Fall (Fate Series Book 2)

by Paige Hill

  The surprise begins to fade, and my brain picks up the slack, finally putting the information together.

  “Who do you work for?” My question comes out bitter.

  “What’s it to you?”

  His hand isn’t too far from the revolver, so I make sure my movements are deliberately slow.

  “Aiden Briggs, DEA,” I affirm, showing him my badge.

  Panic washes over his features, so I quickly add, “I’m not here to arrest you. I’m here for some goddamn answers.”

  “Did my sister send you?” he asks wearily.

  “No. She doesn’t know anything about this. Hell, until ten minutes ago, I didn’t know. I’m here on official business.”

  “What is it you’re looking for?” he asks, starting to look a little like the kid Celeste described.

  “I’ve already told you. Who do you work for?” I feel myself start to lose patience, and quickly.

  He looks around for a moment, as if he’s trying to decide how much he’s willing to tell me. His eyes find mine before he asks a question I’m not ready to answer.

  “What are you to my sister?”

  “Just a friend,” I croak. “Stop stalling.”

  “Why do you want to know?” he asks, still unsure if he can trust me.

  “Because I hear there is a mole within the Alvarez organization that’s shaking things up and I need information. Alex, I need to know what you know.”

  He sits heavily on the edge of a small loveseat and puts his head in his hands.

  “They’re gonna kill me,” his voice is heavy with regret.

  “Who?”

  “Alvarez. I was told to do something and when the time came, I chickened out. Now he doesn’t trust me, and I know too much.” He sounds defeated.

  Sitting in the decades-old chair across from him, I look him in the eye and ask the question that’s been haunting Celeste since the beginning.

  “Why did you get involved in the first place?”

  He sinks back into the couch and looks at the ceiling.

  “Before I tell you anything, I need something from you.” He pulls his head to face me.

  I don’t respond, just wait for him to continue.

  “If I turn witness, I want protection for my family.”

  “Done.” I’d never let anyone hurt Celeste. I start to ask my question again, but he stops me.

  “I’m not done. You have to lie to my sister.” His eyes are remorseful, but his words are not.

  “And why the hell would I do that?” I ask not understanding what she has to do with this conversation.

  “Because Celeste has been there for me without fail, my entire life. All the truth will do is dredge up the past and put her in danger. The less she knows, the better.” The love he has for his sister pours from his words.

  “Don’t you think you’ve already put her in danger? They beat the hell out of your mom, for crying out loud.” My voice comes out much deeper than intended, but his naivety is pissing me off.

  “The attack wasn’t orchestrated by Alvarez. Besides, I took care of it, alright?”

  “Explain,” I bark.

  “You want me to end up a dead man?” he asks like I should already know what the fuck is going on.

  “I really don’t give a shit. I didn’t put you in this situation. You did.” I point at him as I stand up, ready to beat it out of him if I have to.

  “She has security detail,” he admits, and I can faintly see fear in his eyes.

  “Provided by who?”

  “My friend J. He’s into some deep shit but he’s connected, and only a man with a death wish would cross him.”

  “J who?” I ask, suspicious.

  “He just goes by J.” He shrugs, and I make a mental note to have Erin look into this guy.

  “Fine,” I grit, uncomfortable not knowing who is supposedly protecting Celeste. “Start at the beginning.” I walk to the window and look out at the skyline, trying to work out a plan.

  “About six months ago I was summoned by J. He tells me he has a proposition for me. He says he wants me to join the Tri-Locka gang.” He pauses, chuckling lightly. “I told him he’d done gone and lost his damn mind. He knows how I felt about them and the hand they played in destroying my family,” He breathes deeply and continues, “Then, he tells me a story I never thought I’d hear. By the end of the meeting, I was ready to sign on. He offered me half a million dollars.”

  I turn around and his eyes meet mine. He nods his head at the unasked question between us.

  Are you serious?

  “What’s in it for him?” I ask, suspicious. Connected men won’t do shit without getting something from the deal.

  “He had business with Alvarez, and he got screwed. He knew Alvarez was coming back to the states and that Tri-Locka would be the easiest way to get to him.” He shrugs.

