Still The Baddest Bitch Read online

  “Do you think they shot the guard up front?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. I sent some of my men up there to check.”

  “The bigger question is how you pull up with machine guns, yet nobody gets hit. Not one person,” Amir said. “I don’t care how fast we ducked down, somebody should’ve caught a bullet.”

  “Unless that wasn’t the shooters intention,” grandfather reasoned.

  “If them showing up with guns blazing wasn’t to kill anybody, then what was the point?” I wanted to know.

  “Maybe it was a warning. Letting us know that they could get to us anytime they wanted,” Genesis said, putting his hands over his head, as he paced back and forth.

  “So, somebody is fuckin’ wit’ us. Trying to play head games.”

  “Nico, that’s exactly what I’m thinking,” my grandfather confirmed.

  I looked over at Amir and he was staring me dead in my face. I knew we were both thinking the same thing. From the corner of our eyes we both zeroed in on Maya who was holding my grandfather’s hand. It was time for Maya to die.

  Precious

  “You really didn’t have to spend the night, Aaliyah.”

  “I know, but I was worried about you.”

  “I went to the emergency room last night and they gave me every test known to man. I’m fine.”

  “You’ve been through so much these last few months. You can’t push too hard.”

  “I thought I was supposed to be the mother. You worry way too much, but I love you for it.”

  “I just want you to relax.”

  “I want the same. That’s why my bags are packed and I’m ready to board this jet. I wish Nico would hurry up, so we can go,” I said, eyeing my watch.

  “Did he say when he would be back?”

  “Shortly was all he said, before leaving. Genesis called him this morning, so I think his disappearance is business related. Like you, your father doesn’t want me stressing, so of course, he didn’t discuss any of it with me.”

  “I understand he’s concerned about your well-being, like all of us.”

  “I will be so happy when everybody stops babying me. I haven’t felt this good since….well, you know what I mean. The point is, I’m a lot stronger than you all give me credit for. I lost my memory, not my strength.”

  “I believe you. You’ve already shown us that,” Aaliyah laughed.

  “I’m glad somebody does.” I’m sure Aaliyah could hear the annoyance in my voice. I knew that she, Nico, and everyone else meant well, but all this handholding was going to drive me bat-shit crazy.

  “I’m about to tell you this because I know you’re still that woman that can handle anything, with brain trauma and all.” Aaliyah’s comment made me smile. She had such a way with words.

  “I really must be an amazing woman to have been blessed with a child like you. Now, tell your mother what you know.”

  “I’m pretty sure I know why dad went to meet with Genesis?”

  “Why?” I asked, very intrigued. “Do tell.”

  “Yesterday, Amir found out that Maya is deeply involved with a man named Arnez.”

  “Who is Arnez?’

  “A very dangerous man, that’s supposed to be dead. Amir has his men doing some deeper investigating. I’m positive he told his father and now Genesis is telling dad.”

  “Okay, so Maya is dating a shady man. Why does this require an emergency meeting between Genesis and Nico?”

  “I know you lost a big chunk of your memory and you don’t remember what type of person Maya was, but…”

  “You told me she’s done some really bad things and Maya admitted to it,” I said cutting Aaliyah off. “She’s also said that she’s changed and Quentin vouched for her.”

  “That’s because grandfather wants to see the good in his psycho daughter, but there is none.”

  “Aaliyah, I’m about to go on my honeymoon and I don’t want to leave rehashing the past. I think you should let Maya be. Her dating preference has nothing to do with us.”

  “This isn’t the past. We believe Maya is responsible for something that is happening right now.”

  “Explain.”

  “We believe Maya helped orchestrate the hit at the warehouse that almost got you killed and also, the gunshot spectacle at your wedding reception.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “We’re still gathering the evidence, but my gut is telling me yes.”

  “So, you have no evidence. Why would Maya be a part of that?”

  “Maya is a sick, devious monster. She’s been using your memory loss to become close to you, but yet she’s still out to destroy you.”

  “I don’t know, Aaliyah. Maya seems genuine with wanting to have a good relationship with me. This doesn’t feel right.”

  “Of course it doesn’t feel right. Anything that has to do with that nut is always cringe worthy, but her nine lives are finally up. We’re going to handle Maya, once and for all.”

  “Aaliyah, don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t do anything to Maya just yet.”

  “Why? She’s gotten away with everything, including murder. Enough, already! It’s time for Maya to pay up.”

  “Just wait until your dad and I get back from our honeymoon. Please.”

  “For what? I want to have good news to share, once you return. Being able to say Maya is dead would be it.”

  “I have to be able to speak to your grandfather before Maya is killed. He needs to hear it from me. Nico just sent me a text saying he’ll be here in a few. We’re about to catch this flight, so I’ll talk to Quentin, as soon as I get back.”

  “I don’t know, mom.”

  “Aaliyah, we’ll only be gone for ten days. You can wait that long. I’m sure you all have men following Maya, so she won’t be able to make any moves. without you being two steps ahead.”

  “I’m not feeling this whole waiting idea you have.”

  “Do it for your grandfather. Let’s say everything is true about Maya, he’s still going to have to bury his daughter. This has to be handled carefully.”

