Twisted War

by Danielle James

  “Well good for him. Your ass is still in hot water though Camilla.” My mind flashed to the night I fucked up in a major way by storming through the house like a lunatic and I felt the same surge of anger ripple through me. “The night I came home drunk, were you fucking him then?” I almost shouted. Camilla frowned and shook her head.

  “No! You were just being crazy.”

  “Well evidently not too crazy since you’re fucking him now. When did this start?” I moved closer to her.

  “Just a couple days ago, Xavier. Jesus.” No blinking, no lip chewing, and no shallow breathing, she was telling the truth. I grunted at her in response and paced the floor again.

  “I want Chlo today,” I said.

  “Okay.” Camilla walked over to me and grabbed my hand, making me stop pacing. “Xavier, I know I’m getting myself into yet another twisted situation but just know that I love you. I’m glad you’re Chloe’s dad, I’m glad we love each other, and even though it’s hard I’m glad we’re apart right now.” I could sense the sincerity pouring off of her and it deflated me. I hated that she was so damn warped sometimes but I also loved it. It made her who she is and I loved every fucked up part of her.

  “I love you too baby.” I sighed and caressed her cheek with my thumb. “We need to work through this shit though. I would suggest counseling but seems to be a conflict of interest with Dr. Epps,” I grumbled. Camilla smirked and shoved me a little. “Manny is still going to fucking kill him when he finds out though. Brother or not.” I pondered out loud.

  “He’s not. I’ll take care of Emmanuel. Camilla’s phone chimed in her pocket and she looked at the number with happiness. She pulled away from me and went over to the corner to answer the call. I listened even though I pretended to busy myself with papers on my desk. “Hey, yeah…I know…it’s so exciting! Look, if it goes down the way it’s supposed to then I have to do a few things first but…” She looked over her shoulder at me and then turned back towards the corner. “I’ll make sure you’re safe and you never have to go through anything like this again…I know, but now I need to help and protect you, okay?” She glanced at me again and it was getting harder to pretend to be enthralled with work when my ears were burning with wonder.

  Who the fuck was Camilla talking to? And about protection no less. “Yes, I understand but if this is true then…I know but I don’t give a fuck!” Her voice rose and she brought it back down considerably. “I don’t care about that. All I care about is you…” Then tenderness in her voice wasn’t lustful or sexual in any way. I racked my brain trying to figure out who would warrant such a tender tone. “Let me do this then…okay. I’ll find out for myself…yeah. Just call me tomorrow if you can. I love you too, Dad. Bye.” Trevor. Of course. I clicked the mouse around on my computer for a while before looking up at her.

  “Everything okay?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I have to go take care of some things before my dad gets out.” I nodded my head as I listened to her.

  “Wanna tell me what the fuck you’re taking care of, Camilla?”

  “I can’t. Not yet, but you’ll be there if everything goes as planned,” she smiled and sucked in a breath, “I just want to make sure everything is perfect for when he comes home.” Her smile was hiding something and for her not to tell me, meant she knew I wouldn’t like it. I could even see a little sadness lurking in the way her bottom lip stiffened and her eyes squinted.

  “What’s going on?” I asked softly. She shook her head and walked towards the door.

  “You know how you find something out that you really hope isn’t true?”

  “Yeah, especially when dealing with you,” I chuckled.

  “I’m having one of those moments,” she told me. “I can’t even talk to you about this one, baby.” Sadness rose to the forefront of her eyes. I wanted to press more information out of her but something told me it was best if I let her go do what she needed to. I walked over and hugged her gently hoping to ease some of her pain. “I love you Xavier.”

  “I know. I love you too, Camilla.” She was a walking cloud of secrets and dark thoughts I never knew what the fuck I was going to get from her.

  “Are you taking Chloe straight from daycare today?” She asked me. I nodded and thought about what time I needed to leave so I could get Chloe to the lab on time. I was meeting someone I trusted with the results and I knew since he worked in the lab, he could have the results in a matter of hours. I was going to find out if I’d just been justly paranoid or if Chloe really was mine.

