THREE MONTHS AGO
Montego Bay, Jamaica

"Our son just killed someone..." Nasir whispered as he walked into the room to see his wife staring out the window. He observed her closely as her hands shook while they held onto the ledge, knowing her well enough; he knew it was a clear sign of her anxiety. "Our son just killed someone and you're here, upset about me letting in to Oshane's request. Do you not see the reasoning behind why I did what I did? Kingston is on a plane back home, the rest of our sons are on edge."

Serena stayed quiet, her eyes focused on the Richards family who were downstairs moving their belongings out to the moving truck. She watched them closely until she found it in her to finally release the breath she had been holding in for far too long. It was shaky, with a tightened chest; it made it hard.

"Serena. Will you look at me while I'm speaking to you? It's the least you can do."

Finally, she turned to face him. Sharing a small smile, she walked over and placed her hand on his cheek. "You will never get it."

"You're right and you knew that from the very beginning. This side of you... it's something I will never be able to wrap my head around. This wanting for power, this wanting to always be in control. I will never understand how it gives you so much satisfaction."

"Which is fine Boog, but don't for a minute act like it's new. You knew this came with being with me and you still chose to continue."

"Yes and I will forever choose until I take my last breath."

"So then why?!" She exclaimed, "why are you trying so hard to stop it. You know this is where I fall short, we've made compromises in order to make this work. I've given in to your requests. Yet you decided it was a good idea to turn around and tell that little boy yes!" Anger began to creep in and Serena knowing herself decided to remove her hand and place it behind her back. "I just want to know why."

"Because you broke your promise."

"I did not!"

"You told me no more violence. The compromise to us starting a family was that you'd keep the peace. We'd give back and create a new tradition far from the one you came to see. We've changed the narrative for the last 20 years. You promised me that that side of you was gone, you hung up your boots."

"My son came to me for help."

"And you could've helped solve this situation in love. Our son killed someone! Over someone that we knowingly know is alive."

"And that's my fault?!" She placed her hand on her chest, "or is it Oshane's?! If I had dealt with this situation the way I always do, Kingston would know that Shai's alive. Oshane wouldn't be marching around this place with such a big grin on his face. If I had dealt with this, things would be different."

"You started the whole situation off wrong in the first place. The moment he came to you, you should've thought to do the right thing. You being Serena Hines could've dug up dirt on Ray and had him sent to prison for what he did."

"Prison or community hours? Let's be real here!" She smirked.

"Regardless, there's a wrong and a right way to deal with things. When Kingston came to you, you saw it as an opportunity to itch a scratch you've had for years. You found it as a way to feed that craving that you haven't been able to get rid of. That want and that urge for violently possessing power." He shook his head. "After all those years of progress, this one situation made you ready to throw it all away. That is why I decided to go ahead and agree to Oshane's request. With you still holding this much power, here in this country. You will never be able to shake this problem of yours."

"Just because you don't agree, doesn't mean that it's a problem."

"Serena. You have an addiction to being in control. You worked your way into the government in order to feel close to that and once you saw that wasn't enough you came here. You chose a small, vulnerable place and realized you could control it if you pulled the right strings. You found the man that ran things through drugs and crime, killed him and sat on the throne of it all with blood on your hands. You did all of this to feed an addiction that stemmed from your childhood trauma. Trauma that you still till this day have not been able to get over."

"Once again Nasir, you don't get it."

"And you don't get the fact that this isn't right! Serena, I just want the best for you."

"This!!" She yelled, "this is the best for me. Having the respect of thousands of people is the best for me." She continued, "Alright, say I do have a problem?! Say I do have some form of an addiction! Why do you want to change me so badly?!"

"Because I love you."

"Then love this part of me too, Boog!"

"I can't love something that could potentially kill you one day!"

"Until God himself rips the breath out of my body, I will not die!" She laughed, "You know what i'm capable of."

"Yet a young man that you have trained just threatened you..."

