Hear No Evil (Brotherhood Trilogy Book 3)

by Jordan Ford

  “It’s okay, Riley.” Ana pries my fingers off her arm. “If it feels wrong in town, don’t bring her. I’ll hide and wait for you. I’ll stay safe. I promise.”

  I swallow and reach into the glove box. Pulling out Uncle Rafe’s hunting knife, I hand it over.

  We don’t say anything, just share a long look that says it all.

  Finally Ana nods and leaves the car. I watch her through the rearview mirror as she disappears into the forest, then stay where I am for another five minutes, scouring my surroundings for any sign of threat.

  I see nothing, so I cautiously head into town.

  Possibly to make the biggest mistake of my life.

  #21:

  Broken Rules

  Caitlin

  The store is empty and quiet.

  My heart, on the other hand, is thundering in my head. It’s been doing that ever since Riley left the store.

  The strange lady gave me nothing.

  She was obviously rich. It oozed out of the way she pronounced her words and held her head, and the way she brushed her long fingers over the gold bracelet at her wrist.

  I watched her like a hawk as she asked me where we stocked our bottled water and if we had any refrigerated.

  Rather than just pointing, I walked her around to the fridges at the back of the store.

  She didn’t seem bothered by my presence. She was obviously used to people serving her. I could tell by the way she stood back and expected me to open the fridge and extract the bottle she was pointing to.

  “That one. Thank you.”

  As we walked back to the counter to pay, she mentioned she’d be staying for a couple of days and asked about restaurants and places to sleep.

  The whole time, her expression was innocent. She wasn’t probing for more. She honestly looked like a woman who was simply after a weekend escape.

  So what was Riley’s problem? He must know her or he wouldn’t have acted the way he did.

  Tapping my finger on the counter, I gnaw on my lip and frown.

  There’s nothing worse than being kept in the dark.

  The shop bell tinkles and I glance up, my expression lifting as Riley walks into the store.

  Rushing to the counter, he looks around him and asks, “Is your dad around?”

  “No. He’s still upstairs. What’s going on?”

  Riley rises to his tiptoes and tries to see above the shelves.

  “No one else is in the store.” I yank him back down. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “Where did that woman go?”

  “She left about ten minutes after you did.”

  “Did she ask any questions?”

  Standing back with a huff, I cross my arms and glare at him. “I’m not saying a word until you tell me what the hell is going on!”

  “Caity.” He sighs. “I don’t have time for this.”

  It’s immature but I won’t budge. I may not be part of his awesome little family, but I’m not helping him just so he can leave me clueless and alone again.

  “All right, fine.” He huffs and braces his arms on the counter. “She’s Ana’s mother.”

  My mouth drops open on a gasp. “How did she know to come here?”

  “A certain phone call clued her in.” Riley’s eyes narrow for a minute and he drills me with a glare that makes me shrink.

  “Shit,” I whisper. “No, wait. That phone was for Jules. Ana wasn’t even supposed to use it.”

  “Caity, how could you?” he barks. “You know who we are. I’ve told you the stakes!”

  “I know.” My face bunches with regret. “I’m sorry, okay. You didn’t see their faces when they were asking…”

  “They asked? Or did you offer?”

  My mouth opens and closes for a minute, and then I look to the counter.

  “You went behind my back. Now, I know you’re an expert liar, but you only ever do it to keep people safe. You broke your own rule. Do you have any idea how much trouble this could cause?”

  Tears burn as Riley lays into me. He’s not shouting or anything, just quietly piling on the guilt and disappointment until I think I might sink beneath its weight.

  “I’m so sorry,” I murmur. “I was just trying to…” I nearly say help, but I stop myself. I wasn’t really doing it to be helpful. I was doing it so the girls would like me.

  I’m too ashamed to admit it to Riley so I just shut my mouth and sniff against my tears.

