Page 30 of His to Keep
He would regret having ever wanted her.
He would weep for having breathed the same air as her.
He would pay for his crimes, one way or another.
Marcus slipped out of bed and sauntered to his office. It was easier to call Mal at night because the guy slept all day. Pouring a large whiskey, he sat deep into the office chair and hit speed dial on the desk phone.
“Well, well, well, Marcus. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard from you,” Mal answered with an Irish lilt that kissed the tip of his tongue.
“Thanks for taking my call, Mal. I need ears to the ground on the inside.” Marcus got straight to the point. Time was ticking and he had zero patience left.
“Which cooler?”
“Maghaberry prison—in Ramand.”
“And the reason?” asked Mal.
“Carl Reed. An ‘ex’ member of Verto. He murdered his own wife and he kidnapped my girl, Lana.”
A throaty laugh gurgled down the connection. “Fuck off, McGrath. Don’t talk shit. You have a girl? I don’t believe ya. Old dogs don’t settle.” As Mal laughed, he wheezed.
“What the fuck is so funny?” Marcus’s hackles rose, partly because he knew Mal was right, but mostly, because he wanted their relationship to last longer than the summer.
A wrench of uncertainty weighted his gut. Could he commit to her? This was unchartered waters and he felt an anchor heaving him under his usual calm surface.
“I know ya want ta settle with a good girl. It’s just, guys like us will always be chasing tits and ass. So, what’s the point pretending?”
“You clearly haven’t changed.” Marcus necked the last drop of whiskey from his crystal cut tumbler.
“Nope.” Mal sighed like he was blowing out smoke. “The reality is, I don’t give a fuck about protocol or social expectations. I take care of ‘me.’ If ya wanna play happy fucking families, then I applaud ya. That life isn’t for me, and I guarantee ya’ll be back chasing skirts in a month when the novelty wears off.” He hacked up saliva in a cough after planting a monster seed of doubt in Marcus’s already wavering conscience.
“It’s different with her.” Marcus poured another large glug of whiskey. “I know it won’t be easy. I wasn’t sure if I wanted ties, but I’ve kinda fallen into it.”
“Ya’ll either break her heart or she’ll fuck ya over.”
Marcus curved his lips to the right. “I won’t hurt her.”But could I be the guy who sticks with the same girl for eternity, buys her a wedding ring and fathers her kids? Do I even want to have kids and chuck more responsibility at my feet?
“Sure, ya will. We all fuck up,” Mal sneered. “We’ve got dicks that need attention, every, damn, day.”
Marcus blasted air from his nostrils and shrugged off his comment. He knew Mal was right. Although that had been the truth before he met Lana, things had changed.
“You think you can help?” he asked bringing the conversation back to Carl.
“What’s the plan?” Mal asked.
“I want to know everything about Carl Reed while he’s inside. Who he talks to, what cell he’s in and who pays him a visit. Then I’ll decide what happens next.” Marcus watched the golden liquid cling to the glass as he tilted it back and forth.
“Should be easy enough. You expecting more trouble?”
“The guy knows people. It won’t surprise me if he gets out in the next week or so. I need to know the minute he’s free, so we can take care of him. I have a feeling he’ll be back for Lana.”
14
Lana shot upright.
The room was shrouded in a soft haze, emanating light from the owl night light plugged in at the opposite side of the bedroom. Marcus had it delivered the night he left for Belfast, so she wouldn’t feel so scared without him.
She rolled to the empty space where Marcus had been. Dropping off the bed, she bolted to the door like a skittish colt and peaked through the narrow slit. Her ears strained to detect his deep dulcet tones. Not a solitary sound. The house was deadly quiet.
