The Twin (The Black Land Series Book 4)

by D. Camille

  Danielle turned back to him. “Like you said earlier, so you can make an informed decision moving forward.”

  “I was going to wait to tell you this, but with all you have going on, it would be unfair of me to keep this to myself any longer,” she finished quietly.

  Khalil touched her face. “What is it Danielle?” he asked softly.

  She began slowly. “I don’t tell this story often and the last time I did, he walked away.” Danielle lifted her hands to her mouth then blew out a long breath while Khalil waited patiently. He could tell that whatever she was about to tell him, it was difficult for her.

  “I was a freshman in college. I’d left Florida and come here to Michigan for school. I was so happy and proud to be accepted into the University of Michigan. It was one of my favorite schools because of the football and basketball teams.”

  She closed her eyes. “I had a boyfriend in Florida and he wasn’t happy with me leaving him behind, but I thought he understood that I had to pursue my dreams of being a lawyer and a judge. My family was expecting me to do great things since I’d always been an overachiever.”

  “He showed up one day at my dorm and I was like, what are you doing here?”

  She shivered. “He said that he’d missed me and wanted to see me so he drove to Michigan. He asked me to go out to get something to eat.”

  Danielle shook her head. “By the time I realized that getting something to eat meant kidnapping me and taking back to Florida, we were near the Ohio border.”

  Khalil reached for her hand and felt the tremors. “I’d never had any reason to be afraid of him. He’d never been violent before or even unreasonable. When I’d told him I was leaving, he didn’t get angry…he was disappointed, but I’d never witnessed the anger I saw in him that day. He was yelling and threatening me.”

  “I begged him to let me out of the car but he just continued to speed up on the highway.” Shaking her head again, she continued quietly. “I don’t even remember the actual crash. I just remember waking up feeling…broken.”

  “I knew immediately that my life would never be the same, but I hadn’t imagined to what extent.”

  Khalil wiped at the tear that fell from her eye. “You were hurt badly?” he asked softly.

  She nodded and closed her eyes. “My pelvis was crushed, in addition to fractures and contusions all over. I missed a year of college going through surgeries, then basically learning how to walk and live again.”

  Danielle gathered her courage to finish the rest. Looking into his eyes, she told him.

  “He died instantly in the crash, but he left me unable to ever have a child of my own.”

  Khalil watched as she stood and began to unfasten her clothing. He surveyed her sexy legs as she slid out of her jeans then looked at him and lifted her shirt, revealing the surgical scar above her panty line.

  “And he left me with this…”

  Chapter 7

  The silence between them stretched for a few minutes before Khalil stood slowly to his feet. He cradled her face with one large hand as he held her tear-filled gaze.

  “So you think this is a problem?”

  She swallowed as a tear fell. “I need you to tell me,” she said hoarsely.

  Khalil caught her tear and wiped it away with his thumb. He lowered his mouth to hers, then said against her mouth, “Let’s see.”

  Danielle froze as he reached for the hem of her shirt and gently pulled it over her head, leaving her in her bra and panties. He tossed the shirt aside as he held her eyes. Khalil began by kissing her forehead softly, then both of her closed eyelids. A peck on the tip of her nose led to her lips then down to her chin.

  When he moved to her neck, he steadied her with his hands on her waist as the journey continued to her breasts above the lace cups. Khalil kneeled at her abdomen and she felt his lips on her navel. When he kissed her scar, she grabbed his shoulders and he looked up at her.

  “Does it hurt?”

  Staring down into his concerned eyes, she shook her head. “No…” she whispered.

  He resumed his homage to her body and moved below her panty line to her womanhood. The inside of her thighs trembled from the touch of his lips.

  “Khalil…” Danielle breathed.

  The next thing she knew, she was being swept up and then laid gently on the sofa. Khalil sat on the edge staring down at her then he began rubbing his hand along the old wound.

  “Danielle, this doesn’t change anything from what I said this morning. If anything, it confirms to me that you definitely are the woman that I could love completely,” he told her.

