A Corrupted Christmas Pt. 2

Case File Name:

A Red Christmas.

❆Chapter Seventy-One❆

It was deadly silent for a long moment between me and the twins.

Especially as we listened to the footsteps grow closer to us, hearing the gravel under Tazmin's feet.

Until Mav suddenly said—

"Taz, what's good?"

Which was probably the worst fucking thing he could've said at this moment.

"Why did you call in a clean-up?" I heard her familiar voice coat the quiet air, "I didn't have you on this tonight."

They called this in with everyone?

No wonder Tazmin is fucking here right now.

"Just a minor slip-up," Vic suddenly spoke, still standing tall in front of me with Mav.

And luckily it was almost pitch fucking black out here or Tazmin would catch at least a small glimpse of me.

"Why are we at Adriana's restaurant?" Tazmin suddenly asked and I could hear her footsteps in the gravel, now walking towards the restaurant.

But when the twins stayed stuck in place in front of me—her footsteps halted for a minute.

And with the silence following it, I knew she was now analyzing every inch of the twins.

At some point, the drawn-out silence nearly grew unbearable as I tried to control my breathing.

"Move," I heard Tazmin suddenly say, her footsteps now nearing the twins standing in front of me.

Who didn't move an inch.

Yet my heart still pounded out of my chest, especially with how close she now was.

"I'm not repeating myself," Tazmin said, her voice as close as ever.

But the twins only stood their ground, remaining entirely still against Tazmin's demands.

Until I could suddenly hear a click—which I quickly realized was the safety of a gun.

She's holding a gun to them right now.

And at this point, I knew it wasn't worth another person losing their life.

So before I could think it through, I slid out from around them.

And as soon as Tazmin's dark eyes locked with mine—she immediately lowered her gun, noticeably confused as she took in my presence.

"What happened?" Tazmin asked, instinctively taking a step closer to me.

And as soon as I unconsciously flinched away from her sudden movements—Tazmin glanced over to the twins.

"Tell me what the fuck happened," she said, tucking her gun back into her waistband.

"I..." I suddenly trailed off before the twins could speak, which immediately shifted Tazmin's attention back to me, "I killed Adriana," I whispered, feeling my eyes burn with tears.

And as Tazmin visibly processed the news, Vic took a step forward.

"It was self-defense—Adriana threatened her to come out here," Vic said, and I could feel my hands begin to tremble.

Especially when the burning tears escaped my eyes.

"I'm really sorry," I forced out, drawing in deeper breaths to self-soothe myself.

And almost immediately, Tazmin's face softened, "There's nothing to be sorry for," she said, taking another step toward me.

But just as Tazmin reached her arms out for me, she suddenly glanced down—and immediately reached for my shirt, which felt damp with what I already knew was blood.

"This is Adriana's blood right?" Tazmin asked, analyzing the waistband of my jeans now soaked in blood.

I nodded before I could think it through, but as soon as her eyes met mine—I began shaking my head, crying even harder when her face visibly fell.

"You two handle the body," Tazmin said, immediately leaning down to scoop me up into her arms bridal style.

Which immediately earned a grunt from me as I remained completely still, battling the pain burning down my body.

"There's that safe house nearby—stay there until we give you the green light that your alibis are set," Vic said, walking beside Tazmin as she carried me to her car.

"And there should be a kit to stitch her up," Mav said as they followed behind me.

I felt my eyes widen, "Stitch me up? But what about a hospital—"

"We can't have this on record baby," Tazmin gently cut me short as Vic opened the passenger door for her.

And suddenly my fuzzy brain realized I couldn’t be seen at a hospital or anywhere public for that matter.

At least not tonight.

I winced as soon as she slowly lowered me into the leather seat, adjusting to my seated position as Tazmin carefully buckled me in.

And once I was successfully buckled in, Tazmin gently grabbed my phone from my pocket and closed the door—mumbling a few things to the twins as she handed my phone to them.

