Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Eva had never been to Washington, DC, before. She’d been to Atlanta plenty of times, and to Dallas, so the traffic wasn’t necessarily a surprise. Seeing the monuments she’d only ever seen in pictures and on television was surreal, however.
Things were never quite the way you thought they were. For one thing, the distance between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol was a lot farther than it looked in pictures. Not that she had a chance to walk it, but Jake drove her through the city so she could see as much as possible.
He took her to a building in the suburbs that was surrounded by razor wire and security cameras.
She met with a pretty FBI agent named Diana who looked at her with sympathy while asking questions.
Jake sat in a chair beside her, his quiet presence giving her strength.
Another agent came into the room, and they questioned her endlessly about what she’d heard, what she’d seen, and what she might know that she’d forgotten.
She told them everything she knew, though disappointment swirled deep down. Because defeating Brandon from a distance was never what she’d had in mind. She hadn’t spent the past seven years reinventing herself just to be in another state when he was taken into custody.
Yet here she was.
When the interview was over and she felt like she’d done a triathlon, Jake took her to a hotel.
She’d thought they’d be alone, but she realized that another car had followed them into the parking garage.
A group of men she didn’t recognize emerged.
She shot a glance at Jake, but he didn’t look alarmed.
Instead, he grinned as the men swaggered over.
“Harley, it’s good to see you again,” one of the men said.
“Saint.” Jake and the man did the bro-hug thing and then the others started talking and slapping backs too. When it was over, Jake stepped back and took her hand, tugging her into the curve of his body.
“Guys, this is Eva. Eva, these are some guys from my team—Cade, Mal, Ryder, and Noah. We’ve got others, but they’re off doing business for us elsewhere.”
“Hi,” she said, feeling suddenly shy. They were all ridiculously good looking, like Jake. They were tall, muscled, but they didn’t give off sinister vibes.
Dangerous men considering they were part of Jake’s military team, but they didn’t make her skin crawl. Like him, they were solid down to their core. The kind of men you wanted at your back in a fight.
“Ma’am, we’ve got to keep you safe until we know Brandon Cox is in custody.” It was the one named Cade speaking, though Jake had also called him Saint.
“I appreciate that. Thank you.”
“What’s the word from Ian Black?” Jake asked.
“They’re ready to raid the Brothers of Sin compound with the fibbies.” He looked at his watch. “Probably happening right now.”
He meant now that the FBI had her statement. Her pulse skipped as a spike of fear rolled through her, but Jake squeezed her hand in reassurance. She had him, and that was all she needed to stay safe.
She’d feared the Brothers would somehow find them at his cabin, but he’d been right that nobody would. She didn’t think she’d be done fearing what the Brothers might do until she knew they were finished—and maybe not even then.
It wasn’t nearly as satisfying to know Brandon would be taken into custody as it would have been to put a bullet between his eyes. After telling him who she really was.
Jake’s team escorted them to a hotel suite and the men set up a command center in one of the rooms while she and Jake took the other.
No one was getting in or out without going through them.
It was reassuring—but what about later? If Brandon managed to walk like so many times before, she’d never be safe.
She wandered into the bedroom to stand by the window and gaze at the distant dome of the capitol when Jake walked in.
“You doing okay?”
She turned to him, arms wrapped around her torso. “I’m fine. Tired, but fine.”
He came over and held her, tucking her head beneath his chin. “It’s gonna be okay, honey.”
“I hope so.”
Happiness blossomed at the feel of his arms around her. Did she love him? She thought so. But she couldn’t say it. What if he didn’t feel the same way? They’d spent the past few days together, but how was that enough time to fall in love?
It shouldn’t be, and yet she couldn’t help but think he’d roused feelings inside her that no one else ever had. That meant something. But was it love?
“You’re amazing, Eva. You did a good job today. They’re going to get Brandon because of you.”
She gripped him tighter. “I still feel like I failed Heather. He may go down, but he won’t ever admit to killing her. He won’t know who I am or why I did it.”
