Dragons & Panthers (T'Challa Udaku)

Chapter Fifteen

School has started back but I'm going to try and create a more regular updating schedule for Dragons & Panthers and Magic & Tradition. Enjoy!
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Jelani and Tony walk into SHIELD, heading for where Fury would be. She walks alongside him in her suit as she keeps her face mask on. People stare as they enter the conference room with Fury and the glass becomes frosted. Jelani looks around the room and she blinks at seeing T'Challa and Erik.
"T'Challa...what are you doing here?"
"I was called in by Fury about something to do with Vibranium. Why are you here?"
"Dealing with vampire demon hybrids but
Vibranium?"
"That's the Klaue side of you talking," T'Challa says with a smile as Jelani rolls her eyes and punches his arm softly. He kisses her forehead as she smiles before standing next to him. She pinches Erik's cheek and he smiles up at her.
"So what's going on with the Vibranium?" T'Challa asks.
"Carlos Serpiente is apparently hosting a ball as a cover to trade some Vibranium he has."
"Did you say Carlos Seripente?" Jelani asks, her eyes narrowing.
"Yes. You know him?" Tony asks.
"Know him? That mothafucker owes me money and weapons!"
"Say what now?" Rhodey asks.
"After my father's....death he asked for autos and ammo."
"Autos?" Peter says confused.
"Automatic guns," Jelani says as she looks at Fury. "The fucker starts shooting at my men as they do the job and I know he only did that because I wasn't there. He knows I would've put a bullet in his head."
T'Challa blinks at the cold tone Jelani has.
"I assume you want to help."
"Sure. I'll help. Help get my damn money back."
"What about the weapons?" Rhodey asks.
"I don't care about the guns. I can replace guns and ammo. I can't replace the nearly 750K bill he owes me."
"750,000 dollars?" Tony and Peter say in shock.
"Yes. Now if you will excuse Erik and I: we have work."
"Jelani?"
She turns back before kissing T'Challa.
"I have my phone. Call me. Or text. Come on Erik."
The two leave as they watch them go.
"Do we have to make sure they don't mess up this job?" Rhodey asks.
"Not at all," Maria says. "She may just do it better than us."
"Now what is this about vampire demon hybrids?" T'Challa asks, confused.
***
"Where's Jelani?" Tony asks T'Challa as they stand in the ball, watching the people mingle and dance.
"I don't know. I haven't seen her since the meeting. I text her but she's been busy."
"I hope she doesn't do anything rash," Rhodey says as he joins them.
"Hope who doesn't do anything rash?"
They turn and their mouths drop at seeing the icy blue material of the dress hugging her curves. Her skin glows and her makeup is natural, the black eyeliner done perfectly.

"How do I look?"
"Beautiful."
"Stunning."
"Breathtaking."
Jelani chuckles as she smiles at them before walking over to Erik and takes his arms.
"Remember: Carlos is mine until I get my money. Then feel free to take him."
She and Erik walk off, a smile on her face as Erik whispers something making her laugh.
"You are so lucky she picked you," Rhodey says to T'Challa. "I would have flirted with her."
T'Challa chuckles as he begins to mingles with them, returning to the mission at hand.
Jelani laughs at something a man says until she feels a coolness on her skin. She looks at her dress and sees the fabric is now purple from the red wine that was spilt on her. She looks at the woman who gives a smirk.
"Whoops."
Jelani takes a deep breath as she gives a sweet smile.
"It's okay. It's fine. I'm sure there's something for me to change into upstairs."
Jelani turns and walks away, holding her head up as she walks away. T'Challa rushes over.
"What happened?"
"Bitches. That's what happened."
She walks away and T'Challa blinks as she leaves him.
"What's going on?" Tony asks.
"Someone spilt wine on her dress. She's going to go change."
"Whew, I thought she did something else."
T'Challa looks at Tony before rolling his eyes as he waits patiently for Jelani to return.
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Jelani looks at the dress options her men brought her and she decides on the silver one. Paul helps her into the dress as he zips her up as she fixes her makeup.
"It is so sad to see that dress go. And red wine? Why was she mad?"
"Guess her man was staring a bit too much."
"So instead of talking to you...I swear I will never understand insecure women and personally, I don't want to. Men aren't any better."
Jelani chuckles as she is helped into her heels by Marcus who buckles the strap. She looks in the mirror and smooths the fabric.
"Remind me to send Elizabeth a gift for these dresses. She is keeping me looking lovely."
"There are going to be more angry women Boss," Paul says with a smile as he clips the choker around her neck.
"Good thing I'm looking for Carlos now and not to mingle."
Paul chuckles and nods as they fix their own suits, Jelani making sure they are fine before they leave together. Paul holds one of her hands as she makes her way down the stairs before entering the ballroom again, the two men flanking her. T'Challa, Tony, and Rhodey see her, blinking as she walks in, smiling as the target approaches her.