A/N: I was going to give y'all an update early this morning around 4/5 but last night seeing as all of my focus was on my television and folk updating me on my city being in the news I couldn't really form any ideas and when I finally got to form my ideas I hated what I wrote so here it is. I've been typing non-stop and I had to reread a few chapters of my own story everything is off my dome so I made some tweaks to a chapter for this one to fit in. I think it was chapter 26.

Happy Reading Guys!

Flashback….that morning early morning after the shooting.

Vito's POV

It's been a few hours after the shooting and the idea that Lucky came up for me to do was to contact the detectives. I've been sitting on his couch wondering if it's the right thing to do.

"I see you still haven't made up your mind.

I looked back and followed Lucky and he sits across from me. "Yeah. I don't know about your idea."

"What you mean you don't know about my idea Vito you have to go to call those detectives and tell them that."

"Look, I don't want to go there and tell them shit….I mean I shot him."

"You did but you maybe can work something out with them to cover your ass." Lucky got up and went into his room and came back with a business card I took it.

"What is this?"

"This is the detective number they were out here asking questions. I suggest you call them. The longer you wait the more it's going to hurt you. You want the mastermind out of it. Right?"

"Yeah."

"Call them."

"But- - "

"Do you want a little kid to get kidnapped send his folks have his mother on TV crying for her son knowing damn good and well you could have stopped this if you just called?"

"No. I don't."

"Well dammit call them."

I looked at the number and I wanted my hands clean of this so I hit the ten digits, hit call, and slowly put the phone to my ear. "Hello this is Detective Sue. How may I help you?"

"Er…I have information on the shooting that took place tonight."

"This is good! Can you meet us here or do you want us to come and talk to you?" I muted the phone.

"They asked me do I want to go there or come here?"

"Go there. My house is hot enough look I'll go with you."

I unmuted my phone. "I'll come down there. Say in the next 30 minutes. Bye." I put my phone back in my pocket."

"Good. Come on. Come on."

25 minutes we arrived at the HQ, IW as looking around me making sure that I no one I knew saw me and I saw them so they won't run back and tell Tank.

"Come on yo!" We got off the elevator and were greeted by two detectives.

"You called us?" One of the detectives asked Lucky.

"No, I just bought him down here."

"Follow us, you sir can sit right here."

"A'ight."

I followed the detective into a room with a desk and three chairs I sat on the side with one chair.

"Want anything to drink? A cigarette?"

"I'll take a Coke if you have one."

"Yeah sure. Want some chips?"

"Yeah…while you at can I get a sandwich too."

"Oh you got jokes…hopefully you'll have that same attitude when I come back with my partner." She said and left.

"Whatever."

A few minutes later the door opened and she returned with her partner and my snacks. I guess they want to make you feel comfortable.

"I'm Detective Sue and this is my partner Detective Figgins." They dropped their note pads and phones on the table I shook their hands and they sat down.

"So, what information do you have for us about that shooting that happened?"

I licked my lips. "I did it."

"Damn we never got a confession that quick." Detective Sue said as Figgins tossed down his pen and closed his notepad.

"Why did you do it?"

I swallowed hard. "I was told to do it. Someone said that they were verbally assaulted at a store and they wanted me to get back at this person. So she showed me a photo on her phone and I followed dude."

"So you followed dude. You didn't get a text sent to your phone?"

"No. No text, she didn't want to leave anything that involves her behind."

"Okay, this still doesn't make sense. She's verbally assaulted, you see her, she tells you, you follow the guy and shoot him. There has to be another reason."

"There is…she's plotting to kidnap a kid."

"Now we're getting somewhere? What's her name and who is she?"

"Bertha…Bertha Jackson."

Present Day…

Sam's POV

Mercedes and I just finished our talk with TJ. "I'm sorry daddy. I'm sorry mommy. Will I be grounded more?" TJ asked.

