"You did a great job Corine." One of her, regular buyers stated, holding out his favorite piece. It was a diamond, necklace which housed about one hundred and four little diamond gems. It glistened in the light whenever it was moved. More diamond pieces glistened as they laid on the table. From watches, rings, bracelets and even uncut gems.

"You know I always provide the best of the best". Corine stated, taking a light sip of the ice cold whiskey. It went down her throat really well.

"Yeah, yeah" . The old white, pot belly men shared a laugh. Cori paid them no mind and turned her attention towards Martinez.

In the dimly lit, upscale Italian restaurant, Corine sat across from Martinez, a man whose influence in the world of organized crime was legendary. She had come seeking a connection, a foothold in the dark and treacherous world where power and loyalty were paramount.

"Now does this guarantee me a foot in the door?". She questioned with her brow raised.

"You think it's that easy getting with the big guys huh?". Martinez's olive tan skin was seen glistening in the lowly dim corner of the restaurant they all settled for.

Martinez was a regular. The owner let him do whatever as long as he paid him a percentage.

"I have you and you promised to get me where I wanted as long as I supplied you the diamonds. I did just that, now what's the problem?".  Corine ranted.

A small chuckle escaped out if Martinez's lips, which angered Corine further.

"You think is a fucking joke?!". Her voice raised, causing bystanders in the restaurant to turn their attention towards them.

"Calm down." He taunted.

"Do not tell me to calm down. I need you to stick to your promise. I don't give anybody the space in my operation.  If you want to keep getting these precious diamonds. You keep your end of the deal."

"I am not the one to make that decision Corine and you know this." He informed her.  The two had a stare down as Corine thought about her next move.

It was not that she didn't have power on her, she had the DeLuca's who were family friends and business partners.  However, Corine was a greedy person. The type to have her cake and eat it too. She wanted all the power and money to herself. She just needed to get with the other powerful men and have them in her corner.

"What do you want me to do?".  She questioned, breaking the silence between them.

"I'm glad you asked. Marriage."

But as Martinez's words hung heavy in the air, Corine couldn't help but feel a deep unease.

Martinez leaned in, his voice a low, calculated murmur that carried an air of authority. "Corine, you've got potential, but in our world, trust doesn't come easy. You need to understand that. To be accepted, to truly be one of us, you have to prove your loyalty."

Corine, a woman of unwavering determination, bristled at the notion of proving herself in such a way. Her gaze was unwavering as she questioned him, her voice laced with skepticism. "Prove my loyalty? How does that even correlate?"

Martinez leaned back, his expression unyielding. "You need to be married, Corine. In our world, an unmarried person, especially a woman, is seen as a potential liability. We need to know where your loyalty lies, and a marriage is one way to make that clear."

Corine's mind raced as she contemplated the weight of Martinez's words. Marriage was a commitment she hadn't anticipated, a personal sacrifice for the sake of her ambitions. Her fingers toyed with the edge of her wine glass as she mulled over her options.

"I've always operated alone," she finally replied, her voice heavy with reluctance. "I'm not sure I can trust someone to that extent."

Martinez regarded her with a knowing look, his tone softer now. "Corine, trust is a currency we deal in. It's a risk we all take, but it's also the foundation of our world. Find someone you can trust, someone who shares your goals, and marry them. It's the only way to build the connections you seek."

"That's crazy." She laughed, finding humor in his speech.

"I'm serious. If you really want this as much as you claim to, then you will do it."

As Corine contemplated her next move, the restaurant's ambiance seemed to close in around her, the weight of the choices before her pressing like a vice. In this world of shadows and secrets, marriage was more than just a personal commitment; it was the key to unlocking the doors she needed to walk through. With Martinez's advice echoing in her mind, Corine knew that she would have to make a decision that would shape her future in the unforgiving realm of organized crime.

•••

Kenton was done with his morning shift on a lovely Saturday at the hospital. His goal to becoming a physician was slowly looking up. Just a few more months and he was going to be Doctor Graham.

