Twisted Forever

by Danielle James

“Exactly,” I sighed. “So please spare me the ass whooping. You already got enough hits in on me.” I had no idea why Emmanuel thought it was cute to have Chris look after me while he took the kids out for the day. I would have much preferred Cole. He had to work though. So did Xavier.

  “Were you really upset that Mason wasn’t Uncle Alex’s?”

  “Yes, Chris,” I said bitterly. “I don’t want to talk about this shit.” I huffed. I didn’t even want to hear Alexander’s name in any respect.

  After my minor psychotic moment when I beat Anais within an inch of her life, Alexander had her rushed to the hospital and they had her air lifted to another facility. She was beat pretty badly but still alive and I was in the police department giving a statement about how I found some intruder bitch in my home.

  The new chief of police Randall Mitchell made sure to smooth everything out for me on behalf of Emmanuel. Cole made some remark about how I was untouchable in the city of Miami and largely untouchable in the entire state of Florida.

  Emmanuel didn’t think it was nearly good enough though and contemplated running for Governor of Florida. Cole no longer thought his remark was funny once he realized he’d take Dempsey’s place with helping during the campaign.

  I spent the day with Chris talking to her about Emmanuel and I, and trying to be more understanding of her point of view. I was resigned to her always hating me just a little and it was fine. I told her I’d never black out on her again as long as she didn’t try to fuck Xavier anymore. We kinda shook on it.

  **

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “What the hell are you so happy for?” I asked Emmanuel as he drove me back home from my doctor’s appointment. He’d been grinning from ear to ear ever since the dressing for my hands came off. This time I’d probably have permanent scaring on my knuckles but I didn’t care.

  “I’m just glad that shit is off your hands now,” he told me.

  “I still have to be bandaged.” I frowned at the gauze wrapped around my knuckles.

  “But at least it’s not over your fingers anymore. That’s all I care about.” He looked at me and smiled again, rubbing my leg. “Let’s get home so we can rescue Cole from the kids.”

  “Oh please, they probably need us to rescue them. Knowing Cole he’s trying to teach Chloe how to sweep.”

  “How to sweep?” Emmanuel laughed a little.

  “You know how he’s always bitching about having to clean stuff up. He’s gonna train some helpers.” We both laughed as we pulled into the driveway.

  Emmanuel opened the car door and helped me stand up like I was incapacitated or something. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and walked with me up to the house. He was up to something. I could tell by how with each step he placed a kiss on the back of my neck.

  “Christina!” He shouted once we got in the house. She poked her head around the corner and looked at him. “Go get the box off my dresser. It’s time.” He stared at me and I frowned. What the fuck was going on? Emmanuel took me by the hand and led me into the kitchen.

  “Dad, Laurel, what the hell are you guys doing here?” I frowned harder. Cole walked into the kitchen with the little ones in tow including TJ just as the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it!” Christina called as she bounced down the steps. “Oh, hi.” I heard her say quietly.

  “What’s up?” Xavier’s voice was clear as day. “Am I late?” He smiled as he entered the kitchen, but I saw pain in his eyes. It made me sad but Emmanuel tugging on my arm pulled my attention away.

  “What’s going on guys?” I asked. My voice was shaky and I didn’t even know why.

  “Thank you for coming, Pretty Boy.” Emmanuel said in his ear. Xavier tried to hide the sadness in his eyes but he couldn’t. He just nodded and looked at me with a smile on his face. He mouthed the words I love you and I nodded my head.

  “Cami,” Emmanuel’s voice pulled my gaze to his. “I know our love isn’t conventional but everyone knows I don’t care. I’m not making the mistake of letting you go again. It hurt too much. So the only way to prevent that from happening is to make you my wife.” He knelt down and opened a small black box to reveal a glittering diamond ring.

  I couldn’t breathe. I could. Not. Breathe.

  Everyone in the kitchen clapped and awed but Xavier. I felt my heart sink a little for him.

  “Will you marry me, Camilla?” Emmanuel’s eyes shone so bright that it brought tears to my eyes. Tears that wouldn’t stop running no matter how hard I tried to speak through them. All I could do was nod.

