They're experiencing life like they never knew was possible. From the safety of their gated community, their world is copacetic. Until news from home rocks their world. Released early from prison, King's only mission is to regain control of the throne and take care of the people who crossed him. And Washington Heights knows there are only two people who can make that happen. Loyalty is tested, friendships lost, and the strength of Jaicyn and Rayshawn's relationship is questioned. When the smoke clears, who will be left standing?

    Nothing in life was handed to her, she had to work for it. Although she was smart academically none of that mattered, school wasn't an option, bills had to be paid. Using her doting eyes, alluring smile, and firm back side, Yssa was determined to keep a roof over her head, food in her stomach and clothes on her back. When life takes a sharp right turn she finds herself running into Pierre.Pierre wasn't your typical guy. With a hardworking single mother his priority was school and sports. Being skilled in multiple sports landed him opportunities that would have him set for life, until he meets her. The moment his eyes met Yssa, the hood chick with the 'around the way girl' persona, he falls in love. Determined to help her out of her bind, Pierre goes out of his way to make Yssa see herself for the queen she truly is. He loves her, breathes her, cherishes her; however, in Yssa eyes he's just her best friend.Pierre isn't Yssa typical pick in guys, she was a hood chick that craved that hood love. He was too well mannered, too attentive, too motivating, too good for her tainted soul. Pierre's good boy ways was only enough to earn him a seat in the friend zone, where Yssa felt he was safe. When unfortunate events separate the two Yssa is forced to reevaluate herself and the choices she's made; however, her revaluations may be a little too late.

    Adoree wants to be a marine biologist and has every detail of her life planned. Her NFL bound boyfriend, Jerrod, has been in her life since the ninth grade. Jerrod loves Adoree, but when he starts to step out their relationship, does she find out? Does Jerrod do something drastic to keep Adoree in his life? Adoree bumps into a tatted-up stranger, who she knows she needs to stay far away from, but the more she tries to stay away, the more she is drawn to him. Will she allow this sexy man to draw her in even with her boyfriend Jerrod in the picture? Fresh from the concrete jungle, Synovus Lee Jr, is the king of the streets. Hitting the streets and making sure his girlfriend, Zaviana McCoy is well taken care of, is the only thing he knows. Synovus loves photography when he isn’t in the streets. He only knows how to hustle to make money. When he finds out his hobby could make him decent money without the consequence of being arrested, he starts to think about leaving the game. Will Zaviana be accepting, especially when she knows the cash flow might not be the same? Synovus will do anything for Zaviana. That is until Adoree steps into his life. Anyone with eyes can see that Adoree and Synovus are definitely from different sides of the track, but will that stop them from getting to know each other? Will they fall in love, or will gravity keep them in their current relationships?

    Hattie and Tommy done had babies again." Growing up in the hood of Covington, KY wasn't so great for sixteen year old Labella Jones. Living in a world where you have to teach your self how to be a woman because your mother's minimum wage job takes all of her time isn't so easy. Fighting everyday to overcome teenage jealousy and bullying because you don't fit in with the "it" crowd was a ritual for young Bella. When a harsh situation brings Bella and Choc, one of the most popular girls in school together, Bella learns how to love herself for who she is even with dirty clothes, nappy hair and all. Waking up everyday knowing that to the world you're nothing but to him you're everything made a big change in Bella's life. Meet Braxton " B", struggling to make it out of the hood but falling victim to the only resource available in the hood "drugs" to survive. B makes it a priority to teach Bella the true meaning of "Love your self first or no one will" while still trying to find himself. Being a black man coming from poverty they expect you to fail and thats exactly what the police is doing even if they have to play dirty to keep there statistics going. When feelings get involved, rumors are spread will Bella and Braxton be able to survive to tell their "hood love story?"

    After learning that the two people she trusted with her life were snakes in the grass, Jazzy decided to move on. Rayshawn a boss in his own right always get what he wants and he always wanted Jazzy. The only thing stopping him was that nigga Jaylin, but things changed. Jaylin has messed up and Rayshawn is gonna do everything in his power to make Jazzy his... Even if he has to hurt a few people in the process.

