Chapter 11 Double-Cross #2
“Arguing isn’t going to help get answers or bringing up what’s been done, even my own damn choices,” Leo interrupts before they all start arguing again.
My gaze catches Jameson’s who gives me a slightly guilty look.
Least I can count on Jameson to keep me humble.
“Is there any CTV footage to track where Isaac went?”
“Don’t know,” Julio answers. “No footage of where he left the hotel, he used the blind spots.”
“He didn’t want to be followed and knew we’d look,” Animal mentions. “Again, gonna have to agree with Sombra here.”
“Can we use Eleanor to quicken things up?” Leo asks. Julio and Owen look at me.
“Not really,” I answer roughly. “Not much difference than Julio just using what he already has.”
“She’s right, it’ll be faster hacking into cameras where we think he went,” Owen adds.
“Didn’t show him that little disrupter you used the first time, did you, hermana?” Julio asks.
“No. It died with that phone when I…got rid of it.”
“Could’ve created his own version,” Owen mentions. “He is the one who found her.”
“Yeah, our best tracker is the one who’s missing,” Julio grumbles, going back to his computer.
My brain fuzzes out as they continue talking, Owen and Julio beginning to search through CTV footage at various parts surrounding the hotel.
Numbness encases me as I try to think, whilst hoping Isaac did this for another reason.
Something else we’re missing. Leo steps away at some point to look at a video that Isaac could be seen in.
I hold myself close, getting up and walking over to the window and stare at the city.
My mind races, sifting through conversations and the last hours I spent with him.
Why Isaac? Why Isaac? He was upset, so what would he do?
What would I do? I want to be with Leo. To be with someone I can talk to and feel heard. “…imagine the woman you love…”
“Where’s my phone?” I ask suddenly, looking at Leo and then Jameson. “Or any phone?”
“Autumn—”
“Phone, please,” I ask, and Jameson hands over his. It’s a long shot, but I dial the number I know by heart. I start pacing, holding my cardigan close, knowing it’s early as fuck.
Please pick up. After the sixth ring, she finally picks up, answering groggily, “Jameson?”
“Leanne, it’s Autumn. Have you spoken to Isaac?”
“Uh, Autumn? Why are you calling from Jameson’s phone? Before six?”
“Leanne, hun, just tell me. Have you spoken to Isaac since yesterday?” It’s so damn quiet in the office you could hear a pin drop.
I rub my stomach, trying to stop the twisting sensation as she clears her throat. “He, uh, came by last night.”
I practically hold my breath. “Is he still there?”
A door closes in the background. She huffs tiredly, “He is.”
My legs give out as I crumple to the floor in relief. The windowpane is cold against my hand as I press against it. The others start to move towards me, but it’s Leo who crouches next to me with his hand on my shoulder. I hang my head, trying not to cry.
He left for Leanne’s.
“Autumn, what’s wrong?” She asks.
“Why did…he come over?”
“Okay, if I’m not gonna ask questions about you and Leo, then I—”
“He disappeared last night, and the entire Crew thought he double-crossed us,” I quickly say, slumping against the glass. Leo sits down fully with me, relief coming over his face as realization hits him next where Isaac went.
The rest of the Crew make disgruntled noises.
“What?” She practically shrieks, but whispers it. “Why would they think that?”
“Because he vanished. No note. And practically blew off work without saying a damn thing. After the last two weeks, we’re all a bit paranoid. So, my first guess wasn’t exactly your place.”
“You suggested he check my security.”
“Nice try.”
“Okay, fine we fucked.”
I hit my head against the window, but before I can do it again, Leo stops me. “After the last hour, I’m torn of being delighted y’all got together finally or not.”
Jameson starts to grumble, “Did he fucking break protocol so he could go—”
“Careful,” I point at him. “She’s my best friend. If they want to hanky panky, that’s fine by me, especially if it means no stab wounds to my back.”
“Not if he’s gonna break rules,” Owen mutters.
“What if someone grabbed him or Leanne? How the fuck did her security detail not know he’s there or call it in?” Jameson argues.
“Probably told them not to. Or cause he knows when they switch to evade them,” Chesty answers, holding back a relieved smirk.
“I don’t care, long as they’re both fine, and that I didn’t fucking scare him off.” My shaking voice punches through the air, and everyone goes quiet.
Leo moves his hand down my back, having me lean into him. The guilt that I’d driven him away slowly vanishes, but there’s still worry why he’d left like that. Or this was the first step of him leaving altogether.
“Autumn,” Leanne says.
“Yeah?”
“If I’d known, I’d have called you. I didn’t know.”
“I know, hun,” I whisper. “Are you working today?”
“No, actually planning to call in sick.”
“Alright…can you keep him there? Tie him to your bed if you want.”
“I might, knowing he lied to me too…” she sighs, “…I’ll keep him here.”
“I’ll be by later, when it’s not the crack of dawn. Love you.”
“Love you.”
I hang up, holding Jameson’s phone out to him. Everyone’s quiet as the rain patters against the window. I look up at Leo, who seems torn between being relieved or aggravated.
“It’s official, those fuckers made us all go batshit paranoid. Scarecrow would be proud,” I say, cutting the silence.
The tension is thick, not a single one of the Forgotten Demons say a thing. After a couple more minutes of silence, I can’t stand it much longer and get off the floor along with Leo.
“Yes, Leo and I lied to you,” I say, almost exasperatedly.
“Yes, we have a reputation of keeping secrets and controlling outcomes. I lied to you for months. I’m sorry for what I did, but not why I did, especially our marriage.
It wasn’t because we didn’t trust you, but to protect you.
” I glance up at Leo, who nods once. “I’ve played these games before, who to trust or not, and it never goes well.
Whether they got into this inner circle or not, they’ve done enough damage for us to point fingers instead of seeing the truth.
We have to trust each other again. To trust Leo and I again. ”
I wrap an arm around Leo as he holds me. He exhales sharply.
“We’re a Club,” he says, solemnly. “At the end of the day, that’s what we are first. Forgotten Demons to the end. We can’t allow outsiders into our heads, if we do, we’ll tear each other apart. Be angry all you want with me or her, but trust us. Clear?”
The men exchange glances, finally nodding in agreement.
Leo cradles my head against his chest, stroking his hand down my back. He adds gravely, “Otherwise we may as well hand everything over to my brothers now.”