by D. Camille
Everyone looked at Brandon and heard the ice in his voice. The Negus knew that when he took that tone, asses were on the line. George stood to his feet and placed a hand on Brandon’s taut shoulder then looked at Ethan.
“What he’s saying is that if you fuck up, HUD will be looking for a new Field Director in Detroit…”
Ethan looked at the group as they all stood to their feet and stared down at him.
******
Mac awakened to her alarm in a dimly lit room. Touching her head, she realized that the dulling pain had subsided. Slowly, she sat up and stopped the buzzing before she flicked on the nearby lamp. On the nightstand was another glass of water beside her medication and a note. Smiling, she reached for it and read it slowly.
Hey beautiful. I hope you rested well. I set the clock for you to take your medication since Khayla said you need to take it on schedule. There’s food downstairs for you. Hopefully the meeting with the Negus won’t run too late, but either way, I’ll be back tonight. I love you and I’ll see you later.
P.S. Take the medication now!
Mac smiled and reached for the bottle. Quickly she downed two of the capsules along with the water before slowly leaving the bed. Grabbing a robe, she headed downstairs and noticed some pots and pans on the stove. She wrinkled her nose. Brandon had cooked before he left? Damn, she needed to keep him around full-time.
Lifting the lids, she inhaled the delicious aroma and grabbed a plate from the cupboard. Mac took a seat at her table before digging into the meal. While she ate, Mac reflected on her day from finding out about Beverly Evans, to Patrice and then Tremaine. Ironically, it seemed that they were all connected in more ways than one.
Mac loved being an officer and the chief, but this situation was much more than she’d ever anticipated and it was taking every ounce of her energy. She was newly engaged and hadn’t had one moment to even contemplate a wedding or honeymoon with the incredible man who set alarms for her to take her medication.
What kind of life was she setting Brandon up for by agreeing to be his wife? She hadn’t needed to fall in love with Brandon, that had happened long ago without her knowledge. She’d only needed to acknowledge it and now Mac wanted to simply enjoy this wonderful man, but would her job ever allow her the opportunity to do just that?
Staring down into her plate, she sighed. Brandon liked to do things his way, and he seemed ready to deal with her life, but was it really fair to him? Mac felt a sadness and bit her lip for a moment. Maybe she’d been swept away in the fantasy and now reality was showing her the big picture.
Finishing her dinner, Mac returned upstairs to her bathroom and began to run a bath. After adding some lavender Epsom salts, she moved to the sink to brush her teeth and wash her face. Mac removed her robe and looked at the red wounds on her arm and side. A subtle reminder of her life and what she was asking Brandon to deal with.
Turning to face the tub, Mac leaned back against the sink and lowered her head. “Brandon…” Just the uttering of his name, evoked memories of his taste and touch. She didn’t ever want to give that up after experiencing all that he had to offer. Her eyes studied the tiles on the floor as she recalled the sound of her name on his lips and felt the customary tingles.
Looking at her painted toes, she wiggled them remembering Brandon’s mouth gently sucking on each one. She hugged herself for a moment as the smell of lavender filled the room. Gingerly, she removed her bra and panties as the water rose inside the tub. When it reached high enough, she shut the tap and slowly stepped inside.
As she slid down into the warm water, Mac sighed and closed her eyes. She didn’t know how long she’d sat there until she heard a familiar, sexy voice.
“When I didn’t see you in bed, I thought you’d left and I was going to be very upset.”
Mac opened her eyes and saw him standing in the doorway dressed in jeans and a T-Shirt. His green eyes glowed as he looked her over in the tub.
“I promised you I’d rest,” she told him.
“Thank you for keeping your promise.” He stepped further inside. “Did you sleep?”
She nodded. “I slept and I ate. Thank you for dinner.”
Brandon approached the tub and sat on the edge before reaching to touch her face. Gently, he lifted her chin, and looked into her eyes. “You look like you feel better.”
She smiled. “I do.”
He continued to study her tilting her face to the side. “You also look like there’s something you’d like to discuss with me.”
Mac looked away. “I hate that you can do that.”
“You’re so used to keeping things to yourself, I’m fortunate that I’m able to,” he told her softly. “What is it Mackenzie?”
Mac turned her gaze back to his. “I’m wondering if I’m doing you a disservice…”
He frowned. “You’re having second thoughts?”
She heard the pain in his voice. “Brandon, since we’ve gotten engaged I haven’t had one moment to think about planning a wedding because of my job. Hell, I even missed your fundraising dinner because I was in the freaking hospital!”
“It’s not fair to you,” she whispered harshly. “I chose to be chief.”
Brandon heard the frustration in her voice and moved to stroke her temple. “And I chose you Mackenzie.”
“I know that this hasn’t been the most romantic courtship because of both of our careers, but I promise that it won’t always be this way.” Brandon leaned and kissed her softly.
“We’re in the middle of some extreme circumstances right now and if we can make it through this, then everything else will be a walk in the park,” he finished.
Holding her gaze, he asked, “Will you hang in there with me baby?”
