"Shady Bizzness: " Life as Eminem's Bodyguard in an Industry of Paper Gangsters" by Byron Williams Page B

at the hotel, and you should have seen us, it was incredible the way we
were moving! For the first time, I didn’t have anybody lagging behind, and
my big thing was keeping my wife near me. I told her stay near me; even
though I was working with Slim she should stay near me. I had to keep an
eye on her, too. It made my job kind of difficult, but she was a good sport
and did everything she was supposed to. I sent her up to the room, and I
took Slim up to his room and made sure he got in safely. Paul and Slim
gave me numerous amounts of gratitude for a job well done that night.
They appreciated, for once, what I represented. I tucked them in for the
night as they chanted, “We’re alive! We’re alive!” Upon leaving, I posted
two Honolulu police officers outside Slim’s door for twelve hours. We all
slept well because Honolulu police secured the perimeter of the hotel, the
lobby, and each entertainer’s floor. Thank God!!!!
    It was the next day, and our problems were far from over. It was
time to go, but Slim was finishing a rendezvous with Nicole from the night
before. He was really pushing time because we were close to missing the
flight. He continued to take his time, as usual. As he was preparing to
leave, I went to talk to Sarge and Rowe (Dre’s security). They told me that
Dre, Snoop, Xzibit, and the rest of their crew decided to stay another day.
I thought we were all flying back together, considering all the drama with
Death Row, but it was cool. Or at least I thought. Slim’s crew was a little
disappointed that no one told them about the change of travel plans. Upon
arriving at the airport, I was on the lookout for any Death Row members.
I was still uneasy about the events that took place. The plane began to
board, and everything was calm.We were the last ones boarding the plane,
and the flight attendant made the last-call announcement. I’m thinking
to myself, This is going to be a good flight! No Death Row guys in sight!
Just as were buckling our seat belts and the doors were closing, I heard
“Hold that door, hold that door!” Now, I was thinking, oh, shit! It can’t be!
Death Row was in the house, and they were thirteen deep! Immediately,
I jumped out of my seat to tell Dean (Slim’s A&R person) to call Jimmy
Iovine at Interscope. I said, “Call Jimmy right now! Tell him to have some
off-duty LAPD officers at the terminal door when we land because Death
Row is on this plane! I also need a cargo van with someone to get our
luggage, plus two limos, one limo as a decoy. Tell Jimmy to come through
for us or we’re FUCKED!!!!!” I went right to first class and alerted Paul
and Slim of the situation.
    Paul’s reply was, “You got to be fucking kidding me! “I said, “It’s real
man. I’ve got us set up with some added security from LAPD when we
land. Jimmy Iovine has already been notified, and everything is in place. ”
Slim was already out for the count because he had taken a Valium earlier.
I made my rounds and informed the whole crew. In the midst of doing
my job, one the guys from Death Row tried flirting with my wife. I didn’t
overreact, because it may have been a ploy. I stayed focused and awake.
These Death Row guys made their presence known. I was outnumbered.
I remained calm. I knew they wouldn’t do too much on the plane with
the US Marshals regulations. If it wasn’t for my quick thinking and calm
reactions, there’s no telling what the outcome could have been.
    About four hours passed, and I was trying to relax a little bit but
not too much. All I did was read my Bible, and that was the only thing I
had to get me through. As soon as I put down my Bible, in came the devil.
One of the Death Row guys walked past me with a couple of bottles of
Hennessy in his hands. He turned toward me with a grim look, as if he
knew I was with Slim. I said to myself, “OK, I can’t trip.There are thirteen
of them and only one of me. I’m my only backup. ”