Driving Heat

by Day, Zuri

  “And now it seems you’ve once again teamed up with my mother, this time to keep me forever. Look how we’ve come full circle.” Sarcasm oozed through the phone line.

  “Our meeting wasn’t planned. We ran into each other at an event. She called me the next day, totally heartbroken that the town would find out what happened years ago. I know the two of you rarely see eye-to-eye, but she loves you, Cynthia, and has your best interest at heart.”

  “I believe she loves me, in her own way. But I’ve come to know a different level of love that allows me to see everything and everyone more clearly, including you and my mother. If her heart is breaking it is because of her interests, and the repercussions this news might have on her life. I’m still trying to figure out the angle by which a marriage between us would best your business interests, but I’m sure your desire to make things right between us, as you say, is not just about love or simply about getting to know Jayden. It’s about business, it’s about money, and it’s about your career.”

  “In our world, love and business are often bedfellows. I won’t deny that and neither would your parents, my parents, nor anyone in our circles. So when your mother questioned my plans for the future, I was truthful. I told her about my impending divorce, the desire to marry you, and the plan to become a father to the son I don’t know. It’s already been eight years too long.”

  “Stewart, I’ve waited that long to hear you say you want to be in Jayden’s life and will do everything possible to make that happen. But your being in my life is a different matter, and something that with everything else that’s going on I can’t even deal with right now. We can talk later.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yes, later tonight, I’ll call you.”

  “Thank you, my love. I’ll be waiting.”

  Cynthia ended the call and saw that Byron had hung up. It was just as well. He wouldn’t have liked knowing who’d interrupted their conversation, especially since Stewart’s ultimate goal was to insinuate himself in her and Jayden’s lives . . . on a permanent basis.

  44

  By noon the three-person search party—Byron, Cynthia, Mr. Carter—had all landed in Las Vegas. Byron rented a car and then immediately headed to the hotel where Douglas was informed Aaron was staying. On the way, they discussed the best way to approach the sullen young man who’d not returned Douglas’s calls and as of ten o’clock this morning had stopped answering his brother’s calls as well.

  “I definitely shouldn’t be the one who calls him,” Byron said, clutching the wheel the way he wanted to Aaron’s throat as he navigated the crowded streets of Sin City. “Maybe you should call him, Daddy. That you’re Leah’s grandfather isn’t a guarantee that he’ll be more respectful, but he might at least listen to what you have to say.”

  Cynthia, who sat in the front passenger seat, nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.”

  Mr. Carter took in the passing scenery as he rubbed his chin. “I don’t know about that. Leah didn’t call me back and that’s rare. It hurt my feelings that she’d treat me that way.”

  “Please try and not take it personally, Mr. Carter.” Cynthia offered a sympathetic smile. “Leah’s actions are all because of conflicting emotions and those she’s still grappling with regarding her brother’s death.”

  “I know. It’s just hard to see a child . . .” The man, who in the moment looked older than his fifty-five years, ran a weary hand over his face. He then sat up and clapped his hands together, as if the gesture could chase away his melancholy mood. “Never mind all that. We’re here to get my granddaughter and bring her back home. I’m here to do whatever I can to make that happen. Cynthia . . . tell me the game plan one more time.”

  Twenty minutes later, the trio pulled into the parking lot of the Downtown Grand hotel, located ten minutes from the strip and less than a mile away from the city’s famed Fremont Experience. However, none of them was focused on entertainment possibilities. And truth be told, Leah wasn’t all of their singular focus either.

  Byron dropped back to let his dad enter the hotel first, and remained behind to walk beside Cynthia. “What’s going on with you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When we met at LAX, I could tell you were upset about something. Don’t tell me Leah either. Because I know it’s more than that.”

  “I could say the same about you,” Cynthia whispered, before placing a smile on her face as Mr. Carter turned back to them.

  “Everything all right?” he inquired, looking from Byron to Cynthia.

