Chapter 2Ciara

Chapter 2

Ciara

It was time to get back to work, but not until tomorrow. We had some collections to do and some men to find who were in hiding. Since Luca returned, I was looking forward to working with him. Sam and I had been on a few missions together for collections, and once to get some drug dealers out of the territory. But working with Sam wasn't the fun I had hoped it would be. I needed a partner that was fun to be around and get into trouble with. A part of me felt that Luca was the ideal partner, and I couldn't wait to see what he had up his sleeves. Maybe, just maybe I'd consider letting him spoil me a little if he was up to the challenge.

I would have loved to work with Sandy, but he made it clear that he works alone. I felt that with his experience, there was a lot he could teach me. But I heard that Luca was no joke in the field, and I needed someone I could click with. Sam was okay, but too much of a stick in the mud in my opinion. Working with Sam was like working with a dad, and not the cool type.

Since Neve was back on her feet, I expressly told her that I didn't want to be tied down in an office. That was the reason I quit my job in the first place. This freed me up to work with the soldiers, even though some of them didn't take me seriously. I needed to make my mark, to prove to them that as a woman I could go as hard as any man. With Sam I didn't feel like I could do that.

It was Monday, and I was hyped to get started. I slipped out of bed at around seven in the morning, showered and dressed. When I arrived in the kitchen, Cory was just about to head out to school.

"I made breakfast," he said, indicating the pan on the stove.

"You and your disgusting oatmeal," I replied with a fake gag. "No thanks."

"It's eggs and sausages," he said. "See, I also made the coffee."

No wonder I didn't smell the coffee because it looked more like brown water, but I didn't want him to feel bad, so I said nothing about it. "Thanks. Want me to drive you?"

"Nah, I'm good."

I gave him a quick hug and he was off. The eggs were bland and the coffee watery, but I had my breakfast as though it was a five-star meal. My brother was a good kid, an A+ student who was often called a genius. I didn't care that he didn't cook to my tastes, and I was grateful he was considerate enough to make me breakfast. Being proud of him didn't even begin to describe what I felt for my younger brother. I basically raised him and now he's turning out to be this awesome person, I couldn't wait to see what the future had in store for him.

The rest of the day was spent shopping for the outfits I needed for my mission as well as picking up a few things for Cory. When I arrived back home at around three in the afternoon, I could tell that Cory was home because his backpack was sitting just inside the door along with his shoes. This was strange as he usually takes his bag with him to his bedroom upon arrival, and he never left his shoes by the door.

"Cory?" I called but there was no answer. Concerned, I picked up the bag, hurried down the hall and knocked on his bedroom door. "Cory, are you in there?"

"Just a minute," came back from the room.

A moment later the door opened, and he was toweling his hair, wearing his bathrobe. I handed him the bag and was about to turn away when I noticed a bruise on his right cheek and a busted bottom lip.

"What happened to you?" I demanded. "Who did this?"

He wasn't a jock, so I knew he didn't get injured while playing sports. The only sports he liked was squash which he played at the community center on weekends because his high school didn't have a team or court.

"It's nothing," he denied, but he knew that I wasn't buying it. Grabbing the bag from my hand, he tried to close the door.

I stopped it with my foot and grabbed his chin, turning his face to see how badly he was hurt. "Stop lying to me. Who did this?" He kept silent. "Alright. I'll just have to go to your school tomorrow and find out on my own."

I started to walk away, and he grabbed my arm. "Please, you'll only make it worse."

"Then tell me what happened to you … now."

He gave me a resigned look with a deep sigh. "Can I at least get dressed first?"

"Yeah," I said. "I'll be in the living room."

A few minutes later, Cory appeared, dressed in shorts and t-shirt. I waited until he was settled beside me on the sofa before asking him to tell me everything.

"Marco and his friends took my iPad and when I tried to get it back, they ganged up on me."

"Who's Marco?"

"A guy in my homeroom."

Taking his face between my palms, I willed him to look at me. "This isn't the first time, is it?" He shook his head. "How long has this been going on?"

"A while."

"And you're just now telling me?"

He pushed my hands away. "Because I know how you would react," he said, pointing at my face. "Like that. That crazy look you have right now."

I managed a smile to soften my face. "What crazy look?"

"Come on Sis, you know how you get. I don't want you making things worse, so please don't do anything."

"How can I see you get hurt and not do anything?"

"Please," he begged. "I got two months left of high school and then I'm off to college. I can endure this."

"Little brother, you shouldn't have to endure bullies. You need to stand up for yourself. Take a stand the next time these boys bother you. Did you get back your iPad?"

"No. But you can't come to my school."

"That was an expensive iPad. Don't you have most of your work on it?" he nodded. "Then get it back. You're my brother. I didn't raise no wuss, got that?"

"Yes."

"You're no pussy, fight back if you must get your stuff back. Did they take anything else?"

"They took my money and my phone before."

Listening to Cory was making me angry. But these were high school boys. I didn't want to have to break one of their necks. I knew the reason why he allowed them to harass him was because he didn't want to get in trouble to have any kind of altercation written on his record. However, his mental health was more important than some perfect school record and I knew one of the best ways to get rid of a bully was to stand up to them.

"What else have they done to you?"

"They talk about our mom, that she's a vegetable or retard. I try to ignore them."

Our mother was in a care facility because of her dementia as I could not care for her while being the sole bread winner. Cory was just a kid and was not expected to do it either. She was getting the best care at the moment while I paid the bills.

"Come here." I took him in my arms and soothed him as I saw he was on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry that this has been happening to you. I should have paid more attention."

"It's not your fault, you're the best big sis anyone can have."

"I love you."

"Love you too Sis," he said, his voice cracking. "I'll get my stuff back. I promise."

"Don't go alone, take Garry with you, and maybe one other person … maybe a teacher?"

Garry was Cory's best friend. They both liked the same things and were devastated that they would not attend same university. Garry was the only friend Cory had ever brought home, and they only fell out once when they both liked the same girl. I knew this because I often eavesdrop on their conversation. It was my job to be nosy, so stop judging me.

"Okay, I'll do that," he agreed. "How about pizza for dinner?"

I stood. "Go ahead and order. Imma take a shower."

I was halfway down the passage when he shouted. "Did you buy me anything?"

"Yeah, one of the bags is yours."