Ballad Of A Bad Bitch 3 ( The Last Serenade ): Ballad Of A Bad Bitch, #3

By Ms Bam

Mia King is a rising R & B superstar. One fateful trip back to her hometown months ago to lay old demons to rest lead to all her secrets being exposed. Now all the skeletons of her past she wanted to keep locked away in the closet have come tumbling out. Mia's relationship with Jeremiah is on the rocks and the father of her son Quinton Jones, is determined to redeem himself in her eyes and win heart The time has come for Mia to make some very real choices in her life. Torn between the love of her life and a past lover who wont give up not to mention a crazy mother who is determined to make her life a living hell.

When you're done reading this, 1-click SHOT THROUGH THE HEART by Ms.Bam!

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.N.C. Media Publishing
• Release date: Jan 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524223861

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Copyright © 2014 A.N.C Media Publishing

This book is purely a work of fiction. The names,characters,places and incidents contained within this body of work are not related to or portraying anyone living or dead. Any similarities are purely coincidental.

All rights are reserved. No parts of this E-Book may be copied, transmitted, used or sold without the written permission of the Author Candace Mumford/Ms. Bam or A.N.C. Media Publishing

The only exception to this clause are E-Book Samples which are provided for you at various online retailers and from the Author Candace Mumford/Ms. Bam and A.N.C. Media Publishing. Brief quotes may be used in reviews.

Ballad

Of

A

Bad Bitch 3

The Last Serenade

* * B * *

1. Why Me?

Mia

I couldn’t believe this shit was happening to me. I’d said this to myself numerous times during my short life, but seriously this time I was Dead. Ass. Serious. I couldn't believe this shit was happening to me. My own mother has stolen my son, I thought shaking my head. Willing my crossed right leg to stop bouncing up and down out of nervousness.

I needed to compose myself enough to at least give a proper statement to the media and file a report with the police concerning my missing child. They’d already issued an Amber Alert for Jacobi. The calls were beginning to pour in.

Unfortunately for my son and I, the calls were from fans of my music wanting to meet me. Every fan I had from all over the world was now calling in with claims they’d seen my son. Stating that if I just met with them, they were positive they could lead the police in the right direction. It dawned on me pretty quickly that not all my fans were wrapped too tight either.

The police had calls coming in from Italy and China. Really? You think you saw my son near the Great Wall of China? Terri was capable of a lot of things, but I knew my crazy ass mama wasn't trying to leave the country. Hell, she barely liked Chinese food. Jacobi’s name might as well have been Elvis with all the fake sightings being reported in such a short amount of time. They weren’t saying a damn thing about helping to find my son. I'd racked my brain from the minute I'd been notified, trying to figure out where Terri could have taken my child. Sadly enough, I had no idea where Terri could be.

I'd called my only Aunt and she was no help. Her and my mother couldn't stand each other. I knew she'd be the last person Terri would call, but I had to check.

I’d removed myself as far from my mother’s life as possible three years ago. I had no idea where she would go if she were on the run. Apparently, Quinton didn’t have any ideas either. Or so he said. So here we sat in Leon Espinoza’s home. The father I’d just discovered, where he’d erected a makeshift police hub of sorts. The media was overtaking the station, so the Captain gave us permission to meet elsewhere to talk about my case.

The station could barely tend to the inmates due to the sheer volume of phone calls. People were making up reasons to visit the station once they found out I was there. I certainly appreciated my newfound father extending his home to me. Though I couldn’t lie, what I didn’t appreciate was how his wife was looking at me. I could literally feel the daggers she was throwing with her eyes stabbing me in the back.

This woman did not like me at all. Leon's wife, Lisa, was slowly, but surely making me feel the same way my mother made me feel every day of my life. Like she hated the simple fact I'd been born. As if I'd intentionally done something to her. There was one difference now, though. If this lady thought I was going to sit back and just take all the shade she was throwing my way, she'd better think again.

With everything I was going through at the moment, I was one step away from serving her up a little well fuck you too attitude of my own.  Hell, it wasn’t like I came looking for her husband, even when I had every right to. I deserved to know my father just as much as her children did.

I knew overnight Leon’s wife Lisa had been thrown into a crazy situation. I could well imagine how she felt with the thought of her husband having a child with another woman, but it’s not as if I asked for this. I didn’t seek Leon out. Leon could have easily gone about his business the day he discovered me locked in a cell.