  “What you’ve gone through and still came away as this strong, fearless Queen is amazing.”

  She placed her hand over his on her stomach. “What about the baby part?” she asked.

  “Since it’s impossible, then it’s a moot point. It still doesn’t change anything.”

  Danielle saw the truth in his eyes. “Not a game changer?”

  He leaned down and kissed her. “I told you all the game changers.”

  She held him close and Khalil felt her relief. “I didn’t want to tell you,” she whispered.

  He pulled back and looked at her. “I know it was hard. Thank you for trusting me.”

  Danielle looked away and sighed. “I’m sorry for being cold to you at the door earlier. Unexpected visitors are sometimes a trigger after what happened,” she explained.

  Khalil kissed her again. “I understand and I promise to call or text first, but know that I would never hurt you.”

  Danielle laid back and looked at him. “So what now?” she asked biting her lip.

  Khalil touched her cheek. “Now we have everything out in the open and there’s nothing to stop us from moving forward.”

  Danielle touched his arm. “I wouldn’t be mad at you Khalil, if this is more than you bargained for.”

  “Woman, stop that. I’ve told you that I want you and practically nothing is going to change that,” he told her firmly.

  She smiled softly. “Don’t worry, everything else works just fine.”

  “That’s good to know.” He tasted her lips and she cradled his head in her hand.

  “Thank you Khalil,”

  He stared at her. “For what?”

  “For being such a wonderful King.”

  Khalil began to kiss her as his hands roamed over her naked curves. After a few minutes, he pulled away and stood to his feet. “I’m going to need you to get dressed again, Queen.”

  Danielle looked him over. “Two weeks right?”

  He nodded and held out his hand. “Two weeks.” Khalil helped her to her feet and held her gently in his arms. “You are so beautiful all over, Danielle,” he whispered.

  “But the most beautiful part is right here.” Khalil placed his hand over her heart and she looked at him. “This is what I desire the most.”

  Danielle felt her eyes water. “You’re so much more than I ever expected.”

  “And you’re everything I ever wanted,” he told her.

  She laid her head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat underneath his sweater. Closing her eyes, she let out a deep breath. She’d face many challenges in her life and knew that she’d probably face many more, but with this man beside her, she felt untouchable.

  She smiled as Khalil moved away and retrieved her clothes. When he began to dress her, she laughed. “Are you showing off your Daddy skills again?” she asked as he put her shirt over her head.

  “No, you’re just taking too long,” he answered. “And I only have so much self-control at this point.”

  Danielle laughed as he held out her jeans to her. “Please,” he said and she took them, quickly putting them back on.

  When she was fully dressed again, he asked to use her bathroom and she gave him directions. Lying on the sofa, Danielle stared up at the ceiling then smiled. Khalil found her in that position when he returned.

  “Are you happy Queen?” he asked and she turned to him.
<
br />   “Yes.”

  He lifted a brow. “Who’s using definitive answers now?”

  She smiled. “When you tell the truth, there’s no need to hesitate.”

  Khalil came to her and perched on the sofa. “I’m glad you’re happy. I want to make you happy.”

  “Honestly, after my last serious relationship, I’d given up hope of finding someone to be with…forever,” she told him softly. “He couldn’t handle not having children.”

  Khalil frowned. “There are other options. So many African-American children are currently in the foster care systems needing safe homes.”

  “I know, but he wanted his own.” She sat up on the sofa. “He’s married now with two kids.”

  He took her hand. “What about you? Did you want kids of your own?”

  Danielle looked down. “At one time I did, very much. My dream was to get married and have a daughter of my own.” She glanced over at him. “When Kam was born, I basically adopted her. My sister and her husband moved here when she was pregnant. He’s in the military and she got a job here. I take Kam as much as I can to give her a break and because I love her so damn much.”

  “Kyros wants her to like him,” Khalil relayed.

  “Oh, she does!” Danielle told him. “When you two left all she talked about was how smart Kyros is.”

