Love, Lies and Scandal by Earl Sewell Read Free Book Online Page A

worshipped him no matter how he treated her?

    "DaNikka." Will tapped her leg to wake her up. "We're making our final descent into Oakland," he whispered to her and then kissed her on the cheek.

    "Tell me you love me," DaNikka mumbled as she looped her arm around his and nuzzled her face against his shoulder. "I want to hear you say it."

    "You know I do." His words held absolutely no truth.

    "We should just run away and leave California behind. We could buy a new house and start a new life together. I could have a son for you and a girl for me. The four of us would be so happy together. I just know we would. Don't you think it would be nice for us to be together all of the time?" she rambled.

    "Get your mind right, DaNikka." Will unlatched her from his arm. "Remember your place. Remember our agreement."

    "I'm sorry, I was just thinking--" she quickly apologized.

    "Don't think. Just do what I ask you to and you'll benefit from it. Who is the man who buys you nice clothes?"

    "You."

    "Who is the man who makes sure you have money in your pocket?"

    "You."

    "And who is the man who has been helping out your mother?"

    "You."

    "Now why do you want to mess up this perfect arrangement?"

    "I don't want to mess it up, baby. I just--" DaNikka stopped talking out of fear she'd say something wrong.

    He stared coldly at her so there would be no mistake. "Make sure you don't start thinking like that again or I'll cut you completely off."

    "I'm sorry, okay?" She tried to give Will a kiss, but he refused her affections. DaNikka sat completely upright and remained silent as the plane landed at the Oakland airport. Will turned his cell phone back on and checked his messages.

    "I've ordered a car for you," Will said as the aircraft taxied toward the gate. "The driver is at the luggage carousel waiting for you."

    "You're not riding back with me?" DaNikka pouted.

    "No. Angela is picking me up." DaNikka remained silent. Will knew that made her unhappy, but she'd get over it. They exited the aircraft and began walking through the airport.

    Will directed her to step over to the side away from the flow of traffic. "Here, this is for you." He handed her an envelope filled with one thousand dollars in cash. It was the largest amount of money he'd ever given her. "Do something nice for yourself."

    The money changed DaNikka's attitude. "You know that you're my boo, right?" DaNikka smiled slightly as she tucked the money inside her purse.

    "I'll call you when I can, most likely after my committee meetings."

    "Okay." DaNikka closed up her purse and tried to kiss him once again.

    "We're back home and in public, DaNikka. This is the part where Mr. Rourke and Tattou appear out of nowhere wearing white suits and say your fantasy has come to its end."

    "Who?" DaNikka was confused.

    "I forgot you're too young to remember that television show. Just make sure you don't get too caught up in our fantasy getaways."

    "I'm sorry. I just want to say thank you," she explained. "My mom and I can really use the money."

    "Well, you have what you need, so go pick up your luggage. Your driver is waiting for you."

    Will watched DaNikka as she sucked up her emotions and was swallowed into the massive herd of people moving forward toward their destination. Will then walked over to Starbucks and ordered himself a cup of coffee. As he took his first sip, his cell phone rang.

    "Hello," he answered.

    "Hey, baby. Where are you?" It was Angela.

    "I just got off of the airplane."

    "Okay, I'm down at the baggage carousel waiting for you."

    "I'll be there in a few minutes."

    "Did you miss me?" Angela asked.

    "Of course I did. I thought about you every day."

    "I thought about you, too. I missed you."

    "Well, you won't have to wait much longer. I'm on my way," Will said as he completed their call. He went to the bathroom to freshen up.

    "The last thing I want is for Angela to get a hint of DaNikka's scent on me," Will whispered to himself. After he'd washed