CHAPTER 3
FALLON
Being able to breathe, feeling safe and like I don’t have to look over my shoulder, is something I won’t be taking for granted anytime soon. It’s been less than a day since I saw those men enter my home, armed and fully intending to do whatever they were hired to do—which I’d prefer not to think about—but living in fear warped my perception of time.
I’m still a little nervous now as we head toward a cabin in the middle of nowhere. I’ve always been better in the lab working than dealing with people. It helps that everyone I’ve been around today has made me feel safe.
Thinking back on the last day is difficult. I’ve come so far, but I know I’m not out of the woods. Not yet. I should have considered the consequences of my actions, but I didn’t really think that my life could be in danger.
I should have and I can see that now.
The scenery as we drive toward the mountain, and a cabin somewhere on it, is a blur. A gorgeous blur. Thankfully, the forest feels familiar even though I’m far from home.
Home. Can I ever go back there? I doubt it. Do I even want to?
The last time I felt as lost as I do right now is when mom died. I push those memories away, that grief and pain, because the hole in my soul left behind by her passing has never been filled. Surprisingly enough, its easier to think about how I got here than her death.
Having someone meet me in Spokane, instead of being on the bus until reaching Denver, was a relief. Still, I was on high alert until I wasn’t alone. I kept thinking it was only a matter of time before the bus was run off the road or overtaken by the men looking for me. All they would have needed to do was step on the bus to find me. It’s not like I dyed my hair or was wearing a disguise or something.
But I also knew life is not an action film, though it felt like I was trapped in one. I could only hope Higgins and his team were going to be able to protect me.
More than that, I needed help in figuring out how to get Luxe Notes to stop coming after me. Would leaving Seattle be enough? I doubted it.
Even though I had never met Duncan before, having him waiting for me at the Spokane Station had tears filling my eyes. After introducing me, Duncan’s eyes became soft because it was clear how much I was struggling. For the first time in a long time, I missed my mom. I missed the security of her hugs and her scent.
I missed knowing that someone had my back.
Without asking, Duncan pulled me into his arms and hugged me. It felt like a lifeline, like I could trust him and what was being offered to me. The hint of rose I smelled on him reminded me of my mom’s perfume and put me at ease.
“I-I’m,” I stammered, “I’m sorry. I’m normally more put together than this.” I gently pulled away from him and wiped the tears from my cheeks. “I’ll be stronger.”
Duncan’s eyebrows pulled together, and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “You don’t need to be strong, Fallon. We’re going to make sure that you’re safe. You did the right thing and that’s all there is to it. Once we get you somewhere safe then Blake and the rest of us will work on ensuring the men trying to protect their money know you’re off limits.”
My shoulders slumped and I nodded as Duncan led me to a waiting car. “I thought Bodhi had lost his mind when he told me about Higgins Security and made sure I had the number.” My voice dropped, defeat lacing through each word, “I guess he hadn’t lost his mind.”
“He was just looking out for you,” Duncan assured me as he helped me into the car.
I nodded and allowed silence to wrap around us while Duncan drove. I was shocked as hell when we pulled into a small, private air strip. The surprise only mounted when we went toward a private plane. My jaw was definitely on the floor.
Duncan chuckled and shrugged like it was no big deal. “It helps to know the right people and we happen to be close to Suburban Outcasts.”
I squeaked, “The band?”
“Yup,” Duncan popped the p before jumping out of the car, helping me out and grabbing the one bag I had.
There was no way for me to prepare for the opulence inside the plane or the beautiful woman sitting inside and waiting for us. The warm smile on her face the moment our eyes met put me at ease instantly. I hadn’t even realized how stiff my body was until I started relaxing.
“Hi, Fallon,” she greeted me, her voice bright but not in a fake way. “I’m Ellington. I would have rather been the one to meet your bus, but I was told I had to stay on the plane,” she griped and shot Duncan a scathing look that had me smiling.
Duncan was a pretty big dude, and I didn’t doubt for a moment his capability to protect me. Ellington gave off the same vibe which reminded me of Bodhi. I had to wonder if they were both former military, but that thought made my chest ache with missing my brother.
“That’s because you just gave birth not long ago and should, technically, be on maternity leave,” Duncan shot right back at her.
My eyes widened as I looked at Ellington again. I gasped, “You just gave birth?”
Ellington’s face softened as she patted the way too soft looking chair next to her. “I did and I’ll be more than willing to show you the million photos I’ve taken of Davis,” there was a satisfaction in her voice I didn’t understand but yearned for all the same. It was clear, with only a few words, that she was smitten with her little one. “But taking a few hours to do the job I love is not a hardship,” she assured me gently.
“Blake thought it might be easier for you to have a female here with us,” Duncan explained.
I nodded and sat back against the supple leather, letting it surround me. Exhaustion threatened to pull me under, but I was still restless.
“Fallon,” Duncan’s voice was a gentle prompt, “can you tell me what happened? I know you already told Blake some things, but I’m the resident tech guy. I’d like to dive into this problem and see what I can find. Once we get to Colorado, Blake has secured you a location where you’ll be safe. Then we’ll work on making sure you stay that way by going after those who have the most to lose with Luxe Notes being exposed for the company they really are.”
