The Scales (The Black Land Series Book 3) Read online

  “May the best candidate win,” Brandon told her.

  She laughed. “You’re as green as those pretty eyes. All that matters, is who gets the most votes at the polls.”

  “Don’t underestimate me.”

  Patrice walked towards the door. “You’re the one who underestimated me Brandon. Don’t ever forget that.”

  Brandon watched as she exited and closed the door behind her. Turning, he picked up his phone and stopped the recording.

  “Oh, I’ll never forget that Patrice.”

  ******

  Chief Mackenzie Green returned to her office after meeting with city officials. The buzz was all about Brandon throwing his hat into the mayoral race. There was both support and opposition to the news and they all wanted to know where she stood.

  Mac wholeheartedly supported Brandon but kept her cards close to her chest to see just who was rallying against him and who had his best interest at heart. Taking a seat at her desk, she saw the light blinking indicating that she had messages.

  Sighing, she picked up the phone and punched in a code before she began listening. Mac loved her job immensely but the day to day monotonous duties sometimes got to her. She’d become police chief to serve and protect the city, not to answer phone calls and take sides in political races.

  Mackenzie’s desire to become a police officer stemmed from one fateful night in her past. Although that night had changed her life, it had eventually been for the better. She’d decided on her life path after she’d met Rion, and eventually the rest of the Negus, including Brandon Williams.

  Brandon was the oldest of the group and it showed in his demeanor. His father was a very prominent attorney turned judge and Brandon lived in the shadow of the greatness of his father. Mac understood his plight, as she was the daughter of two prestigious doctors. She had been expected to follow in their footsteps but had veered far off of their path for her life.

  Mackenzie had not been raised in the city, but instead her parents had a large home in the suburbs. She had attended private schools her entire life and when she’d graduated college and decided to join the police force, her parents had been devastated. Mac had been afraid, but she’d known this was what she was destined to do.

  Finishing with the messages, she jotted some notes on a pad. Mac had been the chief for the last four years and she’d made marked improvements in the city. Relations were still not ideal but were much better than when she’d first taken office. She looked at the plaques around her office and sighed. Four years being the top cop could take its toll on anyone and it certainly had left its mark on Mac. She currently had no social life and couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone out on an actual date. The city had become her family and lover, filling her days and nights.

  Mac reveled in the moments of silence and cleared her mind. Brandon would be arriving any moment and his colorful eyes filled her thoughts. She smiled to herself as she thought of the altercations they’d had in the past. Brandon’s calm, cool exterior made him seem untouchable and could set her off in a moment, yet since the first time she’d met him, he’d had some type of hold over her. The way he said her name never failed to give her tingles no matter how hard she tried to fight them.

  Mac heard the announcement of Brandon’s arrival and sat up in her seat. Her secretary knew that the Negus had access to the Chief and were always welcome in her office. The door opened and she stood as the man entered the room. She watched as he smiled at her and sauntered into her office. He wore the tailored dark blue suit to perfection. The blue and green in his tie reflected in his eyes as he watched her.

  “Good afternoon, Chief Green.”

  Mac smiled in return. “Hello Brandon.”

  “Thank you for seeing me. I know your schedule is full,” his deep voice hit her ears.

  “I always have time for the Negus, please have a seat.”

  Brandon waited until Mac took her chair before sitting, and then they stared across the desk at one another. Mac catalogued his designer blue suit that covered a very fit body. His dark, dark brown, wavy hair was cut close to his head and trimmed to precision.

  “Congratulations, you caused quite a buzz today,” she told him.

  “I’m not surprised.”

  “The Council wanted to know who I was backing already,” Mac announced.

  Brandon rubbed his chin. “That was quick.”

  “Lines are being drawn already. Since Patrice is a part of the council, she has many of them in her pocket,” Mac commented.

  He leaned forward. “What did you tell them?”

  “I told them it was too early for me to decide. I want to see who we can trust among them,” she confessed.

  He smiled. “Thank you.”

  Mac shook her head. “You have to deal with Patrice, this is the least I could do to help.”

  Brandon sighed. “She came to see me earlier today.”

  She sat up straighter. “What did she want?”

  “To put me on notice.”

  “You didn’t say anything that she can use against you, did you?” Mac questioned. “She’s very manipulative.”

  “No, I was very careful and I taped the conversation,” he assured her.

  Mac stood. “Let me hear it to be sure.”

  Brandon ran through his conversation with Patrice in his head. “I’d rather not.”

  She came around the desk and folded her arms over her breasts. “Why not? What did you say?”

  “It was a personal conversation.”

  Mac looked at him. “You’re not getting involved with her again?” she asked incredulously.

  “Mackenzie…”

  She threw her hands in the air. “Really Brandon? I’m not putting my ass on the line for you to cozy back up with Patrice Dansby. Tell me now if you’re serious about this!”

  Brandon got to his feet and stepped closer to her. “I’m serious. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be doing this at all.”

  Mac looked up at him as he continued. “I don’t want you to hear the tape because things were mentioned that I’d rather you didn’t hear. I know your ass is on the line if I mess this up and I won’t let that happen.”

