by D. Camille
He cupped her behind and groaned. “Tonight Ma…I got you.”
“I can’t wait…” she whispered before he kissed her again then walked out of the room.
Khayla continued to smile as she prepared their meal.
Lance retuned to Kyros and handed him the cup. “Thanks Uncle Lance.”
Kyros emptied the cup and sat it on the table before getting his tablet and taking a seat next to Lance on the sofa. “What do you wanna read Uncle Lance?”
Lance looked over at the tablet. “I downloaded a series by an author that’s from here in the ‘D’.”
Kyros began to flip through the titles. “What’s it called?”
“Children of the Universe. It’s all about nature,” Lance explained as Kyros came to one of the book covers.
The boy smiled. “They look like me!”
Lance laughed. “Yeah, she writes about black kids and teaches how you’re connected to everything.”
Kyros smiled as he began swiping through the pages and Lance assisted him with the reading. The doorbell rang and Lance went to answer to the door as Kyros continued to study the pictures. He opened the door to Khalil.
“What’s up Negus?” Lance greeted as he entered.
“What’s up my Brother?” Khalil returned. “Is that Khayla’s car outside?”
Lance smiled. “Yeah, she’s making breakfast.”
Khalil stopped in the foyer and looked at Lance. “How long has she been here?” he questioned lifting a dark brow.
Lance paused. “Come on Khalil, you know I don’t get down like that with other women when Kyros is with me, let alone his aunt.”
“Besides, little homie wanted to give me the hands when he saw me kiss Khayla,” he explained.
“What? What happened?” Khalil asked.
Lance shook his head. “Little dude transformed into you. He was mad as hell.”
“Khayla is like his mother. He’s very protective of her, but I’ll talk to him.”
“We’re straight. I talked to him this morning and he promised not to kill me, so it’s all good.”
Khalil laughed. “You know that he knows self-defense?”
“Man, I don’t want to know what that boy knows. His mind scares the hell out of me,” Lance told him.
They walked into the room and when Kyros saw his father, he ran to him. “Hi Daddy!”
Khalil hugged his son. “Did you have a good time?”
“Yeah, but I missed you.”
“I missed you too son.” Khalil kissed his son’s head. “Auntie Khayla’s here?”
Kyros’ eyes lit up. “She’s making food.”
“I heard,” Khalil responded.
“And she’s Uncle Lance’s girlfriend…for real.” Kyros told him.
Khalil nodded. “For real huh?”
Kyros nodded as well mimicking his father as Lance watched the two.
“What have you been doing?” Khalil asked his son.
Lance picked up the tablet and handed it to Kyros. “Uncle Lance bought me some books and I’ve been reading about the sun, and the water and the trees.”
“Wow, let’s see.” Khalil took a seat and Kyros showed him one of the books.
When they reached the end Khalil looked at the author’s name. “Camille Ma’at?”
Lance nodded. “Rion recommended it. He’s already finding books for his baby and the author is Khemetic.”
“And from the ‘D’,” Kyros added proudly.
“That’s what’s up,” Khalil said looking back at the colorful screen.
Khayla entered the room to announce breakfast was ready. “Hey Khalil,” she said smiling.
He stood and walked over to his sister then bent and kissed her cheek. “Hello my queen sister.”
“Let’s eat, the food is ready.”
The trio sat down to the hearty, healthy breakfast Khayla had prepared. When they were done, they enjoyed the books with Kyros for a while before Khalil departed with his son. Khayla and Lance walked them to the door and waited until they’d driven off before turning to one another.
“You got plans today?” Lance asked.
“What did you have in mind?”
Lance shrugged. “I gotta go check on Mama and Miles. You wanna ride with me then maybe take a walk on the riverfront?”
Khayla smiled. “Yes.”
“Then we can come back here and I can enjoy some Katydids,” he said looking her over.
She smiled some more. “Yes.”
Lance grabbed his keys from a nearby table and turned to her. “Let’s ride Ma.”
