Constance thought she could finally stop looking over her shoulder. She has a steady job as a hairstylist, rents a small apartment next door to her best friend, and keeps a routine that distracts her just enough to not have to dwell on her past.
All...
Luca jumps from his seat and pounds on the table. "BOUNTY?"
Nate looks over to his off camera brother with flat irritation. "You didn't tell him?"
"I didn't want him to be mad."
"That is not a legitimate reason not to tell him, Nick."
"Why do I get all the hard jobs." He whines.
The twins bicker back and forth for a long time. All the while, Luca is fuming in his seat. He looks like he might just explode. Even after being with him for such a short time, he still looks like a lost child and maybe he is. Lost I mean. .
I reach out and hold his hand. This time it's not to stop him from swerving the car or to drag him behind me. I hold his hand because he looks like he needs comfort. He didn't push me away either, just starts to slow his breathing. Soon enough, he looks at me, still lost and frustrated but not alone. He's not alone any more. I give him the softest smile I can. He has the stress of the world on his shoulders and I have plenty of space on mine to take on some of his.
Luca's face changes slowly as he watches me but not back to his normal scowl, this expression is less tense. Like if he tried, his mouth might could smile a bit.
"Ahh, huum." The TV cleared it's throat.
We both look at the boys expecting nothing less than the stained looks we received. Luca drops the near lift of his mouth. "Let me know what you find."
"Um." I call out, "how long are we going to be staying here?"
"A week at least. By then I hope to have something substantial enough to give to a judge and release Luca from this manhunt. Even if the case is pending,he should be able to come out of hiding without fear of retaliation from the FBI." Nate says as he stacks the printed emails.
I nod.
So I only have a week left with Luca before we can go back to our lives. Why did that not sound as good as it should have? Of course I miss Michael but I'm slightly fond of my new bunker-mate.
"What about Michael?" The question came from Luca.
"I sent a liaison pretending to be an officer to his hospital room. He was informed that Constance went into hiding while the men who attacked him are at large. He is stable and should be able to head home in another two weeks." He smile at me sadly. "I'll set up a secure line for you to call him."
Hearing that he is as alright as an almost dead guy can be made my day. Being told that soon I can talk to him made my lifetime. I love him so much and if I were to lose him, I would also lose part of myself.
The guys talk a little more about strategy or statistics or something but I wasn't listening anymore. I was elated and at peace even though my circumstances aren't very favorable. If I get captured, hurt or killed, I made my peace about those things a long time ago. As long as those I care about are safe, then I am happy no matter what my own situation is.
I didn't notice when the voices stopped or when screen went black. I did, however, notice Luca's warm hand pulling at mine. I suppose we had held hands through the rest of the video chat which didn't bother me one bit.
"I'll take you to the bedroom." His rough voice said those words in such a way that my mind instantly went to there without my body.
"Sorry, handsome. I don't hop in the sack on the first date but I appreciate the offer."
He doesn't say anything but he doesn't need to. Different ranges of emotion cross his face but only for a second and then they are gone.
He walks me to my bedroom door and waits; staring at me for the longest time.
"I-"
"Yes?" I ask too eagerly.
"I need-"
"Yes?"
"I need my hand back, Scissors."
Embarrassed, I release him and swiftly close my door behind me. Somewhere inside me I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted him to take a chance but I know why he didn't. I'm not some gorgeous model or some sexy girl. I'm just plain old Constance.
This is going to be a long week.
*** Hello there! 👋
The twins are something else. I just imagine all the cringe my brother and I had growing up and voila the twins were born.
How about Nick. .
How about Nate. .
How about that awkward hand holding at the end there?Anyways, have a good day/noon/night or whatever.
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