Twisted War

by Danielle James

  “Okay Cami. Message received. I’m sorry for framing your father. Trev, I’m sorry man,” I said sincerely. I would have apologized for 9/11 right then if she wanted me to. Trevor shook my hand and we shared a genuine look of apology.

  “You’re so fucking twisted,” Xavier remarked.

  “Are you just now figuring that out Xavier?” Camilla asked dryly. “It didn’t hit you when Jada got murdered?” His face lost all color and he narrowed his eyes at her as if she’d misspoken.

  “I told you Pretty Boy, you don’t know her like you think you do,” I chuckled. The shock was wearing off now and I was really starting to appreciate how flawlessly she’d set her own uncle up.

  She knew if she explicitly told him not to bring his gun to the party that he would, just to defy her. She knew how to get him to drop his defenses by playing to his emotions. It was scary and brilliant at the same time. Scary because she could to the same thing to me, knowing I’d always let my guard down for her. Brilliant because she has the smarts enough to use that shit to her advantage.

  I had to marry her bipolar ass. I had to. If I had a ring I’d propose to her right now, blood splattered all over her and everything. Camilla pulled open the garage door and I put my hand over hers trying to stop her. There was a goddamn dead body on the floor for Christ’s sake.

  “Emmanuel, move,” she said sternly. I lifted my hand and she finished opening the door. Dempsey, Cole, and Captain Danvers rushed in and quickly hit the button closing the door again. My eyes flitted from one man to the next.

  “Okay, clean up time,” Camilla grinned. She looked to Danvers and pointed, “Can you get biohazard cleanup over here? Unmarked.”

  “Gotcha,” he winked.

  “Malcolm, what the fuck?” I frowned at the very police chief that was supposed to be on my fucking payroll.

  “Money talks. Your girlfriend has that in spades. Plus she said you’d be in. Looks like she was right.” He smirked and started placing calls.

  “Dempsey?” Xavier walked over and looked at him. Dempsey was busy looking down at the gore.

  “Yeah, what is it son?”

  “You were in on this shit? You didn’t talk her out of it?” He asked.

  “Talk Camilla out of something she had her mind set on? You must be out of your mind,” he chuckled. Cole sighed and looked over at Camilla.

  “Should I start making calls too, boss?” His sarcasm was thick and not missed by Cami.

  “Yes,” without another word, she took all of her clothes off. All of them. She left them in a pile beside the dead body and went in the house, taking the baby monitor with her.

  “You guys need to get naked too.” Danvers told us once he got off the phone. “Everyone needs to get in the shower and then stay in the fucking house and let us handle it.”

  “Cole, what the hell?” I asked with a heavy sigh.

  “I know people in LA. I have a story to spin. We all have our parts.” He told me, shaking his head at the blood pooling under Rashad’s head.

  “Drop your clothes folks.” Malcolm sounded as he clapped his hands. Seemingly from thin air he pulled out small squares that opened up into hospital gowns. Was he fucking serious?

  Trevor snatched his shirt off and took a gown, tying it around himself before disrobing the rest of the way and then he went inside. I was next; Xavier was last.

  Camilla’s mind continued to amaze me even once inside the house. On the couch three bags with each of our names were sitting there waiting for us. Xavier snatched his and went into the bedroom with Camilla. Brave move on his part since her father still had the gun. I went into Laurel’s guest room and Trev went into his. I heard loud talking in Camilla’s room and I didn’t even want to know what kind of new asshole she was ripping Xavier if he went in there acting crazy.

  The best thing for everyone was to just listen to whatever the fuck Cami told us to do. Clearly she had this shit under control. When I was done, I sat on the couch trying to stop replaying Rashad’s murder in my head. The click-pop sound of the gun kept cycling like a loop in my mind.

  I’d underestimated her severely. Trevor meant everything to her and I would never ever get in the way of that bond again. I’d seen Cami take out two people that fucked with the ones closest to her heart and I would never be the third. I did wonder if I fell under the category of people she’d kill for. Her words replayed in my mind after Rashad’s body crashed to the ground ‘Emmanuel I love you more than almost anything…’ Almost being Trevor and Chloe but I wondered if I ranked over Alexander or Xavier.

