6

MIA’S POV

"I believe you have good ears, Ms. Jefferson. Go back and come back later. What is wrong with you?"

Officer Kate's words cut through me again—this same lecture, for nearly a month straight.

"But I've been coming here for weeks! You haven't looked into my case. Jay Jay needs to go back to his real family. I can't feed him anymore!" I pleaded, tugging the baby wrap carrier around me. Jay Jay wiggled inside, his tiny hands playing with my hair.

Kate chewed gum, eyes glued to her phone. "Because I know your type. Girls like you always dump your problems on others."

"What the...?"

"You need to take responsibility. The police weren't there when you—"

"My boyfriend is white," I interrupted, disbelief heavy in my voice.

She raised an eyebrow. "Never been with a black boy before?"

I scoffed. "Exactly."

"Please," I begged, almost crying. "Jay Jay can't stay with me. I've spent all my savings. He'll starve. You have to do something!"

Kate lazily pushed a paper toward me. "Write a statement."

"What is this now? I've lost count of how many statements I've written!"

"You need to write another," she shrugged, still focused on her phone.

I snapped. "Can I get another officer to attend to me? You're useless!"

Her face twitched. "What did you just call me?"

"Officer Kate is not taking me seriously! Anyone?!"

"Fine, quiet down. I'll handle it," she muttered. "Just write your name, phone number, and address. Child welfare will be at your doorstep today."

I nodded, scribbling the details, my heart heavy. Jay Jay tugged at my hair again.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"You're welcome," she said, smirking. "Intriguing that you call him Jay Jay if he's not yours."

I glared. "If you had taken my case seriously from the start, I wouldn't have gotten attached enough to name him."

She hummed. "Just make sure child welfare comes today."

I walked out, carrying Jay Jay tightly, and boarded a bus. Minutes in, he rested his head on my chest, fast asleep. I stroked his hair, a lump forming in my throat. I couldn't feed him anymore. I had to let him go, even though it broke me.

⸻

I got off the bus and started walking home, Jay Jay still cradled in my arms. Thoughts of a nanny job flickered through my mind—any job to survive. Older kids, not like Jay Jay, but I could do it. I had to.

A screech of tires froze me. A black van slammed to a stop in front of me. Men jumped out, guns drawn. My heart raced.

"No—!" I tried to run, but a hand yanked my collar. I fell, Jay Jay screaming in my arms. One man shoved a cloth over my nose and mouth. My vision blurred. Panic gripped me.

All I could think of: Jay Jay. They might kill him. Darkness swallowed me.

⸻

AT KINCAID'S MANSION

IN A ROOM

SPLASH!

I gasped for air the minute cold water hit my face in a large quantity.

"Fucking wake up, bitch," a male voice snarled.

Four men stood around me, tattoos covering their bodies, exuding danger. My hands were chained to the wall, knees on the wet floor.

"Who... who are you? What do you want?" I trembled.

The dreadlock man—the one who had drugged me—scoffed.

"Where is Jay Jay?" My voice cracked. "Where is my baby?!"

"This white chick calling Lil Kai hers?" he mocked.

"Where is Jay Jay?"

"Who the fuck is Jay Jay?" he asked.

I let out a sob.

Oh no.

They have killed him.

I can't believe this!

"What did you do to him?! How could you kill an innocent child?! How could you?!"

He kept staring at me with furrowed brows.

"You should have taken my organs instead. Mine are mature. They might not be very healthy because I don't feed that well but they are still mature. I wanted you to take them in the first place. Why didn't you take them? What have you done?!"

They exchanged glances, amusement on their faces. I

"Yo, Tyrell, you gave this chick crack?" one of them said, making others laugh.

"Shut up," the dreadlock man said without looking away from me.

"Oh, Jay Jay." I sobbed, lowering my gaze.

"Listen, bitch,"

I sobbed.

"Hey!" He snapped his fingers, making me look at him with my tear-filled eyes.

"You are going to tell us who you work for and why you kidnapped Lil Kai,"

I furrowed my brows. "What?"

"Who do you work for?!"

I flinched. "I don't know what you are....."

"Answer the fucking question,"

A commanding voice filled the room from the entrance.

Everyone looked in that direction.

So did I.

I saw a very tall, chiseled, and dangerous black man approaching. He is dressed in a black shirt and black trousers, carrying charisma and authority as he approaches with his hand in his pocket.

The dreadlock man and others moved aside as he got closer.

I think.....I think he is the boss.

I gulped as he stood in front of me, looking down at me as my heart pounded.

His face is mean and at the same time calm.

He has short and tight curls with a natural texture. His skin is smooth and glowing medium-deep brown

Flawless than any black man I have ever seen.

I picked up his piercing icy blue eyes that seemed familiar

He has an extremely chiseled and sharp jawline, giving incredible masculinity and strength.

I could go on but a familiar baby sound caught my attention in a direction.

I saw Jay Jay alive, healthy, and in the arms of another black man.

My heart jumped for joy at the sight of him.

"Jay....."

My chin was grabbed instantly and I was jammed with piercing icy blue eyes, glaring at mine.

My heart dropped into my belly.

His grip tightened, making me whimper.

"Why did you kidnap my son?" The snarl was terrifying.

Wha.....what?

His...his son?

Kidnap?