Marcus

Chapter Eighteen

Lainey ~

Lainey was sleeping deeply next to Caleb in their bed, laying on her back while Caleb slept soundly on his stomach with one arm draped across her. A repetitive beeping pulled Lainey from her peaceful rest beneath Caleb's heavy arm that was currently acting as a weighted blanket.

The beeping continued until her hazy mind finally registered the sound. It was an alarm she had programmed in her phone just for Nate's calls and texts.

Looking at the clock she huffed out a breath at how irritatingly early it was.

4:30am Nate? Really?

Nate: Sorry for the early wake up call, but I need you to come in.

Nate: asap

Lainey: No worries. See you in a few

Lainey knew if Nate was asking her to come in that early, there had to be a good reason. She gently scooted herself out from underneath Caleb's arm, but felt his bicep tighten, pulling her back against him without opening his eyes.

"Nope." Caleb mumbled with his voice gritty and thick with sleep.

His refusal to let her leave the bed put an instant smile on Lainey's face as she temporarily gave way to his pull, allowing him to maneuver her until she was flush against him again.

"Nate needs me to come in." Lainey said, planting a few light kisses along Caleb's shoulder.

"What time is it?" Caleb grumbled with gravel in his voice.

"4:33."

"Shit, Nate." Caleb groaned, pulling Lainey in even closer.

"It's got to be important or he wouldn't have messaged me."

Caleb still hadn't opened his eyes or loosened his grip around Lainey who was secretly loving the affection.

"It's gonna cost ya." Caleb relented, causing Lainey to let out a laugh.

"Name your price."

"Three kisses." Caleb replied instantly with his eyes still closed.

"Where?" Lainey hummed against his muscular arm that was holding her in place.

Her words prompted one of Caleb's eyes to open and a sleepy grin to lift the corner of his mouth.

Before he could answer his own phone started to light up and buzz with texts from Nate. Turning his wrist toward his face, he read the text from his watch and sighed deeply.

"Alright Nate, we're up." Caleb grumbled sitting up with bed headed hair as he released Lainey from beneath his arm.

"He's called in the whole team, which means it's gotta be something to do with Mac."

Lainey's heart stalled and she whipped her head toward Caleb with her eyes wide and concerned.

Oh God, please say that Marcus is okay.

"Shit. Sorry Lainey girl. Not like that. If anything bad happened to Marcus or any member of the team they'd come here and tell us in person." Caleb quickly corrected himself.

Clutching her chest, Lainey let out the scared breath she'd been holding and went to get ready as quickly as possible.

It was still dark outside as Lainey and Caleb pulled into the parking lot of Knight Security and headed inside. Judging by the trucks parked outside, they were the last ones to arrive and headed straight to the conference room.