It was Friday afternoon, the end of the first week of school. The children had begun to settle down from the excitement of returning to school and Siri’s system had adjusted to being back in the class room. Roscoe was still being a pain in the butt, following her around, and barking out demands. But none of it fazed her. She was happy. Her life resembled something it hadn’t in a long time—she was living. After the divorce and all the publicity she walked around with her head down, ashamed of all that had taken place. Not any longer. Now, she woke up with a smile after a night of dreaming about Eric. Of course, she realized that all she could do was dream; they were safe. Neither he nor any other man could hurt her in her dreams.
She looked up from the stack of homework on her desk and decided to call it a day. Placing the papers in a folder, she decided to take them home and grade them over the weekend. She didn’t have any other plans. TK and her mother were in Atlanta looking at houses with Jason, leaving her with the house to herself.
The September weather was still warm, so she drove with here windows down while listening to Eric’s voice serenading her from the CD player. There was something about his voice that just did it for her. It healed all her wounds, or at least she thought it was his voice. It could be the memory of his hands on her body, or his lips touching hers, but whatever it was she was thankful for him. He made her want to live again, not just exist. It was a shame she could not allow herself to get close to him. Just the thought of going through the publicity of a relationship with him sent chills up her spine.
When she reached the front porch of her house, she heard the telephone ringing. “I’m coming, I’m coming.” She repeated as she turned the key in the lock and ran into the kitchen. Breathlessly, she answered the call. “Hello.”
“Hello, this is Maxine Long with Crimson Publishing. I’d like to speak with Siri Austin.”
The briefcase Siri was holding fell to the floor with a thump as her mouth gaped open. “Hello is anyone there?”
“Yes,” Siri voice finally answered. “I’m Siri Austin.”
“Well, Ms. Austin, are you ready to meet the world?”
“No.” Siri answered honestly but still a little shocked.
“Well lady, you better get ready, because I’m putting you on the map. A Night of Seduction is wonderful and I can’t wait to meet you. I sent a letter by carrier that you should receive today with an offer. Get it to your agent and have a response ready for me by Monday evening. You are free to meet with me on Monday for dinner, aren’t you?”
Not able to get a word in, Siri hesitated, then realized she had been asked a question. “Yes, of course I can meet with you. But I—I don’t have an agent.”
“You don’t?”
“No.”
“Hold on for a minute.” As Siri held the telephone, she wondered, “Will not having an agent lose the deal for me? “Take down this number. I don’t usually do this, but I want this project. The name is Kiki Simmons, that’s K i k i Simmons with a S, Call her and tell her I referred you. If you like her, sign on with her as your agent. Give her the offer to review and I’ll see you on Monday at six at TJ’s in the Jefferson Hotel. I look forward to talking with you. Bye now.”
Just like that the call ended. Siri still held the telephone in her hand as she glanced at the name and number she wrote on the message board on the wall. Slowly a smile appeared and excitement began to build. She quickly hung up the telephone to disconnect the previous call then immediately dialed the telephone number to Kiki Simmons.
“Kiki Simmons, may I help you.”
“Um Ms. Simmons, my name is Siri Austin and I was referred to you by, she looked at the board for the name, Maxine Long.”
“Maxine Long?”
“Yes, I need an agent and I was wondering if we could meet?”
“What’s you name again?” Kiki asked
“Siri Austin.”
“And Max referred you to me?”
“Yes, is that a problem?”
“No, not at all, I’m just a little surprised. Are you in Richmond?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Alright, let’s meet tomorrow; let’s say around one at the Rendezvous Restaurant on Broad.”
Writing down the information, Siri agreed, “Okay, I’ll see you then.”
“I look forward to meeting you Siri.”
“Same here. Bye.”
She wasn’t sure how long, but Siri stood there bewildered, and then looked at the names on the board. Picking up her briefcase, she pulled out her laptop and immediately checked Crimson publishing site for the name of Maxine Long. There she was, listed as Senior Editor. “Oh my God…..” She sat mindlessly on the stool at the breakfast bar in awe. A publishing company wants my book. She reached for her purse to get her cell phone out to call her mother, but the tune played indicating a call was coming through. “Hello.”
“Hello Siri. Since your mother and sister are in Atlanta I thought I’d come to Richmond to spend some time with you. Do you have any plans for the weekend?”
“Eric, you will never believe what just happened.” She told him step by step what just had happened.
He could hear the excitement in her voice. “Then, I’m right on time for a celebration dinner.
