Page 32 of One (The Towns Syndicate #2)

Ally

W aking up shouldn’t have felt disappointing. Seeing the triplets and Doc should have been a relief, but a dark shadow loomed over me. My vitals were checked, they explained what had happened to my face and that I seemed to be doing fairly well considering I was in a coma for a few days.

Then out of the corner of my eye, Boogie stood at the door, looking more vulnerable than I had seen him in a long time. I didn’t want to acknowledge him, but it was like my heart couldn’t ignore him. We locked eyes and that dark cloud grew lighter and I felt a little better.

I needed to see King to be reunited with my monsters, but I scolded and reminded myself these men were just like everyone else. I did what I had to do, save them, and that was all I owed them. As much as I wanted to ask about King, I was worried about what they would say.

It was hard to break eye contact first, but I looked away, focusing on Maverick who was talking to Winchester and Doc.

They talked about when I would be released and what I would need post-care.

Just listening to them exhausted me, and I grew tired.

Ruger sat next to me, taking my hand, and I took comfort in his silence as I closed my eyes, letting the pain take over.

“What do you think, Ally?” Maverick asked.

I shook my head. “Noelle. You will address me as Noelle from now on.”

I didn’t want to be Ally any more. I wasn’t a timid girl from Christmas town. If I wanted everyone else to respect me, then I needed to show up for me first.

“Of course,” she said immediately. “Does all that sound good?”

“No, I would like to leave now,” I said, keeping my eyes closed.

“Al—Noelle, I really?—”

“I heard you, Doc,” I cut him off. “Winchester is more than capable of overseeing my care and I need to get back before the drop tomorrow night.”

“Noelle, do we?—”

I opened my eyes, glaring at Maverick.

“Do you really want to finish that sentence?” I glared at her. “I have been away long enough, and I don’t even want to know what state my town is in, so you will not lecture me on what I will and will not do, am I fucking clear?”

They stared at me. “Yes, Noelle,” Maverick said immediately.

“Please make arrangements and no one comes in and out of this room except you four, understood?” Exhaustion was hitting me as I looked at them.

“Yes, Noelle,” they agreed.

“No one,” I reiterated.

I expected the triplets to say something, but they nodded their agreement. They talked amongst themselves as I turned around to my side, trying to calm my uneasiness.

Doc left the room as I drifted off to a sleep that wasn’t restful at all. I could still hear commotion and some talking. Someone left the room when I heard Boogie.

“What do you mean she doesn’t want to see us?”

I closed my eyes tighter wishing he wouldn’t make a scene. Boogie had to know where this was going, this is what I had promised, but a stupid part of me still yearned for him… for King. I wanted them to fight for me, even if that was a stupid idea.

“Winchester, I will fuck you up, if you don’t move,” he yelled. “Oh, fuck you, all she has to do is listen.”

“Boogie.”

I sat up as relief hit me. King was alive. My lip trembled as a wave of tears slid down my cheeks as I got out of bed, my legs shook as I tried to stand. I grabbed the IV line, using it to help me to the door.

“No!” Boogie snarled. “Ally, opened this damn door.”

He knocked on the door as I got to it.

“Boogie, I told you she needs space.” King's voice was muffled as I laid my hand on the door.

“She’s had an hour,” Boogie snapped.

“You know that's not what I meant,” King said, sounding exhausted.

“Ally, Little One, please open this door,” he said, banging on the door.

“Boogie, step back,” Ruger said calmly. “King’s right, give her space.”

“Space for what?” Boogie snarled.

“You locked her in a fucking room,” Ruger snarled. “You think she’s already forgiven you? You treated her like every other man whose ever been in her life. You really expect her to forget what you did to her? Think, man!”

I had never heard Ruger lose his temper, much less at Boogie.

“You really think she wants men who won’t treat her as an equal?” Ruger snapped. “If you think she’s just going to roll over and be ok with that, then you really are delusional, Boogie.”

It warmed my heart that Ruger was defending me against his boss.

“She’s your partner, not an object, Boogie,” Maverick said. “You took away her freedom and I think you're lucky she decided to come back for you.”

“I was protecting her,” Boogie snarled. “I wanted her safe and?—”

“Shut up, Boogie!” King yelled. “We fucked up and you know it.”

“Ally, Little One.” Boogie pounded on the door. “Please, Little One, open the door and we can talk. I did this to protect you. I know you're mad, but I thought I would rather you be alive and mad at me than dead.”

I leaned my forehead against the door, biting my lip to keep from crying out loud.

“Little One, please,” he said, his voice breaking. “I just wanted you safe.”

He pounded on the door.

“Ally, please,” he whispered. “Don’t shut us out. Don’t end us.”

“No, you did that,” I said against the door, before walking away from him pounding on the door.

I climbed back into bed wishing my heart didn’t want them so much.

Christmas Eve was supposed to be a big night for me. I was going to deal the biggest transaction of the year. Just send drugs overseas, get a big payout, spend the night with Boogie and King, fuck in front of the fire, or something equally as romantic, before I gave them their gifts.

I had this planned out before everything had happened and the rage I had as I got the delivery ready was the only thing keeping me going. My body was sore and tired, and all I wanted to do was sleep, but I had a fucking job to do, and I was going to do it if it was the last thing I did.

Arthur was dumb enough to leave Christmas Town exactly the way it was and by the time the triplets brought me back, it was exactly as I had left it. Well, almost. Boogie and King had decided to run Christmas Town since they had me hidden away like a Disney Princess.

Lance and the triplets loaded a big truck with “the presents” containing various drugs inside of them, and our buyer would be here in about thirty minutes.

“Uh, Noelle, Roman is here,” Lance said, as I looked behind me.

He walked in with a few men, and I looked around, waiting for King or Boogie to come behind him.

