Shai Louis

"I'm sorry that I wasn't able to book off today, I know how much it means to you."

"Mhmmm." I hummed.

"And you know I'm going to rush back once my shift is done. I promise you. I'll bring home some bubbly... roses."

"Mmm, yes Kingston."

"You like the sound of that?" He asked, lowly."

"Of course, I- mmm." I knew better than to try and talk though my moan so I took this as a sign to shut up and just let my body feel this very moment.

"I also hope that last orgasm was enough for you to forgive me." He whispered meanwhile giving me the slowest, yet deepest strokes one could get. With every movement I felt myself nearing another climax and Kingston knew that as well, but still he continued to tease me being as it was his new favourite activity.

As if he could read my mind, Kingston placed one hand against the headboard while wrapping another around my neck so that he could speed up the pace.

My back arched upward as chills began to flow through my body. That yearning, that wanting to just release. A moan escaped my lips and Kingston's grip around my neck tightened just a bit. I looked into his eyes, his mouth fell open ever so slightly and the grunt that felt from his lips let me know that I wasn't the only one ready.

I began to lift my hips, working with him to get as deep as he possibly could. The pace quickened more and the noises we tried so hard not to be loud with, was pretty much through the window at this point. With sex this good, it was impossible for anyone to be quiet. I wasn't much of a screamer, nor was I known to be loud but with him; it was all so different.

"Fuck Shai..." Kingston muttered while burying his head into the crook of my neck. "Holy shit." He let out just before I felt my body shudder with yet another orgasm. By the sound of his grunts, I could tell he was doing the same.

I tried my best to push him off of me but Kingston stayed in position, his strokes becoming sloppy as I continued to moan from satisfaction.

Eventually, he removed his length from my now throbbing womanhood. I took it as an opportunity to finally close my eyes and catch my breath. That was until, I felt his mouth against my second pair of lips. With widened eyes, I looked down and before I could say anything; my back arched yet again, my toes curling from the feeling of his tongue circling my clit.

I reached down and placed hand against the top of his head meanwhile the other gripped the sheets next to me. I could feel myself dripping more than ever, but the sound that it made as he both licked and sucked, made me turned me on even more.

"Kingston, I have guests downstairs..." I struggled through another moan that I couldn't contain.

"Yeah and I got work in thirty minutes." He shot back, replacing his tongue with his fingers so he didn't miss a beat. "regardless, I gotta have a taste." He said as he began to stroke two of them inside of me. "You got no damn business tasting this good." He licked his lips, before he returned to using his mouth this time as he continued to finger me.

Of course, it didn't take long. With him being as good as he was, it didn't surprise me. There it was, yet another orgasm with his name on it. I held his face in position as I rode it out against his tongue. Soon after my hand fell to my side and my chest heaved, this time I needed to catch my breath, there was no way around it.

Kingston rose from where he was and I felt him place his hand against my womanhood, but I quickly swatted it away. "That's enough!" I exclaimed, "Are you trying to kill me?"

"My bad baby girl." He smirked, reaching for my feet which I quickly made sure to pull away from him too. I looked at him through squinted eyes and he cracked up. "You and this look." He laughed while crawling back up to where I was. Kingston cupped my face with his palm and brought my lips to his so that I could have a taste of myself.

"And then you wonder why your mom had to run away the clingy girls, you can't be that talented and not have stalkers."

"Trust me, being with you had unlocked a whole other side of me that I never knew I had." I turned on my side and he ran his hand down my body until he made it to my backside which he made sure to grip with pride. Following an annoying slap which he loved to do so much, he smiled against my lips then pecked them a few times before letting out a sigh. "I gotta go to work." He said with a pout. "But when I get back from this 12 hour shift, I'll be sure to take you out and properly make up for missing the house warming."

"Oh and this wasn't a proper way?"

"This is just a little something on the side. I know how much dates mean to you."

"A man that pays attention, I like, I like." I pecked his lips yet again, "I'm proud of you for going back... I know it was a hard decision but I'm glad you decided to go for it.

"I appreciate that," he held me close, "It was time that I got my life back."

"It was..." I agreed, "and if at any moment you need me today, just know I am only a phone call away."

"Even when you're sleeping?" He raised his brow and asked.

"Even when I'm sleeping..." I mumbled, "but preferably when i'm not!"

"Thought so!" He snickered before resting his head against my forehead. "I'm thankful for you."

"As am I for you..."

"I wish we could stay here forever..."

"Likewise."

"But unfortunately, duty calls..." right on time his alarm began to ring, causing us both to sigh. "Work time!" He groaned while removing his arms from around me so that he could climb out of bed. I, also did the same, gathering my clothes from off the floor. "Want to hop in the shower with me?" He asked while heading into my ensuite.

"Yes please. The sooner I get downstairs the better. I'm surprised your dad hasn't come to look for us yet."

"Oh trust me, my dad knows the deal. It's the fact that Zuri hasn't come that's surprising to me!"

"Touche!" I giggled while following him inside.

"Alexa, play Dexta Daps -Wifi!" Kingston commanded while getting the water ready.

