Two Of A Kind

Chapter 11 – Family Business

Shane wrapped her arms tightly around her friend. Her body was very aware of the smooth curves of Marinas body. Shane found comfort in that heat. For weeks she had been feeling so guilty for letting Marina slip from their lives. So wrapped up had she been in her own ***** with Cherie she had been oblivious to her friends pain, until it was too late. But now here she was safe and sound. Shane hadnt dared acknowledge that fear inside of her that Marina would be gone for good. That maybe she had succeeded at what she failed at the first time. She moved her lips to Marinas ear and whispered.

Im so glad youre ok we were really worried about you.

Those words for some reason warmed Marinas heart. After what happened with Jenny she had felt everyone was pointing a finger at her. Blaming her for what had happened to Jenny and Tim. She had finally done the only thing left. She had bared her soul to the woman she loved only to find out she had moved on, away from her. So many weeks later she could still taste the despair she had felt then, but she could not fathom how her despair had made her so weak she had almost taken her own life.

Trapped in that cold hospital room she had felt so lost and so alone. The first few days she had prayed her act of desperation would miraculously bring Jenny to her. But Jenny had not appeared. And neither had anyone else. She had felt abandoned. And judged. Her life seemed empty until that morning when a familiar face had stepped through the door.

Hello Marina. She could feel the blood drain from her face. Her eyes moved over the tall figure. She took in the exotic features, staring into eyes identical to hers. Her mouth moved but no words would come out to greet the ghost from her past.

What? Not even a hello for your dear sister?

Her voice had sounded chiding. Those were the last unfriendly words Angelina had spoken to her. Since that morning she had been the perfect sister. She had eventually coaxed Marina into telling her tale giving sympathy and displaying anger at the right times. She had given Marina something she had been aching for. Affection.

In her vulnerable state Marina had banished the warning voice inside her to the back of her head. She had furiously hoped that this new side of her sister was real. And Angelina had stayed in character. She had been nothing but supportive and understanding. So when she had offered Marina a fresh start in a new place, she had accepted. She hadnt bothered to say goodbye to her friends. After all, they didnt seem to know her anymore.

The few weeks she had spent in London had been wonderful. Shed been to museums and theatres. Her sister had taken her shopping for a whole new wardrobe. For a brief moment Marina had been able to quench her anxiety. The fear of being sucked into her old life. But her fears had seemed ungrounded. Although she still didnt approve of her familys dealings, they had made no indication that they wanted to include Marina in their plans. So she had relaxed her guard. Shed tried to be supportive of her sister when she had complained about difficult business dealings. But the moment Marina had started to feel uncomfortable discussing such things, Angelina had instinctively changed the conversation strengthening Marina in her conviction that her sister had no ulterior motives. Until now.

Ive missed you too, she whispered softly into Shanes ear. Then she gently pulled back from their embrace smiling warmly at Shane before turning to her sister. Anger seeped into her eyes as she glared at her sister.

What nonsense is this?. Her voice sounded as even as if she was enquiring after the weather, but Shane could feel the intensity of the words. Angelina shifted uncomfortably for the first time showing some sign of vulnerability, which surprised Alex. She still had her gun aimed at the woman, but now she was starting to think this was no longer necessary. Perhaps Marina would be able to do more damage with words than she could ever do with a gun. She was also feeling the strain of keeping the gun steady and was hoping that this little stand off was going to end soon one way or the other. Before her arm fell off.

I was just having a little chat with your friends, cherie. Marina sensed the change of inflection in her sisters words. They no longer sounded sincere as they had the past few weeks, but they were laced with a sugary sweetness enough to give a diabetic an overdose. It was the tone she would use when they were kids to manipulate Marina into choosing her side or doing something against her will. Well, they werent kids anymore.

So that is the reason you insisted I go to a spa to get pampered for the week. And what did you want to chat with my friends about, ma soeur? Marinas voice as cold as her sisters had been sweet. Gracefully but more importantly obscurely Marina had slowly edged towards her sister stepping between the two gunslingers.

Alex cursed inwardly. She admired this woman for her bravado, but stepping between her and her target effectually blocking a clear shot was just foolish. She knew enough to know that people like the Ferrers valued elusive concepts as honor more than blood ties. Alex let out a relieved breath she hadnt even known shed been holding, when Angelina motioned her goon to put down his gun. Marina glanced at Alex over her shoulder motioning her to do the same. Then she turned back to her sister. When she started talking her voice was firm and neutral having lost any emotion it might have indicated earlier.

Lets talk. Angelina nodded and waved away the two goons. Expectantly she looked at first Marina and then the two women behind them.

My friend stays. After all, shes the one you wanted to chat with. Truth was Marina didnt want to let Shane out of her sight, not knowing who or what had moved into the house after she had descended the basement steps. Angelina reluctantly agreed.

If she stays, then so do I. Alex words were more a statement than anything else. There was no way she was leaving Shane in a room with two strange women, even if one of them claimed to be her friend. Angelina glared at her with as much venom as she could muster. Things had been going so well, until this woman had shown up.

This is private family business. Who the ***** do you think you are?. Alex smiled and walked over to one of the leather seats facing the desk. She plopped herself into it swinging one of her legs over the arm. Reaching into her pocket she pulled out a cigarette.

