by D. Camille
Khalil pulled back for a moment. “Somebody is calling your name.”
Danielle continued to kiss him. “It’s Toya.”
“Danielle, pick up this damn phone! I can still hear you!”
Khalil helped Danielle to her feet before walking over and picking up the device.
“Hello?”
Toya’s eyes widened at the sexy voice on the other end. “Hello?”
“Toya, it’s Khalil.”
“Well, hello Khalil. I’ve heard so much about you and I can’t wait to meet you in person.”
He nodded. “I must say the same.”
“Let me just say this, Khalil. Danielle is A1 and you won’t find one better.”
Khalil looked over at Danielle. “Yes, I agree.”
Toya smiled. “Don’t let her get away, even if she tries.”
“Never.”
“What is she saying?” Danielle asked.
“She’s the sweetest person with the biggest heart,” Toya continued.
Khalil smiled at Danielle as he spoke into the phone. “I know.”
“And if you hurt her, I will fuck you up.” Toya relayed.
He nodded slowly. “I understand.”
“Tell her to hang up,” Danielle instructed.
Toya laughed. “She’s bossy too.”
“Yes, and beautiful, and kind, and sexy,” he said looking Danielle over in her robe. “She’s the Queen who has taken my heart and conquered my love. There is nowhere that she could go that I would not seek her, and there is nothing that could convince me otherwise.”
Toya reared back at his words and looked at the phone. “Well damn, I see why’s she completely out of her mind right now,” she told him. “Tell her to call me when she’s sane again.”
“I will.”
Khalil disconnected the call and sat the phone on the table next to the bags that Danielle had picked up from the floor.
“She wants you to call her later,” Khalil relayed.
“I didn’t think you were coming back,” Danielle said softly.
“That’s something I would only do at your request.”
Danielle looked away at the bags. “You got lunch for us?”
He nodded. “You were being difficult and I was hungry.”
“I’m sorry for being difficult,” she apologized.
He shrugged. “I can be difficult as well, at times.”
“So we can be difficult together?” Danielle asked.
Khalil came and lifted her onto the table before stepping between her legs. “We will be everything together.”
Danielle began to unfasten his coat. “So, I want you to promise me something?” she asked opening his jacket.
Khalil shrugged out of the garment and tossed it on a chair. “What is that?”
Holding on to his shirt, she looked up at him. “In two months, you’ll tell me again that you’re in love with me?”
He caressed her face. “Two months, two years, two decades from now, I’ll still be in love with my beautiful, fierce Queen.”
She smiled and recalled Toya’s advice. Looking into his face, she said, “Khalil, I’m in love with you too.”
“I heard you shouting it, when I came through the door.”
Danielle laughed. “That was practice.”
She reached up and placed her mouth on his. “This is the real thing.”
“Yes, Danielle…it is.”
******
After acknowledging that they were a couple in love, Khalil and Danielle spent the rest of the weekend together doing the things that lovers do. They’d gone out to dinner and a movie on Saturday, then on Sunday, they’d gather up the kids and played games at Danielle’s place.
Khalil looked out of his office window on Monday morning. He was ready to put the last few weeks behind him and move forward with his life along with his son and his Queen. However, he still felt compelled to help those who were victims of this type of crime. He was still working through options in his head as Malachi arrived.
“Hey Malachi,” Khalil greeted him at his office door.
“Hey, you good?” Malachi asked.
Khalil nodded. “Yeah, I’m good. My son is safe and Melody’s gone so things can get back to normal, I guess.”
Both men took seats in the office.
Malachi studied Khalil for a moment. “That was some fucked up shit.”
“Tell me about it,” Khalil agreed. “I appreciate all of your help and using your connections.”
“That’s why you pay me the big bucks,” Malachi told him.
Khalil snapped his fingers. “Speaking of,” he pulled an envelope from his drawer. “This is for you.”
Malachi smiled. “I wasn’t hinting.”
“I know, I’m a man that pays my debts on time.”
Taking the envelope, Malachi said, “My favorite type of client.”
Khalil sat back in his chair. “So what else do you have for me?”
Malachi gave Khalil a look. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Your dude floated up last night,” Malachi informed him. “I’ve got a contact in the Coroner’s office down there.”
Khalil nodded as Malachi continued. “Fractured face and skull, extensive broken bones and genital damage.”
Khalil glanced out of the window and saw the kids running around the playground in their winter coats.
“In addition to bullets in the head and groin,” Malachi finished.
Turning back to Malachi, Khalil asked, “Who are they looking at?”
“Haven’t been able to ID the body since no prints are in the system. Body was beaten so badly and bloated from the water, almost unrecognizable. Right now he’s a John Doe, family probably doesn’t even know he’s missing yet.” Malachi explained. “And, if anything hits, I’ll be the first to know.
Khalil nodded. “Thanks.”
“How’s Kyros doing?” Malachi asked.
“We were able to shield him from most of this,” Khalil explained. “And since he doesn’t even know Melody, her being gone wasn’t an issue.”
