All for the little brother who no longer existed.
"Anyway, you've fucked it all up by backing out so now I'm taking you in myself."
"It's too late, Rayce. I already told them everything."
His features morphed and the expression on his face turned to pure hatred. He lifted the gun and pointed it at her, she assumed he was trying to decided whether or not to just shoot her now. He dropped it back to his lap and shook his head before lifting it once more.
"You stupid little bitch," he growled and sweat broke out across his forehead.
She just stared at him, unable to truly accept that this was who he had become. That he would care so little for his own blood.
His shaking hand dropped the gun back to his lap and he sighed. "I'll figure something out, but for now, you're coming with me." He stood from his chair and moved in front of her, kicking Givens aside with his boot, making the man groan in pain. "Since I didn't know you'd told them already, Ripley won't know. I'll be on the inside before he has a chance to make a move."
"You're insane."
He shot her an evil grin, "It's in the blood."
"No, you are literally insane, Rayce. You need help."
He scowled at her and was reaching down to grab her arm when a loud knock pounded at the door. The knob turned, but the deadbolt was in place so whoever it was couldn't get in. She held her breath and Rayce glared at her. Waiting.
"Emily? It's Conall, open up."
Every muscle in her body froze, but her heart raced at the sound of Conall's voice. What the hell is he doing here?
Another several knocks and his deep voice sounded once more, "Emily? Shaw? Open the door."
Rayce took a step back and pointed the gun in her face before he lifted a finger to his lips. "Shh, you risk his life if you speak, Emily," he whispered. "I won't hesitate to shoot him in the head."
"I'm not leaving until you open the door and show me that you are okay," Conall shouted. He pounded on it a few more times, then there was a short silence before he spoke again, panic in his voice. "Please, I know you're in there."
Rayce rolled his eyes and jerked the gun to indicate that he wanted her to stand.
"He won't leave, Rayce." He stepped between her and the door and she struggled to think of how to get Conall to go away so he wouldn't end up like Givens. "But I can make him. Please. I'll go with you, just don't hurt him," she whispered.
He narrowed his eyes at her and his jaw ticked as if he was grinding his teeth. She knew he wouldn't hesitate to shoot Conall if she couldn't get rid of him. "Hurry it up."
She slowly moved toward the door, not wanting to make any sudden movements with the gun still pointed at her. Rayce followed and stood next to her so when she opened the door, he would be behind it. He held the gun up and kept his eyes on her, silently communicating that he was making a serious threat.
She slid the deadbolt free and the door swung open with a loud groan.
Conall's blue eyes locked on hers and she felt a pang in her chest at the sight of him standing in front of her looking as glorious as ever. She had finally showered today, but she knew the dark circles under her eyes from a lack of sleep were more than noticeable. She hadn't been eating well either and it showed. It's amazing what three days of a broken heart and feeling sorry for yourself will do.
She cleared her throat as his eyes roamed up and down her body, she assumed it was to make sure she was in one piece, then he frowned. She stepped to the side so one shoulder was behind the door, ready to force it shut if she needed to. "What are you doing here?"
His blue eyes snapped back to hers and she bit the inside of her cheek so she wouldn't give herself away. She could see Rayce out of the corner of her eye and he was clearly impatient.
"I had to see you… and apologize."
She tried not to show her relief and frowned in place of the smile she wanted to give him. "I'm fine. How did you find me?"
His brow furrowed in confusion before he raked a hand through his hair and cupped the back of his neck. "Miller told me. I've made some discoveries that I think you need to hear about."
So have I, she thought.
"Where is Shaw? She should be the one answering the door," he grumbled. He would be upset about that wouldn't he?
"She's in the shower and since I knew it was you…" she trailed off with a shrug and kept her eyes on his. "I think you should just let Captain Miller know and he can pass the message on to Shaw. You should go, Conall."
"What's going on?"
She lost the will to look him in the eye and took a deep breath as she dropped her gaze to the floor, "Nothing. I just don't want to see you right now."
"I'm sorry, Emily. I made a mistake. I understand why you did what you did, I really do. I would have done the same if I thought it was the only choice I had."
Her shoulders sagged and she saw Rayce move his finger in a circle, telling her to wrap it up. She stiffened, but kept her eyes on the floor.
"I appreciate that," she didn't trust her voice to speak any louder than a whisper and her fingers started to shake, quickly losing her bravado. She gripped the hem of her shirt with one hand to steady her fingers while she held herself up using the door with the other.
He glanced down at her trembling fingers and then darted his eyes behind her into what he could see of the apartment. It only took a few seconds and for one of those, she was sure he was about to burst in and that would be it, but instead he stepped forward, close enough to grasp her shaking hand in his and raise it to his lips.
"I love you," he said softly.
The sting in the back of her eyes warned her that she was losing control and needed to go. Hearing those words from him meant more than he could ever know. It would get her through whatever hell she had to go through. She couldn't let him leave without telling him one last time.
"I love you, too." Rayce shifted beside her and she scrambled for something to say to make him go away. "But it's not enough. Not now."
