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  Tauri shook her head and turned back to the window.

  “What about you?” he asked.

  She turned back. “What about me?”

  “Do you have any kids or crazy ass exes?”

  Tauri smiled. “No Orion. I don't have children or crazy ex-boyfriends. I only have my grandparents.”

  Rion smiled. “Your granny who warned you about letting me get into your panties?”

  She laughed. “Yes, and my granddaddy who loves baseball.”

  “Oh yeah, I'm supposed to meet him right?”

  “You do not want to meet my granddaddy.” She turned back to the window and Rion took her hand calling her name.

  When she looked back at him he said, “I very much want to meet your grandparents.”

  “You don't have to do that Orion.”

  “How about tonight?” he asked.

  Tauri frowned. “Are you even listening to me?”

  “Should I bring something?” he continued glancing over at her.

  “Orion Shaw, stop this foolishness right now...” she said angrily.

  Rion pulled up to Tauri's car still parked in the parking lot from yesterday. She went to get out of the vehicle and Rion stopped her.

  “No pulling back, remember?” he reminded her.

  “Since it was less than an hour ago, how could I forget?” she snapped.

  Rion touched her face gently. “So I can meet your grandparents tonight?”

  “I still don't know why you want to do that.”

  He smiled. “They'll be our kids' great grandparents so I want to meet them as soon as possible.”

  Tauri's face became inflamed and she pointed a finger at him. “I swear...you're going to stop with that!”

  She threw open the door then exited the car slamming the expensive car door shut with all her might. Rion let the window down as she walked to her car.

  “Tauri?” Rion called her name and she stopped turning back to him.

  “I never knew goddesses snored so loud.”

  Her eyes narrowed and she gave him the finger before getting into her car and taking off.

  Rion smiled. “Damn, I'm going to fall so deep in love with that girl...”

  Rion drove back to his apartment then showered and dressed before heading to have breakfast at Lance's restaurant. When he entered the establishment he spotted Khalil's twin, Khayla at the counter with Lance smiling in her face. Shaking his head, he walked over to them.

  “Hey girl!” he said hugging her gently.

  Khayla returned his embrace. “Rion, I was wondering when I was going to see you. Kyros went on and on about his day with Uncle Rion.”

  Rion smiled. “That's my little dude.” He turned to Lance. “What's up brother?”

  Lance gave Rion a handshake and pat on the back. “What up doe?”

  Rion had caught the look Lance had been giving Khayla when he'd walked in and knew that despite his protests, Lance had it bad for her. Khayla was a caramel beauty with enough curves to shut down traffic completely.

  “I'm here for breakfast but since this cutie is here, I think I'll buy hers too.” Rion winked at Khayla.

  Lance frowned. “She's already had breakfast.”

  Khayla smiled at Lance and took Rion's arm. “I'll just keep you company. I haven't seen you in a while.”

  Rion and Khayla found a table while Lance shot daggers at them. He finally turned and walked into the back when the two were seated.

  Rion laughed and looked at Khayla. “Why don't you put my boy out of his misery?”

  Khayla smiled. “What misery?”

  Rion shook his head. “I swear, y'all women be playing these head games...”

  “No, y'all be playing games. Lance wants to be a mack and chase all these women, then he can go right ahead. When he rises to my level, then we can talk.”

  “Damn girl, what do they give the women here? Is it in the water?”

  Khayla laughed. “I'm a beautiful black woman Rion. I will give a black man my unconditional love, support and devotion. Why should I ever expect less than all he has to give?”

  Rion put his hands in the air. “Hey, I'm not disagreeing with you goddess. In fact I plan to give a woman exactly that.”

  “Tauri Patterson?” she asked smiling.

  Rion looked shocked. “Does everybody in the damn city know my business? I've only known her three days.”

  Khayla shrugged. “Everybody's surprised because she usually puts brothers on their faces then steps on their backs as she walks away,” she explained.

  Rion laughed. “Yeah, that sounds like her.”

  Khayla smiled. “But it seems she's no match for the young god.”

