Ivana wondered if Trey was ready to give his wife away too, just to make his brother feel perfectly at home. Would Clyde swallow that bait also?
And just how would Trey feel if betrayal were on the other foot? Would he be so easily able to sweep the stinging humiliation and disloyalty under the rug?
Ivana tried to turn off such thoughts, knowing they did her no good. Just the opposite. Yet, it was hard to ignore that there was a very sexy, good-looking man sharing their house, who happened to be her brother-in-law. But a man, nonetheless, with needs as great as hers, if not greater. It gave Ivana a tingle between her legs. Something she hadn’t felt in so long that Ivana savored the experience.
She sipped her drink, allowing her suddenly vivid imagination to run wild.
Clyde stood at the gravesite of his mother. She had long ago paid for the spot, which was right next to his father’s grave. Clyde never knew him, as he was only two when his father died in a car accident. Now he was without both parents and had no elders to lean on during tough times. At least there was Trey to share the bloodline. They might never see eye to eye on everything, but at least Clyde believed they had a decent chance to become real brothers. Something that their mother had wanted ’til the day she died.
Sorry, Mama, it took me so long to get here. I know I let you down, in more ways than one. Unlike Trey, who I’m sure walked on water in your eyes. I can’t undo what’s been done, but I’m here to say that I promise you I’ll make something out of my life yet.
Clyde felt a warm tear creep down his cheek. He put flowers on his mother’s headstone, wondering how many times Trey had done the same thing. He stepped over to his father’s grave marker. It was barely visible within overgrown grass.
Hey, Pops. Guess you know who I am. Wish I could say the same. Just take care of Mama up there and we’ll be cool.
With that, Clyde walked away, content that he’d made his peace and was ready to see what else life had to offer him as a free man.
Across the street from the cemetery, Willie sat in his old Chevy Blazer observing as Clyde sauntered toward his car, a fancy BMW. Willie had followed him after spotting Clyde leaving the big house his brother lived in.
I should run his ass down right here and now and be done with it.
But somehow Willie considered that too easy for his onetime best friend-turned-nemesis. No, he wanted Clyde to suffer the way he had all these years. If that meant waiting until the time was right, then so be it.
I know where to find him and when.
Willie started the engine and drove away. He put on a rap CD and tried to focus on the words, but couldn’t get his mind off Clyde Lancaster. The man had taken something very valuable away from him, and he intended to make Clyde pay big-time.
Enjoy your freedom while you can, punk, because it won’t last long. Not in the way you expect.
Willie believed that his streak of bad luck was just about to change. Clyde Lancaster had seen to that the moment he walked out of prison.
“Trey’s gone to work,” Emily informed Clyde when he stepped in the door.
“Oh, yeah?” He had to remember that Trey was a big man in Paradise Bay and had more on his plate than merely watching over him. But what about the Missus? “Is Ivana around?”
“She’s here. In the pool. But I wouldn’t cross paths with her right now if I were you.”
“Why is that?” Clyde asked curiously.
Emily seemed to consider her words carefully. “Let’s just say that Ivana has not been herself lately, so you never know what you’re going to get.”
Clyde thought about the friction between Ivana and his brother. Or was there something more?
“Sounds to me like the typical woman, present company excluded,” he suggested. “I’ll keep that in mind, though.”
“Good. Francine left you some lunch on the stove.”
“I appreciate that. I’m starving!”
In the kitchen, Clyde found some macaroni and cheese and wheat bread. He helped himself, downing it with soda and using the alone time to take stock of his life. What do I do now? Realistically, he didn’t expect that many people would be willing to hire an ex-con, except maybe jobs on the lower end of the scale or hard labor. He wasn’t much cut out for either. Working for Trey was always an option, should an offer come. But Clyde wasn’t eager to have his brother looking over his shoulder every step of the way.