“I’m alone,” he said, holding his hands up and so did the other men. “This is for you.”

He handed me a sleek black envelope with my name in loopy script. The handwriting was so elegant, it always shocked me it came from King. I reluctantly opened it.

Noelle,

Merry Christmas. This wasn’t how I envisioned spending our first Christmas together, but I know I have us to thank for that.

I hope you are feeling better and you are not stressing about the big deal tonight.

It will go off without any problems. I’m sending Roman and some of our most trusted men.

They are yours now. Roman has a few more contacts coming tomorrow and you should have a dozen men at your disposal.

We should have started with this instead of locking you away.

I’m sorry,

King

I clenched my jaw in anger as I glared at his beautiful handwriting. I looked up from his letter to see Roman and the men on their knees.

“We swear our allegiance to you, Noelle,” they said in unison.

“Damn, is this where they start groveling?” Winchester asked as he stood next to me.

“He only sent you six men?” Maverick stood on the other side of me.

“Six more arrive tomorrow.” Roman rolled his eyes at her.

“Get up, these packages aren’t going to get themselves on this truck,” Ruger said and the men moved without any hesitation.

“Here’s another one.” Roman gave me another note, but it wasn’t in a pretty envelope like the one before, this one was from Boogie. “If it makes you?—”

“It won’t, Roman, their pain doesn’t make me feel better,” I snapped. “You think I want this? I think this is a bad idea, you should take?—”

“Keep us, it’s the least they could do, and I know this is a hard decision for you,” he sighed.

“They should have figured out a way to protect you with your freedom intact. King and Boogie acted irrationally. I don’t think they’ve ever been so scared in their lives.

They’ve never had a reason to be. I just hope you realize that you belong together before it’s too late. Some of us don’t get that choice.”

“Forgive them even if I don’t trust them?” I asked, not sure whathe was saying.

“No, make them get on their knees for you, but don’t waste too much time apart,” he said softly. “We never know how much time we have left onthis earth and regret is a bitch.”

He walked by me, leaving me to think about his words.

“They are also jealous assholes, and I know they are goingto call me tonight so I’m sure if they hear you laughing or flirting with the triplets, I can’t say they would be too happy about it,” he smirked, walking away to help the rest of the crew get the truck ready.

I was too mad to entertain the thought that I could forgive them. I knew I couldn’t be mad at them forever, but my biggest worry was, could I ever trust them again? That was our foundation, if I couldn’t trust them, then what was the point of being together?

“Noelle, he’s arrived,” Lance said, I took a deep breath.

“Ok, let's do this,” I said, and we walked to the gate.

The man they called Saint was waiting for us. He came with a small group of men and I appreciated that he hadn’t brought an enormous amount of people like he usually did.

“Noelle.” His deep timber was soothing.

“Saint,” I said, as Roman and Ruger opened the gate.

He was a tall man with blond hair sprinkled with white and blue eyes with a full beard. When I first started helping on Christmas Eve, he always reminded me of a Viking Santa. A very hot older Viking Santa whose lap I would have never minded getting on.

“Do you have my gifts?” he asked.

“Yes, would you like to sample them?”

“That won’t be necessary,but my men need to check the truck. I would also like a word with you, Noelle,” Saint said.

I nodded. The triplets glared at Saint as I shook my head at them. They didn’t need to piss off this man.

As our crews left us alone, I expected him to start talking right away. The silence was annoying and unnerving. Just as I was about to say something, he spoke.

“I was surprised you took the reins from Kris,” he said. “I really shouldn’t be, the asshole was so high and drunk last year that if you hadn’t stepped up, the deal would have fallen through.”

“That was how Kris was most of the time,” I said, as snow started to fall. “Ruling the town within an inch of his life.”

“Until a girl he captured had had enough,” he smirked. “I was proud that you killed him and took over. He needed to go, and you were already running the place. I hoped that the Mayor would let you run it. You seem to be doing well for yourself.”

I huffed.

“Am I wrong?” he asked.

“Five days ago, I was locked away by people who said they cared about me while people were fighting for control of my town,” I scoffed. “It doesn’t feel like I’m doing so well.”

“Is it true, you have the men of Halloween under your thumb?”

I laughed. “If you think anyone could bring those men to their knees then you’ve been misled.”

“Oh, young Noelle, men are simple creatures,” he said, turning to look at me. “Sometimes stupid, but very simple.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Surely you aren’t lumping yourself in with that sentiment?”

He chuckled. “Sometimes, but back to King and Boogie.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please don’t tell me they have enlisted your help too.”

“Sometimes we need to band together, and while I don’t condone their methods to keep yousafe, I will say King and Boogie?—”

I held my hand up. “I can’t believe they reach out for your help, Saint.”

He chuckled. “King called and he pleaded with me to put in a good word. I also owe him for saving my wife and our lover.”

“For a moment I thought this was going to be something good for our relationship, but I can see Boogie and King have to also sabotage that,” I said sternly.

“You can tell them you made your plea for them, but I really don’t want to hear it.

Now if you have something to say about business, I’m open to talk about it, but if not, I’ll be taking my leave. ”

Saint took a deep breath as I steeled myself for some kind of rebuttal

“I see they have their work cut out for them,” he grinned. “I think you are doing a remarkable job and that’s all I have to say. Keep up the good work. I’ll see you in July.”

He nodded, turned and left for his car.

“Oh, and Noelle?”

He looked over his shoulder.

“If you ever have anyone else give you a hard time, give me a call. My wife would love to help you out,” he said, leaving me with more questions than answers, but I felt good about standing up for myself.

I watched Saint’s men take the truck as my men came back to me. I might not be the leader I imagined myself to be, but it was a start and that’s all I needed to focus on.