  “Everything’s fine, Dad.”

  “As long as whatever you two are conspiring about is legal, I won’t press.”

  Cynthia stopped several feet from the front desk. “All right, guys. Just hang tight while I go to the front desk and see what information I can ascertain. I’ll be right back.”

  The two men watched Cynthia walk away. Mr. Carter turned to Bryon. “That’s a real nice lady right there.” Byron nodded. “By that look in your eye, though, I guess you already know.”

  Byron cut his eyes at his father before his lips twitched and a grin escaped.

  “Y’all got something going on?”

  “We’re friends.”

  “Uh-huh. I watched you at the block party, saw how you got a little perturbed when your brother pulled her away to introduce her to the neighbors. Can’t say I blame you, time for you to settle down. I’d fathered all five of y’all by the time I was your age, and basically adopted Ava.”

  “Yeah, well, thank God I’ve only got one so far.”

  “Yes, indeed, son. Thank God for that.”

  His father’s relief reminded Byron that he hadn’t heard from Tanya or his lawyer in about a week. As soon as this situation with Leah was over, he’d have to deal with a woman of whom his father had never approved about a potential child Mr. Carter knew nothing about.

  On the other side of the lobby, Cynthia’s credentials and position as an intermediary of sorts between her and the legal system had given her the access she needed. The hotel manager had confirmed that an Aaron Smith had indeed checked in and had been accompanied by a young woman who looked like the picture that Cynthia had showed her. While not providing their room number, she had connected her to the room via a house phone. Cynthia nervously tapped her nails on the table by the phone, praying someone would answer.

  The phone rang to the point where Cynthia was sure no one was in the room. Just as she was placing down the receiver, she heard a voice.

  “Yeah.”

  “Hello, Aaron?”

  Pause. “Who’s this?”

  “My name is Cynthia Hall. I’m Leah’s counselor. How’s she doing?”

  “How’d you get my room number?”

  Cynthia ignored the young man’s brash manners and stayed focused on the end goal. “I didn’t,” she said as pleasantly as if Aaron, also known as Redman, wasn’t totally out of line. “Once I explained the seriousness of the situation, and the very real possibility that Leah leaving the state might send her to jail, the desk clerk connected me to your room via the lobby house phone. May I speak to her, please?”

  “The lobby? You’re in Vegas?”

  “Yes, I’m in the lobby of the Downtown Grand.”

  Cynthia waited as the sound of muffled voices came through the phone. While not able to make out the words, she could tell from the tone that neither Aaron nor Leah was too happy about her surprise visit. They’d be even less thrilled to know that she was not alone.

  “Hey, look, uh . . .”

  “Cynthia.”

  “Yeah, Cynthia. I wish you’d called before you drove all the way down here because I could have told you that, uh, Leah wasn’t with me.”

  “Really? Then who is?”

  “I don’t mean to be rude, but that’s none of your business.”

  “And I don’t mean to be rude, but I think you’re a liar.”

  “Look, I don’t even know you. So this conversation is a wrap—”
/>   “I have news for you as well, Aaron.” This sentence came out as one long word, so quickly did she speak before he hung up the phone. “I did come for Leah, but I also needed to talk to you.”

  “What do you need to talk to me about?”

  “About the laws and statutes in the state of California, where at the age of seventeen Leah is still a minor, and under the guardianship of her mother. Now, I have managed to get Leah’s mother, Ms. Thompson, to hold off on filing charges, but if Leah is not returned to her residence within twenty-four hours, you’ll be looking at some very serious offenses.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? Leah is here because she wants to be here!”

  Amazing how certain words could make people invisible seconds before magically appear. “She may be here of her free will, but not with the permission of her legal guardian. Which is why if Ms. Thompson doesn’t see Leah by this time tomorrow, you’ll be facing charges of sexual assault. Because you’re more than three years older than Leah, this will more than likely be handled as a felony, punishable by up to four years in state prison. Now, is Leah still not available or is there anyway she can come to the phone?”

