“And?”
“And,” Mandy yelled. “My first dance with my husband is ruined, Marcus!”
A tear fell and I felt like shit.
“Marcus,” Mariah scolded when she saw it. She rolled her eyes at me as she snatched the handkerchief from my breast pocket and turned her attention to Mandy.
Fuck! I've pissed off Mariah... okay, think, Cannon! You better fix this quick!
“What was she going to sing, Mandy,” Mariah asked as she dabbed Mandy's eyes.
“At Last and Because You Loved Me. That was for my dad and me.”
“I know those,” Mariah cheerfully proclaimed. “Would you like me to sing them?”
“I was hoping, but you're our guest. I didn't want to bother you,” Mandy wept.
“Nonsense. I'd be happy to this for you and your husband.”
Mandy grabbed Mariah and hugged her tight. “Thank you, Mariah! I owe you so big!”
“Hush, you owe me nothing, Mandy. Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Mandy sniffled. “Wait, give me a moment to fix this,” she says, pointing to her face. She walked off to the side with Elka, who started on her sister’s face.
“Thank you, Mariah,” Joshua said with relief then kissed her cheek.
“Not necessary, Joshua.” She smiled at him but it disappeared when she looked at me.
“You, sir, have no tact. It's her wedding day, Marcus,” she admonished. “First dance as man and wife is important to any bride and you just glossed over it!”
I smiled. “I'll apologize, baby. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings.”
She tapped her foot. “Do it now, Marcus, or I'm going home tonight. Alone.”
Ooh, shit. Couldn’t have that. I took off in a shot. I apologized and went back to Mariah after Mandy accepted.
“Thank you, boo. I have to speak to the band. Go sit down and listen to me sing.” She stood on her toes, kissed me then headed to the stage.
“Rob,” I called. He walked over to me and we watched Mariah shake the band members’ hands.
“What's up, Frank? What’s she doing?”
“You're about to get even more jealous, Sammy.”
“Huh?”
“Sit down and listen,” I said, holding his shoulder as I pushed him to a seat.
“Ladies and gentleman, the bride and groom will now have their first dance,” the bandleader announced.
Mariah’s at the mic, looking beautiful in that clinging, brownish dress that makes her eyes sparkle like shiny pennies. The music swelled and Mariah's sweet, smooth voice rang out so clear and strong, even though she is singing softly. Joshua and Mandy dance in the middle of the floor and she smiled at them.
“Wow,” Rob mumbled, his eyes glued to Mariah. “She sounds... wow.”
“I agree,” I murmured. I pat his shoulder, proud of my baby.
When the song ended, applause erupted and Mariah waited for Mandy to get her father, and Joshua to get Mother. Mariah smiled at me. I pointed at my throat and she nodded. I got her a shot and water and smiled as she imbibed.
She smiled at me as she hands me the glasses. “Thank you, boo. I love you.”
“I love you, baby.” I smiled and got a kiss. I joined Rob again and watched as Mariah started the next song. Again, it's flawless and beautiful.
I smiled as she left the stage and was stopped for hugs by Mandy's parents, Mandy, Joshua, Mother, Dad and Elka. Rob stood and hugged her, too. When she got to me she dropped to my lap and was completely flushed.
“I think they liked it, boo,” she murmured, actually sounding surprised.
I looked at her, smiling. “You can’t be surprised, baby. You have no idea how beautiful you sound, do you?”
She shrugged. “I'm okay. I'm just glad I could help Mandy.”
“How do you know all those songs? Whatever’s thrown at you, you know it.”
She smiled. “Mom. She used to play all of Daddy's music when I was in the hospital. That's how she kept me busy when I was in pain, except with the headaches, of course. She played music for me all the time and I guess I memorized most of it. She and Miss Helen used to encourage me to sing through the pain, especially while the bandages were changed. Since, I’ve listened to any and all music.”
I thought of the day she told me about her father and siblings’ deaths and held her hand. We silently watched as Matthew danced with Mother and Joshua danced with Mandy's mother.
I pulled Mariah closer. “Are you ready to get out of here, baby? I need to be with you again,” I murmured in her ear.
“Marcus! It's your brother's wedding; you can't go yet,” Mariah laughed.
