by Amy McKinley
Her gaze collided with two pairs of eyes way older than their years, and she shivered from the knowledge of why they didn’t seem their age. Jo was right; these two were no ordinary teenagers. Jo introduced her to Dylan and Jilly, and Liv interjected, telling the kids to call her by her first name. There was no point in being formal. This was an unusual situation, and from the looks of these teens, the dangerous and strange events they would learn about would not be a shock.
Liv accepted the water Matt offered and took a small sip. Liam stepped close, his strength lending her the support she needed but would not ask for. His pinkie linked with hers for a fraction of a second before he let her go.
Everyone seemed to look to Liam as if he was their leader. She could see it. He had a commanding air about him—fair but firm.
“It’s settled, then. The perimeter is secure, so tonight, we relax and have some fun. Tomorrow, we plan,” Liam announced.
Chapter 27
With coffee in hand, Liv crowded into Liam’s office. Matt, Jo, and their kids were already seated. Jack leaned against the windows, and Trevor turned and offered her a wink when the door clicked closed behind her. She gave him a small smile, surprised to see him there. Taking the empty seat in between Jo and Trev, she braced herself for what would be discussed this morning.
A sense of unease, of pending danger, permeated the air. She sank back into the chair and listened as Liam’s deep baritone filled the room.
“There’s been no movement yet from Alex. So far, approximately twenty men are en route from the Ramirez cartel. I’ve been in touch with Stevens and Jamison.”
Her lips pursed at the unfamiliar names, and Liam caught her confusion. “Rich Stevens is our contact at the CIA, and Drew Jamison is a senior detective at the NYPD.”
“Drew said he’s been suspicious of Alex for some time now. They haven’t had anything to pin on him to indicate he’s on the take, until now. Things aren’t adding up with his release from the Ramirez cartel. That wouldn’t have happened since they rule with a brutal presence.”
Nails digging into her palms, Liv waited for condemning looks from the others. None came. Trev reached over and tugged on her hair, and his lopsided grin provoked an answering smile from her. Jo gave her hand a squeeze. No shoulders stiffened, and no shocked or appalled glances were cast her way. She got the impression from their easy acceptance that the uncertainty and danger they would be facing were nothing new to any of them. With that, she relaxed a tiny bit more.
Liam recounted everything she’d told him about Alex. Rich was tracking Alex’s and key cartel members’ whereabouts. For some reason, it was important for Alex and the cartel to get Liv back. They didn’t have a definite answer as to why.
“We know Alex planned on changing his career.” Liam nodded in her direction.
I guess that means I’m supposed to talk. Liv took a deep breath and shared what would’ve come next for them. “My father basically told Alex he would be a shoo-in for senator. We believed it too, especially after Senator Radcliff told him Davidson would be retiring soon and all three of them would pave his way to fill the spot.”
“So the reason could be political? Liv’s connections?” Jack offered.
“Maybe. I mean, Alex has the financial means from money my parents put into a campaign fund for him, and then there’s my trust. Money isn’t the issue. He has the support and backing, even though my parents are dead.”
“Let’s assume he plans to go into politics for power,” Matt reasoned. “From what Drew said over at the NYPD, Alex basically single-handedly took down more than one cartel. Now he wants into politics. What are his motivations, and why is Liv a necessity to get back?”
“Because I know too much. I’ve been inside his family’s home, seen what they do, and they’re not sure what I learned while I was there. Alex may want to protect me or to kill me before his brother can find me. I’ve witnessed what he does, and it’s horrifying.”
Now she understood Alex’s unique skills for dismantling the organizations in the manner and speed in which he did. He had firsthand experience with the inner workings of a cartel and must’ve had insider information from his family.
“There’s another angle we haven’t talked about,” Jack said. “When I spoke to Drew, he said there was evidence of foul play in your parents’ accident. The brake line was corroded by acid. Could this be about money? You’re an heiress. Your parents probably left everything to you.” At her nod, he continued. “If you decide to divorce him, especially since you learned what you did about his family, he wouldn’t get anything. If he gets you back, he can either control you or kill you.”
It might not have been an accident. Alex had never told her that, just that her parents had been in a terrible crash. The details, other than instant death, had been kept from her. While she dove headfirst into grief when she’d learned about her parents, any news surrounding the cause would have escaped her notice. He could have told her. But he hadn’t. Anyone she came into contact with would have assumed she knew the details and would not have wanted to cause her further pain. Had Rachel found out and confronted him?
“That’s an angle that has definite possibilities.” Liam stopped talking, and his penetrating gaze locked on her. “Liv, you okay?”
She nodded that she was okay, not wanting to get into her tremulous emotions in front of everyone. What could she have said? Not really? It was a very real possibility Alex was involved in her parents’ death. After learning about Rachel, she would have been foolish not to think so.
Liam kept an eye on her as he asked if there were questions.
“The NYPD is still mostly unaware of Alex’s involvement with the Ramirez cartel?” Matt asked.
