Big Bad John (Bigger in Texas Series) (27 page)

He spun around and moved to tower over her, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Yes, I’m here because of Carlos. Because
I
keep my promises, and my friends. I’m here because it’s almost Christmas time, princess. And I’m calling in those chips you once said you owed me. All of them.”

That vulnerable expression crossed his hard features again, making Marley long to reach for him. “He needs us. Needs you. There has to be something left inside of you that cares about that. Cares about him.”

“Is he hurt?” She forgot about her insecurities, about everything, as worry became her priority. She gripped his arms. “Michael, stop scaring me and tell me. Has he been in an accident? Is he sick?”

“So you do care.” Michael lowered his head to study her hands with silent intensity until she removed them. “You could say that. You could also say he’s been in Hell. And I think—no I
know
—you are the only living soul who can get him out.”

She was shaking her head. They didn’t need her. Carlos didn’t need her. They hadn’t seen her since they were all eighteen. “If he needs doctors I can make a call. I need to know what’s wrong. Just tell me and I—”

“This isn’t something Knight money can fix,” he growled. “Have you changed so much, Marley? Forgotten everything you learned during your time with the riff-raff?”

Michael stepped away from her, looking at her as if she were a stranger. “If you decide to pay your debt, you know where I am. And that’s the sad truth of it, isn’t it?” His chuckle was raw. “You’ve always known. If any part of the Marley I knew is in there, you’ll come and find me. If not…let’s just say I won’t be surprised.”

He moved past her, opening the door and leaving without a backward glance. Without saying goodbye. Marley was left rocking on her bare heels. What the hell had just happened?

The ghosts of Christmas past.

She reached out to place her palm on the door, as if she could still touch him through the thick, wooden barrier. Michael O’Shea. He’d always been imposing, but had she forgotten that he stood like a mountain beside her? Everything about him had seemed hard. Except for that moment when he’d mentioned Carlos. Asked her to help him.

An O’Shea never asked for anything. It was practically a family motto. If they couldn’t do it or build it or win it for themselves, then it wasn’t worth having.

But he had. He had sought her out, swallowed his pride and come to her. For Carlos.

Something was very wrong.

Marley rubbed her face briskly, unwilling to acknowledge the tears that had been falling since the door closed. She needed her phone. Needed Douglas, knowing she was about to use him for the first time for something that had nothing to do with Knight business. This was personal.

She needed answers.

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