Her Protector

by D. Camille

  Walking to the mic, he told the crowd. “Give it up again for The Blossoming Lotus! Isn’t she amazing? Melanated beauty and talent.”

  Lotus stood from her table as the applause began again and gave a wave to the crowd. She retook her seat across from a guy in an expensive suit who smiled at her.

  Kent got to his feet and excused himself from his group before walking over to where she sat. Lotus spotted him before he arrived and stood to greet him.

  “Hey pretty eyes, what are you doing here?” she asked giving him a brief hug.

  “Hey girl,” he returned her hug. “I’m here with some co-workers and imagine my surprise. I didn’t know you were a poet,” he teased with a smile.

  A throat cleared and both turned to the man sitting at the table. “I’m sorry,” Lotus apologized to him. “Kent this is Warren, Warren this is Kent.”

  Warren stood to his feet and looked Kent over. At six-foot two, Kent may not be the tallest of the Uncut Diamonds, but his skill with weapons made him as dangerous as them all.

  “Kent is an old friend and his best friend’s brother is married to my sister,” Lotus explained.

  Kent didn’t like the vibe he was getting from this Warren dude and waited to see how this was going to play out. “What’s up?”

  Warren frowned. “If you’re done with your reunion with Lotus, we are on a date.” Warren told him.

  Kent eyes narrowed. “You have a problem with her saying hello?”

  Lotus intervened. “Look Kent, it was nice to see you. Have a good night okay?” She put on a smile.

  Kent looked between the two. “Yeah, okay. I’ll holla at you another time.”

  “Thanks,” Lotus said and waited until he reached his table before retaking her seat across from her date.

  She turned dark, angry eyes on Warren. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

  “That was rude of you.”

  “No, that was rude of you. Kent is a friend and you have no right to act as if you own me!” she snapped. “This is just a damn date.”

  “So if some woman walked up to me and I jump up, hug her and smile in her face, you wouldn’t think that’s rude?”

  “I told you, he’s an old friend. He lives here in Atlanta, so it’s possible to run into him anywhere. He was just saying hello and like I said, you were rude and I didn’t appreciate it.”

  “Fine Lotus, I don’t have time for your antics,” Warren said taking a sip of his drink.

  Oops! Red light!

  “You know what Warren; we’ve only gone out a few times but apparently that’s been a few too many. Let’s just call it a night and both go live happy lives.” She stood to her feet and he quickly joined.

  “Do you think you’re going to walk out on me?” he demanded.

  Lotus shook her head. “I know that I’m walking out that door, and if you follow me…I might put a bullet in you. My father was a weapons expert so don’t try me.” Grabbing her bag, she headed for the door and Kent’s green gaze followed her. He sat watching Warren as the man took his seat again and finished his drink before ordering a few more. After the fourth drink, he threw some money on the table and walked to the door.

  Kent said his goodnight to the group and stepped outside. He looked around for any signs of Warren or Lotus before pulling out his phone. Pressing a number, he waited.

  “Hey Kent,”

  “Callie, I need Lotus’ number.”

  “What? Why?”

  Kent walked to his car. “I saw her at a club tonight with some dude and I want to check on her.”

  “You blocking?” Callie asked.

  “Girl, give me the damn number, all I’ve done for you.”

  Callie agreed. “Okay, hold on. I’ll text it to you.”

  “Now Callie,” he persisted climbing inside his vehicle.

  “Yeah, right now.”

  Kent sighed. “Thanks.”

  ******

  Lotus was so angry; she could barely see straight. How dare he embarrass her that way? What the hell was wrong with these guys? They were all crazy.

  Maneuvering the darkened streets, she shook her head. It was her own fault anyway. She didn’t even know why she kept dating them when she already knew who was the man for her, had known for years. Every time she questioned her vision, her mother assured her that she was right. Lotus still didn’t know how that could be.

  Her phone rang and she didn’t recognize the number. She’d thought that it could be Warren trying to apologize but the number didn’t register. She hit the button on the wheel to answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Lotus?”