  “Hey.” Camilla sat beside me smelling like baby powder and perfume. Seeing her all fresh-faced with her hair damp and curling up around her shoulders made my heart pound in my chest. I don’t know how the fuck murdering your own uncle makes you irresistible but that’s what was happening. We were the only ones in the living room so I risked it. Fuck it.

  My hands wrapped around her waist and I pulled her in for a kiss. I kissed her like my life depended on it. I tangled my fingers in her hair and tugged on it and she gasped. She sank into the kiss and my cock throbbed for her. I knew I shouldn’t fuck her but I needed to.

  Our tongues danced together slowly as she grinded her hips, pressing into my erection. To my surprise, she was turned on by everything too. We were still two halves of a fucked up whole. Alexander would never understand that. I slipped my dick out of my sweats and Camilla looked around quickly before sliding on top of it. She let out the softest moan once I was all the way inside of her.

  I thrust hard and her nipples stiffened beneath her shirt. I bit them through the cotton. When her tight little cunt started to squeeze around me, I was useless. She was so wet and warm and I knew we had to make shit quick. I exploded into her and she whined as I filled her pussy with my seed. I wanted to get her pregnant so fucking bad in that moment. “I love you so much right now.” I breathed once we broke away from each other. Hurt faded into her eyes but that was the last thing I meant to do.

  “I know.”

  “Would you ever marry me?” I needed to hear her answer even if it never happened. I know she said she wanted to but I needed to know if she ever would. In real life.

  “Yes, Emmanuel. You know that. I can’t though. And I hate hearing how much you love me. That shit rips a hole in my chest every time. We shouldn’t have done what we just did.” I shut my eyes and nodded.

  How was she ever going to be happy if I kept slicing into her wounds? I wanted her to be happy. Even if it was with Alexander and I had to suffer until I died watching them live happily ever after.

  Camilla meant that much to me. I would let her be happy with my own brother just so I could see her smile forever. I knew that no matter what she would give into me if I pushed hard enough, shit it just happened, but I had to be man enough not to let that knowledge screw up her life. It was going to be so damn hard though.

  “You’re falling in love aren’t you?” I asked as a pain ripped through my chest.

  “I’m not talking about this with you.” She folded her arms and pressed her lips together. I shut my eyes just to stop from picturing myself making her part those lips with another kiss. She didn’t have to tell me she was falling in love with Alexander. I saw the signs and I tried to ignore them but I couldn’t. Even though she wasn’t slipping away from me, I had to use restraint forever.

  Now, Xavier was another story altogether. She was definitely slipping away from him. Poor bastard. He came out of the bedroom and looked at Camilla like she was a stranger. She just rolled her eyes and flicked the TV on.

  I kept staring at her though. She was fucking perfection. Everything I’d ever wanted even when I didn’t know I wanted it. Camilla had my entire heart forever.

  **

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Xavier

  Camilla was the craziest fucking person I’d ever encountered. She was crazier than Manny and way fucking deadlier too. I was tempted to snatch my daughter up and run for the hills but I k
new damn well I’d be dead before I got the car started. Nope. Not chancing that shit.

  Even though I’d scrubbed clean in the shower as instructed I still felt like blood was sprinkled all over me. I didn’t even have as much blood on me as everyone else. Camilla and Manny were covered in it on their left sides. Camilla was sitting there on the couch like it was nothing though. Like just moments ago she didn’t have her uncle’s blood caked on her hair and on her face.

  I was still shaking on the inside from actually witnessing someone get killed in my face. I would have nightmares forever from that shit. When Trevor walked into the living room I eyed him for a while as he sat down beside Camilla and Manny. Everyone was quiet.

  “So, now that all that shit is taken care of, Emmanuel I expect you’ll leave dad alone?” Camilla was first to break the silence. Manny nodded his head because what the fuck else could he do? She’d threatened him within an inch of his life. Even still he looked like a lovesick teenager. Like he would pull the moon from the sky for her.

