I turn my head to the side and quickly wipe the tears from my cheek, then take a deep breath before looking back at Mom.
“Soon you’ll be travelin’ all over the world again,” I say.
“We,” she corrects me.
“Yeah, you’re right. We’ll travel to all your favorite places,” I agree.
Friday Alec surprises me when he says, “I’m gonna go to the drop point to see who shows up for the money.”
“Really?” It takes me a moment to gather myself. “But I don’t have the money. I need time to get that kind of cash from the bank.”
“No,” he says quickly, shaking his head. “I’m going without the money. I’m hopin’ I’ll be lucky, and whoever’s blackmailin’ you will show up.”
“Oh.”
Alec places his hand on my shoulder. “Lock all the doors and don’t go anywhere while I’m gone. Your mom has the panic button so if somethin’ happens, press it, and I’ll know to come back.”
“Okay.” He caught me so off guard all I can do is watch him leave.
Five minutes after Alec leaves, I begin to worry for his safety. Who knows what he’ll be walking into.
I try to keep myself busy with planning the next fundraiser, but every few minutes my thoughts turn to Alec.
Two hours later I’m contemplating pressing the panic button just so he’ll come home. When I hear a car pull up the drive, I don’t think and yank the front door open. Rushing out onto the porch, I let out a relieved sigh when I see Alec climbing out of the car.
“Are you okay?” I ask while my eyes go over him, looking for any wounds.
“I’m fine,” he says, as he takes my hand, pulling me back inside. He gives me a look I’ve never seen before. “You were worried?”
“Of course,” I say with a little too much emotion.
The corner of his mouth lifts in a slow smile, and he draws me into a hug. “I’m back.”
When he lets me go, I ask, “Did the person show?” I need to know who has been extorting money from me.
“Do you know a Joe Randall?”
A ripple of shock shudders through me when I hear the name. “Clay knows him. Joe is a friend of Clay’s father.”
Alec’s about to say something when the realization hits me so hard, I take a couple of steps away from him.
“Oh, my God.” Feeling sick, I press a hand to my stomach. With wide eyes, I breathe faster as I try to wrap my mind around it. “It’s Clay?”
Alec steps closer to me and placing his hand on my back, I see the compassion on his face which tells me I’m right.
Disillusioned by the person, I once trusted with my life – with my mother’s life – the crippling emotions threaten to rip the ground open beneath me.
“I trusted him,” I whisper.
Alec wraps his arms around me, pulling me against his chest. I bury my face in his neck, needing to hide from the harsh reality for a couple of seconds.
“He was my best friend.” The words are hoarse, and I bring my hands to Alec’s waist, gripping fistfuls of his shirt.
The devastating feelings only last minutes, before anger begins to burn in my chest. I push away from Alec, and my breathing comes faster as I start to walk towards my bedroom.
Clay used my own mother against me.
Reaching my room, I pace the length of it. My eyes fall on the closet where the safe is.
Clay used me.
“I’m going to make you pay,” I grind the words out. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I search for the right name, then press dial.
“Wyatt, speakin’,” he answers.
“Wyatt, it’s Reece.” I take a breath and close my eyes, so I don’t lose my nerve now. “I have somethin’ I think you should take a look at. It’s about Clay. Can we meet?”
There’s a moment of silence, then Wyatt says, “I can meet you right now.”
Knowing I might back out once I calm down, I agree, “Okay. I’ll text you my new address.”
Ending the call, I send Wyatt my address, then throw the phone on the bed.
“Stay angry, Reece. You need to do this for Mom,” I encourage myself.
You need to do this for yourself.
Yanking the closet open, I key in the code to the safe. The door clicks open, and I stare at the flash drive which has all the evidence on it. With a trembling hand, I pick it up and close the safe door.
Turning around, I see Alec watching me from the door. There’s a mixture of relief and worry on his face, but knowing Wyatt is on his way, I don’t have time to talk to him.
“I have a friend comin’ over,” I say, then walk toward the door. About to pass by Alec, I stop and almost reach for his hand.
I need you to stay by my side tonight.
As if he can sense my distress, his fingers brush against mine, and leaning closer, he presses a soft kiss against my temple. The caring gesture gives me the strength I need, and without looking at Alec, I leave the room to go wait downstairs for Wyatt.
Not even five minutes later, the doorbell chimes. Opening the door, and seeing Wyatt, my nerves kick in. I’m glad he’s not wearing his police uniform because that would’ve made me feel way too anxious.
“Come in,” I say, then gesture toward the living room where Alec has been sitting quietly. I introduce the men then say, “Take a seat, Wyatt.”
Instead of sitting, Wyatt gives me his familiar wide smile, and it instantly puts me at ease. He’s always been a laid back person.
I walk over to where my laptop is on the coffee table from when I was working on the next fundraiser and insert the flash drive.
“I’m sorry I didn’t give this to you sooner,” I say, then gesture for Wyatt to look at the screen.
I stand to the side, not needing to watch the meeting Clay had with a guy about trucks to provide transportation to various drop points.
