Twisted Revenge

by Danielle James

  “Stop.” He said softly. He turned his head and he looked down again. “I’m not a good guy, Camilla. But I know you still love me. I don’t deserve it, but I know you do.”

  “You don’t deserve it. Look at what you did,” I said.

  “I know!” He grumbled loudly. “I did what needed to be done though, like it or not. Right or fucking wrong. Trevor isn’t dead and he isn’t hurt. I kept my promise.”

  “You did Emmanuel but at what fucking expense? Did you have to make such a grand show? You couldn’t have just beat his ass and sent him home licking his wounds?”

  “Two birds. One stone.” He remarked coldly.

  “Just like that, huh?”

  “Yeah.” He finally looked me in the eye. “I can get you in to see him soon, but only after shit dies down. Okay?” I perked up a bit and nodded my head excitedly. “Only rule I have is that I talk to him first.” He told me seriously. I nodded my head in agreement.

  “Okay,” I said somberly.

  “Come back over here, please.” His voice was just above a whisper, but I heard him and I went. “I love you, Camilla.” He spoke softly and I felt vulnerability coming from him. I cradled his head against my stomach and he clutched at me hungrily. His giant hands wrapping themselves around my waist. He didn’t want my body. He grabbed at me like I was the very air he needed to breathe.

  “I love you too, Emmanuel,” I said with my eyes closed.

  “I’m gonna need you a lot in these next few weeks,” he told me.

  “What do you want me to do?” I asked him.

  “Keep everyone calm. Your sister and Xavier especially.” I frowned at the mention of Xavier.

  “Why Xavier?” I quizzed.

  “He’s on edge. I can sense it. He can’t stand to look at me right now. He’ll get over it but in order for everything to go smoothly, he needs to be calm. So you need to go to him during this time. Not me.”

  “I wanted to go with him anyway.” I sat on Emmanuel’s lap.

  “I know, but everyone knows exactly where you’ll end up. I’m telling you to go with Xavier.”

  “Okay.”

  “Chris is emotional right now keep her soothed,” he said. I tucked my legs up and rested my head on his shoulders.

  “What about Uncle Rashad?” I asked. My mouth stretched open into a yawn.

  “He’s fine,” he said quickly. “Let’s go to bed, alright?” I wasn’t objecting. Emmanuel led me to his room, the room he used to share with Dana. We laid down beside each other without sex, without questions, without words.

  I wasn’t sure if I should be repulsed by how quickly I adapted to Emmanuel’s newer, darker side. What did that really say about me? Before my mind could formulate an answer I hopped up and ran to the bathroom to throw up…again.

  I couldn’t wait for everything to be over. I was a bundle of nerves. Yet the one person I should have been terrified of and disgusted by, I wasn’t. I laid in his bed until my thoughts deteriorated. When I felt Emmanuel’s arm pull me against his solid body I snuggled in deeper to him and fell asleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Emmanuel

  It was still dark when I woke up from my sleep to get ready for the press conference. I looked over at Camilla and thought of how many times I’d be willing to kill just to have her in my bed every night like this. One of the few things that tore me up inside was having to push her to be with Xavier.

  I mean after everything that I did to the girl she still loved me with an unwavering strength. It only served to make my feelings that much deeper. She always said we were two halves of a fucked up whole. In a different life Camilla would’ve been my wife. Now life is just one twisted fucked up event after another and I’m the one pulling the strings for it all.

  In the darkness of my bathroom I washed my face and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked no different after having orchestrated my wife’s murder and setting up a former friend. A small surge of excitement rippled through me. I was going to get away with all of it too. I let a smile slither across my face. When everything happened I felt a pang of guilt but now I felt damn near untouchable.

  On the sink, my phone lit up illuminating the bathroom. I closed the door so the light wouldn’t wake Camilla before I answered. “Who’s this?” I frowned.

  “Emmanuel Scott?”

  “Speaking.”

  “Dempsey Dunham. Don’t hold that press conference without meeting with me first.” His words moved fast but I understood him. I tossed the idea around in my head and let out a breath.

