The Professional (The Negus Effect Series Book 5) Read online

  Seeing her sister’s face, Liv went to her. “Hey, I’m more than enough.”

  “You sure are.” Taylor looked at her, then smiled again. “Do you really want to take on Miles?”

  “Girl, I’m going to take all of Miles.”

  ******

  “I see you’re in a good mood this morning,” Miles said to his mother, as he put his phone away. “All sweet and cheery…”

  Pat came in and sat down. “I only get to see you in the mornings. The least you could do is not be talking to women every damn day.”

  “I wouldn’t be talking to women, if you were up and ready to eat when I got here.” He stood and went to put the food on plates.

  “I don’t know when you’re getting here.”

  “I come at the same time every day.” He replied going about his task. “If you want me to change the time, then tell me.”

  Pat frowned. “The time is fine.”

  He sighed and finished the plates, taking them over to the table and placing one in front of her, along with silverware. Miles sat across from her and studied her face.

  “Good morning, Mama.” He said quietly.

  She stared at him. “Good morning, Miles.”

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Good.” Miles replied, picking up a fork. “Do you need anything?”

  Pat looked down at her food.

  “No, you take good care of me...you and Lance.”

  “We love you.” He said simply. “You took good care of us, when you could.”

  “Who is that girl?” Pat asked.

  Miles looked up. “What girl?”

  “The one you were talking to…”

  “Today?” he questioned.

  “Yes, who is she?”

  He frowned. “Why?”

  “You didn’t talk to her like the rest.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Pat began to eat. “Your voice was different.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “I know it.” Pat said, swallowing. “I hear you every morning and this was different.”

  “How?” Miles asked interested.

  Pat smiled. “You called her.”

  “I did.” He agreed.

  “They usually call you.”

  Pondering her observation, he replied, “They do…”

  “So why are you calling her?” Pat questioned.

  “I wanted to talk to her.” Miles said simply.

  She looked at him. “You couldn’t wait for her to call you?”

  Smiling, he said, “She wasn’t going to call.”

  “So you’re chasing her?”

  “I don’t have to chase.”

  Laughing, Pat replied, “Sounds like chasing to me.”

  “She told me that her body is priceless…” Miles shared.

  “You liked that.” She said firmly.

  “I did.”

  Pat went back to the meal and after a few moments, she said quietly, “You know that I’m proud of you...and Lance. You two have really made something of your lives.”

  “With no fathers in the picture, we know what you had to do...and then your illness.”

  “I’m glad I didn’t lose you two.”

  Miles smiled at her. “You could’ve been nicer, for real…”

  She laughed. “I guess…”

  “It’s good to see you happy and laughing.”

  “It’s been a long journey, and you know I still have my moments.” Pat confessed.

  “Yes, I am a witness to them.”

  Looking up at him, Pat said soberly, “I don’t mean to hurt you. I never did.”

  “I know Mama.” Miles replied. “I understand that you were hurting.”

  “You’re a good man, Miles.” HIs mother told him.

  “Thank you. I wanted to show everybody that I could be…” He looked away. “I’m not my father.”

  Pat stared at him.

  “No, you’re nothing like him.” She agreed.

  Miles checked his watch.

  “After I clean this up, I need to bounce.” He told her. “But, I’ll see you in the morning...and if you need anything just text me.”

  She reached for his hand and held it firmly.

  “Thank you.” Pat said softly.

  He smiled at her. “You’re welcome.”

  “I hope you catch that girl you’re chasing.” She said lifting a brow.

  “She’s already caught.” Miles said confidently.

  ******

  Liv and Taylor sat across one another in the restaurant that Taylor had chosen for breakfast.

  “This is a nice place,” Liv commented.

  “Mathias suggested it, since we can’t go to Katydids.” Taylor replied with a look.

  Liv smiled. “Miles is taking me there tonight.”

  “Before you accost the man…”

  “I have to find out what he does for a living first,” Liv commented. “Are you sure you don’t already know?”

  “No, I don’t...and I had no reason to go poking into the man’s life.” Taylor replied.

  “We could swing by the office and run him through your database.”

  Taylor frowned. “Or we could not.”

  “What does Mathias say he does?” Liv questioned.

  “I didn’t ask.”

  Liv stared at her. “For real Sis? This is how you do me?”

  “What did you say earlier...we’re both grown women?”

  “Didn’t you check out Mathias before you slept with him?”

  Smiling, Taylor replied, “I did.”

  “Then why can’t you do the same for me?”

  “All I know for sure is that Miles is not a criminal and he’s not a threat to you. The rest you have to find out on you own.” Taylor told her.

  “And I will…”

  “Taylor!”

  Liv watched the woman approach as Taylor stood with a smile.

  “Khayla.” Taylor said as the two women hugged.

  “I’m so happy for you!” Khayla said, when they separated.

  “Thank you,” Taylor replied and Khayla turned to Liv. “Hey, Liv…”

  “Hey, Khayla.” Liv said with a smile.

