38MarkusThree Months LaterThree months come and go in the blink of an eye. Life with Fallon is normal, real. It’s everything I could’ve asked for and more.
Over the months, we’ve grown closer, and things have changed. My emotions and feelings toward her have matured tremendously, and the thought of her not being here tomorrow or for the rest of my life terrifies me.
I don’t want to let her go… I really fucking don’t, but I told her at the end of all of this, once it was safe, she could leave. I’ll make good on my word and let her, even though it’s going to kill me. I do my best to stay busy every day, to take my mind off the thought of her leaving. Sometimes, I pray that Felix never calls because the day he does, I know everything will change. I’ve just finished up lunch and a game of scrabble with Fallon and Amelie when my phone starts to ring.
If someone had told me a year ago, I would be sitting in an apartment with two women, playing board games and cooking like I was anything but a higher up in the mob, I would’ve told them to fuck off. But here I am, domesticated as fuck.
Amelie has adjusted surprisingly well. It took her awhile to get used to me, to trust me not to hurt her or Fallon, but we somehow got there.
Julie ended up staying with Felix permanently. Even after she recovered, and we offered her a fresh start, she chose to live with Felix. I’m not sure if that’s the best outcome for either of them, but that’s a story for another time.
Glancing at the phone, it’s as if he can hear me thinking about him. Felix’s name is lighting up the screen.
“Hello, brother—”
“He’s here. In town,” Felix says with no preamble. There is no further explanation, not that I need any.
“Where?”
“I’ll send everything to your email, but before I do, I have to tell you not to go in alone. I know you didn’t listen last time, and you got fucking lucky. This is different, though. Just please fucking listen to me when I say do not go in alone,” he repeats.
My lips tip up at the sides. He’s showing such brotherly love.
“I won’t, and thank you for finding him,” I say before ending the call.
Without taking a second to think about it, I call the one person I know I can count on to help me.
It rings a few times before Julian answers. “Nice to hear from you, how is your—”
“I need your help, and it can’t wait,” I say, hoping he’ll do this for me. Especially after I practically abandoned him.
“What are you talking about? Wait…” He trails off, probably putting one and one together. He knows I’ve been looking for Victoria’s father.
“I found Timothy. He is here, in town. I need to move now. Can you help?”
It doesn’t take Julian long to respond. “I see. Yes, I suppose I can help,” he says, all nonchalant, probably because Elena is close by and listening to his every word.
His voice is calm, almost uninterested, but I don’t miss the note of excitement. Since his marriage to Elena, he rarely goes out and gets his hands dirty anymore, that doesn’t mean his need for bloodlust has disappeared. He’s just better at hiding it.
Like all made men, he yearns for violence, and tonight, he will get his fill.
“I’m on my way.”
I quickly pull up Felix’s email and go over everything he sent me. Location, blueprints, etc. It doesn’t take me long to get ready. I’ve been waiting for this day for three months, welcoming it with open arms and not wanting it to come at all.
Only when I’m dressed in Kevlar and tactical gear from head to toe do I leave my office.
Fallon and Amelie are curled up on the couch. I notice a chick flick playing on the large flat screen as I pass them in the living room. They are both asleep, but Fallon’s eyes fly open when she hears me approach.
“Where are you going? Work?” Her voice is sleepy.
She knows that sometimes that’s all I can tell her.
“No, Felix called. We found Timothy. He is close by, in the city. I’m going to kill him tonight,” I whisper, trying not to wake up Amelie.
“Oh…”
Worry lines crease her forehead, and I itch to smooth them away. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back by the morning. He’s not getting away this time. By tomorrow you’ll be safe… and free.” I force the last word past my lips.
“Okay.” She nods, but her eyes tell me she is unsure about this.
She is worried about me, which is still an odd feeling to process. Having someone care for me like that is something I never expected to happen again, especially from Fallon.