As ecstatic as she was, she knew she could not go out in public with Eric. Nor was it a good idea to be in the house alone with him. “I don’t know Eric.”
“I promise to be on my best behavior. Besides you are going to need advice on how to handle an agent and an editor.” The line was silent. “Siri, I’m already in Richmond at the airport. Are you going to leave a brother hanging out here all alone, not knowing anyone here to call except you?” There was no need to tell her he was there to check out the condominium on the top floor of the James River building.
“That was a low guilt trip.”
“I know. Did it work?”
“Yeah, it worked.” She replied slowly, “Why don’t you come over here for dinner? Just dinner, nothing more.”
“I’ll take whatever I can get. See you around six,” he replied, then hung up before she could change her mind.
Siri looked at the clock on the wall in the kitchen, it was a little after four. That gave her time to shower and change before starting dinner. As she walked towards the steps she kept reminding herself this is just going to be dinner, no dessert or anything else is going to be happening in this house. The doorbell rang as she reached the second step. Then she remembered, a courier was dropping off the offer. Excited, she signed for the package, placed it on the stand near the door, ran to her purse and then tipped the runner. After closing the door, both hands went to her mouth as her eyes widened on the package. It wasn’t just a simple white envelope that a rejection letter would be in—it was a brown envelope. It resembled the acceptance package she received from Spelman. She opened the package and tears sprang to her eyes as she read the letter from Maxine Long. Behind the letter were legal looking documents that she was not interested in reading. She placed the legal documents on the stand and just held the letter to her heart and closed her eyes. She looked at the letter and read it again, just to make sure nothing had changed from a moment ago. She sat down in the chair next to the stand and read it again. Her novel was going to be published. How cool is that? She thought. Then she let it out with a scream!
An hour later, Siri was in the kitchen dressed in a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a pair of flip flops; checking the baked sweet potatoes she’d put in the oven. She was in the process of sautéing green peppers and onions for the steaks she planned to grill, when the door bell chimed again. “Eric’s early,” she said as she looked at the clock.
Walking, almost running to the door, she was giddy with excitement. She slowed her pace as she tried to determine why. Was it because of the news about her book or was it the man standing on the other side of the door. It’s the book, she reasoned in her mind. Shaking the thought from her mind, she opened the door and knew immediately she had lied—it was the man.
Leaning against the doorframe stood the sexiest, most sensuous man she had ever laid eyes on, wearing a simple pair of jeans and an open collar shirt. Nothing about the outfit was outstanding; it was purely the essence of the man wearing it. She exhaled, knowing it was going to be hell resisting him.
“Are you going to let me in?”
Eric’s smile was electrifying to her senses, as was the look of appreciation that shown through his eyes. Looking into them made her see herself differently. His eyes always seemed to gently caress her.
“You’re early,” she replied, still unable to move.
“I couldn’t wait to see you.” He walked into the house as she took a step back. “I brought wine and flowers to celebrate. Leaning forward, he kissed her cheek. “Congratulations on the book deal.”
She took the flowers and savored the kiss. “Thank you,” she exhaled with a smile. Looking away, she pointed to the kitchen. “There’s a wonderful breeze this evening, so I thought we would eat on the patio. Come on back, while I find a vase to put these in.”
Following her into the kitchen was not making his promise to behave easy. The jeans Siri was wearing revealed the luscious curve of her behind and the tiny waist that he remembered circling with his hands. Her walk was slow, sensuous, and tempting. All he could think about was holding the two globes in his hands. He stopped at the breakfast bar and watched as she continued to the cabinet under the sink, bent over and pulled out a vase. She stood slowly, stretching her body out lazily like a cat, joint by joint until she reached her full height. Reaching across the sink, she turned on the faucet and filled the vase with water. On anyone else, the movements would have had no effect on him whatsoever; however, with Siri the movement caused a rise in his already strained libido. “Siri.”
She didn’t have to look at him. The sound of her name on his lips was all the indication she needed to know his intent. “You promised,” she said as she turned the faucet off and placed the flowers in the vase.
He walked up behind her and reached around her body, taking the vase from her hands with one hand and wrapping his other around her waist pulling her back against him. He set the vase on the cabinet, wrapped his other arm around her, and whispered in her ear. “Don’t you feel it Siri? Don’t you feel how thick the air is around us?” He kissed the area right below her right ear. “I feel it every time I’m within arms reach of you.” He ran his hand down the front of her stomach to the top opening of her jeans and pressed his groin against her behind. His hand felt it when her abdomen contracted from his touch. “You can’t fight it Siri and neither can I.”
