Vindicated, p.3
Vindicated, page 3
part #1 of Atlanta's Finest Series
Once Hamilton reached the second-floor landing, he heard Angelo, one of their specialists talking before he came into view.
“Ham, don’t start without me. Give me two minutes,” he said, a cell phone plastered to his ear as he darted past him and up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
“All right but hurry up.”
Hamilton strolled into the meeting room where most of the team was sitting or standing around talking.
“What’s up, Ham?” Kenton, another specialist, said as he approached. “What did I ever do to you and Egypt that you guys would stick me with the diva from hell?”
Hamilton grinned; not because he didn’t sympathize with Kenton, but because the ‘diva from hell’ moniker fit the hip-hop singer perfectly. She was a nice enough woman, but most of her demands were so unrealistic that a few of the team members refused to guard her.
“Sorry, man. Last hired typically get what others don’t want.” Hamilton shrugged.
Kenton was a former undercover FBI agent and had moved from DC to be closer to his family. He was an ideal security specialist with brains, an impressive professional background, and at thirty-five years old, he was movie-star handsome—according to Egypt. Since their client base was mostly comprised of wealthy entertainers and socialites, they often wanted their bodyguards to fit into the image the client wanted to portray. There were even some who wanted their security specialist to serve double duty as their date for the evening. Their clients had an option of seeing photos of the team member they were interested in using as their security detail, and many of their clients often chose Kenton on looks alone.
“All right guys, settle down so we can get started. We have a lot to cover this morning. Let’s start with the movie premiere taking place at Atlantic Station in a few weeks.”
An hour after starting the meeting, Hamilton fielded a few questions.
“Ham, with the movie premiere coming up, you said you wanted at least ten of us there for five hours handling crowd control before and after, correct?" Myles, one of their full-timers, asked.
"That’s right.”
“What about the after party in Buckhead? Will it be the same team members, or are you pulling in a different group?”
“Ha! Look at him trying to come up with a way to rub shoulders with the rich and famous,” Angelo cracked, eliciting laughter from others in the room.
“Man, be quiet. Acting like you ain’t interested, too.” Myles laughed.
“Damn straight I am.”
“All right, all right,” Hamilton chimed in. “It’ll be the same team, and I’m waiting for confirmation on how much additional personnel is needed. Those who are guarding individuals won’t be included in that count.”
After answering a few more questions, Hamilton ended the meeting. He sent a few people to see Egypt for new assignments, while he talked to some of the guys who had additional questions.
Once he finally left the room, his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and saw that it was his ex-fiancée Jackie, Dominic’s mother. Apparently, she finally saw fit to return his call.
For the second time in weeks, Dominic had asked to move in with him. According to his son, he didn’t like his mother’s new boyfriend, calling him fake and telling Hamilton that the guy was only nice to him when Jackie was around. Hamilton hadn’t said much during that conversation. He had met the boyfriend and hadn’t cared much for him either.
“Hey, Jackie.”
“Hey. Can you please talk to your son when you pick him up from school? He’s been mouthing off again and disrespecting my new friend.”
Funny how Dominic was his son whenever he did something wrong, but she took credit for his excellent grades and accomplishments.
“Disrespecting him how?” Hamilton moved down the hallway out of the earshot of others. Instead of going back to his office, he headed outside to the back deck that overlooked a small fenced-in yard, and a parking lot on the side.
“Does it matter, Ham? He knows better than to disrespect anyone, especially an adult, and I’m not having it. As it is, he can barely get off of one punishment before I have to put him on another because of his smart mouth.”
He agreed that Dominic could go too far with talking back or questioning their decisions, but he never disrespected someone for no reason.
“This is partly what I wanted to talk to you about when I called earlier. I thought you were returning my call.”
“I…um…I haven’t checked my messages. What did you want to talk about?”
“Your friend. Are you still seeing the same dude, Braeden?”
“Yes, but who I date is none of your business,” she retorted.
“It is if he’s spending the night in my house when Dominic is there. You and I had an agreement, Jackie.”
“Oh, so now Dom is telling you everything that goes on here? You have him spying on me and my man?”
“No, actually he didn’t tell me your man spent the night. What he said is that the guy told him he’d better take out the trash. Considering that conversation took place before I picked Dom up to take him to school, it doesn’t take a detective to figure out Braeden probably stayed the night. So, no. Our son did not rat you out.”
Seconds ticked by before she said, “Oh.”
“Jackie, I don’t care who you date, but Dominic is my number-one priority. He should be your number-one priority too. I’d prefer you not bring one guy after another around him, especially when you don’t know these people well.”
“You act as if I’m with someone new every other week when that’s not the case. Dominic has only been introduced to a couple of the men who’ve been in my life. But this isn’t about him at all, is it? You’re never going to forgive me, are you? You’re going to continue holding it against me that I didn’t stand by you when—”
“Don’t!” Hamilton growled, gripping the phone tighter, trying like hell to hold back from saying something he might regret. “This has nothing to do with the past. This is about our son. We had an agreement. No overnight guests when he’s there.”
