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Chapter 23
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Ash was in his old apartment in Ganghaven, which he preferred to the plush company quarters in Gulden when there was a knock on his door.
Thinking it was Capo or one of his other men, he took his time to open it.
He was greeted by the glorious sight that was Jo, her mouth in a hard line. His heart beat faster as he considered the idea of having her in his apartment although from the look on her face, she wasn't there to accept his apology.
Well, he would any win no matter how small, he assured himself.
“My apartment isn't much but do you wanna come in?” He asked graciously.
Jo scowled. Seeing him face to face had awakened a hunger which had been steadily growing. How could someone look this handsome, she thought.
Jo knew if she entered his apartment she might lose sight of why she'd come here in the first place and jump him.
“No.” Jo said stubbornly.
“You want to create a scene for the punks who li
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Frame Me Chapter 23: II
e.”Ash wanted to laugh, “Of course I do. Is it just sinking in now?”Jo nodded, “So you left Gulden to become a gangster once again?”“No,” Ash shook his head, “About that. I was actually meaning to come over to your house with a proposal.”Jo got a confused look as she wrinkled her nose, “A marriage proposal?”Ash replied, “I would have gotten to that, but no. I meant like a business proposal.”Jo nodded, “Let's hear it.”Ash got into business mode and outlined his plan for them to set up a school and a charity organization that'd be run by both their gangs.Jo let him finish his pitch, and after that she walked up to him, “I'm sorry for doubting you, Ash.”“I'm sorry for running off on you too.” Ash said as he kissed her. This time, Jo didn't protest.He carried her over to the bed and laid her down
Frame Me Preface
Frame MeBy RomanThis book is dedicated to the readers who gave this book a chance.NOTEFirst of all, let's get the geography right.There's a city called Ranem. Ranem has twelve blocks.The two explored in this book are Gulden and Odton. Odton's unofficial name is Ganghaven.I don't want you getting confused.Please, if you like the book, feel free to leave a review. It won't hurt.I apologize in advance for any grammatical and structural errors you might come across, I'm trying to get the book edited.For feedback; my Facebook username is Ginika Chi. Feel free to reach out.Secondly, if you feel like reading my other work, please do so. I have another book by the name The Lycanthrope Huntress.If you're a fan of suspense and fantasy, I suggest you give it a try.Happy reading,Ginika/Roman.
Frame Me Prologue
Ten year old Jocelyn Turner peeked out the window, counting down to one under her breath.“Jo, come away from the window and have your dinner!” Her mother, Ruth shouted from the kitchen.“I don't want to eat without Daddy!” Jo replied and continued her counting.Ruth shook her head and smiled, her daughter was a regular Daddy's Girl. She was never content when her father was away. She watched TV with him, she played with him, she read with him, and happily followed him shopping. Sometimes, Ruth worried that Jo's only playmate was her father. In her opinion, girls her age needed friends who were also young and in elementary school, but Jo clammed up whenever she was introduced to children her age.When Ruth had asked her why she didn't want any friends, Jo had looked her straight in the eye and said, “I have Daddy, and he's enough for me.”Jo hit her foot on the floor when she counted down to one and her father ha
Frame Me Prologue: II
“Then don't go back to O.G. You two are young boys with your whole lives ahead of you. Don't waste your lives doing his dirty work. You're either going to end up in jail, or dead before you're thirty.” Gabe advised.“Or we could end up filthy rich with lots of ice and bitches.” The other boy smirked. “Now, this is the last time we'll ask nicely. Where's the money?”“Gabe? Is everything alright?” Came Ruth's worried voice from inside.“Yeah. Yeah! I'm fine!” Gabe shouted.“You better give it to us, or we'll involve your wife.” The boys threatened.“How much do I owe you?” Gabe asked.“Two hundred bucks.” One said.“I don't have it on me.” Gabe said.Suddenly, a shot rang out, and Gabe fell to the floor, blood oozing from the bullet wound in his chest.“Damn! Bro, what'd you do that for?” Th
Frame Me Chapter 1
Jocelyn Turner steeled her shoulders as she entered the ratty massage parlor with ten of her thugs in tow. Anyone who saw her would marvel at the change she'd undergone in the last fifteen years.Gone was the naive innocent girl with chubby cheeks and freckles on her nose. Jo had grown into a five feet, six inched slender young woman, with chin-length raven black hair and with tattoos on her arms.Jo was dressed in a sports bra, black leather jacket, ripped jeans and combat boots. A black and white bandana drooped out of her jeans pocket.The interior of the massage parlor was as ratty as the outside. From the neon lighting and the plastic chairs in the waiting room, one could discern that it was a shady enterprise.The receptionist, a bleach blonde with a highly voluptuous figure which she managed to squeeze into a miscropic nurse's outfit, let out an involuntary squeal of fear when she saw Jo and her men.“How may I help you?” The rec
Frame Me Chapter 1: II
Meanwhile, on the other side of the block, another gang leader was about to wreak havoc on another enterprise. His name was Asher Mason, but everyone called him Ash. He was tall and lean but still with enough muscle to indimidate people if and when he wanted.He had brown hair, a sculpted jaw, full sensual lips and green eyes.Many women came onto him, wanting to be his baby mama or mistress, but he sent them all away.His gang, called the Sopranos, was also another gang to be feared in Ganghaven. At first, people hadn't taken them seriously, but after Ash had singlehandedly put eight men in the ICU without any weapon, people had learned to respect them.Asher and his crew of five men knocked on the door of a storage facility and waited.“Who's you?” Someone asked from inside.“It's the Sopranos. Open up, we've got business to discuss.” Ash said.“Shit!” The voice exclaimed.“Now, now.
