Trusting Nicole

by Muriel Garcia

  “Alright. Be careful, don’t get yourself killed.”

  “Will try not to.” I chuckle.

  “You feeling good about your plan?” Gabe asks as he leans against the truck. I feel bad for him. He has no idea what’s going on between Nicole and I and he’s the one I feel the closest to out of everyone.

  “Something seems off. I don’t know what.”

  “I’ll call around and see if I can get any intel. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out,” Ant says looking inside the car at Callum and Lewis flirting.

  “Him and a cop?” He chuckles, shaking his head.

  “Just found out too. Thought it was Bennett at first.”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me coming from him, but from Callum? That’s a big fucking surprise.”

  “You don’t say.”

  “Alright, we’ll head back and try to find out what’s going on. I’ll keep you updated. Stay safe.” He taps the hood of the truck a couple of times, no doubt to get Callum’s attention and they all leave.

  “What did they say?” Lewis asks, making me chuckle.

  “If you hadn’t been busy flirting with Callum, you’d know.”

  “I never should’ve told you!”

  “Sorry, it’s just too tempting. They were pissed I didn’t tell them but they understand why. They’re heading back to their compound and are going to call around to see if anyone knows anything about the Disciples and their whereabouts. I have a bad feeling about this. It’s too quiet.”

  “I know what you mean.” She sighs and we drive the rest of our journey in silence, both lost in our thoughts about the ones we love but are too scared of the consequences to confess our feelings.

  Today’s plan was a bust.

  Someone tipped off the Disciples, they knew we’d be waiting for them so they changed their plans and route. We don’t know where they are exactly, but thank fuck Ant looked into it. I don’t know how he managed to obtain the intel, but it saved us waiting around for nothing. I’m supposed to meet with Ant when I get back into town before seeing my old Russian friend. I’m not looking forward to the reunion; the fact that he talked to Nicole is still making me nervous.

  Everything that has been happening is fucking with my head. More specifically the message I got. They’ve been after me for years. What I don’t understand is how they are aware of what Nicole did and the fact that I protected her. I got off easy for a while but it’s time I paid for what I did. I’m ready to face the consequences of my actions, I hope I get the chance to say goodbye to Nicole first. I’m still debating between telling her the truth or having her think the Jason she’s been with is the real me. I need to make her safety my priority and telling her would defeat that purpose.

  I park my Mustang behind the compound and make my way inside.

  “Considering the look on your face, I’d say we were right,” Ant says greeting me.

  “Yes, you were. Who did you hear it from?” I ask, shaking his hand.

  “One of our chapters saw them in Baton Rouge. They saw their Prez talk with some guy, apparently the conversation was heated and the Prez ended up giving the guy quite a lot of money for the intel. I don’t know who he is, but he must be close to you. I doubt you went around shouting about your plan to take them down.”

  “Motherfucker.” I growl. “Not another fucking one.”

  “Sorry, Brother. Figured it’d be best to hear it from us.”

  I nod. “Thanks, ‘preciate it. I’m just tired of my men going behind my back to fuck things up.”

  “We’ll get the Disciples and your rat, don’t you worry about that. We just need to figure out what they want first, do they want revenge or their old territory back?”

  “No one knows what they are after. They’re just causing chaos everywhere they go.” Lies, lies, lies, more fucking lies.

  “Some of our Baton Rouge members are following them. They are being careful and changing vehicles as they go. We’ll keep you updated.”

  “Thanks. I’ll keep you updated if I hear anything.”

  “Wanna stay for a drink?”

  “No, thanks, I have somewhere I need to be. Another time.” I feel fucking awful for lying over and over to him. He knows I’m up to something, I can tell by the way he’s looking at me.

  “Everything alright?”

  “Yes, just need to be on my own for a while. Lots to think about.” I shrug, hoping he’ll think I’m still mourning Jenny.

