Chapter Twelve
Three Months Later
Alexis listened to the phone ring. Her heart hammering as she looked around the four walls that surrounded her. The pale yellow did little to calm her nerves as she heard the now familiar voice on the other end.
"Agent Smecker?" she asked, unsure if this was the same man that she talked to not three months ago.
"Yes," he replied, sounding strangely calm. Alexis took that as a sign of relief as she let out a heavy breath.
"I need to know where they are." She noted the slight tremor in her voice as she spoke the words. The small bit of fear that managed to leak out even as she straightened her spine. "I need to talk to them."
"I can't do that, Ally," Smecker replied, sounding more tired then frustrated. Alexis took that as a sign that she was wearing him down. They'd had the conversation before. Multiple times and it always ended up with her slamming the phone in frustration. She had to give it to Smecker. When he promised to keep a secret, he kept that promise. That's why she remained hidden for so many week until...
"Please, Smecker, it's important."
"Ally, I've already told you. The McManus brother's don't want you involved and I'm respecting that wish," he explained, his voice sounding firmer then it did a moment ago. Alexis let out another loud huff as she looked around the room. A trickle of anger edging into her system.
"Did you tell them where you found me three months ago?" She asked, baiting him once again with guilt. It's how she found out they were alive in the first place and didn't miss the heavy release of breath.. "I got into that house myself. Which tells you that I can help them. Please, Smecker."
"The answer is no, good-bye Alexis."
She heard the shuffle of the phone and desperation took hold, her lungs tightening as she looked behind her before back at the phone to holler "Paul wait, I'm pregnant!"
She heard the phone halt. A moment of quiet before a sigh rang into the receiver. "They have the right to know. Before everything goes down so they can make a fair decision. You know I'm right. Please." Again her voice shook and Alexis gripped the phone wire that much harder.
"Alright, write this down." Alexis grabbed the pen and paper she held close by, her heart beating wildly against her chest at the thought of seeing them again.
"Call them before you show up," he suggested.
Alexis nodded, remembering that he could see and mumbled "alright" instead.
Hanging up the receiver, she reached over to grab her bag ready to get this meeting over with. However., at the door she froze, her eyes meeting the man's sitting at the edge of the table she just escaped from.
"You do your family proud now," he said, breathing the cigar smoke into the air. Alexis glared at him, her eyes burning holes into his skull before slamming the door shut. Hoping it was the last time she ever had to see the man.
Again, Alexis found herself on the phone. Outside some pharmacy that had their only pay phone on the front of the building. Leaning against the cold brick wall, Alexis listened to the ring. One...Two...Three and then the sound of a voice she didn't think she'd ever hear again,
"Hello," Conner asked, sounding just that bit of uncertain who could be on the other end. Alexis licked her hips, her mouth suddenly dry at the prospect of seeing them. It'd been three months. No phone calls, no letters. Nothing. They just dropped off the face of the earth and left her to deal with all her shit on her own. Some part of her was angry at them for that. For promising that they would be there. The other part, the one that was almost in tears as Conner let out another "hello?" on his end of the phone was ready to forgive them. Was ready to forget about all that and reminded herself that she'd done the same thing lord knew how many times when shit got to hot.
"Hey," she whispered, unsure how her phone call would be received. There was silence on the other end. Something or someone shifting around before Conner asked, "how'd you get this number?"
"A mutual friend," she replied, hoping she wouldn't have to elaborate. She didn't. Conner let out a shaky breath on the other end. She could almost see him looking toward Murphy and wandered if he had a look of annoyance across his face or something else.
Turning toward the payphone, she lowered her voice so the on comer's wouldn't hear her clearly. "I just need to see you. Just to know that you're okay."
"We're fine, lass. Just don't wantcha anywhere t'is right now," Conner explained. Alexis closed her eyes, pushing back the anger that wanted to surface once again. She was half tempted to tell them the truth. See if they would let her help them until she remembered her Uncle's promise and she swallowed the words.
