As the guests for the late night portion of the party began to arrive, some of Corvus’ family and friends started to depart from the venue. Corvus had made sure to keep Miracle close to his side to shield her from any intense interrogations. His parents approached them and he could read his mother’s expression. Stepping forward, he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
“I know what you did,” she whispered.
He smiled down at her. “I need you to hold off. She’s not ready yet.”
Pam lifted a brow. “You’re protective?”
“Very much so,” he told her softly.
She nodded. “Okay, I’m not going anywhere.”
Corvus continued to smile at her. “Neither is she.”
Pam moved over to Miracle. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Miracle. We should do lunch?”
“Of course, Mrs. Shaw.” Miracle answered surprised.
“Good.” Pam gave her a brief hug before allowing the others to all say their goodbyes.
Miracle watched the room continue to fill with the later arrivals, until Corvus took her hand.
“We’ll move up to the VIP section as this party starts,” he informed her.
“Who’s going to be down here?” Miracle asked.
He shrugged. “Business associates, other friends, et cetera…”
Miracle raised a brow. “Et cetera?”
Corvus gave her a naughty smile. “Uh, some of the ex-ceteras.”
“Really…”
He scrunched his face. “Yeah, see the party was planned before we met last week.”
“Is that why we’ll sit in the VIP area?”
Corvus nodded and stared down at her. “Is that cool?”
Miracle looked back at him. “I assume you invited me because you wanted me to be here.”
He touched her cheek. “Yes, and I will let everyone know that.”
“I’m your guest…nothing more.” Miracle affirmed.
Corvus started to respond, but was interrupted by the Negus.
“Can we have him for a minute?” Rion asked Miracle.
She smiled. “Of course.”
Corvus touched her arm. “I won’t be long.”
“It’s your party.”
He watched as she walked away to the large table filled with food and drinks, before turning to his brothers.
“So what did I tell you?” he asked.
They all nodded. “She seems like a good choice,” Rion told him.
Lance shook his head. “And she’s on the same page?”
Corvus smiled. “She will be.”
Khalil and Brandon looked at him. “What does that mean?” Khalil asked.
He rubbed his beard. “I have to ease her in. I can’t just put it all on her at once.”
Rion lifted a brow. “You’re sure she’s the one?”
Corvus looked over at Miracle sipping on a cup of punch. Their eyes met and she smiled at him.
“Oh, hell yeah. No doubt,” he answered.
The other Negus all looked at one another. “I guess we should congratulate you on getting what you wanted,” Lance told him with bear hug. The others followed suit until they all had given their blessings.
“Go home to your babies and let the single dudes turn up now,” Corvus teased them.
“This will probably be your last turn up,” Lance told him.
Corvus glanced at Miracle again. “I can work with that.” He watched her face turn from sweet to angry, and quickly glanced in the direction where she’d turned her attention.
Corvus knew the woman who had entered with the unknown escort. She was a well-known city official in the Building Safety Engineering and Environmental Department. Corvus had met Sylvia during a business transaction, as she was instrumental in both licensing and construction. He turned his attention to her date and summed him up quickly. Medium height, stiff and non-threatening.
Corvus wondered how Miracle knew the pair. “I’ll see you Negus later.”
“What’s up Corvus?” Both Lance and Rion asked watching his expression.
“I’m about to find out.” He walked away and they waited.
At Miracle’s side, Corvus took her hand. “What’s the matter?”
She looked up at him. “I don’t know why he’s here.”
“Who?”
“Emanuel.”
Corvus turned back to where the couple now were moving further inside the party. “That’s Emanuel?”
Miracle nodded. “Yes.”
Corvus looked angry. “I wonder what the hell he’s doing here, too?”
“Let’s find out,” he said before leading Miracle through the party to where the pair now stood. Emanuel’s face mirrored both surprise and anger as he recognized Miracle.
“Corvus!” Sylvia greeted happily, giving him a brief hug. “Happy Birthday!”
Corvus nodded. “Thank you Sylvia, it’s nice to see you again.”
Pulling Miracle forward, Corvus placed a very possessive hand around her waist. “This is my date, Miracle Chapman.”
Politely, Sylvia greeted her. “Hello, I’m Sylvia Morgan.”
“Nice to meet you,” Miracle said feeling Emanuel’s stare.
