by Rhonda Lott
“I deal with colossal and dangerous every morning before coffee Alex. That’s the nature of my business.” David kissed her softly.
“This Mac might seem like Freddie Kruger to you but to me he’s more like an irritating fly. Kane and I deal with the smartest most calculating criminals there is. We keep them away from what they want.” He stood up with her still in his arms. She was so small compared to him. He placed her on her feet and kissed her forehead, brushing back the soft black ringlets that framed her beautiful face.
“You’re a remarkable woman, Alex. I admire how brave you have been. Giving up your dream for your nephew must be tough. Someone else might have given up, let Blanco take Jordan. You showed remarkable courage. I want you, Dawn, and Jordan to stay on here, no one will get to you here. I can help you Alex, if you let me.”
He stepped back a bit, rubbing her arms up and down for comfort. Revisiting the events of the past took a lot out of her.
“Running for the rest of your life is not a workable option. Think about Jordan, this is not the life for a child. I can take care of myself. Mac won’t harm me, I promise. So will you accept my help?”
“I don’t know.” Alex frowned.
“Think about it, I know it’s hard to trust someone who is virtually a stranger to you. I hope you can feel that I’m not out to do anything but help. Remember, I’m here for you if you stay. I’ll stand by you and protect all of you.” David held her hand giving it a squeeze. He remembered as kids how it felt to have no one to depend on. He and Kane had to fight for themselves from day one. Not his sweet song bird. He would make damn sure he eliminated her threat. She was his now. In his mind and in his heart, she was his, and no man alive would harm her.
David walked back to his office. Leaving Alex to think over what he said. He pulled out his cell. “Ace, I got a name. Mac Blanco. Usual protocol. You got three hours then I need info.” David ended the call. His operatives and tech team were exceptional, he’d have Mac Blanco’s file downloaded to his lap top in an hour.
CHAPTER FOUR
*ALEX*
Alex hesitated at the bedroom door. The conversation with David left her thoughts scrambled. He was a strong capable man. But could he take on Mac. Mac didn’t play by the rules. Killing was imbedded in his DNA. Drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and torture were little Jordan’s legacy from his father.
David couldn’t know to what lengths Mac would stoop in order to get what he wanted. No, her best bet would be to get as far away from David as possible. The desire to place all her worries into David’s capable hands was oh so tempting. But, could she trust him to put Jordan’s safety before anything else?
Dawn was sitting on the floor playing a game on her cell phone when Alex walked into the bedroom. Jordan was napping on the bed.
“Pancake coma?” Alex gestured to the sleeping child.
“Yeah, come here. Sit with me Allie.” Dawn patted the floor next to her.
“I told him D.” Alex said. Emotionally exhausted, Alex plopped down and put her head on Dawn’s shoulder.
“What did you tell him?”
“Everything.” She whispered.
Dawn blew out a long breath, snaking her arm around Alex’s waist. They shared the moment silently.
“How do you feel about that, about him?” Dawn asked quietly.
“You know I haven’t had a relationship in a long time, He… I’m… Oh shit D, I don’t know. I believe him when he says he and his people can help us. Whoever his people might be. I don’t want Mac to hurt him.” Alex leaned back and looked Dawn in the eyes. “He’s use to having control over everything. You can see it in the way he carries himself. I have a hard time letting a man take over and handle my life. I was raised to stand on my own two feet.”
“Yes, I know that, and in ordinary circumstances that might be fine, these are not ordinary circumstances. We need him. We need his help.” Dawn stood up and pulled Alex up with her.
“What if he wants sex as payment for helping us, huh?” Alex asked.
“Well,” Dawn pretended to think about it for a second. “Then I’ll just have to fuck him.” She teased.
“Ha, I don’t think so sweetie.” Alex warned, giving her arm a playful punch as she went to sit at the desk. Dawn leaned against the window, her dark eyes scanning the yard and trees beyond.
“From what I saw in the kitchen, you were about to give it up without him doing jack shit to help us.” Dawn wiggled her brows, doing a few hip bucks and gyrating suggestively.
