Watching Adele from my hidden position was torture. So many times, I considered abandoning my spot and revealing myself to her. She might unleash her anger and give me the silent treatment for a while, but I knew she'd eventually forgive me. No matter how grown-up Adele had become, she would always be my little sister.
Eliza tried to distract me by engaging in conversation. I pretended I was meeting a new client who needed a bodyguard to deal with a stalker problem. She asked if I'd consider a less volatile career, and I assured her I would, but only after I finished this current job.
"Mark?" Eliza's voice called out through the phone.
"Yes, beautiful?" I replied.
"Are you still interested in marrying me? I know this started as a fake relationship, but now... it's been close to two years..." she said.
"I am sorry, Eliza. Can we discuss this when I get back?" I said, deflecting the conversation.
"Is something wrong?" she asked with concern.
"I will call you back," I said, ending the call abruptly. I felt like a heartless bastard, but I couldn't handle that conversation on top of everything else happening right now.
I didn’t sleep a wink as I kept watch for Adele's car. When she finally moved the car around 10 a.m., I waited for her for about ten minutes before discreetly tailing her. She seemed to be in a hurry, and my worry intensified. I followed her to a big supermarket, where she quickly went in and out. Then, she stopped at a pharmaceutical shop, and a frown creased my forehead as I wondered if she was okay. After she left, I continued following her car from a safe distance.
Later, she veered into the woods again, and I parked my car among the trees, approaching on foot to get a closer look. I watched her from a hidden vantage point, and when she seemed to be in distress, I tried to give her some space. I overheard her crying, and my heart sank when I saw her holding something familiar - a pregnancy kit.
My phone started to vibrate, and I quickly left the scene, using the trees as cover as I moved away before answering the call.
"We are here, where are you?" Archer asked from the other end of the line.
"Where exactly is here?" I inquired.
"About a mile from where you are," he replied.
"I suggest you park and come on foot. She is close by," I advised, my voice heavy with concern.
I hurried back to where I parked and waited anxiously. Soon enough, I saw Archer, Chad, and Sam approaching on foot.
Archer started to speak, but he stopped when Chad's phone rang.
"It's an unknown number…" Chad said, darting his eyes from Archer to me.
"Answer it," Archer commanded, his voice low and gruff. Chad did as commanded.
"Hello," Chad said into his phone. His eyes widened, and he quickly changed the caller mode to the speaker. "Miss Adele?" Chad called deliberately so we knew it was her. Archer's gaze shifted sharply to Chad.
"Hello, Chad," we heard Adele's voice, and I saw Archer clench his jaw, trying to contain his emotions. His big chest heaved up and down with tension.
"Where are you, Miss Adele? The boss is worried sick about you. Are you alright? Do you need me to come and get you? I have your bag and phone," Chad said.
"Is Archer okay?" She asked. Archer ran his fingers through his long hair, evidently emotional and struggling to keep his feelings in check.
"He is as fine as he could be in this situation. He is also worried about you. We went to your place…"
"So then you have seen Henry… those men they killed him," she said.
"Yes, we saw his body. Boss will be glad to know you are fine…"
"Chad, I realize we haven't known each other for very long, and I..."
"Please don't hesitate to ask for anything you need. Mark is a friend, and if any of my family were in trouble and I couldn't be there, he would help without question..."
"You and Archer talk about my brother as if he's still here with us..." she started to sob.
"I apologize for upsetting you," Chad said, throwing apologetic glances at me and Archer.
"It's okay. I just really need to know something about Archer, and I was hoping you could help me find the answer," she said. Chad glanced at Archer, who nodded, giving him permission to proceed.
"Ask me anything," Chad replied.
"Thank you. Chad, is um… Archer a bad person?"
"I don't understand the question…." Chad replied. Archer started to pace, looking tortured.
"He said he is a bad man. Do you know what he meant?"
"Miss Adele… "
"I found out that I'm pregnant, Chad," she said. Everyone froze, including Archer, who turned to Chad with a look of shock.
"Where are you, Miss Adele? I need to come and get you. You need protection," Chad's voice was filled with concern as he spoke into the phone, his eyes flickering between Archer and me.
"Do I need protection from Archer, Chad? This is a real big deal for me, and I believe it is for Archer too. I am so happy to be carrying his baby, and I am so confused as to why I can still feel like this, knowing he is involved in drugs," Adele's voice trembled with a mix of emotions as she poured out her feelings. I watched as Archer struggled to hold still, his inner turmoil visible to all of us. Before he could march to meet Chad and snatch the phone from him, I went to stand in front of him to stop him. "You must think that I am pathetic…" Adele continued, her vulnerability on full display.
"No, I don't think so. First, congratulations, Miss Adele. My boss would be thrilled to hear your news. And no, you do not need protection from Mr. Donovan. On the contrary, Mark is… was a good friend to Mr. Donovan. He can't be that bad if your brother befriended him," Chad reassured her, his words carrying a sense of sincerity. I concentrated on keeping Archer from alerting Adele we were close. He glowered at me.
"That's what I thought but he is involved in drugs…. What kind of a man is he?"
"Maybe you need to talk to him, especially now, considering your condition and the danger you're in. Please, Miss Adele, let the boss protect you and his child," Chad gently suggested. When he said those words, I saw Archer close his eyes, a mixture of pain and longing evident on his face. I couldn't help but let out a sigh, understanding the complexity of the situation.
After a moment of silence, Adele's voice broke through, "I'm in a town called Mountsorrel. There is a pharmacy not too far from their supermarket, I will be there… Could you come alone, please? Don't tell Archer yet."
"I will see what I can do," Chad replied, ending the call.
"I'm going with him," Archer declared firmly, his emotions running high, "if you try to stop me, I will shoot you, Mark!" His words were laced with determination, but also with pain that was breaking my heart.
Seeing the turmoil in his eyes, I couldn't bring myself to argue with him. I understood how much Adele meant to him, and I knew he needed to see her, especially in this difficult situation. "Alright, I won't stop you," I said, trying to be as supportive as possible.
"Congratulations, man," I said, offering a small smile of encouragement. Archer seemed taken aback by my words, his searching gaze meeting mine before he nodded curtly in acknowledgment.
"Congratulations, boss," the rest of the men chimed in, showing their support for Archer. He nodded in response, but I could see the turmoil in his eyes as he tried to contain his emotions.
"I can't believe I am going to be an uncle," I said, trying to lighten the mood with a smile. Despite the tension, the thought of becoming an uncle filled me with joy.
"I really need to go to her, Mark, now," Archer said, his urgency evident in his voice. I nodded in understanding, fully aware of how much he needed to be with Adele during this critical time.