38. Grimm
38
GRIMM
She did it. She actually fucking did it. I have the privilege of wearing her blood around my neck. The vial lays overtop my rapidly beating heart.
The heart that only beats for her.
Our night together was just as amazing as every other night that came before it, but there was something special about those moments. The painting, the necklace, movie night in V’s bed with one dog between my legs and the other between hers. It all felt so fucking right.
My phone buzzes uncontrollably and I pull it out to see what the fuck is up.
Text messages from my dad, Verena, and Eli come through all at once. I open V’s thread first.
Verena
Hey, Flame was sick this morning, not sure what happened. She was acting a little weird before I left for class. Whenever you can, swing by my place and check on her, please. Key is taped underneath the mailbox.
Me
Sure thing, pretty lady. Weird how?
Verena
She was really lethargic. She’s usually super pumped in the morning. Plus, I had to get up twice throughout the night to fill up her water bowl. I checked for a spill, but there was nothing.
Me
Okay, I’ll keep you updated. I love you.
Verena
Thank you. I love you more.
With that being said, I gather my things and head over to Verena’s. I’ll be going to my writing class straight from her place, so I make sure I have my doodle-pad and pencil because in all actuality those are the only two supplies I need.
When I open the front door, there’s a black padded envelope on the doorstep. I swipe it and check who it’s for.
Me. Again.
I shut the door and walk down the cobblestone walkway while ripping the envelope open.
Another picture of Verena slips out. She’s walking to class alone and from where the picture was taken, they were in close range.
If anyone touches a hair on her end, this entire fucking world will burn.
A small white paper slides out of the envelope and falls to the floor. I snatch it and unfold the paper. Messy handwriting stares back at me. Handwriting that I recognize but can’t pinpoint from who or where exactly. My heart almost stops beating at the words scrawled across the paper.
Meet at this address, 7PM tonight. Come alone if you want her to survive. Pull a no-show or try to have your goons attack us, and it’s game over.
815 Sycamore Ave - enter through the backdoor
I look around at my surroundings, hoping to spot the dickwad in the shadows lurking. With no luck, I punch the code into my phone and find my thread with Eli. His text message about a Brotherhood meeting goes unread as I send him a picture of the note and photo, then tell him to find me any and all information on this place. His response is prompt.
Eli
The house belongs to someone named Griffin Griswold.
My heart stops. Griffin? My fucking brother, Griffin? He’s the one behind this? What the fuck could he want with Verena? A few more texts buzz in.
Eli
I can hack into the security cameras, see what’s been happening there. I’ll forward some footage.
Before you go, take an earpiece and a tracker. If you do need backup, holler into the earpiece and I’ll take care of it from there.
Blowing out a breath of frustration, I run a hand through my curls and down my face. As soon as things start looking up, some dipshit decides to come around and fuck it up.
Whatever. I’ll do anything required of me to keep Verena safe. I’ve done it once, I’ll do it again.
Remembering I also received a message from my dad, I open his thread to a text inviting Verena and I to another family dinner, this time to celebrate my own birthday.
Fuck me. I hate birthdays.
I cave in, unable to deal with his pestering right now. If something happens to my little monster, there will be no birthday dinner. I’ll be preoccupied finding the cuntbags who hurt her and ripping them apart. Limb by motherfucking limb.
Was it foolish of me to think our problems died with Leo? Because I’d be delighted to resurrect him and kill him again.
Scratch that.
I’d be delighted to fuck Verena in front of him again, and then watch her kill him for a second time.
My cock aches just thinking about seeing her in her best form. My little monster.
Whoever this asshole is has dedicated the time to crossing state lines to follow us and take pictures of us without our knowledge.
All I’m trying to do is fuck my girl, cuddle my girl, and smoke her out. Why does the universe need to make that such a taxing task? This year has already added on enough extra turmoil onto our life.
Running back into the house, I dial Eli’s number before grabbing my other backpack that holds my guns and knives.
He picks up after a few rings, “What’s up?”
“Yo, I have no time to wait. Is there an earbud at the house I can grab? I’m going to this address. Don’t want to wait any longer.” I say as I race upstairs and beeline for his room.
“Uh, yeah. There should be one ready to go. It’s in the blue case on the top left of my desk. Pop it in and power it up. I’ll listen in and have guys on standby if you need backup.” He answers.
“Awesome, thanks man.” I hang up and bolt to the garage, hopping into my McLaren and speeding down the highway to 815 Sycamore Avenue.
My car hides in the shadows as I watch the still mansion before me. Three blacked out cars sit in the driveway and I speak to Eli through my earpiece. “Eli, can you hear me?”
His voice sounds through the earpiece, “Yeah. Tell me everything you see. I’ll be here.”
Digging through my bag, I strategically hide three knives and two guns on my person. I’ve got one knife hidden in each boot, plus an additional one tucked into my belt. One gun rests in a holster on my side and the other is hidden away in the interior pocket of my leather jacket.
I step out of the car and walk around the building until the backdoor is within my line of sight.
“There’s no one here.” I say to Eli.
“None that you know of. Be aware. Don’t let your guard down for shit.” He responds.
