“So what do you want to do?” Brandon asked Corvus as all the Negus waited for his answer.
“He’s not going to do a damn thing,” George Shaw told them.
Corvus frowned. “Daddy, I’m not about to let this go.”
“We’re not letting it go,” George assured him. “But you’re not the one handling this.”
“This is my wife!” Corvus protested.
George looked at him. “Exactly, so if something happens to this pastor, you will be the first and only suspect, especially after what happened at your birthday party.”
Corvus sighed. “I’m not going to be chill…”
“Let me handle it Corvus,” George told him.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to Miracle!” Corvus said hotly.
Lance looked at him. “Corvus, man come on. You know we’re not going to let that happen. Let Daddy Shaw do his thing.”
Rion looked at his father. “You’re the only one who can handle him when he gets like this.”
George moved to Corvus’ side. “Corvus, who am I?”
Corvus put his head in his hand. “I know who you are,” he said quietly.
“Then you know what I do,” George told him. “And you know how I protect mine.”
Putting two hands to his forehead, Corvus let out a breath. “This is my Little Goddess.”
“We know Corvus,” Brandon added. “And we need to make sure you’re with her and not locked up in a cell for murder.”
Corvus looked up. “All of the judges, lawyers, politicians and prosecutors we know, y’all can’t keep me out of jail?”
Brandon shook his head and turned to Khalil. “Talk to him.”
“I know you’re not about to say nothing…” Corvus told Khalil. “Because I was with you when you went on your rampage.”
“Listen Corvus, this is not a game.” Khalil told him. “I know you want to protect your Queen but you got to be smart about it. Like your Daddy said, punching dude in the face automatically puts you on the list if he comes up dead, so don’t even think about it. My situation was different and I have more experience in that area.”
Corvus looked at Khalil, who was the Black Panther in the group. “Yeah, I guess you do.”
“And so do I,” his father told him.
The room was silent for a few minutes, before Corvus relented. “Okay Daddy, but if he comes near her before you get to him, I’m not making any promises.”
“Be patient son,” George advised. “Emanuel is sealing his fate. Plus, you don’t want something like that on your hands with your wife.”
“Miracle asked me not to hurt him, but I couldn’t make that promise to her.” Corvus told them. “Because I know I might not keep it.”
“Your Little Goddess is sweet,” Lance told him. “Just keep her away from those Nigist though.”
Corvus shook his head. “I’m trying.”
******
Miracle arrived at Katydids Restaurant and was shown to a table where the Nigist awaited her. Greeted with hugs and kisses, she took a seat among them.
“Thank you all for inviting me,” Miracle smiled at them. “And thank you so much for the reception. I’ll truly never forget that night.”
“You’re welcome,” Tauri told her. “It was our pleasure. Somebody finally took Corvus off our hands.”
All the women laughed and Miracle joined them.
“It’s not a hardship, believe me…” she told them.
“We’ll see,” Khayla teased her. “He and Lance were always a handful.”
Mac turned to Khayla. “You married Lance.”
Khayla smiled. “I know, I love that boy.”
Shaking her head, Tauri turned to Miracle. “So what’s going on Miracle?”
Looking around the table at all the attention on her, Miracle froze. “Uh, I’m not sure what you’re asking.”
Tauri nodded. “Corvus called a meeting of the Negus today, which means something happened. Do you know what it is?”
Miracle looked away and bit her lip prompting Mac and Tauri to nod at each other.
Tauri took Miracle’s hand. “Miracle, we’re sisters-in-law. Your husband is my husband’s brother and I love him just like my own brother. In fact, all of us love Corvus and if he needs something, we’re all here to help.”
Miracle looked at the women. “I don’t know if he wants me to say anything.”
Mac nodded. “We understand, let us tell you a few stories about how we help the Negus…”
Fifteen minutes later, Miracle was in awe of the women around her. They’d told her stories that she would never have even imagined these women doing, considering their occupations. She felt like she’d walked into a DC Comic Book and was surrounded by Wonder Women.
“Are you all serious?” she asked astonished.
They all nodded.
“And your husbands know this?”
Khayla shrugged. “Sometimes they find out…after the fact.”
Tauri agreed. “Yeah, it’s better that way sometimes.”
Miracle shook her head. “I’ve never done anything like that. The worst I’ve done was slapped Emanuel when I caught him kissing the Church Assistant.”
“You caught him doing what?” Danielle asked.
“Kissing another woman, after we’d agreed not to kiss or touch until marriage,” Miracle told them and they all looked as if she was speaking a foreign language.
“Wait, you didn’t kiss or touch?” Khayla asked.
Miracle smiled. “No, that would’ve made me wanton, but since marrying Corvus, I’ve found out that I really am.”
