Boss Bitch (Bitch Series) (10 page)

“So again, what would you like to talk to me about?”

“First, let me introduce myself. I’m Emory, and welcome to my home.”

“And a beautiful home it is, thanks for having

me.”

“You should be more than comfortable; you’ve grown up in homes like this all your life.”

“True, but it doesn’t stop my appreciation for them.”

“So Aaliyah, Peaches tells me you’re her new partner. Why would a young lady like yourself who has access to all the money anybody would ever need want to get involved in this business?”

“That’s a fair question, but like I told Peaches, that’s not my money. Yes, I’ve been given everything that I’ve ever wanted in life, but now I want to be able to give it to myself. Not relying on my parents to do so.”

“What about school?”

“What about it?”

“You have no plans to attend college?”

“I did at one time but I’m not sure.”

“Why is that?”

“You seem to know a lot about me so I’m sure you’re aware that I met Peaches while I was locked up in prison.”

“Yes, I know about that.”

“Well that experience and a lot of other things have made me rethink what I want to do. Right now I don’t want the demands that come with being in school. For almost a year, somebody was telling me exactly what I had to do from when to go to sleep when I had to wake up. I need a break from structure. I want to enjoy my freedom.”

“With freedom comes a lot of responsibility. You do understand that?”

“What’s your point?”

“The point is that I don’t want some spoiled rich girl who doesn’t have a care in the world fuckin’ up my organization. My brother and I built this shit from scratch. See unlike you, we weren’t born shitting out money; we had to work for it. We both graduated college with degrees in law and business. We took what we were taught in school and applied it to what we learned in the streets. Because of where we came from we were born wanting more but see you’ve never been hungry and people who’ve been eating good all their lives make me uneasy.”

“I feel you and I’ll admit I had my reservations about partnering up with Peaches but I want and need to do this. Honestly, right now I don’t have any direction in my life and this will give me purpose.” As soon as I said it, I regretted admitting that to Emory. To me it showed how vulnerable I was emotionally right now. From the surprised look on Emory’s face I think he was also shocked by my candor.

“I see. Well Peaches believes you’ll be an asset to her and this organization. I trust Peaches. She’s been a member of our team for a very long time and has proven her loyalty. Everybody needs somebody they believe they can depend on. If Peaches believes you are that person for her then so be it, she has my blessings.”

“Thank you.”

“But remember, Aaliyah, once you’re in, you become a member of our family and loyalty is a must.”

“I understand.”

“Good, now let me go introduce you to my brother Dale and the rest of the family.” For the first time from when he stopped me at the bathroom Emory smiled at me and a sense of relief came over me. This had obviously been a test and it seemed as if I had passed.

When Genesis called
me this morning saying he needed me to come over so we could talk, a million different scenarios raced through my mind. At first I declined and told him it wasn’t a good time but he insisted. So here I was trying to get through the Lincoln Tunnel as I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel thinking about Aaliyah. It had been a month since she left and it seemed she had no intentions of coming back anytime soon. We had spoken on the phone briefly a couple times but we communicated mostly through text, but something was better than nothing.

When I made it to Genesis’s place, to my despair as I was going into his building so was Nico. We hadn’t spoken or seen each other since a few weeks after Aaliyah got released from jail. Personally, I liked it better that way but I knew sooner or later we were bound to cross paths. Once we got on the elevator I decided to break the silence.

“How have you been?”

“Good and yourself?”

“I’m okay. I’m sure you know by now that Aaliyah moved out.”

“What! I had no idea when did this happen?” Fuck! I thought to myself. I figured since she told Supreme she mentioned it to Nico.

“About a month ago.”

“Is she staying with Supreme?”

“No, she’s staying with her friend Peaches in Teaneck.”

“Why did she move out?” I decided to give Nico the same reason Aaliyah gave Supreme.

“Her friend is going through a difficult time and Aaliyah wanted to be there for her.”

“So is it temporary?”

“Hopefully,” I smiled relieved when we reached Genesis’s floor and the elevator doors opened. I wasn’t in the mood to be interrogated by Nico. If I had known he thought Aaliyah was still living at home I wouldn’t of told him otherwise.

“Wow, you both got here at the same time, this worked out good,” Genesis said when he opened the door.

“So what was so urgent?” I asked when we got inside.

“Let’s go have a seat.” When we entered the living room Amir was already in there.

“Hello, Mrs. Mills.”

“Hey Amir, how are you?”

“I’m okay. How’s Aaliyah?”

“She’s still dealing with some things but other than that she’s okay.”

“I saw her about a month ago.”

“She mentioned that to me. She said you were with Justina.” My tone was accusatory but there was no since in hiding my disgust for Justina.

