“Bored, I think. He’s home alone, so that gets him to thinking about things.”
“He over-thinks,” I replied.
“Yeah, unlike you, who jumps in feet first.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Fine. What’s Angus thinking about?”
“That’s what we’re going to find out.”
Okay, baby brother’s in a snit because I didn’t involve him in all this stuff with The Consortium and Ethan. Or he and Zara have had words. I think it may be a little of both. He’s almost in the same sort of mood... “What’s up your ass today?”
“I told you. Nothing.”
I drew in a breath. Sulking, damn brat. I wasn’t going to sit here all afternoon if he was going to act like he’s ten. “I came out here to discuss The Consortium, but if you’re going to be such an ass, I’ll just head back. I don’t need your attitude.” I stood up and walked toward the deck. Perhaps if I gave him a minute to regroup.
I heard Elizabeth behind me. “Where you going, Uncle Dame?”
I turned around. It wasn’t her fault her daddy was being an ass. “I’m going for a walk. Want to come?” I gazed at A, who nodded his head.
“Can I?” she shrieked to Amadeus.
“Yes, but lower your voice in the house.”
She put her hand over her mouth and scurried to me. As we reached the grass, she ran along, telling me important facts and things she’d done.
As we walked down to the end of the property, I realized how much I missed the tranquility of the place. Something caught my eye, farther back in the cove. While the property ended with a fence, there was still a good number of acres belonging to Amadeus and Zara. A ploy to keep anyone from building next to them.
Knowing the only way I might be able to see down into the cove might be from the dock, I called to Elizabeth. She came scampering, and once we hit the dock, I picked her up in my arms.
“We going sailing?”
“No, not today, sweetheart. I want to see what’s going on in the cove.”
Hell, there was what looked like a house in some phase of construction. When did that happen? Who was building there? Better yet, why hadn’t Amadeus mentioned it to me? “Come on, I can’t get a good look. Let’s see if Uncle Angus is here yet.”
“Yes! Uncle Angus. He’s funny, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, he’s a real funny guy.”
And the funny guy was there when we returned. So was Zara. Good. I knew that would keep the sniping to a minimum.
After ten minutes of Angus and Elizabeth carrying on, Zara took her by the hand. “Come on, lunch time.”
“I want to play with Uncle Angus.”
“You can play with him later,” Zara told her sternly.
“Go eat your lunch, Elizabeth. We’ll play later, like your mom said.”
Reluctantly, she followed her mom into the kitchen. Who could blame her though? Going to have lunch with your mom or playing with your two uncles who make you giggle? Not a hard choice, in my book.
Angus sank back in the leather chair, grinning. “So, you signed your first client to your label? They don’t get much hotter than Ethan Maverick. Oh yeah, I forgot, he’s your long lost son.”
“Amadeus, you got anything smart to add?” I replied, looking between the two.
“No, because I have to give you credit. Family aside, you scored a huge one. Ethan was hot before the world knew you were his dad. He was shopping for a new label. I would have to say it’s a win-win situation.”
“Exactly,” I replied, glancing at Angus who still seemed to have his doubts. “Look, if I had signed either of you, or even put myself on the roster, which I will shortly, people would think it was a family label. Ethan gives me some credibility.”
“You’re right. So, when is he going into the studio?”
“After his tour.”
“So, what else?”
“Ethan’s moved his management to my company.” I waited to see if that got a reaction. Which of course, it did.
“That’s got to be hard for Beth,” Amadeus remarked.
“No, not really. She’s going to be the one taking care of that until I can find some people for Ethan to choose from. Beth realizes Ethan’s career is getting too big for her to handle.” A white lie, but these two don’t need to know everything right now.
“What about you, Dame? You’ve got three songs on the charts. Have you thought about recording?”
“I have, and I have enough for a CD. I just need to pull it all together and get into a studio.”
“You need to get it out, Dame. How long do you think it would take for you to record it?”
“Not sure. Once Ethan’s left on tour, I plan to book some studio time and get it done.”
