The Reckoning

by Kathryn Shay

  Distraught, he got to work.

  With a heavy heart, Jamie opened the door to the office. Kinley had holed up in there the entire luncheon, and guests were leaving, so this was the first she could get away. She found him, suitcoat off, sleeves rolled up, staring at the computer. “Kinley?”

  His eyes turned steely when he saw her. “What can I do for you?”

  She arched a brow. “Now there’s a question.”

  “Don’t you dare flirt with me.”

  She physically recoiled at his sharp tone. “What’s wrong?”

  “Take a wild guess.”

  “You’re upset because I’m working?” He didn’t respond. “My class was canceled. Pat called right after that and asked me to come in.”

  “Anything for the O’Neils. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to finish this up. I have a meeting at three.”

  She stayed where she was. What on earth…then it hit her. She’d come to work, but refused to see him for his suggested quickie. At first, she got angry. How childish. Then she remembered his words in the car that night at Guardian when she asked him to take her to a hotel.

  Because when push comes to shove, you’ll choose the O’Neils over me. I’ll never let myself care about you so much that I’ll be in that position.

  But he had.

  She leaned against the closed door, pondering the best course of action. He didn’t look up again. Eventually, she crossed to the desk and stood over him. “You’re upset because I chose to work here and not meet you.”

  He said bitterly, “No, of course not. That would be childish.”

  “Nonetheless, that’s how you feel. You’re thinking I chose them over you.”

  Again, he didn’t answer.

  “I told you how things went down.”

  “I don’t care.”

  Apologies didn’t cut it. “Yes, you do. Tell me Kinley, did the world fall apart because I came here today?”

  His chest heaved, a sign that was he was truly upset. But she didn’t back down.

  “Did it?”

  He threw back his chair and stood. “I don’t have to answer that. As a matter of fact, I need to leave.”

  “Seriously, you’re leaving now? We need to talk this out.”

  “You seem only interested in your viewpoint.” He rolled down his sleeves. “I’m not interested in hearing anymore of your defense of the O’Neils.”

  “You gotta be kidding me.”

  “I assure you, I’m deadly serious.” He brushed by her and turned at the door. “By the way, you’re fired from Moran Associates. You can keep your job at the pub. Pick up some extra shifts here.”

  And he walked out.

  Jamie was too stunned to go after him.

  What had just happened?

  Kinley had been up most of the night and was exhausted today. He dragged himself to his office, got coffee and sat on the couch staring out at the city. Time to pick himself up by the bootstraps. At about three a.m. he finally decided he would not let a woman distract him from everything: work, going to the gym, spending time with Portia. This had to stop.

  Go to the phone and call HR. Hmm, that might be sticky. What could he give as a reason? She betrayed me? No, that sounded too personal…because it was too personal. She sloughed off at her job. Everybody in the company knew that wasn’t true. And they all liked her. No, he wouldn’t call personnel. When his phone rang, he answered. It was a client, so he talked until the Stock Market opened. At ten, he sat back and closed his eyes. If he hadn’t fired her, he’d see her today, he’d…

  A knock on the door. A distraction, he hoped. He pressed the intercom and buzzer. “Come in.”

  Jamie sailed into the office like she didn’t have a care in the world. She wore a multi-colored dress he’d told her he liked, heels and wore her hair down and fluffy. She was a vision of beauty. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came in to talk to you about yesterday.”

  “I fired you. I was about to call HR.”

  She sat in a chair and crossed her long legs. “Okay. I’ll tell them you pressured me into sex and now you want out.”

  His jaw dropped. “I did no such thing.”

  “Of course you didn’t. But I swear that’s the story I’ll tell, if you dismiss me.”

  “That’s blackmail.”

  “You’re worth the risk, Kinley.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m not letting you go. I care deeply about you. I want…to see where our relationship goes. You survived yesterday, so that wasn’t so bad.”

  He slapped his hand on his desk. “I didn’t sleep all night.”

