The Vengeful Queen: A Mafia Romance (The Hale Mafia Book 2)

by BL Mute

  Once I’m dry and have the clothes he gave me in place, I walk out of the bathroom feeling a little better that I’m clean. That Teddy is off me and washed down the drain with all of the dirt and grime.

  Julius comes to my side and puts his arm over my shoulder to lead me out of the room. As he opens the door, he leans down and whispers in my ear. “Don’t worry, Charlie. We’ll protect you.”

  Things have been too quiet lately. Not a word from David, no info from Andrew, and the Hales haven’t done shit. I know because I’ve been watching them for the past few days, or at least watching them as best I can while being on the clock.

  “I’m gone for the night, kid.” Chief Sloan tips his hat as he exits the station.

  About fucking time.

  I only came in early to see if he was going to say anything. I know he went to see Charlie the other night. I followed him. But of course, the old geezer is as tight-lipped as ever when it comes to that girl.

  When the door closes behind him, I give it a minute and watch him get into his car, then pull away before I walk to his desk. Flipping on the small light, I scan all of the papers scattered across the old wood. Nothing seems to stand out. Traffic write-ups, to-do lists, and even a few mug shots lie sporadically on the top, but nothing I can use.

  I try to arrange all of the papers back to the same way I found them before I open the first draw and… bingo.

  I’d know Charlie’s handwriting anywhere. The way her e’s curl slightly on the tail, or the way her t’s seem to lean to the side. It’s one of the first things I memorized about her. Sometimes I would pretend her dad’s lunch in the fridge labeled “love you” was mine. That she took the time from her day to make me something I’d love, and did it with care, because she loved me. I know it’s far from the truth, but love can be built just like anything else.

  When Andrew finally finds some dirt to convict the twins, they’ll be thrown in jail, and then Sebastian will handle everything else from the inside. I know Charlie will need someone to lean on, someone to be strong for her, and I’ll be that person. Sure, my intention with all of this shit was never to get the girl, but it would be a crime if I didn’t. I want to help David first, but there is nothing wrong with taking a little something for myself—taking Charlie because god knows I’ve always wanted her.

  I pick up the piece of paper and study the lines and letters. It almost seems too good to be true. A whole fucking map depicting a place they clearly keep their guns. It’s nothing more than a square drawn on the paper, but each little section is labeled. “Supply is sitting here behind filing cabinets.”

  I fish my phone from my pocket with a smile on my face and dial Andrew’s number. When the line connects, I talk fast. “Come to the station. Meet me in the back this time. I have something you can use.” I end the call.

  Poor guy is so eager to get his normal job back he’s willing to do anything for a big bust. Even if anything includes a few white lies or threats.

  I flip the switch to the light off, stuff the paper into the pocket on my shirt, then walk back to the front of the station and wait by the doors. When he pulls up, I’ll see him slip behind the building.

  Within minutes, I see his headlights splash against the pavement before they cut off and his engine is halted. As he steps out of the car, he glances to where I stand inside. His eyes don’t stay locked on me for long before he slinks behind the building. I give it a second, then step out the doors, go down the steps, and follow his path.

  “You need to go see the Hales again,” I say, listening to the echo my shoes against the gravel sends out.

  “And why is that?” He crosses his arms over his chest and grins.

  I know he doesn’t think my plan will work. He was skeptical to even come down here, but he did because like I said—he wants a big bust. And what’s bigger than taking down an entire gun ring?

  I pull the paper from my chest pocket and hand it to him. Slowly, with his skeptical eyes still on me, he unfolds it, then looks down. “What am I supposed to do with a drawing of a random room.” He turns the paper sideways. “Is it even a room?”

  I snatch it from him. “This just goes to show they’re keeping their shit somewhere. Where? I don’t know. They haven’t led me to anywhere new when I’ve been watching them, and I’m sure they haven’t given you shit either or you wouldn’t be here right now.”

  He licks his lips, letting out a deep breath. “So, what do you want me to do?”

