by Chiah Wilder
“The results indicate a blow to the head.”
A small whimper escaped through her parted lips. “Why would someone kill my mom? Everyone loved her. She was such a loving, nice person. I don’t understand this.”
“We’ll have to do a positive identification. Do you remember the name of your mother’s dentist?”
“Dr. McClure. He retired a few years ago. I think he’s still in Tula. I can’t believe any of this.”
At the end of the conversation, Fallon had made arrangements to meet with Detective Contreras, give a sample of her DNA, and give a statement. He’d asked a lot of questions about her father.
When she put the phone down, numbness prevented her from doing anything, even thinking. She sat staring out the sliding glass door to the maple trees, the cloudless blue sky, and the mountain’s craggy peaks that already had a white dusting on them. Snapshots of her life with her mother whipped through her mind like a fast-paced slideshow.
In one morning, her reality had changed. What she’d believed for more than a decade had been proven false. The enormity of it was too much to comprehend. When she’d thought her mother had run off, hope had always been there, nudging her that one day her mother would make contact with her. Hope was now dashed forever. Her mother would never contact her. Her mother was dead. It was so final.
She wished she never would’ve opened the paper. Hope was better than knowing the truth.
Her phone rang and she picked it up. “Hello?” Her voice sounded faraway.
“Fallon? What’s happened?” Diablo said.
“I found out my mother is dead,” she said. It felt like she was out of her body, watching herself sitting at the kitchen counter talking with Diablo. None of this feels real.
“Fuck! I’m so sorry, sweet pea. I’m coming over now. This must be hard for you.”
“She was murdered. She never left me. She was taken from me. Why would someone want to do that?”
“You’re not making sense, sweet pea. No matter. I’m on my way.”
She put the phone down and continued staring until Diablo came in. He rushed over to her and hugged her. After a while, she was able to tell him what had happened. She showed him the article in the paper and the photograph she found of her mother with the locket.
Then she broke down and cried. The thought of her mother dying on the cold ground in the middle of nowhere haunted her, and she knew that thought would forever be part of the fabric of her mind. Diablo stroked her hair as she had her meltdown. He didn’t offer platitudes or cheerful sayings—he was just there. And that’s exactly what she needed.
As the blue sky began to turn amethyst and cranberry, Fallon drew away from Diablo and smiled weakly. “Thanks for just being here for me.”
“Of course. You’re my heart, sweet pea. When you’re in pain, I am too.”
“You’re the best. I have this urge to call my dad. I guess I just need to talk to someone who knew her and loved her too.”
He nodded. “I can see that. You should call him. It’ll be good for you.”
She went into her bedroom for privacy and plugged in her dad’s number. When he answered, she almost hung up. “Hi, Dad,” she said meekly.
“It’s about time I heard from you. Why the fuck have you been ignoring me? And why the hell did you move out?”
“Dad, I didn’t call for that.”
“And you moved in with that biker scum. Fuck, Fallon. Didn’t I raise you better? Do you think your mom would’ve wanted you to end up with a low-life biker? I can tell you no fucking way she would’ve wanted that.”
“I didn’t call to argue. I called because I have some real disturbing news to share with you about Mom.”
“What is it?” he asked in a low voice.
“The cops found her body… or at least what’s left of it. She was murdered, Dad. The detective said she died from a blow to the head.”
Total silence. Thinking she’d lost the connection, she glanced at her screen. Her dad was still connected.
“Dad? I know it’s a shock. I’m still reeling from it.”
“Are they sure it’s her?”
“Pretty much, especially since they found the locket with my picture in it near her. I can’t believe someone killed Mom.” Her voice hitched.
“Where was she found?”
“Bison Peak. Remember how Mom used to love to go hiking there?”
“Vaguely.”
“I still can’t believe it.”
“When will the cops be talking to you?” he asked.
“Tomorrow.”
“No reason to tell them about our fights. You know how innocent people get railroaded when they want to solve a case.”