  After an hour of negotiations—where Cynthia convinced Leah to return to Los Angeles, Aaron to lose a bit of attitude and give Leah’s uncle and grandfather deserved respect and Byron not to turn the hotel lobby into a boxing ring—the two agreed to come down.

  Forty-five minutes after that, Leah got off the elevator. She was alone.

  Cynthia noted the tightness in Byron’s jaw, and the way his eyes drifted past Leah to the elevator. “Where is he?”

  She placed a calming hand on his arm. “Hello, Leah.” She forewent the more formal handshake greeting and enveloped the clearly confused, vulnerable, and frightened child in a warm hug. “Thank you so much for agreeing to come back with us. Your mother has been worried out of her mind.”

  “You knew she’d be worried. How many times have we told you to return calls, no matter what!”

  “Sorry, Uncle Byron.” She dropped her head as if contrite, but Cynthia didn’t think she was sorry at all.

  “It’s going to be all right, Granddaughter.” Mr. Carter walked over and placed an arm around Leah’s shoulders. She turned into his chest, and cried. “Now, now, you just get it all out. You’re safe and that’s all that matters.”

  During this exchange, Cynthia shot Byron a warning look. The look he returned didn’t give her much comfort. Still, she saw him try to relax before he spoke again. “Leah, where is Aaron?”

  “He’s not coming down.” Given his reaction, Cynthia was truly glad he didn’t respond to this comment. Her chin began quivering. “He said we can’t be together anymore until I turn eighteen.”

  The disgust with which she made this statement assured Cynthia that her assumption was right. Her client was angry, not sorry. Either way, she was in the lobby and going back home.

  “Everything works out for the best,” Cynthia offered. “Part of the conditions for your probation is that you finish school. Time apart from Aaron will allow you to focus on your summer courses and receive your diploma. Graduating high school and beginning college courses is the most important thing right now for you to do.”

  Leah was obviously not convinced.

  Cynthia gently steered Leah away from the hotel entrance and led them a short distance toward the bank of elevators. Once out of the hearing range of Mr. Carter and Byron, she placed her hands on Leah’s shoulders. “I know how you feel about Aaron. Every woman breathing, who’s past the age of . . . twelve, knows what it’s like with that first special crush, or kiss, or love. It took courage for you to leave the hotel room and come with me.”

  “He didn’t want me to. But he didn’t want me to go to jail and I didn’t want him to go to jail either.”

  “Leah, even though you’ve agreed to come back with us, you still violated the terms of your agreement and are not out of the woods. I’ll do everything I can to keep you in counseling rather than in jail. But from here on out, I need you to do something.”

  Cynthia paused, waiting for Leah to look at her.

  Finally, Leah did. “What?”

  “I need you to do everything you can to get through these ninety days, your summer classes, and to graduate high school. Before I go to bat for you . . . do we have a deal?”

  After a pause, she nodded.

  “Good.” Cynthia looked up to see the two Carter men watching them intently. “I think we’ve kept your grandfather and uncle waiting long enough. Let’s rejoin them.”

  “Can I ask you something first?”

  “You may.”

  “Can you and I sit together on the plane, away from Grandpa and Uncle Byron? They’re both so mad at me that I know I’m going to get it from them later. But I can’t do it right now.”

  “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you, so I have an even better idea.”

  They walked over to where the two men stood. “If it’s all right with you two, I’d like to take Leah out for a bite to eat, take care of some official matters, and bring her with me on a later flight. I promise to deliver her personally at Ava’s door.”

  Mr. Carter deferred to Byron, who gave Leah a long look before turning to Cynthia. “I guess that’s all right.” He looked back at Leah, who averted her eyes. “Stop looking at me like you’re three years old and scared of a spanking. Unfortunately, you’re too old for that. And even though I’m angry enough to get back to LA on my own steam, I still love you, Leah. Very much. Now come give your uncle a hug.”

