𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐄 | 𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴

40: Unwanted Day Out

Lately, Karl really does feel like he's stuck babysitting.

To be honest, he's exhausted-and even that's an understatement. He really isn't sure how it came to this. Having killed more people and disposed of their bodies than he can even count, he thought he'd become familiar with the lifestyle of a gangster, and yet, here he is. Instead of doing any meaningful, productive work (yes, he does consider murder to be meaningful), he's been tasked with the responsibility of looking after an overgrown manchild.

It's all because he's too damn soft. His sentimentality keeps getting in the way of everything. The fact that he's known Felix his whole life leaves him susceptible to making bad choices. Like the night that Felix called him, frantic, begging for his help. If only Karl had let you die back then. If only he'd gone against Felix's wishes and hid your body somewhere far, far away. Then he would've had one less headache to deal with.

But because Karl is nowhere near as emotionless as he would like to be, now, he gets to hear shit like this:

"I'm taking [Name] out on a date."

After uttering the single most absurd sentence Karl has ever heard, Felix turns towards the front door, already slipping his shoes on and preparing to leave.

Naturally, Karl isn't amused.

"I beg your pardon?" he grits out. "I must have heard you wrong. How about you repeat that? But choose your words wisely. I'm not in a good mood."

"I'm taking [Name] out on a date," Felix repeats-regretfully, not choosing his words wisely at all. He stares dead into Karl's eyes, without blinking once. "I figured I may as well just tell you the truth. Since you'll find out one way or another. I thought you'd appreciate some honesty for a change."

"Are you fucking joking right now?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Felix offers a half-hearted shrug as he finishes putting on his shoes, then he opens the door, and steps outside.

Only for Karl to forcefully pull him back.

"I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but I suggest you put an end to this farce, once and for all," Karl seethes, eyes flashing with anger, hostility, and violence. "If you think I'm going to stand by and watch as you make a damn fool of yourself, then you've got another thing coming. So, hurry up and give it a-"

"Shut the fuck up."

Felix shoves him, with so much strength that Karl actually finds himself wobbling slightly. He's never lost to Felix in a fight before. Not even once.

At least, not yet.

The truth is that Karl is startled. He's seeing a side to Felix that he's not used to. Not only is Felix standing up to him, but he's doing it with such determination and self-assuredness. Karl can tell, just by looking into his eyes. Felix isn't scared of him. That's what his expression right now conveys, and it leaves absolutely no room for doubt.

Karl doesn't know how the hell it happened, but a mere woman managed to corrupt Felix's mind beyond repair.

God. He fucking despises you.

"I'm leaving," Felix mutters. His gaze is ice cold, and there's an edge to his voice that Karl swears he's never heard before. "I've been following your rules this whole time, even though you know I want [Name] to be free. If you're going to put her through this, then at the very least, you'll let me do whatever I need to do. She hates me. It'll probably be impossible to ever change her mind, but I'm still going to try. She's clearly been holding up her end of the deal she made with you, so I don't see what the problem is. And it's definitely none of your goddamn business."