by D. Camille
Khalil shook his head. “How old was he?”
“Twenty-two.” Mac answered.
“Another young life,” he said exasperated.
Danielle took his arm. “It was yours or his, by his choice.”
“I’m still going to follow up on him and ask questions,” Mac told him. “But you know how people get tight-lipped with information.”
Lance nodded. “Give me his name Mac, and I’ll put out some feelers on the streets.”
“What are you going to do now Khalil?” Rion asked.
“They’ve clearly underestimated me. I tried to give Melody the benefit of the doubt, but game’s over now.” Khalil told the room. “I’m going to meet with her.”
“What?” The whole room exploded.
“I’m going to meet with Melody and get to the bottom of this,” Khalil looked at Rion. “And if she’s a part of this, I have no sympathy.”
Assata nodded at her son in silent agreement and Danielle looked between the two in suspicion.
“Where are you going to meet with her?” Christian asked. “I think I need to be present as your attorney and be privy to your discussion.”
Khalil shook his head. “No, that wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Danielle looked at Khalil. “You need someone there to protect your interests, Khalil.”
“We’re not ‘discussing’ anything,” Khalil corrected them. “I’m dealing with Melody and Spencer. There’s no way in hell, they’re getting away with this.”
“I’ll go with you,” Corvus volunteered.
“What?” Khalil asked.
“I’ll go with you, because you need somebody. Nobody is letting you do this by yourself, so let’s take care of business. Set it up and let’s roll.”
Khalil paused for a minute then turned to Rion. “Are you good with that?”
Rion looked at his father. “Corvus is ready.” Mr. Shaw agreed.
Turning back to Corvus, Khalil told him, “Don’t make me have to hurt you.”
Corvus smiled. “I’m good, plus I don’t like how your girl is playing this with old dude. I don’t know who the hell he thinks he is, but he’s about to meet the Negus.”
The group met for another hour before they began to file out of the house to handle their lives and businesses. Khalil promised to keep everyone informed of the upcoming activities. Khayla kissed and hugged her brother before being ushered out of the door by her husband.
Khalil promised to talk with her soon along with his parents. For now, he wanted to simply sit down and regroup himself. After walking his parents to their car, Khalil returned inside and found Danielle with her boots on gathering her coat.
“What are you doing?” he asked closing the door behind him.
“I’m leaving like everyone else.” She told him putting on her jacket. “It’s been quite a morning for you.”
“You have something to do?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
“Then I’d like for you to stay here…with me,” he said quietly.
Danielle looked around at the empty rooms. “You have a beautiful home. I can feel the love here.”
Khalil walked over to her and slowly unfastened her coat. “I’d like to show you the rest.”
Danielle stood still as he helped her remove the garment then watched as he hung it back in the closet. He turned to her. “You need help with your boots too?”
She smiled. “No, I don’t need help with my boots.” Shaking her head, she removed them before he took her hand and began to lead her through his house.
“Welcome to my home,”
Danielle walked through the impressive space taking a look at the kitchen first. She smiled when she saw Kyros’ room decorated with pictures of black history icons like Malcolm X, Imhotep, Huey Newton, Assata Shakur, Angela Davis, Nina Simone and more.
Danielle looked around. “Now I’ve seen Spiderman and Batman themed rooms for a little boy, but I must say I’ve never seen a Black History room.”
Khalil smiled. “He chose the people he wanted on the walls. He can tell you everything about them.”
“It’s very creative and beautiful.”
“I like having the ancestors looking over him while he sleeps. Superman and Batman have never done anything for him and can’t teach him anything except glorifying the white hero,” Khalil explained.
Danielle nodded then walked over to one picture in particular. “I know the others, but you have to tell me who this is.”
Khalil joined her. “It’s Clara Belle Williams, an earlier picture of her. She was the first black graduate of New Mexico State University.”
“While that’s an accomplishment in itself, the reason I taught Kyros about her is that because of segregation and racism, she was not allowed into any of the classes. She actually stood in the hall and took notes for her classes. They didn’t even give her a chair.”
“Yet, she still graduated then went on to become a teacher herself. She’s the example that whatever you want, you have to go and get it, despite the obstacles put in place to stop you,” he finished.
Danielle turned to him. “I understand you were very instrumental in opening Kam and Kyros’ school.”
He nodded. “Educating our youth is our number one responsibility. Not on the lies that have been repeatedly taught, but to the truths of who they are, and who the people are that came before them.”
“I meet young people at the Center who can tell me about America’s racist “founding fathers” but nothing of their own legacy and culture,” he finished.
“When my sister told me about the school, I was very impressed.” Danielle confessed. “The premise of teaching our children about their own, first and foremost.”
“Black First, Nation Building is the motto,” Khalil informed her. “They have to understand where they have come from, what our people have endured and the strength that is carried forward into them, to do every great thing they desire.”
“In addition, Brother Malcolm says that only a fool would let his enemy educate his child and I am no fool,” he finished.
Danielle nodded in understanding. “I know that Kam has learned so much. She tells me about her school every time I see her.”
