Two years ago, Ewyn Calderone escaped the subjugation of domestic violence. The love and support of Devin Nilsson helped Ewyn reclaim his self-esteem. Now his fragile self-confidence is tested when his brother, the Calderone mob boss, vanishes, Ewyn becomes head of the family, and his pregnant niece and her sister die in a purported accident. The baby survives and Ewyn becomes guardian.
Days later, police report the deaths are homicides then ask about the women’s dubious lifestyles. Ewyn has no answers and the panic of self-doubt re-emerges. To alleviate Ewyn’s angst, Devin enlists law enforcement friends to help unravel the mystery of paternity, the nieces’ lives and deaths, and stop a killer before the child becomes the next victim.
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Memories Erased: Treachery
Copyright © 2011 M. E. Reid
ISBN: 978-1-77111-000-6
Cover art by Martine Jardin
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by eXtasy Books
Look for us online at:
www.eXtasybooks.com
Smashwords Edition
Memories Erased: Treachery
By
M. E. Reid
Reader Appreciation – Thanks for your continued support!
Prologue
The night their lives intersected—Devin Piers Nilsson, a Department of Justice undercover operative and Ewyn Kelley Calderone, a mob brat—their association became much more than a law enforcement issue. Devin owed their chance encounter to his former lover Allister Teague’s desertion.
Single after a five-year monogamous relationship, when Devin came in from an operation, he’d trawl the trendy bars and nightclubs on the prowl for a quick fix. Without much success, he tired of the party scene environment and drifted over to the Silver Fox Bar and Grille, a dive located in a crime-infested part of San Bernardino. Considering the neighborhood, and his line of work, Devin wasn’t sure of his intentions. Was he hunting for something to maim or kill to soothe the blow to his self-esteem, or to find an Allister substitute? The hard part was choosing which activity would provide the most pleasure.
In the mellow ambience of his surroundings, he relaxed against worn red vinyl and sipped his Chivas while contemplating the future of his love life, and that’s when he walked in. Even in the dim lighting, the young man’s attributes were all too obvious, and right on cue, Devin’s dick clamored for attention, pressing into the zipper of his jeans, forcing him to shift on the seat. He stretched his legs out in front of him in an attempt to give his cock some breathing room.
Devin only took brief notice of the young man’s companion because he wouldn’t be a deterrent. In his current frame of mind, if he had to take out the friend to get close to what he wanted, a little aggressive foreplay would work for him. Keeping his eyes on the two men, they appeared to be arguing. The small one, who had Devin’s interest, started to walk away, the big guy grabbed his arm, and short-shit snatched his arm away then headed for the john. His friend followed.
Distraction out of sight, Devin’s thoughts returned to his defunct relationship with Allister. But several minutes into his rumination, a loud thump on the wall next to him made him jerk to attention and glance around. He noticed the two men hadn’t returned, and out of curiosity, he slipped out of the booth, strode toward the bathroom, and shoved open the door. What he saw stopped him midstride. Clearly, he had disrupted a physical altercation.
With tears brimming in his eyes and the stain of blush or a bruise from a blow coloring one cheek, the younger man stormed into the last stall. The big brute brushed by Devin and strode from the room. Devin heard what sounded like a choked-off sob and glanced toward the stall as he moved to the urinals and relieved himself, then went to the sink. He took his time washing his hands and the lingering paid off. The stall door opened, the young man stepped out, and Devin watched the kid saunter across the floor with a sexy-as-hell, swiveling hips-in-motion walk.
Taking note of curly, ink black hair, luminous green eyes and dimples, baby-boy’s slim toned physique didn’t reach six feet. He appeared to be young, maybe mid to late twenties, packed all right and tight in beige slacks accentuating trim hips and a first-rate ass. Reluctantly, Devin raised his eyes, their gazes converged in the mirror, and Devin frowned. Why did this kid look familiar—damn! He’d seen him around the agency. Evidently, his preoccupation with Allister’s departure had blinded Devin to prospects right under his nose. He extended his hand.
“I’m Devin Nilsson.”
“Hi, I’m Ewyn Kelley.” He grasped the proffered hand.
Devin stared into luminous green eyes and experienced a soul-stirring, heart-wrenching jolt to his senses. A chill of apprehension swept his body, and that alone should have cautioned him to back off. Instead, he offered to buy Ewyn a drink.
His friend Mick Tavis, ex-FBI agent now doing a stint as bartender, tried to warn Devin that any involvement with Ewyn could be risky. Devin ignored Mick’s Intel and made the decision to take Ewyn home with him. Then, all it took was that first kiss from Ewyn for Devin to decide baby-boy would be worth any risks.
Even discovering Ewyn’s real name connected him to the mob—his brother Gregorio being head of the Calderone syndicate, and his abusive lover Gareth Varvarinski, a member of the Russian consortium didn’t deter Devin. Although serious Italian and Russian affiliations…hell, Ewyn’s ass had victim scrawled all over it, which made mob connections a moot point if Devin didn’t have the patience to help Ewyn regain his self-esteem.
To further his commitment to a possible relationship, Devin took Ewyn from Varvarinski and moved Ewyn into his place. Once he settled Ewyn into his condo, he left on assignment and experienced a frisson of fear for the first time in his life when it became clear the risks weren’t one-sided. One of Varvarinski’s men came after Ewyn. Mick and his partner, Kyrk Taggart, currently with the FBI, were able to intervene and had the man arrested. Days later, someone killed the perp in his jail cell. If an UNSUB could get to a man under police protection, how vulnerable did that make Ewyn?
Despite the emotional chaos of the new relationship, the risks and danger were normal days in the life of a man whose regular routine consisted of lying, murder, and covert ops. But damn. Who would have thought falling in love could be as hazardous as the job.
Tired of the notoriety of his partner at their usual hangout, Ewyn had convinced Gareth to take him to the Silver Fox. Imagine his astonishment at finding Devin in a well-known gay bar. He almost creamed his briefs thinking of the potential Devin’s presence suggested. Hell. On several occasions, he had encountered Devin at the agency and had written him off as a straight macho prick when he attempted to gain his attention and failed. Unfortunately, this time, his attention to Devin wasn’t unnoticed. Gareth took note, which sparked the quarrel in the men’s room.
Devin’s interruption was a welcome reprieve. Watching his six-foot three buff figure stroll into the bathroom, for a few seconds, Ewyn ignored his anger and the pain.
