Scandalous Heroes Box Set

by Latrivia Nelson

  Pam wiped a tear from her eyes, and pulled Belinda close. The gesture warmed Belinda to her toes. She had never been able to really discuss her feelings over Donnie and Blaine’s rejection. It had been too painful, it cut too deep. Plus, there hadn’t been any sympathetic ears in Georgia or anywhere else. The few girlfriends she had in high school were getting ready for college. She had been too ashamed of how her mom and the twins responded to her situation to tell anyone back home about her predicament, so she shut down all communications.

  If there was a penalty for loving two brothers, Belinda believed she had paid it in full. Not only had she lost her heart, but she didn’t have time to grieve the death of that relationship. From the moment her godmother allowed her to stay, she had been slammed into another world of religious fanaticism. Church three days a week and Sundays. She became her godmother’s chauffeur until she was too big to get behind the wheel. The day she settled in her godmother’s home was the last day the older woman cooked or cleaned. It was no wonder her two godsisters visited just once a year, and that was Thanksgiving. They sympathized with her plight but told her flat out they had no desire to spend more time with their aging parent.

  “I know it hurts and it’s been years. Last time we talked you told me you were finally dating again, does that help in any way?” Pam asked, still holding her hand.

  She nodded slowly, as her thoughts turned to her new lover. “Robert is nice. He’s older, much older, and has little patience for my boys. So you know that relationship isn’t long term or serious. He’s a nice sexual diversion every once in a while. I am not interested in anything serious right now with my dad being so sick.”

  Pam sat back and held her hand. “You’ve been through what every person in a relationship dreads, hurt and betrayal. You, Belinda Moore, are a tough as nails survivor, and I’m damn glad you’re here. I value your friendship and need a second pair of eyes on my back.” She grinned at Belinda, who was glad to be off the subject of her former lovers.

  “Ms. Pam, your other guests just cleared the gate and will be here in a few minutes,” Brooks said from the entry.

  “Thanks.” Pam glanced at her as she stood. “How do I look? Do I need to fix my face?” she asked, walking over to a nearby mirror on the wall.

  Belinda joined her. “You look great…like a woman in love. Hang onto to him and what you have with everything you’ve got. If he put that look in your eyes, he’s worth it.”

  Pam stared at her for a moment and stumped her foot. “See now you got me crying again and I need to be dry-eyed and clear-headed. I don’t know these women.”

  Belinda chuckled as she checked her face. It was fine. “Don’t worry. First off, this is your home. That means you set the tone. Second, I got your back. I’ll block the arrows and make sure you know where they came from. I’m used to your hard core, fix it now, attitude. If the people of Flint think you’re a pushover, then I want a ringside seat as you straighten them right quick.”

  Pam smiled and gave her another quick hug. “Be nice. Remember I had to battle with you to get what I needed for my clients, I know better than most who’s the tough chick in the room.”

  Belinda shrugged as they headed back to their seats. “Being a case worker in Social Services means you toughen up or go crazy.” She glanced at Pam. “I couldn’t afford to do crazy.”

  Pam chuckled just as Brooks stood to the side and three women, one Latina and two black, entered the room. “Hi Vianca, how’re you doing?” Pam asked, standing and reaching for the Latina.

  “Good, Chica, you?”

  Belinda watched the two women greet each other and could tell there was a genuine fondness between them. She took a moment to check out the other two females, who stood a little off to the side. Neither woman hid their interest in the house and were busy looking around the room as if they were in a museum or something. Belinda couldn’t blame them, the house was magazine worthy.

  “Pam, I want you to meet Denise and Cherise.” Vianca stepped back, allowing the two women to move forward.

  “Hi, I’m Denise and I am so happy to meet you. From what I’ve heard, Julio’s happy and that makes you a star in my book. He’s always been so nice. Now, if you could remind him of a promise to make me some cabinets a few years back, I’ll be your best friend forever.”

  Belinda pegged Denise to be in her late twenties, early thirties. She had a curvy build, mocha brown complexion, and stood taller than Pam by a few inches, so that’d put her around five five or five six.