Khalil smiled. “I’m glad she’s learning something.” He took her hand again and led her to his bedroom. Danielle looked around at the immaculate room.
Staring at the large bed, she turned to him. “So which side is awaiting your Queen?”
He pulled her closer. “Any side she chooses.”
Danielle touched his jaw. “I’m concerned about this thing with Melody.”
“I have you in my bedroom so the last thing I want to talk about is Melody.” He lowered his head and kissed her soundly.
“So what do you want to talk about?” she whispered against his lips.
“I never said I wanted to talk, period.” Khalil told her, kissing her neck.
Danielle leaned her head back. “So what do you want King?”
Khalil moved to her ear. “I want you.”
“Mmmm…what happened to all that adequate time?”
“I’ll make that up to you tomorrow.” His hands slid underneath her sweater to caress her warm skin as his mouth sought hers again.
Danielle managed to pull away slightly. “Khalil, I rushed out of my house to check on you. I didn’t really get to uh…prepare for an afternoon encounter.”
He kissed her again. “Did you wash?”
She grabbed his shirt. “Yes, of course. I’m just saying, I didn’t get to do any extras.”
“I’ll look forward to the extras tomorrow.” He lifted her sweater over her head and tossed it on the bed. “Right now, the everyday is more than enough.”
Danielle pulled his shirt from his slacks and began on the buttons. “The kids get out of school in three hours,” she said hurriedly.
Khalil went for his belt. “I know.”
Clothes were thrown all over the room as the
two rushed to get to one another. They fell to the bed in a tangled mass of arms and legs. Their mouths connected until they fought to breathe. Danielle ran her hands along the sinew and muscle that made up Khalil’s firm back and ass. She could tell that he worked out frequently from the way the firm flesh moved underneath her fingertips.
Against her woman’s entrance, she felt the hot, hard flesh seeking entrance. One short lift of her naked butt and the connection was made, much to her delight. His thick, rigid phallus filled her core to the hilt and then some, stretching her to new dimensions, both physically and emotionally.
“Khalil,” she sighed in his ear.
At this point, Khalil was beyond any semblance of a man in control. This morning’s events and the unexpected that awaited him had driven him to a place where rational thinking was replaced by ardent need and desire. His only focus was loving the woman who was now in his bed and his heart.
If Danielle had ever complained about Khalil’s intensity and focus, now was not the time. Her breath was taken away from having all of that power completely concentrated on making her explode. Each heated touch started a blaze that was cooled by each strategic kiss. Every deliberate stroke took her higher while making her fall deeper. The afternoon seemed to pass away quickly in this space where her eyes and legs were both aimed towards the ceiling
As the first stirrings began to finally circulate through her feverish body, Danielle tried to prepare herself for the anticipated finale, but Khalil’s loving was torrid, sultry, sweltering, blistering and scorching.
She’d been working on synonyms with Kam this week, so the thesaurus was stuck in her brain. It didn’t matter, however, because none of those words were even adequate for what was happening this afternoon, in this bedroom, in the middle of this bed, in this man’s arms.
Danielle grabbed him tightly and closed her eyes while his name was ripped from her throat again. Khalil groaned into her mouth as his hot seed filled her inside. Wrapping her legs around his back, she squeezed tightly not wanting this unexpected incident to come to an end.
After their breathing returned to normal, Khalil held their bodies close together and stared down at her. Slowly, he lowered his head and kissed her gently. “Beautiful Queen…”
He lowered his face into her neck and she held him firmly. “You’re so intense.” Danielle said quietly stroking his naked back.
“You did say you found that attractive,” he reminded her.
“It’s hellafying, mind-blowing, stupefying…” she told him.
“Kam is studying her synonyms too?” he asked.
Danielle laughed softly. “Yes, I’ve been working on them with her.”
He lifted his head. “Kyros too.”
She touched his handsome face. “Maybe we can work with them together on Sunday?”
Khalil looked down at their still joined bodies then back at her face. “So this was not the way I’d planned for this to happen, but I can’t apologize because it was amazing.”
“It was pretty amazing for me too,” she said softly with a smile. “In fact, it was so amazing, I think I’m going to keep you here a while longer.”
“You want to try out the other side of the bed?” he asked lifting a brow.
Danielle nodded. “All four corners, baby.”
He gave her a sexy smile. “Yes, my Queen.”
******
The two managed to tear themselves away from his bed to pick up the kids from school on time. Danielle had volunteered to pick up Kam, so Khalil followed her to the school. They stood side by side outside waiting for the youngsters and their eyes stayed connected as they both relived the afternoon in their minds.
Kyros and Kam ran up to them, breaking their spells and both turned their attention to the children.
“Hey Daddy!”
“Hey son,” Khalil rubbed his son’s head.
“Hi Auntie Danielle!” Kam hugged her aunt.
Danielle smiled. “Hey Kam, you ready?”
The kids said goodbye while Khalil stared at Danielle. “Let’s walk them to their car Kyros.”
“Okay,”
At Danielle’s car, Kam climbed inside and buckled up. Danielle closed the door then turned to the Lewis men. “Thank you gentlemen. “
Kyros smiled while Khalil looked down at her. “We’ll see you soon.”
