Weeks had passed and seemingly things had calmed down. Only because everybody was staying to themselves. The most you could get out of anybody were glances, side eyes and dry responses. Rhyme and Lola weren't sleeping in the same bed. Instead he was sleeping with Karina. Rhyme was also running the brothel with his brother. He knew if he didn't compromise, money would be at stake. Tyree and Sarita didn't speak. It was just awkwardly silent car rides to and from school. They were both just trying to finish the fall semester strong. Tyree was avoiding Royalty by using school and studying as his excuse. And Saniye was ducked off with her man, Dareon trying to avoid being involved with her sisters messiness.

Saniye walked through Bang's strip club as the noise of her heels clicking caused the employees to stare. She got a couple of eye rolls from women who have either fucked Bang in the past or wanted to in the future. Ever since her and Bang started dating he had her hiring and overseeing the dancers and female bartenders. Saniye quickly became the most hated and with good reason. Niya was a lot stricter than Bang, but it made his club run smoother. Bang was glad he had her.

Saniye walked upstairs towards his office. She was about to open the cracked door but when she heard a familiar voice she stopped. She new right off bat the strong L.A. county accent was Rhyme's. Instead of going in she decided she'll wait. She wasn't necessarily trying to listen but it was hard not to when the door was cracked. "I think it's time I give Lola the boot. We just haven't been seeing eye to eye. She's acting crazy."

Saniye shook her head continuing to listen. "Because of the new chick you moved in? That chicks a good 7 and Lola's a strong 10. Scratch that, infinity. I'd think twice. You just gonna kick Lola and Sarita out on their ass?" Rhyme groaned saying, "She has plenty of money saved up. Then that way I can also get rid of that little ass girl, Royal. She can take her ass with her." Dareon chuckled saying, " I don't think that's her name and you ain't right. Have you ever heard it's cheaper to keep her."

"You might be right. For her to stay after what happened...I should be happy she didn't leave." Rhyme said blowing out air. "What happened?" Dareon asked. When Saniye's phone fell from her hand making a loud thud she mumbled, "shit!" under her breath picking it up. Rhyme's ears immediately perked up putting him in alert making him ask, "You hear that?" "Nope," Dareon said spinning around in his office chair. The truth was Dareon knew Saniye was out there.

Saniye waited a few seconds then tapped on the door before entering. When she entered the room Rhyme looked her up and down wondering where the hell she's been at. "What you doin' here?" He asked looking at her then Dareon. "You could've told me yourself you quit at the brothel and you haven't been home in like 2 months." Saniye rolled her eyes saying, "I quit. I just told you, there. And I moved out." Rhyme looked at her surprised still not putting two and two together. Rhyme would never think they were together because he was under the impression they hated each other.

"That still doesn't explain why you're here..." Rhyme said looking her over. Saniye gripped the strap of her Chanel boy bag getting annoyed. She didn't understand why they had to hide it from him. Rhyme is Dareon's brother not father. He's a grown ass man with his own home and business. "I work here now. As a bartender," Saniye lied. "Got tired of hoing, huh? I know that pussy was tired," Rhyme said getting up smoothing his clothes out. Saniye looked at Dareon wishing he would say something in her defense, but nothing.

"I guess I'll see you tonight when I come through then. Don't expect a tip though. I'm out," Rhyme said dapping Dareon then leaving. Saniye immediately shut the door saying, "You just let him talk to me any kind of way?!" Dareon sighed saying, "If I would've defended you he would've got suspicious." "Who gives a flying fuck!?" Niya yelled turning in a circle. "I'm sick of this. Grow some balls. Quit being a bitch!" Dareon calmly replied by saying, "Chill the fuck out."

That was one thing Saniye hated about Dareon...He was too calm. It took a lot to make him mad. Saniye laughed looking down. Dareon knew that wasn't good. Anytime she did that she was either going to say or do some crazy shit. "You know what?...I'm so over this. Either you tell Rico and give me a percent in the strip club or I'm done." Dareon was absolutely right because that statement was completely crazy. "Ha ha! My nigga you funny," he said laughing dramatically.

