by Blue Saffire
She kicks a guy in the chest and he comes flying out of the stairwell. There are more of them rushing to attack. Paloma pulls her swords out and looks me in the eyes.
“Go, find my daughter.”
I nod and move forward shoving a guy out of my way and down the stairs before I leap over a body that’s already still on the ground. I take the stairs two at a time, headed for the roof. Noise below has me looking over the rail, but the space is too tight to shoot down to help.
However, Paloma and Bekia seem to be handling their own. I grind my teeth and start back up the stairs. Carmen needs me. I can feel it.
I have to get to her like I promised I always would. I push my long legs harder than I’ve ever pushed them before. When I clear the exit to the roof, I look around and see nothing.
“Carmen,” I bellow as my heart races.
“Ry,” she whimpers.
I feel like I’m going to be sick. I rush in the direction of her voice and her arm comes into view. She’s slipping as I dive for the edge.
I grab her arm in a tight hold right as she loses her grip. Her scream rings out as I lock my fingers around her forearm. I’ve never hung onto anything so tight in my life.
Our eyes lock and she looks at me with a mixture of relief and fear. “Hold on for me, baby,” I say as I try to pull her up. “Fuck.”
“Ryan, please,” she cries as she clasps my forearm.
“I’ve got you. Don’t let go.” I remember the earpiece I never took out from our mission. “I need some help up here. Carmen’s hanging off the side of the building and I’m holding on for dear life. Wyatt, can you get here, bro?”
“My hands are a bit full down here. I’m trying.”
“Fuck,” I bellow again.
“Ry, this is John. Roni and I are in the bird. We’re headed your way. You hold on. We’re coming.”
“Shit, if you can speed the fuck up that would be great.”
“We’re coming.”
I angle my body and steady myself to throw my other arm over and grasp her with both hands. It’s not the best grip, but I’ve got her and I’m not letting go. My nostrils flare as I try to lift her toward me, but that causes me to start to slip. Carmen starts to freak out and kick her feet.
“Baby, relax. Be still for me.”
“Ryan, I don’t want to die,” she sobs.
“Who’s dying? How many times do I have to tell you I’ve got you?”
“Ry—”
“Nah, baby. I’ve got you. Don’t you let go. We’re getting married and we’re raising our little girl together. Don’t you fucking let go,” I demand.
She sniffles and nods. I see when she gets ready to look down. That’s a bad idea.
“Hey, look at me.” She snaps her head up. “That’s my girl. You keep those pretty eyes on me.”
“Ry, I’m scared.”
“I’m not letting you go. Do you know how much I love you?”
She slips a little more in my hold. “Ryan.”
“Sh, baby, I’ve got you. If you would have let me suck some of that tittie milk out this morning you would be lighter.”
“Seriously,” she chokes out, her eyes widening.
“I’m just saying.”
“This is not the time for that.”
“I totally agree,” John says in my ear.
“We’ve broken through,” Felix says next. “Wyatt and I are on our way.”
I grind my teeth and try to tighten my hold. John’s ass better get here fast. My body is clenched so tight my muscles are twitching.
“John?”
“Almost there.”
I look out and the chopper comes into view. We’re not in the clear yet, but I have a little hope. I look back into Carmen’s eyes and I can see the panic.
“Come on, baby. Stay with me. I’ve got you.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder. Don’t you fuck this up. I’ve a big ass rock waiting for you. I’m going to marry your ass as soon as we find someone to do it.”
She gives a short laugh. “Only you can make jokes at a time like this.”
“Who’s joking? We’re getting married, baby. If we have to fly to Vegas tonight. I’m marrying your ass once I get you on solid ground.”
“I don’t want my baby to grow up without me.”
“Don’t do that shit, Carmen. I swear, baby—”
She slips a little more and screams. I’m starting to sweat and my hands have become slippery. We both fall silent as we look into each other’s eyes.
I silently tell her I love her and how much I need her. I’m not losing her like this. I can’t.
The sound of the helicopter gets closer. It’s like my heart beats to the sound of the propellers. Everything slows down. I’m aware of every muscle in my body. Carmen’s hold on me starts to slip as the force of the wind from the chopper makes my hold unsteady as well.
The bird gets closer and I can’t hear my own breathing over the sound. I look Carmen in her fear-filled eyes. “Don’t. Let. Go.”
Blue Collection Character Tree
Legally Bound 1
Bobby Mairettie and Paige Kemble-Mairettie father and mother of:
*Peyton and James Mairettie (twin boys)
*Sydney Mairettie and Maria Lynn Mairettie (twin girls)
Legally Bound 2
Marcus Mairettie and Rita Briggs-Mairettie father and mother of:
*Daniel Mairettie
*Hannah Mairettie
Legally Bound 3
Nathaniel (Nate) Briggs and Pamela (Pam) Kemble-Briggs father and mother of:
*Tiffany and Tracey Briggs (twin girls)
*Nathaniel Briggs Jr.
