Deadly Encounters

By ShaVontay Lynn

Betrayal is just one of the things Amber experiences while coping with the death of her mother Jocelyn, who was murdered in cold blood. Her father is serving a 15 year sentence and after she is betrayed by her best friend she is pushed into the arms of her long time crush Jaylene, who is making a name for himself on the streets. Amber soon finds herself being dragged into the same life that her mother lived with her father. When her father, Semaj is released from prison after discrepancies in his original case, Amber's world comes tumbling down and she is forced to face the man she felt abandoned her and the painful memories that still weigh on her heart. Suspicions start to arise and Amber gets a gut feeling that someone around her is responsible for her mother's death. Has she been sleeping with the enemy?

• Language: English
• Publisher: ShaVontay Lynn
• Release date: Apr 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9780986201844

ShaVontay Lynn

ShaVontay Lynn was born and raised in Compton, CA and currently resides in Phoenix, AZ where she is raising her two daughters. She is the founder of S Lynn Publishing, LLC. She gained a passion for writing at young age and was always filling up the pages of spiral notebooks, passing them around friends and family to read. Deadly Encounters is her first novel and she plans to release her second novel Ratchiva'z soon.She hopes to inspire the people of community where she grew up and the surrounding communities to work hard for what they believe in and never settle for less than. ShaVontay Lynn was inspired to enter the publishing world by family.The first time she had something published was her sophomore year in high school. She had to create and submit a short Greek myth to the Scholastic website as a homework assignment. Among those submitted, her myth entitled “Different Colors” was one of the ones chosen to appear on the site.Growing up around gangs, drugs, and violence has inspired her to tell the stories of those growing up in a struggling society.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This has been one very long but amazing and inspiring journey. To be writing this page alone gives me an adrenaline rush. So many times I have doubted myself and my talent, so many times I procrastinated and allowed fear to keep me from reaching my goals. First and foremost this wouldn’t be possible without GOD giving me the strength to overcome all road blocks. To my mom and dad (Elaine and Mann) thank you for bringing me into this world and raising me to be the woman that I am today. Thank you momma for providing for me even in the toughest times no matter what, even if I didn’t have what I wanted I ALWAYS had what I needed. You are by far the strongest woman I know and your battle isn’t over yet. Keep fighting! Thank you to ALL of my friends and family who have given me continuous support through the years and for waiting (Very impatiently) for this moment and having faith in me. To my sisters Kikee thank you for absolutely EVERYTHING you have done for me you are an amazing sister and I would not trade you for anything in this world., Rese, Tammy, and Kijana thank you for pushing and pushing and pushing me (Kikee and Rese mostlyJ) Sometimes that push was all I needed to get me going again. To my bro Anthony (Spook) thank you for being a brother to me and always being there for me and the girls. To my Aunties Ronda, Tonya, Suga bo, and Sonya who would always say, Girl if you don’t finish that book. you have been one of my biggest supporters from the beginning when I was filling up notebooks and writing on scratch paper. To my cousins, my R.O.D.S, my squad, Skeat, Toya, Quel, Mookie, AJ and Nee Nee, Stooch, Doe, Pumpkin, Meechie, Angie, Mieco, Gee Kidd, Marquis, Diamond, Shanaye, LaLa, Porsh and Gee, man way too many to name but I love ya’ll to the MAX! Missy I know you thought I forgot about you (LOL) you up next you got too many crazy stories share them with the world! I love you babe. To my Teala even through the ups and downs we have had you always remained solid, you kept supporting me and never stopped believing that I could get the job done. I love you cousin and thank you for that tough love cause we all need it sometimes. To my best friends, April, Ashley (Beans), and Donye, each of you know me in a different way and almost better than I know myself you have helped shape me into the woman that I am today helping me overcome obstacles and hardships and realizing my worth and what I deserve. Thank you for loving and supporting me and just being there through whatever. To my babies Sariyah and Zamari-Dominique mommy loves you and I do this in hopes that I will inspire you to one day follow your dreams too. To all my other supporters and friends, just to name a few: Shanice, Tiana, Danielle, Angela, Marcus, Sche-Karace, Naomi, Angelica, Selina, Latavia, Danny Gwen, Arlana, Shevada, and so many more that I have not named, you have not been forgotten. To Ashley Gibbs… you are a life saver! Thank you for being awesome and working with me and allowing me to be a part of your dream while making mines a reality and last but certainly not least, my love Turhon, I love you with everything in me. Thank you for all those days and nights that you would force me to stay up telling me I need to finish well I’m finally finish. This is what you all have been waiting for so thank you, again because ALL of you keep me going so sit back and enjoy!

