by D. Camille
“It’s like that, huh?” she teased.
“Yes.”
She sighed. “Did you really tell your family and friends about us?”
“When can I come and get some more hot chocolate?” he asked quietly.
Danielle deciphered that he was done with that conversation. “I bought four containers today, just for you, Kyros and Kam.”
He laughed. “I love a woman that’s prepared.”
“So, Kam and I would love for you and Kyros to come for dinner this weekend, if that’s okay?” Danielle asked.
“Let me see,” Khalil looked in the other room at Kyros. “Kyros, would you like to have dinner with Kam and Judge Baxter this weekend?”
The boy’s eyes lit up. “Yes!!! Can we?”
“Yes, we can.” Khalil turned his attention back to the phone. “There’s your answer.”
“Does he get that excited about everything?” Danielle asked.
“He really doesn’t, so that means he’s really looking forward to it.”
Danielle smiled. “Well I’m flattered.”
“He’s not the only one looking forward to it.”
“Now I’m flattered even more,” she whispered.
Khalil turned away from Kyros’ direction. “So can we do dinner on Sunday since I’ve managed to have Khayla and Lance keep Kyros on Saturday?”
“Yes, that can work.” She agreed.
“And can you leave Saturday open for us to do some inappropriate things?” he asked.
Danielle caught her breath. “Oh, yes I can.” Mentally she was already rearranging her plans with Toya. “What’s your favorite color?” she asked.
Khalil frowned. “Uh, I guess it’s black.”
“Good.”
******
“Lance, I can’t believe you told everybody like that!” Khayla complained. “What happened to this being our special moment?”
Lance shrugged. “Look Ma, Rion had just announced that Tauri was pregnant again, then Corvus put me on spotlight. What was I supposed to do?”
“Tell nosey ass Corvus to mind his own damn business, that’s what!” She yelled. “My mother called me so upset.”
He took her into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby. I guess I was too excited.”
“You’re excited?” Khayla looked up at him.
“Hell yeah, my Katydids is going to have our baby after all this time. I’m happy as hell,” he confessed.
She hugged him close. “I’m excited too.”
“All the Nigist are pregnant,” he said above her head. “That’s crazy.”
Khayla smiled. “There’s still room for two more.”
“I think that’s down to one.”
She pulled back and looked at him. “Corvus has a woman?”
He shook his head slowly and looked at her.
“My brother?”
“He says she’s the future Mrs. Lewis.”
Khayla looked shocked. “Who is it?”
Lance shrugged. “All I know is that he asked me if Kyros could come over Saturday and spend the night.”
“Spend the night? Out of the blue?” Khayla asked, knowing her brother was notorious about not having Kyros away unexpectedly, especially overnight.
“Your brother is about to smash the hell out of somebody,” Lance teased her and she frowned.
“He didn’t give you any clue who she is?” Khayla demanded.
“No and you know Khalil, he’s only going to say what he wants you to know. Plus, I’m scared as hell to ask him any more than necessary.”
Khayla shook her head. “I have to call him.”
Lance halted her. “Katydids, your brother is a grown ass man who can take care of himself. He doesn’t need his sister all in his business.”
“Lance, he could be distracted right now, with Melody in the picture and custody of Kyros. This woman could be taking advantage of him,” Khayla protested.
“Khayla, your brother has never talked about a woman the way he did tonight. His mind is made up and if you come at him sideways, you will get your feelings hurt…and then I’ll have to fight him, so let’s not do that.”
Khayla looked at her husband. “Okay, but if she hurts him…you’ll have to fight me.”
Lance smiled and kissed her. “You just focus on my little Katydids.” He placed a hand on her belly. “Let your brother focus on his life because he has more than enough on his plate right now.”
******
Two days later Khalil headed out of his front door to meet his mother who was arriving to watch Kyros while he went to open the Center for breakfast. Yesterday, Melody’s lawyer had dropped the case and Khalil was waiting until tonight to set a time with her. It was time to make Spencer to show his hand.
Braving the cold, Khalil met Assata at the driver’s door. As he looked around, he spotted the car down the street.
Watching closely, he assisted her with a hand. “You see the car?” Assata Lewis asked.
Khalil nodded. “Yes.”
“It was here when I drove up. Wonder how long he’s been sitting there?” she inquired.
“I’m going to find out. Come inside with Kyros.”
Khalil walked his mother back into the house, keeping a discreet eye on the unknown vehicle. Inside, Assata reached inside her purse and pulled out her weapon.
“Do you think he’s coming here?” she asked.
Khalil shook his head. “I don’t know. He may be waiting for Kyros.” Grabbing his coat and vest, Khalil went to his room and retrieved the weapon he kept in the house, he also kept one in his car.
“I’m going to drive away like I’m leaving, but then I’ll circle back,” he informed her. “Stay inside and keep Kyros away from the doors and windows.”
Assata nodded. “I’m calling Khalid and the police.”
“We don’t need them yet.”
She looked at him. “There’s no way in hell my only son is walking out there with no backup. You want me to wake up the Negus?”