  “Mr. Dunham, don’t ever call my phone handing out orders.”

  “Ah, my apologies Mr. Scott. Look, if you meet with me before you go out there and talk to the public I could change the entire course of things for you.” I sat on the edge of the large garden tub and rubbed my palm over my face.

  “Okay, Mr. Dunham. You’ve piqued my interest. Meet me at my house in 15 minutes or we don’t meet at all.”

  “Yes sir,” He said. I ended the call and got in the shower. I wished Camilla was awake because God knows I needed to bury myself inside of her before taking on the world as a grieving husband and father. She seemed really out of it though so I let her sleep. Once I was dressed, I leaned over and kissed her cheek. She stirred a little but settled back into slumber.

  Dempsey arrived in 13 minutes.

  He wore a suit even at 4 in the morning. He set down two cups of black coffee and smiled at me. “Good morning sir,” he said.

  We sat in my kitchen where hours ago I briefed those closest to me on how to handle the media regarding Dana’s murder.

  “Good morning, Dempsey. Thanks for the coffee, man.”

  “Nah, not a problem.” He waved it off and sat across from me. His eyes were gray, matching his thinning hair. He had to be about 60.

  “My condolences to your family. That was just awful hearing about Mrs. Scott.” His face frowned but there was a hint of a smile in his eyes. I leaned back and examined him carefully.

  “But?” I said pressing to find out why his eyes smiled.

  “Oh, um…” He sipped his coffee. “No but, just I think this press conference would be a prime time to catapult yourself into the political arena and hint at a mayoral campaign for the upcoming elections.” He moved to the edge of his seat and continued at a hurried pace. “There’s just barely enough time to begin a campaign. But with your financial advantages and your popularity, we could erect a strong campaign in a matter of weeks and have a pretty damn good chance at winning, making you Mayor of Miami.” His gray eyes glittered with opportunity. I remained stone-faced as I considered what he was saying.

  Narrowing my eyes I leaned in, “Mr. Dunham are you telling me that in the event of my wife’s brutal fucking murder that I should think of myself and start a goddamn campaign to be mayor?” I watched Dempsey closely and he barely blinked as he listened to me.

  “Yes. That’s what I’m telling you. Look, I know how it sounds and I’m sorry about your wife too believe me I am but an opportunity is an opportunity. The public’s sympathy for you and your family is at its peak. You need to act now.”

  “So now,” I stood to my feet for effect. “I should play on the public’s genuine sympathy for me and my family? Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “No. I’m not,” he replied simply. We stared at each other for a few minutes before I broke out into a smile and extended my hand to him.

  “Dempsey Dunham, I’d love to work with you.” We both broke out into laughter.

  “Oh man, you have no idea. You scared me for a minute there. I’m a pretty good judge of character and I saw something in you at that rally. I saw how you played the fuck out of every person in there and I just thought: this guy has to run for office,” he said shaking his head. “You’ve got a gift, Emmanuel.”

  “Call me Manny,” I told him.

  “Well Manny, I know it sounds callous but your wife’s death is a monumental opportunity. We need to strike now. I’ve
advised everyone from representatives, to senators, mayors, even presidents. I’ve seen a lot of screwed up shit so I don’t have a lot of feelings left. You’ll have to excuse me when I come across as cold.” I cracked a wide smile and laughed again.

  “Dempsey my man, you haven’t seen cold yet.”

  “I see it in you.” He told me seriously. “I can look in your eyes and tell you’ve got no fear. I like that. I won’t work with bleeding hearts.”

  “Well then we’ve got no problems.,” I replied with a nod.

  “I didn’t think we would. Hey, you got a bathroom I could use? Coffee is running right through me.” He stood and I pointed him towards the guest bathroom. My mind was running wild with thoughts of being mayor and all the connections that came with it. I was laying out all kinds of plans for a campaign. A campaign fueled by public sorrow and outrage at such a senseless murder of such a good wife and mother.

