Butterflies Volume II

Chapter 27

Concealed by overturned bins and other rubbish in a dark alleyway, Billy Butcher threw up onto the concrete ground. It had become the new norm, his lunch meeting him back in his mouth, and he looked down at the pile and grimaced. He sighed, spitting out any remaining acidic taste still on his tongue. Violet had got him the best pills and vitamins to combat his deteriorating health, and yet it still didn't subside the urge to empty everything inside of him at any time of day.

She told him not to drink, but still he brought a bottle of whiskey to his lips, soothing the pain. Unfortunately for him she wasn't by his side that night, which only made the entire idea of a mission tedious. Trying to do anything without her was tedious. To his left appeared Frenchie and Kimiko, attempting to hide any concern from their faces as they took in the sight of him. He shrugged it off as though to play it cool, but as he was beginning to find out, the boys were only able to play civil around him when Violet was by his side.

Kimiko handed him a matching uniform to what they were wearing, and he took one look at it before throwing it into the bin. Infiltrating a party for Victoria Neuman and budding soon to be president Robert Singer, Billy knew it was virtually pointless for him to even attempt to be inconspicuous. But partly he also would not be caught dead roleplaying as a waiter, he thought he had a bit more status than that. But did he?

He had lost his title as captain after Soldier Boy. He lost some credentials, and it seemed no one, only Violet and Hughie, still cared to listen to what he had to say. Too bad, as they were about to hit another dead end. Clipping in his ear piece, he smiled at Kimiko and Frenchie.

"All right. Come on, then," he said, strolling past them.

He led them to the staff entrance, two security men standing outside. Billy smirked. There was a familiar sentiment around certain sectors, and they had the backing of the CIA, so they could get themselves inside almost any building needed. That was perhaps one of the few benefits of their current arrangement.

"Evening cunts," Billy greeted the two men, "we're here to commit a bit of high treason."

One of the men silently dug into his pocket and retrieved a key card. He held it out towards Billy, but right before he could take it, Kimiko grabbed it, tilting her head at him. He bit his tongue. As the door opened they led him inside, round to a lift that would take them to where Victoria and the rest of the party would be. They had been working for this very mission for weeks, building a weapon that might be enough to kill her. However as they all entered the lift, Frenchie held up an arm and pushed Billy back.

"Whoa, hey, no," Frenchie said, "the plan is you wait here and cover our exit, no?"

"Oh come off it. Watch a fucking door?" He argued back.

There was a voice in his ear, M.M. commanding, "Kimiko, if Butcher steps one foot in that elevator, break his arm."

She gave him a passive aggressive look, shoving him back, and if he didn't respect her growing confidence he would have fought back. He held his hands up in surrender, and bit his tongue. They wouldn't have done the same if Violet was by his side, but they would have also had no need for the concoction Frenchie had built up.

As the doors to the lift closed, he exhaled sharply, turning to find something to do. He swore under his breath, frustrated. It seemed he was being brought along more for obligation than anything else. He should have stayed home, he should have gone with Violet to her interview, but he also couldn't say no to the chance to get Victoria. Although she was one of the few that still held a little sympathy for Violet in the media, however fake it was, he still yearned for the day she was out of the way.

"Hold up, hold up," M.M. said, "okay we got a problem."

Billy leaned on the wall close to the lift, speculating if he should be twiddling his thumbs. His ears perked up, unsure if he should even pay attention, but he should. He was glad he was.