Chapter 29
GUS
Kiki
Eddie forces me to take a shower first, but the warm water does little to thaw the fear in my soul.
Now I’m not only an outcast, I’m a danger to everyone I love.
Hell, Eddie being here is a risk, but one he’s determined to take.
Gus is curled up by the fireplace and I settle next to him, dropping kisses on his head. “I’m so sorry, sweet boy.”
He’s all I have left. Everything else is gone.
Eddie strolls into the room, tugging a hand through his hair as he drinks in the scene, a bevy of emotions and unasked questions swirling across his features.
I’ve pulled together a meager dinner from the fridge leftovers. And, per his request, a glass of whiskey sits waiting for him.
He drops down next to me, taking a long swallow from the glass. Then he turns, resting his forearms on his knees as a warning glints in his eyes. “Start talking, Kiki.”
Oh, this is the hard part. “Where to begin?”
“How about what happened tonight. Why do you think Drake was involved?” He wags a finger under my nose. “And don’t talk around it, either. I need to know everything.”
I bury my face in my hands, releasing a noisy sigh. “Drake is very angry with me.”
“Because?” Eddie prompts.
I pop to my feet and start pacing, the adrenaline zipping through my body like a possessed pinball machine. “Eddie, I don’t want to get you into trouble. It’s really safer if—”
Eddie cuts me off, shaking his head. “Screw that shit. What happened tonight isn’t normal, and you fucking know it.”
A tear slides down my cheek. “It is for me.”
A look of horror crosses his face. “What the hell have you gotten yourself involved in?”
Okay, Kiki. You’re backed into a corner. Time to spill your guts.
Hell, at this point, what’s the worst that could happen?
Probably not the best idea to call the universe’s bluff, but you know what? I’ve tried playing it safe, and look where that got me.
I’m in fuck-it mode now.
So I pause, cross my arms over my chest and open Pandora’s Box. “Drake asked me to lie for him.”
Eddie’s eyes narrow, but he stays silent.
“He wanted me to claim he spent the entire evening at the Rotary gala. That we left together.” I swallow hard as nausea surges, bile burning the back of my throat at the memory.
“Because that was the same night those girls were being moved. And if he was with me… then he couldn’t have been part of it. ”
Eddie blows out a breath, cracking his knuckles, no doubt wishing Drake’s face was in front of him for easy pummeling. “Was he with you the entire night?”
I meet Eddie’s gaze head on. I’m tired of running.
“No, he left early. Claimed he had business at the station.” I curl my fingers into my palms, my nails biting crescents into my skin. “Drake claimed I was too drunk to remember things clearly. That a few of his cop buddies, upstanding members of the community, would happily corroborate his story.”
“Were you too drunk to remember correctly?”
“I had a few too many champagne punches, but I remember him leaving the gala. He left long before I did. But truth is malleable when your freedom is on the line and your ego believes you deserve a free pass. If my version doesn’t match his, it blows a hole in his story, and he can’t afford that.
In Drake’s mind, I’m the only thing standing between him and walking free. ”
“Jesus,” Eddie whispers, his jaw tight with tension.
Tears sting my eyes, but there’s no sorrow behind them now. Only a bottomless fury that I missed the signs for so long.
I swipe the tears away and resume pacing. “The moment he asked me to lie, I knew he was guilty, and there was no way in hell I was going to help him walk.”
Eddie rubs a hand over his brow, no doubt attempting to process the deluge of information tossed his way. “I guess he didn’t appreciate your stance.”
“That’s an understatement. His lawyer called several times, but I wouldn’t budge, so Drake sent one of his buddies out to ‘chat with me’.
” I make air quotes. “Guy showed up at my place real late at night. Told me Drake didn’t deserve what was happening to him and since I wasn’t on board that I should be careful. ”
Eddie slams his whiskey glass on the table. “He threatened you?”
“No,” I scoff. “That would be stupid, right? He offered some friendly advice about my cabin. How the wiring was old and if it caught fire, which they often do, the trucks would never arrive on time.”
“When the fuck did this happen? Why didn’t you call me? I would have dropped everything to have a little chat with the son of a bitch.”
“It was the night after Nolan’s party. I was not your favorite person, remember?”
“I still would have dropped everything and come.”
Truth is, I know he would have, and that’s exactly why I didn’t call him.
“No way was I putting you in the middle of my mess. So, I grabbed Gus and started camping out here. After tonight, I have no doubt they’ll torture me until I cave or... can’t take it anymore.” I mumble the last few words, not wanting to admit aloud how close I am to that point.
