Chapter 34

"Who is that downstairs?"

Claire and Jack quietly make their way down the staircase; it's their dad, his wearing a grey suit and holding his briefcase, "Jack, son, you never told me you had a guest over."

"Well, dad, I was not expecting you."

His father walked over to Claire, "hello, beautiful lady."

"Hello, Sir; it's an honor to meet you finally."

His dad smiled. "What is that smell? I have not smelled something on that stove for a while now."

"I am preparing lunch, Sir; it would be great if you could join us."

"Yes, I would love to eat a home-cooked meal; please excuse me. I want to get settled in."

Jack and Claire had hidden the gun when they saw it was Jack's father.

His father went upstairs, and Jack and Claire walked over to the window, "was that my imagination of someone being on the roof?" Claire shook her head, "No, I also heard someone."

Claire looked through the window and saw the two black Mercedes had left and the pickup.

"Where do you think they went?" Ask Claire.

"Maybe they were by the neighbor's opposite."

"Could be."

Jack walked away from the window, and Claire realized how oblivious Jack was; those car number plates were not registered. He doesn't know what's going on either he is acting unaware of what's happening, or he is unaware; Jack has surprised her lately; he could take care of himself.

-Never Judge a book by its cover.-

Claire walked over to the kitchen; she was cooking Lasagna; his das came downstairs dressed casually, "have you heard anything from your sister? I have been trying to get a holding of her, but it's going to voice mail."

"No, dad, nothing; I have also tried calling her, got voicemail."

"Thats strange? It's unlike her to leave her phone off; we should check on her if it is not on by the afternoon."

Claire received a text saying, "anything out of the ordinary? I saw their dad is back; we must keep a low key to avoid suspicion."

"Those cars left right after their dad arrived."

The person on the other end typed and stopped; those three typing dots had disappeared.

It's clear he wanted to say something, then changed his mind.

"Jack, since it's morning, perhaps we should go out?"

"Yes, you kids should go have fun; why stay indoors on such a beautiful day."

Jack's dad opened the newspaper and lit a cigar, "the only reason we stayed indoors is because of the storm?"

His dad lowered the newspaper looking at Jack, "What storm, kid? The weather is clear all day."

Jack looked over at Claire as she grinned, indicating she was lying.

"You just said that so we can be alone."

To keep him safe, but yes, let him believe that. Claire nodded.

"Today, the guys are getting together at the beach."

"We should go. Would you mind dropping me off at home to freshen up?"

"Not at all."

They headed out; Claire noticed the two black Mercedes were cruising down the road.

"Jack, look, those are the same two cars."

Jack looked and noticed the men in black suits wearing glasses; they came cruizing past Jack and Claire, looking in their direction. Jack and Claire had one arm to the back, tightening their grip on the gun.

The two cars stopped two houses ahead of their house on the opposite side.

"Jack, something is up; I don't think it's safe to leave your dad here alone."

"You are right, Claire." Jack and Claire headed back inside.

"Did you forget something?"

"No, dad, the friends just canceled their plans, so we will stay indoors."

"Why don't you guys go watch a movie, son?"

"Dad, I said we are fine." Jack raised his voice. His dad put down the newspaper and walked over to Jack, "let's not become ugly in front of our guests now, son." Jack squeezed his hand as Claire touched him gently and shook his head.

"Anyway, if you are worried about those two cars outside, you shouldn't; they work for me."

Claire was not expecting that. "Dad, you should have told us; those cars have been out all morning, and why are they parked outside our house?"

"Well, son, I asked them to keep an eye out here after two nights ago, the alarm went off, and my guys caught some uninvited guests."

His dad looked over at Claire, "but don't be scared, dear, you will be fine." Claire smiled, "I am not scared, Sir. I was worried."

His dad winked at her and walked back over to the chair. He continued reading the newspaper and smoking cigars.

"What did they want, dad?" It was like Jack was reading Claire's mind.

"I don't know, that we are still trying to figure out."

Claire could see right through Jack's dad's eyes he was lying through his teeth; he knew what was going on.

She picked up her phone and texted the guy she spoke to last night, "what intel do we have on the dad?"

No response. Claire, let's head out since my dad has his secret service to protect him.

They headed out; Jack dropped Claire off at her place and waited outside in the car while she prepared. Max pulled up next to Jack a few minutes later, "What are you doing here, Max?"

"You know what, Max, I am not here to argue with you. Claire asked me to wait so we could go to the beach to meet up with you guys."

"In that case, Jack, I will wait for her."

"Whatever, man." Jack drove off; while driving, he noticed someone, Melanie walking in that direction.

He stopped; "Melanie, can I give you a lift to where ever you are heading?"

Melanie stopped and looked through the window. "Where is Claire?"

"Max is driving her."

"Max? Driving Claire, I thought you were going together; Max was supposed to meet me here."

Jack shrugged his shoulder, "It's fine. I will take up on that offer to ride with you."

Melanie climbed into the car as Jack drove, "So, is there something between you and Claire?"

"No, there is nothing between Claire and me; we are friends."

"You guys spent more time together than Claire had with Max."

"Maybe Max, stop being an asshole; she would spend more time with him."

Melanie was wearing denim shorts and a black top with a skull.

"Max, what are you doing here? Where is Jack?"

"Jack had to rush somewhere. He asked me to take you."

Claire felt annoyed that Jack could leave without telling her, but if that's the way he wants it, she won't protect and talk to him.

She then remembered her task was to keep a close eye on Jack; as much as she wanted to stop talking to him because she hated him, she couldn't; Claire climbed in the car.

Marcus drove past them, "is he also going to be there?"

"I think so." Max leaned over and kissed her, "I missed you, I know we haven't been ourselves lately, but we can fix whatever needs to be fixed."

Claire let out a gentle smile; even though she wasn't sure how she felt about Max anymore, she had to blend in and act normal.

"It's okay; we have plenty of time to figure things out." he looked over at her and smiled, brushing the strand of hair out of her face while driving, taking his eyes off the road.

"Max, in front of you!" Claire jumped and turned the steering wheel as the truck passed by inches.

"You bloody idiot, watch where you are driving!"

"Relax, we are fine?"

They arrived at the beach; Claire saw Jack's car and Melanie climbing out of it.

"Oh, I see the emergency he had."

Max saw Melanie, "yes, the two of them have been quite close; I think he likes her."

"No, he doesn't. Melanie is not even his type."

"And you would know his type?" Max questioned, "yes, I don't know, that's not important." Claire's eyes darkened, "Who cares anyway who he likes? He's a pathetic loser."

Was she feeling jealous that he was with Melanie? Or was she just disappointed that he ditched her, calling it an emergency to go pick up Melanie?

Jack climbed out, stretched out, the beaches packed with people; Marcus walked around his Jeep and walked up to Jack, glancing back at Claire.

"Jack, how have you been? Let's take a walk." Claire stood there, annoyed. They were both ignoring her; she folded her arms.

Melanie walked up to her, "Hey, friend, you look pissed off. Did something happen?"

Claire never responded. She was watching Jack and Marcus as they walked. Max came around the car and took Claire by the hand, "Let's walk up to the beach, baby." Melanie felt a slight Jealousy; right after she and Max slept together, he called Claire his baby.

Claire noticed two sketchy men walking behind them, she couldn't see their faces, but she had a bad feeling about this. That's when she noticed the two men reaching for their guns.

She reached for her gun, pulling it out in the crowd as everyone ducked; Jack screamed as she drew the two men's attention; they noticed her, let go of their guns, and walked right past them.