Page 16 of Taste The Smoke
“He didn’t see me, but I heard him say something about being back in five minutes, so I waited until he walked away and approached the woman.” Facing him again she said, “Can you imagine my shock when the woman said that she was glad to have him home from his military deployment in time to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary?”
His eyebrow lifted. “He was in the military?”
“I have no idea. I didn’t know what to believe. The only thing I did know was that I wanted out. I took some pictures of them, came home and moved out, then hired an attorney. Because I could prove he was already married, ours was annulled. The only good thing is because we’d only been married a short time, I’d never gotten around to changing the name on my accounts, so I didn’t have to waste time changing everything back.”
“I take it he wasn’t too happy when he came home and found you gone.”
“No, he wasn’t. He started harassing me at work, calling me and screaming about how I ruined his life.”
“Bullshit! He’s the one who ruined your life,” he said through clenched teeth. “Sorry.”
Kenya gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Don’t be.” She wished she would’ve had someone like him around at that time. His quiet outrage made her realize there was another, more dangerous edge to him. Brad wouldn’t have gotten away with any of his harassment. “About a month later, I left work much later than usual, was tired and not really paying attention to my surroundings. He and another guy I’d never seen grabbed me and shoved me into his car. Brad—my ex—was ranting about no one walks away from him and driving like a maniac. He blew through a red light and we were T-boned on his side. He and his friend were killed and I ended up with a two-level fusion in my lumbar spine. So now you know.” Alonzo tightened his arm around her and she could tell by the trembling in his body that he was trying to maintain control.
“I have never wished death on someone,” Alonzo started quietly, “but it’s a good thing he’s gone because if he was still here, I might be tempted to kill him myself.” Cupping her face in his large hand, he peppered kisses on her forehead, cheek, and lips. “I will never let anyone hurt you again. I hope you haven’t been blaming yourself because this is all on him.”
His fierce promise brought tears to her eyes that she was helpless to stop. Her mother, sister and grandmother had been by her side during that painful time, but her father, the one person who should have protected her, had been missing in action. Their relationship had already been fractured when he ripped their family apart, but his apathetic response after her injury, coupled with him stopping just short of blaming her forbeing in that type of situation, had done irreparable damage. Yet, this kind and caring giant of a man had done what no other one had done. Everything she’d gone through—the pain, betrayal, feelings that shewassomehow partially to blame, that she, as a psychologist, should haveknownthat he wasn’t a good person—surfaced with such force, a cry escaped her. “I should’ve known something. Why didn’t I realize that he wasn’t who he—?” Deep, wrenching sobs wracked her body.
Alonzo shifted her until she was seated across his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “Shh, baby. This wasn’t your fault. He lied to you, but he can’t hurt you anymore. Go ahead and let it go. I’ve got you.”
For the first time in her life, Kenya felt safe and protected and she never wanted to leave his arms.
CHAPTER 5
“Well if it isn’t Tennessee. I know you’re not calling to tell me you’re on your way here to win all my damn money and drink up my whiskey again, are you?”
Alonzo laughed at the reference to the nickname Malcolm Jacobs had given him. “Sorry to disappoint you, MJ, but not this time. I may take you up on it another time because it’s been a while.” Malcolm owned Blunt Minded Joint in Las Vegas. The secret club was located off the strip, had a large entertainment lounge, several private smoker rooms, and a section for dice games. MJ had given all his buddies dice reference names. He'd called Alonzo Tennessee—the numbers six and four—because of Alonzo’s height and love for Tennessee whiskey. They’d met through a mutual friend who had invited Alonzo to the club several years ago. MJ also grew his own weed, which was the reason for the call. “Actually, I’m calling because Sonya needs some more CBD.”
“How is your fine sister? That is one beautiful woman.”
“Man, you flirt in your sleep, and my sister is still off-limits.” Though he had two adult children, MJ had never been married and loved women. His photo was probably in the dictionary under playa.
MJ’s laughter came through the line. “Yeah, all right. Does she want full-spectrum, broad spectrum or isolates?”
“Isolates.” Sonya wanted to be sure she was using oils containing only CBD with no traces of THC to avoid any psychoactive responses in her clients. They discussed the amounts and delivery dates. “Thanks, MJ.”
“No problem. Later.”
Normally, he wouldn’t have a problem making the drive to pick it up, but he’d had a long week between work, the spa and making sure Kenya was okay. Every time he thought about what that asshole did to her, he wanted to dig him up and kill him all over again. He couldn’t blame her for being cautious. Hearing her cry did something to him and he’d held her, assuring her that he would protect her from anyone who tried to harm her. He meant every word and realized that his feelings for Kenya ran deeper than he originally thought. Alonzo hadn’t felt this strongly about a woman since his fiancée. When Melanie died six years ago, she’d taken his love with her and he didn’t think he’d ever find another woman to open his heart again. But Kenya had, and in less than a month.
Picking up his phone again, he scrolled to her number and hit the call button.
“Hi, Alonzo,” Kenya said when she answered.
“Hey, baby. How’re you doing and how did your appointment go?” She had confided that she’d sought out a therapist to help her deal with the trauma and had gone to a few sessions. But after her breakdown last week recognized that she hadn’t fully let go and decided to start them up again.
“I’m good and the session went well. I think when I went last time, I was still in psychologist mode and trying to interject my own practices, so now I’m working on turning off that part of me when I go. Not sure how easy that’ll be since that mindset is pretty much ingrained,” she added with a little laugh.
“Yeah, I get that. I think I’d be the same way if I had to see another physical therapist after working as one for almost seventeen years.”
“So what are you doing on this Wednesday evening?”
“I’m at the spa taking care of a few things. It closes in about fifteen minutes, and I’m going to hang out until my sister leaves.” The last employee had just left and Alonzo didn’t want her to lock up alone.
“Aw, you’re such a good big brother. I wish I’d had one. Maybe I could’ve avoided some things.” she added.
He heard the wistful tone in her voice and wished he could take away every bad thing in her life. “I have no plans to be your big brother, but I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe and happy.”
“I’m really glad I asked you to join me that night at the bar.”
