The Fall of (Grayson) Rome

By E. P. Paul

Grayson Rome is just your average girl, even though she has seven siblings, is the daughter of a diplomat, and has lived in almost more countries than there are in the European Union. Its not exactly an easy life, and it doesnt get any easier when she meets Nate. But when Nates long-lost mom is found to have survived a plane crash, conspiracies rise and trouble brews for the families, and Grayson soon finds herself thrown out of her comfort zone.

Grayson Rome is just your average FBI agent, even though she is one of the youngest supervisory special agents in charge of a special operations team that protects the targets of a kill list, is in the ranks for another big-time promotion, placing her in charge of the entire unit, and is completely ostracized by her peers because of her success. Its not exactly an easy life, and it doesnt get any easier when she gets put on a new case. But when an old face from her past resurfaces, conspiracies rise and trouble brews for everyone involved, and Grayson soon finds herself thrown into the deep end without swimming lessons.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524650384

E. P. Paul

Erin Paul is an incoming freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia. She was raised, along with her two loving sisters, by two supportive and hardworking parents. Growing up, Erin gravitated toward fast-paced and risky sports. During high school, she also discovered her love for sports medicine. It is no surprise therefore, that while writing, she loves a fast-paced and exciting story. As long as it’s exciting, Paul loves it. When asked what the most difficult part of writing is for her, Erin replied that she loathes the process of editing. Although Paul plans to study English and enter the world of publishing, it is safe to say she will continue writing, and this is not the last time we will be reading her name on the cover of a novel.

Book preview

Chapter One

GRAYSON

THE ARENA BLURRED around me as I felt a last surge of adrenaline. The steady thump of my footsteps echoed in my ears and I felt a bead of sweat roll down my forehead. It was the way I always released my energy, and that’s exactly what was happening now. I was elated, my soul at its peak, I was running and I was free. The only thing stopping me from victory now was the girl on my heels as I went about the final turn of my final lap. Pushing myself harder, and faster, my muscles screamed in protest as I pushed off the track. I lost control as I crossed the finish line and stumbled into the arms of Ben, my coach, who roared in delight.

My heart pounded in my ears and I gasped in a short breath, my lungs eagerly taking in the air. Ben stood me upright and my teammates ran over, crowding around me, yelling boisterously. Hands clapped me on the back, hugging me, as I nodded, smiling and thanking, and someone handed me a Gatorade. I took a long slug of it and shot a grateful grin at Ben. You’ve got an hour until time to warm up for the 4x4, go rest up.

As I was pulling off my spikes and began changing into my Asics, one of my surplus of brothers, Gavin, was pushing his way through the crowd towards me. After reaching me, he picked me up in one of his bone-crushing hugs. I groaned as he cracked my back and he set me down and blurted in excitement, Holy shit, Grayson, that was one of your best races I’ve seen. How are you feeling, you’re not going to have another, well, uh, you know what I mean, right?

I scoffed, Gav, you’ve been to two of my races. That wasn’t my best. And I’m fine, don’t worry about it.

He shook his head and ruffled my blond hair, putting the small strings over my face. I blew it out of my sight and glanced around the throngs of people. We were standing under a tent by the track, and runners were milling around, icing and eating and sleeping. Gavin took hold of my wrist, pulling me out of my daze and into the crowd, and he yelled back, Mom and Dad and everyone are back in the stands.

I yanked him to a stop and he snapped back into me. Stumbling a bit, I quickly recovered my footing and said, What? Mom and Dad are here? I thought they were still in- well actually, I don’t know where the hell they were, where were they?

Gavin shook his head. Egypt, maybe, this time I think, problem with the diplomat over there or something? Anyways, as I was saying, everyone is here. Like Alex is back from Stanford for the summer, which I think is kind of stupid, because Mom and Dad aren’t going to be here most of the time, meanwhile we’ll be stuck here for summer courses. But Mom and Dad brought Lily up from the lower school and of course, everyone else is here.

I blinked. All eight of us plus Mom and Dad in one place? And my track meet no less? Yeah, it was stupid to bring Alex back, is he just going to go with Mom and Dad on their trips?

Gavin shrugged. He jerked his head towards the stands. Let’s go.

