by Tiana Laveen
He shifted his gaze to the large painting of his father, framed in gold. He approached it and bowed his head in reverence. Dad was still very much active in the Rainbeau Knights, still sold out auditoriums across the country. He’d begun his sex therapy practice again, but had handed over the baton for the ‘good fight’. He and Mama had purchased a home in L.A. for the winters, but stayed in New York for the majority of the year. There was no place like home, and though Dad had a bit more silver in his hair, he was still the same Saint, the same man who’d taught him how to be a man, how to believe in himself and reach for the stars, how to treat a woman and be the best he could be. He placed his hand against the picture and read the words beneath it:
Dr. Saint Aknaten – Heart, Body, and Soul
‘And you will always be the heart, body, and soul of the Rainbeau Knights, Dad…’
“Come on back, man. We have an important case to discuss.” He turned and landed his gaze on Angel, who sat at the opposite end of the table, dressed to the nines.
“All right then, gentlemen, and my sister, Isis.” Laughter rumbled through the room. “Let’s get started, shall we?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
“I would like to know where all the lotion and baby oil is disappearing to in this house?!” Xenia stood in the middle of the kitchen drying her hands off with a long white towel. “Black and White” by Blackstreet played on the ’90s R&B station. Saint smirked and placed his finger up to his lips as he looked at Hassani. The boy was turning bright red and abruptly broke their eye contact to stare into his bowl of cereal. “Mama said while she was here, her Crisco kept disappearing, too. Now my skin looks like an alligator’s because I can’t even find a stick of butter to oil myself with. I’ll have to go to the store again! Anyway, I’ll be right back. Looks like I left my phone upstairs.” The woman marched out of the kitchen, leaving Saint and Hassani alone.
“Hey,” he whispered once he was certain the coast was clear. Hassani looked up sheepishly from his bowl of cereal.
“Yes?”
“Look, if you need lotion, ask me, okay? I will buy you some and when you start running low, let me know and I’ll get more. Your mother has no clue why it’s disappearing, and I know how embarrassed you get about this, so if you want to keep this off her radar, then let’s communicate about it, all right?”
The boy visibly swallowed, then nodded.
“She was pretty mad last week about the Bath and Bodyworks one disappearing. I doubt your ‘session’,”—He put the word in air quotes—“needed to smell so nice. Anyway, which lubricant do you prefer?”
Hassani wiggled about in his seat. “I … I like the baby oil best.”
“All right, baby oil it is. I’ll put a couple of bottles in your closet tonight, all right?” His son gave a nervous nod.
“I’m finished with breakfast. Can I go over to Angel’s, Dad?”
“Okay.” Saint chewed on his turkey bacon and chased it with a gulp of pineapple juice. “I’ll call you a Lyft. When do you think is a reasonable time for you to return? It’s Saturday. Your mother wants some family time.”
“Um, when does Dakarai get back from karate practice?”
“In about an hour. His friend’s mother said they may get some lunch though, too, so it will probably be later than that … maybe around two or three. Plus, since Isis is with them, it may take a little bit longer.”
“Is it okay then if I’m back around that time, too?”
“Yeah.” Saint shrugged. “Just make sure you’re back though.”
“I will.” Hassani got up from his seat, taking his plate to put it in the sink. Saint watched as his son disappeared out of the kitchen. It had become incredibly quiet—too quiet. Just as he was reflecting on the lack of noise, Xenia came back wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Her natural hair was piled high in a curly bun atop her head, and large silver loop earrings caressed her cheeks. “Heaven Help Me” by Deon Estus and George Michael played through the speakers.
“I can’t remember where I put my car keys, Saint. I don’t know where my purse is, nor my earrings. I’m losing everything today.” She looked around for the things.
He beckoned her over.
