Fall: Rise & Fall Duet Book 2 (Shaken 4) Read online

  Fall

  Grahame Claire

  Fall (Rise & Fall Duet, Book Two) Grahame Claire

  Copyright © 2021 Grahame Claire

  All rights reserved. No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the author. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Editing And Proofreading:

  Marion Archer, Marion Making Manuscripts

  Karen Lawson and Janet Hitchcock, The Proof is in the Reading

  Lori Sabin

  Ebook ISBN: 978-1-951878-15-3

  For those who aren’t afraid to fall.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Epilogue

  Enjoy this book?

  Book Stuff

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Grahame Claire

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Lincoln

  Are they putting Lexie in handcuffs?

  “Eric, will you load the dogs in the van and stay inside with them?” My tone was erratic as I attempted to infuse calm for his sake.

  “Sure,” he said easily, casting a glance toward the building behind him. We were supposed to be going into the commercial kitchen. I was grateful he didn’t argue.

  I needed two bodies . . . one to help Lexie and one to shield Eric from whatever nonsense was happening a few feet away.

  “Lincoln?”

  I’d taken three steps when he spoke my name. Slowly, I turned, trying to keep one eye on Lexie and the other on him.

  The easy and generally happy demeanor of Lexie’s brother had been replaced by confusion and worry. Those people had caused that. I wanted them to pay.

  “What’s going on?” he whispered, his gaze squarely focused on Lexie.

  It was impossible not to see they had her detained.

  “I don’t know.”

  Where were my reassurances that everything would be fine? That I could handle the misunderstanding. Because Lexie did not deserve to be in handcuffs.

  I strode toward her, eating up the crumbled pavement of the alley as I went.

  Her gaze locked on mine.

  A troubled, almost dazed, look was in those jade eyes. They begged me to help. And for once, I had no idea what to do.

  “I believe a mistake has been made.” What I’d wanted to say was “get her out of those cuffs now.”

  I hoped there was some semblance of relaxed control in my voice, but all I heard was a deafening roar of fear that made me want to lash out.

  The woman standing near Lexie started, as if she hadn’t seen me coming. The man placed a hand on his hip.

  Lexie wasn’t going to jail. And no one was going to be injured in the process.

  “This doesn’t concern you,” he said. “Step away.”

  “It very much does,” I returned coolly.

  “Lincoln.”

  In the way she spoke my name, there was a don’t allow them to take Eric, get them to release me, and stay out of it, I can fight my own battles all rolled into one.

  She hadn’t abandoned me when I’d been the one in cuffs, but even if she had, I wasn’t going to leave her on her own. Did she know that?

  “Sir, please don’t impede an investigation,” the woman said.

  “Investigation? This appears to be an arrest, not an inquiry.” My jaw hurt, it was so tight. I can play nice if it helps Lexie.

  Her nostrils flared. “How are you involved with Miss Logan and Eric?”

  I focused on Lexie. “She’s my partner.”

  Inwardly, I cringed. Girlfriend was too juvenile for what was happening between us. I’d meant partner respectfully, that I saw her as an equal, but it sounded cold. We hadn’t established any sort of relationship verbally, and I was at a loss as to how to describe exactly what we were.

  She’d wrecked my walls with her tongue lashings and strawberry ice cream and ugly sweatshirts and hellos.

  But these two weren’t privy to that. It was ours. Private.

  Lexie’s gaze dimmed. My response was unsatisfactory.

  She straightened her shoulders. “In the event of my absence, Beau Hollingsworth is responsible for the care of my brother.” She was firmly in control while I was spiraling out of it.

  Wait. What?

  Was Beau aware of this? And why hadn’t she mentioned it?

  Lexie was the definition of collected. Of course she’d have made arrangements for Eric in case something happened. She took her responsibility for him beyond seriously.

  I went rigid. Eric was already in the best care possible. I’d be damned if I allowed that to change.

  “Is this a written agreement?” the woman asked. “And if so, have you filed it with the state?”

  “Yes, the agreement is written. We had it notarized, and I gave the document to Mrs. Kipling. She worked for the department eighteen years ago. It should be in our file.” Lexie didn’t flinch as she rattled off the facts. Because she was stronger than I’d ever be.

  “I’ll need to see it before we can allow her to take Eric.”

  “Who’s taking me?”

  My chest tightened to the point I thought it would crack. He was innocent. Lexie was innocent. These people had no regard for that.

  “No one.” The two words were a quiet thunder when they escaped me, impossible to doubt.

