So, have y'all recovered from the previous chapter? No? Neither have I.
But the story keeps on going! And there's a moment here that I absolutely loved. You'll know which one it is when you get there. It's something I've been dying to write since the start of this fic xD
I did say more bodies though… so TW for another death scene…
I don't own pitch perfect.
Beca stirred gently awake, blinking away the lethargy of a dreamless sleep. It's been that way for the past few days, and perhaps it would be that was for a while. Still, she was careful with her movements, not wanting to wake up a slumbering Chloe next to her.
She stayed still for a few minutes, taking in the view of her bland room in her apartment at Barden Tower, her mind still processing all that had happened over a week ago now. Beca took comfort in the arms around her waist, of the weight of the person pressed up against her, telling her she wasn't alone in all of this. In a way, it was Chloe's arms, her presence, that had held her together through the wake and funeral. She never thought it would be this hard, saying goodbye to her father, when she spent so long conflicted about her feelings about him. Perhaps it was the tragedy of it all, that just when she's finally sorted her heart out, when the glimpse of hope of reconciliation, and bittersweet memories of whatever days they could still share was there within her reach, it all had to be torn away.
The pain of regret stung deeply in her bleeding heart. This grief would not pass gently and quietly, she knew that.
But Chloe never abandoning her for one moment, never leaving her side, staying with her every night even when it was just to cry – for both of them, because Chloe had such a soft heart – to sleep, soothed her heartache, even just a little bit.
Chloe was the sun in her dark days. She was the only one who managed to get through to her, especially when it came to her father, and for whatever little comfort those precious last days she managed to spend together with him – days she didn't even knew would be the last – she would forever be thankful to Chloe for.
Beca carefully extracted herself from Chloe, not wanting to disturb her, and sat down the edge of her bed. Her eyes landed on the letter by her bedside, a letter she had read multiple times over. On the side of her bed, hanging on the corner of her headboard, was the scarf her father knitted for her. She smiled sadly, as her hands trailed over the scarf. This was not how he had thought it would make it to Beca, and this was not how Beca thought she'd read the letter and found out the truth that her father knew all along, and yet here they were.
In a way she was glad. He had entrusted his final gift to Chloe, and it was Chloe who wrapped it around Beca when she finally came clean about it the night following his death. Beca couldn't imagine herself falling apart again the way she did in front of Chloe to anyone else. Chloe simply understood, yet again, even without the need for words, what she needed. How she wanted to be held, how she didn't need comforting words, but just soothing arms around her to let her cry and process her feelings the way she best knew how.
Chloe didn't judge. She was simply there to be what Beca needed. She simply listened as Beca rambled on about how stupid she was. About how silly her father was.
They could have just dropped the act all along. But that's too late now. So much time was wasted, memories never made, love and forgiveness unsaid and lost because of what? The fear to face the truth?
Regret is the most painful thing in life. No matter how much Beca has of it, she'll never be able to turn back time. All she can do is make do of what she was given, of the time she managed to steal away with him back in her life, imperfect as it was.
Now she'd have to keep longing for her father's warm embrace at their reunion for the rest of her life, Chicago's brutality and lack of honor made sure of that.
And nothing would satisfy Beca's need for vengeance until he has felt the same pain he had dealt.
Three days, Beca processed her emotions for three days. She spent the following four sorting her thoughts and feelings, with Chloe. But the plans she made? Her grand designs? Her schemes? That's all in her head for the moment.
She'll tell them what they needed to know to carry out her plans when they need to know it.
Perhaps, the reason why she took a week before she summoned her allies again was for this very reason.
No more playing games, the next steps they take required cold hard precision. She told Chloe once to harden her heart, and Beca did the same for herself. But she still miscalculated the amount of ruthlessness she needed to use to pursue their enemies. She won't make that same mistake twice.
But to do that…
Beca glanced back at Chloe, still peacefully sleeping.
She knew what she had to do to enact her justice. But like everything, it will inevitably require a price to pay. Beca was a creature of the underworld, she can't afford to love. Her father was a prime example of what happens when someone like her loves someone.
Beca smiled at Chloe wistfully. If things had gone a different path, then perhaps…
Perhaps she wouldn't need to give anything up.
Because if she wanted to protect her now that she's seen and known how far Chicago was willing to go, Beca knew she can't afford to love. Because that it was, the feeling that Chloe evoked in her heart. That peace, warmth, and happiness she brought Beca.