Not classically handsome, Devin reminded Ewyn of the Russian ballet dancer, Alexander Godunov, with his long blonde hair tied back with a strip of black leather, and brushed away from strong chiseled features. All-over golden, Devin had sexy amber eyes, which left no doubt about what the man wanted. Staring into that compelling gaze, Ewyn knew he finally had Devin’s absolute interest, which he intended to act on, knowing he shouldn’t.
Hell. He lived a life steeped in lies and secrets—dangerous secrets. His secrets would create a conflict of interest for Devin, his secrets would test Ewyn’s own loyalties, and due to his alliance with Gareth, his secrets could kill. In view of Devin’s profession, Ewyn knew he couldn’t keep those secrets and have a serious relationship with Devin. Nonetheless, rather than forego a chance to be with Devin, Ewyn would settle for one night, for a memory.
Despite his good intentions not to involve Devin in his life, after a bout of mind-boggling sex, Ewyn blurted out a long-held secret. The one secret keeping him out of the public eye, the mainstay of his life that kept him safe, and of all the people to reveal it to… He’d never given his real name to anyone before, because his family had gone to great lengths to have his mother’s maiden name Kelley documented as his surname.
Hell. At a time when he’d reached his breaking point, to have Devin rescue him and want him despite his name and associations, Ewyn couldn’t believe his good fortune. Once he settled into Devin’s place, for the first time in his adult life, he relaxed. He even dared to believe he would be happy and safe. Six months later, life disabused him of those idealistic thoughts. The shit started coming at him and Devin hard and fast. In their wildest imaginations, neither could have envisioned a scenario like the one they found themselves in, unfolding with all the deadly twists and turns of a crime drama.
What Ewyn failed to factor into his happily-ever-after equation was a visit from Mairianna Calderone, his feisty red-haired Irish mother, accompanied by family driver-bodyguard Patrick McCormick, who refused to stop calling Ewyn pipsqueak. It had been more than a year since he’d seen either of them, yet his mother knew everything about his life during that time. After that disturbing reunion, he had a throw down with Devin’s ex, with the first attempt on his life happening later that night. Next, he became the prime suspect in the murder of Varvarinski.
Besides that last attempt on his life with Devin stepping up to the rescue and almost dying in the process, Mairianna, who had been suffering with flu-like symptoms for months, collapsed. What no one knew at the time was she had been ingesting small doses of poison for more than a year and Cecilia, his sister-in-law had orchestrated the entire scheme to wipe out the Calderones.
Ewyn wanted to kill her. But Mother Nature intervened and did the deed for him when an earthquake destroyed the monastery where Gregorio had incarcerated her after discovering her treachery.
Chapter 1
A mantle of storm grey clouds rolling in from the San Bernardino Mountains combined with a light sprinkling of rain to cloak the day in an atmosphere of gloom. It was the perfect backdrop for the day’s event.
Ewyn sat between Devin and Gregorio. With Ewyn’s nieces Nicole and Carolyn on their father’s right, and Patrick on Devin’s left, Gemma, Timothy, Mick and Taggart occupied the seats behind them. More than one hundred solemn family members and associates stood by as his mother’s coffin disappeared into the ground. Mairianna never recovered from Cecilia’s attempt on her life. A silent sob shook Ewyn’s body.
He had no more tears. His supply had been exhausted when, desperate to reclaim his self-esteem by escaping the bondage of domestic violence, what should have been the highlight of his life had deteriorated into a year and a half of emotional upheaval. Although an unlikely liaison, he and Devin managed to survive that odyssey of fear, deception, murder, and anguish.
Foolishly, he’d thought the emotional rollercoaster had been a test. They had passed, and that would be the end. But it wasn’t. This was the end, here at the cemetery, mourning the loss of his mother. The result of a diabolic scheme his sister-in-law had been plotting for years to wipe out the Calderones, including her husband and children—
Ewyn flinched.
The sudden intrusion of Father Casale’s deep baritone voice on Ewyn’s rumination forced him to return his attention to his immediate surroundings. He noticed most of the assembled group had dispersed, but lingering mourners were approaching to offer condolences. Together with his family, Ewyn stood, Devin draped his arm across Ewyn’s shoulders and he shivered.
Remembering the extent of his sister-in-law’s insidious hatred made him think he could have been attending Devin’s funeral today. He edged closer to Devin and snuggled into his warmth. Hell. Even the resolution of those unnerving complexities didn’t end the uncertainties.
Major concerns about his paternal aunt’s welfare compounded the overwhelming heartbreak of losing his mother. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer, his aunt Gemma fought an uphill battle to survive. A mere skeleton of her former self, the chemotherapy had taken its toll, and he worried about her being out in the day’s inclement weather.
Then in a few weeks, another disturbing change would infringe on life, as he knew it, when his brother relinquished his role as mob boss. Opting out of syndicate business, Gregorio would hand over the reins of the crime family to their cousin Vincenzo. Without Ewyn’s knowledge, his brother had been paving the way for his retirement with hints of failing health. To assure the other crime families knew Gregorio wasn’t ratting out to the FBI, he’d go underground, disappearing for an undetermined amount of time. Having survived the last two years of turmoil, Ewyn could handle this.
Hell, what else could happen?
Ewyn glanced around at the assembled company.
Gregorio, Nicole, and Carolyn were present. Along with Gemma, Patrick, Timothy, Mick, Taggart, and Devin, they were there to have one last meal together as a family, before Gregorio and Patrick disappeared from their lives.
Seated at the dining room table, conversation lulled when the servants appeared. With the precision of a choreographed performance, they removed the remnants of the meal and then dessert and coffee materialized. Task complete, the staff left as stealthily as they came. Beneath the table, Devin’s hand rested on Ewyn’s thigh, and Ewyn had a death-grip on that hand, his thoughts in turmoil.
After Mairianna’s death, and with Ewyn’s welfare secured by his relationship with Devin, Patrick had declared his job complete. He’d been with the Calderone family since he was a kid, running errands and doing odd jobs until he became bodyguard to Ewyn’s father, to Ewyn, then Ewyn’s mother. Rather than retire him, Gregorio offered Patrick the position as his right-hand man, an offer Patrick readily accepted. He and Gregorio hashed out the conditions of the new position, and Patrick arranged for his and Gregorio’s underground isolation. After securing a safe house, Patrick concocted a plausible cover story and had them packed and good to go within a month of Mairianna’s funeral.