What she was saying, I wouldn't begin to know.

Especially with my heavy eyes unconsciously falling closed—feeling so unexplainably at peace now that I was in her familiar car.

"I need you to stay awake Milena," I heard Tazmin say as she slid into the car beside me, which she immediately started up and put in drive.

"Yeah, I know," I forced out, scrunching my eyes together before forcing them back open, "I'm just really tired."

Tazmin slid her hand across my leg that she gave a gentle squeeze, "You'll have plenty of time to sleep once we get there," she assured me as she began driving down the gravel road, "Can you keep pressure on your wound for me?"

I nodded a few times with a wavered sigh, pressing my hand to the damp t-shirt covering my open wound.

And the sudden pressure alone made me wince, especially with how tender it felt.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" Tazmin asked as she turned onto the main road.

I unconsciously grew stiff in my seat, wondering if Adriana lied about sending Tazmin the letter after the fact.

She'd be mad at me if she had received it right?

Or maybe she can't be because of my current state?

"Mil that was my way of getting you to talk to me," Tazmin suddenly said, giving my leg another gentle squeeze, "Tell me a story or something."

I nodded a few times, unconsciously letting out a relieved sigh as I processed what her previous words truly meant.

She just wants me to talk about something.

"Okay..." I trailed off, trying to think of something to say right now.

But the truth is her presence made me feel slightly on edge—especially considering what had previously happened.

She loves me...

And I love her?

She apologized to my entire family and she got so many roses and hand-wrote notes and...

I was so fucking mean to her.

And I kissed her sister.

"Tazmin," I forced out, shaking my head when tears burned in my eyes, "I really am sorry."

Tazmin briefly glanced over to me, "Mil, there's seriously nothing to be sorry for. We'll handle the Adriana situat—"

"Not for that," I cut her short in a broken whisper, allowing my eyes to trace her perfect side profile.

Tazmin ran her hand further up my leg, settling it at my upper thigh, "Tell me what's going on baby," she murmured, gently caressing her thumb against my covered thigh.

I shook my head, "I was so fucking mean to you," I forced out as more tears blurred my vision of the road that passed so quickly past us.

Tazmin was nearly hitting eighty miles per hour at this point.

"You know you aren't dying right?" Tazmin said, continuing her soft caresses against my thigh, "Because this sounds like an on-the-verge-of-death talk."

I shook my head at her light tone, "I'm serious Tazmin," I sighed, applying more pressure to my wound.

"And I'm serious too, Milena," Tazmin said as she sped up more, "You had every right to be upset in the moment—I killed your parents."

I nodded a few times, but when my tears grew uncontrollable, I unconsciously shook my head as I drew in deep breaths to calm myself down.

But genuinely all I can do is cry right now.

I feel so hurt.

Not even just physically but mentally too.

"Mil," Tazmin whispered, clearly bothered by the state I'm in, "I shouldn't have brought it up," she determined.

But I only shook my head, "No it's..." I trailed off as I unconsciously hiccuped, "It's fine, I'm just..." I trailed off yet again when more tears burned in my eyes.

Which made Tazmin draw in a visible breath, almost physically affected by how upset I was.

"I'm supposed to hate you," I nearly cried out, feeling so unbelievably disappointed in myself.

And that's when it clicked.

I'm not mad or even upset at Tazmin—I never truly was.

In the moment, I tried to play it off as anger or hate, but it wasn't even close.

And subconsciously, I think I began resenting myself for it.

I resent myself for not hating the person whose hands were covered in my parent's blood.

And I took that out on Tazmin.

"I hate myself so much," I breathed out as my body began anxiously trembling.

"Don't say that, Milena," Tazmin said, her voice much firmer with me now, "Not about the person I love—I'm not allowing it."

I let out a broken sigh, "I don't deserve you and I know I don't deserve you—"

"Milena," Tazmin gently cut me short, drawing in another deep breath as if my words targeted at myself affected her too, "You deserve the world okay?" she whispered, briefly glancing over to me before she said—

"I just think you don't know how to let someone give it to you."

