by D. Camille
“I’m not the man to ask about fathers right now,” Trent commented.
Keith stood. “All I can say is that if he’s not doing anything illegal that will shame your entire family, then you can probably work it out.”
Trent got to his feet. “I’d have to think about that.”
The two men shook hands. “I’m glad you came around Keith.” Trent told him.
“I’m seeing things that I never saw before in my father. It’s amazing how your perceptions can change in the blink of an eye. All my life, I thought my father was this incredible father only to find out he was a criminal and has been for a while.”
Keith shook his head. “What you’ve always believed about a man, can turn out not to be the case at all.”
Trent paused. “Well, I hope everything works out for you.”
“I’ll be in touch about Tara. Please let me know if she needs anything.”
“I will.”
After Keith left his office, Trent sat back in his seat and began to think in the quiet. His wife, his mother, and his best friend all wanted him to fall back on his anger but none of them had been the one who’d been given away and never thought of again.
Yet, he realized this anger wasn’t doing anyone any good and at this time everyone would need to be focused. He’d survived his childhood and was now a billionaire in his own right. He had a beautiful and strong wife, a beautiful daughter and hopefully a son on the way. He also had another little girl that he loved like a daughter in Tara, in addition to all the baby Diamonds that he’d give his life for.
Maybe he needed to listen to those that loved him, after all he was a genius and should know good advice when he heard it. Trent took a deep breath and picked up his phone dialing a number he’d sworn he’d never dial when Jordan had given it to him.
“Hello,”
“Justin, it’s Trent.”
“Hello Trent,” Justin greeted him.
Trent turned to the picture of his entire family that sat on his desk. “We should talk.”
“You tell me when and where and I’ll be there,” Justin told him.
“One question…” Trent paused.
“Yes?”
“How did you kill my foster father?”
Justin knew that Trent had looked up the file and knew all the details.
“I put bullets in both of his knees then I set the house on fire and watched it burn,” Justin answered.
Trent closed his eyes. “Why?”
“Because that bastard put his hands on my son and I wanted him to feel every moment of pain before his sorry ass life came to an end,” Justin told him without hesitation.
“I’ll text you the location,” Trent said before disconnecting the call.
Sitting the phone back on the desk, he opened his eyes and looked at it.
“Damn, that’s my father.”
******
Kent got the call from Lotus with the information he needed regarding the hidden tunnels. He told her about his run in with the police earlier and she was surprised.
“Carla’s missing?”
“Yeah, Sean thinks it’s connected to Warren’s disappearance.”
“What did the police say?” Lotus asked.
Kent shook his head. “I didn’t give them any information. I’m not trying to be caught up in no shit with them. I still don’t trust half of them.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Find Warren’s ass and hopefully it’ll lead me to Carla too.”
“Let me help you,” Lotus told him.
Kent closed his eyes. “Lotus…”
“No really Kent, I can help you look for the tunnels. The professor gave me all the information he had,” Lotus insisted. “He has classes all day so he can’t leave the campus.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to find,” Kent said recalling how he’d found Dana’s dead body.
“I’m not scared. I’m a Diamond.
He opened his eyes and frowned. “You’re not a damn Diamond, Lotus.”
“Well I can pretend to be one today,” she offered. “My afternoon surgeries were cancelled, so come and get me and we can start looking.”
Kent rubbed his head. “Listen baby, I know you want to help but this shit is real. If I let you come with me, you have to follow directions. That’s the first rule of being a Diamond.”
“I’m not trying to die or have anything happen to you. I understand this is real life,” she confirmed. “Are you coming?”
“I’m on my way,” he finally said and hoped he wasn’t making the biggest mistake of his life.
Kent picked up Lotus and they made the drive out to Marietta Square. Along with four agents, they walked to the opening. Lotus pulled out the paperwork that she’d printed out.
“The professor sent me the plans of the layout,” she told Kent.
“Okay, show us where to go.”
Lotus matched the plans to the area and began walking with Kent close to her side.
“So there are several openings, we just have to find the one that he possibly used,” she informed him.
“How long is the tunnel?” Kent asked. “And where does it lead?”
Lotus studied the plans along with Kent. “Looks like around fifty yards and it leads to the Courthouse.”
“Let’s spread out,” he told the agents then pointed out the areas that he wanted them to look over.
Lotus looked at him. “We’ll find it.”
Kent nodded. “Where should we look first?”
“Let’s go over here,” she instructed and he followed.
They looked at the areas on the plans that showed where the entrances could be located. After a half hour of searching, Kent became frustrated.
“Shit, we could be out here forever trying to find this!” He said wiping his damp brow. “It’s hot as hell.”
“We’re in Atlanta baby. It’s always hot.”
He looked at her. “Where else should we look?” he asked.
Lotus studied the paper in her hand. “They should be right around here,” she said looking at the ground. “I don’t understand.”
“He’s hidden it,” Kent told her. “It’s camouflaged to look like everything else.”
His green eyes scanned the area. “Something has to look different, out of place.” He said as he slowly walked around.
