Protecting You (A McCord Family Novel Book 1) (22 page)

Ava pulled away from him and sighed. "I never said I was actually moving there."

"No, but for some reason I see it soon. How about some sushi tonight? Care to hang out with your old man a little before you leave me for good?" Peter asked with a mock hand over his heart.

Ava rolled her eyes. "Dad, please stop. If I do move, it's not like I'll never see you. I would love sushi tonight. Is this some devious plan you and everyone else has planned to keep me busy every single day so I don't fall back into despair?"

Peter shrugged. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't. Well, I'm going to go grab a coffee from the Java House down the road and—" Ava looked at her watch. "Meet you at the sushi place we always go to in about two hours."

"Sounds good. See you soon," Peter said as he opened the door. Ava kissed him goodbye on the cheek and headed for the elevators.

***

"This is an extremely bad idea, Austin. We don't need to do this," Zane said as he sat, shaking his leg like crazy.

"Calm down, Zane. Geez, I've never seen you like this," Austin said laughing.

"Yeah, well, I never had to talk to the dad of the woman I love before so..."

Zane sighed and leaned back in his chair to watch the activity run wild around them. People, most in uniform, some in professional suits, walked back and forth through the hallway. Some had folders tucked under their arms, others carried nothing. They all looked to be on a mission, oblivious to his turmoil.

"It's going to be fine. He's a nice guy."

Zane sat back up. "Yeah, well, I wasn't exactly cordial the last time I met the guy. If you can even consider that meeting him."

"Just take a few breaths and calm down," Austin whispered fiercely as Peter opened his door and stepped out.

Austin stood up, Zane tentatively as well. Austin met Peter's outstretched hand.

"Austin, good to see you again," Peter said, smiling warmly. He turned to Zane and held out his hand. "Zane, it's good to see you, too."

Zane shook his hand. "Yes, sir. It's nice to meet you."

Peter gave him a look he didn't understand and then turned toward his secretary. "Diane, hold all my calls and visitors. Nothing is more important than these two men in front of me. Understood?"

Diane nodded. "Understood, Commissioner."

Peter stepped back and gestured them in his office. "Come on in, boys." Peter shut the door after they entered and continued, "I have to say I'm surprised to see you two. Everything alright?"

"Everything's fine, Commissioner. Just happened to miss Ava is all. Is she doing okay?" Austin asked with ease.

Peter raised an eyebrow at Zane and grinned slyly, then looked at Austin. "She's doing well. Thanks to you two. You lost a great man. I couldn't be more grateful that he spared my baby girl."

"We've come to realize why Jimmy did what he did. Ava's truly one of a kind," Austin said seriously as he glanced at Zane to pipe in at anytime.

Zane glared at him, but turned to Peter. "I'm sorry, sir, for the way I treated you—"

Peter put a hand up. "Please, Zane. No apologies necessary. You were going through a deep loss and I wasn't offended. I still wouldn't be offended if you didn't like me."

"It has nothing to do with liking you or not, I just…I hate this place." He took a deep breath. "That came out wrong. That's not what I meant. Well, no…I do actually mean that. What I meant to say is—"

"What my brother is trying to say, he struggles coming to New York because the death of Jimmy is still raw and painful in his heart. It has nothing to do with you, sir, but I guess the world of police here. Or maybe the city in general. Trust me when I say it was difficult to get him to walk on the plane." Austin cleared his throat. "We've been trying to reach Ava and we can't. She's not at her apartment and she's not answering her phone."

Peter grinned and looked at Zane. "Why are you in New York if you hate it so much?"

"I came to ask…well, I would like her to come back to Minnesota with us…me." Zane hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Look. I'm not good at this, but I'll lay it out for you if that's what you want. I love your daughter. I've been miserable since she left. Just ask Austin. Last time I came here, I demanded Jimmy come home with me where he belonged and he refused. I can be stubborn as hell, and well, I regret being that way with him because he died with tension between us. I came here to ask your daughter to marry me and come home with me. I'd like your blessing in the matter, but frankly, if I don't get it, I'll still ask her anyway. I'm not going to demand she come back, even as much as I want to. I'm going to ask nicely and hope she agrees. That's why we're here. It was a long flight. I just want to know if you know where she is."

Zane took a deep breath, standing more calmly than before he walked in.

