Chapter 17

                                    

                                          

Chapter 17
Martina
            I'm finishing up my workday at my summer internship when I realize my phone has been blowing up with notifications. Frowning, I realize most of them are from my father...some from Mira...some from Mario. 
            Two missed calls from Parker. 
            One from Caitlin Fallon?
            What the hell is going on?
            I head to the car where my bodyguards are waiting and dial Parker first. 
            The call rings and rings. 
            Which makes me feel greatly uneasy. 
            I decide to call Mira back next, my heart racing. 
            "Hey!" she answers after a ring. "Thank god."
            "What happened?"
            She clears her throat. 
            "Everyone is okay..." Mira mutters. "Parker talked to Papa."
            My heart drops. Why the fuck didn't he tell me he was doing that today? My emotions are all over the place. I want to wring his neck and simultaneously kiss him. 
            "Is he okay?" I ask, my voice shaky and panicked. 
            "He is okay! Nothing happened. Calm down," she tells me. I take a few deep breaths and nod to myself. "Papa was displeased."
            "What?" I snap. "What did he do?"
            "We have a plan."
            "We?" 
            "Me. I have a plan," Mira says simply. "Everyone knows."
            "Define everyone?" I mutter. 
            "All the Donnellys know. Ronan called a meeting."
            "Oh god," I rub my temple. I can only imagine how well THAT went. "I didn't realize my love life was a topic of debate..."
            There's a long pause. 
            "What?" I snap. 
            Mira laughs a bit. "That's exactly what Parker said..."
            My heart swells. "Where is he?"
            "Ronan's got him running around town to avoid Papa doing anything stupid. How soon can you get a flight to Chicago?"
            "I can miss class tomorrow and be home before the weekend," I tell her. 
            "Good. I'll send you money for tickets for you and Benny and George. Book the next flight. You and I have to confront Papa as a united front." 
            I nod. "O-okay."
            "Marty."
            "Yes?"
            "I've got your back."
            I smile, relief washing over me. I know she does. She always has. 

*****************************************

            I haven't been back to Chicago in months. The last time I was here was when I visited for spring break. I avoid home though and instead have Benny and George take me to Mira and Ronan's.