“Look at you flaunting what you got, Prego,” Ginny teased.
“I have to do it now before I blow up like a balloon.”
“The good news is you are going to be pregnant in the winter months. I’ve tried it both ways and trust me when I tell you that is the way to go. Having the extra insulation in the winter time was actually a blessing.”
“At least I won’t have to stress about putting on my winter chub,” Kat agreed, filching a deviled egg.
“The bond between Marines is something isn’t it? It’s no wonder the guys felt the need to form the Lords when they came back,” Amber said softly.
The others followed her gaze to the men. Murphy’s Boston accent stood out like a sore thumb, but his acceptance into the group had been immediate. Bowie and Zeke’s word had been good enough for the others and now even the normally suspicious Reaper was warming to him.
“Zeke and Bowie were good friends before, but when they came back from Kuwait they were brothers. I’ve only met Murphy a couple times in passing, but the guys talk about him all the time as the fourth musketeer in their Marine mischief. I hope that Zeke can partner up with him at work. It takes a lot of worry out of the equation when you know someone has your man’s back on the street every day.”
“Does he ride?” Kat asked.
“He has a bike and from what I heard him telling Zeke earlier, he rode with a Law Enforcement MC in Boston.”
“Married?”
“Single. Why, you shopping?”
“I don’t think Crux would care for that much,” Kat said with a laugh. “It looks like we might have a new Lord and I was just curious if he came with an ol’ lady we’d have to break in.”
“God forbid. We’re still trying to toughen up Lee and it’s looking like G.G. may be joining us,” Amber chimed in.
“You think Reap will ever marry Lee?”
“Hell, I don’t know,” Ginny said with a shrug. “But look at Taz and Tamara. They’ve been together for three years now and aren’t showing any sign of cementing it. That doesn’t diminish her ol’lady status and it shouldn’t Lee’s either.”
“Rhys and Becca have been together five or six years. Where’s that leave her?” Kat asked with a smirk.
“Still a dumb bitch,” Ginny said smirking back.
On that note, the side gate opened to admit Lee and Tamara fresh from work with Sambo and G.G. close behind.
“Boscelli’s hoarding all the hot chicks, some things never change,” Murphy said, shaking his head.
Sambo’s face lit up and he hurried across the patio to thump Murph on the back.
“Hey! It’s good to see you, man. What the hell brings you to Ohio?”
“Eh, I got tired of the East Coast girl’s lip and thought I’d check out the famed Mid-West farmer’s daughters.”
“Yeah, well, hands off these three if you know what’s good for you.”
“Has he ever known what was good for him?” Bowie asked with a snort.
“You’d think he would’ve learned something after he felt up a full bird Colonel’s wife.”
“I’d almost forgotten about that one!”
“I think it was the fact she was enjoying it that really got his goat,” Murphy said, dark eyes sparkling.
“Messing with Lord’s women will get you more than busted in rank,” Zeke said, a hint of seriousness coloring his tone. Waving the three women to their respective men he tolerated hellos, kisses, and brief introductions before waving them in the direction of Ginny’s little group. “Hen party’s that way, ladies.”
“I would ask how you put up with him, but Zeke’s generally nicer than Taz,” Tamara whispered to Ginny joining the women.
“Let them tell their war stories and compare chrome. We have margaritas to consume,” Ginny said with a dismissive wave. “Besides, we have something to celebrate besides Murphy’s arrival. I talked to the insurance company today and they have finally completed the investigation into the fire at The Lantern. We have the green light to start rebuilding.”
The announcement was met with a chorus of congratulations and hugs from her friends.
“I hope a nursery is in the new plans.”
“Never fear. A posh employee lounge is in the drawings and will be a perfect place for a playpen if you decide to come back, or when you come in to visit.”
“I don’t know if I could be a stay at home mom. I know you did, Gin, and Lord knows, Amber, I understand why you did with twins, but I don’t know that’s for me,” Kat said, shaking her head.
“We’ll see what tune you’re singing when that little one is here. It’s hard to be away from them. On the other hand if you could bring the baby to The Lantern it could be the best of both worlds,” Amber said with a shrug.
“I’ve never wanted to be anything but a mom,” Lee said.
