The Lion (23 page)

She laughed. “It's not fun when the rabbit got the gun, is it?”

  “The rabbit had better calm his ass down talking about my Momma,” he warned.

Tauri made a gun with her fingers and pointed it at him. “Pow!” She pulled the imaginary trigger.

She walked into the bedroom laughing.

  Rion smiled. “She so damn sexy.” He followed her into the bedroom and found her lying naked on the bed.

He lifted a brow. “You know you wrong.”

  Tauri crooked a finger and beckoned him to her. He obeyed immediately dropping his shorts and climbing onto the bed taking her mouth. She responded by putting her arms around his neck and returning his kiss.

Rion reversed their positions placing her on top. “Okay rabbit...hop on.”

  She gave a sexy smile as she ran her hands down his strong abs. Tauri straddled him and slowly slid over his waiting manhood. Looking into his eyes she whispered, “Pow!”

********

  The men were all seated around the table. All the parties were becoming nervous as things were not going as they had planned.

  “They have a trial date. The judge made special accommodations to hear the case in eight weeks,” the man told them.

  “The man isn't indestructible. Why haven't we been able to get to him?” another asked.

  “Well he has even more police on him now. We have to take our chances at the trial because he's practically untouchable now. Our contacts have been removed from his detail. The Chief has assigned the new team personally and they're all loyal.”

  “What about the woman?” a third one asked.

  “Tauri Patterson?”

The first man sighed. “You mean Tauri Patterson-Shaw now.”

  “She has to have a weakness, something to get her to throw the case,” the second man inserted.

  “Tauri would never throw a case, no matter what.  Now it's personal to her, this is her husband. She's going to come out blazing,” the first man explained.

  “If we can't get to Shaw, then we have to get to her,” the third one insisted.

  The first man shook his head. “They've already found our bug and Shaw has called in some heavy hitters from LA. We need to focus on winning the case.”

    “You'd better make sure we do or Rion Shaw won't be the only one with his life on the line.”

*********

  Tauri brought Rion food on a tray into the bedroom. He sat up and adjusted the covers around his waist as she sat the tray across his lap.

  “Here you are my darling,” Tauri said smiling at him.

Rion lifted a brow. “Did you poison it?” he asked.

She climbed into the bed and snuggled next to him.

  “Not this time baby.”

Rion leaned down and kissed her before turning to the tray.

  “I'm surprised it's not fried chicken and spaghetti,” he commented.

  “We don't eat that for breakfast Orion.”

Rion picked up a utensil and scooped some of the food before turning to Tauri with the fork.

She looked up surprised. “I thought you were hungry.”

  “I am, but I'll always take care of you first.”

Tauri smiled. “Go ahead. I'll eat later.”

  “Eat the food Tauri.” He placed the fork to her mouth and she opened taking the offering.

  They finished the food together with Rion feeding her before taking some for himself. When they were done he placed the tray on the floor then pulled her close to his side underneath the sheets.

She looked up at him. “You're very sweet Orion.”

  “A man should always be sweet to his goddess, to all goddesses.” He glanced down at her. “I never understand how a woman wants a man who doesn't worship her.”

Tauri shrugged. “Some women just want a man...period.”

  “A man is only going to be as good or a bad as a goddess allows,” he commented. “If a woman accepts a man treating her badly, he most likely will. Men are usually not that complicated or deep but we know what we can get away with.”

  “Is that what you're going to teach our daughter?” she asked.

  Rion rubbed her arm. “Our daughter will see her mother worshipped as the goddess she is. She will not have to want or ask for anything that I will not freely give to her. She will know what to expect and accept in a man who wants to claim her.”

Tauri shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder where you came from...and how did you find me.”

He touched her cheek. “I found you because I was looking for you.”

  “I'm glad you were looking for me because I had no idea someone like you even existed,” she said honestly while laying her head on his arm closing her eyes.

Rion watched her closely. “You're tired baby, get some rest.”

  “I'm not tired,” she whispered sleepily.

  He held her closer in his arms and she burrowed into his chest. “I love you Tauri,” he whispered to her.

  “I love you too Orion, more than I ever thought I could.” A few minutes later she was snoring.

  Jeremy sat in Brandon's office across from the Head Prosecutor and the Police Chief. His palms began to sweat as the two stared at him in silence. He knew this day would come. He hadn't wanted it to, but he knew it would.

  “I assume you know why we asked you here?” Brandon questioned.

Jeremy nodded slowly without speaking.

  “I don't understand why you would do something like this Jeremy,” Brandon told him.

  “Am I being arrested?” Jeremy asked looking at the Chief.

  Jeremy was a lawyer after all and knew his rights very well. He looked from the Chief back to his boss.

  “Do you want to cooperate with us?” Chief Green asked.

Jeremy lowered his head into his hands. “Yeah...I have no choice.”

*********

  Rion and Tauri spent the last day of their abbreviated three-day “honeymoon” walking along the newly renovated Riverwalk along the Detroit River. The sun was high in the sky and they both wore shorts and T-shirts along with sunglasses. Rion topped his ensemble off with a baseball cap. They held hands as they walked side by side.