  **

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Emmanuel

  I’d been working my ass off for Trevor to get acquitted of all charges concerning Dana’s murder. I’d never intended for him to take all the heat even though he thought I did. I didn’t like people knowing my plans.

  Ever since I’d gotten Rashad’s death certificate I’d been pulling strings with the judge on Trevor’s case getting him to look at new evidence that pointed to a fierce sibling slaying between Rashad and Dana St. John that ate Rashad up until he committed suicide, leaving behind a detailed note of how he killed his sister. Upon receiving the news, Judge Dean moved to acquit Trevor on his parole date, making him a free man.

  When I’d told Camilla about the news of the acquittal she was through the roof with happiness, now I had to break the other part of the news to her. The news about her uncle being the one to murder her mother and frame her father. She already knew I was the mastermind but she still had yet to figure out all the details. It was time she knew. Knowing Camilla the way I did, that was a very risky thing to tell her. She didn’t care much for her mother but her father was her world ever since he’d come back into her life. She also loved her uncle too and knowing he agreed to frame Trevor wasn’t going to set well with her.

  When Dana got murdered, Camilla had her chance to yell at me and hit me and not speak to me but she never stopped talking to Wolf. She never yelled at him or even suspected that he was the muscle behind it all. I’m sure she had her moments where she wondered but if she did, she never said anything.

  I invited her out to lunch after service at New Grace at a nice quiet spot on the beach. Somewhere that wasn’t usually crowded in case she lost her shit. To be honest, I didn’t know which side of her I would get. I wanted the quiet side but quiet meant plotting and the way she plotted Jada’s murder without me knowing about it was scary. I was impressed but it let me know not to ever underestimate Camilla. She was the yin to my yang in every damn way.

  “Okay Emmanuel, what the hell is going on?” Camilla settled in a seat across from me and raised her brow suspiciously.

  “I can’t just take you out?” A frown pulled my lips down.

  “No. We don’t go out,” she said sharply. It made me a little sad to hear her say that.

  “You know if things were different I’d take you out in front of everyone. I’d parade you around all fucking day. You’re perfect.” I held her gaze until she blushed. “Sometimes I feel like I should just leave you alone,” I confessed. Even saying that made my chest feel like it was twisting.

  “Emmanuel,” she sighed. “Would you ever really leave me alone?” I shook my head quickly, knowing the truth.

  “Fuck no.”

  “No matter what?” She asked quietly, looking into her glass of water. I could tell she had something on her mind. Something she thought would push me away. I didn’t even feel like thinking about that shit.

  “No matter what, Cami.” I rubbed her hand with my thumb and she smiled a little. “Look, I brought you here for a reason,” I sighed heavily.

  “I knew it,” she grumbled. “What, Emmanuel?” She took a sip of water and glared at me with piercing eyes.

  “You know about Trev’s acquittal and the new evidence about who actually killed Dana…”

  “Yeah. So I’m guessing you’re gonna tell me who did it? Who’s taking the fall right?” She asked incredulously.

  “Something like that.” I shifted in
my seat. “I don’t know how upset you’re gonna be when you hear this.”

  “Tell me, please.” Her voice was still and quiet and I already knew I was going to get plotting Camilla.

  “Wolf,” was all I said. I watched her throat roll as she swallowed and took a long sip of her water. She shut her eyes for a moment and then looked at me.

  “He actually did it or he’s just a good fit for the fall?” Her voice was barely audible. Part of me was glad she was being quiet but another part of me was scared. I’m never scared of a motherfucking thing but Camilla being quiet was terrifying.

  “He did it.” I looked around and smiled at a few people staring. I instantly regretted taking her out in public. Shit.

  “Excuse me, can I get my salad to go please? Thank you.” She spoke to the waiter with such sweetness I questioned if this was the same Camilla.

  “You wanna leave?” I asked. She smiled at me but it never reached her eyes.

