At dinner that evening, Diane said, “I visited with Heather today. With the babies overdue, she’s putting the blame on Quinn.” Diane forced a giggle, trying to lighten the mood. Charles’s strong, distinct features were not arranged in their usual relaxed countenance. His somber, thoughtful manner barely eased at the mention of their mutual friend’s name.
“How was your day?” she asked hopefully, thinking his couldn’t have been as awful as hers.
“Busy,” he grumbled, eyeing the smoked salmon on his plate as if it were some foreign substance that might attack at any moment. “I saw Quinn today. He agreed to take on Jeff’s case.”
“Do you think it’s that serious?”
“Absolutely. Jeff may be facing a prison term. He’s going to need legal counsel... the best... if he makes it.”
“Excuse me, sir. Telephone call for you. Mr. Montgomery. Will you take it in here?”
“Yes.” Charles took the cordless phone, nodding his thanks to the older man. The conversation was quick and to the point. Charles was scowling when he put down the telephone.
Giving up all pretense of eating, she replaced her fork. “More bad news?”
“The cops don’t have the tape from the security camera mounted in the store. It seems, according to the owner, that the camera was broken and he hadn’t gotten around to getting it repaired.” Charles swore. “It’ll be his word against Jeff’s. Who in hell is going to believe a black kid with a gun?”
“Oh, no! Honey, I’m sorry. Did you have a chance to speak with Anthia today? I tried her at home but couldn’t get her. I wondered how she has been holding up.”
“She’s doing as well as can be expected considering that her son is hooked up to all those machines. He’ll be lucky if he lives. Excuse me,” he said tossing his napkin beside his barely touched meal. “Don’t wait up, I’ll be late.”
“Charles...” Hurrying, she caught up with him in the foyer.
“Yeah?” He turned his heart heavy with feelings of guilt and grief... feelings he wasn’t ready to share with anyone, not even his wife. He was barely able to admit them to himself.
Suddenly unsure of herself and of him, she hesitated. She craved his warmth... his strength... his love. “Don’t rush off. Let’s talk about it.”
“I can’t.”
Charles, expecting some form of reprisal for his abruptness, let out a breath when she slipped her arms beneath his and circled his waist. Diane pressed her soft, sweet mouth against the side of his throat in that tender spot guaranteed to gain his attention. Charles shivered holding her against him in an effort to soothe the rawness deep inside him.
“I’m sorry... so sorry about Jeff.”
He lowered his head until he could cover her mouth with his. His kiss was dark and husky, deep and throaty. Her mouth opened to accept all that he was unable to voice but felt so deeply. He squeezed Diane one last time before breaking the seal of their kiss.
His voice was rough with emotion when he whispered, “I love you.” Then he left.
Diane sighed wearily, sitting down on the staircase. So many lies stood between them, too many to count. They just kept on mushrooming, one right after the next, as Diane struggled to hold her world together.
Diane still had not gotten over Heather’s calm reaction to her revelations. She hadn’t known what to expect. Certainly not Heather’s generous acceptance. Never in a million years could she have guessed.
What if Heather was right? What if she was risking everything by keeping the past from him? Heather had seemed so certain that Charles would understand. Diane was equally certain the risk was one she wasn’t strong enough to face. Their whole future was at stake. How could she take that gamble? What man in his right mind would want to be married to a woman who was the daughter of a prostitute... a junkie?
It was not as if she doubted his love for her. Yet she would be foolish not to accept the truth. Charles was in love with the new Diane. She’d left Chicago; she’d never looked back. She was not the same girl-child who had endured years of neglect. She had left that part of her life far behind. She would help her mother, but she could not step back in time.
***
Dexter was on the telephone when Charles paused at the door of the community center’s business office. He waved Charles in, pointing toward the battered armchair in front of his desk. He placed his hand over the mouthpiece. “Anthia,” he whispered, before continuing his conversation. “That’s great. Yes... yes. Please. I’ll be happy to give whatever help I can. Yes... yes. I’ll tell him. Goodnight.”
“How’s Jeff?” Charles asked, as Dexter ended the call.
“Better. He’s awake, stabilized. It looks like he’s gonna make it.”
Charles sighed heavily. “Thank God.”
“Hey, man... where are you goin’?”
“To the hospital. There are some things I need to know.”
“Hold up there, Randol. It’s way past visiting hours. Besides, they aren’t going to let you see Jeff. He’s still in intensive care... family members only.”
