Chapter 41 – Markos
“And so, Alexios was able to confirm David Parker wanted the land, but he wanted the scorpions to kill us, have the law mediate, and he would swoop in to take the remains,” Iosif explained.
Last night, I hadn’t bothered to tell Serena I came north with an extra set of hands.
The long hours were just for us. Iosif brought breakfast, and we ate before starting the long drive home.
I didn’t trust the airport. It would be too easy for the assassins and mercenaries hired by the businessman to catch us.
“I knew he was up to no good,” Serena muttered.
Holding Serena in the backseat, I gave her a squeeze. “It’s almost over, prinkípissa.”
She squeezed me back, a silent acknowledgment that she was happy about the turn of events.
“Right,” Iosif yawned. “We’ve brokered a temporary peace with the scorpions to defeat the threat.”
Serena shifted in her seat.
“Man, can you drive?” Iosif yawned again. “The lines are starting to blur.”
“Sure,” I grumbled. The point of an extra pair of hands was for things like this. He was supposed to drive so I could hold my precious cargo.
“There’s a fast-food joint at the next exit. I’m pretty hungry,” Iosif added. “Let’s stretch our legs and get some grub.”
“So long as we top the tank so we don’t have to stop again for a long stretch,” I compromised.
The sooner we reached home, the better.
Serena hadn’t kept her dinner down and avoided breakfast this morning. I doubted the food now would be much better.
As my cousin pulled off the highway and into the parking lot, under the shade of the double golden arches, I rubbed Serena’s shoulder.
“How are you feeling, prinkípissa?” I murmured.
We hadn’t told Iosif, wanting to see a doctor before we told anyone. But that resolve was fast slipping away. There was one soul I was fairly sure I needed to contact—and soon.
“Oh, I’m fine,” Serena smiled. The forced emotion couldn’t cover her lie. “So that’s it? We take down Parker, and this is over?”
“It’s over,” I assured her.
“And how are we taking him out?” she insisted.
The little menace, bloodthirsty like every other mermaid. Disney forgot that part of the fairytale.
“Zephyr will handle that. Alexios, Iris, and Anatole are working to cancel the contracts with the killers. It might even be over by the time we reach Tampa,” I explained. No, not explained. Prayed. If the only thing for us to do was drive, I would count that as a blessing.
Serena wasn’t seeing active combat...ever.
But the sad reality was that she was going to have to hone her fighting abilities. Life in the world of organized crime was too violent not to be able to defend herself. It would be better if she was a warrior on the peaceful beach than a tourist caught in a war.
Serena pushed herself upright, but then pressed her eyelids tightly closed. Iosif stretched and hopped out of the car, not noticing.
“Markos, I um—” Serena covered her mouth with the back of her hand.
“Do you want to go into the bathroom or find a bush?” I offered.
“Bush.”
I helped her out of the SUV, guided her to the back of the parking lot, and stood guard as she breathed through the round of sickness.
It was nothing short of terrifying to see her reduced to this. I was helpless.
“I’m fine, you can wipe that thundercloud off your face, pirate,” she snapped.
I narrowed my gaze, ready to argue.
“This is normal ,” she insisted. “For some women. Those lucky bitches who never have morning sickness can go to hell. But I’m fine .”
She rose, and I walked her back to the SUV.
“Don’t you want to go inside and use the bathroom?” I jerked my chin to the door.
Serena sighed. “I haven’t drunk enough water to do anything.”
“Then you’re not fine ,” I countered.
“Bring me a cup of ice, and I’ll try to fix that.” She gave me a smile that was meant to encourage me.
I left her by the vehicle, only so that I could make the necessary phone call. We didn’t have to tell everyone, but there was one person who would help.
“Markos! Markos, lad, is everything alright?” Dorothea’s panic was tangible through the cellphone.
“Yes, we’re good. Should be back before dawn tomorrow. We’re making good time.” I looked out the window, watching Serena turn her face to the sun. “But I need help.”
“What is it?” my aunt cajoled.
“Serena is sick. She’s not able to keep anything down, and she’s going to be dehydrated if I can’t get water into her. She says it’s normal, but nothing about this is normal.”
There was a pause, and then my aunt began to cackle. “Oh, good lord, I’m going to be a grandma!”
Gripping the phone, I bit back the harsher words. “It’s not funny.”
“You’re scared shitless.” She laughed harder, but the years of smoking make her cough. “Okay, okay, what do you need?”
“Help her.”
“I can’t. Not from the road,” she shot back. “Bring her straight to me. Keep offering her water, but don’t force anything. I’ll have a tea that will fix her up right away.”
“Can’t I get the tea somewhere along the way?” I was desperate, and I let a little of the anxiety seep into my words. “Please, aunt, I need to help her.”
“You won’t find the herbs easily. No, better to come straight here, lad.”
I sighed. “We’ll be there soon.”
“Oh, and Markos?”
“Hmm?”
“Congratulations. I never thought I would see the day my sister’s boy was blessed. But thanks be to God, you’re blessed, my lad.”
I was. “Thank you, aunt.”
Hanging up, I took the cup of ice from the fast-food worker. Iosif banged from the bathroom, snatched up his large order, and frowned at my single cup.
“What? Don’t tell me you’re turning health nut too?” he quipped.
“Not hungry,” I growled and stalked back outside. I’d been away from Serena too long. It was going to take hours at this rate, but I would drive like hell to reach the help my wife needed. “Keep your eyes open. They found us in Chicago, they’re desperate to annihilate us.”
“I haven’t seen a tail,” my cousin protested. “And I need a nap.”
“What the hell were you doing last night?” I snapped. “You had hours to sleep.”
Iosif winced. “There was a tournament—”
“Spare me.” I handed Serena the ice. My wife looked between my cousin and me. “Let’s go.”
Serena rolled her eyes but took the cup. “You two are worse than children.”
Children—our child.
My reason to fight was standing right in front of me. I helped her into the passenger seat and placed a soft kiss on her lips, despite her protest that she needed a toothbrush.
“Mine,” I growled, kissing her again.
She shook her head, but the look in her eye set my heart fluttering.
I slid into the driver’s seat, adjusting the mirrors while Iosif climbed into the passenger side, already unwrapping his burger. The smell made Serena grimace, but she focused on slowly melting ice chips between her lips.
“Home,” I muttered, pulling out of the parking lot. “No stops unless absolutely necessary.”
As we merged back onto the highway, I caught Serena’s profile. Despite her pallor, there was a fierce determination in her eyes that made my chest tighten. We’d faced scorpions, assassins, and corrupt businessmen—but this new challenge terrified me more than any of them.
But with her at my side, I knew I could face it too. Everything in my life led me to the greatest fight of them all, and nothing would harm my family.