  She frowned. “Who is this?”

  “It’s Kent.”

  Her hands tightened on the wheel. “Kent? Why are you calling me?”

  “I was worried about you. I didn’t like the dude you were with.”

  She laughed. “Well that makes two of us tonight.”

  “Are you okay?” Kent asked concerned.

  “I really didn’t know you cared,” she teased him.

  Kent frowned. “Don’t do that.”

  Lotus eyes widened. “Don’t do what?”

  “Look, I found a woman dead a few months ago. I don’t want that to be anybody that I care about,” he told her.

  Lotus sobered. “Sorry, that had to be really hard. I’m fine Kent and I appreciate you checking up on me.”

  “I meant what I said the last time I saw you Lotus. I’m here in Atlanta and if you need anything, all you have to do is call,” he promised.

  Lotus bit her lip. “I know.”

  “I mean I won’t eat your food or anything but other than that, I got you.”

  “Who said I wanted to feed you? Don’t your Momma still do that?” she said teasingly.

  Kent laughed. “You been talking to Trent’s ass. I got something for him too.”

  “Boy, everybody knows you’re a Momma’s boy. Trent doesn’t have to tell anybody that.”

  “Are you home yet?” Kent asked pointedly.

  Lotus pulled up in front of her apartment. “Who said I was going home?”

  “Where you going then?” he demanded.

  She shook her head. “Okay, since you’re like really tripping right now, I’m home.” Lotus took out her key. “Opening the door, going inside, closing the door behind me. Now I’m going to pee because I’ve been holding it all the way home. You want to hear me on the toilet?”

  “You could’ve kept that part.”

  “Bye Kent. Thanks for ‘talking’ me home.”

  Kent laughed softly. “You so damn crazy. Bye Lotus.”

  Before she could disconnect, he called her name and she froze.

  “What’s up?” she whispered.

  “Your spoken word was dope as hell…”

  Chapter 2

  Kent sat down to lunch with Detective Dennis Sanders. Dennis and Kent had attended college together and served on the Alumni Association Board.

  “What’s going on Kent?” Dennis asked taking his seat.

  “Nothing much Dennis. Thanks for meeting with me.”

  Dennis looked around the restaurant. “I see you’re big balling now.”

  Kent shrugged. “I do what I do.”

  “Well thanks for the lunch. Can’t eat here too often on a public servant’s salary.”

  Kent laughed. “It’s my treat so order whatever you like.”

  Dennis picked up the menu and began to look it over. “I was surprised you called me.”

  Kent studied the man across from him for a moment. Dennis was not someone whom he considered a friend, more like someone he had an acquaintance with through school. Dennis was the type of guy who liked to schmooze and hobnob with the wealthy.

  Kent took a sip of the glass of water on the table while Dennis continued to look at the menu. The waiter arrived to take their drink orders and both men ordered. After announcing he’d be back with the drinks and to take their lunch orders, the waiter disappeared.

&nbs
p; Kent looked across the table. “So, I wanted to ask about the case involving my friend Trent Harris. Have you closed that for good?”

  “We still don’t have any other suspects, but your friend has an alibi. He was apparently in a night club that night and seen by a bunch of people,” Dennis informed him. “Although, somebody up in ranks is not ready to close the case completely.”

  “Up in ranks, huh?” Kent asked casually.

  Dennis smiled. “Look, I don’t think we have anything on your friend, so he should be able to rest easy.”

  Kent laughed. “Oh, he’s not worried.”

  “I guess not. I hear he’s some kind of security expert?”

  “Something like that.”

  It was Dennis’ turn to study Kent in his designer suit and silk tie. “How do you know him again?”

  Kent smiled. “We go way back.”

  Dennis nodded and looked up as his drink arrived. Taking a sip of soda, he looked at Kent. “I save the hard stuff for when I’m off the clock.”

