Authors: Serenity King
American. Not saying that I agree with him, but
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it is his God-given right to want that for his
daughter.”
“I know, Dad, but not to the extent that
he’s going about it. It’s his right as a father to
want to see his daughter with a good man. No
matter what color he is. Dad, Mr. Shaw is not
stupid. He has to know that Felton Hobbs is a
nightmare. Why would he want to see his
beautiful daughter with the likes of him just
because he’s African American and the son of
his friend?” Brandon gave his father a skeptical
look. “Something’s up with that. I don’t want
Dominique
hurt
by
his
and
Hobbs’
shenanigans.”
“It does seem crazy,” his father admitted.
“Marcus Shaw is power hungry. He wants to be
governor. He’s going to have a fit when he finds
out that his son will be his competitor.”
Brandon jerked his head back in surprise.
“You’re serious? Which one?”
“Chad,” his father replied.
“Chadwick
Shaw
is
running
for
Governor?
There
hasn’t
been
an
announcement. What will he do with the
security firms?” Brandon asked.
“Shh…no one knows a thing yet other
than me, and now you. Xaxier and Rafe are
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205
already running the firms. We’re keeping his
candidacy quiet for now. Chad wants to clean
up some things before he throws in his bid, but
he’s always been active in the community and
he’s pretty even-tempered. Not like Marcus
who makes enemies too easily. Besides, he’s
smart as a whip. With my backing, I think he’ll
make an excellent governor,” his father said.
“So that’s what you and Chad have been
doing together. We were starting to wonder.
You said he has to clean up some things. Does
the cleanup have something to do with his
father?”
“It could. It’s not my story to tell. You just
keep my daughter-in-law safe, as well as
yourself. If you need me, I’m here. Please don’t
hesitate to come to me son. Never again.”
The soft rebuke made Brandon flush. “I
won’t, Dad. In fact, I might need your help with
this case Dominique is working on.”
Before he could say anything more, his
cell began to chirp. He took it out and looked at
the caller ID. Dominique. “Dad, it’s Dominique.
I have to take this. I’ll talk to you later.”
“No problem. I’ll be in my office when
you finish,” Lawrence said, leaving Brandon the
privacy he needed to take his call.
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Brandon answered the phone. “Hello,
baby, how are you doing?”
“I’m home. I’m so tired I’m going to take
a shower and go straight to bed. I had to go
back to the office after court today and go over
some things with Karen.” She yawned into the
phone.
“I just wanted to make sure you got in
okay,” he whispered into the receiver. “Did you
eat baby?”
“No, I’m not hungry…just want to sleep.”
“Go to bed. I’ll check on you in the
morning.”
“’Kay. Love you,” she whispered her voice
slurred from exhaustion.
“Love you too,” Brandon smiled. “Night,
baby.”
“Good night.”
Brandon closed his phone and went to
join his father in his study.
* * *
Brandon was in Lawrence’s office
discussing Dominique’s trial and his concerns
about her and her client being set up when his
cell rang again. He and Lawrence had been
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207
bouncing scenarios off each other for the last
couple of hours. They’d even done a conference
call with Tristan. Looking at his dad, then at his
cell phone display, Brandon’s heartbeat
accelerated when saw that his caller was
Dominique again. Something must be wrong.
Otherwise why would she be calling him going
on 11:30 p.m.? Damn, he hadn’t realized it was
that late.
Brandon quickly pressed the answer
button. “Dominique, baby, what’s wrong?” He
saw from the corner of his eye that his father
had taken off his glasses and sat up straighter.
“I can’t sleep without you in my bed. Can
you come over to stay with me?” she asked
huskily.
Brandon let out a sigh of relief. She was
okay. Then he realized what she’d said. She
couldn’t sleep without him next to her.
Brandon pasted a broad smile on his face. “Sure
it’ll take me about twenty minutes to a half
hour to get there.”
“Okay. I’ll wait up for you. Brandon?”
“Yes, baby.”
“I want you to stay until you take me
home,” she murmured.
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Brandon couldn’t believe his ears. Was
she saying what he thought she was saying?
She
wanted him to stay with her until they left for
New York?
He could have screamed for joy.
Instead he said casually, “Okay, baby, I’m on
my way,”
“Be careful.”
“I will. See you soon. Love you,” Brandon
said before closing his cell phone.
“Is Dominique okay?” he heard his father
ask.
“What…oh…yeah, she said she couldn’t
sleep without me next to her. She wants me to
come back and stay with her until I take her
home,” Brandon’s smile broadened.
“Take her home? I thought she was at
home.” His father frowned.
“No, Dad,
our
home. In New York. She
wants me to stay with her until we leave for
New York,” Brandon said excitedly.
“Well, don’t keep your wife waiting,” his
father chuckled. “I guess this settles whether or
not you’re losing your wife. I’d say the lady has
truly made up her mind.”
“I know. Now I just need this case to
hurry up and go away so that I can take her
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home. Tell Mom I’ll try to stop by sometime
tomorrow,” he said getting up to leave.
“Don’t worry about your mother. She
wants grandchildren. I suggest you get started.
Don’t worry about this case, either. I think we
might be on to something. Go take care of your
wife. I’ll go over it with Tristan and fill you in in
the morning.”