“I don’t want you to regret this,” Mac told him. “Or start to resent me because of my job.”
Brandon reached under the water to touch her body. “Regret loving this beautiful, sexy, brilliant and fearless woman?”
“I’d be a damn fool,” he told her.
Mac felt herself warm at his touch and placed her mouth on his. “Damn, I love you.”
Brandon began to explore her mouth in that way that only he could until her head fell back and he moved to her neck.
“Finish your bath,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Mac smiled. “I won’t be long.”
He returned her smiled with sexy eyes. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Brandon headed out the bedroom and laid back across the bed staring up at the ceiling. He needed this situation to get cleared up as soon as possible. Mackenzie was having doubts and that’s something he couldn’t have. If she decided to walk out of his life, there’s no way they could go back to being Head Prosecutor Williams and Chief Green, and the Tin Man would definitely not have a heart again.
Brandon knew that he hadn’t gotten the chance to truly show Mackenzie how much she meant to him. He hadn’t been able to take her on dates and do the little things together that lovers do, but he was committed to them and the future he knew they’d make together.
Not in a million years, would he have guessed they’d be in this situation with him running for Mayor, Mackenzie’s department issues and the whole Patrice involvement. Brandon had meant what he’d told Mackenzie in the bathroom, if they made it through this, they’d be unbreakable afterwards. He needed to convince her to hold on and that it would all be worth it.
Brandon was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn’t hear Mac as she entered the room. It wasn’t until she climbed over him and blocked his view with her beautiful face did he recognize her.
“Mackenzie,” he said staring up at her.
“You’re deep in thought,” she told him.
He nodded. “I can’t let you leave me.”
Mac stared down at him. “Baby, I don’t want to.”
Brandon gathered her in his arms. “I don’t even want that to be an option.”
He kissed her slowly, taki
ng all her thoughts away. When his hands began to caress her body, she pressed closer.
“Khayla says you need to rest so we’re not going to make love tonight,” he told her and she lifted her head.
“What?”
Brandon nodded.
“Khayla has lost her damn mind.”
He laughed. “You’ll survive.”
Mac sat up and straddled his body then placed both hands on his chest. “You know I can take it…”
“I’d like to know exactly how you would go about that.”
She smiled slyly down at him. “I know how to subdue a man.”
Brandon slid both hands underneath her towel to grab her bare ass. “You’re going to lock me down?”
“If I have to,”
He quickly turned them over until he was looking down at her. “I’ll remember that for another night.”
“Not tonight,” he told her.
Mac frowned. “Brandon…”
When he kissed her, she wrapped her arms around him. “The doctor’s orders Mackenzie,” he said moving across her cheek then up to kiss around her hairline.
Mac closed her eyes. “I don’t think that Khayla is even a real doctor,” she whispered.
Brandon laughed softly and kissed her again. “Be nice.”
“Nice?” Mac opened her eyes. “She just cut me off. Why would I be nice?”
“You rest tonight and I promise tomorrow night, I will let you take it any way you want it,” he breathed against her lips.
Returning his kiss, she moaned. “You should stop then, because I can only take so much.”
Brandon moved away slowly and laid on the bed. “Put some pajamas on. Ones that cover everything.”
“I don’t have any like that,” Mac said standing and dropping her towel.
He shook his head. “You’re so damn bad.”
“You like it,”
“Nah, I love it.” He corrected her. “Now put some pajamas on.”
Mac frowned as she turned to walk to the dresser. “Alright, see if I go put it on somebody else…” she said digging in a drawer.
She jumped as she felt his presence behind her. Brandon’s arm was like a steel band around her waist.
“What did you just say to me?”
“I said…” she began and he turned her to face him.
Brandon shook his head slowly as his green eyes hardened. “We don’t even joke like that.”
Mac looked up at him in surprise at his tone. “You’re serious.”
“Very much so Mackenzie,” he confirmed.
“Awww baby,” She hugged him close. “You’re always so reserved, I forget how really sweet you are.”
Returning her embrace, he said, “Please put some pajamas on.”
Mac laid her head on his chest and smiled. “Yeah, okay.”
Brandon moved back to the bed while Mac donned a short nightgown then joined him, sitting up against the pillows while Brandon looked her over.
“Come here, you sexy woman…” he said pulling her closer until she was lying back against his chest.
She snuggled closer. “Mmmm…this will do, I guess.”
“Tell me where I can take you after I make you my wife?” he asked nuzzling her neck.
Mac smiled and jumped up to reach into her nightstand where she retrieved her ring and placed it on her finger before turning to smile at him. “I sleep in it every night.”
Returning back to her comfortable spot against him, she stared at her hand. “I don’t know. Do you have any ideas?”
“The Caribbean, Hawaii, South America, you tell me.”
Mac pursed her lips. “I’m liking all of those.”
“You just want somewhere warm,” he teased.
“Exactly, why would I want to go somewhere cold?” She looked up at him. “Plus, I want to see that sexy body in the sun.”
She was rewarded with a soft kiss. “Where would you want to live?” he asked.
“In the Manoogian Mansion,” she told him naming the Mayor’s residence.
