The Connect Who Took My Heart Away 3 Read online

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  A Tainted Hood Love 1-3

  Balla and LaLo’s Story: A Tainted Hood Love Spin-Off 1-2

  Holding A Dope Boy Down: A Dope Love Story 1-3

  Ayinnde and Khiana: Falling for a St. Louis Thug 1-2

  The Connect Who Took My Heart Away 1-3

  To Me

  Acknowledgement

  I feel so blessed to be twenty-three years young and able to dive fully into my passion...into my career. I’m steady growing, learning, and reaching for better through it all. I have to give all thanks and praise to the heavenly father because he truly been on my side! I so very thankful for the creativity and strength to get up every day to do something I absolutely LOVE.

  To my dear family, I’m blessed to have you alllll. In this industry I witness authors struggle to receive support from their families, and I have to say that is not my testimony. You all have been in deep support from the beginning and I don’t take it for granted.

  To my mother, no one will fully grasp the deep connection and bond we have. A picture, a video, or even this acknowledgment could NOT express how much I love you. You are my dawg, my ride or die, my whole heart!! Growing up, I watched you fight to give me everything my heart desire, to growing up and watching you fight against cancer. I remember wanting to swap bodies so you didn’t have to endure no more pain. You are my superhero. You stayed encouraged and you didn’t give up. You told me you would fight the fight, and you did just that! We in this for the long haul and it’s forever fuck cancer!!! #MaMaCoCo

  To my bestie boo, Shannon, you been with me since lovejoy days playing tetherball! We came a mighty long way together. Your a mother now, which rightfully made me a God mommy. Arynzi is truly a blessing from God, and she has two bomb ass mothers to call her own! Even though her bad butt likes to bang on my computer when I’m trying to write lol.

  To my niece Gabby and nephews Jhordyn and Collin Ace, your aunty loves you dearly. When I’m down, it’s your faces that gets me on track to get back to the grind. No matter the mood I’m in, you three can turn it around. The world is yours if I have a say so in it! S/O to all my babies! Kyn Doll, Tre Tre, Serenity, Ja’Koye, Ja’kyah, Jahlon, Mani, JuJu, Kiah, Trista, Nylah, and Jasheer! #CoCoLoveDaKids xoxo

  To my brother, thank you for being a father figure I needed. You have always supported me and done your best when it comes to guiding me. You are more than my brother, you really my twin! Thank you for everything and keeping my best interest at heart! I love you so much and forever my favorite person!

  To my cousins that are honestly just like sisters, Shareena, Justina, Brichel, and Kquemura, you all have had my back in the toughest of times in my life. I know I can count on you all when my world gets flipped upside down. You all come through without a doubt in mind! Even my sister Meagen, you are a big sister that I can’t forget. We share no blood, but that alone couldn’t make us any closer.

  Paris, Books By The Mu’fukn POUND LOL...My sistacousinfriend, you have and will always remain family in my eyes. You are a dope author, and I’m glad the book industry bonded us together. Whatever you face, you beat it. I see so much strength, greatness, and blessings over you. Our bond has grew and it ain’t shit nobody can tell me about my sistacousinfriend!! Love you luh bitty bishhhh!

  Now to Dedra B, B Capri, Tina Marie, and Nakeria Hendley, thank you all for being in support of me. Whether it was books, or just letting me come to you about how my mother’s battle with cancer was taking a toll, you all was there to listen to me. I appreciate it all and I know good friends are hard to come by. No matter what, know that you ladies have been a tremendous help to me personally and in my career! Love you alllll!

  To my editor Secret, girlllllll! How I adore you and appreciate the work you put in for me! I couldn’t have a better editor than you! Thank you for always being a listening ear and being there every time I call. I love working with you and how real you keep it! Thank you so much and nothing goes unnoticed.

  To my bomb ass readers!!! Thank youuuuu!!!! Whether you read from my old catalog, new one, or this is your first book to try of mine, I thank you! I try my darndest to create something that we all can get lost into and love. I knew what urban books were to me growing up, so I attempt to give you that experience through my work. No matter my personal life, I will also try to give you my all and have a book for you all to open. Your patience with me has been wonderful as I made transitions, for that, I say thank you! Your shares, promotion, link clicks, and reviews are everything to me. If I ever missed telling you, I’m saying it now, THANK YOU!! Special thanks to, Brandi Poole, Geneva Promise, Tina Nance, Sierra S. Dixon, Tootie, Sweets, Zatasha, and Tyesha Shaunae! You all are so very dope!!

  Note

  Dice Howard debuted in the standalone, The Thug I Waited for. By no means do you have to reread her full story to dive into this series. Hope you enjoy!!

  Previously in part 2

  Dice

  “You ran out of gas on purpose.” Hosea said, leaning down with one hand on the roof and the other on the door.

  “What? Hosea, you tripping.” I laughed, knowing he would say anything. Sitting back in my seat, I was texting Miani.

