among the five. Brody and Kianti had known each other since childhood. Kianti met Cube, Khan and Winton in college where sheâd tutored Winton in English Lit while heâd tutored her in Advanced Calculus. Cube, Khan and Winton shared a dorm suite with Brody. Despite the unorthodox dynamic, the group had developed a close-knit relationship that bordered on familial.
Kianti knocked her fist against the denim shirt covering Cubeâs wide chest. âGuys, Iâve been off the pills for four weeks. Canât we just wait and see what happens?â
As a response, Kianti heard all sorts of curses and other low sounds of disapproval.
âHell, Brodyâs the doctor.â Winton rubbed his fingers across the faded haircut he sported. âI have to agree with Khan though, this is plain stupid.â He tugged Kianti out of Cubeâs embrace and into his own. âWe hear what youâre sayinâ, babe, but this is only one pill. Some folks have to take ten times as much medication.â
âAnd people overcome their need for medication every day.â She tugged the zipper dangling from his windbreaker. âLike you said, some people take ten times as much as I do.â
Bested, Winton waved his hand and turned Kianti toward Brody. â You talk to her.â
âAll right, Key, weâll do it your way.â The doctor stunned everyone, including his patient. âBut understandââ he wagged a finger ââyouâre backing meâall of usâinto a corner here. We canât force you to do a damn thing when it comes right down to it. This is your life, but youâve put us in charge of protecting it. Look for us to be even more aggressive in keeping you safe, calm and rested. Even if we have to tie you down in a bed to make it happen.â
Khan nudged her side. âThat partâll be easy since weâve all thought of doing it at one time or another.â He winked, waiting for the smile he was trying to rouse from her. He succeeded, joining in when she grinned.
âIf none of this works, youâre back on the pills.Agreed?â Brody brought the seriousness back to the moment.
Kiantiâs nod came slowly but with a great deal of relief. She no longer had to hide.
âAll right, yâall, we should go,â Brody told the guys and squeezed Kiantiâs hand. âYou rest up. Weâre out of here in a few hours.â
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âAre they around her all the time?â
âPretty much from what I gather.â
âWell, who are they? To her, I mean?â
Therin began questioning Vaughn about Kianti Lawrence shortly after the rest of the staff left them alone in the living area.
âSheâs not⦠involved with them all, is she?â Therin smiled, knowing the idea was ludicrous. Still, for a woman like thatâ¦it wouldnât be a difficult thing to keep a man or four dangling.
âItâs not like that, man,â Vaughn said through his chuckling.
âFrom what you gather?â Therin countered, watching as Vaughn shrugged.
âWhatâs got you so interested here?â
Therinâs expression was incredulous. âDid you take a good look at her this morning?â
âDamn straight I did.â Vaughn swore while raising his hands for confirmation. âSheâs a goddess but she doesnât live in this hotel. Neither do you. You donât even live in the countryâtechnically.â
Therin had moved over to the windows and sat on the back of the oversize chair facing them.
Vaughn followed. âTalk to me, T. What is it about this one?â
âHell, man, whatâs the big deal?â His grin was forced. âI only asked if sheâs attached to her bodyguards.â
âSimple as that, huh?â Vaughn rubbed at the receding edge of his hairline. His handsome honey-toned face was a picture of disbelief. âHow many times did you zone out this morning,
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