Lucas: The Hunter Brothers Series

by L. J. Dee

  “I wonder if it’s as swanky as Charlie’s place,” she smiled as my jaw dropped open.

  “You’ve been to Charlie’s place?” I gasped, wondering why she’d never told me that and what else she might be hiding.

  “Yeah, I’ve been a few times,” she laughed, flashing her eyebrows as I shook my head.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

  “Because there’s nothing to tell...yet,” she said as the Bentley pulled up at home. I all but ran into the apartment, pulling together a bag for Dexter and some clothes and essentials for myself as quickly as I could. I was desperate to get to Lucas and had absolutely no idea how long I’d be staying.

  I kissed Chas goodbye, jumping into the back of the car and heading over to Lucas’s beautiful penthouse apartment. Dex passed me a green card with a sad face drawn in child scribble on the front, a lone tear escaping from one cobalt coloured eye. From the black sticks representing hair that were protruding outwards, I could only assume it was supposed to be Lucas as my heart clenched in my chest. I opened the card to read the words inside that my son had written as neatly as he could.

  ‘Don’t be sad, I love you Lucas’.

  “Thank you, Dex, Lucas will love that,” I smiled down at him, ruffling his hair and wishing the heavy London traffic would just evaporate so I could be there sooner, grateful when we pulled into the familiar underground car park. I grabbed his bag, holding his hand as we made our way up in the shiny elevator, exiting to the smiling face of Mrs Kilbride who was waiting for us.

  She pulled me into a tight hug, her red rimmed eyes betraying the fact that she’d been doing some crying herself. “Are you staying with me, Dexter?” she smiled brightly as he nodded excitedly. “Oh I am glad. My grandson Timmy is visiting tomorrow. I think you’ll have fun.” She smiled at him and then reassuringly at me, resting her hand on my arm in a comforting gesture before I followed her into the kitchen.

  “I’ve made you some dinner,” she said as we sat, offering a choice of homemade lasagne, burger or pasta. It was evident she’d been desperately trying to fill her time and make herself useful since the news broke, and my heart went out to her. I knew she cared deeply for Lucas and perhaps that extended to all his family.

  I shook my head gently, smiling at her as Dexter asked for lasagne. I couldn’t stomach a thing. It had been churning incessantly since that phone call, and I knew it wouldn’t settle until I was in his arms.

  “Do you know what happened?” I asked as she served up Dexter’s food and he tucked in hungrily, pouring me a glass of wine and sitting it on the table.

  “Tyler found him. He’d gone to visit and they think it was a heart attack and all very sudden,” she said, beckoning me across to the other side of the kitchen, whispering quietly. “I know that you’re not used to leaving him, Jess, and especially after what happened. But please don’t worry about him, he’s in good hands. I’ll call if he’s missing you or wants you to come for him, but Silus’s death will have hit the boys hard. Lucas will need you. They’ll all look to him for guidance, they always do. He’ll have to appear strong and in control, even if he doesn’t feel it. It’ll be better when you’re there, and he has someone looking after him,” she smiled, her love for Lucas shining through and I understood.

  “I know he still can’t get hold of Roman. He doesn’t know where he is or how to contact him and that is really bothering him. He’s had one of his investigators trying to track him for months, but they’ve come up empty handed. He isn’t saying so, but I know he thinks he might even be dead. He hasn’t shared that with the others, but in Roman’s line of work it’s a very real possibility. I love that boy like he’s my own and that’s why I left the estate and came with him when he moved out. I was close to all of them, but Lucas is special,” she said, smiling kindly. “Thank you for bringing Dexter here. It will be wonderful to have someone I can take care of properly,” she said as I smiled knowingly. She was a lovely, warm women and I trusted her, finding myself hugging the sweet natured housekeeper as we both wiped away a small tear, shed for the man that we loved.

  “Can I have my surprise now?” Dex grinned, having cleared his plate as I gasped at his audacity. He was normally so polite, but excitement was clearly getting the better of him.

  “Dexter,” I said, trying to chastise him, but falling short when he pulled out his bottom lip, pouting playfully before remembering his manners and thanking Mrs Kilbride for the lasagne.

