Her Protector

by D. Camille

  “Sean, how are you?”

  “Just as surprised and confused as everyone else, so maybe you can enlighten the rest of us as to what’s going on?” Sean replied.

  Justin began to recount the story he’d told Jordan in the car. He saw both Sean and Trent’s reactions when he talked about the reason he’d gone after Carolyn and the subsequent death of Xavier.

  He paused and looked at Sean. “I’m sorry Sean, your father was a very good and decent man. He loved you more than anything in the world and the last thing he asked me was to make sure that you went to any school you wanted for as long as you wanted.”

  Jordan looked at his father. “Why didn’t you give Sean the company that you had with Xavier?”

  “Xavier didn’t want that. He wanted Sean to be free to follow his own dreams,” Justin explained.

  Sean’s heart became heavy at the thought of his father and how much he’d loved him.

  “And he didn’t want Carolyn to have it,” Justin added. “Because of our affair.”

  Justin continued telling them the past history and when he got to the part about the twins and losing Trent, all hell broke loose as Trent jumped from his seat.

  “You’re a damn liar!” Trent shouted when Justin said how much it had hurt him to lose track of his son.

  “I never wanted you to be hurt Trent!” Justin stood to his feet and the other men followed.

  “Guess what Justin? I wouldn’t have been, if you’d been a man and taken care of your responsibilities.” Trent accused.

  Justin nodded. “You’re right. My decisions then are not decisions that I would make now. At the time I thought I was doing the best for everyone, but now I see that I did more damage than good.”

  He stared at Trent. “But when I did find you, I sent you to your mother and brothers.”

  “Thanks,” Trent said sarcastically. “But I needed help when I was getting my ass beat in Atlanta and sleeping in parks!”

  Justin lowered his head. “I’m sorry Trent. I don’t know how many times I can say it, but I will until you believe me.”

  “You will take your last breath before that happens,” Trent assured him.

  Justin nodded. “I’m just as stubborn as you Trent. In fact, that’s where you get it from. I came back to put my family together and whatever I have to do, I’m going to do it.”

  Again, Sean intervened. “Let’s hear the rest of what he has to say Trent.” All the men reclaimed their seats as Justin continued.

  He retold the story of Dr. Camille Smith and her involvement. When he finally reached the portion of the story that hinted at the danger to the Diamonds, all the men perked up.

  “So someone has joined forces against us?” Ray asked.

  Justin agreed. “Camille was gathering all the intel before she passed away.” They watched the sadness that came across his face.

  “I brought all of that information for Ray and Trent to look through,” Justin informed them.

  Ray stood. “Then let’s handle it. Whoever had decided to come after us will regret that day.”

  Justin looked at Ray. “You have to be especially careful.”

  All eyes turned to Ray. “Why?” Ray questioned.

  “Because there is a tie to the Sun God,” Justin explained. “Your mother holds a lot of that information.”

  Ray frowned. “My mother?”

  “Silver will need to tell you all that she knows about Esteban and his operations,” Justin told him.

  “My mother doesn’t know anything about Esteban’s operations,” Ray argued.

  Justin nodded. “You’ll need to talk to her.”

  Ray looked at Jordan, who shrugged at him. Turning back to Justin, he said, “You’d better be right or you won’t have to worry about Little Bruh over there.”

  Justin agreed. “Just talk to her Ray.”

  Jordan put a hand to his forehead. This was about to be a damn mess…as if it wasn’t already.

  The men continued discussing Justin’s disappearance and subsequent return. When they’d put plans in place for Ray and Trent to go over Justin’s information, they all stood. Trent began to head for the door until he heard Justin speak.

  Looking at Sean, Justin said, “I’d like to see Carolyn.”

  Trent turned with a deadly look on his face. “Stay the hell away from my mother!”

  Justin ignored him and concentrated on Sean. “I was wondering if you would see how she feels about that.”

