Hell Is Burning

by Morgan Kelley

Dante moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with his brother. It was a sign of unity on his behalf.

  They were making a stand against someone who had been a tyrant all their lives.

  “Just apologize, Reggie,” Christopher Croft ordered. “You’re so stubborn. Now I know where they get it from.”

  The woman wouldn’t.

  She was just being a mother. If they didn't respect her, then maybe she shouldn’t be there.

  “Is Emma okay?” Greyson’s father asked when his wife didn't say anything.

  He told him everything that happened.

  His father looked appalled.

  “I’m glad she’s okay,” he stated. “I’ll be taking your mother home tomorrow. I’m sorry our visit ended like this.”

  They all looked at her.

  “It’s not my fault. I was screwed out of a wedding when you eloped, you’re not having kids, and now my other son’s gay. Excuse me for being a little testy. This hasn’t exactly been a remarkable year for me.”

  Christopher Croft sighed.

  Greyson turned, and the look on his face was one of a man so very close to the edge. He was barely holding on to his temper.

  “My wife nearly died tonight. She was hung over the side of a building and stopped breathing. If you think I give a shit about your feelings right now, Reggie, you’re out of your fucking mind.”

  She slapped him. “Don’t talk to me like that. I’m your mother.”

  Dante moved to stand between them. Greyson wouldn’t lay a hand on a woman, but she might go for him and this was already bad enough.

  “Jesus, Reggie!” Christopher Croft stated. “Are you insane? We don’t hit in our family.”

  Greyson’s blood stained fingers touched his cheek where she struck him. That was the first and last time that would ever happen. He wasn’t going to tolerate it.

  He was a grown man, and in his world, he ran the show. “Dimitri, call for a cab. Reggie is leaving,” he said, focusing on his mother. “She won’t ever be back. She’s banned from this house. What you just did was a line you can never uncross.”

  “I’m disappointed in both of you,” she said, her eyes filling with tears.

  Dante didn't even flinch. He was accustomed to Reggie’s temper tantrums. That’s why he never came out to her. This was the moment he dreaded. Unlike his brother, he didn't like confrontation.

  It freaked him out.

  “Well, I feel the same about you. I will share a few last bits of good news with you, Reggie, before you go.”

  She stared at him.

  “We are bringing someone into our family. My attorney is filing papers for adoption right now.”

  She looked stunned. “Really? A baby?”

  Curtis started laughing. “Actually, it’s me. Congrats. It’s a boy.”

  She looked confused. “I don’t understand.”

  “Emma and I are adopting Curtis. He’s our family, and one day, when I drop dead, which after this night may be soon, he’s inheriting everything.”

  Reggie stared at him. “You have to be kidding! I wanted a baby. What the hell am I supposed to tell everyone back home--that my crazy son is adopting a grown man to be his child? They’ll think I’m insane!”

  “Want to take a picture with me, Grandma?” Curtis asked.

  Christopher Croft tried so hard not to laugh. It wasn’t easy. For once, someone had gotten the last word on his wife. Ever since Greyson eloped, it had all been downhill.

  “Now I think Dante wants to share something too. Bro?”

  Dante grinned. His brother was right. This was the perfect time. “Oh, and your gay son just proposed to his boyfriend. I’m going to elope too, so, I guess you’re screwed out of two marriages.”

  She began sputtering.

  “Dad, I’m sorry, but take her home. There will be two plane tickets at the airport. You are welcome here. SHE is not.”

  He understood.

  His sons were grown men, and they needed their own lives. His wife, while their mother, was out of her mind. She’d spent so many years in control, and now that she didn't have the reins, she was miserable.

  As they left, she glanced back at her son.

  “You don’t mean this, Greyson. You’ll be back. A son always returns to his mother.”

  He turned his head.

  “Don’t fucking bet on it.”

  When they were gone, he crossed to Katerina. “I didn't get to thank you. I appreciate you doing your job.”

