Chapter 28

Jack reached home and found the house a mess. The tables were tilted, and the glass had broken on the ground, "What did they want from my dad."

As he walks to the kitchen, he questions and notices a set of beads on the table.

He picked up the beads and stood against the counter, looking out the kitchen window. With everything that was happening, all he could think of was Claire as he grabbed the knife and banged it into the kitchen table. What was the connection between her and Marcus? Why was he so secretive, and who could he trust?

The night went by as he tidied up. After cleaning up the downstairs, he locked the burglar bar gate and let the dogs loose in the back to the front of the yard.

Exhausted and feeling alone, he sat on the bed, and thats when he remembered his phone on the counter, eighteen missed calls. Checking the call log, it was seventeen from Claire and one from an unknown number. Claire had messaged him a few times, asking where he was.

Jack was fed up with the lies and everything going on. He decided to put his phone down and sat up straight on the bed, removing the magazine of his 9mm and switching it to semi-automatic.

He rolled a joint and smoked it before dozing off to sleep. The next day he was on his way to the gym when Marcus stopped next to him. "Hey, where are you going?"

"Gym, why?"

"Just asking, man, I was thinking of taking a trip to the mountain, and you never pitched for that part" Jack was silent for a moment and then said. "Yes had other things to do."

"Well, that party was awesome. Claire was looking for you. She mentioned you called her, so she was under the impression we would all be going together, but when you never pitched, she was pretty much pissed off."

They heard a car speeding towards them on the sidewalk. It was Max Jaguar. He stopped right next to Jack and jumped out with three other guys running up to grab him by the chest and pushing him against Marcus's jeep.

"You asshole, you think I would never have found out?"

Jack pushed Max backward and fell onto the bonnet as the other two guys attempted to grab Jack by the arms. Jack used his elbow, hitting the one in his face as blood spilled onto Max's car.

The other guy then pulled out a knife; Marcus removed his colt 9mm, pointing it at the back of the guy's head. "Drop your knife." Max stood up straight, holding his mouth; as it bled, he noticed his teeth were broken.

"You assholes will pay for this." Jack grabbed Max and tossed him on the ground. He was about to kick Max in the face when Marcus stopped him. As Jack turned, the guy with the knife brought his right hand forward to stab Jack In the back. That's when the gunshot went off. Blood spilled onto the Jaguar and all over Max. Marcus passively walked around the guy whose brain was blown out, holding the gun in his right hand, looking down at the body, and grinning. Jack looked up in shock, "What the fuck did you do, man." Marcus's white vest was covered in blood, and Max had shitted in his pant.

Marcus was calm. He had a psycho look in his eyes. As the other guy ran off, Max stood there in shock. The sirens started going off. Come on, man, we have to get out of here.

Jack pushed Marcus to the Jeep. Marcus then looked at Max. "One word of this to anyone you dead." Jack climbed in the driver's seat and sped off.

"What the fuck was that man?" Marcus lit a cigarette.

"I was saving your arse a thank you, and an appreciation of gratitude would be all thats needed."

"Thank you and appreciation for a situation I bloody had under control. You just killed an innocent man."

Marcus put his feet up on the dashboard leaning back, and yawned, "An innocent man with a knife? He was going to stab you from behind."

"Yes, but was it necessary to kill the guy? I am sure you chose to kill him?"

"Whatever, man, no one will snitch. If they do, I'll cut out their tongues personally."

Joshua noticed the tattoo of a scorpion on Marcus's neck.

If he could kill someone without remorse or regret, Marcus would be far more dangerous than anyone had anticipated.

Jack looked down with the side of his eyes. He caught a glimpse of another tattoo with two swords crossing.

"You know, Jack, when I learned you and my sister had a thing on, I was going to kill you, but then I watched you for weeks with her, and she seemed happy."

Jack gulped. He was waiting for this conversation, but after seeing this side of Marcus, he no longer wanted to have this conversation.

Marcus removed a dagger from under the seat, running the blade over his index finger, "life is full of surprises. I did not like you until your sister approached me and changed my perspective about you. Yes, you heard me right. She stopped me."

Jack continued driving, "anyway after we spoke, I got to learn there are much deeper, darker skeletons in all of our closets. It's just we keep them closed. We should worry about those hiding their closets from us, right Jack?"

Jack never replied, "my sister went missing. You can imagine how angry I am." Jack nods, "you probably worried I would hurt you, but I won't. Family stays family. Whoever is behind my sister's disappearance, I will find that person, and when I do, I will kill their loved ones."

Marcus had this crazy look in his eyes, "pull here. That's my place" Jack stopped the car. "Marcus, if you put into killing me, you can do that but know one thing I loved your sister, and I would never do anything to harm her."

Marcus smiled, looking down, "yes, Jack, we all do crazy shit to protect people we love and trust."

"Can I ask you something, Marcus?"

Marcus nodded, "sure, ask."

"Why were those guys by my house last night shooting at me?"

Marcus had a puzzled look on his face, "repeat that?"

"You heard me, Marcus. Kill me if you want to, but don't be a coward and send people to kill me."

"What are you talking about? Who and when did I send anyone to kill you?"

"Last night, just before you and Claire had that heated argument."

"Me and Claire? What the hell are you talking about? I only saw her at the party."

"You pulled up in front of her house, and you guys were arguing. I know your jeep by now, Marcus. She came out to you, and you guys were talking."

"Check my license plate. It was not me your mistaken."

"But who could it be?"

"Someone who is seriously trying to piss you off? Someone who is out to kill you because maybe you know too much?"

Just then, Jack's phone rang. It was Claire. He looked at his phone. "I am not going to answer."

"You going to raise suspicion if you don't answer! You have raised enough suspicion by not pitching to the party."

"What if she is involved?"

Jack thought for a moment, "What is there to think about? If you want answers about who she was arguing with last night, you have to pretend you suspect nothing. Now climb out of my Jeep and answer your phone."

Jack climbed out and answered the call.

"Finally, where have you been? I have been trying to get hold of you since last night. You are reading my text, you are not replying, and I just heard Max's friend has been gunned down by some thugs who were trying to rob them."

Jack remembered Marcus's words play it cool.

"I am sorry. I dozed off when I looked at the clock. It was already in the AM. I am sorry for dropping you on this one, but I will make it up to you."

Claire's voice tone changed. She was suddenly calm and friendly, "it's okay. I thought maybe you were mad at me."

"Mad at you? For what?" Jack joked, "how about we catch up with some lunch?"

"Sounds perfect to me. Let me know the time and place, and I will be there."

"By the way, have you seen Marcus since yesterday? I am struggling to get hold of him."

"I saw him at the party, but he didn't stay too long. He had a few drinks and left."

"Okay, thank you, we will catch up soon. I will message you the venue and time."

"Perfect, see you soon."

They hung up, Jack looked back at the jeep, and it was parked. Marcus had gone inside the house. Jack walked over to the jeep and scratched around for clues.

Marcus stood by his upstairs window behind the net with his hands in his pocket, looked down at Jack, smiled, and shook his head.