Freedom Is My Redemption

Chapter 9

I woke up in the morning, early morning mind you, to the smell of coffee. Since when did I become a morning person? I moved and pulled a phone from the night table, Four am? Ughhh, I heard as someone chuckled and turned to see Ash was standing there with coffee in hand, "sorry, Julia." He says simply, offering the delicacy, "Jerome demanded a meeting." I groaned and put my head in my hands.
Where the hell is Kai? Why is Ash coming to me? After my meeting with him last night, I'd gone back to the kitchen but saw no sign of Kai. Kinky bastard, Timothy was sitting quietly at the table, and Jason was holding Misther Monkey. I'd dug through the pantry and found some old vodka. Ash spent the night trying to keep me out of the bottle, but I drank about three quarters of the bottle by myself.
Not a great idea, "thanks Ash," I say quietly taking the cup he offered. "Any sign of anyone else?" I asked and he smiled softly, "Kai's been in the kitchen since about three forty-five I'm pretty sure he can sense when Jerome needs him. He's a bit more awake today though- strange how much energy he seems to have." He shrugged and I had to suppress a cringe, "anyways, boss says meeting is in twenty." With that, he pushed off from the door and left the room.
I groaned and scooched to the edge of the bed dangling my feet. My head was pounding and I felt bad but no worse for wear than any other day. I hauled myself to my feet and stretched before actually looking around the room, I frowned. "It's not bad," I said to myself taking it in. It had a nice full sized bed with crumpled up grey sheets with a grey and black comforter. The walls were white, there was a bedside table that was white and the carpet was a light grayish color. It wasn't bad, to be honest, a closet here, a dresser there. Perfect, basic room.
But that's just it, it's basic. "I miss my room." It was true, it had only been mine for a short time but- it had been mine. It was perfect, and it was gone. I sighed thinking of all the ways I wanted to murder Johnny. When I looked at the time, I saw fifteen minutes had passed. "Shit," I whispered in a panic before grabbing and throwing on whatever was nearest me. It just happened to be my new suit- well, here's to hoping the others decided to dress up too. I ran a brush through my hair and was out the door with two minutes to spare.
Jason was beside me zipping up his suit and I didn't feel too bad about being late. He smiled at me embarrassed for being late and we high tailed it down to the meeting room quickly.
When we got there, I saw Jerome wasn't here and Timothy was already seated at the table. Ash was leaning against the wall looking perplexed and Kai was sitting at the table stretching his back. I walked past Timothy and went to put a hand on his shoulder when suddenly I felt Jason's vice like grip on my wrist.
I looked from my wrist to his eyes and back, "umm, what in the actual fuck?" He dropped my hand, "just don't- he's not in the best place." I frowned and walked away rubbing my right wrist with my other hand. Stupid bastard. With that, I plopped unceremoniously into my seat across from Kai and glared at him. He didn't seem to notice and I frowned, he always felt me staring, maybe he's preoccupied?
I shrugged to myself and went to turn to talk to Ash when Kai moved and I saw them. Oh my god, my mouth dropped open and I bit on my finger to keep myself from laughing. I put my head down instead on the table and forced myself to calm down before a giggle fit overtook me.
I felt someone walk up to me just then and prayed it wouldn't be Kai- I don't think I can handle a conversation with him just now. I turned my head to the side and saw, "Jason." I breathed he smiled as he squatted next to me, "you good? I saw you like panic. What's up?"
He had his hand on my lower back and it felt- warm. Huh, that's- interesting. Most anyone that put a hand on me made me feel cold and uncomfortable, but Jason- he made me warm. I couldn't speak so I tilted my head to Kai and Jason looked, I could see as he turned the confusion written on his face. "I don't- oh my god, are those hickies?"
His voice was a sort of shocked whisper and I snickered but playfully slapped him to quiet him. It was too late though, I couldn't help it I laughed so hard, we both did.
We were still snickering when Tsu shuffled in and sat in her appointed chair. I love how we just kept the same chair set up from before. No creativity. Tsu kept her eyes downcast and had a pink tint to her cheeks while Kai looked- pleased.
I gave her a look when she finally looked up that said girl-we're-so-talking-after-this. Her eyes got wide and she dropped them again before nodding. The door opened up and Jerome walked in with Davi in tow.
The unspoken order of wearing the new suits came through loud and clear even Davi had an updated version of his trashy jacket on. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, Jerome looked a little less dressed up, he wasn't in a suit but plain black pants and shirt. I hate to admit it but, damn did it look good. These meetings were always fun for me, I got to undress that man with my eyes, and boy, did I love every. Single. Second.
"Good, you're all here. We don't have much time, and I don't like to pussyfoot around so- I have a plan." Kai seemed to expect this, Jason had a slight look of being impressed, Timothy and Tsu's eyes were downcast, and Davi- he was Davi. "We're going to take out Johnny, Tsu, you're staying here you have homework. Kai will help. Davi, you, me, and ticking time bomb here are going." He says it while placing his hands on Timothy's shoulders, "Julia you and Jason are gonna do some homework of your own."
My mouth dropped open and Jason flew to his feet in an instant, "he has a name! You can't call him th-" but he was silenced by a simple word. "Stop." We all turned and saw Timothy sitting there stone faced. He crossed his arms and leaned back, I could tell his character we'd all come to love him for was dying slowly.