What Clyde saw in his future was being his own boss. That would make his life easier, and he wouldn’t be subject to overbearing authority that had proven to be difficult in previous jobs. It would take money to go into business, something he had far too little of these days. Maybe he could get a loan from Trey, so long as it was understood that he would pay him back every penny. Trey had done enough for him. Now it was time he did for himself.
Emily stepped into the kitchen. “There’s a collect call for you. Says his name is Raymond.”
Clyde grinned. He had given his cell mate Trey’s number. I’ll pay for the call. “Think I’ll take that in my room.”
Upstairs Clyde flopped on the king-sized bed that seemed to fit him perfectly and flipped on the cordless handset. “So you miss me already, huh?”
“Not really,” muttered Raymond. “All right, maybe just a little, but don’t tell anyone. Thought I’d call and see how life’s treatin’ you on the outside?”
“So far, so good. I’m just chilling out in my brother’s mansion, trying to figure out what’s next.”
“Thought you had a plan?”
“I do,” Clyde said unevenly. “But getting it going might take some doing.”
“I’m sure you can handle it. Fact is, I’m countin’ on it. Partners, remember?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“Good.” Raymond let out a big sneeze. “So is your brother’s wife as hot in person as in the picture?”
“Hotter,” Clyde admitted. “She could probably burn you with just a touch.”
Raymond laughed lasciviously. “Now ain’t it just too bad she’s spoken for? Maybe she’s got a twin sister she can hook you up with?”
“I don’t think so.” Clyde couldn’t imagine there being more than one Ivana out there. “I’m sure I’ll be able to find someone all by myself.”
“Yeah, like for about twenty bucks on a street corner.”
Clyde chuckled. “Hey, I’m not that desperate.”
“Whatever you say.” Raymond paused. “Well, I’ll let you go back to enjoying the good life.”
“Your day is right around the corner.”
“Don’t think I don’t know that it. It’s what keeps me going.”
Clyde could relate, seeing that that was the same position he was in very recently. Now he was in the lap of luxury with a fine car and a path to chart his own future.
After getting off the phone, Clyde got up and peeked out the window. Down below, he saw Ivana lying by an Olympic-sized pool, looking hot, wet, and sexy in a bikini. The lady is all that and more, he thought, feeling his libido raise a couple of notches. He wondered if Trey was taking good care of his woman in bed. Or had his cheating ways robbed him of that gorgeous body that seemed made for blazing sexual passion and pleasure?
I think I’ve been too damned long without the real thing. Maybe Ivana had been that way too. Made for a potentially dangerous situation were they to ever hook up and forget about the boundaries no one was supposed to cross where it concerned kin and sexual vibes.
Clyde chewed on that thought, knowing where to draw the line when it came to his brother’s wife. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy the view, albeit from a safe distance.
Ivana sipped on the martini before diving back into the pool. She’d been aware that Clyde had been watching her—first from his room, and then the deck. There had been no conversation between them, but sometimes words need not be spoken to express yourself. Clyde liked what he saw and Ivana found that it felt good to attract a man other than her husband. Or in spite of him.
Why do men think they’re entitled, but not their women? Even if it causes the woman to lose whatever respect she had for him in the process?
Ivana swam all the way to the end of the pool and back, enjoying the cool feel of the water on her body and the workout that was invigorating. She wondered if Clyde was as good a swimmer as Trey. She could only imagine those powerful biceps and calves at work, moving seamlessly through the water, looking like a perfectly sculpted African warrior.
Maybe I’ll get to find out, since it appears he’ll be around for a while, like it or not—which I’m still trying to decide.
When Ivana came up for air she almost expected Clyde to be waiting there with her towel, offering to dry from head to toe. Or take a dip himself. Instead, as she climbed out of the pool, Ivana saw no sign of their houseguest. She hid her disappointment while realizing it was probably for the best.
She would do well to keep that in mind.
