A light tap on the door interrupted her thoughts. “Honey? They’ll be here soon. Are you okay?”
She honestly had no idea how to respond.
Sighing deeply, she gave her reflection a final cursory glance, flipped off the lights and left the bathroom. He was on the other side of the door with a worried frown and some anxious sounding sighs.
“Where’s Matty?” she quietly asked.
He blocked her movements with his bulk. She didn’t push him aside like she normally would. Unfamiliar feelings and concerns clogged her system. It wasn’t so much impending doom as it was pins and needles.
Why couldn’t they lock the door and go back to bed?
Roman brushed a lock of her hair from the side of her face, caressed her cheek and smiled. “He’s doing a puzzle in the den, which by the way we will now be calling the family room. He likes that term better.”
“He’s got family on the brain,” she murmured almost to herself.
“So do I.”
She raised her eyes to his. What possible bargain could she make with God for everything else except this to go away?
“You look beautiful,” he told her with a wink and a smile.
She couldn’t resist messing with him so a hip was cocked and she planted a hand on her waist. “Are you reading from a script?’
He shook his head and did a comically perplexed double take. “A script? I don’t understand.”
“Yeah, you know,” she sniped. “The be nice to keep her calm script.”
Watching him blink, scowl and then bark with laughter was a balm for her frazzled nerves.
“Ah,” he drawled lazily. “So the secret is out?” He held up his hands in a surrender plea.
“I have to thank Rhiann for this,” she told him with a wave at her clothes. “Love the Uggs.”
He smirked.
“What?” she asked.
“I specifically asked her not to get you those fugly boots.”
She didn’t understand. “Why? They’re so warm and comfy.”
The conflict raging on his face struck her funny bone. She slapped him kiddingly on the arm. “Oh my god! Are you playing dress up Barbie with me?”
“I believe my wisest move is a hasty tactical retreat.” He laughed and slung and arm around her waist to draw her close. A drugging kiss followed. “Wear what you want.”
Kelly giggled and kissed him fiercely. “As long as from time to time it’s thigh high boots and sexy lingerie?”
“Grrr,” he playfully growled.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and cuddled close. He needed to know she wasn’t worried about what was coming. He felt everything so deeply and was adamant that a line in the sand with Liam Ashforth was drawn. No matter what happened, his decision was made. He was with her. Even if it meant leaving his job.
“Kelly,” he murmured into her hair. “We’re okay, aren’t we?”
Tell him, her inner voice screamed.
Rising on her toes, she slid her arms upward and took his handsome face in her hands. “I’m here because of you, Roman. I didn’t come to New York for any other reason. I’m not ignoring the grizzly bear lurking in the corner,” she was quick to assure when he seemed about to say something. “I’m meeting with…’ she had to suck in a deep breath before continuing, “I’m meeting Liam because you asked me to.”
The guy’s name did not roll easily off her tongue. She didn’t give a shit that she was being unreasonable. She was only human dammit, and that was how she felt.
“Everything will work out. You’ll see. He’s not the bad guy, honey, and he’s suffered as much as you and Matty from the actions of Adam Ward.”
“I understand that,” she replied. “But he’s not responsible for that horrible man’s mistakes.”
“You’re not a mistake.”
“You know what I mean,” she bit back. “He owes me nothing. And I don’t want anything.”
“Maybe this is more about the receiving than the giving. Liam’s already dealt with his demons. The money means less than nothing to him. Every penny he has, he made through incredibly hard work. Starting from nothing. Was he fueled by rage? Yes. But honey, so are you. You’re more alike than you know.”
He kissed her.
“You’re not invisible anymore, and Matty will grow up as a normal, happy kid. A family is forming here. Can’t you feel it? Give Liam a chance. You two need each other.”
In the background, the chime for the elevator sounded. She knew Rhiann had access, so there wasn’t any need for Roman to unlock the lift.
He picked up her hand and kissed it. “Together,” he murmured.
“Thank you.”
He started to say something and cut himself off. “What?” she asked.
“Don’t freak.”
“Things you need to know,” she laughed. “What time of the month is it? Don’t freak? Bah!”
“I’m falling in love with you.”
Awww. He was so cute. Kelly shrugged and laughed happily. “I know.” She squeezed his big bicep. “It’s okay. I promise to go easy on you.”
Heading down the hallway in front of him, she turned around just before stepping into the so-called family room and looked at Roman. He was gaping at her and looked like he froze in mid-step.
