Rhyme sat front and center at Marquise's funeral as a close friend of his son spoke about him. There could definitely be some good things said about the young man, but also some bad. That goes for anybody though. Rhyme was even more surprised that the man who was under the impression he was his father for years showed up as well as Marquise's half siblings.

It was just crazy to him that an 18 year old that had so much to look forward to, took his own life. Rhyme stared at the blown up picture of Marquise placed right by his casket not hearing a word being said.

Rhyme felt more bad for Marquise than he had before after finding out his entire story. It was bad enough that woman touched on him, but for her to touch her own child? Disgusting! And Rhyme was hoping she was burning in hell right now.

After the burial was over Rhyme shook people's hands and had short conversations with them even if he didn't know them. While he did that Tyree slipped away walking down the gravel road to another part of the cemetery. When he saw the gravestone that read Omari Tyrell Jackson he kneeled down sticking the flowers into the ground. He quickly glanced at his father's gravestone, but went right back to looking at his brothers.

Out of all of Tyree's siblings, Omari was the only one who shared both the same mother and father. After all, their father and his mother were the only ones to ever have a "real" relationship. They were terrible for each other due to their father being her pimp, but it resulted in two children. Omari was only a year older than Tyree and his best friend. He was the closest to him until he died at the age of 16.

Before the Jackson family had all of this money from Rhyme's "hard work" they had nothing. They were struggling living in Rhyme's car or going from motel to motel while he pimped. Living like that comes with danger. One night they were sleeping in the car like any other night just the three of them when a drugged out homeless man tried to break into the car.

Omari was the first to wake up and realize what was going on. He tried to make the man go away even getting out of the car. Next thing you know the enraged, coked up homeless man stabbed him multiple times with a makeshift shank. Tyree would never forget that night. To this day he still blames himself for not waking up, but Tyree is a heavy sleeper. Rhyme blamed himself right along with Tyree because he was supposed to be the care taker, the provider, the protector.

After that Rhyme became merciless with his grind. He didn't want anything happening to Tyree next. He was tired of sleeping in cars and having nights of going to bed hungry. Pimping was the best, first option. Little did he know pimping would turn him into a multimillionaire. He had to step on a lot of toes a long the way, but he didn't care. As long as he wasn't starving anymore and him and his brother were good financially, he didn't care. He didn't care if you were best friends or family he was going to get it at any cost.

Tyree kneeled down tracing his hand over his brothers gravestone as he began to speak to him. He didn't care if he looked crazy. These little conversations he had with his brother made him feel at peace, especially with everything currently going on.

"The spring semester is about to start. I passed all my classes for the fall semester. I even got an A on that project I did with Harmony. You remember her? We got back together. I have no idea what I'm doing though. There's this other girl named, Royalty..." Tyree sighed then stood up straight looking at the sky.

"I just need a sign that what I'm doing is the right thing, Omari. With just everything. This whole Harmony, Royalty situation. This thing against Rhyme because it all feels wrong. Very wrong! Give me a sign and I'll do the right thing. I swear I will." Tyree looked around as only the trees moving from the wind could be heard. Tyree didn't know what he should be expecting. He was expecting for a thunder storm to suddenly roll in like in the movies or something.

"Tyree?" When he looked over his shoulder and saw Rhyme approaching he turned back around looking up at the sky. To Tyree that was a sign he should tell his brother the truth. "Oh, you already put flowers on his. I guess I'll put these on Pop's," Rhyme said kneeling down putting the flowers in front of their fathers gravestone.

Rhyme stood up straight stuffing his hands into his pockets looking off into the distance. Tyree looked over at Rhyme and could see he's been going through it. First he was arrested then his son kills himself. What's next? Tyree was beginning to think that should be enough. It was one thing to do that, but at some point it's going too far. Especially for some damn money. Tyree never cared about money or material items, so why start now?

Tyree cleared his throat saying, "I have something I need to tell you..." Rhyme looked over at his younger brother. Ever since that fight they had a long time ago, they haven't been the same. They've been barely speaking to each other. "What's up?" Rhyme asked. "Let me start off by saying, I only did it because I was mad. It wasn't my idea, but I helped and-"

Before Tyree could get out his next word a male voice said, "There y'all are. I guess we all had the same idea." Tyree and Rhyme turned around to see Dareon approaching holding a bouquet of flowers. Tyree's heart rate slowed down as Dareon stepped up putting the flowers on the ground. Dareon and Tyree exchanged a look as Tyree just sighed facing forward.

Tyree began to whistle as he stuffed his fingers into his pockets. It was awkward to say the least. "I gotta go. I have to go handle some business. Stay up, bruh." Dareon said dapping Rhyme. Dareon moved to Tyree next dapping him then pulling him in. "Keep your mouth shut," Dareon whispered before letting Tyree go. Tyree glared at Dareon as he walked off.

