You Two Big Idiots
IS IT CLICHÉ TO WANT to sing “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood” while I drink my morning coffee and wave at my next door neighbor¸ whom strangely just ran back into her house? They really need to get over those boxes.
Things have just seemed to be so much brighter lately. Happier. Perfect. The weekend wrapped up, and Dani couldn’t have been happier with the turn out. There were a few headaches and a black eye casualty, but other than that, major success.
We all spent the morning sipping on coffees and eating the breakfast Linc picked up, which was super yummy. He knows exactly what donuts I like so, if nothing else, at least I enjoyed the spread. I can’t say Roman enjoyed his morning since he spent it giving Linc the death glare the entire time, and Linc didn’t help the situation by grinning every time.
When everyone got sick of Roman’s constant growling, we decided to call it a wrap. Dani hugged me big, thanking me for everything, even the extra stuff, and her and my brother were gone. Andie practically threw Roman out and waved, telling me she would call me later. That left Linc and I, a whole uneaten box of donuts, and the entire day to ourselves.
“You know, you’re gonna have to find a way to get along with my brother,” I state taking a huge bite of my apple fritter.
“Yeah, I’ll get right on that,” he replies with an eye roll. He pops donut hole after donut hole into his mouth. That man can eat anything and still look like a God. I don’t get it.
I chuckle and finish my fritter. This thing is seriously worth the month in calories. I get up, grabbing my latte, and snuggle next to my man. My man. I love the sound of that. What I loved even more was our little banter about being a Mr. and Mrs. I know we were both drunk, but our eyes told a very sobering story. That we were very much in love. And this love, it’s not something that ever plans on going away.
“What do you want to do today?” I ask, stealing a donut hole. Okay, so maybe a month and a half worth of calories. Linc wraps his arm around me, bringing me close to his chest. I love being able to hear the beating of his heart.
“The day is ours. Whatever you want.” He places a kiss on top of my head and turns on the TV. “What do you want to watch?”
“Anything that doesn’t turn either one of us on. I’m going to admit, I’m a bit sore today.”
I feel Linc’s chest vibrate. “Is my girl throwing out the white flag? Giving up on her wild adventure throughout the sexual unknown?” The fact that there is still sooo much unknown tires me but then excites me all the same. One thing’s for sure, Linc surely hasn’t let me down when it comes to fulfilling my sexual curiosity. What he’s done is help feed this new beast in me that, as of late, craves more. And more. And more.
“Definitely not throwing in the towel,” I argue. “I have two full boxes of leather, chains, and something that resembles a taser that we need to test out.”
Linc bellows with laughter as he hugs me tight. Another kiss to my head and he flips through the channels until some zombie flick fills the screen. “Here, dead people on the hunt to suck each other’s brains. Nothing sexy about that.” And he’s right about that. Goo and slime dripping from eyeballs and dead zombie creatures chewing on human flesh. Yuck.
I would make Linc change it, but my mind drifts away from the show and more onto our last conversation about the whole past literally crashing into us. You need to trust me. I keep replaying those words in my head. Do I trust him? Yes. Without a doubt. And that’s the thing. It’s not about the trust. It’s about how worried I am that he’s in trouble and he’s trying to hide it from me. He says he protecting me. But from what? Who? No one would have to say that unless they were in trouble.
And of course, me being me, I just want to help him. Fix whatever problems he may be having. If it were money, I have it. I would help him. But after our talk, I know he would refuse. If he were in trouble, I wish he would confess to someone. Maybe Ram. Ram would be able to help him. Talk to the police. Help get him out of any trouble he’s in. I don’t doubt Linc had a rough past. He has never hidden any of that from me. But he is hiding something that’s happening in the present, and I’m struggling with not knowing just how deep in trouble he is.
“Hey, Linc?”
“Yeah, baby?” He lifts his hand to caress my hair.
“About that night…” I immediately feel him tense. Feeling defeated before I even start, I wish I never brought it up. But I just need to know. I’ve never been one to just sit around when I could possibly be of help. And I feel deep down that Linc, admitting it or not, needs that. So I push through the conversation. “I just wanted you to know I trust you fully. And I get that there are some things you can’t share. I don’t understand, but I get it. But if there was something I could do to help you, would you please let me?” I lift my head so he can look into my eyes and see the sincerity. The devotion I have for him. “I’ll never judge you. I never have and never will. But I want to be there for you. And right now I feel like I can’t.”
He raises his palms, cupping my cheeks.
“You are there for me. Rey, I can’t even begin to explain what you’ve already done for me. You’ve given me a reason to be better. To get my shit together. Before you, I had nothing. I was bound for jail, or probably six-feet underground.”