“Are you just going to stand there? We’ve got company.”
She put out her hand. He started forward, stopped, and then came straight to her. Their hands slid together perfectly.
“Don’t let go,” she told him.
He squeezed and then the two of them strode into the future, together.
It would be a miracle if he didn’t drop of a heart attack, that’s how tied in knots he was. Several minutes had elapsed since the elevator was called. At any moment the door would swoosh open, and seconds later Rhiann and Liam would be there.
Kelly appeared calm, but she had a death grip on his hand.
“Matty,” she called softly with a quick glance behind where they stood. “Come here. We’ve got company.”
“Roman made me brush my hair.”
She smiled at him. “You look very handsome.”
A fearsome instinct to protect these two people made Roman take a step forward. He kept hold of her hand but effectively blocked both of them but from what he wasn’t sure.
He tracked familiar sounds. The elevator ping when the car arrived. The nearly inaudible swoosh of the doors opening. Rhiann’s heels tapping on the floor.
She appeared first, a sure sign that Liam was struggling. It wasn’t like him to show any vulnerability. Roman’s heart ached for his friend.
Rhiann’s bright smile was genuine. He instantly relaxed. Liam followed, and Roman was sure he saw him straighten his shoulders before stepping forward.
He took the lead. “Liam,” he said. “You look like shit, man.”
They shook hands as a tiny voice giggled and said, “Penny jar.”
Liam’s startled expression and Rhiann’s amused chuckle made it easier not to hyperventilate and hit the floor.
Roman watched as Liam searched the empty air until Matty peeked around Kelly’s leg.
“Matthew,” Roman said gently. “Come here, little dude. There’s someone you need to meet.”
Kelly squeezed his hand but remained safely behind his shoulder. He squeezed back.
Matty crept from the shadows and stared at Liam. Emotional electricity crackled in the air around them while the two brothers faced each other for the first time.
A wide range of feelings clogged Roman’s throat when Liam took a knee to be on the boy’s level and held out his hand.
“Hi, Matthew. My name is Liam.”
The whole room got silent, and he swore the air became thicker. For long seconds Matty said nothing. And he didn’t move. He simply stared.
And then his little hand came out, and he shook Liam’s much bigger one. “You have Kiki’s eyes,” the little boy muttered.
Every adult in the room gasped.
Matty let go of Liam’s hand and looked at Kelly. “He has your eyes.”
Roman cleared his throat and put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. He looked up at him with wide, uncertain eyes.
“He has her eyes because she’s his sister.”
Kelly let go of his hand and knelt down, pulling Matty to her. “Isn’t that cool? A brother! And he’s a friend of Roman’s.”
He never felt more proud of anyone as he did of the two of them. Kelly’s calm, sweet graciousness blew him away.
She stood and put her hand out. “Hi. I’m Kelly.”
Liam’s awkwardness lasted all of about five seconds before the polite handshake became a tentative but heartfelt hug. The second they separated Rhiann rushed forward and enveloped Kelly in a fierce hug.
“I’m Rhiann, but you probably figured that out.”
She was beaming at Kelly and then looking at him. “Roman Bishop. We need to talk!” she laughed.
Kelly pointed to Rhiann and said to Matty, “Sweetie, this pretty lady’s name is Rhiann. She’s going to marry Liam. Isn’t that fun?”
Roman looked at Liam and found him staring a hole through his head. He could see the reality of his and Kelly’s situation starting to dawn on him, knew what was coming and let it happen.
“You son of a bitch,” Liam suddenly hollered right before he lunged and connected with an impressive right hook that hurt like hell and knocked him on his ass.
The shit then promptly hit the fan.
There was yelling. Rhiann flipped out and pulled Liam off him when he continued the smackdown from his knees. Kelly jumped in front of Roman with her arms out. Matty stood nearby with his eyes bugging out of his head.
As far as happy family gatherings go, this one was a category five shit storm of epic proportions.
“Don’t you touch him,” Kelly shrieked at Liam.
He couldn’t believe the fierce roar of his protective little lioness as she fended off his attacker.
It was all kinds of fucked up that he’d never been more turned on. Ever. Watching her go toe-to-toe with Liam was pretty god damn funny. And sexy as fuck.
That’s when brother and sister started yelling at each other.
“He stepped over the line,” Liam barked.
“I don’t recall giving you a vote on who I sleep with,” Kelly responded.
The pained groan filling the air? That was him. The last thing they needed was these two going off on each other.