Leon didn't have to acknowledge my mother or me that day. It spoke volumes to me about what kind of man he was that he did. I couldn’t wait to wind all this up. I had to get out of here. I had a large suite downtown. If they wanted to set up there, they could. I had enough going on trying to find my son without the extra family drama.

I had enough of it with my mother. Now four other people were suddenly involved in my life.

Not to mention my new brother was weird as hell. I didn't want my mind to assume the worst. After all, he's my brother, but the looks he kept giving me had me on edge. Is it just my imagination or is this nigga licking his lips at me? Maybe he was just checking me out due to the odd family situation being thrust on him, as well? Maybe he was looking at me out of curiosity? I mean we did resemble each other... a lot. I couldn't really call it, but his looks left me feeling dirty.

I looked up and watched Quinton pacing the floor. Yes, Quinton had his ass over here, too. I couldn’t shake him at all. Quinton insisted he be made aware of every detail concerning finding his son, threatening to get his lawyer involved if I refused to include him. I decided it wasn’t worth the battle with him. Though I couldn’t lie, a part of me was glad to have someone I actually knew here with me. Even if it was Quinton. I couldn't deny the fact he seemed genuinely worried about Jacobi. He didn’t even know him, but he looked scared as hell.

I’d repeatedly called Jeremiah, but he wouldn’t answer. At one point while questioning me, Detective Roberts and I verbally sparred when he began questioning my relationship with Jeremiah and why he wasn’t here. Alluding to the fact Jeremiah could have something to do with Jacobi’s disappearance. Over my dead body would I let the police drag Jeremiah into this. He loved Jacobi as if he were his own. He always had. He wouldn’t take him from me. I knew he wasn't answering because he was angry with me. I did find it strange and once again I couldn’t lie, I was angry that he wasn’t answering his phone.

This wasn’t about me or us. It was about Jacobi. I know he had to have seen our son’s abduction on the news or something by now. Even though we weren’t married, I’d never once felt like a single mother until now. At the very least I knew he’d gotten my damn voicemails.

We’d had no word from Terri so far. The only clue we had was the security footage from the hotel, which was more than enough to identify who’d taken Jacobi. It still didn’t answer the main question.

What the hell did she want?

Why was she taking so long to get in contact with us? I knew damn well my mother didn’t give a damn about my child. If Jacobi had another father she wouldn’t have wanted him. So, I knew this was all about Quinton. Another thing that also worried me was even though Jacobi was Quinton’s son...why the hell would she want to be bothered with his child with me? That was the part that terrified me. My mother hated me. Would she take it out on Jacobi that I was his mother?

I could only imagine the horrible things she was saying to my son about me.

Quinton, you can’t think of any place Terri would have taken him? When she calls, you need to fix this, Quinton. Tell her you want to be with her, say you love her. I don’t give a damn just make her bring my son back to me, I said, a fresh round of tears threatening to fall any second. My mind was working overtime. I was at my breaking point with the entire situation.

Mia, I will. Don’t you think I want him back safely, too? After three years of not being in his life, of course, I want him back. He’s my son, Quinton said, rubbing his hands through his hair. I wanted to slap his goddamn face off. Here we were at the home of my newfound family and thirsty ass women were still eying him. These were supposed to be professional women!

Women in uniform. It was a damn shame. I could clearly see the two female officers who arrived thirty minutes ago gawking at him. Instead of doing their jobs and taking reports, they couldn’t keep their eyes off Quinton's ass. I knew Quinton wasn’t intentionally doing anything, so I couldn’t even really get mad about it. Every time Quinton walked out the door, women were falling all over themselves to get his attention. I remembered all too well being under his spell and trying to keep his attention a few short years ago.

I pulled my phone out of my purse for what seemed like the 100th time to call Jeremiah.  Each time my calls went straight to voicemail. He doesn’t even know unless he’s been watching the news, I thought sadly. I wanted Jeremiah here. No, I needed him. I didn’t care about my pride or the fight we’d had. It didn’t matter that Jeremiah thought I was trash or the fact I’d lied to him. I knew he loved Jacobi more than anything. He should be here. Jacobi may have Quinton’s blood, but he was Jeremiah’s son. Had been from the day he was born. I’ve got to find Jeremiah.

Everyone wanted my attention right now and the only thing I could think of was that Jacobi needed his parents right now, his mother and father. That was Jeremiah and I. Not Quinton. I couldn’t believe a few hours ago I was willing to hand my son over to Quinton. I could feel it in my soul God was punishing me for trying to abandon my child with a stranger. I guess he figured I didn’t want him anyway.