********
When Lance opened the door to his mother’s house, he was glad to see the place was spotless. Apparently Miles had gotten the message. He had Khayla take a seat on the sofa while he went to check on Pat.
Knocking softly, he entered the room to find her in her usual spot underneath the covers although it was seventy degrees and sunny outside today.
“Hey Mama,” he said coming over to the bed.
She looked up. “Hey LJ. How’s your arm?”
“It’s straight. I’m in physical therapy now.” He took a seat on the edge of the mattress. “How are you?”
Pat looked away. “How am I all the time?”
Lance watched her. “I brought Khayla with me.”
She snickered. “You still chasing after that girl?”
“Khayla and I are together,” he told her.
“For how long?” she countered.
Lance smiled. “This time…forever.”
Pat turned her attention back to the television. “We’ll see.”
“She wants to help you Mama, if you stop being so stubborn,” Lance told her.
“You just take care of your business, don’t worry about me!”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t worry about you?” He stood to his feet. “If I didn’t worry about you, you wouldn’t have a roof over your head or food to eat!” Lance snapped.
“You just want to lay in this bed and do nothing! I can’t do it for you and I’m tired of trying.”
“I’m tired too!” she yelled. “You’re not the one in pain!”
“You think so?” he countered.
They both turned at the knock on the door and saw Khayla standing in the doorway. She walked over to Lance placing a light hand on his back.
Looking over at his mother, she smiled. “Hello Mrs. Johnson.”
“Hey,” Pat responded looking at Lance’s angry face.
Khayla could feel the anger coursing through Lance as she rubbed a slow hand over his shirt.
“While I’m here, is there anything I can get you?” she asked Lance’s mother.
Pat shook her head without responding and Khayla felt Lance stiffen some more.
“Is it time to take the medication the doctors gave you for the pain?”
Pat turned to her. “I need some water.”
Khayla looked up at Lance. “Can you get your mother some water?” she asked.
Lance looked down at her then at Pat before he silently left the room. Khayla watched him go before she took Pat’s hand in hers.
“Mrs. Johnson, I know you’re in pain, but Lance has also been through a very traumatic situation. He’s been in pain as well.”
“He loves you and he’s concerned about you,” Khayla finished.
Pat looked at her. “I see he got the muthafucka that set him up.”
“You knew he would.”
Pat shook her head. “I can’t believe they shot my boy. I couldn’t even get out of this bed to see him.” She squeezed Khayla’s hand.
Lance returned with the water and Khayla reached onto the nightstand to retrieve the medicine. She handed it to Pat before Lance gave her the water. They both watched as she swallowed the pills.
“Where’s Miles?” Lance asked.
Pat frowned. “I haven’t seen that boy all day.”
Lance nodded and pulled out his phone before walking out of the room. Khayla and Pat shar
ed a look both knowing what was coming next.
As Lance dialed the number the front door opened and he turned to his brother. “Where the hell you been?”
Miles shrugged. “I was chillin’.”
“Mama said you haven’t been here all day,” Lance accused.
“Man, who wanna hear all that damn fussing all day?” Miles complained.
Lance ran a hand down his face. “If I hadn’t taken a bullet, I swear I would be beating the shit out of you right now!”
Miles backed up. “Look Lance…”
“Shut your ass up!” Lance cut him off. “If you can’t take care of Mama, then get your ass can bounce. I’m not your damn daddy, and I’m not going to be taking care of your ass no more!”
“Get a fuckin’ job, take some damn classes, get a hustle…I don’t care!” Lance yelled. “This shit right here, is a wrap!”
“Why you tripping Lance?” Miles pleaded. “I cleaned up like you told me.”
Lance looked at his little brother. The brother he’d tried to shelter and protect. Miles was twenty-one and it seemed his life was going nowhere…fast. “Look at you Miles…you look like a damn bum. I own a barbershop and your ass too lazy to go get a haircut.”
