Her father looked back at her, confused by everything transpiring. “Cali what the hell is he talking about?”
She looked at her father then her gaze shifted to Nathaniel and Cee, who stood beside Rio. Then, her vision landed on the man who had her heart. She had fallen so deep in love when he was in a coma and didn’t want to be released from this hold. However, this was the end. Their blissful union had come to an abrupt conclusion, and Cali didn’t know how she would live without him.
“Tell your pops how you set me up to be killed.”
Her saddened eyes immediately gawked at Rio’s revelation.
“Wait, what?”
“You hear me, bitch! You got that nigga to cut my brake line. What was it? You wanted insurance money? You was gon’ move him into my shit and ride off into the sunset? Tell me why you wanted to take me out, Cali?”
There was so much pain in Rio’s voice that Cali recoiled on the inside. Rio was misled. She would’ve never caused him harm. Granted, she did plan to end their marriage to be with Braye, but that was the only damage she was prepared to do. Never would she want to see him dead.
“Cali, is this true?” Douglas asked.
“No! Never!” she screamed, hoping Rio nixed that crazy idea from his mind. “I would never try to get you killed.”
“Bullshit!” Rio snapped, inching closer to her but Douglas stepped in front of him.
“She said she didn’t do it, Rio. Where did you get this crazy-ass idea from?”
Rio glowered at Douglas. “Why don't you ask her how she know ol’ boy?”
Douglas turned to her. “Why does he believe you tried to get him killed? And you bet’ not lie.”
Cali’s head hung as more tears gushed from her eyes. Her chest ached from the pain that was bound to stay with her for decades to come. For years, she had created a mountain of lies but now the foundation had cracked. The mess she’d created pooled around her feet, restricting her from running away. This was her moment to tell the truth. She needed to be set free from all of her sins, even if it meant giving up her husband.
“I would never try to get you killed, Rio…” She licked her dry lips. “But… I did have an affair with him.”
Rio shook his head as a snort of laughter drifted from his lips. Sweat pooled on his forehead as he flexed his fist. Without warning, he cocked his gun and pointed at her.
“I’m ‘bout to murk you, bitch!”
Douglas and his men drew their weapon while Cee pulled out his Glock and aimed it at Douglas. Guns were pointed at everyone. Within seconds, bullets could’ve flown and every person inside the foyer could’ve been dead.
“I understand you being mad, Rio, but I won’t let you hurt my daughter.”
“You ain't got no choice,” Rio seethed, looking dead at Cali.
Pressing her palms together, she pleaded, “Babe, you gotta believe me. I would never set you up.”
“But you fucked that nigga, though, right? You sucked his dick, huh? You did all the shit you wasn’t supposed to do but you draw the line with trying to take me out?”
His words felt like shards of glass being cut into her skin. Cali bled on the inside because the pain on Rio’s face was too much for her to bear. She’d broken their vows and now he wanted to end her life. She couldn’t blame him because he had been the ultimate sacrifice from her affair.
“Uh, can I interject?” Nathaniel asked, holding up his index finger. “I don't think it should come to this. Perhaps get the police involved with the information I discovered and let them deal with it.”
Rio snapped his head toward him. “Nigga, I don't deal with no fucking police.”
“Listen, I get that you're hurt but this is my child we’re talking about,” Douglas chastised Rio. “You should know Cali would never try to get you killed.”
“Get the fuck outta here!” Rio snarled. “You really don't know this selfish, self-centered-ass bitch you raised. She don't give a fuck about nobody but herself. You know how long I’ve been chasing her ass in this marriage? She ain't gave me no kind of intimacy until I woke up from that coma. All that crying and shit she did when I was in the hospital was because her plan to take me out didn’t go through. Fuck her and fuck you, Douglas. This bitch gon’ pay.”
“Well, let’s do it.” Douglas took off his suit jacket. “We can all go out this bitch together. Come on and shoot so I can put you down.”
Rio smirked. “Nigga, I got my best shooter behind me. You think you gon’ get a shot out before him?”
Cali nibbled on her thumb while she wrapped her arm around her torso. She was so terrified of this turning into a war zone that she said a silent prayer for her demise to be quick. Cali didn’t want to suffer. She just wanted her misery to be short-lived on her way to the afterlife.
