Chapter 4

My mother runs over to my dad, kissing him passionately on the lips. " Baby, you're the best. I always wanted to go to Hawaii. I love you so much, James."

" I know, baby. You deserve it, and I love you too, Mrs. Sara Scott. He says, kissing her back.

" I know something that you deserve." My mother flirts, rubbing her hand all over my dad's chest.

He wraps his arms around her waist, giving her another kiss before he speaks. " What's that, baby?"

" Come upstairs, and I'll show you." She gives him a seductive wink, making me and Kamila giggle like immature adults.

My mother grabs my father's hand, leading him up the stairs.

" Ouuu y'all nasty." Kamila bursts into a fit of laughter. "Don't be making no babies up there." She jokes, teasing our naughty parents.

" I'll see you later, kids." My father looks back at us, smiling like a kid who got candy on Halloween." "And start packing tonight because we're leaving in one day." He manages to say before he and my mother are out of plain sight.

" I could kiss Ray right now." Mila teases, and I playfully square up with her.

" Don't make me fight you over my future man." I playfully threaten her, and she flips me off.

" Girl, whatever. I got my own man anyway." She claps back, waving me off in a playful manner.

" Speaking of your man, are you going to invite your boo, Chris?" I tease my sister, wiggling my eyebrows at her.

" Yes, I am."

" I can't wait to meet him," I say, giving her a small smile.

She gives me a grin as she says, " I can't wait to meet your man either."

Without saying a word, I grab one of the pillows from the couch, throwing it at her, making it hit her face. She picks the pillow up, throwing it back at me, thinking she's about to get revenge, but I dodge it, making her miss.

" You can't touch me because I'm untouchable, sis." I tease her, doing a little victory dance, causing her to roll her eyes playfully at me.

" We'll see about that."

" Anyways, I'm going to go home to pack, but I'll be back later. You better let me know all about the call when I get back."

" I got you, girl. See you when you get back."

" Later, sis."

During the ride, all I could think about was all the things Michael said to me today. Knowing that he cares for me brings a smile to my face. I'm looking forward to this trip. I know I'm married, but before I know it, I'll be a divorced woman, and when I get the opportunity, I'm going to make sure that Michael is all mine. I let a good thing go once, but I won't let it go again.

When we arrive at the house, Jamal lets me out once again. I look in the driveway, noticing that Alex's car is gone.

Of course, it is.

" Do you need me to go In there with you just in case he does something stupid?"

I shake my head in response. " I'm good, J. He's gone, and I'm sure he won't be back until the morning. But, thanks for your concern."

" No problem. Good night, Yas." Jamal kisses me on the cheek, which makes me smile.

" Good night."

When I get to my door, I open it, making my way inside. I look back at Jamal, waving him goodbye, and he waves back. I stand in the doorway with my door slightly opened, waiting for Jamal to get back into the limo. After seconds of him getting inside, he pulls off.

I then go inside the darkened house, closing my door, throwing my keys on the island beside it. I carefully make my way over to a light switch, turning on the light, before I walk upstairs, going to my room.

I walk into my room to find my dressers thrown to the ground, my mattress, pillows, and sheets thrown all over the room, and my pictures that once hung on my wall, busted out of their frame. I instantly run into my closet to check if my clothes are ok. My jaw drops when I see my clothes and shoes scattered on the floor. I check my bathroom to see a message that's written on the mirror in black marker, saying," Go to hell you, bitch."

I fall to my knees, breaking down in tears, asking myself where did my marriage go wrong? I cry until there aren't any more tears left to cry. I lay down on the cold floor, holding myself, wishing that I was in someone's arms, as I think about how my life came crashing down.

Ray’s POV

On the way going to my parent's house for dinner, Bison gives me a call to come to his office. As I go through security, passing workers, I hear them murmur to each other.

" He's in trouble."

" He sure is. He's about to get it."

I ignore their comments as I walk to his office. When I get to his door, I walk straight into his office to see him standing by his desk, looking like a mother who just caught her child sneaking into the house.

" Hey, boss."

Bison looks at me with raised eyebrows " Are you playing me?"

" What?"

" Are you fucking playing me?" Bison raises his voice catching me off guard.

I look at him in confusion before answering, " No. Why would you think that?"

