The Bull (The Black Land Series Book 2)

by D. Camille

  Khayla jumped at the sound of her doorbell and quickly ran to the door. She breathed a huge sigh of relief when she saw Lance standing on the other side of the doorway.

  “Hey Katydids.” He smiled at her. “I shoulda called but I just had Corvus drop me off here to see you.”

  Khayla wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest being mindful of his arm. “Oh my god! Are you okay?”

  Lance rubbed his free hand down her back. “I’m straight.”

  Khayla straightened and took his hand before leading him inside. She closed the door behind her and stared up at him.

  “Jamal?’ she questioned.

  He nodded slowly. “And Karen.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “What?”

  Lance took a deep breath. “They were planning to rob the station. Mike was trying to warn me,” he explained.

  Khayla stood in shock. “So Jamal shot you?” she asked confused.

  “Nah, it was Karen…” he told her quietly.

  She closed her eyes and put her hands to her head, holding her temples. “Did you just say that bitch shot you?” she said very slowly.

  Lance had not looked forward to Khayla finding out this part, because everyone knew that Khayla and Khalil were true twins. They were known to go ziggity-boom without a moment’s notice.

  “In the back!” she shouted.

  “Khayla…” Lance began.

  She opened her eyes and removed her hands. “Does Mac have her in custody?” she demanded cutting him off.

  Lance shook his head. “Nah, she skipped.”

  Khayla began to nod her head up and down. “Okay, okay.” She looked at Lance. “Where is she? I know you know.”

  Lance raised his good hand. “I swear I don’t know right now.”

  Khayla stepped closer. “When you find out, your ass better tell me. Do you understand?”

  “Khayla…” he began again.

  She grabbed his shirt with no regard for his arm this time. “Did you hear what I said Lance?” she gritted out.

  Lance cleared his throat. This was the Khayla who used to beat his ass on the playground. “Mac is putting out an APB.”

  Khayla released his shirt. “She’d better hope Mac finds her before I do!” she snapped.

  Lance grabbed her arm. “Khayla, calm down.”

  Her eyes were fire when she looked up at him. “Calm down! This damn chick shot you in the back and tried to rob you?”

  She walked away angrily. “You could’ve died! Over some stupid bullshit!”

  Lance watched her march angrily across the room. “You gave her ass a job and paid her well. I know because I saw your payroll!”

  “Then she turns on you and shoots you!” she yelled. “In the damn back!” she repeated.

  Khayla began to nod her head again. “Yeah, okay...ummmm hmmmm.”

  Lance recognized the universal sister gesture and phrase that meant, “Somebody was about to get seriously hurt.” He walked over to the sofa and took a seat.

  “I got it under control Khayla,” he told her.

  She turned to him. “Under control? No, see I know you and I know the Negus.” She pointed at him. “You won’t hurt her, because she’s a female. Yeah, you’ll let her get arrested and go to jail, but you won’t put the paws on her.”

  Khayla walked over to him. “But see, low down, dirty ass chicks like that only understand the paws….and deserve them.”

  Lance shook his head watching her. “I don’t want you putting the paws on anybody.”

  Khayla looked at him. “And I don’t want anybody hurting you.”

  He pulled her gently to him. “I can’t watch you and your brother.”

  “You don’t have to watch us.”

  Lance touched her face. “I don’t want you doing anything that messes with your reputation. You’re a doctor Khayla.”

  “Before I’m a doctor, I’m a Queen that protects her King,” she told him passionately.

  “I love you Khayla Imani…” Lance brought her face to his and began to feast on the lips that he’d thought about the entire day. He continued to consume her mouth until the pain in his shoulder became too much and he laid back against the sofa.

  Khayla stared at him. “You didn’t take your meds today.”

  Lance closed his eyes. “I had to take care of business.”

  Shaking her head, Khayla stood and went to retrieve some pain relievers. She returned and handed the pills to Lance along with a glass of water. After he’d swallowed the medication, she sat the glass on the coffee table then sat next to him.

