by S. M. West
I bite the inside of my cheek, fighting to school my features. He’s basically indicated that he intends on taking her for all she’s worth—her contacts, or network as he called it. Oh, and taking me as well. As for the rest, he wants nothing to do with it. The question is, how does he plan on getting rid of her?
Murder springs to mind. That’s usually how he solves his problems.
“Now back to my question, which you averted with your lies. How do you expect me to believe you’ve left Max and Van, your friends as you called them, when you had a hand in last night’s mess?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Last night’s mess?
A tremor prickles down my spine. He’s likely talking about the auction. Obviously, he got away, and Max is at HC so he isn’t hurt or worse. What happened? He isn’t happy about it.
“Really?” He leans in close, and I spring to my feet before he can grab me.
A low rumble erupts from deep within him as he tightens his jaw. “Why are you so jittery, Thomasina? Is it because you’ve been a naughty girl? Don’t play games with me. You know the FBI raided the auction last night and rounded up almost everyone there, including your dear Max.”
Anxiety spikes my blood pressure. Max’s arrest was always part of the plan, this doesn’t surprise me, but Ash might think this meeting is a trap, so why is he here?
“I knew nothing about last night. I told you, I’ve cut ties with Max and Evan.”
“Don’t. I’m no fool. You expect me to believe you didn’t have a hand in it?” He now stands tall, only a foot or two from me.
“I didn’t, and I don’t expect you to believe me but it’s the truth. What do you want?” I whisper, now desperate to get away from him. To be alone with my thoughts.
“You know what I want. Don’t be coy with me.” With his one step forward, I take one back. “The fiasco last night… You cost me more than you can ever repay.”
“I think you have that wrong.” I stiffen my spine and nail him with a glare, my hand now clutching at the opening to the purse.
“How so?”
“I don’t owe you. You owe me. And no matter what you do, you’ll never be able to make it up to me.”
I turn on my heel, briskly striding toward the street. I didn’t gain any more information or any clue as to how to get to him and I’m angry with myself. The meeting was a risk and I had such high hopes for some kind of indication as to what my next move might be, but instead, Ash is ready to pounce. He may even have people ready to whisk me away. I can’t stay here any longer. I need to get away.
He keeps pace with me, but fortunately he doesn’t touch me. “Remember what I do to people who cross me? You of all know best. You run from me and you’ll regret it.”
Run is exactly what I do. I run to a cab, ordering him to drive. Shaking in the backseat, I toss the HC cell phone out the window and next the burner phone, not willing to risk any kind of tracker.
We drive out to Long Island and then back to Manhattan, sitting in traffic for what feels like hours as I play over and over again my conversation with Ash. My plan had been to dig for more about his relationship with Taya. I can’t shake the feeling she could be useful, that there may be something there.
And there are two goals here. Get rid of Ash. Get rid of Taya. But I come up empty. Until I don’t. As the cabbie heads south downtown, I’m hit with what Ash meant when he said, “Remember what I do to people who cross me? You of all know best. You run from me and you’ll regret it.”
My parents.
He always believed I’d acted on my father’s wishes to move his money despite my insistence that I had done the deed of my own accord. And even though I returned his funds, every single penny, he said it was a betrayal. Not my betrayal.
My father betrayed him. And in return, as punishment, he set my family home on fire. He killed both my parents.
Now, Max, Van and everyone at HC… they’re my family. Shit, and last night’s raid was another betrayal.
I jump out of the cab still a block away from the building that houses the HC offices. Fire trucks, police cars and an ambulance are scattered across what is usually a busy street. It’s utter bedlam with police diverting traffic, people on the sidewalks and hoses of water spraying up into the air.
Water wells up in my eyes, spilling onto my cheeks as I run toward the burning building, yelling at the top of my lungs. Ash set my world on fire. Oh my God, who was in there when the place went up in flames?
Max
I yawn, lying back on the hospital bed, and the second my head hits the pillow, my name booms over the intercom system. The female voice requests that I report to the nurses’ station.
