Falling for Agent Cox:A Falling Novel Read online

“Having second thoughts about using such a wild card?”

  “I’m not concerned about sending her in, I’m worried about what could happen to her. Kye Vlahos and his associates are crazy motherfuckers. I can normally see an endgame, but not this time.”

  “Lay it all out for me then, maybe you need an outsider’s view.”

  “Okay, Kye fakes his death, and while he’s ‘dead’, his family members all die in non-suspicious ways, which makes them suspicious. Then he reappears from the dead and takes the seat at the head of the family. What is he up to? A source tells me he’s been following Baylor and then two of his men take her and rough her up. Why did they do that? There are too many crazy pieces, and I can’t make them all fit together.”

  “Can’t believe I’m saying this but by sending Baylor in, you’re on the right track. Crazy plus crazy equals answers.” We both laugh. “Look, give her time, she’s been gone for ten fucking minutes.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “I still think she’s a wild card and you are a crazy fucker for using her, but with the elements you just laid out, seems like she’s exactly what you need to crack this case wide open… as long as she sticks to the plan and the rules.” He stands up and slaps the folder before me. “Go home, get some sleep. Tomorrow’s a new day.” With that, he walks out, leaving me alone.

  Leaning back in my chair, I link my fingers behind my head, and think back to earlier this evening when I laid out the rules to Baylor…

  …“Are you listening, Ms. Evans?”

  “No, I’m just sitting here staring at your lips moving, thinking about cocktails and eating nachos while being on a beach in Mexico. Of course, I’m listening.”

  “Well, what did I just say?”

  “Ummm…”

  “Exactly my point. You need to pay attention. Your life is on the line here, do you want to end up dead?”

  “No one would care if I did die.”

  “Your sister would.”

  “Leave Ave out of this,” she snarls, the glint in her eye darkening at the mention of her sister.

  “Well, focus, and I won’t bring her up again but, Ms. Evans, this is serious. If it goes wrong, I can’t guarantee your safety…and I really don’t want to have to tell your sister you didn’t make it. For a small thing, she’s feisty.”

  “She gets that from me.”

  “No shit,” I say, “Now, can we get back to this?”

  “Fine,” she huffs, crossing her arms across her chest. She winces slightly. “Can you start again, please?”

  “Fine,” I throw her words back at her. “Once you leave here, you’ll be on your own in the field, but we will be listening in via this,” I lift up a phone, “hidden in the case is a microphone that will transmit to us twenty-four seven. Once a week, I’ll stop by the apartment at an agreed time, and we can discuss the plan forward. I’ll be posing as a contractor you and Avery are using for upgrades on the apartment.”

  “Like you’ve done a day of fucking hard labor in your life.”

  “You know nothing about me, Kitten.” She growls but I ignore her. “As I was saying, we will meet up once a week, unless you make contact to meet earlier. You can reach me using this,” I hand her a burner phone, “keep it at home at all times. Kye and his men cannot see or get access to this.”

  “Gotcha. What specifically do you need?”

  “Anything and everything.” I laugh, running my finger through my hair. “Names, dates, times, schedules, anything you think will be beneficial in bringing him down.”

  She nods her head. “Can I ask a question?”

  “Of course.”

  “Do you really think I can do this?”

  “I do. I think you can do anything you put your mind to. I think you hide behind this snarky bitchy front because you’re scared.”

  “I’m not scared,” she snaps, “I’m…”

  “You’re what?” I ask, my voice laced with concern. This is the first time Baylor has shown any emotion, other than sassiness. If she’s one bit hesitant, I can’t in good conscience allow her to do this.

  “I…I don’t know who I am or what I want in life. Ave knew she wanted to be a teacher since forever, she knows who she is. I’ve never found who I am and it feels like everyone compares me to her.” She pauses and smiles. “She really is the best. Ave doesn’t have a mean bone in her body and then there’s me. Crazy wild me, marching to the beat of my own drum and not caring about consequences. You know, the first time in my life that I felt anything was when I started working with, well I guess, for Kye. They treated me with respect, they didn’t compare me to Saint Avery but I guarantee you, if they met her, they would. Everyone loves her.”

