A Flame Divine ♕

XLIII. P L A N S

m e r r i k

Merrik gazed deep into Carmen's eyes as he blindly tucked his phone into his pants pocket. She had to hear this news, but he knew that it would affect her tremendously. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. Rubbing his hands up and down her arms, he prepared himself.

"Frank is dead."

Carmen went pale. Her mouth opened then closed, and when she attempted to speak, she couldn't seem to form a sentence.

"I—uh—what? What do you mean Frank is dead? What—what the hell happened?" she asked, her voice trembling and her face a picture of shock.

Merrik slid his arms around her, supporting. "According to the new CEO, Frank was running the business into the ground," he told her. At least, that's what his associate said. Merrik wasn't so easily fooled. A more logical explanation was that Sean killed Frank so he didn't have to share the business. He wouldn't put it past  Hugo's murderer.

"So they... they killed him?" Her voice held a note of confusion and inner struggle.

"So say that is what happens if you fuck up in this new regime." Merrik snorted. "I just wish I could have ended the bastard myself." He looked down into her face and brushed one of her ruby curls back. She would never cry another tear caused by him. Her face would never be marred by Frank again.

Carmen chewed her lip and looked up at him. "Merrik?"

"Yes, beautiful?"

"Is it okay that I'm glad he's dead? I mean I don't want to wish ill on anyone—my parents raised me better than that—but I can't help but feel so relieved that he's gone. Like a weight has lifted off my shoulders," she murmured.

Oh, precious girl... Merrik thought his heart would burst.

"Carmen. You shouldn't ever have to feel guilty for that relief. He was so terrible to you." Merrik caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Frank got what he deserved."

And so would Sean for the murder of Hugo. Slowly, like a drop of ink dispersing in water, did an idea form in his mind.

With Frank out of the way for him, he only had to deal with Sean. From what his former businessman said over the phone, Sean drove a hard bargain, and any associate who defied Sean in the slightest way was expelled from the business.

The smallest of grins ticked his lips upward. "I have a plan, Car. This is the moment we've been waiting for."

Carmen looked up at him. "What are you thinking, Mer?" Her eyes searched his face, and he didn't miss the fear in them.

Merrik smoothed a hand over her hair. "Let me go get Stellan and I will explain everything."

°°°

When the four of them settled down in front of the fireplace in the den, Merrik's mind was unsettled. He searched the formula in his head for and loopholes as paced back and forth. "You're going to run a groove in the floorboards," Stellan commented. "Just tell us already. What do we have to do?"

Merrik stopped and glanced at Carmen. Everly had her arm around her shoulders. He was grateful that she had a friend who could celebrate with her in the news of her tormentor's demise.

Flicking his eyes to Stellan, he took a breath. "I have a handful of trustworthy associates still in the business, under Sean's rule," he began.

Stellan looked up at Merrik and his eyebrow dipped. "Who? And how do you know they can be trusted?"

A mischievous light shone in Merrik's eye. "Once they learn the truth of Hugo's murder, I am confident they'll be more than willing to hear what I have to say."

Merrik's legs itched to pace once more. Though he remained still, his brain turned over and over. "Hugo was well-liked in the business. When his rule ended and Sean took over, he changed many things," he said. Merrik pierced Stellan with a look. "And in this business, no one takes light of traitors."

Stellan nodded. "That's true." He sat up and crossed his arms. "What's the plan then, brother?"

Merrik passed his gaze over each of his friends and took a breath. "I am going to call the Feds."

Stellan immediately jumped up, looking up at his brother, his fists clenched at his side. "Excuse me? You're going to do what? I'm certain I didn't hear you right." When Merrik just stood there, Stellan continued. "Do you have any idea what will happen?! You and I aren't exactly innocent here, Merrik. Do you want to go to prison?!"

At his words, Carmen and Everly shared a terrified glance, and Everly spoke up first. "Merrik, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Merrik's lips ticked down. "Of course I do. Which is why I'm telling my former employees. Give them time to get their shit straight. We'll take precautions. There won't be a paper trail." Merrik sat in the armchair across from the sofa. "It is time for the business to end, Stellan."

It was Stellan's turn to pace. "I am in agreement with that statement, Merrik, but isn't there any other way to get this done besides going to the Feds? You say there will be no paper trail, but you know they can access anything they want, right? Anything at all. Old emails, texts, phone records, you name it, they can get to it. How can you be sure we won't be implicated?"

"I suppose it would help ease your mind to know that all recorded transactions were made under aliases. Your name isn't Stellan Hailström, according to our accountants." Merrik wasn't worried about being implicated. He'd gone into this business without fear of being discovered. They were professionals, after all.

Stellan raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Well, yes, that does help," he admitted. "What are you going to tell them?"

Merrik clenched his fists. "The truth. And I want a confession out of him." Merrik thought for a moment. "Yes, I think I will have them arrange a dinner party. Then once he admits his involvement in Uncle Hugo's murder, we'll bring in the Feds. He will never see the light of day again."

Merrik didn't wither beneath their gazes. He was sure of what he wanted to do, but the question was if he would have the support of his friends or not.

Stellan met Merrik's eyes and he saw resolve flood them. "Fine. I'm with you. Make the call."