Page 21 of Wifey
It’s on the tip of my tongue and I wonder if I really want to know the truth this time. I’ve straddled the line between knowing everything and wanting to know absolutely nothing, but I wonder what role did Cameron play tonight.
“Were you behind that?” I turn to him.
“Behind what?” He asks.
“The burglary.” I clarify and he shakes his head.
“I wanted you to move in with me, Tay, but I wouldn’t force you.” He grabs my hand and kisses it. His lips are so soft and my body warms up to him within moments. “I know it sounds weird considering my occupation, but that’s not my style.”
“And the donation?” I ask. “Was that you?” He shakes his head. “Your family? Political associates?”
“None that I’m aware of,” Cameron answers, “if I wanted to donate money, I would’ve told you.”
“Would your father have done that?” I ask. “I know he’s up for re-election this year.”
Cameron shakes his head. “I tend not to get too involved with what my dad does in politics other than the obvious.” His eyes glance back to the rearview mirror. “I don’t advise him on policy, image, or anything else. If he wanted to donate on his own, he may or may not have shared. We tend to keep what we do separate from each other.”
“But he’s fully aware of what you do and who you hang out with.” I press and Cameron shrugs. “He knows you’re the connect to his friends in Congress.”
“Friends, enemies, frenemies, associates…” Cameron rattles off like the people are a grocery list and not actual human beings. “I do what I do and I leave. I don’t hang out with them. I don’t do photo-ops. I damn sure don’t spend any time with them on the golf course or dinner parties. They know this and respect it.”
“But they know our connection, don’t they?” I ask and Cameron shakes his head. “I don’t understand why would anyone donate money to the community on my behalf without telling me otherwise.”
Cameron’s eyes concentrate on the rearview mirror again. “That’s something we need to figure out.” His eyes move to the driver’s mirror and he sighs. “We’re being followed.”
“What?” I begin to turn around and Cameron stops me.
“No, stay cool. I got this.” He gets on the phone and speaks to someone, probably his security. “We got company…we’re just off Roxboro…yeah, I spotted them…no, I can take care of them…she’s with me…hopefully, this will be quick. Give me about 10 minutes. Cool.”
Cameron looks into the rearview mirror before he reaches over to the glove compartment. He pulls out a huge, silver gun as he studies the driver’s side mirror. He lets out a small, frustrating sigh. “Listen to me carefully, Taylor,” he begins, “you’re going to move the seat all the way down and cover yourself with my jacket. You’ll stay underneath that jacket until I say it’s okay to get up. You will not leave this car at any time until I say it’s okay.” He briefly glances over at me. “Understood?”
I’m too shook to say anything. I nod before I move the seat down and cover myself under the jacket. I’m too afraid of what will come next. Is this the last night of my life? Is Cameron going to get killed?
Cameron suddenly brakes on the car and swerves it around. He backs up at a high rate of speed and brakes. He gets out of the car and walks towards the direction of the oncoming vehicle, shooting. The car swerves and ends up in a ditch, very close to us. I duck under the jacket more and start praying.
Cameron shoots more at those following us. Someone is shot multiple times before he can fire a single bullet. His body hits the ground in a thud.
Another guy is shot twice and yells in pain. He sounds young, like a teenager. I lift my head up slightly over the front seat to watch and I see Cameron pulling the man to the street. Just as I suspected, the guy is probably in high school.
“Please take me to the hospital!” The guy cries. “Please, Mister!”
“How old are you, man?” Cameron asks.
“Sixteen,” the man cries, “I was just hanging out with my cousin and his friend. I didn’t know what was going to happen tonight!”
“You’re too young to be doing this shit, man.” Cameron kneels beside him. He puts his hands on the guy’s leg, where he shot him. It appears Cameron is trying to save the guy’s life, despite what just happened. “You should be at home playing PS5 or trying to get into some young hottie’s panties. You shouldn’t be doing this gangbanging shit, man.” He applies more pressure and the guy screams in pain. “Tell me who you work for and I’ll save your life. You fuck me over and I’ll murder your entire fucking family, including your cousin’s parents. I’ll keep you alive so you have to deal with the aftermath you caused all of this.”
“Sir, I don’t know!” The teen screams. “My cousin works for them! I was just hitching a ride, that’s all!”
“Who did your cousin work for? He’s dead now so there’s no need to protect him, partner.” Cameron replies. “In case you have trouble remembering, I’m the sole link between you having a bad night but a great life, and you being another statistic.” Cameron clocks his gun. He’s about to shoot the man at point-blank range. “Final warning.”
“JACKIE!” The man screams and starts crying. “He worked for some bitch named Jackie! Please, sir, don’t kill me! I’ll do anything you want me to! Just don’t kill me! I don’t want to die.” He can’t stop crying. “I don’t want to die!”
“You won’t die tonight.” Cameron unclocks his gun and puts it away. A fleet of cars heads in our direction and surrounds us. “But this will be your last night doing any of this shit. I want to hear about you graduating with top honors, going to a great school, and having a great life with a family. If I ever catch you on the streets again, you’re dead and I mean that literally.”
“Yessir!” The man cries.
I duck back underneath the jacket as I hear various voices. Cameron is giving instructions like he’s an executive in a business meeting and not a drug lord who was just in a shootout.
