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tallulahchanel · 2 years

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Beautiful Ones (Chapter 4)

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Masterlist

~~~

"I didn't know you had a car," Nakia told Everett that morning before he went to the office.

From the driver's side of a silver Mercedes-Benz, Everett glanced at her with a grin. "I don't drive often since New York is a walk-able city, and I can take an Uber anywhere."

Nakia nodded at his words, but kept her eyes on him while he cruised through the traffic. Smooth Jazz played on the radio, blocking out the sounds of obnoxious honking, and a vanilla-scented car freshener filled the air. She closed her eyes and inhaled, releasing a calming exhale. Something about being with him in this car felt just right. They didn't need to talk, just sit there and soak in each other's presence.

"If you don't mind me asking," he interrupted the peaceful silence, "when are you returning home?"

She enjoyed the serenity for another minute before opening her eyes and watching the scenery. "This afternoon."

"Really?" Everett glanced at her briefly and returned his gaze to the road. "So soon?"

Nakia nodded. "I have work to get back to."

When Everett came to a stoplight, he turned to Nakia with a kind grin. "Mind if I see you off?"

She locked eyes with him while furrowing her brows. "You want to see me off?"

"Yes."

Her lips curled into a tight-lipped smile. "Okay, why?"

He shrugged. "I guess I want to make sure you leave safely."

Nakia's lips parted, revealing her perfectly white teeth. Her smile didn't last long because the car stopped in front of the Plaza.

"Looks like we're here," Everett announced, to the War Dog's dismay. She wished the ride could go on longer, but Agent Ross had a job to attend.

"Thank you."

"Anytime." He gave her one last smile and waited until she was safely inside before driving off.

The stride towards her suite felt like a walk on a cloud, and once she entered, she leaned against the door with a contended sigh. Her light mood soon ended when she walked in to see her little sister sitting on the couch in a hotel robe and scraping the bottom of a room service bowl. When Kya looked at her with wide eyes, she tilted her head in return. "Ice cream for breakfast?"

"I ordered it with an omelet and a side of bacon."

She narrowed her eyes. "Kya."

The youngest sibling removed a silver covering, revealing a salmon benedict plate. "I got something for you too."

Nakia grinned at her sister's endearing actions, but shook her head nonetheless. "Thank you, but I'm mad that you ordered room service. I leave you alone overnight, and this is what you do. Did you throw a wild party while I was gone too?"

Instead of a verbal response, Kya looked down and scraped the last milky morsel of her ice cream.

"Kya!"

"Okay." The youngest sibling threw her hands up in defeat. "Salina took me out to a couple of clubs and I came back around 2 a.m."

She blinked. "That's dangerous!"

"Technically, I was safer at a club than you were with an arm's dealer."

Nakia massaged her temples. "Were you hurt?"

"No, but I met a celebrity." Releasing a squeal, Kya grabbed her iPhone so she could show her sister the picture.

She squinted at the photo because of bad lighting."Who is that?"

"Ginuwine, duh."

Nakia raised a skeptical brow. "He looks....different."

"His Pony era was forever ago, so..." Kya trailed off with a shrug and took her phone from her sister.

The eldest sibling shook her head. "Did you talk to King T'Challa about your punishment?"

Kya sighed heavily, as if hoping Nakia would've forgotten about that. "I have to drive around Wakandan elderlies and infirmed for a month."

She nodded and took a seat on the couch adjacent to her sister. "I see you got off easy. Make sure to thank Queen Naomi."

"I will." Kya sat next to her and gave her the plate of salmon benedict. "Now, how was your night?"

Nakia grabbed the fork and cut off a piece of salmon. "Nothing happened that you can run your mouth to the market about."

The youngest sibling rolled her eyes. "Do you really think I'm the reason those rumors about you went around the market?"

"Yes," Nakia answered without a second thought.

"No!” Kya replied defensively. “I told one person you broke up with my physics instructor to work on yourself. I don't know how this massive story went around about how you're too independent for a stable relationship, and you'll probably spend your retirement with a house full of panthers. And you haven't exactly done anything to dispel those rumors."

She looked at her baby sister with narrowed eyes. "Thank you, mouth of Wakanda."

"You're welcome," Kya replied with a big smile. "So, you and Agent Ross?"

"We are just friends."

"Just friends, or just friends with benefits? Or is this one complicated as well?"

Nakia narrowed her eyes again. "Leave it alone."

Kya smirked at her defensive tone and sung, "Nakia and the colonizer, sitting in the tree. K-I-S-S-"

"Can you stop?!" She rolled her eyes at her sister's antics.

"Fine, but you can't tell me you don't have feelings for him."

"I thought you were against me dating anyone."

"No, I was against you dating my physics instructor. Agent Ross, I'm surprisingly okay with."

Nakia rolled her eyes. "You can forget about it. He is not interested in me, and even if he was, you know the River Tribe would have a rhino if I were to date a colonizer."

