A Trillion to One

by Chenell Parker

“That was a surprise,” Amore noted, referring to Claire’s visit.

  “She’s full of shit but I’m used to it. She’ll sell her soul to the devil to see her grandkids. I wasn’t trying to keep them away from her but I wasn’t backing down either. She wasn’t seeing them or me until she apologized to you,” Trillion said.

  “Well, she apologized so the strike is over. Now, tell me what happened to your hands,” Amore said as she cleaned up his wounds with peroxide.

  “Your punk ass ex is what happened,” Trillion replied.

  “Viper?” Amore asked in shock.

  “You got any other exes that I don’t know about?” Trillion inquired with raised brows.

  “How did you even know who he was? It’s not like y’all ever met,” Amore noted.

  “Trust me, he made himself known,” Trillion replied as he ran the entire story down to her.

  “Besides your bruised knuckles, you don’t even look like you’ve been in a fight,” Amore said as she inspected his face.

  “He’s just like a typical abuser. They can get down and dirty with a female but can’t handle another man. Lil bitch can’t even fight,” Trillion replied.

  “He’s been so quiet for the past few months, I thought he finally moved on and got a life. I should have known that it was too good to be true.” Amore frowned.

  “I told you, Love, dudes like that don’t just go away,” Trillion replied.

  “Yeah, I see that now,” Amore sighed. All she wanted was to be happy with her husband and kids but it was always something or someone standing in their way. Leah was out of the way, but Viper wasn’t going to go away so easily. Trillion obviously beat his ass and he wasn’t going to let that go. Amore didn’t want to be looking over her shoulder because of him but she already knew that she would. She didn’t trust Viper and she never would.

  “Come talk to me, Love. I know you took pictures of everything. Let me see what you got for the house,” Trillion requested.

  She looked sad and Trillion hated that. Viper had already taken Amore through enough changes when they were together. He wasn’t about to let it continue. Another man could never make his wife feel like anything less than the queen that she was. It was his job to keep a smile on her face and he was happy to see it return. Talking about their house usually did the trick and he was happy that it worked.

  “Now, don’t complain when you see everything. You said that I could do whatever I wanted to do,” Amore reminded him.

  “You know I don’t care about shit like that. If you and my girls are happy, then so am I. Did you find some office furniture that you like?” Trillion asked.

  “Yes and I can’t wait to decorate and have a place to write. I’m working on my very first standalone.” Amore smiled.

  “I can’t wait to read it. I’m so proud of you baby,” Trillion said as he pulled her in for a kiss.

  “Thanks boo. Let me show you some of the stuff that I picked out,” Amore replied as she pulled out her phone.

  She and Trillion looked at pictures of some of the items that she’d purchased and some that she wanted to purchase. She showed him where she wanted everything to go and he was pleased with her choices. Once they were done, he and Trinity sat in the kitchen with Amore while she cooked. They had gone out to eat with her cousins but she wanted something for them to eat later. When Tristyn got up from her nap, they let her swim for a while before they ate dinner and turned in for the night.

  “ I guess I’m going back to being bored again.” Meadow frowned as she drove Dallas back home.

  Her sister had been by her for an entire week and she enjoyed the company. Although they both worked, Meadow loved having someone there to talk to at night. She missed having a boyfriend but she wasn’t looking for one. It would be cool if someone came along but she wasn’t going out there to search. Her last boyfriend was a dope boy and the fast life landed him behind bars. Meadow moved back to New Orleans after that and she had been single ever since.

  “Stop being so dramatic. You know I’ll be back. Azra just wants us to spend some time together,” Dallas replied.

  “Are y’all trying to make it work now?” Meadow asked.

  “Yeah, we’re trying. She told her family about us and they didn’t take the news too well. She hasn’t spoken to her father and brothers since then. Her mom and sisters are a little more sympathetic though.” Dallas shrugged.

