MemoriesErasedTreachery

by Charlie Richards

  Heart thundering, Devin rushed to Saint Bernadine's and found Kiera calmly sitting at the nurses' station amusing the personnel on duty. Poised on the counter with the stem of a lollipop protruding from the corner of her mouth, she chattered non-stop in her baby gibberish. Basking in all the attention, she brandished a small, cartoon character Band-Aid on her knee like a badge of honor.

  Satisfied Kiera wasn't in eminent danger, Devin went looking for Ewyn. Hospital personnel were still trying to calm him down. The trauma resident on duty had been effusively grateful when Devin took Ewyn in hand.

  Devin never let Ewyn live the incident down and often used it as an example whenever Ewyn became overbearing with his concern for Kiera's welfare. Hell. If Ewyn knew Devin and Taggart were teaching Kiera self-defense tactics, Ewyn would need sedating. Devin didn't think it too early to prepare Kiera for the realities of life, since her mother's death remained unresolved.

  That day at the hospital also redefined how much baby-girl meant to Devin. Before she came into his life, the love he and Ewyn shared, from the moment they met, had satisfied both. But baby-girl's invasion, and Ewyn's single-minded devotion to her, worried Devin. At times, he felt left out, until he realized nothing had changed. Ewyn's affection for Kiera took nothing away from what he and Ewyn shared. In fact, Kiera's arrival forced them to recognize they were capable of sharing their love with another person without diminishing its strength.

  Devin stood and put Kiera back on her highchair. "Be good, Kieki. Ew has breakfast ready. I'll get more juice."

  He smiled at Ewyn, who had his wounded-worried expression on, and he winked at Kiera, who giggled and started eating, head bobbing to her own imaginary beat. With her soft, crinkly hair parted down the middle and pulled up into two ponytail puffs, the little spirals jiggled and bounced with her every move. Always a happy child, even as an infant, she didn't stay irritated for more than a moment or two.

  An independent little person, Kiera had adjusted to an environment of two fathers and an assortment of caretakers quite easily. Besides Gemma and Timothy, she had Mick and Taggart hovering over her as if she was their own, and she called them Uncle. All of the Calderone staff treated her like royalty and guarded her with loyal determination. She played well with the children on the estate, but she didn't take crap from any of them, which resulted in a few physical skirmishes.

  Proudly showing off what she called her boo-boos, she enjoyed regaling Devin and Ewyn with her account of what happened. She never blamed the other children and never held a grudge. Her ability to take care of herself had Devin convinced, he and Taggart were right to begin her instructions in self-defense. Conversely, Ewyn's reaction to Kiera's first fight had been off the charts. He had wanted to fire anyone on the estate who had children. Gemma resolved the issue by reminding him of his, Nicole, and Carolyn's exploits with estate children. Ewyn had been the holy terror.

  "Considering the isolation of the Calderone children, how else can they learn the realities of life in the outside world," Gemma had pointed out.

  Devin continued watching Kiera while she ate. She was a feminine little person, and with age, her ethnic heritage became more obvious. Damn, if she didn't remind him of someone, but that didn't make sense. He wasn't familiar with any of Nicole's circle.

  "How come you're Daddy, and I'm Ew?" Ewyn's voice sliced into Devin's thoughts, and he looked from Kiera to Ewyn, who glared and sat down next to Kiera. "Well," Ewyn snapped.

  Kiera stopped eating and looked at Ewyn. A warm smile lit up her little heart-shaped face as she reached over and patted Ewyn's cheek. "Sorry, Ew." She giggled, resumed eating and humming, while Ewyn's disgruntled expression morphed into one of incredulity.

  Teeth gripping the inside of his bottom lip, Devin managed to keep a straight face when he noticed the smears of egg and butter from Kiera's fingers trailing along Ewyn's cheek.

  Ewyn sighed. "What?"

  Devin picked up his napkin. "I have no idea why she calls me Daddy. Sometimes she calls me Dev." He reached over and wiped the little finger smudges from Ewyn's face then kissed the pouty mouth.

  Kiera's tinkling laughter rang out and she extended her arms toward Ewyn. "Me, too. Kisses, Ew."

  Devin couldn't control his laughter any longer.

