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Carmelle - 4 th of February - 2019

I dressed in the pyjamas that Sharp had bought and left the bathroom after running a brush through my hair. Sharp bought the children some decent clothing, and I was relieved to be rid of the rags they’d had at the hellhole.

Shannon was cramming grapes into her mouth. A tray of cheese, crackers, and fruit had been delivered, and as I sniffed, I caught the wonderful aroma of coffee.

“Mr Santos has called for a doctor. One shall arrive within the hour. Lunch today will consist of a tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for Shannon. For yourself, there’ll be a crab salad with fries and fresh bread. Dinner is chicken carbonara with pasta and a side salad. Fresh rolls will accompany it. The chef will also prepare a pureed carrot and swede dish with chicken for Sadie’s lunch and dinner. There will be chocolate pudding with cream afterwards for the girls and a crème br?lée for yourself. Are those meals acceptable to you?” Maria asked.

I couldn’t help it. A hysterical laugh left my mouth. “After eating junk food or being starved for days, you’re asking if that is okay? Shit, we’d eat anything and be grateful.”

Maria’s lips pursed as I kept laughing and sat down on the sofa. Shannon crawled over to me while a quick look showed Sadie was sound asleep.

Shannon offered me a grape, and I chewed it as I continued to laugh. When I got control of myself, Maria was gone, and I was alone again.

Sharp

After giving his promise to Carmelle, Sharp left the suite. Every instinct he had, urged him to grab her and run, but he couldn’t. He needed to understand Fury’s plan, which meant Carmelle was in huge danger. Fury and Romeo both knew who she was, and she’d gone from a crazed madman to a controlled one. But she wouldn’t be stripped, beaten, and groped here.

As he walked to Romeo’s office, Sharp wondered what was next. He’d call Anderson and let him know about Carmelle and her connections to Rage. He also had to find out about her husband. Carmelle had inquired, but she wasn’t ready for the answer. Sharp suspected Beau was dead, and Carmelle knew it but was hoping otherwise.

He opened the office door and was surprised to see Romeo, Seabrooke, and a decanter of Romeo’s favourite whiskey on his desk.

“Was questioning your loyalty, Mr Sharp,” Romeo stated.

Sharp walked over and took a seat and picked up the glass in front of him. He made a show of studying the colour of it before taking a swallow.

“Yeah, kinda resented that. And when numbnuts here started spouting bullshit, it was obvious. I haven’t given you reason to doubt me,” Sharp replied.

Seabrooke began, “Your actions—”

Sharp turned to him and cut him off. “Was a man concerned about his boss? Gonna be upfront, you been acting erratically. Now I know why, but at the time, I was worried, and it’s my job to ensure you survive everything thrown at you.”

“Can understand that.”

“Tell me about this wonderful gift you brought me. I’m sure Fury is as angry as fuck you snatched her from under him,” Romeo crowed.

Sharp swallowed his whiskey. He had a job to do, and every day, the end result marched closer. Strangely, Romeo was keen to shoot the shit for the next hour.

Sharp didn’t ask why he wanted to stay too. Sharp knew a doctor had been called, and he needed some answers.

They looked up as a small guy carrying a bag entered. Sharp recognised him as a doctor on Romeo’s payroll. The doc took an offer of a whiskey and then began discussing Carmelle.

Sharp relaxed when the man confirmed no rape had occurred, but she’d been hit and clearly abused. Sharp frowned at the pictures the doctor had taken of Carmelle’s bruises and his teeth ground together. While no bones had been broken, the doctor was concerned that Carmelle might need to stop breast feeding. Carmelle, by all accounts, had merely waved him away. The doctor also stated she was in a great deal of shock, and, while attentive to the children, she seemed dissociated from reality.

Sharp had been disgusted at the pictures. He’d guessed Carmelle would have some bruises from Fury’s treatment. However, seeing a patchwork of black and blue marks covering her entire breasts was shocking. His teeth ground together it was just another crime Fury needed to pay for. Sharp couldn’t imagine the pain Carmelle must have been in, and yet she hadn’t complained once. The doctor left after giving Romeo some painkillers for her.

“She’s a beautiful woman,” Romeo said, interrupting his thoughts.

“Yeah.”

“And Michaelson’s her brother. That’s a surprise. Do you think Drake knows?” Romeo questioned.

“How would I know, boss?” Sharp replied and looked at Seabrooke.

“Fuck if I know. But if Michaelson was aware of her, you gotta question him leaving her to hang. It’s obvious they’re at war with someone. Wouldn’t you gather your loved ones?” Seabrooke asked.

“Agreed. And Michaelson is all about family. Does Carmelle know who he is?”

