The Reckoning (The O'Neils Book 6)

by Kathryn Shay

  “Ben, where are your manners?”

  He faced Portia. “Hello, my name is Ben Ralston.”

  “I’m Portia Lincoln.”

  “Are you coming to the park with us?”

  “No.” She stood and spoke to Jamie. “I’m going to Moran Associates. I’ll get a face-to-face, even if I have to make a scene.”

  “You won’t. He adores you.”

  At the doorway, she smiled at Jamie. “I’m so glad Kinley has you two in his life.”

  She didn’t contradict Portia. She bade her goodbye, then went to the open storage room door.

  “Hi, Mike. Ben wants to go to the park. There’s one right around the corner. We can walk.”

  “Going out in public is a bad idea. We’d be sitting targets.”

  “Not if you and Karen are there. I honestly think we all could use some air.”

  “It’s against my professional judgment.”

  Ben came racing out. “Mike, we’re goin’ to the park. You and Karen can come, too.”

  Finally, Jamie played her trump card. “I’m making this decision. We’re going.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  They walked down the street like a couple with their child and nanny. Mike was tall and fit and ruggedly handsome, but he didn’t have Kinley’s square cut jaw or high cheekbones. Geez, what was she doing comparing him to Kinley?

  They sat on a bench in front of the sandbox. Karen took up position about ten feet behind Ben on the other side and scanned the area. Jamie hoped this visit went okay. “I’m sorry for being heavy-handed about coming here.”

  “You’re a doll to guard compared to some first families. One president’s kid made our life hell by hiding, by running away from us. His mother screamed at us in public to go away.”

  “How awful. I talked to Ben about not being out of our sight. I’m afraid I’m scarring him for life.”

  “Hopefully not, but Karen is great at explaining things to him.”

  “Then I’ll ask her for some advice.”

  “You’re a good mother.”

  “Thank you. Do you have kids?”

  “Hmm, two. They’re a bit older but a handful.”

  “I always admired Secret Service agents for their devotion to the job and putting their families second.”

  “We don’t see it as the latter. If we didn’t step up, our family and a lot of others wouldn’t ever be safe.”

  At the park, Jamie helped Ben build sandcastles, then he wanted to go on the swing. Karen stayed on the side of the swing set and Jamie pushed him. That went well.

  She was starting to calm down when Ben said, “Hey, Mom, look!”

  Someone dressed as Batman entered the play area. He scanned the area, then kids flocked to him. Ben took off. Karen was at his heels and Jamie not far behind, but Ben reached the guy before they did.

  Batman directed all his attention to Ben. Talked to him about sandcastles, answered questions about being a superhero. Inquired about Ben’s name. On the latter, Jamie pulled him back, picked him up and, flanked by Mike and Karen, hurried away.

  “Mommy! What are you doing? I wanna talk to Batman.”

  “Ben, you know not to talk to strangers.”

  “He isn’t a stranger, he’s Batman.”

  “Someone dressed up like Batman.”

  “He isn’t the real Batman?”

  “You know what?” Mike said. “I think I’ll go over and ask him.”

  “Good idea,” Karen told him.

  But when Mike turned around, Batman was gone.

  Kinley was halfway out the door when his cell rang. “Hello.”

  “Kinley, it’s Portia. I’m here at your office and I want to talk to you.” She added, “I already had a conversation with Jamie.”

  He invited her up and when she came into the office, they sat on the couch. He said quickly, “I’m sorry I handled this wrong. I tried to reach you several times, and finally had to leave a message.”

  “I was away for a couple of days. I left my phone here.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Eric has been calling me.”

  “Want to talk about him?”

  “No, I want to know more about this Nigel guy. He sounds like he’s out to get you.”

  “And could do that by hurting you, Jamie or Ben. Which is why I invited you to stay at my apartment.”

  “Thank you for that.”

  “What did Jamie tell you?”

  She explained their conversation. “Then Ben wanted to go to the park and so I left.”

  “Jamie took Ben to the park? With or without the guards?”