  Devin lay on his side, stretched out across the bottom of the bed, watching Fugitive Strike Force until Ewyn moseyed into the room. Effectively distracted, his eyes followed Ewyn as he crossed in front of the television, approached the bed, and climb on. Crawling across Devin, Ewyn wriggled and squirmed until he had his body spooned to Devin's, then he snuggled close. Devin draped his arm across Ewyn's shoulder, nuzzled the slim neck, and whispered, "That was quick."

  "She fell asleep as soon as I tucked her in. Didn't even ask for a story."

  "Hmm. Tag must have worn her little butt out when he took her to the park."

  Ewyn wiggled around to face him. "You know Tuesday is her third birthday. What are we going to do for her this year?"

  "Well, if you take the time off, I thought we'd spend the day with her, take her out to lunch, then an hour or two at Pharaoh's Theme Park. Afterward, off to the estate for the usual celebration with the entire clan."

  "Sounds good to me."

  "Actually, it will be a double celebration."

  "Oh…"

  "You remember the promotion I was up for--"

  "Dev!" Ewyn threw himself against Devin and knocked him over. "You got it…when…" He punched Devin's arm and crawled on top of him. "Why are you just telling me?"

  "Hey!" Laughing, Devin palmed Ewyn's fist when he went for another hit. "Timothy just told me yesterday. I didn't get the chance to say anything because you rushed off to pick up Kieki, and spent time with Gemma. By the time you returned home, it was late, we had our regular getting-Kieki-settled routine, followed by your hyper ass passing out."

  "Oh, yeah. Sorry." Ewyn kissed Devin's firm lips. "So Timothy is finally retiring."

  "Yes. Been threatening to retire for the last three years, since the last op we did together, which put things in perspective for him. Since Gemma's been in remission for over a year, they're going to take a shot at living as normal a life as they can. Travel before they're too old to enjoy themselves."

  "Yeah. Gem and I talked about her traveling. She had hoped Greg would have returned by now, because she doesn't want to leave Kieki." Ewyn sighed. "I convinced her Kieki would be fine for the intermittent periods of travel. With the security measures you and Mick implemented, she has no cause to worry."

  Devin nodded. "Tim and I discussed her fears, and they're not about safety. Gem doesn't want Kieki to think Gem is abandoning her. Gem is the only mother-grandmother figure Kieki has had in her life."

  "Uh-huh. But, as you've told me, ad nauseum, as a Calderone, Kieki will adjust to whatever her circumstances are," Ewyn teased. "And you were right."

  "Too true."

  Ewyn snorted and rolled his eyes. "Wow. I have my very own, new division chief. The youngest one ever appointed, and the first openly gay man to hold the position."

  "Yes, you do, and yes, I am."

  Tears welled up in Ewyn's eyes. "I am so proud of you, Dev."

  "Thank you. But you do know this is supposed to be a happy occasion, right." He swiped a tear from Ewyn's cheek.

  "This is my happy look."

  "Oh, sorry. Couldn't tell."

  "Funny, Dev." Ewyn giggled.

  "Hey. It looked so much like your hurt look, and your upset look, and your--ouch! You pinched me." Devin rolled on top of Ewyn and tickled him until he was breathless.

  "Stop…Dev! I'm sorry." Gasping and struggling to get his laughter under control, he panted, "This means…you won't go out…so much. Doesn't it?"

  "Hardly at all, and it will take some getting used to."

  "Makes me happy."

  Devin grinned. "Me, too." Sobering, he added, "Before meeting you, the job was my entire life, and I lived for the danger. You and Kieki have changed that. Wit
h you in my life, every time I've gone on assignment, getting off the frontlines has been uppermost in my mind."

  Ewyn's hands came up to clasp Devin's face. "I love you, Devin Piers Nilsson. More than I can put into words."

  "The feeling is mutual, Ewyn Kelley Calderone," Devin whispered. "I can't imagine life without you." Fingers brushing the ink black curls from Ewyn's forehead, he kissed the irresistible mouth. "I have a meeting Tuesday morning, the official changing of the guard. Christopher Corbett, one of the top dogs from back east, is coming to put the official seal of approval on my appointment," Devin explained. "Afterward, we'll go to lunch. Where do you want to take our little princess?"

  "We haven't been to Black Angus since my mother died. If I'm remembering correctly, they have a decent kiddie menu, not the usual finger foods. I thought we'd have a big girl date with her. No more baby chairs, just a booster seat if needed."

