The Chambers Chronicles IV

[Lara Chambers]

The Chambers Chronicles
By Lara Chambers

T H E  W R O N G  D I R E C T I O N
Vyatskoe, Yaroslavl, Russia

The bus was only half-full when she entered, not looking back to where she was coming from. Forgotten was the little fire she had created to burn even the smallest evidence. Finding a spot at the window away from the other people, she dropped into a metal chair. Her body felt exhausted. The times of getting a high after taking a life were long gone -- now, it felt like a burden she wasn't able to carry without giving up pieces of herself.

Every time a little more.

Her eyes scanned over the width of this enormous country. It was breathtaking as much as it was scary. If you vanished here, chances were huge that you would never be seen again, for many different reasons. Her hand was searching for her phone inside her pocket, the display still black. When she entered her code, there was a mixture of release and disappointment growing inside of her. No new messages. Which was a good sign as far as Danilo was concerned, but it also meant that Devon hadn't tried to reach her.

You had to lie. Once again.

It was one thing to pretend for the rest of the world, but with him, it was getting harder every single time. Mostly because he wasn't stupid and self-absorbed, but also because she loved him more than she had expected she ever would a year ago. With a small sigh, she put the phone out of sight, concentrating on the landscape again. This bus seemed to wait longer at every stop, which she didn't mind. Lara wasn't particularly in a hurry to get home. Her body wasn't ready either.

"Are you okay, Miss?" A lady had taken the seat next to her, speaking in Russian.

Lara turned her head, observing the female, who was probably around her age. But life hadn't been too kind with her, she thought, seeing the deep wrinkles all over her face, here and there a scar. She was definitely attractive, but a little plain. Following the eyes of the woman, she noticed a closed cut with dry blood. It was going from her elbow all the way down to her wrist. Immediately she hid her arm, trying a smile.

"Oh, that's nothing. I just passed one of those nasty trees without care." Lara spoke softly, not even trying to hide her accent.

The girl smiled back at her, then turned her attention elsewhere, leaving the British Bombshell alone with her thoughts. Without warning, they jumped back to that what had happened barely an hour ago. The last look on Maxim Gorodetsky's face covered all her thoughts. A man that certainly had done a lot worse, and maybe deserved a death way worse than she delivered, but that was not for her to decide. This was not her battle; but then again, it never was. Lara Chambers was a tool for people with might. And for over a decade she had done a perfectly fine job, until her emotions got in the way. One mistake and the game had changed.

Think of all the times you got away.

But despite the deep shit she was currently in, she was no quitter. Fake tits and a nice rack didn't automatically mean that you were an idiot. Sure, nine out of ten times that was the case, but that never bothered her. She was used to moving in the shadows, passing time until she got a chance to strike. And this time, it was nothing else. Danilo Myovic thought of himself as a big fish. The Master of Her Fate, so to speak. But was he really? He had what Lara loved to call the 'Small Man' problem. Napoleon Complex, and all.

Mind out of the gutter.

He was hungry for power, and to a degree, he got it. Or at least, that was what he told himself as he pushed her in a certain direction, testing her. Lara had been through this dozens of times with other people. Even Shawna was no exception to that. But in the end, Lara walked away with her head held up high, showing her worth towards Bella Mafia and eventually became her friend. Of course, she didn't expect anything like that from the Russians; they had their own beliefs and even morals.

A small smile spread on her face. She held no value to them, not yet. But there would come a time they would understand who Lara Marie Chambers truly was. The one tool that became a weapon. The small, British girl that learned tricks from many cultures. It was the day at the park where she decided her own fate. Not Danilo. It was good he believed different, but in reality he was one thing: a stepping stone.

"Lady... your phone... ." Once again, the female next to her brought her back to reality.

Checking the number, her stomach turned. Shawna Martinez.

"Are there any problems?" Her voice wasn't as secure as she hoped.

"You could say that. We lost Devon." She sounded apologetic. "Well, not really lost him, but you won't like what I'm going to tell you next."

A thousand thoughts rushed through her head, creating horror scenarios. None of them ended well. The last bit of color left her face, the phone tightly pressed against her ear. So tight that her knuckles turned white. Her voice came out barely above a whisper when she picked up the conversation again.

"Is... he alright?"

"That's actually what I'm trying to tell you... he took the same flight as you did Lara. And unless I am personally invited, I am not stepping onto Russian ground." A small pause, mumbling in the background. "My assumption, though, is you will have a lot to explain to your husband. Sorry Lars..."

The connection broke. Either because she was in the middle of nowhere, or Shawna hung up. For a long moment she looked at the display, having Devon's face look back at her. Cursing underneath her breath, she looked at the other passengers. Did he follow her? Had he seen what kind of person his wife really was?

