The next day, Bill had summoned all of the remaining Vipers as soon as he was up and about. By noon they were all gathered in a familiar fashion in his spotless living room. At the absence of Aiyana, he received a few weird looks, but ignored them for the moment. He would wait until everyone was settled in before he told all.
Now, seated across from Budd, Elle, O-Ren and Vernita, Bill looked at each of them in turn with a neutral controlled expression. His momentarily lapse from sociopathic perfection with Budd yesterday was long gone. He was back with a vengeance; the slicked back hair, perfectly pressed shirt and slacks, polished jewelry, and familiar black cowboy boots rounded out the picture of Bill fully in his ruthless element.
"Now," he began, "I am going to talk and none of you are going to say a goddamn thing until I finish." He spoke in a crisp tone; leaving out the emotional details and comments for the moment, "Dantae and Helen, the tracking team I hired to find Beatrix's killers, did in fact not find her killers, but instead found Beatrix herself. She is quite alive at the moment, residing in El Paso, Texas. She is getting married to a man there at the end of this week...Sunday to be exact, the rehearsal is on Saturday. She is also quite pregnant."
He let that sink in; frowning a little. "Moving on, Aiyana is dead. I killed her during a training session, she was sloppy. So, if any of you are wondering where she went, that is your answer." He quickly moved on from that, "Which brings me to my main focus of this meeting, I have decided to plan a little surprise for betraying Kiddo and those in her wedding party…and all of you will be participating. Congratulations." He added dryly.
He leaned back, "Before continuing, if any of you have anything to say...now is the time." He held up a hand, "I don't want any arguing, yelling at me about Aiyana, attempts to give me pity or reasons for not killing Beatrix. All of these will be ignored by me." He raised his brows, "Now...if you wish, it's your turn to speak..."
The funny thing was, at the moment, no one chose to speak. A stunned silence had accumulated amongst the four Vipers. Everyone was shocked, to say the least, except Budd who unfortunately had received the sharp end of the stick yesterday. The subtle squeaking of the rocking chair the cowboy resided on was dominant noise over the shallow breathing gathered. It was obviously taking a few minutes for everyone to digest the given information.
Eventually the silence was broken by O-Ren's string of heinous Japanese and Chinese swear words. All eyes shifted to the half breed; obviously getting the gist of her words, no one disagreed, perhaps they all agreed.
After O-Ren's rather vile string of international swear words, both Elle and Vernita spoke up at the exact same time.
"Beatrix is still alive!" Elle shrieked, coming partially up to her feet.
"You killed Aiyana?" Vernita shouted eyes on Bill like two hot daggers.
Bill remained coldly neutral to this, "Yes, and...hrm, yes."
"Bitch!" Elle clawed into the couch with her nails.
"Bastard!" Vernita hissed at Bill, her teeth feral.
Bill just gave them a silent roll of the shoulders, as if both of these assumptions were correct enough to not warrant a verbal reply.
"I can't believe you killed Aiyana," Vernita seemed to think this fact was the more important at the moment, "She didn't deserve that...," she pointed at him sharply, "...you know it too. She was a damn good assassin, and you just wanted somebody to kill. That was fucking petty Bill!"
Again, Bill was undaunted, he'd prepared for all of this...not like he couldn't handle it anyways. "Petty or not, she's dead Vernita. I saw the need to rid myself of her and I took it. She should be honored that I killed her."
Vernita just stared at him, her jaw partially open. She couldn't believe it. Aiyana had been the best thing to come into this organization for years...she was even beginning to become friends with her. Just last week they had gone out to dinner together after having shopped almost the entire day.
Bill had done some shit that had really pissed her off over the years, but this topped them all. What a fucking asshole! How could he be so goddamn selfish? If it hadn't of been for him going postal over Beatrix, Aiyana would most likely still be alive. She didn't deserve to get killed over something like that, it was so wrong.
Vernita muttered something under her breath, and folding her arms, glared at Bill continuously. She knew there was nothing she could do. Bill had done what he had wanted, just as he always had...the arrogant prick that he was. And if she spoke up any further, especially right now, she knew she would regret it. But, this only reaffirmed her growing desire to get the hell out of this job.
"Who cares about that dead cow," Elle sneered at Vernita, "Beatrix is alive...," a blood thirsty smile spread across her red lips. "And we get to kill her..."
"Correction," Bill raised a brow, "I get to kill her."