  Pam chuckled. “Thanks Denise, you’ve got to tell me more about his cabinetry skills. I’ve heard things.”

  “Girl, Julio is the best when it comes to working with wood. You should see the cabinets he built for Ms. Connie, then you’d understand why I was so heartbroken when he left Michigan.” Denise pouted and then laughed. It made her slanted brown eyes sparkle in her heart-shaped face. She pushed wisps of her shoulder length hair from her face as she stepped aside.

  “Hi, I’m Cherise. I love your home, it’s large and warm,” the statuesque woman said, smiling. “And congratulations and best wishes on your marriage, I hope this chapter in your life is the best.” She handed Pam a large box that Belinda hadn’t seen before.

  “Thanks Cherise, I appreciate that,” Pam said, sounding genuinely touched.

  “School teacher on the premises,” Denise said, pointing at Cherise with a warm smile. “I forgot to congratulate you on your marriage and I should have, especially since my husband gave me carte blanche on finding the perfect wedding gift.” She stepped backward, picked up a brightly colored bag and handed it to Pam. “This is from my husband, Red and I. Congratulations, and best wishes to you both.”

  For a moment no one said anything as Pam sat the gifts on a nearby table. Belinda felt eyes on her and relaxed into the moment. Whenever Pam got around to introducing them was fine with her.

  “This is my friend Belinda. She moved here from Miami a month before I did. Our jobs crossed paths so often back then we just decided it’d be easier to be friends than enemies. That was five years ago, so I was happy when she called to say she’d be moving here.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Vianca said, smiling at her. “Pam told me you used to work for Social Services, I bet you have some stories you can tell.”

  Belinda nodded. “You’d be right. I did it for ten years, saw a little of everything. But I helped a lot of people, so it balanced out.”

  “Hi Belinda,” Denise said. “I’ve always wondered how that worked. I’d love to sit and talk with you sometime. My girls are getting older and I’m thinking about doing some other things.”

  Girls? Belinda wondered briefly about that but let it go. “Sounds good, just let me know when. I moved here to take care of my dad. He’s had serious back problems and hasn't been able to walk for a year. He wanted to stay in his home and he asked me for help. So my time has to be scheduled around his nurse visits.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Cherise and the others murmured. “I had a miscarriage a few months ago, it’s not the same as your situation, but pain is pain. My husband and I are still hurting. If you need anything let me know,” Cherise said in a sincere voice with a look of understanding that only those who had experienced devastating loss wore.

  Touched more than she could say, Belinda nodded. “Will do and thanks.”

  “Same here,” Vianca said as she sat in an arm chair across from the sofa. “My workload has lightened and I’m here in town more. We could do a lady’s night out or something.”

  “Are you dating anyone?” Denise asked Belinda.

  “I have met someone and we go out from time to time,” she answered hesitantly.

  “Oh, that means all of us are gloriously taken, so a lady’s night out would most likely include our men,” Denise said laughing.

  “As if Red would let you go to a club or something without him,” Cherise said, crossing her legs in her chair.

  “Ross wouldn’t let you go either,�
�� Vianca snorted.

  “And Smoke wouldn’t have anything to say about you going to shake your butt someplace without him?” Denise asked with a smug smile.

  Belinda listened to the friendly banter and met Pam’s gaze. These women were down to earth and would make good allies in a town where neither of them knew anyone.

  “Now Pam, I don’t know about your husband. I never saw him with another woman, but he is Latino. And Latino men are notorious for being jealous and possessive. So…I doubt he would be down with you hanging out in a club without him either,” Vianca said.

  “I’m a newlywed, and as much as I like you ladies, there is no place I want to go without Julio. Not now, probably not in the next five to ten years,” Pam said, leaning back in her chair with a cheeky grin.

  “Seems I’m the only one who can hang out without getting permission, soooo…” Belinda let her comment hang as each of the women sputtered and denounced her permission statement. When it was time for lunch, they all laughed good-naturedly as they headed toward the dining area.