He shook his head. Khalil knew not to argue with his mother. Assata Lewis was a force all by herself. “Okay, I’ll call Daddy from the car.”
“Lock the door.” He instructed.
She agreed and he disappeared out the door. Khalil got into his car and went through his usual routine, all the while on high alert. When he drove off, he watched his rearview mirror as the car slowly followed. His phone rang and he hit the button.
“He’s following you,” his mother’s voice came through the speakers.
“I see him.”
“Call your father now!”
She hung up and Khalil’s phone rang before he could place the call. He answered as he kept his gaze on the car trailing him.
“Hey Daddy, I was just about to call you.”
“Is your mother there? She hasn’t checked in yet.”
“Yes, she’s at the house with Kyros. I’ve got a tail this morning. He was waiting outside the house,” Khalil explained.
“What?”
Khalil made a turn and watched the car follow. “So I need you to go to house with Momma and Kyros, just in case he has a friend.”
“Are you good?” Khalid asked.
He looked in the mirror again. “Yes, I’ve got this. Call me when get to them.”
Quickly ending the call, Khalil began another route. He sent a quick text then continued to drive. When his phone rang again a little while later, he sighed. The last couple of mornings, he and Danielle had spoken on the phone while he drove to the Center. Actually the calls had become an extension of their nightly calls.
“Good morning Danielle,”
“Hi Khalil. Are you on your way to work?”
He glanced to make sure the car was still behind him. “Hey, I’m going to need to call you back.”
Danielle heard something in his voice. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m being followed right now and I need to stay focused.”
“Followed!” she yelled. “Oh my god! Did y
ou call the police?”
“I’m sure my mother has already.”
Danielle sat up in her bed. “What is going on Khalil?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’m just about to find out.”
“Where are you right now?” Danielle demanded.
Khalil got his weapon ready. “I’m at the Center. I’ll call you later.”
“Khalil. Khalil? Khalil!” Danielle jumped from her bed as the call disconnected. “Oh my god! Oh my god!”
“Calm down Danielle,” she said to herself. “Call the police. Yes, call the police now.”
Danielle dialed 911 and sent officers to the Pride Center. Sitting on the bed, she lowered her head into her hands.
“What the hell is going on?”
******
Khalil parked in the empty parking lot and waited. His father called and relayed that he’d made it to Khalil’s home and everything was safe there. His tail was nowhere to be seen, so he finally exited the car slowly and began walking toward the door. Pausing, he saw a man lying on the ground, in the cold, covered by a small blanket. It wasn’t unusual for the homeless to come to the Center, but Khalil rarely found them on the ground in front of the building.
When he heard the screech of tires, Khalil turned with his weapon ready. He heard the first shot before he was able to turn all the way and felt fire in his side as he hit the ground. The next thing he knew the man underneath the blanket jumped up and began shooting at the car along with him.
The car skidded in the parking lot and finally came to a stop. Khalil turned to the man behind him with his weapon ready.
“Malachi? What the hell are you doing?” Khalil demanded.
“Keeping your ass alive for your son.” Malachi joined him and helped him slowly to his feet. “I got your text.”
Khalil shook his head. “They’re trying to fucking kill me?”
Malachi looked at the car then at Khalil. “Looks like it. Did you get hit?”
He grimaced. “It hit the vest, but it still hurts like hell.” Khalil said lowering his head.
“I’m glad you were wearing it,” Malachi told him. “This isn’t a game now Khalil.”
“It never was for me,” Khalil answered as police cars began to fill the parking lot. “And now it’s all about revenge.”
Khalil and Malachi spoke with the police inside the building before the Chief arrived along with Brandon. They made their way over to Khalil and Malachi disappeared to check on some things.
“What happened?” they both asked.
“I spotted a car down the street from my house, he followed me here and began shooting,” he explained.
“We had several calls requesting officers at this scene. Are you okay?” Mac asked.
“I had a vest on and it caught one of the bullets,” he explained. “I fired back, so did Malachi.”
Mac nodded. “You seem in pain. Are you sure you’re okay Khalil?”
“I’m fine Mac. Who was in the car?” Khalil questioned.
“No identification. He took one of your bullets to the neck, and is in surgery right now.” Mac explained. “Do you think this was a robbery or drive-by?”
“It was a hit Mac.”
Brandon shook his head. “Kyros’ mother?”
Khalil nodded. “What better way for her to get him without me fighting her?”
“She must not know the Lewises,” Brandon said looking at him and Mac agreed.
“No, she doesn’t. Not well enough,” Khalil told them.
“Where is everybody?” Brandon asked.
Khalil looked around. “I texted them and told them to meet me at the house. I don’t want all my business floating around here.”
Brandon nodded. “Good idea.”
“Let’s get you back home,” Brandon told him. “Your staff is here now to serve breakfast and the police have cleared the scene.”
Khalil agreed. “I can drive myself and I’ll meet you there,” He told them. “This shit is out of hand.”
As Brandon and Mac prepared to leave, they watched the woman rush through the doors. She saw Khalil and ran over to him in her puffy coat, jeans and winter boots. To their surprise, Khalil hauled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
Mac looked at Brandon. “It’s the judge,” she whispered.