“You’re my goddamn sister,” Liam bit back.
Roman struggled to his feet because he knew Liam was gearing up for one hell of a verbal tirade.
“Oh, and what?” Kelly shot back. “I thought you two were friends, at least that’s what Roman keeps saying. So which is it? Is he not allowed to fall in love? Or do I have to ask your permission?”
“In love? What?” Liam was approaching Def Con status. “Is that what he told you? Kelly, do you have any idea what floats this asshole’s boat?”
Okay. That was it.
“Shut up Liam.”
“Fuck off Bishop.”
Next stop? Clash of the alpha titans. Roman had a burst of belligerence that manifested in a shove which Liam returned with an uppercut. An instant piling on happened next. While he and Liam slapped each other around and made asses out of themselves, Rhiann, Kelly and even Matty jumped into the fray.
With Rhi on Liam’s back like a monkey trying to pull him away and Kelly frantically yanking on Roman’s belt, also to break things up, Matty suddenly hollered “Kick him Kik,” as Kelly’s fugly Ugg reeled back and shot forward, smacking Liam in the shin so hard he and Rhi fell into the sofa with a loud, pained grunt.
The moment was so ridiculous and over-the-top, fall down funny, that he started to laugh.
After Liam and Rhi tumbled, Kelly pushed him into a chair across the room. She crossed her arms and glared at him and Liam. Rhiann and Matty joined her in the center of the room.
Rhi spoke first.
“Sweetie,” she murmured with quiet gentleness. “He’s in love with her.”
Liam glared at him. “For real?”
He nodded.
“Okay then,” Rhi gleefully quipped. She looked at Matty. “So, Matthew,” she said. “I hear you have an awesome new bed. Wanna’ show me?”
The kid didn’t seem like he was going to fall for the obvious redirect, so Kelly chimed in. “Good idea,” she told him.
Matty’s baleful sneer at him and Liam was a perfect reminder that he had competition where Kelly was concerned. The only side the boy would ever take in a dispute was Kelly’s. Even if she was a thousand percent wrong.
Snickering and nodding in unison with Rhiann he bit back a chuckle when Kelly added, “Don’t worry about these two. They’re in time out.”
Well! Things he now knew…time out was the universal sign for bad behavior because Matty instantly brightened. He also ran to Roman, and like the energetic kid he’d come to love, balanced and bounced on his big thigh like a playground jungle gym as he rather soberly told him, “She’ll make you say sorry.” He leaned in, his feet dangling off the floor, and whispered, “Don’t laugh. Kiki doesn’t think laughing is pro-pree-it in time out.”
They fist bumped. “Thanks, dude. Anything else I should know?”
Matty giggled and whispered, “He’s just like Kiki. It’s funny when they yell.”
Roman looked up, caught Kelly’s eye and then looked to Liam. Once again Matty the old soul went straight to the heart of the matter.
Rhiann held out her hand. Matty slapped her a five and ran ahead into the hallway on the way to his room. Halfway there he turned around and yelled, “Hey! Do you like dinosaurs?” Rhiann’s soft, amused chuckle hung in the air and then they were gone. It was just the three of them now. Him. Kelly. Liam.
He gulped.
Across the room, Liam was massaging his jaw. He made a slightly pained noise that drew Kelly’s attention. She marched over to him, grabbed her older brother by the chin and swung his head right, then left.
“Pfft,” she sniped. “You’re fine, you big baby.”
Then she stomped over to him, but instead of a short, clipped, dismissive assessment, she went into full Nancy Nurse mode.
Her fingers gently explored his face. She gasped harshly a few times and made a point to shoot Liam the occasional dirty look. The way she was going on you’d think he’d barely escaped death. At one point he met Liam’s dumbfounded gaze and behind her back gave him the finger.
When she was eventually satisfied he wasn’t permanently disfigured, she surprised the holy hell out of him by pushing his legs around until a proper landing for her ass was in place. And then she sat down and turned her attention to Liam.
Was she staking a claim?
Absolutely.
He sat back and smiled. So, this is what master of the fucking universe felt like.
“Are you two finished acting like idiots?”
This one was on Liam. He’d have to accept that for once, something wasn’t all about him, or he and Kelly would never find common ground.
There was a brief, uncomfortable silence and then to his great relief, Liam shook his head like he couldn’t believe what was happening and chuckled.
