling awful for treating Grant like that when it wasn’t even his fault.  “I’m so sorry,” she teared up before hugging him tight, feeling relieved when he hugged her back just as tight.

“I forgive you, ma. Just….talk to me. Ask me. I have no reason to lie to you. So I need you to trust me, ok?” “I do trust you, Grant. It’s your nigga Manic that I don’t trust.”

Letting her go, he gave her a curious glance before shaking his head and chuckling.

“Manic has been down since day one, ma. He didn’t feel it was important enough to mention.” He tried to reason but Noire shook her head, not trying to hear what he was saying.

“I don’t trust him Grant, and if you’re smart, you wouldn’t either.”

Alonzo had long since retired to his bedroom, annoyed, leaving Brooklyn and Noire to chat amongst themselves.

Noire felt alive again. Having her best friend back, alive and well, made her so happy she couldn’t contain it. They laughed and cried together, catching up with everything the two missed out on in the last year.

She hated that B had gone through hell with that crazy ass Decarlos. Just the thought of that deranged loony made her skin crawl, and she couldn’t help but to also direct some of that anger towards her husband to be.

How could he let this happen to Brooklyn?

“Did you and Grant ever tie the knot?” Brooklyn asked snapping Noire out of her thoughts.

“Huh?”

“Did ya’ll get married?”

“Girl no. I couldn’t. Not without you. I was holding on to the hope that you weren’t dead….and I’m glad I did.” Noire could feel herself getting choked up. Brooklyn smiled.

“You didn’t have to postpone your special day because of me,”

Noire gave her a crazy look. “Bitch…..you are my MAID OF HONOR! Ain’t no special day without you! So fuck no. And Grant understands that. Plus, with everything that happened when you disappeared, a wedding wasn’t in my immediate plans.”

Brooklyn raised a brow, causing Noire to avoid her glance. “Noire? What happened?”

Noire sighed, taking a moment to collect herself before speaking. “The night you disappeared….I found out I was pregnant.” She started, making Brooklyn gasp.

Letting out a shaky breath, she continued. “After I learned of your disappearance, I was frantic. We all were…me and your family I mean. I kept in contact with Alonzo on a regular basis, who I called as soon as I suspected something happened to you. As the days went on with no word; my depression worsened. The stress caused me to miscarry. I was fifteen weeks….and it was a girl.”

Tears immediately streamed down Brooklyn’s face and she grabbed Noire into a tight hug. The two sat there crying, with Brooklyn apologizing over and over again.

When they finally separated, they dried their tears and let out some nervous laughter. Brooklyn’s laughter was abruptly interrupted by her retching.

Her eyes widened, and she shot up to run to the bathroom before she threw up all over herself.

“Brooklyn…?” her voice was nearly a whisper as she stared in shock. Looking behind her, Brooklyn quickly grabbed Noire’s wrist and pulling her by the parking garage. By then, Noire was in tears, almost hysterical.

“Noire…..I have to get out of here.” “But how…I thought you were dead..”

“I’ll explain everything…just please,” Brooklyn looked behind her again, then gave Noire a pleading look.

Noire grabbed her and pulled her to her car. As they pulled off Brooklyn began to talk.

“I’ve been here a month now. Alonzo came and got me from Cuba.”

“Cuba?! What the fuck…why didn’t you call, or text, or anything?! I’ve been beside myself with worry…and…I thought you were dead B.”

“Decarlos took me.”

Noire did a brief doubletake.

“What?!”

“The day I talked to you last. His men grabbed me once I’d gotten home and took me to his private jet. Once there I tried to get away but…..he threatened to have my family killed. And my uncle Emilio….he had him killed. Kept that threat over my head for the last year, then proposed to me. I was out looking for wedding dresses when Alonzo surprised me and brought me back home.”

“Fucking bastard. I seen him the other day, at Grant’s club.”

Brooklyn visibly paled and said nothing else.

They arrived to the apartment soon after. Brooklyn opened the door and Alonzo was there waiting, arms folded.

“Fuck..” Brooklyn cursed under her breath.

“Where the fuck have you been?! And why is she here??”

Letting Noire in, she locked the door and stared at Alonzo. “Look, that’s not important right now. Decarlos is here!”

Alonzo cursed, then palmed his face. “Fuck…” He looked at Noire, then Brooklyn.

“How do you know? Did he see you?”

“No….but I saw one of his bodyguards. Noire said that he was at G’s club. He’s here Lonzo…”

“We agreed no one could know you’re here. NO ONE Brooklyn.”

Noire put her hands up in front of her. “I promise not to tell. You have my word. I’m just grateful that my friend is back,” her voice cracked with emotion as she stepped up to Alonzo.

“Thank you….thank you so much,”

Alonzo sighed and looked away.

Most days, Alonzo would be almost eager to be at the station, at work, especially after missing nearly three months. Today, however, was not one those days.

He’d done everything to avoid any prolonged contact with Brooklyn after he’d slipped up and slipped his dick in her. That task was difficult with them living together. On top of the awkwardness between the two, he’d heard from some reliable sources that Decarlos Perez had landed in the city the day before and he knew he was searching high and low for Brooklyn.

If he were to be a little honest with himself, the situation was a lot more stressful than he thought it would be, especially with Brooklyn’s difficult attitude.

So deep in his thoughts, he barely heard his coworker call his name.

“DeCosta!”

Alonzo looked to see his partner Morgan Hawthorne standing in the doorway of his office. “You ok?”

He nodded his head and stared at his paperwork that accumulated during his time off. Closing the door, Morgan took a seat by his desk.

“So how are things? You were gone for a while and didn’t let anyone know why.”

Alonzo eyed her but said nothing. Although he’d known Morgan since college, and they were pretty good friends, there were certain details he’d rather not share with her.

“Everything is fine, Morgan.”

“Jeez, it’s your first day back and you’ve said next to nothing. You sure everything is ok?”

Alonzo nodded his head. In his mind, he was just hoping Brooklyn wasn’t doing anything stupid.

Meanwhile….

