Last night, Daron was able to salvage the rest of the evening once they changed venues. Not enough to prevent a heated discussion on the way home or Cameron from sleeping in the guest bedroom. He worked off the frustration by making alterations to an invention for Calvin’s top-secret project. He still couldn’t believe he’d thrown a lit match on a relationship that was already doused with gasoline. It pissed him off that Cameron tossed back the house key, officially ending the pursuit of a lasting union without hesitation. He flashed back to how the morning started.
Daron sipped his coffee, trying to compensate for only getting an hour of sleep. He retrieved the extra set of keys as Cameron took long strides toward the island. “Was last night’s incident about Amarion and the program?”
“I can’t even get a good morning.” Daron frowned, inhaling deeply.
“So, is that a yes?”
His cell rang and when he answered he received an evil glare from Cameron. “Hey, Steve.”
“Brandi interrupted Roger’s poker night and turned over tables, literally,” Steve said. The shock carried in his voice.
“Is she hurt?” Daron stared at Cameron, who looked like she was seconds from ripping the cell from his hands.
“Nope. It seems Brandi had as many friends in the room as Roger did.”
Daron ended the call and took a sip of coffee. “I have a long day ahead of me. If you’re not ready to trust me and stop using my past against me, leave the keys with Steve when you see him at the gym.” Daron sat the mug down then placed the house keys in her hands. “If you can, I’ll see you tonight.”
“No need.” Cameron tossed the keys to him. She shot him a look that dropped the temperature in the room ten degrees below zero. “Clearly, it’s time for us to go our separate ways.” Her lips tightened as her eyes threw daggers at him for a moment before she headed to the door.
He couldn’t dwell on that at the moment. If he wanted a chance at getting his relationship with Cameron back on the right path, he needed to tackle The Castle problem. He had no intention of begging her to come back. It’s not like he didn’t have a clue what type of woman he was dealing with from the get-go, which was why he was using a firm but gentle approach with her. Unfortunately, Daron didn’t have that in him at the start of the day. With Cameron, the absence wouldn’t make the heart grow fonder. It would only solidify the distance between them. He would have a small window of time to put a plan in place that maneuvered her back into his life before he found himself on the outskirts of hers, along with her father who had made the unforgivable mistake of leaving her in jail.
Daron was already in the process of gathering intel to bring Marquise to his knees. If he were anything like his godfather, his people were looking for the weakest link to intimidate into doing it their way.
He slid the silver cufflinks on, partially wanting to miss this event but it was an opportunity to see Ralph in action. Cameron was supposed to attend but then this morning happened. He became frustrated and upset all over again that she walked away so easily. He exited the house and hopped in the Porsche.
First, he had to bring Marquise to justice, which would be a challenge since he had others committing the crime.
As he drove, his thoughts were on what had transpired since getting involved with The Castle. Cameron had been right about him being much busier. He parked and entered the school’s gym, today he had volunteered to help with the etiquette event. Alisha’s dark-brown skin glowed under the stage lighting. He wasn’t aware that she was participating, otherwise he would have sent Pedro in his place.
Alisha’s face seemed fuller as she smiled. Her wavy black hair fell over her face as she adjusted the microphone. He glanced at the designer suit that complimented her figure. Red must be her favorite color. She grabbed something off the podium and headed straight for him.
“Hey, handsome,” she purred. “Great seeing you again. Let me put you to work. Would you mind helping me set the table?”
“Not at all.” Daron slid his phone into his jacket. “That’s what I’m here for.”
She gave him a quick embrace then pointed him in Ralph’s direction. Volunteering gave him an opportunity to see how he worked and handled problems.
“It’s a great thing you’re doing here.” Daron took one of the tables that Ralph had retrieved from the closet and rested it on the wall.
“One of these programs saved my life.” He locked up the closet and dropped the key into his top pocket. “I’m just giving back, hoping it will do the same for someone else.
“How many volunteers do you normally have?”
“Five to ten depending on the event.” Ralph lifted a table off the wall. “Alisha has been a big help tonight since my go-to person is sick.”
Daron rolled the table next to him. “Do you have regular volunteers?”
“Workers from similar programs are usually my normal volunteers. The other volunteers are parents.” Ralph sat the table near a taped X on the floor, then pointed for Daron to do the same at another black taped X. “Some parents want to learn as their child learns. Others are parents who just want to help out.”
The last few tables were quickly set up to match the others. Seconds later, the kids were rushing in for the event. Etiquette experts stood at the podium while two adults sat at each table to assist the kids. Alisha’s energy and the kids’ excitement were contagious. Hard to stay solemn with the positive vibes circling around him. Alisha kept the kids entertained with games and stories in between speakers.
The function was over in what felt like a heartbeat. Daron noticed Ralph talking to a red-haired man in a tan linen suit who hadn’t shown up until they were cleaning. Maybe he’s a parent. Ralph pointed inside the room where there were only three volunteers left, including himself. The linen suit left. Daron could only assume that the person he was looking for wasn’t there.
