The emergency room was quiet, a little too quiet for Eric. However, he remained calm as he sat beside Kerri waiting for some kind of report on Siri’s condition. It was four o’clock in the morning and they had been there for almost two hours. Surely, someone should have an answer by now. Reaching over he took Kerri’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Have I ever said thank you for giving birth to Siri?”
Kerri looked over at the young man that was sitting beside her more worried than she was about her daughter. His hair hung to his shoulders and covered the side of his face as he hung his head. She squeezed his hand. “You know when you have active girls like mine you’ll spend a good amount of time in emergency rooms with broken bones or sprained ankles. The first few times you worry because it takes them so damn long to tell you anything. After a few visits you learn, before the doctors come out to talk to you they are busy running every kind of test imaginable to ensure their finding are correct. So you learn to have a little more patience. You still worry, but you breathe a little better.”
Still looking down at the floor with Kerri’s hand in his, Eric smiled. “I don’t think you answered my question, but your words were relaxing.”
“Eric,” Ty called out as he walked towards him with Kiki. “How is she—any word yet?” Eric stood, “Nothing man.” He said shaking his head.
Kiki went to Kerri. “Hello Mrs. Kendrick,” she hugged her. “Can I get you some coffee or anything?”
“No, thank you. I’m fine. We’re just waiting.”
“What happened?” Kiki asked looking at both, Eric and Kerri. Eric looked to Ty, who shook his head indicating no, to his unasked question. “Look, professional differences aside,” Kiki stated, “we are talking about someone I consider a friend. All I want to know is what happened to her. She didn’t just wake up in the middle of the night and fall out. So what happened?”
“A loud voice awakened me around two or three this morning.” Kerri explained. “When I got up, I realized it was Siri sounding very upset talking to someone on the phone. As I walked through the door, she fell, hitting the back of her head on the footboard of her bed. There was no bleeding or anything, but I couldn’t wake her up. That’s when I called the ambulance.”
“I was on the telephone with her,” Eric added. “She was so upset, devastated. I tried to calm her down, but then she couldn’t talk. It was as if she was gasping for air. That’s when I jumped in the car and drove over. The emergency personnel were there when I arrived bringing her out. We’ve been here ever since.”
“Sounds like she was hyperventilating, but why? What would upset her to that point?”
Ty interrupted. “Eric, we need to talk.” Walking a distance down the hallway, Ty looked over his shoulder. He could see Kiki, the woman that had just turned his world upside down a few hours ago was not happy. Pulling out his blackberry, he turned his back to Kerri and Kiki and looked at Eric. “A second picture was sent to your computer about an hour ago.” He displayed the picture and the demand.
Eric looked at the display. “Whew,” he sighed. “Pay it.”
Ty shook his head. “No. If you pay this it will not stop. This is Latoya. She wants to destroy you and Jason. Even if we pay this, she will still expose these photographs.”
Eric looked back at Kerri and Kiki, then looked Ty up and down. Then he looked him in the eyes. “If that was Kiki in those pictures what would you do?”
“Post them proudly on every billboard I could find. There is nothing shameful about a man and a woman expressing their love for each other.”
“If posting them meant losing the woman you love, would you still do it?”
Ty looked down the hallway at Kiki and shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know, but that’s what you’re asking me to do?” Eric calmly replied. “I can’t take that chance.” Just then a doctor walked over to Kerri. Eric and Ty walked back over.
“Mrs. Kendrick’s there’s a few things. Nothing major, no broken bones, heart’s good, lungs are good. So nothing major, however, we had a little bit of a hiccup. We ran some blood tests which show that she’s pregnant which complicated our next steps. We ensured she was well protected and ran x-rays and a CT scan that revealed that she suffered a slight concussion from a blow to the back of her head, probably occurred during the fall. There is some swelling on the brain, but with a few days rest, no stressful situations, she should be as good as new.”
“Did you say she’s pregnant?” Eric asked.
The doctor looked at him and then back to Kerri. “It’s alright, he’s her fiancé.”
While Eric did not blink at the statement, Ty and Kiki looked surprised.
“Yes, not very far along, I would say maybe a few weeks not a month. But her gynecologist could give a better diagnosis on that.”