Ewyn stared at Patrick. The idea of losing Patrick and Gregorio for an uncertain amount of time troubled him, until he realized the loss had an upside. In view of Gregorio’s past associations, knowing Patrick had Gregorio’s back, helped to reconcile Ewyn to the change.
Gaze traveling from Patrick to Nicole and Carolyn—Ewyn knew so little about his nieces. A child when they were born, away at college during their formative years, he’d left home by the time they were old enough to communicate as adults. To further the distance between him and the two girls, their mother’s bitchiness alienated both daughters, lessening their interaction with the family. Once they moved on campus, they refused to come home with their mother there, except on the rare special occasion. Even then, time spent with the family had been fraught with discord because of Cecilia’s hatred for Ewyn. The family turmoil must have taken its toll on both young women, so what kind of comfort could Ewyn offer, with his recently developed emotional stability only a half step above iffy.
“Ewyn.”
He flinched, took a deep breath, and mustered up a smile before turning to Devin. The obvious love visible in Devin’s clear amber eyes reassured him. During their relatively new hook up, with the steady decline of blood relatives, Devin had become the one true constant in Ewyn’s life.
“I’m sorry, Dev. Were you saying something?”
Devin leaned close and whispered, “Relax.” He glanced down at the grip Ewyn had on his hand. “It’s going to be all right. I promise.”
“I know.” Loosening his hold, Ewyn glanced at his nieces. “I was thinking about Niki and Caro. I hardly know them.”
“True, but this is your opportunity to get better acquainted.”
Ewyn remained quiet, not so sure he could accomplish that. Niki turned twenty-one last month and Greg released both trust funds to her. She would be responsible for Caro, and as a business major, she was more than capable of handling the money, and taking good care of her sister. What could he or Aunt Gemma do for them?
“Hey…don’t anticipate.” Devin caressed Ewyn’s thigh, his fingertips soft-stroking Ewyn’s cock. Inching his legs apart, Ewyn relaxed as the warmth of those fingers, seeping through the material of his slacks, had his prick reacting to the touch. Devin always knew how to ease Ewyn’s anxiety.
“Gemma, are you sure you should do this?” Ewyn asked.
“Positive. The girls need to know someone will be at the house whenever they come home. They need family, baby. So much has been taken from them in such a short time.”
“I know. That’s what Dev said. But this has been your home since you and Tim married.” Ewyn looked around and sighed. “All your memories…”
“Will come with me,” Gemma replied. “Back home. Did you forget, I grew up there, lived with my brother, your father, until I married Tim? Furthermore, Greg arranged to have part of the third floor converted for us. And, if you’ll remember, Greg had the elevator installed several years ago, although your mother rarely used it.” She came to the sofa, sat next to Ewyn, and took his hand in her frail one.
“There’s no need to worry about me, Ewyn. This is what I need. I’ll have the household staff there to help me, while giving them something to do. Rosa is looking forward to having family in the house all the time.”
“I could come over here and check on you.” Ewyn looked to Devin for support. “I’m sure Mick will help out, and Tag, too, when he can.”
“Ewyn,” Timothy interjected. “I need to know Gem isn’t alone if I have to go out on an op.”
“Well, that’s another point. How will it look if you move into the Calderone home, Tim?” Ewyn sighed. “Won’t you compromise your position with the company?”
“No. Everyone who needed the information knows I’m married to a Calderone, and it never has affected my principles or job performance,” Timothy remarked. “Hell. In most syndicate families, Irish and Italian, half the members are mobsters and the other half, split between the priesthood and law enforcement. Besides, it’s to be expected, as matriarch of what’s left of this branch of the family, Gemma would take over the estate with Greg gone.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Ewyn, you can’t be with her all the time, but the staff can.” Devin brushed his fingertips along the nape of Ewyn’s neck. “She’s family. You know damn well the household staff will look after Gemma with the same care and devotion they gave your mother, twenty-four/seven.”
“I know. I don’t doubt their loyalty, but the family home is so far from the hospital…just in case.”
Devin grasped Ewyn’s chin and turned his head. “What’s up with all this apprehension?”
“It seems as if I’m losing everybody just when we’ve come back together as a family.”
“Oh, baby.” Gemma squeezed his hand. “You’re not going to lose me or the girls, and Greg will be back.” She looked at Timothy.
“Ewyn, let me set your mind at ease,” Timothy stated. “Greg left details for the remodeling to me. Part of the third floor conversion will include accommodations for a live-in RN, and any necessary medical equipment. Rosa’s oldest daughter, Mycelia will be Gem’s personal assistant.”
Devin watched the anxiety in those luminous green eyes fade to acquiescence. “Baby, your family’s home is large enough to house a small platoon. Gemma will have as much room there as here. She’ll be comfortable.”
“Okay.” Ewyn managed a weak grin. “All of you can’t be wrong.”
“Devin’s right,” Timothy declared. “Even with the conversion, the nursery will remain intact. Who knows, Gregorio might remarry and decide to have more children.”
Ewyn chuckled. “Yeah right, as if that will ever happen.”
“Hey, you never know. Greg isn’t that old. He has a few good years left in him.” Devin leaned over and brushed his lips across Ewyn’s ear. “Or Nicole might marry and want to settle down at the homestead.”
“True.” Ewyn turned to Gemma. “When are you going to move in?”
“Next week. The construction will be complete, and Tim has the move arranged. It shouldn’t take more than a day to get us settled. There’s enough help at the house to keep the changeover to a minimum of hassle,” Gemma explained. “Don’t worry, I won’t lift a finger.”
Ewyn leaned over and kissed his aunt’s cheek, then stood. “Okay, you’ve convinced me, and I’ve taken up enough of your time with my tenuous worries. Get some rest, Gem.” He nodded at Timothy and walked toward the door.
Devin stood, looked from Gemma to Timothy, and shrugged. “He’ll be all right.” He bent and kissed Gemma’s cheek, then headed for the door with Timothy close behind. “I’ll see you at the office tomorrow. I hear something big is coming down the pike and you’re going out with me.”
“Yeah, and that’s the reason I need to get Gem settled.” Timothy opened the door and scanned the corridor. “I guess Ewyn went down to the garage,” he remarked. “All of this shit is coming at him hard and fast. He’s come a long way, Devin, don’t let him regress.”