Elle looked a little irritated at this, but she was still relatively happy about this turn of events. Besides, she knew Bill had something up his sleeve, he had a plan...and she was holding out that it would include some brutality to her blonde counterpart before the final kill. And, of course...she was happy to know she'd been right about Bea. She knew that woman would fuck Bill over, and she had. This only presented further opportunities to show her...loyalty to Bill. After what had happened a few days ago between the two of them, she'd been pretty irate...but now...there was a glimmer of hope. She knew better than to approach him now, but...soon...she'd try again. Elle knew that it would easier for Bill to turn to her knowing that Beatrix had betrayed him so completely. So far, it was all working out in the willowy blonde's favor.
She rested her chin in her hand, casting a sadistic eye adoringly in Bill's direction.
Budd was seated there quietly his gaze shifting from Vernita to Elle and back again. It came as no surprise that Elle would be beyond gleeful at her chance to participate in Beatrix's 'murder', but it was a surprise to see Vernita so shaken up about Aiyana. He completely agreed with her. It wasn't fair or right that Bill killed the young woman all because he was irate about Beatrix and she was the only one close enough to take the anger out upon. Bill was selfish and arrogant; usually only one to care about himself or what would benefit him, Budd was interested why Vernita was taking Aiyana's death so seriously when they all knew that Bill was the type A class of bastard, and that type of behavior wasn't out of the norm for him. Well, it had been out of the norm at this point because Bill had been in such a deep pile of self made shit, that how fast he was able to come out of it in full sadistic favor was…frighteningly curious.
"You get to kill her," O-Ren spoke from her spot across the room. Her features remained docile but it was hard to miss the happy turn in her lips. "Well, then, Bill," she crossed arms over her chest in a dainty manner. They all knew how she felt about Beatrix, she despised her as much as the next person, but she was perhaps the only one surprised that Beatrix was alive. She knew everyone doubted that she really had been dead, or questioned it because she had been 'that good', but O-Ren never thought her so. She was silly and even though she was alive it still proved to O-Ren how silly she really was.
"What part do we get to play?"
Bill had thus far pretty much been ignoring every comment and look sent his way, sitting there looking haughty and untouchable. Now, he snapped into action.
"Ah, so glad you asked that question O-Ren," he said, leaning forward with a small smile. "I have, of course, devised a little plan."
Vernita tried not to make a face. Of course Bill had a plan, he always had a plan, he was oh so fond of plans. Fucker.
"After some thought," he continued, "it occurred to me how fitting it would be to crash this little wedding of hers." Well, perhaps more ironic to him then them...but fuck them, this was his plan. "Yet, to keep secrecy more intact, I have decided the wedding rehearsal the day before will be a better choice. It's a perfect setup; we already have the locale and the time. I see it like this," his voice grew more intense as he described the plan, "...I will show up first, most likely in a separate car. I want some...time with her, before the rest of you arrive." He didn't go into detail about this...it needn't concern them. "Give me...fifteen minutes and I assure you...she won't see it coming," he smirked, "...by the time the rest of you show up, probably all in one or two cars, I'll have her so lulled that no amount of her killers instincts are going to save her." He paused, considering all of that, "Now, all of you will be armed, I want some serious heat...automatic firearms, semis whatever you can carry in with you. I can't say for sure about many people are going to be there for the rehearsal, but I'm going to take a guess and say this is a small wedding party. I'd prepare for about eight to fifteen tops. The four of you will march in; through the front door...it's at a chapel, likely a small building. It will be an easy killing ground, a single room, aisle...that whole thing. I want the massacre of the party to be quick, I don't care who kills who...just kill them all, efficiently. I will most likely kill the never to be groom before any of you get a chance, but either way, leave him for me." Bill wanted that kill to be a little more...personable.
He leaned back, letting all of that sink in. "As for Beatrix herself...don't kill her with the rest. If you do...I will kill you." He said this in a way that left no room for doubt. "She will probably try to do something, but being pregnant as all hell...she's not going to be able to do much. I'm sure she'll try though," he chuckled and not without some deep adoration. "Get her off her feet at least, barrel to the head...something...just take her down for the moment. Once the rest of the party is dead, then," he gestured to the roomful of Vipers; his voice suddenly cold, "...I grant all of you the right to beat the utter living shit out of her."
Elle's eye widened in disbelief and complete joy at Bill's words. She never thought she'd hear him say something like that...
