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Two weeks later…
“You figured it out, then?” I ask Julius as we walk up the steps of the house.
The past two weeks have passed almost painfully slow. Teddy has been on the mend, Lucas is nowhere to be found, and we haven’t heard a peep from the ATF agent. Because of that, I’ve done nothing too shady. I’ve made a few bank runs, checked on the supply with Emil, and told Julius to get to the bottom of the note that was left the day Teddy faked his death.
“Not exactly,” he says, stopping at the top of the stairs. “But we can question the guard from that day again.”
I roll my eyes. “Get him here. Maybe I can get something out of him you guys didn’t.”
He nods and goes to say more but is cut off by the gate at the end of the drive opening. “Expecting company?” he asks.
I tip my head to the side and study the car rolling in slowly. “Are you?” I answer his question with my own.
As the car slows to a stop in front of us, I slip my hand in my bag and grip my gun. Being caught off guard isn’t something I like, so I want to be prepared. The door opens, so I calmly start to inch my gun out of my bag. When Andrew, the ATF agent, is the one to step out, I shove it back into my bag.
“I had a feeling you’d be back. What do you want this time?”
Before he can answer my question, the front door opens and Teddy steps out sluggishly.
My heart drops to my stomach. “Teddy, go inside,” I hiss.
He closes the door behind him. “I’m the one who called him.”
All I want to do is slap him at this point. He’s the one who wanted to stay hidden. Why? I have no idea, but here he is now contradicting everything he’s said, showing himself to the enemy.
Andrew takes a few steps forward. “Theodore.” He tips his head. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Teddy comes to my side, his arm brushing against mine, so I step to the side, putting as much distance between us as I can. His eyes shoot to me, but he knows not to question or argue. I’m not his doormat anymore. I refuse to let him push me around.
He quickly conceals his bruised ego, then looks to Andrew. “Wish I could say the same.”
I glance to Julius, who is just as confused as me. I knew we would be discussing shit with Andrew, but I figured I would handle it. Not Teddy.
“Please, come inside.” Teddy steps next to Julius, giving Andrew room to move up the steps and inside.
Once he’s through the door, Teddy follows, but Julius and I hang back a few feet. When they’re out of earshot, I grip Julius by his arm and pull him to my level. “Watch him.”
He glances to the backs of Teddy and Andrew. “I won’t let him try anything stupid. He’s in our house.”
I nod, but Andrew isn’t who I’m worried about. Teddy has been a completely different person since he’s been back. I don’t want him to flip his lid and do something stupid like kill this guy. I don’t want to deal with the drama that will come with it, and I definitely don’t want to be left to clean up the mess.
I hurry and catch up to Teddy and Andrew as they walk through the kitchen’s threshold. My eyes instantly go to the table, expecting Teddy to be lying there almost lifelessly like he has been until recently, but he isn’t. He’s standing in front of me with yellowing bruises all over his face and a slower step to his walk instead. And once again, just like every other time I stare at him too long, I’m reminded of the monster lurking under his skin.
“So you said you have information for me,” Andrew bellows, interrupting my thoughts.
Teddy perches himself on one of the barstools and nods. “I do, but you know it won’t come free.”
Andrew licks his lips and crosses his arms. “What do you want to know?”
I scoff. His willingness to give up whatever we want for something he doesn’t even know will be worth it is pathetic.
Teddy side-eyes me again, warning me with his eyes to keep quiet. Instead of sinking into myself and doing what he wants, I prop my hand on my hip and roll my eyes. “Cameron brought you to town, right?” Andrew nods without hesitation. “Why?”
I take over the conversation, knowing exactly what information we need and what burning questions I have alone to get to the bottom of things.
Andrew shake his finger. “I gave you something. This is give and take, not take, and take. Give me a lil’ something and I’ll answer.”
I smile. “We know who is dealing arms and where they’re keeping their supply.” I’m careful not to incriminate ourselves. “Now answer.”