He was no longer the cutesy, sweet, light-hearted kid we all knew and loved. Now, he was now a known killer. Hardened like one, hurting Tsu had hurt him. "I'll go Jay-Jay. It'll be fine." Jerome smiled down at him and it was chilling to say the least, "there, see?" He says looking to Jason with a wink, "no problem. I don't even need him powered up all the way, if that's what you're worried about." Everyone seemed uneasy, even Kai.
Jerome surprised me, though, instead of being angry or dismissive of us as he had been, he paused. I could see the slight battle as he debated on what to do. Finally, with his hands clenched he turned and knelt down beside Timothy, "look, kid, I won't ask you to do anything I don't know you can't already do. You're strong. You've taken care of yourself, as well as your brother, you protected everyone in this room from being hurt or killed by Johnny. I couldn't even do that."
Timothy's eyes glossed over with tears and he scrubbed at his cheeks impatiently, "but I hurt Tsu, and Doris-" Jerome put a finger to his lips. Without moving or breaking eye contact he held his hand out to his side, "Tsu, could you be a dear and come here?" She stood, clearly confused but sauntered over, I watched as she stood beside him not sure what to do. He didn't look up but simply shook his hand at her and she said a silent "oh," before she placed her hand in his. He scoffed but took it and pulled it so their interlaced hands were in front of Timothy.
"Do you know my power?" He asked in that same calm voice. Timothy shook his head looking from Tsu to Jerome clearly not understanding what was happening. He's definitely not the only one. "My power," Jerome continued in that same soft calming voice, it was so strange hearing it come from the man who had just yanked my hair and threatened me mere hours ago.
"Is the power to know if someone's telling the truth." He flicks his gaze to Tsu for just a second and I see her eyes widen in understanding. That's why he kept tilting his head! He was literally reading me, as I look at Tsu I see the same reaction lit in her features. Understanding.
"So, when I hold Tsu's hand, I'm going to get an instant read, I can sense everything about her that would tell me if she were lying." I felt my throat close slightly as I realized why he had been so handsy with me. The bastard wanted an instant read of my emotions, not me. Instant read of the truth. He didn't want to actually be handsy, ugh I hate men. "Tsu, are you mad at Timothy?" She shook her head, and I watched as Jerome turned to her slightly annoyed. "Out loud love, we can't hear your brain rattle."
I grimaced for her and she quickly answered, "no, not at all." The room was focused on the three of them it was as though we knew if we spoke it would break the moment.
I figured she'd be gushing about how she's not mad. She's just quick and painless, what's wrong with her?
I eyed her and saw she was laser focused on Timothy her eyes were soft and caring, she looked like the ultimate mama bear but her face was completely uncaring.
"Are you mad at him for hurting you?" Again, she shook her head, "no. Timothy, I'm not mad at you, baby boy. Because of you, you saved us. We're all alive because of you, I got burned- so what? I'm fine, Julia was able to hold me until my body was fixed. And my hair? Who cares, it will grow back. I'm glad you're safe that's all I care about."
Jerome squeezed her hand to stop her babbling and instantly she closed her mouth but I can see it pains her to keep quiet. "Yes or no answers will suffice." Jerome turns to Timothy who looks like his whole world has been turned back on its right side.
No longer does he look scared but he looks overjoyed. He turns to Jerome who rolls his eyes, "as I'm sure you can guess, by the look on your face- she's telling the truth. None of these people in here, not one, blame you. Ok? So let's turn that frown upside down," he says in baby talk and I can't help but snicker.
Timothy nods and Jerome stands slowly away from him, "we all have our assignments. Timothy- meet me and Davi upstairs in ten we'll be moving out then." Timothy nodded and headed out of the room with Davi who had also been dismissed.
"Tsu," he said capturing her attention from the door, she snapped her eyes up and it was so strange seeing her like this. Under Jerome's gaze she was completely complacent. Submissive even. I don't like it. It reminds me when I first came and how Davi described her thoughts and actions. She never did them for herself.
"You're going to work on your homework- if ya need a boost of energy, I'm sure Kai wouldn't mind helping either." She nodded and dropped her head as she headed out the door having been dismissed. Kai chuckled to himself before heading out after her. What is her homework I wonder, hmm maybe if I get done with mine I can spy on hers.
"And Julia, that leaves you and Jason." I smile and bat my lashes at him Jason scoffs and leans back in his chair. "Work on distance. I want to see improvement when we're back." With that, he started towards the door but Jason spoke up quietly, "hey boss?" He asked stopping Jerome, he turned back looking slightly annoyed "yes?" It came out harsh and Jason flinched back. It was a slight unintentional action but I saw it. Quickly, he steeled himself.
"Timothy- he's strong but- please don't," he paused looking down. "Please don't use him." Jerome smirked, "I don't use my people without their permission. Timothy is going to help us, he's going to be the one that makes Johnny pay for what he's done to us. I promise, he won't go over his limit and if he does, we'll have his monkey there. Davi knows how to calm him. You taught him." Jason nodded looking visibly relieved, and I smiled softly. Jerome started walking again down the hall, just before he was out of earshot, though, he spoke. "Please stop with the heart to hearts. We're a mafia." Jason smirked, "nah, we're a family, man."