He made sure to put away his tools and coat in his locker before heading out. He signed out and slipped his phone out his pocket. He replied to Nia's text before walking out. They agreed to meet at the library.

As he walked out, Kenton caught a glimpse of his ex girlfriend, Jayde. Memories rushed back into his mind as he remembered the horrific scene he witnessed that day.

"What are you doing here?". He asked her as he unlocked the door of the car. He threw his backpack in before wanting to get in the car.

"You blocked me." She stated folding her arms on her chest and blocking his way into entering the car.

"I know." Kenton replied, "Now moving out my way."

"No. We are going to talk about this."

Ken's face scrunched up as he surveyed Jayde. Her hair was pulled back into a low braided ponytail which put her full bare face on display. Her lashes were neat and full, complimenting her cat like eyes. On her lips, a smudge of lip gloss was visible. She was dressed in her work attire which consisted of a white blouse and a black pencil skirt. On her feet were black ballerina flats.

"There is nothing more that I want to say to you." Ken told her.

"What you saw there was a mistake. You've got to believe me. I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt you." She stated, moving close to him however Ken took a step back before she could even get close.

Hurt flashed in her eyes as she looked up to the man standing in front of him.

"The first time was a mistake and I took you back. But the second time? It's clearly intentional. It was planned. You really think I am stupid?." Ken jibed.

Yes, it was true. Jayde once cheated before and he took her back. But that's on him for having a big and forgiving heart. This time, he felt humiliated and embarrassed for catching her right in action.

He was warned but he never listened. He wasn't the type to judge people bases on their assumptions. Jayde broke his heart and he could never recover from that. She was his first love.

Suddenly tears cascading down her face. They were rapidly rolling down her cheeks. Kenton rolled his eyes in annoyance. It was clear what Jayde was trying to do.

"I am the one whose stupid and I  promise i won't do it again. I love you too much to let you go. I know that it will take a while for us to get back to the place we used to be. Just please give me— us another chance."

She quickly wrapped her arms around Kenton as she performed her outmost best. Her cries grew loud causinh him to start feeling bad. He pried her arms off him and pulled her away.

"Look, all this theatrics have to stop right now!". He scolded, waving his hand around. Jayde pouted and wiped her tears, "You made your decision, Jay, when you decided to sleep with that man. I took you back once before but this second time, I won't. I can't keep letting you break my heart. I am going to say this one time and never again. What we had, is over." Ken sternly mentioned.

"This relationship isn't over until I say so. You think you can just discard me all because of a mistake. A fucking small mistake Think again before you try to make stupid decisions." Jayde sneered as her demeanor changed but Kenton wasn't fazed. He was used to her acting this way.

"Get out my way. You are fucking crazy." He calmly stated.

"This is why I cheated. You were never there for me, that's why I cheated. You put your work before me. I always came second to last on the things most important to you!. This is all your fault.." She jibed, jabbing a finger in his chest.

"Jayde don't start with your accusations. You know none of that is true".

"You were cheating on me too. You think I didn't know about all the girls you were texting every single night while laid out next to me. You aren't innocent either." She yelled at him, catching the attention of a few bystanders.

"Stop acting like a child. I literally have nothing more to say to you so please go." He pinched the bridge of his nose getting frustrated as he spoke to the crazy brick wall in front of him.

In one swift one, Kenton gently pushed her out the way as she was ranting her mouth away.

"Do not push me like that." He ignored her as he started up his car. As soon as it heated up well, he drove out the parking lot, leaving her alone. And hopefully forever

But that was too good to be true.

•••

"Sorry I am late." Kenton apologized as he took a seat across the table from Nia who was reading through her notes. Kenton was still in his scrubs with some matching Nike trainers on his feet.

"I wasn't here for long plus I got to go over my notes." Nia lowly mentioned holding up her little colorful cue cards.

"What's your specialization?". Kenton curiously questioned

"Pediatrician."

"Nice. You must really love kids huh? " He coolly responded, nodding his head. Kenton laid out all his study materials which was his notebook, textbook and his pen.

"Yeah i do. What's yours?". Nia pushed out.

"Physician."

