Chapter 22
La Isla Bonita (The Beautiful Island)
Tinsley
The flight from Miami to Iredia took less than two hours and was uneventful. There was no food on the jet, but the moment we arrived at Shaun’s island estate, we were hustled to the backyard, where a virtual feast awaited us.
I wasn’t hungry. My stomach was in shambles.
One of the last places on Earth I wanted to be was on the island of Iredia.
I took a seat on one of the outdoor sofas while the other girls frolicked, danced, ate, and conversed with Shaun and the other four men he’d managed to produce.
Treasure wandered over and sat next to me.
Soon, her head rested on my shoulder as she softly snored.
I was glad somebody could sleep. I could barely breathe.
I didn’t think I would breathe again until I was safely back on American soil.
“Hey.” Shaun stood over me, a colorful drink in his hand. He offered it to me.
I shook my head. “No. No, thank you. I don’t think a drink or food would stay down.”
“You gotta loosen up, Tinsley.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t know what you went through while your aunt held you hostage and shit. And I probably can’t imagine, but you’re safe here.”
“I don’t feel safe on this island, Shaun. Have you been able to reach the attorney?”
“Yeah, actually, I have. I was hoping he would come out tonight, but he wouldn’t do it. Even for the bonus I offered him.”
“That was kind of you, and I’ll pay back any money you put out on my behalf.
” I didn’t want to owe anybody else anything regarding Iredia.
I wanted to sign the papers, get my inheritance, and wash my hands of the island .
. . at least for a little while. At least until the thought of my own homeland didn’t make me want to vomit.
“He’ll be here first thing in the morning. You guys will eat breakfast, you’ll sign the paperwork, and I’ll get you guys back to The States.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’re good. Now come on. Have some fun. Eat with us. Dance with us. Celebrate your cousin’s birthday.”
“Sure,” I agreed, lying my ass off. “Just give me a minute. I want to make sure this cousin is good.” I gestured toward Treasure.
He nodded and reluctantly walked away.
I had no idea how long into the night the party went on.
All I knew was that, at some point, we all moved from the back patio to the family room or the game room or something.
It was a large but cozy room with multiple television screens and even more comfortable places to sit—with its sofas, recliners, and chaise lounges.
I awoke that morning to pressure from my bladder.
I slowly opened my eyes and realized that I was tangled up on a sofa with Treasure.
I disengaged myself and stood up. My body was sore from sleeping in such an awkward position.
As I took in the room, I counted five additional feminine forms curled up on various pieces of furniture.
We were all present and accounted for. I was glad about that.
Everybody was still wearing the clothes they’d worn to the concert, and everybody looked to be in one piece. I gave a sigh of relief.
Lyric was asleep in a chaise lounge, cuddled up with Shaun, who was topless but wore shorts on his bottom half. She opened her eyes and turned her body toward me, which must’ve disturbed Shaun because he opened his eyes.
“Sorry to wake you. Where’s the bathroom?” I was about to pee on myself.
“Go through this door”—he pointed as he spoke—“and make a quick left. It’s at the end of the hallway. There should be an unopened pack of toothbrushes in one of the drawers and toothpaste.”
Lyric stretched. “I’ll make some calls and see if I can get somebody to bring some clothes for us.”
“I got it,” Shaun assured her.
I didn’t stick around for the discussion.
I followed the directions Shaun gave and made a mad dash toward the bathroom.
After relieving myself, I washed my hands.
Then I found the toothbrushes and the toothpaste and went to work on my mouth.
My face felt gross, so I splashed it with tepid water and patted it dry with a paper towel.
One by one, the other ladies awakened and made their way to the bathroom.
Not an hour later, Shaun announced that someone was at his door.
My heart stopped beating as I prayed that it wasn’t a political official who had somehow found out I was on the island.
It wasn’t. It was one of Shaun’s employees who had gone to the twenty-four-hour big-box store and bought underwear and outfits in every size imaginable.
Lyric used her stylist capabilities to put together the best look for each of us from the fast-fashion pieces Shaun’s employee had grabbed.
Then, one by one we each took a quick shower and dressed.
By the time Royalty and Treasure, who were last, made it back to the game room, Shaun’s staff members were telling us to come in for breakfast.