  “Julio,” Pam called out, and the joy that laced her voice made all the women stop and look around.

  “Hey baby.” He took Pam in his arms and kissed her in front of her audience. This was Belinda’s first look at the man who’d stolen her friend’s heart and she was impressed. Julio Cardenas was serious eye candy. Dark wavy hair brushed against his dress shirt collar. He wasn’t as wide across the chest as either of her twins had been, but it was obvious he had a nice body. The way his biceps bulged as he held his wife confirmed her suspicions. When he finally allowed her to breathe, his sharp gaze took in everyone in the room.

  “Hello ladies, it is nice to see you here.” His gaze rested on Denise. “Hola Denise, where are your pretty young ones?”

  Denise strode toward him and drew him into a one arm embrace since he did not release Pam. “They’re at school. I’m so happy for you and Pam. Congratulations.”

  He nodded. “Thank you. I am happy as well. I waited all my life for her, and I am glad to have found her.”

  “Congratulations, Julio. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. You look good. Marriage does agree with you. You are lucky to have found your soulmate, someone who loves you just as much as you love her. I, no we, wish you nothing but years of happiness,” Cherise said, giving him a one-armed hug as well.

  “Thank you, I treasure your words.” He looked at Vianca and winked. “What are you up to over there?”

  Vianca batted her eyes and placed her hand across her chest in an innocent gesture. “Who me? Nothing. I’m just here for the food and laughs, Champ.”

  He frowned at her and then laughed. “I bet you drive my friend wild.”

  She laughed. “Of course I do. He loves it though.”

  Julio nodded and gazed at her. Belinda waited for Pam to come out of the cloud of passion and introduce them. Julio surprised her.

  “And you’re Belinda. Ms. Ollie’s former caseworker. I remember some interesting times when you and Pam wrangled over the older woman’s care. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.” He extended his hand.

  She took it as heat rushed to her face. Her relationship with Pam had been tempestuous at times. Pam always wanted more for her clients and pushed any and every button to get the maximum. Unfortunately, the services Pam wanted were under the auspices of the government with little flexibility. Often they’d put their heads together to find ways to circumvent red tape, sometimes they were successful like with Ms. Ollie. Most times they were not.

  “Yeah, your wife is a real pit bull when it comes to something she wants or believes in. Have you heard from Ms. Ollie?” Belinda asked as she stepped back.

  “Yes, she’s loving her new place,” Julio said.

  “She should, it’s the Waldorf Astoria of senior living,” Belinda said without thinking.

  Vianca and Denise broke out laughing. “Waldorf Astoria? Really? What do they have in that place?” Denise asked, her glance moving from Belinda to Pam.

  “You name it, it’s there,” Pam said, moving toward the dining room. Belinda was surprised when Julio walked with them.

  He shrugged. “It was the place of her choosing. We could not leave Miami until Ms. O was settled. She is special to both of us.” He gazed at Cherise. “Where is your little man? He is what? Two?”

  Cherise’s face lit up as she smiled. “Yes, just turned two and is a terror. He’s at daycare for half a day, Lenora’s in school. I didn’t bring him this time, I wanted to meet Pam first make sure she had a good impression of me before releasing my brood on you guys. But I’d like to invite the two of you over for a cook-out, nothing fancy, just some food on the grill and light company. But the kids will be there running around.”

  “Kids are fine, and it sounds like fun. We’d love to come,” Pam said, grinning. “I have a recipe for a carrot cake I’ve been dying to make, that’d be the perfect opportunity.”

  “Are you a foodie?” Cherise asked with way too much excitement for Belinda, who cooked rather than starve.

  “Yes, I enjoy cooking, it relaxes me,” Pam said as she took her seat at the table.

  “Me too,” Denise said. “The girls prefer my baking, but I love trying new recipes.”

  Belinda met Vianca’s amused smile. “Not me,” she said softly. “Not my thing. Smoke’s pretty good in the kitchen though.”

