His Brother's Wife

by Michelle Love

  Isa propped herself up on her elbow and looked down at him. ‘You know what?’

  He grinned. ‘What?’

  She leaned down, put her mouth to his ear and whispered. ‘Don’t tell anyone but we got married today.’

  He chuckled. ‘No kidding. Do you feel grown up now?’

  She shook her head. ‘Never.’

  He grinned, running a hand down her silky skin. ‘You feel plenty grown up to me.’

  She mocked sighed. ‘I married a pervert.’

  ‘Takes one to know one.’

  She giggled and kissed him. He drew his hands up and down the soft skin of her back, studying every part of her lovely face – the large warm brown eyes, the tiny, almost invisible freckles scattered across her nose and cheek, the little mole at the corner of her left eye. Her mouth stretched out in a lazy smile.

  ‘Whatchoo looking at?’ She drawled, and he smiled.

  ‘Love of my life, my beloved wife.’

  She grinned and laid her head down on her chest. ‘This is the only thing that’s real.’

  He cradled her head and closed his eyes, hoping, for the love of god, that it was true.

  Cal was waiting for Seb when he came out of class. Seb was the straggler, pausing to stuff his books in his backpack. Cal knocked on the door jam, leaned against it. Seb looked up and grinned in surprise.

  ‘Hey! What’s up, what are you doing here?’

  ‘Well, I thought maybe I could persuade you to share a beer or two. Got something I want to talk to you about.’

  Seb smiled. ‘Sounds good. I got some time; I’m not meeting Lou until later.’

  The ‘Little Pig & Great Hog’ Bar and Barbecue, perched on the very edge of the golf resort, lured its clientele in solely with the delicious scent of its food. As Cal and Seb stepped from the car, Seb breathed the smell in deeply and sighed happily.

  ‘Best barbecue in the state,’ he told Cal, ‘And the beer’s cheap too.’

  ‘Not that you have to worry about that anymore,’ Cal smiled at his new brother. His words pulled Seb up short.

  ‘Oh right.’ He grimaced, slightly, holding open the door. He hated that Cal just assumed he would be okay with taking money from the Levy’s – he wasn’t okay with it. Isa might have married Sam, but as far as Seb was concerned, it didn’t change anything.

  Inside, a pleasant hum of noise, chatter, clinking glasses. A jukebox pumped out soft rock, the bartenders dealing efficiently with their customers.

  They found a table in the back and the waitress brought over chips and salsa, taking their order. Cal peeled his jacket off, hanging it neatly on the back of his chair, dug in his messenger bag and handed a newspaper to his brother-in-law. It was folded to the notices section, and Seb grinned when he saw the simple announcement.

  The marriage is announced between Isabel Eleanor Flynn. 28, of Bainbridge Island, WA, and Samuel Alexander Levy, 39, of King County, Seattle, WA.

  Seb smiled. ‘That’s nice.’

  Cal shook his head. ‘No, man, look.’ He tapped a notice on the other side, under the obituaries. ‘Fucking sick.’

  Seb frowned and looked where Cal indicated. It was like a kick in the guts. He paled, glancing up at Cal who nodded, his own face angry and pinched. Seb felt sick.

  In loving memory, Isabel Flynn. Murdered. May she rest in peace.

  ‘Fucker. Sick, twisted motherfucker.’ Seb could barely spit out the words. ‘I’ve really had my fill of this cocksucker.’

  Cal nodded. ‘Agreed. Look, what do you say, while Sam and Isa are away, we really kick this investigation into gear? I know a journo on this paper, I can find out who sent the notice in.’

  Seb nodded. ‘Good. What else can we do?’

  Cal sighed. ‘I know Isa has said that her ex wouldn’t do this – what was his name again?’

  Seb rolled his eyes. ‘Karl Dudek.’

  Cal studied him. ‘What was your impression?’

  ‘I remember he was okay in the beginning; we got along just fine. He was possessive about my sister, though. Clingy, needy, stuff like that. I don’t think he’s the most confident guy and when she broke up with him, well, he flipped out. Not that it’s an excuse, but he had lost his job the same day. That’s why I tend to agree with Isa that it’s not him at first but now, I’m not so sure.’