  “I should fuss at you, but I’m not.” She touched his hairline. “I know this has been a difficult day for you.”

  Lance gently laid his head on her breast. “I just want to come home Ma.”

  “This is always home baby.” Khayla caressed his head against her bosom as she laid back and they sat quietly.

  “Did you eat?” Khayla asked a little while later.

  “Yeah, I stopped by the restaurant. They said I’d just missed you.”

  She nodded. “I left early. I couldn’t concentrate.”

  “You saw the news?’ he asked.

  “Self-inflicted gunshot wound?” she questioned.

  Lance smiled. “You sound like Mac.”

  “Well with the Negus, I know it wasn’t that simple. She does too.”

  “It’s done so no one needs to worry about that,” Lance told her lifting his head. “Now I need to plan another date for my Katydids.”

  Khayla smiled at him. “I can’t wait.”

  “Oh yeah, Corvus showed me some places today that might be good spots for your co-op.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  Lance sat up. “I looked at some possible locations for your idea.”

  Khayla felt a tear come to her eye. “I don’t believe you. You’re dealing with people who tried to kill you and you’re still thinking about me.”

  Lance took her hand and stared into her eyes. “A long time ago, I was on some dumb shit. I slept on how incredibly special you are. After what I did, you had every right to hate me and shut me out of your life forever…but you didn’t. When I look at you, I see my past, my present and my future.”

  He released her hand and caught the tear that slowly slid down her cheek. “Whatever you want Ma, that’s within my power, I will gladly do it for you.”

  “I’ve never stopped thinking about you Khayla Imani…and I never will.”

  Khayla managed to smile at him as she sniffed. “You know I love you Lance and although we weren’t ready for each other long ago, now this is real.”

  She kissed him with all the love she’d stowed away in her heart for him and he returned the same. The pain medicine had not yet kicked in and he groaned at the sudden burning.

  Khayla pulled back and looked at him in sympathy. “Come lie down baby. The pills should start helping shortly.”

  Taking his hand, she led him to the bedroom and waited while he sat on the bed. He watched as she removed his shoes, then laid back against the pillows.

  Lance smiled at her. “I remember this bed.”

  “I’m sure you do.” She smiled back at him.

  He waited as she laid next to him. “So you were very busy today?”

  “I checked in on my mother too,” he told her.

  Khayla turned to him. “How is she? Is the pain any better?”

  He shook his head. “Still the same and she won’t try to do anything different.” Lance looked at her. “She said you went to see her.”

  Khayla sighed. “I wanted to try to encourage her to work with me again.”

  Lance took her hand. “Thank you. I know she probably wasn’t real pleasant.”

  She laughed. “She was fine. Most people that are suffering really don’t have time for pleasantry.”

  “She’s so damn stubborn,” he complained.

  Khayla looked at him. “No kidding…and so is her son.”

  He smi
led at her. “Don’t be mean Khayla Imani.”

  She laughed and shook her head before sitting back against the headboard.

  “Can I get you anything?” she asked.

  His eyes darkened. “Oh yeah Ma…”

  “Not that.” She smiled down at him. “At least, not yet.”

  “I at least deserve the lips…” he whispered.

  She leaned down over his mouth. “Yes, you deserve the lips…”

  He tasted the plush pillows. “And the tongue…” he said against her mouth.

  Khayla licked his full lips. “And the tongue…” she agreed before tangling hers with his inside his mouth.

  Lance’s free hand came up to caress the full mound on her chest.

  “And the breasts?” he breathed into her mouth.

  She nodded. “Yeah, and the breasts…” she said on a sigh as he squeezed and massaged her breasts and nipples through her thin blouse.

  Khayla whipped the blouse over her head and tossed it to the side before he resumed his ministrations.

  “Climb up here…” he told her sexily. “Let me feel you.”