  Riley’s shoulders slump with a soft sigh and he reaches for my face, gently brushing beneath my eye with his thumb. “Don’t cry. I know you didn’t mean to do it.”

  “I don’t cry.” I swallow and shake my head. “I’m sorry for being an idiot. I didn’t think it through. I never thought Ana would use the phone, and I never thought she’d tell her mother where she was.”

  Riley’s forehead wrinkles. “She swears she didn’t. I have no idea how her mother knew to come here. It can’t be a coincidence. I’ve got to find her and figure out what her intentions are. Ana’s desperate to see her. Just once, so she can say goodbye.” He looks so sad and I wonder if he’s lamenting the fact he never got to say goodbye to his parents. “I’m probably an idiot for agreeing to try and set up a meeting. But Ana’s in the forest waiting and I don’t want to let her down.”

  “Does her mother know you? If you go up and question her, won’t she clam up?”

  He pushes the glasses back up his nose. “She may recognize me from the night it all went to shit, but I doubt it. I’m just going to choose my words carefully. If she knows I’m willing to take her to see her daughter, she’ll probably have no trouble believing me.”

  “Well, when she walked out of the store, she turned left. I told her Royals was the only place to eat around here. We might find her there.”

  I move towards the stairs, ready to head up and tell Dad I’m going out.

  “Caitlin.” Riley stops me. “You can’t get involved.”

  Spinning back, I don’t even bother to hide my disappointment.

  “I’m sorry. You have to stay out of this one. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  The sentiment’s sweet and everything, but screw that. I want to help. “Is this because I messed up?”

  “No, it’s got nothing to do with that. This shouldn’t be your problem. Please, just stay here and stay safe.”

  He turns away before I can argue. I storm after him but he stops in the doorway and holds up his hand. “Seriously, Caitlin. Don’t. Stay here.”

  “I’m not some dog you can command. I want to help you.”

  “You’ll help me by staying out of it. Please.”

  If it wasn’t for the desperate hitch in his voice, I would have followed him to Royals, but I give into his stress with a short nod. “You better come back here and tell me everything after this is over.”

  His lips tug into a half smile, his eyes gleaming with affection before he slips out the door. The bell signals his departure, and my defeat.

  “Dammit,” I mutter and kick the doorframe.

  “Hey, don’t be beating up the store.” Dad appears in the stairwell. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I grumble, climbing past him and heading to my room.

  He gives me a mystified frown, but I ignore it and hope he doesn’t follow me.

  Closing the door behind me, I head to my window and look down onto Main Street. I can’t see Riley. He’s no doubt taken off to Royals.

  “Stupid strangers.” I slump onto my bed and grip the edge of the mattress, struggling to admit that Riley used to be a perfect stranger. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t feel half this happy or alive. It’s both a comfort and a frustration.

  Now that I know him I don’t want to be without him.

  But he keeps pushing me away.

  And I guess he has every right to when I make dumb-ass decisions to try and score me some friends.

  “You idiot,” I murmur, tears stinging my eyes all over again. Refusing to let them fall, I sq
ueeze my eyes shut and pinch the bridge of my nose.

  I hate sitting here feeling helpless, but that’s all I can do right now.

  Sit here and wait.

  Wait to find out if my mistakes have caused a shitload of problems for a little family I’m desperate to become a part of.

  #22:

  Devastating Rage

  Riley

  I power down Main Street, my stride lacking luster the closer I get to Royals. I’ve never been in the place and I don’t want to stir up a bunch of gossip. Eyes on Ana’s mother and me is the last thing we need.

  Slowing my pace, I walk past Royals’ main window and glance inside. I spot her at a corner table. She’s staring into the distance, carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders while she sips at her coffee. The sadness in her gaze tugs on my insides.

  With a heavy sigh I walk in and head for her table. The place is basically empty. I scan the blue and white-checkered tablecloths, the neat place settings. So small-town. So quaint.

  A waitress—probably the owner—and one customer glance my way, but I make sure to smile as I take a seat at Mrs. Sorrentino’s table.