Brooklyn hopped out of the taxi with a huge smile on her face. Staring up at the shopping mall, she felt relief and calm rush through her.

She hadn’t been out since Alonzo brought her back and she waited until he left the house to sneak out and come to the mall.

She felt like a kid in a candy store.

Stopping herself from skipping, she rushed into the mall to get a little retail therapy. She visited all her favorite stores, buying her a few outfits, then finally stopping at Starbucks for her favorite coffee.

A couple hours passed before she knew it and she looked down at her phone to see that it was almost time for Alonzo to be home.

‘Fuck….I need to get back’ She headed out of the entrance about to call a taxi when out of her peripheral she saw someone unmistakable.

It was one of Decarlos’ bodyguards.

‘What the fuck are they doing here?!’ She felt a wave of panic wash over her, as she tried to blend in with the crowd and remain unseen.

This resulted in her almost bumping into someone. Turning to apologize, she was stunned into silence when she stared into the face of the person.

Noire.

Promptly at 11, Decarlos arrived and was immediately driven to Mirage. Grant was there to greet him, then give him a quick tour of the club. They reached Grant’s office and Decarlos immediately took a seat in one of the chairs provided in front of the desk.

“Spectacular, my friend. Congratulations are in order.” He motioned for one of his men to step to them, opening a box of Cuban cigars.

Grant graciously took one, then sat on the edge of his desk. “Alright. Lets get down to business.”

———————————————————————————————————–

Noire entered Mirage quietly. She’d just spent the day with Aubrey and wanted to check on Grant before going home. She walked through, noting the impeccable job the cleaning crew did. Not a spot out of place; then again, Grant only hired the best.

Making her way upstairs, she thought about what she wanted to cook for dinner that night.

‘Steak sounds good…let me check with Grant to see what he wants’

She approached his office to find the door slightly ajar. Before she could walk in, she heard voices, one being her fiancé, and the other she could not recognize.

“I have my men sweeping the city as we speak. As soon as I find her, we will be on the first flight back home.”

She heard Grant let out a very audible sigh, making her stand against the wall, hiding to listen in some more.

‘Look man, she could be anywhere. I’m sure there is a nice Cuban baddie you could marry back home. Why Brooklyn?”

At that, Noire struggled to hold in a gasp. ‘Did he just say Brooklyn?’

‘Nonsense. Would you easily give up your fiancé if she disappeared?”

“I didn’t kidnap Noire, Decarlos. You snatched B-“

Noire couldn’t hide anymore, she burst into the room, pinning both Grant and Decarlos with a look that could kill.

“She’s alive?!”

Grant looked at her shocked that she was even in the room. “Noire-“

Noire ignored him, turning her attention to Decarlos. “I spent the last year, stressed and crying because I thought my best friend was dead and all along she was with your crazy ass?! You kidnap my friend and now she’s your fiancé? What kind of sicko are you?!”

Decarlos never lost the cool expression on his face. Turning to Grant, who’d gotten up and was walking to Noire, he said,

“You would do well to teach your fiancé when to hold her tongue, before she no longer has one,”

Both Grant and Noire looked at him crazy. Grant stood in front of her, he spoke in a clear tone, but Noire could tell Grant was pissed off.

“This is my wife to be. Don’t think that because we’re business partners I wouldn’t think twice about murking you for disrespecting her.”

Decarlos smirked, “I mean no disrespect my friend.”

Grant ignored him as he pulled Noire out of the office and across the hall to the VIP section. Once they were there, she slapped him.

“You knew this entire time?!” she demanded.

“Noire what the fuck were you thinking?” Grant looked completely unaffected by the slap. “That man is dangerous, you can’t just be talking to him reckless like that,” he snapped.

“I could give two fucks about that psycho! You know how B’s disappearance affected me! You know more than anyone what losing her did to me! And you knew where she was?! How could you keep something like this from me? Were you in on it?”

“It isn’t like that, ma. I’ll explain everything when I get home.” He sighed.

Grant collapsed in his chair, having walked through his club twice to make sure everything was good for opening that night. Business was booming and he was pleased that his club became the city’s hottest spot. He was working hard to clean up most of his money, and already had some more business ventures in mind.

There was only one thing wrong….

His computer dinged, the familiar incoming call Skype tone filling the air. He looked to see DeCarlos calling.

‘Well speak of the devil’ he answered, watching his supplier’s face pop up on his screen.

“Hey,”

“Hola. I hear your club is a success. Congratulations, my friend,” DeCarlos greeted.

Grant smirked and nodded. “Everything is running perfect. Thank you,” “I’ll be in your city tomorrow. I have yet to find mi prometid, so I want to check. I don’t know how she managed to get away, but I will find her,”

Grant noted his face hardened in anger as he spoke. He sighed inwardly. He wasn’t feeling how Decarlos snatched Brooklyn in broad daylight and held her in Cuba. He especially didn’t like how broken Noire had been after not hearing from her friend in over a year.

“Yo man…I gotta be honest, that shit wasn’t right. You took this girl from her home and wouldn’t even let her talk to her loved ones. My fiancé is starting to think she’s dead. You can’t be doing that Carlos,”

He could tell Decarlos wasn’t trying to hear that. “I should be there by noon tomorrow. I’ll see you then,” he stated curtly, hanging up. 

                                                                                                                            Grant palmed his face, just as Dabu walked into the office and closed the door behind him.

“Everything is straight for tonight,” he spoke, then paused. He knew without anything being said that something was wrong. He and Grant been boys since diaper days, he knew his homie like the back of his hand.

“Sup?” he sat on the loveseat that was provided in the spacious office.

“This nigga is going to become a problem. His obsession with Brooklyn is going to eventually bring some unwanted attention our way,” Grant spoke honestly.

Dabu nodded, knowing all too well how Decarlos kidnapped Noire’s best friend. “I take it he never found her,”

“Hell nah. He’ll be here tomorrow to look for her here, but I’d be surprised if she was even in the city,”

“She probably dropped off the face of the earth. Any sane female would. I know he our supplier and all, but that nigga loco,” Dabu shook his head.

