Book Read Free

Craving Justice (Sons of Sydney Book 1)

Page 23

by Fiona Archer


  Adam frowned as something akin to awkwardness made him shuffle on his stool. “It’s nothing.”

  But there was no brushing off Zach. “That’s Adam. He’s a real sweetie.” A flash of white teeth gleamed through his dark, trimmed beard.

  Adam reciprocated with a forceful display of his middle finger above Milly’s head.

  “What’s in the basket, gorgeous?” Heath asked, leaning a hip against the counter.

  “Today you guys get Chocolate Bourbon Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing.” She went silent as five huge men stared at her like they were about to rip the basket out of her hands. “Plus candy apple cupcakes with toffee frosting for Milly.”

  “Jesus.” Seth lifted a hand to pull back the checkered tea towel, revealing the treats stacked in a clear top container. “You didn’t tell me what you made.”

  “I said I’d made cupcakes.”

  “I was thinking something pink with sprinkles.”

  She rolled her eyes and hefted the basket onto the counter before sending a warning glance to all the men. “Can I trust you guys not to eat them before the main meal?”

  “As an officer of the law, I’ll take custody of the cupcakes and ensure their safety.” Heath grabbed the basket and placed it at the far end of the counter. Something about the gleam in his eyes indicated the safety of said cupcakes was far from guaranteed.

  Milly, for one, was not reassured. “Don’t forget some of them are mine, Uncle Heath.”

  “Gotcha, kiddo.” He chuckled as he saluted his niece.

  Dillon passed Harper a glass of wine. She thanked him and glanced at the tray on the counter. “That’s a lot of steak. I thought you Aussies cooked shrimp on the barbie.”

  Seth’s expression turned grave with mock disappointment. “It’s prawns, sweetness, not shrimp.” He nodded his thanks to Dillon as he accepted a can of beer. “And most Aussies wouldn’t be caught dead grilling prawns. They dry out too quick.”

  She pressed her lips together at the seriousness of Seth’s tone.

  And he wasn’t finished. “And besides, we’re men. Men eat steak at a barbie.”

  Heath gestured toward a bowl where chicken breasts marinated in a brown sauce. “We weren’t sure what you’d prefer to eat. I grabbed some chicken. It’s Milly’s favorite.”

  “Thanks, Heath. I’m happy with either.”

  “So are you going to go grill this meat or what?” Zach challenged Heath.

  “Grilling’s an art form, it can’t be rushed.” Heath lifted up the tray and bottle of oil and moved out onto the deck, followed by Dillon who held the chicken, a roll of foil, and some tongs.

  “You place meat on a hot surface and, after a while, turn it again. Some art form.” Zach muttered.

  Harper missed Heath’s reply as her body started to lose some of the tension that had held her muscles stiff.

  This is what had been missing during her first encounter with all the brothers. The banter, the usual back and forth stuff between siblings, like she’d seen in other families. Last time the air had crackled with tension. Understandable under the circumstances.

  And while now they weren’t falling into each other’s arms or posing for a Norman Rockwell painting, they were at least talking to each other as a family would.

  But how open were those lines of communication? Did Seth’s brothers know how he viewed the sale of Shazad as a testament to his self-worth? Had they unconsciously fed into the mindset in some way? He’d mentioned his pride in that, after the sale, he’d be able to pay each brother back their initial investment in his company, plus more. Maybe the guys had mentioned their outlay in such a way that Seth thought he was beholden? Was it fair she’d even posed that question?

  A heavy feeling in her belly told her his brothers either had no clue or, at best, didn’t fully appreciate Seth’s view of his value to his family. What would these men say if they knew the truth?

  For sure it wasn’t her place to say anything. This was family business.

  And with Lincoln’s arrival, hadn’t that family just expanded, whether Seth liked it or not?

