Page 20 of Fracture

Or the reason he met Marcus more than two decades ago and how Marcus saved Vinnie from a very different life.

Vinnie pulled off the interstate and found a fast food place. All four of them got out of the vehicle, Lorelei a little awkwardly.

“Are you okay?” Vinnie asked her.

She nodded. “Yeah, just sore. It’s not easy to keep my leg propped up, and it’s kind of tight with Karli there.”

“She insisted on coming with you.”

Lorelei nodded, forcing a smile that didn’t meet her eyes. She closed her eyes and took a breath. She let it out slowly, coughing at the end.

“Do you need to use your spirometer? How long has it been?” Vinnie moved to the back of the SUV and opened the hatch. Karli and Cade’s things were mixed with his bag and Lorelei’s luggage. He didn’t think to put Lorelei’s stuff on top, or to find out which bag had her pills and her medical supplies.

“I’m okay, Vinnie. I’m sorry I needed to stop.”

Karli stepped in before Vinnie could reply. “You’re the one we’re all here for. You don’t need to apologize. We don’t mind. If you need to stop every two hours, we will. If you need to stop every thirty minutes, we will. It’s all good.”

Vinnie nodded his agreement. He didn’t care if it took a week to make the seven-hour drive from Boston to Niagara Falls. He’d do whatever he needed to do to make sure Lorelei was comfortable.

“I hope I can make it longer with a painkiller. I should be okay,” Lorelei said.

Vinnie found the bag of her things from the hospital in the top of the duffle bag. He pulled it out, then zipped the duffle again. “We should keep this stuff up front. So she can use it when she needs to.”

“Good idea. I didn’t think about that before.” Karli nodded, then swung her gaze to Lorelei. “Let’s go use the bathroom and get food, then we’ll get back on the road.”

Lorelei nodded and followed Karli and Cade to the restaurant.

Vinnie trailed behind them, the bag of meds in his hand. Cade held the door for everyone to go in. The two women went to the bathroom first, and Cade pulled Vinnie aside.

“I don’t think we’re going to make it back today. Should we look for a hotel?” Cade asked.

Vinnie nodded. “Probably. We got a late start, and a road trip isn’t easy when you’re not injured.”

“Yeah. What I’m afraid of is she’s going to argue. She doesn’t like to be weak or incapable.”

“Are you asking if I’ll take the heat for it?”

Cade shrugged. “She isn’t likely to argue if you say you’re getting tired and want to stop for the day.”

Vinnie nodded. “I don’t mind doing that. Maybe another hour or two?”

“That’s probably good. Then we’re about halfway and can take our time going the rest of the way tomorrow.”

“Works for me. They’re coming. Something quick and we can grab dinner when we stop next?”

Cade reached for Karli and nodded at Vinnie’s question. “We’re thinking something small here and stop in an hour or two for dinner. You guys okay with that?”

“Perfect. You know I’m always up for something to eat,” Karli said, tilting her chin up for a kiss Cade didn’t hesitate to give her.

Twenty minutes later, they were back on the road. Cade continued his conversation, and Vinnie watched Lorelei in the rearview mirror.

By the time they stopped for dinner, Vinnie wasn’t having to make things up when he said he was exhausted and didn’t want to drive any longer.

“Don’t stop because of me,” Lorelei said, seeing through the ruse Cade tried to pull.

Vinnie shook his head. “It’s been a long few days. I think it’s good for all of us to get some sleep tonight and to start fresh in the morning.”

“I’m sorry,” Lorelei said.

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