The Price We Pay (12 page)

“He’s dead.”

“Who?”

“Edgar.”

“Your cousin?”

I nodded. “I need to call his mom.”

“Okay sweetheart, but let’s get you cleaned up first.”

“We need to take pictures,” an officer said coming to stand by Gabe. “We also need to collect some DNA and fingerprints. We’ll make it quick and then you can shower.”

I nodded again.

“I know this is hard ma’am, but we’ll also need your statement.”

“After she gets cleaned up,” Gabe snapped at him.

The world faded in and out as the police officer did what he needed to do, Gabe never leaving my side.

Pacer

“Where is she?” I asked the man who answered her door. Laken left my house about four hours ago and when she didn’t return my text messages, I drove over here to check on her. There was crime scene tape around her driveway blocking it off and a few police officers lingering around her yard. The only reason they let me through was because one of them recognized me and asked if I’d sign his hat. I did and he let me in.

“Who the fuck are you?”

“I’m with Laken.”

“She’s not seeing anyone.”

One, two, three…

Stay calm.

We were the same size so it might not be an easy takedown, but knowing I’d get to Laken sooner would give me the added strength I’d need to take him down.

“She’s seeing me,” I told him, trying to get passed him.

“You look familiar,” he said rubbing his chin, looking me over from head to toe. “They weren’t supposed to let anyone in unless they were family.”

“I’m family.”

The brute laughed, “I’m more her family than you are.”

“Laken!” I yelled into the house over his shoulder.

“Nice one, asshole.” He stepped aside, I pushed passed him and two seconds later, she came into the room and ran towards me. I grabbed her when she jumped into my arms and she started crying.

“Babe, what’s wrong?” I asked.

“Maybe she is seeing someone,” I heard the man mutter behind me.

“I didn’t do anything,” she sobbed into my shirt.

“Okay, honey,” I said trying to calm her down, rubbing her back.

“I just held him.” She pulled back and looked at me. Her eyes were red and swollen. “I didn’t even try to save him.”

“Save who?”

“Her cousin,” the man said and I turned around to face him, while Laken put her feet to the floor. She slipped her arms around my waist and buried her face into my side. He kept talking, “Drive by shooting.”

“Christ, in this neighborhood?”

He nodded.

“I should have done something,” she started crying hysterically. “Edgar. I just held him while he died. Blood. Oh God, there was so much blood.”

I pulled her back into me and held her tight.

“The police are done with her, but they might be outside awhile longer,” he told me and I wasn’t sure if he was hinting at something but I knew she wasn’t going to stay here. I was confused, had more questions but I just had to be supportive right now.

“I’ll take her home.”

“Home?” he asked raising an eyebrow.

“My home. She was just there this morning. I tried to get her to stay but she said she had to work.”

“Well, as much as I’d like to talk to her,” he said, “I think I’ll wait until tomorrow.”

Laken pulled away from me and hugged the man. “I’m so sorry, Gabe.”

Gabe.

One, two, three …

“You did nothing wrong sweetheart.” He hugged her back, and even though I wasn’t intimidated, I was a bit angry he was hugging her so tight. She’s not mentioned this man before and she didn’t tell me anything about him this morning.

My hand started to shake.

He looked up at me, caught my eye, and winked. “Laken sweetheart, why don’t you pack a bag and go home with your
friend.”

She nodded and walked out of the room like a zombie.

He came to me, and I automatically went to defend myself when he wrapped his arms around me. “Don’t worry dude, I’m way more attracted to you than I am to her.”

I froze.

One, Two, Three …

He laughed and asked for my number so he could check up on Laken later and talk to her about the meeting they were supposed to have.

I rambled off the number, totally out of my comfort zone.

What the fuck just happened?

He winked at me before he left, and I went and found Laken in her room. Her house was tiny compared to mine. I knew it was small from the outside but being inside, it felt even smaller. Not enough room. Too tight. I stood in the doorway of her room and could see into the bathroom at the same time. She didn’t even have a tub. I looked back into the room. “Need help?” I choked out feeling my throat start too close up.

The tremble in my hand got worse and I made a fist.

“This should be enough,” she slung her bag over her shoulder, “I need to grab my laptop from my office.”

One, two, three…

I knew the office was in the garage, and the space was even smaller.

I needed air.

I couldn’t breathe.

The walls started closing in.

Focus Pace, focus.

One, two, three…

I took a deep breath in and Laken cocked her head at me. “You okay?”

“I need to get outside.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked while I stormed outside.

Tunnel vision hit me hard, and the only thing I could see was her mailbox. The world started to feel like it was closing in on me. I shook my head, pinched the bridge of my nose, and took a deep breath in.

I raised my hands above my head, stretched out my torso and took another breath in and out. After a few seconds, I dropped my hands to my waist and shook off the queasiness. Laken needed me, not some weak ass man that couldn’t keep his shit together.

“I got it.” I heard her say and I twisted my head to her and smiled through my lingering tension. The smile she gave me was fake, and I grabbed her bag and laptop from her. There were only two officers left in her yard as I walked her to my truck that was parked halfway down the street on the opposite side. She lived in a nice neighborhood where everyone kept their yard green and freshly cut. She had the smallest house on the block, but she kept it looking nice and clean.

“I called his mom just before you got here,” she said buckling up. “I told her he saved my life. We had just made a deal that he’d go to rehab if I helped him with his missing loot. I wasn’t going to actually help him, though; I was going to have Gabe help me.”

I started the truck and pulled away from the curb. “So this Gabe guy … She nodded briefly, so I rushed out my next question, “Is he gay?”

That got her to laugh. “Yes. He’s also my mentor. Helped me get my business started because Jaxon had just taken the undercover job. The one he’s still doing that I shouldn’t be telling you about but for some reason, I trust you and just can’t keep my mouth shut around you.” She let out a sigh and rested her head on the back of the seat. “Anyway, I ran into Gabe on my first assignment and we just hit it off. He’s been helping me since.”

I forced myself to say it, “He hugged me.”

She laughed again. “That’s Gabe. Friendly.”

“A little too friendly.”

“Don’t worry, he’s got a man.”

“Good to know.”

I’m glad she trusted me even though she barely knew me. It meant a lot to me. If anything comes up, I’ll act stupid and pretend I know nothing.

I headed back towards my house but stopped at the liquor store on the way home. She eyed me as I jumped out of the truck. I grabbed her favorite beer and some random bottles of the harder stuff and put them in the back seat.

I didn’t count my steps into the store but I made sure I had an even amount of items.

“You don’t have to get me drunk to take advantage of me,” she murmured when I got back in the truck.

I gave her a quick smile. “I know, babe.”

“I would have called you.”

I pulled out of the parking lot and got stuck at a red light immediately. “What are you talking about?”

“Everything happened too fast today and I was going to call you after the detectives left.”

“You went through something very traumatic, it’s okay.”

“I’m so glad you came over. It means something to me that you worried about me.”

I reached over for her hand and gave her a small reassuring squeeze. “Whatever you need, just let me know.”

“I think the beer is enough for now, but I do need to call Jaxon.”

“Let’s get you home first.”

“Good idea.”

Marvey

“It’s Mother’s Day,” I grumbled throwing myself on the bed.

“Glad your head’s better,” Sofia said, rolling away from me so I wouldn’t hit her.

“I feel great,” I said rolling to the middle of the bed.

“Then why do you look sad?” she asked, rolling towards me so we were both facing each other.

“Mother’s Day always bothers me,” I said adjusting my pillow. I loved Latch’s bed, but he should have splurged for better pillows.

She reached out and patted my arm. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know why I let it bother me.” I sighed. “I should be used to it by now.”

“I know I have a mom, but I never remember having that Mother/Daughter bond. Kennedy is closer to his mother, though, I kind of get it.”

“I don’t get why I let it get to me,” I confessed.

Every year this day bothered me.

Every year I let it bother me.

And every year I get pissed off at myself the next day for letting it bother me. It was a cycle, and I sucked at trying to change it up each year.

“Marv?” Sofia asked softly.

“Huh?”

“You said all of that out loud.”

I popped up on the bed. “Sorry, I’m being a pooper.”

“Totally not being a pooper,” she said sitting next to me. She was wearing a new pair of sweats, the ones from the second trip the guys made.

“You like being comfy?” I asked as she admired her legs.

“These feel softer.”

“Your skin is probably used to the material now.”

She was quiet for a while, rubbing the material between her fingers. “I like them,” she confessed.

“Thank God!” I yelled up into the room and saw her try to hide her smile. “So, now that my girl’s wearing real clothes, how does she feel about the finals tomorrow?”

“Fine.”

“Even after all the shit that’s happened?”

She eyed me. “Have you ever seen me study?”

I thought about it. “I do work a lot.”

“I’m smart.”

“Okay, brag a little.”

“My parents wasted their money on tutors during high school. I tried to explain to them that I knew and understood my classes but they didn’t listen. I’m good at remembering things and math comes easily to me.”

“I’m glad your confident.”

“I need to be and I need to stay positive. Kenny is good, we are even better so I’m going in there focused and I know I’ll be okay. This is the end; the last hoorah I guess of my
single
life.”

“Aww, my baby is growing up,” I joked and pulled her into a hug.

“This is kind of awkward, Marv.”

“You love me, so stop fighting it.”

She gave me a hug, then we both sat up facing each other with our knees touching.

“So you feel better about marrying Kennedy.”

“I feel like,” she paused and really thought about what she was thinking and wanted to say. “I guess I feel like it’s actually the right thing to do. Like, all my life I knew I was marrying him, but now it feels like we are being
forced
to do it. I feel like it’s meant to be.”

“That’s so romantic.” I cooed and fluttered my eyelashes.

She smacked my arm and we both started laughing.

“What’s going on?” Harper asked, walking into the room with a cold look on her face.

“How was the ride?” I asked ignoring her question. Sofia and I both suppressed a smile knowing her reaction.

“It was fine.” She always acted like it wasn’t a big deal that she and Jaxon went for rides at night, alone.

“That’s what you said last night,” I reminded her.

Jaxon totally adored her. She told us why she fought the attraction so much and Sofia and I agreed, it was stupid. She thought she wasn’t good enough for him, especially when she was planning on going back to her natural hair color.  I don’t think she realizes that Jaxon doesn’t care what her hair looks like. I really think he likes her because of who she is.

“Don’t start with me,” she warned, sitting on the bed, “or I’ll start with Latch.”

“What about Latch?”

“He likes you,” Harper stated and Sofia nodded in agreement.

I stood from the bed. “I know he does. He told me.”

He told me yesterday, kind of.  He doesn’t say much but he kissed me and his kiss was enough to tell me that he liked me.

“How is it just,” Harper shrugged her shoulder, “
whatever
with you?”

“If he likes me, great. If not, his loss.”

“They kidnapped us.” She reminded me.

“Yes, kind of. But we kind of needed to be kidnapped.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“Good attitude, Marv. It is their loss if they don’t want either of you,” Sofia said, standing. “I’ll be right back.”

She left and I sat back down on the bed. “You like Jaxon, right?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Then just go with the flow.”

“And what if we get to leave tomorrow? Then what? He’s not done with whatever it is he’s working on. I get the impression he’s not even close to being done.”

That did suck and Latch gave me the same impression. However, Latch told me that since we were neighbors, it’d be easier for him to visit me. I hoped he would, considering I had a small crush on him.

“I’m sure he’ll figure it out. Besides, you don’t want to rush into things. Seeing him a few times a month might be good for you.”

She was quiet for a few minutes and then decided to take a shower. As a self-proclaimed ‘simple girl,’ she sure spent a lot of time in the shower. With her showering now, I wouldn’t have to deal with it in the morning. “Marv.” I popped my head up at the sound of Latch’s deep voice. He was standing in the doorway. He jerked his chin, which meant he wanted me to follow him. I wasn’t doing anything else and I wasn’t ready for bed just yet, so I followed. It was still early, even though we had all watched the sunset with Randy after dinner. It was just what we did after dinner; sat on the steps with a beer, talked or kept to ourselves, and watched the sunset. I think Randy enjoyed the company, at least he’s never complained.

I followed Latch through the house and Sofia was sitting on the couch, watching me with a devious smile on her face. I flipped her off and she stuck her tongue out at me. I was happy to see her happy. Even in her home, when it was just the two of us, she was never like this. So relaxed and a little carefree, looking super comfortable in her new sweats. She had finals this week, and Jaxon and Latch said they’d make sure she got to them safely. However, Sofia insisted she stop at the condo for new clothes. She couldn’t be seen without wearing something fancy because of her parents.

Harper and I weren’t invited.

I’m sure I got fired from my jobs, but I didn’t like them anyway. I’d just find new ones. I was used to it.

I met Latch on the front porch. “What’s up?” I asked shutting the door behind me.

He stepped towards me, laying those delicious lips on mine. I backed up until I was against the house and let him kiss me like he did last night.

Hard.

Fast.

Desperate.

Just the way I liked it.

“Best I’ve had,” he said pulling away.

“It’s just a kiss,” I panted.

“It’s more than a kiss.”

“Are we actually having a conversation,” I teased, urging him to kiss me again.

