Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Kati

"You've got to be kidding me." I kicked the knocked-down mailbox with my foot.

After a twelve-hour night shift, this was the last thing I wanted to be dealing with. And the gang symbol tagged on the white surface only further pissed me off. How was it that, even after nearly fifteen years, I was still dealing with that single drunken night?

I looked up at my house and who I knew was waiting for me. That's how.

"Again?" My best friend walked out my front door and met me at the end of the driveway. "How the hell did Lucien and I sleep through that again?"

It was the third time in the last three weeks I had come home to the same thing. Each time, the individual had waited for the only night shift I worked throughout the week. If it weren't for the fact that my car was parked in the driveway the other nights, I would've been concerned someone was stalking me and knew my shift schedule at the hospital.

"Because this particular affiliation of Los Cangris are a bunch of juveniles who don't understand what true crime is," I lashed out. "They might have mastered keeping quiet, but they stick to petty shit that's more of a nuisance than anything. They want to prove themselves.”

And they were trying to use my son to do it.

I took a calming breath and pushed the problem away for now. I had other things that required my attention this morning. "Is Lucien ready for school?"

Lyla merely snickered. "I mean, he's out of bed; does that count?"

Lyla and I had been best friends since elementary school. She was more like a sister than anything, and if it wasn't for her being willing to watch Lucien while I worked my one mandatory overnight shift a week, I didn't know what I would've done.

"I'll take it. I hope he didn't give you a hard time."

"My nephew never gives me a hard time. He loves hanging out with me. He's just not a morning person. Kinda like someone else I know."

I didn't hide the smirk because it was true. Mornings were the enemy. I normally set five alarms and that was just to wake myself up before I even attempted to wake Lucien. It was a routine that would drive anyone else insane, but it worked well for us. It was a good thing Lyla was the only person who had to deal with our annoying habits.

"Thank you." I gave Lyla a hug. "I'll call you after I drop Lucien off at school. I need to do something about this, but I'm not even sure where to start."

"There's a new security company in town, I'll send you the number. Maybe you should call them and see what they say."

I thought I had seen something about that in the newspaper but didn't pay much mind to it. In a small town like Willow Creek, the newspaper was used more for social events and less for town news. The main journalist had a blog that was more interesting than anything published in the actual paper. At this point, I think the only reason the town still had a newspaper was due to tradition. No one wanted to admit it was time to stop wasting money and resources.

"I'll think about it. Will you be locked in your studio all day?" Lyla was an amazing artist who was getting ready for her first solo art show. She wouldn't admit it, but she was nervous.

"Most likely. I want another painting or two for the collection." Lyla spoke with her hands, so they were flailing around. "You know, to give the studio some variety when they pick the pieces that will be featured."

"They already love your work. They wouldn't be giving you your own show if they didn't."

Lyla switched to twisting her hands together. It was one of the rare times my friend showed uncertainty. It was strange, considering out of the two of us, Lyla was usually the confident one.

"I better get going,” she said. “Call the security company and let me know how it goes."

"I will." I gave her a quick hug, and turned to go inside, while she headed to her car.

Lucien was waiting for me when I walked through the front door.

"The mailbox again?"

Oh, how I wished I could hide this from my son, but at fourteen years old, he was far wiser than he needed to be.

"Yes, but it's fine. I'll deal with it after I drive you to school."

"They aren't going to stop, you know."

Unfortunately, I did know. These so-called gang members wanted to prove their worth and they had it in their heads that the fastest way to do that was to recruit my son. It didn't matter that Lucien wanted nothing to do with them, or that I would die before ever allowing him in that world. A one-night stand was enough to learn my lesson.

"I'll handle it. You need to finish getting ready for school so you aren't late."

"I'm never late,” he teased with a smile. “You would never allow that."

Also something I knew very well. Lucien had enough going against him just because of who his sperm donor was. I refused to give the principal any other reason to treat my son poorly.

We were in the car and on the way to school with five minutes to spare.

"Why don't you let me . . ."

"Nope." I cut him off right there. I knew exactly what he was about to say because it was the same conversation we’d had multiple times before. "You won't be doing anything when it comes to Los Cangris. I don't want you anywhere near them."

