by Rhonda Lott
“Shit bro, you don’t know how much I’m enjoying this.” Kane was taking deep breaths trying to calm down. He had his hand over his heart and tears were in his eyes.
“Laugh all you want, Kane. Paybacks a bitch.” David warned.
Kane’s face fell, all humor in him evaporating like steam on hot pavement.
Alex and Dawn appeared at the top of the stairs.
“And there she is. Beautiful Ms. Payback.” David looked his brother dead in his blue eyes, before moving to greet the women.
Alex wore blue skinny jeans with a yellow sweater that complimented her dark curly hair and creamy brown skin tone. Her face however was back to looking anxious. Dawn was dressed in the same style jeans in her favorite color black with a black shirt, her face was the same as always, suspicious and slightly pissed.
“Have a seat. I’ll explain what I plan on doing about Blanco.” David told them.
Alex sat in the chair next to David. Dawn marched over to his desk and hopped up onto it crossing her legs, folding her arms across her chest.
“My plan is simple, one that we have used with great success in the past. We allow Mac to set up a meeting place where he feels in control. We meet, he signs legal custody over to Alex for three million. That’s it in a nut shell.” David leaned back in his chair and waited.
It didn’t take long. “If that’s your plan, it’s so full of holes you could drive a mac truck through it.” Dawn grunted.
Alex tilted her head and scrunched her brows together.
“That’s not it I know. You know Mac Blanco doesn’t need or want the money. You know his men will be in any place you agree to meet him. It will not matter how open or crowded it is. You also know that even if he signs custody papers. He can still kill me and get Jordan that way.” Alex turned to Ace and studied him solemnly. She looked back to David. “I also understand there might be certain details you can’t disclose right now.”
David nodded. “Right. Kane along with one of my teams will help on this one. Ace is out of the picture for now.”
“But, in case things don’t go according to plan. I’ll have a couple of Dade County Detectives waiting to serve Mr. Blanco and haul his ass back to Miami where he is wanted for a boat load of crimes.” Ace said.
“And in case he tries anything before or after the meet, I’ll be out of sight covering everybody with my handy dandy sniper rifle.” Kane supplied.
“Everybody?” Dawn asked, eyeing the three males with suspicion.
“Yes. Blanco made one stipulation. The only way he would agree to come was if you and Alex are there.” David said.
Dawn went pale. Alex nodded firmly.
“I want this over. I want him out of Jordan’s life.” Alex stated.
“Don’t worry, either of you. By the end of the day tomorrow, the monster you’ve been running from will be dealt with, one way or another.” David assured them.
David relaxed back in his seat. His gaze sought out each face in the room as they talked among themselves. This was his new reality. These people were his new family. He would lay down his own life for any one of them. Come tomorrow he might have to.
CHAPTER EIGHT
*ALEX*
Flava restaurant was crowded and situated on a busy downtown street. Alex let her eyes travel around the place, soft lighting and neo-soul music gave it a modern feel. There were a few tables along the perimeter of the room. A bar and small dance floor made up most of the space. The restaurant catered to young business people it would seem. Not a family type place, Alex was glad to see that.
Unbelievably she wasn’t as frightened as she thought she would be. Alex was nervous, but Dawn fidgeted in her seat, jumped at every loud noise, and looked around constantly.
“Dawn hold my hand, please.” Alex reached over and grabbed Dawn’s cold hand.
“I don’t want to see him, Alex. I never wanted to look at his ugly face again.” Dawn bit out.
“This one time, I promise, then we won’t have to worry about him anymore.” Alex leaned in closer to her. “Keep your eyes on me, don’t even acknowledge him.”
Alex glanced to David, her rock. He was silent, his body relaxed in his chair but his steely gaze swept the room like radar. He sat facing the door and if Alex wasn’t mistaken, he had at least two weapons within hands reach.
Alex heard Dawn’s indrawn breath and turned her head towards the entrance. Mac Blanco strutted in casually. He was dressed in a black designer suit, jet black hair gelled into spikes, and inky black eyes. All black everything, even his heart, Alex thought. Mac was a handsome man. You couldn’t tell by looking at him that he was a snake walking upright.
