by BL Mute
It takes everything in me to break away from him. I want to get lost in his taste, in his touch, in everything he’s offering me, but I can’t. I lay my palm flat on his chest and push him away. “Not now, Luke. Sober up.”
I don’t let him argue or talk me into just getting lost in him. I know right now I’m weak. I have hormones coursing through me telling me to just do it, but my mind has become stronger. After all of the shit with Teddy, I had to stop relying on my heart completely.
I stand from my bed and walk to the door. I force myself not to turn around one last time as I walk out the door.
“We have about an hour. Want to leave now and grab a bite to eat?” Carl asks as I close the door behind me.
I give him a tight smile and try to place my mind anywhere but on Lucas. “That’d be great.”
Eating with Carl was awkward. We didn’t speak the entire time, so I’m thankful to be at the doctor now and have some sort of meaningful conversation.
“How are you doing today, Charlotte?” Dr. Davis asks as he walks in.
I don’t know the guy, but Dr. Kelly recommended him for my prenatal care, and I trust Dr. Kelly. “I’m okay. Still having a little bit of morning sickness, but I’m good. I can feel flutters now.”
He smiles. “Soon they’ll turn into more than flutters. Go ahead and lie back for me.” He pulls a Doppler from his white jacket and lifts up my shirt. “I’m just going to measure your belly and check the baby’s heartbeat. Do you want to know the gender?”
He squeezes cold goop onto my stomach and starts moving the monitor around. “You can tell me that now?”
“Yes. I have your bloodwork results from the last visit. We don’t have to wait for the twenty-week mark anymore with new testing.”
I haven’t even thought about the gender of the baby. The only thing I’ve been worried about is making sure it is okay and making it to my delivery. I guess maybe the thought has crossed my mind a time or two, but it’s something I haven’t put much more thought into than that. I don’t want to know if I’ll be having a mini Teddy or a mini me. Most moms I’m sure would want to plan, but not me.
“I don’t think I want to know,” I murmur.
“That’s fine. Lots of moms want it to be a surprise too.” He smiles.
I don’t have the heart to tell him that I don’t want it to be a surprise, per se, I’d just rather be able to sleep well instead of worrying about if my future son, if it’s a boy, is going to turn into a murderous liar like his father.
I suck in a deep breath. “I’m glad I’m not the only one.”
He finds the baby’s heartbeat then turns the volume dial up, letting thumps sound out into the room. The sound alone is music to my ears. I’m not sure if every woman worries about losing their baby, but with the rough start I had with the pregnancy, it’s something that always eats away at the back of my mind. Hearing the repetitive, static-filled beats reassures me. I’m doing everything right and giving this baby the best chance. And honestly, that’s all I care about.
“Everything sounds great, and you’re growing right on track. I want to see you again in two weeks since your pregnancy had a hectic start.”
I nod and pull my shirt down after all of the gel is wiped off my belly. “Thanks, Doc.”
He flashes me another smile before leaving the room. I take a moment to myself and let out a sigh of relief. Sometimes I wonder if I don’t care enough to be a mom. Maybe somehow being with the Hales has numbed me to certain feelings, but the complete joy I felt hearing my baby’s heartbeat told me I’m worrying just enough. I don’t need to obsess over gender or what color walls I want to paint the nursery to be a good mom. I just need to continue doing exactly what I’m doing.
I grab my bag and exit the room, then walk to the lobby where Carl is waiting. “How’d it go? Little Hale all good?”
I grin and shake my head, thankful he’s using the nickname and not “boy” in replacement of baby or it. “Everything is perfect. I’ll come back in two weeks.”
He gives me a sharp nod, then holds open the glass door for me to step out first. The sun beats down bright, its rays almost combating the cold, but a chill still runs down my spine. I wrap my coat tightly around me, but the feeling doesn’t go away.
When Carl is beside me on the sidewalk, I glance around, holding his arm for support. “What’s the matter?”
