I wore black because I liked it. I still do, and wearing it still means something to me. It's still my symbol of rebellion -- against a stagnant status quo, against our hypocritical houses of God, against people whose minds are closed to others' ideas. – Johnny Cash

2 Days Later...

Sirod/Viola

Rio De Janeiro, 8:45am... 

I throw different clothes around in drawers, sighing is aggravation. I told Leroy to do one fucking job, and he couldn't even do that shit. All I wanted was Bricks dead. Why the fuck would he try to rape my daughter? That's what I'm confused about. Since the incident, the feds have been driving around Baltimore looking for me. But the girls and I had already left. 

I knew Leroy would snitch eventually, but it's all good. He's getting his revenge. I flop down on the bed, looking out at the balcony of Rio. Until things die down, I guess this will be the safest bet right now.

My phone rings causing me to jump and I see its an unknown number. Furrowing my brows, I ignore it sighing heavily as I shake my head. I then get a text, reading it and I knew exactly who it was from.

Unknown: You can run but you can't hide Viola.

°°₩°°

Meanwhile Back In Baltimore...

Zee...

Sitting front row of the church, I watch as people approach Tyrone's casket. Some showed silent sorrow, while others sniffled and cried. I came in Cornelius place since it wasn't safe for me to be at the hospital anymore. Cornelius said he couldn't come see his father like this. I was still clueless to what had happened. Connor, Lisa nor Cornelius told me how Tyrone died. All I know is that he's dead.

"We are gathered here today for the mourning of a loss, the loss of Tyrone Anthony Gomez." The priest says as I look down in my lap saddened. The only person on my mind right now is Bricks. He hasn't moved or showed sign of recovery yet and I miss him. It's like he's not even here anymore.

Feeling myself getting worked up, I remove myself from the pew making my way to the bathroom. I didn't want to cry because my make up would smear and show the hideous bruises underneath. The swelling had went down thank God, now it's just this bruises taking their time to disappear.

After calming myself down, I leave out the church, squinting my eyes from the beaming sun. It's a beautiful day, but on the inside its like a storm or hurricane hit. I sit down on the stone step, taking my phone out my purse to occupy my time. I began to pay Subway Surfer, hearing the hinges of the door squeak behind me.

The person sits beside me and I look over seeing Kyle. Hearing the officer on the game scream Hey, I put attention back towards the game. But I was too late. A train smacked right into me, causing me to lose the game. Kyle laughs shaking his head.

"My fault. Did I make you lose?" He smiles. I smile back, shaking my head no. I then knit my eye brows, jolting my head back.

"What are you doing in here?" I question.

"Well my pop is the funeral director, and he needed me here to drive the hearse. His paid driver had gotten sick some how. So I had to fill in for him." I nod in understanding, playing with my thumbs in my lap.

"Daddy I'm bored." A little girl whines. I look between the two confused.

"That's your daughter?" I question a little shocked.

"Yea. Raelynn come here." Kyle tells her. Raelynn walks across the dirt to Kyle with a frowned face. It is hot as hell out here, not to mention sticky. The southern weather is always the worst in the summer. You never wanna do anything or even attempt to.

"Raelynn this is an old friend of mine. Her name is Zee, Zee this is my daughter Raelynn." We both wave at each other as she moves her long curly hair out her face. She looks just like Kyle in the face. They have the same skin complexion and everything.

"Does mommy know about this friend daddy?" Raelynn questions, with her hand on her hip. I burst into laughter as Kyle shakes his head.

"Yes Ms. Grown. Your mother knows Zee. Here, go play Angry Birds or something." He says handing her his phone. She kisses his cheek, skipping off down to the swing that hangs on a branch.

"You and Rochelle?" I question. He nods, leaning his arms on his knees.

"Are y'all still together?" 

"Nah. She doing her thing, and I'm doing mine. We're good friends though. She's not one of those ghetto baby mamas. Thank God." I nod in understanding. Rochelle was always classy, I think that's what drew Kyle to her. She carried herself well, wasn't about the drama. She just didn't like me for some reason, I guess she thought Kyle and I were messing around. But we weren't.

"Congratulations on your little ones by the way." I furrow my eyebrows confused. How does he know I'm pregnant? I didn't tell him not once. I stand to my feet, walking down the steps suspiciously with a tilt of my head.

"You work for Sirod?" I question. Kyle looks at me confused.

"Who?"

"Don't play dumb with me Kyle, how do you know I'm pregnant! I never told you-"

"My mom told me. She's your OBGYN. She said she told you about my brother and I, but you were too excited to comprehend she guessed. I didn't mean to scare you though. Are you ok? You seem tense." I look around embarrassed as I felt the tears rush to my eyes. Since the incident, I've been keeping my guard up heavy. It's hard to trust anybody right now.

