Stay with Me: The Moran Brothers Series

Chapter 42

Where is She?

Knight

When I droppedReminisce off at her place, I could see it was better to give her some space. She was shaken up and with reason. I had thought a few days would give us both time to settle and process.

I had a decision to make, and Reminisce needed to work through her feelings. Those are the things I told myself before I showed up at her place three days later to find she isn’t there. Not able to stay completely away, I have called, but those calls have gone unanswered, which is why I’m here.

Before coming to her house, I did try her office, thinking she might have tried to bury herself in her work as usual. However, I couldn’t find her there. That should have been my first red flag.

When I called Jamel, he said she and Sunny had been talking every day, but he didn’t know where Rem has been staying. I’m ready to lose my mind. Three days is an eternity when it comes to not seeing or hearing from Reminisce.

The last time I laid eyes on her, I knew I had an uphill battle on my hands, but I had been ready. However, now, I don’t know what to do from here. I sit on my bike staring at her front door, trying to figure out what to do next. I’m as much to blame for this as all the other things we have going on.

Reaching into my inside pocket of my leather jacket, I pull out my resignation letter and stare down at it. It boils down to one thing. Reminisce or my badge. Even if that last assignment didn’t bring things to a halt in my career, I would choose Rem.

I still don’t know what I’ll do for work, but that part of my life needs to come to an end. If I want Reminisce to choose me, I need to choose her first. With that in mind, I start my bike and take off for the station.

***

“I knew this was coming.That was some great work you did with Broker. I always knew there was something fishy about that bastard.

“From the beginning, our goal was to lock those Falcon bastards up. We knew they had someone already inside, and there were the rumors that they had bad blood with the Lost Souls. That’s why I placed you up in the LA chapter,” Captain Ross says as I hand him my resignation letter.

I sit across from him at his desk for what’s probably the last time. I thought I would feel something more, some type of loss, but I feel nothing. Maybe not nothing—I feel free.

This isn’t my place anymore. Watching how corrupt the system can be took away most of the love I had. My life was almost taken because of one man’s grudge. To think, he was meant to be one of the good guys.

“I wanted to ask you a question about that,” I say to the captain as his words strike a chord in me.

“Go on.”

“Why me? I get the feeling I wasn’t chosen at random,” I say.

“I’ve always respected how you cover your family. You’ve never asked for anything you haven’t earned and your loyal to a fault. You were right for this. I needed someone I could trust.”

“And you felt that was me.”

“Do you remember the first thing you said to me?”

“Not really.”

“You said … ‘Good morning, Captain. I’m Knight Moran. That may not mean anything to you now, but someday it will. My work life is my work life, and my home life stays at home. I’m great at my job, and I always do what I’m supposed to.

“‘Why do you need to know this? Because Bishop Love is my older brother. That has not affected my ability to do my job nor will it ever. I take care of my brothers in blue when I’m here and I take care of my brothers in blood when I’m at home. It’s nice to meet you.’ Then you walked off,” Captain says.

I laugh, I do remember that. Bishop had become a big thing, and talk had started around the force. I had been concerned at first, but things worked themselves out.

Captain Ross continues. “I knew then if I ever needed someone to cover my brother, you were the one. You understood family and the need to serve and protect. The two aren’t one in the same.”

He looks me in the eyes waiting for his words to click. It takes a moment for my brain to catch up. I fall back in my seat and release a low whistle.

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have made the connection. However, I’ve spent so much time with Ice, I see it now as clear as day. This is the older brother.

“Ice,” I breathe.

“My little brother is a good guy. The Lost Souls are family. King changed a lot about the brotherhood.

“It trickled throughout the chapters. The Falcons wanted to destroy them to get to their territory. I was presented with the opportunity to cover my baby brother’s ass and get those bastards off my streets.

“I’m sorry you almost lost your life in the process. I never meant for that. There’s nothing I can do to repay you for your sacrifice, but if there’s anything I can ever do, you name it.”

A light bulb goes off. “Actually, I think there is something you can do for me and the Lost Souls,” I say.

He nods. “I’m listening.”

* * *

Reminisce

I’m frustrated and tired.Now that my part in everything is over, all I want to do is focus on getting my life together. I have a baby to think of.

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Three days is a long time to think and to wait in fear.

The news hit this morning of the huge takedown, including Sloan Avery, the slimeball who was running for governor. Unfortunately, it was also reported that Avery put a bullet in his own head at his private vacation home in the mountains.

He was found this morning. Although, reports say he pulled the trigger four days ago. In any case, it’s all over.

I’ve been moping around my parents’ house for the last three days, feeling sorry for myself. Mom and I were having lunch when my nose started bleeding again. I had to go up to my room and change my shirt.

Thank God they bought my story about the fumigation at my place. If I wasn’t so upset, I might have laughed at the face my mother made as she looked at me and my luggage as if I brought some pests with me. The questions didn’t start until after I slept the entire first day.