He closed his eyes and kissed her hand once more before releasing it and taking a step back. She kept her eyes on his again, hoping he would be able to see how much she didn't mean those last words. Hoping he would understand.
"I guess I'll see you later then." He winked, contradicting the grim moment.
She stood straighter and nodded at him before quickly shutting the door in his face. Rayce pulled her away from the door and slid the deadbolt in place. He listened for a moment until the sound of footsteps faded down the hall.
"Wasn't that romantic. Now let's go." He lowered the gun and herded her back toward the bedrooms. "Get what you can carry. I've got to make a plan."
They passed Givens, who was now unconscious, but his chest was slowly rising and falling. Shaw was still out cold and Emily saw a trickle of blood running down the side of the woman's face and assumed Rayce had hit her over the head with his gun. She would be fine.
Givens wouldn't.
She had to find a way to get him some help before it became impossible.
They were just reaching her bedroom when the front door rattled with a loud knock.
"Jesus, what the fuck is wrong with these people?" Rayce grumbled. "Get rid of him for good this time, or I will."
She hurried back to the door and he slid back in place behind it. It was Conall again and she wanted to scream for his help, but she kept her expression neutral.
"I forgot to tell you something," he said immediately and she opened the door a little wider. Once her entire frame was clear of the door, he reached for her arm and yanked her toward him at the same time he kicked the door back into Rayce. The gun went off and she heard a grunt on the other side as the weapon clattered to the floor.
Conall retrieved his gun from his shoulder holster and held it out in front of him as he pushed through the doorway and turned to face her brother. He kicked the gun out of Rayce's reach and she heard her brother curse.
"You son of a bitch," Conall said dangerously. "She's yo
ur sister!"
There was a short chuckle before he replied, "She's obviously worthless."
Conall's jaw ticked as he stared her brother down and his blue eyes flickered with resolve. "Not to me."
"How very touching," Rayce sneered.
She was still out in the hall, but she could see enough of what was going on to know that it was over. Rayce couldn't get out of this, not unless he wanted to get shot and by the look on Conall's face, he would shoot him if he had to.
"Put your hands behind your head or I swear to God I'll shoot you in the leg for good measure."
"Ha!"
Conall lunged forward and gripped the collar of Rayce's shirt, easily lifting him off the ground before slamming him into the open door. "Listen you little piece of shit. The only thing keeping me from killing you right now is your sister over there. You're lucky to have her and it's a damn shame you were such a lousy brother. But she's mine now and I won't tolerate anyone fucking with her anymore."
Rayce didn't give any kind of response and the cold of his eyes never changed.
He was completely gone and she finally accepted it.
"You're under arrest for the murder of Officer Greg Daniels and you better pray these two deputies in here stay alive or I promise you a lifetime of misery in the prison you'll be staying in. Courtesy of Lucien Ripley who now knows you framed his brother."
The smugness that Rayce had held onto this whole time fell and fear replaced it.
"That's right, Rayce Dawson. He's not going to help you. Too bad I got to you first, huh?" He pulled her brother's arms behind his back and cuffed him.
In the next moment, several officers came running down the hall toward her, guns raised and ready for action. They pulled her aside and rushed in. Conall disappeared in the next moment, probably to check on Givens and she got lost in the mix.
An officer introduced himself, which she barely paid attention to, and escorted her down the stairs of the complex and out the front door where several police cars waited with an ambulance. She had no idea how they had gotten there so fast, but it was the last thing that mattered to her.
Her brother was a murderer.
She had no more family.
She was alone.
A paramedic quickly checked her over, ignoring her protests that she was just fine and nothing had happened to her. When he was satisfied she didn't need to go to the hospital, the officer who escorted her down, lead her to a police cruiser and helped her into the back seat.
She watched the front of the apartment, waiting to see some sign of Conall. An hour passed and within that time, both Givens and Shaw were each taken away in an ambulance and countless officers filed in and out. Tenants rushed outside to see what was going on and several stayed in their apartments, but were practically hanging out the windows to get a good look.
She didn't see Conall and the reason finally hit her. The whole thing was a show. Just like it had been back with his family. That explained why he already had back up and why she was hidden in a police car.
Why he hadn't come out to see her.
She sunk back into the seat and closed her eyes. It's all over, she thought with a sigh, part relief and part sorrow.
"You're alone, Em," she whispered to herself. "It doesn't mean your life is over, though. Take it back."
Minutes later, that same officer slid into the front seat and without glancing back at her, drove away from the scene.
"Where are we going?"
His eyes flicked up to the rearview mirror before going back to the road, "The station. You need to give a statement and Miller needs to figure out what to do with you."
"And my brother?"
"Brannock took him already, went out the back, said he didn't want you to have to see him again if he could help it."
So he was still taking care of her. She felt suddenly angry at that. He had no right, she didn't deserve it.
"He was pretty concerned about you, but his hands were full. Told me to keep an eye on you."
And just like that, the anger was gone. It didn't matter if he didn't want her anymore, he still cared. She'd made her choices, now she was going to live with them. She could do that. She could get through whatever the hell life threw at her.
