The Lion

by D. Camille

  “What exactly does the Negus do?”

  Rion shrugged. “We protect the city that we love, the people that we love and the women that we love.”

  She smiled. “I guess I'm a Negus too then. I protect the city, the people and the man I love.”

  “You're a Nigist, a queen and a goddess.”

  Tauri nodded. “I remember Corvus telling me that.”

  “You have my brother wrapped around your finger.” He smiled at her.

  “I didn't know he was so interesting until we talked. I thought he was just a clown.”

  Rion gave her a look. “He is.”

  “He and Lance like to have fun but they're both very deep brothers,” she explained.

  “Yeah, they take care of business and people know not to cross them. They seem happy and playful but when the switch is flipped, fun and games are over. Now, Brandon is never playful and you don't ever want to see him angry while Khalil is basically angry at everything all the time.”

  Tauri laughed. “And the young god balances everyone out.”

  “In a way, I guess I do. I can deal with everyone's personality. Brandon gets tired of Khalil. Khalil gets tired of Corvus and Lance, Corvus and Lance get tired of Brandon and Khalil but I can just chill with everybody.”

  She smiled. “You have that way about you. Everyone loves you and wants to be around you.”

  He shrugged. “I'm just me.”

  “And that's why I fell so hard for you,” she told him. “I've never met someone who was so comfortable and secure in who they were, someone who was so kind, patient and loving. A man who not only makes me love him but admire him as well.”

  Rion touched her face. “I promise you when this is over, I will spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

  Tauri looked at the ring on her finger. “You've already made me the happiest woman in the world and when this is over, I'm going to spend the rest of my life building with you.”

  He pulled her into his embrace. “Are you ready to go home?” he asked referring to their apartment.

  “Yes, I have to get used to that being my home.”

  Rion took her hand. “Don't get too used to it. We're looking at houses when I get back.”

  “Houses?” she stopped and looked at him.

  He brought her hand to his mouth. “We can't raise our babies in an apartment.”

  “I swear you never slow down, do you?” she asked shaking her head.

  Rion smiled. “It's okay baby. You always catch up.”

  *********

  Henry Patterson sat looking out of the window in his living room. The car had been sitting there for nearly an hour. He couldn't see who was inside but wondered why they were parked across from his home.

  “What are you looking at Henry?” Millie asked coming into the room.

  He turned to her. “There's a car outside across the street. I'm keeping an eye on him.”

  Millie walked over. “Who do you think it is?”

  “Don't know, but I'm not taking any chances. These fools have lost their minds trying to hurt people,” he told her.

  “I'm worried about those kids.” Millie took a seat next to her husband and Henry patted her shoulder.

  “Those youngun's are going to be just fine. They're strong and smart.”

  Millie sighed. “I'm so thankful she found somebody to love her. I didn't think she would ever let anyone inside, since she's always been such a loner.”

  “It took a special man to pull her out of her shell,” Henry commented.

  Millie looked at him. “She was afraid at first but I think she trusts him now.”

  Henry patted her hand. “He'll take care of her Millie, just like I took care of you.”

  She smiled and kissed him on his rugged cheek. “Yes, you did Henry.”

  They both looked out the window as the driver of the suspicious car exited. then looked at each other as the person approached their door.

  “I'll get it,” He told her while getting to his feet and walking to the door. He opened it and the woman smiled at him.

  “Hey Granddaddy, how are you?” She hugged him gently.

  Henry pulled back. “Well hello Lisa, this is surprise.” He looked at her. “Why were you sitting outside the house for so long?”

  She smiled. “Oh that, I was on a phone call and I wanted to finish before I came inside.”

  Henry showed her inside where Millie still sat by the window. Lisa made her way over to her and gave her a big hug. “Hey Granny, how are you?”

  Millie looked at the woman closely. “I'm fine Lisa. What brings you over here?”

  Lisa took a seat on the sofa. “Well Tauri is still on her honeymoon and I didn't want to bother her...” she began.

