Against all my better judgment I hugged her. I pressed her body to mine and she sniffled against my chest. I attempted to break the hug but she held me even tighter. “Can you please stay with me tonight?”
“Camilla you know I can’t,” I groaned. “But why don’t you let me make you dinner again?” She smiled and nodded her head then lay back against my chest.
“Tomorrow?”
“You’re really killing me. Okay, tomorrow,” I told her. “Let’s try a nice Chardonnay with dinner?”
“Okay. What’s for dinner?”
“I don’t know. I’ll call you when I figure it out.”
“Deal.” She shrugged and pulled away from me. “Hey, Alexander, I know you talk to Emmanuel about everything that goes on with me but could you not tell him about our dinner nights? I feel like it’s something special just between us. Plus I get to finally have a friend.”
“I don’t tell him everything.” I protested as I closed the dishwasher and pressed a few buttons. “He’d like it if I did, but I actually do keep the confidentiality in tact. He only knows stuff you probably tell him anyway, like you’re taking your medicine and you’ve had some breakthroughs.”
“You seriously don’t tell him everything?”
“No. Do you?” I questioned. She shook her head. “I think you need to keep some things for yourself. It’s healthy.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, I do.” I wiped her counters down and then clicked the light off. Leaving her there wasn’t easy to do but she needed to stay by herself in order for her to find out that she didn’t need either of her men to complete her. I wanted Camilla to learn that she was whole on her own.
My house felt empty after being at Camilla’s and being sucked into her constantly churning world of chaos. It almost felt too quiet and too small.
I went to my room and pulled a box from the top shelf of the closet. Inside were a few of Alex’s things that I kept for sentimental reasons. Her favorite hair clip, the nightgown she wore to bed whenever she was mad at me, a few birthday cards, her favorite perfume and pictures. Dozens of pictures of her and I together when she was happy or at least I thought she was happy back then. My finger traced her smile, her nose, and her face. I took the top off the bottle of perfume and inhaled it with my eyes closed. It was easy to imagine she was there when I did that. I knew better of course, but sometimes it’s nice to remember happier times.
When my eyes fell to the note she left for me to find, I paused. Everything paused. I don’t even know why I kept the note to be perfectly honest I should throw it away. I have the same gut wrenching reaction every time. It’s been seven years since she killed herself and I still kept looking at that note. The edges were curled up and the paper had tear stains on it from nights when I had all questions and no answers.
“Why the fuck did you have to leave me, Alex?” I ask to the air, to her ghost, to God. I wish someone would answer me though because it was the only question I ever asked out loud.
If I were my own patient, I would tell myself how unhealthy it is to refuse to date anyone for seven years. I’d make myself face my fears and suggest finding someone to at least befriend. My mind was instantly overcome with thoughts of Camilla. It’s just absolutely perfect that so far my only friend in the world is also my goddamn patient. A laugh came out but it wasn’t exactly funny.
Sometimes I wondered if I could have helped Alex work through her depression if she only told me about it. Maybe she didn’t want to burden me; maybe she didn’t even know she was depressed? Maybe, maybe, maybe. Just as I’d had enough of the painful box of memories, my phone buzzed. It was Camilla.
Camilla: Are you home okay?
Me: Yeah. I’m in safe. Are you lying down?
Camilla: Yup. I’m watching Freddy’s Revenge. Probably not smart to watch before bedtime. LOL.
Me: Not your best decision.
Camilla: I’ve never been known to make good decisions though.
Me: Well stop watching it and save it for tomorrow night. We can watch it together.
Camilla: Okay
Me: I had fun tonight.
Camilla: Me too. I wish you could have stayed though
Me: I wish I could have stayed too Camilla.
Camilla: Do you?
Me: Yeah I do. I think you’re the first friend I’ve had in a very long time.
Camilla: How long is a long time?
Me: 7 years…
Camilla: Wow Alexander…7 years is a long time to go without a friend.