  She ran a hand across her forehead. “I’m not trying to get into your business Brandon. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “I don’t, which is why I need people around me to help me,” he told her. “I won’t let you down.”

  Mac connected with his eyes and shook her head. “Tell me what you need me to do.”

  “I appreciate this.”

  “You’ve always had my back Brandon, even when people didn’t think I was capable of doing the job. You’ve kept the Negus in check and protected my city. I won’t let you down.”

  “What can I do?” she asked.

  Brandon took his seat again. “My father would like to meet with us about this new initiative. If you’re free tomorrow night, we can meet at my house.”

  Mac nodded. “Yeah, I can do that. What time?”

  “Why don’t you come around seven? I’ll have dinner.”

  She smiled. “Are you making your famous steaks?”

  He shook his head. “I should have never made those at Rion’s housewarming party.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have made them so good,” she teased him.

  Brandon laughed. “If you want steaks Mackenzie, then I’ll make them for you.”

  Mac felt that familiar tingle at the sound of her name. “You don’t have to make them just for me.” She backed off.

  Brandon felt her retreat and stood to his feet again. “My father likes steak too, so it’s no problem.”

  “Okay, can I bring anything?” she asked quietly.

  “No, just that beautiful mind so we can put together something that helps our community.”

  Mac swallowed as they stared at one another for a moment. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  “I guess you will.”

  They watched each other in the silent r
oom until Mac’s phone buzzed and she turned to look at the device.

  “I have another meeting soon,” she said turning back to him.

  Brandon nodded. “I didn’t come to take up much of your time.”

  He began to walk to the door as she spoke again. “You could’ve just called Brandon.”

  At the door, he stopped and turned back to her. “I know Mackenzie.”

  Opening the door, he said, “See you tomorrow night. Have a good day.”

  Mac watched him go and close the door. Slowly she walked around to her seat and took a breath as her phone buzzed again signaling her next meeting.

  She picked up the receiver. “Tell them I’m on my way.”

  ******

  Brandon decided to stop for dinner on his way home later that evening. Even though he’d announced his candidacy today, he currently still served as the head prosecutor and he didn’t plan to slack one iota. He drove to Katydids, the restaurant owned by Lance and his wife Khayla. It was one of the few restaurants in the city that was geared toward serving healthy cultural food dishes.

  Stepping inside, he was greeted by the woman herself. “Brandon! You were great today.” Khayla said hugging him.

  “Thank you.”

  She pulled back. “Did you come to eat?” she asked.

  He nodded. “Yes, it’s been a long day.”

  “I bet. It’s not every day that you enter a political race.”

  He followed her to a table. “Exactly, is your husband here?”

  Khayla smiled. “Lance is on his way. He had to check on the other businesses.”

  Khayla’s husband, Lance owned several businesses in the city and was a very successful entrepreneur.

  “That boy is always working,” Lance commented.

  “I know how to slow him down,” Khayla said sassily.

  Brandon laughed taking a seat. “I see. I’m glad you two finally got it together.”

  “Me too, once my King made up his mind there was no turning back.”

  “I thought I was going to have to marry you, since Tauri took Rion off the market,” Brandon teased her.

  Khayla gave him a look. “You know Lance was always the one, but you do need to marry somebody.”

  Brandon rolled his eyes. “Et tu Brutus? Have you been talking to my father?”

  She laughed. “No, how is Judge Williams?”

  “Having a midlife crisis or something. Maybe you should check him out?” Brandon told her.

  “Stop! There is nothing wrong with the Judge. He’s one of my healthiest patients.” Khayla relayed. “Now if Lance hadn’t gotten his act together, the Judge was definitely a contender.”

  Brandon frowned. “No you didn’t just say that to me.”

  Khayla leaned on the table. “Look, your Daddy is fine. There are a lot of women out here that would love to snag sexy Judge Williams.”

  He put a hand to his face. “Please can I get some food before you make me nauseous.”

  She laughed. “You need to stop hating and get your own woman.”

  “My money is on Mac, so don’t let me down,” she warned.

  He removed his hand. “What money?”

  “The Negus and the Nigist took bets on who’s going to get you,” Khayla told him.

  He frowned again. “Who is even in the running?”

  “Mac, Patrice, Candace, Janet,” she paused. “Lisa’s out because she’s in prison. Nobody thought you did behind the glass relationships.”

  Brandon put up a hand. “Stop. None of you will see one dollar of that money.”

  Khayla gave him a look. “Okay Brandon, the more stubborn they are, the harder they fall.”

  “I don’t think it goes like that.”

  “Lance and Rion went down,” she reminded him.

  “Rion was looking for his goddess and Lance was sprung on you forever,” he explained.

  Khayla took the seat across from him. “And what are you?”

  “Neither.” He looked at her. “Do you still serve food here?”

  She climbed out of the seat slowly with a smile. “Yes we do, what can I get you?”

  “Thank you,” Brandon said shaking his head.

  He placed his order with Khayla then watched her disappear to assist other customers. What the hell was going on? He’d decided to run for mayor but everybody was trying to play matchmaker all of a sudden. Didn’t they understand what he was trying to do? He couldn’t run a campaign and have a relationship, since one would definitely suffer. His focus was on becoming mayor, not boyfriend or husband.