“I’ll tell them I’m Jeff’s uncle.”
“Don’t you know the kid is in no shape to answer questions?”
“Dex, I don’t intend to let that kid spend so much as a half hour paying for something he didn’t do.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“So you do think he’s guilty?”
“Hell, I don’t know. I took that go-round with Anthia this morning, remember? At this point, there’s not a lot we can do. Other than give them our support.”
An image of the soft-spoken, shapely Anthia suddenly flickered through Dexter’s mind. That smartass Doug Henderson she called a friend was doing his best to get into her panties. Damn it, who she slept with was none of his business! He had his own unresolved issues with women. He didn’t need to be thinking of Jeff’s mother as more than just what she was—if he was lucky, a friend. But she had the prettiest eyes...
“Now, look here...”
“No, you look. Man, Jeff isn’t the only kid we have here. There are others depending on us to be there for them, show them what it is to be an African-American man. Are we supposed to forget about them?”
Charles swore softly, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. “I know that. I’m not about to give up on Jeff! The store clerk says Jeff wasn’t alone. I intend to find out who was with him.” His forehead wrinkled in concentration, “Tell me about this Eddie the guys were talkin’ about before the meet.”
“He and Jeff grew up together. Eddie has gotten himself involved with a rough crowd. Nowadays he runs with a bunch of crackheads, man. Word is Eddie is bad news.”
Charles asked, “You think he’s connected to this robbery?”
“He’s capable of it. He and Jeff were really tight once. Ain’t no way of tellin’, man.”
“Jeff isn’t going down for this. He might have been there, but he didn’t do it.”
Dexter shrugged his powerful muscled shoulders. “I hope not, man.”
“Where can I find this Eddie?”
Dexter sat up. “That’s not a good idea.”
“If he has something to do with what happened to Jeff, why not? There may be no other choice.”
“You’ll find trouble, whether you’re looking for it or not.”
“An address, Dex.”
“Last I heard Eddie hangs out at the Starmore Lounge on Davidson. But you can’t go there alone.”
Charles shrugged.
“Talk to Jeff first, man. You may have this whole thing wrong.” When Charles didn’t respond, Dexter said, “Charles?”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“I know I’m right. When and if you need a back-up, call me, man.”
“Thanks. I’d better get to it. Later.”
It was late, too late for house guests. Charles, nevertheless, knocked on Anthia’s door.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Charles. I know it’s late. But I’d like to talk to you.”
“Just a minute,” she said unlocking a series of deadbolts. “Hi, come on in.”
“I’m sorry...”
“Don’t worry about it. I was up anyway. I just hung up the phone from talking to Diane. She’s so sweet.”
“She’s concerned about you. I know you’ve got to be beat. I promise I won’t stay long.”
“It’s all right, Charles. I know I need to sleep, but I can’t even lie down. Sit with me for a little while.” She gestured toward the sofa. Her eyes filled when she thought of how Jeff wouldn’t be needing the sofa bed for some time... if ever. Swallowing back tears, she asked, “Can I get you something? Decaf?”
“No, thanks.”
Once they were seated, he asked, “How was Jeff when you left the hospital? I heard Dex say he was fully awake for a while tonight.”
“Yeah. He’s responding to treatment.” Anthia beamed, “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to you. If you hadn’t gotten Dr. Grant to take over his case, I’m sure he wouldn’t have pulled through.”
“We’re friends, Anthia. Friends help each other.”
“You and Diane have been so kind...” Anthia’s eyes brimmed with tears that she quickly wiped away. “I’m sorry. I’m a mess.” She sighed. “Oh, Charles, I don’t know what’s happening from one minute to the next. Nothin’ will make me believe that my boy held up that store!”
“Anthia, I’m with you on this. Jeff couldn’t have done this. Anyone who knows Jeff realizes he has problems, but he’s not vicious, and he isn’t hard enough to rob and then try to kill anyone,” Charles said.
“That’s not what your friend Dexter thinks!”
“Hey, wait. We’ve gone over this before. Dex doesn’t believe Jeff is guilty any more than I do. You have to remember, Dex grew up on the streets, and he has a hard edge. Not once has he said he believed Jeff is guilty... not once,” Charles insisted.
“I suppose because of the gun they found...”
