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  Brandon folded the letter. “She knows I'm not going to do that. Not when my brother is involved.”

  “She wants the Negus to stand down and allow her to investigate.”

  Brandon lifted a brow. “You've talked to Khalil about that?”

  Rion shook his head. “No, I saved him for last. You know how he is about this kind of stuff.”

  “His radical ass is going to pop off,” Brandon agreed. “Mac is going to need to keep an eye on him.”

  “That's that Black Panther blood in him,” Rion explained. “I think his daddy is Huey Newton reincarnated.”

  Brandon looked at the paper again. “Don't take this lightly Rion. Racism is a scary and ugly thing. Many of our warriors have died trying to cross boundaries and break color lines into new territory.”

  “But it had to be done otherwise where would you and I be?” Rion questioned.

  “We all have your back, but make sure you keep looking behind you anyway. Don't take any chances,” Brandon told him.

  Rion smiled. “It's good to be back fam.”

  “We're all back home again. It's time to get it poppin' and whoever this idiot is...” Brandon held up the letter. “He doesn't know who the hell he's messing with.”

  Rion saved his last visit of the day to meet with Khalil. This had been a strategic move because if he'd told Khalil first, the rest of the day would have been a wash because they all would've had to keep him under control. Khalil was Khayla's twin brother and they were true twins in temperament. Both could be intelligent and rational then switch over to militant and deadly. Their parents were New Black Panther Party members and had raised them on Black Panther ideals.

  “Uncle Rion!” The little boy ran up to Rion and wrapped his arms around his waist.

  “Kyros, what's up little man?” Rion said returning the boy's embrace.

  The young face smiled up at him. “Daddy told me you were back! I got the new glove you sent me. Thank you!”

  “Anything for the young warrior. Where's your Daddy?” Rion asked.

  “In the house cooking. You staying for dinner Uncle Rion?” he asked in anticipation.

  Rion smiled. “Of course. What are we having?”

  Kyros grabbed Rion's hand and began leading him inside. “Daddy's making whatever.”

  “What is he making?” Rion asked again.

  “Whatever, Uncle Rion.”

  Rion paused. “What is that?”

  Kyros smiled and shrugged. “Daddy says he just throws whatever into the pot and cooks it.”

  Rion frowned and looked down at Kyros. “I'm taking you out to eat tomorrow night.”

  “Okay.” Kyros led Rion into the house and to the kitchen where his daddy was standing over the stove.

  “Daddy! Uncle Rion is here!” Kyros said excitedly.

  Khalil turned to his friend. “Welcome to the young god!” He gave Rion a hearty hug then stepped back looking him over in his designer navy suit and tie.

  “Look at you, dressed in the man's attire looking like a million of the fake dollars we've been forced to accept as his unilateral currency.”

  Rion rolled his eyes as Kyros left the room leaving the two men alone. “Hey Khalil. It's good to see you too my brother.”

  “Always brother, I'm glad you are back home where you belong and no longer performing for the system.”

  Rion knew very well Khalil's opinion of him playing professional baseball so he took a seat and changed the subject. “How's Khayla?” he asked unbuttoning his suit jacket.

  Khalil smiled knowing that his friend didn't want to have that discussion today. “Khayla is good. She helped Lance open his new restaurant.”

  “Yeah, I was there earlier. Nice place. Lance is really doing his thing.”

  Of the entire group, Lance was the only one who'd never attended a University. His natural hustle skills and a few business classes at the community college had been all he'd needed to create his success.

  Khalil turned to the stove. “Yeah he is. That brother is determined. Nothing stops him. He's like a bull.” He turned back to Rion.

  “You staying for dinner?” he asked checking the large pot on the stove.

  Rion grimaced. “I told Kyros I would before I knew what you were making. I know to ask first next time.”

  Khalil laughed. “Hey man, I'm a single father. As long as he gets a meal, I think I'm on point.”

  “How is Kyros doing since you moved back?” Rion asked.