  Kent took a sip of his cocktail. “Yeah, me too.”

  The two men eventually placed their food orders and settled back for lunch. “So my friend Trent wants me to keep him updated on what’s going on down here concerning his involvement with the Marshall case. You think you could do that?” Kent asked.

  Dennis took another sip of his drink. “I mean; we are alumni so I could try to help you out…” he trailed off.

  Kent picked up on the subtle hint that he’d been waiting for. “He’d be very appreciative.”

  Dennis lifted a brow. “Well now, I’m not asking for anything.”

  Kent smiled and sipped his cocktail. “Of course not, there’s nothing wrong with a gift between alumni.”

  “As long as we understand one another,” Dennis added.

  “Oh, we understand each other completely.”

  Their food arrived and Kent picked up his utensil. “Enjoy your lunch Dennis.”

  After lunch, Kent returned to his office and made a note to call Trent later. He had meetings scheduled at work that filled his entire afternoon. He’d carved out time in his schedule to accommodate Dennis. Kent figured that Dennis was one of the dirty Atlanta PD cops simply because of his nature. Now he was going to use him to get to the rest.

  He needed to tell Trent that someone in the Department wanted to keep him on the radar. Kent looked up as Carla stopped at his door.

  “Are you coming?” she asked with a smile.

  All night long with you looking like that…Kent’s brained screamed as he looked her over in a navy blue suit with jacket and skirt.

  He stood from his desk and walked over to meet her. “I’m glad you didn’t start without me.”

  “That’s no fun,” she teased as they began to walk down the hall to the conference room.

  He laughed softly. “It all depends.”

  Carla turned to him. “Did you have a good time last night?”

  “It was cool.”

  “You knew the poet?” she asked.

  He nodded. “Yeah, she’s an old friend but I didn’t know she did spoken word. When I think about it though, I shouldn’t be surprised.”

  It was her turn to laugh. “What does that mean?”

  “Lotus is…different.”

  “Her poem was fire,” Carla complimented.

  He agreed. “Yeah, it was.”

  She slid him a look. “I wonder who she was talking about.”

  “Huh?” Kent looked confused as they turned a corner to reach the elevators.

  Carla smiled. “Clearly it was in reference to a man.”

  Kent frowned. “Nah, she’s just strange like that.”

  They entered the elevator and she looked up at him. “So when are you and I going to have some fun?”

  Kent sighed. “Look Carla, you’re fine as hell and you know it but I don’t do work hook ups.”

  “So quit.”

  He laughed. “Seriously, it’s too dangerous. I’ll put it on you and then you’ll be stalking me. All in my office, cornering me in the elevator and shit, blowing up my phone and sitting outside by my car.”

  She looked at him. “Really, all that?”

  He nodded as the door opened. Waiting until she stepped out, he followed behind her.

  As they neared the meeting room, she turned to him. “We’re going to have so much damn fun together Kent Baker.”

  Kent shook his head and found a seat at the table before it filled up. For the next four hours, Kent was engrossed in numbers, stats and trends. He loved his job as a Broker and had been fortunate to get hired at one of the top companies in the country. He still thought that Trent’s brothers had a hand in it, although they’d never confirm or deny it.

  Later that evening, after watching the sun go down outside his window, Kent decided to call it a night. Numbers were beginning to run together on the pages, so it was time to wrap it up for today. He stood from his chair and stretched before walking over to the window. Kent looked up at the bright moon surrounded by the stars.

  He turned to go back to his desk when a chill went down his spine. Kent placed a hand on his chest. “What the hell?”

  Shaking his head, he grabbed his suit jacket and put it on quickly. Grabbing his phone and keys, he turned off the lamp on his desk and headed to the door. Kent pulled the door shut when he felt the feeling again. Stopping in place, he looked at his phone and had the overwhelming urge to call Lotus.

  “Why in the hell would you call Lotus?” he asked himself.

  He walked out to his car and before he could start the vehicle, he felt it again. “Shit!”