To do what she must, she had to give up her love.
Beca wished there was another way. In fact, she tried all other ways, but now they've forced her hand.
Babel will pay.
DSM, the Kommissar, and most of all Chicago.
They will know what it means to pay.
But if Beca was honest, she knew she wasn't willing to pay the price of her vengeance. She knew very well what the path before her now entailed. She can't have it all, and something will inevitably have to give. But Beca didn't want to give Chloe up.
Her heart already felt like dying at even the thought of it.
Beca sighed, her eyes trailing back to the letter and the words her father said.
The poet Rumi once said that goodbyes were only for those who love with their eyes. For those who love with heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation. One day, I hope you can forgive me enough to believe it to be true. You were my greatest gift, Beca. I did everything I did thinking it was best for you. But know that not a single day passed by when I did not think of you. When I did not stop loving you. How can a father ever stop loving his daughter, after all? No matter how many years pass by, you will always be my little girl. If a day ever comes when you miss me, just wrap this scarf around your neck, and know my love for you still exits, ever present in every stitch. I'll be in your memories, in your heart too. Though life may be short, my love lives in you.
And when someday you find a love that transcends all other matters in your life, one that defies logic, one that is not limited by time and space, my wish is for you to hold on to that love. I want nothing but your happiness, Beca.
Beca grabbed the scarf from where it was hanging on her headboard and wrapped it around her neck, deep at thought, before stealing a glance at Chloe yet again.
No one knew what the future holds, she can only move forward. But a new sense of resolved filled her heart.
She really was an idiot.
Babel already took so much from everyone, even herself. She'll be damned if she lost Chloe in exchange for bringing them down. Yes, she knew what she had to do now. But she will fight like hell to bend this world to her will for once. If Chloe would have her, despite her bloodstained hands, despite the demons she kept on a tight leash deep inside her, then she truly would be the world's greatest fool to let that go in exchange for succeeding.
Yes, she will do what she must.
She will win.
And win it all.
She'll find a way or she'll die trying.
Luke felt the solemnity that had taken over the rest of the Barden Tower residents. This has been the general mood since the wake and funeral for Dr. Mitchell, and it persisted even after a week had passed.
The walk towards the law offices was uncharacteristically quiet, everyone's stores closed down temporarily until further notice. Signs posted in front of each business said so. Everyone had still been in mourning.
Jesse had somehow discovered – something tells Luke Beca didn't exactly tell him – Beca's connection to Dr. Mitchell and unceremoniously revealed what he knew as part of his reaction to the news that Luke had shared to them the following morning after the incident. Beca had been too distraught – something that Luke never thought would be possible – and Chloe the only one who could comfort her. Lilly was on guard, and Aubrey and Emily handled most of the things necessary with regards to Dr. Mitchell. That's how he was tasked to informing the rest of the tenants about what had happened, and why things have stalled with their work. The Barden residents were shocked and saddened by the news, rallying to be there for Beca and respecting her space. Luke was almost in awe at the serious manner they adapted during the whole affair. Everyone had been rather pensive and deep at thought. He didn't know what to make of it. Beca didn't make much of a fuss or acknowledge them finding out, at least not yet. Her head was elsewhere for the past week after all.
Beca seemed to have gathered enough of her calm composure back. There was a certain shift in her tone, however, something Luke noticed when they spoke in the phone. She's only ever heard Beca speak in that tone when it came to grave matters regarding the mafia family she was part of.
Beca's gloves were off. No more playing.
Their enemies were about to learn what it meant to mess with the consigliere of the Bella family.
Luke stopped in his tracks at the end of the hallway leading to the Beale and Posen law offices, surprised to see the rest of the residents outside. "Did you summon them here?" Beca asked, stopping right next to him. Luke gave him a quick glance. Beca looked rather pristine in an all-black suit ensemble, but there were no traces of crying or anything at all. Her mask was firmly back on. It was Chloe, who stopped right next to her, who looked a bit more emotional still, but she was quick to hide any sorrow with her usual charms as she greeted Luke.
"No," Luke said, shaking his head. "I thought you did."
Beca shook her head in response. That's when Amy spotted her and ran to give Beca a big hug, one that clearly took Beca off guard, but the consigliere was quick to regain her composure once Amy let her go just in time for the rest of the tower residents to join them.
"What's going on?" Beca then asked.
It was Flo who spoke, "Chicago, Babel, DSM… they've all gone too far…" she started to say.
