Mel awoke some time later to Autumn shaking her awake. "Mel, wake up Linc's on the phone."
"Baby, what's going on? Are you ok?"
Linc sighed into the phone. "Yes sweetheart I'm fine. Michael and I are in Philadelphia. How's LJ?"
"He's pretty upset that you are going to miss the game tomorrow night but I told him I would take him."
"I really wish you two would stay home. Mel you, LJ and the baby are too important to me. If anything happens..." He cut himself off not wanting to finish the sentence or the thought for that matter.
"Linc we'll be fine. Just find your dad and get this mess over with. I want you home with us. Speaking of which, LJ wants to live with us and he says that mom says it's ok."
"It's about time. I swear when this over we are taking a vacation and forgetting everything. Baby, I have to go. Tell LJ I'm sorry and I love him. I love you Mel."
"Love you too Lincoln."
She held the phone to her chest and raked a hand through her hair. Everything seemed so surreal. She was having a hard time digesting everything but decided there was nothing she could do until tomorrow. She turned over and pulled the cover over her head careful to muffle her sobs with her pillow.
--
"I'm not sure this is the best way to go about this Linc. Mark obviously knows where dad is and he's just not telling us. Why else would he insist on meeting us here? I don't like this Linc."
Lincoln Burrows surveyed their surroundings. "I don't know Mike. Maybe he just wants to be thorough or maybe he's trying to screw us like everyone else."
They took a seat at the outside bistro, ordered two coffees, and waited. The cell phone that Veronica gave Linc rang and he picked it up immediately.
"Linc, its Veronica. I found Argen and he's stateside. He's staying at the Westin in New York City. But you worry about finding your dad, my guys are on Argen."
"We're meeting with Mark in a few minutes. He should be able to shed some light on finding Aldo. Unless he's trying to screw me over too. You know Veronica, there's a lot about this I don't really trust. I mean I knew dad was into some government shit but to actually try to kill me. Is it really that serious?"
"I'm sorry Linc, but the less you know the better off you are." With that, she hung up the phone.
Lincoln turned to Michael his expression etched with concern. "Mike, we may be in over our heads. With no one to turn to."
Michael leaned forward on his elbows, his hands clasped in front of him. "Do you remember what dad use to tell us when we were little and we would get scared when he was about to leave?"
"No."
"He would say they key to being fearless is in the heart. Look toward the ones you love for protection."
Lincoln raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. "And, what's your point?"
"My point is dad has always groomed us for this life Linc, we just chose to ignore the signs."
"Huh?"
Michael shook his head. "Dad always thought that at least one of us would end up taking his place in the company. Everything he ever told us was basically code for something else. Fearless in the heart and look towards the ones you love. Think about it Linc."
"I don't want to play your games Michael. If you know something just spill it."
"Come on Linc, we don't have to wait for Mark." Michael stood up and threw a wad of bills on the table to cover their coffee and a tip.
Linc reluctantly followed Michael to the car and got in on the passenger side not even bothering to question Michael on where they were going.
--
"Mel!" LJ called out her name before entering the room. "Mel!" He called again as he stepped closer to the bed. She jumped and sat straight up in the bed her eyes still burning from the tears she had shed.
"What's wrong LJ? Are you ok?"
"Yeah. I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to ride to the mall with Uncle T, if it's ok."
Mel wiped the sleep from her eyes willing the burning to go away. "Yeah it's fine. Make sure to keep your cell phone on and answer it if I call! And please stay with Teddy."
"Yes ma'am." LJ saluted her.
Mel raked a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry but I just worry. With whatever's going on with your dad and grandpa... Just be careful."
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I will mom."
Mel felt the tears well up in her eyes. "What did you call me?"
"Mom." LJ smiled brightly. "Is that ok?"
She nodded her head before pulling him into a big hug. "You bet it is." She kissed the top of his head before letting him go. Once he was out of sight, she dropped back onto the bed and sobbed. Linc was missing so much she could only hope this was over quickly because she was ready to get life back to normal.
--
Autumn sat a plate of fresh fruit and banana walnut pancakes in front of her sister before pouring them both a cup of tea. "Good morning sunshine."
Mel rolled her eyes and popped a piece of kiwi in her mouth. "What's so damn good about it?"
"You're breathing aren't you?"
"Barely." Mel shot back.
"So what is Linc up to now?" Autumn asked as she took a sip from her mug and flipped open the paper.
"He and Mike are on the search for Aldo. I think they are on a wild goose chase because the last I heard he was in Ireland."
"What does Linc think?"
Mel shook her head. "Linc believes whatever he's told. Not that I don't believe this but the fact that Carolyn Reynolds is involved scares the shit out of me."
"Why is that?"
Mel took a sip from her cup before sitting it down in front of her. "Aldo once told me that I should get out of my relationship with Lincoln because of the dangers I would face. Of course, I pushed him into telling me more and he told me as much as he could about the company and that Carolyn and her brother were behind all the decisions. Apparently, her great-great grandfather founded the company. Anyway, it means bad things for whomever the company sets their target on in this case it's Aldo and to get to him they plan to take out Lincoln and Michael."
"Oh dear God. If they are going after Lincoln and Michael in order to get to Aldo, they won't stop there will they?"
Tears filled Melony's eyes once again. "No they won't."