"Okay, and? These are the same people who think I'm irresponsible just because I pulled a few harmless pranks."

"It is a little childish," Nakia added while eating her food.

"Well, excuse me for having fun."

She swallowed the last of her breakfast and set the plate aside. "Are you packed and ready to go?"

Kya facepalmed herself. "I almost forgot to tell you. Stefanie, Salina’s mother, invited us for dinner at the Taj Lounge at 7."

Nakia narrowed her eyes again. "Did you do something that's gonna cost me money?"

"No," she reassured her with a warm smile. "She liked my charming personality and wanted to meet the wonderful woman that raised me."

Nakia stale faced her. "Mhm. The truth, this time."

Kya shrugged."I actually don't know why she wants to meet you, but this is a good reason for you to pull out that leopard-print dress. I can even coordinate with my zebra-print one."

The mention of that dress made Nakia release an exasperated sigh. "Why do you want me to wear it so badly? It's not even that special."

"It accentuates your big beautiful eyes."

She couldn't stop herself from smiling at the compliment. "I'll consider it."

"Great," she returned Nakia's smile. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get dressed for the afternoon. See you when I get back."

Nakia furrowed her brows at her sister's retreating form. "Where are you going?"

Kya turned back to face her. "Salina and I are attending an afternoon game at the Yankee Stadium. I'm just going for the hot dogs."

She opened her mouth to speak, but her sister cut her off before she could breathe a syllable.

"I know. Stay out of trouble." Kya playfully rolled her eyes.

"Yes." Nakia stood up to stretch her legs. "And I should go shower."

"Don't think about Agent Ross while you're in there." Kya smirked and dodged the pillow her sister had chucked at her. Laughing loudly, she disappeared into the other bedroom.

Once Nakia got herself settled in the shower, she allowed the warm water to caress her muscles while the conversation between her and Kya replayed in her head. She never thought much about her interaction with Agent Ross, but she had to admit that something was there.

The day he jumped in front of that bullet for her, she was sure he was only doing his job, just like she did hers when she covered him from sustaining further damage. It would be against the oaths they took if they allowed the other to get hurt. Sitting by his side while he recovered was the least she could do, something she’d want if the tables were turned.

Looking back, Nakia realized it was that moment in the office that changed their dynamic. Bringing him to Wakanda for healing was her idea, but her studies of colonization made her wary of what he may do with Wakanda's secret. Even now, she's still waiting for him to lead the US Government towards Wakanda with armies to conquer them. If that happens, Bast better keep her from tearing him apart with her bare hands. Still, that day in T'Challa's office did something to her. The way he tried to get information out of her and she would shut him down with her quick wit excited her in more ways than one. She only ever felt that way in the fields, and...

Nakia's eyes popped open at the thought crossing her mind, but she instantly regretted it when soap from her second coat of shampoo got in them. She closed them again and rinsed the suds out.

There was no way Nakia had those feelings for Agent Ross. Besides, her heart belonged to T'Challa. He was the only man that made it flutter when his arms were around her, or her knees weak when he would smile. Then again, she didn't remember feeling that way when he placated her with a smile at the grand opening party. But she was so annoyed that day from everything going wrong and she wasn't in the mood for his games.

Somehow, Agent Ross was different.

Nakia remembered waking up in his arms that morning and how relaxed she felt as his hands rubbed her lower back. She could even recall the soothing sound of his heartbeat comforting her while she slept. She hadn’t felt that since T’Challa, and she never felt that way with Tunde, even after they would make love. Probably because he was a rebound, but maybe she'd feel different if their connection was more genuine.

She closed her eyes again and imagined Agent Ross's hands on her lower back again. She could tell he tried to stay within respectable boundaries when it came to touching her, but she questioned if it would offend her had his hand grazed her behind. It was obvious he had a type if one were to look at her then his partner.

And that was another thing. His partner.

Their dynamic gives her mixed signals. On one hand, it seems like Agent Greene makes him uncomfortable with her advances and snide remarks. On the other, Agent Ross hasn’t asked her to stop. She wasn’t sure if Agent Greene wasn’t getting the hint, or if it was a game of hard-to-get between them. Either way, Nakia couldn’t help basking in the joys of putting her in her place. The War Dog loved playing tit-for-tat, mostly with Naomi, and Agent Greene was a formidable opponent. She wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

Shaking her head out of her thoughts, Nakia realized that she's acting like a teenage girl fighting another one over a boy. Heaving a sigh, she turned off the shower, dried her body, and wrapped the towel around herself. As she lotioned her skin, she told herself those thoughts were done. No more thinking about Kya's words, him, and especially not that woman.

That was all done.

