Chapter 2
TWO
Beep.
Beep.
The metal detector sounded. I gnawed on the inside of my bottom lip as I watched the eyes of the resting security guard reach me. My legs didn’t stop moving. I continued ahead. In a flash, he was standing in front of me, blocking my path.
“Excuse me, ma’am. I’m going to have to pat you down.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“The detector alerted me of–”
Quietly, I spread my arms. My blazer shortened at my wrists as they rose. The guards’ unkempt fingers patted down them simultaneously. My abdomen was next in the search, followed by my waistline.
His brows furrowed as he discovered the Glock on my hip. He paused momentarily before continuing.
Down my back.
Down my thighs.
“Oh,” he exclaimed as his hand made contact with the one strapped to my leg, underneath the flowy skirt that stopped at my ankles.
He’d found the gold he was searching for in the mine. Our eyes met as his mouth slackened with astonishment. Bemused, he tried conjuring words. They, too, weren’t necessary.
You’ve met the twins.
I tilted my head leftward.
“Ma’am, you can’t br–”
“They go wherever I go.”
“You ca–”
“Jerald,” I said, stepping deeper into his personal space and straightening the collar of his shirt. “Don’t lose your life for a job that barely pays you enough to take care of your family. You’re barely surviving on two incomes at the moment.”
I placed a hand on his right cheek.
“Don’t play savior today or you won’t make it home to your wife. You’ll be forced to watch her struggle off one income from the grave and there won’t be a thing you can do about it.”
He swallowed the lump in his throat.
“I’m a girl’s girl through and through, but before that, Jerald… I’m my girl. So, home to your wife or attempt to retrieve two of the three firearms on my person?”
Slowly, Jerald stepped backward. He returned to his seat with his eyes still planted firmly on me.
“Have a nice day, ma’am.”
“I will.”
With squared shoulders and an elevated chin, I strutted across the lobby of the high-rise complex. It was brimming with businesses of all kinds. I could still feel Jerald’s eyes on me as I pivoted, turning the corner where the elevators were.
I stilled at the wondrous sight before me. My cheeks swelled as my lips spread across my face. My heart shattered and recovered simultaneously.
“Royce–”
Dressed in all black, Mercer held open the elevator door.
“This way.”
I stepped on, greeting him in the process.
“Well… hello, sir.”
Though his smile was hard to come by, I was rewarded almost instantly.
“What’s up, sis? How was the journey?”
“Pleasant. Swift.”
“I was expecting to get downstairs before you made it. You’re early.”
“I’m on time, Mercer. Don’t insult me.”
With a nod, he agreed.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice. A partner of mine hit me up yesterday morning. I lost track of time. It had been on my mind to call you all day but– life. And kids and shit.”
“No need to explain. I’m here. I’m sure whatever this is won’t take too long. I’ll be back on a flight to Clarke in a few hours. I can resolve this virtually. All I need is a little Wi-Fi and–”
“A lot of wine.” Mercer sighed.
“Who’s paying for that?”
“Me if you want, but I’m sure their account can handle it.”
Smiling, I folded my hands in front of me. I readjusted my briefcase for the maximum level of comfort. Mercer reached for it. I stepped to the side, dodging his hand.
“How is the family?”
“I have to get back to them. I wanted to make introductions.”
“I’m a big girl,” I assured him.
“I’m aware, but that doesn’t change anything, Royce. I’m not here because I think otherwise. I’m here because there’s no other place for me to be right now. Pretty can hold it down for a few.”
“How is she?”
“Incredible. Brilliant. Steady. Glowing. Happy. In her element. She’s so amazing. I– I couldn’t ask for anyone better.”
The depth in his tone emphasized the depths of his love for the mother of his children. I smiled inside, knowing he was head over heels and Vallei couldn’t have asked for anyone better either. The two were created for each other.
“And you?”
“I’m as good as I’ma get.”
“So am I, Mercer. And, I can tell by the void in your eyes you want to be wrapped in newborn bliss. Go. I’ll be fine.”
Quietly, he leaned against the steel of the elevator.
A hand covered his mouth before tugging at the hair on his face.
He was retreating. Returning to himself.
His reserved self. His quiet self. His mental imbalances were landing.
And sticking. And submerging him in their uncertainty.
I couldn’t let him stray. Not even for a second.
I stepped in front of him, handing him my briefcase. A snicker crept from my lungs, up my throat, and out of my mouth. I eyed the handsome fella, still appalled by the resemblance to Teddy. Catherine’s DNA ran deep.
“You miss me, don’t you? That’s why you aren’t ready to leave.”
