De'Shawn's POV

Me: "I am in love with a man who is the reflection of my biggest fears in life.." I say to myself as I watch the sunset. The sound of the waves and gathering of families that are leaving runs from one end to the other end of the beach. I play in the wet sand, letting the ocean brush over my toes. Walking along the beach is part of what I've been doing lately to clear my head. It's peaceful during the evening, it's calming. There's nothing else in this world that matters when I'm on this beach.

Rico: "Damn, De'Shawn." He said startling me. "I never realized how thick you got until now."

Me: "Rico, what could you possibly want from me now? I have nothing you can sabotage. Nor do I have nothing I'm willing to offer you." I responded.

Rico: "What? Ya lil D got rid of you and threw the leash away?" He teased.

Me: "Very funny, I forgot to laugh." I looked back at the waves.

Rico: "You and I both know you still love me." He claimed.

Me: "What?" I laughed. "You wish I did."

Rico: "It could be me and you forever." He advertised.

Me: "Rico, no." I said sternly.

Rico: "Listen, I'm trying to help you. You'll regret it if you don't. We can go overseas like you've always wanted." He argued.

Me: "As far as I'm concerned, I regret the fact that I met you. And if you knew me, you'd know that what I always wanted was to move to California and live a happy life." I rebuttal.

Rico: "Yet, it's not so happy is it?" He smirked.

Me: "It's not what I expected but I'm grateful." I crossed my arms.

Rico: "When you want a perfect life without all this shit going on, you call me. Same number. This offer won't stand forever." He whispered in my ear and walked away into the darkness.

Me: "Now, what the fuck could he possibly be up to?" I mumbled to myself. My phone began to ring and indicated that D was calling. "Hello"

D: "Are you okay?" He asked.

Me: "Yes, why are you asking?" I replied.

D: "Something don't feel right to me," He point out. "I need to see you."

Me: "That's strange you say that. Rico just approached me a few minutes ago." I responded.

D: "Rico?" He questioned. "Yeah, meet me at your crib ASAP."

Me: "Okay, I'm leaving now." I answered.

D: "Be careful, Shawny. Please." He begged.

Me: "Now, you're really scaring me." I panicked as I rushed to my car, looking around me.

D: "I'm sorry, but my gut has never been wrong on something like this." He replied.

Me: "Are you at my house already?" I asked anxiously as I started my car and pulled off.

D: "I'm almost there, Baby. Just focus on driving safely and making it home." He assured me.

Me: "Will you be there before me?"

D: "Yes, I will. I'll be right there when you pull up." He Replied.

Me: "Good, I'm really freaking out right now. "I said on the verge of crying. My heart is beating fast and my tremors are coming in.

D: "Don't. Just calm down and breathe. I'm here, I'll be waiting at your door."

Me: "I'm around the corner, I'm close." I nodded to myself as I took deep breaths.

D: "Actually, keep your car doors locked and turn your lights off when you pull up. Don't get out the car until I tell you to." He warned me.

Me: "Why what wrong?" I frowned.

D: "Your front door is unlocked." He whispered.

Me: "Come on, D. Can you stop playing with me!?" I begin to panic again.

D: "Nah, Baby. I'm serious. Just do as I asked. Imma see what the fuck is going on." He replied. Pulling up, I park in front of my house with the lights off and my phone on speaker. I can see him getting ready to walk inside.

Me: "What if someone is in there and they got a gun?" I worried.

D: "Don't act like you don't know who I am." He chuckled as he walked inside of the house.

Me: "Be careful, please." I added. He shushed me and everything went quiet. I could hear the shuffling but I don't feel comfortable with him in the house alone. My natural instinct made me do everything he told me not to. Next thing I know, I'm hopping out my Range.

De'Mario's POV

Me: "Yo, whoever in this fucking house bout to catch a bullet if you don't show ya self right now." I said as I walked into the hallway that led to the rooms. The living room lights cut on behind me and instantly turned around and aimed my gun. I fired one shot and instantly regretted it. "Shawny, What the fuck?!"

Shawny: "Good thing I was ducking down." She looked at the bullet hole just a foot above her head and sighed in relief.

Me: "Why don't you ever fucking listen to me?" I frowned.

Shawny: "I wanted to help you.." she pouted.

Me: "I almost killed you!" I shouted.

Shawny: "Almost doesn't count, but you should really see this.." she replied. I followed her into the kitchen where a wrapped gift sat on the island.

Me: "Maybe it's a lil Valentine's Day gift from Trey." I smirked.

Shawny: "I broke that off almost two months ago, D. Besides, nobody has the keys to my house anymore." She looked at me.

