by BL Mute
He stands back to his full height. “You’re right, but there is only one way to find out. Ask him and watch his reaction. When he lies, his hands twitch by his side. He stares too intently into whoever’s eyes he’s talking to. I don’t like him much more than you at this point, but this is bigger than just us.”
“You really do just watch people, huh?”
“Someone’s body language can say a lot, and it’s a language that never changes.” He winks. “Now, stop avoiding what I said. Ask him. I’ll be right here with you.”
I bite my lip. “I’m scared, Julius. I don’t want to hate him anymore.”
His eyes take on an understanding glint. “Queens can’t be scared, Flower.”
I want to let out a sarcastic laugh, but I don’t. “Fine. Go get him.”
He nods and walks out of the kitchen. I follow but break away at my room. I close the door behind me and lean against it, letting out a shaky breath. If Teddy is capable to do what he did to me, who’s to say he would speak up for strangers?
I shake my head and push off the door. Stopping by my bed, I reach for my bag. First, I dig out my gun and tuck it into the back of my pants, then I grab the file and stuff it under my arm. When I make it back to the kitchen, Julius is already perched on a barstool next to Teddy waiting and Carl and Lucas are standing across the counter.
All of their eyes fall on me as I walk in. “We found something last night. Our smoking gun, but before we use it, I want to know if you knew.”
Teddy tilts his head as Carl and Lucas step closer. “Knew what?”
I throw the file onto the counter and jut my head in its direction, telling him to open it without speaking. He picks it up with a skeptical look. He thumbs through the first couple of pages before throwing it back to the counter. Lucas picks it up and looks at the page it’s opened on, then shows Carl.
“That can’t be,” Teddy says, standing up, raking his hands through his hair.
I glance to Julius and see him watching Teddy intently. “You know just as well as me that it’s real. Did you know?”
His eyes find mine. “Of course I didn’t.”
I want to believe him. I don’t notice any of the things Julius said he does when he’s lying, but it’s still hard. When someone breaks the trust you have for them, you question everything.
“I know this place though,” he adds.
“What?”
“The wallpaper. I recognize it.”
I look to Julius again, and he’s just as surprised as me. “Well, where is it, then?”
“The basement of the casino. There are numerous rooms down there for activities. I remember seeing it when he bought the place and gave me a tour.”
“He wouldn’t be stupid enough to do this kind of shit there,” Lucas says.
“Yeah? Well, you would think he wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave something like this to be found either, huh? I’m telling you, it’s the fucking casino,” Teddy says with conviction.
“Well, what are we going to do, then? We can’t just stand around and let it continue,” Carl asks, looking to both Teddy and me.
“First,” I speak before Teddy can. “We go meet with Andrew. Once we have all of this shit handled, we will deal with Emil. If all goes to plan, hopefully he’ll be thrown in jail or fucking killed which will make shit easier. I don’t want those girls hurt. Hell, he may not even be keeping them there for all we know. So, for now, we stick to the plan we have. We can’t go in there without more information.”
“So we’re just going to let them suffer?” Julius finally breaks his silence.
“We have no choice right now, Julius. We have to be smart.”
“Fine. Then we move things up. No waiting a couple of weeks. We do this shit tonight.”
I look to Carl, Lucas, and Teddy. When none of them object, I agree. “Tonight it is, then. Let’s go talk to Andrew.”
We pull up to the address Sloan gave us. I was expecting something run-down or on the shadier side of town, but instead, Andrew has basically been hiding in plain sight right in the middle of town.
“You ready?” Teddy asks as the twins exit the car.
I don’t know how to tell him I’m not, that I want to change my mind, but it’s too late, so instead I slip my brave mask back in place. “I’m ready.”
We walk into the lobby, then look at the plaques on the wall telling us which direction to go. The receptionist at the front stares at us, but I know she won’t say anything. The sight of the twins covered in tattoos with their permanent “fuck off” faces doesn’t leave anyone much room to want to ask questions.
