Her Protector

by D. Camille

  With his weapon in ready mode, Kent approached the car as a dark vehicle pulled up beside him. Lotus watched as the agent from the hospital jumped out.

  “You okay?”

  Kent nodded as he reached the door of the crashed vehicle. Throwing open the door, he reached inside and checked the pulse of the driver who had a bullet wound to the back of his head.

  “He’s dead.” Kent announced.

  “He came out of nowhere,” the agent commented. “How’d you see him?”

  “I heard the engine rev up, then I saw him headed towards us,” Kent explained with narrowed eyes. “I hit the tires first then the driver.”

  The agent held out his hand. “Give me your weapon. I’ll handle this with the police.”

  Kent nodded and the two men exchanged guns. “Find out who he is,” Kent instructed.

  Lotus stood watching in shock as the angry green-eyed man approached. He stopped in front of her. “Are you okay?”

  “What happened?” she asked shakily.

  Kent enfolded her. “It’s okay. Let’s get out of here.” Quickly, he led her to the car and helped her inside, just as the police began to arrive on the scene.

  Lotus looked out of the window as they drove past the flashing lights and sirens. When they were a distance away, she turned to him.

  “Do you think I need to know now?”

  ******

  Trent parked his car in the driveway of the sprawling estate. Unfolding his tall frame from the vehicle, he stood and looked around the neatly manicured grass. He walked slowly to the door and was greeted by a maid.

  “I’m here to see Erik Hanson.” Trent announced.

  She allowed him inside. “May I tell him who is here?”

  “Trent Harris.”

  She nodded. “Please wait right here.”

  Trent agreed and watched her walk away. She returned a few minutes later and ushered him down a long hall to a large library.

  “Mr. Hanson will be right with you.”

  “Thank you.” Trent scanned the room then walked over to stand near the window, facing the door. He’d surprised Erik with this visit, but wouldn’t have any surprises of his own. Although, Erik Hanson didn’t seem to present a physical threat, Trent didn’t take chances.

  When Erik entered the room, the two men stared at one another. “Mr. Harris, what a surprise?”

  “I thought I’d come and give you some information, since you like to pay for it,” Trent told him.

  Erik’s eyes widened for a moment. “What are you talking about?”

  Trent smiled. “See, I have friends in Atlanta as well and they don’t take kindly to people trying to investigate me.”

  The two men once again stare at each other.

  “Nothing to say?” Trent questioned and Erik remained silent. “Cool, you can just listen.”

  “You need to take your loss like a man before you get caught up in something that you know nothing about. Your daughter is running the company better than you ever did and you should be supporting her, instead of trying to get some type of revenge on me.”

  Erik looked angry. “That’s my company.”

  “Actually it was your father’s company, and if you’d cared about it so much, you wouldn’t have nearly run it into the ground to satisfy your lavish tastes.” Trent looked around the massive library filled with expensive volumes.

  “You don’t know anything about me.”

  Trent smiled. “I say that all the time, but people never believe me.”

  Erik watched as Trent walked towards him then stopped and looked down at him. “Tell the Watsons and the Hardings, that the bomb is ticking…”

  “And I’m the one that’s going to set it off.”

  Erik stepped back. “Good bye Mr. Harris.”

  Trent nodded slowly. “Have a good day, Erik.”

  Erik watched Trent leave the room and stood rooted to the spot for several minutes. When his heart was under control, he moved to his desk and picked up the phone, dialing a number. He needed help…

  ******

  Kent sat in Lotus’ living room while she showered. He needed to talk to Sean and get updated on exactly what had gone down tonight. With Sean on the line, they debriefed.

  “How is Lotus?” Sean asked.

  Kent scratched his head. “She’s okay. She wants to know what the hell is going on.”

  “How much have you told her?” Sean questioned.

  “I’ve been evasive as hell, but Lotus is smart and persistent. I have to tell her everything.”

  “You have to?”

  Kent sighed. “I want to Sean.”

