The White Billionaire: The Complete Collection (Books 1-4) Page 18

  “He put his damned hands on you?” She yelled, “What did Kyle say about that?”

  “I haven’t told Kyle,” I said.

  “So let me guess, that’s why you’re here instead of with your man?” She asked without a hint of sympathy in her voice.

  I didn’t realize how bitchy I was feeling until I imagined me slapping the condescending look off of her face. Just as quickly as I thought about it, I felt bad. She’d opened the doors of her home to me, and I was imagining hurting her. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

  “Yes that’s why I’m here,” I said through gritted teeth.

  “I would have never allowed Marcus to come between me and my rich man. He’s a fucking peon, and you’re about to be royalty. Why didn’t you go straight to him and tell him? Money rules everything; I bet he could have put an end to all of it immediately. Kyle is like a giant and Marcus is an ant,” she ranted.

  I stared at her as she went on about what a stupid decision I made. I wanted to be upset with her, but she was absolutely right. I should have known better, and I should have trusted Kyle with my past and with the things that were going on with me. It was unrealistic to think that I could keep it from him. I’d possibly put an end to what truly mattered most to me. He’d become my companion in every sense of the word and now I wasn’t sure if he was done with me or not. I wanted to call him, but I wasn’t going to ask him to make a decision when he was so upset. It wouldn’t turn out in my favor.

  “I already know that you’re right,” I said in frustration.

  She took a moment to end her scolding and took a real look at me.

  “You know that I’m just trying to keep it real with you,” she said, “I wouldn’t be your friend if I didn’t tell you the truth.

  “I already know the truth. I know it better than anyone, I’m the one that got put out today,” I said as my tears pricked my eyes again.

  I took a moment to calm myself and to put a halt to my tears. I wondered if it was such a good idea to come and speak with her. She wasn’t being very helpful at the moment. I didn’t want her to be a parent; I wanted her to be my friend.

  “I’m sorry, I know that it’s not what you want to hear right now but someone has to tell you. I would hate to see you give up such a good thing over bullshit. Leave the ghetto shit here and don’t let it leak into your new life.”

  “OKAY SANDY,” I yelled.

  “No need to get pissy with me,” she rolled her eyes, “So do you think Marcus told?”

  “Of course I think he told,” I said.

  She shook her head, “I always knew that he was evil, but this is just beyond evil. The fact that he would do something like that to you shows just how crazy he really is. He is off of his rocker, and everyone around here has been talking about it.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “People are really starting to become scared of him and you know how that goes. Someone is going to silence him soon. He lives too close to where he does dirt to act so crazy,” she disclosed.

  “There was a time where I wouldn’t have wished anything bad on him but now I just don’t know anymore. He’s pushed me to a place where I really don’t care.”

  “I don’t blame you.”

  “I think he’s completely ruined my relationship,” I said.

  “Kyle didn’t ask for the ring back and so he’s probably thinking things over. When men are finished with you, they love to ask for their ring back.”

  “I really hope you’re right,” I yawned.

  “I’m always right,” she grinned, “Now take your ass in the room and get some rest. I’ll wake you after I’ve made lunch. I’ll also bring your bags.”

  I rose to my feet, “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  “You’re my girl, even when you’re hardheaded.”

  I laughed sleepily and walked back to the room. She and I spent the day together, and she didn’t mention how crazy she thought that I was for the rest of the day. I was happy that she was able to pick up on my mood and leave it alone. I didn’t think that I could take much more of her unasked for advice. I watched the clock because I couldn’t wait for her shift to start at 7pm. It was her house, but I wanted the peace and quiet. I wanted to be able to cry without her coming in trying to make me feel better. I could have done it at home, but it would have felt so much lonelier.

  “Alright Cam, I’m about to get out of here for work. Don’t sit up all night crying, I know how you are. You’re way too cute for those puffy ass eyes that you rock after a long night of tears.”

  I smacked my lips, “Bye Sandy, I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She gave me a big hug and left the house. I went straight towards her freezer and grabbed a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar. I couldn’t wait to tear into it and so I was halfway finished with it before I reached the guestroom. I sat on the edge of the bed and finished it as I enjoyed the silence. After I threw it away I crawled in the bed and cried. I was able to release everything that I’d been feeling over the last few days into the pillows.

  I thought that I would drift off to sleep, but I was up for hours thinking about my future that was up in the air. Kyle had every right to longer want me, but I wouldn’t be able to walk out of his life without trying to get him back. I just hoped that what I had to say would be enough to keep us together. I was finally experiencing the love that I’d always wanted, and I ruined it with my lack of trust. I was bringing back old habits into my new relationship, and it put everything in jeopardy. Kyle took my past so much better than I’d expected, and he was willing to still be with me. What he didn’t appreciate was that I’d given money to Marcus. The feelings of guilt plagued and tormented me all night.