  “Really? Because of me?” She seemed genuinely happy.

  “Damn you.” He strode to the door. He just reached for the handle when he felt her arms go around his waist, when he felt her head against his back. “Kinley, please. Don’t kick me out of your life over this.” A hesitation. “I’m half in love with you.”

  He felt his whole body collapse into itself. Had he waited to hear something like that from her? A commitment of sorts? And did he reciprocate? This woman had him tied in knots.

  As if compelled by an outside force, he turned, and she kept her arms around him. He held her by the shoulders. “For what it’s worth, I feel the same. But that doesn’t alter the role the O’Neils play in our lives. I’m not sure our relationship can survive them.”

  It was one of the biggest confessions of his life.

  “I’m sure enough for us both.” She moved in closer, making him pull her against his body. “Trust me, Kinley.”

  “Jamie, I don’t trust anybody that much.”

  She bent back her head. “You could try.”

  He stared down at her, feeling like he was on a precipice.

  Nigel’s hands were still shaking from the near-miss this morning. He sat in his office down the hall, contemplating his actions. Moran had phoned Nigel—and left a message—that he was coming in early and would be at the office in a few minutes. In case Nigel was in early, too, Moran wanted to see him.

  Hell. He’d barely had time to cover his tracks. He’d been in Moran’s computer and was erasing some emails. Had he clicked out of the file? Had he turned off the computer? He couldn’t remember. What if he’d gotten caught?

  Well, he didn’t. And wouldn’t. Too much was at stake. He’d made a mistake. Or had he? How could he have even known Moran would be in so early. Several times, Nigel had come to work at the crack of dawn to check Moran’s messages and get rid of some important ones, like client questions and new ventures that Moran lost out on. But none of these were anything more than annoyances. The pièce de résistance was today, April 15. Well, he still had time. He could still change the data the accountant had sent for the quarterly taxes. He would, he thought gleefully, then mail them to the government with the appropriate changes.

  Nigel was halfway to making Kinley Moran pay for what he’d done to Nigel’s father.

  Bailey entered the office where all her brothers were gathered. “I can hear you yelling from outside.”

  Patrick growled, “So? The pub’s not open yet.”

  “What’s the problem?” she asked in the long-suffering voice she knew Pat and Dylan hated.

  “He’s got fucking suggestions for our finances.”

  “So? He’s a successful entrepreneur. We should listen to him.”

  Dylan looked like he was ready to explode. “You don’t get it. He doesn’t need to listen to us. He owns sixty percent of the pub.”

  “You guys, it’s okay when you fight among yourselves. But you gotta work with our brother.”

  “Don’t call him that.” Pat spat out the words.

  Liam stepped up. “He is our brother. I’m sick of you two alienating him.”

  Aidan said, “I am, too. Maybe he’s right about the changes. He knows a hell of a lot more than we do about finances.”

  Bailey was also losing patience. “Did you even check?”

  Pat didn’t an
swer.

  “You don’t understand what he’s doing, do you?” Bailey’s voice rose.

  “Not exactly. But our accountants do. Why should he change anything?”

  “Because that’s his job. One he’s been very successful at.” She was thoughtful. “I have an idea. I’m going to invite him to dinner at our place. The six O’Neil siblings. And Jamie, because she seems to have a connection with him, and can act as a peacemaker. We’ll ask him about the finances, and bridge this stupid gap among you guys.”

  Pat practically growled, “I’m not goin’ to do that.”

  “You will if I call Brie. We already talked about this.”

  “Who?” From Dylan.

  “All of your wives and me. We’re all sick of your surly behavior against someone who has your blood. Here’s what it’s going to be. I’m planning a dinner at Kinley’s earliest convenience. Aidan and Liam? You in?”

  “Sure.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Pat and Dylan?”

  No answer.

  “You don’t want the wrath of all the O’Neil women on you. Think about what we all can do to you when we put our minds to it.”

