Chapter 1: The Return

Tia had barely stepped foot into Savannah's balmy air before the familiar sights and smells wrapped around her like a warm embrace. She took a deep breath, letting the scent of blooming magnolias mixed with the briny tang of the river fill her lungs. It had been too long.

Her return was not just a trip down memory lane; it was a mission. Dressed in a sleek, black jumpsuit that accentuated her toned figure, and heels that clacked authoritatively on the cobblestones, she was the picture of success. Heads turned as she made her way to the old barbecue joint that her family had owned for generations. The red and white sign of 'Big Joe’s BBQ' beckoned her in with the promise of home.

The bell above the door jingled as she entered, pausing as a wave of nostalgia hit. The place looked exactly as she remembered—walls plastered with vintage Coca-Cola ads and photos of Savannah's old guard, the air thick with the smoky aroma of slow-cooked pork. The chatter dimmed slightly as patrons recognized her, the prodigal daughter back from the big city.

"Look what the wind blew in!" boomed a familiar voice. Her uncle, always behind the counter, enveloped her in a bear hug that lifted her off her feet. The reunions were sweet, filled with laughter and exclamations, until she saw him—Malik.

He was by the corner booth, his frame filling the space, his eyes locking with hers in a gaze that was anything but welcoming. Malik, her first love, her biggest regret, clad in his usual mechanic’s shirt that did little to hide the muscles underneath, his face shadowed by a frown.

"What are you doing here, Tia?" he asked, his voice low, carrying a cold edge she wasn’t expecting.

Tia straightened, her smile faltering for a moment. "I came to save this place," she replied, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest. "And maybe some other things too."

His scoff was a sound she remembered too well, one that echoed in the now hushed room. "We've been doing just fine without you," Malik said, turning back to his drink, effectively dismissing her.

But Tia was back, and she wasn't the same girl who had left Savannah behind. This time, she was ready to fight for what was hers, come hell or high water.

 

Chapter 2: Old Flames

The evening crowd had thinned, leaving only the low hum of a blues track playing over the speakers and the occasional clink of glasses. Tia found herself seated across from Malik at the dimly lit bar, their knees almost touching. The air was thick with the smell of bourbon and the weight of years past.

"So, you run the shop now?" Tia asked, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

"Yeah," Malik replied, his gaze fixed on the amber liquid in his glass. "Took over when Dad got sick last year. Been trying to keep things afloat ever since."

Tia nodded, sensing the strain in his voice. "That's a big responsibility."

"It is." He looked up, meeting her eyes with a hint of the old warmth she remembered. "But I manage. What about you? Life in the big city treating you well?"

She shrugged, swirling her drink. "It’s fast-paced, exciting. But sometimes, it feels like something’s missing." Her admission hung in the air, more revealing than she intended.

The conversation shifted to reminiscences, laughter mingling with more serious undertones as they navigated the map of their shared history. They avoided the minefields—old arguments, deeper wounds—but the night grew long, and defenses began to lower.

Malik’s hand brushed against hers, a spark shooting through their touch. "You know," he began hesitantly, "seeing you today, it kind of took me back..."

"To when things were simpler?" Tia completed his thought, her voice soft.

"Yeah." His hand encased hers fully, warmth spreading through her. "Simpler."

The connection rekindled something they thought was long extinguished. Leaning closer, the distance between them closed under the dim bar lights, their faces inches apart. Malik’s breath was a mix of mint and whiskey, and when his lips finally met hers, the kiss was laden with all the complexity of their past—a mix of longing, regret, and undeniable attraction.

They pulled away, breathless and startled by the intensity of their emotions. "We shouldn’t have done that," Malik murmured, the conflict etched deep in his frown.

"No, probably not," Tia agreed, her heart racing, but she couldn't help the part of her that disagreed, that yearned for more.

The night ended with an awkward goodbye, each retreating into the shadow of their own doubts and desires. As Tia walked back to her family home, the cool Savannah night breeze felt like a balm, but the turmoil inside her was just beginning to stir.

 

Chapter 3: New Faces

 The next evening found Tia stepping into 'The Driftwood,' a popular local bar known for its live music and lively crowd. She was dressed in a figure-hugging blue dress that accentuated her curves, her hair styled effortlessly down her back. She was there to meet friends but also to clear her mind, still spinning from the kiss with Malik.

As she navigated through the throng of people, a figure caught her eye. Standing at the bar, laughing with a group of women, was Jasmine. Her presence was unmistakable, her style bold—a red crop top paired with high-waisted jeans, her hair in a sleek ponytail. When Jasmine turned and locked eyes with Tia, the warmth in her expression cooled instantly.

"You must be Tia," Jasmine said as she approached, her tone polite but edged with a chill. "Malik's told me a lot about you."