“Is she awake?” Eric asked. “Can I see her?”
“She has not regained consciousness. We’ll be moving her to a room. You’ll be able to see her then.” The doctor touched Eric’s shoulder. “She’s going to be fine and congratulations,” then walked away.
For a good minute or two, no one said anything. They all just stood there shocked. Then Ty turned to Eric and smiled. “You’re going to be a daddy.”
“In every tragedy, there is a silver lining,” Kiki smiled.
Kerri sat down and exhaled. “Nana was right.” She shook her head and began laughing. “Nana told us at the restaurant after the wedding that Siri was pregnant.”
“Eric?” Ty said, “You still here man?” he laughed.
“Are you all right Eric?” Kerri reached up and touched his arm.
He sat down on the closest chair and looked at her. “May I have your daughters hand in marriage?”
“I would think so,” Kerri replied.
“I promise to protect and love her and all our children with my life.”
Smiling Kerri replied, “I know you will.”
Kiki began laughing. “I wish I had a video camera. You should see the expression on your face.”
Eric, Ty and Kerri all turned an angry expression her way. “No,” Ty shook his head, “You really don’t wish that.”
Looking at Ty, Eric smiled. “Phase two. I want her behind bars before I get married.”
Raising a questioning eyebrow. “Any idea when that will be?” Ty asked.
“As soon as I can convince Siri to say yes,” Eric replied.
“I’ll set things up.” Ty turned to Kiki. “Are you with me?” The realization that she could say no had his heart racing. In a short period of time, she’d stolen a piece of his heart. And he wanted her to say yes. But there were going to be times when their professional lives would interfere with their personal lives. This was one of those times. The question she had to answer was could she deal with that? He extended his hand hoping she would take it.
“Damn?” she exclaimed as she took his hand. “I can see now you are going to get on my nerves.” He wrapped his arms around her and smiled. “I’m not going back for you. My car is in Atlanta.”
Eric and Kerri smiled at each other as they watched the couple walk down the hallway. “Mmm-hum.” Kerri laughed.
♫
By noon that day, Ty had gathered all parties needed to bring the Latoya Wright situation to an end. Back at the condo, he and Kiki barely had a chance to shower and change clothes before the meeting was set to start. Because Siri had not given him permission to discuss anything with Kiki, she sat outside the office with Wendy as the men filed into the office. Once the door was closed Tyrone Pendleton laid out his plan and ended the meeting with one statement. “Make no mistake in my meaning. One way or another, the Latoya Wright situation ends now.”
With that directive given, the meeting was adjourned. Kiki walked into the office. “You really don’t waste any time do you?”
“Wasting time gives the other side an advantage. It gives them time to plan, to strategize. I like to strike when they don’t see me coming.”
“Hmm, I’m scared of you,” Kiki replied with a smile.
He walked over to her. “No need to be. I’m putting you on notice,” he pulled her by the waist to him. “I’m coming after you KiKi Simmons, with guns loaded.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she grinned, “I think I like that.”
“Good,” he kissed her. “Now, how would you like to go to lunch and be my secret weapon?
She pulled back. “What do I have to do?”
“Be your sassy self.”
“I can do that.”
Thirty minutes later, they were seated at one of the most exclusive restaurants in downtown Atlanta when two women approached the table. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the one and only Tyrone Pendleton. I would think you wouldn’t have time to entertain a female.”
Kiki took an immediate dislike to the woman addressing her man in front of her. Ty didn’t stand or look at Latoya and the woman he knew from the picture to be Tina Melton, the technician. “Latoya it didn’t take long after Jason for you to venture to the other side, did it?” The flash in her eyes revealed she had taken a direct hit.
“That’s funny coming from you. Still bending over for Eric?”
“Whoa, hold up my sister?” Kiki began.
“I don’t recall speaking to you?’
“You didn’t, however, you invaded my space. Therefore, I have the legal right to address you.”
“Latoya,” Ty interrupted. “How many places have you been escorted from in the last week? If you don’t want to add this one to the list, I suggest you get the hell away from my table.”
“I’ll leave. But I strongly suggest, you have your client contact me before the day’s end or his business will be all over the internet.”
