5. Tyler

Chapter five

Tyler

I watched Layla leave and tracked her on the cameras as she went to the interrogation room. I was worried about her; we all were. She talks like her usual, bloodthirsty self, but I can see she is struggling with Sean’s death. Judging by the covert glances shared between Kyle, Stephan, Johnny, and Danny, they can also sense that something is off. I never doubted him, but I’m glad Colt didn’t kill Sean. Knowing her pain was temporary helped me to deal with it.

Speaking of the asshole, I pulled up the cameras to the apartment and saw Sean napping on the couch. I grinned as I turned on all the TVs and had them blast Paul Anka’s You’re Having My Baby. Perhaps the song choice was a little cruel, but I want to make sure he understood and remembered what he cost us. Layla wasn’t the only one he hurt and betrayed.

I knew the second the music started playing because Sean suddenly jumped awake and fell off the couch. I chuckled as he stood and screamed in frustration. I was only getting started. I’d let him listen to the song for an hour or so. I bet he will be more than happy when I turn Bluey back on.

“So... what happened with Sean?” Stephan asked.

“Is that any of your business?” Zach asked.

“No, it’s just that, well, he was alive after everything went down,” Stephan persisted.

“And now he isn’t,” Colt said calmly.

“We just want to make sure that we don’t do whatever it is that got him shot,” Danny explained.

“Do as you are told, and you have nothing to worry about,” I assured him.

“Alright. How the hell are we supposed to find Anton and Tommy?” Kyle asked.

“And is she serious about killing anyone aligned with the Kandicci family on sight?” Johnny added.

“I don’t know how the hell we’re going to find Anton and Tommy yet,” I sighed as I pinched the bridge of my nose. “For now, leave them to me. You focus on hunting down Vinny and Tony.”

“And as for Johnny’s question,” Colt said, “Yes, she is serious. Put out the word. Any person or business associated with them has forty-eight hours to pledge allegiance to the Romano Syndicate or leave town.”

“After that,” Drew said ominously, “I’m going to start burning shit to the ground.”

“And maybe,” Colt said, “the more that we go after Anton’s businesses and associates, the more we will piss him off and draw him out.”

“It’s as good a plan as we’re going to get for now,” I admitted.

“Then that’s all we need from you for now,” Colton said, dismissing the others. He looked at me across the table once they left. “How is our friend?” he asked, nodding at the tablet in my hands.

I smirked. “Paying his penance.”

“Good. Keep it up. No need for him to get too comfortable,” Colton replied.

“Cordy told me that Layla hasn’t eaten anything today,” Drew announced.

“I think she’s on a liquid diet today,” Zach replied.

“Autumn asked about Sean, and Layla had to tell her he was dead,” Drew continued. “Autumn didn’t handle it well, and neither did Layla.”

“Fuck. We should have made an announcement before she woke up. Where did she go?” Colt asked me.

“Downstairs. I’ll check on her when we’re done here,” I replied.

Colton nodded. “I think we’re finished. Keep me posted.”

We left the office to go our separate ways. I went to the basement in search of Layla. I knew our hovering was driving her mad, but I had to check on her. I found her still standing in the interrogation room, staring at the chair we had tied Sean to. We probably should have moved that. She lifted the bottle to her lips and took a swig from it. Her glass was gone, and I spotted the shards of it near the wall she must have thrown it against.

I knew there wasn’t anything I could say that would make her feel better, so I stood quietly by her side. When she was ready, she would talk, and then I would know what she needed from me. The minutes stretched as we stood silently. Layla continued to take sips of whiskey. When I noticed her empty hand by my side start to shake, I laced my fingers through hers and squeezed. She squeezed my hand tightly as if our connection was the only thing holding her to this earth.

“Did I make a mistake?” Layla rasped.

“You’re the Queen, Layla. You don’t make mistakes,” I replied.

“No,” she choked, turning to look at me and continuing to cling to my hand. “I’m not asking you as Layla, Head of the Romano Syndicate. I’m asking you as just Layla. Me. The woman. Did I make a mistake? Did I choose this life over love? Pride over a piece of my heart? Am I... am I a fucking monster?”

I brushed the stray tear that managed to escape from her eyes. The desperate anguish in her eyes tore my heart in two. I could almost suck Colt’s dick for not killing Sean. All I wanted to do was tell her that Sean was still alive, but it wasn’t time yet, so I tried to alleviate her guilt the best that I could.

“Baby, to me, they are one and the same. You’re the boss, my woman, my everything. I will back every single play you call. If he were anyone else, you wouldn’t be second-guessing yourself. Sean betrayed you, and you did what needed to be done.”

“But did I make a mistake? I’m not perfect. Did I choose wrong?”

“Only you can answer that, baby. I don’t think you made a mistake, but I can’t tell you how to feel. It isn’t as black and white as you want it to be. The gray areas are the hardest to navigate, and I don’t think there was a right choice. Either one would have its pros and cons.” She didn’t respond, so I continued. “The hard truth is, you’re the Queen, so it doesn’t matter if it was wrong or right. It simply is because your word is law.”

Layla didn’t look like she believed me, but she nodded. “You’re right. I’m the boss. If I start questioning myself, so will everyone else. Thanks, Ty Baby.” She kissed my cheek, pressed the whiskey bottle into my hands, and left the room.

“Fuck,” I cursed. I don’t know if I made it better or worse. I lifted the bottle to my lips and took a drink, wincing as the whiskey burned a path to my stomach. At least Layla stopped drinking for now. That had to count as a mark in the win column.