Last Bitch Standing

by Deja King

  "You see soldier potential in me?"

  "I see something... what, only time will tell. That's why I want you to stay so I can observe you, watch how you move."

  "What if I don't have any interest in being your soldier?"

  "If that was the case, you wouldn't have stuck around but you're still here."

  "I'll tell you what, I'll stay but only if you promise we don't have to go back to that awful motel."

  "You don't have to worry about that. Trust me, it was harder on me than it could ever be on you. Living extremely comfortable is all I know" Shit menthe fucker, one too. But Arnez didn't need to know all that. If a hustler knows a woman is accustomed to the good life the first thing they want to know is how and who got you like that. I never forgot Mike taught me that. He said it was their way of knowing how many times you'd been around the block or if you were fresh meat. Most top-notch hustlers preferred fresh meat and if you had been broken in, anything more than twice was considered damaged goods. They could still fuck around with you but wife you was a no go.

  "That's good to hear but I still need to get my stuff from the hotel."

  "When are you due to check out?"

  "Monday."

  "That gives us two more days."

  "What about clothes? I'm ready to burn this red dress."

  "Don't do that, it looks good on you."

  "Really, I didn't' think you noticed."

  "I'm a man aren't I, of course I noticed."

  "Well, thank you but I'm ready to take this shit off."

  "I understand. I'm ready to take these clothes off too. Wearing the same thing two days in a row isn't cool. We're almost in Jersey. When we get there we'll stop at the mall, get a couple of things and then find a hotel. Does that sound like a plan?"

  "Yep, sounds like a very good plan to me."

  It was amazing what some shopping could do for a bitch. After hitting up The Mall at Short Hills, I felt like I was gettin' my sexy back. I went from feeling like the broke-down ho Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, when she was strolling Rodeo Drive trying to spend up all of Richard Gere's money but nobody would give her play. To the new and improved hooker after Mr. Gere personally accompanied Julia on a shopping spree and everybody kissed her ass. Yep, this was exactly what I needed particularly since Supreme had been treating me like some washed up pussy he was done fucking with for the last couple months. Although Arnez hadn't made any sort of sexual advances towards me, being treated to an afternoon of shopping instead of the on-call babysitter had me feeling like a young, desirable woman again.

  So when we went to check in to our hotel and Arnez was going to get us separate rooms, I shut that shit down.

  "Two suites please."

  "Arnez, you don't have to get me a suite."

  "I know, but I want to. If I'm gonna be staying in a suite then you should too. I told you, I like only the best."

  "I understand that and I appreciate it but what I mean is that, I don't want my own suite. I want to stay with you."

  "You know you don't have to do this. Because I took you shopping doesn't mean I expect sex from you. Trust me, it's not that serious."

  "I don't do anything I don't want to do."

  Arnez gave me the most alluring smile and then said to the lady working behind the front desk, "That'll be one suite."

  When Arnez closed the door to our hotel room, my tongue was down his throat before he could even put down the key. I was craving for a touch of a man and some dick. I thought Arnez was the perfect fit. His strong arms cupped my ass and lifted me up off the floor, carrying me over to the king sized bed. I tugged at his shirt and pants simultaneously feeling like a dog in heat. I kissed, licked and bit on his neck and chest. The faint scents of his cologne still lingering in his skin making me crave him that much more.

  "Damn baby, you want the dick like that," Arnez whispered in my ear.

  "Yes, yes baby, I do," I purred back. So when Arnez finally entered me, I welcomed the warmth as my walls surrounded his thickness. He rocked inside of me taking it deep and then pulling back to the very tip so I could beg for the dick to be back inside. Arnez was no doubt skilled in the technique of fucking because although I knew he had absolutely no love for me, that nigga worked his tool like I was the only woman in the world for him, so at that moment I did feel like we were in love.

  "Precious, I don't want you to worry. I already got the private investigator on it to follow up on some other leads and CoCo is..."

