Craving Justice (Sons of Sydney Book 1)

by Fiona Archer

  Finally, things were coming together. Surely now fate would give them a fighting chance.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  That next Wednesday, Harper rested her hip against the black marble counter of Jinx’s make-up station. A fifteen-minute lunch break at her best friend’s private salon was the perfect antidote to a busy day. Watching Jinx try out samples of high-end make-up on herself was soothing in an abstract kind of way. She studied Jinx as the stylist applied a designer brand of mascara.

  “Why is it that when a woman applies mascara she has her mouth wide open?” Harper asked.

  Jinx laughed with said open mouth and gave an expert final stroke to the tips of her lashes. “There’s an unwritten law. Mouth open and eyebrows up.” She shrugged. “It’s one of those actions that divides women into two camps. Like the rule of how you clean your teeth.”

  Harper blinked. “Huh?”

  Jinx smiled into the mirror as she ran her fingers through her hair. “You pick up your toothbrush, wet it and apply toothpaste. What’s the next thing you do?”

  Harper imagined herself in her morning routine. “Wet the brush again before putting it into your mouth.” What else would she do?

  “Exactly.” Jinx picked up a tube of lip gloss, inspecting the gold lettering. “You perform that all-important fourth step. Some people don’t.”

  “But that extra splash of water’s essential. Otherwise, the toothpaste is too dry.” And it sticks to your teeth and doesn’t go all foamy. Toothpaste had to go foamy or else, well, it just had to.

  “Agreed. And that kind of thinking is why you make it into my bunker.”

  “Your bunker?” Harper grinned as Jinx turned her head from side to side to inspect her appearance.

  The stylist faced Harper. “If there’s ever a catastrophe and I’ve got time to get people to my bunker, I’m going to be selective about who gets entry. You’re there, babe.”

  “I’m honored.” Harper chuckled. “Pray tell, where is this bunker.” She envisioned a Vogue Interiors-designed safe room complete with lush furnishings, wifi, Netflix and a wine fridge. In other words, the essentials.

  “Some components of my plan are still in the early stages.” Jinx’s deadpan expression matched her voice.

  Harper snorted. “Right.”

  Both women giggled just as Harper’s phone rang. She grabbed her phone resting on the counter, glanced at the screen, and answered. “Hey, Nitro. I’m heading back soon. Still have five minutes left.”

  “Harper,” Her favorite barista and childhood friend spoke in a low, hushed voice. “There’s a guy here to see you and he’s kind of intense.”

  A twinge of unease settled in her belly. “Are you guys okay?” If her staff were in danger, Nitro would call 911.

  “Yeah, he’s cool. Too cool. Looks like he could take us all on with one hand and win.” Nitro shared. “Speaks with an Aussie accent. Says his name is Lincoln Harris.”

  Her mouth dropped. She stared at Jinx, who now gave Harper her full attention. Lowering the phone, she whispered to Jinx, “Seth’s brother’s just shown up at Seven Dishes. Lincoln, the one I told you about last night.”

  “Holy shit.” Jinx dropped the lip gloss on the counter and grabbed her phone and wallet.

  Harper spoke into the phone. “I’m coming now.”

  “Okay.” Nitro replied. “I called Seth. Didn’t know if this guy has anything to do with those posts, but I wasn’t taking any chances. Seth’s in his car. Said he’d be fifteen minutes. Sounded pissed.”

  Well, damn.

  “Right. Be there in a sec.” Harper rushed past the various lounges and tables with their high-end fixtures. “Nitro called Seth. I guess I’ve got a couple of minutes before all hell breaks loose.” Her voice sounded jumpy as she raced down the two flights of stairs.

  “No time for a battle plan.” Jinx checked to make sure the security door had clicked closed behind them as they entered the street. “We’ll need to rely on charm.”

  “Somehow I don’t like our chances.” Harper dashed across the road, Jinx beside her.

  They entered the café to what seemed like a stage set, everyone in their place but somehow frozen, as if waiting for the next line. Lincoln, his blue eyes so eerily familiar, stood a few feet to the side of the counter, his back toward the far wall and facing the street. He had an air of danger about him, amplified by the way his navy T-shirt stretched over the breadth of his chest and shoulders. The low heels of his boots added maybe an inch to his already impressive height. One hand was slid into the front pocket of his jeans.

