Chapter Seventeen #2
Marie looked down with a furrowed brow, before biting her lip and giving a slight shrug.
“One day I’d like to walk down a quiet road like this one and wave hello at everyone passing.
And people will wave back. Because we know each other, and I…
” Marie bit her lip again and waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t mind me.”
“You know plenty of people here!” Sabrina answered, surprised.
Marie looked back at Sabrina with a smile that seemed unusually vulnerable. “There’s knowing, and there’s belonging.” She answered softly, her accent unusually thick. She flashed a smile and shrugged.
“I’m just fine. It’s just me being melancholy.” She scoffed. “Now tell me more about the bird you got last week. How is she doing? Is she able to use her wing yet?”
Sabrina recognized the change in topic for what it was, and launched into another chapter in the saga of the many wild and distinguished guests of the Maine Marine Rescue.
When they reached Kittery Point, Marie stiffened. Marie gave a forced smile Sabrina’s way, turned around, and casually pointed at a tree in the opposite direction.
“Laugh like I just said something funny.” Marie muttered. Sabrina followed the odd instruction, and Marie seemed to hone in on something in the distance.
“We’re being watched.” Marie hummed. “Do you know anyone in a red Dodge?” She asked.
“No.” Sabrina shook her head.
“We should head back.” Marie’s brow furrowed.
“Should we call the police?” Sabrina asked, concerned.
Marie snorted. “No, but you should walk between me and the trees. I’ll walk between you and the road.”
Sabrina crossed her arms indignantly. “Why?” She asked, looking down at the friend who was half her size.
“This is a partnership, ma’am. You handle the sharks and sea lions, and I handle the idiots on two legs.” As tiny as Marie was, there was a steely flash behind her eyes, and a grit in her tone.
Sabrina narrowed her gaze before giving a resigned shrug and moved closer to the tree line along the edge of the road. “Sometimes I think you were some sort of spy in another life.” She scoffed.
Marie gave a sultry smile. “Machiavelli would have had nothing on me.”
As predicted, the old red Dodge circled back. The windows were rolled down, and Sabrina glimpsed a very tan, muscled arm resting on the windowsill of the truck door.
The dodge came to a slow stop a few feet away, and a man who looked like a model made eye contact with Sabrina.
He had the same bronze coloring and wavy dark hair.
Chiseled features were accentuated by scruff from a day or two without a razor.
He had dark hazel eyes, but the most distinguishable thing about him was his size.
He was massive. He was tall; so tall his head almost brushed the roof of the truck, and he was filled out like an NFL Quarterback.
“Good afternoon.” He grinned, an air of affable mischief about him.
“Good afternoon.” Sabrina couldn’t help but return the smile. She looked over to Marie, who was staring at the man with an unreadable expression.
When the man turned his gaze to Marie, he froze for a split second.
“Hello.” Marie murmured.
“Hello. My name is Dante Lombardi. What's yours?” He asked, his voice low as it was calm. So calm, Sabrina wondered if he’d ever considered doing voicework for sleep commercials.
“My name is Marie.” Her words were quiet, but they were clear.
“Marie, what’s your last name?” Dante asked.
Sabrina tensed in anticipation of what was about to come next. Marie avoided talking about her life with strangers the way that most cats avoided baths. It simply wasn’t going to happen, and if someone tried to force it, scratches were likely to result.
So Sabrina blinked in surprise when Marie smiled softly and took a step towards the truck. “Christophe. My name is Marie Christophe.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Marie Christophe.” The man nodded gently. His gaze drifted down to the necklace around Marie's neck, and his expression slowly straightened into something more serious, and unreadable.
Dante turned his gaze back to Sabrina. “I’m visiting my brother in town at the moment, you may know him.”
“Who’s your brother?” Sabrina asked.
“Cesare Lombardi.”
Marie let out a delicate snort. “Figures.”
“You’ve met?” Dante returned his gaze to Marie.
“Briefly.” Marie answered, turning to look at Sabrina, waiting to see how she wanted to respond.
Dante turned his dark eyed gaze back to Sabrina as well.
Sabrina fidgeted under the attention. “Have you seen him recently?” She asked awkwardly.
“Uh-huh.” Dante nodded, a shit eating grin beginning to stretch across his face.
Sabrina frowned. “Is he okay?”
“Oh, he's loosing his shit but its good for him every once and a while.” Dante shrugged. “He'll be fine when I tell him where you are, and that you're okay.”
Sabrina opened her mouth, but then closed it, unsure how to respond.
Marie had no such issue. She took another step towards the truck with her hands on her hips.
“Well as you can see, she’s perfectly safe, and she’s a grown woman so she’s allowed to go wherever she pleases.
” Her tone was matter of fact, and her voice heavily accented.
“And if Cesare gets his panties in a twist, we'll be back at the rescue when we're good and ready.”
Sabrina’s eyes widened, and after a moment of silence, Dante chuckled. “Would you like me to tell him that?” He asked.
“Yes sir, I would.” Marie answered with a twang.
“Marie!” Sabrina let out a strangled sort of laugh. “I don’t want to make him mad.”
Marie turned to Sabrina, her southern accent thickening. “Why not? If lover-boy is mad when we return, you’re going to get mad right back until he buys you a new Prada bag.”
Dante snorted.
“Was that funny?” Marie asked, piquing a brow.