“Holy shit,” Wyatt breathes. “This is perfect.”
“There’s another recording after that one, of Clay on a call to someone about disguising the transporting of the product as a charity run,” I add, so he’ll keep watching.
Before Wyatt can watch the next clip, his phone starts to ring.
“Give me a sec,” he says, pausing the footage I stole from the security room. No one knew I had it, and I’m so damn thankful I took the initiative to copy it to a flash drive. I just needed something on Clay to protect myself in case things went bad… like now.
“Aiden,” Wyatt answers the call when Alec’s phone starts to ring, as well.
CHAPTER 17
“I was just doing my job.”
ALEC
The second I see Zac’s name flashing on my phone, I know shit’s about to hit the fan.
Hearing Wyatt say Aiden’s name, my eyes dart to Reece.
“I’ll check on Mom while you’re both taking the calls,” she says.
I wait for her to go up the stairs, then answer, “What happened?”
“Aiden’s callin’ Wyatt right now. There’s a drug run happening in four days. Pull out, and report to the office. We need to prepare for the bust.”
“Okay,” I say, and as I end the call, I close my eyes. Shit, I didn’t expect the day to end like this.
I lied to Reece when I told her Joe Randell was at the drop point to collect the money. After the meeting with the guys, I had a hunch Roberts was the one blackmailing her, but out of fear of Reece going down with Clay, I had to push her to give us whatever evidence she has on him.
I should be relieved she fell for the lie and called Wyatt. But fuck, now I have to blow my cover, and I’m not sure how she’s going to deal with it.
Wyatt ends his call with Aiden and looks at me with a broad smile.
“Was that Zac?”
“Yeah,” I say as I sit down.
“Thank fuck I don’t have to sit in the van anymore,” he says as he presses play on Reece’s laptop. We watch the rest of the footage, and it alone is enough to issue a warrant of arrest for Roberts.
<
br /> “I have to break cover,” I say.
“Yeah?” Wyatt pats me on the shoulder. “If everythin’ goes well, you’ll be back home by the end of the week.”
That’s the last thing on my mind.
Reece comes down the stairs, and both Wyatt and I get up. Wyatt pulls the flash drive from the laptop, and says, “Thanks for this, Reece. It will help a lot.”
“There’s one more thing,” she says, looking anxious as hell. I wish I could put her at ease. “Clay had access to my bank account. I honestly didn’t know what he was using the money for in the beginnin’, and when I found out, I was too scared to stop him.”
“We already know about that,” Wyatt replies.
“Does that mean I’ll be arrested as an accomplice? I need to know so I can make provisions for my mom.” The fear is unmistakable in her voice, and I move forward, stepping around the coffee table to get to her.
Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I say, “No, you’re a witness. You’ll be okay.”
Reece frowns and looks up at me, and I feel the weight of the words I’m about to say bearing down on me.
“I’m gonna head back to the station,” Wyatt says. Trust him to make a run for it before I tell Reece the truth.
I wait for Reece as she sees Wyatt out. Glancing up, I take a deep breath and try to steel myself for what’s to come.
The moment Reece walks back into the living room, and she sees my expression, all the emotion drains from her face.
“I’m an undercover detective,” I get the truth out as fast as possible.
Reece just stares at me. Unlike when I told her about Joe Randall, and she was angry.
Needing to explain myself further, I say, “I’m really from Spartanburg. I’m a detective at the precinct there.”
She lowers her eyes to the floor and lets out a chuckle that sounds hollow as fuck. “Is anythin’ you told me true?”
I close the distance between us and place my hand on her shoulder. “Yes, most of it.”
“Is your name really Alec?” There’s no emotion in her voice which is starting to worry me.
“Yes. Alec Taylor.” I pull her into a hug wishing I could’ve told her a different way.
She stands still for a couple of minutes, and I’m seriously beginning to worry when she suddenly shoves me away.
“Get out,” she grinds the words through clenched teeth. I thought she was angry earlier, but right now it looks like she’s ready to take a swing at me.
“I’m sorry, Reece. It’s my job.” She starts to walk to the stairs and knowing I won’t get another chance, I add, “I’m really sorry.”
“If you’re sorry you’ll leave this house right now,” she bites the words out.
“Fuck,” I spit the word out and shove my hands into my hair. I feel like dog shit.
I don’t have time to repair the damage done, and go to the room I was staying in to pack the few things I have there. Throwing the bag over my shoulder, I head to Mrs. Nicolson’s room.
I open the door and step inside. Reece gets up from where she was sitting next to the bed and walks right by me, and out of the room.
I go to stand next to the bed and smile down at Mrs. Nicolson. “I’ve been called away for some work,” I explain without saying too much. “I’ll come to visit often. Keep the panic button I gave you and use it if you need me.”
“Leavin’?” she asks.
“Yeah, but I’ll be back.” I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll check on you soon.”
She nods, and even though I see the questions in her eyes, I choose to ignore them.
Drawing the door shut behind me, I look at Reece who’s been waiting right outside the room.
“Is it okay if I visit your mom sometime?”