  “So, he wanted you to… what? Feed him information about the organization?”

  “Sort of.” He looks at his feet and anxiety fills the air. “He hired me to kill Alvarez.” His glossy eyes meet mine.

  Fuck, this kid isn’t a killer, and that’s obvious. Who would send in an amateur like this?

  “Why would you agree to that?” I snap, trying not to lose my temper.

  “Because Alvarez killed my father.” He looks me dead in the eye, his demeanor shifting into something else. Something I didn’t think he had in him. Something dark.

  Alex is naïve and seeking retribution, which makes him dangerous.

  “Are you serious right now? Did you really think you could take down the fucking cartel by yourself?” Frustration surfaces, giving my already harsh words an edge.

  “He’s a snake that needs to pay for his crimes,” he bites out before taking a moment to breathe. He regains his emotions and continues. “I lost sight of everything.”

  “What was your plan exactly?” I ask, trying to reign in my building frustration.

  “You know how to kill a snake?” he asks, staring at me intently. “You cut the fucking head off.”

  I thought Alex was wading in the kiddie pool. Turns out he’s swimming in the mother fucking sea without a vest.

  CELESTE

  “Ladies, this is my son, Kane.” Dave introduces us as we walk through the door.

  “Hi,” Emily gives him a small wave.

  Shaking his hand, I smile “Nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise.” He nods.

  Kane’s hair is light blonde, something I didn’t expect because the parts of Dave’s hair that aren’t gray, are almost black. He’s tall and I can admit, handsome. His shirt fits snug against his arms and chest, making it obvious that he takes care of himself.

  “My mom mentioned you might be moving this way?”

  “If this assignment goes through, then it’s likely.”

  “Assignment?” I ask.

  “Kane is with the FBI.” Dave slaps him on the back and grins with fatherly pride.

  “Oh, yeah. I remember you saying something about that. Well, if you like humidity, you’re gonna love it here.”

  Kane chuckles and his straight white teeth light up his face.

  “Noted.”

  “Come on in, I’ve got dinner all ready.” Mamá drags us to the dining room. My chest constricts seeing how happy she is. Seeing her in such a domestic light is harder than I thought. But wonderful all the same. My mind wanders off, generating scenes of what her life would be liked if we’d have had a large family.

  “When will Alex be here?” she asks with hope shining in her eyes.

  I glance at Emily, trying desperately to come up with an acceptable excuse. I can’t believe I didn’t think about that ahead of time. I don’t have a clue where he is, and it terrifies me. I start to open my mouth, but Emily beats me to it.

  “He got called into work. He started work at the docks and has been working crazy hours.” The lie falls from her lips too easily.

  Kane’s stare draws my attention as it bounces between Emily
and me. He couldn’t possibly know we’re lying.

  “Oh, well that explains it. I’ve been so worried. I haven’t been able to get ahold of him for quite some time.” Her smile dulls a bit, and I see the doubt settle into the fine lines at the corners of her eyes. “Well everyone, dig in.”

  I feel her eyes on me periodically, but she never asks the question I know is on the tip of her tongue. She’s worried, but maybe a little afraid of the truth. If I were a better daughter, I’d offer an excuse to put her at ease. Something, anything. But I have nothing, even for myself.

  Other than the worry she’s trying to mask, dinner goes smoothly and the more time I spend with Dave, the happier I am that mamá found him. I’ve been worried about her for some time, so this takes some of that stress away. It feels like perhaps she’s found herself again after all these years.

  My phone chirps, pulling my attention from the football game Dave and Kane are arguing about.

  Aiden: I’m looking forward to tonight.

  I read his message and resent myself for the flutter in my stomach. It’s just sexual tension, I tell myself. We haven’t spoken since the Christmas party, but that hasn’t stopped my traitorous thoughts from derailing every damn day.

  I haven’t worked out what to say before another text comes in, but this time it’s Teagan.

  Teagan: Mayday! I need advice, the black one or the purple one?

  She has attached two pictures of gorgeous dresses. Answering her message first, I reply.

  Celeste: Both are gorgeous! I think the black one is more your style. And it sparkles, so there’s that.