“I didn't hear that... anyone else,” Monica queried.
'No' is murmured around the room.
I pulled out the engagement ring from my pocket. “She gave it back again, after I slipped on her hand last night.”
They went silent then I heard, “Mariah left her family, everyone she loves, because she was pregnant by a man who convincingly told her on numerous occasions he didn't want children. To me, that screams 'I love you so much that I'm going to disappear just to keep from hurting you more than I ever thought possible.' I seriously doubt that kind of love would just dissipate in only six months, Marcus.”
Everyone turned and stared at Matthew.
“What,” he asked, genuinely confused. “No one else sees that?”
“Am I drunk again? Did anyone else hear that come out of his mouth?”
“No, Marcus, I heard it, too. Loud and clear,” Pete chuckled. “You've grown, huh, Matthew?”
“No, he hasn't,” everyone murmured at the same time and laughed.
Joshua scoffed. “Once again, Cramp, you fucked up, so you're going to have to fix it. And soon. We all want Mariah near when our nephews come; more so do the mothers AND the fathers. Try getting back into California without Mariah.”
“Shit. I cannot believe she thinks I want to take our babies from her.” I shook my head at the floor at my ever-showing stupidity again. “All right. Get out of here so I can think on how to fix this.”
“Good,” Nathan said, nodding. “Let's go to Morton's, everybody; I could use a good steak.”
After the others left, Pete moved to my side.
“I'll lift the ban if you promise to behave, Marcus. Do not upset her again.”
“I won't, Pete. I just need to talk to her.”
“Yeah, you do. Fine.” He opened the door. “Dr. Cannon's ban is lifted. He can see Ms. Hollander, if it's okay with her.”
“Yes, Doctor.”
Pete widened the door open. “Come on, Marcus. Go to her.”
I walked to her door and tried to think of what to say to her.
“SHIT,” she yelled and I bolted into the room. I didn't see her so I look in the bathroom.
“What happened? What's wrong?”
She startled then frowned, looking at me like she's wondering why I look different.
“N-nothing, I dropped the soap and got winded trying to pick it up,” Mariah said, realizing I shaved off the beard. I get an ill-controlled smile. Yeah, baby... I shaved it off for you.
“What are you trying to do, Mariah?”
“I wanted a shower.”
“Why didn't you ask for help,” I asked as I picked up the dropped bar of soap.
“I wanted to do it on my own.”
Still so stubborn and it still turned me on. I reached around her and turned the water on and checked to make sure it's the temperature she likes.
“Need anything else?”
“No.”
I released a heavy sigh as she attempts to unravel the string on the gown and can't untie the knot. I untied it and watched her again. She reaches to get the socks off. The first was a struggle but she got it off, but the other one was going to give her trouble. I crossed my arms and waited, thinking she'll ask me for help. She didn't.
“You have to be the stubbornest person on the planet,” I muttered. I squatted and lifted her leg. She was wearing the anklet I gave her. I tightened my grip when she tried to pull her leg back.
“You kept this on this whole time,” I asked, hoping she’d say yes.
She looked away and didn't answer.
“Mariah. Please answer me.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
Suddenly the sink was more interesting than me.
“Why, Mariah?”
“Because I still love you. I never stopped.”
I looked at her leg as a huge grin spread over my face.
“Are you sure,” I asked as I pulled off the sock.
“Yes.”
It's a whisper, but good enough. I rose and captured her gaze. We stared at each other for a moment. I touched her belly.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“You don't want children. I didn't want to force this on you when you made it crystal clear you didn't want it. I felt really bad I got pregnant and I didn't want you think I did on purpose to trap you.”
I wanted to scoff. She had me trapped the day I met her.
“Did you ever think I had a right to know and try to wrap my mind around this?”
“I asked you; you said no.”
“The day you were supposed to get your shot. That's when you found out, right?”
“Yes.”
“Jesus, Mariah! It was over a month after that before you left!”
She goes quiet again.
“Take your shower and we will talk after.”
