She's My Queen

Chapter Twenty

ACE

"What are you doing here, Clarissa?" I moved my arm out of her touch.

Clarissa Simpson use to be a good friend of mine in the business life. Until we crossed lines having a secret affair. You could say I found an interest in her as she did me. We'd always knew where one was. That was years ago.

By the glint in her eyes, I knew her well enough to know she was here for something.

She gave me a pleasant smile. "I missed you."

"Hmph," I took another swing of the burning liquid. "For real, Rissa, what are you doing here?"

She sighed and turned to face the many beverages behind the bar. "I need your help. I've found myself in a little situation with someone and he just won't leave me be."

"Who is he?"

"Old lover. Not to fond to share a bed with him a few times but it was a bit pleasant." She shrugged and her look went from serious to flirtatious. "Not as pleasurable as you, Ace."

Ignoring her comment, I went on to other things. "How about you tell me the truth. You can easily get rid of him if you wanted to. Who sent you?" I question, already having a feeling who did.

She smirked and turned to meet my eyes. "Cartron is very interested in knowing what you've found about is lovely Camille. Tell me, is she better in bed than me?"

I glared at her. I wasn't going to admit to her that Camille was the best I've had because it was none of her f*****g business. Now, she's here because of Cartron. I have a confession, one that might get me killed and lose a lot that matters to me. That day I was captured leaving my hotel room, Cartron exchanged some words with me.

This was more than just a business deal. He wanted me to help. Distract rather. Camille was just thrown in the mix but I've never done anything to make her too suspicious. I don't know much about Cartron's motives but I do know he wants that child. But I made him no promises and I told him I wanted nothing to do with him and his looney ways. He continues to try and to persuade me, he calls it, and I continue to tell him my answer. No.

But he had to bring my ex back.

"My answer is still no."

She huffed and touched my arm once again. "Oh, come on, Ace. I would hate to cause trouble between you and your precious Camille."

I clenched my jaw, flipping her hands off and gripped her wrist in a tight hold. She winced and stared up at me with shocked eyes. "Tell the fucker my word is final and to leave me the f**k alone. As for you, I bet not see you again. This is my first and final warning to you, Clarissa."

I let go of her and fished out a few bills to pay off my drink. I gave her one last glare before leaving the bar and going to my car.

I inhaled sharply, thinking hard about everything. I've been lying to everyone and I needed to come clean. I was just unsure if they would trust me after my confession.

If this could destroy anything I have with Camille no matter where we stood in our relationship.

I exhaled and started up the car, taking off.

I needed more time to think because I knew everything was going to turn into shît.

TROY

"You are such a stubborn man!" Iliana laughed her sweet hypnotic laugh.

It's been a few days and over these few days, I actually learned to enjoy a conversation. For the first time, I've learned to control such desires for a woman. The more I got to know her, the more I became relaxed.

You could say I was building a friendship with this doctor. She was great company and she could carry on a conversation. Iliana Lorre Bianchi was her full name. She was a natural red head. Her mother was American and her father was Italian. She was more brought up on her father's side which is why she speaks fluently in Italian.

I found it beautiful when she spoke the language. Even if I don't know one damn word she says.

She's great company even when she fusses at me about not listening to doctor orders. The more we talked the more comfortable we are around each other.

I still miss talking to my sister. I owed her an apology along with my obsession with her friend Eva. My head was not in the right state of mind. It still isn't and I'm working on it with Iliana's help. My mind was lost.

Tiana and I had been taken from our parents. I killed King and I recently found out I was drugged by someone.

Iliana tells me the results have yet to come back and she's working hard to get them. She finds it strange and so do I. Something was going on here and I wanted to know what it was.

I had a feeling it was Cartron's fault though I know very little about the situation. All I know is that he wants my niece to take for his future needs.

But I have to get myself together before I can even do anything to help.

Iliana's sigh draws me out of my deep inner thoughts. She's looking down at the clipboard then back at me. "Everything looks great. How do you feel?"

"Better. When do you think I will be discharged?"

A brief look of hesitance crossed her face before she shrugged as if it was nothing. "I'm not sure. I can check with the top doctor for you."

I knew she was lying on that part. I sit up a bit more and look at her with suspicions. Her face formed into a straight face and she did it well.

"Just get some rest. I'll be back to check on you." She stood and gave me one look over before leaving out my room.

She was hiding something and I was going to figure it out.

RICK

"Boss," I greeted, slapping hands with Carter and smiled when I saw Camille. "Miss Camille."

She smiled and embraced me in a tight hug. I had to admit, I missed seeing familiar faces. Then Mina was next. She smiled and hugged me next.

I've heard something's about her recent behavior from Eva. This sets a reminder for me to make sure to pull her aside and talk to her.

She's still new in this lifestyle and her skills are spectacular. But she has to know what lines to never cross and I heard it's been a few. The only reason she's not gone yet is the fact that she's my cousin.

