Chapter Fifteen
Jake
I’m usually a pretty relaxed guy, but seeing Ryan in the driveway has my hair standing on end and my chest flaring with anger.
“What the fuck? I thought he wasn’t coming until next week.”
Liam turns toward me and groans. “He called yesterday to say he was moving things up some, but he didn’t have a date yet. I was going to tell you guys tonight. I didn’t think he’d turn it around this soon. Hell, how long is the flight from Alaska?”
“Six and half hours on a good day. The man has money so I’m sure it was a good day.” I huff out a sigh. “We should get rid of him somehow. It’s too soon for Aspyn to talk things through with him and I want all the evidence before we try to catch him in a lie.”
Liam’s phone buzzes.
“It’s him.”
“Read it to me.”
Ryan: You guys blowing each other up there or what? Come on. I gotta take a piss.
“He’s seen the truck.” I brush my hand down over my beard. “You have to pull in.”
“Fuck. He said he would text before he left. What the fuck happened to that?” I glance toward the driveway and creep in slowly, running through the possible excuses I could use to get rid of him, but nothing comes to mind. He’ll question anything I say, and knowing Ryan, he’ll make a big deal out of it just to entertain himself. “We’re in this now, aren’t we?”
Liam nods as I pull up the driveway with the load of stone in the back of the truck. The sun has set, and the night is dark except for the light on the front porch where Ryan sits in a chair, rocking back and forth.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. Between the time I spent in the desert and my desperation to stay away from Aspyn, our paths haven’t physically crossed in a while, though we do catch up on the phone and text regularly. I figured that’s what adult friendships evolve into. A few texts, some calls, a picture of the newest project we’re building, and that’s that. I have a few Army buddies and the relationships are all basically the same. A text once a month with a picture of the truck part that you’re installing.
I pull into the driveway and park behind the rental he’s brought with him. My heart stops when I see Aspyn’s car still sitting where we’ve left it. We didn’t prepare for this. I know Ranger had meant to move it into the garage to work on the brakes, but we’ve had our hands full the last couple of days.
Maybe he won’t recognize it. Liam mentioned that wasn’t the car she usually drives. Regardless, it’s too late now.
“Well,” Ryan stands from the rocker and makes his way to the edge of the porch, “look what the cat dragged in. A bunch a fuckin’ rednecks.” He hops off the deck and bumps me in the shoulder as his way to say hello.
Liam, who’s recently seen Ryan, nods his head and gives him a hug. “You’re early.”
“Yeah, found a flight out here last minute so I figured I’d surprise my best buddies. The second Liam cut loose I couldn’t wait to get out here myself.”
I know I should be happy to see him. It’s been years, but there’s too much in the air right now, and truthfully, I want to punch him in the face for making Aspyn believe such horrid things for months on end. Anything could’ve happened to her living out of a car.
“Who’s trash heap?” He nods toward the vehicle stuffed to the gills that Aspyn drove in with.
“This all you brought for clothes?” Liam nods toward the duffle bag in his hand.
Ryan glances down. “Somethin’ like that.” He chuckles under his breath as he says, “I don’t pack like Aspyn does. She has to bring everything she owns.”
My eyes widen. I can’t believe he’d even say her name after everything he’s put her through.
I slide the key into the front door and push it open. “The bathroom is to the left off the primary. We’re still working on the guest bath.” That’s a lie, but Aspyn’s things are in the guest bathroom and I’m still dodging all that. “You getting soft? You could’ve just pissed outside.”
He laughs and tosses the heavy bag down by the front door without mentioning my quick change of the subject.
Everything he does and says sounds off now. Why was he hiding the phones from Aspyn? Why was he threatening her with them? Why doesn’t he care that she’s gone?
None of this is like Ryan. He’s not this guy. He’s always been protective of her. He’s always looked out for her. Sure, he’s obstinate and believes his way is the best way, but Aspyn was always his to protect. I don’t understand what’s happening or why he’s not more concerned.
“Love what you guys are doing here.” Ryan moves through the house observing the detailed work. Hopefully this keeps him from noticing the bra hanging off the back of the dining room chair.
I nod toward the chair and Liam grabs the bra before tucking it into the cupboard as Ryan disappears into the back of the house.
“Fuck.” I turn toward Liam. “What the hell do we do?”
He shrugs. “Tell him the truth. He’s here, and this is happening.”
“Fuck.” I shake my head and stare at my phone hoping for a reply from Ranger, but he hasn’t said anything since I sent the message letting him know Ryan was here.
“You’re right. We tell him the truth and we find out what the fuck is going on with the phones.”
“What phones,” Ryan stands in the hallway with his arms crossed, “and who the hell is Ranger fucking with? I see women’s panties on the floor. He’s getting around these days, huh? That where he is… out running trains?”
Liam chews the inside of his cheek as the front door creaks open. Ranger is on the other side of it, and I swear if there were a crash of lightning and a thunderstorm right now, this moment would be perfect.
Ranger’s jaw is stiff, his shoulders are wide, his eyes are fixed, and though I’ve known the guy for most of my life, even a stranger would know he’s angry.