“And you smell like a damn weed factory! I’m sick of this shit…” Lance finished.
“You just gonna put me out on the streets?” Miles asked afraid.
“That’s where you at anyway.”
Miles walked over to his brother with his hands spread. “Okay Lance, just tell me what to do.”
Lance remained silent for a short while studying his brother. “I need some help at the gas station. I need somebody I can trust,” Lance finally told him. “At least I know you not trying to kill or rob me.”
Miles nodded. “Bet…okay, I got you.”
“Don’t fuck up Miles. This is your last chance with me. Show your ass and I’m done.”
“What about Mama?” Miles asked.
Lance looked at him. “Mama’s gonna do what she wants. I can’t keep trying to help somebody who doesn’t want help herself. I got my own life to deal with.”
Miles nodded. “I’m glad you straight man. When Corvus called, I was messed up.”
“I took care of that.”
“I know,” Miles agreed. “I saw it on the news.”
Lance stared at Miles. “Go to the barbershop tomorrow, get faded and then be at the gas station at eleven. Not eleven thirty or eleven ten. Eleven. You got it?”
Miles nodded. “I got it.”
Lance turned and saw Khayla approaching. For a moment he’d forgotten she was there.
“Your mother is asleep,” she told them coming to stand next to Lance.
“Hey Khayla,” Miles greeted her.
“Hi Miles.” Khayla looked up at Lance. “You okay?”
Lance took her hand. “Yeah, you ready?” She nodded and he looked at Miles before leading her out to the car. Khayla remained silent as they drove to the river. The music from the radio served as white noise in the car.
When he parked the car, Lance turned to her. “Thank you.”
Khayla looked at him. “For what?”
“For putting up with all the shit I have to deal with on the daily and still rockin’ with me.”
She touched his face. “I know you baby. I know your heart and I know your life.” Khayla leaned in to kiss him gently. “And I don’t want you any other way.”
Lance kissed her slowly. “Can I take you for a walk now Ma?” he asked softly.
Khayla responded against his lips. “Yes.”
Chapter 14
Khayla sat staring out of the window of her office at the slowly moving water. She relived her walk on the riverfront yesterday with Lance. They’d exited the car then he’d taken her hand and walked with her along the stretch of river.
They’d talked of their past, and the time they’d been separated with her at college and him building his businesses in the city. They’d also talked about their future. Khayla had stood facing the waves with Lance behind her. He’d leaned down into her ear and told her what he’d planned to do to her when they returned to his house.
Khayla smiled slowly while closing her eyes and remembering all that he’d done. While their first summer of intimacy together had been sweet and satisfying, today it was hot and exhausting. Lance pushed her to levels that caused her body to sweat and made it nearly impossible to breathe.
Khayla had left his place early this morning after having a light breakfast with a shirtless Lance in pajama bottoms hanging low on his waist. Watching his chiseled body took away any appetite for food and his teasing, sexy grin didn’t help.
Her line buzzed and she waited until Tauri was shown to her office. She looked up as the door opened and the smiling golden woman entered.
“Hello Tauri,” Khayla greeted as she stood to her feet.
Tauri came to take the seat across from Khayla’s desk as she took her seat again.
“Hello Khayla. How are you?”
Khayla smiled. “I’m good and you’re glowing.”
“I feel great. I’m not having as much trouble with the plan as I was concerned about,” Tauri told her.
“I’m so glad. I told you it wouldn’t be that hard.”
Tauri gave her a look. “Orion and Mrs. Shaw are content at least.”
Khayla laughed. “At least.”
Tauri leaned forward and sobered. “How’s Lance?”
“He’s getting better.” Khayla then frowned. “We still haven’t located that chick though.”
Tauri’s eyes widened. “Orion told me about her. I can’t believe she shot Lance.”
“I’m going to find her. I won’t rest until I do. She won’t get away with this…trust,” Khayla vowed.
“How are you going to find her?” Tauri asked.