Legally Bound 4
Jasper Briggs and Marie Mairettie-Briggs father and mother of:
*Clay Briggs
The Mairettie Family
Grandpa Marcello Mairettie and Grandma Marie Ann father and mother of:
*Marcello Mairettie Jr.
*Andrew Mairettie
*James Mairettie
*Jessie Mairettie
*Lynn Mairettie
*Gianna Mairettie
*James Mairettie and Minnie Mairettie father and mother of:
*Bobby Mairettie
*Sam Mairettie – (Ellen Kensington-Mairettie, wife)
*Marcus Mairettie
*Marie Mairettie
The Briggs Family
Thomas Briggs and Raquel Marinos-Briggs (Deceased) father and mother of:
*Nathaniel Briggs
*Rita Briggs
Earl Briggs (Thomas’ younger brother) and Caitronia Marinos-Briggs (twin sister of Raquel) father and mother of:
*Kelly Briggs-Fecteau (Alexie Fecteau, husband)
*Jasper Briggs
The Kemble Family
Peyton Kemble and Davina Kemble father and mother of:
*Pamela Kemble
*Paige Kemble
Other Important Legally Bound Characters
Camille (Cam) Mc Wien-Carter (Seth Carter, soon-to-be ex-husband) father and mother of:
*Seth Carter Jr.
*Eddie Carter
*Aiden Carter
Austin Mc Wien (Camille’s father)
Baroness Olivia Kontos (Baron Kontos’ widow; Jasper’s ex-lover; Thomas Briggs’ new love interest)
Vanessa (Julissa) Smith-Mims (Patrick Mims, husband, Deceased)
Hush 1
Uri Donati and Valentina Caprisi-Donati father and mother of:
*Vita Khayla Donati
*Nori Donati
*Inzo Donati
*Eva Donati
Hush 2
Luca Donati and Shannon Caprisi-Donati father and mother of:
*Carlo Donati (Introduced in Ballers 2)
The Donati Family
Angelo Uri Donati (Deceased) and Donatella Manzo-Donati-Zuko father and mother of:
*Uri Donati
*Nico Donati Zuko
*Annabella Donati Zuko (Nico’s twin sister)
*
Michael Donati – Zuko
Nicholas Donati (Angelo Donati’s brother) and Ava Donati father and mother of:
*Luca Donati
The Caprisi Family
Vincent Caprisi and Khayla Grant-Caprisi (Deceased) father and mother of:
*Valentina Caprisi
*Lissette Caprisi (Deceased)
**Shannon Caprisi (Vincent’s daughter)
Other Important Hush Characters
Uncle Valentine Caprisi (Vincent’s brother; head hitter)
Iman Grant (Khayla’s sister; **Shannon’s mother; Deceased)
Roberto Donati-Zuko (Donatella’s husband; Deceased)
**Posed as Dale the accountant from Legally Bound 3
Cole ‘Brooklyn’ O’Brien
DJ
Ballers 1
Bradley Monroe and Tamara Hathaway-Monroe father and mother of:
*Brielle Monroe
*Ashley Monroe and Ashton Monroe (twins)
*Corey Monroe (Baby Tam is pregnant
with at end of Ballers 1)
The Monroe Family
Vernon Monroe and Gloria Monroe father and mother of:
*Trevor Monroe (Donna, soon to be ex-wife)
*Bradley Monroe
*Ann Monroe (Bradley’s twin sister; Tom,
husband)
Trevor Monroe and Donna Monroe father and mother of:
*Jessica Monroe
*Toby Monroe and Paige Monroe (twins)
*Jonathan Monroe
Tom Rivers and Ann Monroe-Rivers father and mother of:
*George Rivers and Melissa Rivers (twins)
*Amy Rivers
The Hathaway Family
Byron Hathaway and Fiona Hathaway father and mother of:
*Ellerie Hathaway
*Tamara Hathaway
Other Important Ballers Characters
Stacey (Tam’s best friend)
Reese (Tam’s best friend; Nico’s girlfriend in Ballers 1)
Alee (Tam’s best friend)
Cyrus Pierson (Tam’s boss) father of:
*Tommy Pierson
*Carey Pierson
*Stephanie Pierson
Ballers 2
Nico Donati and Reese Bridges-Donati father and mother of:
*Nico Donati Jr.
