Chapter Seven

Becca

 

 

 

 

I speed cleaned the apartment last night, so it's one less thing Pat can complain about when he gets here. He stopped by for a minute last night but didn't even come in; he said he had a hotel room a block away and that we could get together today.

The entire time at work I've been distracted if I want thinking about Pat I was thinking about Storm. My phone buzzes and I pull it out.

Storm: Picking you up for dinner tonight.

I smile at the lack a question.

Me: Can’t tonight having dinner with my brother while he’s in town.

Storm: I’ll join you.

My eyes widen, that would give pat a heart attack.

Me: NO

Storm: Why not?

Me: Because my brother is a pain in the ass. Dinner tomorrow, okay?

He doesn’t reply for a few minutes.

Storm: Fine. I’ll pick you up at six.

Me: See you then.

Walking out of work I see another red rose under my wipers and smile. He gets points for it. I drive over to the restaurant and see that Pat's car is already there.

I take a deep breath and walk in, seeing him I head over to the table. His shaggy hair looks disheveled, and his shirt is untucked. He stands up and hugs me.

“Long time no see sister.”

I don't say anything; I just give him a look, so he knows I'm pissed off at him.

“Seriously you’re still mad?” the confused look on his face only pisses me off more.

"You're tracking me like an escaped inmate. Yea, I'm pissed off Pat." I cross my arms in front of my chest. A motorcycle sounds outside, and my emotions ramp up. I turn around but breathe a sigh of disappointment when I see it isn't Storm, although I don't know what I would do if he did show up.

“I’m just looking out for you Natalie.”

My eyes narrow at him. "I told you never to call me that again. Natalie Howell is gone. Not only that but someone might hear you."

“No one heard me, you know I can’t call you Rebecca. It feels wrong.” His eyes look down at the table.

"Well, that's who I am now Pat."

He runs his hands through his hair. "It doesn't have to be; I told you I would keep you safe if you stayed with me."

"There is no way I would ever agree to be a prisoner again. Three years was enough." My mind starts to drift back, but I refuse to go there.

“You know I had no choice. I couldn’t help you I tried.”

"Why are you bringing this up now? I've been Rebecca Maxwell for four years now." Sometimes I feel like he brings up our past because he knows how it debilitates me.

"Because all of a sudden you're lying to me, going out, and being reckless. I'm worried about you." He reaches for my hand, but I pull it back.

"No, all of a sudden I realize I want to have more of a life than hiding in an apartment. Just because you're in the FBI does not mean you have a right to track my every movement, Pat. I'll throw the phone out before I live under your microscope." My phone buzzes and I glance down at it. I see a message from Storm, but I'll answer him later.

"Don't do that. I love you Na—" he pauses we both know what he was about to call me. "I love you. You're my sister, and we are the only family each other have. I just don't want something to happen, and I lose you. I couldn't handle that."

“Nothing is going to happen to me. I’m smart and careful. I have people watching out for me too.” My thoughts drift to Storm, to how safe he makes me feel. The problem is that he doesn’t know the trouble I might bring with me.

“People like who?” Pat’s eyebrow raises and I know I’ve screwed up.

“Sara, who else?” I try to keep my voice steady. I’ve never been able to lie to my brother especially now that he became an agent.

“You’re lying to me again. What is going on with you?” The interrogator in him is going into overdrive.

"I think I might be seeing someone," I say it so quietly that I'm not even sure he heard me.

"You think that's a good idea? What if you need to move? What if you need to disappear again?" he's frantic, and people start to glance over at us.

"It's been four years, and I've been fine. I can't live my life lonely forever." I shrug.

"You have me; we have each other."

"Yes, but that's different. You're my brother, and I love you. That doesn't mean I don't want to experience a different kind of love too." I think back to how I feel when I'm around Storm. How in no time at all just the thought of him gives me butterflies and gets me excited for when I'll see him again.

"No one will ever be good enough for you; you're amazing sis. You're the strongest person I've ever known." He looks at me, and I'm hoping he can accept that I'm not that terrified fourteen-year-old girl anymore.

Love you brother, but at some point, I have to grow up." I look down at my watch. "I need to get home. I have work in the morning, and I really need to be prepared and focused." The last two days Ms. Henley has been getting irritated with me.

"Okay, I'll go home with you and say hi to Sara." He stands up, and we walk out to our cars.

When I get home I’m going to give Storm a call, I know I left at a weird time, he probably thinks I’m crazy.

I park my car and wait for Pat when we walk around the car I freeze in my tracks. Storm is standing outside of my building.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

He starts to walk toward me, and I know this is going to be bad.

"Hey Angel," he reaches out to pull me to him, but pat pushes me behind you.

"Get the fuck away from my sister." Storm has a good six inches on my brother, but Pat has never backed down from anyone.

Jesus Christ.

“I don’t know what the fuck your problem is but gets the fuck off my girl.” Storm’s eyes meet mine at the same time Pat turns to me.

"Are you kidding me? This is the relationship you were talking about? Do you even know anything about him? About the damn gang, he's in?" Pat is screaming, and I jump at his tone.

"What your goddamn mouth and let her go." Storm's hands are clenched by his sides, and I can almost feel the anger radiating off of him.

"I know your type, and I know plenty about that thing you call a club. Don't fuck with me and stay the hell away from my sister." Storm takes a step toward us and before I know what is happening Pat pulls out his gun. "Get the fuck back asshole."

Oh, my God.

This has gone way too far.

"I got one of those too, but I'll bet your life I'm a better fucking shot." Storm's bites back at my brother.

I break free from his grasp and move in-between them. “Enough! Pat put your damn gun away! This is crazy.”