The Lion (16 page)

Rion's hand went to hold her waist. “You're coming back?” he asked watching her.

She touched his face. “Of course.”

  “Okay, be careful.”

Tauri smiled. “You too.”

  Rion kissed her gently before releasing her. He watched as she walked over to Corvus and his brother gave him a nod before he and Lance escorted Tauri to the doors as Brandon appeared at Rion's side.

  “Do you need a ride home?” he asked.

  Rion turned to him. “Nah, my parents are dropping me off and thanks for coming in the middle of the night.”

  Brandon smiled. “You know I'm always there for my brother. Besides, Tauri would have been ready to put a cap in both of us. You know she stays strapped and she is not afraid to use it.”

  “She is dangerous,” Rion agreed. “Even her grandparents told me that.”

Brandon rolled his eyes. “Mr. and Mrs. Henry Patterson are no joke.”

Rion laughed. “Tell me about it.”

  “Well I'll take off. I've got to get ready for the office,” Brandon said before he turned to walk away. He took a few steps then turned back to Rion. “Tauri has asked for a few days off so I'll assume she's safe with you and the Negus can relax.”

  “Yeah, I'll take care of her,” Rion agreed with a wicked smile.

Brandon nodded. “I thought so.” He turned and walked out the door.

  Rion's parents drove him home and his mother came inside to fuss over him. He took a seat on the sofa next to his father.

  “Momma, please sit down. I don't need anything,” Rion told his mother.

  “Pam, he's a grown man. He'll be fine,” her husband added.

  “I'll always fuss over my sons. They are our future,” Pam explained to them.

George slid Rion a look. “Well the young god has someone else to fuss over him.”

Pam looked at her husband and frowned.

Rion smiled. “Tauri is a lot like you Momma. That's why I fell for her.”

  “I can see that,” his mother said. “She's beautiful, brilliant, talented and strong.”

  “I hope she's humble,” George inserted. “Because you are certainly not showing any humility right now,” he teased her.

Pam looked at her husband. “It's not true?”

He smiled at her. “Yes my incredible goddess, it's true.”

  Rion looked at his parents and smiled. George Shaw never hesitated to show his love for Pam Shaw and vice versa. This is what he wanted for himself, what he'd always wanted his entire life. Rion had not indulged in serious relationships while playing baseball because when he got married and had children he wanted to be an at home husband and father. He didn't want to be on the road nine months of the year leaving his family behind.

  His alarm buzzed and he smiled before he got up to answer. Rion pushed the button and waited for the doors to open. His smile returned when he saw Tauri in jeans and a sweater carrying a large bag on her back. She smiled as she approached him and he pulled her into his arms kissing her passionately.

  “I guess you were waiting for me,” she whispered after she regained her breath.

  “All my life goddess.”

  Rion relieved her of her bag and placed it aside before taking her hand and leading her into the living room where his parents were seated. They both greeted her as Rion took a seat next to her placing his arm around shoulders. Tauri looked over at him and smiled.

  Pam watched her son with Tauri Patterson. His dark eyes sparkled with the love he had for this woman. How she had managed to take his heart so quickly was no longer a question, because it was evident she clearly held it in her hands.

  Pam stood to her feet. “Well it's been a long night so we'll be going.” She glanced at Tauri. “I can see that Orion will be taken care of.”

  Rion and Tauri walked his parents to the door and said their goodbyes. When the doors closed, Tauri turned to Rion.

  “You need to rest.”

He pulled her into his arms kissing her neck. “I can't rest unless you're next to me snoring.”

  “I will lie down with you but we're sleeping,” she told him gently rubbing his back.

He kissed her again. “We'll sleep first.”

Tauri looked at him. “We'll see.”

  Rion smiled and took her hand leading her into the bedroom. He slowly undressed her and when he was done stood staring down at her sexy body.

  “I don't know why you're looking at me like that Orion,” she told him while helping to remove his shirt.

Rion removed his jeans. “I'm just admiring your many assets.”

Tauri walked over to the bed and climbed underneath the sheets. “Admire them in your sleep.”

  He laughed as he climbed in beside her and laid his head on the pillow turning to facing her. “I do.”

  “Rest Orion,” she rubbed his head gently. “I'm not going anywhere.”

Rion closed his eyes as Tauri continued to stroke his head. “When I wake up...it's on.”

  “Boy, go to sleep.”