Her eyes begin to sparkle with unshed tears, and unable to hold myself back, I close the distance between us and pull her into a hug.
“I didn’t want to do it this way,” I say as I turn my face into her hair. “I’m sorry, Reece. I’m gonna wrap up this case, after that, I’ll be back so we can talk.”
She pulls herself free from my hold and shakes her head. Taking a quivering breath, she brings her eyes to mine.
“Make appointments with Nurse Hensley to visit my mother, so I know in advance not to be here.” She takes hold of the doorknob, then says, “Good luck with your case, Detective.”
Seeing the hurt on her face is so much worse than dealing with her anger. She was angry at Roberts, but I’m the one who hurt her. I’m the one who betrayed her.
CHAPTER 18
“I’ll never trust anyone again.”
REECE
It feels like I’m caught in the eye of a storm. There’s a hollow feeling spreading through me, and the fact that it’s not because of Clay is killing me.
I didn’t see it coming. I believed every lie Alec told me.
How fucking stupid am I?
Sitting in the indoor garden with the lights off, I watch the stars through the glass ceiling. I wrap my arms around me, needing some form of comfort.
Shit, I can’t handle much more. I’m at my limit. It feels like I’m going crazy. The world around me is so fucked up.
I’ve been thinking about all the stupid shit Clay and I used to do together; from playing hiding-go-seek to going to our first party. I loved him. I really loved him so much. I thought we’d be friends forever.
Didn’t it mean anything to him?
Then there’s Alec. I’ve only known him three weeks, but somehow, he’s become a part of every aspect of my life. Even Mom got attached to him.
Was it all a game to him?
Was he watching my every move so he could bust me?
No matter how much I deny it, I trusted him. I trusted him alone with Mom.
Why does this keep happening to me? Why do people keep stabbing me in the back?
Lies. My life is built on a mountain of lies. Is there any truth left in this world?
Looking at Mom, I say, “Thank you.”
“For what?” she asks, and hearing her clear words, still brings so much joy to my bruised heart.
“For not leavin’ me.”
I wish I could tell her about everything that’s happened, but I don’t want to upset her.
She smiles and places her hand on top of mine. “He’ll be back.”
I shake my head, and smiling sadly, I gather the utensils and plate onto the tray.
“I’m just gonna put this in the kitchen then I’ll be back. You want to go sit in the garden with me for a while?”
“That’d be nice.”
I’m so glad Mom’s getting better. It’s giving me the strength to face each day. For her, I’ll live. For her, I’ll withstand whatever life throws at me.
After getting back from the kitchen, Nurse Hensley helps me get Mom into the wheelchair. I push her to the indoor garden and stop at random flowers so Mom can look at them.
When it starts growing dark, I place a chair next to Mom and sit down.
“Look up, Mom. The stars are coming out.”
We sit in silence for a long while, then Mom whispers, “So pretty.”
“Where do you want to go first when we start travelin’?” I ask.
“Mmm…” Mom turns her head to me and says, “China.”
I nod. “I’ll start making plans. You’re doing so well, we’ll be able to go soon.”
“And you?” Mom keeps her sentences short, concentrating on pronouncing the words right, but I have faith she’ll be talking my ear off in a couple of weeks.
“Croatia,” I answer. “There’s a waterfall I want to see.”
“Just us?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “I get a feelin’ it will always just be the two of us.”
CHAPTER 19
“There’s no way she’ll forgive me.”
ALEC
We’ve been planning the bust for the past three days, giving me no time to visit Mrs. Nicolson. I’ve changed the came
ra feed from Reece’s house, so it feeds to my laptop. If the captain finds out, I’ll be fired, but I need to see how she’s holding up.
She’s been spending most of her time between her Mom’s room and the indoor garden.
When I last saw her, she was cold and distant, but watching the screen, I see the pain. Reece only cries when she’s alone which makes me wish I could be there to hold her.
‘It must be me.’ I hear Reece say.
“No, it’s not.”
‘Damn, I’m an awful judge of character.’
“Yes, you are,” I agree with her.
‘I trusted you, Alec.’ The sadness in her voice is like a knife to my heart.
“I’m sorry, Reece.” I’ll apologize a million times if it means she’ll forgive me, but I know there’s no way that will happen.
She looks up at the ceiling for a couple of minutes before she glances around the room. She stops when she’s looking directly at the camera.
‘I should get a security company in to put up new cameras. For all I know you bugged my damn house and you’re watchin’ me.’
“Yeah, you should get new ones. I’ll miss checkin’ in on you, though.”
‘You better not be watchin’ me.’ She gets up and glares at the camera. ‘Ugh, now I’m givin’ myself the creeps.’
I let out a burst of laughter. “Cute.”
We’re all on standby as we wait for the pick up to happen.
When I got back to the precinct, Zac told me Aiden managed to plant a camera in Pastor Doug’s office when he pretended to ask advice about parenting. That’s how they got the information about the drug run going down. Turns out the pastor has been involved all along.
Zac is taking the lead on the bust because it’s hitting so close to home with Pastor Doug being involved. Wyatt is still in shock.
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