“He won’t. This isn’t about insecurity. It’s Mairianna’s death. He still blames himself. He thinks he should have been able to second-guess Cecilia.” Devin shook his head. “He insists Cecilia wouldn’t have hurt his mother, if she hadn’t been after him.”
“Bullshit. Mairianna was always her main target,” Timothy stated. “As soon as Cecilia discovered the family home belonged to Mairianna for life. Considering Mairianna’s age, it must have seemed as if she would live forever, and Cecilia wasn’t getting any younger.”
“But Cecelia lived a life a luxury. Greg never interfered with anything she wanted to do.”
“True, but the woman was a selfish bitch. If Gemma, Mairianna, and the servants hadn’t intervened, I believe Cecilia would have hurt her daughters when they were young. She never wanted them. She wanted a boy to secure her position in the family and the syndicate. Hell. By the time Niki was ten, she must have realized her mother didn’t like her or Caro, and from then on, Niki refused to leave Caro alone with Cecilia.”
“Damn. I can’t fathom what the girls felt, growing up knowing their mother didn’t want them, or love them.”
Timothy nodded. “As for Ewyn, heir to the family’s personal wealth, Cecilia despised him and did little to hide her feelings. She banked on the hook up between Varvarinski and Ewyn to take care of the problem, thinking one of them would kill the other. She’d done her homework, knew what Varvarinski was, and she had watched Ewyn growing up, knew passivity wasn’t a character trait, so she expected he’d eventually fight back.”
“Hoping to trigger a mob war, but instead, Ewyn came back into the fold, and he wasn’t alone.” Devin grinned. “Bet it surprised the hell out of Cecilia and her cohorts when Ewyn refused to become easy prey.”
Timothy snorted. “Oh yeah, she had to re-evaluate her plans for him, but never altered her campaign against her mother-in-law.”
“I know, and I’ve explained it to Ewyn, numerous times.” Devin sighed. “Don’t worry, we’ll work it out.”
Devin rode the elevator to the underground garage. He reached the Escalade and found Ewyn sitting in the passenger seat staring straight ahead, unblinking. Devin knew that look—Ewyn’s give me my space look—which meant Ewyn required time to work out the uncertainty on his own.
Climbing into the truck, Devin buckled up, and they rode home in silence. At their destination, he drove into the parking structure and eased into his space next to Ewyn’s Mustang. The penthouse condos had private enclosures at the back on either side of the garage. Two slots each, which afforded the owners a measure of privacy, and kept vehicle damage to a minimum. Devin put the gear in park then turned to Ewyn just as baby-boy released his seat belt, green eyes dancing with mischief, and sexy smirk in place.
Devin recognized this particular look, too. He reached down and pressed a button, lowering the back of his seat as Ewyn clambered over the console. Mouths merged and Ewyn’s little round ass settled right into place. After several satisfying moments, Devin drew back. “Worked it out, have you?”
“Sorry, Dev.” Ewyn swooped in for another quick kiss. “It’s just, when I think everything is under control…”
“I know, but you’re handling it.” Devin clasped Ewyn’s face. “Do you know how proud I am of you? With the amount of responsibility thrust on you recently, going from baby to head of the Calderone family, I believe you’ll do all right, no matter what comes at you.” Thumbs teasing the corners of the seductive mouth, Devin stared into spellbinding green eyes full of love. Times like this, he experienced feelings of invincibility, being the recipient of such unconditional love he wholeheartedly reciprocated.
Leaning forward, he recaptured Ewyn’s mouth. Tongues sparred, sliding and teasing until he caught the tip of Ewyn’s tongue with his teeth. Sucking, lips curling, he drew the tender flesh into his mouth and fed on the tantalizing flavor for several minutes then retreated. He nibbled the succulent bottom lip and mumbled, “Family issues aside, at the moment, we have a more pressing concern.”
“Oh.” Ewyn leaned away. “What?”
“Baby, if you keep squirming, I’ll take your bad ass right here.”
He shifted beneath the wriggling butt and watched a jagged tinge of color streak its way across Ewyn’s cheeks as a glint of pleasure lit up the jungle green eyes. No longer indicative of embarrassment, Ewyn’s blushes had become the precursors to imagined pleasure.
Over the past two years, Devin watched Ewyn evolve from an abused apprehensive novice to become a bold adventurous lover. Having lost most of his naiveté, Ewyn had learned to accept and enjoy Devin’s creative times, places, and approach to sexual proclivities. More often than not, Ewyn instigated the onset of those encounters. Hell. The kinky acrobatics Ewyn initiated on the bidet had come as a refreshing surprise. Devin hadn’t known getting clean could be so enjoyable, and those antics had become an addictive habit.
Conversely, before today, Ewyn had confined his daring to the privacy of their home. His arrogant dismissal of Devin’s warning and bold behavior in a public venue amazed Devin, prompting him to test the bounds of Ewyn’s bravado.
He leaned in for another kiss using Ewyn’s pre-occupation to unfasten the button on his jeans and ease the zipper down. Baby-boy made no effort to climb off his lap, and Devin needed no further encouragement. Maneuvering his hands inside the snug material, he palmed the warm, taut ass cheeks.
“Are you sure?” He fed the words into Ewyn’s receptive warmth.
“Mmm-hmm…taking a page from your book—private enclosure, dim lighting, tinted windows,” Ewyn murmured as he rose up on his knees and wriggled out of his jeans and briefs.
“Don’t fuck with me, Ewyn,” Devin growled and unzipped his trousers, his cock bounding out with precum seeping from the tip.
Ewyn leaned close, staring into intense amber eyes, he whispered, “Oh, but Dev, it’s exactly what I intend to do…fuck with you.” He winked, smoothed his palm across the moist glans of Devin’s cock, then down around the hardening, silky-smooth heat. Gazes locked, he grabbed Devin’s hand, brought it to his lips, and eased the first two fingers into his mouth. Slowly and meticulously, he licked and sucked, moistening both digits before guiding them to his ass.
“Mmm, I need this…you. Can’t wait, hell, don’t want to wait,” he babbled as he eased down on the fingers, his hips working in tandem with Devin’s every stroke. “Oh damn, Dev.”