  A small smile from Dylan. “Rachel can be a pistol when she’s pissed off.”

  “Pat?”

  “The answer is still no.”

  She took out her phone. Punched in numbers.

  “Hello. Brie, Pat won’t agree to my plan to get past this stupid feud with Kinley.”

  “Let me talk to him.”

  She handed Pat the phone. He took it and his gaze narrowed on her. “You’re evil, Bailey. Really evil.”

  She kissed his cheek. “You’ll thank me for this someday.”

  Still breathing hard, Kinley buried his face in her neck. After a few moments, he braced himself on his forearms. “You put a spell on me.”

  She brushed a stray lock of hair off his face. “We put a spell on each other. Especially in the bedroom.”

  He sighed. “The one at the office we said we’d never use.”

  Soon after they started sleeping together, Jamie had made it clear there would be no hanky-panky in his suite. He’d agreed, willingly.

  “I couldn’t stop myself.” He frowned. “That’s what I meant about the spell.”

  “Okay. We won’t do this again.” Her brows raised. “Although, this wasn’t as seedy as I thought it would be.”

  How she could make him laugh at a time like this was beyond him. But laugh, out loud, he did.

  He rolled off her and back onto a pillow. She cuddled in, so her head lay on his broad chest. “To set the record straight, I didn’t sleep all night either. And I was terrified you wouldn’t let me back in.”

  “I can’t seem to help that.”

  She let out a heavy breath. “Do we need to talk more about the O’Neils and me?”

  “I don’t know what to do about my feelings for them, Jamie.”

  “Give it time. Give them a break.”

  “Maybe.”

  They lay like that for a bit longer, then Jamie flipped off the covers. “This is a work day. We need to turn on our phones. More than a half-hour off is plenty of time for me to be out of touch by Ben.”

  “You’re right.”

  She reached for her phone on the nightstand. Clicked it on. Hmm, there was a message from Bailey.

  Grabbing his cell, Kinley did the same and said, “I got a message from Bailey.”

  “So did I.”

  She felt a sinking feeling. “I hope nothing bad happened.” She clicked on. Hey, Jamie. This is Bailey. We’d like you to come to dinner at our home Friday night. I know you don’t work then. You can bring Ben, if you want. He can play with my kids. All of us have something to talk about and we’d like you there.

  She glanced at Kinley. He recounted Bailey’s message to him. Her eyes widened. “Do you think they know about us?”

  “Would that be so bad?” He sounded insecure.

  “Not eventually, but you’re still working out your relationship with them. I think that’s enough of a conflict for you all to navigate.”

  “I suppose.” He grabbed her arm and she tumbled back on the bed. His face was grave. “Just so you’re not ashamed of me.”

  “How could I be?” The uncertainty in his face remained. “I promise, Kinley, I’m not.”

  He eased her over and lowered his head. She could feel how hard he was, and suddenly, the spell enfolded them again.

  Chapter 9

  In the backseat of his limo, with the privacy screen up, Kinley rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe I’m headed for dinner at the house of an O’Neil.”

  Jamie grasped his hand. “You’re part of that family now, like it or not.”

  “You’re not helping.”

  “I told you I’d always give you my honest opinions.” The strain in her voice told him he’d upset her.

  “I know. And I want that.” He kissed her knuckles. “I guess I’m nervous. I can’t remember the last time I was nervous going out or to a meeting.”

  “You wouldn’t let yourself be. But to the point you made, I should be more supportive. This is a huge step for you.”

  Scowling, he looked out the window. “It’s not a step at all. I’m simply accepting Bailey’s request. Declining would be rude. She loved Moira, started ESCAPE then Guardian House in honor of her. I would never dishonor Bailey.”

  “All right. That’s enough for now.”

  She held his hand all the way to their destination, but neither of them spoke again until they reached the O’Neil/Wainwright residence. He stared out at the house they bought near Central Park South, big enough for their expanded family. She’d told Kinley all the children had their own rooms in one wing of the dwelling, including Clay’s son Jon.