  Azra’s family was very strict in their beliefs. They had traditions that shouldn’t be broken and she did the unthinkable in their eyes. She was heartbroken when her father said that he wanted nothing more to do with her. He told her that she was going to hell and that was the best place for her. Azra was tired of living a lie and she didn’t want to lose Dallas. Telling her truth caused her family a lot of pain but she was finally happy. After Dallas was shot, that put a lot of things into perspective for her. She was the only woman that Azra had ever loved and she didn’t want to be without her. After a while, her mother and three sisters came around and loved her for who she was. That made her feel better but she wasn’t begging to be accepted. She had her own money and the two beauty supply stores that she owned made sure of that.

  “Fuck them! If they can’t love her for who she is, then she’s better off without them. Life is too short to spend it worrying about stupid shit and I learned that the hard way. I tried so hard to forget about the way my life used to be that I fucked up the way it could have been. I did Amore and Chanell wrong and I’m woman enough to admit that. They were right and we were too close for that. I’m just thankful that you don’t hate me like they do,” Meadow said.

  “They don’t hate you, Meadow. I think they were more hurt than disappointed. You already know how Amore and Chanell are. Those bitches hold a grudge like nobody else,” Dallas replied.

  “They sure do but it’s cool. I probably would have done the exact same thing. I still love their mean asses though,” Meadow laughed as she pulled up to Dallas’ apartment.

  “I’ll call you later sister. Love you,” Dallas said.

  “Love you too honey.” Meadow smiled as she watched her sister grab her keys and phone.

  Dallas waved when she got out of the car and made her way up to her apartment. It was early but the sun was just starting to set. She wanted to take a shower and change before she called Azra to pick her up. Dallas knew that whenever they got together, they would be gone all night and most of the morning too. Azra loved the French Quarters and that was probably where she wanted to go. When she got to her apartment, Dallas opened the door and was forcefully pushed inside as soon as she did.

  “The fuck!” she yelled right before she was hit in the head with a hard object.

  Dallas went down to the floor in excruciating pain. It was dark, but she felt the blood as it poured down her face. When the floor lamp was finally turned on, her heart dropped when she saw Viper standing there. She knew all about his run-ins with Trillion and Amore but she was guilty by association. She didn’t have anything to do with it but she was paying for the sins of the ones she loved.

  It took Viper weeks to find out what apartment Amore lived in but he finally got the info that he needed. He finessed the girl in the leasing office and she was dumb enough to give it up. There was no way in hell he was letting her man get away with what he did to him. Viper wanted him dead but killing Amore would be just as good. He was embarrassed and the corner boys who witnessed the fight wouldn’t let him live it down. Viper didn’t just lose the fight; he was knocked unconscious and didn’t remember most of it. That deed was punishable by death and he wouldn’t be satisfied until it happened. He’d been watching the apartment for days and he got lucky when he saw Dallas getting out of a car. He hid in the breezeway until she opened the door and he went in right behind her.

  “Scream and you die. I’m not like ole boy. My aim is good as fuck,” Viper threatened.

  “I’m not gonna scream. What do you want?” Dallas asked as calmly as she knew how.

  “
Your hoe ass cousin. Call her,” Viper demanded as he picked her phone up from the floor and handed it to her.

  “You know I can’t do that Viper,” Dallas said while shaking her bloody head.

  “Bitch, you don’t have a choice!” he roared while kicking her in the stomach.

  “Ahh!” Dallas howled in pain.

  Viper didn’t go there to play and he didn’t mind making an example out of her. He grabbed Dallas by her hair and drug her down the hall to her bedroom. He pulled her up by her hair and slung her in the chair that was next to the bed.

  “Last chance bitch! Call your cousin and get her here,” Viper demanded.

  “No,” Dallas said defiantly. If she had to die to protect her cousin, then so be it. She was not going to have Amore’s death on her hands. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she did.

