Do it Jules

SUCRE

"Now what?"

Is this some kind of joke? I had been dragged here by cartel members - shoved, humiliated only to be asked this?

What the fuck?

“I… I don’t understand, sir,” I said, forcing the words out as I slowly lifted my head. The glow from the phone’s screen shone brightly on my face still displaying those two words: Now what?

Otto narrowed his eyes. “What do you think I meant?” His voice was sharp, too sharp, it made me shiver.

My heart pounded violently. My mouth ran dry. I tried to hold myself together but then…

laughter.

The other cartel members burst into laughter, slapping each other’s backs like it was some grand joke.

Otto leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Now what do we do about the operations tomorrow?” His tone was calm, but there was something uncertain beneath it. “We need the algorithm ready.”

I exhaled sharply. A wave of relief cruised through me.

Thank God he hadn’t suspected anything. I felt at ease - until he moved.

In one swift motion, he pushed up from his chair and walked towards me with an unsettling pace. My pulse spiked. Every muscle in my body screamed for me to run, but I couldn’t. I was trapped.

He placed a hand on my chest, fingers tracing my shirt as if feeling for my heartbeat. He circled me. His breath brushing against my neck.

“Pretty boy…” His voice was soft, almost a whisper. But the weight in it made my blood run cold. “Is there something I need to know? Something you’re not telling me?”

The air thickened. My eyes turned to the revolver resting on the table beside him.

I dared not lie.

Just as I was about to answer, the door creaked open.

Luca.

He stepped inside, his face pale, his shoulders stiff. He had just returned from the hospital.

At once, Otto went to him, and placed his hand on his shoulder. “How is he?” he asked, his voice filled with urgency.

Luca stood there, silent. Too silent. The pause stretched long enough to feel unnatural, like he was forcing himself to choose his words carefully. Finally, he exhaled sharply and spoke.

“He’s… doing fine,” he said, but his voice lacked conviction. “Still in a coma at St. Darren’s. The doctor said he’ll be able to tell us who stabbed him tomorrow when he wakes up.”

Otto’s expression changed. His hand fell off Luca’s shoulder. His fingers clenched at his sides, he swallowed hard.

“Okay, that’s… that’s fantastic news,” he stammered, but his tone was off, he sounded so surprised. Confused even.

Then, without another word, he turned and strode down the corridor. A moment later, the door to his room slammed shut with a force that made the walls tremble.

I stood frozen. The sound of Luca’s twin surviving should have been a relief. It should have made Otto feel better. But it didn’t.

Instead, it shook him.

Why?

Had he…

No.

I dare not think about that. But did he have a hand in it?

My pulse pounded in my ears.

He had stepped out of the room just moments ago, but the effects of his reaction lingered. Before I could process it further, Luca moved closer, his breath unsteady, his expression desperate and urgent. He was about to whisper something. Something I could tell would change everything.

But just as he was about to speak, his phone vibrated violently in his pocket.

Luca hesitated. Then, with trembling fingers, he pulled it out. It’s light shone brightly on our faces. It was a message from Otto.

Just four words.

"Do it, Jules."

I was confused. A chill clawed up my spine. I met Luca’s wide-eyed stare, he seemed terrified.

Wait.

What did Otto mean? Who was Jules?

Luca’s face twisted in horror. His breath stopped. His eyes darted toward me, filled with a sudden, sickening realization.

“No. No. No. Oh God, no!” His voice cracked as he grabbed my arm. “We have to go. Now.”

“What’s going on?” My chest tightened, my pulse throbbing beneath my skin.

Luca turned to me, his expression raw, his voice barely a whisper.

“Jules is the doctor attending to my brother.”