Before I can come back with a smart remark, low ringing grabs my attention. “Fuck.”
I rush back to Charlie’s room and grab my phone from where my shirt is on the floor and hit the silent button. Before I answer, I look back and make sure she’s sleeping, then walk back out.
“Hello?” I bring the phone to my ear.
“Hale,” Sebastian sounds from the other side. “I have some news.”
I put it on speaker and walk closer to Julius. “What kind of news?”
“Desi will be taken care of by this evening, and a little birdy gave me some info on your cop.”
“Cameron? How did you even know we were looking for him?”
“Did you forget he was related to David? If it weren’t for him, David never would have got tangled up in the mess with all of you to begin with. Now, since I’m doing something for you, I want you to do something for me.”
Julius narrows his eyes at me and waves his hand, telling me to keep the conversation with Sebastian going to see where it goes. “Negotiation time is over, Sebastian. If you wanted more, you should have spoken up. We already have a deal.”
“This will benefit us both, Hale.”
“How so?”
“You want Emil gone, and I want Cameron gone. It shouldn’t be too hard to cover up considering he’s already hiding out. I’m the one taking a real risk here dealing with Emil. So, it’s the least you can do. Get rid of him, and I assure you I’ll get rid of Emil.”
“You’ve already assured me Emil will be handled. But since we share an enemy, don’t think I’m doing this for you. I’m doing this for me. No more negotiations. I’ll do what I have to.”
“Likewise.”
“Send me the info.”
I end the call without a goodbye, then look to Julius. “I thought it was a fucking given Cameron would be taken care of. Why would he even ask?”
He walks to the fireplace and throws another log onto the embers. “Maybe he just really wants him gone.”
My phone pings. I look down and see an address dance across the screen. “You’re joking,” I say flatly.
“What?”
I turn the screen to Julius. “He’s been hiding in plain fucking sight!” I yell, throwing my phone onto the couch.
“That’s why Charlie and Carl saw him that day. Her doctor is in the middle of town, and so is he. Maybe it wasn’t on purpose. It was a coincidence.”
“I don’t care what it was. I want him gone.”
Julius huffs. “I get this is important, but you know Charlie is protected. You know who isn’t though? The girl at the casino.”
I scrub a hand down my face. “Right now? Seriously, Jules?”
“Yeah, seriously. How can you not fucking care?”
“I do care!” I step close to him and lean into his face. “I just care about her more!” I point behind me to Charlie’s door.
“I’ve kept my mouth shut and gone along with everything you’ve wanted. I get it, she’s important. I care about her too, Lucas, but who cares about those other girls? No one!” His voice raises to match mine. “Why not get it all over with at once.”
I shake my head and step back. “I told you, once Emil is gone, we will fucking handle it. I don’t want to risk her or the baby’s life.”
“And I don’t either, but I’m smart enough to know if we do shit the right way, we won’t.”
Something in his voice tells me there is more to his feelings than he’s leading on. “What is it, dude? I get caring, but you would never put Charlie in danger for yourself let alone someone else.”
“Don’t even worry about it. I’ll handle it myself,” he says, shaking his head.
If growing up with him has taught me anything, it’s that once he gets to a point of being so passionate about something, it’s best not to question it. He’ll do nothing but shut down, then try something stupid to make a point.
“Whatever. Don’t be stupid, Jules.”
He grabs the axe leaning by the door, the one I’m assuming he cut some firewood with, then opens the door. “Don’t worry, brother. I won’t go on a bender and have a temper tantrum like you do when you don’t get your way.”
Before I can reply, he slams the door behind him.
“Lucas?” Her voice is raspy and low.
I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves before I turn around. “Morning.”
“What was that about?”
I walk to her and wrap my arms around her waist before kissing the top of her head. “Don’t worry about it.”
She pulls away and gives me a look that could kill. “Stop treating me like a porcelain fucking doll. I can handle things. I won’t break.”
“I beg to differ,” I mumble.
She bites her lip and glares at me, then swings her fist into my ribs. I double over and gasp for the air the punch stole. “Fuck,” I cough.
“I’m sick of all of you treating me like I haven’t seen you all beat the shit out of someone or even like you haven’t beat the shit out of me. I’m pregnant, not stupid. The only reason you all even have this shit is because Teddy didn’t want me to deal with it unless I wanted to. Don’t ever forget that.”
The mention of Teddy’s name alone makes my blood boil. I guess I was hopeful that last night wiped every memory of him away, but I know shit doesn’t work that way. She’ll never forget him. He’s the one who made her who she is. Who made her hard and unapologetic.
“Tell me, Lucas. Or else I’ll just sit here and beat you all day. Don’t think I have any qualms about it.”
I finally look back up to her, and the realization hits me. Last night didn’t make her forget Teddy; it did something so much better. It brought back the old Charlie. The Charlie who can get down to business, who can run