* * B * *

2. I Am My Brothers Keeper

Cedric & Jeremiah

Jeremiah

Aye man! You smoking all my shit up! Cedric said, snatching the blunt out of my hand and taking a slow drag, as he exhaled the powerful smoke he moved the blunt to his left hand...away from me. Cedric wasn’t used to sharing his loud and Jeremiah had come back from seeing Mia last night and seemed intent on smoking him out of house and home.

Cedric

This nigga been laid up in New York City for years. I know ol’ girl making money and shit. I know he got some, too. He gon’ have to put in on this before he takes another damn puff off my shit! Brother or not, I thought, laughing aloud.

There was a loud banging on the door. Who the fuck is banging on my door like they the goddamn damn law? I thought, rising up from his recliner to answer the door. He couldn’t help but laugh aloud when he looked through the peephole. Aww shit! I have a celebrity in the house. He swung the door open.

What’s going on Mia, funny seeing you here. Can I help you? I asked, not trying to conceal the frown spreading across my face. I’d never wanted my own brother to get caught in this young hoe’s trap. Especially not the way I’d seen with my own two eyes the way Mia had Quinton running in circles. That nigga had been sprung!

There was something about this pretty bitch I just didn’t like. I’d watched a few years ago while she had my man Quinton’s nose wide open and had hated to see my brother fall into the same trap. That young pussy would take a nigga through some changes; I thought intentionally leaving her on the doorstep. I regret the day I took Jeremiah with me over to see Quinton that day. If I had just left him at home, I could have saved my brother all this damn drama; I thought to myself.

Hi, Cedric. I was wondering is Jeremiah here?

If he is or isn’t...why would I tell you? I answered, coldly looking her from head to toe. The bitch was fine. But, so the fuck what? Mia wasn’t nothing but trouble. I wanted her bullshit as far away from my brother as possible.

Mia was taken aback. She was well aware of the fact that in the last three years she hadn’t really taken any initiative to get to know me. Jeremiah had called her on it several times during their relationship, but apparently, she’d had her reasons. Mainly the fact I was one of Quinton’s best friends.

Look, Cedric, if he’s here I really need to speak with him. Please, it’s about our son.

I doubled over laughing loud and bitterly. Ain’t this just like a bitch? Denying one man his child and ready to let another nigga take responsibility. Shameful!

My brother ain't got no damn kids. You must be talking about your son. Quinton’s son. Take all this son bullshit to my nigga Quinton! I know he would have loved to know he had a son in this world. Scandalous ass, I said looking Mia dead in the face. My eyes were cold and unflinching. I promise I wanted to slap the taste out this bitch’s mouth. This bitch had my brother playing daddy to another nigga’s baby and to make it worse, she didn’t even tell Quinton he had a son. Ballad of a Bad Bitch? She needs to be singing about Bitches Ain't Shit but Hoes and Tricks!

Mia sighed, I could see she was battling with her issues right now to take me on, but I didn’t care.

Look is he here?

I sucked my teeth.

Hold on. Let me see if he wanna be bothered with your ass, I said, slamming the door in her face.

Mia

Lord, please help me through this. I cannot fight everyone. Nor do I want too! Besides, it’s too hot for this shit; I silently prayed. I waited on the doorstep in the blazing Texas heat about ten minutes before Cedric opened the door again and walked out rolling his eyes at me. He was followed by Jeremiah.

* * B* *

3. Make It Right or Walk Away

Jeremiah

I’ll be back later man, Cedric called over his shoulder as he walked down the stairs.

What do you need, Mia? I asked, trying my best to avoid looking at her. It hurt too much thinking of the three years worth of lies she’d spoon fed me. I was not only angry with Mia, I was just as mad at myself. The fact that I’d readily ate each lie up. That I'd devoured every word spoken and evidently unspoken that fell from her pretty ass mouth.

The shit had me feeling fucked up. How could I have been so wrong about her? Mia reached out to touch me. I flinched as I stepped back away from her. I could see the hurt all over her face, but I couldn’t help it. Fuck her. She’d gone from having all my trust to having none of it. Now she wanted to touch me with the same hands she'd touched that nigga Quinton with. I couldn't have that.

Mia slowly inhaled the stifling hot air in an attempt to calm her nerves. She wanted to burst into tears she was so hurt but did her best to hold it in. She wasn’t there for herself.

My mom kidnapped Jacobi. We can’t find him. I thought you should know. You’re his dad. Do we have to talk about this outside? In front of everyone, Jeremiah? Mia asked,