Page 42 of Leather & Lace

“What the fuck is going on? One minute, Dane and I were at the ballet, which, by the way, is your thing and not mine. I swear, I literally fell asleep,” she says, looking annoyed “Then, out of nowhere, Dane got a message on his phone and tore me out of the place.” Ruffling her hair, she yawns.

“I honestly have no idea. Some random guy came up to Eli and me at the masquerade party and Eli freaked out.” I remove my other shoe and throw my coat on the side chair next to the front door.

“Well, whatever it is, they better fucking explain themselves.” I hear her let out a low growl as she heads back into the dining room, where both men are having a heated debate in low, whispering voices. As we enter, both their eyes shoot in our direction. I give Eli an annoyed glance as he starts to speak.

“Okay, so I believe we need to explain to you ladies a little bit about our past.” He starts on his story, and I watch as Jenny paces back and forth when more details come out about the gangthey were involved with, who the Heathens were and also when they set up Jasper for a deal with the DEA. Then, was the part where they had stolen thousands of dollars from Jasper. Jenny’s mouth could have hit the floor.

“You stole a hundred grand from a drug lord and then set him up?” Her stance was as still as a statue now. Dane looks up to her from the ground and opens his mouth to speak.

“Well, actually...we set him up first and then took the cash.” Before he had time to say another word, she exploded.

“I don’t fuckingcarewhat the order was, Dane! What the fuck is going to happen now? Are we all going to wake up with horse heads in our beds?” Jenny storms over to Dane and wraps her arms around her chest tightly.

“Look, we just need to calm down,” Eli spurts off. “I am sure he will just want some money and then will be on his way.” Dane looks at him with a grimace stare.

“Millions, Eli. He will wantmillions.” Eli shakes his head and then wraps his fingers in his hair.

“If that is what it will take, then fuckingfine!” Eli gets up and heads into the kitchen. Dane rushes in behind him. More bickering started off in the distance. Something about keeping Jenny and I safe. Then more money again. Then the mention of Jasper and his brothers. Jenny has just been standing and staring at me. I just realized I haven’t said one word about any of this. I think I am in shock.

“Hey babe, you, ok?” I see her make her way over to me, leaning down and pushing some stray hairs out of my eyes. Tears start to pool at the corners of my heavy lids. “Babe, I am sure they will figure this all out.” I finally snapped, tears pouring.

“They will figure this all out? Are you fucking insane, Jenny? There is a fucking mafia boss guy who literally is wanting millions now! And he fucking was staring at me!” I cry as she pulls me in close.

“Eli won’t allow anything to happen to you. Just like Dane won’t allow anything to happen to me. We just need to let them handle this.” She wipes my tears away with her fuzzy sweater sleeve. “We have to trust them, Brook.” I look up at her through my blurry eyes.

“Trust them? They couldn’t even bother to tell us anything about their pasts, Jenny. And now, look where that has led us!” I can feel myself starting to crumble at the seams. This is not the year I had expected it to be. I should not be involved or wrapped up in criminal activity. But here I am, making all the wrong decisions. Breaking my promise to my mother, because I have completely lost myself. I got up quickly and ran outside to the front driveway, pulling out my phone from my purse on the way out. Finding my mother’s contact, I hit call.

RING, RING, RING.

“Brooklyn! Is everything okay?”I hear my mother’s sweet and concerned voice on the other side.“Brooklyn, it's twelve AM. Are you okay?”All I can do is cry. I try to open my mouth, but I don’t even know where to start.“Honey please, you are scaring me.”Her voice now frantic.

“Hey mom,” I finally blurted out. “Sorry I am just upset with school. One of my professors has really been riding me and I am just super stressed,” I lie. Her breathing is now becoming a little calmer.

“Oh, good lord, Brook...you had me thinking you were getting murdered or some shit.”Too bad she has no idea how close of an actual guess that was from the truth.

“No sorry, mom. I’m just exhausted and wanted to hear your voice. I miss you.” I hear her let out a sigh of relief.

“Oh, honey, you can call me anytime. You know I will answer no matter what I have going on! I miss you too, love.”Her voice is soft and sweet again.“How are the boys there? Anynew guys catching your eye?”She lets out a teasing tone. I took a few seconds to reply.

“Yeah, there is one that, so far, has been an adventure.” She lets out a breathy laugh.

“Well, whoever he is, if you are still seeing him by winter break, then you better bring him home to meet me! But Brooklyn, your studies are number one. Don’t slip up on boys.”I let out an annoyed sigh.

“Yeah, mom...I know. Well, I love you, I know it’s late. I am going to get some rest.” She says she loves me back as I hang up the phone.

“An adventure, huh?” I stumble backwards as I hear Eli’s voice from behind me.

“Damnit, Eli! Maybe don’t give me any more anxiety attacks tonight?” I pushed past him to head back towards the front door. He catches my wrist in his hand.

“Please, let me explain. I know I fucked up, okay? I was a stupid fucking kid at the time, Brook. And he was gone! I never thought in a million years, the fucker would resurface.” He takes my chin in his hand. “I would never allow anything to happen to you. I would never put you in harm’s way. I promise you; all this fucker wants is to get paid off. I will do it and then be done with it all.”

I give him a slow nod as his lips meet mine. I know I need to trust him. That I can’t be angry if he decided to leave his past in the past. But I am truly hoping that from here on out, there are no more secrets between us. That is something I would never be able to accept.

CHAPTER 23

BROOKLYN

The day seems to drag on in Professor Smith’s English Literature class. He rambles on about postcolonialism in his monotone voice, causing me to almost hit my head on the desk from falling asleep.

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