  He guided Jamie up the walkway, where a Secret Service agent checked their identification. Then they stepped onto the porch. Bailey opened the door before he even rang the bell. “Hi, Kinley.” She gave him a big hug. He found himself hugging her back. “Jamie, thanks for coming.”

  Once inside, they were a bit astounded at the size of each room, including the foyer. “Come into the family room,” she said as she took his hand. They sat in another huge area, with an equally huge TV and soaring windows. The ceilings in here were at least twelve feet high. “You have a beautiful house.”

  “Thanks. We don’t use a lot of it, but Clay liked the space and it gives us all room so we’re not on top of each other. As a matter of fact, Clay’s in the kids’ wing. There’s a big play area and sitting space, so we won’t hear them. They have plans for pizza and a movie.”

  When they went to the family room in the back, and Jamie and Kinley sat on a long, cushiony couch, Bailey linked her hands behind her back. “Before I get drinks or anyone else arrives, I want to tell you why I asked you two here.”

  “Who else is coming?”

  “That’s why I need to talk to you first. I’ve invited my brothers. They’re coming over at my request. They know you’re coming, too.”

  “But you didn’t tell me? Why?”

  “I didn’t think you’d come. I thought if I got you here, you’d stay. But Clay had a fit. So I asked you a half-hour early. You can head out without a scene if you hate me for this.”

  He stood. “I could never hate you Bailey, but I’m leaving.”

  Bailey’s face fell. “I’m sorry to hear that. I love you, Kinley, like I loved Moira. In honor of her, I wish you’d change your mind.”

  He dropped back down and she joined him. “You play dirty, girl.”

  “Whatever it takes. And this might help. The boys were wonderful with Moira. Getting her out of her shell. Insisting she do things with them. Pat had the hardest time with what she symbolized, but Moira never knew that.”

  “He has the hardest time with me, I think.”

  “He does. Probably for the same reasons.”

  “Which were?”

  “He idolized Pa. As the first kid, their relationship was s
pecial. To see Pa fall off his white horse was tough for a fifteen-year-old boy.”

  “And you brought it all back, Kinley,” Jamie put in.

  “I did?”

  “Of course.”

  “Pat’s fifty. Shouldn’t he be past all that?”

  “Yes, he was. But he’s been thrown by your existence and reverted to some of his old ways.”

  Jamie sat forward on the chair. “What’s the purpose of tonight, Bailey. And why am I here?”

  “The brothers all need to work together. They have to compromise, which will be easy for Aidan and Liam. But Pat and Dylan are holdouts.”

  “As is Kinley.”

  “Yes, Jamie, I know. That’s why you’re here.”

  Jamie and Kinley exchanged a meaningful look.

  Bailey missed it. “You two have some connection. Maybe Moira. Or maybe because he slugged you in the face.”

  “We’ve, um, become friends.” Hell, had she ever made more of an understatement.

  “I’m glad.” She turned to Kinley. “Jamie’s like family. I thought you’d feel more comfortable with her here.”

  “I do.”

  “Okay, so you’ll stay?”

  He heaved a sigh. “I’ll stay.”

  “And try to get along?” Jamie added.

  “Yes, I’ll try.”

  “I made Pat promise the same thing.” Bailey stood. “Now, what would you like to drink?”

  Feeling vaguely like he’d been hoodwinked, Kinley said, “Scotch if you have it. A double. I need the fortification.”

  Nervous, Jamie watched as the four O’Neil men sat in the family room. Sipping their drinks kept them occupied until Aidan spoke first. “We need to find some common ground with you, Kinley. I think we don’t understand some your actions. Let’s start with the changes you want for our finances.”

  “Fair enough. First of all, the pub has too much in savings.”

  “I thought that was a good thing.” This from Dylan, who had an accountant handle his book money.

  “The cash just sits there. In my business, I recommend high interest accounts for most of my clients, along with conservative investment.”