  She blinks at me in surprise, so I start talking before she can make a scene. “You probably don’t recognize me, but we have seen each other before.”

  Her eyebrows pucker with confusion.

  “Last year…at Dynamis Shipping Yard.”

  Her cup rattles against the saucer as she places it down. Her red lips goldfish for a minute, and then she finds her voice. It’s shaky and small, but adamant at the same time. “She’s here. It was a hope and a wish.” Her eyes dart to the tables nearby but the only diner is too far away to hear us. “I didn’t think it’d be true. I drove all this way assuming I’d be disappointed, but I just…”

  The owner approaches on my right so I swivel to face her. “Could we have the check, please?”

  “Oh. You’re not staying?”

  “No, just collecting my aunt.”

  She grins. No doubt I’ve answered her questions with one simple statement. She gives me a good-for-you tap on the shoulder. Obviously having family scrubs out my lonely, hermit, freak-in-the-haunted-cabin status. Well, some of it anyway.

  “How nice of her to visit.” She smiles between us, then heads to the till.

  “Who are you?” Mrs. Sorrentino asks as soon as the waitress is out of earshot.

  “Ri…Ryan.” I bite my lips together, annoyed that I nearly gave away my actual name. Dammit, I should be going for the that’s not important right now line.

  She’s staring at me, slightly confused, so I fill the space.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Her lips bunch as she leans forward and whispers, “You know why I’m here. I want to see my daughter. I need to see her face with my own eyes. To know she’s really alive.”

  The way her voice trembles and her eyes glass tells me she’s being truthful. Her fingers are shaking as she covers her mouth. The emotion coming off her is like a tsunami wave.

  I eventually give in. “She wants to see you too.”

  The waitress arrives with the bill and I lean away from our whispered conversation, not wanting to look suspicious.

  Mrs. Sorrentino glances at the bill, then pulls out a twenty. “Keep the change,” she murmurs.

  “Wow. Thank you.” The woman beams. “You enjoy your visit now.”

  We both rise from the table and head to the door. As soon as we’re outside, I guide Ana’s mother into a quiet alley between the restaurant and hair salon.

  She glances around to make sure we’re alone before she urgently whispers, “Where is she? At the cabin?”

  How the hell does she know about the cabin?

  I want to ask but don’t want to give anything away either. It’s probably best if I act dumb about the cabin until I’ve gleaned some more information.

  I raise my hand to cut off whatever she’s about to say. “I’m not telling you anything until you can assure me that your husband won’t show up waving a gun around.” I point at her before she can answer. “Or your brother-in-law. We’ve been hiding out too long to lose it all now.”

  She’s shaking her head before I even finish. “I left Lucca. After the way he behaved, I couldn’t stand to look at him. I moved out and have been living alone since we returned to Miami. As soon as I got Ana’s call, I left. I’ve been driving for four days to see her. Now, please, let me do that.” Her voice is getting high with desperation. She’s no doubt exhausted, and I have to allow for that.

  “Okay. Okay. I just need to make sure that it’s one hundred percent safe. Last time we saw you, she ended up with a bullet in her back.”

  The woman’s face contorts with grief. The gloss in her eyes turns to tears that spill free.

  “How did you know to come up here?” I lower my voice, figuring gentle and calm is the better play here. It’s a struggle to keep my voice so calm. What I really want to do is grab her shoulders and shake the truth from her.

  Mrs. Sorrentino sniffs and opens her purse. “She told me she was safe…” Pulling out a Kleenex, she dabs her face. “She described a cute little cabin with a porch out front and a view of the mountains. She told me how she maintained a vegetable garden through the summer, and was looking after chickens. Living a good and healthy life. She painted a picture, described how she was sitting on a big tree stump looking at the view while she spoke to me. She confessed that she was in love.”

  I cross my arms. “That still doesn’t explain how you knew it was Legacy, Wyoming.”

