Large and in Charge Read online

  Large and In Charge

  La Jill Hunt

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  All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Special Thanks

  Prologue - Devyn

  Chapter 1 - Devyn

  Chapter 2 - Asha

  Chapter 3 - Devyn

  Chapter 4 - Asha

  Chapter 5 - Devyn

  Chapter 6 - Asha

  Chapter 7 - Devyn

  Chapter 8 - Asha

  Chapter 9 - Devyn

  Chapter 10 - Asha

  Chapter 11 - Devyn

  Chapter 12 - Asha

  Chapter 13 - Devyn

  Chapter 14 - Asha

  Chapter 15 - Devyn

  Chapter 16 - Asha

  Chapter 17 - Devyn

  Chapter 18 - Asha

  Chapter 19 - Devyn

  Chapter 20 - Asha

  Chapter 21 - Devyn

  Chapter 22 - Asha

  Chapter 23 - Devyn

  Chapter 24 - Asha

  Chapter 25 - Devyn

  Chapter 26 - Asha

  Chapter 27 - Devyn

  Epilogue - Asha

  Urban Books, LLC

  300 Farmingdale Road, N.Y.-Route 109

  Farmingdale, NY 11735

  Large and In Charge

  Copyright © 2021 La Jill Hunt

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.

  ISBN: 978-1-6455-6131-6

  eISBN 13: 978-1-64556-132-3

  eISBN 10: 1-64556-132-1

  This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

  Distributed by Kensington Publishing Corp.

  Submit Orders to:

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  Dedication

  In loving memory of

  Marshall Hunt Sr.

  Lillian Hunt

  And the double blessing God loved me enough to give:

  Minnie E. Hunt and Martha J. Smith

  Gone but never forgotten.

  Special Thanks

  To my family, friends, fans, readers, supporters, my SKs, beautiful sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Carl and Martha Weber

  Shout-out to the three very special people:

  SanTara Cassamajor, for blessing me with your editing expertise, wisdom, comic relief, and encouragement.

  Gerald Moore, for caring enough always to be honest and demanding that I live up to your literary expectations.

  Kim “Got Books” Knight, for everything: love, friendship, sisterhood, and pushing me to be excellent in all things, not just with your words, but your actions as well.

  Prologue

  Devyn

  “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

  Devyn looked at her mother, who’d just placed the lacy, cathedral-length veil into her hair. “Mom, please don’t cry. You promised.”

  “I can’t help it. You’re breathtaking,” her mother sniffed.

  “She’s right. You are, Dev.” Asha, her best friend of over twenty years, passed Devyn’s mother a tissue. “That dress is absolutely perfect—everything is. The church, the bridesmaids . . .”

  “Thanks to you.” Devyn reached over and grabbed Asha’s hand.

  “Can’t say I wish you had a different groom, but . . .” Asha smirked.

  “Ash.” Devyn gave her a warning look. “Not today.”

  Despite their decades of friendship, Asha not only declined Devyn’s invitation to be her maid of honor, but she also refused even to be a bridesmaid. Her reason? Because she believed that when people accept their positions as members of the bridal party, they stand in solidarity with the bride and groom. And in doing so, they are declaring in front of God and the world that they support the marriage, which Asha absolutely did not. She’d voiced her opinion on more than one occasion about how she disliked Devyn’s fiancé, Tremell Simmons, even before he put a ring on her finger.

  Devyn and Tremell had dated less than a year before he popped the question on the biggest night of her career. She’d just walked the runway of her first designer show at New York Fashion Week and exited the stage where he was waiting for her on bended knee with a ring in hand and a photographer and videographer to capture it all. Asha felt that Tremell was using Devyn, who was known professionally as D’Morgan, and who was making waves in the modeling world, as a come-up. Tremell believed Asha was jealous of their whirlwind romance that was often displayed in the blogs and on social media. Devyn’s followers and fans soon became his. Tremell was head over heels in love with Devyn and would accompany her when she traveled for work, despite his own schedule being full as he pursued his music career.

  “She’s right, you know.” Scorpio, Devyn’s matron of honor, turned toward the bride. The legendary cover model who mentored Devyn looked stunning in her chartreuse gown, custom-made by the same designer she’d commissioned to design Devyn’s dress for both the ceremony and reception. “But so are you. Now is not the time for that conversation.”

  “I agree.” Devyn’s mother looked a little uncomfortable by the discussion the bridal party members were having.

  “Well, considering he’s about to be her husband, we probably shouldn’t be having this conversation ever again. She has made her decision, and all we can do is support our girl.” Chastity, also known as Chase, was the maid of honor who looked equally as beautiful as the other ladies. She put her arm around Devyn. “We got you, Dev.”

  Devyn looked at her small, two-person bridal party and sighed. “I get it. Tremell isn’t anyone’s favorite choice for me to marry. But he’s my choice. He’s not perfect, and neither am I, and for the record, none of y’all are either, but I love the shit out of y’all. Sorry, Mom.” Devyn glanced at her mother.