  Nitro was behind the counter, along with Abby. Both were looking from the big Aussie to her and back again. Abby’s gaze was more curious, while Nitro’s was tempered with caution. Nadia, Kristy and Louis were waiting tables for the end of the lunch crowd, who, thankfully, seemed unaware of any tension.

  So far so good.

  “Lincoln, this is a surprise.” What an understatement, but what else could she say to the guy?

  “I wanted to see where you worked, maybe get a chance to talk to you before Seth turns up.” Lincoln glanced at Nitro and back to her. “I’m guessing he’s been called?”

  “You’d be right.” No point in lying, he’d find out soon enough. She gestured toward a couple of tables against the far wall, away from the rest of the customers. “Why don’t we sit there?” Harper headed toward the table and sat down.

  Lincoln’s gaze swept over Jinx, who had moved to the counter before he joined Harper. “How long have we got?”

  “Probably ten minutes if you’re lucky.” She studied him from across the table. “You can’t think Seth will take your visit well.”

  “I’m thinking he’ll be all kinds of pissed.” Lincoln’s mouth twisted in a wry slant. “But at least I’ll get to see him.” His eyes flashed with a sadness that squeezed Harper’s chest.

  She chose her words with care. “Your turning up Friday was a huge shock for him. He needs a little time.”

  “I understand that, but I’ve been waiting seventeen years, Harper.” Hearing him say her name was a reminder that Lincoln knew at least some facts about her, whereas he was essentially unknown to her. That was…unsettling. Lincoln sighed. “I’m not a bad guy. I’m just the younger brother who lost Seth as a kid and is now trying to get to know him.”

  “I understand.” And she did. “What happened was tragic, and not your fault.” When Harper thought of the horrible grandmother, she wanted to slap the woman, yell at her for separating two kids who desperately needed each other.

  “So you’re not going to try to block me?” Lincoln’s voice was guarded, but the faint layer of hope forced her gaze to flick up to his.

  “I want what’s best for Seth, and I’ll respect his wishes. Getting to know you could be” healing, traumatic, cathartic “a positive step if handled right. But, you’re going to have to be patient or he’ll never let you in.”

  “I’m trained as a sniper, Harper. I can outwait anyone.”

  The mention of this man’s professional skills reminded her she needed to tread carefully for more than one reason. She hardened her voice and stared right into his eyes. “Seth’s no fool, Lincoln. And neither are his brothers. If they find out you had anything to do with the attacks on him and his family, you’ll find yourself at a disadvantage.”

  Far from cowered, the younger brother grinned. “I’m glad to see Seth’s got someone like you defending him.”

  “He has a few of us taking his back,” a deep voice said close by.

  Harper looked up to see Dillon standing a few feet away. His inscrutable gaze fixed on Lincoln. It was kind of unnerving, seeing him not giving away anything, not angry or outwardly concerned. She noted he must be a formidable opponent in business negotiations.

  A short, blonde woman stood behind him, looking decidedly uncomfortable as she glanced around.

  “Dillon Justice.” Lincoln said, more to himself, as he stood.

  Oh, Lordy.

 
“That’s right.” Dillon glanced at Harper. “Joanne and I were already on our way here for a late lunch. Seth called. He’ll be here any second.”

  Time for her to defuse the situation.

  She stood and stepped toward Dillon. “Great to have you and”—she paused and smiled at the woman standing a step behind Dillon—“Joanne here for lunch. Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll make sure you’re served right away.”

  Dillon’s face relaxed a fraction, but his eyes shone with determination. “We’ll hang with you until Seth arrives.” He turned slightly and gently asked Joanne as he took her hand, “You okay with that, honey?”

  “Sure.” The blonde nodded as her gaze landed on Harper. Her smile was encouraging, even supportive, which was nice, considering she must be wondering what the hell was going on.

  Harper’s curiosity was piqued. Dillon was here nearly every morning, and sometimes came in for lunch with others, but never with a woman alone. And whatever was going on seemed in no way platonic.