"Why would you play Dexta Daps, knowing what his music does to me?"

"That's the point." He winked.

—————————

We made our way downstairs where my friends, Kingston's family and my dad were. Some were in the kitchen, others in the living room while the kids played outside in the backyard where they were still in view and had more than enough room to stay entertained.

Kingston waltzed through the crowd saying his goodbyes to them all just before kissing me, grabbing his lunch and making his exit out the front door. I watched him pull out of the drive way and once his car was no where in sight, I joined Jade and Zuri who were seated in the living room. Omari was on the other side of the room with Tosh, Marley and Oshane; they group looked to be arguing about sports as usual!

Mr. Hines and my father were still in the kitchen chatting it up as they usually did when they were around each other. The two of them had a lot to in common surprisingly, the fact that had both lost their wives made relating to each other easy. Between the two I saw a friendship that had the potential to last forever.

Zuri looked up from her plate and the grin on her face said it all. "Don't!" I pointed, before plopping down in between both her and Jade.

"What?" Zuri frowned.

"I know you and I know what you're going to say."

"Well sorry, that's so raven!" She teased.

"What was she going to say?" Jade questioned with a smug look on her face, knowing well enough that she also knew Zuri enough.

"All I was going to say w-."

"Zuri." I shot her a look and she giggled before falling silent.

"If it's along the lines of requesting a play by play, then we're all thinking the same thing." Tiffany came around the corner with her plate and said, taking a seat with us as well.

Both Zuri and Jade busted out laughing. "Nah, Tiffany is definitely apart of this sisterhood. Hands down!" Jade pointed.

"Speaking of sisterhood!" I raised my hand and said, "have any of you guys heard from Kira? I invited her to the house warming and nothing."

"I spoke to her last week, she said she still just needs some time to get it all together." Zuri explained with a shrug. "I tried to dig before and it didn't work so I just took that answer and went with it.

"As long as she's getting the help she needs." Jade added, "that's really all the matters to me."

We all nodded in agreement and slowly felt silent, but not for long. Soon after, Tiffany cleared her throat to draw our attention. "So, when you planning on becoming my sister in law?" She let out, switching the mood back. "I heard that he asked you..."

"He did!" Zuri chimed.

"Wait, he did?!" Jade questioned in shock.

"He did." I smiled, "but... we talked about it and decided that we would take our time which we're both okay with. We're dating right now, getting to know each other a lot more and there's no rush. He more so asked in a way in which we both knew were we stood."

"Basically like saying; he's your man and you're his woman. No gray area." Zuri aided in explaining.

"Exactly," I nodded.

"So, you plan on marrying him one day?" Jade asked.

"Oh, most definitely." I blurted out. "There's no beating this... I'm happy, we're good together, he's a real MAN! I really though soulmates weren't a thing but I really mean it when I say; I can't picture my life without him. Kingston has brought me so much clarity, he has made me realize more in such a short period of time. For the first time in a long time, I know what I want, I know who I want and it's because of him. After the hell I went through, Kingston really is my happy ending..."

"If I weren't pregnant. I would drink to that!" Zuri picked up her water cup, "nonetheless, let's cheers to my best friend finally getting the love she deserves."

"Let's!" The rest of the girls grabbed their drinks and although I didn't have one, I pretended as though I did. The kitchen was nearby but my legs were still quite sore and I couldn't bare to walk all that way. So, this will do.

"Cheers." I began, "to me, Shai-Anna Louis... finally getting the love I deserve!"

"And that's on period!!" Zuri exclaimed as everyone clinked their glasses against one another.

"I love you," I said to her while leaning my head on her shoulder.

"Love me enough to hook me up with Mr. Hines?" She asked, seriously.

"Girl!!"

"You used to say how much you wished we were real family. No?"

"Yeah, I'm definitely banning you from family events going forward. You're a mess."

"I'm kidding!" She giggled, nudging me ever so slightly. "Not really but still trust and believe that I love you more baby mama!"

Kira Holmes

My hands shook from the sight of blood that covered both my shirt and my hands. As I gazed into the mirror, my brow twitched from the sight. Yet another one...

"Mrs. Holmes... if I may?" My head rose slowly and I looked over to see Paul in the doorway, he held up the knife in a baggy and the sight of it alone caused my heart to race. "My apologies." He said, once meeting my gaze and he quickly placed it behind his back. "If I may offer you just a word of advice. Maybe it is wise that you double up on security by the gates? That way we can refrain from things like this taking place. This is the fourth contender that made an appearance in two and a half months and if w-."

I raised my hands and thankfully, he got the message. "Did I ask for you opinion?" I spat before clenching my jaw. "Did I fucking ask you what you thought?!"

"No... but being as I do have some experience, it makes sense that I offer my wisdom."

"If you were capable of being where I am today, you would've been." I continued, "but you aren't due! So, with that being said... keep your opinions to yourself and just do what you're here for."

"You're going to get yourself killed with an attitude like that."

"And who's going to do it?" I laughed, "you?" My brow raised and immediately Paul cleared his throat, turned on his heels and walked away. "I thought so."