  Rion finally fell into slumber where he dreamed deeply and vividly. He stood alone in an empty field where danger seemed to surround him. He searched for an escape and began to run in one direction. As he ran, he came face to face with the source of the threat. Light eyes, white sheets, and burning torches hindered his sight. He turned to retreat and saw hanging bodies of men who looked like him. He saw dark skin marred with bloody stripes and women weeping holding young babies also with crying eyes.

  Filled with fury he turned back to the source of this anguish. This time John Beckham stood before him with hatred in his eyes. To Rion he represented all the misery and persecution inflicted upon his people. The crowd gathered behind John to support him in his yearning to destroy Rion.

  The mob came closer and Rion stood tall. As they neared, a pride of lions both male and female, appeared out of nowhere and began attacking the clan. Rion stood immobilized as the cats went about their vicious strike. When all was done and quiet, the alpha lion stalked silently over to Rion and lifted his head. Rion lifted his hand and touched the beautiful creature on its head.

  Rion came awake with a jolt and opened his eyes. He looked out at the sunlight streaming across the water before glancing at the empty bed beside him. He dropped his face into his hands and let out a long breath. When he looked up Tauri was standing in the doorway. She was dressed in another pair of jeans with a blouse and she was wearing her glasses, which made him assume she had been working.

  “Are you okay?” she asked coming to sit on the edge of the bed touching his head.

Rion nodded without speaking.

  “Did you get some rest? You seemed to be sleeping soundly when I woke up.”

  “I had a strange dream,” he told her. “But I did rest.”

Tauri looked concerned. “Does your head hurt?”

Rion glanced at her. “No, it actually feels a lot better.”

She smiled at him. “I made you some lunch.”

  “Lunch?” he asked confused.

  “It's lunchtime baby. You've been asleep for awhile. I didn't wake you because you need your rest.”

  “Thank you,” he said rubbing her arm.

She kissed him gently before getting up and heading back out of the room.

  Rion climbed from the bed and headed to the bathroom. After using the facilities, he moved to the sink and brushed his teeth before washing his face. After he rinsed his face, he looked into the mirror. Instead of his own face, he saw the face of the alpha lion from his dream. It was about to go down.

  Rion sat across the table from Tauri enjoying the meal she'd prepared for him. He studied her beautiful face and fell even more in love.

  “You can burn girl,” Rion commented her on her cooking.

  “I am the granddaughter of Mrs. Henry Patterson. I've been cooking next to her since I was knee high,” Tauri explained smiling.

Rion smiled. “Your Granny is the truth.”

  Tauri looked sheepish. “I'm glad you think so because I called my grandparents and they want to see you.”

Rion lifted a brow. “They're coming here?”

  Tauri nodded slowly. “I told them you need your rest so they won't stay long,” she added quickly.

  He reached across the table and took her hand. “It's fine Tauri. Our grandparents are welcome anytime.”

She smiled at him. “You always do that.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “Talk like we're already a family,” she explained.

  He brought her hand to her lips. “We are a family. We don't need society's legal paperwork to certify our bond.”

Tauri lifted her brow. “So we're already married in your mind?”

  “You are mine Tauri. I don't need government papers to take care of you,” Rion told her. “I'll freely provide for you, love you and give my life for you.”

She closed her eyes. “I can't help but love you Orion.”

  Rion stood and walked around the table before lifting her face to his. She opened her eyes and stared up at him. “I love you Tauri Patterson and I want to raise beautiful babies with you for the rest of my life.”

  She stood slowly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Tauri pulled his head down to hers and their mouths met. Rion pulled her closer in his arms savoring her flavor. He picked her up in his arms and headed towards the bedroom where they laid on the bed facing one another.

  “My head feels better...” he said smiling.

She touched his brow. “Really?”

  “Uh...huh, a whole lot better.” He began to kiss her neck.

  “Mmmmm...the doctor said that you need to rest,” she reminded him arching closer.

  Rion slid his hand underneath her shirt and cupped her breast. “You can do all the work. I'll just lie back and enjoy it.”

She smiled. “I bet you will.”

  “You can do whatever you want to me.” Rion kissed her softly. “For as long as you want.”

  “I don't want to hurt you,” Tauri whispered.

  “Hurt me baby...it's okay” he told her.

  She arched into his hand as he continued to fondle her breasts. “You take my breath away,” she said feeling herself becoming warmer. “Sometimes I can't breathe with you.”