*Lanya Donati
*Orso Donati
*Santo Donati
*Stefano Donati
Other Important Ballers 2 Characters
Tiberius Roman (Reese’s ex-husband)
Symphony (Michael’s right-hand)
Brothers Black 1
Wyatt Black and Lanelle (Nellie) Bryant-Black father and mother of:
*Nora Black
*Evan Black
The Black Family
Joseph Black and Cassidy Black father and mother of:
*Wyatt Black
*Noah Black
*Johnathan Black
*Felix Black
*Toby Black
*Braxton Black
*Ryan Black
The Lockhart Family
Rob Lockhart and Faith Lockhart father and step-mother of:
*Heather Lockhart
Steve Lockhart and Nora Bryant-Lockhart (Deceased) step-father and mother of:
*Lanelle (Nellie) Bryant-Black
Chase Lockhart and Jennifer Lockhart father and mother of:
*Rebecca (Bean) Lockhart (Noah’s best friend and love interest)
Other Important Brothers Black 1 Characters
Missy (Johnathan’s ex-girlfriend, Deceased)
Lucy (Heather’s girlfriend)
Barry Coleman (Deceased)
Brothers Black 2
Noah Black and Rebecca (Bean) Lockhart-Black father and mother of:
*Brodie Black
*Connor Black
*Baby on the way
Other Important Brothers Black 2 Characters
Joshua (Deceased)
Carmen (Nene) Nash (reporter; niece of Mariah Briggs from Yours Series; Ryan’s new crush)
Logan O’Brien
Brothers Black 3
King Toby Black and Queen Ogeima Feechi (Kamara) Abioye-Black father and mother of:
*Lulu Black
*TJ Black
*Baby on the way
Other Important Brothers Black 3 Characters
Missy (Johnathan’s ex-girlfriend, Deceased)
Lucy (Heather’s girlfriend)
Barry Coleman (Deceased)
King Elijah Abioye aka Mr. Naidoo
Queen Ada Catherine Naidoo-Abioye
King Kwäzē Naidoo-Abioye
Celeste (Kwäzē’s ex-girlfriend)
King Afafa (Deceased)
Missy (Johnathan’s ex-girlfriend, Deceased)
Lucy (Heather’s girlfriend)
Barry Coleman (Deceased)
Joshua (Deceased)
Carmen Nash aka Nene (Reporter, Mariah Briggs, from Yours Series, Niece, Ryan’s new crush)
Logan O’Brien
Dylan O’Brien
Jamie O’Brien
Cole ‘Brooklyn’ O’Brien
Uncle Jonah McGowan
Uncle Jack McGowan
Uncle Raymond McGowan
Uncle Ronan McGowan
Carrick McGowan
Malcolm McGowan
Graham McGowan
Jeremiah McGowan
Reilly McGowan
Brothers Black 4
Braxton Black and Heather Lockhart-Black father and mother of:
*Riley Black
*Rowen Black
Other Important Brothers Black 4 Characters
Debbie Lockhart-Kline (Rob’s ex-wife, Heather’s Mother)
Lucy (Heather’s pretend girlfriend)
Amanda Kline (Heather’s half-sister)
Ernest Kline (Heather’s Stepfather, Deceased)
Eugene aka Crooked Nose
Logan O’Brien
Dylan O’Brien
Jamie O’Brien
Cole ‘Brooklyn’ O’Brien
Uncle Jonah McGowan
Uncle Jack McGowan
Uncle Raymond McGowan
Uncle Ronan McGowan
Carrick McGowan
Malcolm McGowan
Graham McGowan
Jeremiah McGowan
Reilly McGowan
Nicholas Lincoln
Sephora Lincoln
Thomas Briggs
Brothers Black 5
Felix Black and Kaye Porter-Black aka Kaye Blaze father and mother of:
*Dashawn Black
*Second child unannounced
Other Important Brothers Black 5 Characters
Lakia Redding (Kaye’s writer friend)
Dean (Kaye’s writer friend)
Hayidah (Doll for Club Desire)
Pastor Wayne Porter (Kaye’s father)
Danesha Porter (Kaye’s mother)
Danny Porter (Deceased Kaye’s brother and Felix’s best friend)
Grandma Reid (Kaye’s grandmother)
Grandpa Reid (Kaye’s grandfather)
Alberto Perez (Felix’s best friend)
Jacob McTavish (Lead actor in Kaye’s movie)
Mona Richards (Deceased, a fan)
Logan O’Brien
Dylan O’Brien
Jamie O’Brien
Cole ‘Brooklyn’ O’Brien
Connie O’Brien
Kate O’Brien
Uncle Ronan McGowan
Carrick McGowan
Brothers Black 6
Ryan Black and Carmen Nash
Other Important Brothers Black 6 Characters
Kiyoshi Matsumara-Nash (Carmen’s father)
Paloma Matsumara-Nash (Carmen’s mother)
Nelson “Ne” Matsumara-Nash (Carmen’s Brother)
Yui (Nelson assistant)
Bekia
Calu
Mariah Briggs (Carmen’s Aunt)
Gigi (Carmen’s roommate)
Torque
Alexander (Oldest Triplet)
Maximilian aka Mil (
Middle Triplet)
Tobias (Youngest Triplet)
Austin Mc Wien (Now Deceased)
Logan O’Brien
Misha Krupin
Dr. Omid V-Shah
Connie O’Brien
Kate O’Brien
Don LaSalle Locatelli
Tasha Locatelli
Valentine Donati
Uri Donati
Yours Series
Nicholas Lincoln and Sephora (Sophi/Soph/Lilla du) Emilsson father and mother of:
*Nicole Lincoln
*Nadia Lincoln
*Nicholas Lincoln Jr.
The Lincoln Family
Dean Lincoln and Shelly Lincoln (Both Deceased) father and mother of:
*Nicholas Lincoln
*Rick Carbon Lincoln
*Gavin Carbon Lincoln