“My client instructed me to meet your terms, I just choose not to.”
“Yeah,” she replied with hands on her hips and head twisting. “I suggest you rethink your position.”
“We’ll discuss this at a later time. My office in an hour.”
“After what you and Roy did, I’m not coming to your office.”
“Then there will be no discussion.” He raised his hand to get the waiter’s attention.
“You don’t want to play with me Ty,” Latoya stated getting angrier by the minute.
“Do I look like I play games?” The waiter reached the table. “May I see the manager please?”
“Is there something wrong, Mr. Pendleton?” Ty looked around the waiter and raised an eyebrow at Latoya.
“All right.”
“May we have a bottle of champagne? Thank you.”
Latoya waited until the waiter was gone then turned back to Ty. “I’ll accept a meeting, but not with you, and definitely not at your office. I want to meet directly with Eric.”
“Girl, do you value your life?” Kiki asked.
Latoya looked her up and down. “A-B conversation.” She said turning back to Ty. “I set the place and time. There is no negotiation on the terms. If they are not met by midnight, Sunday morning will be the beginning of an up close and personal look into the life of Eric “Silk” Davies.” She smiled, thinking she had scored, and then walked away.
“Did you get all of that?” Ty asked.
“Yes, I did. But, this is circumstantial. There was no mention of the exchange of pictures for money. Therefore, extortion does not exist.”
“True, however, she did threaten to reveal an up close and personal look into Eric’s life if he does not meet her terms.”
“It’s still iffy. It will have to be up to Eric to get her to say, pay me or I will reveal. Now, that’s good old fashioned blackmail.”
Ty smiled. She might be young and feisty, but she knows a little something about the law. “You, I’m going to like having around.”
♫
Siri was moved to a room sometime after seven in the morning. Eric and Kerri remained at the hospital waiting for her to wake up. The doctor indicated it was good for her to sleep, but waiting was killing him. Not only was he concerned about Siri, but the baby as well. His telephone buzzed and he stepped outside the room.
“She wants to meet with you—one on one—tonight. At midnight the pictures go live.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Eric!” Kerri called out.
“Got to go,” Eric ran into the room to see Siri’s eyes open. He ran to the side of her bed and smiled. “Hey.”
She stretched and smiled back. “Hey,” she whispered as she took his hand, placed it under her chin, and went right back to sleep. He laughed out of sheer relief and looked up at Kerri who was smiling right back. “She’s going to be okay,” he said more to himself than anyone else. Nodding his head, he pulled the chair up and sat beside the bed. “She’s going to be okay.”
Kerri smiled knowing her daughter was in good hands. Now all he had to do was convince Siri. She sighed. “I’m going home to get some sleep and I’ll return in a little while.”
“I have a meeting later tonight in Atlanta,” he said as he laid his head on the back of the chair and closed his eyes. “After that, I’m not going anywhere.”
♫
The jerking motion of his hand awakened him from fretful sleep. Opening his eyes he saw Siri turning over. “Siri,” he called out as he stood over the bed.
“Mmm,” he heard her say.
“Siri wake up babe.” He kissed her forehead, “Open your eyes for me please.”
“Okay,” she groggily replied, blinking a few times as if trying to come fully awake. She smiled and reached out and touched his face. “Hey.”
Smiling like a Cheshire cat he replied, “Hey you.” He gently kissed her lips.”
“Mmm,” she moaned.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, still not quite awake.
Rubbing her temple he replied, “I’m here because you’re here.”
She stretched again and looked around. A puzzled look appeared on her face. Eric pushed the button to call the nurse in. “Where are we?” she asked looking confused.
“You’re at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital. One of the best hospitals in the nation.” A perky—almost too perky, short, red-headed nurse announced as she walked through the door. “How are you feeling there, Ms. Austin?”
Siri looked at Eric, who had now stepped away while the nurse checked the monitors. “I have a headache and I’m hungry.”
“All normal signs for a woman in your condition. Now you’re going to have a bit of a headache for the remainder of the day and you might be a little nauseated, but all in all you should be able to go home tomorrow. For now, the doctor prescribed something for your headache and we’ll see if we can get you some food—how’s that?” She patted Siri’s foot and left the room, before she could respond.