“Baby, I need you. Listening to you sing has got me... bothered, but in a very good way.”
“Behave.” She looked at the dance floor. “Go dance with your mother.”
I needed to get out of there with her, not dance with my mother!
I scowled. “Damn it. Okay, but then we're leaving.”
Her beautiful eyes widened. “But they haven't cut the cake yet, Marcus!”
“You still have German chocolate cake at the apartment,” I reasoned with her.
She shook her head and laughed. “Go!”
I growled in her ear, making her giggle loudly as we stood. Smiling, I went to my mother.
“You take my dance partner, I’m taking yours,” Matthew declared. He approached Mariah and I frowned at him when she took his hand. He raised an eyebrow.
“You know, Mariah,” Matthew said when they danced next to Mother and I. “I can't stand the pain I feel when I see that ring on your hand. I'm so... devastated. I’m completely heartbroken over you!”
Mother smacked the back of his head.
“Thank you, Mother,” I chuckled.
“Love you, Mommy,” Matthew grinned.
“Don't worry about your 'broken heart', Matthew. A little Gorilla Glue and you'll be just fine,” Mariah murmured in a bored tone. “It’s definitely designed for you.”
Mother froze, then laughed loudly making everyone turn to us.
“Oh, I love her,” she declared, slapping my shoulder.
“So do I, Mother.”
I beamed as Matthew waltzed away with Mariah. He was laughing harder than Mother.
Chapter EIGHT
A Shot in the Broad Daylight
July 8, 2018
“Ethan,” Tom shouts. “Let's go!”
I don't remember leaving my house. I don't remember the five of us getting in Ethan's Range Rover and flying down the street, but here we are... Tom, Nathan, Ethan, Joshua and I racing to Joshua's house.
“Not my baby girl,” I whisper, hearing that gunshot replaying in my head.
Ethan is going so fast, he passes the car Matthew, Parker and Richards are in. When we get to Joshua's, he slams the brakes so hard, we all fly forward. Thank God for seatbelts and that we all used them.
I jump from the car and run up the drive to where there’s a commotion, police are surrounding Joshua's house and we can't get through. Richards talks to a cop and Hunt is on the ground crying hysterically. Parker runs to Hunt and she clings to him.
“I tried, I tried... I'm so sorry, Dr. Cannon! Believe me, I tried to stop her,” Hunt wails when she sees me. My heart freezes. I think of my baby girl and pray for her little soul.
“What happened, baby? Who did you try to stop,” Parker asks, embracing his wife and showing emotion for the first time that day.
“The woman in the car... she had a gun. Matthew said to only to wound her!”
“Was it your gun we first heard,” Matthew yells.
I frown. There was more than one shot?
“No! It was hers and she...” Hunt gets hysterical again and I still don't know what the hell is happening with Lila.
I am about to take off again when Richards’ voice stops me.
“Marcus! Wait! I'm piecing it together.”
“Where's Lila,” I demand. “Where is she and the children?”
“Marcus...
”
“No! Do not give me that tone,” I shout at Richards, stalking toward him. “Where is my daughter?”
I feel a lot of hands on me, trying to get me to the ground while Matthew screams at me to calm down, but I can't. I need to know what happened with Lila and no one will come out and say anything. I finally fall to my knees, and pray harder.
“What the fuck happened,” Matthew shouts again. “Someone better start talking, now!”
“There was a gun... she was aiming at the baby... the little girl... she was playing with the boys...” Hunt stammers through her sobs. “I don't know... I yelled at her to drop the weapon... I kept moving in front of her gun but she wouldn't even aim at me ... she... was intent on harming that baby... I screamed for someone to get her out the way, Dr. Cannon! I shot her in the arm but she fired again and I don't know what happened! I haven't seen that baby since... then she- she- she just… Oh, God!”
I inhale in panic, surprise and heartache as I listen to Hunt, tears running down my face. Lila, my beautiful little Mini-Mariah...
“Someone tell me what is happening with my little girl right fucking now,” I shout, feeling rage shooting through me again but I had to keep it together… I'll be damned if they drug me with all the uncertainty in the air.
