While on the phone with her, she’d gotten so overwhelmed, she started crying. More than anything, Zeke wished he could’ve been with Taylor in Paris when he’d told her what Don had said. Been there to kiss her cheek. To dry her tears.
After Zeke got off the phone with Taylor, he drove to Charlie’s Steak House for a rib eye and loaded baked potato. Finishing up a quick dinner, he then drove way out to Beaufort to tutor Jaheem and Evan.
Now at the group care facility, sitting at a table beside Evan, Zeke read the book Letters to a Young Brother, by Hill Harper, to the little kid. Clenching the inspiring book in his hands, Zeke’s words trailed off. He turned to look at Evan. “We’ll finish the rest of the book tomorrow.”
Evan turned his palms up and shrugged. “But mister, we’re just getting to the good part of the book. Will you please keep reading to me?”
Zeke was glad Evan found the book interesting. “I will. But you must get your homework and studying done first.”
“Okay. Oh yeah, I have something to give you. It’s not much, okay mister, but it’s the best I can do for now.” Evan reached inside his pocket and handed Zeke a folded up sheet of paper.
Zeke unfolded the sheet of paper. On it was a beautiful drawing of a little boy and a grown man. The lines, the tinted coloring, and the shapes in the drawing were perfect. Looked like a perfectionist artist had drawn it. “This is beautiful, Evan. Who drew this?”
“I did, mister. I drew it. Oh, I forgot something.” He took the drawing from Zeke. By the little boy in the drawing, he wrote the name Evan. By the older guy’s name, he wrote Zeke, and in parenthesis he wrote Mister. “Here.” Evan threw his arms around Zeke and gave him a big hug. “Thank you for trying to teach me how to read. I finally made a C on my spelling test.”
Chuckling, Zeke patted Evan’s back. “A C is good. Improvement. I’m so proud of you. Thanks for the drawing. I’m going to buy a frame for it and put it up in my office.”
“Can I…nah, never mind. You gon’ say no.” Evan shook his head.
Zeke prompted him, “Go ahead and ask me. You never know what I’m going to say if you don’t ask.”
“Can I come see what your office looks like one day? Is it big?”
Zeke chortled. “I’d love to bring you to my office.”
Evan threw a fist in the air, then yanked it to his chest. “Yes! I don’t mind earning my visit either. Maybe I can sweep your office for you once I get there.” Evan stuck out his hand. “Deal.”
Zeke shook his hand. “Sure. Deal.”
Just as Evan finished the last of his homework, Marva strode up behind Zeke and shared some positive new about Evan with him. “I spoke with Evan’s teacher today. She said he’s making so much progress with his grades and effort. She also said his attitude has improved. Tell me, Evan, what has inspired you to do better?”
“Mister, here. He’s been so nice to me. He’s the first person that has ever believed in me.” Evan’s caring words threatened to make Zeke’s eyes water. Determined not to let this kid see him shed a tear, Zeke sniffed. “Hey, mister. Please don’t tell me you about to cry, ‘cause I ain’t never seen a grown man cry!”
Marva and Zeke laughed synchronously. Yeah, he was about to cry, all right. Cry because he’d just made the final decision to go ahead and adopt Jaheem and Evan. Giving two deserving boys the Balfour last name sounded like music to Zeke’s ears. Jaheem and Evan Balfour. I like the sound of that.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Paris, France
Wind blowing from the fan brushed curly strands of hair across Taylor’s face as she sat on the floor with her bare feet kicked up in the air. Modeling a short red skirt, short sleeve yellow jacket, and white tank for Asture Fashion Summer Magazine, she parted her lips. Striking graceful poises, long hair tickled her tongue.
Snapsnapsnap. Lights flickered from the camera. “Get the hair out of your mouth,” the photographer requested, cradling the camera in his hands. Taylor tossed her hair behind her shoulder. “Thanks. Now let’s take pictures standing.”
As Taylor stood next to a tall live plant, Lance threw her a hat and she caught it. Lowering the black summer hat to her head, she slightly shifted sideways. Snapsnap. Putting a finger to her chin, she tilted forward. Snapsnap. Hand on hip, she arched her spine. Perched out her breasts.