“A girls got needs, you know. And he was just so delicious, all bed head and big and dripping with morning sexiness. Can you blame me?” Alex couldn’t help but remember his kisses and his big strong arms holding her captive against the fridge as he aroused her to a quivering, throbbing mess.
“Yes.” Dawn’s answer cut into her erotic thoughts.
“What?”
“Men, no matter how dripping with sex or morning deliciousness or whatever you call them, are bad damn news. Let him help us. You fuck him, great. All right for you, but I know how men manipulate women. How they treat women. No thanks. None of that shit for me and if he even looks at you funny. I will pop a few caps in his ass.”
Dawn casually strolled to the bathroom and closed the door in Alex’s face.
Alex knew Dawn was still suffering from her abuse at the hands of Mac, But this was the first time Dawn expressed how she felt towards men. She always put on a brave face, smiled and acted like everything was normal. That she was normal. Alex felt sorrow seep into her body.
The day was coming soon when she would have to help Dawn through her problems. Unfortunately, now was not the time to tackle those demons, but soon, when they were safe, Dawn’s emotional well-being would be priority number one. Alex vowed, I left you to be tortured by that bastard Mac but I will not leave you to live a tortured life.
“Get out that bathroom girl. I need your help making lunch while Jordan asleep.” Alex demanded.
Dawn cracked the door and scowled at Alex. “Sad day when a grown woman can’t make a sandwich by herself. Come on lets go. I’m hungry anyway.” Dawn winked at Alex and strutted out the room.
“Going to get you back, my friend.” Alex smiled and followed her out.
*DAVID*
“Tell me again why I’m carrying all this junk and why we left work early?” Kane asked David as they walked from the truck towards the lake house. David was dressed impeccably in a dark business suit, Kane in ratty jeans and a black button down shirt.
“First of all, this is not junk, you are carrying the packages because as usual you’re dressed like a delivery person. We left work early because it was a slow day.
“Bullshit and bullshit and a ginormous heap of bullshit. You have not left work early since we opened for business. You can’t fool me, bro. It’s the singer.” Kane tossed his head back and laughed.
“Who exactly?” David stopped in front of the door, crocking a brow at Kane.
“Come on David, blow smoke up someone else’s ass, not mine. The gorgeous singer with the funny eyes. The woman you’ve been mooning over for the past two days. Can’t blame you. She’s sweet and smart, but me, I prefer the curvy one who looks at you like she wants to cut your dick off.”
“Sweet Jesus, there is something seriously wrong with you. You know that?” David stared at his brother shaking his head.
Kane shrugged, “Danger calls to me. What can I say?”
The last two days had been hell. David was busy setting up a security team for a famous record producer. Pain in the ass man that demanded bodyguards for all ten of his top rap artist. It was a multi-million dollar contract but it took him away from Alex. He couldn’t wait to get back to her. He was missing her so damn bad his focus was shot to hell. Leaving early to spend time with her was the only thing he could do to ease his mind.
As they walked inside both their heads snapped towards the deck. Music with a heavy drum beat drifted through the glass doo
rs leading to the side deck and yard. David and Kane abruptly stopped, attention glued to the spectacle before them.
“What are they doing?” Kane asked, his voice deep and rough.
“Um… exercising, I think.” David answered, his breath caught in his throat as well.
Alex and Dawn wore short shorts, Alex wore a sports bra while Dawn had on a black tee. They swung their hips to the music, like exotic belly dancers. Trim waist slid left and right. Strong thighs flexed and strained as they moved.
One foot forward, one foot back, arms in the air as they gyrated to the beat. Asses firm and enticing did a slow grind around, then they dropped, bending their knees, rising up just as slow. They swayed sensually, breast rising and falling with their exertion. One last heart stopping grind of their hips, brought the males eyes sliding down to their lower body. The two women leaned down to touch their toes, pushing those beautiful behinds towards the door.