~~~

So much for being all done.

He was at the Taj Lounge that night with Salina and her mother. She isn't sure why his presence surprised her, since she encouraged him to see his former wife while she's in town.

“Miss Nakia,” he greeted her as he stood up from the table. “I didn’t know you were coming. I thought you had left already.”

Nakia gave him a warm smile. "I sent you a message earlier that Kya and I are in town for another night.”

With furrowed brows, Everett pulled his phone out of his pocket and saw that he had several voicemails and texts messages he left unanswered. "My apologies. I got swamped with work, and by the time I caught up, it was time to meet these two."

“They’re working you way too hard over there,” a feminine voice caught her attention, and she smiled at the red-haired woman that removed a cherry from her drink, stuck it in her mouth, and chewed. It didn’t take Nakia’s spy skills to figure out she was Salina’s mother. The uncanny resemblance with their pale-ivory skin, auburn hair, and freckles gave it away. Though, Salina’s freckles were more visible than her mother’s. If the War Dog didn’t know any better, she would think they were the same person, either a clone experiment or a time traveler, and were posing as mother and daughter as a cover.

Everett gave her a pleasant smile. “This is Stefanie, my former wife and still good friend.”

As she stood up to greet her, Nakia extended her hand out for a shake, but got engulfed in a warm hug instead. “It’s nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you.”

The hug caught her off-guard at first, but she returned it.

“Sorry about that,” Stefanie apologized when she pulled away. “I’m a hugger.”

Nakia gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s quite alright.”

As Stefanie’s eyes scanned her, the War Dog feel she would shrink under her gaze until the red-haired woman stopped and gave her another smile.

“I don’t mean to stare, but I’m blown away by how beautiful you are. They told me you were gorgeous, but no one mentioned you’re downright breathtaking.”

“I told you so,” Salina, Kya, and Everett said in unison, causing Nakia’s cheeks to warm.

“Thank you. I hope my omncinci didn’t talk your ear off all night about me.”

“Are you kidding me?” Stefanie chuckled and pulled Kya into a one-armed hug. “I like her so much. I practically want to adopt her.”

Kya returned the hug with a smirk. “What can I say? I have a quality about me that makes it hard not to love me.”