  Henry took a seat next to his wife and waited.

  “But I'm really concerned about her...and Rion,” she finished.

  “Well, we know the threats are out there,” Henry acknowledged.

  Lisa looked at them both. “I think Jeremy is plotting against Tauri.”

  Henry and Millie shared a look. “Why would you say that?” Henry asked.

  “He's always been in love with Tauri and now she's married to Rion. He's not happy about it,” Lisa told them.

  Millie lifted a brow. “And you know this how?” she asked.

  “He's talked to me about it, all these years he thought that Tauri was finally going to see him as more than a co-worker, and she went and fell for Rion Shaw.”

  “In addition, he didn't get Rion's high profile case and whoever wins this case will get a huge feather in their cap,” she added.

  “Tauri's not doing this for a feather in her cap,” Millie corrected.

  Lisa regrouped quickly. “Of course, we know that Granny. Everyone knows that Tauri takes her job seriously.”

  “What has Jeremy said and have you gone to the authorities?” Henry asked.

  Lisa shrugged. “I mean, he hasn't said anything concrete that I can take to the police but I feel that he's up to no good.”

  “What do you expect us to do?” Millie asked.

  Lisa looked sheepish. “I don't know, just tell Tauri to watch him I guess.” She looked at the pair again. “I'm just trying to look out for my girl. Tauri has done a lot for me.”

  Millie nodded. “Yes she has. Tauri has always been there for you.”

  Lisa smiled. “Don't I know, I wouldn't have gotten through law school without her.”

  “Yes I know,” Millie commented slowly.

  “Tauri is special. She's the top prosecutor and now married to a famous baseball player who's trying to make history,” Lisa told them. “Pretty soon she'll be living in mansions and mingling with millionaires.”

  “But she'll still be Tauri Patterson,” her grandfather stressed.

  Lisa grinned slowly. “Of course she will.”

  Millie continued to watch Lisa. “Are you going to talk to Brandon?”

  “I think it's best if maybe you two talk to Brandon. We have sort of a history.”

  Henry looked at his wife knowing that Lisa had a history with quite a few men.

  “We'll be sure to have Tauri watch out, but we're sure she's prepared,” Henry said.

  Lisa smirked. “Yeah, Tauri's always prepared.”

  Millie watched Lisa. “I'm going to make sure she stays that way.”

  *********

  The Negus were gathered at Lance's restaurant meeting for dinner. Corvus and Lance sat across from Khalil and Brandon.

  “Rion is leaving town this week for some meetings in New York. So we're back to watching out for Tauri,” Brandon announced.

  They all nodded. “She's staying at Rion's apartment now so we'll all check in on her there. I'll keep an eye out for her at the office.”

  “How long is he going to be gone?” Lance asked.

  Corvus answered, “Not sure. They're trying to give him some static but he's going to finalize this deal.”

  “Only Rion would want to get married in
the midst of all this drama,” Lance commented.

  Brandon lifted a brow. “He knew he was in love and wasted no time marrying the woman he knew was meant for him.” He glanced over at Khayla sitting at another table with her nephew Kyros.

  Corvus looked at Khayla then over at Lance. “Damn, I felt that breeze.”

  Khalil watched the interaction and glanced over at his twin. “What the hell are y'all talking about?” he demanded turning back to Lance and Corvus.

  “Nothing Khalil,” Brandon answered to calm the tension. “I was just saying Rion knew what he wanted and he went after her and got her.”

  Khalil nodded slowly still watching Lance and Corvus. “You two better not be up to some shit and stop looking at my damn sister. Understand?”

  Corvus smiled. “Chill Khalil, it's cool. You know how we joke around.”

  “I don't joke. You should know that by now,” Khalil told them.

  Brandon changed the subject to avoid any further confrontation. One day Lance was going to have to step up and acknowledge his feelings for Khayla, but that was his business and this wasn't the day.

