A family matter CH2

Lauren

I stand there stunned, as I watch Bo collapse to the floor. I wince as her body hits the floor with a thud. "Shit! Quick, get me a pillow!" I curse under my breath, hoping my girlfriend didn't hit her head too hard. Trick is kneeling down next to me and hands me the pillow. His face is a mixture of guilt and sadness as he silently watches me tend to Bo. I place the pillow under her head as I try my best to feel for any contusions.

My mind is trying to focus on Bo's unconscious body, but it keeps drifting off. Bo's father is alive. But here he is, standing in Bo's home. Unable to control my anger I face him. "How could you?"

Jack is caught off guard by my question, but quickly recovers and a smirk graces his lips. He remains silent and it frustrates me to no end. "You just abandoned her, a child, and now you come here...why? To do more damage than you faking your own death?!"

Slamming my eyes shut, I take a ragged breath and try to control my emotions. I shouldn't be yelling at this man. I just need to be the rock that Bo will surely need.

I scoop Bo up, and place her head gently against my shoulder so it doesn't get further agitated. She's already has stitches from her trauma earlier into the year and I rather not add to her medical history. "I'm taking Bo to my place. When I make sure she is ok, then she will come home." I take a step and narrow my eyes at the aging Jack Dennis. "And you better be ready to give her answers..."

Kenzi runs ahead of me and opens the door. "I'm coming with ya, Hotpants. We can handle Bo better together." She turns back to Trick and Jack, pointing her finger between them. "Don't even think about leaving."

When she shuts the door, I tighten my grip on Bo and head across the hall to my place. "When did you find out? And how long?" I ask quietly.

Kenzi fishes the Keyes out of my pocket and unlocks the door. "The day you guys left. Look, I wanted to call, I did. But I've been grilling daddy-o and Trick all week and... Well let's just say it'll be easier to hear it from them."

"Trick knew too? Of course he did." I shake my head in disbelief. "He used to be such an honest man. Always sticking up for me. It's funny how when people grow older, their true colors surface." Just as I lay Bo down on my bed, she begins to stir.

I run to get an ice pack from the freezer and am back just as she opens her eyes. "Hey beautiful. You took quite a spill. How's your head feeling?"

Groaning Bo tries to sit up, but collapses back down. "Damn, I don't think I've collapsed like that since I accidentally turned on Cinemax during elementary school." She chuckles and cups my face. "So much porn, Lo. I was scarred for life after that."

Her humor is a good sign, but I still worry. "I can only imagine, babe." I lean down and gently kiss her forehead.

Bo hums with her eyes closed. "I wish we were still at the cabin. That way I won't have to deal with...all of this." She opens her chocolate eyes that are now filled with tears. "Was that really him?"

I look to Kenzi as she sits on the bed next to Bo. "It was. He's here because-"

"No, he can tell me himself! And he better tell me now. Right now, Kenz!" Bo yells at her best friend. Her whole body is shaking with, what looks like rage, but deep down I know it's just the pain. The pain of having her family killed, but not her father. Wait, does that mean her mother is alive?

"Let me just change into some sweats then we can go get your answers, Bo. I have a feeling it's going to be a long talk."

Bo

I take Lauren's lead and change into some comfy clothes. I opted to wear one of her college sweaters, it hopes that it will relax me during this unexpected revelation with my 'dead' family.

There are so many question running around in my head. But the one that occurs most is why. And I am ready to hear it.

The three of us go back to the apartment and head straight for the couch. Lauren has her arm wrapped securely around my lower back as my own hand is gripping her knee for dear life. Sitting in the chair across from us, is Jack. He has a warm smile, but all it does is infuriate me more.

A loud cough breaks us from our staring contest, as Trick tries to break the ice. "I heard you guys went on a little vacation. Did you guys have fun?"

Before I can answer, Lauren speaks up in her calm and collective Doctor Lewis voice. "Thank you for asking, but I think it's time for answers. Bo hasn't said much about her parents, but from what I do know is that they were both killed." She takes a breath and runs her fingers on my hip in a comforting gesture. "So, I think Bo deserves the right to know what exactly is going on here. Don't you, Mr. Dennis?"

The man that I once knew as my father flashes his extremely white teeth and gives an amusing laugh. "You are more protective of Isabeau than I originally thought. That's very good." He looks at me and gives me a wink. "She is definitely a keeper, child."

"Enough!" I stand up yelling. My outburst seemed to do the trick, since Jack is looking regretful. "I just want to know why. Why pretend to be dead. Why leave me?"

I can feel my heart shattering into pieces. I can see that he is trying to put his thoughts into words, but I'm done being patient. "Why?"

"I was in deep, Bo. I was young and I thought I was invincible." Jack leans forward and buries his face into his hands before abruptly raising his head once more. "But I was wrong."

Lauren leans forward and I feel her body slightly pressed against my cotton sweats. "Who did you work for? I looked up the massacre. Read every news clipping and interview, but it never disclosed their actual name."

I sit back down and curl up against my girlfriend. It doesn't surprise me that she looked into my parent's death. Lauren always has an insatiable curiosity. Whether it be her science, medical mystery, or especially the food I cook for her, she would always speculate. And now I'm happy that we don't have to go into every detail right now.

"They were viscous and cunning, but too smart for their own good." Jack begins, staring off into space. "The Dark McCall's. That's what they called themselves based on their great grandfather Ronnie McCall."