Ewyn worked his hands under the hem of Devin’s shirt, edging the material upward, he ran his fingers over a firm six-pack, inching them upward to well-defined pecs. His fingertips circled and teased the flat nipples until the soft nubs pebbled, and then his hands shifted to Devin’s shoulders as his mouth followed the trail forged by his fingers. He inhaled Devin’s musky scent, his tongue lapping at salty perspiration, his lips teased and sucked on taut skin. His mouth lingered on remnants of jagged scar tissue, a souvenir of the gunshot wound reminding him of his near loss.
Ewyn reached down and pressed a button along the side of Devin’s seat until they were fully reclined. He reversed his position, leaned forward, and braced his hands against the dashboard as Devin’s cock replaced fingers and made a slow deliberate penetration. A shockwave of intense passion surged through Ewyn’s body.
“Shh-yit…”
“Bring it, baby,” Devin growled as he wrapped one hand around Ewyn’s cock, and rested his other hand on the curvature of Ewyn’s hip, then lay back.
Ewyn did what he did best and all too soon, his body stiffened, his sphincter tightened, then his cum coated Devin’s fingers as sperm flooded his ass.
* * * *
Damn it.
Thought they would lead me to Nicole.
After following them for days and watching their disgusting behavior in public, it wasn’t a stretch of the imagination to know why it was taking so long for them to exit the Escalade. They’re revolting.
No wonder Nicole thought nothing of dating and fucking around outside her race. Did the family know about her repugnant behavior? Hell. Stupid question. Of course, they know. Her uncle and his partner are a classic example of repulsive acts the entire family condones as their lifestyle. Growing up in that type of environment, why should Nicole act any differently? Her actions are as vile as her uncle’s behavior, and the way her father pampers both girls, neither bitch deserves what she has. The entire family has no boundaries.
It was downright embarrassing to learn all of Nicole’s friends on campus knew about her uncle. Nicole bragging about him as if he’s some kind of hero. The little bastard should have died in the attempt on his life. Then, to find out Nicole is pregnant—damn humiliating. Campus rumor-control is reporting Nicole is pregnant by some bastard she had a thing with a few months ago. Some say the son of a bitch is Black, but no one can verify the allegation since the only thing Nicole has revealed to anybody is he attends one of the Ivy League schools back east.
Nicole’s roommate verified the pregnancy, but little else, because Nicole is very secretive about the baby’s father. The roommate only knows what everyone else knows—while visiting someone on campus, the mystery man met Nicole, and he purportedly has relatives in Riverview. Those leads would be helpful if the man’s so-called friends could be located, and they could supply the necessary information about the man’s relatives.
“Argh-hhh!” I could scream, nonstop, if only the headaches would quit. Have to remember to take the pills. Hell. I need a clear head for this. Okay…okay, let me think.
Nicole needs a reality check. She has learned all the wrong values, but it’s not too late for her to grasp the concept of heritage. Still in her first trimester, abortion is a viable solution. While word on the street alleges her father has disappeared, and considering the bastard’s profession, more than likely, one of the other crime families has disposed of him. Without her father’s influence or protection, Nicole will learn to see reason.
Just need to find the bitch.
Chapter 2
It was hot as hell.
Yet, Devin lay awake fully clothed watching the reflection of the neon sign across the street illuminate the wall opposite his bed at regular intervals. It annoyed him, but he didn’t dare get bare-assed naked—his preferred method of sleeping—or close his eyes for fear of falling asleep. This time out, the assignment required he remain on alert, clothes on. Besides, undressing didn’t guarantee sleep.
Since meeting Ewyn, when Devin went on prolonged ops, if he managed to close his eyes, thoughts and images of Ewyn would flood his mind. Unfastening his jeans, his hand would slip beneath the material, release his cock from its confinement, then relive their nights together, which always led to several bouts of satisfying masturbation. You’d think he’d fall asleep after, but sleep would remain elusive because memories of those other hellish events that became part of their lives would resurface, too.
Damn.
Devin sighed and rolled off the bed. Hands shoved down in his pockets, he strolled over to the window and stared out at the flickering neon light and the deserted streets.
His first long-term op since the attempt on Ewyn’s life, and hell, he missed Ewyn something fierce. It must be time to get off the front line when his operations didn’t have his absolute focus because it unsettled him when he had to leave Ewyn alone. Shit. Mick and Taggart lived nearby and Ewyn had proven he could take care of himself with the skill and resolve of a covert op. Yet Devin couldn’t shake the irrational fear Ewyn wasn’t safe. Was he being paranoid, or what?
Hell. After surviving those disturbing getting-to-know-each-other exploits, what else could happen?
* * * *
The ambulance pulled away just as Ewyn’s Mustang screeched to a stop. He jumped from the car and rushed toward the people milling about the scene.
This cannot be happening.
Both nieces critically injured. What were they doing out on the highway at this time of night? Were they coming home, just before midterms, with no warning, no phone calls? They always called him or Gemma when they were coming home. How long had it been since he’d spoken to either of them, about a month? And if they weren’t coming home—damn, babbling.
Ewyn approached the cop cordoning off the accident scene.
“Sir, you’ll have to stay behind the tape.”
“I’m the uncle. Someone called me…how bad…” Holy hell. Ewyn stared in stunned disbelief. The car was a mangled mess. How could anyone have survived? “Where are they? Which hospital? Please!”
“St. Bernadine’s and you’d better hurry. The paramedics had little hope of the young lady surviving and even less hope for the baby.”
“Young lady?” Ewyn snapped. “There’s supposed to be two. The caller said two…weren’t two women in the car. And what do you mean, baby,” he growled. “Whose baby?”
“Calm down, sir. The young lady is pregnant and pretty close to term according to the—”
With tears welling up in his eyes, Ewyn took off running.
“Sir…sir!”
Ignoring shouts from the officer and other police personnel who scrambled to get out of his way, Ewyn hopped into his Mustang, swiped the tears from his cheeks, and peeled out.
Damn. A baby. Which niece, and why didn’t she tell him…hell, what was he thinking? Why would his nieces confide in him? He had spoken to Nicole on the phone every other month, but their conversations were primarily business discussions, and he hadn’t seen them since spring break, a little over—oh, my God! Whichever niece was pregnant, she knew it then. She should have told him or at least Gemma.
Wait a minute.
The officer had said, one young woman. Not good. He reached for his cell phone. He had to call Timothy so he could contact MacGregor. Gregorio needed to come…damn. He flung his phone on the passenger seat. Timothy was out with Devin, so no help there. He was on his own. Tears of pain and frustration welled up in his eyes.