  "Nico, stop."

  "Stop, I know you don't want to give up because we can't!"

  "It's not that."

  "Then what?"

  "I know where Supreme and Maya are." Nico slammed down on his brakes so hard it caused my body to jerk forward then back. Luckily we were on an isolated back street and no other vehicles were behind us or shit would've been ugly.

  "What the fuck are you talking `bout and when did you get that information and why are you just now telling me?"

  "If you would slow down with all the questions I'll tell you!"

  "I'm listening." Nico parked the car on the corner block and stared at me still gripping the steering wheel.

  "When you were in the warehouse talking to CoCo, Genesis told me."

  "What! Come the fuck again!"

  "I told you he knew much more than what he was letting on but right now that's not important. What is important is that he gave me the address to where Supreme and Aaliyah are living. They're actually in Miami."

  "Miami, wow... Miami," Nico repeated as if digesting what I told him.

  "I can't believe after all this time we've found them ...I mean Genesis found them."

  "Nico, you deserve a lot of credit too. I didn't even want to come to fuckin' Philly! I wanted to stay in Atlanta, so if we hadn't come here we would've never had met Genesis to get the information. Everything happens for a reason."

  "Precious, you don't have to try and stroke my ego. I'm happy you finally found your family. I don't care who gave you the information."

  "It's not about stroking your ego. I want you to know how appreciative I am for riding this shit out with me. I know I've been a real pain but you stuck it out and I know you would've went to the end of the world with me if need be and I love you for that."

  "So when are you going to Miami?"

  "I'm taking the first flight out in the morning."

  "Do you need me to come with you?"

  "Under the circumstances, I don't think that would be a good idea."

  "You're right. I guess after being with you every day for the last few months has made it hard for me to want to let you go. But then again, why lie to myself. I'll never be able to let you go."

  "But how selfish am I because I don't want you to be able to let me go." In my heart I didn't. I was married to another man and I loved Supreme more than anything but I loved Nico too. And although I had found happiness with another man I didn't want Nico to find that same happiness with another woman. He had been my crutch for so long that to accept anything differently wasn't an option for me. But I had to let go, because Nico was my past and Supreme was my future.

  "Thank you for taking me to the airport."

  "I had to make sure you got on the airplane safely. I wouldn't be able to ease my mind if I didn't."

  "So what are you gonna do now?"

  "I'ma stay in Philly a few more days. I have a lot of business to discuss with CoCo and Genesis. We're going to try and collaborate on some shit."

  "I think that's a good idea. Even though I was right about Genesis knowing more than what he was telling me, I think you was right about him too. He's a decent dude. I have no doubt the three of you can make a shit load of money together." Nico and I both smiled at the same time. "I really do love you." I knew I shouldn't have said that but I couldn't help myself.

  "I know and I love you too. But you're right, you belong with Supreme." I nodded my head in agreement.

  "But listen, you need to catch your flight. We've come t
oo far for you to miss it. And listen, no worries I'll still find Maya. The evidence we have against her is safely put away and I promise she'll never be able to hurt you and your family again."

  "Okay. I'll call you when I get to Miami. Wish me luck!"

  "You don't need it," Nico grinned before kissing me on my forehead and walking off. To watch him leave brought a deep sadness in my heart. Part of me hated that I loved him so much but the other part wouldn't want to change that for nothing in the world. I took a deep breath ready for the next chapter in my life... going home to my family.

  When my flight landed at the Miami International Airport my emotions were mixed. I would be able to hold my daughter after being away from her for so long but I was scared about the reception I would receive from Supreme. I wasn't expecting him to welcome me with open arms but I hoped that he would at least hear me out, I deserved that-we deserved that. During my taxi ride, I continued to think of different scenarios of how it would all play out and I had to admit, my nerves were getting the best of me.

  Are we almost there?" I asked realizing we had now entered a residential area with elegant mansions and riverfront estates situated on high bluffs overlooking pools and terraced grounds.

