The Hood Princess and the Prep: The Girl From The Hood Gets A Crown

By Shay Jonez

Victoria Duval lives a simple life. On what is supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life, a grandmother shows up....and not just any grandmother but a queen. Blackmailed and basically forced, she is faced with a new challenge. Victoria is pulled away from her mother to a new country, a new life, and a soon-to-be husband. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore. She rises to every challenge put before her with excellence and grace, except for one hot and bothered prince who is always on her heels.

 

Cornell Pole is anything but simple. He grew up knowing he would one day be king. He was ready, always polite, always courteous, and from his wife-to-be, he expected nothing else. But when he meets Victoria, he is appalled..... and intrigued. She challenges everything he says and plays with his mind every chance she gets. He had thought an arranged marriage to an American girl would be boring. However, he's brave enough to admit when he's wrong.

 

Can she stand the heat when he gets on her level and challenges her? He has no problem chasing Victoria, after all, he's playing for keeps.

 

Will it be a happy ever after or failure?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookRix
• Release date: Jan 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9783755429807

Book preview

Peek Inside…

Peek Inside…

Do you like food? he asked. I noticed you didn't eat much of the salmon. 

I love food. 

How about dancing? He asked, taking my hand from his chest and moving it up and around his neck, and stepping closer. 

Our chests met, and my breath caught. If he kissed me again, the chances of us going anywhere were slim. The last time I was in that garden I had barely controlled the urge to take off the fancy clothes and do very unprincess things to him. He was gorgeous and sweet, and he wanted me. It was thrilling, and I couldn't wait to take this relationship to the next level. 

I love dancing. He leaned down, his lips hovered so close our breaths mingled. It was like I was hypnotized by those blue eyes. 

Cornell smirked and pulled away, my arms drop to my side. Then you're going to have to change. You can't dance in your riding clothes. Don't get too dressy, jeans and a nice shirt should do it. The tighter the better. 

I rolled my eyes and turned to get dressed, a smile forming when he groaned. I switched to the door, giving him a show. I jumped in shock when I felt a sting on my ass. I turned to see Cornell standing right behind me, hands up in a surrender pose. 

Did you just slap my ass? 

It was on my to-do list, he said and walked past me. 

I laughed out loud. 

Chapter One

Chapter One

I had my hands in the air and a big smile on my face. The steady flashes from the various cameras made me feel like a star. This was the day that I had been waiting, twelve long years for. and it was finally here. It felt like a dream. I looked to my left at my two best friends, my aces, my girls since the fourth grade, Nasha and Tory. By the look on their faces, they were just as excited as I was. It was their day, too.

My smile got bigger as I watched the principal approach the podium. She was all smiles, as usual. Ms. Givings was a gift to this school, and we all knew it. She had done in four short years what nobody else had seemed to do. Tame the students at Vashon High. She had also made my life easier, and she had been determined to see every senior graduate.

Not that I was a troubled student. I just always seemed to be where the trouble was. She had my back every time, constantly reminding me, I deserved better, and that she was going to make sure I became a lady. Not that anyone could do that. I put on a front for her most days, just as I did my mom. But I still had my mind and regardless of where or when, I was determined to stay me.

And now it is with the greatest honor I present to you all the biggest graduating class since nineteen ninety-six, the Vashon High graduating class of two thousand and eleven. she was clapping so hard her jaws were shaking and her smile looked like it hurt, but she was happy, and I could see tears of joy in her eyes. Vashon was not a school place for the faint of heart. It sat right in the middle of three neighborhoods that didn’t like each other much. Every teen in the area went to this school. As a result, there were lots of fights. Lots of cops. There had even been a few mass fights. Ms. Givings had shut all that down.

Then, as if on cue, the auditorium erupted with applause, and our class song was coming from the speakers even louder, Hear me coming, by Yung Joc. Looking around, you could see people dancing, jumping up and down, hugging each other. We had made it and we were coming. I hope the world was ready. I was almost knocked over as my friend’s bum rushed me with hugs. We made it, I said.

I know, right, Nasha said, we free.

We out this bitch, Tory put in.

Yes, yes, I said, tossing up my graduation cap. I scanned the crowd, looking for the most important person in my life. Where was she? I knew she wanted a picture of us all.

Looking for me, princess. I turned around with a frown. I loved my mama more than pancakes, but I hated that nickname. She was determined to keep calling me.

Yes, I was looking for you, and can you please stop calling me that? I’m far from a princess, I said, hugging her, but you’ll always be my queen. I kissed her cheek and gathered with my girls for the pictures we wanted. We ended up having a photo shoot, and I hadn’t even noticed that a couple of other people had joined in the group.

So, Vikki, Terrance, too hot for anyone but me, was saying. You coming to Tony’s party tonight, right?

Wouldn’t miss it for the world, boo. I said, kissing his cheek. He wasn’t my boyfriend, but he was my boo, and he really was fine, fine. A little on the dumb side since the boy kept failing everything, but he was cool and easy on the eyes. I did not know how he was even graduating, because he never went to class. But here he was, so...... who was I to question fate?