Me: Yeah, tell me about it.
Camilla: What about Emmanuel? You two are friends, right?
Me: You could say that. He’s there if I really need something.
Camilla: Like help hiding a body?
Me: Ha. Exactly. He’s not really cut out to be a friend.
Camilla: Yeah, I could see why you’d think that.
Me: Do you consider him a friend?
Camilla: I do. He gets me. But you know him, all intense and brooding.
Me: Yeah. That’s him in a nutshell.
Camilla: Alexander can I ask you something personal?
Me: Shoot…
Camilla: Has it been 7 years since Alex…you know?
Me: Yeah…it has. I’m that transparent huh?
Camilla: Kinda. I’m sorry we didn’t meet sooner. Is it weird that I’m sad you’ve been without a friend for 7 damn years?
Me: Not weird. It’s extremely compassionate though. Thank you. Now can I ask you a question?
Camilla: Go…
Me: Is it weird for you being this close to your psychologist?
Camilla: No. You’ve always felt like a friend if I really think about it. Even though you lied to me and told me you were married.
Me: I know. Sorry about that.
Camilla: I’m sure Emmanuel was totally behind it. It’s cool. It’s not like I’m throwing myself at you married or not. You probably think I’m way too crazy to even look at twice lol.
Me: Why do you say that?
Camilla: I don’t know. You seem like the type who likes a certain kind of woman.
Me: What kind of woman do you think I like?
Camilla: Educated. Polished. Not crazy.
Me: Know anybody?
Camilla: Funny Alexander…Very funny.
Me: LOL.
How in the hell do you spend an entire night texting someone? Luckily for me it was one of the rare days I got off because I needed all the extra sleep I could get. When I woke up I actually had my phone on my chest. When I glanced at it over breakfast I saw a new text from Camilla.
Camilla: So texting all night. I’m not sure but I think that means we’re best friends now.
Me: Did we just become best friends?
Camilla: Uh yeah!
I actually laughed out loud at my fucking phone. I looked like a total idiot.
Camilla: Okay you get more cool points for seeing the Step Brothers movie.
Me: Do I get more cool points if I tell you I have the Blu-ray?
Camilla: Bring it tonight! After we watch Freddy’s Revenge we’re so watching Step Brothers.
Me: Okay. Deal.
Me: Hey Camilla, this might sound crazy but…you feel like grabbing a coffee with me…in Fort Lauderdale?
Camilla: OMG yes. I need coffee. I stayed up all night texting my best friend
Me: LOL I’ll pick you and Chloe up in a half hour.
**
Chapter Fourteen
Emmanuel
“The whore will live.” Dempsey planted himself on my office couch with a grunt. “They spent three hours in surgery finding her nose taking it out of her mouth and putting it kind of back on her face. She’s got about eight more surgeries before she’ll look normal I surmise.” An entire fucking week had passed without me having an update on Jada’s condition and I was livid about it. I started pushing for a new policy that dealt with hospital patients that had no immediate family.
“We
ll, that’s good for Camilla,” I sighed. “Now she definitely won’t have to deal with a trial.”
“Jada is lucky she’s not the one going to jail. Any reason why our girl isn’t pressing charges on the woman’s face she caved in?” I was wondering the same thing myself. Why was Camilla being so nonchalant after she went ape shit and caved Jada’s face in and shredded her own hand? It didn’t make sense and for an entire fucking week I haven’t really had a chance to catch up with her to ask.
“I’ll go pick her up from her appointment with Dr. Epps today and take her for lunch. I’ll try to talk to her then.”
“You know I can get info on anybody right? I’m just asking…” He held his hands up. “Because sometimes you keep shit from me like I’m not gonna figure it out.” I already knew what Dempsey was referring to. I walked around my desk and stood at the window. From here I can see Alexander’s building and I could even make out where his office was but I couldn’t see inside like I wish I could.
“Okay Dempsey. What do you think you know?” I quizzed.
