Her Protector

by D. Camille

  He sat on the edge of the bed and she joined him after a few minutes.

  “I want you to be safe Lotus,” he told her softly. “So if that means you going to LA, that’s what has to happen.”

  Lotus felt her heart drop at his words.

  Kent lifted her face to his. “But know this, I’m going to do everything I possibly can to bring you home as soon as possible.”

  “You want me here?” she asked softly.

  He nodded and took her hand. “With me.”

  “I don’t want to go,” Lotus whispered.

  Kent laid her back against the fluffy comforter. “I don’t want you to go either baby, but trust, I’m about to tear some shit up in Atlanta to get you back.”

  Lotus touched his handsome face. “You won’t forget about me?”

  “You know damn well you’re unforgettable Lotus.” He kissed her softly. “I better not hear that you making spaghetti out there.”

  She smiled and kissed him back. “Nah, I don’t want you showing your ass.”

  “You know it.” He pulled her closer, settling himself over her body.

  “Sean and Kyle are waiting,” she reminded him as her arms wrapped around him.

  “So…”

  When he captured her mouth completely, showing her just how much he was going to miss her, she completely agreed with his sentiment.

  Chapter 10

  The next morning Lotus opened her door to a smiling, sexy, well dressed, green-eyed man. Before she could greet him, he hauled her into his arms and began inhaling the skin on her neck.

  “Mmmm…you smell so good,” Kent breathed against her throat.

  “Blissful risings Kent.” Lotus whispered putting her arms around him. “What are you doing here?”

  Lifting his head, he smiled down at her. “I’m here to take you to work.”

  She looked surprised. “Sean said a car would pick me up.”

  “I’m the car baby,” he said moving them inside and closing the door behind him.

  Lotus smiled up into his handsome face. “You’re sweet.”

  “Nah, I’m selfish. I don’t want some other dude driving you around.”

  Lotus laughed. “That’s what I said.”

  Kent pulled her closer. “How did you sleep last night?”

  “I actually missed having a green-eyed monster in my bed,” she told him, laying her head on his chest.

  He rubbed a hand down her back to her butt and stopped. “If I didn’t think that Sean would show up in your bedroom, I would’ve stayed over.”

  She chuckled. “What?”

  “Dude just appeared out of nowhere last night,” he explained.

  Lotus pulled back. “Where were you last night?”

  Kent kissed her quickly. “Long story, that I promise I will tell you soon but for now, I need to get you to work.”

  She studied him for a minute. “You were with Sean and Kyle?”

  He nodded. “I brought them here last night remember?” Picking up the look on her face, he frowned. “Come on Lotus, don’t look at me like that.”

  “I’ll get my bag,” Lotus said quietly walking away before he grabbed her from behind enfolding her.

  “I’ve got a surprise for you,” he whispered in her ear.

  Lotus stood still as he gently kissed her jawline. “Don’t you want to know what it is?” he questioned, pressing against her back.

  “I don’t know with you,”

  He turned her in his arms and looked into her face. “I want to pick you up from work today, then bring you home to get dressed and take you on a date.”

  Lotus lifted a brow. “At your momma’s house?”

  He smiled. “Not this time.”

  “Is this your way of trying to be mine?” she asked.

  “You told me I was,” he answered. “So I need to handle it.”

  Lotus looked away. “I don’t want you to do it because you feel that you have to.”

  Kent stepped away and stared at her before she moved to get her bag. When she returned, he took her hand. “Come here for a minute.”

  Lotus followed as he led her over to the sofa and sat before pulling her down onto his lap. She held her purse against her chest, staring straight ahead.

  “Lotus…”

  He waited until she turned to him. “Help me out here…I thought this would make you happy, not mad.”

  “I’m not mad.”

  “This sure in the hell ain’t happy.” Kent said removing her bag and placing it on the couch. “Now let’s start this over.”