Siri held on tight to the edge of the cabinet, trying desperately not to sink into the warmth of his arms. But her body betrayed her as her head laid back against his chest, giving him more access to her neck. He kissed the crook of her neck and used his other hand to ease under her shirt and caress her nipples. Another contraction came in anticipation of more. “We’re supposed to be celebrating,” she whispered breathlessly.
“I can’t think of a better way than to hold you and tell you how very proud I am of you accomplishing your dream.” He turned her around in his arms and kissed her deeply, slowly, and passionately. Her body was trapped between him and the cabinet; there was no room for escape. She wrapped her arms around his neck, fleeing was the last thing on her mind. His hands traveled up her waistline to the side of her breast where his thumbs lingered and played with her nipples until she couldn’t take any more. Suddenly he pulled away and literally crawled down her body with his tongue, dropping to his knees, and began kissing her navel. He pulled back, sat on his heels, and looked up into her eyes. “Let me make love to you Siri. No rushing, no hiding in the back yard, just you, knowing it’s me, Eric, making love to you and you, Siri making love to me.”
Her hands were braced on his shoulders and they tightened as he spoke. She wanted to do exactly what he asked, but she knew every other time they made love; he took a small piece of her heart. This was not a man she could be in a lasting relationship with. The publicity was not something she could go through again, if things did not work out. The only way to protect herself from public humiliation again was to stay away from men with a public persona to uphold. Could she make love to him this one last time, knowing self-preservation dictated she walk away?
“Look at me Siri.” He saw the look of caution enter her eyes. “Don’t think about anything else, but what you are feeling at this moment. I need you to make love to me.”
The sincerity in his eyes touched her somewhere deep and she knew she could not deny him. “The food is going to get cold,” she said so innocently.
He stood, looking down into her eyes and smiled as he ran a finger down her cheek. “We can always reheat the food.”
She turned off the oven, took his hand in hers, walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs. They walked to her bedroom as she pulled her blouse over her head. With her back still to him, she slipped out of her jeans and panties then removed the hair band allowing it to flow around her shoulders.
Turing to face him, she witnessed the affect her naked body had on him, for he had disrobed completely and stood there with his need protruding extensively from his body. Mesmerized, she stepped closer, dropped to her knees and captured him in her hands, then gently kissed the tip of his manhood. Using her tongue, she circled him as if performing a taste test. Then her lips closed around him.
The moment she touched him, his body wanted to explode. This woman wreaked havoc on his senses in a way he could never explain to anyone for fear of being placed in an insane asylum. “Siri,” escaped his lips. He pulled her up to him and carried her to the bed, for fear of losing all control. Lying beside each other, he ran his fingers through her hair, while exploring every inch of her face with his eyes. After covering himself with protection, he brought her lips close to his. “You are my heaven right here on earth.” He kissed her with an intensity that literally made her toes curl. Without guidance from him, his manhood entered her. She welcomed him by wrapping her legs around his waist holding him securely in place. There were no further words spoken, but music played in his mind the same as it had the other times they were together. And she must have heard it too, for their bodies moved together in a rhythm of its own, neither missing a beat until the explosion that merged their souls together. Soon, they both fell peacefully asleep.
Later, Siri crawled out of bed, put on a nightshirt, and went down to the kitchen to put away the food that had been forgotten. While in the kitchen, Eric came up behind her, eased his arms around her waist, and kissed the area right behind her ear. “You left me alone in a vulnerable state. He said as he rubbed his growing need against her backside. She bent forward giving him a better feel and it was on again.
Running his fingers across her nipples, they hardened instantly; the cotton material was no match against the heat he was generating from his touch. Trailing her body with his hands, outlining her breasts, her waist and reaching her behind he cupped the two melons in his hands and squeezed. Siri braced herself against the table with a need to feel his natural heat on her skin. As if sensing her need, he raised the shirt over her behind and kissed her lower back. “You are beautiful all over,” he whispered. “So smooth,” he said gliding his hand to her front until he touched the heart of her heat. She lurched forward from the raw need that began to consume her with every stroke of his finger. “So hot, so wet.” She felt one hand leave her body, but the other was causing so much havoc on her senses, she really didn’t care. All she knew was she did not want him to stop the torture. She heard when his jeans hit the floor and smiled with anticipation of what was to come.
