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

by Grahame Claire

  I looked at him. “What do you mean?”

  My father had gotten the charges dropped. He’d had Lexie released from jail. Daniel was capable. I’d hoped his contacts had acted first. When would I learn that no one was more powerful than Father?

  He smirked. “I might’ve had some friends detain the Logans before handing them over to the authorities the other night.”

  “But I thought you said Officer Wilson detained them immediately?” That had given me some peace of mind while we’d continued our search for Eric. I might have let the Logans escape, but it was into the waiting hands of the police . . . or perhaps someone Daniel knew who was more schooled in teaching lessons.

  He shrugged unapologetically. “He was on the way. I asked him to take the scenic route.” He crumpled his water bottle and tossed it in the recycle bin. “I felt it best you know as little of that as possible.”

  I stared at him, my mind refusing to grasp what he was telling me.

  “Donnie was quite willing to drop all charges very quickly. Mrs. Logan wasn’t so bold without her weapon either.”

  I pointed at Daniel. “So you convinced him to do that?”

  He furrowed his brow. “I told you I would.”

  I closed my eyes and exhaled long and slow. Why was my thinking so convoluted when it came to my father? He danced between the border of truth and lies. My friend had always supported me. Yet I still had a hard time coming to grips with the idea that Father had lied.

  “And Lexie’s release from jail? Did you . . .”

  “It was a slap. And once the proper authorities became aware of the actual situation, they were more than happy to let Lexie go.” He made an annoyed face. “As much as I hate to admit it, Zegas was helpful with the judge in that aspect.”

  I sagged into the hard wood of the bleachers. Daniel had helped them. Not my father.

  “I owe you.” I looked down. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you—”

  “Don’t make the same mistake I did.”

  I jerked my head toward him.

  He wiped his face with his shirt again. “My desire to protect the people I love nearly cost me them.” He held his pinky and thumb less than a millimeter apart. “I was this close to losing Vivian.”

  Our situations weren’t the same. He hadn’t put Vivian in danger. Not the way I had Lexie and Eric.

  “The circumstances have no parallels.” I guzzled the rest of my water.

  “Oh no?” He raised a brow. “You think they’re better off without you. Safer. Happier. That if you push them away they’ll find the life they deserve. One without you failing them at every turn.”

  I turned away. Maybe he understood better than I’d given him credit.

  “They are better off if I’m as far away from them as possible.”

  “Get over yourself, Hollingsworth.”

  I snapped my gaze toward him. He wore a very unimpressed look.

  I shoved off the bench. “Even if her parents are no longer a threat, you have no idea what my father is capable of.”

  “So you’re going to let him keep you from living your life with them?” He looked at me as if he expected better. “The best way to protect Lexie and Eric is to be there. Mistakes and all. If she loves you, it’s not just because of the put together illusion. It’s all of you. Especially your faults.”

  He slapped my shoulder, but I barely felt it. His words were far more of a blow. “Stop being so stubborn. If you wait too long to realize I’m right, you may get what you wish for. They may have already moved on.”

  I nearly doubled over at the thought.

  I wanted them happy . . . but not with someone in my place.

  I yanked on my hair. You have no right to think that way. They deserve the best. I’d let them go because I couldn’t be that for them.

  I crumpled my water bottle aggressively and hurled it at the trash can. It bounced off. Another miss.

  I expected Daniel to call me out on it, but he was gone.

  The best way to protect Lexie and Eric is to be there. Mistakes and all.

  His words echoed in my head. I had been there. And I’d still let them down.

  So you’re going to let him keep you from living your life with them?

  Did I have a choice? Father always got his way. Always.

  Hadn’t I vowed not to be his puppet any longer? If I allowed him to keep me from them, I’d already broken it.

  I sat back down and put my head in my hands. The misery. The worry. The hurt I’d caused all of us. Would it go away over time?

  Or could I fix it?

  “What are you doing up here? I saw Daniel leaving.”

  I started at Beau’s voice.

  “Just . . .”

  “Sulking,” she finished when I couldn’t find the adequate words. She joined me on the bench. “You know how to fix this. But I might as well talk to that basketball.” She motioned toward the ball a few feet away on the floor.

  I stared at it, irritated she was right.

  She nudged me with her elbow. “I have some good news.”

  “What is it?” I asked hesitantly. One could never be certain when it came to my sister.

  “I got your building in the Bowery. I’ll transfer the deed as soon as you give me the all clear.”

  I straightened. “You closed?”

  She stretched her legs out. “Since you enjoy leaving me in the dark, I thought I’d show you the same courtesy.” She scowled. “But you’ve been so irritable since Lexie and Eric left, I wanted to cheer you up.”

  I was glad, though it felt hollow. Maybe this was how I could make up for my failure to them. They’d never know what we’d do with the building, but all of it would be in their honor.

  “I want to find temporary housing for all the current tenants. When we’ve rebuilt, if they want to come back, they can do so at the same rent rate.” Or maybe cheaper depending on what I found when I delved into the actual numbers of their current rent prices.

