Korie

I sped down the highway, swerving in between the cars trying my best to get to Trinity as fast as I could.

"Fuck you!" I yelled out the window at a bitch who was blowing their horn at me.

I got into the right lane and got off at my exit, I looked at the time seeing that it was going on three o'clock in the morning and this was a horrible time for Trin to be out here alone.

I saw the corner store down the road, passing a red light I saw Trinity sitting in the front of the store looking so out of it.

The car was barely in park when I jumped out running up to her wrapping my arms around her.

"Come on, its cold out here." I helped her up and lead her to the car, opening the door for her and closing it when she got settled in.

Running around to my side of the car, I hopped in and drove off, gripping the wheel as I was in deep thought.

"What if I never see him again?" Her soft voice pierced my heart.

I didn't even know what to say, because I honestly had no answer to that. It's hard not knowing whether or not you'll see someone again, just like the day they took Lyric, I didn't know if I was going to see her again, hold her in my arms again, but I'd hoped and had faith that I would.

"Uhhh, I'm never good at stuff like this." She didn't speak. "That's my fear of being a father to a girl. I'm scared of moments similar to this where I wouldn't know what to say to make her feel better, or make her happy." She was still quiet. "But one thing I will always be able to provide for her is unconditional love and security. Nothing will ever happen to her, again that is. When them niggas took my baby, I felt like my world was crashing down, my life stopped because she was no longer in it. But it won't happen again. I don't know where Ant is, but I won't rest until I know he straight, but whatever the case may be, you have a friend and brother in me." I looked over to her as she balled her eyes out.

The rest of the ride was silent, besides her sniffles and sighs. We pulled up to my house and she slowly got out the car, I walked up to the door unlocking it and letting her go in ahead of me.

"You can go to the guest room upstairs to the left and get you some rest, there's fresh covers and pillows already on the bed. Mo got some clothes in there that she don't ever wear, so you can find something to slip into and get comfortable."

She nodded her head and made her way upstairs, but before she made it to the top, she turned towards me and looked for a second before speaking.

"Thanks...a lot." She spoke softly.

"Don't mention it."

I waited until I heard the door close upstairs before letting out a deep breath. It seems like every time something good happens, something bad comes along and ruins what was going on. I feel like our family can't get a break, if it ain't one thing, it's two or three more.

I pulled the refrigerator door open and grabbed a water bottle taking the top off and sipping from it. I pulled out my phone and shot a text to Trey.

Me
Call when you get up, important. -3:47 a.m.

I put my phone away and turned all the lights off downstairs, I walked up the steps and cracked Lyrics door, she was sound asleep with her tv on. I walked past the guest room and made my way to my room down the hall. I walked in and Mo was still asleep, she was all on my side of the bed hugging up with my pillows.

I kicked my shoes off and then pulled my phone out my pocket placing it on the charger. I slid out of my pants and shirt before climbing in bed next to Mo. of course I had to pick her up and move her over because she was all in my spot. I got comfortable in the bed before pulling her on top of me kissing her forehead.

"Where you been?" She spoke into the crook of my neck.

"I'll tell you later."

She sat up a bit, and even though it was dark, I knew she was giving me the death glare.

"You wanna rephrase that and tell me where the fuck you were?" She snapped.

"Baby, not right now ight? I got a lot on my mind, I promise imma explain everything to you when we wake up later. It's been a long night, I barely got any sleep, I'm tired, please just go back to sleep."

She sat in the same position for moment before she laid back down, but of course she had to be stubborn and lay all the way on the other side of the bed and she pulled almost all of the covers with her.

I let out a sigh before getting up about to go lay with my baby Lyric.

"Where you goin'?"

"Lyric's room, I ain't got time for yo attitude right now."

"Okay, I'm sorry, don't leave...I can barely sleep when you not in the bed with me." She said.

"Then stop actin' up. If I told you I'll tell you later, then you need to lay yo lil ass back down and wait till later. What you think I'm out here cheatin'?"

"If I came home at four in the morning sliding my ass in the bed, you'd be questioning me too Korie, so don't try to pull the accusing card on me." She snapped.

"Ok mama, but I'm tellin' you I'll tell you later, I'm not in the mood. I feel like shit right now baby, just let me sleep." I pleaded.

