Rise: Rise & Fall Duet Book 1 (Shaken 3)

by Grahame Claire

  Rise

  Grahame Claire

  Rise (Rise & Fall Duet, Book One) 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: 978-1-951878-13-9

  For those who rise to every challenge.

  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

  Enjoy this book?

  Also by Grahame Claire

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Lincoln

  “You’re under arrest for securities fraud and tax evasion.”

  I didn’t move.

  Neither did the jerk in the dark suit. His pitch-black aviators shielded his eyes, so I couldn’t read what was in them. What the hell was happening?

  Fingers dug into my arm. “Lincoln?”

  I couldn’t look at my sister. Couldn’t answer.

  Beau pointed at the man. “You’ve got the wrong person.”

  Don’t take that tone, little sister. You’ll end up in a cell beside me.

  “Aren’t you supposed to investigate before taking someone in? Those are some serious allegations. My brother is innocent.” Leave it to Teague to start swinging if anyone threatened me. I appreciated my brother’s loyalty and friendship, but I didn’t want the three of us to end up behind bars.

  The agent’s lip curled. “Oh, we’ve done plenty of investigation. And by the time we’re finished, he won’t see the light of day again.”

  “This is a mistake.” Beau’s loud, angry voice had turned low and mean. “I hope you don’t like your job.”

  “Are you threatening a federal officer?”

  Muffy, one of the dogs my brother’s girlfriend—fiancée—rescued, stepped between me and the agent. His rear was against my leg. It wouldn’t change the situation, but something about him taking up for me too made me feel . . . something I wasn’t certain how to define.

  “Control that dog.” The agent put a hand on the weapon at his hip.

  “Do not do that.” If he hurt this dog or anyone in this vicinity, he’d have a legitimate reason to arrest me and he’d never be employed again in law enforcement.

  He didn’t move his hand from his gun.

  I snapped and pointed to the sidewalk. Muffy obediently sat on my foot, though he kept his focus trained on the perceived threat.

  “Turn around. Place your hands behind your back.”

  I didn’t move.

  “If you resist, it’ll make things worse.” There was a gleam in the agent’s tone.

  What did he wish to do? Tackle me to the ground?

  I kept my features neutral, though I wanted to smirk. I had a good fifty pounds of solid muscle on this weasel. If he charged, it would be like running into a brick wall.

  The only advantage he had over me was a gun.

  “Do the honorable thing and let’s repeat this scene in the morning in the privacy of my home,” I said evenly.

  His lip twitched in annoyance. “You don’t get to choose the moment of your arrest.” He pulled out his handcuffs. “And that would give you just enough time to run.”

  “You’ve disturbed a family occasion.” The most important day of my brother’s life.

  “You’ve defrauded the federal government.” His voice rose as if he was losing patience.

  “Present the proof.” I was stalling even though this was an unavoidable fate.

  “Not how this works, Hollingsworth.” He twirled his finger. “Turn around.”

  “Shouldn’t you have backup or something?” Beau challenged.

  “Yes,” Teague answered for him.

  “You’ve all watched too many TV shows.” He stepped closer.

  Muffy’s weight seemed to grow heavier on my foot, like he was my anchor and wasn’t going to let this man take me away.

  I refused to turn around. If he wanted cuffs on my wrists, he’d have to make the effort.

  “Read your paperwork again, hon. You’re making a mistake.” Miss Adeline, the old woman who ran Grey Paws, the dog rescue, with Pepper, finally spoke with her sharp tongue. “Let me see it. I’ll do it for you.” She held out her hand.

  The agent was not amused. “Are you mocking me?”

  “No. I’m helping you. What a fool you’ll look like when we prove you arrested the wrong person,” she said.

  How I’d ended up with all these people who would blindly support me I’d never understand.

  “Unless you’re a judge, that’s not happening.” He circled me, grabbed the arm Beau wasn’t holding, and yanked it behind my back.

  Another strike.

  Beau didn’t release her grip, even when he jerked my other arm back.

  The metal was warm from where he’d grasped the cuffs in his palm. I’d expected it to be cold.

  He tightened them so they cut into my wrists.

  I said nothing.

  He wanted me to complain, and I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

  “You’re a criminal!”

  An old VW bus painted in a shocking teal and white color scheme stopped in the street.

  I’d only seen those faces once, and it hadn’t been pleasant.

  The boy’s announcement to all of Chelsea was downright humiliating. I wasn’t angry. He hadn’t meant for it to be harmful.