  As his food arrived, he watched as Lance entered the restaurant. His first instinct was to seek out his wife. Finding her at the counter, Lance walked over and kissed her before she pointed out Brandon seated at the table. Lance smiled then made his way over to Brandon.

  “What up doe?” Lance said patting Brandon on the back. “Mr. Mayor huh?”

  “Hey Lance,” Brandon said breaking from his meal. “How’s it going?”

  Lance took the seat across from him. “Good, just checked up on the businesses.”

  “You got some new help at the gas station?” Brandon asked since Lance had run into some trouble at one he owned a few months ago.

  “Yeah, it’s good. I’m a lot more careful now.”

  Brandon nodded. “You should be.” He glanced over at Khayla. “You’ve got a wife now.”

  Lance followed his gaze. “My Katydids, she keeps me from slipping fa’sho.”

  “So you all are placing bets about me?” Brandon asked going back to his food.

  “Aww B., it’s all good.”

  “You think so?” Brandon questioned lifting a brow.

  Lance sighed. “Don’t start tripping.”

  Brandon sat his fork down. “You do know who keeps the Negus in check right?”

  “Chill Brandon,” Lance said remembering exactly how Brandon kept the Negus in check and had ever since they were kids. Brandon had always been the silent enforcer.

  “I don’t have time for games,” Brandon warned.

  Lance laughed. “Damn, you sound like Khalil.”

  Brandon looked at him.

  “Seriously, it’s not a big deal. We got the same bets on Corvus and Khalil.” Lance told him. “Although Corvus’ list is too damn long and Khalil’s is too damn short.”

  Brandon went back to his food as Lance quieted.

  “How do you feel about running against Patrice?” Lance finally asked.

  “I don’t feel anything.” Brandon kept eating.

  Lance paused. “She did you foul, B.”

  “I guess there are some pretty foul women in this city,” Brandon said referring to one of Lance’s ex-employees.

  Lance got his hint. “Yeah, you gotta watch your back around them at all times.”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  Lance stood to his feet. “I’m going to check on my wife since I haven’t seen her all day.”

  Brandon nodded. “See you later.”

  “Hey, just don’t pick Mac, ‘cause Khayla will win and we’ll have to hear her mouth forever.” Brandon shook his head as he watched Lance walk away. He knew Corvus and Lance liked to act a fool, but now they’d involved others in their shenanigans.

  As Brandon went back to his food, his next thought was that he needed to pick up steak for Mackenzie tomorrow.

  Chapter 3

  The next afternoon, Brandon walked down the hall of the Prosecutor’s offices and spotted a familiar face. A face that wasn’t supposed to be in her office. He stopped and watched her sitting at the desk.

  “Excuse me Prosecutor Patterson-Shaw, what are you doing here?” he asked.

  Tauri looked up and smiled at him. “Hi Brandon. I’m just following up on some things.”

  Brandon entered the office and closed the door behind him. Tauri watched as he took the seat across from her desk and pinned her with his cool gaze.

  “I appreciate you still helping out with cases, but I’m eventuall
y going to have to replace you if you decide to become a stay at home mom,” Brandon told her.

  Tauri looked away from his gaze. “I know…I’m just so torn.”

  “I love being a prosecutor but I also love holding that little boy in my arms,” she confessed.

  “Your husband is one of the wealthiest men in the country as the owner of a Major League Baseball team.” Brandon pointed out. “You don’t have to be here.”

  Tauri looked around her office. “I want to be here.”

  “This decision is yours and Rion’s but at some point I’m going to need another full time prosecutor on my staff.”

  “It might not be your staff for long since you’re running for Mayor,” Tauri reminded him.

  “Well it’s a long campaign and I wouldn’t actually take office until next year. If I do win, I’m going to make sure that this office is in tip-top shape before I go,” Brandon informed her.

  “I hear you Brandon and I know that I’m going to have to make a decision soon. Thank you for giving me time,” her raspy voice said with a smile.

  “You are my best prosecutor and Rion is my best friend, so I’m torn as well. I hate to lose you but I know my godson needs his mother.” Brandon said getting to his feet. “Where is the little god?”

  Tauri smiled. “He’s with Orion’s mother.

  Brandon shook his head. “I’m surprised you get to hold him.”

  “Yes, between my Granny and Pam, I have to practically kidnap my own son.”

  “Well you might need to share him with my father as well,” Brandon commented and Tauri looked confused.

  He shrugged. “He’s on a grandkids kick because of you and your husband.”

  Tauri laughed. “Are you getting Daddy fever?”

  “No, and I hope it’s not contagious.” Brandon replied.

  She laughed harder. “Well Orion has enough for a couple of men. He’s already talking about the next one.”

  “Yeah, I need to start looking for another prosecutor.”

  Tauri pouted. “Not yet.”

  He sighed and looked at his watch. “Okay Tauri, keep me up to date. I have to pick up some steaks.”

  She lifted a brow. “You’re making your famous steaks?”

  Brandon paused. “I have a meeting with my father and Mackenzie tonight to discuss a new initiative.”