“I don’t think I can do this.” Dawn whispered.
At that moment Mac’s eyes zeroed in on our group. His gaze assessed each of us intensely. When his eyes locked on Dawn, an evil twinkle sparked to life in them, like a vulture spotting a fresh kill. A slow upward pull of his lips revealed one gold tooth in his incisor. Mac said something to one of the two goons that came in with him, he moved towards the table alone. Not once did he take his eyes off Dawn.
Alex felt a trickle of sweat run down her cleavage. Something wasn’t quite right here. Dawn’s body was trembling next to her so violently, Alex was compelled to put one arm around her friend for fear she might jump up and flee.
The weight of the gun in her jacket pocket gave Alex a tiny sense of security. She was glad David had given it to her. She was equally glad he didn’t give a gun to Dawn, because she was sure if he had, Mac would be shot dead where he stood.
Mac stopped at our table, without being asked, sat across from David. That car salesman grin smeared across his face.
“I take it that you are McAdams.” He slid his black eyes to Alex, giving her a nasty perusal. “You resemble your sweet sister quite a bit.” Mac said. He sounded more like a Florida no hint of any Latin accent.
“Don’t speak to them. Address me Blanco, no one else.” David said coldly.
“Such disrespect. No one tells me what I need to do.” Black eyes narrowing, Mac leaned back in his chair and glared at David.
“We have your money and the affidavit for you to sign. Once that is done you will have nothing else to do with Jordan or Alex.” David drummed his fingers casually on the table as if he was in a board meeting.
The chatter of the diners, the clinking of silverware, and the mellow background music all faded away. Alex’s beating heart was all she could hear. Ann’s face as she lay dying flashed before her eyes. Rage, hot and lethal, burned in her chest. This beast killed her sister and he had the nerve to talk of disrespect. He was nothing, she could see that now. David was right. Blanco was no monster. He was a thug in designer clothes, nothing more.
“Jordan and Alex.” Mac gave a dismissive snort. “I don’t give a shit about this skinny Punta or that kid. I have two sons already. There is one thing I want and that’s my property.” His eyes swung to Dawn.
“No, No.” Dawn was shaking her head, raising from her chair.
David grasped her arm to make sure she remained seated.
“You have no property here.” Said David.
“Oh but I do. You see, I never wanted Ann. She was fun for a distraction, but the moment I saw her friend here, I knew I had to have her.” He sneered, licking his lips.
“You can’t have me. You sick fuck.” Dawn said through clenched teeth, her fingers digging into Alex’s hand.
“Dawn, oh baby don’t talk like that. Don’t you remember our time together? I branded you as mine.” His hooded gazed traveled along Dawn’s body. “That body and that face, I couldn’t resist sampling you’re goods. You wouldn’t break though, no matter what I did to you. You wouldn’t even cry.” He leaned towards Dawn even more.
“Shut the fuck up.” Dawn grated out, turning away from him.
“Oh, how I love it. You’re still so full of fire baby. I got top dollar for you and my customer is expecting his prize. I am making a killing on that sexy as hell body of yo
urs. My men fucked up when they dropped you off with Ann. Now I’m here to take you to your new life.” He cocked his head back to David. “I will take that three million as well McAdams.”
“No you won’t Blanco.” David replied, his eyes turning glacial, his face a mask of deadly intent.
Alex held her breath. Damn if David didn’t sound totally in control. She knew in that moment she loved him, her rock. He wouldn’t let any harm come to them.
“Do you even know who you’re dealing with? I have seven of my men situated around this restaurant. The minute I give the signal they can take you out my friend.” Mac shrugged looking triumphantly at David.
Mac held up his hand and Alex watched as Mac’s men rose from their tables. Each holding guns on them.
Alex’s heart lodged in her throat. She grabbed Dawn, but where the hell could they go. All sound screeched to a halt in the restaurant. Strangely none of the people screamed or acted afraid. Big ass men stood around the room with guns out and they stared like idiots. Where were the cell phones? No one took a pic, no one called the cops, or even texted. Alex didn’t know what to think, they were trapped.
