The Lion (15 page)

Her eyes narrowed. “I want to see Orion, Brandon.”

  “You'll see him tomorrow. I told you he's fine,” Brandon told her. “Now Corvus is taking you home so we all can get some peace of mind tonight.”

  Lisa returned and moved quickly to Brandon's side. “I'm going back inside. Khalil and Lance you can come with me since we still have work to do,” Brandon said turning to Tauri and Corvus. “Goodnight Tauri.”

  Brandon's phone went off and he pulled it from his pocket reading the message. His eyes met Corvus' before he quickly typed a message. Lisa and Tauri watched as the other three men pulled out their phones. All of the men's expressions changed as they read their screens.

  Brandon then turned to Lisa. “Why don't you go ahead inside and I'll join you in a moment?” he suggested.

  Lisa smiled. “Sure. I'll see you inside Brandon.” With one last glance, she said her goodnight to Tauri and walked inside.

  Tauri waited until Lisa was inside before she looked at the men surrounding her and read their expressions.

  “He's not okay,” she said softly.

  “Tauri...” Brandon began and she put up a hand to stop him. Tauri turned away from the men and hugged herself. She knew something had happened. They didn't have to tell her, she could feel it with every fiber of her being. She started walking slowly away from them.

  Corvus watched her and turned to the Negus. “I've got her. Go ahead and finish what we need to get done. I'll check in later.” They all nodded and Corvus looked to Brandon. “You're sure he's straight?”

Brandon nodded. “Mac said a bump to the head, but otherwise he's fine.”

  “This shit is about to go down!” Khalil took off toward the building while Brandon and Lance quickly followed him making sure he didn't shoot up the building.

Corvus caught up to Tauri and stopped her as she turned to look up at him with damp eyes.

  “He's okay Tauri,” Corvus assured her. “I wouldn't lie to you.”

Tauri placed a hand on his arm. “Corvus, I need to be with him.”

  Corvus was torn. He knew he was supposed to follow Rion's directions but he also knew that there had been an attempt on his brother's life tonight and he probably did need to be with someone, even if he didn't know it. He looked down into her sad hazel eyes and made his decision.

He touched her face gently. “Come on Sistar, I'll take you to him.”

  Marcus met Khalil, Brandon and Lance back in the ballroom. He looked at their grim faces and asked what was wrong. They explained the attempt on Rion's life and his expression turned just as grim.

  “Where are we on the plan tonight?” Brandon asked Marcus.

  “Chief Green got the search warrants executed and all of their homes and offices are currently being raided. Trent was able to get enough information for a judge to sign off. He'll go over Rion's wiretaps and the computers that are confiscated tonight. After that we should have all we need for a solid case.”

  Brandon smiled. “While they're here partying and drinking they don't even suspect their house of cards is being torn down.”

  The Negus all looked at the group of men gathered at the bar anticipating when they would see them being put behind bars. All except Khalil who wanted to put them somewhere else, like six feet under the earth.

  Brandon spotted Lisa on the dance floor with Jeremy deep in conversation and watched them suspiciously, wondering when they had become so close, since they had never been on good terms when Lisa worked in his office. Lance caught Brandon's eye and glanced at the couple also wondering what they were discussing so intently. He'd detected tonight that Lisa just wanted a man, and she didn't care who he was.

*********

  Rion managed to get himself out of bed to shower before donning some loose fitting shorts and a T-Shirt. He hadn't yet heard from Corvus so he figured they were all still at the party. In the living room he'd set up a meditation area and was ready to begin his ritual to help him relax. As soon as he sat down his alarm buzzed alerting him that someone was at the elevator. Rion frowned and went to the intercom. Looking at the screen, he saw beautiful hazel eyes looking up at him.

  “Open the door Rion,” his brother instructed and Rion pushed the button allowing them to enter the car. When the doors opened Tauri rushed over to him throwing her arms around his waist, placing her head against his chest. He met his brother's eyes over her head as he enfolded her gently.

  “Yeah, you're welcome.” Corvus pushed the button and the doors closed.

