Chapter 27

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Colton's POV

I stared at my soon-to-be ex-girlfriend and ignored the pang in my heart at the word 'ex'. This was what was for the best, I tried telling myself but the look of pure devotion and authority on Racheal's face made that thought disappear. She looked like a woman on a mission and all I wanted to do was take her right there, right then which I knew wouldn't be appreciated. Stupid hormones!

I had gotten so damn excited when she agreed to get a room just a few minutes back and then was nervous when she suddenly stopped, I thought she was regretting her decision of getting intimate with me which was stupid because every girl wants to be intimate with me. But the look of panic and distress on her face made me go crazy with worry. And her next words about knowing the killer were definitely not calming me. That girl drove me crazy!

She had just suffered a trauma, I had no clue what memory she accessed when her eyes glazed over and her fists clenched but I knew it was about her father and this stupid drug racket.

It was killing me to not know, so I turned to face her once again. Her eyes were strained on the road in front, her hands intertwined in her lap and her lips set in a straight angry line.

I cleared my throat, grabbing her attention. "So Smith, care to tell me what this all about?"

She sucked a breath and I knew this going to be very hard for her. But I want to, I need to know what went in that wild brain of hers. She wasn't going to do something stupid not on my watch, I mentally swore to myself, and yet knowing her, she would persuade me too to do something stupid along with her.

She just had that effect on me and surprisingly I loved it.

"I reminisced the day my dad died." She started, "Mom and dad fought the day he left. Mom didn't want him to go, like always she was scared. But after a few calming words and passionate kisses from dad, she agreed. He then came up to my room, we talked, we shared a few jokes." Her lips turned upwards into a small smile, remembering her precious moments with her dad. I suddenly wished that I had some of them.

"But then-" she breathed out, "He said his last words to me. 'Hey kiddo, remember lollipops and lilies, remember it properly and don't do anything stupid okay?'"

I blinked, trying to keep my eyes on the road, instead of pulling her into my lap and showering kisses on her face. "Lollipops and what?"

"Lilies." She filled in.

I waited, patiently waiting for her to elaborate but after a few seconds and not another word from her. I twisted my lips with annoyance. What am I, Sherlock Holmes? "Lollipops and lilies, hmm? Let's see... oh... okay. No, nope still not making any sense."

She smiled a little, rolling her eyes and it felt good knowing I was the one who made her smile. "I saw a lollipop wrapper and remembered the words."

My mouth formed an 'O' as I realized what her point was. "They previously smuggled drugs in lollipops!" I exclaimed.

Racheal nodded, "Yes, but after my dad blew up that racket, so they had to shift from lollipops to soft toys."

"Lollipops? Seriously lollipops? I can't believe it." I muttered, I actually liked lollipops as a kid but drugs in that nice flavored round ball of sticky substance were hard to imagine.

"Exactly their point. No one would suspect it except my dad." Her voice turned low at the end.

Screw driving rules! I thought to myself and left a hand on the steering wheel while the other turned to hold hers. She didn't react for a while, her hand lay motionless in mine. Feeling extremely embarrassed and stupid, I started to remove it and just then she tightened her hand around mine, gripping it tightly, silently thanking me. I returned the gesture by rubbing my thumb on the back of her palm.

It took a few minutes to reach the cemetery and I could see the effect it was having on Racheal, her breathing was uneven and heavy, her hand tightening around mine, the other one tapping on her knees. She was nervous and rightfully so. We were in a cemetery where her father was buried four years ago.

I left her hand to get out of the car. "When was the last time you came here?"

She got out, her legs wobbly, she leaned on the car for support. I felt worry wrap me. "Racheal? You okay?"

She nodded slowly, took a deep breath, and straightened up. "Yep, just – I haven't come here in over half a year. Came here on dad's anniversary and mom was already here, weeping silently while hugging dad's favorite t-shirt. I didn't want to interrupt so I turned and left, couldn't find the courage to come here again."

I tried to smile and crossed the distance between us in two big strides, pulling her into a hug. She stiffened but soon let go and hugged me back fiercely. We stood there, embracing each other for more than a while. I rubbed my hands soothingly over her back and hair, her fingers curled into my V-neck and face pressed into my chest. I could feel her tears wetting my t-shirt but I couldn't give a damn about that. I had like ten more anyways.

After a few moments, I asked. "Lilies? What does that mean?"

She backed up a little and I instantly missed the warmth, I scowled to myself. Who the hell was I? A fairy tale princess to act so cheesy?

"My dad's coffin has lilies engraved on it." she answered quietly, looking downwards.

I blinked, trying to register her words. And when I did, I backed off completely, staring at her in shock. "Whoa! What the hell?"

She continued looking down.

I groaned and waved my hand through my messy hair in frustration. "Racheal! We can't dig up your father's coffin!"

Her lips pressed together and I could feel the annoyance and anger sweeping of her. "Yes, we can Colton."

I shook my head, trying to put some sense into her. "It is illegal and how can we, with all the guards here?"

She snorted, rolling her eyes. "Oh please, this isn't White House. There is only one guard and we can simply bribe him or tell him a lie, like he's needed at his house or his grandmother died, or something."

