Part 6

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• Drengr   Part 114

  That unexpected twist. Life is full of them. My unexpected twist came in the form of Charlotte dying a few hours after bringing Tala into the world. It’s been four days and I’m functioning on autopilot.That night I brought Tala home and I sat beside her crib until the following morning, making sure nothing happened to her during the night. The most awful moment was when William woke up and I had to tell him that Charlotte was gone.He sat on my lap in that rocking chair next to Tala’s crib and we cried. Jessica stopped by every day and sat with Tala so I could shower and I cried as I stood under the water. Everything smelled like her, everything reminded me of her, especially Tala. She had Charlotte’s dark hair and she smelled like her too.“He should hire someone to help him with Tala.” I heard Jessica say to Malachi downstairs in the kitchen as I sat on my bed.“Give him time,” Malachi said. Time. Time wouldn’t heal this. Nothing could take this pain away. I put my suit on and wen

• Drengr   Part 113

  Tala was finally given back to me and I looked at the pack. “I really appreciate you all being here but it’s time for Tala to meet her mother.”I took Tala back to Charlotte’s room where Jessica half sat on the edge of the bed and held one of Charlotte’s hands. She was fully awake now and she looked at me. “She’s perfect, Charlotte,” I said and Jessica laughed.“See, I told you, those tiny humans change everyone,” Jessica said. They hugged and Jessica stopped at the door. “Congrats, badass, she’s a princess that one.”“Jessica says you named our daughter in the waiting room,” Charlotte said as I gave Tala to her.“Sorry, when Malachi asked me it just seemed to suit her,” I said and Charlotte smiled.“I like it, it does suit her,” she said. “Where’s William?”The door opened again and Jessica nudged William forward and closed the door behind him. “Come meet your sister, William.”“Can I touch her?” William asked as he stood next to Charlotte’s bed and looked at Tala.“Of course, she w

• Drengr   Part 112

  Four months later…“Hey,” I answered my phone. I was standing in line at the grocery store waiting to pay and I wondered what she’d forgotten this time. It had happened a few times and two weeks earlier, she’d actually phoned me three times while I was doing the grocery shopping.For the past four months, I hadn’t really let her out of my sight. It wasn’t paranoia, but guilt. I hadn’t left Seward and when I had to leave the house, the alarm system was on and my phone was open on the camera app that I checked every few seconds.“Don’t freak out,” she said.“I never freak out,” I said and smiled.“My water broke and I’m on my way to the hospital,” she said.“What?” I asked her loudly and three people ahead of me turned around to look at me.“I’m driving to the hospital so when you’re done with the groceries–”“You’re driving yourself to the hospital?” I yelled at her and more people looked at me. I left the cart in the queue and started running toward my car. I drove to the hospital an

• Drengr   Part 111

  I looked in on William and found him asleep in his bed. I tucked the covers around him and kissed his forehead. Downstairs I opened the laptop and googled the company that had done the delivery of the baby furniture. Five minutes later, I had a home address for the asshole.I picked up the phone and called the only other person who wouldn’t treat me like I had the plague.“Hey, man, I heard what happened,” he said when he answered his phone.“I need a favor,” I said.“Sure, whatever I can do to help,” he said.“I need you to just be in my house for an hour, maybe two,” I said.“You found him?” he asked me.“I have an address.”“I’ll get someone to sit there. I’m coming with you,” he said.“Carl, this isn’t going to be pretty,” I said.“Shit.” He laughed at me. “I’d hope not, otherwise I’m not sure if we could remain friends.”Fifteen minutes later Carl and Frank arrived at my house. Frank wasn’t very happy at having to stay behind but he understood that Charlotte and William couldn’t

• Drengr   Part 110

  I looked at the video feed the system had sent me as the man breached the yard and picked the lock at the back door. He wore a mask but I would find him and I would go alone because it would be brutal. I went upstairs and opened William’s door.“I’m sorry,” I said and sat down on his bed. He was lying on his side and he looked at me.“I tried to protect her but he was stronger than me,” William said and the guilt just wouldn’t stop. He sat upright and I pulled him closer to me and hugged him.“You did good, kid. Did he hurt you?” I asked him and he started to cry.“I couldn’t help her,” he said as he continued to cry on my shoulder.“This isn’t your fault, William, it’s mine. I should have been here,” I said.I sat with him until he stopped crying and went to face Charlotte. I stood in the doorway of the bedroom and looked at her as she slept. Her left arm was in a cast, her eye was swollen shut and she had bruises on her arm and shoulder. Those were the marks and bruises I could see.

• Drengr   Part 109

  I walked out of the back door and sent a text to Bo about the phone. I got in the rental car and drove back to Chicago, feeling lighter and better. Jack was still my brother and he hadn’t betrayed me.I had my doubts as I parked the car in front of the apartment building. It had to be done, one way or another. I took the elevator up to his floor and stood next to his front door and took my phone out. I dialed his number from memory and listened to it ring inside his apartment.“Hello,” he answered sleepily.“Open your front door, Blue,” I said.“Are you coming in hot?” he asked me, wide awake now.“If I were, would I be at your front door?” I asked him.I heard his footsteps and I ended the call as he opened his front door. “Jericho.” He smiled when I hugged him and I could feel his shoulders relax. “Man, it’s really good to see you, unless you’re here to kill me.”I walked past him into his apartment and he switched the living room lights on. “You’re not dying today, Charlie.”“I jus