  “I think that’s a yes. Get your old ass up before you need a new knee.” Cole said from the back of the kitchen. Emmanuel slid the ring over my finger and picked me up in his arms, spinning me around.

  “I love you.” He told me when our bodies were pressed together.

  “I love you too.” I said, finding my voice.

  “Go upstairs and get dressed.” He said quietly, setting me down on my feet.

  “Get dressed?” I frowned.

  “We’re doing this shit now. No more waiting.”

  Excitement gripped me. Just the thought of being his wife made me dizzy with happiness. Then all of a sudden it hit me why Xavier was there. I walked upstairs on wobbly knees but paused halfway up.

  “Can I talk to Xavier?” I asked with a thick knot in my throat. Emmanuel was so overcome with joy that he shoved Xavier up to follow me.

  Once we were alone in the bedroom he let a pent up breath out. “This shit is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, Camilla.” He told me with emotion in his voice.

  “I know.” I cried a little and hugged him tight. “I love you so much Xavier. I’ll always love you. You were my first love.”

  “Honestly you were mine too.” He touched my hair, then my face and my tears rolled faster. “But you gave me Chloe, so I’m happy. I didn’t deserve you anyway. I kept fucking up.” I nodded my head in response. “Emmanuel is good for you.”

  “Yeah,” I sniffled.

  “I’m torn up though…I can’t lie. I always knew it would be me and you.” His hand started to curl around my waist and heat exploded through my thighs.

  “You couldn’t stop fucking other women, remember?” I laughed trying to lighten the mood.

  “I know. It’s always you that I come back to though.” He rested his forehead against mine. “I’ll always love you, Camilla.”

  “I’ll always love you too, Xavier.”

  “Show me. Show me before you become Mrs. Scott.” He slowly pulled my bottom lip into his mouth and I let him. Our kiss became urgent and deep in a matter of seconds. I finally broke away with my hands on his chest. As much as I loved him, I could never cheat on Emmanuel. Xavier peppered my neck with soft kisses.

  “Stop, Xavier,” I whispered. He nodded knowingly and backed away.

  “I’m sorry. You know how we are.” He flashed me those dimples and I melted a little inside.

  “We’re friends now,” I told him sadly.

  “Yeah…friends.” He touched my chin. “So does that mean I can have a girlfriend now?”

  “No,” I chuckled.

  “So you can go get a whole husband but I can’t have a girl?”

  “No.”

  “Jesus you sound like your daughter.” He laughed and I saw some of the pain lift from his eyes. It lifted some of the heaviness in my chest. “I’m gonna be alright. I’m just a little heartbroken.” He told me seriously.

  “Would you believe me if I told you I was too?” I confessed. “I was used to having both of you. Only having one is gonna be hard.” The truth tumbled from my lips and I couldn’t help it.

  “I know you are. We love each other. Shit, we just fucked a month ago.” He chuckled.

  “I love Emmanuel too though.”

  “I think everyone knows that. I can’t compete. It’s just hard letting go of you. It’s even harder being the one marrying you to him.”

  “You’re a special man for that Pastor S
anders.” I winked at him and he put his hand over his heart. “What is wrong with you?”

  “You and those damn eyes. They always get me.”

  “Well your dimples always get me.” I poked his chest and he grabbed me again, this time by the hips. He was making this so fucking hard.

  “I keep secrets, remember?” He asked gruffly in my ear. I swallowed nervously and nodded. “Whenever you miss it just call. It’s always yours.” Xavier’s signature smile slid across his lips and I blushed. “See, I still got it.” He let me go and moved to the door. “I gotta go before I do something to get myself killed.” He looked at me with longing once more before closing the door behind him.

  I looked at the amazing yellow dress Emmanuel laid on the bed and shook my head at how sweet he was. I pulled it on over my body and went to the mirror to brush my hair.

  I couldn’t help thinking about Dana. She was in this exact position and if anyone had told me five years ago that I’d be brushing my hair getting ready to marry Emmanuel Joseph Scott I would have thought they were fucking nuts. Life never works the way we think it should though.

  If my mother hadn’t been killed, this shit would have done it right here.