"They've made things personal. And we're tired of losing," Denise then said.
"Their cruelty has to end, one way or another," Benji added.
"They already took Uncle Chris from us," Stacie jumped in and said, giving Chloe a sad look before turning her attention back to Beca, "and then they did this to your father," she continued before looking away.
"It's time we unleashed the Kraken on them," Amy then announced defiantly.
"Do Buddhist monks own a Kraken?" Uni asked Bumper not quite as quietly as he had hoped.
Bumper sighed, "We're going for a metaphor."
"So, who's the Kraken?" Donald then asked but Bumper simply shook his head and ignored his question.
"What we want to tell you, Beca, is you don't have to do this alone," Ashley said, getting things back on track.
"You have us, not just our good attorney's and Emily," Jessica added.
"This fight isn't just yours now, Beca Bella, it was never yours to begin with. It's only right we join you and beat Babel and Chicago once and for all," CR passionately said.
"You're our consigliere too," Jesse then said. "Whatever you need, we're here. Closing shop until we beat them is a sign of every resident's resolve here."
Beca looked rather in awe at their actions, unsure what to say or what to do. She simply cleared her throat and nodded. Even Luke was impressed.
But then again, that's just Beca's effect on people. He would know.
"Then I guess we have some planning to do," Beca then remarked. Everyone nodded along, a look of determination on their faces.
Even Luke was inspired.
Time to give Babel what's coming to them.
It's been another week since everyone has gathered for "Operation: Take Down Babel" had begun. Emily found herself a rather important task for their upcoming mission, one that they had to work on and prepare for with such a short time thank to the intel that Theo had given them.
Luke was there with her for moral support. That and Beca trusted Luke more than she did Emily with their secret weapon. Why? Because Emily was easily influenced by the rest of the Barden Tower residents, and Beca was afraid things would go crazy. Understandable, they weren't wrong there.
Emily cleared her throat to address the rest of the residents gathered around the put together tables of CR's restaurant. They just had lunch, everyone was properly fueled.
"You must be wondering why I gathered all of you here today," she started to say in a rather formal tone. "Simple, because to be effective in our mission, we are still one crucial thing."
"And that is?" Stacie asked.
Emily smiled knowingly. "A killer fashion sense."
"Are… are you insulting us?" Jessica and Ashley asked in chorus.
"N-no, that's not it at all! I'm just saying, if we want to be taken seriously and get things right for our mission, we gotta look the part!" Emily responded, starting to get flustered.
This was their chance to dress as sharp as their consigliere after all.
Luke cleared his throat and placed a reassuring hand on Emily's shoulder. "Beca handed me her emergency black AmEx card for shopping purposes."
"It's time for the Barden Tower Bella family branch to be born, after all," Emily then said.
"That's quite a mouthful," Luke interjected with an amused chuckle.
"I'm workshopping the name, alright?" Emily retorted.
Everyone seemed to be keen on the idea on unofficially becoming a local branch of Beca's family, and so Luke chauffeured them all in a black van to the mall and drove them back to the tower once their shopping spree was done. The plan was to get ready that afternoon for their mission.
At the appointed time, Emily found Luke waiting outside of the tower, next to the van. He looked like a proper spy in his black suit and tie ensemble, complete with matching black leather gloves. She wasn't clear on what his assignment was – Beca, Chloe, and Aubrey said it was on a need-to-know basis – so Emily didn't ask. Emily herself wasn't allowed to go to the venue. She was to stay with Aubrey at the office to work on upcoming trial against Babel for Barden Tower, something that had been given a set date the past week.
Her role was simply to make sure everyone wasn't late, sadly. But that didn't mean she wasn't going to have a bit of fun either.
Luke quirked an eyebrow at her when she reached him, she was supposed to call and gather everyone, yet she met him alone.
Emily grinned. "Come on, you don't want a grand reveal?"
Luke chuckled. "Go on, then," he said rather amused.
"May I present to you," Emily started to say, adopting a TV announcer voice, "The Barden Bellas!"
