Chapter Text
She was enveloped in warmth. There was something heavy on her, making her feel as if she were inside a smooth cocoon. Soft, warm puffs of air were blowing rhythmically on one side of her neck, and she detected a faint scent of whisky mixing in with the fresh linen.
Eddie. She remembered, opening her eyes, and feeling mortified. She’d woken up briefly to find him sitting in that chair once again, and she’d felt incredibly tender towards him. Come to bed, she’d said, and now half her body was under Eddie, his arm circling around her waist. She shouldn’t have done that.
Bloody tugging heartstrings, she beratingly thought. How am I going to get myself out of this one now? Soft dawn light was coming in through the windows.
She tried to carefully squirm out from under him, gently pushing on his shoulder. Maybe he’d move out of his own volition if he felt movement. Instead, he tightened his grip on her waist, and dragged her even closer.
She pushed on his shoulder again, this time calling him out. “Eddie.” She said, her voice a little strangled.
He woke up then. She could tell by how his muscles tensed, but he didn’t move.
“Eddie, you’re squishing me.” She said, tapping on his shoulder.
With a gasp, he moved away from her like he’d been burned. “I’m sorry.” He said, his voice hoarse.
“It’s alright captain, no harm done.” She’d turned to look at him, now laying on his back, rubbing his eyes.
“I didn’t mean to stay all night. I thought I’d wake before morning.”
“Ah. A classic strategy.” She smiled at him.
He turned on this side then, and they faced each other. Susie knew she needed to stop whatever was going on, but she didn’t want to break this spell. She felt suspended in time. Warmth and silence embracing her.
“How’d you sleep?” He asked with that deep voice. She could feel it reverberating in the space between them.
“I don’t remember. Which is a good sign. You?”
“I remember. You’re fidgety.” He smiled back.
“Hence the restraint measures?” She asked raising a brow up.
“It seemed to work for you.” He was now staring at her like he’d had the previous night in his study.
“Eddie.” She cautiously voiced, “this is dangerous.” She couldn’t let herself forget why she was here.
“I know.”
“Then you understand why there’s a line.”
“I do.”
“I won’t cross it.” She was determined.
“You’ve said so before.” I don’t fuck the help, is what she’d said. This was different, but she didn’t need to tell him that.
“Then top staring at me like that.”
He started a bit at that, as if he hadn’t noticed he was doing it, and blinked his face back to a more guarded expression. It made her feel uneasy to see the change. Shit.
She’d burst their bubble, and he was now sitting up. “I should go to my own room before the house wakes.”
She sat up too, feeling the cold air that had lingered outside the protection of the bedsheets.
“Eddie.” She reached for his hand before he could stand. “Thank you for taking care of me.” She said with sincerity.
“Anytime, Susie.” He briefly squeezed her hand and gave her a small smile on his way out.
Susie then took the time to prepare for the day. As she put on her makeup, and fixed her hair, and picked out an outfit that reminded her of who she needed to be today, she felt anger and frustration bubble up to the surface. He brother was still in a coma, and she was the only one who could do something about it.
A knock sounded at the door, and she went to open it.
“You are requested at the breakfast table Miss Glass.” Said a young girl in uniform.
These people and their fancy hospitality rules. She thought in annoyance. She should’ve figured her stay wouldn’t exactly stay a secret.
“Alright.” She said and followed the girl to said table.
As soon as she came into the room, Eddie told his mother “I told you she’d prefer to keep a low profile.” Her face must be showing her annoyance then. She schooled it to a neutral expression.
“Oh, hush Edward, let’s have a seat.” She said looking at her and gesturing to a chair. It was just the 3 of them, and they sat down to eat a simple breakfast. Tea was offered and drank, and pages of the newspaper were passed between Eddie and his mother. It was so very comforting it made Susie miss her brother even more.
The moment of peace was broken an agitated voice coming from the corridor.
“Wham Tam, I am telling you that is not the way it works. It takes time to grow it, and it must be under the right light. Otherwise, it goes to shit. All my work, gone tits up because you moved it!”
“Fuck.” Said Eddie, abruptly lowering his paper and looking at his mother. “Why is Freddy here so early?”
