Blinding Echo

by Tina Saxon

  “Hi, Reed,” I say as he rushes past me out of the living room.

  “Don’t get into anything,” Everly calls out. She turns her attention to me and I flash an uneasy smile, standing and closing my book.

  “Hi,” she says, raising her hand in a quick wave. It’s weird to feel like I’m looking into a mirror, yet the reflection does things I’d never do. She tugs her earlobe before sweeping her hair behind it. When I tilt my head, hers doesn’t move, but my mind expects it.

  “Hi,” I respond. We both jump when Agent Clyde walks in abruptly.

  “I’ll be outside if you need anything. Make sure to stay in the house,” he says to Everly. I've already been debriefed of the rules. She nods, and he walks out leaving us alone again.

  “Why are you guys here?”

  They are a long way from home. I understand why the FBI is worried about her since she has my face. But why here? Why not in Texas?

  “Um…” She swallows, her eyes jumping around the room.

  Reed walks in and answers for her. “Kase told us we had to go into hiding because my mom looks like you.” He walks over to his mom, and she wraps her arms around his shoulders. I turn away to gather my thoughts, but it freezes on one particular picture. For them to be here, they were all together in Gilley Cove. Like a family.

  “Reed, hun, can you give us a minute alone?” she whispers from behind me.

  "Geez! Why do I always have to leave the room?" He stomps off.

  Tears burn my eyes as I look down at my bare feet on the brown carpeted floor. This is what I wanted for Kase, but to have it thrown in my face is devastating. Thoughts of family pictures, Kase telling her his cheesy pick-up lines, them out in the ocean somewhere makes me nauseous. I swallow the bile rising in my throat. Any hope he would want me instead, crashes and burns.

  From the corner of my eye, I see Reed walk into the bedroom. Taking my chances and running away sounds better than staying here.

  “Ellie, I’m sorry.” Her voice cracks. The heavy emotion in her voice makes me turn. “I went to see Kase, taking Reed with me.” She glances to the front door as if looking for someone to interrupt her. “I told Reed about Kase being his dad. I thought…” She stops talking and turns back. Her eyes fill with tears as one falls from mine. Brushing it away, I wait for her to continue. “I didn’t want to let go of what we had without knowing for sure.”

  My stomach knots. I want to ask what happened, but the answer will destroy one of us.

  She blows out a long, low sigh, taking a couple of steps into the room and sitting on the chair. Her back straight, butt barely on the chair as she crosses her legs and folds her hands in her lap. It’s very formal, yet natural for her. Our upbringing was definitely different.

  “He didn’t choose me.”

  My lips part, letting out a quiet puff of air. I’m struggling to speak, to find the right words so I don’t hurt her. My heart aches for her. I can sense the pain in her eyes. I was wrong before; no matter the answer, it will destroy both of us. “I’m sorry,” I whisper the only words I can muster.

  With a humorless laugh, she says, “It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault and I’m sorry I ever insinuated it was.” She looks down and picks at her jeans. I sit on the couch, tucking my legs under me and clutch a pillow to my chest. Her eyes find mine and she relaxes and scoots back into the chair, the tension in her shoulders releasing. “Are you scared?” When my brows pinch together in confusion she clarifies, “Kase told me about Ray.”

  “I guess. I’ve lived in fear since I was eighteen believing he’d catch up with me, eventually. I don’t want to say I’m immune to the fear because I’m not, I’m scared. I just wish you and Reed hadn’t been thrown into the middle of this. Is Reed okay?”

  She shrugs a shoulder, glancing toward the bedroom he disappeared into. “He seems to be handling everything okay. I’m sure he’s having feelings he’s not telling me.”

  Agent Clyde walks in again, holding a box. “Figured Reed might like something to do.”

  I smile and wipe away a couple tears that escaped, thankful he’s trying to make the situation better. I hear Reed whoop when he sees what’s in the box.

  “Mom!” he boasts, running out of the room. “He brought an Xbox. Can I play?”

