𝐒𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐌𝐲 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧

/56./

CARTER

Time felt as if it were going slow. I couldn't help but look at the digital clock on the nearest wall. It was a quarter past noon.

Curt should have been here by now but knowing him well, he was making sure he wasn't followed.

"Are you sure about this?" Rick asks me from my right.

"No," I admit truthfully.

So much has happened that my certainty is no longer solid. There was assurance that my crew was corrupted. Perhaps it's been corrupted for much longer than I thought before all the events that occurred and my father's involvement.

I am working overtime, luring out the disloyal while I give my family much-needed security. Troy, however, was sticking close to Tiana for the time being.

With the flick of my wrist, I note the time before clasping my hands together. In a second, he should be here.

As if on time, the door opens slightly, with Curt revealing himself. It's been a while since I last saw or heard from him. Months had dragged and so much has happened since his disappearance. If I'm being honest, I wasn't too concerned about him considering that my girl and I were going through our own problems.

I thought he was dead until the call I received from him not too long ago.

"Boss man," Curt greets, his lips tilting in a rare smile. "It's good to see that your doing well." he continues, stepping in my direction.

Rick doesn't hesitate to step in front of me, the tension is visibly palpable in his shoulders while assessing Curt's new appearance. His hair was much longer than I remembered, pulled back into a low knot in the back of his head. He dressed in normal clothes, which were a forest green short sleeved t-shirt and dark jeans.

Pausing in his footing, Curt looks at Rick. The smile disappears, replaced with a firm, much more serious look.

"It's always a joy to see you, Rick."

"I wish I could say the same, Curt. I don't know whether to smile or be weary that you're still breathing."

"Relax." I stood, pushing Rick with a step pack. "It's fine. Take a seat." I motion to one of the many open chairs.

Curt sits followed by myself and Rick. Deciding not to beat around the bush, I come out with it.

"What happened to you after that day you protected my daughter and my girl from Brian?"

I watch him, searching for anything that gives me a sign of hesitance in his posture.

"A lot happened that day," he sighs. "My sole purpose was to protect my queen and the little princess. Brian showing up at the hotel was a shock and unexpected. After becoming aware of Queen ran, I fought but Brian took me off guard and shot me."

He lifts his shirt, showing off the fresh scar of a gunshot wound that was in a vital area of his chest. Very close to his heart.

"The last thing I remember is Brian leaving me for dead before chasing after Queen. Then everything was black. By some miracle, I regained conscious and found myself in New York."

"New York?" Rick repeats this in disbelief. "How in the hell did you get to New York?"

"I didn't know at the time," he shrugs. "I thought one of your men dropped me off there."

Rick goes silent, deep in thought.

"It would make sense," I say, thinking of the many possibilities. "At the time, I was still unaware of my corrupted men. I sent a few to find you and Brian. Then it became a lost cause when none of them checked in."

"You said you didn't know at the time," Rick says. "So, who dropped you off?"

Hesitancy becomes clear and I can't help the instinct of having my hand on my gun. No more lies or secrets. None were any longer tolerable amongst my men.

Wait, no.

Curt's been gone for so long that his loyalty is in question.

Exhaling, I wait patiently for his response.

"Eva."

My eyes widen slightly in surprise. Something was definitely not right. There's just no way that woman involved herself in this cruel reality, which is my life. She's a traitor, a liar, and a means to an end. Glancing over, I watch Rick. He doesn't say anything for a long time. Most likely because he was coming to terms with the name.

I knew that he held some kind of feeling towards the woman and her name is like a bullet being released from a gun every time it's mentioned.

"I was shocked too when I saw her, but..." Curt trails off when he watches Rick more closely.

Rick doesn't say a word. Familiar with the meaning of his silence, I turned to Curt to tell him to step outside for a moment but it's too late. He didn't get the chance when Rick stood up with a speed that was almost supernatural and slammed his fist in Curt's face.

Well, fuck.

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Thoughts/Predictions?