  “She asked the guards.”

  “At least she has some sense.”

  “Kinley, what’s gotten into you? You’re so…volatile about them.”

  “I’m worried. But I trusted her to do the right thing.”

  “A piece of advice. Don’t go off half-cocked with her. You’ll regret it.”

  “How can you know that?”

  “I got to see her up close. For what it’s worth, I think she’s a strong, capable woman who won’t like you trying to run her life.”

  “That about sums her up.”

  “Remember what I said,” Portia told him when she kissed him goodbye.

  He didn’t. When he got to his apartment, he burst in and found them doing a puzzle at the big table.

  “I heard about your outing from Portia. What the hell were you thinking?”

  “Excuse me?”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I knew I should have worked from home.”

  “What?” Jamie asked, angry herself. “So you could forbid us to go out? I made the decision. If that was Nigel, it was the wrong one, but I won’t be kept prisoner here.”

  “If who was Nigel?”

  “Batman showed up at the park.” She told him that story.

  “You endangered your son!”

  She looked like she’d been slapped.

  Then Mike walked through the door. “No, she didn’t. I just got back from the park. The regulars said there’s an acting studio nearby, and actors often come to the playground in costume.”

  Jamie folded her arms across her chest. “I told you so.”

  “Maybe Nigel knew about the actors. He could have, would have, scoped out the park.” Kinley took a bead on the agent. “And I don’t appreciate your interrupting us. I thought Secret Service agents were to be seen and not heard.”

  Mike’s face reddened and his jaw hardened. “If you’d like to replace me, go ahead.”

  “Fine. You’re fired.”

  Jamie got in between them, in Kinley’s face. “If you do that, I’ll leave here with Ben and Karen and go home. And you won’t be consulted about anything. You won’t even know what’s going on with us.” She arched a brow. “Ever again.”

  She probably couldn’t keep all information from him because this case was about him and the police would tell him the details. He’d caused this whole situation.

  Kinley crossed to the bar in the corner and poured a drink, keeping his back to them. He chugged it down and when he turned around, he was more composed. “Have it your way.” He faced Mike. “I was upset. I didn’t mean to insult you or fire you.” He’d say the words, I’m sorry, if he had to, but he hated to apologize.

  “Thank you, Mr. Moran. I’d like to stay on.” Mike turned and walked out the door.

  He faced Jamie and he could see the uncertainty in her eyes that he caused. He hated her vulnerability. He said more softly, “We have to talk. Our animosity is getting out of control.”

  “I agree. When Ben goes to bed.”

  “All right.”

  They spent the pre-dinner time playing board games with Ben. Jamie cooked a delicious rice and chicken dish and when they finished, he said, “I’ll clean up.”

  “All right, I’ll get Ben ready for bed, and we’ll go watch a little TV in my bedroom.”

  “Can I still read him a story?” He expected anger. Exclus
ion.

  She cradled his cheek with her palm. “Of course. I’d never exclude you.”

  He brought her hand to his mouth. Kissed it. “You threatened to leave.”

  “I was angry, too. I’m okay now. We can talk in an hour.”

  He couldn’t believe that clearing dishes, filling the dishwasher and washing the pots took forever. When Jamie came out, he was wiping his hands on a dish towel. “It took you this long?”

  He ducked his head! “Yeah.”

  She laughed. “Ben’s waiting for you.”

  “All right. I’ll meet you in my suite.”

  She bit her lip. “Can’t we meet out here.”

  “Too close to Ben’s room.”

  “All right.”

  He went down the hall and found Ben in bed, with three books. When he lay next to the boy, he gave a sham frown. “Three books?”

  “Please.”

  “Okay.”

  He chuckled at the antics of Pickles and his buddies. The books were delightful. He and Ben marveled over the illustrations. Hmm, Kinley could get into kids’ literature.