  “When this is all over I'm taking you somewhere exotic where you can lie naked on the beach,” he told her smiling.

  She smiled back at him. “And what are you going to be doing while I'm lying naked on the beach?”

  “Lying on top of you,” he answered.

  Tauri laughed softly as they came to a spot where they stopped to stare out over the water. She leaned against the railing and Rion took a space behind her.

  He leaned down and kissed the side of her face. “I have to go back to New York this week for some more meetings.”

Tauri continued to stare straight out at the water. “Okay.”

  “I wish you could come with me but I know the case is looming and you have work to do.”

She nodded. “Yes, I'm going to be very busy the next couple of weeks.”

  He turned her to face him. “I know the last time I was in New York we had some problems. I don't want that to happen again.”

  “Are you planning to see her?” Tauri asked.

  “I didn't plan to see her the first time and no, I'm not going to see her this time,” he explained.

  Tauri shrugged. “I'm not going to give you a hard time Orion. You're a grown man and I can't control you.”

He frowned. “What you're supposed to say is... you're my man and I trust you.”

  “If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have married you,” she told him softly.

  He stared down at her. “Never, ever would I jeopardize the love we share, not for anything in this world.”

She gave him a slight smile. “You're my man and I trust you.”

  He lowered his head to hers. “Thank you.” He kissed her slowly as the sound of the water echoed in the background. He took her hand and they began walking some more.

  “I'm going to have the Negus checking in on you periodically while I'm gone.”

Tauri turned to him. “That's not necessary.”

  “Yeah, it is. I need to know you're safe while I'm gone.”

She sighed. “I'm sure they have better things to do.”

  “No, they don't.”

Tauri studied him. “Why do they answer to you?”

  “We don't answer to anyone. If one of us needs something, we all provide it,” he explained.

  “What exactly does the Negus do?”

  Rion shrugged. “We protect the city that we love, the people that we love and the women that we love.”

She smiled. “I guess I'm a Negus too then. I protect the city, the people and the man I love.”

  “You're a Nigist, a queen and a goddess.”

Tauri nodded. “I remember Corvus telling me that.”

“You have my brother wrapped around your finger.” He smiled at her.

  “I didn't know he was so interesting until we talked. I thought he was just a clown.”

Rion gave her a look. “He is.”

  “He and Lance like to have fun but they're both very deep brothers,” she explained.

  “Yeah, they take care of business and people know not to cross them. They seem happy and playful but when the switch is flipped, fun and games are over. Now, Brandon is never playful and you don't ever want to see him angry while Khalil is basically angry at everything all the time.”

Tauri laughed. “And the young god balances everyone out.”

  “In a way, I guess I do. I can deal with everyone's personality. Brandon gets tired of Khalil. Khalil gets tired of Corvus and Lance, Corvus and Lance get tired of Brandon and Khalil but I can just chill with everybody.”

She smiled. “You have that way about you. Everyone loves you and wants to be around you.”

He shrugged. “I'm just me.”

  “And that's why I fell so hard for you,” she told him. “I've never met someone who was so comfortable and secure in who they were, someone who was so kind, patient and loving. A man who not only makes me love him but admire him as well.”

  Rion touched her face. “I promise you when this is over, I will spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

  Tauri looked at the ring on her finger. “You've already made me the happiest woman in the world and when this is over, I'm going to spend the rest of my life building with you.”

  He pulled her into his embrace. “Are you ready to go home?” he asked referring to their apartment.

  “Yes, I have to get used to that being my home.”

Rion took her hand. “Don't get too used to it. We're looking at houses when I get back.”

  “Houses?” she stopped and looked at him.

He brought her hand to his mouth. “We can't raise our babies in an apartment.”

  “I swear you never slow down, do you?” she asked shaking her head.

Rion smiled. “It's okay baby. You always catch up.”

*********

  Henry Patterson sat looking out of the window in his living room. The car had been sitting there for nearly an hour. He couldn't see who was inside but wondered why they were parked across from his home.

  “What are you looking at Henry?” Millie asked coming into the room.

He turned to her. “There's a car outside across the street. I'm keeping an eye on him.”

Millie walked over. “Who do you think it is?”

  “Don't know, but I'm not taking any chances. These fools have lost their minds trying to hurt people,” he told her.

  “I'm worried about those kids.” Millie took a seat next to her husband and Henry patted her shoulder.

  “Those youngun's are going to be just fine. They're strong and smart.”

  Millie sighed. “I'm so thankful she found somebody to love her. I didn't think she would ever let anyone inside, since she's always been such a loner.”

  “It took a special man to pull her out of her shell,” Henry commented.

Millie looked at him. “She was afraid at first but I think she trusts him now.”

Henry patted her hand. “He'll take care of her Millie, just like I took care of you.”

She smiled and kissed him on his rugged cheek. “Yes, you did Henry.”

  They both looked out the window as the driver of the suspicious car exited. then looked at each other as the person approached their door.

