Edge: A Tortured Heroes Novel

by Jayne Blue

  “What does your brother want with you?” I asked. She cast her eyes down then squeezed them shut. When she lifted them she pasted on a smile. I knew the next words out of her mouth wouldn’t be the whole truth.

  “He just likes to periodically remind me how powerful he is.”

  Rage simmered under my skin. I could feel the cold, phantom outline of my Nine in the palm of my hand. If he came near her. If he touched her …

  “Is that what Garnett was about?” I looked her dead in the eye, daring her to lie to me outright.

  Lila’s eyes flickered. She set her jaw then let her face fall. “I don’t know. You can believe me or not, but it’s the truth. He hasn’t admitted to it. Normally he would, just to irritate me. But yes, I think maybe Tommy’s men were behind what happened to Garnett’s store. It’s not usually his style. He’s smart enough not to draw that kind of attention. I don’t know. Maybe somebody working for him took matters into his own hands.”

  I curled my hand into a fist. “I can’t have him in Crystal Falls. You know that.”

  She nodded. “I’m sorry, Beckett. Maybe I should have told you.”

  I met her eyes. Could I fault her for who her family was? It was everything Crane had said. Just because Lila was related to a shitheel didn’t mean she sanctioned what he did. But I knew she wasn’t telling me anything. What in the hell could Tommy Kelly want in Crystal Falls? No matter what else he was, he was a businessman. What possible advantage could he gain from making noise down here?

  “She wanted to protect me from him,” Lila said. “My mother was always more afraid of Tommy Jr. than she was my father.”

  “He acknowledged you,” I said. “As his daughter, I mean. Your father.”

  Lila’s nostrils flared. “From day one, yes. My father likes to pick and choose which commandments and Catholic sacraments he likes to honor. He’ll never divorce Margaret. But he made no secret of his relationship with my mother. Or me. Tommy’s twelve years older than me. I mean, he was a grown man before I even met him.”

  “What happens when your father dies?” I asked.

  Some of the color drained from Lila’s face and it gave me my answer. Murderous rage coursed through my veins. He would kill her. The minute Tommy Sr. stopped drawing breath, Tommy Jr. would take out the threat she posed.

  “Are you in his will?”

  “His will?” Lila reared back. “On paper, Tommy Kelly is a pauper. The government seized everything. He’s been in prison my entire adult life. I haven’t seen him since I was thirteen. He’s written letters. He’s even called a few times. Not recently.”

  I lowered my chin. “And I know you’re not that naive. He’s still running things, isn’t he?”

  She shrugged. “Of course he is. But my brother controls everything. They can’t pin anything on him. Tommy’s untouchable.”

  No one is untouchable. I kept it to myself.

  “Beckett, I’m sorry. And I’ll understand if you don’t want anything to do with me after this. I should have told you. I just didn’t know how. When people find out ... they tend to leave me.”

  “What does he want from you?” I’d asked her before. She’d dodged. She was doing it again now, not meeting my eyes.

  “Lila,” I said, reaching for her. My fingers grazed her arm. She was cold and still as marble. This was terror, raw and pure.

  I rose slowly. A black haze clouded my vision and it got hard to breathe. If he touched her ... if he so much as put a hair out of place on her head …

  “Beckett.” Lila’s voice choked as she turned to face me. Her eyes glistened with tears she fought to hold back. She lifted a finger and rubbed beneath her eyes. “Beckett, you don’t understand. Tommy isn’t ... he’s ... they’ve tried. Everyone’s tried.”

  “Tried what?”

  “I don’t know what he does or how he does it. That’s the truth. But my brother isn’t like my father. I told you, he’s like his mother. The fact that I even exist threatens him. He just likes to make sure I know my place.”

  “What’s that? Your place?”

  Lila slid off her stool. She hugged her arms around herself. This time, she let a single tear fall. “Family is the most important thing to my dad. And something’s wrong with Tommy. I mean, he’d never say it, but he’s forty years old and he’s never had a kid. He was married once but she died a few years ago. I think maybe Tommy’s sterile. That makes him vulnerable within my father’s organization. And I swear to you I’ve never wanted anything to do with it. I probably should have changed my name.”

