Life of a Fool (London Brothers Book 2) (5 page)

“You didn’t answer my question.  When was that?”

I hesitated before finally answering.  “About a year ago.”

His eyebrows raised slightly.  “Then, I know exactly what
conversation it was because that was the last time I heard from you until your
call a few weeks ago.”  I remembered too.  I just didn’t want to talk about it
in front of Craig.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, just staring at each
other.  I knew Jason was searching my eyes to see if I was telling the whole truth,
and except for fibbing about the memory of our talk from that night, I was
completely truthful.  A slight smile curled on his lips, telling me he knew I
hadn’t forgotten.  I closed my eyes and leaned against his shoulder as I
finished my story. 

I told Craig and Jason everything, the questionable
dealings, the young women, the private investigator, even about the neighbor
that helped me.  They sat quietly, only muttering a few curse words in between
my revelations.  By the time I was done, we’d just about made the thirty minute
trek to the airport.

“So he knows all about the dirt you dug up on him?”  Craig
asked.

“No. He doesn’t know that I know about the men he’s been
working with, and I didn’t tell him about the P.I.  I just accused him of
fucking those girls and his suspicious behavior.  Had I known what he was going
to do to me, I would have thrown the damn pictures in his face, maybe even
shoved them down his lying throat.”  I smiled, and both men laughed.

“Now
that
I would pay to see, Legs.”  Jason kissed my
forehead. 

Lori Ann was a fighter. There was no doubt about that.  It
was time for Craig and I to do some research to know just how dirty The Italian
really was, but first we had to get her somewhere safe.

Craig spoke, “Jace, I can’t get us on a flight until
tomorrow morning at 8:45 am.  We need to find a place to stay…somewhere safe.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone in search
of a nearby hotel.  “Legs, tell me of a hotel near this airport you feel would
be safe for you.”  She leaned up and thought for a minute.  The airport was in
sight, so we needed to make a decision fast. 

“I had some girlfriends stay at Novotel.  It’s right near
the airport and they seemed to be really comfortable there, as in…not worried
about coming and going.  Elle even commented on feeling ‘safe,’ for what it’s
worth.  But I’ve never stayed there.  I only went there to pick up Elle and the
girls for day trips while they were here.”

Craig communicated to our driver that we wanted to go to
Novotel, and I prayed we were making the right decision.  “We need to stay in
one room.  You okay with that?”  Craig’s question was directed at me, but Lori
Ann answered. 

“Yes.  I’d feel better if we did.  I’m not exactly in any
condition to kick his ass if he shows up looking for me.”  Her haunted laugh
held a serious tone that sent a shiver down my spine.  If that bastard even
tried to get to her, I wouldn’t be held responsible for what I’d do to him. 

We pulled up to the entrance of the sleek hotel, and Craig
went inside to secure a room for us.  I climbed out of the backseat and walked
around the car to Lori Ann’s door, pulled it open, and gently guided her out of
the car.  She winced as her body twisted against her broken ribs.  “Shit,
Legs.  I’m sorry.”

“Jason, don’t. 
He
did this to me, and I let him.” 
Tears filled my best friend’s eyes, and I suddenly felt helpless.  I pulled her
against my chest, trying my best to do it without causing more pain, and kissed
her forehead. 

“Shh, baby.  Don’t say that.  You didn’t
let
that
asshole do
anything
.  He’s a man…stronger and bigger than you, and he
took
from you, Lori Ann.”  She held as tight as she could with one arm and buried
her face into my tee shirt.  “Come on.  Let’s get inside.”  I kept my arm
wrapped around her shoulders and led us into the hotel lobby just as Craig was
coming out to meet us.

“All set.  I asked which floor held the most guests and was
told the third floor, then requested a room in the middle of the hallway, not
far from the elevators.  I want to see who comes and goes on our floor, and if
there’s any trouble, it’ll have to take place amongst a hall full of other
guests.” 

“Thanks, man!  Always thinking.  I knew you’d come in handy,”
I teased because Lori Ann had gone completely stiff in my arms as she listened
to Craig’s monologue.

“Let me grab the bags, and I’ll meet you two up there.  Here
is the keycard.  Room 316.” 

“Thanks.”  I gave an appreciative smile to Craig and turned
to find the elevators.  “It will be okay.  Trust us, okay?”  I whispered.

“I do trust you, Jason, but I’m scared.  I know I’ll feel
better when we get on the plane tomorrow.”