  “Fine, but Maya will die and even grandfather can’t save her this time.”

  “Just promise me you won’t touch Maya, until I get back…promise me, Aaliyah.”

  “I promise.”

  “Thank you,” I said, giving my daughter a hug.

  I detested leaving for my honeymoon with this darkness lingering in the air. I knew one of the main reasons I wanted Aaliyah to wait was because I was hoping she was wrong and within these ten days, they would figure that out.

  My memory loss had pushed me away from people that I once loved, but it also brought me closer to others, like Quentin and Maya. I couldn’t help but think about the smile on Quentin’s face, when he had both of his daughter’s together at dinner only a few weeks ago. For his sake, I prayed Aaliyah was wrong about Maya, because I didn’t think Quentin could survive the heartache of burying his child.

  * * *

  “I can’t believe we’re finally here,” I gasped, taking in the pristine waters and majestic beaches that surrounded us on the private island.

  “Yeah, it took a minute, but it was worth it,” Nico said, putting our luggage down. We didn’t bring much, because we planned on spending the majority of our time either lounging on the beach, or in bed. I stepped out on our over-the-water bungalow and took in the breathtaking lagoons, an au-natural setting on Bora Bora Island, in French Polynesia. There were no words to describe just how beautiful the island was. It was as if you were getting a little piece of heaven, right here on earth.

  “So, what do you want to do on our first day here? Maybe scuba diving and snorkeling.”

  “I was thinking we could make love, then have the chef come and make us a delicious meal, drink a b
ottle of their best champagne, and then make love again,” Nico suggested, as he walked up from behind and wrapped his arms around me, before sprinkling my neck with kisses.

  “Say no more, your wish is my command.”

  “Is that right, Mrs. Carter?”

  “Yes, it is, and please, call me that again.”

  “Mrs. Carter, my wife. I still can’t believe this finally happened for us. I’ve wanted you to be my wife since that day I saw you struttin’ down the street in Harlem, like you owned that motherfucker. I knew then you had to be my queen.”

  “That was so many years ago, yet it seems like only yesterday. I remember everything about that moment. I tried to give you a hard time, but…”

  “Tried?” Nico said, cutting me off. “You did give me a hard time. You had me out there feeling like I was some bum nigga.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “Yes, the fuck you did.” We both laughed.

  “Okay, I was playing hard to get, but in my head, all I kept saying was how fine you was.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yep, and you know what Mr. Carter. You’re just as fine now as you were then,” I said, moving towards Nico slowly, before our lips touched and we began kissing. Nico lifted me up, to carry me over to the plush bed that had white everything. I kept thinking that I couldn’t believe I loved him now more than ever. Not only did my heart still skip a beat for him, but also he gave me those butterflies that only your soulmate could.

  That day, we made love over and over again, like it was our first time. We skipped out on the chef cooked meal and champagne. Instead, during the brief moments we were able to pull ourselves away from each other’s grasp, we ate the fresh fruit and delicatessens that had already been stocked for us, upon our arrival.

  With the double doors that led to the beach wide open, the warm sweet breeze and the sounds of the waves crashing had us completely seduced. We couldn’t have left our bungalow, even if we wanted to. Our love and passion was holding us hostage and I savored every second of it.

  “Precious, I have never been in love with another woman, other than you and I never will,” Nico whispered in my ear, as our bodies and minds became one. We continued making love, until we fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  The remnants of a dream were being chased away by the tapping sunlight against my face, waking me. I yawned, but my eyes remained closed, as I fought to get back to the peacefulness of my sleep. I’d blink and then shut my eyes, before blinking again. I was losing the battle of going back to that peaceful place.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” I heard a voice say.

  “Where am I,” I mumbled, not completely focusing, as I struggled to completely wake up from my deep sleep.

  “I know I put it on you all day and night but it was so good, I made you forget where you at? Damn, after all these years, I still got skills.”

  “Nico,” I muttered, as the bright sunlight now had my eyes widening open.

  “Yes, sleepyhead. Wake up, so we can have breakfast on the beach.

  “Nico!” I screamed, jumping up from the bed. I grabbed the sheet, pulling it off the mattress, and then wrapped it around my naked body. “What the hell are you doing here and where is my husband?” I belted.

  “You’re so cute. I love how you still like to play practical jokes,” Nico laughed.

  “Do you see me laughing? Why in the hell are we in the bed naked together? I’m a married woman,” I yelled, flashing the enormous rock on my finger. “If Supreme finds out we spent the night together, he will kill me and you. Fuck, I have to call my husband. Where’s my phone?” I said looking around.

  As I was scrambling around the room, I could feel Nico’s eyes burning through me. I tried to ignore him, as all I wanted to do was find my phone, so I could call Supreme, but Nico’s intense glare had me uneasy.

  “Would you please stop staring at me and help me find my fuckin’ phone!? I don’t know what went down between us last night, but let’s pretend it didn’t happen. Supreme can never find out about this. Do you understand, Nico? Don’t just sit there, say something,” I roared, ready knock the smug look off of his face.