  Khalil shrugged. “Misses his momma sometimes, but I gotta do what I gotta do. He's mine and I'm never going to be without him.”

  “She didn't want to come to Detroit?” Rion asked.

  Khalil frowned. “Hell nah...would you?” He took the seat next to Rion. “But it wasn't just coming back to Detroit. She and I were really done before Kyros was even born. She didn't want kids but we were careless and made a beautiful son. She wanted to end the pregnancy but I couldn't do that, so I told her that I wouldn't interrupt her life with a child. I told her if she had the baby I'd take him and he'd be mine so she could keep stepping...and she did.”

  “That's one hundred man. A lot of warriors wouldn't do something like that.” Rion told him. “It's good you came home to the fam so you can have a support system.”

  Khalil shook his head. “Man, I don't know what I would've done without my parents, Khayla and the Negus. I don't know what the hell I was thinking.”

  Rion smiled. “Well Kyros looks happy and well adjusted. You're doing a good job.”

  “Thanks brother. He's turning six soon and I need to think about his future. Like what do I need to teach him as a father?”

  “Your daddy is the prototype for a black father,” Rion said looking at his brother and friend.

  Khalil shook his head. “You don't know how hard it was facing my father when I had to tell him about Kyros. I felt like I had let him down. He'd sent me to Howard to get an education and I went and made a baby.”

  “But you still finished and now you have a Master's in Education. Your parents are proud of you brother. I'm proud of you. You manned up and handled your business.”

  Khalil nodded his head slowly. “Thanks Rion. I've missed the young god. I'm glad you're home.” The two guys gave each other a pound.

  “So tell me about this new team,” Khalil inquired.

  Rion reached into his pocket and handed the paper to him. “Well, there's this...”

  Khalil scanned the sheet then looked at Rion. “Oh, so somebody is ready to get bodied, huh?”

  Chapter 2

  Two weeks later Mac's detectives had gathered evidence as to the originators of the letter and the findings were turned over to Brandon's office. The prosecuting attorney that Brandon had assigned to the case did not feel that the evidence was sufficient enough to bring charges, so Rion was on his way to find out just what the problem was.

  He found his way to Prosecutor Patterson's office and knocked softly before the woman behind the desk filled with books and files looked up at him. Hazel eyes glanced up at him from behind dark rimmed glasses before she slowly removed the frames and looked him over from head to toe.

  “May I help you?” she asked in a low raspy voice.

  Rion stood in the doorway. “I'm looking for Prosecutor Patterson.”

  “Yes, I'm Tauri Patterson.”

  “I'm Rion Shaw. I wondered if I could speak with you for a moment?”

  Tauri lifted a perfectly shaped brow. “I would have to live under a rock not to know who you are Mr. Shaw.” She got to her feet and walked around her desk to face him. “You are the face of Detroit.”

  Rion smiled at the beauty before him. “I wouldn't say that.”

  Tauri surveyed the six-foot four inch god still standing in her doorway in a tailored black suit and tie with expensive shoes on his feet. She observed the striking features that made him resemble an ancient Nubian king. He had deep, dark eyes set under heavy, silky brows. A broad nose rested above a neatly groomed must
ache that connected around his full lips to form a perfect goatee. His beautifully chiseled cheekbones gave him a regal look that made you feel the need to bow at his feet. His smooth chocolate brown skin glowed against the white shirt and as she caught his gaze, their eyes connected and held.

  “How may I help you Mr. Shaw?” she asked folding her arms protectively across her chest.

  Rion stepped inside the office and moved closer to her. “I wanted to discuss my case.”

  “Please have a seat.” Tauri motioned to a chair.

  He walked slowly to occupy the chair in front of her desk. Tauri remained standing but unfolded her arms and placed her hands beside her on the desk.

  “What did you want to discuss?” she asked.

  “I understand that you don't feel there is enough evidence to move forward.”

  Tauri crossed her ankles and his gaze traveled to her legs then quickly back to her face.

  “No there isn't. Chief Green's detectives were able to come up with some solid information, but not enough to win a conviction,” she explained.