I followed him stiffly towards the stands, pushing through the swarms of people, and I heard my family before I saw them. James, Gavin’s twin, was yelling at Luke, who was Emma’s twin, and Emma was arguing with the youngest, Lily, while John and Dad were talking loudly. In a few seconds, they all looked up at the two of us and waved wildly. Mom ran up to me, with Alex and Dad trailing behind, and pulled me into her arms, squishing my aching body into her. I wheezed, Oh, c’mon Ma, get off me.

She dropped her arms and smiled kindly at me. Her frizzy blond hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her bright blue eyes shined at me. Dad came over and put an arm around me, whispering in my ear, Nice race, kiddo.

I looked up at him and his brown eyes twinkled. Alex grinned at me from behind Mom, and mouthed, Good job, shit head.

I shook my head, laughing, and Mom, following my eyes, turned around quickly, sending an accusing glare at Alex. He chuckled lightly and patted her shoulder daintily. Mom grabbed me by my wrist and dragged a reluctant me back to everyone, where Gavin was speaking to James in hushed tones, while Emma, Luke, and Lily were eating sandwiches. I plopped down on the cold bleachers next to Luke and grabbed a sandwich out of the picnic basket. Alex, Mom, and Dad sat down next to James and Gavin. Dad pointedly looked at James, who then rolled his eyes and said, Good job on your race, Grayson. Now, if you all will excuse me, I have my own race to run. It would sure be swell if you guys could pay any attention you can spare from my darling little sister Grayson.

He jumped off the bleachers and stalked back to our school’s tent. I sighed and glanced at Gavin. What’s his problem now?

He shook his head, annoyed. He’s just nervous about his race. He hasn’t raced since he broke his foot, and you know how he gets when he loses.

Gavin, he’s been doing fine at practices. And he’s only running the 800, why is he so worried?

He shrugged and turned around to Dad, who was talking to Mom energetically. I rolled my eyes and nudged Luke, who was taking a huge bite out of a sandwich that was dripping disgustingly in mustard. Where’d John just go?

He swallowed forcefully and cleared his throat. He’s off with, well, you know Mom and Dad’s friend in the embassy, Rob Winters?

I nodded. Rob was a close friend of Mom and Dad’s but he was at the embassy in Munich so we didn’t see him very often. Luke said, Well, he got moved to the embassy here in Florence, so his son, Nate, recently transferred to the school, and John’s with him. Rob is coming to dinner tonight, so John’s trying to get to know him better. Now that I think about it, you should know him, he’s on the track team with you. Actually, I think he’s in the same event as James.

I raised a single eyebrow. Interesting. I’m assuming he’s yours or John’s age.

Luke took another meaty bite of his sandwich, while saying, Nah, he’s like seventeen, I think. He’s an eleventh year, so he’s your grade, right?

I rolled my eyes and jokingly shoved him. You know how old I am, idiot.

He raised his hands in defense. There’s eight of us, how am I expected to know everyone’s age?

I retorted, I know everyone’s age.

Luke mimicked, I know everyone’s age.

I shoved him and he waggled his eyebrows at me. Oh, come off it, it’s not like all of us were gifted with a wicked memory like yours.

I grinned at him, stood up, and started stretching out my calves. With having a mere forty minutes until my race, Coach Ben would be coming to get me soon enough. I called over my shoulder, Hey Gav, would you mind stretching out my hamstrings?

He clunked down the bleachers and jumped off the final one to land right next to me. I will in a bit, James is about to run, look.

I faced the track, and there he sure was on the starting line, jumping around, attempting to loosen up. A man yelled at the lot of them to get ready and James stopped hopping, his whole body tensing. The 800 is a waterfall start but you can cut in right after the gunshot. After another second, the man shouted for them to get set and I watched as all the boys tensed up, waiting for the gunshot, and when it came, they all shot off, spikes digging into the track. After cutting in, James took the lead quickly and I realized he was going for positive splits, which wasn’t going to be beneficial, for him at least.

Another boy, clad in the same uniform as James, was gaining on him quickly as they went around the final turn of the first lap. James sped it up a notch and the other boy struggled to keep up, but he did. They were halfway done the second lap, neck and neck, and James was going to run out of energy sooner or later. The other boy got a bit of a lead and cheering went off in the crowd around as he went past James. I pressed up against the fence and yelled, C’mon, James, last lap, you really got to kick it!

