Fall: Rise & Fall Duet Book 2 (Shaken 4) Page 6

  “You didn’t even taste it,” I muttered.

  “Let’s take a selfie and send it to Lexie,” Eric said, her phone already in his hand.

  He leaned over, his face close to mine, and snapped a photo with no warning.

  He pulled up a message, then frowned. “I have her phone. We can’t send it.”

  “Beau is with her.”

  He beamed. “You’re right.”

  In seconds, he’d sent the picture. And in a few more seconds, my phone chimed.

  Is that a donut in your hand?

  Then Lexie’s phone chimed. Eric read the message before he relayed it. “Sis says we’re busted about the donuts.”

  Then another message popped up on my screen. It was the photo of Eric and me. He grinned, I looked like I’d been caught off guard, and there certainly was a donut near my face. Along with two dog noses in the bottom of the image.

  I stuffed the rest of the donut in my mouth and tapped out a reply.

  I have no idea what you’re speaking of.

  No wonder you wouldn’t let me go along. You wanted all the donuts for yourself.

  We’re very busy now. We must go.

  I grinned as the bubbles danced on my screen indicating Lexie was responding.

  Eric snapped another picture. “You should smile more. It’s good for your face muscles.”

  Was it?

  I see the evidence has disappeared.

  The other photo popped up on my screen. I didn’t recognize the man in it. He looked . . . happy. Carefree. There was no sign of the stress of the past few weeks—a lifetime of it, really.

  Could I be this man?

  Maybe Muffy has some insight.

  I patted his head. “Sorry, buddy, but you’re a good scapegoat.” I dusted a fleck of sugar coating off my tie and stood. “Should we finish these deliveries?”

  “Let’s do it.”

  I untied Muffy’s leash from the table and he rocketed back toward the van, willingly dragging me along with Eric’s laughter not far behind. And it was in hearing Eric’s laughter that I also smiled.

  I’m enjoying this.

  Being outside rather than stuffed in an office. Entertaining conversation and bothersome dogs rather than emails and tedious meetings. Helping a business survive rather than finding ways to overcome one. What I was doing was adding value to life. Others. And for once, I felt good about myself. Good about life.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lexie

  “I’ve never seen my brother like this.”

  The knot in my stomach since Lincoln left, tightened.

  “Way to keep the conversation casual after I was just released from the hospital.” I tossed a piece of cauliflower at her.

  Beau caught it and dipped it in the ranch dressing.

  “He’s a worrier.” She tapped her index finger against her cheek. “That’s not exactly accurate. He . . . feels responsible for everything.”

  I didn’t need my best friend to tell me that. On more than one occasion I’d witnessed it for myself.

  “He’s been under a lot of stress, right? Getting arrested will do that to a person.” I chomped on a grape tomato. “Trust me, I have firsthand experience.”

  She leveled me with a look. “The whole thing is complete garbage. For both of you.”

  “I don’t know about Lincoln, but technically I did assault my father.”

  “Don’t you dare say that in front of anyone else.” She shook her finger at me.

  I shrugged. “What about that I don’t regret it?”

  “Leave that out too. Though I don’t regret you did it either.” She tucked a leg up under her. “And Lincoln didn’t commit securities fraud or tax evasion.”

  I had a hard time believing he had either. Maybe he wasn’t the most welcoming kind of man. He was more like back away. But he’d treated Eric and me with more respect than most people ever had. I wouldn’t disregard his behavior toward us no matter what the FBI said.

  I had to trust what my eyes had seen instead of what the authorities tried to tell me.

  “How is he going to get out of that?”

  She pointed at me again. “You’re not getting out of this conversation. Because I was definitely referring to the change in my brother as a result of you.”

  Heat flooded me. I would’ve been embarrassed to talk with her about any man, but especially her brother. Surprisingly, she seemed more at ease with it than I was.

  “Does it bother you? That we’re . . .” I didn’t know how to finish that sentence. There had been no official declaration of a relationship, but I couldn’t deny that something was happening between us. Something beyond friendship. Something that equated to dates in my living room, a commercial kitchen, and a hospital room.

  Which wasn’t romantic per se . . . but whatever it was, it was ours. Our normal.

  “Not sleeping together. Yes, it bothers me.” She tossed a piece of broccoli and caught it in her mouth.

  My face flamed. “Did he tell you that?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Nooo. If either of you had had sex in the past . . . oh, five years, you wouldn’t be wound so tight that it’s impossible to get a stick in or out of your ass.”

  “Um, Beau. I’m not really into that.” At least it didn’t sound appealing. Was Lincoln?

  “Not a dick,” she groaned. “A stick.”

  I threw another vegetable at her. She dodged, and it bounced off the kitchen counter.

  “I know you said stick.” I put a hand over my face.

  She lifted a shoulder and lowered it. “Don’t knock it until you try it.”

  My eyes bulged. “Have you?”

  “That’s neither here nor there.” She hopped off her barstool. “More water?”

  “Oh no, no, no.” I grabbed her wrist. “You cannot say something like that and just forget it.”

