by D. Camille
Danielle frowned. “Really?”
Assata rubbed her arm. “You settle my young King,” she told Danielle. “You give him a place of ease.”
“He’s been through so much these last few weeks,” Danielle sighed.
“You came at the time he needed you most,” Assata relayed. “No one expected Melody and all of this drama.”
Danielle looked away. “I want to give him time.”
“Khalil will not want time, he wants you.” Assata lifted Danielle’s face to her. “And believe me, he’s going to have you.”
There was a knock on the door and both Danielle and Assata turned. Khalid answered and welcomed Khalil inside. Danielle remained rooted by the window while he took off his coat and everyone took turns making sure he was okay.
Hearing his father’s voice, Kyros ran into the room and Danielle watched as Khalil lifted his son up into his arms and held him close. Across the room, his gaze caught hers and after hugging his son once more, he sat him on his feet and walked over to her.
She smiled up at him right before he hauled her into his arms and lowered his head. The kiss went on for an extended period of time until Khayla covered Kyros’ eyes with her hand.
“Auntie Khayla, I see them kiss all the time,” he told her. “But when Ms. Danielle stays over, I’m not allowed to see what else they do.”
Khalil lifted his head and looked at his son. “Kyros!” The Negus all looked at Kyros and smiled.
Khayla removed her hand and the boy looked sheepish. “Yes?”
“Stop talking.”
Kyros smiled. “Yes, Daddy.”
Khayla ushered her nephew out of the room along with the rest of the crew.
Danielle whispered in Khalil’s ear. “See, I told you to let me go home.”
Khalil turned to her. “He won’t be allowed to see what we do tonight either.”
“I’m not going to help you corrupt that baby,” she protested.
“He might as well get used to it,” Khalil told her, while kissing her cheek.
Danielle touched his face. “Is it over now?”
He nodded.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Khalil shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget this nightmare, but my son is safe and my Queen is here.”
“They said Melody’s gone to New York,” she relayed.
He sighed. “I hope she finds what she’s looking for and stays the hell away from me and my son.”
“At least she doesn’t have any rights to Kyros anymore so she can’t come back taking you to court for anything.”
“I thank the Nigist for that.”
“Hey, don’t sleep on them,” Danielle teased. “Khayla also wanted to sue Melody for back child support but we knew you wouldn’t go for that.”
“No, I would not.”
She looked at him. “That’s’ because you’re an incredible man and a woman would be blessed to have someone so strong and kind.”
Khalil pulled closer. “You want me?”
Danielle wrapped her arms around his neck. “It is a pretty nice package.”
“Do you know what comes with that package?” he said softly.
She smiled. “A very smart little boy?”
He nodded slowly. “And the heart of a King.”
Danielle lifted on her toes to touch their lips. “Then I’ll take it and cherish them both.”
Chapter 17
Danielle quietly watched the sleeping man next to her. Khalil had been restless for the last few hours. Since it was his parents’ weekend with Kyros, they had insisted that he stay so that Khalil could decompress from the events of the evening. He’d protested at first, but they’d reminded him of the importance of not breaking Kyros’ schedule and the boy was looking forward to the additional time with his beloved grandparents.
After tucking his son in to bed at his parents’ home, Khalil had followed Danielle home, where she’d led him inside and done some tucking in of her own. While knowing his son was safe, Khalil was still wrestling with the severity of the moment and concern for the other victims of this type of evil.
While he’d showered, she’d prepared a late snack and some hot tea. Khalil had shared tidbits of how their plan unfolded, beginning with him knocking Spencer out at the hotel. Detroit was a city that didn’t take kindly to strangers who came to wreak more havoc, so when needed, they stepped up to the plate. Khalil was grateful to all the people who had assisted him in thwarting Spencer’s plans.
When he’d finally fallen asleep from seemingly sheer exhaustion, Danielle had been both relieved and worried. This man had taken on so much in the last two weeks, she couldn’t imagine all that was going through his head.
Watching him now, she again marveled at the strength and power he possessed. His son had been threatened and he hadn’t stopped until he’d eliminated that threat completely. He’d professed that he wouldn’t be stopped and fulfilled that promise, but she could tell it was not quite over for him.
Sitting up against the pillows, she looked down at his handsome face in repose. His bare torso was unveiled for her and she greedily scanned the brown, clearly defined muscles of his arms and chest. The blanket rested around his waist from his restlessness and she reached down to pull it over his body to keep him warm.
She was met by a pair of slumberous dark eyes then gently touched his face. “Did I wake you?”
Khalil shook his head. “I wasn’t really sleeping.”
“I know,” she told him. “Are you worried about leaving Kyros?”
He stroked her arm. “Even with Spencer out of the picture, I’m still on edge.”
“That’s understandable, it may take a while for things to get back to normal,” Danielle explained.
Khalil sat up next to her and took her hand in his. “I never imagined something like this happening.” He held her gaze. “I also never imagined meeting someone like you, Danielle.”
Danielle looked at their intertwined hands. “I can honestly say the same.”
