THE LEFTOVERS

57. Sweet Revenge

Another Sunday, another market.

The market had always been your happy place, and it was something that you had grown fond to share together with James. It was nice being outside together, cause sometimes it could feel very chaotic living together under the same roof. People knew who James was, you were a stranger. They would always talk if you went out, which you didn't mind, but James hated. Here at the market, James could simply put on a cap, and no one bat an eye.

The two of you had done most of your shopping, when you sat down together by a local coffee shop. After last night's conversation, James still didn't feel at peace. He wanted you to know that he would never do anything to cause you harm. He wanted you to understand that his job was only his job, not something he carried with him. Being here together made him feel easier, a good beginning. You had given your orders to the waiter, as he disappeared back into the coffee shop.

James looked over at you. You sat with your legs crossed, smiling out to the street. Your hair was loose, with two small braids on the sides. An unusual outfit change was on the menu today, as you wore this beautiful red summer dress, instead of your usual skirts. Matching your dress was your favorite pair of shoes, red ballerina's. James couldn't stop himself from smiling.

"You look beautiful today," he whispered, taking your hand.

Your cheeks turned pink, as you looked over at James. Your face was like a piece of art in his eyes. One he could constantly look up at, and find new things to admire with every blink. He let his thumb brush your hand, as your fingers got intertwined. He noticed you got speechless, and instead of waiting for you to speak, he leaned over and kissed your rose red cheek.

"C'mon, stop it," You laughed. He giggled and scooted his chair closer.

The two of you spent 20 minutes chatting about the upcoming week, about all your plans. You see, as a part of James mentioning when they first got more serious that he desired to be more 'normal', y/n had made a long list of 'normal things to do in 2024' for him to cross off. He only agreed to take part in your ridiculous list, if you promised to do it with him. To everyone, but yours surprise, it was actually great fun. It had become a ritual that he was looking forward to. James looked down at his mug, that he had almost drunk up. James had been giving his hot drink, 15 minutes ago, but you who had only ordered lemonade was still waiting for yours.

"They probably just forgot, let's just wait until a waiter comes out again" You smiled.

Ten more minutes had gone, and neither of you had seen any waiters. James looked inside before he stood up.

"Let me just ask inside," He leaned down, softly kissing your lips before he walked over to the entrance further away.

The restaurant, which functioned as a cafe during the day, was quite charming. Walls of pastel colors, fun decorations, but also very empty. James looked around confused, something didn't feel right. He walked towards the till, when he suddenly heard the door lock behind him. He clenched his jaw. Something was definitely wrong.

"You should know better than to leave a girlfriend alone," A feminine voice said, walking out from the kitchen.

A petite little woman, with red hair came walking towards him. Behind the till he saw your former waiter and a chief, lying dead on the floor. Whoever this was, they had committed to seeing James. He could also count from the amount of breaths behind him that two men stood behind him. By the metal clining into their hip, he could tell that they were armed. This was an easy match for someone like James, but one thing stopped him from brutally attacking this woman. She mentioned you.

"Guess it's a common thread for you, after you took my boyfriend away, leaving yet another girl alone," She jumped up on the counter in front of James, laughing.

James stared at the woman, trying to recognize where he could've seen her before. Somehow she looked familiar, but James was good with faces, and he was unable to track this woman down. Then he began to think through everyone he could've possibly put in prison the last few months, but the amount of them with partners seemed slim. The red color of this lady hair burned into his eyes. James didn't care about playing nice. Not anymore. He cared that you were safe. Whatever this lady wanted, she could get, just not you.

"Y/n, that's her name right?" The woman said, trying to sound cute.

Without even thinking, James immediately grabbed the lady by the throat and forced her to lay down on the counter. He could feel the guns pointing at him, but he did not care.

"C'mon boys, it's not everyday I get to meet one of dad's old friends," She laughed, as James froze.

The gunmen backed down, at her order. James realized who this woman was.

"I'm just happy my partner survived, unlike yours will," Sinthea Schmidt smiled underneath James chokehold. Her eyes went to the kitchen as Crossbones stepped out.

Fuck, James swore under his breath.