"I could make Oshane choke on his exact words." She said through gritted teeth, "both you and I know this."

"And you don't believe there will be repercussions?! He basically told you that he can easily turn everyone against you and you're willing to test that theory out? We come here, three maybe four times a year at best. He lives here, there's no telling what has gone down while we're gone. What he's saying could be very true and you want to test that? You're willing to die to prove a point?!"

"Once again, you're being ridiculous... I am and will not die. Oshane can't and will never be able to take me down."

"His words meant nothing to you?"

"No!" She groaned out, "and the only reason why I don't have his head on a platter right now is because of you!" She pointed, "because I know how sensitive you are, because I know that things bother you so much. Because you have made me soft."

"Serena, as much as I am disappointed by his actions. I don't exactly understand what could be so bad about him taking over... You trained Oshane all these years. He's smart, he's quick, he's respected, he believes in peace over war, he isn't into violence. As far as I'm concerned he would make a great leader, he would continue with the tradition that I've been talking to you about enforcing for so long. I don't understand why you won't just let this go."

"Kingston was meant to take that position."

"And it still baffles me that you'd put our son at such risk. Think about it in comparison, Kingston's got zero street smarts, as long as it isn't a woman or a scalpel; he has no interest. Why is it that you'd choose him over Oshane?!"

"Kingston is a Hines..."

"And your point is."

Serena shook her head while walking back over to that window. "Oshane is all those things but he will never make it from up here." She gazed down at Paul who stood in front of the moving truck conversing with his son. "I have taught him many things, but I haven't taught him what matters most. I haven't taught him the parts of me that have been buried for all these years, I haven't taught him what it takes to sit on this land and know that you're untouchable. Without that name behind his first; Oshane is in danger."

"Once again, with all the respect he has over here. I find that hard to believe."

"Do you want to know why Oshane chose the threaten me, Nasir?" She asked as she twisted her wedding band around her ring finger.

"Because he wants this..."

"Because his father placed the gun in his hands and he couldn't shoot." She smirked just as Paul who stood outside, glanced up at her. Immediately fear began to set in once he saw the smile on her face, he looked towards his son but by the time he looked back up she was gone.

Serena closed the window curtain and looked back at Nasir. "Paul doesn't even have a gun Serena."

"Oh, I know." She smiled, "figure of speech beloved, figure of speech." She let out a brief sigh, "one day you will understand."

"You aren't going to touch him, Serena!" Her husband pointed. "We're trying to bury this and for good. We've seen the effects of this life has had on our son and I just want that to be more than enough for you to put this thing to rest. If he wants it, let him have it. I just want us to be able to finally come here and relax." He walked over and placed his arms around her waist. "i want to enjoy time with my wife, I want us to retire and spend forever on the beach with no worries. Baby, I just want you to be able to let this go. I get that this is something you struggle with, but I promised to help you and I meant that. I want you to trust that I have your best intentions at heart. I want you to trust that you can rely on me. I want you to choose us, choose the wellbeing of our family, choose me over the power." She looked deeply into her eyes. "I get that you're hurt by Oshane's actions; I've gone ahead and evicted them from our home fo the time being and as much as that sounds like a lot; I know you. Which is why I am begging you... please, let karma do its thing in a situation like this. Please baby, let's just let this go."

She stared back into his pleading eyes and slowly but surely; she found it in her, to nod her head. "Okay Nasir," she let out.

"Okay Nasir?" He repeated in shock. "You're going to let this thing go? You aren't going to touch a hair on that young man's body."

"If it makes you happy, not a single hair." She agreed.

"My wife? Agreeing without a fight?"

"Well, you've asked me to choose between the power and you... just like you would choose me, I will always choose you. This love thing will turn anyone into a simp." She playfully rolled her eyes. "As much as this is what I want, I will always want you more."

"I appreciate you for saying that." He leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. "I was almost worried for a second."