"Cool." The space around them fell into an awkward silence.

"Look before we start, I just want to apologize for being rude the other day. I was having a rough day." Ken told Nia who looked at him in understanding.

"No worries. I'm glad it wasn't me." Her pearly white teeth were on display as she casted a smile towards him.

"It wasn't you." He reassured.

Just as they were about to get into their studying, Kenton's cell phone loudly rang in the library and causing distractions. Annoyed eyes glare at him as he hurriedly slipped it out his pocket and silenced the call.

His cousin, Chauncey was calling

"Sorry about that." He apologetically smiled. Before he could put it away, another call came through.

"Sorry I got to take this. Won't be a minute." He leaped out the chair, not giving Nia a chance to respond.

"What?!". He harshly responded. Kenton really disliked people interrupting him while he was busy. And right now, he was.

"Look man, Gem got into trouble with the Russo boys again. They took him to Russo." . Chauncey pushed out in one breathe.

"What the hell man?." Kenton bellowed. The news upset him.

"Yeah bro, I had to let you know".

"I told y'all asses to cool of them boys, what the fuck happened?". Kenton scolded but Chance kept quiet because it was true and they didn't listen.

"Now what we going to do?". Chance nervously paced as he awaited his cousins response. He tried stopping Gem but he was just too stubborn.

"We going over there right now. Where you at?". Kenton grunted as he took large strides back into the library.  His steps were filled with anger as he quickly made his way in the library.

"Home".

"Home?! What do you mean, home nigga?". He questioned with his brows furrowed as catching the attention of the people in the library.  At this point, he didn't care.

"Forget it, be outside when I get there". Kenton hung up and swiftly grabbed his things.

"What's going on?!" Nia frowned, seeing the scene before her. She could feel the anger radiating out of him

"None of your business". He snapped at her before rushing out the library, leaving her astonish. Again he couldn't control who his anger went too when he was furious.

••
The ride home, thoughts filled Kenton's mind. He was livid. His younger brother was actually signing his death wish fucking with the Russos.

The Russo's were known to be notorious and he didn't want to be part of that life. He made sure to stay away but Gem and Chauncey were always caught in the middle of that illegal bullshit.

Chauncey was sitting outside when the Nissan car pulled up. He quickly made his way into the car, not wanting to make Kenton furious any further.

The ride to the Russo was awkward. Kenton was working up the courage to confront Russo. He didn't know what and who to expect. Rumors went around that the daughter had taken over the business however Ken wasn't one to dwell on rumors.

He just hoped to get his brother without no harm.

"You not going to say something." Chauncey asked as he eyed his cousin. Ken shook his head and silence filled the car once more. Chance was feeling bad about not doing enough to stop Gem and that was his fault.

A few moments later, they arrived at the Russo mansion. Everyone and their mama knew about but nobody dared to ever raid or go near it. Even the police were on their payroll.

The place was heavily protected by bodyguards. They all walked around with weapons in their arms ready to shoot and kill anyone who was in their.

Kenton put his car in park and stepped out. The guards eyed the two black men walking towards him and swiftly raised their weapons, ready to shoot.

"Woah, we don't want no trouble." Ken mentioned with his arms raised.

"What business do you have here?". The bodyguard standing by the door asked. His voice was rough and his body was muscled up. His face screamed war and battles he had to endure.

"I need to see Russo. I'm here for my brother." Ken responded.

"Did you make an appointment?". His thick busy eyebrows was raised in question.

Kenton shook his head and he could tell he wasn't going to be let in. The look on that big, burly man was enough to let him know that.

"We don't have no weapons. We just need to see Russo. We will be quick." He stated. Again, Ken wasn't the type to beg. But for his brother, sure.

He gave them one look before turning towards the door and letting them in

"Follow me." A relief feeling washed over Ken. Chance gave him a look, indicating he was just as relief.

Ken didn't get the chance to gawk at the mansion but he could tell it had pristine decor and architecture. Before they knew it, they were standing in front of Russo.

And shock graced their face when they, more like Ken realized she was a woman.

To be continued...