Toby the Protector Page 11

  This shit sucks.

  ~B~

  Joe Black

  I shake my head from the threshold of my office door. I’ve raised all seven of these boys. They think they’re grown lads, but they haven’t seen shit yet. That Toby is up to something.

  I close my eyes. If it’s what I know it is, he is playing with fire. Of all of my boys, I never thought Toby would be the one to bring trouble home. I’m not ignoring what I already know.

  I’m raising men. Toby is going to have to learn about consequences, doesn’t mean I won’t be calling back home to keep extra eyes on the matter. Never know which way the wind will blow.

  When I open my eyes, I look at my boys and smile. They’re all pissed at their brother, but it comes from a love that can’t be taught, but is learned from receiving. Cass did a fine job with these lads.

  “I say we put a tail on his ass. He’s hiding something,” Ry murmurs.

  “You’ll do no such thing,” I order stepping out of my office into view.

  “Dad, Toby has been an asshole for months,” Ry huffs.

  “And it will most likely get worse. You leave your brother be. He has to learn this one for himself. None of you will get into this,” I say looking around the room, into the eyes of each of my sons.

  I can see the frustration on their faces, but I know they will not disobey me. I raised strong willed men, but obedient ones. When it comes to me and their mother, their asses know to do as told.

  “So, he just gets to be an asshole,” Brax mutters.

  “We haven’t stopped you from being one,” I shrug.

  “Ooooh,” my other boys roar with laughter.

  “Love you too, Dad,” Brax says, with a good-natured smile.

  “Aye, and I, you,” I chuckle, walking over to pat Brax on the shoulder. “Don’t you all have work to be doing.”

  Grumbles and grunts fill the office. I walk over to Wyatt and Noah. I know I will have to give an extra warning to these two. I can see the wheels turning in their heads. They’re trying to figure out how to look after their brother, without disobeying a direct order.

  I know these two too well. Wyatt frowns, when I stop in front of the desk he’s perched on the edge of. Noah is standing beside him, with his arms folded over his chest.

  “You two heard what I said. Leave the lad be. Hard heads, make soft behinds. Leave Toby to me. I’m his Da. I will handle this,” I look between my sons.

  “Fine,” Wyatt nods.

  “Felix, my office,” I call over my shoulder.

  I may have called my boys off, but I will still protect my son in any way I can. These boys will learn one day that I see it all. The shit they want me to see and the shit they think they’re keeping from me.

  You don’t come from the stock I come from and turn into a blind man. Not unless someone makes you one. I haven’t met the man, yet, that wants to take on that task. It’s what made me invaluable in service.

  “What’s up, Dad,” Felix asks, as he enters my office.

  I turn and look at my middle son. I can trust this task to Felix. He’s the vault. Secrets stay with him. Felix is also the one that watches and digs. He’s also been on this case with me for the longest.

  “You’re mother and I are going to Kwäzē’s party. I want you there with me. You’re back on the case. This time Kwäzē needs to know everything ten steps ahead of them happening.

  “Keep blocking information from getting out to the public. We’re team Alpha again. Elijah is taking a step back. Wyatt will not be reporting to him anymore.

  “This remains classified. We’ll assist in any way we can, but no one is to know, just as before,” I look into my son’s eyes to insure he gets me.

  I see the war on his face. I lift a brow. Felix is usually the first to take orders and be on his way.

  “Is there a problem,” I ask, when he doesn’t reply or move.

  Felix rubs the back of his neck and sighs. “No, I’ll cancel my plans. Sorry,” he finally replies.

  “This is one of our priority clients. Last year could have been a disaster. Elijah is grateful for the work you’ve done. It’s not every day a royal family requests your services personally,” I smile proudly at my son.

  Felix’s face brightens. “Sure, sure, Dad. I’ll be there. I’ll take care of everything,” he replies, with more enthusiasm.

  ~B~

  Toby

  It’s killing me to watch Kamara across the room and not be near her. The red dress she has on wraps her body so elegantly. It wraps around her neck like a halter, showing off her smooth dark chocolate back.