Siri and Eric both began to laugh. “Ouch, Siri said holding her head. “Whatever that was that just came through the door, may it not return.”
Leaning back over her, Eric smiled and rubbed her temple. “I’ll do my best.” He kissed her lips and held the kiss for a moment, just to assure himself she was indeed alright. “I’m so sorry,” he placed his head against hers.
“For what?” Siri asked.
Eric stared down at her, wondering if she remembered what had upset her. He started to say something then he saw the look of fear enter her eyes. She sat up quickly. “Eric, the pictures!”
She pushed the blanket covering her aside and attempted to stand.
“No Siri.” Eric held her as she began to get upset again. “Siri, it’s alright. It’s alright baby I promise.” He kissed her and held her tight. “It’s being taken care of. We are doing everything in our power to get rid of them. Please baby, don’t cry.” He pushed her hair aside and kissed her face. It’ll be alright. I promise.”
She began to settle down just as the nurse came back in. Eric shook his head indicating not to enter the room. The nurse stepped back out and Eric laid Siri back down and crawled in beside her. He held her as she cried and told him about the picture. “I know. Ty thinks they took stills of the video,” he told her.
“What video?”
He exhaled pulled her tightly into his arms and told her everything, as he knew it.
“Eric if that video or those pictures get out, I will lose my job, maybe even the book deal. My life will be ruined again. It happened before because I fell in love with a man whose mother was jealous and possessive. It’s happening this time because I fell in love with a man, who is associated with a woman out there that is greedy and vindictive. Have I been that much of a bad person to deserve this?”
Eric held her with her back to him. He kissed the back of her head and placed his head on her. “No, Siri. You are not responsible for what Carl’s mother did nor are you responsible for Latoya’s actions. Both of them will have to answer to God for their actions against you. I can’t speak for Carl, but for me, I love you with all my heart and will use everything at my disposal to protect and shield you from harm.” He kissed the back of her neck. “I need you to trust that I will handle this. Can you do that?” He could feel her body relax against his as she nodded her head. “Thank you.” His body began to relax and he smiled. “You know what you said a minute ago?” She shook her head. “You said you love me.”
“I did not,” she sniffed.
“Yes, you did.”
“I said I fell in love with a man. I can fall in love and not like you very much. Like right now. I’m not liking you very much because I’m hungry and you haven’t fed me.”
He laughed and she joined in, that’s the way the nurse found them. “Well, shall I get another bed put in this room?”
“No,” Eric replied quite comfortable where he was. “But you can close the door.” Once the nurse was gone and the door was closed. Eric began singing. “I’ve lived a good life, I’ve made bad choices but God blessed me with a precious gift, the love of a wife. I’ve had times of joy, I’ve had times of pain, but he found his favor and gave me you. Now, we’ve had rough days, we’ve had loving nights, now he’s granted us a newborn’s life.”
Siri kissed his arm. “That’s pretty did you write that?”
“Those words filled my heart when the doctor said you were pregnant.”
Her body tensed. She sat up and looked down at him lying on the pillow. “What?”
He smiled up at her, “The doctor said you are carrying my child.”
The look of joy filled her eyes, but she frowned. “How do you know it’s yours?”
Eric sat up and kissed her lips then looked into her eyes. “Cause I popped that thang girl. I had that kitchen table rocking!” Her mouth fell open and she covered it with her hand. “Ain’t no need in you acting all shocked, you were there rocking right with me.” He grabbed her, fell back on the bed and they both laughed uncontrollably for a few minutes. Gathering her back into his arms, they settled into the same position. “You know you have to marry me now, right?” He said then held his breath.
“No I don’t have to marry you.” He smiled at the tone in her voice. “I’ll marry you because I want to and I’m tired of fighting you.”
“Tomorrow?” he asked.
“No. but soon,” her eyes began to close.
“Hmm, I would hope so,” he replied closing his eyes.
♫
Eric landed in Atlanta a little after nine that night. There was a different determination about him. Life was no longer just about him and his music. It was now about his soon-to-be wife and child. Walking through the house was even different; it didn’t seem like home anymore. All his favorite things were there and would remain, but home was now in Richmond.