"Ok Korie." She smacked her lips.

I got in the bed and snuggled up next to her. I played in her hair until I heard her soft snores, which eventually put me to sleep.

Korie |next morning...|

My eyes fluttered open as I felt around the bed for Monique, I didn't feel her so I opened my eyes and reached for my phone. Grabbing it, I noticed I had a few missed calls from Khadijah and Trey.

I clicked on Trey's name, but quickly ended the call when I heard Khadijah's voice downstairs.

I slid out of bed, wiping my eyes and heading towards the bathroom to do my morning hygiene.

"It's about time." Mo's voice rang from behind me.

I looked at her through the mirror and half smiled while applying toothpaste to my toothbrush. "Good mornin' baby."

"Good mornin'? Try afternoon, it's goin' on two o'clock." She walked in a shut the door behind her. "Um baby, there's somethin' I need to tell you."

"Wassup?" I started brushing my teeth.

"Today Lyric woke up and she seemed really quiet, and you and I both know that's unusual. So I asked her what was wrong, and she hesitated at first, but she told me she had a dream that made her sad. I asked her to tell me about it but she said all she remembered was a pretty lady that was holding her tight, but the lady let go of her and disappeared. She said she looked for the lady but couldn't find her, and she said it made her really sad and she thinks it was her mom." She whispered the last part.

I rinsed my mouth out and grabbed my towel to wash my face, taking in everything that she said.

"That's weird, she ain't never really brought her mama up."

"Well, she's getting older now, so I'm sure that crosses her mind from time to time, and that's most likely the reason she had a dream like that. But either way, I think she deserves an explanation as to what happened." She sat on the counter next to where I stood.

"She won't understand."

"Then break it down to her, you makin' excuses now." She tilted her head.

I let out a deep breath. "Ight, I'll talk to her about it. But not now, later."

"Fine by me, oh and all the guys are downstairs." She kissed my cheek.

"Is Trinity up yet?"

"Nope, I tried wakin' her up but she just groaned and swatted my hands away. I was trying to tell her that Ant wanted to talk to her b-"

I held my hand up and furrowed my eyebrows, thinkin' I was trippin'. "What you mean Ant wanted to talk to her? He called you?"

"You obviously don't listen, I told you the guys were downstairs." She rolled her eyes.

I stared at her for a moment. "So Trinity's brother, Antoine, is in this house...downstairs?"

"Bye." She turned and opened the door to walk out but I stopped her by grabbing her arm.

"Yesterday, a lot of shit happened. So I didn't think we'd be seeing his ass no time soon."

"I know, everything was explained this morning. So that's why you came in here that late?"

"Yes I had to go pick Trin up." I explained.

"Well you should've just said that, because I was plottin' yo death last night while you was sleep." She looked at her nails.

"But you fell asleep before me."

"That's what you think."

"You crazy, you know that?"

"Indeed." She smirked before walking out.

I pulled on some basketball shorts, and a white tee before making my way downstairs.

"Wassup everybody." I greeted.

"Brother!" Dijah ran up to me squeezing me in a tight hug.

I laughed and hugged her back. I looked at Ant, then to Trey and the rest of the guys.

Noticing the uneasy moment, Mo spoke up and asked the girls if they wanted to go to the mall.

"Actually," Trey spoke up, "I was thinking we took a family vacation. It's been too much shit goin' on, and I don't know about y'all, but I need a break."

Khadijah squealed and clapped her hands, while Mo smiled eagerly.

"Where would we go?" Mo asked.

"Cancun, in the morning. Everything already booked and paid for, so go get what y'all need cause we 'bout to be out."

The girls jumped up and down and ran upstairs I'm assuming to wake Trinity up.

I scratched my head and went to dap everybody up.

"Wassup bro." Ant stood up to dap me.

"Shit, but I'm confused. How-"

"Man when I was speeding the police end up gettin' behind me. So knowing them niggas was followin' me, I ducked off into an alley and hopped out. The dudes that was following me spotted my car and they hopped out they shit and got in my whip lookin' for me. But the police ended up catchin' up and caught them, thinkin' they was the ones in my car, and they was caught with weapons and drugs, them niggas in the hole." He shrugged.