Peter started bawling in laughter. Zane frown in confusion, Austin right along with him. "That, my son, was priceless. I couldn't ask for a better son-in-law than you. Of course, you have my blessing. Jimmy was a fine young man and I can see where he learned it from. You'll have your hands full with Ava. Just warning you. My late wife was a firecracker and Ava learned every bit from her. Good luck."

Zane sighed in relief and grinned slightly. "Thank you, sir. I wouldn't have her any other way."

"They can both be stubborn and it strangely makes them perfect for each other. You had me going there for a second, Commissioner. I was a little worried," Austin said, grinning.

"I couldn't help myself. Zane went from timid to forceful within the space of seconds and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just take care of my daughter or I will destroy you," Peter said seriously.

"You have my word, sir. If she'll have me, that is," Zane replied.

"I have faith things will go well," Peter said with a twinkle in his eye. "You just missed her about thirty minutes ago. She was here in my office visiting me. She went to the Java House, a little coffee shop down the street. She tends to forget her phone these days, so that's why she didn’t answer. Meeting her in about an hour and a half for sushi, if you want to join us."

"Thank you for the offer, sir. I would like to try the coffee shop first, and if we still can't get her there, then perhaps we'll join you," Zane said, hopeful for the first time.

"Fair enough. Just head right out of this building. About three blocks down, hang a left and you'll see it on your right. Why don't you boys call me Peter or Pete? Formalities aren't necessary," Peter said warmly.

"Thank you, sir…Peter. She was doing well when she stopped by? Just wondering her mood for the day," Austin asked.

"She was. She had a lot on her mind. Handed me her resignation," Peter said as he walked them to the door.

"What?" Zane exclaimed.

"Yep. Seems she doesn't want to work here anymore. Got a job offer somewhere else, actually," Peter said with a sly grin.

"Where?" Zane asked.

"I can't remember what she said. You'll have to ask her." Peter opened the door. "Have Ava call me if plans change for tonight."

Austin nodded and pushed a concerned Zane out of the office. They headed for the elevator. "That went well. He was happy to hear about everything."

"Yeah, but what's this job offer? I think he was setting me up for a huge downfall." Zane groaned.

"I don't think so. He was grinning when he said it. He knows something. He's withholding it from us for the sheer amusement of it. Let's hope for the best at the coffee shop or you'll be doing all that again in front of him."

Zane grimaced at the thought and stepped into the elevator with Austin.

***

Ava took another sip of her coffee and laughed at Pablo. "You are too much. I missed you and your delicious coffees you make me."

"I missed you, too, Ava. I'm glad you finally stopped in to see me. I love hearing about the farm. You'll have to tell me more another time," Pablo replied warmly. He glanced behind the counter and grimaced. "Uh, oh, Susanne looks like she could grind me in the coffeemaker for such a long break. I better get behind the counter and start working again."

Ava stood up and grabbed a hug from him. "Thanks for spending your break with me. It was nice talking to you. Want me to have a word with Susanne?" Ava teased with a sassy hand on her hip.

Pablo laughed. "Oh, no. Let's keep the peace here. I will see you soon then, or no, by the sounds of our talk?"

"I'll say I will see you tomorrow, and after that, I'm not sure."

"I can handle that. Enjoy sushi with your dad," Pablo said as he tied his apron back on and walked around the counter.

"Thanks, Pablo. See you tomorrow." Ava waved good-bye, sending a small polite wave to Susanne, who nodded, but still had a harsh expression on her face.

Ava lightly laughed as she went right out of the coffee shop and made her way down the block to the subway station that was around the corner. She almost reached the corner when a young woman stepped out in front of her. With jerky movements, she removed a small gun from her purse and pointed it at Ava.

"Are you Ava Rainer?" the woman asked unsteadily.

Ava took a step back, stunned by the woman.

"Don't move. Are you her?" she screamed, oblivious of the people who suddenly stopped to stare in horror. A few stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Others grabbed their phones to call the police.

Ava's mind disjointed, an eerie flashback swiftly entering, making her body freeze in place. Tremors flooded as she stared at the woman who looked erratic. Glazed eyes. Messy hair piled high onto her head in a chaotic ponytail. Ratty and dirty clothes from several days use. And the track marks on her arm made it easy to determine the woman was under the influence of drugs.

"Answer me, damn it," the woman screamed. "You look like her."

"We can talk about this. There's no need to point a gun at me," Ava said quietly.

"Talk? You wanna talk. Let's talk about how you killed my boyfriend. You killed him in cold blood, you bitch."