  “Lincoln, I think the building has to go. I went by there again after I got the inspection report.” She shook her head. “If the city gets hold of that report, they’ll displace those people immediately.”

  “Will you help me do this? I—” I gripped my knees. Helping these people wouldn’t atone for my mistakes, and it wasn’t completely about that. I wanted to give people a home they would be glad to live in, not somewhere they were stuck.

  She covered my hand with hers. “I’ll help you.”

  Relief coursed through me. “Thank you. I will pay you back.”

  She smacked my hand. “Nope. I don’t want your money.” She stood. “I’d better start looking for somewhere to relocate thirty tenants.”

  I pushed to my feet and hugged her. “We’ll find somewhere.”

  She gave me a quick hug back before she shoved me away. “I expect open communication.”

  “I can do that.”

  She grinned as if she’d just gotten me to agree to something I wasn’t aware of. “Good.” She pinched my cheek. “You can practice with yourself. About how for such a smart guy you can be really dumb.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  Lexie

  “Garrison?”

  I nearly dropped the phone as I stirred the broth and vegetables.

  “Um, hi, Lexie.”

  “Hey, Garrison. Long time no see,” Eric called from across the kitchen.

  “Hello, Eric.”

  I didn’t bother to tell him he wasn’t on speakerphone so Eric couldn’t hear.

  “Is there something I can do for you?” I wasn’t exactly friendly, but I couldn’t be rude. There was a time when I’d liked the man. I still did, even though it hurt that he had been prepared to testify against me.

  “Can you come by the shop tomorrow? I have something I’d like to discuss and feel it would be better in person.”

  I set the spoon on the counter. “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I feel comfortable with that.”

  I wasn�
�t concerned about Garrison’s motives, but I didn’t want to go back to the scene of all that ugliness. We needed to move forward.

  “I understand.” He cleared his throat. “It appears I owe you an apology.”

  I agreed but didn’t say so. He wasn’t wrong in what he did. He went with what his eyes had seen, and I couldn’t fault him for that. I appreciated he had his convictions.

  I had mine too.

  “A friend of yours told me what happened . . . with that man. I-I didn’t hear what he said to Eric. If I had, I’d have slapped him myself. And you know my stance on violence.”

  I smiled. “I appreciate that.”

  “I was wrong. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but please know how deeply sorry I am.”

  “You’re forgiven.”

  That’s what Eric would want. And I did too. If I held a grudge, it would hurt me the worst, and I needed all the positivity we could find.

  “Thank you. I hope you and Eric stop by sometime soon.”

  A bit of pressure released from my shoulders. “We’d like that.”

  “Is it too soon to make another order? My customers have been going crazy without your dog food so I need to double it. And I fully support businesses who stand up for justice.”

  Eric was my brother. I hadn’t done anything spectacular, but I appreciated Garrison recognized that.

  “I think we can manage. We’ll see you tomorrow morning?”

  I gave Eric a thumbs-up.

  “Looking forward to it.”

  I hung up and grinned. “Get out some more carrots. Garrison is doubling his order.”

  It was the first thing that had gone right since we’d been back at our old apartment. We had to make the most of it.

  “We’re gonna be late, sis.”

  Eric poked his head in my bedroom door.

  “I just need to put my shoes on.” I balanced on one leg, hopping as I tried to put on a heel. “That purple brings out your eyes, bow tie.”

  “And you look really pretty,” he said once I’d straightened.

  “Ready to tackle the day?” I grabbed my purse and keys.

  “Ready.” He hung around in the door. “Do you think Lincoln will help us with the big order?”

  My heart dropped. Eric had been a little down since we’d moved, and I hadn’t been great at trying to work through the hurt. Because I didn’t want to face it. And of course he was sensitive to that.

  I brushed his hair back from his face. “I don’t think so.”

  His features dimmed another notch, but he was tough. “I’ve got your phone.”

  “Then let’s do this thing.”

  If it wasn’t for Eric, I wouldn’t be holding on. But I had to put on a brave face for him. I figured if I spent most of my waking hours pretending I didn’t miss Lincoln, that eventually one day it would become true.

  “Hey, Garrison.”

  Eric tried to wave with the box he was carrying in his hand, but failed.

  Garrison laughed when my brother grinned. “Hey, Eric. Hey, Lexie.”

  “We have a few more boxes to get.”

  “Set these here, please, and I’ll help you.”

  “We’ve got it,” I said. “Thank you, though.”

  “Wait. I have some dog treats for Grey Paws if you don’t mind delivering them.”

  He slid a giant jar across the counter.

  “They’ll be some happy pups.”

  We retrieved the rest of his order. I handed him the invoice.

  “If you have a minute, I’ll write you a check.”

  “Sure thing,” I said as he disappeared into the back.

  “Can we get one of those for Millie and Muffy?” He peered into the case of specialty treats. “They’d like the bones with icing.”

  How could I tell him we wouldn’t be seeing them again?

  “Okay.” That was a lot easier than a no. Maybe Pepper would deliver them.

  “That friend of yours is certainly convincing,” Garrison said as he returned.

  “Pepper is great,” I said, grateful for her support.

