“Never mind,” Creed continued, “get in here. You’re going to listen to what I have to say.”
“I think you said more than enough at my house and in the car.” This was Stefan. His voice sounded calm, but Takiyah picked up a note she hadn’t heard in him before. He was pissed. She wondered what they were talking about but then decided it was none of her business. If she could get out of Basil’s hold, she’d thrust him out of the closet and let him take his punishment.
Creed must have slammed a fist into the file cabinet. The roar of metal so close to the closet set her teeth on edge and set Basil to trembling. “Did you forget it was you who purchased this restaurant without consulting me?”
“Are you insinuating I can’t do anything without getting my big brother’s permission?” Now Stefan was being sarcastic. She prayed they wouldn’t come to blows.
“I’m saying you wanted this place, not me. Now you’re abandoning it—abandoning me.”
“Oh, come on, Creed. You’re starting to sound like a child.”
“Whoa there.” Damen’s voice this time, and from the strain, she had the impression he started after Stefan and tried to hold him back. “We’re not going that far, guys. Let’s talk calmly.”
“Damen, don’t tell me you agree with this asshole?”
“Stefan, stop. You don’t want to hit him,” Damen said. “You see that dent in the file cabinet.”
“Trust me. I do. I’m not a violent man, but I’m not going to be bullied anymore.”
“Bullied!” Creed roared.
“We’re not getting anywhere with this argument,” Damen said. “Creed, you have to accept sometime that he’s not a stupid kid anymore. He can make his own choices.”
“Is it his choice or his wife’s? I know it’s her dream. She refused to work here.”
“Heaven doesn’t work here either. We don’t have to be up each other’s asses to be a family.”
“So you agree with his decision to leave Marquette’s?”
Basil gasped, but the men were so busy arguing, they didn’t hear.
“For the record, I don’t agree,” Damen said. “I love working with both my brothers. But—hold on, Creed. Slow down. I said I love it, but I respect Stefan’s decision. He has to do whatever makes him happy.”
“Yeah, and what makes him happy is yipping behind Talicia’s heels like a good little puppy.”
Crack!
Takiyah and Basil both quaked. Basil was so frightened he let her go and scooted as far against the wall as possible. The closet wasn’t but so big. She doubted he’d get away should Creed come after him. From the scuffle in the office, something told her Creed’s target was Stefan. An explosion of sound rent the air like Creed had thrown Stefan against the door. Thank goodness it wasn’t the closet door because she didn’t think her heart could take it.
Something thumped the closet door, and she glanced down to see fingers just beneath the crack. Damen’s harassed voice sounded next. “Satisfied?”
Takiyah figured in trying to stop the fight, the other two had knocked Damen down. The outside door opened, and Duke spoke. “Can anyone get in on the action going on back here?”
Damen coughed. “Can you stop these two idiots?”
“Your wish is my command.”
Takiyah imagined Duke doing his catching of flying fists in the air. A tiny something stirred within her to see him halting Creed’s fist. The man was built like a Mac truck. Duke might break his own hand. Either way, the scuffling stopped.
Duke hissed. “Wow, those are going to be some shiners. Pretty.”
“Shut the hell up, Duke,” Creed ordered.
Duke chuckled. She imagined his smirk and that he probably pissed Creed off even more with it. “How about this? Stefan’s leaving. It’s a done deal. You won’t like it. That’s also a given. You can cry and bitch on Shada’s shoulder for a few days, and we’ll all go back to being one happy family. If you prefer, you and I can get smashed and start a couple bar fights to work out your anger.”
Creed swore. At least she thought it was him.
“I prefer the second option,” Duke told him.
He would.
“What do you say?” Duke said. “For now, let’s get back to work. Our guests will be here in minutes. First, you two fools need to clean up. The ladies will get wet seeing your shiners, but it’s kind of disgusting if you’re sweating like pigs over their food.”