I’ll see you there, he said, picking me up wedding style for a picture my mama was taking. then he walked off with his friends.

Please tell me you going to give that boy a chance now that we are out of school, he been crushing on you for like five years, Tory said

Yep, since eighth grade, Nasha confirmed while putting on her lip gloss.

Terrance was my crush, but he was also Nasha’s twin brother. I always told my friends that I wouldn’t date a guy from school because of all the hateration that was going on, but that wasn’t entirely true. I just didn’t want a boyfriend. As far back as I could remember, my mom had never had a boyfriend, never even gone on a date, and she was beautiful. Tall light caramel skin, almond light brown eyes, beautiful wavy hair, and she never dated. Not that men didn’t try. She got hit on every time we left the house, and she always nicely turned them down. I figured I wasn’t missing anything, and I wanted to focus on myself.

I slowly shook my head. Naw, I’m good. but y’all coming to the party with me, right?

Damn right, Tory said, doing the two steps, I’m going home with somebody son, tonight.

I smiled and watched her shake her abnormally large behind. Tory was not what you would call a slut, but she enjoyed being the center of attention, especially if it was male attention, and she liked inexperienced guys. She said she liked to be the leader, whatever that meant. Nasha was a closet freak, good girl on the outside but behind closed doors she was a beast, or so I had heard, literally, I had heard, and me I was a flirt or maybe a tease, because I never backed up my flirting. I have only slept with one guy. It was a summer fling, that we both walked away from happily.

Vikki, we need to go. I have to be at work in a couple hours and I want to talk to you before I go. My mama was saying, and I was thankful. I knew my friends were about to drill me about Terrance.

Okay, mama, I said. To my friends, I said, Be ready at eight or I’m going by myself.

Then I turned away and me and mama made our way to her car. She cranked up the engine and started towards our apartment in silence. I had a feeling what she wanted. She figured I was going to move out, which I was. Our apartment was just too small, it just wasn’t big enough. My friends and I had already got an apartment together. I couldn’t take the silence, so I switched on the radio and started singing with three six mafia about chicken-heads.

What did you want to talk about, Mama? I asked? Suddenly she looked sad, and I think she was tearing up a little, but she kept her eyes on the road so I couldn’t really tell. What the hell was it with her? For the last week she had been very distant towards me, and I was really getting sick of it. We were always close. We were all we had. I didn’t want her to be mad at me.

Is it because I’m moving in with Nasha and Tory? I asked.

No Vikki, she said, turning onto our street, you won’t be moving in with your friends.

You don’t want me to? I asked, surprised. It was all that I had talked about for months.

She pulled into the parking lot. I want you, to do, whatever you want to, but unfortunately, it’s not up to me or you at this point. We have to finish this conversation tonight, when I get home. I’m running late. I’ll be off at ten. You better be here. That means no party.

I watched her scurry out of the driveway on her way to work. As soon as she was gone, I pulled out my phone and texted my friends. Pick me up at eight, is what I sent. There was no way I am missing that party.

*****

Three hours later, I sat in the same backyard I had so many times before. Only this time, I was anxious. I kept imagining my mom coming into this backyard and dragging me out of here. As ten o’clock approached, I got antsy and stood up ready to make a run for, to try to beat her home.

Nasha and Tory stood up too, ever at the ready for any bullshit that might happen. I hadn’t told them what my mom said earlier. I was hoping to change her mind somehow and take a stand. Let her know I was an adult now. Those were great words in my head, only I knew I’d never say them to her.

What’s your big? Nasha asked.

I gotta go. I said, making my way to the gate.

Wait, girl! Tory said, grabbing my wrist. What’s going on?

I looked at my friends and I wanted to explain, except I didn’t know what was going on. I did something really stupid.

What you do?

Look, my lady told me I couldn’t come to the party tonight, okay? I came anyway and now I’m freaking out.

Tory shook her head, clearly not understanding. Why would she want you to stay home?

Nasha said, Man, your mom is bugging, I mean it ain’t like she can whip your ass or something, hunty you grown.

No, Y’all don’t understand. I gotta live with her. I said, laughing.

I know you ain’t tryna shake out. Terrance said, walking up beside his sister, holding up a blunt. I was just about to spark. The party is just starting and we ain’t danced yet.

I opened my mouth to explain that I didn’t want any weed and yes, I was definitively leaving, but Tori beat me to it. Yeah, she ain’t bout that life, she said, snatching the blunt, knowing I would not smoke, but I am.

Terrance, I really to have to go. I’ll catch you later. I said, walking away, only to be stopped by Terrance again.

You might not smoke or dance with me, he said, but you can at least have a shot with me. He flashed me his one-hundred-watt smile, and I ignored my friends behind him, making Kissy faces at us. Still, I caved, one shot and I should still be able to get home on time to beat my mom.