“Me too, Legs.”

As I stepped onto the elevator, I scanned every area around
the lobby.  No one looked suspicious, and I wasn’t too concerned since Antonio
would have had to have had superpowers to be anywhere near that hotel or us at
that very moment.  So, I took a deep breath and rode the three floors to our
room.

“Jason?”  Lori Ann whispered as the elevator slowed to a
stop.

“Yeah?”

“Will you stay right by me tonight?  Sleep in the bed next
to me?  I don’t even care if both you and Craig sleep on each side of me.  I
just want to feel safe.”

“That was my plan anyway…well, except for the ‘Craig’ part. 
No way am I letting him spoon up next to you, and I’ll snap off his dick if he
tries to spoon with me.”  I laughed at myself, making Lori Ann laugh too until
she gasped and held her side.

“Stop making me laugh, Jace.  Hurts too much.”  She
cringed.  I gave an apologetic smile and watched as a bit of her sparkle
flashed through her eyes. 

“My bad.”  I waved the keycard over the sensor, heard the
lock click, and watched the green light blink, inviting us to go inside our
hotel room.  Walking into the spacious room, I could see it was like a mini
suite.  There was a small living area with a couch, chair, and coffee table. 
The bedroom had frosted paneled pocket doors that closed it off to the rest of
the room.  It was perfect.  Craig could take the couch, watch the hallway like
he wanted, and I could sleep in the king-sized bed with Lori Ann…fully clothed,
of course.  I may have always had deep feelings for her, but I wasn’t a total
prick bastard.  I had to admit, though, that knowing I was the one there with
her, rescuing my best friend from an abusive dickhead, was quite the
testosterone, caveman high. 

We both turned and looked, holding our breath when we heard
the click of our hotel door lock.  “Just me, guys,” Craig said.

“Thank God,” Lori Ann said, leaving an uneasy feeling in the
pit of my stomach.  Did she really think Antonio could find us here, without
any clue as to where she’d gone?  And so easily enter our room?

“Hey.  Listen.  I checked all around the hotel.  Nothing out
of the ordinary that I could see.”  He stood directly in front of Lori Ann.  “Are
you sure this is okay?  He won’t come looking in the middle of the night?”

“Craig!  You don’t need to scare the shit out of her!”  I
thought the exact same thing, but didn’t want to say it.

“Jace.  You need to think…
really think
, man…like the
cop, the detective you are!”  I glared at my lifelong friend.  He was right.

I took a deep breath and turned back to Lori Ann.  “Did he
know you visited this hotel with your friends?”

She paused, thinking.  “I don’t remember.  Honestly, I don’t. 
You know I would tell you, Jason.  It was three years ago.”  She bent her head
and started to cry, so I wrapped my arms around her and held her close.  The
girl I knew was never so fragile.  What in the fuck had this monster done to
her?

“It’s okay.”  I looked at Craig, and he nodded.  He
understood the complete fucked-up situation in which we’d landed.  We were
blind here.  Italy had us cornered with no way to tell what was coming or how
to handle it.  “We’ll keep you safe, Legs,” was all I could offer. 
God,
please keep us all safe.

“I really need to shower and get some sleep.  I smell like a
barn, and after my night out last night, I need to actually
sleep
.  But
ladies first…go ahead, Lori Ann,” Craig said, easing the tension in our room. 
I knew he was really trying to help.

“Sounds good.  Lori Ann, grab your things and go shower.”

She surveyed both of us carefully, but finally whispered, “Okay.” 

As she lifted her bag and walked toward the bedroom, Craig
and I whispered to each other.  “What do you think?”  I asked.

“I think we’re sitting ducks as long as we’re in Italy—that’s
what I think.  You and I both know this fella has long arms and deep pockets. 
Who the hell knows who works for him…could be the bell hop, front desk clerk,
maid…fuck, who knows?!?  This is a mess.  We need to get the hell out of here. 
What if he comes here looking for her?”  Craig’s voice was full of angst like I’d
never heard before.

“Craig…”  Lori Ann’s voice startled both of us.  “You’re
right.  Antonio knows a lot of people.  His reach in this area is pretty
extensive.  But I have a lot of friends too…friends that would never betray me
and tell him where I am.  I need to tell them, though.  I’ve already alerted a
few close people, but I need to tell more.  While you’re in the shower, I’ll do
that.  You know me.  I would
never ask
for your help unless…”  Her voice
broke, and tears fell down her cheeks.  Craig stepped to her side and wrapped
his arms around my best friend.