“From all the digging I’ve done, yes, the precinct is in the dark to his connection to Juan Carlos. The FBI has looked further into his disappearance and seemingly miraculous return. Liv, our contact at the CIA wants us to be in on this, to keep you safe. Even if they hadn’t requested we get involved, we would’ve helped you. It’s something I thought you should be aware of.” Liam turned to Jack after Liv’s acknowledging attempt at a smile. “Are all the cameras and trip wires installed?”
Jack nodded. “Every inch is covered, and the drone is in the air. Motion lights are set up, and the ones surrounding the house have the higher-watt bulbs, also on. I can take the first shift for surveillance.”
Liam agreed before his focus turned to Liv. “You have to stay in the house.”
“For how long?” The thought of being forced to remain inside made her feel caged, albeit a very large and luxurious one, but a cage nonetheless. She had already felt that way at Alex’s father’s house and again in the hospital.
Jack’s chilly gaze swung her way. “As long as it takes.”
Jo rolled her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic.” Facing Liv, she smiled. “Don’t mind him. He’s had something up his ass lately.” The teens snickered, and Matt grinned at them. “Dylan and Jilly, get all the stuff from the garage and spread it out over the lawn. Everything—basketballs, set up the badminton and volleyball nets, whatever you can find to make it difficult to navigate. And Liv? It won’t be too long, and Jilly and Dylan will be restricted to the inside of the house too.”
The older boy groaned.
Jo shot him a look. “Maybe you could get a video game going after and challenge Jilly or Matt. It would pass the time until we have a sighting.”
Dylan’s attitude did a one-eighty as he leaned back in his chair and eyed Matt and his sister. “You’re going down.”
Liam spoke up, the matter apparently settled. “Jack will be on surveillance for the next four hours, Matt and Jo will prep the weapons, and I’m going to need to ensure none of the workers come here for the next week. We’ll do a normal rotation for monitoring. I’ll take the roof lookout with Jo when I get back.”
“Why are you doing this?” Liv’s voice whispered through the room, snagging all attention. “I mean, why would you all risk your lives to he
lp me?”
“It’s what we do, despite the CIA’s involvement in your situation,” Jo answered. “If Matt, the kids, or I needed something, the rest of us would come in a heartbeat and lend a hand. It’s the same with each member of the team. We’re a unit. Don’t take on unnecessary guilt, Liv.”
Too late.
Chapter 28
Alex
Alex’s shoes crunched over broken glass. Another wave of helpless fury detonated. He swept his arm over the dry bar in the dining room, sending several small figures, a half-full decanter, and two empty glasses crashing around his feet.
It didn’t help.
Nothing helped.
If only she would come home, then things could be salvaged.
He stepped over more debris and picked up a framed picture of Liv and him. His arms circled around her, happy grins on both of them. He clutched the frame with one hand and ran the other through his thick hair, tugging at the strands.
From the time he was young, he’d had a goal, a job to accomplish, and within the parameters of that, he’d found Liv—his mark. In a matter of days, she had become more, so very much more. She was his life, at least the one worth living. Now he needed her like the air he breathed.
Still holding the picture, he sank onto the couch and pulled his phone from his pocket. He dialed her number, and it rang a few times before her sweet voice reached his ear.
“Liv.” Voice hoarse, he cleared the frantic emotion from his constricted throat and tried again. “I need you to come home, where it’s safe. Things will go back to the way they were.”
Silence ticked, and he held his breath, waiting. Desperate anger clawed at him, but he refused to expose her to the frustration that rumbled within him. She would only want more answers. Those, he couldn’t give, not if he wanted her home.
“I can’t, Alex. I don’t think it would be a good idea.”
Every muscle tightened in his body, and his fingers whitened against the black picture frame. “I’ll hire a plane to take you back. This is the best thing to do, babe. Where are you?”
“No.” Her voice reverberated with conviction. “I’m not ready to come home. You didn’t answer any of my questions the last time we talked. And there’s Rachel. How—God, Alex—how could you?”
“Everything will be clear when you come home. Liv, trust me. Think of the life we share. Think of who we are together. In your heart, you know I’d never hurt you.”
“You have, and that’s not what I asked, Alex. I need you to tell me why. Why you’ve changed. Why you kept secrets from me, the one thing I told you I hated and couldn’t live with. Why you’re involved with your family. You are, aren’t you? I don’t understand. Your job—”
“Liv, I can’t talk to you about details, or the why of things, on an unsecured line. Please, tell me where you are so I can keep you safe.”
“That ship sailed, Alex. As soon as you learned about the pregnancy, and we made plans to visit your family, everything changed. You brought me to them, if not physically at first, within reach. I don’t feel safe around you right now.”
“Babe, I love you. It’ll all make sense once we talk face to face. I promise.”
“God, Alex. Too much has happened, so much changed between us, all so fast.” She sob-hiccupped. “You shattered my heart, killed my best friend. I just, I can’t. I won’t ever be with you again.” The line went dead.
“God dammit!” Alex kicked the coffee table in front of him, sending it careening into an armchair. The burst of violence did little to soothe his agitation or his racing heart.
When the phone rang, he answered it on the first ring. “Liv?”
Familiar, aggravating laughter immobilized him, injecting ice through his veins. “What do you want, Mateo?”
“The same things you do. Can’t keep your wifey on a leash, hmm?”
