“I’m sure my mom will be anxious to see my sister.”

  Neither man said a word, but when we deboarded, she was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

  “How are you doing?” I asked Luisa later. She and my mom were sitting on chaise lounges on the deck. “It’s a little chilly right by the ocean. Can I get you another blanket?”

  Luisa pointed to her left. “Beau brought two more, then Press did too.”

  “They’re so attentive,” my mother commented. “Will you be out here for a bit?” she asked, getting up.

  “Definitely.”

  “I might lie down inside if you don’t mind.”

  Luisa hadn’t said anything yet about Jorge or what had happened between the time she went missing and when she was rescued from the ship in Felixstowe. While we hadn’t been in the States for more than a couple of hours, I knew, soon, she’d need to talk to someone. A counselor definitely, but also to law enforcement. Not that I had any idea who would be handling the investigation. Luisa had disappeared from San Luis Obispo, so my guess would be either the SLO police department or the county sheriff would want to get a statement.

  “I should probably check in with my office,” I said with a complete lack of conviction. I’d already decided to resign my position with the DA.

  Since Noah, whom I hadn’t heard from, had covered the cost of my auction bid, I still had ten grand in savings I could live off until I found another law firm to work for. From what I’d witnessed with colleagues who’d left prosecution to work in defense, their experience with Cooley made them highly sought after.

  Luisa reached out and took my hand. “What’s going on, Seraphina? You seem troubled about more than me.”

  I turned and looked at her. “I don’t want to go back to work.”

  She smiled. “Who does? Especially after being here.”

  “The Barrett brothers will definitely spoil you.”

  “What else is bothering you? I know it’s more than work.”

  “I’ve been trying to reach Noah Ridge.”

  Luisa looked out at the ocean. “He’s giving us time.”

  “I know, but I haven’t talked to him since we returned to the apartment in London. It feels wrong. Like something is up.”

  “Have you asked Press or Beau?”

  “Both are mum on the subject.” I heard the door open and glanced over my shoulder. Beau walked out and joined us.

  “Can I get you ladies anything?”

  “Nothing for me, thanks,” I answered.

  “Actually, there is something she needs,” said my sister. “Can you arrange to have Noah Ridge delivered?”

  Beau chuckled, my sister laughed, and I was mortified. More so when I heard Beau say, “We’re fresh out of Noahs, but how about some pizza?”

  25

  RIDGE

  I hadn’t been at the Eaton Square apartment fifteen minutes before I received a call from Zin and Brix. I didn’t realize it was from both of them until I picked up.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Cooley got a judge to okay a search warrant for the Los Cab wine caves,” said Zin.

  “I told him he was overreacting,” said Brix. “We have nothing to hide and nothing for them to find. The wine rooms are no different than those in many of the caves in the area, including Butler Ranch.”

  “What are you worried about, Zin?” I asked. “Obviously something.”

  “You know about Seraphina Reeve’s browser history. You also know Cooley is spreading rumors about indictments being handed down.”

  “Doesn’t it have to start with arrests or depositions or something?”

  “Subpoenas,” he answered.

  “Have one or both of you received one?”

  “No,” Brix answered first. “And he hasn’t, either.”

  “What do you want me to do?” I asked.

  “Press has kept me updated on the search and rescue. He said two planes are returning to the States this afternoon.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Get back as soon as you can, Ridge.”

  I ended my call with them and rang Doc, checking on the feasibility of their request.

  “We’re getting ready to transport a few of these folks to London. What’s your twenty?”

  “I’ve been at the apartment about a half hour.”

  “I hate to ask this, but we could use more vehicles down here.”

  “On my way.”

  With the exception of Luisa and five others, the victims were Mexican nationals. When I arrived at Felixstowe, Doc told me they’d decided not to fly both planes to the States. One would return to the San Luis Obispo airfield; the other would take as many as the plane could hold comfortably to Tryst’s ranch.

  Doc, Merrigan, Razor, and I were scheduled to be on the aircraft going to Alamos. Gunner, Ares, and the rest of the Shadow Ops guys were remaining in England. Snapper and Kick were asked to stay on as well and, according to Doc, help with the investigation. Dalton was staying too but would travel with the rest of the victims as soon as their health was stable enough for the flight.

  “You won’t be able to get into a room with Snapper and Kick when this is over,” said Dalton. “Their heads will be too big.”

  I’d sent a message to Press before leaving Felixstowe for the second time that day, asking about Seraphina and her sister. He’d responded by saying they were both sleeping. After informing him it didn’t look as though I’d be returning to the apartment, I asked him to pick up the bottle of wine I’d arranged to have delivered to the hotel and make sure Seraphina and her sister shared it.

  Between when I sent that message and the time I got on the plane, I hadn’t had a moment to do more than breathe. Once we were in the air, I slept as soon as I was in my seat. I hadn’t woken up once the entire flight, until Dalton nudged me, saying we were about to land.

