“I’ve already given the file to Antonio, but I found another place that Cecily likes to frequent. However, it’s time sensitive. She’s one of those coffee snobs, and always likes to hit up the same coffee shop. One that does not have a drive-thru. That means you can get a tracker on her. I expect her to have more than one group of guards with her though. She’s been traveling in a fucking pack. It’s her and her personal bodyguard in one vehicle, then a second one with an array of guards. Get there, put the trackers on. I have three for you in case something happens—or her fiancé is there. And these ones, I don’t expect you to pay for.”
“Do the Seconds know about this?” Marcus’s lips turn downward, and I know exactly what he’s thinking. He also knows the answer.
“It’s enough that I do,” Leandro says firmly, daring him to disagree. Marcus hesitates, and I know he wants to go to Keegan, to get permission. Hell, I want the same from Jude. But…
Marcus exchanges a quick glance with me, grimacing before he shrugs. “Whatever. Let’s get this done. I want our revenge, and we need Lio and Roman home.”
“That’s the spirit!” I blink at Leandro’s enthusiasm. It rings false, like a cloak he’s putting on, but it doesn’t fit quite right. With a huff, he turns back to his computer, waving us off as a dismissal.
Neither Marcus nor I speak as we leave the mansion. The tension festering between us is so abnormal that it tears at me. Even in the beginning, when I was brought into the fold of the Family, it wasn’t like this. Hell, in the beginning, he was more protective, like an older brother, before the bonds loosened enough for us to be friends. This…apprehension is choking, invading my senses and making me feel ill. It doesn’t help that we both know we’re going against the rules—again.
Marcus hesitates at the SUV, keys in hand. Rubbing his forehead, he asks, “Are you driving or me?”
I almost stumble. That’s never been offered before. The assumption is that Marcus will always be the one to drive—unless Keegan is with him. My heart sinks further. The fact I’ve made him so hesitant…I destroyed every bit of trust between us. We both hit each other’s weak spots, but I went significantly further than he did.
Trying to inject a lightness in my voice that I don’t feel, I reply, “No, I think it’s best you do.”
Marcus doesn’t respond, and my heart sinks as he heads toward the driver’s side door. Sliding into the passenger seat, I try to think of something to say, but fuck… What the hell do I say?“I’m sorry for mentioning your dead kid, and blaming you?”Hell, that sounds even worse in my mind.
Shifting in the seat, I let the miles roll past as the GPS gives directions. I don’t even turn on the music, too lost in my head as I try to figure out a way to reach Marcus. Unfortunately,the words don’t come. Instead, I sigh, and decide to ignore the staticky feeling of misery.
When we pull into the parking lot, Marcus slowly drives past the parked vehicles, but none of them match the description and license plate numbers that Leandro gave us. Marcus grunts in frustration and backs into a spot that gives us a good line of sight, while also being semi hidden.
Eventually, the silence builds to be too much, and I decide to at least find something we can talk about. “Do you think, if we get Hollis coffee, it’ll help get us out of trouble?”
“No,” Marcus says curtly, without even glancing my way.
Drumming my fingers on my pants, I shrug. “It was worth hoping for a solution. I don’t think Jude or Keegan are going to take this well. Do you have any ideas?”
I want to whine when he doesn’t even respond. It pulls at my brattiness, but I know playfulness is the last thing to do here. Finally, two vehicles matching the description from the files turn into the parking lot. I have my hand on the door handle immediately, excited to do something and get the fuck out of this SUV.
Marcus grabs my forearm before I can leave, jerking me to him. “Let her get in the fucking shop before you get out. Jesus.”
He pushes my arm away in disgust, but I smile. He scowls at me, but I chuckle quietly. “You do still love me.”
“Fucking hell,” he mutters, rubbing at his temples. “Can we just concentrate on this shit? I want to get my hands on Cecily and find the Bosses.”
“We could grab Cecily now…” I rub my chin, contemplating the risks. With so many bodyguards, we may have a fight, but I know Marcus and I could take them.
Marcus’s hands tighten into fists, and there’s longing on his face, but he finally shakes his head. “Too dangerous. We needher to lead us to Roman and Lio. You know mistakes happen in torture.”
“Lio,” I mutter, at the same time as he says it, and we share a knowing look. Lio’s not always known for his patience, and to be honest, I’m not sure if anyone would be patient enough to extract information from the bitch. Marcus is right, it’s better to go with the safer approach, even if it’s boring.
We watch as she exits the limo—fuck, those really are pretentious—and enters the coffee shop. Her personal bodyguard didn’t go in with her, but another guard from the SUV next to her does. It’s…odd. I frown at it, but when Marcus gives the signal, I slip out quietly and walk toward the limo, thankful they pulled into a spot across from us that’s closer to the entry.
However, as I get closer, the limo door opens again and I hold my breath, pausing behind another vehicle. Peeking around, I notice it’s the fucking fiancé.Shit.
He’s certainly gorgeous, with his perfectly tailored three-piece suit, even if he’d look better in navy blue than the unrelieved black. Still…not bad. However, he’s in my fucking way, and I need him to either get back in the damn car or enter the fucking coffee shop. When he puts a cellphone to his ear, I want to groan. I turn toward the SUV Marcus is waiting in, hoping he has an idea for how to draw the asshole’s attention away, because I can’t keep hiding.
Marcus has his phone to his ear and I relax slightly, knowing he must have instructions that are being relayed. Maybe they can trip an alarm or some shit. I’d urge him to just come get me, but then we’d both be targeted.
Beep. Beep.
Fuck! I jump forward, the sound of the car door being unlocked startling me. Fucking figures the asshole comes out now. It doesn’t look like anyone caught it though. I havetwo choices: retreat to where Marcus is at, or push forward. Hesitation isn’t allowed, because that’s what gets someone killed.
Squaring my shoulders, I stroll forward, keeping a close eye on the SUV that contains an unknown quantity of bodyguards. I only quickly look at the fiancé, who still seems engrossed in whatever call he’s on. Still…I’m not sure how best to get the trackers on the vehicles with him standing outside like a fucking guard dog.
If I pretend to stumble—my original idea—that’ll likely draw his attention more. But if I sink down, the guards will be suspicious, if, of course, they’re paying attention. And sadly, I think this group is too well trained.
