The Spy You Trust

Chapter 9

‘She looks like a little angel.’ Charles stared at Molly in the backseat as she slept. He was surprised that she was able to fall asleep after everything that happened. Yet, there she was. Sleeping like a rock. He turned around, smiling.

Layla looked over at him. “What’s got you so happy? We’re kind of on the run for our lives. More importantly, for her life. Don’t forget that.”

Charles put his hand on Layla’s leg. “That’s why I’m happy. She safe and sound and sleeping in the backseat. She doesn’t have to worry about Durell or Marcello. You and I will keep her safe and she won’t have to worry about anything.”

Layla sighed. “Charles. You know we’re going to eventually take her back. Gladstone wants to meet her. That’s always been the plan. As soon as she turned 18, we were gonna take her to him for him to watch.”

Charles took his hand back and stared out the window. “Well she’s not 18, now is she? And don’t you think the circumstances have changed a bit? I mean we didn’t think that Marcello was going to use her until later. His time table was farther ahead than we knew. She’s not safe at the institution anymore. She’s not safe anywhere in California. That’s why I promised her I’d take her to Chicago one day. She deserves a normal life with normal friends.”

Layla glanced back to make sure Molly was still asleep. She lowered her voice as she spoke. “She’s not a normal girl and you know that. She will never have a normal life with normal friends. I’m sorry but there’s no changing that.”

“Yes, there is!” Charles hissed back at her. “He didn’t get to her. He couldn’t bring them back. Her abilities are still locked deep into her mind. If they haven’t emerged after all of this, who says that they ever will?”

“Just because he wasn’t able to bring them back doesn’t mean that it’s not possible. We’re in uncharted waters here. She’s the only one of her kind. It’s all guess work when it comes to her. Who knows what event could set her off? I’m sorry but I’d rather have her somewhere safe and controlled than living her life without knowing what she’s capable of. It’s too dangerous for everybody.”

“You want to tell her.”

“Yes.” Layla answered even though Charles didn’t state it as a question.

“No.”

“Charles..”

“No, Layla. I said no. She’s just a kid! I promised to always protect her and I’m going to do that. Her knowing will just cause her to constantly think about it and increase the chances of her abilities reaching the surface. We’re not telling her. That’s final.”

“I don’t think that’s up to you.” Layla mumbled. She turned into a gas station and stopped the car.

“Like hell it isn’t. Don’t test me on this, Layla. I’m in charge when it comes to Molly. That’s the agreement we made when we discovered Marcello is the one who sent out the order on her parents. I don’t give a s**t what Gladstone says. Nothing is going according to plan anymore. That includes telling Molly about her abilities.” Charles opened the car door and slammed it as he got out. He leaned against the car and crossed his arms.

Layla got out and started the gas pump. She walked around the car to Charles and pulled his arms apart. She put her hands in his and looked into his eyes.

“Wouldn’t you want to know? Wouldn’t you have questions? How would you like having everyone know something about you that you don’t?” Layla asked quietly before she put her forehead against his. “I know you want to protect her, and I love you for that, but she has a right. Think about it. Please.”

Charles took a deep breath before replying. “Of course, I’d want to know, and I know she has a right, but what’s the point? Her knowing will only put her in more danger. Please. Don’t say anything. At least not yet. Just give me time to figure out if she’s ready for this or not.”

“Okay. I’ll give you more time, but Charles? Don’t take too long.”

Charles leaned in and put his lips gently against Lilah’s. “I won’t. I just need time to think. I love you.”

Suddenly, a voice piped up. “You what??”

* * *

When the car stopped, a bright light woke Molly out of her nap. She didn’t move or open her eyes as she heard Charles and Layla arguing about something in the front seat.

“I don’t give a s**t what Gladstone says. Nothing is going according to plan anymore. That includes telling Molly about her abilities.” Charles was saying before Molly heard the car door open and shut.

‘Who’s Gladstone? What is he talking about? My abilities? What abilities?’ Molly had a million questions running through her mind as she tried to process the end of the conversation she just heard. She heard the driver’s door open and shut a moment later. Molly stayed still as she strained to hear what was going on outside of the car.

‘Did Layla just say that she loves Charles? No. I must’ve heard wrong. I’m pretty sure the witch isn’t even capable of love.’ Molly thought as she quietly tried to sit up without being noticed.

After much difficulty with her broken arm and sprained ankle, she looked out the window and watched as Layla and Charles stood intimately close to each other. She noticed they were holding hands and had their foreheads pressed together.

‘Okay. What the actual hell?’ Molly was just about to open the door and ask what was going on when Charles kissed Layla. He kissed her. He actually kissed the witch.

Molly opened the door and heard Charles say, “I won’t. I just need time to think. I love you.”

She couldn’t take it anymore. “You what??”

The two pulled apart like the other were on fire. Molly was looking back and forth between them waiting for someone to explain. Charles was looking at Molly with his mouth gaping open and shut like he was a fish while Layla walked over to the gas pump, obviously trying to avoid the conversation.

“Charles David Gonzalez. Explain before I get out of this car and beat your ass.”

Layla scoffed on the other side of the car and rolled her eyes.

“Oh, that goes for you too, witch.” Molly said standing up out of the car while whipping her head around to glare at her. She stood on one leg and tried not to put any pressure on her sprained ankle.

Layla’s eyes turned into daggers as she walked around the car, coming right for Molly. “What did you just call me?”

Molly was prepared to defend herself when Charles stepped between them and put his hands on Layla’s arms.

“Calm down.” Charles said blocking her view of Molly.

“Calm down? Are you kidding me? She called me a damn witch again.” Layla yelled at Charles.

Molly c****d her head to get a better look at Layla. “Just calling them as I see them.”

“Molly Jo!” Charles had to hold Layla back as she tried to go after Molly again. “Let me talk to her. Why don’t you go inside and get some drinks and snacks?”

Layla looked away from Molly and at Charles. She looked pissed off as she stomped towards the vacant-looking building.

Charles sighed and turned around to face Molly. He had his hands on his hips and was looking at the ground. “This is definitely not how I wanted you to find out.”

“Find out about what? How you’re screwing the girl that we both hate? The witch who we’ve both made fun of for the past 6 years? When were you going to tell me Charlie?” Molly had to sit down. Her ankle was throbbing, and her side ached where the ribs were bruised.

Charlie squatted down in front of her and took her left hand. “Stop. Okay? I’ll tell you everything about us, but I need you to stop calling her a witch and getting her worked up.”

“Us? There’s an ‘us’? Are you freaking kidding me?” Molly pulled her hand out of his and looked down.

“Molly…” Charles paused like he didn’t know what to say.

“How long?”

“What?”

Molly looked up at him and met his eyes. “How long have you been with her?”

Charles’s look faltered as he answered. “Almost 4 years.”

Molly didn’t know what to say. She closed her eyes and swung her legs around so that she was sitting back in the car correctly. “Shut the door please.”

“Molly, I..”

“Shut it!” She yelled as she turned her head away from him.

Charles sighed and stood up before shutting the door. After a few moments, Molly looked back and saw him walking into the building towards Layla. She scoffed and stared out the window in the opposite direction.