"Zee?" Kyle calls concerned. I sob in my hands as I feel him rub my back, sitting me down on the steps where we were before.

"It's just so much going on right now Ky. I don't know who to trust and not to trust, so excuse me if I come off a little uneasy or snappy. I need to be cautious." I sniff, shaking my head as I got a tissue out my purse. Kyle removes his hand from my back as I blow my nose.

"Word on the street it's a lot of shit going on. I don't know if you believe in God, but prayer fixes things. As long as you pray and have faith Zee, everything will be fine. Trouble don't last always." Kyle preaches.

I nod, wiping the tears that fell from my eyes staring into space. I never been to church in my life, like to hear the word. I know there is a God. He was there with me through everything, and still is. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him. I pray but I don't know if I do it right. Someone once told me you don't have to know how to pray to talk to God.

Kyle gets up from off the step, patting my shoulder as he called Raelynn to go with him.

"We're going to get something to eat. You coming?" Kyle questions. I think about it for a while, shaking my head no. I better stay here, I should be inside supporting my family right now. I watch as Kyle drives off, standing to my feet entering back into the church. As I enter, all eyes are on me, and it just made me even more nervous than I already am. I look at some of the faces, some scolding and others disgusted. I mean I don't know why the hate is real right now, but it is what it is.

I take my seat next to Connor, laying my head on his shoulder as I stare at the black and gold trimmed casket. I could tell this was going to be a long day, and it's only 11:30 right now. I just wanna be by Bricks, but I know Connor won't be ready to leave until after the repass.     

°°₩°° 

After collecting my food in my tray, I have a seat all the way in the back with Kyle and Raelynn. I don't feel comfortable sitting with anyone else right now, considering whispering and dirty looks were parading around. Connor and Lisa are standing at the door, thanking people who give their condolences. I begin to eat my food as Kyle and Raelynn laugh and talk. 

"Zee." Raelynn calls. I raise my brows in response.

"How old are you?" She questions.

"You're not suppose to ask a lady her age Rae. We talked about this. What is it called?" He questions.

"Respect daddy. But she's not old." She whispers causing me to laugh. Kyle couldn't help but laugh himself.

"It's ok Ky. I'm 23." I tell her.

"Ooooo. You're the same age as daddy!" I laugh and nod, forking some greens off my tray.

"My daddy is very nice, and respectful. You're very pretty and he's a handsome guy." Raelynn says, doing a little shoulder dance and bouncing her brows. I burst into laughter, shaking my head. She such a sweetheart though, just like Kyle.

"Raelynn go play or something." Kyle tells her annoyed. 

"But daddy you need a friend." Raelynn pouts.

"Well Zee is married, and I'm not looking for a friend right now." Kyle chuckles.

"Oh well thats simple, get a divorce!" Raelynn smiles.

"Bye!" Kyle tells her. Raelynn smacks her lips, hopping down off the chair as I laugh. Kids really be on they stuff though. They speak the truth definitely, but sometimes they get out of hand. The rest of the time, Kyle and I converse until it's time to go. I get in the car with Connor as we take a silent ride to the hospital. I guess I'll stay up there a couple hours until it's time for me to go. 

°°₩°°

2 Weeks Later...

Knight...

"Ok Mr. Dubois, take one step." Dr. Boyd coaches. I nod, taking a step hissing in pain. I have to go through therapy for six months to get my leg right, but it won't take that long to heal. I started a week after my surgery. I have plates in my leg to help the process of faster healing of my bones reconnecting.

"Aw shit now, Knight gone be out of here in no time." Brannon chuckles.

"I took one step." I chuckle.

"Well nigga that's a start." B concludes. I nod holding onto the bars to hold myself up for support. After an hour of therapy, I was finally done. They tried to get me to sit in a wheel chair but I refused. I just wanted to walk even though I am limping.

Exiting off the elevator, I see this beautiful female who has to be in her mid thirty's early forty's. Her skin is about my complexion, chocolate little thing. The black dress she has on is exposing her curves, and she looks classy. Way more mature than any woman I ever laid eyes on. I wanted to spit game, but she's not gonna wanna talk to my old cripple ass. She might think I'm crazy. Or a creep.

"Knight?" She calls in question. I stop at my door, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. I turn around as she fiddles with her fingers in front of her shyly. She's beautiful as hell.

"Mr. Dubois. Oh God I feel the puke." She gags, causing me to laugh. I place my hand on her shoulder telling her to calm down.