Everyone turned to look at the shy girl in surprise. Ginny was sure more than a couple of them were trying to picture Reaper as a father. As much as the family loved Reaper, there was no denying his Sociopathic tendencies. In the nearing two decades she had known him, Lee was the first person Ginny had ever seen Reaper show any care for with the exception of his club brothers. Even the bike bunnies were leery of his volatile temper. As happy as she was that he had found someone, she worried for Lee.
“I think you would make a wonderful mother, Lee,” Ginny said, hugging the girl and breaking the tense silence.
“You really think so?”
“Absolutely, honey.”
“Steaks and potatoes are ready!” Zeke called.
“Come on, ladies, we better grab it while we can,” Kat said waving her arms in a herding motion.
Ginny smiled watching her friends and family load their plates, banter and laughter ringing in the evening air. Rhys paused in fixing his plate to move a chair for G.G. whose hands were full. A mother’s pride swelled in Ginny’s chest at the simple gesture and then she laughed out loud watching him threaten to move the chair as G.G. tried to sit down. It was good to see everyone relaxed and joking again. The last months had taken a toll on all, the stress evident despite their best efforts.
A touch of unease prickled the nape of her neck and she searched the intimate gathering for the source. A quick head count found all accounted for and yet the feeling persisted. Worry knotted her stomach and she turned to scan the neighborhood. Everything was calm. A chill nipped at her. What was it they said; there is always a calm before the storm? Rubbing her arms, she steeled herself, trying to squash the apprehension. Crossing the patio to Zeke’s side, she ducked under his arm and immediately felt better. Whatever it was, they would face it like they had everything else: together.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The burn of bourbon and the grit of tired eyes wrapped him in memories. In sixteen years, he and Jimmy had spent many sleepless nights squinting at files, the sear of rock gut and sheer determination burning in their belly. Their closure rate had been untouchable. Zeke snorted, tossing a file onto his littered desk. It was beginning to look like Lombardi had been the magic. Here it was going on three months since his partner’s death and he had nothing.
Sloughing a hand over weary features, Zeke rubbed at the grate of stubble along his jaw and squinted at the clock. Another four hours and his alarm would be going off. He ached to go crawl in bed and seek the solace of his wife’s arms, but couldn’t risk the rejection right now. For now, he had to allow her to choose when she wanted to be close. He knew she loved him, but she was hurting and he couldn’t blame her. She was trying. It was all he could ask. He had put her through a lot of shit in their twenty years, but the past four months had been hell. Maybe the guys had been right about Kramer. He needed to get things in order, one way or another. Sooner or later even a woman as strong as Ginny was going to snap.
He picked up the file again, flipping to the crime scene photos. He’d been over every detail with Pancamo and O’Halleran. There had to be something they were missing. How often was it the smallest thing that brought the scumbags down? Things weren’t adding up. At six o’clock in the morning, people were leaving for work, and yet they had turned up no eyewitnesses. There were powder burns around the entry wound meaning the hit had been up close and personal. Jimmy was a seasoned detective. It wouldn’t have been easy for someone he didn’t know to walk up on him like that. That pointed to someone he knew, or that he expected to see there.
Leaning back in his chair Zeke turned over possibilities in his mind, other tenants, building maintenance, the garbage man, or another cop. As much as the last option sickened him, it rang true. Jimmy had trusted the badge, buying into the brothers in blue mentality. Ready to take a bullet and total trust were different things in Zeke’s book. He hadn’t joined the force to make friends. It was an argument the partners had hashed over too many times, Jimmy thinking Zeke jaded and Zeke shaking his head at his partner’s naiveté.
Squinting at the photo, the snap on Jimmy’s holster was still fastened. He had never reached for his gun. The shooter had played it cool, not spooking him. It took balls to look a man you know in the eye and pull the trigger. Did the rat bastard, Kramer, have those kinds of stones? Zeke didn’t have an answer for that any more than he had answers for Jen’s frequent phone calls.
Though banned from the investigation, they both knew it was his duty to bring Jimmy’s killer to justice or an early grave. The bitter barbs she tossed his way were justified. To Pancamo and O’Halleran, Jimmy had been a fellow officer, and as such, the case was being afforded top priority. There was nothing hated more than a cop-killer. But, to Zeke, Jimmy had been a true brother, the man who had covered his back for two decades. She was right. It was up to him to avenge his brother. Like the bitch or not, Jen’s accusations stabbed straight to the heart.