  The dress is long, with a split in the front that reveals a shorter skirt beneath. Every time she moves, the fabric floats behind her, making her look like a runway model in action. Gold bracelets dance up and down both her wrists and forearms. She looks like the Princess she is.

  I haven’t been able to look away from her all night. I tried to look for opportunities to swipe her away, but none have opened up. Whenever, I see that smile on her face, I want to say fuck it and just walk over there to kiss her breathless.

  “It has only been a year. She has grown into a woman in my absence,” Kwäzē’s voice catches my attention.

  I turn to my side to look at my friend. He looks good. He looks like he has bulked up some. There’s a wisdom in his eyes that wasn’t there before.

  It’s not the book smart knowledge, he has had for years. This is something else, as if he had to grow up while away. His time away has definitely changed something in him.

  I follow Kwäzē’s eyes to his twin. I guess he’s right, Kamara has changed a lot as well. She’s more determined these days.

  “Yeah,” I reply simply, not wanting to give myself away.

  “She looks more confident. It suits her station. My sister is meant to be Queen, Toby. Nothing is going to change that course,” the tone of his words leaves his statement open.

  I turn to look at my friend. We lock eyes and his say a million words. I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.

  “You are my best friend. Like a brother to me. Kamara is my twin. I know the two of you better than I know myself,” Kwäzē says quietly. “Everything I have done, I have done for my sister and my people. I will end this war, Toby. One way or another, but in the end, she will still be Queen.”

  “What are you saying?” I ask defensively.

  Kwäzē steps into my space and lowers his voice. “Her betrothed is a ruthless man. He wants my sister and a kingdom that he will never have. Kamara and I have responsibilities to honor. America has been our refuge. That does not change our obligations. Love does not matter.”

  “So, she’s just going to be married off to some asshole, you don’t even like,” I knit my brows in confusion.

  “That is not what I am saying. I have fought every single day for the last year to alter my sister’s fate. The balance must be kept. Our people come first. She may have no choice. We cannot afford the weakness in these times,” Kwäzē says, with pain in his eyes.

  “Does she know this?” I snarl.

  “No, and she will not. Not until there is nothing else, I and my father can do. I know you care for her and I care for you both. Just know, there will come a day were the choice will not belong to any of us. We have spent our lives protecting her from this.

  “It should have never been, but now it must be dealt with. Continue to keep your love a secret. It will be used against her if others find out,” Kwäzē whispers.

  My chest tightens. I see red. I want to destroy everything in sight. I look over to find Kamara watching us. I give her a small nod and force a smile on my lips.

  “I’d bring that motherfucker to his knees, before I allow him to hurt her,” I hiss.

  Kwäzē gives me a weak smile. “This I know my friend, but King Afafa is not the only one Kamara has to be concerned about. You are a white man, Toby. Our people will turn their backs on her if they find out about you.

  “She has been in a
relationship with you, when she is engaged to the king. You don’t understand the danger this could cause. I will move heaven and earth to make sure this does not hurt my sister. Which means I may lose a friend to keep my sister,” he responds.

  “Is that a threat, Bro?”

  “No, Toby. It is a warning that you will get hurt if you continue with my sister. There is nothing I can do about that. It will not be anyone’s intention to harm you,” Kwäzē pats my shoulder and walks away, leaving me reeling.

  I loosen my tie and try not to growl. My entire body is coiled for a fight. I start for one of the side doors that will grant me some fresh air. I feel like I’m on fire.

  I push through a set of patio doors. The fresh air is a welcomed reprieve. I feel like I’ve just been aged ten more years. This shouldn’t be so hard.

  The way I love Kamara should be enough to overcome anything. I’ve feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. Fuck, I don’t even know if I still have a friend.

  I run my hand over my freshly cut hair. I don’t know why cutting it off, made me feel like Kamara’s father would see me as more deserving of his daughter. I just thought that if…I don’t know what I thought.