  “Follow me,” she said happily as Dexter grabbed her hand and I was relieved he felt so at ease with her. “Lucas wanted to show you this after your presentation, he built it all himself,” she said as we followed her down the long corridor until she opened a door on the left.

  We gasped in simultaneous shock as our hands flew to cover our mouths and Dex looked disbelievingly up at me. I turned my similar gaze on Mrs Kilbride who was grinning broadly.

  In the corner of the room was a child’s bed in the shape and design of a bright blue racing car, whilst the rest of the space was like a magic emporium with an enormous Scalextric weaving its way the entire length of the huge room. There were boxes and boxes of Lego, a whole craft station with art supplies and a giant easel and a library of films stacked on shelves that I assumed he could watch in ‘the cinema’.

  “Jesus Christ,” I muttered under my breath, unable to stifle my shock as Dex ran inside, picking up the remote control and racing the car at high speed around the meters and meters of track, beaming wildly.

  “Lucas did all this for me?” he asked, turning to Mrs Kilbride, wide eyed and just staring as joyous tears pricked at my eyes.

  “I’ve never seen him behave like this over anyone, dear, and I’ve known that boy since he was five years old. And I’ve never seen him as happy as when he was putting all this together,” she said as I shook my head in astonishment, my heart soaring in my chest.

  “When did he even have the time?” I asked, still in a state of stunned disbelief.

  “Last night, all night. He came home in a foul mood. Pacing around the apartment, cursing angrily and to be honest I kept out of his way. Then he disappeared for a couple of hours and came back with all this stuff. The bed was delivered a few hours later. I don’t know how he managed it, but that boy does anything he puts his mind to. He stayed up all night putting everything together, still dressed in a tux. It was quite something to watch, particularly when he got the race track up and running,” she laughed softly as I swallowed hard.

  “I need to go,” I said, trying not to cry again as I hugged Dexter tight, telling him to call me if he wanted to talk and that Chas would come and visit. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be there, but it would be for every second that Lucas needed me.

  I was desperate to see him as I ran to the car, staring out of the window and willing the miles away. I’d fallen deeper, harder and faster for this man than I’d even realised, and so had my son. He wanted it all and he’d get it, everything I had to offer and all I could give. I’d been fooling myself if I’d ever thought any different.

  He was a powerful, incredible man with a determined will who had blasted his way into my life. I’d been swept along on his strength, powerless to resist and no longer wanting to. To love and be loved was the greatest treasure in this world, and I could never have imagined just how much my blue eyed thunderbolt would change my life. Lucas Hunter had mended the fracture in my heart, allayed my fears and made me whole.

  CHAPTER 34

  The house loomed large in the distance as we eventually pulled slowly down the long gravel drive, arriving at the doorway as I saw the tall, dark silhouette of Lucas standing on the broad, stone steps. The car had barely stopped as I dived out of the door, running into his arms and almost knocking him backwards as he gripped me tightly, burying his face in my hair.

  “How are you, Lucas?” I asked, forcing my face away from the warmth and comfort of his hot, hard chest and gazing into those incredible eyes. My heart w
as aching at the pain that dwelled there as I reached up to kiss him.

  “I’m better now you’re here,” he whispered softly, pulling me closer as the driver dropped my bag at his feet. Lucas thanked him, bending to pick it up as we made our way down the breathtaking hallway of the beautiful stately home. He was holding me tightly by his side, tucked under his arm, and there was nowhere I yearned to be more as he gazed down, stopping just outside a thick, rich mahogany door and I felt his posture straighten.

  “Are you ready to face the family?” he asked as I smiled and nodded, grasping his hand and squeezing it tightly, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves as he pushed open the door and I followed him inside.

  There was a shift in Lucas as soon as we entered the study. The sadness was less evident and he looked every inch a man in control. I gazed around the dark room at the unfamiliar faces before my eyes landed on Charlie. He strode across to me, arms wide open and pulling me into a hug as I held him tightly.