  Tryst, two of Brix’s other brothers—Cru and Trevino—along with the people who worked on the ranch, had been busy making arrangements to bring the families of the victims to Alamos. When we landed, it was like a huge welcome-home party—complete with a tent, tables, chairs, and more than enough food and drinks for everyone.

  “How are things at Los Cab?” I asked Cru, sitting beside him and Dalton after I’d gotten a plate of food.

  “The search was carried out yesterday. Other than a couple of bottles of wine, which they tried to make off with, they didn’t find anything.”

  “There was nothing there to find.”

  “Zin is freaking out, saying the computers are next.”

  “Press will take care of that.” I took a bite of the freshly made tortilla I’d filled with carnitas.

  “I already did it,” said Trevino. He was the third youngest of the Avila brothers, and while he was a member of Los Caballeros, he’d taken a step away due to health issues after a recent head injury.

  “How are you feelin’, Trev?” I asked. It had only been a few weeks since he was knocked unconscious by a couple of meth heads. Brix had been the one to find him in the wine caves, where the two men had lured him.

  “I have good days and bad. The migraines are rough.”

  My eyes met Tryst’s.

  “I’ve asked Trevino to remain on the ranch,” he said. “There are a few things I could use his help with.”

  “He’s lying,” said Trev. “He doesn’t need my help. He wants to heal me.”

  The look that passed between uncle and nephew was full of the kind of love seen between father and son.

  “I’ll admit I’d give about anything to spend more time here,” I said between bites of food. “For the tortillas alone.”

  “You’re needed in San Luis Obispo,” said Tryst.

  “I know.”

  “Speaking of being needed at home, as much as we love this place, Merrigan and I are heading to Santa Barbara tonight. Anyone who wants a lift, say the word.” Doc looked straight at me.

  “Word.”

  “We aren’t leaving for at least another hour, maybe two,” said Merrigan, watching as I got up from the table to clear my plate. “You hardly ate anything.”

  “I guess I’m not as hungry as I thought.”

  Since I had some time to kill, I walked to the temple and went inside. The last time I was here was with Seraphina. Fuck, I missed her. I sat down in the same pew and said a prayer of thanks to whatever gods or deities she’d prayed to that day.

  When the door opened, I knew who it was. “Hey, Tryst,” I said without turning around.

  “What’s on your mind, Noah?” he asked, sitting beside me.

  “Seraphina Reeve.” I sighed and shook my head. “What is wrong with me?”

  Tryst put his hand on my shoulder. “Nothing is wrong with you. What makes you ask such a question?”

  “I’m obsessing. The same as I did with Alex.”

  Tryst shook his head. “There is no comparison.”

  “You know Zin and Press think she’s been gathering evidence on Los Caballeros the entire time we were looking for her sister?”

  “What do you believe?”

  “I told him she wouldn’t do that.”

  “And?”

  “She said a couple of things I can’t get out of my head.”

  “What?”

  As I reiterated her words, I could tell he thought I was overreacting. I had to agree.

  “In your heart, you know she wouldn’t do the things they’re accusing her of.”

  “What about the browser history? It was from her time here, Tryst.”

  “It proves nothing. Ask her, if you need to.”

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  Tryst closed his eyes and raised his face to the light coming in through the windows in the steeple. “Of course you do.” He got up, and a few seconds later, I heard the temple door open and close.

  I sat in the pew for a few more minutes, mulling over Tryst’s words. I did know what I needed to do. First, I needed to admit something had come between us. Then I owed Sera the benefit of the doubt. I wouldn’t want to be accused of something and not given the opportunity to tell my side of the story.

  By the time I got back to San Luis Obispo, it would be after midnight, but it was still early enough for me to call now.

  “Noah?” Sera’s voice sounded as though she was both groggy and worried.

  “Hey, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you.”

  “Where are you?” she asked.

  “At Tryst’s ranch, but I’ll be on a plane to the States later tonight. I haven’t gotten much sleep the last few days, but I was hoping I could see you tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Yes, I’d like that. I miss you, Noah.”

  “I miss you too, Sera.”

  26

  SERAPHINA

  Since I had already planned to go into the office tomorrow morning and hand in my resignation, it was best Noah and I wouldn’t see each other until this afternoon.

  I dreaded my conversation with William Cooley, but I wanted to get it over with so I could move on with my life.

  After sticking my head in the bedroom door to make sure Luisa was still asleep, I went into the kitchen for a glass of water. Press was standing near the French doors leading to the oceanfront deck.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, noticing my reflection in the window.

  “I wanted some water.” I poured a glass and walked over to where he stood. “Thank you for being so kind to my sister and my mom.”

  “I am happy to do so.”

  “I’m sure they won’t want to overstay their welcome and—”

  “I’ve seen where they live, Seraphina. The neighborhood isn’t safe, and the apartment lacks the most basic security.”

  “Agreed. I’ve been thinking about getting a place big enough for the three of us to live together. While I can’t afford much, if we pool what we’ve each been paying, we can swing it.”

  “Doesn’t the DA’s office compensate you fairly?”

  “Fairly, yes. Generously, no.” I didn’t tell Press I intended to resign since I didn’t want him to think I expected the three of us to stay on here indefinitely.

