Chapter 31

"Wake up," Jack checked for a pulse, and with a sigh of relief, he got a damp cloth holding it to her forehead. She opened her eyes, holding her head, "what has happened?" she narrowed her eyes.

Jack lifted her from the ground, "Will you be okay?"

"I think I will."

"Maybe I should drive you home."

"I will be fine, Jack."

"You can sleep on the sofa."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure it is raining outside."

"Thanks, Jack, thats sweet of you."

"Can I get you anything to eat?"

"I am fine, thanks."

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure, thank you."

Claire stared into Jack's eyes and smiled, "are you always this sweet?" Jack blushed.

"It depends on who I am with."

Claire lay down on the sofa as Jack switched off the light. Claire turned and looked at him, " Jack would you mind sitting in the other armchair?"

"Sure, but why, though?"

"I just feel safer with you around."

"If that's the case, let me grab a blanket."

Claire watched him as he made his way up the staircase. She stood up and went to the cabinet when he was out of sight. There was a flowery bowl inside the cabinet. She had removed the lid and the piece of paper inside the bowl. It was neatly folded and sealed with candlewax, "this has to be it."

She had placed it in her raincoat pocket and hurried back to the sofa. "Are you sure I can't get us anything," Jack insisted.

"Fine, get me whatever you are getting yourself." Jack grinned. This had been the broadest smile Claire had seen on Jack's face.

He returned with a bowl of ice cream, "there you go, your royal Highness." Claire rolled her eyes.

He then sat beside her, "so, how is your head feeling?"

Claire sat up, "it hurt abit, but I will be fine. Why are you so scared?"

"I am not scared. Just recently, they broke into my house."

"we're you hurt?" Claire asked, concerned.

"I am fine, thank you."

"What's on TV? Do you have sky TV?"

"Yes, we do."

"Let's watch a movie or something." As Jack stood up to switch on the TV, Claire stopped it, "actually, leave the TV off. It might just worsen this headache." Jack stood up and took out a cushion, lifting her head and resting it on the pillow.

She started at Jack, "I hope what happened earlier won't cause any misunderstanding. I would hate to ruin our friendship because of that."

Jack smiled, "enough about that. Rest your head and get some sleep." She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Jack sat in the chair and then stood up, walking over to the window and glancing.

Dogs had started to bark, and as he looked around, the spotlight went on. He reached into the back of his jean and removed his firearm.

Three men were standing outside. They looked shady, wearing black hooded jerseys.

Jack noticed something on the side of the guy's pants. It seemed like he had a gun on him.

He turned to the house, looking at Jack, as he leaned over and whispered into one of his friend's ears as three men lifted their jerseys showing the guns.

Jack closed the curtain as they stood there laughing. He then opened the door, locked it from outside, and walked out to the men. They appeared older than him

He passively walked up to them, putting his hands behind his back, staring them in the eyes, "why did you show me your guns? Are you guy's threatening me?" The men looked at him and laughed, "listen to this white boy." They ignored him; Jack stepped closer and grinned, "men, it's a simple question. Were you threatening me?"

"Threaten you? Do you feel threatened, kid? Back up, boy, you might get hurt." Jack laughed, "so we have a comedian here?" The guys grabbed him by the chest and pushed him to the wall, "boy, we have warned you." The guy pulled out his revolver, pushing it up against his Jaw.

"Do you find this funny?" Jack stared him in the eyes, and he pulled out his semi-automatic 9mm colt, pointing it against the guy's forehead.

Jack grinned, "you better tell your dogs to lower their guns before I put a bullet through that thick head of yours."

"You outnumbered, boy." the guy smiles, revealing his golden teeth. The other two men walked around him, "I would love to put a bullet where the sun doesn't shine."

Jack kept calm, maintaining his coolness, "who is in that fancy house, boy?" Jack never answered. As he looked over to the house, they disarmed him. All three men had guns pointing to Jack, "Tell you what, you are going to Invite us in, and we will help ourselves, get moving boy."

Jack had never expected this outcome, "guys, I am sure we can reach some sort of agreement." Jack walked with his hands behind his head. "You do know if we shoot you now, no one will know we shot you." He can't let them in the house; Claire would be in danger.

While walking, they heard a loud whistle, and red laser lights appeared on top of the building. It was shining onto the guy. "Ahh, this is a pleasant surprise. It seems like you guys light up. Happy Xmas fuckers."

Jack had no clue who the guy on the roof was, but the three men lifted their hands. A black Jeep pulled up in front of them. Marcus climbed out wearing shades and black jeans with a leather jacket. He had another two men who appeared like bodyguards with him.

"Marcus, what are you doing here."

When the men saw Marcus, they had fear written, "Sir," they dropped down to their knees. "Please, Sir, we never knew it was you."

"Quiet boys."

"We don't want to be waking up the whole neighborhood now, do we?" Jack was confused. Why are they so afraid of Marcus, "Do you know what it's like to get a call at this hour to say my friend is in trouble? You boys have broken my sleep, which I get little of these days."

Jack frowned. Who the hell is Marcus, is he some godfather, and who called him? "Stand up, guys. Dust yourself off," the three men stood slowly up, not knowing what to expect as they kept their hands in the air. Marcus walked over to the guys and dusted them off, this over here is my friend, "since I am being so generous, you will owe me one." The red laser light moved toward the guy's forehead as he fell on the ground, pleading for his life, "I beg you, sir, spare my life." Marcus walked over to Jack with his right hand in his pocket and his left arm around Jack's neck, "my good old friend, I am sorry they conducted business outside your premise."

"Marcus, what business are you talking about? Are you telling me they are selling for you outside my house?"

"No, Jack, they aren't selling. Did you see them selling anything?"

"No, I didn't, but they were acting rather suspicious, and who told you they had me at gunpoint?"

"Jack, my good old friend, the less you know, the better for you. Enjoy your life. Live it for those who never had a chance to live." Marcus went quiet for a moment. "Anyway, you are now safe."

"Marcus, I know you think I killed your sister, and you dislike me, so why did you save me?" Marcus turned around, lit a cigarette, and puffed it, looking up at the sky. "If I hated you or blamed you for my sister's death, you wouldn't be standing here. So take it easy, my friend. I will see you tomorrow, and we need our rest."

Marcus was right about one thing; it was late. Jack had turned around to walk back into the house as Marcus stopped and turned around, "oh yes, my dear friend, one more thing, tell Claire I said hello."

Jack was not expecting that. Maybe she is the one who phoned Marcus, but why did she do that, "I can stand my ground."Jack nodded. As he walked, he heard screaming inside the jeep, and it went silent as the jeep took off with the three guys inside it.

Expecting Claire to sit up, waiting for him, he opened the door. The lounge was still dark, and everything was the same as he had left it. He picked up her phone, and there were no calls or anything. Jack had become curious, "someone is watching me, and I am going to find out who it is."

He leaned back on the armchair, covering himself with a blanket, and closing his eyes. (CLAIRE OPENED HER EYES FIRMLY, GRIPPING THE HANDLE AND LOOKING AT HIM.) Jack had drifted off to sleep.