The women howled and Miracle watched them for a moment.
Wiping her eyes, Tauri asked. “So you’d never kissed or touched your fiancé?”
“No man,”
Khayla sat up. “So Corvus was your first…everything?” she asked.
“Yes,” Miracle said proudly.
“I hate him! He always gets his way with his spoiled ass!” Khayla yelled. “Lance told me he’d said he would only marry a virgin and I told him he was crazy.”
Tauri looked at Miracle. “You can cook too, can’t you?”
Miracle nodded. “I love to cook.”
“And we already know that you can sing…” Mac added.
“You were his perfect package,” Khayla agreed with a smile. “Damn those Shaw men, meeting their perfect women and marrying them the next day!”
Tauri frowned. “Hey, wait a minute.”
“I waited ten years for Lance, damn it!” Khayla complained.
“Well, that was just out of the ordinary,” Danielle told Khayla and she frowned.
Mac shrugged. “I waited a long time for Brandon, so…”
“Brandon was the Tin Man though,” Tauri said and Mac frowned at her.
Miracle watched the group in fascination. These women were incredible and scary at the same time.
“So Miracle, how can we help?”
She took a deep breath and told them the whole story. When she was done, they all sat silently for a moment.
“The Negus aren’t going to let Corvus get to Emanuel,” Mac told the group. “He’s too hot and he’d be the first suspect.”
“So what are they going to do?” Tauri pondered.
“Khalil would take care of him,” Danielle offered as a possible action.
Mac shook her head. “No, all the Negus are too close to Corvus. They’d all be suspected in some way.”
The Nigist all looked at one another. “Daddy Shaw.”
“Mr. Shaw?” Miracle asked confused.
Tauri shook her head. “Ooooh…Daddy Shaw.”
“What does he do?” Miracle questioned.
“Nobody really knows,” Khayla answered. “But everybody in the city feared him when we were growing up and that hasn’t changed.”
“Wow…” Miracle breathed. “He seems so laid back.”
Mac nodded. “That’s the most dangerous part.”
“Mrs. Shaw is the only one who can handle all that,” Tauri said shaking her head.
“Speaking of Mrs. Shaw, do we need the Momma’s too?” Khayla asked aloud.
Tauri looked at Khayla. “Not your Momma. We all know how she gets down.”
Mac looked at both women. “Let’s leave them out of this. I don’t want my officers having to arrest the mothers’ of the Negus.”
“Danielle’s a judge,” Khayla offered.
“In Juvenile Court,” Danielle reminded her.
Tauri turned her attention to Miracle. “What is Emanuel going to do?”
“I’m not sure, my father says he doesn’t know where his mind is right now.” Miracle explained. “Corvus is over the top, making sure I’m on guard all the time.”
“Is he dangerous?” Mac asked.
“I’ve never known Emanuel to be violent,” Miracle told them. “He’s very focused on his own world and getting what he believes are his visions.”
“I’m surprised Corvus hasn’t already dealt with him,” Khayla said plainly.
“Oh no, I don’t ever want Corvus to hurt Emanuel over me,” Miracle exclaimed.
They smiled at her. “Oh honey, Emanuel is definitely getting hurt,” Tauri told her and all the women agreed.
******
Miracle left Katydids with a carryout order and drove to her husband’s office. Corvus owned the entire building where his land development business was located. He’d asked her to come over to go over some things that she’d need to know about the land before she considered any offers.
Walking inside, she was greeted by his secretary and shown right into his office. Corvus met her at the door and smiled down at her.
“Hello, Little Goddess.”
Miracle returned his smile. “Hello, my love.”
Corvus glanced at the bag in her hand. “You brought me food.” He bent to kiss her softly.
“Yes, I was meeting with the Nigist at Katydids,” she informed him and he paused.
“Why?”
Miracle walked inside and sat the bag on his desk while he closed the door then turned to her.
“Tauri called and asked me to come,” she explained.
He nodded and walked over to her. “For what reason?”
She bit her lip. “Miracle?” he called her name.
“They wanted to know about Emanuel.”
“Ah, hell nah! Tell those women to have several seats.” He complained.
Miracle touched his arm. “No, they were really nice and I learned a lot about them.”
“Please tell me they didn’t plan to do anything to try to ‘help’.” He put up air quotes.
“Do you know the things they’ve done?” Miracle asked.
Corvus nodded. “Yeah, I do…which is why I don’t want you involved in their antics.”
“They protect the Negus…”
“No, don’t say it!” He pulled her into his arms. “They got to my baby.”
Miracle laughed against his chest. “I like them.”
“You like everybody,” he rebutted.