  “Did you hear what I said?” Trent said coming back into the room. “You’re not about to hurt my mother again!”

  Still addressing Sean, Justin continued. “If it’s something she’s open to, please let me know.”

  Justin looked at Jordan. “I have my own transportation from here.”

  He walked towards where Trent was standing and looked him in the eye. “You run the Uncut Diamonds…not me.”

  Justin walked out the door and the Black Diamonds all grabbed Trent to keep him from following.

  ******

  After ending his call with Lotus in which she’d made him eat something while they were on the phone together, Kent headed to his office to begin on the massive pile of paperwork. Inside these documents was the key to bringing Lotus home and taking down a disgusting group of men.

  This could take hours or weeks, depending on where the information was hidden. He had gone through the first few pages when his phone buzzed. Looking over he saw that he had a text message from his sister.

  Keisha: Hey big brother…

  He frowned and typed. What?

  Keisha: I’m sorry…

  Not going to work this time Keisha. I’m sick of your shit!

  Next a picture of her with a sad face came on the screen.

  Girl, go somewhere. I’ve got work to do.

  Keisha: Why are you so damn mean Kent?

  I’m not mean. I just don’t have time for bullshit.

  Keisha: I need my place. I’ll do something about school, but I need somewhere to stay. Please…

  Then you’ll pay me some rent.

  Keisha: What? I don’t have a job.

  Then I guess you better start looking for one and probably a smaller place too since you got extra room for dudes to crash.

  Keisha: A smaller place?

  If you want me to help pay for it…hell yeah!

  Keisha: Okay…I guess I have no choice

  Nah, you don’t.

  Keisha: Bye…with yo’ mean ass

  Kent shook his head and sat the phone aside before diving back into his work. A few minutes later, it buzzed again and he sighed. This damn girl, what did she want now?

  He looked at the message.

  Keisha: But I still love you, big brother…

  Chapter 18

  A week later, Lotus was still staying at her hotel, Kent was still working on getting the information he needed and they were still apart and frustrated. She’d spent the last few days visiting with her mother, Lily and the kids. She’d also had dinner with Kyle, much to Kent’s dismay but Kyle would always be her friend and she’d told Kent just as much.

  Lotus decided to go for a swim in the hotel pool to get some exercise. Putting on her yellow crocheted bikini, she added a short cover and headed to the door. Currently in LA, she had two agents who kept guard over her which made her sometimes feel like a prisoner. When Kent was protecting her, it hadn’t felt that way. She truly felt in danger, here away from him.

  They talked on the phone every night and true to his word, he had not sent her another naked video but he’d still stimulated her each and every evening in some way. He’d told her about getting his sister another apartment that she would help pay for and she’d agreed with his decision.

  In the hotel room, Lotus reached for the knob before she felt an arm around her neck. Panic hit her instantly, but she forced herself to remain calm as another arm locked around her waist. Remembering her self-defense training, she closed her eyes and went into action to fight off
her attacker.

  Lotus went limp in his arms until his hold loosened slightly, then she maneuvered out of his hold and turned quickly aiming for his face. He blocked her first two blows before she recognized him then tried to hit him again.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” she screamed.

  “Damn, you do got hands.”

  Lotus swung at him again. “I should kill you! Dammit Kent!”

  Holding her arms to prevent her from swinging again, he stared down at her. “I wanted to see if you were on guard.”

  “What if I would’ve killed you?” she demanded.

  He gave her a look. “You not that good.”

  “Let me go!” Lotus snapped and he released her immediately. She’d moved to stomp away when she was scooped up into his arms. “Put me down!”

  Kent stepped closer to the wall and let her down to her feet. When Lotus tried to move he blocked her with his body. She connected with his green gaze as she felt his T-Shirt and jeans pressed against her body through the thin wrap.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, feeling herself beginning to warm up. “Aren’t you supposed to be working to get me back to Atlanta?

