“Welcome to the family, son.” He stuck his hand across the table and Ryan gingerly shook it. “And Taylor too,” he added looking at her.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. K. I know you were all excited about flowers and stuff, and I wanted to walk down the aisle beside Taylor in my tux like Gavin’s.” His face pulled tight. “But she’s out, and she wants me back.”
Silence descended.
“I can’t go back to her. I just--I just can’t. She’s not nice. Not nice at all.” Blue eyes normally as clear and guileless as a summer sky were shadowed by phantoms Jock couldn’t see.
Ryan’s voice quieted, and his finger traced his scar. “She gave me this, when she threw me or I fell cause she hit me, through a window. I almost died that night.”
Kaitie’s hand flew to her mouth.
Taylor’s hand rested on Ryan’s shoulder, rubbing gently. “Honey, you don’t have to go into all this.”
“Yes, I do. They should know, in case she comes up. What if she goes to their house?” His
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chin trembled. “What if--what if she thinks I’m there and does the same thing to them she did in Austin because she wants me?”
Ryan’s young jaw firmed. Determined eyes turned back to look straight into his. What Jock saw there, caught him off guard. These were not the eyes of a child, but one of a man who had seen too much.
“She – she--Nina just shot them because of me.”
What? Turning to Gavin he started to ask whom the boy was talking about.
But again, Gavin was pointing his finger at Ryan. Jock could see the tick in the corner of his son’s mouth. “Ryan. I said, I don’t want to hear you say that again. Did you pull the trigger?”
Ryan’s head shook. “No, sir.”
“Did you give her the gun?”
“No, sir, but….”
“Did you help her escape or supply the … woman with drugs?” Now Gavin was leaning low over the table, his voice no more than a whisper, but all the same effective.
“No.”
“Okay then.”
“Gavin, lay off,” Brayden said.
“I will not. I’m sick and tired of the two of them blaming themselves for what this.…” His mouth clamped shut, biting the rest out. “Incubus does. Ryan for not stopping her, for her doing anything bad, and Taylor for feeling guilty that she’s not the one on life support.”
“Life support?” Kaitie asked.
Taylor swallowed. “Charles and his wife were attacked in their home two nights ago. She broke in and shot them, the woman, thinking I was still Mrs. Charles Shepard. Charles and Rhonda’s parents are keeping her on life support in hopes that she’ll carry the baby to term.”
Holy Mother of God.
Several moments passed in silence. The murmurs filled the air with whitewashing sounds.
Finally, Kaitie leaned over and kissed Gavin’s cheek. “You could have just explained,” she offered.
Jock couldn’t hold the chuckle in. “What in the blessed hell do think he’s been trying to do since you laid into him?”
“What’s incubus?” Ryan asked.
“It’s a sort of demon, or evil person that hurts other people, a nightmare,” Brayden offered.
“Though I can’t remember if it’s the female or male version of it.”
“Oh.” Then Ryan grinned like the little boy he was. “Incubus,” he repeated. “Yeah, that’s a good description. Cool word too.”
“What other words do you like?” Brayden asked him, keeping the conversation light while Jock and Kaitie tried to comprehend everything they’d just learned.
“Oh, lots and lots of words.”
“Such as?” Brayden asked, signaling to a waiter who stood holding a tray with a bucketed bottle of champagne. The foiled wrapper glinting in the light. Flutes stood at empty attention.
As Bob, the lucky waiter of the evening, opened the bottle of bubbly and poured the glasses, Jock realized the boy still called them Mr. and Mrs. K. When everyone had a glass of golden sparkles, and Ryan a glass of ginger ale, Bob excused himself.
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Ryan, wiggling in his seat, finally answered Brayden. “I like succeed. And conundrum--
that’s problem. Learned that one in math the other day.”
Jock leaned up on his elbows. “Succeed and conundrum, huh? Well, Mr. Ryan Kinncaid.
Kaitie here and I have a conundrum you can help us succeed in solving.”
Both Kaitie and Ryan looked at him. He continued, looking straight into Ryan’s eyes. “We like our grandkids to call us Grams and Pops. Not Mr. and Mrs. K.”
“He’s right,” Kaitie agreed.
Ryan’s face lit up with his smile. “Okay. Grams and Pops.”