  “I want you to go talk to them again. I’m sure if you say the right thing to piss them off, Charlie especially, she’ll retort back with info. It may not be a huge break, but it will be something. That girl doesn’t like being made to feel stupid. Just piss her off and I’m sure her mouth will turn into a river.”

  “A river?” He huffs.

  “Just shut up and trust me. I’ve known her a long time.”

  He holds up his hands. I’ll trust you this time, but if nothing comes of it, I’m resulting to doing things my way.” He brushes past me heading back to his car. “Oh, and Snyder?”

  I turn over my shoulder. “What?”

  “I don’t think the girl is very fond of you. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to give up. Find pussy somewhere else.” He rounds the corner of the building before I can reply.

  Instantly my anger flares, but I tell myself to let it go. If Sloan knew I was working with something to bring Charlie and the Hales down, I have no doubt he’d try to retaliate, and as of now, Sloan’s death isn’t something I want on my hands.

  When Andrew slips back into his car and turns on his lights, I flip him the bird. I can see the arrogant fuck smile from across the parking lot, but I shake it away. Soon enough, he’ll be answering to me. He’s a fool to think I’d let him leave after he does what I want. Nothing good ever comes from loose ends.

  “Did he get it?” It’s been three days since I sent Chief Sloan away with the paper. I’ve been waiting by the phone eagerly because if Cameron finds what the Chief planted, that means either he or the ATF agent will be showing up to question Charlie again. And it’ll give me an excuse to go back to the house.

  “Yeah.” Sloan’s voice is raspy on the other end. “He got it last night.”

  “Thanks.” I hit the End button, then take off my suit jacket. I know what’s coming the moment I walk in those doors.

  I fish my keys from my pocket, then throw the jacket over the chair. Stepping out the door of this shitty motel, I take one last breath, then continue to my car.

  The whole drive my mind is in a weird fog. I would like to think maybe one day Charlie could forgive me, or maybe the twins won’t kill me, but both are doubtful. I’ve taught my boys to take mercy on no one even if that someone happens to be me. I just pray to whatever god will listen that maybe, just maybe, part of my training didn’t stick as well as everything else.

  I follow the same routine I have every other time I come back to my house.

  My house…

  The words in my head seem so foreign. Home doesn’t feel like home. Not after being gone for weeks, not after staying away since I’ve been back, and not since I did what I did to Charlie.

  I shake away my thoughts the best I can and pull through the gate as the guard clicks a button to open it. I take my time creeping up the drive. Part of me is scared. I almost laugh to myself because being scared isn’t something I’ve felt in years. Men like me don’t get scared, but I know I fucked up. And I know I have to pay for what I did.

  The drive finally ends, not giving me any more time to contemplate or procrastinate, and I swear things start to move in slow motion when I see Carl lingering on the steps. I take one last deep breath and step out of my car.

  The sound my shoes make along the walkway is deafening. So loud, so quiet. All at once.

  “The chief called me,” he says as I approach, like he can read my mind, knowing I’ll ask how he knew I was coming. “They’re pissed,” he continues as I take the first step.

  “I
know.” I take another step.

  “I’m pissed,” he adds.

  “I know.”

  “Is that all you can say for yourself? You know? What the fuck was running through your mind, boy?” His shrill voice echoes around us, bouncing off the trees and slamming back into my ears.

  I shake my head. “I love her, Carl.”

  His hand moves from his side quickly, the back of it connecting with my face. “Don’t you dare disrespect her that way. You don’t love her. Here I was, trying to make excuses for your crude behavior, thinking you were simply scared to love someone so powerful. I was wrong. You’re nothing but a weak, naïve child trying to play house with someone who is clearly out of your league.”

  My anger almost gets the best of me, but I remember I deserve this. Anything and everything from this point on, I deserve. “I was stupid. Stupid and confused, but the best thing I’ve ever done was make her hate me so bad that she wouldn’t want me anymore.”

  His face softens the slightest bit. “What are you talking about?”