“I have needs, Hamilton. You can’t tell me that you don’t have women coming and going from your place when Dominic is there!”
“Never! I have never brought a woman around our son.”
“What about your stuntwoman girlfriend that he keeps talking about? You tryin’ to tell me she isn’t spending time at your house?”
“That woman is someone Dom met on the movie set with my brother. I’m not sure what he’s been telling you, but that was my first time meeting her and I haven’t seen or talked to her since.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter either way to me.” Some of the initial bitterness in her tone moments ago had died down. “You can see whoever you want, just like I can. I don’t butt into your business and I expect you to stay out of mine.”
“Jackie, it’s getting clearer by the minute that you’re not maintaining our agreement. I don’t want my kid in that house when you’re screwing around with every Tom, Nick, and Jerry.”
“I’m not having this conversation with you, Ham. I’m a grown-ass woman. As long as I’m taking care of Dominic and making sure he’s fed, clean, and happy, I can do whatever the hell I want.”
“You’re right, you can. But that’s my house. My house, my rules. If you don’t like it, get out!”
“If I leave, I’m taking Dominic with me, and you won’t ever get to—”
“Be careful, Jackie. Be very careful in what you say next.” Hamilton’s voice went low and lethal as he barely managed his anger. “This is the second time in recent months you threatened to keep my kid from me. I don’t know what that boyfriend of yours is whispering in your ear, but if you even think about depriving me time with Dom, you’ll regret it.”
The silence on the other end of the phone was as thick as a cinder block. They had never gone to court to battle about child support, visitations, or anything regarding Dominic. They had their own agreement that was in the best interest of all of them.
Hamilton saw Dominic whenever he wanted. In exchange, Jackie got to live in a home he owned, rent-free, and he paid more child support than any court would ever require. She already knew that once that agreement didn’t work for either of them, he’d be the one going to court and would fight like hell for full custody.
“Fine. Whatever, Ham. Anything else?”
He debated on whether to mention that Dominic no longer wanted to live with her, but he held off. For the most part, Jackie had done a great job with their son, and Hamilton actually thought she was a good mother. A little high-strung at times, but there was no doubt in his mind that she loved Dominic.
“Listen, if you need me to get him more often, that’s not a problem.” Hamilton understood having needs and though he spent several days a week with Dominic, Jackie was the one who had him the majority of the time. “Also, my parents would love to see him more often. Just let me know if you need more time to yourself.”
“Thanks, Hamilton, and sorry about the way I acted. You’re right. Dominic’s happiness should come first, and I’ll abide by our agreement.”
“I appreciate that and I’ll continue to do the same. We’ve never put certain…needs before the well-being of our kid. I don’t want either of us to start now.”
“I don’t either,” she said quietly.
“As for Dominic being mouthy, I’ll talk to him tonight.”
“Thanks.”
Hamilton ended the call, still thinking about the conversation. He wouldn’t mind Dominic living with him, especially since his son was getting older. Maybe he would still bring up the topic to Jackie soon.
In the meantime, Hamilton planned to investigate the new boyfriend.
Normally, Jackie dated decent guys, but after meeting Braeden a few weeks ago, he hadn’t been impressed. Now that Dominic had brought up his issues with the man, that was a good enough reason for Hamilton to do a little digging. He just hoped he didn’t find anything incriminating.
Chapter Four
A rush of adrenaline pumped through Dakota’s veins as she shifted gears, pushing her 650-horsepower Mustang Shelby GT harder. She grinned and watched the speedometer needle inch to ninety and then to ninety-five as her car floated along as if being carried by a cloud.
“Would you slow down?” her roommate Tymico screamed, her eyes wide as she gripped the edge of her seat with one hand and the door with the other. “What is wrong with you? You’re going to get us killed!”
“Relax. You’re perfectly safe with me.”
“I should’ve just went straight to the airport, but no. Stupid me agreed to go for a ride with you,” her friend grumbled, mumbling a few more words under her breath. As a flight attendant, Ty spent more time in the air than on the ground, especially lately. They might share an apartment but with their work schedules, until this morning, they hadn’t hung out in weeks.
Dakota glanced in her rearview mirror and laughed out loud. The Mustang owner in the other vehicle—the same one who dared to race her up Interstate 20—trailed behind, probably wondering what type of engine she had in her car. They had weaved in and out of the uncharacteristically light traffic for the last three miles, uncaring whether cops were on the lookout.
“Later, sucker!” Dakota called out before easing her foot off the gas and letting the engine drop down to a mere sixty miles per hour. She rarely traveled that highway, but it never failed that when she did, someone would pull alongside her and provoke her into racing them. The adrenaline junkie within her never passed up the opportunity.
“You need psychiatric help! One of these days, your stupid stunts and driving like a maniac are going to get you killed. Then I’m going to have to find a new best friend.”
Dakota laughed, only making Tymico scowl deeper. “Now you know I’m irreplaceable. No one can bring this much excitement to your life.”
“Yeah, whatever. Just get me to the airport in one piece.”