I gazed back up into the mirror for another brief moment before finally bringing myself to the point where I was able to strip out of my clothes. I threw them into a pile by the door where I knew they'd be picked up before the end of my well-needed shower.

I stepped onto the tile floor, turned on the water and allowed it to wet my hair. Looking down I watched as the blood travelled down the tile ground of the shower and into the drain, I stared until the crimson red faded into nothing but clear water. With a sigh, I relaxed and closed my eyes. Once I however, I was quickly reminded of my gruesome actions that happened a few moment ago. The torture, the cries and screams, that last breath... his last breath. It all replayed in my mind until I couldn't take it anymore.

My eyes widened and I instantly shut off the water, clutching my chest as I tried to slow down my heart rate. My eyes burned with tears that I didn't want to let fall. I had been working on it but no matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn't go away.

Mrs. Hines warned me that this would be apart of the process, I knew what was ahead and I went for it anyway. I wasn't a murderer, it wasn't what I saw my life ever being; but it was who I had to be now and eventually, I knew these feelings would subside. I had to remind myself of the fact that they were strangers, they meant nothing to me. This power I had was worth fighting for, it was the only thing that brought back that confidence that was once stole from me. This place I held for once was something I could rely on and have faith in, it came with respect and honour but, the blood... having to fight to prove the place that I held, having to kill for it; was harder than I had expected. Every day I questioned whether or not I ha-.

"You want to know why the person who stands in this ranking, usually kills the family of the one that was here before them?"

The goosebumps formed against my skin as I turned around in the shower to see a young woman staring directly at me. My eyes wandered down to the pistol she carried so casually in her hands. "W...who are you?" I said softly, keeping my eye on that gun.

"No fair, I asked a question first." She smiled and said. My eyes travelled up to meet hers and once I zeroed in, I was able to identify them without question. Her eyes were familiar, ones that I knew all too well. "Well since you don't want to answer, I might as well just do it myself." She used the gun to scratch the side of her head. "The reason they usually kill the family is to avoid the possibility of revenge." She smirked, "imagine someone killing your father, your mother, your sister, brother." She emphasized. "If you were still alive, you would want revenge... don't you think?"

"Paul!" I yelled out loud. "PAUL!"

"Okay I know we just met, but for starters; I had unnecessary noise... most of the guys you had out there are gone, they preferred freedom over death." My brows furrowed and my breath began to grow shaky. "Paul? He's the old guy right?" she hummed, "I allowed him to leave also because truth be told, I came here with one bullet." She held up her gun, "and I didn't want to waste it."

A tear escaped my eyes and burned against the skin of my cheek as it rolled. "I... I'm not a bad person."

"Yeah well, unfortunately. I am." She shrugged, before raising the gun to face me. "From what I've heard, you knew the repercussions and you decided to go with it anyway." She placed her finger on the trigger and my body shook with fear. "Wait, wait, wait. Let me calm down." She chuckled as she lowered the gun. "Before I off you, which I promise... is going to happen. I want to tell you a funny story."

The woman placed one hand on her hip, "someone gave me a call a couple months ago, telling me about this position. I can see why you took it because boy does it sound like a dream. Respect, power, having people come at your every beck and call... Heck, this house alone is something I would die to live in." She looked around and said, "On paper, this is something I would've wanted in the past but I declined it and you want to know why?" I stayed silent and watched her brow raise, her head tilt ever so slightly. "I asked you a question... this time I want an answer."

"If you're going to kill me, just do it already!" I shouted.

"That's not fun." She fake pouted, "plus I like this story too much and have no one else to tell it to." She shrugged, "so yeah, basically. My ass said no because I know what having too much power comes with. I know about the responsibilities, I know the pressure, I know how cold and dark you gotta get in order to make things happen, in order to set things in place. I was top dog in jail and being released from my duties was the best thing that ever happened to me. I know power well enough to know that it's a lonely place and in the end, it isn't worth it." She sighed.

"Why are you here then?"

"Oh, I love it when there's healthy dialogue." She snickered, "and that's a great question." She grinned. "I'm here because I wanted to bring home the head of the woman who murdered my brother."

"Your brother was manipulative, he was devious, he was the devil's spawn. I would do everything I did before, again; in a heart beat because Ray is exactly where he deserves to be; Hell."

"You just killed a man." She laughed, "and you think that you're going where? To heaven?" The woman threw her head back. "Now that... that's rich. You killed someone for doing the exact same thing... you're doing now? Someone please make that make sense."

"Your brother was a monster."

"Sure, whatever makes you sleep at night." She shrugged, "just be sure to tell him hey when you see him." She raised her gun and before I could say another word, it fired. I clutched my chest and the warm liquid began to fill my palm. Falling down to my knees, I raised my hand to look at it in shock.

The woman crouched down and stared deeply into my eyes, gripping my chin to force me to look at her. "Let's face it. You weren't cut out for this life and you never will be... I did you a favour by putting you out of your misery. This is where the cycle ends, it's unfortunate that you had to be apart of it." Slowly a smile reappeared on her face. "OH