As he answered all the questions, Brandon recognized the defense Ash was building for him. “You’re going for self-defense? Or the fact that I was abused my whole life and I snapped at last?”
Ash’s answering smile confirmed his statement. “Right now, yes. I looked at the newspaper report you mentioned you read, and it was very brief, only a few lines about his death. That was reported”—Ash checked his notes—“on April twenty-eighth. They gave the approximate date of death at around seventy-two hours earlier.” His brow furrowed as he checked the article again. “Hmm, that’s the twenty-fifth, three days after you said you hit him and left him in the woods.”
Brandon shrugged. “So, it’s off by a few days.”
“Can I see the newspaper article?” Tash took the folder from Ash, and opened it, pulling out the newspaper. Brandon watched Tash scan the short article. When he’d finished, Tash turned to him a huge smile on his face.
“Brandon, I think you’re innocent. I don’t believe you killed your foster father at all.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Three astonished faces stared at him. If it wasn’t such a serious situation, Tash might have found it comical. The only one who counted, though, Brandon, seemed far more agitated than happy with his news.
“What are you talking about? I left him bleeding from the head. He wasn’t moving.” Brandon pushed back from the table, and Tash sat, helpless as he watched his lover fall apart.
“Why are you giving me false hope? For years, I dreamed I hadn’t hit him and ran away, instead leaving him on his feet, laughing after me.” Brandon wiped at the tears streaking his cheeks, and Tash hurt at Brandon’s obvious raw pain. “But I didn’t. He went down and didn’t move. Didn’t make a sound. There was blood coming from his head. I took the brick I used and threw it in the creek down the road, making sure all the blood soaked away.” The desolation in Brandon’s eyes mirrored that of patients Tash had treated after a family tragedy, wounded and lost.
Ash and Luke tried to calm him down, but Brandon pulled away from them. Tash recognized the basis of his defensive behavior. After all, Brandon had spent almost half his life dealing with whatever life threw his way, alone. Naturally, he didn’t know how to take advice from anyone trying to help, his brothers or lover included. Mistrustful as a wild creature and just as nervous, Brandon had to learn to have faith in the people around him.
“Brandon.” It took several moments before Brandon focused back on him. “Come back and sit down, and I’ll tell you why I said what I did. I know what I’m talking about.”
After grabbing everyone’s attention with that statement, Tash opened the folder with the newspaper reports again. “It says here that Munson was found dead on April twenty-fifth.” He adjusted his glasses to read the tiny print. Damn, he might need to adjust his prescription. Tash cleared his throat, then began reading again. “You, Brandon, told us the fight occurred on the twenty-second. That’s a full three days earlier. Forensic science may not be perfect, but we can narrow the times of death to a pretty close proximity.”
On raising his gaze from the papers in his hand, he focused on Brandon, only to see the confusion on the man’s face. It was obvious to Tash that Brandon hadn’t yet understood the significance of the dates. “Sweetheart. Too many days elapsed between when you say you hit and killed him, to the date they said he died. In my opinion, something or someone else caused his death.”
Before he finished speaking, Brandon was shaking his head. “No. That’s not true. They must’ve been off with their dates. Either that or you’re simply trying to be kind to me and cover up.”
“Don’t be foolish.” Ash scowled at Brandon across the table. “What’s the harm in exploring Tash’s theory? The man’s a doctor; I think he knows better than you how to read a medical report.”
Brandon flushed but held his ground. “It was still cool in the evenings there. The body probably lay in the chill. Or something.” His voice grew slightly desperate. “You want me to be innocent, so you’ll see what you hope to be true, but I know what happened that afternoon.”
Tash understood Brandon’s hesitancy. After living so many years under a cloud of fear and hiding, it must be a shock to be sprung from the darkness into the light. Fixing his most reassuring smile firmly in place, Tash spoke directly to Brandon, who, from his flushed face and tight fists, looked to be on the verge of a breakdown.
“Calm down. What I’m saying is this. The dates don’t seem to coincide. But I agree more research and investigation needs to be done.” He turned to Ash. “Why don’t we arrange a visit to Pennsylvania, and we can look at the medical records? Surely, Ash, as Brandon’s lawyer, you have the right to view them?”