His nieces, dead or dying, and a baby. What did he know about babies? Assuming the baby lived, what was he supposed to do with a baby until Gregorio returned? More to the point, what if his brother wasn’t able to come home any time soon. It had been more than a year. Enough time for people to forget Gregorio’s past, wasn’t it? Maybe he’d find Gregorio himself. Was he still in the States, or did he go back to Italy. They still had distant relatives there. What name would Gregorio use…hell. What did any of that matter? Gregorio had to come home, now.
Gemma!
No, wait. What was he thinking? Gemma couldn’t help. She had her own ongoing issues to overcome. At her present stage of remission, his aunt wasn’t strong enough to deal with a baby. Hell. Without Timothy there, just telling her about Nicole and Carolyn, regardless of their conditions, might cause a decline in Gemma’s progress. No, he couldn’t lay the care of an infant on his aunt.
Mick and Tag!
Hmm. They probably couldn’t help with a baby, but they could contact MacGregor for him.
Ewyn pulled onto the hospital grounds, eased into the visitor parking out front and jumped from the car. He hauled ass toward the emergency room and reached the check-in desk just as several green-garmented hospital personnel barreled pass, wheeling a gurney headed toward the elevators.
“Wait!” Ewyn ran and caught up to the gurney, grabbing its side, impeding its progress. He froze when he glanced at the woman lying there.
“Sir! Stand aside. We have to get her to surgery.”
With his hold hindering the trauma teams’ forward momentum, Ewyn whispered, “Nicole?”
Severely injured and unconscious, the disfigured face had tubes and other paraphernalia protruding from its crevices. He assumed it was Nicole, and not Carolyn, because of the stray wisps of red hair peeking out from beneath the bandages covering her head. Nicole had the signature Kelley coloring, red hair and blue eyes, while Carolyn had the jet-black, Calderone hair and green eyes. For sure, it was Nicole.
“Sir!”
Ewyn flinched and staggered back. The hospital staff brushed by him at a trot, gurney wheels squeaking as they clattered over the elevator threshold. The doors closed in Ewyn’s face.
“Sir…” Someone touched his arm. “Sir…”
He swung around.
“If you’ll come with me, I’ll explain—”
“I’m her uncle,” he interrupted as the nurse steered him toward the waiting room. “Where’s her sister?”
“Can I get you something?”
“Miss, uh…” Ewyn glanced at the woman’s nametag. “Miss Johanssen. No platitudes, just give it to me straight.”
“Sorry, Mister Calderone…”
“Kelley,” Ewyn responded automatically.
“Oh, I thought…never mind.” The nurse shook her head. “I am so sorry, but the younger girl was dead on arrival, and they don’t hold out much hope for the other one.” She looked down at the clipboard she held. “Nicole?”
“Yes.” Ewyn inhaled deeply, staving off the sob caught in his throat. He couldn’t fall apart, not now.
“Nicole is on a respirator. They’re trying to keep her alive long enough to save her child. The baby is full term. Nicole was in labor at the time of the accident.”
Ewyn turned away, tears blurring his vision. He walked to the wall of windows and stared blindly out into the darkness.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Ms. Johanssen told him. “I’ll give you a few moments. Then I’ll need you to fill out some forms.”
Ewyn nodded.
* * * *
The baby survived.
Imagine, his brother a grandfather. Of course, Gregorio had had plenty of parenting experience since their dad had died and he’d had to step into the role of father for Ewyn. In addition, with the help of his mother and aunt, Gregorio had raised his two girls. Cecilia had been useless, and now the girls were gone, their young lives cut short.
Ewyn had gone to make positive identification of his nieces and to fill out the necessary paperwork before heading to the nursery. Feet feeling like lead weights, he trudged up the stairway on his way to meet the newest member of his family. He reached the second floor and paused on the stairwell landing.
The remembered sight of Nicole and Carolyn, pale and lifeless, once familiar faces battered, swollen, and barely recognizable, the agony of loss clutched at his heart and a gut wrenching sob escaped his lips. He took a deep calming breath, swiped tears from his face, then yanked open the door and moved inside. The muted hallway lights made the glow from the nursery window seem like a beacon guiding his way. He strode silently across the carpeted floor, his pace slowing as he neared the large display window. He came to a complete stop in front of a bassinet with the name, baby girl Calderone on the attached placard.
Ewyn gazed through the glass partition at the miniature figure with her pert nose, little lips pursed and in motion, and a noticeable cleft in her chin. Bundled in a pink blanket, she lay on her back sleeping calmly, her tightly clenched fists resting on each side of a small round head covered by a pink knitted cap. He wondered what color her hair would be.
A jumble of emotions crowded his mind as he stared down at the tiny bundle. He didn’t know a damn thing about babies, and God knows he didn’t want to seem arrogant, but he thought she was the prettiest baby in the nursery. Full term, she weighed in at nine pounds four ounces, which wasn’t unusual for a Calderone, since he had weighed nine pounds at birth and Gregorio had weighed nine pounds eight ounces.
However, what was unusual, the staff said she had gray eyes, which wasn’t a Calderone or a Kelley trait, at least not in recent generations. Could be her father’s contribution to the gene pool, the son of a bitch. Ewyn would love to get his hands on the bastard, but that would have to wait. First order of business, he needed a name. He didn’t want his niece referred to as baby girl Calderone for another moment.
Remembering the stories his mother had told him about her Catholic school days, Mairianna used to talk about her best friend Kiera. He liked the name. It had a nice sound to it. Then again, maybe he should name the baby…damn, listen to him. The anonymity of baby girl Calderone had him referring to her as the baby, as if she were an inanimate object.
Ewyn sighed. He’d need a second name, too. Maybe he should name her Alanna, since it was Nicole’s middle name, and it would be the legacy from mother to daughter. But which name should be first? The sudden tapping on the window jerked him to attention. One of the nursery staff signaled for him to come to the main doors. He moved to the entrance and waited. The double doors whooshed open and a nurse stood there holding out a surgical cap, gown, and booties. He stared.
“You need to put these on, if you want to hold her.”
Ewyn stepped back. “Excuse me?”
“Come on, Mister Calderone, don’t be shy. She needs you. Her mother is dead, father unknown, she needs some love. This is a crucial time in her life.”
Still, he hesitated. “I don’t want to hurt her. I’ve never held a baby before, I’ll drop her.”