  Rion rubbed his chin. “We'll see about that.” He looked up as Lance joined them at the table.

  Khayla stood and glanced at Lance before turning to Rion. “I'll bring some breakfast out to you.”

  Rion smiled. “Thanks.” She winked at him and walked away with Lance watching her every step.

  “Somebody's going to wife her if you keep playing,” Rion told him and Lance turned back to him.

  “Who?”

  Rion shook his head. “Abigail. Who the hell do you think I'm talking about Lance?”

  Lance looked confused. “What?”

  Rion tilted his head toward his friend. “Let me make it plain. While your ass is playing, some brother is going to come along, put a ring on Khayla's hand and give her a whole bunch of pretty ass little babies.” He pinned Lance with a look. “Do you understand that?”

  Lance laughed. “Katydids ain't having nobody's babies.”

  Rion sighed and stared at Lance. These women really had his head messed up. He'd eventually realize that a woman like Khayla was one of a kind and if she did find someone, Rion wasn't sure just how Lance would handle it.

  “Okay brother. I'm just trying to help you out,” Rion said sitting back against the booth cushions.

  “Just because Tauri Patterson has you all twisted, don't try to put that on me,” Lance told him smiling.

  “Sometimes I wonder why I came home.”

  Lance smiled some more. “Because you love us and this city.”

  “I love this city.”

  Lance laughed. “And you came back trying to still hit home runs. Tauri Patterson?”

  “You all need to not worry about me and Tauri Patterson. If you have forgotten, somebody is still threatening to kill me,” Rion reminded him.

  Lance smirked. “Man, Mac and Brandon have security so tight on you, they probably know the last time you took a dump and what it smelled like.”

  Rion frowned. “Thanks.”

  “I'm just saying...you straight. Nothing is going to happen to you. We got this.”

  “I've got some additional help coming in to gather the evidence that Tauri needs,” Rion told him.

  Lance grinned slyly. “I'm sure you're trying to fulfill all of Tauri's needs.”

  “At least she knows that I'm the man who can,” Rion countered.

  Khayla arrived with Rion's breakfast and sat it on the table in front of him. He smiled up at her and took her hand. “Thank you cutie, I swear you get more beautiful every time I see you girl. You're going to make Khalil kill somebody for real.” He shot Lance a look.

  Khayla smiled and kissed his cheek. “I'm glad you're home Rion.” She turned to Lance.

  “I'm taking off now. Everything looks good and all the orders are in.”

  Lance got to his feet and stood staring down at her. “Thank you Katydids, I'll hook up with you later.”

  She nodded. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

  “I'll walk you to your car,” Lance told her taking her hand. He glanced at Rion who was shaking his head.

  The two disappeared leaving Rion to dig into his breakfast. While he ate, he thought about the meetings he had lined up for today, one with the Mayor and another with the Council President. He needed the leaders in the city to support his bid for a team and once
he'd gotten rid of the ones threatening him, he had to make sure everyone else stayed on board. He was meeting Tauri's grandparents later since she'd sent him a text saying that they wanted him to come for dinner at six.

  Rion laughed at how everyone knew about him and Tauri, when there really wasn't even a him and Tauri yet. They'd had dinner together and kissed, which could hardly be considered a relationship. In his mind, he knew that he was definitely moving forward with her. He also knew that she had deep reservations about him and his life. Rion vowed that he would make sure she knew that he had no intentions of leaving this city...or her.

  That evening Rion showed up at the home of Tauri's grandparents on the city's east side. He stood on the porch with two bouquets of flowers until sexy hazel eyes finally greeted him.

  “Hi.” That raspy voice sent chills down his spine.

  He smiled at her. “Hello Tauri.”

  “Come in.” She stood back and allowed him to enter. Once inside he handed her one of the bouquets in his hand.

  “These are for you.”

  She slowly took them watching him closely. “Thank you Orion. This was very thoughtful.”