  “Hey, Jess, is Chas with you?” he asked as I frowned, shaking my head and wondering why on earth he’d think she might be.

  “No, Charlie, she isn’t. I’m really sorry about your dad,” I offered as he nodded gently.

  “Yeah, it’s been a shock,” he said, his face pale as he stood back, returning to sit on the dark green antique leather armchair, facing the fire and losing himself once again in the flickering orange flames.

  “Alison Lovett, I’m the housekeeper,” said a tall, attractive woman in her early thirties who’d been busying herself putting china cups onto a silver tray as I shook her outstretched hand. I imagined her task today would be making copious amounts of sweet, hot tea whether it was wanted or not.

  “I’m Jess, it’s nice to meet you,” I smiled, before Lucas told her she could knock off for the day. She smiled and nodded and seemed pleasant enough, but she lacked the wonderful open warmth of Mrs Kilbride.

  I looked across to the old green chair situated opposite Charlie in front of the blazing fire, to the only person in the room who had not yet acknowledged my presence. His strong body looked weakened by grief, his beautiful profile softened by the mellow glow of the flames, and I recognised him immediately from the first night I’d met Lucas.

  Tyler Hunter, lead singer of Heat and the very reason I’d been standing on that decking, shivering in the cold December air in a pair of very tight hot pants. “Tyler,” Lucas said firmly as his brother looked up at him, glancing at me briefly before returning his attention back to the roaring fireplace. Lucas tensed and I squeezed his hand supportively, smiling up at him to let him know that his brother’s reaction was okay with me. Tyler Hunter had been the one to find him.

  Lucas walked over to a huge mahogany drinks cabinet, decanting four brandies into large round glasses, handing them to each of us turn, gesturing for me to take a seat on the large hard leather sofa, facing the chairs. I sipped my drink slowly, stroking my hand repeatedly over Lucas’s firm thigh and casting my eyes over the large bookcase that ran the length of one wall. It was crammed left to right with leather bound books and hard cover copies on every subject from science to sport, business to the British aristocracy. I had never seen anything like it outside the local library, but someone in this family liked to read.

  The room was dark; the small table lamp and glow of the fire the only source of light, reflecting the sombreness of the heavy mood that hung in the air.

  I wanted to open a window and let the crisp breeze blow through the room, but grief was personal, and right now, three of the four Hunter brothers were doing it their way.

  “Have you heard anything?” Charlie asked as Lucas shook his head.

  “I’ve placed an announcement in The Times and The Guardian and I’ve had Jackson update the website. Our best hope is that he sees it and comes back,” he said and I could only assume they were talking about the elusive Roman.

  “He won’t come back,” Charlie snapped, his voice laced with thinly veiled anger as Tyler’s eyes shot up and stared at him hard.

  “He will. He’ll come back for us,” Tyler said defiantly as Lucas looked on, sipping his brandy slowly.

  “After what he’s done? I seriously fucking doubt it, Ty,” Charlie replied, watching Tyler as he stood, placing his empty brandy glass on the small table and announcing he was “Going for a smoke.” I was desperate to ask what Roman had done, glancing up at Lucas and realising immediately that now was not the time.

  He smiled gently before picking up Tyler’s glass and refilling it with brandy as I walked across to join him. “May I?” I asked, holding out my hand and deciding it might be a good way to try and get his brother talking.

  “Sure,” Lucas nodded, kissing me gently and I made my way out onto the patio, holding out the glass to Tyler and smiling softly.

  “I’m sorry about your father, Tyler. You found him didn’t you?” I asked as he looked up at me properly for the first time.

  “Yeah,” he shrugged, every inch the cool rock star, putting on a brave face, but it was impossible to disguise the torment in those incredible blue eyes. I’d come to realise those were a family trait. They didn’t have a mother and he might be feigning an act for his brothers, but they’d need each other more than ever right now.

  “It must have been a terrible shock. I was there when my Mum died. I nursed her through cancer and it was horrible, but at least I was prepared. Something like this...” my voice trailed off as he gazed at me again. “I can’t imagine,” I finished as he nodded.