  He rubbed her cheek where her dimple was hidden. “Guess what baby? I’m picking you up tonight from work, then I’m going to bring you home so you can get sexy for me and then we’re going on a date.” His gaze held hers. “’Cause I missed you last night and I’m going to see you every night until you leave for LA, and then every night when you come back home.”

  Slowly, he moved his hand from her cheek to her lips. “Is that okay little Momma?”

  “You missed me?” she asked with his finger lingering on her lips.

  He nodded slowly. “You know what I missed the most?”

  Kent moved his finger back to her cheek. “These…”

  “You’re obsessed with my dimples.” Lotus whispered.

  “Because they’re beautiful, just like the rest of you.” He waited until they winked at him. “See, that’s what I’m talking about.”

  Lotus leaned in and rewarded him with a sweet kiss.

  “So is that a yes?” he asked against her lips.

  “I don’t think it was a question in the first place.”

  He squeezed her butt. “Stop playing girl.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes Kent, you can pick me up from work, bring me home and let me get sexy for you, then take me on a date.”

  Kent held her gaze. “I want to be with you, Lotus, and it has nothing to do with your vision and everything to do with the fact that I’ve always felt a special attraction to you.”

  “I’m not just trying to be yours because you told me I was…I’m trying to be yours because you’re an amazing woman.”

  Lotus buried her face in his neck, moved by his words. Automatically, she began tapping on his shoulder and he smiled.

  “That honey pot is buzzing?” he asked knowingly.

  “Uh, huh…”

  Kent tilted her back across his arm and claimed her mouth hotly. She tasted as sweet as she smelled and he lost himself in her for a few moments. When he finally lifted his head and looked down into her sexy eyes, he started all over again.

  Lotus held on to him tightly as their tongues dueled in the early morning. Unable to breathe, she pulled back slowly and looked at him. “I have to go to work pretty eyes.”

  Kent accepted her words and sat her up. “Don’t open any cards or packages,” he warned.

  “You don’t have to tell me that twice.”

  “If anything goes down, call me.” Kent told her firmly.

  Lotus smiled at him. “Yes, I will call you.” She shook her head. “You always surprise me when you get so serious.”

  “I’ll be serious tonight,”

  She gave him a look. “What are you planning?”

  Kent stood to his feet and picked up her purse, handing it to her. “I told you it’s a surprise.” He led her to the door with a hand on her waist. After they exited, she locked the door and he followed her to the car.

  Outside the vehicle, he stood behind her and whispered down into her ear. “I promise it’s going to be so good.”

  ******

  Trent ended his phone call with Sean getting updated on the situation in Atlanta concerning Lotus. Satisfied that everything was being handled, he stood and walked to the other side of the floor to meet with his other brother.

  Jordan waved him inside while he was on the phone and Trent took a seat across from him and listened.

  “Sage, pretty girl it’s fine.” Jordan said with the phone on speak
er. “Put Diamond on the line.”

  Two pair of dark eyes connected as Jordan waited.

  “Hi Daddy.” Trent smiled at the voice coming through the line. His niece, Diamond Black was something else, to say the least.

  “Are you giving your Mommy a hard time?” Jordan asked.

  “She says I’m getting on her last damn nerve,” she repeated and Jordan put a hand to his head.

  “Diamond!” he warned.

  “That’s what she said Daddy,” she reaffirmed.

  “You don’t have to repeat it,” he told her. “Now what are you doing?”

  “I was trying to help Mommy, so I made lunch for Justice and Jade,” she explained.

  Jordan paused. “Did Mommy ask you to help?”

  “No, I wanted to feed the kids today.”

  “Diamond, you’re only eight. You’re technically a kid too.” He told his daughter. “What happened when you made lunch?”

  “Jade ate it but Justice wouldn’t cooperate,” Diamond informed him.

  Jordan closed his eyes as Trent shook his head. “So what did you do?”

  “I didn’t do it Daddy…Justice did.”

  Opening his eyes, Jordan frowned. “What did Justice do then?”

  “He dumped my food in the garbage,” she complained.

