Page 51 of Emani's Way

I trusted my assistant. She had been with me for years. Her salary was one of the highest at the firm. Hell, she made more money than some of our freshman attorneys, and yet she still sold her soul to Elizabeth for more.Loyalty is hard to come by these days.

The two Hellhounds lead the women further into the room and push them into chairs. Once they finish tying them up, they nod and leave. The efficiency with which they completed the tasks leaves no doubt in my mind they have plenty of practice.

“I knew I should’ve kept a closer eye on you after you visited Maddox that day. I told you to stay away frommysons. You gave them up, and I paid you handsomely to stay away from us. But you’re a greedy, selfish bitch. Always have been, always will be.”

I’ve never heard my father talk like that to Elizabeth. He’s always carefully blank when talking about or dealing with anything that has to do with my mother. He’s never said anything disparaging against her, he let me and my brother figure out who she was on our own. It didn’t take long, but I never would’ve expected her to betray us like this.

Both Elizabeth and Lena’s faces are streaked with tears. Too bad this lesson is one they learned too late. Neither of them will leave this compound alive.

“Do you want to hear anything they have to say?” Bishop looks at me, then my dad.

“Why not… any last words, ladies?”

The tape is ripped from their mouths, and Elizabeth yells out dramatically. Lena, on the other hand, whimpers with wide, pleading blue eyes.

“How could you do this, Joseph? All you had to do was pay me. You owe me!” Elizabeth furiously yells. “I helped you start the firm with my parent’s money. You wouldn’t be shit without me.”

“You’re fucking delusional! Your parents are broke! They were broke then, and they are broke now. They were living off borrowed money and their name. They barely had enough to send you to college, much less start my firm.”

I can only shake my head. The woman tried to ruin our lives, knowing it took my dad almost a decade to get established and pay off business loans. My grandparents have never done anything for us. Hell, they’ve never done anything for Elizabeth, either.

It’s wild what people will do for money. Elizabeth put all of our lives in jeopardy. If they were able to get the information they were after, I wouldn’t have to worry about going to jail because one of the more ruthless clients would’ve killed us to keep their secrets.

“Please, Maddox. I told you everything. I never wanted to do this. Your mother told me she would have me killed.”

“Shut up, you stupid bitch! If you would’ve kept your fucking mouth shut, they would’ve never known anything,” Elizabeth snarls at Lena.

“Both of you can save it. It doesn’t matter the reasons. I hope you all find peace on the other side.”

I signal for Ace to do what he does best. Make people disappear. I turn to my father, and he nods as we leave the room. All I hear are tearful pleas, but the only emotion I feel is relief. I’m glad this shit is over, and I can get back to my woman.

Chapter20

EMANI

The last place I want to be is back at Mount Zion Avenue Baptist Church. The lies and betrayal will forever be tied to this place. It’s still unbelievable that my parents lied to me my entire life. But it was not just the lie; it was the resentment that was held towards me.

My Mama said she forgave my Daddy, but all along, she was stewing in her bitterness. Her hate for my Daddy turned into mistreatment of me. No child should have to feel they aren’t good enough. What my Daddy did was not my fault.

If she didn’t want to raise me, then she should’ve said so. She had a choice in the situation, but she wanted the power that the church was providing her—the prestige of being the first lady of a popular mega-church. But as soon as being first lady wasn’t enough, she wanted to use the child she hated for her gain.

“You alright, Sugar?” Maddox leans over to ask.

“No, I want to go home. But I promised. So…” I look up at Maddox, and he smiles his understanding.

We make our way to the front pew and take our designated seats. Amari and Naomi are already here, but Zuri is nowhere to be found. I can’t say that I’m sad she’s not here. I’m still feeling some type of way about my oldest sister.

“I know you f… lying,” Amari fiercely whispers.

I look up to see my Daddy coming from the back with my Mama, Zuri, and Darrius following behind him. They are all wearing big smiles like they just won the lottery, and my stomach sinks.

When I left my parent’s house after Zuri dropped her bomb, they were all still arguing. Amari drove me home, and I hadn’t planned on stepping foot back in their house. All I know is a lot of blame was placed on my shoulders, and not a single apology came my way.

It’s shocking to see them all walk out together like they hadn’t crushed my world for a little power. It makes me sick to my stomach that I can be so easily dismissed. I can feel the tears welling up, and I do my best to suck them up.

Maddox places his hand in mine and tugs me closer to his side. He squeezes my hand then kisses my temple. His presence is such a comfort that I feel myself slightly relax. But the anxiety is lingering at the surface like a volcano about to erupt.

“Good morning, Saints,” my Daddy’s voice booms throughout the church. “How are you all this fine Sunday morning?”