He must have shuffled the group out the door. When it closed, and the office was silent, Takiyah let out a breath of relief. She realized her entire body was stiff and aching. During the fight, she must have tensed up. Behind her, Basil was silent, and she concentrated on willing the pain away so she could stand.
The closet door opened, and a cool breeze swept in. She screeched and looked up. Duke stooped in front of her, grinning with his arms resting on his thighs. “Lookie, lookie.”
“Bastard,” she groaned. “Help me up.”
He extended a hand and hauled her to her feet. She stumbled weakly and fell against his chest. When she righted herself, she looked back to find Basil holding out his hand too. Duke ignored it and escorted her across the office.
“Please entertain me with the story of why you were hiding in Creed’s closet,” Duke encouraged her.
She rolled her eyes at him. “Oh, crap. The gifts!”
When she found the gifts, she muttered thanks for no damage being done to the wrapping. Duke checked the hall for the all clear and motioned for her to come out. No one paid them any mind while they walked toward the kitchen. As they passed in front of the storage closet, a door opened behind them. Takiyah’s stomach knotted, but Duke rattled the storage closet’s knob as if they had just come from there. She peeked over her shoulder to find Creed straightening his suit jacket and brushing a hand over the lapels. Even from several feet away, she could see the bruise forming around his eye. White people. She didn’t feel sorry for him. As far as she was concerned, he was bullying Stefan, and his youngest brother couldn’t take it anymore.
Creed turned toward his office. “What the hell are you doing here, Basil?”
Takiyah pressed a hand over her mouth, but not missing a beat, Duke left her side to stroll back to Creed’s office. “I told him he could wait there until you got out of the bathroom. Looks like he’s come to grovel for his job back.”
“Why should I—” Creed began.
“You’re going to need an experienced waiter, cuz. He’s not much in the size department, but he’s strong.”
Creed bared his teeth in disgust. When Takiyah couldn’t help sneaking back just to see what would happen, she found Basil gazing at Duke like he was a god. Great, another fan.
“I guess I don’t have a choice,” Creed snapped. “You’re rehired. Get changed now.”
“Thank you so much, Creed,” Basil gushed. “You won’t be sorry. I promise, I—”
“Cut it!”
Basil scurried away like a frightened rabbit, and Takiyah, figuring the drama was over for the moment, went off to get her tables straight. She consulted briefly with Damen about the order for the presentation of the gifts and for final instructions. While she made last minute preparations, Duke sidled up behind her. He stood so close she felt the heat coming off his body, and he set his chin on her shoulder. She wiggled her shoulder to shake him off.
“Go away, Duke.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me why you were being naughty?”
She glared at him. “I wasn’t being naughty. You make me sound like a child.”
“Tell me. I can’t stand it.”
“Go away. I’m busy.”
He spun on his heel. “Hey, Creed.”
She squeaked and grabbed his arm to drag him back. He grinned down at her, and she wished she believed in fighting so she could belt him in the mouth. Problem was, his head was so hard she’d probably crush her fingers before he felt a thing. Looking past his shoulder, she discovered Creed wasn’t even in the dining roo
m.
“All right fine, but later. Okay?”
He looked like he would kiss her. She ducked away.
“Sure, you can tell me tomorrow night over dinner.”
“I have to work.”
He winked. “It’s arranged. We’re both off. I’m working the morning and afternoon shift. Tomorrow night, you’re mine.” His gaze swept her from head to foot and lingered in particular spots. Her body came to life, and she was thankful for wearing a padded bra today. Her hard nipples were hidden.
Before she could answer, he left her standing there, completely sure she would comply with his high-handed ways.
Chapter Twelve
Takiyah walked into Duke’s house with her steps echoing and emphasizing the fact that he still didn’t have a lick of furniture. She gazed around the living room and found that he had laid out a blanket in the middle of the floor. All around the blanket were lit candles, which flickered in the waning illumination through the windows.
