De'Mario's POV

I didn't even spend 24 hours in the joint before I bailed myself out and had Ray pick me up. I got a family to take care of between now and the time I gotta go to court for this gun charge I'm sure they gone pin me with. I'm in some deep shit but my family comes first before anything. But now, it's moment for truth. I bet you were wondering what I saw in that box yesterday. Well, here's your chance.

Ray: "What the Hell happened for them to get yo ass for a funky ass gun charge and nothing else?" He looked at me as I hopped into the passenger seat.

Me: "OG, we got some serious trouble. But I'm gone tell you something that's gone hurt like shit. I'm honestly traumatized right now, G." I admitted. I wiped my face with my face with my hands and licked my lips. These words are the hardest I ever had to get out.

Ray: "Well spit that shit out, son." He pushed as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

Me: "When's the last time you spoke to Mama Nic?" I asked as I started to tear up. I'm beginning to have flashbacks to when I felt this way before, this shit ain't easy.

Ray: "Yesterday, why?" He answered. He kept his eyes on the rode and haven't realized a nigga is highkey crying.

Me: "You don't think it's strange you haven't heard from her?" I frowned and sniffled, letting out a deep breath.

Ray: "What do my woman gotta do with you?" He scolded me and glanced at me.

Me: "Them mothafuckas put her head in a box, wrapped that bitch up like a present, and set it in Shawny's kitchen!" I shouted angrily, letting my tears run down my cheeks.

Ray: "Kid, what you talking bout?" He asked in disbelief with a frown.

Me: "Nic is dead, man. They cut her fucking head off." I cried.

Ray: "Did Shawny see it?" He asked hesitantly.

Me: "Nah, man. I told her not to look. That would've probably killed her." I shook my head and leaned back in my seat.

Ray: "Who did it?" He clenched his jaw and the steering wheel.

Me: "It's Israel, he's back." I informed him.

Ray: "He's taking everything from us, we should've taken care of him and his siblings a long ass time ago." He replied in defeat.

Me: "I still can't wrap my head around the fact that he's doing this to us and not the other way around. " I sighed.

Ray: "We got heart. We value love, family, and loyalty. But you can't bring your heart to battle. This is war. We gotta get out our feelings and fight back. Once they have your queen, they can get to you if you remain weak. Fight harder and win. Then, you grieve. I fight fire with fire. He done took my partner in crime, my queen, and damn near my Babygirl. I'm not going down next because I got kids, grand kids and great grandkids to take care of. I'm not going without a fight and neither should you. We're gonna fix this shit, son. We're gonna break the chain."

Me: "What do you mean, break the chain?" I questioned.

Ray: "I don't want them kids running this game after us. We dropping like flies. There's not one of us who made it to 60!" He complained.

Me: "How is that possible, there's no way out-"

Ray: "There's only one way to do it besides killing yourself. Set up a meeting tonight, we'll talk." He said pulling up to the warehouse.

Me: "Alright, your place at 7." I hopped out the vehicle.

Ray: "Fasho, take care of my babies until then. I tend to get homicidal."

Me: "I hear you, OG. You stay up." I said before closing the door and entering the warehouse.

Guard: "Wassup Boss." He greeted me.

Me: "Sup." I nodded. Walking down the hallway to my office. Everyone are in their positions as they should be. Fitz greeted me and I unlocked my door and walked into my office. The twins are asleep on the futon, and Shawny is holding Maria as they sit in my chair. A slight smile crept up on Shawny's face when she noticed it was me. I must admit that I'm smiling too. Despite traumatic encounter last night, I manage to feel grateful for my family to safe and in my hands.

Shawny: "The twins were convinced you went on vacation." She laughed softly.

Me: "And, Maria?" I asked.

Shawny: "She's scared. She had a panic attack earlier and I had to rock her to sleep." She said before kissing Maria's forehead.

Me: "Will she be okay when she wakes up?" I asked concerned.

Shawny: "As long as we're in trouble, she won't be okay. I'm worried about her, D." She began to tear up.

Me: "Come here," I motioned for her. She got up from the chair with Maria and walked around the desk. I pulled her closely by the hips and looked into her eyes. "Why are you worried about her?"

Shawny: "Shit like this is the reason I kept losing my kids. It's too much stress, you don't ever stop worrying." She shrugged.

Me: "I'll fix this, just trust me." I promised.

Shawny: "I trust you." She nodded.

Me: "Good, N-"

Fitz: "Aye Boss, You might wanna take a look at the news." He suggested.

Me: "Nah, I'm good. Thanks tho." I sucked my teeth.

Shawny: "What's on the news?" She asked me. "You come in here with tried up tears on your face and you're acting hella anxious. Why don't you want to see the news? What are you afraid to see?!" I sighed and pulled her outside of the office to keep the kids from hearing what I might slip up and say.

Me: "If I tell you, you'll forget what really matters right now. I'll tell you once I know you and the kids are safe." I promised.

Shawny: "We will never be safe, De'Mario. This is the safest we'll ever be inside of that office. Or have you forgotten the risks?" She complained. She wants to know what I've been trying to save her from, but she'll never learn that I'm always looking out for what's best for her if I don't let her know this time.