  He was simply being honest.

  Jade eyes penetrated me from the driver’s seat. They held every bit of the disdain they had the last time we’d met, and they were no less intimidating now.

  The boy opened the passenger door and raced toward me.

  “Eric!” she called to no avail.

  “What did you do?” There was an innocence about him I envied. For all the judgment in his sister’s eyes, only simple curiosity was in his. “You were nice to me.”

  Had I been?

  When had anyone ever called me nice?

  Lexie Logan sprinted around the van. Her long purple dress flowed behind. I’d give her extra points for speed on pencil-thin heels. She had on gold feather earrings that dangled almost to her
shoulders.

  Eric had on a purple bow tie to match her dress. They were an interesting pair who seemed to excel at sprinting as well as gourmet dog food.

  “Eric, you can’t jump out of the van whenever you want,” she said breathlessly. Her judgmental expression directed at me had morphed to one of worry over him.

  “I didn’t jump. I pulled on the handle and got out.”

  Beau snorted. I pressed my lips together to keep a straight face. Technically, he was right.

  Lexie let out a tiny huff. “Please don’t get out unless I say it’s okay.”

  “Sure thing,” he said easily. He barreled over to Miss Adeline. “Where’s Millie?”

  “At our new place, waiting for you to come see her.” She high-fived him.

  “As enjoyable as this precious scene is, I don’t have all day. I’m taking you in.” The agent pulled on my cuffs.

  Inwardly, I hissed at the bite of pain.

  “You didn’t identify yourself.” Beau put a hand on her hip. “Take those off.”

  “Show us some ID. More than a badge,” Teague demanded.

  “Oh, for God’s sake.” He rummaged through his wallet and pulled out a card. He thrust it out to Beau, along with his badge.

  “How the mighty have fallen,” Lexie said under her breath. She hadn’t changed from the first time I’d met her at Grey Paws. Why did Pepper and Miss Adeline purchase dog food for their greyhound rescue from this woman?

  Anger, hot and fierce, pushed to the surface.

  “If you’re going to take me away, get on with it.” I refused to stand on this sidewalk in handcuffs any longer, especially in front of her. Miss Know It All.

  “Are you NYPD?” Eric asked when he saw the shiny badge.

  Beau handed it to him.

  “Enough.” The agent snatched the badge out of his hands.

  Eric recoiled and looked like the agent had smashed his ice cream cone on the ground.

  “Let him look at it,” I growled. The boy had Down syndrome. He was innocent. And I’d be damned if this sorry excuse for a human being would treat him with anything less than respect.

  The agent looked at me incredulously. “You’re in no position to tell me what to do.”

  “Let. Him. Look. At. It.” Seconds ago I was about to walk myself to his SUV. Now, we weren’t going anywhere until Eric had his fill of examining the badge.

  Lexie’s mouth rolled from one side to the other. Her worry had morphed to anger with a hint of confusion.

  Mine had too.

  There was something about Eric’s untainted view of the world I was drawn to.

  “Just because you’re nice to him doesn’t mean I’ll chip in bail money.” A whisper of warm breath brushed my ear. The hint of something light and crisp and floral wafted into my nose.

  I inhaled, but only a trace of it lingered.

  Slowly, I angled so that she was back in my line of sight. “Remind me to never turn my back on you again.”

  “You shouldn’t have done it in the first place.” She untangled an earring from her dark hair. “Eric, we should go.”

  “Not until he takes the handcuffs off.” He pointed at my bound wrists.

  I flinched. Why was he so determined to get me out of this?

  “Make sure you stay away from lowlifes like this.” The agent stuffed his badge back in his pocket.

  Lowlife?

  I’d been called a lot of things but that was a new one.

  “Your fan club isn’t getting any bigger.” Lexie wielded her truth bombs like a sword.

  “At least I have one.” The juvenile remark was out of my mouth before I could think better of it.

  I never spoke without thought.

  The agent shoved my shoulder. “Let’s go.”

  My feet refused to move.

  Teague, Beau, Pepper, and Eric stood in front of the doors to the SUV like a human wall. Miss Adeline pushed out of her chair and joined them.

  Lexie stepped out of the way.

  At least I knew her position on the matter. This guy couldn’t lead me away in handcuffs fast enough for her liking. Why? Because we’d gotten off to an ugly start?

  I didn’t particularly care for her, but I wouldn’t wish this on anyone . . . especially without knowing if they deserved it.

  The agent shoved harder. All of his strength wasn’t enough to move me.