Bill was smirking, quite bitterly, obviously attempting to hide any emotional weight to all of this, "I know ya'll have been dying to give her a good beating for sometime, so...here's your chance. Do whatever you want, but..." he emphasized with a glare, "...again, no killing her. I want her to suffer considerably, inflict pain how you will."
Vernita was now completely focused in on Bill. She had always known he was a cold bastard, but this...having them beat the shit out of a pregnant woman...whom he not so long ago was desperately in love with...well, it was possibly the coldest thing she'd ever seen Bill propose. Not that she wasn't so looking forward to it of course...
"Once she's suffered enough, I'll give the signal," Bill continued, still looking cold, "Then, it's my turn. I...," he trailed off, finally showing a brief moment of emotion, "...I'll put that woman out of her misery...I will give her the luxury of putting the pain I inflicted on her a quick and merciful end...something she did not do for me."
He fell silent, frowning darkly down at the floor.
"Jesus Bill..." Vernita whispered.
"Fuck, it's great!" Elle smiled that wide chilly smile of hers.
Bill remained silent.
Budd made a low noise in his throat that usually signified a certain feeling towards a certain plan….idea.
Now, Bill's brother, his 'only' living blood was and still was shocked by the news of Beatrix being alive, and how it had now turned beyond the point of Bill being hurt. She fucked him over, broke his heart and that was his only reasons for somewhat willingly going along with Bill's plan. Other than that he was utterly against it. He was disappointed in Beatrix and Bill for whatever shit the two of them had started and how it was now going to end.
Those soft brown eyes of O-Ren watched Bill. Her face was void. Her feelings towards the whole ordeal? Well, she wasn't against it, that was sure as hell, but she wasn't as ecstatic as Elle. Sure she wanted the blonde bitch dead and beating the shit out of her was the next best thing. There had been countless times she wanted to commit a violent act against her, but she had always been the rational one of the group and unlike Elle and Vernita she never showed these feelings outwards. Such as Elle and Beatrix's constant bickering that could turn hostile, or Vernita's lashing out of uncontrolled anger. No, O-Ren when she had had a problem with the woman she used other tactics; ones that wouldn't get her penalized or accused of. This time she was being given the full out okay from Bill, and she wasn't about to pass up a once in a life time opportunity.
"Everything sounds perfect. You couldn't have thought up a more efficient plan," the half breed commented lightly, a tight smile in the equally gloomy as he was sadistic, Bill. She loved it when he turned into this mind set; pure sociopathic brilliance. "But," she held up a single digit to emphasis her turn of weightiness. "I have to question…She's pregnant. You're killing off two birds with one stone…though the second bird can be tricky. Sometimes they don't die, because they are protected by the first bird. What about that little bird?"
Bill didn't skip a beat; he'd anticipated this question as well, although not from O-Ren. He pursed his lips; running with the metaphor, "The second bird is inconsequential. It will most likely die, and to that...I have no remorse. Death in a warm womb will be a blessing over the life it would probably end up living."
Once again, Vernita was shocked; Beatrix was one thing, but an innocent unborn child was another. It did not deserve to die, it had not betrayed Bill. Ah, but perhaps its very presence was a betrayal to Bill. Still, Vernita was not hot on the idea, and her mood darkened again.
"If the child lives," Bill continued, "Then so be it...I'm not going out of my way to kill it, only Beatrix." Bill firmly believed he was not a baby killer, unless of course that baby happened to be in the way of what he wanted...in that case, nothing mattered. He leaned back; frowning at the silent reactions of those in front of him, "That situation cannot be helped; I would...prefer it not be that way, but Beatrix was the one who got pregnant. I had nothing to do with it, I will not cater to her state, and thus I don't really care" Hell, he'd...prefer none of this had ever happened; but, it had, and now it was going to end...pregnant or not.
"Shit," Elle sneered, still sadistically happy. "That's fucked up...I like it."
Vernita pressed her lips together, preferring to stay silent on this one. She could tell there was no stopping Bill. Well, there was never any stopping Bill, but now even more so.
"They don't call me a cold murdering bastard for nothing," Bill muttered, more to himself than anyone, but he still appeared totally unaffected.
Budd narrowed his eyes on his brother with a blatant 'no shit' etched across his disgruntled features. He settled back in his rocking chair with hands clenched firmly to the arms. He wasn't as upset as before, only to the fact that Bill wasn't going to go out of his way to kill Bea's unborn child. Technically he still was killing an unborn baby that perhaps its only mistake was being conceived to begin with; therefore, it still wasn't comforting…..but what could he do? Nothing. That was the way it worked.
