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BROADVILLE PORT, MARYLAND
“I’m not leaving!” Winston’s voice bellowed from the front hall, interrupting Jonathan’s yoga session with Candra Martel.
“God.” Jonathan opened his eyes, sitting Indian-style on the white mat in the middle of the meditation room of his mansion.
“Who is that?” Candra uncurled her legs, her dirty-blonde ponytail swinging when she looked toward the door.
“My old friend.” Jonathan grinned. “Detective Winston Lewis.” He stood, holding the waist of his black track pants. “I figured I’d be seeing him again soon.”
“I’m not leaving,” Winston yelled again. “Jonathan, come face me like a man!”
Candra stood, pulling at her lime green leotard. “What does he want?”
“For me to leave Deidra alone.” Jonathan got his water bottle from the floor. “That’s not happening unless I die.”
“Are you gonna call the police?”
“No need.” He pinched her chin, raising her head to look at those green eyes. “I can handle him easily.”
“I’ve never felt so safe as I do in your arms.” She touched his cheek and he couldn’t take his eyes off the huge scar on her throat and how attractive it made her. “I wish I could be in them all the time—”
“Jonathan!” Winston busted into the room with two guards holding his arms and poor Tran shivering behind them. “We need to talk.”
“Let me guess.” Jonathan moved Candra aside. “You’re not leaving until we do? Fine. Give us privacy.”
The guards grimaced, letting Winston go.
“Are you crazy?” Tran asked. “We need to call the police.”
“Who’s in charge here?” Jonathan pulled up his pants, standing on the mat. “Winston and I need to talk man-to-man.”
Tran and the guards left.
Winston huffed and puffed, curling his hands into fists. “Ready to be six-foot-under?”
“Ouch.” Jonathan cackled.
“We’re handling this once and for all, Wild.” Winston walked to the middle of the room. “Just you and me like men.”
“Are you challenging me to a duel, Detective?” Jonathan rubbed his knuckles. “I’m a black belt.”
“Good.” Winston did a subtle wink. “It’ll match your face because it’s gonna be black and blue when I get through with you.”
“Don’t you dare touch him.” Candra jumped in front of Jonathan. “You’re a police officer. How can you do this? This is police brutality.”
“Candra?” Jonathan touched her shoulder. “Give me some time with the detective.”
“No.” She patted his cheeks. “I don’t want him to hurt you.”
“I’ll be fine.” Jonathan secured her tiny hands in his big palms. “Trust me. I’ll be the winner of this conversation.”
Candra peeked over her shoulder at Jonathan as she left the room.
“I thought I’d see you soon.” Jonathan wagged his finger at Winston. “Since you and Deidra didn’t get the outcome, you wanted at the hearing.”
“Fuck the hearing.” Winston marched to the door and locked it. “I came to deliver a message.”
“Oh?” Jonathan stretched his arms, loosening himself for the fight. “What is it?”
“You’ll get it.” Winston walked to him with his chin in the air. “After I kick your ass and if you’re still breathing when it’s over.”
“I think I will be.”
“What happens here, stays here. I’m not a cop right now.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not pressing charges for you letting me kick your ass. You sure you want to do this?”
“You have no idea.” Winston threw a punch, but Jonathan pointed his elbow to the side and swung his upper arm, blocking it.
Winston stumbled back, clasping his wrist.
“I warned you.” Jonathan punched Winston in the face and he went flying into the mat.
“Ah!” Winston threw his leg up as Jonathan leaned over, kicking Jonathan in the stomach.
“Ooh!” Jonathan stooped over, struggling to breathe as pain rippled through his ribs.
Winston got up and thrust his fingers into Jonathan’s eyes as Jonathan charged him.
Jonathan howled, his eyes stinging and burning. “Fuck.”
Winston grabbed him by the neck and delivered three speedy punches to the face.
Jonathan yelped, falling to the mat.
Winston panted, red-faced and bleeding. “Leave Dee alone.”
“No chance.” Jonathan leapt to his feet and smacked Winston in the midsection with his knee.
“Oh...” Winston stumbled backward.
Jonathan bounced in place, gyrating his fists. “I got more where that came from.”
“How about some of this?” With lightning speed, Winston slammed his head into Jonathan’s stomach.
Jonathan screamed from the searing pain.
“Motherfucker.” Winston gave Jonathan an under punch and when Jonathan turned, pushed him to the mat face first.
Jonathan swallowed, blood drizzling from his teeth. “Shoot.” He laughed, spitting drops of the crimson liquid. “That’s all you got?”
“Had enough?” Winston turned Jonathan around and socked him in the nose. “That’s for kidnapping Dee.” He socked him again four times. “And that’s for raping her. You sick fuck.”
“It wasn’t rape.” Jonathan kicked Winston’s crotch.
“Uh!” Winston barreled over, holding himself.
“How many times...” Jonathan grabbed the back of Winston’s head. “Do I have to tell you Deidra is mine now?” He swung his arm, bashing Winston’s face with his elbow.
“Ah!” Winston spit blood, growling.
“You done?” Jonathan winced, grabbing his aching side.
“Are you done?” Winston bent Jonathan over, ramming his knee into Jonathan’s face. “Huh?”
Jonathan fell to his knees, coughing and spitting blood.
Winston hopped on his back, locking his arms around Jonathan’s neck.
“Aw!” Jonathan clenched Winston’s arm. “Let go.” His throat tightened as oxygen dissipated. “Get...off.”
Winston got off him, kicking him.
Jonathan laid with his face to the mat, grabbing his pounding head.
“Look at me.” Winston flung him over. “Dee is the only thing stopping me from killing you. Here’s your message.” He snatched a paper out his pocket and tossed it on Jonathan’s chest. “I hope you choke on it.”
Coughing, Jonathan sat up, aching from his head to his feet. “What is this?” He read the results of a paternity test. “No.” He threw the paper aside. “It’s a lie.”
“I’m the father.” Winston beat his chest. “You hear me? I’m the father and not you. Leave us alone, Jonathan. If you care about Dee; then you’ll let her be happy and live her life.”
Winston groaned, staggering out the room.