Twisted Justice

by Danielle James

  **

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Alexander

  When Camilla closed the doors behind me, she let out a heavy, pent up breath. “He’s just standing out there?” She frowned.

  “Yeah, I told him to wait.” I bent down to hug her tight because I could feel the apprehension flowing off her in waves. “Where is everyone?” I looked around the house.

  “Already in place, doc.” Xavier’s voice jumped out from behind a closed closet door in the family room.

  “Hey, Xavier,” I chuckled. I felt like an asshole speaking to thin air but I knew he could see and hear me.

  “What’s up?” He laughed. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

  “Emmanuel is upstairs with the boys. He’s in their closet and they’re playing right in front of him.”

  “Good. No way they’ll get touched, right?”

  “No. Emmanuel wouldn’t allow it,” she told me, but it sounded like she was trying to convince herself. I squeezed her shoulder and she offered me a weak smile. “Okay, I guess we can do this.” She smoothed her shirt down, getting rid of imaginary wrinkles. “Yall ready?” She tilted her head upward so her voice carried through the house. Everyone responded in unison from their respective places. “I’m gonna go in the family room.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back.” I told her before kissing her forehead. As soon as I opened the door, Joseph was standing there with a stupid ass grin on his face. Jesus this shit couldn’t happen soon enough. I wanted to watch his life end, see the kids, and get the fuck away. “Come on in. I just told her I had you with me. I didn’t say anything about the twins,” I whispered.

  “That’s fine. It’s not your story to tell anyway.” He said as he followed behind me. I took him into the family room where Camilla had upbeat music playing softly in the background to mask any random noises coming from the closets. She was bending over, picking up a toy from the floor and I immediately wanted to cover her up because Joseph’s eyes were on her like magnets. Goddamn pervert.

  As soon as she felt our presence she jolted upright, thankfully. “Hey Alexander…” Her words became staccato as she glanced at Joseph.

  “Camilla,” he nearly salivated on the damn floor. I felt like I was delivering my precious flower to a fucking monster. “It’s been so long. Can I have a hug, beautiful?” When he extended his arms open for her I felt every muscle in my body tense. She looked so scared I wanted to abort the entire mission and snap his neck.

  “No,” she said sternly. Her voice was stronger than the fear that lurked behind her emerald eyes.

  “Fair enough. Look, we need to talk. Are you expecting Emmanuel home any time soon?”

  “No, why?” She was playing her role to a tee and I was so fucking proud because she was doing it in spite of fear. She was a badass.

  “I just wanted to know, so we could talk uninterrupted. That’s all.”

  “What the hell could we possibly have to talk about, Joseph?” She snapped.

  “Let’s sit. Alexander, can you excuse us?” He looked at me with a polite smile but his eyes were harsh and full of warning. I ignored his warnings and sat down in a chair near Camilla but across from the closet so Xavier or Cole could see the signal if I needed to give it.

  “Alexander is fine. You can say whatever you have to say in front of him.” Camilla said, sticking her chin out defiantly.

  “Okay, whatever makes you comfortable, love.” I could see her shudder from disgust but it was such a micro-aggression that Joseph never picked up on it. “I know you recently gave birth to two beautiful boys. Identical twins, right?”

  “Yes,” she nodded slowly. Right on cue, the boys giggled upstairs and thumping from them running and playing could be heard.

  “Is that them up there?” Joseph looked lovesick.

  “Uh huh…what about them?” I could feel Camilla’s cool slipping away the more the twins were mentioned. She was ferocious when it came to her children.

  “I want you to hear me out, okay? Promise me you’ll listen with an open mind, sweetheart.” I watched her throat roll as she swallowed, probably bile. Joseph was a goddamn creep.

  “What. Is. It?” Camilla gritted out.

  “I think you and I both know those boys aren’t Emmanuel’s.”

  “Whose are they then?” She almost laughed.

  “Camilla, let’s not play dumb. We both know what happened in that church.” I watched her steady her breathing and then glance at me. I tried to convey as much reassurance as I could through just my eyes. She pressed her full lips into a hard line and looked down at her fingers. She was playing the part.