“Mind your own damn business. I’m going to get her today.” Twice now, he and Liv had talked on the phone, both times long enough for him to trace. And he had. He knew exactly where she was. He’d suspected it after Rodrigo had dropped the name of who owned the speedboat. He only wished she had told him.
“Not if I get to her first.” For the second time, the line went dead.
Panic held him momentarily still. Fuck! If Mateo got to her first…he didn’t want to even think about the possibility. Alex raced to the bedroom, threw a suitcase on the bed, and shoved clothes inside. The steel case contained a secret compartment, one impenetrable by airport security cameras. No need to check and make sure his guns, extra cartridges, and knives were all in order. He had not taken anything out since he’d returned home.
Alone.
Without her.
Desperate.
He double-checked his tracking equipment, noting she hadn’t moved from the Maine location. Calling in to the precinct wasn’t an option, nor was it required, as Alex hadn’t officially started back to work. If he could keep his trip to retrieve Liv as secretive as possible, he would.
Whiskey stained his clothes from when he’d thrown his glass and the decanter. Sparing a few minutes, he changed into a clean pair of slacks and an oxford. The blazer and tie didn’t matter. Where he was going didn’t require he worry about his appearance.
What did concern him was the head start Mateo had on him.
Chapter 29
Liv rocked back and forth, her arms around her stomach, tears running like rivers down her cheeks. The phone lay on the couch beside her, still warm from her tight grip. She hadn’t thought it was possible to hurt any more than she did. Wrong. Her heart had broken into a million pieces all over again. The sound of Alex’s voice, pleading, had shattered her.
It was over—completely and irreversibly finished.
Two loose ends remained: the cartel confrontation and officially leaving Alex.
She’d told Alex no. Stood up to him like she had rarely ever done with her parents. They’d all used her, and she was done. When things calmed down, after the pending attack, she would make it official by divorcing him. Once more, she realized it was time she took her life into her own hands…after Liam and his friends helped her with the cartel. By then she would take ownership of her actions, reactions, and plans for her future.
She was done with the political scene, with keeping up appearances, with fake people and being used. All she’d ever wanted to do was sculpt, wear what she wanted, be with whom she wanted, and go where she wanted without her parents’ circle of friends watching, always watching. No more.
The couch dipped, and strong arms wrapped around her. She collapsed against Liam’s hard chest, accepting the support he offered. Again.
This time, her tears fell in acceptance that her old life had ended, and she fully embraced a new existence. Her tears were not many, nor did she feel crushed, defeated, or helpless. Strength seeped into her being.
Liam’s hand stroked her back, offering comfort. Stopping for a minute, he handed her a Kleenex then resumed the hypnotic motion on her back. “Is this about the call from Alex?”
“Oh, right. I forgot you were monitoring the phone.” He was trying to protect her. She got it, really. And it didn’t even bother her in the least. From the very start, since he’d found her on his boat, he’d done nothing but keep her safe.
She sucked in a breath, so confused. Not with my decisions to leave or to trust Liam. Just the charade of their marriage.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
A bitter laugh ripped from her chest, escaped her lips, and sliced through the air. The surrealism of the situation wasn’t lost on her. “He wants me to tell him where I am so he can send a plane and bring me home. I didn’t tell him anything about where I am. I stood firm and told him I’m not coming back.” She needed to get it out, to talk to someone, even if Liam probably knew what she and Alex had discussed verbatim.
“It doesn’t matter if you did, Liv. By now, he knows where you are if he didn’t before. We’re ready for him; we want him to come.”
/> Her body was strung tight, every muscle straining, leaving her unsure if she should jump up and run. Making the decision to move on with her life without Alex was one thing. But being forced to confront him in a situation not of her choice, most likely with a full cartel regiment, didn’t appeal to her.
Liam tilted her head back. “You don’t need to worry. We’re expecting him and are ready. Did he say anything you found to be unusual?”
Air whooshed from her mouth. “No. I don’t think so. Only that he could keep me safe if I went home, that things would go back to the way they were. That’s the thing, though. They wouldn’t. Too much has happened. Not only that, I don’t know why his family did that fake kidnapping or the exact reasoning behind their interest in me, or how he could have killed Rach. She was his friend too.” She pressed her hands flat on Liam’s chest.
“I understand it’s confusing, Liv.” He brushed a strand of her hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “He’s still in the States, in New York. At least for now. We’ll keep you safe, and things will get better.”
Shrugging, she let another piece of her life go. Nothing tied her to her old life, not really.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No.” She wiped her eyes with fingers that shook. “I think I need to be alone for a little while.” A wobbly smile touched her lips for a brief moment.
She retreated to the room that faced the bluff and stood there, letting the emotions swirl and bounce inside her. The nearly completed sketch of her shattered intentions cast invisible threads, grabbed her by her broken heart, and pulled her near. If she had her clay, she would bury her fingers in it. She was desperate for the only thing in her life that gave her any semblance of peace, of release.
Sitting on the couch, she skimmed over the form she’d drawn while gauging if anything else was needed. Longing shot through her for what could have been, should have been, but what would not due to the shove down the stairs.