I remained silent for a moment as I truly processed her words—which felt so on point.

I mean, how do I let someone do that for me?

I've always been used to doing it myself, and the idea of giving someone else that control feels weirdly intimidating.

Because what if they decide to leave?

Or they randomly die?

Or something else fucking happens?

Then what do I do?

"I just don't want to mourn again," I whispered before I could actually think it through, "And with your lifestyle, you could be gone—"

"I'm not going anywhere," Tazmin immediately assured me.

But I could only shake my head, "You can't promise that," I said, drawing in another breath when more fucking tears gathered in my eyes, "And I hate that you can't promise that Tazmin."

The air between us remained silent for a long moment.

Until Tazmin suddenly sighed, "I didn't realize you felt that way," she determined, slowing down as she flicked on her signal.

"Because I don't talk to you," I whispered as she turned onto a different backroad, "And I know it's fucking annoying—"

"Nothing about you is annoying," Tazmin quickly cut me short as she sped the car up again, "It's just something to work on, and I had you in therapy for it. I tried to help you as best as I could Milena."

I remained silent for a moment, feeling my head pounding so hard that it felt like it was actually about to cave in.

"About therapy," I forced out as I squeezed my eyes shut.

"I already know you stopped going," Tazmin said before I could even begin to tell her, "It was pretty evident when there wasn't a bill to pay anymore."

I forced a hum, "Right," I whispered, pursing my lips tightly together as I tried to fight the ache in my head away.

"Milena," Tazmin said, gently shaking my leg, "Only a few more minutes," she told me, briefly glancing over to eye my face.

I nodded before I could think it through, "A few minutes," I mumbled under my breath.

"Tell me exactly what you're feeling," Tazmin said as she sped up even more, passing one of the cars on the street without hesitation.

"Well, for starters my head feels like it's been hit with a bag of bricks—and then ran over by a Mack truck," I forced out sarcastically through wavered breaths.

And when Tazmin smiled slightly, a part of me felt satisfied.

Especially given how dark of a time this felt.

And I made her smile at the very least.

"I missed you," Tazmin whispered, giving my thigh a gentle squeeze.

I forced a hum as I desperately tried to focus on the blurry road ahead, "I missed you too," I whispered back, scrunching my eyes shut when my vision grew blurry with stars, "I don't think I can stay awake any longer," I admitted.

"We're only a few streets away baby just try to for me," Tazmin said as she sped up even more than before, nearly hitting one hundred on the dash.

And it felt like an eternity of trying to fight my heavy eyes and fading vision—combined with Tazmin's voice echoing around me.

But as soon as the car came to a smooth halt, I knew I had done it.

I stayed awake.

Even if I couldn't possibly get another word out.

"Milena don't," Tazmin said as soon as I unbuckled my seatbelt, "I'll get you, just stay still."

I forced a heavy nod as I relaxed back in the seat—briefly closing my eyes for only a short moment.

Which was apparently longer than I thought, considering Tazmin was at my side by the time my eyes shot back open.

I grunted as soon as she gently slid her arms under me and lifted me into them.

And I didn't even hesitate to lean into her entirely as she closed the car door and began walking toward the white modern house.

Which had the new house smell still lingering throughout the inside of it.

All I recall were the light wood floors, the dimmed lights, and the modern kitchen that Tazmin immediately headed towards—laying me down on the cold marble counter.

And suddenly Tazmin sprung into action.

I could barely even keep up with her quick actions as I basked in the coldness of the counter against my hot skin.

"Tazmin," I forced out as I watched her carefully sanitize the metal tools.

She hummed, setting the last tool down, "What is it baby?" she asked as she gently reached for my shirt.

"I'm..." I trailed off, purposely glancing away from my open wound before I could see how bad it was, "I'm scared," I forced out, feeling tears burn in my eyes as I remained still for her.