  He passed me the check. “It wasn’t Pepper.” He frowned. “I didn’t catch his name, but he was tall, had on a suit. He really believes in you.”

  Lincoln.

  I was at a loss for words.

  He tapped the counter twice. “You should go around the corner and see the progress at Grey Paws. They’ve cleared most of the rubble.”

  “We’ll do that.” I clutched the check, still reeling at the fact Lincoln had talked to Garrison and convinced him to give us another chance.

  We pushed out of the store and the bell jingled a goodbye.

  “Should we take some pictures for Teague and Pepper?” I asked.

  “Good idea.”

  We rounded the corner of the familiar street. I’d missed coming to this location. I’d always liked Chelsea. Would Pepper and Miss Adeline rebuild and come back?

  Woof. Woof. Woof.

  Eric surged ahead.

  “Eric. Wait up.”

  “Millie! Muffy!” he shouted as he ran.

  The two dogs yanked on their leashes in the distance. I slowed my sprint at the sight of who was holding them.

  The last time I’d seen him in that spot, he’d been in handcuffs. And somehow made it look fashionable.

  He still wore an exquisite suit. His expression still was unreadable. But instead of feeling irritated by his presence, it made me sad.

  It had barely been five days since we’d moved out. My heart hurt as much as it had when we’d cranked the van and driven out of the garage. More, if I was honest with myself.

  Eric dropped to his knees and threw his arms around Millie. Muffy jumped and licked. The two dogs squealed and whimpered, peppering my brother with kisses.

  They’d missed him as much as he had them.

  Had I been wrong? Not to fight harder? I thought I was protecting us both, but maybe I’d only hurt us worse.

  “Can I give them the treats?”

  At the word treats, the dogs attacked Eric all over again with licks. He giggled and squealed along with them.

  I gave him the bag.

  Lincoln snapped and they immediately sat. Hadn’t seen that in a while.

  Eric broke off a piece and fed it to Millie, then broke off another for Muffy. He continued on until both treats were gone.

  “We’ve missed you, Lincoln.”

  My heart twisted. Eric wasn’t angry. He didn’t have any resentment. Pure honesty.

  “We’ve missed you too.”

  As he said the words, all of that intensity was focused on me. I couldn’t handle it.

  I glanced behind him. “This looks good. It’s really coming along.”

  He nodded approvingly. I had a suspicion this work was happening at warp speed thanks to him.

  “If I were arrested, would you send me letters in jail?”

  I laughed in confusion. “What?”

  “I would,” Eric volunteered.

  Lincoln waited for my answer.

  “Did something happen?” Worry darted through me.

  “No.” He continued to hold the leash, looking much more natural with them than he had not so long ago. “Before, you said you wouldn’t. I-I wondered if that had changed.”

  “You still don’t say hello.”

  “I thought we’d established that wasn’t such a terrible thing.”

  It wasn’t. It was an amazing thing. Except I didn’t get his versions anymore.

  “We should get go—”

  “I remembered something my mother said to me not that long before she died.” He shoved a hand in his pocket. “A couple of things actually.”

  He lowered his voice. “How angry are you at me?”

  My heart rate picked up pace. “I was so angry,” I whispered. “Now it just hurts.”

  He glanced down at Eric, who was playing with the dogs, as if he were uncertain about having this conversation in front of him.

  A littl
e more of what was left of my anger evaporated. He was considerate of my brother and how things would affect his feelings.

  “She said you can’t be that angry at someone you don’t love.”

  I opened my mouth to argue, but it was useless. In this case his mother was right. I did love Lincoln. Even after all the hurt.

  “She also said people have different ways of showing their emotions. That some of us don’t know how to.”

  He was trying to tell me he didn’t know how. But he did. Maybe not in the conventional holding hands, cuddly kind of way. It was in the ways that counted.

  “I know what you did with Garrison.”

  His expression stayed unmoving. “He was wrong.”

  “So was I.”

  A brow lifted. “About what?”

  “I blamed you for what happened. It’s why I didn’t put up much of a fight when . . .” I looked at Eric, choosing my words carefully. “You said what you said.”

  “I can’t breathe without you.”

  My eyes stung. “You can’t say stuff like that,” I whispered.

  “I thought I was strong enough to do the right thing.” He shook his head. “I’m not.”

  “Being apart is the wrong thing.” He stepped closer. “The absolute wrong thing.”

  Even when I didn't like it, he’d been honest. And not forgiving him was the wrong thing too, especially when I’d made mistakes too.

  “Admit it. You miss arguing.”

  “So much.”

  “And my sweatshirt.”

  “You can’t imagine how much.”

  “There’s nothing strawberry ice cream can’t fix,” Eric said, apparently paying more attention than I suspected.

  “Agreed.” Lincoln held out his hand for a low five. Then he hooked my chin. “Don’t give me a chance to screw this up again.”

  My stomach dropped. I thought . . . I thought he wanted to try again. Was he telling me not to do that?

  “We’ll make mistakes—”

  “Marry me. I don’t want an out. I want an in. A permanent one.”

  I blinked at him. “What about taking it slow?”

  “Waiting a week for you to be my wife is slow.”