Dark Flame - (Liam Payne AU)

Ch. 20

Liam POV:

"Ow, Liam, my head hurts." Juliet said, rolling over towards me on the bed. "Can you shut the curtains?" 

I sighed. "Yes, of course I will." I got up and closed the window. Suddenly, I heard Juliet get up and run to the bathroom. She slammed the door and began to get sick on the other side of the door. 

I decided to let her be. I really wish I would have had a video of her last  night. It was hilarious. She called me sexy, which was strange from her, since she never really called me anything like that. I mean, I think she called me cute once..but I prefer sexy. Sounds less fluffy. 

I walked downstairs and made some coffee for myself. I had to go back to work today, wonderful, right? The new year is supposed to bring new things, so why does it seem like nothing has changed? "Give it time, Liam." I say to myself. A few minutes later, Juliet walked down the stairs, well, more like stumbled. Her hair was a mess, and she wasn't wearing any pants, but had a long t-shirt on. 

"Hey Whiskey, what happened to your pants?" I asked with a laugh.

She glared at me. "I threw up on them." She replied, then sat down with a huff, and put her head down.

"Want food?" I asked.

"Anything but." 

"How about a little more alcohol?" I laughed.

She flipped me off and then said with a groan, "Liaaam, shuuut uuuup." 

I laughed and then washed my cup and went upstairs to change. I put on the usual outfit, but instead of my black boots, I put on my Timberlands. I looked at the mirror down stairs, and I smoothed back my hair. I grabbed my keys, gun, and I said goodbye to Juliet. 

I got in my black Porsche, then drove to the warehouse where my gang met. I said hi to the guys, and then went to ask Zayn what it is that we were going to do today. He told me we had a few drug runs, and then we had to kill some guy for another guy. Sounds like a good plan to me.

We drove off to a parking lot on the opposite side of town. We waited until the car they described was in our sights. I walked out of the car, leaving Zayn inside to keep watch. 

"Liam Payne?" a man asked, getting out of the car. 

"Yeah. You wanted two ounces of cocaine, am I correct?" I asked, looking into my pocket.

"Yes sir. Here is your 100 pounds, thank you." He started to walk away.

"You owe me 150 pounds." I said, looking at the wad of cash he had just given me.

"But I only have 100.."

"Look," I interuppted, "If I drove all the way out of my way to get here for you, then you better give me my one hudred fucking fifty pounds." I said, sticking out my hand.

He tried to run, but I was faster. I pushed him to the ground and then put my gun to his head. 

"You don't have the money?" I asked.

"No sir.." he cried.

"Then I have no pity." I said, pulling the trigger. He died automatically. I had some of his blood on my jacket, but it was nothing new. I wiped the blood off my face, and then headed back to the car, after taking the man's wallet. He had 500 pounds, and a photo. There was a photo of a little girl who didn't have any front teeth, her hair was brown and her eyes were blue. Along with the photo, there was a photo of a young woman, I assumed she was in her 20s, she had brown and matching brown eyes. She was holding the little girl in her arms, and laughing. I began to think of Juliet, and if we ever married and had children, she could very well be in the same position that the woman was in. 

I began to feel..guilty. I ran my fingers through my hair. What if the man had saved 500 pounds to buy something special for his little girl for her birthday? Or what if he was saving it to buy his wife an anniversary present. I knew I had to do something. I kept his wallet, putting in the glove box as soon as I got into the car. 

"Liam, you okay mate?" Zayn asked.

"No." was all I said before driving off.

Over the next few days, my dreams were haunted with images of the man with his little girl. She was running to the door around the time she knew he would get home, but he never came through the door. 

I just left him there...how could I be such a cruel, heartless human being? I hated myself. I hated what I did, but it was all I had ever known. I rolled over and looked at my alarm clock. It was 3:45 AM. I couldn't sleep, so I just got up. I went downstairs and I heard clinking, followed by a few curse words.

I walked silently, following the noises. I looked to find the kitchen light on, and I saw Juliet looking through my alcohol cabinet. There was an empty bottle of whiskey, and then a broken bottle of vodka. 

"Juliet?" I said softly.

"Shit!" She yelled, bumping her head. "I was just.."

"Going back to bed?" I said, lifting an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I guess so. You look pretty tonight, Lima." 

"It's Liam, not Lima."

"Lima...Liam...same things." She stumbled. 

"Sleep on your side tonight."

"Of your bed? Okay, yes Sir." She replied, sloppily saluting me. She marched out of the room chanting "USA, USA, USA" and marching like a soldier, a very uncoordinated soldier.

I laughed, and then decided to clean up the mess. What ever happened to her not drinking? 

I wondered what she was thingking, and if she was okay.

-

It was 6 AM when I woke up again from a nightmare.This time, it was about the man's wife. She was wearing all black and crying over his coffin, with her little girl by her side. I could feel it as if I were there. 

I knew what I needed to do. 

I needed to apologize to the family.