  Jamie headed to the sitting area of Kinley’s suite, which blocked out a view of the bed. But she’d seen the bed before. Made love on it. Her skin sizzled at the thought of his touches. She got up and walked to the window. Sex with him during this whole mess with Nigel and after his accusations to her was out of the question. But she wanted to. She remembered the feel of his hand sliding down her thigh, how his fingers penetrated her, how…

  Man, she had to stop the memories. She admitted she wanted him, but that didn’t mean she would do anything about it. No way. Not now. Maybe never again.

  On that depressing thought, she dropped into a chair and picked up a magazine. Forbes. One of the premier business magazines. And on the cover was the Wizard of Wall Street. Kinley sat behind his desk, but the photographer had gotten close and the deep blue of his eyes, the thin black line around his pupil were visible. No smile, but there was something about his expression, maybe that he thought all the fuss was foolish.

  “Jamie?”

  Earlier, he’d changed into a pair of jeans and a navy long-sleeved T-shirt. Even dressed down clothes draped his fit body nicely. His hair was mussed. “Everything okay with Ben?”

  “Yeah. He asked for you again, but I told him you’d already kissed him goodnight.”

  “If you don’t draw the line, he’ll keep delaying bedtime.”

  “Would you like something? A drink?”

  Maybe it would calm her nerves. “Sure. Do you have any white wine?”

  He crossed to a wall unit, opened two doors to reveal another bar with a fridge below. From it, he removed a bottle of Kendall Jackson. Poured it in a stemmed glass. Handed it to her. He frowned when her hand shook. “Are you frightened of me, Jamie?”

  “In a way, yes.”

  “Because I raised my voice?”

  “Of course not. I’m…I’m…stressed is all.”

  “All right.”

  After he sat, she said, “Kinley, we can’t be at odds like this and live under one roof.”

  “I can’t help it if I think going to the park was a bad decision.”

  “It might have been, even though we’re safe now. In any case, you have to accept that it’s my decision to make.”

  “I feel protective of you.”

  “Even though you hate me for choosing the O’Neils? Which I tried to clarify.”

  “Is that what you want to talk about?”

  “No, I want to get along better.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I…” He bolted up. Started to pace. “Christ, I hate feeling like this. I hate not having control over my emotions. How do you keep doing this to me?”

  “Doing what?” But she knew.

  He whirled around. “I still want you, Jamie. I can’t help it. Having you here. Being with you and Ben, I want you more.” He looked down at her hands. “Is that why your hands are trembling? Do you feel the same?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Of course, it does.”

  “All right, yes, being here with you in close proximity, makes me think of us, together.” As soon as she made the confession, she knew she’d made a mistake. His face softened as it always had before they made love.

  Slowly, he crossed to her, set down his drink, took her glass out of her hand and put it on the table. Then he drew her up. And whispered, “I’m not going to seduce you. You have to decide this and be in fully. But know, despite what’s between us, I want you more than I ever have, too.”

  She held his gaze and realized she was willing to take whatever he’d give her now. “It’s not seduction if I’m willing.”

  He closed his eyes. Took in a deep breath. When he opened them, she grasped his hand and led him out of the sitting room to the side of the bed.

  Forgetting what was between them, Kinley lay naked on the bed with her. He raised her arms above her head and ran his hands down the inside of them. She shivered. He kissed her forehead, her nose, her cheek.

  “Kinley. Too slow.”

  “This may be our last time.” His voice was harsh with emotion. “I’m going to enjoy every second.” He avoided her mouth and went lower. Her breasts were full and firm, and he put his mouth on her nipple. Her body bucked. He sucked there, then moved to the other one.

  She moaned, shifted on the bed.

  His mouth went lower, to her abdomen, flat and firm, too. Then lower. He nestled his face between her legs and kissed, laved, offered pressure to her. She went off like the first burst of fireworks, surprising him.

  He stayed with her until she finished, then pressed his hand to her groin. She squirmed with the aftershocks. “I wanted it to be us both, together.”

  “It will be. Besides, I owed you one.”

  She smiled at his reference to what she’d done for him when he’d found out about Nigel’s betrayal. That night, he’d come to her, hurt, anxious and exhausted.