He’s right. I need to be vigilant. This is a life or death matter and pertains to the person who means the most to me in this world. Without her, I am nothing. Without her, there is no me. I was a shell of myself before but now that I’ve felt that sensation of true love and harmony, I don’t want to go back to the emptiness that held me captive before.
Knocking on the back door, I wait for an answer. When none comes, I turn the doorknob and it opens with ease. I step inside to the dimly lit entryway and close the door behind me.
“Door was unlocked. So far, I’m the only presence.” I update.
I take two steps away from the door before the lights switch on and an unfamiliar man is seated before me at a large office desk.
“Hello, Mr. Griswold, is it?” The man asks, his voice deep and husky.
“Who’s asking?”
“I am.” Another voice sounds from the corner and a figure stands in the shadows. It walks toward the middle of the room coming into light.
Fucking Greer Griswold.
“You’re the prick that’s been following us around?” I ask in disbelief.
He laughs, “I thought you’d enjoy my company, little brother. I’m offended.”
“Three’s a fucking crowd. What the hell do you want, Greer?” I spit.
“Funny you should ask. I want vengeance. Not only did you fuck up my life, but you hurt my friend, Grimm. Where’s Leo? I know Verena was his girl. But you seemed to snatch her up so effortlessly after he fell off the face of the fucking earth. Was that your plan all along? Manipulate her into thinking you loved her when really you just wanted to get to Leo.” He takes a few steps closer to me and we stand toe-to-toe. “I mean, I get it. She’s a fine piece of a-”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence. Before I can render my thoughts, my fist rears back and connects with Greer’s ugly ass face. “Don’t say another fucking word about her.”
Greer licks the blood pouring from his upper lip and smiles a wicked grin. “Or what? You’re going to kill me the same way you killed Leo?”
I stand tall, hovering above Greer. He’s not a big guy but his confidence is what makes people fear him. I’ve feared him for far too long. He’s nothing but another person, made of flesh, blood, and bone, same as me. Instead of running away from my fears, they need to be conquered. I’m done tolerating his bullshit.
“I just might.” I say, my tone even though I can feel my blood pressure rising with every pulse of my heart. “How’d you like that birthday Leosagna?”
Greer’s brows furrow in confusion as he puts the pieces together. “You fucking made me eat him?!” He yells, his voice bouncing off the walls and echoing throughout the large space.
I hold up my hands in defense, “I didn’t make you do anything. You’re a big boy, you make your own choices. You chose to eat a delicious meal that was specially made for you. I’m not seeing the problem here.”
Greer shakes his head profusely in anger, “You’re lying. You’re fucking lying. Tell me where his body is. Right. Fucking. Now.”
A laugh bubbles inside of me and when I can’t hold it in, it falls off my lips. Greer’s face turns an undeniable shade of burnt orange as his patience wears thin. “You’ve digested him already. He’s floating around in a sewer disguised as your shit, Greer.”
Rage courses through every one of his veins as they protrude through his skin. His yells fill the room as he flips over chairs and pulls at the strands of his hair.
It’s crazy what two minutes can do.
When I walked in here, he was calm, cool, and collected. Now he’s losing his shit over eating an asshole that deserved to die. Granted, I guess everyone would like to know when they’re eating human meat, but Greer is an asshole too so by simple process of elimination, it was information that I didn’t feel the need to disclose.
“We were supposed to leave together, you fucking idiot!” Greer yells as he whips a gun from underneath his belt and points it in my direction.
“What are you talking about, man? I’m not playing some decoder game with you. How do you know Leo and why is his death so important to you? Did he owe you money?” I probe, annoyed that I’m going in circles with Greer of all people.
His face twists as if I asked him the most ridiculous question. “No, he didn’t owe me money. Leo was…my boyfriend.” Greer admits.
“Your what?” I question, my jaw falls slack because of the absolute wrecking ball he just sent my way.
“No more questions. Enough is enough.” His finger squeezes the trigger and a sharp pain radiates throughout my shoulder and along my chest.
Eli’s voice sounds through the earpiece. “Grimm, are you okay? Who are you there with? Who’s Greer? Do I need to send backup?”
I fall back against the wall for stability. The tapping of Greer’s soles against the floor sound throughout the room and get closer, and closer, and closer, until he’s at my feet. “I’ve hated you for such a long time, you know that? Our family would have been perfect if it wasn’t for you. Our mom wouldn’t have missed out on so much of our lives. You drove her away. You and your deadbeat cunt of a mother.” He shoves a finger into the wound on my shoulder. “You took away my mother and you took away the one fucking person I loved.”
I’m so fucking confused.
“So that’s why you’re following us around? Because Leo got what he deserved? I’m not fucking following. Why was he so goddamn important to you?” I question, once again.
“He was going to leave her!” He screams, the echo of his voice booming throughout the room. “He was tired of hiding. Tired of using her as a cover. His anger was taking over him more days than it wasn’t. We just wanted to be happy. We just wanted to be together.” The barrel of the gun touches my forehead. “But you fucked it all up by trying to play the hero. He wouldn’t have done anything that bad to her. She would have survived with a few scratches and a good story to tell her fucking kids. But it’s a life for a life so either you die, or she does.”