Twisted War

by Danielle James

“You know I’m going to fuck with you, right?” He asked.

  “I’d expect nothing less,” I sighed.

  “Cami,” He paused a beat. “I miss you.”

  “I miss you too Emmanuel. You think we could ever just be friends?” There was more hope in my voice than I’d anticipated.

  “Yeah, we can be friends. As long as you know I’ll never stop loving you and I’ll take any opportunity to get you back.” At least the man was honest. It didn’t make shit any better for me though.

  “Please don’t do anything fucked up.” I begged.

  “I’m not stepping on your toes Cami. I’m just letting you know. If little brother fucks up, it’ll be his first and last time.”

  “Why are you so sure I’m with Alexander?” I quizzed. He let out a short laugh like I was being ridiculous.

  “Camilla, I know you better than you know yourself. Just know that I must love you a hell of a lot to let that shit go. I’m still pissed about it though.” It was so easy to fall under Emmanuel’s spell, he was strong and controlling but he was gentle with me and only me. I hated hearing him talk about how much he loved me because I loved him just as much. I felt strange for wanting to be with his brother so badly; it was like telling Emmanuel that he wasn’t good enough, like he wasn’t the right version of himself for me. Maybe all of that’s true but it doesn’t mean it hurts any less.

  Why the fuck did he have to be my stepfather? It just made shit too twisted to even consider. If he wasn’t though, it would be him. He would be my twisted happily ever after. “Emmanuel, you know how to make shit hard for me,” I groaned.

  “Good. Like I said, expect me to fuck with you all the time. Especially if you want us to be friends.” His laugh was devious.

  “You’re annoying,” I blurted.

  “You still love me though. Don’t you?” He quizzed.

  “No.”

  “Liar,” he quipped. “I can hear you smiling over the phone. I love you too Cami. Go spend some time with Trevor. Kiss Chloe for me.” I ended the call and let out a sigh.

  “Alexander?” Laurel asked from the kitchen.

  “Emmanuel,” I replied. I was still smiling like an asshole and I tried to rub my cheeks to get rid of the goofy look. Laurel walked into the living room and looked at me suspiciously.

  “Camilla, I swear if you cheat on Alexander…”

  “Girl, what?” I laughed. “Never. I love Emmanuel but no. We’re too fucking toxic.” I heard the water cut off in the bathroom and I was glad that I’d gotten off the phone with Emmanuel. Dad’s head poked out of the bathroom and his long dreadlocks dripped with water.

  “Hey baby girl can you toss me my bag?” He asked. “Forgot to get my clothes.” Laurel’s eyes damn near popped out of her head and she scurried to hand dad his bag. He thanked her and disappeared into the bathroom, singing Is This Love by Bob Marley. I loved when he sang that song, it always meant he was happy. When Laurel sat down beside me I was glaring at her hard.

  “What?” She squeaked.

  “Look, don’t get cut.” I warned her playfully.

  “Stop it, Camilla. I just gave him his bag.”

  “You also gave him fucking heart eyes, slutface.” I pointed at her and she started blushing. I rolled my eyes and tried not to get any visuals.

  “Your father got fine in prison,” she gushed. “I mean he was always fine but lord help me.” She fanned herself. I jumped on top of her and we fought playfully.

  “Okay girls.” Dad said standing in front of us. He was dressed in the new clothes I’d bought him. He looked so handsome in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. His dreadlocks were pulled back into a low ponytail and his facial hair was now neat and kempt. I thought Laurel would trip over her own tongue. “You okay Laurel?” He asked.

  “Oh, yeah. I’m fine,” she said.

  “She has a crush on you,” I blurted. She looked at me with big hazel eyes and slapped my arm with a pillow.

  “I do not, Mr. Trevor. I swear, Camilla’s playing.” Her eyes raked over him and I gagged.

  “Okay, that’s enough,” he laughed.

  “Daddy, can you put Chloe down for her nap?” I asked. I knew he wouldn’t mind at all. “Just read her a story and give her a kiss. She’ll go right down.,” I explained. He hoisted Chloe up on his broad shoulders and sang to her as he carried her back to her room. I felt warm all over watching them. She was in heaven too, it’s like she’d missed him and she didn’t even know.