  Once my hair was straight and tangle-free I went downstairs, nerves taking over my entire stomach and creeping towards my legs. As soon as I hit the bottom step If This World Were Mine began playing from the stereo and I nearly lost it in a sea of tears.

  Emmanuel held his hand out for mine and I latched on quick. We walked into the backyard where Xavier stood with a pained smile on his face. I swore there were unshed tears hiding in his honey eyes.

  Laurel made it no secret that she was emotional. I could hear her ass a mile away. I smiled over my shoulder at her and she just nodded and waved.

  “I know damn well you didn’t think you were going to walk up there with out handing her over first.” Dad frowned at Emmanuel. Emmanuel held his hands in the air and placed my hand in Dad’s. “You look beautiful, baby girl.” He told me before kissing my temple.

  “You gave your blessing for this, Dad?” I asked, shocked.

  “Yeah. Who the hell else were you going to end up with, Camilla? Yall can’t stay away from each other.” He was right. It was kind of inevitable.

  I locked my arm around his and he walked me to my soon-to-be husband.

  “Okay,” Dad sighed heavily. “You better take care of her.”

  “Of course,” Emmanuel nodded. “I’ve been doing it all this time.” Dad shot him a warning look but he was so damn elated he didn’t even hear his own words. I laughed inwardly.

  Xavier stood before us and spoke his own personal piece instead of reading something out of the bible. He congratulated Emmanuel and I before having us take our vows, repeating after him. I was so nervous and happy that it was a blur. How does that even happen? How does the happiest moment of your life become so intense that it blurs in your mind? I only remember not being able to breathe until Emmanuel kissed me in front of everyone. He breathed life back into me and all I wanted was for him to carry me up to our room and make love to me.

  The party going on around us didn’t matter, the noise and the laughing didn’t matter, all I could do was stare at him. He caught my eyes and raised his brow at the expression on my face.

  “Mrs. Scott, you’re looking like you wanna start the honeymoon early.” He whispered in my ear.

  “I want to fuck the shit out of you, Emmanuel.”

  “Do you?”

  “Yes.” It didn’t help matters that I’d had more than a few glasses of champagne. “Now,” I said sternly. I laced my fingers between his and pulled him in the house. We never made it upstairs. We got as far as the hallway bathroom. I pushed him inside and pounced on him.

  “You look so fucking sexy,” I purred.

  “So do you.” He lifted the sweeping dress around my hips and kissed my lips passionately. “Now bend that sexy ass over and let me see that pretty pussy.” He slapped my behind and I yelped a little before bending over the sink. “Mrs. Scott, can I fuck you?”

  “Yes, Daddy,” I moaned.

  “You know what I wanna hear, baby.” He slapped my ass again until I felt the delicious stinging sensation I loved so much.

  Emmanuel sank his hard dick deep inside of me and I didn’t care who heard me moan. He gripped my hips and pumped into me hard and rough just like he knew I wanted it. He snatched my hair up in his hand and used it for leverage, making my back arch so he could fuck me deeper.

  I almost lost it when he wrapped a hand around my throat and started choking me. I was crying out trying to grab on to anything to brace myself for his powerful strokes.

  “Oh god, Emmanuel. Fuck me!” I rasped out.

  “Like that baby?”

  “Uh huh,” I whined. He moved his large hand from my throat and tugged at the front of my dress until my breasts spilled out. Then he pinched my hard nipple in between his fingers making my pussy clench tight around his cock.

  “This is my pussy forever,” he growled.

  “Forever,” I agreed as I bit my lip.

  “Good girl.” He squeezed my nipple again and I gasped at how good it felt. I felt the climax building in my core and I prayed he didn’t want me to hold on because I couldn’t. I don’t think he could either. He shot into me so hard that the sensation alone made me cum. I shuddered violently and each time his dick throbbed inside of me I had a mini aftershock.

  “Jesus.” He sighed as he pulled out of me. “I’m gonna be a happy man for the rest of my life with your ass.” We did a rush clean up job in the sink and slipped back out to join everyone. Cole gave me a serious side eye when he saw me reemerge.