“I was young. I don’t remember a lot.”
“You know I loved your mother very much, don’t you?”
“Yes, Dad. I know you took it real hard when she left.”
“I never wanted the three of us to break up, but she did. You didn’t know a lot about your mother. I shielded it from you because I didn’t want to taint your love for her, but she really was a slut.” His voice was cold and detached.
A shiver ran down her spine. “I don’t think that matters now.”
“Yes, it does. People always paint a dead person as a saint even if he was a bastard in life. It’s human nature to do that, I suppose. I’m not that way. Your mother didn’t care about you. She was planning to leave us… you behind.” He chuckled when she gasped. “You didn’t think I knew she had a lover? I did. Everyone did. It was the talk of the town, and I was made out to be the cuckold husband. You were too young to understand any of it. It’s too bad your mother was killed, but I can’t help but feel that she got exactly what she deserved.”
“I know you’re angry, Dad, but how can you say that?” she whispered.
“In all the years we were together, I never once cheated on your mother. Not because I didn’t have the chance—I had a lot of women hit on me when I was out on the road—but I never strayed. I loved her. And what did she do? She let another man touch and fuck her. What she did was disgusting and wrong. And eventually, the bad always end up punished.”
Fallon had called her father to commiserate and talk about the times they shared with her mom. She hadn’t expected his cold fury, his spite, and his detachment.
“And you need to get your ass home and stop fucking the scum. You’re turning out to be just like your mother.”
“I have to go. I just wanted to tell you about Mom,” she mumbled, then disconnected the call. A few seconds later her father called back, but she let it go to her voice mail. She went back into the living room and curled up next to Diablo on the couch.
“How’d it go with your dad?” he said as he caressed the top of her head.
“Strange.”
“Do you think he’s involved?”
“I didn’t before I called, but…. It was just a strange conversation, that’s all. He said he knew my mom was having an affair. I know she didn’t think he knew.” She rubbed her temples. “It’s just too much to think about right now. I can’t believe my dad would do anything like that. He’s just still angry about my mom having an affair. I guess I can get that. Time sometimes doesn’t heal all wounds.”
“Yeah. Betrayal’s a hard one to forget. I don’t think people ever do. They may say they do, but when trust is broken, it’s almost fuckin’ impossible to mend it back again.”
“It is. I’m sure that’s what’s going on with my dad. Me telling him about my mom opened the old wounds. The anger is still there. I know he wouldn’t have hurt her. He loved her too much.”
She burrowed into him deeper, loving the way his closeness, his scent, and his touch made her feel like she’d finally found her place in the world. She looped her arm around his waist, and as her eyelids drooped with the drone of the television, she welcomed the refuge of sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Three weeks later
Girls’ night out had become a week
ly date for Raven, Breanna, and Fallon, and even though they occasionally tried a different restaurant, they always returned to Alfonso’s and their killer margaritas. Having girlfriends was enriching to Fallon, and she cherished each of them. Even though she enjoyed her friendship with Annie, she couldn’t talk about Diablo or the Night Rebels because she just didn’t think a citizen would understand. With Raven and Breanna, she was free to talk about the fears, joy, and confusion of loving an outlaw biker.
As the three women sipped their margaritas and dipped their chips in the killer tomatillo salsa Alfonso’s was known for, Fallon sensed him. She felt his piercing icy eyes on her, and goose bumps shivered on her skin. Not wanting to but unable to resist, she slowly looked over her shoulder. The man with the dreadlocks was across the street, watching her. His hair was pulled back, but there was no mistaking his flinty eyes. She was sure that she’d never forget them as long as she lived.
Instead of turning away quickly, she swiveled in her chair so she had a better view of him. She stared back. At first it seemed to startle him, but then his lip curved up in a half smile as he leaned against the oak tree.
“What’re you looking at?” Breanna said.
“That man across the street. He’s been stalking me for the past month.”
When Breanna and Raven craned their necks, her stalker blew a kiss to her, then disappeared into the darkness of the night.