  “We’re going to because we’re discussing you and my brother.” She shook her head. “Lincoln. Not Teague.”

  “I figured, since Teague is getting married to a friend of mine.” I released her wrist and held out my glass for a refill.

  She topped me off and leaned her elbows on the counter across from me. “Lincoln is a good man. He doesn’t know it but he deserves you. You’re just going to have to help him see it when he gets stubborn.”

  “We haven’t talked about anything. You know I don’t have any recent experience in dating. I think he likes me but—”

  “He asked my father to get you out of jail. And he never asks my father for anything.”

  I stared at her. “He what?”

  She gave me an exaggerated nod. “He got Daniel Elliott and Zegas involved too, but I’m not surprised by that. My father? He pretty much only speaks to him when spoken to.”

  I’d met that man. Not officially, but on several occasions and he was . . . nothing at all like his children. He was clearly powerful, yet didn’t seem to have the time for people he didn’t perceive as useful. I didn’t like the way he spoke to Lincoln or Beau.

  “Why would he involve him?” I asked quietly.

  She covered my hand with hers. “Because he didn’t see any other way to get you out of jail.” She squeezed. “I love you, but I don’t know if I’d have gone that far.” She flashed a wry smile. “I can’t imagine what Lincoln is going to owe him for this.”

  “What about me? What will I owe him?”

  All humor vanished from her face. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, fight him as hard as you can.” She rounded the counter and threw her arms around me. “Don’t think anything of it. I’m behind you one hundred percent.”

  I hugged her tightly. “I just want a simple life. Happiness. To maybe bring some good into the world. Is no drama too much to ask?”

  “No.”

  I held her at arm’s length. “Thank you. For agreeing to be Eric’s guardian if I couldn’t be. It’s lifted a massive burden off me.”

  “It’s an honor. I’d hoped we’d never have to execute that
document.” She squeezed me one more time before letting go. “Gotta be a step ahead.”

  I sank back down on the barstool. “Then why does it feel like I’m running from behind?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lincoln

  I rifled through the mail as Eric and I ascended to my apartment.

  “Is that from one day?”

  He pointed at the stack, and Millie licked the end of his finger.

  “I haven’t checked it in a few days.”

  “That’s a lot of letters.”

  “Too many,” I agreed.

  A massive red PAST DUE was stamped on an envelope from the electric company. My bills were automatically drafted. It couldn’t be past due.

  Except the accounts were frozen. Yet another inconvenience and reminder of the trouble I couldn’t seem to forget no matter how I tried. More cash I’d have to spend.

  “Are we still going to have suits made?”

  I lifted my gaze to Eric, grateful for the distraction. “We are.”

  “On Sunday?” He looked so hopeful, I wouldn’t have dared tell him no. Not that I wished to.

  “As long as Lexie says it’s still okay, then yes.”

  A pleasant bell tone signaled our arrival home. Muffy launched from the elevator. I released his leash before I ended up with rope burn on my palm.

  He stamped his feet impatiently at the door. I unlocked it, and when I pushed it open, he barked, announcing our arrival.

  Lexie was waiting in the foyer.

  “Sis!” Eric let go of Millie’s leash and ran toward his sister.

  She closed her eyes and held him for a long time.

  I will not let them be separated again.

  Whatever I had to do to keep that vow, I would.

  I tossed the mail on the entry table. Millie and Muffy circled the two of them and then me. There were two purses on the floor and a pair of overturned high heels near the coat closet door. The leashes swirled on the stone floor behind the dogs as they ran around. A dog toy and bone were scattered just beyond the threshold of the foyer to the living room.

  Until recently, it would’ve been difficult to find a speck of dust in this apartment, let alone anything out of place. There certainly wouldn’t have been people when I arrived.

  Perhaps it wasn’t as cozy as Lexie and Eric’s place, but they’d brought a warmth to the space I wouldn’t have thought possible.

  Beau wandered over and slipped her arm around me, taking in the scene of Lexie and Eric. I kissed the top of her head. She’d brought something to this apartment too.

  I’d always liked my home, though the contrast of before Lexie and after was stark. Before, it had had a quiet, museum-like feel. There had been no energy, nothing to rush back for.

  Now, there was life.

  I preferred order, but the mess around me was strangely calming. It meant living was happening here. I wasn’t sure what to call what I was doing before.

  Beau pulled on my tie. “Is that . . . a stain?” She stared at it incredulously.

  “Looks like it.”

  “And you’re still wearing it?” She inspected me as if checking to see if I were truly her brother.

  “I am.”

  I slid around her. In three strides, I stood before Lexie.

  “Yo, Eric. What do you say we go unpack dinner?” Beau slung an arm around him.

  “I’m starving.”

  “Yo?” I asked carefully.

  Beau blushed. “I think I picked that up from your brother.” She steered Eric out of the foyer. The dogs followed, dinner one of the words they understood.

  I cupped Lexie’s face with one hand and brushed my thumb across her cheek. “How do you feel?”

  She was no longer pale, but she looked tired.

  “I’m fine.”

  Gently, I tilted her head back so she had to look at me. “I don’t want the fake answer for the rest of the world.”