  “What are you doing here Tauri?” he asked.

  She looked up at him prepared to answer his question when she saw the bruise on his head. “Oh my god! What happened to you?” she screamed.

The piercing sound made him wince. “Can you not scream like that baby?”

  She lowered her voice. “Orion, what happened to you? You didn't have this when I last saw you.”

He looked down at her. “Somebody smashed into my car.”

Tauri's hand went to her mouth. “Are you okay? Did you see a doctor?” she questioned.

Rion took her hand. “I'm fine. I just hit my head but I'm straight.”

  “They really tried to hurt you?” she asked in disbelief as she reached up to touch his head gently.

He gathered her back into his arms. “I'm okay.”

  “Orion...” She squeezed him tightly.

  He leaned down and kissed her softly. “I missed this mouth,” he said against her lips before kissing her some more. Tauri wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss. When she finally broke away she whispered. “I missed you.”

  Rion picked her up and carried her into the living room where something was burning in a ceramic ashtray. She frowned as she looked up at him. “Are you smoking
weed
?” she asked incredulously.

  Rion laughed and sat her on the sofa. “It's not weed Tauri. It's sage. I'm burning it to cleanse the negativity surrounding me.”

  “Sage?” she asked suspiciously looking at the rolled up stick with smoking traveling from it to the ceiling.

He laughed some more. “Yes, it's sage. Believe me.”

She turned to him. “Is this some more of your beliefs?”

  He nodded as she looked around the room at the pillows on the floor. He took a seat next to her.

  “What were you doing?” she asked.

  “Meditating. It helps me to relax and clear my mind.”

  Tauri stared at him. “You were really angry tonight. I've never seen you that way. What happened?”

  Rion looked away. “I looked into the face of evil.” He clasped his hands between his knees as he bent over. “The same evil black men have looked into since they arrived in this country.”

Tauri reached over and turned his face back to hers. “And you're going to conquer it.”

He looked into her eyes. “Do you believe that?”

  “I know it,” she said firmly. “You're the young god.”

He smiled at her gently and took her hand. “Now tell me what happened with Jeremy.”

  “He started acting like an ass,” she told him.

  Rion waited for her to continue. “He was asking about us and then saying all these crazy things, insinuating that he and I shared more than our jobs.”

  “What?”

  “I don't know what he was thinking tonight. I just walked away.” She paused. “Then I remembered that morning when I was here with you and he called asking me to meet him. I found him alone in my office waiting for me when I arrived, sitting at my desk.”

Rion tilted his head. “You think he was doing something to your computer?”

Tauri shrugged. “I don't know, but I asked him.”

  “What?”

  “I asked him,” she repeated.

Rion looked confused. “Why did you ask him? Did you think he would say yes?”

  Tauri rolled her eyes. “It popped into my mind and I asked him. He said no, he didn't do anything.”

  “I wouldn't have guessed.”

  Her eyes flashed. “Don't be smart Orion. Jeremy and I have worked together for four years, so of course I asked him if he'd done something to my computer.” She tried to pull her hand away but Rion held it firmly.

  “In the future, let the detectives do their jobs and you do yours okay? You don't need to be questioning suspects,” he told her.

  “I want to know who is doing this,” she said passionately.

  Rion brought her hand to his mouth. “I know. I do too but I don't want you putting yourself in danger.”

Tauri looked away for a moment. “I hadn't thought of it that way.”

  “So no more Law and Order okay?” he asked and she smiled.

Tauri turned back to him. “Does your head hurt?”

  “A little, I was getting ready to do some mind meditation.”

She looked away again. “I know you didn't want me to come, but I couldn't stay away.”

  “I didn't want you around me when I'm that angry. I think the crash knocked some of the anger out though.”

Her hazel gaze sought his. “Can I stay with you?”

  “I've told you... forever.”

  She flushed and gave him a grin. “I still have some anger. Can I meditate with you?” She glanced at the bruise on his head.

  “Let's get you out of that dress then we can stimulate our minds before we stimulate something else,” he told her hotly.

