by Tara Rose
As she slid into the booth, she breathed in his scent. The cologne was faint, and it smelled expensive. She loved it. Her nipples tingled and her pussy grew wet. Granted, it was only lunch, and it was business, but since she’d never been alone with him before, she was going to enjoy this. “Have you ordered?”
“Not yet.” He glanced around but didn’t have to wait long before Emma came over to ask what they wanted.
Ria knew she’d regret it by this evening, but she ordered onion rings with her cheeseburger because the rings always tasted so good going down. “I was surprised to get your call.”
“Well, it’s not all good news, unfortunately.” He glanced around then leaned closer.
If not for the fact he’d just prefaced that gesture with such an ominous statement, Ria would have been even more turned-on. But now, her mouth went dry and a feeling of dread she couldn’t explain washed over her. “What do you mean?”
“I wish there was an easy way to tell you this. Gerry died this morning after surgery. He had blood-clotting complications.”
Ria swallowed hard and shook her head, more to clear the sudden roaring noise than because she didn’t believe what he’d just said. “I can’t believe that. He can’t be dead.”
Wyatt covered her hand, and she drew strength from his warmth. “I’m sorry. Neither can I. The whole town will be very upset by this news.”
“Everyone liked him. It’s not right.” Emma brought her water and Wyatt’s iced tea, and as soon as she left, Ria drained her glass. “Did they arrest someone? Is that why you wanted to talk to me about what I saw and heard?”
Even though she’d whispered her questions, Wyatt still glanced around again with a nervous look on his face. “Yes, they did, but I’m not here as his attorney. He hasn’t yet decided whether he wants legal representation.”
“Won’t he need it?”
Wyatt nodded. “Yes, he will. And since this person has never before hired an outside attorney, it will be one of us. So, while I can’t discuss the particulars, I did want to ask you about what you told Sean and Harrison. You described hearing a unique voice.”
“That’s right.” Ria swiped at tears as the impact of what Wyatt had just said hit her. She’d been right. A man had stabbed Gerry. A man who had been in trouble before, and was well-known to the Racy legal community.
Ria also finally realized why the voice she’d heard had been so distinctive. “I know whose voice I heard. I just remembered. It was Ned Meyers. I know it was.”
Wyatt’s gaze grew dark and intense. “Are you sure? Are you absolutely positive?”
“Yes.” Ria had heard his name for two decades, but she didn’t really know him. He’d been a year ahead of her in school, when he was in school, that was. He’d been in trouble since she could remember. “It was Ned’s voice.”
She leaned closer and tried to whisper even quieter. “He was one year ahead of me in school, but we had an English class together when he was in eighth grade, a couple years after he moved here from Germany. You know everyone in school made fun of the way he said certain words.”
Wyatt nodded, and Ria didn’t miss the sadness that filled his eyes. He already knew that she’d heard Ned in the alley last night, and the fact that she might be mistaken about that had been his one last hope that Ned couldn’t have done this to Gerry. Ria saw all that in his eyes as clear as sunlight.
“Well, I remember his voice because of that class. It was the only subject where they pushed me ahead in school. That’s why we were in that class together.”
He smiled, and Ria was struck by how the gesture lit up his entire face and made his eyes even bluer. “Bonnie said something once about you being a fast reader.”
“Yes. I am. And that’s what they measured in middle school. I mean for which English class you were in.” Their food came, and again Ria waited until Emma had left the table, and until Wyatt had tasted his burger. “We had to write a paper on someplace we’d gone with our families, and Ned did his on Austria. Since no one else in the class had ever been there, Mrs. Carrollton made him read it out loud because she found it so fascinating. It was, but you can imagine what it was like for him to have to do that.”
“You mean because of his odd accent.”
Ria took a bite of her burger and nodded in answer to his question.
“Did you remember last night that you’d heard was Ned’s voice?”
