Hidden Fates (Hidden Heroes #4)

Chapter 6

Garrett pulled into the parking lot of the FBI offices and was met at the door by Caden and Blake. They were wearing dark suits, and neither one of them looked happy. He tried not to take it personally, but with the way Principal Ryker had messed up, he could understand why they might be less than pleased. Maybe if he hadn’t been as distracted with thoughts of Reese, he could’ve caught the error before the other sub was called in, though he had no idea how he would’ve done that.

The worst part was that his mind was still on Reese. He’d stormed out of the school like a petulant child who’d been told no, and didn’t want to hear it. He hadn’t even asked how she got there or if she needed a ride back. It wasn’t like him to react so strongly, but the idea of Reese leaving the protection of his home made him frustrated and angry. Hadn’t he given her everything she needed? Wasn’t she just starting to open up to him? It wasn’t that he was keeping a vigilant watch over her, but he could swear this was the first time she’d left his property since he’d brought her there.

So, why was she so eager to leave?

Garrett shook his head. He was being unreasonable. Reese was a grown woman and she could come and go as she pleased. Hell, she could move out tonight and there wouldn’t be a damn thing he could do about it. Had he pushed her too far last week, asking about her gift? Was that the reason for her sudden need to get a job? The thought of her trying to teach teenagers, while not being able to look them in the eye, or if she accidentally did and saw something that upset her… He didn’t want to imagine how horrifying that would be for her.

“So, what’s going on with Reese?” Caden asked as they stepped into his office and Blake shut the door behind them. “Has she opened up to you at all?”

Garrett plopped into one of the chairs. “She was at the school today, funny enough. Applying to be their art teacher.”

“Doesn’t she have a masters in art?” Caden asked.

“She does,” Garrett replied, feeling even more like an ass for giving her a hard time earlier. Who was he to doubt what she could or couldn’t do? None of the women he knew ever let their abilities stop them from living their life. Why had he thought Reese would be any different? She was one of the strongest women he knew. If she put her mind to it, she’d find a way.

“Good for her,” Blake said. “Any clues as to the real reason Vivian had her?”

Garrett sighed. He’d promised Reese he wouldn’t tell them about her ability unless her safety depended on it. He hated lying to his friends, but he just gave them a quiet, “not yet.”

“She’ll come around,” Caden said. “Knowing what she can do, or if she can even do anything, might be the key to bringing down Russell.”

“In the meantime,” Blake said, handing Garrett a thick file. “That’s everything I’ve been able to ascertain about Madison’s family. It looks like Madison Grier’s second cousin, Zach Howard, is one of the Deathly Hollow Motorcycle Club’s latest recruits.”

“That’s not good,” Garrett said, lifting one leg and crossing it to rest his ankle on the thigh of his other leg to create a larger surface on his lap so he could open the file and briefly skim through the contents. Zach Howard was twenty-five years old, had one previous arrest for drunken disorderly conduct, and served six months on a sexual harassment case two years ago. “Are you guys thinking her parents are feeding him information, or giving him the drugs that the MC is selling on the streets?”

“Yes to both, but there’s one problem,” Blake said. “I’ve been tailing this guy for a while now and I haven’t seen him go anywhere near her parents’ place of work or home.”

“Phone records?” Garrett asked.

“Can’t get the subpoena for them yet,” Caden said. “Look, at this point, it’s all speculation. That’s why we need you. If Madison is surrounded by people who are dealing this drug, then we need you to be there when shit hits the fan, because it will.”

“Are we sure she’s not involved?” Garrett asked.

“Her life will be a lot easier if she’s not,” Caden said. “But I have to tell you, barring any special circumstances, I’ll be arresting her as an adult. At eighteen, Madison Grier knows exactly what she’s doing.”

Garrett wanted to agree with his friend, but at the same time, he felt like as the girl’s new teacher, he had to step up and protect her, even if it was from his own friends. “Come on, Caden, she’s a kid.”

“If she’s dealing those drugs, she’s just another link to the drug that almost killed Orly. Or do you want to be the one to tell Luke that we’re not going to press charges on someone who may’ve been in on this drug from the ground up simply because she’s in your class?”

“I told you this would happen,” Blake said.

Garrett shot him a glare. “What would happen?”

Caden sighed. “Look, there’s a reason why I picked you for this assignment. I knew you could do it, and that your compassion for these kids would be genuine. But Garrett, I’m telling you right now, you’re only there to catch a possible murderer. Even if she didn’t shove the drugs down their throats, we’ve had over a hundred deaths in Dallas alone from that drug, and over three hundred hospitalizations. I will be making as many arrests as possible.”

Garrett didn’t want to argue with his friends. He just hoped Madison Grier was clean. As for her parents, they would have to deal with the consequences of whatever choices they had made. “How’s Hallie doing?” He asked, changing the subject. He hadn’t talked to her much at the barbeque and he’d been meaning to ask Caden about her progress since she’d started seeing a therapist after the ordeal she’d been through.

