Devil's Deal

by Michele Arris

  “Uh, Lucas, it was great seeing you again.”

  “You, too, Morgan,” Lucas replied impassively without so much as a glance her way. His set gaze remained squarely on Bailey in a way that said he only had eyes for her. The last thing they both needed was more drama to come between them.

  As she stared at Morgan sauntering away, Lucas kissed the back of her hand. “Sorry about that; she was a long time ago.”

  Bailey turned to him and smiled. “Not a problem. We all have a history. You had a life before we met.”

  “Yes, and it now centers on you and our child.” Deep affection reflected back at her in his steel-blue gaze.

  “Child?” Gavin’s head bounced between them, and then over to Sienna. They all wore bright smiles back at him. The waiter came by and stationed a wine caddy between Lucas and Gavin. Once he was gone, Gavin asked, “What’s going on?”

  “Bailey’s pregnant,” Sienna happily supplied.

  Gavin regarded Bailey’s brilliant smile, then settled on Lucas’s proud grin. “So, you’ve finally found someone who can tolerate your ass other than Kara and Isaac. She even gifts you with an offspring. It’s about time,” he teased and stood up. “Bring it in, my brother. Congratulations.”

  Lucas stood, and they shook hands in a bro hug.

  Looking on, Bailey watched as Gavin took his seat and brought his focus over to Sienna. There was something ... longing glowing in his ice-blue eyes.

  My goodness, is Sienna blind?

  Chapter Forty

  As the elevator made its way up to the top floor, Bailey inhaled deeply, blew out a long breath, twisted, and rolled her neck from side to side, all in an attempt to release the tension that strummed tight throughout her entire body.

  “You keep that up and you’re liable to crack something.” Lucas drew her close. “Relax, it’ll be fine.” He centered the trillion cut, sapphire pendant necklace at the dip in her throat, undoubtedly pleased that he’d finally got to see her wear the jewels. The moment she put them on, he stripped her naked, except for the jewels, and fulfilled his fantasy. It was the reason they were a bit late for the dinner party.

  “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’s about to meet a woman who hates you.”

  “She doesn’t hate you.” He tenderly stroked her back. “I intend to have a talk with my mother, and if you feel the slightest bit uncomfortable, we’ll leave.”

  “No. She’ll surely place blame on me for that. We stay. Oh no!” Bailey gasped. “You didn’t tell her I’m pregnant, did you? My being here could ruin your sister’s evening.”

  “No, and love, you have to relax for the baby’s sake. We will tell my mother together. I’ll stress that she not say a word to anyone.”

  The elevator doors opened. They stepped out and made their way across the lounge area to where a maître d’ stood at a podium checking reservations.

  Lucas removed his arm from Bailey’s waist and linked their fingers. “Good evening, we’re with the Marx party.” The man nodded with a respectable smile.

  “Of course, sir. Your party is in the Marina private dining room. Let me get an attendant to escort you.” He picked up his phone, but the door behind him opened, distracting him from his task.

  “Lucas, there you are! Finally. I’ve been checking periodically for you.” His mother rushed over and gave him a tight hug and a kiss on both cheeks. “I was afraid you weren’t coming. Chelsea would have been heartbroken to not have her big brother here.”

  Lucas brought his arm around Bailey’s shoulders, and his mother’s eyes homed in on the gesture, then set her focus on Bailey. “Chelsea’s the only reason I’m here. We need to talk before we go inside.” With Bailey at his side, he walked over to a cluster of leather chairs and loveseats out of earshot of the maître d’.

  “Mother, this is my lady, Bailey Walters.”

  Bailey pushed down her anxiety and shook his mother’s hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Marx.”

  Unlike Lucas’s dark features and blue-gray eyes, hers were a startling light gray to almost clear, and surprisingly, Bailey found them warmly staring back at her.

  Dinah Marx was quite attractive, slender, but not very tall. Bailey’s five-inch stiletto sandals had her looking downward slightly to meet the woman eye to eye.

  Her chin-length, platinum blonde hairstyle with a slight upsweep at the tips suited her oval face.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Bailey.” Mrs. Marx looked up at her son. “Lucas, I—”

  “She heard what you said, Mother,” Lucas interjected. He caressed Bailey’s back saying, “I won’t have you disrespect my lady, ever. This woman right here will be in my life for as long as she’ll have me. If you want me to continue coming around, I suggest you get used to it. Where I go, she goes.”