  “Shut your mouth,” I warned.

  “I wasn’t going to say shit,” he smirked. He held out his two fingers and I grabbed them with mine. “Let me give you something.” He said quietly.

  “Oh lord, it’s not another gun is it?” I asked playfully.

  “No.” He shook his head and pulled me off to the side of the patio. On the table there was a cherry blossom cutting. “I want you and Manny to plant this in the backyard. It’ll be good luck for your marriage.”

  “Cole…is this from?” He didn’t let me finish he just nodded quietly.

  “You know Grandpa wanted you and Manny together more than anyone else. He wanted you to have a baby with him and everything.” Cole chuckled fondly.

  “Yeah he did. Crazy ass.” I touched the blossoms with my fingers and remembered Dempsey. His smile, his laugh, the way he always hugged me when we saw each other. Just the way Cole and I do. Maybe not as intensely.

  “Look, I’m just saying that my grandfather loved both of you and I do too. Even though I might have taken it a bit far with you.” He looked me over and shook his head like he was having his own internal commentary. “You’ll always be my girl. Always.” He kissed my forehead. “Now you can be Mrs. Scott for real.” He teased.

  “Shut up, Cole.”

  “Are you finally happy Camilla?” He locked arms with me and led me back to the others.

  “Yeah, I feel safe now. I’m gonna miss Xavier a hell of a lot but I’m happy.”

  “Yeah, you and pretty boy. I’m gonna have to keep an eye on yall. Keep yall away from each other,” he chuckled.

  “What? No,” I frowned. “What about your ass?”

  “Oh, I have self-control. You’re married. You’re off limits. I can still fantasize though.” He stole a look behind me and shook his head again.

  “I shoot people too, Cole.” Emmanuel said, squeezing his shoulder.

  “I know, shit,” he grimaced.

  My husband stole me away and I spent the rest of the night dancing with him and getting drunk off my ass. Xavier danced with Chloe, Laurel and Dad were hugged up and Christina hung out with Mason and TJ.

  Things weren’t perfect by anyone else’s standards but Emmanuel’s and mine but honestly that’s all that mattered. We’re all that mattered. Nobody else had to like it or
understand it. I was done trying to keep up appearances. Besides what the hell was going to happen? Would we be publicly stoned for our twisted love?

  No.

  I finally had Emmanuel and he finally had me. Yes it was twisted but it was ours and now, it was ours forever.

  **

  Epilogue

  Alexander

  I sat in the waiting area nodding off, trying to read the paper when a tall woman with black hair wearing a white coat came out.

  “Family for Anais Danvers?” I lifted a finger and walked over to her. “Hi, she’s out of surgery now and you can go see her if you’d like.” I followed her through the brightly lit halls of the hospital to room 3406 where Anais laid in bed with nearly her entire face bandaged up. All but her eyes, lips, and ears were covered.

  “Hey, Anais.” I said hoarsely. All she could manage was a wave.

  “It’ll take her some time to get used to speaking with the wire in place. Even once she starts to speak again it’ll probably be slurred but she’ll only have to have her jaw wired shut for six weeks. The rest of the surgery was successful and while she won’t look exactly the same as before, she’ll still be about eighty percent herself.” She smiled at me and patted my shoulder before leaving.

  “Camilla did a number on you,” I sighed. Anais looked away from me and I saw anger flash in her fiery eyes. Anais was on her second facial reconstruction surgery but this would be her last. They couldn’t even go in to repair her broken jaw until they did the first surgery. When Camilla bashed her face on the corner of the counter it did major damage. She would need most of her teeth replaced too. Had I waited any longer to get her help she wouldn’t even be here.

  Anais was alive because of me.

  Yet a part of me hated her.

  I hated her because I was lured in by her neediness. I was pulled into her sorrow and I became addicted to her sob story. I let it pull me away from Camilla when she needed me the most and now it was my fault that Camilla was hurting.

  I thought I’d been distraught over losing Alex but losing Camilla and knowing she was still alive and well and probably going to be happier without me made me fucking sick. Looking at Anais, knowing that if it weren’t for her I’d still be with the love of my life, made me sick too.