“You’ve seen me go through my worst and you’re still here beside me,” he said quietly. “When would it be appropriate to tell you that I’m in love with you?”
She lowered her head. “Khalil Lewis…” she breathed.
He lifted her face with a finger. “Is it a surprise?”
“It certainly wasn’t expected.”
“Then allow me to rectify that.” His hand cupped her jaw. “I’m in love with you Judge Danielle Baxter. You’re everything that I certainly didn’t expect.”
Staring into his eyes, she shook her head. “This is the last thing I thought we’d discuss today.”
He nodded and removed his hand. “Tell me what you thought we’d discuss then.”
“Well, like I said, I can tell it’s going to take some time for you to process and come to terms with this Spencer situation and I thought that you’d say you needed some time,” Danielle confessed.
“Some time for what?” he questioned.
She shrugged. “To be with your son, to clean up whatever else you need to, I don’t know…”
Khalil studied her. “The Queen is retreating?”
Danielle closed her eyes. “No, I’m not retreating. I’m trying…to give you space.”
“I know what retreating sounds like, Danielle,” he said firmly before she scrambled out of the bed.
He watched as she stood at the side of the bed in her nightgown. “I don’t want you to make rash decisions Khalil.”
“I never do.”
She wrung her hands. “Don’t turn this into an argument.”
“We’re already past that point.”
Danielle sighed. “Let’s not do this please.” She turned and walked out of the room before Khalil hung his head. When she returned, she placed his clothes on the bed.
“I washed these for you.”
He looked at his neatly folded garments. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Khalil watche
d as she retreated again and shook his head. Slowly he climbed from her warm bed and picked up the clothing before using her bathroom.
After getting dressed, he found her dressed in her robe sitting the table. She was reading the paper with her no nonsense courtroom glasses on. Their gazes met and he was transported back to the day he’d first laid eyes on her. Khalil leaned against the door opening and looked her over.
“There is an African proverb that says, “He who loves the vase loves also what is inside.” He told her.
Danielle heard his words and scanned his fully dressed body. “How does that apply?” she asked.
“I’m not just in love with your body Danielle,” he explained. “I’m even in love with the part inside of you that wants to test me.”
“I’m not trying to test you Khalil.”
He nodded. “Yes Queen, you are.” Khalil straightened and held her gaze. “You want me to prove myself. You’ve decided that I don’t know my own mind or for some reason, I’m not thinking straight when it comes to you.”
Danielle removed her glasses and sat them on the table. “I’m not asking you for anything.”
“You should never have to.”
“You’re the one making this into more than it needs to be,” she told him.
“Am I? I tell you that I’m in love with you and you run out of the room.” He spread his hands. “Yet, I’m overreacting?”
Danielle stood. “Let’s see how you feel in a month…or two?” she challenged.
“What’s going to change between now and then?” he rebutted.
“You’ll know me better,” Danielle supplied.
Khalil lifted a brow at her answer. “What do I need to know, since you are a better judge of my feelings than I am?”
Danielle frowned angrily at his sarcasm. “Okay, let’s see. There are times when I’m in so much pain that I can’t move, from the many surgeries I’ve had. I still have flashbacks of being taken against my will and sometimes the smallest thing can trigger me for no reason, like right now.”
She lowered her head in memory. “He kept yelling that he was in love with me! He was emotional and completely out of control, but one thing he knew for sure…he was in love with me and that’s why he had to take me back…and almost killed me in the process,” she finished with tears in her eyes.
“So see, I’m not perfect, in any way, and one day you might not like what’s inside the vase,” Danielle whispered hoarsely.
“I’m not going to hurt you Danielle, ever.” Khalil vowed softly. “Trust that I know who I am and that I am a man of my word.”
“I’m not going to love you today and not love you a month or two from now,” he finished.
Danielle looked at him. “You loved Melody at one time,” she pointed out.
He nodded. “And she did everything in her power, over the course of many years, to kill that love…and it has worked.”
“I don’t give my love freely to just anyone, but I’ve given it to you. Do you want it?” Khalil questioned softly.
Their eyes met and held. “Do I want to be loved by Khalil Lewis?” Danielle asked then stared at him for a long minute.
Khalil felt his heart speed up waiting for her answer. This was a crucial point in their relationship and he needed her to understand that he always meant what he said. He was in love with her and nothing was going to change that fact. Danielle had the tendency to interpret things in her own way and being in her profession, usually her last word was the end…not with him.
“Of course I do, but…” Danielle began before she was cut off and pulled into a pair of strong arms. Khalil’s mouth was on hers before she could take her next breath. She held on to him tightly as he kissed her thoroughly.
“No but’s,” he said against her moist lips. “No if’s, no and’s and no maybe’s.”
He looked down into her face. “I’ve laid it out from the beginning and I won’t deviate. Will you trust me?”
“Khalil,” Danielle protested and he shook his head.
“Yes or no, Queen?”
Danielle stared at him while her heart protested. Being hurt by Khalil would be more devastating than her car accident. She’d been able to start over from there, but this would be a different kind of pain.
