In Need of You

Chapter Fourteen

"Hey, man," Kevin said, getting into the passenger side of the black Dodge Charger. "I figured if we can get back before the five o'clock rush hour, you, Ava, and I can get ourselves a couple of drinks."

"I'm good," Elisha said with a smile. "My lady is cooking tonight. She's making chicken and vegetable stir fry."

Kevin placed his hand over his heart. "When did you start eating more vegetables? The Elisha I know hates anything carrots and bell peppers. Did Sabrina poison you or something?"

Elisha shook his head as he smiled. "She made it for me a few weeks ago. I have to say that she made a believer out of me."

"Well, damn," Kevin said. "Tell her to fix me a plate then."

"And take my seconds and thirds away from me, you shit out of luck."

Kevin glared at Elisha for a moment. A smirk pulled his lips. "Okay. I see how you treating your partner now. You choose your lady over me. Well, shit. If I had a woman like that, I'll be screwing her brains out too for cooking like that."

Elisha glanced at him from the corner of his eye while making a left turn at the light. "I feel ya', but don't push it, Kevin. "

Kevin nodded his head as he sucked his teeth. "Now, I'm stepping on your toes now." He turned his attention toward the window, watching the other vehicles fly on the street as Elisha merged onto the highway. 

Elisha's phone rang, cutting some of the tension in the air. 

"Detective Brysen, speaking."

Kevin strained to hear the conversation. The voice on the other end was frantic.

"He did what to you?" Elisha pressed his foot further on the gas, making the Charger growl as it passed several people already doing eighty on the highway. 

"The fuck man. You're going to get us in trouble," Kevin said. He held onto the handle on the ceiling of the car, nearly feeling himself being pressed against the seat. 

"I'm on my way."

Kevin glanced at Elisha. He had gripped the steering wheel so tight that he made an impression in it. Silence filled the air between the two. The look on his face painted more than a thousand words, Kevin thought. This man was honestly in love with that woman. Hell, he understood why. Sabrina was more than any man could handle. He was surprised, though, that they'd stayed together this long. But, this little mishap may have been the game changer Kevin needed to step up and be what she really needed. 

Smoke emitted from the tires as they screeched. Elisha damn near sent the car tumbling from the last turn he made. Pulling into a lavish driveway, Kevin watched as Elisha parked the car and bolted from the car, leaving the door open. 

He stepped out of the car, watching his partner pick up and console a crying child. The little girl's hair resembled her mother's curly hair but thicker. He disappeared into the massive house. Maybe this was the reason she was with ole dude to begin with. He had something that he was offering. Still, he had better choices, Kevin thought. 

He got out of the car and walked up to the door. Hesitant, Kevin looked inside the house. He saw a dog run to the door and claw it with her paw. It had been a long time since he'd been barked at let along bit by one of them damn things. Though, that must have been the difference between white and black dog owners. While one side wanted to keep their dogs outside, the others were too busy putting theirs in red tutus. He entered the house and proceeded down through the foyer into the massive living room. Why the fuck was this man working? He was Bat Man light. 

Elisha's six feet one-inch frame nearly engulfed her body. From the looks of it, she looked to be about five feet and six inches to seven inches tall. Her honey brown skin was succulent enough to eat. The t-shirt she wore hid the parts Kevin wanted to see, but the shorts she wore gave him an idea of what she was working with. 

"I'm so sorry I let this happen to you," Elisha said, holding her tighter to his body.

Her sobs were muffled against this favorite black jacket. She pulled away from him and wiped away her tears on the sleeve t-shirt she wore. Turning, Sabrina looked directly into Kevin's eyes and paused. "I'm okay. He just really scared me. I didn't think he'd do something like that."

Elisha looked at Kevin, then back at Sabrina. "Sabrina, this is my partner. I sort of dragged him here."

"How are you doing?" Kevin asked, waving a hand. "Do you want me to check out the rest of the house for anybody?"

"I'm good, thanks," Elisha said. "Could you give me a moment, though. You can get something to drink for the kitchen if you like."

Kevin walked down the hallway. He saw the child laying on the couch with the dog next to her. She looked to be fast asleep. He opened the refrigerator door and pulled himself out a beer. Kevin sat at the island, admiring the beauty before him. He knew what happened to this woman and her child was wrong. Yet Elisha's father may have done him a favor. A huge favor.