“Fine,” Damian threw back, rising from his seat. His temper was on overload. “When you have the baby, and after the DNA test, then we’ll talk about child support,” he spat bitterly.
LaNeesa’s eyes narrowed as she walked right up in his face. “Nah, you’re gonna take care of me now,” she told him. “I need to eat, to have a place to live, to go to the doctor and everything while I’m pregnant,” she continued calmly. “And since you were big enough man to stick your dick in me and bust your nut, you’re gonna be big enough to take care of what you made while its inside me as well as out,” LaNeesa finished flatly, her look daring him to dispute her statement.
“You are such a bitch,” Damian growled.
“Yeah, but I’m the bitch carrying your baby,” she told him turning and walking into the kitchen. “Do you want something to eat,” she asked without turning around.
Damian sighed deeply, frustrated beyond measure, but feeling fully defeated at the moment.
“Yeah,” he said simply as she grunted and took out the hamburger meat preparing to make them sloppy joes.
*****
Jasmine was wrestling with whether to invite Elijah in or not when he dropped her off. She felt such a connection between them and it seemed the logical next step. Still she didn’t want him to think she was loose or easy. The trip seemed measurably shorter for some reason as they arrived at her apartment and pulled into the parking space. As he had all evening, Elijah got out and came around to her side opening and holding the door for her. Jasmine smiled and thanked him once more as they walked inside the foyer and headed for the elevator. She lived on the 5th floor. They chatted pleasantly on the ride up, and walking down the hallway Jasmine felt her pulse begin to race. Are you or aren’t you, her mind pestered as they arrived at her door.
“Do you have an alarm system,” Elijah asked.
Shaking her head no, he grunted slightly. Allowing her to open the door, he told her to stay put while he checked inside. Jasmine was again impressed with his thoughtfulness as she waited, hearing him walking around inside the unit. Thank goodness I cleaned up and made my bed today, she chuckled silently.
Elijah emerged a few moments later telling her everything looked fine. “You really should invest in an alarm,” he chided gently, standing once again on the outside of her apartment.
Jasmine began to walk inside, when he stopped her, touching her arm softly. Turning she looked into his eyes and was once again mesmerized.
“Thank you for a wonderful evening,” Elijah told her calmly. “I hope you had a good time and that we can see each other again soon,” he fished.
Jasmine smiled and told him she’d had the best time she’d had in years tonight.
“I’m glad,” he replied softly. Elijah leaned in and kissed her lips delicately. “Good night Jasmine,” he told her answering the uncertain question she’d entertained on the way home. “Sleep tight,” he added, turning and beginning to walk down the hallway.
“Elijah,” Jasmine called out as he turned and regarded her, but didn’t come back toward her. “Will you call and let me know you made it home safely,” she asked, seeing the smile adorn his face.
“Yes,” he said simply, turning once again and reaching the elevator.
Jasmine smiled as she closed and locked the door, hugging herself tightly, thinking how much she was going to enjoy having Elijah in her life.
Chapter Eight
Montgomery’s mind was on overload as he drove. He had enough going on without the new complications that Jaheem had presented upon his visit earlier this week. He’d been absolutely furious when the man came to his office demanding he stop the high rise project. He’s got your ass in a vice, so now what, Montgomery continued to brood. Delia had placed him in a very precarious position. If he went forward with the project there was no doubt in his mind Jaheem would leak the photos to every news agency and internet site in the state. His political career would be over before it even began. Clayton’s snake in the grass self, he angrily thought of his mentor. Montgomery never suspected anything was amiss between the two. Sucking his teeth he realized he’d been played. That’s exactly what they both wanted him to think, that nothing was going on. Sighing deeply Montgomery was still in brooding as he pulled into the church parking lot. He really didn’t care for Pastor Richard Toplin, but the man was a powerful force in the community; even more powerful that Jaheem. Montgomery also knew Pastor Toplin had an agenda.