Caden’s features softened at the mention of his fiancé’s name. “She’s okay. Some days are better than others. She’s still having nightmares, but they’re not as frequent.”

“So, the therapy is helping,” Garrett said, hoping he wasn’t just jumping to conclusions.

Caden shoved a hand through his hair. “I want to say yes, but I don’t know. She keeps insisting that the scars don’t bother her, and I loathe to tell her otherwise because I don’t want her to feel like I’m telling her what to think or do. I just think it would be easier for her to move on if she let Skyla heal her.”

“Skyla said she’d do it whenever Hallie was ready,” Blake said. “But I would rather wait until after she has the baby, just to be on the safe side.”

“I know,” Caden said. “We’d never risk anything happening to Skyla or the baby. That just gives me some time to convince my fiancé to let Skyla heal her all while letting Hallie believe it was her idea.”

All three men laughed at that. “And they say men are hard,” Garrett said.

“Ha!” Blake barked out. “The only people who say that were never in a relationship with a woman they loved who’d been through hell.”

“Tell me about it,” Caden said. “One minute I think she’s seeking out my protection and wants to crawl inside of me to hide from the world, and the next she’s pushing me away, accusing me of being overprotective and too controlling. It’s like I can’t win.”

There was a quiet moment in the office, but when Blake sighed, all eyes turned to him. “Just say it,” Caden said.

“Skyla tries to hide it from me, but she’s been having nightmares, too. I think she feels some kind of misplaced shame about them though because she doesn’t have any scars from that night. It’s like she thinks since she wasn’t physically hurt, she shouldn’t still be dealing with the ramifications.”

“Well, that’s just bullshit,” Garrett spat out. “She was tortured just as much as Hallie, if not more. Watching someone you care about get hurt over and over like that, only to not have the ability to help them, could drive anyone to the brink of insanity. Skyla has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Maybe she should talk to someone, too.”

“I’ve tried to tell her that,” Blake said, “but she just brushes me off. She’s always been so strong. I mean she had to deal with losing her mom at a young age, and then the way her dad treated her before he died. I can’t blame her for not wanting to lean on me, but I really wish she would.”

It was moments like this Garrett was happy he didn’t have these problems in his life. But then he thought of Reese, and the huge secret he was keeping from his friends, and he knew he was right there with them. Only he wasn’t in a relationship with Reese. They weren’t even really friends. Just housemates at best. A twinge in his chest made him wonder if there could ever be something more between them, but he rubbed it away and brought his attention back to the file in front of him.

When their meeting ended, Garrett decided to extend an olive branch to Reese after the way he stormed out on her. Once he was back in his truck, he sent her a text message.

Garrett: Should I bring home a celebratory dinner?

He keyed the ignition and pulled out of the spot, glancing from the road to the phone and back to the road until he was nearly home. When he saw the three dots appear on the screen, he pulled over and held up the phone, wondering if he’d overstepped, or if she even had any good news to celebrate.

Reese: Sure! The interview went great. I have a good feeling about it.

Garrett smiled, but his gut sank. Her good news meant she would indeed be moving out of his guest house sooner rather than later. Not wanting to make her wait for his response, he messaged her back.

Garrett: I’m so happy for you. I’m sorry about earlier. What are you in the mood for?

Reese: Thanks, and don’t worry about it. Surprise me :)

Garrett smiled at her little emoji. He had a craving for Italian, and remembered a nice place Caden once told him about. Looking forward to a quiet evening at home with Reese, Garrett groaned when his radio started blowing up - two Texas Rangers calling for immediate backup. “Shots fired. Officer down. All units. All available units, please respond.”

As soon as the location was given, Garrett turned on his lights and sirens, then slammed on the brake and made a hard U-turn.

Dinner would have to wait.

***

Reese was sitting on the swing, gently kicking her legs, lost in a multitude of ideas for possible lesson plans when Garrett called that he wouldn’t be home until much later. He’d assured her that he was fine, but there was a situation going on and he needed to be there. She didn’t hold it against him. She’d known from the very beginning what kind of man he was. Good. Kind. Generous. Decent. If someone was in trouble, Texas Ranger Garrett Cooper would be the first to drop everything and do whatever he could to help. It was actually something she deeply respected about him. Even if it cut into their plans.

After watching the blazing pink and orange colors of the sunset, Reese headed back inside to make dinner. She didn’t have any leftovers, and didn’t feel like cooking, so she prepared a simple turkey and cheese sandwich and a small salad with some of the veggies from her garden. With her plate full, she cozied up on the couch in front of the television and put on a show she’d been watching from one of Garrett’s many streaming services. She had always loved quiet nights at home, and the more time she spent here, the more this place was starting to feel like home. The guest house’s walls were warm and familiar, the sounds it made were a comfort, and the views out her large picture windows were breathtaking.