  Khayla leaned closer to Liv. “So, I saw you leaving with my brother-in-law last night…”

  “Yes, Miles was nice enough to give me a ride back to Taylor’s place.” Liv shared.

  After glancing at Taylor, Khayla turned back to Liv.

  “That was nice of him.” She said, as a few more women entered the restaurant.

  Taylor and Liv were greeted by Tauri, Mackenzie, Danielle and Miracle.

  “You all are here for breakfast, too?” Taylor asked.

  Khayla smiled. “Yes, and a Nigist meeting.”

  “Nigist?” Taylor asked as she and her sister both looked confused.

  “Why don’t you join us?” Khayla suggested.

  Chapter 4

  Miles cleaned his mother’s kitchen, then kissed her goodbye and headed to take care of business. He arrived at the old bookstore and made his way inside the abandoned building. With his gun in reach, Miles entered one of the rooms.

  “I’m glad you could make it.”

  Relaxing, Miles nodded. “I had to take my Mama her breakfast.”

  “How is she?”

  “She’s good...still the same.”

  George laughed. “That’s Pat.”

  Miles looked around the place.

  “What are we doing here?” he asked.

  “This is where the Neo Negus were meeting with the twins.” George explained.

  “You think there are more clues here?”

  Staring at him, George nodded. “Especially after the information you obtained last night.”

  “I’m not sure how accurate that is,” Miles told him. “A bunch of dudes sitting around smoking, drinking, and making rap songs…”

  “It may not be one hundred percent correct, but we can�
��t take that chance.”

  “Okay...I’m on it.” Miles replied. “Last night Mathias and Ethan were talking about some Expert or something, wanting to contact me?”

  “Yes, that’s Malachi.”

  Miles frowned. “Do they all have code names?”

  George smiled. “Yes.”

  “What’s mine?”

  “We’ll call you The Professional...since that’s the way you like to introduce yourself.”

  “I like that.” Miles nodded.

  George walked closer.

  “You’ve done a very good job for me, Miles.” He complimented.

  “You gave me the chance.”

  “You still don’t want anyone to know?” George questioned. “Or officially join the team?”

  Miles shook his head.

  “Nah, I’m good on my own.”

  “Malachi is going to call on you for some of your professional expertise, but he doesn’t know what you’ve been doing over the years.” George explained.

  “I’ll work with him on whatever he needs.”

  “One day you’ll have to come out of Lance’s shadow.”

  Miles frowned. “It seems around here, I’ll always be Lance’s little brother. He’s the original Negus.”

  “That’s why you’ve done things the way you have?”

  “Yes, I’ve created my own man.”

  George placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “At the end of the day Miles...a man is only a compilation of those he’s loved and those he’s helped.” George told him.

  “I believe that.” Miles agreed.

  “Well, let’s get to work and see what we can find here.” George said, surveying the room.

  “I thought you were retiring?”

  Smiling, George said, “I am.”

  “When?”

  “I’ve turned over the reins to Malachi for the day-to-day work.” He explained. “What I’m doing with you is like...a hobby…until you’re ready to officially join the others.”

  “Okay, Mr. Shaw.” Miles shook his head. “Let’s get to work.”

  “How much time do you have?” George inquired.

  Miles checked his watch.

  “I have to stop by the studio this afternoon, then I have plans for tonight.”

  “Don’t you always have plans for the evening?”

  “Yeah, I do…” Miles grinned naughtily.

  George gave him a look.

  “For you to be so adamant about being your own man, you sure have taken on your brother’s reputation with the ladies...possibly exceeded it.” He pointed out.

  “I’m just living life.”

  “Is that what you call it?”

  Frowning, Miles asked, “Is this what a father-son conversation would feel like?”

  “I’ve had plenty with all the men I consider my sons...including you.”

  “I’m not out here hurting anybody,” Miles told him with a shrug.

  “Do you include yourself in that list?”

  Miles sighed. “I didn’t know we were getting this deep today.”

  “Neither did I,” George replied. “But it seemed necessary…”

  He continued as Miles listened quietly.

  “You’re not a boy anymore Miles. You’re a grown man with the capacity to love a black woman, create a black family and advance the black community.” George counseled. “Think about that…one of these evenings.”

  Miles absorbed his words and finally nodded.

  “Thank you, Mr. Shaw...for everything you’ve done for me and my family.”

  “You’re welcome son.” George smiled. “Now, come and indulge me in my new hobby.”

  ******

  Mr. Shaw’s words still rang in Miles’ head as he exited his home on his way to pick up Liv for their date. At 6:45 he dialed her number and waited for her to answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Please tell me that you’re getting ready.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  He frowned. “Why not? I’m on my way.”

  “I’m already ready…” Liv replied. “I hoped that you’d be on time.”

  Miles smiled. “You mean I won’t have to wait when I get there?”

  “Do you prefer waiting?”

  “I hate it.”

  She laughed. “Then you’ll be fine tonight.”

  “You get extra points.” Miles said softly.

  “Negro, I’m not trying to earn no damn points with you.” Liv told him and he laughed loudly.