She swallowed the food in her mouth. “No. Not until just now. I mean I knew I recognized it, but I didn’t place it until now. Did he really do this? I mean, I know he’s been in and out of trouble, but murder?”
“I wish I could tell you more, but I can’t. But I will say I hope that Sean and Harrison are somehow wrong.”
They ate in silence for a few moments while Ria thought about everything that had happened last night. When she glanced at Wyatt again, she wished they were out on a date, and Gerry’s murder along with Ned’s possible conviction for it wasn’t hanging over their heads. “Is it hard for you to do what you do? I ask Bonnie that all the time. I mean, when you know they’re guilty, how do you do it? How do you defend them?”
The corners of his mouth turned up and her heart gave a funny lurch. “What should I do instead? Hand them over?”
She shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. I know we’re all entitled to a defense. I mean how do you feel about it inside? How do you reconcile it?”
He leaned back and gave her a thoughtful look. “There are days when it isn’t easy, and that’s the truth. But like you said, everyone is entitled to a defense, and that’s why I do it. I believe in our legal system, and this is my small contribution to that belief.”
“It’s not a small contribution. Attorneys are expensive. My sister, Teresa, had some trouble a while back…” She would have clamped a hand over her mouth if not for the fact that it would make her look ridiculous. She hadn’t meant to talk about Teresa. She was back in Racy now, living in the apartment above their parents’ garage, and Ria was trying to figure out a way to move out since it was way too crowded in that tiny apartment for both of them.
He grinned, and her clit began to throb. The man was beyond gorgeous. He and Trent both were. “Have I unwittingly unearthed a secret?”
“I’m afraid so.” Why did she suddenly feel as if she could tell this man about Teresa? What was wrong with her? Her parents would kill her if she did that.
“Want to talk about it?”
“I wish I could. But like you with Ned, I’m sworn to secrecy about my sister.”
“Where does she fit in? She’s not the oldest, right?”
Ria smiled and shook her head. There weren’t a lot of families in Racy as large as hers, and she couldn’t fault Wyatt for not knowing the exact order of her siblings’ births. “Rosa is the oldest. She still lives at home. Next is Magdalena, or Maggie, who is head of marketing at Notus for this area, then comes Rafe, whom you know from school.”
Wyatt nodded, and Ria caught a brief glimmer of recognition that had nothing to do with Rafe’s name pass through his eyes, but then it was gone. No doubt he also knew about her falling out with Marisol last summer. The entire town did. She was grateful that he was enough of a gentleman not to bring it up right now. “And then comes Teresa, Luke, me, and Peppi.”
“My parents wanted more, but after Trent and I were born my mother had complications. She couldn’t have any more children.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shook his head and looked slightly embarrassed. “No, it’s all right. It’s pretty neat having a twin.”
“I can’t imagine what that’s like. I’m closest to Peppi, but we’re still probably not as close as you and Trent are.”
“What about Luke? You work for him. Does your relationship also include sibling affection?”
She put down the rest of her cheeseburger. “Um, it did, until last summer.”
“Of course. Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring that up.”
“It’s oka
y. I miss her. Marisol, I mean. I wish I knew what to say to make things right.”
He raised his eyebrows, and Ria tried not to become upset at the gesture. Is that what people thought of her? That she never wanted to patch things up with Marisol?
“Have you ever talked to her about it? I mean directly.”
She shook her head.
“Then you should start there. Send her a text or call her, and just tell her how you feel. How do you feel?” He put up his hands. “Never mind. Forget I asked that. None of my business.”
Ria laughed. “It’s all right. I really appreciate your caring so much about this. I’ll answer your question. I was wrong, okay? Plain and simple. I was wrong to rat her, Rafe, and Ellis out to my parents. That was their news to tell, not mine. I can’t even tell you why I did it.”
He stared at her for so long that Ria grew uncomfortable. His expression was a cross between incredulity and lust, and it threw her off balance. When he finally spoke again, his voice had a rough quality as though he had to clear his throat. “I’m going to have to ask Bonnie or Marilyn, the new attorney on our team, to defend Ned.”