“I don’t—” My voice is cut off by the intense breath I suck in when my eyes land on the sidewalk across the street. “Carl,” I whisper, reaching into my bag for my gun.
His eyes follow the path mine did. When he catches the same sight as me, he pushes me behind him. “Charlie, we can’t do anything with all of these people around.”
“Well, go after him, Carl!” I practically shout.
For months we’ve tried finding Cameron, and now here he is, right in front of us, and Carl isn’t budging.
“I can’t leave you. This could be a setup. Call the boys now.”
“Car—”
“Now, Charlotte!”
I release my gun and feel for my phone instead. When it’s gripped in my hand, I pull it out and dial Julius’s number. Before the call can even connect, a truck drives by, cutting off our line of vision for a moment as it passes. When its trailer is out of the way, Cameron is no longer standing in the spot he was.
“Charlotte?” I hear Julius’s question.
“Jules… We have a problem.”
Julius bursts through the door, letting the light from the living room shine into Charlie’s bedroom. Immediately, I bring my arm to my face and cover my eyes. It’s only been maybe an hour or two since Charlie left, but I’m definitely feeling the booze starting to leave my system, resulting in a pounding headache and nauseous stomach.
“What the fuck, Jules?” I groan.
“Get up and sober the fuck up because we have a problem.” I can hear his attitude from earlier still hasn’t disappeared.
I peek under my elbow. “What are you talking about?”
“They saw Cameron when they were leaving the doctor.”
Suddenly, I swear I can walk a straight line and pass a sobriety test. “Get Sloan on the phone. Now.”
I leap from the bed and walk into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I grab the orange juice and chug it straight from the bottle before grabbing a few slices of bread and shoving them into my mouth.
When I turn around, I hear Julius talking to who I’m assuming is Sloan and see a note on the counter next to a bottle of aspirin. Take this. I recognize Carl’s writing and unscrew the cap, then shake four tabs into my hand before popping them in my mouth and washing them down with the remainder of the orange juice.
I steady myself using the counter, then turn back to Julius as he ends his call. “What did he say?”
He shakes his head, stuffing his phone back into his pocket. “He hasn’t seen Cameron or heard anything about him. He did find a location for Sebastian though.”
I clench and unclench my fists over and over, trying to kill the rage building in my chest. “We will send Carl after Cameron. I’m sure his unethical ways of getting information will come in handy. At least now we know he’s actually alive and probably staying close to here.” I pause for a beat and try to run down everything in my head again. “Did he send the location for Sebastian?”
“Not yet, but he did say Mexico. So, do you feel like making a trip?”
“I don’t want to leave Char—”
“I’ll stay with her. You go talk with Sebastian, and Carl can try to hunt down Cam. I’ll make sure she stays safe because shit is about to get crazy.” His voice is a little softer than before.
I nod as his eyes bore into mine. I’m not sure what it is about Julius, but he’s always had a way of seeing right through me. Maybe it’s because he’s so in tune with shit from listening over the years, or maybe it’s because we are simply twins and have a connection no one else shares.
I can tell he’s trying to reassure me wi
th his eyes without words because that’s what he’s best at, but it does nothing for me. I trust my brother with my life, but I don’t know if I can trust anyone with Charlie’s. I feel I’m the only one who can really protect her the way she needs. Which is crazy considering she was molded into a weapon by her dad and Teddy, and now she’s the one who needs protecting.
“If anything happens to her…” I trail off, thinking out loud.
“You have to understand that because you love her, I love her, Lucas.”
I raise a brow. “Who said I loved her?”
He smirks. “No one needs to say anything. It’s all over your face every time you see her. You may think you hide shit well, but I’ve been around you my whole life.”
I open my mouth to retort, but I’m cut off by the front door opening. Charlie and Carl walk in, both looking a bit flustered.
I rush to her side and inspect her body with my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’d be better if Carl wasn’t such a fucking pansy,” she snaps, staring at Carl.
