Jack Girlz Atlanta

by Briann Danae

Genres: Urban Fantasy

Synopsis

Bound by blood but burdened by broken trusts, three devoted sisters struggle between unconditional family ties and vengeance-fueled schemes in this pulse-pounding women’s crime thriller by BriAnn Danae.

There’s always a motive . . . but who will take the fall when someone catches a body?

Sisters Mia, Hazel, and Teyona enter the world of corporate scamming, intentionally planning to ruin the lives of those who flipped theirs upside down. While risking it all, the consequences of their actions are the last thing on their minds—only the end goal. They take the “lavish lifestyle” to the extreme and refuse to look back.

When their priorities become unaligned, propositions present themselves, making it difficult for them to decline. With money flowing in, a plot set in place, and their tracks completely covered, the sisters bask in their hard work. That’s until one impatient decision leaves behind a dead body with no one to answer for it. In the name of sisterhood and loyalty, one of them must take the fall, or else . . .
 

Release date: March 25, 2025

Publisher: Black Odyssey Media

Print pages: 288

Sample

Prologue

2001

No matter how hard she tried, Hazel couldn’t ignore the harsh tone of her father’s voice. She could always tell when he was on the brink of losing his temper. It was an action of his that her eight-year-old brain had processed long before now. Her body squirmed underneath the covers, tempting her to peek out of the bedroom she shared with her sisters.

Mia, the oldest at twelve years old, was still awake. Hazel knew it because she hadn’t heard her light snores begin. That was the one thing she despised about sharing rooms. Teyona, the youngest at two years old, had been out like a light for the past hour. She’d wake up soon and venture to their parents’ bedroom like always.

Glancing towards her big sister’s bed, Hazel squinted.

“Mia,” she whispered, “I know you’re awake. They’re arguing again.”

Ignoring her, Mia kept her eyes closed and back turned. She hated it when her parents argued and wanted no part of whatever Hazel had up her sleeve. She was always up to something. Sucking her teeth, Hazel tossed the purple comforter off her frame and climbed from the bed. When she accidentally stepped on one of Teyona’s toys before furiously kicking it, Mia shifted her way.

“What’re you doing?” Mia questioned.

“I’m just taking a peek. Come on.”

Curiosity would one day be Mia’s downfall, no matter how much her gut told her to stay in bed. The two crept across the carpeted floor in matching pajamas. Their father always wanted twins, and since their mother didn’t have any, he settled for them dressing alike. Their massive closet was filled with identical wardrobes, down to the socks. Hazel hated it. She would always change whenever she knew her parents had fallen asleep for the night. They hadn’t, and that’s why she was up, slowly pulling their bedroom door open to see why not.

“You don’t get to stand in my face and shed fucking tears!”

The bass in Matthew Grant’s voice traveled down the hall, causing Mia to flinch beside her sister.

Hazel scowled. She couldn’t hear her mother’s reply, but whatever it was, it caused Matthew’s voice to raise an octave. Kimberly Grant knew just how to piss her husband off, but she had taken it too far.

“Is that all you care about? Some stupid notebook pages!”

Mia gripped Hazel’s hand and stepped closer to get a look. From their bedroom, it was a clear view down the hall that led to the staircase where they stood. Out of all the places in their 5,300-square-foot home where they could’ve had this argument, Hazel didn’t know why they chose next to their bedroom. Her nosey nature was kind of glad they had, though. That’s until Matthew’s hand wrapped around her mother’s neck.

“Oh my gosh,” Mia gasped, clasping a hand over her mouth.

Hazel gritted her teeth, and her palms grew warm.

Matthew’s voice was inaudible now. Words spoken close to Kimberly’s ear. Her head shook from side to side as she clawed at his hands, her brown eyes pleading with him to release her. The expression on his face iced her core. On the brim of unconsciousness, she could hardly understand his next question but nodded anyway.

Matthew loosened his grip. Kimberly’s life flashed before her blurred vision as she tumbled down the stairs of their home. The fall would surely ensue death, and her last thought before blacking out was of her daughters.

