24. Lauren
24
Lauren
He's been acting weird.
Well, more than usual. He hasn’t made eye contact for the last five minutes I’ve been standing here. Resting my elbows on the granite counter, I lean forward. “You okay?”
Marcus glances in my direction, chest level, before reaching for the head of lettuce nearby. “Sure.”
Even his tone sounds clipped. His shoulders are stiff, his mouth a firm line across his mouth. I’m used to seeing those cute dimples in his cheeks, that sparkle in his eyes.
It has been missing since he overheard me screwing myself.
My face instantly warms, as it does whenever I think of that face-palming moment when I saw my phone on the dresser. I don’t know how long he was in my room and how much he heard, but I’m sure it was enough to make him withdrawn.
“So…when you do plan on making up for that half hour you stole from me?” I joke.
He doesn’t even smile. “I’ve shown you enough, Lauren.”
“What?” I straighten, mock-glaring at him. “We barely even touched the basics!”
“Right. Which is enough for when you start an actual class,” he replies.
“Didn’t we go over this already? I don’t want some random guy teaching me anything. I want you, Marcus.”
I swear, I hear him mumble Jesus under his breath, but he says out loud, “ Some random guy is way more experienced than I am. He can teach you so much more.”
“I don’t care—”
“It’s not happening, Lauren!” For the first time, he stares directly at me, glaring at me. One would think I just asked him to donate an organ or something.
His expression settles into a remorseful look as he sighs. “I’m sorry. That came out much harder than I intended. I just…” He sighs again, drawing it out. “It’s best if you find a professional.”
“Why? I’m not trying to go pro or anything. I just want to be ready if the bad guys come.”
“You don’t need to be ready. We’ll be there to take care of things,” he replies.
“And if you’re not?”
He cocks his head with a smirk. “That will never happen. You’ll always be protected.”
That confidence in his tone carries a lot of weight, I know. Over the years, it’s that confidence that made me feel safe. I know these men have my back, that they’ll be there at the drop of a hat, but I want the ability to protect myself.
“Do you need my help with anything?” I offer.
He shakes his head. “Just drink your tea.”
“I can multi-task, you know. ”
“No such thing as multi-tasking,” he mumbles, pulling the lettuce apart.
I get off the stool and walk around the island toward him. It could be my imagination, but I swear, his body stiffens even more.
“Let me help make dinner,” I urge.
“No,” he says firmly. “You want to keep busy? How about calling Gabriel to find out if there are any updates to the case?”
“You mean an update besides the one your dad gave us this morning?” My would-be assassin is playing hardball with the DA’s offer for a plea deal, but they’re hoping he’ll fold soon. I raise my hand at Marcus. “It’s obvious you don’t want me around, so I’m getting out of your hair.”
“Oh, come on, Lauren,” he says to my back as I go off. I wave off his reply, heading upstairs. If anything, I’m the one who should be pissed at him for invading my privacy, yet I’m trying to be a good sport about it. He’s acting like he saw me committing a crime.
Inside my room, I slip on a sweater over my T-shirt and put on a pair of socks Marcus gave from his drawer yesterday. It’s almost five, but the weather is still in the low sixties, still nice enough for me to take a walk. With the guards stationed outside, it’s safe to tour the grounds for a while.
I’m almost at the foot of the stairs when I hear Marcus’ voice in the kitchen. Another phone call, I assume. Not wanting to eavesdrop, I turn toward the coat closet beside the kitchen. As I remove my coat, I hear him say my name.
Doubling back, I stop right outside the archway that separates the kitchen and the dining area and perk up my ears.
“Relax, she’ll be fine,” he’s saying. There’s a pause, then Marcus says sharply, “Oh, stop sending me mixed signals, Gabriel. You were hellbent on sending your dad once the authorities remove the fallen tree, and now that they have, you’re giving me a hard time about wanting to leave. For God’s sake, make up your mind.”
My heart skips a beat. I lean against the wall, sighing.
“No, dude, I’d be crazy to leave tonight. I’m leaving first thing tomorrow, and Sam will here by the time I get to Brooklyn. The guards are stationed right outside, and they’ve been vigilant. Lauren will be okay.”
Another pause, then he chuckles. “Yeah, like I’d want her to hate me forever. I’m not going to sneak out before dawn. Do you really think I’d leave without saying goodbye?”