Halo was just looking for a way out of a bad situation. She thought her sister was throwing her a lifeline, but instead, she landed straight into the path of a man who doesn't do favors, doesn't do guests, and definitely doesn't do soft. He run his life and his house with zero room for error. He's cold, dominant, and unapologetic. But sometimes, the very person who threatens your peace is the only one capable of holding you down. In a world where everyone else failed her, Halo is about to learn that protection comes with a price, and his standard is non-negotiable.

𝘐𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯-𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩.

Soleia Washington built her salon from the ground up with nothing but talent, grit, and sleepless nights. But behind the polished mirrors and flawless installs, the bills are stacking higher than her profits, clients are getting harder to keep, and the dream she sacrificed everything for is slipping through her fingers. The last thing Soleia needs is distraction - especially not one wrapped in designer clothes, cold stares, and street power. Jordan "X" Woods is the kind of man people whisper about. Feared across the city and known for running one of the most profitable drug operations on the east side, his name carries weight... and danger. He's built his empire by never letting emotions cloud his judgment, until one chance meeting with Soleia leaves him wanting something he's never allowed himself to have: peace. In a city where love can get you killed, is risking your heart ever worth the cost?

Book 1. - ❝THINGS AIN'T ALWAYS SET IN STONE, THAT BE KNOWN LET ME KNOW.❞

Imani is a quiet, reserved Jamaican-Caribbean nurse working in labor and delivery. She keeps to herself, moves with calm precision, and rarely lets people in-but beneath her silence is a deeply genuine and caring soul. Deion is a dominant, no-nonsense police officer with a ruthless edge and a life built on control. The only soft spot in his world is his three-year-old daughter, Nova, who brings out a side of him few ever see. When their paths cross in the middle of a high-pressure day, neither of them expects much. But something about the encounter lingers longer than it should-and neither can quite walk away from it.

Since I was sixteen I've always known the kind of life I wanted for myself. I wanted the love. The peace. The happiness. The marriage. The family. The home. But sometimes life doesn't always go as planned. Instead of getting what I wanted, I got what I needed. I got lessons. I got heartbreaks that forced me to grow. I got silence that taught me how to listen to myself. I got endings that pushed me toward new beginnings. And even though it wasn't easy, every detour shaped me into the person I am today. Stronger. Wiser. More passionate about the life I'm still building. And despite all of that, I still want the love. The peace. The happiness. The marriage. The family. The home. I still want it all. Because no matter how many times life has tested me, the desire for those things has never left. It's only grown stronger. ~ Crystal

Girl, you're the one I want You're the one I need I'm beggin' you, please Can you come back to me 'Cause I was blind to see That's who was right in front of me (you were right in front of me).