  "Okay, it's a date." Devin rolled off Ewyn and the bed. He untied the strings on his sweats and they dropped to the floor. Headed for the bathroom, he said over his shoulder, "We have another hour before Kieki wakes from her nap. Shower or Jacuzzi?"

  Watching Devin's strong, naked, chiseled physique stroll across the floor, toned ass flexing as he moved, Ewyn felt his dick spring to life, pre cum dampening his briefs. He hopped off the bed, shimmied out of his clothes, and trailed Devin into the bathroom.

  "Hard and fast…"

  "Shower it is," Devin responded just before he closed and locked the bathroom door behind him.

  Chapter 15

  "No! Nooo! Dad-dy…Daad-dy!"

  The piercing screams had Devin charging out of the bathroom and down the hallway toward Kiera's room. Pulse racing, he came to a sudden stop inside the doorway, not believing what he saw amidst the tangle of clothes strewn about the floor.

  Ewyn on his knees glaring at baby-girl, and Kiera, one hand on her hip scowling back, they seemed to be having a tug-of-war over a dress. Before Devin could react, he heard thundering footsteps running through the condo. Mick and Taggart appeared in the hallway, guns drawn.

  "Stand down," he told them.

  "What the heck is going on," Taggart growled. "I could hear her screams from our living room."

  "Daddy, Ew…"

  "Devin, she…"

  "Whoa!" Devin held up his hand. "One at a time." He glanced over at Mick and Taggart who had holstered their weapons and were trying not to laugh. Schooling his features to an appropriate look of concern, Devin turned back to the combatants and stepped into the middle of the fray. "Ewyn, what's the problem?"

  While he listened to Ewyn's explanation, he looked Kiera over. With her hair parted down the middle, two large white barrette bows held her ponytail puffs in place. She wore light pink denim overalls, a white knit, long-sleeved turtleneck, and a pink denim hoodie lay on her bed. Her little feet were shoved into fuchsia Skechers boots on the wrong feet and untied. Clearly, she dressed herself, and she had done a damn fine job. Their baby-girl was growing up, and becoming more independent each day. If only Ewyn would recognize it.

  Returning his gaze to Ewyn and the dress he held, Devin cringed. Damn. Should have burned the frou-frou crap when he first saw it. Instead, he'd given Ewyn the benefit of the doubt, hoping he wouldn't insist Kiera wear the stuff unless it was a formal occasion, or she wanted to wear it.

  "Ewyn, we're going to an amusement park after lunch, not a social tea," Devin remarked. "If she wants to wear the overalls…" Kiera ran across the room and wrapped her arms around one of Devin's thighs. "I think she looks cute."

  "Fine," Ewyn snapped. He stood, picked up the clothes scattered about and re-hung them, then he stormed out, brushing by Mick and Taggart without a word or glance.

  "All righty, then," Taggart said. "Happy Birthday, Kieki!"

  Devin picked up Kiera and hugged her as he started down the hall. "You look nice, baby-girl. What are you all dressed up for?"

  She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Bir-day, Dev," she whispered.

  "Oooh, that's right. Happy Birthday, Kieki." Devin kissed her grinning mouth. When they reached the master bedroom, Ewyn was nowhere in sight.

  "Has she eaten?" Mick asked.

  "Yeah."

  "Well, another glass of juice won't hurt her. We'll take her with us, while you go take care of your other baby."

  "Thanks." Devin chuckled. "Tag, are you going to lunch with us?"

  "No can do. But I'll be at the estate tonight. Wouldn't miss it."

  Devin walked them to the front door, kissed Kiera's cheek and handed her to Taggart. "Be good, baby-girl. Let Tag fix your shoes."

  She patted his cheek and giggled. "'Kay, Daddy."

  Once the front door closed behind the threesome, he strolled back into the bedroom and found Ewyn seated on the bed, unnaturally still. Sighing, Devin approached the bed, nudged Ewyn's legs apart, and squatted down between them. He placed a finger beneath Ewyn's chin and tilted his head back. Their gazes locked. Tears welling up in the jungle green eyes spilled out. Devin clasped Ewyn's head with both hands and used his thumbs to swipe the moisture from the flushed cheeks.

  "What's wrong?"