“Most times,” Nakia playfully rebutted, earning herself an eye-roll from Kya. “I see where Salina gets her beauty from.”

"Thank you. Although, I had a brief phase of dying my hair blonde after the divorce. That was fun.”

“I can imagine.” Nakia gave her an understanding smile as she reached for a chair.

“I got that,” Everett told her before pulling the chair out for her.

“Thank you.” She took her seat. It was next to Kya, who sat next to Salina, who was next to her mother, and right in between Stefanie and herself was Agent Ross. As if she needed to be this close to him at the moment.

“So Ms. Nakia,” Stefanie's voice grabbed her attention, “Kya here tells me you're a spy.”

Nakia narrowed her eyes at her sister, who shrugged.

“She asked, and I told her.”

She locked eyes with Stefanie. “Let me guess, she also said that Agent Ross took a bullet for me.”

Stefanie nodded while sipping her drink. “I'm not surprised. Ev always liked to jump in and save the day.”

Her brow raised while an amused smile crossed her lips. "Ev?"

“My nickname,” he answered with red cheeks of embarrassment. “She's called me that since we were children. And she's also being facetious."

Stefanie swatted him playfully. “Oh Ev, come on. You remember that time Salina fell off the counter, and you jumped over the couch and ducked under the table just to catch her?”

Nakia chuckled at the imagery, noticing the increasing redness in his cheeks. “That was very brave of you, Agent Ross.”

“Thanks,” he replied sarcastically, presumably embarrassed.

“I mean it,” she told him while placing a hand on his shoulder, which made him lock eyes with her.

“So,” Stephanie's voice interrupted the moment, “what's everyone drinking? Obviously, I'm having another cocktail.”

“I'm having a cocktail too,” Salina answered her.

“Margarita for me,” Kya said with a smile. “I'm in the mood for something sweet and sour.”

"I'm getting a Sprite," Everett said. "Have to stay alert since I'm on call tonight."

"You work too hard, Ev," Stefanie told him.

“I know, but it's my job.”

“Yes,” Stephanie replied with a smile, but Nakia could sense that she adorned it to hide something. “I know how much your job means to you.”

‘I’m gonna have white wine," the War Dog cut through the tension that started forming.

Everett smiled at her. "You like white wine?"

She nodded. "I enjoy red as well, just prefer it with company."

“Maybe I could be your company some time.”

Nakia fought back a smile as she told him, “I just might take you up on that offer.”

Everyone else seemed to disappear from the table as they locked eyes again.

“I forgot to tell you how much I like your dress,” he complimented her with a warm smile. “It really brings out your eyes.”

Now it was time for her cheeks to warm. Maybe Kya wasn't too far off for suggesting she wear that dress tonight. "Thank you. You’re looking handsome yourself."

He really did in his powder blue jean button-up and khaki slacks. He always looked relaxed outside of his usual attire of suits. Like a real person, instead of the perfect, picturesque agent that purses his lips a certain way to appear intimidating, but he really looks like an adorable hedgehog with an attitude problem.

Kya’s words, not her own.

“So,” Stefanie's voice cut through them for the second time that night, “two cocktails, wine, a margarita, a soda, and how about sliders for the table? No worries, it's all on me."

“Well, in that case,” Kya started, but Nakia immediately snatched the menu from her.

“That doesn't give you permission to order the entire left side of the menu.”

The younger sibling rolled her eyes playfully while taking the menu back. “Fine.”

It didn't take long for everyone to fall into a friendly and relaxed vibe while chatting and laughing along with their meals.

“And that's the last time I'll ever put dish soap in a fountain on a dare,” Kya finished a story about a prank she pulled in secondary school, and took another bite of her vegetable curry.

Stefanie sipped on her third cocktail. “If I didn't know any better, I would think you two" - she gestured between Kya and Salina - “were kindred spirits.”

Salina shrugged at her mother's statement. “I like excitement. I get it from you.”

“Actually,” Everett interjected, “you got that from me.”

