Accused

by Sharon C. Cooper

  “Here you go.”

  “Thank you,” Egypt said, deciding not to respond to the text, and blocked the jerk’s number. She shoved her phone back into her bag and lifted the menu. “It looks like it’s just going to be me tonight.”

  “Oh…okay. Well, let me tell you about our specials.”

  Egypt listened as the woman described one dish after another, making each one sound more delectable than the last. Though disappointed her date had canceled, she was looking forward to dinner.

  Once she placed her order, and the server walked away, Egypt pulled her ereader from her purse. It had been a long time since she’d taken herself out to dinner, and it was a good thing she enjoyed her own company.

  By the time she finished her meal, she had made a decision. No more online dating. She hadn’t been too thrilled about the idea of finding love through an online dating site anyway, but at the time, it seemed like a good starting place.

  What was a girl to do when she was tired of living life alone and was ready to fall in love, get married and have a family? It had taken her years to finally drum up the courage to date again after her last relationship, though brief, had ended badly. Now that she was ready to date, she kept meeting losers.

  Dakota’s words from earlier that day filtered into her mind.

  You’d be able to stop dating these assholes if you’d just give Kenton a chance.

  If Egypt was honest, she could admit that it was getting harder and harder to keep distance between them. But she had to be strong and diligent in her decision not to get involved with a coworker. She had too much at risk to get involved with Kenton.

  “Was everything to your satisfaction?” the server asked, seeming to come out of nowhere.

  “Yes. Thanks for recommending the chicken puttanesca. It was excellent.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. Can I get you anything else? Maybe dessert? Coffee?”

  Egypt patted her stomach. “Oh, no. I think that’s it for me.”

  “All right then. I’ll leave this right here.” She set the bill on the table. “You can pay me whenever you’re ready. No hurry.”

  “Thank you.”

  After the server walked away, Egypt glanced inside the black bill folder, thinking she hadn’t done too much damage. She made it a habit of having enough money to cover her meal even if she was going on a date. Now she was glad she did.

  She put her ereader back into her bag and pulled out her wallet.

  “Hello, Egypt.”

  She stiffened at the raspy, baritone voice that could only belong to one person. Her heart rate kicked into overdrive and unease spread through her body as she tried to keep her hands from shaking.

  She slowly lifted her head only to make eye contact with the one person she had hoped to never see again.

  Ross Hoakley.

  Bastard. That was the only word that came to mind that best described him. Egypt tried to keep down the bile that rose up her throat. She didn’t hate many people, but seeing him again made her skin crawl. Over four years since the last time they’d been in each other’s presence, and she wished it was longer.

  Her gaze took him in. Impeccably dressed, like usual, he wore a dark blue suit that cost more than some people made in a week. His rich amber skin gleamed under the lighting. By the look of his precisely cut, wavy hair and nicely trimmed mustache, he still maintained his rigid grooming schedule.

  But when Eygpt’s gaze met his dark, penetrating eyes again, all the reasons why she couldn’t stand the man came rushing back.

  “May I join you?”

  “Hell no you can’t join me,” she snapped, hoping he would magically disappear, but he took the seat across from her.

  “It’s good seeing you again.”

  “Too bad I can’t say the same.” The words flew from her mouth, disgust dripping from each one. “I had hoped that you would’ve gotten swallowed up by a black hole by now. I guess some wishes just don’t come true.”

  He laughed, the sound grating on her nerves like fingernails scraping across a chalkboard. Of all the people she could have run into, why him? She could deal with seeing anyone else, but not Ross. Not now. Not ever.

  “I see you still have that same dry sense of humor. Just one of the many things I loved about you.”

  “And I see you still can’t catch a hint when someone wants you gone. You didn’t love me. You piece of shit. Now get the hell away from me,” she said in a harsh whisper and pulled out enough cash to cover the check and a tip before placing the money into the bill folder.

