Falling for Agent Cox:A Falling Novel Read online

Ave and I do exactly that, Flynn even joins us. He just shakes his head when we watch The Little Rascals and recite every line word-for-word. The credits roll and I hop up to stretch, I’ve been sitting for too long. I look over to see Flynn and Ave making goo-goo eyes at one another. “Remember the first time we watched this together?” she asks him.

  “How could I forget? You were naked and we ended up making sweet, sweet love ‘til the wee hours of the morning,” he not so quietly whispers.

  “Lalalalalalalala,” I singsong as I pop my fingers in my ears. “I don’t need to hear this shit. That’s one of those ‘you know it happens but we don’t talk about it’ things.”

  They both laugh.

  We tidy up the mess we made and we all head to bed. Just as I’m about to step into my room, Ave grabs my arm. “I’m taking you to brunch tomorrow.” I try to interrupt her, but she commands, “Uh, don’t argue. We’re doing it.”

  “Yes, Mom,” I tease again. “Night, guys.”

  In unison, they say, “Nite-nite,” and head into their room.

  Climbing into bed, I fall asleep immediately. The emotional toll of the last few days has finally caught up with me.

  “This has been nice,” I tell Ave, as I lift my mimosa and take a sip. The tang of the orange juice mixing with the tartness of the bubbles is the perfect combination…and it allows me to drink before midday, but then again, it’s always 5:00 o’clock somewhere in the world.

  “Yeah, it has. I can’t remember the last time you and I brunched together,” she says, as she shovels in a mouthful of her omelet.

  “Probably before I went off the rails,” I reply sadly, looking to the table.

  Ave reaches over the table and squeezes my hand. “Bay, look at me.” Lifting my gaze, I look at her. “That’s in the past and it needs to stay there. Focus on the future and what’s ahead.”

  “I’m trying but it’s hard. With Kye on the loose, I’m pretty fucking scared, Avie,” I honestly tell her. For the last two days, that’s all I’ve thought about. I know that if he gets his hands on me, I’m dead. Literally.

  “Cox won’t let anything happen to you,” she confidently says, but I’m not so sure. Kye is a crazy motherfucker, what I ever saw in him confuses me now. He’s nothing like him but no one is like him. He’s like the ultimate alpha that got away. And that there is another fucking problem in my life.

  When I saw him two days ago, I was feeling all the emotions; angry at him for not saying goodbye or reaching out. He knew where I was, it’s not like I disappeared, and then there’s that attraction, which isn’t just one-sided. I know he feels it too. The air definitely crackles when we are together. I haven’t been with anyone since him. I think of that afternoon constantly and we never even had sex.

  “He was that good, huh?” Ave asks me, as she takes a sip of her drink.

  Nodding my head, my mind drifts to the feel of his tongue licking me. His fingers gripping my hips. Oh fuck, I need to get laid. “I need to use the bathroom.”

  Excusing myself, I stand up and walk toward the restrooms when I hear my name being screeched like a banshee. Turning around, I see Dr. Bitch aka Monica, Kye’s side-piece standing next to Ave. Before I can say anything, she raises her hand and slaps Ave, hard across the face.

  “You fucking bitch,” she snarls, “I told Kye you couldn’t be trusted and it looks like I was right.”

  “Oi, Monica, get your fucking hands off my sister.”

  Her head snaps to me and I storm toward them. “You okay, Ave?”

  “I’m fine but I’m bloody sick of getting slapped in the face when it comes to Kye.” My face scrunches in confusion. “I’ll tell you later,” she says, cupping her cheek.

  Looking back to Monica, I stare at her. “What the fuck do you want?”

  “I want to fucking kill you for what you did, you bitch. Kye doesn’t deserve what you did to him.”

  “What I did?” I growl, “What I did? You do realize he is the worst of the fucking worst, right? You standing by his side shows you are just as bad as him. I’m not perfect, I know that better than anyone, but you two are the fucking scum between my toes.” Ave giggles at my The Little Rascals reference. “I suggest you turn around and leave before I really show you how bitchy I can be.”

