by Caleb Borne
“Will there be anything else?”
“No, not now. I’m going to turn on a movie. Michael will come and get me when he’s ready. Thanks again, okay?”
Louise gave me a thumbs up and left the room. I got so excited, I picked up the phone to give Della a call, but there was already a voice on the line. Surprised, I recognized it as Colin. He sounded just like Michael, but with the heavy accent. He was the only one doing the talking. All I caught was, “Aye, he’s here, just as ye said he’d be. Has me in his guest house, he does. Tryin’ to decide what to do with me. I be bidin’ me time.” There was a click and I realized the call had ended. I hung onto the receiver a few extra seconds to make sure whomever was at the other end had truly hung up and then I gently put the phone in its cradle. Who would Colin be reporting to? What was going on and more to the point, was Michael in some kind of trouble?
I’d always had a huge imagination and it was in full swing then. There was a tap at my door and the handle turned. “May I come in?” It was Michael.
“Sure.”
He shut the door carefully behind himself, looking around my rooms. I realized he’d only been in my part of the house briefly as they were bringing in furniture. Otherwise, it was my domain, just as he’d promised.
“Now then, whatever that conversation was leading up to earlier, let’s put an end to it. I have to be able to trust you, Katie.”
I felt as though he was wounded and I got up and went toward him to comfort him, as I would a child. “Oh, Michael, you got my temper up is all. You’re right. I don’t have any right to know all your business and I don’t know why I thought I did. I suppose it might be something I picked up from my mother—that interrogation she always did of Daddy when he came home late. I’m truly sorry.”
He was silent, watching me and I saw relief gradually wash over his face. He came close and reached up, putting one hand on the back of my neck, pulling my head against his chest. “Let’s not ever fight. Can we promise that?”
I nodded against his chest. “I don’t like it, either. I’ve heard enough of it in my life already.”
“Good. Then we have a deal. I’m a businessman, Katie. I don’t discuss my business. Nothing illegal. You have to trust me on that.”
I nodded again. “I do.”
“Can’t speak for the other men, but what they do is their business and it wouldn’t be… healthy… for me to question them. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
I looked up into those black eyes and saw they were filled with concern. “I’m pretty sure I do.”
“It’s not a pretty world, Katie. But you don’t worry, hear?”
“But Michael, if these other men are doing things they shouldn’t, doesn’t that endanger you?”
He chuckled darkly. “You pass bad people every day—you just don’t know it. It’s always out there and it’s easy to fall into. That’s why I’m here with you. To keep you out of trouble. You’re just too innocent, darlin’.”
I nodded again. “I suppose you’re right. To tell you the truth, I’ve seen things that made me wonder, but it wasn’t my place to ask or say anything, so I just kept them to myself.”
“There, see? Okay, enough about that.”
I reached up to kiss him on the cheek, but Michael’s hand found my chin and he tilted my face upward. His lips touched mine tentatively, as though tasting something rare and then they came down hard, his tongue pressing open my teeth as he searched for himself inside me. My own arms went up naturally, my wrists crossing behind his neck as he flattened me against his body. I could feel his hard pressing into my tummy, and it was the first time I’d felt that from a man. It felt strange and yet wonderful at the same time. I felt all woman to know I could elicit that response from him, just by being near. I pulled my mouth away and kissed the soft side of neck, whispering his name.
His arm lowered and he caught me up, carrying me as his eyes shot around the room looking for the bed. “No, no, Michael. We can’t.”
He stopped, his chest heaving from the emotion of the moment. Finally, he spotted the bed but set me down softly, alone. “I know,” he admitted, standing back and running his hand through his hair in exasperation. “God help me, but I want you,” he breathed.
“I trust you to keep our deal,” I reminded him softly.
He turned his back to me, fighting for control. Suddenly he whirled around. “But ye’ll not be with another!” His brogue had returned in the heat of his proclamation.
I shook my head gently. “No, you have my word.”
He nodded, locking eyes. “You have no idea…” was all he could say.
He turned to go.
“Michael?”
He looked over his shoulder, a sheen of perspiration on his brow. I knew he wanted a stiff drink and somewhere to think in private. I suspected he was heading for his office. “Yes?”
“I need to talk to you a minute.”
He gave an exasperated sigh and found a chair, turning to sit with its back against his chest and folding his arms over it. “What is it? I thought we settled all that.”
“We did,” I began, nodding. “But something’s happened since. Michael, that man is obviously your brother. Anyone could tell by looking at him and then, well, his voice…”
He nodded, running a hand through his hair again. “I know; I’ve heard that often enough.”
“So, here’s the thing. I’m lonely for my girlfriends. I’ve never been this far from home.”
“I’m not enough? You can tell me anything.”
“You’re not my girlfriend, Michael. It’s different. Well, anyway, I got this idea to fly out Della, my old roommate. She’d be positively thrilled, and I thought she could stay at a hotel nearby if you don’t want her here. I know how you like your privacy.”
He was watching me. He finally nodded. “This would make you happy?”