“I know the shy wallflower didn't just say that.” Stefanie waved off his statement while her eyes found Nakia's. “You should've seen him. This man would always stand against the wall at parties and school dances. A couple of times, I had to give him spiked punch just to get him to loosen up.”

“And I still have that knot on my head from tumbling over Gary Benson's foosball table at his basement party." He rubbed his head as if the aforementioned knot began throbbing.

“But you had a good time.” She gave him a smirk, which he returned like a secret form of communication between them.

“That was the night I asked out Millie Watson, the captain of the cheer-leading team. I had the biggest crush on her.”

Salina furrowed her brows at that. “I thought you two dated since you were children?”

Stefanie shook her head. “No, honey. I said we were friends since then. We didn't start dating until senior year, after Millie Watson moved away and my boyfriend dumped me because he wanted to start college as a single man.”

“For the record, I beat him up before he left.”

“I knew you would. That's why I told Allison to tell you.”

Everett's jaw dropped. “Ally told me she found out from neighborhood gossip.”

“The neighborhood gossip being me.” Stephanie smiled bashfully while sipping her drink.

Nakia had silently watched them, and admittedly, she enjoyed their interactions. It was obvious they were great friends, but the War Dog couldn't understand why a marriage between them didn't work.

Before she had time to really ponder that thought, she heard a familiar voice that made her suppress the urge to roll her eyes. She wasn't alone because the atmosphere at their table changed from chilled and relaxed to pure dread.

“Agent Ross?” Savannah Greene sauntered over to their table in a tight black leather dress and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I didn't plan on running into you tonight."

"Hello, Agent Greene," he greeted her with a grin, but subtly shrugged her hand off. "I'm having dinner with family."

“I see.” Her eyes found Salina, and she gave her a smile. “Hi Salina. I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I like it that way,” she replied with a faux-friendly smile, which made Nakia fight back a laugh.

Savannah smirked before her eyes landed on Stephanie. “Hi, you must be the infamous former wife I’ve heard so much about.” She walked over to her and held her hand out. “Agent Greene, his partner.”

Stefanie looked her up and down, then sipped her cocktail without shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Savannah returned her hand to her side and placed it on Everett's shoulder again as she finally made eye contact with her. “Oh, Miss Nakia. I didn’t know you were here as well. I thought you returned home.”

“I was invited.” A smirk crossed her lips, knowing that word got under Savannah’s skin, which she loved.

“I’m sure you miss home,” the blonde woman replied with her own smirk.

“We’re leaving tomorrow, and I’m sure Agent Ross would come visit Wakanda again some day.” Nakia smirked again, knowing she had Savannah right where she wanted her.

Her blue eyes looked the War Dog up and down, then gave her a faux-friendly smile. "Nice dress. It looks...animalistic."

Nakia bit the inside of her lip, knowing that Savannah got her. Well played, Agent Greene.

"Did that sound like shade to you?" Kya whispered to her. She narrowed her eyes at the blonde woman, but subtly nodded at her sister’s question. In the corner of her eye, she could see Kya leaning over to whisper to Salina, "The plan is taking longer than I'd like, but trust that it's in motion." Salina nodded and sipped her cocktail as Nakia raised a suspicious brow at them.

“As much as I hate to leave you,” Savannah’s voice caught her attention again, and she looked over to see the blonde woman smiling down at Everett, “I should get back to having dinner with my brother. But it was nice running into you.”

“Can’t say the same for you,” Kya mumbled under her breath, earning herself a pinch from Nakia. “Ow!”

“Enjoy your meal,” the blonde woman said to everyone else at the table before her eyes found Everett’s again. “And I’ll see you at the office first thing in the morning.”

Nakia narrowed her eyes as Savannah brushed her hand against his shoulder one last time before sauntering off.

“The woman reeks of desperation,” Stefanie said as soon as she was out of earshot.

“That isn’t nice to say,” Everett reprimanded her, but she cocked her brow at him.