The good Pastor had political ambitions of his own, but he was trying to realize them vicariously through his son Chad. Montgomery knew Pastor Toplin couldn’t run for any office himself, not with his colored past of pimping and prostitution. He would have been laughed out of any forum he tried to compete within. With that in mind Montgomery watched the man try and groom his son into throwing his hat into the political arena. Not working out so well, Montgomery thought smiling slightly. Chad didn’t have the stomach for politics and it showed. He was no threat and Montgomery always treated him amiably when they met for various social reasons. He put on his game face as he walked into the study where he’d been directed by the church secretary, greeting the man sitting behind the huge mahogany desk.
“How are you Pastor Toplin,” Montgomery greeted the man. “Good morning Alderman,” Richard returned smiling slightly and shaking the man’s hand. “What brings you by this morning,” he asked already knowing fully the man’s intentions.
Montgomery wasted no time getting to his point as Richard listened intently.
“Hmm,” he replied simply his mind still tumbling. “Do you plan to divorce her,” he asked of Delia.
Montgomery told him that right now the scandal of a divorce would destroy not only his career but the high rise project that was so vital to the community.
“Yes,” Richard replied. “I want to see the project completed myself,” he replied having his own agenda for the new community.
“My problem now is how to deal with Jaheem,” Montgomery told the Pastor honestly.
“I can take care of Jaheem,” Richard replied without hesitation. “You need to get your wife and your supposed mentor in check however,” he added giving the Alderman a new look.
“Yes, that’s in the works for later today as a matter of fact,” Montgomery replied evenly, the slight edge evident in his tone.
“Fine,” Richard replied once more. “I’ll begin with my end and handling Jaheem,” he went on. “You just make sure you handle your business and when this is said and done, you keep your promise to me,” he finished his tone letting Montgomery know that while he may have been a Pastor now, he hadn’t forgotten the ways of the street.
“You have my word, Pastor Toplin,” Montgomery returned as he rose to leave.
The two men shook hands once more as the Alderman left and the Pastor picked up his phone making two calls.
*****
Allison was smiling smugly as she waited for the agent to return with the information she requested. It hadn’t been difficult at all to procure the approval for surveillance on Elijah. After she explained that they needed to rule him out for any involvement other than adultery with Alderman Southby’s wife, her superior agreed to a simple three day surveillance and profile of everyone he interacted with. Now lets hope he contacts miss thing, she brooded silently. Allison had an appointment later this morning. She frowned slightly thinking of the abortion she’d scheduled. Somehow Kevin managed to impregnate her. Allison wracked her mind trying to recall when they had sex unprotected. Condom must have failed, she thought shrugging slightly. She hadn’t told him anything about the pregnancy not wanting to deal with all the emotional trips she was sure he would put her through. He’d be trying to lock my ass down for real then, Allison thought grunting slightly aloud.
“Good morning,” Kevin greeted her cheerfully walking into her office.
“Hi,” Allison returned amiably enough.
“What’s on the table this morning,” he asked, sipping his coffee and looking
into her eyes.
Allison gave him a quick rundown of the operation and its progression as Kevin listened intently.
“So what’s this appointment you have at 11:00AM,” he asked out of the blue.
Allison was startled but tried to quickly cover. “Doctor,” she said simply hoping he would leave it there.
“Hmph,” Kevin returned, still watching her intently. “Something wrong,” he asked. “No, just a routine visit,” Allison lied, immediately trying to change the subject.
“Wow, really,” Kevin returned, unmoved and back on the original conversation. “Since when is an abortion considered a routine visit,” he threw out evenly.
Allison was determined not to let her face show the shock her mind felt. How the hell does he know, she brooded silently. “Kevin, I really don’t want to get into this right now,” she told him calmly.
He rose and walked over to her, taking in the beautiful woman in front of him. Kevin loved her and wanted nothing more than to spend his life with her. He wasn’t stupid though. Allison was a climber and she had her sights set on a far loftier perch than Special Assistant.