  Seb’s handsome face had hardened as he reminisced. Cal took a swig of his beer.

  ‘Any chance you could reconnect? Get a read on him?’

  Seb hesitated then nodded. ‘Might be awkward but yeah, I think it could be a good idea. I honestly cannot think of anyone else who would do this. Weird it should happen almost as soon as Isa met Sam, though, don’t you think?’

  Cal nodded. ‘I do. I’m leaning towards the idea that whoever it is, they were already stalking one or the other.’

  ‘Good point. What about Casey Hamilton?’

  Cal rolled his eyes. ‘God, a walking nightmare. I have no doubt she’s crazy enough.’

  Seb stared out of the window for a moment. ‘What was her relationship with Sam? Isa said they were an item way before Isa met him.’

  Cal hesitated then let out a breath. ‘They were married.’

  Seb nearly spat out his beer. ‘What the fuck? Does Isa know?’

  Cal shook his head. ‘And I wouldn’t have told you if I didn’t think one of you should know. I kept telling Sam to tell her, and he did eventually tell her they had had a relationship. Don’t ask me why he left out the whole marriage thing.’

  Seb shook his head angrily. ‘This isn’t fair. Isa married him. How the hell did he manage to arrange the wedding without mentioning it?’

  Cal held up his hands. ‘Don’t ask me.’

  Seb swore under his breath. ‘I don’t like this.’

  ‘Me either but look, it wasn’t my secret to tell. I only told you because…well.’

  Seb was still pissed. ‘Do you know what it took for Isa to trust someone again after what her parents did to her? It took me and Mom years to gain that trust. For Sam to walk into her life and gain her trust so easily… That was a fucking miracle, you understand?’

  Cal nodded. ‘I do. I really do, I can tell you.’ He sighed, shaking his head. ‘Should I not have told you?’

  Seb shook his head. ‘I’m glad you did. At least one of us is in the know.’

  ‘You won’t say anything?’

  ‘No.’ But he would take Sam aside when they got back from their honeymoon, make him promise to come clean. ‘Fuck. Why has every happy thing got to be tarnished? And now this shit.’ He nodded at the paper. He’d had enough of picturing his beloved sister dead for one lifetime.

  ‘You’ll reach out to Karl?’

  Seb nodded grimly. ‘No problem.’ If there was one thing Seb knew, it was that he wanted to protect his sister from anything and anyone who could hurt her.

  Even her new husband.

  Sam walked into the bedroom and laughed. Isa was sitting in his open, half-packed suitcase, a mournful look on her face.

  ‘Do we have to go home?’ She looked so woebegone that he had to chuckle again.

  ‘We don’t have to…I told you, we can stay here for as long as you want. Forever, if you’d like?’

  The two weeks had flown by in a whirl of sex, and fun, and laughter and carefree living. But now they were packing for the trip back to Seattle.

  Too soon. ‘We’re right back here again, aren’t we?’ On the way back to face the same problems. Dammit.

  His face clouded over, and he sighed. ‘Yeah.’

  She pulled herself onto her knees and smoothed out his brow. ‘Hey, no frowning. Not allowed here.’

  She pressed her lips against his, then press her chest against his, grinning as she slid her hand down to cup his cock through his pants. She felt it jerk and stiffen, the hot length of it hard against her hand.

  ‘In that case’ he grinned, scooping her out of his bag and dumping her on the bed. She immediately crawled back towards the bag, and he grabb
ed her foot. They wrestled around for a bit playfully until Sam managed to pin her under him. He kissed her slowly, enjoying the taste of her, her spearmint toothpaste, the faint hint of her green tea from breakfast, which now sat abandoned on the night stand. The scent of jasmine blew in from the window. Isa’s hair was clouded around her head, her skin, bare of make-up, was flushed and glowing. She looked so vital, so alive. He slid his hands under her gray marl t-shirt and drew it up over her head. She was naked beneath it, hadn’t bothered with a bra and her breasts were soft and warm in his hands. He sucked at both nipples until they were hard and puckered. Isa sighed softly, her hand rubbing slowly up and down his clothed groin. He reached down and unzipped, eager for her to touch him and she took the length of his cock in her hands and began to stroke, caress and gently pull at him. She tickled the sensitive spot behind his balls, and he groaned, burying his head in her neck. His hand slipped between her legs, finding her already moistening at his touch. He moved down so he could taste her. Her sex was blooming, swelling under his touch, a beautiful pink, and he smiled up at her.

