Lyric
TWO WEEKS LATER…
“The bitch that served me.”
Iwas outside my Pilates studio, Body Alchemy, laughing with two of my girls, wine as a reward. It was a regular early Wednesday evening in the summer. We had just finished a late session, my abs sore, my skin still sweaty under my hoodie. The night air smelled like weed and tacos from the truck across the street, and I wanted some while I was still burning calories from my workout.
I flipped my ponytail and pulled my hoodie tighter, ready to head out so I could shower. Ares was still in France, so I just wanted to go home and watch TV. But when the black Benz eased up to the curb, I knew my plans were going to be delayed. The tinted window rolled down, and I already knew that smug silhouette before she even stepped out.
Bianca Cole.
She swung her door open, heels clicking against the pavement. And the first thing my eyes caught was her necklace.Diamonds. Delicate but loud. I knew Ares’ taste too well to mistake it. My stomach twisted because I had a similar piece sitting on my dresser at home.
Bianca looked dead at me, a thick envelope in her hand like she’d been waiting for this moment.
“Lyric Banks?” Her voice dripped with fake professionalism.
I rolled my eyes. I didn’t have an issue with Bianca. But she was the type to use her authority to address an issue she had with me. “Don’t play dumb. You know who I am.”
She chuckled. “Consider yourself served.”
I frowned, my wine buzz dropping. “Served for what?”
She handed me the papers, lips curling into a smile. “Negligence. My client, Lavetta White, says you were too busy recording TikToks to notice you tore her ACL during class.”
My Pilates girls gasped. I laughed loudly. “That bitch couldn’t even touch her toes. Now she wants a check? Please.”
Bianca tilted her head, eyes glinting. “Maybe if you spent less time throwing shade at me on the internet and more time learning liability law, you wouldn’t be standing here looking confused. When you speak on Ares in your little content rants, keep me out of them.”
That did it. I stepped closer, nose to nose, the crowd starting to gather with phones out.
“Same shit I said online, I can say to your face.”
She laughed. “Say it.”
“You get real bold for a woman hiding behind a law degree,” I hissed. “You wouldn’t even have a man if it wasn’t for cleaning up Ares’ dirt.”
Bianca’s smile didn’t falter. “Careful what you say, Lyric. Remember who kept your ass out of prison when that raid went left.”
My cheeks burned. She wanted me small. Embarrassed. Put in my place.
Instead, I slapped her snobby ass. Hard. The sound echoed.
For one second, Bianca froze. Then she lunged. Her hands caught my hair, her nails digging into my scalp, and the next thing I knew, she had me yanked forward. She dragged me across the concrete in front of everyone. My gym hoodie bunching, my leggings ripping at the knee, and my shoulder screaming.
“Bitch!” I shouted, trying to shove her off. “Let me go!”
I finally pulled away and swung back. We both were fueled by venom.
“Keep my name out of your mouth, you fake Pilates doing, ghetto ass bitch!” she spat, still fighting.
Finally, my security swarmed in, prying us apart. My chest was heaving, hoodie half-off, her titties halfway out her silk blouse.
The blogs were going to eat this alive.
And I hated it more than anything, because Ares was going to kill us. He hated public altercations between his women… and this wasn’t the last.
CHAPTER 7