Ash grimaced. “I’m not admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania, so I couldn’t represent him unless I made a motion to the court to let me appear. We’d ultimately have to hire someone.”
The wheels were turning in the man’s mind, Tash could see. His fingers drummed on the table. “I’d hate to go to the authorities, raise suspicions about an old murder investigation, and then back off. There’s nothing the police like more than a fresh lead on a cold case.”
“So, I’m screwed. And I’m dragging you all into a murder investigation for no reason.” Brandon turned his back on everyone at the table.
“We have every reason. You’re our brother.” But the worry in Ash’s eyes told a different story, Tash saw. For the first time, Ash didn’t seem as in control and sure of himself.
Tash couldn’t stand to see the defeat in Brandon’s eyes. He needed to hold Brandon almost as much for himself as for Brandon’s sake and didn’t give a damn what Ash and Luke thought. Without a word, he walked around the conference table and put his arms around the special man who’d come to mean so much to him in such a short time. They stood for a moment, holding on to one another, drawing a sense of peace in each other’s arms. If only Brandon could believe everything would turn out all right. Strength flooded through Tash, remembering the vow he’d made to himself. He wouldn’t fail this time. He would help Brandon.
“I won’t drag you and all your families into my problems.” To Tash’s dismay, Brandon pulled away from him to stand alone. “Even you, Tash. You can’t fight my battles for me. Maybe the right thing to do is go back to Pennsylvania, turn myself in, and hope for the best.”
Pride warred with fear in Tash’s chest. He remembered what Brandon had said when the two of them met, and it didn’t make sense until now. Brandon Gilbert was no ordinary twenty-five-year-old. He had more maturity than some men twice his age.
“I don’t think any decision has to be made this moment. Why don’t we have dinner and sleep on it?” Ash checked his watch. “Drew is finishing up right now, and we can all go together.”
Before Brandon could answer, Tash decided to speak for the both of them. He wanted to spend time alone with Brandon and let him know how much he loved him and that he would be there for him, no matter what. “Thanks for the invitation, but I think we’d like to spend a quiet evening together. Maybe talk things out?” He looked to Brandon for confirmation and was gratified to see an answering smile.
“Yeah, sorry, Ash. Can we take a rain check?” He reached down and squeezed Tash’s hand, and Tash gave him an answering squeeze. “I’m kind of wiped and wouldn’t be the best company anyway.”
Understanding gleamed in Ash’s silvery eyes. “Yeah, of course.”
Tash caught the tail end of an annoyed expression on Luke’s face. Although Luke hadn’t mentioned that blowup about Tash and Brandon dating, Tash knew he still harbored a lingering resentment. One thing Tash knew was not to let problems in a family fester and grow out of hand.
“Something wrong, Luke?”
“Yeah. I’d like to see Brandon more, but he’s always with you. I think the least you could do is let him have some time with us. It took years to find him, but since we discovered who he is, we haven’t spent more than a few days together.” Luke glowered at him.
> While Tash was willing to make some concessions to Brandon’s brothers, he wasn’t about to be treated as a scapegoat for the lack of time they spent with him. Brandon had the right to choose who he wanted to be with, and Ash didn’t seem to have a problem with it. Only Luke, right from the start, had issues with the relationship.
“What’s the problem, Luke?” Brandon braced his hands on the table. “Don’t tell me you still have a problem with Tash and me?”
“You’ve only known each other a short time and already Tash is the one making decisions with you about the rest of your life. I think you’re moving too fast.”
“What bothers you so much about it? I’m not cutting you and Ash out of my life; I’m making my own choices, finding my way.”
Luke couldn’t face Brandon and spoke to the floor. “You used to look up to me, ask me for help when you had a problem.”
Tash stood silent, watching the family drama unfold before him. While Ash had easily accepted the transition of Brandon back into his life, Luke seemed to be having a harder time of it. Perhaps it was the extra years spent looking after Brandon as a young boy that had Luke believing he needed to remain Brandon’s protector.