  “Watch your back, bitch,” she snarls and then turns on her heel and storms out of the restaurant.

  “You okay?” Ave asks me, resting her hand on my back in the reassuring way she does.

  “Yes. No. I don’t know,” I tell her, the joy I felt not five minutes ago has vanished.

  “Let’s go home,” she suggests.

  Shaking my head at her, “No, let’s enjoy our brunch. I’m not letting my salmon bagel or my mimosa go to waste.”

  Without a word, Ave sits down and lifts her drink. “A toast.”

  Lifting mine, I ask, “What are we toasting to?”

  “To us, the Evans twins. Back together and better than ever.”

  “I’ll drink to that.”

  Bringing my drink to my lips, the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. Looking over my shoulder, my mouth drops open and my breath hitches in my throat when I meet the evil stare of Kye Vlahos. But as quickly as I saw him, he’s gone again. Clearly my mind is playing tricks on me again. I guess this situation is messing with my mind. Turning back to Ave, I focus on her. She’s staring at the bling adorning her ring finger.

  “I haven’t seen you smile like that in a long time,” I tell her.

  She looks up at me, and she’s beaming, her smile brighter than ever. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, Bay. I have my sister back and I’m engaged to the most amazing man. Life is brilliant right now.”

  “I’m so so happy for you, Avie.” Reaching across the table, I squeeze her hand.

  We finish our brunch with no more interruptions or bitch-slaps. We decide to leave the car with the valet and head into the mall for a girls’ day. We get manis and pedis. I spoil myself with a new pair of kick-ass purple heels and some lingerie. Lots and lots of purple lacy sexy lingerie. After wearing tighty whities for the last twelve months, I deserve a splurge.

  We stop at Olive Garden and grab takeout for dinner. We have enough to feed an army but leftovers are always good. With our food in hand, we wait for the valet to bring Ave’s car around. Staring up at the sky, I smile, it’s a gorgeous sunset this evening. I missed views like this while being locked up.

  “Gorgeous sunset, tonight,” Ave says as I pop a taffy into my mouth. Before I can reply, all hell breaks loose.

  24

  Corey

  It’s been a few days since the proverbial shit hit the fan and every waking moment has me thinking about her, Baylor Evans. She has been at the forefront of my mind when I’m both awake and asleep. I think of her first thing in the morning. She’s my last thought at night. I even dream about her. I’ve whacked off to visions of her, more in the last few days than I’ve whacked off in the last twelve months. I feel like I’m a horny teenage boy again,

  Letting out a frustrated sigh, I lean back in my chair and close my eyes. Once again, the blonde-haired angel appears before me. A knock at my door has me sitting up in my seat and my happy thoughts disappear when I see Dean Chikatilo standing there.

  “Hey, what’s up?”

  “Charli and I are heading to Bin 501, wanna join us?”

  “Didn’t pick you as a wine dude.”

  “I lost a bet so it was her choice.”

  “That’s my girl,” I tease, and the look he gives me is murderous. I really hate this asshole. “Sure, I’ll meet you guys there in an hour.”

  “I’ll let Charli know. See you soon,” he says with a smile but it’s sinister.

  How Charli can work so closely with him amazes me, but then again, Charli is a tough badass who can deal with the best and worst of people. Hence, why she’s great as a WitSec handler. The people she deals with are always colorful, with different backgrounds and varying levels of danger. She and Bay would defini
tely get along; thankfully those two won’t ever be in the same room together.

  Deciding to call it a day, I shut down my computer, grab my things, and head to my car to drive over to the bar to meet Charli and Dean. Traffic is light and I make it to there in record time. Looking to the sky, it’s a vivid red and orange sunset this evening—it’s absolutely gorgeous.

  Opening the door, I step inside and immediately spot Charli and Dean. They look cozy together and a prickly feeling develops as I watch the two of them. Charli and I are friends, platonic friends, but seeing her with Dean right now doesn’t sit right with me.

  Making my way over to them, Dean looks up and a shocked expression appears on his face but he quickly schools it. “You made it,” he says, his voice laced with shock.

  “Yep, decided to cut out early.”