“Eric,” she moaned. “Yes baby,” he replied still massaging her core. “Tell me what you want.” He leaned further on her back and whispered while placing kissing between her shoulder blades. “Tell me Siri and it shall be yours.” His hand ran down her back, while the other continued to ignite the fire between her legs.”
“You, Eric. I want you inside me.”
There was no sound sweeter to his ears. He pulled his hand away, bent her further at the waist and his lifeline entered her with a vengeance. From the first touch he was possessed. Nothing could deter him from giving her what she wanted, what he needed. Each thrust had a meaning, a purpose, a determination to please her. He pumped fiercely until he was on the verge of explosion, but this was not for him, this was for her. He reached around and stroked her bud with the same intensity of his thrusts. Her body tensed encouraging him to bring her full circle. She cried out his name as her inner lips began contracting around him causing him to lose all control releasing his seed into her body like a waterfall. They both collapsed on the table, neither able to speak or move.
“I’ll never be able to sit at this table again.” Siri said after moments of sheer ecstasy captured her body. He reached up and clasped his hands with hers. Still lodged inside of her, he could not believe his desire was building again. “I’m taking you back up stairs. I’m going to make love to you again and again and again.” He kissed her shoulder. “Until you tell me to stop.”
“Well I hope you brought your toothbrush.” They laughed as he reluctantly pulled out and carried her back up stairs. They awakened a few hours later in each other arms. He stretched his leg across hers pulling her closer. Facing each other on the pillows, he smiled. “This is how you’re supposed to wake up after making love.”
Siri blushed and bit her bottom lip. “I have never celebrated like this before.”
He sat up on his elbow and brushed her hair from her face. “Tell me about your book.”
“Really? You want to know about my book?”
“I want to know everything. I want to know your success, your failures, what makes you happy, what makes you sad.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “So tell me. Is it suspense, romance, or mystery?”
“Romance.”
“Hmm.”
“Unrequited love.”
A slow smile creased his lips, “Really.” He laid back with one hand behind his head looking at the ceiling and gathered her in his other arm. He was sure this was going to be a story about her first marriage. If it was, he wanted to be there to ease her through the rough spots. “Tell me the story.”
She placed her head on his shoulder, a leg over his and her hand around his waist then began telling him the story. Neither thought about the patio door that was left open.
♪
Jason, TK, Miriam, and Kerri stood in the foyer of what TK selected as their new home. As soon as they walked through the door, TK turned to the realtor and stated, “This is it. This is our new home.” Jason immediately signed the papers and wrote a bank draft for the full cost of the house. He did not want any delays on taking control of the property. The agent, removed the “for sale sign” and sat in the first floor office of the house to complete the paper work.
Jason was very pleased with her choice because it was one of the six estates located in the same gated community as Eric’s home. She wasn’t aware of that yet, but he would tell her later. It was important to him that this be her decision without influence. She would be moving away from her family and he wanted her to be happy. He stood in the foyer and looked up at the spiral staircase leading to the second level where TK stood talking to his mother and smiled. He could see the house filled with her laughter and his children.
“She is a beautiful girl,” Kerri said as she came to stand next to Jason.
Not taking his eyes from TK, he replied, “Yes she is. If anyone had asked me six months ago if I would be getting married I would have laughed them out of the room. But now, I can’t imagine a time without her. It’s the strangest thing.”
“You truly love her. I can see it. And she is in love with you. She’s going to fight you about moving here.”
He laughed, “She already has. I had to promise to purchase a home in Virginia too. But it doesn’t matter. Wherever she is, is home for me.”
TK looked down over the banister. “Hey Jason, I think we have picked out Sierra’s room and Gabby’s too. She is coming with us isn’t she?”
He looked up at her worried face. “I haven’t asked her yet, but I’m sure she will.”
“Oh good, I can’t wait to meet her.”
Miriam came around the corner. “TeKaya, come look at what I found in the master bedroom.”
The two went running down the hallway as Jason laughed. “I don’t know which one is the most adorable, TK or my mother.”
Kerri sighed, “I can’t believe I’m losing my baby.”
Jason hugged his soon to be mother-in-law and replied, “You are not losing your baby; you are gaining a son, or two. Depending on how Eric is making out with Siri.”
Kerri exhaled, “That is going to take time. She went through a lot.”
“I know and so does Eric. But he is determined to make Siri his and I believe he will succeed. Now what can I do to get that worried look off your face?”
“Just make my daughter happy.”
