Chapter 25 #2
He chuckled. “Not sure if you know this, but I’m part-owner of the company and the CEO. I can do what I want. The only way for me to be removed is if the board members come together and vote me off the island.”
I chuckled at his reality TV reference. “Yeah, I know nothing about owning a company, but I definitely don’t want you getting voted off the island.”
“Ha. You will soon.” He kissed my forehead.
“I don’t know if I want to be outside with all that’s going on.”
“You’re going, baby. I won’t allow you to live your life being afraid to go outside. It’s what I hired the security guards for.”
“Fine,” I relented.
We washed up, got out, and I got dressed. I called Jas, Iyana, Amber, and Marcy, and they all agreed to meet me at Chili’s for drinks and a late lunch, since I could barely eat what I made earlier.
An hour later, I kissed Truce and Scottlyn goodbye, then got inside the BMW that Truce had gifted me and pulled out of the driveway.
Sosa and Benji trailed behind me as I made my way across town to meet up with my girls.
Thirty minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot and got out, walking over to my security’s truck.
Sosa rolled down his window as I approached.
“I know it’s you guys’ job to protect me, but I don’t think anything is going to happen inside the restaurant. Can you guys just keep guard out front?”
“Boss man told us to stay by your side like we’re joined at the hip. We’re paid to keep you protected, Miss Jela,” Sosa replied.
“I know… and I will be. You guys are big and scary. I don’t want you all to scare these people in here.
” I giggled. “I promise… I have you guys on speed dial if I feel uncomfortable at all.” I could see the skepticism on their faces, but they nodded anyway.
“Thanks, loves. Did you all want me to order anything to-go?”
“We’re good, Miss Jela. Go enjoy yourself.”
I nodded, then headed inside. I spotted my girls sitting by the window and smiled as I approached. “Hey, ladies.”
“Heyyy, bestie! I thought I was going to have to put an APB out on yo’ ass. You been holed up in that house with that Greek God since you’ve been back,” Iyana said as I kissed their cheeks.
“Girl, please. He actually hasn’t been home. He just got in last night and demanded I leave the house.”
“I’m glad he did. You need this girl time, babe,” Amber said.
“I admit, I do. I’ve just been an emotional mess lately.”
“Why?” Jas asked. “I hope you’re not still feeling bad about taking your ex’s brother down?”
“No, but I am feeling bad about them trying to kill each other because of me. If anything happens to Truce, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. He gave me two million dollars and put the house in my name. That shit is giving me anxiety.”
“He just wants to make sure you’re secured, Jelly Bean.
I hate to say it, but you have to think of the ‘what ifs’ too.
I know you don’t want anything to happen to him, but I commend him for thinking of you in case it does.
He didn’t have to do that, and that shows me that he’s standing on business about Scottie’s and your safety,” Jas commented.
“I know. Let’s just change the subject. I don’t want this lunch date to be filled with my life’s woes. Let’s big up the energy. Tell me what’s been going on with y’all,” I said as the server came over and took our orders.
Once the vibe changed from my woes, we began eating, drinking, and enjoying each other’s company. I was told I could only have one drink since I was driving. I wanted to keep going since Scottlyn was finally off my breasts, but I didn’t want to disobey Truce’s one-drink maximum rule.
“Is that your security?” Marcy asked, looking out of the window at Sosa and Benji, who had migrated from the truck and were now standing outside the truck.
I chuckled. “Yes, that’s them.”
“They ain’t even trying to be conspicuous,” Iyana clowned. “That brown teddy bear is looking real fuckable, though.” She waved at him, but he didn’t wave back.
“Iyana, stop it!” I laughed. “You can’t be hooking up with my bodyguards and shit.”
“Why not? If they're single, why can’t I?”
“Girl, please. I’ll be right back. I have to go to the restroom. Cut her drinks off,” I said as I slid from the booth and headed to the restroom.
I hurried inside and over to the stall to relieve my bladder. I pulled up my jeans, flushed the toilet, and came out of the stall. Stopping in my tracks, I exhaled slowly, seeing Damien’s Devils blocking the door with sinister smirks on their faces.
This was it. Damien had found me.
My heart seized as I tried to think of the defense tactics Steel had taught me in our virtual classes.
“Hey, bitch. Missed us?” Brittany asked.
I swallowed back my fear and squared my shoulders. “Never in this fucking lifetime. If you all are here to hurt me, just know that you won’t get away with it.”
“Shut the fuck up! As long as we do what we came to do, I don’t give a fuck about not getting away with it. Whitney, keep watch,” Tasia told her as they advanced on me.
I swung at Kelly, who was the closest to me, hitting her in the face before they all jumped on me. If there were ever a time I prayed for my girls to come save me, it would be now.
I felt my hair being pulled and my head slamming into the wall. From there, I felt kicks and fists to my body and legs. I covered my face as best as I could as one of them stomped on my head. Feeling woozy, I tried to fight back but wasn’t very successful.
“Stupid-ass bitch!”
“Help! Help me!” I screamed, feeling some kind of rope being wrapped around my neck.
As they continued to beat me, I could feel myself losing consciousness. I willed myself not to go out like this. My baby needed me. This was not what I had planned for my life, and now I felt as if my fate had been sealed.
I should have never come outside.
I should have never told Sosa and Benji to stay outside.
Most of all, I should have never fucked with a nigga like Damien Jamel Murphy.
I could hear some commotion going on from the other side of the door, but I was in and out and could barely see. The rope loosened around my neck, and I could feel them moving about.
“This ain’t over bitch!” I heard Kelly say before she spat in my face and stomped on my knee.
The door was pushed open, and the last thing I saw was my sister Jasmine swinging on Brittany before I passed out.