Flinging the files with a snarl, he rocked to his feet. Snatching up his bourbon and a stogie, he fled the den’s smothering confines, walking through the quiet house to step out onto the back patio. Slumping into a chair, he took a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to clear the jumble of his thoughts. What was he missing?
Fingers on his nape jerked Zeke from sleep. The chair capsized, highball glass shattering on pave stones as he whirled. Stumbling back, Ginny held up her hands in placation. His surroundings and the fear in his wife’s eyes flooded Zeke’s senses even as adrenalin pounded through his veins.
“I’m sorry. Watch your toes.” she said softly.
Zeke looked at the glistening shards littered around his bare feet even as the remnants of his dream tugged at his consciousness.
The front door ajar, he drew his weapon. The remains of furniture and broken glass crunched beneath his boots, loud in the silence. Ears straining for any sound, he cleared the living area and moved down the hall. Toeing open the bedroom door, he saw her, lying broken and still among the debris. He couldn’t breathe.
“Why don’t you get a shower, baby? Coffee’s ready. I’ll sweep this up.”
Ginny’s voice was low and coaxing, the pitch reserved for animals or frightened children. That tone wasn’t for him. Heart thundering in his chest, he struggled to pull it together. He was frightening her. Clearing his throat, he drew a shaky breath and forced a nod. Focusing on the mess, he picked his way through, moving to her side. Dropping a reassuring kiss on her cheek, he mumbled his thanks and headed for the shower.
Her hand shook as she raised the cigarette to her lips. Replaying the morning over in her mind, she didn’t know what to think. Never had she seen Zeke like that. There was no doubt it had been fear that haunted his steely gaze, but fear of what? What wasn’t he telling her? She studied her chipped nails as her mind turned. It had scared her to see him that way. She depended on her stalwart hubby more than she cared to admit. Everyone thought of Ginny Brawer as a strong, independent woman, but the truth was, it was knowing Zeke had her back that allowed that type of strength. The freedom and confidence he gifted her with was priceless. The scene this morning had shaken her.
The ringing telephone made her jump like a ninny and she cursed under her breath as she slid off the barstool. A glance at the phone identified the caller as M. Mellinger MD, their long time family physician, or at least his office.
“Hello.”
“Good morning, Virginia. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Of course not, Doc, I’ve got my men off to work and school and was just sitting here enjoying a little Irish cream and quiet.”
“There wouldn’t happen to be a cigarette burning along with that caffeine would there?”
“Maybe one,” Ginny admitted with a smile.
“When are you going to give those things up?”
“When Zeke swears off cigars.”
“I’ll pencil you in for the day after hell freezes over,” the doctor said with a laugh, and then sobered. “The results of the blood work are in. Do you want to come in and talk about it?”
“That’s really not necessary, Doc. I think we all know the truth now, even if we had to have our nose rubbed in it to open our eyes. We asked you to re-do the test because we didn’t trust the bearer of the news.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that young Miles is Zeke’s son. I’m sorry, Virginia.”
“Don’t be. Mox has been our son for years. This just puts a legal stamp on things.”
“True, but not the way a woman wants to find out. I’m disappointed in Zeke.”
“As difficult as it has been, we will get through it. I love him and Mox both.”
“You’re a good woman.”
“A lot of people would disagree.”
“A lot of people haven’t known you as long as I have.”
“Thanks, Doc. That means a lot coming from you,” Ginny said with a little smile. “Can you drop the results in the mail to me, or should I swing by the office?”
“I will mail them out myself. Take care of yourself and if you need to talk…”
Ginny nodded at the unfinished invitation and hung up the phone with mumbled words of thanks. Returning to the breakfast bar, she gave her coffee a warm-up and lit another cigarette. The news hadn’t improved the shake in her hands she noted ruefully. Though she’d known, they all had known, now if was confirmed. That meant sharing it with those outside the household. Trinity was a small town. Even with Doctor Mellinger’s professionalism and promise to mail the results himself, word would get out one way or another. Even if they could hide, it wasn’t right. They owed it to Mox to be up-front, and it was best if family and friends heard it from them.