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.

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.

There were a lot of things that I could live without. I had lived without freedom for the past fifteen years. My wife was someone that I couldn't live without, and I needed her. Alaia saved a lot of people with just a touch of her hand on my arm. She calmed the beast within me, reminded me what I had at home. Alaia was someone that I refused to live without, and now, they took her from me. They touched my wife and thought they would be able to live to talk about it. You didn't touch a Delgato and thought you would live. You didn't touch what was mine and think you could live.

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

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.

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.

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.

Meet Trent Bailey, who is fighting for the right to continue his stellar professional football career after enduring striking legal woes in the recent past. Trent cannot and will not blow his second chance for anyone; after all, this is the blessing he's been praying for. After receiving confirmation that staying focused is all he needs, it's what he aims to do. No distractions. That's until he bumps into two unexpected overnight guests.

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.

Ajoni "Khaotic" Brooks lives his life like any other hustler. He makes his money, takes care of his family, and stays out the way. He goes above and beyond for the ones he loves, and that very reason is why he has to do a five-year bid. His last weekend as a free man was spent enjoying life and the little freedom he had left. What he didn't expect was for that night to change his forever.

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.

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.

Angie is taking a serious break from dating. At least, she thought she was until she comes across the finest man she’s ever seen — the new handyman in her building. Angie knows what she wants in a man, and Law doesn't seem to be it. But that doesn’t mean she can’t get to know him, right? Law is focused on rebuilding his life as a free man. That rebuild doesn’t include getting involved with anyone, especially not the bougie girl at his job who always needs something fixed.

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.

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.

Maceo Dillinger is the second eldest son of the Dillinger clan. Being a part of his family organization means Maceo is no stranger to danger, but he as a secret that might just cost him his life. He’s taken on an unapproved caseload and has brought his girlfriend Sharina Gladden along for the ride. His already dangerous world turns treacherous when Maceo finds himself as a target. The time for keeping secrets is over as escalating threats become increasingly deadly. Maceo is forced to come clean and rely on his family to ensure both his and Sharina’s survival.

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.

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.

Puma Wade learned early on that you can't count on a soul in this world. Everyone who has ever loved her has either abandoned her or let her down. The walls around her heart were there to protect her from getting hurt again, but when she meets a smart-mouthed club owner, things take an unexpected turn.

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.

Since his mother’s death and his brother’s imprisonment, Maven Gold has been in a vicious cycle of sleeping with a different woman every other night to numb the pain. Frequenting a local sex club gives him access to various flavors to satisfy his palate. When a chance encounter with a blast from the past arouses more than his libido, he vows to make her his.

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.

When it comes to Jabari Hicks, competition is non-existent. With a keen focus on securing a championship ring, Jabari’s only competition is himself. On the court, he is deadly. Off the court, he’s a protector. And as a Lord, he’s fierce and loyal. Kinnidi Trent has a light that illuminates the dark spaces of her mind, but she can’t completely shine until she lands in a place of peace. When she escapes the restraints that stifle her creativity and happiness, Kinnidi finds herself in the right place at the right time.

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.

After a horrific incident, Nite and his twin Dai are left to fend for themselves. Living recklessly in the fast lane, the twins flirt with danger, not caring about the aftermath of their actions. Partying, popping pills, and getting money are just a few ways they cope with their untreated childhood trauma. Without the guidance of a strong male figure and the love of a nurturing mother, they can come off as rude and callous.

There were a lot of things that I could live without. I had lived without freedom for the past fifteen years. My wife was someone that I couldn't live without, and I needed her. Alaia saved a lot of people with just a touch of her hand on my arm. She calmed the beast within me, reminded me what I had at home. Alaia was someone that I refused to live without, and now, they took her from me. They touched my wife and thought they would be able to live to talk about it. You didn't touch a Delgato and thought you would live. You didn't touch what was mine and think you could live.

It started with a proposition (in a hotel bar of all places). The brooding drug lord. The beautiful damsel with jagged edges. You know the rest, right? It’s a page straight out of a hood fairy tale. But our story is far from a classic romance. Because Ahsan Patton isn’t your typical gangsta. He’s the kind that’ll order a hit then rearrange your guts to a slow jam. So, tell me why I agreed to be his fake girlfriend again?

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.