  “Mmmmm....” Rion murmured as he lifted her shirt and replaced his hand with his mouth.

  Tauri caressed his head running her hands over the soft waves. “You know what I want,” she breathed.

  “Ummm...hmmmm,” he didn't break his attention to her bosom.

  “Tell me,” she demanded softly.

  Rion met her gaze as he ran a hand down her abdomen. “You want to be worshipped. You want me to start here.” He touched her lips as he held her eyes. “Then you want me to move down to these.” He gently squeezed her golden breasts peeking out of black cups. “You want me to pay special attention to this sacred spot.” Rion cupped her hot spot in his hand through her jeans. “You want me to love it, to taste it and to put my name all over it.”

Tauri continued to watch his dark eyes. “Yes, do that.”

  He pulled her shirt over her head and proceeded to do just as he'd spoken when this alarm alerted him of a visitor. Rion didn't pause in his worshipping of her body and the alarm sounded again a minute later.

  “Orion, someone's at the door.”

  “Don't care right now.”

Tauri managed to push away slightly. “Answer the door.”

He looked down at her shirtless frame. “Huh?”

Tauri reached for her shirt. “You are such a mess.” She laughed softly as she replaced her top.

Rion rubbed his chin while watching her. “Later...”

  Tauri jumped from the bed and headed toward the door. She turned back to see Rion still lying on the bed looking like a sexy chocolate model in jeans and a T-Shirt that stretched across his strong chest.

  “I have no objections.” She turned and walked out of sight.

Rion shook his head. “I'm going to kidnap that girl and marry her very soon.”

  He joined Tauri at the doors as they opened to her grandparents.  Henry and Millie entered then hugged their granddaughter before turning to Rion.

  “Are you alright?” Millie asked with concern coming over to embrace him.

  “Yes, Mrs. Patterson. I'm fine. Just a slight concussion,” Rion explained.

  Millie looked at him. “Is ReRe taking care of you?” she asked sliding a glance at her granddaughter.

Rion smiled. “Yes, ReRe is taking good care of me.”

Tauri frowned at him for the use of the nickname.

Henry Patterson looked at Rion. “We need to have a talk young fella.”

  Rion nodded and led Henry Patterson into his home office. He invited him to have a seat before settling in a chair himself.

  “So they made a move on you?” Henry asked.

   “Yes sir.”

Henry nodded. “What you gonna do about it?” He lifted a brow.

  “I'm not just going to sit back and let them kill me and I'm definitely not going to let anything happen to Tauri,” Rion assured him.

  “You prepared to use any means necessary?” Henry questioned.

Rion looked him in the eye. “To protect myself and my future, I have no hesitation.”

Henry watched Rion for a moment then nodded again. “If you need me, let me know.”

  “Thank you sir,” Rion stood from his chair. “I'm actually glad you're here because I have something for you.”

Henry looked surprised. “For me?”

  Rion walked to a cabinet and opened it. “Yes sir, Tauri mentioned to me that you would like an autographed baseball.”

Henry watched as Rion pulled out a glass case that contained a baseball.

  Rion turned to Henry. “I was able to pick this up while I was in New York. It happened to be available from a collector who lived in the area.” He handed the case to Henry who took it with a confused look on his face. Henry glanced at the name on the baseball and felt his heart drop. He put a hand to his chest as he held the case in his other hand.

  Henry's eyes sought Rion's. “Jackie Robinson? A Jackie Robinson autographed baseball?” he whispered.

  Rion smiled. “Yes sir, if you wanted an autographed ball, you should have one signed by the greatest.”

Henry was still in shock. “This had to cost a fortune,” he stammered.

  “Our history should be in the hands of our people. Those who understand the sacrifice,” Rion told him.

Henry smiled. “Boy, I don't know what to say...”

Rion laughed. “I guess you'll have to find some space on your mantle.”

  “I'll make space for this ball and Orion Shaw's ball,” Henry told him. “Because both men were great on and off the field.”

Rion lowered his head. “Thank you sir.”

  Henry came and placed a hand on Rion's shoulder. “Now, when are we going to stop with all this sir?”

Rion looked at him. “Mr. Patterson?”

  Henry shook his head. “I'm going to call you my son and you're gonna call me Granddaddy. Is that okay?”

  “I think that's perfect,” Rion agreed.

  “Wait until I show this to Millie,” Henry said staring at the ball. “Hot damn! Jackie Robinson.”

