She told herself after the holidays, spending Christmas and New Year's with them, she was going to leave T-Zack alone. Why was she risking losing her family over some good sex?

Was it worth it? No, she was not in love with T-Zack. He was the ego boost she needed but now she could move on. Fix whatever was wrong with her marriage.

"Honey, let's go on a vacation. Just you and I, something romantic." She hugged Victor from behind after he stepped out of the shower, still wet and naked.

"You know I can't leave right now, I'm still trying to build this company."

"All work and no play Victor, you need to loosen up a bit and relax."

Victor grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. "I'll loosen up and relax when that motherfucker is dead."

Of course he would say something like that. He was obsessed with finding Tucker and catching him and finishing what she did not do. Maybe after they found Tucker, her life could move on. There would be no threat to her family and Victor would focus all his attention on building the business to protect others.

"You have a good team right, they can stay watching my sisters while we go somewhere for ourselves. You didn't even take a lot of vacation when you were with the police department, but now you're your boss, so why not."

"Re, two of your sisters are pregnant, one has cancer...you think we need to make plans to be gone somewhere?"

"They are grown women that know how to take care of themselves, they don't need you hovering over them."

He glared at her. "I hover over them? Did they say that?"

"No, they would never. But they complain to me about the constant security you have watching them...as if I could change your mind about it."

"And you're the only one stubborn...and smart enough to elude them. Babe, I have them following you for safety, not to be in your business."

She could not have guards following her, especially since she was sneaking time with T-Zack. If one of his little bodyguards saw her slip into a hotel room with T-Zack, she might as well plan a funeral. Not hers, he would not hurt her, but T-Zack was dead for sure.

That's why she was cooling things off. T-Zack was getting too comfortable in their fling when she just needed to get it out of her system. She was over it. Back to her husband.

"I told you I can protect myself from anything and anyone that steps to me."

"And I know you can, but you shouldn't have to." He pulled her in his arms. "Re, I don't want a hair harmed on your head. Babe, this face, better stay fly. I love it. I love you, forever and ever."

She giggled and hugged him. Sometimes she forgot why she loved him so much. Not only was he always there for her and her sisters, but he truly loved her and never hesitated to show her how much.

"Victor, if we can't have a vacation together, can we at least try and spend more time together? I miss you."

"Babe, I'm right here." He kissed her neck. "What do you want? You need me to lay it on you right quick?"

"Right quick?" She pulled him off to their bed. "It better not be quick."

Quick with Victor was never their thing. The girls were off to school and they would both be late to work because of the things she did to her man. Only her man. She could not compare, but if she had to Victor was hands down the best, now that she had something to compare him to.

Maybe it was the fourteen years of marriage, or that he took the time to learn her body and what she liked and paid attention to. He knew where to kiss, touch, lick, and hold her body. She loved him, it was not up for discussion.

She would end things with T-Zack.

When she finally made it to work, an hour late, there was a definite spring to her step as they say. Knowing her man was trying to keep her happy was enough for her. She needed more mornings like that.

Once in her office, she powered up her laptop and was about to get on with her day when T-Zack rushed in and closed the door behind him.

"You're late!"

She scoffed at him and checked her watch, but didn't need to see the time to know she was late. Just doing it to prove her point to him.

"I don't clock in, and barge in my office like that again!"

"Are you serious, Sarena!" He stormed closer to her and she sat back in her chair, letting him have his tantrum. "I'm your boss. You work for me. If you're going to be late, don't you think I should know it?"

Hands crossed over her chest, she asked. "What's your real problem, Zack?"

"Baby, I was worried that's all," he tried to touch her but she moved back and then stood up. "Rena?"

"Zack, I was with my husband, if you need to know. Things are better with us and I-"

"Come on Rena, you know you like what we have. Fuck that nigga ain't treating you right. You're a queen, you deserve all the love and attention." He moved closer to her but this time she did not back down.

"Why don't you go home and give your wife some love and attention."

"Michelle knows she has my heart, but you...we have something better."

"You say that like it's supposed to impress me. You have a whole wife, I have a whole husband. If either finds out, we'll have nothing." She moved away from him because his stares could make her weak.

"So you're saying you're done. With us?"

"If we stop now, no harm no foul we can save our marriages."

"So, that's just it. You stay with him, I stay with Michelle."

"Are you slow? Boy, that's what I said." She sat back at her desk. "Now I have work to do and I am sure you do. We can still work together, right, that should not be a problem."

He shook his head and walked over to her again. "Stop playing Rena, you know you want some more of me, and baby, I can't get enough of you."

She tried to ignore him standing there and focus on what was on her computer screen, but for some reason, T-Zack was giving off sexual energy vibes that made her body tingle. Just an hour ago she was getting dicked down by her amazing husband, but now she was thinking of someone else's dick. How fucked up was she?

T-Zack leaned over her chair so that his face was near hers.

"Come away this weekend with me. To Atlanta, work-related...but then we can..." He began to whisper in her ear. "Fuck all night long and I want to eat you like a hungry man's last meal."

Damn, that boy needed to stop.