She frowned. “Why? You just said all those things about him deserving a defense. Why did you suddenly your mind?”
He covered her hand and gave it a tiny squeeze, sending little jolts of electricity straight to her wet pussy. “I haven’t changed my mind. But I can’t defend a man and date the key witness for the crime of which he’s been accused at the same time. It wouldn’t be ethical.”
Holy shit. “Are we about to start dating?” She barely got the question out. Mere breathing was a chore.
“I sure hope so.”
Chapter Four
Trent slept until four in the afternoon on Sunday, and when he woke, it was to the smell of coffee and the sound of Wyatt whistling. What the fuck was he so happy about? He was usually knee-deep in case files by this time, and barely grunted in response to Trent’s questions. Any coffee he’d made that morning would have been stone cold by now, and Trent would have to make his own. What was different today?
He padded downstairs to find Wyatt with a pile of case files on his lap, as usual. “What the fuck are you so cheerful about?” He pointed toward the manila folders. “Got a happy one there?”
Wyatt glanced up and grinned. “Coffee is fresh. Thought you could use some. You on tonight? I can’t remember.”
“No. I’m off.” Trent walked into the kitchen and poured himself a cup, then sat across from his twin, still frowning. “You hear about Gerry Homer? He died after surgery.”
The stupid smile finally faded. “Yeah, I did. Marilyn Bookman is going to defend Ned Meyers. He’s been charged with Gerry’s murder.”
Trent raised his eyebrows. “Ned Meyers? He still around?”
“He never left. Every few months or so he resurfaces, but this is the first time he’s been accused of something this serious.”
“Why aren’t you or Bonnie taking his defense? You both know him well. Why pawn him off on the new person?”
Wyatt averted his gaze and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. No one but Trent would recognize the gesture because it was so subtle. Something had happened last night or this morning, and it involved a woman. Trent would bet his right nut on that. “That’s exactly why we both decided it would be a bad idea to take this on. We know him too well. Marilyn won’t be prejudiced by Ned’s former brushes with the law, and she won’t be influenced by her feelings for Gerry.”
Trent nodded and took another sip. The coffee was very good, which was also unusual. Wyatt’s coffee brewing skills were almost nonexistent. “That does make sense. She hasn’t lived here long enough to care for Gerry the way we all do. Although it makes more sense for Gerry’s sake than for Ned’s, considering you’ve never had a problem defending him before.”
Wyatt shrugged, but he still hadn’t made eye contact. “Well it’s out of our hands now, regardless. Anthony already discussed it with us both this afternoon. The decision’s been made.”
Trent studied his twin’s face for a few seconds. “What else happened today?”
This time he glanced up sharply, and there it was. That same look he used to get when they were kids and he’d done something that was likely to land them both in hot water with their parents. “Why are you asking?”
Trent chuckled. “Right. As if either of us could hide anything from the other. Come on. Spill. You know I’ll find out eventually anyway.”
“You’ve been back six weeks and it’s like you never left.”
There was no admonition in Wyatt’s voice, only happiness. He hadn’t even hesitated when Trent had called two months ago and explained what had happened with Deanna, and that he wanted to come home. “I know. It’s cool, isn’t it? But I still want to know why you’re fucking whistling on a Sunday afternoon, and why you made me fresh coffee.”
Wyatt placed the case files on the sofa next to him and leaned back, crossing one ankle over the opposite knee. “You remember Ria Rodriguez, right?”
Trent’s heart skipped a beat, and he knew Wyatt wouldn’t miss the reaction on his face.
“Oh fuck. I guess you do. Now it’s your turn to spill it.” His brother’s voice had turned cold and hard, just that quickly.
“There’s nothing to tell. She made the call last night and watched us working on Gerry in the alley.”
“That’s it?” Wyatt didn’t believe him.
