Marcus Lopés

LGTBQIA2S+ Author, Blogger, Runner

short story

A Little Help from a Friend

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A Little Help from a Friend

This is a continuation of ‘Time to Change the Rules‘

Michael, seated in the passenger seat of the silver Mercedes-Benz C300, stared blankly out the window into the darkness. Josh had agreed, or maybe he’d been ordered, to drive him back to the ‘cottage’ in Kemptville. Michael wanted to pick up his vehicle and didn’t want to wait until morning. He was already mentally working through different scenarios as to what he’d do next. And he didn’t want to rely on James or Josh, especially when he still didn’t know who to trust. Besides, the late-night trip was a chance to put distance between him and Brian. More importantly, it gave him time to think. Leaving Brian with James didn’t seem risky, or at least that was what Michael told himself. He discreetly glanced at the dashboard clock. They’d been on the road for almost forty minutes and had barely said a word to each other.

Josh broke the silence first. “I spent fifteen years in the armed forces. During my last two years, I served with the Special Operations Forces Command. Like you, my job was to protect this country.”

“What’s your point?” Michael asked, his gaze held to the blackness of the night. [Read more…] about A Little Help from a Friend

Time to Change the Rules

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Time to Change the Rules

A continuation of ‘Where Do We Go from Here?‘

Michael pulled the trigger repeatedly until he’d emptied the magazine, reloaded, then, crouching, rushed to Brian. “Where are you hit?”

“My shoulder.” Brian grunted. “I’ll be fine.”

“Come on.” Michael helped Brian to his feet, then they made it to the hallway. It was the one space where their attackers couldn’t see them through night vision goggles. He crawled on his knees to the stove, grabbed the dish towel hanging on the oven door, then hustled back to Brian. “Hold this over the wound. Apply as much pressure —”

“I love you, Michael,” Brian said. “I want you to know that in case I don’t —” [Read more…] about Time to Change the Rules

Where Do We Go from Here?

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where do we go

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 just outside the front door, glanced back inside. James and Julia stood in the middle of the foyer, Julia offering a look of understanding, James more so disappointment. “We’ll be in touch.” Then he strode to the Range Rover and settled in behind the steering wheel. Tried to catch Brian’s eye, but it was no use. Brian wouldn’t look at him, and during their seven years of marriage, Michael had learned when to push and when to hold back. He had to give Brian time to process and stew and brood. [Read more…] about Where Do We Go from Here?

An Unexpected Alliance

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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 undid his seat belt, forcing Michael’s hand off his shoulder. Took a breath, then exited the Range Rover. Stepped aside as Michael closed the door, his head down and now staring at his feet. Michael’s black leather shoes came into view, and that was when he looked up. The power of those dark brown eyes easily hypnotized him, that familiar question poking at him: what happened to us? He ran his hands through his hair, cupping them briefly to the back of his head before letting them drop to his sides. “If Adam Clarke sold me out to Angelique, then I want to make him pay.” [Read more…] about An Unexpected Alliance

Are You Ready for the Truth?

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are you ready for the truthA 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 wine. “In Brian’s case, one person. James Coburg. You’ve heard of him, right?” [Read more…] about Are You Ready for the Truth?