If you got somebody who will ride through thick & thin and hold it down for you, don't ever play them. You'll end up playing yourself. - Anonymous

A Week Later...

Atlanta, Georgia

Sidney Battle 

"Did you find it!" I question the repair man.

"Yea! The pipe burst, that's why you have a leak!" I shake my head, sighing in frustration. I have a water leak and the pipe just happened to be in my office. I came in this morning and my office was flooded, my merchandise is ruined and the new bundles had to be trashed. I had to close shop today. I never had this problem before.

"How much is this going cost me!" I question. The repair man steps down the ladder on the damp floor. He has a machine removing the flood.

"It's gone to costs you about a good nine hundred dollars, but I really suggest a new pipeline. Whoever sold you this place rigged you ma'am. Those pipes are about 100 years old and need replacing, or the flooding will happen again." He says, looking up at the whole in the ceiling.

I sigh in frustration, holding my head. This is a place of business that gets inspected every six months, and if my boutique isn't in good condition they'll shut me down. I can't have any more damages.

"Fine. Just replace the pipes, I'll pay the price. This boutique is very important to me." The guy nods, heading out to his truck and I enter my office. I travel over to the damp boxes, kicking them out into the salon area. 

I open the boxes, sighing in relief. The clothes aren't ruined thanks to the plastic their packed in. I know one time the factory shipped the clothing and it wasn't protected. Something had spilled on the box during shipment, and everything was ruined when it got here. I was so pissed. I called and complained to the factory, cursing them out. I'm glad to know they understood.

"Ms. Battle these came for you." My assistant Chanel coos, making her way towards me. I smile, bitting my lip as I take the flowers from her.

I laugh to myself, taking out the card with my name on it. I sit the flowers down on the front desk, grinning for days.  

Just thought I send some flowers to go with your chocolate. Get it? It's funny because you're the chocolate and you can't have chocolate without the flowers. Aw hell. I'm bad with romantic notes. Anyway, I miss you and can't wait to see you tonight. 

Your Secret Admirer,

K. D.❤️

P.S. And no it's not Kevin Durant. 
-___- 

I burst into laughter, putting the card back into the envelope. I swear when I'm down, Knight always knows how to make me laugh. It's the sweetest thing actually. That's what I love about him. No matter the situation, he always makes the best out of the situation. It's amazing. I wanted to call him, but I know he's at work so he can't answer the phone right now. It's 11:30 no so I don't have long.

"Do you need me to do anything Ms. Battle?" Chanel questions.

"Yea, I'm going to put the clothes and the conditioners in my car. But, I need you to go to Home Deport for me and get two boxes." 

"Ok, what sizes?" I look between the ruined boxes with pursed lips.

"A large and a medium." I confirm.

"Ok. I'll get right on that." She says, grabbing her keys. As she walks out, the repair man walks in with pipes and other things he needs. I know this is going to cost a pretty penny, and it sucks but it's needed. I take my phone out, looking up the price range shaking my head. I should sue the people that sold me this piece of junk. 

"We're closed." I tell whom ever walks through the door. I heard the bell go off so it notified me someone entered. 

"I can read chile. I'm not here to get my hair done. I got my own stylist." I furrow my brows, turning to none other then Sirod or whatever the hell she goes by now. I scoff in laughter, shaking my head.

"I don't hide outlaws." I chuckle, sitting down in a salon chair. Sirod walks over toward me, laughing as she puts her hands behind her back. I lean on the arm rest, resting my index finger on my temple with my thumb under my chin. 

"Funny. Real cute." She says sarcastically. I roll my eyes, dropping my hand to my lap.

"Can I help you?" I question annoyed. She looks around the place, laughing.

"Nice place you got here. Who'd fuck to get it?" She smirks. I laugh in amusement, sitting up in the chair.

"So I gotta sleep with someone to get what I want? I could of sworn I worked two jobs to pay for the two Ivy League schools I attended, not to mention a license class to get certified. Unlike you, I worked for what I accomplished honey. I didn't lay on my back and use a man like some people." I explain with attitude. Sirod gives me a fake smile as I just stare at her in annoyance. 

"You know, he doesn't love you." She laughs, opening a couple of drawers. I shrug, scoffing in laughter.