"You idiot... you stubborn... lovable man."

The bus wasn't going any faster just because her heartbeat had increased. For a moment, she allowed herself to close her eyes, leaning back, shutting out every little noise inside that metallic death machine. Her mind once more trailed off to a time long gone, to a place that now seemed so unreal.

B L O O D  T I E S  B E T W E E N  W O M E N
Las Vegas; Nevada [Martinez Mansion]
November 2014

Back in the office of Shawna Martinez, Lara found herself having a drink after her duty was done. On the expensive table were all kind of drugs, several of them had entered her system moments ago. Her long dark hair was still tightly tied-up in a knot, her leather boots resting over the chair.

"I heard you're seeing someone." Shawna always cut to the core without fancy word games.

"Well there's this guy... he's pretty amazing... and... ."

"No. I told you one thing on the first day, Lara, and I thought you had understood it back then. We fuck. We don't love. Not because love is something disgusting or for the weak, but simply because we don't endanger ourselves or those we find affection for."

She sipped from her drink, feeling the burn running down her throat. When setting the glass down, her focus once more returned to her employe.

"There are two exceptions to the rules. Number one, the other person is part of our lifestyle. Number two, you are willing to give up everything for that person. As in, come clean and share your darkest moments. Is this boy either of this, Lara?"

This strangely felt like a talk between mother and daughter. Yet Lara wouldn't know very much about such things, having more or less raised herself from a very early age. It was strange when someone showed concern. Even though her mind assured her that this was more about Shawna than herself.

Keeping her safe.

Making sure her secrets remained well hidden.

Nonetheless it felt good to be a part of a family. Yeah. Family. It was the Italian Mob, but even then, still the only family she ever knew.

Obviously, she had been quiet for a little too long, watching Shawna tap her perfectly manicured fingernails on the desk. A little habit that came through whenever her patience was wearing thin.

"I don't know. We only just met... and... he has been very thoughtful and loving... ." She stuttered her way through that sentence, feeling the burning eyes of the blonde.

"That is a no, then. Because if he was that important to you, you would have told me to shove it where the sun doesn't shine. Don't get me wrong, Lara, I ain't trying to keep you from anything." Shawna's voice sounded sincere. "But you're all my business, and I will not let either of you run into disaster. The moment you meet that special someone, I will be the first one to congratulate you. Hell, I will even pay for your damn wedding shall there ever be one. But all for the right person."

Maybe it was her age or the fact that she had been abused for so long, but a part of her wanted to start a fight. Just for the hell of it. But she knew better than that. Not only was Shawna a lot heavier and already a skilled fighter, but the security surrounding the desk would have caused more problems than necessary. So instead of jumping up, Lara once more grabbed her glass, toasting to her boss.

"To a boss that acts like a hen and a wedding that will be paid in many years. Cheers."

They smiled at each other for a long moment before returning to their celebration. Many more were going to follow this one, but none of them ever as big as the day she said her goodbye.

I came as a puppet. I left as the puppeteer.

T H E  L O N G  R O A D
New York City; New York

No one said married life was easy, right? If anyone would have seen Devon and Lara Rivera together they would have over thought that comment. They were somewhat a perfect couple. Supporting and loving. He had the power to calm her down or to lift her up. And even though she didn't say it often, without him she would have been lost. Everything was good in their little kingdom.

Till you fucked up.

It rested heavy on her mood that they hardly were talking. Only the needed phrases to keep the picture intact. At the bar. When being surrounded by people. At home they would spend hours in the same room without exchanging a word. And while Lara was fully aware why he was so angry, she didn't find the guts to say it out loud. Yeah. The same female that would battle guys twice her size and weight... was scared of a simple talk. Or better said of the result.

Deep in her heart she knew that Devon was the one and that maybe he would forgive her everything. But not that. Before signing with Unleashed she had promised him two things. Don't get killed. And don't keep things from me. Despite her good intentions, she had failed.

"Dinner will be ready in around ten minutes." She called from the kitchen, her thick accent breaking through.

Of course she was not expecting a real answer. So the mumbled 'K' was perfectly fine. He sat on the sofa with a fresh bottle of beer, watching some nonsense about fishing. She had made his favourite food, preparing the table nicely.  It was her way to make amends, even though Lara was fully aware that this wasn't how it worked. A few moments later she heard him turn off the television, his steps heavy when making it to their dining area.

"I made steak...and there is pie in the fridge."

His eyes only briefly looked over her, nodding. In all their time together she had never seen him like that. Frustrated. Angry. But on top of it all, upset. Dev took his usual spot and began to cut into the meat. Lara on the other hand sat in front of potatoes and vegetables. She didn't even bother to grill the second steak. Her appetite was barely existing the past weeks. What happened in Russia. The accident of Nadja Ivanov combined with Ethan vanishing. Combined with a husband that didn't go as far as looking at her anymore.

