𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 Ⅸ

𝗆𝗂𝖼𝗁𝖺𝖾𝗅'𝗌 𝗉𝗈𝗏 

𝚏𝚎𝚠  𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚔'𝚜 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛

The smell of eggs and bacon hit me before I even opened my eyes. A soft clatter of plates, the faint shuffle of movement—I knew I wasn't alone.

I cracked my eyes open to see Giselle standing by the bed, holding a tray with a satisfied little smirk on her face. Her curls were messy, wild from sleep, and she had on one of my shirts, barely reaching mid-thigh.

"Good morning, applehead," she said, setting the tray down on my lap. "I figured I'd surprise you."

I smirked, sitting up against the headboard. "You cook now?"

She rolled her eyes. "Boy, shut up and eat."

I chuckled, picking up my fork. The food actually looked good—eggs, bacon, some toast, and fresh fruit on the side and orange juice. I took a bite, humming in approval.

"Damn, this is good," I admitted.

She sat on the edge of the bed, watching me with a proud smile. "Good. At least now I know you won't starve when I'm not around."

I raised an eyebrow. "And when exactly would you not be around?"

She laughed, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

I finished up, wiping my mouth with a napkin before pulling her onto my lap. She yelped but didn't resist, resting her hands on my chest.

"You tryna butter me up for something?" I teased.

She tilted her head. "Maybe. Maybe I just like taking care of you."

I studied her for a second, running my fingers along her thigh. Damn, she was something else.

"You keep this up, and I'ma never let you go," I murmured, kissing her neck.

She giggled but pushed me away playfully. "You gotta go to work, remember?"

I groaned, throwing my head back. "Why you gotta ruin the moment?"

"Because somebody's gotta keep you in check," she said, grinning.

I sighed, running a hand down my face. She was right. It was time to handle business.

I kissed her forehead before getting out of bed and pulling on some clothes. She watched me from under the covers, her eyes following my every move.

Before I left, I leaned down and kissed her again, slower this time. "Stay outta trouble while I'm gone."

She smirked. "No promises."

I shook my head, chuckling as I grabbed my coat and headed out.

Outside, Eddie and Cris were already waiting by the car.

"Took your sweet time," Eddie muttered.

I smirked, lighting a cigarette. "Had to enjoy my morning."

Cris grinned. "Mhm. We all know what that means."

I ignored him, exhaling smoke as I slid into the car.

"Alright," I said, my voice shifting into business mode. "Let's get to work."

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The air in Compton was thick with tension, the kind that made the streets feel smaller, like the walls were closing in. My boys and I pulled up in two black Cadillacs, the rims shining under the streetlights. I stepped out first, adjusting my leather coat, my eyes scanning the area.

Prince was already there, leaning against his car with a cigarette between his fingers, his gold chains glinting under the dim light. His boys stood behind him, watching, waiting. I could tell by the smirk on his face that he thought he had the upper hand.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Prince drawled, flicking ash onto the pavement.

I stepped forward, my voice calm but firm. "You been sniffin' around my business, Prince. Thought we had an understanding."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, we do, Mikey. It's just... I don't like how fast you growin' out here. Thought I'd check for myself how you doin' it."

Eddie stepped beside me, hands in his pockets but his stance ready. "You ain't checking on shit, Prince. You trespassing."

Prince exhaled smoke, letting it curl in the air before speaking. "Tch. Trespassing? Man, this is my city too. South Cali ain't yours to run alone."

I felt the heat rise in my chest, but I kept my expression cold. "You don't wanna do this, Prince."

He grinned, tilting his head. "Oh, but I do. See, I don't like competition. And I definitely don't like the idea of some smooth-talkin' city boy tryna take what's mine."

Before I could answer, one of Prince's men shifted, reaching for his waistband. In a flash, guns were drawn, safeties clicked off. The street fell into silence, just the sound of deep breathing and tension hanging in the air.

Then—

BANG!

The first shot rang out, and all hell broke loose.