Brandon watched the couple. “Now that one, I would have never guessed.”
“A judge?” Mac said confused.
Brandon leaned down and kissed her. “Just as long as it’s not the Police Chief, I don’t care.”
Khalil lifted his head and looked down into pretty dark eyes. “What are you doing here Queen?”
“You didn’t call me back and I was going crazy. I had to come see if you were alright,” she told him.
“They clearly want me out of the picture,” he said angrily.
Danielle put a hand to his face. “Were you hurt?”
“I’m just appalled and angry as hell.”
“As you should be, this is ridiculous,” Danielle said with anger now in her voice. “I was so scared for you.”
Khalil held her close. “You shouldn’t have come all the way here.”
“Nothing could stop me.”
He took her hand. “Thank you.”
She squeezed his hand. “Do you think you’re still in danger?”
“Until I deal with them, yes I think so.”
“What are you going to do?” Danielle asked.
Khalil lifted a brow. “Exactly what they tried to do to me because… I don’t even call it violence when it’s in self-defense; I call it intelligence.”
Chapter 9
Danielle followed Khalil to his home where the group was waiting for him. He met her at her car door after she parked on the street. Taking her hand, he smiled at her as he led her to the house. His sister, was standing in the doorway as the two approached.
“Your sister?” Danielle whispered.
“Yes.”
Danielle turned her attention back to the woman who looked ready to give her the third degree. Khalil also caught the look on Khayla’s face and didn’t like it.
“She knows not to get crazy,” he told Danielle quietly as they got closer.
“Hey Khayla,” Khalil greeted his sister as he held the door open for Danielle. Khayla stepped back and allowed them both in from the chill.
“Khalil, are you okay?”
He nodded. “I’m fine.” He turned to Danielle. “Danielle, this is my sister Khayla.”
Danielle extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about you.”
Khayla took her hand then glanced at her brother. “Thank you Judge Baxter, I’m anxious to learn about you as well.”
“Please call me Danielle,”
Khayla nodded. “Can I take your coat?”
Khalil looked at his sister. “I’ve got it. You can tell everybody I’ll be in there shortly.”
He watched as Khayla lifted a brow at his clear dismissal and irritation. “Sure Khalil.”
“It’s nice to meet you Danielle,” Khayla said quietly before she left them in the hall.
“Let me take your coat, Queen.” Khalil turned to Danielle and helped her remove her jacket. He did the same before they both kicked off their boots.
“Are you sure this is a good time?” Danielle asked when they both stood.
Khalil kissed her still cool cheek. “It’s perfect. Let’s go.”
When the couple stepped in the room, silence greeted them as everyone saw the possessive hand he had on Danielle’s waist.
Khalil frowned and Danielle quickly spoke, “Hello everyone.”
Still in shock at seeing Khalil openly with a woman, they all looked at one another before stuttering greetings.
“It’s the fine judge!” Corvus commented and everybody turned to him. “This is your woman?”
Brandon shook his head and looked at Mac. “This is why I kept my mouth shut when we got here.”
“
For those of you who don’t know, this is Judge Danielle Baxter.” He glanced down at Danielle. “She is the Queen who’s holding my heart.”
Corvus was about to speak when his father stopped him. “Shut up.”
Inside the room, the Negus, Nigist, Khalil’s parents, Malachi, Christian and Mr. Shaw all watched the look on Khalil’s face as he continued to stare down at the woman beside him.
Rion stepped forward and introduced himself along with his wife. The others all did the same until Khalil’s parents stood before them.
Assata took Danielle’s hand. “First, let me thank you for not taking my grandson away from his father. Then let me thank you for putting that look on his face in the midst of all of this chaos.”
Danielle smiled. “Thank you Mrs. Lewis. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Assata squeezed her hand. “We’ll talk more.”
Danielle agreed and after Khalid hugged her, they all took seats around the room, with Khalil by her side.
“So this has quickly evolved from a custody battle to Negus business,” Khalil announced.
He gave them a complete run down of the situation and the events of the morning.
“You really think it’s them?” Christian asked.
Khalil looked at him. “I grew up in this city and I’ve lived here for the past three years. Everyone knows who I am and I’ve never been shot at. I know this has something to do with Melody and her fiancé. They want my son and I need to protect him at all costs.”
Danielle looked at Khalil anxiously. “Where’s Kyros now?”
“He’s at school, with a guard.” Khalil told her. “We didn’t want to disrupt his daily activity.”
She nodded and calmed.
“Here’s my theory,” Khalil told the group. “This was supposed to look like a drive-by. Another random shooting in the city where I just happened to become the victim. Most likely it would never get tied back to a custody battle, where we’d just made an amicable agreement to take things out of court.”
Mac agreed. “It wouldn’t look suspicious because it happened in the city. I hate when people come here to do their dirt, thinking they can get away with it because of the crime that’s already here.”
“It’s going to be hard tying it back to them.” Brandon told Khalil. “The shooter died in surgery. No other leads.”