“Allison, this child is half mine,” he told her as he stood before her. “Don’t you think you could have at least told me about it, asked me if I wanted this,” Kevin questioned his tone growing angrier.
Allison saw what was happening and not wanting it to escalate to shouting match, at least here in the office, asked him to step outside with her. Kevin only nodded, further allaying his anger with the situation. The two calmly turned and headed outside and away from the building. There was a park across the street and they headed there, finding a bench that was secluded by trees and shrubs. Sitting down Allison exhaled deeply before regarding Kevin and speaking.
“This is why I didn’t tell you,” she told him calmly. “I don’t want a scene Kevin, I don’t want to fight with you.”
Kevin chuckled bitterly at her statement and looked into her eyes once again.
“How many other babies have you thrown away Allison,” he asked acidly. She frowned slightly and answered his question.
“So fuck, this really is routine to you huh,” he replied in response to her admission of six abortions.
“It was a mistake,” Allison told him, not rising to the insult. “I still don’t even know how it happened considering we used a condom every time.”
Kevin continued to watch her wordlessly trying desperately not to reach out and strangle her. He was absolutely livid that Allison had utterly no regard for the life inside her.
“Have the baby and give it to me,” he told her as she gave him an incredulous look.
“Are you crazy,” she spat before she could catch herself.
“No, I want my child, I don’t want you to just flush it like shit in the toilet,” Kevin growled.
Allison sucked her teeth and rose from the bench.
“This discussion is over,” she told him coldly. “This is my body and I don’t want this damned creature inside it any longer,” she spat venomously.
“You’re a complete bitch, you know that Allison,” Kevin returned, standing as well now.
“So what,” she fired off. “Thank you for the compliment, you mediocre bastard,” Allison insulted.
Kevin was stung by the words, his face falling from the hurt. “Let this be the end of us and this bullshit,” she continued to rage, her temper at full throttle.
Allison was angry that she had to defend herself to a man she didn’t love; angry that she had to spend $500.00 to get rid of his worthless seed. Angry that Elijah was with another woman and falling in love with her. Angry that she still hadn’t heard a word on the position she applied for within the bureau and angry she was still working on penny ante babysitting gigs like Delia Southby when the big fish was her husband.
“Pay back is a bitch, bitch,” Kevin spat acidly, pushing past her almost knocking her down as he stalked away and headed back toward the office.
Allison took several deep breaths and got her poker face back in tact, turning now herself and headed back to the office. 11:00AM could not come soon enough.
*****
Elijah sighed deeply as Katrina continued to give him head. Today was Tuesday, and it was her day. Katrina wasn’t as skilled as Reesa, but she was good enough. They’d enjoyed a vigorous round of lovemaking already upon her arrival two hours ago. What about Jasmine, his mind threw at him just as Katrina put her sex in his face, prompting him to taste her. Elijah frowned slightly, violently pushing the thought from his mind. He and Jasmine had nothing to do with the women he screwed during the week. They were strictly sex. No feelings, no attachments involved. That was the beauty of each arrangement.
“Mmm, Elijah,” Katrina moaned bringing him all the way back to the present.
Whenever he and Jasmine became committed he would stop seeing the women. Elijah was a lot of things, but he was faithful. It was his one last stronghold on morality he supposed, given his profession. Katrina was flowing freely and his manhood was at full mast once again. She expertly placed the condom on him and went to her knees, butt up in the air, legs spread, inviting him to take her. Elijah needed no further prompting. He slid his hardened shaft deep inside her gushing wetness.
“Damn,” he swore softly, slowly withdrawing and ramming her deeply upon his return.
“Hell yeah Elijah,” Katrina moaned loving his movements. He held her tightly his hand squeezing her breasts and twisting the nipple between his fingers.
“I’m cuming Elijah,” she moaned as he saw the evidence on the condom as he once again slid in and out of her.