“I feel like I should have some dollar bills and a drink.” Kane choked out.
“Grow up please.” David whispered, not wanting the women to hear them and stop. I am officially a perv. He thought. Right at that moment he didn’t give a shit. He wanted Alex to bend over and show him that firm, luscious ass again.
Jordan suddenly ran up to the glass door and shouted. ”Davie back.”
“Shit.” Both men hissed under their breath.
Alex and Dawn whirled around.
“Busted.” Kane said. ”I’m out.” He went to turn and leave.
David grabbed him by the back of his collar. “I’m not facing them by myself. Not happening.”
Alex opened the door, smiled and winked at David. ”Belly dancing is a great form of exercise. It makes your core strong.”
David caught a dark wayward curl, tucking it behind her ear, he whispered. “It makes my body hard.”
Alex laughed out loud, crinkling up her cute little nose at him. “How do you say things like that with a straight face, I will never know.”
Dawn and Jordan came inside.
Kane opened his mouth. Dawn gave him the evil eye, sufficiently stopping him from saying whatever he was about to say.
“Pricks.” She proclaimed, looking from David to Kane, before stumping to the bedroom and slamming the door.
Kane stood staring at the door. “I think I’m in love” He sighed.
“Right, I’ll make sure your life insurance is up to date then.” David told him in his usual dry tone and straight face. Which made Alex laugh once more.
Shaking her head, Alex picked up Jordan and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. David watched the exchange with interest. He could go for one of those kisses, lucky kid. David thought about those full lips and how soft and sweet they were. She was so enticing and that little exercise routine he witnessed, had his blood pulsing.
Alex carried Jordan to the sofa and settled down with him. Kane followed and bent down. ”Hi, my name is Kane. I’m David’s brother. What’s your name?” he asked.
“Jordan.” He replied, his little head tilting way back in order to look up at the huge man. Never shy, Jordan jumped right into Kane’s arms.
Kane laughed. “You’re not scared of the big guys, huh.” He tossed Jordan up in the air a little and caught him. Jordan giggled.
“More.” He demanded.
“Another thrill chaser, I like it.” Kane tossed Jordan a few more times. The toddler squealed with laughter.
David grabbed the bags they had brought in. He walked to the sofa and sat next to Alex.
“I picked up a few items for Jordan. I was thinking he might need some things.” David told Alex as he handed her the bags.
“You shouldn’t have.” Alex said.
David just continued to look at her for a few beats. “Is he potty trained yet?” He asked.
“No, not completely.” She shook her head.
“Then I should have. It wasn’t a problem. Alex I wanted to make sure you had everything you need.”
Kane handed Jordan back to Alex. “I have to go, but I’ll be back tomorrow.”
He turned to head out then turned back to them. “Alex that is one great kid. I would protect him with my life.” Kane walked out the door.
Alex stared at the door with a perplexed look on her face. David wondered if she was expecting Kane to pop his head back in the door and say he was just kidding or some other ridiculous Kane type shit. But David knew better. His brother may play fun and games most of the time but he was deadly serious about protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves.
David wanted to reassure Alex that he and his brother would never let anything happen to her family. More than anything he longed to get to know her better. To listen to her sultry voice as she sang just for him. She was fierce in her love for Dawn and Jordan. David wondered if she would or could feel those strong emotions for him.
Pulling his thoughts back to the woman and child sitting with him. “I got a couple of outfits, sleepers, pull-ups, oh and a sippy cup.” David smiled at Alex.
“That was very thoughtful of you David.” She leaned in and started to kiss his cheek, but David turned his head and took her lips.
She tasted like sweet cream and cool mint. David loved her taste and could keep her there in his arms all night. A giggle and a poke in the ribs brought his attention to the little imp who was squirming his way between him and his sweet taste of heaven. David reluctantly released Alex and pulled Jordan into his lap.
“What a way to thank the guy who brought you a sippy cup. Come on let’s see what else we got here for you little man.” Scooping Jordan up they went to investigate the last bag.