James started sprinting and caught up to the other boy, as they were sprinting to finish line, but James was favoring his other foot—the one that hadn’t been broken—slowed him down, and as they went around the final turn, James faltered and the boy saw it and pushed. When I say pushed, he pushed it, he looked about as graceful as a gazelle. James started sprinting again, but it was too late as the boy crossed the finish line, a millisecond before James. James stormed off the track angrily, dismissing Coach Ben as he tried to talk him, heading towards the school, Ben watching him, distraught. I nodded towards James at Gavin, who then sprinted off towards his twin, hoping to console him. Addressing Luke, I pleaded, Please don’t tell me that’s Rob’s son.

Luke grimaced, giving me an answer. This should be an awkward dinner. I saw Coach Ben talking to Rob’s son as I started walking to the school’s tent, I said passingly to Mom and Dad, Hey, I’m going to go warm up, I’ll see you after!

They both nodded and Mom yelled after me, Good luck, honey!

I jogged my way back to the tent, where most of my team was lying about, while James and Gavin were sitting in the corner, and James was gesturing wildly to the always calm Gavin, who was making soothing motions. I searched around for a cooler, and finding one, I opened it and shoved my hand into the freezing water, rummaging for a Gatorade. My hand found purchase and I pulled it out of the icy water, bringing it over to James.

I went to hand it to him, but he just pushed it away. I spoke quietly, C’mon, James, it was one race. Nonetheless, it was your first race back, don’t-

He interrupted me, standing up, shouting in my face, I just got beat, by Rob’s son. So how about you shut up? Is that so DAMN hard? You don’t know what you’re talking about, you’ve never been injured and you’ve never lost a race. So go ahead and run your god damn race and win because we all know that’s what will happen.

He spun on his foot and stormed off. I blinked and let out an annoyed huff. I looked at Gavin, who shrugged helplessly and jogged off in the direction of James, who had fled the tent. I sat down on a nearby blanket and started stretching out my hamstrings. As I extended my leg, a shadow fell over me and I looked up, only to see the infamous Nate Winters. He was rather tall, which was coming from me, who stood at a solid 5’7, taller than most girls. Light brown hair covered his forehead and his face was covered in perspiration from the race. He wore a coy smile that stretched to his high cheekbones directly under eyes that were as blue as our sapphire uniforms.

Tough loss, huh? You’ve caught quite the attention.

I rolled my eyes. Piss off.

He chuckled and Coach Ben came over to me, parting through the throngs of kids under the tent like the Red Sea. Ben eyed Rob’s son suspiciously and nearly snarled at him, Scram.

The kid nodded quickly and while walking away, he stammered, Yes sir.

I couldn’t blame him; Ben was an intimidating guy. If he didn’t like you, he would make your life hell at practice. And to this day, I still didn’t dare antagonize him. Last time I messed with him, he made me do 24x400s and I could hardly walk for the next couple of days. But he pushed you, pushed you in a way that you didn’t want, but needed to be great, and that is why he’ll be my favorite coach for ages.

Ben clapped me on the shoulder and said, You ready for this?

I nodded. Would you mind stretching my hamstrings out? Gavin was supposed to, but-

Ben interjected, Say no more. Lay down.

I jumped down and laid back as Ben swung one of my legs back, stretching out the tight muscle. He held it for a while, and switched to my other leg, pushing back until my tight legs could go no farther.

*     *     *

At the beginning of any race, it gets silent. There’s a different energy in the atmosphere, the whole arena was buzzing with a vibrant tension. Only runners experience this, that steely calm that comes over their body. I watched one of the other girls in the relay, Marie, pass it off the third girl, Savannah and after her lap, would be giving it to me, who would have the honor of finishing the relay. Savannah was slowing down, and two girls were passing her. She need to pick it up if we had a chance in this race.

Steadily making her way towards the pass-off, I tensed up and faced forward, hand behind me blindly waiting for the baton. Two girls passed through the baton pass-off and I cursed; two more girls I have to beat. I heard her yell breathlessly, Go, go, go.

I started jogging and my heart started pumping, the adrenaline spreading through my veins for the second time today, when I felt the cold metal of the baton slide into my hand.

Not waiting even a millisecond, I took off, feet slamming against the track, spikes digging in, pushing my muscles to their limits, trying to catch up. My breaths came in short puffs and I felt sweat drip down my forehead, my long ponytail swinging behind me.