"Ok. We've only been dating a week. I'm not expecting to him to fall in love with me so fast. Especially since you put him through so much." I can tell I hit a nerve because she slammed a drawer, pointing a gun to my forehead. Her nose is flared and her eyebrows are knitted together in anger. I stare in her eyes of hate raising a brow because I'm not scared. My daddy, God rest his soul, told me never to be afraid of a coward. For they're more scared of you than you are of them. 

"You don't know shit about Knight and I's marriage ok! So stay in your fucking place!" She tells me, clocking the gun. I hop down out the chair, walking towards her as she backs up with each step I took.

"I didn't need to know what was going on in your marriage Sirod, you put that on yourself. You were the one telling your business to the streets, and the streets talk. That's what you failed to realized. You snitched on a man that took you away from your abusive mother at the age of 15. He did nothing but love you, gave you four wonderful kids, and you turn around and stab him in the back like that. He spent 25 years in a cell, missing his kids grow up. He missed birthdays and his last child being born. Both his parents are gone, so that left him with no one. I mean yea he has people from his crew to talk too, but he needed you! His wife! But you were too busy being a snake in the grass." I tell her. Sirod lowers her gun, standing in the entrance with tearful eyes.

I don't feel sorry for her not one bit. She's cold hearted, and I can't respect a woman like that. Betray the man that loves you, all over protection of your own mistakes. It's just horrible.

"Stay away from my family." She croaks.

"What family! You don't have a family anymore Sirod! You killed your father so he wouldn't snitch, your mother wants nothing to do with you nor does your kids! Knight is definitely through with you, so as far as I'm concerned those twins of yours are all you have." I explain to her. She scolds me and I scold her back, raising a brow. If she gone do something, then do it. 

"You're the reason why Knight is broken, and has barrier around his heart Sirod. I'm willing to break that barrier and pick up the pieces. I have been for a long time now, but I was sacred to come forward. I was afraid me might think I'm there to do more damage, and that he might think you sent me to watch him for you, but no. So if you came here to finally be a woman and kill me instead getting somebody else to do your dirty work, go a head."

I step back a few feet, raising my arms by my side waiting for her to pull the trigger. Instead, she rolls her eyes leaving out while storming to her car. I guess she didn't want my blood on her hands.

I'll just be glad when Mrs. Green gets rid of her ass. I guess she's trying to hide out in ATL now. I think she forgot her son is here. He'll handle her behind when and if it comes down to it. 

°°₩°°

Meanwhile in Baltimore...

Bricks...

"Bite down." I do as told.

"Ok let up, bite down again." I roll my eyes, doing it again.

"Ok and last one, bite down." Zee laughs as I huff in annoyance. I'm getting my x-rays taken by my dentist to make sure there isn't any damage done to my teeth from the wires being taken off. I have a tooth missing in the back but it was a wisdom that gotten knocked out. I'm glad though because I don't have to get that bitch removed. I was in a coma that whole time so I couldn't feel the pain. I woke up feeling them bitches though.

"Ok so it seems you might have to wear braces for about a month or two. Your teeth kind of shifted a little at the bottom, but it won't take that long to correct it. Are you willing to pay for the expenses or..."

"Yes...No." Zee and I say in unison. I look at her crazy as she gives me a look, putting her hand on her hip. I tell the doctor yea, smacking my lips.

"Ok, I'll have Andi set up a day and we'll see you then." Zee and I shake the dentist's hand, making our way out the office. We pick up the appointment slip on our way out the door, leaving. As we got in Zee's car, I look at my teeth in the side mirror smacking my lips.

"Why I gotta get braces man?" I question putting the top down to Zee's Bentley. She smacks my hand away.

"Ow!" I say to notify her that that's my healing hand she just hit.

"Don't touch Black Orchid. She don't like you." Zee sasses.

"What? I bought this car for you and it's hot as fuck!" I put the top down, shaking my head as I watch the wind blow through Zee's hair.

"I swear I liked it better when your mouth was wired shut." She mumbles to her self but I heard what she said. I chuckle, turning the radio up just to sing obnoxiously and make her even more mad.