  Coming up on her arms, she pressed on his chest, and pushed him to the side. He landed on his back, laughing. “What are you doing?”

  “My turn.”

  She brought him to the brink of orgasm three times, until he forced her up, over him. She slid down slowly. The pleasure was already intense when she started to move.

  Up and down.

  Up and down.

  Up…and he exploded and she kept the pleasure for a long time.

  Afterward, he held her. Sated, he cuddled her to his chest. He wanted to say this didn’t change anything, but instead, he treasured the moment.

  “Mommy.” Someone shook her. “Mommy, why are you sleeping in Kinley’s bed?”

  She came awake fast, as mothers do, and clutched the sheet to her chest. Rays of sun filtered in through the slatted blinds.

  “Um.”

  Kinley, awake now too, said, “Mommy had a bad dream and came in here. She fell asleep with me.”

  “Can I get into bed, too?”

  Kinley said, “I’m ready to get up. Why don’t you go into the living room and find that cartoon we both like?”

  “The one about dinosaurs?”

  “Yes. I’ll be right in.”

  When he left, Kinley fell back into the pillows. “That was a close call.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have gone back to my own room.”

  He kissed her head. “As if I’d let you. I’m going to get up. You can linger in here for a while.”

  “Okay.”

  Still feeling the imprint of her on him, he climbed out of bed. Put on pj bottoms and a T-shirt, and headed for the door.

  Jamie said, “I’ll sneak out of here in a minute to get some pjs on.”

  Kinley turned on the coffee first, then went to sit with Ben. The boy had the cartoon all cued up. He cuddled into Kinley and the show began. About halfway through it, his phone, on the counter, buzzed. He thought of ignoring the intrusion. But it was seven now, so he got up and clicked on.

  “Kinle
y, this is Bailey. I thought you should know that Liam’s in the emergency room at Mt. Helen’s. He was out jogging earlier and a car hit him.”

  “How is he?”

  “We don’t know.”

  “Are you all there?”

  “Yes. Jamie will want to come. I thought you could…” Here Bailey started to cry. Strong, indominable Bailey.

  “Are you telling me everything?”

  “Y-yes. I’m scared, Kinley. Liam, he’s special, more special than all of us.”

  “I know, honey. I’ll tell Jamie and she’ll get back to you.”

  “Okay.”

  “Try not to buy trouble.”

  “Okay.”

  Kinley disconnected and fell onto the chair. Could this be Nigel’s work? If so, then Kinley was at fault. The thought froze him. And he prayed, to a God he didn’t believe in, “Please, please let him live.”

  Her heart racing in her chest, Jamie rushed into emergency at St. Helen’s Hospital, along with Kinley, Mike and Jess Harper. When she’d returned Bailey’s call, she’d given Jamie the directions to the VIP waiting room. A former president of the U.S. was on site so they accommodated him. When she entered the space, the tableau she found was heartbreaking. All the O’Neil boys sat with their spouses, their heads bent as if in prayer. Bodyguards lined the perimeter of the room. Jamie crossed to Bailey, who rose and hugged her. Jamie said, “I’m so sorry.”

  “Me, too.”

  Seeing her, the guys got up. Each hugged Jamie. When it was Pat’s turn, she whispered, “Please be nice to Kinley. He’s worried.”

  “I will, lass.” Pat turned away from her and went to his half-brother. Awkwardly, he stood in front of him. “Thanks for coming, Kinley.”

  Kinley nodded. Pat returned to Brie, who had approached Jamie with her other sisters-in-law. “Thanks for being here.”

  “I love, Liam. Do you have any more information?”

  Pat explained. “His bodyguard said the car that hit him came out of nowhere. Liam was on the sidewalk, so the driver might have lost control. The car barely missed the agent jogging with him.”

  Jamie swallowed hard. She knew this could involve Nigel but wouldn’t bring that up. “How hurt is he?”

  “We’re waiting to hear.”