Ava tried to step back, but the woman advanced at her screaming, "I said don't move. I'll shoot you."

"I'm sorry," Ava murmured. Heart pounding, legs wobbly, it started to sink in. She might die today. "I don't know what you're talking about. Who's your boyfriend?"

"How dare you act innocent. You and that dumb cop killed him. He went to get his money he was owed by that whore and she tried attacking him. He had to defend himself with a knife. Then you and that cop killed him."

"Detective McCord? You're talking about that?"

"What else do you think I'm talking about?" the woman raged. "You tortured him. Made lies about him."

Ava clenched her fists as the anger rose intensely at those false words. Completely delusional. Ava took a step toward her. "Jimmy McCord was a decorated detective of New York City. Detective McCord was a hundred times the man your disgusting boyfriend was. He killed that woman in cold blood and then attacked me, throwing me out of a window. He pointed a gun at me, just as you are. He took the coward's way out by pulling the trigger at an unarmed woman. Are you going to, too?"

Ava suddenly didn't care if this woman killed her. Perhaps she had been meant to die that day. This was the universe setting things straight. Jimmy should've never died for her. It all became so clear.

"Yes. I do think I'm going to kill you," the woman said calmly and pulled the trigger.

Chapter 14

The ringing wouldn’t stop. The heaviness on her chest seemed surreal. Ava's body ached from slamming into the pavement. She thought she heard her name being screamed along with someone else's, but everything just blurred together.

Ava walked up to the door. "See you soon, Jimmy."

Jimmy smiled. "See you soon, Ava."

Fuzzy, incoherent images kept flashing. The noises surrounding her, buzzing around were so loud. She struggled to open her eyes as the ringing in her ears decided to claim permanent residence.

"I couldn't have asked for a better friend, Ava. What would I do without you?" Jimmy asked sincerely as he held his hand out.

Ava smiled at his hand. "That is very true. You're the best friend I've ever had."

The pressure on her chest chained her down like an anchor to the bottom of the ocean floor. Moving her hand slowly, an icky wet substance got in her way. Her mind continued to swirl, images appearing she didn't understand. Was she dying? Where was Jimmy? What was happening? The ringing intensified.

Jimmy walked along the pathway, abruptly turning to Ava to make sure she was following him. "I know someone who would be perfect for you. Do you want to know who it is?" Jimmy asked, grinning wide as he held his arm out for her.

"I don't think I want to know, Jimmy." Ava frowned, shaking her head.

The pressure on her slightly decreased. The ringing in her head started to lessen. Was she having a nightmare and couldn't wake up? Zane. Where was Zane when she needed him to wrap her up in his arms?

"Did you hear me, Ava?" Jimmy asked with a reassuring smile. "He's always there for me—for you. He's perfect for you."

"What are you saying, Jimmy?" Ava asked confused.

A hand touched her face. Words filtered into her mind, names jumbled into pieces—unsure of what was real and what wasn't. Did someone call her name? Zane's? She thought she heard her name again, softly this time.

The hand on her cheek increased its pressure, jolting her.

Zane—only his touch did that to her.

She painstakingly opened her eyes. His rough hand cradled her face as he attempted to keep his eyes open. "Ava," he whispered softly. "Please tell me you're alright."

Ava blinked, zeroing in on Zane and the blood slowly seeping out of his chest. "Zane! You've been shot." She quickly sat up, almost falling back from the dizziness and slammed her hands down hard on his wound. He moaned in pain.

"Are you an idiot? Why would you do this? Don't you dare die on me, Zane. Do you hear me?" Ava cried as she tried to press harder. The blood seeped through her fingers.

Zane moaned again, placing his hand on hers and closed his eyes.

"No. Open your eyes, Zane. Stay with me. Please, don't die," Ava cried as she leaned closer, kissing his lips gently.

Zane cracked his eyes open and tried to smile. "Ava, I love—"

Zane cried out in pain as Austin appeared by their side and pressed his hands over Ava's. "Stay with us, Zane. Listen to Ava."

The pain was too much. Zane didn't listen and closed his eyes again.

"No, no, no. Open your eyes, Zane," Ava screamed, slightly shaking him as she did. His body moved with her, but his eyes remained closed.

Austin looked down. He waited with Ava for Zane to open his eyes, but nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

"Zane," Ava screamed as the tears started to pour out.

