Ebony Angel (19 page)

“Thanks, Trae. I needed to do this on my own.” She didn’t want to start a fight, so she softened. “I appreciate all you do for me.”

“You takin’ Smoke with you?”

“No, I haven’t told him about the dinner. His flight doesn’t even arrive for a few hours, and I don’t want him to change his plans with Clark.” A set of aw’s filled the salon.

“You want me to go with you?”

Skeet stepped between the two. “You’d better not go with him, Ebony. If you’re taking anyone, take me.” He smiled. “You like me better, anyway.” Several women giggled.

They had such good potential. She prayed silently they would leave the drug lifestyle before it was too late. “I don’t think I’ll take either of you. I still need to figure out what to wear.”

* * *

By the time evening came, everyone in the neighborhood knew about Ebony’s big business dinner. The chilly March weather didn’t keep neighbors from gathering on the porch. They reminisced about when she had first moved into the neighborhood as a child, and how she had grown into such a fine young lady.

Dan stopped by to see his baby girl off. He had come close to telling her the truth thousands of times, but couldn’t. Ebony’s biological mother had died during childbirth. A few weeks later, he signed custody of Ebony over to Marissa, thinking he was saving his child from the drug life. Marissa betrayed him and married that no good drug-addict Bobby not even a year later.

Over the years, he saw Bobby dragging Marissa down. All the women in his family had the same deadly affliction: “heartus softigites.” At first, Marissa insisted she could save Bobby. Near the end, she had a drug addiction herself.

Dan felt his rage from Marissa’s past betrayal bubbling to the surface. He hadn’t given his child away to have her raised by druggies. And then there was Trae.

“Are you all right?” Marissa asked.

“Yeah. I’m fine.” He turned away. When Marissa put him out of their lives, he had panicked. At a loss, he used Trae to make sure his child was taken care of. He taught Trae everything he knew, backed him with financing, and cleared the path for him to move up in the organization quickly.

He leaned against one of the porch beams. He wished he had come to his senses earlier. He left the drug life four years after he had begun teaching Trae. Unfortunately, Trae was a fast learner, and loved the life. Dan bowed his head in prayer.
Please help Skeet and Trae leave the life.

Ebony stepped out to a chorus of ooh’s and ah’s. She hid her face with her hands. “Why are you all out here?”

Dan hugged his daughter. She had made it, despite her upbringing. “Because we’re proud of you.”

Trae pulled her into a hug. “You look beautiful.”

Skeet stepped up. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, she looks as hot as usual. Can’t y’all see you’re embarrassing her? That’s my job.” A round of laughs followed his comment. “Now let the woman get to this dinner.” He escorted her to her SUV, with Dan, Marissa and Trae close behind.

She sat behind the steering wheel. “Thanks, Skeet.”

“You’ve finally made it. I always had faith in you. Don’t let them sweet talk you into taking the position. You have options. Do what you feel is right.” Her family nodded in agreement with Skeet’s statement.

“I will.” She waved to the people on the porch, then turned back to Skeet. “I love you.”

“Yeah, I know.” He closed the door.

* * *

Richard stared across the table at Clark. He couldn’t believe he had allowed Clark to talk him into lying to Ebony. He should have followed his own mind and told her the truth. She was reasonable, and would understand. He stood up, motioning to the others at the table. “I’ll be right back.” The evening was still young. If he called, she may be able to join them for dinner.

“Something wrong?” Clark mouthed.

Richard nodded his head yes. He scanned the restaurant, and his heart stopped. Ebony stood in the doorway with her trench coat folded over her arm.

His breath caught. She had changed. Not her clothing. She always dressed with class. This was no different. She wore a plum dress that flared slightly at the hips and reached just below the knees, and a matching pair of heels with jeweled straps his sisters would kill for.

Gone were the adornments that detracted from her beauty. There stood his sexy yet classy, statuesque, ebony angel of a fiancée. His heart raced almost as fast as he crossed the room to her. His secretary must have told her about the dinner. He should have known Ebony would understand about a business look, and kicked himself for not speaking up sooner.