Hearing the mobster's official name sends a shiver through my body. I have to roll my eyes thinking that it feels like when a dementor is around in those Harry Potter movies Lauren forced me to watch. It feels like someone sucked all of the happiness and hope out of this world leaving only despair.

"RJ ran the family business, but he had me handling the books. His 'family' didn't know how many back door deals he made with other rivaling 'families'... But I did." He swallows thickly and rubs his hands together, a nervous tactic he always did. A move of his I will always remember.

Trick decided to speak up, since Jack seemed to be struggling. "Aife called a week before the shootout. She knew something was about to happen and needed to insure you were safe. You were supposed to fly here the following week, but..."

"Somebody turned on you guys." Lauren says as she urged me to sit back down. I end up on her lap and she wipes the fallen tears away from my face.

Jack smiles looking at us. "Someone did. I don't know who exactly, but they must have been a lower level thug to turn their backs on one of their own. And to go to a rival?" He sighs but continues. "As soon as I found out, I went to the police and confessed everything. They offered me and my family protection in exchange for my books."

"But then all Hell broke loose and you and my mother were caught in the middle of it, right? Did the police kill her or did your shady boss?" I ask with a cracking in my voice. The tears are too fast for Lauren but I feel her hold me tight. Looking into her hazel eyes, I notice the tears there too.

Kenzi comes from her drinking spot in the kitchen to interject. "Umm, maybe you should start there, daddy dearest?"

"What else can you possibly tell me? I just want to know who killed my mother?"

"She's still alive, Bo. I'm so sorry I thought..." Jack rushes out quickly his eyes wide, maybe even wider than my own.

"Alive? Really?" A huge weight is lifted of my chest so that I can finally breathe again. My father rushes over and takes ahold of my hands kissing them tenderly. "Of course, sweetheart. I'm so sorry, I should have led with that. But that's actually why I'm here."

"From my first day of joining 'the family' they set up an insurance policy. One I never knew about until recently." Jack stands and goes past Lauren and I until he reaches the booze Kenzi was gulping down. "And I'm afraid that insurance is expiring."

Lauren parts from me and walks towards my father. I'm not sure what she is up to but I see her brilliant mind at work. "They infected them, didn't they? The Dark McCall's traveled all over the world. Surely they could pick up an infection of sorts. Holy shit!" I jump at my girlfriend's exclamation.

Her eyes are narrowed, shooting daggers at my father. I hear what she said, but I'm not sure where it is leading. "Babe?"

Lauren doesn't respond to me, but to my father. And her tone is ice cold when she does. "The tumors. With Trick and I'm assuming the unknown woman is Aife? That's why they are appearing now. A delayed reaction, no matter what age. That's what is happening. These, this, unknown cause is an insurance policy to keep you in the fold. Fuck, no wonder it was undetectable. It was probably something off in South Africa or some other third world country. Without a sample we would never have cured it without surgery."

Kenzi nudges Trick and smirks. "She is totally gonna to kick his ass. And yours."

Jack holds out his hands and backs away from Lauren, no doubt hearing Kenzi's prediction. Who am I kidding, she totally looks that way. "Now hold on there. That's why I'm here. We just took out the tumors in Aife and Trick's awhile back. It seems the infection is taking effect now." His eyes are filled with sorrow as he looks over at me, while Lauren rubs both of her eyes with her palms. She looks so frustrated, but I can't help but smile.

If it wasn't such a serious moment, I'd think Lauren's ramble was adorable. Or how she looks like a kitty when her eyes get a certain sadness in them. But right now is not the time and my mind is frying from all of this information. "Ok, I'm tired so let me get this straight so I can process all of this information. So we are all infected with tumors that are developing now? Me included?"

"Honey, I'm sorry-"

"I'm tired of hearing how sorry you are! No, no more. I need a drink and a shower. And I really need some sleep." I tell him holding up my hand when he tries to approach me. Looking at Lauren, I can see her trying to process it, but I just want to be held. "Leave a number I can reach you by, and then leave. I just can't right now."

It's silent for a minute, but Kenz is more than happy to clear the house out. With a clap of her hands she swiftly pushes both Trick and my undead father out the door, locking the door behind them. Give her a nod and she pulls out a bottle of Lauren's root beer vodka before disappearing into her own room.

Lauren takes the liberty of pouring two shots and sliding one to me. In silence, we toss them back. Playing with the empty glass, I look up at my girlfriend. "Nap?"

She gives me a lopsided smile and comes over to me. Her hands feel warm against my shoulders as they kneed the muscles there. As her thumbs rub circles along my collarbone, making my knees weak.

In one fluid motion she picks me up wedding night style. My gasp turns into a giggle as she does raspberries on my exposed neck as she carries me to my room. "I think you mentioned something about a shower?"

"I did, didn't?" I tell her and press a firm kiss to her lips. My life may a roller coaster, with all of these wild turns and up and does, but Lauren has been there with me. Taking away my fear and reminding me that our seat belts are secure. Showing me the fun during this crazy ride that we're riding. And I am so lucky to have her here.

I wouldn't trade her for anything.

AN: Happy Friday! It's been one of those weeks, but I hope this update will help! Lots of answers and many more to come. (Yes, including how Trick got infected.)

So thank you for reading and for all of your comments and follows! You guys are amazing and I'm happy you guys read my story(s). I'm so thankful for the support here and the new people I've met through it. Ok enough sappy talk. See you next time!
Twitter: Thelabcoat13