  “You sick, Cox?” Charli teases, “You never leave early.”

  “Trying something new.” I shrug my shoulders and tell her, “You guys need a drink?”

  They both raise their glasses. Nodding, I turn and head to the bar. There’s an attractive brunette behind the bar. Her blue eyes are amazing, “What can I get ya?” she asks as I walk up to her.

  “A glass of merlot, please.”

  “Coming right up.” She spins on her heel and gets to preparing my drink. A guy walks up to her and places his hand on her lower back, he leans in, and whispers something to her. “Branson,” she scoffs and hits him in the chest, “down, boy.”

  Clearly the two of them are together, the love radiating between the two of them is off the charts.

  She replaces the cork in the bottle and walks back over to me. Placing the glass on the bar top. “Sorry, it’s fuller than usual, but I got distracted.” Her cheeks darken and the pink tinge is adorable on her face. Reminds me of a sassy blonde I know who rocks that shade when she’s aroused. Dammit, I’m thinking of her again.

  “No complaints here,” I tell her, as I grab my wallet from my back jeans pocket but before I can pay, there’s an explosion from outside, shaking the bottles and glasses behind the bar from its force.

  Turning on my heel, I race toward the entrance and meet Charli and Dean. We step outside and my mouth drops open at the scene. “Fuck me,” I growl, linking my fingers and resting my hands on the back of my head.

  Shaking my head, I assess the scene before me and then I notice that the center of the blast came from where I parked. “My car.”

  “You were the target?” Charli asks, just as a hail of bullets start flying.

  “Get down,” I shout, as I throw myself at Charli, shielding her with my body.

  A piercing pain shoots through my shoulder as Charli and I fall to the pavement. The wind is knocked out me, as the shock of being shot causes me to land not so gracefully.

  Rolling off Charli, I stare at the gorgeous sky above. It’s the last thing I see before darkness engulfs me in the blood red of the sunset sky.

  An incessant beeping from beside me grates through my head. My eyes open and droop closed again. My eyelids feel like lead weights. Blinking repeatedly, I finally manage to keep them open. The room comes into focus and I realize I’m in a hospital bed. Then the events of the evening come crashing back to me.

  Sitting up, I wince at the pull in my shoulder. Looking down, I see I’m shirtless and there’s a bandage covering the bullet wound. I try to look behind me and see if it went through, but when I twist, a burning pain shoots through me.

  “It was through and through,” Charli says from next to me, I hadn’t even realized she was here.

  “Are you okay?” I ask, my eyes scanning her for injuries but she seems okay.

  “Apart from a few bruises from having your lard ass crash-tackle me, I’m good.” She pauses. “Thank you, Cox.”

  “Why are you thanking me?”

  “I would have taken that bullet if you hadn’t thrown yourself at me. So, thank you. I owe you one.”

  “You can repay me by getting me the fuck out of here. I hate hospitals.”

  “That I can do, but I don’t think you’ll like what I have to say next.”

  Before she can tell me the next batch of bad news, the door to my room opens and in walks Flynn Kelly, Baylor’s sister’s fiancé. “Corey, nice to see you awake.”

  “Nice to be awake.” He steps into the room and I notice Charli slip out before the door closes. “So when can I get out of here, Doc?”

  “You were just shot.”

  “But I didn’t die.”

  He ignores me and continues, “The bullet went through so you didn’t require surgery. It missed everything major, X-rays show no further damage but you will be sore for a few weeks. Try to rest up and keep the wound dry.”

  “So, sponge baths for the foreseeable future?” I raise my eyebrows at him.

  “Sorry, I’m taken and bat for the other team,” he teases, “but I will see what I can arrange on your behalf.”

  “Thanks, Doc, appreciate it.” He nods and exits the room. A few moments later, Charli walks back in.

  “All good?”

  “As well as a gunshot can be, I guess.” She still has that sheepish look on her face. “Out with it, woman. Whatever you have to tell me can’t be any worse than my car getting blown up or being shot.” She purses and lips and that’s when I realize what she needs to tell me is worse than that. “Just tell me, Davis.”

