Once Upon a Story [ INCONSISTENT UPDATES ]

Bad Blood IV

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 660

After hearing that Roman had done the impossible and completed his assignment in half the allotted time, Lucien feared the worst for his relationship. He was sure he'd caught a few tickets with the red lights he ran, but he didn't care for any traffic violations. He needed to get home.

Back in her room, Roman cradled Pearla against his side as she slept. She had insisted he get some rest, but he couldn't close his eyes after she'd rolled into him. He knew Pearla was a clinger in her sleep and thought nothing much of it, but it was too much excitement for him to rest. He kept himself occupied chatting with his crew.

Caesar: She's asleep now.
🇫🇷: Maintenant, oui. Elle ne l'était pas y'a quelques minutes. Tu ne pouvais pas nous laisser parler plus longtemps?
Caesar: She's asleep, Normand.
N: Yeah. Stop keeping her to yourself.
Tank: Stop being dramatic, you two. Is she okay?
Caesar: Better. Hands are torn again.
N: Shit. We really should've skipped that break.
Tank: We'll visit later.
N: I'll bring Bella.
🇫🇷: Tu veux que j'apporte des fleurs?
Caesar: Don't do anything extravagant, please.
🇫🇷: Tu nous prends pour qui? Des imbeciles?
Caesar: I didn't say it.
🇫🇷: Attends voir espèce d'enculé—
Tank: Calm down.
🇫🇷: Ta gueule.
N: And that's my cue to leave. See you tomorrow, chief.
Caesar: Before you go. Be ready, all three of you. We'll likely need to move out unexpectedly.
N: That bad?
Caesar: His girlfriend is sleeping on me. What do you think is going to happen when he returns?
N: Fair point.
Tank: We'll be ready.
🇫🇷: Le sommeil que je sacrifie pour toi, Commandant. C'est pas une petite somme.
Caesar: You'll live. Be alert, you three.
Tank: Yes, chief.
N: Roger that!
🇫🇷: Message reçue

┌─ ─┐
𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝
𝟎𝟎:𝟑𝟏
└─ ─┘

Roman sighed, resting his head back. Normand, Echo, and Tyrese had been his partners since his trainee days. The four grew a bond stronger than their differing blood, and as a result, they were a killer team—Lucien's most trusted. But this also meant they couldn't be controlled easily. If they wanted to defy orders, they would, and no one could stop them.

When the door suddenly opened, Roman held back a smirk, looking at Lucien's dishevelled appearance. The look in his eyes told him he'd seen the security footage of his "tenderness" towards his girlfriend. To help everything come together, Pearla was still clinging to his shirt, blissfully unaware of the situation at hand.

"Is there a problem, sir?" The title only irked Lucien further. Roman had no use for formalities. Even as a trainee, he rebelled in this way.

"We might have one if I see you in her bed again." He scowled and fixed himself up. "Get moving. I'm here now."

"If I move, she'll wake up," Roman argued. "She's already had a terrible week. Let her rest."

"I'm here. She doesn't need you any longer."

"You can take her." Hearing him say these words, Lucien clenched his jaw, furious. There was nothing in his expression or his posture to state his defiance, but the taunt in his tone was clear.

Try if you can. Roman was affirming himself as the one by her side, not caring for a second that Lucien was her titled boyfriend. He was daring him to come wake up his girlfriend. That's what the silence spoke for him, and Lucien couldn't stand the disrespect.

"Mark my words: you will regret this, Roman."

When he left, Roman messaged a few people. Lucien would likely not return for the rest of the day, but her safety was at stake. They couldn't wait for morning anymore. They had to be ready for tonight.

With his messages sent, he made himself comfortable, holding Pearla against him. He swore he heard a glass break in the distance and knew Lucien was still watching the security cameras.

Don't worry, sir. I'll take good care of her for you.