“You told me last night that you’d cherish my heart. Do you believe that I’d do the same for yours?” Khalil questioned.
Her breaths increased as she met his intense gaze. At her prolonged silence, Khalil released her and stepped back.
“So you are determined to protect yourself from me?” he asked quietly.
Danielle wanted to answer, but the words were choked in her throat. She watched as he walked to her closet and retrieved his coat. Next he added his boots and was out the door without a backwards glance.
The thud of the door brought her out of her stupor and she realized that Khalil had just walked out on her. She rushed to the door just in time to see him taking off in his car.
Putting a hand over her mouth, she panicked. “Oh my god! What have I done?”
******
Toya answered her phone with a smile. “Well, well if it ain’t my best friend who’s still on vacation that I haven’t heard from in days.”
“Toya,” Danielle cried.
Toya sat up immediately. “D. what’s wrong? Are you in pain?”
“I’m going to die…” Danielle told her.
“Girl, what the hell is going on?” Toya screamed. “Where are you?”
Danielle sniffed. “I’m at home”
Toya began reaching for her purse in her desk. “I’m on my way.”
“No, don’t leave your job,” Danielle protested. “Just talk to me.”
“Danielle, what’s wrong?”
“It’s Khalil.”
Toya frowned. “What about him? Did he hurt you?” she demanded.
Danielle shook her head. “No, I hurt him because I’m a coward.”
“You are not a coward,” Toya told her. “You’re the strongest woman I know.”
“He said that he was in love with me…”
Toya sat back and sighed. “And he scared you.”
“I just snapped on him,” Danielle confessed. “I didn’t want to talk about it.”
“D., you know how you get. You only hear the shit you want to and then you make a final decision.”
Danielle frowned. “I wanted him to wait a little while longer before professing something like that.”
“Why? You’re not his judge Danielle. You can’t tell the man when to fall in love with you like a judicial order.” Toya chastised. “Did you tell him why those specific words triggered you?”
“Yes,”
Toya lifted a brow. “And what did he say?” she pressed.
“He said I had to trust him to know who he is and that he’d never hurt me,” Danielle relayed.
“You know he’s right.”
Danielle closed her eyes. “T., you don’t know what this man has done to me. If I was to fall all the way in and then he went left, I don’t know how I would pick up the pieces.”
“What evidence do you have that he’ll even go left?” Toya asked using terminology that Danielle understood.
“That’s why I wanted him to wait before we started talking about love,” Danielle argued.
“What’s going to happen between now and then?” Toya asked.
Danielle frowned sadly. “That’s what he said.”
“Danielle, don’t do this to yourself.” Toya warned. “If that man is in love with you, then take it and run with it. I don’t think Khalil is the type of man who goes around professing his love to women on a whim.”
“He’s not, Khalil is very focused.”
Toya rolled her eyes. “Then why are you doubting him?”
“See how crazy he has me acting?”
Toya glared at her phone. “Call me again on some bull like this, talking about you’re dying. Girl, I almost had a heart attack.”
“
He walked out Toya,” Danielle said sadly. “He didn’t say goodbye or anything. He just left.”
“Did you call him?”
“No, I can’t.” Danielle choked. “I don’t even know what to say.”
Toya sat up. “Okay, because I’m your best friend and you’re really tripping right now, I’m going to give you the words.”
Danielle sniffed again. “Okay,” she said listening intently.
“Khalil, I’m in love with you too.”
“What?”
“You heard me,” Toya said firmly. “Danielle, you fell in love with that man when you saw him in your courtroom.”
“No, I don’t fall in love with defendants.”
Toya laughed softly. “You didn’t fall in love with defendant, Khalil Lewis. You fell in love with a glimpse of the man he is and you’ve been twisted ever since.”
“I can’t fall that fast,” Danielle disagreed.
“Girl, don’t make me come over there,” Toya snapped. “Admit that you love that man.”
Danielle felt the words that she’d stubbornly kept inside, fight to be released.
“You’re so damn stubborn, which makes you a good judge, but a headache to everybody else,” Toya teased her. “Say the words Danielle.”
After a few minutes, Danielle gave in. “I’m in love with Khalil Lewis.” She said the words so low they could barely be heard.
“Uh, louder?” Toya prodded. “He won’t be able to understand that.”
Danielle shook her head and said them a little louder. “I’m in love with Khalil Lewis.”
Toya clapped her hands. “Well hallelujah, thank you Jesus!”
Danielle stood from the table and smiled. The words she’d feared now felt exhilarating.
“I’m in love with Khalil Lewis!” she nearly shouted.
“I know Queen.” The deep baritone startled her and she turned quickly dropping the phone.
Khalil stood in her doorway with bags in his hands. “You didn’t lock the door,” he told her.
Danielle ran across the room to him and he dropped the bags in his hands to catch her as she leaped into his arms. She attacked his mouth as she held on to him, thankful that he’d returned and not walked out of her life for good.
“Danielle!” Toya screamed through the phone.
