Page 21 of Cause When You Love Someone

Ishmael

B odyguard

“Ish! Don’t forget to bring me something back from your trip.”

I grinned, hearing Izzy’s hyper tone boom through my speakers.

“How many times do I have to tell you, I’m going on a work trip, not a vacation.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she chanted. “I would believe you if you weren’t going to another state with your girlfriend.”

“That’s another thing I keep reminding you. Clarke isn’t my girlfriend. If I’m being honest, I’m not sure where we stand right now,” I revealed without recalling who I was speaking to. “Anyway, what are you and Essen getting into while I’m gone?”

“Stop being dramatic. You’ll only be gone for a few days.” She snickered. “Essen asked if I wanted to have a spa day and visit Ruth’s Bookstore. I’ll probably take her up on her offer.”

An abrupt quiet spell took over the line.

“What’s on your mind, Izzy?”

She sighed. “It’s nothing bad. I decided to take you up on your offer. I want to move in with you. I’m coo’ with going to Winston Academy next year.”

Excited, I slapped the steering wheel. I cleared my throat and tried to sound normal when asking, “What made you change your mind?”

“Hearing you talk about going back to school at fifty made me realize how much freedom you have. Most people can’t afford to do that, and I know you’re able to because you worked hard at a young age. I want to have a fair shot at living my dreams like you instead of surviving in hell like Mom.”

“And you know I’m going to make that happen, right? You trust me?”

“Always.” She released a short whistle. “I don’t know how Mama is going to take it, but?—”

“Don’t worry about her. You’ve done that long enough. I’ll deal with whatever backlash comes our way.”

“Tuh! You don’t have to tell me twice.”

“I bet. I’ll call you and Essen when I land.”

On my way to Mrs. Rose’s house, I prayed the vibes between Clarke and me would be better on the trip to Vegas than they had been over the last two weeks.

After our date at the ballet, Clarke had been distant.

I wouldn’t say we were back to acting like Martin and Pam.

We damn sure weren’t moving in the direction I thought.

A few nights, I lay awake trying to figure out if there was something I said or did to make Clarke go from using my name and the word love in the same sentence to not wanting to stay on the phone for too long.

Never one to wrack my brain when I could ask for the answer, I pressed her about it, but she dismissed my accusation.

Part of me believed she was back with Chaz, but that was the question I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

We had sex for the first time over a month ago, and the idea that she shared a moment like that with a nigga who didn’t respect her sent an achy tremble down my spine.

I drove up the curved driveway and saw a group of women I had never seen trailing behind Mrs. Rose when she exited her house. Clarke lingered behind with Sage at her side. A pair of shades covered her gaze, but her bunched brows and pursed lips explained her mood.

“Look who decided to show up,” Mrs. Rose greeted me when I got out of my truck. “I hope you’re ready to put those muscles to good use because this weekend is going to be crazy.”

“I’ve done my research. My company is going to send extra guards out to meet us.”

Shiloh had the idea to fly extra men out to work, and judging by what I read about the festival, the extra protection was welcomed.

“Well, I hope the men are more professional than you. Every time Clarke goes missing, you’re unavailable to find her.”

“Mrs. Rose, I’m not going to try to convince you I’m capable of making sure your daughter and anyone with her gets home in one piece. I’ll stick to my job, and you concentrate on yours.”

Clarke’s mom stomped away, making room for the brown-skinned beauty to take her place.

“Hey, you.” She spoke in a low voice.

“What’s up. I see you brought your entourage.”

She smirked. “They’re ladies I’ve worked with over the years. I had to bail on our girls’ trip, so I figured this was a healthy compromise.”

“Always thinking of others.” I pointed to the red blotch on the side of her neck. “Is the hickey the reason you’ve been acting funny toward me? That’s tacky as fuck.”

“You know me better than that. I’m too fly to be tacky,” she answered quickly. “I’ve been taking some time to reflect on a few things. Our pictures were all over the internet, and we haven’t made anything—never mind. It’s not what I know you’re thinking, Ishmael.”

“Did you let that man touch you?”

Her shoulders dropped, followed by her head. “Ishmael …”

“Baby girl, you don’t need to explain yourself, especially if it’s hard. We had fun. I enjoyed you. Let’s just put things back on a professional level. You good with that?”

