Page 71 of All In

“Even now,” Zambia continued, her voice lowering.

“The only reason I’m standing here is because one of her little spies called me and told me you got that bitch and her kid up in here.”Cash paused because before this was just about them, and the work-around they created. Now this was drifting into legacy territory. And as much as he hated to admit it, in his world optics still mattered. They controlled reputation,determined societal standing, and ensured legacy. Cash wanted to believe he was being careful. That he was protecting Jackie, protecting himself. But now he wasn’t so sure. He let out a deep breath and tried his hardest to not allow everything he felt on the inside to show up on his face. Because up until that moment, he’d thought this pop-up was random.But if word got back this fast, then the situation was already outside of his control.

“You sloppy as fuck, Cassius.” Her lips pressed together tightly before she added quieter: “And disrespectful.” The silence hung heavy in the air now, and for the first time since she got there, Cash didn’t have a smooth way around any of it. “You love her, don’t you?” Zambia asked.

Cash didn’t answer. And heshould’ve.This would’ve been a perfect opportunity to finally take a stance, denounce Zambia, and get off the ride once and for all. But as usual, duty had him pinned. Something in his face must’ve shifted because hers did too. “Wow.”

This time when she spoke, her voice softened. “Why her?” That question didn’t come with attitude this time. It just sat there between them. “I know I’m not perfect,” she said quietly, “… I’ve done my fair share of dirt.” Her eyes flicked toward the inside of the condo before landing back on him. “But her though?” Cash stayed quiet. Because the truth was, anything he said would make this real in a way he hadn’t fully allowed himself to acknowledge yet. “Be honest,” she pressed, her voice tightening. “Am I really that bad to you?” That reached him in a place he refused to name, because suddenly this wasn’t about Jackie anymore. It was about him. Cash exhaled slowly, dragging a hand across his jaw while Zambia watched him carefully, like she could see right through him. Then she straightened up before letting out a deep breath. “Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, I am your wife.” This time Cashdidn’t correct her. “Yeah, we haven’t made it official yet, but in our world... we already one.”

And for the first time in a long time, Cash really heard her.The real her.

Somewhere along the way, Cash forgot Zambia was just as much a pawn in this game as he was. For the first time in a long time, Cash saw her. Not as the public persona he'd spent years keeping at arm's length. But as a daughter who never wanted this life and decided to make the best of it. More importantly, she was a woman trying to preserve what was left of her dignity. Zambia didn't have to come here quietly. She could've rung the alarm and blown the whole situation up publicly.

Instead, she came herself, and he finally saw it for what it was.Grace.

Up until tonight, Cash had convinced himself their arrangement only mattered on paper. But standing there looking at her now, he finally understood the reality of it. Whether he liked it or not, Zambia was tied to him in ways that reached far beyond feelings. And Jackie deserved better than being dragged into his unfinished business. “I suggest you use tonight,” Zambia said finally, her voice calm now, “and get her out your system.” Cash didn’t respond, because deep down he already knew he’d probably never get Jackie out his system. Zambia turned to leave before he called after her.

“Zam.” She froze. He hadn’t called her that in years. “It’s late,” he said quietly.

“Let me drive you home.” She glanced back over her shoulder. Now you worried about me.” Cash didn’t answer because it wasn’t really a question. Zambia let out a quiet breath.

“I got here just fine.” A pause. “I’ll get back the same way.” Then she walked off, slippers soft against the floor, disappearing just as abruptly as she came. Cash stood there longer than he meant to, trying to process everything that had just happenedbefore finally shutting the door and punching both security codes back in. The quiet returned instantly. Only now it feltsuffocating.He leaned against the door and dragged a hand down his face slowly because nothing about that conversation went the way it normally did. Usually, he could smooth things over with Zambia. Redirect her. Remind both of them what this wasn’t. Now, he had no choice but to see it for exactly what it was. Amarriage.

When he finally pushed off the door and turned around, Jackie was standing in the archway between the hallway and the living room. She wore the wife beater he laid out for her and almost nothing else. Her bare legs glowed softly beneath the dim lighting, thick thighs catching against the shadows while the shirt clung low against her curves. Her hair was still damp from the shower, skin warm and glowing like she’d stepped out of something softer than this moment deserved. Cash stared longer than he meant to. Everything Zambia said still hung in the air, unresolved and impossible to ignore. Yet, none of it changed what happened when he looked at Jackie. She wasundeniable. Sacred in ways he’d somehow overlooked until this very moment. Something primal took over.And that was exactly why he couldn’t do this. Because if he touched her tonight the way he wanted to, there would be no coming back from it. His body moved before his mind fully caught up, closing the distance between them fast. Jackie didn’t step back. She just lifted her chin slightly, lips parting enough to say everything she wasn’t willing to put into words. And for one dangerous second, Cash almost gave in.