“Dr. Cannon,” a man sings loudly, calmly.
I look up sharply. What the…? Who the fuck is this damned relaxed while I feel as if my world has come crashing in on me?
“Over here, Dr. Cannon,” he sings again.
I turn my head. Brown, with a hesitant smile on his face, is walking over to us slowly, his hands behind him, looking like he wouldn't ever care if he ever got to us. I look closer and frown. This big man has been crying.
“I'm almost there,” he faux whispers, followed by a familiar giggle.
It’s then I see the small hands on his shoulders; creamed coffee-colored little hands with bright pink polish on the nails.
“LILA,” I shout as Brown gets closer.
Giggling, her little head peeks from over Brown's shoulder.
“Can you find me, Daddy,” Lila giggles.
The hands finally let me go and we all run to my little girl. I grab her from Brown's back, and fall to the ground again holding her as tight as I can without breaking her little body. I finally pull back and look at her beautiful little face.
“Hi, Angel,” I sniff.
Lila frowns. “You didn't do it right, Daddy!” She looks up at Brown and whispers, “That's my friend. His name is Darren. He almost broke me when he fell on me.”
“He did?” I check her little body. There’s blood on her left leg. “Are you hurting, Angel? Tell Daddy if you feel any pain.”
“I have a boo-boo, Daddy.”
I laugh through my tears as she points to a bandage on her outer right thigh. I peel it back and see it's a superficial scrape. I put the bandage back and smile at Lila.
“Do you need Daddy to kiss it for you, Angel?”
She smiles. “No. Alex and Donnie kissed it for me. And Sidra did, too, Daddy.”
Matthew comes over and squats. So do Ethan, Joshua, Nathan and Tom.
“Hey, Angel!”
“Hi, Uncle Toad! Did you see Daddy didn't find me right?”
“I did, Angel,” Matthew laughs. “Your other uncles and I will get on him about that later, okay? Now give me a big hug!”
“Okay!” She squeals as she jumps in his arms.
“I want one too, Angel,” Nathan says when Matthew finally releases her.
Lila pauses and looks around at the men in her life, then her eyes, much like mine, turns to me.
“Daddy,” she calls grabbing my face. “Why are you all sad wiff me?”
“I'm not sad with you, Angel. I'm sad because I...” I choke back a sob. “We're sad because we heard about your boo-boo. We were scared you were hurt too bad.”
“Oh. Okay,” Lila smiles. She hugs Nathan then Joshua. When she gets to Tom, she hesitates. He cocks his head at her, looking confused.
“No hug for Uncle T,” he asks her.
“Fourth took my ice cream,” Lila pouts, referring to his son. “He was mean to me.”
Tom smiles at her. “I’ll talk to him, Angel. I’ll make sure it won’t happen again, okay?”
Lila grins. “Okay!” She throws her arms around Tom’s neck, as tears stream down his face. He pulls back and stares at Lila, no doubt thinking how much she looks like her mother.
“Go back to your daddy, Angel. He really missed you today,” Tom says, his voice cracking.
Lila flings herself in my arms and Tom walks off sobbing, followed closely by Ethan and Joshua.
“Is he sad, Daddy?” Lila whispers.
“Yes, Lila. We all are.”
Her big eyes widened and she gives me positive nodding. “I’m not hurting anymore, Daddy. You can stop being sad now,” she says, soothingly.
I chuckle at my baby girl, wishing it all could be that simple. “Okay, Angel. I’m not sad, anymore.”
“Where's Mommy, Daddy? I need a song ‘cause of my boo-boo.”
“Angel,” Matthew calls. “How about we let Sidra sing to you? Your daddy and I have to go talk to these men and your friend Darren, okay?”
“’Kay, but can I hug my Daddy again?”
“Of course, Angel. And if you don't mind, I'd like another one, too.”
Matthew hugs Lila again and she flies back to me, hugging me tightly as I rise to my feet. Matthew signals to Sidra, our nanny. When she gets to us, Matthew grabs her and kisses her full on the mouth. When they part, she looks at me, frightened.
“Later,” I say to her and Matthew. “Go with Sidra, Angel. Be a good girl.” I kiss her head and set her down.