He shakes his head lightly and rolls his eyes. “She’s mad I wouldn’t leave her to chase Cameron.”
“You fucked up and flipped the switch, Carl. Good luck turning it off.” Julius laughs.
“Fuck you, Julius.”
He holds up his hands with her remark but doesn’t say anything else.
I try to hold back my laugh because this isn’t the time to fucking laugh, but the sight of her okay elates me. I run my eyes all over her again before glancing at Julius.
His eyes challenge mine. “See?” he says, but I ignore him. This isn’t a conversation I want to have in front of her.
“We talked to Sloan. Nothing on Cameron, but he did find Sebastian.”
“Well, what are we waiting on? Let’s go.” Charlie turns on her heel to walk back out the door, but I grab her by the elbow.
“You aren’t going anywhere. Carl will go after Cameron, and I’ll go talk to Sebastian. Alone.”
“I’m sick of you thinking you can control me, Lucas. I’m free to do whatever I want. This shit involves me and my child too. This isn’t about just you and them.” She points to Carl and Julius.
“That’s my point. This involves you and the baby—listen to yourself. You are pregnant, Charlie. As much as you’d like to think that doesn’t change shit, it does. Let me fucking handle it.”
Her lips form a hard line as she crosses her arms over her chest. “Fine. But if you can’t do what needs to be done, you won’t stop me from handling it.”
Before I can tell her why that’s a bad idea, she turns and stomps to her room and slams the door.
“So, what’s the plan?” Carl asks as if nothing just happened. I guess he’s more used to her outbursts since he’s been with her this whole time.
“Go find Cameron. I’m tired of laying low. Do whatever you need to do to get hands on him, then bring him back alive.”
He nods and walks out the door.
“Call me if you need backup. I have a few friends who may be willing to help,” Julius says.
“Since when do you have friends?” I tease.
He huffs. “Get the fuck out of here and be careful.”
Another curt nod and I’m out the door.
When I get to the airstrip, I spot Joseph with the plane out of the hangar like he’s about to board. I hurry out of the car as it stops and wave him down. “Hey!”
He turns toward me and smiles before jogging up to me. “Hey. Julius? Or are you Lucas?”
I grin, then point to the plane. “I’m Lucas. Are you heading out?”
“I was just taking her out to stretch her legs. I haven’t flown in a few weeks because of the weather.”
I nod. “Feel like making a trip over the border?”
He smirks. “Always. Anything for you Hale men. My deepest condolences about Theodore too. He was a great man.”
I give him a tight smile, then walk to the plane and board, ignoring his comment. Now isn’t the time to get into it with him about the lowlife Teddy was, and I don’t want to answer questions either.
As he enters, I send off a quick text to Julius asking him to have a cab called and ready for when I land, and jot down the address he sent on a piece of paper from the seat beside me.
“All set and ready to go. Buckle up.” He points to the seat belt before he disappears into the front of the plane.
Within minutes we are rolling down the runway gaining speed, then the nose lifts and we ascend. Another few seconds and my stomach starts to sink with the change in air pressure. It only feels like we’re in the air for a few minutes before we’re going back down again. I’ve never been a fan of flying, so I’m glad the flight to Mexico is only a couple of hours long.
The tires bounce off the tarmac as we land, jolting me in my seat a little, then slowly we come to a stop. When I hear the engine cut off, I unhook my seat belt and stand. I bid Joseph a quick goodbye, then exit and walk to the car waiting at the end of the stairs.
“Take me here, please.” I pass the driver a paper with the address Julius gave me and a one-hundred-dollar bill.
I watch the world pass by as the driver navigates unmarked roads with ease. Small shops line most of the roadways. Colorful bags and dresses hang from windows, handmade clay pots edge the sidewalks, and food vendors make their way up and down the road until we turn again, and everything disappears other than rolling hills and trees.
A few more turns and we are stopping in front of a basic-looking house. “Aquí?” Here?