Shaun’s home was gorgeous. I hadn’t noticed the night before, because he’d ushered us to the back patio pretty quickly. In the light of day, I could see the high-end, custom touches. His house definitely spoke to his status as the biggest superstar on the island.
On the way to the dining room, Shaun caught up to me. “Before you eat, Attorney Lowe is here with the papers.”
Journey saw me about to dip off with Shaun. “Where are you going?”
“To sign the papers. The attorney is here.”
Journey joined us as Shaun led me to what had to be his great room.
“Attorney Lowe, thanks for coming,” Shaun told him, giving his hand a shake.
“You’re welcome,” he said to Shaun, but his eyes were on me. “Is this her?”
I stepped up. “Yes, I’m Tinsley Campbell. I’d like to get this done as quickly as possible. What do you need from me?”
He listed the pieces of identification he could accept, and I showed him my passport.
He presented the paperwork, and I signed or initialed on every line he indicated, while Journey snapped pictures with her phone.
I asked for a business card and told him that I would send the information for the account I wanted the money wired to when I returned to America.
The knot in my stomach finally began to subside as he gathered the papers and prepared to leave.
I realized that I was starving and could probably eat some breakfast if there was any left.
Journey and I headed toward the dining room while Shaun saw the attorney out.
I could see the table and the mounds of food that sat atop it.
My stomach rumbled, and just as I was smiling in the first bit of happiness I’d felt since we boarded the private jet the night before, my phone rang.
I didn’t have to look at the phone to know it was Double.
Anybody else who would call my phone was in Iredia with me.
I pulled it out of my purse.
“Is that Double?” Journey asked quietly.
“Yeah.”
“Oh shit!”
Oh shit, indeed. “Hey, Double.”
“Don’t hey, Double me, Sweetheart. What are you doin’ on the island of Iredia, and whose address is this that you’re at?”
“It’s a long story—”
“Get to talkin’.”
“We went to see King Cobra for—”
“The motherfucka that’s tryna get with you? I will beat his motherfuckin’ ass, Sweetheart. You want this nigga dead? You want his blood on your hands?”
“No, Double. No, please.”
He was muttering to himself in the background. “This nigga kept tryna entice her to come to Iredia. What’s this dude’s play? Where’s Royalty? If she’s there, put her on the phone.”
“Royalty’s eating breakfast, but here’s Journey.” I held the phone out to Journey.
She shook her head and backed away.
“Journey!” I shout-whispered.
She took the phone. I stood there, listening to her side of the conversation, feeling like I was going to get in trouble when I got home. After a few minutes of back and forth, she handed me back the phone.
“Hello?”
“Don’t act all demure and compliant now.
You willfully ignored my attempt to keep you safe.
You recklessly carried your ass to Iredia.
Now I gotta be on pins and needles until I can put my eyes on you.
Do you know how much shit will get destroyed, how many bodies I’m gonna lay down, if something happens to you over there? Do you have a clue?”
“No,” I admitted pitifully. “But Shaun’s gonna take us back to Miami right after breakfast.”
“Fuck Shaun and his breakfast,” he spat.
“Double,” I whined.
“Nah, don’t try that, Sweetheart. I’m pissed with you right now, and you need to sit in that shit.”
I’d never met a man who could be so pissed but so unemotional in my life. It really made me want to suck his dick to see if that would get a reaction out of him. “Sorry.”
“I don’t want you on old boy’s jet. I don’t know the mechanical integrity of his shit.
For all I know, he could be flying through the skies in a loc’d out soup can.
You and my cousins need to get your asses to the airport now and fly back to Miami on Eastern Airlines flight #1031. The tickets are already booked.”
“Okay.” There went my appetite.
Journey and I walked into the dining room.
I cleared my throat. “Uh, Double called.”
“Double called?” Royalty practically screeched.
Even Treasure had the nerve to look sheepish.
“Oh no,” Lyric moaned.
“You mean, oh shit,” Angel said.
“Uh,” I continued as Shaun entered the room. “He said we need to get to the airport . . . now. He already booked the tickets.”
Angel shoveled one more forkful of food into her mouth before standing. “Thanks for the hospitality, Shaun. It’s been real, but we need to head on out. Can you and your security drive us to the airport?”
He looked confused. “That’s not necessary. We’re taking my private jet. It’s being fueled up now. It’ll be ready in a little more than an hour.” He looked at Lyric and gave her a wink. “After breakfast and before lunch.”