Grant grunted in agreement. “We may have to cut our ties. It’s bad enough he snatched B like he did, but with him trying to come back here with the shit, that shit too extra man. And Noire has gone through enough,”

Dabu leaned up, deep in thought. “We’ll figure it out. We just gotta make sure we move carefully,”

Grant nodded.

“In the meantime, we got some niggas trying to push up on our spot off Washington.” Dabu informed him. Grant raised a brow, somewhere in the middle of being curious and simply not giving a fuck.

“Who?”

“Some lil nigga named Killah. Apparently he got him a lil squad and they wanna take over,”

Grant sat back and chuckled. Last thing he was worried about was some young niggas. He’d let them think they were doing something, then dispose of them in due time.

“They got heart, I’ll give them that. But they must be young. They must don’t know me very well,”

NSFW

 I'm just one dirty motherfucker I hurt myself way more than you This too much out here for the cup I put that codeine in my soup Used to spit in granny face, I'm supposed to show you love I don't need no picket line and I don't need no fuckin' hug You just rappin' just because With your napkin full of drugs Too exclusive in the back

 Noire sat in VIP, perched high over the night’s party goers, witnessing all her fiancé’s hard work being realized. Mirage, the city’s newest hotspot, was divided into two halves: one for the people who just wanted to dance and have a good time, and the other half for those wanting to indulge in the city’s most beautiful women. Dabu had been put in charge in finding only the baddest of women to occupy the poles. You had to be a member to enter the strip club, and the membership came at a hefty cost. It was available only to the ballers, so your paper had to be long before you stepped through its doors. Security was tight, and with Sergio in charge of finding trained professionals to serve as security, it was insured that no shit would pop off, and end with police raiding the place.

The VIP sat up high, overlooking the entire club and was decorated with one-way windows, so no one could see inside from above.

Noire couldn’t lie; she was proud as hell of her man. Opening night was a huge success so far; there was still a line outside with people eager and near desperate to get inside. She only wished Brooklyn was there to enjoy the night with her. She smiled sadly, knowing she’d be lit the fuck up.

Dabu and Sergio were enjoying themselves with a bunch of females Noire did not care to know. Looking around, she realized she hadn’t seen Grant in over an hour. She got up, smoothed her dress and walked out of the VIP towards his office, which also overlooked the entirety of the club. Walking across the hallway, she reached the door and didn’t bother to knock before opening it.

She was immediately greeted by one of the strippers, Lemon Drop, attempting to give HER man a private show. “Ummm….what the fuck is going on here?” she slammed the door behind her.

Grant cursed under his breath, knowing Noire was about to clown. He was in the midst of throwing Lemon Drop out when Noire came in.

“Is Grant a paying customer? Cuz I’m trying to understand why the fuck you’re in my damn man’s office instead of on stage making coins. Matter of fact, since your priorities are CLEARLY fucked up, BITCH YOU’RE FIRED!”

Noire stepped in between Grant and Lemon Drop and watched the stripper roll her eyes. “My bad, you’d think you owned this club and not him. Last time I checked, GRANT hired me not you.”

Grant took a deep breath and opened his mouth to stop the impending fight but Noire beat him to it, turning to him.

“Baby? Please inform Ms. Lemon Head as to who is the VP of Mirage?” she smiled sweetly. Grant knew better than to not comply.

“You,”

“And please inform this stripper as to who you’re also marrying?”

“You,”

Noire turned back to the stripper. “Now that you know, bitch, that I have ALL rights to put your ass out, you can be gone,” she waved her off.

Lemon drop scoffed, clearly feeling herself. “Oh you smelling yourself huh. But we all know you’re not woman enough to handle a man like G. He needs a real thoroughbred by his side, a bitch who don’t mind rolling her sleeves up and putting in work with him. A real ride or die, someone who also knows how to please him. And you ma’am, ain’t that bitch,” she looked her up and down. “So know this, your days are numbered bitch, cuz I’m coming for your spot,”

It was like all the air had been sucked out of the room, and before he knew what was going on, he watched as she literally flew at the stripper. With her hair wrapped in her hand, Noire punched Lemon Drop repeatedly in the face, cutting her with the large engagement ring still on her ring finger.

A push of a button had the club’s security in the room, separating the two. Bleeding out her nose and a cut on her face, Lemon Drop spat hatefully. “YOU’SE A DEAD BITCH!”

In a move Grant would marvel at later, Noire literally tossed the 250 plus pound bodyguard holding her, flew at Lemon Drop, knocked the other bodyguard away and was back beating her ass.

Wrapping Lemon Drop’s expensive weave in her hand, she proceeded to drag the stripper out of the office, down the stairs, and out to the emergency exit of the club, garnering the attention of the patrons, even the DJ. Tossing her out, she kicked her ass for good measure. “And let me be clear, if I EVERRRR catch that ass in these streets, you gonna wish you’d never stepped to me or my damn man.” She stated so only the stripper could here.

Slamming the door shut, she turned around to find all eyes on her. She smoothed her dress and looked at them unbothered. “May I help you all?” she questioned with a flip of her hair.

Everyone went back to what they were doing. Noire made her way to her fiancé’s office. First thing she noticed was that the security was gone. Probably a good thing too, she’d toss those niggas again if need be.

Stepping inside, she leveled Grant with a glare. “Just how many strippers you got trying to give you private shows Grant?” she questioned.

Grant stood, walking past her to close and lock the office door before walking back to his desk. “You do know I was about to throw her out right?”

“OK, but what the fuck was she doing in here in the first place? Do I gotta worry about all those bitches out there tryna show you a little titty and ass because they think my spot is up for grabs?”

Grant stepped up to her, pinning her with a hard gaze. Noire looked up at him, not intimidated by his towering form in the least. He grabbed her wrist, holding her hand to her eye level so that she could see her ring.

“You see that? If I wanted any of these bitches, trust you wouldn’t be here, Noire. I asked YOU to marry me. I iced YOUR finger,”

Grabbing the back of her neck, he attacked her lips with his own, kissing her hard. Noire went to push him away, but melted in his arms instead.