  Khalil shook his head with a frown. “Just so you know, your ex is an ass,” he told her.

  She looked at Khalil. “It was too much for him and it just wasn’t meant to be between us. He’s happy now.” She looked at Khalil. “And I am too.”

  “I have so much to look forward too,” she finished with a smile.

  He returned her smile and took her into his arms before lying them down on the couch together. “Damn, it’s been a long day,” he said with a sigh.

  Danielle looked at her clock on the mantle. “You still have a little over an hour before Kyros is done. Why don’t you take a nap?”

  “Right here on your couch?” he asked.

  Danielle pulled him closer and kissed his head. “Right here in my arms, baby.”

  ******

  The next morning Khalil sat in his office across from Private Investigator Malachi Roberts. Malachi was a former Detroit Police Lieutenant, who’d had a stellar career. Standing at six-four with a powerful body to match, he was truly a force to be reckoned with. His sharp gaze focused on Khalil as Khalil informed him of last night’s events.

  “So she wants to meet with your son, without the fiancé…and she’ll drop the case?” Malachi questioned.

  Khalil nodded. “That’s what she said, but I think there’s more to this.”

  “There sure is,” Malachi informed him. “I’m getting some red flags on your child’s mother and her new fiancé, Spencer.”

  “Like what?”

  Malachi leaned his big body forward. “First of all, the pair just met a few months ago and as far as this so-called wedding, no venues have been booked, no invitations have been mailed and nothing has been announced.”

  “The guy, Spencer Tynesdale is almost a shadow. Outside of his family connections, there’s very little information to be found about his personal life. He lives off of an inheritance, so he has no job. It appears he uses cash for most purchases, preferring not to leave paper trails,” Malachi finished.

  “Who the hell is this dude?” Khalil questioned.

  “I’m still digging. I just need to dig deeper.”

  Khalil nodded. “Well, I’m calling Melody tonight and we’re going to try to trap her and Spencer in whatever plan they’ve come up with. Melody wasn’t very subtle last night, but I’m sure today, she’ll have her stuff in order. They’ve had all night to work on it.”

  “Do you need me there?” Malachi asked.

  “The Negus will be there and Chief Green-Williams will be alerted,” Khalil told him.

  Malachi nodded. “Then I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.”

  Khalil pinned him with a stare. “Malachi, I need to know what the hell I’m dealing with and whether this dude is a threat to my son…because I eliminate threats.”

  “So do I.” Malachi assured him. “You’ll be the first to know whatever I find, Khalil.”

  “We’re on the clock.” Khalil said firmly.

  After concluding his meeting with Malachi, Khalil attended a meeting with some donors for the Center then made his way back to his office. The Center work was always his priority and he’d done an excellent job at securing funding and sponsors for the many programs that were offered.

  Sitting behind his desk, he took a moment to breathe before his next meeting. His days were usually non-stop, so he made sure to practice some self-care. He couldn’t afford to have a breakdown or become ill. He had Kyros and the Center to take care of. As he picked up the paperwork for his next meeting, a knock on the door got his attention and he called for them to enter.

  “Hey Mr. Lewis!” The desk clerk popped his head inside the door.

  “Hey Vic, what’s up?”

  The door opened and the young man walked inside carrying a bag with a big smile. “Your lady just dropped this off for you.” He placed the bag on the desk and the aroma filled Khalil’s nostrils.

  “My lady?” Khalil looked at him.

  “Yeah, the one with the fly fur hat that came by yesterday.”

  Khalil smiled. “Her name is Judge Baxter.”

  “Judge?” Vic asked in surprise.

  “Yeah, she’s a judge,” Khalil confirmed.

  “Whoa, I never had a judge that looked like her.”

  Khalil frowned. “Just make sure you don’t have any more judges, okay?”

  Vic frowned. “Nah, I’m straight on that.”

  “Thanks for bringing this in,” Khalil told him.