The man Rhiann helped loosen up came out, and just like that, rigid, stick-up-his-ass Liam took a hike. He smiled. An actual, eye-rolling smile, and said, “Yes Ma’am,” in a hilariously contrite voice.
When Kelly turned her head to look down at him for his reply, Roman caught Liam making rude hand gestures and sticking out his tongue. His spirit lifted. Even if his business relationship with Liam was on slippery ground, their friendship remained intact.
For shits and grins, he responded like a petulant child. “Well, he started it!”
She patted him on the cheek and offered a pitying sigh. “You poor thing. He started it? Is that like saying I started it? You’re beginning to sound like a broken record.”
Liam’s roaring guffaw at the ‘fuck-you-chip’ she just handed him with that little nugget of inside information grated on his ego.
“All right. Look,” she bit out. Her ass tightened on his thigh. He sat back and enjoyed the Kelly in charge show and fantasized about fucking her into next week the minute she gave the all clear.
“If I make nice and give this sister thing a chance, will you two shake hands and do that bro hug thing? I um,” she stammered. A quick push of some hair behind her ear and some back stiffening and she finished the thought. “I need you both.”
Impressed, encouraged, humbled. All these things swirled inside him. Her admitting to needing anything at all was huger than huge.
Liam rose and showed them the true measure of the man he was. Speaking directly to her, he said, “I was out of line. I’m sorry. Can we start over? I’d like that, Kelly. You’re…family. My family.”
Since she was nothing but a younger, female version of Liam, Kelly didn’t immediately roll over. She had a few specifics of her own to lay down before they moved forward.
With a hand on Roman’s shoulder, she spoke distinctly and clearly so there’d be no misinterpreting what she said.
“Roman is family.”
It was a challenge and a promise wrapped up in one neat little package.
Liam snickered. “Us rolling around on the floor throwing punches? That’s the stuff brothers do so no worry there. This motherfucker,” he drawled with a nod, “was already seated at the family table and not just because my fiancée wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Their eyes met, and they both smiled. Truth.
“Good,” Kelly replied. “Now let’s discuss Matty.”
Liam waved her off. “Not necessary, sis. I get it. It’s gonna be fucking weird and an interesting legal kerfuffle, but I do get it.”
Roman finally spoke. He pointed to each of them and stated their titles. “Brother,” he declared with great care. “Kiki is the mom,” he said with a gesture at Kelly. “And, whatever the fuck he wants to call me, but essentially, the dad.”
Everyone nodded and then he quickly added, “Oh, and Kelly is the decider. She made me promise.”
He stood up and helped Kelly slide to her feet.
With the self-assurance and kick-ass snarl of a drill sergeant, she told them what to do. “Now shake you two and say sorry.”
Liam, the dumb fuck, was quick to point out that he’d said sorry first. Kelly walked up to him and tugged on his ear. “What did I say?”
Her brother’s startled yelp and pissy, “Ow,” was music to Roman’s ears. These two were going to be a party in the years ahead. He wished Rhi could see this because a grumpy, pouty Liam Ashforth was front-row, comedy gold.
Kelly looked around at the big empty walk-in wardrobe and shrugged at Rhiann. They were sitting cross-legged on the floor in the middle of the big closet, picking at a plate of nachos on the carpet between them.
“Seems like overkill to me. Who needs so many clothes?”
Rhiann Baron-Wilde’s easy, amused laugh rang out. Sticking out one leg she wagged her foot. “I don’t need these suede pumps, but they look bangin’ with jeans and quite frankly, heels do amazing things to a woman’s posterior.”
“Roman hates the Uggs,” she sniggered.
Catching a glob of gooey cheese with her tongue as she held up a chip loaded with nacho toppings, Rhiann chuckled and made a face. “He told you that, did he? Idiot.”
Kelly nodded and laughed.
“I am one of three sisters,” she explained, “so relationship advice comes naturally to me. You can tell me to shut up if you want but when it comes to hacks and hints for the care and feeding of today’s modern, alpha shithead, I’m your girl. You think Liam’s a handful? Bah!” she chortled. “Wait till you meet Brynn’s husband and Charlie’s hunk of burning love.”
This was fun. She’d never ever hung out with a friend and shot the shit about men and shoes. She could get used to this.
“I’m all ears.”
Rhiann re-arranged her position and laughed happily. “First, don’t let him get his way all the time.”
She barked with laughter. “Oh shit. No worries there. Half the time I have no idea what to do with him! He acts like a knuckle-dragging caveman when I don’t ask him to open every damn lid with his manly muscles. Seriously, Rhiann. Do guys think all we do is sit around and wait for them to handle everything?”