Moaning, she immediately felt her panties getting wet. Grant made love to her mouth like he was in between her legs. Then without notice, her clothes were being pulled off and she was being bent over his desk. Pulling off his shirt and pants, he palmed her ass.

“Arch your fucking back,”

Noire complied, loving when Grant was rough like this. All the thug came out of her man when he felt he had something to prove.

Smacking each cheek repeatedly; he teased her by rubbing the head up and down her wet slit, making her damn near beg for him to stick it in.

He entered her hard and fast, and started giving her long, hard strokes that had her gripping his desk tight and babbling nonsense.

“Don’t get it twisted ma, this the only pussy I’ma ever want to fuck or taste,” he grunted, raising her left leg and placing it on her desk.

The new angle had her damn near cross eyed. She mewled and whimpered, doing her best to throw her ass back to meet his savage thrusts.

He stopped and slipped out suddenly, making her open her mouth to protest. But it was cut short when he flipped her on her back and felt his tongue on her clit.

“Grant….fuck daddy,” she cried out. “You gotdamn right….daddy got you ma,” he said, extending his tongue to lick from her clit to the crack of her ass.

She was back on her stomach again as he stood and slipped his dick inside her slippery pussy and stroked her until she nutted with a scream. He took advantage of the soundproof walls, repeatedly hitting her spot until she was squirting and calling out for him, to God, to the heavens above.

Hearing her cries sent him over the edge, and Noire whimpered at the feeling of his nut splashing her walls.

He gripped her neck once again, kissing her. She kissed him just as hard, pouring all of her love into it.

“Don’t let that bitch words worry you about your position. If I wanted these bitches out there, I would have never approached you, Noire. You’re my world ma,” he looked deep into her eyes.

Noire could feel the sincerity in his words. She nodded, feeling ten times better. Of course, an intense orgasm could do that to you.

She went to straighten her appearance in his private bathroom. Her hair was out of its style and her makeup a mess. “I love you too Grant,” she tossed over her shoulder making him chuckle and shake his head.

 Once again, that eerie feeling surfaced, and she hurriedly went to dry her hands. She wanted to get back ASAP.

Before she could turn around however, she felt a presence behind her, then someone cover her mouth.

Brooklyn’s first thought was to scream her head off. She was NOT going through this again! Why her?! Did she not have enough shit and despair on her plate being served to her hot and fresh without adding this lovely bullshit parfait to the meal?!

“Don’t scream. I’m not here to hurt you,” a deep voice interrupted her thoughts. What the fuck was a man doing in the ladies’ restroom anyway?

The stranger let her go before she could bite his hand, and she spun around to confront him. Staring back at her, was officer Alonzo Decosta.

She immediately recognized his handsome face, and noticed how he looked a bit more rugged than he did the last time she seen him.

Words died before she could even speak them. Right now, she couldn’t move, speak, hell even blink.

“W-what are you doing here? When did you get here? How did you even know that I was here???” she asked once she found her voice again.

He looked around before answering, “I am here to take you back home.”

It felt the wind had been knocked right out of her. “…….What?”

He gave her a look as if to say [What do you mean what?]

“There is no time Brooklyn. We have to leave now if we’re going to make the flight back,” he stated impatiently. She shook her head negatively.

“No.”

He did a double take, staring at her in shock. “No?”

“I’m staying. I am sorry Alonzo….but I can’t go with you.”

Alonzo stood utterly confused. Taking a few seconds to gather his thoughts, he stared down at the woman he could not get out of his head for the last year in disbelief.

“You’re kidding right? You WANT to stay? Willingly? Don’t tell me you fell in love with the bastard….not after all he’s done. Of all the stupid….”

She slapped him then. “Don’t you fucking dare. You have not even an inkling of an idea of what I go through! Been through! If I leave Decarlos my family will DIE. That monster MURDERED my uncle Emilio,” she began to cry, “And has men watching my grandmother. Don’t you DARE call me stupid for putting my family first. Everything I’ve been through, and will go through is because I am protecting them,”

Anger boiled inside of Alonzo. What he wouldn’t give to get his hands on this man. “Hush,” he told her, then handed her a bag.

Inside was a shirt, white shorts, a blonde wig, a big hat, sandals, and huge sunglasses. “Put those on. Now,”

Ok….maybe it was just her, but Brooklyn was starting to feel like she attracted overly bossy men. Hesitating for a moment, she finally did as he asked, twisting her long hair into the hat so that it didn’t show.

Handing her a big bag, he instructed her to leave first, and to not move too quickly or she would draw too much attention to herself.

Her heart thundered in her chest as she did as he told her, slipping past the two bodyguards who were too engrossed in their conversation to pay any mind to her. She made it outside where Alonzo met her a few seconds after.

After getting her into his rented car, he handed her an I.D. and passport where she was named LeAnne Martin. Alonzo instructed her to put it on as he drove them to the airport.

Brooklyn immediately began to worry about the welfare of her family and how her forced fiancé would retaliate against them.

She and Alonzo got through the airport security and sat in the lobby awaiting their flight. Brooklyn was a nervous wreck, but excited to put this all behind her. “I made arrangements for your family to spend some time in their home. In Brazil. The men that were tailing your grandmother have been taken care of.” He finally told her before she could let the guilt of her leaving eat her alive.

Brooklyn was stunned.

Once again, tears slid down her cheeks and she wanted to growl in frustration. Honestly, she’d been a crying mess the last couple days and she couldn’t take it anymore. But she was overcome with so much happiness that she started to not care.

Wiping her tears, she looked up at Alonzo. “Why’d you go through so much trouble to come get me?” she asked.

Day 402. A couple days has passed since Decarlos’s proposal. While she didn’t technically tell him yes, she could not refuse him. But she was not looking forward to being tied to this man for the rest of her life.

He’d encouraged her to look through bridal magazines and even hired a wedding planner, and told her no expense would be spared.

Today, she wanted to get out of the house, and used the excuse of heading to a bridal shop in town. But, she wanted to go alone, and was trying to convince him to let her.