“That Dr. Epps is your half brother and you’re keeping tabs on Camilla through him. Did you ever think about the repercussions though, Manny?” Somehow his words worked their way under my skin and my hands turned to fists at my side.
“What are the repercussions?” I asked through gritted teeth. Against my will Dempsey has proved to be a regular fucking Jiminy Cricket always showing me things that I need to consider.
“That your brother is everything you are and everything you’re not.” Again, I feel his words worming under my skin making me itch with anger. I pushed the irritation down with a swallow and turned my head away from the window so I could look Dempsey in the eye.
“He’s also the most professional man I know. I’m not worried about him with Camilla.” It was almost laughable to think about a man like my brother trying anything with a woman like Camilla. Besides the fact that he was still heartbroken over losing his fiancé, he was scared shitless of me. We didn’t grow up together but the little brother/big brother dynamic was still present.
“I don’t think he’d try anything with her either. But did you ever think about what Camilla would be like once she’s thinking with a clear head?”
“She’ll be healthy. That’s what I want for her or else I wouldn’t have pushed her to see him. Look Dempsey, I told you before to stay the hell out of me and Camilla’s business. The only other person that I contend with is Xavier.” His name felt like gravel on my tongue.
“Yeah, about him…you two need to cut the stupid war over Camilla. It’s fucking up your image and his.” I folded my arms and waited for Dempsey to continue. “Manny, I’m gonna be straight with you, if you wanna continue to be Mayor and win the next election you gotta shed your ties with New Grace and all that Jesus shit.” It took a moment for it to register but once it did, I didn’t like it.
“It’s my fucking church.”
“It needs to be his fucking church. You’re the Mayor; you can’t keep running behind stupid church drama every day. If anyone has shit handled, its Xavier. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but he’s just a younger version of you. That’s why you two fuck-tards keep going at it.” I couldn’t ignore the fact that Dempsey seems really agitated by the entire thing. It’s the only reason I wasn’t shutting him completely down. Besides he’s never done anything sneaky, never looked at Camilla sideways, and he’s helped me pull shit off on numerous occasions. Hell, he helped me win the election and spin Dana’s death in my favor. He was my advisor for a reason.
“Okay advisor, what would you have me do?” I sat behind my desk and folded my hands together. Dempsey seemed shocked that I was being receptive but he continued.
“You need to stay behind the scenes. Let Xavier do his thing. For all the public knows, him and Camilla have taken the place of you and Dana. You need to focus your attention on Miami. There are bigger fish to fry Manny.” I didn’t know exactly what he had planned but I’d trust him for the time being. He’d never given me a reason not to.
“You’re right,” I said with a heavy sigh.
“Yeah, I’m glad you’re coming around.” Sarcasm dripped from his tone. “Look, bury the hatchet with Xavier.” Suddenly I realized that I’d been heavily engaged in a goddamn pissing contest over someone I knew would always be mine. Camilla was mine whether Xavier liked the shit or not.
“Yeah, I suppose that’d be in everyone’s best interest,” I muttered. It still didn’t make the shit feel any better.
“You both have your hooks in the same girl. Live with it.”
“Okay Dempsey,” I said with a warning glance.
“I’m done, I’m done,” he chuckled. “Go have lunch with Camilla.”
It sounded way too quiet for a therapy session to be happening in Dr. Epps’ office. I waited patiently though. Right on schedule, Alexander opened the door and Camilla walked out. See? Professional.
I took in her beautiful face and smiled. She always could make me smile. I looked at the rest of her and it made my dick smile. Even in a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt I wanted to fuck her right in the lobby.
She shook her head when she saw me, but she was grinning. I knew I should keep the PDA non-existent but Camilla made me want to shower her with affection every minute of the day. She turned me into a sappy fucking romantic. I ran my thumb over her cheek and then put my hand in my pocket.
“You ready for lunch?” I asked her.