  She sighed. “It feels like there’s a troupe of tap dancers in my brain and they just won’t run out of energy.”

  “What can I do?” Once again, I was out of my element, unable to find a solution to a problem. I hated it. Hated she was in any kind of pain.

  “You could say hello.” Color flooded her cheeks, but she held my gaze.

  “I’m getting to that.” I needed to see she was all right, though I stopped short of a head to toe inspection.

  “Today? This year?”

  “Are you okay?”

  She rolled her eyes and hefted out another sigh. “Didn’t we just go through this?”

  “I meant about . . . the events of last evening.” I couldn’t find it in me to say arrest or jail.

  “I’m out. And for now, I’ll take it.” Her expression flattened as she eased her arms under my suit coat and around my waist. “Beau told me about what you did. With your father. And me, I mean.”

  She worried her bottom lip in her teeth.

  “I wanted you free by any means necessary,” I said tightly. I hadn’t heard from him all day. His silence was worse than his phone calls. He wouldn’t stay quiet for long. It was simply a matter of time.

  “What will he do to you?”

  “It doesn’t matter. The important thing is there are no bars and walls separating us.”

  I inched my face closer to hers. The urge to capture her mouth with a bruising kiss was strong. I needed to remind her where she belonged. To remember she was here now. To give her the promise I’d made to keep her free without saying the words.

  With a patience and control I didn’t realize I possessed, I fused our lips together with the most delicate of touch. Her hold on me strengthened as she leaned against me.

  I wanted to support her. Wanted her closer.

  She settled and excited me at once, just with her nearness. I drew in a full breath for the first time in twenty-four hours.

  Her body was warm against mine. Her lips were tender and sweet. She was perfection.

  I would never take this for granted again.

  I deepened the kiss, careful to keep her head cradled. When her tongue met mine, another unknown feeling went through me. It was relief, desire, need, possession, and a mix of other things I couldn’t name.

  But I felt.

  She had given me that.

  “Okay, kissy-faces. Dinner is on the table,” Beau teased.

  I didn’t give a damn about food other than Lexie needed to eat. Her recovery was more important than my need for her.

  Reluctantly, she pulled her mouth from mine, though she didn’t let go. “She doesn’t want us to have any fun,” she said breathlessly.

  “Not true,” Beau argued before lowering her voice. “Just be sure to keep the door closed tonight.”

  I willed patience and strength into my veins. “Not appropriate.”

  “We’re going home after dinner,” Lexie said.

  “No.”

  She and Beau looked at me like I’d just royally screwed up.

  “We’ve invaded your space long enough—”

  “No.”

  One of her hands around me went to her hip. “Are you telling me what to do?”

  “Yes.”

  “With single words?” Lexie’s voice rose.

  “Yes.”

  Beau threw her hands up. “You are so going to screw this up, and I’m going to have to fix it.” She spun back toward the kitchen.

  “I want you to stay.” I pried her fingers from her hip and took them in mine.

  Some of the fire and brimstone dimmed. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. After she searched my face for a moment, she whispered, “Why?”

  “Because I want to turn your ‘might fall’ into a definitely.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lincoln

  “Not sorry for the unannounced visit.”

  Zegas barged through the front door I held open as if it were his home.

  “By all means, come in.”

  I ushered him to the living room.
My study had been taken over by Eric and the dogs. Lexie and Beau were hanging out with them. I had been too until Zegas called.

  He glanced around the space. “Any sensitive ears nearby?”

  Laughter came from down the hall, and I was jealous I’d been deprived of being part of it.

  “No.”

  Zegas dropped his briefcase on the floor and got comfortable in a chair. “We’ve got a lot to cover.” He grabbed a file from the leather case. “Got anything to drink? Preferably whiskey.”

  Entertaining guests in my home was new territory for me. I filled a crystal tumbler and offered it to him.

  “You’re gonna need one too.”

  Dread filled me as I sat on the sofa. I hoped he was wrong because I wasn’t drinking tonight. Not when I needed to keep my wits about me.

  He took a long swallow and opened the file. “Let’s start with the easiest topic. Which by the way, isn’t easy.”

  I gripped the armrest. “Wherever you prefer to begin.”

  “Donnie Logan was recently released after serving nineteen years in prison for trafficking and possession of”—he glanced at the papers in front of him—“pretty much you name the drug, he had it. Before that he’d been in and out of jail since the 1970s.”

  That was the environment Lexie and Eric had grown up in? My father was an asshole, but he hadn’t put us at risk like that. What kind of man did that to his children?

  “Hang on to your seat because it gets better. Mama . . . what’s her name?” He scanned the paper, running his index finger down the page. “Ah yes, Marlene. She’s another upstanding citizen nominated for mother of the year. Trafficking, possession, theft, prostitution . . . should I go on?”

  I’d heard enough. How had Lexie become the beautiful person she was under the influence of those people? She was . . . incredible.

  “No.”

  “The two of them seemed to coordinate their stints in jail. One in, one out. Marlene is still locked up for the boatload of cocaine they brought in. But if he’s out, she may not be far behind.”