A glimmer of unshed tears added a sparkle to her eyes.

“Ishmael, I had an amazing time being with?—”

My one-note chuckle caused her to pause and pin me with a stern stare.

“Ishmael, don’t do that to me.”

“You’re doing it to yourself.”

I left her standing alone and climbed into the passenger seat of the sprinter.

During our ride to the airport, I pretended to read, though I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder a few times.

Every time, Clarke’s focus was launched in my direction.

Her gloomy demeanor made me regret ever crossing of the line.

Though we were grown, I would have never been with her if it turned into her staring at me with sadness narrowing her gaze.

After we arrived in Vegas, I assisted the house staff in getting all the luggage inside. The ladies journeyed into the backyard, so I prepared to go to my room, but one of them asked me to take pictures of them.

“Ask Sage to handle that.”

“He’s in the restroom.” She sucked her teeth. “You’re a grouch. Clarke said you were sweet. There’s a videographer coming, but he doesn’t land until five.”

I took hold of the phone she shoved into my chest and followed her to where the others waited in the backyard.

While they figured out how they wanted to pose, I examined the phone and realized it belonged to Clarke.

After spending months together, I knew her passcode, but out of respect, I walked over and asked her to unlock the phone.

In her personal space, I made the mistake of locking eyes.

The cheers from her friends were the only thing to break my trance.

“Y’all need to cut it out.” Clarke giggled as she rushed back to the group.

As expected, they shifted around in different poses and asked me to take multiple shots.

Their excitement and the liquor they drank had them moving swiftly, so I scrolled through the pictures to check my work.

Images of Clarke with a black eye, a tearful face, and bruises around her neck made my mouth go dry.

My stomach pitted into tight coils as I gripped the phone, storming toward the door.

“Ishmael. Ishmael!”

I heard Clarke, but I didn’t face her until we were both inside the house.

“What the hell is wrong with you? One second, you’re smiling while taking our pictures, and the next?—”

I flipped her phone around. “I see a fucking picture of you looking beat up. Is this really the nigga you picked over me?”

“Ishmael, I promise I want you more than anything in this world. I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to you because of my mess. Your legacy will be filled with accolades, not condolences.”

“You can’t be fucking serious. That’s what you hired me to do, and now you’re pushing me away? Don’t treat me like I’m a bitch.”

With a tight chest, I examined the faded bruises more than I had earlier. I played it smart when it came to making moves that could land me in jail, but when it came to Clarke, there was no line I wouldn’t cross.

“Ishmael, you trusted me enough to tell me your biggest fear is going back to jail. Being away from Izzy would break you. What kind of woman would I be if I put you in a position to have your heart broken? I can’t do that. I can handle Chaz.”

“If you could, he would be dead or in jail.”

A scoffed laugh split her glossed lips apart. “Now you expect me to kill him?”

“No. I expect you to tell me there’s a problem, then sit pretty because you know it’s handled. It’s obvious you still have a lot to learn about me.” I leaned forward and laced her lips with mine. “Fix your face and go enjoy your friends.”

While Clarke finished getting ready for her club appearance, I called a meeting with the guards who Shiloh had flown into town. The group of five all had previous experience, which I hoped would make my job easier.

“This is insane. Folks really go crazy for someone who doesn’t sing. She doesn’t act. Dance.”

“See, you don’t know what you’re talking about, so you should be quiet, Anthony.

Don’t be mad that you can’t make no money unless you’re using that belly to block a bullet.

Close your mouth and use your ears.” I faced the masses.

“Now, like I was saying, the club layout is simple. Clarke will be in a section on the first floor for an hour, then she’ll go to a private area upstairs.

We leave the villa at eleven, and a black truck will be outside waiting for you. I’m riding with Clarke.”

Since I was out of state, I tucked extra protection. Unlike in Silk Hills, people didn’t know me. There was a chance someone would press their luck to get to Clarke, and I wanted to be prepared to handle whatever.

It was twenty minutes until eleven, so I made my way to the front of the property.

A party bus and black truck waited in the circular driveway.

I stood out there alone for ten minutes before Clarke’s friends spilled out of the house.

Blessed in various shades and sizes, every woman looked good.

Still, none looked better than the pretty lady in the knee-length, pink, latex dress.

Had we been alone, I would’ve bent her over and fucked her outside.