“There was no recognition when his name was mentioned around her,” Sharp replied.

“Well, she’s mine now. And she’ll be treated a lot better than the Venomous Fangs were caring for her. I can’t wait to inform Fury I have her,” Romeo gloated.

Inside, Sharp rolled his eyes. Actions like that would get him and everyone killed. But Sharp recognised his mood. There’d be no talking to him.

Carmelle – four days later.

Although there was snow on the ground outside, it was sunny. Wrapping Shannon and Sadie up, I walked down the stairway and, for the first time in months, felt sun on my face. It was wonderful. I could see men in suits and coats walking the grounds, but I ignored them as I encouraged Shannon to play in the snow. My girl stood there, staring around but not moving.

“Shannon, you can play. Shall we make a snow angel?” I asked.

“Bad man,” Shannon whispered .

My heart breaking for how damaged my baby was, I hugged her tightly.

“Not here,” I tried assuring her.

“It’s a snow princess!” a guy exclaimed, and Shannon leapt into my arms. We turned and saw Sharp behind us.

“Hi,” I said stupidly as he smiled at the three of us. Sadie was sitting on a bench and kicked her little legs.

The first genuine smile crossed my lips in months as Sharp crouched and bowed to Shannon, who stared at him wide-eyed.

“Your royal princesses,” Sharp murmured.

Sadie shrunk even closer to me. Sharp didn’t crowd her and kept a distance from the three of us.

“We’re going to make a snowman,” I said to Sharp.

He studied me carefully before resting his eyes on my face. Whatever he saw made him nod.

“You look healthier,” he stated.

“Amazing what a couple of days of good meals can do,” I responded.

“Yeah. Do you need anything? I still have some money that your friend gave me,” Sharp said, and I frowned. Why didn’t he say Volcano’s name? Sharp flicked his eyes to the guards and then back to me.

He was obviously protecting Volcano. Why?

“No. We have everything,” I replied. “Mr Santos has been most generous.”

“Romeo is a giving person,” Sharp muttered. “I’m going to finish some paperwork. I hope you make some wonderful snowmen.” He passed by me, and as we touched shoulder to shoulder, he murmured in my ear. “Keep a go bag packed with necessities for each of the kids and yourself.”

Somehow, I stopped myself from reacting. It appeared that even if you lived in paradise, trouble would find you.

That evening, I did as Sharp advised and organised three travel bags that had mysteriously arrived in my room.

Sharp – a week later.

He met Carmelle a few times, taking an odd meal with her and seeing her outside. Romeo was also watching her and had spoken to her alone. Sharp kept watch but didn’t interfere. Carmelle and the two girls looked healthier and had put on a little weight. In Sharp’s opinion, all three of them desperately needed that. Snow covered the ground in South Dakota, so Carmelle was never outside long because of the chill.

Sharp was pleased to see them regaining their health. Maria, the maid, had confirmed that Carmelle’s bruises had faded, but Sharp still tortured himself with those images. He’d been there and had been unable to stop her from being harmed so malevolently.

Fury was facing a ton of reckonings; this was merely one more .

Sharp - March 2019

“They killed my cousin!” Romeo screamed in temper.

Sharp blinked. As far as he was concerned, it wasn’t no loss. Ricardo had thought himself something he was not, and his death didn’t really count for much. Unless, of course, you were Romeo.

Sharp watched as Romeo grabbed his laptop. “Get the woman and kids. We need to leave,” Romeo ordered. “They’ll be coming for us. That stupid fucking idiot. Ricardo’s led them straight to me.”

“Your family?”

“They can find their own way to Mexico. Carmelle and those children are more valuable,” Romeo said callously.

Sharp left and headed for Carmelle. His spine was tingling, and he knew trouble was here. He had to escort them to the helicopter and get her and the kids safe. Shit was going down. Rage’s allies were coming, and these fuckers were well-trained. This was the result of Romeo messing about with Problems Solved.

Sharp knocked on Carmelle’s door and waited a few seconds before entering. Carmelle was yanking on a dressing gown.

“Grab some clothes and hurry. I’ll fetch the kids some shit. Romeo fucked up, and people are coming for us. Carmelle, I need to get you on the helicopter,” Sharp said .

Carmelle’s shoulders sagged, but she moved anyway. “Do we have time to dress?”

“No. If you fall into their hands, you’ll be safe, but Fury will be able to take you back. As much as I’d love to hand you over, you’re safer with me right now. And knowing Romeo, we’ll be flying to his compound in Mexico. That’ll make you even safer from Fury,” Sharp replied.

Carmelle shoved Sadie’s milk, bottles, and other items into a bag. Meanwhile, Sharp grabbed the three go bags, and five minutes later, they were heading upstairs as shots echoed from below.