  He nods. “Alright, Brother. Call me if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, will do.” We shake hands and I’m out of there, I can feel all of them staring at me. I have this uneasy feeling that they are starting to suspect something. It’s like I have a big fucking neon sign over my head that says LIAR in blinking letters. I’ve never felt like I have a big fucking target on my back with them before but I do now.

  I hate the man I’ve become. My parents would be ashamed of their son. I lie, I cheat, I kill, I steal, all of that for one reason only, to stay alive. Some days, I wish they would’ve killed me when they murdered my parents. I wouldn’t have had to go through all this shit. Yet, here I am, still alive and breathing. Not really alive, more like surviving. All I do is make sure I don’t end up dead. The only thing that is really keeping me alive is Nicole. I’m trapped in a vicious circle and I want out of it. I want a normal life. I want her.

  Two hours later, I press the buzzer next to the huge fucking metal gates that lead me to the fortress I grew up in. Nikolai buzzes me in and I drive up the long path in the middle of woods and park in front of the huge mansion. I get out of my car, lock it and go to the front door. I don’t have time to knock before the butler opens the door. I have no idea what his name is. I was never supposed to ask. He doesn’t speak. Never did. I’m not even sure if he is capable of talking. All I know is that he’s been there since I was brought into this family.

  “Jason, Son. It’s about time. I was worried.” A thick Russian accent greets me.

  “Sergei.” I turn around to see him walking down the stairs and nod at him.

  “How did it go?”

  “How did what go?” I look at him confused.

  “You know I’m aware of everything going on around here. Don’t play stupid with me.”

  “Someone tipped them so the plan was busted. Know anything about that too?” I glower at him and follow him to the bar in his lounge.

  “Yes, I do.” He takes his time pouring us two whiskeys, feeding my rage and impatience.

  “And?”

  “The mole is close to you.” he says before handing me a glass.

  “You mean it’s one of my men?”

  “Da. I have two men keeping an eye on the Disciples too. They managed to take two of them out, but they are bigger than we thought.”

  “Bigger? You mean they have more men than what was said in the beginning?”

  “Da. Not all of them were coming for you. They don’t want the same thing that happened to the Kings to happen to them. They are coming after you and your precious Nicole.” He smirks.

  “Don’t you even dare talk about her!” I yell.

  “Easy, boy. She’ll be okay, don’t worry, she’ll always be safe and protected.”

  “How?” I down my glass and slam the glass on the coffee table.

  “Trust me. Nothing will happen to her.” He glares at me, daring me to ask more questions.

  “Fine. If anything happens to her, it’s on you. She’s innocent in all of this. I don’t want her to be linked to any of it.”

  “Don’t worry, Son. I have a job for you.” He smiles, a very creepy and dark smile.

  “What?” I ask expecting the worst.

  “We have someone who could be very useful for us and you, as well as your Last Hangman friends. We have one of the Disciples prospects locked up in the basement. He’s all yours. You know what to do with him.” He finishes his glass and leaves me alone with my thoughts. I know what I have to do. A part of me doesn’t want to do it but t
he other can’t fucking wait to bash his face in and get the truth out of his bloodied mouth.

  I head down the stone stairs, a path I’ve taken so many times I’ve lost count. Every single journey for the same purpose: get the truth out of someone using whatever method I wanted. It always ends up with them dead. I don’t always get the truth but for the most part, it’s always worked. They have no fucking balls and spit out the truth in hopes that I’d spare their life. That has never happened.

  I disgust myself.

  I step into the room. It’s dark, cold and humid. There’s one single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Sometimes I wonder if it’d be better to have brighter lighting, then they’d see the blood that covers the floor and walls. Maybe that’d help them speed up their decision to talk, but then where would I get my fun.

  I go through the same routine I always do. I disappear into a small corner room and change into old jeans and boots, nothing else. I want them to see their blood splattered all over my body.

  I walk towards my new victim and take off their blindfold.

