"How can we help?" Simon asked.

"That you'll have to take up with Malcolm when he gets home. He leaves me out a lot of things, I'm guessing for my safety."

"I understand." I nodded.

"But what I can do is show you all around the neighborhood until Malcolm gets back." She suggests.

I bit ma lip already regrettin what was about ta exit ma mouth. "Can you take us ta whea y'all found ha?"

She seemed taken aback by ma question. Her eyes glossed over as they read sadness and heartbreak. I knew it was too much on ha and maself ta see whea she was, but I needed ta see this. I wanted ta feel whea ha body laid fa minutes, maybe hours.

Fixin ha face, she nodded ha head. "If that's what you want, then yes."

I nodded. "Yeah that's what I want. I need ta see the area."

"Okay. I'll take you guys there, but just know the area where we found her isn't the best. There's gangs, drug dealers, even some prostitutes. It's not safe."

"Ain't shit I ain' neva deal with befo'. Befo' I was August Alsina, I was just Yung, sellin dope and all that other shit. I seen everything life has ta offer, don't nobody put fear inside ma heart. No nigga or bitch gone make me feel less than."

Rose nodded ha head. "I understand."

After finishing their breakfast August, Rose, and Simon headed outside. August sighed, feeling the hot air hit his exposed skin.

"Okay, first I would like to apologize for this hot weather." She giggled, watching the boys wipe the little sweat beads from their forehead. "I'm gonna show you boys around then we can head to um that area." Rose said, tucking her lips.

It was no secret that Rose was visible uncomfortable and saddened by the thought of Sarah. Rose was an empathetic soul and she felt hurt from everyone, so seeing Sarah how she did, hurt her soul to the core. Rose didn't have kids, but everyone and their mothers knew who Rose was. She might not have her own kids, but everyone was her baby. Whenever Malcolm was at work, Rose would visit her neighbors and make sure they were alright.

After showing August and Simon around, the last area to show them was the area where they found Sarah. On their way back home, they guys made casual conversation with Rose asking her questions about her life.

"You was at teacher?" Simon asked.

"Yup. I taught 11th and 12th graders." She answered, walking past her home.

"Did you like it?" Simon asked again.

Rose was aware that August was fairly quiet and she made a mental note to talk to him once they got back home.

"I loved it. I love teaching. All my students were excellent. I don't know how they were everywhere else, but in my classroom, they were angels." She chuckled.

Getting closer to the scene, a car slowly drove by. Since August wasn't paying attention to the conversation between Rose and Simon, he was the first to notice the car. Keeping his mug on his face, he kept his eyes on the car until it completely drove by, turning the corner.

"Aye, whea you say them niggas be?"

Pausing their conversation, Rose turned around to address August. "I'm sorry, baby, what did you say?"

"Mevo and his niggas, whea they be posted at? A car just drove by, like they finna do a drive by or some shit." August said, looking around for anything suspicious.

His senses were going up and down. He felt it in his spirit that something bad was gone happen. People knew who August was, especially Peter.

"I don't know, honey. You'll have to talk to Malcolm when he gets home. If you feel more comfortable being inside and away from here, we can go back to my home." Rose suggested.

"Nah," August shook his head, shaking the feeling he was having. "I'm straight. Niggas know betta than ta fuck with Aug."

"Damn straight, nigga!" Simon said, dabbing August up.

She nodded, finishing the route to where Sarah was picked up from. After walking a few more minutes Rose stopped, quickly turning around.

"Let's go." She said.

"Huh?" "What?" August and Simon said together.

"Listen to me, now. Do not turn around, keep your head down and go back to my house, now." She said sternly.

"Why?" August said.

He was confused on her sudden change of mind and tone.

"Go now." She quickly ushered them away from where she was and back to her home.

"Is that the beautiful Rose Martin?" A stranger said, slowly walking up to Rose.

"August, please. For the sake of Sarah, go to my home, please." She whispered.

He furrowed his eyebrows, looking behind Rose. He had a feeling that he shouldn't leave, but out of respect for Rose, he complied. "Come on, nigga."

Upon entering the house, August stared out the window, watching over Rose while she talked to the unknown stranger.

August wind up taking a huge liking to Rose. She was just like his momma in a way. She was very level headed and embodied a queen. In the two days that August knew Miss Rose, he knew he needed her in greater things involving what was going on.

"RaMevo Jones and it's Hamilton. Rose Hamilton." She said.

"The one and only, bellissima. How've you been, amore mio? Still with Michael?" He smiled, choosing to ignore the correction she gave him on her name.

"You know my husband's name, Mevo, it's Malcolm. And I'm not your love. Don't call me beautiful either before I get my husband."