"No, we can't do that but we can tell your mother and she can handle it legally."

Racheal's eyes glistened with so much rage that even I flinched back. She stepped towards me, poking her forefinger into my chest, where her face was just minutes before. "Look here, Colton Hastings. This is just a hunch, I don't even know if it's true. And my mother had already gone through a lot, if this turns out to be a false lead she will be crushed. We weren't even allowed to see his body, if she sees the broken and fried bones, she won't stop crying for months and I cannot, I will not do this to her. So I'm going go inside, lie to the guard, take a shovel and dig up my father's grave, trying to find a clue and solve his murder. If you want you can join me or leave me alone until 2085." saying this she walked around me, into the cemetery.

I stood there frozen, did she just give me an ultimatum? No one's given me an ultimatum other than my mom. Hell, no one's scolded me the way she did just now. Why was this turning me on?

But this was crazy and so wrong! I turned and saw her stepping into the guard's cabin. Without another thought, I started walking towards her.

She was trouble and I was always attracted towards trouble.

As I neared the cabin, I heard some sniffling and crying. Jumping to the worst conclusion, I barged in with a furious face, only to see that it wasn't Racheal who was sniffling and crying, it was the male guard.

I gave her a WTF look and she shrugged, "I told him the truth."

I choked on my saliva. "The what?"

"Isn't honesty the best policy? So I told him that my dad was murdered and I'm here to solve his murder."

I raised an unbelievable eyebrow. "You are impossible and he's going to help us? And why the hell is he crying?"

The guard, who hadn't spoken a word, wiped his face and gave me a stink eye. He was young, probably 26 with a good built. "Of course I'm going to help. Aston's murderers need to be brought to justice and if I can help in that, it will be an honor. A nicely hidden clue will lead us to another clue and then another, until we find the murderers and make them pay for their sins. But they won't give up that easily, they shall fight and so shall we. Fight for the lives we lost and bring their families to justice. The last proof we shall find will be enough for them to surrender and beg for forgiveness. Thus we shall win and they shall suffer a horrible terrible death."

No one spoke for a minute, I was too stunned and Racheal seemed to share my emotion, the guard on the other was taking much-needed breaths after his all in one breath speech.

He finally grinned and clapped his hands joyfully. "I am Mike, Magic Mike." He chuckled softly. "Let's get started with this, shall we? We have some digging and finding to it. Chop chop." He turned grabbed three shovels and shoved two of them towards us, striding out with the third one.

After a few seconds, I turned to Racheal. "What the hell just happened?"

She returned my gaze, equally confused. "I think we awoke a revenge-taking demon."

"Hey, you guys? Coming or not? Or are you two going to stand there like idiots all day while I do the actual work?" Mike shouted, making us jump and run outside.

"Coming." Racheal shouted back, walking in the direction of the sound. She turned to me and previous nervousness settled back in her eyes. "Let's do this and hope we find something or my mom will bury me in the same hole, alive."

I smiled reassuringly. "I am sure we'll find something."

"So this is the grave." Mike said, pointing at the gravestone. It was gray with a few lily flower designs on it. I raised an eyebrow at Racheal.

She was staring at the gravestone with hidden emotions but I could see how badly this was affecting her. "He loved lilies." She whispered.

I slowly nodded, reading the craving on the gravestone 'Ashton Smith. A loving son, husband, and father. Died saving lives. 26th March, 1974 – 14th September, 2012.'

"Let's get started." She said in a low choked voice and because I didn't want her to feel weak about being emotional so I let her shovel touch the dirt first.

After a few moments, she looked tired and I was heaving too. Who knew shoveling could be so tough? They showed it too easy in the movies. Suddenly 'Sex you' by Bando Jonez started blaring in the silence and we all jumped.

Mike gave sheepish smile, taking out his phone from the pocket and picking up the call. "Hey, Ken!" He greeted merrily. Showed us his forefinger in the sign 'one minute' and walked away.

I stared at his retreating back with incredulity. "Mike? Ken? Sex you? You gotta be kidding me!"

Racheal chuckled. "Shut up! It is funny though."

I wrinkled my nose in disgust. "Funny? More like creepy."

She rolled her eyes. "Please the whole cast of Magic Mike XXL is effing hot."

I frowned at her, not liking the way her voice turned dizzy at the end. "Yeah yeah sure." I muttered, digging forcefully into the mud.

There was a slight pause until Racheal giggled, and although I liked, no loved that sound I rolled my eyes and turned to her. "What?"

"You're jealous." She stated, pressing her lips to fight the huge grin.

I blew a breath. "Bleh."

She blinked, surprised at my response and lack of argument towards that statement. "You are?" She asked with disbelief.

I stared at her with wonder. "Of course I am Racheal, you are my girlfriend. Why on earth wouldn't I be jealous?"

She opened her mouth and then closed it again before opening it again but not a word came out. She finally shook her head, grabbed the shovel tightly, and pulled out some more dirt, completely ignoring my question.

I smirked cheekily. Take that Smith! How does it feel to be speechless now?

Suddenly I realized something and without consent, my mouth blurted it out. "You know the roles are usually reversed in stories."