  “P-p-please don’t kill me.” He stutters. Good, he’s scared already.

  “Who talked about killing? I’m only here to get the truth out of you.”

  “W-what do you want to know?”

  “What do the Disciples want?” I stand in front of him and let him see me, the tattoos, the scars. He has no idea that I’m the last thing he’ll ever see.

  “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he whines.

  “Good. Let the fun begin.” I smirk and land the first blow, the first of many.

  I hate doing this.

  I love doing this.

  I disgust myself.

  CHAPTER 9

  Nicole

  I’m still working on my Italian Art History revision when I get a text. The ping makes me jump as I was, for once, completely focused on my course. I smile when I see it’s from Jase.

  Jase: Can I come over?

  Me: Yes. Everything okay?

  Jase: Need to see you. Did you have dinner yet?

  Me: No. Bring pizza, please

  Jase: Pepperoni and extra cheese?

  Me: You know me

  Jase: I do. See you in a bit.

  My smile grows, I get to spend another evening with him, but for some reason I have a bad feeling. He never asks if he can come over except when I was in Grambling but he never said he needed me, ever. Either he’s realized he’s madly in love with me, which I doubt, or something bad has happened. I’m leaning towards the latter. I sigh to myself and get back to finishing my current chapter. I need something to do so I don’t overthink and drive myself crazy imagining things, as I usually do, whilst waiting for him.

  I jump and scream as I look up and see Jase standing up on the other side of the table, holding a pizza box and a six-pack of beer, looking amused.

  “You jerk, you nearly gave me a heart attack!” I hold my hand to my chest, willing my heartbeat to calm down.

  “Sorry, you were just too adorable.” He chuckles and sets everything down.

  “Adorable?” I raise my eyebrow at him.

  “Yeah. The studious schoolgirl is not how I pictured you.” He smiles as he sits next to me.

  “Oh really, and how did you picture me?”

  “Hmm, let’s see. Lying naked, legs spread, glasses, stockings and garter belt in my bed.” He shrugs.

  “You’re a perv.”

  “Yes, and you love it.” He smirks and leans over to kiss me deeply. He pulls me so I’m straddling him and holds my body flush to his. I moan into the kiss.

  “I do.” I pout as he cuts the kiss short way too soon.

  “How was your day?” He pushes a strand of hair back that’s fallen from my messy bun.

  “Uneventful. Spent the day studying for my finals. Yours?” I link our fingers and notice the state of his knuckles. “What the fuck happened?” I look between his hands and his beautiful face.

  “Uneventful too.” He shrugs.

  “Yeah, your hands weren’t like that when you left this morning. Don’t tell me you had an uneventful day.”

  “Okay, a bit of both.”

  “Will I have to beat the truth out of you? Because I will.” I ball my hands into fists and hold them up close to my face, making him laugh.

  “You really are adorable.” He smiles and caresses up and down my thighs.

  “You’re really not going to tell me?” I pout.

  “Can’t we eat first? I’ve had a long day and haven’t eaten anything and by the look of this table, you haven’t had much since breakfast.”

  “Promise?” I raise my eyebrow.

  He tilts his head to the side and gives me the look, the look that tells you not to push it. I’ve seen my brothers do it so many times. I don’t know what’s with men and that head tilt.

  “You look like a freaking pug tilting your head and giving me a blank stare like that.” I shake my head and get up.

  “It worked anyway. Where are you going?”

  “Beer is warm. I have some fresh ones in the fridge.” I peck his lips and take the six-pack with me. I put the warm beer in and take two cold ones along with hot sauce and grated cheese for the pizza.

  When I return, I see him reading over some of my notes. “What do you make of my writing, Officer?” I snicker and set everything down. He pulls me on his lap and sucks on my neck.

  “I think you’ve got a serious problem with being addicted to sex.”

  “Only with one man.” I smile and kiss him.

  “He’s a lucky bastard.”