  I didn’t know how I felt about her. I loved her but I don’t think I could ever be enough for someone like her. In the back of my mind I would always want a do-over but she scared me if I’m being honest.

  “Actually Trev,” Emmanuel smiled and I could see his calculating side springing to life. “I have a position open now that my hitter is…out of commission.” He laughed. Trevor stroked his chin and looked at Camilla. Everyone looked at Camilla before doing anything. She’d solidified herself as a boss and I don’t even think she knew it. She was just flipping channels like everything was normal.

  “I don’t know. That type of thing isn’t my style.”

  “I can’t tell.”

  “It’s not. I did what I had to do.”

  Camilla looked up and frowned at them both. “No. We’re not making any deals right now. Shit. Just chill the hell out for a minute.” She looked at me and caught me staring at her. “Do we need to have another talk?” She asked me with an attitude. I stood up and went into what used to be our bedroom. She followed.

  “Xavier, can you please just get it off your chest? Whatever it is.”

  “Camilla, you just killed your uncle.” I said for probably the hundredth time tonight.

  “I didn’t kill anyone.”

  “Okay, you orchestrated it.”

  “And?”

  “And that’s fucked up!” I shouted.

  “He killed Dana, he framed my father and he never told me. Emmanuel wasn’t stopping him from telling me. He just didn’t fucking tell me. My father needed that. He needed to get some sort of vindication.” I looked at her for a while and sighed. What else could I do? I couldn’t take it all back and bring Rashad back to life. Her plan was done.

  “Can I take Chloe tonight? Please?” I begged. She was the only thing that would keep me from going crazy. Camilla nodded quietly.

  “That’s probably best.”

  “Thank you,” I grumbled. “Do I have to worry about you setting me up?” I snapped at her.

  “Xavier, there aren’t many people I’d kill for but you’re one of them. I still love your scared ass. I still love Emmanuel too.” I considered myself certifiable for taking what she said as a compliment. I remembered the way she went after Angela when she said the wrong thing about me and realized she wasn’t just blowing steam. Camilla would kill for me. That meant she’d kill for Emmanuel to though.

  We were her twisted fucked up family and she loved us…to death.

  **

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Camilla

  Well it was done. My plan was done and my father was safe. Safe from Emmanuel, safe from Rashad, safe from anybody who thought they could fuck with him just because it happened once before. It wouldn’t happen again, that’s for sure.

  Even if Emmanuel or Xavier got the crazy notion to turn Dad in, he couldn’t get tried. Double jeopardy is a wonderful fucking thing. Dad could have shot Rashad on South Beach and he wouldn’t have gotten locked up. That’s exactly why I needed him to just listen to me and do as I said.

  I’d been putting things into place since I found out for sure that Rashad set him up. I’d already put together most of it on my own but I needed to be sure. I needed confirmation. Emmanuel gave me that and then Rashad solidified it himself. Perfect. He sealed his own fate.

  Even though I wasn’t close to Dana, nor did I like her I felt she deserved vengeance as well. She was my mother and I know at some point she felt about me, the way I feel about Chloe. I hoped she was resting peacefully now.

  I knew it was fucked up to have my father kill my uncle. I honestly would miss him but some shit just has to happen regardless of if it’s right or not. Rashad wouldn’t have a funeral because Rashad was already dead as far as the public was concerned. His body would be incinerated across the country in LA and I’d let Cole work his magic on that. He’d already proven to be a huge asset.

  Turns out Cole is an ex-cop…an ex-dirty cop at that. He was taking a seat on Manny’s cabinet to escape the wrath of LAPD. I wondered if he knew he was twisting himself into even more drama in Miami?

  Chief Malcolm Danvers was all about money and a pretty face. All I had to do was bat my lashes and smile at him long enough and he was willing to listen to anything I had to say. He knew it was all business though once I told him who I was to Emmanuel.

  My sweet Dempsey, he was always on my side no matter what. I just had to say the word. He knew better than to get in my way because either I was going to use his help or go around him. He chose to help because well, he just wanted to keep an eye on me.