  “I didn’t tell Emmanuel everything,” she said, barely above a whisper.

  “So he doesn’t know that there’s even a possibility that those kids are mine, Camilla?” She shook her head quickly and sucked in a breath. She was still busy looking down when I realized she was conjuring up tears. She was a beautiful fucking genius. Once she’d done away with Joseph I was going to make time to hang out with her and the kids. Just us. Just as friends. I pushed back the pang of regret I had over not making it work with her. She was purely amazing. I had to focus on the task at hand though.

  **

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Camilla

  The combination of emotions rushing through me was almost too fucking much. I loathed Joseph with every inch of me, but he terrified me and made me want to run and hide. I knew nobody would let anything happen to me though and I felt protected with Cole, Xavier and especially Alexander sitting right there.

  I was busy manufacturing tears for Joseph so I could move him upstairs where Emmanuel was. He seemed to eat it all up. I wasn’t sure what he was smoking but it had him fucked in the head if he thought that I would logically just admit to having kids with his crazy ass.

  “It’s okay dear.” He said, eyeing me hungrily. Suddenly I didn’t have on enough clothes. I needed on a parka and boots, not jeans and a t-shirt. “We can start to move forward from all this now that you know. Would you mind if I saw them? I’ve been dying to see them.” I sniffled and shrugged my shoulders.

  “I don’t know. Maybe before we do anything we should get a DNA test.” I said softly.

  “No. I don’t need a damn DNA test.” His voice turned sharp and I felt my heart start to race. “I just want to see them. No need for a test just to see the boys, right?” He tried to lighten the mood with a chuckle. I looked over at Alexander and he looked ready to pop with rage. He forced a smile for me though. “Why are you looking at him?” Joseph snapped angrily.

  “I…don’t know. No reason. He makes me feel comfortable,” I stammered out the truth.

  “Well, he didn’t give you two boys, did he?” Joseph growled. His eyes were beginning to look wild and I wanted to kill him on the spot. My gun was upstairs though.

  “If I let you see them will you think about a DNA test at least?” I sighed, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

  “Yes, I promise,” He was back to smiling. “Come on son, since you’re so fucking hell bent on sticking around.” His tone and smile didn’t match at all. He could be pissed with Alexander all damn day. He was the only reason I was going through with this fucking plan. I felt safe with him around.

  We all went up the steps and I walked into the twin’s room. They rushed over to me with hugs. “You guys go back over there and play.” I tried to usher them back to the closet doors where Emmanuel was hiding. Thankfully they listened and plopped down on the floor. I sucked in a breath and turned to face Joseph who was standing much closer to me than I wanted or expected.

  “They’re perfect.” He whispered. He stood at the doorway eyeing them while Alexander stood just outside of the doors in the hall. I was sure he wanted to be positioned perfectly in case Joseph tried to run. “Do you think they’d come say hi?” He looked over at me with hope in his eyes. I knew the boys would say hi to just about anyone. They were friendly kids but I’d never allow it. Not even
for the sake of authenticity. I made sure to stand as a mamma bear barrier between him and the twins.

  “No, I’m not ready for all of that.” I said, trying to keep my voice even and calm.

  “Camilla, I’m their father. They can speak to me.” I saw both boys jerk their heads up simultaneously upon hearing Joseph say that. I prayed they didn’t rat out Emmanuel in the closet.

  “Dad, we can go now. Okay?” Alexander said distracting him for a moment. I knew I needed to lure Joseph just a bit closer so Emmanuel could come out and subdue him but I was having trouble allowing him to be any closer than he was.

  “Look Alexander, thank you for all your help,” he said with a sigh.

  “Uh huh, no problem. You’ve seen the twins now.” He sounded agitated to say the least.

  “Let me finish, son. You’ve done more than I could ever repay you for, but I just don’t like the way you look at Camilla. I don’t like the way she looks at you either. You’re no longer needed here.”

  Everything happened so quickly. A rush of events and blurs that took seconds to register but it felt like an eternity. Joseph pulled a gun from his waist and aimed at Alexander’s head. In a lightening quick flash, Emmanuel darted from the closet, knocking Joseph’s arm to the side causing the pistol to fly from his grip.

