Her Protector

by D. Camille

  Her Protector

  The Uncut Series Book 3

  By

  D. Camille

  This is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, places, and incidents are products

  of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real.

  Any resemblance to actual events,

  locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is

  entirely coincidental.

  Her Protector

  Copyright© 2017 D. Camille

  Sable SiStars Publishing, LLC

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without

  written permission, except in the case of brief

  quotations embodied in reviews.

  EMAIL: dcamillemaat@gmail.com

  WEBSITE: www.dcamille.com

  TWITTER: dcamille_maat

  FACEBOOK: Author D. Camille

  DEDICATION

  To My Protector…who is and always has been.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I would like to give thanks to the Universe for provision, creativity and power.

  To the Goddess Team for keeping me focused and on track.

  To all my readers who support me and my works, I appreciate you.

  Ase’

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Kent Baker sat in his corner office located in the financial offices of Merrill Lynch on Peachtree. He was a handsome, college educated, successful Investment Broker in his home city. Kent’s background had been that of being raised by a single mother with four younger siblings that he’d helped to care for as much as he could.

  He’d stayed in Atlanta, attending a local HBCU to complete his education and then had joined his best friend Trent, working for his brothers. At first, he’d been leery, believing that Trent’s brothers were the mafia and although they weren’t, they were damn close in his mind.

  He’d trained with Jordan, Sean and Ray for an extensive period of time thinking all the while he would either kill himself or be killed by them in the process. In the end, he’d become a trained agent prepared to handle any situation. His last mission had come unexpectedly, first finding a dead body then locating an unsuspected killer. His phone rang and he smiled as he answered.

  “What’s up dude?”

  “What’s up?” Trent responded.

  Kent turned to look out of the window. “Nothing, chilling in my office. Don’t tell me you have another assignment for me, because I’m still recuperating from the last one.”

  “I did all the damn work,” Trent told him.

  “After Callie made you call Ray.”

  Trent frowned on the other end. “I called Ray because I wanted to.”

  Kent laughed. “Well, he is the leader.”

  “I’m the leader,” Trent told him firmly.

  “I guess…when Ray’s not around.” Kent teased him.

  Trent paused. “I don’t even know why we’re still friends.”

  “’Cause I’m your dude. You know I always got your back. We ate off the same plate.” Kent reminded him of how the two had lived together when Kent’s mother had taken Trent in off the streets. “Now we got plates and bottles being served to us.”

  “Yeah, we’ve come a long way to where we are now,” Trent agreed.

  “For real though, what’s going on?” Kent asked getting back around to Trent’s reason for calling.

  “Calista’s pregnant,” he said happily.

  Kent rolled his green eyes. “Damn, congratulations. I know you want a whole village of kids.”

  “You’re just spoiled because you had all those little brothers and sisters.”

  Kent frowned. “Those bad asses? No I’ve learned that I don’t like a house full of little snotty nosed brats.”

  Trent laughed. “Don’t let your Momma hear you say that.”

  “She know it’s true.”

  “What are they doing now?” Trent asked.

  Kent shook his head. “Trying to still live off Momma, even though they asses grown.”

  “I’m sure you’re keeping them in check.”

  “Hell yeah,” Kent agreed. “Speaking of siblings…how’s your sister?”

  “Don’t start no shit Kent.”

  Kent smiled. “What? I’m just inquiring about your fine ass twin.”

  “So you want me, Jordan and Sean to kick your ass?” Trent questioned.

  “I mean, we already brothers…”

  “Shut the hell up Kent.”

  Kent turned back to his desk. “Okay dude, are you hoping for a boy this time?”

  Trent smiled. “It doesn’t matter. You know how much I love my girls.”

  “How’s Tara?” Kent asked about the little girl that Trent and his wife had taken in after her mother’s death.

  “She’s doing good, still adjusting to LA and living with us.”

  Kent nodded. “So with Callie being pregnant, is she not working on this thing with your father?”

  “Nah, I don’t want her anywhere near this. Not carrying my baby,” Trent informed him. “If anything happened I’d lose it for real.”

  “Where are your brothers at on this?” Kent asked.

  Trent sighed. “They’ve taken that one over and Jordan talked to Justin.”

  “What?” Kent sat up. “How’d he find him?”

  “He called on Jordan’s private phone,” Trent explained. “He told Jordan that he’s coming to LA soon and he’ll have information for us.”

  Kent put a hand to his mouth. “Damn dude, how do you feel about seeing him?”

  Trent shook his head. “I just hope I can control myself.”

  “Your brothers got you. They won’t let you pop off.”

  “They can try to stop me…”

  Kent sighed. “Dude, at least wait until you get the whole story.”

  “I know the story,” Trent said firmly.

  “Then let everybody else confirm it,” Kent told him. “Too many people involved Trent. You can’t just think about your feelings.”