Sharp held Shannon, now three years old, and the bags as he hurried Carmelle up a flight of stairs. Carmelle was carrying her own bag, and Sadie, now a year. Carmelle shoved open a door and stepped onto the roof. In front of them, Romeo was hurrying to the helicopter, whose rotor blades were starting to move.

“Come on,” Sharp urged, and they jogged forward.

Carmelle threw her bag on the floor as Sharp helped her in and passed her Sadie and then Shannon. Both girls were silent and wide-eyed, but despite the process towards normalcy they’d made, they knew when to keep quiet. Sharp hauled himself up after throwing in the bags and checked with Romeo.

“Where’s Seabrooke?”

“He should be coming. If not, we’re leaving him,” Romeo said.

Sharp nearly shoved Romeo out of the copter but refrained as the door burst open, and Seabrooke rushed towards them. He leapt up and slammed it shut as the helicopter took to the air. Moments later, the door blew open, and Sharp spotted a woman and man appear. Yeah, this was not Rage. That was Casey, Mac’s wife, and her Delta Force father.

Sharp watched as they faded away as they fled into the night.

Carmelle - April - 2019

There was no denying it was warmer in Mexico than South Dakota. The clothes they had brought were no good and Sharp had bought them a whole new wardrobe. Once again, they’d left stuff behind, and it had been resupplied. Carmelle shook her head at the sheer waste.

Armed guards patrolled the grounds like South Dakota, and this was merely another gilded prison.

Sharp seemed to watch over her more. He was around more and actually tried speaking to the girls.

Shannon remained wary of everyone. She did smile at Sharp, but she hid from Romeo, which he insisted on being called. Shannon was a good judge of character, apparently. Once again, she had a nice suite of rooms and, to her surprise, Maria was here.

That had shocked her because, from the gossip she’d overheard, there’d been a raid on the South Dakota compound. Clearly, Maria had escaped arrest. She also heard that Romeo had lost a lot of stock, Carmelle wondered exactly what he’d lost. Whatever it was had placed him in a foul mood for a few weeks before he suddenly snapped out of it and began charming her again.

Carmelle didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him.

Sharp

Sharp headed to the small suite of rooms Carmelle had been given. Romeo never visited here because of the kids; he wasn’t interested in them. But Romeo insisted that Carmelle eat dinner three times a week with him.

Sharp had to physically stop himself from ripping Romeo’s smarmy head off during those meals. Romeo’s wife had been arrested and his children taken into care.

Romeo had got Seabrooke to fetch them, and his kids were now here. But his wife remained behind bars while lawyers fought over her innocence. Sharp had sent evidence proving Romeo’s wife, while a greedy bitch, was innocent of crime. It was a matter of weeks before she was released.

While that shit had been happening, Romeo had been paying attention to Carmelle. It had been small things, a rose on her dinner plate, a box of chocolates. Then, it gravitated to more expensive items, which Carmelle showed little interest in. That confused the fuck out of Romeo, and he asked if she didn’t like his gifts.

When Carmelle replied she was married, Sharp nearly killed Romeo when he broke her. Romeo coldly informed Carmelle that Beau had been discovered with his brains blown out.

Carmelle’s sobs were heart-wrenching, and Sharp realised she’d truly loved her husband.

Romeo had seemed puzzled at first; he couldn’t understand the depth of her love. In Romeo’s world, emotion that deep didn’t exist. But Sharp saw when Romeo finally recognised it for what it was and wanted it for himself.

Romeo allowed Carmelle a few weeks to grieve before beginning his courtship again. Sharp was amused at how Carmelle ignored his efforts, but sadly, that just made Romeo want her more. The one thing Sharp did know was Romeo would never force his attentions on her. Carmelle was safe from rape or being groped. Romeo deemed that beneath him—no, he’d take great joy in coaxing Carmelle to him.

But Sharp realised Romeo was underestimating how much Michaelson was in Carmelle’s blood. She matched Drake for stubbornness.

“You are different from the others,” Carmelle said as he entered her rooms.

Sharp stopped and looked at her.

“You’re not like the rest of them,” Carmelle stated.

“No. I was dragged up,” Sharp replied.

Carmelle went to open her mouth, and Sharp shook his head minutely. Her eyes narrowed, and Sharp tilted his head towards the window.

“I see. Sharp, I want a walk. Let me grab the children,” Carmelle said.

“Okay.”

They walked down to the gardens, and Sharp led Carmelle to the small lake the estate held. The only space he knew there weren’t cameras or microphones hidden. Even so, he put on some music for the girls on his phone as they began dancing about.

“Who are you?” Carmelle demanded softly.

