“I see you're still at it, Keilah,” Officer Jackson said as he laughed.
“Don't start with me, Jackson. I've had a long night. Did I hit any of them?”
He pointed to an awaiting car and motioned for her to follow him. “No, you didn't, which means you must be losing your touch. I do need you to come see if you can identify any of them.”
Keilah looked into the backseat of the car where three young black men sat in handcuffs. Immediately she recognized one of the men as Diamond's son. She pointed at him and said, “The one in the middle was talking to my client outside the Renaissance Hotel as we were leaving that party.
He was trying to get her telephone number, but I stopped him. The way he looked at me let me know he didn't like it. After that I found out he was Quentin Brown's kid.”
“Why doesn't that surprise me? I heard Quentin's been trying to straighten him out.” Officer Jackson gave Keilah back her gun and identification. “Well, it's not going to be easy for Quentin to get his kid out of this mess.”
“He was at the Renaissance, too. He made his son apologize, but it was obvious he didn't like his old man calling him out in front of everyone.”
“Keilah, you were lucky tonight. Maybe you should think about a career change.”
She fingered her hair before putting her hands on her hips.
“You sound like my brothers. I'm going to tell you like I tell them. Don't hold your breath. I like my job, and I'm good at it, so don't expect me to give it up anytime soon.”
Jackson looked over at the three young men and laughed. “All right. Next time you might not be so lucky.”
“No, they're the ones who might not be so lucky,” she yelled as she pointed to the patrol car. “So can I take Arhmelia home now? I've already contacted her parents so they wouldn't be worried.”
“You'd better let us take her. We're going to have to tow your car in as evidence. You're welcome to come along for the ride.”
“Come on, Jackson,” she pouted.
He threw his hands up in defense. “You know it's procedure, Keilah, so don't even go there.”
She folded her arms and sighed. “What a night. I can't believe those young thugs tried to take me out over a phone number.”
Officer Jackson touched Keilah's arm tenderly and said, “It was about respect, Keilah. They couldn't care less about the telephone number, but he could've been trying to get close enough for something more sinister. You probably saved that little girl's life tonight, and that's a fact.”
She blushed and said, “I was just doing my job.”
“I joke with you about it, but you really are good at what you do. I know you're making a lot of money, so when I retire, don't forget about me.”
“By the time you retire, Jackson, my kids will be running my company.”
He opened the car door for her and laughed. “Come on so I can get Arhmelia out of here before the media has a field day with this one.”
Keilah got inside the car beside Arhmelia and put her arm around her shoulder to comfort her.
Chapter One
Keilah twirled around in her chair and looked out over the skyline. It had been two days since the shooting, and she welcomed the tranquility of her corner office, which was housed in a twenty-story building on the outskirts of the nation's capital. She was co-owner of one of the most successful private security agencies in D.C., and at five feet eight, she was not only beautiful, she was highly educated, tough, and an expert in martial arts, which aided in her success as a highly skilled marksman.
Her career was totally against the life her brothers had planned for her, but this was her life and she was going to live the way she wanted. She'd been protected by her brothers all of her life, now it was her turn to do the same for others. Her brothers meant well, but they could be extremely overbearing at times.
Keilah owned the Stone Chance Protection Agency with an ex-military police officer, Ramsey Stone. They had been introduced through mutual friends, and they hit it off immediately. Keilah and Ramsey always felt it was fate that brought them together because, oddly, they'd had the same vision for a business and their business plans were basically identical. Keilah and Ramsey had a lot in common, and they felt like they had known each other for years, even though only six years had passed. While Ramsey was rugged and personable, he was also very handsome and had a physique like an African warrior. People often mistook him for formerwrestlerâturned-actor, the Rock, and as far as beautiful women, he was a magnet and loved every minute of it.
Their company was a huge success and they employed twenty to twenty-five former military officers, Special Forces, and police officers. They were blessed to have been involved in only a few incidents, which caused them to fine-tune their skills even more. They honestly believed their match was made in heaven, and Keilah and Ramsey knew they could trust each other no matter what.
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While Keilah was still staring out the window, Ramsey casually walked into her office, sat down and straightened his tie. “Well, well, well. I heard somebody had a busy weekend.”
Keilah looked at him and frowned. “Who told you? Jackson?”
Ramsey started laughing. “Who else? I saw him downtown yesterday. He told me you had a run-in with Diamond's kid and some of his partners.”
