Chapter 11 Aviana Scott
AVIANA SCOTT
THE RICH, FRUITY scent of mango filled the bathroom as I scooped a generous amount of body butter into my hands with my phone cradled between my shoulder and ear. I had just gotten out of the shower, so steam still swirled around me.
“Have you heard anything from Mia?”
Mia’s mother, Carol, sighed heavily. “No. I haven’t heard a thing. It’s so unlike her to just drop off the radar. I don’t understand why she wouldn’t at least reach out.”
“I know. It doesn’t make sense,” I replied, smoothing the butter over my legs. “I just hope she’s okay.”
It wasn’t hard for me to be genuinely concerned. Mia and I had been besties for years, so I was close to her mom. Despite Mia’s attempts to ruin my life, I was truly worried for her mother.
“It’s like she’s vanished.” Carol’s voice trembled slightly. “I know she’s scared. She has to be running from the Feds.”
“Yeah. I really think that’s what’s happening, that she’s running scared.”
“I can’t think of any other reason,” Carol replied as frustration seeped into her words. “She knows prison is on the line. She’s probably panicking and going off the grid.”
“I agree, but I wish she’d reach out so you know that she’s okay. She could at least let you know that she’s safe.”
“Exactly. No matter what she’s done, she knows that I will be here for her. I just don’t get why she wouldn’t at least try to contact me.”
“Me either,” I admitted. “I just hope she comes to her senses soon so you can stop worrying.”
“You’re so sweet for being concerned about me and Mia, especially after everything she’s done to you,” Carol said with a hint of disbelief in her voice. “I couldn’t believe it when the police questioned me about Mia after your house fire. You’re so kind to still check on me.”
“Despite what she’s done to me, I’m still worried about you. I don’t have children, but I can only imagine how hard it is to have no idea where your child is. I just wish she’d reach out. It’s hard to believe she would go this far.”
“I know.” Carol’s sigh was filled with regret. “I’m really sorry for how things have turned out. Mia has always been impulsive, but this…this is something else.”
As I smoothed the body butter over my skin, I noticed my stomach felt less bloated, and I could tell it had gotten smaller. I was losing weight, likely due to all the stress I’d been under since Mia’s arrest.
“I’m just so worried about you, Aviana,” Carol said, pulling me back to the conversation. “You need to take care of yourself, especially with everything happening.”
“I’m trying,” I assured her. “But honestly, I think the stress is helping me shed some pounds.” I giggled slightly.
“Stress isn’t a good weight-loss method. You need to take care of yourself first.”
I smiled weakly. “I know, Carol.”
As I glanced at the time on my phone, I realized it was almost time for me to leave for work. I reluctantly wrapped up the call with Carol. Just as I hung up, the bathroom door creaked open, and a groggy, naked Damar strolled in, clearly not yet fully awake.
He walked behind me, lifting the toilet seat and started to relieve himself.
“You and Carol need to stop looking for Mia,” his sleepy voice croaked. “It’s obvious she’s run and doesn’t want to be found.”
“But she should at least find a way to get in touch with her mom. It’s not right to leave her mom hanging.”
“That’s not how hiding works, Aviana,” he replied, flushing the toilet.
He washed his hands before leaning over to plant a quick kiss on my cheek.
“I just think she needs to reach out. It’s hard to believe she’d leave without a word.”
His eyes were filled with sympathy for my na?veté. “Sometimes people do stupid, unrealistic things when they’re scared.”
I let out a slow breath. “I just hope she’s okay.”
Damar shrugged. “You’re worried about somebody who didn’t give a fuck about killing you.
” I winced at that realization. Seeing my discomfort, his tone softened.
“I’m sorry, baby. It’s the truth. She’s been trying to ruin your life over an assumption.
She’s obviously not thinking clearly, so just let it go, and focus on you.
” Then he slowly smiled, creeping up behind me.
He slipped his arms around my waist. Our eyes locked through the mirror.
“Focus on us.” His deep rumble-spoke against the sensitive skin on my neck.
“Focus on applying for nursing school and having our baby.” Then he began to place sweet, wet kisses on my neck.
Guilt made my stomach turn. I could still feel Mythic all over me.
I giggled nervously. “Stop, bae. I have to get ready for work.”
He growled lowly as he stepped back with eyes focused on my hips. Holding his bottom lip tight between his teeth, he softly smacked my butt cheek. “Well, you better hurry up and cover up before I have you face down, ass up.”