"Ava, he's going to be alright," Austin said with a slight hesitation. Sirens wailed in the distance. "The ambulance is almost here. He's just passed out from the pain. That's all. He'll be fine, just keep the pressure on his wound."

Ava shook her head in response, glancing at the blood that still trickled out thru her fingers. She briefly looked behind Austin. Two men she didn't know were holding down the woman who pulled the trigger as she screamed profanities, including continued threats to kill Ava. Deep painful tremors ran through her body until they settled heavily onto her soul.

Ava leaned down to Zane's face again, kissing him on the cheek. "Stay with me, please. I can't lose you, too. Please, Zane."

Before Austin could respond to Ava's tortured words, the ambulance came to a screeching halt in front of them. They shoved Ava and Austin out of the way and lifted Zane onto the stretcher spouting medical jargon. They rushed him into the back of the ambulance, shut the doors with quick precision, and drove off.

Austin pulled Ava into his arms. She slightly stumbled. "Hey, are you okay?" He held her a little tighter. "You have blood everywhere on you. Were you hit, too?"

Ava straightened up with his help. "No. None of it is mine. I think I hit my head hard on the pavement. I thought Jimmy was there. I felt him with me. I thought I was the one dying, not Zane."

"Zane's not going to die, Ava. He won't," Austin said with conviction that didn't ring true to anyone's ears.

Suddenly, two officers appeared next to them. The woman had been pulled away from the citizens holding her down and into a patrol car blocking traffic.

"Ava? Are you alright?" Officer Cooper asked.

"Ava, what happened? Are you alright?" Officer Salvator demanded, standing next to Cooper.

Was she alright? No. Nothing would be alright until Zane opened his eyes again. He couldn't die on her. She would never survive if he died.

"I think she needs to go to the hospital. She may have a concussion. Can you please take us? And call the Commissioner as well," Austin said softly.

Officer Cooper nodded. "Of course. Come on."

Austin led a wobbly Ava to the patrol car and got in with her, trying to keep her calm on the way to the hospital. It was difficult as the calmness swept away when Zane left their eyesight.

***

Austin sat next to Ava's hospital bed, holding her hand, waiting for the doctor's assessment.

"You have a mild concussion. It doesn't require hospitalization, but you should have someone stay with you to help monitor your symptoms. If the dizziness increases, you start vomiting, confusion taking over, sudden unconsciousness, you need to come back immediately," the doctor said as he held her chart.

"I'll be with her, Doctor. We won't be leaving the hospital until we hear news about my brother…Zane McCord…gunshot victim," Austin said, trembling the last words.

"I understand. She can rest here for a while and I'll let the front desk nurse know that you're waiting on the news of your brother in here," the doctor said sympathetically.

"Thank you, I appreciate that." Austin waited for the doctor to leave and then looked at Ava. "How are you? Are you alright?"

Ava turned her head slowly. "No, Austin, I'm not alright. I wish everyone would quit asking me that. How can I be? I just had another McCord man take a bullet for me and could die. I'll never survive another death of that magnitude. Do you understand me? Do you?" Ava said with anguish. Her tears teetered in the corner of her eyes. Earlier traces of her cries sat marred on her cheeks.

Austin squeezed her hand hard. "I understand you perfectly. He won't die. He won't."

"How can you say that? Most of his blood was on my hands," Ava whispered as she looked at her hands in disgust.

"He will because I can't think the alternative. I can't lose him either." Austin sucked in a deep breath to remain calm for her.

"What happened? What are you two doing here?" Ava asked troubled. "You shouldn't be here. I should've just been killed. Jimmy never should've—"

"Stop it, Ava," Austin yelled. He glanced at the people walking by, who stared at him with alarm. He tried smiling politely and lowered his voice. "Jimmy did what he did because he loved you like a sister. Just as I do. I would have done it if Zane hadn't, but he was closer than I was. He ran faster than I did. When we saw you on the corner and that woman holding that gun on you… I never want to see that again. We didn't stop to think about what we were doing. I couldn't have stopped Zane from taking that bullet for you even if I had wanted to try. Instinct drove him, just as it did me. I ran into the woman with the gun just before she fired another shot and held her down until two other guys helped take over holding her down for me."

Austin glanced down at their hands. "Don't ever think you were meant to die. If it's up to us—the McCord boys—we will never let that happen. You're too important to us. You're family. Do you hear me?"

The tears finally broke the barrier again. "No, I don't. I don't want you guys taking bullets for me anymore. Just stop it. I can't handle it. He can't die. You shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be here. He hates it here."