David pulled out a bag of giant Legos, a floor puzzle of a fire truck, and a stuffed Lion.
“I got this because it reminded me of your aunt Alex.” David told Jordan who was busy ripping into the Lego bag.
“Of me?” Alex asked, looking at the huge stuffed lion with a large brown, fluffy mane. “It’s the hair right? You thought of me when you saw this crazy wild mane?”
“The eyes. They are golden and beautiful like yours.” He told her.
“For a stuffy business man you say the sweetest things.” She said, eyes sparkling like a golden sunset.
David spent a few moments enjoying her beauty, then took off his suit jacket and got down on the floor to play with Jordan.
“I’ll keep him company. There’s a bag with pasta, sauce, and bread. If you and Dawn can throw together a salad from the fridge for dinner that would be great. Jordan and I are about to build a Lego city like you have never seen.” He smiled at Alex.
David felt the weight of her stare. She sat there on the couch watching them for a few minutes as he played with the energetic little boy. Did she not trust him with Jordan, was that what that look was all about? David knew he came off as a cut throat business man, who took no shit from no body, but hell he didn’t eat kids. What the fuck.
“I’ll go get dinner started. You sure you don’t mind playing with Jordan. I mean you’ve done so much already, we don’t want to be a bother.” She stood but was still hesitant to leave the room.
David frowned, “We will be fine. Besides you can see us from the kitchen.”
“It’s not that. I… trust you David. It’s weird watching him with you. It’s always been just us, you know.”
“I know, but you have me now. You both have me now, if you want me.”
David could still feel Alex watching them as she went about preparing dinner. He desired to put her at ease but he knew things would surely get bad before they got better. Ace had informed him that Mac Blanco was in Atlanta. His men were asking around about the three of them. He knew the time was coming and soon, when Mac would make his move.
Alex wasn’t Jordan’s guardian, or a biological parent so she had no legal leg to stand on. If Mac wanted to, he had every right to come take the child away. The one thing in their favor was that Mac didn’t know where they were. With him being on the outside of the law, Mac wasn’t abo
ut to show his face in any courtroom asking for help. The lowlife would do what two bit fuckups did, try and steal Jordan away from Alex. David had no qualms about dishing out a little justice of his own. He knew what to do with a man like Mac.
*ALEX*
She watched David and Jordan playing on the living room floor. Alex tried to focus on warming the pasta and sauce. She wanted desperately to tare her gaze away from them but she kept on glancing there way. For such a big man, David was gentle and patient with Jordan. He stayed on Jordan’s level and spoke to him in a calm voice. David always spoke in a calm voice. He never seemed to be unnerved by anything. Alex liked that about him most of all. He was a rock. She needed a rock.
As she placed the plates and silver ware on the table, she paused. She needed David, her rock. What would become of Jordan if Mac got his hands on her, if he got to Dawn, or both of them? Jordan would be alone in the world. Running was not a workable option, that’s what David had said and he was right.
But what were his feelings for her. Did David just want to sleep with her or did he want more? He was as attracted to her as she was to him, she was sure of that. He touched her any time she was near him. Those lava hot kisses he gave her were sure signs he was more than into her. Thinking about his strong arms around her pressing her against his erection made her want to lock the two of them in a bedroom, forget about the world outside, and ride him like a—
“Girl, I didn’t know a brown skinned woman could blush like that. What in the hell are you thinking?” Dawn joked as she stood just inside the kitchen.
Alex jumped at the sound of Dawns voice.
“Damn it D. Make some noise why don’t you. And it’s none of your business what I was thinking.”
“As if I couldn’t guess.” Dawn jerked her thumb to the living room.”
Alex ignored her. “Dinner is ready.” She called out to David and Jordan.
Jordan let loose a displeased whine, not ready to stop playing. They had already built a Lego building, completed all the puzzle, and Jordan was showing David how he could wrestle the lion. Jordan fussed and pouted, but David picked him up and whispered something in his ear that made Jordan nod his head and grin wide.