“It didn’t help, that’s for sure. I’ve got Quinn Montgomery to represent Jeff. He’s the best. I hope that’s okay with you?”
Anthia gasped. “His reputation is formidable. I can’t afford him.”
“He’s a friend, so there won’t be a fee.”
“Oh, Charles. I can’t ask that of you.”
“You didn’t ask. Besides, Quinn is good people. You’ll like him.”
“Thank you.”
“Glad to be able to help.” Glancing at his watch, Charles rose to his feet. “I just stopped in to hear how Jeff’s doin’ and to check on you.” At the door, he advised, “Try to get some rest.”
“I will. Give Diane my love.”
Charles smiled, “’Night.” He took the stairs two at a time. He wanted to ask about Eddie but decided she’d been through enough. Anthia was clearly in no condition to be cross-examined.
He reached his car just as a familiar car eased to a stop behind him on the dark street. He hid his surprise when Dexter Washington slid from behind the wheel. He had a large bag of takeout food under his arm.
“Hi. Kinda late for a social call, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Charles hid a grin.
Dexter grunted. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“What brought you here at this hour?”
Charles recognized jealousy... he’d suffered enough from it. Talk about pain. Charles ignored the challenge in the other’s dark eyes. “My interest is solely Jeff. Besides, Anthia is a good friend of both my wife, Diane, and myself.” Charles quietly reminded him.
“Sorry,” Dexter said softly, knowing he’d given his own interest away. “I thought Anthia might be hungry. I hadn’t planned on staying but a moment.”
Charles grinned. “’Night,” he called, as he got into his car. Laughing as he drove away, Charles was amazed by the discovery. Dexter was such a reserved man, preferring to keep to himself. Charles knew he’d been hurt very badly in the past, knew he had done hard time for something he hadn’t done. Charles was pleased Dexter was attracted to a woman as caring and loving as Anthia. Now, if the feeling was mutual, maybe those two could get something going.
Charles chuckled deciding that Diane would be very interested in the possibility of romance. Women seemed to find that sort of thing fascinating. Heather and Elizabeth had always had plenty to say about his love life. Neither seemed to care how annoyed he’d been by their meddling.
The thought of his lovely wife had Charles pressing down on the accelerator. He’d been a real bear at dinner. He had some sweet-talking to do. Suddenly he was eager to see his beautiful wife.
***
Diane nearly jumped out of her skin when Charles placed a kiss in the space where her neck and shoulder joined. He chuckled at the look of alarm she sent him, having dropped the telephone she’d been holding to her ear.
“Sorry, baby. I thought you heard me on the stairs.”
“No...”
She had been so upset by her inability to reach her mother that she hadn’t known he was even in the house. Diane quickly retrieved the earpiece from the bedroom carpet. Berating herself for calling from home, she knew she should have driven over to her mother’s rather than repeatedly calling every half hour. She wasted horns and she still didn’t know if Lillie was all right. More important, she didn’t know if Lillie was passed out drunk, or worse, shooting heroin again. The only thing she’d accomplished tonight had been to arrange for an appointment at the private clinic that Heather had recommended.
The rehab clinic was willing to help Lillie, but only if Lillie checked herself in... that was a huge “if” that left Diane terrified at the possibility of failure. She had no choice. She had somehow to talk Lillie into it.
Charles’s appreciative eyes wandered over the cream ruffled layers of the silk chiffon nightshirt she wore. It was cut high on the sides and stopped at the middle of her shapely thighs. The sheer fabric left very little of her soft brown skin hidden. His hot gaze lingered at the apex of her thighs, where the lush nest of black curls was visible against the cloth. His own sex rose, thickening, driven by an old, so familiar urgency to be a part of her.
“I expected to find you curled on your side fast asleep, sweet thang. Who were you...”
He didn’t complete the question because Diane encircled his waist and pressed her sweet open mouth against his while rubbing her breasts into his chest. He accepted the invitation without hesitation. His full masculine mouth responded to hers. Not for an instant did he consider resisting her sweet magic. Charles teased each corner of her mouth with a quick flick of his tongue. She moaned softly. The exciting, pleasurable sound inflamed his senses even more. The tantalizing feel of her cushiony soft breasts against his chest caused him to tighten an arm around her, bringing her even closer.
“Did you wait up for me?” he asked a split second before he deepened the kiss, plunging into the honey recesses of her mouth. Over and over he drank from her mouth.
“Oh, yes... yes.”