  “It’s cool. I missed you too.” he said going to hang the pump back up, and walking to my car window. His fine ass had four sleek braids to the back with a fresh lining that had me wanting to send my fingers all over his head. The red, green, and white track suit matched his Gucci slides perfectly. I noticed more Cuban links around his neck than usual, and his slugs were in his mouth. Yesterday he was all suited up, and today he was giving a whole new vibe. One thing about Hosea, he could dress his ass off effortlessly.

  “Why didn’t you tell me your son played on the little league?”

  “I could ask you the same.” I said matter of fact. Yosohn, Easton, C.J, and my other nephews all played together. We found out today when Hosea was on the field with Obasi. It was so many kids and different teams broken up due to age, I didn’t know Yosohn was even out there. Every practice, I was out there. Morocco was the team mom, so me and the girls would sit on the sideline taking care of the boy´s needs.

  “You coming to help with this team party tonight?” he asked.

  “I’m dropping my son off...that’s it.” I told him, knowing he wished I was helping baby sit over twenty boys between four and six. He could have that. “I’ll be there in the morning to get mine.”

  “That’s cold, ma.” he giggled.

  “No girls allowed. You’ll be a’ight. You have help with Obasi being there.”

  “Damn, a’ight I see how you doing me.” he said rubbing on his chin hairs.

  “I’m coming over, just not staying. Me and the girls are going out. Rocco´s birthday is tonight, so we out.”

  “Turn up then. I’ll see you when you drop C.J off.”

  “How long are you going to have Yosohn after they stay all night?”

  “However long. It’s whatever.” he let me know. “Take your time picking C.J up. We can shoot to do something with the boys in the morning.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”
>
  With the day going on as planned, I dropped C.J off with Hosea. Lingering around, C.J came with a saddened face. “What’s wrong, C.J?” I asked kneeling down.

  “Mommmy, why are you still hurr?”

  He didn’t know I had been seeing Hosea, so I figured to tell him off to the side. “You know how I told you it would always just me and you?”

  “Yes.” he answered like I needed to hurry up and get on.

  “Well, mommy has been dating. Seeing someone really special to me.” I told him. “Are you okay with that?”

  “I guess so.” he said not caring much.

  “It’s Yosohn’s dad.” I revealed.

  “Oh momma, you tripping. WHAT!?” he said smacking his forehead. “That’s coach.” he said laughing.

  “Yeah, that’s like your coach.” I answered, trying to keep a straight face.

  “I gotta tell Yosohn.” he said cracking up laughing, and running off. I was not expecting my son to laugh at the thought of me dating, but he really took off like that shit was funny.

  “You good?”

  “I just told C.J about me and you...the damn boy laughed and went to tell Yosohn.” I said shocked as hell.

  “He something.” Hosea laughed. “You was worried about nothing. Everything is going to be easy.” he said kissing my forehead. I followed Hosea upstairs because he wanted to show me some pictures of the pond his designers put together that wasn’t going to cause any water damage by digging too far deep into the ground.

  “Oh my God. How much is this? I want it!” I gushed.

  “You got it baby.” he said kissing my lips, and making me the happiest. Just in one week, Hosea had fixed every possible worry I had. “I was thinking you should host a huge grand opening. Since this is in a new community, welcome the people in south county to come out for a day. All ages, and just do it up. I know this company. Well Keefe put me on because she did their wedding. Jhaere Moments in Time.”

  “I know Jha...she does amazing events.” I said agreeing. “That does sound nice. I’ll have to get her number from Aja.”

  “Yeah, gimme four weeks. Everything is going to be done for you.”

  “I don’t know what to say…” I said totally speechless. He was going off to the bathroom taking a piss as if he didn’t just come through for me in a major way. I never expected all this. Definitely not since I was halfway fucking with him since coming back from Vegas. I felt dumb as hell for doing him like that. The same family that had so much to say about me being in Vegas with Hosea wasn’t here for me like right now. “You came through.” I told him, watching him standing in the doorway, adjusting his dick around.

  “You know how you got it with me.” he said, turning me the hell on. He was looking so damn fine, and I knew I needed to be heading home. The way I have been lacking with the sleep, I needed a nap before going out to the club tonight.

  “I’mma do you ass in like you been craving for.” Hosea said eye fucking me from across the room, pointing at me harshly with each word. I don’t know what my body was going through, but whatever it was, Hosea was about to give it everything it desired.

  Locking the bedroom door, he swept me off my feet. “We can’t be all long. I need to go home and it's a gang of kids in the house.”

  “Obasi got them. We ain’t new to this.” he said over me, on his knees. I was laying under him, with my legs on his shoulders. “Drop this dick in you right quick.”

  “I missed it.” I told him, biting my lip and reaching into his shorts.

  “I know you did. He misses you.” he said covering my lips with his.

  Hosea gave me that good ass pounding that put me to sleep. In his bed, I was so damn comfortable, I woke up with all missed calls from Rocco. Answering the incoming facetime call, I knew she wasn’t going to see much since I was in the dark. Hosea must had turned the light off and shut the door.

  “Bitch! I been calling you. Where you at? You know what time it is?” Rocco ran off, waking me up.

  “What time is it?” I said rolling onto my back, and keeping myself covered with the thick comforter. I was naked in the bed, and was running my hand through my hair that was sweated out.