  Sean paused. “For her safety?”

  “For her safety and because I want her to know who I am.”

  “Lily and Lavender worried about her knowing everything since we’re not in Atlanta with her.”

  “I’m here,” Kent said firmly.

  “Okay, Kent. I’m going to let this be your call, just know that if your feelings change…we’re going to have one less Uncut Diamond.”

  “I’m not going anywhere Sean.”

  “We need to get her out of here for now,” Sean told him.

  Kent sighed. “I know.”

  “Although, tonight’s incident was directed towards you,” Sean informed him. “The agent gave the police the story, inserting himself in your place and the driver was identified as a local man for hire.”

  “We checked him out and he’s associated with Dennis Sanders,” Sean finished. “Dennis may have ordered this hit before he died.”

  Green eyes narrowed. “They’ve really underestimated me.”

  “To them you’re an investment broker.”

  Kent glanced around the room. “This plan with the Hardings…”

  “There are some sharks we need to get first, then you can have the guppies.” Sean told him.

  “Okay, I’m with it.” Kent agreed. “I should check on Lotus.”

  “Tell her Lily will be calling in the morning to make arrangements.”

  Reluctantly, Kent got to his feet. “Yeah, I’ll tell her.”

  The men ended the call and Kent walked slowly into Lotus’ bedroom. He found her lying on her stomach with her towel still wrapped around her body. Her head was cradled by her arms and her chocolate legs beckoned his touch.

  Kent took a seat on the edge of the bed. “You okay baby?” he asked.

  “I’m scared,” she told him softly.

  Placing a hand on her back, he rubbed gently. “Don’t be scared little Momma.”

  Leaning down, he kissed her bare shoulder. “Nothing’s going to happen to you.”

  “Not for me, for you…”

  “I can take care of myself,” he soothed.

  Lotus turned over and looked at him. “I watched you shoot a man and not blink, so I know it wasn’t your first time.”

  Kent touched her face. “No, it wasn’t.”

  “Who are you Kent?”

  His gaze held hers. “If I tell you, I can never leave you.”

  “Do you want to tell me?” she whispered.

  Kent kissed her gently. “Yes, because I never want to leave you.”

  Chapter 15

  Kent awakened as usual before sunrise and looked over at the woman lying next to him. She was sweet, she was beautiful and she had him totally ensnared to the point where he couldn’t imagine not being with her.

  Kent still wasn’t sure exactly how it happened, but it had…and that’s all that mattered. Lotus had called him and now he answered only to her. Of course, he would never tell Trent that because he’d clown his ass until the end of time.

  But that’s exactly what had happened, Lotus had cast her spell on him and as much as she denied it, in his mind it was true. She lured him in with coconut smelling skin and sexy dimples then she’d taken his mind, and now his heart captive.

  The mere thought of losing Lotus sent him into a panic attack of catastrophic proportions, something that he’d never experienced
before in his life.

  “Why do you wake up so early and what are you thinking about?” Lotus’ sleepy voice asked, bringing his focus back to her.

  “I’m thinking about you,” he answered.

  “Trying to figure out how to get away from me?” she teased.

  Kent touched her warm cheek. “Trying to figure out how to never let you get away.”

  Lotus placed her hand over his. “Just be honest and kind to me.”

  “I’ll always do that,” he promised before leaning down to kiss her lips.

  She smiled. “Now why are you always up so early?”

  Kent leaned back against the headboard. “I’m accustomed to waking up while it’s still dark. My momma used to work the early shift, and I’d get up and walk her to the bus stop to make sure she was safe. Then I’d come back and get the kids ready for school.”

  Lotus watched him closely. “You had a lot of responsibility.”

  He shrugged. “I was the man of the house.”

  “No, you were a boy who had to play the role of the man,” Lotus explained.

