by Alora Kate
“Schedule it; I’ll make sure I can make it.”
“Appreciate it, Lex.”
She glanced over her shoulder at me. “We’re doing this.”
“We are.”
She smiled and went back to putting the food away.
“So, how’s work?”
“I’m not sure where to start.” She didn’t let me reply. “Lucas is looking into my mom’s death. Had a client that wasn’t a cheater, but a stripper, so that was new. And for some reason, people have been calling, wanting us to find their lost pets. I don’t know what that’s about, but I guess it’s money.”
“Lucas?”
“Um, remember I said Ki’s father was wealthy and into some bad shit?”
“Yes.”
“And she got shot because of it?”
“Yes.”
“Well, her father hired Lucas over six months ago to keep tabs on her. He bugged our apartment, but we got rid of those when we found out.”
Lex has given me some information, not a lot, but I was starting to put the pieces together.
“You have a lot going on.”
She shut the water off and turned around, drying her hands. “I have an interesting life and it’s never a dull moment, but I don’t think Lucas is going to find anything regarding my mother’s death that I already don’t know; it’s cut and dry—drug overdose. My sister,” she shook her head, “I don’t know what to do about her. I have feelings and emotions I’m not used to having.” She smiled. “You did that. For some reason, I’ve taken the lid off that box and they’re all floating around inside of me, making me feel a little crazy.”
“I’m glad you’re opening up, Lex.”
“I’m trying,” she said turning back around. She mumbled something to the sink, and it made me smile even though I didn’t know what she said.
It meant the world to me, knowing she was giving us a chance.
“So, how’s your grandma?” she asked, changing the subject.
“She’s good.”
“She still getting sued?”
I laughed. “No, that’s over. She called him up and invited him to bingo, so he dropped it.”
“That’s good to hear. She seemed really sweet.”
“She wants us to come over for dinner one of these nights.”
“Sounds fun.” She turned around and crossed her arms on her chest.
“Thanks for doing the dishes.”
“Thanks for cooking.”
“Kiss me before you leave.”
Lex licked her bottom lip and stepped closer to me as I gripped her hand, pulling her on top of my lap. “My pleasure,” she murmured against my lips.
Chapter 22 – Alexa
“It’s possible she was murdered.”
I slumped into my chair, hearing Lucas’s words bounce around the room. I couldn’t accept it. Not at all.
“There was a needle in her arm,” I reminded him. “Drugs in her system.”
“Anyone could have held her down and shot the drugs into her arm.”
I huffed, “I doubt it.”
“She had bruises on her arms, consistent with someone standing behind her with their arms wrapped around hers, consistent with being held down.”
That shut me up.
The air left my lungs and for the first time, I considered the way my mother spent the last of her hours on this Earth. I couldn’t think much about the possibility of someone forcing the drugs into her system because then my entire outlook on my mother would change.
I wasn’t ready to deal with that possibility. “How did you see the bruises?”
“Autopsy photos and comments from the coroner, who is a friend of mine.”
“You know everyone,” Ki muttered from my side, making Lucas smile but he didn’t reply.
“Your mom knew a lot of bad people, bought drugs from major players in the game. Sold drugs. Slept—”
“She was a whore, I know.”
Emma gasped and I refused to look at her. She knew all of this but was still shocked to hear it aloud. It’s not my fault my version of our mother and her version of our mother did not mix. She wanted to paint this picture of our mother being a good, honest person, but she wasn’t. And I’m not going to lie and pretend that she was a saint when clearly, she was a sinner.
Lucas looked at Emma and Ki looked at me, very disappointed. I shrugged a shoulder at her and Lucas started talking about what he found on my mother.
“She hung out with some pretty important people, Lex. I’m waiting for some information from a guy who works for the DEA. And Ki’s father is trying to find some things out on his end.” That made Ki tense up, but she didn’t say anything. “I should know more then.”
I narrowed my eyes at Lucas. What a waste of my frickin’ time. We could have been doing a million other things right now, but instead, we had to sit around and talk in circles without knowing anything more. “That’s it? We had to get together for that?”
“Bite your tongue, Lex,” Ki warned and Emma stood, leaving without another word.
Ki smacked my arm and told me to go after her, which I replied, “Why? So, you can be alone with Lucas?” I knew I was harsh, and I knew nothing was between Ki and Lucas, but I was in a piss-poor mood and I couldn’t help the snark from coming out of my mouth.
She pinched her fingers together, reminding of the thin line I had been on lately. “Seriously, Lex. Go after her. Apologize. She’s much softer than you.”
“Yeah, because she had better parents than me,” I said. I grabbed my phone and ignored Ki’s words, then walked through the office and out the door. I glanced down the sidewalk and saw her leaning against the building with her back to me. Her shoulders were shaking and I wasn’t sure how to deal with this but I found myself walking toward her.
Maybe if I had better parents, I would be soft and able to show my emotions. Comfortable to display my emotions, even in public. I would be a whole lot easier for people to get along with, that’s for sure. I know I’m hardened, rough around the edges. But I’m fun, I love people . . . well, my people.