Me: "Your mom is dead, De'Shawn." I blurted.

Shawny: "What?" She shook her head slowly.

Me: "Th-that box they sent you had only her head in it. I didn't want you to see because I knew it'll kill you." I explained. She dropped down to her knees and cried as she never cried before. I reached down to comfort her and she ordered me not to touch her numerous of times. Once she finished crying, it's like she forgot how to speak. Silence ain't never sounded so damn loud.

De'Shawn's POV

They say your tolerance to pain rises every time you get hurt. I beg to differ cause a heartbreak hurts the same every damn time. It's your reaction that changes. Your emotions that respond get tired after so much damage has been done. Tell me I'm not crazy, I need to hear it because I'm convinced I've gone insane. Ion got enough nerves left nor brain cells to lose.

Out of all the things that have damaged me in the past, losing my mother took the cake. It's not like losing a child you never got to meet, it's not like watching your cousin get shot and bleed to death, it's like losing the reason you're alive. It's like you no longer have someone who loves you more than they love themselves. No love is like a mothers. I know mine wasn't perfect but she deserved to be called my mother and I appreciate the sacrifices she made. I never expected to go through a obstacle this damn difficult. I have to find the rest of my mother before we can give her a proper burial. Until then, I have to speak with my dad.

Jr: "Hey, Sis." Jr. welcomed me into a hug.

Me: "Hey, Bro." I hugged him tightly before entering the house.

Jr: "You alright?" He asked.

Me: "Just came to talk to my.. father. "I answered as I walked through the crowd of men that were here for a meeting. I reached my dad's location in the kitchen taking a bottle of hard liquor straight to the head. Not once have I seen this man pick up a drink in front of me, let alone be pissy drunk out of his mind. I froze for a moment due to horrible flashbacks from the past.

De'Mario and Jr removed everyone from the area to give us some privacy. They then disappeared themselves, using a smoke session as their excuse. It's just you and me, Dad. This is our moment of truth. What's done in the dark, always come to the light. What needs to be said will be said at the right time. Our opportunity is now and it just might be the answers I've needed all these years.

Dad: "Hey, Babygirl." He stumbled towards me.

Me: "Why do you do it, dad?" I asked.

Dad: "Do, what? Take care of my family?!" He slurred.

Me: "No, Drink. Dad, why do you drink?" I asked calmly.

Dad: "I drink because I would go insane if I don't. Do you know who I am? Do you know what I've done in my life? If you were a man, you'd be a drunk bastard too." He chuckled.

Me: "Did momma know?" I questioned.

Dad: "She used to drink right along with me." He admitted.

Me: "Mom was an alcoholic t-"

Dad: "I'm not a fucking alcoholic." He cut me off. "I can live without a drink. This the first time I got drunk in a longgg time."

Me: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.." I apologized.

Dad: "That's okay, you're just trying to analyze me so you can understand. Wait.. y-you trynna get answers for D. You wanna go back to him but don't know if you should cause he's a drunk just like me, huh?" He burst into laughter took another sip out of his bottle. "Why don't you go ask him why he drink? Asking me gone take you around some circles. I'm like a broken record right now."

Me: "Can I ask you one last thing?" I asked.

Dad: "Wassup?" He replied.

Me: "Did he ever come to you or Momma about me?" I questioned.

Dad: "So much, I got tired of listening. You two mothafuckas need to figure out what y'all gone do cause I don't have time to be playing referee." He said bluntly. I pulled him into a hug and squeezed him tightly.

Me: "I love you, Dad. Thank you for everything." I thanked him as I rubbed his back.

Dad: "I love you too, Baby." He said as his voice cracked a little. Not even a second later, he broke down crying. He nearly pulled me to the ground with him as his knees gave out. I called for Jr to help me bring him to his room and lay him in bed. Right now, sleep is the bed medicine.

I wiped my dad's last tears off his cheeks and kissed him on the forehead. Wishing him a goodnight, I cut the lights off and walked out the room. I traveled downstairs, towards the side balcony where D & Jr continued to smoke. I stood in the doorway and let them finish their conversation. Of course, they stopped talking at my presence. But, I enjoyed the silence anyway.

Me: "How long did y'all know?" I asked.

D: "Long enough." He answered.

Me: "Why ain't nobody tell me?" I frowned.

Jr: "Really?" He raised one of his eyebrows.

D: "One, he didn't want you to know. Two, you didn't need to know." He shrugged.

Me: "Can I talk to him alone, Junior?" I requested.

Jr: "Fasho, sus." He nodded and got up, leaving me alone with D. I crossed my arms and looked D in the eyes.

Me: "Why do you drink?" I asked him.

D: "I don't wanna talk about that." He looked away.

Me: "Please, be honest with me." I pleaded.

D: "I drink for the same relief that pregnancy give you." He analogized.

Me: "How does that even compare? " I laughed.