"No son. It's just that we didn't know where you were and this house is big and we searched all over and no one even thought to check PawPaw's room to see if he had went out too. You could have come in here and told mommy or me that you were going out for a morning walk with PawPaw anything could have happened and we would not have known. I know that you're 5 years old but when you start making friends with the neighborhood kids you're going to have to tell us where you running off to for your safety and ours."

"Sorry. PawPaw said it was only 15 minutes."

"Well, it felt like forever with us. Go ask Uncle JJ to give you a bath."

"Okay. I love you."

"We love you too." He walked out the room and closed the door behind him.

"Babe was that not the worst feeling ever."

"Yeah it was he was only with PawPaw but after TJ had those two dreams last night I'm a little bit worried. He's been a good sleeper for 3 weeks and this week between Uncle Stevie being shot and seeing his sperm donator I think that shocked him."

"Hell, it would shock me too." I dragged myself off the bed and began taking off my clothes.

"Did he tell you what happened in the dream?"

"No, he just said it was two separate dreams and they both had monsters."

"I guarantee you the monster is Tank. I got money on it. Do you want to hear about my visit with Stevie yesterday?"

"Yeah I do seeing as we didn't have time to talk about that. Why did you leave?"

"I was going to enter Stevie's room but I heard him on the phone talking to someone so I wanted to listen in. Whoever he was on the phone with he told them and these are his words, "Yeah they came and talked to me. No I didn't tell them anything, Why not? I want to handle it myself", yeah. That's what he said. I'm like you're already in the hospital from being shot 3 times 1 of the bullets went into your chest and you're seeking revenge. I left told him if he wanted to be badass that he couldn't come around here anymore. We still don't know if this involves Tank. I want to go see him but I just don't know I have a family but then I went out and went somewhat of a badass myself."

"That you did. How's your hand?"

"It's okay. I didn't think that day I'd be fighting someone when I left here yesterday nor come home and have our first argument well second argument."

"Yeah, I was pretty upset with you, you were gone most of the day you didn't even answer your phone."

"Sorry about that."

"It's okay but call me like PawPaw said."

"I will."

"Also I told my brother about us being married."

"You told him?"

"Well, actually he figured it out, I try to tell him it was a commitment ring but he knew he was upset with me after he found out why he's good with it."

"Are you going to tell your parents?"

"Oh, hell to the no I don't want to have to explain anything on that. We had to for TJ's sake. Look the next thing I'm going to say is going to be off the wall seeing as what went down this morning but I need you as in I want to ride you."

I stick my head out the bathroom door. "Ride what? This or this?" I asked pointing to my tongue and my dick.

"Both."

"Really?" She started removing her t-shirt and next the bra went.

"Yes…now come on and lock that door." She said walking pushing me out the bathroom door into the bedroom "I don't want my daddy or TJ barging up in here interrupting us."

"So we're going to do it in the bathroom but the bar isn't fixed." I locked the door and walked into the bathroom. She had towels on the floor.

"That's fine…we got the floor."

TJ's POV

Uncle JJ gave me a bath set out the clothes he got me yesterday while he was out and I dressed myself and headed down to the kitchen and granny was making breakfast.

"Granny I'm sorry." I gave her a hug.

"It's okay TJ you were with PawPaw you were safe that's all that matters." I climbed up on the stool and watched granny finish the eggs scrambling the eggs. "Breakfast is almost ready how about you go on up and get your parents?"

"Okay." Jumping of the stool I ran up the steps. I knocked first. I didn't get any answer then I tried to open the door and it was locked. "Why is the door lock? Hmmm…"

"TJ come on breakfast!"

"Where are Sam and Mercedes? Did you tell them that breakfast was ready, TJ?" Granny asked me as she sat down my plate.

"Yes, granny they didn't answer the door and it's locked."

"I told that man to stay off my daughter." Granddaddy said as grandma covered my ears but she forgot I learned about this on the playground.

"Joshua!" She shook her head at me. "You told him but did you tell her. It works both ways baby."

"Yup mom's got a point."

"Granny 1, Granddaddy 0." I wrote in the air

"What you know about that TJ?" Uncle JJ and cousin J3 asked me.