I’m not even supposed to be here and if I was at home, I’d most probably be sleeping right now. But my apartment was the last place I wanted to be. I couldn’t bear the thought of my empty apartment without Tommie.
Yet I feel like shit for leaving Gunnar alone for another night. I’m grateful the dog walker has fed and walked him today.
Last night wasn’t planned. I spent it in a jail cell with scumbags and sick motherfuckers. I’ll make it up to him tomorrow with an extra-long run.
Leaving the unoccupied room that I just scouted this entire wing for is depressing. Who knows if it’ll be empty when I get back? There was another doctor searching for a place to grab a few hours of sleep.
Down the hall is the front desk, where a woman with her head hung low, shoulders hunched, looms over the nurses’ station. My heart kicks into overdrive. Her long black hair curtains her face but her tall, curvy frame is one I’d peg anywhere. Tommie.
A horrible knot of apprehension blooms within me. She looks different, out of place with the jeans and hoodie… is that my hoodie? She turns to face me, and my chest seizes, hurting like hell to know she’s alive but also torn up by the anguish written across her tear-stained face.
We run toward each other and she lunges into my open arms. “What happened? Are you all right?”
Through tears, she struggles to catch her breath and speak. “Max, thank God, you’re okay.” Tenderly, her fingers wander over my features.
It’s her reverence that causes me to think that touching me helps her believe I’m okay.
“I’m fine.” My hands cup her face, thumbs wiping at her cheeks. “Tell me what’s wrong?”
My first thought is Ash and my anger wakes up, thirsty to hurt that man. Not only for all he’s done to this woman I love, but to the countless others, like those women at the auction last night and in the warehouses leading up to the big night. He’s a vile human being.
“Fire. Van and... I don’t know and then I thought you and...” Her voice breaks and her eyes shut for a moment.
Eyes as dark as midnight but as turbulent as the sea wash over me. “Max, I thought I’d lost you. I can’t lose you.”
She clings to me and her distress cracks me wide open.
“Dr. Conrad, do you need some help?” a nurse says from behind the desk.
“No, it’s okay. Thanks.”
I draw her close to my side and guide us away from prying eyes. She’s a mess and shouldn’t be entertainment for the people who have nothing better to do but wait. We end up in the room I’d abandoned moments before.
“Okay, take a deep breath and tell me what’s wrong? Start from the beginning.”
“Ash threatened you, Van and HC. You’re my family.” She thumps her balled fist, white knuckles and all, against one of her thighs, frustrated. “I took too long to figure out what he meant. I was too late.”
“Shhh, it’s okay.” I’m still not fully comprehending what happened and why she’s so upset.
She pushes up against the side of my body, clutching my hand in hers as if I’m a life preserver.
“Tommie, you’ve got to give me more. I’m not following.”
Her exhale is jagged, and she swipes aggressively at her tears. “Ash set HC on fire. I got there too late. The firefighters were trying
to stop the blaze.”
“Was anyone inside? Did anyone get hurt?”
I was there hours ago and the place was filled with the HC team, everyone debriefing about their role in the auction raid. Fuck. Ry, Van, Tripp… A profound pain sucks the air from my lungs. Are they dead?
She’s nodding, a sheen of tears in her eyes and I want to vomit. My heartrate picks up. “Who? Are you sure it was Ash?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice rises. “My parents died in a fire. He told me without telling me he was going to do the same.”
My phone rings and I don’t even bother to look. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
The phone rings again and I pull it from my pocket, ready to hit ignore when I see it’s Tate. “Bear, is Ry okay?”
“Max, thank God I got you. I think Ry’s fine but I heard some of them were taken to the hospital. I don’t know all the details and they won’t let us come home.” Frustration and concern blankets her voice.
Tate, Carys and their kids are safely tucked away from Ash, out of the city, and it needs to stay that way. “Okay. Have you spoken to anyone?”