He smiled. “Good.”
“Babies?” he asked next.
Mac smirked. “How many? I’m thirty-two.”
“Not any of that Rion nonsense. He’s too damn old to be talking about five kids,” Brandon said frowning.
Mac laughed. “Two?”
He nodded. “That’s sounds reasonable. Since we’re both our parent’s only children, we know what it’s like to be alone. I would want our child to have a sibling.”
She turned to him with a serious expression. “Does it worry you to have kids with me knowing what my job is?”
“You would think it would, but I know that life isn’t guaranteed. It doesn’t matter what your job is, you still have to live life,” he told her quietly.
Lying back against him, she sat silently for a while. “Do you expect eggs?” she asked.
“Every morning.”
She smiled. “You have to earn them.”
“I will.”
“You know that confidence is so sexy to me.” She turned to him again. “That’s why you’re so damn irresistible. Most of the time, I didn’t know if I wanted to slap you or jump all over you.”
“I think I wanted you to do both whenever I saw you in your uniform staring at me with those pretty brown eyes,” he told her.
Mac moved closer. “I’m so glad you acted on your feelings. I don’t think I ever would have otherwise.”
“Why not?”
She flushed. “Because you were Head Prosecutor Brandon Williams and although at times I went toe to toe with you, I’ll always been in awe of you.”
Brandon stared at her, silent for a moment. “Wow, I’m so flattered.”
“Stop, you know you’re amazing.”
“I just never knew you thought so,” he confessed.
Mac sat on her haunches facing him. “Well you had enough women in this city falling over the pretty eyed prosecutor.”
He took her hand that held his ring. “I was waiting for you beautiful.”
“I’m here,”
Brandon led her into his arms. “This will be over soon and we can start our lives together.”
“How was your meeting with the Negus?” Mac asked.
“I have mixed feelings about it,” he told her honestly.
Mac pulled back and looked at him. “What happened?”
Brandon sighed. “Corvus made contact with one of Patrice’s old lovers and he wants to help get information on her.”
“Why do you have mixed feelings?” Mac questioned.
“The idea of using someone doesn’t sit well with me.”
Mac contemplated his answer. “Is he leading her on?”
Brandon shook his head. “They’ve been together before, so he’s basically stepping back into the picture to get dirt on her to help us.”
“I don’t want any of this to blow up in my face,” he finished.
“You trust him?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I don’t know him, Corvus has the connection.”
“Did you tell him what you need to bust her?”
“Yes, I made myself perfectly clear and if he deviates in any way, his ass is on the line,” Brandon told her.
“Well if he can get it, I don’t see what the problem is. Patrice is no damn angel and if one of her exes wants to help put her ass away, I’m all for it,” Mac said plainly. “Hell, I don’t even care if he drugged her to get it.”
“Mackenzie.”
Mac eyes narrowed. “What she’s done and the lives she’s tried to ruin, I don’t give a damn about Patrice Dansby and you shouldn’t either.”
Brandon looked away. “I know.”
Mac turned his face back to hers. “She’s hurt you before and she wouldn’t blink twice over doing it again.” She caressed his jaw. “You’re a wonderfully compassionate man and that’s why I love you, but her ass needs to go down.”
“Tell me how you really feel about Patrice,” he cracked.
“Oh I could tell you,” she said giving him a look.
Brandon put his hands on her waist. “That’s okay. I have the general idea.”
“Don’t try to save her Brandon, she doesn’t deserve it.”
He nodded. “I agree baby and I’d never let her hurt you.”
“I hope he finds something to bury her ass so deep that she can never resurface,” Mac said angrily.
******
Patrice answered her door with a sexy smile. Ethan stood on the other side with a bottle of Hennessy in his hands.
“I brought the drinks,” he said holding up the bottle.
“I see,” she smiled some more. “Come on in.”
Ethan entered then leaned down and kissed her. “You look good girl.”
Patrice struck a pose in her matching satin robe and nightie. “I had to show you what you been missing.”
“Oh I know,” he told her looking her over.
She led him inside and offered him a seat while she went to retrieve some glasses. Ethan looked around the room while she was in the kitchen. Brandon had given him explicit information on what he needed to prosecute Patrice.
She returned with a smile and two glasses. Ethan stood and took the items before sitting them down and filling them with the liquor. Smiling, he handed one to her then took one for himself before Patrice sat back on the sofa and took a sip.
“What made you look me up?” she asked.
Ethan sipped his drink. “You know you’re unforgettable baby. I told you I’ve been busy.” He smiled. “I see you have been too. Running for mayor? Damn girl.”
Patrice smiled to herself. “Yeah, it’s something I’ve always wanted and I always get what I want.”
“I understand that Brandon Williams has joined the race,” Ethan commented.
“He won’t be around at the end,” Patrice said with confidence.
Ethan lifted a brow. “You sound real confident.”
She took another sip. “Some things you just know.”
“Do your thing baby,” he told her then gave her a sexy look. “Are we going to be interrupted by your phone tonight?”
Patrice moved closer. “No, I’ve got that under control tonight.”