Rundown (Curveball Book 2) (46 page)

“
We
didn’t come by ambulance?”

“
Nope. 
I drove you.  I wasn’t waiting another minute.”

Drew
wheels me out of the room.  A few doors down the corridor, I
notice several men in black suits with earpieces, standing outside a
door.

“
Is
that Mark’s room?” I ask, looking over my shoulder at Drew.

“
Yeah. 
Would you like to see him?”

“
Please.”

Minutes
later, Drew and I are granted access.  He wheels me in and then
kisses my cheek. 

“
Call
me when you’re done,” he says, and then leaves the room.

When
the door closes, I wheel myself closer to Mark, taking his hand in
mine.  Due to all the wires and the bandages over his eye, I
can’t tell whether or not he’s awake.

As
I’m rubbing his knuckles, he flinches.  “I wondered if you’d
come.”

“
Why
wouldn’t I?” I ask.

“
Where
should I begin?” he groans.  

“
I’ll
agree to forgive you if you can promise me that this is finally
over.”

“
For
the most part.  Now it’s a matter of dealing with the
aftermath.”

“
What
does all of this mean for you?”

“
My
days in the field are over.  I guess it’s a good time to think
about retiring.  By this time tomorrow the whole world will know
what happened, if they don’t already.”

“
Given
everything you’ve sacrificed I know you must have loved your
job…look at the bright side.  You’ll get to have the kids
back in your life.”

“
You
have no idea how much I’m looking forward to that.”

“
They’re
going to need some serious therapy.”

“
We
all will,” he adds. 

A
comfortable silence stretches between us while we remain holding
hands.  Knowing he’s tired, I pull out my phone to call Drew.
 

“
I’ll
let you get some rest.  When you’re up to it I’ll bring the
kids by.”  I start pulling my hand back until Mark squeezes
it.

“
Why’d
you do it? We had a plan.”

“
Honestly? 
I wasn’t sure that you’d protect Drew’s life with as much
regard as you’d have protected mine.  I was wrong though.  I
know you jumped in front of us and took that bullet…thank you for
saving us, Mark.”

“
Before
last night I wouldn’t have,” he admits.  “Part of me was
convinced we could work things out when this was over.  After
seeing his reaction to Dosdell threatening you, and again when he
heard you were pregnant, I knew your future was with him.”  Mark
takes a moment and clears his throat.  “Walking away from our
family was the biggest mistake of my life.  I’d give anything
to go back in time.”

“
We
can’t.”

“
I
know that.  You truly deserve to be happy.”

“
We
both do.”

“
Maybe. 
I’ll never stop loving you though.”

I
squeeze his hand because I’m honestly not sure what to say.  I
do love him, though it’s not the same love he’s talking about. 

“
Get
some rest,” I say and text Drew that I’m ready. 
Unsurprisingly, he enters the room immediately.

“
Hey,”
Mark calls to me when I’m at the door.  “What was on the SD
card you gave Dosdell?”

I
can’t help but laugh.

“
A
picture of me flipping off the camera.”

Closure

“
It’s
been three months since corrupt CIA agent Benedict Dosdell was
identified as the mastermind of Innovation Airways ill-fated flight
last October.  Even in death, Dosdell is still causing turmoil
as the members of the highly secretive Black Widow Threads
organization, remain a mystery.  In a joint effort between the
FBI and CIA
—”

“
Hey,
I was watching that,” Breanne groans as I toss the remote on the
couch.  

“
You
shouldn’t be watching that crap.  As far as we’re concerned
it’s over.”

She
rolls her eyes and sinks farther into the couch.  “Really? 
Is that why we still need round the clock protection?”

Even
with Dosdell and Vivian six feet under, we’re still not out of
danger.  When Mark’s identity was publicly revealed, a number
of threats were made on his life and Breanne’s.  Who knows how
long this will continue.  If the FBI told us tomorrow that
Everett and Corinne were no longer going to be providing us with
protection, I’d offer to hire them myself. 

“
They’re
basically family at this point.  Come on, you need to get up.”

Normally
I’d slide behind her, wrap my arms around her and seduce her with
my charm.  Given that she’s only wearing a black jersey wrap
dress, I probably wouldn’t have to try all that hard…not that I
need much effort these days.  Her hormones are out of control
and I’m enjoying reaping all the benefits.  Too bad there’s
no time today.

“
We
need to get to the field early today.  I promised the coaching
staff that I’d answer a few questions before the game.”  Grabbing
her hand, I help her get on her feet, watching as her free hand
automatically goes to her growing belly.  