At that comment, I gasp. To think Linc would not be in my life immediately crushes me.
“But I’m not,” he continues. “I’m here because you changed my life. I was nothing before you. And now, I’m everything. I’m doing what I need to do to make sure I’m the man you can be proud of.”
I grab for his face, pressing our foreheads together. “Linc, you are that man for me. You’re everything. I couldn’t take it if something were to happen. Please. Thick as thieves, remember? Let me in. If you’re in trouble, please let me help.” I’m beginning to panic, and the events from that night start to come back.
Linc presses his lips to mine, calming me with his soothing mouth, his hands working their way to my hair. “Trust me. That’s all I can ask right now. Soon, it’s going to be me and you. Bonnie and Clyde, minus all the illegal crap, because I’m a good man now. We’re going to ride this life out together. I promise you. When my bullshit settles, I’m going to make some moves to make you fucking mine. Permanently.”
We kiss frantically, sealing his promise to me with such an intense kiss, I can feel it all the way down to my toes. Eventually, yet all too soon, he pulls away.
I reopen my eyes, my lids heavy with building lust. “Why are you stopping?”
“Because of the way you’re looking at me right now,” he groans, as if he’s frustrated for even having to say the words. “If we don’t start watching more brain-eating zombies tearing through flesh, you’re going to end up naked while I suck on your flesh. Then I’m going to fuck the Sunday right out of you. That is why I’m stopping.” He gives me a playful wink and runs his thumb across my bottom lip.
I take a moment to stare into his smoldering green eyes. Ones that tell me that if I don’t make a decision soon, there’s no stopping what he has in store for me. And as much as I want him to take all of me, I wasn’t kidding. My body needs a time out.
“Okay. Good call. Flesh-eating zombies it is. But it’s fair game after our Sunday nap.”
With a smile, he pulls me back down for a three-hour zombie marathon.
“You’re going to do great.” I cheer Linc on as I watch him attempt to tie his tie. After I’ve gotten a good laugh, I give up and help him.
“I’m going to do great because you’re going to be sitting next to me,” he says with a low growl. “And most likely, my fingers will be up this naughty skirt you have on the entire meeting.”
I finish knotting his tie and slap him on the shoulder. “No funny business while we’re in there. If you do well and land the client, I’ll give you a private treat in my office.” I lick my lips suggestively and step away, but he’s too quick. He wraps his arm around my waist, crushing my body against his.
“Looks like I’m going to nail this meeting then. And once I’m done, I’m going to nail you and that pretty ass of yours.”
I blush instantly at his ass reference. I never thought that doing something so crazy would have been so sexually exhilarating. Not only did we take our sex a step farther, but we did it with a full house! The horror of what might have happened if one of my brothers walked out. But the thrill. God, the thrill of what we were doing knowing at any moment we could get caught was what made it even better.
“What are you thinking about, beautiful?”
Such a troublemaker, this one. He knows exactly what I’m thinking about. His phone vibrates in his pocket, though, and it kills the mood. It went off all day yesterday and into the night. Linc ended up turning it off. I didn’t pry. But my simple question on who kept calling was met with vague replies.
I push away from him and hurry into my bedroom to finish getting ready. “That you need to hurry before you’re late in prepping with Ram before the client meeting.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to just ride together?” he asks. “Save on gas? Better chances of road head for me on the way to and from the office?”
Laughing, I toss a pair of pantie hose at him. “Go, Linc.”
He flashes me a wolfish grin and prowls over to me for a naughty kiss that ends with him groping my butt. “Fine. I’ll see you in the office.”
He whistles, looking every bit the beautiful businessman with his new leather portfolio tucked under his arm. His butt is downright bitable in his charcoal grey slacks.
I smile at his retreating form, until I hear the door shut and the sounds of his car fade away. My mind is immediately back to the excessive phone calls. That’s when my smile slightly falls. Those darn calls. “Oh Linc, what are you hiding?” I whisper as I finish getting ready, pack up my laptop, and head to work.
Whoever is calling him clearly wants to talk to him. I lost count after the fifth call. Once the text messages started popping through, he shut his phone off. I wanted to ask. No, I was dying to ask, but he told me to trust him. So that’s what I had to do. But the calls never stopped. I’m not sure when he turned his phone back on. I assumed it was when I had him order the pizza, because late last night they started again. Linc was dead to the world, but when I rolled over to grab his phone, he immediately awoke, distracting me, so I never was able to see who it was.