  I’d guessed right. Lila was a bigger threat to Tommy Jr. than anything the feds could throw at him. Her father probably had it structured so everything would go to her if something happened to her brother.

  “He won’t hurt me,” she said, sensing my line of thought. “My brother just likes to rattle my cage, remind me that he’s there. That’s all. He gets bored easily. If I give him what he wants, he’ll move off.”

  “What exactly does he want, Lila?”

  She went stone cold. Her eyes flickered again and once more I knew she wouldn’t tell me the whole truth.

  “I told you. He just likes to remind me that he’s still around. It’s nothing. You mean to tell me you don’t have issues with your own brother?”

  I couldn’t help it, that got a laugh out of me. “What, Heath?”

  “Right. You said you were competitive growing up. He joined a hotshot fire crew, you joined the SEALS. I’d say you were winning. It’s just complicated with brothers, isn’t it? In Tommy’s case, it’s more to do with my mother, not me. My very existence is a slap in the face to his own mother. So, to make her happy, he likes to get in my face every once in a while. Convince himself I’m no real threat to his business interests. Which I’m not. Then he can report back to Margaret that his place is secure. I’m not after his money or any of it. It’s the game he plays. That’s all.”

  That’s all. I wished I could take her word for it. Hell, I wished I could take her away from here and that I’d never heard the Kelly name. But I knew I’d only just scratched the surface. If Tommy Kelly saw fit to make noise in my town, there was a reason for it.

  Untouchable. Well, we’d see.

  I grabbed my hat off the counter. “You’re leaving?” she asked.

  “I just need to think.”

  Lila’s posture changed. She straightened her back.

  “Don’t read into it,” I said. “I don’t blame you for who your family is.”

  “Right.”

  “Lila.”

  “No. It’s okay. I get it. I understand.”

  I let out a sigh. I was still torn in half. There was my need to protect her at the forefront of my heart and mind. But Crystal Falls was my responsibility too. I had to be sure.

  I wanted to go to her. I wanted to sweep her into my arms and kiss her pain away. My cock stirred. I could feel her heat from here. For once, I had to think with my head where this woman was concerned though.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow,” I said.

  She pressed her hand to her cheek, but didn’t answer. I took a step toward her but she turned away. Dammit. I was trying to do the right thing but seemed hellbent on fucking everything up instead.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow,” I repeated. Though it tore my guts apart, I turned and walked away.

  Crane was waiting for me at the station when I rolled up. His eyes held knowing sympathy I damn well didn’t want. When he made a move toward me, I put a hand up, stopping him. Not now. I was liable to take my anger out in ways I’d regret later. Kill the messenger, and all.

  I tried to do normal things. Finalize reports. Approve overtime. All the mundane shit that went with this job. I hated it most of the time and still did now. It didn’t work to push my doubts away.

  Lila wasn’t responsible for who her family was. But I’d bet my life she was holding back. Tommy Kelly wasn’t stupid. Why the hell would he risk exposure by stirring up trouble here in Crystal Falls? U
ntil I knew the answer to that, it would gut me, but I’d have to keep my distance from Lila. I had to figure out the truth.

  I ached for her that night as I tried to fall asleep. When I finally did fall asleep, the nightmares came back. The desert closed in all around me, choking me. Old pain flared from the knife wound in my side. I woke up sweating, tangled in the sheets, feathers all around. I’d strangled the life out of my down pillow.

  I’d pushed away the one thing that had helped me quiet those demons. Now they came roaring back, threatening to suck me under all over again.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lila

  It would be easier to just go. That’s what I tried to tell myself since the moment Beckett Finch took hold of my heart. He was too good for me. This wasn’t a self-esteem thing. But he was literally too good. No matter how hard I tried to keep it from him, the blackness and baggage that followed me would bring him down. It was happening already. I saw it in the looks of the people closest to him.

