Three weeks later, Simone drove into work with more than a few things on her mind. She’d tried to visit Mrs. Polk, twice, but she hadn’t answered the door. Simone had really wanted to check up on the children, more than anything. Mrs. Polk was right in saying that it was her life, and Simone wasn’t trying to make decisions for her.
She was also thinking about Nick. He’d had late meetings last night in addition to an early meeting this morning, so she’d not seen him in the last two days, although they’d talked on the phone. Her traumatized mind had immediately jumped to the conclusion that he was tired of her, but she’d seen Dr. Richards today, for her regular appointment, and he’d helped her remain level and not jump to any conclusions.
Nick was a successful businessman with several businesses, so Simone couldn’t expect him to be glued to her side. He’d helped set up her security and was currently running the program at his gun range, for both her staff and clients, to learn gun use and safety.
Another thing that had her concerned was her staff. She had walked in on more than one conversation over the week, that had ended as soon as she’d entered the room. Simone wondered if she was being gossiped about behind her back, or if they’d learned something that she didn’t know.
She’d also discussed this with Dr. Richards and he’d advised her to meet with her staff and get things out into the open, so that’s what she was planning to do at the earliest convenience. Simone was surprised when she saw Nick’s truck parked in her parking lot, since she wasn’t expecting him to be over at the Center.
In fact, she’d told him that she wouldn’t even be at the building until much later in the afternoon. She’d decided to come over early after her appointment to work on scheduling the meeting with her staff.
Frowning, she exited her car and walked inside. Stopping at the receptionist’s desk, she asked, “Where is Nick?”
The woman looked nervous at Simone’s tone. “He’s in the back…”
Her eyes narrowed. “Doing what?”
“It’s…uh, a special project?”
“Oh, I’ve got his damn special project.”
Simone took off with her mind filled to capacity, with all kinds of negative scenarios. Was Nick seeing someone at her Center behind her back? Oh, hell nah! As she stalked down the hall, Simone saw him exit a conference room and close the door behind him.
“Nick!”
He walked to meet her. “Hello Simone, you’re early.”
She put a hand on her hip. “It’s my damn building. I can come here when the hell I want!”
Nick looked down at her and waited.
“What are you doing here?” Simone demanded.
“I’m here for you,”
She gave him a look. “You didn’t even know I would be here.”
“You remember that I can track your GPS?”
Simone threw her hands up. “Why are you tracking-”
She paused as one of her counselors exited the room that Nick had emerged from.
“Aww hell…” Simone shook her head.
“Simone…”
She put up a hand as the woman approached with a smile.
“Hi Simone,” she greeted happily, as if she had a secret.
Simone turned to Nick. “Why do you want me to kill this woman?”
The counselor blinked in confusion. “Is something wrong?”
Nick shook his head. “No, go ahead and finish.”
She looked from Nick to Simone, then quickly hurried down the hall.
“Are you seeing her?” Simone demanded. “What are you doing, Nick?”
“Calm down, Simone,” Nick told her quietly. “This is your job, let’s talk in your office.”
He reached for her and she pulled away. “Let’s not…because if you tell me that you’re fucking around with my staff, I’m going to kill you and her.”
Nick grabbed her. “Stop.”
Simone looked up into his face. “You know damn well I’m not here doing that,” he growled.
Nick took a tight hold of her hand and she tried to pull away again.
“Bring your ass on now, Simone, or I’ll drag you through here, kicking and screaming,” Nick warned. “And you don’t want that here.”
He pulled her rigid body to her office, where he closed the door and turned to her angry face.
“Listen, I know that you have trust issues…” Nick began, calming his voice. “And I understand that you are working through them with Dr. Richards.”
She stood with her heart racing and her chest heaving.
“Now, I want you to stop and think about what just happened out there,” he instructed. “Then tell me how you got to your conclusion.”
Simone dropped her purse to the floor and stared at him. “You’re not supposed to be here. I specifically told you that I wasn’t coming until later,” she accused.
He nodded. “Okay, I see where this is going.”
“You were out last night and this morning.” She laid out her case. “Why were you meeting with my Counselor?”
Nick went to her and gently embraced her in his arms. “I’m not fucking around with your staff, so let’s set that straight, right now.”
With her face against his chest, she whispered, “Just tell me what’s going on.”
He lifted her face to his. “Your staff asked me to help them out with a special project and I agreed. I was here last night and this morning, helping them to get things in order before you arrived today.”
She looked confused. “A special project?”