  “And you still don’t know how to greet someone.”

  I furrowed my brow. What was I supposed to do for Lexie? Roll out the welcome mat and offer her a beverage? I was in handcuffs.

  “Forgive me for being unpleasant,” I said mockingly. “I can’t imagine why I’ve forgotten my manners.” I twisted and wiggled my bound fingers at her.

  She flexed her fists. And not for the first time, I was certain there was a distinct possibility she might strangle me.

  This woman should be an officer of the law. She was more frightening than the agent attempting to take me away.

  “You don’t have any.”

  “How would you know? We’ve met twice.” Not that I was counting.

  “That’s more than enough for me to know.” She flipped her hair. “You’ll do fine in prison.”

  “Because I’ve had practice taking blows from you.”

  My family gaped like they didn’t recognize me. They’d seen me lose my composure . . . or maybe they hadn’t. It was rare, I’d give them that.

  “Don’t wait for a greeting card from me in your jail mail.” She lifted her chin and held out her hand toward Eric.

  “Can’t we stay?” His question was so honest and pure.

  I hadn’t been around anyone who didn’t have an agenda in so long, I’d forgotten people like Eric existed.

  Lexie softened. He was her vulnerability. “Bow tie, I think the party is over. We’ll see them tomorrow when we make their delivery.”

  Their situation was unknown to me. The way she spoke to her brother earned her a notch of my respect. I didn’t give that away easily.

  “We just got here. The party can start now.”

  I let out half a laugh.

  Now my family looked at me like I was an alien. Had it been that long since I’d let loose?

  Lexie whipped her head toward me, the softness completely evaporated. “Are you laughing at him?”

  I wasn’t the only uptight one.

  “I like his swagger.” I flicked my chin at Eric.

  “His swagger?” She stumbled over the words.

  “Yes. He’s confident.”

  Eric stood a little taller at the compliment.

  She chewed on her bottom lip as if trying to figure out if I were being genuine or making fun of him. Something about that set me off.

  I stepped into her personal space. Instead of backing away, she tilted her head back and looked me directly in the eyes. Fierceness blazed up at me.

  “I’m not a good guy.” I towered over her. “But even I have limits.” Satisfied I’d shocked her into silence, I strode toward the SUV. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Chapter Two

  Lexie

  “Don’t you dare get in that car, Lincoln Hollingsworth.”

  Beau held on to her brother with an iron grip. He was too powerful, easily sliding into the back of the dark car.

  “They can’t arrest you without probable cause,” Teague said.

  Somehow Lincoln managed to pull the door closed even with his hands behind his back.

  “Lincoln!” Beau yanked on the door handle over and over. It was locked.

  The agent slipped around them and into the driver’s seat.

  He has no swagger.

  I started. How had Lincoln’s vocabulary invaded my brain?

  Gently, I tugged on Eric’s elbow.

  “Don’t move the van,” he said. “Then that guy can’t take him away.”

  My nose tingled.

  Not now, Lexie.

  My brother was the light of my life. He made this world brighter, more fun, a
nd he never let me get down for too long. Some people thought he didn’t understand the way things worked.

  I’d learned if everyone saw through the lens he did, we’d all be better off.

  “Then I could go to jail for obstruction,” I said quietly.

  “He’s right,” Teague said. “Please don’t move it. At least not until I can get someone down here to help us.”

  For every bit of jerk Lincoln was, Teague was a straight-up decent guy. I didn’t want to get involved in their problems, but I’d stepped right in the middle of them.

  Beau grabbed my hand. “Please, Lexie.”

  We’d been friends since I’d been pretending to get my degree at NYU. I hadn’t been able to say no to her back then. Almost twenty years later and I still couldn’t.

  The hum of the car window lowering interrupted the sounds of the city. “Move.”

  I pretended to dig in the pockets of my dress. “I can’t find my keys,” I called.

  Beau’s luminous eyes lit. Thank you, she mouthed.

  “You have thirty seconds, or I’m hauling you in too,” the agent said.

  My nerves spiked. I couldn’t be arrested. Eric was okay on his own for limited amounts of time, but I never left him.

  Why was I inserting us into a situation we needed no part of?

  “I must’ve dropped them on the street. Help me look.”

  The agent didn’t move, but everyone else searched like it was an Easter egg hunt and the eggs were filled with gold.

  Beau crouched down as if she were looking under the front end of the blocked SUV. I joined her.

  “Give them to me,” she whispered.

  “What?” Had she lost her mind?