The only thing jeopardizing his peaceful existence was Latoya Wright. There was no way in hell he would allow her to destroy what he’s waited a lifetime for. When he reached the solarium, he sat in his favorite chair with a bottle of beer and a little music, then allowed the memory of the first time he’d seen Siri to soothe his fears. Funny, how quickly life changes, it’d only been two months since that August concert. He made a mental note to tell Jason to make that a regular stop on his future tours. Hell, he’d do that one for free. After all they’d introduced him to Siri.
“Hey baby boy,” Miriam strolled into the room, taking a seat across from him. “You thinking about Siri?”
“She stays on my mind. I swear, I don’t get it. Music is pouring out of me right now. There are lyrics, instruments I have at least three CDs of music already down on paper and more is still up there,” he said, pointing to his temple. At the hospital, I was holding her and words just jumped in my head for my child.”
“What child?”
He looked over at his mother and smiled. “Siri’s pregnant.”
“Awe, no!” Miriam exclaimed.
“I haven’t stopped smiling since the doctor told us. She finally agreed to marry me—not because she has to, because she wants to—her words. ”
Miriam ran over and hugged him. “My word, Nana was right.”
“Yeah, Kerri told me about that conversation. Is that freaky or what?”
“Well you know old folk aren’t usually wrong about these things.”
He took a swig of his beer. “Oh, wait, it gets better. Your other child has fallen in love and from all appearances he’s fallen just as hard as me and Jason.”
“Tyrone? That Kiki girl from the dinner table—my word. We’re going to have some babies popping up all around us, soon.”
“I thought that would make you happy.”
“Happy—I’m ecstatic. So I take it Ty will be buying the floor of condo’s under yours?”
“You’ll have to ask him. He’ll be here in a few minutes. We have a meeting with Latoya tonight.”
“I’m glad Jason is still on his honeymoon. He was always too soft on her.”
“He wasn’t soft; Jason was and still is a loving father. I didn’t understand that before—I do now. She knows that child means the world to him. Just like the child Siri is carrying means the world to me. I would do anything and put up with anything to see my child brought into this world. That’s all Jason did.”
Eric’s cell phone chimed. He pulled it out. “Eric, this is Latoya. I’ve decided to change the time and location of our meeting.”
“You should talk to Ty about that,” he started to hang up.
“You hang up and the next email goes to Maybelline Austin. You know who she is, don’t you. She’s your girl Siri’s, or whatever the hell her name is, arch enemy. What do you think she will do with the picture? You think your girl will still be teaching come Monday morning?”
Eric stood up; the anger was clear on his face. “Okay Latoya, you got my attention.” He mouthed to his mother to call Ty. She picked up the house phone and dialed his number.
“Good. Now, here’s what you are going to do. You are going to write a letter indicating the five million you are giving me is to settle your brother’s obligation. I want it notarized. I want the letter and the cashier’s check made out to me and delivered to the Marriott Marquis room 1211 personally, within the hour, by you.” She disconnected the call.
On the other telephone, Ty was taking notes and dispatching one of his agents over to check out the room. Eric took the phone from his mother. “Did you get that?’
“I got it. I have someone on their way to the Marriott. There’s no way you’re walking into that room alone.”
“How do we get the damn pictures Ty?”
“Eric, don’t ask me questions you don’t want to know. I’ll meet you on the lower level of the hotel in thirty minutes.”
Eric closed his eyes and said a prayer. “This is a nightmare and Ty is right. It’s not going to stop even if we pay her what she asks.” He hung up the telephone, and then dialed Jason’s new number. “Hello Gabby, I need to call your friend— it’s time to take Latoya Wright out of her misery.”
♫
The office was almost fully staffed on a Saturday night at the Pendleton firm. Every available person that had heard there was a situation, just showed up at the office to see what they could do to help. Kiki sat quietly in Ty’s office watching him in action and it was an amazing thing to see. He didn’t skip a beat with the set-up. What was more amazing was, everyone he called to do a part, said yes without hesitation. There was something powerful and commanding about the man. It was too much for her. She got up walked over to the desk he sat behind talking on the telephone. She sat in his lap, took the phone from his hand, and kissed him long, deep and thoroughly. She then placed the phone back in his hand and retook her seat. All the action in the room ceased. Pleased with herself, she picked up a magazine and began to read. All eyes went to Ty. After a moment of just staring at her, he put the telephone back to his ear and continued with the conversation as if it was never interrupted. Soon everyone else did the same. Kiki smiled within.
