NIX (Daring the Kane Brothers)

by Kelly Gendron

  “Yeah. I hear ya,” The rock positioned in the bottom of my gut full of shame and guilt refuses to allow me to feel anything but the unlimited amount of regret I have for not going after Lexi, for not looking harder for her. What was I thinking? Between my brain and my fingers, I had the tools to find her. All I needed was the will and a laptop.

  “So where’s this file? Do you still have it?”

  I nod.

  “Are you going to give it to Payton?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well”—he sighs—“I’m not sure what any of this stuff is about or what it means, but be careful, Nix. I don’t want your ass in jail for this shit.”

  “Me either.” I smirk, unsure what to do. If what Payton says is true, if Phelps is looking to have the program up and running, they’re going to need the key, and they have the finances and resources to get it. If Lexi knew that and if she really did love me, she could’ve sent Payton to get it from me, or Payton could have her own agenda for wanting it. She is, after all, working for the government.

  An hour later, I pull into the café parking lot and head inside. I spot Dwayne, my government contact, and head over to the booth. I slide into the seat with a nod.

  “Mr. Kane,” he cordially greets me. “Do you have it?”

  “What?” I sit up straight.

  “The Phelps file,” he says, glancing at his watch. “You still have an hour.”

  Mouth partially open, I stare at him as a million questions go through my brain. What the fuck is going on here? How does he know about the file? I look around the café to see if I recognize anyone … like Payton. “An hour for what?”

  “For me to honor the deal Ms. Tucker and I had.”

  “Can I get you anything?” the waitress says, interrupting the process of my thoughts.

  Not taking my eyes off Dwayne, hoping she’ll walk away, I respond, “Coffee, please.”

  “Sure, and you, sir? Anything else I can get you?”

  “I’m good.” Dwayne turns to the waitress, the scar on his cheek stretching with his smile. “Thank you.”

  I lean into the booth, closer to Dwayne, and whisper, “What deal?”

  His smile disappears as he looks back at me. “When Ms. Tucker agreed to get the Phelps file from you, she would only do it on one condition. The government would have to agree to relinquish you of your services with them permanently.” He lifts his sleeve and glances again at his watch. “So, Mr. Kane, you have exactly fifty-seven minutes and thirty-five seconds to produce the file for your freedom.” He pulls his sleeve back down over his wrist. “I must warn you, Mr. Kane, if we do not receive the file within this timeframe, the deal with Ms. Tucker is off, and the government will be coming after you under different circumstances.”

  “Did you know Lexi?”

  “Yes.” He picks up his coffee mug and takes a sip.

  “Did you know she died?”

  “Thank you.” Dwayne smiles at the waitress as she sets my coffee in front of me. “Yes.” His fake smiling eyes move to me as the waitress leaves. “I met with her when she received the diagnosis. I offered her the opportunity to get out. To return to you and live the remainder of her days with her daughter. However, she refused my offer.”

  I slump back into the booth. Maybe Payton was right. Lexi didn’t want to come back to us just to hurt us all over again. How am I ever going to forgive myself for all she sacrificed for me and Becca? How can I ever live with myself? Rotting away in jail seems like a suitable punishment for what Lexi was left to deal with alone, to die without ever seeing her child again. But she wasn’t alone; Payton was with her. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what Payton did for Lexi. Payton sacrificed practically a year of her life to follow through with Lexi’s last wish, to save me, but am I worth saving? Why would Lexi do it? The question quietly escapes my mouth, “Why?”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Kane. She did not give me a reason.” He sets his mug on the table. His steady, dark stringent eyes level me. “I’ll ask you one more time, Mr. Kane. Do you have the file?”

  “You stole everything from her. From me. From my daughter! Why would I give you anything?”

