“A meeting. Occasionally I come in handy as a persuasive bloke for Michael. He can be a bit uptight if you hadn’t noticed.”
“Hmmm.” I nodded, but had every intention of revisiting the matter at a later time. The brothers hadn’t given me the impression of being secretive, but something about today’s business aroused my suspicions. “Is he joining us for lunch?”
“I don’t know. Depends if he’s eaten yet. What did you have in mind?” Ian asked as we walked. I pointed to a truck across the street and he laughed. “You are determined, aren’t you?”
I nodded happily as a car pulled up to a stop next to us and Michael stepped out.
“Dare I ask what has you both so amused?” Michael drawled, buttoning his jacket he came to stand next to us.
“Lunch. You haven’t eaten, have you?” I piped up before Ian could, having already figured out Michael tended to lean toward giving me what I wanted.
“No, actually I haven’t.”
I clapped my hands, my eyes flashing as I looped my arm through Michael’s and glanced back at Ian. “Perfect. I have just the place in mind.”
“Do you now?”
“Oh, you’ll love it, brother. Right up your alley.” Ian said, clapping him on the back as I dragged them across the square to the food truck serving boudin pies.
“You will insist on seeing me eat with my hands, won’t you?” Michael asked with a defeated sigh.
“Yes, and perhaps you can even remove your coat. It is after all ninety degrees out here.” I added, imagining how hot his suit had to be. After a couple of days wandering around in the heat with pants and long skirts, I’d abandoned them for cooler attire. My top was a lightweight cotton, and I was wearing a pair of the shorts Ian had talked me into. They went to the knee, but felt more freeing than my traditional skirts.
“Let’s not be hasty.” He replied drily, scanning the chalkboard menu in front of us. “I assume I am to purchase an item that I hold to eat?”
“I think they’re all like that.” I answered to his obvious dismay.
“Cheer up, brother. There’s no one around to witness your disgrace.” Ian told him with a wave of his arm.
I stepped up to the window and asked the man for five boudin pies. I’d learned we all had healthy appetites. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Buster walking toward us.
“Make that ten pies. Please.” The guy raised his eyebrow, but nodded and I stepped back as Buster joined us.
“I ordered some for you too.” I told him to his surprised amusement.
“Did you? And what are we having?”
“Boudin pies.” Ian replied, and Buster glanced at Michael. “Yes, he will be forced to eat one with his hands.”
Buster nodded, eyeing me as I bounced on my heels excitedly. I’d never had boudin before but it sounded delicious. What wasn’t to love about spiced meat and rice stuffed inside of pie dough and fried?
“Order up!”
Ian walked over with me and paid the man as I collected our pies. They were piping hot and I juggled them carefully, eager to taste one. Ian took some off my hands as we walked back to the other two guys.
Michael took the pie Ian handed him with a grimace. Buster held three in one hand and a fourth in his other hand, but hesitated before taking a bite. We all looked toward Michael, whose harassed expression would have been amusing if I wasn’t so ready to try my own.
“For the love of God.” He declared, and brought the meat pie to his mouth and took a bite. Buster gave a surprised laugh and Ian nodded, impressed. I dove into my own boudin, the spicy meat filling delicious as the flavors exploded in my mouth.
“Are you satisfied now?” Michael asked curtly, finishing the pie in a few efficient bites. I handed him another one with a smile as I said, “For now.” Buster choked on his fourth boudin pie as Ian laughed, clapping his brother on his back.
“I do believe she’ll succeed in loosening the stick up your ass yet.”
“Ian!” I threw an exasperated glare at him and he mouthed, “Sorry, love.”
We finished off our lunch and headed back to the car. Ian drew me toward him in a sideways hug and I wrapped my arms around his waist tightly, unaccountably sad to see him leave.
“I’ll see you soon.” He whispered, placing a kiss underneath my ear and causing my pulse to pound erratically. I stepped back carefully, feeling unsteady from the intensity of his stare.