  The only thing that I hadn’t anticipated was Emmanuel falling even deeper for me. I suppose it’s fitting though. He understands me and I understand him. If only I could get him to turn the love down a bit before Alexander came back. I suppose fucking him on the couch didn’t help matters.

  Laurel and Alexander weren’t gone for that long but it seemed like an eternity since in that span of time someone got killed and all the remnants were being cleaned in my garage.

  I didn’t know if I could ever let Alexander in on my dark side and him be okay with it. I worried that I’d remind him too much of his brother and he’d leave me. I realized how much I wanted and needed him in my life. He fit me and he helped me see that I was stronger than I realized and I’d forever be grateful to him for that.

  As long as nobody ever fucked with anyone in my family, I’d never have to bring that side of me out again and maybe Alexander would never have to face her. She was dark and cold and she didn’t care who she hurt. I wanted to lock her away and not have to bring her out anymore.

  I was finally in a good place with everything. I knew not to go down certain roads with Emmanuel, and I knew all the roads were probably closed with Xavier. He looked scared to death of me. I’m sure it would wear off in time and he’d be trying to get me back but I think Emmanuel was right about one thing: I’m pretty sure I’m falling for Alexander hard. How could I not? He was my knight in shining armor. He brought out the best in me and I loved that about him. Besides, his dick game has me admittedly losing my damn mind. I’m all his whether he likes it or not.

  Maybe I’ve finally combed out all the jagged twists in my life for once. A sincere feeling of happiness swept over me watching Alexander mix drinks in the kitchen. He glanced over at me and smiled, my heart melted. Yup, all the twists were smooth now and I didn’t plan on them tangling together again any time soon.

  **

  Epilogue

  Six months later…

  Camilla

  “Oh my fucking god. I’m going to die, Camilla. How the fuck do you deal with this shit like it’s nothing?” Laurel whined as she posed for the camera. She looked beautiful but Jesus her complaining was driving me up a fucking wall. I was already hot and annoyed with having a fucking photo shoot on the beach in the middle of August.

  “Because I’ve already done it once. Another time isn’t really bothering me that much. Plus I’
m just ready to go home.” I sighed. Laurel posed in the water trying her best to smile but all she could manage was a grimace.

  “Okay, just look down.” The photographer told her. She had that pose down to a science. “Okay got it. Last shot Laurel, you’re done. Please go sit down and get something to eat.” He chuckled. I was more than happy that she was done and I’d already went before her.

  When she walked over to me I rubbed her round belly and leaned over, “Hey little brother. Stop giving your mommy hell in there.” I cooed and kissed her tummy. Laurel was a very full six months pregnant with my little brother. Surprisingly enough, Dad was fucking thrilled. Him and Laurel had actually been good together. Who fucking knew? Christina lost her shit when she found out. She won’t talk to either of us anymore. Her loss.

  “Mommy! I got ice cweam!” I shielded my eyes with my hand and waved at Chloe and Alexander as they walked towards us. Dad wasn’t far behind. He’d bought Laurel her flip-flops and a slushy like he knew she was down here complaining. Alexander put Chloe down and kissed my cheek. Chloe reached her little arms up for me to hold her but Alexander shook his finger at her.

  “You know mommy can’t pick you up Chlo. She has Mason in her tummy, remember?” I patted my own bulging belly and poked my lip out at Chloe.

  “Sorry babe,” I said, tousling her sandy brown curls. Chloe put her hand on my stomach and giggled.

  “Mason?”

  “Yup. He’ll be here soon, remember?” I told her as we walked.

  “Remember baby girl, same time as TJ?” Dad beamed. He told me when he decided to name my little brother Trevor Jr. that it was going to be my name had I been a boy. Luckily I escaped that fate, little brother wasn’t so lucky though. I made Dad agree to let everyone call him TJ at least it was a cool nickname.

  Dad had his hand bracing Laurel’s lower back as she leaned on him for support. Poor Laurel, you would have thought she was having twins the way she inched along. I powered back to the truck slapping Alexander’s helping hand away.