“Yes, you will.” Danielle assured him.
Khalil walked her around to her door while Kyros waited on the sidewalk. Opening her door, he waited until she climbed inside and turned to him. “Drive safely Queen.”
She sent him a silent message to call her later and he nodded. “Of course.” Closing the door, he gathered his son and went to his own car. Inside he looked back at Kyros.
“How was school?”
“It was good.” Kyros frowned. “I missed you this morning.”
Khalil thought back over the day and shook his head. What would’ve happened to his son if that bullet had really hit him? Who did some shit like that? He calmed himself before he answered.
“I missed you too. I had an emergency at the Center,” he explained.
Kyros nodded. “That’s what Grandma and Granddaddy said…” he trailed off.
Khalil picked up on his mood. “Something wrong son?”
Kyros looked out of the window. “I was scared.”
“Why?” Khalil asked.
“I thought something happened to you,” he turned back to his father with concern on his face.
Khalil felt his heart begin to beat. He’d forgotten how perceptive his young son was. “I’m fine son and I promise everything is going to be okay.”
Kyros smiled. “I was happy to see you.”
Khalil matched his smile. “I’m always happy to see you.”
The two drove home and went inside. Kyros headed to his room to change clothes while Khalil went to the kitchen to make him a snack. When his son appeared with his homework, he was frowning.
“What’s up Kyros?” Khalil asked concerned.
“Why’s your bed all messed up?” Kyros asked. “It’s usually made up like mine.”
Khalil froze. “I was home earlier before I picked you up.”
“Are you sick?” Kyros questioned since in his mind the only reason you’d be in the bed in the middle of the day meant that you weren’t feeling well.
Khalil smiled to himself. “No son, I’m not sick.”
Kyros shrugged. “Okay, Daddy.”
Sitting the snacks on the counter, Khalil walked over to his son and helped him up onto the chair.
“You know that I love you more than anything in this world and there is nothing that I would not do for you,” Khalil told him. “You are my life and my little soldier.”
“I know Daddy. I love you too.” Kyros put his arms around him. “I’m glad you feel better.”
Khalil hugged him back. “I feel amazing son.”
******
That evening Khalil put Kyros to bed after his nightly ritual of showering and brushing his teeth, then waited for Malachi. When he arrived, the two men sat down in the living room on the other side from the bedrooms.
“Are you still in pain?” Malachi asked.
“No brother, I am feeling no pain this evening.”
“So how do you want to do this?”
Khalil sat on the sofa and picked up his phone. “I’m calling her now.”
They both listened as the phone rang.
“Khalil?” Melody answered.
“You fucked up.”
“What are you talking about?”
He frowned. “I’m talking about the fact that you tried to kill me today! That’s what the hell I’m talking about!”
She paused. “I…I have no idea what you’re talking about Khalil! I was waiting for you to call me to set up a date to meet with Kyros.”
“You think I believe one damn word you say?” he demanded. “You’ve hooked up with that slave trader descendant and lost your damn mind!”
; “Please Khalil,” she heard the anger in his voice. “Just tell me what happened.”
Malachi looked over at Khalil. “Somebody shot at me this morning,” he told her harshly.
“And you think I had something to do with it?” she asked incredulously.
“Nobody was shooting at me until your ass arrived,” he said pointedly.
Melody took a deep breath. “I swear Khalil; I wouldn’t do something like that!”
“Listen Melody, the last thing I want to do is hurt my son’s mother, but I won’t go out like that, I promise you.”
She shook her head. “I need your help Khalil.”
He and Malachi both frowned. “What?”
“Listen, Spencer has been acting very strange. He left town the other day and I haven’t heard from him. I thought he was possibly going to do something like try to kidnap Kyros, but I never thought he’d try to hurt you,” she confessed.
“Why does he want my son?” Khalil shouted.
“I don’t know,” she cried. “He says he wants us to be a family and we need to get Kyros before the wedding in April.”
“It’s almost March,” Khalil told her. “What’s the deal with April?”
“I don’t know!” she cried again.
Khalil stood. “Who the hell is this dude Melody?”
“I’m beginning to think maybe I don’t know him either.”
Malachi shook his head indicating that he didn’t trust her and Khalil agreed.
“When is he coming back?” Khalil asked.
“He didn’t say and I don’t know where he is,” she answered.
Khalil nodded. “Where are the two of you supposed to be taking Kyros, if you got him?”
“To New York. He has a house there.”
“If he’s not back in two days, you’re bringing your ass to New York and we’re going to get to the bottom of this shit. Do you understand?”
Melody shook her head. “Were you hurt Khalil?”
“It’s too late to worry about me Melody. You should be worried about yourself because if you’re playing a game, I will hurt you. The only reason you’re alive right now is because you are Kyros’ mother and I love my son,” he told her with an edge.
“I told Spencer how you felt about Kyros. I don’t think he believed me.” Melody confessed. “I also told him not to cross you. He didn’t believe that either, I guess.”