Her smile of recognition almost made him lose it. Elation filled him. He wanted to take her home and make love. He drew his hands through her jet-black, shoulder-length hair. “You never cease to amaze me.” He kissed her lightly. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “Skeet has a big mouth.”

He frowned. He didn’t tell Skeet about the business dinner because of his big mouth. Recalling the message Skeet had left for him to call, he was glad he hadn’t returned the call. Skeet would have ruined her surprise.

Clearing his throat loudly, Darryl Beacon said, “I take it you know each other.”

They broke apart, with Richard answering, “This is my fiancée,” and Ebony saying, “Yes, this is my fiancé.”

Darryl’s eyes darted between the two. “You two are engaged?”

Richard released Ebony’s hand. If Darryl was prejudiced, he would take his business elsewhere. “Is that a problem for you?” He glared into Darryl’s big brown eyes and saw confusion, not disapproval.

Ebony stepped forward. “Hello, Darryl. It’s nice seeing you again. Sorry I’m late.”

Richard’s head cocked to the side. “You two know each other?” Nausea quickly replaced elation.

Darryl chuckled nervously as he led the way back to the table. “This is the young woman I’ve been going on and on about. Goes to show what a small world we live in.” He nudged his glasses up on his nose.

Richard watched Ebony’s reaction to Darryl’s words. She looked perplexed—as if the answer to her question was on the tip of her tongue. He kicked himself for ignoring Skeet’s call. He must have wanted to tell him about Ebony’s first business dinner. He cursed his own stupidity.

Darryl introduced Ebony to everyone at the table, then took his seat.

Richard prayed for the earth to open and swallow him whole. No such luck passed his way. He continued watching Ebony closely. Deep in thought, she stared at Clark.

Richard saw Ebony’s inner light literally dying out, and it killed him. He caressed her hand under the table. “I can explain, angel,” he whispered into her ear. “I love you. Let’s go home and talk. We haven’t had stir-fry in a while.”

“Did you enjoy the game?” She pushed away from the table. “I apologize, ladies and gentlemen. I’m not feeling well.” She grabbed her coat off the back of the chair and ran out of the restaurant.

Oh, God, don’t do this to me.
Richard stood. “Goodnight.” He ran after Ebony.

* * *

Darryl walked toward the restroom, dialing Trae’s number on his cell phone.

“I told you not to call me,” Trae barked. “I’m through messin’ in Ebony’s business. I’ll take care of your son.”

“I just wanted to let you know that she ran out of here very upset.”

“What the hell happened?” Trae snapped.

He paced the three-stall room. “I don’t know. One second she’s hugging and kissing her fiancé, the next she’s running out in tears.”

“Smoke was there? Shit!”

Thoroughly confused, Darryl stopped pacing. “Who’s Smoke? I thought you were her fiancé. I was shocked to learn Richard Pacini is.”

* * *

Skeet, Dan and Marissa had left, but others were still gathered on Ebony’s porch.

“Everyone get the hell out!” Trae yelled. “Now, dammit!” He pulled his gun. People scattered.

“I’ll kill him.” He stalked back and forth, thinking of ways to kill Richard. What seemed like hours passed before Ebony’s truck sped down the one-way street. He was glad, though. It gave him time to regain control.

The SUV screeched to a halt close to her parking space. She hopped out and ran for the flat.

Trae had already put away his piece. He stepped in front of her. “What’s wrong, baby?” He held her close. She struggled, but couldn’t escape. He rocked her gently. “Please, baby, tell me what’s wrong.”

She stopped struggling, leaned on his shoulder and cried. “He…he’s ash-sh-shamed,” she buried her head deeper, “of m-m-meee.”

As tears soaked his jacket, he became enraged all over again. “I’m sorry, baby.” He could feel himself about to lose control, but he couldn’t. He would be sent to jail if he acted on his rage. That would leave Ebony without anyone. He chastised himself for thinking anyone could take his place. Only he could care for Ebony. Richard pulled into Marrisa’s parking spot.

