Page 34 of Dreaming

“I’ll be there but I won’t promise to give it back. You, uh, stock in the white rum still?”

Laughing, Dennis answered, “You know I do. I keep a full bottle of Appleton’s waiting for you, Dad.”

“I’ll see you in a few days. Haven’t hugged my boy in too long. You got a girl?”

“Yeah, Dad. I got a girl. She’s recovering from an illness but when she’s better, you can meet her.”

“Ah! You want me to meet her! My heart, Dennis! My poor heart!” He chuckled at his own humor. “She must be special.”

“She is. Her name is Nia.”

“Gonna hold you to an introduction. That will be a first.” He sucked his teeth. “Except for that stupid girl had a baby for you. Ah, well. Let me get off here. This white lady I’m dating wants to see dolphins so we’re going to an aquarium. You believe this, Dennis? Seeing dolphins in an aquarium?”

Grinning, Dennis said, “You know white people can be a little out there, Dad. Be patient. I love you.”

“Love you, too!”

Hanging up, one of his security people put his hand out in disbelief and Dennis arched a brow. “Dude, what? You know white people are crazy. Don’t act like you don’t know, Lloyd.”

Sighing, he shrugged. “You’re right. I can’t lie.” Pointing down the hall, he added, “They’re done with the booth. You ready for the delivery?”

“Have them load the instruments in but the piano needs to go along the right side of the room. I don’t care about the rest. Cleaning people here yet?”

“Upstairs.”

Dennis rubbed his temple. “I want to bring her mom here but…ugh.”

“Nellie is being guarded separate from Nicole but I’d be worried about it, too. Her sister sees this place and she’s liable to take Nia out.”

“Not remotely amusing.”

“Oh, no…I’m serious.”

“She’s immature and a little crazy but…I don’t think she’s that bad.”

Tilting his head, Lloyd explained carefully, “It’s no mistake that Nicki calls the house hers, the car hers. Talks about money constantly like she has any. We had to stop her from driving Nia’s Jag all the time. Nellie got her husband’s and son’s benefits when they died but Nia won’t let her use that. She supports her mom and sister completely. She cleaned the money she made, you know, in the beginning. Paid for Nicki’s education, her mom’s condo, their protective details.”

Hands on his hips, Dennis asked, “I thought Nicki didn’t know she had a bodyguard…”

“Oh, she didn’t when she was a kid. After high school, Nia told her. Mainly so she didn’t go nuts on us in public. She loves drawing attention in a crowd.”

“Lloyd, how much does she know about Nia? About what she does? Does Nicki have any details?”

“Hmm. I can’t imagine Nia would trust her with that…”

Looking through the back windows to the patio, Dennis considered. “No, I don’t think she would.” Nodding, he said with a chuckle, “I’m not one of you guys. Mind got away from me, I guess.”

* * *

When Dennis’ father arrived, Cedric insisted on staying in the apartment above the bar. “I love this place and I will be drinking. Might as well be close.”

“Good idea. I appreciate this, Dad.”

“My pleasure. You don’t ask for much so it must be important. You handle your personal business and I’ll handle your bar. We’ll talk when you get back.”

Hugging him tightly, Dennis made sure his dad was comfortable, had everything he needed, because he might be gone a while.

The following morning, he was driven to a chartered plane where he was thoroughly searched and scanned.

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