“Oh, very. I’m a little homesick and I’d love to show her around and show off your house.”
“Our house.”
“Oh, well, but you see what I’m saying?”
“Just tell me when and I’ll make the arrangements. She’ll stay here, with you.”
I came off the bed and threw my arms around him as he sat. “You’re wonderful! Thank you!” I kissed his cheek and felt the muscle twitching. I had to learn not to be so spontaneous in my shows of affection. I wasn’t doing him any favors, and I knew it.
He stood up, slapping the back of the chair and turning it as he slid it back where it had sat. “So, are we done?”
I shook my head. “No, there’s one more thing and I should have lead with that. Where is Colin?”
His eyes widened, raising his brows. “I put him in the guest quarters, under the lighthouse. Why?”
“Well… okay, so I was pretty sure you’d agree about Della coming and I picked up the phone to call her. But there was someone already on the line. It sounded like you, but with the accent and I realized it was Colin. I know I should have done it, but I listened long enough to hear him say something that caught my attention.”
He frowned darkly. “Colin was on our phone?”
I nodded.
“Do you know who he was talking to?”
I shook my head. “No names mentioned.”
“What did they say?”
“Colin did all the talking and it must have been the tail end of the conversation. He told the person that yes, you were here alright. He said you were trying to figure out what to do with him and he was, ‘bidin’ his time.’” I repeated it exactly as he’d said it.
“Then what?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. That was it. The line went dead.”
Michael gave me a sidelong look as he went to my nightstand and picked up the phone, dialing a single digit. “Operator, there was a call either made to or from this number a few minutes ago. Can you tell me the name or number of the other party?” His face was animated as he listened and then I saw him grit his teeth. He hung up,
unsatisfied.
His face was troubled, and he came forward and took my hands. “Listen to me, Katie. Tomorrow, I’m going to have another phone line put in, just to your room. It’s the only part of the house I know he’ll never be. Never mind the details but Colin isn’t to be trusted. As much as we look and sound alike, he’s just my half-brother. Two years younger than me. We shared a mother. Colin… well, he fell into bad company. Was always a troublemaker and I’ve had my fair share of hell keeping him alive these years. It’s no accident he’s followed me.”
I opened my mouth to ask but he silenced me with another deep kiss. Pressing my head against his chest, he went on. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll kill him first.”
“Oh, Michael…” I began to protest. “Why not just throw our clothes in the car and go back to Kentucky? It’s not worth it to stay here.”
“No. A Quinn never runs from trouble. Besides, you have a dream ahead of you.”
“No, no, it’s nothing if it means you could be hurt.”
“Hush now. I’m going to hire a man to watch over you and the house. Stay in your rooms and lock your doors until he gets here.”
“Michael, this is crazy. If he’s this much trouble, why not call the police and have him arrested as a trespasser? Get rid of him?”
“There’s an old expression, darlin’. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I’ll protect you, don’t worry about that. I’ll make inquiries.”
“There’s a problem, Michael.”
“What problem?” He looked puzzled.
“Remember? Everyone thinks we’re married. What will Colin think if I sleep alone in my own rooms? The word will get out.”
“Damn!”
I thought a moment. “Would you like to put me on a plane back to Louisville? If I’m not here, you won’t worry about me and you can get to the bottom of this as you have to.”
“No! You’re not leaving me.” He paced the room a couple times and then whirled around. “Well, there’s nothing more to be done than this.” Michael took my hand and got down on one knee. “Kathleen O’Hara, would you do me the very great honor of becoming my loving bride?”
I gasped. “Michael! I wasn’t suggesting… Oh, this feels like blackmail!”
He remained on his knee. “Don’t. It’s not. I planned to ask you eventually. I was waiting for you to hate LA. I love you, if you haven’t noticed.”
“Ah… ah… I didn’t see this coming…”
Frowning, he asked, “Does that mean you won’t?”
“Oh, no, of course I will! I do! Yes! Whatever it is you say. Oh, Michael, I really do love you. I’ve known it for a while now.”
He stood up and this time lifted me into a cradle against himself, kissing me. “Thank you, God,” he whispered. “We’ll go out tomorrow and buy you a ring. The sky’s the limit. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this earlier. Of course, you should be wearing a ring.
“Uhhh…”
“What?”
“I can’t say it…”
He lifted my chin and I got the eye stare. “Tell me, what is it?”
“Well… I’m sleeping in here and you’re sleeping somewhere else…”
“You’re right. Get some things.”
“Michael! We can’t – not just like that.”
“Why not? We’re getting married. Who will know?”
“I will know.”
He made an exasperated sound. “Darlin’, everyone we meet, including Colin, thinks we’re married. I swear I won’t touch you until you want me to. Invite your friend as you planned. Tell her we were married just before we left Kentucky. Believe me when I say your mother and father will back us up. We’ll go tomorrow and buy you any ring you want. I’ll get a justice of the peace.”
“I just wanted to be a virgin on my wedding day,” I pouted.