  “I’m okay on my own, Dillon,” Harper assured him. And she was. Lincoln hadn’t made her feel uneasy. It was more Seth’s impending reaction to Lincoln’s visit she worried over.

  Dillon nodded, but didn’t move an inch. “No doubt you are, Harper, but we’ll hang here anyway.”

  “I’m not a threat to her, Justice,” Lincoln said quietly, which given his physical build and the way he held himself, seemed to make a mockery of his claim.

  Dillon proved he wasn’t in the least intimidated. “You’re out of line turning up at the cafe, Harris.”

  Justice. Harris. Men and their use of surnames, like some masculine power move.

  “True, but with all respect, I’ll discuss that with Seth.”

  Harper had to hand it to Lincoln, his tone was calm, and his choice of words non-combative. She glanced over at Jinx, who gave her big eyes back. Her friend didn’t intrude, but Harper was glad Jinx was close, just in case she was needed.

  A rush of street noise signaled the café’s door opening. She turned, and caught her breath. Seth’s eyes, two bright blue chips set in a hard face, were fixed on Lincoln. The black shirt and dress pants he wore lent an air of menace matched by the tension that held his shoulders stiff. He stalked over to their awkwardly assembled group and stopped three feet from Lincoln. “I asked you to give me time.”

  “I did. I came to see Harper, not you.”

  “Don’t fuck with me, Lincoln. You chose here because you knew I’d come.”

  “A side benefit.” Seth’s younger brother let out a soft breath. “Seth, I’m not going away, nor am I going to sit quietly in a hotel room and wait for your call. I wanted to see Harper’s café.”

  “This is her place of business. Harper doesn’t need to worry about people turning up and complicating her day.”

  “He didn’t,” Harper rushed out. “Seth, Lincoln just wanted to talk, and I wanted to hear what he had to say.”

  Seth swung his gaze on her. “So you had a nice conversation?”

  Anger sliced through her at the faint hint of accusation in his voice. Oh, no. He wasn’t making her feel bad for being polite.

  “I listened. That’s all.” She held his stare, saw the muscle work in his jaw. Yes, Seth was coping with a lot right now, but that didn’t give him the right to take his frustration out on her. She’d done nothing wrong. “Everyone deserves to be heard when it’s over something so important as family.”

  Seth stared at her for a long time before he heaved a deep sigh. The anger that had hardened his features earlier drained away, but his gaze was guarded. When he spoke next, his voice was calmer, but still firm. “Fair point.” He faced Lincoln again. “You’ve met Harper, spoken to her. Now you’re done here for today.” When Lincoln opened his mouth, Seth lifted a hand to stop him. “Lincoln, please, if you want us to have a chance, you need to give me the time I asked for.”

  “Fine.” But the younger brother wasn’t leaving with his head bowed. “But, Seth, I waited for you to turn up today for two reasons. I wanted to see you again.” He swallowed, and Harper’s throat tightened at the repressed longing in his voice. “And I also wanted you to see that I wouldn’t run away from your anger. I’m not some sneaky kid; I’m an adult. If you need to confront me or challenge me, go for it. I don’t hide in the shadows.”

  Harper studied Seth, caught the way his shoulders relaxed. He’d taken Lincoln’s words at face value and not dismissed them. That was a good sign. A small one, but still…

  Lincoln’s mouth lifted at one corner. “Nice to finally meet you, Harper.”

  “You too,” she said softly.

  He nodded to Dillon and Joanne before leaving the café.

  The silence stretched out to almost painful levels. Dillon ended up breaking the moment. “Harper, I didn’t get to properly introduce you to Joanne. She’s an architect. Her employer has an office in our building.”

  Harper didn’t miss the way his gaze warmed as he took in the woman in her late twenties. She stretched out her hand and smiled. “Great to have you at Seven Dishes, Joanne.”

  Joanne returned her handshake and smile. “Dillon’s told me a lot about you. I’ve tried your coffee and pastries, but this is my first time eating in.”

  “Then let’s get you a table.” She waved to Louis, who stuffed his pad in his apron and walked over. “Our best table, Louis.”

  The college student grinned and led Joanne and Dillon away, not before Seth clapped his brother on the shoulder in what Harper guessed was a gesture of thanks for staying with her until he arrived.