Michael cupped my elbow, turning me to face him.
“You’ll be alright with Buster?”
I took a breath, gathering myself and nodded.
“He’s going to teach me moves y’all don’t know about.” I answered, the thought cheering me up immensely. Michael’s eyebrow arched as he glanced at Buster.
“Oh, is he?” He smiled at me. “Well then, I can’t wait to see what you learn.”
“When will you be back?” I asked, glancing between the brothers.
“A couple of hours at most.” Michael replied offhandedly. Ian gave me a reassuring smile.
“This business shouldn’t take long, love. Use the time to decide where we’ll have dinner, more finger foods perhaps.”
“Ah, yes, that would be lovely.” Michael commented deprecatingly. “Your car or mine, Ian?”
“Yours.” He answered handing his keys to Buster. “Keep her safe.” His eyes flickered to mine. “And I’m not talking about the car.”
“Didn’t think you were, mate.” Buster replied, taking the keys as he gallantly offered me his arm. “Now, then, lassie, tis much we need to get accomplished before these two louts come back from their business.”
Ten hours later, I was pacing the floor of the suite, cycling between irritation and fear for them. Buster had kept his promise and showed me different take down techniques, forcing me to practice them repeatedly until my arms felt like noodles. He’d finally let me quit after commenting that we needed to work on my endurance.
I’d been so tired I couldn’t even summon anger at his observation, instead collapsing on the sofa. A glance at the clock revealed we’d been working out for three hours, three hours! But as I was about to ream him for commenting on my endurance I saw him check his phone with a worried frown.
It dawned on me that we hadn’t heard from Ian or Michael after they’d assured us they would only be gone a couple of hours. I still didn’t know what business they were attending to, but it was apparent Buster did and their lack of communication had him worried. Concern tightened my chest as Buster handed me a bottle of water. He attempted to give me an easy grin, but I could see through it. He’d used the long workout as a distraction, but without it worry quickly set in.
My unease didn’t have a clear cause. They could have had car trouble or been delayed. I didn’t even know where or who they were meeting with. Michael had business meetings all the time, and I hadn’t imagined there would be anything different about this one.
“Where are they?” I asked him abruptly, and as his gaze shifted away I knew it was the question I wasn’t supposed to ask. “Buster, you’ve been distracting me. I want to know why. Are they in trouble?”
He met my eyes then.
“Define trouble.” He crumpled the empty plastic bottle in his hand. “They had a meeting. Didn’t tell me much about it, to be honest. Bloody buggers.” He shook his head. “I had a feeling it was something out of the norm. Especially when they wanted me to stay with you. But I don’t know what they were doing.”
“But you know where?” I persisted, ready to go wherever they were and make sure they were okay. I might feel like a wet noodle at the moment, but if they were in danger I would help them. Buster’s phone rang the next moment, and from the relief that flashed across his face it was one of the brothers.
“Michael.” His voice was clipped, tension radiating from him as he listened. His eyes flickered over to me a couple of times and I sat up, watching him. He stepped away, his voice too low for me to hear him, and I stood up to follow him. A relucta
nt smile crossed his face at the sight of my clenched fists and determined frown. “Feisty. She’s feisty. You have your hands full with this one.” He busted out laughing at whatever was said and motioned to me. “Ian wants to talk to you, lass. And I’m to warn you…I will tie you up if necessary.”
I scowled at his threat and jerked the phone from his hand.
“Are you okay?” I demanded to know. Their safety was my first priority after I had the niggling thought that whatever business they had somehow involved me. If they’d been harmed on my account I would have to bust out my new moves on someone.
“We’re fine, love. I swear to you.” Ian’s voice reassured me faster than anything and I allowed the sound to soothe away the nagging fear. “Now, I need you to stay at the hotel while Buster assists us. Can you do that?”
“What? No. I’ll come with Buster and help you.”
“No, no. I don’t want you here. It’s no place for you.”
“I don’t care. Where are you?”