Chapter Seven
Trey decided to invite his brother and wife out to dinner at a nice restaurant. It seemed like a good idea to get out of the house and loosen up a bit. He was surprised Ivana didn’t put up a fuss or accuse him of showboating. Instead, she seemed totally on board, as did Clyde, having doubled his wardrobe in an hour. Allowing Clyde to stay with them for a while just might work out after all, Trey thought, keeping his fingers crossed.
The Ribs Castle was crowded this evening, but Trey had no problem reserving a table, since the owner was a personal friend and customer.
“I’m glad Trey brought you by, Clyde,” Kalunga Malkaka said in his thick Zairean accent.
“Me too,” Clyde said, and tugged uncomfortably on his sport coat. “So I hear you’ve got the best ribs in town?”
Kalunga cast a wide smile. “You won’t get any argument from me there.” He winked at Ivana. “Be sure to let me know if you need anything.” He left menus.
“So what do you think, Clyde?” asked Trey a couple of minutes later. “The pineapple baby backs sounds pretty good to me.”
Clyde nodded. “Yeah, me too.” He turned to Ivana. “See something you like?”
Ivana looked up from the menu. “Maybe the flame-grilled sirloin.”
“Then we’re all set,” Trey said, seeing the waitress coming their way.
When the woman took the orders, Clyde made a late switch and ordered the flame-grilled sirloin. “That sounds even better,” he suggested.
Trey was mildly surprised that his brother had followed Ivana’s lead instead of his. Perhaps this was Clyde’s way of trying to get on Ivana’s good side. Given that his wife could be pretty damned stubborn when she wanted to be, Trey fully supported anything that could keep her and Clyde on the same page instead of mortal enemies.
By the time the food arrived, the three had broken into a bottle of cabernet franc. Trey thought that the evening had gone well. Ivana hadn’t overdone it with the wine, and the conversation had not stepped on anyone’s toes. He wanted only to do right by his wife and brother, without sacrificing his own principles in the process.
“You come here often?” Clyde got Trey’s attention.
“We used to.” Trey gazed at Ivana, realizing that their eating out had gone to hell in recent memory. His fault. Perhaps this could jump start that part of their lives.
“It’s a great place to eat,” said Clyde. “But after where I’ve been, I guess any place would be a treat.”
Trey glanced at Ivana. “I’m sure you’re right.”
Ivana peered at Clyde. “So what was it like being in prison?”
“This isn’t the time, Ivana—” Trey said, as if any time would be.
“No, it’s cool,” Clyde cut in. “Let her ask. It’s pretty much what you’d expect. The cells are cramped, the food lousy, the staff indifferent. Inmates keep to themselves for the most part, when not fighting over something usually stupid.”
“Do people really smuggle in drugs and stuff?” she asked over her wineglass.
“There’s always a way to get something, if the price is right,” he answered truthfully, slicing into the tender sirloin.
Ivana paused and leaned forward. “Is homosexuality really a big problem in prison?”
“Ivana!” Trey glared. “Don’t go there.” He thought it might be going too far to delve into that sordid part of the prison culture. Especially if it was something that Clyde didn’t feel comfortable talking about. Trey understood that one had to survive behind bars any way necessary.
“I don’t mind responding.” Clyde smiled crookedly. “Yeah, it’s a big problem. But not for me. I don’t play that game and made it clear right from the start. No one messed with me after that.”
“I’m glad to hear.” Ivana sipped her drink thoughtfully.
“Maybe I could ask you a couple of questions?” Clyde put forth.
“Go ahead,” she said evenly. “It’s only fair.”
Clyde tasted the wine, eyeing Trey for tacit approval.
Trey nodded, figuring Clyde was probably just as curious about his wife as she was about him . He hoped the questions wouldn’t make Ivana too uncomfortable. Or him, for that matter.
“Where are you from?” Clyde asked her. “I think Trey said you met in New York.”
“I grew up in San Antonio.”
“You still got family there?”
Ivana wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “My mother and stepfather.”