“Quiero salir sola. No necesito que tus hombres me sigan todos los dias,” (I want to go out by myself. I do not need your men following me every day)

“No,” was his simple answer.

Huffing, she felt like a child. What was she, ten? He treated her like a child, but threw tantrums like a child himself when he didn’t get his way.

“Lo que sea (Whatever)” she spun on her heel and headed out the door. The two bodyguards were already waiting by the car, causing her to roll her eyes.

She stared out of the window the ride there, her sadness increasing once she made it to the shop. This should be a joyous time for her. She should have been out looking for a wedding dress with her best friend, excited to marry the love of her life.

Instead she was marrying a monster, in front of tons of strangers. She willed her tears away and tried to put on a happy face as she chatted with the friendly owner of the store.

She spent about two hours there, having looked at nearly every dress they had. She fell in love with one, but told the owner she’d view other options before making a final decision.

Now she walked the outside mall, flanked by the two men. Once again, the feeling of being watched overtook her, but she was determined to enjoy being away from Decarlos so she pushed her fight or flight instincts away and continued to walk and shop.

After a while, they all stopped in front of a museum.

“Volvere,”

When they looked at each other she rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me he wants you to follow me into the restroom too,” she snapped sarcastically.

They looked embarrassed, in which she rolled her eyes again and left them standing there.

She sighed as she used the restroom and wiped herself. Exiting the stall, she went to wash her hands.

Once again, that eerie feeling surfaced, and she hurriedly went to dry her hands. She wanted to get back ASAP.

Before she could turn around however, she felt a presence behind her, then someone cover her mouth.

That next morning, Brooklyn woke up to another bouquet of flowers, a gift, and a note.

Mi querida,

Tengo un importante banquete al que debo asistir. Como mi future esposa, tambien debes estar presente. He adjuntado mi tarjeta, salgo y saco un bonito vestido para llevar. Espero verte esta noche.

Sinceramente,

Tu Marido.

Brooklyn crumbled the letter in her hand, disgust evident on her face. ‘Fucking psycho…’ She rose from the bed and went to brush her teeth, shower, then dress for a day of shopping.

She picked out a simple, conservative cut peplum top and jeans with a sigh. Decarlos forbade her to wear anything revealing, one of his many rules. She rolled her eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time she wore a crop top, or some short shorts.

Two hours later she was exiting a local boutique, happy with the dress she picked out for the night’s events. While she detested being forced to live in Cuba, she could not deny the beauty the streets held. Even with her chaperones nearby, she found herself wandering around like a tourist.

She let her mind wander, wondering what it would be like to be there on vacation and not as a prisoner.

‘Why does it feel like I’m being watched?’ she thought to herself. The all too familiar feeling made her snap out of her thoughts and had her looking around to see if someone was staring.

Now she was nervous. Last time she got that feeling, she was carted off to a foreign country with a deranged lunatic. This time around, she might find herself in China somewhere with no way and no hope.

Hell nah. “Quiero irme,” she informed her bodyguards who nodded and escorted her to Decarlos’s car.

Sighing, she stared out the window. She didn’t even get to stop by her favorite spot….

—————————

“Esta es mi futura esposa, Brooklyn,”

Decarlos had been introducing her to all his associates and partners as his future wife, and honestly…truly….it made Brooklyn want to puke. She guessed there were a lot of big names and important people, and she could tell her captor was in his element.

He smiled and laughed at jokes and engaged everyone in conversation. She received numerous compliments and had nearly every eye on her.

Initially, he had been unpleased with her choice in a dress. While conservatively cut in the front, the back exposed most of her back. He’d glared at her when she met him at the door with it on, but could also see the hunger in his eyes as he let them roam over her body.

But now, he kept his hand possessively on the small of her back as he guided her through the banquet.

She was starting to get bored though, and was past ready to leave and spend the remainder of the night wallowing in her woes.

“Ya vuelvo,” he leaned down and said in her ear, before leaving her side for the first time. Not that she gave a fuck. He could choke and die for all she cared.

Until she saw him head to the front of the room, and motioned for everyone to give him their attention.

“Como todos ustedes saben, he sido soltero por bastante tiempo, pero este ano pasado no solo conoci a mi future esposa. Sabia que una vez que te puse los ojos en que usted era el uno. Y que haria todo y todo para hacer realidad ese sueno. Asi que ahora solo hay una cosa que preguntar. Brooklyn, mi Corazon, mi alma, mi todo, quieres casarte conigo? (As you all know, I have been a bachelor for quite some time, but this past year I have not only met my best friend, but my future wife. I knew once I laid eyes on you that you were the one. And that I would do any and everything to make that dream a reality. So now there is but one thing to ask. Brooklyn, my heart, my soul, my everything, will you marry me?)”

As he said these words, he’d came back to her, and looked her deep in her eyes. After dropping to his knee, he pulled out the biggest diamond ring Brooklyn had ever laid eyes on. Onlookers cheered and gasped in awe.

No sat on the edge of Brooklyn’s tongue. Nothing would satisfy her more than crushing him in front of all his partners and associates. But then she remembered what he told her the other night. Her family was being watched, and if she defied him now, she wouldn’t have a family to go back to if she could.

Tears snaked their way down her cheeks unchecked, which people mistook for happiness. Grinning, Decarlos rose and pulled Brooklyn into a kiss.

 Day 398. It had been a year and one month since she’d been taken against her will, and forced to become Decarlos’ trophy. She refused to refer to herself as his woman, even if he did so himself. She hated him. With every fiber of her being, she despised Decarlos Perez.

He treated her like a queen, despite his spouts of anger. She tried to avoid angering him most times, because he could get violent when provoked. He never laid a hand on her, but came close on many occasions, and the last thing Brooklyn wanted was to add physical abuse to her long shit list.

Whenever he did let his anger get the best of him, Brooklyn would wake up to a random bouquet of flowers and an expensive gift, his apology for acting out. She could care less. She hadn’t had any contact with her family or friends in over a year, so there were many nights she would cry herself to sleep.