  “No problem, Mr. Croft.”

  “Please stop.”

  She looked alarmed. “Okay.”

  “It’s Greyson. You both saved my wife. I owe you more than I can ever pay back. You’re family too, and they don’t call me anything but my name.”

  Dimitri patted his sister on the shoulder. “It would be our pleasure, Greyson.”

  “I know you said that once this situation was handled, you were moving on. I know that Randall Mason hired you to find the killer, but I want you to stay on. I want you both to remain here as our security.”

  Dimitri held out his hand. “We’ll stay.”

  He relaxed. At least he had people he could trust. “Thank you,” Greyson offered, shaking the man’s hand. “I appreciate that.”

  He took a deep breath. “Now I need to head out for a few minutes,” he stated. “I have unfinished business to handle.”

  Dimitri grabbed his jacket. “I’ll drive you, Greyson. You’re not heading out alone.”

  “That’s not necessary,” he stated.

  The man laughed. “You may be out from under one issue, but don’t forget that Dominic Marianna saw what happened tonight, and if he thinks you’re open, he’s going to move in.”

  He had a point.

  Besides, Greyson was more than happy to have this man watch his back. It took some of the pressure off of him.

  “Where are you going?” Dante asked.

  “I need to tie up some loose ends.”

  “Like?”

  “First, grab a shirt that isn't covered in blood, and then have a talk with a certain captain. Chris Ford was supposed to be watching Emma, and she nearly got killed. We need to have a little discussion.”

  Even Curtis knew that was a bad idea. “Greyson, shouldn’t you rethink that?” he said, as the man he called brother headed toward the door.

  “Grey?” Dante called. “Don’t do anything rash! Kicking mom out of our lives was plenty of fun for one night! You should sleep on this!”

  He ignored them all.

  He didn't care. He already knew what needed to be handled.

  * * * Croft & Croft * * *

  Emma stripped out of her clothes and waited for Tessa to get her bath tub filled. She was already starting to bruise, and she really wanted so sleep.

  “It’s ready, Emma,” she said, helping the battered woman to the water.

  “Thanks for doing this,” she said slipping in.

  It wasn’t like Emma wanted people she worked with seeing her naked, but it was Tessa or her mother-in-law.

  Yeah, that was a no brainer.

  “You’ll be okay,” Tessa said, taking out two pain pills. She handed them to Emma along with a bottle of water. She wanted to bring something up, but she didn't know how to say it.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Emma, will you be mad at me if Paris and I still get married tomorrow?” she blurted. “I’m dying to be his wife. If I put this off any longer, I might weep.”

  She laughed. “You’re getting married, and we’re going to be there.”

  “You need a day in bed to heal. You were beat to hell and back.”

  “Yeah, that seems to be the consensus, but I also need to be there to see you guys get hitched. Like my crazy mother-in-law, I was screwed out of seeing Brynn get married. I’m not missing this one for the world. We said we’d be there, and we will.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad. I don’t have anyone to stand there with me but you, and I’m scared shitless.”<
br />
  Emma patted her hand. “It’ll be okay. I’ll cover these bruises, and then we have a surprise for you.”

  “What?”

  “I’m battered, not crazy. You’ll see tomorrow. It’s not fair to browbeat an abused woman.”

  Tessa laughed. “Yeah, I’m too afraid of the boss man to even try.”

  Emma’s eyes began drifting closed.

  “We better get you into bed,” Tessa stated. “If you drown, Greyson will kill me.”

  That made her laugh. “Yeah, he’s had a bad night. He’s a man on the edge.”

  When Emma stepped from the tub, she wrapped herself in a large towel. As Tessa helped her get to her bed, she was grateful for the company.

  The last thing she wanted was to be alone.

  “Can you stay?” she asked, pulling on the softest nightgown she owned. “Just until Greyson gets back? I don’t want to be alone.”

  Tessa hopped up on the bed. “Want to watch a movie?” she offered. “I think something mundane will help you relax. You’ve had a long day.”