“Man, she cleaned that house out in New York. I think she even took the toilet paper,” Malachi informed him.
Khalil shook his head. “She’s something.”
“So before we conclude our business, is there anything else that you need?” Malachi asked.
“Yeah, I was wondering if you know any black therapists that can work with young boys who’ve been sexually abused, preferable a male?” Khalil asked.
Malachi nodded. “My brother’s a therapist.”
“Really?” Khalil said in surprise. “In Detroit?”
“No, he’s in the Chi, but he comes to the D all the time.” Malachi informed him. “I could hook you up with him.
“What’s his name?” Khalil asked.
“Dr. Mathias Roberts.”
Khalil nodded. “Okay, that works, thanks a lot.”
“What are you planning?”
“I have to do something for these kids. I don’t know how many of them have been exposed to this, but I want to get them the help they need,” Khalil explained.
“That’s a good look,” Malachi agreed. “My brother has a lot of information on this subject and I know that the boys especially don’t get assistance and services to deal with the trauma.”
“I’m just doing what I would want somebody to do for my son, if it had happened to him,” Khalil said turning back to the window to see the kids happily playing.
“No kid should have to worry about some shit like that. This world offers enough obstacles and pitfalls for them without some sick bastards’ fetishes,” he finished angrily.
Malachi agreed. “Yeah, if you wouldn’t have taken Spencer out, I certainly would have. I’m still trying to identify some of his buddies.”
Khalil turned back to him. “If you do, be sure to let us know.”
“You got it.”
The
two men concluded their business and Khalil sat in his office alone working on paperwork until his receptionist popped his head into the door after a quick knock.
“Hey Mr. Lewis,”
Khalil looked up. “You do know we have a phone system, Vic?”
The young man smiled. “I’m delivering stuff though.” He held up a bag as he came inside then set it on the desk.
“Dang, that smells good!” Vic said sniffing the bag. “Your woman keeps you tight. That’s what I’m talking about. I need to get my little pieces in check.”
Khalil looked at him and lifted a finger. “Young brother, listen. A Queen should only take care of a King that is deserving of her care.”
Vic smiled. “So that mean you putting it down right?”
Khalil sighed. “Sit down, Vic.”
He waited until the young man sat down. “How old are you again?”
“Twenty-two.”
Khalil nodded. “How are your classes at the community college?”
Vic nodded. “Straight. I appreciate you helping me out with that and the job.” He lowered his head. “You know after going to jail, a lot of people don’t want to look out for a brother.”
“How long were you there?” Khalil asked.
“I did two years for a weapons charge.”
Khalil shook his head. “Well listen, you have a new chance. Don’t fuck it up doing anything stupid and that includes messing around with some of these women out here. They may not be who you think they are.”
“Work on being the man you want to be and not how many ‘little pieces’ you can juggle,” Khalil told him. “When you’re ready to be a King, your Queen will come.”
Vic nodded. “That’s dope. I know your Queen is on point and she brings you hot food with notes in the bag!”
Khalil looked at him. “You can leave now, so I can eat it while it’s still hot.”
Vic smiled and stood to his feet. “For real though, thanks a lot Mr. Lewis.”
“You’re welcome Vic.”
Khalil watched the young man leave and waited until he closed the door before reaching into the bag. Vic was right, the food did smell delicious. He retrieved the card inside and read it.
Thank you for the surprise spa day and the beautiful flowers! I’ll be thinking of you as I get pampered. Enjoy your lunch, you deserve it.
P.S. I’m so in love with my King
Khalil smiled and removed the plate. “You deserve it my Queen.”
Chapter 18
With only a few days left before her vacation was officially over, Danielle did the one thing she’d been putting off for the past three weeks. Driving to her doctor’s office, she felt a twinge. Knowing that she couldn’t delay the visit any longer, she girded herself up for what she knew was going to be a difficult visit.
Danielle waited in the lobby until the doctor arrived and smiled at her. “Judge Baxter, I was wondering when I would see you.”
Danielle stood to her feet. “I know, I should have been here weeks ago, but I’ve had a lot going on.”
The doctor lifted a brow. “Well, I can’t wait to hear about it.”
In the office, Danielle took a seat on the sofa, while the doctor took her chair. Danielle waited while the doctor pulled out a pad and readied her pen.
“So how have you been during your vacation?”
“I’ve been pretty good. Physically not any really bad days…”
Dr. Charles lifted a brow. “And mentally?”
Danielle sighed. “I met someone.”
“As in a man?”
She nodded. “An incredible man. He has a son the same age as my niece, Kam. They’re actually in the same class.”
“Have you become involved with this man?” Dr. Charles asked.
“Yes, very involved. I’ve fallen in love with him,” Danielle confessed.
Dr. Charles smiled. “Well this is quite a development. The last time we talked, you said that you’d almost given up hope of finding someone to fill that role in your life.”
“After what happened with the last guy, I had given up, but Khalil changed that for me.”
“Just how was he able to do that?”
Danielle paused. “By being the man he is.”