“I’m sorry, Emma.”
She sniffed. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not. I just can’t keep my mouth shut when it comes to her.”
“I get it. I do, it’s just . . .” she used a tissue to blot the sides of her eyes under her glasses, “. . . I’m pregnant.”
“What?”
Her soft smile accompanied a lift of one shoulder. “I’m pregnant. I’ve been really emotional the last few weeks among other things and my mom,” she paused, “the one who raised me, well, she encouraged me to take a pregnancy test yesterday.”
I took a step closer and looked at her, really looked at her. She was wearing a fitted shirt, which, come to think of it, did look just a smidge tight around her belly. And her tits looked amazing, I’m sure Ben was loving that. And her face. She looked like she’s glowing. I tentatively reached for her stomach before snatching my hand back. No, too much, too soon. I didn’t even know if I liked her yet, I couldn’t get all Hallmark right here in the middle of the sidewalk; I couldn’t have a moment with my sister right now, one that she’d keep warm in her heart. I’m not that person, not yet.
“I’m going to be an aunt?”
She nodded. “You’re the only sister I’ve got.”
“Brothers?”
“No.”
She had loving parents, but no brothers or sisters.
“My parents couldn’t have kids and financially, could only afford to adopt one child.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It all worked out.”
“Does Ben know?”
“Yes, I told him right away. We stayed up all night talking and when I got your call, I almost didn’t come but this meant a lot to me and Ben thought I needed to get closure, so I needed to see what Lucas found out.”
“We both need closure.”
“I’m sorry she treated you that way, Lex. She told me
she was a bad mom but I never knew how bad it was. She didn’t like to talk about the past, she just wanted to move on and try to fix some of her wrongs.”
“Let’s put her shit off to the side, for now. You can get home okay?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine.” She nodded and shoved the tissue back into her purse. “The nausea hasn’t set in yet. I just cry a lot.”
“You’re sure?”
“I got here just fine.”
“Okay, I’ll be in touch.”
I watched her small frame blend into the crowded sidewalk and went back inside. Ki was on the phone, Lucas was gone, and I was thankful it was the end of the day.
We worked all morning serving envelopes, walking around the city talking about everything from finances to looking for lost pets. Ki figured out a rate for it and left a message with the first person that had contacted us, and if she agreed, then we were going to see how it went before we called the others back.
Ki told me Prescot wanted to sell his condominium since he was rarely there and to start fresh with a new place. Ki swore she wasn’t moving out but she was going to help him pick out a new place to live since she’ll be spending time there also. Ki’s moving on, and moving out someday wasn’t something I wanted to think about so I was going to kick those thoughts right out the door.
Ki hung up the phone and I popped up on the edge of my desk.
“Emma’s pregnant.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s weird.”
“Why?”
“I’m going to be an aunt to a sister that I didn’t even know existed. To a sister that I’m not even sure I can have a relationship with because of my mother. But then, there’s a little baby growing inside of her that will need an aunt, and she has no one.”
“Oh, Lex. This is fantastic news.”
I shook my head. “I can’t be someone’s aunt.”
“Yes, you can. Just like you can be someone’s girlfriend. Just like you can fall in love. Just like you can have kids and g—”
“Okay, that’s enough. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
She stood and wrapped me in a one-armed hug. “You gotta be nicer to the girl.”
“I know.”
“I love you, Lex; it’ll all work out.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
I slid off my desk, turned the computer off, and we headed upstairs. Prescot was bringing dinner over so we sat on the couch with some wine until he came.
“I’m going over to Tapper’s after dinner,” I told her sipping my blush wine. “I’ll be home though. He doesn’t want me spending the night yet.”
“Taking it slow, it’s good.”
“I think there’s more to it, but I’m doing as he asked; one day at a time. He’ll tell me more when he’s ready.”
“But you have millions of questions running through your mind.”
“Yes, I do.”
“They’ll all get answered.”
“I wonder if he works?”
“That is a good question.”
“I mean, he’s still in the same condo, he goes to therapy, and has nice things. I guess it never crossed my mind.”
“You said he won a lot, maybe he’s living off that money?”
“True, he was very good in the ring.”
The door opened, and the scent of fresh Chinese food hit our noses by the time Prescot got to the kitchen. I was very thankful for all the walking we did. It was enough to keep my jeans fitting, my legs toned, and my belly, for the most part, flat.
Prescot barely had the food set out on the island before Ki and I attacked the containers. He laughed and backed away, saying something that sounded like, ‘bunch of animals.’ Ki giggled and tried to bite him when he pinched a sweet and sour chicken from her bowl. We settled on the couch and ate our dinner.
