July 14, 2018
Detective Xavier Gonzales, my father, stands in front of a large cork bulletin board. Photos of men are pinned with their names underneath. I sit on the couch with my feet tucked under me, holding a plush pillow to my chest. My eyes lock with the cold gaze of Nile, Maddox’s brother-in-law, who practically attacked my face with his own.
I had thought he was a friendly citizen of Grove, Oklahoma, checking to see if I was okay and offering a shoulder to cry on. However, it turned out that he had planned the whole sabotage. He had meant for me to get jealous of his wife, Emily. I had seen her with Maddox, and when he told me to leave the store, I naturally thought the worst.
It gave Nile a prime opportunity to attack.
He is a monster. I can’t wait to see him go down, along with his father…the man who molested me when I was just a child.
My father speaks to us; however, I am momentarily checked out as I continue to look at Nile. I silently pray that whatever happens, Maddox and my family aren’t hurt. I could not manage to see them in pain, because of me.
“…Cameron Maddox Steele…” I hear the detective say and I perk up, watching as he pins a picture of the man I love to the board. “Wanted for the murder of Daniel Cameron Steele.” I feel my eyes widen the same moment Kristy jumps to her feet.
“No,” Kristy voices. My heart races in my chest at the thought of the police department planning on taking down Maddox as well as the Cicero Disciples.
“No,” I repeat, shifting forward and bringing my feet out from under me. They tingle slightly from the lack of blood flow, but I ignore the sensation. “He didn’t do it!” I say loudly, my voice rising an octave as panic overwhelms me.
“We have audio proof of Maddox agreeing to carry out the act Nile ordered.” I shake my head, not wanting to hear my father think that Maddox could do something like this. “I know he means something to you, Adelaide, but he’s a criminal.” Xavier’s voice is firm with authority as he narrows his eyes onto me. I almost feel as if I should shrink away from his gaze, it is so intense.
“He didn’t do it! He couldn’t…someone else did, so Maddox could be freed. I promise you, he didn’t do it.”
Xavier looks over at Kristy, as if for confirmation. My cousin nods her head in agreement.
“Then who did it?” the detective asks. I open my mouth, the name of Maddox’s cousin on the tip of my tongue. But how could I give him over to my father, knowing that he committed the murder to help Maddox? I fear it would offend Maddox.
A part of me knows that Mouse is a murderer but, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have had Maddox back. I wouldn’t have been able to fall in love with him and share my first kiss. I owe him more than turning him in.
I just shake my head to my father.
Xavier sighs and rubs his hand down his face. “Adelaide…if you don’t tell me who was behind the murder, then I’m afraid I have to arrest Maddox. There is audio proof, sweetie.” I flinch at his term of endearment as he tells me he’s going to charge the man I love with murder. I look over at Kristy to see her frowning down at her feet.
“You can’t, Xavier. He’s our family. When we save them, we save all of them. Maddox is no exception. You just need to trust us when we say he didn’t commit the murder. We will not rat out the man who did, for it would be shameful of us to do so. So, you need to keep digging and find the truth yourself. Just trust us.”
Detective Gonzales looks at me for a long pause, not knowing what to say or how to react. But I don’t cower under his gaze. I stand strong for Maddox, not caving. I trust him with my life, and I know that he would never lie to me and the Cranes. Especially not about something so convicting.
Sighing, Xavier turns to the desk beside him. He rips a piece of paper and makes a quick notation on it before turning his back on us. I watch as he pins the paper on the board and when he steps back, I let out a sigh of relief. Under the suspects section, beside Maddox, is the piece of paper with a large question mark and below it says, main suspect.
I step forward and wrap my arms around Xavier’s waist, feeling a weight lifted off my shoulders the same moment more is added. Xavier’s forehead drops on my left shoulder as he gently clings to me.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’re welcome.” I step back, avoiding his eyes as I turn to sit beside Kristy again. She has a small smile on her lips, her eyes a little watery.
“All right,” Xavier clears his throat to avoid another off pitched tone. “Tomorrow, I’m going to bring my team in. We will then discuss all you know about the Cicero Disciples and hopefully conjure up a plan to rescue your family.”
Xavier walks away, heading to the guest bedroom and leaving Kristy and I alone. I look over at my cousin to see her offer me a small smile. “You made him very happy,” Kristy whispers. I lower my eyes, not able to ignore my rapid heart any longer. I can’t deny that my heart feels fractionally warmer since the hug. I know I have been lacking a father role model most of my life. When I met Adam, he filled that role perfectly. I was accepting of the fact that he would be the only father I knew.
Now, I have Xavier, and I don’t know how I feel. Am I able to invite another person into my closed off life? I’m still growing, still trying to fit people into my once shattered and isolated heart. Can I find a place for Xavier as well? I would like to. But he lives hundreds of miles away from me.
“Come. Tomorrow is going to be a big day. We should try to get some sleep,” Kristy says, rising to her feet and walking to the kitchen to grab us each a glass of water. I look to the board one more time, meeting eyes with Maddox.
I will get you out of this. I promise.