Her eyes scanned his face. “I can’t tell you.”

“But you are not one of them? You’re different,” she whispered. “You’ve treated me differently from the word go. With you, I feel I’m a priority.”

“I’m different, and you are,” Sharp agreed.

“But you can not tell me why?”

“No. But I’d walk through fire to save you and the girls,” Sharp said honestly.

Carmelle studied him. “Would you hurt me?”

“Fuck no! Never!”

Carmelle cocked her head. “Not even to save your own life?”

“No. And I will not allow anyone to harm you or the kids. Listen, I need to leave in a couple of weeks. I’ll be gone for a few days, but you’ll be safe. Romeo would never dream of forcing himself on you. If it comes to it, pretend you’ve got a cold, he’s a germophobe. Just hang in, okay? This is nearly ended,” Sharp promised.

Carmelle studied him and nodded.

“Fine, but don’t leave me alone too long with him. Because I’m about ready to stab him with a fork,” Carmelle murmured.

Sharp couldn’t help the smirk that crossed his face.

“Come on, before we start to draw attention,” Sharp said.

Carmelle followed him back to the mansion, and Sharp could feel her thoughtful eyes on him the whole way.

Sharp – July - 2019

He sighed. Sharp couldn’t afford to waste time doing this shit, but he had to reach out to Drake. He paced as he waited for everyone to go to bed. Sharp had cased this place many times. He could see his target in the room’s low light, and he approached quietly and cautiously.

Sharp didn’t want to tip security off that he was here. Fuck, he was already disobeying Anderson’s orders; getting caught would blow everything, especially with Carmelle back in Mexico. He reached the window and tapped twice, and Drake’s head shot towards him. Sharp popped his head up and held a finger to his lips. Drake’s eyes narrowed in anger as he stormed across the room and opened the window.

“Wanna explain yourself?” Drake demanded.

“Keep your voice down. I can’t get caught,” Sharp retorted.

“Security clocked you ten minutes ago, asshole. I told them to let it play out,” Drake announced .

Sharp whistled softly. “Thought I got all the cameras.”

“What do you want, Ghost? You come to bare your soul to me? Give me the fuckin’ truth of what you’re up to?” Drake demanded.

Sharp sensed the anger in Drake, and his prez was making no bones about hiding it. Sharp couldn’t blame him. Rage had grieved for him, and then he’d returned from the dead. But Sharp couldn’t inform Drake of the truth.

He needed to warn Drake about certain things and then get his ass back to Mexico. Sharp had heard a rumour of a threat against Axel using his wife Ellen, and that was not acceptable.

“Too soon to blow my cover. I’m one step away from what I need. But I am giving you a warning. This extortion ring is a mask for something bigger. The men you caught are low on the ladder. Keep the next two and make them talk. And watch out for Ellen. She’s a target,” Sharp mentioned.

“What do you mean?” Drake spat.

“Ellen witnessed something, no idea what. I don’t think Ellen realises it herself. But they need her silenced, and this is the same fuckin’ mess,” Sharp informed Drake.

Drake’s pissed-off look didn’t faze Sharp anymore. He’d seen far worse and had even faced Volcano down. A noise made him crouch down and pull his weapon. Drake waved a hand, and the person moved away.

“How much danger is Ellen in?” Drake demanded.

“Drake, death ain’t good enough for them. They want her beheaded to make sure she is dead. Keep her tight and safe. She’s innocent, and I’m fuckin’ certain she is not aware of seeing something implicating someone. But somebody’s frightened, and they ordered Ellen’s death,” Sharp answered.

“They’ll get to Ellen over our dead bodies,” Drake promised.

Sharp nodded. As long as Axel stayed happy, Sharp didn’t care how it was achieved. He desperately wanted to tell Drake everything but couldn’t. He and Anderson were so close to discovering Fury’s real plan. To blow it now would waste all his sacrifices and years of swimming in shit. He just had to hold on a little bit longer. That’s all.

“Keep pushing on the extortion ring. It’s somehow linked to Ellen, but I don’t have the details. I gotta go. I’m breaking orders by being here,” Sharp stated, casting a wary look around.

Drake reached out and grabbed his arm.

Sharp glanced at Drake’s hand, then at his face. There was hope warring with worry in Drake’s expression.

“Come in. Let us protect you,” Drake begged.

“Not until Rage is finally free. And I’m close. Keep a bunk open,” Ghost responded, smiling bitterly.

“You’ve been gone fifteen years undercover,” Drake whispered.

Sharp smiled. Not quite fifteen, but he wouldn’t squabble over a few years.

“I’ve been swimming in shit, brother. It’s nearly over, just a while more,” Sharp said and, pulling his arm free, disappeared into the night.