21. Marcus
21
Marcus
Ah, Universe, you have a fucked-up sense of humor.
It’s not funny, this sudden news, but I’m laughing anyway. Either I laugh or tear my hair out, and I like my hair very much.
Gabriel chuckles, too. “A little humor is better than punching the wall, I guess. I’m not in the mood to nurse my broken knuckles today.”
See, even my best buddy agrees.
“How long so they estimate?” I ask.
“Two, three days tops,” he replies.
Jesus .
I lean against the counter by the sink, staring at the trees in my backyard. The storm is finally over, and the entire area looks extra lush and green. Peaceful. The irony. I feel nothing resembling peace. In fact, my entire soul has been in turmoil since last night.
“This is messed up, man. I understand the authorities wanting to take precautionary measures, but the tropical storm is twenty-four hours away. You could’ve made it home before then,” I reason .
“You’d assume they’d see the logic, but they didn’t.” He sighs wearily. “I’m exhausted.”
I sigh too. “Yeah, I imagine how mentally draining it must be.”
“It was, but I’m more exhausted from keeping Zyon locked in our suite. She wanted to ‘have a conversation’ with them, but you know how she can be.”
That comment earns him a chuckle. “You should’ve let her go. Zyon can be very persuasive.”
“Don’t I know it.” He laughs. “How’s Lauren?”
I turn away from the window and lean against the counter, my eyes on the section of the upper floor I can see. Innocent. Na?ve. Too trustworthy. “She wasn’t too pleased with being left alone, but it worked out in her favor, I guess.”
Gabriel remains silent for a long beat, then he asks, “Any word on when they’re going to get that tree removed?”
“I contacted them about an hour ago, and they promised within twenty-four hours. It’s not a highly-populated area, but I hope they don’t drag their feet,” I reply.
“Yeah, let’s hope not,” he scoffs. “Rosemead can’t run itself.”
“Well, I was doing some thinking last night. Since you’ll be stuck in St. Lucia for a few more days, I’ll head to Brooklyn, grab a few stuff, then come back to the cabin, at least until you land.”
Another pause. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Marcus.”
“Because?”
“What happened last night?” he fires back.
My pulse trips. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“It means you agreed on Lauren waiting until I got there. Now, it seems you want to be her babysitter. What happened? ”
“Besides the fact that I see how scared she was and still is? Gabriel, there are men out to get her. She doesn’t want to be alone, and I don’t blame her.”
“There are seven men guarding the property. She’s hardly alone,” he points out.
“Seven strangers,” I counter, keeping my frustration restrained. “She needs a friendly face.”
“I love you to death, brother, but I don’t think it should be your face.”
“Seriously?” I gape, bewildered. “Is your trust level that low?”
“It’s in hell where you’re concerned.” He chuckles, but there’s no humor. “Your track record speaks for itself, and I don’t want to beat the shit out of you when you break my sister’s heart. I’m doing damage control before there’s actual damage.”
“Wow.”
“I don’t understand why you’re offended. My sister still has a thing for you, and you have no control. You being locked in that cabin is like dangling meat in front of a bear who just got out of hibernation.”
“Call Noah,” I say seriously. “Or better yet, have Sam on standby. The minute they clear the path, he can take my place. I’m not leaving until I know she’ll be with a familiar face.”
“Fine,” he says without hesitation. “I’ll call Dad now.”
I hang up without saying goodbye, pissed at him for not trusting me and even more pissed at myself because I know he’s right.
Especially after last night.
For years, I’d suspected Lauren had a crush on me, and I considered it cute and normal. What I saw on her face last night was nothing cute or normal. I didn’t see that seventeen-year-old who blushed when I bought her flowers on Valentine’s Day when I realized she had no date.
Last night, I saw a woman .
Inexperienced, but still a woman .
Someone who’s hot for me .
Me. I chuckle dryly.
I saw the challenge in her eyes. She wanted me to kiss her, but little does she know, I’d never stop with just a kiss. I wouldn’t stop until our clothes are on the floor and I was nestled between her warm thighs, showing her exactly why I’ve been keeping my distance.
I wouldn’t stop until I ruined her, because that’s what I do.
I break hearts. It’s not them. It’s me. I can’t fucking help it.
Lauren is not like the other women, though. I can’t fuck her then move on like it never happened. I won’t dare ruin what we’ve shared for over twenty years. Good friends who are like family…I can’t fuck that up—
“Good morning.”
The coffee sloshes over the rim of my mug as I spin away from the window. She’s standing in the archway separating the kitchen from the dining area, twirling her ponytail into a high bun. My eyes dip to what’s she’s wearing, and I groan inwardly.
Leggings, Lauren? Really? I’m seeing every inch of her legs and thighs through the sheer material. If I didn’t know better, I’d suspect she’s deliberately trying to fuck with my head.
It’s working.
I turn away from her and rest my cup on the counter. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“Not really.” She comes into the kitchen. “I can’t stop thinking about yesterday.”
“The attack?” I ask, relieved when she nods.
“I keep thinking what would’ve happened if you weren’t there. I’d be—”
I stop her with a raised hand. “Don’t even go there.”
“It’s easier said than done, Marcus, and it’s even more obvious that I need to be prepared. I want you to teach me how to defend myself. ”
I catch the fresh scent from her recent bath as she stands in front of me. She points upwards, her eyes now sparkling with a challenge. “You, me, and an hour in the gym. What do you say?”
You’re definitely trying to fuck with my head, Lauren, aren’t you?