Chapter Eighteen
Remy
A few days have passed since Lance’s gift ended up on my doorstep.
Every morning since, Raven and I have stopped at the hospital for a visit with my father.
I pre-arrange with one of my male siblings so someone can sit with Raven in an upstairs waiting room.
I don’t need her in the lobby, exposed to anyone walking in or out.
Today, my father is being discharged which allows me to breathe easier and focus on what I want to do about Raven’s request to be bait for Lance.
Understanding that I have a full plate, worrying about my father, she’s given me space and hasn’t pressured me for an answer.
Now though, Alex will be home and I can free up my mental energy.
I’ve invited my brothers to my apartment tonight, along with Garrett and Zach.
They’ve all arrived, knowing I want to discuss the Lance problem.
Meanwhile, Raven is hanging out at Fallon’s apartment, along with Stevie and an Alpha Security bodyguard watching over them.
It’s the only way I’d allow a girls’ night and I understand Raven needs an escape from my apartment.
Now, with my apartment full, I fill the men in, and as I speak, I realize I’m tired of talking about Lance Kane and having my life dictated by the sick fuck. I can only imagine how Raven feels. Zach goes next, reiterating why he thinks Raven’s idea of being bait has merit.
“I want this bastard behind bars again so Raven can live her life,” I say.
Garrett leans forward in his seat. “Then I agree with Zach,” Garrett says. “Let her do that.”
“Can you guarantee her safety if he shows up and tries to grab her before I can get to her?” Because I’ll be inside the bar, not right by her side. Not if we want to give Lance the opportunity to strike.
Garrett hesitates. “There’s no way I’ll be able to get anyone assigned to watch her,” he says, making my gut clench.
“So how can you ask him to put her in danger?” Aiden asks.
Though I haven’t been able to spend time with my wanderer sibling since he returned home, the twenty or so minutes my brothers and I had together before Garrett and Zach arrived were enough time for me to lay out my feelings for Raven.
The others might not be in a relationship but nobody gives me shit for it.
Well, not too much. Just enough to know things are normal between us all.
“Because I have enough vacation time coming to watch over her myself,” Garrett says.
I relax upon hearing that. Though I have faith in myself to look out for Raven, knowing Garrett will be there helps me accept the inevitable decision.
“What do you think, Rem?” Jared asks, glancing my way. My brother loosens his tie. He’s come straight from work and is still wearing his suit.
I groan. “I was going to keep fighting it… until that damned bakery drop-off and threatening note. Lance will keep escalating and Raven’s right. It isn’t fair that she has to keep watching over her shoulder, being afraid all the time.”
“Remember, no setting him up,” Garrett warns. “Either he fucks himself or we wait until he does.”
Zach meets my gaze. We’ve been friends long enough that we can read each other’s thoughts. We each have been mulling over that very idea.
“I mean it, you two,” Garrett says, obviously catching our interaction and assuming we’re making separate plans.
I nod, meaning it. “I might have considered it but I wouldn’t jeopardize an arrest by making it anything but legit.”
“Agreed.”
My words and Zach’s firm tone seem to appease Garrett, who pushes himself to his feet. “Okay, I’ll put in for vacation time and be in touch.”
“I’ll leave with him. My wife is home waiting.” Zach and Hadley have come to their New York City apartment while this situation plays out.
He rises and follows Garrett to the elevator.
Once the doors close behind them, I glance at my brothers. “You all understand, right? I have no choice. Hell, I’m worried if I don’t Raven will take matters into her own hands and do it anyway.” That or she’ll run. Neither solution is an acceptable one.
“I can’t imagine it’s easy for you,” Aiden says. “I know after Mom died, the thought of letting any woman I care about put herself in danger is scary as fuck.”
Grateful that my brother understands, I nod. “That’s always on my mind.”
“But Raven will have you, Garrett, and any one of us you need around to protect her,” Dex says.
The others murmur in assent.
And that’s why I love my siblings. We might be a large family but we’re also a tight unit. “As much as I appreciate that, you all have jobs to do.”
“Speak for yourself,” Aiden says. “I’m on leave.”
“And I’m retired.” Dex grins. He rises and walks over to the bar. “Does anyone want a refill? There’s another bottle of Dirty Dare Scotch when this runs out.”
I keep my friend’s family liquor stocked at home.
In addition to owning the bars and the PI business with me, Zach has a stake in Dirty Dare Spirits, a company his brother, Asher, started and had his siblings invest in.
The success rivals Casamigos and other celebrity-owned brands.
From what Zach says, Asher has been offered plenty of money to sell but so far, the company remains in the family’s hands.
Dex fills everyone’s glass and the evening turns into joking and ribbing like we always did growing up.
I leave them talking and rise, walking over to the huge window I often catch Raven staring out of, taking in the city.
“You okay?” Dex asks, joining me. Because we’re the same age and were friends even before Dex’s parents died and he came to live with the Sterlings, Dex and I share a tight bond. I’m not surprised he’s the one who’s come to check on me.
I shrug. “Unsure.”
“Understandable.” Dex puts a hand on my shoulder. “Try to relax. I have faith everything will work out.”
I attempt to feel the same way but the knots in my stomach have me on edge. “I think I’m going to head over to Fallon’s.”
“And interrupt girls’ night?”
I grin. “I don’t think Raven will mind.”
Dex rolls his eyes. “And you talk shit about my ego?”
“I can’t wait to see the woman who knocks you off your feet.”
“Not happening,” Dex insists. “There might have been someone… once. But it wasn’t meant to be.”