“It’s in the alpha code of conduct. But you’ll get the hang of it. Every time he pounds his chest and plays the manly-man card? That’s generally when you have the upper hand.”
She had to give it some thought, but she was beginning to see the point. When Roman was knee deep in testosterone? She could bat her eyes, chew on a lip and pretty much get anything she wanted out of him. Men, or at least her man, was easy that way.
“The Uggs are a reminder to his bad self that a, you don’t give a shit what he thinks when your feet are cold and besides, he ain’t the boss of you.”
She arched a brow.
“Ah,” Rhiann chuckled. “I see Roman’s bad boy ways have already corrupted you.”
“I kind of like that bossy, domineering thing he’s got going on.”
“Good lord,” Rhi bawled with laughter. “Don’t ever tell him that! Keep him guessing and always on his toes. You’ll thank me later.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sweetie, I have very few filters. Sisters, remember? Ask whatever you want but just know that I will answer whether you like it or not.”
“Fair enough,” she quipped. “Rhiann, you know Roman pretty well, right?”
“I know that he’s an extraordinary man and that I trust him with my life. And Liam’s.”
She nodded and chewed a lip as she gathered her thoughts. “Do you think I’m crazy? I mean, we’re moving awfully fast. One minute we were snarling and spitting at each other and then…”
Rhiann leaned against the wall, stretched her legs out in front of her and crossed them at the ankles.
“I met Liam just out of high school and let me tell you something. Ya’ think he’s a handful now? Back then, he was a grad student with a chip on his shoulder the size of Plymouth Rock, and he had a conservative stick rammed up his butt. I remember thinking he was so tight that a quarter would bounce off his forehead.”
“Wow.”
“By then his demons were gearing up for battle, and there was a menacing intensity about him that I didn’t understand. Adam Ward did a lot of damage to a lot of people.”
“So, what happened?”
“We had a brief, wild fling. Very secret. I was far too young, and he was not in a headspace for a real relationship. And then almost as soon as it started, we were over. He pulled the plug.”
“You broke up?”
“I’m not sure that breaking up was part of what happened. We snuck around like naughty kids so it’s not like we were a couple to begin with. Even though I was monumentally stupid and in over my head, I didn’t regret any of it. That was almost a decade ago.”
“How long have you been back together?”
“Roughly?” she asked with a nonchalant shrug. “About a year. Give or take. He bought me.”
“He what?”
Rhiann laughed, smirked, and rolled her eyes. “You heard me. He bought the fashion magazine I worked for. Out of the damn blue. Hadn’t heard a peep from him in forever but in his crazy mind being my boss was somehow going to be a good thing.” She snicker-snorted and looked at Kelly. “I mean, honestly! Really? Men are so dumb.”
“Is this when you met Roman?”
“Yes, indeed. A long story best shared over a few bottles of wine. Our tale has everything. Drama. Intrigue. Danger. A crazed stalker. Bullets. Kidnapping.”
Kelly whistled and murmured, “Wow. Wild…but explains a lot.”
“I’ve never had a brother,” she murmured. “Roman would take a bullet for Liam and me, and I know this first-hand. He’s a great guy, Kelly. And he needs a good woman in his life.”
Lots to think about, that’s for sure.
“So, when you ask if I think you’re crazy, consider what I just shared. Is it possible for two souls to meet and instantly join? Yes, and I believe that with all my heart. In my case the bond weakened but never broke. When the time was right and each of us ready, the universe, as my hippy-dippy sister would say, brought us into the same space. What we did after that was all on us. Thankfully the love survived and now look.”
She waved a pretty sparkler in Kelly’s face. “We’re getting married in June. I can’t wait to have it be official so we can start making some bay-bays.”
Marriage and babies. Hmmm. She blurted out what shot into her thoughts. “He um, sort of demanded that I marry him. Uh, a technical malfunction. But, well…Mother Nature must not have been impressed by our antics because the problem never materialized.”
Rhiann’s jaw was hanging open.
“And since, well, the subject hasn’t come up.”
“Oh my god,” she muttered. “Do not let your brother know any of that. He’d have Roman neutered in a heartbeat.”
“Newsflash,” she drawled sardonically. “What happened? I didn’t exactly give him much choice.”
“I knew I was going to like you, Snow.”
“Snow?”
