Dante
Dante took his gun out of the console. He got out of the truck, closing the door slowly until he heard a soft click as it latched. Walking in the blind spots created by the vehicles, he went around to the front door. He turned the knob. He moved inside, but the house was silent. He heard no one, saw no one. He cleared each room on the ground floor until he reached the kitchen. He opened the pantry door, but nothing stared back at him but potatoes.
“Looking for someone?” came a voice from behind.
Gun ready, Dante spun around.
“Marshals Service,” he yelled. “Oh, dammit Uncle Bob!”
Bob burst into laughter.
“It’s not funny! I could have shot you!” Dante holstered his gun. He heaved a sigh of relief.
“Nah, I trust you, kid. Where’d you hide your lady?” Bob was grinning from ear to ear.
“She’s out in the truck. Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” Dante put his hands on his hips. Bob shrugged.
“Didn’t know that I was. Gabriella and I decided this morning. Packed up the kids, threw ’em in the van and came this way.”
“Next time, call first.” Dante clapped him on the back in a bear hug. “Or else next time I will shoot.”
Bob chuckled at him as they walked toward the front door.
“Where’s everyone else?”
“Gabriella’s upstairs taking a nap. Albert and Emma took the boys out to show them the barn.”
“Did Dad have a heart attack when you came up the lane?”
“Just about. Though your reaction was even better. At least he didn’t try to shoot me.” Bob wiggled his eyebrows.
“Well, I have a witness to protect.” Dante gestured to the truck, and Laurie waved.
“The way I remember it, that’s not all she is.”
Dante smiled, his face flushing. He forgot Bob already knew.
Dante waved to Laurie. She didn’t move, she just sat in the truck. He waved again, but she gave no response. Just as Dante started to become concerned, Laurie reached over and rolled down the window.
“You said not to move until you came and got me. You’re still on the porch.”
Bob burst into sidesplitting laughter. Dante smiled, shaking his head.
“Well, kid. What are you waiting for? Go get your girl.” Bob clapped him on the back.
Dante left the porch, crossing the yard to the truck. When he got there, he reached for her door handle, but she had it locked.
“Can I help you, officer?” Laurie gave him an innocent smile.
“Very funny, now let’s go inside.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I can’t go in until my boyfriend tells me it’s safe.” She batted her eyelashes. “Because, you know, I’m just a helpless female.”
“That’s not…” Dante started, but then he laughed. “That’s not what I have ever said to you.”
“I mean, it’s not like I’ve saved his life twice or anything, because if that were the case maybe he should let me go in the house. He might need me to save his life—again.”
“Hey, hey. I’ve also saved your life too.”
“When?” She quirked an eyebrow.
“When? The night I first met you.” Dante lifted his hands.
“You mean when I attacked the intruder that was ready to kill you?”
“Yeah, because I had them distracted while you were busy hiding in the closet.” He yanked on the door handle.
“Which is where you told me I had to be. Then there was that time at the safe house when I had to shoot the other guy who was about to kill you.”
“I shot the guy who was ready to kill you. Furthermore, at the first safe house, I killed three guys who were trying to kill you, so I win.” Dante put his hands on his hips.
“You win? You win what?” Laurie laughed.
“You—now get out of the truck.” Dante pulled on the door.
“What if I don’t want to get out of the truck? What if I don’t feel it’s safe?” Laurie crossed her legs and settled back into the seat.
“Get out of the truck. Who’s going to hurt you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you?”
“Me. Me? Get out of the truck” He was determined to get her out now, but realized his keys were in Laurie’s hands. He went back to the porch. He picked up a thin wire he had laid there the day before, when he mended the fence around the yard. He hooked the wire as he walked back, and dropped it in between the window and the doorframe until he found the latch.
“Hey, hey. That’s cheating!” Laurie squeaked.
“Just being resourceful.” He popped the lock and flung open her door.
Laurie tried to scramble for the driver’s side door, but he was much faster. He wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her out of the truck, shrieking and laughing at him. He pinned her against the cab.
“Will you ever follow directions?” Dante hovered over her.
“Not planning on it, no.” She grinned up at him.
He kissed her. Just as he deepened the kiss, he heard a cough behind him. Dante heaved a sigh. It was the one time he wished Bob wasn’t there. He pulled himself away from her, turning to his uncle, who grinned at him like a kid at the ice cream store.
“That was a nice show. You too should do comedy together.” Bob clapped for them.
Laurie giggled.
“Hi, Bob.” She broke away from Dante to give Bob a hug.
“Where did you learn to break into cars?” Bob asked Dante over Laurie’s shoulder.
“Law enforcement on the islands. You meet a lot of tourists who lock themselves out.” Dante tossed the wire onto the side of the yard.
“Uh huh. You better hope that’s all.” He winked at Dante.
“Did you come with your wife and kids?” Laurie took him by the shoulders.
“Yes, ma’am. Thought you all could use some company for the holiday.” Bob put his arm around Laurie’s shoulders as he led her toward the house. Dante had to follow in their footsteps.
“Great. Can you call next time? Before Dante shoots you by accident?” Laurie looked over her shoulder. The men burst out laughing.
“In fact, he almost did. He is his father’s son.” Bob tossed a look over his shoulder.
Dante glowered at him, which only made Bob chuckle more.
“You’re being mean on purpose.” Laurie slapped him lightly on the arm as they entered the house.
“Nope, just making sure he remembers why he’s so good at what he does.” Bob raised his eyebrows.
They walked into the kitchen to find Emma at the stove making dinner with two young boys. Both of them had black hair, and that was all Dante could see of them. Aunt Emma’s cooking lesson dominated their attention.
“Boys, do you remember your cousin Dante?” Bob gestured to Dante.
They turned, waved with a dull, “Hey,” and turned back to the lasagna preparation before them.
“Boys.” Bob folded his arms over his chest.
Dante saw them roll their eyes as they both lumbered around to say hello properly. They had brown eyes like the rest of the Stark men. Their eyes were more almond shaped, though, and their skin was a shade of olive. They were both in their young teens, barely into high school.
“Hi, Dante,” they said in unison.
“Hey guys.” Dante smiled. He approached them and shook their hands. “Haven’t seen you since, man. I haven’t seen either of you in years.”
Dante was amazed, awestruck even, as he realized just how many years it had been.
“This is Dante’s girlfriend, Laurie.” Bob pushed Laurie forward.
Both of their eyes widened.
“I’m James,” said the oldest one.
“I’m Devin,” said the other. They both shook her hand, pumping it awkwardly. Dante had to stifle his laughter.
“This is your girlfriend?” James asked Dante.
“Yeah.” He nodded his head. James and Devin exchanged a look, then turned back to Dante with newfound respect.
“It’s nice to meet you both.” Laurie smiled down on them.