Fire and Desire (BWWM Romance) (19 page)

“Help! Help! I don’t know this woman! She’s in my house, holding me hostage!” Ms. Classy screamed in the background.

Emily couldn’t help but laugh. Granny was ninety-two years old and only four feet eight inches tall, but she was a pure hellion.

“Lord help me with this woman,” her mom prayed out loud. “It’s taking everything in my power not to hog tie her and put duct tape over her mouth. Yesterday, she called me a black bitch. I had to remind her we weren’t in the fifties, and this black bitch would kick her ass.” She let out a laugh. “Anyway, I love you, but I have to go. Remember to keep your head up. My baby has nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I love you too, Ma,” Emily said, but her mother had already ended the call.

“What in the world was that?” Antonio propped up on his elbow.

“You don’t want to know.” Emily laughed.

“I’m about to go home and get dressed. I’ll be back to pick you up. I don’t want you riding to the City County Building alone.”

He left and returned in less than an hour. Emily nervously awaited him. She had to constantly remove her hands from her mouth as she resisted the urge to bite her nails. Antonio led her to the car, and she was grateful he chose to drive. She wasn’t too sure she would have made it safely. Trepidation set in. A wave of nausea hit her, and her hands were trembling.

“Damn. The media’s surrounding the place.” He parked. “You okay?”

Never let them see you sweat.
She put on her white framed sunglasses and got out the car. Angry women with signs shouted obscenities at her. Antonio shielded her from the crowd as best he could.

When they were safely inside the courthouse and past security, she said, “I’ll see you in the court room.”

Emily made a dash for the restroom. Once inside, she stood at the sink, desperately trying to pull herself together. She took controlled slow deep breaths and splashed water on her face. Giving herself a final pep talk in the mirror, she put on her game face.

“You ready?” her lawyer asked when she came out.

“It’s now or never.” Emily took a deep breath and let it out.

She walked in the courtroom with a look of determination. Emily held her head high and her shoulders back, unfazed by the onlookers. She didn’t even blink when she saw the picket signs in front of the courthouse nor when it seemed like the entire city had squeezed into the courtroom.

To her surprise, Heather sat in the second row. It left no doubt in Emily’s mind that she was the cause of all the drama. She continued down the aisle to her place at the left bench. Janet gave her an encouraging smile, and Antonio grabbed her hand mouthing the words, “I love you.”

A slightly overweight bailiff slowly walked in, instructing the courtroom to rise for the Honorable Judge Rachel Carter. In walked Judge Carter, the youngest judge Emily had ever seen. Not that she had seen many, but she expected an older rounder white man. This judge looked like a younger version of Judge Judy, the TV judge from hell.

Swallowing the lump trying to build up in her throat, she listened as the DA tore her character apart, making it seem as if she had previously worked in a whore house and was currently prostituting others out via her website. He’d downloaded pictures from her website and even a picture she took with some other girls to promote The Playhouse
.
None of the items, however, included any men.

When it was time for her lawyer to speak, she described Emily as a hardworking, single parent, and her dancing was a way to make ends meet instead of collecting a check from the government. She described Emily’s internet site as a great business move, supplying a demand to wanting customers while providing a safer environment for women, by not having physical contact with the men. She finished up by claiming
Emily’s Playhouse was a complete separate entity. It combined the love men had to have sexy woman around them, and a place to party. She even suggested that the taxes Emily would have to pay would benefit the struggling economy and put some people to work.

After hearing both sides, Judge Carter adjusted her small frame in her chair before speaking to the court. “This has been a very long morning, and I’m sure you all can’t wait to be on your way. First off, I would like to say that this has been one of the more interesting cases I have seen, though I could have done without all the pictures.” She gave a glare to the DA before speaking further. “I have my own thoughts and opinions about the adult entertainment industry, but those are not on trial. This issue of Ms. Washington promoting prostitution and formerly being one herself is. The evidence doesn’t support these claims. Ms. Washington, I don’t agree with your line of work; however, I do admire your cleverness and ambition. You’re well onto being a millionaire before you turn twenty-five. I say bravo for stepping into the men’s only club and ruling it. I could only wish I had your business sense at such a young age. As for you, Mr. Herald Mies, take the padlocks and chains off of Ms. Washington’s property because she’s free to open it up at her leisure.”

Judge Carter slammed down her gavel and disappeared in her chambers. Keisha, Antonio, Janet, and Kenny all rushed over to Emily, speaking at once while Heather faded into the mass of people leaving the court room.

“I told you those bastards couldn’t keep you down,” Janet said.

“You looked so glamorous walking in the door, sis. Just like mamma taught us,” Keisha chimed in.

“Yes, you were very graceful,” added Kenny.

“You ready to go home, baby?” Antonio pulled her into his muscular arms, giving her a much needed hug.

***

Exhausted from the long day of court, Emily wanted to be alone. Yes, it turned out in her favor, but she was dog tired. After Antonio dropped her off, she went to her room, closing the door behind her. She slid off her shoes and flopped on her bed, trying to free her mind.

“I know you don’t want to be bothered, but Kenny is on the business phone. He said your cell went straight to voicemail, and I guess you turned the ringer off the house phone. He wanted me to tell you it’s very important,” Tyson said, barely poked his head in her room.

“All right. I’m up. Can you please bring me the phone?” She sat up on the bed.

Once the phone was in her hand, Tyson hightailed it out the room and closed the door softly behind him.

“Yes, Kenny.” She sighed into the phone.

“I have something… You need to know this.” He rushed, his British accent thicker than normal.

“What is it?” She was fully awake now.

“Antonio, he, ah…hard for me to say. He is the cousin of Summer.”