  ‘You’re so pretty, baby.’

  His cock was heavy, engorged and she motioned for him to hurry, to enter her. He hooked her legs over his shoulders, pressing her firmly down into the bed as he fucked her slowly, intensely. His hands cupped the soft skin of her face, his eyes gentle and full of love. She moaned with utter, delicious pleasure and it only made his thrusts more brutal, becoming frantic now as she clamped her legs around his neck.

  It felt as if he would never stop coming, his cum shooting into her, filling her sex as he called her name and kissed her frenziedly. His orgasm exploded through his body, making his being vibrate.

  How the hell does it keep getting better with her? The errant thought crossed his mind as he came but it was true. Sex with Isa was always exhilarating, and every time they found something new, some new connection to make.

  Later, on the plane, when she was asleep in his arms, he brooded over what they would do next. He felt powerless when it came to her stalker. The police had no leads, and it felt to Sam they were retreading the same old ground over and over – with a building body count.

  He turned onto his side, trying not to wake Isa. She looked so young, so vulnerable asleep in his arms. He wishes he could wrap them around her and protect her from everything but the world, he’d found, didn’t work like that.

  He thought back to what he had told Isa. His father killing the man who murdered his mom. Sam didn’t want to think he himself was capable but he knew, without hesitation, he wouldn’t think twice if Isa was taken from him.

  I finally get it, Dad. Sam felt the immense change that had come over him since all of this started. He had someone to protect, someone to fight for.

  Someone to kill for.

  ‘Thanks for coming.’

  Karl Dudek nodded once at Seb before sitting down. His expression was tight, his eyes darting across Seb’s face, searching the other’s man expression. Seb tried to smile.

  ‘Karl. Dude, relax. I just wanted to talk to you.’

  Another nod and Seb sighed. Awkward.

  ‘I hear she got married.’

  It was Seb’s turn to nod. He didn’t want to talk about that with Karl, didn’t want to sully the happiness it had brought his family.

  Seb took a deep breath in and leaned forward.

  ‘Look, there’s no way to dress this up, and I can see you’re not up for small talk so here it is. Karl, are you trying to kill my sister?’

  Karl made a disgusted noise and sat back, a sneer on his face. ‘Is that what she’s telling you?’

  Seb shook his head. ‘Actually, Isa’s the one person who’s defended you from the beginning of this mess.’

  Karl’s face fell, and his eyes grew soft. ‘She did?’

  At that moment, Seb knew. He knew that Karl would never hurt Isa – not intentionally. The love in his eyes told Seb everything. He let out a huge breath.

  ‘For what it’s worth, I believe you. Jesus…. Look, I’m sorry, I had to ask. We have no idea who’s doing this. None. Sorry.’

  Karl sighed and held up his hand. ‘Look, no harm, no foul. Police have already questioned me. Exhaustively,’ he added with a grin. ‘Tell me everything.’

  Seb did so, feeling a weight being lifted. It was nice to talk to someone outside of his family and the police, someone who may offer a fresh perspective. Karl listened.

  ‘So her new husband. No way it could be him? Seems coincidental all this happened when he showed up. What about his brother?’

  Seb smiled. ‘If you knew either of them, you’d see it differently.’

  Karl ordered a coffee, was silent till the waitress brought it to the table. He stirred sugar into it slowly. ‘How is she? Really?’

  Seb nodded. ‘Apart from living under a death threat, she’s well. Really good. They’re perfect for each other.’

  He wishes he hadn’t added that when he saw the pain twist in Karl’s face. ‘You still love her.’