Mia couldn’t move. The sounds of her mother’s vicious fall had her sick to her stomach. Hazel bolted out of the room, not caring if Mia followed behind. She flew down the stairs with angry tears in her eyes. Matthew cradled Kimberly while their evening cleaner called for the paramedics. Soon after, Mia was by her sister’s side.

“Wh-What happened?” Mia asked.

Matthew stared at his oldest daughter with tears in his eyes. “She slipped, but she’ll be okay. Go back to your rooms.”

“But, Daddy,” Mia began.

“Now!” he shouted, making Mia haul ass upstairs in tears.

Hazel rose slowly, giving him a stare of death. Her eyes blazed with hate. Mia could believe what Matthew wanted her to believe, but Hazel knew better. They both witnessed what happened, and no one could convince her otherwise. When she returned to their bedroom, Hazel left the door wide open. Mia sat at the edge of her bed, crying profusely.

“I can’t believe Mommy fell. Do you think she’ll be okay?” Mia asked.

“She didn’t fall,” Hazel grumbled, angry tears sliding down her cheeks.

Mia hiccupped. “But that’s what Daddy said.”

“And he’s a damn liar.”

Hazel’s words were cold. Too cold for an eight-year-old. Mia’s eyes widened at her use of profanity, and she sniffled but didn’t scold her. She only looked on as Hazel stripped from her pajamas, replaced them with a pair not identical to hers, and climbed into bed.

“Haze,” Mia called out after she pulled the covers over her head.

Hazel ignored her while crying into her pillow. Mia swallowed her fear, torn by conflicting thoughts and emotions. Matthew instilled in them that trust was to be earned, and Mia believed him. She believed her sister, too, but she never had to choose sides—until today, and she would for the rest of her life.

One

June 2023

The rumbling of Mia’s stomach was almost as disruptive as the vibration from her cell phone in her lap. She had skipped breakfast and was now paying for it. Her eyes skirted toward her father, who sat comfortably across the table from her. His attention was on Rob, the chief operating officer of Grant Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as he discussed their next marketing campaign.

Mia didn’t know why her father insisted on her attendance at these meetings, but here she was. It was obvious her presence was needed. Physically, she was there, but mentally, her mind was on the text message she just received. Without having to unlock her phone, she tapped the screen and eyed the message from her sister, Hazel.

Are you able to give it to me or not?

Biting the corner of her lip, Mia let the screen go black and exhaled. Being the oldest sister came with so much responsibility that she still wasn’t used to. At thirty-four years old, she felt more like Hazel and Teyona’s mother than she did their sister.

Mia unlocked her phone and quickly typed a response without thinking much about it.

Yes…but this is the last time.

Dots danced across the screen for a few seconds, indicating Hazel was typing, but then they stopped. Instead of sending a message, she reacted to Mia’s reply with a thumbs-up. Sighing again, Mia locked her phone just as Rob garnered her attention.

“Any input, Mia?” he asked.

Mia blinked, unsure of what her input needed to be. She hadn’t heard a word he said for the last minute or so.

“No. Not at the moment,” she replied, hoping her answer sufficed.

When both Rob and Matthew gave her nods, she relaxed. She couldn’t wait to return to her office. Being Matthew Grant’s first-born daughter was rewarding yet the most stressful title she held. That said a lot, considering she was a clinical pharmacist.

Since childhood, Mia knew she wanted to follow in her grandfather’s and dad’s footsteps and work in the medical field—not just in it but making an impact in the community like they did and still do. Her grandfather, Matthew Sr., founded Grant Pharmaceuticals in 1985. It had taken over twenty years and sacrifices he would never speak on to get his foot in the door and remain there. Now, it’s a household name with multiple healthcare products. The Grants were wealthy––the wealthy who fit right in living in the city of Atlanta. Being in business for nearly forty years hadn’t come easy, but it was worth it.

