Heated. Niobia Bryant

kitchen. “Daddy, I’ll be in the study. If you’ll just meet me in there when you’re done with breakfast,” she said, continuing toward the hall.

      Hank looked like he’d rather eat nails, but he nodded before scooping a pile of eggs into his mouth.

      “Actually, Hank has to help me with a quickie—I mean a quick chore upstairs and then he’s all yours,” Trishon said, reaching over to caress Hank’s hand with her index finger as she licked her fork and gazed into his eyes.

      Hank’s broad face broke into a grin bigger than the state of South Carolina and Bianca had to fight not to frown at the thought of their “chore.”

      As they shared a kiss over their weird breakfast she gladly left them alone. Mama must be spinning in her grave.

      He was paid well for what he did, but even he had to wonder to what end did someone want to see the King ranch ruined. Atop a hill in the distance he used binoculars to look down at the King spread. His gaze fell on the convertible Volvo.

      King’s daughter was back in town. His loins stirred at the thought of her. There was no denying her appeal, but he had not intention of pursuing her. Still, he could dream of those big lips pleasing him.

      He laughed at the thought, letting his hand drop to roughly stroke his erection.

      She had no idea what she just walked into.

      Kahron sat behind his massive black walnut desk in his study, his eyes locked on his phone. He leaned forward in his seat to reach for it but paused, eventually drawing his hand back and leaning back in his chair.

      He wanted to call Bianca.

      He laughed at his nervousness over simply picking up the phone and calling her.

      When he got home last night she had been on his mind: the beauty of her eyes, the sound of her laughter, the subtle scent of her perfume.

      But there was more to it than that.

      He wanted King’s land and although the stubborn drunkard refused, Kahron knew it would be just a matter of time before it was his. So why not sooner than later?

      Everyone in town knew Bianca left home for college and never returned. Although Hank bragged on his daughter, the successful veterinarian, it was obvious their relationship had to be strained. Now she was back, and he had to wonder what role did or would Bianca play in all of this?

      “Women or money?”

      Startled, Kahron looked up to find the oldest of his four brothers, Kade, striding into his study. His square and handsome face filled with surprise and a toothy grin. “Women or money what?” he asked, sitting up in his leather chair.

      Kade raked his long fingers through his hair as he folded his tall frame—nearly six foot five—into one of the leather club chairs in front of Kahron’s desk. Like all of the Strong men Kade’s hair had prematurely grayed in his mid-twenties. He wore his in short, thick curls—a testament to their mother’s Native American heritage—that framed his square face. Women liked to say he looked like Rick Fox, N. B. A. player and soon-to-be ex-husband of Vanessa Williams.

      “Women or money trouble,” Kade answered, leaning forward to place his elbows on his knees in the navy blue Dickies uniform he wore—Kade’s preferred gear for working on the family ranch in Walterboro.

      Kahron, like Kade and the rest of the Strong boys, considered himself a businessman who owned a ranch, but definitely not a typical cowboy; so, there wasn’t a Stetson, tight-fitting Wrangler’s jeans, or typical cowboy boots to be found in his wardrobe. They listened to hip-hop, wore Sean John suits for business and Roca-Wear or the like for pleasure. When it came to the necessities of boots for work they all preferred Timberlands or boots of the like.

      The Strong men stood out like sore thumbs at the local rodeos and cattle auctions—and that’s just the way they liked it.

      “Neither,” Kahron finally answered, even though an image of Bianca smiling up at him drifted to mind.

      “That’s what your mouth says,” Kade said—an indication that he thought his brother was lying.

      “Where’s Kadina?” Kahron asked, changing the subject.

      “At the ranch. Probably driving Ma crazy as always.”

      Kahron smiled as he thought of his beautiful six year- old niece. “First grand and she runs the whole family with a smile.”

      “Bad ass,” Kade said with a huge loving grin. “She told me to be home in an hour. Can you believe that?”

      “With Kadina? Yes.”

      “What you getting into tonight?”

      Kahron shrugged, thinking he would love to get into Bianca King. “Let’s call up the Deal twins and ride to Savannah,” he offered.

      Kade’s handsome face immediately closed up. “Naw, I’ll pass,” he said, throwing his car keys up into the air to catch with ease.

      Kahron chose his next words carefully. “It’s been a year, Kade,” he said almost cautiously, knowing the death of his brother’s wife, Reema, was a volatile subject for him.

      In just an instant warm hazel eyes froze over. “A year ain’t shit, Kahron,” Kade answered, his tone cold, yet filled with pain.

      “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

      Kade looked up and met his brother’s stare with the year’s worth of pain he suffered through. “I know you mean well. I even know Daddy throwing every pretty thing between here and Georgia at me is his way of helping, but I’m just not ready.”

      Kahron felt sadness for his brother weigh his broad shoulders down. If he could swallow down his brother’s pain for him, he gladly would. That’s how the Strong men were. One for all and all for one.

      Last year after his break-up with Shauna, his girlfriend of the last three years, Kahron had to deal with that loss. He took it at his own speed and his family respected that. A break-up was nothing at all like losing someone you love to death. So, if Kade wanted to set his own time to heal, then Kahron respected that.

      How could he not? Losing Shauna over foolishness had really gotten to him. He thought he had found “the one,” but soon she let small town gossip and lies turn a good relationship into constant battles, lies, and accusations. Never once had Kahron cheated on Shauna, but she wouldn’t believe him, so she became like Easy Rawlins, snooping and trying to investigate the truth in his words.

      When he discovered that she let her lack of trust lead her to the arms and bed of another man, Kahron walked away from the relationship.

      Trust was a major issue with him, particularly in a relationship. Without trust their was no foundation to build upon and at that point anything can happen to jeopardize the love.

      “King agree to sell, yet?” Kade asked.

      “No, not yet.”

      “From what I hear it’ll be just a matter of time. It’s a damn waste, but his lost is your gain.”

      Kahron his eyes filled with steely determination. “Exactly.”

      “I’m sorry about last night.”

      Bianca didn’t even bother to look up from the ledger at her father’s apology. She had spent the last hour going over his books and right now she wanted explanations more than empty apologies.

      Hank rose from the chair, shuffling toward the bar in the corner.

      “If you pour a drink I’m out of here. Today. Right now.” Bianca eyes went steely. “I mean it.”

      Hank turned and faced her, pointing his finger at her in anger. “I’m your father, Bianca Renee King, or did you forget that when you ran off.”

      Bianca met his stare. “No, more like you forgot and that’s why I left.”