Page 31 of Harboring Shantae

"Only that Zion has been conveniently absent from the public eye. The assumption is that his family probably wants time for the heat of the latest problem to die down."

"Or they’re trying to keep him in line because of the engagement. My father is a big proponent of positive press. I can't see him being too happy if Zion continues to be in the news for inappropriate behavior. It wouldn't be good for his campaign."

That was the thing that bugged him the most. Senator Adams protected his reputation at all costs. Why marry his only daughter off to a man who was repeatedly being plastered through the media for negative actions?

"Did your father ever saywhyhe wanted you to marry Zion?"

"Something about not wanting our bloodline to be tainted, so he would be the one choosing the man I spent the rest of my life with."

Panther would need to ask Ray to look more closely into both families. Something about the whole arranged-marriage thing was bothering him. It didn't make sense, and he didn't like things that didn't add up.

"My team will be keeping an eye out as well as Charlie Team. Not to mention Jaxson and his team, so there will be a lot of people making sure Zion stays far away from you."

"Jaxson. He's the one with Kendra, right? The woman on your team? I didn't realize he was on a team."

"Yeah, it's a bit of a long story and not one he talks about much. His team isn't like ours."

He waited for more questions. They really weren't supposed to talk about the team Jaxson was on, but he trusted Shantae. She was one of the few he did trust.

"Well, I'm glad to have so many people looking out for me. It makes me feel better."

There was a twinge of jealousy that he needed to push away. It was stupid that he wanted to be the only one she felt safe with. The only one he wanted her to need. That line of thinking was dangerous. He needed to put some space between them before he did, or said, something he shouldn't.

"I'll let you get back to reading."

He pushed off the bed and moved back out of the room. He had one foot out the door when her soft voice stopped him.

"Thank you, Camron, for bringing me here. I've never felt safer than I do when I'm with you."

And just like that, he was a goner. Shantae had wormed her way into his heart and he didn't know if he was strong enough to keep pushing her out.

Chapter 15

Theyweresettlingintoa routine, but it wasn't perfect. They'd had a few rough patches over the last few days, one being the e-reader he bought her. While he tried to play it off as a wedding gift, she still felt icky taking it, even if she really wanted it. That led to their second fight. The one where she promised to pay him back just as soon as she received her first paycheck. He refused to hear it, and she refused to back down. It ended in a stalemate.

But that was all in the past because today was a new day and Trista was on her way to the house so they could discuss employment opportunities. Shantae was ecstatic. She needed a purpose, and this was the first step in finding one.

"Yoo-hoo! Where are you?"

Trista whistled and stomped through the front door without so much as a knock. Shantae expected nothing less. Trista was a force like no other. She envied that freedom.

"In the kitchen," she hollered back.

Trista floated in and plopped down into the chair across from her. Completely free of worry, or at least that was what the woman portrayed. It was a gift few could master.

"Are you ready to get this job hunt started and kick some ass?"

A giggle slipped free. It was hard not to when Trista had such a bubbling personality. The woman could probably make a monk snicker.

"I don't think anyone has ever considered job hunting as kicking ass, but hey, if that mentality works for you, who am I to judge? You seem to be pretty successful."

"Success is in the eye of the beholder. I can't determine what success looks like to you, just like no one can decide what I consider successful in my own life. But I have to agree with you. I do consider myself quite successful."

And humble to boot. No wonder everyone loved Trista so much. She was practically perfect. An excellent role model for all those women she helped.

"Alright, so what's the plan?" She rubbed her hands together, anticipation filling her up.

"We start with you telling me what your interests are. You mentioned hating your job back in Washington, D.C. I don't want you to have the same issue here, so we only look at things you enjoy doing."