  “Don’t be like that, Egypt. Besides, I’ve never known you to use that type of language. It’s not very ladylike.” Ross ran his finger across the back of her hand. Egypt cringed, gritting her teeth to keep from screaming. His touch felt like an invasion of ants racing down her spine, and she snatched her hand away.

  “Don’t you ever touch me again,” she said in a low, threatening voice, anger consuming everything within her. It was because of Ross she had stopped dating. It was also because of him that she’d become afraid of men. Afraid for her safety.

  Never again.

  Months ago, Dakota, who was a black belt in karate and owned a dojo, had insisted on Egypt enrolling. Between her karate classes and the self-defense techniques Kenton had taught her, Egypt felt confident that she would never be a victim again. She would never again be afraid of the man sitting across from her.

  Grabbing her handbag and jacket, she stood abruptly, needing to put as much distance between them as possible. Stepping around a few people as she rushed through the dining room and to the exit, Egypt could feel Ross’s presence behind her.

  She needed air.

  She pushed through the double doors, almost hitting a woman, but didn’t stop until she was down the stairs. It didn’t matter that the October night had dropped in temperature. The fresh air felt good against her heated skin.

  Egypt glanced at the parking lot. Crap. She had forgotten that she had ubered to the restaurant.

  “Egypt.”

  Dammit. She spun around, almost losing her balance on four-inch heels.

  “Go away, Ross! You and I have nothing to discuss.”

  “Excuse us,” a man said, and Egypt stepped aside, realizing she was standing right in the walkway. There weren’t as many people coming and going as it had been when she first arrived, but she still didn’t want to be standing in the front of the entrance.

  She also needed to arrange for a pickup, but with the way she had stormed out of the restaurant, no way was she going back in.

  “Come on, Egypt. Let’s go somewhere so we can catch up. It’s been a long time,” Ross continued, though she tried ignoring him.

  As she stuffed her arms through the sleeves of her short jacket, she hurried down the sidewalk and didn’t stop until she arrived at the end of the brick building.

  “All I want to do is talk.” He had followed her and stood too close for comfort. Now she could smell the alcohol on his breath.

  “Ross, get it into your head. I don’t want to talk to you. Hell, I don’t even want to look at you. So step off. Leave. Me. Alone!”

  Pulse pounding loudly in her ear, Egypt pulled the cell phone from her purse to arrange a pickup. Her hands shook so bad she could barely push the buttons. She hated how his presence affected her.

  “What the hell is your problem?” Ross grabbed her arm, jarring it enough to make her drop her phone on the pavement. Her head snapped up, and memories of their last encounter flashed through her mind.

  Panic swept through her body, and her heart rate quickened. “Take your hands off of me.”

  He pulled her against his body. “All I want to do is talk to you, see how you’ve been.”

  Egypt twisted, trying to break free of his hold as his nose and mouth brushed the side of her neck sending fear rocketing through her. She jerked and bucked against him.

  “Let go of me,” she ground out. There was no one around, but either way, she didn’t want th
is to turn into a scene. Maybe if she just…

  “God. You smell as good as I remember,” he murmured close to her ear, and something inside of her snapped.

  “Get off of me!” She jabbed her elbow into his gut. He cursed under his breath and slumped forward but held on to her. When she slammed her foot down hard, her high heel connected with his shin, and he yelped, loosening his hold.

  Egypt wanted to hit or kick him again, but instead, she pulled free, snatched up her phone and bag that had fallen, but she wasn’t fast enough. Ross grabbed her forearm.

  “I don’t know who you think you are, but you will never fight me again.”

  Before Egypt could react, the back of Ross’s hand came quickly across her cheek. Her head snapped to the right. The momentum of the slap sent her crashing into the corner of the building. She caught herself before her head made contact, but Egypt had to blink several times. Stars danced in front of her eyes. Her cheek felt as if it were on fire as she slid down the wall.

  Breathing hard, Ross stared down at her. “See you make me crazy, and I don’t want to hurt you. But you need to be taught a lesson.”