"Friends and business don't mix so I'm brotherless
Tryna get back close, hit 'em with the stiff
Gears I shift, make sure they feel the drift
Just copped the Benzo with the tint
You should know cause in every song I said this shit
Yeah, in every song I said this shit
I'm just proud of my accomplishments
I'm a 4Hunnid nigga, I don't care at all
Have her suck dick, lick the head and all
Heard you talkin' 'bout I'm real, I'm fraud
Your kids and broad, they straight, you shouldn't care at all
Please, please tell me why you always hatin'
Why you hatin'?
Please tell me why you always hatin'
Please, please tell me why you always hatin'
Why you hatin'?" I rap to YG- Why You Hatin', throwing up gang signs as I got in her face. 

I could tell I was annoying her because she sighed heavily, keeping her focus forward. She also side eyed me, turning the radio off.

"Hol! Whatchu doing!" I whine, turning the radio back up. 

"Jefe we need to talk." I sigh heavily, turning the radio down. When she calls my government name, I know it's serious. 

"What do you wanna talk about Zee?" 

"Us, our future, the kids, us moving. We don't talk about theses things." She confirms. 

"Because you never wanna talk." I mumble, hunching my shoulders.

"What is that suppose to mean Bricks?" She questions in irritation.

"Exactly what I said. You never wanna talk." I scoff in laughter. She shakes her head, sighing deeply.

"I was looking at a couple houses and apartments. Three bedrooms of course. You know we have our room and the kids have theirs." I nod, looking out at the ocean as we drove down the highway.

"I want to move out of Baltimore Bricks. After this shit with my mom is over of course. It's clear people just starting shit to start-"

"How many niggas did you sleep with exactly?" I blurt out, turning my attention towards her. Zee grips the steering wheel, putting her hair behind her ear.

"Three. You, Tay and that guy you got into an altercation with at work some months ago." She admits.

"So why do people keep talking bad about you baby? You slept with three dudes in your life, most girls really be whoring out here." Zee shrugs as she takes an exit.

"I don't know. Maybe because I'm a former stripper, and I had to dance on multiple niggas and strip. The slut and whore rumors usually come from a job like that. Women like myself can never just be in the struggle, and trying to make it Bricks. It's always seen as something it's not. And then what's worst is if the guys pay you more for a little more skin, they think you're fucking them. That's never the case though." I shake my head, running my hands down my face. I know Zee isn't what niggas say she is. It's just makes me so angry that people won't respect her. I mean what man wouldn't get upset if someone is disrespecting their wife?

When Zee talked to me though, she was telling me right. Her past is her past, and as her husband that's where I should leave it. She was right about me entertaining these niggas though. They wanted to see me lash out, and beat they asses to laugh at me. Making a joke out of the shit, but this last fight opened my eyes. 

"I'm sorry about disrespecting you." I tell her. Zee nods, slapping me and I hold my face in shock. I turn to her as she's flips her hair over her shoulder.

"Fuck was that for? I thought we was cool?!"

"We are but your jaw is healed now, so I can slap the fuck out you like I wanted too in the first place. Now take that $25,000 ring off again, and Ima whoop ya ass! Got it?" She questions, raising her brow over her sunglasses.

"Yes ma'am." I shyly speak in embarrassment.

"Good...you hungry?" She cheerfully questions. I slowly nod, looking at her crazy ass. It ain't no mood swing either. Zee is really crazy at times, people just don't know it. After eating at Roscoe's, we head to my moms spot. Apparently that's where everyone is meeting to take down Sirod tonight.

I still can't believe she killed my pops man, well she got Leroy to do it. That's Sirod's problem. She always got somebody to her dirty work for her, never doing it herself. She a coward b, that's why my pops wouldn't protect her. I mean my pop would call connects, but at the end he did the job himself. That's why he was well respected. And the fact that he was gunned down on some fuck shit, angers me man. 

°°₩°°

Later That Night...

Viola... 

I take the cucumbers off my eyes, eating one as I feel the jet come to a halt. We've touched in Baltimore finally, I'm tiered as hell. The twins and I grab our bags, making our way to the door to leave. The door slowly  descends and I walk down the steps with the twins right behind me. Several cars pull up, stopping me in my tracks. 

"Mama what's going on?" Zade questions in fear. The back door opens and a leg, comes out the car. I see those heels that I remember, dropping my bags to the ground when the woman I thought I'd never see again stands to her feet smiling.

