After my Yaya passed away, I didn't have anyone that cared for me. I mean, not even a month after Yaya was in the ground, he sat me down in the living room and sold me to a thirty-year-old man. I was sixteen, and my big brother, the man who was supposed to protect me, sold me off like cattle on a farm. My entire life has been to please Zayne. I'm his fourth wife and the youngest wife. Nobody has ever protected or cared for me. I was tossed the cards that life handed me and had to make do with them. That is until Cappadonna Delgato and I cross paths—again.

You ever met somebody and knew right away they were going to be your forever? Yea, me neither. But when my path crossed with Devyn Banks, I knew she would leave a stain that was hard to wash out.

Greer, also known as G, has been blessed with beauty, an independent mindset, and an alluring aura that hypnotizes men. However, she has never relied on a man to take care of her; she prefers to secure her own bag. As a young boss, all the D-boys are drawn to her, but making money is the only thing on her mind. Jahi, Greer's first love, has taught her all about heartbreak, which leads to the couple taking a break. But with all the women Jahi can have due to his good looks, money, and status, the one woman he can't get over is Greer.

I knew I wanted her since the first time I saw her at that kitchen counter sobbing. I could see the pain in her eyes, and I knew she had never been loved right. She probably never had someone console or love her the way that I knew I would. I couldn't love her then. My heart wouldn't allow me to, knowing that everything or everyone that loves me ends up leaving this earth.

She's a homie hopper. She's confused. She doesn't take accountability for anything. She's f*cking her way through all her brothers' friends. I've heard more than a few of those when people talk about me, and I have even felt the same way my damn self. I didn't know what I wanted. I mean, I knew what I wanted. I wanted marriage, love, and the commitment that I made to my husband—ex-husband. I've found myself confused after my divorce from Naheim. It would have been easier to stay and forgive him for something that broke me. It would have been easier for him to stay and forgive me.

Everything happened so fast. So much was said, and so much blood was shed. As I stood there with blood on my hands, a knife in someone's head, and everyone looking at each other, there was only one person I could think to call—my husband. Meer would figure out what to do, and he would come when I called. As I stared at what used to be my best friend, standing with blood on her hands, I realized she had shed the best friend title, and became my sister. Zoya and I stared at her, and it solidified that she would protect the Delgatos, Infernos, and Casellis as her own.

When Meer saw me off at the airport, I never expected to come home and become his wife. His daughter becoming mine. Our lives intertwining into one. I didn't think I was worthy of being loved the way this man loved me. Worthy of a man telling me how's he coming behind me and actually standing on that. He loves and accepts all parts of me. Our families have become one because of our love. For every good thing in my life, there's always a bad thing lurking. Death. Dishonor. Redemption? We're in the end game now.

Retired hitwoman Celine Briggs loved few people in this world; Her husband Caleb, and her ex-handler, Brian Devereaux. When Celine took her marital vows, she exchanged the life of guns, drugs, and violence for the peaceful life as Caleb's wife. However, not all things buried stay hidden.

Our family is being tested in the worst way possible. Bonds are broken, while new ones are formed. Mistakes will be made. Hearts will be broken. But at the end of the day, we're family and we ride for each other. I'm about to step into a new role, shedding the Delgato name for the last time, and stepping into my new role as Capri Inferno, the wife of Quameer Inferno, the sister-in-law of Quasim Inferno, head of Inferno Gods, and the daughter-in-law of Mina and Papa Inferno. When it's all said and done, I will make sure the Delgatos and Inferno always end up on top.

Blogger, Ocean Braxton, suffered a loss back-to-back, so she decided to live life to the fullest starting with her dating life. Deciding to go out on a blind date, her night is interrupted by a handsome stranger who notices her needing saving. There's an attraction, but no names or numbers are exchanged. With them seeing each other on two different accounts, they eventually agree to a date of their own. The only problem is he isn't the only date she's interested in.

