Page 2 of Before the Fall

Ryker studies me for a long moment and then he shakes his head too. “You look like shit warmed over today, Jaxon. I’m not sure you’re up for what we have to talk about this morning.”

I wave off his worry. “I’m fine. Just a little headache, but your lovely wife gave me some Advil. Assuming they’ll kick in soon, I’ll be fit as a fiddle in a minute or two. What’s going on? Why the powwow at this time of day on a Sunday?”

Suddenly, neither he nor Cason have anything to say. Odd. Granted, neither man is usually chatty, but this is supposed to be a meeting to discuss something, so what’s up?

“Cat got your tongue?” I ask no one in particular.

The four men around me look at each other and then everyone turns their focus to Ryker. Since he’s the one in charge, I do the same and wait for him to start talking.

When he still doesn’t, I ask, “What’s going on, Ryker? Did someone die?”

My question comes off sounding like a joke, but I couldn’t be more serious. If it’s Victor who’s dead, he’d be all kinds of happy, so I know that problem hasn’t been magically solved. Then I start listing relatives of ours in my head, wondering which one isn’t with us anymore.

“Dash over there has been working for Victor for the past few months. He’s with us, though, and he’s been keeping an eye out for any news we can use. This morning, he told me about a job he’s been assigned concerning someone you know.”

Okay, it’s not that someone’s dead but someone is going to be dead soon. But who could it be? I don’t have friends since I’m a killer. I spend nearly all my time with these guys.

So who is this person I know who Victor’s decided isn’t long for this world?

After a few seconds, I shrug and try to make light of the situation. “I think you guys are mistaken. I don’t have a social life to speak of for the past couple years, so I can’t imagine who’s managed to get on the wrong side of Victor.”

That must be it. They think I know this person with the target on his back, but they’re wrong.

Ryker’s expression grows even darker than usual, and he blows the air out of his lungs like he hates what he has to say. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my uncle concerned like this.

“Are you going to tell me, or are we all going to just sigh like a bunch of teenage girls? Who the fuck does Victor have his eye on, Ryker?” I finally ask, tired of hearing no answers to my questions.

“It’s Tia’s father, Jaxon.”

Just hearing her name come out of his mouth makes my heart skip a beat. But he’s got something wrong. Tia’s father is a straight-laced guy, a perfectly upper middle class dad who would never get tangled up with the likes of Victor Varens.

I shake my head and smile. “Someone’s got their wires crossed, guys. Tia’s father stays on the right side of the law. Always. Trust me on this.”

He frowns, and when I look around the room, everyone else looks as unhappy as he does. “Jaxon, it’s no mistake. Tia’s father got into some bad things a few years ago, and he began associating with a man named Rudolf Michner.”

That name rolls around in my brain for a few moments, but I have nothing. I’ve never heard of that person.

“Even if that’s true, what does that have to do with Victor? Has your brother suddenly decided to take on other bosses’ problems?”

Ryker nods, which surprises me. That’s not like Victor. He’s always been a lone wolf to his core. He doesn’t even like sharing power with his own brother.

“Michner and Victor worked together on a few deals. It seems as a partner, Michner wasn’t too great because Victor had him killed. Now he’s looking to get all he can out of the people who owed his old partner. I don’t know if he’s made the connection between you and Tia and her father, but if he does, I’m worried she’s in as much danger as her father is.”

With every word, my blood runs cold. I walked away from Tia and all the happiness she brought me for this very goddamned reason. I never wanted her to suffer because of what I do for a living. I thought I made sure she’d be protected when I broke it off with her. Now I hear that I missed having an entire year of utter bliss with the woman I love and still she’s not safe?

I turn to face Dash and ask, “What did Victor say? I want to hear every fucking word exactly as he said it.”

He looks over at Ryker, but before he can say a word, I snap, “Don’t look at him. Look at me, asshole. You heard Victor say the words, so I want to hear what he’s planning.”

The room feels like everyone has suddenly become frozen in place except for me. I jump up, ready to shake the hell out of this Dash guy to find out what I need to know, but Cason stops me before I can make a move.

“Calm down, Jaxon. We’re not going to let anyone hurt Tia or her family. You know that.”

I look at him and see a smile. “What the fuck is good about this that you’re fucking grinning? The woman I love might be in danger, even though I’ve forced myself to live without her to make sure she didn’t get sucked into my life and get hurt, and her father has a target on his goddamned back. None of that seems like it warrants a fucking smile, man.”

He frowns like he wants to make sure I know he’s on my side. “I was just trying to make you see it’s going to be okay.”

Ryker stands up and walks over to join us. “We won’t let anything or anyone hurt her, Jaxon. Give Cason a break. He’s trying to keep you calm so you don’t go off half-cocked.”

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