  “We’re setting up Emil. When the ATF agent comes to ask more questions, I’ll give him Emil. People like him don’t care who they take down as long as they get someone. And I already know Emil will find out and come for me. If I don’t end up dead, I’d be surprised. Charlie hating me just makes all of this easier. She won’t hurt like she did before.”

  He shakes his head slowly. “Your logic is so flawed, boy. That girl loves you. That feeling doesn’t go away overnight, no matter what the other person inflicts. Let’s just hope you even make it to follow through with your plan.”

  I nod, knowing exactly what he means. I’ll only get to follow through if Lucas and Julius don’t kill me first. He pushes open the door and steps to the side, letting me enter alone.

  Immediately Lucas emerges from his room like he’s been waiting on me. He shakes his head with a grimace on his face, then backs to Julius’s door, keeping his eyes on me. He taps lightly three times before Julius steps out too. I nod, already knowing what’s coming. Both of them stare me down as I glide past them, all the way down the hall, to the room we only use for one thing. Less than two months ago I stood in this same, ill-lit room, glaring over Hugo Moreno, trying to get answers. But now I’ll be on the receiving end of things.

  I don’t bother closing the door behind me because I know they’re following. As soon as I hear them step in behind me, I swear the walls start closing in on us. My eyes go blurry, and my stomach turns. I’ve molded these men to be killers. Ruthless, unforgiving killers, and now I’m their victim.

  You never expect to be destroyed by something you create. But maybe that’s where some makers fail. They mold people and objects into marvelous things and beings, set them on the right track, but before they know it, those things and people are coming back for them.

  The door clicks closed behind them. Now it’s only a matter of time.

  “You know what’s going to happen, Theodore.” Lucas’s voice is poised in a sense. Calm, even, calculated.

  “I know.” I repeat the same words I said to Carl.

  “You won’t ever touch her again.” Julius speaks this time.

  Every time I’ve heard him speak before this I felt like a proud father, but now I’m taking on the role of a scolded child. Julius never has many words, or maybe he does but he doesn’t say them, but this time, I know he’s serious. He didn’t ask a question or leave me room to argue. He made a statement, and I have no doubt he’ll enforce it.

  “She trusted you,” Lucas starts again. “She loved and trusted you. Do you know how many nights I held her, trying to calm the wave of emotions tormenting her body because she missed you? She mourned you. She fucking mourned you!” he roars. “And you come back, thinking her and I are fucking, so you degrade her, treat her like shit, do everything in your power to hurt her because you were confused, and now this? You make me fucking sick.”

  I hear him spit, but I don’t see anything until it lands by my shoes. “I fucked up, I know. I’m ready.”

  I turn to face them and widen my stance, keeping my arms glued to my sides, hoping to protect my ribs. I tip my chin up and close my eyes. The first hit comes from Lucas. I would like to say it isn’t bad, but I’d be lying.

  His fist flies into my stomach, making me double over and lose all of the breath in my lungs. Julius is next. As I’m crouched over, he jerks his knee up hard, sending it into my nose. The crunch that vibrates through my head tells me he definitely broke it. Blood starts to ooze from my nose, coating my lips, running down my chin. When I open my mouth to breathe, the copper taste hits my tongue.

  Over and over they take turns hitting me, kicking me. And I do nothing to try and defend myself. It would be pointless.

  I’m not sure how long they hit me, but after what seems like hours, they finally step away. I was sure they’d kill me or do more then beat me black and blue. I sigh internally, thankful they’ve had their fill, but my victory is short-lived when Lucas taps the door and it opens, but only long enough for Carl to hand him his knife and a torch.

  “We’re going to mark you the same way you tried to mark her.” I can’t even tell who is talking at this point.

  Maybe it’s all of the adrenaline leaving my body or the fact I just can’t take any more, but the world in front of me starts to get fuzzy and the noises in the room fade into a dull hum. Getting tortured when you can’t see it coming is far worse than watching. With my eyes swollen and heavy, there is no opening them. Not when the hot knife touches me, not when I hear them call for Dr. Kelly, and not when I hear Charlie’s screams. Everything just goes black.