Mia stood from her chair and waited for her father as the meeting ended. He wasn’t often spotted at the main headquarters, so many of the employees wanted a minute or two of his time.

While waiting, Mia read over a few of her text messages and smiled at the one from her boo before Matthew called her over. She admired his gray suit that mimicked the hairs dispersed in his low-cut beard and thickly waved fade. Matthew carried his age well at sixty-one, but Mia knew the toll being the CEO of such a profitable company took on his body. His umber complexion held a nice shine, but the stress lines decorating his forehead and the corners of his eyes didn’t go unnoticed.

“My Mia,” Matthew said, pulling her into a hug.

Mia smiled. “Hey, Daddy.”

“Everything going good? We didn’t get a chance to catch up before this meeting.”

Matthew would be the first to know if things weren’t going good. Mia knew that, and so did he. So, she wondered why that was his first question.

“With business?” Mia countered, wanting clarification.

“Of course, with business. Was there another reason your face was in your phone for half of the meeting?” Matthew questioned.

He stared intently with those brown eyes she struggled to read some days. If her father didn’t do anything else, he made Mia second-guess many of her words and actions. She cleared her throat before answering him.

“Half of the meeting? Really, Daddy?” She chuckled.

Matthew smirked. “You know what I mean.” He got serious. “Handle personal matters on your time. Whoever it was and what they wanted could’ve waited. Do you think I’ve gotten this far in life by not prioritizing and focusing on those things that are of less importance?”

Exhaling, Mia willed herself not to roll her eyes. Whenever her father got into one of his moods, a lecture was sure to follow. He wasn’t asking the question because he didn’t know the answer. She and he both knew it.

“No, Daddy, I know you haven’t. But my—”

“But?” Matthew asked, tilting his head to the side.

He hated excuses, and Mia hated being chastised. There was no point in trying to explain anything to him, especially her reasoning for being on her phone. He’d really go off then, and she didn’t have time for that. As much as she loved her father, Matthew sure knew how to ruin a good day.

“Never mind. Was there anything else you needed from me? I haven’t eaten a thing today, and my stomach is touching my back.”

Matthew chuckled as they walked out of the room. “I’d love to take you to lunch, but I’m swamped with meetings all day. There was something I needed to tell you, though.”

Mia waited with bated breath. “What was that?”

“I want you to work here full time and quit the hospital.”

“What?” Mia questioned with a frown, marring her pretty face.

She was so taken aback by his request that her skin grew warm.

“You need to quit that job at the hospital. It serves you no purpose,” he replied in a clipped, tense tone that seemingly forbade further questions.

“Quitting would defeat the purpose of you putting me through college.”

Mia wanted to say so much more, but she knew her father. He had no other words besides the ones he had just spoken.

“If you think that’s your purpose, I have failed you,” Matthew said, kissing her forehead as the elevator doors opened. “Enjoy your lunch.”

Matthew’s assistant entered the elevator after him, and Mia watched the doors close. She was seething on the inside. He had planted those thoughts about quitting in her head for a reason, but Mia wasn’t falling for it. Yes, she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps, but she didn’t want to use her degree solely under Grant Pharms’ umbrella. Plus, her work at Emory University in Midtown was only part-time, and she was sure her presence wasn’t needed at her father’s company that much. He was pushing his weight around like he’d always done. Mia had no problem completing pharmacy school. It was demanding, just like her father, but she was prepared. Still, his controlling behavior unnerved Mia to no end.

Walking across the building to her office, Mia spoke and waved to the staff. She’d grown up running the halls of the building, attending meetings with her personalized lab coat on, knowing one day she would be the CEO of Grant Pharmaceuticals. Until then, she wanted to remain a clinical pharmacist and engage with her community while also contributing to the legacy the men of the family started. It didn’t seem difficult to do, but of course, to her father, it was.

