I upped the rating because of what's coming up in this chapter and future chapters. Thanks so much for all the support. It makes my day when I get reviews.
Thanks to my lovely beta, Kateriina Sofia, for checking this over for me.
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Charlie was dusting the living room when her phone began ringing. She pulled it out and saw a number that wasn't programmed into her phone. She hesitated before hitting the answer button.
"Hello?"
"Hey." Happy's voice came over the line.
"Oh hi, hun how was your trip?" Charlie asked tucking the phone between her shoulder and cheek and continued dusting the wall ornaments.
"Good, just got to Tacoma. Hey, about your ex?" Happy rasped through the phone.
"What about him?" Charlie asked shortly, rubbing a little harder that necessary at a spot on the coffee table.
"When's the last time you heard from him?" Happy asked.
"Other than envelopes of money Carson's birthday in September. He called long enough to tell Carson happy birthday, call me a greedy bitch and hang up on me. Why?" She asked, wondering where this was coming from.
"Where's he at?" Happy asked.
"Last I knew New York. Why? What is going on Happy?" Charlie asked.
"Don't worry about it. Just wanted to know how you felt about him." Happy said. "Next weekend, we're going out. Saturday night, you're mine." He hung up the phone.
"Well good bye to you too." Charlie said, shoving her phone back in her pocket.
Carson wandered into the living room.
"Hey mom? Can I..?" He was cut off with Charlie saying, "Oh could you go switch the laundry? Thanks baby." She said, walking by Carson and heading to the kitchen. Carson groaned and walked to the kitchen opening the door next to the pantry and heading down to the basement. Charlie began wiping countertops down. Carson soon lugged a basket of laundry up the stairs. Charlie finished wiping down the counters and with a short clean your room walked down the hallway and into the den which held the family computer. She sat down on the floor and began folding clothes roughly, sorting as she went.
Azalia walked into the room. "Everything okay mom?"
"It's fine." Charlie said, shortly.
"Heard from Happy?" Azalia asked. Charlie paused.
"Yeah, he's in Tacoma. There's a charter up there." Charlie said, delicately folding a t-shirt. Azalia sat down and picked up a pair of jeans. Azalia continued to help her mother in silence for a few minutes.
"He asked about Jesse didn't he?" The teen asked, adding a shirt to Carson's pile.
"How could you possibly know that?" Charlie asked.
"Well, when asked about my sperm donor, you get sad and scared. When asked about Carson's, you get pissed off. So what did Happy want to know about Jesse?" Azalia stated matter-of-factly. Charlie just shook her head.
"Just wanted to know where he was and how long it had been since I'd heard from him. Just bugs me that he had to bring him up. I hate talking about him. I told Happy about him, but no real details. Just UGH!" Charlie said, slamming the jeans in her hands down. "Men suck!"
"Nice mom. Thank you for making my romantic future look bright." Azalia laughed. She picked up her pile of clothes and stood up. "It seems like Happy's really got a thing for you. Gemma told me he's never shown any interest in a chick past a one night stand." Charlie stood up grabbing a stack of Carson's clothes on the way.
"Well were going out next weekend so I guess that's a good sign."
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Happy went to Casanada Wednesday night. He walked in the door and the bartender immediately went to serve him, the cut on his back garnering instant respect in the place.
"What can I getcha?" The girl asked.
"Beer and I need to see Sunshine." The girl pouted but handed him a long neck.
"Sunshine's onstage she'll be done soon." Happy turned and looked at the stage and saw her. Brilliant blonde hair, tanning bed junkie, all legs and tits, at first he thought she was hot then Charlie flashed through his mind and he shook his head. This stripper had nothing on the woman in Charming.
Happy found himself a quiet booth and watched as Sunshine finished her routine. The girl from the bar walked over and whispered something in the bright haired woman's ear. Sunshine turned and headed towards Happy.
"Private dance is fifty dollars, honey." Sunshine said as she sat down next to him. Happy reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash peeling off five twenties.
"Need a favor, darlin'. Know a guy named Jesse Vitolo?" Happy said tossing the money in her lap.
"Ugh, yeah. He's a creep comes in here bitching about everything. Kids, wife, ex-wife, I've heard his whole story. It's kinda annoying but he pays well." She said standing up and working her way around the pole in the center of the table.
"Well I need some time with this guy think you can help me?" Happy asked.
"Oh sure sugar, he's always in on Fridays. I'm sure I can get him in a back room for you. That is if you pay well enough." Sunshine flipped herself upside down and slid down the pole before crawling towards him.