  “Yes.” She stood up and left me sitting at the table to grab her food. It reminded me why she and I could never be together the way we both wanted because all eyes were on us. I had to pretend like my daughter was mad at me. I also had to stop and take pictures and shake hands before I could run after Camilla, who was already at her car. I got in and looked at her. “Follow me back to my house,” I told her. She nodded her head without a word but there was an entire storm brewing in those eyes.

  Camilla held no punches when we were finally alone. She was pissed off and even that feels too small for the way she acted. “Rashad knowingly framed my father?” She shouted. “He knew what the fuck was going to happen! My father did everything for him and he repaid him by siding with you? Over some fucking money?” Inwardly I winced at her words, she made me feel like I wasn’t shit. I couldn’t blame her though.

  He’s been smiling in my face all this time, knowing what he did.” She chewed on her lip then looked at me. “You put him up to this shit. God. I thought I was done with all of this.”

  “I actually didn’t put him up to it. He came to me, I agreed.” I told her truthfully. She paused and tilted her head to the side.

  “He came to you about the Dana, or my father?” She looked like a deranged lioness, and somewhere inside I was turned on but right then I was concerned for everyone’s health.

  “He came to me about Dana, we both decided on Trevor’s fate. You didn’t want him killed, and I needed to teach him a lesson.” I shrugged while she chewed on my words before nodding.

  “Okay, I understand. So now that Rashad is dead and Oscar Wolfe is alive, it’s the perfect time to get my father’s charges dropped.” I nodded my head slowly, still watching her.

  “Is Dad still getting out on the twelfth?” She asked me.

  “Yeah, everything is still scheduled for the same date.” I tried to hold her close to me but she shrugged away.

  “Okay,” she said.

  “Talk to me Cami, are you pissed?” I folded my arms across my chest and watched her. She grew silent and she stared off into the distance, her wheels were spinning furiously. Her phone was the only thing to break her trance. Whatever she saw made her smile wide. I walked up behind her and saw Alexander’s name along with a text that she shut down before I could read.

  “I gotta go, Emmanuel.” She shoved her phone in her purse. I felt myself getting ready to fly off the handle. He called and she was getting ready to come. I didn’t want to think about the two of them getting close enough to fuck. I didn’t know what I’d do if I found out Camilla was screwing my brother.

  In a blink, I had Camilla’s arm gripped in my hand. She tugged away from me but I wouldn’t let her go. “What the fuck is going on with you and Alexander?” I asked angrily.

  “Emmanuel, stop it.” Her voice was small. I blinked back the rage building inside of me and let her go. I didn’t ever want to hurt Camilla, I loved her too much but the thought of them together made me feel a little crazy. “I’m leaving,” she told me angrily. “I’ll see you later.” As soon as she pulled out of the driveway I paid a visit to my little brother at his house. I was sure Camilla would be there shortly anyway.

  Alexander still lived modestly in a one level home with a two-car driveway, a garage, and flowerbeds in the yard. Typical. I rang the doorbell twice before he finally answered. His face dropped into a frown when he saw it was me. I stepped past him into the foyer and smiled.

  “You were expecting Cami?” I asked. He sighed heavily and closed the door behind me with a thud.

  “No, but I’m never expecting to see you unless you want something. So what is it?”

  “Answers, Alex.”

  “Don’t call me that.” He tensed and I could see a vein pop from his neck. I personally just wanted to fuck with him a little. “What the fuck do you want answers about? More prying into Camilla’s sessions?” He stalked around like he would hit me if he could.

  “No. I want answers about you and Camilla. I saw that you sent her a text right before she ran up out of my house. What the hell is going on little brother? I thought we had an understanding?”

  “Manny, do you run around tracking Xavier down like this? It’s unhealthy. Camilla told me that you two aren’t in a relationship and she’s free to hangout with whomever she pleases. Why is it a problem when it’s me?” Alexander was weaving his words around me again and it was working for the most part. He was right. Camilla and I weren’t in a relationship, and I didn’t dictate who she hung out with. I didn’t want to be crazy and controlling and push her away from me. I ran a hand over my face and shook my head.

