by Ali Vali
“Did the president put you in charge of the bureau yet?” Finley asked when he sat.
“You know it, since you refuse to take any credit,” he said and laughed. “Are you ready and packed? I need you on this.”
Finley looked at him and shook her head. “My gut says to turn in my resignation, but I know you wouldn’t take it, so I put in for a leave of absence.”
“Why the hell are you doing that?”
Russell’s volume caused the people closest to them to glance their way.
“I’ve been about the job all this time because there was nothing else, but now I want to explore something outside the chase.”
“The lady got to you that bad?” He smiled. “You can date and work, Finley. They’re not a one-at-a-time kind of thing.”
“I know, but Abigail’s family and life are here. I’m not ready to leave, and I gave you everything you need to finish this.” She handed over another external hard drive with all the information she’d found on her own and with Cain’s help. “Give me a month or so and we’ll talk again.”
“Nothing I can say will change your mind?”
“Thanks for everything, Russell. You’ve been a great teacher, but this case cut deep. Yury and his family destroyed so many people, and I’m tired of thinking about it. I want the chance to help the most innocent of his victims heal.”
“Take care of yourself, kid, and in a month I’ll be happy to welcome you back. I figure you’ll get restless soon enough.”
They ate, and Finley drove her boss to the airport by the lake where the FBI plane was waiting. “What are you wearing?” she asked into the phone as she waved to Russell one last time.
“Could be earrings and a smile, and you’re nowhere to be found,” Dr. Abigail Eaton said, and laughed when children’s screams erupted behind her. “But as you can tell, you’re not that lucky. Will you be back soon?”
“One more meeting, and then we’ll take the three wild things out for some fun. They deserve it after being cooped up for so long.” She smiled in anticipation of time with her new ready-made family. Still, she carefully studied every aspect of the parking lot as she went back outside while still holding the phone to her ear. No one in Yury’s organization probably knew she was alive or existed, but this wasn’t the time to get sloppy.
“This meeting—” Abigail hesitated as though she didn’t know exactly what to ask.
“If it works out, it’ll keep us here close to family.”
“Mine and yours?”
“Yes, but we’ll talk about mine later, if that’s okay?” The place was fairly busy, but three cars pulled out with her. Maybe someone was interested. She looked around for the quickest way to figure out if that was true. “I won’t be long, so keep the sofa warm for me.”
The gas station coming up meant crossing traffic, but that was a good start. She took the left and only one car followed, so once he’d committed to a pump she backed up and photographed the license plate. The other cars had kept going in the direction she’d been headed. She took the opportunity to slip into a neighborhood close by and hoped, at least for now, she’d lost anybody tailing her.
She headed back to the city after taking a circuitous route, at Cain’s request. She knew it had nothing to do with Cain, but Cain trying to protect her. The gesture helped soothe the acid that had built in her stomach since she’d gunned down Abigail’s in-laws. It wasn’t exactly guilt since she’d do it again, given the threat both Yury and Valerie posed to Abigail and her family, but taking life like that did change you.
The parking lot of the Canal Place Shopping Center was more crowded than she anticipated, so she had to go all the way to the roof. Katlin was waiting not too far away, and Finley climbed into the backseat of the vehicle Katlin pointed out. She’d never been to the house Cain had purchased after the death of her Uncle Dalton that followed losing both her parents and two siblings. She thanked God that Cain had found happiness after that stack of tragedies.
“You doing okay, Fin?” Katlin asked. She started out of the lot, taking her time. The windows were so tinted nobody would see her.
“A few antacids should fix what ails me.” She glanced back when they were on Canal Street but saw only regular traffic. “Thanks for finding all you did on those bastards so fast.”
“You can thank my secret weapon later.” Katlin laughed and turned to go uptown. “Merrick is as good at uncovering stuff as she is beautiful.”
“There’s a woman alive that tamed you?”
Katlin laughed again. “From what I hear, we’ve all been snared, so no ribbing me.”
Not much later the gates opened and Katlin pulled into the large garage out back. The entrance into the house was through the kitchen, and she stopped to admire the two children sitting at the table in front of the large bay window. They couldn’t deny their lineage. They were Caseys, judging from their dark hair and brilliantly beautiful blue eyes that held an intensity not often seen in children.
“Hey, guys,” Katlin said. “This is your cousin Finley.”
Hayden stood and hugged her, followed quickly by Hannah. “Your mom was right when she said you’re a good-looking lot.”
“The word of a Casey’s always good,” Cain said. When Finley turned toward her, Cain embraced her in a bear hug.
The room cleared out when Finley began to cry.
Cain held her tighter. “You’re okay now, Finley. I promise you.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, finally catching her breath.
“What happened is nothing to be sorry about,” Cain said as she held her. “But I am sorry if it’s too heavy a burden to bear. I’m here for you no matter what, but maybe it’s time to take a break and go see your parents. They’ll help you put those sore spots to rest because they love you.”
“I am planning to take a break, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be permanent. I thought maybe I’ll stay home for now and keep Abigail and the kids with me. If it works out, I’ll have to look for a bigger place, but there’s worse problems to have.”