  Dabbing her face, she balls the tissue with shaking fingers. “When I asked her if she was still happy even though she was in hiding, even though a threat still lingers, she said something to me that…” Her lips tremble as she looks to the sky.

  “She said what?” I snap.

  “She said, ‘Don’t worry, Mom, he makes it easy to forget the threat. Perfect love drives out fear, right?’ Then she laughed, and I remembered something.”

  My lips part before I can stop them.

  “I know that tree stump. I’ve traced those letters with my finger.”

  “How?” I choke out the question. “How did you…?”

  “Coming here was a long shot. She never said the words were in that tree trunk, but it’s like she stood from her spot and looked down at them as she was talking to me. I could picture it all so clearly, and I had to come. I figured if she wasn’t here, I could still—” Her voice catches as she gulps back her words, her face crumpling with a look of anguish.

  My heart jackknifes, screeching to a smoky stop in my chest.

  For a second I can’t breathe.

  She came here? She’s been to the cabin?

  How? Why?

  My confused brain is scrambling to figure it all out, yet I can’t seem to speak. To ask the questions I need to ask.

  “But I’m not wrong…am I?” Her lips quiver into a hopeful smile. “Now I’m not sure how she knew about the cabin, but right now, I don’t care. I just want to see my baby.”

  My mouth opens and closes for a second as my battered brain tries to make sense of it all. “How…how do you know about the cabin?”

  Her gaze dips to the ground and she starts fidgeting with the tissue in her hand. “My sister-in-law used to come here sometimes.”

  “Your sis—what?” I rub my forehead. “Who is—?”

  The woman cuts me off with a sharp huff. “It was a long time ago. She’s passed away now. Please, this isn’t getting me any closer to my daughter. Now, where is she?” Her voice is rising and I’m worried if I don’t take her soon, she’ll lose it and start screaming at me.

  Not only that, but Ana’s probably pacing the forest, stressed out of her mind.

  Questions are still firing through my brain, trying to make sense of the tangled confusion. I need time to process them, line them up ready to ask in a systematic order.

  A little space and time will give me that chance, so I give in, lightly placin
g my hand on Mrs. Sorrentino’s elbow and guiding her out of the alley. “Where’s your car?”

  “Just down the street.” She points to her left.

  “Start heading up the hill towards the cabin. I’ll meet you just outside of town and you can follow me.”

  She nods and heads off. I watch her go, still scanning the area for anything suspicious. But she gets to her car without incident and I’m walking for mine by the time she’s pulling out of her parking space.

  The black Lexus drives straight past me as I get into my car.

  I catch up to her easily and she lets me pass her.

  The whole time I’m driving, my mind is trying to organize the chaos, but my shock is making it damn near impossible. Between nightmares, mysteries and this, I’m sure I’ll have a nervous breakdown before we’re through.

  I pull onto the forest road and park the car further along. I don’t want our vehicles being spotted from the main road.

  Mrs. Sorrentino parks next to me. Our doors slam in unison, and then I turn to her and make it clear. “When we’re done here, you leave. You drive straight through Legacy and you don’t look back.”

  She gives me a pained frown.

  “I’m not moving from this spot until you agree. The second your husband notices you’re gone, he’s going to want to know where you are. You say you’ve separated, but I’m guessing Lucca Sorrentino is not the type to let his wife just walk away.”

  Her skin blanches and it takes her a moment to recover. Her voice is weak when she finally whispers, “I’ll leave as soon as I’ve said goodbye.”

  And answered my questions.

  I keep the thought to myself and lead the way.

  Damn, this is a mistake.

  Trey’s going to kill me.

  We don’t say anything as we hike along the trail. It doesn’t take long for it to open up. The second we reach the edge of the pond, I spot Ana pacing by the tree. She’s chewing on her thumbnail, pale and agitated.

  I raise my hand to catch her attention and she freezes still. Her eyes are bugging out big time.