"There's no need to be worried," she chuckled. "You and my family will always come first. You've given me something to finally look forward to. I've heard all you had to say and you're right, my reign has run it's course... so, I'm wiping my hands clean and giving up. If this is what Oshane wants, he can have it."

"And on top of all that, Shai is alive. Kingston's hurt will soon be over once you pass on the baton."

"Mmm, yes." She hummed, stepping out of his hold. "Speaking on that, now that Kingston is gone; I would like to go down tot he hospital to see her. The last thing I want to do is have her wake up and feel alone."

Nasir yawned, then glanced up at the clock in their bedroom. "Do you mind waiting for me to grab a nap? I'm a bit tired."

"Oh not to worry, it's alright. I'm just going to pop in. I'll be back in a flash." Serena walked over to where her purse sat on the ottoman, she picked it up along with her sunglasses which she slid onto her face. "Plus I need you well rested for later on tonight."

"Oh really now?" He smirked while following her out the room.

"Yup. The bedroom is the only place I'm willing to give up my power with ease."

"As long as you know who runs things." He kissed her lips once more before patting her backside. "Be safe and come home to me in one piece."

"I shall!" She waved while heading down the stairs.

As he feet got to the bottom of the steps, every single staff member of the house stood at attention. Without a single word she walked past them all, each letting out a deep exhale once she had left the room.

Serena's doorman opened the front door and as she stepped out, Paul's head turned. No words were needed in order for him to step away from the conversation he was having and over to the car where he noticed she was heading to.

Mr. Paul opened up the passenger door and Serena climbed in. Once she was situated, he shut the door and braced himself before walking around the car to get into the driver's seat. Paul started up the car and just as he normally had, he pulled out of the driveway waving good-bye to his wife who stood confused by the truck.

"Where are we headed this time around?"

"Hospital." Was all she said.

Paul waited until they had made it far away from the house before he finally decided to clear his throat. Serena removed her glasses and relaxed into her seat. "What did he do?" Paul asked.

"I'm sure you know."

"I warned him, I told him this wasn't a tree he should be barking up."

"Yeah well he did it anyway." She smirked, "he did it with confidence too. Do you know what I could've done for him feeling free to spew out such absurd words to me?! I've given that boy so much, I've taught him so much and in exchange this is the thanks I get?!" Her voice began to raise. "Paul. I have nothing but respect for you, you have been nothing but loyal to me and I understand that his actions are not yours... but you do know where this leaves him right?!"

"Mrs. Hines... please." Paul sighed, "he's my only one. I've warned him and I can go back and warn him again. Just please."

"I'm not going to hurt him." She said, causing Paul to glance over at her in shock. "I'm not going to because I made a vow to my husband. If that wasn't the case, this would be a whole other story because I don't take well to threats."

"Which I understand. Once again, I am so sorry..."

"I am too." She said lowly, "because at the end of the day, it'll happen. Without that Hines name... O-."

"Oshane is still at risk." Paul said, finishing her sentence.

"You've witnessed what power can make a person do and as much as Nasir would like to see the world as rainbows and sunshine, it's far from it. This position is one that many envy, I've run this place and instilled a fear like no other. As much as Oshane is well known, well respected. Just as he felt free to turn his back on me, someone he looked at as a mother figure in his life. You and I both know, one will come and do to him the same. Karma is real and forever on time. If you love your son... you will warn him once more. I... I am Hannibal, but Oshane seems to be Scipio. That soft side, will be his greatness downfall."

"I know, he seems to think that respect is all he needs and doesn't understand that the fear you've instilled in this people is what makes you untouchable. Oshane is just like me..." He mumbled.

"He will never be able to shoot that gun." She finished.

"He will never and unfortunately, Oshane is stubborn."

"Well then... stubbornness will be the death of him." She shrugged, "unfortunately if we don't leave to humble ourselves, life will indeed find a way humble us. My husband was my humbling. Looking in the mirror and realizing that I could lose him and my family, made me see that power doesn't mean nothing. You'll die one day and it won't mean a thing. Love, now that... it makes you soft but at the end of the day..." she paused for a moment. "It makes it all... worth it."