  The shine in his eyes reminds me so much of Kase when he talks about jumping out of planes. I hold a hand over my heart, hoping Kase gets the opportunity to know him. Where do I fit in the picture though? Or do I? He didn’t choose Everly, but does that mean he chose me? If he thinks our relationship will sacrifice his relationship with his son, maybe he doesn’t want to risk that. I throw my head against the back of the cushion. It’s not like I can ask Everly what he said.

  “He loves you.” I jerk my head up, staring at Everly. “Kase.” Her voice trails off.

  “You don’t need to tell me what happened. I know it hurts.”

  She takes a deep inhale and exhales quickly. “I know I don’t. But I can see the hurt in your eyes too. The faster I accept my reality, the quicker I can move on.”

  She continues, telling me how Kase thought I had gone missing, the FBI and meeting Max’s crew. We move our conversation into the kitchen where we make dinner and our stories morph into stories about our lives. We laugh about how we both have the same likes and dislikes in food. We lose track of time with question after question to see how alike we are. Before we know it, it's dark outside and Reed has passed out on the couch, tired of listening to us. I could do this all night.

  It seems Everly can too. After she put Reed to bed, she came back out, and we started up again. Clyde’s a good man. He also brought us something. I pour my second glass of red wine and offer the bottle to Everly to fill up her glass. We try to keep our laughter down to a minimum, although the more we drink, the harder it is.

  As I’m bringing the glass to my lips, I startle when Reed comes running out of the bedroom. We both stand as Reed runs to his mom, wrapping his arms around her waist tight. “Reed, what’s wrong?” Everly asks in a soft voice.

  “I heard something outside,” he says, his voice shaking. “Something was tapping on the window.”

  She looks at me, concerned. I walk to the curtain, peeking out and see Agent Clyde in his car. Glancing down the lit street, I notice it's empty. “I’ll call Clyde and tell him, but I’m sure it’s just a branch. It’s a little windy,” I say to calm him, despite the fact it’s not windy at all. My heartbeat quickens as I call on the cell phone restricted to only call Clyde. “Okay, he'll check it out, but he’s pretty sure it’s nothing too.”

  “Can I sleep out here?” he begs, looking up at his mom.

  She brushes his hair to the side and nods. “Sure. I’ll go get a pillow and a blanket.”

  Reed runs to the bathroom while we set up a bed on the couch. After dimming the lights, and tucking him in, we move to the dining room. I can’t get rid of the uneasy feeling so I down another glass of wine. Clyde called confirming nothing was out there. Everly insists it’s just his overactive imagination and the scary situation isn’t helping.

  The light coming through the drapes shines right on my face. I roll over to escape it. “Dammit,” I mutter, rolling right off the side of the bed. Thankfully, we dragged the mattress to the living room floor and slept on it. The old carpet rubs against my arms. I shiver, not wanting to think about who or what has been on this carpet. Lifting myself back up onto the mattress, I can see Everly laughing at me. I glance over at her and wonder if I look that bad. I mean, I probably do, being we have the same face. Her mascara is smeared down her red cheeks, hair is askew and matted on one side. I narrow my eyes at her, I hope she has the same headache.

  “I need Advil and the bathroom,” I rasp, looking at Reed still sleeping. My throat is sore from talking so much.

  “Grab me some too,” she moans, laying back. Cheap wine makes for the worst hangovers.

  The morning ends up being like last night, minus the wine. We make breakfast and continue
our questions. Reed rolls his eyes and escapes to the bedroom, playing the Xbox.

  “What’s the Lighthouse?”

  I pull my head back and stop folding the blanket mid-air, surprised at her question.

  “I overheard Kase ask if you were there when your friend called.”

  Finishing the fold, I lay it on the couch and pick up the sheet to fold. “It’s my life. It’s everything about me, wrapped up in one place.”

  I explain how the concept was born, how Kase gave it to me for graduation, how the reason I help these women is because someone was there to help me. I owe my life to my dad. He gave up a life of easy retirement with no concerns, to a life of constant worry.