"Please, Conner." She sounded pathetic. She knew she did, but aside from giving everything up she didn't have much of an option. "Just for tonight."
"Let her come over, Conn," Murphy said in the background, his own voice sounding tired. "You said you missed her as well."
Alexis smiled at that, her lips actually quirking up at the words. It felt good to know that they thought about her. Worried about her maybe. Her hands clutched to her stomach and she took a deep breath.
"Alright, love," Conner said, the old endearment sending butterflies to her stomach.
As she wrote down the address, she did a double take on the car behind her. Taking in it's black unscripted color and the way the man continued facing her, but not facing her. Shouldering her bag, she walked straight up to the window and knocked.
The man inside looked shocked that she would make such a bold move, still she stood straight as he looked her up and down.
"Don't follow me," she said, pointing her finger in the man's face.
"We have-" he started and Alexis popped him on the side of the head.
"Are you daft. If you want me to get this done without any trouble's I suggest you stay as far from me as possible or you'll get me and yourselves killed."
The man gave her a weary eye, looking toward his companion in the driver seat before waving her off. "Fine, but run and we'll kill you anyways."
Alexis rolled her eyes. As if she hadn't heard that threat a hundred times since she'd been 'reunited' with Gabriel. He was so scared that she was going run off again that he'd resorted to beating her and actually locking her up when she wasn't of use to him. Never realizing that she'd never allow any one to kill her. Not Gabriel in the least.
Letting out a heavy sigh of her own, she waved down the nearest cab and jumped in. Telling the man the address and taking another deep breath as she prepared for the night.
When she reached the hotel, she hesitated knocking on the door. Unsure of what kind of reception she would receive. She did just beg her way through the door after month's silence. Did they really still care about her, or was this just their way of actually pitying her.
Sucking in a deep breath, she raised her hand and knocked on the door. Holding her breath as she heard movement on the inside and the click as the door was unlocked and swung open. Alexis didn't wait to see what their expressions were. She launched herself into the person, not bothering to see who was at the door or how their reception would be. She just clung to them, feeling her lungs collapse as their arms wrapped her up and pulled her closer. Clinging to her as tightly as she was to them. Alexis didn't want to let them go again. The last few months been a living hell and now she found herself back in her own paradise. Where happily ever after was possible and nothing bad could touch her.
Still, she pulled back after a few moments to take in the awaiting smile of Murphy, his eyes shining as he looked down at her, pushing her hair back before his fingers stroked down her back.
"Hey to you too," he said, placing a kiss on her forehead. Alexis choked out a sob, fighting the tears back as she looked up at Murphy and then over to Conner.
The words she planned. The confessions she wanted to make to them then and there stopped short in her throat as she looked from one brother to the other before pulling away from Murphy. She wrapped her arm around Conner's waist, her head resting on his chest where she could hear his heart pounding.
The feeling of their warm flesh under her fingertips, the evidence that they were alive and with her now pounding into her ears brought a smile to her lips.
His lips lingered in her hair until he slide his face where his cheek rested on top of her head.
"You could have called," Alexis said, mumbling into Conner's shirt as he pulled her closer.
"I know, love." He held her tighter. Placing another kiss on top of her head. "Didn't want ta get ya involved is all."
"Such a sorry excuse," Alexis argued, looking up at him. Conner grabbed her face, caressing her bottom lip before kissing her. His lips skimming across hers before his hold tightened and he pressed in to her. Deepening the kiss and eliciting a moan from Alexis. Her mind whirled. Her thoughts becoming incoherent as she placed her hands on his, holding on to him as she remembered what it was to be in his arms. To have his mouth on hers, with his hard chest pressed against her.
"Aye, love," Conner said, biting her bottom lip, demanding entrance so that he could explore her from the inside. Allowing her to taste him. Feel him inside of her once again. Alexis's head fell back, her eyes rolling to the whites as she reached around him. Wrapping an arm around his neck to pull him closer, taking a step further into the room until her back brushed against another body.