Ki was telling us about some of the different security systems she had researched and she finally settled between two different ones. Prescot offered to look more into the two and help her make a firm decision since I was indifferent on the whole thing. As long as I could get in and out of the building without setting off the alarm every time, I didn’t care. I checked my phone and I saw I had a text message from Prescot’s tattoo artist. He attached the design he drew up for Ki and me, along with a list of dates he had available, though the first one was almost five weeks away. I knew he was a fantastic artist, based on Prescot’s tattoos and the reviews I saw on social media, but I had no idea he would be booked out that far out. I shot him a quick text letting him know I’d show Ki and if there was anything we needed to change, I would pop into the shop. I also told him that I would text him as soon as I knew a date that would work for me and Ki to come in. Ki worried that she would have to wait until after she donated her bone marrow, and wanted to stay on the safe side. She didn’t have to say how worried she was that she wouldn’t be able to donate her marrow to her father. I nodded and silence settled over us before Prescot filled us in on Molly. He was just like a chick—loved to fill us in on office gossip. Molly had told Prescot that she was looking forward to her date with Josh because it was different and out of her comfort zone. I told them that if the two of them hit it off, then the six of us should make dinners plans.
I texted Tapper during dinner and told him I’d be over in about an hour.
Chapter 23 – Tapper
I pulled up in front of Two Girls Investigate and saw all the lights off, plus the ones above the store. I assumed it was right above it, but I’d never been here. I did know, through conversations with Lex, that the apartment had a door in the back that led upstairs. I drove around the corner and parked in the alley. Turning my driver’s seat to face my wheelchair that sat in the middle of the car, I pulled myself into it and wheeled out the back. I parked it at the end of the metal steps and grabbed the rail, pulling myself up the stairs, hand over hand.
“Hold up!” a man’s voice yelled, shining a light on my face. “Who are you?”
“I’m looking for Alexa.” I tried to move my hand and he stopped me again.
“Tapper Low?”
I sat on my ass and faced him, making him turn the damn light off.
“Lex isn’t here,” he informed me, which a part of me already knew.
“And she isn’t at my place, either.”
“Fuck.” He put a finger to his ear and said, “Who’s on Lex?” I didn’t hear the reply but the next time he spoke, he lowered his voice. “Check in with Gunner, find out where she is.”
“Who are you?” I asked once he dropped his finger.
“Lucas.”
I nodded. “I’ve heard of you.”
“Heard of you also.”
“Lex said an hour. It’s been almost two.”
“Glad to see you aren’t the kind of guy to sit around and wait.”
“Glad to know someone’s on my girl.”
He put his finger to his ear. “When? How long?”
Something was wrong, the minute I started driving over here, I knew something was off.
I should have left sooner.
Fuck.
I adjusted myself and went back down the stairs and into my chair.
“Let me know,” he said before he dropped his finger, and then he turned to me. “She stopped at the mall, looked at a few shops and settled on Victoria Secret, and my guy sat on the bench waiting. He saw her arm draped with hangers and assumed she was in the dressing room.”
“She’s not?”
“No. Roughly twenty-three minutes passed since the last time he saw her. He was giving her thirty, then he was going to go in.”
“He never saw her leave?”
“No.”
I ran my hands over my face. “Fuck!”
“Let’s keep our shit.”
“I’m fine,” I ground out, and I would be. I had to treat this like one of my fights. Patience. Don’t over kill it. Pace myself. “What are your first thoughts?”
“She’s a woman who
loves to shop.”
“Besides that,” I deadpanned.
With his hands on his hips, he glanced down the alley, thinking before he came back to me. There was only one light in the alley so I couldn’t make out all his features but my eyes were adjusting to the dark.
“If it comes to it, we’ll find her. I’ve got unlimited resources and manpower.”
“Ki’s father.”
“Yes,” he said, putting his finger to his ear. “Gunner check with security after you interview the staff. Lance, stay with Ki. Mac, we’re coming to the front.”
My fingers gripped the wheels of my chair. “She’s gone.” My heart dropped. I knew she wasn’t here the minute I parked, but having that confirmation damn near made my heart stop.
“You’ll need to park the car out front.”
I took a deep breath.
His lack of answer screamed loud and clear that I was right.
Lex was gone.
“What does she have to do with Ki’s father?” I asked, following him to the back of my car.
“I think it has to do with her mother.”
“She’s dead.”
“Your chair should fit in the back of the van,” he said, taking off in a jog. “I’ll meet you out front.”
I hustled into the car and met him out front. Both doors on the back of van opened and a giant of a man poked his head out. “Gonna be tight, mate, but you’ll fit.” His Australian accent threw me off, but Lucas lifting my chair, with me in it, was worse. He wasn’t as large as the man in front of me, and it shocked me that he could pull off that task. It shocked me that he lifted me because I could have climbed in myself.
I had to tamp down my resentment. I hated people doing shit for me, looking at me with pity. That was why most of the physical therapists I had didn’t work, they didn’t trust me to figure out my own body. They put limitations—more limitations than I already have—and I was not willing to accept them.
“I could have done it myself.”
He grinned, sitting in front of me. “I know.”
The van took off and Mac started typing into a computer that lined the wall of the van.
“This is a nice setup.”
“We like it,” Lucas said, pointing at something on the screen. “Who’s that?”
