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

by Grahame Claire

  “She would never betray precious information.” My sister was one of the most loyal people I'd ever encountered.

  “I know that.” Lines formed around her mouth. “You seem like the type that would badger her.”

  One corner of my mouth lifted. “I am. But I want you to tell me about you.”

  She fiddled with the leather edge of the sofa. “I got custody of him when I was nineteen and he was twenty-two.” Her expression was bittersweet. “It’s funny. Most of the time it feels like he takes care of me more than I do him. We’re-we’re a good team.”

  Nineteen? That was so young to shoulder such a responsibility.

  She poked my cheek. “Have I managed to shock Mr. Stoic?”

  “Yes and no,” I said honestly. “I’m not surprised in the least that you stepped up to care for Eric. But that’s a young age.”

  “We’d seen after each other before that anyway.” She waved her hand in the air. “That was the most freeing day of our lives.”

  Why? What—or who—had they needed to escape? My gut told me I wouldn't like the answer. They’d survived—thrived even.

  “What did you do before the dog food business?” It couldn’t have been easy to financially support themselves. The city was expensive, and I had no idea the kind of medical care Eric needed.

  “Mostly odds and ends jobs that Eric and I could do together. He’s fine on his own for a while, but I-I just never felt comfortable with that. Not even when I was kid.” She held my gaze, unapologetic for the choices she'd made.

  But she had nothing to be sorry for. Look at the home she'd created, the bond and friendship she had with her brother. If anything, she should be incredibly proud.

  Something weird shifted in my chest that I didn't recognize.

  She smoothed her thumb over my eyebrow. “Not Mr. Stoic. Mr. Scowl. That's what I should call you.”

  We were speaking about difficult topics, yet she managed to smile. To be tough. Because she was. Admirably so.

  I wanted to press further, but refrained.

  “What’s on the agenda for tomorrow? Sky diving lessons?”

  She tensed, the easy air between us evaporated.

  I straightened and angled toward her, then bent and kissed her forehead gently. It wasn’t the kiss I wanted, but I’d be patient. “Talk to me.”

  She blinked like she wasn’t certain what to do with my offer. The longer she was silent, the more anxious I became. Whatever burdened her, I wanted to fix.

  “I lost our biggest customer today,” she whispered. “Please don’t mention it in front of Eric. I haven’t told him.”

  What the hell? How? Why? Anger on her behalf filled me. What idiot would stop purchasing the best dog food in the city?

  “Why?”

  She hung her head in defeat. The woman, who to the outside world was unstoppable, was more vulnerable than she let on.

  I gathered her in my arms and pressed her head to my chest. “You’ll find a bigger and better customer. And this one will realize what a fool they were.”

  She jerked back and stared at me. “It was my fault. Not theirs.”

  “Still makes them a fool.” I pulled her back against me. She was warm, a comfort to me when I was supposed to be that for her.

  “I booked a piano lesson for Eric with the extra money we were supposed to be getting,” she mumbled into me.

  My chest squeezed. This was a woman who was used to handling everything on her own. I understood the magnitude of these confessions because if I were in her position, I wouldn’t be able to make them.

  I appreciated that she trusted me to share her worries.

  “Beau can teach him.” My instinct had been to offer to pay for the lessons. I’d learned enough about Lexie to know that would only make her angry. She took pride in being self-sufficient. I respected that.

  “She can?”

  “Our father made her take lessons as soon as she was old enough to sit behind a piano.” And my sister had hated it. But if I explained Eric’s desire to learn, she’d set aside her feelings and show him everything she knew. If she was in this country long enough.

  “I don’t know if I can cancel the lesson.” She hadn’t let go of me.

  While I was well aware just how much she didn’t need me, I liked being there for her.

  Again, it was on the tip of my tongue to tell her I’d handle it. Keeping her exactly where she was—in my arms—had become more important than controlling everything.

  “Be honest. Most people respect that.”

  She burrowed against me. “It’s hard to admit failing.”

  I hooked a finger under her chin and forced her to look at me. “I lost two deals this week.”

  She smacked my stomach. “You don’t have to say that to make me feel better.”

  “I told you so you’d know I understand.”

  “Who wouldn’t do a deal with you? You’re the prince of real estate, right?”

  I despised that term. Judging by her tone, she wasn’t impressed with it either.

  The truth of why I’d been unable to complete one of the deals was too difficult to admit. I’d just told her to be honest, yet I couldn’t tell her I was no longer able to purchase or sell property for reasons I hadn’t uncovered.

  She’d been forthcoming with me.

  I couldn’t do the same.

  “It’s . . .” I didn’t want to lie, but the words to explain wouldn’t form.

  She placed a hand on my chest. “Personal. I get it.”

  I hadn’t realized how tense I’d become until I exhaled in relief. “Complicated,” I amended.

  I’d allowed Lexie and Eric into my space, but I couldn’t let her all the way in to my innermost workings. I didn’t operate like that. My burdens didn’t belong on the shoulders of the people I cared about.

  I froze. Looked down at her in my hold. Felt my cheek against her soft hair.

  I’d had more arguments than pleasant conversations with her.