  “Mac and I have identified the mole at my office and we've taken care of that,” he informed the group. “She's still working on the pinpointing the one or ones in her department.”

  “John Beckham has a long reach and deep pockets so until this is over, everyone is considered a suspect,” Brandon relayed.

  They all agreed and continued talking through dinner. When they were done Khalil collected his son and kissed his sister goodbye. He glanced back at Lance and Corvus giving them a look before saying goodnight to Brandon.

  Brandon turned to the pair. “I'll be in touch.” He checked his watch. “I'm meeting with Mac regarding a few things.”

  Lance smiled. “Tell Mac, Lance said hi.”

  Brandon looked at him. “Man will you quit. Stop running from that woman before you lose her.”

  “Why does everybody want to give me advice? I know what the hell I'm doing okay?” Lance responded.

  Brandon shook his head and walked out the door. Lance turned to Corvus. “What you got to say?”

  Corvus shrugged and put his hands up. “Hey, that's your lane dog. Just don't come crying on my shoulder when she's gone 'cause all I'm gonna do is laugh at your ass.”

  “Bye,” Lance said walking away to the desk where Khayla was putting things away. Her phone rang as he approached and she answered.

  “Hey Marcus,” she said happily and Lance stopped. “No, I'm not too busy to talk to you.”

  She looked up and saw Lance. “Hold on for one sec,” she said into the phone.

  “Hey Lance, did you need something?” she asked smiling.

  He looked down at her. “I'll be here late tonight 'cause I've got some work to do in the office.”

  “Okay, I'll let you know when I'm done out here.”

  He nodded. “I'll walk you to your car when you're ready.”

  She smiled again. “Thanks sweetie.”

  Lance nodded towards her phone. “I'll let you get back to your call.”

  Khayla looked at her phone. “Okay.”

  Lance turned and started towards the office when she called his name.

  “What's up Katydids?” he asked turning back to her.

  She hesitated. “Did you want anything else?” she asked.

  “Not at this moment Khayla, but I will soon.” He kept walking until he disappeared into his office.

  “Hello?” she heard the deep voice through her phone.

  Khayla shook herself and raised the phone back to her ear. “Hey, sorry about that.”

  “No problem...Katydids,” Marc responded. “Sounds like you and Lance have some unfinished business.”

  “It's complicated,” she admitted.

  “Well I'm not leaving the picture unless or until it gets uncomplicated,” he told her.

  Khayla smiled. “You are something else...and you know it.”

  “If I had known that Detroit had such gorgeous women, I'd have visited a long time ago. However, I now have a beautiful reason to visit as often as I can.”

  “You're not going to make this easy.”

  Marc laughed. “If he wants you, he'll have to come and take you.”

  *********

  Rion and Tauri sat on the roof deck staring up at the night sky. She was lying back against his chest and he was holding her snugly. Tauri had to admit she'd never felt this content in her life. Orion gave her a peace she never knew existed.

  “I never knew this was possible,” she whispered.

  “What baby?”

  She turned to him. “Being this happy.”

  Rion smiled at her. “Me either.”

  She turned back to the dark canvas twinkling with stars. “Before I met you I never looked at the sky, now I find myself studying it all the time.”

  “What do you see now?” he asked.

  “I see you and me. I see our future and I see the past.” She paused. “It amazes me that our ancestors looked at this same sky and these same stars so many years ago.”

  “I think they saw the future too,” he told her. “They saw us doing great things that they were laying the foundation for.”

  Tauri smiled. “I feel connected to them when I'm out like this.”

  “We're all connected to everything that is created,” he affirmed.

  “I love how you're so in tune with everything,” she said laying her head back against him.

  “I'm in tune with you, always have been since the beginning.”

  “You believe I was meant for you?” she asked.

  Rion nodded. “Yes, and vice versa.”

  “That's so crazy.”

  He sat up and she turned to him. “Why is it crazy?” he asked.

  “How can two people be meant for another?” she questioned.