“Sure. I’m hungry.” She looked over her shoulder at Alexander and smiled at him. “Are you hungry? Want me to bring you something back, Alexander?” What the fuck was that shit? Why was she asking him if he wanted her to bring him something back?
“I’m good. I’ll eat later.” He smiled at her and I envisioned myself crushing his windpipe for a brief moment. I wasn’t sure if he’d just made an innuendo right in my fucking face or if I was losing it. I had to be losing it. Camilla gave him thumbs up and waved goodbye.
“What the fuck was that all about?” I quizzed once we were seated in my office in front of a light lunch spread.
“What are you talking about?” She pouted and I wanted to suck on her lips.
“You and Alexander.”
“Oh my god, are you jealous?” She was laughing but I was stone-faced. Her laughter settled down once she realized I was serious. “Emmanuel, he’s my friend. That’s it.”
“Your friend huh?” I opened up a container of her favorite lo mien noodles and put some in a bowl for her. “What happened to him being your doctor?”
“He’s my friend and my doctor. I didn’t think I had to run my friend choices by you. Last time I checked I was my own damn person.” Her mouth was getting ready to get her in trouble but that was nothing new. She knew I wouldn’t risk spanking her or teaching her a lesson with my dick while I was in my office.
“You are, you also know that I hate when you’re mouth is disrespectful.”
“And what are you going to do about it, Mayor Scott?” She walked over to me and sat in my lap. She was testing me and I refused to fall prey to her fucking games.
“Camilla, stop it. I don’t care if you have friends. I don’t care if you fuck other men. Just not Alex.” I waited purposefully to see how close she had gotten with my little brother.
“He hates when people call him that,” she frowned. I made a mental note and nodded.
“Look, go eat your food. Stop this shit.” I shoved her a little and she settled in my lap even more. My dick reacted to her warmth and I cleared my throat. She was starting to wield her power over me and while she didn’t do it often I hated it. I was so fucking weak when it came to her.
“Stop trying to control who I’m friends with.” She leaned in to me and I could smell her perfume and shampoo.
“I don’t need to control who you’re friends with as long as I know who you’ll always come back to.” My hand reached up and I tangled my fingers in her hair. “Now go sit your ass down before you make me do
something to you in this office. You know I don’t fuck around in my office.”
“You don’t? I think you do.” Her lips tasted like strawberries on mine and it pushed me overboard. My erection pressed against my pants and into her thigh. I sucked on her lips and slid my hands up and down her back.
“Camilla…cameras are all over the place in this building. One is right over there.” I pointed to the black camera with my chin and she looked over her shoulder at it.
“So?” She flicked her tongue over my ear and I closed my eyes trying to hold it together. I wanted nothing more than to bite her lips and wrap my hand around her throat choking out her smartass mouth. I wanted to make her submit and moan. She knew that too.
“So, stop fucking disobeying me.” She straddled me and draped her arms around my neck. Without even thinking I gripped her hips and fell into the kiss. “You know what you’re doing don’t you?” I smiled against her mouth and she nodded.
“I’m gonna make you fuck me, in your office, Mayor.” She purred in my ear and I tried in vein to move her off of me.
“Later. Not now. You better stop before shit goes too far.” I knew I was in trouble when a slow smile spread across her face.
“They’re getting ready to go too far.” She was still whispering in my ear and I couldn’t help but hold her still and press my dick into her. Camilla moaned out, a soft and sweet moan. “I want you to fuck me in your office. I want you to fuck me all over this office. It feels like I haven’t had dick in so long.” Her voice was ripe with lust and pleading. She was pleading with me to fuck her and I wanted to so damn bad.
“You want me to fuck you?” I growled as my hand tugged on her long hair.
“Yes daddy, I want you to fuck me.” Her voice was so sexy and hearing her call me daddy was my undoing. I pinned her arms behind her back with one hand and unsnapped her bra with the other. Camilla was going to get what she wanted.
Twisted War Page 11
