Through the Fire (20 page)

American. Not saying that I agree with him, but

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SERENITY KING

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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209

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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211

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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SERENITY KING

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