  Something pops into my head I hadn't thought about. Did Kase pay for the Lighthouse himself? He told me he had donors, but that was before I knew he was a millionaire. When I got home, I researched his grandfather and found that he left his entire estate to his grandson. Millions. I still can't imagine Kase being a millionaire, he's the most down-to-earth guy.

  I squeeze my eyes shut. He has to be going out of his mind knowing Ray escaped.

  At least he knows I’m safe.

  I can’t say the same for Ray.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Kase

  Tori: Where are you?

  Me: At the police station. Why?

  I wait for her answer, but the text bubble never pops up.

  “There was a tip someone saw him in Tennessee, but we haven’t been able to confirm it,” Max says, pulling my attention away from my phone. I crack my neck, knowing it’s not good he’s been spotted closer to us. Closer to Ellie.

  He’s coming for her.

  “How’s her dad doing?”

  “He’s alive.” The downcast of his eyes tells me he’s being too generous with his statement. He continues, confirming my suspicions. “He’s lucky the FBI got there when they did. Shot three times and is scheduled for another surgery today.” We need to locate this son of a bitch so Ellie can be with her father. She’ll never forgive herself if he dies.

  “Stone, what’d you find on the guy?” The next fifteen minutes I scribble on the whiteboard as he talks. We have already heard this information, but the task force we set up needs to hear it. The Captain, a couple of local officers, and two FBI agents fill the room alongside our group.

  We quiet at the knock on the door and an officer peeks his head in. “Sorry to interrupt, Captain, but there’s someone here searching for Kase.” All eyes turn to me and I shrug. I’m not expecting anyone. Max walks with me out of the room. Once the lobby comes into sight, I see him before he does me. I set my jaw as my eyes bore into him. He paces the room, gripping his neck. It looks like he hasn’t slept for a couple days.

  “Wayne.” He freezes at the sound of his name. The second our eyes meet, he rushes me, fists ready to hit something. Preferably my face, I’m sure. I duck as he swings, grabbing him at the waist and slamming him against the wall, adding my weight to the force of the hit. He’s lucky he wasn’t here yesterday, it would’ve been more than a shoulder.

  He grunts, falling forward on his knees. “Where is she?” He looks up, his face beet red. “Why the hell is my son calling me saying he’s scared?”

  I let out a low growl, my spine stiffening. “He’s not your son.” An arm halts me from pounding that point into his lying skull. My jaw ticks as I glare at Max.

  “Not the time, Nixon.” He waits for me to nod and relax my shoulders before putting his arm down. “Did you say you talked to Reed?” Wait, what? When did he call? How did he call?

  I close my eyes for a moment, needing to pull my shit together and put away my personal feelings right now. Focus on keeping everyone safe and worry about personal shit later.

  Wayne holds his hand out to Max. “Wayne Carroll,” he says, shaking his hand.

  “Max Shaw.”

  Wayne’s eyes widen, and he jerks his head my direction. “You work for Max Shaw?” he asks surprised, with a hint of envy in his voice. I smirk, crossing my arms. Yes, I fucking do. My ego does a tap dance inside my head.

  “Wayne, do you mind coming with us into the meeting and telling us what Reed said?”

  “Sure,” he replies, staring at me with furrowed brows.

  We walk in silence into the room. Wayne looks around at everyone, then his eyes zone in on the whiteboard. Max introduces Wayne and explains the situation. I stay quiet knowing this is tearing him up inside. The feeling is mutual.

  Wayne shifts in his seat, looking uncomfortable. Finally, he speaks up, “If Everly and Reed are in a safe house, how did Reed call me yesterday?”

  “Ellie’s burner phone,” I reply through gritted teeth, angry with myself that I missed this. “With everything going on, I didn’t notice it was gone. I put it on the table when I walked into my apartment yesterday. This morning when I left, I grabbed my phone, but there wasn’t another one on the table.” Stone looks at me and I nod at his unasked question. If Stone can trace it, so can Ray. That’s why he’s on his way here. He probably traced it when he talked to me a couple days ago.

  “Agent Barsotti, you need to warn your guys,” Max instructs one of the FBI agents. He nods and walks out of the room. “Wayne, what did Reed say?”