  She slowly lifted her skirt and straddled the lower part of his body on the bed before staring down at him. With his sexy eyes on her, she lowered the straps to her bra. Lance reached out and ran a finger down her neck and over her breasts down to her abdomen causing her to arch her back and grind into his erection.

  Lance ran a hand up her bare thigh. “Come here Ma.”

  Khayla leaned down over him. “Yes…”

  “Can you ease this pain?” he asked with a wicked look in his eyes as he prodded her with his maleness.

  She pressed down over his manhood letting him feel her woman’s heat. “I’m a doctor baby…”

  Chapter 12

  A week later, Lance stood at his front door welcoming Khalil and Kyros.

  “What up doe, Uncle Lance!”

  Lance smiled. “What up little homie?”

  Khalil frowned as he stepped inside with his son. “Are you sure you’re up to watching him? I could’ve gotten somebody else.”

  Lance shook his head. “This is my day with the little man. I got this.”

  “I appreciate all of you helping me out,” Khalil told him.

  “You know Kyros belongs to the Negus. We’ll always take care of him,” Lance vowed rubbing a hand over Kyros’ head.

  Khalil nodded. “How’s the arm?” he asked seeing Lance without the sling.

  Lance shrugged. “I’m in physical therapy now. It’s straight.”

  They all moved to the living room where there was a wrapped gift on the coffee table. Taking a seat on the sofa, Lance grabbed the package and handed it to a curious Kyros.

  “This is for you little homie,” he told him as the boy looked at his father.

  Khalil looked at Lance in confusion.

  “Open it little dude,” Lance instructed and Kyros stared at Khalil until he nodded slowly.

  A wide smile broke across his little handsome face. “Thank you Uncle Lance!”

  The boy quickly ripped off the bright paper and his mouth fell open before he looked at Lance.

  “This is mine?” he asked surprised.

  Khalil looked at the iPad in the boy’s hands then at Lance.

  “Yep. It’s all yours. No more playing games on our phones. You can play everything you want on that tablet,” Lance explained.

  “You didn’t have to do this Lance. I could’ve gotten…” Khalil began.

  Lance cut him off. “I know you can afford to buy him one, Khalil. I also know you got more important things that you’re providing for him like food, shelter and his future.” He shrugged. “Besides I felt bad about the phone thing.”

  Khalil smiled at him. “You should.” They both laughed as Kyros opened the box.

  “Good looking out Lance. Thanks,” Khalil said sincerely.

  Kyros became engrossed in the device after learning how to turn it on. Both men watched the boy and the delight on his six-year old face as he touched icons on the screen.

  “I realized how much you trust me and I appreciate that,” Lance began. “You’ve trusted me with two very important people in your life and I’m going to make sure that I take care of them both.”

  Khalil looked at him. “Those two are my heart and soul and if I had any doubts about you Lance, we wouldn’t even be sitting here.”

  Lance nodded. “I know.”

  Khalil stood and Lance followed. “I’ve got meetings to get to.” He looked at Lance. “You’re sure it’s okay for him to spend the night?”

  “He’s fine Khalil. I got this.”

  “Where’s your bag Kyros?” Khalil asked and the boy reluctantly looked up from his new toy.

  He smiled sheepishly. “I think it’s in the car.”

  Khalil shook his head. “Boy, go get the bag.”

  Kyros ran to the door with Lance and Khalil following. Kyros waited until his father unlocked the doors then dived inside the car to get his Marvel Comics Black Panther backpack.

  “I got it Daddy!” he shouted as he closed the door to the vehicle and ran back to the house.

  “Put your bag upstairs in one of the bedrooms,” Lance directed and the boy took off again.

  Khalil turned to Lance. “If you need me, just call…” He looked sadly towards the stairs.

  Lance laughed. “Man, why do you do this every time? Ain’t it supposed to be the kid who doesn’t want you to leave?”

  “It doesn’t get easier. He’s growing up so fast,” Khalil confessed.

  “He’s straight. You’re doing a good job by yourself.”

