Dereck stood behind Xander on the porch of the old farmhouse a few miles outside of Blue Creek. Ace's informant had been sitting on Lars for two days, but besides several food deliveries, no one had been seen coming or going. They'd told Aric, Tristan and Barbara Wolfe's son, that they would call if things went south. Although Clyde had wanted to come with them, Dereck had convinced him they could handle it on their own.
Dereck worried about Xander, though. He had been pale and keyed up since last night. They'd driven straight here and relieved Ace's informant, a siren named Gen. They'd stayed back in the grove of trees and watched the lights turn on and off inside the house, depending on what room Lars was in. When Lars had stepped outside this morning to take the sack of food from the delivery person, Xander's energy had almost choked Dereck, there was so much unbridled power in it.
"You ready?"
Xander, who seemed calmer now, knocked on the door without answering. Pounded on it really.
Okay, obviously I was wrong.
Xander's beast rolled off him in waves and Dereck nudged him.
"If you don't calm down, he's going to know why you’re here and might even get off a phone call for help. Chill."
Xander took several deep breaths and at last, the energy around them stilled. Moments ticked by before they heard the creak of steps across old wood floors inside.
"Who is it?" A man called from the other side of the door.
"It's Xander Thorson, Lars."
Silence.
"I'm here to talk," Xander added.
"Who's with you?"
Xander met Dereck's gaze. "My friend, Dereck Larsen."
There was no reason to lie to a dead man.
The door opened about a half a foot and a man just under six feet peeked out. His gray hair hung long and wavy, spread out around his shoulders. His square jaw was covered in three days' worth of scruff. He wore a long sleeve shirt and jeans, his feet bare.
"You've caught me at a bad time, kid." Lars glanced at Dereck nervously, then beyond them to the road.
"I know." Xander's voice took on a dark, low tone. "I know everything."
Panic flashed across Lar's face and he tried to slam the door. Xander shoved it open with his foot, knocking Lars back into the house. The older man fell to the ground, then scrambled back on his hands as Xander and Dereck advanced.
"What are you doing?" Lars cried.
"You killed my parents."
"No, I didn't. Your dad was my best friend. A pack of rogues killed them."
Xander planted his boot on Lars' chest, pinning him the floor. "Hired by you. And I want you to tell me why."
Lars tried to push Xander off but Dereck stepped on his left wrist, grinding the bones under his heel. Lars screamed, and when Dereck stepped off, he cradled the injured arm to his chest, right over Xander's foot.
Lars opened his eyes, the dark orbs were filled with hate as he stared up at Xander.
"I borrowed money from your dad for an investment opportunity, but it went south. I lost everything, and when I told him what happened, he cut me off. Told me he would take me to court for what I owed him if I couldn't pay him back."
"You killed him because you were a fuck up?"
Spittle flew from Lars' mouth as he hollered, "He would have ruined me. Destroyed my reputation."
Xander laughed bitterly. "What reputation? Everyone knew you were a two-bit hustler with an assload of crazy dreams. My dad was the only man who still had your back."
"Until he didn't." Lars tried to lift up again, but Xander wouldn't let him move. He flopped back, his voice small as he continued, "I was an entrepreneur, but if he filed a lawsuit, no investor would ever touch me."
"Why my mother?" Xander asked, hoarsely. "My brothers? Me? If your beef was with my dad, then why did you hire a hit on everyone else?"
Lars shook his head vehemently. "I didn't! I only wanted to shut your dad up! They weren't supposed to be there! Your brothers had their own places. I thought your mother was going to dinner with the girls. It was only supposed to be him. They were going to break in, kill him and anything of value, except for the safe, was theirs."
"So, you didn't order them to torture and rape my mother? That was all their idea?"
"Yes." Lars acted relieved as if Xander finally understood why he'd planned everything. Dereck watched Xander, but he gave nothing away. His face an emotionless void.