  “I'll get it,” He told her while getting to his feet and walking to the door. He opened it and the woman smiled at him.

  “Hey Granddaddy, how are you?” She hugged him gently.

  Henry pulled back. “Well hello Lisa, this is surprise.” He looked at her. “Why were you sitting outside the house for so long?”

She smiled. “Oh that, I was on a phone call and I wanted to finish before I came inside.”

  Henry showed her inside where Millie still sat by the window. Lisa made her way over to her and gave her a big hug. “Hey Granny, how are you?”

Millie looked at the woman closely. “I'm fine Lisa. What brings you over here?”

  Lisa took a seat on the sofa. “Well Tauri is still on her honeymoon and I didn't want to bother her...” she began.

Henry took a seat next to his wife and waited.

  “But I'm really concerned about her...and Rion,” she finished.

  “Well, we know the threats are out there,” Henry acknowledged.

Lisa looked at them both. “I think Jeremy is plotting against Tauri.”

Henry and Millie shared a look. “Why would you say that?” Henry asked.

  “He's always been in love with Tauri and now she's married to Rion. He's not happy about it,” Lisa told them.

Millie lifted a brow. “And you know this how?” she asked.

  “He's talked to me about it, all these years he thought that Tauri was finally going to see him as more than a co-worker, and she went and fell for Rion Shaw.”

  “In addition, he didn't get Rion's high profile case and whoever wins this case will get a huge feather in their cap,” she added.

  “Tauri's not doing this for a feather in her cap,” Millie corrected.

  Lisa regrouped quickly. “Of course, we know that Granny. Everyone knows that Tauri takes her job seriously.”

  “What has Jeremy said and have you gone to the authorities?” Henry asked.

  Lisa shrugged. “I mean, he hasn't said anything concrete that I can take to the police but I feel that he's up to no good.”

  “What do you expect us to do?” Millie asked.

  Lisa looked sheepish. “I don't know, just tell Tauri to watch him I guess.” She looked at the pair again. “I'm just trying to look out for my girl. Tauri has done a lot for me.”

Millie nodded. “Yes she has. Tauri has always been there for you.”

Lisa smiled. “Don't I know, I wouldn't have gotten through law school without her.”

  “Yes I know,” Millie commented slowly.

  “Tauri is special. She's the top prosecutor and now married to a famous baseball player who's trying to make history,” Lisa told them. “Pretty soon she'll be living in mansions and mingling with millionaires.”

  “But she'll still be Tauri Patterson,” her grandfather stressed.

Lisa grinned slowly. “Of course she will.”

Millie continued to watch Lisa. “Are you going to talk to Brandon?”

  “I think it's best if maybe you two talk to Brandon. We have sort of a history.”

Henry looked at his wife knowing that Lisa had a history with quite a few men.

  “We'll be sure to have Tauri watch out, but we're sure she's prepared,” Henry said.

Lisa smirked. “Yeah, Tauri's always prepared.”

Millie watched Lisa. “I'm going to make sure she stays that way.”

*********

  The Negus were gathered at Lance's restaurant meeting for dinner. Corvus and Lance sat across from Khalil and Brandon.

  “Rion is leaving town this week for some meetings in New York. So we're back to watching out for Tauri,” Brandon announced.

  They all nodded. “She's staying at Rion's apartment now so we'll all check in on her there. I'll keep an eye out for her at the office.”

  “How long is he going to be gone?” Lance asked.

  Corvus answered, “Not sure. They're trying to give him some static but he's going to finalize this deal.”

  “Only Rion would want to get married in the midst of all this drama,” Lance commented.

  Brandon lifted a brow. “He knew he was in love and wasted no time marrying the woman he knew was meant for him.” He glanced over at Khayla sitting at another table with her nephew Kyros.

Corvus looked at Khayla then over at Lance. “Damn, I felt that breeze.”

  Khalil watched the interaction and glanced over at his twin. “What the hell are y'all talking about?” he demanded turning back to Lance and Corvus.

  “Nothing Khalil,” Brandon answered to calm the tension. “I was just saying Rion knew what he wanted and he went after her and got her.”

  Khalil nodded slowly still watching Lance and Corvus. “You two better not be up to some shit and stop looking at my damn sister. Understand?”

Corvus smiled. “Chill Khalil, it's cool. You know how we joke around.”

  “I don't joke. You should know that by now,” Khalil told them.

  Brandon changed the subject to avoid any further confrontation. One day Lance was going to have to step up and acknowledge his feelings for Khayla, but that was his business and this wasn't the day.

  “Mac and I have identified the mole at my office and we've taken care of that,” he informed the group. “She's still working on the pinpointing the one or ones in her department.”

  “John Beckham has a long reach and deep pockets so until this is over, everyone is considered a suspect,” Brandon relayed.

  They all agreed and continued talking through dinner. When they were done Khalil collected his son and kissed his sister goodbye. He glanced back at Lance and Corvus giving them a look before saying goodnight to Brandon.

  Brandon turned to the pair. “I'll be in touch.” He checked his watch. “I'm meeting with Mac regarding a few things.”