Alexis broke the kiss, her eyes feeling heavy as two hands grabbed on to her jacket, pulling it off and tossing it to the side. Alexis leaned her head back, resting on Murphy's shoulder at the same time she brought her arm back to pull him closer. Leaving a trail of kiss across his jawline until their mouths met. His kiss was just as hot as Conner's. Melting her insides as she opened to him, his hands roaming down her sides until they reached the hem of her shirt and pushed underneath.
Conner moved closer, brushing his fingers across the front of her pants until he reached the button to pop it open. Alexis broke the kiss, her eyes meeting his as Murphy pushed her shirt up. His calloused fingers sending shivers down the exposed skin as it hits the cold air.
"Murph," Alexis moaned, her fingers digging into his hair as Conner knelt down in front of her. Pulling her jeans down in the process.
"What-" she asked, staring at him as his fingers slipped underneath her panties. Running along the hem line before he looked up at her. "Just relax, love. Let us apologize."
Alexis reached down, her hand resting on his shoulder attending to push him away as his tongue swiped up center. The warm muscle pressing through the cotton and making her head roll back on to Murphy. He stood behind her, holding her around the center with one arm while the other reached up to her breasts, kneading it in his hands before pinching her nipple.
Pain shot through her body, straight to her core where Conner licked up the liquid that seeped through her underwear. "Oh god," she moaned, head shaking as she gripped Muprhy's head tighter. Bringing him closer to her neck where he lapped at the skin. Biting and sucking, leaving little trails down her shoulder while she focused on the heat pooling down below.
Conner removed her panties, sliding his fingers across her skin until she was able to step out of them. "Perfect," he mumbled, his hand sliding back up her thighs until they rested between her legs where he could spread her open. Taking in the sight of her. "Absolutely perfect."
Alexis felt her legs turn to jelly, her insides clenching as Conner spread her lips open. Viewing her from the inside as a finger dipped in. Pushing inside of her, coating himself in her juices. When he pulled out, he popped it into his mouth, moaning around her taste as he stood to face her.
"Ready, Con?" Murphy asked, looking toward his brother as Conner nodded in response.
"Aye, she's ready," he replied, wrapping his hands around her thighs and lifting her up, forcing her to wrap her legs around him to keep from falling.
Murphy disappeared, leaving Alexis to wrap herself around Conner as he carried her toward the bed. Leaving a trail of kisses from her jaw to her neck. Sending jolts of lightening shooting down her body as she rubbed against him. She could feel his member pressing into her. It's hardness only intensified by the jeans left between them.
"Please, Con," she mouthed, burying her head into his neck. Leaving a trail of kisses of her own. "Please, I need you."
"I know, love," he said, laying her on top the bed and taking a step back. Murphy pulled her back, gathering her to his already naked form as Conner unclothed in front of her, his pants dropping to the floor last. This time Alexis got a good view of him. Drinking him up before he crawled on top of her. Entering her. Making her body clench once again as he pushed deeper. Building the heat inside of her with each thrusts.
Gasping, she dug her fingers into his shoulders. Looking for something to brace herself as she matched his rhythm. "Oh," she gasped, turning her head toward Murphy. Their mouths barely touching as his lips found her jawline. Allowing him to kiss from her lips to her earlobe where he sucked at the skin behind her ear. His other hand massaging her breasts. Circling first one nipple and then the other as his other hand reached further down, bending until she could feel his fingers tangling in the nest of curls. Sliding across her skin into her folds. The combined effects brought Alexis to climax. Her back arching up to meet Conner's thrusts with her walls clenching around him. One more good pump and Alexis felt him release inside of her, his own groan filling her ears as he collapsed above her.
Resting an elbow on the side kept his whole weight off of her and allowed him to use his other hand to brush back some hair. "Forgiven?"
Alexis smiled, her eyes lighting up at the satisfaction in his eyes. "Almost" she replied, turning until she found herself face to face with Murphy. Her lips finding his chests where she placed a kiss. Slowly, moving up to his neck, his jaw until she was at his ear. There she nipped, receiving a "mmm" from his lips as she whispered. "Your turn."