  “You’re a bitch.” Laurel hissed once Dad was in Chloe’s room. My head swiveled around to face her. “Why did you tell your dad that?”

  “Because it’s true Laurel I see the way you’re lusting over him. It’s disgusting by the way.”

  “Am I openly lusting?” She asked with her hand pressed against her chest.

  “Um yes bitch, you are. Cut it out before Christina beats your ass,” I joked. Laurel rolled her eyes and folded her arms.

  “I forgot all about that shit. Is she coming for Chloe’s party?”

  “Of course,” I frowned. “It’s her niece’s first birthday.” Laurel made a noise and crossed her legs. I didn’t push her any further, but a part of me wanted to pry with questions. Laurel’s legs uncrossed as soon as my father walked out and closed Chloe’s door behind him.

  “Okay, first duty as a grandpa and I think I passed. Baby girl is out like a light.” He ran his hand over his hair and looked at me. “You wouldn’t happen to know any shops that twist dreadlocks would you?” I chewed on my bottom lip and thought about it.

  “I know how to twist dreadlocks!” Laurel chirped. “Nearly everyone on campus has them. I learned freshman year when I had to become my roommate’s personal loctician.” She rolled her eyes at the memory and walked over to my dad. Her slender fingers began fingering his long dreadlocks expertly. Who knew Laurel had so many hidden fucking talents?

  I saw her giggling every time he cracked a corny joke and pushing him playfully when he teased her. I just rubbed my temples in circles because I already knew what the fuck was coming. After being locked up for more than a year, whoever throws pussy at you first, wins.

  “So, we can run to the store and get some stuff and I can twist your hair.” Laurel grinned.

  “I’ll call Alexander and we can figure out dinner.” I frowned as I watched my father and best friend leave for the store. Neither of them responded back to me. I started rubbing my temples again. Those fucking assholes.

  **

  I looked nervously between Alexander and Dad as they shook hands and looked eye to eye. They were the exact same height but since being locked up Dad had gained much more muscle.

  “Nice to finally meet you Mr. White. Camilla has talked so much about you.” Alexander smiled and my heart fluttered a bit. He was so damn handsome.

  “Nice to meet you too son. So you’re with my daughter?” He wasted no time whatsoever. I cleared my throat and tried to fuss at him using only my eyes. Alexander didn’t miss a beat though.

  “Yes sir.” He said with a nod and another smile.

  “You’re Manny’s little brother, right?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Look, I don’t know what you and Camilla’s relationship is like but I’m gonna tell you this; my daughter has been through a lot of shit and she’s not an easy pill to swallow, I know that. But if you hurt her, Doc…if you send her running back to Manny for any reason you’re gonna hear from me.” The intensity in his eyes made them look like deep jade rather than their usual emerald. Alexander held Dad’s gaze and then he looked over at me.

  “I’ll take care of her. I care about her a lot and my main focus is getting her to stand on her own without Manny, Xavier, or even me. I’m not out to hurt her.” He brought my hand up to his lips and kissed it. Dad smiled a little and nodded.

  “Okay, you two are alright by me. Hell, you got her away from Manny so you’re okay in my book.” He went back to Laurel so she could finish his hair, which she was enjoying too muc
h by the way.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Trevor

  Being home with Camilla and Chloe was like a dream come true. I wanted to hold on to Chloe and never let go, not even for a second. She looked exactly like Camilla when she was a baby, only with dimples. It was like I’d gotten a piece of my life back after seeing Chloe. How Xavier could fuck something like that up was beyond me. I’d do anything to see that beautiful face every day, and the way she said Grandpa just made me want to give her the world.

  I’ll admit I was a little blindsided by Camilla and Alexander but I got a good feeling from the boy that he wasn’t exactly like his brother. How he was still alive after snatching Camilla right from under Manny’s nose was beyond me but my daughter must have a strong hold on him is all I can gather.

  I felt happiness in places that I thought had died off when I was in prison as I listened to Camilla laughing in the kitchen with her boyfriend. Laurel seemed to be pretty damn good at doing my hair too, she was moving along quite nicely.

