by D. Camille
She turned back to Nick. “We need to take her.”
“No!” Jameka yelled. “I’m not leaving. He’ll be mad…he told me to stay inside. I gotta learn to follow directions.”
Simone looked down at her. “If you won’t go, then I’m taking your kids.”
“Don’t take my kids!”
“Make the choice, Mrs. Polk!” Simone demanded.
Nick heard the front door open and pulled his weapon, heading back down the hall.
“Don’t fucking move!” he told the two men who’d entered the home.
Ja’Traveon and the other man raised their hands in the air.
“What the hell is this? This is my house?” Ja’Traveon yelled. “Get out!”
Nick kept the gun trained on them. “Who are you?” he asked the unknown man.
Ja’Traveon yelled. “Don’t say shit, he not the real police.”
“I might not be the real police, but this is a real ass gun,” Nick told them. “Now answer my damn question.”
“James…” the man answered with his hands on his head.
The grandmother entered the room and saw Nick with the gun pointed at the men. “Don’t shoot them, please!” she yelled.
Simone joined Nick with her weapon drawn.
“What the hell do y’all want?” Ja'Traveon shouted. “You already sent me to jail!”
Nick stayed focused. “James…what’s your last name?”
“Williams.”
“What are you doing here?” Simone questioned.
The man’s eyes narrowed at Simone and he remained silent. “I ain’t answering to no bitch.”
“JP!” the grandmother shouted at him.
Simone turned to the grandmother as Nick grabbed James and put the gun to his head.
“He’s JP?” Simone asked the woman.
She nodded. “James Paul…bible names, and the most wretched thing in these streets. He’s my grandson.”
Nick looked at JP. “Now, do you see a bitch in here?”
JP just stared at Nick.
“Apologize to the lady, and then I’m going show both of you, how to respect a woman.” Nick said in a dangerous voice, and Simone tingled inside.
Shaking her head, she got back focused.
“Sorry…” JP said without a bit of remorse.
Nick nodded and struck him across the head with his gun. JP fell out cold on the floor, then Nick turned to Ja’Traveon.
“What did I tell you about me?” Nick asked, walking over to him.
“Why are you here?” Ja’Traveon whimpered.
“What did you do to that woman in the bedroom?” Nick demanded.
Ja’Traveon wiped his face. “She got out of line, trying to do too much. She needed to stay in her place and follow my damn directions.”
Nick turned to Simone. “Get the kids,”
“What the hell you mean, get the kids?” Ja’Traveon said stepping forward and Nick raised the gun.
Simone nodded and rushed down the hall. Nick saw the frightened grandmother standing against the wall.
“You should go with her,” he advised. “This is not about to be a pretty sight.
JP began to stir on the floor, holding his head.
“I told y’all to stop hitting on that girl,” she pointed a crooked finger at them. “She didn’t deserve that.”
Nick frowned. “You both were putting hands on her?”
The grandmother pointed at the man on the floor. “That one been hitting on his sister since they was kids, and then she went and found that one!” She pointed at Ja’Traveon. “No good…I tell you. Neither one of them…no good in ‘em!”
With tears in her eyes, she looked at the young men. “You shoulda been better than this! I’ve called the police and done everything I can, but they keep coming back, acting the same but promising to change...”
Nick listened to the woman’s anguish as JP sat up.
“You were selling drugs out of your grandmother’s house and got it firebombed?” Nick told him, shaking his head. “And your sister lied for you…she lied for you both, and all it got her is lying in a bed with bruises all over her body.”
Simone returned with the kids and looked at Nick. “Take the grandmother, too.” He instructed. “I’ll handle these two…”
Simone glared at the men.
“You not taking my kids!” Ja’Traveon yelled, and made a move towards them which Nick blocked.
“Don’t make me shoot you in front of them,” Nick warned, looking him in the eye “Let them go, so they can be taken care of properly. They’ve been traumatized enough.”
Simone moved the kids to the door, along with the grandmother. “Do you want police?” Simone asked Nick.
“Ten minutes, then make the call.”
“Ten minutes,” she repeated, then gave a smile as she closed the door.
With the gun still in his hand, Nick shrugged out of his suit jacket.
“Okay boys, let me show you who the real bitches are…”
******
“Tell me again, what you did to them,” Simone said excitedly, lying on top of Nick. They were in his living room on the sofa, after one of the longest days.
Nick sighed. “I beat the shit out of them both,” he repeated. “Then turned them over to the police.”
“What did they do while you were kicking their asses?” Simone questioned.
“Cried and begged…”
She nodded. “Oooh…I hate I missed that part.”
“They were used to dominating and controlling women by putting their hands on them. When it came time to tangle with me, they didn’t know what hit them,” Nick told her.
Simone smiled. “They needed that ass beat. Hitting on your wife and sister, that’s a real bitch move.”
He looked at her. “I’m glad the kids are safe at your Center, along with the grandmother.”
“Me too,” Simone agreed. “I might extend the rule to let them stay longer if they need to.”