She pulled back. “They said you would hurt Emanuel and I told them, like I’m telling you…I don’t want you to do that.”
“I’m not,” he assured her.
“You’re not?” she asked. “This morning you wouldn’t say that.”
He shrugged. “This morning I didn’t mean it.”
“You mean it now?”
“Yeah, I do…”
Her eyes narrowed. “What changed your mind?”
Corvus reached for the bag she’d brought. “I met with the Negus and everything’s straight.”
“Is your father going to hurt him?” Miracle questioned and he paused.
“What? Why would you say that?”
She folded her arms. “The Nigist said…”
“Those damn women! They need to go home and take care of all them damn babies.”
“Emanuel isn’t going to hurt anybody,” Miracle protested. “Please…”
Corvus turned back to her. “Baby, it’s fine. I promise you.”
Miracle moved to wrap her arms around his waist. “I don’t want anybody’s blood on your hands or your family.”
Corvus kissed her gently. “You’re so sweet, that’s why I love you so much.”
“Corvus, you have a visitor.” They both heard the voice come through the speaker.
He reached to touch a button. “Who is it?”
“Sylvia Morgan from BSEED. She says it’s important.”
Corvus looked at Miracle. “She’s a good person for you to meet and connect with.”
He pushed the button again. “Send her in.”
Miracle took a seat as Corvus walked to the door and opened it for his visitor. Sylvia smiled up at him as she reached the door.
“Hi Corvus, thanks for seeing me. I know you’re a busy man.”
He gestured her inside. “No problem, you’ve met my wife, Miracle.”
Miracle stood and the two women shook hands. “Actually, I’m glad you’re here too, because this involves you,” Sylvia told her and Miracle looked surprised.
Corvus moved behind his desk. “This involves my wife?”
Sylvia nodded and everyone took their seats. Corvus glanced at Miracle before Sylvia began.
“I met with Emanuel yesterday and I must say, I think he’s losing it.”
Corvus frowned. “What do you mean?”
Sylvia looked at him. “I told him about that land being deeded to your wife and he seems to think that she married you to get the land for her father.”
“What?” Miracle gasped.
Sylvia looked between the couple. “I can look at you both and tell that’s not the case. Although, I was a little in my feelings about not getting invited to your wedding reception.”
“It was an intimate affair,” Corvus explained. “No business associates.”
Sylvia nodded. “Then I don’t feel so bad.”
“What else did Emanuel say?” Miracle asked, getting back to the point.
Turning to her, Sylvia answered, “He actually threatened Corvus.”
“Threatened him how?”
Sylvia sighed. “He said that you, Miracle, were still a part of his plan and that you were married…for now.”
Corvus became angry and stood to his feet before Miracle joined him.
“Everything he was saying was crazy,” Sylvia told the couple. “I really think you should watch out for him, both of you.”
“Thank you for telling us, Sylvia.” Corvus said trying to contain his anger. “I’ll deal with that.”
He looked at Miracle. “While you’re here, my wife is going to be handling that property and probably a lot more, so if you have a few minutes, I’d like for you two to get acquainted.”
Sylvia looked impressed. “So there’s going to be a new sheriff in town?”
Miracle smiled up at Corvus. “No, just a deputy.”
“You’re a realtor, right?” Sylvia asked.
“Yes, and I’ve never dealt with city-owned properties or land deals,” Miracle answered.
“Well if you decide that you want to build on that the land or any properties that you purchase, I’m the one you call for building licenses and permits,” Sylvia explained.
Miracle looked confused. “Build myself?”
Sylvia smiled. “Your husband does it all the time.”
She turned to Corvus. “So I don’t have to sell the land?”
“Baby, you can do whatever you want. You can build, sell, leave it vacant…it’s up to you,” Corvus responded.
Sylvia stood. “You have a great situation, Miracle, and I’m happy to help in any way that I can. I love this city and I want to watch it grow.”
Miracle walked over to her. “Thank you Sylvia, and thank you for telling us about Emanuel.”
“I won’t be seeing him again. I thought I’d found a stable man, but I’m back to square one.” Sylvia said grabbing her bag.
Corvus walked her to the door and saw her out before returning to his office where Miracle was sitting behind his desk.
He smiled. “You want an office here?”
She looked around. “It’s much nicer than my office.”
“The name on the door says Shaw Land Development, so I guess these are your offices.”
Miracle leaned back. “I like this seat.”
Corvus came around the desk and lifted her from the chair before sitting with her on his lap. “You can have this seat.”
“I like this one too.” She kissed him slowly.
Corvus returned her kiss until they both pulled away and looked at one another.
“Emanuel has crossed the line too many times,” he told her.