  Bailey tensed up at his declaration, while his mother remained quiet as her son chewed her out. When he finished speaking, his mother asked, “Are you done, son?” Then she took a small side step to stand directly in front of Bailey.

  “First, Bailey, what I said, I meant no disrespect. May I ask, are you African American and a waitress?”

  “Mother!” Lucas glared a warning.

  Bailey took hold of his hand. “Lucas, it’s all right. I’m proud of both, and I’m not ashamed that I work hard to support myself.” She brought her attention back to his mother and raised her chin proudly. “Yes to both of your questions, Mrs. Marx. I waitress in the evenings at a café. It’s how Lucas and I met. I’m also a college graduate and a damn good interior designer, but for now, I’m an excellent waitress, if I do say so myself.”

  Dinah nodded. “Well, I didn’t say anything that was untrue. Maybe it came out a bit untoward, but the truth, nonetheless. You are African American and a waitress. I—” Lucas cut her off again.

  “We’re done.” He scowled and pulled Bailey away. “I thought I knew you better, Mother.”

  “Wait! Let me finish.” Dinah followed quickly after them.

  Bailey stilled Lucas’s stalk to the elevators. “Let her speak. I’m actually curious.”

  “No, we’re leaving.” He tugged her forward.

  “Lucas, let your mother speak.” Bailey turned back. “Go ahead, Mrs. Marx. I want to hear what you were about to say. I have a feeling I already know, but I’d like to hear it from you.” She stood surprisingly calm as she waited for the woman to call her all sorts of derogatory names.

  “Thank you,” Dinah breathed out. “If Lucas would have let me finish before he so rudely hung up on me and then refused to take any of my calls—”

  “Mother,” he gritted irritably.

  “Well, I was about to say, why would you not tell me that you’d found someone special? I worry about you, Lucas, out there all alone with no one to care for you. It was the reason I pushed Sandy at you. Things ended so quickly between you two. I thought you may not have given it a chance. I just wanted peace of mind, to know you were not alone. With your father gone, I know how lonely it can be.” She shook her head and looked away for a moment, then back at them. “When Sandy mentioned that you were seeing a black waitress—” She held up her hand in defense of Lucas’s venomous look. “I was merely repeating what she said, nothing more. She had some other choice comments about you, Bailey, but knowing my Lucas the way that I do, I knew they couldn’t possibly be true.”

  Bailey and Lucas looked at one another, both realizing their severe error in judgment.

  Dinah’s brows pinched. “I cannot believe you would think I would have a problem with you,” she waved her hand out at their linked hands, “with this. Dear God, Lucas.” Tearing up, she shook her head in disappointment. “That you would think so ill of me—”

  “Mother.” Lucas stepped forward and embraced her. “I see that I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

  Bailey followed. “Mrs. Marx, let me apologize as well. I assumed the worst. I’m sorry.”

  Dinah faced Bailey. “You don’t know how happy it makes me to see Lucas in love.”r />
  Bailey took Lucas’s hand in hers as she said, “Mrs. Marx, I love your son very much.” Feeling Lucas’s light squeeze of her hand, she looked up at him. “He means the world to me.”

  Dinah brought her into a tight hug and then drew back, studying her face. “She’s adorable, Lucas. Now I see why Sandy’s envious.”

  Lucas sighed. “Okay, Mother.” He pulled Bailey over to him. Their eyes met, both understanding what was next to be revealed. “Mother, we would like to share that Bailey is pregnant.” His mother gasped sharply and clutched her chest. She started to sway on her feet. “Mother!”

  “Mrs. Marx!” Seeing her on the verge of collapsing, they lunged for her.

  Dinah nodded her head rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. “Oh my good lord, Lucas, this is wonderful news!”

  Bailey let go of the air she’d trapped in her lungs. The woman’s initial reaction mimicked her father’s.

  “Nearly having a heart attack means you’re happy to hear that you’re going to be a grandmother?” Lucas asked with a light chuckle.