  He stepped closer to her in the tiny foyer and focused on her mouth. Tauri lifted her face to his, touching his lips briefly. Rion touched her cheek gently stroking it.

  “Are you still mad at me?” he whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “Did the flowers help?”

  She smiled. “No.”

  He laughed as she took his hand and led him into the living room where her grandparents were waiting.

  “Granny, Granddaddy this is Orion Shaw,” she introduced him. “Orion these are my grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Henry Patterson.”

  Tauri made the introductions like she'd been taught by her grandmother since she was able to talk as Rion looked at the couple and smiled.

  “It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Patterson.”

  Tauri's grandfather beamed. “Look at this Millie! Orion Shaw in our living room.”

  “I see him Henry,” she responded while looking over Orion dressed in dark jeans along with a lightweight beige sweater that hugged his chest and dark brown boots. She also saw how her granddaughter's eyes devoured him.

  “Sit down! Sit down!” her grandfather boomed happily. Orion took a seat in one of the empty chairs while Tauri took the one opposite him facing her grandparents. He jumped back up remembering the flowers in his hand and gently handed them to her grandmother.

  “These are for you Mrs. Patterson. Thank you for having me in your home.”

  Millie Patterson took the flowers still watching Rion closely. “Thank you Mr. Shaw. This was very thoughtful.” Orion felt a sense of deja vu as Millie Patterson had the same raspy voice as her granddaughter along with that edge of steel.

  He smiled and regained his seat taking a quick glance at Tauri. Once he was seated again, he felt like he was up to bat with the bases loaded, bottom of the ninth with two outs. He cleared his throat and focused his attention on the two people on the sofa.

  “So Mr. Shaw, ReRe tells us that she's working on a case for you?” Millie asked.

  Rion looked to Tauri “ReRe?” She frowned at him before he turned back to her grandmother.

  “Yes, she is and please call me Rion.” He smiled.

  Millie looked at Rion. “And just what else do you want her to do for you Mr. Shaw?” she asked pointedly.

  Rion blinked. “Excuse me?”

  “Granny...” Tauri warned.

  Tauri's granny ignored her. “Powerful men usually want one thing from a beautiful woman.” She turned to Tauri. “And although I've warned Tauri about letting men in her panties, she doesn't always listen.”

  Rion paused and ran a slow hand down his face as Tauri responded, “Granny, Orion didn't come here to discuss my panties.” Tauri cut a look at him.

  “Millie, leave these young people alone. I got your panties on the first date,” her grandfather reprimanded.

  Tauri lowered her head into her hand and Rion smiled.

  “Don't you discuss my panties Henry Patterson!” her grandmother cried.

  Henry moved closer to his wife. “And they were the only panties I ever wanted.” He kissed her cheek.

  Millie gently pushed at him with a soft smile. “Go away Henry.”

  Henry smiled at her. “Now, why don't you and baby girl go and check on all that food you've cooked and let me and this young fella have a little chat before we eat?”

  Millie smiled and got to her feet. “Come on here ReRe.”

  Tauri got slowly to her feet and glanced from her grandfather to Rion. She let out a breath and followed her grandmother into the kitchen. Rion watched the women leave then turned to Tauri's grandfather wondering what was next.

  “Orion Shaw. Boy, when ReRe told us she'd met you and you were coming here, I'd about died.”

  He continued. “Coming home and bringing another team to the city? Boy, that right there...” He shook his head.

  “As a black man in this country there are a lot of things I thought I'd never see a black man achieve, yet I have...not all, but some.”

  “I understand sir,” Rion commented.

  Henry leaned forward. “This is no small thing you're trying to do. Things like this can get real messy. You afraid to get your hands dirty?” he asked cryptically.

  Rion leaned forward. “No sir. I'm trying to let their system work, but I'm not that naive to believe that it will resolve things completely, if at all.”

  Henry smiled. “I knew you were special boy...and not just on the baseball field.”

  “Thank you sir, if it wasn't for the strong black men who've come before me like you, I would never have had the opportunity to be in this position.”

