Bound By Fate

16. Lowe's part 1

“I have to go, there’s something I need to handle.” Leo says his hands wrapped around my waist and his grey eyes staring deep into mine as we stand at the door.

“Can’t Allen or Nick handle it?” I complain and immediately realize he is way deep under my skin.

“They can but they’re busy so, I’ll come back as soon as its done.” He places his hand under my chin tagging my face up and placing a swift kiss on my lips. He slowly walks out and closes the door behind him all the time his eyes strained entirely on me.

Without a second thought I walk upstairs, its 7 pm and I am not hungry I already ate on our way here so I am going to take a shower and get into bed with my very favorite novel... I have read it almost three times already but I keep finding myself rereading it like it’s the first time.
I make to walk into the bathroom to get the bathtub running but my phone in my purse chimes getting my attention.

Its Nadia,
heeey girl.
Me.

Please don’t tell me you forgot about our plans.
Nadia

I gasp loudly when I remember I was supposed to meet with them in thirty minutes.

I didn’t forget.
Me.

Am such a liar

Oh my god you did.
Nadia.

Am so busted.

In my defense I had a long day I am sorry I forgot.
Me.

Am so not surprised.
Nadia.

I’ll be there in twenty. I promise.
Me.

I begin getting off my clothes since I need to shower before leaving.

I’ll give you a pass on that you have a lot going on already, I’d forget too.
Nadia.

Her voice is soft and I can’t appreciate enough for having her as a friend she always understands me and she is always so sweet to me.

I love you.
Me.

I love you too babe am on my way there, let me see about Amy.
Nadia.

Okay.
Me.

I toss my phone on the bed quickly grabbing a towel from the dresser. I turn on the shower before standing under the cascading water being sure to put on a shower cap because there is no time to dry and curl my hair.

The water is so warm on my skin and I am tempted to keep standing there but I decide against it. I walk back into the bedroom trying to use the smallest time possible, I grab my flowery sleeveless dress that runs to mid-thigh and I put my cute black sandals after it. I grab my phone from the bed glancing at the time and I have only ten minutes left.

Drafting a message to Mark I let him know that I need to be at Lowes and that he gets ready because were late already. He always drops me off wherever I go and hangs around to keep an eye on me. I usually feel like the Russians stopped following me around since there are no signs that they are, so I try to let him stay that I’ll be okay without him but he flatly refused saying he’d lose his job if Leo found out so here we are. Somehow, I can’t seem to understand why he says Leo would fire him yet they are best friends and he is the only other person that knows Leo very well apart from his siblings.

“Hey, mark?” I start as soon as he is fully settled in the car putting it to a start.

“Yeah.” He responds glancing at me on the rearview mirror.

“Leo is your best friend, right?” I ask and he nods “so why would he fire you?”

“He wouldn’t, he has done a lot for me so I don’t want to disappoint him.” He explains and I get curious.

“Am sorry to pry but what exactly did he do?” I ask feeling more guilty for even asking.

“it’s okay, but it’s a long story.” He says shifting a gear. “But I’ll definitely tell someday.”

“Do you think the Russians are still after me?” I ask changing the topic and hoping that his answer is what I am looking for. That they probably got tired and gave up or maybe they already found dad and are not chasing after me anymore.

“I can’t really tell you for sure if they have stopped following you but what I am certain about is they are always very strategic about their plans and they might have decided to lay low and have us lower our guard before they strike.” He answers his eyes focused on the road and a cold chill runs down my body at the idea of them doing that. He glances at me on the mirror again and his eyes land on mine. “I know you’re scared and want your life to be normal but normal is boring.” He smirks at his words and I find myself smiling and his expression grows serious again before continuing. “Am sorry to say this but once your life gets entangled with this kind of life, chances of it going back to how it was before are almost zero so. I suggest you get comfortable.” He concludes and my eyes become teary at his brutal honesty.

“How do you cope with this kind of life?”

“I just go one day at a time and try to make sure my loved ones are safe in case I accidentally piss off some powerful people.” He says pulling up at the bar and “here we are.”

“Thanks mark.” I tell him ignoring the heavy weight on my heart.

“It’s just my job max.” he smiles and I wonder how he has it together and is able to smile so radiantly with everything her faces on a daily basis. “I’ll get this parked and ill be at a table just near you.”

“Sure.” I say jumping off the car and I walk into the bar ignoring the crazy thoughts going on in my head.