“Ranger, stop!” Aspyn begs behind him. She reaches out from him but he’s moving with intention toward Ryan and I’m not sure he’s going to stop. Truthfully, I’m glad this is the path we’re taking. Ryan deserves to hurt for the pain he’s caused Aspyn. She should have been processing her parent’s death. Instead, she was blaming herself for it.
“Aspyn?” Ryan barely puts together what’s happening before Ranger’s fist lands against his jaw with a crack.
“What the fuck?” Ryan growls, pulling a pistol from his jeans as his jaw drips with blood. “What the fuck is going on here? Aspyn, are you okay?”
Ranger hauls back to punch him again, but Liam holds him this time. “Put down your gun, Ryan. We need to talk.” Liam’s tone is flat and sincere, but it’s not calming anyone.
“How about you fucks tell me why my baby sister is here?”
“You lied to me about Mom and Dad,” Aspyn steps forward, tears in her eyes. “You had the phones. Why did you tell me the cops would come after me when they saw the messages?”
Ryan rolls his eyes and pushes his hand back through his thick brown hair. He’s lost weight since the last time I saw him. A lot of it. “We need to talk. It’s why I’m here.”
“Bullshit!” Aspyn steps forward, shaking. “You didn’t know I was here. Why’d you lie to me?” I want to stand up for my girl, but I’m also proud of her for taking charge by herself. She has things to say to her brother, and he needs to hear them. Besides that, Ryan is outnumbered, even with his gun.
“Sit down.” Ryan steps forward, his gaze on Aspyn. “We all need to talk.”
“Don’t talk to her like that.” Ranger steps between them with an angled expression and a dark tone as he says, “You put her through hell. You talk on her terms.”
Aspyn tucks between Ranger and Liam, but her eyes are on Ryan. “What’s going on?”
Ryan drags in a long, deep breath, and I have a feeling the news that we’re all about to live a plural life together is nothing compared to the shit he’s about to spew. “A few years ago, I found out that Dad had been gambling. And when I say gambling, I mean ‘fuck your whole life’ levels of gambling.”
“No, he wasn’t! Stop lying! Gambling is illegal in Alaska. He couldn’t have—”
“Just listen, okay?” Ryan sighs. “There was an illegal dog racing warehouse down near Juneau, where that fishing restaurant was at. Do you remember where I’m talking about? The one with the—”
“The yellow jacket guy. Yeah, I remember, but I don’t remember a dog racing warehouse.”
“Well, people were after Dad, Aspyn. They want his money. Their money .” Ryan groans and looks down at the ground. “When Mom and Dad died, those same people came after me. I sent you away so you wouldn’t get hurt.”
Aspyn narrows her brows and leans forward with crossed arms. “You’re a liar. That’s not happening. Mom and Dad wouldn’t do that.”
Aspyn steps forward, her head down before she looks up toward Ryan. “You told me I killed Mom and Dad! You told me the police were after me, and you said—”
“If I’d have told you less, you’d have stayed. I didn’t want you getting hurt. I knew if you thought the police were after you, you’d ditch your car, your phone, and you’d disappear. I didn’t want that for you, but I knew staying was worse. These guys are serious, Aspyn. Really fucking serious, and they’ll do anything to get their money.”
“Then why are you here? Won’t they follow you?”
“Last week, I had to get the cops involved.” He glances down at his phone. “In ten minutes, I won’t be Ryan any more. I’ll be some other guy from some other place, and I can’t have contact with any of you. I was allowed one stop on my way out and a federal agent is currently following me to make sure I don’t have someone on my tail. He promised to watch the road while I told you all the news.”
“What?” Aspyn steps forward. “So that’s it? I don’t talk to you anymore, you don’t know my future kids, you don’t know me? You just… leave?”
Ryan nods slowly as Ranger and I sweep Aspyn against our chests.
“I sold the business to a silent investor from Canada.” He tosses down the bag of money. “This is your cut. I was going to leave it with the guys and ask them to track you down after I was gone, but here you are.”
I don’t know how much money is in the bag, but considering the thump it made when landing, I’m assuming it’s enough.
“You’re going to be fine,” Ryan adds. “I’ll let the police know you’re here and they can advise you on what to do next, but these mob guys are after me because I was on all the loan and business documents with Mom and Dad. You stayed in the background, so I doubt they’d come after you.”
“What’s this about a federal agent?” Ranger groans.
Ryan shuffles forward. “My time is almost up, so he’ll be here any second. You want me to get him?”
“Yes! Now!” Ranger’s tone is demanding, and though I know he means well, I worry that we’ll scare Aspyn if we get too upset about any of this.
Ryan, Ranger, and Liam disappear outside, and I stay with Aspyn, holding her against my chest. She’s quiet, except for the sniffle of the tears she’s trying to hide.
“You okay, little cat? This is a lot. It’s okay if you aren’t.”
“I… why would my parents do this to us? I don’t get it. They’re so… proper. Dad wouldn’t cheat at Monopoly. Why would he do this? I wonder if Mom knew. She couldn’t have.”
“It’s like anything else,” I say, holding her against my chest. “Gambling is an addiction. Your dad probably thought he had time to work things out. They didn’t expect to go off that cliff.”