“Language Edward.” She was completely unfazed by the commotion approaching them.
“You can’t keep it in our room Freddy, it smells disgusting.” A female voice, almost at the doorway.
Eddie signed in resignation, looking at her apologetically.
“Well, where the fuck else…” Freddy walked into the room and was immediately distracted.
“Mother.” He said kissing her cheek, “I am starving” And sat down next to Eddie.
“Mhmm!” He exclaimed in pleasure, closing his eyes.
Tammy looked at Susie, then looked at Eddie - who nodded lightly - and then turned to give Susie a short nod.
“What are they putting in these?” Freddy asked finally opening his eyes and looking around the table.
He coughed up in surprise when he saw Susie sitting across the table and Tammy tapped his back absentmindedly.
“Susan.” Freddy said when his coughing fit passed.
“Freddy.” She said coldly.
“Indeed, mm, Eddie?” Said Freddy looking at his brother, who had shifted in his seat and was faking interest in his paper. “May I ask why Susan is having breakfast with us this morning?”
“That’s none of your business, Freddy.” Said Susie, menacing, which made him swallow loudly. Good dog.
“Quite. Mhm. I see.” His voice high-pitched.
“She’s staying here for the time being.” Said Lady Sabrina, folding her paper and lifting her teacup to her lips. “Mind your manners would you?”
The rest of breakfast was spent in an awkward mix of quiet normalcy, and nervous looks being thrown in her direction. The latter coming from Freddy, who’d stopped eating and had started to pull on the collar of his sweater. Looking at him was bringing her temper out.
When she couldn’t take it anymore, she turned her gaze to Eddie, who’d already been looking at her. Damn him.
They stood up, chairs faintly thumping on the rug. “Mother, I will see you later, Freddy, Tamtam.” Eddie said, and then, “After you, Susan.” She nodded to Lady Sabrina, and left the room, mood souring by the minute.
They went to get Jimmy from under the dairy and she had had no patience for him.
“Good morning, Boss” he’d said happily.
“Get in the car Jimmy.” She said curtly.
“Oh, today’s the day, isn’t it?” He said anxiously, soothingly swinging his body from side to side.
“Yes, Jimmy, best to do as she says.” Said Eddie.
“You’re riding with Blanket, Jimmy. Chop chop.” Susie ordered as she walked out.
On the way there, much as on the way to the dairy, they didn’t speak a word. Susie wanted to break something.
They hid in the trees at the meeting spot. Susie got her gun out, didn’t look at Edie while she made sure it was loaded.
“She’s here.” Eddie whispered and they walked out to meet Jimmy’s little friend.
Jimmy was rambling.
“It’s time to be quiet now Jimmy.” Said Susie. “Blanket, hold him.” She said pointing at Jimmy.
“You, on your knees.” She then said to Gabrielle. She wisely didn’t fight.
Susie cocked her gun and placed it on the girl’s forehead before asking, “where is Henry Collins?”
“I don’t know who that is.”
“Maybe a dead Jimmy will cure your amnesia.” She said coldly.
“Now, I think the mood she’s in, she means it.” Chipped Eddie next to her.
“Oh well, I tried. Kill Jimmy.” Susie feigned lightness.
“Johnston. I don’t know no Collins. I was hired by a man named Stanley Johnston.” Is it the same Johnston they’d met at that party? She exchanged a look with Eddie, he was thinking the same.
“Tell me everything.” Susie demanded.
Gabrielle recounted the events that had Susie lose her product months ago, that had revealed Keith as a mole. Collins was working for Johnston, that arsehole. “It was never the plan to put your brother in a coma. Johnston just wants the business.” She confessed in the end.
They moved away from the girl to discuss, and Eddie was examining her closely.
It all made sense to Susie. Johnston had expressed interest in her business from the beginning. But she’ll have to deal with that later, she told Eddie. Collins was the priority.
“Hold on.” Cautioned Eddie. “What about your father?”
“He’s not here” She said lowering her gaze, “and I need to get to Collins before he gets to me.” Better to ask for forgiveness and all that, Susie thought.
She glanced back up into his eyes and asked, “You’re with me, right?”
Eddie examined her face again, “Of course.” He said, and they turned in unison.