"Are we gonna talk about it?" She was surprised when the words had come out, looking at him.

"The food's good."

Devon's tone provoked her more than she had expected, underneath the wooden table her hands had been clenched into fists. Her face on the other hand was a perfect facade. She wasn't even blinking. Kicking the table so his drink almost toppled over, only to get his attention. When he looked at her from those hazel eyes, she was two things -- relieved and scared.

"You know exactly I wasn't talking about the food Devon. I talk about Russia... and what happened there." She paused a moment, seeing the surprised expression on his face. "I know you followed me."

"Yeah? Awesome. Saves half the useless chatter beating around the bush." He chewed another bite of meat, shrugging. "If you think I'm gonna apologize for stooping that low? No. I'm not."

She let out a sigh. This was a side of him she didn't know, neither was she very fond of it. But at least he talked to her.

"I don't expect a sorry, because you owe me none. I on the other hand owe you a lot more than that." She looked at him. "But let me ask you one thing, do you think I liked doing that? The actual deed or hiding shit from you?"

"I don't know, Lara. I couldn't even begin to wrap my head around what was going through your brain. Does it matter what you liked? I don't give a fuck what you do for a living. Thought I made that clear when I asked you to marry me. I didn't sign on to be some cuckolded patsy..." the anger was overwhelming, his eyes cool green as they bored into her.

"Become the champion again. Be whatever in the hell you wanna be. But don't lie to my face. Tell me you're going on ahead to Russia for some bullshit business like I can't see right through you." Devon's voice was cold. Strained on the verge of shouting.

"Are you really thinking that of me? That any of this matters shit to me? I was done with this fucking business. I was happy. With you. With our simple life." She was angry, but her voice didn't show it. "I married you because for the first time in forever I felt safe. So think of me as whatever, but I know myself I fucked up."

Lara got up slowly and without looking at him. Moving towards the sink.

"Ask yourself this, haven't I always told you everything? Why you think I haven't this time?"

"I saw you," Devon stared at his plate, at the blood around the piece of uneaten steak. "Skulking around...trying to look like someone else. How do you think that makes me feel?"

"Of course. Avoid my question. I can not apologise if you don't see the essential problem Devon." This time her voice was way softer. "I say again, why you think I haven't told you?"

"You're ashamed?" He was still staring at the congealing blood, feeling sick. "I don't know, Lara. I'm not you. Tell me." With one motion, he swept his plate to the floor and moved to his feet. A satisfied smile was on his face at the sound of breaking glass while he stalked towards her. "Just tell me."

"They threatened you. And I don't give a fuck if you tell me that you can handle it. Because the truth is, I can't even think about it without getting scared." She walked past him, kneeling down. Starting to pick up the broken glass.

"Makes two of us." Devon said after a long silence. "Scares the shit out of me to think about what might've happened. And I wasn't there - wasn't supposed to be there."

She didn't answer straight away, still working on the broke plate. The wasted food. It was hard to not just collapse there on the floor, rolling into a ball.

"I am sorry I didn't say anything. I just can't imagine anything happening to you." She whispered.

"Baby," Devon's hand rested on her shoulder. "Stop. Just look at me." He was crouched down next to her, holding out the little trash bin from under the sink for her to throw the glass into.

Lara looked at him with those big, blue eyes. The splinters still in her hands, as if she was unable to go. Not even noticing that that glass began to cut her open.

She opened her mouth again, but her voice sounded strange.

"I don't know what to do without you... hurting you was never my intention."

"What have you done?" His voice was a rough whisper and at first she wanted to explain how deep it went before she realised he was looking at the cuts on her hand, welling with blood.

"I didn't even... notice." She finally let the glass fall into the bin, looking at her hands. "They will never stop. And I don't know how to get out of this without forsaking the rest of my life."

"Our lives." He corrected, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm here."

It was hard to tell how long they sat in the middle of this mess, but Lara didn't care. The truth was that those were the most important words she had heard in the past weeks: being reassured that she wasn't in this alone. With Ethan gone and Nadja in a coma, she wasn't quite sure how long she was going to hold it together. The pressure was overwhelming and came from too many directions.

"I love you." She whispered while looking at her bloody hands.

"You should. I'm pretty damn lovable, my killer queen." He laughed, kissing her forehead. "Now that I think about it, couldn't you just do the same to Spiral? I mean that'd be the easiest solution to a lot of problems."

A small laughter escaped her while she soaked in his scent. And for the first time in weeks she allowed herself to let go of the tension, content with just being his girl.

Lady of Chambers