  Trent laughed and Jordan gave him a look before he sobered. “Then what happened Diamond?” Jordan asked impatiently.

  After a moment she answered, “I put his toys in the trash.” She sniffed. “Then Mommy spanked us with Grandma Silver’s belt.”

  Jordan loved his kids to death, but Diamond and Justice were more than a handful. They were thick as thieves yet argued constantly. No matter how many times he and his wife Sage had threatened them to get along, they still had their moments…like today.

  “You know better than to put your brother’s toys in the trash,” Jordan told her. “And I’m sure your Mommy didn’t hurt either of you.”

  “Mommy said I had to tell you what I did and apologize to Justice,” Diamond said sadly. “He said he’s sorry too, but he’s mad at me.”

  “You two…” Jordan began.

  “Can we still go to Africa Daddy?” Diamond asked. “I want to see the lions.”

  “We’re going to Africa so you can see where your Mommy grew up and to see the lions, but if you and Justice can’t act right, your Mommy and I will take Jade and leave you two here. Understand?”

  “I’m sorry Daddy. I don’t want you to leave us here.”

  “Go give Justice a hug, then kiss your Mommy. I’ll see you when I get home.” Jordan said firmly.

  “Okay, I love you Daddy,”

  Jordan smiled. “I love you Diamond.”

  Sage came back on the line. “I think I’m going to Africa alone.”

  He laughed. “We might leave them there with your Aunt Ruby and Uncle John.”

  “I wouldn’t do that to them. They already raised me and Ray,” Sage said with a smile.

  “Yeah, they deserve a medal for Ray alone,” Jordan agreed.

  “Don’t start Jordan, not today.”

  Jordan looked at Trent with a grin. “I’ll be home soon, pretty girl. I can tell you need a break.”

  “Take care of your business. They’re all yours tomorrow.”

  “Okay, I love you. “

  “I love you too Jordan.”

  Trent sighed and Jordan gave him another look. “I’ll see you soon baby.”

  Jordan ended the call and turned his attention to his brother.

  “Hello Trent,”

  Trent smiled. “Your kids man…”

  “I know.”

  “I hope that won’t be Trinity and her brother,” Trent said sitting back in his seat.

  Jordan lifted a brow. “It’s a boy?”

  “I hope so,” Trent answered.

  “A little Trent?” Jordan rubbed his chin remembering the boy who’d come to find his family. “I don’t know if the world is ready for that.”

  Trent laughed. “Probably not.”

  The two looked at each other for a moment before Trent asked, “How are you Jordan?”

  Jordan took a deep breath. “It’s been difficult…to say the least.”

  “Did he give you any indication as to why he faked his death?” Trent asked.

  “None, and I was too much in shock to ask many questions.” Jordan answered. “He’s due here pretty soon, and we’ll have all the answers.”

  “When are you going to Africa?” Trent questioned.

  Jordan sat up in his seat. “I’d told Diamond on her birthday that we were going to see the lions in Africa but we’ve postponed the trip until I deal with our father.”

  “Do you think there’s anything he can say to account for what he’s done?” Trent wondered.

  “I know you don’t think so.”

  Trent shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

  “I have to hear him out,” Jordan told him. “I owe him that much.”

  “I don’t owe him anything,” Trent said adamantly.

  Jordan nodded. “I’ll meet with him alone first.”

  “The only reasons I’m staying contained at this point is because you’re my brother and I both love and respect you; and for my mother,” Trent said firmly.

  “I’ve said it before Trent, but I’ll say it again…if our father is here to hurt any one of us, I’ll be the first one to handle him.”

  “I believe you Jordan and I’ll stay in my lane…for now.”

  Jordan nodded. “So Sean is out of town handling the Hardings, what else do you have on your plate?”

  Trent sighed. “I may have to kill Tara’s father.”

  “Hmmm…does he know about his brother?”

  “Nah, his family is keeping tabs on me and that situation in Atlanta,” Trent explained. “Kent found out that the Watson’s and Erik Hanson are paying off the police down there for information.”