"Hey, hey calm down. It's cool ma, I ain't no celebrity or nothing." I chuckle.

"You are in my eyes though." She mumbles, as her cheeks turn red. I laugh raising a brow.

"Ok, where is Ashton Kutcher at because this is a joke." I tell her, looking up and down the hall. She giggles shaking her head no.

"Not a joke at all. I um. I'm S.B., Sidney Battle." She extends her hand to me. I take her hand in mine, kissing her knuckles as I look straight in her eyes. I could hear her breathe nervousness through her lips, she swallowed anxiously looking at the back of her hand star struck. I couldn't help but to laugh and smirk. 

"Knight Dubois, nice to finally meet you. So you're my secret admirer. Huh? Sending little kiss lipstick stained notes with flowers." I chuckle, folding my arms across my chest as I lean on the door frame of my room. Sidney nods and smiles, putting her hair behind her ear, looking down at the floor.

"Yea. I was in town today, and figured I'd show my face. I'm not really good with telling guys I like them up front." I nod in understanding, lifting her head so she could look at me. I raise a brow with a slight chuckle, pointing to myself.

"So you like me? Rusty old, 6'8" tall, gray beard and wild hair me?" She nods, with a mhmm escaping her vocals.

"That's funny because I was going to approach you. But then I thought you might think I'm an old fart, whose a creep trynna holla, and spray my ass with pepper spray." I hunch my shoulders as she laughs shaking her head no.

"I would of let you spit game." She chuckles causing me to laugh. I furrow my eyebrows, telling her to follow me in the room. My leg was beginning to ache, and I don't want the stitches to pop. I already over did it today.

"Got damn!" Brannon admires Sidney.

"Get out." I tell him, sitting down on the bed. He smacks his lips, murmuring words under his breath. He grabs the door handle saying, "You got a sister?"

"Go!" Sidney and I both tell him in unison. I look at her laughing. Why was she mad though?"

"Sorry." She mumbles, standing beside me.

"Wanting me all to yourself?" I smirk. She laughs, doing the so so wave with her hand causing me to laugh again.

"Young guys irritate me. I never liked guys my age since I was 21. They're immature and confusing." She shakes her head, sighing after.

"Bad relationship?" I question. She nods.

"Yea. He was so disrespectful towards me. Cheated on me on some shit, so I broke up with him. I don't do second chances. You break my heart, and that's you ass." She scoffs, causing me to smile.  

"You from Gerogia?" I chuckle.

"Yea." She giggles, sitting beside me. "When I'm upset my accent escapes even more." She smiles, looking down at the floor again. 

"Yea so how'd you find me if you live all the way in The Peach State?" She laughs, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"I have a boutique down here and a condo. So I read news articles and things of that nature. You gave back to so many communities and you had a Boy and Girls Club being built to keep the kids off the street. Until you know, your ex made a bad rep for you. I always dreamt of meeting you one day. Not because you're a thug but because you have a heart. And I know your ex-wife hurt you, she was never shit even set you up but can I be honest with you?" I nod, laying back as she helps me put my legs up on the bed.

"If I had a man as loyal as you were to her, I wouldn't dare mistreat you like she did. It's hard to find a man who will take care of theres, and treat his woman with respect. Especially from a man who had no father figure and watched his mother struggle with a cent in her pocket." I study her for a minute mesmerized. How does a total stranger know so much about me and cares for me more than anyone else who does love me?

"Where have been yo?" She laughs innocently, playfully rolling her eyes.

"Waiting for you to get out! It was about time they let you go after 25 years! I was starting to think I'd never get to meet you." She pouts causing me to laugh. 

"So damn you're shy at times, funny, sassy, loyal, headstrong, hate being double crossed with a good head on your shoulders. Oh let's me not forget, sexy as hell with yo coco self." She covers her mouth in hardy laughter, as I lay my head back chuckling.

"So you know me, but I think it's time for me to get to know you. I wanna know more about you." I tell her, pulling the chair Brannon was sitting in, over to the bed. Sidney nods, taking a seat as I smiled.

This is weird because I'd never thought I'd have a fan on the street, or that anyone has seen the good I done for Baltimore. I mean Baltimore knew, but not other cities. I can tell she's a loyal person, I can see through the real and fake now more than ever since snake ass Viola stepped into my life. 

I gotta make sure I don't get side tracked though. Viola is in Rio now hiding. That's because she knows I can't come after her because of my broke ass leg, but I got somebody out there watching her. One of my people came through. It won't be long before we get her ass. Soon as she land back in Baltimore. I just hope I don't get distracted.

What do y'all think about Sidney so far? Is she right for Knight?👀

And Sirod is running.