They both turned at the knock on the door, then separated.
“Come in,” Simone called, then watched the Counselor stick her head in the door.
“Uh, we’re ready,” she said, looking at Nick. “Is everything okay?”
He nodded. “Yes, she’ll be right there.”
The woman smiled. “Okay,”
When the door closed, Simone looked at Nick.
“Nick, I swear…I am not the one for no bullshit.” Simone told him.
He leaned down and kissed her quickly. “I know. Let’s go…”
Simone allowed him to lead her down the hall and Nick felt the tenseness in her hand. “Relax, trust me.”
“We’ll see, because you might get your ass kicked today,” Simone threatened.
At the door, Nick motioned for her to enter and Simone walked inside ready to do battle.
“Happy Anniversary Simone!”
Simone closed her eyes and put a hand to her head. “Oh, shit…”
Nick bent to whisper in her ear. “You owe me, so get ready.” He stepped away and allowed her staff to congratulate her.
“Wow, I’m speechless…” Simone trailed off, with emotion. “I was not expecting this at all.”
“You’ve been here two years and we can’t even remember what it was like before you,” the Counselor told her. “You’ve done so much for the staff and clients, so we wanted to show you how much we appreciate you.”
“Nick helped us set up and get all the deliveries,” she continued and Simone glanced over at the man standing in the corner. “He also made sure you didn’t show up and spoil the surprise.”
Simone nodded. “It’s definitely a surprise and you all didn’t have to do this, but thank you so much.”
“This is your party, from us…so enjoy yourself.”
Simone looked around the professionally decorated room, with food and drinks. Someone started some music playing and there was a table filled with greeting card envelopes, where Nick was standing.
She made her way over to him and looked down at the table. “These are a lot of cards.”
“I told everyone that instead of giving you gifts, to make a donation to the Center.” Nick explained.
“These are all donations?” Simone asked stunned.
He nodded. “There are even donations from all the Diamonds, Kent, Lotus and Dr. Richards.”
She put a hand to her trembling lips and stared at the pile. “When you decide to walk away, I won’t even be mad at you,” she whispered.
Nick pulled her to him. “One day at a time Simone…I’m not going anywhere.”
Simone hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay, baby.” Nick squeezed her. “I’m just glad you didn’t kill your Counselor.”
She shook her head. “I was really going to handle her.”
“You don’t have to do that,”
“I’m glad, because she’s a really good Counselor.”
Nick released her and smiled down into her face. “Congratulations, you’ve done an amazing job here and everyone knows it.”
Simone basked in his beautiful smile for a moment. “I only do what I can,”
“Donating your salary so that the overnight rooms could be created and maintained?” Nick told her. “That’s above and beyond.”
“I wanted the women to have a safe space at least for a few days, along with their children,” Simone explained.
“You’re so giving, and I love that about you,” Nick told her.
She looked away. “I’m still working on trust…”
“I’m still earning it,”
Simone was called away to celebrate with her staff and Nick patiently waited in the wings as support. An hour later, after food, fun and cake, it was time for everyone to return back to their jobs. They all congratulated Simone again, with hugs and kisses before heading out the door.
With the room, empty, she turned to Nick. “I hope there’s a clean-up crew.”
He looked around. “Looks like you and me?”
“What?”
“No, the crew will be here in an hour. I wanted to give your staff enough time to spend with you,” he told her, then walked over to program the music. He put on a slow song, then went to stand in front of her.
“May I have this dance, Miss Jenkins?”
Simone smiled up at him. “Of course,”
Nick took her into his arms, and began to move slowly against her. In her ear, he whispered, “You need to make amends for accusing me of cheating on you,”
Simone sighed. “I know…I’ll have to think of something.”
“It has to be something big, not just licking my neck…”
She laughed. “I hear you,”
The couple danced together, until it was time for Simone to also return to her job. Nick walked her back to her office, cards in hand. At her door, he stopped.
“Are you trying to visit Mrs. Polk again today?”
Simone nodded. “Yes, I have to try at least one more time. I feel like this could be my last chance.”
“I’m going with you,” Nick told her.
She looked surprised. “You feel it too?”
He nodded. “She’s walking a thin line."
“Let me put these cards away, and then we can go.” Simone told him and quickly went about the task. On her way out, she let the staff know where she would be and headed out to her car.
“Where are you going?” Nick asked.
“I’m driving, you drive too damn slow. I want to get there today.”