"I'm dead serious. I have no income because I decided to listen to you and quit. You want me in your life, you gotta make sure I'm straight money wise." Dareon looked at her sideways saying, "And I do that. I buy that spoiled ass of yours whatever you want!" Saniye laughed, "A couple of designer bags ain't nothin'. I want more. I want a partnership." Dareon stood up beginning to fix things around his office saying, "You gotta earn that, baby girl."

Saniye licked her teeth nodding her head up and down. "Alright, I'll remember that." She started for the door but Dareon followed. When she tried to open it he slammed it back shut making her trapped between him in the door. "Where the fuck you going?" Dareon asked inches away from her ear. "Leaving. Get the fuck out of my way!" Saniye said turning around to face him. "Leaving who? You ain't goin nowhere."

Saniye knew exactly where this was going. Dareon knew exactly how to get Saniye to settle down and essentially shut up. This was his version of "Shut up woman and go make me a plate!" When Dareon hiked Saniye's dress up revealing her pink lace panties she exhaled a deep breath. Some might even think Saniye was addicted to sex how easily it would change her mind about anything and everything. All you had to do was fuck her right and she'll do anything you want.

Dareon inched his hand closer to her area sending chills up her body while at the same time making her annoyed. Saniye hated teasing. She wanted to get right to it. Dareon leaned in kissing Saniye passionately as he pushed her underwear to the side. When Dareon's fingers made its way to her lips Saniye remembered she was supposed to be mad at him so she tightened her legs. Dareon pulled away from her saying, "Open 'em!"

Saniye did as instructed giving Dareon room to slide his finger in her. She whimpered as Dareon kissed and licked on her neck. Saniye shut her eyes but as quick as she did Dareon stopped making her shoot them back open. Dareon looked in her eyes as she looked in his saying, "Please?" "Tell me you won't leave..." Saniye bit her bottom lip thinking. "I'll think about not leaving." Dareon sucked his teeth saying, "Then I'll think about giving you a percent."

"Not good enough," Saniye said fixing her underwear then trying to pull her dress back down. Dareon pushed her into the door saying, "You know better. Yo ass isn't stupid!" Saniye laughed saying, "I'm not and that's why I'm not about to sit around and be another Lola. She let her emotions leave her with no income." Dareon rubbed his hair looking at Saniye in the eyes. "Aiight," he said reluctantly. Saniye smiled wrapping her arms around his neck kissing him.

Dareon picked her up taking her to his desk sitting her on top of it. He pulled her dress up once again then pulled her underwear off. As they kissed Saniye undid his belt buckle then unbuttoned and unzipped them. She pulled them down at the same time as his boxers. He pulled her closer to the edge aligning himself then sliding in. Saniye gripped onto his muscular back as he pumped in and out. "30," Dareon said before a grunt.

Saniye smiled knowing exactly what that meant. He was willing to give her 30%. With that money Saniye would give Lola some of it. Although she knew her sister had money saved up and stashed she wanted to make sure she had enough. She wanted Lola to leave Rhyme before he could ever kick her and Sarita out. Saniye said she didn't want to be apart of the plan anymore and she didn't. This was about helping her sister. It wasn't like she was just using Dareon.

"I love you," Saniye moaned out. It was almost like she immediately regretted it though. Dareon looked at her slowing down his strokes a bit. He couldn't believe his ears. He didn't know if he wanted to say it back or not. His father taught the Jackson boys that as soon as a woman tells you she loves you she's about to leave or do you wrong. Especially if she says it during sex. Dareon leaned in kissing Saniye saying, "I love you too."

*

As soon as Tyree walked in from class he went to the pool house throwing his backpack down. He changed into sweatpants, a t-shirt and slides then made his way back into the house. He wasted no time going upstairs knocking on Sarita's door. As soon as it swung open and Sarita saw it was Tyree she asked, "What do you wa-" Before she could finish Tyree cut her off by kissing her. He grabbed her waist shutting the door to her room by his foot leading her towards the bed. He pushed her back kissing down her body.

Sarita was in shock but she was enjoying it. It had been a while since the opposite sex has touched her and she actually enjoyed it. Tyree had been planning this from the very beginning but was waiting to execute it. When he saw Sarita wasn't going to stop him he made his move unbuttoning her shorts. He pulled them down then her underwear next. He pulled her closer to the edge spreading her legs further apart. "Wait, should we be doing this?"