About fifteen minutes later, a man walked into the room gave Ty an envelope and walked out. “Okay people—we’re set. No mistakes,” He walked over to her and gave her the envelope. “You know what to do. Make me proud.”
Kiki smiled. “I like you so damn much.”
“Let’s go people,” he said with a smile on his face.
As they walked out of the door Kiki heard, his secretary Wendy say to another woman, “She’s a keeper.”
Kiki thought to herself, “Damn right.”
The hotel lobby was busy. It was Saturday night in downtown Atlanta and everyone was on their way somewhere to party. Eric, on the other hand, was on his way to eliminate a threat to his family. Eric kept his head down as he walked through, to keep from being noticed. He was met at the desk by hotel security and escorted to a private room. Five minutes later the towers walked through the door with Ty and Kiki. “You ready to play little boy?” Ty asked as he walked through the door.
“I got your little boy,” Eric smiled. The more time she spent around the Davies, the more she realized they are no different from any other family—they loved, they hurt, and the laughed just like everyone else.
“Kiki is going in as your legal representation. Latoya is going to do or say whatever she can to get her out of the room. According to hotel security, there are two people that have been in and out of that room all day—Latoya and Tina.”
“Who is Tina?” Eric asked.
“A tech, which means there are probably cameras somewhere in the room. We are still trying to detect them and tap in, but we have a back up if that does not happen in time. Don’t ask.” He said before Eric could open his mouth. “You should know she has tickets on a midnight flight to LA tonight. This is a big score for her.” Ty’s cell phone chimed and he stepped away.
“How’s Siri?” Kiki asked.
“She’s good. Getting the rest she needs. If all goes well through the night, she’ll be released.”
Kiki smiled, “I’m glad to hear it.”
“So,” Eric asked as he leaned against the door, “Ty?” he raised an eyebrow.
“What about him?” Kiki beamed.
“Ah-hum,” Eric cleared his throat. “I was at the hospital last night and saw you two making eye contact.”
“We’re um, hanging a little bit. This weekend was supposed to set things off for us, but it’s been a little busy.”
“His life is like that, you know. I don’t know if he can slow down.”
“I don’t think I want him to. I like him the way he is.”
Eric graced her with a huge smile.
“Damn, that thing is dangerous.”
“What?”
“That smile of yours. That’s how you get all those women when you’re on stage. They fall for that shy, sensitive persona then you flash those pearly whites on them.“
“It’s a go,” Ty said as he walked over to where they stood. He looked at Eric, “Keep your cool.” He turned to Kiki, “If you see any signs of danger, get the hell out of there—both of you.”
“Okay, give me some sugar before I go.” she pulled Ty by the collar and kissed him silly.
“Baby, you have got to stop doing that in front of these people. I’ve got to work with them.”
“I’ll step in for your boss,” one of the towers offered. Ty gave him a look over his shoulder that left no questions as to its meaning. “Just trying to help out boss.” He smiled.
Ty turned back to Kiki. “See what I mean.”
Eric and Kiki laughed.
Entering the elevator Kiki realized she was working in the blind. She did not know the details of what this Latoya woman was holding over Eric’s head. She only knew Siri was connected in some way. However, Ty was concerned with Eric meeting Latoya alone and the possibility of another opportunity for blackmail. So she volunteered to go in with him. At first, Ty fought against the idea, but the more she talked the more he felt she was right. Sending someone else would make Siri vulnerable to yet another person. She, on the other hand had a vested interest in this turning out in their favor, even though she was still in the dark as to what was actually at stake.
“Are you okay?” Eric asked watching the different emotions playing across her face.
“You’re the one taking a chance on losing a small fortune and you want to know if I’m alright?”
“I’ll give up that and more for Siri.”