  “I understand you’re upset right now. However, I believe that once you calm down and think rationally about this, you will want to do it for Ms. Canton, for your daughter, and for your freedom. But if you do not have the file on your person, then unfortunately, I fear you may not have those few extra minutes you need to become rational.” He glances once more at his watch. “For as of right now, you only have fifty-four minutes to get the file to me.” He picks up his coffee mug. “What’s it going to be, Mr. Kane?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  It’s been a week, and I haven’t heard anything from Nix. Everything has been on standstill. I haven’t reached out to my boss either. I’m afraid once I do, he’s going to ask for the file, and because I don’t have it, the government will go after Nix. I tried to warn Nix. I’ve gone to his house a couple of times, but if he’s been home, he refuses to answer the door. I left numerous messages pleading with him. If he didn’t want to surrender the file to me, then for his sake, please give it to the government.

  I yank a few more clothes from the hangers, carelessly folding and shoving them into the garbage bag. There’s not much in the apartment to pack since I rented it fully furnished. While I want to get far away from my heartache, I don’t want to return to New York to work for the government. But they own me, and I have no other choice. Even if I wanted to, I can’t go back home to Mom like this because it’s Lexi all over again. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to get this close to Becca or Nix. Hell, I’m going to miss Harley; she’s the closest thing I’ve had to a friend since Lexi died. Lexi taught me everything, from how to paint my nails to how to protect myself, not to mention, scripting skills. I miss her.

  A tear wells up in my eye. I wipe it free with the shirt I wore on my first date with Nix. But it wasn’t really a date since it was part of my ploy to get closer to what I needed.

  Dammit! I sit down on the bed. I failed Lexi. Failed Nix. Failed Becca. I failed the mission. What would Lexi think of me if she knew the truth. I disguised myself as her and fell in love with her sexy Cyberthief. What kind of friend am I? She’d never forgive me. My eye dismisses another tear just as I hear a knock on my door. My heart jumps. Is it Nix? I throw my tear-streaked shirt on the floor and run to the door, slowing down just as I reach it.

  After tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear, I open the door. My heart drops, finding an uncomfortable place in the pit of my stomach. “Boss?”

  “Tucker.” He nods. “May I come in?”

  I blink, recognizing my delayed response. “Oh, yes.” I step back, and he enters my apartment. I didn’t even know he knew where I lived. Well, where I was staying while in California.

  What is he doing here? Is he going to inform me that Nix has been arrested? Why would he do that? I learned early on my boss has no feelings.

  “Thank you.” He wanders into my kitchen, and I follow, hesitant and confused. He pulls something from the inside pocket of his jacket. “I just need you to sign this, and I’ll be on my way.” He opens the paper in his hands, sets it on my counter, and offers me a pen.

  “Sign what?” My feet slowly move toward him.

  “This document.” He points at the paper. “Once you do that, you will no longer be obligated to serve the government.”

  “What do you mean?” I look down at the piece of paper, the words like his comment nothing other than a blur.

  “The government and the Phelps Company thanks you for your services, Ms. Tucker. Now, if you’d just sign here”—he taps the paper—“I will be on my way.”

  Confused, I inquire about my only concern. “Nix?”

  “Mr. Kane was able to provide us with what we needed, and he did it in the timeframe we discussed. Therefore, the government was able to honor your request. However, Mr. Kane had a request of his own. So, if you please
sign here”—he taps the paper again—“the government will no longer require your services.”

  “Ever?”

  “Yes, Ms. Tucker.” He grimaces, wrinkling the j-shaped scar on his cheek. “But you must first—”

  “Yes! Yes!” I wave my hands. “I must first sign the paper.” I pluck the pen, happy for the freedom, but even more happy about the fact that Nix was the one who set me free. “Thank you!” Eyes burning with a new set of joyful tears, I hand the pen back to him.

  “You’re welcome.” He folds the paper and shoves it into his pocket. “The government thanks you for your services.” He nods and starts for the door.

  I watch, happy tears streaming down my cheeks, hopeful that with some time, Nix might find it in his heart to forgive me.

  “Oh.” The man I called boss for the past four years stops and twists around on the heels of his black polished shoes. He reaches into the front pocket of his suit coat, this time pulling out a small envelope. “I promised Ms. Canton that once you completed the mission, I would give this to you.” He holds up the envelope, and with shaky fingers, I take it from the heartless man. “I’m not sure what is in there but …” He pauses, looking straight into me with those flat, unfeeling eyes. “But I might implore you to share the contents with Mr. Kane. It might help him with some unanswered questions.” He nods.

