Page 72 of Love Fire

“I think it’s an important detail that I was like, six years old.”

“No, I’m pretty sure that was last year,” Leanne says with a cheeky smile. It’s like she never left, embarrassing me in front of boys.

“That’s a lie!” Now, even I can’t help but laugh.

“Don’t worry,” Brent chuckles. "I think it’s cute. Besides, Alessandro has years’ worth of embarrassing stories about me. Next time you see him, ask about Christmas when I was ten.”

“Oh, I will. I’m going to get all the embarrassing Brent stories.” Brent and I both laugh and share a kiss. I notice Leanne watching us with a smile. “What?”

“Nothing,” she says. “I’m just happy. Happy that I get to see you happy.” She looks over at Nate. “Happy that we’re all back together. I’ve missed you guys.”

I get up from Brent lap and rush over to my sister. I wrap her in a huge hug. She hugs me back.

“Nate,” I say without breaking away from the hug. "If you don’t join this family hug, we’re coming over there.”

“Oh, I’ve had enough hugs for one day, I-” I don’t let Nate finish. I stop hugging Leanne and the two of us almost tackle Nate to the ground with a big hug. Nate relents and hugs back.

It’s been far too long since the three of us have been able to share a moment like this and I don’t know if I ever want it to stop. But unfortunately, it has to. Nate has work in the morning and Leanne has to get back to the fight against our father. Until that man is taken down, we will never truly have comfortable moments like this again.

The four of us step out of the front doors of the church, ready to go our separate ways for now. Brent and I have our arms wrapped around each other while Nate and Leanne decide on one last embarrassing story about me to tell.

“What about that thing from her third-grade talent show?” Nate has a devious grin on his face. If he tells that one, I might just die.

“Oh that’s good,” Leanne says. "But what about her thirteenth birthday-” Oh god, I’d rather they tell the talent show story.

“Yes!” Nate turns to Brent and me. “So, when Erin was-”

Nate is interrupted as a parade of black escalades pull up in front of the church. My father’s men pour out of the cars and all aim their guns at us.

Hank climbs out of one of the cars with a cigar in his mouth and a shit-eating grin. He gives a slow sarcastic clap as he steps towards us. He looks up at me and Brent.

“Let me first say, congratulations to the happy couple. You both look absolutely lovely.”

“Fuck you.”

“Now Erin, that’s some nasty language to use at a church.” I never thought it’d be possible but Hank’s shit-eating grin has somehow grown even more ‘shit-eating.’

Brent steps forwards. He stands firm. “You have sixty seconds for all of you to get out of here.”

“Now,” Hank chuckles. "We just got here! Why would we leave?”

“Don’t be stupid Hank,” Nate speaks up. “Our father would never do something so public like this. In the middle of the day, in the middle of the city.”

“Yes,” Hank agrees. "Or at least, that’s how it used to be. You four really pissed him off. So, we’re breaking that rule just this one time.”

“If you’re going to kill us–” Leanne steps forward with Brent. "Why are we still alive? Why are you monologuing?”

Hank chuckles again. “Maybe I’m a big softie, I did watch you three kids grow up after all. Or, maybe, I just wanted to make sure you all understand how dumb you are. All your wedding information was online! The location, the time, all of it! You lead us right to you!”

The four of us all look at each other. We really didn’t think our father would risk such a public move. But it’s also telling that he sent Hank, and didn’t show up himself. He’s afraid.

“We wanted to wait until after the wedding,” Hank continues. “You know, let you two get married. So, you could die together. Really adds to the tragedy. Your father’s street cred will skyrocket. All his rivals will be terrified.”

Hank’s monologuing is already getting annoying. But we should thank him. He’s given the four of us time to get ready to fight.

Leanne looks back at all of us and scowls. “Ready?”

The other three of us look at each other and speak in unison, “Ready.”

The End