✔Paint Me a Murder | Book 1

Chapter 21: Midnight Coffee Talks

There were people everywhere, yet Kazimir couldn't find a trace of humanity anywhere.

The crowd at the Wallflower had dwindled to a small amount of chatty customers. Kazimir settled down at a booth in the back of the restaurant, trying to calm his frantic mind. Every police siren had him on edge. He swore they'd be coming to arrest them for the altercation at Archie's place. He'd just snorted some coke in the bathroom after Emmett had his right-hand man drop them off at his place of work, hoping it would pacify his nerves.

Emmett served customers like usual, as if he hadn't just fled from a crime scene. He even brought Kazimir out a strawberry milkshake that was on the house. Sipping his shake, he kept his gaze focused on the window as police cruisers sped by.

What would happen to Amber? Would Everly have her killed? While she'd been sent to kill him, Kazimir couldn't help but worry about the young woman. Amber had wanted to build a family with her husband. Money must've been tight for them, so she desperately took a job from the Black Vipers. Kazimir knew how that felt, as he'd spent some time living on the streets and couch-surfed with strangers. People did anything for cash when they needed it.

Gazing over at the booth beside him where an elderly couple sat, Kazimir sighed. He overheard snippets of their conversations from happy reminiscences and envied them. He felt guilty for the jealousy that sprung upon him but he couldn't help it.

Kazimir wanted someone who doted heavily on him and showed him off to the world. He wanted someone who made him smile nonstop, even when he was distressed. He wanted someone who loved him unconditionally. He wanted a fairytale in the reality of a nightmare.

If only he could steal the couple's happiness. Kazimir would abandon the murderous mayhem in his own life in a heartbeat.

"You good?" Emmett came up to him, tucking his notepad in his uniform's breast pocket. "I sent a message to Charlie to come pick you up. Alfie's busy with his brother's school stuff now, otherwise I'd have him come back to get ya. I'm sure you don't wanna stick around here all night either."

Kazimir looked around the diner, leaning closer to Emmett. "What happened to Amber?"

Emmett sighed. "She's been taken care of, so you don't need to worry. Anyway, I've gotta get back to work. Feel free to holler if you need anything. Charlie will be on his way, okay? Y'all can hang out at the hideout until I get back. Then, we're gonna discuss where we go from here."

"Okay," Kazimir murmured, taking another sip of his shake.

"Hey, you sure you're okay?" Emmett gently touched his shoulder. "I know earlier was scary... But we're safe now. Nobody's going to hurt you. I won't let them."

"I know. Um, thanks." Kazimir forced a half smile.

Keeping his gaze on the window, Kazimir struggled not to let his fear anchor him down. He almost died. Had Emmett and Everly not swooped in to save their asses, he would've died in Archie's house. But why would someone want him dead? Weren't they framing him for murder? It made no sense. Unless their plan changed.

Maybe they didn't need him alive to accuse him of murder. Maybe they figured it would be easier to frame him if he was dead.

Panic welled in his chest, but he tried to drown it out in his sweet strawberry shake. He just needed to put his faith in Emmett and the Voiceless Rebels. Kazimir wasn't sure why the gang leader was so fond of him, but he was grateful nonetheless. Without him, Kazimir would probably already be in jail or dead. Just the thought of that made him shiver.

It wasn't long before Charlie got there to pick him up. When the bell chimed and the door walloped open, Kazimir leaned over to see who it was. The intimidating gangster tugged on his waistband as he stepped further inside, hiding the bright red underwear Kazimir was unfortunate enough to get an eye-full of.