  “Hey, Emmanuel.” I turned my head upon hearing Camilla’s voice. I went over to her and rubbed her back. “What’s going on?” She asked me, laying her head on my chest.

  “Go back to bed sweetheart. I’ll be back up there in a minute.” I kissed her quickly and she nodded, sleep still clinging to her.

  “Holy shit, she’s a looker.” Dempsey chuckled as he walked back in the kitchen.

  “Who the fuck are you?” She snapped with a frown. Dempsey held his hands in the air and grinned at her.

  “She’s got spunk. I like her. Give her a baby.” He winked. I shut my eyes and sent Camilla upstairs before dealing with Mr. Dunham who evidently had a crazy ass mouth.

  “Dempsey, you’re gonna have to watch your mouth around me and…”

  “Your lady?” He quizzed.

  “Not my lady,” I said quietly. “She’s…”

  “Camilla Nicole White, formally Camilla Nicole Scott. She only changed her driver’s license though. Smart girl. Graduated with a 4.00 from Trinity Prep and is currently employed by New Grace Ministries as Head of Media Relations. I know who she is. I’ve done my research, Manny.” I clapped my hands together slowly and nodded.

  “So tell me, since you know all that. What do you think you just saw happen here?” I asked him. It was clear this motherfucker was sharp as a tack, but if he was going to be anywhere near my team he needed to understand some things.

  Dempsey looked at me unflinching and said, “You’re screwing your step-daughter. But hey, I mean she is…” I shot him a warning glance and he held his hands up. “I get it.” He said watching his mouth very carefully.

  “Dempsey, let me tell you something, I’m very protective over my family and I also don’t take well to reckless talking or plots against me. If you want us to work together, you need to one: watch your fucking mouth about Camilla and two: don’t ever try to expose my shit. I do what I need to do in order to ensure everything goes smoothly and in my favor, always.”

  “And that’s why I like you. You’ve got everything it takes to win Manny. I won’t do anything stupid.” He laughed, shaking his head. “I like my life.”

  “Good. Let’s make sure you keep it,” I said.

  “Absolutely. Look, let me get some things together and I’ll get them to you before you go to the press conference. It’s in five hours and thirteen minutes, right?” He looked at his watch.

  “Yeah, that’s exactly right.” I frowned. Dempsey had a knack for numbers. Definitely someone worth having on my team.

  “Okay. I’ll see you then.” Just like that Dempsey gathered his things and left.

  At 9 am sharp I stood on the steps of New Grace Ministries with Camilla and Christina at my side wiping tears. Boom mics, lights, and video cameras were aimed right at us. “I’d like to speak directly to everyone in the entire nation this morning,” I said earnestly while looking into one of the many cameras. “Yesterday my family and I suffered an unimaginable loss. My wife of 20 years was violently murdered while I was hosting a peace rally of all things. We are devastated.” I paused and raised my fist to my nose to appear tearful. “Dana’s death has sent shockwaves through the New Grace family, it’s sent shockwaves through the entire nation. My daughters are trying to cope right now and I am trying to pick up the pieces of my life that have been shattered in front of the entire world. We ask for your respect and privacy during our difficult time.”

  The media buzzed with camera clicks and finally, the questions rolled in. “Pastor Scott, information has come out that your wife’s alleged murderer is actually the biological father of your eldest daughter and the assistant pastor at New Grace. Is there any truth to that?”

  “We are working to obtain DNA results so that we’ll know for sure,” I responded.

  “If it is true, how will that make you feel?”

  “I’ll be hurt, I won’t lie but it’ll never change the love I have for my girls and it won’t change the fact that I loved my wife no matter her transgressions.”

  “Pastor Scott! Was your wife was having an ongoing affair with Mr. White?”

  “I’m not sure. If she was, I was completely in the dark about it. I’d like to focus on the fact that my wife was an amazing person and a dedicated mother and wife.”

  “Pastor Scott… I’d like to say I’m so sorry you and your family are experiencing this tragedy so publicly.”

  “Thank you for your concern,” I nodded.