"The playground."

"What kind of playground is that?!

Tank's POV

I can't believe it they really got my mother on some trumped up charges. Who is to blame for this? I wonder if it could be Stevie because he's still alive and as far as I know he's after me.

"Why do you have Sam on your computer?" Sarah asked me coming outside asking me some question I didn't hear it. "Where's Bertha?"

"She just got arrested."

"What for?!"

"Some trump ass charges look, until I figure all of this out the plan is off. I'm going back home because I got business I have to handle."

"But what about me…I'm trying to get back at my boyfriend for kicking me out of our house."

"Fine… I can help you with that and then once I get my mother out of this you can help me with my shit seeing as your name is already on the birth certificate. I'm going back to my house. Come with me."

Mercedes POV

I had to get my freak on I'm sorry after thinking losing my mind that TJ had ran off only to know that he was with PawPaw/Grandpa, Stevie, and then Target incident I needed something to put my mind at ease and only person who could do that was my husband. We're still in the bathroom, lying on the floor.

"That was the best sex I ever had. I mean our first time was great but this time you were hungry for it ooh that turned me on."

"Yeah, I was I just needed a way to relieve my stress that has built up over these last few days."

"Well I'm glad I could help hell, I should have come home yesterday and play dirty with you than go to that park and fight."

"I agree." I got up off the floor and went over to the shower and turned on the water. "Well since we relieved our stress let's take a shower and get down to breakfast."

"Right behind you."

We took a shower got dressed and made our way downstairs and they decided not to wait for us they were already eating.

"Good Morning all."

"Good Morning. You're happy?" My mother asked me.

"Yeah, I am. TJ's home and he was only with Grandpa that made me feel much better."

"Hmmm…You have an afterglow."

"What's an afterglow? Do I have one?" TJ asked looking up from his plate.

"You don't need to know what that is and no you do not. Eat your breakfast. Babe you want a little of everything or just some."

"I want everything. I worked up an appetite." He smiled rubbing his belly and I returned his smile.

"That you did baby." I sat his plate down. "So, what do y'all have planned for today because Sam, TJ and I are going over to visit Stevie."

"We are?! YES!"

"Daddy and I talked about it last night. So, mom, dad, Uncle Julius, J3, and PawPaw what do you guys have planned for today."

"I thought that we could all go shopping but seeing as that you got plans I think we all can do a little bit of site seeing and then maybe meet up for lunch or dinner. How does that sound?"

"It sounds good to me."

"I don't want to go shopping ." PawPaw said.

"So, what do you want to do PawPaw?"

"Casino!"

"Hey! That's grandpa for you."

We finished eating breakfast and seeing as we were already dressed Sam, TJ and I decided to head on out.

"Mom, dad! We're leaving now!"

"Okay. Tell, Mary, Dwight, Stacey, and Stevie hello for us."

"We will. You got the key?"

"I got it! Y'all go on. See you later."

Tank's POV

I really didn't get a chance to get to talk to Sarah the first time I picked her up because my mother was doing all of the talking so here's my chance.

"I learned somethings about you when you were talking to my mother but you never got around to telling her who your ex-boyfriend was?"

"His name is Sam. Punk ass."

"Damn What he do to you?"

"Nothing besides kick me out of his house and kept talking about his ex-girlfriend."

"Why would a guy talk about his ex-girlfriend when he has a fine ass woman like you on his arm? Motherfucker is a fool."

"I know anyway one night the bitch showed up and that was that, he kicked me out and started calling her his girlfriend that night."

"Dude crazy ass shit. What was the girl name if you remember?"

"Her name was….Mercedes."

I slam on the breaks. "Damn you could have warned me." She was wiping off the water that held spilled on her.

"You said Mercedes."

"Yeah, her name was Mercedes. Why you know her?"

"Yeah…forget going to my house. Show me where he lives at."