Rhiann laughed merrily. “Yeah. He described you as Snow White when I demanded he send a selfie. I can’t believe that old fart found himself a Disney princess to salivate over and that’s exactly how I’m describing you to my sisters.”
“Well, thank you for the compliment, but I’m not so sure me and my crappy second-hand jeans qualify for admittance to the romantic heroine show.”
Oh, Sweetie! Did you think I wasn’t going to do a Baron-Wilde makeover on you? We’re going shopping!” she merrily declared. “And I have the best hair and make-up people. You just let me handle that part of things.”
“I have a confession,” she muttered.
“Unless you’re secretly a dude, nothing you say could shock me.”
“Roman told me you have a mouth,” she giggled. “You must scare the snot out of those guys.”
“Serves them right. Now spill. What kind of secret?”
“Yikes,” she exclaimed. “I can’t believe these words are coming out of my mouth, but here goes. I, um…well, I’ve never worn a dress.”
Rhiann’s brows bumped together, and furrows of frown lines marred her face. “Huh?”
“Yeah, I know,” she sniggered when Rhiann’s stunned expression froze on her face. “Pathetic, right? And it gets worse.”
“I can’t see how.”
Kelly studied Rhiann’s super sexy shoes and then pulled a face. “I roll for comfort. And practicality. Farm life isn’t a fashion parade. Never have I ever…worn heels.”
Rhiann gasped and clutched her chest. “Say it isn’t so!”
She held up her hands in defeat. “My undies? Whichever five pack is on sale at Walmart or whatever looked halfway decent at the Thrift Store.”
Rhiann started fanning herself while she pursed her lips, shook her head and muttered over and over, “Nope. Unacceptable. Not on my watch.”
“Look at this place,” she lamented with a dramatic wave. “Roman is so damn sophisticated and worldly. What’s he doing with a girl in work boots and ratty jeans?”
“From where I’m sitting, he looks to me like a man finding out at long last that he’s worthy of love. Being loved and showing love. Some wounds take a long time to heal.”
“I know,” she murmured with quiet anguish. “He told me.”
Rhiann looked genuinely surprised. “Really?”
“Yeah. He has a picture in his wallet. That was more than a little sobering for me. Seeing his pregnant wife.”
Kelly wasn’t sure what was happening when Rhiann seemed to struggle, and her face went ashen for a moment. “He suffered greatly,” she quietly murmured.
“It’s because of what happened to Vanessa that he does personal security. Isn’t it?”
“He knows he can’t change what happened, Kelly. That’s not what motivates him. I’m sure you know his background and understand that it’s hardly a stretch when highly trained soldiers leave the military and take what they learned to the private sector. For Roman, security is a real, tangible thing. Unfortunately, all of his efforts to keep his family from harm’s path didn’t mean a damn thing in the face of evil. He isn’t trying to atone. He just doesn’t want anyone else to go through what he did.”
“He has control issues.”
“Don’t we all?”
Excellent point.
“Will Liam forgive him?”
“He forgave him the second you used the word love.”
“Don’t be upset with me, Rhiann, but I’m not sure about your fiancée.”
They both sighed.
“I know, and it’s okay,” Rhiann assured her. “None of us except perhaps Roman truly understands what this must be like for you. And Matthew. Leaving your lives behind. Going someplace that has to be scary. All these people sticking their noses into your business. You’re my new hero, Kelly Anne James.”
She gave a half shrug and dug around the nacho plate. “My whole life I’ve been someone else’s pawn. And I didn’t even know it. Not all of it, anyway. Then some snot-bag guy claiming to be an older brother who has some delusion about fixing my life comes along. I don’t like it.”
“You have it all wrong. He’s not trying to fix you, Kelly. Is he trying to clean up Adam Ward’s mess? Yes. But you’re not a problem. Not you and not Matthew. I think you may find when the emotional blowback finally clears and the dust settles that having an older brother who puts family far above anything else will heal inner hurts you might not realize exist.”
Rhiann rolled to her knees and crawled over, sat down next to her and put an arm loosely around her shoulders. “You’re not on your own anymore. I will do everything I can to tamp down Liam’s enthusiasm, but you need to understand that to him, finding out he has siblings is a gift. His upbringing left him feeling he was unworthy of a family. He’ll stand on his head to make sure you’re happy.”
The idea made her chuckle. “Poor Roman.”
“I know, right?” Rhiann laughed and hugged her tighter. “Shall we go see what the boys are up to? Guaranteed they’re talking sports. Or cars.”