Murphy complied, his hands pulling her legs up around him until his cock slide against her stomach. Surprised that she was still wet, waiting for him. "Somebodies a naughty girl," he whispered, pushing her hair back so that he could see her wicked smile.
"No," she replied, grinning at him. "Just been missin you."
Murphy gripped her waist, pulling her up and then down so that she slide on to him. A gasp escaping as she settled on to his lap. Allowing the penetration to go further then before. When she met his eyes, they must have been dark as hers with the same wicked smile spread across his face.
"Miss that, lass," he asked, leaning forward to capture her lips as she mumbled "Mmhmm."
"Show me then." Alexis obliged, rising up so that she could slowly fall back down around his cock. Clenching him tighter, and loving the sound of him hissing at the feeling.
"Like that?"
"mmm," was his reply as he grabbed her hips and dragged her back up. Slow at first, until she was on her knees and then slammed her back down. Alexis moaned, her head falling back as the heat inside rekindled. Murphy repeated the movement several more times until Alexis caught on and started a pace all her own. Slow at first, stroking those flames inside of her until they demanded more. Until she was practically bouncing on top of him, feeling the pressure build with each thrust.
Conner moved pressed up behind her. His hands coming around to grab her breasts, halting their movements with a sharp squeeze that had Alexis hissing as her head fell back on to chest. Her own hands coming up to rest over his before his slide down between her legs.
"Oh," she moaned, closing her eyes as his fingers found her clit and started to pinch and flick. The pleasurable pain adding to the already building climax.
"That's it, love," he whispered, bringing one hand up around her throat, pulling her head back against him while his other hand continued stroking her center. "Come for us."
Alexis moaned, her second climax coming hard as she shot forward. Body curling in toward Murphy at the same he found his own release. After a moment, Alexis laid her head on his chest, her own heaving as she fought to regain her breath. Little aftershocks shooting through her body, and making her jerk. Which in turn made Murphy's cock twitch against her center. She could feel the heat building again. Even as Conner moved her off of his brother so that they could lie down together.
"We did miss you," he whispered, sliding his fingers through her hair. Causing her to close her eyes and smile. "I know."
There was nothing else to say. The three of them just lied there, silently until sleep took over. Allowing them a moments peace until the wee hours of the morning, when Alexis found herself staring up at the ceiling. Watching the shadows as she thought about what was coming next.
'The inevitable,' she thought, remembering Gabriel's words. A stone settled in her stomach. Weighted down by all the things left unsaid between her and the brothers. Everything that she wanted to say before tonight happened. Still, could be said if she would just let it.
With a heavy sigh, she pulled herself from their grip. Untangling herself from the limbs that promised comfort and safety and slipping out of the bed. Reaching for a forgotten t-shirt before heading toward the corner of the room where her bag was thrown to the side. It was lucky they didn't ask why she had it. Never occurred to her that they wouldn't wonder until now.
With a heavy sigh, she unzipped the bag, and pulled out two pistols. Each of them fully loaded to ensure the job was done, though Alexis prayed that it would only take one.
One bullet for each brother, even as she sent another prayer up that she wouldn't have to use any of them. That by some divine grace they would wake and stop her. Turn the tables on her and end this madness once in for all. She prayed for it, begged for it even until she was standing at the foot of their bed. Guns pointed at each of their heads, hands trembling as she tried to take in a deep breath. To calm herself. Telling herself to just move. Pull the triggers. Leave. Turn the barrels around. Do something! Alexis hollered silently. Her eyes closing as she felt her knees buckle. Her limbs unable to hold herself or the guns up as she fell to a heap on the floor. Tears streaming down her face as she heard Conner sit up. His eyes roaming around the room until they rested on the shadow on the floor.
"Alexis?" he said, almost asking cause she knew it couldn't be her. Not their Alexis. Not the one that was beside them just moments ago.
