by Ciana Stone
Apparently that just wasn't in the cards for him.
Bullshit. He heard the echo of his father's voice in his mind. You got what you've always wanted right in front of you, son. Don't be a fool and drive her away.
Is this the way it's going to be? Would he now be counseled from beyond the grave? That thought made him shake his head slightly. Maybe so. He was, as he'd always heard, a chip off the old block.
Russell was like his father. Born to the life of stewardship, the guardian of Heritage, he loved his life and wouldn't have it any other way. Richard, on the other hand, was destined to walk a path of his own and Russell believed his brother had chosen well.
As far as Russell was concerned, the word honor should be accompanied in the dictionary with a photo of his brother. Richard embodied the spirit of integrity and honor and sincerely wanted to serve his country.
Despite his family's pride in him, Sharon had insisted on believing they saw her as the reason he'd chosen politics over ranching. Nothing any of them said had ever made a difference in the way she thought, and there'd reached a time when they'd stopped trying.
Russell supposed it was fair to say none of the family was close with Sharon, but she wasn't the warmest person. Brilliant, ambitious and beautiful, she'd climbed the ladder of success to become Deputy Director of the Justice Department, a position that carried weight and a heavy responsibility.
Russell watched her leave the room and then turned his attention to Richard. "I'm guessing there's something you want to discuss?"
Just then Mace walked into the room.
"I thought you went home with Nash?" Russell looked up at him.
"I need to talk with you, Dad. Now."
"I'll leave you to it," Richard said.
"No, please, stay," Mace said.
"Then sit down and have at it, son."
"Thanks." Mace sat and told Russell what they'd talked about at Nash's and the points Naomie made about Robert's murder and the case against Kal. Russell didn't interrupt and waited for Mace to finish before he spoke.
"I think Cici should take the advice about hiring experts."
"And the other?" Mace asked.
"May I comment?" Richard asked.
"Please," Russell encouraged.
"She makes some strong points, Russ. I didn't realize Burton was attempting such an ambitious project. His resort cities have made billions, but this–well, to be honest, this is the kind of thing that if successful, puts a state on the map. And puts power into the hands of people who back it."
"Meaning you're suddenly interested?"
"People have been elected for less, brother."
"Amen to that, but our hands are tied. We have to be impartial. This is our dad, Rich. And he was murdered."
"Yes, and I want the guilty party punished as much as you, but if Burton is innocent and we're portrayed as persecuting him before he's convicted, it looks bad for the entire family."
Russell wondered if that translated into it could blowback on Rich and his ambition and immediately felt remorse. Rich wasn't that self-serving. "Then what do you suggest?"
"We need to consider Naomie's suggestion. What connects us to Burton and why would someone come after both of us at once? What is there to be gained?"
Russell considered it, nodded and looked at Mace. "Are Cici and Amber at Nash's?"
"Yeah, I think they decided to crash there. I promised to check in with Bailey, so I'm going to head over as soon as I drop Naomie off at her cottage."
"Naomie's here?"
"No, she's waiting in the truck."
"Ask her to come in, son and then take off. I'll make sure she gets home. You don't want to keep Bailey up too late waiting on you."
"Are you sure? I don't mind."
"I'm positive."
"In that case, I'll say goodnight. It was good to see you, Uncle Richard. Shame it took Gramps dying to get you here for a visit."
Russell noticed the pique that appeared on Richard's face at Mace's words, but to his credit he said nothing. Once he and Richard were alone, Richard spoke. "I hope Cici's less of a handful for you than Amber is for us."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning I don't know where she is half the time and when she is around, she's like–like a stranger. I don't even know her anymore, Russ, and sometimes it feels like she just tolerates her mother and me."
"She's young. Trying to find her place. Be patient."
"Is that how you are with Cici?"
Russell barked a laugh. "That girl could try the patience of a saint, but she's damn good at what she does, and I'm trying to learn to let her live her own life and not give advice. After all, it's old news that I haven't had a lot of success when it comes to love and marriage."
"That's because you always pick a woman you know you'll get tired of or one you can walk away from without being hurt."
"Oh, so that's my problem, is it?"
"It always has been, brother. But, like Dad said the last time we talked, life just might have given you another chance. If you've got the balls to claim it."
The last thing Russell wanted was to get into a discussion about his love life. They'd just buried their father, and his daughter was headed to court tomorrow to fight for a man who might be charged with murder.
A tap on the doorframe had both men turning. Naomie stood just outside the door. "Mace said for me to come in."
"Yeah, he's headed over to Bailey's, so I'll take you home," Russell answered.
"I can walk."
"I know you can, but I'd rather drive you."
"Fine. I'll wait on the front porch. Senator Walker, it was an honor to see you, sir. And your wife. Have a safe flight home."
"Thank you, Dr. Taylor." Richard stood and walked over to take her hand. "And thank you for what you said. About our father."
"He was my friend, sir. I loved him."
"That's quite clear, but thank you, nonetheless. I hope we meet again."
"As do I.."
