Page 76 of Gang of Roses: Dice

Koasta came during my peace.

My babies had their father and their won’t-go-away honorary dad, Oats, wrapped around their fingers. They now had a village that would go to war about them.

Life was funny...

Just over a year ago, I came back to Magnolia Valley carrying a secret I'd guarded in those mountains like gold. Today, I was back for this moment and, of course, to see Pop Pop, who absolutely refused to move to Vegas.

Yeah...

We live in Vegas now. I made it as planned. Kash was already out here. We were just keeping our fingers crossed for Rebel to make her way.

What was supposed to be a one-year project for Ritz turned into a permanent move after we decided it was best for our family. The only thing that hadn't changed was Ross Savings and Loan. That move was still in the works.

I told Ritz my story, and I knew the only way for us to work was if he respected my commitment to finishing what we started. That part was never up for debate.

He didn't like it.

But he respected it.

Truth be told...

I didn't like it either.

I was rich, married, and now the mother of two. Life had changed in ways I never imagined, but Gang of Roses still had one final mission, and I planned on seeing it through to the end.

"Dice, what the hell you late for?" Rebel asked.

"Rebel, you really gon' ask that?" Kash chimed in.

"Hellooooo... I can answer."

Before I could get another word out, they both spoke at the same time.

"The damn lipstick."

"Ouuu... don't do me, hookas. It was a new drop today."

I laughed, grabbed the yellow roses tucked behind my bike, and made my way toward the tombstone that sat proudly at the head of one of my best friend’s final resting place.

“Hunni, that weight dropped quick,” Kash said.

“If you say so. I didn’t get that big with Koasta, but I feel like I’m just now getting my energy back.”

“Well... at least we knew this time.”

Rebel rolled her eyes.

I huffed.

“Bruh... we still on that?”

“Absolutely,” she shot back.

I ignored her.

“Another year, ladies.”

“I know, right?” Rebel said, dressed head to toe in gold to match her bike. Kash was matching Goblin, too.