  But it was true.

  I cared about them.

  I tried to recall the exact moment it had happened, but couldn’t. Perhaps it was the ice cream. Immediately, I knew that wasn’t it. Not completely.

  It was them.

  The way they shouldered through life with a smile. Their work ethic. Their kindness to others.

  Them.

  A part of me wanted to shove them out the door and never let them back in. I didn’t have room to care for anyone else.

  The bigger part of me wanted to lock my door. Keep them in so I would always feel the way I did when they were around.

  Feel.

  It had been a long time since there’d been a ripple of any kind of emotion in my soul. Especially a pleasant one.

  Lexie and Eric had given me something I didn’t want. Feelings clouded judgment. They got in the way of the focus I so desperately needed to keep. They were a distraction.

  But while everything around me crumbled, they seemed to be the only thing keeping me sane.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Lincoln

  “Well, this is interesting.”

  I put my finger up to my lips in hopes of shushing my sister.

  She smirked at the sight of Lexie sound asleep against me.

  I checked my watch. It was after midnight.

  Reluctantly, I carefully untangled from Lexie. She let out a sigh but didn’t wake when I repositioned her on the sofa.

  I pointed to the kitchen.

  Beau tossed her purse on the counter. “Aren’t you supposed to ask me for permission to sleep with my best friend?” She grinned.

  “Keep your voice down. Eric is asleep in my study,” I whispered.

  Beau’s smile widened. “This just gets better and better.”

  I scowled. How could I have temporarily forgotten she lived with me?

  Muffy trotted into the kitchen.

  Beau looked at the dog as if she were hallucinating. “Is that—”

  “A grey
hound. Yes. If you want specifics, speak to your brother.”

  “I am speaking to my brother.” She squatted and rubbed Muffy behind his ears. He leaned against her.

  “Your other one.”

  Beau straightened and Muffy moved over to me. Absently, I patted his head. He sat on my foot.

  “Am I in the right apartment?” She looked around as if she were seeing the space for the first time.

  “Would you keep your voice down?” I whisper-hissed.

  “Oh, it is you.” She elbowed me in the side. “For a second, I thought you’d replaced my grumpy brother.”

  “Where have you been?”

  “Yep. Definitely the right apartment.” She opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. “Working. I see now why I couldn’t find you in your office.”

  I’d check the cameras to see if she had indeed been at work. I gripped the counter. No. That was something our father would do. If Beau said she’d been at work, I’d trust her word.

  When she was prepared to tell me where she was really going, I had to accept she’d do it on her own time.

  My knuckles turned white.

  Was I in the right apartment? Because I didn’t recognize myself.

  Muffy pawed my leg.

  “I think he wants you to pet him.” Beau pointed at him with her water bottle.

  I looked at him, at a loss. “It’s been a while since he’s been outside.”

  He shot toward the front door and circled impatiently when I didn’t immediately follow.

  “Do I have time to change my shoes?” Beau asked.

  He stamped his feet.

  Where is the leash?

  In the chaos from before, I couldn’t recall exactly when I’d last seen him with it on. I felt certain I hadn’t put it with his things. Maybe Eric had taken it off of him. I hated to potentially disturb him while he slept.

  Beau appeared from the foyer, now wearing slip-on sneakers. “Looking for this?” The leash dangled from her fingers.

  Muffy bumped it with his nose. She looped it around his neck, and he pulled to the door hard enough that Beau stumbled.

  I pushed the cart out into the elevator lobby behind them.

  “I can’t believe you let a dog in your apartment,” she said as Muffy jerked her into the waiting elevator.

  I couldn’t either, but I wouldn’t admit that to her.

  “It’s only for a few days.”

  Muffy gave me a look like I don’t think so, pal. Beau had a matching expression.

  Once we were on ground level, I returned the cart to the storage space.

  Muffy led us straight across the street to Central Park. I wasn’t keen on going deep into the park at this time of night, but he lifted his leg on the first tree he found.

  “Turns out you were right,” Beau said while we waited for him to finish. “He had to go.”

  “Lucky guess,” I brushed off. I hadn’t been around enough animals to know their signals.

  “What’s happening on the investigation front?”

  We hadn’t seen each other much in the past few days so I’d been able to avoid an inquisition.

  “I wouldn’t know.”

  “Lincoln, how can you be so casual about this? You need to take it seriously.”

  “I can’t be much more serious than spending an entire day and then some with attorneys.” Not to mention the hours upon hours I wasted digging up old files.

  “Can they stop this?”

  I’d come to the conclusion the answer lay in who had more power: the federal government or our family. Unfortunately, that was to be determined.

  “I don’t know.”

  “How are you not freaking out?” She threw her hand up.

  Muffy paused for a minute to check she was okay, then resumed his bathroom break for the record books. If he kept at it, Central Park would be flooded.

  “I only concern myself with the things I can control.”

  “Defending yourself is something you can control,” she cried.

  “Come what may.”

  She shook my shoulder. “Do you want to go to jail?”

  “My feelings on the matter are irrelevant.”

  “What about mine?” She planted herself in front of me.

  I sighed. “No. They aren’t.”

