“What?!” I step forward as a vehicle honks and rushes by me on the road.
Salvatore fishes his phone from the inner pocket of his beige jacket. “Something’s wrong. No detectives were there, just a receptionist who told me that Fallon Michaels wasn’t brought in for questioning.”
“Come può essere andata? Che cazzo sta succedendo qui?” How can she be gone? What the fuck is going on here?
He brings his phone to his ear but continues to talk to me. “I don’t know.” Salvatore holds up his finger. “Doc, was Fallon taken in by a cop?”
“Put him on speaker,” I insist, and he does.
The doctor answers, “I didn’t see it, but your soldier said she was cuffed by a detective.”
The doctor did tell me that earlier.
“I’ll call you later,” Salvatore informs him. “She must have been here, but apparently it hasn’t been registered. Or he didn’t bring her in, which worries me even more. Was it Wade who arrested her?”
“How the fuck am I supposed to know?!” I shout as frustration builds, and I plow both hands through my hair, tugging the strands. “She’s a suspect in a cop murder case; do you realize how dangerous it is that we’ve lost her?”
“Of course I do, Luca. Calmare.” Calm down. “We’ll find her.”
“I have a feeling she was brought in… This doesn’t make any sense.” Groaning, I turn back to my car.
“Wait! You’re upset; ride with me,” he advises.
“No.” I don’t even look back as I cross the street to my Maserati. “I need my own car, and if we split up, we can find her sooner. You check this area and keep me posted every second.” Growling in annoyance, I yank open the door and connect my phone to the car charger before I race through the darkened streets of The Loop while calling her phone incessantly, but no answer.
The most likely scenario is that Wade arrested her, but he’s a clean cop, so where did he take her? What could he have done with her? Unease turns my stomach as another scenario pops into my mind. What if one of Collopy’s other colleagues has her? Cops hate cop killers more than anything, and these cops don’t live by ‘innocent until proven guilty’. They’ve already condemned her.
Adriano’s incoming call rings in my car.
“I’m going to the hospital,” I explain because I know Salvatore must’ve talked to him.
“I’ll go to her house, or is David still there?” he asks.
My hands are starting to moisten in rage. “Go there. David was off duty because that fucking soldier was keeping guard! I hope to find something at the hospital, but…I don’t think I will.”
“Be careful; don’t do anything rash in anger.”
That’s easier said than done.
***
“Did the soldier give you his description, Doc?” I demand to know as I stride into his immaculate office in the hospital that reeks of disinfectant.
He looks up from his computer screen. “Marine cut, dark blond, maybe brown, hair, around thirty.”
“Probably Wade.” I pass his desk to gaze out the window. “Did you check the room? Is her bag gone? Did she leave anything?”
He swivels in his chair. “Bag is gone; she didn’t leave anything behind.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I turn to face him. “Then she has her phone. Why isn’t she answering? I’m so out of my element that I don’t even know where to begin to look for her. It fucking sucks to be trailing behind the facts, and I hate how this entire situation is spinning out of control.”
In a compassionate tone, he inquires, “Who is she to you?”
I blow out a puff of air. “She’s my ex. But…she’s still everything to me, even after months apart. I can’t help coming to her rescue when she needs me. I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to her.”
My phone rings, and as soon as I answer, Adriano informs, “She’s home with Wade; they just arrived.”
Relief fills me, followed by confusion. “Is she okay?”
“I don’t think so because he’s escorting her inside the building.”
“I’m coming now.”
***
I finally shed my tux jacket after I park behind Adriano’s BMW across the street from Fallon’s apartment building. As I step out of the car and make my way toward Adriano, I notice that the lights are on in her bedroom. “Wade is still inside with her?”
He nods slowly. “He was very… How do I say this?”
“Spit it out.” I’m already annoyed about this entire night.
“Very sweet,” Adriano reports carefully.
“What the fuck does that mean?” But I realize what he means, and I nearly snarl at him in rage.
“I want to know what the hell is going on inside that apartment.” Marching to the entrance, I realize that I can’t use my key – the key I still have because I never gave it back to her – so I push the button next to her name and wait. Patience is not one of my virtues.
Wade answers, “Yes.”
“It’s Luca. I want to see Fallon.”
“She’s not up for company. Can she call you tomorrow?”
“No, I’m not leaving until I speak to her. Remind her that I didn’t send her away when she came to me, so she can return the favor now.”
“Hold on.”
What the hell? Are they best friends now? What is she doing in there with Wade, and why is he so protective of her?
After several minutes – still nothing. I turn around and twist my hand in the air to let Adriano know that this is becoming a cluster fuck when I’m finally granted access. Hurriedly, I push through the entrance and ascend the stairs to her already-opened front door.
Wade welcomes me with an extended hand. “Richard Wade, a friend of Fallon.”
“Luca.” I return the gesture with a firm handshake and look to the kitchen and down the hall for any signs of her.
“She’s not feeling well, man. Go easy.” He indicates toward the bedroom.
I’m tempted to say ‘fuck off’ but hold it in and cross the distance between Fallon and me.