  Trent sighed. “I know.”

  “See, that’s why I’m your best friend. I keep you from doing stupid shit.”

  “Whatever, I haven’t forgotten that I still owe you an ass kicking.”

  Kent laughed. “Don’t be so sure.”

  “I’ll keep you updated on what’s going on here,” Trent confirmed. “What’s up with the Atlanta PD?”

  Kent pulled a file from his drawer. “There’s definitely some dirty shit going on in the department. Shake downs, evidence planting and whatever the hell else. I’m working on it and once I’ve got names, we can make moves.”

  “Cool, that’s what’s up,” Trent told him. “I’m glad I didn’t give them any DNA when I was a suspect.”

  Kent blew out a breath. “That could’ve been a damn disaster.”

  There was a light knock on Kent’s door and he looked up through the glass. His green eyes glowed as he took in the beautiful woman on the other side. Motioning for her to enter, he turned his attention back to the phone.

&n
bsp; “Uh, Trent…let’s finish this up later.”

  “For real dude?” Trent asked. “I know it’s a woman.”

  Kent laughed softly as she entered. “Isn’t it always.”

  He disconnected the call as she took her seat. Carla Packard worked down the hall and Kent admired the view whenever she walked past his door. Five-seven, flawless chocolate skin with deep dimples. Her long, straight hair stopped just below her shoulder. Kent had mad love for the chocolate sisters.

  He smiled at her. “What can I do for you Carla?”

  “I wanted to invite you out with us tonight?” She smiled in return.

  “Out where?”

  She turned in her seat slightly. “A group of us are going to that new place down the street.” Carla smiled again. “And I wondered if you’d like to join us?”

  Kent knew the place she was referring to and contemplated her request. He’d had no desire to attend the little club that hosted spoken word and neo-soul. He much preferred places with poles and rap music.

  Sitting back in his chair, he looked Carla over again. She was a delectable little piece of chocolate, but his Momma had a saying…you don’t shit where you eat. Kent played around but not with co-workers. That shit could get real messy, real fast.

  “Do you have other plans?” she asked and he turned his attention back to her face.

  He nodded. “Actually, I do but if you want me to slide through later on, I think I can do that.”

  Carla laughed at his words as she stood. “Yeah, okay…you ‘slide though’ if you can.”

  Kent watched her walk to the door staring at her smooth dark legs imagining them wrapped around his back. When she looked back, he smiled again.

  “Have a good day Carla.”

  “You too Kent.”

  When she disappeared, Kent picked up the folder and replaced it in his drawer. After locking it, he grabbed his phone and headed to the door. Leaving the building, he walked out to his BMW M6 and climbed inside. Grabbing a pair of sunglasses, he put them on and took off into the bright sunlight.

  Kent drove through the Atlanta streets to a well-established neighborhood far away from where he’d grown up. He’d purchased his mother a house in this area when he’d first established himself as a Broker. Now with the money he made, he could buy the entire neighborhood.

  Pulling into her driveway, he saw her car parked and headed inside. When he entered, he heard voices and paused.

  “Come on Momma, ask Kent for me.”

  Vanessa Baker answered. “No, I will not. Kent works hard for his money and he’s not going to just throw it down the drain.”

  Kent’s eyes narrowed as he removed his sunglasses.

  “He’ll give it to you if you ask him.”

  “That’s why I’m not asking him,” she replied.

  Kent entered the room and stared at his younger sister. “Why are you asking Momma to ask me for money?”

  Her startled green eyes held his. “Because I need it.”

  “For what?”

  “So she can bail that boyfriend of hers out of jail,” Vanessa Baker inserted.

  Kent stared at her. “You got to be kidding me! You’re trying to bail a dude out of jail?”

  “They won’t let him out unless he makes bail.”

  “Then I guess he’ll be locked up,” Kent told her.

  His sister became angry. “You don’t even know why he’s there! You just think you better ‘cause you got a good job!”

  He stepped to her. “I have a ‘good job’ because I took my ass to school and worked to get it! I didn’t sell drugs on the damn corner!”

  “Kent!” his mother yelled.

  “I’m sorry Momma,” he quieted. “This doesn’t make any sense.”

  Vanessa agreed. “You’re right, it doesn’t.” She turned to her daughter. “You need to get that nonsense out of your head and focus on the school that your brother is paying for.”

  “I can’t just leave him in there,” she cried.

  Kent shook his head. “I’m sure one of his other women will get him out eventually.”

  Tears came to his sister’s eyes. “I can’t stand you sometimes Kent!”

  “Keisha!” her mother chastised.

  “I’m sorry,” she told Kent sullenly before leaving the room.

  Kent and his mother watched her go before she turned to him. “You two, you look and act the most alike.”