Me: "Who the fuck would leave you a present?" I asked.

Shawny: "Rico?"

Me: "What exactly did he say to you when he approached you earlier?" I interrogated. She looked at the gift to avoid eye contact.

Shawny: "You open it." She looked at me with worry in her eyes.

Me: "Stand behind me just in case it's a bomb or some shit that'll fuck up that pretty face of yours." I said as I pulled the ribbons loose on the gift.

Shawny: "I gave up my pretty face when I got this scar on my cheek." She scoffed. I looked over my shoulder and mugged her.

Me: "Did you have to bring that up now?" I questioned.

Shawny: "I'm sorry, open the gift." She apologized before resting her forehead against the middle of my back. I lifted the top off the gift and almost lost my shits. "Did you open it yet?"

Me: "Don't look," I demanded.

Shawny: "Huh, why?" She asked as she lifted her head.

Me: "De'Shawn, don't fucking look!" I shouted. "Close your eyes."

Shawny: "D, what's in the box?" She said worryingly. I covered her eyes with my hand as I walked her to my car. "D, can you please say something? I scared!"

Me: "De'Shawn. Lock the doors and do not get out of this car until I tell you to. I mean that shit this time. Lean the chair back and don't get out to speak to nobody. Do you hear me?"

Shawny: "Yes, but who would I get out to speak to?" She asked.

Me: "Do as I say, everything will be alright. I love you." I answered before closing the door. Walking back to the house, I pull my phone out of my pocket. Dialing 911 as I place the top on the box with a severed head in it.

De'Shawn's POV

Within 10 minutes, a fire truck pulled up. As expected, the Ambulance and Police followed minutes later. Worry filled my body as I watched them walk in and out of the house. They carried to box out and took it with them. It wasn't long before D was carried out the house with his arms cuffed behind his back. I nearly jumped out the car until we made eye contact. He shook his head and nodded his head in the direction of the Ambulance. A figure stood by a tree at the end of the yard. When it walked a little closer and smirked, I knew shit was just getting started again. Israel's back. What is he up to now?

I waited in the car until everyone left and cleared then house. It took a few house and I actually fell asleep. The moment I woke up, I rushed to the drivers side and started the car. I sped my way to D's house to reach my kids. I instantly called Maria to make sure she was okay.

Maria: "Hello?" She answered.

Me: "Where are you and the kids?" I asked.

Maria: "At home, we're all sleep." She stated.

Me: "So, everyone's okay?" I questioned.

Maria: "Yes, mom. Why, what's wrong?" She asked.

Me: "Nothing, but be very cautious until I get there. Go get your brother and sister and sit in the living room." I demanded.

Maria: "What about dad?" She asked.

Me: "He's not there, I'll explain everything when I get there. Just do what I say please." I cried. I can't let my anxiety take me over at a time like this. My kids are in danger and I gotta make sure they're safe. Not to mention I need to figure out what's up with D. I hope nobody thinks he's going back to prison. People got life fucked up if they think I'm gonna let that shit happen.

Pulling up to the house, I rush out the car and into the house. The kids were right where I asked them to be. A wave of relief rushed through my body as I realized they're all safe. They ran to me and embraced me in a hug. I kissed them all on the forehead and held them tightly for a moment. They're gonna be safe. I'm going to make sure not even a hair on their head is touched.

Maria: "Is there trouble?" She whispered. I looked at her and nodded slowly.

Me: "But, not for you guys. I'll make sure you're safe. Now I need you guys to hurry upstairs and pack your suitcases. We're gonna be gone for a little while."

Maria: "Where are we going?" She asked.

Me: "Warehouse." I answered. They all ran upstairs and did as they were told. My phone rang with a call from the county jail. I answered immediately because I couldn't wait to hear his voice. "Hello?"

D: "Hey Babygirl, how's the kids?" He asked.

Me: "They're fine, I'm taking them to the warehouse. How are you? What happened back there?" I replied.

D: "They're trying to get me on gun charges, that's all baby." He assured me.

Me: "What was in the box, D?" I asked.

D: "I can't tell you, not yet." He hesitated.

Me: "It has something to do with him, doesn't it?"

D: "Yes, you and the kids get to the warehouse as soon as possible. I can't have nothing happening to y'all." He answered.

Me: "What about you? Can I come up there and bail you out?" I asked.

D: "Don't worry about me. I'll take care of all of that. You just worry about yourself and those kids, Shawny." He demanded.

Me: "Why are you doing this to me? I want to help you." I teared up.

D: "You wanted it like this. The less you do to help, the less you have to worry about this lifestyle. Take care of those kids." He said before the call ended.

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Who's head do you think was in that box? 🤔