Catching Teardrops (MAC Security 5)

“They arrested her,” she whispers.

His eyes flare with so much anger it causes me to take a step forward. I never thought Evan could look like that as he focuses on Kitty. “Did Charlie tell you this was happening?”

“No,” she grinds out. “You know we keep work separate.”

He stands still for several seconds before pulling out his cell, answering it, and barking, “I know and I’m on my way to the precinct.”

He pulls the cell away from his ear, spinning around, but halting when Ty asks, “Do you not want to know what she was arrested for?”

“I don’t need to know,” he growls, turning back around before pulling the door open. “Whatever it is, she didn’t do it.”

We all stay silent as we listen to his tires squeal out of the compound, none of us knowing what to do or say. When my cell vibrates in my pocket, I pull it out.

Lily: Thanks for last night.

I huff out a breath, knowing I need to do what Ty said and get my head in the game. There’s only one possible solution, and it’s something I didn’t want to do yet, but I don’t have a choice. I may think I know what’s happening with her, but the fact is I don’t. Not really. The signs are all there, but the words coming from her mouth aren’t.

I let my head drop back, blowing out a breath, and knowing I have to do this. For me. For her. For my family. Because if my head isn’t in the game, people will get hurt.

LUKE

Two days since Lexi was arrested and Evan hasn’t left his cabin once. For the first time in months, all I’ve been focused on is my family here. Evan is going through the ringer and all we’ve been doing is trying our hardest to help him.

The warehouse is currently a command station, all hands on deck—apart from Evan. Everyone has tried to get him out of his cabin, but not one of them has been successful.

And now it’s my turn.

Huffing out a breath, I walk toward his cabin. I have a thousand other things on my mind, but I can’t entertain any of them until he sees what we’re doing. That we want to help him help Lexi.

Him first, and then Lily.

Shit. Just thinking about her has my stomach dipping and my hands clenching. The incessant ramblings on how I should approach her so I can fully focus go around and around in my mind. But I know the answer to it. I have to ask her outright. No beating around the bush, no flowery sayings and promises. Just simply ask her.

Halting when I get to his door, I bang my fist on it several times, shouting, “Evan!” W

hen I don’t get an answer after a few minutes, I step closer. “We want to help!” I push open his door, not giving a shit whether he wants people in here or not. He doesn’t have a choice. I’ve had about enough of this bullshit. He needs to know he can lean on us, that we’re here, and to use us to help him.

Stepping inside, I’m greeted with an empty room. “Where the fuck are you? I just want to talk!”

I jump back when a hatch in the floor opens up and Evan appears, his face red and nostrils flared. My eyes widen, wondering where the hell he came from. Is that a—

“You want to judge!” he grinds out. “You don’t want to help.”

I hold my hand up. “Ev—”

“No! When it was Kay, I was there!” He smacks his palm off his chest. “When Kitty needed help, I was there!” He makes a closed fist, doing the same thing. “When any of you need or want something…” He stares into my eyes. “I’m. There.”

“We want to—”

“I’m sick and fucking tired of this shit… none of you know a fucking thing about me, never mind me and Lexi.”

I stand stock-still as he storms out of his cabin, finally realizing he’s about to unleash all his pent-up fury and follow him. Good. It’s about fuckin’ time.

I jog over to the warehouse, walking in behind him as he storms inside, and I start to say, “He’s not doing good—”

“Shut it!” he shouts, whipping his head around to me and then back at everyone where they stand scattered around the table. “I’m done.” He swipes his hand through the air. “You need anything and I’m there… always. The one time I need all of your help and you disappear. Lexi is my family. My family.” He pauses, probably trying to get his point across. But it’s not needed. We get it. Jesus Christ, we fuckin’ get it. “Don’t you get that? I can’t…” His breath catches in his throat. “I can’t live without her… she’s…”

There’s a beat of silence before Ty says, “She’s it.” He looks over a Kay. “I get it.”