  “You think?”

  “I know.” He smiles and kisses me softly but with so much passion. It’s different, something’s changed. He’s never this sweet, affectionate, caring. It feels amazing but I’m not sure how I feel about it.

  “Are you alright?” I look at him, puzzled.

  “Of course, I’m with you.”

  “You’re too sweet.” I kiss him softly. “I mean, you seem different.”

  “What do you mean?” He’s the one looking confused now.

  “I don’t know. You’re never like this with me. It’s usually straight down to naked business.” I shrug.

  “And you don’t like me this way?”

  “I do. I’m just not used to it. You can be yourself with me, you know.”

  “I’m being myself.” There’s so much sadness in his eyes that I don’t know what to make of any of this. “Are you alright? You look confused.”

  I chuckle softly. “I’m good. Let’s eat before the pizza is cold and the beer is warm.” I push my books away and bring the pizza in front of us. I load my slice with hot sauce and cheese, to Jase’s amusement. “What?”

  “Nothing.” He chuckles.

  “Speak up, Sanders.” I glare at him playfully and take a big bite of pizza.

  “You’re a weirdo. That’s all.”

  “Yeah but you love it.” I shrug and take another big bite.

  “Yes, I do.” He smiles and eats his slice.

  “So, how did your plan go for the Disciples?”

  “You know I’m not allowed to talk about work stuff.” He gives me that same blank pug-look.

  “Right, same as my brothers, not allowed to talk about club or work stuff.” I mimic, making him laugh.

  “Spot on. All I’m going to say is that it didn’t go as planned.”

  “Is that why you have busted knuckles?”

  “You could say that.”

  I sigh and set my slice down, opening the beer bottles.

  “What’s wrong?” he asks before taking a pull of his beer.

  “Just tired of people being evasive.”

  “I’m not responsible for what your brother choses to tell you or not, but I can’t.”

  “Alright.” I pick up my slice and finish it in a couple of bites.

  He sighs and takes another bite, he looks torn. “Work wise, it was a bust, someone tipped off the Disciples and they weren’t
where they were supposed to be.”

  “Any idea who tipped them off?”

  “No. Ant’s looking into it and we are too. They are smart.”

  “Thank you.”

  “For?” He looks up at me in confusion.

  “For telling me.”

  “Don’t get used to it.” He chuckles softly.

  “Why not?” I pout.

  “Because I’m not supposed to tell you.”

  “I thought you meant something else.” I exhale in relief.

  He lifts my chin, making me look at him. “As long as you’ll want me or as long as your brothers let me live, I’ll never push you away.”

  “Then you’re stuck with me for a long time. Gabe and Aleck can suck it and they can be bought with loads of Red Velvet stuff and sex from their women anyway.” I shrug.

  “Good to know.” He chuckles. “So if I ever want to tell them that you and I are together, I should just buy a stock of Red Velvet treats to literally sweeten them up?”

  “Pretty much. You would tell them?” I look at him, gauging his reaction.

  “When all of this is over and if you still want me, yes.”

  “Why wouldn’t I want you?”

  “Not now.” He looks up at me, begging me with his eyes to drop it.

  “It’s never now though.”

  “I know. I had a bad day. I just want to relax and be with you tonight.”

  I nod. “Alright.” I kiss him softly and rest my forehead on his. “This feels nice.”

  “It really does.” He smiles and kisses me back.

  We finish the pizza, talking about everything but what happened today and his past since they are sensitive subjects, but it’s still playing on my mind. I can’t help thinking about it, what could be so bad that he’d be scared to tell me? Because at this point, I’m pretty sure it’s not because he doesn’t want to open up or that he doesn't trust me anymore, but that he’s scared of what I might think of him if I learn his mysterious truth.

  “What are you thinking about?” He kisses my neck, bringing me back to reality.

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t make me do the blank pug stare again.” I chuckle despite not wanting to.