Locked in chains

Chapter 26

Leila's Point of View

It's been 10 hours that he's been in the office talking to the associates, to bring some order and clarity to all the chaos we've caused. We're watching the corridors and the rooms, there's nothing to report. People have calmed down and they're doing what they're supposed to do. The people working for Marcus don't seem too upset about the change. I'm not saying they weren't angry and didn't shout, but a few hours after the news, it's quiet in the bunker and people have accepted it. The day has been long and full of emotions. We can't wait to go home and finally relax. The door to the office finally opens and the associates come out one by one. Each one nods at us before heading out for the exit.

"Everyone in the car in 5 minutes," Cole says in the back.

Instantly, we turn to Cole, but he's already heading back to the office. The guys and I get in the car and wait for him. We're so exhausted that no one speaks and it feels good. Cole finally arrives and we head towards home.

"What did the associates say?" I ask.

"I don't feel like talking about it, we'll discuss it tomorrow," Cole says, clicking his tongue against his palate.

"But I'd like to know..."

"Tomorrow."

The rest of the ride is in silence and when we arrive, we practically race to our rooms. It must be 2 in the morning right now, usually, I don't go to bed until 3 or 4, but tonight I'll make an exception. Anyway, none of us really want to talk about what just happened. Even if my curiosity is there, tomorrow is another day and our problems will still be there when we wake up.

11:00 am

"Can everyone come in the living room?"Cole asks.

"You'll finally say about the associates?" I say.

He went to talk to the associates into accepting the change. He exposed his father to them and explained how he would manage the gang from now on. The Goldens will still be allied with the Reds, Steven made sure it would be known. Everything happened so fast, I'm happy it's going in the right direction. After, all we've been through, we deserve it. I deserve it.

"So eager to know."

"Just say it."

"Leila, shut up will you?" Kyle says, laughing.

"Like I was going to say, the associates accepted!" Cole finally says.

We all smile and hug each other at the news. We can build the gang in our image. Marcus only brought deception and fear. He lied to get to the top and killed his second-in-command to hide an alliance with the enemy while starting one with another gang. There wasn't any trust in the end. We want to do something different, but still keep the foundation of the gang as it is. Cole is ready for this role, I know he won't disappoint. 

"Let's cheers to Cole," Lucas says.

"Take a beer everyone," Enzo says, coming back from the kitchen with a case of beer.

We all take a beer and open it. We all bring the can to the middle so they all touch one another.

"To Cole," Lucas says.

"To the Reds," Cole adds.

We all cheer on it and drink. These past 3 months have been intense, confusing and terrifying. That we're all here right now, cheering on Cole becoming our "Jefe" is shocking, not surprising, but shocking. We didn't think it would happen that soon, we thought we had more time.  

"What about The Devils?" Kyle asks.

"Marcus' death will be known soon and David's too. The Devils will attempt an attack, it would be stupid to think otherwise," Cole says.

He's right, we were so far deep in our plan to take down Marcus that we forgot about David's death. The Devils won't let us get away with this, even if it means war. The Goldens are by our side, it'll be hard to get to us without losing a couple of his people. Let the games begin. 

"Nothing I'm afraid of," I say.

"Oh Madame is feeling feisty," Lucas comments.

"Pretty ballsy of you to say, aren't you scared of spiders?" Kyle adds.

"Spiders vs. the Devils, I wonder who's the scariest," Enzo says laughing. 

"You're just jealous I said it first."

"Kids, stop it." Cole steps in. "We must be prepared and ready to affront them if they come to us. Let's start training next week. I need to finish some papers and I have some important calls to make before putting all my time into this."

"No problem," Lucas says.

We went our separate ways during the day, Cole was at his office, Kyle and Enzo at the shooting range, Lucas at his girlfriend's, and I spent the whole day with Emma. It's been good seeing her, after all this time. We went to grab a coffee and some food for tonight's dinner. Everyone should be there, the guys, Emma, Lucas' girlfriend and me. We wanted to celebrate the fact that we are all here today and enjoy each other. 

It's now 8:00 pm; Emma, Enzo and Kyle are cutting the vegetables. Lucas and his girl are outside at the grill, and Cole and I are walking on the main streets of the house. He asked to talk outside and then started walking towards the street, so I followed him.

"What's going on? Why did you want to talk out here?"

"I want to ask you something"

"What is it?"

He takes my hand in his and keeps on walking forward. He squeezes my hand before stopping and turning right at me. 

"I'm going to go live in Toronto."

"What? When?"

"Next month."

I can't believe it. With all the changes, I thought he would stick around and help us. Being a Boss comes with responsibilities, especially in this line of work, but it didn't cross my mind that he could be gone that soon.

"You're going back with Steven... Who's going to handle it in California if not you? Lucas?"

"Right. He'll be handling things here while I'll be in Toronto."

"What about us? Let me guess, we should stop." I say, almost frustrated.

"Leila it's not that easy..."

"What a joke! You're so predictable Cole. You're full of shit and telling me this before dinner with everyone, you're so thoughtful, thank you," I say before he cuts me off.

"I feel you'll be better off without me. My life is going to be more chaotic than it was, I don't want you to be in the middle of it again. I care about you Leila, I don't want anything bad to happen to you ever again, you get that?" He says looking into my eyes, not breaking contact. "I don't want to lose you." He finishes to say. 

"Stop wanting to distance yourself from me thinking it's for the best. Who does it make happy? Not me and not you, it seems." I pause and continue, "There's no one else I'd rather be with than you."

"I have flaws." 

"I know."

"I might break your heart. I've never been one to be in a relationship."

"Cole, do you want to be with me or not?"

I said it so quickly I almost didn't hear myself. Better get to the point, no? He locks his eyes on mine again and brings his lips close to mine.

 "Leila, come live in Toronto with me."