Page 2 of All In

Fat Daddy was new to the school, Syxe had practically begged Cash’s mother to let him in. He wasn’t their typical applicant, but there was something about him. He was rough around the edges, but kind, funny, full of potential. His behavior could be a challenge at times, but the staff loved him, and ironically so did Cash’s parents, especially his father. Fat Daddy turned to Zambia.“Hey, Ms. Zambia, you know my auntie too?” Zambia barely glanced up from her phone.

“Hey, Max. You look nice,” she said flatly.

“But to answer your question,” Cash added, crouching slightly to meet the boy at eye level,

“I’m here to see my best friend marry your aunt.”

“Monty Geez your best friend for real?” Max asked, eyes wide. Cash opened his mouth to answer— Thenfeltit. A shift in the room. The energy was familiar, feminine, andelectric. Just then he looked up and there she was. Jackie approached slowly, like the ground wasn’t shifting beneath him with every step she took. She wore a cream-colored, figure-hugging midi dress, her hair swept into an elegant updo with a soft fringe brushing her lashes. She looked…Unreal. “I’m sorry,” she said, her eyes flicking between Max and Cash before settling on him. “Is he bothering you?” Their eyes met. And just like that— For the first time in a year… nothing else in the room mattered.

CHAPTER ONE

JACKIE BROWN

Syxe and Montana’s Wedding Reception Continued…

Jackie hadn’t even made it to the dessert table before she spotted him.Cassius.He stood out without trying, wearing a tailored all-black Tom Ford tuxedo that fit his frame like it was made with him in mind. His jewelry wasunderstated,but his diamonds stilldanced—especially when the light hit them.

His cologne hit her first, LeLabo.

The scent was a beautiful combination offamiliarityanddanger.

Andgoddamnif it didn’t make her melt a little. But it wasn’t justhim.

It was Max—her Max.Standing beside him, tugging at the leg of his slacks like they’d been cool for years. Jackie’s steps picked up without her realizing it, her heels clicking sharper against the floor as she made her way over, already assuming Fat Daddy was bothering him. “Is he bothering you?” she asked, smoothing a hand over Max’s shoulder. “Never,” Cash responded. Just as her eyes met his for the first time in over two years. His voice hadn’t changed, it was still cool and steady like she remembered. But something about him had. There was a distance in it now. A restraint that hadn’t been there before. Jackie opened her mouth to say something else, but Max beat her to it. “Mommy, Coach Cash said I could join the Pop Warner team if I stop actin’ up,” he said, wide-eyed, laying it on thick likehe always did when he was working an angle. Jackie shot him a look. “We will talk about it later. Go find Micah and Imani.” Max didn’t argue. He took off like he’d already won. And just like that…It was just her and Cash. They hadn’t stood this close since before everything went to hell. It started with the foiled kidnapping plot. Then Syxe and the kids disappeared off the grid. Next thing Jackie knew Marcus’s people starteddroppingleft and right. Some ended up dead, others caught cases—and Marcus himself vanished with Nefertiti, their kids and Marcus Jr.—Jackies oldest son.

Jackie hadn’t seen Marcus Jr. in person, in over two years. The only contact Marcus allowed was monitored FaceTime Audio calls that left her feeling helpless. She knew Fat-daddy missed his big brother too, and deep down she suspected that was the real reason behind his misbehavior in school. But there wasn’t much she could do, Marcus always made sure of that. The last time she saw Marcus Jr., Marcus had shown up at her houseuninvitedand stayedfor hours. He hoveredtooclose, intentionally crowding her space to make heruncomfortable. Jackie had swallowed the discomfort just to spend a few hours with her son. Now, standing in front of Cash, all those months melted into a second.

He still looked good.Too fucking good. His skin caught the light in a way that made it hard not to stare, his braids were neat, laid into straight-back cornrows. But the way he looked at her, like he was holding something back. That partstung.“How have you been?” she asked, trying to sound casual even as her nerves started to flutter. His eyes didn’t leave hers. “Good. You?”

“I’ve been cool. I guess.” She glanced away for a second, then back.

“I never got the chance to thank you… for what you did at Max’s birthday. Security. The whole setup. You didn’t have to go that hard, but you did.”

“Wasn’t necessary,” he replied flatly. That hurt more than she expected.

This wasn’t the man who held her hand at Max’s party. Who wrapped her in his arms when she cried over Syxe. This Cash? Felt cold and detached. Like he’d done the math, and she didn’t add up anymore.“Still. Thank you,” she said anyway. He gave a small nod, jaw ticking like he was trying to keep his mouth shut. But his eyes? They slipped. Traveled down the length of her fitted dress, slow and reluctant, before snapping back to her face.He still wanted her. That part hadn’t changed.

And then right on cue— “Baaaabe,” a voice crooned, sugary sweet and sharp enough to cut glass.

“You disappeared on me.” Jackie turned, and there she was. Zambia.

Zambia glided into the room like it owed her something. The champagne silk dress clung to her like it had been painted on, her golden skin glowed under the softness of the light. Everything about her was flawless, her hair was laid, and her makeup was soperfect,the shitalmost looked airbrushed. She had the presence of someone who knew every eye would follow her and had been raised to expect nothing less. Jackie stood still, watching the way Zambia slid her arm through Cash’s like she’d been doing it for years. “You must be Jackie,” Zambia said, feigning polite confusion. “The event planner, right? Now refresh my memory, you’re Syxe’s aunt or—?”

“I’m her best friend,” Jackie replied, just as evenly. Zambia’s smile widened slightly.

“Ah. Got it. I am Zambia, but my friends call me Zambi. You might know me from TikTok.”

“I doubt it.” Jackie deadpanned. Zambia’s gaze dipped, quick anddeliberate, taking Jackie in from head to toe before lifting again. “Weird,” she said lightly.

“A lot of women your age love my content.”

Jackie held her stare.I know this little bitch ain’t sizing me up.

But before she could respond, a new energy shifted into the space. It was stern, controlled and authoritative.Sister Malika.Cash’s mother. Syxe’s boss. And the principal at Max’s school. Jackie straightened her spine immediately. Jackie had been dodging Sister Malika’s calls for weeks, especially after she suggested Max talk to a psychiatrist. Jackie wasn’t ready for that conversation. At least not yet. “Oh look,” Zambia cooed, “there’s my mother-in-love.”

Jackie’s eyes flicked to Cash before she could stop herself.

“Wait… you two are married?”