  Rion reached for her leg and removed her shoe before gently massaging her foot. With the other leg, he repeated the motion. Tauri stood and he helped her out of her dress leaving her in a lavender bra and panties.

  “I think lavender is now my favorite color,” he told her scanning her body.

She gave him a wicked smile. “Mine is chocolate,” she said before lifting his shirt over his head.

  “I'll need this while we meditate,” she told him covering her body with the garment.

Rion looked at her and smiled. “So you're just going to take my shirt?”

Tauri moved down to the pillows on the floor. “I'll give it back when we're done.”

  He joined her and pulled her onto his lap facing him. Tauri wrapped her arms and legs around him.

  “What kind of meditation is this?” she asked looking into his eyes.

  “Tantra,” he answered before he whipped his shirt over her head and tossed it out of her reach. “And you don't need this.”

She looked at him curiously. “I thought Tantra was sex.”

  “It is. I'm going to make love to this beautiful mind,” He touched her face. “Then I'm going to love this incredibly sexy body.”

Tauri settled closer on his lap and smiled. “I have no objections.”

  Tauri watched Orion closely as he slept. He was extremely restless tonight as if he were wrestling with someone or something. She was also worried about the bump to his head although he'd repeatedly told her he was fine.

  He groaned softly as his head rolled from one side to the other. Rion had told her about his conversation with John Beckham at the party and the car crash. She'd told him about the incident outside the party involving Lisa. These incidents made Tauri think about what Orion had mentioned before, about not knowing how long anyone had on this earth.

  Tonight Tauri realized that someone really was determined that Orion would not own a team and would do just about anything to prevent it. He turned toward her still in slumber and she studied the slight swelling on his forehead. She reached up to touch it gently and he whispered her name in his dreams.

Tauri smiled as her heart fluttered. Orion could do that to her in his sleep. She ran a hand along his jaw and he reached up to cover her hand with his. His eyes opened to stare into hers.

  “Why are you awake?” he asked.

She smiled down at him. “You're restless. Are you okay?”

  “I'm sorry. I guess I still have a lot on my mind.” He kissed her hand.

  “You don't have to apologize Orion. I'm not complaining.”

  Rion ran a hand along her bare arm. “I wouldn't blame you if you were. This is a lot I'm asking you to deal with for us to be together.” 

  “You're asking me to help you become historical. Who would complain about that?” she asked.

  Rion pulled her closer and she held him in her arms. “I promise I will give you the world Tauri,” he said into her neck.

She kissed his forehead. “I only want you Orion.”

Rion stroked her naked back slowly for a few minutes before speaking. “I love you Tauri.”

Tauri smiled against the top of his dark wavy hair. “I love you Orion Shaw.”

  Rion froze as he listened to her raspy voice utter those words. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. Usually when he spoke about loving Tauri, she would deflect but she'd answered him clearly and the look in her eyes confirmed it.

  “You've caught up?” he asked.

She nodded slowly then frowned. “Not with those five babies though.”

  Rion smiled. “We can work on that.” He began kissing her, showing her just how much he really did love Miss Tauri Patterson. Abruptly, Rion pulled back with a groan and laid against the pillow with a hand on his head, causing Tauri to become alarmed.

  “Orion, your head hurts.”

  Rion could not deny the pain throbbing throughout his cranium. He closed his eyes and tried to relax.

  “Let me take you to the hospital,” Tauri told him.

  “I'm fine Tauri,” he groaned.

  Tauri sat up quickly. “Dammit Orion, you're not fine!” She jumped off the bed and grabbed one of his shirts, putting it on before she quickly walked into his closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and another shirt. Tauri walked back into the bedroom and over to the bed where Rion was still lying with his eyes closed.

  “Get your ass up right now because you're going to see a doctor!” she told him.

Rion opened his eyes to find her standing over him with his clothes in her hand.

  “Tauri...” She dropped the clothes on him and reached on the nightstand for his phone.

  “What's the code?” she demanded.

He looked confused. “What?”

  “What is the code to your phone Orion? I need to call your brother to come and drive us to the hospital.”

