I looked at the email for what felt like a million years before I stood up, pacing the room.
Part of me wanted to call Corey since I now fully knew that the kids could be involved.
The other part of me worried if I called them they would be even more on the radar.
"Okay....okay.." I whispered, putting my hand on my belly. I knew I needed to calm the fuck down or things would get bad.
"Jules?" Nate asked, causing me to jump and shriek. "Woah. Sorry, I thought you heard me open the door. What's going on?" He asked as I closed my eyes.
"I logged into Sam's computer." I said then opened my eyes and walked back over to the desk. "Already? You've been in here for like five minutes." He said as I shrugged.
"I don't know, I just guessed." I said then sat down. "Look at this though." I said and pointed to the screen. I then looked up at Nate, trying to see how he would react to the emails I just read.
"Oh shit." He said as I nodded. "Oh shit is right." I said then started looking through more emails.
"You have to stop. This is clearly a trap, Julia." Nate said as I nodded. "It's a trap and I don't care. We need to get to Sam and Colby sooner rather than later." I said, focusing on the screen.
"You're just as stubborn as Colby." He said as I nodded and stood up. "Yup. Get used to it." I said then grabbed the keys and a gun then started for the door.
"Where are you going?" Nate asked and started to follow me.
"For a drive to clear my head." I lied. "Stay here." I said and kept walking down the hallway, hiding the loaded gun in the waist band of my pants.
I knew I was being stupid and reckless but I honestly didn't give a fuck. I came here to make shit happen.
I wasn't about to wait for someone to come save the day.
When I got to the car I started driving down the familiar but also very unfamiliar roads.
This was the first time I have ever driven in LA. I've obviously been out and about while being here but someone was always driving me.
It was hard to remember where the big white mansion was that Nate brought me to just earlier today, but I was impressed when I found it.
My stomach ached with nerves as I got out of the car, staring at the unfamiliar house. Was I making a mistake by taking this on by myself?
There was really only one way to find out.
When I walked up to the door I pounded my fist on it with as much confidence as I could muster. It was shocking how quickly the door had opened.
"Well well well. That didn't take long." A random man said with a grin. "Come in, Juliana." He said causing a chill to run down my spine.
"Don't look so scared. Pops will be impressed by your bravery." He said then stepped to the side. "Come in." He said then gestured for me to walk.
I tried to keep the false confidence as I stepped into the house. Even if this was a mistake, I had to deal with the consequences.
"Have a seat." The guy said and pointed to the couches. "I'm not here to have afternoon tea. I'm here to get some fucking answers." I snapped with annoyance.
"I guess the rumor is true that you're a feisty one." He said with an unbothered tone then walked away.
I didn't feel like I was in any immediate danger but I guess the others didn't feel like they were either.
I had to play my cards right.
I rolled my eyes then went to sit where he told me to. I assumed he was going to get Pops. I had never met the guy but I doubted he wasn't as bad as my father.
I could handle him.
"Ah, Juliana." An older man said as he walked over to me. I had a weird sense of deja vu as he walked over, an unsuspecting look on his face.
"And you are?" I asked blandly, crossing my arms.
"Don't recognize me?" He asked as my face fell slightly. Was I supposed to recognize him?
A million names and faces swirled my mind, but none of them were putting a name to this face.
"I guess it doesn't matter. I assume you're here for Samuel and Cole." He hummed as I nodded. "Where are they?" I asked and grabbed my gun, pointing it at them.
"Easy there. I was told you've become a real spitfire, but perhaps we can just talk." He said and gently pushed the gun so I would point it downwards and not towards him.
"And why would I do that?" I asked then clenched my jaw. "Because their lives are in my hands. Do we have an understanding now?" He asked as I nodded, lowering the gun completely.
Even being in this man's presence I felt no danger. It didn't feel like they were going to kidnap me or even hurt me.
The man walked me down a hallway and towards some sort of office. I could feel my stomach twisting in on itself, knowing Sam and Colby could easily be in this house and I wouldn't know it.
"Have a seat." He said and gestured to a chair that was pulled up to a desk.
I didn't plan on being so submissive, but the fact that Sam and Colby's lives were in this man's hands meant I needed to just listen to the best of my abilities.
"I guess I should formally introduce myself, although I'm sure you can guess who I am." The older man said as I nodded. "Pops." I said causing him to grin.
"Very good." He said then sat across from me. "Ya know, I'm impressed. You have had bigger balls than both of the leaders who you've grown to love." He said as I nodded. "I have a lot to lose." I mumbled.
"Which is why I would assume that you're willing to do anything to get to them." He said and leaned back.
I felt like I was going to have a panic attack, knowing that he could make me go into another brothel situation.
At least if that happened again, there wasn't a possibility of me getting pregnant.
"Don't look so scared, Juliana. I just have a few favors to ask." Pops hummed. "What kind of favors?" I asked, bringing my hand to the ring around my neck.
"Just a few jobs. You do these missions and I'll bring you to Samuel and Cole. What do you say?" He asked with a wicked grin.
I didn't know what to say.
Was I capable of completing missions by myself? I had been so heavily protected by Colby and the gang that I have never been in this specific situation.
I've killed my fair share of people but could I handle it all by myself?
If I did this I would be reunited with them and this nightmare would be over.
At least that's what I hoped.
"How do I know I can trust you?" I asked as he grinned, clearly amused by the question. "Because it's the only option." He said and crossed his arms.
My mind was racing. There was a very strong possibility that I was falling deeper into the trap but I felt like there was a possibility this man was telling the truth.
I would have to tread carefully, but if these jobs weren't too difficult then I would be able to handle them.
"We need a contract of some sort. I won't be doing this to get fucked over in the end." I said, putting on my hardest expression.
"A contract?" Pops asked as I nodded. "I do these jobs for you, and you release Sam and Colby unscathed." I reiterated.
"Interesting." He hummed and grabbed a pen, twirling it in his fingers.
I knew that contracts weren't exactly part of the crime world, so he was mulling it over in his mind, but I wasn't going to do this without one.
I've learned my lesson about dealing with the crime world. Everyone was untrustworthy, and I wasn't going to fall into the trap.
"Do we have a deal?" I asked, getting impatient. Pops looked at me for a moment before he held his hand out.
"I think we have a deal." He said as I reached over and shook his hand.