“Okay.” She takes off the gown and I immediately erected, grateful my shirt wasn't tucked in.
“Damn. Even as pregnant as you are...”
“What, Marcus?”
“You're so fucking sexy. More so.”
She blushed. “Stop it. I look like I swallowed a beach ball.”
“Somehow, you manage to pull it off. And your breasts! Jesus!”
God those suckers were huge and very, very tempting.
“Marcus!” Mariah's arms crossed over her breasts. “Stop it! Get out. Wait for me outside.”
“When the water goes off, I'm coming right back in and help you.”
“All right. Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
She smirked. “Like you are about to attack me.”
“Mariah... I haven't had sex in almost six months, so yes, when I see you all naked and sexy, I'm going to respond to it.”
She had the nerve to give me a stunned expression then adorably frowned.
“Are you serious?”
I decided to tease her. “Yes, you are very sexy.”
“Marcus!”
“I'm leaving now. I'll be right here when you're done.”
I left the door cracked and watched an aide put clean sheets on the bed, thinking about how stubborn Mariah still was... but she admitted she still loved me. I broke into a big smile and, for the first time since she gave her ring back, I finally felt like she and I could work this out. She had to know I loved her and always would. All those months without her... She had to know I could not, would not let her go again.
I was so deep in my thoughts, I almost missed the water going off. I grabbed her towels.
“Better?”
“Much,” she smiled.
I wrapped her up in one towel and dried her hair with another.
“I missed you. So much,” I whispered. “Too much.”
“I missed you, too.” She gripped the sink and frowned. “Ouch! Jesus...”
“What? One of them kicking?” I grinned, hoping that’s what it was so I can possibly feel it, again.
“It's the both of them, I think. Like they're fighting.”
“You mind?”
“No.”
She turned to me. I got a double kick as soon as I put my hands on her belly and feeling it made everything… real.
We needed to work this out, for their sakes and ours.
* * *
She knocked out fast after our talk. I lifted her hand and kissed it below the ring she let me put back on her finger. Finally, I felt like she's mine again. I missed her so much.
I circled her belly again and kissed her head. She mumbled in her sleep as another movement sounded on the monitor. It was a loud, screeching sound that sent a nurse in, running.
“Is she okay, Dr. Cannon,” she whispered, taking in the situation.
“Yes. It's one of the babies moving.”
“Would you like me to turn it down?”
“Just a little. I'd still like to hear the heartbeats.”
She smiled and walked to the machine. “Are you staying overnight, Docto
r?”
“Yes,” I smiled, still rubbing Mariah's belly.
“I can get you a cot and blanket.”
“No, thank you. I'm staying right here.”
“Good night, Dr. Cannon. Buzz if you need anything.”
She turned and left us. I heard her talking softly in the hall.
“Is Ms. Hollander all right?”
“Yes, Dr. Williams. The babies were moving, is all it was.”
“Good. Let me see her chart. Is she relaxed?”
“She's sleeping, actually. Her fiancé is in there with her.”
“Lucky guy. I saw her last night; she's a beautiful woman.”
I smiled. She is beautiful and I hoped our boys looked just like her.
* * *
Mariah nudged me. “Marcus?”
I startled awake and saw her looking at me. Good. It wasn't another dream.
“Hmm? What's wrong, baby?”
“What did you mean when you said you lost fifteen days?”
I inhaled and watched Mariah pop a piece of watermelon in her mouth.
“The night you left, I drove to San Francisco, without realizing what I was doing. My new best/worst friend, Jack Daniels, met me there. I don't remember buying the stuff, only memory I have is waking up in a motel, empty bottles surrounding me. I splashed my face and got in the car and drove back to Calabasas. I strolled into Mother's house and got a right hook to my jaw and told it was fifteen days later.”
“Who hit you,” she asked, her eyes wide.
“Matthew,” I chuckled. “I scared the shit out of them. They thought I was dead somewhere. I was gone, you were gone. They were devastated and those fools didn't leave didn't leave my side for three days after I came back and I've been at Mother's since.”