“David.” She cried out. Seeking his eyes, hoping he had planned for this. All she could think of doing was knocking over the table, pulling out her gun, and taking those fuckers out. She wasn’t about to die today. She wasn’t about to let that slimy bastard have Dawn. Most of all she was not going to let them kill David. Hell, she promised to make him cum yesterday and she didn’t get a chance to. He had to build a Lego tower with Jordan. So, no he could not die.
“No worries song bird. I got this.” Came his steady reply.
“You got this. You are looking down the barrels of seven guns, my friend. I like your style but you are outnumbered and out maneuvered. So no, you do not have this.” Blanco glanced back at his thugs and they all laughed at his cocky remark.
“Oh but you forgot one thing when you were slipping your thugs inside. Did you stop to think about who owns this restaurant?” David asked.
“Some rapper, that’s not important.” Blanco shrugged.
“Oh bad move on your part. Your choice of this particular place was fortunate. Though, it really didn’t matter where you chose. This is my city.” David stood, bold as you please in the crosshairs of so many guns, he slammed his palms flat on the table. “You see, the problem with little shits like you Blanco is you operate purely on emotion. I on the other hand calculate every possible outcome of any given situation.”
Alex reached out for David. She knew he was about to be gunned down, but before she could reach him, her body went still with shock.
Every other person in the restaurant, men, women, the waiters, everyone pulled out weapons and leveled them at Mac and his men.
Alex and Dawn sat there, eyes bulging, mouths gaping.
Mac’s men shuffled there feet, heads swinging from side to side. They instantly realized the situation was out of their control. His men were smart enough to throw down their guns. Blanco stayed where he was. A thick vein in his forehead throbbed, otherwise he didn’t make a move.
“You see, Mr. J. R. Castle the record producer happens to be a client of my security firm. He also happens to produce the rap artist Flava, the owner of this place. I was allowed the use of it for tonight.” David casually walked around the table. Placing his body directly in front of Mac so that the smaller man had a long way to look up at him.
“Now, this is what will happen. You will stand up and walk outside, where Officers from the Dade County Police Force will escort you back to Miami and your well-deserved incarceration. No need for you or your boys to die today.” David said.
“This shit ain’t over motherfucker.” Mac spat at David. His face crimson with fury.
Alex couldn’t take it all in. Every person there was a part of David’s team. Some were hauling the seven gunmen out, while David held Mac’s arms securely behind him and pushed the man towards the exit. He stopped to wait for her and Dawn.
“Go on ahead David, Dawn and I need a few minutes.” Alex told him. Her head was swimming. They were finally free of the monster. She wanted to sing, and sing and sing.
“Did that just happen?” Dawn’s voice brought her back to herself.
“Yes, Yes. David did it. Mac is a drug lord and human trafficker, he is going to jail for a long time.” Alex turned to Dawn. Tears were streaming down Dawn’s face and she was smiling. A huge, hope filled smile.
“Oh God, D I haven’t seen that smile in a long time.”
They fell into each other’s arms laughing and crying.
“I can kiss David.” Dawn squealed.
“Yes, you can. Only once, on the cheek and I’ll be watching.” Alex warned as they laughed and hugged some more.
“I told you, we could trust David.” Alex stood.
“Yes, but that brother of his though.” Dawn made a face.
Alex simply smiled at her. They made their way out the restaurant. David was still holding on to Mac, the Dade County Officers were about to take possession of him. Mac suddenly gave a mighty jerk away from David. Pulling a gun from under his jacket and aimed it at David. A wicked gleam in his eyes. Mac took one step back away from the men, his finger on the trigger.
The world stopped turning for Alex as she watched in horror. Mac the fucking coward, leveled the gun towards David’s chest. She was too far a way to get to David. He couldn’t survive a shot to the chest at such close range. Alex felt her blood turn to ice in her veins. All she could do was scream and run for him. Before she took two steps, Mac’s body spasmed and hit the sidewalk like a human size marionette cut from its strings. Alex froze, Mac had a bullet hole in his forehead placed perfectly between his eyes, trademark kill of Kane McAdams.