“Or dinosaurs. Matty has a way of commandeering every conversation and steering it to his interests.”
“Just like his older brother, “Rhiann chuckled.
Kelly started to get up and then stopped and looked at Rhiann. “Oh god. Really?”
“Welcome to the tilt-a-whirl,” Rhiann laughed. “Mr. King of All He Surveys has a mini-me.”
They had a good laugh, stood up, rearranged their clothes, did some hair smoothing and grabbed the almost empty nacho platter.
“I can’t wait to set Roman’s credit card on fire.”
Kelly sneered, “I have my own money.”
Rhiann looped her arm through hers and led them from the big wardrobe. “As do I, but Kelly darling, practically rule number one with these alpha types is let them do the spoiling. It’s easier than resisting. Roman will shit a bag of rocks if you make this a point of contention. Choose your alpha battles, my dear. And choose them wisely unless you don’t ever want to sit down again.”
“Rhiann,” she gasped. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
They stopped walking, and Rhiann smirked at her. “Seriously?”
“What is it with guys and the spanking thing? I don’t get it.”
Rhiann’s delighted sounding laugh rang out. “Well, clearly Mr. Bishop has yet to put you over his knee.”
“He keeps threatening,” she drawled.
“Well, sweetie, when he does? Relax and enjoy it. And then pout prettily and make some noise about your bottom being sore. The rest will take care of itself.”
“No fucking way! Are you serious? Season tickets? Who the hell did you have to blow to score those?”
“Remember the creepy hipster dude with the mad computer skills? I brought him up from the IT department to look at that hacking issue we talked about. He mentioned that his grandfather gave him the tickets for Christmas. Next thing I knew he’d admitted to giving less than a crap about sports of any kind and said he planned to Craig’s List the stuff and see what he could get. You can imagine how it went after that.”
Roman snickered and held his beer aloft. “Only you, man.”
“Hey. What can I say? Season tickets, dude. Center ice, fifth row.”
“I bet Rhi is thrilled,” he said with lots of sarcasm.
Liam grinned from ear-to-ear and Roman perked up. What had he done now?
“Hooked her bad ass up with VIP passes to half a dozen of her favorite designers at this year’s fashion week. Not much she could say after that.”
A belly laugh rumbled from Roman’s mouth. “That’s going to cost you a shit-ton. Rhiann and New York Fashion Week? Oh my god.”
“Right?”
“So who are you taking to the Rangers? Are these business comps?”
“Fuck no,” Liam howled. “I thought you and I…”
“Are you asking me on a date?”
Liam stammered to a halt and scowled despite the amusement pouring from his expression. “Tell me again why I put up with your fucking bullshit.”
He finished off his beer, slammed the empty on the table, let out a belch and snickered. “Because I’m not eyeing up your pasty white ass for some butt fucking.”
“Jesus lord, Roman,” Rhiann screeched when she and Kelly came around the corner into the living room. “Have you a screw loose?”
“Whaaaat?’ he teased. “No good? But I thought you knew the bears down in the parking garage, and a bunch of the dominatrix gals from payroll have a betting pool going on for who brings the lube and who does the honors.”
Kelly stepped forward wearing the stern-nanny expression he enjoyed so much and gave him a major dose of shade. “Matty better not be anywhere in this room while you two are discussing butt lube.”
“He’s sawing wood in his bedroom. The kid dropped like a rock mid-afternoon and fell right asleep. Sorry,” he added. “His naptimes are a bit off. The time change, ya’ know?”
He searched her face for clues. She’d been gone a long time. After Rhiann took over and swept her off to discuss wardrobes and god only knows what else he’d had a hard time not charging after her.
“So,” she asked with a snide smile that was a mirror-image of something Liam did. “Did you two kiss and make up?”
“Sis,” Liam chortled. “It’s all good as long as you realize I’m girlfriend numero uno.”
Kelly looked to a grinning Rhiann and gave a long-suffering sigh. “My competition thinks he’s a comedian.”
“Wait till Fantasy Football starts. We might as well book a cruise because these two enter some macho fugue state when the NFL fires up.”
Liam didn’t deny it and added a detail that somehow wiggled right past Roman’s normally astute scrutiny.
“You’ll note please, that our wedding is scheduled between playoff seasons.”
“Sadly, he isn’t kidding,” Rhi muttered.
He and Kelly laughed.
“So what happens now?” she asked the group.
Nobody pretended not to know what she referred to.