“That is a given. How about I take all of my favorite women out to dinner?”
“Why don’t we go shopping for the house?”
TK and Miriam came walking down another hallway from the back of the house. “Jason and I are meeting with a decorator tomorrow.”
“A decorator? Oh lord. Next she’ll be calling me talking about, ’Mother, let’s do lunch why don’t we’, and I’m not going to understand a thing she is saying.”
“Now, Kerri, it’s not that bad. The boys come to spend a month with me every year in Paris. I’m sure we can convince them to bring you along. “
Kerri’s eyes widened with surprise. “Paris, you say. Mmm, add a trip to the Cannes Film Festival and you two have a deal.”
“Done,” Jason replied as they all laughed.
Later that evening, the mothers went shopping while Jason and TK sat at an upscale restaurant in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. When he saw a friend of Latoya’s enter the restaurant, Jason knew there was going to be some drama. “A friend of Latoya is heading in this direction.”
“Is that a problem?” TK asked as she looked up.
“Not for me, but I don’t want it to be one for you.”
She reached over and touched his hand. “Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
“Hello Jason,” the flamboyantly dressed man pushed Jason’s shoulder with a flick of his wrist. “It’s so nice to see you about and everything,” he said with sassiness to his voice.
“Hello Adrian.”
“How’s my girl doing?” he asked cranking his neck as he placed his hands on his hips
“Latoya was fine the last time I saw her,” Jason coolly replied.
“Uh-huh. And who is this?” He asked placing one hand on his chest for emphasis.
Jason put his fork down and looked at TeKaya. “This is my fiancée, TeKaya Kendrick.”
“Fiancée?” He twisted and turned. “My goodness Jason you can’t be serious. Fiancée?” He walked away and retuned. “Do my girl know? I mean you do know she plans on you and her doing that marriage thing?”
“I don’t know if she knows, Adrian. But you are welcome to ask her.”
“For real—for real. I mean you’re for real engaged?”
“Yes,” Jason replied finding it hard to refrain from laughing.
Adrian walked away again, exhaled and returned to the table with the flair of most runway models. “I love that turn you just made. Do you do runway modeling?” TeKaya smiled warmly.
“Why yes, I do,” Adrian replied impressed she had noticed.
“Do you do runway?”
“Oh goodness no. I don’t have anywhere near the grace that you do. I would fall all over myself trying to walk like you.”
“Girl it’s nothing to it. I can have you moving like this in no time.” Adrian walked a step then turned back with flair.
TeKaya pulled out a business card. “Here’s my card, I’ll be moving here to Atlanta soon. Please come by and allow me to do a portfolio for you.”
“Aw, for real. For real. You would do that for me?”
“Of course I would.”
“Wait until I tell my Mommy. Thank you girl. I’ll be in touch.” He started to walk away, but stopped. “Oh by the way, congratulations.”
“Thank you,” TeKaya replied with a smile. She looked at Jason, “I bet he doesn’t make it to the car before he calls her.”
“Baby, he’s not going to make it to the door.”
Jason was right. Before Adrian reached the door he was on his cell phone. “Toya where in the hell have you been. Your man is at Shea’s with a gorgeous woman and when I say gorgeous I mean gorgeous. She is stunning! And get this, he introduced her to me as his fiancée’. Girl you better come down here and get your man…”
Less than twenty minutes later, Latoya was walking through the doors of Shea’s restaurant. The elegant atmosphere was not a deterrent to stop her ridiculous behavior. She walked up to the table with hands on her hips and stared at TeKaya. To her amazement the woman at the table was a little more competition than she thought. She would be a fool not to acknowledge the truth. And her Mommy didn’t raise no fools. She looked at Jason then back to the woman. “I don’t know who you are but you need to leave.” TeKaya looked around to see who the woman was talking to as Jason stood.
“Latoya, this is not the place.”
Latoya swung her long hair back over her shoulder, bent down placing one hand on the table and the other on her hip and spoke to TeKaya, ignoring Jason. “You can move or I can move you. What will it be?”
Jason held up his hand signaling for security to come forward, but before they could reach the table Latoya was on the floor looking up dazed with TeKaya standing over her. “Hello Latoya. It’s nice to put a face to all the tales I’ve heard about you. That is a beautiful dress you have on and girl I have to say you are wearing it—even on the floor.” She had the most concerned look imaginable as she asked, “Are you okay down there?” She tucked her hair behind her ear and reached down to pull Latoya up by the dress collar. “Here let me help you up,” she smoothed her dress down. “Would you like to join us for dessert?