Richard nodded, and Naomie turned and headed back the way she came. Richard looked back at Russell. "I'll see you in the morning before we leave."
"Yep. Sleep well."
"You, too."
Russell walked outside and found Naomie sitting on the steps, looking up at the night sky. He sat beside her. "What're you looking for?"
"I don’t know. Something to make me feel better?" She turned to look at him. "I'm so sad, Russ. Can you take the sad away?"
The fact she'd used his name told him a lot. Naomie wasn't a woman who complained about life, shirked responsibility, felt sorry for herself, gave in to fear or failed to meet a challenge head-on. She didn't ask for anything of him for herself and the fact that she had now, told him he hadn't realized just how affected she was by his father's death.
But how could she not be? She was there, trying to breathe life into Robert and fighting to keep him alive as he drew his final breath.
"I'm sorry you were there, Naomie. To see him go."
"I'm sorry I couldn't save him. I should have been able to."
"You can't solve all the problems and save everyone."
She nodded and looked away, and for a while neither of them spoke or moved and when she did speak it was barely above a whisper. "Would you do something for me?"
"Yes."
"Cici needs you with her tomorrow. She needs all of you. Would you please go to the arraignment?"
"That's not something for you. You're always asking for things for others. You mask it as something you want, but the truth is, it's never really for you."
"Sure, it is."
"Really? Well, let's see. You wanted me to go into business with Wiley and Reese."
"Yes. We have to save the–"
"Yeah, I know. Save the pollinators. Create artificial ones if we can't save enough. But that wasn’t for you, was it?"
"Of course, it was. I want to live and none of us will if there's no food."
"Okay, how about wanting me to hire Nancy
to plant the windmill and solar fields? That was for you?"
"Yes, she's a nice lady, and she wants to help, and this helps us attract and raise more bees."
"Well, how about Bailey Strong?"
"She's a big help to me."
"Naomie, come on – look me in the eye and tell me that any of those things were really for you."
Her gaze locked with his without hesitation. "They were."
"Fine. I won't argue, and I will go to the arraignment. But–" He put his index finger to her lips as she opened her mouth. "Only if you ask me for something that's just for you."
"Okay. Take me home and hold me tonight so we can grieve together. I don't want to be alone."
He stood and offered his hand.
*****
Mace tapped lightly on Bailey's door. It was nearly midnight. She might already be asleep. He hoped not. Today had been awful. Emotions ran high, grief mixing with anger into what he feared would end up an explosive brew.
It concerned him for everyone, but mostly Cici. She wasn't a woman to fall in love easily, nor was she the kind of woman to hide from the truth. She believed in Kal's innocence and his arrest on top of their grandfather's murder was taking a toll. He could see the strain, the dark circles beneath her eyes and the tension in her body as if she were barely holding herself in check.
Then there was what Naomie said. That was what clinched it for Mace. Naomie made sense, and he was a little ashamed none of the rest of them had thought of it.
The door opened, and Bailey smiled at him, her eyes heavy with sleep, letting him know he had wakened her. He tried not to notice the t-shirt that hit her high on her thighs.
"I'm sorry. I'll go."
"No," she reached out to take his hand. "Please, come in."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He walked in, and she quietly closed the door before turning and wrapping her arms around him to hug tight. "I've been thinking about you all night. How is Mrs. DeLyn and how about your Dad?"
"Gigi's…I don't know how to describe it. Lost. Broken. Like one of those kid's balloons filled with helium, that gets away and is pushed by whatever breeze comes along, unable to steer its own course. I worry about her, how she'll cope."
"Come on, let's sit." She led him to the sofa. "Don't you think she can take care of herself? I got the impression she's pretty capable and strong."
"It's not that. I just don't know how you live when the person you've loved since you were a teenager is suddenly gone."
"Was she that young when they met?" She snuggled up beside him, and he wrapped one arm around her.
"She was seventeen when she started taking care of my dad and my uncle. A senior in high school. They were married a month after she turned twenty."
"Wow, I didn't realize they'd been together that long. Is there anything I can do?"
"No, but thank you. And I'm sorry I couldn't spend more time with you today. With my Uncle and his family here, there was a bit more pressure to hang around."
"I completely understand," she drew back to look up at him. "You're always thinking of everyone else."
"That's not true."
"Yes, it is. You put everyone else ahead of yourself."
"I'm not that good."
"Yes, you are Mace. I've never known anyone as kind and giving. But sometimes you need to let others give and comfort you."
"I don't want you to think of me as some needy guy who–"
"Stop." She put her fingers to his lips. "That's not how I see you at all."
"No? Then how do you see me?"
He was shocked when she stood, peeled her t-shirt up and let it fall to the floor. Mace had imagined this a hundred times, and damn if it wasn't better in person than in all his dreams.
"What are you doing?" He asked, not wanting to assume anything.
"Showing you how I see you. Don't you get it, Mace? You're not just a man who's kind and compassionate, generous and caring. You're the sexiest man I've ever known, and I've been waiting so long for you to touch me, but since you won't take the first step, I will."
"You want...?"