On the other nights, which were most nights, he wanted to be intimate. The first few nights she was in Cuba she flat out refused to let him touch her. But after a while he became fed up and reminded her that her family’s survival depended on her. And just to prove that he was deathly serious, he had her father’s older brother killed. Horrified, she cried the entire time he was inside of her. Afterwards, she knew she’d never be the same.

Some days she’d even contemplated suicide. Maybe ending her life would keep her family out of harm’s way and free her from being a prisoner in Decarlos’ enormous mansion. But anytime she got even close to doing it, she’d chicken out.

The only thing she could do now was to pray………

---------------------

Like every evening, Brooklyn sat at Decarlos’ enormous dining table, enjoying a well cooked dinner prepared by his live-in chef. It was something that Decarlos was very adamant about; they ate together every evening, no ifs ands or buts. Brooklyn guessed it made him feel like they were a real couple, but it honestly made her sick to her stomach, as did anything pertaining to the man.

“How was your day?” he inquired.

Mentally, she rolled her eyes. She was not allowed to leave his house without his personal body guards flanking her, and acting as her chauffeurs everywhere she went. Everything was reported to him hourly, so he knew exactly how her day went.

“Fine,” her answer was short and dry.

“Did you enjoy the farmer’s market?” he cut into his steak, then made eye contact with her as he waited on her answer.

She shuddered at the intense look in his eyes. “I did,”

He chewed before giving her a soft smile. “I think it is quite admirable that you eat so healthy. It will be beneficial to our child.”

Brooklyn paused, looking at her abductor weirdly. “What?”

He never broke eye contact with her. “After we wed, you will bare me an heir.” The seriousness in his tone made Brooklyn’s stomach drop.

“Absolutely not,” she stated firmly. “You got what you wanted, I’m here.”

He studied her and at that moment she knew he was displeased with her. But she could care less! He abducted her, forced her into another country and kept the threat of killing her family off to keep her compliant. She’d be damned if he forced her into a marriage too.

“Hablas como si tuvieras un opcion,” (You speak as if you have a choice in the matter)

She glared at him. “no me voy a casar contigo. y nunca voy a teine su hijos (I am not marrying you. And I refuse to carry your spawn).

Decarlos calmly rose from his chair and walked towards the foyer leading to the west wing of the mansion. She held her breath; maybe she would get through the night without a fight.

She felt him snatch her up, making her chair topple over and slam her against the wall. He was seething.

“Perra….debes seguir probando mi paciencia, (Bitch…..must you continue to test my patience) ” he hissed in her face. This was the first time he’d ever called her out of her name, so she guessed she hit a nerve.

“Por que deve probar la mia? (Why must you test mine?)” she retorted defiantly.

Decarlos laughed suddenly, his grip on her chin tightening. He let out a sigh, but smirked.

“Tu abuela esta muy encantada esta noche,(Your grandmother is looking quite lovely this evening).” he finally said. Brooklyn felt her entire soul run cold.

Tears welled up in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. She would never let him see her cry again.

“ahora dime mi amor, cuantos meimbros de el cuerpo necesitar para que hagas lo que digo? (now tell me my love, how many limbs will it take for you to do as I say?) Que cortaremos primero? Una pierna? Un brazo? Quiza podamos cortarla y cosechar un organo? (what shall we cut first? A leg? An arm? Perhaps we can cut her open and harvest an organ?”

His grip loosened. “Te odio. Rezo por el dia que quemas en el abismo mas profundo del infierno, (I hate you. I pray for the day you burn in the deepest pit of hell.)” She spat, breaking out of his hold.

Turning on her heel, she bolted from him and the room, keeping her tears at bay. But once she reached the small study in the west wing, the tears flowed freely and she found herself sobbing.

  Six Months later….

Alonzo Decosta stormed out of his commanding officer’s office, thoroughly pissed off. Even with all the evidence and cause, he still couldn’t get approved to get a team to rescue Brooklyn Oliveira. He’d been working tirelessly for the last several months, trying to get information and evidence that Brooklyn had been abducted and taken out of the country.

He’d only found out after Noire called him out of the blue one day, frantic that her best friend had been missing for three weeks. She’d been beside herself, and hysterical, especially after gone through the death of Raynard. It explained why he never got an answer when he called her phone. The day they spent eating lunch together would flash through his mind, making him angry that he’d probably been the last one to see her.

The next few weeks were spent sweeping the city, talking to everyone to see if anyone had any information on her. He lucked out when he talked to one of his old troublemakers, who still did business with G, but mainly through Manuel Fernandez, aka Manic. Manic had hinted that Decarlos Perez had left with an unwilling female. After that, Alonzo did some research and asking around, finally hearing from Noire that Brooklyn had confided in her the day she disappeared that she had several run ins with the Cuban drug lord.

Alonzo wanted to punch a hole in something, anything would do. But he kept calm, and traveled to his office where he sat down in his chair. He ran a hand over his face and sighed.

After a few minutes in frustrating silence, an idea formed in his head. Taking out his phone, he began to look up flight times and prices. He had to be smart about this. If he used his appointed computer, his activities could be traced and he could face disciplinary actions. He had several sick days and an excessive amount of vacation days he could use. If his boss wouldn’t give him a team to got to Cuba, he’d do it alone, he decided.

He would singlehandedly bring Brooklyn Oliveira home.

With the business deal concluded, Decarlos was traveling back to Cuba to resume his life. He enjoyed his time in the States, but was more than ready to return home. Manic was assigned to escort him to his private jet, so the ride there was mostly silent.

“Your man, Grant. He’s a good man. I feel I can trust him, and in my line of business, trust is scarce and hard to come by. But you guys are ok with me. I not only gained a business partner, but I’ve found my future wife.”

Manic stood, uncaring and unbothered by the cool smirk that spread across the drug lord’s face. As if on cue, one of Decarlos’ henchmen appeared, carrying what looked like a woman kicking and screaming with a silk pillowcase over her head.

Decarlos shook hands with Manic, and motioned for his men to board the private jet. He followed, sitting in his chair as the woman was put down across from him.