  I tried to ignore the subtle hints she was tossing my way while we were out shopping. She’d run her hand over mine or try to reach something on a high shelf so I could reach it from behind her. I tried not to even make contact with the girl, but she was persistent. On the ride back to Camilla’s she kept stealing glances at me as I drove her car.

  I finally asked what she was looking at. She blushed and shook her head. In the driveway, she hugged me for absolutely no reason other than saying she was happy I was home. I smiled and thanked her, that was it. Now here I was sitting on the floor between her thighs while she palm rolled my dreadlocks. I hated that I even had to sleep under the same roof as her because I knew very well once Camilla and Chloe went to bed that she would get a little bolder.

  “Okay, I’m done.” Laurel sighed and stood to her feet, I did the same, towering over her. She looked up into my eyes and smiled. “You wanna go see?” She asked. I was already on my way to the large mirror that hung in Camilla’s dining room. I knew better than to go into a bedroom to look over my hair. Not with the way Laurel was sniffing around.

  I swear the girl used to be scared of her own shadow, now she was throwing herself at me like a grown ass woman. She wasn’t bold like Chris was though. Laurel was subtle but I still could smell it from a mile away.

  “What do you think?” She asked. I was honestly impressed. She managed to twist my thick hair in about an hour with no clips.

  “Good work Miss Laurel.” I smiled and nudged her with my arm.

  “Thanks. You can let it air dry tonight and it’ll be fine.” She explained, touching my dreadlocks gently. “I take tips you know?” She grinned playfully and I just shook my head.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yup.” She rocked back and forth on her feet then walked away making sure she switched her hips so that I noticed her round ass, which I did. She didn’t have all of that when I left.

  “Dad.” I heard Camilla’s voice coming from the kitchen and she was giving me the look of death. I broke into a guilty smile and held my hands up. Looking wasn’t touching. I didn’t plan on touching Laurel at all but I’d be fucking crazy if I didn’t sneak a peek. Camilla walked over to me with her hands on her hips. I frowned at the outfit she’d changed into: a pair of black and white leggings and a t-shirt that showed her tummy. Before she could fuss at me for looking at Laurel’s ass I fussed at her for what she had on. “Camilla, I know you’re grown and all but come on.” I gestured to her clothes and she smacked her lips together. Becoming a mother had made her fill out significantly and I didn’t care if Alexander was her boyfriend or not, I didn’t want him openly gawking at her while I was around.

  “Um, you realize Laurel has on the exact same thing? We’re literally just wearing different colors of the same outfit.” She frowned. I looked over my shoulder at Laurel who was bending over putting all the hair stuff in a bag. “Dad!” Camilla hissed and slapped my arm.

  “What? Shit, I’ve been locked up for a while. Let me look.” I said in a low voice.

  “You’re being a perv. I’m not changing clothes as long as you’re ogling Laurel.” She spoke in hushed tones with her arms folded tightly across her chest.

  “I’m hardly ogling the girl. You just pointed out yall were wearing the same thing.” She rolled her eyes and hit me again.

  “Dad, I swear to god if you fuck my friend I’m fucking Alexander right on the guest bed.” I shoved my fingers in my ears and shook my head. I was getting visuals that I didn’t want to see.

  “Nobody is fucking anybody,” I whispered. “Calm down. Jesus. Go put on another shirt Camilla. One that covers your ass.” She stomped down the hall to her room and I laughed a little. Even with her being annoyed, she still listened to me.

  I couldn’t believe I had to be away from all this for so long. My daughter and my granddaughter were both growing up. Camilla seemed like a totally different woman than she was when I went in. She was so much calmer but she’d also turned out to be much more calculating too.

  My mind flashed to what she wanted to do after Chloe’s party and my muscles tensed. I knew Camilla could be cold and brutal when need be but when it came to her family she was worse than even Manny. I figured that she was the reason I was only jailed and not killed, just like Alexander was alive merely because of her.

  I may have hated to see Manny and Camilla together but dammit if they didn’t fit like hand in fucking glove. She’d once told me that they were two halves of a fucked up whole and after listening to her spin her web, I agreed.