She breathed in, and something soft and inviting warmed her all over. Either the candles were scented or he had sprayed the aroma into the air. Nice touch, she thought. Trying to hide her grin, she advanced farther into the house and left him to shut the door. When she reached the edge of the blanket, another smell tickled her nose—food.
“You cooked?” She glanced at him over her shoulder.
He winked as he usually did with that smirk on his sexy mouth. “Catered.”
“Marquettes?”
His eyebrows rose. “Is there any other?”
She laughed. “Y’all are so biased it’s not even funny.”
“Hey, I’m just supporting the family business. It’s only right.”
“Yeah, okay.” She hesitated. “I like this. Very romantic.”
He formed a bow that made her crack up again. “Men are far more romantic than women.”
“Boy, don’t make me get into a debate with you.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Sit down, and let me seduce you with my food.”
“Oh, all of a sudden it’s yours?”
“I chose what Shada cooked.”
“Wow, now I really feel special. Shada herself cooked my food?” She bit her lip. “Did she know you were asking for it for me?”
“Are you ashamed of me?”
“If she wasn’t ashamed to help you out, why should I be ashamed? That’s not my point. I don’t want complications at work. Contrary to how you act, I’m serious about not causing waves. I can’t afford to get fired.”
“Whoa, easy, baby. You don’t have to be scared of getting fired. I’ll protect you. Even from big bad Creed.”
She sank to the blanket and removed her shoes. “That doesn’t give me a bit of confidence because everybody knows you get in to trouble with him all the time. That night when you got arrested—” She broke off what she intended to say because of the ache in her chest. Whenever she thought of how irresponsible Duke was, it scared the crap out of her. She tried to convince herself to leave him alone because he was the farthest possible from her ideal man. Yet, she couldn’t stop wanting him—to talk to him, to joke with him, to have him touch her, and on and on. He was a force she couldn’t seem to fight.
Duke took off his shoes as well and stretched out on the blanket as if he were on the beach somewhere. He appeared to be completely at ease. Even with her obvious doubts about him, he stayed relaxed. She had to wonder if he truly was like that inside, or if he was putting on a mask like most other people.
“I know how far I can push Creed. He won’t give up on me.”
“Is that fair?”
He shrugged. “My cousin is wound so tight he can’t stand to let anything get out of control. Sometimes I do things just to rile him. He needs the excitement, the break from routine.”
“So all your crazy is for his benefit?” Her words dripped with skepticism.
He chuckled. “Thirty percent. Anyway, the point is Creed always had to be in control for his brothers. Always. Does that sound familiar?”
She glared. “Don’t even try to psychoanalyze me.”
He rolled over to his back and tucked his hands behind his head. “Okay, tell me more about you.”
“There’s nothing to share. I think I told you my father died, and my mother got sick. I had to take care of the family finances, and with Ed and his issues with his dad, I had that too.” She shrugged. “I’m strong, and it’s what I do, so—”
“So you can’t afford to let anything go off course.”
She clenched her teeth. He was right of course, but she didn’t see anything wrong with it. Hell, she began to see Creed in a better light. At first it annoyed her to think Creed was standing in the way of Stefan’s dream. Then she recalled how he’d said Stefan had purchased Marquette’s without telling him. The fact that Creed managed the place meant Stefan had dragged Creed into the venture. Creed must see the new thing Stefan was doing as the same situation.
A pain started in her temple as she thought of it, and she rubbed the spot. Duke reached over and tugged her hand away. He kissed her fingers then reached into one of the dishes sitting on a small low table. When he pulled out a tiny biscuit, she opened her mouth to ask about it. She had never seen anything like it.
Before she could speak, Duke popped the mini-biscuit into her mouth. She bit down without meaning to and moaned as she chewed. “Oh wow, what in the world is that?”
“What does it taste like?”
She tested the flavor on her tongue. “Honey, and maybe buttermilk. I don’t remember it being on the menu at the restaurant. Mmm, it’s so good.”