“No. Shadow is with us. He got a call about a fire but not much more than that. Carys and I are going crazy and just want to come home. I need to hear Ry’s voice. To see him.” A lump forms in my throat at my sister’s soft cry.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” I hope what I’m saying isn’t a lie because right now, I don’t know anything and shouldn’t be making any promises. “I’m with Tommie, we’re going to find out more. And I’ll get Ry and Van to call you. Do you know which hospital?”
“Tommie? She’s with you? Last I heard, she was staying at HC. Oh thank God, she’s okay.”
“Tate, listen to me.” My voice is steady and calm, nothing like the storm brewing within me. “Let me speak to Shadow. He must know where they were taken.”
“Okay. Okay. Max,” she pauses, sniffing and inhaling a jagged breath, “I love you.”
“Love you too, Bear.” Concern tints my words and I hold my breath waiting for Shadow.
Everyone has to be okay. There isn’t any other option and even as I think it, it’s absurd. Bad shit happens to good people all the time. I live it every day and yet as I listen to Shadow tell me which hospital and the little he knows, I will everything to be all right.
When we arrive at the hospital not too far from where I work, the emergency room is packed. Most faces we don’t recognize but in the corner is a group from HC.
“Thank goodness, you’re okay.” Tommie runs at Ry, throwing her arms around him. “Where’s Van?”
He’s unkempt and exhausted, with smudges of soot on his cheek and arm. They stay connected for quite some time. When she tries to push away, he holds on and I think he’s more shaken up than we can imagine. What the hell happened?
Finally breaking apart, he tucks her into his side and stares down at her. “It’s good to have you back. I was worried you were next.”
“I’m okay. Where’s Van? Tripp?” She scans the waiting area and I follow suit but they aren’t here. Dread coils around my gut.
“Van will be okay. He had a lot of smoke inhalation and so did Tripp.” Ry’s voice is calm, almost flat, but it isn’t because he’s hiding anything, or at least, I don’t think so.
He’s tired with dark circles under his eyes and tension lines not only his features but the way he holds himself.
“The doctor was running some tests and she wants to keep them overnight. But you know them, especially Tripp, he’s giving the doctor and nurses a hard time.” He attempts a wry grin but it’s barely a twitch of the lips.
“Was anyone else hurt?” I shove my hands in my pockets, unable to keep them still.
“We fucking got lucky.” The words are a sharp rumble, laced with agonizing relief.
Tommie releases some of the burden of guilt she’s been carrying, sinking into me on a sob. “Fuck, yes. Thank goodness. Can I see them?”
“Maybe. Soon.” Clearing his throat, Ry hangs his head and grips the back of his neck.
Swiftly, he turns on his heel, his back to us, and it looks like tonight is just now hitting him for the first time. Tommie slides her arms around his middle, hugging him from behind, and I rest a hand on his shoulder, offering support.
He takes a beat or two to pull himself together before turning to face us. His expression is composed and stoic.
“How did the fire start?” Her chin wobbles but she doesn’t give way to her tears.
“It was a fucking nightmare. I don’t know what exactly started it. There were about twenty of us in the building when there was a big-ass explosion. The walls shook, and within what felt like seconds, there were flames and smoke. It was fucking chaos.” Shaking his head, he exhales, frowning. “The Feds and NYPD are all over this and I told them we suspect Ash is behind it.”
She nods. “Yes. I know it. He killed my parents in a fire and threatened all of you tonight.”
“What? You fucking saw him tonight?” Ry is now incensed, wearing an awfully familiar scowl.
A doctor swings through a door, calling out Van’s name, and we rush to her. She’ll allow one visitor and only for a minute. Then Van needs his rest.
Tommie takes a step in the direction of the doctor and then falters, glancing over at Ry. He’s all gentleman, his hand out in deferral to her, but she likely sees what I do.
Ry is shaken to the core. Evan and Tripp are like his brothers, and he could have lost one or both tonight. And let’s not forget, everyone in that building tonight from HC is like family, and he could have lost any one of them.
“You go.” Her words are a shaky whisper and she pulls him in for a hug. “Tell him I love him, and I’ll be back to ride his sorry ass tomorrow.”