"Damn, that's good shit. I was worried sick man, I was tryna figure out how I was gone find you and everything. But I guess God worked it all out."

"Fasho, but aye, them niggas had another thing comin' if they thought they was gone get me."

"What were they after you for?" Trinity popped up on the steps.

Ant was quiet once he saw the sad look on Trin's face.

"What? Cats got ya tongue? You was pissed at me for not telling you about a dumb ass nigga but you out here in some shit that almost got you killed." She walked down the steps. "So What was it? Drugs? Money?"

"Look, it's over now Trin."

"You right but what if something would've happened to you? Nobody would have a reason as to why? I ain't got nobody else so you would've up and left! Then what?!" Tears streamed down her face.

"I'm sorry, I-I jus-"

"You know what," she held her hands up in surrender, "it don't even matter, you a hypocrite. I don't know what has gotten into you lately but you ain't the same. We used to be so close and now I don't  even hear from you. So much for a bond that can't be broken huh?" And with that she walked back upstairs leaving Ant to stare at the ground.

"She gone be ight, she just mad right now, give her a little time." Mark chimed in.

Monique

"I can't wait to go on this trip! We really need this." I flipped through the racks in Victoria's Secret.

We all decided to go to the mall and find some clothes to wear on the trip. I have plenty of clothes at the house that Korie buys me, but he insists that I get more. Plus the tension in the house was really thick so it was best for us all to get some fresh air.

"You and Korie did anything yet?" Dijah asked out of no where.

I let out a chuckle before answering. "Uhm, for your information, yes we did.

"Well when the hell were you gonna tell me?" She threw a pair of underwear at me.

"I was going to eventually, lower your voice." I whispered since a few people started to stare and giggle.

"My bad, carry on." She motioned her hand to the people who were looking.

"It just happened two days ago." I smiled thinking about it. "It was that early morning after you went to jail, like four in the morning."

"Really? Awwww that's so cute, you finally got hit by a real nigga." She cheesed.

"Ugh, how is your sex life with Trey?" I asked to get the attention off of me.

"Girl I'm horny all the time now since I'm pregnant, but Trey doesn't wanna hurt the baby." She rolled her eyes.

"How far along are you now?"

"I'm only two months."

"Girl, Trey acting dumb now. The baby is barely there!" We laughed as we walked to the check out line.

"I know, he asked Siri the other day if we could have sex and it brought up a bunch of articles about sex and pregnancy, he's been really into that stuff."

"Well at least he cares, but I just know he gone cut up on this trip." I laughed and pulled out my wallet.

"Oh trust me, I know. That's how I got pregnant on the last trip foolin' with him."

We paid for our things and headed to the food court to meet up with the boys. Trinity was slowly trailing behind us, she hasn't been herself all day but I couldn't blame her.

"You okay?" I walked to Trinity and rubbed her shoulder.

She sighed and nodded. "I'm okay, I just feel, I don't know honestly. Do you think I'm blowing it out of proportion?"

"No, I think you're just being a caring little sister, as you should. But just know that even when it doesn't seem like it, they always got our best interest at heart. All of them. Yeah, sometimes they're a little stupid, and they do or say some stupid shit but, it's love." She smiled softly as we approached the table where the boys were eating.

"Took y'all long enough." Korie joked.

"We were shopping, and if I recall correctly you guys said to take as much time as we needed." I smiled widely holding up all of my bags.

"Damn, the numbers on my card probably faded out with all the swiping you did."

"I didn't even use your card crazy, I used my own money."

He looked at me and shook his head. "I told you to use mine though."

"You always buy me stuff, I wanted to buy my own for once. I'm a big girl Korie, I can handle it."

"We'll see how much you can handle, big girl." He sipped from his straw before standing up to throw his trash away.

I shook my head and bit off of Lyric's burger while she held it in her hand talking to Mark.

"Heyyyy." She looked up but giggled once she saw it was me.

"I can't have none of yo food?" I pouted.

"Yes you can Mo!" She shoved the burger in my face.

"I'm good love, I don't want anymore."

"Alright, let's head out everybody." Trey announced.

Everyone got up from the table and started moving towards the exit door.