  Muffy lowered his leg and sat obediently beside us. What is he attempting to convey?

  We stared at one another. He stamped his feet when he grew impatient at my incompetence. Then he swiped at my hand. And my pocket.

  “I forgot to bring treats.”

  “What?”

  “Teague says he requires a reward every time he does as he’s supposed to.”

  Muffy wiggled on his haunches. I know you did as directed. I’m the one who messed up.

  “We could get him a hot dog.” Beau pointed to a nearby cart.

  Since when were those available at any hour of the night?

  “Pepper will kill me for this.”

  I bought three hot dogs, one with no bun. Muffy scarfed his down before I’d taken my first bite.

  “Should we get him another one?” Beau asked around a mouthful of hot dog.

  I purchased another, which was consumed equally fast.

  We wandered back to my building, Muffy content to take our pace as he eyed our hot dogs.

  “I’m sorry your purchase in the Bowery didn’t go through,” Beau said quietly. “It’s for the best.”

  Did she know the reason I hadn’t been able to complete the sale?

  Tension prickled the back of my neck as I made a noncommittal noise.

  “What happened? Seller change their mind?”

  A swirl of relief swept through me. “A clerical complication.” It wasn’t a lie.

  “They wouldn’t extend the contract to work it out?”

  I took the leash from her as she struggled to finish her hot dog. “No.”

  I couldn’t tell her there’d been no point seeing as I wouldn’t be able to complete real estate transactions for the foreseeable future.

  “Take it as a sign.”

  I stopped to toss my trash in a nearby bin. “Would you put in a contract?”

  “Me? I don’t want that hot mess.” She waded up her wrapper and threw it away.

  “I’ll give you the funds. You can transfer ownership to me in a few months.” I sounded desperate even to my own ears.

  “What is your obsession with that place?” She placed a hand on her hip.

  “Will you? I can give you the cash now.” Which would considerably deplete my funds. I wouldn’t have much to start renovations let alone keep up my day-to-day expenses.

  “Why wouldn’t you transfer the money from your bank account? And what is going on with you?”

  It had been foolish to make such a request to Beau. I’d raised questions I wasn’t prepared to answer. I didn’t want to think of the reasons myself. But something about seeing Lexie, Eric, and that older lady they’d helped at their apartment . . . it wasn't that different than the building for sale. I could make sure the people who lived there weren’t displaced.

  “Forget I said anything.” I held open the door to the building.

  Muffy trotted in first with Beau right behind him, and me in the rear. She pressed her thumbprint into the scanner. The elevator doors opened and she marched inside.

  She leaned back on the mirrored wall and studied me. “How much do you want me to offer?”

  I pulled her in for a hug, which caught her off guard. “Thank you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Lexie

  Where am I?

  I stretched as my brain slowly clicked to life. The striking sunrise view brought the events of last night crashing to the forefront.

  I sat up.

  Lincoln.

  Oh my word. I’d fallen asleep at Lincoln’s.

  Where was Eric?

  For that matter, where was Lincoln? The last thing I remembered was the strength and comfort of his arms. How
my body and mind just let go for a few blissful moments.

  I crept to my feet and tiptoed down the hall in hopes of finding Eric. We had to get out of here if we had any chance of keeping our schedule for the day.

  And maybe avoiding Lincoln and the embarrassment of crashing uninvited at his place. Or palace might have been a better word.

  I peered into the study and found Eric exactly where I’d left him with Muffy curled up against him. A blanket covered him, and his shoes had been removed.

  My brother looked so peaceful, I hated to disturb him.

  The distinct presence I wasn’t sure how I’d missed when I walked into the room enveloped me. I pivoted.

  Lincoln sat behind his desk. His hair was damp. The collar of his white button-down shirt was loose. Had I ever seen him without a tie?

  Those dark eyes penetrated through me. The man had seen me in my pajamas, yet somehow being in yesterday’s wrinkled garments was more humiliating.

  When we’d helped him bring up Muffy’s things, it hadn’t occurred to me to be uncomfortable. As I stood there, I wasn’t sure if we’d overstayed our welcome. Clearly, we’d made ourselves at home.

  Now, I just felt awkward.

  Carefully, he rolled back from the desk. He stalked toward me with silent footsteps and stopped when he towered over me.

  He hooked my chin, bent his head, and lowered his mouth to mine.

  I blinked in surprise.

  His movements were gentle, yet confident. Strong, yet somehow tender.

  I fisted his shirt as his hand slid behind my head. He parted my lips with his tongue. I leaned against him, the connection and intimacy of such a simple gesture weakening my knees.

  Because there was nothing simple about Lincoln Hollingsworth.

  And when he kissed me, everything else fell away. The loss of Garrison’s business didn’t seem so bad. The release of my father from prison was something I could take on. Figuring out how we were going to get by wasn’t so daunting.

  Lincoln was a rock. Unmovable. Unshakeable. Someone steady for us to lean on. And for once, Lincoln being that rock didn’t offend me. It warmed me. He warmed me.

  The sparks of desire lit within me. They were buried beneath a pile of ashes and debris, long forgotten.