Brielle is currently 7 1/2 months pregnant and it was brought to their attention that, K'Mya (Cameron's ex) has had the whole family under surveillance. Jayla (cameron's ex-assistant) went to Bri's jewelry store and caused some damage which resulted into one of her employees getting shot. Dakari (Bri's father) has insisted that the whole family train because a war is brewing. Dakari is letting y'all know he was in the streets before he picked up a ball! Our favorite couple is married and Cameron received news that his brother was murdered.

Today was the day that Nerrick would be faced with his biggest fear, death. He often wished for this day, but now that he sees life for what it is—he wants to live, just as Isaac Marion said, here it comes. My inevitable death, ignoring me all those years when I wished for it daily, arriving only after I've decided I want to live forever.

He shook his head, not even ready for this day. Nerrick can either meet his maker or run. He's leaning more towards his option of running, but then I don't think he could accept the fact of being weak. He also doesn't want any harm done to his family, and I know he'll never be able to live with that.

Nerrick sighed and dropped his head as he sat on the side of my bed. He was deep in thought, with his mind racing. He was never going to be able to meet his niece or nephew. Yes, he was aware that Cameron had a child on the way. Nerrick has been keeping up with him since the Christmas incident. Nerrick was proud that Cam was working hard and providing for his family, something he had always said he was going to do. Nerrick shook his head, feeling himself getting sad.

"Fuck! Nerrick why did you have to be so stupid?" He swiped everything off the dresser with so much force and punched the mirror, dropping to the floor with his head between his legs.

"AHHHHHHHHH!" He screamed out in agony and angrily wiped the tears off of his face. "I'm so stupid."

Looking at the clock that sat in the center of the wall, Nerrick shook his head. It was almost time for his meeting, or should he call it meeting his maker?

The longer he stared at the clock on the wall, the more he said, fuck it not he's not going. Nerrick said if he wants me, he'd better come get me.

And that's exactly what happened. No later than thirty minutes later, he was being dragged out of his apartment. Nerrick looked up at the sky and shook his head. It was dark and gloomy, matching his mood. The clouds were big and dark, almost gray, lighting up the sky and making it dark at the same time.

Thunder struck, making the whole city rumble. Nerrick jumped as they threw him into the backseat. The two men that retrieved him from his apartment slid in beside him and they pulled off. They didn't bother covering his face because they knew he was about to die anyway.

As Nerrick sat in the backseat, his life was quickly flashing before his eyes. Birthdays. Holidays. Family night. His siblings' proudest moments. His proudest moments. His parents and the rest of his family were becoming a distant memory. He silently wished that he had done things differently.

After a short ride, they were pulling up to a warehouse. Putting the Tahoe back in the park, the men stepped out and pulled Nerrick out, dragging him through the backdoor. They took him to the basement, and as they walked in, Nerrick's stomach dropped to the pit of his stomach.

There was a single chair in the middle of the room, on top of plastic. The chair had restraints on the arms and legs, indicating that Nerrick wasn't going anywhere. They threw him into the chair and restrained him.

"Any last words?"

Nerrick looked up and saw the one and only, Mr. Romero. One powerful man. Nerrick was so in debt that Mr. Romero knew he couldn't afford to pay it, so he had no choice but to kill him. But little did Mr. Romero know, Nerrick was refusing to pay it. All he had to do was make one phone call, but Nerrick decided not to do that because it was his debt. It was his doing. He had made his bed and was choosing to lay in it.

Mr. Romero cleaned his custom-made sword and approached Nerrick.

Nerrick looked at Mr. Romero in his eyes, not showing an ounce of fear. He smiled as his memories flashed through his mind. Once Romero raised the sword, Nerrick whispered to himself. "I love you, mama and daddy. I'm sorry, but I gotta go."

Romero threw his hand back, bringing the sword up and, in one slice, Nerrick was on the floor. We all know that beheading someone is not easy and it usually takes more than one slice, but Mr. Romero's sword was different and so was he. He licked Nerrick's blood from his lips and dropped the sword.

"Clean up and dump the body where it can be found."

I honestly have no words for everything that has transpired. From Cameron's deluded ex, Jayla, popping up at my store to the heartbreaking news of Nerrick's death, my heart aches for my husband and his family. I can't even stomach the thought of receiving a phone call like that about my siblings or child. And honestly, who wants to receive a phone call like that? I shook my head. I am truly praying for my second family's mental health. Especially my baby. If nobody else knows, I know he's taking this the hardest.

Everything, meaning the move, baby shower, engagement party, and training, has been put on the back burner for the time being. Cameron protested, but in the end, I won—thank you hormones and tears. I just feel like we all need a break from doing anything, so I told my folks to put the planning to a standstill and just rest. I also put a stop to everything because I don't want Cameron doing anything. Since K'Mya has let it be known she's back, it trigged his PTSD along with Nerrick's death.

"Alaya."

I looked down and smiled. Cameron and I were currently outside in the backyard, laying in the bed looking at the stars. The house was a little chaotic because it was family game night, but Cam was a little zoned out, so we slipped outside. It was nice and cool.

"Yes, baby?" I rubbed my fingers through his hair as he laid on me the best way he could, knowing that my belly was in the way.

He grabbed my left hand and ran his finger across my ring. He gripped my hand. "I love you so much, baby, and thank you for being here for me."

I smiled and tapped his face, signaling that I wanted him to look at me. He looked up and scooted up. I cuffed his face and kissed him. "You don't have to thank me, baby, and I love you more."

🕊💙