  The second he clears my apartment, I tear open the letter…

  Payton,

  I told you, you could do it, girl! Thanks, you saved Nix, and while my light might be out, my eternal flame will be forever grateful to you. I hope you found the man in Nix that I found. It was difficult to leave him and Becca, but the truth is, I never belonged to either of them. I lied to you and them about who I was. My name is Natalie Watkins, and I was recruited by the government four years before I ever met Nix Kane. You can tell him I’m two years older than him; he might get a kick out of it. Anyway, not to get off track, I was supposed to meet him in hopes to infiltrate Cyber Guard, the radical group he was involved with. Everything was going as planned until I got pregnant. I cared about Nix, but I instantly fell in love with Becca. She became the most important thing in my life, but the government didn’t care. I was on a mission, and I was expected to complete it. So, I struck a deal with my contact, did as the government asked, gave them everything they wanted, everything but Nix. I needed Nix out of jail so he could take care of my child. When I found out I was dying, I was happy I had made the right decision when I walked out of my child’s life. Nix was the right parent for her. Apparently, I was broken in more ways than one.

  From the very start, I promised the government the Phelps file. It was always part of my deal. So, thank you for taking care of that loose end and for taking care of me. I wish I could’ve been more to you, Nix, and Becca, but I made an oath to our government years ago, one I was never prepared to break.

  My only wish is that you, Nix, and Becca find happiness in your future, for in my own way, I love you all,

  Love,

  Your eternally grateful friend

  Hot, painful tears burn my cheeks as I read the letter a few more times. What I tried to escape, and what Nix was imprisoned by, my friend had willingly signed up for. It’s crazy. Was she really that dedicated to the government that she gave up her child for them? Anger, confusion, and sadness pump more tears from my eyes.

  I walk back into my bedroom and look at my half-empty closet.

  Allie, Lexi, Natalie, whoever she was, I can attest to one thing, she was my friend.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  I rap my knuckles against the door and glance at the two young boys tossing a football to each other in the yard next door. The barrier between me and the man I long to see swiftly cracks open. My eyes flash to it.

  Standing behind the screen door in a formfitting collared shirt and jeans, Nix nods. “Hey.”

  “Hi,” I say, my insides racing for someplace to hide. I jump when I hear the loud and coming at me fast bark. “Oh!” My back straightens as a large black snoot presses against the screen. “Who’s this?”

  “Max,” Nix says between a couple more welcoming barks.

  I bend down and meet the dog an eye for eye. “Hi, Max.” The blue-eyed dog's head tilts. “Wow, you’re beautiful.” The black short-haired animal barks again. “What is he?” I look up to find Nix gazing down at me with unreadable eyes.

  “He’s Becca’s, but if you’re asking his breed, he’s a Siberian retriever.”

  “Wow, you’re a handsome one, Max. How old is he?” I stand as Max’s barking starts to slow down as if, unlike his master, the dog realizes I’m not a threat.

  “He’s four. I thought for sure Becca would’ve picked out a cute little puppy, but when she saw Max here …” He pauses to look down at the adoring animal. “She said he was the one. I didn’t argue with her. It’s been a long time, but I got it.” He looks back at me. “When you know, you know.”

  “Yes, you do.” My eyes start to burn, and I sniffle back the tears fighting to be free. “What made you finally get a dog?”

  He scratches the top of Max’s head. “Well, I don’t know if you heard, but there’s been a rash of break-ins around this part of town.” He turns to the young boys next door. “This house, in particular.” Squinted green eyes move back to me.

  I laugh. What else am I supposed to do? He’s not leaving any room as to how he might feel right now about me, about us, about my uninvited drop by. “Something tells me, I don’t think you’ll need to worry about that any longer.”

  “Ah.” His head slightly rises, his soul gripping eyes clinging tightly to my heart. “Yeah, think maybe the thief found what they were looking for?”

