Heat.

| Epilogue. |

Six months later.

"Good morning Brooklyn! You are here live with Channel 2 news, where we are now standing outside the town courthouse awaiting the first day of the anticipated trial of Darien Orlando. The high school senior accused of killing two members of the well known gang 'The Scorpions' and hospitalizing 3 members as well."

"Wow," Aaron's fingers found their way laced with Shainne's as they passed the news crew, heading inside the courthouse themselves. "They're really broadcasting this, huh?"

Shianne shrugged her shoulders absentmindedly. "It's public beef between the Scorpions and the Cobras. Everyone in the city is on their toes. If D gets locked up for this, there's gonna be a war and if he don't, there's still a war either way."

Aaron sighed at the sound of that, nodding his head in response and opening the door for his girlfriend as they made their way inside. He decided not to speak as they chose to ignore the rowdy crowd of Scorpions outside the courthouse and even in the room, showing that they were beyond supportive for Darien. But it was tough. Darien had taken the fall for both he and Maurice's actions, under the orders Tut had given and no one knew why. Maurice's hands were just as dirty, yet, there he was, located in a pillar, with Cristal's arm wrapped around him as she rubbed his back sweetly, while it seemed as if he was sending a prayer up to God.

He hadn't see either one of the two the full six months as everyone seemed to be too busy wrapped up in their own lives. Aaron was too busy trying to piece together the life he didn't know was so twisted back home in Italy, while Shianne never left his side. And clearly, Cristal and Maurice had their own things going on, as Cris made eye contact with the couple and stood to her feet, showing the reason why Maurice was so damn worried.

"Hey," Cristal put a small smile on her face, Aaron's landing on her growing round belly before he engulfed her in a hug. He wasn't sure how far along she was, but she noticed his face and answered for him. "I'm 27 weeks."

"Che chazzo," Aaron's own smile grew, as he went to touch the bump. "I thought Shianne was joking when she said you were pregnant. Looks like you're about to pop now."

Cristal beamed at his words, her glow making the room seem brighter. "Something like that. You miss that all the way in Italy!"

"I know, I know. But I'm here now." Aaron hugged her again, the sound of a group of teenage boys filling their ears as they carried on a conversation.

"You think they're going to send D to the pen?"

"I don't know. Rumor is they're gonna try to give him the chair."

Aaron almost forgot Maurice was seated right next to Cristal, when he turned around to address the gossip about his dearest friend. "Aye, don't say no dumb shit like that now, man. He good."

Shianne went to rest a hand on Maurice's shoulder in a comforting way. "Is he?"

"He better be."

Just then, the courthouse went into an uproar as Darien made his appearance, his head lowered as they escorted him to his seat. He was dressed in a crisp black suit with a gray trim, something he definitely picked out himself. He had a fresh cut and was clean shaved as well, and at first glance, you would have never believed he lived a life on the streets had you not known him.

"D!" It was Shianne who called his name, and he turned around, a big smile coming across his face as he waved to his friends located a few rows behind him. He looked at Cristal's bump and began grinning even wider, something that brought Maurice much comfort.

The guard spoke in the uncomfortable silence. "All rise for Judge Coyne."

-

"Y'all acting like a nigga dying or something, stop with that shit nah," Darien playfully flicked Shianne in the middle of the forehead, her first reaction being to hit him back, which he caught. "Standing around like this in this outfit remind me of 8th grade graduation. Don't know how a nigga made it. Prayers up."

Shianne pouted. "Shit is very different from middle school, Darien. Aren't you going to address the elephant in the room?"

Darien bent down, adjusting the ankle monitor he was required to wear. Tut had paid for his $100,000 bond and for the best lawyer, so he still reigned innocence in some way. No one knew where he was living, as that was a secret, but he was allowed a few minutes after the trial, a few more minutes he decided to spend with his friends as he awaited his ride. "What you on about?"

"Uh, hello?" Shianne's hands found their way to Cristal's stomach. "There's a baby in Cristal's stomach right now."

"Oh, that," Darien waved her off, beginning to clean his glasses. "I know. Been knew."

Maurice finally spoke. "Now how you know and no one heard from you in half a year?"

"Mind ya business on that part," Darien gave him the finger, noticing everyone's stunned faces. "Why else yall think I took the fall? Mo, you a daddy now. Mad respect on that."

"You did this for me?"

"Correction, Mack," Darien smiled. "For him."

Cristal rolled her eyes, cradling the large bump. "How you even know it's a boy?"

"Girl, I don't make boys. Sperm know better." Maurice dapped Darien up as the girls both scrunched their faces, Aaron observing in pure happiness. He had missed this the last few months. Everything came crashing down so quickly that he never took a minute to take in what he had. Despite all the shit: Being sent to another country, joining a ruthless gang, his mother trying to kill him and now her trial, he needed his friends. They were all he had. He kissed Shianne's forehead sweetly, his phone suddenly ringing in his pocket, which it had been doing the whole trial and for the last few weeks from a blocked number. He decided to answer it now that the tension was starting to die down and he was feeling at ease.

"Hello?" He walked away from the group, the strange sound of someone's breathing filling his ears. "Hello, who is this?"

The voice didn't answer. "Look, I don't know who this is but you need to stop fucking-"

"Mi Gigio. La sua mamma," He felt his heart sink to his stomach. "You always were the fighter, weren't you?"

The end.

* * *

Thanks for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this book. I just wanted to say the prologue is just a glimpse into Aaron's life- it doesn't particularly tie into anything in the story, LMAO. Just an attention grabber. Pictures of the main characters in the multimedia & the book trailer as well. c;