“If that’s what you want, that’s what you’ll be. I have a huge bed. Just sleep on the other half.”
“Are you sure?”
“You are the most important thing in the world to me. Of course, I want you to be happy and to feel honored.”
“Okay. Just a minute. Let me get some things. Hold on, because I’m not sure which room you’re in.”
A few minutes later, Michael and I were sneaking down the hallway like teenagers coming in after curfew. Even Louise had left for the night and it was just the two of us in the house—and then Colin down in the guest house.
Michael’s room was far more masculine than I’d expected. His furnishings were clean lines, almost European, which, after I thought about it, made total sense. The colors were darker shades of green and a sort of brown/black. All his rooms were coordinated, and he showed me to his bedroom.
The bed was the biggest I’d ever seen. Extra long to accommodate his height and so wide that I think a whole family could have slept on it. I took my nightie and went into the bathroom to change and brush my teeth. I’d forgotten my hairbrush, so I used a comb I found in his medicine chest. I came out and he was already under the covers on his side, watching the news on a television set. “Uh, I used your comb, I hope you don’t mind. I forgot my brush.”
“Everything I have is yours.” He came up on one arm. “That’s how marriage works, you know. We share everything.”
I wanted to ask if that meant he’d share his secrets with me, but I held back. I’d just been asked to marry him, and he was granting me everything I needed to preserve the proprieties—the least I could do was pay him the respect of allowing him the privacy he needed to deal with things.
He suddenly jumped out of the bed and came around to my side. “Move over,” he prodded at me and said.
“What? Why?”
“You sleep on my side furthest from the door.”
“I’m fine right here.”
“I’m taking the side to the door.”
“Michael! Is Colin dangerous?”
“Not him, but we never know about his friends.”
“I don’t like this.”
“I’ll have security in place tomorrow. So, scoot over before I have to carry you.”
I did as he said and wriggled down into his side of the mattress. I could smell his aftershave on the pillow—and liked it. A lot. It would be hard not to cuddle up against him in the night. But he was respecting my rules. I fell asleep dreaming of huge diamonds.
Michael
I made a call to Louisville, to an associate who was in the security business. “I need the best,” I told him, and he didn’t question me.
He gave me a number. “He’s your man. Military background but don’t ask questions.”
“It’s how I like it.” The next day Peter Killian was introduced to Katie and was allotted a room in the lower level of the house. I didn’t ask the purpose of all the equipment he brought in. I trusted what I’d heard. I put him in charge of having the phone installed, but just in my bedroom now that Katie was in there with me. I also ordered an intercom system for the house, but not the guest house. I could add that when Colin left.
Colin hadn’t put in an appearance for a day and half. The kitchen was stocked in the guest house; he kept to himself. Peter’s first assignment was to look into Colin’s life, especially his friends. The word coming back was swift.
“I believe Colin should be distanced from you and Mrs. Quinn.”
“I see. And the basis for your recommendation?”
“He is over-extended and to people who don’t let things go. I believe he’s been tracking you since not long after you moved to Louisville. I have reason to believe he’s been trading on your name and now is being pressured to make good. Removing him from the premises and adding security to the entrance gate would be a wise move.”
“Do it. I don’t care how, just do it.”
“Yes, sir!”
Killian was back in my office later that afternoon. “Sir, your brother has disappeared.”
“What do you mean? Did he fall into the ocean or are you saying he’s
off playing with his friends?”
“At this point, sir, I can’t give you an honest answer. The guest house was left a fucking mess. There was a struggle; things are knocked over and broken, including windows with the glass on the inside.”
“How the hell did this happen without you being aware of it?”
“Sir, I believe it happened before I was on staff; perhaps even the first night he was here.”
I drew in my breath. Damn that Colin! Katie heard him on the phone. The son-of-a-bitch opened the door and invited them in!
“Secure the property—now!”
“Yes, sir!”
Katie must have heard the shouting. I heard her light tap on my office door. “Michael?”
“Come in.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Colin has gone missing and the guest house is wrecked, according to Killian.”
“Oh, god, no! Is he…? I mean out there all by himself…”
“I have no idea. Stay in the house until I have things figured out.”
“You told me to let you know; Della is flying out tomorrow. Her plane lands at 4:15 on American.”
“I don’t suppose you could re-schedule. It’s not a good time.”
“Oh, I’d hate to do that to her. She’s all excited. But I suppose I can.” She closed the door behind herself and I felt like shit. I knew I’d let her down; I hadn’t done my job. I’d make it up to her.
Katie tapped on the door again and opened it. “No answer. She might have gone to stay with a friend who will drive her to the airport, I don’t know.”
“Shit!”
Katie jumped.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. It’s not your fault. Listen, I’m calling for a couple of bungalows at The Beverly. You and your friend will be taken there to stay until I get things straightened out.”
She nodded. “Whatever you say.” I could tell she was stung. It was safer for her to be out of the house for the short term. I’d have Killian assign someone to watch the girls at the Beverly Hotel.
Killian was back in my office. “Sir, do you want the local authorities alerted?”