“A friend of mine is from San Antonio,” Clyde pointed out. “I told him I’ll have to check it out sometime.”
“Be my guest. Just be prepared for the awful, dry summer heat. Not to mention those pesky insects.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
“I like it there,” Trey said, though Ivana clearly could take it or leave it. “In fact, I’m thinking about possibility expanding my business interests to the southwest.”
“Oh, yeah?” Clyde looked at him.
“Though times are tough, people still need to get where they’re going, and the vehicle is still the most affordable, safest transportation around.”
“I say go for it,” Clyde voiced. “If anyone can get folks there into the car-buying mood, I’m sure it’s you.”
“Won’t be for a couple of years though,” Trey downplayed it. He could almost see relief in Ivana’s face. As it were, he would never make such a business move that involved committing his time and resources without consulting her first. While he had found much of his success before they got married, Trey believed that marriage was a true partnership, even outside the household. All he wanted was for Ivana to be happy, whatever it took.
By the time things began to wind down, Trey had made a snap decision that he felt made perfect sense. Over the rim of his wineglass, he said in earnest, “Clyde, until you figure out what you want to do with your life, I’d like you to work for me.”
Clyde cocked a brow. “Doing what—selling cars? Or maybe you see me filling bags with popcorn at one of your theaters?”
Trey chuckled without humor. “Neither, exactly.”
“Then exactly what?”
“I’d like you to start off as my right-hand man—assistant, or whatever you want to call it. You’ll report directly to me in—”
“Thanks but no thanks,” Clyde said flatly. “Not interested in being your errand boy.”
“Neither am I,” Trey assured him, not entirely surprised at the reaction, knowing his brother and the pride thing. “I’ll teach you the ropes of the car business and you can go as far as you want.”
“That’s not really my thing.”
“So maybe it can be,” Trey insisted, glancing at Ivana. “A
t least think about it, Clyde. You’re the only brother I have, and I could use someone close to work with me. We’d be helping each other. And if after a while you decide to go in a different direction, that’s fine.” It would be a big disappointment if I brought you in only to quit on me, but I’d get over it. Have to at least try to reach out.
Clyde ran a hand across his mouth. His features softened. “What the hell? Okay, I’ll give it a try and we’ll see how things work out.”
“Great!” Trey smiled, knowing this was best for everyone, including Ivana, who would not have to worry about Clyde being around the house as much, if that still concerned her. “Why don’t we toast to working together just like Mama always envisioned?”
“All right,” Clyde agreed.
Trey lifted up the wineglass. He clicked it against Clyde’s glass and Ivana’s. Though he fully expected to get an earful from her later, Trey welcomed the moment when they all seemed to come together and maybe were setting the stage for future unity and prosperity.
That night, Trey rapped softly on Ivana’s door. He really wanted her tonight and hoped that maybe she might want him after what he had for her.
When there was no answer, he went in. Ivana was sitting on the bed, wearing a black teddy and looking incredibly sexy.
“What are you up to?” Trey asked tentatively.
“Just looking at her,” she said.
“Who?”
As he got closer, Trey saw that she was holding the picture of their child created on the ultrasound machine. He remembered how joyous they had both been when first seeing images of the girl who was supposed to complete them. She was given the name Catherine, after Ivana’s paternal grandmother.
Trey sat beside her. “She would’ve been beautiful,” he said quietly.
“I know.” Ivana faced him. “Do you think she would have looked more like you or me?”
“Definitely you. I can imagine her with your high cheeks and brown-green eyes.”
Ivana smiled dreamily. “Maybe. Did you want something?”
Trey wondered if the mood had been killed, but decided to go for anyway. “I have a little item I picked up for you from Tiffany’s,” he said. He pulled a diamond bracelet out of his pocket. “I thought this would look great on you. It has onyx and rock crystal, set in eighteen-karat white gold.”
The Secrets of Paradise Bay Page 5