  “Okay, Liv. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Get ready for me.”

  Liv said saucily. “I stay ready, so that I never have to get ready.”

  “You’re not in Dallas anymore, Dororthy…and I’m the tornado.”

  “If you think you can sweep me away, then come get me.” Liv challenged.

  Miles pulled up at the building.

  “I’m already here.”

  The call disconnected and Liv waited for his knock at the door. When the bell rang, Liv went to answer. Her eyes lit on the handsome man on the other side and she felt her insides react.

  “Hello, Miles…”

  “What up doe?” He stared down into her face, in particular her plump red covered lips.

  “I’m ready when you are.”

  “Can I come in?”

  Liv pursed those lips, then stepped back and watched him enter. Miles slowly closed the door behind him, while his dark eyes looked her over in the black dress. From her big, fiery colored hair to her red manicured toes and everything in between, Miles was entranced.

  “Do I get a hug?” he asked.

  Liv looped her arms around his neck and caught a whiff of his expensive cologne as he wrapped her in a warm embrace.

  “You look amazing.” Miles whispered in her ear.

  “So do you…” Liv breathed. “Are you coming from work again?”

  Miles looked down into her eyes.

  “Nah, I just remembered you liked your man suited.”

  Liv touched the lapel of the dark gray suit.

  “You can surely hang one.”

  “Thank you...and that dress is hugging everything.”

  “You noticed.”

  He smiled. “Hell yeah, I noticed. Wasn’t that the point?”

  “Mission accomplished.”

  They stared at one another with their bodies pressed closely.

  “Are we going to dinner?” Liv asked softly.

  “Is it my choice?”

  Smiling, she replied, “No.”

  Miles lowered his face to hers.

  “I’d like that to be the last time I hear that word tonight.” He whispered, before pressing his lips against her mouth. Pulling her closer, Miles deepened the kiss and Liv tightened her arms around his neck. Their tongues dueled until neither could breathe, and they reluctantly pulled apart.

  Licking her lips, Liv said, “Is that how you plan to keep me from saying it?”

  Miles wiped his bottom lip with his thumb.

  “You’ll have no reason to say it at all.” He reached out and touched her mouth gently. “I promise you.”

  Liv felt herself being pulled again into his sensual mental space.

  “Let me fix my face, and then we can go.” She told him.

  “I’ll wait right here.”

  In the bathroom, Liv took some deep breaths to relax herself. Checking her purse, she made sure the box of condoms was safely tucked inside.

  “I maybe should bring more…” she said, reaching for her lipstick.

  Looking in the mirror, she saw her hazy eyes and flushed skin.

  “Damn, this boy better come through…”

  Repairing her lips, Liv met Miles at the door and he escorted her out to his vehicle. Settled inside, he turned to her.

  “Do you have a choice in music tonight?” he asked.

  Liv looked at him. “Actually, I do…”

  “Okay,” Miles replied. “Hook up to the bluetooth.”

  He waited
while Liv typed into her phone.

  When the song began to play, Miles blinked. “For real?”

  “Yes.”

  As he pulled away from the building he listened to the explicit lyrics in appreciation.

  “Are you trying to tell me something with this selection?” he asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

  “It has a nice vibe.”

  He smiled. “Yeah, I agree.”

  Liv began to sing along to the chorus…

  I’m touchin you tonight...I’m lovin you tonight…

  Miles felt himself expanding in his slacks and shifted in his seat, then glanced over and saw a pair of sexy bare thighs. Combined with the words, he was definitely feeling the vibe Liv was setting.

  He like it when I ride it slooooooow…

  When Miles hit the brakes, Liv jerked forward in her seatbelt.

  “What the hell?” she yelled, looking out the window to see what has caused the sudden stop.

  “I’ll select the music from here.” Miles told her.

  Touching the screen, he switched the connection back to his own phone, while Liv sat back.

  “You don’t like my music?” she teased.

  “We can play it again later,” Miles assured her. “Right now, I need to focus on driving.”

  She looked at him.

  “Last night, when you were singing and playing all your sexy shit, you didn’t have a problem.” Liv pointed out.

  Turning his attention on her, Miles replied, “True.”

  “I don’t like controlling men.” She said firmly. “It’s not an attractive trait to me.”

  Miles paused, then responded softly, “Then tell me what you do like, Liv.”

  She stared at him for a moment, then said softly. “For some weird reason...I like you, Miles.”

  “I like you, too.” He told her. “Just not when you’re trying to seduce the hell out of me on the way to dinner.”

  “I should wait until after?” Liv asked.

  “At least until I can participate.”

  She nodded. “I can do that.”

  Miles went back to driving and decided to talk instead of listening to music.

  “How was your breakfast with Taylor?” he asked.

  “We ate with your sister-in-law and the Nigists.”

  He frowned. “Oh, hell…what did they tell you?”

  “About what?”

  “Everything...I know those women, especially Khayla.”

  “They were very nice to me and Taylor.” Liv replied. “I really like them.”