Unraveling

by Kelley Griffin

  Gianna stood, hands up as if to say she’d done all she could.

  Kirin knelt and held her friend tight.

  When she pulled Stacy back, she looked into her still wide eyes, “Told you we’d get through this.” Stacy nodded and blinked back tears.

  “Was my brother here?” Her teeth chattered.

  “Yep. Mr. Perfect saved the day once again.”

  “Great. More to hold over my head.”

  Kirin looked over at Gianna talking to Will and Sam. Stacy followed her gaze. “Why is she being nice?”

  She nodded as she glanced back at Stacy, “She saved us too.”

  Stacy shook her head as if that bit of information made no sense.

  When Brandon came back into the room, he ran for Stacy, tearing off his suit jacket to cover her. Stacy tried to stand but wobbled and wound up sitting right back down. Brandon wrapped her in his coat and held her while she cried.

  Steve passed Kirin as she was making her way back to Sam. He patted her on the shoulder and approached Gianna.

  “Counselor. We need to call in these dead bodies.”

  Gianna scrubbed her face, looking disheveled for the first time in Kirin’s memory. “You’re right. You’ll need to take me into custody since I killed one of ‘em.”

  Steve nodded in agreement. When Gianna glanced up, it was like she was noticing him for the first time. She blinked a few times and their eyes locked. Steve’s eyebrows shot up as a smile crept onto his face.

  “You’re not cuffing me.” Gianna announced, sliding a pointed look at Steve.

  “No?” Steve’s expression was serious and all business, except the corners of his mouth. They curved upward. Kirin watched them. They were flirting. Talk about an odd couple...the criminal turned attorney with the all-American boy.

  “No.” Gianna answered. Now her turned up lips seemed to be betraying her.

  “And you’re not frisking me either.” She announced, with a playful sparkle to her eyes.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Kirin had finally found Steve’s kryptonite. Turned out you could glean precious information from the man when serving him warm scotch after a huge Thanksgiving meal. Who knew? Smooth scotch and buttery rolls made the Super FBI man spill his guts.

  Steve admitted he’d put a transmitter in both Sam and Kirin’s boots, knowing the other side would take one of them, if not both. Damn, but he was right.

  His words were drawn out and slurry. But as Kirin walked into her living room carrying a tray filled with desserts, he lifted his glass.

  “We all knew the girl could get into trouble, but who knew she could cook?”

  With a tumbler of the warm liquid to his own lips, Sam raised his other hand. Her home smelled of turkey and dressing and family. But the permanent, just showered Sam smell had permeated the walls for good. She smiled down at him. God, she loved that man.

  Joel walked into the room carrying one of his little tow-headed boys over one shoulder and his drink in his other hand. As he passed Sam’s chair, he kicked his brother’s foot. Sam leaned forward to not spill his drink and shot a playful glare at his brother.

  “So, pinhead. Figure it out yet?” Joel said as he sat.

  Steve shook his head, “No. Not this again. Just tell him already!”

  Sam chewed on the inside of his lip. “Nope, I’m done. I don’t care who hired you. I know Gianna did and Steve has denied it was him, so nope. Don’t care. Just know that it takes your high-and-mighty-self down a notch or two knowing you were paid by both sides.”

  Everyone stared at Sam.

  “What? That doesn’t count. I was paid to protect Kirin, not do bad things.”

  Joel smiled, and then nodded toward Kirin, “You wanna tell him?”

  Sam’s gaze snapped to Kirin. “Wait...you know?”

  Kirin nodded.

  Sam’s eyebrows knitted together as he shot a WTF look to his little brother.

  Joel answered, “I like her better.”

  Kirin laid a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “It was Kidd. The same man who helped me put all the pieces together that day at the Braves game, hired your little brother to watch over you.”

  Sam stared at her like she had three heads. Then turned slowly to stare at Joel, who nodded and began to explain, “Kirin’s father paid you and made you promise to protect her, right?”

  Sam nodded.

  “He made his best friend Kidd promise to protect both of you. According to Kidd, you were the son Sonny never had.”

  Sam’s face softened as his eyes misted over. Kirin kissed the top of his head as he watched his little brother piece it all together for him.

  “And...” Joel continued, “Sonny wanted someone for his daughter who would not only protect her but help her trust and love again. So Kidd hired me to make sure you two get a happy ending to your story. Sonny was playing cupid before he died.”

  Sam sniffed and then took Kirin’s hand and kissed it.

  Steve pointed at Joel, “You know, your job isn’t over yet, right?”

  Joel took a sip, then nodded in agreement, “Not until they walk down the aisle, then it’s up to them.”

  ~*~

  Stacy and Brandon sat at the dining room table playing cards with Will and Little Jack, while Dean, Kathy and Arthur talked in the kitchen. Her friend was still too thin and still emotionally beaten some days, but the smiles and good times seemed to be outweighing the bad. Brandon protected her like she was a crystal that would shatter if dropped.

  Kirin walked past on her way back to the kitchen to refill her coffee and kissed her friend on the top of the head. Kirin was grateful that most of her family and friends were well and able to make it to the party.