In this collection are updated stories from some of your favorite Valentines.

Billie Hopkins is discontent living life for her mother. The painter and baker spends her days working at her family’s business. Even though she wishes she could change her life, she doesn’t have the motivation to do so… Until her boyfriend of three years breaks up with her and gets engaged just six months later. Worse, his fiancée wants to hire Billie to bake their wedding cake. That seems to be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back and forces Billie to do something different with her life—even if it’s just for three days.

I shouldn't have felt this way about her. She's my brother-in-law's first love. She was forbidden fruit. Ain't shit ever been forbidden for me. I take what I want, and I want her. I shouldn't have these strong of feelings for a woman I just met. I wanted to lay every man who even thought about looking her way… including my brother-in-law. Erin was mine before she even knew it. Our paths were meant to cross, our futures to intertwine.

Kashmir Slayton is a man of means along with an insatiable need to have everything he wants. Currently turning a new leaf, an entrancer, who has slipped through his fingers, is pushing him to be the man he used to be. Recklessness and a raging temperament will cause him to turn the city upside down to get her back in his grasps. Lehana Wilson is on her last ounce of luck and patience. As she works from sun up to sun down to take care of an ailing grandmother, she is trying her best to keep her head above water.

Stevie Bluehaven faces a tough decision: break the number one street code or stay in an abusive relationship. Choosing herself, the twenty-seven-year-old dog groomer goes against the grain and runs to a new city with her baby, best friend, and the clothes on her back. Taking advantage of her fresh start, Stevie pours all her time into building her clientele and restoring her faith in herself. However, an impromptu night out leads her to a place inhabited by a dangerous man, with broadening energy and protection the runaway didn’t know she would need.

After my Yaya passed away, I didn't have anyone that cared for me. I mean, not even a month after Yaya was in the ground, he sat me down in the living room and sold me to a thirty-year-old man. I was sixteen, and my big brother, the man who was supposed to protect me, sold me off like cattle on a farm. My entire life has been to please Zayne. I'm his fourth wife and the youngest wife. Nobody has ever protected or cared for me. I was tossed the cards that life handed me and had to make do with them. That is until Cappadonna Delgato and I cross paths—again.

She's a homie hopper. She's confused. She doesn't take accountability for anything. She's f*cking her way through all her brothers' friends. I've heard more than a few of those when people talk about me, and I have even felt the same way my damn self. I didn't know what I wanted. I mean, I knew what I wanted. I wanted marriage, love, and the commitment that I made to my husband—ex-husband. I've found myself confused after my divorce from Naheim. It would have been easier to stay and forgive him for something that broke me. It would have been easier for him to stay and forgive me.

My brother's freedom is in jeopardy and in my hands. How could I be so happy in my life and scared at the same time? No matter what, I know what needs to be done, and that's to protect my brothers. The one person I never thought I would see was standing a foot away from me. When Tasha was sent out my life, I never thought I would see her again. I never got to handle her the way that I always wanted to, but now it was time to make sure this bitch joined her son—in the dirt. On my unborn child, I was going to make sure that the family came out on top.

Everything happened so fast. So much was said, and so much blood was shed. As I stood there with blood on my hands, a knife in someone's head, and everyone looking at each other, there was only one person I could think to call—my husband. Meer would figure out what to do, and he would come when I called. As I stared at what used to be my best friend, standing with blood on her hands, I realized she had shed the best friend title, and became my sister. Zoya and I stared at her, and it solidified that she would protect the Delgatos, Infernos, and Casellis as her own.

When Meer saw me off at the airport, I never expected to come home and become his wife. His daughter becoming mine. Our lives intertwining into one. I didn't think I was worthy of being loved the way this man loved me. Worthy of a man telling me how's he coming behind me and actually standing on that. He loves and accepts all parts of me. Our families have become one because of our love. For every good thing in my life, there's always a bad thing lurking. Death. Dishonor. Redemption? We're in the end game now.