  Karl hesitated, then nodded once, not meeting his eye. ‘She’s hard to forget. Seb, please understand, and please tell Isa for me, that day, it wasn’t me and wasn’t who I am. I am not a violent person. I’ll never forgive myself for what happened between us.’

  Seb leaned over, clapped him on the shoulder. ‘You should. Isa has.’

  Karl tried to smile. ‘She was always too good for me. I hope to hell this new husband deserves her.’

  Karl left soon after, his whole being, his body, slumped with heartbreak. Jesus, what a fucking mess. Seb shook his head. He didn’t have a clue what to do next. He pulled out his cellphone and called Cal.

  Isa grabbed her bag, waited for Sam at the door. He smiled down at her. ‘Ready for your first construction job?’

  She grinned. He was taking her out to the old hospital, leaving her in Seb’s custody for the day. She intended to start work, clearing the apartment. They had discussed moving in while renovations were still going on, eager to get out of the hotel but she wanted to make sure the contractors had made it livable – even if it would be basic for a few months. She didn’t care – it would be their place. It didn’t need things to make it a home.

  ‘Yeah, my old bones will need a bed,’ he said now as she told him that. She chuckled.

  ‘Old man.’

  ‘Yip.’

  It was early December. The day was cold but bright. Traffic for, for once, was light as Sam maneuvered the car along Alaskan Way. Isa stroked the hair over his ears, and he grinned around at her.

  ‘You getting mushy on me?’

  She smiled. ‘Always.’

  Seb greeted them at the front entrance and, happy she was being cared for, Sam took off to his meeting.

  Isa followed Seb right to the other end of the hospital where the apartment was.

  ‘We cleared it out as much as we could, but I know you – you’ll try and make something out of the junk, so I’ve left some salvageable stuff for you to play around with.’ Seb grinned at his sister.

  Isa hugged him. ‘What a cool bro you are.’ They turned the corner into the corridor outside the apartment. Seb nudged her with his shoulder.

  ‘So, come on…how does it feel to be an old married lady?’

  Isa gave him her biggest cheesiest grin. ‘Fucking awesome.’

  Seb feigned shock. ‘Is that any sort of language for the rich man’s wife?’

  She rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, gotta love that.’

  ‘I was joking, sis. You’re not freaking out about him having money, are you?’

  She shrugged. ‘Some. I can bring so little to this marriage, Seb. What does Sam get out of it?’

  Seb peered over his glasses at her. ‘You, you idiot.’

  She snickered. ‘God, you look like your mom when you do that.’

  ‘You’re getting on my nerves now, sis. Where in the name of all that’s holy is the key?’ He dug around in his pockets. ‘Got it.’

  ‘Getting bored now.’<
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  ‘Piss off, sis.’

  She laughed and followed him into the apartment.

  ‘Wow, you have been busy.’ From what she remembered, the place was airy, light but now the dirt and filth had been erased, it was a beautiful open space. Isa could instantly see her and Sam in here – maybe a dog as well, she thought hopefully – a corner for Sam to work in, another for her studio area. There was a small kitchenette – plenty for their pizza-loving selves.

  Seb watched her with a proud look on his face, and she hugged him. ‘Gosh, Seb, thank you. It looks wonderful. I can see it, I really can.’

  He ruffled her hair. ‘I’m glad. ‘Gosh’?’

  ‘Fuck you.’

  Seb laughed. ‘That’s better. There’s the master bedroom through there, and we found another one – did Sam tell you? It’s well hidden, down a little hallway off the master.’

  He disappeared into the bedroom. Isa, distracted by the newly re-glazed windows, went to look at the view. It looked out over to the Olympic Mountain Range in the distance. The back of the hospital was a maze of outbuildings and parking lots. But it was the peace she noticed. Apart from the faint, faraway sound of the contractors working at the other end of the hospital, it was serenely quiet. She closed her eyes, breathed in a lungful of fresh air.

  Turning away from the window, she followed Seb’s path into the master bedroom.

  ‘Seb?’

  No answer. She saw a door at the other end, a faint light from it and followed the small hallway down to the other bedroom.

  It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the dimly lit room then she gasped. Seb was prone on the floor, a vicious welt on the back of his head.