Read Online Precious Stones by Darrien Lee - Free Book Online Page B

mouth! I don’t have to do anything.”
    â€œOkay, okay, I’m sorry.”
    Ramsey released his grip on Trenton’s neck and asked, “Do we have an understanding?”
    Trenton nodded in agreement.
    Ramsey smacked him on the side of the head and said, “I can’t hear you. Do we have an understanding?”
    Still trying to catch his breath, Trenton leaned over with his hands on his knees and said, “I understand. You don’t have to worry about me bothering or contacting Keilah.”
    Ramsey reached for the door, but before opening it, he turned to Trenton one more time and said, “Oh, and if you decide to get a brain and think you can sue me for assaulting you, think again, unless you want Keilah to charge you with sexual harassment. I’m sure Howard University, your publishing company, or BET wouldn’t want their golden boy involved in a scandal.”
    And with that comment, he was gone. Alone in the restroom, Trenton got himself together as best he could. He made his way over to the sink and doused his face with cold water so he could wash the blood from his lip. When he looked in the mirror, he grimaced at the sight of himself. His shirt was wrinkled and smeared with blood droplets, so he grabbed a wet paper towel and tried to clean it, and then he pulled his sunglasses out of his pocket and put them on before leaving the restroom.
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    When Ramsey returned home, he hoped everyone was still asleep after being up so late the night before. He entered the kitchen, and to his surprise, he found his father reading the paper and drinking coffee.
    â€œGood morning, son.”
    â€œGood morning, Daddy,” Ramsey answered as he patted Target on the head.
    Marion closed the newspaper and said, “What’s got you up and out so early this morning?”
    Ramsey turned away from his father to get a cup out of the cabinet. “Nothing much. I just had to run an errand.”
    Marion took the cup, poured his son a cup of coffee, and handed it to him. “Does it have anything to do with that blood on your shirt?”
    Ramsey looked down at the droplets of blood on his shirt. He’d been so angry when he left the café, he didn’t think to check his attire. “It’s nothing. I cut myself shaving.”
    â€œI’m no fool, Ramsey Stone,” Marion replied. “I’m your father, and I know trouble when I see it.”
    â€œEverything’s fine, Dad. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
    Marion took another sip of his coffee and closed the newspaper and said, “I hope not, and you’d better change your shirt before your mother or Keilah sees it, and believe me, they won’t accept your explanation as easily as I did.”
    Ramsey poured a little cream in his coffee and politely answered, “Yes, sir.”
    He disappeared into the laundry room to remove his shirt. When he returned to the kitchen, he found Valeria holding Neariah.
    â€œGood morning, son.”
    â€œGood morning, Mom.
    As soon as Neariah heard her father’s voice, she immediately reached out for him and started to whine.
    Valeria handed her granddaughter over to her son and said, “She’s too spoiled.”
    Ramsey held his daughter high above his head and smiled up at her, ignoring his mother’s comment. Neariah looked down at her dad and let out a loud giggle. It was obvious that she was quite comfortable with what he was doing. She was beautiful with her light complexion matching his, her dark brown eyes, and a head full of curly hair. There was no doubt she was his daughter. She looked so much like him, except that she had her mother’s eyes.
    â€œRamsey, be careful. You’re going to drop her,” his mother warned him as she tightened the belt on her bathrobe.
    He lowered Neariah and held her close to his heart. “Mom, I would never drop my daughter. She loves it when I hold her up in the