“I’m grateful you’re letting me tag along and all, but are you actually going to pick a store or are we just doing laps for a workout? We’ve circled the whole place twice now, and didn’t you say you’re in a rush?”
“Ugh!” Stopping in my tracks, I throw my hands up in frustration. “I hate shopping. I don’t come here enough to know what store is a good one to buy a pair of jeans in.”
He laughs at my frustration, causing me to glare at him. “Follow me. I think I know a store that will fit the bill for you.” I don’t argue with him seeing that I apparently need all the help I can get. We walk up to American Eagle and I can honestly say I’ve never shopped here before. When we walk in, we’re greeted by someone in the store asking if we need any help. Before we can answer I hear someone calling out Killian’s name.
“Killian?” A petite female comes walking through the rack of clothes. “I thought that was you. I never thought I would see you step foot in this store ever again.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, I can tell he is happy to see her, yet uncomfortable at her words.
“Hey, Tiffany. It’s been too long. I can’t believe you still work here.” He says, pulling out of her embrace.
“Well I got promoted to manager so, you know.” She shrugs her shoulders, a huge grin on her face.
“That’s great. I’m glad you’re doing well.” Tiffany’s looks over to me smiling. “And who do we have here?” Her tone is suggestive and she’s totally not even close to being right on who she thinks I could be.
“Just a friend. Ava, this is Tiffany.”
Holding out my hand out to her, she takes it gently. “Nice to meet you.”
“So, can I help you with anything?” She’s looking to Killian.
“My friend here doesn’t like shopping. I don’t know how that’s possible seeing that she’s a woman.” I smack his arm and he rubs it, pretending it hurt. “She needs some jeans. I’m thinking she would like the kind that Aria used to wear? She always said they were comfortable yet nice looking or whatever.”
“Sure. Those would be this way.” Walking away from me, I take that as my cue to follow her. “What size are you?” That’s a good question. Seeing as I’m not ready to announce my pregnancy to them I’ll need to wing it.
“Well, I was an eight, but my jeans are a little tight these days so I’m thinking I may need to go up a size… or two.” Pulling a few pairs from the shelf, she walks to the back of the store, unlocks a dressing room for me. “Try these. If they don’t fit or feel right, just hit that button there and I’ll get you a bigger size or different fit.” I thank her as she closes the door. As I’m trying on her choices, the question of who Aria is keeps running through my head. I think back to all the conversations I’ve had with Killian and though they are few, he’s never mentioned a wife or girlfriend.
There’s a knock on the door. “How you doing in there?”
Opening the door in the new pair of jeans I step out of the room. “These are great. Can I get another pair in this size?” I turn my waist to check out the jeans in the mirror. They feel comfortable and make me look amazing.
“Sure thing. Those are my favorite. They’re stretchy too so they leave room for a few extra pounds. Anything else I can get for you?” I see this as my opportunity to pry. I know it’s wrong, but curiosity is getting the better of me. “Who’s Aria?”
Looking down, she bites the inside of her cheek. My question clearly caught her off guard and by her reaction I know there’s a story behind who Aria is. As she looks up, she glances past me and I follow as her gaze lands on Killian, who’s looking extremely uncomfortable. I tend to forget how loud my voice can be sometimes and I’m wondering if he heard me snooping.
“Look, you seem nice and all, but if Killian didn’t tell you who Aria is, then there’s probably a reason why. It’s not my story to tell and seeing as I don’t even know you, I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about it.” She says quietly so Killian can’t hear.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” Opening the door to the dressing room, I walk in and as I’m closing the door Tiffany grabs it.
“You should ask him. You must be a good friend for him to step foot in this store. I think it will do him some good to talk about it.” She releases the door from her hand, smiling at me like nothing was said between us. “I’ll grab those extra pairs and take them to the register for you.” I nod and close the door. Putting my leggings back on, I decide I’m going to take her advice and ask him about her. Just not today. I still have to meet with Director Lance and I need to make another stop on the way there.
After paying for my jeans, I thank Killian for his all help, I would have actually been lost without him. We’re walking through the mall when he stops in front of a store I’m unfamiliar with. “Everything okay?” I ask.
“Yeah. I just have to run in here and re-order something. It broke when we ran into each other.”
“Oh, well shit. That was totally my fault. I’ll come in with you real quick and pay for it since I broke it.”
“That won’t be necessary. I have to re order it and it’s going to take some time. You go ahead and I’ll see you around.” He doesn’t wait for me to answer and walks into the store. I take a look at the store’s name, Things Remembered. This surprises me, Killian doesn’t seem the type to shop there. I guess it’s true what they say, never judge a book by its cover.
The mall took more time than expected so food shopping will now have to wait till after my meeting. There’s a more important stop that needs to be done first. Ever since I got back from my week off, I felt like everyone has been trying to pull me from my assignment. I can’t and won’t let that happen. Digging through my purse, I pull out my phone and shoot a text to Sylva telling him I need to meet with him now. I’m relieved that he texts me right back with an address where to meet him. Putting the address in the GPS I make my way to meet the one person whose help I desperately need right now.
