Chapter 03: Bad Blood

Alexa’s eyes opened to darkness. It had only been a few hours since she joined her husband in bed. Gavin’s smooth chest was beneath her fingertips as he held her against him; his breathing slow and even. She smiled, feeling his arm squeeze around her tighter. He always knew when she stirred.

Quietly, she pulled away from him. Dark eyes peered up at her as she stood naked at the side of the bed. He leaned up for a moment, fully alert but, barely awake. “You ok?” he mumbled, running a hand over his face.

“I’m fine.”

“Well, come back to bed,” he whispered, his gaze slowly trailing down her body.

“I’ll be right back.” She touched his hand and his fingers tangled with hers before she slipped away. The shirt on the floor was nearly pushed beneath the bed and she grabbed it before walking away, pulling it on just as she opened the door. 

The house was a fortress of silence, there was not one sound as she trailed down the cold hall. Alexa poked her head into Willow’s room to find the television still on, flashing light against her daughter’s smooth features. She looked so sweet and innocent as she slept.

Forcing herself to walk away before she woke her with kisses like she did when she was younger, Alexa made it to the kitchen in just a few steps. White light shone through the enormous windows, slashing across the tile floors in the entrance. A thin stream of clear water filled her glass and her focus remained there for so long the glass nearly overflowed. She turned the faucet off and took a long drink of the cool water.  

It was late. Not a soul should be awake at this hour. And yet, here she was. Her lower back met the counter and she stared around at the dark kitchen. Gleaming appliances and glossy counter-tops shone in the moonlight. Everything in her home was expensive and perfect and it made her flash to eight years ago when she first came back to St. Claire and Gavin.

He had been so sweet and understanding and reasonably had a million questions which she answered honestly. She was through running and hiding and lying…and killing. She only wanted him and to raise their baby together. But even then, although he had accepted her and forgiven her, his house didn’t feel like a home. She certainly didn’t feel at home there.

It didn’t take much to convince him they needed a place for the two of them to start fresh. And now here they were, in the rural part of St. Claire where farmers made their living by selling fresh produce in the city. It reminded her of the place she grew up. Where her mom and dad nurtured small gardens and beehives for a sustainable living. She only needed one other thing; one thing she thought she didn’t have: possessions to fill it and make it hers. Thankfully, Gavin revealed something he had liberated from Mother Mary at the orphanage, a picture of her and her family.

Her eyes moved to the table in the hall where the frame rested and a faint smile enveloped her lips. She had never expected it to be attainable but, a quieter life was possible. There were more exciting things in life than fighting and killing and surviving. Like love. She swallowed hard as she really considered that statement. It had been a long time since she’d truly felt love but she knew what it felt like to care about someone. She cared about her family; Gavin and Willow and Melissa and Dylan who had both become closer to her.

It was an unexpected surprise for Alexa: Melissa’s welcoming to the Stark clan. Gavin’s parents, however, were a different story. They were unable to wrap their heads around Alexa’s past. Although, admittedly, they were never privy to all of the details. They knew she was orphaned because of the mob and placed in witness protection which prompted the name change. Outside of that, they didn’t need to know.

Besides, it’s not like it would have changed how Gavin’s mom, Joan, felt about her. She’d hated Alexa from the start and to this day their relationship is tenuous at best. She, however, adores her granddaughter Willow and dotes on her every chance she gets.

Alexa placed her glass on the counter and stepped closer to the knife rack as an odd feeling came over her. She sensed someone else was in the room with her. Her fingers slipped over the hilt of the largest knife in the block right before she heard his voice. “Trouble?” 

It was the nickname Detective Monroe had given her. She turned to find Curt’s broad shoulders filling the doorway. Streaks of pale moonlight washed over his face, shadowing each defined line and the huge bags forming under his eyes. He still had not been sleeping.

“You look tired,” she said, moving toward him.

“Maybe a little,” Curt spoke, his voice betraying his words. “I’ve been suspended—with pay,” he added. 