“Where?” Breanna squinted.
“I don’t see anyone either.” Raven stood up from her chair and leaned over the table.
Fallon turned back around. “He’s gone. He does that. It’s like he wants people to think I’m crazy or something.”
“Or he’s trying to drive you crazy. I once saw a movie where the husband was trying to drive his wife crazy so he’d inherit all her money,” Breanna said.
“Don’t you have to be a bit crazy or unstable for that to work?” Raven sat back down.
“In life, probably, but in a movie pretty much anything can go.” Breanna laughed.
“Did you tell Diablo about this?” Raven said.
“Yes. He’s checking around. You know, I’m inheriting some money on my twenty-second birthday. It’s from my maternal grandmother. I never knew her.”
“Do you think the creeper knows about it?” Raven dipped her chip in the salsa.
“I have no idea. I don’t know how he would. The only ones who know for sure are Shanna and my dad.” Her stomach tightened when she thought about her dad.
“He’s probably a weirdo who’s got a bug on you. Weirdos can be totally dangerous. I know,” Raven said.
“I’ll call Diablo when we’re ready to leave. He’ll come over and follow me home. He’s been doing that since I told him about the guy. It seems to work.”
For the next couple of hours, the women enjoyed themselves, and Fallon hated to see the evening end. She texted Diablo when they were finishing up, and he pulled up a little while later and waited on his bike in front of the restaurant.
“I never thought Diablo would have a girlfriend, but I’m so glad he found you. You’re made for each other,” Breanna said.
“Thanks. I didn’t believe I’d ever have a boyfriend. I was so not into guys, but then Diablo came into my life and made it colorful.” She giggled.
“He doesn’t talk much, does he? Muerto said he’s a quiet man but a good, loyal brother.” Raven placed her credit card on the bill tray.
“I’m a quiet person too. Sometimes we’ll sit in silence, but it isn’t awkward or anything. It’s great, actually. We enjoy each other’s company even when we’re not doing anything. It’s hard to explain.” Fallon smiled and looked at Diablo, who winked at her. Whenever I look at him, I turn to mush. I love him so much.
“Steel would be frowning about now,” Breanna said as she stood up.
“Muerto too.” Raven pushed away from the table.
“Diablo is the most patient man I’ve ever known,” Fallon said as she followed the two women out of the restaurant.
They went over to Diablo, and Fallon gave him a big hug. Breanna and Raven spoke briefly to him, then headed to their cars, waving their goodbyes to Fallon. Diablo followed her back to the apartment. “It fuckin’ kills me that I keep missing this fucker,” he said as he threw his keys on the counter. “I told the brothers about the asshole and they all have their radar up for a guy in dreadlocks, but nothing’s coming up. You’d think one of us would spot him. Even the prospects haven’t seen him when they’ve been tailing you. Fuck.”
“He’s unpredictable. He’s not always around. It’s been days since I’ve seen him, and the last couple of times, I only sensed him. He’s such a nut.”
“Did he do the same shit as the last time, just staring?”
She nodded and placed the tamale platter she’d ordered for Diablo from Alfonso’s in the microwave. “The same. This time I stared back. He seemed surprised I did that.”
He laughed. “That’s my woman.” He kicked off his boots, placed his cut on the back of the chair, and sat on the couch. “Food smells good. I didn’t even ask you to bring me anything. You know me, sweet pea.”
His words made her all warm and fuzzy inside. We’re a real couple. Even though she’d fought hard to be on her own when she first moved to Alina, she had to admit she loved living with Diablo. Her stalker had sped up their courtship, and she’d thought it was too soon to live together, but it was perfect. They had grown even closer, and she loved his presence.