After breakfast, they had driven out to Conyers, a suburb of Atlanta, to drop off old clothes to a friend whose church was collecting items for the homeless. Dakota was always up for any excuse to go for a long drive.
“I’m glad you finally talked to your dad,” Tymico said. “He sounded pretty desperate to speak to you when he called late last night.”
“Everything is always an emergency with him. And he knows that I’m still mad at him for calling that director on my behalf before I left Los Angeles last month.”
“Get over it. Some of us wish we had a father who loved us as much as yours loves you.” Tymico had been an only child raised by her mother. Her father wasn’t in the picture and she rarely mentioned him. “Besides, I think Wesley means well with his overprotectiveness and he’s such a sweetheart.”
“Well, you can have him. When he starts breaking promises, lying to you, and then tries to control your life, don’t bother trying to give him back.”
Tymico shook her head and laughed. She and Ty had been friends forever, and her friend always defended Wesley, saying he was probably doing the best he could. Maybe he was, but Dakota wished he’d remember that she was a grown woman, capable of taking care of herself and fighting her own battles. Which was partly why she agreed to have lunch with him after she dropped off Tymico. The other reason why they were meeting was to discuss some threatening letters he had received recently.
“Okay, enough about me. How’s it going with what’s his name…the new guy? Brad?” Dakota asked as she headed to Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson airport. They usually told each other everything, but with this guy, her friend wasn’t saying much about him. Only making Dakota more curious about what she was hiding.
“It’s going well,” Tymico finally said and smiled. “Dee, I really like this guy. He’s nice, well established, loves traveling, and he’s a real sweetheart.”
“Then why are you so closed mouth about him?”
“I know we usually talk about our men, but…I guess I just don’t want to jinx this. And he’s a little older than me and I don’t want you judging.”
Dakota glanced at her friend before returning her attention back to the road. “How much older?”
“Only a few years. I guess I’m just trying not to get my hopes up and trying not to think about getting married like I usually do when I first meet a guy. Right now, we’re just having a good time and letting the relationship play out.”
“So, when can I meet him?”
“Um…soon. We’re still getting to know each other.”
Dakota narrowed her eyes at her friend. “Please don’t tell me he’s married.”
“Of course not!” Tymico snapped, and Dakota regretted the words the moment they slipped out of her mouth. “Dee, I can’t believe you. You know how I feel about cheaters!”
“Okay, okay, I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have implied that; it’s just that you’ve been acting funny about this man.”
“Because I’m trying to grow the hell up and not fall in love too fast. You know how I am when I start dating someone new.”
Dakota nodded. She did know. Tymico fell in love with anyone who showed her an ounce of attention. Often, she professed her love way too soon, and she usually ended up being the one who got hurt. Her friend was cover-model beautiful, inheriting her Chinese mother’s eyes, hair, and bone structure. She had her African-American father’s height and caramel skin-tone. Guys often saw her pretty face, not realizing she was also super-smart because that wasn’t the side that Tymico showed.
“Okay, I’ll let it drop. For now.” Dakota would just have to trust that Tymico was using good judgment.
But who was she to pass judgment or give any pointers on dealing with the opposite sex? Lately, she either attracted idiots, man-children, or men who weren’t interested in anything serious. She was ready for marriage and a family and had vowed not to waste her time on men who weren’t looking for the same thing. Now, all she had to do was find her Mr. Right.
*
An hour later, Dakota neared the Midtown area and followed the GPS instructions that would take her to the restaurant. Her father had texted the address while she was in Conyers but failed to include the name of the establishment.
Dakota glanced around as she drove through West Midtown, passing a few art galleries and numerous small eateries along the way. She hadn’t been in that community for a while and was surprised to see the number of condos and apartment complexes that had sprung up in the last eight to twelve months. That was happening all over the city. Clearly, builders knew something she didn’t know.
“Oh crap!”
She slammed on her brakes and checked her rearview mirror, thankful no one was close behind her. Caught up in her thoughts, she had missed a turn.
So much for following the GPS instructions.
Grumbling, she circled the block to get to her destination and wondered if she had the wrong address. The area didn't have many restaurants, only lofts and houses.
She turned on her wipers as the pitter-patter of rain tapped the windshield and slowed when the street name came into view. Dakota made a right turn and crept along the narrow street until she found the address. Her father's BMW was parked in front of a large brick structure that looked as if it might’ve been some type of warehouse at one point.
Supreme Security Agency.
“So much for lunch. Another lie,” she mumbled to herself.
Dakota remained in her car, her fingers tapping against the steering wheel as she debated on whether to find out what her father was up to or just take off. Before she could decide, Wesley Bradford climbed out of his luxury vehicle, and as usual, his cell phone was plastered to his ear.
Dakota released a frustrated growl, shut off the Mustang and tried to tap down her negative attitude. She exited her car. Now it was only sprinkling outside, but if the clouds in the sky were any indication, a storm was brewing. A storm that could easily match the frustration swirling within her knowing that her father had lied to her. Again.
“I thought we were meeting for lunch,” she snapped instead of giving a more appropriate greeting when they met in the tight spot between their vehicles.