"I can't" she muttered, unintelligible even to her own ears. Sobs wrecked her body until she was doubled over. Gasping for breath with white knuckles that gripped the two guns that lie useless at her side. She heard him say "Murph." the unmistakable slap of skin against skin and then Muprhy's own reply of "What? Where's-" his voice broke off as Alexis met his gaze.
Her eyes red rimmed as she held up one of the pistols.
"What's going on, Ally?" Conner asked, scooting to the edge of the bed. Alexis shook her head, her eyes closing as she took in deep breaths to calm her deserved an explanation. A reason why, but she couldn't say it. Could only manage to repeat "I can't." again.
Conner moved to the floor, kneeling next to her as he took in the pistols and her shaking frame. "Can't what, lass?" he asked, confusion still written clearly on his expression. Alexis looked up to see the same look on Murphy's face and more tears poured from her eyes.
"Alexis. Wh-" Conner started, his voice going firm and this time Alexis managed to take in enough air to say. "It's Allison."
Conner's eyes furrowed together, his hand moving to cup her face so that he could force her to look at him. "Again, love."
"The name is Allison. Allison Florent," she explained, pulling her head from his fingers. She couldn't feel their softness right now. Couldn't even stand to look into his eyes as she felt her betrayal leave a nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"I was supposed to come here and kill you." Her eyes met Conner's for a brief second before drifting over to Murphy who was still sitting on the end of the bed. "Gabriel's orders," she continued, looking back at the floor. Back to the guns still in her hands. She could still do it. Still get the gun raised and take care of at least one brother before the shock wore off and the other one knocked her out. Killed her like she deserved.
"Why?" Murphy asked after several seconds.
Conner slide away from her. The movement struck her heart. So much so that she closed her eyes to the pain before saying, "because it's what I do." Her voice shook on the last part. Cringing from the look of disgust on their faces. She forced herself to look at them. Both of them as she said, "What I was raised to do."
"Alex-" Murphy began to say, moving toward her.
Alexis scooted back, shaking as she hollered, "Allison. The name is Allison. I'm an assassin. A hired gun to the highest bidder. It's what I do. What I've always done and right now my target is you two. Why? Because Papa Joe wants you dead and Gabriel has gotten him to agree to pay 100 thou for both of you but I can't. I can't do it."
"That's why you came here tonight," Conner said, pushing himself off the floor so that he could take further steps away from her.
Alexis nodded her head, red-rimmed eyes meeting his as she whispered "Partially."
Murphy sat beside her, his eyes roaming over her still half clad form before coming up to meet her face. He opened his mouth to speak, the words hanging silently hanging there before he closed up and moved away from her as well. More tears spilled down her cheeks. The guilt weighing her down even as she knew that she should get up and leave.
Closing her eyes, she thought of Gabriel. The history of their family that he would drill into her head day in and day out for years before she learned to drown it all out. "It's what we do," she repeated. Clenching her hand around the guns. Her fingers twitching on the trigger as she thought about her great -grandmother. "What we've done for centuries, staring with Grandmother Willow when she killed the fathers to her children to please her own father and stop a country from being torn apart."
This time her eyes did open to rest on the brother's. Both of them staring down at her, curiosity and horror struck upon their faces. "She didn't know it then, but she started a tradition. A right of passage-if you will- that each Florent girl when she turns eighteen has to bear a child and kill the father. It just so happens that this Florent girl get's the added bonus of being paid for it."
She choked on a laugh, her smile fading as she let met Conner's and Murphy's cold stares. "Told you my family tradition's were fucked."
"But plans went to shit, right?" Conner asked, spitting the words at her. More tears threatened to slip out as Alexis nodded.
"I didn't come here for the traditions, or for Gabriel," she admitted, looking toward her hands as if confessing this would make it any easier. "The money Papa Joe would pay for even one of your heads would be enough to get me out of this god forsaken town and away from Gabriel all his shit."