" Then why the fuck did you go to James' house?!!" Bison spits at me, walking around his desk, walking up to me.

" You had me followed? That's invading my privacy."

" I sure did. You don't have any more privacy, my friend. Cause I have to make sure you're not playing me. I had people play both sides in the past, and you won't be another one."

" I only went there to gain his trust," I say to him, knowing it isn't true.

" I don't like liars, Ray. I would hate to have to use one of your family members as an example." Bison threatens, cackling slightly in that evil tone of his.

" You can threaten me all you want, but not my family." I clench my jaw, glaring at him.

Bison walks in my face, challenging me. " What are you going to do?"

We stand in silence, glaring at each other, neither of us backing down. Bison then grabs me by my shirt, slamming me hard against the wall, making me hit my head.

He pulls out a knife from his pocket, aiming it at my stomach like he's going to stab me. " If I find out that you are plotting on me, I will rip every limb from your body. And I'll have your family watch as I do it before I do the same to them. Do you understand me?"

" Yes."

Bison lets me go, putting his knife away, which relieves me. " I'm glad we understand each other. Now get out of my office."

I straighten up my shirt before I start heading for the door.

" And, Ray, consider this a warning." He says, making me stop in my tracks for a few seconds before I walk out of his office.

When I get back into my car, I hit the steering wheel repeatedly, letting out my anger. I sit in the car for a few minutes, letting it all out until I cool down. Once I'm calm, I decide to give my dad a call. I pull my phone out of my pocket, instantly dialing my dad's number. It rings a couple of times before he answers.

" Hey, dad. I have to talk to you about something."

" What's going on, son?"

"It's Bison. He threatened our family, and I lost it. He pulled a knife on me, and he said the most horrible things that he'll do if he finds out I've been playing him."

" That son of a bitch."

" I feel like I'm putting everyone in danger. Someone followed me when I went to James' house. He has people following my every move, so I think that it's best if I didn't come to dinner.

I can hear disappointment but understanding in his voice. " I understand, son."

I know that mother wanted everyone to be there, but I can't take that risk," I say, which is upsetting because I wanted to spend time with my family. Since we are busy with our careers, we barely see each other. And now that I have the opportunity to see them, I can't.

" I know you're worried, son. You are doing an incredible thing many people don't have to courage to do. You're saving lives. I know you feel like your putting us in danger, but actually, you're saving us all. Just remember that you are the man that will get justice for your uncle, Kalvin and, everyone Bison has done wrong to." My father reassures me, which gives me a bit of hope.

" Thanks, dad. But it's like I'm one big trap. I can't back out because if I do, I'm dead, and if he finds out that I betrayed him, he's going to kill me. I knew what I was doing and what I got myself into, but I can't stomach the thought of him hurting you guys or Yasmine and her family."

" He won't hurt us. I have faith that our family and Yasmine's family will be safe from him because we're in your hands. Ray, everything is going to be ok. We all won't be in this long. Just hold on, son."

" I needed that. Thanks, dad."

" No problem, son. I'm always here if you need someone to lean on." He says, which makes me smile.

"David, dinner is ready, honey." My mother speaks in that sweet tone of hers is through his end of the phone.

" Alright, hun. I'll be there in a second."

" I'm going to let you go now. Tell mom not to kill me when she sees me again. I joke, causing dad to chuckle. " Tell everyone I said hello."

" Will do. Be safe, son."

" You too," I say to him before my father ends the call.

I start my car, waiting for a few seconds to warm it up. I'm about to pull off from Bison's place when my phone rings suddenly. I pick my phone up, glancing at the screen, noticing that Yasmine's calling, which instantly brightens my day. I quickly answer the phone, not letting it ring another second.

" Hey, Yas." I smile widely like an idiot until she speaks in a shaky tone, making my smile instantly drop.

" Hey. Can I come to your place? I need someone right now. I don't want to be here when he comes back."

" Of course, you can. I'm heading to you now."

She goes silent, but there's noise in the background that sounds like a bunch of movement.

" Yasmine?" No answer. " Yasmine, are you there?" Still no answer.

I keep calling her name until she finally speaks again, this time in a more frightening way.

"Ray, I-I think he's here."

"I'm on my way."