Protecting Zoey

Chapter 21: Strange Meetings

Mason jumped in the car and buckled up as Markos started the engine. He pulled out of the driveway and onto the road, not saying anything as he did. They rode in silence for a few minutes before Mason finally spoke up.

"So, what's your deal?" He asked looking over at Markos who was focused on the road. "You're not exactly what I was expecting."

"What were you expecting?" Markos asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know," Mason said with a shrug. "Someone more... I don't know, threatening I guess."

"Threatening?" Markos repeated with a chuckle. "Is that what you think I am? A random enforcer to threaten people?"

"I thought you were a detective," Mason said looking out the window. "But it seems like you work for Charles instead of the police, is that why they never found anything about the letters?"

"You better be careful what you're insinuating Mason." Markos replied angrily with a contorted expression on his face. "Charles and I have a valuable business relationship, he helps me, and I help him where needed, I researched Zoey's case as I would with any other."

"But you didn't find anything," Mason said still looking out the window distantly. "Why would that be?"

"I did find something eventually," Markos said as he turned down a dirt road leading into the woods. "It's not important at the moment. Listen Mason, you need to stay focused and thinking about that isn't going to help right now. Keep your mind on the most important thing at the moment and don't allow yourself to become distracted."

"So, what is important then?" Mason asked as they came to a stop in front of a small cabin.

"This is Damien's safehouse," Markos said looking over at him.

"Above all else, try not to get killed." Markos stated as he opened his door. "You ready for this?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," Mason said unbuckling his seatbelt and opening the car door.

Mason was unable to hide the nervousness showing on his face no matter how much he tried. The last time he ran into these guys he almost didn't make it out alive and it was the only thing running through his mind. As they got out of the car the front door to the cabin opened and the two men Mason saw in the club exited standing on either side of the door. As Mason walked up both men looked him up and down curiously for a moment before turning their gaze to Markos.

"Why is he here?" One of the men asked Markos as they climbed onto the porch. "We were expecting you alone or with that woman of yours."

"Plans change," Markos said stopping in front of them. "Besides, that woman isn't mine and her name is Amanda."

"You should have brought her instead of this one," The man on the right smirked back at Markos. "At least then we could have had some fun."

"She would have already cut your head off." Markos replied bluntly as the men looked back at Mason. "I'm sure you remember Mason here."

"He was far more bruised the last time I saw him," The man on the left said with a chuckle as Mason balled his fists. "Looks like he wants a rematch."

The man dawned the same sadistic grin he wore when they were in the arena as Mason took a step backward, now knowing what he was capable of he didn't want to end up in the same position as last time. The man lunged forward faster than Mason could have anticipated, all he could do was throw his hands up in a defensive position and wait for a strike that never seemed to come.

"Let him go," A cold voice could be heard coming from inside the cabin as Mason lowered his hands. "We have a meeting; I'd prefer if you didn't kill my men beforehand."