  "I've been a selfish, self-centered ass, treating her like an extension of myself, as if she should want what I want." Ewyn took a deep breath and tried to smile. "I've ignored everything you and Gem have tried to get me to understand from the beginning. Treating Kieki like my family treated me, and you'd think I'd remember what it was like then not make the same mistakes."

  "Ewyn. Kieki will get over this. Hell. She's going through a phase, transitioning from the terrible-two's to the bossy three's. Didn't you get the memo?" he teased and heard an answering chuckle. "No, seriously. Am I the only one who read all those child development books you keep in our office?"

  "I've read them, but they didn't prepare me for today. When she threw the tantrum, insisting on having her way, I finally saw her as an independent little soul with a definite mind of her own." He sighed. "Your intervention made me realize the issue wasn't important enough to alienate her over it." Ewyn leaned forward and kissed Devin's mouth. "The way she screamed for you, she actually seemed afraid of me."

  "No, Ewyn, not afraid, but asserting herself in the only way she knew how. She did well with her choice of clothes."

  "You're right. Myce matches them up and hangs them together so Kieki can choose for herself, which should have clued me in, made me realize our baby is growing up." He relaxed against Devin. "She doesn't need me anymore, except to do her hair."

  "That's not true. You are her security blanket. The first face she saw after she was born, the one who is always there for her. The rest of us come and go. She needs you, but not as much as before."

  Ewyn looked up. "I realize it now, and I promise I'll change. In the future, I'll choose my battles. I don't want her to feel she can't depend on, or bring her problems to either one of us."

  Devin smiled and kissed the tip of Ewyn's nose. "Feeling better?"

  "Oh yeah, but it was a wakeup call," he declared.

  "Hey. You're doing an excellent job as a parent. You've come a long way since we first met. I'm proud of how you've taken charge and handled your entire family situation on your own, more often than not." Devin leaned forward and kissed Ewyn, long and deep. Both pulled away breathless. "We have a young lady waiting for us." He stood and tugged Ewyn from the bed. "Let's go celebrate a birthday."

  Ewyn took Kiera down to his office while Devin headed up to his meeting. "Hey, Roger." Devin nodded at the admin as he strolled across the room toward Timothy's office. "Is Tim in?"

  "Yes, sir," Roger responded. "You're to go right in."

  "Thanks." Devin stepped into the office.

  Timothy, standing alone at the wet bar getting coffee, turned at Devin's entrance. "Hey, Devin. Have a seat." He moved to the sofa and sat down, coffee mug in hand. "I wanted to talk to you before everyone else arrives."

  "Fine. What's up?"

  "You've met Corbett
before, haven't you?

  "Sure. I sat in on a couple of meetings when he came here before, and we met several times in the field, but it's been a few years," Devin said. "If I remember correctly, he has a younger brother with the company. They're out of West Virginia, right."

  "Uh-huh. Brother's name is Anthony. Both are criminal law attorneys, and they're ready to get out of the business. Thinking about retiring in California," Timothy explained. "They have a younger brother living here."

  "Corbett has a son, right?

  "Yeah."

  "I remember meeting the son, a few years ago--late teens, early twenties, almost as tall as his father. Handsome kid." Brow furrowing, a vague memory teased Devin's consciousness refusing to become explicit thought. What was it he couldn't recall? Something about Corbett or his son.

  "Son recently graduated from college," Timothy said disrupting Devin's musing. "Going to be a lawyer like his father. Following the family tradition."

  "Right. If I recall, there were rumors about some kind of family problems requiring Corbett to come out here and get involved," Devin remarked.

  "Oh yeah. Involved his niece. His nephew by marriage Jered Reardon is one of ours. You may have seen around here from time to time. He's with Hansen's section. Whatever went down, someone tried to kill Corbett's niece, and it wasn't the first time a member of his family had a problem requiring his intervention," Timothy explained. "His family's issues are not unlike our own."

  "Damn. Do you think our lifestyle brings the nut cases out of the woodwork?"

  Timothy laughed. "Don't know, but the Corbetts could give the Calderones a run for their money in the nutty perp-stalking department. Hell. Corbett's wife became entangled in one of his assignments and almost died."

  "Are you shitting me?"

  "Nope. Before my time in this department, so I don't know the details." Timothy shrugged and handed Devin a file with Reardon's name on it. "Reardon is ready to move up, so I'm giving you a heads-up. He's taking your vacated slot, under your auspices."