Charles lifted her and placed her in the center of their bed, his mouth ravishing hers. The comforter had been turned back, but he didn’t notice as he settled against his wife’s soft length. She parted her thighs as he pressed his throbbing erection against her mound. Her trembling responses were so wonderfully welcoming that he stroked her silk-covered sex with his own. Diane shivered, her hands pushing and pulling at his clothing, impatient to feel his warm dark supple skin against hers. Diane gasped aloud as his sizzling hot hungry mouth dropped to the base of her throat and warmed the fragrant, delicately boned hollow.
“I want you... every soft, sweet-smelling inch of you,” he whispered.
Diane’s eyes never left him as his shirt dropped to the carpet. His long, strong fingers hands made short work of the leather belt, jeans, socks, and black silk briefs. Diane’s breath accelerated at the fullness of his sex as he returned to bed.
He put one knee on the bed, extending his hand to her. His fingers locked with hers and she rose to her knees. Charles’s breath quickened as he lifted the nightshirt over her head. She was lovely... so damn beautiful. He still couldn’t believe she was his. His gaze was captivated by the fullness of her breasts.
Diane rested her arms on his shoulders, her hands cradling his head, her fingers in the crisp ebony thickness at his nape. His lips were warm and exciting and wonderfully firm beneath hers. She flicked his fleshy bottom lip with her tongue, dipping inside to lick the enticing vulnerable interior before tugging his bottom lip into her mouth and suckling.
Charles shuddered with excitement. His caressing hands cradled her breasts, savoring their incredible softness. He slowly flicked his thumbs over the large brown tips, watching with pleasure as they hardened even more and she moaned her enjoyment. He did not stop until they were fully erect, begging to be tasted.
“Want me?” he asked, his body hard and aching.
“Yes...” she sighed, sweet flames of desire flicking her loins. She trembled as he dropped his head and replaced his hand with his mouth. He sampled the entire sweet globe before he tongued the sensitive peak. As Charles licked her, his breath quickening by the sexy sounds of her increasing passion. Diane cried out when he finally sucked her nipple with exquisite care. She lay over his arm, her back arched, offering as much of herself as she could to him. His hands moved over her, caressing down to her silky thighs.
She said his name aloud when he cupped her softness. Her body pulsed with desire. She knew he found her wet... ready for him. She could feel the strength of his arousal against her side. Her hands were trembling as she caressed him.
“Chucky... please... now... I want you, now.”
“Not yet...”
“Now...”
“Not until I taste your sweet honey.”
Without his support, she could have fallen. Charles held her in place as he spread her wide for the hot, sizzling strokes of his tongue. Diane quivered from the unrelenting pleasure as he laved her. There was no hesitation as he pleasured Diane until she sobbed his name while wave after wave of dazzling sweet release rushed over her.
Charles didn’t give her time to catch her breath as he settled her over his hard length. She seemed to have lost her ability to breathe as he surged forward entering her in one long, deep thrust. Charles’s senses reeled overwhelmed by her welcoming, tight heat. Never would he get his fill of this woman. She made each day brighter, each moment together sheer wonder. She made him feel as if he were a black warrior... strong, invincible, the best lover on the planet. She gave him more and more of herself each time they made love. He worried her sensitive nub as he surged over and over again deep inside her, desire whirling out of control until they shared a breathtaking, heart-stopping climax. Slowly the room came back into focus and their breathing slowed.
Diane hugged Charles, not wanting to ever let him go. Gently she pressed sweet, tender kisses against his warm lips.
“I’m sorry I was so impatient at dinner. It wasn’t you, it was me,” he said quietly.
She lay nestled against him, her back to his chest. “It’s okay,” she sighed. “Love you.”
“Love you...” he murmured, then dropped into a deep slumber.
It took Diane considerably longer to relax her mind enough to sleep. While her body felt languorous and satiated, her thoughts were crowded with worry as she relived those tense moments when Charles had walked into their bedroom. She’d been paralyzed with fear... sickened by the possibility of discovery. And she had been very lucky. She’d managed to divert his attention, thus saving herself the agony of making up more lies.
Heather was wrong. She didn’t understand. Diane had no choice but to continue on the path she had chosen and pray that Charles never found out the truth. Tomorrow, she would find Lillie. Tomorrow, she would take her to that clinic. Diane knew she couldn’t feel safe until Lillie was in treatment.