  “Um, Dice. Please tell me you not getting dick and sleep!”

  “I was, but friend I promise I’m getting up. Right up.” I said knowing I had the birthday cake and her gifts to deliver. Rocco was barely the one to get out because all she knew was work. So tonight was all for her and all the girls were stepping out for the night.

  Getting up, I took a quick shower so I could go home and just put my outfit on. Going downstairs, it was kids everywhere, and the floor wet. Soon as I was about to open my mouth, Hosea was swooping me in the air. “Watch out!” he said turning me, and a gang of kids came trying to shoot him with water guns.

  “Ahhhh! Hosea!” I screamed out.

  “Got cha!!” the kids yelled, and took off.

  “My hairrrr!” I said mad as hell I got wet still.

  “I tried to save you. These boys been trying to take my head off. When you wake up?” he said wiping his wet face. Pushing him away because his shirt was soaked, I couldn’t believe he was clowning with these kids like this.

  “When Rocco called me.” I said, reminding him I had somewhere to be.

  “Oh yeah? Obasi just left to pop up on sis. He ain’t going for that all girls shit. Miani knew he was coming.” he smiled, on the same sneaky shit.

  “Why didn’t you wake me up? I gotta go. I need to get dressed and do something to my hair.” I sighed, knowing I was going to be late.

  “You got time. I didn’t mean to wear yo ass out like that.” he grinned.

  “Nah, you did that on purpose because you wanted me to sleep in your bed.”

  “You telling no lies. Fuck you got to go home for to go to sleep? You should have brought your clothes so I could see that shit. You know you like being naked.” he teased, pulling on my romper.

  “I’ll be sure to send you a pic.” I winked.

  My phone began to ring, and he noticed the caller ID before me. “Who’s this calling you private?”

  “I-I uh don’t-”

  “Get your phone…” he said pointing it out clear as day. Picking it up, I placed the phone to my ear.

  “Hello?” I said calmly as possible. Seconds passed with nothing being sad. Hosea was hawking over me and I just shrugged.

  “How long you been getting private calls?” He questioned. “Who the fuck had your number to reach you.”

  “I don’t know.” I said putting my hand on my head because this had been going on for a while. My friends didn’t even know. I wasn’t trying to take this further because it played enough on my mind to be trying to figure out why the hell I was being stalked.

  “You need to change your number. I don’t like hearing that shit. You should have been came to me...when you going to start coming to me?” He asked, and I could tell how bothered he was.

  “I’m sorry.” I said shaking my head. “I should have told you but if it means anything to you, I didn’t come to no one.”

  “I ain’t supposed to be just anybody. I’m your man.” he voiced. “I saw how you freeze up about that call. You been stressed about that too? You been getting these calls since Vegas, huh?”

  “They started when I first got back.” I answered.

  “Don’t keep nothing else from me. That’s creating something I don’t ever want with us.” he said kissing my forehead, and making me relax.

  Our conversation was cut short when the boys dropped something in the family room. It was kids coming from the basement, and running throughout the whole house playing with water. I was shaking my head but when I saw C.J, my mouth dropped.

  “Chaunce Junior! Tell me you fucking didn’t.” I snapped, and storming his way.

  “It’s just water mom! My gun broke.” he said holding one of Hosea´s Louboutins filled with so much water that it was spilling everywhere.

  “His shoes? Really son?” Sha
king my head, I was ready to fucking go. “Pour it out...now!”

  “But what am I’m going-”

  “Pour it the fuck out!” I told him once again, and he carried the thousand dollar shoes to the kitchen. When Hosea came from the back, he wasn’t tripping that a vase was broken. He asked C.J what was wrong with him, and my son explained he used his shoes to hold water.

  “They just shoes, Dice. Go ‘head, C.J.” Hosea shrugged off.

  “You're not going to have a house by the morning. Keep letting them get over.” I warned.

  “Nah, they about to take they ass in the movie theater. My maid pissed me off calling off and shit. She needs some real work since she salary paid.” he said, and that explained it all.

  “You a mess. This all just to get back for your cleaning service?”

  “Hell yeah. I’m paying them and my shit ain’t cleaned. So, when she come tomorrow, it’ll be a mess for them to do. I bet they won’t take weeks to come hurr again.” he vented.

  Hosea ended up walking me to the car because it was dark outside. Kissing him goodbye, I let him know I would see him tomorrow. We confirmed the plans with the kids, and I was on my way out.

  Following Night

  Rocco left her party drunk with her husband. I knew she had a good ass time, but I was glad the shit was all over with. That damn girl was difficult, but she was my bestie. Everyone turnt up hard, and I was glad I was able to sleep in the next morning. With all the strange calls, text, and eerie feelings, Lord knows I needed sleep.

  Meeting up with Hosea, we spent the whole day together, just out. The kids planned the whole day, and whatever they wanted, Hosea granted. We were all over St. Louis and they were having a ball. When nightfall hit, Hosea was taking us back to his house. He had a meeting to attend and I didn’t ask no questions. He told me I could stay at the house, but I needed a change of clothes.