“I was but it wasn’t what it seemed but Aaliyah wouldn’t give me a chance to explain.”

“You having dinner withJustina at a restaurant, I think that’s pretty self explanatory.”

“There is nothing romantic going on between Justina and me but she is going through a tough time. She has nobody and I don’t want her to hurt herself so I’m just trying to be a friend.”

“Last I checked Justina has a mother and a father and clearly they’re very resourceful since Chantal isn’t locked up behind bars yet.”

“Precious, I understand your frustration but let’s discuss what I called you over here for. When we’re done you and Amir can finish your conversation. Is that acceptable to you?” Genesis asked, trying to play peacemaker.

“Of course, so what’s going on?”

“We’re all aware of what happened with Quentin. As you know I’m very close to him, in a lot of ways he’s like a father to me and definitely a mentor. Ever since he was shot, I’ve made it my mission to find out who is responsible for putting him in that coma.”

“Does this mean you know who it is?” Nico jumped in and asked.

“Not yet but I’ve narrowed it down to three different organizations. I also believe the same people who ordered the hit at Nico’s house did the hit several months back at the monthly meeting we attended.”

“What meeting are you talking about?” I was perplexed at what Genesis was talking about.

“Your boyfriend didn’t discuss it with you during pillow talk?” Nico was dying for an opportunity to take a shot at my relationship with Lorenzo but I refused to open myself up to the argument so I simply ignored him.

“Of course, normally I wouldn’t discuss business with you, Precious, but in a lot of ways you are family and you’re Quentin’s daughter. I know what we discuss in this room will stay here.”

“Of course,” I reassured Genesis.

“We’ve been submerged in a vicious drug war for some time now. The hit at Nico’s house let us know just how deadly it was. Whoever did it is playing for keeps. They have also been very strategic and careful about how they move. So much to the point up until recently I couldn’t even narrow down the organizations to the three. But I am getting closer. I don’t want to move too fast because I don’t want to eliminate the wrong family. But as soon as I get concrete confirmation the entire crew will be wiped out. Nobody will be spared.”

“How long do you think it will be before you know for sure?”

“I wish I could say no later than tomorrow but honestly I’m not sure. But for our safety I’m closely monitoring all three families. I want to make sure that what happened to Quentin doesn’t happen again. Precious, I’ve had a couple of men watching your house.”

“You have? I had no idea.”

“I didn’t want to alarm you but I also wanted you to be protected. But to be safe I want to add a couple more to be on your premises.”

“You think that’s really necessary?”

“I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think it was. You have ties to Quentin and Nico.”

“Don’t forget Lorenzo,” Nico added.

“The point is you’re firmly in the mix, Precious. They can easily make you a target. So until we have this situation under control we all have to watch our back and front.”

“I understand. What about Aaliyah?”

“What do you mean? I told you your house is being guarded and whenever you all leave somebody will be following.”

“Aaliyah’s not staying at home right now.”Where is she staying?” Amir jolted into the conversation. He had been so quiet once Genesis started talking I almost forgot he was still in the room.

“She’s staying with her friend Peaches in Teaneck.”

“Do you have the address? I’ll get somebody on her.”

“Yes, I’ll write it down for you. Do you think I should let her know?”

“No, I think Aaliyah should be fine. Nobody knows her whereabouts at her friend’s house. But I’ll put somebody on her just to be safe. We don’t need to bring any unnecessary stress on her, she’s been through enough.”

“I agree with Genesis. Under the circumstances, staying with a friend might be the best thing for Aaliyah. It’ll keep her safe and away from all the bullshit,” Nico said.

“Maybe I should let Xavier stay with Supreme or his grandparents for a while until this all blows over.”

“That would be a good idea,” Genesis agreed.

“Mrs. Mills, if you don’t mind I also want the address to where Aaliyah is staying so I can go see her.”

“Amir, I don’t think that’s a good idea. If she’s not returning your phone calls then she isn’t ready to see you.”

“Can you at least tell her that I asked about her?”

“Sure, I can do that.”

“Thanks,” Amir said, putting his head down. I had to admit I felt somewhat sorry for Amir. He was just a kid and he found himself in the middle of a bad situation. He had known both Aaliyah and Justina practically his entire life, they were all the best of friends until teenage love got in the way and brought out the worse in Justina. Although I had a strong feeling Amir was in love with Aaliyah I believed he still cared about Justina if only on a friendship level and didn’t want to completely abandon her. It was complicated and I wasn’t sure when or if it could be worked out in his and Aaliyah’s favor.

“I have to be going. I’m stopping by the hospital to visit Quentin.”

