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.

Nari is the backbone of her block. A hairstylist with a "don't talk to me" attitude, she carries the weight of her world on her shoulders without asking for a hand out or a shoulder to cry on. Between braiding heads until her fingers bleed and raising her little sister, Layla, Nari doesn't have time for feelings-only for the math of survival. She's the provider, the protector, and the one everyone runs to when the lights go out. When her best friend Vee discovers her boyfriend, Marcus, sneaking a woman into her apartment, the two "slide" to handle the disrespect. But the confrontation takes a deadly turn. Against Nari's warnings, a heart-broken Vee does the unmistakable, not realizing the aftermath will affect J.R., a name that carries a death sentence in the streets. Caught in the crosshairs of a street war they didn't start, Nari's life of calculated hustle is traded for a game of survival. Dragged into the shadows of the streets, she comes face-to-face with a man whose silence is louder than any gunshot. He's cold, calculated, and holds Nari's life in the palm of his hand. Now, Nari is juggling more than just bills and braids. She's navigating a world of high-stakes debts and a dangerous attraction to a man who represents everything she should be running from. But in a world built on power and pride, love is a liability. When the wall finally crumbles and the "Provider" has nothing left to give, the roles reverse. _________________________________

Sincere & Lyric. #1 in #teenlove 06/23/2025 #2 in #crazy 06/23/2025

Sequel to 'My Brothers Shadow'. Please read book #1 first so you won't be lost. 🩶