I nodded and then launched into everything. I told them about Dr. Hamilton being sick and getting the call from Mr. Carlisle. My voice was rough and thick with emotion as I explained about the Janus folder on Dr. Hamilton’s computer and everything I found inside. When I told them about remembering the article Echo wrote about the company when I was just starting and going to her, Duncan and Ellington looked at me with pride.
For the first time since this whole thing began, I found a flicker of pride in myself. Up to that moment it had all been big and scary.
“You were very brave,” Duncan’s praise washed over me, and it was like Bodhi was there at my side encouraging me, strangely enough.
“I didn’t feel brave,” I admitted. “All I felt was afraid, but I also knew that I couldn’t let the public image Luxe Notes had continue. Not when they were stealing and paying people off to maintain it. I was lied to long before I even started working there because I admired the company. I felt betrayed.”
“You were betrayed,” Ellington’s voice had an edge of steel to it and when I glanced at her, the fierce look on her face had me sitting up a little straighter. “If you hadn’t found that folder, looked in it, and decided to do something with the information, they would have been able to continue their lies and crimes for who knows how long.”
Tears pricked the backs of my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall. I nodded, hoping she could see the gratitude I felt in that moment with her validation written on my features. The way she reached for my hand and squeezed it told me that she did.
Finishing the rest of my story was easier right up until I got to the part where my security system notified me about my front door being opened. The fear I felt watching those three men, guns in hand, enter my home was still just as fresh and real.
I gave Duncan my phone and played the video which had him clenching his jaw. It made me feel safer because the fury coming off him was just as real as my fear.
“I didn’t know what to do,” I admitted, “but in that moment I remembered Bodhi telling me to contact Higgins Security if I ever needed help.” I chuckled and shook my head, looking away without really seeing the fancy plane around me. “I thought he was just being ridiculous when he told me that, just being my big brother. But I’m so glad he gave me the ability to get help when I needed it the most.” I blinked a few times, not wanting to cry, not yet anyway. “I went straight to the bus station and waited for the next bus to Denver. I needed to move, to run. The moment the sun came out, I called the number Bodhi put in my phone.”
“And now here you are,” Ellington’s voice was soft and comforting.
“And here I am,” I echoed.
Duncan nodded and gave me a smile that bolstered my defenses just a little bit more. “We’re going to make sure that you’re safe, Fallon,” he assured me. “When we land, Blake will be there, and we’ll be taking you to Hutch’s cabin.”
Butterflies took flight when Duncan mentioned Hutch. Meeting more people felt huge, but if Blake thought it would be the best place for me to be safe then I wasn’t going to question it.
The rest of the flight was quiet and even though I was exhausted, I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw those three men. But I wasn’t in a hotel watching on my phone, I was home, and they found me.
“You okay?” Blake’s question pulls me out of my thoughts. When I look up at the rear-view mirror, I find his crystal blue, concern filled eyes glancing back at me.
I force a small smile on my face and nod. “I’m good,” my voice is hoarse and even I can hear the exhaustion in my tone.
“We’re almost there,” he assures me. “I know this is a lot, Fallon, but you’re doing amazing. You’ll be able to rest when we get to Hutch’s cabin.” There are those butterflies again even though that makes no sense. “He does contract work for me occasionally but prefers the solitude of being on Alpha Mountain.” He frowns slightly like he’s thinking about something before his face smooths out. “He’ll protect you with his life.”
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Bodhi trusts you. I trust you.”
Honestly, even if Bodhi didn’t trust Blake Higgins, I would be hard pressed not to. He’s a giant of a man that exudes a calm strength that has helped to soothe some of the jagged edges from the last few days. I’m still anxious, but I’m trying to accept that I may never be able to shake that feeling.
I did the right thing, even though it was hard. That has to count for something. It’s not like I regret going to Echo with the truth.
“Blake,” I begin and lean forward in my seat a little bit, “can you please not contact Bodhi. Not yet at least?”
Blake frowns and his eyes are intent when he meets my gaze in the rearview mirror again. “You don’t want to let him know what’s going on? I’m sure he would want to know.”
I nod slowly and lean back against the seat. “I’m sure he would want to know, but it would only worry him. I don’t want to split is focus, not while he’s deployed and too far away to help. When everything is done, I promise I’ll tell him,” I whisper.
“I won’t reach out to him,” Blake doesn’t sound happy about it even though he agrees. “But I reserve the right to reach out to him if I need to.”
I suck in a sharp breath with the words he’s not saying. If something goes wrong. If they’re unable to keep me safe.
I nod and try not to think of how I’ve turned my life upside down in the matter of days. Really, it only took a single moment to upend everything I took for granted as truth.
My mind zones out until the trees clear and we stop in front of a gorgeous wood cabin nestled into the wilderness. I suck in a breath and marvel at the beauty. Duncan is out of the car, opening my door, and helping me out before I’m able to take it all in.
When the door of the cabin opens, my eyes snap toward the man who steps out onto the front porch. He’s a big guy and his muscles strain against the henley he’s wearing, not at all bothered by the cold biting air up on the mountain. His dark hair is longer on top than the sides and when a strand flops forward over his forehead, my fingers itch to smooth it back.
His hazel eyes meet mine and a feeling of warmth, of complete safety, wraps around me. It doesn’t make any sense, and it should have warning bells going off in my head. Maybe it’s just exhaustion talking, but I swear a connection, a tendril of knowing, forms between us.
But that can’t be real. Can it?