Page 22 of A Game of Survival

“Why do you think they had to rush off so quickly?” I ask absentmindedly into the dark of the room. I hear Kat sigh heavily beside me before I feel her shuffle a little closer.

“I don’t know, babe,” she admits defeatedly. “Maybe they’ve had some word on Teddy.” I shake my head.

“No, I don’t think that's what it is. I’m not sure what’s happened, but something’s telling me that whatever it was that had Silas so on edge isn’t good at all.” I say, staring up into the pitch black void above me. I relax slightly as Kat entwines her fingers with my own and strokes her thumb over my knuckles.

“They’ll find him babe and they’ll bring him home,” she whispers.

“I know. I just wish... I just wish they’d hurry up.” I choke out, feeling that familiar burn at the back of my eyes as I am once again drowned in tears.

A gentle nudge against my shoulder pulls me from my sleep. I fight the intrusion but Kat’s voice forces me to open my eyes.

“Wake up babe. I got you a coffee before you go,” she smiles as I pull myself up against the headboard, giving my thanks as I take the first welcoming sip. “Bella hasn’t woken up yet but it won’t be long if you want to get out first,” she says, watching me carefully. “You’re free to stay for as long as you need you know.”

“I know, but I can’t sit back and wait any longer Katrina. I need them to involve me or I’ll find Teddy on my own.” I say with more determination that I’ve felt before.

“You will not do anything so stupid.” Kat scolds me, giving me a fierce look with her hands resting on her hips that I can only smile at.

“They’ll do well not to keep treating me like I’m going to break then won’t they. There’s nothing more powerful than a mother who must protect her child and they’re about to find out that I’m no longer the weakest link.” I declare as I pull on a clean pair of clothes Kat had left out for me. I guess it’s a good job we’re the same size.

“If you need my help, Lucille, you know you only have to ask.” Kat comments, noticeably a little nervous about my sudden change overnight. “I will do anything I can to help you babe, you know that don’t you?” She queries, furrowing her brows. I reach forwards and pull her into my arms, holding her tight like it could possibly be for the very last time.

“I love you,” I whisper, squeezing her once more before leaving her, ignoring the concern within her eyes. When I leave the apartment, Sully jumps to attention at once, eyeing me up as I take in deep breaths now that I’m outside.

“Miss Holland?” He questions, but it’s not concern I can hear in his voice, it's anticipation and one look on his face is all I need to see to know that he, this massive hulk of a man, is waiting for me to give him instructions for what happens next. I raise my head and straighten my back. I will not crumble today and I will give no more tears.

“Take me to them,” I say firmly before making my way to the car with him following closely behind.

Chapter 15

Silas

Neither Lincoln or myself have spoken a word to each other about yesterday's events. The blaze from Salvatore Cucina could be seen all over the city. We were lucky to get out alive after the explosion. We had to make tracks quickly before the cops came storming in. Now I have insurance paperwork to fill out and file. It's messy and it's something we could definitely do without. But it needs doing so the feds keep off our backs.

The words Cole spoke are ringing in my mind over and over. How can he truly believe what he said? I wanted to reassure him it's not true. We are a unit, we always have been, nothing could change that. How can he not see how much Lucille cares for him? How can he not see there is no competition for her, she is ours. He himself wanted to share but now he has this feeling of what, insecurity? Then he runs for the hills. This is really not like him, it doesn't make sense, I have so many unanswered questions as I'm sure Lincoln does, too. I don't want to believe Cole is betraying us but when all evidence is pointing his way, I have to accept it. Or at least be on my guard. The inner turmoil is raging inside of me, if this was anyone else I would have been putting out a death warrant, he wouldn't get away with the disrespect. Snapping me from my thoughts of anguish, I hear a knock at my door.

“Come in,” I shout, rubbing my eyes before laying them on my visitor. It’s Linc, he looks as tired as I feel, he probably slept less than me last night. We both wanted nothing more than to fetch our girl after all the events that had passed but we knew she needed time with her friend, she needed someone who was neutral to hear how she felt. And as much as I wish I could have soothed all her worries away, I am glad she has Katrina. Lincoln settles himself down on the chair opposite me, leaning his head back looking to the ceiling before speaking

“What the fuck, Si? I’ve been over it so many times in my head. What is he thinking?” He breathes out a heavy sigh. He's exhausted by it all.

“I don't know, Lincoln. I’m struggling to get my head around it, around what he said.” I tell him as I run my hands through my hair. I don’t have the answers that I wish I knew, but I have to make the decisions and as much as I hate what I’m about to say, we have to accept the facts in front of us.

“I hate it but Linc, we have to be real about this. The evidence of his actions, not only yesterday, but since he woke up in hospital suggest that he's no longer someone we can trust.”

“What? You can't honestly think that he would betray us? He's our brother.” Lincoln protests.

“I have to be pragmatic about this Linc. If it was anyone else, I'd have ripped their fucking throat out by now. You know I can't let this slide, he's made big moves against us, for God knows why.” I argue back.

“I don't agree, Si. You do this, you make him a known enemy, we may never get him back.” Lincoln shakes his head at me and continues, “and what about Luci? She isn't going to agree with this, she loves him for fuck sake!” he says, swiping his hand down his face.

“This is my job, Linc. I have to make the decisions that no one else wants to make. It's not easy, he's my little brother. But I can't risk you, Lucille, Alesso or any more of our men just because he is my brother. Next time we might not be so lucky. He shot Benji for fuck sake, who's to say he won't do it to you? Lucille will have to just not agree, I can take the heat of her disapproval if it keeps her safe and we get Teddy back. I can't take losing her.”

“I get it Si, I do. I just don't like it. I don't like anything about this situation,” Linc says, exhaling a deep breath of defeat.

I nod, nothing I can say now will change the facts. Cole has gone too far, too public against us by blowing up Salvatore Cucina. His reasons might not add up but I can’t put our organization at risk or our loved ones for his behavior.

“Okay, so let's get down to some business. With Cole not on the forefront accepting shipments, I need to make sure the one today goes smoothly, it should arrive in an hour. Also we need somebody to run point on the restaurant. We need to rebuild. Maybe even look for somewhere new” I tell him.

Lincoln nods. “No problem, I can sort that out and then I'll meet Cassandra and take Alesso out for dinner.” I can tell he’s not happy about my decision. But he will accept it. He purses his lips momentarily before continuing. “Enzo can take point when he’s back from the settlement. Benji will need to recover so he can take Tod as back up. I don’t think we should send anybody out alone at the moment”. I nod, completely agreeing with what he’s saying.

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