Red

Part 16

Walker

"Lemar!"

I watch as my best friend slows, turning on the street to look for me. Once he spots me, he turns back around quickly, picking up his pace.

"Hey, Lemar!" I jog to catch up to him, but when I do, he shakes me off, ducking into an alley.

"I got suspended, John. What the fuck do you want?" Of course, he's angry, but this isn't my fault; it's hers. If Mallery hadn't left me, none of this would be happening right now.

"How long?"

"Thirty days with half pay." He glares at me. "I can't believe I listened to you! I could get fired. Rumor has it she's filing a protective order against you. If that happens, and I'm implicated ..."

I grip his shoulders. "Nothing's going to happen to you. You know how dramatic she is. Mallery just needs to kick up a fuss; we'll get back together, and everything will be fine."

He shrugs me off of him. "I don't think it's gonna be that simple this time. She's got a good lawyer—Barton. It's been what. Three months now? I don't think she's coming back, man."

I laugh, loud and long. "You don't know her like I do. She needs me, needs someone to keep her ass in check. She can't take care of herself, Lemar. You've seen her; she's a mess."

He backs away from me slightly. "I don't know, John. Maybe it's time to let her go. You don't—"

"I will never let her go!" I'm in his face, backing him into the wall of the building nearest to us in the alley, and he throws his hands up in surrender.

"All right man. Jesus." He huffs, pushing me away. "I can't be a part of this anymore, man. I shouldn't have been doing anything to help you find her anyway, and now? I've got some other precinct breathing down my neck, along with my captain. I'm out. You're on your own."

He makes his way back to the street, not looking back to me.

"Walk away, Lemar. You fucking pussy!" I spit onto the ground, muttering to myself. "I don't need him anyway." I stalk away down the alley in the opposite direction. I'm already poised to bring her back to me. I'm just waiting for the right moment.

**RED**

It takes three weeks, but I finally get served, naming me as the defendant in this case with Mallery. I wonder if Barnes will show up to court with her, or maybe Romanoff. I'm sure they're still fucking. Her husband is too stupid to know anything; he didn't even know Mallery was with me. They had no idea that I've been following their every move for the last ten years.

Losers.

None of these people can give Mallery what she needs. Mallery craves discipline and leadership; I'm the only person who can give that to her. She's lost and aimless, always has been. Even before I met her, I knew I was destined to lead.

I thought it would be the Army, but Barnes stole that from me. So, when he started running his mouth about his "girl" back home and how she was a little wild—a party girl—I knew Barnes couldn't control her then, and he can't now.

She needs me. She needs a real man to show her how to live her life correctly. Barnes can't do that; her cunt of a sister-in-law can't do it. And her brother, the gym-bro? No, thank you. He's obviously a homo, and I'll clear him out too.

I'm the only person Mallery needs in her life; to guide her, lead her, tell her how to live. Without me, she's useless, nothing. I'll show up to court, be the loving ex-boyfriend who supported her, helped get her clean, after all of that, she wants to make up lies about me now? No, the judge will see right through that.

**RED**

The job I wormed my way into keeps me busy while I wait for the court date. I got onto the crew of a building renovation in Brooklyn. I only found out after the fact that it was owned by Barnes and Mallery's stupid brother, Rogers. I learned through Rumlow and his crew that the two had bought the building they had grown up in and were restoring it to nice, affordable housing. Seemed stupid to me; they could easily jack up the prices and sell to the highest bidder. But these two yahoos want to do some good and "give back to the neighborhood".

Whatever.

Electrical work is something my father forced me to learn after I left the Army. He saw it as an opportunity to set me on a different, steady path. I got my license and took over my dad's business, his clients. Made a name for myself and set up a solid reputation for my work. So, when Rumlow mentioned the job and that he'd need extra hands, I offered my services.

Rumlow also thinks my name is Roger Harrington, born and raised in Willowdale, Virginia. Rumlow isn't stupid, but he's kissing Barnes' ass every damn day, so I'm not taking any chances. The full beard covers most of my distinguishing features, and I keep to myself while I work.

And I listen ... for anything I can use against Barnes. I know I'll hear something soon that I can use. Like I know that Rumlow is taking off to finish up some work on a penthouse in Manhattan for Barnes.

He can't use me for the job, but that's fine. I can wait. I'm good at it. I've been waiting all my life for a girl like Mallery; I can't let her get away now.