  Rion lifted her face to his. “All we are is connected energy that travels through space and time. We seek each other wherever we go and each lifetime our goal is to find another. We didn't require time because our bond was created before we existed here.”

  “You felt it when we met and even though I had been searching for you, I was still unprepared for the way you hit me. Once we came together, it was like we had never been apart,” he finished with conviction.

  Tauri held his gaze. “You know what's really crazy?” she whispered.

  “What's that baby?”

  “I believe every word you said.” She cradled his face in her hands and kissed him passionately.

  Rion gathered her into his arms holding her close returning her kiss. Underneath the stars the lovers pleasured each other while doing their part to add to creation.

  Chapter 23

  Tauri returned to work to find the office a buzz with the news of Jeremy's arrest. Chief Green had charged him with bugging her computer and assisting in the plot to harm Orion. Jeremy had turned himself in and placed bail. People who worked with him were shocked that the docile and quiet Jeremy had resorted to such tactics.

  Lisa had called Tauri when she heard the news and the two had agreed to meet for dinner as Orion was out of town taking care of his business in New York. Just like on his last trip he called her everyday and they slept on the phone with one another at night. He'd been gone just a few days, but had assured her he planned to be home soon.

  Jury selection would be starting in two weeks and Tauri had her case in order. Trent and Marc had delivered her ample evidence that should result in a quick conviction. Now that her appointed second had been arrested, Richard had been promoted to assist her on the case. He knocked on her door and she looked over at him.

  “Hey Tauri, isn't it crazy what happened with Jeremy?” he asked entering her office.

  Tauri watched him. “Yes, crazy.”

  Richard shrugged. “Who would've thought he'd do something like that?”

  She stood to her feet. “Certainly not me.”

  “Well I'm here to do whatever you need for the
Shaw case.” He smiled at her.

  Tauri nodded. “I'll fill you in on the details later today. I need to switch gears now that I don't have Jeremy.”

  “I understand you have some pretty damaging evidence. Any smoking guns?” he asked curiously.

  She folded her arms and looked at him. “My guns are always smoking Richard. Don't you know that?”

  He laughed softly. “Yes, I forgot. Tauri Patterson has the highest winning percentage of any prosecutor.”

  “Tauri Patterson-Shaw.”

  Richard nodded. “That's right, you're a married woman now.” He looked her over and smiled. “Rion Shaw is a lucky man.”

  Tauri lifted a brow. “I suggest you switch back into your lane before I have your ass up on harassment charges,” she said sternly.

  Richard put his hands in the air. “No disrespect Tauri. My apologies, I was simply complimenting your husband.”

  “Like I said, I'll meet with you later regarding the case,” Tauri said pointedly.

  “I'll wait for you to contact me.” He turned and walked out of her office.

  Tauri took her seat and released her breath. When Brandon had explained to her and Orion that he'd had to make Richard her second, it made her sick to her stomach. Orion had not been happy about it and he'd made it known but Brandon insisted that he needed the best on this case and with Jeremy gone, that left Richard. Tauri knew to stay on constant guard with Richard. She leaned back in her seat and felt the comfort of the weapon against her back underneath her suit jacket. Orion and Brandon had told her the importance of bringing down John Beckham but they'd also agreed that if Richard made one wrong move, she should put a bullet in his chest.

  Tauri's phone rang and she glanced at the screen and smiled happily.

  “Hi Granny,” she answered.

  “How is my beautiful married granddaughter?” Millie asked.

  Tauri smiled some more. “I'm wonderful.”

  “That young fella is taking care of you?”

  “Yes Granny, Orion is taking very good care of me. He's in New York right now but he'll be back soon.”

  “I want you to stay on your guard Tauri Ann,” her Granny said and Tauri sat up straight in her chair. Whenever her grandmother called her Tauri Ann, something not good was about to happen to her. She'd called her Tauri Ann when she'd told her that her mother wasn't coming back to get her, and every time she'd gotten a spanking.