The officer went on, "Givens is in critical condition, but I think he'll come out of it okay. Shaw was moving around a bit, but she'll probably have a concussion. You on the other hand, are lucky. Your brother didn't seem to want to give up fighting, kept making threats against you. Brannock put him in his place, though."
"What?"
"Oh, I didn't see it, but Dawson shut up pretty quick afterwards."
She could only imagine.
***
Conall
"Did you really have to hit him, Brannock?" Captain Miller asked with a grin.
The two of us were watching Rayce Dawson get questioned from the opposite side of the glass. The kid had quite the shiner and his eye was almost completely swollen shut. Rayce had started flapping his mouth about Emily again and my fist somehow found a soft spot to land, right over his eye.
"I don't know what you're talking about?" I grinned back.
Miller rolled his eyes and listened as the officers casually asked about his eye.
Rayce looked pale and his good eye darted back and forth from the glass to the officers in front of him. The same green as Emily's, but duller. Angrier.
"Um, nothing happened. It was my fault. I, um, ran into something."
"Mmhmm. Are you sure about that?" the detective asked and glanced over at the glass with a smirk.
"Yes, I'm sure," Rayce replied.
Miller chuckled beside me, "The kid is scared to death. What the hell did you say to him?"
I frowned as I watched Rayce stand and allow the detectives to cuff him once more. "Nothing he didn't already know."
I only informed him that Lucien wanted to speak with him before he went off to prison, but the only way he could do that was if I arranged it for him. Rayce was smart enough to realize that I would do just that if he didn't cooperate. The kid may have lost his mind, all of his morals, but he wasn't blind to the consequences.
Lucien wasn't going to be happy, but he had other means of getting revenge on the kid. He was going to prison after all and a good portion of the guys in there were loyal to Ripley.
I tried not to think about it, but I knew eventually I would talk Lucien into taking it easy with him. He was Emily's brother, even if he wasn't the same boy she raised and I got the feeling that Lucien had a thing for Emily from the very beginning. He watched her for a long time, how could he not?
"About Ms. Dawson," Miller mentioned casually. "You do know she's going to be incarcerated, right?"
I nodded. Yeah, I knew that, but I already had a plan in motion. No one was going to really care if she was manipulated into lying. With Rayce's cooperation, however, she had a good chance of catching a break. That and a new found friend happened to know the judge who would be doing the sentencing. The only problem was that in order to keep me from being connected, I had to keep my distance from Emily. From all of it.
"You've already risked your job," Lucien said. "Leave it to me and just be ready to get her back when the time comes, yeah?"
If I hadn't known about Ripley's history already, I would have never thought the man was capable of the crimes he'd committed. He sure did like a happy ending and I knew without a doubt, every woman in the world would envy the one who caught him. As long as she could turn her head from his past. He was a good guy deep down and Conall was glad that he got the chance to speak with him.
"I'm getting tired," Lucien had said. "Think I'd rather just own a bunch of hotels and call it quits."
"Why don't you?"
He sighed, "Too many enemies."
I asked to be pulled off the Ripley investigation the minute I contacted Miller after I left Jack's Pub and my surprising meeting with Lucien. He didn't question my motives and didn't hesitate when I arranged for ba
ck up to be sent to Emily's new apartment. He'd already gotten word that Rayce had been seen in Oakland early that morning and had boarded a plane back to Denver.
Luke and Ash called to let me know they had spotted him outside the apartment that was still in my name. He'd made the connection and had come running.
I knew he was going to find her without the help of her calling him this time. I had just hoped I could get to her before he did, but I'd been a few minutes too late. If it hadn't been for the way her fingers clutched at the hem of her shirt, I would have never known something was seriously wrong. I wouldn't have left the building, but he would have had her alone in there and judging by the reaction he had to finding out he was screwed, it wouldn't have gone well.
"She's in five right now, if you want to talk to her," Miller shrugged and walked right passed me. I didn't realize we had been staring into an empty room for the last few minutes. I was lost in my thoughts.
The door clicked shut and I debated on going to see her. I meant every word that I had said at the apartment and it killed me to not go to her once everything had calmed down. I snuck out the back door with her brother and another officer like a coward, but it was all part of the deal.
I walked out of the room and down the hall to Interrogation Room #5. I stood there staring at the door. Something I seemed to be doing a lot in the last few months. Staring at the door that separated me and Emily. The only barrier I had to pass to get to her.
People passed behind me, back and forth, going about their business. Voices shouted, others whispered, the phones ringing in dispatch sounded faint, but I could still hear them on occasion. All the while, I just stood there. Staring. My pulse racing. Sweat beading on my skin.
I moved my hand to the door knob, feeling the cold brass under my fingers. Deep breath in, out. I shouldn't be doing this.
The shrill ring of my phone made me jump back from the door and bump into someone behind me.
"Ouch!"
I turned around and saw Julia Sheen bending over and rubbing her shin. Apparently, I had bumped her back enough to trip over a chair sitting on the other side of the hallway.
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