Alicia

“Tell me, Miss Rego, what drives you to want to work here? What makes you different?”

His dark eyes pierce mine, and I shrink in my seat. Damn, he’s intimating. Taking a deep breath, I hold his stare, pretending he doesn’t have any effect on me.

“Well, Mr. Dorsey, I’ve been thinking of switching my career up a bit. I need something more…stable, I guess is the word. Traveling around to do hair and makeup gigs is putting a strain on my car and me,” I lie. I can’t tell the truth. Hell, I don’t believe it myself.

My wild brown curls bounce as I look around, so I push my hair back from my face. I clasp my knees together to keep my legs from shaking.

Shit, Alicia. Can you look any more nervous?

“I would be a great fit here. I love doing high-class style hair, you know, celebrity level.” Shut up, Alicia, just shut up. This isn’t working. I’m babbling like a buffoon.

Mr. Dorsey smiles. It’s cold and uninviting, not even reaching his eyes. “You think we are a high-class salon then, Miss Rego?”

I nod, my top teeth sinking into my bottom lip. “Yes, of course. I could tell immediately. Another reason I want to be a part of this amazing place. What makes me different is the knowledge I could bring here. I’ve traveled. I’ve seen a lot in different places with a lot of different people. I can show your girls things, new trends, new styles. I need to make sure I stay on top of the fashion news now...” My mind drifts to that thought, the negative of stopping my traveling. Shit, I’ll need to do more reading online, maybe listen to a podcast or read a blog.

My eyes run over the small hair wash area, the nail section taking a lot of space in the back corner. What I want is to be heading to New York City with Ruby. Chasing my dream, living the life.

Mr. Dorsey leans forward, a creepy smile crossing his mouth. I lean back, needing space, when something dark flashes in his eyes. It’s gone in a second, but my senses go on high alert. Damn, this guy gives me the creeps.

“When can you start, Miss Rego? Or can I call you Alicia?”

* * *

“Oh my fucking God, girl. He’s such a creep.” I pull my blanket tight around me, the chilly air nipping at my face. I pop a candy kiss in my mouth, the sweet chocolate coating my tongue. Winter is in full swing here in this small town outside of Buffalo, New York, and it’s freezing outside. I can’t afford to pay an arm and a leg for heat, so blankets and hoodies it is.

“Then you didn’t take the job, right?”

I guffaw, the boisterous sound filling the room. Ruby chuckles herself, my laugh not being unfamiliar to her. “Of course I did, you silly girl. That salon is happening in this shitty rinky dink town.”

Ruby sighs and clicks her tongue against her teeth. “Listen, are you sure you don’t want to come with me to New York City? I know your mom is sick but bring her with us. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Tears fill my eyes as I listen to Ruby go on about New York City. I blink them back and stretch out on my couch. Coming straight home from the interview, I called Ruby, wanting to dish. And while I’d love to move, I can’t. I need to take care of Mom in her time of need. She always took care of me.

“Alicia? You still there?”

“Yes. Listen, Rubs, I’ve got to run. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Urm, um, okay. Are you sure you’re all right? Want me to come by with some takeout? I’ll get your favorite shrimp lo mein.”

“Maybe tomorrow night, Rubs. I’m beat. I love you, though, always.”

“I love you too, babe.”

I end the call and sigh as my head sinks into the couch. It’s exhausting being happy on the outside when inside I’m miserable. Stormy thoughts invade my mind, my eyes drifting close as I try to push them out.

My mother…

My father…

My eyes fly open and my heart pounds, my chest aching. Loneliness creeps its way inside, its dankness finding me, wrapping around me. I don’t fight it anymore. It’ll win, it always does.

Find love, they say. Find adventure, they say. Find happiness.

Where? Is what I say. Everyone ends up screwing you over or you lose them. Plain and simple.

My gorgeous mother, a beautiful soul inside and out, is now desperately fighting for her life. Who is left here fighting for her? Only me. Which is why I can’t leave, though a part of me wants to.

My father’s gone. He’s been gone for years. There’s never been another man for her. Sure, several have gone in and out. But none last, none stay.

Pain lances through me as I think of her heartbreak through the years. I would hold her while she cried after my dad left. Then, after every man left.

I grew bitter and jaded toward men, hating them for what they kept doing to my mother. Darkness took over me, but I never showed it. I was popular Alicia, happy Alicia, let’s date all the boys Alicia, when inside, I was screaming.

Emily Rego is holding on, desperate and afraid, but there’s hope. Treatments, pills, medicines. I pray one of them works or at least helps. Fresh tears fill my eyes and threaten to spill over my cheeks. For now, I stay here and take care of the one person who always took care of me. My dreams can wait. Maybe I’ll never get there. I don’t know, but I don’t need to figure it out right now.

I sit up and chug my wine before popping another chocolate kiss in my mouth. These damn chocolates are gonna be the death of me. Or they’ll head straight to my ass, which I’m sure they will anyway. I formulate a plan for myself. I’ll take the job at the salon no matter how creepy the owner is. I’ll pack up and stay with my mom, maybe sublet this apartment for a while. And I’ll start teaching my skills down at the shelter I’ve always wanted to volunteer at. If I can’t grow my business, at least I’ll keep my skills sharp. And help troubled teens in the process.