Austin sighed. "He's here for you. I made him come, not that he didn't want to, because he did. It was hard for him, though. I'll wait for him to recover to tell you why."

Austin pulled her hand closer to his chest. "If he dies, it's because he was meant to save you and that's that. I can't think of it any other way. If he—" Austin choked a little. "If he dies, we'll survive together because that's all we have…just us. You'll be the only one left to me. Don't give up, please."

Austin cleared his throat and tried to hold his tears back as best as he could. Someone had to be the strong one. Ava stared at him as the dam of tears continued to fall. Austin grabbed her in his arms, holding her as she cried uncontrollably. He sensed movement, glancing at the doorway. Peter walked in quietly and sat down on the other side of the bed, placing his hand on her back, rubbing lightly. She made no move to leave Austin's arms.

"Is he—" Peter started to say, choking back the rest of the words as he looked at Ava weeping uncontrollably.

Austin shook his head. "I haven't heard any news yet. He was alive when they put him in the ambulance. She has a mild concussion from…from hitting the pavement when Zane…when he shoved her out of the way."

"Not how I expected this day to go," Peter murmured as he rubbed Ava's back. "I am so sor—"

"Please, Commissioner—Peter. He'll be fine. He will be. He did what Jimmy did. What I would've done because we all love her. Simple as that," Austin whispered.

A tear rolled down Peter's cheek. "She couldn't have found a better family to love her like you all do." Peter looked at Ava wrapped in Austin's arms, shaking with pain. "No better love than he has for her."

***

"Tell me you're alright, Jimmy?" Zane demanded as his hand shook, holding the phone to his ear.

"I'm fine, Zane. I promise. It was a little car accident, fender bender really." Jimmy sighed.

"Fender bender? Austin told me he talked to that Ava woman and it didn't sound like a damn fender bender to me. Some jerk rammed his vehicle into your patrol car as you tried chasing him down. An armed robber or something? Did he have a gun?" Zane yelled as he opened the front door, slammed it shut, and slumped down on the swing.

"It wasn't as bad as that. Yes, I was pursuing a suspect after we received a call for a robbery—robbery not armed. So no, he didn't have a gun. We cornered him pretty well and he tried slamming into my patrol vehicle to get around us. It didn't work and we swarmed his car and took him into custody. I'm fine. It's no big deal really," Jimmy replied. The wrapping on his arm where he cut himself told a different story. His window had broken from the impact. He caught his arm on a fragment as he rushed out of his vehicle.

Zane groaned in irritation. "Don't lie to me, Jimmy. Never lie to me."

Jimmy paused. "A little cut on my arm. Nothing more, I promise. Ava hollered at me for getting hurt. No need to do it, too. I did nothing wrong, played it all by the book, but was a little clumsy getting out of my vehicle. That's it."

"Good. You need to be yelled at. Maybe I should meet this Ava woman. Or better yet, just come home before you seriously get hurt," Zane demanded.

"I'm not coming home like a scared child, Zane. I already told you Ava was perfect for you. You should come out here to New York and sweep her off her feet. She needs a man to do that for her. She's always trying to take care of others—or let's say me. She needs someone to take care of her. I swear it'd be love at first sight."

Zane sighed. "How did we get off topic here? Forget I mentioned her. I'm not sweeping anyone off their feet. I'm not sure love exists. Remember when you were little and I told you what love was. I still haven't been knocked down."

"Maybe you haven't met the right woman to knock you down. I've never experienced it for myself, but I've seen Ava spar with some of the other guys in the gym. She has a mean right hook." Jimmy laughed. "She could knock you down."

Zane grinned despite his previous mood. "She could, huh? Sock me a good one, suck the life right out of me, refill it with love, and make me the happiest man on earth? Is that what you're saying?"

"Yep. That's what I'm saying. She's one of a kind. I'd take a bullet for her. I'm betting you would, too," Jimmy replied with complete certainty.

***

Zane opened his eyes gradually. They landed on his hand linked with another. He turned his head to the side. Ava rested in a chair uncomfortably, her hand stretched out holding his. A smile touched his lips at the beautiful sight in front of him. She actually looked really horrible. A messy ponytail, her face looked tired, worn out from crying. Her clothes didn't match and had little wrinkles sprinkled about. He didn’t think it mattered what her appearance was at any given time. She would always be beautiful.