We turn right and follow the hall until we reach room twelve. I wait until all of the boys are behind me before I knock. When everyone is in place, I knock hard enough to be heard, but not hard enough to startle him, then place my finger over the peephole.
The door opens a few inches, and Andrew’s eye looks through the crack. “Open up, Andrew. We need to talk.”
He looks to Teddy, Lucas, and Julius, then back to me. “I don’t think so.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I can wait here all night, Andrew. Either open up now, or I’ll find a way to get in. Not smart to get placed on the first floor.” I look around him as much as I can. “Is that a window over there?” I grin.
He looks behind him, then back to me. Reluctantly, he finally unhooks the chain and opens the door.
“It’s your time to shine, pig,” Lucas says, plopping onto his bed.
Andrew tries to keep his eyes on all us, but he can’t. He’s outnumbered and he knows it which means he’ll do whatever we ask.
“Everything is happening tonight,” Teddy states, sitting in a chair across from the bed.
“I thought I had a couple of weeks,” Andrew remarks.
I take over talking. “It’s tonight or never. Are you ready or not?”
“I just have to show up and arrest the guy, right?”
I nod. “I already have the chief on board. He’ll be ready to step in and help if it’s needed,” I lie.
“And what about Cameron?”
“Cameron won’t be a problem,” Teddy says, standing.
Andrew peers at each of us individually for a moment. “I can’t get into anything shady. I need this to be as clean as possible.”
“Worried the job won’t take you back if you get tangled up in a murder?” Lucas smiles from the bed.
“How did you—”
“We know more than you think, Andrew. Just be ready for my call. If you’re a minute late, I’ll make sure you don’t get what you need. Understand?”
He nods. “Fine. I’ll be ready.”
I smile and give him a piece of paper with the address on it. “Come too soon and the deal’s off. Wait for my call.”
“Okay.” He nods again.
I can tell he’s nervous. I’m nervous too, but I won’t let anyone know. This web of shit has grown so much bigger than I expected. I just hope it all goes according to plan.
“We’ll see you later tonight, then,” Teddy says, walking to the door.
Lucas and Julius follow as he goes out the door, but I hang back for a fraction of a second to give Andrew one last warning look. “Don’t fuck this up.”
“Emil?” I speak into my phone when the call connects.
“Charlotte. Is everything okay?” his thick accent coos over the line.
“No. We have a problem.”
I can hear shuffling like he’s moving to a quieter area before he talks again. “What kind of problem?”
“The ATF is getting closer. I got some inside info saying he found your place. I don’t know how since we’ve been careful, but we need to move everything. Can you meet me there in a couple of hours? I’m tying up some loose ends, then I’ll be there.”
“Of course, of course. Call me if anything changes. I’ll make the arrangements for a new spot now.”
“Great.” I end the call without a goodbye.
I release a b
reath, then send a quick text to Cameron.
Charlie: Come now. Hurry! We won’t have a lot of time.
I slip my phone back into my bag once I hit Send. “Cameron will be there soon, so let’s hurry and get there before him.” The twins and Teddy nod.
“What did Emil say?” Teddy asks.
“That he’ll meet us in a couple of hours.”
I bounce my knee and pick at my cuticles as I look out the window. This is really happening. I’m finally going to confront my dad’s murderer. I almost want to scream with relief, but the logical side of me won’t let me. I know there can be complications. I know shit can go downhill quicker than I can blink.
“Hey.” Teddy grips my hand. “It’s going to be okay.”
I should push him away and not give him the impression I’m fine with him holding me, but I can’t. Right now, something familiar is exactly what I need. A reassuring voice, a gentle touch… And Teddy knows that.
I bite my lip and squeeze his hand. “I know.”
His eyes stay locked on mine for a minute before he reaches up with the other hand and tugs my lip free. I forgot how crazy the motion makes him, but he doesn’t scold me or say anything about it.