  “It’s okay, sweetie.” Her mother nodded. “Your foul mouth is excused this one time.”

  “Like I was saying, I love Tremell, he loves me, and despite the arguing sometimes—”

  “Sometimes?” Asha groaned.

  “Yes, occasionally.” Devyn shrugged. “We make a good team. He’s going to win a Grammy one day, and I’m gonna be right by his side when he does.”

  “Damn, he really is getting a good one,” Scorpio whispered to Asha. “I hate to say this, but it’ll be a miracle if he even gets signed to a major label.”

  “I have faith in him.” Devyn reached for the bottle of Voss water on the dresser and took a long sip. She’d tried to minimize how much she drank all day so she wouldn’t spend her entire wedding running to pee. Constant thirst was something she’d had all her life, but it had been even worse over the past few months, along with dizzy spells. The stress of her rising career and planning a wedding in a short time were wreaking havoc on her. At least I’ll be able to relax on our honeymoon. The beaches of Belize are only hours away.

  “You don’t need his faith, boo. You’re about to sign with one of the biggest modeling agencies in the world and be walking alongside me.” Scorpio winked. Devyn was grateful because she’d been the one to put everything in motion for the contract she was signing as soon as they returned from their trip.

  Someone knocked on the door. Asha opened it, and Devyn’s uncle, who had agreed to escort her down the aisle, stuck his
head inside.

  “I’m supposed to pick up a package and deliver it to the sanctuary,” he said.

  “Julian, you look so nice.” Devyn’s mother told him.

  “You do, Uncle Julian.” Devyn agreed.

  “Thank you. I do clean up nice, don’t I?” Uncle Julian grinned as he displayed the diamond cuff links Devyn had given him as a gift.

  “Ladies, I guess we need to get in place. Devyn, are you ready?” Asha asked one final time.

  “I am.” Devyn nodded.

  Scorpio looked over at Asha and asked, “You guys made sure no outside press is here, right?”

  Tremell wasn’t thrilled about that but finally agreed when Devyn told him that she would not permit any press at the event, and Scorpio’s security detail would be on deck to make sure.

  “Of course,” Asha nodded. “Security is in place and knows that the only photographers and videographers that have been signed off on are allowed. The guests have been instructed that there’s to be no cell phone recording during the ceremony.”

  “Good.” Scorpio nodded and headed out the door with Asha and Chase behind her.

  Before Devyn’s mother walked out, she paused, taking another long look at her daughter. “You are the best thing God blessed me with. Today is a day I prayed I’d see happen. Thank you.”

  “Mom, you’re really being extra.” Devyn wiped a tear from her eye. “And thank you because you are the best thing God blessed me with.”

  “Well, I’m glad he blessed me with both of you, but we kinda gotta get going,” Uncle Julian walked in and said.

  “I love you.” Devyn’s mom kissed her cheek, then pressed her forehead against hers for an extended moment, as she’d done so many times before.

  “I love you too.” Devyn smiled, fighting back the tears as she watched her mother walk out the door.

  This is it. I’m getting married. This is really happening, Devyn thought as she stood beside her uncle in the vestibule of the church. The sound of the saxophonist playing “All of Me” faded, and the first chords of the “Wedding March” began. Devyn’s heart raced, and the slight pain in her chest that she’d been ignoring for the past few days started to increase, along with slight dizziness. Damn it. I should’ve grabbed my water.

  “You all right?” Uncle Julian gave her a concerned look.

  “I’m fine. Just runway jitters.” Devyn nodded. “I get them all the time before I walk.”

  Asha’s nod signaled that it was time. The doors opened, and Devyn took a deep breath as she took her first step. The sanctuary pews were full of invited guests, most of whom Devyn didn’t know. Unlike herself, Tremell came from a large family. She smiled under her veil at the sound of the ooohs and aaahs as she walked. Standing at the altar was her groom, looking handsome in his white tuxedo. Devyn could already picture in her mind how gorgeous their wedding photos would be. She glanced around, making sure she knew exactly where the photographer was located and was surprised that she saw three instead of two. But she continued. When she got to the front, she smiled at Tremell, who looked more nervous than she did.

  “Who gives this woman to be wed?” the minister asked.

  “I do,” Uncle Julian proudly announced, then meticulously lifted Devyn’s veil, kissed her, and whispered, “I love you.”

  He took his seat next to her mother on the front row. Devyn took Tremell’s hand, and they faced each other. The sweat on his forehead was visible. He shifted his weight from one leg to the other.

  “You’re beautiful, Dev,” he whispered. “Oh my God.”

  “Thanks, boo.” Devyn gave him a quick, reassuring wink in an effort to comfort him.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join together in holy matrimony Devyn Morgan Reynolds and Tremell Devaughn Simmons. Tremell, please repeat after me. I, Tremell.”

  Tremell swallowed and didn’t say anything. Devyn frowned.

  The minister repeated the vow, this time a little louder. “I, Tremell.”

  Devyn’s heart pounded as she waited for Tremell to repeat the words.

