Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

" Y ou look nervous," I tell Marcel as we walk into the restaurant.

"Is Mikhail having you tailed?" he asks me.

"Why?"

"Because two Russians have been following us since we left your house."

I look behind me, but I don't see anyone. "He mention he was going to have me watched."

"Well, in that case, let's give ?em something to report back on," Marcel says and then I'm being dipped backwards before his lips are pressing onto mine.

Holy freaking shit. I've seen this move on tv, read about it in books. But the real thing? Apart from the fear that I'm about to go splat against the floor, it's way better than what I ever would have thought. When Marcel pulls me upright again, my head spins from that Hollywood-worthy kiss.

"You okay?" he asks while smirking down at me.

"Uh-huh. That was… unexpected."

"Good. Can't become too predictable on you, now can I?" He winks. Then, with my hand in his, Marcel guides me into the restaurant.

I thought that the whole double-date thing would be fun. But now, I kind of wish I had Marcel to myself. I'm not used to this dating thing, and to be sitting across from a forever couple like Lucy and Dominic has my anxiety climbing.

"You look beautiful," Marcel says.

"Thank you." I glance at the booth where Lucy and Dom are already waiting for us. I've known them for a few years now. I shouldn't be nervous.

But then I start to wonder if it's nerves… or envy.

I used to want what they have, before I accepted the fact that I couldn't be someone's everything. That I'd just be a burden. Marcel and I are having fun. I like being with him. I've enjoyed the dates he's taken me on. I love having him in my bed.

But are we destined for anything more? I don't think so. And that just makes me sad, because I can see myself wanting to be with Marcel for a really long time.

"You know we can leave anytime you want," he says, keeping his voice low.

"Why would we leave?"

"Because you look like you'd rather be anywhere else right now, Zoe."

"I'm just nervous. I don't want to embarrass you in front of your friends," I tell him.

"They're your friends too, remember? And, babe, there is literally nothing you could do that would ever embarrass me. One, I don't give a single fuck about what anyone else thinks. Two, you are fucking perfect just the way you are and anyone who says otherwise can book a meeting with the barrel of my gun."

I can't for the life of me think of a reply to all of that. So I smile up at him. "Let's do this. I can do this," I say more to myself.

Marcel waits for me to slide into the booth before he sits next to me. Lucy scoots around and wraps her arms around me while Domonic and Marcel exchange brief handshakes.

"Double dating. Pretty sure this is what best mates do." Marcel grins at Dominic.

"Acquaintances also have dinner together, Marcello. Don't overthink it," Dom replies.

"Dominic McKinley, play nice," Lucy scolds.

"Little Bee, I'm always nice."

Marcel snorts and then tries to cover it with a cough. "Nicest bloke I know, Lucy. It's why I picked him to be my best mate."

"When is Izzy coming back to town?" Dom directs to me. "I can't imagine he'll last more than two minutes in a room with her."

I lift a shoulder into a half shrug. "Probably not, but she already likes him."

"I doubt that," Dom grunts.

"She does. I told her how nice he is, and how good he is to me. Mikhail and Izzy are firmly on Team Marcel." They're probably not, but I decide to go with the whole fake it until you make it approach.

"What's not to like?" Marcel laughs before turning his glare on Dom and Lucy. "So, you two lovebirds plan an actual date yet? I need notice to get my best man tux pressed."

"You're not best man material, and when we have a date, you'll be the last to know," Dominic tells him.

"I'm confused. I thought you two were friends." I gesture from Dominic to Marcel.

"We are," Marcel says at the same time Dominic says, "We aren't."

"Right, well, glad that's cleared up." I shake my head.

"They're friends. Dominic just has a hard time showing anyone he actually likes them, unless it's me, of course." Lucy grins. Then she picks up the menu from the table. "What are you eating? Want to share a starter?"

I follow her lead and start reviewing my options. One thing I love about living in Australia is the food. I thought I knew good food, and then I came here. Although I'd kill for a slice of authentic New York pie right now too.

"Sure, what are you thinking?" I ask Lucy.

"How about we share the calamari and shrimp cocktails? And then for mains, I think I want the stuffed chicken breast." Lucy snaps the menu shut before setting it back down on the table.

"Sounds great," I say, then turn to Marcel. "What are you eating?" I can't decide. It all looks so good.

"Steak. What do you feel like?" he asks me.

"All of it." I laugh. "I don't know. Um, I think the fish." I settle for the one item my eyes keep going back to. And just as I'm about to close the menu and set it on the table, my body is being pushed down before something heavy lands on top of me.