The pillowcase was removed to reveal Brooklyn’s flushed face. “ESTAS LOCO? DEJAME IR EN ESTE INSTANTE, PSICOPATA ARROGANTE! (Are you crazy? Let me go this instant you arrogant psychopath)” she screamed in spanish.

Decarlos calmly poured himself a glass of scotch, ignoring her. “Silencio. Sientate. (Silence. Sit down)” He commanded.

Brooklyn sprang up, noticing she was on a plane. ‘I’ve got to get off before it takes off’ she thought frantically.

Two big burly Cubans guarded the exit, making it impossible for her to leave. She felt her heart sink, as the realization dawned that she was trapped. With a lunatic.

“Sit my love. Let’s talk,”

“Fuck you! As soon as we land God knows where, I’ll be on the first flight back home. You’ve fucked with the WRONG one!”

“You’ll do no such thing. Drink?” he poured her a glass and slid to her side of the table.

She picked up the glass and threw the liquid in his face. 

She watched his face twist in anger. Before she could register what was happening, he was up and his hand was around her throat. 

“I’ve let you have your little berrinche, but you truly do not know who the FUCK you’re dealing with,” when she tried to hit him with her hand, he caught it and squeezed her wrist, making her wince.

“I decided the moment I laid eyes on you, mi amor, that I had to have you. That I WOULD have you. And now that you’re here, you will act accordingly.”

“Estas loco…( You are crazy)” Brooklyn whispered, her eyes wide in fear. She knew her instincts had been spot on. “Nunca sere tuyo,(I’ll never be yours)”

His smirk chilled her to the bone, and his next words made her heart stop. “You will…and you are. Or your little familia…I will have them hunted down. One by one, they will die. Slowly. Tu madre…padre…..todas tus hermanas… y tus dos hermanos. (Your mother, father, all your sisters, and your two brothers). I will have them butchered, and you’ll receive a little piece of them every time you resist me.”

Tears began to fall down Brooklyn’s face as her heart broke at the thought of her family suffering because of her.

“Asi que decides. De cualquier manera usted sera el mio, (So you decide. Either way you’ll be mine)” he released her then, and pushed past her to go to the restroom to change his wet shirt.

Brooklyn sank to the floor, feeling defeated. The jet had long since taken off and overwhelming sadness washed over her. Her family, friends, everything she was leaving behind.

Alonzo briefly flashed through her mind. She’d never see him again. Or Noire, or her family. Tears continued to fall as she watched Decarlos come back in a fresh new outfit and step over her, unconcerned with her tears. “Amaras tu nueva vida. Tendras lo mejor de todo, (You will love your new life. You will have the best of everything.)” he spoke calmly. She broke down then, her cries ignored as the jet took her to the new life she’d be living in Cuba.

------------------

Grant waited on the couch for Noire to come out of his bathroom so they could continue watching Emergency Couple together. He hated to admit it, but she got him hooked on Korean Dramas. He looked forward to their binge-watching marathons.

‘Damn she’s been gone for a minute.’ He thought getting up.

He walked to the bathroom and knocked softly, his voice full of concern. “You ok, ma?”

A few seconds later the door was being opened and she stood there with a shocked expression on her face.

“What’s wrong Noire?” he stopped when he spotted a pregnancy test on the counter.

She showed him the positive test, not saying anything as she continued to deal with the mixed feelings she was having.

On one hand, she was ecstatic at the thought of starting a family with her fiancé. On the other hand, she was still grieving the loss of her best friend and that still had her mind and her heart in a disarray.

Grant spoke no words also as he gathered her in his arms, holding her tight and kissing her temple. They both sank to the floor and just sat there, holding each other.

“I’m happy…and yet…I’m still grieving. But….I want this. I want this baby with you Grant.” She spoke after a couple minutes passed.

He nodded and kissed her lips. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Noire. Things are tough now, but like everything else, we’ll get through it together. It’s me and you. We got this,” he placed his hand over her stomach and looked her in the eyes.

She smiled lovingly at him, letting a couple tears slip.

He was not accustomed to being denied. The feeling was so foreign, and yet this woman had the audacity to refuse him not once but twice.

She obviously didn’t know who he was. Her feistiness was a turn on for him, but he was going to especially enjoy breaking her.

Decarlos sat in his car with his chauffeur, watching Brooklyn explore the local mall. Her jeans fit her like a second skin, and her crop top showcased her taunt and toned stomach.

Once they were married, he’d have to put a stop to that. Her body was for his eyes only.

He’d tried approaching her again today, having ‘conveniently’ bumped into her several times that day, until she finally cursed him out in Spanish and threaten to call the cops on him.

Yes, he’d enjoy breaking her and taming her fiery personality.

“Salir,” he commanded, and his chauffer pulled off.

--------------

Brooklyn had the strange and eerie feeling she was being watched. It was bad enough she had to threaten the man from Ray’s funeral with the police.

She shivered. Something about him scared her, and she did not scare easily.

Deciding she was going to get a bite to eat, she walked into the small café they had set up there and ordered her a burger and an iced tea.

She sat outside wanting to enjoy the breeze and the scenery.

“Fancy running into you here. I guess we had the same idea on how to spend the day,”

Brooklyn looked up and smiled instantly at seeing the officer from the funeral. He was so much finer than she remembered.

“Well a girl must have her retail therapy,” she stated with a shrug. He chuckled.

“This seat taken?” he motioned to the seat in front of her. She shook her head and watched as he sat down.

“Alonzo, right?” she asked. He nodded. “I don’t think I had the pleasure of knowing your name,”

“Brooklyn Oliveira, but you can call me ma’am,” she answered, taking a sip of her drink.

She watched him laugh, loving how white and straight his teeth were. ‘Yup, definitely fuckable’ she thought to herself.

Before she knew it, two and a half hours had passed her by while she sat there conversing with the handsome officer. He was charming, intelligent and surprisingly funny. He kept her laughing with his quick wit.

