A drunken night on a girl's trip leads to a secret relationship between two best friends.

Kabari Braxton had been incarcerated at the early age of 14 years old. Groomed by an older gang in his neighborhood, he was lured into robbing a convenience store-he complied intending to walk away with cash but leaving with blood on his hands instead. Tried as an adult, he spent seven years behind bars, cut off from the world that moved on without him. Now, at 21, he's granted parole and an early release. But freedom isn't what it seems. He's stepping into a world that he no longer recognizes, with no home, no family, and no direction. As far as he knows, he's completely alone-at least, that's what he expected.

𝟏𝟑.𝟎𝟗.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-𝟏𝟒.𝟎𝟗.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Niah Monroe, a 26-year-old ambitious woman working her way through grad school, has always kept her life on the straight and narrow. She's loyal to her best friend, and she avoids men who could derail her goals. But then enters Khalil "Khaos" Mercer, 32, her best friend's older brother-fresh out after serving time, running the family's underground hustle, and building an empire of his own. He's dark, dangerous, and the one man she's never allowed herself to want. When circumstances force them together-him needing her brain and discipline to clean up his business moves, her needing his protection after a brush with street danger-the forbidden attraction between them sparks into a full-blown, undeniable passion.

Kaine is rich in blood but broke in spirit. Drained and tired of living a life of sin, he has hope in a clean slate. Until he meets Syn who lives a completely different life than he does. So he thinks. Love is dangerous territory in this game, he wants to keep her safe. But somehow he'll continue to get his hands dirty to protect a love with his life.

"It's not much, but I know you like your little music," she said, setting the box on the table without looking at me. "Happy birthday, Denzel." The Drop A novel by Stephanie Criner Told by Denzel "Dizzy" Hardiman Jr. Tyreese was supposed to make it to the league. Han was the one with all the plans. Zoey danced like nothing could touch her. And me? I was just trying to stay quiet enough to be left alone. But it doesn't work like that. Not around here. One mistake turned into a mess we couldn't clean up. Now everything's different. The crew. The city. Me. People say you can't outrun where you're from. They're right. But sometimes, you don't even get the chance to try.

Asianna has always had it all. Money, beauty, brains, and a sharp tongue that cuts deeper than any blade. But having everything handed to her comes with strings she's ready to cut. She vanishes from her family's and sets out to find something real. Enter Ryan cold, cunning, and the iron-fisted queen of the underground. She runs the mafia with ruthless precision and doesn't believe in asking twice. When she wants something, she takes it. And right now, what she wants is Asianna...whether she knows it or not. But Asianna isn't one to be tamed. What begins as a power play turns into a deadly dance of wills, secrets, and seduction. In a world ruled by shadows, can two queens reign without tearing each other apart?