  When I heard a bullet rip through the air, I scooped both boys into my arms and dove into the closet, throwing myself on top of their little bodies. I was paralyzed with fear. I heard thunderous footsteps approaching and a violent struggle. Logan and Lucas were crying hysterically and all I could do was press kisses to their faces and try to calm them.

  I screamed when the closet doors flung open, but relaxed when I saw Dad. His face was a welcome one. He grabbed the boys from me and I let him. I scanned his body but saw no blood. Good, he was safe. “I’m taking them to Laurel,” he told me before rushing out of the room.

  I moved out slowly, listening to the sounds of struggle. I saw Cole and Xavier restraining Joseph, who was still alive. Bastard. I didn’t see Emmanuel or Alexander though.

  My heart thundered to life as my eyes scanned the room. I saw blood on the floor. So much fucking blood. A scream crawled from my throat as I scrambled along the carpet in the crimson path. It was warm and soaking through my jeans.

  “Emmanuel!” I screamed frantically. Then I saw him. He was huddled over Alexander, crying uncontrollably.

  No. No. No. No.

  I was by his side in an instant. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t fast enough.” Emmanuel sobbed as he clutched Alexander in his arms. A shrill scream pierced the air and it wasn’t until I felt my throat burn that I realized it was coming from me.

  Alexander had so much slippery red liquid gushing from the hole in his throat. His eyes were wide and scared but when he saw me, they drooped. Emmanuel looked at me and placed Alexander’s head in my lap. I tried in vain to stop the rushing life force that spilled from him so rapidly. Why was it coming out so fast? It coated my fingers making them slick and sticky.

  “Alexander! Please, God no. Don’t die. You’re gonna be fine,” I sniffled. “You have to be fine because…you…you have to see the kids. Chloe still remembers you.” I told him as I stroked his face. His eyes followed me sleepily and I felt another scream choking my throat but I wouldn’t release it.

  His lips started to move but it only made more blood gush from his wound. “No, Alexander, don’t try to speak…please. Shh…” I kissed his bloody lips and he smiled. He fucking smiled and I couldn’t compose myself. “Remember when we went to Disney in the middle of the day with Chloe? She still has those ears.” I smiled through tears.

  “Remember when you brought me food every night and stayed up watching horror movies with me?” He gave the weakest nod but I felt it. More crimson flowed through my fingers and he started to shake violently in my arms. “Call the fucking ambulance! He’s dying!” I screamed.

  I didn’t even know who was around. I didn’t care. “Alexander, remember…remember when you taught Chloe how to speak clearly? She won’t shut up now…” I tried to laugh but it was distorted and mixed with a strangled sob that made me feel like I was dying with him. “You made me happy, Alexander. You made me believe in myself. I forgive you for everything. I love you so much.” I cried and kissed him over and over.

  He tried to suck in a breath but he continued to shake. He lifted a trembling finger, covered in his own blood and pressed it to my heart. “I know. I know you do.” I nodded. He dragged his finger along my wrist and drew a shaky, lopsided heart then his eyes closed completely.

  I don’t know what happened after that. I lost it. I felt hands prying me away from Alexander. I felt my legs kicking and my arms flailing wildly. I just wanted to hold him a little while longer. “Cami, stop. He’s gone,” I heard Emmanuel say softly.

  “No! No! Emmanuel, he can’t be gone.” I sank into him, wailing. I could hear him crying too. He was crying so fucking hard.

  “I wasn’t fast enough,” he said again.

  “He’s gone now. Good. We can finally be together.” I heard Joseph from somewhere. I couldn’t figure out where because my eyes were rapidly swelling due to the hard, agonizing tears I was shedding.

  “You!” I growled in a voice that sounded possessed. “You killed him! You fucking killed him!” I was hurling myself in the direction of his voice. Blind rage fueled me and I slammed into him with everything I had. “He was fucking innocent! He didn’t deserve that!” I felt cold hard steel being placed in my hand and I took it gladly. I bashed Joseph’s face in, drawing blood instantly. I didn’t care. I was covered in blood anyway. I made myself stop when he was no longer moving. He wasn’t dead but he was knocked the fuck out. I slid to the floor and dissolved into tears. I looked over at Alexander’s body and memories of he and I assaulted me violently.

