Page 39 of Paths
I look back to the house, not knowing if I want her to come look for me or hope she doesn’t. “You didn’t see her face. It was nothing but disgust.”
“It should be,” he says and I hear him shift on the gravel and brush, then he adds, “You should know that Asa called Bennett this morning.”
This gets my attention. Bennett is our contact at the FBI. Even though we never work stateside, sometimes our cases are connected to activity here, especially since our focus has shifted to terrorism. Even though the sun is bright and winter has settled, I can see my own breath when I ask, “What did he find out?”
“Since Asa and Bennett have a good rapport, he asked what they had on him. The FBI have been working on the MacLachlans for a while. Found out they’re closing in with RICO charges. First degree has only been a suspicion, they haven’t gained solid evidence on anyone. Asa did find out the organization is wide and deep. You think she has any clue she almost married into the mob?”
Even though I’m grateful to have Weston’s background confirmed. I’m not happy to learn it’s worse than we thought to begin with.
“She does now, but it wasn’t always that way,” I confirm. “I don’t think she knows all of it. She assumes, but that’s it. Did Bennett say if they’re close to pressing charges?”
“Not close enough, but she doesn’t need to worry if she’s here. You need to find a way to explain that to her.”
“I’m not worried about her here, though I’ve gotta find a way to keep her safe at the assisted living center. I don’t think I’ll be able to convince her to let that job go, not after seeing her there this morning. What I’m more concerned about is her wanting to go home.”
“Why would she do that?”
“Her brother. She’s inside talking to him now. They’re close and he’s got health issues. I have a feeling if he’s not good, she’s gonna want to see him. I’m not sure how to keep her from doing that.”
“They’re the mob, not ISIS,” Crew states. “They’ve imported bananas for years to cover their drug operation. They don’t seem creative or overly-smart. If she needs to see her brother, you should take her, but don’t leave her side.”
“I thought the same thing. I don’t want her near MacLachlan, and if we go, that could happen. I’ll just have to deal with it.”
“You think you can convince her to let you go?” Crew asks.
Turning back to him, I’m serious as shit when I say, “I promise you, she’s not going anywhere alone. I’ll make sure she does what she needs to do, but only with me by her side.”
I hear a door and when I look back to Crew’s house, she’s standing on the patio. Even from here, I see her send me a small smile with a little wave. I turn back to Crew one last time. “Do me a favor, tell Addy she won’t be in for a while. And from here on out, I’ll cover her rent.”
Crew smirks and shakes his head. “Been there, done that. Maya’s not gonna like it.”
Since I don’t care, I turn and start for the house where she’s waiting for me. I don’t give a shit what Crew thinks. In fact, for my entire life I haven’t cared what anyone thinks of me.
Until now.
As I approach Maya, my insides tighten, wondering how I’m going to win her over. I can’t keep who I am a secret forever. Eventually, she’ll want details of my life—my past. I fucking hate secrets. I was raised keeping everything a secret—every bruise, cut, and wound. When my organization approached me with an offer, choosing to be a contract assassin was an easy decision. It was no different from what I’d done for my country. I’ve never had a regret.
But as I walk up the steps to my physical therapist, I might not feel guilty, but I am apprehensive. Because the woman who started to possess my mind over security cameras has turned into an addiction I can’t turn away from.
When I get to her, I can’t help myself, and reach for her hip. Pulling her to me, I ask, “You had a good talk?”
Hell if her eyes don’t fill with tears again, something I could barely handle seeing the first time. She nods and swallows hard. “Weston was being honest for once—Joe’s having seizures again. I made the excuse that I couldn’t take the pressure from Weston or our mother any longer. My family has no clue what the MacLachlans are really about. I feel so guilty for not keeping in touch with him. He insists he’s fine, his doctors are getting his meds evened out, but still, I’m worried and want to see him.”
“I’ll take you,” I say, wrapping my arm around her back, pulling her flush to me.
She shakes her head and bites her lip. “I don’t want you to have to deal with my family.”
“I’ll be fine. You should know that while you were on the phone, I read your background, and just for fun, I read MacLachlan’s. You’re not going anywhere near him or his family on your own. When do you want to see your brother?”
She’s surprised, her watery blue eyes go big. “You read my background?”
“I told you I was going to. Don’t worry, you told me everything important—other than the fact you played the flute.” I can’t keep the grin off my face. “This means you’re good with your mouth. Bonus.”
She rolls her eyes and gives me a little push, but I don’t let go of her. “I don’t know when I can get off work. I’m sure I’ll have to give a little notice so Addy and the Ranch can plan for it. It’ll have to be a quick trip, I can’t afford to be off for too long. I’m already missing a few hours today.”
I give her a squeeze before turning her toward the back door so I can get her inside where it’s warm. “It’ll work out. I can go anytime—I told Crew I’m taking you. I’m sure Addy will understand, and the old folks will be fine without you for a couple days.” When we get inside I’m anxious to change the subject and feel the need for some therapy. “Since you’ve already electrocuted me today, we might as well see if it worked. I’m ready to get back to my weights and I need full motion for that. You feel like torturing me before going back to work?”
She smiles. “You’re a quick healer. You already have a lot of your motion back, but you shouldn’t be lifting for a while.”