When her show ended, Reese couldn’t help notice the fireflies were out in full tonight, their lights flickering in the tall grass. She washed and dried her plate, then set about making another sandwich and adding a generous helping of salad to the plate. Then she covered it and brought it out and set it on the small table near Garrett’s backdoor where he was sure to see it when he got home. She had no idea how late he’d be, but she didn’t want him going to bed hungry.

There was a cool breeze in the air and the temperature was dropping, so she didn’t think any harm would come to the meat or cheese in the next few hours. Hopefully he’d be home soon.

Then like she always did on beautiful nights like this, Reese pulled on her denim jacket and headed back outside to stargaze. The jean shorts she wore had zippered pockets, which she thought looked really cool, but also useful. When her hand went to the small bulge in her pocket, she couldn’t help smiling. She’d kept the gadget Garrett had given her with her at all times, even keeping it under her pillow every night. It was such a small and seemingly insignificant thing. She doubted she’d ever actually have to use it, but just knowing it was there - that he was as close as the push of a button - put her mind at ease.

Garrett had mowed most of the tall grass last weekend except for a small area she’d asked him to leave for the butterflies and fireflies. He’d also set up a lighted path for her to follow to the dock so she didn’t trip or encounter a snake, though most in this area were harmless.

Even with his crazy schedule and long hours, the man was always thinking of others, and Reese hardly knew how to repay him for his kindness. She stepped up onto the dock and listened for the familiar creaking of the wood and soft lapping of the water. It was such a soothing and calming sound. The perfect way to end a great day. When her phone buzzed, she jumped a little and looked at the screen.

Garrett: Still stuck at work. Did you eat?

Reese smiled. She had no idea how a man like him was still single. She lowered herself down to sit on the dock, then scooted back a bit so her legs could hang over the edge without touching the water since she was wearing her sneakers.

Reese: Yes. I made a sandwich and a salad to go with it. I made some for you, too, so you don’t have to worry about stopping to pick up food or go to bed hungry. I left it covered by your backdoor.

There was a long pause and Reese thought he might’ve had to go back to whatever he was doing when she saw the three dots appear on her screen.

Garrett: Thanks. You didn’t have to do that. I’m really glad you’re in my life, Reese. I meant what I said earlier. I don’t want you to leave unless you want to.

She stared at the message for several long minutes. Garrett wanted her to stay. This whole time, she thought she was the only one who was developing feelings, but now she wasn’t sure. Ever since they’d talked on the dock that one night and he’d held her hand, it was almost embarrassing how often she thought about kissing him. He was so handsome, kind, and generous to a fault. There was no doubt in her mind that she was falling Garrett Cooper, and falling hard. She didn’t want to admit it, not even to herself, but that was one of the reasons she’d been so insistent on finding a job. If she stayed here much longer, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to leave without breaking her own heart. Garrett was everything she’d ever wanted in a man. But was it possible he was having the same kind of feeling about her?

Reese: I want to stay, Garrett.

There was so much more she wanted to say, but those words needed to be said in person, not via a test message.

Garrett: Let’s talk tonight.

And just like that, a relaxing evening turned into a waiting game. She couldn’t wait for him to come home. She needed to see him. Needed to know if they had somehow ended up on the same wavelength.

Reese: I’d like that. Stay safe out there.

Her heart was pounding out of her chest with nerves and excitement, but she put her phone down next to her and stared out at the glittering lights of the fireflies as they flitted from one place to another. Between the clear sky with a million stars out and the reflection of the crescent moon in the water, she almost felt like she was sitting inside a fairy tale. Reese had always led a pretty good life, the last year notwithstanding, of course. But there was something about being here that made everything feel more special, grander. Maybe the old adage of everything being bigger in Texas was true.

She was just about to head back inside to watch a movie to help pass the time until Garrett got home when a strange bubbling sound came from the water. Before she could figure out what it was, something or someone grabbed her legs just above the ankles. She screamed in horror, but was immediately yanked right off the edge of the dock and into the water with a loud slap.

The cold hit her with the force of a semi-truck, and the backs of her legs and thighs burned from being scraped by the wood. Panic set in, nearly blinding her in the already dark, murky water, but she kicked out at her assailant as hard as she could. Garrett’s neighbors weren’t close, but if she could just get to the surface and let out a few more screams, maybe someone would hear her. She fought with everything she had, but seconds felt like hours, and whoever this was that had her, wasn’t letting go.

The darkness of the water started to fade along with her strength. She knew from all the self-defense videos she’d watched that if a kidnapper took you to a second location, your chances of survival dropped significantly. She couldn’t let him take her. But his grip on her was too tight, and she was only getting weaker.

Garrett . He was her only hope now.