She glances up at me. “Maybe they did. Maybe Dad had so much anxiety about this mob guy.” She chokes a bit as she cries. “The mob,” she laughs. “It sounds like a movie. Maybe he was pressured, and he decided to end everything without thinking.”
“They wouldn’t have done that, little cat.” I hold her closer to my chest, desperate to make everything better, but the truth is, right now, I don’t know how. This is bigger than me, bigger than all of us.
“Why wouldn’t these people come after me next, Jake?” Her gaze lifts to mine with wideness.
“Let’s see what the agent says. You’re safe, I promise.” I brush a strand of her hair away from her face and hold her stare. “You’ve got more personal protectors than anyone I’ve ever met.”
She squeezes me tighter as the front door opens and the guys come through with a short, balding man who’s dressed in street clothes. He pulls a wallet out of his pocket and shows us his badge.
“I’m Agent Arlo with the FBI. Your brother said you had some questions about your safety.”
Aspyn nods and wipes a tear away as I keep her close to my chest. I hate that this is happening to her.
“I do believe that it’s in your best interest to lie low for a while,” the agent says, tucking his hand into his pocket. “You’ve already ditched your phone and your car. Keep it that way. Steer away from opening any accounts, if possible, and there’s enough money in that bag to get you through without having to worry about work for a while.” He passes his card toward Aspyn. “If you feel threatened or notice something, anything off, call me and we’ll go from there. Your parents used your brother’s name for a lot of their business dealings. That’s why we believe he was targeted and the reason no one came looking for you. It was clear that your parents only real asset to try to recoup gambling losses from was their business.”
Aspyn nods while holding her hand over her stomach.
“Can Ryan stay for dinner?”
“No,” the agent grunts. “We’re already moving too slow. We should go.” He looks toward Ryan. “I’ll be outside. You’ve got five minutes left.”
Shit. Five minutes. This isn’t going to be easy.
Aspyn holds tight to my chest as she stares toward her brother in silence. I can’t say that any of us really know what to say in a moment like this.
“How’d you end up here anyway?” Ryan reaches out for Aspyn and tugs her in under his shoulder.
“I ran into Ranger, and he offered me a night of rest and a meal. I needed both desperately.”
“So, this is temporary then?”
“Nope,” Ranger announces. “She’s staying.”
“ Staying? Why would she be staying?” He glances toward me. “Are you two messing around again?”
Given the circumstances, I’m not sure it’s the best time to lay the truth out on the table, but I want Ryan to know Aspyn is being taken care of. At this point, I think maybe that’s what he wants. It’s what I would want.
“We love her,” I say, stepping toward Ryan. “We love her and we’re taking care of her.”
“Love her? What?” Ryan’s tone is dark, and his arms are crossed over his chest. “We?”
“All of us. The three of us. We love her and she’s staying.”
Ryan twists toward Aspyn. “What? You’re fucking all of them?”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s not really something you get to say a lot about now, is it?”
He swallows hard and glances toward Ranger, Liam, and I before looking back at Aspyn. “Probably not. And if I’m honest, I’m glad you’re here. I know the guys will keep you safe,” he narrows his brows and spins back, “even though this is really fucking weird. All three of you? ”
Aspyn stands and snuggles between Liam and I. “All three of them. I couldn’t have gotten through so much of my life without these guys and the fact that they brought me in when I needed them most is everything. I’m not leaving, Ryan. Not ever. This is where I belong.”
“Right.” His tone wavers as he says, “ But all of you? How does that work? You’re just gonna share her forever? Isn’t that weird?”
“I thought so,” Ranger says, “but then I realized how much she benefits from all of us. We each offer something different, and we work well together. We’re going to fix up the farmhouse, start a family, and hopefully Aspyn will let us set the restaurant up for her on the corner.”
Ryan’s face lifts. “A restaurant? You’ll get your restaurant? I want that for you, Aspyn. I want you to be as happy as you can be.”
Had this been five years ago, I know Ryan would be throwing fists right now, but I suspect the current state of affairs has him feeling all kinds of different.
“Don’t go,” Aspyn says, hugging her brother tight. “Stay and we’ll figure this out. We can talk to a lawyer and—”
“I love you, little sister, but I’m leaving. It’ll be good. I can travel for a while and see things I’ve never seen. And who knows, maybe you’ll see a drifter one day roll through and you’ll have a second to say hi.”
Tears roll down Aspyn’s face as the agent lands two solid knocks on the front door.
“Time for me to go.” Ryan swallows hard and hugs us all, saving Aspyn for last. His eyes drop to hers and he holds her at arm’s length. “These guys will take care of you. I don’t doubt it for a second. You’re going to do great things. And,” his bottom lip quivers, but he bites the bubbling emotion back, “I love you always.” He pulls her close, hugs her quickly, then let’s go without looking back, heading out the front door and into the night with a smile I’m sure he’s forcing. “Later, bitches!”
Aspyn laughs and we huddle around her, holding her close as we watch the taillights glow down the darkly lit driveway. There’s not a world where I’d have wished this were the outcome, but I’ll sleep well tonight knowing Aspyn is safe now.