  “Precious, I am your husband. We got married day before yesterday. That ring you’re wearing is the one I put on your finger. And the one I have on,” Nico said, raising his hand, showing a sleek diamond wedding band, “Is the ring you put on mine.”

  I swallowed hard, before sitting down on the floor trying to process what Nico said. None of this was making any sense to me. There was no way I could be married to Nico, when I was in love with Supreme.

  “I don’t know what type of sick joke you’re playing Nico, but I want no parts of it. I wouldn’t marry you; I’m married to Supreme. We share a family together. I love him and he loves me. So, take me home. Take me home to my family and my husband, now!”

  Aaliyah

  The warm, summer breeze had my body feeling at peace, as I drove through Manhattan, in my drop top white Bentley. Although the beautiful weather had my body feeling one way, it was doing absolutely nothing to calm my mind. I was on my way to meet Dale for lunch, and instead of looking forward to seeing my man, the Maya situation had me zoning out.

  I was waiting for Amir to get back to me with more details regarding her relationship with Arnez and who he was, but so far nothing. I even called him a couple times, but he kept sending me to voicemail. I figured, for whatever reason, Amir was trying to now keep me out the loop. That was a no go for me. After my lunch date with Dale, I planned on making a beeline straight to Amir.

  When I pulled up to the restaurant, the valet took my car and I headed straight through the double glass doors to meet with Dale. I didn’t even bother waiting for the hostess to seat me, because from a distance, I could see Dale sitting at a corner booth. It wasn’t until I got right up to the table did I see his brother, Emory.

  “What the fuck is he doing here,” I snapped, so loudly that half the restaurant had turned in our direction.

  “Aaliyah, keep your voice down,” Dale said, putting his hand on top of mine firmly. My eyes stayed glued on Emory. I couldn’t stand the motherfucker, point blank, period. I sat down, deciding it was unnecessary to bring anymore unwanted attention to us.

  “I’ma keep my voice down, but I still want to know why is your brother here?” I asked, taking a seat across from them.

  “I thought we were past all of this,” Emory said, taking a sip of his water.

  “Past what…me not liking you? Nah, that’s an ongoing thing.”

  “Aaliyah, I thought we all agreed to put our past issues behind us and move forward. So, why do you still have beef with Emory?

  “I don’t trust him,” I said, snarling in Emory’s direction.

  “At this point, this dislike thing has become mutual, but my brother has made it clear the two of you are an item, and I must respect your relationship. Because of the love I have for my brother, I’m trying my best to mend this broken relationship we have, but you’re making it very difficult.”

  “Does it look like I care?”

  “Aaliyah, can you just hear him out?” Dale implored. I didn’t verbalize a response. I simply sat up straight in my seat, faking like Emory had my full attention.

  “As I was saying, I’m trying to mend our relationship. I think finding out who actually hired Tori to infiltrate your family’s business would be a good start.”

  “Yeah, it would, but with Tori being dead, I thought the truth died with her.”

  “So did we, but I think we might have a major breakthrough.”

  “What kind of breakthrough?” I questioned, sitting extra straight up in my chair. This time, I wasn’t pretending like Emory had my full attention, he actually did.

  “Do you know a man named Arnez Douglass?”

  My heart began racing when Emory dropped that name.
In my head, I quickly debated whether I should come clean and admit that Amir mentioned him being linked to Maya, and was having that further investigated, or should I play dumb. I opted on playing clueless. Technically, I didn’t know anything about this Arnez character and needed to get all the dirt I could get.

  “No, who is that?”

  “He was a major player in the drug game a few years ago. He moved a ton of weight out in Atlanta, before he got killed. I guess his death was greatly exaggerated, because he’s been making serious moves behind the scenes. While Tori was supposed to be working with us to infiltrate the Dominican family, she was also working for Arnez. He is the one that’s responsible for that hit put on your family and for causing this beef we had with the Dominicans. Arnez is orchestrating all this shit, hoping we’ll wipe each other out and he’ll be the last motherfucker standing, and take over each of our territories, including your families.”

  I sat speechless for a few minutes. Everything Emory said made perfect sense. The only piece missing was Maya’s role. They probably weren’t aware that Arnez had more than just Tori on his payroll, but for now they didn’t need to know.

  “Aaliyah, are you okay?” Dale asked, touching my arm, shaking me out of my thoughts.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just trying to take in everything Emory said.”

  “I know it’s a lot, but I checked the info and it’s all accurate.”

  “No…no…I’m not doubting what your brother said, I believe him.”

  “Really?” Emory sounded stunned. With our history I couldn’t blame him. “I figured you would throw a ton of questions my way, in an attempt to discredit me and make me out to be a liar.”

  “Normally I would, because you give me reason to doubt you, but this time is different. I believe you’re sincerely making an attempt to gain my trust.”

  “I hope you truly believe that, because I am.” I wasn’t completely sold on this new and somewhat improved Emory, but I decided it was better for me to have both of the brothers on my side. Two was definitely more powerful than one.

  “Like I said, I believe you are. Now that we got that out the way, let’s discuss the most important thing. How do we get to Arnez? I need him dead like yesterday.”