"I want your hands and mouth on me, I want you inside me. I want you, Mace. More than I've ever wanted anything."
"Bailey." He stood and pulled her into his arms. Their lips met in a heated kiss, and her hands began working at his belt. Mace wasn’t sure how he ended up naked so fast, but within moments his clothes were scattered on the floor.
"God, almighty, Mace," Bailey ran her hands up over his torso and chest, clasped them behind his neck, and pressed against him, lifting one leg to curl it around his body.
That was the fuel to a fire already threatening to burn out of control. Mace sat with her in his lap.
"We'll do this slow next time," she said as she rose up enough to take him in her hand and guide him inside her. "But right now, I need you in me."
She'd get no argument from him. Everything else fell away. There was just the two of them, sharing this moment. The sun would rise in the morning, and he'd face whatever was to come, but tonight he had her, and suddenly he realized just how much he'd wished for this.
Mace wasn't a man to turn a blind eye to a blessing and sure as he breathed, Bailey was just that. His blessing.
Chapter Four
"I'm guessing Mace told you what we discussed while we were at Nash's?" Naomie asked as she and Russell walked along in the moonlight, hand-in-hand.
"He did."
"And?"
"And once again, you make sense. To be honest, it struck me as out of character for Kal to be responsible for Dad's death. What happened can only bring him harm. Even if he's found innocent, his reputation will take a hit. People love to cast blame."
"Indeed. So, if it's not Kal, then who?"
"I wish I knew. We'll put our heads together in a day or so and take a look at everyone who has a bone to pick with us, and maybe we can get Kal to do the same and see if any names come up on both lists."
"And if they don't?"
"Then I don't know."
"Well, there has to be a way to figure it out."
"And you'll figure out what that way is?" He gave her hand a squeeze.
She looked up at him. "I'll damn sure try."
"I have no doubt. Changing the subject, did you know Mace was going over to Bailey's tonight?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"And what? They're adults."
"Do you think he's moving too fast? I mean to start the sleeping over thing."
"You mean like us?"
"It's not the same."
"Actually, it is. He's spent the night a few times, but they haven't had sex."
She could tell the revelation surprised Russell. "Still, it might be too fast."
"I disagree. He's known her long enough to figure out if he's truly interested, and maybe it's time they got physical."
"What makes you say that?"
"Stop acting like a fuddy-duddy. You're too young for that. And you know why. If the sex is no good, the relationship is over before it starts."
"You think sex is that important?"
"Don’t you?"
"I suppose I did. Once upon a time."
"But not now? Seriously?"
"Sex isn't the most important part of a relationship."
"I didn't say it was the most important part."
"But you think it's important, nonetheless."
"Well, of course I do, and so do you, even if you won't admit it." Naomie walked up the steps of her cottage. "Want to sit outside or go in?"
"We can sit out here for a bit. And I just don't want him getting into something that will end up being a problem."
"For him or you?"
"Either. Both." Russell sat, and she toed off her shoes and sat beside him, curling her legs beneath her.
"Well, I don't think it will," she said. "Bailey and Mace will figure things out, and if they don't end up wanting to make a commitment, they'll agree to be friend
s and move on."
"You think it's that easy?"
"Sure, why shouldn't it be?"
"Is that how it's been for you?"
"Yes."
"So, how many men have you been involved with?"
"Two."
"Just two?"
"Yes. And two girls."
"Girls?"
"You seem surprised," she bit back the smile trying to surface over his shock.
"Well, I guess I am. I didn't know you were–you know."
"No, what?"
"That you like men and women."
"Oh, you mean bi-sexual? I'm not. Not really. I'm more try-sexual."
"Tri as in three?"
"Try as in, try it and if you don't like it, move on. I tried guys, and it was good, but then I tried girls, and that was good too. But neither relationship lit a fire inside me, so I moved on from both."
"And you ended up friends with both of them? The women?"
"Yes, good friends."
"And these women, if you ran into one today, it wouldn't be awkward?"
"You tell me. Are Reese and I uncomfortable around one another?"
This time his surprise was enough to make her chuckle. "Reese? You and Reese? The Reese I'm in business with?"
"Yes, that one."
"Jesus, Naomie."
"What? She's hot, and for a minute we were hot together, but we made better friends than lovers, and both of us were more into men."
"Then what makes women appealing?"
"Women have an instinct about how to touch a female body. What kind of touch, kiss, lick or bite feels good."
"So, it's all about the oral sex?"
"Not entirely, but that's a big part of it."
"So, vaginal sex isn't that important?"
"Oh, it's important. And why I didn't end up with a woman."
"I see. So how long has it been since you were in a relationship?"
"Three years."
"Was that with a woman?"
"No, it was a man."
"Can I ask about him?"
"Sure."
"Okay, so I'm asking. What was he like?"
"He was brilliant. Powerful, charismatic, wealthy and criminally charming."
"Criminally?"
"Well, it should have been."
"Did you love him?"
"I thought I did."
"What happened?"
"He turned out to be someone who liked to hurt people. Hurt and abuse and debase. He wanted to make me a possession."