  Crane Wendall and the rest of the deputies stopped coming into the shop. When I passed him on the street, he gave me a polite smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. I knew what he thought. I was some mafia princess, a black widow who could ruin the man they all looked up to.

  Tommy’s men grew bolder. Damon parked his Mercedes right in front of the shop when he came on Wednesday to go over my weekly receipts. When he walked in, my heart stopped. This time, Tommy came in with him.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I whispered through clenched teeth as I grabbed my brother by the arm and led him back into the kitchen. This earned me a quick look from Addy, but there were only three other customers in the store.

  “I was about to ask you the same thing,” Tommy said. He raised a skeptical brow as he surveyed the nearly empty dining room. He slipped out of my grasp and straightened his jacket. He shot a look to Damon. Damon nodded and took a seat at the counter. Addy would bring him coffee in a moment. I just hoped he left her alone after that.

  “You can’t be here,” I said once we made it through the swinging doors and out of the dining room. “Dammit, Tommy. I don’t even know. Maybe I should thank you. You’ll kill my business. I suppose that’s one way to get free of you.”

  “Careful what you wish for, Lila. Besides, I’m here to save your ass. This town’s starting to grow on me. You’ve never been a big-picture thinker.”

  “What are you talking about?” I wanted to swallow the question as soon as I said it.

  “Crystal Falls is a treasure. Off the map. Off the radar. But it’s easy to get to from the freeway. I’ve been looking for a place like this for a while. And I came here today to make peace.”

  My jaw dropped. Of all the things he could have said, I wasn’t expecting that. I also knew Tommy well enough to know peace would mean different things to both of us.

  “Stop talking in riddles.”

  He nodded, spreading his hands wide. “The coffee shop is nice. I know cakes and pies are your little hobby. You’re good at it. Terrific. But the real opportunity is across the street.”

  My head spun. What in the actual hell was he talking about? “What, Garnett’s Treasures? Are you kidding?”

  Tommy shrugged. “Did some checking. You probably should have before you put a bid on this place with my money. That was my fault. Da’s always had a soft spot for you so I tried to honor it. But that old lady makes a fortune. All cash transactions. I want it. And you’ve done your job with the sheriff well. Maybe there’s more of your mother in you than I gave you credit for.”

  “Tommy, I’m tired. I’m busy.”

  He came to me, putting a gentle hand on my upper arm. I wanted to slap it away. “Maybe take a page from her. Have him put his kid in you. It sure as hell worked on Da. Deanna had him eating out of her hand.”

  “Go back to Boston, will you?” My heart sank. God, I hated him so much.

  “Why haven’t you seen him for a couple of days?” Tommy asked.

  I slid out of his grasp. “You’re here for receipts. I’ll get them. After that, get the hell out of here, okay?”

  “You’re not fighting with him, are you?”

  Something inside of me snapped. I knew better. The more Tommy knew I cared, the worse it would be. “No, Tommy. We’re not fighting. But Beckett’s not as dumb as you think he is. He knows, okay?”

  Tommy’s eyes flashed with blue fire. “What do you mean, he knows?”

  “He knows who you are. He knows what you do. That should make you happy. He probably won’t want anything more to do with me. Guilt by association, and all.”

  Tommy grabbed me again, jerking me forward. “So, fix it. I don’t give a shit how. Use the charms you inherited from your whore of a mother. I don’t care. But I want Beckett Finch back in your bed by the end of the week.”

  “Or what?” I tore myself away from him with enough force to nearly knock myself off balance. “You gonna kill me, Tommy? You can’t. You know you can’t lay a finger on me.”

  His slow smile turned my blood to ice. “And you know I’ve never had to. You’ve got a big heart, Lila. That’s always been your weakness. You give a shit about the people in this town for some reason. I don’t. Remember that.”

  “What are you going to do, Tommy? Kill everyone? How would that fit in with your plans for Crystal Falls?”

  “Kinda perfect,” he said. “If the old lady won’t sell, it’ll make things simple. As far as the sheriff goes, I don’t much care. I either want him in your bed or out of my way. You pick which one.”

  The bell chimed over the front door. Tommy looked over his shoulder and smiled.