She pushed him away. "No, I can't. I told you, Victor and I-"

"Think about it. Don't say no just yet. I have all week to convince you." He stood and then walked out of her office, leaving the door closed.

Why was she considering it? She told herself the only answer was no, then again, Victor wasn't offering to take her away for a romantic getaway. Maybe one more fling with T-Zack and then she would be done.

Her thoughts were interrupted when CJ walked into her office. Minutes earlier he would have caught her too comfy with her boss.

"Hey Sarena, I want to know when you're going to have me in a studio and lay something down."

"You have not earned that yet."

"What do you mean? You've seen what I can do, you've watched all my TikTok videos because you liked them all. Then I sent you new, original material I was working on, so you know I have the skills. Let me get in the studio and show you."

"First of all, you can't just go into the studio all willy nilly, we have to find the right sound for you. Then that means a dope producer with some good beats for your songs. On top of that, I'm not sure what angle we are going with you. Straight RnB, something like Icee sings, or a little hip hop to it."

"You don't have to compare me to anyone, I'm just me."

"Just you, yes kind of a nobody, but trust me, I can make you a somebody."

"Nola said you never even worked doing A & R before, that you were just handed this position because...."

He didn't finish what he was about to say and she gave him her full attention, raising an eyebrow, waiting for him to say something else.

"Uh...I mean..."

"I need you to stay the hell out of my business and get yours right. Your socials are good, but we have to build your following and find your target audience. Followers are nice, but you have little engagement, except silly young girls wanting to slide in your DMS."

She could not believe the little boy was testing her skills. You didn't need a degree in A&R or marketing, you needed an eye and an ear, she learned that so far.

"If all you want to go on is a pretty face, then don't waste your time here with me. Go, bye, do things your way. If you want to become the next Kelly star, stick with me and believe in me."

CJ sat there looking like the dope he was.

"And now that you have my stand on things, aren't you supposed to be in class or something? Studying? We need another college degree Kelly here, something to fall back on if this music business is not for you."

"Naa, it's for me for sure. Doesn't matter if I'm front stage or behind the scenes, I love music."

"Good, I need some of that passion when you do get into the studio. Now bye boy, I have a meeting to get to."

She stood from her desk, effectively dismissing CJ.

"Everyone says you're mean, but you're not that bad," CJ said, trying to hug her, but she pushed him away.

"Byeeee boy!"

She left him and walked down to one of the recording studios. Just as she ordered, Da Field Boyz was there. Not that they were making any music the label could do anything with. All garbage. And now, even though she called to meet with them, they were too busy smoking blunts and drinking in the middle of the day instead of trying to record something. None of them were old enough to be drinking.

The label wasted a lot of money on them already, and since she was now in charge of A&R she felt it was her right to let go of the dead weight.

"Effective immediately Da Field Boyz are no longer signed to Da Factory Hitz record label."

The one who called himself Stanz jumped up and stood in her face. "What the fuck do you mean? Who are you to tell us we ain't signed?"

"Test me if you wanta," she growled at him. "Get the fuck outta my face. Y'all spent a year in the studio and haven't produced anything worth putting out there, you think studio time is free? Like it's playtime?"

"Yo, Icee signed us personally, he knows we have what it takes," Enrique, the little Mexican wannabe gangsta rapper said.

"Icee was so gung ho on helping you guys, because you're local and tried to imitate them. Imitation is flattering, but when you don't have your own sound, you're useless."

"Bullshit!" JoJo, the youngest, and the only white boy said.

"You don't make the goddamn decisions around here. Where is Icee? Where is T-Zack. This bitch lost her mind," Stanz shouted out.

She punched him with her less dominant left hand, square in his eye. When he jumped like he was going to hit her back, she pulled out her gun with her right hand and held it out at his head.

"Try something if you think you can dodge a bullet."

"Yo guys, come on, let's just go," Tone, the only sane one who knew not to talk back to her.

"You stay," she said to him.

"Huh?"

"Oh I get it," Leo said, looking from Tone to her. "Cuz he fucking yo sister he gets to stay? Well let me fuck one of the Kelly girls, and become a simp ass bitch like my man."

"What you call me?" Tone started to charge at his boy but she held him back, aiming her gun at Leo. "Get yo stupid ass out the studio and the building and we better never see yo ass anywhere near here. There is security waiting just outside to escort you out. And security will make sure you don't think twice about showing your face around here again."

"Bitch," JoJo mumbled as he headed out.

She ignored him and waited till they were all gone. Only Tone stood in the room with her.

"Why did you do that Sarena? If you're cutting my group, you cutting me, don't do me any favors because I'm with Nola."

"Boy please, I am not doing you a favor, but if she sees potential in you, I see it too. She's not a dummy and she would not be with a dummy. So effective tomorrow, you sign a new contract with Da Factory. As a solo artist."

A/N: So much going on in this chapter, where to start.

Do you think Sarena will really end things with T-Zack?

What about CJ, is she being fair to him?

And breaking up the rap group and signing Tone as a solo artist? Interesting for sure.