His hand came up instead, knuckles brushing slowly along her jaw before sliding to the back of her neck. His grip deepened instinctively, firm, but not rough. Grounding himself more than her. Jackie’s breath caught softly as he leaned in close enough for her to feel what almost happened between them. Closeenough for her to expect it. But right before their lips met, she turned her head slightly. And that’s when he knew.

Sheheardeverything.

Cash went still, as their eyes held, and something unspoken passed between them. He didn’t pull away, but he didn’t push forward either. Instead, he pressed his lips softly against her forehead and let them linger there longer than he should’ve. When Jackie opened her eyes again, she didn’t look confused. Just relieved. Like the moment finally answered something for her. Cash finally stepped back, his voice rougher when he spoke. “Go to bed, Jackie. “It wasn't a dismissal. Cash just needed a boundary. Even if it cost him everything he ever wanted. She held his gaze another second, hurt hiding behind her eyes, before she finally asked quietly, “Can I get some sweats? I'm gonna sleep with Max.” That answer told him everything. Cash nodded once. “Yeah.” He stepped back, putting space between them again.

Jackie turned first, disappearing down the hallway without looking back.

And this time... Cash didn't follow.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

JACKIE

The bed felt like a cloud…

That was the first thing she noticed. The quiet came next—soft, gentle, and unfamiliar. Her body didn’t recognize the calm right away. There were no pipes knocking inside the walls, no sirens blaring outside the windows, and most importantly, no loud-ass neighbors waking her up with their Sunday morning shenanigans. It wasstill.And for one brief second, Jackie let herself sink into it. Her body hadn’t felt this rested in a long time. She was used to waking up tired. Exhausted before she could even open her eyes. But this felt different. It was Peaceful. Something her Sunday mornings never were. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, her gaze settling on the ceiling as the feeling lingered for another moment. Then it hit her. That familiar sting of guilt and disappointment. Jackie closed her eyes again as everything from the night before came rushing back all at once. Thehallway,Cash,Zambia,the argument fromhell.Jackie could still remember every word, the way it sounded. How she felt hearing it, and more importantly, the way it shattered the illusion she’d been drifting around in all night. Her stomach turned just thinking about it. Because it wasn’t just messy, it was complex.

Jackie couldn’t stand Zambia. Didn’t like the bitch one bit. But none of that changed what she heard in that hallway last night. That wasn’t a performance. That was a woman genuinelyhurt, and Jackie knew that kind of pain intimately. She’d felt it before and wouldn’t wish it on another woman. Jackie didn’t know what kind of fucked-up arrangement Zambia and Cash had. All she knew was she wasn’t about to participate in hurting another woman—even if she was a stuck-up, self-centered bitch. Besides, Jackie Brown wasn’t playing second fiddle to no bitch. And because Cassius was clearly allergic to coming correct when it came to her, Jackie was officially done entertaining the fantasy. She exhaled slowly and dragged a hand down her face before sitting up. Her phone lit up on the nightstand immediately. She had hella missed calls and messages, all from Kormia.

Jackie rolled her eyes before unlocking it.

Kormia:I’m sorry cousin??. I took two Benadryls so I could eat my crab fried rice and not die. Please pick up. I’m so sorry.Jackie wanted to text back, Girl, fuck you. Instead, she dropped the phone onto the mattress. She’d deal with Kormia’s ass later. Right now, she needed to leave. Last night carried too much weight, and all Jackie wanted to do was go home, wash the stench of disillusionment off her skin, and put the whole night behind her.

The bedroom door opened before she could move any further with the thought. Cash stepped inside, already dressed for the day in a gray Vetements tracksuit and a fresh pair of Wolf Grey Jordan 5s. He was clean and put together, like the night before hadn’t touched him at all. Their eyes met briefly, but the moment stretched longer than it should’ve. “About last night—”

“Not necessary,” Jackie cut in gently. “I understand.”

Something shifted across his face then, subtle but noticeable enough to tell her he wanted to explain himself anyway. Jackie didn’t give him the room. Because honestly, there was nothing he could say that would change what she heard. She didn’t need him trying to soften it now.

Jackie swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. “I appreciate you letting us stay,” she said quietly. “For real.” Then, after a brief pause, she added, “But we need to get going. I need to figure out my car situation, do laundry, and get ready for the week.” She intentionally avoided looking directly at him while she spoke. Cash opened his mouth again like he was about to say something else when Jackie’s phone started vibrating across the mattress. She picked it up without thinking.

It was Syxe, hysterical on the other end. Jackie’s stomach dropped instantly.