"Christ," Conner muttered, his hands flying up to his mouth like he was blocking more from coming out. Alexis didn't dare look up. Knew she couldn't handle the condemnation coming from either one of them.
"You could have come to us for help," Murphy said, kneeling in front of her. "You should have known we would take care of you."
"No you wouldn't" she replied, shooting him a glare of her own. "Honestly, you should be putting a bullet through my brain like you've done every other criminal you've come across. My hands are stained with blood just as badly, if nor worse."
Alexis looked up at Conner, pity forming in his eyes and Alexis grimaced. She didn't want their pity. She could take their hate, their disgust, but not their pity.
"It's what a deserve," she conceded, lifting the gun in front of her. Flipping it over as she ran a hand across the tip. Her mind going somewhere far off as she said, "I've killed so many. Young, old. Innocent people that did nothing but cross the wrong person. I don't even remember half the reasons why, or the number of people I've killed."
Her brows scrunched together as she continued examining the gun, like she could see their ghosts in it's reflection. Maybe she could. If she looked long and hard enough. "My first kill was when I was thirteen. Gabriel told me to befriend this kid. Some heir to something or other. Something his uncle wanted but couldn't get because the kid was born. So I did. I became his friend. Went to his house, played his games. Ate at his table, listened to his secrets. Then one day, six months later, Gabriel said I had to kill him. No explanation as to why, just said it was time and I did. Without question. Drugged his supper and watched him die in his sleep. When morning came, I played the frightened little friend and went to his funeral the next week. Gave my condolences and all to his parents and family."
Alexis went silent, her eyes snapping out of whatever trance the memory caused to meet Conner's horrified gaze. "Who does that?" When he shook his head she turned to Murphy. "What kind of a thirteen year old can do that?" Murphy shook his head as well and Alexis mimicked his movements.
"You know the worse part is, I don't remember his name. I can bring up his face in perfect clarity, but don't remember his name. And I was friends with him .For six months and I don't..." Her voice trailed off as she looked from one brother to the next before looking back at the gun in her hand.
"But I can't kill you. Either one of you and so..." she held the gun out. Up to Conner's shaking hands. He shook his head, taking a step back as Alexis finally found her legs and crawled toward him. Pushing the gun into his hands and dragging the barrel to the center of her forehead. "Please."
Her eyes met his, begging him to pull the trigger. "Please, Conner. It's what you do. Just do it!"
"No," he said, backing up taking the gun with him as he looked at his brother. Looking for some logical thought in the insanity that was filling the room. Alexis felt the tears spill down her face, her head shaking as she once again crumbled. "It's what I deserve," she whispered. "Please, just end it."
Her voice trembled as she sobbed into the floor, tears blurring her vision as she rose up to meet Murphy's stunned gaze. "Please. I don't want to go back to Gabriel and I can't finish either one of you so please..." her words trailed off. The desperation in her voice forcing Conner into action.
"No," he said, yanking her up by the arm. There was no softness in his touch. No more of that gentle nature as he shoved her toward the door. "We won't be your escape. So leave."
"Conner please," she said, her voice breaking as she stumbled against the door. "He'll beat me. He'll make my life a living hell before he kills me."
"Go," he said, his voice hardening even more as he pointed toward the door. "It's not our problem. It's what you deserve after all." The words fell from his lips. Broken and shaking as he opened the door and shoved her out with her bag following close behind her. Alexis shook her head, one more pleading look on her face before the door was slammed shut. Locking her from her salvation, her escape.
Closing her eyes, she drew in a shaky breath and looked around. The morning was still early. No one out to see her go, even in her half dressed state they wouldn't give her a second glance. With shaking limbs and no idea where she was going Alexis ran. Ran from the McManus brother's. Ran from Gabriel. Ran from everything that she knew.
So there it is the big reveal to the boys. It's played out in my head so many times, I honestly don't think I've done it any justice but I do hope you enjoyed it. One more chapter after this. I'm really hoping you all enjoyed this story thus far.