"Mama." I look around seeing Zee hop the car with her husband, the twins hop out the other car, my other three kids get out with Tommie and my heart drops when I see Knight get out with that bitch Sidney.

"Hello Viola." My mother smiles, smoothing down her dress. I look at all their faces, feeling the tears in my eyes.  

"What is this?" I question, feeling my breath hitch.

"Oh what is this? Why are all my enemies here standing in front of me? Why am I alone?" My mother teases, laughing afterwards. I frown in a scowl remembering the beatings she gave me. My leg began to shake as I tapped my thigh like I did as a child. 

"No one feels sorry for you Viola, we all know your tricks and schemes. You can drop the act. Sheesh, you sure no how to put a show on don't you?"

"I'm not putting on a show."

"So then what are you doing then huh? You not fooling nobody, you definitely not fooling me. I known you for 55 years."

"You don't know shit!" I exclaim, as my voice echoes through the night sky. I feel a hard sting across my face, turning around in shock at my mother scolded face.

"Curse at me again Viola! I dare you." She warns. I close my mouth, looking at her with tearful eyes as the twins console me.

"Always trying to play victim. Out here cutting a fool like you ain't have no damn home training, like I didn't raise you to be a fit parent!"

"But you didn't! You fucking abused me!" She steps to me, causing me to jump back.

"Bullshit Viola! I only hit you once and that was when I found out you were the hell pregnant at 15! I didn't want you making the same mistake I did aight! Yes I was wrong for doing it and blaming you for the lost of your twin, but I didn't want my child raising a child! You understand that?! I was a drunk and crack addict, I admit it! But abuse you like you did that child over there! Never!" I look over at Zee who looked dead at me in anger.

"You tried to hurt innocent people, all because of you past and your cowardliness. These people did nothing to you but love you! If you wanna be mad at anyone Viola, be mad at me not them." I clinched my fist, letting the tears fall. I'm really tired of every one right now to the point where I'm just about kill all the mafuckas that stand before me. I draw my pistol off my hip, clocking it but before I could shoot, Lisa comes out the dark shooting me right in the arm causing me to drop the gun.

"You son of a bitch!" I scream, holding onto my arm.

"Ryan or Ralieah get the gun and shoot them!" I pant sitting up. I hear the sirens nearing struggling to my feet, but Lisa shoots me in my kneecap.

"Fuck!" I scream again in tears. I feel the blood gush, looking to see Lisa staring down at me with full hatred. She kicks me in my face, spitting on me as I groan in pain.

"May Allah have mercy on your soul." She sobs, walking off. I struggle to my feet, grabbing my gun as I stood seeing the red and blue lights flash. I clock it, pointing it at Lisa's back but swiftly swing my direction to my mother. 

"Freeze drop the gun!" Multiple officers order. I sigh heavily, dropping the gun making a run for it. I feel somebody tackle me like a brick wall causing pain to my body. When I look I see its Knight, hearing laughter from everyone that stood and watched. 

"Damn! You got knocked the fuck out!" Sidney teases, laughing hysterically. I sigh heavily, dropping my head back down to the ground in defeat.

"Good job baby." An officer helps me up, handcuffing me and the twins as well. I get out in the back of an ambulance, and the twins get put in the back of a cop car. Damn this is some shit.

Zee...

I felt arms wrap around me as I stare at Ryan and Lia shaking my head. I was really wondering how I slept on everything. These two bitches in my face laughing and shit, and they're my sisters trying to kill me. The bullshit. 

"You good?" I nod, turning around towards Bricks kissing him.

"I'm just glad the war is over." He nods, rubbing my back.

"Same. I guess we found out the truth huh?"

"Yea. She needs help. Forreal. She killed people all for nothing. Her father so he wouldn't snitch, she killed Tyrone because he wouldn't protect her. Put my father behind bars for the murder of Brannon's father. It's just too much. She's a psycho." 

"She really is though. I'm just glad she won't be in the kids lives." I nod, as we kiss again with passion. I swear I missed a month of this, and I know he missed this too. 

"Get a room!" I hear my father say causing everyone to laugh. Bricks and I both laugh, pulling back turning our heads in his direction.

"Can we borrow yours?" Bricks says.

"You