"I'm going to be right here the entire time," Tazmin reassured me as she ripped open one of the sanitizing wipes, "I've done this more times than I can count."

I let out a wavered sigh, "Really?" I whispered.

"Yes baby," Tazmin said as she gently ran her hands covered in the latex gloves up my bare stomach, "You're going to be okay—I'll make sure of it."

I nodded a few times, watching as she reached for a wooden stick.

"Bite down on this for me," Tazmin whispered, her dark eyes never wavering away from my lips that I slowly parted.

And as soon as I held the flat wooden popsicle stick between my teeth, Tazmin grabbed one of the alcohol wipes.

I grunted as soon as the coldness of the wipe met my tender skin.

Until the burning set in—and forced tears to grow in my eyes.

"I'm right here Milena," Tazmin reminded me as she carefully wiped my skin, properly sanitizing my wound.

And as soon as she pulled the wipe away and grabbed the metal tools—I could feel anxious knots tie in my stomach.

Until a scream suddenly burned in the back of my throat, feeling the pinch of the needle she stuck in the skin lining my open wound.

And every time she made another stitch, I would scream through the pain of it—crying almost uncontrollably as I prayed for it all to be over.

All I could hear was Tazmin's voice, which echoed around me—assuring me she was right there with me, which seemed to keep me somewhat grounded.

But this had to be the worst pain I had ever experienced.

I nearly screamed until my vocal cords were rubbed raw—unable to force even a small scream if I tried.

Eventually, I could only cry through the pain of it as I forced myself to remain still.

Until finally, Tazmin pulled away from me and grabbed the small metal scissors.

I immediately squeezed my eyes shut as she cut the ends of the stitches that were already knotted in place—feeling so fucking thankful now that it was all over.

Especially when I could take that wooden popsicle stick out of my mouth.

"How do you feel baby?" Tazmin asked as she opened another sanitizing wipe.

"Better," I breathed out, my voice raspy and weak as she cleaned my now stitched-up wound.

"Good," Tazmin whispered as she leaned down to press a soft kiss to my stomach, kissing the skin above the stitches she had just done.

I let out a deep relieved sigh as I relaxed against the counter.

"I just need to get you rinsed off before you go to bed," Tazmin determined as she gently reached for the hem of my shirt.

And as soon as she went to pull it over my head, I lifted my heavy arms up.

"You can't take a bath with these stitches," Tazmin said as she sat my shirt over with the pile of everything used to stitch me up, "Do you think you can stand in the shower?"

I nodded before I could even think it through, not bothering to force out a response as she helped me lay up from the counter.

Until she carefully slid her arms underneath me and picked me up yet again, walking us both past the light marble counter smeared with my blood.

I glanced ahead as she walked us past a dimmed bedroom and into the bathroom where she slowly sat me down on the closed toilet.

"I'm taking a shower with you," Tazmin said as she went to turn on the shower.

I nodded once as I unbuttoned my jeans, feeling so unbelievably heavy.

Like I don't think I've felt this tired in my entire life.

"I got it," Tazmin said as she walked back over to me, carefully helping me stand so she could take my jeans off for me.

Which she had down in a matter of seconds with my underwear that she helped me step out of.

Seconds later Tazmin unhooked my bra and took it off, now reaching for the hem of her black t-shirt and immediately tugging it over her head.

And once she had her sweatpants and underwear down, she was officially naked in front of me.

But I couldn't even glance down and admire her beautiful body right now without feeling dizzy, so I just decided to focus on the main objective at hand.

Which I didn't necessarily have to focus on considering Tazmin washed every inch of my skin for me.

And as soon as the blood was off of me and down the shower drain, I somehow felt just a little bit better.

Especially after Tazmin massaged an unscented shampoo and conditioner into my hair.

Somehow with each step that she did for me, she managed to do for herself—getting us both out of the shower in under twenty minutes.

And even then she still made sure we were both moisturized, also adding a layer of Aquaphor to my stitches before applying a bandage over them.