“Thanks Dad. I’ll talk to you in morning,”
Brandon said before exiting the room. He was
already outside before it occurred to him that
he had forgotten to ask his father what, exactly,
Lawrence thought they were on to.
Brandon was at his car before he
suddenly remembered that he needed a change
of clothes. Doubling back, he rushed inside and
retrieved his belongings, and rushed back out.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Marcus Shaw sat in his home office
having drinks with the Hobbs’. “So, Marcus,
how did you get Dominique to agree to this
dinner?” Felton Sr. asked.
Marcus shrugged. “I didn’t. Dominique
called for the dinner and I’m taking advantage
of it. Said she has an announcement to make.
Since I’ve been trying to put her and Felton
together, she said she might as well do
everything at once.” Marcus Shaw smiled
smugly at his would-be son-in-law. “You better
lay the charm on extra thick, Felton. Make your
intentions known to the entire family.”
“Mr. Shaw, I’ve been trying to reach out
to Dominique since we left Texas, but she won’t
take any of my calls,” Felton whined.
“That’s because she’s been tied up with
the case. I honestly didn’t think it would last
this long, or that Dominique would still be
representing Johnson,” Marcus murmured.
“Marcus I hope this power trip you’re on
doesn’t backfire on you,” Felton Sr. said.
“What’s gotten into you lately? That’s the
second time you’ve said something to that
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effect.” Marcus eyed his friend. “When did you
suddenly grow a conscience?”
The other man pressed his lips together.
“I hoped that you would learn from my
mistakes. I haven’t been a saint, but this latest
stunt you’re pulling is not right. I might be a
son-of-a-bitch, but my business practices have
always been on the up-and-up. It’s my personal
life that’s all screwed up. I made my bed, and
now I must lie in it. But you, you have
everything a man could want, yet you’re willing
to gamble it away for greed and power.”
Marcus was quiet for a moment,
considering what Hobbs had said. He thought
of all he’d done. It was too late for guilt, and
certainly too late to turn back now. Besides, he
didn’t want to turn back. He was about to say as
much when he heard the chiming of the
doorbell.
Okay
, time to get this show on the
road.
“Gentlemen, I believe it’s time,” Marcus
said, standing up from behind his desk and
buttoning his suit jacket. The Hobbs’ followed
suit.
* * *
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Dominique was talking to Diamond and
Rafe. She’d been avoiding her father and the
Hobbs’ for about an hour. Her father was
so
getting on her last nerve. Diamond had been
telling her all about her honeymoon. Rafe just
stood next to her and let her talk. She loved
Diamond’s husband. He was an awesome
investigator as well as a great brother-in-law.
“Are you okay, Dominique?” Diamond
asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“You had this major frown on your face
just now.”
“I think she has an admirer,” Rafe chimed
in around his chuckle.
“Please tell me you’re not talking about
that fool, Felton?” Diamond asked following
Rafe’s gaze. “Daddy’s still on that kick? I
thought he’d have gotten over that by now. I
mean geez, get real. Please, the three of them
deserve each other if you ask me.”
“Who? Which three?” Dominique asked.
“Daddy and the Hobbs’.”
“Diamond, don’t start,” Rafe grunted.
“Humph, somebody needs too,” was
Diamond’s snide reply.
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213
“What’s going on with you and Daddy,
Di?” Dominique questioned.
“Not a thing. It’s just that lately he’s been
acting all types of crazy. I think he’s on a power
trip. Do you know he had the nerve to tell me
he didn’t think Rafe was good enough for me
along with a few other recommendations on
ways to improve my life? Humpf.” She smiled
grimly. “He won’t make that mistake again. I
gave him the what for. Mommy had to come
and calm me down. Anyway, enough about
Daddy, what’s this big announcement you have,
and who are you looking for?”
“Looking for?” Dominique frowned as if
she didn’t quite understand the question, but in
truth, she couldn’t wait until Brandon got here.
They’d decided it was best if he drove over with
Alisha and Tristan. His parents wouldn’t be
here, but they’d spoken to her earlier today and
welcomed her to the family. They made her
promise to come by and visit them tomorrow.
Thank God Brandon had warned her that he’d
told his parents everything the night he was
supposed to stay with them or the kind words
would have sent her into a fit of tears.
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“There’s that faraway look again.
Dominique what’s wrong with you?” Diamond
asked frowning down at her.
“Brown Eyes, stop badgering your sister,”
Rafe said, pulling Diamond back against him.
“Yeah, stop badgering me. Uh oh, here
comes Mommy,” Dominique whispered.
Olivia Shaw came to stand in front of
them. “Dominique, sweetheart, are you okay? I
couldn’t help but notice that you’re flushed and
you keep looking at the entryway. What’s this
big announcement? You’re not sick are you?”
her mother rushed on. Her concern was evident
in her voice.
“No, Mommy, I’m not sick. I’m waiting
on Alisha and Tristan. Then I’ll tell everyone,”
Dominique said, giving her mother a quick hug.
“I’m fine, really, Mommy. This case is getting
the best of me, though.”
“You need a vacation, dear, and a
husband, but not that dreadful Felton boy. As