Page 48 of Lost In London

Kissing his teeth, Landon kept looking between Cassian and London. “Stop lying.”

“What do I gotta lie for?” Looking around, he cupped his mouth and yelled, “Massey!” His daughter came skipping over with a younger version of Cassian walking behind her. “How long have Olena and London been dating?”

Tapping her chin, she squinted before snapping her fingers. “About four to five months. Maybe a little more.”

“Aight. Thanks, baby girl. Aye, watch them gremlins. I just saw them run to the vending machines and I ain’t give them no money. Knowing them, Tai will talk Melly into climbing through that small opening to get some snacks.” Ain’t no way in the world those two girls I saw come in with him would do that. They looked innocent. Now if they were my students, then yes.

As soon as Massey left, Landon went off. “What the fuck, Cassian. You’re supposed to be watching my sister.” Stomping away and over to London, it was interesting how Cassian and I both moved several steps towards them. Watching him grip her upper arm, seeing her flinch, Cassian beat me to it.

“Aye, watch them hands and how you grab her, Landon.”

That wasn’t good enough. I didn’t like how her whole demeanor changed by whatever he was saying to her. All day she’d been smiling and laughing. Dancing with the kids and parents. Now she had a thick vein popping out of her temple and side of her neck. Her cheeks were red and her hands clenched into fists. Brother or not he needed to back up and leave.

“Don’t.” I barely moved two steps before Quest’s hand landed firmly in the middle of my chest. “Look.” Landon stomped away and walked out after their brief but intense exchange, leaving London glaring behind him. “When this is over, that’s when you step in and take care of her.” Like it had never happened, London put back on her smiling face and continued to be the perfect hostess.

Impatiently waiting, I waited until the event was over to take care of her. Instead of ending at four in the afternoon like we planned, the event ended up running two hours over. All of the board members were impressed and elated with the feedback from the students and their parents. Derrick ended up giving London the freedom to launch her juice bar in all the schools and have them up and running by the beginning of the upcoming school year. She was excited to hear the news and promised she and I would make sure we spent the entire summer planning and organizing.

I loved the sound of that.

She wasn’t getting rid of me anyway.

“Lolo, I’m tired of juices. I want some real food.” Tugging on London’s shirt, Tai pouted with the cutest baby doll brown eyes.

“Go ahead and take them to get something to eat. I have a few things to do before I leave.” She kissed the top of Tai’s head and leaned over and kissed Melly’s cheek, who was laying in her father’s arms smiling at London.

“I’ll have Benny come and pick you up.”

“I’ll bring her home.” Cassian and I spoke at the same time. His smug turned my way and I wasn’t at all worried about what he thought. That look might’ve worked on his kids but I was a grown ass man whose heart only pumped in fear for God.

Stepping into his line of view, she validated my offer. “I’ll be fine with Quincey, Cass.”

“Aye, you might be Quest’s brother but I’ll send you to an early grave if she comes home with a papercut so that means you better protect her from paper.” Uh, okay.

“Wow. Glad you love me so much. Now can you please leave and take my broke besties to get some food.”

Gasping, Tai swung her purse up her shoulder and pointed a finger at London. “Lolo, a princess is never broke if her Papa has money.” She walked off leaving us all stunned.

Narrowing his eyes, Cassian leaned down and got in London’s face, who couldn’t stop laughing. “See that bullshit. You created that damn monster.” Kissing her cheek, he glared my way once again.

“You have my word she’ll get home in one piece.” My word was my bond.

He and I stood in a stare off until his shoulders slumped. I could see the apprehension in them. I could see the war but I also could see he wanted to let her live but at the same time have safety. “Aight. Cash, let’s go.” Turning to London, he spoke once last time before walking away. “Shoot that nigga if he gets out of line and you know how to reach me. Don’t make me regret giving you some freedom, London Nicole.” He sounded like a father but I understood where he was coming from.

London was special like that.

What she possessed, her as a whole, it needed to be protected.

After she shooed him and his kids away, she went back to working the room while I stood there becoming more enamored by the second. Staying in the shadows and the background of her working didn’t seem odd or devalue what I had to offer. My job was to protect her and make sure none of these parents and faculty members got out of line. I was doing that and more.

Conviction rocked me hard as I stood there guarding her.

I was doing the same thing my dad has always done for my mother - guard and protect her purpose. Everything he’s ingrained in me since I was a young child about value and honor especially when it came to the woman I wanted to give my last name to. I was living in that realm right now and it felt gratifying.

Only difference is that London wasn’t my mother.

She wasn’t abusing her power and position. She wasn’t demeaning me just to say she did it. If anything she wanted me to have this moment with her but I refused to step in where I wasn’t needed. I was perfectly fine being her shadow of protection. Ready to slaughter anyone who dared to dampen her happiness.

Once the cleaning crew arrived and the superintendent sang her praises one last time, she and I were in my car headed to Donna’s to grab some Caribbean food. I didn’t have to ask if she was hungry. Not only had she been on her feet since early this morning but her stomach made it loud and clear that it needed to be fed. Ordering two large plates of oxtails, rice and peas, and something to drink, we decided to eat in the parking lot while listening to music.

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