“Your earrings are already in your ears. Come here, baby.” She threw him a glance over her shoulder and then went and sat next to him. Lying across her lap on their kitchen booth, he took a deep breath and then another. He closed his eyes when he felt her fingers in his hair. He’d always loved how she did that. Her lap and her touch were his home…
“Xenia, I want to tell you something.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I love you.”
“I know you do, baby.”
“No, I don’t think you know how much though. It’ so easy for people to say, ‘I love you’ nowadays, but to truly love someone, your actions have to show it. Sometimes I may take you for granted. I don’t mean to, but I’m human, so it happens. The sacrifices you’ve made for me and this family… I just … I don’t know, it amazes me because everything you do comes from a place of unselfishness.”
“Saint, let me explain something to you. My love for you and our children is endless, but it’s not unselfish. I get something out of it, too. I get a wonderful husband, who has been good to me, faithful, makes me laugh my ass off.” He smiled at her words. “I get children who give me three more reasons to wake up in the morning and complete my world, all right? They make me feel good. You make me feel good. I get a natural high from being your wife and their mother. We’re blessed! Look at our friends and extended family. This is a give and take situation. My work schedule can sometimes be crazy lately, and yours too, but when I need you—you are here with the children when really, there are pressing matters at hand. You give a lot too, because you put me and your children, first.”
“I have to. You all are my responsibility, and I want to, because of the love I receive from each and every one of you.” He lifted his head and looked up at her, overdosing on her beautiful smile. “You are my balance, Xenia. You keep me in check with your love, not with ridicule.” He sat up and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and drew her close. Placing his lips gently against hers, he kissed her. They lost their breath as they melted into one another’s space in time. His nose glided against hers, and he held on tight to her, deepening the kiss until it touched his very soul. “The Queen always saves the King, Xenia. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about that. The Queen is the redemption and deliverance of her mate—that’s you. You were the catalyst that made me look in the mirror and accept who I am. Your love made me brave. You’re my salvation, baby. I wouldn’t be half that I am, right now, without you. I’m not perfect though. I’ve got a lot I could improve upon.”
“Saint, we’re all fighting something… I don’t expect perfection from you, I expect effort, and that’s what you provide, tenfold.”
“We’re all fighting our own demons, aren’t we?”
She placed her soft, warm palm against his face.
“Yes, we are, but we should try to be on the side of angels. Fools rush in where angels dare to tread,” she said with a wink.
“But, if you’re married to one…” He kissed her again and wrapped his arms around her waist. “If you’re married to one it’s easier, right? I bet you have a little angel inside of you, don’t you, baby?”
The woman chuckled, the sound airy and flirty.
“I don’t think so. I guess I’m a pretty bad girl. You might have to teach me a lesson, Dr. Aknaten.”
“Hmmm, well, Dr. Feel Good is at your service. First, let’s talk about your treatment.”
“My treatment?”
“Yes, you need to take a little somethin’… some medicine to make it all better. Vitamin D.” He layered her neck with kisses in between his saucy words. “If you don’t have an angel inside of you, do you want one? I’m just the man for the job. Let me prescribe you something … something that will take the edge off, something that will fill yo
u up and stretch you wide…” He wrapped his hand around her ass cheek and gave a hearty squeeze, causing her to burst out in a fit of laughter.
“Saint, you’re so crazy!”
“Crazy in love! Come on baby, gimme some of that angel food cake! You got two loaves of them right back here just sitting on the shelf collecting dust!” He gave her ass a double squeeze this time, causing her to wiggle and cry out in faux protest, her laughter growing louder at every turn.
“You are terrible. What am I going to do with you?!” Xenia leapt up and raced away, but he was in hot pursuit. She opened up the door to the basement, looked over her shoulder, and made a mad dash down into his man cave. Her steps echoed as she hurried down the stairway, not realizing she’d sealed her fate. Or maybe she did…
“Oh, you’ve fucked up now!” He stood at the top of the steps yelling down to her. “You think you’re safe down there, huh? You’ve entered the secret sex dungeon of a maniac! Ain’t shit down here but my prize collection of vintage porno movies from the ’70’s and ’80s, when pussies had fur coats. I’ll snatch you up and lay you across that bearskin rug, remind you who’s in charge. You fuckin’ with a savage, baby!”