“What does Ethan leaving on tour have to do with anything?” Angus inquired.
“Right now, I’m fending telephone calls, interview requests, going over legal stuff. Plus, Ethan owns some buildings here and he’s supposed to set up a time for me to look at some space.”
“He owns buildings?” Amadeus blurted.
“Yeah, evidently he invests a lot of the money he’s earned. He’s got two in Seattle and one in Bellevue.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Yeah, we need to do some sort of family thing. Get him inducted. Not sure that can happen until after his tour ends.”
“Might as well wait until Mother and Peter can join us,” Angus drawled.
“Peter and I have been talking some in the last few days about all this business stuff. He said Mother’s in her element, but is sure Mary’s going to tire of it quickly.” I chuckled to myself. Then, I remembered what I’d seen. “A, what’s the deal with that house in the cove? I couldn’t get a good look. I didn’t even know anyone had bought that land.”
“Yeah, some California couple. The house is up for sale. Unfinished. I think there was some sort of family issue that put a halt to it. You interested, Dame?”
“Wouldn’t mind looking. What’s it like?”
“Big. The entire side facing the water is windows.”
“Rather than sit here and gab about it like old ladies, let’s go look.” Angus snorted.
“Can we get to it?”
“Yeah, we’ll have to take the ski boat. There’s a fence and locked gate on the road.”
“So, in other words, we’re going to trespass? I like it,” Angus crowed.
“No, we’re neighbors. We’re checking on it.”
“A has the better idea, Angus.”
We finally found ourselves in the ski boat and heading around and into the cove. Amadeus wasn’t kidding. The place was big. But that’s how outsiders, especially from California, did. They came in and built these huge ‘vacation homes’ and then used them perhaps a half dozen times before they either sat or went on the market.
“Damn, it’s a monstrosity,” Angus said.
“Come on, let’s see if we can get inside,” I caught myself saying. “If we can’t, we can at least get a good look at what the rest of the place looks like.”
We beached the boat, tied her up, and walked up to the house. It was pretty much a construction zone. No walkways or anything had been poured. The structure, while big, wasn’t as huge as it looked from the water. Having found a door open on the side of the house, we decided to take a closer look. The place was pretty much a shell. It appeared whoever was building it, took it as far as drying it in.
“Wow. This is a major project,” I said.
“I don’t even know how you’d go about purchasing something like this. You’d have to have a construction loan,” Angus interjected.
“I can get Zara to ask her friend Tina. She’s a real estate agent on the island. If it’s not officially up for sale, she may still know what’s going on.”
“Good idea,” I replied. “I think we need to head back anyway. It looks like rain is about to set in.”
We barely got back to the b
oathouse when the bottom fell out. Smartly, Amadeus phoned Zara and let her know we were headed into the studio since we were all wet. He knew how to stay just on the fringes of her good side. He also told her we’d order a pizza if she’d let us know when it arrived. There was some conversation about the house.
So, we settled in, raiding baby brother’s stash of t-shirts from a long ago tour. Angus ransacked the refrigerator for beer, and we all kicked back, barefooted and somewhat dry.
“Angus? What’s going on with you?” I asked since Amadeus had never really made it clear why Angus was visiting.
“Nothing as exciting as what you’ve got going on. Ashley and the girls went to some sort of retreat. I got bored, so decided I’d bug baby brother.”
“I thought you were asked to join that oldies tour?” I opened my beer. I took a long swig waiting on his answer.
“I am. It doesn’t start back up for two months. It’ll be the fall installment.”
“You’ve always enjoyed those tours,” Amadeus replied.
“Yep. Just show up and sing my two or three numbers and that’s about it. A few interviews here and there. Easy.”
“Damien? You going to go back out?”
“I told you, I plan on getting in the studio soon. Get a CD cut. I’ll evaluate things once it’s out. I’m not foolish enough to think I can do a ninety-day tour.”
“Yeah, but you wouldn’t have to do that. You were on fire that night you were on stage with Ethan. I haven’t seen you that stoked performing in a long time,” Angus drawled. He was baiting me for something else. I know the brat’s tactics.
