Colby's POV
It felt like the world had stopped when Julia cried out the news that had me feeling like I was kicked in the groin.
We had a child.
I didn't know about it and the stress I caused Julia caused her to lose it.
It was all my fucking fault.
Having a child with Julia would have been detrimental to my career and would put her and that baby's safety at risk but it was a big enough reason to leave the crime world all together.
I thought at the time that it was the best choice to make to protect Julia.
It was in the sense of the crime world, but I couldn't protect her from herself.
The fact she fell into addiction and couldn't gain custody of her siblings broke my heart.
I was the reason she got taken and I was reason she was introduced to narcotics to begin with.
I groaned and sat down, grabbing another cigarette.
My mind was racing with thoughts and feelings that I didn't think would ever stop.
I sat in silence on the balcony, smoking cigarette after cigarette. I didn't care that I needed to go to sleep to be focused, I wouldn't dare close my eyes right now.
This news made me wonder what else happened with Julia after I left. She mentioned to me that there were men watching her and approaching her, but she thought I sent them.
I had a sick feeling that Julia was wrapped into more shit than she ever has been in before.
The sun eventually started to rise, and I was still sitting on the balcony, exhaustion and shock still coursing through my veins.
It didn't matter how tired I was, I had a lot of work to do today.
When I went inside, I tried to go into the bedroom but the door was locked. "Julia. I need to get in there." I said with a sigh.
Silence.
"I'm serious, Jules. I'll leave you alone all day but I need to get ready." I said and knocked on the door.
After another couple minutes of silence I pulled out my knife and started picking the lock. I didn't have time to entertain this sort of thing.
When I opened the door I saw Julia curled up on the bed on top of the covers.
She was hugging herself and I could see the tear stains on her cheeks from all the way over here.
I sighed and walked over to her, grabbing a blanket and laying it on top of her.
I watched her for just a second to make sure she wouldn't wake up, then made my way to the bathroom.
I got myself ready for the day, making sure to be quiet so I wouldn't wake Julia up.
Part of me wanted to wake her up so we could talk, but I knew she hasn't been sleeping well. I couldn't really blame her considering the situation.
Once I was done showering and getting ready, I got dressed and made my way back to the bedroom.
Julia was still fast asleep so I carefully went to my bedside table and pulled out a burner phone.
I set it on the night stand then wrote a note with my phone number and instructions to call me when she woke up.
It didn't feel right leaving her here by herself but we were on the top floor so nobody would be able to get in through the balcony and I would have someone stand guard outside my door.
Julia needed some time to herself and I was going to give it to her.
I left the apartment and called someone to stand guard for me. I waited until he got there then made my way to base.
I walked down the hallway and towards my office, only to be stopped by Will.
"Mr. Brock." He said with a nod. "Have you been to the pit?" I asked as he nodded. "Just got back from there. That guys a piece of shit." He said as I nodded.
"Yeah, he's a douche. I suppose I should swing by later tonight." I said as he nodded. "Are you going to talk to the Governor?" He asked as we walked into my office.
"Yeah. Eventually." I said then yawned. I really should have gotten some sleep but I genuinely couldn't after the news.
"Julia keep you up all night?" Will asked as I clenched my jaw slightly.
"Something like that." I mumbled then sat at my desk. "Do you have anything worthwhile to tell me or are you just here to bother me?" I asked blandly.
"Sorry, uh..yeah. Just wanted to get the job list for today." He said as I nodded and went to print it out.
I was surprised I actually had it done considering all the craziness this week has brought, but I wasn't going to let it show that I was getting stressed.
"Thanks, I'll leave you alone now." Will said then left the room.
As soon as he was gone I got to work. Maybe if I worked it would take my mind off of everything going on.
I didn't really know how Julia wanted me to respond to all of this. I didn't know if she wanted comfort or if she wanted me to just leave her the fuck alone.
I assume since she locked her door, that it was the latter.
I worked for hours, not stopping until my eyes were stinging. I didn't even want to stop then but I was interrupted by my phone ringing.
"Hello?" I answered and scrubbed my face with my hands.
"Where are you?" Julia asked with a groggy tone. She must have just woken up.
"At base. Did you just wake up?" I asked and leaned back. "Mhm. Am I just supposed to be a prisoner here now?" She asked as I chuckled.
"You can come here if you want. I have a lot to do still, but I can come get you." I said and stood up so I could stretch.
"You're giving me an actual option to stay by myself?" She asked as I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Julia. I'm giving you the option." I said as she hummed.
"I'll stay here." She said as I nodded. "Great. I'll send you a pizza. I don't have much food there." I said and walked around the room.
"Is there someone watching me? I heard something in the hallway." Julia said with a hint of fear.
"Relax, I have someone guarding the door." I said then put her on speaker phone so I could a pizza delivered to her.
"Okay. Thanks." She said as I nodded. "I'll be back soon. We need to talk." I said, focusing on ordering the food.
"Am I in trouble?" Julia asked with a condescending tone. "Yeah. Huge trouble." I said sarcastically.
She really was a little shit sometimes.
"Awesome, can't wait." She said as I rolled my eyes. "Enjoy your alone time. I have to get back to work." I said then hung up before she could argue or say something else that would probably annoy me.
After ordering the pizza I got back to work. Luckily I was able to finish everything here before sunset because I didn't want to visit Adam after dark.
It would be easier for someone to sneak up on me in the dark.
"I need backup." I said to Jeremy as I walked passed his office. "On it." He said and followed me without question.
"We're going to make sure Adam is still there, I don't know if I'm in the mood for his annoying ass mouth." I said as we got in the car.
"Maybe if we're lucky he'll be asleep." Jeremy said as I chuckled. "Or dead." I mumbled and started the car.
When we got to the pit I pulled my gun out, getting out of the car.
"There's Mr. Pussywhip himself." Adam said as I rolled my eyes. "Still alive I see." I hummed as he nodded.
"Yeah, I'm not a pussy like you." Adam said with a laugh.
"What's with the name calling? It's not my fault you were easy to catch. You really need to work on having backup." I said and paced in front of him.
"My backup already knows I'm missing and they know where your precious little Julia is." He said as I squinted.
"Oh yeah? Where is she then?" I asked and raised my brows. I knew he didn't know where she was but if he did then she would already be missing.
He was bluffing.
"We've got eyes everywhere, Brock. Remember that." He said as I shrugged.
"I'm not scared. Plus, you can have her." I said as his face shifted with confusion.
"Really?" He asked as I nodded. "Yep. She's all yours." I hummed.
That obviously wasn't the truth but I had to make him believe like I didn't give a fuck if they took her.
It was all gameplay.
"You'll never find her though because you're gonna either die here or worse. I'd get comfortable." I said then turned to leave.
"You're gonna regret this, Brock! When you find out the truth, you'll be sorry!" Adam yelled as he fought against the restraints.
"I'm shaking in my boots." I said blandly then left. I didn't know what he meant by that, but I could say that I necessarily cared.
He was using scare tactics to get to me but I wasn't going to fall for them.
I refused to let the world see me as weak again.