And right on cue, the residents started to gather coming from all corners of the building, dressed in impressive black suits with varying accessories. Jesse wore black sunglasses, Uni and Donald look more like they were Yakuza goons, but that's alright, they have the spirit. Stacie wore a rather sexy dress suit, as she carried her laptop with her, CR was in an all-black ensemble as well, she carried a big black duffel bag. Benji didn't bother with a suit blazer and opted for a black vest with a garter on his sleeve. Jessica, Ashley, and Flo looked great in their black blouse and black open blazer style with heels. Denise went with a black dress paired with a black blazer. Bumper and Amy looked like they were in matching outfits, Amy with a white button-down blouse, and a black suit and pant ensemble, while Bumper was in a black suit with vest, white button down, black tie and pants, and black fedora outfit. Very modern Bonnie and Clyde if anyone asked Emily.
Lilly was already with Beca and Chloe who had gone on ahead.
Emily wished she could go, afraid she would miss out on the excitement, but nevertheless, she was proud of her handiwork for the makeover.
"Go make them pay," Emily then said, addressing the newly minted Barden Bellas who all nodded in confirmation.
"The Barden Bellas, huh," Luke then said. "I quite like the name."
Emily beamed. She liked the name too.
It simply suited them.
Jesse adjusted his earpiece as he kept an eye on the guests trickling in Event Hall A of what is currently the biggest, most popular elite hotel in Atlanta. Next to him was Jessica, the two of them positioned by the left-wing elevators on the second floor.
Over the right-wing elevators were Bumper and Amy. It was all hands on-deck for this one as they currently replaced all but two of the security detail hired by Babel for this event. The change was done last minute, of course, to make sure that none of Babel's employees could tell they had infiltrated the event. All of this was made possible thanks to Stacie's genius.
Their job was simple, other than ensure the passage of key players into the hall and block their exits, they were to send home the unsuspecting assistants they brought along with them. Theo had begun sowing seeds of paranoia with Chicago, playing his part well and selling his act of being afraid for his own life, that's why they had their own private entrance into the hall, and they were allowed in before everyone else entered, with the original two security they hired doing a quick search of the hall to ensure it was safe.
Lilly was assigned to keep an eye out for Beca and Chloe. Never could be too careful these days. The two were in a suite that Beca had booked in the same hotel. Luke had hired a small security detail to surveil the towers from the shadows, to make sure no attempt at demolishing it occurred at such short notice. It doubled as Emily and Aubrey's own security detail while they were all in this event.
Jesse has no clue what Luke's part in this was. But he did catch a glimpse of him leaving with Justin, one of the Kommissar's old henchmen who turned into one of Beca's followers.
The two unwitting security agents they didn't replace were placed in front of the double doors leading into Event Hall A. Joining them was Donald who took command of them. They would glance over them ever so often, curious by their sharp looks, and dazzled by their tough exterior – or so Jesse thought – fully buying their excuse as their last-minute replacement colleagues for the day. Deputy Director Abernathy-McKadden-Feinberger was also invited to the event, having become their eyes on the inside since a few months back, but declined, making an excuse that she was busy with a few case files. She figured it was for the best that she didn't know of the events of the day.
Stacie stayed behind at the café in the lobby with Uni as her guard so she can do her magic there. It also allowed for a quick getaway with Uni should things get dicey as she had many exits to secure passage from.
Flo, Denise, CR, and Ashley had replaced some of the catering staff. As the last of the guests arrived, the group – now dressed in their kitchen staff costume – started rolling in the giant 5 tier cake that CR baked for the occasion. It was a decadent baking masterpiece from the looks of it, placed on a cart of its own that they carefully maneuvered towards the center of the hall.
Tommy, the other old henchmen of the Kommissar's who also swore fealty to Beca after being apprehended of their dastardly deeds, followed behind them and stayed near the doors in the inside. He was dressed in a black trench coat and sunglasses, with the collars up, and a black cap. He wore an earpiece like theirs. The two security agents not with them tried to stop him from entering, but Donald assured them he's security with them and was then allowed inside.
Once they left, all the guards did a final check and closed the halls. Donald did a quick check and placed a locking device on each door as stealthily as he could. The device was one of Stacie's own inventions. Afterwards, he took his place in the between the two others, and pretended to be on the lookout, while subtly signaling to Jesse, Jessica, Bumper, and Amy with an "ok" sign that the locks were secured in place.
"It's all clear," Jesse then said in his earpiece.
"Affirmative," Stacie confirmed.
"Then it's time," they heard Beca calmly say on her end.
Jesse didn't know the full extent of Beca's plans, but he chose to put his faith in her. She hasn't let them down just yet, and he can see the sincerity in her actions. Too many people wearing a badge and claiming they're the good guys, leading men, and heroes have for so long twisted justice and bent it to their wills.
