Pride and Consequence

Zakira shrugged. “Better late than never.”

Tree turned and his pitch-black gaze narrowed the moment he saw the exquisite beauty who stared back at him with her gorgeous almond-shaped eyes. Tree stood uncharacteristically speechless. The lovely, delicate features that never failed to render men helpless succeeded once more. However, this time, it appeared that Eddie was just as captivated as Tree.

Zakira hid her smile as she studied Tree’s entranced expression and Edwina’s reaction to him. After a moment, she cleared her throat.

“Tree, would you like to join us?” she asked.

Tree hesitated for a moment. Then, shaking his head, he ran one finger across his wide brow. “Um…I’m sorry, Edwina, for staring,” he apologized very softly, his deep voice sounding very raspy.

Eddie fiddled with the wide collar of her blouse and nodded. “It’s okay,” she managed, surprised by the apology. An apology, in fact, was very unnecessary when she was just as guilty. Trekel Grisani was unbelievably gorgeous. The close-cut wavy black hair, striking onyx eyes, wide nose and mouth made for an irresistible combination. Zakira had called him Tree and Edwina figured it was a nickname. A well-deserved nickname, in any case. The man had an awesome build, to say the least. Massive shoulders, a wide chest and back, lean waist and long legs…yes, Tree was the perfect name for him.

“Thanks, Z, but I’m meeting with a client,” Tree explained when he turned around. “I just wanted to stop and say hello.”

“Well, listen, if you have some time later on, could I stop by and talk for a while?”

Tree smiled and glanced at his watch. “That’s fine. Maybe around three?”

Zakira smiled. “I’ll see you then.”

Tree leaned down and pressed another kiss to her cheek. Then, he turned, pinning Eddie with his intense onyx stare. “It was very nice to meet you, Edwina.”

Eddie’s sweet brown stare was practically glued to Tree’s handsome face. “It was very nice meeting you,” she replied.

Tree stared for just an instant longer before he left the table.

Eddie waited a moment before she turned her head. Her eyes followed Tree’s departing form.

A smirk crossed Zakira’s mouth as she watched her stepsister. “Yes, he is.”

Eddie frowned and turned to face her sister. She waited for Zakira to elaborate.

“He really is as sweet and thoughtful as he is gorgeous and sexy,” she clarified.

Eddie shrugged. “That would appear to be true,” she agreed, lightly.

“Sure seemed taken by you, girl,” Zakira teased.

Edwina smiled. “You are imagining things.”

“Ha! I’m not imagining the way your eyes were glued to him.”

“Z! I don’t believe you said that,” Edwina replied, outraged. “And anyway, wasn’t it you who said I should forget about men for a while?”

Zakira waved her hand. “Not when it comes to Trekel Grisani. I can’t believe I never considered putting you guys together before. You couldn’t tear your eyes away from him and he couldn’t stop looking at you. Why deny it? The man is gorgeous and built. Unlike most of his colleagues, he’s a good, honest lawyer, and he seemed very into you.”

Eddie sent Zakira an exasperated look. “As if I don’t have enough problems with men,” she sighed, raising her hands.

Zakira leaned across the table. “What problems, Eddie? Tree is a very nice guy. He’s sweet, gorgeous and intelligent. You don’t come across a combination like that every day.”

“I’m sure you’re right. But Z, maybe you haven’t realized that I only date black men.”

Zakira appeared dumbfounded. Then, she realized what Eddie meant. “Honey, Tree is black.”

Edwina leaned back in her chair and balled her fist beneath her chin. “Did we just talk to the same man? Tall, gorgeous…white?”

“Eddie, he is black. His father is Italian, but his mother is definitely a black woman. He doesn’t have her coloring, but look at his features and you can tell.”

Eddie shrugged, but still appeared uneasy.

“Edwina you can’t deny that you were attracted to him.”

“Maybe I can’t, but I’m just not ready for another man right now. Any man,” she said, sounding as though she were trying to convince herself.

“He told me to show you right in, Zakira,” Carrie Shephard said as she opened the door to her boss’s office.

Tree was on the phone when his assistant escorted Zakira inside. He waved to her and began wrapping up his call.

She walked around the impressive penthouse office located in a posh silver skyscraper in downtown Richmond. She had not visited in a while, but she was always amazed by the beauty of Tree’s home. Everything was dark and oversized to accommodate his size. Still, both the office and the living quarters held an unmistakable aura of style and authority. She was studying a wall decorated only with pictures of Tree and Malik. If Trekel Grisani couldn’t put her fears to rest concerning her husband, she didn’t know who could.

“Hey, you.” Tree said, as he headed over to Zakira. He leaned down to give her a warm hug.

“Hi,” Zakira sighed.

A small furrow formed between Tree’s sleek brows and he pulled away. “What’s the matter?”

She came right out with it. “Tree, do you know what’s going on with Malik?”

“What’s…going on with him?” Tree replied, watching Zakira suspiciously.

“Mmm-hmm. He’s been acting so weird for the past few weeks. I think he might be sick…Can you tell me anything?”

Tree managed to slip his mask in place before Zakira could see that he knew more than he was telling. He had warned Malik that Zakira’s intuition was keen where her husband was concerned.

Zakira took a seat in front of Tree’s desk and pinned him with her large chocolate stare. “Tree, I know Malik is your client, but I’m asking you as his wife…as your friend. I’d appreciate anything you could tell me.”

Tree reclined in his chair and stroked the smooth curve of his jaw. “There’s not much to say.”

“You haven’t noticed anything?”

“Sweetie, it could be business or any number of things. You know how Malik is,” Tree observed, hoping he sounded convincing.

Zakira appeared crestfallen. “Yeah, I know how he is. But Tree, I know something’s not right with him.”

Tree ran one hand across his close-cut hair and grimaced. “Z, maybe he doesn’t want you to worry.”

“See, that’s it right there!” Zakira shouted, pointing a finger at Tree. “This may be something I need to know. I don’t care what it is. I have to know. Wondering is driving me crazy.”

Tree left his chair and walked around the desk. He knelt before Zakira and pulled both her hands into one of his. “Shh…stop this,” he soothed. “You’re starting to upset me.”