Bit o' bad language.
Chapter 6
Mick made his way through the mansion to Josef's home office. He'd finally been able to leave. Coraline was…somewhere…He had no doubt he would be seeing her again before the day was out. He stopped for a moment and closed his eyes. He hoped he thought up a plan soon, because he didn't know how long he could keep this up. It was killing him – but maybe that was OK. Maybe this was his punishment for everything bad he'd done. If that was the case, what right did he have to stop it? Sighing, he opened his eyes and pushed the door to Josef's office open.
"—markets open in two hours. What am I only finding out about this now? You know I—" Mick was surprised when, upon seeing him enter, Josef immediately cut of the conversation. "I have to go. Get back to me ASAP." He snapped the phone shut and stopped his pacing, taking a seat in the ornate wooden chair behind the desk. He watched Mick as he took a seat on the couch, remaining silent. It had been almost 50 years since Josef's stare had made him feel nervous, but now he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, eyes flicking anywhere in the room but on Josef. Finally he broke the silence.
"Did your guys find her car?" Josef waited a few moments before answering, nothing but stern businessman in his tone and expression.
"It was flagged when it was finally towed a few hours ago. It's already safely back in Beth's parking spot."
Mick noticed that for the first time in as long as he could remember, Josef didn't offer him a freshie. Of course, he would have turned the offer down, but Mick sensed there was something significant to the omission. After a few moments, Mick spoke again.
"I found Beth. She got out alright." Josef raised an eyebrow at that, but let it go.
"Interesting that you would ask about her car before 'oh by the way, the love of my life isn't dead, as far as I know.'"
"Wha- Josef, what are you talking about?"
"You need to be careful with her. You've brought her into our community; let her in on our secrets. You think she won't use that info if you piss her off enough?" Mick furrowed his brow.
"Beth wouldn't do that."
"You're sure about that?"
"Of course! She'd never do anything to endanger the Tribe."
"Right. Just like she thought you'd never fuck Coraline." Mick's brow furrowed deeper.
"What were you thinking, man?" Mick stood now, pacing.
"I was thinking that I need to do something so Beth could escape."
"And – I don't know – STAKING the bitch, helping Beth and then going back to finish the job never entered your mind? Instead you fuck her – " sniff "Twice and leave Beth to fend for herself. She passed out before she could get out of the building. Anyone could have finished her off. But no, all you thought about was getting your rocks off." Josef was yelling. He never yelled.
"How do you know about Be--" He closed his eyes as he heard the door open and her tentative steps into the room.
XXX
Beth let out a groan as she woke. She opened her eyes and, realizing she didn't recognize her surroundings, bolted out of the bed. She looked around the room, but it gave no clues as to her location, the only thing different from any other feminine bedroom was the first aid kit on the wall. She did find her shoes, however, so she slipped them on and headed for the door. She figured the it would be locked, but tried the door knob anyway; it turned easily in her head so she stepped out into the hall. It was lined with doors, a stairway at one end and what looked to be a common room at the other. It all reminded her of her college dorm, only a hell of a lot nicer. Several female voices floated to her from that room and she followed the sound.
As she walked through the door to what was very much a dorm common room, a blond looked up from the magazine she was reading and broke out into a huge grin. She dropped her magazine and came bounding over to Beth, causing the others in the room to look up from their tabloids. She was very perky and they were all way too over dressed for a day of lounging with magazines.
"Hi! How was your night? From how long it took you to recover, I'll bet it was REALLY good." Perky waggled her eyebrows and Beth furrowed her.
"Wha—"
"Candi." Perky stopped and looked up. "Your presence is required in the games room." Games room? Perky's eyes lit up even more and she all but ran out the door. Beth turned to the newcomer.
"Ms. Turner, I'm Kristin. I apologize for Candi. She just assumes everyone's a freshie. Of course, Josef doesn't really bring us any other kinds of guests, so she must be forgiven."
"Josef?"
"He brought you here last night to patch you up and let you rest. He was quite worried about you." Beth's hand went to the bandage on her forehead. "He wanted to see you when you woke. Shall I take you to him?" Beth nodded and followed Kristin through the house to the main floor. She pointed to a set of wooden double doors.
"Just go on in. I should check in to make sure everything is proceeding smoothly in the games room." Beth looked towards the door, hesitating a moment before going in.
"--Anyone could have finished her off. But no, all you thought about was getting your rocks off."
"How do you know about Be--"
She watched him rise from his place on the couch and turn to her. Emotions flickered across his face – relief at seeing she was all right, confusion as to why she was here, regret…
"Mick, um…thank you?… for…" What? Rescuing her? Saving her? Making out – probably more – with Coraline? She didn't bother to finish the sentence, turning the Josef instead.
"Can I borrow a phone Josef? To call a cab. I guess I lost mine." Josef waved a hand as he stood and strode to her.
"Nonsense Buzzwire. I'll have my driver take you." He snapped his fingers and someone scurried out of the office. "And worry not, your car and its contents are safely in your parking space." She smiled.
"Thank you Josef, for everything." She kissed his cheek.
"Think nothing of it!" He showed her out to the waiting limo, then returned to face the proverbial music with Mick.
