Book 1 - Complete
Book 2 - Ongoing
If you asked their family, they'd tell you Thomas and Maude were surely soulmates. The two had a bond so strong, that anyone who believed in reincarnation, would tell you that they were certain, Thomas and Maude lo...
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XI. A man still breathing.
All the screaming from the crowd watching the fight got to Maude, and she stepped out into the hallway for a breath. She had half a mind to go find Tommy or Arthur, who had both disappeared a while ago.
Just as she pulled out her cigarettes to have a quick smoke, footsteps rushed down the hallway. "Maude!" Tommy called out when he saw his wife at the end of the hall and he rushed over to her.
Maude looked at him, and her heart sank; he looked frantic, and in one of his bloody hands was his gun. She met him halfway down the hall, her eyebrows furrowing. "What's wrong?" She asked, her voice low under the weight of her concern and worry.
"Where's Linda?" Tommy questioned as he raised his eyebrows at Maude.
"Sitting with the rest, why?" Maude questioned as she pointed at the double doors that lead into the room where the crowd was still screaming for the fight. Her eyes shot towards Tommy's hands and her mouth fell open. "Tommy, why is there blood on your hands?"
"We've been betrayed, someone let Changretta's men in," Tommy informed his wife as he began pacing like a wild animal in a cage. Maude's eyes followed him up and down. "They tried to kill Arthur," he added.
"Oh my God." Maude gasped softly as her eyes widened, one of her hands coming up to rest against her chest.
Tommy came to a stop and turned to his wife, leaning in close to her. "He's alright, but I need you to find Linda, and tell her to mourn her husband," he instructed her in a low voice.
Maude's eyes widened even further. "What?" she questioned as she gave Tommy a mixed look of confusion and bewilderment.
"Tell her he's fine, but she has to cry like he's not," Tommy explained as he gave his wife a firm look. "Tell only Linda he's alive, no one else," he added. His eyes read the importance of this. The importance of whoever betrayed them, thinking they succeeded.
Maude let out a shaky breath, lowering her horrified eyes before nodding her head. She turned to the door, taking in a deep breath before rushing into the room. She looked so frantic from hearing the news, that she could have sold the act all by herself.
"Linda." She called out as she fell into the seat beside Linda. She grabbed the blonde's cheek, pulling her closer and Linda frowned. "Listen carefully," Maude demanded before leaning into Linda's ear. "Arthur was attacked, he's alright, but I need you to cry like he's dead," she whispered.
Linda pulled back a little and gave Maude a horrified look. "What?" she questioned in confusement.
Maude leaned back into Linda's ear. "Someone betrayed us and tried to kill Arthur, you need to make everyone believe they succeeded," she explained before placing her hand on the back of Linda's head. "Just lower your head," she instructed, and without any more questions, Linda lowered her head onto Maude's chest and began sobbing.