Which immediately soothed my cleaned wound even more.

Eventually, I was lazily brushing my teeth as I leaned over the sink—waiting for Tazmin to find us clothes to wear.

And given that this was her safe house, all she could find for me were a select few options.

One of her t-shirts or sweatshirts—or a white button-down shirt.

Which she decided on for me since it would be easier to check my wound.

She had numerous packs of brand new things, not just different kinds of underwear but even boxer briefs, which I assumed could possibly be for the twins if they stayed here.

Soon I was finally comfortable in nothing but an oversized white button-down and a pair of cotton underwear.

Tazmin ended up wearing a black Chrome Hearts sweatshirt and black sweatpants with her damp blonde hair down like mine.

"Those are really big," I said as Tazmin held the pills out to me.

"They're painkillers," Tazmin said, bringing the glass of water to my lips as she sat beside me in the large bed I was currently laying in.

I reluctantly parted my lips, allowing her to give me some water before she slid one of the large pills past my lips.

Which felt so fucking uncomfortable taking, but luckily it would help me feel somewhat better.

"You're so strong baby," Tazmin whispered as she pulled the covers up over me.

I hummed as soon as she leaned down to press a soft kiss to my forehead, "Will you stay with me?" I asked as I stared up into her dark eyes.

"Of course, I will," Tazmin said as she gently pulled the covers back.

And as soon as she was laying in the bed beside me, I felt even more soothed—especially when she dimmed the lights even more.

I unconsciously ran my arms around her waist and nuzzled into her chest, which immediately made Tazmin stiffen for a moment.

Until she slowly relaxed under me, running her arms around my upper waist as she hugged herself to my body.

"Merry Christmas, Mil," she whispered in my ear.

I let out a content sigh, "Merry Christmas," I whispered back as I nuzzled in even closer to her.

Which easily made the warmth around me grow as I relaxed further into her arms.

And just like that, I fell into the deepest sleep of my life.

❆

"Milena."

I furrowed my brows, nuzzling deeper into the soft pillow.

"Mil baby."

A lazy hum vibrated in my throat as I tried to fall back into my deep sleep that had been interrupted.

But as soon as I felt her soft touch caress my cheek, I naturally blinked my eyes open.

And met Tazmin's dark eyes which held a look of concern as she stared down at me.

Meanwhile, I was wondering how she got the plate of soup and grilled cheese in her hand.

When did she cook?

I don't even recall her leaving the bed.

"How do you feel?" Tazmin asked as she sat the plate down on the nightstand.

I felt my brows unconsciously furrow, "Good?" I whispered as I glanced around the dim room.

But with the black-out blinds closed completely, I couldn't tell how early it was.

"What time is it?" I asked as Tazmin gently tucked my dark hair out of my face.

"It's a little past four," Tazmin said.

I raised a brow, "Four in the morning?" I clarified, already knowing why I felt so tired.

"No baby, it's the evening now," Tazmin quickly corrected me, which made my brows immediately shoot up, "The painkillers had you going in and out of sleep all day."

I blinked a few times as I processed how long I had actually slept.

Fifteen hours had to be a record in my book.

"Well, I don't feel in as much pain," I admitted honestly, knowing my side didn't hurt nearly as bad.

Tazmin hummed in approval, "That's good baby," she said, as she gently lifted the covers, "I didn't want to wake you but you need to drink some water and get something on your stomach," she said as she unbuttoned a few of the buttons to the shirt I wore.

But only to eye the bandage over my stitches.

"I also want to change this before you go back to sleep," Tazmin determined, lowering my shirt back down over my stomach.

"Sounds good to me," I said, eyeing the plate she suddenly grabbed for me.

And the food looked beyond heavenly.

Especially the grilled cheese.

The sourdough bread had grill marks and the cheese looked so melty.

Even the tomato soup looked creamy and seasoned.

"I'm really hungry," I said, suddenly aware of my insane appetite.

