by Tina Martin
“And Savannah has told you this…that you weren’t good enough for her.”
“No, she hasn’t said those exact words, but—”
“You chose to say them for her.”
Harding thought for a moment. “Bottom line is, her family will never accept me and I refuse to live that way.”
“That’s pretty messed up. I thought you had more fight in you than that, bruh.”
“Yeah, well…” Harding adjusted his position in the seat and then lowered the seat as far back as it would go. “Wake me up when we get there. I’m going to sleep.”
Mordecai glanced over at Harding and then shook his head. Harding could say whatever he wanted, but he knew it wasn’t over between him and Savannah. He loved her too much to just let her go.
Chapter 17
Zoya was still driving, keeping up with Mordecai while bobbing her head to the music.
Amira zipped her purse open to take out her buzzing cell phone. The caller was Savannah.
“Hey, Savannah,” she answered, reaching to turn the volume on the radio down.
When Zoya heard her say Savannah’s name, she glanced over at her and back to the road again.
“Hi, Amira. I need the address.”
“To where?”
“You guys are on the way to Asheville, right?”
“Uh, yeah…” Amira said, glancing over at Zoya.
Zoya raised her eyebrows and mouthed, “What?”
“Um, hold on, Savannah,” Amira said.
“Okay.”
Amira pressed the mute button on her cell phone and said, “Oh my goodness, Zoe. Savannah wants to know the address to Dante’s house.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think?” Amira asked. “She must be coming up here! She said she was coming when we had dinner together the other night, remember?”
“I didn’t think she was serious.”
“Well, apparently, she was. What should we do?”
“Give her the address,” Zoya said.
“Do you have it?”
“Yeah.” With her eyes on the road, Zoya used her right hand to feel around in the console until she found the piece of paper she’d scribbled the address on. When she found it, she handed it to Amira.
“Zoe, shouldn’t we run this by Harding first?”
“No. Give it to her.”
“Okay. I’m taking her off mute.” Amira pressed the button and asked, “Savannah, you still there?”
“Yes. Do you have the address?”
“Yep,” Amira said, reading the address to her. “I take it you’re coming, too.”
“I am. I’m about an hour out.”
“Did you by chance tell Harding you were coming?”
“He won’t take my calls, so I couldn’t tell him.”
“You could’ve left a voicemail or sent a text message, Savannah.”
“I could have, but I don’t want him to have the heads up that I’m on the way. I want to surprise him.”
“Harding Champion doesn’t like surprises.”
“I know, but he’ll just have to get over it. I’m prepared to fight for him. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Amira smiled. She admired the resolve in Savannah and she honestly hoped they were able to work through their problems. “Then, I guess I’ll see you soon.”
“You can count on it,” Savannah said.
Amira ended the call and while sliding her phone back into her purse, she said, “This is going to be a disaster.”
“You think so?”
“I know so,” Amira said. “I can see Harding’s face turning red right now.”
Zoya shook her head. She could see it, too. “Do you think he’s seriously ending their relationship?”
“I really do,” Zoya replied. “Even Savannah seemed worried the other night.”
“Well, I hope it doesn’t distract from our weekend with Dante, Desmond and Dimitrius. I’ve been looking forward to this, and so has Harding. Now, Savannah’s coming. That’s sure to add a bunch of frustration for him.”
“You’re right about that.”
Amira sighed and stared out the window for a moment, taking in the sights of tall oak and pine trees on the beautiful, sunny day. “Harding said they were all married. With kids.”
“Yep.”
“Do you know what that means, Zoe? Not only do we have brothers we don’t know, we have nieces and nephews. Sister-in-laws. This is…this is crazy!”
“It is, but it’s exciting at the same time. I’ll admit—I was a little skeptical at first, but now I’m looking forward to getting to know everybody. In my head, I have it playing out like a happy family reunion.”
“Let’s hope it goes like that,” Amira said. “It ain’t no telling what’s going to happen when Savannah shows up.”
Chapter 18
Mordecai pulled up at the address per the GPS instructions, rolling up to the U of the horseshoe driveway. “Harding, are you sure we’re at the right place? It looks like we’re at some presidential palace. I thought The Biltmore House was further down the street.”
“Did you double check the address? “Harding asked, still waking up, stretching and yawning.
“Yeah. This is the address.”
“All right. Well, let’s get out.”
Mordecai’s eyebrows raised. “He lives here?”
Harding grinned. “Mordecai, Dante is the CEO of The Champion Corporation. This house looks like the house of a multi-millionaire, don’t you think?”
“Man! I didn’t know they were ballin’ like that.”
Harding opened the door and got out. Stretched again.
“You made it,” Dante said, stepping out from the porch and down the grand set of brick stairs, walking towards Harding until he slapped hands with him.
“Good to see you again, man.”
“You as well.”
‘‘I take it this is Mordecai.”
“You would be correct,” Mordecai said closing the driver side door and walking to the passenger side of the car where they were standing.
“Hi. Mordecai. Good to meet you, bro. I’m Dante.”
Mordecai shook Dante’s hand and pat him on the back with his left hand. “Good to meet you as well. You look like us,” Mordecai said.