  Leah gratefully walked into his arms. Byron looked over her head and winked at Cynthia.

  She winked back, and smiled.

  45

  Cynthia gave Ava one last wave before getting into her car and driving away. It had been a long, exhausting day, but a fulfilling one. It was moments like this and clients like Leah that was her sole reason for getting into what for people in her circle was a very unlikely career. When she’d opted for a degree in sociology it was because while she hadn’t decided on a career choice, this degree offered many paths: law, government, politics, advertising, business, etc. Upon graduation, she was leaning more toward advertising and marketing, which is why her choice for a master’s degree was business administration. It was during those lonely days and heartbreaking nights at her great-aunt’s house, when she felt completely abandoned and cried herself to sleep, that those thoughts changed. In those dark moments, she vowed to do everything she could to help other young women who’d dared to be human and make a mistake not endure a similar experience.

  Driving away from Ava’s home and reflecting on the day’s experience, more life-altering decisions were forming. Ones that would take her farther away from a life of privileged society but closer to her heart’s desire. Making these decisions would have consequences and benefits. But given all that had happened in just two short months, Cynthia was ready to face the ramifications and receive the rewards.

  Her phone rang. She looked at her dash and remembered the missed call she’d seen once taking her phone off airplane mode. Sooner rather than later, this situation would have to be dealt with. It was one of the life-changing decisions looming in her future.

  “Hello, Stewart.”

  “Hello, Cynthia. You sound . . . strained.”

  “It’s been a very long day, one that’s just now ending. I see I missed your call.”

  “Yes, you did. But I’m glad to hear your voice now.” Said in a way that at one time would have wet her panties. Cynthia refused to be sidetracked. She was thirty-one not twenty-two, and no longer a fool.

  “I assume you’re calling concerning Jayden. I agree that steps need to be taken to establish a relationship with him. It’s a busy time on my job, a lot going on, so why don’t we talk this weekend, say, Friday evening?”

  There was a beat of silence before he responded. “Sure, what time?”

  “Jayden and a few of his friends have a standing ove
rnight play date on Friday. It usually begins with dinner, so he’ll either get dropped off or picked up around six-thirty. I know that’s a bit late on the east coast, but—”

  “It’s okay. Call me at six-thirty. Until then my sweet C—”

  Cynthia ended the call in a way that was not sweet at all.

  As soon as Tanya walked through the door, Byron knew that agreeing to meet her had been a mistake. It was seven o’clock on a Wednesday evening at a brightly lit, highly trafficked, kid-friendly good old Micky D’s. Tanya was known for dressing sexy, but the loud red tank top showing more breast than it covered up was totally inappropriate for . . . well . . . any place public.

  Tanya was oblivious. Swinging ample hips that framed a butt round enough to give the moon competition, she sat down with a saucy smile. “Hey, baby.”

  Byron settled against his seat. “Why’d you come here dressed like that?”

  “What? Everything’s covered and that’s all that matters. I can’t help it because I’ve got so much sexy it’s spilling out of my clothes. You used to not have a problem with it.”

  “I wouldn’t now, except you’re my daughter’s mother, and therefore an example. What would you do if you saw her in something like that?”

  “I’d tell her she’d better appreciate what her mama bought her.”

  Byron shook his head. “Look, you asked to speak in person. I’m hoping it’s about the paternity case, so here I am. Have you set a date to get tested?”

  Tanya looked around. “Why’d you pick this of all places? All bright and loud and stuff. Let’s go somewhere quiet and have a drink.”

  “That’s what got me Tyra—someplace quiet, and drinking.”

  “I’m good, huh.”

  “I’m on the route early tomorrow, Tanya. What’s this about?”

  “Dang, where’s the fire? You suggested the cheapest place on Crenshaw and still haven’t offered to buy my food. You’re slipping, dude.”