  “An attempt was made on Baylor Evans’ life at the same time as you were to be blown up. It’s looking like it was a coordinated attack.”

  “Is she okay?” I ask, trying to sit up, but the pain in my shoulder is making the task difficult. Charli assists me into a sitting position.

  “She’s fine but the valet that she and Avery Evans were with, while they waited for their car, wasn’t so lucky.”

  “Fuck me.” I say, lifting my good arm to run over my face. “Where is she now?”

  “Awaiting transfer to a safe house.”

  “That’s good.” I nod and look over at her and again, I can tell she’s still hiding something. “What else is there?”

  “You’re going to the safe house with her,” she says this really fast because she knows there’s no way in hell I’m going into WitSec.

  “Like fuck I am. I need to get out of here and bring down this motherfucker.”

  “Not happening, cowboy. Dean and I have been assigned to watch over the two of you up at Silver Springs Lake until he is back in custody.”

  “Like fuck you are,” I scoff at her.

  “Yes, fuck we are. You and Baylor Evans are officially in WitSec until Kye Vlahos is apprehended.”

  Flopping back to the bed, I shake my head in defeat and wince at the pain in my shoulder. I wanted to see her again; I didn’t want to be living with her. Then I laugh, Baylor will not be happy with this. The next few weeks and/or months are going to be fun, seems I have three new roommates and one of them is my feisty little Kitten.

  25

  Baylor

  It’s amazing how one minute you’re staring up at the gorgeous sunset and the next, you’re ducking for cover as bullets fly everywhere. Once again, Ave was in danger…because of me. We were both taken to the hospital to be checked out. Apart from a few scratches and bruises, we are fine. We were lucky, very lucky but the valet dude, not so much.

  Flynn meets us in the ER and the scene between him and Avie was right out of one of the DL Gallie’s romance novels I’ve been reading. It was perfect and romantic in every way, if you remove the ER, the attempt on our lives, and the disheveled state of both of us.

  Flynn being Flynn, commands responsibility of our care. We are escorted into a treatment room and assessed immediately. We are waiting in the room when a lady walks in, reminding me of Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, which means she’s kick-ass. I already like her and she hasn’t even spoken a word.

  “Baylor and Avery.” She looks between us, unsure as to who is who.

  “I’m Baylor,” I tell her. “That’s Ave,” I add, flicking my thumb
to Ave.

  “Nice to meet you both. I’m Agent Charli Davis from WitSec. I’ve been assigned to watch over you, Baylor.” She walks farther into the room and I take her in. Slim but muscular, with long dark chocolate-brown hair. Along with the Lara Croft vibe, she also reminds me of that chick from One Tree Hill, Sophia someone. She’s badass and hot, basically she’s the brunette version of me.

  “Watch over me, how?” As soon as I say those words, I know that whatever comes next is going to suck major donkey balls.

  “Due to the attempt made on your life today, you will be entering witness protection under my watch until Kye Vlahos is apprehended.”

  “Like fuck I am,” I snap at her, she doesn’t deserve my rage but it seems, once again, Kye is fucking with my life.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, you don’t have a choice.”

  “Don’t fucking call me ma’am.”

  “Baylor, language,” Ave scolds me. “Look, I only just got you back but I agree with the agent. You need to go with her. I want you safe until this man is caught. I can’t lose you, BayBay.” She begins to cry and seeing her upset, upsets me, and my eyes well with tears too. “I won’t lose you.”

  Wrapping my arms around her shoulders, I pull her in for a hug. “What about you?”

  She pulls back and stares at me. “I have Flynn, he won’t let anything happen to me. I’ll be safe.”

  “And we will have someone watching her since you look so alike,” the agent adds. “Avery, you need to remain vigilant in the coming weeks.”

  “I will, I promise. Just keep my BayBay safe.”

  “Is there any other way?” I plead. “Can I speak with Corey Cox? He was my original handler person.”

  “He, umm, ahh, is unavailable right now.” Her response is confusing to me.

  Taking a deep breath, I purse my lips. I really want to flip her off and run away but the new me relents, “Then I guess, I’m going with you.” It’s hard, and no fun, being good.