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Four shots of Tequila later and I was feeling great. I wasn’t worried about my mom being mad anymore. I would get home a little while after she did if I left in the next thirty minutes, but for now, I was going to enjoy the rest of my night and dance with Terrance. As I swayed to the music, with him behind me, his hands on my waist, I felt like I didn’t have a care in the world. That might be the liquor clouding my judgment, but isn’t that what it was supposed to do?

Suddenly, Terrence was in front of me, his tall form casting a shadow over me, blocking out the night sky and the moon. His hands on my hips pulled me closer as we fell into an easy rhythm. You are so fucking fine, he said.

I smiled and looked into his beautiful eyes. I thought he was fine too, but I would not tell him that. The urge to kiss him was strong, though, so I ran my hands up his chest to his neck to pull him down. His lips were so close to mine, that I could feel his breath mingling with mine. He would be a good kisser. I just knew it.

Before I could take that leap, though, the music was stopped, and from a distance, I heard my name being called. A moment later, I was pulled to look into the angry eyes of my mother. Well shit.

*****

Why do you never listen to me? My mom yelled, pacing the room. I told you to not go anywhere. I told you that this was important. This is bigger than you and me. How could you do this? Is this how you are going to be now?

This is what my mom had been doing for the last fifteen minutes since we got home. I was indeed pulled away from the party and any hope of a kiss with Terrance and pushed into a car I had never seen before. What I knew was that it was a Rolls Royce. That scared me more than my mom. Inside there were two men and two women dressed in suits like the mafia. They had guns. I saw the one the lady had. I had questions and looking at my mom, I saw I would not get any.

The ride was quiet as I wondered what my mother was into. Was someone after us? Were we going to be killed? The relief I felt when the car pulled up to our apartment must have shown on my face because the woman smiled a little before getting out and then helping me out. My relief was short lived, however, as we entered our apartment to see more mafia men and an older woman. I was thrown on the couch where my mom went ahead and chewed me out in front of all these people.

Of all the irresponsible things you can do, you get drunk. I can smell the liquor on you, My mom yelled, and she was not done what stopped her. However, was the older woman.

Jalisa, enough, The woman spoke quietly and stood with all the grace of a beauty pageant winner. Let me talk to her.

When she stood, everyone around her seemed to stand straighter. The air became tense, and the tension was eased with a slight wave of her hand. I watched astonished as, my mother took a seat beside the one she had vacated. The lady trained her watchful eyes on me, and I wanted to squirm. she was tall and thin. She wore a black and gold off the shoulder jumpsuit, with a purple sash across her chest. Her jewelry shined brightly on her neck, arms and fingers. Her hair was a long afro of black and grey curls flowing down her back. Her makeup was perfect for her Hershey brown complexion, her eyes small and deep.

You caused quite a stir with your insubordinate, reckless behaviors girl. We were worried something happened to you. In the future, when you are given a direct order from your superiors, you will listen intently and obey.

Who was this woman and who was she talking to? One thing was for sure, she didn’t know me, and I could not care less if she was a part of some mafia regime. She did not run me. Looking around the tall lady, I made eye contact with my mom. I’m sure the question was in my eyes before I even spoke. Who is this?

Mom opened her mouth to talk, but it was the woman who answered. I am Beatrice Amelia Ruby Duvall, Queen of LaCresha and your grandmother.

It could have been the liquor or just the way she said it, but I burst out laughing. What? I asked, is this some kind of a joke? My laughter slowly died as I looked around the room and I was the only one laughing. The men all looked anywhere else. My mom was shaking her head, looking terrified, and the queen huffed and pressed her lips in a tight line.

This is not a joke, Victoria. The queen spat. You are just like your father.

My father was a subject that I had not thought about in a long time. My mom never spoke of my sperm donor, and I had stopped asking long ago. Every time I did, it felt like I reopened a wound that she was trying desperately to close. Glancing at my mom, I saw the saw the same faraway look she always got whenever he was mentioned. I was sure that he had hurt her badly.

What do you know about my dad? I asked.

The queen looked at me with a mix of regret and sadness. He was my son and your father. He was a great man. He was going to be king someday.

Was?

Your father died a month ago in a plane crash along with his wife and only other child. Under normal circumstances, they would not have flown together, but it was an emergency, and we feared the worse for a close family friend. He disobeyed my order and was just as reckless are you have been tonight. Your father, Prince Unief Christopher Duvall, is dead and you, Victoria, are the last of the Duvall royal bloodline.

He was dead, along with a wife and child. My sibling was dead. Closing my eyes, I let that sink in. I was the only survivor of the bloodline. Which meant I was the only one left. They needed me. I felt a tear run down my face as I opened my eyes and looked at my mom. She had her hands wrapped around her midsection and she was crying real tears. It didn’t feel right to me to cry for someone I hadn’t known. My tears were because I knew in the back of my mind that this was something I would have never figured out on my own. If he were alive, these people, my grandmother, wouldn’t be here.

So what? I asked