  Hearing the word no enraged Viper, just like it always had. He used the butt of his gun to knock Dallas out and watched her unconscious body hit the floor. Once it did, he kneeled down and used her thumb to unlock her phone. As soon as he did, he went through her message thread, trying to find a way to get Amore over there. Dallas was in a group message with her and Chanell and Viper decided to send a message. He read over some of the things that Dallas had said to them before and made sure that his message mimicked one of hers. If he didn’t know anything else, he knew that Amore loved her cousins unconditionally. Viper was always jealous of the bond that they shared and Amore knew it. He knew without a doubt that she was coming to see about her cousin and he would be right there waiting when she did.

  “Here you go daddy. Mama said that I’m your doctor and you have to do whatever I say. Now, you have to eat these crackers and drink this ginger reel,” Tristyn said as she walked into the room carrying a small tray.

  “Ginger ale,” Trillion corrected as he sat up in the bed. He wanted to laugh when he saw Tristyn with her Doc McStuffins lab coat on. She had the stethoscope around her neck and her medical bag too. She was taking her job seriously and Trillion couldn’t help taking a few pictures.

  “Come on Trinity. We have to make sure that daddy feels better. You’re the worst nurse ever,” Tristyn fussed as her baby sister crawled into the room behind her. Trillion laughed at the little baby bonnet that Trinity had on her head. He didn’t know where Amore got it from but a lot of his followers were always saying how cute it was.

  “Come here lil girl. You be getting into too much. One of these boxes gon’ fall on you if you keep messing with stuff,” Trillion said as he picked Trinity up and sat her on his stomach.

  Their house was finally finished and Trillion and Amore couldn’t wait to move. They went there every day unpacking boxes and waiting for furniture to be delivered. It was their last week at the penthouse and they had moving boxes everywhere. Trinity was seven months old now and she loved to pulled up on everything. She was too young to be trying to walk but she was moving fast.

  Over a month had passed since Trillion’s interaction with Viper. He had been quiet but that didn’t mean anything. Amore was hoping for the best but Trillion kept his eyes open. Blue and Rod wanted to do him in but the opportunity never presented itself. They’d seen Viper around a few times but it was always early in the day with a bunch of other people around.

  “Come on daddy. Mama said to make sure you eat these crackers and drink this ginger reel,” Tristyn said as she sat the tray on the nightstand.

  “Thank you baby,” Trillion said, not bothering to correct her again. He rested his back against the headboard and opened the drink. He drank half of it in one gulp and it already felt good going down.

  “You’re welcome. You have to stay in bed. Mama is making you some soup,” Tristyn replied.

  “Tell your mama to come here,” Trillion requested. He ate a few crackers and finished off his drink.

  “Okay and I’ll be back to check on you,” Tristyn replied as she walked out of the room.

  “Hey pretty girl. You need to slow down. You’re getting big too fast,” Trillion replied, right as his phone rang. He frowned when he saw that it was his mother calling. He’d kept his word and started visiting her on Sundays with the girls. He was trying to let Trinity get to know her a little better, so he never left them alone with her yet. He already knew why Claire was calling but it was a waste. Since he felt like shit, he wasn’t going over there or anywhere else for that matter. He didn’t even bother answering the phone because Amore walked into the room.

  “What’s wrong baby?” Amore asked him. She had the phone up to her ear, most likely talking to Jackie, Stacy or one of her cousins.

  “Nothing is wrong? What’s good?” Trillion asked her.

  “Nothing yet.” Amore shrugged.

  “Come on Love. What are you waiting for?” Trillion asked.

  “Chanell said that she loves you to the moon and back and AJ wants to kill you,” Amore laughed while changing the subject.

  Chanell’s birthday was a week ago and Trillion pulled some strings to get her front row seats to a Lil Wayne concert the night before. He even got her backstage passes and she sent Amore pictures all night. She got her poster autographed and she took a bunch of pictures with her favorite rapper. AJ was pissed because she acted like a groupie all night. Chanell was so hyped that she hadn’t even gone to sleep yet.

  “I don’t even know why he went. He knows his girl is in love with another man,” Trillion joked as he got up with Trinity in his arms.

  “Do you feel better?” Amore asked him.

  “Yeah. I’m straight,” he replied as she followed him to the kitchen. She took Trinity while he sat down and ate his soup.

