WHEN SHE AWOKE the next morning, Cynthia was certain the dream meant for her to be patient with LaVere’ and allow love to come later. Doing so would please her mother and make her the princess she was meant to be. With that mission in mind, she showered, dressed, and put a smile on her face. It was Monday, the beginning of a new week and a new lease on life for her. Today was going to be better. Wrong.
When she opened her door Rusty was sitting there with his tail wagging. “Good morning handsome,” she placed her hand under his chin. “Did you sleep at my door all night?” Rusty responded by licking her cheek. “Well thank you for cleaning off my face,” she laughed and Rusty barked. “Okay, come on.” She walked down the steps and the aroma of coffee and something more filled the air. From the bottom of the steps, she could see Samuel in the kitchen at the stove. It was five-thirty in the morning; what was he doing up so early. Rusty ran by and sat in front of Samuel dressed in jeans and a pullover shirt that fit his body. It looked as if he belonged there, in her house, in her life. Stop it, she thought shaking her head. “Good morning,” she said.
Turning to her he noticed she was dressed in sweats and sneakers. Battle number one was about to occur. “Good morning. Would you like some breakfast?”
“No thank you. I usually run in the morning,” she replied while stretching her legs. “Why are you up so early?”
“I rise when you do,” he turned and removed the food from the stove. “We need to adjust your habits.”
She stopped stretching and looked over at him. “No, I don’t. You have to find a way to keep up. Besides, who would know that I run at five-thirty every morning?” she smirked.
Samuel put the food he was cooking into the dog plate and sat it on the floor in front of Rusty. Why do I have to convince people to let me protect them he wondered as he looked at her? “I know.” He walked towards her, “You know how I know, huh?” He now stood towering over her with his arms folded against his chest. “Because I’ve been watching you. You leave the house at seven; arrive to work at seven-thirty except for Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, you, Ashley Brooks, Tracy Harrison, and Rosaline Marable meet for breakfast at Mama Mary’s Sugar and Spice on Mechanicsville Turnpike. On Thursdays, you and Rosaline go shopping for food and other supplies for the business. You leave work around five except on Fridays when you close up at noon.” His voice grew louder, “You want to know how I know this? I watch every step you take-the same as the people that are trying to kill you. They are watching for the most opportune time to take you out!”
With her head tilted back to see him, Cynthia stared at him in disbelief. How dare he try to frighten her. She wasn’t some timid little thing that did not know how to take care of herself. She took karate classes and a self-defense class.
Not one to be outdone, she pulled a chair from the kitchen table and stood on it. Now she was looking down on him. It wasn’t by much, but it was enough for him to get her meaning. With hands on her hips, she proceeded to give him a piece of her mind. “It’s your job to make sure they don’t succeed. I have no intention of altering my life to make your job easier!” As she yelled she could have sworn she saw an amused twinkle in his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.” And furthermore, I don’t appreciate you yelling at me. My hearing is not impaired,” she poked at his chest to emphasize her point. Stepping off of the chair, she calmly pushed it back in place. Seeing Rusty behind Samuel with his ears pointing up in high alert she spoke. “I’m sorry you had to hear me speak to your master that way. But that’s the tone he took with me.” She rolled her eyes and looked at Samuel. “Now, as I said before, I’m going out to run. I hope you can keep up.” She turned and walked down the steps to the front door and opened it.
It was slammed shut before she could step out. Her body was thrown across his shoulders and carried up the steps to the guest bedroom he was using, while she pounded on his back. It didn’t seem as if the attack fazed him, for he did not miss a step. He sat her on the bed in the room. “You will sit there until I’m dressed. Don’t move.” He pulled his shirt off and then walked into the closet.
Getting up and leaving his behind in that room was exactly what she planned to do until her mind was cluttered with his wide chest and six-pack abs—or was it eight? She tilted her head to see. The way he put her over his shoulder had her ready to fight. Now she knew why beating on his back didn’t get any reaction. He probably never felt her fists. She peeked around the closet entrance, still stunned at his body. He walked out with sweat pants, a long sleeve body shirt, and a pair of sneakers in his hand. Disappointed his body was covered she sat and watched as he put on his sneakers. He stood and pulled a matching sweatshirt over his head. “Let’s go!” he demanded.
Still angry, she took her time standing, then walked by him in a huff. “Don’t ever leave this house without me.”
Looking over her shoulder she frowned. She did not like his commands, “How long do I have to put up with you?”
“Until I kill the person who wants you dead or they kill you. Whichever comes first.”
* * *
The run was exhilarating for both of them and it gave Rusty a good sprint. Tension was eased, ground rules had been established, and it gave her a chance to think. He was there to protect her, Cynthia reasoned in her mind. She still wasn’t sure why. Could it be the information Gavin gave her? There wasn’t much to what he told her the night he gave her the locket. He never said who had information on him. Just that the man wanted him to support things as Governor that he was not willing to do. The only legislation he mentioned was the one to make the mayor of Richmond an elected position. There was no reason to want to kill a person over that. Coming to that conclusion, she put Gavin as a reason for all of this out of her mind.
* * *
By the time they returned to the condo, the gates to hell had broken loose. It seemed the media had taken up residency in front of her home. As they turned the corner walking from the track, Cynthia’s mouth fell open. The street was crowded with news trucks, cameramen, and reporters. A few were actually knocking at the door.
“Oh hell,” Samuel exclaimed as he pulled her back around the corner. He pulled out his cell and called the condo. “Blake, unlock the patio doors. We’re coming through the back.”
“Like hell I am. They are trespassing. Their behinds have to go!” Cynthia declared and took a step toward the front of her home.
Samuel grabbed her arm and looked down at her, “Don’t test me.” He pulled her along with him towards the back.
“It appears I’ve been discovered,” Blake declared as they walked through the sliding doors.
“You don’t seem to be bothered by it,” Cynthia frowned.
“I’m immune to it, Sis. How are you this morning?” He kissed her on the cheek.
“I was fine until he tried to stop me from running and the circus showed up out front.”
“So I heard.”
“I’m sorry Blake. Did we wake you?”
He nodded to Samuel who was on his cell phone. “I’m sure the entire neighborhood heard you.”
“She turned to Samuel as he hung up his cell phone. “Well, what are you going to do about this?”
Raising an eyebrow, “I’m not doing anything. Brian will send someone over. Don’t you need to get ready for work?”
Cynthia huffed and stomped up the steps. Blake looked on amused. Once she was up the stairs he turned to Samuel. “Well, it seems you two are getting along just fine.” Seeing the frown on Samuel’s face he sat on the sofa, propped his feet on the table, and grinned. “I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
Samuel walked up the steps mumbling, “I’m going to keep her alive even if it kills me.”
Blake smiled and wondered if he was the only one that noticed the attraction between them.