She blinked in confusion. "Meaning?"

I bit my lips, there goes my male ego. "Well in books, it's usually the male character who has problems and solves clues and has backstories. He's the one who is the main protagonist and the female is usually weak."

I heard her clear her throat and then her amused voice. "Are you calling yourself weak?"

I glared at her. "Shut up."

She surprisingly did but only after laughing at me.

We were almost halfway through and Mike still had made no appearance. Not that I cared about him, I could see he took fascination towards Racheal and how he quickly jumped at the chance to help her. Bloody Uncle!

"So what's the story with your dad?"

I froze, the shovel slipping from my hand and landing in the created hole.

"I am so sorry!" Racheal quickly said, fidgeting with her hands and a guilty expression on her face.

I sighed, "It’s okay. You have told me so much it's only fair that I tell you too."

She quickly shook her head, still shocked at my response to her question. "No no, I can see how much it affects you. It's fine, really."

I went over to her and pressed my finger to her soft lips, making her freeze this time. "I want to." I said, looking straight into her eyes so that she could see I was telling the truth.

She nodded softly. Not being able to control myself I quickly bent and captured her lips in a small but passionate kiss. She seemed dazed after it, unconsciously licking her lips.

I grinned proudly, happy seeing how I could intensify emotions in her. Jumping down I bought out my shovel, starting to tell her a story only Drew knew.

"My dad isn't my actual dad."

Her eyes widened in shock but she quickly masked it. "Well that's one way to start."

I couldn't help but smile, even in such situations only she could make me smile. Did I want this to end? Back to being strangers or worst yet just friends? I was starting to need her and not be cheesy but she did brighten up my life.

Shaking those thoughts away, I continued. "My father, he um had some problem, he couldn't give mom a child so they decided to go to a sperm bank as they had always wanted a child. They didn't want to know the donor, they just wanted to know about him but not see him, especially my dad. I guess looking at the man who would give him his child would majorly bruise his ego so they both didn't.

After nine months I was conceived and it was all good, hell, my dad was actually decent and loved me until he started noticing a few similarities. Once I reached the age of seven, the similarities were noticeable. The sperm donor was his best friend, Linus."

I heard Racheal gasp but ignored it.

"Even Linus didn't know anything he just wanted to help out a family but my father created a scene and they had a huge fight that eventually resulted in a breakup, never to talk to each other again. But after that my dad couldn't see me without thinking of his best friend so he started shutting me out, removing his anger on me, when mom tried to protect me, defend me he would scream at her too. Eventually, he stopped screaming that much, mom stopped arguing to hold up the 'perfect couple' image and I ignored him as best as I could."

I didn't glance at Racheal, honestly, I didn't even know how she would react. Scared? Terrified? Annoyed? Surprised? Nonchalant?

"You are a great guy Colton."

Her words were like water to my thirst. I didn't know for how long but I needed to hear those words, someone appreciating me. I had no low self-esteem, like please, I am Colton freaking Hastings, the dream guy of every girl and idol of guys. But hearing a genuine compliment from a person who actually mattered was different, felt different and I hadn't had that feeling in a long time.

Clearing my throat and focusing on the sand to hide my blush I quickly muttered a 'thanks'.

I could practically feel the smugness vibrating of her. "Aww is Colton Hastings blushing?"

I rolled my eyes. "Please Racheal Smith, I don't blush and shit."

She bit her lip from laughing out loud. "You don't shit? Ew."

I glared at her. "Just dig."

She smirked but obliged. "Just keep digging, just keep digging."

I didn't bother to hold back the small smile of happiness on my face. Here I was, digging up a grave of my fake girlfriend's murdered father and she still seemed to make me smile. I was so whipped, it sucked.

After two minutes, my shovel hit something wooden and we froze. She gulped and I looked at her. "Are you sure? We can still call someone."

She shook her head. "No, let's do this."

I nodded and soon the plain wooden coffin was there in front of us. There were three lilies engraved on top, the spaces between them filled with sand. It looked old and sullen as if it didn't want the sand to get off it.

She blinked and I knew there were tears underneath her eyes. Anyone would cry if they saw their father's coffin after four years again.

"Where's Mike?" She choked out.

I immediately went over to her and put a hand over her shoulder, pulling her closer. "I don't know, do you want to wait for him?"

She pressed her face on my shoulder. "No, but I am scared to open it."

I looked down. It was locked. "We'll have to break the lock."

She took a few deep breaths. "You break the lock and then we'll both open it, okay?"

I smiled, kissing her forehead with affection. "Okay."

I grabbed a shovel and swung it against the lock it broke off almost instantly. Stupid old locks, but thank god, I didn't want to embarrass myself by swinging the shovel again and again.

We both stared at the broken lock, then at each other. "Let's do this." She whispered.

"Let's do this." I enunciated.

We both bend down and grabbed the handle. "One, two..." Racheal counted.

"...And open."

As soon as the coffin open, we fell back, gasped, and blinked again and again and again, not believing the sight in front of us.

I finally found my voice, shaken and broken. "W-why is the coffin empty?"

Racheal shook her head with disbelief. "Where the hell is my father's body!?"

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