Kiki smiled. “I adore love stories and this one is a whopper. How are you going to talk her into marrying a superstar? I mean marrying you will put her in front of the media and I know for a fact she is not going for that.”
“I bet you five dollars.”
Kiki stared at him. “Five dollars?”
“Yep,”
The elevator doors opened. “You’re on.” They stepped out onto the twelfth floor. “All we have to do now is get in and out of this room alive.”
“You’ll be cool. All Latoya wants is money,” Eric said as he knocked on the door.
Latoya opened the door dressed in a long black, silk robe with a black lace teddy underneath. Eric turned to Kiki who was standing to the side of the door and could not be seen by Latoya and said with an amused look on his face, “I could be wrong.” As hard as he tried, he could not hold his laughter in.
Latoya looked around the door. “What in the hell is she doing here?”
Eric was still laughing. “You’re freaking kidding me?”
“I’ll show how much I’m kidding. She goes or the deal is off,” Latoya demanded.
Eric shrugged his shoulder,” Okay. I’m tired of the game.” He turned to walk away.
“I’m not,” Kiki said as she pushed Latoya aside and walked into the room. “I’m just getting started. And I don’t have a long time to play. I got a man waiting.”
“Who in the hell is she supposed to be Eric?” Latoya yelled with her hands on her hips.
Eric looked over at Kiki who looked about ready to pounce. “She’s my attorney.”
“Where’s Ty?”
“Unfortunately, you’ve graduated. You now have to deal with me.” Kiki took a step closer to her. “And when I’m finished with you, you’re going to wish Ty was here.”
Latoya looked at Eric. “Okay, you want to play this game. One push of a button and the email goes.”
“So does the five mill,” Eric stated. “Your call.”
Latoya did not say anything for a minute; she stood there and angrily stared at Eric. “Why are you doing this? Why couldn’t you just be like every other man and take what I was offering?” She pulled her robe off and turned around. “Look at me!” she said as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I am beyond beautiful,” she walked over and stood within inches of him, “you know, and I know, you know it. I made sure I was your type. I followed you for two years. Two years Eric, learning what you like in a woman, how the women you grant the honor of sharing your bed look and act. I knew the places you took them, the things you bought. I knew you. When I walked in that room four years ago, there was no reason for you to walk away from me. You forced me to have to settle for your brother. You could have had this,” she said spreading her arms out. “You know you wanted it then just like you want it now.” She smirked, “I can see it in your eyes Eric.” She stepped closer, so close he could feel her breath on his cheek.
Standing off to the side, Kiki wondered if she was not there, would Eric go to this woman? She was beautiful to a fault and most men would not resist what she was offering.
Eric put his finger under her chin to look into her eyes. He saw a glimmer of triumph in her eyes as he smiled. “I do like beautiful woman, in fact they are my weakness. When you walked through that door, gracing us all with your beauty, I saw something else. I saw a conniving, scheming, gold digger walking in and just like now I wanted to get as far away from you as humanly possible.” She pulled away. “What’s wrong, you can’t take the truth? What do you call it when someone studies your life for the soul purpose of monetary gain? When you couldn’t get me to drop, you targeted the next best thing, my brother. You’ve gotten all you could get from him, so now your target is me again.” He disgustedly looked her up and down. “What makes you think I would want to touch you, of all the women in the world? After the hell you have taken my family through. You have lost touch with reality.”
“You don’t get it Eric; it wasn’t about the money when I came for you. It was you, I wanted. You, Eric “Silk” Davies, the man. I walked in that room to offer you my body and my love. But you threw it back in my face and now you have to pay.”
“Good,” Kiki declared. “Now we can get down to business.”
“I’m not doing business with you,” Latoya said to Kiki. “And here’s a word of advice. If you have your sights on Tyrone Pendleton I hope you are ready to be an old maid, because the man is and will always be non-committal.” Satisfied with the look of uncertainty she saw in Kiki’s eyes Latoya turned to Eric, “Either she leaves and you make love to me or the deal is off.”
Kiki looked at Eric who was looking at Latoya as if she had lost her mind. “Here are the new terms. I won’t humiliate your precious Siri by selling your nude pictures to the highest bidder. All you have to do is pay me the five million I requested and make love to me. I will walk out of Jason and Sierra’s life, and yours for good—if you still want me to.” She sat on the bed and crossed her legs.
