Fallen Empire (Dirty Empire)

My fingers itch to slip down and stroke him to life, just so I can feel him sinking into me again, and perhaps take his fear away for a short time. But he’s exhausted, and so I stay my hand and enjoy the sound of his deepening breaths.

In minutes, he’s fast asleep.

The Michelle I knew—the feisty, effervescent blond who laughed boldly and often—has been replaced by this twitchy version standing at the front door with her suitcase on one side and Moe on the other, her tired emerald-green eyes jumping with every movement.

“So, I guess this is goodbye?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” I hesitate. “It’s for the best.” While I’m with Gabriel, I can never trust her.

She nods. “I understand.” Her gaze darts to the far side of the living room, where Caleb and Gabriel are occupied in an intense conversation. Between the two of them, they’ve taken at least a dozen calls since Caleb pounded on our bedroom door to wake Gabriel.

The house is quiet again, with no screaming toddlers, cursing girlfriends, or stabbing mothers. Our “guests” were escorted to a helicopter launchpad while Gabriel napped and flown to Merrick’s coastal retreat for safekeeping. Apparently, Puff’s little boy was completely enthralled.

Now it’s just us, a small army of security, and a world full of uncertainty.

“Please tell them thank you….” She falters. “For letting me go home.”

For letting her live, she means. Neither Gabriel nor Caleb had any intention of holding—or harming—Michelle, but Caleb was effective in his scare tactics and I’m not about to enlighten her. Besides, after our plane explosion and the triple homicide she witnessed in Vegas, I doubt she’d believe me. It’s best she stays frightened—for her sake and Gabriel’s. “You know Lewis will contact you again.”

“Which is why I have a houseguest for the next little while.” Her nervous eyes flip to Moe. “Hey roomie.”

He answers her with a stony stare. What must he think about this babysitting assignment? Gabriel said they’ve given it to him while he’s a lame duck from his injuries, but I remember him also saying Moe preferred protecting women and children, so maybe he’s okay with being glued to her side.

“Just remember what you need to say.” Caleb gave her the script and reinforced that she is not to veer from it.

“Speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil.” She chuckles weakly. “Yes, I know. Partying and gambling and drinking. Lots of drinking, so much that I blacked out and don’t remember a thing, but Moe and I have fallen in love and Caleb, who? Honestly, Mercy, I don’t want any part of whatever Lewis is trying to accomplish. I regret ever letting her talk me into it.”

“You were trying to help your father. I can appreciate that.” Of all people, I can empathize. But I can’t forgive.

“For what it’s worth, I really did think I was helping you with your father. I just didn’t realize how you felt about Gabriel until it was too late.” She reaches for her suitcase and steals another quick, wary glance Caleb’s way. “We better go.”

The urge to protect Gabriel from Agent Lewis is overwhelming. “If you talk, they will hear about it,” I warn, mustering certainty in my voice as I take a step back. “Take care of yourself.”

She hesitates but then darts forward, throwing her arms around me, whispering, “I hope you know what you’re doing, Mercy.”

It’s a moment before I return the hug. “Don’t worry. With all these guards around? Nothing’s going to happen to me.”

She pulls back, to meet my gaze. “Something already did.”

Yes, a psychopath kidnapped me from under their noses. But that psychopath is dead. I killed him.

I take a deep, calming breath. “I’ll be fine.”

Her jaw tenses as if she wants to say more but decides against it. Diving in for one last tight squeeze, she breaks away abruptly. A teary gloss coats her eyes. “Thank you, fine sir,” she jokes as Moe collects her suitcase.

He grits his teeth at the strain in his forearm, the only sign that the crochet attack wound hurts.

With a chin-nod my way from Moe, they’re gone, down the walkway, past the armed man standing next to the chartreuse wall of organ pipe cacti.

My best friend and confidant for years, who has stood by me through this ongoing nightmare with my father, is gone from my life. My first relationship casualty after choosing Gabriel.

But she chose someone else, too. I can understand why, and oddly enough it no longer stings. Maybe it’s because of what I’ve been through.

But probably it’s because Gabriel chose me from day one, and now I’ve chosen him for every day forward.

17

Gabriel

“They have my number, and they’ll consider my request for a sit-down,” I announce after ending the call.

“That was fast.” Caleb starts pacing, biting at his thumbnail.

“That’s how the Operator works.”