I knew I wanted her since the first time I saw her at that kitchen counter sobbing. I could see the pain in her eyes, and I knew she had never been loved right. She probably never had someone console or love her the way that I knew I would. I couldn't love her then. My heart wouldn't allow me to, knowing that everything or everyone that loves me ends up leaving this earth.

I shouldn't have felt this way about her. She's my brother-in-law's first love. She was forbidden fruit. Ain't shit ever been forbidden for me. I take what I want, and I want her. I shouldn't have these strong of feelings for a woman I just met. I wanted to lay every man who even thought about looking her way… including my brother-in-law. Erin was mine before she even knew it. Our paths were meant to cross, our futures to intertwine.

Psalm Reign is the IT specialist for his family's online brokering business. When his brother is shot and sent home under 24-hour nursing supervision, he moves in to assist with caring for his brother and watching his back. As handsome and successful as Psalm is, he's always been more into gaming and computers than the fairer sex. When the gorgeous chocolate nurse gains his attention, he starts to wonder if there is more to life than his family's crime empire and designing games.

Anastazia Chase has always had her life perfectly planned out. But what she didn't plan for was to be wrapped up with her current man Cedric. What started out as a potential fairytale romance quickly changed to the opposite, leaving Anastazia to become a woman she barely recognizes. When she realizes life won't ever change with him, she makes a shocking decision that sends her life into a tailspin.

Alana Powers is a triple threat. Brains, beauty, and intelligence. As a smart and savvy businesswoman, Alana's drive and passion for ensuring the success of Powers Construction is unparalleled. Nothing and no one can get in her way—except marriage. Noah Tate is caring, compassionate, and driven by his need to succeed. Fresh out of jail, past mistakes are now behind him, and Noah is determined to prove that he has learned valuable lessons about life. This time, he refuses to allow anything to stand in his way. Unfortunately, his record is proving to be more of a hindrance than he expects.

If nothing else Rahlo is loyal. The five-letter word runs through his veins like blood and expels from his body like his next breath. With a new contract on the table, the rap star learns that fame and fortune don't necessarily change you. It changes the people around you. Taylor is living her best life! The plus-size beauty unapologetically challenges society's rules for big girls. With a slick mouth and dangerous curves, Taylor captures the eye of a rapper who has her questioning her current relationship.

Imagine your best friend invites you on an all-expenses-paid trip. Luxury at its finest. A five-star resort, designer shopping sprees, fine dining, and balling out like there’s no tomorrow. She swears her new man is head over heels for her and doesn’t mind spending big. While she’s out on a date, you decide to unwind with a bubble bath. The warmth relaxes you, lulling you into comfort. You dip your head beneath the water, letting the silence consume you. But when you resurface, the silence is shattered. A man is standing there. Watching you.

I wasn't supposed to take on any new clients. All my current couples were already a handful. A marriage therapist with a failing marriage. If only they knew. That is until Kami Lynn walked into my office without her husband. I only treated couples. I was supposed to help save her marriage, instead I was the main reason for its destruction. I did everything the way I was supposed to. I graduated college. Went straight into my career. Got married and had a few crotch goblins and even accepted an outside baby for that man.

Evenie Lewis knows this all too well. A case of mistaken identity has stolen ten years of her life. When the opportunity arises, Evenie jumps at the chance to escape once and for all. Clueless to her surroundings, she sets out to find her way back home with dreams of reuniting with her family being her motivation. Unbeknownst to her, life as she knew it has changed.

Stevie Bluehaven faces a tough decision: break the number one street code or stay in an abusive relationship. Choosing herself, the twenty-seven-year-old dog groomer goes against the grain and runs to a new city with her baby, best friend, and the clothes on her back. Taking advantage of her fresh start, Stevie pours all her time into building her clientele and restoring her faith in herself. However, an impromptu night out leads her to a place inhabited by a dangerous man, with broadening energy and protection the runaway didn’t know she would need.