Khayla shook her head. “I know that the Negus have feelers out. I’ve gotten Khalil to promise to tell me if they locate her, but so far nothing. I don’t know what else I can do at this point.”
Tauri gave Khayla a look. “What she did was grimey. What if we find her first?”
Khayla leaned forward. “How?”
“I have a friend named Sage Black. She can make people disappear and her brother-in-law Trent, can find out anything on anybody,” Tauri told her.
“Do you think she’ll help us?” Khayla asked.
Tauri began to dig in her purse. “Let’s find out.” She pulled out her phone and began to scroll.
“How do you know her?” Khayla asked suspiciously and Tauri looked up smiling.
“Her husband and brother went to college with Orion,” Tauri explained. “I met her when she and her husband, Jordan came to help Orion with that Rhonda situation.”
“Oh, okay.”
Tauri smiled. “She’s no joke…for real.” She touched a button on her phone to connect the call. “I immediately added her to my friend list.”
“Hello?”
“Sage, hi! It’s Tauri Shaw from Detroit.”
“Tauri! How are you?” Sage responded. “Congratulations on your pregnancy.”
Tauri smiled. “Thank you Sage and congratulations on your new son. How is your daughter, Diamond?”
“Justice is the spitting image of his father and Diamond thinks she’s his momma.”
Tauri and Khayla laughed. “She’s so precious,” Tauri added.
“She’s a spoiled Daddy’s girl,” Sage corrected laughing as well. “I’m ready to strangle both her and Jordan.”
“They’d better watch out then,” Tauri told her.
Sage laughed. “So, enough of me and my family…what’s up with you?”
Tauri looked at Khayla. “Well, I’m sitting here with my friend and Naturopath, Khayla. Her boyfriend, Lance was shot a few weeks ago at the gas station that he owns.” She put the call on speaker.
Sage gasped. “The Gods! Is he okay?”
“Yes, he was shot in the back,” Tauri continued.
“
What a damn coward!” Sage yelled.
Tauri glanced at Khayla. “Here’s the thing Sage. It was a woman who shot him and now she’s hiding out and nobody can find her.”
“A woman?”
Tauri nodded as she spoke. “Yes, she worked for him at the gas station and tried to rob him, then ended up shooting him.”
“Oh, she needs to get handled,” Sage said angrily.
“That’s why we’re calling. We want to find her first,” Tauri relayed. “I thought maybe Trent could help too.”
“He’s in Africa working on a project, but I can get in touch with him,” Sage informed them.
“Africa?” Tauri asked frowning.
Sage sighed. “It’s a long story, but he’ll be there for a couple of years.”
Khayla and Tauri shared a look. “I’d appreciate any help you can give us,” Khayla spoke up.
“So why are we finding her?” Sage asked.
Khayla answered. “I have to find her first…to make sure no one ever finds her again.”
*********
Lance sat with all the Negus in the office building that Corvus owned.
“Anybody heard anything?” Lance asked.
Brandon shook his head. “Nothing, Mac hasn’t either apparently since there have been no arrests.”
“Where the hell is she?” Khalil questioned. “Somebody’s hiding her.”
Rion agreed. “We checked into family members and friends, so it must be somebody we’re overlooking.”
“A dude?” Lance questioned.
Corvus nodded. “She seems to be able to get them to do anything.”
“We know that she was just using Jamal. He wasn’t her type…too old,” Lance commented.
“She was working with another guy as well,” Brandon surmised. “He’s probably the one who really put her up to it.”
“Plus, she was already mad at Lance, since he wouldn’t give her the magic stick.” Corvus added laughing.
Lance looked at him and he laughed some more.
“When did this become a game?” Khalil asked frowning at Corvus.
Corvus shrugged and sobered. “I’m just saying.
Rion intervened. “Look, we need to find her before Mac does. We need to know who all was involved with this.”
“We know she headed south, that could be anywhere from Ohio to Atlanta,” Brandon explained. “We need to start shaking some trees and see what falls out.”