  When I wasn’t feeling guilty, I was feeling angry. I wanted to confront Marcus, but it would only make him happy to see me so miserable. He’d shown me exactly how much he truly cared about me. I didn’t buy into the idea that a woman sold me out, he probably put someone up to it. I was willing to bet that it was his child’s mother. Charity was a vindictive hood rat that chased after cheese. She was attracted to shiny objects, and when a man flashed his cash or gold in front of her, he could do whatever he wanted. I couldn’t stand her.

  I awoke to the light coming in through the blinds. I should have thought to close the curtains before I went to sleep, and I was paying for it. I pulled my phone from beneath my pillow and saw that I had a few missed messages, but the only one that I cared about came from Kyle. He asked me to come to the loft. The bitch in me smacked her lips because he’d asked me to leave. He just couldn’t decide when he did and didn’t want me around. We were engaged and if we were going to be together, then putting me out wasn’t an option. But he could have asked me to come over so that he could request his ring back. He wasn’t the kind of man to break up with a person over the phone. He was much more direct than that.

  I climbed out of the bed and freshened up within 10 minutes and headed for the door. Sandy was home, but she was sound asleep from a long night at work. I didn’t want to wake her, and I figured that I would text her later. Besides, if she wanted to reach me she would call. I couldn’t get to my car fast enough. I was ready to see where I stood with Kyle because the waiting was killing me.

  Navigating my way through Chicago traffic in the morning absolutely sucked. Traffic was crawling, and I was exhibiting some true road rage. No one was driving fast enough, and no one deserved a license in my opinion. I would have driven along the shoulder of the road if I didn’t think that I would have gotten a ticket. I took the opportunity to text Kyle and let him know that I was on my way. His response was short a short ‘See You Soon.’

  I finally arrived at the loft, and when I got there I saw that his lawyer was sitting on the couch in our living area. When I walked in he stood up and greeted me.

  “Always a pleasure to see you Camille,” he said as he extended his hand.

  I instinctively gave him a firm handshake, “Nice to see you to
o Bill,” I said cautiously.

  Kyle met us in the room, and I gave him a confused look. I wasn’t sure what to say because I didn’t understand why his lawyer was there. He and I weren’t married yet and so I didn’t see the need for any lawyers. I wondered if I was in some sort of legal trouble with him.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  Without saying anything he pulled me into an embrace, and I happily accepted it because I wasn’t sure if it would be my last from him and because I just needed it. It’s funny how we sometimes want comfort from the person that’s caused us pain. He pulled away and kissed me on the forehead.

  “I’m happy that you came. Bill is here because I need to discuss something really important with you. Please take a seat,” he said.

  I sat in one of the single chairs, “Okay.”

  “I’ve done quite a bit of thinking,” he began, “And I need to know that I can trust you. The only way that I can do that is if we turn your ex in to the police.”

  My eyes widened in panic, and I shook my head no quickly, “Do you know what he’ll do if we make a move like that?”

  “You think I’m afraid of him?” Kyle asked in an offended tone.

  I stared at him in shock. What Sandy said came to my mind, and I realized that she was more correct than I originally thought. I’d never thought of a world that was free of Marcus and in my world he was one of the most dangerous people that I knew. When I took in the big picture I grasped that he wasn’t a force to be reckoned with. He was a petty thug that had achieved a small measure of success through illegal means.

  “I don’t think you’re afraid of him. I just don’t want you involved in this, you don’t deserve your name being tied to this any further,” I said and I surprised myself because I meant every word.

  “You’re going to be my wife,” he said sternly, “If someone is blackmailing you, then he is blackmailing me, and I won’t stand for it. So I’m asking you to help me put this fucker away. I could go after him without you, but I don’t know enough about him to make anything stick. With your help we can ensure that he’s away for a long time.”

  I was proud to be engaged to Kyle in that moment. He was standing up for me, and he still planned on marrying me. I didn’t want him to walk away from our relationship, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if that was the route that he took. Some people just weren’t equipped to deal with the kind of baggage that I brought to the table. I silently thanked God and he was probably surprised to hear from me.

  I didn’t want to be a part of bringing Marcus down because he and I were originally in it together. He was the reason that I’d made it through my childhood with the things that I needed and wanted. We were partners in crime, and he took care of me when no one else would. Not a lot of girls have had a boy take care of them in that way. I never had to worry if I was going to eat because Marcus always made sure that I did. Turning him in really was betraying him.

  But hadn’t he betrayed me? He didn’t get to where he was without my help. But yet he’d cheated on me when I wanted to make a legitimate living, and he got another woman pregnant. To add insult to injury, he then left me to be with her. I felt like he ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it. When I’d moved on he then chose to blackmail me. I warred with myself for minutes in silence. Snitching on someone is definitely not something you do when you are on the street but, fuck it, I am not on the street anymore. I am not a part of that life. Kyle has been the best thing to ever happen to me and I am not going to let this slip away because of “street honor”.

  “What do you think?” Kyle said.

  “Let’s do it,” I said.

  It was time for me to let Marcus go. I didn’t owe him my loyalty anymore. He not only blackmailed and disrespected me, but he choked me as well. We were at a crossroads, and it was either him or me. I didn’t want my life to be ruined, and I was saddened that it had to come to that point, but I had to make the tough decision. I wanted to prove to Kyle that it was all behind me, and this was a good way to do it.