Liam took the lead. “When you’re ready, there are some legalities you need to handle. My lawyers will handle the heavy lifting, but you’re in charge of the details. My hulking friend here,” he said with a thumb jerked in his direction, “made something of a big deal out of me telling you that from time to time. So there you have it. You’re in charge.”
“What kind of details?” she asked.
Roman took the opportunity to draw her close and pulled Kelly onto his lap. “Mostly identity stuff. And your brother found a way to handle the Oklahoma property in a way that protects you and Matty from local encroachment or challenge.”
“How?”
“It’s too complicated to discuss right now. We’ll sit down with Liam’s legal team and go over everything.”
“She needs a phone,” Rhiann interjected. “And a driver. You’re on that, right Roman?”
Kelly reacted to this comment with expected anxiety. He had about five seconds to clarify unless he wanted to get into a royal verbal skirmish with her later.
“Non-negotiable,” he told her. “You and Matty will be assigned an assistant to handle logistics and security.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” she immediately bit out. “Are you talking about a bodyguard?”
She started to get up, but he held her around the waist to cut off an angry retreat.
“Rhi?” he asked with a slight tinge of desperation.
“Choose your battles, Kelly. This one is unwinnable, so it’s better not even to get started.”
“I don’t understand,” Kelly griped.
“You know I was kidnapped, right? People are crazy. What can I say? Before that harrowing experience, I thought an assistant was complete and utter bougie bullshit…until I didn’t. Almost getting killed has a way of making things simple. You’re in New York City. Let them do this, Kelly. It’s important, okay?”
Kelly gave him such a malicious look he was tempted to put both hands over his privates in case she nut-punched him. He read her expression. She was sick and tired of him continuously getting his way. There wasn’t a lot he could do about that at the moment. Until she found her footing away from Oklahoma, he was in the driver’s seat.
Roman knew the second she’d had enough. He was so damn proud of how she handled Liam and their first meeting, but he saw her starting to flag.
“Matty’s birthday is next week.”
He hated the small, frightened, emotionally exhausted tinge in her voice. “I’ll be needing some things.”
“His birthday?” Liam hooted. “That’s fantastic. What do you need? I can get a moon bounce and rock climbing wall.”
“No!” she cried. “No stuff. Just let me handle this. Roman?”
He thought of the big shopping bag full of party crap that they’d hauled with them and Kelly’s sketch of a dinosaur cake she wanted to make and knew exactly what to do.
“Dinner with the whole family or just cake and ice cream. You’re calling the shots, honey. What are you thinking?”
She bit her lip and looked all sorts of conflicted. “I guess dinner would be nice. Matty will like that. But no presents,” she grumbled with a snarky glance in Liam’s direction.
“Maybe just one?” Rhiann asked hopefully.
Roman gently caressed Kelly’s back. She was done. He could sense it. Now wasn’t the time to push this particular issue.
“Let’s leave this for another time, hmm?” He directed his attention to Liam. “As for tomorrow, nothing before lunch, okay? They’re still adjusting to the time change.”
“No sweat,” he answered drily. “Legal will do what they’re told when they’re told.”
His little lover continued to surprise him when she became the perfect hostess and said all the right things as Liam and Rhiann gathered their coats and strolled toward the elevator vestibule.
They held hands as they walked along.
“I’m glad we did this,” she told them. “Matty found the fight club detour quite amusing.”
Liam groaned. “God, sorry about that.”
There was more friendly banter, and then Kelly got in a parting shot. He very nearly fucked her brains out while pinning her to the wall when her ballsy inner bitch had the last word.
Offering her hand, she fixed her older brother with a classic Kelly James sneer and said, “Nice meeting you. I think you’re a dick.”
Rhiann burst out laughing, and Liam shook his sister’s hand with comical vigor. “I AM a dick! Thank god we got that out of the way straight off.”
The elevator came and as their company started taking their leave Roman began laughing.
“What’s so funny dickhead?” Liam’s asked with an arched brow sneer.
He snorted, offered Kelly a wink and then gave Liam a healthy dose of cheeky snarkasm. “Ever use that fancy pool table you’ve got?”
“Not really,” Liam replied.
“He has a pool table? Kelly asked with a real laugh.
“That he does,” Roman answered.
“Aw, this is gonna be great,” Kelly chuckled.
As the elevator doors whooshed shut, Liam said, “Why do I feel like I’m being set up for something?”
He and Kelly laughed like hell and went arm in arm back to the apartment.