She forces a watery smile and he offers an uncharacteristic snort. “You got it, and I’m sure he’ll have some smart-ass comment for you too. But hearing you’re back will help ease some of the pain from tonight. He’s been worried sick about you.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry about everything.”
“None of this is your fault.” I’m fierce in my assertion. She isn’t to blame.
She presses her lips tight but offers no agreement. Tripp saunters out, bedraggled and exhausted. His once blond head of hair is ashen.
“What the fuck?” Ry narrows his gaze on his friend. “Why are you out of bed?”
Tommie lunges at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and he stumbles back, releasing a raspy laugh. “Hey, I’m fine. Good to see you got smart and came back to your family.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” Her voice is muffled as she talks into his chest.
They stay like that for a few seconds and she starts to shake. Tripp tightens his hold around her crying form and kisses the top of her head.
“Hey, I’m fine. It’s gonna take a lot more than a kickass explosion to bring me down.” His tone is light, but his gaze is intense.
Silent but deadly is how I think of Tripp’s many looks, and that’s what comes to mind right now. I get the sense he’s imploring me to stay alert. We all know Ash is a dangerous asshole and tonight’s fire isn’t the end of him.
“Answer me.” Ry steps even closer, tightly wound.
“Easy. I’m fine. They wanted to keep me overnight but thank fuck I don’t have a girlfriend or wife to gang up on me with the doctors.” His tone is light but forced. There’s no mirth in his gaze and he releases her hold, stepping back.
“Or are you gonna be my nag?” Tripp’s challenge is aimed at Ry.
“This isn’t funny.”
“Never said it was. The doc said I need rest. I’m not gonna get a wink of sleep here. I will at home.”
“You should stay the night.” Tommie rests her hands on her hips and some of her spunk seeps into her stance.
Her strength and bravado are back in full force and it puts a smile on my face. Ry and I nod in agreement while Tripp shakes his head.
“Nice try but n
ot gonna happen.” His tone brooks no compromise.
Ry growls, turning his attention to me. “You have a tail from the Feds, for your protection.” He motions to a small group of suits at the entrance. “And tomorrow, we need to talk.”
Now his gaze bounces from me to Tommie. We both nod and then she looks to me, relief and fatigue mingled in her coffee bean eyes.
“Good.” Ry then glares at Tripp, but there isn’t any real anger to it and mutters something under his breath.
He then pulls his best friend into him, slapping him hard on the back and squeezing him tight before he slips out of the room to see Van.
Max
Instead of trying to coax Tripp to stay, we get him to agree to us seeing him home. At least this way, I can give him a quick once-over to put Tommie’s mind at ease, and he allows it—he’s going to be okay. Once we’re both satisfied he’ll stay put and call if he needs anything, we head back to my place.
Hand in hand, we take Gunnar for a quick walk around the block, and I’m the first one to break our silence.
“You scared the hell out of me.”
“Pardon?” She glances up at me, clearly lost in thought.
“When I saw you at the hospital. I was relieved to see you but also knew something was wrong. I’m just so glad you’re okay.”
“Me too, that you’re safe and everyone else at HC. I don’t know what I’d have done if someone had… if we’d lost…” Her lips mash together, and she blinks rapidly.
“Hey, everyone is okay.” I stop us feet from my building, sliding my hands around her waist and bringing her into me. “Tell me what happened when you walked out the other day. What have you been doing? How did you end up talking to Ash again?”
It’s tough keeping any kind of outrage from creeping into my concerned tone. She was with Ash, again. The thought rattles me. He could have taken her.
Poof and we’d never see her again. If nothing else, the man knows how to disappear without a trace.
On the way up to the apartment, she fills me in on her investigative attempts to find out more about Ash’s plans, and no surprise, she comes up empty. When she recounts her conversation with the sick bastard in the park, I turn to stone, tension biting painfully into every muscle, tendon, and bone in my body. It takes everything in me not to lose my shit.