"Nice to meet you, Jasmine," Tia replied, offering a smile that masked her caution. "I hope all good things."

Jasmine's laugh was a tad too sharp. "Mostly. He mentioned you were back in town trying to sort some things out?"

"That's right," Tia responded, maintaining her composure. "Family business."

Jasmine nodded, taking a sip of her drink, her gaze assessing. "Well, just so we're clear, Malik and I are together. I’m not sure what you two had in the past, but it’s just that—past."

Tia recognized the territorial claim for what it was. "I understand. I’m not here to step on any toes, Jasmine. I’m just here to help my family."

The conversation remained superficial after that, but the undercurrent of tension was palpable. Jasmine made it a point to touch on her and Malik's plans, their shared experiences, marking her territory in every word. Tia listened, nodding where appropriate, but her mind was elsewhere. She could sense the brewing storm, the potential for conflict woven through Jasmine’s words.

After a few minutes of strained small talk, Tia excused herself, pleading an early morning. As she left the bar, the cool night air felt like a reprieve from the stifling tension inside. Jasmine might have been marking her territory, but Savannah was a small town, and Tia knew their paths would cross again. She just hoped she could navigate the troubled waters without capsizing.

Chapter 4: Family Secrets

 The morning was unusually cool for Savannah as Tia made her way to Big Joe’s BBQ, her family’s restaurant. The sun filtered through the Spanish moss, casting dappled shadows on the sidewalk. She was lost in thought, replaying her encounter with Jasmine, when her uncle Joe called her over to his office—a cramped, cluttered space at the back of the restaurant.

“Sit down, Tia,” Uncle Joe said, his voice more serious than she had heard in years. He shuffled papers on his desk, the lines on his face deepening. “There’s something we need to discuss about the restaurant.”

Tia took a seat, her stomach tightening. “What’s going on, Uncle Joe?”

“It’s the debts,” he began, his eyes not meeting hers. “They’ve piled up, Tia. Taxes, suppliers, the bank loan… it’s more than we can handle right now. If we don’t find a solution soon, we might lose Big Joe’s.”

The news hit Tia like a physical blow. This place wasn’t just a business; it was a family legacy, a community staple. “How bad is it?”

“Bad enough that we have a few months at best,” he admitted, handing her a stack of overdue bills and notices.

Tia leafed through them, each figure another weight added to her shoulders. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“We thought we could handle it,” Uncle Joe sighed. “I didn’t want to burden you with this, not after you’d built a new life in the city.”

“But this is my home too, Uncle Joe. No matter where I live,” Tia said firmly. “We’re going to save Big Joe’s. I’ll make sure of it.”

Her uncle’s expression was a mix of relief and worry. “Tia, some of these debts are steep. We’d need a miracle or…”

“Or what?” Tia prompted, sensing there was more he wasn’t saying.

“There are ways,” Uncle Joe hesitated, lowering his voice. “Ways that might not be strictly legal. I’ve heard things, people who can make problems like ours disappear for a price.”

Tia felt a chill despite the warm air seeping through the open window. She had always been determined, ready to do whatever it took to protect her family. But this? This was uncharted territory.

“I need to think about it,” she said after a long pause. “But whatever we decide, we do it together. This family doesn’t back down from a fight.”

Uncle Joe nodded, his relief palpable. “Thank you, Tia. I knew I could count on you.”

As Tia left the office, her mind raced with possibilities, each more risky than the last. She was back in Savannah for a reason, and it seemed the fight to save her family’s legacy was just beginning. She was determined to save Big Joe’s, but at what cost? The answer lay somewhere in the shadows of legality, and it was a line she hesitated to cross. Yet, the thought of losing the barbecue joint was unthinkable. She would find a way, no matter the consequences.

Chapter 5: Crossed Lines

 The days that followed were a whirlwind for Tia as she plunged into the financial quagmire threatening Big Joe’s BBQ. Her search for solutions led her to Darnell, a loan officer known for his connections and unorthodox methods. He had a reputation that tread the line between savior and shark, and when they met at his sleek, modern office downtown, Tia understood why.

Darnell was all charm, his smile easy and his attire impeccable—a stark contrast to the dilapidated surroundings of Big Joe’s. He greeted Tia with a warm handshake, his gaze lingering just a bit too long to be considered purely professional.

“So, Tia, I hear you’re in a bit of a bind,” Darnell began, leaning back in his leather chair. “I think I can help, but it’s not going to be your standard bank loan.”

“What are you suggesting?” Tia asked, wary yet desperate.

“I

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 03.09.2024
ISBN: 978-3-7554-8004-4

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Widmung:
For everyone who has faced challenges and persevered with grace, For the dreamers who dare to rebuild from the ashes, For the love that strengthens, the friendships that sustain, And for the communities that rise together, This story is dedicated to you. May you always find light in the shadows.