  Dinah exhaled and fanned her flushed face with her hand. “I’m immensely elated by it. Quite honestly, I didn’t expect I would have any grandchildren from you, son.” She addressed Bailey, “When are you due, dear?”

  “In about seven and a half months, I would guess, but I’m not exactly sure yet. I have an appointment scheduled next week.”

  “You call me the moment you find out.” She kissed Bailey’s cheek. “I’m so excited! You’re having my first grandchild!” Let’s go join the party. Lucas, your sister will be thrilled.”

  “Tell no one,” Lucas ordered.

  Dinah gasped. “Why not? Chelsea will be overjoyed by the news and the family’s all here. It’s the perfect setting.”

  Bailey looked up at Lucas. “It’s okay if your sister knows.”

  “Only tell her, Mother, no one else. Make it clear she is to keep it to herself. Perhaps Landon as well, but I doubt he would care much about such things.”

  Seeing his mother’s disappointed look, Bailey supplemented, “It’s early still. I would like to wait a bit. And this is Chelsea’s evening. I wouldn’t want to draw attention away from her.”

  She smiled warmly and palmed Bailey’s cheeks. “Such a sweet thing you are. I understand. Let us go inside. Call me Dinah, by the way. You’re practically family.” His mother linked their arms, and they headed toward the restaurant’s double doors. “So, Bailey, tell me about yourself. You know, you’re the first young lady Lucas has let me meet. Promise you’ll come by in the morning for breakfast. We can chat and get to know one another better. Lucas, you be sure to bring her by tomorrow. If the baby is a boy, the Marx family has a tradition that the first born male’s name begins with L.”

  Bailey listened to Dinah chatter on. She glimpsed over her shoulder at Lucas walking behind them. He winked and smiled as if to say, you wanted her to like you—be careful what you wish for.

  Chapter Forty-One

  The Marina dining room had a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. A long, rectangular table was elegantly dressed with crystal, fine china, and sterling silver utensils for the thirty or so guests from the Marx and Fielding families milling around the room.

  Bailey was introduced by Dinah to Chelsea and Landon. Chelsea, whose features closely resembled her mother’s, practically screamed her excitement when Dinah whispered to her Bailey’s condition. For such a small frame, the girl hugged Bailey so tight she just about cracked a rib.

  Like Lucas, Landon inherited the darker features. He wasn’t as enthusiastic about the baby news as Chelsea, but what twenty-one-year-old male would be? All the same, he was genuinely welcoming toward her, administering a comfortable embrace and sincere congrats. He immediately went off in search of his big brother.

  Bailey’s acceptance by Lucas’s family was surprisingly wonderful. Each individual she met seemed to be sincere in welcoming her into their fold.

  She caught Lucas in her peripheral and turned to see his eyes trained on her from across the room. He stood with Landon and two of his cousins, to whom she’d been introduced earlier, Camden—he preferred Cam, he’d said—and Justin. She waved back at the three young men now smiling and waving at her. Shifting her gaze back to Lucas, she smirked at his playful wiggling brows, watching his mother make the rounds with her to all his relatives, proudly telling each one that she was Lucas’s girlfriend. To Bailey’s embarrassment, Dinah made a point of stating with a hard wink to expect to see a lot more of her ... with Lucas, she would add for good measure.

  • • •

  “She’s a slam piece, cousin.”

  Lucas gave the young man a sharp look. “Do you want me to break your other arm, Cam? Watch your mouth.”

  Cam brought up his right arm encased in the cast that rested in the sling. “One’s enough for me, thanks.”

  “Yeah, Cam, watch it,” Landon put in and then tagged it with, “But she is super hot, bro, you know that. I’ll have to trip it more often to the East Coast if that’s what I’ll find.”

  “I hear you,” Justin added beside him as the three young men smiled and waved again at Bailey across the room. “Lucas, does she have a sister or a friend as hot as she is?” Justin asked.

  “What’s it to you, Jus?” Cam questioned. “You have a girlfriend.”

  “No, I don’t ... not really.”

  They all laughed, including Justin. Cam then asked, “But seriously, does she?”

  Lucas grinned impishly at the young men as he pulled out his cell phone from his inside coat pocket. He did a quick search online and found a picture of him and Sienna that was taken at the art contest. He showed it to the trio. “This is her best friend.” He chuckled as they all spoke at once.