“Sí.” He nods.
I draw in a breath and step out. I stride through the white picket fence, then stop and survey the narrow two-story house one last time before continuing down the brick walkway and knocking on the door.
The door creaks open and a man with a black mustache steps out, looking me up and down. “You got some nerve, estúpido.”
I hold up my hands. “I’m not here to cause any problems. I have an offer for you.”
“Offer?” he scoffs. “You killed my best man and now want to offer me something? You should be kissing my shoes and begging me not to kill you.”
I lick my lips. “I have something I know you’ll want.”
He rubs his chin and gives me a fixed look. “And what could you have that I would possibly want? Last time someone came to me with an offer, my best soldier ended up dead.”
Before I can think too long, I hurry and rush the answer out. “Territory. We’re willing to give you the southside along with all of the business there, if you’re willing to help us.”
“I could have that territory if I wanted it badly enough. Now, leave before I paint my sidewalk with your brains.”
“You’d be a fool to try and fuck with me, Sebastian. You know better than anyone what us Hales are capable of. Unlike Teddy though, I have nothing to fucking lose. I’ll kill you and anyone else here I can find before you can even touch me.”
He laughs. “And have you forgotten what I’m capable of?”
I stuff my hands into my pockets. “I haven’t. That’s why I’m here.”
“Well, I don’t want what you’re offering, so go ahead and leave my city. Watch your back on the way out.” He winks.
As he goes to close the door, I place my foot in the crack, blocking its way. “What if I give you all of our guns too?”
He pulls the door back open slowly. “If you’re willing to do that, then maybe we can talk.”
I nod. “I’ll keep running the club, but all of the illegal shit will be yours. Emil has an escort business that makes him some good money too. I’ll put in a good word with both of our suppliers, spread the word, and make sure everyone knows you’re the one dealing shit.”
He tips his head. “All of that for what. What do you want from me?”
“I need Emil out of the picture. I want to move back into my place and not worry about him retaliating. The only stipulation I have is keeping the drugs out of town.”
“Ah,
because you got his right-hand man locked up, huh?” I nod as he studies my face intently. “Fine. I’ll handle it, but I’m telling you now, if you make anything messier than it needs to be, I’ll have you killed.”
I grin. “Understood.”
He huffs and slams the door in my face. I take a minute to go over everything in my head. I never intended to give him everything, but Julius was right. The baby deserves better. Now I just have to explain it to Charlie.
The door to my room opens, shining a small sliver of light into the small space. When Lucas walks in, I can’t help the excitement and relief I feel. I was so worried things wouldn’t go our way and he would be killed.
I leap from my bed and sprint to him, then throw my arms around his neck. I was pissed he didn’t let me go, but I’d be lying if I said I’m not happy he’s back and okay. “You’re home.”
He wraps his arms around my waist, hugging me just as tightly before pulling away. “Everything went smooth. He’s willing to help us get Emil out of the picture, but there is one condition.”
I drop my arms. “Condition?”
He nods. “He’s going to take over all of Emil’s territory and our guns.”
“That wasn’t part of the plan, Lucas.”
“I know it wasn’t. But it’s what made him agree, and maybe it’s best to get you and the baby away from here. Give you both more, give Hale a normal life.”
My heart sinks. I should want better for my child, but I feel this is the only way I’ll be able to stay close to Teddy. I shouldn’t want to stay connected to him, but I do. For the baby. I just wish I could wash away all of the bad connected to the thought of him. “This is all I know anymore, Lucas. This is all I have.”
He tilts his head. “This isn’t all you have, Charlie. There is so much more out there.”
“Says the one who will still be okay. Who won’t have to worry. You all are basically throwing me to the wolves to figure shit out on my own with a child. You’ve uprooted me and brought me here. Made me leave everything behind, and now I’m expected to just figure shit out alone?” I try not to let my lip quiver, but it’s pointless. I don’t even have control over my own emotions anymore.