19. Marcus
19
Marcus
Lauren sits with her head resting against the back of the front passenger seat, her eyes tightly closed, her hair still wet from having to dash through the rain into the car. The tightness in her jaw confirms she’d heard what my dad just announced.
“This is serious,” Gabriel says, his voice as grim as I feel.
“An understatement,” Dad replies on the other line. “Enzo Camorra has been on the FBI’s most wanted list for over five years. He’s a high-ranking member of the Bianchi mafia.”
“Which means Lauren witnessed a mafia murder,” Gabriel points out. “They’re not known for giving up, are they?”
Sam’s whooshing breath blasts through the speaker. “This is dangerous. No offence, Michael, but I don’t trust the cops to keep her safe.”
“None taken,” Dad says. “I understand wanting the best for your kids.”
I glance back at Lauren, who’s covering her face with both hands, her body shaking with quiet sobs. I reach over and squeeze her thigh.
“You’re going to be fine,” I assure her, and she quickly shakes her head at me, points to the entertainment system, then wipes her face. I understand at once. If only she’d understand there’s no need to pretend to be okay around us. There’s no need to be strong, either. We are all here to lift her up.
“I also spoke to Ronnie Samuels. He used to be on my squad back in the day; now, he’s running the NYPD. He agreed to take your statements remotely. I suggest we get that done as soon as you arrive.”
Skyscrapers zip past, blurred by the rain and our speed as we make our way out of the city. It’s an estimated hour-long drive to my cabin, which means we’ll get there a little past seven tonight.
“How are we regarding security, Gabriel?” Sam asks. “We can’t have Lauren alone up there.”
Lauren perks up, staring at me with horror. “What do you mean by ‘alone’? Isn’t Marcus staying with me?”
Remorse fills my chest as I reply, “I’ll be heading back down after you get settled.”
“What? No! I’m not staying in the mountains by myself,” she exclaims.
“You won’t be alone, Lauren,” Gabriel speaks up. “There are half a dozen security personnel already onsite. Plus, I’ll be coming up as soon as I land.”
Lauren is still frowning. “I don’t get it. If Marcus is already here, why can’t he stay?”
“I missed an afternoon of work. I’m going to need time to catch up,” I explain. A lame excuse, but it’s the only one I can think of.
“But this is an emergency. Besides, there’s a lot you can do remotely. Come on, Marcus. Stay with me.”
Oh, I’d like nothing more, believe me . But I’m not the Patron Saint of self-control, and my best friend’s kid sister still has a thing for me. Staying would be the worst idea.
“Honey, this is not the time for a tantrum, okay?” Sam replies. “There are people literally out to kill you. ”
“Jesus, Dad. I’m making a valid point, not throwing a tantrum,” Lauren snaps irritatingly. “Marcus is already here. Gabriel is barely off his honeymoon. Shouldn’t he be with his wife and kid instead of being holed up with me?”
“You heard Marcus. He’s got work to do. Besides, Zyon and I will be coming to the cabin, and her mom will babysit Liam until we get back,” Gabriel replies. I know that tone. From Lauren’s petulant frown, she recognizes it too.
She rolls her eyes. “Screw my opinion, right?”
“Lauren, we’re only doing what’s best for—”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” she grumbles, cutting Gabriel’s explanation. “I’ll just keep playing the damsel in distress while you do your thing.”
The conference call ends after Gabriel promises Lauren he’ll be there by the time she wakes up in the morning, but she’s certainly not pleased. She curls up in the seat and turns her face toward the window, watching the rain. Half an hour later, I’ve had enough of the tense silence.
“Are we going to address what’s bothering you?” I ask as I turn off the main road, heading into the mountains.
She keeps staring at the window, not saying a word. Finally, after I give up on getting a response, she mutters, “I wish you’d take my side for once.”
“What does that entail, Lauren? Going against Gabriel’s wish?”
“My brother’s wish? What are you talking about?”
In silence, I stare at the wipers zinging across the windshield, occasionally making the rugged path clear to see. I shouldn’t have said anything.
“Marcus.” She grabs my arm. “What did Gabriel say to you?”
“Nothing important. Let it go.”
From my peripheral vision, I see her watching me. Finally, she drops back into her seat. “You’ve already made it clear I’m like your little sister, so I don’t understand what the issue could be.”
I almost snort. There’s absolutely no point I’ve ever considered Lauren my little sister, not even before seeing her naked. I can tell she’s fishing for information. “Gabriel and Zyon are coming; what does it matter if I’m around?”
She shrugs. “Because I’d rather your company than those two. You’ve endured Zyon and Gabriel being around each other, so you know what I mean.”
Yeah, I understand. Sleeping under the same roof as two horny newlyweds will drive her crazy. The thing is, sleeping under the same roof as Lauren for God knows how long will drive me insane.
I’d rather not sign up for that torture.
“You’ve got your earphones. Wear them.”
Lauren scoffs loudly. “God, you can be such a jerk sometimes—”
A sudden explosion goes off behind us, and she screams. My fingers grip the steering wheel, and I press my foot down on the gas pedal. A quick glance in my rearview mirror makes my heart sink. We’re trapped. There’s no escaping this time.