“Wait ‘til you see Dimitrius and Desmond,” Dante told him.
“Are they coming over?” Harding asked.
“Yes. They should’ve been here by now,” Dante said glancing at his watch before looking at the vehicle parked behind the car Harding and Mordecai emerged from. He smiled as he laid eyes on his sisters for the first time.
“Before you ask, they’re not twins,” Harding said. “Zoya is two years older and slightly taller than Amira.”
“Yeah, and another way to tell them apart is, Zoya is always the one eating,” Mordecai said.
Dante chuckled.
“Don’t listen to anything that one has to say,” Zoya told Dante, pointing at Mordecai. “He’s overdosed on protein powder.”
Dante laughed.
“I’m Zoya, but the family calls me Zoe.”
“I’m Dante,” he said, wrapping his large arms around his sister. He could see identifying markers with the sisters right away. Zoya was slightly taller than Amira. While they both had long, black hair, Amira had streaks of bronze highlights in hers. She also had slightly bigger lips.
With big, bright eyes, Amira said, “You look just like Harding and Mordecai. It’s so good to finally meet you,” she said, wrapping her arms around him.
“It’s good to meet you too, Amira.”
Zoya peered into Dante’s hazel eyes – the same eye color of everyone in her family – and said, “Are you going to be as worrisome as Harding and Mordecai? If so, we’re not going to get along.”
Dante draped an arm around her. The other arm went around Amira. “We’re going to get along just fine. Come on inside and meet my family. I’ll get your bags later.”
Heading up t
he stairs, Dante opened the front door and said, “Em, where are you, sweetie?”
“Here I am,” Emily said, emerging from the area of the kitchen. She brought her hands to a steeple in front of her opened mouth when she saw Dante’s half siblings.
Dante did the introductions by saying, “Emily, these women are my sisters, Zoya and Amira, and these men are my brothers, Harding and Mordecai.”
“Oh my gosh! It’s so good to meet all of you,” she said, walking up to them, doing her best to hug them, even with her baby bump in the way.
Zoya thought Emily was beautiful with a head full of curly locks framing her face. “How far along are you?” Zoya asked.
“Seven months. This is baby number two. Another boy. Our other little one, Ezra, is sleeping upstairs, but you’ll get to meet him before the day is over.”
“You’re beautiful,” Amira said to Emily. “You’re certainly glowing.”
“She always glows,” Dante said stealing a kiss from Emily’s cheek. He then brought his hands to a clap and said, “There’s a spread of food in the kitchen. Let’s eat and get acquainted. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good to me,” Zoya said.
“Right this way.”
They followed him to the grand kitchen. The island was about the size of a king-sized bed.
“Your house is gorgeous,” Amira said.
“Yeah, man. This is a nice crib,” Mordecai added.
“Thank you. When I had it built, I told the contractor to build it so I never have a desire to move. He did exactly what I asked of him.”
“Clearly,” Harding said.
When Dante heard the commotion at the front door, he said, “Sounds like the cavalry has arrived.” He walked to the door, then returned with the rest of the gang.
The look on Desmond’s and Dimitrius’ faces was priceless when they saw that, like Harding, Mordecai also looked very similar to them.
Dante made the introductions, and the men proceeded to shake each other’s hands. Desmond wrapped his arms around his sisters and introduced everyone to his wife, Sherita, and their twins – Nolan and Celeste. Nolan, with not a shy or scared bone in his body, jumped right out of Desmond’s arms and into Harding’s arms.
“Well, hi there,” Harding said, looking at the little, light-skinned boy.
Nolan smiled, showing two little, white teeth.
Desmond laughed. “He probably thinks you’re my brother—well you are my brother—I mean he thinks you’re Dante.”
The men chuckled. Women laughed.
Dimitrius slapped hands with Mordecai and said, “Good to meet you, bruh.”
“You as well,” Mordecai said.
Sherita and Melanie were busy hugging Zoya and Amira, welcoming them to the family.
“Aw, is that your little one?” Amira asked when she looked down and saw Grace standing next to and gripping Melanie’s leg.
“Yep. That’s her all right. She’s a bit shy, but she warms up to people quickly and once she does, you can’t get rid of her.”
“She’s beautiful,” Amira said, admiring the single ponytail on Grace’s head tied with a pink ribbon that matched her outfit. “And look at little Celeste. She’s so adorable.”
“Thank you,” Sherita said, rubbing Celeste’s curly hair.
“You can tell they’re first cousins,” Zoya said. “They could actually pass for siblings.”
“Apparently, the Champion men have strong genes,” Melanie said.
“You’re right about that,” Emily added.
“Most people think our children are siblings,” Desmond said right before he kneeled and played peek-a-boo with Grace.
Grace was all smiles before the smiles turned into the cutest little giggles.
“Come to Uncle Des, Gracie,” he said, opening his arms wide until she walked over to him. With her nestled in his arms, he stood up and kissed her on the cheek.
“Let’s grab some food and sit down,” Dante said. “I know everyone’s tired from the drive.”
“I don’t know about anyone else, but I sure am,” Mordecai said. He wasted no time grabbing a plate, scooping up some rice, chicken wings, meatballs and rolls.
