To Redemption (Whitsborough Chronicles Book 4)

by C. A. Rene

  “We just wanted an heir, we’re not parents, we chose to have this life and we made sure Adrianna had everything she needed.” Her father explains. “We couldn’t look weak and our family line needed to continue.”

  “It’s water under the bridge at this point.” Adri stands. “I have a family now anyway.”

  “We will fly back out tomorrow.” Her father nods at her. Then he looks at me as I stand up beside her and nods. “When we heard about what happened to Robert we were happy to hear it, you can pass that along to anyone who may have been involved.”

  “Like?” I ask him with my brow raised.

  “Like a certain female known to be taking out the trash.” His throat bobbles like a real fucking turkey.

  “We were shitty parents,” Adri’s mother chimes in. “But we knew you were well cared for and unfortunately we know no different, we were raised the same. I’m happy you found… people.”

  I guess that’s as close as Adri is going to get to an apology.

  “Just keep that bank account stocked.” She retorts as she gives them the gun salute and exits the room.

  I snort and cover my mouth with my hand, “I got her from here on.”

  They both nod and I walk out of the ‘receiving room’ and into the foyer. Adri is waiting by the door with a big smile on her face.

  “What?” I ask her.

  “I feel like I’m free.” She shrugs and we leave the house. “Sorry we didn’t get much information.”

  “I got this.” I wave the NDA in the air. “We’ll see if it can get us any closer to that bitch.”

  Dinner in the compound is different. They have a few cooks that cook a spread everyday and it’s a free for all. Then there’s a large dining area that seats a hundred people at least and that’s where people congregate. It’s impersonal and nothing about this set up screams family. It’s like a work break room, only much bigger. This is no place to raise children.

  “Silvio made the baked salmon today,” Emmett says as he sits beside me. “You better get it while it’s still there.”

  “Is this how it was when you were a kid? First come, first serve?” I ask as I watch him shovel food in his mouth.

  “Yep.” He says around a mouthful.

  “Where does your brother eat?” I ask as I search for Carm among the crowd.

  “Usually his office.”

  “I’m done.” I push my plate away and stand up. “I’ll see you later, I’m gonna go chill.”

  He just nods as he continues to stuff his face. I chuckle and ruffle his hair then make my way out of the dinner hall and head towards Carm’s office. When I get to the large double doors, two guards are there. Once they recognize me, they wave me by and continue their conversation about baseball. I open the door and peer in at a very disheveled looking Carm.

  His hair is a mess of black waves on his head, his dress shirt is rumpled and untucked, and his eyes have serious dark circles under them.

  “Bro, when was the last time you had sleep?” I ask him.

  “Yesterday?” It’s a question.

  “What’s going on?” I ask as I sit across from him.

  “I misplaced important information and if it gets into the wrong hands then I might as well shoot myself in the face.”

  “Whoa.” I chuckle. “Nothing is ever worth that. When was the last time you saw it?”

  “Fuck, about a month after my father… passed away.” Murdered… by his own daughter he means.

  “Okay, where did you have it placed?”

  “In this locked drawer, no one can get in there.” He shakes his head. I bet Em can.

  “Did you leave it unlocked at some point?”

  “No, I barely use it.” He growls with frustration. “Trent is the only other key holder and he swears he hasn’t been in there.”

  “Does he know about this item?” I ask him.

  “Nobody does.” His eyes bore into mine.

  “Cameras?”

  “Not this corridor. The.. uh… holding rooms and interrogation rooms are along here. Plus, this office does not need to be monitored.”

  “Shit, maybe it does though, right?”

  “Yeah, you’re right. It looks that way.” He scrubs his hand down his tired face. “How’s my brother? We should hang out tonight.”

  “Stuffing his face with salmon.” I shake my head and he laughs.

  “He’s doing okay there with you guys? He’s happy?”

  “Yeah, man. He’s happy.”

  “He told me he’s thinking of joining the police academy.” He barks out a laugh. “His big brother is one of the largest gangsters in New York and he wants to be a cop.”

  “He hasn’t said that to me, but mind you, our fucking plates have been stacked lately.”

  “Yeah, good work on that judge.” He nods as his eyes begin to droop.

  “Em tell you about that?”

  “One of them.” He waves his hand.

  “You should get some rest.” I tell him as I stand up. “You look like shit.”

  “Thanks.” He barks out another laugh as I open his office door.

  “Vin,” he calls out and I turn to look at him. “Thanks for watching them.” I nod and close his office door.

  11

  “Says here your mother was a crack addict and no father was present at birth. You showed signs of drug dependence.”

  “Is it true?” Adri looks worried.

  “Even if it is, you’re fine now.” I shrug, “but again, I don’t know if the situation was doctored to fit the narrative.”

  “So, this could all be lies just to steal babies?”

  “Right.” I nod at her. “The age looks correct though, you are definitely a year older.” I chuckle.

  “Emmett will have a field day with that.” She grumbles and I almost feel sorry for her until I remember she’s the one that fell in love with him.

  “Ember, why are you doing all this?” She spreads her arms out wide. “Why not let this town rot and move somewhere else?”

