Ch. 42 A Missing Link
My screen flickers, the only other light being the lamp on my night stand. I scroll through the data, each line a thread to unravel Madison's lies.
I carefully read through everything Marcus has found and compiled, and my pulse picks up.
I finally have a lead, or let's say—two leads.
I call Detective Renner, who worked with us during the Ingram takedown.
It's time to start building an official case.
—--------------------
Another bagel, another coffee and a lost looking Marcus. He wants to say something, but he's hesitating.
"What is it, Marcus?" I keep my voice soft—no need to startle him.
"Caught my preoccupation, huh?" He rubs the back of his neck nervously.
"Listen... I don't want you to take this the wrong way..."
The moment these words leave his lips, my pulse spikes. Never in the history of the world have these words been accompanied by something good.
He pulls something out of his pocket and extends his hand to me, palm down.
Heart hammering, I extend my hand and he drops it into my palm.
"It's the master key to the electronic lock at my house. With the reporters and paparazzi swarming everyone—they might end up finding out where you live.
"The thought of anything happening to you—" His voice cracks, and I can see the sweat beading on his forehead.
"I just—it's an alternative safe space you can retreat to should you ever need to if help isn't close.
"I recognize that no matter how much I try, you might not always be protected—unless you agree to bodyguards?"
I narrow my eyes at him and shake my head. I can't handle the thought of being watched by someone all the time, even if it's a bodyguard.
He studies my face and sighs, running his hands through his hair. "Yeah, thought so."
He takes a deep breath and continues, "So anyway, this is a solution I came up with. No offense, but your apartment building isn't the most secure..."
He takes one look at my face and swallows the remaining sentence.
"Look, Marcus, this seems completely unnecessary."
"I know, but Coleman could send someone after you. Or...someone might decide to harm you...
"Just for my peace of mind, okay? The passcode to the lock is the first two digits of my cell and the last two of yours. Still, I want you to have the key, in case anything ever goes wrong."
He presses the key into my palm and curls my fingers around it.
I want to protest, but I can see how much my refusal for bodyguards is costing Marcus, and I appreciate him not pushing that idea.
This is a...compromise I suppose I could live with.
He's not wrong in that Coleman can do anything.
"Okay. I'll keep the key, and promise to use it if I feel unsafe."
He looks relieved. "That's all I can ask. Thank you."
We settle into the car and get going.
I honestly thought that would be the end of it.
—-----------------
The keys to Berta dangle in front of my nose, Marcus waiting patiently for me to claim them.
"What are you doing?"
"What's the point of you having a safe space to retreat to if you don't have a getaway vehicle to get there?"
"I can take the bus, or a taxi."
"A bus is not secure, and a taxi driver could be anyone. It's not safe on the best of days. Here, Berta's safe. She'll take care of you."
I push his hand away gently, so as not to offend Berta. "I'm sure she's great, but now you're just being paranoid."
"I'm not giving her to you, if that helps. Just letting you borrow her."
"And what will you drive?"
"I'll borrow Keith's car."
"And what will he drive?"
"He has a spare one he doesn't like to use much 'cause it's a sports car. But I'm sure he'll manage."
"Then I'll borrow the car from him."
Marcus suddenly steps into my personal space, so close I can count his eyelashes.
"What—"
"You'll take Berta." He presses the key fob into my hand. "I don't like the thought of you driving another man's car."
I open my mouth to argue before snapping it shut. Marcus is simply being honest—like I asked him to.
The old Marcus might have pretended not to be bothered... Might have found a logical reason to convince me into giving in.
This is him being honest about his feelings.
"Fine. But now, I'll be driving Berta everywhere. You won't need to pick me up and drop me off."
I turn towards the elevators of the parking garage of the HQ.
We run the risk of getting late.
"I know... you can drop me off and pick me up instead. How novel. I've never been pampered like so... I expect a coffee and breakfast service to be included..."
He walks beside me, listing all the ways he expects to be pampered and I can't help but roll my eyes.
I'm NOT telling him how much I'm secretly enjoying him.
Wouldn't want it to inflate his already large head.
Somehow, I've completely forgotten about all the stressful things awaiting me upstairs in the few feet it takes to reach the elevator.
—------------------
I stare out at the city, leaning my full weight against the railing.
The sun is warm, and the evening breeze is cool. I close my eyes, and soak in the sense of peace.
I know I'm breathing easier because I've made Celeste as safe as I can without outright infringing on her privacy.
I'm truly glad she's taking her safety as seriously as I am, if not more.
It's 5:30 pm.
I'm going to accompany Celeste to her apartment building and take a cab home.
I exit the roof quickly, my strides lengthening as I head for the garage.
No way am I giving up my time with her for any reason.
I pat my stomach. The tension in my gut refuses to settle—an instinct I've learned not to ignore.
I'm missing something important.
I join Celeste in the garage, getting into the passenger seat beside her.
My throat tightens, and my gaze slides to Celeste, who is humming a sweet melody under her breath.
The pressure of an unknown threat closing in has me scanning the roads as we exit the gates.
Everything seems okay, so I turn to Celeste again.
This sense of doom is pervasive.
Why does it feel like I'm waiting to be hit? Like if I'm not careful, we'll both get swept up in the current?
Hi Guys!
This day is shaping up to be a massive milestone day!
?Write the finale—?
?Change the Title—?
?Get super emotional that another couple gets their HEA—??
Things are about to get intense.
I'm going to keep posting daily till the end.
Keep an eye out for surprise updates!??
Once again, thank you for staying with this story!
Your votes, comments and support mean the world!
P.S. What d'you think Marcus is missing?
Lemme know in the comments!