"You are my love, baby. Did you forget I had all of you before you met that sorry ass man of yours." He smiled the smile she once loved before.

Feeling anger erupt inside of her, Rose got closer to Mevo, putting her finger in his face. "You will not talk about my husband in my presence! You had me before and that wonderful King has me now! Watch your mouth when speaking about my man!"

"You went from a billionaire to someone who had a boss, amore mio."

"Still very bitter, I see?" She fires back, not letting up.

He chuckled, "Rose, Rose, Rose, non impari mai, amore mio. Ti riprenderò, cazzo Malcom."

Feeling a hard slap across his face, Mevo stopped laughing, grabbing Rose by her collar.

"Let me go!" Rose said struggling to get out of his tight grip.

Before Mevo could say anything, August and Simon came running over.

"Let her go, puss ass nigga." Simon said.

Mevo chuckled, but let go of Rose. She fixed her clothes, returning to the boy's side.

"Fuck you doin puttin yo hand in ha like that, huh?" August asked, stepping up to Mevo.

August didn't have a clue that the man he was stepping up to was the man that held his future wife hostage in a right up the street. But, Mevo, he knew. He knew all about August, per his son, Peter. He knew what August's mission was while he was here and he knew Rose and Malcolm would try to help him find Sarah and he couldn't have that.

Of course he didn't want Sarah, she was too young minded and foolish for him. He needed a grown woman who was on her shit and that woman was Rose. The only reason he was holding Sarah hostage was because of Peter. His son called him in a panic, screaming and crying about the woman of his dreams leaving him. With Peter being his only child, he wanted to make sure he had everything he could possibly want.

"I wanna kill this bitch!" Peter screamed.

"Calm down, Pete. Did you take your medication today?" Mevo asked, ignoring his son's outburst.

"Fuck that shit, dad. This nigga stole my fucking woman! He posting her all on his Instagram and Twitter like a pussy! That was supposed to be me. She was mine!" Another wave of furniture being tossed around was heard through the phone. Lights and glasses were being shattered while desks and chairs were being thrown against the walls.

Mevo knew his son has schizophrenia and he knew what would happen if he went long days without taking his medication. He would act off impulse. There was no thinking.

"PETER STEFANO JONES! Metti insieme la tua merda!" He yelled through the phone, immediately silencing his son. "Cazzo, hai torto, ragazzo?"

"Dad, he took her from me." Peter said lowly.

"Who is he, Stefano?"

"August Alsina."

"Then get her back."

"I don't know how, dad. I tried everything. I tried to be romantic, I've given her gifts, and all, but nothing works!"

Mevo thought for a minute before humming. "Have you tried force?"

"Force?"

"Yes, force, Stefano, dov'è la tua testa?"

"I haven't, dad." Peter mumbled.

"I'll yell you this. Gather the boys and we'll get your girl." Mevo smiled, lighting his cigar.

"And you are, young man?" He smiled, taking a step back.

August mugged him, "You know me, nigga and if you don't ask yo niggas about me since you got them circlin around this bitch."

"Young man, I don't know who you think you are, but–"

"But shit, put yo hands on ha again and I'a send yo puss ass back ta ya maker."

Mevo laughed, not taking August as serious as he should. "You youngins never learn. Tell your huddy I said hello, Rose. I will see you around," He said, winking in Rose's direction. "You too, August. We'll be getting aquatinted very soon."

The car that rode by the first time, pulled around again, but this time, they picked up Mevo.

Once the car was out of everyone's sight, Rose turned around, bursting into tears.

Not knowing what to do, Simon and August comforted her, while she shed her tears.

Afta comfortin Ms. Rose, she put ha hand up. "I'm fine."

"Who was that?" August asked.

She looked up, shaking her head. "My worst nightmare, RaMevo Jones."

"Fuck, aight, come on so we can get you back home." August said.

Walking back home, August was on high alert. Making sure nobody tried to pull some slick shit. Once they got home, Rose unlocked the door and walk in first.

"Y'all coming in?" She said after noticing the boys weren't budging from the spit they were in.

"Nah, I gotta make a quick call. We'll be in thea inna few minutes." August stated.

"Okay."

August nodded, pulling his phone out. He scrolled through his contacts to find the number he was looking for.

"Aye nigga, you tryna hit up H-Tine with me? Yeah, nigga, I'm in business. Fuck nigga named RaMevo Jones, know him? Cool cool, let me know, shit, bring the whole gang outchea. We got business to handle. I'a holla at chu later, Sneak." Hanging is the phone, August smiled.

"We gone have some fun 'round this bitch." Simon said.

😂😂🤦🏾‍♀️🙄🙃