I spot her in bed with the red covers drawn up to her chin. “What happened?” I close the door behind me and sit on her bed. Her drowsy, swollen eyes hold a desperately sad glow that saws at my heart.
“Where were you?” she asks quietly and huddles deeper under her sheet.
“I’ve been looking for you since I discovered that Collopy was killed.” I crave to touch her, comfort her because she looks so delicate right now. “Why is Wade here? I went to the police station; they said you weren’t brought in.”
“Wade is on our side. He’s helping me.”
Her mention of ‘our side’ gives me a wave of satisfaction, but that’s negated by the Wade comment. “Did you tell him anything?” I whisper, wanting to know if she has disclosed any Syndicate information.
“No, but he knows I’m being framed. I know he’s not on your payroll; he’s one of the good guys.”
Wait! So I’m still one of the bad guys? Rubbing my fingers over my chin, I wonder what I’m missing because she’s acting strange. Suddenly, Wade is her ally, and he’s inside her apartment, even though she has been increasingly distrustful since everything went to hell between us. “Where have you been for the last few hours?”
“Hospital with Wade.”
“Dr. Calderone said you left.”
“I didn’t.” She rolls on her back and winces. “I’m so exhausted and in pain. Can we talk tomorrow?”
I frown as I gaze down at her. She’s hiding something from me. And the one thing I can’t handle is when she lies to me. “Did you take your medication?”
She nods and closes her eyes slowly.
“I can stay,” I offer. Damn it, I want to stay with her because we were finally on somewhat normal speaking terms again this morning. And I want to know what’s rattling inside that head of hers.
“No need.” Her eyes stay closed.
“Is he staying?” I counter in a low voice
because you can bet your ass that I’m not leaving then.
She huffs out a soft breath. “Of course not.”
Seeing her in this exhausted state with her battered nose and red-rimmed eyes forces me to control myself to avoid a confrontation. I can’t argue now, anyway, because Wade is in the next room. “Fine. We’ll both leave now and let you rest.” Wade is not staying here after I leave. “I’ll call you in the morning.” Maybe in the morning we can discuss the situation. Right now she’s too tired to talk.
With an almost imperceptible nod, she dismisses me, but I keep my sight on her. Sometimes she’s so easy to figure out, and sometimes she’s this enigma I can’t decipher. And that annoys and excites me at the same time. It’s wisest for me to reel in my emotions and not probe Wade for answers until I’ve spoken to her tomorrow, so I step out.
Wade is already standing at the door.
“She’s asleep,” I say, and we head out.
“Good, she needs to rest.”
Neither of us speaks until the winter’s night air hits our skin.
I taunt, “I bet I’ll be seeing you around.” And before he can reply, I cross the street and look back once to see him get into his car, which is parked in front of the entrance, and drive away.
Moving to Adriano, whose window rolls down, I share what happened. “I have absolutely no idea what the deal is. She was listening to me, following orders just this morning. We were definitely at a turning point, and now she suddenly does a one-eighty again. She was so…detached.”
He angles his head to the side. “Did she send both of you away?”
“She sent me away. I don’t know if she also told him to go, but I’m coming back here first thing tomorrow morning.” I swipe a hand down my face and shiver from the cold. “Go home. We can’t do anything tonight. I’m going home too.”
CHAPTER 20
Fallon
The moment Luca and Wade leave, I run to the living room and wait while staring at my front door. After minutes of gazing at it, I get a cup of Lady Grey and resume my watch from the couch.
We went to the hospital where another doctor examined me while Wade stayed by my side. All I wanted was to shower, but I knew I had to take several tests if I wanted to press charges. I didn’t care about any of that; however, Wade convinced me to stay calm and follow procedure in case I changed my mind in the future. Thankfully, the tests came back negative, and that asshole didn’t give me any STDs.
Hugging my knees to my chest, I curl up on the couch and try to hold myself together, still not comprehending everything I’ve been through tonight.
Wade took me home after I was finished at the hospital, and only then did I check my phone and see Luca’s missed calls, so I knew he must be on his way. And of course, within half an hour, he was at my doorstep. Hysteria rushed through me because I didn’t want anyone to know about my assault, especially Luca. What would they think? How would they react? For now, Wade indulged me, so we arranged for him to leave with Luca and then come back because I was positive Luca wouldn’t leave me with Wade.
Biting my lip, I swallow back tears because I’m confused about why I didn’t confide in Luca. After so long apart, he’s still the one person I long for to comfort me, but I just don’t want him to know I was abused.
My god, I was raped. I was violated. I feel filthy.
I feel like I’m falling over an edge, falling deeper and deeper with nothing to hold on to, so I cling to the first person that helped me.
Just as we agreed, Wade returns and knocks softly before using the key I gave him.
“Come in.” I let him know I’m already waiting.
He scrutinizes me after closing and locking the door. “How did it go?”
I shrug. “Luca knows something is up, but he didn’t want to start an argument with you here I think.”
He stands uncomfortably. This night flew by, and I realize that I don’t know anything about this guy, except that I do trust him. Without him, who knows how many more horrors I would’ve had to go through.