“I’d rather not say.” I started to sputter and he interrupted. “Jane. Love. I know you’re unhappy, but I promise to explain when we get back. Will you please do this one thing for me? Stay in the suite and be safe.”
“I don’t understand why you think I’m not safe or why I need to stay in the suite to be safe. Or why you need Buster if you’re okay. You will explain yourself, Ian, but at the moment I’m more concerned about you so I’ll do as you ask. But I will be waiting.”
“I will, love. Now, give the phone back to Buster please. And Jane, you have my word.”
I handed the phone back to Buster with a narrow eyed glare and he took it from me gingerly. “Mate, I should warn you. I taught her more than a few moves this afternoon and she looks angry enough to use them on you.” He smirked at whatever Ian replied, and I frowned. I didn’t like the feeling of being left in the dark.
It occurred to me that maybe I should wonder about the situation I’d found myself in with the brothers, but I couldn’t believe they meant me harm. Even if current circumstances were suspect.
Buster finally hung up the phone and eyed me.
“Drink plenty of water, eat a dinner with protein, and I recommend soaking those muscles so you don’t find yourself sore in the morning.” He rattled off. “I’m going to get them and I’ll bring them back as soon as possible.” He took in my mutinous expression with a laugh. “They have no idea what they’re getting themselves into with you, do they?” He held a placating hand out. “Please stay in the room. I don’t want to deal with them if anything happens to you.”
I nodded tightly and watched him leave.
That was seven hours ago.
Michael had called three hours ago to tell me it was taking longer than they’d thought, but when I’d tried to question him, he’d hung up on me. To say I was angry was an understatement, but now my anger was laced with fear.
What did I know about them? About the business they operated? Their personal lives? Michael admitted Ian was a troublemaker, and even though I’d never witnessed it I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d done something he shouldn’t have.
I started to pace, restless from the never-ending loop of questions running through my head.
I’d picked at the dinner I’d finally ordered, unwilling to admit I missed listening to Ian tease Michael over his snobbish habits. I hadn’t bothered with a long soak either, afraid I’d miss their return. I might pay for it later but right now I just needed them to walk through the door.
As if my thoughts conjured them I heard the click of the lock and spun around. The reaming I planned to give them stilled on my tongue as I saw the exhaustion etched on their faces.
“Where’s Buster?” I asked instead as they closed the door behind them.
“Afraid to face your wrath, love. You made a believer out of him in short order it appears.” Ian sat down on the couch gingerly and I noticed bruising on his face. I went over to him and ran my fingers gently over the bruise. I sighed, my anger draining out of me as I took in his appearance. He was disheveled and my nose wrinkled as I realized he smelled kind of funky too. A half grin appeared on his face at my look. “Bit of a stench.” I nodded in agreement, scooting back a little. He laughed and leaned toward me playfully.
“No!” I cried, leaning away.
“Children,” Michael sighed. “Ian, please. You do stink.” He walked toward us, three glasses cradled in his hands. He handed one to Ian, who took it with a groan of appreciation. The other he offered to me with a challenging look. I took it, taking a small sniff of the liquid, and blinked at how strong it smelled. He raised his glass to me and smiled. “To family, whether born or claimed.”
“Family.” Ian echoed, tilting his glass toward us. They studied me, waiting, and I lifted my glass.
“To the truth.” I answered them with a pointed stare. Ian nodded and I took a rather large sip of the liquid in my glass. The burn caught me by surprise and I choked as my eyes started to water. Ian managed not to laugh and brought his hand around to rub circles on my back.
“Small sips, love, small. It’s strong if you’re not used to it.”
“Yes,” I gasped as I got the coughing under control. “That’s terrible.”
“Acquired taste.” Michael said, sitting down on the table in front of us. “We owe you an explanation, but first I owe you an apology.” He stared at me intently and I waited. “I shouldn’t have hung up on you earlier. It was unaccountably rude of me. We should have also told you where we were going.”
“Which was where? Does it have something to do with me?” I glanced between them and Ian nodded.