  He met her gaze again. “So this is only about obtaining a conviction?”

  “That is my job Mr. Shaw. I am not here to waste the tax payer's money prosecuting cases that won't result in convictions.”

  “So these people just get to walk away?” he asked raising a dark brow.

  “What would you like me to do? Go forward with a case simply because you're Orion Shaw and you're close friends with the Head Prosecutor?” she questioned.

  Rion got to his feet frowning. “My relationship with the Head Prosecutor has nothing to do with my life being threatened Ms. Patterson.”

  Tauri straightened and looked up at him. “I'm not trying to offend you Mr. Shaw. I'm simply stating the obvious.”

  “Well obviously Ms. Patterson you don't know me or Brandon. If you required more evidence then that's all you needed to say. You didn't have to insinuate that I'd try to use my friendships or connections to influence a case. I'm here for a purpose and nothing is going to stand in my way, not even a death threat.”

  Rion straightened his tie and glared at her. “Have a good day Ms. Patterson.” He turned and walked to the door and she jumped, as it slammed closed behind him.

  She watched him leave, admiring the view from behind then let out a breath. “Damn Tauri, why'd you do that?” she said shaking her head and returning to her seat. Brandon was going to be on her ass now. She'd pissed off his friend and hinted that they both would compromise the integrity of this office.

  To be honest she really didn't know why she'd baited Orion Shaw. Maybe it was because he'd walked into her office larger than life and handsome as sin with his wavy dark hair and sexy, wicked smile. His dark chocolate complexion made her think of her favorite candy bar and those dark brows along with his goatee gave him the look of a proud African warrior. When he'd smiled at her from the doorway, her stomach had done a funny little flip that had frightened her and put her on the defense.

  She knew his story of how he'd become the boy who'd made good and now had returned to be the city's savior. She knew of his connections to both Brandon and the Negus. What she hadn't known was that he was even more gorgeous in person or that his cologne made her think of both erotic nights and mornings or that his voice could send shivers over her body.

  Tauri had told Orion the truth in that there was not enough evidence to gain a conviction but she realized that she'd let her emotions hinder the proper delivering of that information. She would wait to be reprimanded by Brandon then find out what her punishment would be. Tauri picked up her glasses and went back to her work... for now.

  Rion began silent mind meditations as he walked back to his car. He knew he should not have slammed her door back at the prosecutor's office but he had been angry, not with her but at himself. Angry because every time she'd turned those hazel eyes on him, he'd felt his heart skip a beat. Angry because every time she’d spoken in that sexy, raspy voice he'd had to force himself to concentrate on what she'd been saying and not watching her full lips shining with gloss.

  Rion took several deep breaths before climbing into his car and laying his head back against the seat. He had not been prepared for Tauri Patterson. She wore her hair in a short, short cut that was blonde in color and complemented her honey gold complexion. She was about five seven with sexy, toned, curvaceous legs that he'd admired for more than a minute in her office. Those hazel eyes that held his more than once, were framed by dark lashes that rested below perfectly arched dark brows.

  Rion closed his eyes and breathed some more to calm down. When he was playing baseball this technique always helped him to stay focused. After a few more breaths, he opened his eyes and started the car. If Tauri Patterson needed evidence, then he’d get her all the damn evidence she needed.

  Rion drove to the community center that Khalil directed on the west side of the city. He was picking up Kyros to spend the afternoon with him, to work on his batting and throwing. He found a spot on the street and quickly parked before heading inside. He found Khalil in his office and knocked on the door.

  “What up doe?” Rion called out in Detroit vernacular and Khalil looked over at him and smiled.

  “What up doe my brother?”

  Rion came inside and took a seat. “Where's the little man?” he asked.

  “He ran to check to make sure he has everything.” Khalil looked at his friend. “Thanks for looking after him today.”

  “No worries my man. Kyros belongs to all of us, plus he's just a cool little man.”

  Khalil looked at his watch. “I've got meetings until six then I'll be at home.”

