Novels by LaToia Jaine

I took my sweaty clothes off, mentally reminding myself to burn them in my backyard when I got home. Hot, perplexed, and still very much off-kilter, I turned on the air conditioner and sat to check my phone for notifications worth responding to. I had a couple of missed calls and messages from Holland and Maleek, seeing how I was holding up. Ignoring them, I offered no response, not even via text; there was nothing left in me to be able to relive the details of my day all over again. Perhaps checking my phone was a false hope of having a call from my mother, newly found sibling, or father for some odd reason. I wanted answers, an explanation for my traumatic ass childhood. I felt depleted; my nerves were shot, and my blood pressure had to be sky-high. Skimming through my carry-on for something to help calm my nerves, I ran across an old prescription of Xanax that had been prescribed to me around the time Maleek and I split up. Not caring that the pills were probably expired and purpos

I finally caught up with my mother who was talking to Lori, Izzy on her hip growing impatient. I interrupted the conversation by scooping the baby up into my arms giving Mama some relief. “I was just speaking to your mother trying to convince her to at least come to the repass. We have a southern buffet and I really would like to catch up with all of you to honestly see how things have been going.” I turned to my other awaiting a response from her, “I don’t think that’s a good idea especially with this stalker crap going on.” Mama was right we still didn’t know who the stalker was and that would have us exposed to anything seeing how we would no longer be in the house of the Lord. I don’t think Mother or any of us was in the mood for yet another shootout at a family function. “It is a bad idea. Maybe we’ll just stay in touch or something Lori.” I grabbed my mother’s hand to head to the truck. While we walked I looked and listened hard to the people around me, trying to matc

The ride over to the church seemed long and awkwardly quiet. Having security made me feel uncomfortable about talking about real issues so I kept playing with my phone. “I’m kind of glad right now for the security. On top of the calls and hanging up, whoever it is, is starting to send text messages talking about how they’re gonna meet me at the funeral.” “Whoever it is got me messed up, I’m down here with my daughters and grandson. Security or not your mother is strapped and ready for anything that comes our way today. This ain’t momma out here in these streets today ladies, it’s JoAnne.” “Wait Mama you brought your gun?” “I sure the hell did. After killing that bastard, weird things have been happening to me and to Edily. I feel like I have to stay ready for anything.” “That’s exactly why I called security, so we could fee

“Yep, I sure did! Plus, I brought some craw boil and another bottle of Patron from the club. Sorry it’s not full but I couldn’t get a full bottle without Unc noticing.” She smiled nervously handing Theory the bottle as I walked toward the elevator. I was very much turned on by the little denim shorts and strappy heels Torian was wearing. Her skin glowed more now than it did in the club, her body more full and ripe. Her beauty compiled with Parker’s audacious demeanor caused me to lose control; I pinned Torian against the wall of the elevator kissing her neck to get a scent of her skin. I'd been eager to see what she had smelled like all evening. She shivered lightly, obviously nervous about what may have been getting ready to take place. “Are you alright?” I whispered. “I’m okay, just never been with a woman or man on this level or stature. I just hope ya’ll enjoy me. I hope I’m good enough for ya’ll.” I kissed her again this time on her lips. The way she kissed me back let

A chocolate, petite, younger woman brought the bottle over to our table offering to pour. Attracted to her natural features, I couldn’t help but flirt with the gorgeous woman filling our glasses one by one. “So, what’s your name beautiful?” She shyly smiled before filling my glass and eagerly answering, “It’s Torian. You’re Edily Graham, right?” Delighted that she knew who I was I extended my hand to grab and kiss hers, “I am. How’d you know?” “My uncle has been talking about you and your artist Prime Theory there for weeks now. Uncle Craig said you favor one of our regulars and well ya’ artist is true talent. He couldn’t wait to get ya’ll up in here and now I sees why!” Her accent and lack of annunciation were worse than Smitty’s, but it didn’t stop my attraction to her. “Ya’ll want me to get some menus, we gots’ the best craw boil from here to well, anywhere?” The three of us laughed at her humor and agreed to get a couple of menus. Zion leaned in closer to me, “

The familiar dusk air was hot and murky with no sign of any sort of a breeze; I could feel my hair drawing up into a frizz as we exited the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Mama’s strides were slow and uneasy, a look of sadness quickly covered her face, and her lasting impression gave way to the fact of her not wanting to be here. Isa on the other hand had the look of despair, almost angry and annoyed. She marched rather quickly toward the rental car area stomping; Izzy dangling from her arms. I could feel my knees begin to tremble ready to give way as my heart seemed to thump louder than my heels hitting the hard ground. Neither of us wanted to be in this place, the depraved memories began to resurface as we piled ourselves inside the over-the-top luxury rental SUV. “Isa, what made you rent this truck?” Zion jumped in, “More like who let you afford this truck, it’s got to be running you at least six hundred a day?” We all looked at Isa with curiosity, waiti