Keilah picked up a folder and handed it to him. “I just finished the report. Here's your copy. It was wild, Ramsey.”
“I bet it was,” he responded.
Ramsey scanned Keilah's report as she gave him the play-by-play of what happened.
Keilah got up and walked around her desk to the bookshelf so she could replace a book. She looked very professional in her black suit. The jacket was about the same length as her skirt, which showcased her magnificent legs. Her hair was still long and curly, and it complemented her facial features.
“I could tell he had a lot of attitude, but I didn't expect him to take a shot at me.”
Ramsey closed the folder and added, “Well, I'm not surprised. I've heard a lot about that kid trying to make a name for himself on the streets.”
Keilah turned to Ramsey. “Well I'm not the one.”
He chuckled and said, “You don't have to tell me. By the way, call Luke. He's worried about you.”
“Dang! I forgot to call him back. When did you talk to him?” she asked.
Ramsey popped a mint into his mouth and said, “Yesterday.”
She picked a piece of lint off her skirt. “You didn't tell him about this weekend, did you?”
“No, but he's not happy with you right now. He said you're terrible with returning phone calls.”
Keilah sighed and stared down at her Jimmy Choo pumps, and so did Ramsey. “Nice shoes.”
She smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“Call your brother, Keilah. I told him I would give you the message.”
“I will. I'm sorry he called you.”
He winked at her and said, “No bother. We had a nice talk.”
Ramsey was about six foot four and sinfully handsome. His erect posture and polite nature radiated a military background, and he was a valued asset to their company's success. Their friendship was unbreakable, and at thirty years old, he was still single, dating heavily, but a serious relationship was the last thing on his list. It wasn't hard for him to attract women with his winning smile and cinnamon skin. The diamond stud in his ear gleamed just as brightly as his smile, and his short wavy hair and dimples had women constantly swooning. It didn't hurt that he could rock a business suit like a model, and the navy suit he had on radiated confidence.
Ramsey opened the folder again and looked at the report. “Have you found out when the hearing is going to be for Diamond's son?”
“I'm going to call today. That kid almost made me put him in the morgue. Quentin told me he was working on getting his son's attitude in check, and I'm sure it's going to be hard for him to get him out of this mess.”
Ramsey tucked the folder under his arm. “You're right. It might be too little, too late, and he messed with the wrong two women this time. I'm sure Arhmelia's dad is going to push this to the full extent of the law.”
“Oh, no doubt, Ramsey.”
Keilah walked back over to her desk and opened a drawer. She pulled out the newspaper and held it out to him. “We made the paper. I'm just glad our names were kept out of it, but I'm sure the entertainment magazines will have a field day with it once they find out how Quentin is connected.”
Ramsey frowned as he read the article. He laid the newspaper on Keilah's desk. “Well, I'm glad you and Arhmelia weren't injured. That's what's important.”
“You're right, Ramsey.”
He walked toward the door but stopped and turned around. “By the way, you look beautiful today. I also like the way you're wearing your hair.”
She blushed. “Thanks, Ramsey.”
He looked at his watch and smiled. “Don't forget the planning meeting at ten o'clock in the conference room, and I have a spot reserved for us to do some target shooting this evening at six o'clock if you're up for it.”
“Sounds good. See you at the meeting,” she replied as she typed on her computer.
“Call Luke,” he reminded her before closing the door behind him.
As soon as Ramsey left the room, Keilah picked up her telephone and returned Luke's call.
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At the ten o'clock meeting, Ramsey and Keilah went over the events of the weekend as well as upcoming assignments. The meeting lasted for about two hours and once it was over, lunch was served. A nearby restaurant catered the lunch, which included avocado egg rolls, sirloin salad, quesadillas, calamari, and buffalo wings.
Keilah didn't eat nearly as much as everyone else so she finished lunch first. Before heading back to her office, she walked over to Ramsey who was refilling his plate. “Ramsey, when you finish lunch stop by my office. I want to talk to you about something.”
Ramsey stacked a couple of buffalo wings and some calamari on his plate and then smiled. “Okay. I'll see you shortly.”
Shortly for Ramsey was another thirty minutes, but he finally made it to Keilah's office. He loosened his necktie as he walked in. “What's up, Keilah?”
She looked up and saw him fumbling with his tie. “You look full.”
He sat down then grabbed his stomach. “I overdid it as usual.”
She printed out some reports and laughed. “I'm sure you'll work it off in the gym.”