Rion sighed. “Put the phone down Tauri. I'm not calling Corvus at two in the morning.”

  Tauri's eyes narrowed. “Fine.” She dropped his phone back on the nightstand and went to her purse. Pulling out her phone she dialed a number while Rion watched.

  “Hello Brandon? I'm sorry to wake you. I need someone to come and drive Orion to the hospital.”

  Rion sat up quickly and wished he hadn't as his head pounded. “Tauri, what the hell are you doing?”

  “Yes, he's in a lot of pain. Okay. We'll be ready.” She disconnected the call and turned to Rion. “Brandon's on his way.”

  “I told you I'm fine Tauri.” He placed both hands on his head.

  Tauri walked over to the bed and sat on the edge touching his hand. “Orion, baby you're not fine.” She pulled his hand away from his face and looked at him. “If you love me, do this for me.” She kissed his lips softly. “Please.”

  Brandon arrived twenty minutes later and drove Rion and Tauri to nearby Detroit Receiving Hospital, the State's first Level 1 Trauma Center. Rion was immediately taken in for testing while Tauri and Brandon took a seat in the waiting room. Brandon had informed the Negus of Rion's situation before he'd left his home and expected Corvus and Lance to be showing up at any time.

He turned to Tauri. “Are you okay?”

  “Someone really wants to hurt him,” Tauri said sadly.

  Brandon ran a hand down his face. “I know, but we're doing everything to make sure that doesn't happen.”

Her face flamed in anger. “It's so wrong. I hate it!”

  “Brandon!”

  Both Tauri and Brandon looked up as Rion's parents entered the waiting room. They both stood when the couple reached them. Pam took in Tauri's evening gown as they greeted each other before George took over.

  “What happened?” he asked.

Brandon calmly explained the night's events to Pam and George while Tauri remained silent.

  “Why didn't he go to the hospital right away?” Pam asked.

  Brandon turned to Tauri. “He kept saying he was fine but he wasn't, so I insisted that he come and get checked out,” she explained.

Pam looked at Tauri. “What do you mean he wasn't?”

  “His head was hurting very badly and he was tossing and turning in his sleep,” Tauri explained.

Brandon and George shared a look after Pam lifted a brow at Tauri's statement.

  “Well I guess I should be thankful you were with him and able to get him to come in,” Pam told Tauri.

She looked at Orion's mother. “I would never let anything happen to Orion.”

  All four turned as Corvus and Lance now entered the room.  Corvus walked over and hugged his parents before turning to Tauri.

  “What happened Sistar?” he asked.

Tauri shook her head. “He was having a really bad headache.”

  “Why didn't you call me?” Corvus asked.

  “Orion wouldn't unlock his phone for me to get the number,” she told him.

Corvus shook his head. “Give me your phone.”

  Tauri reached into her bag and unlocked her phone before handing it to Corvus. He speedily added his number and handed the phone back to her. She looked at the entry and smirked.

  “Really Corvus?”

  “What?”

  “The Sexy Shaw Brother?”

He smiled. “That's what I am.”

George looked at his son. “Do you ever stop clowning?”

  Tauri closed her phone and put it back in her bag as everyone took a seat. A few minutes later Chief Green arrived and came over to Rion's parents.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, I am so sorry about tonight's incident. I want you to know we have apprehended the men responsible for the crash.”

  “Good,” Pam sighed. “This is getting out of hand.”

George placed an arm around his wife. “It's okay Pammie. He's alright.”

  “Any news yet?” Mac asked.

Pam shook her head. “No, not yet.”

Mac greeted everyone else before taking a seat next to Brandon. “We should talk tomorrow.”

Brandon agreed. “I'll come to your office.”

Lance came and stealthily took the seat next to Mac. “Hey Mac, how you doing?”

She turned to him. “I'm fine Lance, protecting the citizens of Detroit.”

Lance looked her over in her uniform filled with voluptuous curves. “Yes, you are fine Mac.”

  “Boy go sit down somewhere.”

