Chapter 44 Chapter 44
"Some debts are not paid in money but fear and blood "
The automatic doors of slid shut behind Trinity and Clara with a soft hiss as they walked into the hallway laughing at the story told to them by Clara’s father.
They had barely made it down the hallway to the parking lot when they saw a familiar figure from a distance, the ever so infuriating Jason.
He leaned casually against the hood of a black car parked a little too close to the entrance, cigarette dangling between his fingers.
When he noticed them coming, he straightened, crushed the cigarette beneath his boot, and flashed them a wicked smile showcasing his perfect white teeth, sharp and unapologetic.
Again they wondered, how can someone who smokes every minute of the day look so healthy and have perfect white teeth.
Trinity stopped short, Her irritation flared instantly. “Why do you keep showing up in front of us every goddamn time?” she snapped. “We don’t owe you money anymore and we don't even plan on borrowing from you. "
Jason chuckled, slow and amused, like he’d been waiting for that exact line. “That’s funny, don't you think? " he said. “Because I remember saving your sorry asses at the club, especially hers.” His gaze flicked to Clara.
" Okay?, Thank you for that and?"
"That means you owe me" He shrugged, "and I don't take Thank yous as payment"
Clara rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt. “That does not even count as a debt, you chose to interfere. I know you were more concerned about playing big hero "
Jason raised a brow. “Still counts, I saved your lives. If I'd not stepped in, you both would've sorry cases"
“What do you want?” Clara asked flatly
Trinity crossed her arms. “If it’s money, just name your price instead of stalking us.”
That earned a loud laugh from Jason, genuine this time. He tilted his head, studying them like they were an interesting puzzle " You really want to know my price? "
Trinity rolled her eyes " Spare us the dark edge. If you're not going to say it, then stop following us "
“Relax.... I’m not following you girls, I'm here to see someone.”
" Isn't it so convenient that we're always bumping into you?" Trinity sneered
Jason shrugged " Just coincidences love, I'm really here to see someone "
Clara frowned. “Who?”
The corner of his mouth curled upward. “Careful there princess. Wanting to know my personal business makes it sound like you’re saying yes to marrying me.”
"I'll never marry you" Clara gagged dramatically. “I just feel sorry for whoever you’re going to see. My heart tells me you're here to disturb one poor Granny over a debt "
Jason placed a hand over his heart. “Ouch.... I’m not that bad.”
Before either girl could respond, one of his men approached from behind, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. Jason’s expression darkened instantly, the playful edge vanishing like a switch had been flipped.
“Duty calls Ladies, ” he said, already stepping away “Try not to miss me too much.”
And then he was gone.
Across town, tension crackled like exposed wires inside Bryant’s office. One could see the anger radiating off Bryant’s body.
" What do you mean Marilyn killed her?, you gave me your word that the girl will be protected, used and returned back to me alive" He said, voice barely controlled
Brattfield sighed "I'm really sorry "
“You’re losing control,” Bryant snarled, slamming his fist against the desk. “First your leech of a daughter tries to kidnap my grandson and sabotage months of research. Now Marilyn kills one of my test subjects. One that was showing real improvement and positively responding to the medications ”
Mayor Brattfield’s face flushed. “I didn’t know she was going to do that. "
"You promised that Marilyn was capable of keeping the girl... Now what am I expected to do" Bryant groaned
" We can just find a new replacement.”
" You think finding a new replacement is easy?" Bryant laughed humorlessly. “Then offer your daughter.”
Brattfield lunged forward on instinct but froze when Bryant raised a gun, steady and deliberate.
“I’ll end you,” Bryant said coldly, “if you take one more step. You think getting subjects that respond properly to the drugs are easy to get? "
" My daughter is off limit " Brattfield said in a tight voice
" I don't give a fuck about your crazy family, my only concern is how you family keeps ruining shit for me" Bryant said waving the gun in the air, " How hard is it to keep women in control?, I don't want to believe you're a weak man Mayor"
He sighed " It's not something we can't fix right?"
"You fool. Why do you think Aylaree is quiet?." Bryant glared at him, "because we were using her sister as a leverage. Now what will happen when words get to her that her sister is dead"
The door opened and Jason walked in like he owned the place with a file in his hand, a gun in the other and blood stained sleeves.
Bryant’s entire demeanor shifted. The gun lowered and a smile slid into place. “Jason, my man” he greeted smoothly. “Come, let’s get a drink.”
By the time Trinity turned onto their street, her stomach had twisted itself into knots and Clara beside her vibrated from shock and terror.
Police vehicles lined the road leading to their apartment, red and blue lights reflected off windows, off cars, off curious eyes. Neighbors stood in clusters, whispering, staring openly as Trinity’s car slowed into the driveway.
Clara’s breathing hitched and she trembled uncontrollably.
“Oh my God,” she whispered. “Why are there police here?”
“Clara,” Trinity said firmly, gripping the steering wheel. “Breathe, you dont have to say anything"
“But..."
“Nothing ”
Clara nodded weakly, chest rising and falling too fast as they stepped out of the car.
The murmurs reached them immediately.
" murderers"
" smell was unbearable "
“rotting corpse "
Clara’s vision blurred with unshed tears while Trinity approached the nearest officer, heart hammering but face steady. “Excuse me, Why are you here?”
The officer looked at her for a long moment then he pointed to the driveway. To the wrapped body lying there, white fabric darkened by spreading stains, the stench so strong it made Clara gag.
“What’s in there?” the officer asked.
Trinity’s blood ran cold, they hadn’t moved the body before leaving. The girls looked at each other in pure shock and the world seemed to tilt beneath their feet.