The breeze from the fan gently whipped at Taylor’s face. Her mind drifting to Zeke’s call a day and a half ago, she slid a hand in her left pocket and relived their conversation inside her head as she modeled.
“Taylor! Guess what, my wife? I think Don has found our son! He’s alive, Taylor! Zavier is alive!”
“Zeke, are you sure?!”
“Not exactly. Don is going to put in a court order requesting a paternity test for the people he think may have Zavier.”
“I don’t want to get my hopes up, Zeke, only to be disappointed.”
“I have a good feeling about this, Taylor. I think Broderick Whitefield has our Zavier!”
Lance snapped his fingers in front of Taylor’s face, snapping her out of her daydream. “Where were you just now? You completely zoned out, Taylor.”
“Sorry, Lance. I have so much going on inside my head.”
“That’s okay. We’re done.”
The long photo shoot left Taylor exhausted. “Time flew by. Well, if that’s it, I guess I’ll be headed home. Thanks for everything.”
“When you say ‘home’, are you talking about your apartment here? Or your home in Hilton Head Island?”
“I’m going home, home. Home to my husband.” Taylor snatched her clutch up from the table and couldn’t get out of the building fast enough.
“Have a safe trip.” Lance waved goodbye.
FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, Taylor’s heels clicked against the pavement as she walked across the concrete at the airport. Mounting the steps of Balfour’s company jet, the ends of her hair twirled in the light breeze beneath the black, stylish hat she wore. Oh Zeke, I can’t wait to get home and see you.
“Welcome aboard,” the handsome African American pilot said, stepping to the side.
“Thanks.”
Taylor’s eyes roamed over the small company aircraft. Buckling her seatbelt, she pulled out her phone and dialed Zeke.
“Hello?” Zeke answered.
His deep voice stirred her libido. “Hi, babes. I just boarded the plane and will be taking off shortly.”
“Okay, thanks for calling. Have a safe flight.”
“I miss you so much, baby.” Taylor felt a tall presence come stand behind her. Turning her head, she glanced upward. Surprised, her mouth separated. “Zeke!” fingers working quickly to unbuckle her seat belt, Taylor jumped out of her seat and threw herself into Zeke’s husky arms. “This is the best surprise ever!”
Brown eyes luminous, Zeke had a big, hearty smile on his handsome, tanned face. “I miss you, too, my wife. Missed you so much, I just had to come here to pick you up.”
Heart tinkering, Taylor jumped up in Zeke’s lap, wrapped her legs around his waist, and twined her arms around his neck. “Now that you’re here, what do you have in store for me?”
“Some good, good loving.” Using his strength to carry her, Zeke walked to the back of the aircraft and headed into the bedroom. Standing at the foot of the bed, he dropped Taylor on the mattress.
Taylor’s hands moved urgently to remove her shirt and bra as Zeke yanked off her skirt. Butt naked on the bed, she spread her legs wide. As Zeke peered down at her hot sex, she opened and closed and opened her legs.
Labia quivering, she purred. “Is this what you miss?” She slid her own finger in her heat, caressed her G-spot, then put her wet finger to his lips. Zeke suckled Taylor’s slick juice from her finger. Tingles spread throughout her bones. Her clitoris curled.
Lifting off the ground, the jet’s engine hummed and shot in the air.
“Yes, I missed it.” Groaning, he removed his shirt and jeans. His hard erection pointed forward. He climbed on to
p of the bed, slid his finger in her heat, scraped her sensitive G-spot. “I’m about to show you just how much I missed it, too.”
Entering Taylor’s channel, Zeke scooped up her leg, put it over his shoulder, and drove deep into her womb. Taylor put her toes on her free leg to his lips. Driving deliciously into her, one by one Zeke sucked the joints of her toes.
Stroking. Kissing. Teasing. Her husband set her body aflame. Pushed her over the edged. It’d been months since he’d been in her. Too long.
Taylor’s spine arched. “Oh, Zeke,” she cooed, her jism splattering on his shooting length. Cumming together had never been better.
Hilton Head Island
KATHERINE STOOD at the bay window inside her family room, cringing as she listened to Colton and Antonio argue. Her husband and son’s loud voices escalated inside the mansion. Looking out at the lake, it took everything inside Katherine to refrain from grabbing a frying pan out of the kitchen and bashing Colton’s skull out. Where’s your backbone, Colton?