But Brandon was his own man. “I told you before; I’m no longer a child. If we haven’t spent enough time with each other, I’m sorry. I promise to make more of an effort. But I’m not making apologies for being with Tash. He’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”
Their eyes met, and Tash found it hard to swallow. Damn, he loved this guy so much. To have come out of his torpor and sorrow to discover the joy of loving a man like Brandon was an unexpected gift. Was it only a little over a month ago he’d told Valerie he was better off alone? Remembering how he’d woken up this morning, wrapped around the naked body of this man standing before him, a flush swept through him. He could never go back to that frozen, lonely life.
“Leave them alone, Luke.” Ash nudged his brother’s shoulder. “Whatever bug up your ass you have about Tash, it’s obvious he and Brandon care about each other.”
“It wasn’t too long ago he thought he cared about Jordan.”
Heat rose in Tash’s face as Brandon gaped at him. “You and Jordan?”
“No, no.” Tash glared at Luke, who returned his look with a set jaw. “What the hell, Luke? That was like, for five minutes, when I first met Jordan.” Tash paced the room, running his hand through his hair. “Jordan’s my patient, for God’s sake. It would be completely unprofessional of me to treat him if I had feelings for him”—he glared at Luke—“which I don’t.” He folded his arms. “I thought we had that worked out by now.”
“I need to make sure you don’t hit on every gay guy you meet.”
Tash shot back. “No worries there, Luke. You never interested me in the least.”
Luke had the grace to flush. “I’m only looking out for my brother.”
“By cutting me down and making me look like some kind of predator?”
Luke still held his ground. “What do you want me to think? I thought it was all okay between us too, yet as soon as my brother shows up, you’re all over him.”
Tash could not believe Luke was serious, yet the pugnacious tilt of his jaw was irrefutable. Brandon appeared at Tash’s side, taking his hand in a show of support.
“No one was all over me. What’s wrong with you?”
“There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m not the one who’s falling for someone he barely knows.”
“Are we back to that again? If I recall, Luke, you fell for Jordan, and he kept some pretty serious things from you.” Ash leaned against the table and spoke calmly, yet never once took his gaze off Luke. “So couldn’t we ask you, how well did you really know Jordan?”
Luke shifted under Ash’s probing, and Tash could see why Ash was so effective in court. He cut right to the point.
“It’s not even the age thing anymore. It’s that it happened so fast.” Luke sat back in his chair. “It sounds like one of those stories Wanda loves to read about where the guy meets the girl and wham, they’re in love. That’s bullshit as far as I know.”
“My parents were married within three months of their first date.” Tash raised a brow at the surprised look on all their faces. “Forty-two years later they’re still in love. Why is time the determining factor in knowing when something is right? People can be together for years and fall out of love and end up hating each other.” He lifted his and Brandon’s enjoined hands. “Each of us knows, I think, the fleeting joy of happiness and love. It’s like the spark of a match that flares upon striking. You want to capture it before it blows out.” He squeezed Brandon’s hand tight. “Brandon has lit up my life in ways I thought were dead to me. I may not have been looking for it, but now that I have him, I’m not letting you or anyone else take him from me.”
He held Luke’s gaze, unwilling to back down an inch. From the corner of his eye, he could see a faint smile playing around Ash’s lips. Finally, Luke broke the stare-off.
“I only want Brandon happy. After all he’s been through, he deserves it.”
“Then we’re on the same page.” Tash stuck out his hand. “Come on, Luke. It’s me.” He held his friend’s dark gaze. “You don’t really think I’ll hurt him, do you?”
With only a moment’s hesitation, Luke took his hand. “He means everything to me.”
“Me as well.”
Ash clapped Tash on the back but left his hand resting on Tash’s shoulder. “I’m glad you and Luke worked this out. Don’t take what I said earlier as a lack of concern. I love my brothers more than anything. If you do hurt Brandon?” Ash’s silver eyes glittered like a feral wolf ready to attack. “Look over your shoulder, ’cause I’ll be coming for you.”