He breaks the awkward silence. “I tampered with Collopy’s file and locked it. No one can make changes without going through me. You’re not a suspect anymore, and I’m your alibi.”
“Aren’t there going to be questions that will get you into trouble?”
“From whom? They’re all crooked cops. Everyone bends the rules in this precinct. It’s time I bend the rules to help someone who deserves it, someone who’s innocent.” He hesitates to continue. “I’ll probably get suspended, but it’s also a possibility that I won’t because they want to avoid the public scandal they know I’ll cause because I’m – as far as I know – one of the few not on Cosa Nostra’s payroll.”
There’s much more to Wade than I initially perceived. A genuine kindness that compels him to help a woman in distress. I do wonder why he’s been so helpful, but right now, I just accept it because I’m too broken and withdrawn to ask why.
He rounds the couch and takes a seat beside me. “What do you want to do about Ashton?”
A shudder runs up my spine, and I rest my weary head against my pulled up knees. “I...I don’t know. I don’t want to talk or even think about that.”
“Okay. I’ll stay with you tonight because you’re not safe, Fallon. I don’t want to scare you because you’ve been through hell, but we have to talk tomorrow.”
I don’t acknowledge his words as the numbness spreads deeper into me.
Finally, he asks the question I was expecting. “Who is Luca? Your boyfriend?”
My voice is weak. “Ex.”
“He doesn’t give his last name when he introduces himself.”
Luca rarely gives his last name because he’s extremely mistrustful of everyone, but I don’t divulge that to Wade. I’m thankful for his help, but I will not betray Luca.
When I don’t respond, Wade probes, “But you still talk to him?”
“Why do you want to know?” I lift my head and rest my cheek on my knee, facing him.
“I had to look into your past and found out you two dated for half a year or something.”
“A little longer. Why?”
“Well, nothing…I don’t want to make you more upset, but it seems like you’re still in love with him, and he arranged some things in the hospital for you. He’s very protective of you. Was he supposed to help you tonight?”
“Why?” I repeat and disregard his question.
“While you were being arrested, he was at a gala event …with a woman.”
And just when I believe I couldn’t possibly feel any worse, I hit another level of rock bottom. He told me he had business to take care of, but he was at an event with a date? “How do you know?”
Pulling his phone from his pocket, he shows me a picture on Google. It’s Luca in a black tux with a Latina beauty on his arm, and Adriano is also in the picture with another woman. At this point, I’m just numb because all that comes out is a soft sigh.
“Is he part of the Syndicate?”
Don’t let him interrogate you while you’re in this state, Fallon.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. He’s a friend who’s an ex, that’s all. That’s why he’s protective; we’re still dealing with our break-up.” I’m done with this and rise to grab some blankets and a pillow for Wade.
“Fallon.” He tries to apologize when I return with the bedding.
“Please, no more talk. Thank you for staying…and for everything.” The tears I’ve been keeping at bay build again.
“Not a problem. Wake me if you need anything.” He takes the blanket from my hands, and I return to my bedroom.
Even though I showered the second I walked through my door, I decide to shower again because I can still feel Ashton’s hands on my skin. When the water fails to clean him from my body, I fight the urge to call Luca. I fight the urge to call my parents, because I don’t want the people I love to know. It would break my parents, and although I long for Luca to take care of me, he wo
uld be out for blood.
Never would I have imagined that seeing each other yesterday would bring us closer together, especially after Luca left with Brenda. He immediately helped me when I was attacked by Collopy, or so I assumed, but the picture of him and the Latina model has raised doubts again. But that’s the least of my worries right now. How am I ever going to get rid of Ashton’s filthy touch?
I get up once more during the night to take another shower, but that doesn’t lessen the repulsion of being violated at all. I read once that rape is one of the worst things that could happen to a woman; they were right. Although my body has been scrubbed clean repeatedly, I still have an overwhelming sense of dirtiness and despair.
***
The night has been unendurably long. Because I woke up drenched in sweat from the recurring dream I’ve been having lately, I changed into a thin, blue satin nightgown. I didn’t have a nightmare about Ashton; it was that recurring nightmare where I’m stuck in some kind of box.
Acute angst consumes me when a knock on the door jolts me upright. I sprint out of bed because it could be my parents. No, wait. What time is it? I check the clock on my phone – it’s only 8 a.m. They would never be able to get here by this time unless they left the house ridiculously early.
Grating my teeth, I look down at all the bruises on my body as I head down the hall. I’ve avoided the mirrors in my bedroom and bathroom because it sickens me to see the proof of abuse from Collopy and Ashton.
Wade stirs awake and grunts as a second knock follows.
“Fallon?” Luca’s voice comes through the door.
Shit! Why is he here? He will not be happy to see Wade.
I peer over at Wade who’s barely covered in his black boxers, and he smirks, so I lift my pointer finger to my lips. He has no idea what Luca is capable of, and he thinks this is funny?
“What?” He rubs a hand over his head.
I throw out my arm, motioning in the direction of the street and whisper, “He needs to leave.”
His eyes thin, and he points at himself. “Want me to scare him away?”
For Luca (Chicago Syndicate Book 2) Page 13