Entering her office, Mia inhaled the fresh scent of lavender and lemon that permeated the air, calming her nerves immediately. Going to her floor-to-ceiling windows, she stared out of them, admiring the perfectly manicured lawns, bushes, and flowers blooming thanks to the landscapers and groundskeepers. The main headquarters sat on four acres of land, with ten other office locations throughout the US. Mia dedicated the other half of her time during the week to the two local pharmacies in the city. She had been doing it for years now, feeling that’s what she was meant to do as a Grant, but now, she was having second thoughts.

Before she could dwell on the what-ifs, her phone vibrated with an incoming call from Hazel. Mia thought about declining it but knew there was no point. Knowing her sister, she would text her, telling her to answer.

“Hey, Haze,” Mia answered, walking to her desk and sitting in the chair.

“Hello to you, too, my dearest sister. How is your day?”

Mia chuckled. “It’s boring, and I’m starving. Did you get my text?”

“Yes. That’s why I was calling. When do you work again?”

Sighing, Mia swiveled her chair and typed in her password to unlock her iMac.

“Why, Haze? I already told you—”

“I know what you told me, but I’m desperate, Mia,” Hazel groaned. “I just need you for a few more months until this painting gig comes through.”

Mia squeezed her eyes shut, hating the predicament her sister had placed her in. She was jeopardizing not only her career but also the family’s reputation.

“I work Thursday,” she answered, giving in. She could never flat-out tell her no.

“Okay. I’ll come by once you get off. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she mumbled before blurting, “Daddy wants me to work here full-time.”

Hazel scoffed. “I don’t know why you sound surprised. You know you’re his favorite daughter. It’d make his day to have you up under him.”

“Don’t say that. He loves all of us the same,” Mia defended.

“I’ll let you think that. I thought you liked your job at the hospital?”

Mia bit into her bottom lip, eyeing her email notifications. “I do. I love it.”

But you want to please him, is what Hazel wanted to say. Instead, she opted for a response that wouldn’t piss her or Mia off. “Well, do what you do best.”

What the hell does that mean? Mia thought to herself.

“Yeah…I will. Are you stopping by the house tonight for dinner?” Mia questioned, just as someone knocked on her open office door.

Her face lit up when she saw her boyfriend standing there with food and flowers.

“Unfortunately. It’s the one day of the week I have to tolerate that man,” Hazel grumbled.

“Well, I’ll be happy to see you. I have to go, though. Jarel just brought me lunch,” Mia announced as he placed the vase of flowers on her desk.

Hazel said goodbye, and Mia stood from her chair to greet her man properly. Grinning like he’d just made her day ten times better, she wrapped her arms around his neck. She inhaled deeply, loving the cologne lingering on his skin.

“You look happy to see me,” Jarel chuckled.

“I’m always happy to see you,” she said, poking her lips out for a quick kiss.

Jarel obliged, kissing her lips and giving her ass a squeeze. The hunter green dress she paired with black heels hugged her curvaceous frame. Pulling away, she looked over his crisp white button-down and navy blue slacks and smirked. Jarel was so handsome to her with his waves and low fade. His full beard and creamy caramel skin were a bonus, along with his height. Considering her five-foot-five stature, Jarel’s six-foot-one build was what gained her attention when they first met.

“I brought your favorite,” he said as she opened the stapled paper bag.

“Thank you, babe. I’ve been starving all morning.”

Mia squirted some hand sanitizer in her hands before pulling out the plastic containers filled with vegetable fried rice and bourbon chicken. It was a quick yet fulfilling meal that would hold her over until dinner at her parents’ later that evening. She ate in silence for almost two minutes before coming up for air.

“Have you eaten?” she asked him.

“Not yet,” Jarel replied. “I don’t really have an appetite.”

Mia paused and placed her spoon down. She immediately detected the sadness in his voice. Whenever Jarel’s mood seemed shifty, she knew he had just come from seeing his sister or was on his way to visit.

“Any changes?” Mia asked.

