Macy's Corner Cafe

Chapter 16

Mason is getting nervous. He's waiting for John at the office for that coffee agreement. What new information will John give him that he doesn't already have?A soft, yet firm knock gets his attention. "Enter!" he calls and waits for the person to enter. John Lance walks in with two take away cups of coffee. "Morning, Boss." John smirks as he gives Mason his cup and plops down in one of the chairs.Mason takes a sip from his cup, savoring the aroma. "Thank you, for the coffee." He says, looking into the creamy liquid. John nods from his chair, enjoying his own drink."Still want to hear her story from me, or are you going to invite her for dinner?" John asks, smirking. "Not funny, Corporal."Mason snares. It's been difficult. He's the King among the g**g leaders, but he can't get the courage together to approach his long lost sister. To invite her back into his life. Should he really be this desperate? He should be. He's missed so many years in her life."Yes, I still want to hear her story. I'll fill the blanks when we officially meet." He says, looking at John.

Expecting a quirky comment, Mason waited. When nothing happened, he throws a glance in John's direction. To his surprise, John's face is a blank canvas. His mouth a tight line."Where do you want to start?" John asks, frowning and looking far off. His mind has been racing since this morning. What information is he allowed to give Mason. Will Macy approve? Wouldn't it be better if she meets with Mason herself? He did think about mentioning it, but looking at Mason now, he can see the desperation in his eyes.Taking a deep breath, John squares his shoulders and looks Mason in the eyes, "I saw her for the first time nine years back. We did a rescue at a Black Market Auction House. It was a brutal battle. I made sure my men got out, but I can't say the same for some of the girls or the other guys."

"I can still smell the death in that place. When the Scorpions realized we were on them, they started to kill the girls. We had to move fast. Her holding cell was in the last row, in the furthest corner of the warehouse."

"She was so fragile. Not enough to eat and the beatings took it's toll on her body. You could count her ribs through her skin. She looked anorexic, due to hunger. When I picked her up, she weighed nothing. She was broken and terrified. She was up for auction that night. Only sixteen. So young. We rescued a total of twenty girls that day."John swallows the lump in his throat, still seeing her small frame cowering in the corner of her holding cell. Dressed in nothing but an oversized t-shirt. He looks at Mason, shock clear on his face. Anger burning in his grey eyes. "She still has nightmares about it. I've witnesses a few panic attacks as well, like the one the guys saw the other day. I think the trust she has in me is due to the rescue.

Derek Hill came into her life while at university. They were friends back then. It became more and soon they were an item.""I kept tabs on her. Made sure she was safe. Even though our paths went into different directions. I left the army and she went back to her parents. I couldn't get her out of my mind. I had to know her every move and that no danger was threatening her.""When the Hill boy and Macy got together, I thought I can let go. I did, but something about Derek Hill didn't sit well with me. I didn't trust him. That was also when I joined the Black Dragons. It was something to keep my mind occupied.

Macy crept into my heart and made a nest there. She stayed. All of her stayed. She occupied my every thought. Still does.""When I heard that she's opening a cafe in town, I was over the moon. I witnessed the break up between her and Derek. It was not pretty. Apart from the fact the he cheated, he threatened Macy. Saying he will destroy her. I couldn't let that happen. That was when I quit the Dragons and became a barista at Macy's Corner Cafe.""Mason?" John says, his eyes soft, yet determined. "Be gentle with her. She's a pure sole. She's a survivor, standing up for herself when needed. I just think that the last month or so has taken a toll on her. It's an environment that brings back memories of a time when her life hung in the balance and she was controlled by the greed and l**t of men." John says as he looks down into the now empty cup. A silence dawns in the office.

"You love her, don't you?" Mason asks, looking at John. He gets a mere nod. "With all my heart and soul." John simply says. Mason clenches his jaw. Never in his life did he think, he'll see a vulnerable John Lance and yet. Here sits the man, a hardened marine, Second in Command of the Black Dragons, and he confesses his love. Wearing his heart on his sleeve.He has to meet the girl that has the John Lance around her little finger. If she is anything that he's heard, she is a true Palmer. Few situations get them down. If they are down, it's not for long. "When can I meet her, John. I think I am allowed to. I am her blood brother after all." Mason says, glancing over in John's direction. "Whenever you like. I'll just be accompanying her. I will not let her do this alone. Are you going to bring Mrs. Palmer to the first visit?" John asks. Mason has been thinking about that. His mother will be overcome with joy. "I am considering it, but maybe it will be best if we meet at her house and on a second meeting. I have to prepare her first." He says, feeling guilty about the possessive choice he made to shift his mother to the back burner first. He wants his baby sister to himself. For now at least.