  “I’m sorry for Lincoln’s intrusion.”

  She turned back at the sound of Seth’s voice.

  “Seth, you don’t have to apologize.” She gently grasped his hand, feeling a surge of relief when he squeezed back. “Let’s sit for a sec, huh?”

  He nodded, and they sat at the same table she’d shared with Lincoln.

  Was he hungry? “Do you want some lunch?”

  “No,” He rubbed the back of his neck and stretched his back. “Thanks anyway.” His mouth tweaked in a fleeting smile. “What did Lincoln say?”

  “That he wanted to meet me, see where I worked, and all he wanted was a chance to get to know you again.” She spread her hands on the table. “The part about meeting me and seeing my café was I’m sure his way of knowing more about you. Getting closer to you.”

  Seth looked down at her hands, “Did he ask you anything personal?”

  “He asked if I would block him from getting to know you.” She waited as Seth’s raised his gaze to hers. “I told him I wanted what’s best for you, and that I’d respect your wishes.” She turned the saltshaker with one finger. Here comes the tricky bit. “And that you getting to know him could be a good thing if handled properly.”

  “Maybe.” Seth’s tone was cautious.

  Her gaze flew up to meet his. “Family can be a precious thing, Seth.” Letting out a breath, she sank back into her seat. “I stressed to Lincoln that he needed to be patient. Pushing himself into the picture wasn’t going to bring you around.”

  “Harper,” he looked heavenward before focusing back at her. “I don’t need you encouraging him.”

  “I wasn’t, honey. I simply gave him a chance to be heard.”

  “Okay, let’s leave it at that.” He scraped his chair back on the wooden floor, the jarring sound amplifying the tension she felt building like a personal Berlin Wall between them. “I’m pissed he turned up, and I’m taking it out on you, which is a shitty move on my part. I apologize for that. But, Harper,” He leaned forward, his tone urgent. “Right now, with some fucker out there striking at us left and right, and me and my brothers trying to out-guess the bastard, Lincoln is not my focus. I need to know you understand that and back me up.”

  “Seth, I’m totally behind your choices.” How much clearer could she make her support for him? “Just because I think exploring a relationship with Lincoln could be a good thing, doesn’t mean I’m
not there for you.”

  He nodded, but the tension once more holding his shoulders stiff signaled he wasn’t in the frame of mind to listen.

  What did that mean for their plans later? “Are you staying the night?”

  “No.” He sighed when she looked off toward the other tables. “It’s not because of what just happened. I got a call just before Nitro rang. Adam has some intel on one of the posts he wants to share with Heath and me this evening. We may finally have a solid lead.”

  “A name?” This is the first sign of a breakthrough.

  “I don’t know. Adam was cryptic in what he shared.” Seth shrugged. “Except to say we’ll be out until late.”

  The words telling him to wake her at any time were on the tip of her tongue, but the finality in Seth’s voice stopped her cold.

  Not tonight.

  She rose from the table. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  “Let’s play it by ear. I don’t know how things are going to develop with Adam. When he’s on the trail of a target, all plans are up in the air.”

  “Right.” She went to move to the counter, but was stopped by Seth’s body blocking her way. His thumb and forefinger gripped her chin, and forced her gaze up.

  “Harper, we’ll get through this mess.” He studied her face, his brow creasing. “Things are crazy right now, but I’ll see you tomorrow sometime, I promise.”

  “Okay, Seth. Don’t worry.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, sliding her hand in his hair and guiding his head down. Pouring all her feelings into the kiss, she pressed hard, nipped and sucked, wanting him to feel her, to feel her commitment to him. She couldn’t explain the sense of desperation that drove her, teared at her confidence. But if he didn’t believe her commitment to stand by him with Lincoln, then how would they survive bigger challenges?

  Seth wrapped his fingers around her wrists and eased her arms down as he stepped back. She held her breath, feeling like he was stepping away from more than just a kiss. He lifted one of her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I’ll call, coffee girl.”

  Not trusting her voice, she nodded and watched as he walked out of the café. When she turned toward the counter, she caught Dillon watching her from his table. It wasn’t the pensive expression on his face that worried her, but the sadness in his gaze.