Ebony swiped at her tears with her hand. “Please, Trae, I can’t see him. Not yet.”

He dabbed at her tear soaked face. “Go inside.” She ran into the flat.

Trae stepped in front of Richard, fully intending to pick a fight without actually picking a fight. It was time for Ebony to see Richard’s ugly side.

“Get out of the way,” Richard demanded.

He inhaled slowly. Being thrown in jail for murdering Richard wasn’t an option. He counted to six by two’s. He was in control of the situation. “She doesn’t want to speak with you. Go home. You don’t belong here.” He frowned. If he took Richard to a secluded area, he could make him disappear.

“I have to explain…”

“Explain what? That you’re ashamed of your black fiancée? I think you’ve made that perfectly clear.” He reconsidered killing Richard. Ebony would become suspicious if he disappeared. Showing her Richard’s dark side would have to do until he came up with something better.

“I don’t owe you an explanation.” He pushed Trae out of the way.

Trae jerked Richard’s arm, spinning him around. “This is the last time I’m telling you to go home,
Richard
. She doesn’t want your white ass. Now get to steppin’,
Opie
.” He shoved Richard.

Richard stumbled slightly, reared his arm back to Texas and brought it around for a connecting flight on Trae’s chin.

The lookout ran into the house for Ebony. Trae fell onto the damp ground, fighting the urge to shoot Richard and be done with it. He had to look like the victim; he bit his lip, making it bleed.

Richard stood over Trae with his arms out, hands up. “Come on with it. I won’t let your racist ass keep me from Ebony.”

Trae rose in one fluid motion. The two men circled each other, shoulder to shoulder. “You wanna take me on, Richie Rich?” Trae growled.

“I’m sick of you, Too Triflin’ Trick-Assed Trae.”

Trae heard the screen door open. “I should have killed you instead of the Collins boys,” he whispered.

Richard froze.

Ebony ran out of the house. “Stop it now!” She hopped down the stairs in her bare feet and pushed Trae away from Richard.

“Don’t attack me.” Trae made a dramatic swipe of his lip, ensuring that Ebony saw the blood in his mouth. “Your boy sucker-punched me, not the other way around.” He pointed at the muddy mark on his pants.

She glared at Richard. “What’s wrong with you? Get out. Both of you!”

“Blue and white,” a lookout called. “Five-O!”

“Go inside, Ebony,” Trae ordered. “I’ve got this.”

She walked into the flat, with Richard close behind.

* * *

Ebony dried her feet on the throw rug just inside the door.

“Let me explain.” Richard reached forward.

She stepped away from his touch. “No. Let me explain. The only reason I brought you in here was to give you this.” She took off her engagement ring and held it out to him. “Jessica was right.” She wiped the tears from her face. “You’re ashamed of me.” Fear gripped her. What if Jessica was also right about him working for Trae? After all, he didn’t turn away the hundred grand Trae invested in his firm back in January. And why had he accepted Trae and Skeet as friends so easily?

Instead of accepting the ring, he clasped his hands behind his back. “I love you. It was a mistake.”

“Give this back to your boss.” She stuffed the ring into his pocket. “I’m not a business deal.” His confused stare told her she’d made a mistake. He didn’t work for Trae, but she was right about her other fear. “The only mistake was my believing in you.” She sat on the couch, hugging herself tightly. “You wouldn’t even introduce me to your family.”

“Nonno loves you.” He knelt in front of her. “You’re not a deal. You’re my love. I love you.”

She rocked back and forth, quietly crying. “You introduced me to the one person of color left in your family. Jessica was right. Your family is lightening up. I throw you back generations. Please just go.”

He lowered his head, allowing his own tears to fall freely. “I’ll never give you up, Ebony. I love you too much. You are my fiancée, my heart, my ebony angel. I’m sorry I hurt you. I made a mistake. I’m not ashamed of you. I love you.”