    Feeling saddened and desperate, she quickly becomes involved in the fast life in order to get the quick money it brings. When Kasslyn sees a way out in the timid, green, and seemingly innocent Jamal, she immediately jumps on the opportunity, no matter how crazy or... odd. But what she soon realizes is everything that glitters ain't gold. Kaseem Banks is a semi-reformed street dude, with more money than he can spend or count, and enough women falling for him to have a new girlfriend for every day of the week. Blaming his issues with commitment on his inability to find the perfect woman, Kaseem juggles a few ladies with no problem. Upon meeting the pretty yet gentile Kasslyn, he soon realizes that he may have found exactly what he wants, no matter how much he'd like to deny it. However, both he and Kasslyn have major blockages in the way that are keeping them from getting closer, with the main culprits being the two lovers themselves. Will Kaseem shed his cold demeanor and philandering behavior to keep Kasslyn? And if so, will her secrets and attachments be insignificant enough for skeptical Kaseem to overlook? In this love story of lies, backstabbing, and scheming, every single person will realize that things are not always what they appear to be.

    That was until Keylon committed the ultimate betrayal and Jalisa finally decided she’d had enough. She swore off trying to be with someone until she met Smoke. Smoke was probably the most gorgeous man she had laid eyes on. After experiencing heartbreak, Jalisa wasn’t sure moving on with Smoke was smart, until she realized she was connected with Smoke long before she laid eyes on him. Cortez ‘Smoke’ Campbell is hood royalty. After experiencing tragedy at a young age, Smoke did what he had to do to take the financial burden off of his Granny. Smoke is hesitant on giving his heart out until he and Jalisa ran into each other... literally. Being crossed by the last person he ever expected, Smoke realizes Jalisa is more for him than he could have ever imagined. Or is she? Even though they both had trust issues and were skeptical at first, Smoke and Gunz decided to give love a chance. Take a ride on this love journey to see if Jalisa is really ready to move on wholeheartedly or will her past destroy the new future she wants so desperately. Some say love conquers all, but does it?

    With either knowing the route to rekindle their love, they grow distant. Israel is taking on fatherhood the best way he knows how, and he encounters more than he wished for. Finding Aubrey is at the top of his list. With his search, more truths are revealed than he expected. Being the man he is, he stands tall with everything coming his way. Even with things changing in his life, the one thing that hasn’t changed is Tiphani being his best friend. Times grow hard, but does that mean all love will be lost? This last installment guarantees to take you on a ride. Will love conquer all, or will it just not be enough to allow love to flourish? Tampering with a thug’s heart doesn’t seem like the right thing to do when your heart is played on right back.

    While she ultimately decides to let Derrick sweep her off her feet, Plus’ feelings for her never seem to waver. However, when Derrick gets drafted into the NBA and has to relocate hundreds of miles away, Perri is faced with the decision to either stay in Maryland or leave with her fiancé for good. Now that Plus has completely stepped up as a father, the mere mention of Perri taking Camille away leaves him emotionally shattered. But after everything he’s put Perri through is this now his karma? In addition to this love triangle, Tez and Myesha’s relationship goes through its own struggle of sorts. Both of their pasts come back to haunt them, leaving a huge question mark over the survival of their union. While Jorell and Nika make such a cute couple; him with his ‘bama’ ways and her with her quick-witted nature, will the secrets he has buried tear them apart? Find out how what happens when people really do love hard but aren’t fair when playing the game.

    She finally feels that she’s able to move on from her past and fully focus on being with Bash. Her rocky relationship with her mother-in-law is still being tested but, for the sake of her relationship with Bash, Yah-Yah continues to turn the other cheek. With a little help, she’s able to start up her own business and that keeps her occupied so she couldn’t see the obvious. When she finds out what’s been happening in front of her eyes, will she return to the old her or will she remain the woman she worked hard to become? Bash is in love and he can no longer hide the fact that Yahria is going to be his wife. He thought he finally found the right woman after the death of his child’s mother. Yah-Yah helped him get his life back in order but he seems to battle with keeping his woman happy and his mother too. Bash is forced to make some major decisions as it pertains to his personal and love life. Will he choose correctly or will he play it safe? When you fall in fast, it will either crumble or stand strong during a test. Which will it be with this couple?