  “My father went to jail shortly after my mother got pregnant with me. He was caught selling drugs and sentenced to a long term. While he was incarcerated, she met the father of three of my siblings. He was cheating on her and having other children, so they broke up for good while she was still pregnant with the last one. Then my father was released early from prison. He came home, impregnated her again and was back in jail before Keisha was born.”

  “So you and Keisha share the same father. Does she have green eyes too?” Lotus asked.

  Kent nodded. “Yeah, we look a lot like our father.”

  “He was a monster too, huh?”

  He laughed softly then sobered quickly. “My Momma didn’t want me to turn out anything like him. When she found out I was trying to sell drugs, she cried so hard that I cried too. She made me promise not to ever do anything like that again and I kept my word.”

  “Instead you became an Uncut Diamond?” Lotus asked.

  He nodded. “Like I told you last night, I always thought Trent’s brothers were in the Mafia or something, but when I found out the truth, it was something I wanted to be a part of.”

  Lotus shook her head. “It’s amazing. Sean is my brother-in-law and I never knew the extent of who he was until last night. Then Trent and Callie too?” She frowned. “And Isis? Hell nah, I still have to see that to believe it,” she said in denial.

  Kent looked at her. “I’ve heard she’s got hands. Marc taught her well.”

  “Like I said, I’ve got to see that with my own eyes.”

  He smiled at her. “They’re pretty eyes too.”

  “Nah, you’re the one with the pretty eyes,” she corrected him. “I still remember seeing them that first time in the airport.”

  “You was checking a brother out, real hard,” he told her.

  Lotus smirked. “And you was checking back.”

  Kent pulled her closer. “Yeah, I was.” He kissed her again. “I still am.”

  She placed her arms around his neck. “Me too.”

  “It’s taken me seven years to realize just how beautiful you are Lotus Masters,” Kent told her.

  “I never imagined how sweet you are Kent Baker.”

  He stared down at her. “You just wanted me to stir the honey pot.”

  “Hells to the yes!” Lotus agreed with a laugh as he moved over her.

  “I’m just your boy toy?” Kent asked kissing her neck.

  Lotus smiled as she welcomed the warmth of his body. She whispered in his ear, “Nah, he’s a monster remember.”

  ******

  Trent took the elevator downstairs to his mother’s apartment. When he’d purchased the building, they’d made one of the floors into a place for Carolyn when Trent wanted or needed to keep her close. Now was one of those times with Sean out of town and Justin due to arrive at any time.

  She answered the door with a smile. “Trent!” Carolyn embraced him tightly.

  “How are you Ma?” he asked returning her hug.

  Carolyn stepped back. “A nervous wreck.”

  Trent held her cold hand and led her inside. “He’s not going to hurt you,” Trent promised.

  “That’s not what I’m worried about,” Carolyn told him as she took a seat on the sofa.

  She looked up at her son. “I don’t want you to hurt him.”

  Trent sighed and took a seat next to her. “It depends on what he has to say.”

  “That’s Jordan’s father too,” Carolyn reminded him. “And Chloe’s…”

  Trent groaned. “Let’s not talk about her.”

  Carolyn took his hand. “She’s your twin Trent. You forgave me…you have to forgive them too.”

  “I forgave you because you changed your life,” he argued. “You didn’t run and hide.”

  “You can’t balance our wrongs against one another son. I was just as wrong as Justin.” Carolyn looked away. “I’m just as responsible for your pain.”

  “I don’t blame you, Ma.” Trent squeezed her hand.

  Carolyn looked at him. “Not anymore because you gave me a chance.”

  Trent stood. “Justin Black has so many strikes against him, he doesn’t deserve any more chances.”

  “He’s Trinity’s grandfather,” she pointed out.

  Trent looked down at her and shook his head. “Trinity is my daughter.”

  “Yes, she is…and she’s Jordan’s niece as well as Chloe and Sean’s.” She stood to her feet. “We can’t change the past, but we must protect the future.”

  The doorbell rang and Trent’s eyes narrowed. “Are you expecting someone?” he asked.

