The Culprit

I had waited what seemed forever, but in reality it was just a few hours the sun had already began to rise as the darkness of the moon was being lifted. Colton still wasn't back. Robertson was starting to doze off as his neck would snap every few seconds. Milo was also asleep, I would soon have to awake him but I didn't want too. He didn't need to see his daddy covered in blood. And well I was here. My legs shaking to keep me up, my body jolting for the moment anyone, someone would return with information of who was the Culprit?

The worse is whether they were still alive or torturing him until he would snitch. I remember it just like it was yesterday. Punching people in the guts. Stabbing their knees, dunking their head in water, and I was cutting people's tongue out. All memories I'm not proud of but things I had to do to survive. It was either them or me. And survival was the most important rule.

But I never had a kid. I had people dear to me I need to protect sure, but a kid. A beautiful baby boy. Blood of your blood. The fact a child lived in a house of lawbreakers and assassin didn't really go along. I can't imagine Colton's rage, not for his own life but for Milo's. Milo was the most important thing for Colton. It was no long him, or his life, it was Milo. Milo was his life, one of the reason to keep living.

Though in this world, your life would become your weakness. Making it easy for enemies to target them to hurt you. My eyes gazed down at the cute puffy face that laid on my shoulder. What I would give to protect you? I thought, before I left I never had aspirations to get married or have a family. But now, since I'm a "mommy" for all tenses and purposes. I don't know if my answer is the same.

I perked my head up as I heard keying jiggling in the door. Who could it be? Shuffling of feet inched every closer.

Then a familiar four eyes appeared with bags, and hallowed cheeks.Damn, horrible night?

" Thomas?" I called out as he turned his head to me, squinting his eyes.

He approached me carefully as I held little master in my arms, " Miss. Kaira, I've hear of the incident. Where is the Master?" He questioned as I nodded.

" Yes, um. They caught the culprit. So I guess, they're with him now." I informed of the only thing I knew.

He sighed as he looked at Milo and back at me, " It must have been a tough situation for you. First time experiencing up close what this life is really about." He commented as I pressed my lips into a thin line.

I internally wanted to laugh. Um, how should I respond to this? This was not my first time and probably not my last. But I couldn't let him know that. No one could know who I was. Or was once? I never plan to be Lydia Thornton again. Unless everything was going to shit, and my choices were gone. " Um, yeah. I'm still processing it." I began looking for words. " Though Robertson here so yeah."

Thomas looked over at Robertson who faintly snorted as he kicked his leg. Robertson jumped up as he freaked, " Thomas! What! Who? What? Where? Where, the boss?"

Four eyes pinched the bridge of his nose, " Robertson, aren't you suppose to look after Miss Kaira and Milo?" He asked annoyed as I wanted to correct him to call me Kaira but that could wait.

" I was, I mean I was." He assured.

" Oh really, and sleeping like a bear while Miss Kaira is looking over Milo and you is your definition of taking care?" Four eyes retorted as Robertson scratched the back of his head.

" Thomas!" He whined pouting, acting more like a three year old than Milo, " I was tired! I had been up all day and I just couldn't help it." I blinked looking at the scarred man as less than a threat and more of a kid.

" So you leave them unprotected?" Thomas cocked his brow.

" No, they were. I was just temporarily resting my eyes." Robertson lied as he looked at me for affirmation but I looked away.

" Really, because I heard you snorting like a pig that doesn't sound to convincing." Four eyes spat.

Robertson gasped, " Oh you. You look like the mummy when you sleep." He retorted as their eyes sparked calling for a winner of the debate as they spoke rapid fire. Was this really the time for this? I was really dealing with children.

Thomas just shook his head as another pair of feet walked in. This time it was Colton. For some strange reason I wanted to jump in his arms and ask if he was okay. I cringed at the thought, I refined as I examined his body as his knuckles appeared redden, almost blood stained and puffy. He had definitely used those on the poor sucker.

" Thomas?" He questioned in an unrest voice.

Thomas quickly turning to him, slightly bowing as he spoke, " I'm sorry sir. I arrived as quickly as possible. But the deal took longer than expected."

A deal? What deal? Who y'all killing now?