I peel myself off the couch, making my way to bed. My eyes burn and my head throbs. I strip out of my clothes and climb into bed, wrapping my body around my pillow. Sleep is a welcome distraction.

* * *

Gabe

Sweat trickles down my face as I deliver another hard blow to the bag. Frustration is burning inside me, urging me to throw punch after punch, my arms screaming in protest. Ignoring the sharp pulses of pain, I hit until I’m numb. Until my mind goes blank and I stagger backward.

When I hit the wall, I slide down to the ground, sweat pouring from every inch of me. My head hangs between my knees, my heartbeat pumping in my ears, my eyes squeezing shut. I try to steady my breathing and don’t move.

“You okay, boss?”

One of my buddies and fellow agents, Joe Lawson, looks down at me, concern etched across his face.

“Gabe?” he asks again.

“Yeah, I’m all right, man. Worked myself hard.” I throw my head back down between my knees, needing to catch my breath. The aftershock begins to sting, or rather those tingling sensations of pain. They run through me hot and fast. A hot shower is calling my name.

“Rough day, boss?”

“You could say that again.” I sigh and push myself up now that my breathing evened out. My legs easily rise, their toned shape holding from hours of cardio on the treadmill. Staying in shape is vital when chasing the bad guys. Or needing to forget all the ugly in your head.

I head to the showers, Joe hot on my heels.

“Listen, boss, I need to talk to you about an assignment that just came up.”

Joe shuffles his feet, which is odd for him. We’ve known each other for years now, having met in the academy and training together. We became friends fast, and even though I rank higher than him and he calls me boss, which I insist he shouldn’t, I consider him an equal. A partner and a loyal friend.

“What’s up?” I turn to face him, bracing myself for what’s to come. Easy cases are what I need. Nothing too fucked up. I’ve seen enough fucked up in my life.

“Something’s going down in a small town in upstate New York, near Buffalo. They are suspecting some type of human trafficking ring.” Joe watches me, concern shimmering in his eyes.

Memories come flooding back. The screams. The sobs. I close my eyes and push them away, focusing merely on Joe’s face. “All right, and? They want us there?”

Joe nods. “It’s worse, boss. They are suspecting the girls are coming from a woman’s shelter. Young girls, Gabe. Too young.”

Deep pain rushes through me, and I swallow, pushing the feelings down. I told my boss I can’t do these types of jobs…I just can’t. So why do I get asked anyways?

“Can’t someone else take this assignment?” I snap, and Joe flinches.

“Hey, boss, it’s not up to me to dish out the assignments. You know that. They want us all to go. They want Anne, you know Anne Cooke, second year agent?”

I nod, then Joe continues.

“She’s going as your partner. Both of you are going undercover as a married couple.”

My eyes narrow. I’ve barely met Anne, not that I care anyways, but undercover as a married couple? What in the fuck? “Why? Why a married couple?” I practically spit, my pulse rising. Poor Joe is in the line of my fury right now, but I can’t help the rage inside me.

“Because, there’s a part of the shelter that also does adoptions. Women who go there to have their babies in privacy instead of aborting get the choice of adoption. This way, you can scope the place out by pretending to be interested in adopting. It does make perfect sense…”

“Buffalo, New York, you said? It’s fucking freezing there right now.” I groan, running my hands through my messy hair.

Joe grins. “Well, boss, I guess we better pack some long johns then.”

* * *

After landing in Buffalo a few hours ago, we’ve checked into our townhouse suites the government supplies us with. I settle Luna in with her travel bed, her favorite blankets laid on top.

Luna is my best friend even though she has more body hair than I usually prefer. She’s a gorgeous chocolate lab, her rich brown coat soft and fluffy.

I got her when I started police academy, and she’s been by my side ever since.

All of us agents get our own townhouse, five of us in total being here, plus security. Security shares two townhouses, there being six guards in total.

Along with Joe, Anne, and myself, there’s also another fellow agent, Seth, and Blake, our supervisor. I can’t believe how cold it is here, the temperature being somewhere in the single digits. I’ve already cranked the heat and pulled out all the blankets I could find, along with the ones I’ve brought with me. I mean, New York City is cold but not like this.

Taking a seat at the dining room table, I lay the case files in front of me. Luna lies at my feet, her brown eyes staring up at me. I smile down at her, and her tail thumps in response, the sound loud on the hardwood floor.

I rub my feet on her and she arches her back. I’d be lost without this dog.

Thankfully, we had a short flight coming from the city with no jet lag to deal with, but I have long days and nights ahead of me. Not to mention the freeze your dick off weather.

I wanted to say no to this case. My head is fucked up from the last case we finished, and this one is a huge trigger for me. But when I tried to talk to Blake about it, he said too bad. It was time to suck it up.

Fuck. I slam my hand on the table. What if I don’t want to suck it up?

The darkness calls me. What I wouldn’t give to get lost in a haze of drugs right now, along with some cheap pussy, and all that my brothers showed me.

No, Gabe, no. Don’t get there. You can never go back there.

I’m doing well now. That’s all that matters.

Or what I tell myself at least.

I’ll never be 100 percent until my uncle and brothers are locked up for good.