When Tyree's tongue touched her clit her body jerked as she arched her back. When she tried to scoot back Tyree pulled her closer continuing to flick his tongue. He was glad Sarita was at least attractive so this wouldn't be cringe worthy. When Tyree saw Sarita's eyes close he reached under her bed where he knew she had a folder where she usually kept her paperwork. There have been times where he's seen her getting it.

Tyree felt around for it while at the same time still trying to keep her occupied with his mouth. When he found it he opened it seeing the paperwork he signed over to her sitting right there on the top. He grabbed the papers folding it then sticking it in the band of his sweatpants. He pulled his t-shirt over it to cover it up. He didn't even wait for Sarita to cum before stopping and standing up. Sarita looked at him confused. "Sorry, I should've never came in here."

At that Tyree left Sarita's room leaving her laying there confused. As soon as he stepped out of her room he grinned to himself. He jogged down the stairs whistling with a wide smile. Sarita was stupid if she thought Tyree would just sign his percent and bank account over to her without a fight. Tyree pulled the papers out of his pants looking them over. He smiled exiting the house through the back. He needed to clean up the pool house for a study session with a classmate.

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Lola pulled up in front of A Player's Paradise sighing. Ever since that day with Rhyme she hasn't stepped foot into this building. She only came out here to take and pick up Royalty. Instead of just calling Royalty and telling her she was here she stepped out of the car letting her red bottoms hit the pavement. She opened the backseat door grabbing a box then going in the building. Lola looked at her Rolex seeing Royalty had some time before she got off.

Lola made her way down the hall going into her once office seeing everything was how she left it. She sold her share so she no longer had use for this space. She put the box on the desk beginning to throw her things into it. She walked around the desk grabbing a picture frame that had a picture of her mother, Lola and her three sisters posing back in Ethiopia. Lola traced the outer frame sighing. She hadn't seen her mother since she was 14. She wondered if her mother was still with her father. If her mother thought about her three daughters. Just anything.

Her thoughts were broken by a voice saying, "Look who it is!" Lola didn't even have to look up to know it was Romeo. She had been dodging his calls for weeks. When she heard the door shut Lola finally looked up. "What do you want?" She asked continuing to pack. "Where have you been? I've been calling you." "Around," Lola said looking at him.

When Romeo came around the desk putting no space between his body and her ass Lola tensed up. When he touched her that's when she lost it, "Stop! Don't touch me!" She yelled as Romeo looked at her crazy holding his hands up in defense. "What's wrong with you?" Romeo asked sounding concerned. Lola took a deep breath rubbing her forehead. "Just give me some space. You're making me uncomfortable."

The truth was Rhyme had her shook. That day made Lola paranoid in the worst way. "Now I'm making you uncomfortable? You weren't saying that when-" Lola cut him off saying, "When I was riding your dick. I know." "So what's wrong?" Romeo asked getting closer making sure Lola was okay with it. "You fuckin' on Rico again?" Romeo asked raising a brow. "No," she responded looking away.

When Romeo saw Lola on the verge of tears he looked at her surprised. Since he's met her he's never seen her be nothing but strong. She never shed a tear. "Just stay away from me, okay? We had a plan but your ass decided you couldn't wait to throw this shit in his face. Rhyme was really mad, you know?" Romeo looked at Lola's face wet from tears asking, "Did he hit you?" Lola shrugged making Romeo say, "You can tell me and I'll handle that right now."

"H-he -I don't know what to call it. Can somebody rape you if you're married?" Romeo gritted his teeth growing angry. "If you said no it's rape. Did he?" When Lola nodded her head Romeo balled his fist up. "Alright, I'll handle it." Lola grabbed Romeo's arm saying, "No! Handle it how? Aren't you on probation." Romeo paced as he thought.

"Yeah, I'ma handle it another way. Violence isn't the answer with Rico anyway. You gotta get in here," Romeo said pointing at his head, "And here," he said patting his pockets next. "You gotta hit him where it hurts and I'm damn sure about to do that. Don't you even worry about it," Romeo said kissing Lola's forehead. "Thank you," she mumbled trying to smile. "It's nothing. You're a good woman and you deserve better. Better than Rico at least."