Deals in the mafia world was not a simply business transactions of money. No. A deal could destroy companies, leave families homeless, or people blacklisted so they could never possibly live normally again.

" It's alright." He faltered as both men glanced at each other and back at their boss

" So, um boss." Robertson swallowed as he watched his words. Colton with down turned lips waited. " What did the guy say?"

Colton ran a hand over his face.

" He's just a kid." He admitted as he walked over to the couch and plopped down. " He doesn't know or pretending not to know a thing."

A kid? A kid? No regular kid knows how to shoot a rifle. Hey, I said regular, I was not regular. Just to let you know before you start questioning.

" That means there's on your head, sir?" Thomas inquired as Colton ran his hand through his hair.

Slightly smirking, " I guess so. But I need to know which bastard-." He paused lifting his eyes to see Milo and back down, " Which group of people are after me. Hell, it could be the entire country since we're the strongest."

Touche, Touche. I understood his sentiments exactly. When you're the strongest, most powerful, your the biggest target. Anyone and everyone was your enemy.

Hell, how did I survive this earth for the last two years?

" Maybe so sir, but many families are indebted in your favor. They cannot just turn on you like they wish. You would know first.We have our men everywhere." Four eyes pointed out as Colton bit his knuckles.

Huh, men everywhere? What is it raining men? Ha, no. But this was commonly known double spies a person who infiltrated a group pretending to be a part of them while informing the other group their moves.

" True, but that does mean we can cut out any of them yet." Robertson made a valid point.

" Yeah." He said in a unsteady voice. " Damn, only if the kid would talk...."

Just like that a piece of the lioness resurfaced." Let me see the culprit." I blurted, as his furrowed his brow automatically wanting to say no.

" What? No." He flat out refused. I should have seen that coming. But I need to know, I need to see who was the one behind this. If Milo was my child, he was my duty to protect. Mine, and anyone who messed with what was mine, would pay the price.

" Here, hold Milo, Robertson." I turned as I carefully gave him Milo as he didn't notice. I then sat on the couch next to Colton. Eyes widened with more white than color. Shock, I know. I did that to people." Look, I know you don't think I'm capable of taking care of myself. But I need to know what shit show I got myself into. And maybe I could give some information out of him. At least give me that." I explained.

He puckered his forehead like an old granny, " I still cannot risk your life for information." He rejected the idea.

Damn it. Damn. I need to get in that room if only I had to give something to give. Wait! I do.

" I'll sign the contract, I'll sign it without reading. But only if you take me to see him." I purposed as his mouth fell slightly agape. Hey I knew how to do deals. Trust me, I made them.

He paused for a long while, debating. I don't know what he was waiting for everything would be in his favor regardless what was in the contract. " Ok.Ok." He gave in. " You can go and see. Thomas take her."

I internally smiled as I turned to Thomas who had his mouth open wanting to object but closed it and nodded. Getting up, I was ready to jog forward but something caught my hand. Gazing down it was Colton. His crystal blue waves illuminated with something. Was he worried? Worried for me? " Hurry back, Milo will be waiting for you." He advised closing his mouth, even though I swear it could have been something else.

" Yes, of course." I agreed remembering my whole purpose here. Slipping my hand from his and turning back to Thomas as he led the way.

As I walked down the dark hall, looking like one of those horror or murder mystery movies. Dim lights. dark unknown shadows, creepy walls. Yep, definitely a torture chamber. I thought to myself as Thomas halted to a wooden door that stood out against the eerie nature. He placed his hand on the door. Not turning it. He looked at me. " Are you ready Miss Kaira?" He wondered pushing his glasses up with his finger.

Are you kidding? I was born for this. No seriously, I was. This wasn't nothing new. If anything I had PTSD from it. I nodded, I couldn't bring myself to speak. Things seemed to normal. As if this life was normal? He turned the knob, holding his arm for me to walk in. My feet trotted forward as I made it all the way in. Just like what I had expected one light bulb in the room and the man tied to a chair, bloody, and bruised. He was a kid, like Colton had said. But this kid was too familiar. Then his green eyes met mine.

My eyes widened as the culprit's eyes copied. No. No. It couldn't be?

What the hell was he doing here?

OOOOOOHHHHHH!!! WHO IS IT???