I ducked behind a car as bullets flew, sparks ricocheting off metal. My heart pounded, but my mind stayed sharp. Eddie and Cris returned fire, their aim deadly. Prince's men scattered, some diving for cover, others dropping where they stood.

A group of Crips, the ones who backed me in this part of town, stormed in from the side, firing at Prince's crew. I saw Prince duck behind a low wall, his gun raised as he fired back.

I waited for my moment, then stepped out, aiming directly at him. He saw me, eyes locking onto mine through the smoke-filled air. But instead of shooting, he smirked, his lips curling into something wicked.

"You think you won tonight, Mikey?" he called out, his voice carrying over the chaos. "This ain't over."

I stepped closer, my gun steady. "You best watch where you step, Prince."

He chuckled darkly, wiping a speck of blood from his lip. Then his eyes flickered with something dangerous—something that made my stomach twist.

"You took somethin' from me, Jackson," he murmured. "So I'ma take somethin' from you."

He didn't have to say her name.

Rage burned through me like gasoline on an open flame.

Before I could pull the trigger, one of his boys laid down cover fire, and in the chaos, Prince slipped away into the night.

I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening on my gun. This wasn't just about business anymore.

Now?

It was war.

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The drive back to Havenhurst felt like it took forever, Prince's words echoed in my head, over and over.

"I'ma take somethin' from you."

By the time we pulled up to the house, my heart was pounding, my breath shallow. I didn't even wait for Bill to park properly before I was out of the car, slamming the door behind me.

I took the stairs two at a time, bursting through the front door. The house was quiet—too quiet. My eyes darted around, my pulse hammering against my skull.

"Giselle!"

Footsteps sounded from upstairs, and then she appeared at the top of the staircase, wrapped in one of my silk robes, her curls messy from sleep. Her eyes widened when she saw me.

"Michael?" Her voice was groggy, but the concern was there. "What's wrong?"

I exhaled sharply, running a hand down my face as I climbed the stairs to her. She met me halfway, placing a hand on my chest. I could feel her warmth through my shirt, but it didn't calm me.

"I had a run-in with Prince," I said, my voice low, serious.

She frowned, her fingers tightening slightly on.

"Yeah. And he's been sniffin' around my business, tryin' to start somethin'. Tonight, he made it clear that he wants to come after me. And after you."

Her breath hitched, her grip on me loosening. "Me?"

I cupped her face gently, my thumb brushing against her cheek. "Yeah, baby. He knows you mean somethin' to me."

She swallowed hard, searching my eyes. "Michael, what does that mean? What's he gonna do?"

I shook my head. "Not a damn thing. Because he won't get close enough to try."

She didn't say anything, but I could tell she was thinking, overthinking. Her gaze dropped, and I knew she was scared, even if she wouldn't say it.

That's why I had already made my decision.

"You're gettin' a bodyguard," I told her firmly. "From now on, he stays in this house. You don't leave without me. Not for any reason."

Her head snapped up, eyes narrowing. "What?"

I held my ground. "You heard me. You ain't goin' nowhere unless I say so."

"Michael, that's ridiculous! I have a life—I can't just be locked up here like some—some prisoner!"

I sighed, my hands gripping her shoulders. "It's not about lockin' you up, Gigi. It's about keepin' you safe."

She shook her head, stepping back. "I can take care of myself."

I let out a short, humorless chuckle. "Yeah? And what you gonna do if Prince comes after you, huh? Talk him out of it?"

She bit her lip, looking away.

I softened my tone, reaching for her hand. "Baby, listen to me. I ain't takin' no risks when it comes to you. Not with him lurkin' around. I need you to trust me on this."

She hesitated, but eventually, she sighed and nodded. "Fine. But only for a little while."

I smiled slightly, though the weight in my chest hadn't lifted. "Yeah. Just for a little while."_______________________________

Well then i wonder if prince will keep his promise ok the dont do nothing to bey 🫣🫣😬😬😬