They continued to stand there quietly after Dareon left until Rhyme said, "You ever wonder what he would be doing right now if he was still alive? Maybe in school like you or already owning a business like Dareon."

Tyree just kept quiet because he thought about it everyday. Tyree and Omari would be making music together. Tyree would like to think he had a good singing voice, but Omari had one just as good or maybe even better. Surprisingly, they both got there angelic singing abilities from their mother. Before the drugs she had the voice of an angel. Omari was the reason Tyree was so determined to make it big with his music.

Tyree was about to say something, but stopped quickly turning his head after hearing the crunching of leaves. When he saw a white male approaching wearing a suit he nudged Rhyme asking, "Who's that?" Rhyme turned around shrugging then responding, "I don't know. Never seen him in my life." At a level the man could hear Rhyme yelled, "What's up? Who are you?"

The man held up some sort of badge saying, "I'm Detective Greene." Rhyme and Tyree both exchanged a look as he stepped closer. "I just wanted to have a word with you, Rico and you too since you're here," he said looking at Tyree. He stopped in front of the both of them saying, "We've been investigating your sons death-" Rhyme cut him off saying, "For what? It was a suicide."

"I know. We just couldn't help ignore the fact that this is the second suicide tied to your family," he said putting suicide in air quotes. "First your wife's sister and now your son. We're starting wonder if these are really even suicides." Rhyme gritted his teeth saying, "Are you fucking serious?! I just buried my son today and you're going to come to me with this bullshit!"

The man did a curt smile saying, "I'm sorry for your loss. I am, but I'm just doing my job and apart of my job is finding out what happened to Marquise and even Sarita. After reviewing the evidence it seems as if someone was in the room with your son when he did it. That's the only reason we're still looking into his death. You were recently arrested and your business isn't exactly baking cookies. It can get a little dirty and you might want some people out of your way. Just know, we're watching you, Rico."

At that the detective walked away. Rhyme blew out air in disbelief shaking his head. "They got some fucking nerve! Where's the got damn sympathy?! They couldn't wait another fucking day or something." Tyree patted Rhyme's shoulder saying, "I know. Don't worry about him. They don't have shit to even try to pin this stuff on you." The more Tyree looked at Rhyme the worse he felt about what they were doing. He had things coming at him every which way.

"I need to tell you something," Tyree said once again. He didn't care what Dareon had to say. He needed to tell Rhyme. Maybe not everything, but at least warn him. Rhyme lifted his head looking at Tyree saying, "Don't tell me you know something or were involved in what happened to Marquise or even Sarita." Tyree shook his head saying, "No. It has to do with Romeo."

"Romeo?" Rhyme asked arching his brow. That's a name he hasn't heard in awhile. That made him realize Romeo has been quiet lately. Where has he been? Rhyme wondered. It was like Romeo was finally satisfied with the amount of money Rhyme gave him, took it then left. He was glad because Romeo was a nuisance to Rhyme. "Yeah, just know I only did it because I was mad about you stealing from my cut. He's been plotting against you."

"Plotting?" Rhyme asked. "Plotting as in how?" "Plotting to steal money from you. I kinda told him about the secret room in the brothel and let him in, so he could steal money." Before Tyree knew it Rhyme was tackling Tyree to the ground. As Tyree fell back onto the moist leaves Rhyme got on top of him. Tyree tried to dodge Rhyme's punches saying, "I'm sorry! Why the fuck do you think I'm telling you! I feel bad!"

"Hey! Hey! Stop!" Royalty yelled running over. She pulled on Rhyme trying to get him to stop, but she's only so strong compared to a grown man. "Stop it! You're in a cemetery for crying out loud!" Royalty yelled as Rhyme finally got up. Tyree continued to lay on the ground until Royalty helped him up. "Fighting on some people's grave? Really?" She asked as Tyree stood up wiping the blood from his lip. Both Tyree and Rhyme looked at the headstones of their father and brothers grave. She was right.

"How could you be so fucking stupid!" Rhyme yelled aggressively poking the side of Tyree's head. "Huh?!" Tyree wiped his lip saying, "I felt bad for him. He told me what you did to him and I could relate. Don't act like you're innocent in all of this. You partly brought it on yourself. Maybe if you would just treat people right..."   "I don't give a damn! You didn't have the right. It's MY money!"

And right then Tyree was thinking maybe he shouldn't have told Rhyme anything. Tyree slightly laughed saying, "Your money? Part of that money is MINE too! Money you fucking stole from your own brothers. Dareon, Romeo AND me! All we did was take what was rightfully ours. Just for that I'm not even gon tell yo ass what you have coming to you. It'll be a surprise! How bout that!" Tyree said storming off spitting the left over blood out of his mouth.