“I never knew your brothers moonlighted as assassins,” Tash half joked as he and Brandon entered the carriage house. Brandon held the pizza, and he carried the bag with the makings of ice cream sundaes. They headed to the kitchen, Cleo and Caesar racing ahead of them. While he put the ice cream in the freezer and the chocolate sauce and whipped cream in the refrigerator, Brandon took out the plates and set the pizza box on the table.
“Never mind them. Want me to open some wine?” Brandon held up a bottle of Malbec.
“Sounds perfect.” Tash smiled, enjoying the sight of Brandon rummaging around in the cabinet for the wineglasses. Happy for the moment, Tash whistled a tune under his breath as he opened the bottle of wine. He loved that Brandon felt comfortable in his house. When Brandon came back with the two glasses, Tash poured them each some and held Brandon’s gaze over the rim of their glasses as they each took a sip.
“Come on.” He put his glass on the table and took Brandon’s out of his hand, setting it next to his. “Leave the pizza for later.”
“Oh yeah?” Brandon licked his lips, his eyes darkening with his rising excitement. “What if I’m hungry now?”
An idea rose in Tash’s mind. He brushed a kiss over Brandon’s lips. “Hold on a sec,” he said, a bit breathless. Brandon clung to him, plunging his tongue into Tash’s mouth and holding him close. If they didn’t stop kissing now, they’d end up naked on the cold kitchen floor, and Tash had bigger plans. “Let me get something; then we’ll go upstairs.” He put the ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream in a bag and threw in a couple of spoons.
“Let’s go. We can start with dessert.” Laughing as they ran up the stairs, Tash recalled how only a month or so earlier he’d sat in the diner with Valerie, asking her to leave him alone and let him wallow in his misery. Tonight, the thought of Brandon’s smooth naked body, now so familiar, had become like an addiction to Tash. It would kill him to give Brandon up.
“Now you’re talking.” Brandon shed his clothes as he entered the bedroom, taking only a minute before he stood in front of Tash, completely naked and aroused. “Why don’t you light a fire?”
Tash, completely caught up in the sight of Brandon’s cock pointing straight at him, swallowed hard. “Yeah, good idea.” It too
k only a few minutes to get the fire started, and when he turned around, his mouth went dry. Brandon sat naked and cross-legged in the club chair, the pint of ice cream in one hand and a spoonful in the other. He stripped in no time, Brandon’s eyes never leaving his face.
“Come get your sugar.” Brandon wiggled the spoon at him.
That Southern twang, a hold over from his childhood in Georgia, crept into Brandon’s velvety suede voice, making Tash so achingly hard, he couldn’t think. He watched Brandon slide the spoon inside his mouth and lick it clean. In two strides Tash joined Brandon on the chair and plucked the spoon from his hand. “Let me feed you.”
The firelight playing shadows off Brandon’s golden skin, coupled with the erotic sight of his glistening mouth, spun Tash’s nerves into a frenzy. Tash dug into the container and slipped the spoonful of creamy ice cream into Brandon’s mouth. With a hum of appreciation, Tash dipped his head in for a kiss, the taste of the sweet chocolate and coffee ice cream bursting on his tongue.
Brandon took the spoon from his hand. “My turn.” Being as they were so close to the fire the ice cream had melted a bit and it dripped onto Tash’s lips and chin.
“Mmm, let me.” With long sweeps of his tongue, Brandon lapped at Tash’s face, then kissed his lips. When Tash’s face was clean, to his surprise, Brandon kept spooning more ice cream into Tash’s mouth, dribbling it over his chin and neck and licking it up until Tash became dizzy with pleasure and lust.
“Stay right there,” whispered Tash. He hurried to the nightstand to get the lube and a condom, then returned to the chair. “On your knees and face the chair, sweetheart.”
Without questioning him, Brandon did as he asked, and soon Tash was faced with the long lines of Brandon’s beautiful naked back and ass. Knowing how sensitive Brandon’s neck was, Tash spent time seducing him by placing teasing licks all over Brandon’s throat and sucking his skin. He loved hearing Brandon moan, the breath hitching in his throat as he writhed beneath Tash.
Embrace the Fire Page 20