It was time for them to face true justice now.
Theo adjusted his tie. It was showtime.
And he meant that on both fronts.
First, it was showtime for the Babel Tower approval process. Or rather, the sham process that his brother made it out to be. In the middle of the mini stage set-up was Chicago's most prized mini model of the Barden Tower. Behind was projector screen for their slides, in the middle of the room, overhead, was the projector showing the slides from Theo's presentation.
Technically, Chicago made it. He just made Theo present it.
To one side was a table of contracts that Pietro was manning. Next to it was the table that he, Chicago, the Kommissar, and Theo himself used when he was not hosting. To the right side of the room was a buffet. In the middle was the amazing cake that Chicago had requested. Unfortunately for Chicago, it came as a surprise flavor and not the one he actually picked, considering the ones who brought it in were the disguised residents of Barden Tower, wearing prosthetics to hide their identities. The only reason Theo knew was because Beca warned him.
Which brings up the second front Theo meant. Beca's plans. Though he wasn't exactly privy to what Beca was up to, she did warn him not to get close to that cake.
And to the man posing as security behind the room.
Easy enough since Theo was the host. His part was to technically just carry out the whole thing as it goes, until Beca's man on the inside is given the signal to do his thing. What was the signal? Theo did not know. What was his thing? Theo also didn't know.
He didn't bother to question Beca either. In Theo's case, he was mostly relieved to know he was not in her line of sight after what happened.
Theo wasn't sure how to approach Beca at first after what Chicago had done, so he kept his distance and gave her space. He was happy enough to be summoned by Beca after a week and still be trusted enough to be her man inside Chicago's private circle. All Theo was sure of was that Beca was more determined now to bring his brother down. In the end, that's all Theo could ask for..
The "approval" process was essentially an auction bribery of sorts featuring the most powerful, and the most corrupt. Theo took the podium with a showman voice and presented the residences for auction, a few penthouse suites and sought after units for what was going to be the new commercial and residential tower that Chicago wanted to build. Chicago would offer these units to some of their top allies – the chief of police, the head of the state assembly, the chief officer of the state construction office, a few state senators – for free, in exchange of their loyalty and services required for the tower.
Some offers in the first few rounds included to increased patrols and security, including assistance in the eviction of the tenants in the current Barden Tower from the chief of police, exemption on property taxes for the first few years from a few state senators, the amount of years varied amongst them, and instant approval on zoning and construction permits from the state construction office. Chicago picked the best offers for each until off for auction. The winners would sign the legal agreements tying down their ownership of these units in carefully crafted legal documents from DSM, along with the permits that Babel needed to signed.
After a few more rounds, Beca's inside man started to walk towards the center of the room, past the cake, and onto the small stage. Theo cautiously backed off, as the man raised his hand, showing he was holding a trigger.
"May I have your attention please," he said loud and clear. With one hand, he opened his trench coat and revealed bomb strapped onto his chest. The crowd undoubtedly gasped. Even Theo wasn't sure how safe and sound Beca's plan was going to be.
To the side of the room the Kommissar said something "you."
It would seem like she knew who he was
"I'm one of Babel and DSM's discarded lackeys," he announced, "but I… I've had a change of heart. It's time for Babel to pay for their crimes, starting with this tower," he went on to say, pointing at the model tower.
Behind the tower, the screen flashed black and then a two-minute time started.
"The bomb on my vest is tied to that timer," then said. "If in two minutes, you don't fall on your knees, tear apart and eat your contracts, and disavow Babel and swear to never help them again, everyone in this room, including myself, will die. This is the only way I can think off to purge the evil of Babel from this world."
And right on cue, panic ensued.
The guests all rushed towards the doors and any other exits. All locked shut. No one paid them no mind outside to let them out. Their phones could not call or send messages for help either, for those who checked, and everyone – except Theo, Pietro, the Kommissar, and Chicago, received messages that reinstated the message Beca's inside man had said. Theo grabbed the phone of the nearest guest to read what else it said. There was a promise that if they do as they are told, they will live.
The man then gathered their attention again and pointed to the cake. A tiny device popped up on the top tier. "That cake has a small amount of explosives inside. It's controlled by this button and has a tenth of the power of what's attached on my chest."
Chicago rushed towards the cake and carved out aa path to the middle to find what looked to be C-4 packed together inside. "Who hired you?" he demanded, seethingly.