Frame Me Chapter 2
Jo marched into one of the most reputable diners in Ganghaven, Jacob's. The place was near empty, with only a few couples at various tables.The proprietor, Jacob came forward to greet her.“Jo, you're welcome! You need a table?” The burly man asked, wiping his greasy hands on his stained apron and offering Jo a handshake.“Yes. I need a table for three. My friends will be here soon.” Jo replied, declining to shake hands.“Well, you can sit at any table of your choice.” Jacob said.Jo thanked him and plopped herself down at the farthest table in the diner.“Except that one.” Jacob murmured.“Did you say something?” Jo asked.He shook his head, deciding not to tell her about his regular customer who always came at the same time each day, and sat on that chair. He prayed his customer wouldn't come that day. Instead, he changed the topic “What would you like?&
Frame Me Chapter 2: II
Ash was actually very angry as he entered the diner. His friend and contact in the police force had been posted to patrol the streets of Gulden, not Ganghaven. Ash didn't understand why the cops left a place that was in dire need of their presence, and went to a place that was already full of 'em. It was grossly unfair, if you asked him.Ash shook his head and sighed. That was the problem, nobody cared enough for Ganghaven, he thought. He wondered if it was a crime to be born into a low-income earning family.His scowl intensified when he saw that his usual table at the diner was taken. Upon further examination, he found that the three women who'd taken up his space were actually beautiful. That wiped the scowl off his face. Maybe he could join them; flirting with beautiful women always put him in a good mood.As he walked up to them, he saw that one of them had a tattoo sleeve. But that wasn't his problem. His problem was one of the tattoos. It was one of a haw
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Frame Me Chapter 23: II
e.”Ash wanted to laugh, “Of course I do. Is it just sinking in now?”Jo nodded, “So you left Gulden to become a gangster once again?”“No,” Ash shook his head, “About that. I was actually meaning to come over to your house with a proposal.”Jo got a confused look as she wrinkled her nose, “A marriage proposal?”Ash replied, “I would have gotten to that, but no. I meant like a business proposal.”Jo nodded, “Let's hear it.”Ash got into business mode and outlined his plan for them to set up a school and a charity organization that'd be run by both their gangs.Jo let him finish his pitch, and after that she walked up to him, “I'm sorry for doubting you, Ash.”“I'm sorry for running off on you too.” Ash said as he kissed her. This time, Jo didn't protest.He carried her over to the bed and laid her down
Frame Me Chapter 23
Ash was in his old apartment in Ganghaven, which he preferred to the plush company quarters in Gulden when there was a knock on his door.Thinking it was Capo or one of his other men, he took his time to open it.He was greeted by the glorious sight that was Jo, her mouth in a hard line. His heart beat faster as he considered the idea of having her in his apartment although from the look on her face, she wasn't there to accept his apology.Well, he would any win no matter how small, he assured himself.“My apartment isn't much but do you wanna come in?” He asked graciously.Jo scowled. Seeing him face to face had awakened a hunger which had been steadily growing. How could someone look this handsome, she thought.Jo knew if she entered his apartment she might lose sight of why she'd come here in the first place and jump him.“No.” Jo said stubbornly.“You want to create a scene for the punks who li
Frame Me Chapter 22: II
The next day, Ruth heard the doorbell ding and went to open it. She didn't see snyone, just a package left on the doorstep.It had a tag which said 'For Jo'.She brought it into the kitchen and called Jo who was still in her room.Jo hurried to the kitchen, “Mum, who delivered that package?”Ruth shrugged, “I don't know. It only says it's for you.”Jo assessed the package critically.“Should I open it?” Ruth asked as she moved to do so.“No! Mum!” Jo said hastily.Ruth gave her a curious look, “And why the hell not?”Jo thought to what Ash had said about his father trying to get her, “Just let me handle this.”She opened the package and sitting innocuosly in it was an apple pie with the words 'I love you' inscribed on it.“Ash,” She said under her breath. He was trying to use apple pie to win her back. Her heart beat furious
Frame Me Chapter 22
Ash and Pascal sat at their favorite table in Jacob's diner as they waited for their orders to arrive.It had been Pascal's idea to come to Jacob's because Ash had been melancholy ever since he returned to Ganghaven. In fact, Pascal didn't understand what was going on between Ash and Jo.Last he heard, Jo was so in love with Ash, she'd taken a bullet for him. Ash had also been head over heels in love with her. He was sure the lovebirds still loved each other, so why were they even apart.I may never get to understand love, he thought.He looked at Ash who was caught up in some memory of some thought.“Yo, what are you thinking of, man?” Pascal asked, trying to distract Ash from his bad mood.“You know, I first met Jo here.” Ash said with a sad smile, “She was sitting at our table with her friends.”Pascal groaned inwardly. While trying to get Ash to quit thinking of Jo, he'd only compounded the prob