Im the person whos going to shoot you in the head if anything happens to either one of them. Of course if you prefer, we could get it over with right now. This sounded so preposterous, in a normal situation you wouldnt be able to help laughing. But Alex face was as serious as her tone that at that moment no one in that room doubted her words.

Lets take a seat. Marina walked over to sit next to Alex, Shane on her heels. She was starting to like this friend of Shanes. Of course part of it was due to the effect Alex had on her sister. Angelinas reaction might have been imperceptible to the others, but Marina knew her sister well enough to recognize, if not fear, at the least apprehension, when she saw it. She hadnt met many people who could intimidate her family, which made this woman a valuable commodity. She looked fairly harmless with her leg swung over the arm of the chair. Marina watched her as she slowly exhaled some smoke. She looked nonchalant now, almost comfortable. Her dark brown hair was tied into a ponytail. She appeared athletic. Marina could clearly see muscles moving below her shirt. Her face looked very young and inexperienced. The eyes, however, were a completely different story. They could display all the emotions her face tried to hide. So far Marina had only seen anger, calculated determination and a certain coldness. But she was sure there was more. For instance, when she looked at Shane.

Marina still couldnt believe her friend had come for her. She always knew there was a bond between them. Theyd shared many a night drinking coffee, sometimes discussing trivial matters such as the latest Lakers game. Not many people knew this but Marina was a fervent Lakers fan. Other times they would discuss their lives. Important things. But if they were going to come out of this situation unscathed, she would need to find a way to settle things with her sister, and her family.

I thought that the matter had been settled, but it obviously hasnt. Or else you would not have attempted to manipulate me in such a vile manner. Nor would you have assaulted my friends. Marina looked at her sister who could not tell whether Marina was mad at her or not. How could things have gone so wrong? Angelina felt her anger brimming right below the surface as she regarded the three women.

You have the audacity to ask me that, cherie? You have brought shame on our family by refusing your heritage. Maman et Papa have tolerated your insubordination long enough. God it was bad enough you, Angelina struggled to find the words to match the disgust showing on her face. They accepted your lifestyle. Its about time you grow up and accept who you are.

So thats what this had all been about. Marina had suspected as much, but foolishly she had convinced herself that perhaps her family was just trying to be supportive, ignoring that little voice inside of her that embodied her common sense. But then again her common sense had had many beatings since shed met Jenny.

We have been through this before. I have made my choices and I will not change my mind. Either you accept this, or you do not have a sister anymore. Marinas voice sounded flat now. As if the fight had finally left her. Shane looked over at her friend in worry. This conversation was getting weirder by the minute. Disowning her just because she didnt want to be in the family business that was just whack. She just didnt have another word for it.

It seemed like the previous stand off between the gunslingers wasnt the only one of the evening. Both sisters just stared at each other waiting for the other to cave.

Very well, Marina. If this is how you want to play this. Angelina was smiling now. She would have looked very warm and inviting if her smile had actually reached her eyes. As she got up her hand brushed the bottom of the desk. Alex caught the movement but before she could react it was already too late. The two goons who had been in the basement earlier came through the side doors guns in hand. Behind them the redhead they had met earlier sauntered in and walked up to Angelina.

You rang boss?.

Yes, I will escort my sister to my room. Angelina paused for a moment while she regarded Shane and Alex.

Get rid of the other two I dont care what you do. As long as you make sure they cant be found.

You cannot do this, Angelina. You cannot hold me against my will. And you cannot harm my friends. You think Papa will let you get away with this?. As much as she hoped she was wrong, Marina could sense her sister was not bluffing. She needed to find a way out of this or her friend would not survive. This much she knew for sure. And the only people that intimidated her sister were her parents. Angelina looked at her perfect sister and scoffed.

It always had to be about you, didnt it? What is it that you have that I dont? What makes you so special? It cant be the way we look. You rebelled against who you were, while I always did what was expected. And still it was always Marina this, Marina that. Angelina opened her desk drawer and took out a small pistol. Gracefully she moved towards Marina and knelt in front of her, their faces almost touching. The pistol carelessly aimed at Marinas chest. Triumphantly Angelina added,

Papa will not do anything, because having you back is his dying wish. Marina looked her sister in the eyes, but could not see any evidence of untruth. Suddenly all the pieces of the puzzle started falling into place. This explained Angelinas arrogance, which over the years had been nurtured by her successes in business. But before she would never have had the audacity to threaten her with violence.

Angelina please do not do this. The woman looked Marina in the eyes a small smile playing on her face. Finally she had the upper hand. She had been waiting for years to put her sister in her place and now was her chance at last. She nodded at the redhead.

Meredith.

Whatever you say, boss.

Marina watched helplessly as her friends were taken away by the redhead and one half of the goon squad.

****

Previews

So, all we gotta do is find a way out of here and save Marina before they fly to Florence, right? Alex looked at Shane.

True any ideas Casanova?

—–

Marina was in a similar situation as the three musketeers. Angelina had led her to her own bedroom and locked her inside. She knew her friend was somewhere in the house. But time was running out. The goon squad would do her sisters bidding as soon as the two of them left for the airport.

—–

Alex saw the shiny steel of the blade before she felt it slice through her flesh. The gun fell to the floor. She stifled a scream as she ducked and let herself roll onto the floor away from her assailant.