Jock grinned.
Then, he looked at Gavin and nodded to his son, holding his glass up.
Gavin stood. “There’s a tradition we Kinncaids hold to. On special days, days of weddings, and births, the men of our family make a solemn vow before his clansmen. Supposedly this goes way back to when we all wore blue paint and lived to fight off the English.” His son’s gaze scanned the table. “Since we’re so few in numbers I guess I’ll get to do this again.”
Emotion swelled in Jock’s chest. His son had become a man. He shook off the thought.
Gavin raised his glass to both Taylor and Ryan and swore, “As those before me have done, and those after will follow, I pledge my love to you, wife of mine. For on this day, you become my helpmeet, my other half. And to my son, a child of heart and love,” he added to Ryan. “You both become Kinncaids. And as tradition holds, I swear before all those here:
This I’ll defend
.”
* * * *
Nina’s focus tightened to one sharp point. She’d done a line back at that last rest stop and she was ready to go. Go for fucking ever. Damn straight.
Damn straight.
Someone screamed on the stereo about drugs and hate. The words stabbed her mind. Kept her seeing the road, what was in front of her, what was behind and where the fuck she was going.
A semi blew past her, the suck of wind tossing into the old convertible they were in. Rod snored in the passenger seat. How in the hell he could sleep with all they had to do was freaking beyond her. Nina patted her thigh as she cruised down I-66. No stopping tonight, no stopping. No way. They’d finally reached Virginia, big damn state. She had hoped it didn’t take nearly as long to drive across as Tennessee did. Nina hated that redneck, hillbilly state. And people thought Texas was bad. Texas was freaking normal. These people were weird.
A sign quickly approached. Zooming past, she caught the words.
Arlington National
Cemetery next two exits
.
In the nation’s fucking capital. Not long now. She sniffed.
Ryan was here some-damn-where and she’d find him. Him and that Shepard bitch and who-the-hell-ever else was with them.
Have to drive all this damn way for her own freaking kid. The idea that someone had already tipped them off to her escape rushed the blood through her veins. Rush.
She was on a fucking high!
The paper with Taylor Shepard’s--no wait. Reese. Like the candy cups. Peanut butter and
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chocolate. Whatever. Reese? Who the hell was named Reese?
Nina squinted at the next sign. Now which fucking way? Grabbing the map, she tried to see her highlights.
“Wake the hell up and be useful, why don’tchya?” Shoving Rod, his head whipped up.
“Huh?”
“The map. Read the damn map. What’s the exit?”
Cars whizzed by. Three o’clock in the morning and people had nothing better to do than drive? Why the hell weren’t they at home in bed?
“Where are we?”
“D.C., honey. We’re in Washington, D-fucking-C.
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Liquid gold surrounded her, flowed through her veins, made her want to weep with its suffocating beauty. Taylor lifted a hand to touch the sun, bright, powerful.
Roughened skin scraped her palm, pulling her from the iridescent dream into the pale dawn of reality. But the wonderful feelings, gossamer in their tangibility, sharp as talons in their intensity, still soared through her.
She felt him shift and thrust within her, and shuddered as heat and need pulsed through her system.He leaned down, kissed her mouth, his tongue as deft at stroking her to passion as him inside her.
Gavin rose above her, his muscles corded as he braced on his arms. He rocked against her and she rose up to meet him as his grin crooked his mouth.
“Morning, wife.”
Taylor could only moan.
“I wondered when you were going to wake up and join me,” he said as he leaned down, warm breath whispered against her ear, chills shivered down her spine.
The joining, gentle in its rousing suddenly awoke in a storm of emotion. Wave after wave crashed through Taylor, and all she could do was accept.
He rolled to his side, and pulled her with him, still joined. They lay and touched, caressed and kissed, until she only felt him.
Gavin pulled her leg up to hang over his hip, thrusting deeper, always deeper….
Taylor watched him, the tension in him building, building. Her nerves coiling with each measured stroke.
They rocked together until he reached between them and Taylor gasped as the orgasm all but blindsided her.
Gavin stiffened, the blue of his eyes going opaque as he whispered her name with so much tenderness, her eyes stung.
“I love you,” she whispered as his eyes slid closed. His hair was wet through her fingers; water still pearled on his shoulder and back. The fresh scent of soap and mint from toothpaste tickled her nose.