As I’m driving, I am getting further and further away from suburbia and am surrounded by wooded areas. If I was meeting anyone else, this would make me nervous but I’ve gotten to know Sylva over the past couple months and know I can trust him with my life if I need to. I turn off onto a long gravel driveway pulling up in front of a log cabin just as my GPS tells me I reached my location. Before I can get out of the car, Sylva comes out of the front door and walks down the driveway to meet me. Parking the car, I get out and greet him with a hug.
“Ava, it’s good to see you.” His arms squeeze around me before he lets go.
“You too.”
“So, what brings you by?” Not sure of where we are or who could be around, I tilt my head towards the cabin.
“Not out here.”
“So, work related. Got it. Come inside.” I follow him up the driveway and into the house. Walking in I have to say, this is the creepiest place I’ve ever stepped foot into. And that’s saying a lot. There are dead animal heads all over the walls and they look like they are staring at me.
“I’m just going to go ahead and say it. What the hell?” Waving my hands to the heads displayed on the wall.
“What?” He looks offended and I find great humor in it.
Walking up to the deer on the wall, I point my finger at its eye. “It’s looking at me, Sylva. Are you honestly going to say that isn’t the littlest bit creepy?”
“My wife says the same shit. Just ignore it. It’s clearly a man thing. Dante didn’t seem to have a problem. In fact, he loved my walls, thank you very much.” I laugh because Dante really would dig something like this. “So what’s so important?” Walking over to the couch, I sit and pull at the bottom of my shirt. I know Sylva isn’t going to like what I have to say, but he’s the only one I can trust with this.
Trying to fill the awkward silence, Sylva begins, “What happened to Dante is so messed up.” Sitting next to me he places his hand on my knee and squeezes it.
I smile at him. “I would like to
think that everyone wants revenge for his death but that’s not the feeling I get. I feel like I’m all alone.”
“You know we all want justice for his death. Why would you even think that?” He looks genuinely sad and confused.
“Well, there’s Riggs and my director ganging up on me, trying to pull me from my assignment that I’ve been on for two fucking years.” I start ticking off one by one on my fingers, “Then you have Ali who told me that Dante wouldn’t want this, that I need to stop trying to bring his murderers to justice. So yeah, I can’t help but feel like I’m alone right now.”
“You’re not alone. You know if you ever need anything you can always ask me.”
Taking a deep breath, I grit my teeth and look to him, “I’m glad you said that because I need you to do something for me. And it’s kind of a big favor that I’m going to ask of you.”
“Name it.” I’m glad he’s being so open, it helps my nerves with what I'm about to ask.
“I need you to fix my blood work, the one that Sal had done.”
“I already did that.” Tilting his head to the side, he’s clearly confused.
“I know you did. I guess I need you to, well, unfix it.” Peeking at him, I try to gauge his reaction.
“But if I do that then Sal will know you’re his--” Stopping midsentence his eyes go wide and he gasps. I can tell he now understands what I’m asking him to do.
I grab his hands trying to make him understand before he goes into freak out mode. “Before you say no, just hear me out... I thought this through and at this point, this is the only way I’m going to get close enough to Sal. He’s going to be extra paranoid and not let anyone new in.”
He’s frantically shaking his head, “You’re crazy.” He pulls his hands from mine and stands up, grabbing the sides of his head with his hands as he begins pacing the room. “You’re telling me that he’s extra paranoid already, and you honestly think that having a daughter, one he doesn’t even know about, popping up won’t make him suspicious? Add to that the fact it's someone who’s worked for him for the past two years, and you think it’s a good idea?
“Yes, I do. If I learned anything working for him it’s that he wants nothing more than family by his side. And it’s the one thing he doesn’t have. Michael wants nothing to do with his business and he doesn’t give two shits about Nicole. After everything that’s happened, this is the best thing that could fall into his lap.”
“And what if it’s not?” His yelling startles me, making me jump. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sylva get worked up this fast.
“I can’t think like that.” I return the yell. “It’s not an option. Look, you don’t have to like it but I know this will work. I need you to trust me and help me with this. If you don’t I’ll just have to find another way to get it done. I may have suggested to Killian that Sal should run the blood work again after recent events.”
“Oh, ’cause that won’t be suspicious at all when it comes out that you’re his daughter.” His tone is sarcastic but he quickly regains his composure. “I’ll do it. But not because I think it’s a good idea, because I don’t. I think it’s a horrible idea and I want to go on record as saying it.” I nod and he continues. “I’m going to do this for you because I want those assholes to get what they deserve and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” I grin happily, for once feeling like I have someone on my side, that I’m not alone in this. Doing a little giddy clap I stand up, but he stops me, “One more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I did not help you with this. Understood? If Riggs finds out I did this for you, he will have my head. Between his grief for Dante and being so worried about you and the baby, it’s all that’s been on his mind lately. I think if he finds out what I’m about to do, he will fire me. Actually scratch that, if he finds out I’ll be pushing up daisies.”
I hug him and he awkwardly pats my back, “You have my word. No one will know you helped me. Thank you.”