“No, you won’t,” the nurse announced. “I won’t let you. I’ll be with you the entire time. Come on, she needs to be held. Normally, the mother would cuddle her immediately after birth, to start the bonding process, but…”
“You’re right.”
What was he thinking? Having experienced feelings of insecurity and doubt when he thought he didn’t have anyone to turn to, he damn sure wouldn’t let Kiera start her young life in such a manner, or let her get familiar with those emotions. She didn’t have anyone else, so he needed to step up to the plate.
Ewyn walked into the inner hallway, removed his leather jacket, took the items the nurse held out to him, and slipped them on over his clothes and shoes. “What do I need to do?”
“Follow me.”
The nurse led him through another set of double doors and into the inner sanctum. He paused just inside the entrance and inhaled deeply. The regulated air enveloped him in an aroma of newness—clean and fresh.
He followed the nurse to a small room where subdued lighting glowed from a lamp on a white dresser with multicolored knobs. A rocking chair occupied the space between the dresser and the bassinette holding his niece. Against an adjoining wall, there was a changing table, a small sink, and a shelf unit containing a supply of diapers and other baby necessities. Ewyn moved to the rocker, settled down, and waited.
The nurse turned to him with Kiera in her outstretched arms. Not knowing what to expect or how to act, with trembling hands, he reached for his niece. He was terrified, until he cradled Kiera in his arms and she opened her big gray eyes. She seemed to be looking directly at him. On his part, it was love at first sight.
He cuddled her against his body, inhaled her baby-fresh scent, and gently trailed his fingertips across one downy soft cheek. Lifting the edge of the pink, knitted cap, he touched the slightly curly jet-black hair. Overwhelmed by his feelings, he made a solemn vow to protect this little life with his own, and he relaxed.
The nurse kept her word by rolling a chair into the room and spending the next two hours instructing him on the proper care and handling of an infant. Ewyn gave Kiera her first feeding, cringing every time spooge dribbled down Kiera’s chin, and kept interrupting her feeding to wipe her mouth. He learned how to burp her, discovering he should place a clean cloth on his shoulder first.
“It will keep you from getting spooge, as you called it, on your clothes, and the baby won’t get foreign particles from your clothing in her mouth,” the nurse explained. “Nothing with nap. They sell burp cloths made from one hundred percent cotton, and you can purchase them in bulk.” She showed him various baby necessities and their uses. “You’ll need to stock up on these items. I’ll have a list of the essentials for you when you’re ready to leave.”
Ewyn balked when it came to changing the poopy diaper, but once he learned to breathe through his mouth during the process, he was good to go. He gave Kiera a quick sponge bath, redressed her, and rocked her to sleep.
“You did well, for a first-timer. Have you thought of any names for her?” the nurse asked from her observation post across the room.
Ewyn nodded. “Her name is Kiera Alanna Calderone,” he whispered. He’d already been thinking of her as Kiera. It seemed so right. It fit.
“It’s a lovely name,” the nurse remarked. “But you don’t need to whisper. You want her to get used to your normal speaking tone.”
“Oh…okay,” he responded without taking his eyes off Kiera. “How long will she have to stay here?”
“Well, because of the circumstances of her birth, we’re going to keep her for a few days.”
“Is something wrong with her? She looks okay.”
“I’d say she’s darn near perfect. However, she had a traumatic beginning. It’s just a precaution to be on the safe side.”
“Oh, right. I’ll use the time to get everything ready for her at home,” he said.
“Will you need home assistance?”
“No. There’s adequate staff to accommodate her requirements. She’ll be just fine.”
“Good.” The nurse stood and headed for the door. “Do you feel comfortable enough for me to leave you alone?”
“Yes. I don’t know why I was so afraid.”
“Even some of my mothers are a little fearful their first time,” the nurse remarked then, looked at her watch. “Although it’s past visiting hours, under the circumstances, we’re letting you have a little more time with Kiera. Another half-hour…okay?”
“Promise,” Ewyn replied.
“I’ll return then.”
“What time can I come tomorrow?”
“Any time you want, the earlier the better. Normally, the mother would be with her during the day…”
Ewyn stopped rocking, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Sorry.” The nurse dimmed the lights a little more and opened the door.
“No. I have to get over it.” Ewyn sighed. “Kiera needs me.” The absence of motion must have awakened his niece because she started to squirm and make soft mewling noises. His gaze flew to her face to find her eyes fixed on him. “Can she see me?”
“Yes, but focus is iffy.”
Ewyn smiled, leaned back, and set the chair in motion. “I’ll be here bright and early, in time to give her breakfast.” Relaxing, he hummed a lullaby he remembered hearing as a child. Kiera’s eyes began to close before the nurse left the room.
* * * *
Oh, my God! Were they both dead? That wasn’t supposed to happen.
Teeth chattering, the shivering wouldn’t stop, and squeezing into the drainage tunnel didn’t help. The wind and the rain buffeting the hillside assisted the cold in seeping through the damp clothes and into the bones.
My head…where are the damn pills! I can’t think!
Oh, God. Carolyn grabbed the gun. Why did she grab the gun? Damn it! The gun. Was it still in the car and what about the brat? Nicole was in bad shape, semi-conscious when I left her. So much blood, I couldn’t get her out of the car. The child. It couldn’t survive if Nicole died, could it? It would ruin everything. Carolyn wasn’t supposed to die. She shouldn’t have been there.
Pills…did I take the damn pills? What went wrong? I can’t think!
Nicole’s reappearance after it was too late for an abortion had been bad enough, but she came back a different woman. The little bitch looked more beautiful than remembered. They say motherhood changes some women. Moreover, she had returned more confident, defiant, and defensive. Why did she resist?
Damn you, Nicole.
All that money. She had it all, the selfish bitch. More money than one person would ever need. We could have shared. Oh, shit! With all her newfound confidence, did she think to change her will, or contact the family attorney with the intent?
Oh-kay…calm down.
If she didn’t change her will and all three of them were dead, then the original still stands. If she did change it, who gets all the money. For sure, Carolyn is out of the running, leaving Uncle Ewyn or the child, if it survives, as beneficiaries. Hell. Need to find out if there’s a new will.
Damn her, damn her, damn her!
After all those months spent trying to track her down, finally catching up with her on campus today seemed like a godsend. Now I could lose everything.
“You’re not going to win, bitch!” the voice screamed out into the night. “Do you hear me, Nicole?”