“You’ll figure it out. What’s been the response so far to Ethan signing to a virgin record label?”
“Really, A?” I shook my head. “The response has been great, overwhelming in fact. I’m still sorting through the emails that have come in.”
“Well, you deserve it. This has been your dream for quite a while. I see only good things coming your way.”
“Aw, jeez, you two. Can you cut the sentiments? Do I need to cue the violins? Don’t pat him on the back too much, A. He might just get a bigger head than he already has,” Angus said.
I knew we were going to be fine. This was new to all of us. But still the same. I took another long swallow off my brew. “I wonder what Dad would say if he saw the three of us now?”
“I think he’d be damn proud,” Angus replied. “Especially of you, Dame. You’ve come a long way these past few years. No one thought you’d be sitting here with three songs on the charts and a fledgling company. You’ve overcome a debilitating stroke, a nasty divorce, and lived through it all. Better than before. Yeah, he’s looking down from wherever, proud as an English peacock.”
I thought I was going to tear up. Never expected that from my annoying brother.
“He’s right, Dame. Plus, you’ve raised two smart, grounded daughters who have brilliant futures ahead of them,” A added.
“Okay, enough, you two. Thanks though. I mean it.”
Amadeus stood up and wandered to the refrigerator. “We may need to make a run. Unless you don’t mind something stronger?”
“Not to worry. All we need to do is get my cooler out of the trunk of my car. Destiny’s car, actually.”
“Where’s your SUV?” I asked.
“Ashley’s got it. Hers is in the shop. It needed brakes and a couple of other minor things, so figured now was as good a time as any.”
“Okay, we’ll grab it when the pizza arrives.”
“So, Dame, are you seeing anyone now that Alana is out of the picture?” Amadeus inquired oh so innocently.
“She’s been out of the picture for quite some time. Ever since she stormed out of here that day. To answer your question, no I’m not seeing anyone. Haven’t exactly had time, nor the desire at the moment.”
“What about Beth, Ethan’s mom? You two were obviously an item way back when. You sure there isn’t something smoldering now?” Angus snorted.
“That was back in high school. She disappeared, remember? Then, I met Julia, and we all know how that ended. She’s made a good life for herself and Ethan. There’s nothing there.”
Liar, liar, pants on fire! There sure the hell is, but I’m not sharing it with either one of you.
“If you say so, Dame,” Amadeus drawled.
“I do.” Hell, what’s going on with these two? I came out here to discuss all these changes that are happening because usually I can. A and Zara listen, make suggestions. These two are acting almost jealous. Envious. It’s not like they can’t join me. I’ve offered.
That’s the way the afternoon went. The evening ended early when the power went out. We huddled around the fireplace, swapping stories and just being brothers.
****
The first thing I awoke to was a little hand on my eyelid, trying to force it open.
“Uncle Dame, open your eye. Daddy says get up.”
I lay there trying to figure how I was going to get up out of this bed with a bare ass and only a t-shirt on. I felt her crawl up on the bed, sitting on top of me.
“Uncle Dame, are you awake?”
I threw my eyes open, startling her into a fit of laughter like only a four year old can muster.
“I’m awake now, you varmint. Is it still storming out, Elizabeth?”
“Yep, still stormin’,” she replied, nodding her head very seriously. “You have to stay. Uncle Angus too. Bad storm.”
“Okay, I’m awake. Go tell your daddy I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“He said I have to go with you.”
Oh geez, Amadeus. Really?
“It’s okay. I’ll be right down, okay.”
“Nope.” She crossed her arms, sitting up on me, right on my soon to bust bladder. A thought crossed my mind. It would be a mean trick to play, but if I didn’t get this young’un off of me and out of the room... “Elizabeth, you want to know who my girlfriend is?”
That got her attention. Everything else was forgotten. The answer I wanted to give her would only get me in hot water with Zara, so I quickly chose another.
“Yes!”