I didn’t want to just run out on Sylva, especially after the huge favor he just did for me, so I stayed a little while and talked to him. I stayed for as long as I could before I had to head to my meeting.
An hour and a half later, I feel one hundred percent confident walking into this meeting today. Now that the lab work is taken care of, I have the ace up my sleeve that they don’t know about. This will undoubtedly secure me a place as Sal’s right hand, pushing out Angelo.
Walking into the office, people stop when they see me. The look of pity they send my way is really annoying and is starting to piss me off. Some even whisper to each other. I wish this was the worst of it but it’s not, I hate that nothing has felt the same with Director Lance since Dante died. We used to be close but now she’s acting weird whenever she communicates with me, so now I have my guard up. Making my way a little further, I start up the stairs but turn back toward the group of cubicles that I just passed.
“I hear all the whispers. You all can go fuck yourselves.” My voice booms loud enough to reach the back of the room as I flip them the bird with both hands.
The door at the top immediately flies open. “Ava, my office immediately.”
Rolling my eyes, I continue up the stairs and make my way into Director Lance’s office.
I enter and close the door behind me, taking a seat in the chair opposite of her. As usual, her desk has papers scattered all over it and she’s shuffling through them, trying to find whatever it is she’s looking for. Her look today is throwing me off. She normally has her dirty blonde hair up and out of her face, a neat pantsuit completing the look, but today she is wearing a dress, her curls loose with a strand of hair pulled off to the side.
“New look?” She stops and looks up and glares at me. “What? I like it. I think it makes you look more--”
“More what? Feminine?” Standing up straight, she crosses her arms over her chest.
“I was going to say approachable. But if you want total honestly, it makes you look like you don’t have a constant stick up your ass.” A small smile touches the corner of her lips. “So what did you need to see me for?” My stomach is rumbling and the noise is so loud that I know she can hear it. Shit, with everything I did today, I didn’t eat lunch.
“I’ll make this quick.” Sitting down, she places her arms on the table and leans forward. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re the best agent I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”
“Thank you. That means a lot, especially coming from you.” She waves her hand to the side.
“With that said, after going back and forth with the department, and believe me when I tell you it was a constant back and forth, the decision has been made to pull you from the assignment.”
Pushing myself out of the chair with so much force, it tips over and falls to the ground. “You have got to be fucking kidding me!”
“Ava, please calm down.” She stands.
“How can you sit there and tell me that I’m one of your best agents and then in the same GODDAMN sentence tell me I’m being pulled from my assignment. I didn’t fuck anything up and have been doing an outstanding job with my work. What grounds do you have for pulling me?” Banging my fist on her desk, I demand an answer and it had better be a good one.
“You need to know I fought to keep you in. As much as I agreed with the other opinions being voiced, I knew that the investigation would take one hundred steps backwards by pulling you out.”
“That’s not an answer. What opinions were made?”
“Does it really matter?”
“When the decision is to pull me from my assignment, then yes, it fucking matters.”
“They think you’re a loose cannon. That at any minute you’re going to break. You haven’t had time to grieve and it’s going to get the best of you. And then there’s the fact that you’re pregnant.”
“A loose cannon?” I laugh hysterically. “If I was going to lose it, don’t you think it would have been when they shot Dante in front of m
e?” Walking around her desk she stands in front of me putting her hands on my biceps rubbing up and down in an attempt to calm me.
“Like I said, I fought tooth and nail to leave you in but I was outvoted.”
I shrug her hands off me and cross my arms over my chest. Smiling coyly, “Well it doesn’t matter.”
“What does that mean?”
Cocking an eyebrow at her, “Did you mean what you said? That I’m the best agent you worked with and wanted me to stay in.”
“Yes.” She actually looks hurt that I’d question her.
“Good. You can tell all those assholes to take their opinions and shove it up their fucking asses. I released the lab work today.” She gasps as her hand flies to her mouth, “That’s right, by the end of the day Sal will know that he is actually my father, that is if he doesn’t know already. And if you’re thinking of having someone try and pull that file, don’t waste your time. I made sure that it was untouchable. So if you don’t mind,” I turn and grab the knob on the door while looking back to her. “I have a father to go bond with and a family business to take down.” The blank expression on her face is priceless and I’m grateful now more than ever that I made that stop at Sylva’s before coming here. I turn and as I’m opening the door, Director Lance calls my name.
“Ava.” Turning to face her, I see she now has a smirk on her face. “Well played dear, but please be careful. Whatever you need, just let me know, I’ve always been on your side. Now go, apparently I have a few people who need to be told where their opinions can be shoved. I’ll be in touch.” Smiling, I nod and leave her to her work.
My phone’s been ringing off the hook but not from the one person I would prefer it to be. After my run in at the mall with Killian, he's been sending me texts and leaving me voicemails seeing what I was up to. I don't know how he got the impression in his head that we are suddenly buddies, but it's apparent it's there. I feel bad blowing him off, but the fact that I haven't been called in by Sal yet is all I can focus on.
Ava's Revenge: (Salvation Series Book 2) Page 3