"I made extra if you want more," Tazmin said as she grabbed the spoon.

I smiled slightly, "Are you really about to feed me?" I asked in amusement.

Tazmin's lips twitched up slightly, "You fed me before," she pointed out as she scooped some of the soup into the spoon, "Except it was McDonald's and it was the night of your birthday event."

I furrowed my brows, not recalling the drunk memory she was referring to, "I did?" I asked as I parted my lips for her.

Tazmin chuckled slightly as if she were actually reliving it all, "Yeah, Mil, you did," she said as I picked up one of the grilled cheese halves.

And as she scooped up another bite for me, I dipped my grilled cheese in the soup before taking a bite of it.

"Good?" Tazmin asked as I chewed a few times.

I immediately nodded, "So good," I confirmed as I swallowed my bite, parting my lips when she held the spoon to my lips.

And that's how we sat for a little over twenty minutes—discussing random topics as she fed me the soup while I ate the grilled cheese.

I also had another serving of food—and also three glasses of water.

Which Tazmin made me drink.

"It might be another day or two until we get the green light to leave," Tazmin told me as she walked into the bedroom with another glass of water.

I nodded silently, suddenly thinking back to what happened last night.

Which almost didn't feel real.

But I...

I killed someone with my own bare hands.

"Vic had Marie told your sister you would be coming over for a delayed Christmas," Tazmin explained as she slid under the covers beside me.

I nodded yet again, feeling tears burn in my eyes at even the idea of my sister or Zane.

But when I saw Nadia's small face, I suddenly felt so fucking guilty for the things I had done last night.

"Mil," Tazmin whispered, noticing my suddenly upset state.

I shook my head, "I'm fine," I whispered, quickly wiping my tears away.

Tazmin sighed, "Or you're not fine and that would be okay too," she told me, laying down in the bed beside me.

And almost immediately my arms were around her, wrapping them around her body for support as more tears burned in my eyes.

"I'm not fine," I forced out as Tazmin instinctively ran her hand up and down my back.

"I know baby," she whispered.

I held onto her tighter, "And I just..." I suddenly trailed off as I pulled away from her chest to meet her dark eyes.

And as soon as a deep silence trickled in around us, I felt my heart pound so harshly in my chest.

Because I want to say one thing to her.

Three words that I suddenly want to say over and over again.

"I love you," I finally whispered, never once glancing away from her dark eyes.

And the three words noticeably caught Tazmin off guard.

It also made more tears gather in my eyes?

"I just ruined the moment by crying—I really don't want to cry anymore," I forced out as I quickly wiped my tears away.

But Tazmin beat me to it—now wiping my tears for me.

"I love you too, Mil," she whispered, staring down into my eyes so precisely as she grazed her thumb against my cheek to wipe my last tear, "You could never ruin any moment."

I let out a deep sigh as I briefly closed my eyes for a moment, "But I'm crying and it's the first time I said—"

"Technically you already said it, I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable," Tazmin gently cut me short as she continued to caress her thumb against my cheek, "It was the other night when you were out with my sister," she explained to me.

I blinked a few times as I recalled that night, suddenly feeling another form of guilt eat away at me.

Especially as I stared up into her dark eyes.

I should tell her what happened with Gia.

I have to.

"We should... talk about the people we were involved with during our break," I hesitantly whispered, feeling my chest burn at even the idea of what I was about to say.

"I might go fucking insane if I have to hear about your hook-ups," Tazmin determined with an amused smile, "Let's just leave it in the past," she said as she drew me in closer.

I nodded almost hesitantly, "Okay?" I whispered even if it came out as more of a question than a statement.

Because it doesn't feel like I should leave any of this unsaid and in the past.

But now with Tazmin nuzzling into the crook of my neck and holding me closer than before—it also felt like I couldn't say anything.

Or maybe I just didn't want to and I'm making excuses.

Either way, I decided to just leave it at that and bask in her presence instead.

I didn't actually process it until now—

But I really missed Tazmin.