Page 30 of Wifey
“No, why did you tell him we were friends?” Cameron interjected. “You could’ve told him you were with me. That is the truth, isn’t it?”
“And wow, we’re really getting into a fight on a date night.” I countered. “Okay.”
“I apologize for my curt tone but you don’t have to protect me, angel, if that’s what you were doing. The police are well aware of what I do and who I’m connected to. Some care and some don’t. The ones that don’t care are taken care of. The ones that do, well, they have an ax to grind.” He replies.
“Everyone can’t be bought, Cam.” I reply.
“Oh yes, they can.” He greets the server with our plates and returns his attention back towards me when the server leaves. “You just have to figure out what their price is.”
I swallow my wine hard as I thought about our interaction. Cameron didn’t have to try too hard to buy me. With my father’s home being burglarized, there wouldn’t be anywhere for me to go. “Atlanta P.D., Cam. The DEA, FBI, and all those other three letter fools can’t be bought.”
“You might want to do your research on those three-letter fools first.” He quietly replies.
The extent of Cameron’s power still astounds me. Who knows how many are really under his payroll and how much they’ve let slide throughout the years. “Which leads to the other reason why Ethan visited me.” I pushed my plate aside. “The man who killed my father was found dead along with two other men in a burned down warehouse.” Cameron slices his steak and chews it. “I had no idea why Ethan would tell me that other than the obvious reasons. Before I left work, I did some research on the news story. The same day they were found was the same day you leaked your dick pic to the world.”
Cameron’s silence is startling but I’m not deterred. I know he said it was best I didn’t know anything but I have to know this one thing for my peace of mind. “Were you behind the murder?”
Thirteen
“Yes.”
Cameron’s tone and frankness shocks me. I don’t know why; he’s never given a reason to be dishonest. He may be hiding the truth about what he does, but when it comes to me, he’s practically an open book.
I thought long and hard for a moment about the next question. It’s a rather silly one but getting an answer about it would ease my thoughts that while I may be living at home with Cameron, I’m probably not the only woman in his life.
If I’m not the only one, where would I go? I live with Cameron and I certainly can’t even go back to my old home if I wanted to. “Did you purposely leak the pic to create a distraction and diversion?”
“Yes.” His tone remains the same.
Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for an answer I know I might not like. “Am I the only woman you sent it to you or are there others?”
“You’re the only one in my life, angel.”
I don’t know why I’m surprised. I also don’t know if I should feel anger or relief. Anger that it was none of Cameron’s business and he inserted himself into it, despite him constantly telling me to stay out of his.
I also have relief I no longer have to worry about that Clayton guy, but I still have questions about everything. I imagine Clayton has heirs or an estate that would want justice. I don’t think I’m quite out of the clear yet.
“Ethan told me Clayton was part of a gang called the EAC, the East Atlanta Cartel.” I look at Cameron’s face and try to read it. No use. His poker face is stronger than ever. “Are you familiar with them?”
“Very.” Cameron’s one-word answers are exhausting. He could give me a lot more information and he’s purposely withholding. Again, I don’t know whether he doesn’t want me to get involved or he’s being intentional on how much I know. Maybe both.
“Okay.” I begin to slice my steak and regret even accepting this date. I was better off making biscuits at the shop. My stomach twisted in knots and I’m not sure if I can continue this date in peace. “That’s all I have for tonight.”
“Beautiful,” he reaches over and grabs my hand, only for me to slap it away. “Beautiful, I’m sorry about the lack of information. I don’t want you to get caught up.”
“I am, Cameron, okay?” I emphasize. “I am. They came after my Daddy’s home. I can’t even go back to it because it’s too unsafe! They followed us to your home and could’ve killed us if you didn’t kill them first. I’m already deep into this regardless of your feelings on the matter.” I put down my fork and knife and my hands are shaking. “Whatever beef they have with you resulted in my father’s death and they’re coming after me next!” My tone comes out as a screech. Hot tears stream down my face and I’m trying to remain calm. “So no, I can’t play ignorance to this. I can’t pretend to like your mother who accepts the bling and the Bikins and not ask any damn questions!”
I stand up and gather my things. “I’m just done.” I begin to walk out and Cameron grips my arm, causing me to freeze in my tracks.
“Stop.” Cameron’s tone suggested he was not going to repeat. He gently pulls me back towards him and he gets up from his chair. He puts his hand out towards the chair, hoping I’ll sit down. I have no other choice so I begrudgingly do.
He kneels down in front of me and grabs my hand. I instinctively grab his and I don’t pull it away like I did before. I’m torn and wrecked by everything, but I’m willing to hear him out.
I study Cameron’s face and it’s clearly he doesn’t want to tell me something but I’m forcing his hand. His eyes softened and worry spread across them. I only hope I’m strong enough to bear the brunt of his impending news.
“This what you should know: Lamont was completely innocent. He didn’t work for me, the EAC, or any other group. He only worked for himself.” Cameron begins. “I don’t know why your father was killed but I reckon it wasn’t an accident. There are signs pointing to it being very much intentional.” I burst into tears and Cameron wrapped his arms around me as I sobbed into his shirt.
I knew there was something off about Daddy’s death and I could never put my finger on it. The media attention behind it was overwhelming and I became a bit of a recluse for weeks until I was ready to say something. I barely buried my father a few months ago and his presence is still strongly felt.