“Get your hands off of me.” Latoya pulled away.
“Mr. Davies, would you like for her to be removed?” The security officer asked.
“No. She can stay.” He reached for TeKaya, “We’re through.”
“Please accept our apologies for this unpleasantness. We’ll take care of the bill Mr. Davies,” the Hostess stated.
“That’s not necessary, this was not your doing.” He pulled out his wallet and paid the bill then with TeKaya at his side walked out.
The owner stepped from the back room and met Latoya as she was stomping towards the door. “You are no longer welcome here, or at any of my establishments.” He turned to security, “Please remove her.”
Unknown to Latoya or Jason, one of the reporters from a popular morning show was present in the restaurant during the entire scene.
♪
The car was quiet on the ride back to Eric’s house. Neither spoke until Jason turned into the driveway and parked. “I’m worried about Sierra,” TeKaya announced. “I don’t know Latoya, but she is angry and the only way she can get back at you is through Sierra. I think you should make sure she’s okay. Can you go check on her?”
Jason reached over, cupped her neck and brought her lips to his. The kiss that followed left no doubt how much he loved her and that was his intent. He released her, immediately turned the car around and drove to his house. When he pulled into the garage he knew immediately something was wrong. The door leading into the house was open. Then he heard the raised voices. TeKaya followed him in. He walked in through the mudroom, then the kitchen, down a hallway. The further they walked the louder the voices became. It was when he heard Sierra crying that Jason took off running. When they reached the child’s room Latoya had Sierra under her arm like a football, screaming at the top of her lungs at Gabby.
“Daddy,” Sierra cried out reaching for him. Jason walked over to take his daughter, but Latoya jerked her away.
“You come near her and I swear I will leave this house and you will never see her again.”
Jason held his hands up. “Latoya, put Sierra down.”
Latoya looked over Jason’s shoulder and saw TeKaya standing in the hallway. “You have the nerve to bring your woman in this house. Either she leaves, or me and Sierra leave. What’s it’s going to be Jason?”
“What do you want from me Latoya?” He yelled, “I take care of you and Sierra without question! I’ve found someone that makes me happy and you want me to choose between her and my child! Well I tell you what!. I will always love my daughter, but I refuse to allow you to continue to use her against me!. If you want to leave, okay, leave! But I have filed with the court to get full custody of Sierra! After I show the judge half of the evidence I have on you, you will be lucky to get visitation rights! Why do you think sleeping around with my boys was so easy? Did you forget who they work for? Did it ever cross your mind that I knew what you were doing or did you think I was that gullible?” Trying to control his temper, he calmed down. “I offered to put you in a house of your choosing. I didn’t put any limitations on you. All I asked was that you did not come between me and my daughter. You didn’t want me Toya, you never did. You wanted to live the good life. I am still willing to give you that and more. All I want in return is my daughter. Give me Sierra and you will not want for anything. You have my word on that.”
His voice was a little too smooth, too cool for Latoya. She knew the calmer he was the angrier he was. If she were to give him Sierra now, he would go back on everything he said. Frustrated and feeling trapped, she lashed out. “Why did you do this Jason? We were fine, you me, and Sierra. You should have just been happy with that.” She cried as she swung Sierra up into her arms. The child continued to cry for her Daddy. “I’m leaving here tonight with Sierra and I will call you when I feel like it.” She walked towards the door. “Move” she said to Jason who was blocking her way.
“Mr. Davies, don’t let her leave, we won’t see our baby again,” Gaby cautioned.
“Toya, you are not leaving with Sierra.” Jason shook his head.
“How you going to stop me Jason? You put your hands on me and I will have you locked up for life. How do you think that will play out in the media? How would your brother handle that? Now, move the hell out of my way.”
He hesitated for a moment then took a step back to let her by. She eased out of the room without turning her back on him. TeKaya stood further down the hallway waiting. When she saw Latoya she knew she could not let her leave with that child. “You’ve had a rough day haven’t you Latoya? I mean I would be upset too if some woman came into my life and tried to replace me with my man and now with my child. If you leave Sierra here, I will walk out of Jason’s life.”
“TeKaya?” Jason called out.
She ignored him. “You have my word Latoya. I will leave and never come back if you give Sierra to Jason right now.”
“Bitch please. I don’t believe you!”
“Now I got to tell you,” TeKaya shook her head, “I’m not going to be too many more bitches tonight. I’m willing to spend a night or two in jail just for the pleasure of whipping your ass for the way you are holding that child.”