“Or we could put them up somewhere, until you find some permanent housing for them,” Nick suggested.
“My superhero…” Simone whispered.
“Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays…”
She laughed and kissed his face. “I’ll take that.”
Nick settled Simone against his body and they sat silently for a few minutes.
“Mrs. Polk was in bad condition,” he commented.
Simone closed her eyes and held back tears. “I hated seeing her like that and still not wanting to leave. That part always breaks my heart.”
Nick comforted her. “It hurts to watch people make bad decisions, especially ones that could cost them their lives.”
She let out a long breath. “What a day…I was caught off guard a number of times. From the surprise party, to finding out that Mrs. Polk was abused by both her brother and husband, to finding the real JP…damn.”
“All those people with the same initials,” Nick said shaking his head.
“I’m completely drained…” Simone whispered.
“It’s been an emotional day for you,” Nick agreed. “Are you ready for me to take you home so you can get some rest?”
Simone cuddled closer to his firm body. “No, I don’t want to go home.”
He lifted a brow. “Right now or…?”
She lifted her face to his. “Will you let me stay with you tonight, and sleep in your bed?”
“Simone, when I said earlier that you needed to do something big, I didn’t mean anything like that,” Nick explained.
She touched his face. “It’s not because of that, it’s because of you. I’m in love with you Nick.”
With his full smile displayed, he responded, “I love everything about you, Simone Jenkins.”
“Can we go to bed now?” Simone asked, with a yawn. “I’m exhausted…”
They both stood from the sofa, before Nick lifted her up into his arms. Walking to the bedroom, he looked down at her.
“Bu
t you still owe me…”
Chapter 10
Six months later…
Simone Jenkins sat across from the man who’d not only helped her regain her life, but also given her the guidance and support to actually live it. Dr. Richards smiled at the happy woman with satisfaction.
“Are you safe?” he asked.
Simone thought about the last six months. “Safer than I’ve been in a long time.”
“You’re not the same woman, who came here two years ago,” Dr. Richards commented.
Simone smiled broadly. “No, I’m not…”
“You look happy,”
She blinked to contain her emotion. “I am, and I never thought I’d feel this way after what happened. Thank you so much.”
Dr. Richards laughed. “I think that Nick deserves more of the credit than I do…”
“It’s been over six months, and he’s still there every day,” Simone said softly. “He’s been through all of my moods and triggers, but he still loves me.”
“A love that you deserve,” the doctor stressed.
“Nick is so unshakable and I love that about him. I’m flaky enough, I certainly can’t have someone with my same tendencies. He makes being me, so easy…” Simone said quietly. “I don’t have to hide or fit some type of standard.”
“When he came to talk to me, I could certainly see why he’d been able to capture your attention,” Dr. Richards told her. “I was surprised when the dangerous looking man came into my office. He sat down and told me who he was, and that he was going to be a part of your life.”
Simone shook her head. “That sounds like Nick.”
“He also wanted me to know that he supported you in your therapy, and if there was anything that you needed, to contact him immediately,” he finished.
She sighed. “He’s been that way from the start and he hasn’t changed. I was waiting for the day, when he’d show me his true colors, like Darryl. When he’d turn into someone that I didn’t recognize...” Simone looked away. “But he didn’t, and Nick could’ve walked out of my life at any time.”
“But like you said, he’s still in love with you…”
Simone clasped her hands. “And I’m so head over heels, flipped upside down, in love with him. He’s helped remove my fears to the point where, I don’t think twice about staying at his place overnight, and I feel comforted and safe from the weight of his body on mine, instead of the panic and horror that I used to feel.”
She smiled. “Even when I’m not making love with him, I just love simply being with him. I love lying in his arms and resting my head on his chest. Just simple things that I never thought I’d share with a man…”
“I’m happy to see that you’ve opened yourself up to those experiences.”
Simone looked at him. “We’re leaving in a few days. First, I’m going to meet Nick’s parents in Florida, where they retired some years ago. Then we’re flying to LA so he can meet my family.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Anxious, nervous, happy…”
He nodded. “Those are all expected emotions,”
“I feel like a teenager, bringing my boyfriend home for the first time,” Simone confessed. “But I’m looking forward to it.”
“Good,” the doctor said quietly. “Is there anything else on your mind today that you’d like to discuss?”
Simone paused and studied her manicured nails. “You know that I’ve been having baby fever ever since all my team members started families.”
Dr. Richards listened closely.
“I’m both wanting a child so badly, and terrified that I won’t be able to protect them,” Simone confessed.
“Simone, being a parent doesn’t mean that you’re invincible. Yes, you should do everything in your power, to protect your child, but we live in a world with people who do bad things. I have no doubt that both you and Nick will teach your children how to protect themselves, as well.” Dr. Richards explained.
“They’ll be shooting at six,” Simone joked. “And kicking ass at ten.”
“Probably,” he agreed.
She laughed softly. “Nick’s danger is what drew me to him in the first place.”