"Stay down," Marcel grinds out between clenched teeth.

Then I hear a bunch of popping noises mixed with the sounds of people screaming and glass shattering. Marcel doesn't move, using his body as a shield to cover mine.

"What…?" I start to ask and then stop.

"It's okay. Just stay down," he says, his voice calmer than it should be.

Seriously, how the hell is he so calm right now?

When the popping stops, and we hear the squeal of tyres get farther and farther in the distance, Marcel slowly pushes up to his knees with a gun in his hand—though I have no idea where it came from or when he drew it. He glances around the room before calling out to Dom.

"We're good," Dom replies while shoving the table out of his way. I follow the sound of his voice and gasp. There's a trail of blood dripping down his arm.

"You sure about that, mate?" Marcel juts his chin towards the red seeping through Dom's shirt.

"It's just a scratch." Dom stands, scanning the room before pulling his fiancée to her feet. Lucy looks shaken and hasn't said a word since everything went to shit.

I push up off the ground, and Marcel shoves me behind him again. Which seems unnecessary, considering the shooting has stopped. I don't think whoever it was is still here. "You okay, Lucy?" I ask.

"Huh?" She looks to me, and that's when I realise how pale she is.

"Little Bee? It's okay. I've got you. Come on, let's get out of here." Dominic takes her hand in his and starts guiding her towards the door.

"You need a doctor, Dom," Marcel calls out after him.

"I need to get my fiancée out of here," he counters.

I'm about to suggest we do both, get a doctor and get the hell out of here, when two visibly angry Russians storm inside. "Zoe, we need to go."

I know these two guys, Ivan and Kon. I also know I'm not going anywhere without Marcel. "I'm good," I tell them.

Kon glances from Marcel, back to me again. "We need to get you out."

"I'm taking her home. You two can follow," Marcel chimes in.

Ivan looks Marcel up and down, his face twisted in disgust when he says, "We don't take orders from you."

"Yeah? How about you call that boss of yours and explain to him why you're standing around a fresh crime scene arguing with me instead of letting me get his daughter out of here?" Marcel takes my hand and storms past them. "Get in my car," he tells Dom. "I've got the doc meeting us at Zoe's."

Without argument, Lucy and Dom climb into the back of Marcel's SUV.And I turn to see two very displeased-looking Russians behind me. "I'll meet you guys back at my house," I tell them.

"You should come with us, Zoe," Ivan says.

"I'll be fine. I'm calling Mikhail now." I offer him a tight smile while pulling my phone out of my pocket. As soon as the car door closes, I dial Mikhail's number. I know if I don't let him know what just happened, I'll never hear the end of it. And I'll have more than just two Russian shadows following me around. I'll end up with a whole damn army.

By the time Marcel pulls into my driveway, I've managed to convince Mikhail that I'm okay and don't need him to fly back out here. Or at least I think I have. Truth is, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up on my doorstep in a day or two.

"I'm sorry." I turn in my seat to look at Lucy and Dom.

"This isn't your fault, Zoe," Dom says.

"Lucy?"

"Yeah, sorry. It's okay. It's just a scratch. The doctor's going to patch you right up, Dominic," she says.

"Yeah, just a scratch, babe. It'll take a lot more than someone's bad aim to take me out." Dominic laughs.

"Like a bee?" Marcel questions.

"Not funny, Marcel," Lucy groans.

"I thought it was." Marcel cuts the engine and we all climb out of the car. There's an older man waiting at my front door. I'm assuming he's the doctor.

I grip on to Marcel's hand as we approach. I'm doing my best to hold my shit together. I was just shot at—well, I was in a restaurant that was just shot at. Who were they even aiming for?

I look to Marcel and notice a few fresh scrapes on his face. "Were they shooting at you?" I ask him.

"I honestly don't know, babe. But I'll find out," he says before extending a hand towards the older man. "Doc, thanks for coming."

I unlock the door and usher everyone into the living room. "I'm going to make tea," I say, excusing myself and walking out. When I get to the kitchen, I'm not surprised to find Mikhail's men already standing there.

"You sure you're okay, Zoe?" Kon asks.

"I'm fine," I tell him. "Did Mikhail call you?"

"He did." He nods.

Guess that's that then. I'm stuck with these two for the foreseeable future. There's no point trying to fight Mikhail on this his protectiveness. Although I'm certain that tonight was simply a case of wrong place, wrong time. It has to be, because the idea that someone out there actively wants to hurt Marcel isn't one I care to entertain. Even if I do understand the likelihood of that happening in his line of work, I'm choosing to stay firmly footed in the land of denial right now.