Ramsey could tell she was hesitating, but knowing her like he did, he knew she wouldn't hesitate long. He picked out a piece of peppermint candy from the dish on her desk and stared at her. “So, why are you looking like the cat who ate the canary? What's going on? What do you want to talk to me about?”
She finally looked at him. “I need a favor, and I know it's going to feel like it's coming out of left field but hear me out.”
“Sure, what is it?” he replied.
“Well, you know me and Trent broke up about four months ago, and since then, I just haven't been lucky enough to meet anyone else,” she explained.
Ramsey curiously listened to her. Keilah had become somewhat of a workaholic since her relationship with Howard University Professor, Trenton Daniels soured. Trenton was a decent guy. He just couldn't handle Keilah being a bodyguard. Trent and Keilah dated heavily for about ten months after meeting in Union Station one Saturday afternoon. After several efforts to make their relationship work, they decided it was best they parted ways.
Ramsey sat up in his chair and said, “Keilah, sadly it's going to take a real man to be able to deal with this line of work. The crazy thing is that women I meet find it exciting when I tell them what I do, but for some reason, men are intimidated when they find out about you and the other women in this business. Don't worry about it though. You'll find the right guy.”
“I hope you're right, Ramsey, but in the meantime, I still need a favor,” she reminded him.
“Okay, what is this favor? You know I'll do anything for you.”
Keilah hesitated again. “Before you agree, you need to hear me out.”
He laughed and said, “All right.”
“Ramsey, I know you have a lot of lady friends you see on a regular basis, and I don't want to cause a problem with your routine, but I was wondering if you would put me on your list until I can get out of this rut.”
Ramsey was in a state of shock. He stared at her as he sat frozen in his seat.
There was no way she could be asking him what he thought she was asking. Or could she? He cleared his throat. “Excuse me?”
“Look Ramsey, I'm just going to say it. We're both adults and should be able to handle this temporary arrangement with some maturity. I haven't had sex in about four months, and there's only so much that a battery operated device can do for me. I need some skin-to-skin contact really bad. So do you think you can help me out while I'm in this dry spell or not? No strings attached. I promise.”
Ramsey couldn't believe his ears. He couldn't do anything but sit there and stare at her while he let her proposal sink in. “Wait a minute. Something must be wrong with my hearing because I know you didn't just ask me what I think you asked me?”
Keilah sort of giggled. She'd never seen Ramsey so at a loss for words. “Come on, Ramsey. You know what I'm asking. I've seen that case of condoms in your closet so stop acting so innocent. We're friends, and a little extra-curricular activity on the side won't hurt anything.”
Ramsey burst out laughing. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I'm serious. What do I have to do to convince you that I am?”
Ramsey laughed again. “Where the hell is this coming from? Why me?”
Keilah walked over and sat on the edge of her desk in front of him. This gave him a bird's eye view of her magnificent legs, which he didn't hesitate to take advantage of.
“Ramsey, we're best friends, remember? We know each other like a book so that means you know I'm not going to sleep with just anybody.”
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs in disbelief. “So what you're saying is you want us to be sex buddies?”
She giggled again. “If that's what you want to call itâyeah. I just want to have someone to hang out with until that special someone comes along for me.”
“You and me having causal sex together is not hanging out, Keilah.”
“Ramsey ... come on. I trust you, and I know we can do this without any emotional ties.”
He straightened his tie. “I'm already emotionally tied to you. We've been tight for a long time, and I care about you. I don't know if I want to jeopardize that, Keilah.”
She looked him directly in the eyes. “So, is that a yes or no?”
Ramsey laughed nervously. “You act like you're asking me to change your tire or something and you want me to answer you now?”
“Well, yeah.”
He put his hands over his eyes and said, “This is crazy.”
She leaned down and removed his hands from over his eyes. “Ramsey, all you have to do is relax and have fun with me like you do with all the others,” she said, trying to convince him. “It won't mess up our friendship if you would just think of it as a little business arrangement. You know, like in that movie,
Pretty Woman
with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.”
Ramsey couldn't help but laugh out loud. He remembered that movie very well, but they weren't strangers like the characters in the movie. “It seems like you've given this a lot of thought.”
Keilah slid down off her desk and walked over to her window and looked out. Ramsey joined her at the window in silence. “Yes, Ramsey, I've given it a lot of thought, and like I said, I know I can trust you to do it and not get all mushy on me.”