“Leave me alone!” She giggled. “Go away!”
“You havin’ fun down there, baby?” He grinned wide and took a few steps down into his private sanctuary. “There’s plentiful alcohol to get you tipsy waaaay before noon. Mr. Dick wants to see ya, here kitty-kitty. He’s got his one eye on ya!” He heard the woman cackle in the darkness, and couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. He kept on down the steps, getting closer and closer to his pussy prize.
“I’m not taking any of your medicine!”
“Oh, you’re gonna accept this thrusting treatment and take this big, long ass pill, too! Believe that!”
“No!” He heard her frantic footsteps, making him all the hornier for her.
“Might be hard to swallow, but I’m sure you’ll manage … even if I have to force feed it to you.” He picked up her scent in the air.
“You’ll never catch me!” she taunted, hiding in the darkness but begging to be apprehended and fucked like only the good doctor could do her.
“Challenge accepted. You can hide the cat, but the dog in me will always find you! Cum out, cum out, wherever you are! Daddy’s home, baby, with a bone, baby!” He burst out in evil laughter as he spied her in the corner, a sexy smirk on her face and her breasts partially exposed. He stood over her.
“I’ve found you, Queen…” He offered a naughty smile and slowly unzipped his pants. “Now I’m going to show you what the doctor does to naughty sinners who tease and play with the Saint…”
The Devil whispered in my ear,
“You’re not strong enough for the storm.”
I whispered back, “I AM the storm…”
THE END
THE DOCTOR IS IN
Born in the black wings of Hell, where the fires swelled
The projects of the South Bronx is where I dwelled
The birth of Hip Hop set me free
The power of love created my ancestry
Korean and Egyptian, what an insane mix
Grew up around the junkies, pimps, and tricks
Halo on my head, pitchfork down towards my feet
Somewhere in the middle is where my story meets
Some choose cocaine or wine for their high
I chose to snort pussy, between a pair of thighs
Sex was my drug, and it paved the way
A broken heart and rejected, no one ever stayed.
Became someone I wasn’t, but yearned for more
Studied the hearts of women, that so many ignored
Men came to see me, sold out concerts in droves.
Fancy suits and cars, yet I was still alone.
Needed me a Queen, but how would we meet?
Gotta find my soulmate, so I can be complete.
Radio, radio, that’s where she is
A bona fide beauty, a diamond well hid
Played hard to get, like cloaks and daggers
California love met this New York swagger
Made love to her so good, the woman fell asleep.
A TKO, la petite.
Hunt. Mate. Procreate.
Never mark a woman that you’d love to hate.
I can tell the future with my dreams.
But nothing is more magical, than a Black Queen
Mother of the Earth, she birthed us all
We break her at the knees, but she still stands tall.
Xenia and I have been to hell and back
She put the Heaven, in deadly seven, she’s the female mack.
I’ve fallen under her spell, and she better not break it.
I lose control, when I envision her naked.
My heart belongs to her, my favorite girl
She supports me, and escorts me as I serve the world.
Hello, my Queens – this is a poem I wrote
Reread it several times, and don’t lose hope.
If a half Demon Angel Child can make it through
Then damn it, gorgeous lady, so can you!
A soldier trying to survive, found his love in these books
She’s a wonderful soul, so what if she can’t cook?
Donna used to hate me, but now the truth has come out
Fact of the matter is, she loves my potty mouth.
Lawrence is the balance, helps keep all of us straight.
My father watches me on Earth, my mom’s at the gate.
Krishna and James, I owe you my life
You live in my heart, next to my children and wife.
Beset, I won’t forget, we owe you the world
You helped bring life, to my baby girl.
To those that have passed, and those I’ve still yet to meet
Thank you for your presence, no one can compete.