“Love you, more.” He grinned. Reaching out, he caressed her breast, his finger drawing circles and shapes on it. She sighed and wiggled. He dropped his hand to her waist. A glance at the clock told her they still had a couple of hours anyway.
“When did you get in?” The last two words were stretched by her yawn.
Black spiky lashes lay on his cheeks. “A little while ago.”
“Was it a boy or a girl?” He’d gotten called out a little after midnight.
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“Two boys and two girls,” he mumbled.
She watched as he drifted to sleep. The rugged curve of his jaw, the straight line of his nose begged her finger to run over and down them. Taylor simply watched.
Wife
. Gavin was always calling her wife. Husband. He was hers and it terrified and thrilled her and calmed her as nothing else in her life ever had. She still couldn’t believe she was actually Mrs. Gavin Kinncaid. The ceremony might have been rushed, but she didn’t care. Husband, wife, father, mother, son.
Family.
The entire newness of it could almost be overwhelming.
Her head fit perfectly in the crook of his shoulder as his arm curved around her, keeping her close.
“Any more phone calls?”
She barely suppressed the yelp that lodged in her throat at the sound of his voice. “I thought you were asleep,” she whispered. “You should be. You’re tired, and who knows when your pager will go off again.”
His shoulder barely moved under her head with his faint shrug.
The phone calls. She didn’t care to get into that right now. Patting his chest, she said, “Go to sleep.”
“With all that thinking you’re doing?” He opened his eyes, skewering her. “Calls?”
“Only a couple.”
“Did they say anything?”
Taylor shook her head. “Do they ever?”
For the last couple of days they got several hang-ups. Or maybe breathing. Once, she could have sworn someone chuckled Ryan, but she couldn’t be sure. No caller I.D. It was always unknown.
But she knew, as did Ryan who it was leaving messages and calling all hours of the day and night.
“What aren’t you telling me? Is it Ryan?” He started to sit up, but she tightened her arm across him and he stilled.
“No. He’s upset, as he has been, and he’s not really eating, not like normal. He’s gotten so quiet. Last night he had a nightmare.”
His screams had brought her awake instantly. She’d been trying to calm him when someone knocked--the patrolman. Seeing her light he’d come up to the door at three a.m. and heard the screams. She assured him everything was fine, that it was a nightmare. What a mess.
Damn Nina Fisher.
“What was it about?”
Taylor shook her head. “I have no idea, he wouldn’t tell me. Wouldn’t even mutter a word about it, just wanted me to sleep with him. I did.” That’s what was wrong. “I did. I fell asleep in his room.”
“I carried you into this one. You were about to fall off that little bed of his.”
“Hmm… That’s the only reason you wanted me here?”
His grin was tired and faded slowly. Taylor settled against him, listening to the strong thump of his heart, she too fell asleep.
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* * * *
It was noon when a knock echoed through the entryway and into the living area. Taylor got up to answer it, but Gavin stayed her with his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll get it.”
Settling back on the couch, she watched the movie and grabbed another handful of popcorn from the coffee table.
“I probably should have called first,” Christian’s voice said from the front door.
“No, come on in,” Gavin offered.
Taylor flicked the television off and walked out of the living room to see Christian and Tori coming through the door.
“Hi,” Taylor said.
“Sorry, I have a huge favor to ask.”
“Well, I won’t do it, unless you come in and sit down,” Gavin told Christian.
“Where’s Ryan?” Tori asked.
“Upstairs.” Taylor jerked her thumb towards the ceiling. “Follow me and I’ll show you to his room.”
The little girl, dressed in khaki shorts and a blue tank top, started to follow her, carrying a long black case.
“Not so fast, Tori Bori. Where is my hug?” Gavin crossed his arms over his chest.
A single dimple winked in the little girl’s cheek as she smiled up at her uncle. Setting the case on the floor, she hurried over and let Gavin lift her up.
“I’ve missed you squirt.” He pulled back a bit. “Have you grown on me? Got an extra rib? I think I should count them.”
“No, Uncle Gavin!” She started to squirm even before he started to tickle her.
“One, yeah, you still have that one.” His finger squiggled in her side and laughter rang out.
“Two. Three. Four.”