  "Yes only a few more minutes," the taxi driver informed me. He continued to drive and when he started to slow down and look around I knew we were getting near. "We're here," he said, making a right into a driveway with open gates. I saw a fuchsia Ferrari parked in the circular entrance and I hoped that meant Supreme was home.

  "Beautiful home... here take my card. Call if you ever need a ride." I reluctantly took his card but hoping never to need his services again. I grabbed the one bag I had and stepped out the taxi. It took me a couple of seconds to close the door as I stood staring at the entrance until finally slamming it shut ready to face my fears.

  It felt like I was moving in slow motion as I made my way to the front door. I swallowed hard before ringing the doorbell. It was like deja vu from when I rang the doorbell at our home in Beverly Hills and my world was shattered when I realized I had returned to nothing. That couldn't happen to me again. I wouldn't be able to handle it. Not getting an answer, I rang the doorbell again and pounded on the door no longer afraid but determined. As the door opened I stepped forward and when my eyes met with Supreme's a natural reflex kicked in. I dropped my bag on the front step and wrapped my arms around his neck pulling his mouth to mine. His lips and tongue gave into mine and for a few minutes the passion the connection was strong. Our love was intact as if we had never been apart. Then the fantasy vanished and reality was ready to kick my ass.

  "It would be nothing for me to kill you right now!" Supreme roared, wrapping his hands around my neck and slamming me against the wall in the foyer. I was trying to speak but he was choking me and I wasn't even able to gasp for air. He was doing all this with the front door still wide open, not giving a fuck who witnessed it. I quickly began feeling light headed as his grip became tighter. It was like Supreme was trying to break my neck off. The bulging of my eyes must've made him realize the severity of his actions because right when I thought it was about to be lights out, he released me from his clutch as my body hit the cold marble floor.

  As if an afterthought, Supreme slammed the door shut and walked right over me leaving me right where I was. I was gasping for air trying to figure out how I went to passionately kissing my husband to laying on the floor grateful to be alive. I watched as Supreme disappeared into what appeared from where I was positioned to be the living room. While getting my bearings together I thought about how quiet the house was and wondered where Aaliyah was and would she remember me.

  I got my strength together and headed in the direction I saw Supreme go. He was sitting on the couch having a drink. He had to know it was too early in the morning for that shit but clearly he didn't give a fuck. But after almost killing your wife, I supposed he would need to drink something powerful. I too needed a drink, I went over to the bar and poured myself a glass of water.

  "Where's Aaliyah?"

  "Did you really think you could come here and I would just fuckin' greet you wit' open arms," he barked ignoring my question. "Do you even know how much I hate you!" he screamed throwing his half filled glass of liquor as it shattered against the fireplace.

  "Please hear me out. If you would listen to me, you'll realize we've both been taken on a fuckin' rollercoaster ride."I was trying to remain calm because one of us had to if we were going to make any progress. If both of our tempers were flaring the dark place we were already in would only go deeper.

  "What. .listen to your lies and try to dig yourself out the hole you dug! Get the fuck outta here! I would rather you tell me the truth so I can fuckin' hate you for the rest of my life!"

  "Oh you want to hate me... how `bout I want to hate you too for not believing in our love and that I would never abandon you and Aaliyah! Or how `bout I want to hate you for fuckin' Maya! But as much as I want to hate you I can't because I fuckin' love you too much!"

  "How do you know about me and Maya?" that was the first question Supreme asked me in a normal tone instead screaming and yelling.

  "She told me."

  "When did you talk to Maya?"

  "When she had me chained up, held hostage in the house with Mike."

  "What?" Supreme stood up pacing back and forth for a moment and raising his arms in confusion. "I don't understand," he continued pressing his fingers against his temples.

