Page 23 of Before the Fall

She stares up at me with tear-filled eyes, so I kiss her and whisper, “I told you I won’t let anyone hurt you, Tia. Remember, I’m a bad man, so you’re safe.”

I get a tiny smile before she nods her head and takes a deep breath in. “Okay. What do we do?”

“We’re going to search upstairs. My guess is they aren’t still here, but we need to check.”

I don’t tell her what I’m also thinking. That the killer mistook Ivy for Tia. There’s no reason why Victor would know there would be two women in this house. I brought Tia here under the cover of night, so no one would have seen her arrive. Anyone watching would think the woman they saw going to the store and doing the cooking was Tia.

The two of us slowly creep upstairs to where the other bedrooms are and check each one. There’s no sign that anyone but Ivy has been up here. Clothes are strewn about her room, but all the other bedrooms are in pristine condition.

“Did someone rifle through her stuff?” Tia whispers as he head back downstairs.

I smile and try to make light of things to ease her worries. “Either that or she’s a very messy person.”

“She’s dead, Jaxon. Maybe we should try to be nice.”

“Sorry. Just trying to ease the tension.”

We stop just before we get to the first floor so I can look around. I don’t think they’re still here. Good. But we need to get the hell out of this house now before they realize the mistake they made.

I guide Tia back to our bedroom and lock the door behind us. Pulling out my phone, I call Ryker to let him know what’s happened.

“Enjoying your little vacation, Jaxon?” he jokes when he answers the call.

“Not really. Your fabulous cook is dead. She was making us French toast while we were outside enjoying the beautiful weather and someone came in and slit her throat before stuffing her in one of the little bathrooms. We’re getting out of here, but you and the boys need to clean up and decide what you’re doing with Ivy.”

“Holy fuck! That bastard came after you two there? He doesn’t even know that house exists. How did he know to find you there? Are you thinking he killed Ivy thinking she was Tia?” he asks.

I turn away from her so she can’t hear what he’s saying. “Yeah. That’s why we need to leave because they’re going to realize it sooner or later.”

“Okay. I have another place I know he doesn’t have a clue about. You two can go there.”

Shaking my head, I smile at Tia as I say to Ryker, “No way. Trust me. Victor knows far more than we thought. Today is proof of that. I’m not taking Tia to any place attached to you or the family.”

“Where are you going to go then?”

That I don’t know. All I know is if it’s associated with anyone in our family, Victor likely knows about it.

We’ve clearly underestimated that son of a bitch.

“Not sure. I’ll figure it out and let you know.”

“Okay. Stay safe and we’ll handle things on our end.”

I want to suggest now is the time for us to move on Victor, but I don’t say that because in the end, that’s Ryker’s choice. Killing your own brother isn’t a move anyone makes lightly. Even bad men.

Stuffing my phone back in my pocket, I look over at Tia standing a few feet away near the dresser. She looks terrified. It reminds me of how she looked that week we met.

I walk over and cradle her face, wishing she didn’t look so frightened. “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to take a little trip somewhere.”

“Where?”

Of course, she would ask that. Always the curious one.

“I don’t know. It’s going to be okay. Do you trust me?”

Tia nods and gives me a tiny smile. “I trust you, Jaxon. I’m just scared.”

Leaning in, I kiss her and whisper, “It’ll be okay. I promise.”

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