“Let me introduce my date,” Sylvia began.
“I know exactly who he is,” Miracle said staring at Emanuel.
Emanuel’s eyes narrowed. “Come speak with me in private,” he ordered.
At his tone, Corvus stepped forward and rubbed a large hand down his face before he spoke. “So, what you NOT gone do…is bring your ass up in here, talking to her or anybody else like that.”
Corvus shook his head. “Wrong move.”
Emanuel looked at Corvus. “Miracle knows that she shouldn’t be in a place like this…” He turned his attention to her, looking her over. “Dressed like a harlot! Her father is the Bishop!”
Miracle gasped as Corvus grabbed Emanuel by his shirt. “Corvus!”
“You’re a smartass, huh?” Corvus growled. “Guess what, I am too.”
The Negus were beside Corvus in the next minute. “What’s the problem?” Khalil asked seeing the man still in Corvus’ grasp.
Corvus smiled. “I need to have a little talk with my dude…outside.”
Miracle’s eyes widened.
“Let me go!” Emanuel demanded. “How dare you touch me?”
Lance shook his head. “He’s going to touch you some more…” he said under his breath.
Emanuel looked to Miracle. “Wait until your family hears about this!”
At the moment, Faith and Dante entered the party and Faith rushed over to her sister. She saw Emanuel hemmed up by Corvus and turned to Miracle.
“What happened?” she demanded. “What is he doing here?”
“Dante, thank God you’re here.” Emanuel told him. “Help me get away from this maniac!”
Dante turned to Corvus. “You’re Corvus Shaw, right?”
Corvus nodded and the Negus waited to see what his next move was going to be.
Dante smiled. “Man, I’ve heard nothing but good things about you. Thanks for the invite.”
“No problem,” Corvus answered.
Emanuel reached for Corvus’ wrists. “Let me go or I’m calling the police.”
Corvus laughed and tightened his grip. “You want the police?” He turned to Brandon. “Can you get your wife?”
Brandon shook his head. “Let him go, Corvus, and finish your business outside. I’m taking my wife home.”
“I guess no police for you,” Corvus told Emanuel, releasing his shirt.
Sylvia looked at Emanuel as he fixed his clothing. “What is going on with you? You told me that you wanted to meet Corvus.”
Corvus lifted a brow. “Oh, you wanted to meet me?”
“I’d wanted to discuss the land deal with you,” Emanuel snapped.
“I have an office,” Corvus told him.
Emanuel looked at Miracle in disgust. “I didn’t know that Miracle was already…working on it.”
“Shut up, Emanuel! You’re the whore!” Faith yelled and Dante moved to her side.
Corvus looked at her. “Oh, don’t worry Faith, Emanuel just talked his ass into a real one.”
Miracle moved to Corvus’ side and touched his arm. “Corvus, it’s your birthday, please don’t do this.” She looked around at the crowd consisting of his friends and associates. The last thing she wanted was something surrounding her, to cause such a distraction.
“Please, not now…” she persisted, staring up at him.
Corvus held her serious gaze then nodded. “It’s fine Little Goddess.” He turned his attention back to Emanuel.
“How are you leaving…on your feet or your ass?” Corvus questioned.
Emanuel gave them all an angry look before stalking away to the door. When he walked out, Corvus looked at the Negus and they nodded. He took off behind him, and when Miracle started after him, four men blocked her way.
“He’ll just be a minute,” Lance told her with a smile.
Faith hurried to her sister’s side. “I hope he beats his ass,” she whispered.
“Faith!”
Her sister smirked. “You do too.”
Miracle put her face in her hands. “Why did this have to happen tonight?”
“Because I told you that Emanuel is an ass,” Faith explained. “And now he’s met somebody who doesn’t kiss his...”
******
Emanuel continued to his car fuming. Sylvia would have to find another way home because there was no way he was waiting for her. His mind was now on Miracle and the way she’d looked tonight. She was supposed to be his scripture wife and she was out flaunting herself with another man.
She had her lips and nails painted while showing her bare legs. He shook his head in a rage. She’d let that Corvus Shaw touch on her body. He wanted to slay him, like David had done with the giant.
“My dude!” Emanuel heard the voice and stopped before turning slowly to face his Goliath.