“We went to your godfather’s house.”
I leaned back with a sigh, my suspicions confirmed with Ian’s answer.
“We couldn’t allow him to get away with what he’d done to you.”
“And what exactly were you going to do to him?” I demanded to know.
“Beat him to a bloody pulp.” Ian answered candidly, tossing back the amber liquid in his glass.
“And did you?” My eyes scanned him, cataloguing injuries. He had a bruise on his cheek, skinned knuckles, and a cut along his forearm. Michael was his usual impeccable self. He acknowledged my raised eyebrow with an offhanded shrug.
“Ian took all the fun.”
I shot up with a growl and stomped to the bathroom.
“Love, I’m sorry. Don’t be angry.” Ian’s voice followed me, and he leaned against the counter studying me.
“I will be angry if I want. What were you thinking? Both of you! I expect better of Michael. And you!” I dragged the first aid kit out and pointed back to the living room.
Ian filled the small bathroom with his presence and the bourbon they’d given me had my head swimming. I didn’t trust myself so close to him in an enclosed space.
He went back to the sofa, settling in the corner as I opened the kit and found the alcohol swaps. I wasn’t nearly as gentle with him as he’d been with me, rubbing the wipe over the scratches on his hands roughly. He took the abuse without complaint, eyeing Michael over my shoulder.
“Tell me the rest.” I muttered, grabbing a cold pack out of the kit, activating it as I set it against his cheek. Next, I found the ointment and took a moment to calm myself before I applied it.
“He was a nasty one. When we arrived, he put up more of a fight than anticipated.” Michael began.
“Michael’s normal thoroughness failed him in his outrage.” Ian interjected with an amused chuckle. Michael’s face was pained as he nodded.
“He’s quite right. I was not as meticulous as I should have been when investigating your godfather. I missed a few pertinent details.”
“Details that caused us issue.” Ian added as I took care to rub the ointment gently on the cut on his arm. It was a little deeper than I liked and as I inspected it more closely, I cried out, “Is this a knife wound?”
I gave Michael an accusing stare before turning my gaze back to Ian. His mouth opened
and closed as he debated what to tell me.
“The truth, Ian.”
“Yes, he had a small knife, but I removed it from him quickly enough.” He said with a bright smile, seemingly unconcerned by the entire situation.
“You could have been killed.” My heart thumped heavily at the thought, and I felt sick. Ian’s hand was in mine and he tugged me toward him, wrapping his uninjured arm around me.
“No, love. Impossible.” He murmured gently and Michael rested his hand on my shoulder.
“I would never allow that to happen.”
“See? Michael is a man of his word. Nothing to worry about.” Ian’s confidence flabbergasted me.
“You don’t know that. You both could have been killed! And for what? Me? That’s not okay.” I told them passionately, unable to decide if they were lunatics or heroes.
Ian held me away from him, and both he and Michael glared at me.
“You are family now. What he did to you was unacceptable and needed to be punished.”
“This wound is nothing. I would do it again in a second to ensure your safety.” Ian promised, and the strength of their sincerity had me blinking back tears. Sometime over the past week they’d claimed me as one of their own, and I wanted them to understand the feeling was mutual.
I reached behind me blindly, my fingers closing around the glass I knew was sitting there. I brought it around and tipped it toward them.
“To family.”
I swallowed what liquid remained in the glass, anticipating the burn this time and managing not to cough. They gave me proud smiles and I shook my head.
“So what were these details?”
My fingers fumbled with the tiny butterfly bandages and Ian settled his hand over mine, stilling them. He took a couple and opened them for me and I carefully set them over the deepest section of the cut, pulling the skin together.
“Apparently, your godfather was fond of child pornography.” My shocked gaze met Michael’s after he said it. He gave me an apologetic look. “He took the pictures.” Horrified tears escaped me as I thought of what those children went through, and Ian cupped my cheek swiping the tears away gently. His jaw was solidly clenched, and I could only imagine what they’d seen.
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