“Stop. Stop.” Her giggles ceased as Gavin set her on the floor. “Really, Uncle Gavin. You just saw me last weekend.” She straightened her shirt.
“Well, a lot’s happened since then.”
Tori turned back to Taylor. “Can I see Ryan now?”
“Sure, come on.” Taylor saw Christian and Gavin go into the living room. She and Tori went upstairs and down the hallway. “Here it is.”
Knocking quickly, she turned the handle. Ryan was looking out the window.
“Ryan? There’s someone here to see you.” That got his attention.
“Ryan!”
“Tori!” There was that freckled smile Taylor loved so much. “What are you doing here?”
“I brought my keyboard,” she said, lifting her black case. “I thought we could play some songs together.”
“That’d be cool.”
Taylor walked back downstairs, leaving the two kids to their mini-performances.
“You really think she’ll try something?” Christian asked.
“We don’t know, but we’re not taking any chances,” Gavin answered as he paced down the length of the living room.
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Christian sighed. “Look, I don’t want to add to your worry, but I don’t know what else to do. Bray’s in a meeting till three, it’s Becky’s day off, and Grams and Pops are playing golf. I got the call a little while ago and these clients are big with a capital ‘b’. Really important. They stopped in D.C. for the day but are booked later. This is the only time I can meet them.”
“Today is Saturday, can’t you wait till Monday?”
“They won’t be here. It should only take an hour or so. I’m supposed to meet them for lunch at the Four Seasons.”
Gavin’s sigh huffed through the room. “Fine. We’ll order pizza in or something. I’ll call my brother and let him know what’s going on.” His frown tensed his face.
“I’m sure it’ll be okay, Gavin,” Taylor offered.
His glare shot arrows across the room as he turned it onto her. “I don’t want you or Ryan hurt. And I’ll be damned if I drag anymore of my family into this.”
Like she dragged him. “I’m sorry,” she said.
A muttered oath whispered out as he waved her off. “I didn’t mean you were to blame, for God’s sake.” His cheeks puffed out on his exhale.
“Never mind,” Christian said. “You’re right. She can go with me and sit in the lobby or I’ll get her room or something. I’ll figure something out.”
Gavin’s glare told them both what he thought of that. “Nina Fisher isn’t the only crazy nut out there. And that would hardly make a decent impression.” One large hand raked through his hair. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just testy from lack of sleep. Everyone’s right. It’s fine. You go to your meeting. We’ll take care of the kids. I’ll call Bray and let him know what’s going on.
Besides, we’ve got a cop sitting outside the house.”
The drive by had become a sitting surveillance after Lieutenant Morris, working with the Austin P.D. and the Texas Rangers, realized that Nina had indeed killed a cop, a guard, besides the shooting of the Shepards. A judge’s shooting was also linked to her. When the phone calls started two days ago, an unmarked car was always sitting across the street. Though their presence was a relief, it was also stressful. Taylor wasn’t used to people always watching her, but with Gavin on call, it was nice to know that the good guys were sitting outside, keeping their eyes open. Christian looked at her watch. “Okay, I’m supposed to meet them at one, and it’s after twelve, so I’m going to get going.” Walking up to Gavin, she leaned up on her toes and made him lean down so she could kiss his cheek. “Thanks. I owe you one.”
“Just make certain you remember that when I come and ask you to baby-sit.”
“Yes, sir.” As she reached the doorway where Taylor stood, she reached out and gave Taylor a hug. “You hang in there. This will all be over before you know it, and that woman will be behind bars where she belongs.”
“Yeah, but will she stay there, this time?”
In a hurry, Christian swirled out the door. Music drifted down the stairs, a piano mixing with the strains of a violin. Gavin pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her.
“Why does it seem like I’m over reacting, but I know that I’m not?” His voice whispered into her ear.
This was where she loved to be more than anywhere. Right here in his arms.
“You’re not over reacting. I don’t think we should let our guard down, or underestimate
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Ms. Fisher,” Taylor mumbled against his shirt. “But, I think one hour will be fine. Besides, you should have seen Ryan’s face when he saw Tori. Those two are as tight as thieves.”
“Let’s go order some food.”
“You know, since you’ve moved in, we’ve eaten out more than in. It’s really not all that healthy.”