Colby's POV
"So, you brought Jules?" Sam asked as the girls whisked Julia upstairs.
"Had to." I said and put my bag down. "Or wanted to?" He asked as I rolled my eyes. "I'm not doing this. I had to bring her because I can't leave her alone." I said as he took my bag.
"What's going on? Any recent developments?" Sam asked as we made our way upstairs.
"The guys a dick. Won't give us any information at all. I think there's something brewing and I'm ready to handle it." I said with a sigh.
"Maybe they'll try to pull something while you're away." Sam said as I nodded.
"That's what I'm hoping. I gave my men instructions on what to do in case of emergency." I said as we walked down the hallway.
"Looks like you got it all figured out." He said as I nodded. "Did you want to stay in this room or in your old room?" Sam asked and opened the door to a guest room.
"This is fine. Julia is probably gonna want to stay in our old room." I said and looked around the room.
"It seems like you guys are getting on each others nerves." Sam said as I chuckled.
"It's a lot more playful than anything. I put her in her place when she takes it too far." I explained as he put my bag down.
"Mhmm, I'm sure she takes that kind of behavior." Sam said cussing me to breathe a laugh.
"Yeah, she's a little shit." I said and sat on the bed. "You love it." Sam said causing me to shake my head.
"I really don't. She makes my life ten times harder." I said and scrubbed my face with my hands.
"Admit it, you missed her." Sam said with a grin. "Sam. Stop." I said as he held his hands up in defense.
"Fine. Alright. I'll leave you alone, you look exhausted." He said as I nodded.
"Yeah. Been busy. I'm not ready for the questions I'll get tomorrow." I said with a sigh. "Eh. Just be the raging dick you love to pretend you are." He said causing me to laugh.
"Goodnight, Sam." I said as he turned to leave. "Goodnight, brother." He said then left.
Once he was gone I sighed and laid back in the bed. I was so exhausted I thought about just sleeping in the clothes I was wearing.
Instead of doing that, I got dressed and brushed my teeth so I could go to bed. I had a long day ahead of me in the morning and I haven't gotten very good sleep on my couch at home.
It wasn't like it wasn't comfortable, but it wasn't a bed that's for sure.
I fell asleep instantly, falling into a dreamless sleep.
I must have been actually exhausted because when I woke up it was two in the afternoon.
I groaned and scrubbed my face with my hands before going into the bathroom.
When I looked in the mirror I cringed at how exhausted and gross I looked. I had been under a lot of stress and pressure but I never looked this bad.
I sighed then got myself ready for the day by showering and brushing my teeth.
Once I was ready I made my way downstairs. There was commotion in the kitchen so I headed that way.
"Ewwww." Tara said as she looked over at me. I held up my middle finger at her as I walked into the room.
"Brother!!" Jake yelled and ran to me, giving me a huge.
"Hey." I said with a laugh. "Can you and Jules just come live with us now that you're together again? We miss you." Jake said and looked over at Julia.
"We're not together." Julia and I said at the same time.
"Then why are you here together?" Devyn asked as I shook my head. "I don't have to explain anything to you guys. We're not together. That's it." I said then went over the fridge to get a bottle of water.
"Ugh. Such a dick. Come on, Julia." Tara said as the girls stood up.
"Be ready by four!" Sam called out as they all left the room.
"Why do early?" I asked as he shrugged. "There's going to be a dinner." He said as I nodded. "Very fancy." I said with a laugh then sat between Jake and Corey.
We spent the next couple hours catching up which was nice considering how tense things have been.
When it was time to get ready I went upstairs and got myself ready.
I could hear the girls excitedly getting ready for the banquet which brought back memories.
I remember how much they loved getting all dressed up for parties and banquets. I used to enjoy them, too.
It was a good way to do business in a mostly non violent setting. It was a nice social event, but now there was pressure.
It was different now that I wasn't in charge of this gang, but a gang I couldn't talk about.
It was going to be difficult.
Once I was done getting dressed I went to where the girls were.
"Where's Julia?" I asked, noticing she wasn't in the room. "In her room." Kat said as I nodded. "She okay?" I asked as Stas raised her brows.
"Concerned?" She asked as I shook my head. "Not at all." I said then turned and left the room.
I made my way down the hallway and to Julia's room.
I walked into the room, seeing that she was sitting on the balcony, looking out at the view.
"You good?" I asked and walked onto the balcony, causing her to flinch.
"You scared me." She said and looked back at the view.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked as she shrugged. "I love the girls but they're a lot for a long period of time." She said and looked over at me.
"You look nice." She said blandly then looked back out at the view.
"Thanks." I said then shifted awkwardly. "So, you can't really sit out here when we're gone." I said as she clenched her jaw.
"Take everything away from me." She grumbled causing me to sigh.
"I'm sorry, Jules. I really am." I said as she shook her head and stood up. "If you were you wouldn't do it." She said and walked back into the room.
I followed her then locked the balcony door. "Leaving?" She asked and sat on the bed.
"Yeah. I'll try to come back before it gets too late." I said as she nodded. "Have fun." She said and turned her back to me.
I could tell something was bothering her but I didn't care to find out what it was.
I left the room and went downstairs. "You're riding with us." Corey said as I nodded. "I take it Sam is already there?" I asked as he chuckled.
"You know how it is. Come on, let's go." Corey said and wrapped his arm around Devyn's waist.
"Devyn, you look nice." I said as we walked to the car. "Thanks, Colby. You clean up nicely." She said with a laugh.
"Thank you." I said then got in the car.
The banquet was being held at a house a couple streets away so we were there in ten minutes.
"How does it feel being back in your old stomping ground?" Corey asked as we walked towards the front door.
"It's great." I said, not knowing if I really meant that. Things were different, and I wasn't sure if I missed it or was okay with the change.
"Look who it is." Nate said with a grin as he walked over to me.
"Hey, man." I said and gave him a hug. "How are you doing?" He asked as I shrugged. "Hanging in there." I responded and looked around.
There was hardly anyone here that I recognized, which made sense.
Power changed a lot in the crime world and since I haven't been around, I didn't know most of the people in charge.
"Everything is new." I hummed, watching as Sam talked to someone I didn't know.
"Are you thinking about coming back?" Nate asked as I shook my head. "I don't think so." I said with a sigh.
"That's a shame. I heard Jules is in town, too." He said as I nodded. "You guys back together?" He asked as I shook my head.
"Nope." I said as Sam clanked a glass with a night. "Please make your way to the dining area." He said causing everyone to walk in that direction.
It was really cool seeing Sam be in charge. I always knew he was capable, so seeing him actually in this role was nice.
The dinner portion of the banquet was nice because I was able to sit by people who weren't going to question me.
It was after that things got annoying for me.
"So, Brock. What have you been up to?" Max asked as I shrugged. "Getting my footing." I said with a shrug.
"Not doing anything exciting?" He questioned. "Not at all." I said blandly. "Have a new girl? I miss that pretty little thing you had before." He said as I shook my head.
"Nope. Excuse me." I said then turned to walk away. I was sick of this conversation and wanted to get away from it.
I made my way through the crowd and went to find a room to sit in by myself for a minute.
I walked down the empty hallway passed a room where two guys I didn't know were speaking.
"Have you seen her?" One asked in a hushed tone. "No, have you?" The other asked. "No. Brock is here though so she has to be nearby." The first one said as I hid so they wouldn't see me.
"I'll text Jackson, he's waiting outside the house. She must be there." The second one said, causing my stomach to drop.
I didn't know who these guys were or what they were here to do but I knew they were after Julia.
They must have followed me from Seattle.