A Fighter Not A Lover

CHAPTER 21: An Address

HENRY

She should've been home by now. I think to myself while pacing back and forth, anxiously waiting for Maci.

I have tried numerous times calling and texting her but still no response.

I hear the door open and both Karl and Lexi come walking inside. They both look at me and look sad.

"We still haven't found her." Karl says.

I fall onto the couch with my head in my hands and start to break down and cry.

"This is all my fault." I began saying. "If I hadn't been so stupid to get involved with Arthur again this never would've happened."

"This isn't your fault necessarily." Lexi begins to say as she sits beside me and begins to rub my back. "I mean, don't get me wrong, it was stupid to go back to Arthur but, after you told me why, I get it. You're my brother and I love you no matter what. But if you don't fix this once and for all, I will personally bury you six feet under because Maci is the best you're gonna find and you need to grow the hell up. Be a man. Shit, even be the chef you want to be. " She smiles and winks at me.

We both then share a good laugh together and hug until we hear a knock on the door.

As I walk over to answer it, I'm surprised to see Lee's wife.

"Hey." I tell her.

"Can I please come in?" She asks.

I have her come in and notice that she has been hit and has been crying.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

"Please. I need to tell you something. But I want to first go on record that I never knew what Lee was up to until last night." She begins.

"Okay..." I answer while looking at her confused.

"I over heard him talking to someone named Arthur and Mike. Who I know is Maci's father. Lee told me that he was going on a business trip. Except I didn't believe him cause ever since we got married, I know he's been cheating on me and I also know how much he likes Maci. So I followed him here last night. I thought I would catch him in the act of cheating at his hotel by hiding in the closet. Instead, I over heard him talking to some guy named Arthur about how both of them, including Maci's dad were going to sell Maci to the highest bidder and that for Lee giving them her, he said he wanted to be partners in their human trafficking operation. I tried to fight him, like an idiot, but he was stronger than me, obviously." She says as she looks down and wipes away some fallen tears before looking back up at me.

"I'm so sorry." I began while Karl and Lexi both were looking at her with sadness in their eyes.

"Don't be. I just thought you should know." She tells me as she begins walking towards the door.

"Wait..." I try and stop her.

"Take care of Maci." She tells me while handing me a folded up piece of paper.  "It's not much, but enough." I look at her confused. "And make sure to kill that sick son-of-a-bitch!" She says while looking over her shoulder back by me before she leaves and shuts the door behind her.

I look back at Karl and Lexi who both look surprised at what just happened.

"Oh my god." I say.

"Really? That's all you can say?!" Lexi says pissed off. "Human trafficking huh? You sick motherfucker!" She says as she stomps up to me and slaps me hard in the face.

"I swear, I never knew they did that. I have never been a part of that. I promise." I assure Lexi.

We all look at each other as we share an awkward moment of silence.

I look down at the piece of paper and unfold it and see an address.

Suddenly I begin feeling like I can breathe again knowing that I can now go and get her.

"It's an address." I say.

"Well what the hell are you waiting for?" Lexi asks.

I get ready to leave and grab my keys. Then I hear Karl.

"Wait! I'm coming with you." He says.

"No. This is my mess and I need to do it alone." I tell him.

"Don't give me that bullshit. You and I are best friends. I'm coming with you." He tells me and then I see him kissing Lexi and them telling each other they love one another.

Just looking at them I can't wait until Maci's back in my arms again.

As I was about to head out the door, Lexi comes up to me and hugs me tightly.

"Please be careful." She says.

"I promise." I assure her.

Next chapter will be posted soon! :)