“You could’ve killed yourself! How did you survive that?”
“I don't know, baby.”
She looked at me a long time then gave me a sweet kiss. “I'm so sorry. If I thought for one minute you would accept them...” She kissed me again then pulled back with a scowl, jabbing my chest. “You better not do that again! Ever!”
“I promise, baby.” I kissed her nose. “I'm done with alcohol. I have three people who need me to be around and alert for a very long time.”
“Good,” she murmured and ate more watermelon. “Go back to sleep.”
Chapter TEN
Damn! They are good!
July 8, 2018
“Park here, Nathan. That's The Grecian, up ahead on the right. The trio is in the pizza truck on the left. From here, we should have a good view of what's happening.”
We look where Matthew is pointing. Richards get out of the truck, splashed something over himself, then goes in the bar. Next Daniels gets out, dressed in an expensive suit, and gets in a limo.
“I'm turning the monitor on now,” Matthew says. “Nathan and Tom, squeeze back here so you can see it, too.”
“Any cords to that thing? We could plug it up to the TV in the floor. With the van in park, it will show up on the dash.”
“Good idea, Cramp.”
Matthew plugs the machine into the TV and we watch as Hunt's broach picks up a picture of the bar.
“Who is she talking to,” I ask as I frowned at the monitor.
“I believe Parker,” Matthew answered, adjusting the picture.
“We can't hear them?”
“Let me try this,” he murmurs, flipping switches. Parker's voice comes through.
“Stacy, I need you to turn toward the door. I can only see the bar. Okay, good. Give Monica the ring and tell her to put her hand on her knee.”
“Okay,” Hunt says then turns to Monica. “Put this on and put your hand on your knee. Is he here, Ryan?”
“Yes. Turn to your right.”
“Where, Ryan? I don't see him. Ryan?”
“Who are you calling Ryan, baby,” Richards slurred at Hunt.
“This is my friend, Ann. I was talking to her.”
“For you, Dad,” Daniels whispered then walks in the bar, right into Monica's camera. His cell rings. “Ford.”
“You're good, Dannie. Can you hear me in the ear?”
“Yep.”
“I see Guzman on your left, bandaged nose and all. Let's get Monica out now.”
“I agree. Where the hell is Griffin?” Daniels says loudly.
“On his way. Guzman's code is ‘Long Island.’ Got it?”
“Yep. No more calls, I'm busy tonight!”
He smiles at Hunt and Monica, then walks over to Guzman.
“DAMN! What the fuck happened to you, man?”
Guzman snorts. “I don't know you, man. Fuck outta here, maricon.”
“Cisco, man, come on. I need a Long Island.”
“How you know my code, fool? You five-o?”
“Look at me, man. I ain't no fucking cop.” Daniels nods at Monica and Hunt. “That's you over there?”
Guzman turns and mutters, “Ooh, shit. They are now. Hang on.”
Richards leans in and whispers, “Parker. Subject locked. Hunt, price and insult.”
“It's five hundred, asshole,” Hunt says loudly, rolling her eyes. “Twelve for the both of us. You're probably too drunk to get it up, anyway.”
“Damn... why I gotta... whoo... hello, pretty lady. How much for your company?”
“Same price you paid for your mother last night, prick,” Monica drawls. “Beat it. Literally.”
“Damn,” Tom whispers. “What-the-hell?”
“Keep it up until Daniels gets over here,” Richards whispers. “Can you see the target, Parker?”
“Not all of him. Move Monica five degrees right. Stop! Perfect. Got him. Go for it, Daniels.”
Daniels moves past Guzman while Monica and Hunt continue to insult Richards.
“Hey, man! I said hang the fuck on!”
“Hurry the fuck up, Cisco. I need to get laid soon,” Daniels shouts.
Guzman eases up to Stacy. “Hey, Mestiza. You under the umbrella? I got a big one.”
“Five hundred is all you need to know,” Hunt says.