He smiled at her body’s reaction and began sexing her for real. His pace and rhythm were melodic and consistent as Katrina moaned and writhed from his assault.
“So fuckin’ good Elijah, shit, throw that dick boy,” she groaned aloud, spreading her legs even wider wanting him to climb inside her.
Elijah stroked her long and deep, finding and hitting her g-spot with each thrust.
“Aaaah yeaaaaah,” Katrina screamed coating him as yet another orgasm rocked her.
Elijah felt his own finish looming close and pushed her flat onto the mattress. He spread her legs to their full capacity, held onto the edge of the mattress and went harder and deeper than he’d ever gone inside her.
“Elijah, mmm, oh my god, Elijah,” Katrina moaned in ecstasy as Elijah took complete control of her.
“You wanna cum again,” he teased.
“Yeah Elijah, yeah,” Katrina immediately replied.
“You love this dick,” he asked getting closer and closer. “You’re my king, Elijah,” Katrina moaned.
He liked when she began talking crazy. It let him know he was hitting her right.
“Grip me,” he told her softly in her ear.
Katrina immediately complied, tightening her walls around him every time he plunged into her.
“Mmm, yeah that’s it,” Elijah murmured thrusting deeply once more and his body convulsing from the power of his own orgasmic release.
He carefully removed himself from her, rising and heading to the bathroom to remove the condom. She was dressing when he came back.
“You’re leaving,” he asked, giving her a look.
They normally spent the entire day together when she came over.
“I’m sorry baby,” Katrina told him, walking over and kissing his lips softly. “I have a photo shoot today,” she elaborated. “Riley will kick my ass if I’m late again,” Katrina added, chuckling slightly.
Elijah smiled and told her he understood.
“Thanks,” she replied grabbing her purse. “I’ll see you next Tuesday,” she told him sweetly as he held the door for her. “I’m looking forward to it,” Elijah returned looking her over. “And since you shortchanged me today, well, you know,” he teased as Katrina burst into laughter.
“I got you baby,” she replied, giving him another short kiss as she waved and walked to the elevator.
Elijah closed
the door still smiling and headed into the kitchen. He saw his phone on the counter and six missed calls. Sighing deeply he picked it up and found exactly what he figured he would. Delia was blowing him up yet again. OK, I gotta finish this bullshit by Friday, Elijah thought crossly before tossing the phone on the counter. He picked up his personal cell and pushed a speed dial button.
“Hi,” he greeted Jasmine softly.
Elijah smiled as she greeted him back and they began to talk. He disconnected some forty minutes later, his mind now better suited to deal with Delia and the resolve to end the affiliation, permanently.
Chapter Nine
“Things are progressing right on schedule,” Ronnie was telling his partner on the phone. “I don’t know how, but that damned Montgomery Southby has them all sold on the move.” He listened as his partner spoke before he once again joined the conversation. Dirk Swan was smiling as he listened to Ronnie tell him about the new politician in their pocket. He knew all about Montgomery and his antics. It was a bit unsettling to him how much the man loathed his own race, especially with Dirk himself being married to a black woman, but as long as he upheld his end of the business deal he didn’t let the man’s personal tastes disturb him.
“Well Clayton really hasn’t been nearly as helpful,” he returned. “If we can get Southby in the state’s house or senate, we’ll have a powerful ally,” he told his partner.
Dirk again agreed. They needed leverage where it counted. Where they could get bills and referendums passed that suited and benefited them instead of the bloodsucking leeches always hiding behind helping the so called less fortunate.
Ronnie knew Montgomery was hungry and ambitious. He was also ruthless and seemed to have zero tolerance for his own people. Those were good things in Ronnie’s book. He didn’t need yet another bleeding heart liberal in place worrying about the supposed poor of the community, who half the time, were personally responsible for their own situation. He’d built Glazer construction from nothing. If he could do it, so could they, he surmised missing some of the more obvious distinctions between himself and the people of whom he spoke.
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