  The way he looked at me when he first told me he loved me. The first time we made love. The way he stood up to Emmanuel for me. The first time I saw him as a man and not just my psychologist. All the late night talks and texts and…my heart was crumbling. He was gone.

  Alexander was dead.

  “Camilla, come on baby,” Emmanuel pulled me up and took me into the guest room. “You need to take a minute,” he told me quietly.

  “Emmanuel, I…I can’t believe he’s gone.”

  “Me either. It wasn’t supposed to happen. He was my little fucking brother and I should have stopped him from getting killed. All this shit is my fault. How am I supposed to tell his mother? What the fuck do I tell her?!” I wrapped my arms around him and held him until he stopped crying. “This is all my damn fault.”

  “No, it’s not. Don’t say that, please.” I begged through tears. “You two were just getting close again. This wasn’t your fault.” Emmanuel clutched and grabbed me for dear life, burying his face in my middle. He was absolutely broken over his brother’s death. How could he not be? No matter how much shit they went through…that was his little brother.

  We stayed in the guest room for a while, just us. We stayed until we couldn’t cry anymore and nobody bothered us. We were shattered. When we finally emerged, Alexander’s body was gone and Joseph was gone too.

  Cole sat at the foot of the steps just staring off. He looked up when he heard us approaching. “Camilla,” he rushed me with a hug. “Manny,” they hugged as well and another sniffle escaped Emmanuel. “I uh…had Alexander transported to the morgue.” He told us. I nodded and let more silent tears fall. Alexander’s name did not belong in the same sentence as the word morgue. It wasn’t right. It didn’t feel real. When Xavier walked in I noticed his eyes were red. He held out his arms for me and I fell into them.

  “It’s gonna be okay, Camilla. I took Joseph out back.” He brushed my blood-slicked hair back. “He’s tied up and gagged in the storage shed. Just say the fucking word.” Fury bubbled up inside of me and I narrowed my puffy eyes.

  “Now. I want to kill him now.” I stormed into the kitchen looking for anything big and sharp. I f
ound nothing. So I charged out back into the shed. There I saw Joseph tied to a chair, his head hanging low. He was still unconscious. Emmanuel just leaned against the wall, staring blankly. He was no more good right then and I was only being powered by sheer hatred.

  Joseph took away somebody I loved dearly and he was going to fucking pay. I ran my bloody finger over the gardening tools and stopped at a wicked, curved scythe. I smiled, not caring why the fuck we even had one. The landscapers could buy another one later. I needed that one now. I plucked it from the wall and looked over my shoulder at my husband. “You wanna cut him?” I asked in a voice that sounded far away.

  “Nah. It’s all you. I…can’t.” He swallowed and I could see the pain in his eyes. It made me want to kill Joseph even more. Xavier and Cole were silent as I walked around Joseph’s chair dozens of times tilting my head this way and that, poking holes in his flesh and watching them leak blood. Finally, his eyes popped open filled with pain and fear. Good.

  “You killed your own goddamn son,” I growled in his face. He tried to speak but the gag strangled his words. “Now you’re going to get your justice and it’s going to be just as twisted as you.” I handed the scythe to Xavier and he shrugged nonchalantly before piercing Joseph’s body with it.

  “That’s for getting my goddamn kids kidnapped you fucking bastard.” He said in a low voice, close to Joseph’s ear. I looked at Cole and he shook his head. I shrugged and then looked at Emmanuel once more.

  “Are you sure?” I asked him. He hesitated then walked over slowly, the soles of his shoes still sticky from all the blood. He took the curved blade from me and pulled his father’s head back until they locked eyes.

  “You’ll stay dead this time.” He slid the large scythe into Joseph’s eye and it made a small pop and gush sound when it sank all the way in. Joseph screamed and thrashed around in the chair like a maniac. It made me positively ecstatic. I clapped my hands together and watched as the blood oozed from his eye socket. He handed me the scarlet tool and I wasted no time swinging my arm high in the air then slashing across his neck with swift force.