“Do I have to stay and watch this?” Kiki asked Eric.
Eric reached behind him and unlocked the connecting door to the next room. In walked Ty, Chief Goldman, and a female officer. “Ms. Wright you are under arrest for the attempted blackmail of Eric Davies and I’m almost certain extortion charges involving Jason Davies will follow.”
“What the hell are you doing?” She jumped up off the bed as the officer approached her. “I didn’t blackmail anybody. This man was propositioning me for sex.”
Everyone in the room went shell shocked. “Girl, what world are you in?” Kiki asked confused.
Latoya shimmied by the officer and stood in front of the police chief. “This man and his brother have been passing me between them for the last few years, chief. I’m the victim here.” The officer walked over and handcuffed the uncooperative Latoya.
Ty, walked over and whispered, “If I were you, I would evoke my right to remain silent at this time.” He smirked and walked away.
Latoya stopped as they walked by Eric. She looked up at him with the most satisfied look. “It’s not over Eric—it’s not over.” The officer covered her with the robe and carried her out of the room.
“She can’t do anything else to you man. This is done.” Ty said to Eric.
Eric shook his head. “I have a feeling it’s not.”
♫
The sun was rising to a new day as Eric walked into the hospital room where Siri was resting. The nurse informed him that her mother had left around midnight and Siri had rested peacefully throughout the night. Peace. Why wasn’t he feeling at peace? Latoya was locked away, Jason and TeKaya were enjoying their honeymoon, Sierra was at her new home sound asleep with Gabby and her grandmother Miriam. Ty and Kiki were, well, he was sure they were somewhere together making love. And he was with Siri, the woman that he loved beyond reason, and the very same woman that would be giving him his first child. His mind should be at peace, but it wasn’t. The chilling look in Latoya’s eyes flashed in his mind as he looked at Siri. And for the first time in his life, he was afraid. Not so much of Latoya, or what she might do, but of being a good father, a good husband, and a good provider.
He was so deep in thought that he did not see when Siri opened her eyes. “Having second thoughts?”
He blinked and then focused in on her. She was his weakness, his strength, his heart and his soul. “No.” He kissed the tip of her nose as he took the chair beside her. “You are stuck with me for the rest of your life.”
She smiled, and then became serious. “I don’t know if I can deal with all the publicity or media that comes with the territory of being your wife. But now the thought of having you in my life has taken root and I will fight whatever demons there are to keep you around.”
“I wore you down,” he laughed. “I’m not sure which I’m happier about, you or the baby. Out of all of this madness, can you believe how blessed we are?”
“If I’m released early, I want to go to church this morning.” She thought for a moment. It is Sunday, right?”
“Yes, it is, but I’m certain the doctor is going to order you to rest in bed for a few days. That mean, no church and no school.”
Siri rolled her eyes. “Oh Lord, I have to call Roscoe.”
“I’ll call him,” Eric said a little too enthusiastically.
“Okay, but I would like to have a job when you finish.”
“I’ll be nice,” he yawned.
Siri pulled the blanket back. Eric took off his shoes and slipped into bed beside her. Gathering her in his arms, lying comfortably on his shoulder, she looked up at him. “If we have a little girl, she is going to have locs just like yours. And if we have a boy, he’s going to have them, too.”
He put his head on top of hers and closed his eyes. “I have to cut them soon.”
“Why?” she asked shocked at the revelation.
With his eyes still closed, he smiled remembering the conversation. “My father asked me on his dying bed when was I going to cut my hair. I told him I would cut my hair when I got married.”
“But I love your locs. They’re a part of you.”
He opened one eye. “Would you love me less without them?”
“No.” She reached up and touched them. “I think I’ll miss them. You know the way they cover your face when you make love to me is a turn on.
“Really,” he smiled.
She nodded.
“I’ll tell you what, I’ll cut them for my dad and grow them back for you. How’s that?”
“I think I can handle that.”
“Good, now stop looking at me like that before I forget we’re in a hospital and make love to you.”
He closed his eyes and pulled her close; dismissing the teasing smile she flashed him.