  “Speak of the devil,” he said. “Don’t worry, sis. I’ll show myself out.”

  He went out the back door. From the small round window in the kitchen door, I saw Addy make her way to Beckett. He stood with his hat in his hand near the front door. I watched him look for me. Squeezing my eyes shut, I said a silent prayer that he hadn’t seen Tommy. It didn’t really matter though. Damon still sat at the counter.

  I smoothed my hands over my apron and found a smile. I pushed my hands on the kitchen door but met resistance. Beckett was on the other side trying to push his way in. I stepped back and let him.

  His expression was grim as he entered. Damn Tommy and Damon to hell. He was still out there in the alley. I could almost feel Tommy’s eyes piercing through the brick wall. His words bubbled over me, making me feel stained, tainted.

  “Hey,” Beckett said. His eyes were hollow. He could barely look at me. There was no point trying to dance around the reason why.

  “That’s Damon,” I said. “He’s one of my brother’s associates.”

  “Right. You gonna tell me he just likes your coffee?”

  “I already told you what he wants. My brother just likes to remind me from time to time that he’s still around.”

  “For what?” The hollowness left Beckett’s eyes and they flashed with a rage that scared me. “You need to be honest with me. Is Tommy trying to hurt you? Lean on you? Because dammit, Lila, I won’t have this in my town. I don’t give a shit who he is, your brother may have to learn the hard way not to mess with me.”

  “Don’t!” It came out as a shout. Hot tears simmered under the surface. “Don’t make threats like that, Beckett. You really should give a shit who Tommy is. He’s not like you. He’s ruthless. He ruins people just for the sport of it. You just have to trust me. Pretty soon he’s going to get bored. He’s just pissed that I moved here without clearing it with him first. But there’s nothing he can do about it.”

  Beckett went absolutely still. His face changed in front of my eyes, growing cold as if he’d turned to stone. He put a light hand on my upper arm. “You think I’m not ruthless?”

  “Beckett ... no ... I know who you are. What you’ve been through.”

  His brow raised slightly. “Baby, you don’t. God help me, you never will. But know this. I am not afraid of Tommy Kelly. So whatever he’s got over you, I c
an help you. If you want it.”

  His voice faltered at the end. I knew what he meant. He was giving me a choice. Tommy or him. God. If only it were that simple. He didn’t know what I knew. He should be afraid of Tommy.

  “I know,” I said, touching his face. Becket flinched. I saw the flare of desire go through him at the same time it did me. Even now, I wanted him so badly. Tommy was listening. It occurred to me with fresh horror he might have even wired my store. The moment the thought flashed through my mind, I knew it was probably true. He would likely hear every threat Beckett made. That kind of thing could send Tommy straight over the edge. He’d want to prove something. Put Beckett Finch in his place.

  I drew Beckett close; going up on my tiptoes, I let my lips brush his ear. “Just give me a little time,” I whispered. “I can handle my brother. I’m so sorry. Can you just trust me a little longer and not poke this particular bear?”

  Beckett went rigid beneath my touch. I wanted to tear at him, bring him inside me. I just ... wanted. When Beckett brought his head down and kissed my neck, gooseflesh covered me.

  “Be careful,” he whispered.

  I nodded and moved away from him. “Promise.” I mouthed the word.

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Damon get up from his stool at the counter. Tommy must have summoned him. They hadn’t got what they came for today. He’d still want my receipts. It meant I could expect a visit later this evening after I closed the store for the day.

  “Tonight,” I said, smoothing Beckett’s shirt. “I’d like to see you. I can come to your place. Or we could go somewhere. Get far away from Crystal Falls for a day. Just us.”

  Beckett’s smile came easy this time. “I’d like that. I’ve got a few days coming to me. What about you? Do you think the store could survive without you for twenty-four hours or more?”

  I looked out through the window. With Damon’s exit and my three other customers already cashed out, the dining room was empty. My heart sank.

  “I think so,” I said.

  Beckett put a light hand on the small of my back. “Okay. I’ll pick you up here tonight. Eight?”