“That’s it. Why? Is there something going on between you two?” He knew there wasn’t. He would have heard about it by now.
“Not yet, but there might be. I asked her out for lunch to find out what she’d heard in the alley last night. She had an English class with Ned in middle school, and knew his voice.”
“You asked the star witness for the prosecution out on a date?”
“It wasn’t like that. And she didn’t tell me anything that wasn’t already known. Or at least, it is now. I told her to call one of the detectives as soon as we finished lunch and tell them that she remembered whose voice she’d heard. Then I left Sean a message, telling him the same thing, and letting him know that Marilyn or Bonnie would be defending Ned, not me. And by the way, Ned hadn’t asked for an attorney yet, so I wasn’t in Nan’s Place having lunch with Ria as Ned’s attorney.”
Trent grinned. “Okay. So noted. And then what happened?” He enjoyed watching Wyatt squirm under scrutiny. But at the same time, he now began to wonder if he had even a snowball’s chance in hell at getting to know Ria better.
“And then I called Bonnie, Marilyn, and Anthony, and we decided that when Ned asked for representation, which he has now done, he would be Marilyn’s client. Are you through cross-examining me?”
“Not quite. When are you seeing Ria again?”
“Her next night off is Tuesday. We’re having dinner.”
“Dinner?”
“Did I stutter? And why are you so interested in what I do with her?”
“Since when do you date anyone not in the lifestyle?”
“Since now.”
“Why her?” Why, indeed? Talk about shitty timing.
“Why not? You have a prior claim on her or something? Because if you do, now is the time to speak up.”
Trent drained his cup and rose, walking into the kitchen. “Nope. No claims, prior or current. Go for it.”
He didn’t have to turn around to know that Wyatt had followed him. “Then why the reaction?”
He took his time mixing in cream and sugar so that he didn’t have to look at his brother. “She’s hot. I thought maybe I could get to know her better, now that I’m…now that things are different with me.” Two months. It had been two months since he’d walked into the townhouse he’d shared with Deanna for almost three years, and found her in bed doing the horizontal bebop with two Doms from the club they’d both frequented. Two months, and he still couldn’t say it out loud. When would he be able to? And what the fuck was he even thinking about with Ria, when this shit
still haunted his waking thoughts?
Wyatt clapped him on the back. “It’s all right. She hurt you. Give it time.”
“I know. But how much time?”
“How much time does shit like this take? You’ll know when you’re okay. Give yourself a break, all right? It’s a lot of changes in a short time period. You’re back home now, in your old job only with better pay, and you’re among friends. It will be okay.”
Trent finally turned around. Deanna had once asked him if it was weird looking at his twin’s face. Except for the new scar under his left eye, courtesy of the fight he’d gotten into with Deanna’s two secret lovers, Wyatt was his mirror image. He’d tried to explain to her that since they had different personalities, when he looked at Wyatt he saw the person inside, not the same face he saw in the mirror every morning. But Deanna hadn’t been able to grasp that concept. She hadn’t been able to grasp a lot of things, such as the fact that as his sub, she was expected to be faithful to him unless they first discussed her having sex with another man or two, which they most definitely had not done.
Wyatt grinned. “And you have me.”
“Lucky me.”
“Fuck you. It is lucky. I could have told you to go find your own place to stay.”
Trent glanced around. “This fucking condo is big enough for at least four people.”
“I like my space.”
“Yeah, I know. So…dinner, you said. Where you taking her? Nan’s Place?”
Wyatt reached around him and poured a cup of coffee. “Hysterical. Really. We’re going to Gino’s Ristoranti.”
“Nicely played. She’s likely to see Gina Santori there, and maybe even Marisol.” Vito Santori owned Gino’s, and Gina was his sister. She and her two Doms ate there all the time, as did Marisol and her two Doms, from what Trent had heard. It was amazing how much gossip had found its way back to him in six short weeks.