  “What did you do?” I scream as I push past Carl.

  “We needed to show him what he did wasn’t right.” Julius speaks while Lucas, for once, remains quiet.

  I ignore his comment and rush to Teddy’s side. Sure, he deserves bad things, but this? This is too far. As much as I would love to relish in the fact he’s in pain—exactly how I was a few days ago—I just can’t. Deep down, regardless of what he did, my heart still beats for him. What a stupid fucking organ. I shouldn’t love him anymore.

  “Call Dr. Kelly, Carl,” Lucas finally remarks.

  I lift Teddy’s head as Carl walks away, and the twins stand undisturbed in their spots. Blood weeps from his nose and various other wounds on his face. “Fucking hell,” I whisper, doing my best to make out his features.

  “Let us help,” Lucas says, stepping forward.

  “You’ve done enough. Come any closer and so help me god I will fucking kill you!”

  His face falls and his shoulders slump, but he’s quick to cover it up with a glower. I almost scoff because I’m angry too. Angry they hurt Teddy for hurting me. They fought for me—protected me—the way he should have. Angry because despite everything he’s done, I still love him so much. Angry because I’m not sure I want to love him, but the part of my heart he harbors will always win.

  I put Teddy’s arm around my shoulder and hoist him up from the chair he fell into when I walked in. He’s almost dead weight which makes this more difficult than I thought, but I refuse to let the twins help. I hook my arm around his waist and hold his hand that’s slumped over my shoulder with my opposite one. He’s barely conscious, but slowly his feet scoot across the floor one after the other.

  “Charlie,” Julius tries to plead.

  “Back the fuck off, Jules,” I hiss.

  Sweat starts to slick my forehead as we make it out of the door, but I don’t stop. I continue until we finally make it to the kitchen. Normally, we all crowd around the island and perch on the barstools, but I don’t think he has enough energy for that. I continue practically carrying him further into the kitchen until we make it to the table on the other side.

  It’s the type of table you’d expect in a castle. Complete wood with ten matching chairs; four on each side with one on either end, but it’s never been used. Not until now anyway. My room is only a few more feet, but I didn’t think
I’d make it.

  “Listen, Teddy, you have to help me now, okay?” He whispers something in response, but I can’t make it out. “What?” I lean closer to his swollen mouth.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice comes out powerless and sluggish.

  I take a deep breath and push back the tears that are begging to fall. “Now isn’t the time for apologies.”

  I ignore anything else he says as I do my best to lift him onto the table with little to no help from him. Pain radiates through my back as I lift his last leg and slide it to the middle. When I’m certain he’s far enough from the edges to not fall, I dash back to my room and grab some pillows and my top bedsheet.

  I make it back into the hall just in time to see Dr. Kelly walking through the front door. “Charlotte.” He beams, but I don’t return his smile. I rush back into the kitchen instead.

  When I’m finally next to Teddy again, the severity of everything finally hits me. His face is barely recognizable; his shirt is cut open, and long burn marks go from his collarbone to his hips. His eyes are so swollen I can’t even make out if they’re there. I drop the pillows and sheet, then shoot my hand over my mouth to try and silence the screams.

  “I can’t do this,” I say out loud before backing out of the doorway again.

  “What happened?” Dr. Kelly asks when my back bumps into him.

  If I tell him the truth, that means I have to tell him what Teddy did to me, and I just can’t. “Just fix him. Please.” My voice comes out in a desperate sob.

  He nods and walks past me. I watch for a second longer as he picks up the pillows and pushes them under Teddy’s head before I walk back down the hall. Lucas and Julius aren’t in the room anymore, so I keep moving until I hit the gym.

  Lucas is shirtless and sweaty, hitting the punching bag like almost just killing Teddy wasn’t enough, but Julius is nowhere to be seen. “Hey!” I scream.

  He stops his punches and hugs the bag without facing me.