  Keisha was Kent’s youngest sister and they shared the same father. The other three siblings in between them, all shared a different father. Kent’s father had been incarcerated during the time his other siblings were born and Keisha was his welcome home gift to Vanessa.

  “Sometimes she acts so naïve, getting involved with these no good dudes,” Kent complained.

  Vanessa took a seat at the table. “The heart can’t be tamed.”

  Kent frowned. “It’s not her heart that needs to be tamed.”

  “She’s young Kent. She’s just going through a stage,” Vanessa explained. “She’s only eighteen.”

  “She needs to focus on school and that apartment on campus that I pay for.”

  His mother touched his arm. “Thank you for taking care of all of us.”

  Kent smiled at his mother. “You’re my family. I’ll always take care of you.”

  “Especially my favorite beautiful girl,” he teased her taking her hand.

  “You need to find a beautiful girl,” she admonished. “And have one of those sweet little babies like Trent.”

  Kent rolled his eyes again. “He and his wife are having another one.”

  Vanessa smiled. “See, you falling behind.”

  “Nah, I’m cool. I’ve got Keisha to take care of…she’s all the baby I need.”

  Kent kissed his mother’s hand. “Besides, you don’t want nobody taking your baby away.”

  She lifted a brow. “I don’t?”

  He laughed. “Don’t be mean Momma.”

  Vanessa leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You are my sweet baby.”

  “See, I know.” He kissed her back. “What you make to eat?”

  “There’s some chicken in there, with some rice and gravy. Biscuits are in the oven.”

  Kent stood and removed his jacket. “That’s why I love my Momma so much.”

  After having dinner with his mother, Kent decided to stop into the club to holla at Carla. They were co-workers and it would be rude not to at least show his face. Inside, he spotted the group at a table and approached them. He was greeted warmly before taking the empty seat next to Carla.

  She smiled over at him, giving him a glimpse of her dimples. “I’m glad you decided to slide though.”

  He laughed. “It’s the least I could do.”

  “A dude doesn’t turn down invitations from a beautiful woman,” he finished softly.

  Carla lifted a brow. “I’ll remember that.”

  Kent sat back. “You do that.”

  Lauryn Hill played in the background as the group conversed around the dimly lit table. Kent looked around the place and sighed. There were exotic flower arrangements that surrounded small votive candles on the tables. The room was packed to capacity with patrons sitting at circular tables that were strategically positioned in front of a dark stage.

  “You look bored,” Carla whispered to him.

  Turning to her, he shook his head. “Nah, not bored.”

  “This not your kind of spot?” she asked.

  “Not really,”

  Carla leaned closer. “Me either,” she whispered. “That’s why I invited you. I wanted someone who was fun to be here.”

  Kent laughed. “Wow, okay. Thanks? I guess.”

  “Maybe next time we can do something fun together?” Carla suggested.

  He leaned closer. “Like I said, a dude never turns down an invitation from a beautiful woman.”

  Carla gave a soft laugh as the emcee walked on the stage.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, Negus and Nigist, Gods
and Goddesses welcome to The Universe where all creativity begins.”

  Kent looked at the guy on the stage with his long locs in a ponytail. His Black Lives Matter T-Shirt and jeans hung on his lean body as he announced the first act. Kent ordered a drink as the ‘entertainment’ continued for about an hour. Looking at his watch, he was about to announce his intentions to bounce when the emcee began speaking again.

  “Now, what we’ve all been waiting for…the opening of our minds and the piercing of our hearts. We welcome to the stage…The Blossoming Lotus.”

  Kent watched as the crowd began snapping their fingers and humming. He looked around to see what was happening until his attention was caught by the woman now on the stage. Her ebony skin glowed and when she smiled, her perfect white teeth fought for attention against the large dimples that settled in her cheeks. Her long dark hair was in a curly twistout that framed her face like a mane and the African print dress she wore hugged her body’s curves.

  “Lotus…” Her name slipped from his lips on a sigh.

  Hesitantly Lotus placed a hand over her eyes trying to see into the darkened crowd. She could have sworn someone had called her name. Not being able to see anyone, she took a deep breath to begin her spoken word.

  “My word tonight is titled, “See”,” she said softly into the mic.

  Clearing her throat, she began slowly.

  “Your eyes are the windows to your soul,

  And when I pull back your curtains,

  I see myself in you…

  She paused.

  “Inside my own mind’s eye,

  I see beyond your surface,

  to the place where we exist as one…

  Looking out over the crowd, she felt a sudden chill as she continued.

  “Meet me in this space,

  Where we can create the magic,

  That only you and EYE can see...”

  She closed her dark eyes and lowered her head before the crowd went wild clapping, whistling and snapping their fingers.

  Kent sat still watching her until she straightened and smiled at the crowd. “Thank you,” she said softly. Waving, she thanked the crowd again before walking off the stage. The emcee grabbed and hugged her with a huge smile.