  “Stop! I interrupt her, and the use of her first name startles her. Standing up, I walk around the table and lean against the edge next to her. She lifts her gaze to me. “I see you, Baylor, and I see a strong confident woman who just needs someone to believe in her. And guess what?”

  “What?” she timidly asks, her eyes locked on mine.

  They are filled with vulnerability but also fire, my little firecracker is still in there. She’s scared of what lies ahead and she should be, but I won’t let anything happen to her. Poking myself in the chest, “Me,” I honestly tell her, “I believe in you.”

  Her eyes widen at my response, her mouth opens and closes a few times and then my sassy little kitten is back. “You’re just saying that because you need me.”

  Shaking my head, I laugh. “Yes, I need you but, Ms. Evans, do you really think if I didn’t believe in you, I’d send you in there?” Standing up, I walk around the desk and lean against the timber. “You are my winning piece.”

  “So I’m just a pawn in your game?” She pauses. “It’s me who’s risking everything here.”

  “Is my kitten afraid of a challenge?”

  “I didn’t say that,” she sassily snaps back at me.

  “But you didn’t deny it either, Ms. Evans.”

  “You are infuriating, you know that?” I shrug at her. “I was merely pointing out that I’m the pawn in this.”

  “Ms. Evans, a lot of people may have underestimated you in the past but believe me when I say this, if anyone can bring down Kye Vlahos, it will be you.”

  We silently stare at one another, processing the words just spoken. Something passes between us. We’ve turned a corner in our relationship and for the first time since I formulated this plan, I think that we can actually do this. This blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman is going to bring down the Vlahos family and they won’t see her coming.

  “Thank you,” she whispers, “for believing in me. I won’t let you down.” Taking a deep breath, she stands . “I guess it’s time to get this show on the road.”

  “Yep,” I say, letting the P pop.

  She walks toward the door but before she opens it, she turns to face me. “Thank you, Corey. For the pep talk, even if I think you’re full of fucking shit.”

  Before I can reply, she turns the handle and walks out of my office…

  …My phone pings with a text. Picking it up, I read the message. It says two words She’s in.

  After she left here, I had her followed to make sure she didn’t try and take off. I was positive she wouldn’t run, but there was also a part of me that thought she might.

  Picking up the photo of her we have in the file, I stare at it. At her. “It’s all up to you now, Baylor,” I whisper to the photo.

  Placing the image back into the file, I pack up my things and head home.

  I’m in my kitchen pacing, before I wear a hole in the tiles, I change into some sweats, pull on my sneakers, and go for a run. I bring up Spotify and Rammstein begins playing as I exit my building. I head toward the Lakefront Path and run along Lake Michigan. A quick ten-mile run is just what I need to clear my head, because right now, Baylor Evans is on my mind and I need to focus, especially if I’m going to get her through this alive.

  7

  Baylor

&nbs
p; It’s been seven days since I made my deal with Cox, and I’m no closer to getting anything from Kye. He’s keeping me at an arm’s length but at the same time, he tells me he wants me by his side as his queen. It feels like he’s testing me, I don’t know why he’s doubting me, I’ve never betrayed him, or given him any reason not to trust me…unlike him.

  I’m at the warehouse, waiting for Kye and Creed to return. That Creed guy is seriously unhinged. He keeps talking about Cressida and her new beau and how he hates him, blah, blah, blah. I tune out when he talks, but the last few times he’s said some really sinister things about Cressida. Look, I’m not her number one fan but seriously, the way he talks about his baby momma, it’s disgusting.

  What’s even more shocking, he brought Lexi here yesterday. Who does that? Who brings their kid to a place like this? She’s cute for being Cressida’s kid, not that I’d ever admit it out loud. It’s a shame her dad is a dick and her mom is such a bitch. Her mom, Cressida Bayliss, is Avie’s best friend so she’s always at the apartment but lately, not so much, which is fine by me.

  Gaga comes on and I start humming along to “Born this Way” when there’s a commotion outside. The door swings open, and Creed and Kye enter. Kye is holding his side and leaning on Creed for support. “Kye,” I shout. Jumping up, I race over to them. “What happened?”