He frowned. “I’m an observant driver. I don’t just fly down the damn streets.”
“Are you coming?” Simone said continuing to her vehicle.
Nick sighed and followed her. Inside her car, he turned to her.
“You’d better not crash,” he warned.
“I know how to drive,”
Simone started the engine and they headed to the Polk’s home.
“I wonder what Ja’Traveon’s been up to,” Simone commented.
“Pretty quiet,” Nick answered. “Probably because it’s still too hot for him.”
They arrived at the home and Nick exited the car, securing the weapon on his waist underneath his suit jacket. Simone brought her bag up on her shoulder for easy access to her own pistol.
At the front door, Nick had Simone stand to the side, while he knocked…hard. Simone frowned at him.
“They’re going to think it’s the police.”
He shrugged and knocked again…harder.
The door cracked and Nick placed his hand on his gun. “Hello?” Simone called out.
The older woman peeked out. “Ms. Jenkins?”
“I’d like to speak with your granddaughter,” Simone told her. “I’ve come by before, but no one answered.
“They wouldn’t let us,”
Simone and Nick moved closer. “Who wouldn’t let you?”
The woman peeked out the door again. “Come on in, before somebody see you.”
Nick stepped in front of Simone and entered the home first. He quickly surveyed the room with Simone right behind him, doing the same. They closed the door and turned to the grandmother.
“Do we need to get you out of here?” Nick asked concerned.
“No…and that girl won’t leave either,” she said sadly.
“Where is Mrs. Polk?” Simone asked.
“She’s in the back.” The woman answered. “In a lot of pain.”
Simone took off and Nick followed.
“Mrs. Polk!” Simone called, and when she heard moaning coming from one of the rooms, she headed in that direction. Entering the room, she froze at the sight of the woman on the bed, then rushed to her side.
“Mrs. Polk, what happened to you?” Simone asked, knowing the answer.
“Nothing…I fell.”
Simone turned back to Nick with anger in her eyes. “You didn’t fall! Stop lying!” Simone told the woman when she looked at her again.
“I’m calling the police,” Simone told her and Jameka reached for her.
“No, please don’t do that. You’ll only cause me more trouble,” she pleaded.
Nick stood in the doorway watching the battered and bruised woman, lying on the bed.
“Mrs. Polk, you need to go to a hospital,” Simone told her, insistently.
“I’ll be okay,”
She turned back to Nick. “We need to take her.”
“No!” Jameka yelled. “I’m not leaving. He’ll be mad…he told me to stay inside. I gotta learn to follow directions.”
Simone looked down at her. “If you won’t go, then I’m taking your kids.”
“Don’t take my kids!”
“Make the choice, Mrs. Polk!” Simone demanded.
Nick heard the front door open and pulled his weapon, heading back down the hall.
“Don’t fucking move!” he told the two men who’d entered the home.
Ja’Traveon and the other man raised their hands in the air.
“What the hell is this? This is my house?” Ja’Traveon yelled. “Get out!”
Nick kept the gun trained on them. “Who are you?” he asked the unknown man.
Ja’Traveon yelled. “Don’t say shit, he not the real police.”
“I might not be the real police, but this is a real ass gun,” Nick told them. “Now answer my damn question.”
“James…” the man answered with his hands on his head.
The grandmother entered the room and saw Nick with the gun pointed at the men. “Don’t shoot them, please!” she yelled.
Simone joined Nick with her weapon drawn.
“What the hell do y’all want?” Ja'Traveon shouted. “You already sent me to jail!”
Nick stayed focused. “James…what’s your last name?”
“Williams.”
“What are you doing here?” Simone questioned.
The man’s eyes narrowed at Simone and he remained silent. “I ain’t answering to no bitch.”
“JP!” the grandmother shouted at him.
Simone turned to the grandmother as Nick grabbed James and put the gun to his head.
“He’s JP?” Simone asked the woman.
She nodded. “James Paul…bible names, and the most wretched thing in these streets. He’s my grandson.”
Nick looked at JP. “Now, do you see a bitch in here?”
JP just stared at Nick.
“Apologize to the lady, and then I’m going show both of you, how to respect a woman.” Nick said in a dangerous voice, and Simone tingled inside.
Shaking her head, she got back focused.
“Sorry…” JP said without a bit of remorse.
Nick nodded and struck him across the head with his gun. JP fell out cold on the floor, then Nick turned to Ja’Traveon.
“What did I tell you about me?” Nick asked, walking over to him.