  Kent took his phone out and reluctantly pressed the number to connect to her. The phone rang and she answered breathlessly.

  He frowned at the screen. “Kent! I can’t talk right now. My car’s stopped and I need to call AAA.”

  “Your car stopped?” he asked confused. “What’s wrong with it?”

  “Uh, I’m an anesthesiologist not a mechanic, which is why I need AAA!”

  “I mean is it a flat tire or what?” he demanded.

  Lotus sighed exasperated. “No, it just slowed down then eventually just stopped. I don’t know what it is.”

  “Why are you calling me? What do you want?” she asked.

  Kent started his car. “Tell me where you are, I’m coming to get you.”

  “I don’t need you to come and get me. I’m calling for assistance.”

  “I’ll come and wait with you. Now where are you?”

  Lotus looked out at the darkened street and gave him the location.

  “Stay in the car Lotus!” he warned. “Keep me on the line while you call for assistance.”

  Lotus frowned. “Fine, hold on.”

  Lotus switched over to make the call to AAA. She didn’t understand why Kent had been calling her but in a way she was glad to have him on the line with her until the service arrived. Her car had decided to stop on a deserted street with no lights and very little traffic. She gave the operator her information and location then clicked back over.

  “Hello?”

  “Are they on the way?” Kent asked.

  Lotus kept an eye out looking around. “Yes, why are you calling me?” she asked again.

  “The hell if I know but I’m glad I did,” he answered. “I’m almost there.”

  “And you say I’m crazy,” she told him.

  Kent laughed. “You are.”

  His laugh was cut short as Lotus let out an ear piercing scream.

  “Lotus!”

  ******

  Lotus looked at the man outside her window and grabbed her purse for her weapon. When he started pulling on the door, she dropped her phone and placed her gun against the glass.

  “Move away!” she screamed.

  “Lotus! Open the door!” he yelled.

  Lotus’ eyes darkened with anger. “Get away from the car Warren or I will shoot you!”

  “What the hell are you doing? Let me help you.”<
br />
  “I don’t want your help!” Lotus told him. “What the hell are you doing out here?”

  She took a quick glance around to see if anyone was with him. Where had he come from and where was his car? Dammit, why did she always attract the crazy ones?

  “Leave Warren! I’m counting to three…one…two…!”

  “You’ll want my help one day, Lotus! Believe that!”

  Lotus watched him run down the dark street until he disappeared. She could hear her name being shouted and reached for her phone.

  “Lotus!”

  She put a hand over her beating heart. “Kent, oh my god!”

  “What the fuck happened?”

  Lotus tried to calm her breath. “It was Warren. He was outside of my car!”

  Kent frowned. “The dude from last night?”

  “Yes, what if he was following me?”

  “I’m pulling up behind you,” Kent told her and she glanced up to see headlights in her rearview mirror.

  Lotus recognized that she was still shaking as Kent exited his car. He had his weapon in his hand and when he reached her door he looked down to see a still startled Lotus.

  “Open the door,”

  Shakily, she reached for the locks then Kent opened the door. He reached across her and unfastened her seatbelt before helping her out of the car. Lotus’ knees were shaking as she looked up at him.

  “You okay?” he asked with a concerned green gaze.

  She nodded. “He came out of nowhere. I don’t understand it.”

  Kent looked around the area. “I don’t like this shit. Come on.”

  Lotus was getting her bag and phone when the tow truck showed up. The driver came over to them and retrieved Lotus’ information. After asking her a few questions, he told them he’d look over the vehicle.

  “We’ll be in my car,” Kent told him and took Lotus’ hand. At his car, he opened the passenger side door for her and waited until she climbed inside.

  Lotus watched him walk around the car and enter on the other side.

  Kent turned to look at her. “You okay?” he asked again.

  Lotus shook her head. “He scared the hell out of me.”

  He took her shaking hand. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that dude again,” he promised.

  “What are you doing here Kent?” she asked looking at him.