  Rion nodded. “Cool. Don't worry about us.”

  Kyros came back into the office. “Hey Uncle Rion!” He ran over and hugged Rion around his neck.

  “What's up little man? You ready?” Rion asked returning his embrace.

  Kyros turned to his daddy. “Uncle Rion is going to teach me how to hit and throw like him, then when I grow up I can play just like him!” he said excitedly.

  Khalil frowned and looked at Rion. “Kyros wait for your Uncle Rion in the lobby.”

  Kyros looked between the two men and obediently left the office.

  Khalil turned to Rion still frowning. “You're teaching my son baseball?” he asked incredulously.

  “Calm down Khalil. You played baseball too when we were little,” Rion reminded him.

  “I don't want my son performing for the system,” Khalil insisted.

  Rion stood. “It's baseball Khalil. Let the boy have some fun. He has plenty of time to grow into a militant black man, but for now just let him be a little boy.”

  Khalil stood. “Are you trying to tell me how to raise my son?” he questioned.

  “No, I'm trying to tell you that Kyros is five and playing baseball isn't going to corrupt him. Baseball has made me a lot of money to be able to live my life the way I've wanted. Was I performing for the system? Hell yeah, but the system was paying me a helluva lot of money so that now I can buy my own system. There's more than your way to do things Khalil!” Rion finished with a deep frown on his face.

  Khalil watched his friend. Out of the group, Rion and Brandon were the most chill. You rarely saw their emotions swing in any direction. He wondered who had pissed Rion off.

  Khalil took his seat. “What happened?”

  “What?” Rion asked still agitated.

  Khalil nodded towards the empty chair. “Sit down and tell me what happened because I know something did. You don't ever go off like that.”

  Rion slowly took the seat. “My bad Khalil.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “It's been a long day.”

  “The threat?” Khalil asked raising a brow at him.

  He shrugged. “Partially.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  Rion sighed. “I went to see the prosecutor that Brandon assigned to the case. She says they don't have enough evidence to get a conviction so they're not going for
ward.”

  Khalil looked closely at Rion. “Which prosecutor did he assign?”

  “Her name is Tauri Patterson,” Rion answered quietly.

  Khalil smiled. “Oh, that's why your nuts are all tight.”

  Rion frowned. “What?”

  Khalil laughed. “She's fine as hell Rion. Every brother in Detroit wants to holla at her and she shoots them down like target practice. What happened, you tried to step and she didn't give you any play either?”

  “I didn't try to step. She's working on my case,” Rion pointed out.

  Khalil smiled. “You wanted to step though. You had to, I know it.”

  Rion stood. “I didn't come home to start pushing up on women. I can get sex twenty-four hours a day if I wanted. All I want from Tauri Patterson is a conviction of whoever is trying to threaten me.”

  Khalil nodded and turned to his computer. “Damn, you want her bad too.”

  “Bye Khalil. I'll see you later.”

  Rion could hear Khalil laughing as he walked to find Kyros. The little boy ran to him as he approached.

  “Can we still play baseball Uncle Rion?” he asked hopefully.

  Rion smiled. “Of course little man. Uncle Rion is going to teach you how to hit it out of the park just like I used to.”

  Kyros beamed as he followed Rion out to the car. The pair stopped at Rion’s apartment downtown so he could change into some jeans and a T-shirt before they headed to a nearby baseball diamond. Rion carried a bat, a set of balls and a glove while Kyros held the glove that Rion had sent him for his birthday.

  Kyros looked up at Rion. “Can I play on your new team Uncle Rion?”

  Rion smiled. “You're a little young right now, maybe when you grow up though.”

  “My daddy won't let me.” He lowered his head.

  Rion slowed and stooped down to the boy's level in order to look into his face. “Your daddy loves you Kyros and he will be proud of anything that you do.”

  “I wanna play baseball like you!” the boy insisted.

  “Why do you want to play baseball Kyros?” Rion asked.

  The boy smiled. “So that I can have lots of money.”

  “That's not why I played baseball,” Rion told him.