That comes as a surprise and I narrow my eyes. “Who? Because I’d remember if you ever mentioned someone.”
“You probably would have, if I ever gave you her name.” Dex finishes his drink. “Come on. I’ll help you kick the others out and you can get going.”
I don’t care if they stay to hang out but when Dex and I announce we’re leaving, everyone else says they’ll go home too. So I head to pick up Raven from my sister’s and hope she isn’t too drunk to talk when we get home.
* * *
Raven
Fallon’s apartment is as eclectic as the woman who owns it, decorated with bright colors and fun prints on the walls. Instead of a penthouse like Remy, Fallon lives in a loft in Tribeca.
When Fallon invited me to hang out, she told me to bring a friend. I have no doubt either Remy told his sister that I’m a loner or Fallon figured it out for herself. The woman isn’t just pretty and smart, she’s intuitive, too.
“I love the art on the walls,” Stevie says, pointing to a colorful print behind the plush white sofa where we’re sitting. A little girl is skipping rope and the only color is a bright burst of hot pink in a bow on her head.
Fallon beams, her eyes glittering like golden gemstones, reminding me of her brother’s gorgeous iris coloring. “Thank you. I created that one myself.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What do you do for a living? Or is it a hobby?” I ask.
Fallon shakes her head. “I do silk screen pop art prints and I own a gallery nearby.”
“Oh, wow! I’d love to come see it sometime,” Stevie says. “You’re so talented!” She picks up her glass of cranberry juice and vodka and takes a sip.
When we arrived and Fallon offered us drinks, all three of us wound up with the same choice.
Then she led us to the white sofa. Stevie and I hesitated, not wanting to go near the no doubt expensive sofa and spill the berry-colored drink by mistake.
Fallon waved us off and informed us the couch was from Wayfair and even if it had been expensive, she wouldn’t care. It was meant to be enjoyed.
I’m still nervous and tend to drink often to make sure there isn’t much at the top of the glass. I wondered if I’ll end up plastered by the time the night ends but soon after arriving, I realized Fallon just wants to get to know me and I’m touched that Remy’s sister has made the effort.
As usual, I try to ignore the twisting in my stomach that warns me being with these women puts them in possible danger, assuming Lance somehow is following me and knows who I care about.
But Remy knew about the invitation before Fallon extended it and he arranged for security so I could go.
He somehow sensed Lance’s grip on my life is becoming stifling so he figured out a way to let me have fun.
He even promised to put a permanent guard on Fallon and Stevie afterward, and that allowed me to agree to come.
How permanent the Alpha Security guard is remains to be seen. Remy is meeting with his detective friend tonight, along with Zach and his brothers. The brothers wanted to hang out and Remy plans to discuss my situation with the detective and Zach, both men he trusts.
When Zach’s now wife had issues with her father’s mob associates, she ran to Zach for help. And he protected her, then put in motion something similar to what I’ve suggested, drawing out the people who were making Hadley’s life hell. I pray they’ll talk Remy into letting me do the same.
“Fallon, how’s your father doing?” Stevie asks. “I know Remy took time off while he was in the hospital.”
Fallon sighs. “He’s home and feeling better. Thanks for asking. The doctors are optimistic since it was a mild heart attack. But he needs to take it easy for a while. My brother, Jared, works with him and now that Aiden’s home, he’s going to help out so Dad can stay home.”
“What about you? Are you okay? I know Remy took his heart attack hard,” I say.
Fallon draws a deep breath, remaining silent while she closes her eyes, obviously attempting to compose herself.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She waves a hand, dismissing my concern. “It’s fine. I’m… I guess you could say I’m a daddy’s girl and proud of it. More so since Mom died. I was only ten and I clung to him afterward.”
Thinking of my own parents and their deaths, a lump rises in my throat. “Understandable,” I murmur.
“But the doctors’ prognosis helped me calm down.” Fallon picks up the bottle of vodka and pours a touch more into her glass.
Stevie does too but I decline. I want to be clearheaded to hear what Remy and the guys discussed.
“So,” Fallon says. “You and my brother, hmm? I like it.” She tips her glass back and takes a sip.
“So do I,” Stevie says, saving me from having to reply.
Which is good since I don’t feel like getting into the whole Lance problem or the potential that I might decide to pack up and leave. I’m as over Lance as I am of my own thoughts about him.
“You should see Raven and Remy together.” Stevie fans herself and grins.
I shake my head. “Cut it out,” I mutter.
“What about you, Stevie? Any special guy in your life?” Fallon curls a leg beneath her and leans back.
Her friend sticks out her lip in a pout. “No one.” She lifts her glass. “But Raven’s brother, Caleb, is super cute.” She waggles her eyebrows and takes a long drink.
“Oooh a potential match. I like that.”
But I stiffen. “Unless Lance goes back to prison, you stay away from my brother,” I warn Stevie. “I do not want to have to worry about you.”
With a sigh, Stevie curls up into her corner of the couch. “I get it.”
Dammit, I think. Not only am I a party pooper but I’m also the biggest worrier on the planet. And I’m sick and tired of all of it.
“Okay, let’s raise the mood,” Fallon says, rising and walking over to where she left her phone on a counter.
She presses a few buttons and soon music fills the large room. “One day, we’ll all go out to a club and party and I’ll introduce you to my friends but until we can, let’s dance here!”
Fallon doesn’t stop until we humor her and before I know it, we’re spinning and laughing and I’ve even finished two glasses of my drink.
By the time Remy arrives to bring me home, I fall into his arms, all thoughts of Lance buried where they should be.