Alex felt her body shaking uncontrollably. David was by her side instantly. His big arms engulfed her. She ran her hands all over his arms and chest, franticly searching his big beautiful body for damage. Alex couldn’t get close enough to him. He was alive. Mac was dead and her family was safe. David kept his word. He was her rock, her world. Alex squeezed him even tighter.
“I’m fine babe, thanks to my brother.” David said.
“I love your brother. Did I ever tell you that?” She asked, bringing his head down for a deep, heartfelt kiss. She wanted to never let him go.
David ended the kiss way too quickly, frowning into her upturned face.
“You love Kane. You love Jordan. You love Dawn. Hell, you might even love Ace. Hum?” He gave her a questioning expression, brows furrowed deeply.
“OK, Ok. I love you David. I love you because you kept all your promises. I love you because even when I didn’t want to you made me trust in you. I love you because you gave us our freedom and you gave me a reason to sing every day.” She said, bringing him back for another kiss.
David ended this kiss as well.
“I need to get you home right now.” He growled in her ear. “You have a certain job you most urgently need to take care of.”
Alex covered his mouth. David kissed her palm.
“Kane bring Dawn home, will you?” David called out to Kane, who was crossing the street towards them. “And thanks for the backup. You were dead on as usual.”
David helped Alex into the SUV. Alex watched as he came around and climbed inside.
She watched his beautiful face as he pulled from the curb. She waited patiently, her eyes never left his face the short drive back to the condo. She silently watched him as he parked.
“What is it, babe.” David finally asked, after exiting the SUV and walking with her to the condo’s front door.
Alex tilted her head, waiting still, eyes wide and expected.
David brows pulled downward for a second, then his eyes lit up. He pulled her into his arms. Backing her into the door, kissing her lips quick and hard. “I love Jordan.” He kissed her eyes. “I like Dawn.” He kissed her cheeks. “I tolerate Kane and Ace.” He grabbed hold of her ass and lifted her up, pressing his bo
dy to hers. “But you, my song bird. I love you with everything I have in me. I loved you when you stood on stage at the gala, I loved you when you ran from me in the rain, and I truly love you when you look at me with those amazing eyes of yours and smile. It feels like the sun raising on a brand new day.”
David kissed her hungrily. Alex threaded her fingers through his hair, kissing him back with all she had inside her wildly jumping heart. She wanted to stay right there in that moment forever. He was all she could ever want in a man. He was stern and controlling yes, but he was also dependable and loving. She didn’t know what tomorrow might bring but she knew that she wanted all her tomorrow’s with him. He made her happy. He gave her safety and peace. But, right now, he was driving her insane with his big dick grinding into her pussy, his delicious lips feasting on hers.
Alex broke away to whisper in his ear. “I need to make you cum, remember.”
“Fuck yeah,” David carried her into the house, slamming the door behind him.
CHAPTER NINE
*DAVID*
David carried Alex into his bedroom. It had been a fight to get Alex to relent and let his assistant babysit Jordan for the night. They had some alone time, at last. The light from his bedside lamp cast a hazy glow over the cherry wood furnishing of his room and made Alex’s beautiful brown skin look like creamy milk chocolate. So enticing David could hardly contain his desire. One taste would not be enough. One night would never satisfy him.
He sat her down on the edge of the bed, then knelt bringing their faces level with each other. Her honey colored eyes looked lovingly into his. She was so damn perfect in every way. David knew it was the hand of fate that sent her to him.
“Allie, the running can end now. You never have to look over your shoulders again.” David said.
“Yes, I won’t have to run ever again thanks to you.” Alex looped her arms around his neck.
“You can thank me properly, woman.” David growled, slanting his mouth to her’s. Her taste was intoxicating. Her body supple and warm under his hands. He sought out every part of her, every long line and soft curve of her. Alex moaned into his mouth and it felt like an answer to every prayer he ever prayed.
