❛❛don't wonder, just ask me jhené.❞ ©𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

A sequel to 'Beneath the Beads.' Hearts, secrets, and first loves collide in the Dalindyebo household. Between laughter and chaos, the next generation discovers that growing up is messy but love is everything

What happens when a suicidal twenty-two year old meets someone who pushes her to be more than her grief. In return she teaches him how to be patient and a better person overall. "Talk to me" "There's nothing to say, I'm fine" Zed stared at her blankly emptying out his pockets onto Kiya's dresser, removing the clip from his gun he sat it down. Stripping from his clothes he got into her bed getting a better look at the dried up tears on her face. "What the fuck are you lying for?" "mmcht bye Zed I told you about cursin at me" "Im sorry Phat, why you been crying? Most importantly why didn't you call me?" gripping her throat Zed pulled her closer until their lips were less than an inches apart. "what's going on with you, Mama?"

"𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏?" - 𝑱𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒙𝒙

Miles has always been able to keep his professional and personal life separate. Then he met Gianna Graye.

Five years after a night of forbidden passion, a powerful mafia Don's violent pursuit of a debt leads him back to the enigmatic dancer unaware that she holds a secret that could shatter his empire: his heir. •••••••• Tristian Perry, the undisputed kingpin of New York's underworld, lives by a strict code: power, respect, and ruthless efficiency. A chance encounter five years ago with a young stripper named Lyric Raven resulted in a single night of intense passion, a night he barely remembers amidst the chaos of his life. Lyric, on the other hand, never forgot Tristian. That night left her with Trevor , a son she's fiercely protected, keeping his paternity a secret. Now, five years later, their worlds collide again with explosive force. Tristian, enraged by a dealer's betrayal, traces him to his apartment, only to find Lyric and Trevor living there with him. He kidnaps them both, intending to use them as leverage against her brother until his debt is paid. Lyric, hardened by five years of single motherhood but still possessing the spark that initially captivated him, ignites a dangerous desire he thought he'd buried. Tristian is torn between his ruthless nature, his growing affection for Trevor, and his re-emerging obsession with Lyric.

At 28, Saniyah Carter has built a life she's proud of, pouring her heart into the children who walk through the doors of her dance studio. Love isn't something she's looking for-until one of her students brings a certain single father into her world. At 34, Khalil Brewster's life revolves around two things: working hard and raising his daughter, Kazila. Guarded, focused, and careful about who he lets close, Khalil has no intentions of making room for anyone else. But some people enter your life without asking for permission. And sometimes, the hardest man to love has the softest spot.

"You just don't look....safe." Essence said while sipping her drink. "Naw, I only ain't safe for the niggas that hate me." "But for you, I'll be real cautious..."

𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬, 𝘴𝘢𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴.