The Red Roots (10 page)

She was never numb to Jules’s absence but time had strained her mental state. Perhaps that was when Isla let Reed slip through. Knocking down the walls she built up around her heart. Perhaps there was room for one more.

Perhaps.

WHEN ISLA WAS a child she flipped the handlebars of her new pink bicycle. Gravel embedded into her skin, and her mother was quick to clean the wound. Once bandaged, Isla cried into her arms apologizing for damaging her birthday present. Her mother wiped her tears away. “That is just metal and plastic. You, my sweet girl, are what matters.”

While Isla curled into the corner after one of Ronan’s lashings she wondered why her mother left
her sweet girl
in the care of a monster.

Many questions such as those disturbed her for years. What could she do? Raise the dead? Hold a séance? Conjure up her parents. Anything from Ronan’s mouth was vile, and her grandmother was too occupied with charity luncheons and facials to care about what was happening to Isla.

The Walkers were nothing more than a wealthy immoral family, but unlike the Kennedy or Rockefellers, their dirty secrets weren’t streaked across Page 6 of the New York Times. Ronan buried his deep into the dirt.

The Pierce family wasn’t exempt of front-page news or gossip, but they protected their own unless you betrayed what the family stood for.

Influence.

Unity.

Dynasty.

Amaranthine wasn’t a name of happenstance. It was chosen for a family to continue on through the decades. Ellis’s decision to give Reed his shares made sense to Isla. Also, with the increase of her hacking abilities, it fell into line of what her father-in-law wanted.

Reed and Isla, along with Jules would build the Pierce empire stronger, fiercer, and without mercy.

No matter what thoughts combed through Isla’s mother’s head about her own family, her torment brought Isla here. She was the woman shaped by triumph, and Jules would be shaped by strength and love. With Reed at her side, their family would be unstoppable.

ON THE PRIVATE beach, Isla sat next to Ellis and dug her toes into the cool sand. Only he would wear an expensive suit and then roll the pant legs to mid-calf like a boy.

Isla swatted a gnat from her legs. “You need new clothes for your guest houses.”

“Green looks nice on you.”

“If the shirt wasn’t clinging to me like another layer of skin.”

Ellis looked to the clear skies. “How are you and Reed?”

“Good.”

“I need you better than good.”

“We have much to work through. I’m a stranger to him.”

“I have faith.”

Isla laughed. “You? Faith?”

“Dead men say silly things.”

“Are you dying today?”

“It’s still early.”

“Yes it is.”

As Isla looked across the water, a buoy bobbed in the current. Just as the tides in the ocean, life was the same. All could change with a single wave or a drop of rain from the heavens.

Life was an illusion. A strange, dangerous illusion.

DOWN THE CORRIDOR lined with Pierce family portraits and Old World oil paintings, rows of wood beams guided Isla and Reed closer to the elegant limestone foyer of the compound.

Isla was ecstatic to see Jules and Henry, but something frenetic stirred inside of her. She also felt similar things when she travelled, her suspicions at high alert. Ellis assured Isla that their identities remained concealed as they boarded a private jet from Colorado.

Still, she worried. Too many snakes slithered through Amaranthine, through the families. A snake would always be a snake no matter how many times it shed its skin.

They entered the foyer. Armed guards stood stiff at the front double doors. Isla stopped beneath the crystal chandelier. Mounted on the wall, near the door was a small screen giving view of the coquina driveway. Erik glanced at his watch.

“How long?” Isla said.

“ETA four minutes.”

Isla looked to Reed. He, too, appeared nervous, but gave her a slight smile.

Most never see the snake slithering in the grass or hiding beneath a rock. When the venomous fangs sink into exposed skin, it’s too late.

“Soon you’ll be with your daughter.”

“I never thought this day would come.”

“Three minutes” Erik said.

The affected area swells and changes color as the toxins seep into the tissues. The important thing is to stay calm and call for help.

“Where’s my father?”

“I’m sure he’ll be down.”

“Two minutes.”

Venom causes destruction of the red blood cells and blood vessels; to be specific, hemotoxin. Remain calm. Advise medical personnel of any symptoms, such as, shortness of breath, vomiting, or paralysis.

“You look sick.”

“Anxious.”

“One minute.”

It is helpful to identify the venomous snake. The doctor will decide on an exact course of action.

The SUV arrived, slowed and stopped in front of the security camera. Isla’s rigid circulatory system burned. Cries tipped the edge. She walked closer to the screen.

Winded, Rosa entered the foyer. “Ellis is dead. He is shot dead!”

“Martin.” Reed said through gritted teeth.