"Let's order something to eat," Budd proposed as he usually did to melt the cold barrier in the room.
"No pizza," O-Ren immediately replied. She went back to appearing calm and collected; not giving a shit either way about anything.
"Did I say pizza?" Budd questioned with a snap in his tone. He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. "I said something. Something can mean anything."
Bill shot a venomous cold look at his brother. Budd was so easy to read, another thing that annoyed the shit out of him when it came to his younger brother. What a fucking moron. It was so blatantly obvious that Budd didn't agree with any of this, when he should be the staunchest supporter of them all...being his very sibling, his own flesh and blood, having seen how Beatrix had fucked him over so. He, out of all of them, had no right to disagree. Then again, Budd had always been on the weak side of things...a serious, serious flaw in Bill's eyes.
Bill rose to his feet, chin raised, glaring at Budd in a highly unsettling and haughty manner. "That's a fucking pathetic tactic Budd," he said softly, "I'm sick and tired of you ordering shitty food at my house..."
Both Elle and Vernita had stopped their whispering conversation to stare up at Bill. They remained utterly still, knowing that pompous and uneasy glint in his eye. Something had set Bill off...well, besides the obvious that is, and he was just looking for a fight. Neither of them moved nor spoke, afraid to be the ones to cause an outburst.
But Bill was completely focused in on his brother. "No pizza, no...nothing," he hissed. "Goddamnit Budd, it would be a real shocker, if for once you actually grew a fucking spine and stopped being such a pussy about things. This isn't your little evening to have a few beers and pizza...to hide behind your shitkicking fucking attitude, laughing it up like a half-wit. No," Bill remained quiet, but, as is known, this was not always a good thing, "..this is my fucking meeting, I am sick of bullshit!"
Elle's eye flicked to Budd. Vernita stared at the far wall. O-Ren creased out a wrinkle in her blouse. Bill rarely ever brought up shit with Budd in front of them...apparently he'd felt the need to do so now, surely on purpose of course.
The rocking chair squeaked.
Budd remained uncharacteristically composed. Budd was used to Bill's verbal lashing and degrading comments, it was a supportive factor in their relationship, but sometimes Bill took it too far; such as now. It wasn't just that Bill brought it up in front of everyone, but more so the current topic it revolved around. He didn't like Bill's plan, and he wasn't going to support his decision any time soon. This didn't go to say he was on Bea's side either, and he certainly wasn't on Bill's side. He was on neither because they both had been so fucking stupid.
Bill had been stupid enough to fall for Beatrix, and Beatrix was stupid enough to play it up. In Budd's mind they both deserved a shot in the ass for that. But it wasn't his choice and it certainly wasn't his place to voice his opinions because no one would listen. He was always playing second against Bill, following in Bill's footsteps willingly or not. It wasn't a choice. Budd wasn't ungrateful for Bill, he loved Bill, but the man was such a fucking bastard sometimes. But then again, Bill knew that.
Slowly and methodically Budd rose from his chair, lips puckered up, and hands in his pockets. "Mrm…right." Cool brown eyes skimmed the area. "I'll be headin' out." He took a step into the open and turned to the exiting hallway. "I'll see ya'll on Saturday." And with that he left. He wasn't going to fight back when it didn't mean jackshit; just like he did.
Bill watched his brother exit, hard eyes following him down the hallway and out the front door with an intense glare. For a brief second, he looked as if he was going to say something else, but he remained silent, his cruel and degrading silence far worse than the words that could have been said.
Bill knew how Budd felt, he knew what his younger brother thought of him and the whole situation...and yes, in the end, it didn't mean a damn thing to him. In the end, Bill was the most important to Bill. It had always been that way really, thus why Bill knew why Budd had taken all of that with a steely disgusted resolve. His younger brother had been witness and victim to Bill's egomaniacal behavior for over thirty years.
Bill turned back towards the others, wearing an expression that only encouraged them to remain in their silent states. His eyes flashed over each of them. He held them locked like that for a few long seconds; enjoying the moment of silent intimidation. Then with a sharp intake of breath he turned and stalked down the hallway.
"I'll call each of you before Saturday," he said quietly, not bothering to look at them as he walked away, "Don't leave town." With that, he disappeared into the depths of the hallway.
Vernita, Elle and O-Ren all exchanged looks.