* * * *
On the drive to the family estate, Ewyn couldn’t forget the experience of holding Kiera in his arms. He’d felt such an overwhelming sense of wellbeing, and in normal circumstances, a birth in the family would be cause for a lengthy celebration. Instead, he would deliver devastating news, which would overshadow the jubilation of birth. Still, he hoped Kiera’s existence would minimize any adverse effects the deaths might have on Gemma.
Before he left the hospital, feeling the need for support, he had called Mick, who had promised to meet him at the house. Except for Gemma, at the time, Mick was the closest thing to family Ewyn had. God, he missed his mother. Being temporary head of the family was a bitch. The family treating him like a baby for most of his life hadn’t schooled him for the job. Nonetheless, fate had grandfathered him into the position of responsibility, and demanded he step up for Gemma and Kiera’s sake.
There were death notifications and funeral arrangements to make, and he had to prepare the household for Kiera’s arrival, then deal with the police. Something about his nieces’ accident bothered him. With no other cars involved, what made the girls run off a road they had driven hundreds of times. Surely not the rain when they had years of experience driving in the snow whenever they went up to the family estate in Big Bear. Unless Nicole was driving, and she went into labor…damn. He needed details and answers. He wanted closure.
Mick or Taggart could point him in the right direction.
Chapter 3
Ewyn pulled onto the estate grounds and drove straight to the garage. Before getting out of his car, he glanced at his watch. For what was left of the night, he’d stay at the house, in case Gemma needed him.
Sighing, he wearily climbed out of the car and strolled across the courtyard. He noticed most of the lights were on inside the house, picked up his pace, and entered through the kitchen. Rosa, the family’s long-time housekeeper was there, bustling around filling coffee urns. Laid out on a nearby counter was an array of ingredients for cold sandwiches.
“Hey, Rosa.”
The housekeeper whipped around to face him, tears streaming down her face. “Mister Ewyn, is it true? Something has happened to our girls?”
“Yes.” Ewyn went to her and hugged her, then held her at arm’s-length. “I’d like you to be present when I talk to Gemma, then you can inform the rest of the staff.” He started to leave but stopped. “Have Mick and Tag arrived?”
“Yes. Mister Mick is in the office. I sent Myce to wake your aunt and her nurse.” Rosa removed a handkerchief from her apron pocket and wiped her eyes. “This is bad. Mister Greg will be devastated when he finds out.”
“I know. But right now, we have to be concerned about Gemma.”
“This is true,” Rosa said. “I’ll have coffee and sandwiches ready soon. I have the flavored decaf for you.”
“Thanks, Rosa. Have everything taken up to Gemma’s apartment.”
Headed for his brother’s office, Ewyn ran his fingers through his hair in nervous agitation, then massaged tense neck muscles while trying to pull his thoughts together. What was he supposed to say to Gemma, or how? Blurt it out, procrastinate with a long-winded explanation, or…damn, he didn’t have a clue, and could only hope Mick had some experience.
He opened the office door and paused on the threshold. Mick, Taggart, MacGregor, and another man occupied the room. Frowning, Ewyn looked at the stranger.
“Mick…”
“I am so sorry about Niki and Caro,” Mick said with a catch in his voice. He embraced Ewyn then stepped away. “It’s not enough to compensate…” He broke off. “Sorry.”
Taggart and MacGregor offered their condolences then MacGregor introduced the stranger.
Tall and lanky, the man had dark brown hair desperately in need of a haircut, a pencil thin moustache, and deep-set, dark brown eyes. Probably late thirties, early forties, the man was quite handsome, if you looked beyond his unkempt appearance. Ewyn experienced an instant dislike for the man.
“Ewyn, this is Detective Sergeant Michael Patterson from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department,” MacGregor said. “He’s heading up the investigation into your nieces’ accident. Found him waiting at the gates when we arrived. Rosa wouldn’t let him in.”
“Tried to tell me you weren’t home,” Patterson sneered. “Condolences, Calderone. Now, I have a few…”
“Kelley,” Ewyn corrected.
“What? I thought…then who…” Patterson’s voice stuttered to a stop. “Fine. Condolences, Kelley. Oh yeah, you’re the uncle. Where is…uh—”
“Stop!” Ewyn charged across the floor. Invading Patterson’s space, he stopped mere inches from the man. The detective took a step backward. The man’s snotty tone had Ewyn’s stomach knotting and anger rising in his throat like bile. Fists clenching and unclenching, every muscle in his body tense, it strained his self-control not to hit the son of a bitch. “Save your goddamn condolences. Try showing some fuckin’ respect,” he gritted out from between clenched teeth. “Get the hell out of here.”
“Now wait a minute, Kelley. I have questions for, uh…” He looked at his note pad. “Where’s the girls’ father, Gregorio Calderone?”
Eyes narrowing, Ewyn stared. “Questions?” He held up his hand when the man opened his mouth to speak. “No, don’t. I’ve had one hell of a night, I still have to inform my aunt about my nieces’ deaths, and…get this straight, Detective,” he mocked. “It’s Mister Kelley to you.”
Ewyn turned at the knock on the door, saying over his shoulder, “I can understand why Rosa wouldn’t let you inside. She has excellent instincts, and taste.” He focused his attention on Gemma’s personal assistant standing in the doorway. “Yes, Myce?”
“Ewyn, your aunt is ready for you,” Mycelia said.
“Thanks. We’ll go right up. Please show this…uh…gentleman to the door.” Ewyn tipped his head in Patterson’s direction, started out the door, then paused and pulled his billfold from his inside breast pocket. He retrieved a business card, handed it to Mycelia, and looked back at the detective. “If you want to talk to any member of the Calderone family, you go through me first, and you make a fuckin’ appointment,” he snarled. “Failing that avenue of communication, contact the family attorney,” he added. “Mick, Tag…Gemma will want to see you.”
“Now wait a minute.” Patterson moved to follow Ewyn. Mick, Taggart, and MacGregor scrambled to block his path. MacGregor reached Patterson first and grabbed his arm.
“Hey! What is this? Who do you people think you’re dealing with?” Patterson grumbled and snatched his arm from MacGregor’s grasp. “I want—”
“You want,” MacGregor cut him off. “Look around, man. It doesn’t matter what you want. You need to remember where you are, and who you’re dealing with.” He turned to Ewyn. “I’ll take care of this.”