Sierra continued to call out to her daddy. “Shut up,” Latoya yelled at the child then she looked back to TeKaya. “You know I would love the opportunity to kick your ass. But I have more business to handle. You are going to have to wait.”
TeKaya kicked her shoes off and took her earrings off. “I’m here, you’re here. Let’s do it.”
She walked over to Latoya and stood toe to toe. “But you are not leaving with that child.” TeKaya put up her fist and begin bouncing on her toes. Latoya stepped back, but it wasn’t far enough. The punch landed dead center on her nose just as Atlanta’s finest officers in blue walked through the door.
Jason grabbed Sierra just as Latoya hit the floor. One of the officers grabbed TeKaya by the arms and wrestled her to the floor. The other officer went to assist Latoya who began putting on the performance of a lifetime. “This woman came into my home to attack me. She hit me with my child in my arms. Where is my child? Where is Sierra? Don’t let that woman anywhere near my child.”
Jason had left the room to take Sierra away from the scene. The last thing he wanted was for his daughter to see her mother being handcuffed by the police. When Gabby realized what was about to happen she ran down the hallway to inform Jason. “Mr. Davies. They are going to arrest your lady friend.”
Sierra clung to her Daddy as she continued to whimper. “What?”
“Latoya just told them she is pressing charges against her. All they saw was your friend hit a woman with a child.”
Jason placed Sierra in Gabby’s arms and ran into the living room. Only one officer and Latoya was there. “Where is she? What did you say?” he asked angrily
“Aren’t you even concerned about me? I’m the injured party here.”
“You should thank your maker that it was TeKaya that hit you and not me. Come near me or my daughter again and I will kill you.” He turned to the officer. “Did you get that?” He ran out the door to find TeKaya.
What hit him when he walked out was a living nightmare. Several media outlets were there filming the scene of TeKaya being placed in the police car in handcuffs. At the moment, he couldn’t care less. He ran over to the car with cameramen running behind him and microphones thrust in his face. “TeKaya, I’ll take care of this. Don’t worry.” He said as the police car pulled away. He pulled out his blackberry and turned to another officer. “Where is she being taken?” After pushing a button he heard it answered, and closed his eyes at the relief he felt in his chest. “Ty, I need you at the 16th percent now! TeKaya Kendrick is being charged with assault. Get her released ASAP. I’ll meet you there.”
He stormed back into the house and found the officer threatening to arrest Gabby if she did not release the child to her mother’s care. When he attempted to approach them an officer grabbed his arm to stop his progress. Jason looked at the officer as if he had lost his mind. “That is my child you are blocking me from. I strongly suggest you move.”
The officer looked at him. “It’s my understanding that is the child’s mother that your girlfriend just attacked in her own home. I would think you would show her a little more respect than bringing your latest conquest where you and she live together.”
“Do you know who I am?” Jason asked in a threatening manner.
“I’m sure you’re some hip hop music producer who thinks you can get away with bull like this and have people eating out your behind. But that’s not going to be the case this time.
“Yes, it is.” A man in a suit stood in the doorway.
“Chief,” the officer spoke.
“Barry,” Jason sighed and extended his hand while shaking his head. “I’m glad to see you.”
“What’s going on Jason?”
“Latoya tried to take Sierra from the house. I followed your instructions and backed off of her, but TeKaya wasn’t having it,” he said while shaking his head.
“Chief--,” the officer attempted to interrupt. Both men, Jason and Chief Barry Goldman, gave him a look that told him where to go.
The chief looked at the officers in the room. “Who was first on the scene?”
“Casey and I, Chief,” the female officer taking care of Latoya replied.
“Where is Casey?”
“I believe he took the perpetrator downtown to lockup.”
“Did either of you check to see if an order of protection was in place for the child?”
“There really wasn’t time. We walked in on the confrontation. Things went down pretty quickly.”
The Chief looked towards Sierra and smiled. “Hello Gabrielle.”
It was the first time in 3 years that Jason had ever seen Gabby flirt, but that was a flirtatious look if he had ever seen one. “Chief,” she replied and looked away.
The chief walked over to Latoya and folded his arms across his chest. “I don’t suppose you are willing to drop the charges against Ms. Kendrick.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Why would I?” Latoya snarled.
“I didn’t think so. And it would be a waste of my time to tell you it would be in your best interest if you did drop the charges.” She simply rolled her eyes at him. “I didn’t think so.”