I had to believe that he was doing what he thought needed to be done, but it also unnerved me. Who called that many times? And who didn’t answer? Was he hiding someone? A woman? My gut drops to my toes at the mere thought of him having another woman in his life. He wouldn’t do that to me. Ashamed to even think that, I hop in my car and pull out of my driveway.
How could I even think that? He has never lead me to believe there was anyone else but me. But the feeling that something is wrong just won’t fade. I simply don’t know how much longer I can go on with just the faith of trust to keep my worries at bay. I drive down my street and wave at one of the neighbors jogging by when I catch a strange gold town car driving behind me. I try and get a good look at the driver but the windows are heavily tinted. Even in the front. Feeling unnerved, I try to remember the car from that night. I can’t say I saw it though because I had had too much to drink. “You’re being paranoid, Reagan.” I try and shake it off and turn right out of the neighborhood. I would feel better if the car went left. But he doesn’t.
“You’re not the only one who goes this way to work,” I chide myself, trying not to freak out. I wish this feeling I have were for nothing, but the strange calls combined with having gotten almost run off the road a few weeks ago, and I can’t rid the nerves. I pick up my phone and reverse the camera so it’s facing me pointing backwards. I snap a few shots, hoping to get the plates so I can show Linc when I get to work. If I see any sort of reaction from him, I’m making him tell me what’s going on. If whatever’s going on with him puts me in danger, then I have the right to know.
I speed up and change a few lanes, seeing if the car stays with me. I’m not an expert at tailing so I’m not sure if he is or if it’s my paranoia. He doesn’t keep right up on me, but at the last yellow light, I sped up, which caused him to blow through the red. I’m about to pull up to the office when the car suddenly pulls in front and speeds past me.
“Fuck,” I curse, which is completely out of character for me. I don’t realize I’ve been holding my breath until I see his headlights in front of me. I park and grab my stuff and head upstairs. I’m praying that Linc and Ram are in a place where I can grab Linc and talk to him. Sadly, when I enter the office, Clara is waiting for me, an anxious frown on her face.
“Hi, sorry, but they’re ready for you. Linc and Ram just finished the morning prep. The client showed up early, so they’re already in the conference room. I have the presentation and the account profile. Everything you should need is in here.” She hands me the folder and grabs my laptop bag to drop off in my office, so I can go straight to the meeting. I’m feeling a bit shaken up and need to pull myself together.
I walk into the conference and see Roman in front with the client, while Ram and Linc take the back seats, allowing Roman to begin the morning presentation.
I offer Linc a smile but it doesn’t reach my eyes. Linc notices it immediately.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I want to tell him what just happened. Show him the photos. I look forward and see Roman finishing up his spiel and know I don’t have much time.
“Linc, when I—”
His phone rings, distracting me. I quickly look at his screen to see who it is, but he ignores the call. Two seconds later, the phone vibrates again.
“Who’s calling you? Why don’t you ever answer?” I whisper frantically. I need to know. And now.
“Babe, I told you, it’s nothing. Bill collectors probably. I’m fine. What did you want to tell me?”
“When I was driving to—”
“Linc, did you want to come up and present your graphics?” Roman cuts us off, and Linc quickly pats my thigh and stands, heading to the front of the room.
I try and sit through Linc’s presentation. His drawings are amazing. And he is a natural with people. I watch as our client hangs on every word, practically drooling over his ideas. I begin to settle, enjoying watching him in his element, when his phone rings again.
Leave it be, Reagan. Trust him.
God! I just can’t. I lean over and see a random number. It tells me nothing, which means he could be telling me the truth. Bill collectors call day and night from random numbers. Dang, relax, girl. I take a deep breath and sit back in my chair, eyes back on Linc. He’s well into nailing this sale when his phone dings again, this time indicating a text.
None of your business.
Ignore it.
He would tell you if…
Oh, to hell with it. I lean forward just as another slew of messages come through.
Detective Dickhead: I know you see my calls. Answer.
Detective Dickhead: We made a deal. Screw me and I take everything from you.
Detective Dickhead: It ends tonight. This is the end of the line for you, Carter, if you fuck it up.
I gasp at the messages I’m reading. What deal? Who is this? What has Linc gotten himself into? I lift my head, finding Linc’s eyes. He knows I’m reading something I shouldn’t be. The look on my face resembles the look on his.
Worry.
His phone dings again. I look down to another text.
Detective Dickhead: 7pm by the docks. You’re the bait. Play your part. It’s your life if you mess up.
My hands go over my mouth at the last message. Oh my God.
“Well, I am sold, sold, sold!” our client boasts and stands. I can barely pull myself together to shake his hand, telling him that we’ll be in touch to finalize the financial portfolio, before Ram is walking them out of the conference room. Linc is by my side instantly.