Emily’s blood turned cold. Summer was Dwayne’s girlfriend. After stalking Emily two years ago he’d found out where Emily worked and made it a point to date one of the other girls. Summer was used as a character witness against her when Dwayne tried taking her to court for custody of their son. Soon after the Banana Split was robbed and Summer was named as an accomplice. As far as Emily knew Summer was still in prison.

“Summer? What? How do you know? This has to be a mistake.” Any person related to Summer was not a friend of hers. “I got a picture of him visiting her at the Women’s Prison with a note telling me to check my sources. After seeing that, I most certainly did. It seems that their mothers are sisters and they are, in fact, first cousins. There’s more.”

“More?” Her heart dropped.

“I was at the club when the newly hired security showed up. They were one short and I overheard the name. It was Dwayne.”

Emily felt shortness of breath. If Dwayne was supposed to be there then they’d all been a part of it, Dwayne, Summer and Antonio. It was one big conspiracy. Tears threatened to burst past her eyelids. “Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.”

“I can come by if you want,” he said, his voice now soft.

“No,” she choked out. “I have to handle this.”

She ended the call. A salty stream of liquid poured down her face. Picking up a pillow, she put it to her mouth and screamed into it. Her heart hurt.
How could I have been such a fool? The one I love is the one doing this to me.

Minutes passed before she was able to calm down and make the call.

“Hey, baby,” Antonio answered.

“Antonio, we need to talk.” Her throat was dry.

“What’s wrong, baby? You sound terrible.”

“I’ll tell you when you get here.” She pushed the end button on her cell.

Emily cried until she collapsed on the floor. She continued crying until it turned into anger. She felt like a complete fool, deceived, and played harder than a video game in a room full of teenagers. For the life of her, she couldn’t see how Antonio could profess his love to her, help her with her business, and lie to her for almost a year. There should’ve been some signs, but she came up blank trying to recall any. She wondered if this was his and Summer’s whole plan. Get her to fall in love with him while plotting to destroy her business. She didn’t doubt it if Summer sat in her cell, laughing away at Emily’s expense whenever she received an update.

“Baby.” Antonio walked in her bedroom. “You look awful. What’s going on?”

Her appearance was the last thing Emily cared about. He ripped her heart out and needed to see how hurt she was.

“What’s going on?” She got up in his face. “How about you tell me? I know the truth. Your game is over!”

“Game? What are you talking about?” Antonio’s eyebrows knitted together.

“How dare you pretend to be innocent? I know Summer is your cousin, and you’re the one who has been putting me through this hell!” She pushed his chest. “How could you! I love you. If this is what you do to someone who loves you, you’re a complete jerk. I hate you so much right now!”

“I don’t know anyone named Summer.” Antonio grabbed her hands. “Emily, I’m a Marine and a man of honor. I’d never hurt you.”

She cut her eyes at him and snatched her hands loose. “Then who do you visit at the women’s prison? What about Dwayne?”

“Dwayne is a nobody. He applied for a job and never showed up.”

“I’m supposed to believe that you had no idea who Summer is and that Dwayne was her boyfriend and also Sean’s father?” Her nose flared.

He opened his mouth and closed it. Antonio reached for her and she snatched away. “I had no idea who Dwayne was. I’m sorry.”

“I’m done crying.” Her chest heaved up and down. “I thought I wanted to hear what you had to say, but what’s the point? You’ve been lying to me all along. Now please walk out that door and the hell out of my life.”

Hanging his head, Antonio turned around, heading for the door. He stopped and looked back. “I know you are mad now and don’t want to listen, but when you want answers, we can talk. All I can say is my cousin’s name is Jessica. I never knew her as Summer.”

“Get out!” She threw a house shoe in his direction.

Antonio ducked. Instead of hitting him in the head like she intended, it hit the door. After glancing at her one last time, he left without another word.

“Screw him,” she mumbled. “I have a club to open up, and there’re more fish in the sea.” Her words defied the pain she felt. She slumped to the floor, crying her heart out.

Chapter Seventeen

“I can’t believe I screwed it up with her.” Antonio sat across from Jessica, rubbing his fingers through his hair.

They were sitting in the Women’s Correctional Facility visiting room. Like clockwork, he came to visit her every other week.

“I told you to be honest with Mercedes. I never meant her or anyone else harm. I just wanted to get enough money so I could be set once I quit dancing. I know having the place robbed was a stupid idea. I was in love with Dwayne and didn’t want to believe he was only with me to get back at her. At the time I was desperate.”

“You threatened to destroy Emily’s life when you got caught.” Antonio never felt comfortable calling Emily by her stage name.

“I told you before I was embarrassed. Yeah, I was envious of a new young girl taking my spot and that I’d been used by Dwayne. But, hey, that’s how the game is.” Summer took a log drag off her Virginia Slims. “I was just as surprised as you were when you told me about this woman you’d met.”

“Jessica, your time’s almost up,” a slightly overweight guard said as she walked past. She went around the room, giving everyone their five minute warning.

Her eyes saddened. “Look, Antonio, you love her. Go get your woman, and find out who was really out to get her because I don’t think it’s over yet. If Dwayne is part of it then he won’t stop. He’s obsessed with her.”

He nodded. “You know I love you, right?” Antonio kissed his cousin on the forehead.

“I know.” She stood from the table lined with the rest of the inmates preparing to go back to their cells. Before she was trapped again behind the metal doors, she turned to Antonio. “Now go call your woman!”

A balding male guard ran over to her. “You know the rules. No talking. Now shut up and face forward.”

The door closed, and another opened. It was Antonio’s exit. He followed the other visitors out. Antonio gasped, sucking in the fresh air, when he got outside the prison walls. Being in confinement was bad enough, not to mention the smell. The inside of the prison reeked worse than a pig farm on a hot summer day.