  “That’s not up to you,” the woman said.

  “Ms.—”

  “Mrs. Shepherd,” she finished.

  “Mrs. Shepherd.” The pleasant yet firm expression on my face, the tone of my voice, and the words in my head jolted me. I sounded and thought just like my father. I’d been half a breath away from threatening this woman in the same way he’d done to the agent who’d attempted to arrest me. I didn’t want to be him . . . but I’d do it in a heartbeat if it kept Lexie from being separated from Eric. I’m just like him. The shocking realization stuttered my brain. Somehow, I kicked the thought out and focused on the situation. “Beau is my sister. If you’ll allow me a few minutes to contact her, I’m certain we can resolve this.”

  “I’m taking Miss Logan in regardless.” The man who appeared to be an officer in street clothing stared me down.

  I glared. How dare he speak that way in front of Lexie
and Eric? Had he no sense of decency?

  “Taking her in where?” Eric asked, panicked.

  “Inside, right?” Lexie smiled brightly, though it was all for show. “Will you get started on the batch of dog food for tomorrow while I talk to them?”

  I marveled at her. While I was barely keeping it together . . . Was this how Beau and Teague felt when I was in cuffs?

  “Okay,” he said hesitantly. “Is Beau coming?”

  “We’ll see.” She kept up that positivity.

  “Shall we go into the kitchen?” I gestured in that direction, though it wasn’t a suggestion.

  They all shuffled toward the building, except Lexie, who moved with the grace and elegance of royalty.

  Muffy’s face appeared in the window of the van. It wasn’t hot, so they’d be okay until we could get this sorted.

  Discreetly, I tilted my head at the officer in a hang back motion. He slowed his steps, and we let the others get some distance ahead.

  “My family hosts the NYPD Picnic In The Park every year. Do you ever go?” I hated flaunting my status, but the situation called for me to use every means necessary to help Lexie.

  “Every year. The kids love it.” He flicked his chin. “I’ve seen you and your father there too. You never miss.”

  Somehow, I breathed easier that he’d noticed, though I’d never once written a check for the event with the thought of how it would benefit me in the future. In a way, I felt like my father, using every possible advantage.

  “We wouldn’t dare. The work you do for the city is too important.” And that was the truth. I just hoped he’d see it.

  “It’s a good time. Nice to be appreciated.”

  I nodded and waited a beat before I opened my mouth again. I was eager for information, but wanted this conversation to seem natural.

  “What are the charges?” I shoved my hands in my pockets in hopes of seeming casual, yet I gripped the phone and keys that were housed in each.

  “Assault.” He said the word as if it were murder and he’d just captured a notorious serial killer.

  “Lexie?” The woman was feisty, and she’d definitely given me a few tongue lashings, but I couldn’t envision her ever raising a hand to anyone . . . unless they threatened Eric.

  He nodded. “Yep.”

  “Who?” It was all I could manage to get out as a fresh wave of rage washed over me. Who had hurt them?

  “She slapped her daddy so hard he had to go to the hospital. Did it in front of the re—”

  I glared before he finished the sentence and gave me a real reason to be arrested. I’d show him assault.

  Her father?

  She said they’d been on their own most of their lives, but I’d never pressed for more answers. For once, I regretted my patience not to push to know everything.

  “And he’s chosen to press charges?” My father would do the same if it were strategically a good move for him, but I couldn’t understand any circumstance where someone could do that to Lexie . . . especially after all she’d done for Eric.

  He folded his arms and leaned against the building. “Yeah. Said he shouldn’t have waited all these years. She’s got a real hot temper and is a danger to the . . . brother.”

  Lies.

  I hadn’t known Lexie all that long, but I’d seen none of that was true.

  “There’s even a witness. Guy saw it all and is willing to testify if necessary.”

  I jerked my eyes to his. “Is this an associate of her father?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Never seen the guy before. He’s a respected business owner in Chelsea. Dog treats or something like that.”

  The customer she’d lost.

  A part of me deflated. She likely had slapped her father, but I refused to believe she’d do it without reason.

  I widened my stance, more determined to stop this nonsense. “What is the likelihood that you and Mrs. Shepherd couldn’t find Lexie and Eric tonight if it’s certain you’ll be able to tomorrow?”

  Chapter Two

  Lexie

  “Mrs. Shepherd, enough of the chitchat. We gotta roll.”

  Lincoln scowled at the man’s back as they entered the kitchen. Whatever that conversation had been about outside must not have gone well because this . . . it was a double stinking scowl.