“Hey, we know.  I…well,
we’re
just using all our experience
and gut feelings on this, okay?  We have to.  This is why Jace brought me.  I’m
his compass, remember?  He doesn’t exactly think straight when you’re around.” 
Craig’s small laugh lightened the mood, and Lori Ann laid her head on his
shoulder, causing a surge of jealousy and anger.  “
We
are here for
you
. 
Let me…let us figure out what to do to get you home safely.  I won’t lie to you
or cover the harsh truth, Legs.  Right Jason?” 
Right.  And don’t fucking
call her Legs again.
  I didn’t say that out loud, but hell if I didn’t want
to.

“Yes, Craig.  You’re exactly right, as much as I hate to
admit it.”  I smiled at my friend and thanked God that I’d had the sense to
tell him and that he’d agreed to come with me.  “Let’s try to get some sleep so
we can get to the airport in the morning.”

“Okay.”  Lori Ann walked into the bathroom, and I could hear
her shuffling around.  I knew all too well what it was like to shower with a
cast.  When I was in Iraq, I’d had an accident while trying to diffuse a small
IED and pretty much shattered my arm. Steel rods and pins made up the bones in
my left arm now.  Not many people knew that—on purpose.  I didn’t want to
appear incapable of anything, but it was an issue from time to time.  So, I
couldn’t help myself.  She was my best friend, and I loved her.  I opened the
bathroom door and found her beautifully naked and struggling to put the
shower-proof sleeve over her cast.  Tears were running down her face.  She
bowed her head and quietly said, “I…can’t.  I’m hurting all over.  My ribs…won’t
let me…help me, please.”

I walked next to her, trying my best not to look at her
beautiful body, but couldn’t help but notice the multiple bruises all over her
whole torso.  The anger I felt was overwhelming, but seeing her sadness crushed
me and all I wanted to do was help her with that fucking sleeve.  “Here, baby. 
Let me.  These things are a pain in the ass.  I hated mine.”  I slipped it up
to her shoulder and held onto her arms as she stepped into the shower. 

“Thank you.”  I was having the damnedest time understanding
this
Lori Ann.  She was so much more frail than I’d ever known her.  Part of me was
drawn to this helpless woman and I wanted to wrap her in my arms, protect her
like a small child, but the other side of me was pissed.  Fucking pissed!  I’d
always been in love with my feisty, ballsy, “eat you alive” Lori Ann.  But she
was nowhere to be seen, and I didn’t know how to handle my emotions.  All I
knew was she needed help, and she’d come to me to save her.

“I’ll be right outside if you need help.”

“Thank you, Jason.”  Her voice
was pathetic, and I hated it.  And in that instant, I decided it was my job to
help her find herself again.

*****

After our showers, we ate a bit of room service and tucked
into bed without any other weird conversations or incidents.  Craig was
sleeping on the pull-out sofa and as promised, I was in the bed next to Lori
Ann.  We lay close, touching only slightly as her head rested on my chest and
one leg draped between mine, like the many times we’d done in college.  She was
dressed in a pair of pink plaid pajama pants and a matching pink tank top.  I
fought hard not to
really enjoy
the feel of her so close to me and get
some rest.

Around 3:00 am, I heard a noise in the hallway.  I sat
perfectly still and waited.  Then, the fire alarm sounded, and everything went
from quiet to chaos in a single heartbeat.  “What the hell?”  I bolted out of
bed and made my way in the dark toward Craig who was looking through the
peephole.  “What do you see?”

“Sleepy-ass people making their way to the stairwell.  But
no smoke, no other signs.”

“Should we go?”

“No.”  His curt answer had me alarmed. 

“Why?  What are you thinking, man?”

“Doesn’t feel right.  Something’s off.  Trust me.”  I wanted
to trust Craig, but I was worried about Lori Ann. 

“Are you sure?”

“No.”  I waited a few seconds, then started to walk away
from Craig as he still peered out the peep hole.  “
Psst.
  Wait,” he
whispered, holding up his hand.  “Shh,” he said as he put his finger up to his
lips.  I stopped in my tracks, holding my breath.  Then, in a low, menacing
voice he said, “Yes…there you are, motherfucker.”  Craig’s whisper sent chills
down my spine.  “Jace?”