  “Oh hell yes!” Landon said.

  “Is she a model? I love models,” Justin remarked.

  “I call it! That’s the rule, dudes,” Cam told them. “Lucas, what’s her name? I can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.”

  “Sienna Keller.” Lucas grinned and stuck his phone back into his pocket while commenting, “I’ll be sure to tell Gavin you all want to hook up with his lady.” It was a lie, not for his buddy’s lack of trying.

  The young men’s eyes widened.

  “Fuck! That’s Gavin’s female? Cam, dude, you’re in trouble,” Landon voiced, shaking his head.

  “Yeah, Cam, Gavin’s not gonna like that shit. Glad it’s not me. I have a girlfriend,” Justin made clear.

  Cam laughed nervously. “Lucas, I was just fucking around. You know how I am. I don’t want that crazy Irish thinking I was trying to get at his woman. He might put a hit out on me or something.” Cam looked around. “He’s not here, is he?”

  “You better not let him hear you say that.” Few knew of his best friend’s mafia connection. Lucas chuckled at the anxious look on his cousin’s face. He chose to tease him a bit more. “He’s not here, but he is in town. I should have him join us for dinner.” He pretended to reach for his cell phone.

  Cam tensed up. “Damn, Lucas, man, I was kidding. Why would you—”

  “Relax.” The young man looked ready to piss in his pants.

  “I’m starving. When do we get to eat? Look, there’s a waiter with appetizers.” Cam sprinted off. His cousins were close behind him.

  Amused, Lucas shook his head at the three of them now in hot pursuit of the hors d’oeuvres. He enjoyed teasing the young men. In a flash, his playful mood dimmed at the sight of Jack Callaghan coming up to stand beside him.

  “Evening, Jack.”

  “She’s quite stunning if I do say so myself. Lucas, it’s good to see you. I read about your recent DoD, R&D acquisition. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks,” Lucas said dryly as he watched the man eyeball his lady.

  “Your father would be proud of all you’ve accomplished in such a short span of time. It was also his wish that you and Sandra unite the families,” Jack stated bluntly, evidently not interested i
n mixing words.

  “My father didn’t concern himself in my personal affairs.”

  Jack turned and faced him. “On the contrary, Logan and I spoke at length about the benefit of such a union.”

  Lucas wasn’t daft. Along with wanting majority control of Callaghan Textile back, the man looked to get a foothold in MVC by way of a marriage to his daughter. California was a community property state, and if there was to be a wedding, which there sure as hell wouldn’t ever be, Jack would see to it that Sandra got her chunk.

  “Look, Lucas, even I’ve enjoyed my fair share of caramel candy,” Jack said and took a glimpse at Bailey over his shoulder. “With a body like that—”

  “Careful, Jack,” Lucas warned, his eyes narrowing.

  Jack held up a hand. “Who could blame you? Hell, I envy you. Our nighttime diversions keep us sane,” he winked, “but in the light of day, we all must get back to what matters,” and then leaned in and whispered, “Sandy understands the way our world works. Who said you couldn’t keep that sweet treat under your pillow?”

  Lucas clenched his jaws tight for restraint as he said, “Out of respect to my lady, and my mother and sister, not looking to ruin their evening, they’re the only reason I haven’t laid you the fuck out.” The man’s eyes stretched wide. “I suggest you step the fu—” He paused at the sight of Jack’s wife and Sandra approaching.

  “Why the serious faces you two? No talk of business tonight,” Nancy Callaghan said as she stepped before them with her daughter beside her. “Lucas, it’s good to see you. Sandy mentioned that her company completed your home renovations.”

  Lucas worked at cooling his temper. “Good evening, Mrs. Callaghan.” His eyes met Sandra’s, then shifted back to her mother. “Sandra’s designer did a superb job in fulfilling all of my needs, and even those I hadn’t foreseen.” He smirked, and Sandra’s lips thinned, catching his meaning.

  “I hear you and Sandy attended an event in support of the arts as well. It pleases me to see you two back on even ground again,” she commented, and he noted her eyes shift across the room at Bailey for a brief moment.