  “I need to speak with Beau,” I croaked. I wasn’t going to jail without making sure Eric was nowhere near a state facility where he’d be scared and alone and my father could snatch him up.

  “You get a phone call from the station.”

  What a jerk.

  I understood that the man didn’t deal with upstanding citizens all day long. Shouldn’t he be seasoned enough to tell who the real criminals were and who were not?

  “I’ve cooperated with everything you’ve asked,” I said, finding my voice and surprised at how strong it sounded. “The call won’t take but a minute.”

  “Hey, Beau.”

  I whipped my head toward my brother, who had my cell phone pressed to his ear. A second ago he’d been gathering ingredients. When did he grab my phone?

  “There are some people here and they put Sis in handcuffs. Sis says you might come meet us.” He waited while Beau responded. “Sure, but she can’t hold the phone.”

  At a time when I thought all I’d be capable of was crying, Eric made me want to laugh.

  He held the phone to my face, and I cradled it against my shoulder.

  “Hey.” I couldn’t look at anyone in the room, though they were all listening.

  “What the hell is going on? Is Eric serious? You’re in handcuffs?”

  I grimaced at her shout that barreled into my ear.

  “Yes.”

  “Why are you in handcuffs? Did Lincoln do that to you?”

  Heat flooded my cheeks. “No.”

  “Will you stop with the one-word answers,” she huffed. “Do I need to come down there?”

  “Please.”

  Her tone was quiet when she spoke again. “What happened?”

  “Donnie,” I whispered, praying Eric didn’t hear.

  “Don’t tell me what that bastard has done now or I’ll kill him myself.” Keys jangled and a door slammed.

  “That would be too kind a fate.” It hurt to say that, but it was the truth. “Hurry. Please.”

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  Somehow that made me feel better and worse at the same time. I didn’t want to upset her. Didn’t want her to see me like this. But Eric needed to leave under her supervision if he couldn’t be with me.

  A strong hand touched my shoulder. I jumped and the phone fell from my grasp. Lincoln caught it before it hit the floor.

  “I will get you out of this,” he said so low only I could hear. The statement was certain, sure. I wanted so badly to believe him.

  “Just make sure he doesn’t end up with them,” I pleaded.

  “Never.”

  It was a promise I needed to hold onto. Lincoln cared for Eric, but no one cared the way I did. He had his own mountain of problems and didn’t have time for mine.

  He hooked his finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him. Underneath the determination in those dark eyes was something completely unexpected. Fear.

  “You kept me from going behind bars,” he rumbled.

  “Your father did that,” I corrected.

  He was undeterred. “I’m not as good as you, but I swear on everything I am you’ll spend as little time as possible in a cell.”

  My stomach bottomed out. Sure, I was currently on a stool with my hands locked behind my back. Somehow, I hadn’t managed to think past that. About actually spending time in jail.

  “I can’t go to jail.”

  He squeezed his eyes shut.

  I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.

  I’d promised myself I’d never end up like my parents. Never. Now the only part of that promise I’d kept was I hadn’t touched any kind of drug. It would’ve been so easy to fall into that li
fe. I could’ve picked up where they left off. Made a comfortable living for Eric and me.

  But I’d have wound up in prison like them and Eric would’ve been alone. That was reason enough not to follow in their footsteps. Not that I’d ever considered it.

  A swirl of panic threatened to sweep me away.

  Focus, Lexie. Stay calm.

  Warm fingers caressed my cheek. I needed to put my arms around Lincoln, to feel his strength and safety around me . . . but I couldn’t have that one simple desire.

  “I’m scared, sis.”

  Eric’s terrified voice ripped me to shreds. He stood close and put his head on my shoulder.

  The words of comfort didn’t come. Only simple honesty.

  “Me too.”

  “I should call Zegas.” Lincoln tugged on his hair. “I should’ve already called him.”

  I shot my leg out, since my hands were bound, with a little more force than I meant. “Sorry.” I winced, but he barely seemed to notice where I’d kicked him. That intense gaze was solely on me. “Don’t beat yourself up. None of us saw this coming. If anyone should have, that would've been me.”

  “Now isn’t the time for the blame game.”

  I gently kicked him again. “That’s what I was trying to say.” I didn’t want him to be down on himself, and since my hand use was limited, I’d resorted to my legs. A kick to the shin probably wasn’t as effective as a pat on the arm.

  He held up his phone. “I won’t be long.”

  Stay lodged in my throat.