  “Damn, that’s a lot of people involved.”

  Trent nodded. “I know and they’re also connected to the Hardings.”

  Jordan shook his head. “Looks like we’re going to be busy.”

  “The family business…” Trent said smiling.

  “Speaking of family…have you spoken with your twin?” Jordan questioned.

  Trent frowned. “No, I have not spoken with Chloe and I have another guy on her while Kyle is in Atlanta.”

  “No matter what happens, the two of you will need to make amends,” Jordan told him. “We’re family.”

  “Unless she’s dirty…” Trent pointed out.

  Jordan shrugged. “That goes without saying.”

  “However, I don’t think that she is and we’ll all need to work together.” Jordan finished.

  Trent’s eyes narrowed. “Have you talked to her?”

  “Not yet, but I plan to pay her a visit soon.”

  “Well, let me know how that goes,” Trent said standing. “My wife is pregnant, so I have enough drama on my hands from her and Ma. I don’t need Chloe’s too.”

  “How’s Carolyn?” Jordan asked.

  “Worried about seeing Justin again,” Trent commented. “Worried about Chloe. Worried about me. Worried about every damn thing.”

  “I still wonder how the two of them got together,” Jordan said shaking his head. “Me and Sean never had a clue.”

  “Whatever he did to her, it’s still there.”

  Jordan looked serious. “Make sure you keep a close eye on her, especially with Sean out of town.”

  “I’ve got it taken care of,” Trent assured him. “Speaking of mother’s…”

  Jordan sighed again. “Joanna may be up to her old tricks again. She’s been meeting with a man at the park. I don’t have an ID on him yet, but I think she’s plotting.”

  “I still can’t get over how much she looked like Dr. Camille Smith or that the Doctor is dead,” Trent said in amazement.

  “Yeah, I thought for sure it was our father who was sick, so I was surprised
to hear that the Doctor had died. He’s tying up the last arrangements for her and her estate before he arrives here in LA,” Jordan explained. “Then we can start to unravel this mess.”

  Trent nodded. “Who do you think the dude is with your mother?”

  Jordan stood. “Whoever he is, I hope he’s prepared for what he’s getting into.”

  He walked over to his brother and looked him in the eye. “Let’s handle it.”

  “It’s handled.” Trent promised.

  The two embraced each other for a moment before they separated to prepare for what was to come, both in LA and Atlanta.

  ******

  Kent met Sean and Kyle for lunch at a restaurant near his office. He found the two men seated at a secluded booth and joined them at the table.

  “Hey Sean…Kyle,”

  They both returned his greeting and turned their attention to him.

  “Did Lotus get to work?” Sean asked.

  “Of course, I wouldn’t let anything happen to Lotus.”

  Sean pinned him with a dark brown stare. “That’s your assignment.”

  Kent met his stare. “Lotus isn’t an assignment.”

  Kyle looked between the two men and waited.

  “Really? What is she then?” Sean questioned quietly.

  “I’m still working on that,” Kent answered honestly.

  Sean leaned forward. “Look Kent, Lotus is a grown woman and I’m not about to try to play her daddy but she is my wife’s only sister, so just know that puts you on dangerous ground.”

  Kyle watched and waited for Kent’s reaction. “No disrespect Sean, but whatever happens between me and Lotus, is between us. I understand your concern and trust; I’m not going to hurt her.”

  Kyle looked to Sean. “Then I guess we have an understanding,” Sean said picking up his menu.

  Kyle had to admit that he was impressed with Kent’s answers to Sean, especially knowing that Sean could kill him at any time and not leave a trace. He nodded at Kent, who nodded in return before both men picked up their menus.

  When the waitress arrived, she smiled at Kent. “Hey handsome.”

  “Hey Michelle,” Kent replied with a smile of his own.

  Both Sean and Kyle shared a look.

  “I haven’t seen you in here for a minute,” Michelle commented. “I thought you didn’t liked our food anymore,” she teased with a wink.

  “Nah, I’ve just been busy.”