“I’m not going to undo Zeke’s decision!” Colton’s angry voice echoed throughout the house. “He fired you, and I respect that!”
“I’ve worked at the hotel with you since I was a little boy. Doesn’t that count for something?!” Antonio fired back.
“Antonio, for years I paid you a salary for something you didn’t do. Oftentimes while you were supposed to be at work, you were running around town, getting into trouble with the law or two-timing women. Well, there’s a new captain on board now, and I guess he’s decided not to put up with your horrible work ethic. There’s certain requirements that come with being Vice President for a major hotel conglomerate. Being on time is one of them.”
Antonio grumbled, “I ain’t believing you! You have the power to right Zeke’s wrong, and you’re not going to do it. You’re not going to help me get my job back. What am I supposed to do for money?”
“As much money as I paid you to do nothing, you should have some saved. Not to mention you’re a grown ass man and live here rent-free! If you don’t have any money, that’s just too damn bad!”
Anger stomping her chest, Katherine marched inside the living room. “I let you give Zeke the CEO position, but I’ll be damned, Colton, if I let you allow Zeke to throw my son out on his ass.”
Colton jumped from the seat at the head of the table and stepped to the side, his face contorted. “Let me?! Let me?! Balfour Enterprises is MY damn company. MY ancestors built Balfour from the ground up and passed it down to me. You don’t let me do shit, Katherine. I do as I damn well please. You spoiled Antonio rotten. Gave him everything he ever wanted. He had no chores. No responsibilities. Even when I tried to give him some duties and responsibilities, you went behind my back and either did them for him or hired someone else to do his work. It’s your fault Antonio is sorry as hell.”
“Fuck you, old man!” Antonio bellowed.
Colton lunged at Antonio and throttled his ass. Antonio fell to the floor. “I might be old. And I might be sick. I might even be dying, but I’d rather die than have a child of mine disrespect me.” Lying on the floor holding his jaw, Antonio’s eyes narrowed at Colton. The wicked look frightened Katherine. “I’m about to leave before I do something I may regret. Pack your shit and get out.” Colton stomped abruptly towards the front door.
About to trip over her long dress, Katherine had to walk fast to keep up with him. His hand grasped the door knob, she clenched his elbow. “You can’t kick Antonio out of the house, Colton. You can’t do this.”
Colton glanced over his shoulder back at Katherine. Grave disapproval was embedded in his pupils. “Why don’t you go with him, you good-for-nothing woman.” Tone colder than ice, Colton stalked outside and slammed the door behind him.
The picture on the wall of Colton and Katherine on their wedding day some umpteen years ago fell to the floor and shattered.
Hearing the glass breaking, Katherine’s heart crumbled. My life is falling apart. This is all Zeke and Taylor’s fault. Oh God, Antonio. Fisting her dress at the hips, Katherine ran back into the dining room, then into the kitchen.
Antonio sat at the kitchen table, holding an ice pack to his bruised jaw. “Dad is low down and dirty. He don’t have a single ounce of love for me in him. He gave my job to his mistress’ son. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s taken me out of his will.”
Katherine patted Antonio’s back. “No. He wouldn’t do a thing like that.”
Antonio gave an evil chuckle. “You’re fooling yourself, Katherine. Dad is just as ruthless as that man named Victor that you love watching on TV every day.”
Katherine picked up her crocodile Hermès Birkin purse off the counter and clutched the handle. “I’ll be back.”
“Where are you going?” Antonio looked at her inquisitively.
I should’ve done this a long time ago. For all I know, Colton may try and change his will behind my back. “To see an attorney. If Colton Balfour thinks he’s going to die and leave me and my children out of his will, he’s a damn fool. I have rights. Please be gone by the time your father gets back. The last thing I need is for the two of y’all to get into a fist fight.”
“Where am I supposed to go? I can’t even stay at the hotel.”
Katherine reached into her wallet and handed Antonio five crisp one hundred dollar bills. “You can stay at my parents’ old house off the main road in the woods, if you want to. Bye.” She entered the garage from the back kitchen door. Just as Katherine slid inside her snow white Mercedes, a black BMW pulled up on the side of the road and parked on the curb.