D: "Easy. I can't change my lifestyle nor can I ever just take a day of. So, I drink to not care about what I can't change but enjoy it for what it is. I'm the King but I don't feel like the King until I drink. It's a mind thing. It's like I should be a heartless mothafucka, but I can't get that way until I'm atleast buzzed. Which is why I tend to do shit I will regret once I'm sober. And you, You knew damn well this lifestyle caused you too much stress and even cost you your kids numerous of times. Yet, the fact that you were pregnant gave you that joy and happiness even if it was temporary. So, now you have this weird obsession with having kids which is why you would rather be pregnant twenty-four seven than not pregnant at all and can't have kids. Hence, the reason why recently you had the biggest breakdown of De'Shawn history not too long ago. We have our weird ways of handling things.."

Me: "You're right," I replied.

D: "I regret ever hurting you. I regret letting you slip through my fingers. I regret everything but loving you. I did a lot of stupid shit to you while I was drunk. I've said shit I didn't mean and paid the price for it. I fucked up to the highest extent.." he vented.

Me: "You don't have to keep apologizing for that, D. I told you-"

D: "You're beautiful as fuck. You're smart as hell. You have an amazing personality. You are the image a I would paint to represent the perfect woman. I don't deserve you even if I did right by you since day one." He stood up and pulled me closer.

Me: "You're really good with words, D." I smiled.

D: "I was just telling you what I've been meaning to say every time I see you. I could never get the words out until now. I love you like fucking crazy and even that's hard for me to say." He admitted. "I need you. Today. Not tomorrow or one day. Give me your heart and I can promise you right now that I will die with it. I'm too grown for games and it's been too long for me to keep giving you your space when you don't need it."

Me: "How do you know what I need?" I smacked my lips.

D: "I know you need to know that I love you more than I love breathing. I know you need to learn how to smile and be happy again. I know you need to trust more and assume less. I know you need food everyday to survive.. I know you needed me and I wasn't there."

Me: "How can I trust you?" I looked up at him.

D: "I guess you just gotta take a leap of faith." He grabbed my hands and held them in his.

Me: "I don't want to ever regret doing this, De'Mario." I commented.

D: "Oh, shut uppp!" He smirked before pressing his lips against mine. Kissing him was like the first time ever. I'm talking fireworks and everything going on in my head. For the first time in forever, I feel like I actually did something right.

De'Mario's POV

Shawny and I decided to park at the crib last night and handle our business. A nigga ain't never been so damn happy in my life. She got me cheesing and shit in the afternoon. She done got outta bed and cooked for us like old times. All vibes good and gravy. I got her blushing every time we make eye contact with each other. The more she does it, the more I'm tempted to steal me a kiss. Damn, she's so beautiful.

Shawny: "So.. what is it that you guys were planning last night?" She asked. She set my plate in front of me then handed me the syrup.

Me: "You'll see." Assured her as I cut up my pancakes.

Shawny: "Why can't you just tell me?" She poured and smacked her lips.

Me: "You will find out." I smiled.

Shawny: "Okay, Im sorry for the shit I said about all of this-"

Me: "Wait, what was that?" I asked.

Shawny: "I said I'm sorry. I wanna be by your side through everything. I can handle it." She suggested.

Me: "I don't know, baby. Besides, your dad wouldn't like that." I chuckled.

Shawny: "Let me in, or I'll push my way through." She threatened.

Me: "Damn, hostile much?" I smirked.

Shawny: "I'm serious. I ain't too rusty." She cracked her neck and knuckles.

Me: "Yeah, okay." I chuckled.

Shawny: "Well, then can I be a Madam?" She asked and I damn near spit my food out.

Me: "Madam?!" I shouted. "I don't run prostitution in my business. Just drugs, guns, and hits. That's it."

Shawny: "Cool, we don't have to do prostitution. But, we can run an escort service. Which we will have to start from the street anyway to gain clientele. Sex in California runs hand and hand with your business. If you don't wanna be so front street, it's other ways we can do it. We can start out with a strip club or maybe even a regular club when we can have the strippers in the VIP section."

Me: "Woah, woah, woah. Did you really just come up with that shit in two seconds?"

Shawny: "Mhm." She nodded. "well technically, I was thinking as I talked. Kinda like brain storming."

Me: "Strip club, huh?" I looked at her.

Shawny: "We can call it Cherry On Top" she giggled.

Me: "We'll talk about that later." I laughed.

Shawny: "Here, your phone is vibrating." She handed me my phone.

Me: "Hello?" I answered.

Fitz: "Boss, you really should turn the News on. Right now." He suggested.

Me: "Bae, turn the tv on. To the news, please." I ordered Shawny before hanging up the phone. Our good morning instantly switched up when we seen Ray being handcuffed and put into a cop car.

Reporter: "The rest of the remains to Nicole Carr's body was found this morning in her own basement. Police are taking Ray Devon Carr Senior into custody for questioning. It is believed that a man and woman by names De'Shawn and De'Mario Smith are responsible for the murder of the elderly woman. Who in fact are closely related to Mrs. Carr. Authorities do not have the Smith's in custody, but are searching for them as we speak. If you aware of their whereabouts, please contact the police department at soon as possible."

Shawny: "Checkmate." She turned off the TV and looked at me. "What's our next move?"