Macy's Corner Cafe

Chapter 4

While struggling to open the door, Macy drops the keys twice. Cursing under her breath, she manages to open the door and storms inside. Deactivating the alarm and locking the door behind her again. She keeps the lights off and dives behind the counter. Shivering from head to toe. Cold sweat covering her forehead.

Catching her breath, she fishes for her cellphone in her bag. She has to call John or Peter. They will know what to do. On the second ring, John answers. "Hello." Hearing his voice, Macy start to cry hysterically. "Macy? What happened? Where are you?" John's panicked voice reaches her ears. "At the Cafe. Please... They're after me?" Macy utters in choked sobs. "I'm on my way." He says, and Macy can hear the jingle of keys and the thump of bare feet on a floor in the background.

Minutes later, John rattles the door. Macy peeks out from behind the counter and a sigh of relieve escapes her lips when she sees him. "What happened? You look as if you've seen a ghost." He says as she opens the door. "I saw someone get killed, John. In cold blood. Someone was shot right in front of me and then the shooter and his accomplice turned towards me.... I...I..." Macy chokes and John pulls her into a hug. "It's okay. I'm here." He says while stroking her hair. She's shivering, but tries to calm her racing heart and ragged breathing. Burying her face in his chest, clinging to him tightly.

"The man that was killed, approached me on my way home. He was drunk and pinned me up against the wall and the next thing I know, he was pulled from the back. All I saw were two pairs of legs. The suits must be expensive by the look of the pants. The guy who attacked me was called Vince. The one guy was addressed as Mr. Turner. John, they just shot him point blank. No argument, nothing. Even after he pleaded for his life." Macy's eyes are wide, fear clear as day.

John stiffens by the mention of the names. It's all The Black Dragon's guys. Did Vince A.W.O.L? Something must've happened for Jackson to act like that. Mason must've been the third guy.

Macy is starting to relax and getting sleepy. It's been a long day. Just as John prepared to pick her up, his phone rings. Damnit. Now it not the time or place. Looking at his phone, his stomach drops. Jackson... What does he want?

"Hello." He says, sitting down on the floor again with Macy leaning against his shoulder."Hello, John. Sorry to bother you at this hour." Jackson's deep voice is calm on the other side. "What do you want, Jackson? I'm busy." John hisses into the phone, looking at Macy's sleeping face. "John, I know we have our differences, but hear me out..." Jackson starts to say, but John interrupts him. "What happened to Vince, Jackson? Why did he get killed? Who pulled the trigger?" John ask and there is silence on the other end.

"He was a snitch, John. We had to take him out. He leaked information to the Tigers. We were onto him and then he attacked a girl in one of the side streets. She ran away, but she's a witness. " Jackson states as a tired sigh can be heard, ignoring half the question. John's anger flares up. "I know. That girl called me. Jeez, Jackson. What were you thinking? Shooting someone in the street. That's just sloppy work. Especially for you and Mason. I take it he was there too. Now the Tigers will come for her, since you took out their informant." John is fuming.

"John, we can protect her, but you have to come back to the g**g. We need you. Things are not the same since you left. Please. You can have your old position back. You were born to be Second in Command and since Leech is out, the position is vacant. What do ya say?" Jackson is not one to beg, but the voice coming from the other side of the phone sounds a lot like begging. The man's getting old and soft.

John sighs. "I'll think about it. I can't leave her for the wolves. She's been through enough." He states and hangs up before Jackson can say another word. I'll protect Macy with my life. It hurts to see her this frightened. John thinks as he looks at Macy's sleeping face again. His heart breaks to think of all the hurt and disappointments she's been through. Maybe he should take Jackson's offer. With the guys at his back, no one can touch her. She'll be under twenty-four-hour protection.

"Come on, Macy. Let's get you to bed." He says as he picks her up and carries her to his car. He activates the alarm and locks the door behind him after making sure everything is still in order. Getting into the car, Macy stirs but doesn't wake up. He'll take her to his house and then just drop her off tomorrow morning before work. He has to make sure she's alright.

Once at his house, he takes her to the guestroom, removes her shoes but leaves her socks, and covers her with the blanket. A small frown forms on her forehead and she murmurs something, but just turns her back to him and sighs. John just smiles and leaves the room, making his way to his own bedroom. This was quite an eventful day.

It feels as if he just fell asleep when a scream rips through his head. And another follows suite. John is disorientated as he staggers to his bedroom door. A third... Macy... "No, please...!" She screams as he rushes into the guestroom. He finds her cowering in the corner of the room. Her head between her knees, covering frantically with her arms.. She's still asleep. "Macy!" John calls as he reaches for her.

Before he can even touch her, Macy lunges at him. Pulling her hand back at lightning speed, she leaves b****y scratches across his cheek. "Get away from me!" She screams at the top of her longs. John catches her flailing arms and presses her back against his chest. She stops struggling, but her breathing comes in short pants. "Make it stop..." She whimpers and wrenching sobs escapes her lips. What happened to you? He thinks as he sits with her in his lap, rocking her to calm down.

It takes a few minutes for Macy to calm down. "I'm so sorry, John." Her soft voice startles him and he looks at her. Macy saw the scratches on his cheek and she knew it was her doing. John shakes his head. "It's nothing, Sweetheart. Just a scratch. Are you alright. You had me worried there for a moment." He says, still holding her. "I'm better, thank you." She says, but snuggles deeper into his embrace, comforted by his warmth.