She brought his dinner to the coffee table along with a beer and sat down next to him. He’d turned on a zombie movie, and she laughed. Her honey was obsessed with zombie movies, and since they’d started going out, she’d gotten into them as well. The movies were a good distraction, and now more than ever, she needed the distraction. She still hadn’t heard from Detective Contreras about the DNA results. Unfortunately, the dentist had destroyed all dental records older than seven years upon his retirement, so there was nothing on the teeth that had been found. Thus, the DNA results were essential, even though everyone knew the remains were of her mother and Richard. She’d seen the locket with her picture tucked inside it, and it’d broken her heart. At that moment, reality had come to stay.
She’d told Diablo that once the investigators released the remains, she wanted to give her mom a proper burial. He’d agreed and told her he’d stand by her in whatever decision she made.
Fallon wiped away the tear that had leaked out of her eye. Concentrate on the movie. I know you’re looking down on me, Mom. I hope they find the bastard who killed you. Oh Mommy. She gasped and Diablo paused the movie.
“Talk to me.”
“I was just thinking about my mom.”
“I know this is hard and it fuckin’ sucks.” He cupped her chin and tilted her head back, then kissed her.
“I spent the last twelve years angry at her for leaving me behind. I kept hoping she’d come back into my life. I never knew she was dead. It’s like she just died. Like I just lost her.”
He eased her head onto his chest. “You did just lose her, and you need to grieve for her. Cry, yell, smash shit—whatever you need to get you through the grief. I’m here for you, but it’s something you gotta go through. Don’t play it brave. Grab it with both hands and deal with it. It’ll be painful, but you’ll get through it. You’re tough. I saw it in you the first time our eyes met.”
“I’m so lucky to have you in my life. If my mom were here, she would love you. I know it.”
“She’s looking down on you, sweet pea. She’s happy you found your way.”
As she cried, he held her until she didn’t have any more tears left. Even though she knew she’d always feel like a piece of her died inside, she’d get through it because her mother would want her to, and Diablo was her pillar to hold her up when she faltered.
* * *
Fallon checked her messages, hoping the detective had left her one, but he hadn’t. Sighing, she pulled herself off the bed and tried to smooth d
own her bed hair. Diablo had left early that morning, citing club business as his reason.
She went into the bathroom and looked at the reflection in the mirror: dark circles, pale skin, and a couple of zits. “Happy birthday,” she said under her breath. She’d figured Diablo had forgotten it was her birthday since he hadn’t said anything to her after he kissed her goodbye. It didn’t really matter. Once her mother had left—died—her dad had stopped any celebration of it.
She splashed cold water on her face. She hadn’t heard from her dad since that strange conversation they’d had three weeks before, and that suited her just fine.
Fallon slipped on a light robe and went into the living room. As she sank down on the couch, her phone pinged.
Diablo: B ready @ 7. Dinner @ Antlers.
She reread the text. Antlers Steakhouse was one of the most expensive restaurants in a sixty-mile radius. She’d heard the food was excellent, and she’d been wanting to take Diablo there as a way of telling him she appreciated everything he did for her, but they’d never made it.
Fallon: I’ve been wanting to take you there for a while.
Diablo: I’m taking u.
She could almost hear him growl.
Fallon: K. You just feel like a steak?
Diablo: Ya & it’s ur bday.
Fallon grinned. He remembered. Her skin tingled.
Fallon: Didn’t think you remembered.
Diablo: Of course.
Fallon: Just haven’t had anyone remember it in a long time.
Diablo: I’m in ur life now. Things r different.
Fallon: So true and I love it.
Diablo: Dress sexy. I like the way u look. See u @ 7.
Fallon: ♥♥
The gloom that had fallen over her lifted, and she went to her closet to pick out her outfit. She chose a pale orange satin camisole that fitted her snugly and a pair of tight-fitting black pants, preferring pants to dresses since they didn’t draw as much attention to her built-up shoe. She used to be so self-conscious about her shoes, thinking everyone was staring at her, but since she’d changed up her wardrobe, bought some killer made-to-order shoes, and stopped being so paranoid, she was surprised by how many people didn’t even look at her shoes. Taking out her black pumps, she smiled when she thought of how she used to be only a sneaker and Croc type of woman.