He stood and looked at Jason. “You’re staying at your brother’s and Sierra is going with you.”
“Like hell she is,” Latoya jumped up.
“Well, there is another option. You can leave,” the Chief replied.
“I ain’t going nowhere. I live here. I know my rights.”
Jason turned to Gabby, “Pack a bag for Sierra and yourself. We’ll be at Eric’s until we close on the house.”
“What house?” Latoya snapped.
Jason looked at her as if he was about to say something, but changed his mind and turned back to the Chief. “Would you make sure Gabby and Sierra make it to Eric’s place? I have to meet Ty at the station.”
Barry smiled. “I’ll take Gabrielle…..and Sierra.”
“How you just gonna take my baby? You can’t just take her. I gave birth to her not you.”
Jason lunged towards her, but Barry stopped him. “If TeKaya sheds one tear over this bull you created tonight, you are cut. Not a red cent and I will get full custody of Sierra. You better pray that TeKaya has a heart, I’m done.” He turned and walked out of the door.
“Jason! Jason! Don’t you walk out on me, Jason!”
Gabby walked back into the room with Sierra and an overnight bag. She looked at Latoya, shook her head, and then turned to the Chief. “I’m ready.”
♪
Eric and Siri had fallen asleep again after making love for the third, fourth or fifth time neither would have been able to answer the question, if it had been asked. The telephone, next to her bed, rung several times before she reached over and groggily answered. “Hello.”
“Siri are you looking at the news?”
“What? Carl? Why are you calling me?”
“Turn on your television TK is on the local news.”
Siri sat up, fully awake. “What?” She reached over for the remote and turned the television to the local news. A flash for the upcoming eleven o’clock news came across the screen. Richmond native arrested tonight in Atlanta in the home of music producer Jason Davies. More at eleven.”
Eric got up looking for his pants, then pulled out his cell.
“I have to go Carl.” Siri hung up before she heard him say, he was coming over. She dialed TK’s cell, but only received a voicemail. She jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom. She washed up quickly and put on her clothes. The two looked at each other, wondering what was going on. The first number Eric dialed was Jason, but he didn’t get an answer. He then called Ty Pendleton, their friend and attorney. If anyone knew, what was going on it was Ty.
Relief appeared on his face as Ty answered. “What’s going on Ty?” Eric anxiously asked.
As always, Ty was cool, calm, and in control—nothing seemed to ever faze the man. Which explained his success in court, even if he was losing; he never allowed the opposition to see him sweat. Ty looked over at Jason and TeKaya as they talked quietly in the corner of the police captain’s office. “Everything is under control. Ms. Kendrick is being booked for battery, but she will be released on her own recognizance.”
“Jason?”
“No. Latoya.”
“I can’t reach TeKaya. Are you talking to Jason?” Siri nervously asked.
“No. I’m talking to Ty, our attorney. TeKaya has been arrested.” He replied, then returned back to the call.
“Arrested for what?” She asked while hurrying to put her shoes on and grabbing her purse.
“Hold on Siri. I’m trying to get the info from Ty.”
“Siri?” Ty asked raising an eyebrow.
“Later Ty. Where is Jason?”
“He’s here with TeKaya. Who is a beauty by the way.”
“Not as beautiful as her sister.”
Ty hesitated for a second thinking. “Siri?”
“Yeah. Let me talk to Jason.”
Ty looked up to see Miriam and another woman walk through the door. “Your mother and a woman I’m pretty sure is TeKaya’s mother just arrived and she is not happy.”
“I’ll be there in an hour. Put security in place at Jason’s house. I am sure the press has that staked out. We will run everything from my place. Keep me posted.” He ran behind Siri who was already running down the steps.
Siri ran into the kitchen to make sure everything was in order, when she noticed the patio door was open. She closed and locked it, checked the stove and ran toward the front door.
Eric had dressed and was running down the steps when the doorbell sounded.
“Siri, what’s going on?” Carl stood at the door in a pair of jeans and polo shirt as they came out the door.
“I don’t know,” Siri replied as she turned to lock the door.
The look on Carl’s face when Eric emerged from the house was completely lost on Siri, but not Eric, who was pulling his shirt over his head as he came out the door.
“My car. I’ll call the pilot on the way.”
Carl watched as the two jumped in the vehicle he did not recognize and pull off. With hands on his hips, he looked around confused. He looked at his watch. “What in the hell is he doing in your house?”