“No ma’am.” Dante shook his head. “I don’t suppose either of you would like a ride back to the rescue?”
“We’re walking, but thank you. You may go now.” Marie tilted her head imperiously.
“Thank you for your leave, your royal highness.” Sarcasm dripped from Dante’s voice, but his dark hazel eyes shone with visible amusement. “I’ll see you ladies later.”
“Nice to meet you.” Sabrina nodded.
“Thank you, Sabrina, likewise.” Dante answered with a grin.
He turned his attention to Marie. The pixie of a girl met his gaze head on but remained silent. “Princess.” He drawled, as he tipped the front of his baseball cap in her direction.
“Sir.” She answered back with an amused purse to her lips.
Dante’s eyes smoldered as he gave her a final look, before slowly driving off.
“What was that?” Sabrina asked, turning to Marie, who was still watching the truck as it faded from view down the coastal roadway.
Marie turned around, looking almost dazed. “Sorry, what?” She asked, back at Sabrina.
“Mr. dark eyed and delicious? What was that?”
“Oh!” Marie blinked. She gave a sheepish grin. “I don’t know. That was…that was something.”
Sabrina raised a disbelieving brow. “You’re telling me, Princess.”
Marie put her hands back on her hips and gave Sabrina a look of pure exasperation, even as her cheeks flushed pink.
Sabrina looked down the road and back at Marie with a twinkle in her eye.
“Figures they’re related.” Marie muttered. “I’m serious about that Prada though.”
Sabrina scoffed. “I don’t go anywhere that would require a Prada bag.”
“What about immersion suits for the rescue?” Marie asked.
Sabrina shook her head, walking back toward town. “I don’t play like that.”
Marie shrugged casually. “That man wants to do stuff for you. Expensive stuff. If you don’t tell him where you want the money to go, you’re going to wake up one day to more than a new door.
All I’m saying is you need to steer the gifts, or he’s going to drop some serious cash on something you don’t give a shit about. ”
Sabrina looked down the road, frowning. “I wish he hadn’t driven away now.”
“Why not?” Marie asked.
“I left my phone at the rescue, and I’d rather straighten things out with Cesare sooner than later.”
Marie’s eyes twinkled as she put her fingers up to her mouth and let out a whistle as loud as an umpire’s whistle.
“What are you doing?” Sabrina laughed.
Marie walked into the middle of the road and whistled once again. She stayed where she was, feet firmly planted in the center of the road, with an anticipatory grin on her face. A minute later, a familiar truck slowly came back into view.
Sabrina looked back at Marie, who waited in place for Dante to pull up.
The red Dodge came to a slow stop beside Marie, and Dante gave her another once-over. “Princess.” He nodded.
Marie lifted her head imperiously. “Sir.”
“You called?” He drawled.
“I did.” She nodded, a bemused smile beginning to peek through. “Do you know anyone who could give us a ride back to the marine rescue?”
Dante gave an amused grunt as he put the truck into park. “Hop on in.”
“Thank you.” Marie answered as they circled the truck. Marie climbed into the cab of the truck first, sitting beside Dante on the bench seat. Sabrina followed behind, closing the door behind her.
“Why do you sound like you’re from Virginia?” Marie asked Dante as the truck moved once again.
“I don’t sound like I’m from Virginia.” He shook his head, keeping his eyes on the road.
“Yes, sir, you do. It’s faint, but it’s there.” Marie responded matter-of-factly.
A smile played on Dante’s wide mouth as he cast another glance her way. “I lived in Virginia for a few years. And if I have an accent, it’s because you are bringing out the twang.”
“Oh, so it’s my fault?” Marie arched a perfectly manicured brow.
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded with an easy grin. “Why do you sound like you’re from Virginia?” He asked.
Marie sniffed. “I’m from Tennessee, thank you.”
Dante and Marie exchanged another look, their expressions swirling with a mix of amusement, intrigue, and a depth of knowing that simply didn’t match two people who had just met.
Dante reluctantly looked away, shifting his attention to Sabrina. “How long have you lived in Kittery, Sabrina?” He asked politely.
Sabrina smiled. “My whole life. Where are you from?”
“Philly, originally. Maybe you can tell me, why does everybody I meet here have some sort of involvement with Maine Marine Rescue?” Dante asked.
“It’s a small town, and we love our ocean.” She shrugged. “You should come in and check it out. We have a new seal pup and he’s wicked cute.” Sabrina grinned.
“Yeah, my brother keeps sending me photos.” Dante grumbled.
“I’m sorry, are you feeling neglected?” Marie faux pouted as she batted her eyelashes.
Dante gave a gruff laugh. “What would you do if I was?” He eyed her with a gleam in his eye.
Marie sighed. “I’m sure we could find some use for you.” A smile played at the edge of her lips.
Dante snorted in amusement. “And what is it that you do, exactly?”
“I’m the enforcer.” Marie answered, crossing her arms.
“You?” Dante asked, eyeing her petite stature and raised a brow.
“Me.” She nodded with a satisfied grin.
“How does that work, exactly?” He asked, his voice deep and tinged with amusement.
“They never see me coming.” Marie replied conspiratorially.
Dante chuckled, sounding strangely rueful as he side-eyed the southern firecracker. “Should I be worried?”
Marie relaxed in her seat. “As long as you behave, you have nothing to worry about.”
Dante’s gaze roved over her once more before returning to the road.