  “Oh no,” Chanell said, reminding Amore that she was still on the phone.

  “What’s wrong?” Amore asked.

  “Dallas just sent a text saying that her back is hurting bad. I’m so tired.” Chanell yawned.

  “Yeah, I just got it too. Don’t worry about it cousin, I’ll go check on her,” Amore replied. Ever since she got shot, Dallas had been having horrible back spasms. She said that it felt like a knot was in her back that wouldn’t come out and it was painful. Most times, Chanell and Amore would give her a massage and apply heat to it like the doctors told them to.

  “Are you sure cousin? I know you said that Trillion is sick,” Chanell said.

  “He is but I’ll take the kids with me. Get some rest and call me when you wake up,” Amore replied before she hung up the phone.

  “What’s up?” Trillion asked.

  “Dallas’ back is bothering her again. I’m gonna go over there for a little while,” Amore answered.

  “Leave them here Love. They’ll only get in the way,” Trillion said.

  “No baby. I can’t leave them here with you while you’re sick,” Amore replied.

  “My stomach is fucked up but I’m good. I can handle them but I need you to go handle that other thing,” Trillion said while giving her a knowing look.

  “Come on Trillion. You already know what it is,” Amore huffed.

  “Just do that for me, please,” he begged. Amore sighed in frustration but she walked off towards their bedroom, with Trillion following right behind her. He sat on the bed and played with Trinity while she went into the bathroom.

  “How do you feel daddy?” Tristyn asked when she walked into the room.

  “I feel good baby. You’re a great doctor.” Trillion smiled.

  “Thank you, daddy, but Trinity is a horrible nurse. She’s fired,” Tristyn said as her baby sister laughed.

  “Don’t fire your sister. Give her another chance,” Trillion laughed.

  “Okay, I’ll give her one more chance but that’s it,” Tristyn said, right as Amore walked out of the bathroom.

  “What’s good Love?” Trillion asked her.

  “It’s positive but you already knew that.” Amore smiled as she showed him the pregnancy test that she’d just taken.

  “Hell yeah I did,” Trillion said excitedly as he jumped up and kissed her.
He was doing a lot of assuming but he was happy to know for sure. He felt the exact same way he felt before when Amore was pregnant with Trinity. He was happy that their kids were gonna be close in age so that they could grow up together.

  “I guess I’ll call to make an appointment with the doctor in the morning,” Amore noted.

  “Damn man. Why do I always get sick when you get pregnant?” Trillion replied.

  “What does pregnant mean daddy?” Tristyn asked.

  “It means that mommy and daddy are having another baby. You’re gonna be a big sister again,” Trillion answered.

  “Yay! I get to have another nurse,” Tristyn cheered.

  “Man, no more nurses. This better be my quarterback,” Trillion said, making Amore laugh.

  “For your sake, I hope so,” Amore replied.

  “Go check on your cousin Love. We’ll be good until you get back,” Trillion assured her.

  “Okay, I won’t be long,” Amore promised.

  She grabbed her phone and purse and rushed over to Dallas’ house. She tried calling her but she didn’t answer. Dallas sent a text saying that the door was already open so that she didn’t have to get out of the bed. When Amore pulled up, she took her Taser out of her purse just in case she needed it. Her old apartment wasn’t in the best neighborhood and it was dark outside. Aside from that, Amore had an eerie feeling but she didn’t know why. It had been a while since she felt that way and she was hoping that it would go away.

  “Cousin! I’m here!” Amore yelled as soon as she walked into the house. She walked down the short hallway and went into her cousin’s bedroom. She gasped when she saw Dallas laid out on the floor. Amore assumed that she tried to get out of bed and her back gave out on her.

  “Took you long enough to get here,” Viper said, catching Amore off guard.

  He walked out of the closet when she was kneeling to check on her cousin. As soon as she turned around to face him, he backhanded her, causing her to fall to the floor. Her Taser flew under the bed and she was pissed that she didn’t have anything else to defend herself with.