Cain walked to a large sunroom and offered her a seat. “You talked about that lot and house for months when you bought it, so I know how much you love it and the location.”
She nodded as she peered out the windows. “I didn’t think I’d have all this so I built it to be comfortable for me, and maybe weekend guests like my parents. If I take your advice, the house will be the least of it.”
“Can you do me a favor?” Cain leaned forward and placed her hand on Finley’s knee.
“Sure. I owe you quite a few after all this.”
“We have no debts between us, Finley. My favor has more to do with your time off.”
Finley glanced over Cain’s shoulder and smiled at the very pregnant blonde holding onto Lou’s arm and headed toward them. “Let me take care of you while you take some time to reorder your life.”
“I’d like that, and it might be a good time to reconnect with my family—all of my family. You knew all the choices I’ve made had nothing to do with the family business, right?”
Cain stood and helped her wife to the sofa, putting pillows behind her back. “Finley, I love you. Your job choices never have or will change that. I was proud of the work you were doing and the results you got.”
“Thanks, but I’d like an introduction now.”
“Emma, this is the black sheep of our clan, Finley Abbott,” she said, making Finley laugh. “Finley, my wife Emma.”
“Welcome, Finley,” Emma said, leaning heavily against Cain. “Cain has told me about you, but also about Abigail and her children. I was hoping to meet them as well. It’s short notice, but I thought you all could join us for dinner tonight.”
“They’d probably love it after all the confinement I’ve subjected them to.”
“That’s a good idea,” Cain said. “I want you to start getting used to being here. I’ve missed you, and you did mention the family business.”
“Can we talk about that? I
want to stay here, and I need to untangle myself from my current job.”
“You’ll have a place with us, but my friends outside don’t have to know. Call your girl and tell her to pack and we’ll have someone pick her up. The particulars about everything else can wait.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to believe it’s something I’m not really interested in.” She hoped Abigail would be okay with all this.
“I see you need to learn the same lessons Muriel did. Patience, cousin. You’ll be fine because you’re our family.”
Chapter Fourteen
Emma led Abigail into the kitchen an hour after she arrived with her children and tried to ignore the nagging backache that was giving her a headache as well. She was happy that Abigail had lost her shyness when Hannah stole the hearts of her youngest children, Victoria and Liam, since it seemed like they’d forged a friendship Emma was sure would last a lifetime.
Emma pointed to the counter where Carmen, with the help of her father, had set out dinner. She pressed her fingers to her temple, hoping the pain would subside. “Carmen, would you please call up and have all the kids come down? Maybe between Hayden and Sadie they can take control of the hyped-up trio I hear running around up there,” she said. The request was barely out of her mouth when a spear of pain hit her. Abigail and Carmen came to her side and placed their arms around her waist as she grimaced and held onto the counter.
“How about you sit for me first,” Abigail said, glancing at Carmen since Ross had glued himself to Emma’s side. “Could you go get Cain, please?”
“I’m okay, really. It’s just this load is giving me fits. The end can’t come soon enough, but I’m still a few weeks out.” Sitting was making her nauseous, and all she wanted to do was lie down.
“I could be wrong, but I think you’re about to get your wish. The date shouldn’t worry you. If the baby’s ready, it’s ready.” Abigail placed her hands on Emma’s abdomen and pressed in a few spots. “Then we’ll have something in common.”
“Stretch marks?” she said, and they both laughed.
“There’s that, yes. But we’ll also have three kids each.” Abigail turned as they both heard someone running toward them.
“What’s wrong?” Cain, out of breath, knelt next to Emma.
“Nothing, but Abigail thinks we might have a ride to the hospital in our future.” She ran her fingers through Cain’s hair to comb it off her forehead. “Let’s call Ellie and Sam to see if they want us around.”
“Let me take care of that,” Abigail said. “Those two are good for my business, so you go somewhere and try to get comfortable.”
“Thanks, Abigail, and sorry if this ruins our dinner plans.”
“As if you need to worry about that.” Abigail helped Cain get Emma on her feet. “You concentrate on not having any complications, and Finley and I’ll take care of everyone else. She needs the training.”
Cain and Ross led Emma to the sunroom and made her comfortable on the sofa, but her nagging back pain wasn’t easing up. Cain looked worried, and her father was in the same state. “Relax, mobster. It’s going to be a while yet,” she said as she gripped Cain’s hand.
“All that matters now is that you listen to what Abigail said about no complications.” Cain lowered her head and kissed her, then her midsection. “So take your time, both of you.”
The gesture made her bite her lip to hold back the sob wanting to escape. She didn’t have enough words to describe how much she’d missed Cain at Hannah’s birth. All those hours of misery, followed by years of isolation and abuse from her mother for every bit of her Carol found lacking, had left scars on her soul that still ached. She was grateful when Ross left them alone for the moment.
“Lass,” Cain said softly.
When Emma looked up, her tears started to fall.
“You need to bury all of that,” she said as she wiped Emma’s face with her thumbs.