I managed to blush as he finally tore his eyes away from mine and left the bathroom. As soon as he disappeared, I let out a breath that I didn’t even realize I was holding.
DAMAR SCOTT
My mind was all over the place as I headed south toward the city.
Stress was riding with me. Trying to cover up Mia’s murder while keeping up this front as the innocent husband was wearing me down.
It felt like I was carrying around the weight of a mountain.
Every single day felt like I was walking a tightrope, trying to balance everything just to keep my lies together, keep Aviana by my side, and stay free.
From Damar and Aviana’s lack of messages since he’d been at the hotel, it didn’t seem like the visit was anything more than friendly.
But I knew that he was everything I wasn’t.
I had to pull her back to me, give her what she wanted to keep her focused on us.
I was determined to get her pregnant, though I was dreading it.
I had no plans of taking care of another crying ass baby.
My plan was to trap her with the baby. I wouldn’t be there for her like I’d promised or provide her with any of the help that I said I would.
Then she’d have no choice but to drop out of nursing school and stay home with the baby.
I could control her that way, keep her close, and ensure she wouldn’t have the freedom to consider Mythic or anyone else.
My plan seemed to be working. She was still with me, still loved me. But the lies I was weaving were growing thicker, and the more I thought about it, the more suffocating it became.
As I drove through the streets, my eyes narrowed at a familiar sight.
“What the fuck?” I muttered to myself as I stared closer, trying to make sure that my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me.
Unfortunately, they weren’t. Jeremy was walking with a group of the 111 Boyz.
Without thinking, I slammed on the brakes and pulled my car over to the curb.
I jumped out and stormed toward him. “Jeremy! Get in the car,” I barked.
He turned to me and was shocked at first, then his expression turned defiant, as if not being embarrassed in front of his guys was more important than obeying me.
I stepped closer as my anger rose. “I told you to stop hanging with these niggas. Get your dumbass in the car.” I grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him toward my ride.
The force of it surprised him, making his eyes bulge. “Dad, chill,” Jeremy yelled, pulling away from my grip.
I could see the fire in his eyes. He was itching to push back, and it made my blood boil.
“You wanna hit me, nigga?” I dared him, stepping closer.
He had the nerve to stand his ground. For a minute, I thought he might actually throw a punch.
His friends watched with wide eyes, some snickering.
Jeremy squared his shoulders defiantly. “You can’t just tell me what to do.”
“Watch me. Get in the car, Jeremy. Now. Don’t make me embarrass you further in front of your homies.”
Though these 111 Boyz were shooters and thoughtless criminals, they stood back, not interrupting.
Sucking his teeth, Jeremy stormed toward my car. His tantrum further proved that he wasn’t mentally ready to hang with real killers.
Once Jeremy begrudgingly climbed into the car, I hopped in the driver’s seat and sped off.
“The fuck is wrong with you, boy? I told you to stop hanging with them niggas.”
Jeremy sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed and pouting, refusing to say a word.
“It’s time for you to live with me,” I decided. “Clearly, you’re not listening to your mother or me, so maybe a change of scenery will help you get your head on straight.”
That was when Jeremy finally found his voice. “I don’t want to live with you.”
I scoffed as I pulled into a gas station. “You don’t have a fucking choice. That’s what you’ve misunderstood. You don’t make decisions for yourself because you’re a fucking kid. You’re just pretending to be grown. You don’t know shit.”
Before he could reply, I got out of the car and slammed the door.
As I paid for the gas, I ran a frustrated hand over my face.
Everyone around me was slipping through my fingers.
First, Aviana was defying me; now, my own son was out here disrespecting me, acting like my word meant nothing.
I was losing control, and that shit was unacceptable.
I’d built my whole life around authority and respect, around people knowing not to test me.
Now, it seemed like nobody respected my gangsta anymore.
As I finished pumping the gas, I tried to clear my mind of the tension so that I could talk to Jeremy calmly when I got back in the car. I knew that I would have to get him under control the same way I had gotten Aviana—through manipulation.
As I slid into the driver’s seat, I noticed Jeremy bent over, searching for something under the seat.
“What are you looking for?”
“I dropped my phone,” he muttered defiantly as he rummaged around.
Suddenly, he sat up, looking completely confused and taken aback. “What are you doing with Tee Tee Mia’s phone?”