But Beca's inside man did not respond to him.
He simply raised his hand.
"Don't listen to him! He's bluffing!" Chicago then commanded, trying to take control of the situation.
"I knew you'd say that, so allow me to demonstrate," the man then said, raising his hand and making a show of pressing the button on the trigger in his hand.
Chicago ran back to their table, toppled it over and hid behind it with the Kommissar and Pietro. All the other guests rushed to the sides and found a place to hide. Theo himself ran towards the nearest table for cover with some of the guests.
His heart was pounding loudly in his chest, louder than the blast that was heard.
Beca truly was done playing games.
Chloe sat next to Beca on the couch of the suite room that Beca had booked. On the coffee table was a spread of French patisserie, tea, and Beca's espresso. Chloe eased her nervousness with a few sips of the tip, and sampling some of the finest desserts the hotel had to offer, a complete opposite of Beca who sat next to her.
Beca barely even touched her espresso, and she hadn't bothered at all with the food. Her eyes were calmly focused on the screen of the iPad they had set up.
The plan was simple. Well, for someone like Beca it was. Stacie tapped into the hotel's security feed. The Event halls all had security cams, after all, to be vigilant for stuff like this. Stacie fed the hotel security a look that showed everything was business as usual while she recorded all the shenanigans happening inside. She also took control of all the phones belonging to Babel and their guests. They'll have live footage of Babel's bribery, and blackmail material on the officials in attendance, along with what they already have from the Guillotine File.
She was quite the tech genius, that one.
Jesse and the others on the meantime were the hands on the ground, making sure they could control the situation the way Beca had intended. CR and her team, on the other hand, prepared the cake with the fake bomb that Luke had supplanted them. Luke also made the fake bomb that was strapped onto Tommy. Luke secured it on the former henchman of the evil Kommissar himself while Beca talked to him and Justin, telling them that this would be the last job they would do for Beca.
"After this, you'll be free," Beca said knowingly and the two nodded. Luke then exited with Justin, their main mission was to man the parking area in case Chicago had any of the Hangers rush in and throw a wrench in their plans. Chloe was still miffed about that.
The two of them watched as Tommy took control of the situation on their screen. "What is it?" Beca then asked her, sensing her annoyance.
"Oh, I'm just annoyed Aubrey couldn't be here," Chloe excused.
"I made her a promise, it can't be helped, it's the one promise I can still keep, after all. I decided it best so we can keep Emily out of this too," Beca replied and Chloe looked at her curiously. She wanted to know what she meant. But Beca shook her head. "But that's not what's really bothering you, what is it?" she pressed.
Chloe sighed. If she was good at seeing through Beca's masks, Beca was equally good at seeing through whatever act she put on. "Did you actually mean it? You'll set them free after this?" she asked. She felt quite torn about Beca decided that the debt they owed her, the debt of letting them live, had been paid in full after all this. They did kill her father, after all, and that researcher too.
Beca hummed. "You didn't have to join me here too, you know?" was Beca's response. It confused Chloe. Because why was that the answer to her question.
Chloe shook her head. "I'm with you until the end of this, Beca. I won't let you be alone with the burden of Babel. I know I still feel torn about this, angry at those two lackeys for what they did, but… but no matter how hard, I'll respect your decision, you know?"
Beca looked thoughtful for a minute and took a sip on her espresso. "That's not what I meant. I did promise to deliver justice, didn't I?" she then said as they watch Tommy make a show of the trigger in his hands, claiming he would show them a demonstration.
"Oh, it's time," Chloe absent-mindedly said and grabbed the actual detonator switch to the side of their iPad but Beca was quick to snatch the trigger away from her and clicked the switched herself.
Chloe looked offended for the briefest of seconds, Beca could at least let her join in on the fun, but that sentiment only lasted for a few seconds. She switched her attention to the screen and saw Tommy violently flung back towards the projector screen, a small contained explosion occurring, his body bleeding and caved in.
The bomb on his vest was real.
Chloe's jaw dropped for a moment, as she stood up and walked towards the window, shocked at the turn of events. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves before her glance landed back on Beca who looked as calm as ever. She took another sip of her espresso. Her eyes were fixed on the screen. From the sounds of it, the guests all panicked even more, knowing the threat was real.
Beca picked her phone and typed a message for Stacie to send. She had been the one telling Stacie what to send them live. Soon, a chorus of voices could be heard from the feed, of the guests stating their names, the positions, and the offices they held, along with their disownment of Babel.