“I remember that your preference wasn’t an accountant or therapist.” He gave her a look and she laughed some more.
“I actually did need a therapist though,” Simone relayed. “Since Nick also has a degree in Psychology.”
The doctor smiled. “It helps that he understands the emotions, you’ve had to deal with.”
“I can’t imagine how emotional I’ll be during a pregnancy. I’ll probably age that man ten years,” Simone sighed.
“And he’ll enjoy every day of it, I’m sure.”
Simone closed her eyes. “You should see him with Laurel, Kent and Lotus’ daughter. He’s going to be such a good father, one day.”
“Along with a woman, who’s going to be a great mother…”
Lifting her lids, she smiled at him. “What about you? Any little Richards on the horizon?”
He chuckled. “Not yet, but we’re working on it.”
“Nick and I have been very cautious,” Simone relayed. “We both want to be sure a child is what we’re ready for…”
“I applaud you both,” Dr. Richard complimented. “I wish more couples would try to plan ahead for their family. Those types of surprises can be very stressful, when the parents are not prepared.”
Simone agreed. “I had to work on my trust issues, before I even considered bringing another person into this situation.”
“Do you trust Nick now?”
“With my entire life,”
Dr. Richards sat his pad aside. “Then I can’t wait to meet the little person you create.”
Simone stood and held out her arms. “I know that I’m not supposed to touch you, but…”
He got to his feet and gently embraced her.
“Congratulations, Simone. I think our time is done.”
She sniffed and stepped back. “We can still keep in touch, though?”
“I’d be hurt if you didn’t.”
Simone smiled through her tears and wiped her face. “Goodbye Dr. Richards.”
“Take care, Simone.”
******
Nick checked his watch, waiting for Simone to arrive at the shooting range. Today, they were hosting another graduation of a class of women, from her Center. Nick looked around at the festivities set up for the event, including a large tent, a podium, tables and chairs.
Usually, clients just received their credentials, but Nick and Simone had decided to do something special for the women who had been victims of trauma, and to also help create a support system for them, in their protection of themselves.
Frowning, Nick checked his watch again then pulled out his phone. As he was about to dial, he spotted her driving way too fast into the parking lot. He watched as she hurried out of the car and made her way toward him.
“You drive too damn fast,” Nick told her, as he lowered his head to kiss her lips.
“I was running late,” Simone said, out of breath from rushing. “I didn’t want to miss the ceremony.”
He took her hand. “Breathe…you’re not late. People are still arriving.”
She placed a hand over her heart. “Good, I went longer with Dr. Richards. This was our last session.”
Nick arched a dark brow. “How do you feel about that?”
Simone smiled. “Sad at first, but so happy that I’ve reached this point.”
“I’m so happy for you, too, baby.” Nick kissed her softly.
The two were soon caught up in the festivities, and Simone watched Nick at the podium, from her seat in the crowd. As the owner of the Range, he was in charge of presenting the certificates.
“Today, we are graduating sixteen from the Firearm Training Program through the Women’s Center. I’m happy to know that there are sixteen more women, armed and ready to protect themselves and their families.”
Simone smiled proudly at her man.
“We have to thank Miss Simone Jenkins, for initiating this project and for all the work that she does at the Center. Simone can you stand?” he asked, watching her.
Reluctantly, Simone rose from her seat and looked around, as the applause began. “Thank you!”
Retaking her seat, she smiled up at Nick as he continued with the ceremony, giving each woman a parting gift. They all thanked him with happiness and tears until the last award was given.
“There’s food and refreshments available. Please enjoy yourselves, you’ve earned it.” Nick announced. “Keep yourselves and your weapons safe.”
They all agreed, then the crowd dispersed to partake of the goodies, and Simone joined Nick at the podium.
“Great job as usual,” she complimented, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Nick stared down at her. “This is one of the biggest classes we’ve had. You’re doing a great job promoting the program.”
“I think word has gotten around that there’s this handsome and sexy instructor,” Simone teased.
He touched his lips to hers. “He’s not available, and his woman will kill you.”
“Damn, straight…” Simone agreed.
Nick held her in his arms and studied her face. “Are you ready for us to meet the parents?”
“Yes and no,”
“We’ve both already met them over the phone,” he pointed out.
She shrugged “I know, and I love your parents already.”
“They can’t wait to see you in person.”
“My parents are the same way,” Simone said, stroking his chest. “They probably thought I’d never bring a man home.”
She looked up into his eyes. “But I’d never met a man like Nick Webster.”
“It’s been six months and you still owe me,” Nick whispered.
“I’m working on that,” Simone vowed.
“Ms. Jenkins?”
They both turned at the voice.
“Mrs. Polk?” Simone asked, confused at seeing the woman who she hadn’t heard from in months. “What are you doing here?”
Nick released Simone as Jameka came closer. They both studied her as she rubbed her hands in front of them.
“I went by the Women’s Center and they told me you were here,” Jameka began.
Simone frowned. “Did you need shelter?”