  All but a few.

  ~*~

  Rosa sat stock still in a red booth with rips on the seat that pinched her legs if she moved. Her fists were balled under the table and her jaw ached from gritting her teeth. The diner smelled of bacon grease and strong coffee. She glared at the woman across the table. Angry wasn’t even in her vocabulary. She was furious. Her own flesh and blood. Named after her for Pete’s sake. One thing she knew for sure, the girl across the table had lost her mind if she thought for one moment she could forgive her for putting Will in danger.

  And now...she wanted another favor.

  What could be worse than putting Will in the same room as the Detroit Mafia?

  She was about to find out...

  ~*~

  Gianna put the finishing touches on the ornate bedroom. Purple lamp on the white table, sitting next to the new blue-toothed alarm clock that would charge her expensive phone and wake her up for the private school she’d enrolled her in. Pressed purple sheets and comforter lay flat with no wrinkles and matched the starched curtains. She stood back and wiped her brow. Purple had vomited in this room and as much as she hated the color, the girl—her girl, loved it.

  Gianna grinned.

  At twelve, she loved all things fluffy and comfy. Gianna had created a window seat, with shelves underneath stocked with every YA series she could find. And she’d had clothes ordered and delivered in her size. Gianna’s personal assistant hung them all neatly on matching hangars. She’d even contemplated getting her a kitten.

  Holy Jesus what had she become?

  Her phone vibrated. She pulled it out of her pocket.

  All was set.

  If she was lucky, she might even come out of today with the girl’s sister too.

  ~*~

  Kirin recounted her terrifying time inside the mob house to Laura’s unmoving body and closed eyes. She took the comb off her tray and straightened out her friend’s hair. She was thankful they’d pulled her breathing tube out a few weeks before. Laura’s doctors had told her husband Adam that the brain swelling had finally reduced and Laura was breathing on her own.

  The only thing left to do was wait. But the longer it took for her to come out of the coma, the more chance she either wouldn’t b
e herself or she wouldn’t wake up.

  It was Kirin’s constant prayer to have her friend back.

  The rhythmic beeping of her monitors had lulled the room, now decorated by her kids for Christmas, into a quiet slumber.

  At the end of her daily visit, Kirin gathered her purse and leaned over to kiss her friend on the forehead when the strangest sound came out of Laura’s chest.

  It rumbled and sounded like a hunger pain. She glanced around. She’d had a feeding tube inserted several weeks ago. She found it ironic that Laura would be tickled with her new, tiny size.

  The gargling noise rang out again, only louder this time. Kirin glanced at the heart monitor. It was elevated. Was she in pain. She tossed her purse back on the floor and grabbed up Laura’s hand.

  “Honey. If you’re in pain squeeze my hand.”

  Nothing.

  Then a gurgle again. This time, it sounded like... “Kirin.”

  Kirin held her breath, then yelled, “I’m here!”

  Laura’s mouth opened. Wispy whooshing sounds came out.

  She lowered her face to Laura’s mouth. Laura’s eyes still weren’t open.

  She whispered back, “I’m here. What?”

  Laura’s eyes opened, wide and fearful. Kirin held her breath as tears formed in her eyes. She almost screamed.

  “All my fault,” Laura croaked out.

  Kirin swiped at her eyes, kissed her friend on the head, then laughed.

  “How could anything be your fault?”

  “Were you hurt? They were after me, not you.”

  “Nobody is coming after you. You’re safe. You’re in our hospital. I have to run and get Adam and the kids.” Kirin started to move when Laura grabbed her arm, digging her nails in. Her voice was desperate.

  “You don’t understand. Listen. The blast...it was my fault. They found out I was helping her...helping steal the girls and setting them free. Adam didn’t even know.”

  Kirin stared at Laura.

  “What girls?”

  “The mob. They traffic them. I treated wounds and helped them escape. Todd’s uncle, he found out...but he couldn’t have known who our informant was...”

  Laura was pulling at wires and crying full on now. Her medical team swooped into the room as one older nurse began pushing Kirin out the door.

  “Nurse Lane, you know protocol...you need to leave,” the woman grunted out as she guided Kirin backward.

  “Kirin!” Laura yelled. Kirin fought against the woman pushing her, “I’m here!”

  “Sam’s not who you think he is!” Laura cried.

  Then the door closed in Kirin’s face.

  The End

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  Read an excerpt from Kelley’s newest romantic comedy coming out

  Summer of 2021

  Jen Harper Hates the “f” Word

  Chapter One

  Jen Harper was fightin’ mad. And not just because it was five a.m., but because she’d just smashed her half-painted thumbnail with a frozen hammer trying to mend the hole in the chicken coop.

  It was at the top of a long list of things that needed fixing at her new place on the outskirts of Knoxville. Ten days into January, and she’d already broken her New Year’s resolution of no cussing not once, but twice. Screaming “bad word” just wasn’t cutting it.

  This wasn’t supposed to be her life.