Jake had told her about Tiffany on the ride to DC. She hadn’t known Tiffany very well, but Tiffany had sat in her chair a couple of times. Hearing she was dead brought back all the pain and anguish from the day Eva learned Heather was murdered.
Life had changed that day, and it never changed back again. She’d wanted revenge, but she didn’t feel like she’d gotten it.
Even if there was victory, it was hollow. Heather was gone. Mama was gone. They were never coming back. Eva was still alone.
Jake ran his hands up and down her back. “I know, baby. And I’m sorry. I wish I could make the pain go away.”
“You do,” she whispered, holding him tight. “As much as anyone ever could, you do.
He squeezed her. “I’m glad.”
It felt like it took hours before they finally got news. Eva perched on the couch in the living area, watching a YouTube video about tattoo artists in a reality show. Something mind-numbing to keep her occupied while they waited.
When Jake’s phone rang, her head swung toward him. The other guys watched too.
“Hey, Ian.” He listened for a few moments before he broke out in a smile. “Damn, that’s good news. Thanks.”
When he met her eyes, Eva’s heart squeezed tight.
“It’s done, Eva. Black’s team and the FBI stormed the compound and took everyone into custody. They’ll be processed. Most will wind up on the streets again, but Brandon and the leadership will be held until the trial for the premeditated murders of Judge Mason and his wife.”
Cade’s phone rang and he went into the other room to answer it. Eva watched him go, her stomach flipping, until Jake gently took her chin and turned her to face him. “He’s getting the same news. Ian called me first.”
She was numb. She also thrummed with excitement. “What about Snake? Did he have anything useful to say?”
“He cracked. Your testimony helped. He knew he was caught, so he made a deal to spill everything. Something else you should know… There’s another informer.”
One of the old ladies? It was a risk for them, but it’d be nice to know she wasn’t the only one who wanted justice. “Who?”
Jake smiled. “Duke. He started talking the instant they raided the place. Hasn’t shut up since.”
Eva’s eyes widened. “Was he there seven years ago?”
“He was. If he knows anything about Heather, it’s gonna come out.” Jake laughed. “Holy shit, old Duke. Who’d have guessed he’d turn?”
Maybe it wasn’t as much a surprise as Jake thought.
Eva squeezed his hand. “He talked about a grandson sometimes when he was in my chair. A boy who lives in Alabama with his mother. Duke went to visit when he could. He loves that kid a lot. Maybe the thought of going away and never seeing him again loosened his tongue?”
“Maybe so. Or maybe he just got decent with age. It happens. I’m proof of that.”
Eva threw her arms around him. “You’re the most decent person I know. You’re a good man, Jake Ryan.”
“Appreciate that, honey. I wasn’t always a good man, but I’ve worked damned hard to be one in the years since Judge Mason took a chance on me.” Storm clouds flared in his eyes. “Can’t believe he’s gone. He didn’t deserve what that motherfucker did.”
“No, he didn’t. I’m sorry he died, but if I could, I’d thank him for saving you.”
She saw the other guys melt away in her periphery. Jake glanced their direction. A door softly closed to the other bedroom, and they were alone.
Jake palmed her cheek, his warm skin comforting. “This is it, Eva. Brandon won’t walk this time. Too much evidence against him. Too many witnesses. You might not have to testify in court since we’ve got Snake and Duke. We won’t know for a while, though.”
She nodded. Put her hand over his. “I hope I do. Because I want to look him in the eye. I want him to know who did this to him. That Heather isn’t someone he’s ever gonna forget because she led to his downfall.”
Jake brought his other hand up, tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to wait for a court date. I’ll make it happen.”
She took a sharp breath. “How?”
“Ian Black. He can do anything. If we ask him, he’ll get it done. You sure you want to face Brandon through a glass partition? He’ll say terrible things to you. He won’t threaten you directly, but once he knows you’re Heather’s sister, he’ll try to goad you.”
Eva lifted her chin, imagining Brandon through the glass. In prison orange. Looking angry and murderous. Saying terrible things.
A smile curved her lips. “I’m sure. Will you go with me?”
He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I’ll go anywhere you want me to go, Eva.”