"Wassup Caiymen." A female's voice sounded from the side of us.

"Oh shit, Tasha? Wassup, I ain't seen you since, what? Freshmen year of college? How you been?" He went in for a hug.

"I been good, I'm wor-" her words were cut short as she just stared at Lyric. "Oh- Lyric?" She ran towards her, but Lyric hid behind me.

"You're Tasha, as in...Korie Watts' babymama?" I asked in disbelief.

Tears slid down her face as she nodded her head. "Yes, that's my baby. That's my baby right there." She dropped to her knees and held her arms out.

Lyric looked up at me from behind my legs, waiting for my approval. I nodded my head and she slowly crept up to Tasha, but stopped midway. 

"What's goin' on?" Korie walked up.

"Uhm," I stretched my arm out towards Tasha, "Lyric's Mom?" I questioned.

Korie looked down at Tasha as she stared at Lyric, still crying. The look on his face was a mix of anger and confusion, and I stepped in and pulled him aside before he said anything out of the way.

"Baby, come here." I pulled his arm towards me and walked him over by the tables. "Is that Lyric's mom?"

"Yeah that's her. Where the fuck she come from? Why you let Lyric see her? She ain't want nothing to do with Lyric so she don't need to try to come in now." He ranted.

"I didn't let Lyric see anything, I didn't know that was her mom, she just came up to Caiymen and then she noticed Lyric."

He walked away from me and went to grab Lyric, since Tasha had managed to grab her into a hug.

"Well hello to you too Korie, how are you? I'm fine." She stated sarcastically.

"What you want, huh? Why you 'round here actin'?" He spat.

"This is a conversation that needs to be held in private. Don't you think?" She folded her arms.

"I don't." I stepped in.

She looked over to me and scanned me up and down, before turning her attention back to Korie.

"Look, I ain't about to do this in front of my daughter, but it's best if you leave before I snap."

"Leave? That's my child you're holding if you haven't noticed. I was young, things happened, I couldn't take care of a baby!"

"I couldn't either but I did!"

Tasha jumped back at his words and shook her head, before looking around the food court. "Don't make me turn this into a legal matter."

"Bit-"

"Okay, look, we're going on a vacation in the morning. But when we get back we'll meet with you and discuss this, but this isn't the time or the place."

She nodded her head. "Okay fine. You wanna take down my number?"

"Yeah." I pulled my phone out and handed it to her.

She typed in her number and saved it under Tasha Lovett before handing it back to me.

"I'll text or call you when we come back from our trip, Tasha."

"Okay, thank you."

I nodded as she walked away, I turned back to everyone and motioned for them to head out the door.

We all piled into the cars and headed back to Korie's house, I was in the car with Dijah, Trinity, Lyric and Mark and the ride was filled with music from Mark's 'gang banging' playlist.

"Okay, I'll see you later babes, I'm gonna go home and pack then me and Trey will be back to spend the night." Dijah said as she let us out.

"Okay, text me when you're leaving home because we need snacks."

"Bet." We laughed as I shut the door.

I got Lyric out the backseat since she had managed to fall asleep, and I lugged her into the house. I took her to her room and shut the door, before heading downstairs.

Korie was quiet, as expected, so I didn't even bother him, I just pulled my suitcase out of the coat closet and dragged it upstairs. Korie had put all of my bags from the mall in the room, so I just threw the clothes in my suitcase. I grabbed a few outfits out of the closet that I wanted to bring and folded them before throwing them in my suitcase.

"Where is my-" I looked around the closet for my Gucci slides, but failed to find them as I threw all the shoes around. "Hughhhh!" I yelled in frustration.

I sat in the middle of the closet floor and ran my hands through my hair. I looked around, and did a double take when my eyes came across a duffle bag.

Now normally, I'd mind my business, but something told me to see what was in that bag.

I crawled over to it and shook it first, it was heavy, but I ain't hear nothin' moving but I felt it.

I found the zipper and slowly unzipped the bag while peeking inside. My eyes grew wide once I got a full view of the inside of the bag. I sat there in disbelief before I took another look, I dug in the bag and counted them.

"Thirty six bags of cocaine."
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[A/N: Trey and the guys only sell