  “He called me last night, upset and said he was really scared. I asked him why and he didn’t answer me. When I asked him where he was, he hung up.” He glares at me like this is all my fault.

  Now I understand why they remove law enforcement for conflict of interest because it’s hard as hell to step back and look at this through impartial eyes.

  When Agent Barsotti comes back into the room, everyone stops talking. “I informed the agents about the phone. They’re waiting on instructions on where to move them.” Everyone in this room knows they aren’t safe where they are. “They’ll report back when they're at the new location.”

  It’s a relief to hear they’re safe. But every second they stay in that house, they’re sitting ducks. I stand and lean my hands on the table, stainless steel cold against my fingers. “Ray probably tracked them to the house, maybe we can meet him there?” My voice is as cold as the stainless steel.

  “We can’t disclose that location,” Agent Barsotti says.

  That's too bad. Fortunately for me, I put a tracker in Reed’s shoe before he left.

  I glance at Max and his expression is unreadable, but I catch the slight tick of his chin and I know he’s thinking the same thing I am.

  We’re taking a trip.

  Everyone discusses the game plan around town, but I tune out. He’s not here. My mind is on my game plan. First, head to my apartment and load up my guns. Then, it’s hunting season.

  I’m on a mission when I walk out of the police station. I’ll meet the guys at Max’s after I get what I need. Instinctually, I scan the streets, watching for anything that stands out. A hand grasps my shoulder.

  “I wanna help.” Wayne’s voice used to never make me want to kill him. It does now.

  I shrug his hand off and walk away. “No,” I snap, over my shoulder.

  “Kase, whether or not you like it, we share them. And if you think I'll sit back while they’re in danger, you’re fucking crazy.”

  Talk about going for the jugular. I whip around and my jaw hurts from clenching it so hard. “The only one crazy here is you. How you thought I’d never find out about him. You took ten years of knowing my son away from me.”

  “I told you I was sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I can’t take it back.”

  A couple people wander by, observing us with hesitant glances. I roll my shoulders and rock back on my heels, letting the heated energy wash off me.

  “C’mon Kase, let me in. I’d do anything to keep them safe.”

  “Fine,” I grit out. “You get in the way; I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Ellie

  “I was scared,” Reed whines to his mom.

  “I am not upset at you for be
ing scared.” She glares at him and he avoids her stare by playing with his fingers. “You stole someone’s phone, Reed.”

  Clyde left a few minutes ago after reprimanding Reed and confiscating a phone. He didn’t look happy. It can’t be that bad, it was just one phone call. “No playing the Xbox today.”

  “What else am I supposed to do in this prison?” His arms flail and he throws himself onto the couch.

  “How about we make him do dishes all day, instead.” She eyes me as Reed’s lips turn up. I shrug. “There isn’t anything else for him to do here, let him play,” I plead.

  “Fine. You better tell your aunt thank you for saving your butt.”

  That’ll never get old. I’m an aunt. He runs over and gives me a quick hug before dashing to the bedroom. “Thanks, Aunt Ell,” he calls over his shoulder. My fingers cover my smile as I watch him run off.

  “Do you want kids?” Everly asks. My smile fades and I glance down to my stomach.

  “I can’t have kids, but I’m okay with that. I’ve accepted it.” I manage a small smile before shifting and walking into the kitchen. It was easier to deal with before my sister had a baby with him.

  As if sensing my fear, she adds, “Kase never wanted kids. He was adamant he wasn’t meant to be a dad.”

  I spin around. “He’ll be a great dad,” I say, defending him.

  She softly laughs. “Oh, I know. What I’m saying is, it’s okay.” Is this her way of telling me she’s okay with Kase and I being together?

  I guess it doesn’t matter if there is no us though. I shake the negative thoughts from my head, no need to worry about something I can’t get answers to right now.

  The day drags on, but we find ways to keep ourselves busy. At least I have a card game partner now. Despite being hidden away in this house, this time with Everly has been worth it. How do you catch up your whole life with someone who wants to know every detail? This time has been invaluable with her. I hope after we leave here, we can maintain our relationship.