At the same time, Isla spoke, “Zargotta.”

Snakes identified.

CHAOS ERUPTED.

Either one meant death. The perfect plot would be to execute a public feud but in private be allies. Martin turned on his family. He was a coward. He knew when to shed his skin and slither away. Vinny was violent, didn’t have a conscience. If he banned together with Martin, they’d take over Amaranthine and eventually each of the sister companies.

Screaming, Isla flung open the door ignoring the others protest. Daylight blinded her, but she stepped out into the threat. “Jules.” She called out with trembled lips. The back passenger door opened, long wisps of hair blew in front of her daughter’s face. She held a red backpack close to her chest. “Jules, come to me now.”

Jules’ black Converse shoes hit the driveway. Isla shook off whomever was pulling her back. She had to get to Jules. Protecting her daughter was all she focused on. Isla’s arms outstretched, and she motioned for Jules to hurry.

“Mom, what’s happening?”

“Come quickly, darling.”

Isla grabbed the sleeve of Jules’s sweatshirt, pulling her close. She wrapped her arms around Jules and stared at the SUV.

“Where’s Henry?”

“In the front seat.”

Isla’s vision darted to the blackout windows.
Not him. Please, not Henry.
Reed pulled them back toward the door as the armed guards stepped in front. All was silent; nothing moved but the salty wind pirouetting from the ocean, teasing the fronds. Jules’s face was tucked into the crook of Isla’s neck.

“Listen.” Erik held up his hands. “Shut up and listen.”

Isla looked to the sky.

Whup.

Whup.

Whup.

Growing louder, blades slicing through the air. A loud bang mixed with the helicopter noise.

Erik looked back at Isla. “Get inside.”

The passenger door opened, and Henry’s body fell out, he faced away from them.

Isla paled. Henry didn’t move. He didn’t take a breath. He was dead. Henry was dead and Isla was to blame. She squeezed Jules tight, making sure her daughter didn’t see Henry’s body lying lifeless before them.

The guards lifted their firearms.

Erik readied his gun. “There is a way out, and Rosa knows where. You four will leave.”

“No way. Not without you.”

“Not the time to argue,” Reed said.

“Go.”

They shuffled back into the foyer. Rosa shut and locked the door.

Gunfire broke out beyond the fortress walls.

The inescapable pull of gravity kept Isla next to Reed. Their time slipped thin. She ignored the tears skating down her face. She ignored the fear shuddering her frame. She ignored the echoes of death inside her chest. He had to know before all was lost into the ether. “I love you,” she mouthed to Reed.

Isla saw a hint of a smile but it faded. Armed entities descended onto the palace by the sea. Rosa guided them to the lower level. Isla dragged Jules alongside her, pacifying her questions about Henry and what was going on around them. She hated lying but in the moment it was what she had to do.

Two shots blasted above them. Isla jumped. Jules whimpered. Reed swore.

“Are we close, Rosa?” He said in a raised voice.

“Yes.”

The dark engulfed them with each doorway they hurried through. It was a maze. Stars flickered her vision as adrenaline shrouded Isla. The final door led them to an underground cave. The only light pouring in was from an opening at the end. A humid, sticky breeze clung to Isla. She was out of breath but she pushed forward. Their feet splashed in shallow water and a briny smell wafted around them.

Rosa pointed to the end of the hollow passageway. A boat covered in leaves and burlap swayed with the current. A sonata of gunfire sounded nearby. What had Isla done? She had endangered Jules further. Henry was dead because of her.

They reached the boat. Reed yanked the debris from it and pushed it farther into the water. Jules shook in Isla’s arms.

“We must go,” Rosa said.

Reed motioned for Jules. “Give her to me, and I’ll help her in.”

To rip her lifeline from Isla’s side didn’t sit well with her, but she told her daughter to wrap her arms around Reed’s neck. The warm water took them. Rosa climbed in first to help Jules. The boat rocked. With careful hands Reed lifted her, and when she was aboard, Isla took a steadying breath.

Reed turned to her. “You’re next.”

He went through the same process as with Jules but with less grace. Isla landed on her knees and reached over the edge for Reed. Regretful, he shook his head. “I’m staying.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I’m going to find out who this is. Maybe my father isn’t dead.”

“Now is not the time to play hero.”

As they argued, Reed pushed the boat far enough out that the blades of the motor wouldn’t hit the sea floor. He gripped the side of the boat and managed to slip his wedding band off.

“Don’t you dare.”

“I’ll come back to you.”

Isla’s chin trembled as he bled her dry. “You promised. You said you wouldn’t hurt me.”