She skips the three feet to Sidra and takes her hand. Lila smiles brightly as she looks back at me. “Te amo, papá!”
“I love you, too, Angel,” I say. I watch as Lila skips away with Sidra. I look at Matthew who is staring after them, too. He turns to me, looking sheepish for a split second, then starts on what he's learned.
“Marcus, Adina was shot and wounded in the shoulder by Hunt, who spotted her first. She was aiming a 9MM at Lila. We owe Hunt and Brown...” he stops with emotion, attempting to regain control. “Brown stepped in front of Lila and threw his body over hers when Adina started shooting at Lila. When she couldn't get her, she turned the gun on herself.”
“No,” I murmur.
“She shot herself in the heart.”
“FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUUUUUUUCK! Will this fucking nightmare ever end,” I shout, pacing angrily in front of Matthew, wondering if we will ever find my wife now.
“Marcus... Vince's body is in the trunk of that car. He was shot, point blank, they think. We have no idea where Mariah's... body is.”
I stop and glare at my brother, stunned. “Are you giving up? Do you think my wife is dead,” I yell as Richards reaches us.
“Marcus...” Richards calls softly.
Feeling panic again, I shout, “NO! Mariah is alive, Richards... there is no way... no fucking way that woman is dead! Show me a body… her body… until you can do that, I will not believe otherwise! Do your fucking job and find her.”
I walk to the house, needing to see my sons. “Alex! Donnie,” I call at the gate. My boys ran out the back entrance. I squat to look in their faces.
“Hi, Dad,” they say in unison.
“Boys, I need you to watch out for your sister and your cousins, all right?”
“Sure, Dad. Where's Mommy,” Alex asks.
“Mommy went to run errands, Alex. Hopefully, she'll be done soon.”
“Okay, Dad.” Donnie nods. “Can we go now? Sidra is making salad and macaroni and cheese with hotdogs!”
“Sure, Donnie.” I smile. “Make sure you brush your teeth before you go to bed, all right?”
“Yes,” they say in unison again. I hug them tight and for a long time.
Alex sighs. “Dad!”
“All right, son. Go on..
. Enjoy your food and let your sister have some, all right?”
“Okay,” they laugh and take off. I watch them leave and another tear escapes.
No, their mother, my Mariah, is not dead.
My cell rings as I turn to walk back to Matthew. It's the hospital. Jesus... someone is fucking hard-headed there!
“Dr. Alexander. I'm on an—”
“Marcus! Get Ethan here, now,” Rob demands. “Alissa is in labor! She must’ve been hiding it because she’s already eight centimeters.”
I take off running as I look around for him. “Ethan,” I call when I spot him. “Get to the hospital! Alissa's there, eight centimeters already!”
“What does that mean, eight centimeters,” he yells back, sprinting backwards.
“She's got about an hour left, maybe,” Tom yells. “It won’t be long before the baby comes. Get your ass over there, now!”
“Keep me in touch! Fuck! I left my cell at Marcus’! Reach me at the hospital!” He turns and runs to his car.
“He's on his way, Rob,” I say, walking again.
“Marcus... There was a preemie left in the ER. Male.”
I freeze again. “What? When?” I look up and see the guys running back to me.
“About eleven this morning. When I found out, I asked to run Mariah's DNA against that baby’s, and put a rush on it. It'll be another hour at least, but still...”
“I'm on my way,” I yell. “Start a car! Any fucking car! I need to get to the hospital!”
“What is it,” Matthew asks. “What’s wrong now?”
“A male premature baby was brought in, around eleven this morning.”
“How the hell did that get pass this team,” Matthew roars.
“It didn't,” Richards yells back. “I had the baby’s blood checked against the blood found in the back of the car. I'm waiting on the DNA results.”
“Didn't I say full fucking disclosure,” Matthew yells at Richards as we glare at him. “Why would you withhold this information?”
Richards shouts, “We have to keep our focus on Mariah and the baby. Her baby. We don't know if that child is hers or not yet, or if Adina Elliott told the truth about what happened. You are too close, Matthew. You’re not thinking clearly.”
Advancing, Matthew snarls, “If that is my nephew—”
Marcus: The M Series, Book Three Page 13