“Stop that moaning before I stop you from eating.” The intensity in his eyes shocked her. She licked her bottom lip and lowered her gaze, but she could almost feel his desire across the space between them.
“Can I have some more?”
“You can’t fill up on bread. I have other goodies. Shada is always testing various recipes and modifying the familiar ones. Every type of biscuit has been done before, but this one is just fun to eat.”
He popped two in his mouth, and she watched him chew. His full lower lip arrested her attention, and she couldn’t help staring. Duke caught her doing it, and his eyes twinkled with amusement. The man thought a lot about himself.
She raised her chin and openly took in the sight of him, from his handsome face to the hard muscles of his gorgeous body. He wore jeans that were loose enough not to restrict his cock but still managed to show it off. The way the material fell over his muscular thighs had her panties wet in a heartbeat. She craved him. Duke had claimed he wouldn’t let her eat if she kept exciting him, but she was tempted to do it anyway. The desire wasn’t all on his side that was for sure.
“Tell me about the closet,” he said as he dished out food for them.
Takiyah took her plate and tested the spice-rubbed southern fried chicken and tortellini pasta salad. She resisted moaning again and just ate a few bites, enjoying each slowly until she could bring herself to stop being a pig and get back to the conversation. “Not much to tell. I went to see if I could find the gifts Damen had bought for two of my customers. I heard a noise in Creed’s office and thought he fell or something.”
Duke interrupted her dialogue to snort before cracking up. She figured he was imaging the dignified Creed being that clumsy. When he settled down, she continued.
“Basil was in there snooping around and had knocked some pens over. I was in the middle of demanding to know what the hell he thought he was doing when we heard voices.”
“And you decided to hide?”
“No, that idiot Basil threw me in there.” Her anger rose again at the memory. She set her plate down. “He looks all scrawny and acts cute, but he’s strong. He held me down and covered my mouth—”
She couldn’t finish as Duke sprang to a sitting position. He’d still been reclining on his side, leaning on an elbow as he ate. When she said Basil held her down, murder entered his eyes, and his plate fell, a bit of the sa
uce spilling onto the blanket. “He fucking did what?” Duke growled.
Takiyah gasped. She set her own plate down more carefully and reached out to try to calm him. “I made it sound worse than it was. I think more like we both fell on the floor because we were scared. He covered my mouth, but it wasn’t painful. He wasn’t trying to hurt me. He was just afraid of how angry Creed sounded. We both were.”
Duke still simmered, but he looked less like he’d charge out of the house to go find Basil. She began to realize the fact that Basil was gay was the only reason Duke didn’t flip out more. In a way, the thought warmed her. He might be really in to her.
Stop thinking, Takiyah.
“Anyway, it wasn’t a big deal. Come to think of it, how did you know we were in there when no one else did?”
“I was in the hall.” He scrubbed at the spot on the blanket with a napkin. She brushed his hands away to do it herself.
“You weren’t in the hall. No one was around when we went in.”
“I mean after the guys went in. The bear commanded I stay out of that meeting with him and his brothers. I heard him say his office was unlocked. Because he was so angry, he didn’t think about the significance. I don’t miss that kind of thing. Ever.”
She shook her head, amazed. “But still that doesn’t prove we were there.”
“I heard you.”
“Now you’re going to tell me you have supersonic hearing? Are you a superhero?”
He grinned. “Yes, would you like to play with my cape?”
“I have no idea how that could sound dirty, but it does.”
They both laughed.
“You or Basil cried out. It wasn’t loud, but I happened to be nearer to the closet at the moment. The others didn’t hear it. I suppose it was fortunate because I was only there for an instant before I led them all out. I did so because I knew someone was in the closet. Since I wasn’t sure who it was, I thought I’d come back to find out on my own. If the bodyguards had gotten to you first…”
Her mouth went dry. “They’re kind of intense.”
“Exactly.”
“And you had that stupid look on your face.” She glowered at him.
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