  Chapter Four

  Tapping his fingers against the steering wheel, Kenton merged into traffic, humming along to the latest song by Drake. Some of the stress of the day drifted away as he headed to his favorite restaurant for his take-out order. Now, if only he could do something about Atlanta’s traffic. Eight-thirty in the evening and the streets looked like morning rush hour.

  His cell phone rang, and he pressed the button on the earpiece.

  “Hello.”

  “What the heck, man? You don’t know how to call folks back?” Angelo Gonzalez’s voice came through loud and clear. “I left you two messages today.”

  “I know, and I meant to call you after my assignment, but by the time I made it to Supreme, I was dog-tired and ended up passing out in one of the crash rooms.”

  He didn’t bother telling his friend that after his nap, Egypt had mentally consumed him. First in her office, and then she occupied his every thought after he tried convincing her not to go on the date. Apparently, the kiss that rocked him had no impact on her. She went anyway.

  Maybe it’s time to stop pursuing her.

  Kenton shook the thought free immediately. Nope. He couldn’t give up. He wanted her.

  “Oh, yeah, I heard about your new assignment. You’ve been catering to the diva from hell for the last couple of days.” Angelo’s words cut into his thoughts. “Did she have you party hopping all night and then shopping with her all day today?”

  Kenton didn’t miss the humor in Angelo’s voice. Diva from hell was the moniker that his team had given a hip-hop singer out of LA who often hired their services whenever she visited Atlanta. Ten years Kenton’s junior, Joya made it no secret that she was interested in him. But he had made it clear—he wasn’t available.

  “Yep. Much of the same as usual,” Kenton said.

  “I’m pretty sure the way she comes onto you would fall under sexual harassment.”

  “Maybe, but I can handle Joya. Okay, enough about me. How’s it going with orientating the new guys?”

  Over the last six months, their bosses, Hamilton Crosby and Mason Bennett, had hired several new recruits to join the team at Supreme. Most of the security specialists, including Kenton, came from law enforcement backgrounds. Everything from beat cops to CIA operatives. Nearly every division was represented. They referred to themselves as Atlanta’s finest, and their skill sets were second to none.

  “So far, so good. I’m teaching the new guys everything I know.”

  Before joining Supreme years ago, Angelo worked as a DEA agent. He left the Drug Enforcement Administration after a botched drug bust ended in a heavy gunfight, leaving some of their agents dead. Angelo took the loss hard, but Kenton had a feeling there was more to the story than what his friend told him.

  “But getting back to why I called you,” Angelo said. “I have another date with Marisol, and she has a friend. You interested in double dating tomorrow night?”

  For a moment, Kenton entertained the idea, but he wasn’t giving up on Egypt yet. “I’m going to have to pass, man. It’s been a couple of long days. I plan to chill all day tomorrow.”

  Kenton turned into the restaurant’s parking lot and snagged the first spot he found on the side of the building.

  “You sure? It might do you good to hang out and meet someone new. Besides, it’s becoming clear that Egypt don’t want you.” Angelo chuckled.

  “Man, shut up.” Kenton cut off the engine. It was no secret that some of the guys knew he was pining over Egypt. Double dating was tempting, but…

  A flash of orange around the corner of the building caught Kenton’s attention when he climbed out of his vehicle. His mind immediately went to Egypt, and his body stirred, remembering how gorgeous she had looked tonight.

  “Hello?” Angelo called out several times. “Ken?”

  “Yeah, I’m here. Sorry about that. I need to get off this phone. I’ll hit you up a little later.”

  “All right. Let me know if you change your mind about tomorrow night.”

  “Will do.” Kenton disconnected the call and headed to the entrance of the restaurant.

  “I said get your ass up,” a distant voice barked.” Kenton turned the corner, almost bumping into a lanky guy with a runner’s build.

  But then he looked down. Shock gripped his body, and his heart slammed against his chest.

  “What the hell?” He shoved the man aside as if he were a rag doll, and then he crouched down in front of Egypt.