  Tessa was right. They didn't get much sleep, rushing from crime scenes to interviews.

  “Sure.”

  Tessa flipped through the channels, and when she finally found one where no one was getting blown up, killed, or abducted, she left it on. By settling on something calm, she hoped Emma wouldn’t be reminded of what nearly happened.

  Only it didn't matter after all.

  Emma was asleep.

  As Tessa lay back, she was prepared to stay there on guard duty for as long as she needed to. It didn't bother her at all.

  After all, Emma was her friend, and that meant something.

  * * * Croft & Croft * * *

  Across town

  Captain Ford’s Apartment

  He waited outside the man’s place.

  When he finally saw the captain crossing through the parking lot, he knew it was time.

  This needed to be done.

  Glancing over at Dimitri, he spoke, “Give me a few minutes.”

  “Will you need help hiding the body?”

  Croft laughed. “No. I’m calm. I just need to have a heart to heart with Emma’s boss. There’s a little matter of a condo, someone letting Emma get abducted, and breaking her heart.”

  It sounded like bloodshed to Dimitri, but who was he to judge?

  As Croft headed across the parking lot, Dimitri waited patiently behind the wheel.

  His boss was an interesting man.

  In all honesty, he liked this gig. Protecting the Crofts was so much easier than taking people out. He didn't have to cover his tracks.

  Well, that depended on what happened inside the small apartment. He might just be doing that after all.

  Ringing the bell, he waited at the door. When it opened, Chris Ford stood there partially stripped out of his tux. Before he could say anything, Greyson punched him in the face.

  The man went down like a ton of bricks.

  “Shit! My nose!”

  Greyson helped him back up, and then kicked the door shut with his dress shoe.

  “What the hell, Croft? Jesus! Couldn’t you have pulled that a little?”

  “I did. Trust me. That was me calm.”

  Ford kept his hand over his nose. He could taste blood, and he only hoped he had all his teeth.

  “Then why the punch?”

  “That was for letting the killer get my wife when you were on duty. Had you not been a dick, she wouldn’t have been hurt.”

  “I feel bad enough! I don’t need you kicking the shit out of me to remind me! I’m well aware that I let her and you down.”

  “Well, now I feel better. You got your face bashed in, and I’m not angry about that anymore.”

  He stared at him like he was crazy.

  Ford wasn’t sure if he should trust him.

  “If it makes you feel any better, I feel like hell,” he said, grabbing some tissues. “I hate what went down, and I'm not talking about Trudy Booker. That was a shit fest and all my fault.”

  “Well, we’re going to talk.”

  Ford watched him. “Are you going to hit me again?”

  “Are you going to let me?”

  “Hell no! That was your one free shot.”

  Greyson laughed before taking a seat.

  “Do you want a beer?” Chris asked, heading into the kitchen. He needed something cold to put on his face, and he also needed booze to numb his mood.

  “Yes, please.”

  When he came back, he handed him a bottle. “I see Emma told you what happened.”

  “If it’s any consolation, she was hopped up on meds and trying to keep me from going nuclear. I’m sure she toned it down a great deal.”

  “Yeah, probably.”

  “Did you mean it? Are you really afraid that people will call you dirty because you’re friends with us?”

  He didn't answer at first.

  “Listen.”

  “No, you listen. If you don’t want the condo, so be it. I didn't think you’d have the balls to take it anyway. I told Emma you’d bitch like a baby, but hey…I was hoping I was wrong.”

  He got red. “That’s not it. I just don’t want the place. I don’t need some woman buying me a condo. In my world, that’s my job.”

  “You want to buy us one?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “She loves you, and you’re going to take it. I’ll bury it under so much red tape no one will know who the hell paid for it. You won’t be dirty because we aren’t dirty. The corruptor is gone, and we’re in the clear. I’m giving Paris and Tessa our place in Sky Villa, so you won’t be alone.”