“Why are you here?” Ja’Traveon whimpered.
“What did you do to that woman in the bedroom?” Nick demanded.
Ja’Traveon wiped his face. “She got out of line, trying to do too much. She needed to stay in her place and follow my damn directions.”
Nick turned to Simone. “Get the kids,”
“What the hell you mean, get the kids?” Ja’Traveon said stepping forward and Nick raised the gun.
Simone nodded and rushed down the hall. Nick saw the frightened grandmother standing against the wall.
“You should go with her,” he advised. “This is not about to be a pretty sight.
JP began to stir on the floor, holding his head.
“I told y’all to stop hitting on that girl,” she pointed a crooked finger at them. “She didn’t deserve that.”
Nick frowned. “You both were putting hands on her?”
The grandmother pointed at the man on the floor. “That one been hitting on his sister since they was kids, and then she went and found that one!” She pointed at Ja’Traveon. “No good…I tell you. Neither one of them…no good in ‘em!”
With tears in her eyes, she looked at the young men. “You shoulda been better than this! I’ve called the police and done everything I can, but they keep coming back, acting the same but promising to change...”
Nick listened to the woman’s anguish as JP sat up.
“You were selling drugs out of your grandmother’s house and got it firebombed?” Nick told him, shaking his head. “And your sister lied for you…she lied for you both, and all it got her is lying in a bed with bruises all over her body.”
Simone returned with the kids and looked at Nick. “Take the grandmother, too.” He instructed. “I’ll handle these two…”
Simone glared at the men.
“You not taking my kids!” Ja’Traveon yelled, and made a move towards them which Nick blocked.
“Don’t make me shoot you in front of them,” Nick warned, looking him in the eye “Let them go, so they can be taken care of properly. They’ve been traumatized enough.”
Simone moved the kids to the door, along with the grandmother. “Do you want police?” Simone asked Nick.
“Ten minutes, then make the call.”
“Ten minutes,” she repeated, then gave a smile as she closed the door.
With the gun still in his hand, Nick shrugged out of his suit jacket.
“Okay boys, let me show you who the real bitches are…”
******
“Tell me again, what you did to them,” Simone said excitedly, lying on top of Nick. They were in his living room on the sofa, after one of the longest days.
Nick sighed. “I beat the shit out of them both,” he repeated. “Then turned them over to the police.”
“What did they do while you were kicking their asses?” Simone questioned.
“Cried and begged…”
She nodded. “Oooh…I hate I missed that part.”
“They were used to dominating and controlling women by putting their hands on them. When it came time to tangle with me, they didn’t know what hit them,” Nick told her.
Simone smiled. “They needed that ass beat. Hitting on your wife and sister, that’s a real bitch move.”
He looked at her. “I’m glad the kids are safe at your Center, along with the grandmother.”
“Me too,” Simone agreed. “I might extend the rule to let them stay longer if they need to.”
“Or we could put them up somewhere, until you find some permanent housing for them,” Nick suggested.
“My superhero…” Simone whispered.
“Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays…”
She laughed and kissed his face. “I’ll take that.”
Nick settled Simone against his body and they sat silently for a few minutes.
“Mrs. Polk was in bad condition,” he commented.
Simone closed her eyes and held back tears. “I hated seeing her like that and still not wanting to leave. That part always breaks my heart.”
Nick comforted her. “It hurts to watch people make bad decisions, especially ones that could cost them their lives.”
She let out a long breath. “What a day…I was caught off guard a number of times. From the surprise party, to finding out that Mrs. Polk was abused by both her brother and husband, to finding the real JP…damn.”
“All those people with the same initials,” Nick said shaking his head.
“I’m completely drained…” Simone whispered.
“It’s been an emotional day for you,” Nick agreed. “Are you ready for me to take you home so you can get some rest?”
Simone cuddled closer to his firm body. “No, I don’t want to go home.”
He lifted a brow. “Right now or…?”
She lifted her face to his. “Will you let me stay with you tonight, and sleep in your bed?”
“Simone, when I said earlier that you needed to do something big, I didn’t mean anything like that,” Nick explained.
She touched his face. “It’s not because of that, it’s because of you. I’m in love with you Nick.”
With his full smile displayed, he responded, “I love everything about you, Simone Jenkins.”
“Can we go to bed now?” Simone asked, with a yawn. “I’m exhausted…”
They both stood from the sofa, before Nick lifted her up into his arms. Walking to the bedroom, he looked down at her.
“But you still owe me…”