  Kyle looked relieved, “Are you sure?”

  “Yes I’m sure. I want to be with you, and this is something that needs to happen so that I can close that chapter of my life. I would have liked to move on without having to do it, but he hasn’t given my any other option,” I said.

  “Okay,” Bill interjected, “We’ve been in contact with the police, and we’ve come up with an action plan. We may not be able to get him for drugs, but we’ll be able to get him for blackmail. When he contacts you again you’ll give in to whatever his demands are and when you meet him you’ll wear a wire...”

  The lawyer gave me the entire game plan and all of it bothered me. I was raised in the environment of ‘snitches get stitches.” We were never supposed to do things like this to one another. If I went through with the plan then there was no one from that area would ever trust me again. My name would be mud in my old community. However, that community hadn’t done anything for me and so I didn’t owe it anything. I had to fight and struggle to beat the odds and if they didn’t like me anymore because I wanted a better life, then screw all of them.

  After Bill finished explaining the process to me I felt overwhelmed but I was determined to push through my fear.

  “I’ll be waiting outside with the police the entire time and when it’s over we can have our lives back.”

  I smiled weakly, “I’m ready to have our lives back.”

  “Well the sooner we get this over with the sooner we can move forward.”

  #Chapter9

  “I’m really sorry that it had to come to this.”

  Camille

  Marcus was ridiculously predictable, and he did call back just the way that we all thought that he would. He demanded an exorbitant amount of money from me. He was so damned condescending and evil during our phone conversation that it was difficult to feel sorry for him. He wasn’t expecting me to show up at his house and surprise him. I wanted to get it all over with and so we decided to push to end things a lot quicker.

  I texted him and asked him if he was at home, and he said that he would be there in about an hour. I showed up to his home a little after that. The process of getting wired went a lot faster than I thought that it would and the officers gave me my instructions over again. I couldn’t focus on anything that they were saying. I was way too nervous to listen to them. I hopped in my car, and I saw everyone drive behind me on my way to his house. I wasn’t alone, and so that was a huge bonus. If he knew what I was doing then he probably would have tried to kill me.

  I arrived at his house, and I didn’t look to see if they were there behind me. I’d watched enough TV shows and movies to know that it was a bad idea. I walked slowly up his stairs and knocked on his door. I was surprised that it wasn’t open already the way that it was usually. I knew that the mics worked because I tested them before I exited my car.

  His door opened, “Nice to see that you’ve come to your senses baby girl,” he said.

  I walked into his house and jumped when his door closed with a loud thud. I was going to have to calm the hell down.

  “So do you have my money?” He asked impatiently.

  “I’m going to need time Marcus. Exactly how much are you asking for again?”

  “Just when I thought that you were smart, you go and show me differently,” he laughed, “Have my $100k to me within a week, or I’m going to press and I’m telling them all of your dirty ass secrets,” he said.

  I gave a sigh of relief because I’d gotten what I’d come for. I was going to make my exit but before I left he stopped me.

  “You know, out of all the shit that I’ve done…this feels the best. You would think that watching Solomon take his last breath after I shanked his ass for crossing me would have topped this but nope. This shit is way fucking better. You know that I own you right?”

  “You don’t own me,” I said.

  “Yes I do, and I always have. I made you, and now it’s time for you
to finally show me just how much you appreciate me. I can’t wait to receive my payout; it’s the first of many. I always wanted to be a pimp,” he laughed sarcastically.

  My stomach turned and if I didn’t have the wire on I would have said some pretty unsavory things but I didn’t want Kyle to hear me talk in that way. He’d giving the cops so much more than they ever thought they were going to get. He’d just admitted to murder, and he’d pissed me off so I wanted to push him further.

  “Why did you kill Solomon anyway?”

  “Let’s just say that he was giving my product away for free, and I don’t play like that,” he said.

  I gave a huge shake of my head, “I don’t know when you became so cold but I hope you’re happy.”

  “I’ve always been like this,” he said, “I’ve just never had to show you. But now I just don’t care anymore. You don’t give a shit about me and so now that feeling is mutual.”

  “Well I’ll be back later with your money,” I said.

  “Don’t make me wait too long; you know the press be hounding me to get that story.”

  “I will have it to you as soon as I can.”

  “Looking forward to hearing from you. But honestly, I’m really sorry that it had to come to this.”

  I wanted to spit in his face, but I had more manners than that. He had a lot of nerve to say that after all that he’d put me through.

  “I’m sorry that it’s come to this too,” I said as I headed out of the door.

  I got out of the car and got into the car with Kyle and his lawyer. One of the officers was going to drive my car back to his place. The lawyer confirmed that the recording was good and gave the signal to send the police in. My stomach dropped as I watched the police rush in and raid his home. They had a warrant to search his home, and I knew that they were completely turning it upside down. A small crowd formed outside, and I pushed my inner panic down. I wondered if I’d done the right thing, but Kyle’s grip on my hand soothed me.