  Kyros returned with a smile and rushed to his father throwing his arms around him. “Bye Daddy! See you tomorrow. Have a good meeting.”

  Khalil hugged his son then bent to his level. “Have fun okay?”

  Kyros nodded then turned to Lance. “Can we have pizza Uncle Lance?”

  “Fa’ sho!” Lance answered and Khalil frowned at him.

  Lance laughed as Khalil kissed his son on the head before heading out the door. He looked down at the little boy in jeans and black T-shirt after he closed the door.

  “So what’s been up Kyros?” Lance asked leading Kyros back to the living room.

  Kyros smiled shyly. “I got a girlfriend,” he said with a smile.

  Lance paused and lifted a brow. “Is she pretty?”

  “Come on Uncle Lance.”

  Lance smiled and nodded. “I guess that goes without saying huh?”

  “She’s eight.”

  “So you like them older too?”

  Kyros smiled and picked up his tablet.

  “Does she go to your school?” Lance asked.

  Kyros shook his head. “She came to Daddy’s work. She’s in the dance class.”

  “Did you talk to her?”

  Kyros looked up frowning. “No, Uncle Lance.”

  Lance looked confused. “Then how is she your girlfriend?”

  The little boy sighed and pointed to his temple. “In my head. I can’t have a real girlfriend. I’m only six.”

  “Okay, I got it now,” Lance told him slowly. “I think.”

  Kyros turned his attention back to the game on the screen and Lance shook his head. Little dude was too smart for him.

  “You want a snack or something?” Lance asked.

  Without looking up, Kyros nodded happily. “Thanks, Uncle Lance.”

  Lance stood and headed to the kitchen still marveling over the little boy. He laughed to himself as his phone rang. Pulling it from his pocket, he answered.

  “Khayla Imani, how are you?”

  “I’m good Lance. How are you?”

  He smiled. “Being schooled by your nephew.”

  She laughed. “I told Khalil I could reschedule my appointments to take him today.”

  “It’s cool. Me and the little homie about to chill and have pizza later.”

  “You are not feeding my nephew pizza,” she complained.

&
nbsp; “This my party. We having pizza, pop, candy, cookies…the works.”

  Khayla sighed. “I’ll have to detox him when he goes home.”

  “Don’t worry Dr. Lewis, he’ll live.”

  “I was going to stop by later to check on you. Is that okay?” she asked.

  “You want me to order enough pizza for you?” he teased.

  She frowned. “No thank you.”

  “You scared?”

  “If I eat pizza with you, what do I get?” she asked softly.

  Lance leaned against the counter. “It’s not like you eating dirt or something.”

  “Come on, what do I get?” she prompted.

  “What do you want Ma?” he asked sexily.

  “What do you want to give me?” She played along.

  He paused. “Everything Khayla,” he answered seriously.

  “You’re not playing fair,” she said softly, touched by his words.

  “I never did…not when it came to you.”

  She waited. “Make sure it’s veggie.”

  Lance laughed softly. “Of course.”

  “I’ll see you later…”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “And can you at least give him juice and not pop?” she asked.

  Lance nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Bye Lance.”

  “Bye Katydids.”

  Lance laughed as he replaced the phone and went to get Kyros’ snack of grape juice and wheat crackers. He’d purchased all healthy snacks and juice for the boy because he knew how Khalil and Khayla were concerned about his diet.

  Lance had no problem adhering to their wishes especially when he’d learned of the alarming rate at which African American children were diagnosed with obesity and Type 2 diabetes in America, caused primarily by their diets.

  He knew that Khayla worked diligently to prevent more cases and to reverse the conditions of those affected. Kyros was like Khayla and Lance’s own son and Lance would never do anything to cause him harm. He valued Khayla’s opinion and knew that everything she did was to help people live healthier lives.

  Lance took the snacks in to the boy who was still enjoying his device. He sat the items on the table next to him.

  “Thanks Uncle Lance.” He glanced at the snacks. “You got me crackers like Auntie Khayla!”