Page 63 of Double

I had no idea how long into the night the party went on. All I knew was that, at some point, we all moved from the back patio to the family room or the game room or something. It was a large but cozy room with multiple television screens and even more comfortable places to sit—with its sofas, recliners, and chaise lounges. I awoke that morning to pressure from my bladder. I slowly opened my eyes and realized that I was tangled up on a sofa with Treasure. I disengaged myself and stood up. My body was sore from sleeping in such an awkward position. As I took in the room, I counted five additional feminine forms curled up on various pieces of furniture. We were all present and accounted for. I was glad about that. Everybody was still wearing the clothes they’d worn to the concert, and everybody looked to be in one piece. I gave a sigh of relief.

Lyric was asleep in a chaise lounge, cuddled up with Shaun, who was topless but wore shorts on his bottom half. She opened her eyes and turned her body toward me, which must’ve disturbed Shaun because he opened his eyes.

“Sorry to wake you. Where’s the bathroom?” I was about to pee on myself.

“Go through this door”—he pointed as he spoke—“and make a quick left. It’s at the end of the hallway. There should be an unopened pack of toothbrushes in one of the drawers and toothpaste.”

Lyric stretched. “I’ll make some calls and see if I can get somebody to bring some clothes for us.”

“I got it,” Shaun assured her.

I didn’t stick around for the discussion. I followed the directions Shaun gave and made a mad dash toward the bathroom. After relieving myself, I washed my hands. Then I found the toothbrushes and the toothpaste and went to work on my mouth. My face felt gross, so I splashed it with tepid water and patted it dry with a paper towel.

One by one, the other ladies awakened and made their way to the bathroom. Not an hour later, Shaun announced that someone was at his door. My heart stopped beating as I prayed that it wasn’t a political official who had somehow found out I was on the island. It wasn’t. It was one of Shaun’s employees who had gone to the twenty-four-hour big-box store and bought underwear and outfits in every size imaginable.

Lyric used her stylist capabilities to put together the best look for each of us from the fast-fashion pieces Shaun’s employee had grabbed. Then, one by one we each took a quick shower and dressed. By the time Royalty and Treasure, who were last, made it back to the game room, Shaun’s staff members were telling us to come in for breakfast.

Shaun’s home was gorgeous. I hadn’t noticed the night before, because he’d ushered us to the back patio pretty quickly. In the light of day, I could see the high-end, custom touches. His house definitely spoke to his status as the biggest superstar on the island.

On the way to the dining room, Shaun caught up to me. “Before you eat, Attorney Lowe is here with the papers.”

Journey saw me about to dip off with Shaun. “Where are you going?”

“To sign the papers. The attorney is here.”

Journey joined us as Shaun led me to what had to be his great room.

“Attorney Lowe, thanks for coming,” Shaun told him, giving his hand a shake.

“You’re welcome,” he said to Shaun, but his eyes were on me. “Is this her?”

I stepped up. “Yes, I’m Tinsley Campbell. I’d like to get this done as quickly as possible. What do you need from me?”

He listed the pieces of identification he could accept, and I showed him my passport. He presented the paperwork, and I signed or initialed on every line he indicated, while Journey snapped pictures with her phone. I asked for a business card and told him that I would send the information for the account I wanted the money wired to when I returned to America.

The knot in my stomach finally began to subside as he gathered the papers and prepared to leave. I realized that I was starving and could probably eat some breakfast if there was any left. Journey and I headed toward the dining room while Shaun saw the attorney out. I could see the table and the mounds of food that sat atop it. My stomach rumbled, and just as I was smiling in the first bit of happiness I’d felt since we boarded the private jet the night before, my phone rang. I didn’t have to look at the phone to know it was Double. Anybody else who would call my phone was in Iredia with me.

I pulled it out of my purse.

“Is that Double?” Journey asked quietly.

“Yeah.”

“Oh shit!”

Oh shit, indeed. “Hey, Double.”

“Don’t hey, Double me, Sweetheart. What are you doin’ on the island of Iredia, and whose address is this that you’re at?”

“It’s a long story⁠—”

“Get to talkin’.”

“We went to see King Cobra for⁠—”

“The motherfucka that’s tryna get with you? I will beat his motherfuckin’ ass, Sweetheart. You want this nigga dead? You want his blood on your hands?”

“No, Double. No, please.”