And I hate that you don't think I belong to you.

When a self-made beauty boss tries to leave her toxic past behind, she crosses paths with New York's most feared kingpin who's already decided she'll be his, whether she's ready or not.

Sariah Bennett, 23, thick in all the right places, independent, sharp-tongued, and stubborn as hell. She runs her own hair and beauty business, keeps her money stacked, and has no interest in falling for some street dude - especially not her brother's boss. But Kingston "King" Cole, 36, ain't just some street dude. He is the streets. The city bends at his word, but when it comes to Sariah? He's just a lovesick, clingy, overgrown baby who can't stay off her. Everyone knows King is cold to the world... but to his Mamas? He's soft as silk, a straight-up lover boy. Ain't no "toxic" in his game - just spoiled love, forehead kisses, expensive gifts, and the type of obsession that feels like home.

Pushing himself from the door Gulian neared her, standing in front of her. "I want you to stop seeing 𝙝𝙞𝙢, that's what I want." Kyomi scoffed as she shook her head. "Why would I stop doing that? Just 'cause you call yourself asking nicely?"

"Guys like you don't go for girls like me..." "Good thing I'm not like most guys then, huh?"

you're just too good to be true... can't take my eyes off of you.

𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘪𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘫𝘰𝘣, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘪𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. [𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝟣/𝟤 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖾𝖾𝗍 𝖺𝖿𝖿𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖽𝗎𝗈𝗅𝗈𝗀𝗒] cover by @backenddoll 𝙖 𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

Selena is a young, determined influencer trying to make a name for herself in Baton Rouge, and Von, a street-smart tattoo artist with a past that won't let go. When their paths cross, sparks fly, but their connection runs deeper than just attraction. As they navigate the ups and downs of their complicated lives, loyalty, ambition, and danger pull them closer together. Between the risks of Von's street ties and the challenges Selena faces in the spotlight, they both have to decide what they're willing to risk for love, success, and each other. As they build their empire, they realize that real success isn't just about the hustle-it's about riding for each other, no matter the cost.

Imani's just waiting to graduate high school so she can do something with her life. Struggling with a single mother and 2 little sisters, she was determined to make something of herself. With her bestfriend and first love moved away she was kinda shut off from making any new friends, going through her school days alone, but not completely. Malique, if there were 5 tiers in being in the streets, he would be at a level 3. His name rang bells on his side of town and he was money hungry. He didn't believe in friends, everyone is out to get you was the way he walked through life not fully putting his trust into nobody. When the two cross paths Malique is fixated on the beautiful young girl, determined to make her his. Imani's mom doesn't believe in thugs and doesn't want that for any of her children. How long can Malique keep what he does for a living a secret, and what will happen if everyone finds out. *Unless stated otherwise, the story is told from Imani's POV Rankings #1 in #drugdealer #1 in #blm #1 in #thuglife #1 in #inlovewithathug #20 in #teenlove

❝𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐔𝐒 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃.❞