  Finally, he spoke, “I-I’m sorry, D.”

  Devyn lightly cleared her throat and leaned closer. “What?”

  “I . . . I can’t do this. I’m sorry.” Tremell shook his head. The unison gasps from everyone were so loud that they seemed to bounce off the church walls and echo, followed by mumbling.

  The reality of what was happening finally registered in her head. She refused to look away from Tremell, even though he no longer looked at her as he rubbed the back of his head nervously. This fool is trying to jilt me. He’s trying to leave me at the altar. Wait. No, the fuck he ain’t. She closed her eyes for a second, and before the cascading bouquet of dusty rose and ivory cottage roses in her hand fell to the ground, her fingers had formed a fist and connected with his jaw so hard, it nearly knocked him backward. His best man caught him, and as he regained his balance, she used the elbow of the same arm to strike again, then charged at him.

  “Noooo!” the pastor yelled.

  Devyn couldn’t tell who was screaming and didn’t care. She was too busy trying to tear off Tremell’s head while maneuvering in the fitted gown. A pair of strong arms managed to pull her from the floor.

  “Are you crazy?” Tremell screamed and scrambled to his feet. Blood oozed from the scratches on his face and fell on his white tuxedo jacket, creating what looked like crimson polka dots.

  “Get off me! Let me go!” Devyn shrieked and continued to try to reach him. She was breathing so hard that she panted. Her chest was on fire. Tremell’s groomsmen pulled him up and sheltered him while the minister quickly jumped in front of them.

  “She’s crazy! She’s crazy!” Tremell yelled as he reached toward Devyn while his boys prevented him from doing so and guided him toward the side door. Total chaos erupted with people leaping out of their seats, shocked at what they witnessed and not knowing how to react.

  Devyn lurched toward Tremell once more. This time, she was stopped by the pulling of her hair with the veil still attached. Enraged and determined to get free, Devyn turned and struck her captor with as much strength as she had struck Tremell moments before. Scorpio, the recipient of Devyn’s blow, instinctively grabbed her to keep from falling, and they both tumbled to the ground. Within seconds, Scorpio’s security guard yanked Devyn off and scooped Scorpio into his arms, carrying her out.

  Finally, Devyn stopped. She turned toward the guests. The church was so quiet. The only thing heard was her heavy breathing. Her mother’s eyes met hers, and despite wanting to rush into her arms and cry, Devyn decided to stand and handle this situation. She picked her crumpled veil off the floor, along with the tattered remnants of her bouquet.

  After adjusting the lace on her head and straightening her dress, she proudly said, “There will not be a wedding today. Thank you for coming.” Devyn then proceeded with the signature walk that she usually reserved for the runway shows, with her head held high, until she walked out the door. Asha and Chase were by her side within seconds, along with her mother and uncle.

  “Devyn, oh my God! Someone call an ambulance!” Those were the last words Devyn heard as she crumpled to the floor in the church foyer and experienced a loss of consciousness.

  Chapter 1

  Devyn

  Two Years Later

  Devyn looked down at her Apple Watch for what seemed like the hundredth time in the past hour. This was her last class for the day, and she was beyond ready to go. Usually, the afternoon would quickly pass after lunch, but that wasn’t the case today, most likely because the students were more rowdy than usual and because the classroom they were in was hot as hell, which didn’t help.

  “All right, settle down,” Devyn said, her tone indicating that her level of patience was running low. “There is no need for all of these discussions. You’ve been given your assignment. Now, complete it quietly.”

  “This is too much work,” one of the students groaned.

  “And we h
aven’t even gone over this stuff, Ms. Douglass. How are we supposed to know how to do this?” another one asked.

  Hell, I don’t know, Devyn thought as she looked down at the instructions that went along with the assignment she’d just given. Instead of saying the words she was thinking, she gave an empathetic shrug and said, “Just do the best you can. I’m sure Mrs. Hughes will go over the information when she returns next week.”

  “Next week? I heard she wasn’t coming back until after Spring Break,” a cute girl with a short bob and braces informed her.

  “That’s what I heard too.” The girl sitting next to her nodded as she confirmed the information.

  Within seconds, the complaints about the assignment quickly changed to a discussion about their teacher’s absence. Devyn didn’t know whether the rumors about why Mrs. Hughes was out were true, and she didn’t really care. All she wanted was for the students to settle down for the remainder of the class, and somehow, someway, she needed to get some air.

  “Enough! Now, settle down, do your work, and for God’s sake, someone open the windows,” Devyn pleaded. “It’s burning up in here.”

  Nathan, one of the male students sitting closest to the windows, quickly jumped to his feet and honored her request. The slight breeze that entered the room was barely noticeable, but it was enough to bring a little coolness to the swelter that was the source of Devyn’s growing perspiration. The class began to settle as quickly as the air did. She reached into the desk drawer where her purse was located and fumbled until she found a small pack of Kleenex and a compact. She removed some tissue and stared into the mirror as she dabbed along her forehead, nose, and the top of her lip.