  Kent stared down at her as the familiar coconut scent filled his nostrils. “I’m here because you told me I couldn’t tell you this until I saw you again.”

  Lotus felt her breathing pause. “Kent…”

  Reaching up he touched her cheek. “I love you Lotus…and I’ve come to take you home with me.”

  Tears welled in her eyes as she absorbed his words. “You came all the way here to tell me that?”

  He looked her over slowly. “Nah, that’s not all I came here for.”

  Kent lowered his head and kissed her slowly lifting her against the wall causing her flip flops to fall to the floor. Lotus locked her arms and legs around him and returned his kiss measure for measure.

  “Little Momma, I missed you so much,” he breathed against her mouth.

  Lotus framed his handsome face. “I love you.”

  He smiled. “Girl, I’m so in love with you, it don’t make no damn sense.”

  “So you’ve fallen madly in love with me?”

  “That’s what I said.” He kissed her again, igniting the sparks that always smoldered just below the surface.

  Pressing closer and breathing heavily, he touched his forehead to hers. “Bed, couch, or right here?” he asked.

  “Right here, right now.” She replied hotly. “I can’t wait another minute.”

  Cupping her nearly bare ass in the bikini bottom, Kent touched her drenched honey pot causing her to moan and him to groan. Lotus pressed that hot spot against his manhood and gyrated slowly.

  “Aww, shit…” Kent grunted before lowering her legs to the floor. Her bottoms were thrown in the air after being slid down her bare legs. His shirt was next then her robe along with the bikini halter top. Kent reached into his pocket and retrieved a few square packages. He handed one to her before dropping the others to the floor.

  Lotus watched as he removed his shoes and jeans first, followed by the dark boxers underneath. Bringing the package to her mouth, she slowly bit it open while he watched. Removing the contents, she took him into her hand. Kent braced a hand against the wall over her head before she bent to apply the precaution.

  Lotus stood when she was done and Kent took a moment to enjoy the sight of her until his gaze connected with hers. She caught her breath at the heated look in his eyes and knew that he was about to do some monsterish things to her. Lotus smiled at him and the reunion began.

  “You know what those sexy ass dimples do to me?” he asked while raising her into the air and easing inside of her body.

  “Tell me…” Lotus breathed.

  Kissing her cheek, he whispered, “They make me lose my damn mind…” He drove deeper. “They make me want to feel you all over me and do all kinds of shit to you.”

  Lotus pulled him closer in her arms, locking her legs around his waist. Kissing his jaw, she said, “Do it…”

  “Do what little Momma?”

  She threw her head back. “Everything to me…”

  Over the next half hour, Kent fulfilled her wishes against the wall, on the sofa then the floor until finally they made it to the bed. Lotus pointed the way to the bedroom as Kent carried her. Falling onto the bed together, they both laughed before staring at one another.

  “What was that little yellow thing you had on?” he asked, devouring her body with his eyes.

  Lotus stretched out on the bed. “Did you like it?”

  “You looked like a chocolate pineapple,” he said before tasting her skin.

  “You like pineapple?”

  He gave her a naughty look. “I make sure to drink at last one glass of juice a week.”

  Lotus lifted a brow. “That’s not true about pineapple juice and oral sex.”

  “You can test it out and see,” he offered.

  “I have nothing else to compare against the taste.”

  He gave a sigh of relief. “Damn, I’m glad.”

  She looked at him. “Wait…you thought I was performing on dudes?”

  Kent shrugged. “I mean I know you were a vagina virgin but…women who are virgins still may have swallowed the magic stick a time or two.”

  Lotus shook her head. “You’ve spent too much time in the strip clubs.”

  “Nah, that had nothing to do with the clubs.” Kent looked at her. “You know why I spend so much time there?”

  “You like to look at ass?” she answered.

  “I have a lot of clients who work there.”

  Lotus frowned. “Clients?”

  “People like to shame strippers, but some of those girls make damn good money and I help them invest it. Hell, some of their portfolios look better than the actual brokers I work with.”