Zoya and Amira followed and the rest of the Champions prepared a plate too, all sitting around the dining room table.
Once everyone was settled and eating, Dante glanced around the table and smiled, completely satisfied. “I know three days is not enough time to get to know one another in detail, but I think this weekend will provide a good foundation for us to build upon.”
“I agree,” Harding said.
“Harding, tell me more about what you do for a living,” Dimitrius said, remembering from their last conversation that Harding was in a similar field as him.
“I work—” Harding began but was interrupted by the sound of the orchestra-like doorbell.
“Is there more of you we don’t know about?” Desmond quipped.
Mordecai laughed. “There better not be.”
Amira looked at Zoya and whispered, “Oh shoot. That’s probably Savannah.”
Zoya whispered back, “If it is, we may witness our brother have a light stroke right here at this table.”
Dante wiped his mouth and pushed his chair back from the table. “Let me get that. Carry on with your conversations.” He hurried to the door as the bell sounded yet again, and when he opened it, he saw the woman standing there in jeans and a sweater looking up at him. “Hi. Can I help you?”
Savannah’s eyes stretched open wide as she stared into the hazel eyes of the man who looked almost identical to her husband. Whoever this man was, he looked more like Harding than Mordecai did. Shocked, she just stared.
“Ma’am?” Dante said, eyebrows raised. The woman wasn’t saying a word – just staring at him like she’d suddenly lost the ability to speak.
“Um…uh…ye-yeah. I was looking for Harding.”
“Okay. And you would be…?”
“Oh, sorry. Where are my manners?” She reached her hand out to him and when he accepted her handshake, she said, “I’m Savannah Champion, Harding’s wife.”
Wife? Harding didn’t mention anything about having a wife, but he must’ve told her he would be here. How else would Savannah know to show up at his house?
“Oh. Well, come in,” Dante said. “I’m Dante Champion, Harding’s half brother. I’m sure he’s told you all about us.”
“Not particularly.”
Dante glanced at the woman. She looked nervous. He wondered if, perhaps, he shouldn’t have let her in. What was going on?
“We’re all back here in the dining room eating and getting acquainted,” he told her as they stepped into the dining room together.
Mordecai looked up, saw Savannah and immediately began choking on his food.
“You okay, man?” Harding asked, looking up at him. “You look like you just saw a ghost.” With his back to Savannah, Harding couldn’t see why Mordecai reacted the way he did but when he turned around, his breath caught in his throat. A frown immediately came to his face. “Savannah, what are you doing here?”
Chapter 19
Harding’s heart drummed loudly in his chest and pounded all the way up to his ears as he stood up from the table, not even giving Savannah time to answer him. He took her by the hand and led her back outside. How dare she come here like she was invited – like she had a right to know anything about his family! For years, he’d been a secret to her family, yet she wanted to know his. He didn’t like the double standard, nor did he care for the audacity of her to think she was welcome here.
Pulling the door to a forceful close, he asked, “What are you doing here, Savannah?”
“I’m here to talk to you and to meet and spend time with your family—the family I’m also a part of.”
His gaze sharpened. Hazel eyes darkened. Words churned in his head that he wanted to spew out at her. Harsh words. She had a lot of nerve. “I gotta hand it to you. This is a cute little stunt you pulled. Now
, go back home.”
She crossed her arms in defiance. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He was beside himself. “What makes you think you have a right to be here? Huh? After everything you’ve done to me—”
Her gaze narrowed. “Everything I’ve done to you? You must’ve forgotten how I had to travel to Hilton Head, too. This marriage wasn’t a one-sided effort on your part!”
Harding grabbed his head out of frustration.
They both heard someone at the door and quickly looked there. Dante pulled the door open wide and said, “Come on back inside, guys. Let’s get acquainted.”
“Thank you, Dante,” Savannah said, glaring at Harding while she spoke. “I’ll take you up on that offer.” She stepped back inside.
Harding could only shake his head as he boiled over with anger. He looked at Dante and said, “Give me a minute.”
“All right, man. Take your time.”
Harding threaded his hands and placed them behind his head as he paced the porch, staring out into the massive yard of shrubs and trees that had a varying array of fall colors. Savannah was making him talk about problems he intended on putting behind him, interrupting his weekend with her shenanigans.
He blew a final breath and walked back inside of the house, rejoining the family at the table. Savannah was sitting next to his chair and while he wanted to leave, he took his plate to the kitchen, got a few more chicken wings and then sat down again.
“You were asking me what I did for a living, Dimitrius,” Harding said.
“Oh, yes,” Dimitrius said. He dabbed his mouth with a napkin and cleared his throat. “I remember it was something along the same lines as me.”
“Yes. I do freelance tech work. More recently, I’ve been busy with cyber security. Installing firewalls. That sort of thing. Everyone’s worried about security nowadays.”
“As they should be with the recent hacks of major corporations and email accounts of some high-ranking government officials,” Dante said. “As a matter of fact, I’ve been thinking about beefing up our security at The Champion Corporation.”
“Then look no further,” Savannah said. “Harding will be perfect for the job. He installed the systems at our law firm and we’ve had no issues with hacking.”