“I wish I had something like this when I was growing up,” Alisha said as she gathered up the silk flower centerpiece and placed it in a box.
Daron removed the tablecloth, stuffed it in the laundry bag and trailed her to the next table. “I don’t see it taking you long to catch on.”
She shifted the box on her hip. “I followed whatever everyone else did.”
“That’s why we’re here tonight so they won’t have the same experience.” Daron followed her to the corner where the volunteers were stacking all the items.
“Yes, the girls from my program were at the table with Ralph.” She placed the box down on the stack. “They’re hoping to use what they learned tonight at the Art & Jewelry Gala since two of the girls will be selected to attend.”
“What is that?” Daron caught the box as it almost tipped over and returned it neatly on top of the pile.
“An auction that raises money for nonprofits. The more money raised, the more organizations can be helped.”
“I assume it’s a big deal.”
“It is. Each artist creates a piece of jewelry that speaks to whatever is painted on the canvas.” Alisha smiled, shoulders lifted slightly in her excitement. “Two organizations are randomly assigned to each set. And will split the proceeds.”
“Some pairings will bring in more money?”
“Yes. One pairing is already at a million in the silent online auction. While there’s a cap on how much a single organization can receive, the additional money goes into a fund to sponsor field trips and speakers. Whatever’s left by the end of the school year …” She bent over, picked up a few napkins that had fallen to the floor, then tossed them in the trash. “… They give out scholarships to kids in the program who are graduating and going into college.”
Daron walked toward another table. “That’s great.”
“I didn’t understand how much my mom helped and protected me until she died when I was in grammar school.” Alisha ran her fingers through her hair. “I’ve had to make a lot of hard choices to survive, some I wasn’t proud of.”
“So, you really understand these girls.”
“My dad believed in me earning my keep once my mother was gone. Things changed a bit when he finally settled down again with one woman but she discovered something she didn’t like about him and left us.” Alisha looked over his shoulder. Her eyes widened and the centerpiece she’d just grabbed wobbled in her hand.
Daron glanced back to see what had stolen her focus.
Alisha seemed to stare through the door. “Could you help Ralph get the last few tables out?” She placed the centerpiece in the box then looked at the older man struggling to roll out a table.
“Sure.” Daron wondered what she had actually seen that shook her. Because it definitely wasn’t Ralph.
“Thanks for your help,” Ralph held open the closet door. “A lot of people like to help set up but not break down. That is, unless food is involved.”
Daron placed the last table into the closet when he noticed a stocky man about five-nine with red hair and light blue eyes approach Alisha. He’d seen him earlier talking with Ralph as well.
He walked over to collect the jacket he’d laid over one of the plastic chairs lining the hall. “You’re welcome.”
His eyes were on Alisha and the man, who she seemed to be having a disagreement with. Alisha gave the man a withering look before reaching around him to grab her purse off the chair and leaving with the man trailing her.
“Alisha’s a sweetheart. Always pitching in to help.” Ralph scanned the hallway, then he peeked into the gym. “Have you seen her? She didn’t say goodnight.”
“She just left.”
“That’s odd.” Ralph shrugged. “Oh well, I’ll catch up with her later to see how she thought it went.”
“I’ll make sure to sign up for the next one.” Daron slid on the suit jacket and quickly headed out the door to make sure Alisha had made it to her car alright.
When he entered the parking lot, the words ‘I’m in too deep’ caught his attention. A group of men congregated near the corner.
Alisha snatched her arm away from the red-haired man and opened the door to an Infiniti Q50. “Don’t touch me.”
“You know what I want.” He yanked her toward him.
“Let me go.” Alisha struggled to get out of his hold.
“Alisha is everything okay?” Daron called out as he approached.
“No. I keep telling him I’m not interested.”
“This does not concern you.” The linen suit snarled something at Alisha that Daron couldn’t hear as she tugged against him. The handle of his gun peeked out from under his waistband.
“If she’s told you to leave her alone and you don’t, then it becomes my business.” Daron was hoping he’d walk away from getting into an altercation that could bring the police, which wasn’t ideal but he also couldn’t allow Alisha to be manhandled.
“Stick to sitting behind the desk.” He released Alisha and stepped forward.
Daron buttoned his jacket since he wasn’t sure the shirt Cameron gifted him had Kevlar in it. “Don’t let the suit fool you.”
“Oh, you’re a corporate thug.” He chuckled, scanning the streets as though expecting backup. “Excuse me but I’ll serve your ass to you and have you begging to return to the safety of your little office.”
“You intimidate women,” Daron said, as Alisha shifted closer to the champagne Infiniti. “And I’m supposed to be scared of you?”
A thin, bearded fellow with dirty-brown hair and a serious snarl rushed their way.