To the Queens and Rainbeau Kings, you were born to win
And if you ever forget that, just know, the doctor is in…
Dr. Saint Aknaten
Head mothafuckin’ King Angel Child in Charge
Thank you so much for reading, “Saint’s Salvation.”
Did you enjoy this book? If so, then please leave a review. It only takes a moment and besides, Saint digs that shit!
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MUSIC INDEX
Those who are familiar with my work know how important music is to me as well as my characters. Saint is a character who loves classic hip hop, soul, contemporary jazz, neosoul, and R&B. Here is a list of the songs mentioned in this book. I recommend that you go back and re-read some of your favorite scenes, with the songs mentioned playing. It adds an entirely new layer to your reading experience, and you may discover some new music to enjoy. If any of these songs are to your liking, please support the artist(s) by purchasing a legal copy of their work.
Enjoy!
SAINT’S SALVATION PLAYLIST
1. Parliament Funkadelic – Give Up the Funk
2. Kendrick – Loyalty
3. Boz Scaggs – Dirty Low Down
4. DeAngelo – How Does It Feel
5. Sade – Your love is King
6. Michael Jackson – Rock with You
7. Jacquees ft. Lloyd and Rich Homie – Feel It
8. Jamie Foxx ft. Chris Brown – You Changed Me
9. Parliament Funkadelic – Sweet Chariot
10. Wiz Khalifa ft. Ty Dollar $ign – Something New
11. The Isley Brothers – Groove with You
12. Akinyele – Put It in Your Mouth
13. Beenie Man – Who Am I
14. Miguel ft. Travis Scott – Sky Walker
15. Moonchild – Be Free
16. Migos – Slippery
17. Montana of 300 – Busta Ryhmes
18. Trey Songz – Slow
Motion
19. Gourdan Banks – Keep You in Mind
20. LaBelle – Lady Marmalade
21. Ludacris ft. Trey Songz – Sex Room
22. Connan Mockasin – I Wanna Roll with You
23. Chris Brown – No Bullshit
24. Mya sung – Ready for Whatever
25. Alexander O’ Neal – Sunshine
26. Total – Kissing You
27. Teddy Pendergrass – Come Go with Me
28. Color Purple soundtrack – God is Trying to Tell You Something
29. Marques Houston – Naked
30. Tink – I Like
31. Ciara – Speechless
32. Faith Evans – Soon as I Get Home
33. The Spinners – Could It Be I’m Falling in Love
34. Nipsey Hussle – Picture Me Rollin
35. Remy Ma ft. Lil Kim – Wake Me Up
36. UTFO – Ya Could Wanna Be with Me
37. Leon Haywood – I Wanna Do Something Freaky to You
38. Faze O – Riding High
39. William de Vaughn – Be Thankful for What You Got
40. Gwen McCrae – Rockin’ Chair
41. Snoop Dog – Supercrip
42. The Game – My Flag
43. Jon B. – Are You Still Down
44. Ice T – Colors
45. Slick Rick – Young World
46. Twista ft. Trey Songz – Girl Tonight
47. Rihanna – Sex with Me
48. Chris Brown – (Fuck) Back to Sleep
49. Charlie Wilson – Charlie, Last Name, Wilson
50. Blackstreet – Black and White
51. Deon Estus and George Michael – Heaven Help Me
About the Author
Tiana Laveen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio though her soul resides in New York. She is the author of over 30 novels and lives inside her mind, but her heart is occupied with her family and twisted imagination. She enjoys a fulfilling and enriching life that includes writing books, drawing, painting, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.
Tiana Laveen is a uniquely creative and innovative author whose fiction novels are geared towards those who not only want to temporarily escape from the daily routines of life, but also became pleasantly caught up in the well-developed journeys of her unique characters. Tiana creates a painting with words as she guides her reader into the lives of each and every main character. Her dedication to detail and staying true to her characters is evident in each novel that she writes.