"Happy birthday." He said as I nodded. "Thanks, kid." I said then left the room.
I didn't really want to acknowledge my birthday this year. It was far from happy and I just didn't care anymore.
I spent the next couple minutes looking for plates, a knife, and some forks. I remember when I first was brought down here, Colby told me they had everything here so I was bound to find it somewhere.
"Whatcha looking for?" Jake asked as I turned to look at him. "Plates, forks, and a knife." I said as he pulled a pocket knife out.
"I meant a knife to cut cake." I said as he chuckled. "There's cake?" He asked as I nodded.
"You can have some if you the stuff I need." I said as he nodded. "Follow me." He said then led the way.
We made our way down the hallway until he opened a closet.
"Party supplies." He said as I chuckled. "You do have everything down here." I said then took the plates and stuff from him.
"Bring me to the cake." He said as I nodded and made my way back down the hallway.
When we got to the room I portioned the cake out and gave it to everyone, including Jake.
"Are you gonna eat some?" Little Sam asked as I shook my head. "I'm not hungry." I said then sat on the bed and tried to get comfortable.
I was beyond flustered about this whole situation and just wanted this over with.
I knew what I had to do but I had to make moves slowly.
I had to kill Pops.
"Hey, Jake. Can you watch the kids?" I asked as he shrugged. "Yeah, where are you going?" He asked as I shrugged.
"Out. Be on your best behavior, guys." I said then went to leave the room.
I knew what I was doing was probably a bad idea but I didn't give a fuck.
I've spent too much of my life hiding away from the danger.
Before going upstairs and to the car, I stopped and grabbed two guns and a knife.
When I was leaving though, Nate stopped me.
"What are you doing?" He asked as I shook my head. "You're not gonna stop me." I said as he chuckled.
"I mean, I know you're strong willed but I don't think it's a good idea to make a rash decision." He said as I nodded.
"I'm gonna go talk to Pops. I don't think he'll kill me if I just confront him." I explained as he nodded.
"That's some good power play. I can't let you go without backup though." He said as I nodded.
"Then come with." I said then went to get in the elevator.
I didn't have the time or energy to fight, since I wanted to be back in time for the kids' bedtime.
When we got to the car, I got in the drivers side, starting it before Nate could even get in.
"Aren't you scared?" He asked and got in the car. "Not at all." I said then started driving. "You're a bad ass." He said with a laugh.
"Colby would be proud of you." He said as my eyes watered. "Yeah, if I didn't fucking kill him." I whispered, my eyes watering.
I couldn't forgive myself for what I did. The feeling of the trigger pulling and a bullet hurling towards Colby would haunt me for the rest of my life.
"I'm sorry, Jules. He knows you had no other choice." He said as I shook my head.
"Just stop talking." I mumbled and focused on the road.
We drove in silence until I pulled up to the familiar house.
"Wait here." I mumbled then got out of the car. Before he could argue I was closing the door and walking towards the house.
When I got to the front door, I knocked on the door, letting my face go hard.
"Juliana." A man said as he opened the door. "Where's Pops?" I asked blandly. "Come in." He said then stepped to the side so I could walk into the house.
He led me through the house and towards Pops' office. As I walked around the house, I felt sick.
I didn't regret coming back here, but I regretted killing Colby.
"Juliana. You're really bad at the whole crime lord thing. You don't usually go to the source of threat." Pops said as I was pushed into his office.
"Yeah, well. I don't want to be a part of this shit. You idiots keep bringing me into it so I'm gonna do it how I want." I said as crossed my arms.
"You're so much like your father." He hummed as I clenched my jaw.
"Fuck him. Just tell me what you want? You wanna kill me? Go for it." I said as he shook his head.
"You're interesting, Juliana. I think I might just keep you around." He said as I groaned and pulled my gun out.
"Cut the shit. I'm only going to ask you one more time. What do you fucking want?" I asked and held the gun up.
"I need you for a couple more tasks. I think you're naturally talented in the game." He hummed.
"And what's in it for me?" I asked, keeping the gun pointed at him, although he seemed unbothered.
"I won't kill those little kids, and I won't make you kill them either." He said and leaned back in his chair.
On one hand I would do anything to keep the kids safe, including these tasks that put me in danger.
On the other hand I couldn't trust this man as far as I could throw him.