Then as if it were a sin, my mother commented on the fact that I’ve been dressed in sweats and haven’t done anything with my hair. Excuse me for feeling like crap and having morning sickness every morning as if knowing I’m pregnant has triggered the torture.

Not able to share any of that, I’ve grinned at my mother and allowed her to say whatever she wants. These folks in this house need to give me some room to breathe. I’m beginning to think going home and risking Knight showing up isn’t the worst option.

My phone rings, pulling me from my thoughts. Seeing it’s Saga, I answer with a smile. Maybe I should go to her house.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Hey, listen. Knight is here and he’s looking for you. He seems really worried.”

Welp, I guess going to her place is out of the question. I kind of figure it would be. Otherwise, I would have gone there first.

“Tell him I’m fine. I just need some space to think for a bit.”

I hear him in the background and close my eyes. I cover my stomach with my free hand, wishing he knew why I need this space. I have more to think about this time. An entire life.

“I have to go,” I say to Saga and hang up.

I swipe at my tears and place my phone in the pocket of my sweatpants. Hopefully, I can call my sister and talk to her later.

I blow out a breath and start down the stairs. My mind is fully occupied as I walk down them. I have so many feelings to sort through.

“There she is,” my father croons as I make it to the bottom step.

I look up to find Sheldon standing beside him with a smile on his face. I wait to feel some type of excitement or pull to him. Nothing comes, not even a little spark.

Not that he doesn’t look handsome in his gray suit and brown shoes. He looks sharp and has a nice fresh cut. That smile would probably entice some other woman, but it’s doing nothing for me. Instead, I want to groan and stomp my foot. I can’t seem to catch a break around here.

“It’s good to see you, Reminisce. I was very pleased to hear you were here,” Sheldon says with a smile.

“It’s nice to see you too,” I say politely.

The sound of heels clicking against the floor fills the space telling me my mother has entered the foyer. I glance over at her and take in her expression. She has a frown on her face, looking as if she tastes something sour.

I have to bite down on my lip to keep from laughing. It’s the first real laughter to bubble up inside me in days. I wonder what she has against Sheldon.

My mind goes to how my parents will feel if I chose to be with Knight. My father got over his issues with Saga’s marriage. He and Bishop have become close, it’s all water under the bridge now. I don’t get to fall too far down into that rabbit hole as my mother breaks into my thoughts.

“Reminisce, dear, I was about to get on a conference call with Tessa about that youth center charity. I was hoping you could join me. You’ve always had a mind for details and organizing. I think you’d be a great help,” my mother says as she does her best to school her features.

“Oh, okay,” I say, recognizing the save.

“That’s a shame. I was hoping we could sit and talk for a bit,” Sheldon says with that megawatt smile still in place.

“Maybe next time.”

“Or … I could come back and pick you up for dinner tonight. I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve had a chance to catch up.”

“That sounds great,” my father says as if he’s the one Sheldon asked out.

I have to fight not to roll my eyes. How hard is it to read the room? Damn, Daddy.

“Oh, I’m not sure I’m up for that this evening. I’m not feeling so well.”

“Yes, she’s been suffering with nose bleeds,” mom says as she comes to place a hand on my back and rub it.

I sag into her, so grateful she’s trying to help me out of this. Sheldon looks at me in disappointment. My father looks frustrated.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I do hope you feel better. Let me know if there’s anything I can do,” Sheldon says.

“I’ll give you a call,” I murmur.

“Please do. If you’re feeling better after your call, feel free to ring me. I’ll get us reservations for this evening. Maybe dinner with good company will brighten your health.”

“Ah, well, let’s go to my office,” my father says, leading Sheldon away.

“That man, I told him to let that ship sail. He’s too darn stubborn to listen,” my mother huffs as she loops her arm through mine.

“Why don’t you like Sheldon?” I whisper.

“It has nothing to do with me not liking him. He’s a very nice man. He’s just not what you want. Why waste everyone’s time?”

I give a real laugh that loosens some of the stress from my body. “Mom, you’re a trip.”

“I’m a mother, and I know when my daughter is already in love with someone else. You can’t make sound decisions when you have random snakes trying to slither through the garden,” she says.

“Is there really a call with Mrs. Moran?”

“Not for you to attend to unless you want.”

I smile and kiss my mother on the cheek. She cups my face and kisses me back. In this moment I’m happy to have her in my corner.

“Come on, I’ll sit in.”

***

I stepout of my mother’s office proud of the work she and Tessa are doing and happy I could give some input. It’s for a great cause. I want to help as much as I can.

“Reminisce,” my father’s voice booms through the corridor.

I freeze and roll my eyes. My good mood has just been snatched. I know that tone.

“Yes, Dad.” I turn to him with a smile.

“I would like to speak with you.”

Oh boy, here we go. Someone save me.