Chloe took another deep breath and walked back towards where she previously sat down.
"I think it's better you let me handle these things… only one of us need to get their hands dirty, and mine are already stained crimson to begin with. If this is too much for you…" Beca went on to say but Chloe didn't let her finish. Instead, Chloe shook her head and reached out to grab Beca's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"It just… it's not easy to get used to," Chloe admitted.
"And you shouldn't get used to it," Beca quickly retorted
"Maybe… but I hope you're not going down a rabbit hole of overthinking now. This doesn't change anything," Chloe then said. Beca took her eyes off the screen for a moment and looked at Chloe with genuine surprise before smiling weakly and turning to the screen again.
Chloe didn't need to say the words out loud, Beca understood what was left unspoken.
This doesn't change what I feel for you.
Instead, Chloe settled on saying something else, "You don't always have to protect me, you know. From things like this, and any others."
"I know, but I want to," Beca admitted.
Chloe nodded and smiled. "So, when you said you'll deliver justice…" Chloe then started to say, keeping her eyes fixed on the screen, at the so-called rich and powerful losing their cool and crumbling to Beca's demands.
"They're not getting away, not from taking your father's life, Chloe," Beca replied, also now fully keeping her eyes on the screen.
"You don't have to do this for me," she replied, sneaking a glance at Beca, who wasn't giving anything away. She was as cool, calm, and collected as always.
"I'm doing this for me too," Beca replied. "Christopher Beale is a man I respected, you know?"
Beca looks uncertain, her confidence shaken, if… if this is too much for you
No, chloe reassures,
"Things are only going to get harder, huh?" Chloe then asked, walking back to take her seat next to Beca, before reaching to hold hand.
Beca nodded. "But I do promise, that when this is over, Babel and DSM's reign of terror will end. They won't be able to hurt anyone else ever again."
"Well then, let's make this a lesson they never forget."
Starting with this one.
One by one, Chicago's allies abandoned him, all within the remainder of the two minutes Beca gave them. Once the chaos had subsided and they all finished their rush job of eating their contracts, Beca messaged Stacie to freeze the timer on the projector screen. The doors unlocked and the guests were let out. All but Chicago, the Kommissar, Pietro, and Theo stuck around and waited inside the event hall. Chicago was seething, and Chloe couldn't help but be happy about that.
Chicago marched towards the cake, wanting to do something… perhaps topple it over, assuming that it was a decoy bomb? But that's when Beca messaged Stacie again, and had the timer restart, this time, ticking down fast. The device exploded just as Chicago reached it. He was surprised when icing sprinkled from within the device, spraying things all over his face and designer suit.
That's when Beca called his phone. Chicago answered.
"I hope you enjoyed my little gift," Beca then said.
"This isn't over, Bella," Chicago replied. "Or have you forgotten the lesson I taught you. Do you really think this is enough to stop me and my tower? Mark my words, this isn't over."
Beca scoffed. "Of course it's not, you don't think this is all I'm capable of, right? I'm offended if you think it is."
"You'll pay, Beca, you will pay," Chicago then replied and Beca tutted at him in response.
"I owe you nothing but pain and misery Chicago, so don't you go making empty threats. I'm not paying anything, you have no power here," Beca said coldly over the line, starring directly at Chicago from their screen. "Piece of advice, enjoy these last precious moments of quiet while you still can, I'm coming for you."
Chloe felt a chill run down her spine, hearing Beca say those words. There was an unsettling kind of calmness to her manner of speaking. Yet, Chloe couldn't help but be impressed either.
The devil had come out to play. She wasn't frightening or as scary as Chloe expected her to be.
But she was cunning, and efficient. She feared nothing and no one.
And she delivered exactly what she had promised.
Justice to those who always believed they were above the law.
A/N Pt 2: The Rumi quote… Dr. Mitchell's an English lit prof after all. Also, it's one of my favorites and felt like I can use it for this fic, so I did.
Justin's fate will be confirmed in the next chapters, but uh, let's just say it ain't pretty. It's not as straightforward as you think though.
Also, to clarify, Beca bringing out the card now (for their shopping lol) because she's not really carefully hiding from Paulo anymore. He knows where she is what with the assassins from one of the previous chapters. More on that later!
UPNEXT: An Eleventh-Hour Villain?! Bechloe Moment! Strengthening Alliances! And Betrayals?!