  Carolyn nodded and slowly walked to the door with Trent close behind. On the other side of the door stood Callie and…Chloe.

  “Calista…” Trent groaned.

  Callie shook her head. “We all agree that you two need to work this out. No matter what other feelings are out there, you two are twins.”

  Carolyn glanced at her daughter, who still looked at her with anger. Maybe one day…

  She stepped into the hall and waited for Chloe to enter the apartment. Chloe stood looking up at her brother who was clearly not happy about this situation. His wife had contacted her saying that the family wanted the twins to sit and talk with one another. She hadn’t wanted to come, then Jordan had called and “encouraged” her to be there if she wanted Daddy to stay safe.

  A few minutes later, Chloe found herself inside a beautifully furnished apartment with the twin she’d been separated from all of her life.

  “I guess we should sit down, before I have a nice, long discussion with my wife,” Trent offered.

  “She’s nice…well nicer than I thought.”

  Trent gave her a look as they settled on the sofa. He spread his hands, “So why all the attitude with me?” he asked directly.

  “You have attitude too,” she countered.

  He shook his head. “We’re going to get nowhere if this is the way the conversation is going to go.”

  Chloe looked away. “Fine, you’re arrogant and you think you know everything.”

  Trent lifted a brow. “Excuse me, had we met before you came screaming my name at my office?”

  “I just don’t want you to hurt Daddy.” Chloe said looking back at him. “And I know you will.”

  “You’re right.” Trent agreed.

  This time Chloe gave him a look. “Look, Justin will have his day. Whenever the hell that is, since he’s taking his sweet ass time to get here.” Trent told her.

  “I told you, Dr. Camille died and Daddy is taking care of loose ends.”

  Trent sighed. “Let’s not talk about ‘Daddy’ because we will clearly continue to argue about him.”

  Chloe smirked. “So let’s not talk about ‘Ma’ either.”

  “So what the hell are we supposed to talk about?” Trent questioned. “We’ve already vetted each other.”

  Chloe agreed. “Let
’s talk about Jordan. Has he always been so damn scary?”

  Trent grinned. “Yeah, I was terrified of him when I first got here.”

  “His wife seems kind of dangerous too.”

  “They’re different…and their kids…oohhh!” Trent told her.

  Chloe sighed. “I can’t believe you have all these kids! Jordan has three, Sean has three and you’re about to have two.”

  “Three,” Trent corrected. “Calista and I also have guardianship of a little girl.”

  “I never want a child to go through what I did,” he finished.

  Chloe looked sad. “I’m sorry Trent. I feel guilty that I got a home.”

  “I’d rather it had been me than you Chloe. I wouldn’t want you to ever be hurt.”

  She looked at her brother. “Thank you Trent. I don’t want you to be hurt either and I’m glad you found someone to love you.”

  “Calista gives me everything I missed and need,” he told her.

  Chloe smiled. “I think she’d really try to hurt me over you.”

  “She wouldn’t try…she would.”

  “Her skills are impressive.” Chloe admitted. “Dr. Camille was wary of her more than anyone.”

  Trent grinned. “She’s slowed down a little since she’s pregnant.”

  Chloe shook her head. “You got married so young.”

  He shrugged. “For me, there was no one else so there was no need for me to play around.”

  “I wish all guys could make up their minds that quickly,” Chloe commented and Trent lifted a brow.

  “You got a dude?” he questioned and she laughed.

  “No you are not trying to play big brother!”

  “I’m just wondering what dude would put up with you.”

  Chloe’s eyes narrowed. “For your information, I got dudes coming at me on the regular.”

  “I mean, you are my twin…so of course.”

  She frowned. “It has nothing to do with you.”

  “You just let them know who your brothers are,” Trent told her.

  “So I can send them running?” she asked.

  Trent nodded. “If they run, they didn’t deserve you.”

  Chloe laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

  The door opened and both pair of dark eyes looked up as Callie entered the room. She looked from one twin to the other.