  “Pastor Scott! After your speech last night many people are saying you should run for office, will you take advantage of the upcoming mayoral election?” I glanced into the crowd at Dempsey and he gave me the slightest nod. This question was coming straight from his media plant.

  I turned my smile on, concerned but dedicated, “Well, in the face of recent events I’ve begun feeling a pull towards serving my city. I’m not confirming but I’m ready to make a difference now and the upcoming election may just be the time for that. Thank you, everyone.” I nodded my head at the reporters and they clamored trying to push more questions my way but I was done. I put my arm around Camilla and another around Christina and led them inside of the church.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Camilla

  The day of Dana’s funeral was sunny and warm, all the things she never was. It had been five days since she got killed and all I could do was throw up and cry but it wasn’t because she was dead, it was because I didn’t know how my father was doing in jail.

  Dana’s death didn’t affect me in a soul-wrenching kind of way like it did with my sister. She was broken up over it. I looked at it as just another event in my life that I had to get past. I didn’t miss her. I didn’t even cry for her. I pitied her a little though because she never got to face her own self-hatred and deal with it.

  I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed. I was ready to get this media spectacle out of the damn way. “You look beautiful,” Xavier told me before kissing my collarbone. I put my arms around him and our lips melted into each other. “You ready to do this?” He asked, searching my eyes.

  “Yup.” I was more than ready. I let my eyes trace Xavier’s muscular frame and I admired the way his suit fit him perfectly. Okay…I was doing way more than admiring. I ran my hand down his broad back and let out a little sigh. He made my stomach do backflips just looking at him.

  “Camilla…” He said with an air of caution in his voice. All it took was one touch and he knew I had dirty things on my mind.

  “What?” I laughed.

  “Don’t start. We’re getting ready to go to your mother’s funeral.”

  “And?”

  “Do you have any emotions left inside of you?” He smirked at me.

  “Maybe, but I don’t think there’s any left in there for Dana.” I pressed my body against him and he looked down at me inquisitively. His strong hand groped my breasts through my dress and I let out a whimper. They were so sensitive but the sensation drove me crazy.

  “You need a bigger bra,” Xavier remarked.

  “You think so?” I looked down at my boobs and jiggled them, his
eyes watched hungrily. “Xavier, up here.” I snapped my fingers and his gaze jerked up to my eyes.

  “Yeah. The girls are looking lovely today.” He flashed me a smile and once I saw those goddamn dimples my panties got wet.

  “We have a little time right?” I quizzed with a smirk. I could already feel his dick pushing against his slacks. He looked around and then at his watch.

  “We have fifteen minutes before we have to be at Emmanuel’s.” He told me sternly. I lifted my dress slowly and Xavier’s eyes ate my thighs up. Before I could pull my soaking panties off he was coming out of his suit jacket and laying it across a chair in his room.

  “You’re always trying to get me in trouble.” He said before kissing me. I slipped my tongue into his mouth and we fell back onto the bed. Our mouths were warm and our tongues were exploring each other frantically. It was like we’d never fucked before.

  Xavier’s hand pushed between my thighs finding my throbbing clit. When I felt the pressure of his skilled fingers I moaned against his lips. “Shit,” he cursed as he slid two long fingers inside of me. “Your pussy is so wet.” He licked me from his fingers and went back for more. I wanted him to keep going but I also wanted to feel his dick inside of me. It felt like it had been ages since I’d been properly fucked. I was so turned on watching him taste my pussy from his fingers though that I didn’t complain. He behaved as if I were the sweetest juice on the planet.

  “I need to taste your sweet little cunt.” He growled from between my legs. I braced myself for his lips and tongue but it still didn’t prepare me for the friction and pressure.

  “Xavier!” I shouted. My back arched and I gripped the blankets in my fists. He nibbled on my inner thighs making me squirm around anxiously before he dove back into my pussy.

  “You taste so damn good,” he told me. “I want your fucking pussy all over my face.” He buried his tongue inside of me and I started to feel my legs shake. My wetness slipped down my thighs and I knew I’d have to change my dress afterward.