"But they aren't going to stop."

I did my best to rein my temper in. It wasn't Lucien's fault I was tired after a grueling shift at the hospital. I hated overnight shifts because it screwed with my sleep schedule and made me extra grumpy. It always took both of my off days to feel normal again.

"I know, baby, but I don’t want you to have anything to do with them. I tried so damn hard to keep you off their radar, but apparently I failed."

"You didn't fail, Mom. It's not your fault."

Not true. I should've taken Lyla's suggestion and left after Lucien was born, but Willow Creek was all I ever knew. After my parents died, I needed this place and these people because it reminded me of them.

The night Lucien was conceived was one of the lowest nights of my life. It had been the anniversary of my parents’ death and I wanted to forget my pain, even if it was just for one evening. Unfortunately, in my quest to do so, I had left myself vulnerable to a man who had no moral compass and didn't mind taking advantage of a drunk woman.

Three weeks later, when I discovered I was pregnant, I realized it was a miracle in disguise. Lucien had saved me and given me a reason to be a better person.

Some days I felt like it had been my parents’ way of reminding me that I wasn't alone, and if I put my mind to it, I could accomplish anything. It had been their mantra my whole life and I had almost forgotten that.

I pulled up in front of the small high school. "Thanks, baby. I love you. Have a great day."

"Please get a nap in,” Lucien begged. “I know you want to deal with the mailbox but make sure you get some sleep. You'll feel better once you do."

Unlike most teenagers, Lucien didn't have issues showing affection. He openly kissed me on the cheek and gave me a hug before climbing out of the car and waving goodbye. He walked straight into the building with the confidence of someone who knew he was disliked by many but didn't let it bother him.

I wondered for the millionth time how I got so lucky. All Lucien's life, people told me he would amount to nothing, just like his father, but I refused to believe it. I was convinced that with enough love, biology could be overwritten. It was the only thing that got me through the naysayers like Principal Hawkins.

I had barely made it out of the school parking lot before my phone pinged with an incoming text message. It was the phone number for the security company, with a warning that I better call or else.

I could only laugh because Lyla's or else could be anything from doing it herself to spraying shaving cream on my hand and tickling me while I sleep. My best friend was a bit erratic when it came to threats. I had no choice but to comply if I didn't want to be on the receiving end.

There was no time like the present to make the call, since as soon as I got home the likelihood that I didn't fall face-first onto my bed was close to zilch. I was barely keeping my eyes open the way it was.

I clicked the link in Lyla’s text and Bluetooth dialed the number.

"Willow Creek Security. Easton speaking."

"Ummm . . . hi." Maybe I should've waited until I was a little more awake to call. That or maybe the man on the other end of the line didn't have to have such a gravelly voice that sent a shock through my system. I was a sucker for that low and rough sound. "I was calling to get some information."

"About the receptionist position? You can just come down and someone will be happy to interview you."

"Uhhh, no." I cleared my throat. "I wanted to speak to someone about security. Ummm . . . for my house. I've had someone destroy my mailbox three times over the past three weeks. I guess I shouldn't exactly say someone since it's clear who's doing it but yeah . . ."

Was it possible for me to sound any more like an airhead? If I wasn't driving down Main Street, I would bang my head off the steering wheel. As if the universe further wanted to embarrass me, I was currently driving right by the company I was on the phone with. For a brief moment, I considered sliding down in my seat so no one inside could see me, even though it was physically impossible for them to know it was me on the phone.

"I can have someone come out to your house today to speak with you and go over some options if you like," Easton offered in a friendly singsong voice.

"That would be great."

I gave him my information and set up a time before Lucien got home from school. It would mean only a handful of hours of sleep but that would have to work. I didn't want my son around until I got more information. He would just worry.

Pulling back into my driveway, I quickly shut the car off and rushed inside. The sooner I got to bed, the more time I would have to sleep before waking up to shower. I tossed my scrubs in the hamper and pulled on my favorite oversized shirt. I barely remember stumbling to the bed.

I had the nagging feeling I was forgetting to do something, but it would have to wait until after I got sleep because it was important I didn't look like the overtired pigeon I actually was when Easton sent one of his co-workers to come meet with me.