“All right. Adelaide has told me that Miguel is no longer crime lord of the Cicero Disciples. His son, Nile, has taken up the reins. Last known location of Miguel is in Grove, Oklahoma; on the Cranes’ ranch. He’s wounded, gunshot to his left leg. He’s not our main priority—”
“But you’re going to catch him, right?” Kristy says, interrupting Detective Gonzales. He looks over at his niece, along with every other officer crammed into the small living room. Our safe house is now packed full with about fifteen officers, some in uniform, and others in plain clothing.
“Kristy, Nile is the crime lord right now. Our priority is to take him out…that is also how we save your family.” Xavier turns back to his men to continue his spiel. Kristy looks over at me with eyes that are swarming with anger and determination.
I begin to shake my head but am disrupted by her opening her mouth. “What about Adelaide? Hmm? I understand that Nile is our priority but, as you said, Miguel is injured. He will have to go to some hospital. Look at the logs for any patient matching his description! Spare a few men to find him. Do something, because Adelaide will never rest until you do.” Xavier looks over at me, his dark eyes tight with anger. He looks me up and down before he steps forward. The officers in the room part, as if remaining in his way would result in a bodily injury.
Xavier grabs my bicep and stares into my eyes. “Yesterday was not the first time you’ve met Miguel?” he asks between clenched teeth. If I knew any better, I would shake under his unwavering gaze.
I shake my head, biting my bottom lip to keep it from quivering as memories flood through my mind.
Xavier bares his teeth as he looks over at Kristy. It’s almost as if meeting his niece’s tearful gaze confirms the questions in his head. “Dammit!” Xavier screams, grabbing a coffee table and flipping it over. Officers either move out of the way or step forward to shield us from Xavier. “Oh, give me a break, guys! That is my daughter. I would sooner cut off my own arm before harming her.”
Xavier waves them off as he runs a hand through his hair, dismantling it. Seeing him so distressed gives me a flicker of hope that after all of this is over, we might be able to begin our story.
“That man will never have the pleasantries of laying eyes on you again, Adelaide. I promise you this, my daughter. I will not rest.” Xavier turns back to his men. “Ozzie. Take your team, contact Oklahoma’s law enforcement. Gain clearance and find that monster. The rest of the teams are with me. We will end the Cicero Disciples.”
I take a step away from the men as they rally up, sharing a few words before they exit the house. However, not one leaves without offering me a sympathetic glance. I feel my heart in my stomach as I know I am on display for all of them. They know…they have to. Just as Xavier did.
Did Miguel have an MO? Was I not his first, or last, victim?
I feel sick to my stomach, hating that they all know my past. I spin to find the nearest bathroom, depositing the delicious bacon and pancakes Xavier made us this morning.
Kristy steps up behind me, holding my hair. “I am so sorry, Adelaide. I didn’t know that they’d all catch on. Please, forgive me.” Kristy places a damp rag at the back of my neck, cooling me down.
“I never blamed you.” I wipe the back of my hand across my mouth, moaning at the disgusting taste on my tongue. I stand to rinse my mouth out in the sink before I brush my teeth. Kristy grabs my hair and quickly tosses it into a bun so it’s off my neck and out of my face. I suddenly feel the need to take a shower.
Once I’m done refreshing myself, I exit the bathroom to see my father leaning against the wall across from us. His eyes are downcast, his jaw taut. My stomach twists and I silently pray I don’t get sick again.
“Adelaide. Kristy. I’m leaving two trusted men with you to protect you while I’m away,” Xavier says.
I feel my eyes widen, shaking my head. “We want to come with you!” I clench my hands into fists, ready to stand my ground as I see refusal brewing up in Xavier’s eyes.
“Not happening. It’s too dangerous, Adelaide.”
“But—”
“Do you honestly think they want you to risk your life? That Maddox wants you to get hurt? He’ll blame himself, you know he will.” Xavier steps back and looks to the ground as he mutters under his breath. I barely hear him, but I catch it. Just as I do.
Just as he does? For what does he have himself to blame?
I remember my words from last night when I was blubbering like a baby, telling Xavier that we needed him.
He had told me he knew what Miguel had done to my mother…but Kristy never told him what he did to me. And I can see the weight of the information upon his shoulders. He’s devastated. He can’t even look at me.
I step forward and grab his hand, squeezing it tightly. “I release you from whatever guilt you feel. You are not to blame for anything that has befallen me. Miguel is to blame. Don’t let him get between us.” I reach up and place a hand on his scruffy cheek. He lifts his head to look into my eyes. “Not when I just found you,” I whisper.
Xavier closes his eyes and I see a tear softly escape. He pulls me into a hug, holding me tightly. “I will avenge you, my sweet girl. And then, we will get to know one another. Even if I have to move to Grove, Oklahoma.”
I let out a hiccupping laugh, tightening my hands into fists as I cling to his shirt. Xavier runs a hand over my hair, gently pulling it out of the bun before kissing the side of my head. “Stay inside and stay safe. We will see each other soon.”
Xavier spares a glance at Kristy, nodding his head before he turns to leave. We watch his departing back as he exits the house, softly shutting the door behind him.
As his car engine revs, I send a prayer up to God to protect my family.