Prologue

Jocelyn looked in her rearview mirror again at the beige cutlass that had followed her from Semaj’s stash house. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed her husband but he didn’t answer.

Baby where are you? She said to herself. She was about 15 minutes from her house so she dialed her daughter Amber. The car suddenly smashed into the back of her Range, causing her to jump the curb and run into a tree.

Thank god she had worn her seatbelt, something she rarely did, but with what she had on her, she didn’t need any reason to get pulled over. By the time she thought to reach for her pistol, guns were jammed in her face.

Don’t even think about reaching for that fucking gun. One of the shooters said.

You two mutha fuckas must don’t know who I am. Jocelyn said. She was unfazed by the guns that were pointed in her face. She would make sure that they were personally dealt with by her king Semaj.

We don’t give a fuck who you are, just give us the money and we won’t blow your fucking brains out, said one of the shooters.

Fuck ya’ll pussy ass niggas. You want to rob a woman but you don’t have the balls to get at a real boss nigga. She had over a hundred thousand dollars in cash and 2 kilos that she was picking up for her husband Semaj. Jocelyn was all about her husband and her daughter Amber. She would ride for them even if it cost her life so she wasn’t going out like that.

I don’t want to shoot you but I will so pop the fuckin trunk! The second shooter told her. Jocelyn could identify him with her eyes closed, but he would still pay the consequences.

Her cell phone rang and it was Semaj. She would never have time to answer it. She took a deep breath and mumbled, I love you baby, then yelled Fuck you! as she grabbed her gun that she kept under her steering wheel for easy access.

As soon as they saw her reaching for her gun they began emptying their clips. Jocelyn was a strong woman, because by the time their clips were empty she had mustered up enough strength to get off two shots, hitting one of the shooters before she took her last breath.

They grabbed the bags from the car, hopped in their g-ride and smashed off.

Fuck! The shot gunman yelled punching the dashboard.

Chill man, we didn’t have a choice. The bitch should have gave us the money. the other one said. His adrenaline was pumping. He was thinking about what he would do with his half of the money.

Damn man I didn’t want to kill her. I knew this shit was a bad idea.

Nobody is going to have a clue it was us. Besides she recognized you so we had to kill her.

Yea whatever. He reached in the glove compartment and pulled out a blunt to smoke and ease the pain that he was feeling from his wound, silently praying that no one would find out what they had done.

***

By the time Semaj got to the scene it was roped off. He was enraged. He felt as though his heart was beating outside of his chest. Jocelyn’s brother, HT hopped out of the passenger side of the truck. He knew his sister was dead. He knew what yellow tape meant.

Somebody better tell me where my fucking wife is! Semaj ranted.

Don’t you think the scene of a murder is the last place you want to show up? Detective Carson teased.

Semaj spit in his face and then punched him. The uniformed cops backed off as if Semaj was the chief in command. He walked over to where his wife’s body lay still on the grass, her body covered with a white sheet. She had been hit more than five times.

No Jossie! I’m so sorry baby. I’m so sorry I missed your call. Semaj kissed his wife’s lips for the very last time, he held her as HT kneeled down and kissed his sister on the forehead. They both stood stone faced, with eyes colder than Alaska and walked back over to Semaj’s truck. No one said a word to them.

When they pulled into Semaj’s driveway, HT sat in the truck. Not a tear left his eye, he didn’t blink, didn’t speak, and didn’t move. Semaj understood. When Semaj entered the house, Amber was coming down the stairs with her friend Jackie.

Daddy have you talked to my mom? I missed her call and when I call back I don’t get an answer, She stopped when she saw him covered in blood. She started to shake her head before he could get the words out.

I’m sorry baby girl. I couldn’t make it in time, she’s…. Your mom is gone.

My mom is what?

Semaj grabbed his daughter and hugged her tight, knowing that was the only piece of his wife that he had left.

Jackie sat on the bottom of the stairs and cried. Jocelyn was like a mother to her. She had been there for her when her real mother wasn’t. She couldn’t believe that she was gone.

HT could hear Amber screaming from outside. He was now outside the truck pacing back and forth. He was both hurt and angry. He could no longer hold back. He repeatedly punched Semaj’s truck door until his hands bled….

Chapter 1

You are such a whore. Amber laughed at Jackie as she playfully spun on the pole that they had just installed in the bedroom of her new apartment.

I’m not a whore, I just love money and I love dick. And if I can get some cash too then that’s a plus.

I don’t want to see anything happen to you Jack. You’re my best friend. I’m tired of hearing the shit that these lame ass niggas are saying about you.