  “I met a lot of girls in college who were stripping to pay for school, so when I got on, I hit them up to help them reach their financial goals, so that when they’re done with stripping or college, they have a nice nest egg to live off, for the rest of their lives,” he told her.

  Lotus smiled at him. “Wow, that’s amazing. I’d actually never looked at it that way.”

  “They’re some of my best clients.”

  “That was very smart of you,” Lotus complimented.

  Kent smiled. “Plus, I did like to see some of them shake that ass.”

  Lotus looked upward. “And this is who you sent me to fall in love with?”

  “That was before this sexy little assassin came and murdered all the playa in me.” He began to stroke her hip.

  “She just came in tearing up shit?” she asked.

  Kent’s hands began to roam her body. “Yeah, and she was boss with it.” He pulled her closer. “Put my ass in check real fast.”

  “That’s what you have to do to a monster,” she told him.

  He lifted her on top of him and she stared down into his face. “I missed these pretty eyes.”

  Kent touched her cheek and she smiled for him. “I missed these sexy dimples.”

  “How did we get here?” she asked caught up in the moment of simply being with him.

  “It’s where we’re meant to be,” he answered kissing her softly.

  Staring up at her he said, “And I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

  “I don’t either…”

  Lotus gave him a wicked smiled then reached onto the nightstand for the phone. Kent watched in confusion as she picked it up and dialed.

  “Hi, yes…I’d like to order two glasses of pineapple juice.” Kent lifted a brow as she continued. “No, no ice. Thank you.”

  Lotus replaced the phone and looked down at him. “Now, let’s put your theory to the test.”

  ******

  Later, Kent found his clothes in the living area and got dressed while Lotus dressed in the bedroom. He picked up her bikini and smiled. Gathering the rest of her things, he walked back to where she was finishing and laid the items on t
he bed.

  Lotus turned to him with a smile. “Thank you.”

  He walked over to her then turned her to face the mirror. Hugging her from behind, he nuzzled her neck inhaling her scent.

  “You’re welcome. You even smell good in LA.”

  She laughed. “I think I’d smell the same anywhere I went.”

  Lifting his head, their gazes connected in the mirror. “You’re so beautiful Lotus.”

  “And you are so very fine, Kent Baker.” She watched their reflection. “Sexy too.”

  He winked at her. “I know.”

  “You’re a brat.” Lotus pushed away and went back to getting ready in the mirror.

  Kent laughed as he sat on the edge of the bed. “You love me though.”

  Lotus paused and looked at him in the mirror behind her. “Yeah, I do.”

  “I love you too little Momma.”

  She winked at him. “I know.” Laughing, she again went back to her task.

  “I have to check in with Sean tonight then calm Trent’s ass down,” he told her.

  Lotus looked up. “What’s wrong with Trent?”

  “His father is back and dude is on ten.”

  She turned to him. “His real father?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, the one he thought was dead.”

  “Wow…that’s crazy. What happened?”

  Kent filled her in on the details that Trent had shared with him.

  “He actually wants to kill his father that just came back from the dead?” Lotus asked confused.

  “He’s so damn emotional,” Kent said shaking his head. “I always have to keep him from popping off.”

  Lotus lifted a brow. “You’re the voice of reason?”

  “Hahaha. Don’t be funny.” He told her. “You know I handles mines.”

  She walked over to the bed and touched his face. “Yes, you do baby.”

  The couple drove to Sean’s house and Lotus was greeted by her twin nephews. Looking at them, she couldn’t help but envy her sister. The X-Men were the most adorable pair of little boys she’d ever seen.

  “Auntie Lotus Flower!” They ran to her open arms.

  “My X-Men!” Lotus rained kisses on their faces as they did the same.

  “What color am I thinking Auntie Lotus Flower?” Xavier asked.

  Lotus scrunched her face in thought. “Blue?”