His Princess; The Devils Daughter - Book 2

Chapter 1

He laid there, staring at the ceiling of his jail cell.  Marco had no intentions of staying in prison this long but he decided in order for his plan to work when he escaped, it was a necessary sacrifice he had to make.  It's been so long, he thought to himself. Mayah turns seventeen soon… and he planned to be there for her birthday. I’m coming carino, and this time you won't get away.

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“Come on Maya, you have to have a party!  Your turning seventeen soon...especially since you didn't want a sweet sixteen party.”  Krista tossed a shirt at Mayah while hanging another on a clothing rack in front of her at the retail store where they both worked.  “It will be fun, I promise.”  

“Krista, you know I don't like parties...I even hate them when dad throws them for meetings.”  It had been almost two years since Mayah was rescued and taken in by the Devils Angels. She now called Roach dad, and she and Krista have bonded as if they were actual sisters by blood relation.  With the help of Adriano’s lawyers and paying off a few judges, Roach was able to legally adopt Mayah and make her a part of his family.  

“Come on, you graduated high school early.  Have a little fun. Your so boring.” Krista teased as she hung the last shirt on the rack before turning to help her sister with her basket of returns.  She had a date with Carlos and wanted to make sure that they got off of work a little early.

Mayah shook her head and stuck her tongue out.  “I’m okay with being boring. Come on, I think that was the last of the returns.”  

The two made their way back to the manager's office where Jason, their manager sat scrolling on his phone.  “Done?” he asked not even looking up.

“Yes, can we leave a little early?”  Krista asked waiting for a response. “I know you wanted me to close but Mayah will have to wait for me for two hours.”

“I already told everyone else they can leave.” he responded still not looking up.  “Mayah, make sure you clock out...you can wait back here in the office.”

Krista rolled her eyes and huffed as walked out leaving her sister in the office with Jason.  Following her managers orders, Mayah clocked out and took a seat at the desk across from Jason.  Being a minor, she wasn't allowed to work past nine in the evening on weekdays. After a few moments of waiting for Jason to look up from his phone, Mayah got up from the desk to find her sister.  Making her way through the store she found her at the register flipping through a Bath and Body Works magazine.  

“God, I don't even know why he’s here.”  expressing her annoyance she put the magazine down as Mayah walked to the counter.

“At least dad cant get mad when we get home late.”  Maya smiled as she leaned on the counter. Roach hated when the girls had to work late but he also knew that he couldn't keep them locked up at home forever. 

Hearing the sensors to the door ding as it opened, Krista groaned out loud.  “This night is going by too slow.” 

“Mayah?”  voice said approaching the counter.

Mayah turned to see around in surprise.  She hadn't heard that voice in almost two years.  “Kace? Oh my god! How are you?” she gave him a hug  as Krista rounded the counter to do the same. “Where have you been?”

“Well, when Roach kicked me out...my dad told me I could come back and run with him.”  he shrugged as he looked around the store. He had heard that they started working here almost six months ago but didn't have the courage to come by.  Mostly because he knew if Roach found out he would have his head.  

“So that's it?  Screw the Devils Angels?”  Krista put her hand on her hip.  “He said come back when you got yourself together...he didn't say to not come back at all.”

Kace ran his hand through his hair ignoring Krista.  “You look good Mayah...How have you been?”

“Good.  Thanks, how about you?”  Mayah shot Krista a glance to shut up.

“I’ve been good.  My dad has been keeping me pretty busy with everything.”  He took a step back to admire Mayah. Even after all this time, she hasn't changed the thought to himself.  

“So Kace, what brings you here?”  Krista didn't like being ignored...especially by him.

“Had some business in the neighborhood.  Figured I'd stop by.” The shift manager Jason, sold drugs for Kace’s dad and his club but he couldn't tell them the real reason why he was there.  It wouldn't go over well with Roach if he found out. Jason had approached Kace’s father right before the girls started working there.  

“Business huh? Sure...whatever. Does this mean your not coming back?”  Even though she was dating Carlos, she couldn't help but feel betrayed.  

“I don't know.  Your dad was pretty pissed off and he besides...he made it clear that I can't have what I want even though someone else can.”  His voice trailed off as he looked at Mayah. 

“Look, Kace-”  she took a step towards Kace

“Nah Mayah, it's all good.”  He plastered a smile on his face.  “It wouldn't have worked anyway. I hate school.”  he joked but deep down he was still mad at Roach’s choice.  “Look, I gotta run. See ya later.” He waved as he turned to the door.  He couldn't go back to see Jason with them both there. He was going to text Jason and tell him to send them home.  He cant conduct business with those two there. Even though Mayah was book smart, she was very naive but Krista on the other hand was street smart and she’d figure it out in a heartbeat.

“I can't believe he didn't come back.. Just left like that.”  Krista headed back around the counter.

“Dad did tell him if he couldn't get it together then not to come back at all...Maybe he's still working it out.”  Mayah couldn't help but feel guilty. It was his jealousy for her that got him into trouble to begin with.

“He seems all worked out to me.”  Not wanting to show Mayah how upset she was she decided to change the topic back to the party she wanted Mayah to have.  They spent the next thirty minutes arguing back and forth before Jason came out of the back.

“Hey, go...I’ll go ahead and close up.  I already clocked you out.” He said handing both girls their bags and jackets.  Kace said they had to be out before ten and it was already nine thirty.  

“Really?  You're awesome!”  Krista squealed grabbing her stuff heading for the door.  “Mayah, let's go!”

“Are you sure?”  Mayah sensed something wasn't right.  Jason never closed up, and if he stayed he was always in back on his phone.

“Yeah, I'm sure.  I'm not feeling too good so I'm closing early”  He followed them to the front door, locking it behind them.  Kace was at the back door and didn't like to be kept waiting.  After watching the girls drive away in their jeep, he rushed to the backdoor letting Kace and a couple of his men in.

Giving Jason a menacing look, Kace pushed past him.  “That took too long. Where’s the money? My dad said it's time to see some profit.”  

Jason gulped as he walked to the office with Kace close behind.  He’s heard rumors of Kace and his collection methods...Especially if they were short.  Handing him a bag of cash he nervously took a step back so Kace could inspect and count the money.  

“How much is here?  I don't want to waste my time if I have to come back because it's not all here.”  He tossed the bag to one of the men he brought with him.

“Its fifteen thousand.  I promise to have the other five with the next payment.” 

“Jason, Jason… you've been short three times now.  My dad doesn't like being shorted. Its like not paying your rent… or car payment.”  His tone was cold. “That means you owe sixteen all together…That means Jason that the clock is ticking.  You have by the end of the month to get me my money.” The threat was apparent in Kace’s tone. 

“But Kace, I don't have enough product to make that.  How am I supposed to make my monthly payment plus that?  Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?”   

“Fine, I will be nice and give you until the end of next month.  You will pay me the sixteen plus your normal amount by the end of next month.”  I don't care how you get the money but you better have it.” He stood up and walked to the door with the bag of money.  “We don't forgive bad debts.”

Jason held his breath until Kace and his goons left the store before exhaling.  “Where am I going to come up with that much cash?” he said out loud plopping into his chair.  Knowing running wasn't an option, he picked up the phone and called the one person he called whenever he got into too deep.  His cousin, Jackson. He knew if anyone could help him, it would be him.