“Ev, I know you like to act oblivious, but you can see that woman is throwing herself at you.”

The tension Savannah created had increased, and it took Kya’s nervous laughter to break it.

“Salina, I think we should um....freshen our makeup....in the bathroom.”

The young redhead nodded and followed her to the ladies’ room.

Barely a minute passed before Everett’s phone rang. “I have to take this.”

There was an awkward silence between Nakia and Stefanie, as they were the only ones left at the table. They locked eyes until the War Dog looked down at her plate and picked at her food.

Stefanie was the one to break the silence. “Did he ever tell you why we divorced?”

Nakia glanced at her briefly, then returned her gaze to her plate. “No.”

Another silence passed between them as Stefanie picked up her glass to down the last of her cocktail. “I never wanted to be a wife.”

Nakia finally locked eyes with her.

“I run a travel blog now, which is why I don’t stay in one place too long. It’s something I have always wanted since I was younger, but he and I loved each other, so I sacrificed my wants for our relationship.” Before she continued her story, she waved the waiter over so he could refresh her drink. “I married him because it’s what he and our families wanted, and I was too afraid of hurting him to say no. I went to therapy after Salina left the nest and learned that if I had told him the truth then, I would’ve saved him years of heartbreak.”

The waiter came back with her drink and she gave him a warm smile before gulping the entire glass.

“I love my daughter with everything in me, but I regret not giving her a great example of marriage. Now, I wonder if I ruined that for her.”

Nakia could see a stray tear glistening in the corner of her eye, but Stefanie fixed her face into a placating smile when Everett returned to the table.

“Another call from the office?”

He nodded. “Yes, which means I have to be there before the sun rises.”

“It’s okay. I’m catching the red eye tomorrow, so I should get back to the hotel.”

Nakia looked between them as they locked eyes.

While everyone waited for their Ubers outside, Salina and Kya broke off to the side for a conversation she couldn't make out. It wasn't long before a white car pulled up and Salina gave them one last hug before getting in. Out of the corner of her eye, Nakia saw Stefanie and Everett locked in a warm embrace that lasted longer than she would’ve liked. She turned her eyes away from them and pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind. Their interaction was none of her business.

Stefanie soon engulfed her in another hug and whispered in her ear, “He can be a handful, but he really is a good man.”

Before she could ask Stefanie why she would tell her that, she got in the car with Salina and left. If Nakia didn’t know any better, she would’ve thought the red-headed woman gave her permission to date her ex-husband. Not that it mattered. He wasn’t interested in her, despite how Kya tries to make it seem.

Their Uber pulled up next, and Everett opened the door for them like the gentleman he was. Kya muttered a thank you before getting in.

"Miss Nakia," his voice stopped her. "Can I have a word with you?"

Nakia raised a finger for him to give her a second while she promised the driver a bigger tip for the wait. Once the driver was satisfied, she stepped over so they could talk privately.

"You were right," was all he told her.

She raised a curious brow. "About?"

"Someone anonymously tipped Elden Hughs off about our arrival. The CIA is tracing that tip now, but I have a feeling they were targeting you."

Now her brows were knitted in confusion. "I wouldn't know why. As far as I know, I don't have any enemies."

He nodded in understanding. “I’ll keep you posted.”

"Thank you,” she said while getting in the car. Just before he could close the door, she smiled at him. "We're leaving tomorrow afternoon if you still want to see us off.”

He returned her smile. "I'll see you then."

The door closed, and the car drove off, but Nakia kept her eyes on him.

"So?" Kya asked as soon as he was out of view.

Nakia fought the urge to roll her eyes at her. "There's nothing to tell."

"Fine," the younger sibling said in defeat, but a grin formed on her lips. "Nakia and the colonizer sitting in the tree-"

"Kya!"

She giggled. "Come on, Nakia. You know you want to."

Nakia allowed herself to roll her eyes this time, but she'd be lying if she said she wasn’t thinking about it.

~~~

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