I began approaching the first girl as she made a crucial mistake: she turned around. This momentary distraction gave me an advantage and I pushed myself harder, muscles screaming in protest, swiftly passing the girl. The second girl was about to enter her second to last turn and I forced my legs to go faster, if that was possible. My legs kept going, I felt out of control, like a machine with no control on its limbs. Speedily approaching the red headed runner, I saw her try to use whatever she had left, but at this point, it was nothing, I was so alive, energy bursting out of me, I just kicked it up a notch. I started going about the turn, passing her, when I felt something hit my shin, tripping me and I tumbled down, my face first into the track. I let out a strangled yell and my face skidded across the track.

The evil little mongrel tripped me and as I looked up, she was still running. I pushed myself onto my hands and knees, gravel pressing uncomfortably into my palms and kneecaps, face stinging, and pushed off the ground, already sprinting. I’d be damned if she got to win. I felt like I was flying as my feet slammed against the track, moving my legs as fast as anatomically possible, the track blurring under my feet as I caught up to the bitch. We were neck and neck to that glorious finish line when I lengthened my stride, my legs feeling the wrath of Hades himself as I crossed the finish line a second before her and I jogged to a stop as Ben ran over to me and slapped a thing of gauze on my face. Grayson, you’re bleeding.

Oh wow, thanks Captain Obvious.

I held the gauze onto my face gingerly, the cottony substance stinging my face. With a glare, Ben said, I’m going to get a medic to patch this up, I’ll be right back.

I nodded, barely hearing him. My attention was focused on the redheaded girl talking to her coach and it was all a blur around me as I marched over to her, seething with rage. I poked her on the shoulder, none too nicely, and she whirled around, surprise contorting her face. She had a spray of freckles on her button nose, standing out against her pale skin.

I punched her. I don’t remember deciding to punch her or even pulling my fist back. But I did remember my fist connecting with her nose, feeling the cartilage crunch under my knuckles, her short scream, and blood spurting onto those freckles. Then I felt arms wrapping around me, pulling me away as the girl was crying and the coach was yelling, and the next thing I knew, I was sitting under the track tent with the medic cleaning my face up.

It was oddly soothing: the feeling of the cream being smeared on both my forehead and my cheek. Ben was talking and I focused in on what he was saying, …that was really stupid of you to do. You can’t just run around punching people.

I jerked my head towards him, looking incredulously at him. You’ve got to be kidding me. She tripped me.

Using his grip on my chin, the trainer snapped my head back into place. Ben barked, This could jeopardize the race. We could lose. This is bullshit, Grayson, what the hell were you thinking?

I yelled, What the hell was I thinking? Oh, I don’t know, after I busted my ASS to pick up the slack, I get my face messed up, that was what I was thinking. I was thinking about getting the bitch back.

Ben got in my face, yelling, You don’t get to talk to me like that. I demand respect.

I stood up, dismissing the trainer’s words of protest and looked him dead in the eye. I spat, Respect needs to be earned. You lost that today.

I snatched my track bag up and shoved my way out from under the team tent, and started stalking out of the arena. People stared, and I’m sure I looked like an eyesore, I could feel the open scrapes on my face stinging, the salt of my dried sweat all over my body, and I was in desperate need of a hot shower. As I was walking out of the arena, I heard someone shouting my name, and I turned to my right to see my family waiting outside the arena. I heaved a sigh and trudged over to them, only to be bombarded with questions.

What was that?

Why on Earth would you punch her?

What did she do?

Nice hit, Grayson.

I yelled, For the LOVE of God, shut the hell up.

Silence followed and I closed my eyes while pinching the bridge of my nose. I said with a steely calm, Do you see my face? She tripped me, and I punched her. She deserved it and Ben already reamed me out, I don’t need anything from you guys, I’m just going to go back up to the school for a well-deserved shower.

No one said anything for a while until Mom spoke up, We are all going to dinner with Rob and his son. So, after your shower, meet us back in James and Gavin’s room.

I nodded and replied graciously, Thanks for being there, guys.

There was a chorus of you’re welcomes and I headed back up to my dorm. The trek from the track to the dorms was a treacherous one. It was hilly; the uphill climb after a track meet was rough. My face was throbbing and my muscles were tight to the point I could barely put one foot in front of the other. I didn’t have a chance to stretch after, but I really wish I had. The dorms were about a half mile from the arena with the convenience of when you were late for a meet and you needed a warm up. But on the walks back after a meet, it was a sight far from convenient.

The dorms were located on top of the prep school, up on two floors, top for the girls, and bottom for the boys. The rooms were beyond satisfactory; my own had a queen-sized bed, a flat screen TV, a