It had only been a week since the whole incident with Ace, but Liana’s over-protective instincts kicked in and she wouldn’t let Maurice go anywhere alone. They were sitting on the couch at Alex’s and she had Maurice wrapped in her arms tightly as they were watching TV. Chris came in not too long later and strolled passed them. Maurice looked up at Chris with wide eyes that screamed help me. Chris chuckled a little, sitting next to them and throwing his arm across her shoulders, pulling Maurice from her tight hold. “You okay?”
“Yeah…” Liana nodded fast, biting her lip. “Are you?”
“I’m always okay.” He mumbled, absentmindedly running his fingers through her hair.
Liana relaxed against him, laying her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes. “I don’t want you involved in this again Chris.”
Chris sighed out loud, dropping his head back. “Liana, it’s too late.”
“It’s not though!” she sat up, turning her body some so that she was staring at him. “I didn’t come all the way to another fucking country for you to do the same stupid shit and get us involved in the same stupid shit!”
“I’m trying hard to not let that shit happen Liana. You gotta work with me.” Chris mumbled, rolling his eyes and thinking of ways he could escape this soon-to-be argument. When Liana stood up, her face red from anger, he knew it was no turning back.
“You’re not trying hard enough Chris! How long do we have before he comes back and put another knife to my baby’s neck?! Huh?! Or even a fucking gun?! Then what are you gonna do? Threaten him some more so he can just laugh in your face?!” Chris clenched his jaw as he stared up at her, waiting for her to finish her venting. “Don’t just look at me!” she spat, balling her fists and turning away from him.
“What the hell do you want me to do then?”
“Tell him that you’re not apart of this shit! Something, please? I stress out every time you walk out the door.” Chris huffed, holding his arm out and Liana fell into him, gripping his shirt as she pressed her face against his neck. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I’m gonna be okay.”
“You don’t know that Chris.”
They sat in silence for a minute until Chris’ phone beeped. He grabbed it out his pocket and checked his messages. “I gotta go.” Liana quickly shut her eyes and held onto him tighter when he moved to get up. “Liana, let go.”
“No…” she whispered, hugging her body to his. “Chris, ignore it, please.”
“I can’t. Now get off me man, I got shit to do.” He spat, a little frustrated with her behavior. It’s not like she didn’t know it was coming. When she still didn’t move, Chris gave up and slumped back against the couch.
Maurice smiled a little and shook his head. “Mommy, daddy gotta work. Right daddy?”
“Yeah, but mommy acting like a bit—” Chris stopped when Liana shot a glare at him. He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Liana, baby, I really need to go. I won’t be long.”
“You always say that. Give me an hour Li,” she mocked in a deep voice, making him laugh. “and you don’t come back until fucking hours later.”
“Well my bad for that, but this time I swear I won’t be long.” He tried to pull away again and this time she actually let him. “You know I love you and you also know that this is something that I have to do.” She nodded and looked away, taking Maurice in her arms once again when Chris got completely up. “I’ll see y’all in a little bit.”