"I hear that." He nodded.

The rest of the ride was quiet, both parties sat in place pondering the thought. Mrs. Hines was stuck in place, she couldn't move the way she would have wanted to but it was all for a reason. Paul on the other hand was filled with worry and concern, flashbacks of the ones before Mrs. Hines played over and over in his head. Just as he had mentioned, Oshane was his only and losing him was something he did not want to have happen.,

    Serena climbed out of the car once they pulled up to the entrance of the hospital, she pulled her purse up onto her shoulder and shut the door before walking around the vehicle to head inside. She gave the nurses at the front a brief nod before stepping past the line of those waiting to bed registered.

Mrs. Hines got onto the elevator and just as she pushed the button for the third floor, someone ran in behind her. To her surprise, it was none other than Kira. "You can't go in there." One of the nurses ran over to say, "Mrs. Hines rides alone."

"Oh, it's alright." Serena smiled, "she's with me." She held her hand up and the nurse stared Kira down once over before nodding and stepping back. "Thanks, I appreciate your concern Claudette."

The doors finally closed and Kira found it in her to turn and face Mrs. Hines. "She isn't dead, is she?"

"What makes you think that?"

"I have this gut feeling... I dreamt her being alive. I know that all the facts are there, I know that Kingston said she was gone but... I can't believe it."

"So you followed me here or something?"

"No, I came here with Zuri; she's in the waiting room with Jade and Omari. I saw you walk in just as I had gone to grab some water and it clicked, why else would you be here?"

"I know a lot of people here, Kira."

"Which may be true, but... for the sake of my peace. I just want to know. Is she gone?"

They made it to the third floor and without any words, Mrs. Hines walked past the young concerned girl and walked down the hallway of the hospital. A small smile on her lips as she head the footsteps trailing close behind her.

Mrs. Hines removed her sunglasses once more, placing it on top of her head just as she turned another corner; finally making it to the heavily guarded door; room 318. Serena gave the security a knowing glance and he stepped aside, allowing both her and Kira to step inside.

The monitors beeped and a nurse stood by Shai's bed, changing her bandages while she slept peacefully. Kira stood outside the door however, in shock. The tears instantly flowed and her lips quivered as she tried to find the words to say.

"Leave us." Mrs. Hines commanded the nurse. "I need the room."

"Of course, Mrs Hines." The nurse responded, quickly finishing up what she was doing so that she could head out.

After leaving, she signalled for Kira step inside and once she did, she shut the door behind her.

"How? Why would you do this to us? Why would you do this to Kingston?"

"Why would I?!" Mrs. Hines smirked, "if there's one thing I would never do... it's willingly watch my son hurt."

"But you know she's here, you watched him kill someone because he thought she was dead."

"Oh no baby girl, I watched you kill someone because of all he had done to you and the ones you love." Mrs. Hines folded her arms and Kira met her gaze, finally looking away from Shai.

"I did that for her..."

"You did that for you."

"No... I did it for Shai."

"Kira, Kira, Kira." Serena huffed out a sigh. "The moment I laid eyes on you, you reminded me a lot of myself when I was younger. Vulnerable, weak, hopeless, useless, afraid... a victim of constant hurt." She walked over and placed her hands on her shoulders. "When I saw you kill that man on the table. I saw the spark, finally. I saw that you actually had it in you to break free from these low standards that you've allowed yourself to be. Zuri, she's the Queen of the group, Shai a close second, Jade is the glue... but you, you have always been left at the bottom. You have always held the short end of the stick... but when you found it in you, when you mustered up that courage; I saw the power that I once had to tap into, in order to be where I am today. I mean, wasn't it electrifying?!" Serena shook her shoulders and said, "to finally put an end to your misery?! To finally be the one in control, for once?!"

"I... I...I... I did it for her." Kira pointed towards the hospital bed.

"What a shame it would be for you to go back and stay at the bottom. After feeling such