  “Mr. Trevor, put this on.” Laurel handed me the du-rag we’d bought from the store to preserve my re-twist. I pulled myself from my own thoughts and tied it around my head.

  “You can call me Trevor, Laurel.” I told her. She giggled a little and nodded her head.

  “I just hate being disrespectful.” Her southern twang was always cute to me, she sounded like a true Texan.

  “Don’t worry about it. You’re grown now, right?”

  “Yup, I’ll be 21 in another month,” I nodded slowly.

  “You’re a March baby, huh?”

  “Yeah, March 18th. When is your birthday?” She asked me with big eyes.

  “October 30th,” I responded with a smile. Laurel swallowed back and I could tell she was having the ultimate schoolgirl crush. I shook my head at her and wagged my finger back and forth. “Laurel, cut it out okay?”

  “What?” Her cheeks flushed and I hated that I had to call her out but I didn’t want her getting any ideas. I didn’t say anything else because Camilla was calling for us to come eat but I hoped I’d gotten my point across to Laurel with out many words.

  We all sat down and I kept Chloe right next to me in her highchair. I helped feed her and everything. I was head over heels with that little girl. She was going to be beyond spoiled with me around.

  “So you’re a doctor and you cook?” I asked Alexander. He gave me a polite smile and nodded his head.

  “I try. I mostly cook for Camilla and Chloe though,” he told me. The more he talked the more he was alright with me. He was making sure my girls ate and had fun and most importantly he wanted the best for my daughter.

  After dinner we all watched a movie and I noticed Camilla curling up in Alexander’s arms. She looked happy for once. Not like she was on the verge of ripping his clothes off or under his mind control, but just genuinely happy.

  That’s all I ever wanted for her. Alexander was the perfect gentleman the entire time too, her kept his hands to himself and even told Camilla he didn’t want to stay the night with me in the house. He said it was rude. I was completely in his corner after that.

  It’s rare to find a young person with old school manners. If that were Xavier I’m sure I would have heard sounds coming from Camilla’s room that would make me cringe because he would have no problem staying the night.

  Camilla pouted big time once he left. I’m talking a full-blown tantrum. She told Laurel and I goodnight and s
he went to her room.

  “Guess I’m going to bed too.” I yawned and stood up. Laurel barely looked at me after I’d put her on the spot earlier. Maybe it was for the best though. “See you in the morning, Laurel.”

  “Okay goodnight, Trevor.”

  I made my way to Camilla’s guest room and clicked the TV on. News of my acquittal was still everywhere. I changed the channel and found a movie to watch instead. I was thankful that no cameras were around for my release. Knowing Manny though, he’d set up a press conference. That’s probably what he wanted to talk to me about.

  I heard the shower running across the hall and the steady drum of the water helped me to fall fast asleep. I wasn’t sleeping for long though, because a beam of light woke me up. I shielded my eyes until they refocused. Laurel was standing in my doorway letting the light from the hall pierce the darkness of my room.

  “Everything okay?” I asked her.

  “Yeah, I just can’t sleep. I heard your TV on, can I hang out with you for a while?” Before I could say no, she walked in and shut the door behind her. I sighed and slid over in bed.

  “Come on,” I grumbled. I knew what the fuck she was trying but I was too worn out to fight it. Hell, she might get what she was looking for tonight. As soon as she climbed in beside me, I smelled soap and shampoo. Her long hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun and she was only wearing a t-shirt and panties with no bra. Fucking Christ.

  “Laurel, stay on top of the blankets.” I warned her.

  “I’m cold though,” she pouted. I looked at her for a while and shook my head.

  “Okay. You get under and I’ll lay on top of the blankets.” She took my offer and I laid there freezing my ass off just as we wouldn’t be under the same blanket. It would be a wrap if we were. I knew that. I let her flip through the channels and I closed my eyes. Maybe if I pretended to be asleep she would give up and leave.

  “You’re gonna go to sleep on me?” She frowned.

  “Yes. You think you’re slick Laurel,” I chuckled. She gave me those innocent eyes and I knew she was full of shit. It was cute though.