Rhyme stood there frustrated as Royalty just stood there confused. She looked at Rhyme seeing the anger in his eyes saying, "Uhh, I'll leave you alone." She quickly ran behind Tyree leaving Rhyme there alone. He kicked the ground stuffing his hands in the pockets of his slacks walking off to nowhere in particular. All he knew was that he is going to get back at Romeo in the worst way possible. One thing you don't do when it comes to Rhyme is fuck with his money...

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"I can't believe he actually bought you this...And that it's finished so fast.." Saniye said walking around as she looked at the same time. "Me either," Lola said tidying something on the table up. Her new beauty bar was now complete and decorated. She couldn't believe it even while standing in its beauty.

The truth was Rhyme had so much other stuff going on, Lola was able to complete it before he had the chance to snatch it back. All that was left to do was hire employees then open this place up. She didn't know when that would be with everything going on, but she wanted it to be as soon as possible.

When Lola heard the bell on the door indicate someone was coming in she furrowed her brows. Looking towards the door she saw Tyree storm in like a bat out of hell as Royalty followed behind. "I guess I should lock the door," Lola mumbled. "What the hell happened to you?" Lola asked as she approached Tyree who had a busted lip. Not saying anything to her he sat down as Royalty responded saying, "Him and Rhyme got into a fight at the damn cemetery."

"The cemetery? Over what?" Lola asked as she locked the door. Lola felt bad about Marquise, but not bad enough to go to his funeral. He still raped her sister resulting in her suicide. Lola had the thought that he was so guilty for what he did, he took his own life too.

She walked back over sitting in the chair next to Tyree. She grabbed his face turning his head towards her so she could see the damage. "Damn," she mumbled as Tyree sat there angrily. "Royalty, can you go get him an ice pack?" Royalty made a stank face continuing to sit there. She still wasn't fucking with him even if she did break up the fight. For a second she thought she should've let Rhyme beat his ass.

Lola should've expected that. Lola sighed saying, "Can you, Saniye?" "Do you have ice packs here?" Lola shook her head saying, "No, I guess I don't. Go up to the CVS pharmacy on the corner." Saniye said okay standing up from her chair putting her Chanel boy bag on her shoulder. "I'm coming," Royalty said shooting up following behind Saniye. "Little sis, following big sis." Saniye said putting her arm around Royalty as they walked out. Nobody could get over the fact that they're sisters.

Once they finally left Lola asked, "So are you gonna tell me what happened?" Tyree smacked his lips saying, "I was gonna tell Rhyme the truth. Well, I did. At least that Romeo was plotting against him and that he stole some money from him and he attacked me. I was expecting that, but then this nigga started screaming about my money this and my money that. I didn't tell him anything else. All that nigga cares about is his stolen money, so it can get stolen right back for all I care."

"Rhyme is just like these cracka land stealers. Will steal from you then act like they're doing you a favor," Tyree continued. Lola couldn't help but chuckle. "All he had to do was tell us his vision and ask for the money. We're brothers, we would've given it to him. No, instead he goes behind every bodies back stealing and lying. Fuck ass nigga! Tell Romeo to keep laying low because I know Rhyme is gonna be looking for him now."

Lola nodded her head saying, "I will. You didn't tell him any of our other plans? I just don't know.." Lola pushed her hair out of her face sighing. "Naw. Well, you need to know. Quit flip flopping. That ain't a good look. It makes you look untrustworthy." "I just don't think this is worth it. It's gonna get ugly," she said shaking her head. "It's already ugly. We're just the middle men. I say we sit back and let Romeo and Rhyme destroy each other. Either way, me, you, Dareon and Saniye will be okay. They're more worried about each other than us."

"What are you saying?" Lola asked furrowing her eyebrows. "I'm saying we should be playing both sides. When it's all said and done, whether it's Romeo or Rhyme standing last, we'll be okay money wise. It's like basketball. All we have to do is ride the bench. Whether we're in the game or not, we still get paid and we still win the championship. I know you love both of them, so use that to your advantage."

Lola sat there taking in everything Tyree was saying. "So get in good on both sides?" Tyree nodded his head, "Exactly! Make both of them trust you. It's already working. You have Romeo wrapped around your finger and Rhyme bought you this place. Somebody's gonna walk away from this situation financially good and you wanna be walking with them. Whether it's Rhyme or Romeo."

There was a pause of silence then Tyree said. "This is bigger than money. This is about freedom. Rhyme can't keep trying to run our lives, holding us prisoner to him and his money. We have the upper hand now, Lo. It's our money and we're gonna get it...At any cost and by any means necessary."

Lola still sat there silent. All she could think about is what Rhyme told her a week ago.

Rhyme told her about him running a prostitution ring. She didn't know if she should tell anyone else, especially Romeo because she knew he would use that against Rhyme. That could mean Rhyme going to jail. Little did she know, Romeo already knows. And with the help of Hendrix, Rhyme being in legal trouble would come sooner than later...

Omari in the mm💞

Rhyme knows about what Romeo's doing. What do you think will happen next?

Comment / Vote🤑💸