  “It’s my legacy.” I look at her. “This place was meant to be mine.”

  My phone chimes with an incoming message.

  Principal Perv: We are meeting tomorrow

  Me: Where?

  Principal Perv: Behind the elementary school

  Interesting, why would Moore want to meet him there? It’s summer but they always hold summer camp there.

  Me: What time?

  Principal Perv: 2:30 pm

  Huh… just before the summer camp lets out.

  Me: Let me know as soon as it’s done. I want details

  He doesn’t get back to me but the message says read. He better be of some fucking use to me or I will enjoy carving out his intestines and tying him up with them.

  “Is that Vin?” Adri interrupts my thoughts of blood and human entrails.

  “No, it’s Principal Perv telling me he’s meeting up with Moore.”

  “Ember, I don’t like the thought of someone planning your murder.” Adri’s eyes well up with tears. “None of this is worth it if you are dead.”

  “It’ll be worth it for your children, my future nieces and nephews. It’ll be worth it for all those children being abused and unable to get the help they need. Trust me Adri, I will do everything I can to avoid being killed, but our end game is to eradicate the corrupted.”

  She shakes her head and lowers her eyes to her feet, “what about my parents?”

  “To be honest, I don’t think they are bad people. I think they needed a baby and quickly. Sometimes the adoption process can be lengthy and yes they bent the law but they didn’t hurt anyone. Plus, they are away most of the time so I’m not too fixated on them.”

  “What did we find out with those papers?”

  “Nothing referring directly to Talia on here, but there is a name of an adoption agency in New York. I’m going to send it to Carm and let him look into it for me.” I tel
l her. “The boys will be back tomorrow.”

  “Yeah,” she smiles. “This house feels weird without Emmett.”

  “More grown up.” I lift my brow at her.

  “No,” she laughs. “More serious.”

  I nod and laugh with her because she’s right. Emmett has a way of walking into a room and making the most miserable human being crack a smile. His energy is contagious and you just want to be on his level to experience life the way he does. In fucking technicolour. That’s what he gives me that none of the others can, my life in prismatic technicolour.

  “I’m going to go give Carm a call, I put some menus on the table. Pick whichever you want for dinner.”

  “Okay.” Adri nods and gets up to go to the kitchen.

  I head to my office and stand in the doorway. I miss you, Dad. Uncle Scott will always be my dad in my eyes. I only wish I had longer with him to experience it. Aunt Debby was a great follow up mom to the one that gave birth to me and I miss her terribly too. There was just so little time and all I can do is hope they are proud of me. Not for murdering and torturing, that’s just fucked, but for finding out what happened to my mother and trying to clean up the town they loved.

  I sit at the desk and dial Carm’s number on my cell phone.

  “Big Mano services, how can I kill someone today?” He answers and makes me snicker.

  “Is this a new official venture?” I ask him.

  “Well, with siblings like you two, it should be.” He says with humour in his voice.

  “Emmett isn’t behaving, I gather?”

  “Surprisingly, he is. Seems your boy Vin keeps him in line.”

  “Vin can be intense.” I snort.

  “He’s a good man that loves you both.” He sounds almost sad.

  “Everything okay over there Carm?” I ask him.

  “Yeah Hermanita, things are fine. I’m tired, that’s all. Are you okay?”

  “I’m good, I did come across some new information about Jennifer Talia.”

  “What?” He suddenly sounds wide awake. “What information?”

  “Remember my friend Adri?” When he grunts his affirmation, I continue. “She was adopted with help from Robert. She was born in New York and I spoke to her parents and they knew Talia was the one that set it up.”

  “Okay. We already know she has an adoption scam going on.”

  “I know the name of the company.” I tell him.

  “Oh. That is new.” He mutters. “What’s the name?”

  “Love the Tots.” I say to him. “Heard of them?”

  “No.” His answer is quick. “But I’ll look into it.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Bro.”

  I hang up the phone and can’t help the uneasy feeling that starts spreading over me. It’s always the same, as soon as I get in range of Talia, something goes wrong. When we were in Spain, Carm did a lot of the leg work with his men. But one of the days, Vin and I went to breakfast at a little café not too far from where we were staying. We sat outside on the patio and when the waiter came with our food he greeted the table behind us.

  “Ahhh! Jennifer Talia!” He had exclaimed. I couldn’t see anything since they were directly behind me, but Vin could. I can’t explain what happened next, maybe she knew what Vin looked like or maybe the bitch just had a sixth sense, but she left in a hurry and by the time we reached the entrance of the café, she was long gone.

  I knew after that I would have to come home. She knew we were there and we were tracking her. It only made sense she would flee and I couldn’t leave my family here vulnerable.

  “You look deep in thought.” Travis’ voice brings me back to the present.

  “We found some information on the adoption agency used for Adri.” I tell him, “so, I called Carm to find out more, since it’s in New York.”

  “Cool,” he nods. “But we’re doing our own investigation, right?”

  “Yeah.” I nod.

  “On it.” He reaches out for the envelope.

  “Thanks, Trav.”

  I clear my head of all adoption agencies and Talia thoughts. I need to plan how my confrontation with Marlana and her prostitute mother will go down.