“
You
sure you want to do this?  I happen to know one of the reporters
and let me tell you, she’s relentless,” she says with a smile.

“
In
case you’ve forgotten, I know how to handle women.  You’re a
prime example.”  I bend down and place both hands on either
side of her stomach, peppering it with kisses.  I’m in awe. 
She’s carrying my baby.
 

Breanne
tosses her head back, laughing.  “Well in that case, let’s
go.  I want a front row seat.”

The
kids pile in the back of the minivan while I load my things into the
trunk.  As usual, I complain about having to drive this eyesore
each and every time we need to go out as a group, though I’ve
actually come to appreciate its functionality.   There’s
no way I’d ever admit it to Breanne, because let’s face it, what
self-respecting 29 year-old man would admit to not only driving a
minivan, but to liking it.  Not an all-American major league
baseball player, that’s for sure.

When
we get to the field it’s packed.  Reporters from every major
news station are present and despite what I said to Breanne, I’m a
little apprehensive about this.  Being my first press conference
in a number of months, I’m slightly rusty with responding to
criticism and anticipating the hard questions.  I’m not even
to the podium when the vultures attack.

“
Mr.
Scott, over here!  Mr. Scott!” the young reporter exclaims.

“
Ace! 
Aaaaace!” cries another.

Why
the hell did I agree to this?

“
You,”
I say, pointing to the short brunette, who immediately squeals but
says nothing.  “Did, you want to ask a question?”

“
Uh
huh.  Ok, umm...”  She takes a deep breath and loudly
exhales.  “Ok, I’ve got this,” she tells the raven-haired
girl to her left.  Having cleared her throat several times, she
finally looks ready to begin.  I take the opportunity to shoot a
knowing glance to Breanne, who’s at my side.  

Still
got it, baby.

“
Mr.
Scott.  In December you signed a twenty-one million dollar
contract with Red Sox for three years…wow.  That’s a lot of
money.”  

The
raven-haired girl to her left elbows her in the side.  “Ouch,
Olivia!” she sighs dramatically.  “Ok, fans demand to know
how you ended up playing with your rival, the Yankees.”

Fighting
a smile, I let my thoughts wander to a day two months ago and a
conversation that changed everything.

“
That
was one hell of a game!” Brett slapped me on the shoulder as I
headed into the locker room.  “A no hitter to end it,” he
whistled through his teeth.  “That was amazing.  Well
done, man.”

“
I
want out.” I tossed my glove in my locker and grabbed my stuff for
the shower.

“
Come
again?” he asked.

“
I’m
done.”

“
With
what?”

“
Playing
for the Sox.  I’m done.”

“
If
your arm’s bothering you we can get the specialist on the next
available flight.” Brett’s speed picked up to match mine. 

I
couldn’t blame him for trying.  We were off to a great season
and I had undoubtedly just played the best game of my career. 

“
This
has nothing to do with my elbow. I don’t need more time to think
about it.  I’ve made up my mind.”

“
Wh-what? 
I…how…uhh…you need to rethink this man.  That’s
twenty-one million dollars!” Brett exclaimed.  “You can’t
leave now.  You just started the season.”

“
I
can do whatever the hell I want.”

“
What
am I supposed to tell the Sox?  You decided to retire
mid-season?  It’s not even mid-season yet!”

Lifting
my shirt over my head, I ignore him.  He’s on a tirade, so
there’s really no point in participating.

“
If
you decide to come back a year or two from now, there’s no way
you’ll get that kind of deal.”

“
Trust
me, Brett.  I’ve got a much sweeter deal at home.”

“
Listen,
man.  Breanne’s great.  Really.  That said, this is
your career.  Did she put you up to this?”

“
No. 
I’m doing this for me.  She doesn’t even know I’m doing
this.”

“
Why
not?  If things are so wonderful, shouldn’t she be part of the
conversation?”

“
She’d
try to talk me out of it just like you are.”

We
stop just outside the entrance to the showers. 

“
You’ve
been through a lot, I get it.  Quitting isn’t the answer,
Drew.  I’ll talk to the management and see if we can get you a
long weekend.”

“
That’s
not enough.  Brett…Breanne’s pregnant.  I’m only
going to get to experience this once and I’m not going to miss out
on another minute.  I’ve already missed one appointment. 
This is the kind of deal you don’t get another chance at.  I
don’t care about the money.”