Jarel flexed his jaw and shook his head. It wasn’t easy talking about the condition his sister, Evelyn, was in. Her life changed within the blink of an eye, placing her in a coma. From what he had told her when they first got together three months ago, she’d been rushed to the hospital after having a stroke and had been in a coma ever since. It was so unfortunate, and Mia didn’t know what she would do if something so traumatic happened to one of her sisters.

“None yet, but I’m hoping something changes.”

“I am, too,” she responded with a saddened sigh. Wanting to change the subject and the dampened mood, she said, “You look really handsome today.”

His charming smile let Mia know her compliment lifted his spirits. “Yeah? How good?”

Mia blushed when he licked his lips and invaded her space. There wasn’t a thing shy about her, but Jarel made her feel that way. She loved it. Having dealt with a shitty man in her past, the attentiveness and care Jarel gave her had her on the verge of falling in love. They weren’t quite at that stage yet, but Mia could see them reaching it soon.

“Babe,” she giggled as he kissed her neck. “My food is going to get cold.”

The last thing on Mia’s mind now was her food. Jarel and his roaming hands had taken up residence there.

“I suddenly have an appetite,” Jarel spoke lowly in her ear while trailing his hands up her thighs.

Mia’s chest rose and fell as her legs spread against her will. She’d never had office sex before, but there was a first time for everything. She shuddered as his hands crept higher. Craning her neck, she closed her eyes, ready to let him relieve her of the day’s stressors. That’s until a throat was cleared across the room. Mia’s eyes popped open, and she tugged her dress down. Jarel stood straight, trying to mask his erection.

“Yes, Brittany?” Mia questioned in a snappy tone before dialing it down. It wasn’t her fault she’d gotten caught trying to get freaky or that she had taken her office phone out of meeting mode. “Sorry. How are you doing?”

Brittany, the third-floor receptionist, smiled brightly. “I’m doing good. My apologies for interrupting. We have a student and their parent here to discuss this summer’s internship program.”

“Oh, yes! Okay. I’d love to meet with them. Give me about ten minutes, and please walk them back,” Mia said.

“Will do!”

Brittany headed back toward her desk while Mia tidied up hers. Jarel watched with an amused grin as she stuffed a few more bites of food in her mouth.

“What?” Mia asked, replacing the lids.

“Nothing. I like watching you get in your zone.”

Mia smiled. “What can I say? I love my job. Are you headed back to work?”

“Yeah. I have a few things to knock out before I call it a day.”

As a data analyst for a manufacturing company, Jarel was well equipped with problem-solving. That was a characteristic Mia’s last man didn’t bring to the table. In fact, he hadn’t brought much. She tried to overlook it and ended up getting her feelings hurt. This relationship was nothing like her last, and she was so grateful for Jarel.

“Okay. Well, I’ll text you when I’m wrapping up for the day. We’re having dinner at my parents’ house this evening, so I can come by later if you want.”

He pulled her into him by the waist. “I do. Dinner with your people is a weekly thing?”

Mia nodded. “Mhm. Every Monday. Maybe you can join me one of these weeks.”

“Yeah…maybe I can,” he replied with a smirk, loving the sound of that.

The progression of their relationship was moving at a pace he could manage, but he knew Mia wanted more. Dinner with her parents was definitely more, and he was looking forward to it now that she put it out there. Jarel gave her one more kiss before making his exit.

Quickly, Mia pulled out a compact mirror from her purse, examined her teeth for any leftover food, and popped a mint into her mouth. It was back to business as usual, but it wouldn’t be for long if her father kept on with his shenanigans.

Two

As Hazel placed her belongings back inside her bag, it took everything in her to keep her frustrations at bay. This was the third local art shop she had stopped by today, and they all had turned her down. A person with less determination would’ve given up by now. Not Hazel, though. She had goals to reach and a point to prove.

“What’d they say?” Karter, her boyfriend of two years, asked as she climbed in the passenger seat and slammed the door shut.

Hazel huffed. “Sorry, but we’re currently not taking any local art at the moment. You can try back in a few months,” she said, mocking the woman behind the counter. “I don’t get it. If you’re a local art store and want to support lo. . .