  She should have been snuggled in behind her now ex-husband’s warm back, dreaming of glorious vacations and her perfect children. She should have been sniffing the warm aroma of a freshly made pot of coffee and singing happy wake-up tunes like frickin Snow White. She should’ve had the perfect job, perfect husband, perfect body, perfect kids, and perfect life.

  But she didn’t.

  If she was being honest, her mostly-perfect life was before. Before her company shut down. Before she and her co-workers turned close friends—those same close friends who got her through her six year old’s cancer—all lost their jobs.

  They were the ones who kept her from going batshit crazy when she found out about Tom’s infidelity, too. Before the slim, blonde snake lured her husband out of their bed and into hers. Before her world came grinding to a halt. Her half-perfect life would always include those friends.

  Sure. She wasn’t the perfect mother and her body didn’t look like it did when they were twenty. She got that. And she knew she wasn’t completely innocent in the demise of her marriage. She’d take part of the blame right along with him. It hadn’t been entirely his fault and she knew it.

  Jen held tight to her thumb, squeezing the pain right out of it. She let out a frosty breath and brushed herself off, glancing up at the cold January sky. She vowed that today would be the day it would all turn around.

  Today she’d nail the chicken coop and the new job interview. She could feel it. She was perfect for the Executive Administrative Assistant job at Colonial Construction Company or the CCC as it was known. And besides, she needed the job in the worst way.

  She’d fallen in love with her house at first sight. Her first big purchase post Tom. An old Victorian. A hundred and ten year-old two story row house charmer with a slim staircase and oozing with character.

  Too bad most of that “character” was falling down around her ears.

  This was why she needed to nail this job.

  The Wolfenbargers had owned the CCC since the 1920’s. The largest residential building firm in Knoxville, they constructed everything from cookie cutter neighborhoods to mansions for the wealthy. They owned every part of the process from the bulldozer company that graded the land to the CCC Real Estate Company that advertised & marketed a new posh neighborhood. The company had been passed down from father to son since its inception.

  Jake Wolfenbarger, or Wolf everybody called him, had been Jen’s “it” guy in high school. He wasn’t in the popular crowd or even on the football team, but he would’ve been the one she’d have chosen if she could’ve had her pick. And not because his family was loaded. She didn’t even realize that in high school. He never drove flashy cars or wore expensive clothes. But because he was just a genuinely nice guy. Hot too.

  They’d been paired up in Biology class for one day. That is until she’d embarrassed herself and had to move.

  But even though his name was Wolf, he hadn’t been a “wolf” at all. He wasn’t a player or one of the thugs. He’d been nice. Nice to her anyway. Even a little after she embarrassed herself.

  If social media could be trusted, he was still a bachelor having used all his time and resources to turn his father’s struggling construction business into one of the most lucrative and busiest in town. He worked hard, but his posts seemed as though he couldn’t remember how to relax or have fun.

  Yes, she knew how demented it was that she’d stalked his profile and information, but she told herself it was what everyone did prior to applying for a corporate position. Never mind that she began stalking him the moment her marriage died.

  After chucking her tools back in their pouch and inhaling her hot coffee to get warm, Jen changed into the best looking ensemble she had. A snug navy pants suit that flattered her everywhere. She’d not considered herself thin since high school, but she wasn’t the “f” word either. She was curvy. Not bikini curvy, mind you, but heavy curvy. And this particular outfit always made her feel invincible and tall. Two things she clearly wasn’t. Jen pulled her dark blonde hair into a low corporate pony and put on mo
re makeup than she’d worn in years, highlighting her green eyes.

  She ushered the kids out the door in record time. Another one of Tom’s responsibilities when they were together, but she didn’t mind this job at all. She loved torturing them by waking them up singing and acting crazy. Made her day when she was on the receiving end of eyerolls, slamming doors and huffs. And that was only from her fourteen year old.

  But today, everyone seemed to know how stressed she was and nobody, except the escape artist chickens, gave her a hard time. And for once, everyone remembered to bring their weekend bags for dad’s house.

  As she drove into the parking lot, she took a deep breath. The only thing she’d held onto tighter than her almost-foreclosed house was her pride.

  Inside her car, she spoke into her mirror. “You can do this. Shoulders back...remember names...don’t look at the floor...chin up.”

  Jen took a deep breath and stepped outside.

  The moment she entered the building, all that prep work and confidence flew out the window. She stopped cold.

  No. Please no. Couldn’t be.

  Standing at the front desk was her nemesis. The homewrecker. The tall blonde leaned over a computer screen, listening yet looking bored as another woman explained how something worked. She hadn’t looked up yet, which was a good thing.

  Jen’s body wouldn’t move. It only took about ten seconds for people to start backing up behind her. She had to make her body go. Jen cleared the lump that formed in her throat. She’d believed Tom when he’d obviously lied about his mistress being possibly fired from the company.

  Hell, that’s the only reason Jen had applied for the job.

  As soon as Jen moved, Ellis glanced up and froze. They must’ve looked like two competitive deer who’d just noticed each other as they were walking through the forest. At that moment, all the nasty things Jen had wanted to say to the wench, flew out the window. At least the ho had the decency to look apologetic.