“Fuck that,” he muttered and came back in. I’d rather make out with him than talk, so I kissed him back with everything I had. My legs were around his waist when Randy finally spoke up.

“My smoke break is over.”

Latch tore his lips from mine and I dropped my feet, trying to compose myself.

“Randy,” he acknowledged and stepped away from me.

“I’m going in now,” he waved at us, “you can continue.”

He walked inside and I leaned my back against the house while Latch leaned against the porch opposite of me.

“So…” I said, still catching my breath.

He crossed his arms on his chest and couldn’t stop grinning at me. “So…”

“Harper and Jaxon seem to be getting closer.”

“Yep.”

I’m not much of a dater. I haven’t really had a relationship with anyone. The longest I was with someone was a few months, and that wasn’t anything special. He thought more of the relationship than I had, and I ended things because we just weren’t on the same page. I’m young. I can barely take care of myself, let alone try to be in a relationship. Especially with someone like him. He was undercover, doing a job. He had many things on his plate at the moment and I wasn’t sure if he really wanted to date me.

“Why do you like me?” I asked, mimicking his stance.

He was still grinning. “You want to have a conversation?”

“I’d like to do anything but have a conversation. However, it's important. You know, clear the air, get on the same page. Stuff like that.”

“Not much to say.”

“Say enough,” I told him.

He pushed off the rail and stood before me. He gently touched my cheek, holding my head in his hands. “You’re adorable, but you also got spunk. You’re carefree. A little too much considering the situation you got yourself into. I like that you don’t take life too seriously, like some people. Like me. I think it could balance the two of us out. You can wear anything, including that stupid yellow hat and look hot as fuck. I can’t tell you about the rest of your body, but I can imagine how spectacular it is.” He brushed his lips against mine. “You’re very sweet,” he said softly then brushed his lips against my ear, “and I can’t wait to taste all of you.”

If my panties weren’t soaked, they’d probably catch on fire.

He pulled back and continued, “Not only can I see it, but I feel it. How much you care for others when you were raised alone, not having that kind of influence in your life. You look after Sofia like a sister. Can’t fake that.”

“We were meant to be friends.”

“I can see she needs you, just like you need her.”

I nodded and pulled him even closer. “I’m impressed with this conversation, but I’m done.”

“You sure.”

I nodded. “For now, yes I’m done.”

He didn’t hesitate to kiss me. I wanted desperately for his hands to roam down my body and into my pants, but he never pushed passed that boundary. If we weren’t on the porch, I’d take my shirt off and not give him much of a choice but to fondle and grope me.

The front door busted open and Jaxon came rushing out. “Latch.” It was all he had to say, the tone and eagerness had Latch apologizing to me before he followed Jaxon out to the yard. I went back inside seeing that Randy was the only one on the couch, watching a movie.

“Goodnight, Randy.”

He raised his hand acknowledging me and I used the restroom before going to bed.

I noticed Harper was missing when I crawled into bed.

“Where is she?” I asked getting comfortable, realizing that she was still awake.

“She went with Jaxon after her shower.”

“Normally she’s in there longer,” I commented.

She chuckled, “I know.”

I popped up on my side. “Somethings up. Jaxon took Latch aside. He seemed really pissed off.”

“Do you think it has something to do with Harper?” Sofia asked with a yawn.

“Maybe. Randy’s alone, so Harper must be in Jaxon’s room.”

“They’re totally going to bonk.”

I laughed and tried to tickle her. “Oh my God, did you just say,
bonk
?”

She rolled away and jumped off the bed smiling. “So?”

“It’s not proper,” I said in my best English accent, which sounded nothing like an English accent. “This house is good for you.”

“I guess so.” She slowly moved towards the bed. “No more touching,” she warned me with a smile, sitting on the edge of the mattress.

I made a cross against my chest with my finger. “Okay.”

“I’m serious,
Marvey
.”

I jumped up on my knees. “You’re going down, woman.” I was able to grab ahold of her foot and started tickling it. She laughed and fell halfway off the bed.

“Stop!” she laughed, trying to pull her foot away. “It tickles!”

“
Marvey
,” I reminded her, and she managed to roll up on the bed more.

“Okay,
Marv
.”

I dropped her foot and stood from the bed. “That’s what I thought.” I brushed my hair off my face and fixed my ponytail. She laughed and we heard a knock at the door. I yelled for them to come in and turned my head to see Latch poke his head in and right back out.

I turned back to Sofia.

“Go get bonked!” she said with her impression of a fake English accent.