Marcus Lopes's Blog, page 23

Where Do We Go from Here?

A continuation of ‘An Unexpected Alliance‘

“Are you at least going to say goodbye?” Michael asked as he exited the house. His gaze landed on Brian, who was pacing the walk. “I mean, a little courtesy —”

“Courtesy?” Brian shoved his hands in his pockets. “Did you read what was in that file?”

Michael nodded. “I did.”

“So, ‘courtesy’ is turning someone’s life upside-down? My life?” Brian yanked his hands out of his pockets and, heading towards the vehicle, called out, “Let’s go.”

Michael, standing...

An Unexpected Alliance

A continuation of ‘Are You Ready for the Truth‘

As the vehicle passed through the towering iron gates, Brian drew in a breath. Then, nearing the elegant grey-stone house that looked like a chateau, his stomach flipped. Was it too late to back out? He just sat there after Michael killed the engine and got out. When his door opened, he kept his gaze trained on his lap. “I need a minute.”

Michael placed his hand on Brian’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do this.”

“We need answers, right?” Brian undi...

Are You Ready for the Truth?

A continuation of “The Game Changer”

“I don’t…” Brian swallowed hard. “I don’t understand what’s going on here.”

“Adam Clarke isn’t your real father,” Julia said ruefully. “Your mother had you a year before she met Adam. When they married, he adopted you and changed your name. But your mother never told him who your real father was.”

Michael placed his hand on Brian’s thigh. “What does this have to do with Excelsior?”

“It has more to do with the people involved with Excelsior.” Julia sipped her ...

The Game Changer

A continuation of “Follow the Rules.”

“Take this.” Michael held out the silver device. When Brian didn’t take it, he cut in front of him and forced it into his hand. “Is there a problem?”

“What do you expect me to do with it?” Brian asked.

Michael threw Brian a knowing look, then continued southward along Elgin Street. They were three blocks away from Agency HQ. When he stopped at the next intersection and waited for the light to change, this time Brian blocked his path. “What?”

“I’m not a mind...

Follow the Rules

A continuation of “Is It Too Late for Us?“

“Are you clear on the rules?” Michael asked after setting his suitcase on the floor by the bed.

“Yes. But, Michael —”

Michael raised a hand. “My bedroom is off limits. You’ll stay in the guest bedroom until this is sorted out.” He pulled on a light blue jacket. “I’m going to find out who set you up. Pretty good chance they’re going to come after you again. And me. So, this time around, we’re doing things my way.”

“What do you want me to do?” Brian aske...

Is It Too Late for Us?

A continuation of “Past Present Future”

The Gulfstream G200 banked to the right, and Michael stared out the window at the floor of white fluffy clouds below. He couldn’t see the ocean, and that was a good thing. The seat belt sign had gone off two hours ago, but the black strap was still secured tightly at his waist. And he’d wait until his bladder was set to burst before even thinking about getting up. At least he’d managed to keep his coffee down as the plane pitched and rolled during the cli...

Past Present Future

“Don’t give your uncle any trouble,” his father had said and, in an unusual display of affection, hugged him. “I’m doing this for you … because I love you.”

That was what Michael Reid remembered about the day his father dropped him off at the airport. The first time in his life his father had said, “I love you.” Most kids probably would have thought that their dad was trying to get rid of them. He knew his father was protecting him, helping him escape a home that was burning down around him. Hi...

Stay With Me

“Goddammit, move!” Damien slammed his fist into the steering wheel. Traffic on the eastbound QEW hadn’t moved in twenty minutes. The worst part was that he could see the exit for Islington Avenue, and that meant he was almost home. He turned on the radio and, searching for a traffic update, kept switching channels. No one talked about an accident, just the usual heavy rush hour gridlock. “Fuck!”

He’d been dating Shane for eight months, living with him for almost half that time. Waking up to tho...

How Do We Begin Again?

As the car sped down the long stretch of highway, James stared blindly out the window at the orange hue streaming high into the sky and bleeding into the midnight blue. With the seat belt strapped across his chest, he couldn’t outrun his fears or the man next to him. Trapped.

The whistling of the air conditioner blocked out everything—his thoughts, his breathing, who he thought he was. Swallowing hard to knock down the coffee edging up his throat, James turned to study the guy next to him. Bare...

The Last Thing I Need

Yannick stared blindly into his drink. It was his third scotch, actually, and he still was waiting for the numbness to kick in. But he was keenly aware of his surroundings, of who he was. The laughter. The clanking of cutlery. The colliding aromas of curry, bacon, and grease. Chase’s had become his favourite drinking spot over the past three weeks. Not because of the relatively cheap drinks or the somewhat tasty food. But because, except for the staff, no one knew or paid attention to him. Left...