  "Let me help clear it up for you. Maya played me for months, hell it might've been years ...I don't know. What I do know is after Mike got locked up for rapping me she plotted with him to break him out of jail, have it appear like Clip was the one behind everything so she could get rid of me and have you and my life for herself."

  "This don't even sound plausible. It sounds like some outlandish made-for-TV movie. Is this the best lie you could come up with to excuse you leaving your family to run off with Nico!"

  "Look at me!" Now screaming running up on Supreme. "Look at me!" I screamed louder, grabbing his arm turning him to face me. "Look at me!" I bolted again, now at the top of my lungs pointing my fingers towards my eyes, emphasizing my face. "I would never leave you or Aaliyah for Nico or any other man! You look at me and tell me you don't believe me because I know in your heart you do. That day I thought you died in my arms I didn't want to live anymore."

  "It didn't stop you from fuckin' Nico when you thought my body was still cold."

  I put my head down in shame for a moment because I did regret Supreme ever found out about that. "I thought you were dead. I know that doesn't change the pain you feel for finding that out but I was completely lost without you and I needed to feel connected to somebody."

  "So the man who left you for dead and killed our unborn child was the person who was able to do that for you.

  "Supreme, don't do this. There is nothing I could ever say that would make my relationship with Nico sound sane."

  "Because it isn't sane! The shit is sick!"

  "That could very well be true but it doesn't change the fact that I chose you. Nico was never an option, it was always you."

  "What about the letter. You wrote that."

  "Maya forced me to. She threatened to harm Aaliyah if I didn't. If you only knew the torture I went through behind that conniving bitch!"

  "How was Maya able to pull all this shit off by herself?"

  "She had help. For one, Devon."

  "Devon McNeil the bodyguard that worked for me?"

  "Yes that Devon."

  "What! This is getting more bizarre by the minute."

  "Well get ready for this ... it was Maya who killed Mike."

  "Her brother... Maya killed her own brother?"

  "Yes, Mike wanted to let me live and help me get Aaliyah and of course Maya couldn't let that happen. She was using our daughter to get close to you. I forgive you, Supreme. I need for you to know that. I forgive you for unwillingly being a part of her manipulation and ultimat
ely giving into temptation by having sex with her." He turned towards me and then looked away. "Devon held me as Maya beat me unmercifully, leaving me for dead before she burned the house down."

  As if Supreme couldn't stand to hear anymore he collapsed on the couch and buried his face in his hands. But I refused to let up. If I wanted my husband back, which I did, he needed to believe every word I was sayingI couldn't leave a doubt in his mind that my story was nothing short of a hundred percent truth.

  "When I was being held captive, Maya ripped off the pink diamond necklace you gave me. I guarantee you somewhere in this house with her belongings she has it. That necklace represented a symbol to her that she ripped us apart and that she won." Supreme lifted his head up and stared at me and for the first time I could see regret as his eyes watered up.

  "How can you ever forgive me? I want to say sorry but it sounds like such a baby word right now. I was sleeping with the enemy all that time. I let her take care of our daughter." Misery flooded Supreme's face and my heart broke for him. I knew I could forgive him but the real question was would Supreme be able to forgive himself.

  Being with Arnez for the last few days gave me a different view on my relationship with Supreme or lack thereof. When Arnez was inside of me I could feel how much he wanted me and desired my body. With Supreme it always felt as if there was someplace he'd rather be or better yet someone else he would rather be with. I wasn't ignorant to the fact his preference was Precious but I had convinced myself if I put it on him just right his wife would eventually become an afterthought. With all the time and energy I put into making Supreme mine I wasn't ready to abandon my plan just yet. While Arnez was out, I decided to call him and see if my absence had made him miss me at all.

  I rocked my leg back and forth sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for Supreme to answer the phone.

  "Hello." When a female voice answered his phone I instantly hit the end key. I waited a few seconds and called right back thinking maybe I dialed the wrong number but the same voice answered and I didn't want to believe it was who it sounded like.