  Recognizing a kindred spirit, Belinda picked up her water glass and saluted Vianca.

  “Ladies, enjoy your lunch,” Julio said after placing a quick kiss on his wife’s lips. He nodded to them and left the room.

  Vianca watched him walk away and sighed, loud and long. “I don’t know which one of them has the best ass, Smoke or Julio.”

  “Neither, Ross has the best ass,” Cherise said before popping a cherry tomato in her mouth from her salad.

  “Wrong on all counts, ladies. Red’s ass is smackably delicious,” Denise said with a wicked grin.

  Belinda’s hand flew up to cover her mouth as she choked. “Smackably?” She groaned as they all broke out laughing. Oh yeah, this group of ladies were beyond cool.

  Chapter 5

  Donald tossed the pebble into the pond and watched the rippling of the water. After all these years, Belinda Moore was front and center in his mind again. The name tasted alien, even in his thoughts. He had always called her Lindy. His sweet Lindy had left seventeen years ago to visit her godmother in Georgia somewhere and then blew them off without a word or backwards glance. Many nights he had laid awake wondering if seeing him and his twin go at it that day in the park had scared her to the point she couldn’t face them. That didn’t fit the Lindy he had loved, but what else could it have been?

  The fight never should’ve happened.

  She had been honest and upfront with the two of them. He and Blaine had discussed the both of them dating her and agreed it would be okay. But no matter what she said, he always felt she liked Blaine’s easy going personality better. It seemed the places Blaine took her made her laugh more than the sporting events or the small jazz clubs where he took her. In his mind, he didn’t receive the same lighthearted responses. At that time it never occurred to him it was the places they visited that had created her reactions. He’d been blinded by jealousy that day he saw Blaine pushing her in the swing. Her joyous laughter reached him and the green monster went to work. Before his mind could process what to do next, his feet moved and he stood in front of the surprised couple.

  Not once did she turn on him, instead she smiled at him, inviting him silently to enjoy her pleasure. But at the time, he didn’t interpret anything in such simple terms. No. He saw another man bringing his woman joy and it pissed him off. Every conversation he and Blaine ever had regarding their relationships with her flew out the window. He had stepped closer to his brother and grabbed his hand to stop him from touching Lindy. Of course, Blaine took exception to his attitude and pushed him away.

  Equally matched, the pushing and shoving escalated to fi
sts being thrown and wrestling on the ground while Lindy yelled at them to stop. By the time they were too winded to continue and stopped throwing punches, she had left the park. His father locked both of them down the next few days, preventing him from going to her and apologizing since she did not answer his calls.

  After three days of lengthy lectures from their dad and Uncle Nate on the proper actions of O’Connor men, they were allowed to leave the house again. He’d driven like a crazed man to her home, where her older brother told them she had gone to visit her godmother in Georgia. He remembered she had told him of the visit but with everything going on, he had forgotten. With Lindy out of town, he and Blaine had their first real heart to heart on allowing women or anyone to come between them. Having similar tastes in almost everything, it wasn’t that surprising that they had fallen in love with the same woman, but the fallout was too great to ever repeat what happened with Lindy. From that day, if it appeared there might be a problem with a female, he nipped the relationship in the bud.

  “Why did you leave?” He whispered the question on the airwaves. More importantly, he wondered why she hadn’t contacted him, not once, in seventeen years. He had talked to her friends and no one had heard from her. Was she ashamed of the pregnancy? Is that why she cut everyone off? It boggled his mind that she had a baby, and possibly went through that alone. If only she had called, he and Blaine would have been at her side every step of the way.

  “Megan and Cameron are waiting for you in the dungeon, they said you told them to meet you there…should I tell them to go to their rooms?”

  Donald nodded. He wasn’t in the mood to play with the servants. No doubt they would be disappointed, but he never wielded a paddle or whip when his head wasn’t engaged. And right now his thoughts were in Michigan with a deceitful bitch. He threw another pebble.

  Donald glanced over his shoulder at Blaine, who spoke softly on his cell.