Corvus approached slowly. “Now you really didn’t think this was over, did you?”
“I’m leaving, so leave me alone!” Emanuel shouted.
Corvus shook his head. “Hmmm…can’t do that. See, you hurt Miracle’s feelings, so now I’m obligated to hurt something on you.”
“Miracle knows that I was right. She’s supposed to be a wife, not some man’s plaything.” Emanuel told him.
“You think that’s what she is?” Corvus questioned.
Emanuel smirked. “I’ve heard of your reputation.”
“I’ve heard of yours too.” Corvus responded. “A controlling fiancé who cheats.”
“I’m the Head, and a man of the cloth,” Emanuel stuck his chest out.
Corvus laughed. “You’re a pastor?”
“Didn’t Miracle tell you who I was?”
Corvus shrugged. “She told me you were an ass.”
Emanuel eyes narrowed. “She did not tell you that!”
“Basically, that’s the gist I got and it was right.” Corvus corrected.
“Bishop Chapman has promised Miracle to me, and you’re not going to stand in the way of my plans,” Emanuel warned.
“Awww shit,” Corvus nodded. “The little pastor does have some balls. Okay…”
Corvus stepped forward and promptly slammed Emanuel against one of the parked cars.
“I’m waaaay out of your lane, and any plans you had of being with Miracle Chapman, have just been permanently changed,” Corvus told him. “Heed the warning, or suffer the consequences.”
“You’re calling down wrath upon your head,” Emanuel threatened.
Corvus chuckled. “If it hasn’t happened to you already, I’m not worried.”
“Corvus?”
Both Emanuel and Corvus looked at the two men approaching.
“What’s up Malachi, Mathias?” Corvus greeted.
“You cool?” Malachi asked looking at the scene.
Corvus nodded. “Yeah, I’m cool. The party’s inside…go ahead, have a good time.” He looked at Emanuel then back at the brothers. “I’ll be in soon.”
The two brothers waited another second, then shrugged and went to join the party. Turning his attention back to Emanuel, Corvus sighed. “Let me finish with you so I can get back to my pretty date.”
Emanuel frowned and Corvus continued, “How could you look into that face and even see another woman?”
Corvus shook his head. “And those lips…damn. If you would’ve kissed her, you wouldn’t have been slobbing down the Church Assistant.”
Emanuel’s anger bubbled over. “You kissed her!” He pushed at Corvus and freed himself.
“Now that’s what I was waiting for…” Corvus told him before punching him in the jaw.
Emanuel hit the ground with a howl and Corvus stood over him. “Stay away from Miracle because if I hear one word that you’ve done something to hurt her, tonight will seem like a walk in the park.”
Corvus looked down at him. “Be sure to put some ice on that.”
He turned and walked away. “Godspeed Pastor Emanuel.”
******
Inside, Faith hugged her sister who was upset by the whole situation.
“So how’d it go with the family?” Faith whispered pulling her sister aside for a moment.
Miracle looked at her. “Fine, I don’t know what you were expecting.”
“So the family liked you?” Faith questioned.
“Faith, I’m not interviewing.”
Faith gave her a look. “Miracle…Miracle…girl.”
“What?”
Faith smiled. “Nothing…I’ll let you enjoy the ride.”
“I can’t believe Emanuel came here acting that way,” Miracle said shaking her head.
Faith looked up. “Well, here comes Corvus, so I guess it’s over.”
When he reached her side, Miracle looked up at him in question.
“Everything’s fine,” he assured her.
He looked at the Negus and Nigist. “Y’all can take off. I’ve got it taken care of here.”
The Negus saw Corvus’ friends arriving and agreed.
“Don’t have my officers here,” Mac warned.
He smiled and kissed her cheek. “We’re straight.”
The group finally departed, then Corvus went to Miracle and took her hand. “Let’s go upstairs.”
She nodded and followed him up some stairs to a secluded area that was also set up for a party. Corvus led her over to a sofa and they sat overlooking the downstairs dance floor. She turned to him when he sat down.
“I’m sorry to disrupt your birthday this way,” Miracle apologized.
“Why are you apologizing?” Corvus touched her cheek. “You didn’t do anything.”
She looked away. “If I wasn’t here, none of this would have happened.”
“No, he shouldn’t have shown his ass up here, then none of this would have happened,” he corrected.