"Do you think that makes it better?" Xander whispered. "You set this in motion. Doesn't matter if you only planned to murder one person. You are responsible for the deaths of four innocent people."
Dereck sensed that Lars had accepted his death when he closed his eyes. "I know. It's why I told them to leave you be." He opened them once more and stared up at Xander with resignation. "I heard you hunted them all down. Was it Pax who gave me up?"
"Not directly. He just said that someone hired him to do the job."
The corners of Lars' mouth lifted in a sad little smile. "Good help is so hard to find."
"Sucks for you."
Xander lifted his foot and slammed it down into Lar's face with a crack. Dereck turned away, refusing to carry that visual. The sounds following him down the hallway would be nightmare enough.
Dereck stopped on the porch. He pulled out his cell and called Aric Wolfe.
He answered on the first ring. "You need us after all?"
"No. He was alone."
"And it's finished?"
Dereck thought about Xander's foot pounding against the floor inside. "Yeah."
"How is Xander?"
He could hear Xander screaming violent curses even through the heavy wood door. "There may not be an easy answer to that."
"Swing by on your way out of town for dinner," Aric said.
"We would, but I need to get back."
Derek could hear the smile in Aric's voice. "Someone special?"
"Very."
"Congratulations. Keep her close."
"I plan to, believe me."
Xander came out of the house, his white t-shirt and jeans splattered with Lar's blood.
"I've got to go."
"Take care," Aric said.
Dereck ended the call as Xander sat on the porch step. He was gulping in air like he couldn't get enough, his head between his knees.
After several moments, he lifted his gaze to Dereck's, a haunted look in his eyes. "Greer never knows about this. We don't talk about it. It's over, and that’s all we tell her."
Dereck dropped a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Understood. Ready to clean up?"
Xander wiped at his face with his arm and for the first time, Dereck saw real tears on his friend’s face.
"Yeah. I’m ready."
Hours later, the house scrubbed clean and all evidence that Lars Rasmussen had ever been there gone, Dereck was ready to be back in Twilight. Home with Jill, watching a movie or cuddling in bed. He needed her so bad, he couldn't wait to hear her voice.
Showered and wearing a fresh pair of clothes, they climbed into the truck they'd parked by the road.
"Did you call Aric?" Xander asked.
"I did. Haven't called my dad yet, but do you mind? I want to check on Jill."
"Sure, but make sure she puts Greer on for me." Xander looked like he could use a few minutes with his love.
"You've got it."
Xander stepped back out to call Clyde. Dereck dialed Jill's cell but it rang four times and went to voicemail. He frowned. Jill always had he cell on her; it was glued to her hand.
He tried Ace's next, but the same thing.
Trepidation building, he shot her a text. Heading out. I miss you.
Xander opened up the driver's side and climbed back in. "Talked to your dad."
"Jill's not picking up."
Xander paused with his hand on the keys stuck in the ignition, studying him. "What about Ace or Greer?"
"Ace isn't answering either. I haven't tried Greer yet."
"Let me call her. I'm sure everything is fine."
Dereck's pulse skittered with nervous energy. Jill knew he'd be calling to check on her. Why wouldn't she have her phone nearby?
He wasn't one of those possessive guys who expected his woman to always pick up her phone, but this was different. With everything that was going on, Jill wouldn't ignore him.
"Hey, babe," Xander said. "Where are you?" A pause. "Is Jill with you? Have you seen her? No, it's fine, stay with your parents until I call. We'll be home soon. I love you."
Dereck knew the news wasn't good before Xander even spoke. "Greer went to visit her parents, and hasn't heard from Jill since she dropped her off at your place to hang with Ace."
His heart skipped and it became hard to breathe. "Start the fucking truck."
Xander did as he asked, backing out of the driveway. Dereck dialed Jill again, getting her voicemail once more. He was practically choking on his panic as he redialed over and over.
Please, baby, pick up the phone.