Lotus’ eyes caught on something. “Oh my god Kent, look!”
Both pair of eyes looked at the misplaced dirt as though it had been recently moved. Cautiously, Kent moved over to the spot and stooped to examine the ground. Taking a hand, he moved the dirt around and saw what he was looking for.
Standing, he called the agents over. He removed his weapon as they arrived.
“I’m going inside,” he told Lotus. “You. Will. Stay. Here. Understand?”
She frowned and he shook his head. “Here or the car. Your choice.”
“Okay, I’ll wait here.” Lotus threw her arms around him. “Please be careful.”
Kent patted her back. “Stay with the agents, baby.”
He pulled back and turned to the men. “Two with me and two here with Lotus. Don’t let her leave this spot.” He told them. “For any reason.”
Lotus felt her heart drop as Kent disappeared into the opening that had been revealed.
“Universe, you sent him to me…please don’t take him away.”
******
Kent entered the dark tunnel with the flashlight on his phone to guide his way. “I’ll take this way,” he told the two men behind him. The men split up and Kent walked straight ahead, keeping his weapon in front of him.
“Why do I get the fucked up missions?” he asked himself. “Dead bodies, dark ass tunnels and shit.”
He continued to walk until he came to a door. Reaching for the knob, he stopped.
“Don’t open the door Kent!” He clearly heard Lotus’ words from that morning so long ago.
Kent looked up at the dark ceiling. “Uh…o
kay little Momma.”
He eased past the door and kept walking to another opening. Following the trail, he heard soft crying that sprung him into action. Kent climbed up an opening that led to a room. When he saw the shrine to Lotus, he froze.
“What the fuck?” he said in surprised anger.
Carla looked at him with tears running down her face and Kent rushed over to her, then began loosening the binds that held her. When he was done, he stepped back and pointed his weapon at her.
“Tell me now, are you working with Harding?”
She shook her head vehemently. “I don’t even know who he is,” she cried softly. “They grabbed me and brought me here, but he wants your girlfriend.”
“Where are they?” Kent demanded.
Carla swallowed. “They left early this morning. The one who grabbed me is supposed to get Lotus and bring her here. I don’t know where the other one is, I swear.”
“Did they hurt you?” he asked.
“No, I just want to get out of here,” she cried. “Please, I’ll leave you alone.”
Kent looked over her disheveled state and shook his head. “Let’s go.” Helping her to her feet, he led her back the way he’d entered.
“Stay behind me and don’t try no shit because I will kill you,” Kent told her.
Carla nodded in silence and they proceeded. When they got back to the infamous door, Kent now heard a hissing sound inside.
“What’s that?” Carla asked in fear as she slowed down.
Kent grabbed her arm. “We not about to find out,” he said and pulled her along quickly. As they hurried along, Kent heard that door open and turned quickly to find Warren walking out.
Kent flashed his light on him. “Stop! Do not move!” Kent yelled and Warren froze.
Warren pushed the door all the way open, then smiled as he shielded his eyes against the beam. “Is that you Kent Baker? You found my special place for Lotus?”
“Put your hands up,” Kent instructed.
Warren laughed. “I can’t do that because my friends want me to play.”
Kent and Carla both looked confused as the other agents joined Kent.
“What friends?” Kent yelled as all the men flashed their lights in Warren’s direction. Carla’s horrified gasp summed up the entire situation as their beams hit the floor and snakes began to curl around Warren’s ankles.
“What the fuck!” Kent yelled.
“Come and get me,” Warren taunted.
Kent pushed Carla toward the agents. “Get her out of here!”
One agent grabbed Carla’s arm and led her to the nearby exit. Kent watched the snakes as more piled out of the little room and began coming in his direction. Lifting his light back to Warren’s face, he fired one shot and heard the thump on the ground before the hissing increased.
Turning, he ran for the exit along with the agent. They climbed out of the tunnel and finally made it back into the daylight. Kent stomped his feet, shook himself and patted the dirt off of him. “Shit!”
Lotus ran to him. “Are you okay?”
“Got damn snakes!” He shouted still patting himself. “I hate snakes!”
She grabbed his shirt. “Dammit, are you okay? Did they bite you?” Lotus also began to pat him down until he stopped her hands.
“I’m fine. Where’s Carla?” he asked looking around.
“I told them to take her directly to the hospital,” Lotus informed him.
She looked him over. “Do you need to go too?”
Kent looked at her. “No, I’m okay.”
“Carla said that Warren was down there,” Lotus said quietly.
“Warren’s ass is dead and the world is now a much safer place, ‘cause dude was touched, for real,” Kent said shaking his head.
Lotus looked sad. “Carla mentioned some kind of shrine?”
Kent took her into his arms. “It’s over baby. He’s never going to hurt you or anybody else.”
“Thank you,” Lotus breathed against his chest.
“Thank you for telling me not to open that damn door.”
Lotus looked up at him. “The door was down there?”
He nodded. “I heard you warning me.”
“I’m glad you believed me,” Lotus said relieved.
