ｃｈａｐｔｅｒⅲ

𝓼𝓸𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮'𝓼 𝓹𝓸𝓿

Solange sighed as she leaned against the balcony of Neverland Ranch, the warm California breeze running through her curls. The view was stunning—rolling green hills, a sky painted in soft pinks and oranges as the sun began to set.

Marlon came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. "You good, baby?" he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her neck.

She nodded, exhaling deeply. "Yeah... just thinking."

Marlon smirked. "That's dangerous."

She rolled her eyes but laughed. "Shut up."

Turning in his arms, she met his gaze, searching his dark brown eyes. "You ever think about what's next for us?"

Marlon tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

Solange hesitated before speaking. "Michael and Giselle are building this whole life together. A family, a home... I don't know. I just wonder if you see that for us too."

Marlon's smirk softened into something more sincere. He reached up, tucking a curl behind her ear. "Solange, I already know you're it for me. Ain't no question about that."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Yeah?"

He nodded. "Yeah." He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers, slow and deep. When he pulled back, his voice was low, rough with emotion. "Ain't no rush, baby. But when you're ready... I'm ready too."

Solange felt warmth spread through her chest. "I love you, Marlon."

"I love you too." He kissed her again, sealing the promise between them.

For now, they had peace.

For now.

-

𝚐𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚎'𝚜 𝚙𝚘𝚟

Later that night, Giselle stood in the massive bathroom, steam curling around her as she stepped into the warm, rose-scented bath Michael had prepared for her. The water lapped against her skin, and she exhaled, letting herself melt into the heat.

Michael walked in, shirtless, his sweatpants hanging low on his hips. His eyes locked onto hers, dark and full of unspoken words. "Mind if I join you?"

She smirked, sinking deeper into the tub. "I was hoping you would."

He slid in behind her, his strong arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. His lips pressed against the side of her neck, slow and lingering. "You were amazing today," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

She relaxed into him, running her fingers along his arms. "You think I'll ever be ready?"

Michael's grip tightened slightly. "You're already ready, baby. You just don't know it yet."

She turned her head, meeting his gaze. "I don't want to be afraid."

His fingers tilted her chin up, his lips brushing against hers. "Then don't be. I got you."

Giselle let out a slow breath, her body molding against his as he kissed her deeper, his hands moving over her, slow and deliberate. The night stretched before them, filled with whispered promises, soft touches, and the quiet certainty that no matter what came next...

They would face it together.

-

Michael sat in his office at Neverland, the dim lighting casting shadows across his face. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the mahogany desk as he listened to his men give their latest reports. Lisa had disappeared after the failed kidnapping, but Michael knew better than to think she was gone for good. That bitch was out there, watching, waiting.

"She's laying low, but she ain't done," Javon said, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. "Word is she's moving through small-time connections, trying to regroup."

Michael exhaled through his nose, his jaw tightening. "She's looking for a new crew?"

"Looks like it. But here's the thing—she don't trust nobody right now. After her own people turned on her, she's being careful. But she needs resources. Fast."

Michael smirked darkly. "Desperate people make mistakes."

His right-hand man, chris, spoke up. "She's been sniffing around an old contact in Miami. Word is she's trying to get back in the game, offering deals on weight she don't even got."

Michael sat back in his chair, thinking. Lisa was trying to rebuild, which meant she'd need funding, muscle, and connections. That gave him an opening.

"Let her think she's winning," Michael said smoothly. "I want someone on the inside. Someone who'll gain her trust and feed her exactly what I want her to believe."

Javon's eyebrows lifted. "You got someone in mind?"

Michael nodded. "I know just the guy. She won't see it coming."

chris smirked. "You're setting her up."

Michael's eyes darkened. "She set herself up the second she came after my wife."

-

Lisa's POV

Lisa paced in the dimly lit hotel room, frustration curling through her veins like fire. Everything had gone to shit. Her men had betrayed her, her plan had crumbled, and now Michael fucking Jackson was still sitting pretty while she had to scrape by like some low-level street hustler.

But it wasn't over.

She had something Michael didn't know. A secret weapon.

Sitting on the bed, she pulled out a burner phone and dialed a number she hadn't used in years.

A smooth, calculated voice answered. "I was wondering when you'd call."

Lisa smirked. "I'm back in business. And I need your help."

There was a pause, then a low chuckle. "You always did know how to survive."

Lisa's grip tightened around the phone. "I don't just wanna survive. I wanna win."

The voice on the other end hummed in amusement. "Then let's get to work."

Lisa smiled darkly. Michael thought he had her cornered. But he had no idea what was coming.

-

Michael sat in his office, his fingers steepled under his chin as he listened to the phone call playing through the speaker. His inside man, chris, had finally made contact with Lisa's camp.

"She took the bait, boss," chris's voice crackled through the line. "I made it seem like some of your guys are looking to jump ship and side with her. She thinks she's gaining ground."

Michael smirked, his jaw tightening. "Good. Keep feeding her information, but just enough to make her feel like she's got the upper hand."

On the other end, chirs chuckled. "She's getting cocky. She's talkin' about how she'll take everything from you, piece by piece. Says you ain't got what it takes to keep your empire."

Michael's smirk faded. His grip on the armrest of his chair tightened. "She doesn't know who she's messing with."

"She'll know soon enough," chris replied. "I planted the idea that you've got a stash house running out in Long Beach. If she bites, we'll have her exactly where we want her."

Michael leaned back, his mind racing with possibilities. "Good work. Keep me posted."

As the call ended, he exhaled sharply. Lisa thought she was making moves. Thought she had control.

But she was walking straight into his hands.

And when the time came, he would end this war—once and for all.