The Caucasian gentleman driving the BMW was none other than Dr. Broderick Whitefield. Apparently not noticing her, Broderick got out of the BMW and stalked toward the front door of the estate. What is Broderick doing here? Katherine wondered, her mind flashing back to the gang he’d been in with Antonio.
Broderick and Antonio had both been a part of a gang called Southern Mafia back in the day. But now that Broderick was married and a successful cosmetic surgeon, Katherine had no idea he still kept in touch with Antonio. What in the hell is Broderick doing here? she wondered, belatedly exiting her car.
Katherine put her ear to the garage door to see if she could hear voices. She didn’t. Curious as to why Broderick had paid Antonio a visit, she quietly re-entered the house through the kitchen to find them standing in the living room.
“Let’s talk in the library,” Antonio said. Unaware of Katherine’s presence, Antonio led Broderick down the long hallway towards the library. After they entered the library, Katherine came from out of hiding.
Tiptoeing down the hallway, Katherine had a bad feeling her world was about to come crashing down on her freaking head. Praying she was wrong, Katherine put her ear to the closed door of the library. Antonio and Broderick’s voices droned inside the room, and she heard them clearly.
“So to what do I owe this pleasurable visit?” Antonio asked.
“What happened to your face, man?” Broderick questioned.
“Fell off the ladder while cutting the hedges,” Antonio lied. No, you didn’t. Your Daddy socked you in the face.
“You make enough money to hire a gardener to do the lawn for you, man.” Broderick cleared his throat. “Anyway, I’m here because a detective by the name of Don paid me a visit today and questioned me about you and your mother.”
Ear pressed tight to the door, Katherine’s heart dunked.
“What kind of questions did Don ask you?” Antonio asked in a cool tone, but Katherine knew he had to be worried.
Broderick said, “At first Don asked me about my son. He wanted to know if Sarah and I legally adopted him. When I told him yes, he asked me if Sarah and I would subject our son to a DNA test. When I asked him why, he said he suspects that our son was stolen and belongs to a couple that misses him dearly.”
“How does this relate to me?” Antonio asked.
“That what I was wondering. Don told me he knew I’d been a member of the Southern Mafia
gang back in high school. He asked me to give him the names of the other gang members. He wanted to know if any of the gang members were capable of kidnapping. Right when I got ready to tell Don to leave my house, my cell phone rang, and I had to excuse myself.”
Antonio sounded worried when he said, “Please tell me you didn’t tell Don I was part of Southern Mafia.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Antonio released a deep breath. “Good. It’s none of his business.”
“But I think Don figured it out anyway.”
Antonio’s voice deepened as he asked, “What do you mean Don figured it out?” Eavesdropping, nervous tension rushed through Katherine.
Broderick continued. “After I finished my phone call, I returned back to the living room, and Don was gone. And so was the photo album I had on the coffee table. Inside the photo album was a picture of me, Kelvin, Jack, Paul, Stephen, and you from back in the day. We had our shirts off and were pointing to those stupid SM initials we’d gotten on our chests. Don now knows who the Southern Mafia gang members were. Are any of the old gang members or you in some kind of trouble?”
“No, man, I’m not in any kind of trouble. I stop being a bad boy a long time ago. Thanks for stopping by and filling me in. Things are good here,” Antonio lied.
Don knows Antonio was a gang member. It’s only a matter of time before he puts two and two together. Or maybe he already has. I have to stop him from telling Zeke. Or Taylor. Or the police. Katherine bustled away from the door, ran upstairs to her bedroom, and yanked open the bottom drawer of her nightstand.
Her silver shiny pistol with the glossy pink handle lay beside her bible. Hands shaking, she hefted her gun and placed it inside her purse. Grabbing her black curly wig from the top shelf of her closet, Katherine hopped in her car and left.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Fluffy white clouds floated past the tiny window of the aircraft as it glided smoothly in the bright sky. Tucked beneath the cotton sheets of the jet’s comfortable bed, Zeke held Taylor’s in his arms. Madly in love, Zeke kissed the top of Taylor’s head. “It’s going to be so good having you home.”
MARRYING MR. RIGHT (The Brides of Hilton Head Island Book 3) Page 20