  “Because I know you, Alexander. Camilla doesn’t know how you spin your fucking psychobabble and get whatever you want. I know exactly how it works, remember how you got Alex?” I asked as I moved closer to him. He tensed and avoided my gaze. “I said do you remember!” I felt like slamming my fist into his face if he didn’t answer me.

  “Yes,” he growled. “I keep trying to tell you I didn’t take her from you Manny.”

  “You might as well have. You think you’re so much better than me and better than dad was but you’re just like us Alexander. You knew I was closing in on Alex. I’d been dating her for weeks before motherfucking Medschool came in and swept her away. Gave her a ring, left her lonely all the time, and made her so goddamn happy that she killed herself. Isn’t that right, Dr. Epps?” When I looked into his eyes I saw fury. It looked just like my own fury. Needless to say I wasn’t shocked when a punch sailed across my face. I held my nose and laughed. He did have a mean right but I’d never let it phase me.

  “Watch your fucking mouth Emmanuel! You had no claim to Alex and you don’t have any claim to Camilla! Just because you stick your dick in someone doesn’t mean they choose you. You really think Camilla’s going to settle down with you? You had her mother killed, her father locked away, you’re her fucking stepfather. That’s all you are!”

  Now it was my turn to punch. Alexander and I fought it out, knocking all his shit down, glass crashed to the floor and we put holes in a couple walls. Clash of the fucking titans. It wasn’t our first fight; we’d fought over Alex like this too. I didn’t care if I was only dating her…just like I didn’t care that I was only fucking Camilla. I was tired of Alexander coming in and doing a better job of being me than I did. Exposing all my mistakes and making them better. Getting inside of their head deeper than I could. Yet he had the fucking nerve to act like I was the devil incarnate.

  We finally broke apart when the doorbell rang over and over and over. I snatched it open looking a sight, I’m sure. My chest was heaving and I felt sweat and blood trickling from my face.

  “Oh my god.” Camilla’s green eyes met mine and she touched my face compassionately. Seconds later Alexander was at my side looking equally bruised and battered and she ran to him. She fucking ran into his arms and started crying. “What the fuck is going on?” She screamed. I pulled her into the house and slammed the door.

  “No, you need to tell me what the fuck is
going on, Camilla!” I roared. It felt like my chest was being broken open. It didn’t feel like this with Alex, maybe because I didn’t love her. I loved Camilla though. I loved her so fucking much.

  “Okay!” She cried. She walked over to me and touched my face, looking over the damage. I moved away from her though. I didn’t want her tenderness after she’d given it to Alexander. “Emmanuel, calm down!”

  “Good luck getting that to happen.” Alexander chuckled dryly.

  “Do I need to fuck your face up some more?” I asked him.

  “Fuck you. Grab a damn mirror, you don’t look like a model yourself.”

  “Okay, look. Obviously you two are having major fucking sibling rivalry right now.” Camilla said in a more calm tone. Sibling rivalry was an understatement and I felt the need to do more bodily harm to Alexander each time Camilla looked to him. He had her under his fucking control. I put my hands over my face for a moment just to block the images of those two. I couldn’t bear to see them. It was killing me on so many different levels.

  **

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Camilla

  It was World War III in Alexander’s house. Broken glass crunched under my shoes as I paced between them not knowing what to say or how to save Alexander from getting killed by Emmanuel. I had to play to Emmanuel’s emotions, I knew that much. I also had to be logical enough to garner respect from both of them.

  I sucked in a breath and stopped pacing. I had to untwist myself from between the two brothers. I had to choose. “Look, this is all probably my fault.” I began.

  “No, it’s not.” Alexander said stiffly like he was trying to convey a hidden message to me with each syllable. I narrowed my eyes trying to read between the lines.

  “Alexander and I…”

  “Camilla, do you really think that this amount of destruction is necessary over two people hanging out and spending time together?” Again, his words were pointed and sounded like he was trying to draw me in a particular direction.