She waved her off, I’m not worried about these niggas, half of them money is longer than their dicks and the money ain’t that long trust me. There is only one dick that God created that makes me go absolutely insane and that’s Ken.

Are ya’ll still fucking?

Ken was Amber’s male best friend. She hooked them up once upon a time, thinking that maybe Ken could get Jackie on the right track and out the streets, but boy was she wrong.

What do you think? He can’t face the fact that he’s head over heels for me. He just puts on a front.

I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Amber told her. She hated to see her going down the road she was on. She knew it would only lead to self-destruction.

Jackie was the closest thing that Amber had to a best friend besides Ken and her college friend Carmen. Jackie was the girl that would fuck your man better than you. Whatever man she wanted, she got. She was known for being scandalous. Amber and Jackie had been friends since grade school. Jackie practically lived at their house. Her mom was never home and when she was she was closed in her room with whatever nigga that she was fucking for the season, now Jackie was that very same way. Jackie was into the fast life. She fucked with niggas that lived the fast life, drove fast cars, and made fast money. When she met her drug dealing boyfriend Mayne, that was her ticket that she needed to get away from her mom, she moved in with him and they have been inseparable, until now. Jackie got her own place because Mayne started catching feelings for her and anytime that happened, she ran. Jackie just didn’t catch feelings. She got what she needed and kept it pushing she didn’t want to be tied down by anyone.

Enough about me, when are you going to get your own place, or at least move into your old house. I mean your dad left it for you, yet you continue to live with that old hag. Jackie said. She plopped on the bed beside her friend.

Watch it, Amber told her. I don’t want to leave my grandma and besides, I can’t face that house right now. There are too many memories that remind me of my mom.

Well when will you be able to face it? Your grandma wants you out she just hasn’t said it. You have to live your life Amber, that’s what Jossie would have wanted. I’m sure she’s looking down on you and seeing how hurt you are. You have got to let her rest.

Jackie always kept it real no matter what. She told Amber what she needed to hear. And that’s why their bond was so strong. Amber just couldn’t bring herself to live without her mom. She missed her so much. And she had yet to let her go.

Alright, enough sad talk. Do you have your residency tonight? Let your best friend take you out. Jackie said sitting up.

No. but I’m not going out, I promised myself these last few months I wouldn’t do any partying. My board exam is coming up and I need to be focused. Why don’t you call Carmen?

Damn take a break. Have some fun. And Carmen is your friend, you know I don’t like her uppity ass.

Carmen is not uppity and the last time you told me to take a break and have fun, I failed my chemistry final.

Yeah, but at least that fine ass professor of yours let you take the test over.

After your ass seduced him!

Jackie laughed, Those were the days. I would literally have your ass out all night and I still made sure you got to class on time. You should be thanking me.

Amber shook her head as she reminisced.

Come on best hang out for a while, Jackie begged.

I guess I can hang out for a few hours, I’m going home to take a nap. Call Carmen and I don’t want to hear the bullshit. Amber slammed the door not giving her a chance to respond.

They attended a new spot called Club Lavish. It was in downtown LA. They pulled up to the curb and valet parked Jackie’s Benz. That was her baby and there was no way that she would park in the parking lot. Amber or Carmen didn’t blame her. She had gained enough enemies to where if anyone spotted that rag top beauty they would strip it down to the bone. The line was wrapped around the building, but they strutted to the front of the line. Jackie whispered something to the bouncer, and just like that, her and her girls were in, and of course the bystanders that had been waiting hours to get in were hating.

This place is hot! Carmen yelled over Problem thumping through the speakers. Amber had to call her and practically beg her to come out, because of course Jackie didn’t.

Amber met Carmen while in premed at Charles Drew University. Carmen was in nursing school. Amber had studied for her undergraduate and premed degree at the same time. As soon as she introduced Carmen to Jackie they clashed, it was like throwing water into a grease fire. Amber always thought it was because Jackie was guarding their friendship

Amber rocked the shit out of a black Nicole Milles strapless dress that accented every curve of her voluptuous body with some come fuck me heels, but of course she wasn’t going to be fucking anything why? Because she was still a virgin. Yes, her cherry had been well intact. She was saving her goodies for a certain someone. Jackie rocked a backless Prada dress, shoes and clutch, while Carmen kept it simple she wore a halter top, shorts, and Jimmy Choo’s. They were escorted to a VIP booth, where there were bottles already waiting. All eyes were definitely on these three ladies as they strutted through the club. The men were lusting and the women were shooting daggers.

I am definitely not drinking. Amber pushed the bottle of Cîroc away that Jackie was handing her. Across the room, she spotted Bear eyeing