  “No, not completely, but I think whatever else the thief wants, she knows it’s not something she can steal.” Trapped in his sights, I stare back at him. “Can I come in so we can talk?”

  “You picked the perfect time to come, huh?” He chuckles but not in the way that normally tickles my ears, the sound vibrates with hostility and bitterness. “Stalking me again, is that how you knew Becca wouldn’t be here?”

  “I don’t know what to say, Nix. I’m sorry about all this. I was trying to help a friend, and I was trying to save you from going to jail.” His lack of response and dead gaze are great indicators that he hasn’t forgiven me. “I talked to Harley last night, and she told me Becca was spending the night at her house. I thought this might be a good time to come over and talk.” When he continues to stare straight ahead, I take a step back. “Okay.” I shove my hands into my pockets, acknowledging my defeat. “You don’t need to worry about it. I’ll only be a part of your life if you want me to be. So when you’re ready, give me a call.” I twist around, the flames of my burning tears finally come alive.

  “Ya know …” His voice halts me in my leave. “Whenever I look at you.” He stops again, and with my back to him, I take the short recess to brush my hands over my wet eyes and check myself. I hear the creaking of the screen door and hope fills my heart. “It pisses me off to know, all along, you were right.”

  Joy fills me. Maybe he has it in him to forgive me after all. “I did warn you.” I spin around, swiping away another tear as Max jumps up on me. “Oh, hey.” I laugh, petting the large, lovable animal.

  “Yes, you did.” A small smile breaks across his gorgeous face and hope skips inside me, pulling every emotion out of hiding. “Alright, Max.” Nix claps his hands. “Get down.” And the dog does as the master orders. His paws drop back to the ground, but he continues to dance around us. Holding the door open, Nix gestures inside. “Come in.”

  “Thanks.” I wrestle my legs against the four-legged creature to get into the house, spotting the dog bone and toys all over the floor. “Looks like someone has taken over your house.” I laugh, watching as Max picks up a ball in his mouth and runs it over to Nix.

  “Yeah.” He yanks the ball from the dog’s mouth and tosses it. Max dashes after it, but on his way back, he stops to sniff a bone. />
  “Here.” I pull the letter my boss gave me and hand it to him.

  Nix looks at it as if he’s not sure if he should take it or not. “What is it?”

  “A letter Allie, I mean, well, she wrote me.”

  “I don’t want to read it.”

  “Yes.” I shake it. “You do. It explains some things. It’ll help. I promise.”

  “Fine.” He snatches the envelope from me and reads it, fingers stroking his chin. He folds it up and places it back onto the envelope. “Yeah, I’d tease her that she acted a lot older than she was.” He winks with a broken chuckle.

  I laugh, a tear falling down my cheek, aware of how hard some of it must’ve been for him to read. “Did it help?”

  “Some.” He shrugs. “I guess she was right, though. She never did belong to me or Becca. It’s as though we were just a bump in the road for her.”

  The statement breaks my heart. “I remember the last week, she finally talked about you, her Sexy Cyberthief. She made you sound so righteous and honorable. She said you came from a good family, and she held you with great regard. I think even though she was on the other side, she believed in what you stood for, but I think you’re right; she belonged to the government all the way to the very end because no matter how delirious she became, she never once spoke of Becca. It’s sad to think she locked her up so deep inside that even on her death bed she wouldn’t let her out.” I push another tear from my cheek. “I’m sorry, I never meant for us, for this. My original plan was to watch you, study you, meet the people who knew you, find out your routine, and try to find the file on my own. You have to understand, I was on a mission to honor my best friend’s dying wish.”

  “By breaking into my home?”

  “Yeah, Allie, or whoever she was, taught me a lot of things; how to protect myself, how to crack a lock, and how to bite a man’s lip when he’s being naughty.” I laugh, trying to soften Nix’s hard expression, but his eyes stay focused and his mouth silent. “I knew everything about her, everything but Becca and you. When I met you that day at Crash’s shop, well, like you said, when you know, you know. And I knew the minute I turned around and looked into your eyes.”