  “Your sister will feel safer here.”

  The man hadn’t looked at me once during the entire conversation. His eyes didn’t even meet mine in my reflection.

  “Press, is there something wrong?”

  “Not at all.” Still no eye contact.

  “Do you have an issue with me specifically? If so, I can leave right now.”

  He finally turned in my direction. “Your sister needs you. I suggest you consider putting her before yourself.”

  I wanted to slap his face. I’d done nothing besides put Luisa before myself. How dare he suggest otherwise? Instead, I said goodnight and returned to the bedroom my sister and I were sharing.

  I spent most of the night tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Meeting with Cooley weighed heavily on my mind, but so did Press’ attitude toward me. When coupled with my mother’s opinion of Noah and his family, I felt like I was living inside a soap opera.

  Why was everything so complicated? If my mom would simply be forthright about what had happened between Hewitt Ridge and my family, perhaps misunderstandings could be resolved. As far as Press’ treatment of me, if he had an issue, I’d prefer he tell me what it was. The way things were, I felt increasingly uncomfortable staying in his house. However, he was right to say Luisa needed me here with her. Until she didn’t, or until she was ready to go home, I’d stay out of Press’ way as much as possible.

  “Are you sure you have to return to work already?” my mother asked the next morning as I was on my way out.

  “I’m only going in for a meeting. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Between you, Press, and Beau, Luisa will have all the support she needs until I return.”

  “It isn’t Luisa I’m worried about. You seem very anxious, Seraphina. Is there something more with your sister’s abduction you haven’t informed me of?”

  I shook my head. “It’s been a very tense week, Mom. I’m sure my body hasn’t recovered from the adrenaline surge.”

  “You aren’t being honest with me.”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to accuse her of the same thing. However, now wasn’t the time for us to argue. I walked over and kissed her cheek. It dawned on me that my car wasn’t here. “I’ll be back soon. Um, can I borrow your car?”

  “Where are you off to?” Beau asked, walking into the kitchen.

  “To my office. I thought it best to check in.”

  He pulled a key fob out of his pocket and handed it to me. “Take mine. It’s the red Audi.” Given my mom’s rust bucket made me nervous every time I was in it, I accepted his offer. Maybe later, when Noah and I got together, I’d ask him to swing me by my place to pick up mine.

  The anxiety my mother had picked up on increased on the half-hour drive from Cambria into downtown San Luis Obispo. The closer I got, the more worried I became over what DA Cooley would say when I told him I was leaving.

  I parked Beau’s Audi in my assigned space and walked the short distance to the elevator.

  “Miss Seraphina, welcome back,” said one of the guys at the security checkpoint inside the main door of the courthouse.

  “Thanks, Tom,” I said when he waved me through.

  I took another elevator up to the tenth floor, where my office was.

  “Seraphina! We didn’t expect you,” said the receptionist, Ruth.

  “I won’t be here long today. Is Mr. Cooley in?”

  She started to nod but picked up her phone. “Hello, sir. Ms. Reeve has arrived.” She paused. “Yes, sir. I’ll send her back.”

  “He wants to see you.”

  “Okay, I’ll drop my stuff in my office first, then head in.”

  “You, uh, should go to his office first.”

  I cocked my head and went left rather than right, ignoring her suggestion. I pulled out my keys to unlock my door, but it wouldn’t open.

  “The lock has been changed, Ms. Reeve.” I nearly jumped when Cooley walked up beside me.

  “Why?”

  “I asked you to come to my office first.”

  “Yes, sir,” I muttered, following him in the opposite direction and feeling more nauseated with every step I took. He’d obviously been informed I’d gone to Los Caballeros for help to find my sister. I wasn’t surprised.

  “Take a seat.”

  The chairs in front of the man’s desk were so low I often felt as though my chin fell at his desk’s height. It reminded me of being in the principal’s office, back when I used to go in to report the other kids bullying Luisa.

  “Some disturbing news has been brought to my attention, Ms. Reeve.” He paused as if to let me ask about it, but I remained silent. “Very well,” he continued.

  I watched as he opened a manila envelope on the desk in front of him and pulled out photographs. He spread them out. Not that I could see them from where I sat.

  “I’d ask for an explanation, but these speak for themselves.”

  I stood, and he turned one of the photos around so it faced me. It was of Noah and me at the restaurant in London.

  “I wonder what your sister would think, seeing these.”

  I glanced at the other images spread out on his desk. In each, Noah and I appeared as a happy couple out on a date. In the ones taken on our short walk from the restaurant to the apartment, my arm was tucked in his, and we were both smiling.

  When I sat down, he smirked. “I know everything, Seraphina. How you went to them for help, traveled by private plane first to Mexico then to England. How the ‘cowboy vigilantes’ superseded law enforcement in both countries, and your role in facilitating the crimes they committed.”

  Everything he’d said was taken out of context, twisted, and misrepresented. I knew better than to speak, though. Not without the attorney I’d be hiring present.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21