“Naw, baby. I like this over here. Mmm... but my buddy back there, he likes color. How 'bout you show him a good time, Mestiza?”
“I had this one,” Richards slurs, sliding up to Hunt. He nods at Monica. “He can have that one.”
“Oh, yeah? Show me your money, Borracho.”
“Not yet,” Hunt says, grabbing Richards’ hand. “We can take care of business later. Ignore him. What do you want, Friend?”
Guzman puts his hand on Hunt’s neck and tightens. “No, it’s what I say, Mestiza. You came on my turf with ya shopping. I’m your grocer now. I got this and I tell you who and when and I’m telling you to get this maricon into your cart, got it?”
Hunt nods then growls at Richards, who leans in and whispers, “Calm down; I promise you’ll get a piece of him later, Hunt. Parker, are you seeing behind my left shoulder?”
“Yep.”
“What's behind his left shoulder,” Joshua asks as a knock sounds on the door next to Matthew.
“The door.” Matthew answers. “Need to see everything as it happens.” He peeks out the window, then cracks the door.
“I'm going in. I got your brother-in-law. He'll get Sumner out of there for us.”
Matthew nods and closes the door.
“Who was that,” I ask.
“Hodges.”
“Whose brother-in-law does he have?”
“Ours.”
I frown and look around. Only brother-in-law missing is Russell.
“What's he doing with Russell?”
“Cause he's FBI, Marcus. They've had Guzman under investigation.”
“What the fuck,” Joshua yells. “Russell is FBI?”
Matthew looks around at all of us. “None of you knew?”
“No,” we all shout.
“He's a recruiter and an undercover agent. He's pretty high up there. How am I the only one that knows this?”
I s
hake my head, thinking he won’t be an agent for long.
“Fuck you, Toad,” Joshua murmurs. “So much for no secrets in this family.”
I sigh as I look at the screen. “Shut up... there's Russ.”
“Yo... who serving the Long Island in here,” Russ yells out.
“Damn, you NBA? Fuck, you tall. What you need tonight,” Guzman sneers, seeing dollar signs all over Russell.
“Fuck... I need that right there,” Russell points at Monica. His look is salacious when he starts rubbing his hands together.
“Daniels. FBI. Play it out,” Parker murmurs. “Argue for her. We need you to appear desperate.”
“Hey, man... this is mine,” Daniels scowls. “Wait your turn.”
“I'm in a rush, fool,” Russell barks out. “Hold up.”
“Naw, man. I'm taking her.”
“Asshole! I gotta be on a plane in an hour with the team and I can’t be around those fuckers with a hard dick! You can't give me fifteen minutes?”
“Hold on, Stretch. I'll take care of you,” Guzman says, sounding as sleazy as he looks.
“Baited. Drop and engage, Daniels,” Parker murmurs.
“Fuck it, man. Take her,” Daniels yells. “She probably can't blow right any-fucking-way. What else you got, Cisco?”
“Five for me, five to her when you're done, Stretch,” Guzman says to Russell.
Russell leers at Monica as he passes Guzman money then holds his arm out to Monica. “Come with me, sweetheart. My car's right out front.”
Guzman jerks Monica's arm. Hard. She inhales sharply. Tom moves forward in his seat and mutters a string of curses.
“Make sure you come right back, perra,” Guzman says in her ear. “Pretty sure I’ll have another dick for you later.”
Monica puts her hand in Hunt's then kisses her cheek as Hunt slides the ring off her finger. Hunt puts it on her own hand as Monica takes Russell's arm.
Russell and Monica appear outside. He says something to her and she nods. He gives her a hug and puts her in a black SUV. He says something to the driver then the SUV quickly takes off. Russell looks up and down the street, then glances up and nods. He frowns and looks our way. He gets in a black car and it speeds off.
“Ten degrees right, Stacy,” Parker whispers.
Hunt moves her hand and Daniels comes into view.
“Perfect. Don't move.”
“Nothing, man,” Guzman says.
Marcus: The M Series, Book Three Page 18