"Okay…you make a left here…"

JJ's POV

Mom, grandpa, daddy and Uncle Julius decided that they would go out as a group which is great I really didn't want to be site seeing or shopping with them, J3 and I had other plans in mind. I'm dressed to head out the door J3 on the other hand. Well.

"J3! Are you ready to go?! How many times are you going to change outfits and your shoes, pick one and the right fitted to match and move it!"

"Shit man I don't know what I want to wear. I have so many options! The blue, green, baby blue…." He continued naming all of his colors I scrolled through my phone. I sent 'Cedes a text telling her that when I leave I'm going to send another text so that Sam, could secure the house as I was sending it the doorbell rang.

"Hurry up J3! Your ass is taking so long you got guest visiting us and we're the visitors. Shit." I opened the door.

"Is Sam here?"

"Who are you? Why are you asking for Sam?"

"'Cause I told her to." Tank stepped out from hiding behind the door. "What your ass doing here?"

I looked him up and down. "Don't worry about why my ass his here? Why are you here?" I stepped towards him.

"I'm here for one reason and one reason alone. Where is, Mercedes and my son?" He was looking inside but with every move he made I made with him.

"JJ I'm ready to go. Woooh. What's going on? Who the hell is he?" He asked opened the door a little further.

"I'm Tank. Problem."

"Hell yeah, I have problem with your ass for whatever you did to my cousin!

"Man FUCK your cousin look where she at?"

"Motherfucker I'm not telling you a damn thing the only reason my hands aren't wrapped tightly around your neck squeezing the life out of you is that, this isn't my house, I respect people shit but if I catch your ass on the street alone or with anyone else. I'm going to fuck you up. Mark. My. Words! I suggest you roll your ass up out of here and take whoever she is with you."

"That's fine. I'm about to roll but tell Stevie I'm looking for his ass." He said as I slammed the door in his face.

"JJ you should have laid into him! Why didn't you?! Hell I should have!"

"I was already in one fight yesterday. I don't want to make it 2 for 2."

"You were in a fight? Where?" He sat on the edge of the couch.

"Mercedes house."

"Who did you fight?!"

"I don't know some guy, look like he could be related to Tank I was there to whip Tank ass but I wiped his ass instead."

"Does Mercedes know? Sam?"

"Sam was there I ran into him at the park, he told me what really happened. Tank, abused her and TJ was conceived not out of love, out of her being taken advantage of he, drugged her or slipped something in a drink hell but that pissed me off once I found those two things out I was off and running. Sam tried to stop me but I had to go over there and send a message. Looks like his ass is trying to send one back." I looked over at J3 and he was pissed too.

"So, he raped her?"

"You can say that."

"Does Uncle Joshua know? My dad?"

"No, I really don't know if she told them yet I got it out of Sam, I'm telling you so don't tell my mom, my dad, your dad or grandpa."

"Okay I won't tell them but I'll talk to her when I get a chance. You ready to go?"

"Yeah you can go on out I'll be there."

"Okay." J3 left and I locked up the house and sent 'Cedes a text as I was making my way to the car I remembered the conversation that I had with her when we got here.

"Just Stevie."

"Where was TJ?"

"At Target with Uncle Puck and Tank and his crusty ass mother spotted him and TJ and they had this huge blowout."

"So, where is Stevie?"

"The hospital."

"Is he sick or something?"

"No, he got shot…."

"Did Tank shoot Stevie?!" I was jarred from my thinking because J3 was blowing the horn.

"Come on man! You rushed my ass now you taking your time!

TJ's POV

Uncle Stevie is still in ICU and I can't go back there which I still think that it sucks, mommy and daddy are back there with him with grandma and grandpa. Aunt Stacey is out here with me in the waiting room. I'm drawing.

"What are you drawing there TJ?"

"Something I thought of." She looked down at my drawing and made a concerned face she took the drawing and looked at me.

"Explain this picture to me."

"That's the playground and that's me."

"Okay…looks like you're running away from this person?"

"I am."

"Who are you running away from?"

"Tank."

A/N: I think I have my mojo back! WOOOO! [happy dancing]