  Henry nodded. “Now, about my granddaughter and her panties...” He lifted a brow.

  Rion sat up. “Your granddaughter is a beautiful, brilliant and strong woman.”

  “She's like her grandmother.”

  Rion glanced at the fireplace in the room. “May I?” he asked permission to go over and study the many photographs displayed.

  Henry nodded and Rion stood to walk over to the mantle. His gaze scanned photos of Tauri at various stages in her life. Tauri in thick glasses and then in braces, Tauri in braids, pony tails and in the short cut, she now wore. Rion felt a stab at his heart. He pictured their own home filled with pictures of their own kids. He teased her mercilessly about having children together and as he looked over her growth through these photos, he knew she had been made for him.

  “She's so incredible,” Rion whispered.

  Henry joined Rion by the fireplace. “She's strong, stubborn and will fight to the death. She's also the sweetest, most loyal and compassionate woman you'll ever meet.”

  Rion nodded and continued to study the pictures.

  “I think you're a remarkable young man Orion Shaw but if you hurt our baby girl, I will get my hands very dirty,” Henry warned.

  Rion turned to him. “Yes sir.”

  Henry patted him on the back. “Hot damn! Orion Shaw in my living room!”

  Chapter 6

  The women returned and announced that dinner was ready. They all sat at the table in the dining room with Tauri and Rion across from each other. Their gazes connected frequently and held. Her grandmother had prepared a feast fit for a king and Rion enjoyed the well-cooked meal.

  “So Rion, I understand that you're a part of the Negus here in the city,” her grandfather commented.

  Rion nodded. “Yes, along with my brother and three of our close friends.” His gaze connected with Tauri's again as she picked up her glass.

  “What exactly does that mean, Negus?” her grandmother asked.

  Rion turned to her. “It's an Ethiopian title for kings or rulers.”

  “So you call yourselves kings?” her grandfather asked as Tauri took a sip of her drink.

  “They're the kings, I'm the young god,” Rion answered and Tauri spit her d
rink across the room and began to choke.

  “What the hell?” her grandfather roared.

  Tauri regained her composure after a moment. “I'm sorry Granddaddy.”

  Henry turned to Rion. “Did you say that you're a young god?”

  “Yes sir,” Rion answered firmly.

  Tauri's grandmother looked at her in question and she quickly intervened.

  “Rion and his family follow Khemetic beliefs,” she explained quickly.

  “What in the Sam Hill?” her grandfather exclaimed.

  Her grandmother frowned. “Henry...”

  “So you think my granddaughter is supposed to bow down to you, Mr. Young God?” he demanded.

  Rion stopped his meal and turned to Henry. “On the contrary Mr. Patterson, as a young god, I know that it's my responsibility to provide for, protect and worship my goddess.” He looked at Tauri. “I will use every resource within my power to make her smile. Each day my objective is her ultimate happiness. There is nothing that she requires that I won't freely give.” He held her gaze as she stared back at him.

  Her grandmother smiled down the table at her husband while lifting an eyebrow. “Did you hear that Henry?”

  The rest of the meal concluded without incident. Tauri helped her grandmother clean the kitchen while Rion and her grandfather talked more about Rion's plans for the new team. When all was cleared away, her grandparents retired to their bedroom leaving Rion and Tauri in the living room sitting on the sofa.

  He turned to her. “I think I'm in love with your Granny.”

  She smiled. “Shut up.”

  “I think your Granddaddy might kill me though. He did threaten me tonight.”

  Her eyes widened. “No!”

  He nodded. “He told me if I hurt baby girl, my ass is done.”

  “My granddaddy did not say that!”

  “That was the gist of it.”

  Tauri put a hand to her face then looked at him. “You wanted to meet them.”

  Rion took her hand. “And I'm glad I did, because of them I have this incredible woman sitting next to me.”

  Tauri smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

  “And I hope our daughter looks just like you with pop-bottle glasses and braces,” he told her.

  Tauri's mouth opened then closed. “I hate you.” She pulled her hand away.