“Well, why don’t you get down off the bed first, okay?”
She eagerly scampered down to receive her news. Yeah, brother, it didn’t take much for you to get your daughter to do your dirty work.
“What’s your girlfriend’s name, Uncle Dame?”
“Cindy. Cindy Suckme. Can you remember that, Elizabeth?”
“Uh huh. Cindy Suckme. Cindy Suckme, Cindy Suckme.” She grinned, clapping her hands. “Can I tell Daddy?”
“Yes! Go tell your daddy and your uncle. I know they’re waiting downstairs for you.”
She squealed and scampered off, singing the fictitious name I’d given her. That’ll teach them to send a child to do their dirty work.
I groaned and rolled out of the bed, pulling my jeans on as I headed toward the door.
A short time later, I joined everyone downstairs. Whatever conversation was going on ceased when I appeared. Uh oh. Zara wasn’t around, but the two lugs who called themselves my brothers were sitting in front of a newly built fire, sipping coffee.
“Morning,” I hedged. “I see the storm hasn’t let up.”
“Cindy Suckme? Really?” Amadeus scowled.
Angus was trying his best not to laugh, but it didn’t do any good. “You should have been here man. She came running in here screeching ‘Cindy Suckme, Cindy Suckme, Cindy Suckme.’ It was priceless.”
“Zara didn’t think so. Damn Dame, I don’t know why you’re being so secretive about this bitch. We all know who she is, so just spill. Now, because of your cuteness with Elizabeth, Zara’s going to rip me a new one when you guys leave.”
Okay, baby brother, time to put you in your place. Time to lose the attitude. Just because you’re a mega rock star, doesn’t mean that crap is going to fly with me when it’s just us. “Amadeus, time to put a lid on it, or you’ll find yourself with your head permanently stuck up your ass
. Don’t think I’m not capable of doing it, either. When I’m ready to share, I’ll share. I told you both last night the whole thing is new, and we are trying to figure things out. I asked you to respect my wishes. But you just have to push. If it’s not Angus, it’s you. So just shut the fuck up. The subject is off limits the remainder of whatever time I have to spend here.”
Just about then, Zara came running down the stairs faster than anyone I’d ever seen. She wasn’t happy either. “Okay, all three of you. Shut up! I’m trying to get Wolfgang down for a nap. He’s teething, and had me up most of the night. Alone, because my husband decided to party late. Drop the subject, you two. Damien obviously isn’t ready to share this part of his life right now. At least respect his wishes.”
“It’s Beth Asher,” Amadeus said softly, but loud enough for everyone to hear. He pulled out a piece of paper. A photo of Beth and me. Taken from the water. Paparazzi. The day I drove over to talk in more detail with Beth and Ethan. We were sharing a first kiss. Ethan had gone inside to take a phone call from one of his band mates about the upcoming tour. “Amazing what you can find on the internet. You really ought to try googling yourself, Dame.”
“You fucking bastard! I ought to—” I stopped, turned, and walked to the windows, looking instead out at the waves and grey sky.
“Dude,” I heard Angus say. “Beth? Really?”
“Yes, Beth!” I shrieked. Then, looking at Amadeus, I carried on, “Are you fucking happy now?”
I felt Zara’s hand on my arm. She carried a cup of coffee in the other. “Damien, calm down. If you want to share with us, fine. If you don’t, we’ll all respect your wishes. Isn’t that right, boys?”
I took the mug from her and tried to muster a smile. She was trying to be my protector, and I had to love her for it. “Thanks, Zara.”
Walking back over to the two idiots who called themselves my brothers, I sucked in a breath. “That was the first kiss we ever shared since she walked back into my life. There’s obviously something there for her too. She asked me if we could wait until after Ethan left to talk about it. I agreed. So there really isn’t anything to it, but if I have any say in the matter, there will be.”
“I think that’s wonderful, Dame,” Zara said softly. “I think you’re both going about it in the right manner.”
Tudor Redemption (Tudor Dynasty Book 4) Page 11