"Five hundred when it's done. And that includes your keeping your mouth shut fee." Happy said, watching as she straddled him.
"Deal honey. He comes in around eight, see you then." She walked off, tucking the hundred into her top as she went. Happy finished his beer and got up and left.
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Charlie had continued her week as she normally would. Taking the kids to school, cleaning house, working at the store, same routine as always. But this week she could feel an excitement humming through her. She woke up Thursday morning to the house being completely silent. She looked at the clock and it read 9:30.
"Shit!" She shouted, flying out of bed. She ran down the hall to find the kids rooms empty. Running down to the kitchen it was empty. There was a note propped up on the table.
Mom, relax. We turned your alarm off. I walked Carson to school this morning, you've been too tired this week and deserve to sleep in. I called Caroline she's gonna open the store for you. Rest you're not needed til noon.
Z and Carson
Charlie heaved a sigh of relief. She walked back upstairs, marveling at her children. She took a long steaming hot shower, took time and blow-dried and straightened her hair. She was applying make-up as her phone went off. She opened the text message to see it was from Gemma.
Why aren't you at the store? Charlie sighed and quickly replied, the kids turned my alarm off, gave me a sleep in. I'll be there at noon. Charlie finished her makeup and went and quickly threw on a pair of dark bellbottoms, a red loose fit top, black platforms, and a black slouchy hat to top it off. Checking the clock, she saw she had half an hour before needing to be at the shop. She walked down stairs lighting up a smoke as she went.
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Happy awoke to Wolf pounding on his door.
"Happy I need news!" Happy flew out of bed and wrenched the door open.
"Everything is set for Friday night. Get his attention, he blows me off I follow him home and take care of it there." Happy glared down the Tacoma president. Wolf nodded. Happy closed the door and fell back on the bed. Kozik flung the door open.
"So you gonna tell me about this bitch?" He said walking right in the door. Happy growled.
"No." He said, shortly. Kozik made himself comfortable in a chair that was always in the corner of the room.
"Well something's got you twisted bro?" Kozik pushed.
"Fuck off." Happy said, not removing his face from the pillow. Kozik laughed.
"Whatever Hap. Find yourself a piece of ass." Kozik said standing and walking out the door. Happy reached over to the night stand and picked up his phone. He had one text message.
Flipping it open, he saw it was Charlie.
Are you gonna tell me what were doin Saturday? Was all it said. He sent back a quick no dress warmly and went to shower. When he climbed out of the shower, his phone was flashing.
Spoilsport
Happy laughed. He pulled the closest pair of clean boxers on before answering. Just be ready.
He pulled a pair of jeans on and belted them before walking out to the bar and grabbing a beer. Eddie came over to where he was seated at the bar.
"Pulled up some more intel on this guy Vitolo." He said in an undertone. "Ex reported him as being two months behind in child support and alimony right after he borrowed money from us and there was no increase in his bank account. He took the money and did something with it but we can't tell what he used it for. Might wanna find out for what."
Happy grunted in response taking a long pull of his beer. Eddie knew better than to keep talking, Happy wasn't called the Tacoma Killer for nothing. Happy was prone to brooding to the point of catatonia. Anyone or anything who disturbed him was likely to end up in a catatonia. Eddie just got up and left.
Happy sat by himself at the bar thinking about the job he had that night. He wondered how Charrlotte would get by without the child support and alimony from Vitolo. Shit! Why do I care about that? I just want to fuck her, that's all… UGH what the fuck! Happy finished his beer and slammed the bottle on the bar. He stood up and stormed back to his room. He had a long night ahead of him.
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Charlie was on her way to pick Carson up from school. Azalia had after school tennis practice. Carson was standing outside the school with a couple of his friends, Charlie could see the soccer ball flying back and forth between them.
"Mom!" Carson called out, running over to the red Escape.
"Backpack." Charlie said. Carson went running to grab the forgotten bag. Charlie chuckled. She lit up a cigarette as Carson was stopped by a friend.
"Carson, let's go. We gotta get back to the store." Charlie hollered.
"Kay mom." She watched as he waved goodbye to his friends and began running to the suv, backpack barely clinging to his back. He flung the door open and jumped into the passenger seat. Charlie blew smoke out as she leaned and tapped her cheek.
"Mom! Not in front of the guys." Carson said, turning red. Charlie just looked at him. Carson sighed, leaned up and kissed his mom. Charlie laughed as she sat back and put the car in drive. Carson messed with the radio the entire way to his mom's store.