“Curt…I’m sorry.” 

“Yeah well—apparently when my CO says to ‘let it rest’ it doesn’t mean to continue investigating off-duty.” 

“Where does that leave us then?” 

“Where we were before. I’ll rest when I find our cop killer,” he quickly replied before she had a chance to dispute him. Alexa nodded and leaned against the counter behind her, crossing her arms. 

“How’d you get in here?” she asked, noticing the alarm had not been set but the doors were all locked.

“What? You think you’re the only one who knows how to pick a lock?” he smirked. “I didn’t want to wake Wisp and I saw you through the window so I let myself in.”

“Ok.” Alexa’s eyes narrowed on him a moment. “Well, since you’re here, we might as well discuss our next steps.” She gestured toward the living room and Detective Monroe obediently followed. Taking a seat beside her on the couch, he waited for her to speak. “We need to arm ourselves, Curt.”

“Now wait a second, Alexa, I never intended for this to go any further than an investigation. I honestly don’t want you risking your life for me.”

“Right. So, you want to do the rest alone? You saw how well that worked out for your partner,” she said softly, watching his reaction. Curt’s mouth became a thin, almost invisible line and he nodded. “Ok. As I was saying, we’ll need to be prepared. These men play for keeps and I don’t plan on watching you eat a bullet.”

“And I suppose you know where we can get some heavy weaponry?” he asked with a sarcastic leer.

“Well, it just so happens that I do.”

It was still dark out when they arrived in front of a building situated between the airport and a mass of seedy hotels. Alexa had left Gavin a note letting him know she was out with the detective so he didn’t worry. But, if he knew where the two had gone, concern would be the least of her problems.

The building was animated with activity. A bright orange, neon sign hung above one entrance indicating the bar was open. The sound of slot machines and pool balls knocking together could be heard clearly in the parking lot. Curt watched as customers filed in and out while others waited behind a velvet rope, hoping for their chance to enter the bustling establishment. It was one of St. Claire’s most well-known hotspots. In fact, rumors of the goings-on of the infamous hotel-casino and its colorful inhabitants and had reached Brooklyn Heights and law enforcement had been advised of its notoriety.

He cut his gaze toward Alexa who appeared unaffected by the innuendo as she continued walking forward, skipping ahead of frustrated party goers. Inside, the atmosphere had an energetic nightclub feel but Curt could see through the carefully established façade to the sordid dealings just beneath. 

It was busier than he had expected. Many of the club’s patrons crowded around the casino, gambling away what little money they’d earned from the previous week’s paychecks while others sat at the bar throwing them back. Still, more could be found on one of the numerous dance floors, clinging to their sweaty partners as their bodies bounced and swayed to the music.

Nevertheless, they didn’t go unnoticed. Several men and some women eyed the duo as they entered into their personal space. Alexa offered each of them a smile as she started downstairs, bypassing security without so much as a glance. “Come here often?” Curt asked, offering levity to their situation.

“Well, it’s been a few years,” Alexa shrugged. “Almost there,” she said pointing toward a blue door at the end of the hall.

They entered without knocking and instantly Alexa motioned for Curt to stop. “Move an inch and you’re dead,” a man’s voice rumbled behind them. “Hands up!” The two complied as Curt felt the tip of a weapon at the base of his neck and blinked toward Alexa.

“So, uh…is this customary?” he asked. Chancing a look around the room he found they were surrounded and his composure sank. There were four of them. And while he was decent with his gun, he might be able to get off one shot before the other three took them both down. Still, it was a chance he was willing to take if necessary.

“Relax, let me do all the talking,” Alexa said, watching his hand go to the weapon on his hip. “I’m here to see Remi. Tell him his favorite customer’s here.”

“There ain’t no ‘Remi’ here, lady. You ain’t see the sign on the door? ‘No Pigs Allowed,’ Cop,” the man replied, tapping Curt’s head again with the barrel of his revolver as he spoke.

“I assure you, I’m no cop. And if you don’t tell Remi I’m here, he’s gonna be very pissed at you.”

