Troubled Indeed

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Simon just revealed more than Anthony ever would. I'm trying to understand why keep his friendship or whatever connection with Alexi a secret. Why not tell me from the get-go that he knew who Simon was and how he was associated with him from way back? Now I understand why he got all tense when he first saw video footage of Simon. He knew that Simon would reveal stuff from his past, and I guess he tried to silence him.

My train of thought is cut short by Simon's sharp loud laugh.

"See, you don't know anything!" he claims triumphantly, "And you trusted blindly the man you claim to love."

My head snaps in Anthony's direction, but he doesn't look at me. He has lowered his head so I can't really see his face. I'm beyond disappointed, but I have to pull myself together and fake it until Simon gets careless. I look back at Simon.

"I know a lot more than you think," I reply, trying my best to sound confident. I hope he doesn't catch on that I'm actually terrified.

"Fine. I'll admit, I think he does love you. At least that much he didn't lie about," Simon confesses.

I feel like throwing up. I can't believe I'm getting my relationship with Anthony appraised by Simon, the man that got me pregnant in my teen years and left me immediately after that.

"You know he's a liar by nature. But he's done far worse things than just lying. Did he tell you that?" he says with a wicked grin.

"He did," I reply, even though I'd like to confront Anthony about all the things he's said to me. Was any of it true? He did tell me he stole some cars and that was just about it. He didn't elaborate on any of his criminal cases.

"You two are just made for each other, he lies, you lie," he hisses at me. "This isn't the first time Anthony is doing shit like this. You know, steal something from someone, rape a woman or two," he reveals, an evil smirk deforming his beat-up face.

"Shut the fuck up," Anthony finally speaks up.

"No, you shut the fuck up. I have a gun and you don't. So, zip it," Simon barks back, then continues his monologue.

"We were all a bunch of shitty teens. But Anthony was always Blake's right-hand man because he was the best at leading a criminal life. And he mostly got away with it. He was the brain of our group," Simon keeps revealing stuff about Anthony's past.

"Simon shut it!" Anthony growls and jerks forward in his chair but doesn't stand up. His hands are still tied behind his back. He's furious, I can tell, but something holds him back from lunging at Simon.

Simon ignores him completely as if Anthony isn't even on the terrace.

I'm unable to look at Anthony right now. I don't know if what Simon is saying is true or not.

"I wouldn't give a crap about his life or what he's done before, except now he's playing for the other team. I liked him as a gangster, he used to be tough. But now he wants to lead an honest life. All. Thanks. To. You." He drags out the final words then slowly moves his gunpoint from Anthony to me.

I can feel Benji squeezing my dress behind me. Even a three-year-old gets the intensity of this situation. I look at Anthony, and this time he looks straight at me, but I have a hard time reading his emotions. His intense stare sends shivers down my spine, and I slowly turn my head back to face Simon and his gun.

„You are the reason he decided to keep the club to himself. You are the reason I didn't get Dirty Angels back. So, I thought if I removed the pretty distraction from the picture," he says in a nasty tone, "Maybe I would have one of the best men back on my team and get my club back. But I realize now that's probably never going to happen. I might as well end both of you right here, right now. You'll probably go to heaven," he points his gun at my chest, "But I'm sure that one will burn in fucking hell," he jerks his head in Anthony's direction. "That's your fucking prince, honey, his vile baggage bigger than the whole fucking state of New Jersey."

"Simon, we have a problem," a familiar female voice shouts from the guest seats.

I turn my head and to my big surprise, I see Tonya rising from among the guests. My head snaps in Anthony's direction and his expression is as surprised as mine, for once. I guess he didn't see this coming either. Simon and Tonya were in on this from the beginning. That's why she was so friendly to me. She was keeping an eye on both Anthony and me. She informed Simon whenever needed. That's how he got all his information and knew what to expect and where to be.

"Some people managed to leave, and I think they called the police," she says, addressing Simon, and before she can finish her thought we can all hear sirens getting closer.

A sigh of relief escapes me.

"Fuck," Simon responds, "FUCK!", he yells louder, then composes himself, and adds, "I guess we have to make it quick then."

He suddenly points his gun towards Anthony again, but before he pulls the trigger, he takes a step closer to me and presses his mouth on mine, taking me completely by surprise. I push him back immediately with the power I didn't know I had in me, and a second later Anthony's fist lands in Simon's face.

A single gunshot resounds with an echo through the open space. Someone shrieks. It takes me a second to realize it's me. My head is spinning, and I feel a sharp stab in my arm and automatically press my hand to the sore spot. I examine myself and see blood seeping through the sheer fabric of my dress. I stumble backward until someone catches me from falling. I look over my bloody shoulder and notice mom standing behind me, eyes wide.

"Mommy, you're bleeding," Benji's tiny, worried voice pulls me back to reality.

I look at the spot Simon was standing half a minute ago and notice both Anthony and Alexi bent over him, pinning him to the ground. I was right – the light ribbons I tied them up with were frail enough to be ripped apart.

"Say hi to your brother, may the two of you rot in there forever," Anthony growls through gritted teeth.

Moments later police officers rush in and take over the whole situation. Simon is cuffed and read his Miranda Rights. Anthony says something to the officers, but his concerned look never leaves me. Then, finally, the paramedics arrive, and I get help.