Dr. Charles wrote on her pad. “Have you told him about your past and your current condition?”
“Yes, I’ve told him everything and he’s okay with it.”
“But?” the doctor asked.
Danielle looked away confused. “I’ve learned some new things. My best friend Toya and my sister think that I’m capable of having a baby. They believe I only heard what I wanted, to some way subconsciously protect myself.”
“What do you think?” Dr. Charles asked.
Danielle shook her head. “I know that they would never lie to me and the thought that it might be possible, makes me afraid.”
“Tell me why ‘afraid’?”
Danielle took a breath. “Because I’ve lived my entire adult life believing something totally different.”
“That’s understandable, change is sometimes difficult.” Dr. Charles agreed. “Is this something that you want?”
She sat quietly and thought about both Khalil and Kyros. “It’s what I wanted before the accident and something I could want now.”
“How does your man feel about it?”
“I told him it was impossible for me to have children before I knew what Toya and Kim thought. I haven’t revisited the issue with him,” Danielle told her.
The doctor nodded. “Do you plan to?”
“I don’t know, not yet though. I have to get my head right first.”
“What else is going on in your head?”
Danielle balled her fists. “The triggers…I have to get rid of them.”
Dr. Charles leaned forward. “What’s been happening?”
“Khalil will do or say innocent things, but they hit a switch somewhere and I’m automatically in fight or flight,” Danielle told her. “Being in a relationship with someone has just re-opened every sensitive wound.”
“Is this causing a problem between you and Khalil?”
Danielle shook her head. “Not in a catastrophic way, but yes.” She looked away. “He shouldn’t have to walk on egg shells around me and I don’t want to shut down on him in order to protect myself.”
“It’s just so much happening at once!” Danielle said frustrated.
“What else is happening?” Dr. Charles asked.
“Someone was trying to kidnap Khalil’s son,” Danielle said quietly.
Dr. Charles frowned. “Oh my, is he okay?”
“Yes, Khalil managed to stop him.”
“That had to be traumatizing to you as well and it could be why you’re experiencing more triggers than usual, since you were also a kidnapping victim,” the doctor explained.
Danielle looked at her. “I really hadn’t thought about that.”
“How are things between you and Khalil now?”
She smiled. “Things are wonderful. We’re going to Florida next month so he can meet my parents.”
“So you see this as a long term relationship?”
“Khalil would not have it any other way.”
Dr. Charles made a note. “Khalil seems like a very determined man.”
“He’s very intense and focused,” Danielle agreed. “I’ve met his family and I adore them. His sister tried to shake me off at first, but she came around quickly.
Dr. Charles laughed. “You seem to be in a good space Danielle.”
Danielle agreed. “I am…I understand things a lot better now. I’m slowly letting go of the past and trying to look forward to the future.”
“A future that could include a husband, a son and a baby,” Danielle said and smiled when she heard the words out loud. “That’s amazing to say that.”
“Yes, especially considering a little over a month ago, you were contemplating leaving your job and moving back to Florida,” the doctor told her.
&nb
sp; Danielle shook her head. “I know. I was supposed to spend this month looking for houses and jobs, but instead I was falling in love with the man of my dreams.”
“Sometimes, we have to let go of what we’re holding, to make room for what’s waiting,” the doctor told her.
“I could’ve missed the best thing that ever have happened to me in my life,” Danielle agreed.
“But now, you have the whole world ahead of you.”
Danielle shook her head in awe. “I actually believe that now.”
For the rest of the hour, Danielle talked to the doctor with a new found sense of purpose. She would no longer be a victim to her past and allow it to stifle what was to come in her life. Sure, it was a process, but it was a process she was willing to tackle.
Later that evening, she drove to her sister’s home to pick up Kam in order to take her to the Pride Center. Tonight, Kyros was graduating from his Karate class and he’d invited them both to the performance and ceremony.
Danielle was so proud and amazed at all the programs that Khalil ran for the kids, from ballet to karate, sports and a library. He’s built an impressive organization that rivaled any Boys and Girls Club and he’d done it with his own sweat and tears. Yes, he’d had help from the Negus and other community supporters, but what he’d given there was unmatched.
Kam was standing in the window when Danielle arrived and rushed to the door to greet her. Hugging her niece, she stepped inside the apartment and greeted her sister.
“Hey Kim,” she hugged her tightly. “You look tired.”
Kim smirked at her. “Thanks.”
“No, not in a mean way. I’m just saying you look like you need some rest.” Danielle explained. “You know I’m happy to keep Kam. I’ve still got a few days of vacation left.”
“Danielle, you already take care of her like she’s your daughter. You buy her everything, take her everywhere and do all you can for her. You’re more like her father,” Kim said with a frown.
Danielle took her sister’s arm and led her to the sofa, while Kam went to gather her things. “Kim, I know it’s hard being married to a man in the military, especially when he’s deployed away for so long, but I’m here to help you and I don’t mind at all. I love you and Kam.”
“I love you too Danielle.” Kim responded. “It’s just getting harder and harder to be alone all the time.”