He scoots closer toward me, then leans in by my ear. “I know I fucked up, Monkshood, and I know that can’t be fixed, but I want you to know I do love you. I love you more than anything on this earth. I would battle the devil himself if it meant keeping you safe.” He inhales a deep breath through his nose, smelling my hair. “When we go in there, stay guarded. Don’t think for a single second anyone is safe until we leave, and don’t let them push you around. You know what needs to be done. The boys and I will make sure nothing happens to you. Okay?”
I look back out the window, trying to hide the tears forming in my eyes. “Is that your way of saying sorry?”
When I look back to him, his blue eyes search my face. “I’ve never apologized for anything in my life. I don’t know how to do this.”
I let out a small sad laugh under my breath because I know he isn’t lying. “Just say the words, Theodore.”
His blue eyes battle my green ones for a moment. “I’m sorry, Charlotte.”
I nod. “That’s a good start.”
I without a doubt believe everything he said. I know he’s sorry, but he won’t get away that easy. But if shit goes bad, I don’t want to die knowing the man I love said sorry and I brushed it off. And a small piece of me wants to forgive him, or maybe that’s the adrenaline talking.
When he looks the other way, I study his side profile. Flashbacks of the first night I saw him flood my mind followed by everything else.
Queens never let their heads fall… I’ve wanted you to be mine for a long time now… Because I love you, I will kill for you…
All of his words play on repeat in my mind, and it makes me realize something. Something I’ve refused to say or acknowledge. It isn’t the murders, the guns, or the monster that is Teddy that scares me. It’s the fact that I know no matter what he does, no matter what he says, I will always love him.
We pull up to the old house, but this time it feels different. When we step out, the air is thick, almost suffocating. I try to take in a deep breath, but it’s like my lungs don’t want to expand enough to give me what I want.
I push my bag up my shoulder, then ball my hands into fists, letting my nails dig into the soft flesh. You can do this, Charlie, I tell myself in my head, but it does nothing to ease my nerves.
“Are you ready?” Teddy asks, stepping beside me.
I look at Lucas and Julius at my other side, then nod. “As ready as I can be.”
“Don’t worry, Flower. We got you,” Lucas says.
I glanced at him again. The determination in his eyes tells me he isn’t lying.
In the past few months, I’ve gone from the chief of police’s daughter to a mafia queen. I’ve broken out of my shell and learned more about myself than I have in years. I took enemies and made them friends, and now they’re my family. I’ve found love and lost it, then found it again. Walking into this shop is almost bittersweet because I know at the drop of a hat, I could lose all of that.
I silence my thoughts. Now isn’t the time to be mushy. “Let’s do this.”
As we enter the shop, headlights flash across the window, then quickly turn off. Cameron is here. I look at the twins and Teddy. “Go wait behind the crates. If he sees you when he walks in, he’ll know it’s a setup. I want to hear him admit to everything before we take him down.” They don’t argue. One by one they disappear behind the crates of our guns.
When I hear the door open, I take one last deep breath and put on the best game face I ever will. Cameron is the first to walk in, and luckily, David is in tow.
“Cameron!” I squeal, running into his arms. “I didn’t think you’d actually come.” When he wraps his arms around me, I let all of the tears fall that I’ve been holding back. I sob into his chest.
“Hey, it’s okay, Charlie. We’ll get you out of this.” He pets my hair.
He thinks my tears are for him, that I’m shedding them out of happiness, but that’s so far from the truth. I’m weeping because I know this could be it. I can lose everything I love if I don’t play this act.
I pull away from him and wipe my eyes. “Teddy will be back soon, but I have pictures and documents proving he’s bad.”
I reach into my bag and pull out the same file I showed him the day at the station. Only this time, I included David’s picture and wrote the words “I KNOW” boldly across the front.
I should talk more, keep him under the impression I want his help, but I can’t. Now that the time is here, I just want to end this. To finally get my answers.
I can see the realization hit as soon as he opens it. “You… You lied to me,” he sneers.
