CHAPTER 23: ATTEMPT TWO

Gina POV

Telling Marcus that his mother was back in town was not easy. “Now wonder she hasn’t come to say hi to me. She’s too busy with her schemes as always.” Marcus says as he sits forward. “I promise you that I will find out what is she really up to.” I say as I take out everything from Marcus’s case that I want to go through.
“Did you hear anything from the DA yet?” I ask him. “Nope not a peep.” He replies. We start going through his files in silence and he doesn’t say anything. “Are you okay?” I ask. “Yeah I’m fine. Why are you asking?” Marcus says. “Well because after I told you about your mother, you kept quiet.” I reply “I could care less about my mother.” Marcus replies.

I take out my laptop and my mobile wifi dongle. I’m going to check up what Veronica has been up to these last few years. I need to know everything about her after the divorce. “Do you remember if your dad gave your mom anything when they divorced?” I ask. “He did give her the money that they agreed on in their prenuptial agreement but she got nothing else. But she did contact him once after the divorce. She wanted more money and he refused to give her more.” Marcus says. “How long before he died did she contact him?” I ask. “Few weeks before his death.” Marcus replies.

“We’re still on for dinner right?” Marcus asks. “Yeah. I’ll be staying here with you tonight.” I say as I smile back at him. “Cool.” He says before he scoots in next to me. He takes my hand in his. “I just wanted to ask if my dad is here?” He asks me. I haven’t seen Andreas since we left the precinct this morning. “No. I haven’t seen him.” I reply and he sighs. “Most of the times ghosts appear to me when they have to tell me something. And I’ll tell you if your dad is here with us okay.” I say and he nods at me.

I take one of the files on the and I look at it. It’s one of the documents that Marcus signed and I notice something else. The signatures do not match. “Marcus quick please sign your signature on this piece of paper right here.” I say. “Why?” He asks as he takes the paper and pen. “Just do it.” I want to check something.

He does as I ask him and then he hands me the signature. I take it and I compare it to the documents. “Look here, your signature on this document does not match.” I say as I point it out to him. “You’re right and I didn’t even notice it but you did.” Marcus says. “That means someone that was working with you at the company was falsifying your signature. And I think I know who did it?” I say as I look at Marcus. “Armando. The piece of shit disappeared the day that they arrested me. If only we can find him.” Marcus replies. “We will and then we’ll make him talk. That’s one way that we’ll be able to get you lose from these fraud charges.” I say as I take my laptop.

“What are you going to do now?” Marcus asks me. “I’m going to check the airport security cameras to see if Armando boarded a plane that day that you were arrested. I’m also going to check if you bought a ticket that day maybe we can see where he went.” I say. This is going to take a while I think to myself. “Oh okay. I’ll go and get us something to drink.” Marcus says as he gets up and walks to the kitchen.
He comes back a few minutes later with some wine and he hands me the wine glass. I look back at the screen on the laptop and I see Armando Garcia at the airport.
“Hey do you know if anyone is even trying to find Armando?” I ask him. “I was told that they couldn’t find him and when I asked if they checked the airport security cameras they said that he wasn’t at the airport,” Marcus replies. “They didn’t look hard enough.” I say as I show him Armando at the airport and I point to the date that is on the screen.

“Let’s see where he went.” I say as I go through the tickets from the airline that he used. I found one that was bought at exactly the same time that he was at the counter. “Mexico City?” Marcus says. “Yes and he used a false name.” I say as I point to the ticket details on my laptop. “Motherfucker.” Marcus says. I also find out which hotel he is staying at the moment. I take out my phone and I call Pavlo.

“Pavlo I need you to pack your bags and head for Mexico city tonight. I found Armando Garcia. He used a different name to get out of this country. I’ll have the jet ready for you in an hour.” I say. “Yes boss. I’ll make sure I bring him back.” Pavlo replies before I hang up the phone and then make another call to my pilot Jonathan. I tell him to have the jet ready at LAX and to meet Pavlo there. “Yes boss.” He says.

“I finally feel like we’re getting somewhere.” Marcus says. “The cops obviously aren’t doing their job properly. That’s why there’s people like me.” I say. “Don’t let Luke hear you say that. He’ll probably blow a gasket or something.” Marcus says and I start laughing at him. “Probably.” I says as I start putting the files back together. “That’s enough work for today. Let’s enjoy our night.” I say.

Marcus looks at the time. “It’s almost 6 pm. I think I should start the grill now.” Marcus says. “You were gonna grill?” I ask him. “Uh huh. Ribs. Your favorite.” He says as he smiles at me. “You remembered.” I say. “Of course.” He says. “Okay while you do that then I think I’m going to get ready.” I say as I get up from the couch. “See you in a little bit my cuddle bunny.” Marcus says making me blush. “Stop it. Ou know how that nickname makes me feel.” I say but he grabs my hand and pulls me to him. “Does it still make you want me?” Marcus asks. “Yes and it can’t happen yet.” I say. “Oh right because you want us to get married first before any of that happens.” Marcus says as he leans down and his soft lips touch mine.

Marcus starts nibbling on my lower lip and it makes me moan. He manages to slip his tongue into my mouth while he squeezes my hips. I can feel my knees going numb from this kiss and the butterflies start floating around in my stomach. “Baby you still taste so good.” Marcus says. “And you still make my knees weak.” I say.

“Well then its better if we stop or else you won’t be able to walk.” Marcus says. “Go get ready and meet me down here in 45 minutes.” Marcus says. “Okay.” I say as I start walking down the hall and then up the stairs. I get into the room and I see a dress hanging on the closet door. There’s a note on it. “Wear this to our dinner. Marcus.” The note says. This dress is from one of my collections. It’s a dark blue strapless dress with gold sequence on it. I smile as I put the dress on the bed and I walk into the bathroom. I decide to take a long bath and after that I walk out of the bathroom.

I decide to do some light makeup and then I put my hair up in a messy bun before I get dressed before I put on the matching shoes that comes with the dress.

I go and join Marcus downstairs. As I walk down the stairs I see Marcus standing at the bottom with a bouquet of white roses in his hand. He’s wearing a crisp white button up shirt with blue jeans.

“Wow you look absolutely beautiful.” Marcus says as he looks at me.
“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.” I say as he kisses my cheek.” I designed this very dress.” I say. “I know. I had Mateo pick you up something from your line at the mall.” Marcus says. “How did he get it here? I never saw him carry any bags today.” I ask. “He had it delivered.” Marcus replies.

“Now are you ready?” Marcus asks me as he holds out his hand for me. I nod as I take his hand and he leads me to the dining room. The table has been set up with candles and everything.

“Marcus you didn’t have to do all of this.” I say as I look at him. “I know but I wanted too.” He says.

“I still love you Gina.” Marcus says. I was about to answer him but then I see a red light flashing on his chest.
“Marcus get down.” I yell as I jump at him and we fall to the floor just as a bullet flies through the window.

“What the fuck was that?” Marcus asks me.

“A sniper.” I say.