  In the living room, Tauri sat with her grandmother. Millie watched her granddaughter silently, studying her closely.

  “Did you tell him yet?” Millie asked.

Tauri looked up. “Tell who what Granny?”

  “Did you tell that man that you love him?” her Granny stated plainly. “Because you do.”

Tauri smiled. “Yes Granny, I've told him.”

  “Good. Don't nobody have time to be playing games. Me and your granddaddy not getting any younger and we want to see these five great grand babies before we leave here.”

  Tauri put a hand to her head. “I've never said that I'm having five babies Granny,” she said pointedly.

  Her Granny smirked. “You ripped off the panties and gave them to the man, you think you're not going to give him five babies?”

Millie looked at her. “For all I know, you two might have made one already.”

  Tauri laughed. “Orion and I have not made any babies Granny and we won't be anytime soon. We have this case and that's what I'm focused on right now.”

Millie shook her head. “They want to hurt that boy.”

  “I know.” Tauri said softly lowering her head. “I won't stop until I get justice for him.”

  Millie looked serious. “Will you still support him if he has to take things into his own hands?” she asked and Tauri looked up at her.

  “Someone is trying to kill Orion for no reason other than the color of his skin. I don't care what he has to do to save his life,” Tauri finished passionately.

Millie smiled. “That's our baby girl.”

  “Millie!”

Tauri and Millie turned at the sound of her grandfather's voice filled with excitement.

  “Yes Henry,” Mille answered.

  He rushed over to her with the glass case. “Look here at this! Look what this young fella gave me,” he gushed.

  Tauri looked confused at Orion as he stood still watching her grandfather. Millie looked at the ball in the case and gasped causing Tauri to turn and look at her.

  “Is that...?” Millie began unable to finish.

  Henry smiled broadly. “Yes indeed! Jackie Robinson! An autographed baseball by
the
Jackie Robinson.” He glanced at his wife. “You see this Millie?”

  “I see it Henry,” she said in awe.

Tauri turned to Rion with her mouth open in shock and he winked at her.

  “We're gonna put it on the mantle right next to Orion Shaw's ball.” He turned to Rion. “Ain't that right.”

Rion nodded. “Yes sir,”

  Henry frowned and Rion corrected himself. “Yes Granddaddy, I will make sure you get a signed ball from me.”

  Tauri watched the exchange and shook her head. She walked over to Rion and placed her arms around his waist looking up at him. “So, have you already picked the names for our five kids?”

He smiled down at her. “We'll name them after the stars.”

  Millie and Henry watched their grandchildren then looked at each other. Silently they agreed that nothing was going to harm either of them.

  Rion's phone rang and he moved away from Tauri's embrace to answer it. He looked at the screen and connected the call immediately.

  “Ray, what's up?” he asked then looked at Tauri indicating he would take the call in his office. She nodded and he walked away.

  “What the hell is going on there Rion?” Ray demanded. “What is this about somebody crashing your car?

  Rion sighed. “Yeah, they made their move last night. I think it's supposed to be a warning because they weren't trying to kill me although I did get a concussion.”

  “A concussion? You hit your head?”

  “On the wheel, when the car stopped,” Rion explained.

  “Dammit Rion, let me just handle this for you!”

  Rion took a seat. “I appreciate the offer Ray and I have no doubt you'd handle it, but I have to do this my way. If it needs to go down, I'll be the one lowering the hammer.”

Ray was silent for a moment. “I can respect that young god, but you know I'm here.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I was also calling to let you know that Trent was able to get all the evidence your goddess needs to go forward with the case. Those computers were filled with incriminating files.”

Rion looked surprised. “My goddess?”

  “Marc and Trent reported that the prosecutor is your goddess. This makes things tricky.” Ray paused. “They may try to go through her to get to you.”

  “We're protecting her,” Rion informed him.

  “Okay young god, just let me know what you need. Marc and Trent will be coming back to LA next week unless you need them to stay longer.”

  “Nah, I'm cool. They've gotten the evidence that we need. We can take it from here.” Rion told him. “Thanks again Ray. I can't thank you enough.”

  “No thanks necessary Bruh. Handle it out there.”

Rion smiled. “It's handled.”

  Rion ended the call and went to join Tauri and her grandparents. In the living room, he found Tauri sitting on the sofa alone looking out the window at the water.

  “Where are the grandparents?” he asked coming to sit next to her.

She turned to him and smiled. “I told you they wouldn't stay long. You need your rest.”