“Are you deaf? I said there’s no Remi here. Now you two have about five seconds to turn around and walk out that door before you both suffer from a severe case of lead poisoning.”

“Cute,” Alexa sighed.

“Now what?” Curt asked, watching the men become antsy.

“Now, DUCK!” Curt hit the floor and in the blink of an eye Alexa had disarmed the man standing closest to him while simultaneously kicking another in the chest, throwing him back against the wall. 

Charging the next, she took him down with a clothesline, knocking the air from his lungs. The remaining two started for her. Ducking the blow from one, Alexa swept his legs before grabbing the arm of the fourth and tossing him over her shoulder.

The first recovered and scrambled for his weapon but was met by a knee to the face. He fell back, landing on another trying to pick himself up. Curt rushed forward to help, pinning the man to the ground. “Behind you!” he shouted, prompting Alexa to again duck. Swinging around, she gripped him by the wrist and jerked him hard and fast into her elbow, dropping him bloodied to the floor.

“ENOUGH!” A booming, masculine voice shouted from across the room. Instantly, the men obeyed, falling in line like well-trained dogs. Alexa and Curt turned toward the new face in the room. Remi Maxwell stood a force in the doorway, his large, muscular frame filling the area, trapping light out in the hall.

His dyed-blond dreads pulled back in a ponytail held a soft sheen. And his neatly trimmed goatee revealed a man who cared about his appearance. Dressed in a black leather jacket and dark denim jeans, his coffee brown eyes pinned the gunmen in place and a sneer turned his lip up. “Pick yourselves up and get out,” Remi commanded. “I have business with her.”

The men did as ordered, grabbing their fallen weapons before exiting out the door Remi had entered through. “Alexa,” Remi grinned. “How nice of you to drop in after so long.”

“Remi,” she nodded in greeting, not bothering to introduce Curt as she noticed their eyes meet. Besides, if she knew Remi, he’d already pulled Curt’s personal information long before they set foot onto his property. He was just that good…or paranoid.

“Lex, how long have we been friends?” Remi asked. “20? 25 years?” She heard the click of his gun and found herself staring down the barrel of his Glock 19 as he rounded behind the desk. “You know I’m not a fan of cops.”

“Remi,” Alexa smiled. “While I understand your distrust of law enforcement, I guarantee you’ll hate me more if you don’t get that fucking gun out of my face. Oh, and don’t call me ‘Lex.’ You know I hate that shit.”

Remi laughed as he dropped his gun to the desk and plopped into the worn leather seat beside him. “Please,” he offered and both Alexa and Curt took seats opposite him. “To what do I owe the honor?”

“I need to place an order.”

Again, Remi’s eyes moved to Curt’s. This time he leaned forward, folding his hands in front of him. “Alexa…”

“He’s family, Remi. I’d never do anything to jam you up. You should know that by now. Remember that clean up in ‘07? It wouldn’t have been possible without his badge and his help.”

That was all he needed to hear. Remi leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “What do you need?”

“The works.”

“Shit!” he cussed and again sat forward. “The last time you came in here with that kind of request you started World War fucking 3 in the middle of downtown. That hurt business for me big time. I had to lay low for a while until the heat died down.”

“Yeah, and you know I worked my ass off to make sure your name was in the clear. Besides, I didn’t start that, I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Yeah, yeah and I’m the fucking tooth fairy. Look, Lex…” Alexa snorted at the nickname. “I like you; you know that. You always come through with your promises and your money’s good. But I gotta know that this shit ain’t gonna come back on me. I have mouths to feed and a reputation to maintain.”

“I’ll make sure the police don’t come sniffing around your…establishment,” Curt interjected. “Provided you help us with this small favor.”

“Fuck me. I swear you’re gonna be the death of me.” Remi took a deep breath and shot his gaze between the two. “Fine. Head over to the Villa. You know the place. I’ll have my guys make delivery.”

“You’re a Prince, Remi.”