  I didn’t know what to say. What could I say? There were no words that would ease the hurt or lessen the pain. Grief was no stranger to me, and I understood all too well the need to work things through in your own time. I also understood the importance of family when the anguish and distress was all consuming. As long as I was here, I intended to help however I could.

  Tyler looked across at me, sipping his brandy before offering me a cigarette and I took it, trying not to cough as I lit it and failing miserably as he chuckled gently.

  “You don’t look much like a smoker,” he said as I smiled.

  “I’m not. My sister used to force me when I was younger. She tried to train me like one of those beagles in the 1950’s, but I never really got the hang of it,” I said, trying again as he laughed gently, his features softening as he watched me curiously.

  “I was visiting today. He was just laid there on the kitchen floor. I hardly ever visit,” he said, shaking his head and finally opening up. It was clear he was still in shock and trying to come to terms with what had happened.

  “Why were you visiting?” I asked as he gazed out into the quiet space of the perfectly manicured stepped gardens that seemed to go on for miles. The low moonlight was reflected on the soft ripples of a huge twinkling lake in the distance. The place was absolutely beautiful.

  “My old man hated my choice of career. He wanted me to join the family firm with Lucas and Charlie. He told me that being a musician was juvenile and I should grow the fuck up. I came to tell him it’s the debut of our new single on MTV tonight. I thought he might finally be proud of me,” he sighed deeply.

  “I’m sure he would have been, Tyler. That’s an incredible achievement,” I smiled as a wave of sadness washed across his handsome features.

  “What time is it on?” I asked, looking at my watch as he cast his anguished gaze to the floor.

  “Eight thirty, but it seems pretty meaningless now,” he said, taking a long drag on his cigarette as I tried to mimic his actions, spluttering slightly as he chuckled gently.

  “It’s not meaningless, Tyler, this is a really big deal. Do the others know?” I asked as he shook his head.

  “No,” he replied as I tried to steer the conversation onto safer territory.

  “What’s the song called?” I asked as a small smile tickled the side of his mouth.

  “Obsession,” he said as I thought about it for a moment.

  “Is that the song you opened your gig with at the record compan
y party?” I remembered the sound.

  “Yeah” he smiled, raising his eyebrows in surprise. “I didn’t know you were there. Lucas never mentioned you that night.” I couldn’t prevent the soft flush that crept up my cheeks.

  “It was the first night we met- well sort of. I was waitressing and doing a pretty terrible job of it. I soaked him in champagne and I dare say he wasn’t all that impressed with me at that point,” I said as he smiled softly.

  “He is now though, Jess,” he said, flashing his thick black brows suggestively and I couldn’t help but giggle, extinguishing my barely smoked cigarette in a ceramic flowerpot that Tyler was using as a makeshift ashtray.

  “Come on inside, its cold out here,” I said, opening the patio doors as he followed me in, resuming his position by the fire. I sat beside Lucas who was gazing at me curiously.

  “Have you been smoking?” he asked, pulling a puzzled frown.

  “Of a fashion! I’ve never met anyone so bad at it,” Tyler quipped, laughing as Lucas pulled me tight, kissing my head and seemingly grateful that his brother and I were now properly acquainted. I checked my watch, wondering if I was doing the right thing.

  “Tyler’s new single is on the music channel tonight at half past eight,” I smiled as Lucas and Charlie stared at him in shock.

  “Why the fuck didn’t you say?” Charlie gasped, jumping up from his chair, punching Tyler hard on the arm and flicking on the giant screen that was hanging on the wall above the fireplace.

  “I didn’t think...” Tyler started before Charlie cut him off.

  “Didn’t think what? If you didn’t think this was important you are seriously deluded. If you pull this off, Tyler, can you imagine how much pussy I’ll pull having a rock star as a brother,” he laughed, earning him a furious glare from Lucas. I looked up at him, laughing and shaking my head as his expression softened and he wound his arm protectively around my shoulder.

  This was infinitely preferable to the pervading sadness, and a little interlude of light relief would do everyone good. There was all the time in the world for grief, regret, guilt and recrimination and I knew that only too well.