  “Fuckers got one up on me.”

  “Are you hurt?” I ask, placing my hand over his.

  “Just a small stab wound,” he says through clenched teeth, as Creed lowers him to the sofa.

  “You need to go to the hospital,” I say, crouching down next to him. He’s sweating and looks pale. I’m no doctor but he looks like he’s dying.

  “Nah,” he shakes his head, “the doc is on her way.”

  I stare at him, about to say something, when the door opens and I hear heels clicking across the cement floor. Looking over my shoulder, I see a brunette with fake tits and a dress that’s painted on walking toward us. Her eyes roam over Kye and a ragey, stabby feeling begin to fester and flow through my veins.

  “Kye, darling,” she singsongs, her voice grating on my nerves. “What happened?”

  “I got stabbed,” he replies.

  She leans down and kisses him, he turns his head—at the last minute—and her lips land at the corner of his mouth. A growl forms in the back of my throat seeing this.

  Both of them turn their heads to look at me. “What?” I snarl.

  “You jealous, Sugar?” Kye says, placing his hand on the bitch’s ass, squeezing, licking his lips like a fucking pig.

  Slapping his hand off her ass, I stand up and stalk away. He laughs at my retreating form and it pisses me off.

  Storming down the hallway, I enter Kye’s bedroom and slam the door behind me. Flopping back onto the bed, I sigh. Then I quickly stand up and tear the sheets off. He probably fucked her on these sheets. I don’t know why I’m acting like this. I don’t love him anymore, but the thought of him with someone else enrages me.

  Grabbing the sheets, I open the door and throw them into the hallway before slamming the door shut again. Walking back into the room, I sit on the end of the bed and kick off my purple heels. Breathing rapidly, I fall back onto the mattress and stare up at the ceiling.

  My outburst just now is confusing to me. I don’t care for him in that way, but when I saw him with her, I became jealous. I’m not a jealous person. Resting my arm over my eyes, I sigh. I don’t think I can do this. My emotions are all over the place and if I’m not careful, I’m gonna end up dead.

  Why is doing the right thing so hard?

  Closing my eyes, I drift off to sleep, only to be woken when there’s a banging on the door. “Baylor, Bossman wants you!” Creed shouts through the door.

  “Tell him to fuck off!” I shout back.

  “Your funeral,” he says.

  “Whatever,” I mumble, lifting my arm, I rest it on my forehead and exhale deeply. That fear of not being able to do this rears its ugly head again. “I can’t do this,” I whisper, my eyes welling with tears.

  The door opens and Kye walks in.

  Lifting my head, I wipe my eyes and see a shirtless Kye standing there, a bandage around his waist, color back in his cheeks. We stare at one another, neither one of us speaking.

  “Did you fuck her?” I snarl, breaking the silence.

  Sitting up, I pull my feet onto the edge of the mattress and wrap my arms around my legs, resting my chin on my knees. I look down at my toes, wriggling them. The purple polish sparkles in the dim bedroom light.

  “Not today,” he replies, walking farther into the room.

  “So, you have before?” I snap, lifting my gaze to his. Staring at him, I notice his eyes are locked on me.

  “Yeah,” he says, reaching out, he goes to cup my cheek but I slap his hand away.

  “Well, go and fuck her now. She can be your fucking queen, since I mean so little to you.” I’m shocked at the anger coming from me right now. I don’t want him in that way. I don’t want him in any way. I just want to bring him and his lying, deceiving, non-dead ass down.

  “Bay, Sugar,” he coos, squatting in front of me, he places his hands on my knees, “She’s nothing to me.” When I continue to stare at my toes, he lifts his hand and places it under my chin, lifting my gaze to his. “You’re my queen, Sugar. It’s you I want by my side, not her.”