  “It’s weird.”

  “Please?” he asked. “I don’t often ask for favors, Chris. Emma needs to do this, and right now she’s having a really shitty day. If you won’t do it for her, will you do it for me? I’ll owe you one.”

  “Yeah, you’re going to be paying for my plastic surgeon if my damn nose is broke. I liked my nose! It got me play with the ladies.”

  Croft laughed. “How about you tell me why you really don’t want the place? I know it’s not the dirty thing. This reeks like a woman issue if I ever smelled one before.” He should know. Greyson was the king of babe issues before Emma.

  Ford stood. “I hate you.”

  He didn't even flinch. Instead, Croft drank his beer and watched the man.

  “I won’t fit in there. I drive a beat up truck, I drink beer, and I’m a roughneck. I won’t class the place up.”

  He got it now. “Your ex-wife put you through the ringer, huh? Let me guess. She commented on your inability to be refined and not some backwoods hick, and now you think this is what you deserve.” Croft waved his hand to indicate he was talking about Ford’s dump.

  “I was right. I do hate you, and to answer your question, yes, that’s pretty much how it went down. She was from a rich family, and that’s why this whole thing rubs me the wrong way. I want to accept it, but a part of me feels like I don’t deserve it. Before my ex divorced me, we had a nice place, I drove a nice car, and it was all for her. That’s not me.”

  Croft laughed. “You’ll fit in, because you’re a damn good cop. Think of it as an undercover assignment. You’re not a lost cause, Chris. You’re damn good at your job, and you gave up being the commissioner to be with your detectives in the trenches. If anything, you’re better than what I can give you.”

  He thought about it.

  “It’ll work,” Greyson said. “Plus, you did nearly get Emma killed. It’s the least you can do.”

  Chris stared openmouthed. “SERIOUSLY? Are you going to remind me of this every time I see you?”

  “Not likely. It makes me want to have a stroke. I have to get over it, and that’s why I punched you. That was so much more satisfying.”

  “I’m sorry. I hate that she got hurt. I really care about Emma.”

  He was well aware. If Chris didn't, he wouldn’t be torturing himself right now.

 
Croft chugged his beer.

  “I have to get home. Come over tomorrow for breakfast, okay? We have a wedding, and then it’s back to work. I’m going to try and get Emma to take down time, but it’ll be a battle.”

  “I can make her.”

  He laughed. “Chris, don’t risk your life. A pissed off wife, is a jacked up life, and I don’t want to be her target when you leave. She’s going to automatically think I told you to bench her, and that will get me punched.”

  Chris walked him to the door. “Greyson?”

  “What?”

  “Thank you for coming over and squaring this away.”

  “That’s what friends are for, Chris, but lock up, because this place is a crime scene waiting to happen.”

  At the door, he watched the man cross the quad to his pricy car. He found it funny as hell.

  Chris had fallen into a family of people he could respect. Yes, they there were considered the most crooked people in town, but it didn't matter.

  His life was changing because of them, and that was a damn good thing.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sunday Morning

  When Emma woke, she could feel him by her side. His body was curled protectively around hers as his breath tickled her neck.

  Emma took that moment to simply enjoy his arms around her. It had been a long time since she truly felt safe, and the tides appeared to be turning. They weren’t being hunted by some psycho anymore. Now the only maniac on the board was Dominic Marianna, and even he was keeping his distance.

  It was a good feeling.

  They’d weathered the storm.

  When she rolled over, she noticed her husband was still asleep. He’d moved with her, but his eyes remained closed. He looked worn down, and she supposed that if she’d been on the other side of that rooftop door last night, she, too, would feel that way. After all, watching someone you love fall from a roof with a rope around their neck had to be terrifying.

  Instead of waking him, Emma spent a couple minutes watching the man she loved. In sleep, he still looked like he was stressed. She longed to kiss away the lines around his eyes, and get rid of some of the gray that was peppering his hair.