Romeo stepped closer tilting Lola's head up by her chin. "Let me be what's better for you. Can I do that?" Lola looked in his eyes seeing the sincerity nodding her head. Romeo smiled placing a kiss on her lips. When they pulled apart Lola looked at the time seeing Royalty's off saying, "I have to go." She grabbed the box leaving her old office. She went and got Royalty then they left.

After the nearly hour long drive they pulled up to the house. Once Royalty went in she went to the kitchen where she saw Marquise looking in the cabinet. "Hey, is Tyree home?" Marquise turned around looking at Royalty replying, "Yeah. He's in the pool house studying with some girl." Royalty furrowed up her brows going upstairs to her room. She just wanted to ask him why he's been avoiding her.

Royalty laid on her bed listening to Kehlani singing along and bobbing he head. That's when she just grew pissed. She shot up from the bed putting on her slides then went to the pool house. She crept in walking as quietly as possible. When she walked into Tyree's bedroom she saw him laying on the bed as a girls head bobbed up and down and slurping noises filled the room. That's when Royalty attacked like a quiet Cheetah preying on a Gazelle running up.

She grabbed the girl by her ponytail pulling her back until they fell onto the floor. It happened so fast Tyree didn't know what was going on. He just knew the little broads mouth wasn't around his dick anymore. When he sat up realizing what was going on he shot up grabbing his boxers from the floor. He was not about to break a fight up with his dick out. He pulled Royalty off of the girl carrying her all the way out of his bedroom into the room that was the recording studio.

"Have you lost your mother fucking mind!" He yelled once he put Royalty down. "Fuck you!" Royalty yelled trying to walk away from him. Tyree grabbed Royalty's arm only to get a death glare from her. Royalty really wanted to slap him but she constrained herself. She knew nowadays a guy will hit a girl back in a heartbeat. Tyree couldn't even think of anything to say to her after looking at the hurt in her eyes.

"Instead of avoiding me you could've just talked to me. Who am I kidding? My dumb ass really shouldn't have expected more from this. You got just what you wanted and I made it so easy. And you like me? Lies!" When Royalty tried to walk away again Tyree pulled her to him. "I do like you. I just can't deal with you right now, alright? We can't hang out, we can't have sex, none of that." Now that Sarita wasn't blackmailing he didn't have to worry about her. Tyree just knew he had to do this.

"Fine, you said it. Have fun!" Royalty said jerking her arm away. She looked at Tyree shaking her head before leaving the pool house. Tyree groaned yelling, "Fuck!" before going back to his bedroom. When he saw the girl still laying on the floor crying he didn't even care. He just said, "You gotta go." "She pulled my hair out," the girl whined holding it up. "Who was that? Your girlfriend?" Tyree sighed saying, "No, but you still need to get the fuck out!"

When she didn't move Tyree stood up grabbing her clothes. "Do you not hear me?! Get out!" He yelled throwing the clothes at her. The girl picked her clothes up from the floor. He pushed her out of his bedroom slamming the door as she stood there in just her panties and bra. She tapped on the door lightly saying, "Um, what about my backpack?" When Tyree didn't answer the girl said, "You'll bring it to me in class? Okay, see you later." Tyree shook his head sitting on the bed putting his head in his hands.

He didn't know if what he did was right. He knew one thing and that was he could've handled that better. His intentions were never to hurt Royalty's feelings. Royalty stormed into the house asking Maurice or Sarita, "Where's Lola?" Sarita kept quiet continuing to flick through channels. Royalty put a hand on her hip waiting for an answer. "I think her room," Maurice finally answered. "Thanks," Royalty said rushing up the steps.

When she got to the double doors of her bedroom she knocked. "Come in," she heard Lola's voice yell out. Royalty turned the level hand of the door down pushing the doors open. She scanned the room looking in aw because she's never been in here.

"Back here," Lola's voice said. Royalty finally spotted Lola way in the back sitting room area. She looked at Lola who was listening to Faith Evans and drinking wine. Royalty sat across from her saying, "I need to talk to you." Lola turned the music down giving her the floor to speak. "I need to start having sex with clients." Lola furrowed up her brows looking at Royalty strangely, "Why?"

"You get paid more for that. I need to get out of this house sooner." Lola