  12

  “Aren’t you going to wear your Black Slaughter makeup?” Vin asks from the bed as he watches me dress.

  “I want to but I need Marlana to see my face and know it’s me.” I look over to him with a grin, “how do you feel about what we’re going to do to your ex-girlfriend and her mother?”

  “First off,” he sits up with a growl. “You were my first and only girlfriend who is now my fiancée. Second, I don’t give a shit. Her and her mother have caused me and my family enough fucking shit.”

  “You mad?”

  “You’re trying to set me off and you’re not going to like it when I fucking snap. Don’t ever play like I had a single important person in my life before you.” His eyes blaze with anger and I know he will make good on his promise if I push him too much.

  “Tell me what you found out in New York.”

  He lies back and seemingly relaxes, “not much. Carm looks tired and ragged, not from running the Rampage though because I see Trent doing most of that. Carm was gone a lot Em, his little brother went there to see him and probably only set eyes on him twice.”

  “So, what is he up to?”

  “What do you have him working on?” He asks.

  “I didn’t ask him to do anything until yesterday. I asked him to look up the adoption agency that was used for Adrianna. It’s located there in New York.”

  “Maybe he’s still trying to track down Talia for you since Spain was such a fucking bust.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” I nod.

  “Do you think he’s into something else?” He asks.

  “I’m more worried about him, he didn’t choose that life. It was forced on him, maybe he’s so exhausted because he fucking hates what he’s doing. That would drain anyone.”

  “True.” He agrees.

  Once I’m ready with my knife and the rope in my hoodie pocket, we leave the house and head out to Vin’s Hummer. I watch as he adjusts the gun in his back waistband and hum my approval.

  “Were you guys seriously leaving to do indescribable acts of terror and torture without a farewell?” Emmett says from the open garage.

  “Yep.” I deadpan and get into the Hummer.

  He walks over to the passenger side and taps on the window, I lower it with a roll of my eyes. “What?”

  “Be careful. And call me when you’re done.” He looks serious, so I don’t pick on him.

  “Okay.”

  “Still haven’t heard from Andrew?” He asks.

  “No,” I shake my head. “I will go by his house when we’re done.”

  “Let me know if you need me to meet you there.” He narrows his eyes like he knows I’ll try to dissuade him.

  “Okay.”

  “Love you,” he leans in and kisses my cheek. “You too, Bro.” He says to Vin.

  Vin blows him a kiss and I chuckle at their camaraderie, it’s nice they get along as well as they do.

  We’re on our way to Marlana’s when Vin breaks the silence, “why is Andrew ghosting us?” He’s worried about it and frankly so am I.

  “If I find out he’s up to something, I will make him wish we killed him many times over.”

  Marlana’s house comes into view and I can feel my anticipation wash over me. I tried to move on and leave her alone, she was nothing to me anyways. She made my first few months here in Whitsborough annoying-I let it go, she taped me having sex with my boyfriend and tried to distribute it-I let it go, but learning about Travis and then the shit she pulled on Shay, I can’t let it go.

  “Let's get this done.” Vin growls as he gets out. We parked on the street in front of her house so we don’t alert them that we’re here.

  We walk up to the front door and Vin rings the doorbell. “We’ll be lucky if her drunk-o
f-a-mother is even awake.”

  “I won’t mind waking her.” I shrug.

  Marlana and her eggplant head opens the door and her eyes nearly bulge out of her head. Her first reaction is to slam it in our faces but Vin is quick and blocks her attempt with his boot.

  “Anal Ram,” I put on an exaggerated pout. “Don’t you want to see some old friends from high school?”

  “You are not my friends.” She spits out as we push ourselves inside.

  “You’re right.” I snarl into her face as I shut the door. “We’re not friends and when I leave here today, everyone will know it.”

  Vin grabs her by her biceps and forces her into her kitchen. “Where’s your whore mother?” He grits out at her.

  “Sleeping.” She struggles in his arms, “she works nights.”

  “I bet she does.” I chuckle and throw Vin the rope I had in my sweater.

  He forces her into a kitchen chair and uses the rope to secure her. She’s struggling and begins to scream at Vin. I see a dirty kitchen towel hanging from her kitchen sink and I use that to stuff into her mouth.

  “I’ll go find her mother.” Vin leaves the kitchen and I’m alone with the bitch herself.

  She’s looking at me with tears flowing down her cheeks. The dirty towel stuffed so far down her throat, it’s probably difficult to breathe. I bend down in front of her and smile wide.

  “Do you know why we’re here?”

  She shakes her head and the tears run faster.

  “You tried to tell Emmett about Shay, remember that?”

  Her eyes widen and her spine straightens in the chair.

  “Now, I know why you did that. You were trying to scare her into complying with you by telling Emmett her darkest secret.”

  She begins to shake her head but my hand flies out and slaps her across her face.

  “Yes!” I get into her face. “You were blackmailing her the same way you tried to blackmail me. But hers was different, she was being raped in that video and you knew that.” I slap her again, “you knew that because you made it happen.”

  She’s trying to talk around her gag and still profusely shaking her head.