  I believe him, I don’t want to but I do. I nod my head in agreement. Kye smiles at me, and for a brief moment, the love I used to have for him simmers below the surface. He leans forward, threads his fingers into my hair, and presses his lips to mine. We fall back to the mattress and kiss, just like we used to. I close my eyes and give myself over to Kye and the kiss, hooking my leg around his back. What surprises me is that behind my closed eyes, I see Corey-fucking-Cox. I groan in shock, which Kye takes it as I’m enjoying this. He lifts his hand and cups my breast, pinching my nipple through my shirt and bra. I moan again but this time, it’s a pleasurable one. I’m still picturing Corey as I give myself over to the pleasure coursing through me.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I deepen the kiss and pull him into me. He hisses in pain, which pulls me out of my lust induced state. I suddenly start remembering why he got stabbed earlier and more importantly, I’m kissing Kye; not Corey. What the fuck is wrong with me?

  Gently, I push him off me. “Kye, babe, you’re hurt.”

  “I’m fine. Doc stitched me up.”

  At the mention of her, my anger returns, and this time when I push, he rolls off me. I stand up, turn around, and stare down at him. “We need a new doctor,” I spit at him before spinning on my heel and walking into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. Leaning my hands on the vanity edge, I stare at my reflection and shake my head. What have I gotten myself into?

  The door opens. I look up and in the reflection of the mirror, I see Kye staring at me. He doesn’t say anything; it’s unnerving. “What?” I snap.

  “Wanna talk about your jealousy?” He crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe. I silently watch him in the mirror and let out a frustrated sigh.

  Turning to face him, I lean against the vanity, crossing my legs and arms, mimicking his stance.

  “I presumed that you fucked others when you were ‘dead’ but seeing it, it…”

  “It what?”

  “It didn’t piss me off and that pissed me off.”

  “So you’re pissed off that you’re not pissed?”

  “Pretty much. It makes no sense.” I look to my feet, wriggling my toes in the fluffy floor mat for something to focus on that isn’t Kye.

  “Do you care if I fuck Monica now?”

  Lifting my head, I stare at him and shake my head from side to side. “No, I don’t.” I pause, “How can I be your queen if I don’t care that you fuck her or anyone else?”

  He steps over to me and rests his hands on my hips, “I chose you to be my queen because you are one badass bitch. You hold your ground. You don’t co
wer to anyone. You command respect from my men but most all, you have my back. Do I want you in my bed? Fuck yes, I remember how good it was with you, but am I going to turn you away because you don’t want that? Hell fucking no. Pussy is pussy—”

  “Charming,” I interrupt and smack his shoulder.

  “Dick is dick too.”

  “Touché,” I reply.

  “Baylor, what do you want?”

  Staring at him, I bite my bottom lip and think about what I want. “I want to be by your side as your queen, but right now, I can’t be in your bed. I’m still hurt over you letting me think you were dead. And I’m still really pissed off at you sending Smallie and River to get me.”

  “They went off the grid, I still don’t know what happened there.”

  “Creed happened. He tried to fuck you over. I guarantee it. That guy is a loose cannon, but getting back to us, fuck who you want, but I don’t want to see or hear it. If and when I’m ready to be with you, I’ll let you know.”

  “And that there is why you are my queen. Soon, you and I will be the new age Bonnie and Clyde. The world ain’t seen nothing yet, Sugar.” I smile and nod in agreement because yes, he ain’t seen nothing yet.

  8

  Corey

  Sitting here listening to what sounds like Baylor and Kye making out pisses me off. I have no right to feel like this, but I’m jealous. I’m infuriated and fucking jealous that the bastard gets to kiss her, and all I can do is sit here and listen. Ripping off my headphones, I throw them onto the table and stand up. Gripping the back of my neck, I stare down at the file before me and shake my head. There’s shit everywhere right now.

  My eyes land on a photo of Baylor and Creed Dawson. This Creed guy is Kye’s go-to man. Picking up the photo, I stare at it, well, I stare at her. She’s sitting in a car with him, and doesn’t have a care in the world. I wish I could be as carefree as she is.

  Dropping the photo, I continue to stare at her. Then I look to Creed and I decide to focus on him. Sifting through the mess, I find his file and begin to read. Seems that Baylor is connected to him through her sister’s best friend, Cressida Bayliss. No one has spoken to Ms. Bayliss so I decide to take a little trip and visit her.