“I believe everything you tell me Lotus,” he lifted her face to his. “Because I love you.”
She smiled at him. “I love you too…” Lotus wrinkled her nose and removed a clump of dirt from his hair. “And you stink baby.”
Chapter 23
Kent sat back and closed his eyes in the hot water, allowing the day to wash away from his mind. Carla had been released from the hospital with no residual injuries. She’d also confessed to tampering with Kent’s office.
The Atlanta PD had set up a sting to catch Warren’s accomplice. They’d managed to keep his death under wraps and make the area look untouched before lying in wait for the man to return, presumably to tell Warren that he hadn’t been able to get Lotus.
Armed with the description that Carla had provided, they’d been able to snag him without incident and now Kent could finally relax. He and Lotus had packed a bag and were checked into the ‘W’ to unwind. Sliding deeper into the tub, he released the tension in his body.
A few minutes later he heard Lotus entering the room. “I think he fell asleep.”
Kent opened his eyes and saw her on the phone dressed in a short robe. Their eyes connected and she said into the phone, “I’ll have him call you later.”
“Who is that?” Kent asked.
Lotus looked at him. “It’s Trent. He wants to check on you.”
Kent held out a damp hand for the phone.
“What’s up Trent?” he asked wearily.
He heard the laugh then frowned as Lotus left the room. “Dude, snakes?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Snakes!” Kent confirmed testily. “I think y’all underpaying me. I need to holla at your brothers.”
Trent laughed some more. “You handled it though.”
“You know Kent Baker don’t play, especially about Lotus.”
“Are you going to marry that girl?”
Kent rolled his eyes. “Let me handle that too okay?”
“Okay dude,” Trent conceded. “Damn man, what is wrong with that whole damn Harding family?”
Shaking his head, Kent said, “Hell if I know. They need to just lock the rest of them up on GP.”
“Black Diamond Holdings added Harding Pharmaceuticals to their portfolio, so I guess at least one of them checked out as okay,” Trent told him.
“Yeah, Warren Sr. seemed like a cool dude. I guess the corrupt and wicked gene skipped him,” Kent said bitterly. “Trent, dude had a whole damn shrine dedicated to Lotus with pictures and candles and shit.”
“I can’t even imagine what he thought he was going to do to her,” Kent closed his eyes again to calm down.
“She had her protector, so he didn’t get the chance.” Trent told him.
Kent sighed. “I feel bad that Carla got wrapped up in this.”
“It’s that green-eyed monster. Women lose their damn minds,” Trent said laughing again.
“Shut up.”
“Dressing up like Lotus? Dude, you can pick them,” Trent teased. “Wasn’t that a red flag to you?”
Kent frowned. “Hell yeah. I told her to fall back but she kept coming stronger.”
“I hope she gets it together.”
Kent agreed. “I think getting kidnapped by a maniac because you wanted to impersonate another woman, definitely made her ass see some things.”
Lotus poked her head into the bathroom. “Do you need anything?”
His green eyes glowed as he nodded. “Trent, I’ll holla at you later.”
Hearing the tone in his voice, Trent said, “Dude, hurry up and marry that girl.”
“Bye Trent.”
Lotus came into the room and closed the door behind her. Kent watched as she came to sit on the edge of the tub.
“I was so proud of you today,” she whispered.
Kent sat the phone on the floor and took her hand. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Lotus smirked. “Yeah, you could’ve.”
“Probably,” he teased. “But I’m glad you were there.”
She smiled. “We make a good team.”
He nodded. “When you listen, we do.”
Lotus gave him a look then reached for a container on the counter. “Lie back,” she whispered.
“What are you going to do?” Kent asked watching her with the jar.
She opened the container. “I’m going to wash your hair.”
He lifted a brow. “Huh?”
“Don’t you wash your hair?”
“Of course,” he answered. “I wash my hair.”
Lotus touched the silky waves. “You were in that dirty tunnel where all kinds of stuff could’ve fallen on you,” she told him. “Plus you should wash your hair after you’ve been through a stressful situation.”
“Our hair raises our Kundalini energy, which is our life force. Before slavery, African hair was a distinct form of communication. It told the age, marital status, ethnic identity, religion, wealth, and social rank of the person without speaking,” Lotus told him. “Sadly, that was stripped away from us.”
Kent listened intently. “You want to wash my hair for me?”
She nodded. “I’ll give you a scalp massage too.”
“Okay little Momma,” he agreed and laid back.
Lotus smiled and used a cloth to squeeze water on his hair in preparation.
“You have beautiful hair,” she told him as she continued to wet the dark strands.
Kent watched her. “I love your hair no matter how you wear it.”
“You like to pull it,” she told him. “And grab it.”
He grinned. “And smell it.”
She shook her head and reached for the jar of crème. “What’s that?” he asked curiously.
“Co-wash.”
“I use shampoo.”
Lotus nodded. “I know. This is better for your hair.” She began to rub it onto his head and gently massage it.”
“It smells like you,” he told her as he enjoyed her ministrations.
“It has coconut in it.”