“How’d you know?”
Cain smiled, and Emma was shocked to see Cain’s face wet with her own tears. “Because you’re mine, lassie. You’re mine so I know your heart like you know my own. Those memories we wish we could change are only as important as we make them. Our little girl will only remember how loved she is now, not where she started, so give this one a happy beginning.”
“You are my life,” she said, crying harder when Cain held her tight against her.
“The luck of my ancestors is still with me then,” Cain said as she kissed her temple. “I’ve lost my heart to only one woman, but it’s a good thing since you’ve taken such good care of it.”
“If you two are done with the mush, it’s time to go,” Finley said from the door. “Abigail and I are going to stay here with the kids, so don’t worry about anything.”
“Thanks, Finley, but if you have to leave, they’ll be in good hands,” she said, not wanting to let Cain go.
“If I tell Victoria and Liam we have to leave their new buddy Hannah, I’d fear for my life. Lou’s waiting, so get going. Once you’re out the door I can start drinking your whiskey and raiding your refrigerator.”
“Thanks, cousin,” Cain said, kissing Emma again.
“It’s nice to do for family again, so maybe I should thank you. Do you want Abigail to go with you two?”
“Stay and have dinner. Remembering our childhood, it might be good to have a doctor in the family. If she has to put stitches in anyone, don’t tell me until I come back,” Cain said with a laugh.
Emma laughed as well, and despite her discomfort, she was happy. “I’m glad you’re here, Finley, and even gladder you’re staying in town.”
“Thank you for being so welcoming of Abigail and her kids. They’ve been through so much.”
“They’re not alone any more, and it makes me happy that they’ll have cousins around to make memories with. We just met, but Cain’s told me about growing up with all of you so close. We’re lucky to watch that happen in the next generation.”
“You’re a lucky woman, Cain,” Finley said, placing her hand on Cain’s back.
“You know it. Could you get Ross back in here? I’m sure he’s going to want to come with us,” Cain said as she gazed at Emma. “You ready, my love?”
“For this and whatever comes next.”
*
“You do realize you threw me out, right?” Nicolette asked as she sat at the desk in her new French Quarter apartment. She’d barely glanced at Marisol since she’d walked in, her face bruised and swollen. Something had happened, but her curiosity wasn’t strong enough that she’d demean herself to ask. “I haven’t heard from you since some guy that works for you escorted me to the door.”
“If your father had called, you’d have ignored him?” Marisol dropped into the only other chair beside her. “All that talk was just crap, wasn’t it?”
“I came to you and offered my friendship and so much more.” She put her pen down and stared at the deep cut across Marisol’s lips. The wound looked like it would reopen if Marisol smiled too widely, and her off-center nose was hard to ignore. Whoever had hit her had definitely broken and pushed it to the left. “You repaid that by throwing me out like some whore who’d finished serving you.”
“My father’s business was in trouble. Try to understand that. We were attacked and I needed to get answers. It had nothing to do with what we talked about.” Marisol’s voice rose, anger flaring across her abused face.
The bruises didn’t make sense, but she could guess now who’d put them there. If she was right, she and her father could exploit this opening. It was time to show a little mercy. “I’m sorry.” Nicolette stood and walked to the kitchen for a wet towel. “You’re right. I would’ve done the same thing.” She pressed the towel gently to Marisol’s top lip where it had started to bleed. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”
Marisol appeared reluctant at first, then started talking. She surprisingly included all the details of her family’s dispute that ended with Hector beating his heir appare
nt bloody. “That bitch is going to pay, and my father will just have to accept it.”
Whoever this Tracy Stegal was, the woman had replaced Cain Casey on Marisol’s list of people who needed killing. That Hector had forbidden her from any type of retaliation was obviously making Marisol crazy, so it was important not to push too hard right now. “He hit you for defending your honor? I would think a man like your father raised you to not take abuse or disrespect from anyone.”
“He did, and he would’ve never allowed anyone to speak to him like that. This is all because that bitch is spreading her legs for him, and she complained the minute he got back. He’s my father and I love him, but the man can’t function when some fucking idiot is sucking his dick.” Marisol flinched when she finished her rant, and the bleeding got worse.
“Come on.” Nicolette held her hand out to Marisol and waved her people away for the night. “You need to stop talking and rest.”
They moved to the partially furnished master bedroom. The decorators were filling in as her things arrived from France, but the king-sized bed she’d bought here was all she needed. She handed Marisol the towel and slowly undressed her, making sure to caress every part of the unblemished body she uncovered.
“Let me fuck you,” she said when Marisol stood with her legs spread open. She was wet and hard. Perhaps Marisol had more in common with Hector than she might want to own up to. “Sit.” Marisol grabbed her by the hair when she knelt between her legs, but Nicolette persisted. “Let me take care of you.”
Marisol gave in, and Nicolette did her best to make her feel good. Once Marisol was satisfied, she lay back in the bed, and Nicolette took the opportunity to start closing her trap. “Are you going to trust me to help you?”
After a pause Marisol opened her eyes. “Help me how?”