Lance laughed. “Okay, but when I get married one day, your chances will be over.”

  “Okay Lance. Right now though, I've got somebody trying to kill my friend so I'll worry about that later.”

Before Lance could respond, the doctor came into the room and everyone stood immediately.

  “Good morning everyone. I've checked out Rion and he has suffered a slight concussion,” the doctor announced and Pam gasped.

  The doctor quickly continued. “He's going to be fine, we just need to monitor him for the next couple of days and he should take it easy.”

  “Can we see him?” Pam asked anxiously.

The doctor paused. “Actually he asked me to bring Tauri in to see him. Who's Tauri?”

Pam's face fell then she turned to look as Tauri stepped forward. “I am.”

  “Please come with me.” The doctor turned and began to walk away and Tauri took one look at everyone before she followed him.

  George looked at his wife and took her into his arms. “He probably doesn't know we're here honey and he knows that she's worried.”

  As Tauri followed the doctor down the long corridor, her heart began to beat faster. When they reached the room she glanced at the officer posted outside the door then pushed it open and went inside. Rion was sitting on the bed and smiled at her when she entered. She raced over to him throwing her arms around him. Rion welcomed her embrace and held her face while he kissed her.

  “Thank you for being my lioness, so strong and fierce.” He continued touching her face.

  She took in his handsomeness. “The doctor says you have a concussion. How's your head now?”

  “They gave me something and it's starting to feel better.”

Tauri stepped back. “Your parents are here and I think your mother really wants to see you.”

  Rion pulled her back to him. “I'm being released so I'll see them in a minute. I wanted to see you.”

She said softly, “I was worried about you.”

  “So much so, that you were about to drag my ass to this hospital by my collar if you had to.”

Tauri smiled. “Yes, I would have.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “My head feels better so we can pick up where we left off in bed,” Rion whispered kissing her neck.

  “Orion Shaw, the only thing you're going to do in that bed is rest, even if I have to tie you down.”

He gave her a wicked grin. “We haven't tried that yet.”

Tauri gave him a look. “Stop.”

  “What? You might like it,” he suggested.

Her eyes darkened. “I always like it baby,” she whispered sexily.

  “See, that's why I love you girl!”

  Rion was released from the hospital and walked into the lobby where he was greeted with hugs from his family and friends. His mother questioned him and he assured her he was going to be fine before kissing her cheek. She smiled up at her son and touched his head.

  “I'm glad you've found someone as strong as you.” She glanced at Tauri who was talking with Brandon then back to Rion.

  “I was raised by the strongest goddess in the universe,” he told her.

His mother looked concerned. “Orion, be careful and take care of yourself.”

Rion smiled and glanced over at Tauri. “I don't think I'll have a choice in the matter.”

His father joined them and patted Rion on the back. “You okay son?”

  “Yeah, I'll be fine.”

George looked at his son. “I don't like this. You might need to change your strategy.”

  “I'm going to try to see it through their system. After that all bets are off,” Rion explained grimly.

George nodded as Mac came to join them.

  “Excuse me for interrupting, I need to get back to the station.” She turned to Rion. “I'm on top of this Rion. Give me a little time before you guys take over.”

  “I'm not going to let them kill me Mac,” Rion told her.

  “I'm not either Rion. We can't control everything but my officers were on the job tonight and we caught the perpetrators.”

  “I know Mac and I appreciate all that you're doing,” Rion said placing a hand on her shoulder. “I'm not going to do anything that puts you or the city in a bad light, you know that.”

He looked over at Tauri again. “But now I have more at stake.”

Mac followed his gaze. “Just give me a heads up before anything goes down.”

  “You have my word,” Rion promised.

Mac nodded then excused herself as Tauri approached the group.

Tauri placed a hand on Rion's back. “I'll see you later.”

He frowned and turned to look down at her. “What?”

  “Corvus is going to take me home...”

  “Why is Corvus taking you home?” he questioned cutting her off.

  Tauri took a breath. “If you'd let me finish Orion, I was going to say that your brother is taking me home to change clothes and get my car.”