His smile wrapped me in warmth like a blanket by the fireplace on a winter night. It quickly transformed into the most gratifying sound I’d heard all day.
His laughter.
His head lifted and fell. His confession was silent but I heard it loud and clear. So did my heart. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his body. Unlike Chemistry, Milo, Makai, and Malachi, Mercer had meat on his bones.
My head rested on his chest.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
His body stiffened. Affection was difficult for him. For them. Nearly all of them. They were men and life had hardened their shells. Naturally, the affection of a woman who wasn’t their partner brought back memories they tried burying with the woman who created them.
Ping.
The elevator invited us to the thirty-fourth floor. I released Mercer. His chest deflated as his limbs loosened.
I was the first to step off. Mercer followed close behind. My spine straightened, extending my length. Mercer took the lead. Though I was conquering the distance between me and my destination, I didn’t know where the hell it was.
Click. Clack.
A glass door pushed open, allowing Mercer and I to bypass the keypad that required a code.
“Good morning, ma’am. Welcome back, sir.”
No words were shared. I followed Mercer through the office.
Grayson for Mayor.
Vote Ishmael Grayson.
Grayson for Greater.
Ishmael Grayson for Berkeley.
“Good morning.”
“Morning!”
“Hello, sir. Ma’am.”
“Morning.”
As the greetings poured in, I took note of the variations of messages on the sign. It was clear that Ishmael Grayson was campaigning for the mayoral chair. And, my assistance was needed in his efforts to secure the spot.
It’s as good as yours, I thought as excitement crept up my spine.
Consider it handled.
It was best he began packing up his current office in preparation to relocate. If he had Mercer’s vote, then he had mine. The seat was already his. I knew it and so did the man in front of me.
We stalled at the door of the office closest to the end of the large suite. Eventually, both of our bodies halted. My nostrils widened with suspicion. A familiar scent pushed them apart.
Mercer’s frame obstructed my vision, forcing me to step around him. As I collected myself, standing mere inches away from the brother I’d inherited through Chemistry, I searched for the source of my curiosity.
“Royce, Indie. Indie, Royce.”
“Nice to meet you, Royce. I’ve heard good shit about you.”
Immediately, I understood the man in denim with at least two hundred thousand dollars worth of jewelry on at nine o’clock in the morning was not running for mayor.
No.
Still, I accepted the hand he extended. He was easy on the eyes. There wasn’t a visible flaw. He had skin most women paid thousands for. Though seemingly mature, youth was evident in his eyes.
“A pleasure, Indie.”
“Indigo. You can call me Indigo.”
Though I was speaking to the man in front of me, it was the one with his hands shoved into his pockets staring out the floor to ceiling window that my eyes were trained on.
“This is my brother–” Indigo revealed, “Ishmael. Ishmael Grayson, the next mayor of Berkeley.”
At the sound of his name, Ishmael turned on the heels of his loafers.
The breath I didn’t know I was holding tumbled from my body as the remainder in my lungs dissolved.
My mouth dried completely. A fire began in my throat, consuming me within seconds.
My fingertips became lava, melting the briefcase Mercer managed to return upon our entry.
There wasn’t a hoodie or shades masking the beauty that plagued me for the last five days. It was untamed. Raw. Refreshing. Riveting. Far better than I’d imagined. It deemed me speechless. Rendered me breathless. And, dismantled my claims of being heartless.
I had a heart. But, I wasn’t sure for how long. It was expanding in my chest by the second, threatening to explode. I’d be left with pieces. So many pieces. Too many pieces. And, a hole in my chest that would serve as a memorial for what that handsome stranger destroyed.
It’s him. I internalized.
“It’s her.”
Ishmael wasn’t looking at me. He was looking through me. His gaze penetrated me, searching for parts of me I’d tucked away because I hadn’t stumbled upon anyone deserving of them.
“Yeah, the person I was telling you about,” Indigo explained. “She’s going to be handling th–”
“No–” Ishmael countered.
Ishmael. I let roam in my head. Ishmael.
The name was fitting.
Firstborn son. Promised to father a great nation with descendents spread across the desert. Preserved in the wilderness. Destined for greatness.
“God hears,” I whispered, barely above a breath.
“He does,” Ishmael replied.
Taken aback by his sudden closeness, I collected the oxygen he provided. He’d taken all I had. It was only right that he replenished me.
“You know her?” Indie asked.
Without taking his eyes off me, Ishmael unlocked the cell that appeared in his hand. He scrolled before handing it to Indigo. His brother’s eyes swelled. They bounced between my face and the cell.