  It’s not like Kamara would be introducing me as her man tonight. That’s something that will never happen. I can’t even hold my baby’s hand in public. This is some real bullshit.

  Only I, would fall in love with a Princess destined for a throne. I grasp the stone railing, trying to rein in my temper. I feel so helpless.

  I need my brothers.

  I know the risk of involving them, but they would give me sound advice. If I could just talk to them. I need them to understand what Kamara means to me. I have to show them that I need to keep her safe.

  “What is wrong,” hearing her voice tears me to shreds.

  She shouldn’t have followed me out here. Someone could’ve noticed. We can’t be seen together.

  “Go back inside,” I say more curtly than I mean to.

  “No, Toby. What is going on? I saw you talking to Kwäzē. What did he say to you?” She demands.

  I turn to face her and her sheer beauty nearly brings me to my knees. I place my hands behind my back to keep from touching her. The pleading look in her big brown eyes is my undoing.

  I look towards the doors leading back inside to the party. When I’m sure no one’s watching us, I grab Kamara by the waist and rush her off the patio into the gardens. I don’t stop until we’re in the thick of the grounds.

  “Please, talk to me. You are scaring me,” Kamara’s voice trembles.

  “Your brother knows. He said some things…We need to be careful,” I sigh.

  Kamara places her hands on my chest. “Relax, how could my brother know? He hasn’t been home for more than two days.”

  “Baby, did you not just watch us? He knows. He said as much. Fuck, Kamara, we’ve been so foolish. I put your life in danger. I’d never forgive myself if something were to happen to you,” I move away, rubbing the back of my neck.

  I hear her as she walks up behind me. Her lean arms wrap around my waist. I close my eyes, as she rests her cheek on my back. I sigh covering her arms with mine.

  “Baby, we shouldn’t,” I murmur.

  “No one is coming out here. I need you, you need me,” she kisses my back, before resting against me once more.

  “What are we doing? How’d all of this get so out of hand?” I say more to myself.

  “Tell me what my brother told you,” Kamara sighs.

  “No,” I shake my head. “For once, I agree that you shouldn’t have to worry about all of this.”

  She snatches away from me, causing me to turn to face her. The glare on Kamara’s face could melt ice. A chill runs through me. My mother has perfected the look Kamara is giving me, but Kamara is giving her a run for her money.

  “So, you will treat me like them now,” she says with narrowed eyes. Her words chill me like ice.

  “I’m not treating you like anyone. I’m saying that I want to protect you. This shit is fucked up. You don’t need to worry about it,” I try my best to reason with her.

  “No, you are treating me like a child, just like the rest of them. Protect the Princess by keeping her in the dark. What is it that I’m hiding from, Toby? Just tell me so I can prepare myself,” she pleas with me.

  “I can’t,” I choke out. I hate keeping secrets from her, but this shit is heavy on my shoulders. I will not add it to hers. “Ye don’t understand how much we all be trying to protect ya. Trust me, Baby, just leave it be.”

  Kamara’s head whips back. She stumbles backwards. I see the worry that covers her face.

  “You only speak like that when something is bad. When you are worried,” Kamara whispers.

  “Like what,” I ask, knitting my brows.

  “You and your brothers rarely show you have parents that speak with non-native accents. You, however, show you have a brogue of your own when you are upset or nervous about something, very worried,” Kamara clutches at her chest.

  I throw my head back and look up at the sky. She’s speaking facts. My brothers and I usually don’t show signs of our parents’ heritage, when we speak. Although, Brax and I usually have a slip of the tongue, when we’re angry or stressed.

  You have to know us well to know this. My mom says it’s the fire in our hair. I say it’s because Brax and I spent a lot of time with our family Ireland in and New York in the summers. The McGowans have heavy native Northern Irish accents. Most of the O’Briens never lost their accents. I didn’t even realize I’d done it.

  “Kamara, listen to me,” I start to speak, still looking up at the sky. I wish I still believed in wishing upon a star. “Don’t push this. We’ll work through this.”