Eddie stands and grabs me in a fierce hug. “Don’t you dare think like that. Do you hear me? We’re going to figure this out, I promise.”
“How, Eddie? These aren’t basic thugs. They’re members of the community.
People we work beside, shop beside, live beside.
” I focus on his chest, my fingers playing with a loose thread on his shirt.
“I’m not sure how I became the bad guy and yet the real bad guys are still walking around, happy as you please. ”
“Not all of them.”
“Hopefully it stays that way.”
He scrubs a hand over his jaw, shaking his head. “No wonder you want to move to Los Angeles.”
“It’s not that I want to move there.” My voice cracks. “But I’m not sure what choice I have anymore.”
He rests his head on top of mine, his hands soothing as they drift against my spine.
“I’m still angry you didn’t let me in on what was happening to you, but at least now I know why you put so much distance between us.
” He pulls back, studying me. “At least, I think that’s the reason. Or was I really just filling a void?”
I cringe at my recycled words. They’re so ugly and untrue, and I’m glad I can finally say what’s really in my heart.
I rest my chin on his chest and meet his dark gaze. “You filled every void, even ones I didn’t know I had.”
“Is that a yes or no?”
Despite everything, a laugh breaks free from my lips. “I’m in love with you… you silly man.”
Talk about an unexpected admission.
“What?”
“I think I fell in love with you somewhere between the bouquet of wildflowers on my birthday and pancakes the next morning.”
His eyes grow large, as dazed exasperation flutters across his features. “Then why would you tell me I meant nothing? Why hurt me like that? I get that you’re dealing with Drake’s bullshit, but I would have shielded you from it. You know that.”
This is the hard part. Do I back off, fumble my way through an excuse and blame Drake for the entirety of our breakup? In a way, the onus falls on my estranged husband, but he’s not the whole reason.
Do I keep Pandora’s box open or slam her shut?
“Kiki,” Eddie warns, “no more lies.”
Fine. Time to blow it all up and let the pieces fall where they may.
“This is going to change everything,” I murmur.
“Things need to change, because the last couple of months have been hell.”
That’s an understatement.
I step back, wringing my hands as I prepare to turn his world upside down. “I broke up with you because Deirdre was going to take you to court and fight for full custody of Theo.”
Poor Eddie. I watch the disclosure hit him in real time, watch the barrage of emotions battle each other for the upper hand.
Turns out, anger wins.
His lips settle into a hard line. “What the hell do you mean my ex was going to take me to court? How would you know this information? You two aren’t friends.”
I bark out a mirthless laugh. “Not hardly. Her lawyer, Mr. Howard, is an old family friend. He came to speak with me, asked that I bow out gracefully so as to avoid a lengthy and painful custody battle. At first, I refused, but then I realized he was right. This would hurt you and Theo and I couldn’t allow that. ”
“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Eddie roars at the ceiling, shaking his fists in the air. “Deirdre and I are going to have a nice, long talk about her bullshit. She wants a war? I’ll give her one.”
“No, stop it.” I rush forward, clutching his hands. “Don’t be mad at Deirdre. She didn’t handle it properly but she only did it because she loves Theo so much.”
Eddie’s eyes widen as I defend his ex. “Are you kidding? She fucked with my life. That woman knows I’m a terrific father.”
I rest my hand on his chest, his heart racing beneath my palm. “This wasn’t about you. It was about protecting the most important thing in her world. What if the roles were reversed? If Deirdre were dating someone tied to a group accused of sex trafficking, wouldn’t you demand she keep Theo away?”
Eddie goes still, his face tight with rage. “It’s not the same thing.”
“But it is, and deep down, you know that. Look, I’m glad I put that distance between us, because I would never forgive myself if something happened to Theo.”
Eddie breaks free, wearing holes into the floorboards with his pacing. “Explain the party then. Why did you suddenly pull away after we—” He smacks his forehead. “Oh my God, her uncle was there.”
“Mr. Howard, her attorney, was there, too. When you mentioned that Deirdre’s uncle was also in attendance, I realized I had no choice but to walk away.”
“Look,” I refill Eddie’s whiskey and walk it over to him, “I planned on speaking to you that night. Not disclosing everything, but enough so you might know I was always fully invested in us. I never intended to make a move, but when you kissed me back, I couldn’t stop myself.”
“I thought I kissed you.” His voice is still tight, his jaw rigid, but I see the tiniest flash of humor in his eyes, even though I know this fight is far from over.