“I know,” Miracle shook her head. “I can’t believe he’s threatening people. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”
She looked at Corvus. “I should talk to him.”
“Hell. To. The. No.”
“Corvus…”
He shook his head vehemently. “Don’t Corvus me right now. That’s a hell no, understand?”
“Maybe I can get through to him and get him to stop this nonsense,” she persisted.
“Miracle, this is not even a discussion. Did you hear what your father and Sylvia said? He’s losing it.” Corvus pointed out.
“Corvus, the Word says that if your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you,” Miracle explained.
He nodded. “Miracle, I respect your Word and what you believe, but I will NEVER let you go to him. In fact, if he even comes near you, I will kill him.”
“You just said you wouldn’t do that,” she reminded him.
“Well that was before Sylvia came in telling me that you’re married…for now.” Corvus told her angrily.
Miracle felt a chill at his words. Emanuel was wrong for saying something like that and what exactly did he mean? Would he really try to hurt Corvus?
She looked back at the man she loved. “I don’t want to fight over this. I’m sorry any of this is happening.”
Corvus hugged her close. “I don’t want to fight either and this isn’t your fault. This lies solely at Emanuel’s feet. He’s digging his own holes.”
“I know I’ve said that I don’t want you to hurt him, but I don’t want him to hurt you either,” she whispered. “You are my love.”
“Promise me that you will stay away from him,” Corvus lifted her face to his.
Miracle nodded and he shook his head.
“No, Miracle I need you to promise me because I know this goes against your beliefs and while I never want to ask you to do that, this is protecting your safety and everything I love,” Corvus told her.
She touched his soft beard. “I won’t lie, I do feel compelled to follow the Lord’s word, but I promise you that I’ll stay away, because I agree that it might not be safe for me by the way that he’s acting right now.”
“This will be over soon,” Corvus assured her.
“I hope so,” Miracle agreed. “I hope he just leaves and goes to Ohio on his own.”
Corvus rubbed her back. “He’s going away from here, that’s all that matters.”
*******
George Shaw walked into Bishop Chapman’s church and stopped at the Secretary’s office. Five minutes later, he was shown into the Bishop’s office.
“Mr. Shaw, welcome to the church.”
George returned his greeting. “I came to talk with you about your Assistant Pastor.”
“Emanuel Hollins.”
“Yes.”
The Bishop sighed. “Please have a seat.”
Both men sat down and George began. “He’s a problem and a threat to my son and your daughter.”
“I believe that he could be as well.”
“What do you want to do?’ George asked.
“I’ve secured another position for him in Ohio, but he’s refusing to go. He’s determined to get that land outside and expand the church,” the Bishop explained. “At one point, I was completely on board, but now I see that I was blinded by visions of grandeur.”
“Emanuel is completely focused on fulfilling this vision he has for himself and the church. He’s basically threatened me and my family,” the Bishop finished.
“What about his mental health?” George asked.
“His mental health?” the Bishop questioned. “I don’t understand.”
George explained. “Emanuel seems to be having some sort of meltdown. Instead of being moved to another church, he may need to deal with some serious issues.”
“All he needs to do is pray,” the Bishop told him.
George looked around the office. “Bishop Chapman, do you have any idea about mental health in the African American community?”
“No, I do not.” He answered. “That’s not something that we deal with here at the church.”
“African Americans experience more severe forms of mental health conditions due to unmet needs or barriers. This includes not seeking outside help,” George explained. “Major depression, PTSD and trauma are the primary results.”
“You think Emanuel needs a therapist or medications?”
“A professional could tell you better than I could, but I do think the young man needs some help.” George told him. “Tell me about him.”
“He came here to study under me. His father was a pastor, but he was removed from the church years ago,” the Bishop explained.
“Removed for what reasons?” George inquired.
“A domestic violence claim,” Bishop Chapman told him. “He denied it and his wife later retracted her report, but he was still voted out of his church.”
George frowned. “Doesn’t Emanuel still live with them?”
The Bishop nodded. “Yes, Miracle was going to move in with them once she was married.”
“You were going to let your daughter move in with a woman beater?” George asked.
“As I said, the pastor denied it and his wife said it was all a mistake,”
George shook his head and the Bishop frowned.
“Let he who has no sin, cast the first stone,” the Bishop recited.
George stood. “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her and she will watch over you.”
The Bishop got to his feet. “You and your son, know the Word.”
“We understand it as well.” George added as he stood. “Thank you for your time Bishop.”
“What is Corvus going to do about Emanuel?”
George lifted a brow. “Emanuel is my case and I’ll deal with him accordingly.”
“Is my daughter safe?” the Bishop asked.
“Of course, my son knows how to use wisdom.”