The Cartel: 5. The Blade by Julie Christol

Author:Julie Christol [Christol, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

47

Megan

"Before You Go" by Lewis Capaldi

The day has flown by at a crazy pace; I haven't had a minute to myself, and it feels good. Not thinking about anything other than my goal, focusing on what I have to do.

Exiting the shower, I slip into clean shorts and a tank top. Yet, my heart is heavy. Mat is no longer here, things will never be the same because I've seen it; I almost died. It changes perspectives and brings to the surface the urgency of the situation. Whether for my personal life or for what still needs to be built here, I feel like I've missed so much by not making the decision to embark on this path earlier.

The sky is starting to darken at this hour. Another night to spend in peace, feeling safe.

When these men leave tomorrow, I will be alone facing my fears, but I feel ready to confront them.

Like the day before, the members of the Cartel have gathered in the small courtyard of the camp. I hear them laughing and talking naturally, as if they were at home or on vacation.

How do they manage to be so detached? How do you resume your life after death? How do you smile when fear threatens to overwhelm you?

"Megan !" one of them calls me. "Come with us!"

Timidly, I join them. Phil is there too. He seems to have accepted them and understood their approach. We haven't talked about it, and I think we will when they're gone.

The eyes turn to me, and their leader hands me a bottle of beer.

"Thanks," I say, accepting it.

Davy holds my hand a bit when I grab the beer, and his gaze is more insistent.

When he finally lets go, he raises his.

"To one more day on this damn planet!" he says.

The others mimic him, smiling.

"To lacy panties!" Artie chimes in.

I choke on a sip as the others burst into laughter.

"To Megan and Phil," Cole adds on the side.

"To Megan and Phil !" the group echoes in chorus.

Embarrassed, I nod shyly.

The discussions resume in surprising joy. Life regains its rights, and I understand a bit more about what drives them. It's a strange group I have before me. Such different men, and yet they seem so bonded.

Seeing Harumi on the sidelines again, I decide to approach Andy, who is chatting with Titus.

When they see me, they fall silent, and the pilot winks at me.

"I'm going to get some drinks."

Leaving us alone, I clear my throat before speaking to Andy. I have to act as if nothing happened, put aside what this man inspires in me.

"Your sister..." I begin. "She's always alone."

Andy turns his head towards her before returning his gaze to me.

"We're a bit wild in the family," he replies before taking a sip.

"She looks so sad."

Andy shrugs as if it doesn't matter to him.

"Doesn't it bother you?"

"Is it important?"

I study him, tilting my head slightly. Is he truly as insensitive as he claims? Again, that feeling when I look at him, the one that he hides so much, that he has made a habit of shielding himself from all emotions.

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