"Rick." I pulled away from Mina when Carter waved me over to a private section of the building.

"Boss?"

He was looking out the window over Paris. The view of the Eiffel Tower was visible. He crossed his arms. "Fill me in on your suspicions."

"As I said before, Cartron is covering up his tracks well and he's not working alone. I feel he's gaining more people to plot out whatever he has planned."

He makes a sound that sounds irritated. "And you think they're in Italy? Male or female?"

"I don't know sir but I would think both. I think he spreads them out. They could be anywhere. Here or there but there near us."

He nods. "Do you think he can persuade those we are close to?"

"Perhaps," I say.

"Tiana's brother, Troy, showed up in Italy. He's been drugged and I have a feeling who it might've been."

"Cartron." I said.

"I payed a hefty amount to a nurse to keep her eye on him and not let him out of her sight. She goes where he goes."

"And what of Queen?"

"Ace and a few other of my men are watching her."

"And still no word on Curt?"

"No, which brings me to asking a favor. I want you and Mina to look in on every single one of my men. I'm going through Tiana's and Troy's. Every single information you found, bring it to me."

I nod. "Do you want me to go through Ace and his family?"

"No, I'll do it in case Camille find out. I'm pretty sure you don't want to face her wrath if she finds out."

He was right about that. Camille was set up in her own way but if you ever piss her off, just pray that you'll live to see the next day.

"Everyone has a past and I want to know it." He said final before slapping my shoulder and walking off.

Time to get to work.

CAMILLE

FEW HOURS LATER

"Hey, I tried to call you earlier. What happened?" I spoke into the phone.

I heard Ace sigh. "I had a few drinks and went to sleep. I'm sorry I didn't call you back."

"It's alright. What are you doing?"

"I have some family business to take care of." He answered a bit annoyed.

"I hope it's nothing to serious."

He exhaled a long breath. "Usually is Camille."

I frowned. Something wasn't right with him. It was all over his tone. "Are you...Are you okay, Ace? You seem a bit...irritated."

"I'm fine, Camille." He replied bitterly. "I have to go. I'll talk to you later."

Before I could respond, he ended the call. I pulled the phone from my ear and looked at it with worry. What has him so irritated?

I sighed and just let him go through whatever he's going through. It was obvious he wasn't in a talking mood and if I pushed to far, he might snap at me. Nothing I can't handle but it would be a big line between us.

My phone went off and I thought it was Ace calling back to talk but it was Tiana. I answered with a smile.

"Hey,"

"Hey, Cam. How's everything over there?"

"Alright. Carter and Rick are talking about a plan. I only got bits of pieces but I'm sure they'll tell me more tomorrow. How's my niece?"

"She's sleeping. Her crying fits are becoming less and less. In few more weeks she'll be two months. My baby is getting big."

"Any celebrations?"

"I don't know. I didn't do much for her first month but I might do something special when you guys come back."

"Sounds like a plan."

She agreed before bringing up the topic she's been dreading. "What of Mina?"

"Honestly, Tiana," I sighed. "I don't want to cause an argument between you guys. You two made up a while ago—"

"Don't procrastinate, Cam. Just tell it to me straight." Her tone firm and waiting.

I inhaled then exhaled. "My brother knows she likes him and is pushing it off as if nothing. But I see the way she looks at him and he's taking it lightly as if it was a minor school crush."

She was silent on the other end for a while. She was thinking and I toyed with my nails as I waited for her to say something.

"Tiana?"

She exhaled a breath. "Camille, if we have problems because of her, it will be on him. I told him I don't like her nor trust her. He's taking it lightly you said?"

"Yeah, he's more focused on using her to help him locate our dad."

"I understand he wants to get Cartron but I'm not seeing what he really needs Mina for. She's a hacker in computers. Do you guys really need her?"

"I personally don't think so because we have Rick but he claims his skills are slowly fading. She gets info the traffic cameras and cameras that are all over Paris." I said then sigh. "I'm sure my brother would never be untrusting, Tiana."

"That's not what I'm worried about. I trust Carter to be faithful to me and me only. It's her I don't trust. What if she tries something like...drug him and they ended up doing things I rather not say. That would put me in a tough position because I warned him, you warned, and I wouldn't know what to do. I just hate how he's taking her affections lightly."

Her voice filled with sadness. I totally understood why she was thinking this way and I've warned Carter this thing will take a toll on his relationship if he doesn't set the record straight.

"I'm watching his back, Tiana. My eyes aren't leaving off of Mina. You have nothing to worry about. I'll make sure nothing happens."

She sighed in relief. "Thank you, Camille. You're my greatest friend."

"No problem. Kiss my niecy Pooh goodnight."

"Alright and thanks."

We ended the call. I was going to keep my word and look out for my brother.

If Mina didn't learn soon, she was definitely going to learn later.

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