Page 28 of Apple Martinis

“Um, yes ma’am. I’m looking for Tony Marcus. I know it’s late but it’s important.” I say in a rush.

“Hold on a minute.” I hear someone talking softly in the background but I can’t make out what they are saying.

Several long minutes later, I hear a gruff voice.

“This is Tony Marcus.” He says and my heart beats faster in my chest.

“Um. You don’t know me but...” I begin.

“We know exactly who you are, Rome Baratta Marcus.” He says.

“My last name is not Baratta Marcus.” Is all I can say through the surprise that he knows my name.

“It’s a shame that it’s not. It always should have been.” He sighs. “I’m going to take a wild guess that something bad has happened since you are actually talking to us and it’s after midnight.”

“Yes. Someone very important to me was kidnapped earlier tonight. Cops think it could be traffickers.”

“And you’re hoping we can help?” He says.

“That’s why I called. I don’t know what else to do.”

“Try to not worry too much. We’ll be on our way in under an hour.” He says as he barks orders to someone in the room with him to get the car ready.

“We?” I ask.

“Your Aunt and I. I’m sure once I reach your brothers, they’ll be there as soon as possible.”

“My brothers?”

“Yes. Alessandro and Giovanni. Don’t tell me that your mom didn’t at least tell you about them?” He demands.

“She did but she also told me that the Marcus family would want me dead.”

“Ah, well I can’t lie. I’m absolutely sure if my brother had known you were out there in the world he probably would have had you killed. The stupid fucker but the rest of us would have welcomed you with open arms. It’s actually a good thing your mom raised you away from the family though.”

“Why’s that?” I ask.

“Because you grew up without the influence and all the bullshit that comes along from being a Marcus. We’ll be there soon, son. The car is waiting for us.”

“But I’ve not given you my address.”

“You really think I don’t already know it? I knew all there was to know about you a few days after the first time you called and hung up on my wife. As soon as I saw a picture of you and who your mom was, I knew you were a Marcus.”

“But, you never reached out to me.”

“It didn’t seem like you wanted us to.”

His answer leaves me stunned. They knew about me and didn’t want to bother me until I was ready. Those aren’t the type of people I figured them to be.

“I’ll see you soon.” I say, finally getting off the phone with him.

I sit there staring at my phone in bewilderment until August interrupts my thoughts.

“Well?” He demands.

“They’re coming here.” I answer, looking over at him.

“See? Not everyone in the same family will be exactly the same. Everything will work out.”

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