“Only for you, Lex.” He laughed watching her seethe and waved his goodbye as she and Curt started out of the club.

“It’s quiet,” Curt said, staring up at the twilight. Stars sparkled above and he took in a deep breath. “It’s nice out here though. You can’t get fresh air like this back home.”

“Thinking of uprooting?” Alexa asked, watching the detective revel in the great outdoors.

“Nah. I’m a city boy through and through,” he sighed, moving around the front bumper.

The car was parked a few yards away from the large house on a gravel street. Remi’s ‘Villa’ was a lake house in the middle of nowhere not far from the Georgia state line. The road was completely secluded without a neighbor in sight. Across the street from the cabin was a forest of thick pines and a sharp drop-off. Curt stepped toward the house, crunching his way up the drive to peek inside the glass front doors while Alexa stayed with the car.

From what was visible through the darkness, the inside was just as welcoming and appealing as its exterior. The floors were natural oak parquet with a blend of beautiful browns. Upon the walls were framed photographs of exotic locales. On the left side that opened up into a large family room, he could see floor-to-ceiling windows with picturesque views of the lake. Although he was a city boy, Curt could see himself enjoying a quiet getaway in a place like this.

Moving up the porch, Curt found his way to the side of the house and stuck his face up against a window, remarking about the furniture and how much it must cost for upkeep on a place like this. “Not on my salary,” he said in a low voice.

Alexa rubbed her hands over her arms as a breeze came over the lake, bringing with it a chill. “Where the hell are you, Remi?” she sighed, keeping her head on a swivel as time ticked away. Stepping away from the car, Alexa moved up the gravel driveway and examined the grounds. Mostly pines with rocks scattered around the exterior. She was midway up the driveway when she heard something behind her. It was a mechanical sound, out of place in this tranquil location.  

She walked back down the driveway toward the cabin but, she didn’t hear the noise. Once Alexa moved right to go around the front of the car, the noise began again. She stopped. The noise stopped. Alexa’s instincts told her to leave. “Curt,” she called over her shoulder, her gaze focused on the street. There was no response.

Moving to the back of the car, Alexa was able to zone in on the noise this time. It was a tiny camera, perched atop one of the pine trees and it was following her movement. She was curious as to how it had escaped her attention until now. 

Something deep down inside made her take a step back. “Curt,” Alexa said, a little louder now. The area around the house appeared deserted. What was once a peaceful cabin now seemed creepy as the detective was nowhere to be seen.

“Damn you, Curt,” she muttered under her breath. “Stay in my line of sight.”

“This place is really nice. Must have set your friend back a pretty penny though,” Curt said as he stepped into view on the wraparound porch. Alexa jumped at the sound of his voice and turned to look at him.

“Is that what you’ve been doing? Having a tour of the property?” she asked with slight annoyance.

“Nothing else to do while we wait,” Curt shrugged. 

“This place is being monitored,” Alexa stated, nodding toward the camera she’d discovered. “But they weren’t on when we arrived. Someone activated it.”

“Well don’t look at me,” Curt said, putting his hands up in mock surrender. “I didn’t touch a thing.”

“We’ll give it another five minutes and then I’m calling it. I have better things to do with my time than wait for Remi to get off his ass.”

“Ask and ye shall receive. Here they come now,” Curt said, watching the headlights of a truck come into view just down the road. 

Alexa stepped from behind the car, squinting to try and make out the faces in the SUV. Suddenly, her eyes caught a glint of a weapon being pushed out the passenger side window. “TAKE COVER!” Alexa shouted. She’d just made it behind the car when the first shot was fired.

“Shit,” Curt cried.

Frantically, Alexa pulled her gun out and poked her head up to see through the windows. A barrage of gunshots rang out pelting the side of the vehicle, shattering the glass. She crouched below the passenger door, trying to wait out the rounds which seemed endless.

Her eyes peeled open in time to see Curt retrieve his weapon and return fire as more gunshots rang out into the wilderness. “Got any of your brilliant ideas?”