“Precious, if you don’t mind waiting for a few minutes we can go to the hospital together.”

“No problem. Take your time.” I walked over to the massive window to take in the impressive view of New York City while I waited for Genesis. He and Nico headed towards his office to talk. I thought Amir would go to but instead he came over to speak with me.

“I know it might seem like I’m badgering you but I feel like you’re all I have left to plead my case for me to Aaliyah,” Amir said, now standing next to me in front of the window.

“Amir, to be honest with you, I don’t believe I would be very effective in pleading your case to Aaliyah. We’re not on the best of terms right now.”

“What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“It’s a long story. I haven’t given up on her but besides the issues Aaliyah has with me she’s in an unusual place right now. Spending all those months in jail really did a number on her psyche. I think she needs some space to find herself again.”

“I blame myself in so many ways.”

“Why?”

“I should’ve been upfront with Justina about my feelings for Aaliyah before things got out of hand, maybe this all could’ve been avoided.”

“When you’re dealing with crazy people the only way things can be avoided is to get rid of them. You had no control over what Chantal did and you had no control over Justina’s lies.”

“Justina claims that she really didn’t know her mother shot her and found out otherwise in court like everybody else. She’s adamant that she really thought it was Aaliyah.”

“And you believe her?” I could tell Amir was struggling to answer the question.

“I want to believe her. I can’t imagine the girl that had been one of my best friends my entire life and was my girlfriend at one time could be that deceitful. She’s just not that type of person.”

“Amir, sometimes you have to see people for who they are and not for what you want them to be. I knew from the first time I spoke to Justina about that night she was lying. But I have no emotional attachment to her so it was easy for me to see the truth. Your delusions about the role Justina played in all this is going to make it impossible for you to rebuild your friendship with Aaliyah.”

“I know I messed things up with Aaliyah. I always knew she was innocent but I did feel guilty about what happened to Justina. I have to make things right. I let Aaliyah down once. I don’t want to do it again.”

“Put this address in your phone. Hopefully you can convince Aaliyah to let you in when you go see her.”

“Thank you so much,” Amir said as I gave him the address. “I’ma go try and see her right now. Tell my dad I’ll call him later.”

“Will do, and good luck.” Watching Amir rush out made me think about how beautiful young love is. It had no fear only hope and determination. The older you got the more walls you put up to avoid being hurt.”

“Precious, I apologize for taking so long. Are you ready?”

“Sure am.”

“Where did Amir go?”

“I gave him the address to where Aaliyah is staying. He went to go see her.”

“Good for him. I hope they can work things out. You know I’m very fond of Aaliyah. I think they would be good together.”

“I don’t. No disrespect, Genesis, I like Amir but my daughter deserves better. She deserves a man that can pick a side and stick to it. As far as I’m concerned he turned his back on Aaliyah and sided with Justina, that’s unacceptable.”

“Nico, that’s not what happened. Amir was always on Aaliyah’s side. He loves her very much. He has for a long time and has never stopped. I know this because my son told me.”

“He has a strange way of showing it.”

“You guys that’s enough,” I said wanting to put out the fire before it even had a chance to start burning. “Aaliyah and Amir have to figure this out on their own. Whatever decision they make we should support. Now let’s go see Quentin.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Genesis said, picking up his car keys.”

“I’ll get with you later, Genesis. I’ll let you know how this meeting goes.”

“Sounds good but call me if you have any problems.”

“I guess Nico is still pissed with me,” I said to Genesis, after Nico left and didn’t even bother saying goodbye to me.

“I told you that Nico would have difficulty dealing with your relationship with Lorenzo.”

“I understand that but at some point Nico is going to have to let it go.”

“I don’t know if he’ll be able to do that anytime soon. You’re going to have to give Nico time.”

“I hear you. Luckily I don’t have to deal with him on a daily basis because I wouldn’t be able to bite my tongue like I did today. With those slick ass comments he was making to get a rise out of me.”

“You did the right thing by playing it cool. “Does he know I’m still seeing Lorenzo?”I’m sure he has a pretty good idea especially

since you and Supreme are separated.”

“I don’t like to pry into Lorenzo’s business affairs but has our relationship affected his dealings with you all?”

“Yes and no. We’re all invested in certain businesses together and because there is a lot of money involved nobody wants it fucked up. Before all this happened the three of us would sit down together discuss strategies and how to proceed with new business ventures, now I have to meet with Nico and Lorenzo separately,” Genesis explained, while we were leaving out his apartment. “Thankfully they’re not letting their differences jeopardize us making money but Nico has made it clear to me he doesn’t want to be in the same room with Lorenzo.”