She learned he was driven and loved his job. While it was kind of cliché that he got into it not for the money but to make a difference in people’s lives, she found it endearing. She knew he’d been the driving force in Rodriq’s turn around, and had it not been for him, ‘Driq would have been so deep into the drugs and the street life that no one would have been able to pull him out.

They ended up exchanging numbers, with the promise of linking up in the near future.

She left towards her car, finding herself wanting to see the handsome officer again. Throwing her bags into her front seat, that eerie feeling washed over her once again.

True to his word, Grant took care of everything, down to Harmony, Rodriq and Robert’s clothing. He arranged for a limo to pick them all up and take them to the church where he knew the pastor personally.

Noire took a deep breath to try to calm her nerves, but it was not helping. She was about to bury her best friend, her brother, her….she thought back to his confession before she kicked him out of her apartment.

If she were to be honest with herself, deep down she knew he had feelings for her. But instead of confronting the knowledge, she hid behind her obliviousness. She truly loved him as a brother but could never bring herself to tell him that.

And now the guilt was eating her alive. Maybe if she had of been honest….tears began to stream down her face.

She felt Grant wrap his arms around her from behind and kiss her temple. She was so grateful for him. Every step of the way, every cry, guilt trip, and tear he kissed away. He was there in every way for her.

“I won’t lie and say it’ll be ok, because I refuse to downplay the pain you’re feeling right now. But we’ll get through this. I promise you that ma,” he spoke quietly.

She nodded, turning to hug him. His phone beeped and he stepped away from her for a moment.

“The limo is outside,” he said. He stood in his black tux, complimenting her black dress. Holding his hand out, he gave her a curt nod.

She took his hand, letting him lead her out of his door and locking it behind them. 

They got into the limo, which sat Harmony, Robert, Rodriq, and Brooklyn. Noire took a seat next to her remaining best friend and grabbed her hand.

Brooklyn gave her a broken smile and squeezed.

The service was beyond gorgeous. Grant spared no expense. White orchids decorated his large framed picture, which showcased him in his high school cap and gown. His white and gold casket must have costed a pretty penny, but Noire was grateful he took the burden off Harmony, who barely made it through the service. She’d cried and fainted after viewing his body for the last time, with Rodriq and Robert having to carry her out of the chapel for some fresh air.

They were currently at the cemetery, watching Raynard Deandre Graham be lowered into the ground. Brooklyn and Noire clung to each other, further feeling their hearts break at the knowledge that they’d never see their best friend again. Davina was a no show, though Noire doubted she’d even show her face in the first place.

“I can’t believe he’s gone, Noire. This has been so hard to process. I just feel incomplete…” Brooklyn sniffled, trying to hold back her tears.

Noire nodded her head silently, knowing exactly how she was feeling. Out of her peripheral, she noticed a dark skinned man of average height approaching them. He seemed oddly familiar but Noire couldn’t think of where she’d seen him before.

He was handsome, to say the least.

“Excuse me,” his baritone voice caught Brooklyn’s attention and she stared at him curiously.

“I’m Officer Alonzo Decosta…you probably remember me as Rodriq’s parole officer. Noire right?” he turned to Noire and shook her hand then Brooklyn’s.

“Yeah….I remember you now. It’s been some years sir.”

He gave a soft smile. “Yes it has. I came by to express my condolences. I know how close you and Raynard were.”

Noire gave him a watered down version of her usual smile, sadness washing all over her again.

“Yeah we were,”

Alonzo handed her a card. “If you ever need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to call.”

With one last nod to them both, he left in the direction of Rodriq.

“Eso es un hombre atractivo, (That’s an attractive man)” Brooklyn said under her breath, making Noire chuckle softly. She then looked around for Grant, who left her side fifteen minutes prior, saying he’d be right back.

Grant had received a call that Decarlos was on the way and went to meet him at the entrance to the cemetery. When Decarlos’s limo pulled up, he greeted his new partner with a nod.

“You didn’t have to come,”

“Nonsense. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine,” he followed Grant through the entrance and stopped once he laid eyes on Noire and her friend.

Grant noticed he wasn’t moving and turned to ask him what was wrong. Following his gaze, he peeped Decarlos gawking at Brooklyn. He chuckled to himself, knowing that Brooklyn was worse than Noire, and that she wouldn’t even give Decarlos the time of day.

Decarlos had to catch himself from continuing to stare, but he couldn’t help it. The woman was exquisite, silky hair, smooth skin, and dangerous curves all over.

He’d been enjoying the single life for a while, with countless women trying their hardest to be the woman in his life. With his height, facial features and wealth, he was used to women falling all over themselves to get his attention. But the woman before him had him thinking of changing his player ways, settling down and starting a family.

He approached the two women, determined to have a conversation with her.

Noire eyed him curiously.

“Hi?” she spoke, catching Brooklyn’s attention who eyed the man indifferently. “Hello, ladies. I would like to voice my condolences,” he bowed slightly, making Brooklyn give him a weird look.

“Well, I do thank you sir,” Noire spoke softly. He gave her a slight smile, then turned his eyes on Brooklyn.

“If need be, I could take your mind off your sorrows. How does dinner with me sound?”

Noire bit her lip to keep from laughing at the expression on Brooklyn’s face. If looks could kill, the stranger would have been six feet under right there.

“Don’t you see we’re grieving? How disrespectful can you get?!”

The man chuckled. “The offer still stands, Hermosa,”

Brooklyn scoffed and walked away, dragging Noire with her. “As if I’d even give you the time of day,” she stated.

“Los hombres en estos dias son tan irrespetuoso, (Men these days are so disrespectful)” she ranted. Noire could do nothing but laugh.

Meanwhile, Officer Decosta had made his way back over to Rodriq and the two stood chatting quietly.

“I just…I don’t believe my brother would harm himself, much less kill himself. I feel this was not an accident,” Rodriq looked at Grant who stood next to Noire. Alonzo nodded.

“My gut says this definitely was no accident, and I will be looking into this personally.”

Rodriq nodded and shook hands with his former P.O. Alonzo was like an older brother, and while he used to get on his nerves with his constant bitching at him to give up the street life, he was grateful someone gave a fuck enough to actually see to it.