“What happened out there?” she asked afraid.
Corvus lifted her face and kissed her cheek. “He’ll be fine.”
“I’m so embarrassed,” she whispered.
He took her into his arms. “It’s okay.”
Miracle laid her head on his shoulder and he gently rubbed her back. “I wanted you here more than anyone, Miracle, and nothing can change that.”
“Thank you.”
Corvus pulled back to look at her. “I want you to forget about this incident and enjoy the rest of this night with me.”
She smiled at him. “That’s what I’m talking about,” Corvus told her.
Miracle looked around. “Is anybody else coming up here?”
“When I tell them to,” Corvus answered.
She looked back at him. “When is that?”
“After I kiss you again,” he announced softly.
Miracle blushed and he touched her chin. “Is that okay?” Corvus asked.
She nodded slowly and closed her eyes before Corvus touched his lips to hers. He kissed her slowly as the music thumped downstairs. Miracle wound her arms around his neck when he deepened this kiss with his tongue.
Corvus listened as she sighed lightly and gave herself in to his touch. “Miracle, you’re so beautiful and sweet,” he told her and she held him tighter.
He pulled back and looked down into her face, with her eyes still closed. Corvus waited until she opened them slowly, and smiled down at her.
“I think I like that too much,” she whispered with her heart beating. “That’s definitely wanton.”
“You can be wanton with me all that you like, because no one else is ever going to have you,” Corvus vowed.
Miracle licked her lips slowly, watching him.
“Do you have a problem with that?” he asked, lifting a heavy dark brow.
“Right now, I can’t really think.”
Corvus laughed. “Well, you think about it and let me know.”
“Okay,”
“You want me to let people up here, or can I keep you up here alone all night?” Corvus questioned.
Miracle sat up. “You should let more people up here before rumors gets started.”
“You don’t want people to know that you’re up here kissing me?” he teased.
“I don’t want people to think you’re doing more than kissing me up here,” she corrected.
Corvus laughed. “That’s okay. You’ve kissed me, now you have to marry me.”
Miracle smirked. “You’ve kissed a lot of women. I know that for a fact, and you haven’t married them,” she pointed out.
“I’d never kissed my Little Goddess…”
She looked away. “You like to tease…I have to remember that.”
Corvus studied her profile. “Also remember that when I want something, I do everything in my power to get it…be it land, property, or anything else.”
Miracle looked back at him. “I guess that’s why you’re so successful.”
“Stand up,” he told her and helped her to her feet.
“What’s wrong?” Miracle asked.
Corvus walked her over to the rail that overlooked the club. He waved at the people partying below.
“What’s up Corvus? Happy Birthday!” people yelled up at them.
He moved to stand behind her and whispered in her ear. “I wanted everyone to see you so you don’t have to worry about what they’re thinking we’re doing up here.”
Miracle glanced down at the group then turned slightly to him. “Thank you.”
“I know your reputation is important to you and I would never disrespect you in any way,” Corvus explained.
She turned back to the scene below and placed both hands on the railing then Corvus positioned his next to hers.
“You know a lot of people,” she commented trying not to be nervous with him standing behind her.
“Yeah,”
Miracle chatted on nervously. “Very important people, too.”
“Ummm…hmmm, some of them are very important to the city.”
She tried to control her breathing.
“Am I too close?” Corvus asked and she nodded quickly. He moved back to her side and looked at her. “You only have to say the word and I will do whatever you ask.”
Miracle looked into his handsome face. “No one has ever told me that.”
“I will tell you as often as you need to hear it,” he assured her.
Corvus waived a hand into the air, signaling the deejay to cut the music. When it was quiet, he called down below to his guests.
“Everybody, this is Miracle!”
“Hey Miracle! What up doe?” they all shouted and she waved before putting a hand to her mouth.
“This is my Little Goddess and she’s here to celebrate with me, so show her love tonight. Make sure you tell her how beautiful she looks, too!”
Miracle turned to him. “Corvus!”
He threw up a hand and the music started again causing the crowd to resume partying. Miracle saw Faith downstairs waving at her with a big smile. She waved back slowly, shaking her head.
Faith made a heart with her hands and blew a kiss to her sister. Miracle smiled and turned to Corvus. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I told you that everyone would know who you are.”