  “She left a note in the bag,” Vic said, now with a smile. “I didn’t read it though.”

  “That wouldn’t have been a good decision on your part,” Khalil agreed.

  Vic shrugged. “Yeah, I know.”

  Khalil waited until the young man left and opened the bag, pulling out the small piece of note paper. He smiled as he read the words. Last night he’d told her about his schedule for today and mentioned that he didn’t have time for lunch, as his schedule of meetings didn’t allow time for it.

  Reaching into the bag, he pulled out a plate covered with foil. Unwrapping it, his stomach flipped in excitement. A home cooked meal sat before him, still hot, and smelling like heaven. Inside the bag, he found real silverware and a fancy cloth napkin.

  Khalil looked at her note again… “The King never goes hungry…when the Queen is at home.”

  He shook his head. “Two weeks…not so sure about that.”

  Picking up the fork, he began to dig into the food and groaned. “Damn girl, Im’ma need to wife you real soon.”

  Quickly cleaning the plate, he placed everything back in the bag before heading out to his car. Inside, he dialed her number and waited to hear her voice.

  “Hello Khalil,”

  “Hello Danielle. Thank you so much for lunch.”

  She smiled. “I hope you enjoyed it.”

  “It was delicious. The best lunch I’ve had in a long time.” Khalil paused. “When I said that I didn’t have time for lunch, I wasn’t asking you to bring me any. “

  Danielle responded, “I didn’t think that Khalil. You are the most self-sufficient man I know. I brought you lunch because I wanted to and since I’m on vacation, it’s not a big deal.”

  “Your kindness is appreciated,” he told her as he drove.

  “And all the work you do for this community, is also appreciated,” she said quietly. “Are you on your way to another meeting?”

  “Yes, the third one of today,” he relayed. “I’m meeting with the Negus this evening, then calling Melody to possibly set up the meeting she requested.”

  Danielle sighed. “Please let me know how that goes.”

  “I will call you tonight,” he promised. “And I won’t s
how up unexpectedly at your door.”

  “You startled me…but I look forward to seeing you at any time now.”

  Khalil made a turn onto another street. “Thank you for letting me get some rest last night.”

  “I need you to be fully refreshed in two weeks,” Danielle purred.

  “Hmm…I was just re-evaluating that timeframe.”

  Danielle laughed. “Really?”

  “I may have to make some other arrangements,” he said quietly as he drove.

  “What has sparked this change of plan?” Danielle questioned.

  Khalil looked out the window. “You took your clothes off last night.”

  “Then you shared the deepest part of yourself with me and I slept peacefully on your breasts,” he continued. “So now it’s either make love to you, marry you or both.”

  Danielle closed her eyes. “I’m going to learn to stop asking you questions.”

  “You’ll always hear the truth.”

  “And that’s why I’ll always bring you lunch,” she told him.

  Arriving at his destination, Khalil parked his car. “I’m at my meeting, so I will speak with you tonight.”

  “Have a good meeting.”

  “Thank you, and you have a good day Queen.”

  Danielle ended the call and looked over at her friend in the passenger seat. “Now you see why I had to drop off his lunch first.”

  Toya blinked. “Girl, I had to crack the window.”

  Danielle laughed. “Shut up.”

  “When he said he slept peacefully on your breasts…I was like, please give that man some nookie.” Toya told her.

  “I’m trying!!” Danielle protested. “Believe me.”

  They both laughed as Danielle drove. After a minute, Toya looked at her friend. “Was it hard telling him?”

  Danielle glanced at her. “He made it so much easier. Khalil is very kind and can put me at ease.”

  “So he’s going to marry you?” Toya asked raising a dark, arched eyebrow.

  “He says that’s his objective. He’s not looking to just date anybody.” Danielle continued to drive. “Khalil is looking to bring his Queen home.”

  Toya nodded. “That’s some deep stuff. Does he have a brother?”

  Danielle shook her head. “No, he has a twin sister. She opened the food co-op that we’re going to visit this weekend.”