Charlie pulled up to the store. Carson jumped out of the car and went running into the store. Charlie flicked the last of her cigarette on the ground as she opened her car door. She walked in to see Carson jabbering Caroline's ear off. Caroline was nodding and inserting appropriate uh-huh's as she folded clothes.
"You're not even listening to me!" Carson exclaimed. Caroline paused and looked at him.
"You're mad because Allison Smuthers is going out with Bobby Gordon instead of you even though you've done everything you can to make her go out with you. You and Bobby got in a fight at lunch today over it and now Allison won't talk to you." Caroline said, going back to folding and placing merchandise. Charlie raised an eyebrow.
"You can't make a girl go out with you Carson." She said, exchanging a look with Caroline. Carson groaned.
"I know but she's so awesome. She play modern warfare and skateboards and she can name of NFL teams like it's a religion. She's so cool." Carson said, flinging his backpack into the chair behind the counter. Charlie picked up a stack of folded clothes and began sorting them according to size.
"Well just 'cause she's awesome doesn't mean she absolutely has to go out with you. She sounds like a girl who doesn't like to be told what to do. Maybe if you act interested in something she's interested in she'll come around but making her be your girlfriend is never gonna happen." Caroline said, handing another stack to Charlie.
"You know I really don't like this conversation." Charlie said, absently. "My baby should not be worried about dating."
"Moooom! I'm eleven I'm not a baby any more. Geez!" Carson said, walking to the front window.
"You'll always be my baby. Azalia is still my baby." Charlie said, not even stopping her task. Carson just rolled his eyes and pointedly inspected the mannequin in the front window. Caroline and Charlie shared a laugh as Charlie picked an outfit out to dress the mannequin.
"So what's this about a new man?" Caroline asked. Charlie blushed as she placed the outfit on the counter.
"Happy? What about him?" She asked lightly.
"Z told me he came over for movie night and you spent the entire night snuggling on the couch." Caroline said pulling shoeboxes out from under the counter.
"Okay Happy doesn't snuggle I can assure you of that."
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"Where's our money?" Happy grated out. He had gone to the strip club and Vitolo was there as predicted. The idiot hadn't known what hit him when he found himself in a private room with Happy.
"I told the last fuckers that came bugging me about it. I'm not paying you back a cent of that money." Vitolo snapped. Happy reared back and clocked him right in the jaw.
"If we don't get the entire twenty-five grand back by midnight tonight I'll take it out of your hide." Happy said, pulling the knife at his belt. Vitolo scrambled from the room. Happy grinned before heading out the door himself, knife now safely stored away.
Happy walked out and climbed on his bike. He headed through town before finding himself in a residential area. He parked at the end of a street and left his bike behind some bushes. He walked four houses down and watched.
Right on cue, Vitolo screeched up into the drive. Killing the engine, he flung open the door and sprinted to the house. Happy watched as Vitolo's wife stood up from the couch, and said something. Vitolo kissed her before disappearing in the back of the house. Happy slunk around the sideyard. He screwed the silencer onto the end of the gun and pulled the ski mask out of his pocket. Sliding the mask over his head, he silently opened the back door.
Happy could hear the wife frantically asking what was going on. Vitolo's answer was less than satisfactory for the woman, who stormed off to the bedrooms. Happy turned the corner to see a study where Vitolo was opening a safe. Happy walked cat like through the room and pressed the gun to the side of the man's head. Vitolo froze.
"Changed my mind. Times up, fucker." Happy rasped out. "Open the safe." Vitolo spun the dial and opened the door. Happy could see papers and a couple stacks of money. He pushed Vitolo aside and reached into the safe, he saw life insurance paperwork, a will, and he pocketed the money. Happy flipped through the paperwork to see that Charlie was still the beneficiary to Vitolo's two-hundred and fifty thousand dollar life insurance and that she was the one who received everything from the will. Happy grinned.
"Well problem solved." Happy turned and faced Vitolo who had backed himself into a corner. "Bye fucker." Happy walked over and shoved the gun into Vitolo's mouth. Vitolo began scrambling but Happy only pressed harder. Happy pulled the trigger watching as the man's brain splattered on the wall behind him. Vitolo slumped to the floor. Happy quickly let himself out of the back door, sprinting away from the house. He had just reached his bike when he heard a scream. He started the bike and took off ditching the ski mask as he went.
Happy drove all the way back to the clubhouse. Wolf was waiting at the door. Happy threw the two wads of money at him and headed back to his room. Happy laid on the bed and took his phone out of his pocket. Turning it on, he saw he had a message.
Excited about tomorrow night. Can't wait to see you.
Happy smiled before going to sleep.