    They continue to make enemy after enemy, when all they really want to do is be completely in love with each other. Being with Troy has caused Camilla to step out of her reserved personality and show all other females that she’s about that life and she plays no games when it comes to her man. Camilla has learned that everyone that smiles in your face isn’t your friend. Supreme’s secret obsession with Camilla has stirred up some jealousy within Kitty. After Supreme’s vicious attack on Camilla, she’s determined to get revenge. Once Supreme goes missing, Kitty already knows who had something to do with it and she will not stop until those who are responsible pay. Troy, completely in love with both sides of his sunshine, is willing to jump through all hoops for her and be by her side when shit goes down. He’s the first to pick up on Kitty’s deceitful vibes and does his best to warn Camilla to be careful around her. When Kitty starts to feel that Camilla and her gang are on to her ulterior motives, she expedites her plan that may get her revenge for Supreme once and for all. After Kitty and Keyonna’s sneak attack on Troy and Camilla, lives are left hanging in the balance. Who will survive this unforeseen attack? Will G-Ma have to dust off her gat for her BooBoo?

    He’s been living his life on the grind for as long as he could remember. Dominating the streets, and every other small time hustler in quest of his position at the top. Showing no mercy to the men and disregarding the women Congo was on a power trip until the murder of his oldest brother. Everything he’d worked for came to a screeching halt and he’s left with nothing. Now he’s forced to live a regular life working a regular job. The dope game having always been his first love, he now has nothing left that’s appeasing to his heart. A unique beauty dumbed down to nothing more than an extra source of income, Honey, is desperate and lost. She desires a way out of her current situation but with the only family she has locked away forever, she’s all alone. Getting to the money day in and day out, Honey shuts herself away from any and everything not aiding in her success. Having been used and taken for granted in her past relationship, she’s a little more resistant to the advances of the handsome young thug that’s captivated her truest feelings. She’s determined to ignore him and his efforts until there’s no more reasons to run. Here in the moment with this totally perfect stranger Honey decides to give it a chance. Both needing security and someone in their corner they embark on this new journey together. Struggling but determined to make it, Congo and Honey stick side by side, loving one another past their current situation. Believing in the visions he has for them and the passion filled relationship they’ve started, Honey promises to stay down until he makes it. Congo’s life was going nowhere fast until his heart took to Honey, so now that he has her he’s going above and beyond to show her that as much as she believes that it isn’t, her love is indeed meant for a thug.

    Mega’s tired of playing games and there’s a new chick in his life, but there’s something about Taysia that he just can’t seem to shake. Will they finally let go and throw in the towel? Or is their love for one another strong enough for a happily ever after?

    Louis ho. Yet no matter how powerful his status was throughout the city, when a situation comes up and he needs someone the most, his assistant, Hunter, or his “Rosé” as he likes to call her, is the only one who could possibly hold it down for him. Hunter Rosé Twenty-five year old plus sized beauty. Israel Bennett’s right hand. Yet with that same hand held up to God, she solemnly swears that she can’t stand her boss’ rude ass. Her man is convinced that she and Israel are sleeping together, but will one “business proposition” prove that analogy to be true? In this short, romantic novella, TaugJaye puts a different twist on urban fiction with the execution of this whimsical love affair. Hunter brings something to the table that Israel has been missing all of his life, but will she give into his charm, or play the game better than her boss does, and decide to walk away from him as if nothing between them had ever happened?

    To Boston, it meant nothing at all. Family wasn’t always defined by blood and he learned that lesson early. After being abandoned by the one person who was supposed to love him the most, Boston’s life became one heartbreak after another. Meeting his best friend, Indigo, at ten years old, turned out to be the biggest blessing ever. Indigo was an only child who was afforded the best life. Her first encounter with Boston pulled at her little heart strings and prompted her to take action. Indigo became his crutch but she didn’t mind holding him up. It didn’t take long for her to realize that Boston was fighting demons that were even stronger than she was. What happens when you put your heartache aside to mend the heart of another? When everything that you’re running from is in your head, will you ever be fast enough to escape it?