“The tape that you say you have has already been ruled as potential evidence of a crime by a judge. So you can try to sell if you’d like. It would just make things much easier for the prosecutor.”
Parker’s words hit home because the lawyer was leaning away from his clients like they were contagious.
“I think we should table this—”
“There’s nothing to table. My mind won’t change. The restraining order obviously wasn’t enough so I need to do more.”
“Oh, Parker you forgot to tell them about the gag order, that means they aren’t allowed to talk about Aldrich, Sterling, Ami or this case until it is resolved.” Billy had a bored look on her face since it was clear she’d already earned her keep for this meeting. They were seated on either side of Sterling and me like the avenging angels happily meting out justice.
“Um…I think I’m not the best person to represent you in this endeavor Mr. and Mrs. Zahran. My last piece of advice for you is to seek a criminal attorney if you return home and see that the police are in fact there.” Their attorney looked like he was sweating bullets. He pushed back from the table, shot an apologetic look at us, looking like he wanted to say something. But when he was met with a hard stare when his eyes landed on me he just backed up before walking out of the room.
“I promise you will regret this.” Mr. Zahran stood up and pulled out the chair for his wife while he looked at me with a look of pure hatred.
“A threat. You see how things have worked out for you so far. I’m more than happy for you to try us again. I doubt there will be a next time since you’ll probably be convicted of a crime, go to jail and then you and your wife will be deported. And the best part of all is that after today, we won’t think of either of you again and Amisha won’t ever know who you are.” He couldn’tbother me with his words but he wanted to make me feel like he had some motion.
“Sir, you need to be more concerned about your freedom. Your daughter is looking up at the life she wishes she could’ve had as her daughter is mothered properly and loved unconditionally by a good woman. Nothing you do will ever change that.”
Sterling covered her mouth trying to maintain some decorum but none of the men at the table gave a damn and laughed at Billy’s words.
“Bitch!”
“I’ll be that. But remember, when you speak on me, you call me that bitch. ‘Cause I’m her.” Billy stood up just as the door opened again and more of the facility’s security team walked in. “Oh good, your escorts are here. Enjoy the troubles that are coming your way.”
They left in a huff but it wasn’t like they had a choice since security was there to ensure their asses left. The stress seemed to leave the room as soon as they did.
“Billy, you’re hell.” Stew was laughing softly to himself and I knew he was admiring how she’d handled the situation.
Billy picked up her bag and I knew she was as done with this as we were. “I’m honest. I’m not one of those who don’t talk ill of the dead. If they wanted to be remembered fondly they should’ve acted right while they were here. That’s like us trying to find redeeming qualities in the Confederacy. I haven’t got a lick of sympathy for anyone actively fighting for my oppression. Same thing with that host body. The only good thing she ever did was Ami. I’ll give her credit for those ten months but the rest of her life was a waste.”
Sterling’s head tilted as she watched Billy. “You sound very sure of this.”
Billy’s face broke into a grin, and she looked between the two of us. “I’ll have to tell Bobby that you doubted him. You know we protect your image especially with something like this. The girl was out there. They knew she was and they didn’t do anything to get her any help. And she needed it. They don’t get a do over baby simply because they fucked the first one up. So any guilt you might have felt over keeping her from them, quash it. The signs were there, they ignored her hoping to marry her off to anyone so they could wash their hands of her.”
“This has happened before?” Sterling looked shocked and I was happy that I wasn’t some lone target of her madness but even angrier that no one had been able to stop her before she did this crazy shit.
“Has. The only reason we didn’t release what we knew was to protect Ami. It’s always family first.”
I was grateful for their discretion. “I appreciate that.”
“I’m a mama first, Money. We always think of the baby’s best interests over anyone else. And speaking of that, go get her. Y’all can celebrate this chapter finally being closed.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Game On
STERLING
“STERLING!”
My eyes darted around as I was walking from the step and repeat they had set up for us. We were playing one of the rare Saturday games and it was going to be a short week since the team was scheduled to play on Christmas Day. I looked at Louis who had his hand on Ami’s stroller, ensuring she was protected while I stepped away. I heard my name called again and I saw my cousin Denise eyeing me up and down. I wasn’t sure what she was doing up here or in Texas at all. My eyes darted around because I didn’t want to assume she was solo and then have my mother or other extended family converge on me.
I wouldn’t put Louis through the bullshit of having to deal with my family of origin.
I lifted my finger toward Louis because I wasn’t about to give her much of my time. They were waiting for me in the suite and I was ready to watch Aldrich work.
“What are you doing here, Denise?”
She leaned over and gave me an air kiss, being as fake as ever. My cousin was classically beautiful in the same sort of Barbie doll way that Porsha was. But Porsha had a soul, good sense and her own money: things my cousin could never claim to.