“Rey—”
“Don’t you Rey me, goddammit,” I snap. “You’ve been lying to me. This!” I jab at his screen filled with message after message. “This is not nothing! This is someone threatening your life!”
He attempts to bring his arms up to comfort me, but I slap him away. “No. You’re not going to smooth your way out this with your kisses and tender words.”
Linc ignores my fight to keep distance and wraps his large hand around shoulder. “Baby liste—”
“Get your fucking hands off my sister,” Roman barks from across the room.
Linc ignores him as he fights for my attention. “Rey, look at me.”
“You’re lying to me,” I accuse. “You’re in trouble. Big trouble.” My voice cracks. “Am I in danger? Was the man following me today one of these people who are out to get you?”
Linc’s eyes darken. “What man?” he demands. “Who was fucking following you?”
My eyes fill with unshed tears and fear claws at my throat. He’s been hiding this from me the whole time when in reality things have not been okay. “Linc, you need to tell me, now, who that is texting you. We need to go to the police!”
“NO!” Linc snaps back, just as Roman rips Linc’s hand off me. “Touch my sister again like that and you’re a dead man.”
Linc’s eyes flicker with rage, the growl leaving his lips straight up dangerous. He takes a threatening step toward my brother. “You know what, motherfucker?” he hisses. “Open your goddamn eyes. If you weren’t so worried about what you wanted, like the selfish prick you are, you’d realize that Rey wants me. Me. And for the record, I’m going to touch her. All of her. And there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it.” He shoves Roman into the table. My brother retaliates and charges after him.
“Stop! Both of you stop!” I scream. “I can’t take this anymore!”
Roman pauses, mostly shocked at my outburst.
“Roman,” I say much quieter. “I’m sorry if this is going to put a rift between us, but I’m with Linc. Heart and all.”
He scowls. “You have to be fucking kidding me. Him, Regan? Him?”
“Approve or don’t but it’s what I want,” I clip out. “Stop trying to decide what’s best for me. Because I’ve already chosen for myself.”
Roman gapes at me in shock. He turns from me to Linc. This time Linc isn’t egging him on. Linc’s nostrils are flaring with fury.
“And you,” I snap, pointing at my boyfriend. “We’re going to the cops. Now. And you are going to tell them what sort of trouble you’re in. You’re going to do it for me.”
Linc’s chest heaves with each angry breath. The tension between the three of us is thick. With narrowed eyes, I stare at Linc, waiting for him to agree. To tell me he will do it. For me. But the words that fall from his lips are not what I expect.
“I fucking can’t.” His green eyes flicker with regret.
My heart plummets. “What do you mean you can’t?”
“I can’t do that,” he mutters, scrubbing his cheek with his palm. “I told you to not worry. I have this under control. I’m not going to the cops.”
God, he is so stubborn!
Roman steps in. “If you’re putting my baby sister in danger, you piece of shit, I’ll fucking gut—”
Roman doesn’t get to finish, because Linc tackles him. Swings are being thrown. My screams and pleas for them to stop aren’t being heard.
I know better than to get in the middle of those two unless I want a matching black eye like Linc’s.
“You two big idiots!” I scream, my voice breaking with emotion. I’ve had enough. I grab my purse and throw it over my shoulder. “Fine, if you won’t do what’s right, I will,” I state and storm out of the room.
Linc bellows my name just before Roman slams his fist into his gut. I run out of the office, the tears flowing heavily.
I knew I should have trusted my instincts. Something was wrong. He was not okay. Oh Linc, what have you done? I step onto the sidewalk, trying to wipe my face so I can see where I’m going. I must look a mess to anyone walking by on the street.
The police station is just a few blocks away, so I’m not going to bother getting my car. I need the time to calm down anyway….
“’Scuse me, miss?”
I halt at the sound of a heavily accented male voice. I turn to see a man standing at the curb.
“Um, yes can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m a little lost, sweetheart. I’m in town, visiting a friend and I seem to have gotten all turned around. My GPS keeps taking me in circles.” He taps at his device. “Can you tell me where this address is?”
“Sure, of course,” I say, walking up to him so I can take a look at his phone. Looking at the location, I notice it right away. “Oh, that’s in my neighborhood. You just want to go left…” That’s when I feel a sharp pinch in my neck. I throw my hand up to the skin just as I watch the man pull a needle away from my neck.
“What…what did you jus…” I fade off as my words begin to slur, my head feeling like dead weight. I attempt to push away from the man, but my legs give out. He catches me in his arms. I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out as he shoves me into the back seat of his car.
That’s when life goes black.