“They can do it. They’ll get to you. I know they will.”
“No, baby, you’re just scared and freaked out over this nightmare.” Richie stood up.
She continued to shake her head.
“I need my clothes. I need to leave, right now,” she demanded as she got up and searched for her things.
“Honey, calm down. You’re not going anywhere,” Richie told her as she pulled the T-shirt up and over her head. The phone was ringing and Carl was answering it.
She heard him say everything was fine, just a nightmare.
He didn’t know. They were foolish. They didn’t know what Robert and Pierce were capable of.
Carl hung up the phone. Richie ran fingers through his hair. She was looking for her pants when she felt Richie pull her toward him.
“Stop this. Stop freaking out. He won’t kill us. He won’t get near Carl or me.”
“You’re wrong. He will. They will, both of them. They’ve done it before. He almost killed Carl.”
“Almost isn’t dead, Juliet. He wants to frighten you. They want you to cave in like this.”
“They’ll kill you, and they’ll get away with it. I’ve seen them do it. I was there, Carl. I was there when they beat Danny. I saw them torture him then slice his throat. Pierce made me watch it. He was there and Teddy, too, as Robert killed Danny. I saw him wrap up Danny’s body, and then they made me watch him dispose of it. I saw them. I saw him kill others and do other things. I’ll never be free of him. They’ll take you from me, too, and I’ll have nothing. Nothing,” she cried then fell to her knees before collapsing onto the rug.
Richie pulled her up into his arms.
“Holy shit, Juliet. My God, baby. Why didn’t you tell anyone? Why didn’t you tell me or Carl?”
“He’ll kill you both. That’s what they do, they murder, steal, and kill to get what they want, and no one can stop them. Not the cops, not attorneys, and not any of you.”
He held her to him as she continued to cry until exhaustion took over. The last thing she remembered was the feel of their kisses against her skin and Carl’s voice saying, “Get everyone over here in an hour.”
* * * *
“She told you all of this?” Monte asked as Richie, BJ, Chad, Michael, and Mason gathered in Richie’s living room.
Richie ran his fingers through his hair. His stomach hurt, his chest was tight, and he was filled with a mix of emotions. He was angry that Juliet had gone through such trauma. He was scared because she really believed that he, his brothers, and the guys couldn’t protect her. She sounded like she would give in to Robert and Pierce’s demands. He wanted justice. BJ and Monte were working on a lot of leads and ways to get Pierce busted for his crimes. It seemed that Juliet was a witness to murder and God
knew what else.
“She was hysterical. Had a nightmare that apparently brought back memories of the murders.”
“That poor girl. She’s only twenty-two and she experienced this shit at nineteen. I couldn’t even imagine,” BJ stated.
“I’m afraid that she really thinks these men can get away with what they’ve done and take her from us. I think, if the opportunity presents itself, then she’ll go with Mellbrook and Sinclair out of fear that they’ll kill Carl and me. She’s terrified of them, and I don’t blame her one bit,” Richie said.
“We can’t let that happen. If they find out that she even told you guys about the murders, then they’ll kill her,” Monte stated.
“We have some news on both men, but more importantly, I took it upon myself to inform some people I know of what’s happening here. It seems that the feds have been watching Mellbrook and are interested in some illegal importing and trading accounts he has overseas. He did a little business transaction with a known terrorist cell. The feds are linking it to a cell here in the United States they’re about to bust,” Mason stated.
“Holy crap, that is great news. How long before they can nail him on any charges?” Richie asked.
“Well he’s got lawyers, and he’s also on to the feds. But I think if Juliet has proof of these murders and the corruption, she could be key to getting these assholes locked up for life,” Mason added.
“I don’t know if she’ll talk. She was really shaken up. Carl is with her right now upstairs,” Richie said.
“We’ll talk to her when she comes down, and we’ll try to help her see that she’s safe and we’re here to protect her,” Monte added.
* * * *