“This ain’t none of your business.” The red-haired man glared at Alisha, yanking her back to him. “This conversation isn’t over, Miss Thing.”
The thin man made it to them, his eyes lasered on Alisha’s cleavage. “Bobby, I heard you were looking for me.”
The red-haired guy stepped away from Alisha. “Are you a fool?”
Daron noticed a car jutted off the side road, almost getting hit as the window lowered and a glint of light shimmered off the weapon.
“Get down,” Daron yelled, yanking Alisha while reaching for the Beretta as he moved behind the black sedan to his left.
The slim guy wasn’t quick enough. His body jerked as a bullet ripped through his shoulder and the blood splattered on Alisha. She screamed as the bullets hit her car. The red-haired man swiveled in the direction of the vehicle driving by, firing back as he moved toward a Lexus. He slid behind the wheel of the car, tires screeched as the vehicle peeled away.
Daron moved toward the injured man, realizing he’d been hit twice, and applied pressure to his torso. He called to Alisha, who stood trembling near the car with dark stain splatters on her dress. “Were you hit?”
She shook her head.
“Call 911.”
With shaky hands, Alisha retrieved her cell and made the call. The man on the ground moaned. His breathing was shallow as he touched the wound on his shoulder then stared at his bloody hand. “I shouldn’t have worked with ...”
“The police and ambulance are on their way,” Alisha announced, kneeling to use her scarf to apply pressure to the shoulder wound.
His eyes rolled back in his head and seconds later, he passed out.
Ralph ran out of the center toward them.
“Is he still alive?” Ralph shifted Alisha out the way as the sirens in the distance got closer.
“Yes.” Hand in his pocket, Daron pressed the button for the device to prevent cell phones from recording the incident.
Alisha pressed herself against the Infiniti, glued to the driver’s side.
The emergency vehicle pulled up and a couple of EMTs rushed to them.
Ralph and Daron stepped back to allow paramedics to take over.
Daron turned to Alisha, who threw herself into his arms. “You okay?”
“I am now.” She pressed her breasts into his chest as she wrapped her arms around him, then rested her head on his chest. She looked up, arms still wrapped around him. “Thank you.”
Daron extracted himself from her hold as the police in their dark-blue uniforms approached. Her chest moved rapidly, as if she had been holding her breath and just started to breathe. A blond stocky police officer requested that Daron move to one side as another one moved Alisha in the other direction. The officers weren’t slick. They were separating them to take their statements. People started gathering behind the caution tape with phones attempting to capture the aftermath. Daron quickly stood against the wall and out of most of the phones’ range then he hit the button to allow video recording. As the injured man was loaded into the ambulance; the police placed yellow numbered markers around the lot and took crime scene pictures.
The process felt like it took hours. Ralph let them back into the gym to clean up a bit. Daron noticed as they exited the building that Alisha’s gaze focused on a point across the street.
“Do you want me to give you a ride home?” Daron wondered how many bullets had hit her car, which was still trapped within the crime scene.
She wrapped both arms around herself. “If you don’t mind.”
Daron opened the door and she slid into the passenger seat, looking at him with a hint of desire in her eyes. She tugged on her skirt that had risen up her thigh and slowly licked her lips.
“Not at all.” Daron closed the door, unable to shake the feeling that there was more to the situation than he was seeing.
She gave him an address near Hyde Park. The first few minutes of the short journey were made in silence as he reflected on the evening. Were they actually shooting at the man harassing Alisha?
Alisha had given him some kind of feeling when they first met but he wrote it off once he discovered she was attracted to him. Was Alisha in trouble?
“This isn’t how I expected the night to end.” Alisha lifted her trembling hands as Daron held the Porsche door open.
Alisha reached into her purse which emitted a tinkling sound as she retrieved her keys.
Daron seized the keys from her unsteady hand and unlocked the door.
“Let me at least get you some coffee,” Alisha implored as she accepted the keys back.
“It’s been a long night.” Daron turned, heading to the Porsche.
Alisha grabbed his bicep. “I insist. I have to-go cups. Come on. Let me at least do that for you.”
Maybe he’d find out what happened between her and her assailant before he’d arrived. “Sure.”
He stepped into her living room, an elegant space with contemporary upscale decor.
Alisha immediately washed her hands and put on the coffee. “I’ll be right back.”
Daron’s thoughts were on the incident, hoping Cameron’s brothers didn’t catch wind of it and connect it to him before he had a chance to make things right with their sister. The Stone brothers definitely didn’t want him with their sister and would surely tell her. The more he thought about what Cameron had been through because of him in recent weeks, he somewhat understood her walking away even though he had a huge issue with the swift execution.
“Sorry I took so long,” Alisha said, as she returned to the kitchen wearing a black silk robe that was mere inches below her ass.
If Daron wasn’t with Cameron, the night may have ended very differently. The only thing he wanted from Alisha was to find out what kind of trouble she had gotten herself into and see if he could assist in resolving her problem.