Frame Me Chapter 21: II
Ash heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Capo.“It's good to see you, boss.” Capo said with a grin.“You too, my man.” Ash said bringing in Capo for a hug. He didn't think he could explain how much he'd missed his second-in-command. Capo was his loyal confidante and adviser, who had never let him down. He felt so free with him.Too bad he couldn't say the same for the vultures under him at Greenwood Holdings. They were sycophants who only wanted to be friends with him so he could give them something in return.“How's business?” Capo asked.Aah grimaced. Even with his degree, running a company the size of Greenwood Holdings was difficult, “It's coming along. Yours?”“We've shut down most of the business your old man was running, which leads me to ask; after we finish the task, what next? Do we disband and look for other things to do?” Capo asked.Ash shook his hea
Frame Me Chapter 21
Jo forced a smile on her face as she opened the door to usher Andrea and Sia in. She was still living like a hermit in her mother's house, and she didn't want to diagnose what that said about her. She was making progress, she told herself, she was going to make a conversation with her friends even if it killed her.Andrea and Sia noticed her staring into space.“Yo! Earth to Jo!” Andrea said, snapping her to the present.“You okay? We could come back later, if you wanted.” Sia said, leading Jo to the nearest chair.Jo allowed herself to be led and when she sat down, she said, “No. I invited you here. We're going to do this.”“Ok. But there's no pressure,” Andrea said, turning on the television. There was a boring news broadcast going on, so they paid the television no mind.“How's your injury?” Sia asked, switching to physician mode.Jo raised her blouse up and let Sia examin
Frame Me Chapter 20: II
At last, Baines spoke, “How am I sure this is real, not some fabrication?”Ash spread his hands on the table, “You're a lieutenant. I'm pretty sure you'll find the same things I showed you, if you got your people to look hard enough.”Baines regarded him closely, “What's in it for you?”“If you're asking if I'm doing this for some reward or favor or something, the answer is no. Josiah's one of the bastards whose operations put Ganghaven in such a desolate state. He needs to pay for the lives he's ruined.” Ash said. He'd told Baines the truth, but not all of it. Back in Sia's clinic he'd vowed to eliminate all threats to her, both actual and perceived. One of those, was his father.Josiah, in order to get back at Ash could kidnap, maim or worse, kill Jo. In order to prevent that from happening, Ash had decided that his father must be in a place where it would be impossible to do that; jail.
Frame Me Chapter 20
20Lieutenant Ted Baines was disappointed in himself. How could he not have seen what was right under his nose? Due to his implicit bias, he'd thought those two gangsters were the culprits, not knowing it was one of his own men.He hated it when men who swore to serve and protect, did a one-eighty and became what they were supposed to fight. Damian of all people, too.Baines who'd always thought himself to be a good judge of character, couldn't believe he'd sorely misjudged him. His only consolation was that he wasn't the only one. Damian had fooled them all.From the information had been able to gather, Baines learned that Matteo had begun to suspect Damian, and had planted the cameras in the building to catch him in the act.Then he'd confronted Damian who responded by shooting him dead. Then, when Damian had asked to be given time to console his partner's widow, he'd actually gone back to the crime scene and watched what was on the
Frame Me Chapter 19: II
Jo felt a huge ache in her head when she came to. Her mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton and she still felt woozy. She cracked open her eyes and felt a moment of panic before she realized where she was. When her eyes were able to make out the people in the room, she recognized Sia, and her longtime assistant Liv.The first word that came out of her mouth was, "Ash."Sia placed her hand in hers and shook her head."Where is he?" Jo asked, getting hysterical. "I heard his voice when I was coming out of the drugs, or was that a dream?""No. He was here." Sia answered."Then where is he?" Jo asked, trying to sit up. Sia placed her hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back to a lying position."He left." Sia replied."Did he say when he was coming back?" Jo asked hopefully."No.""For how long have I been here?" Jo asked."Two days." Sia answered, dreading the next question."W
