Chapter 37: Thirty-Seven

Next evening the house was full of men dressed in black with bullet-proof vests, two-way radios, and guns. The house was a scene taken from those action movies. Gabriella came to see Melina, escorted by Xanthos. She didn’t dare to go near the house alone after her encounter with Henry. He scared the hell out of her, so she dragged him with her.

Melina was at the door, waiting for them, and as soon as Gabs saw her, she ran the last few steps and threw herself into her best friend’s arms, falling into a convulsive cry. Xanthos stared at the entire scene, shaking his head in disbelief. Their lives had become chaotic in the short period this guy showed up. Man, what he wouldn’t give to see Eve’s father gone.

“There, there Gabs. Don’t need to cry.” Melina kept holding her tearful friend, pulling them inside the house. “Hey Xan, thanks for accompanying, Gabs!” She tried to smile at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“What the hell is going on here, Mel?” His voice boomed on the porch.

“Let’s get inside and we talk, please.” Melina looked at him for understanding.

He nodded, and they headed to the living room. Melina sat with a distressed Gabriella on the couch and Xanthos on the coffee table. He didn’t have the heart to sit far from both girls; they needed the warmth of friendship, and he as well.

“Mel, I’m so sorry for all the trouble I caused. It wasn’t my intention. Eve was so scared, wandering on the streets. I thought to calm her down before bringing her back to you, but I swear I called and texted you. I’m not a careless person, you know me…” Gabriella said everything in one go, then stopping for air and staring at Melina with huge pleading eyes.

“I know Gabs. It’s not your fault, no one’s fault. Please, don’t blame yourself. Eve is home and sleeping like an angel in her room with Giagiá watching over her. Let’s forget all this, huh?” She hugged her friend, sliding her hand up and down her back in a comfort caress, Gabs relaxed in her arms and the sobs eased.

“That caveman threatened and treated her like a criminal. What is wrong with him?” Xanthos’ nostrils flared, and he combed his hair back, messing up his neat strands.

“It’s not entirely his fault…”

“Are you defending that asshole?” He cut her off, his face set in a grimace.

“No, I’m not defending him, but I wasn’t honest with you, either. And I’m sorry.”

“What are you talking about?” Gabs narrowed her eyes at her, sniffling and puzzled.

“Before I moved out of the US, I received a few messages with pictures and videos about Henry. The person threatening me sent horrible things to my phone, even my parents' crime scene. It was one of the reasons I wanted to disappear. But since Henry returned to my life, the messages started again, and yesterday would only be a mis-happening if the cats hadn’t gotten poisoned. Henry’s men found the piece of fish Eve told us about, and there was rat poison on it. Thank Lord they will be ok. Karissa is taking care of them for now.”

“Jesus, Melina! You should have told us, this is serious!” Xanthos got her small hands in his and sighed. “May I see those messages?”

“I don’t have them anymore. Henry took my phone away, he’ll set up a new one with a new number.”

“The cats will be fine. I checked on them today. It surprised me to see them at the clinic. Where’s Henry?” Gabs looked around, still afraid to come face to face with him.

“He’s been locked inside his house with four of his men since all of them got here.”

Melina felt so at home, surrounded by Gabs and Xanthos. It was that kind of normalcy she missed. Going to work, having them around, talking and laughing for no reason. She missed their camaraderie. She didn’t regret her decision of giving Henry a chance to make things right, but she messed up in a hotheaded moment and said things she shouldn’t, but the entire situation with him was so darn confusing, Melina didn’t know what to think anymore. Now she had to put up with him, lashing all his hurt and frustration on her.

They talked for about an hour and it was so rewarding, just like before. Melina felt free of her problems for a short period. She needed that, or she’d go insane. They were at ease on the couch, Melina almost on top of Xanthos and Gabs laid down, her head on his lap. She loved them as family. Gabriella would never hurt Eve. It was only a misunderstanding, and it was impossible for her to be angry at her.

“Mel, promise me, you’ll reach for me if you need help or anything. You are like sisters to me…” They cut him off, laughing out loud at him. “What? What’s so funny?”

“No, we’re not. You don’t hit on your sisters, Xanthos.” Gabs pointed out, finding it hard to contain her laughter.

“Yeah, first was Gabs, and until a few weeks ago, it was me. What made you downgrade us?” Melina made herself more comfortable in his lap, putting her arm around his neck. “What’s her name?” she whispered in his ear.

“Catalina… He’s swooned by gorgeous Catalina.” Gabs waggled her brows, staring at him from down up, and then to Melina with an impish face. Their laughter got even louder as he flushed red.

“Okay, things are getting out of hand so I’ll take my leave.”

The front door opened, slamming to the wall as Henry strode into the house, his eyes flashing fire. “You’re right, it’s time for you to go.” Gabriella sat straight in one move, looking at him as if he was Jack the Ripper, himself. Xanthos’ jaw clenched, and a vein popped on his neck, staring at him with a murderous gaze, and Melina jumped away, as if being shocked. “Get away from him, Melina, or I won’t be responsible for what happens next.” It was only a hiss.

“I’m not afraid of you!” Xanthos stood up, suddenly filling the room.

“You should, now get out!” He barked the order at him. He was being senseless, but jealousy ate him up, and his mind became a foggy chaos. It made him insane to see Melina all perched up by his side, halfway on his lap, talking and laughing so carefree in his companion. There was no way he could accept that. “I’m not saying twice. Don’t touch her, don’t talk to her, and get out.”

“Henry!” Melina yelled at him, but he didn’t listen to her. She peeked at Gabs, who sat frozen on the couch, and Xanthos advancing on Henry, ready to punch him in the face. Throwing herself in front of Xan, she pushed Henry away. “STOP IT! I’m not your property.” She screamed at him. Henry glared at her. And seeing as she got his attention, Melina turned to Xanthos. “Please, take Gabs and go home. Do this for me, Xan. Please!”

“I will, because you’re asking me to, not because he ordered. Are you going to be alright?”

“Of course she’ll be alright,” Henry growled, but Xanthos dismissed him, making him even more pissed.

“Are you, Mel?” His voice softened, but his eyes hardened as he peeked at Henry behind Melina.

“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with him. Nothing will happen. Trust me.” He nodded to her. “Thank you, Xan.”

“Let’s go, Gabs. Tomorrow you call her and make sure everything is okay with her.” He extended his hand to Gabs, who took it gladly.

“Don’t provoke me, You don’t know who you’re dealing with, big boy.” The threat inserted in those words chilled Melina, and when Xanthos turned to him, flashing a wide smile, she suffered a little death.

“I believe you don’t know who you’re dealing with,” Xanthos retorted.

“Darryl! Josh! Show them out. Shoot if he dares to set foot here again.”

“Mel…” Gabs whimpered, almost hanging on Xanthos. “Stop provoking him, and let’s go!”

“Boss?” Darryl wasn’t so sure if he heard right. This was the first time he saw Hank, so out of sorts, and threatening to harm good people. His boss was losing it, and it was worrisome. “Hank?” Everyone turned to him, expectant.

“Just show them out.” He barked, pivoting and going to the kitchen.

What just happened? Melina saw them leave. Not even a lifetime would be enough to apologize to them for Henry’s crude behavior. Now he was sulking in the kitchen, and she had to cool her head and face him. Words said in the heat of the moment turned into this turmoil, and they didn’t need more sour words to make it worse. She inhaled a lungful of air and marched to the kitchen. But it was empty. She left through the back door leading to the terrace, and he was there, sitting on the short wall, staring at the dark sea.