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“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 breath, 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.