  Holding the side of her face, she blinked several times as if trying to clear her vision. Kenton carefully moved her hand from her cheek not missing the dark red tint of her skin.

  “What happened?”

  He helped her stand. His anxiety grew when a tear slid down Egypt’s face, and then another. Her lips trembled as her gaze darted between him and the guy standing nearby.

  “Talk to me. Tell me what happened.”

  “He hit her.” Kenton’s head snapped to his right where a woman with pale skin and bluish-gray hair hurried toward them, but stopped abruptly, suddenly looking unsure. “My daughter and I were leaving, and we saw them over here. He hit her.” She pointed at the guy who had been standing over Egypt. “I don’t have a cell phone. And my daughter ran back into the restaurant to get help.”

  “Mind your own business, lady!” the man snapped and moved closer to Kenton. “This has nothing to do with you. Get away from her.”

  “He hit you?” Kenton’s breaths came hard and heavy, struggling to stay in control as he stared into Egypt’s teary eyes.

  “I’m okay,” she said quickly in a low voice, still seeming a little dazed as she clung to him. “I…he…”

  Something snapped inside of Kenton. He whipped around, propelled by anger and smashed his fist into the man’s face. Then hit him again, sending him flying several feet back before crashing to the ground.

  “Kenton!” Egypt screamed. He felt a weak tug on the back of his jacket. “Please…don’t.”

  He ignored the way dude howled like a wounded animal, holding his face, blood seeping between his fingers. Kenton lifted him off the ground by his shirt collar and slammed him into the brick building, pinning him with his arm pressed against his neck.

  “You hit her?” he asked, struggling to wrap his brain around that bit of information. “I ought to break your damn neck. You ever come near her again, I will fucking kill you. You hear me?” His rumbling tone was lethal as he held the guy up, refusing to loosen his hold.

  “Le-let me go,” the man sputtered, struggling to breathe.

  “What’s going on here?” a loud booming voice said from behind Kenton, and several people started talking at once.

  “Kenton, please. Please let him go,” Egypt begged, pulling on his arm.

  “Not until the police get here.”

  “No. Let’s just go.”

 
He hesitated, fury still clawing through him like an out of controlled wildfire. What the hell was this world coming to that men thought it was okay to hit a defenseless woman? He saw it too many times, and it gutted him every time. But when that woman was Egypt—the woman who meant the world to him…

  He growled under his breath and jerked the guy forward, then slammed him harder against the wall, eliciting another howl.

  “Sir, let him go. We can take it from here.”

  “Please, Kenton.” Egypt continued tugging on his arm, a little harder this time. “He’s not worth it. Let him go.”

  Seconds ticked by before Kenton eventually released the guy, letting him fall to the ground. He watched as the man scurried back on his palms and feet out of reach.

  Kenton turned to Egypt. He wiped his hand on his pant leg and then lifted her chin with the pad of his finger to get a better look at her face. It was starting to swell, and he forced down the rage threatening to break free.

  “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

  She shook her head, her gaze bouncing around nervously at the small crowd that had gathered. “I just want to leave.” She slipped her hand into his and squeezed, trying to direct him away from the crowd, but he stood firm. What was going on with her? Instead of trying to leave, she should’ve been insisting on reporting the bastard to the cops.

  “Excuse me.” An older, big man with salt and pepper hair and tanned skin came to stand next to them. “I’m Josh Kirchen, the restaurant manager. I just heard what happened. Ma’am, are you sure you’re all right? I’ll call the authori—”

  “No,” Egypt said harshly before Kirchen could finish his sentence.

  Kenton narrowed his eyes at her.

  “I’m fine. We don’t need to call anyone. I just want to leave.”

  “No. Call the cops,” Kenton told the manager.

  “No.”

  “Don’t.”

  Egypt and the man who hit her said in unison. He’d been sitting on the ground but stood a couple of feet away, his attention on Egypt.

  “I’m sorry. I—I had too much to drink, and our disagreement got…” His voice trailed off as he looked from one person to the other. “Everything is fine.”