I reach into my bag again, but he’s quicker than me. He pulls the Beretta from his waist band and aims it at my face as David does the same. “You fucking lied to me!” he yells.
I close my eyes and wait after I hear the safety click off, but nothing happens. When I open them again, I see Teddy standing beside me with his gun drawn on Cameron and the twins beside him, aiming at David.
“I would think really hard about your next move, cop,” Teddy roars.
Cameron looks to David, then back to Teddy but doesn’t lower his gun.
“Admit it, Cameron. Tell me you killed my dad.”
He shakes his head, letting his sandy hair fall over his forehead, then smiles, and it sends me over the edge. I pull my own gun out and point it at him, then walk closer, letting it rest in between his eyes. “Tell me!” I yell.
“You might as well tell the bitch, cousin,” David starts from beside him. “If they don’t kill us, Sebastian will. So tell her. Tell her how we made sure it was slow—how it was painful. How he scream—” David is cut off by the loud bang of a gunshot.
My ears ring and everything starts to move in slow motion. I lower my gun for a split second, only long enough to look beside me.
David’s body lies on the floor with blood oozing from a gunshot wound to his head. I would think I’d be used to it by now, seeing someone be murdered, but the shock doesn’t go away and neither does the confusion. I always thought when someone is shot point-blank that their head would somehow explode and land all over the room, but that’s not how it works. It’s one of the many things I’ve learned recently.
“What have you done!” Cameron screams, looking to Teddy as he rushes to David’s side.
He picks up his limp body and runs his hands all over him, almost like touching him or shaking him will make him wake up—will make this less real—but it won’t.
“Admit it to her!” Teddy booms, looking down on Cameron, ignoring his soft sobs.
My body won’t move no matter how much I will it to, and my mouth won’t speak. I want to scream, to run away and never look back, but just like when Teddy killed Simon, nothing wants to work.
I look to the
twins and see them aiming their guns at Cameron too, but I know they won’t shoot. Neither will Teddy. They’re respecting my demands before they kill him. “Tell her,” Teddy hisses again.
Suddenly, all of the sobs and quiet pleas from Cameron fade away until they stop altogether. He stands, dropping David’s dead body, then looks to Teddy. “You took away the one person I loved.” He raises a shaky hand and points his gun to me. “So I’ll take away what you love.”
Before I can blink, another shot rings out, bouncing off all the crates and filing cabinets, then slamming back into my head. Teddy shoots at Cameron’s hand, his aim almost impeccable, but when the bullet grazes, his hand jerks and his trigger is pulled.
Suddenly, a pain I’ve never felt in my life crashes into my body. I’m knocked down and my head bounces off the concrete floors. My vision goes hazy, but I stay awake long enough to see it. To see my entire life end.
When Teddy, Lucas, and Julius process I was shot, Teddy yells for Lucas to help me. He raises his gun again, not caring if Cameron will admit to anything now, and aims it at him. Before he can pull his trigger, his eyes lock to mine, and I mouth “I love you.”
“I love—”
I don’t get to hear the words. Cameron turns and fires quicker than anyone can think.
I can hear Lucas scream at Julius to get Cameron. And I can feel him touching me, trying to make sure I’m okay, but the only thing I can focus on is Teddy’s body lying a few feet from mine. His blue eyes open and still locked onto me. He staring right at me, but he isn’t looking at me. It’s like he’s looking through me. He blinks a few times, and a wave of relief and fear washes over me.
“Teddy?” I sob, but no one hears me. “Teddy!” I try louder.
“Charlie, don’t move. I’m going to get help,” Lucas says. His voice is shaky and high pitched.
“Help him,” I get out before everything starts to turn fuzzy.
I feel Lucas leave me. I can hear hushed whispers beside me, but eventually the static in my vision fades and everything goes black.
I love you. I scream the words, but they won’t come out. I can see her mouth moving, I think she’s saying my name, but I can’t be sure.