  “No,” Kamara says so hard, my head snaps back in her direction. “You made me promise to tell you everything and here you stand keeping secrets from me.”

  “Not because I want to,” I yell back.

  Kamara’s head whips back. “I think you lost your damn mind with your pants,” Kamara points to my kilt. “Or was it your balls? My Toby would just tell me and then make it better. Come to me when you find whatever you’ve lost.”

  I’m left so stunned, I can’t even follow after her, as she starts to stomp off. Kamara is the sweetest girl ever. I know she has a little temper, but it rarely comes out. Her mouth has become a little fouler over the years, but wow. I’m just stunned.

  That shit would be funny as fuck and even cute as hell, under different circumstances. I shake off my shock and storm after her. Only, my phone begins to ring.

  I yank it from my tux jacket in frustration. My feet are still carrying me after Kamara. I see Wyatt’s name on the screen. I start to hit ignore, but something tugs inside me. I answer the call.

  “Yeah,” I grunt.

  “Swallow your shit. Felix needs us. Danny and Alberto were just killed in a car accident. The same car Felix would have been in tonight,” My brothers says tightly.

  I stop in my tracks and close my eyes. Danny Porter and Alberto Perez are two of Felix’s closest friends. This is not good. Those three do everything together.

  “Where are you guys. I thought Felix was here with Mom and Dad,” I rush into the phone.

  “He is. We came straight here to tell him first. We couldn’t find you,” Wyatt replies.

  I look in the direction Kamara stormed off in. This once, my brothers are going to come first. I don’t think she’s going to listen to reason at this moment, anyway and it’s not like we can argue inside the party.

  “I’ll be out front in two minutes,” I say and end the call.

  chapter Twelve

  Brothers Black

  Toby

  I feel for my brother. I’ve never seen Felix cry. He’s always the quiet one. If he’s in pain, he’s quiet about it. If he doesn’t like something, he’s quiet about it.

  Losing his two friends, in a car accident, in a car he was supposed to be in, has gutted him. They all had plan
ned to hang out tonight. Felix bailed on them at the last minute to come to Kwäzē’s party.

  I know I speak for every one of my brothers, when I say I’m grateful to whatever made Felix change his mind. If he’d been in that car tonight. I would be the one losing my shit.

  My chest is so tight. I’ve been pulling away from this, away from my core, my brothers. All my life, if one of us needed the other we’ve been there.

  In my heart, I know if I told my brothers what’s going on with me, they’d be there for me like we’re all here for Felix now. It’s what we do. However, this isn’t the time to make this about me.

  “I can’t believe this shit. I just talked to them. I was supposed to be there. If I was there, maybe they’d still be alive. Alberto has always been a show off in that fucking sports car,” Felix sobs.

  “Dude, you can’t think like that. You weren’t there for a reason,” Noah says.

  “I would have been driving if I’d gone with them,” Felix counters.

  “Bro, you can’t beat yourself up about this,” John says, passing Felix another beer.

  “You know something, I swear I think Danny felt like something like this was going to happen. He just asked me for a favor out of the blue. I laughed it off, but now, I think he knew,” Felix’s words trail off, as he wipes under his nose.

  Ry wrinkles his brows. “What favor?”

  “He asked me to look after Kaye. I thought it was crazy. You know,” Felix shrugs. “She and Alberto have been going strong and she had her big brother. Why would she need me to look after her?”

  “Shit,” Brax breathes out. “Damn.”

  “That just proves it wasn’t your time, Fel,” Ry says. “I know this is hard. Those guys were like brothers to you. I used to get so jealous when you would want to hang with them over me, but as I got older, I got it.

  “You guys all have other friends, but you will always be my brothers. I would die without you guys. So, I can understand you hurting from losing your friends.”

  The room falls silent as everyone looks at Ry. Shit, losing one of my brothers would be like death. Ry’s words hit hard. It dawns on me that Felix really could be dead with his friends.