  Over the next two hours, Harper got to chat and laugh with the Justice boys, discovering Zach’s sense of humor was even dryer than Seth’s, and that Heath was a neat freak—a fact she discovered when Adam accidently knocked over a stack of Heath’s muscle car magazines and the detective straightened up Adam’s haphazardly restacked pile. Needless to say, his brothers ribbed him about his need for order with the kind of merciless zeal expected of kin. Dillon was as easy-going as she’d encountered at the café and, along with Seth, drew her into conversation when the topic strayed from something she was familiar with. All the men looked out for Milly but didn’t fuss over her. The munchkin sat between Harper and her Uncle Dillon, with whom she entered into a detailed discussion on the solar system and planets, one of Dillon’s hobbies that currently fascinated Milly.

  For his part, Seth acted as the perfect conduit between Harper and the other guys, although she noted, as time went on, he gave her more room to stretch herself as she gained confidence. Yet, all the time she was making inroads, one brother stayed quieter than the others, his gaze watchful as he scrutinized her every action and word. As the first hour ticked over into the second, Harper wondered what it would take for Adam to lower his guard enough to see her as a person who was developing deep feelings for Seth and not as a threat.

  ****

  Seth glanced over his shoulder back to the open kitchen area. Harper was busy stacking the dishwasher with Heath and laughing over something his brother had said. Lunch was over. Now he, Dillon, Zach and Adam were sitting on Heath’s back deck and chilling. Milly was watching Frozen in the living room and eating one of her cupcakes. He had to seize the moment with Harper out of earshot.

  He turned back and asked Adam, “Have you heard more from Tollison?”

  “He rang last night, so I updated him on Lincoln’s arrival.” At Seth’s nod, Adam continued. “Dane’s been digging deeper, checking into more of Fox’s associates. Seems Harper’s Dad has entered into a business arrangement with some Russians.”

  Zach’s gaze narrowed. “As in the Russian mob.”

  “Not on the surface.” Adam stretched out his legs. “But if you dig deep enough you’ll find a connection.”

  “What’s the business?” Dillon asked.

  “A nightclub.” Adam twisted his mouth. “Which makes no sense.”

  Seth agreed. “What’s Dane’s take on Fox’s involvement?”

  “He’s laundering money for others and taking the associated risk, which means those who gave Fox his orders wield a shitload of power.”

  Seth’s immediate thought was how Fox’s actions could hurt Harper. “They’re threatening him somehow, or promised him a fortune in money or power. He wouldn’t take that risk for no reason.” Surely whoever this group was had done their homework, knew Fox wasn’t close to Harper. Threatening his wife or Sienna made better sense as a way to keep Fox in line. Or was the threat held over Fox related to his business empire? Sad to say that was more believable for Seth. “Does Tollison now know who Fox’s working for?”

  Adam’s expression hardened. “Dane’s found what he believes is the mother cell. Old school tie brigade. Think Ivy League college and a secret society of old boys. They’re spread out across the US. Their Seattle operations are one branch within a mighty tree.”

  “Fuck,” Zach muttered, his gaze on Seth. “And you stumbled into the middle of this mess.” At Seth’s indrawn breath, he raised a hand. “Brother, I’m not laying blame. Just stating you got caught up in some seriously bad timing.”

  “Speaking of amazing feats of timing,” Adam opened his laptop and clicked some keys. “Lincoln Harris. Age twenty-seven and ten months. Australian Special Air Services Regiment. Rank of Sergeant. Expertise: Sniper. Recently returned from a mission in Afghanistan. Currently on leave.”

  So Lincoln had been telling the truth, at least in terms of his military service. �
��Do I want to know how you accessed his personal information?”

  “No.” Adam typed in more information. “His story on your grandparents checks out. He joined the army close to his eighteenth birthday. He’s single. No dependents. Good credit score. Doesn’t own any property. Makes sense, considering he has to be ready to leave for duty at a moment’s notice.”

  “What’s your read on him, Seth?” Dillon leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

  “My gut instinct tells me Lincoln’s telling the truth about our grandparents. Grandpa would have stolen Lincoln’s money without a second thought. Gran blackmailing a little kid under the pretext she’d let me return fits perfectly with the evil’s bitch’s form.” His insides burned at how she’d twisted Lincoln to suit her needs. He glanced down at his lap, unable to take the pity he saw in his brothers’ gazes. “But it’s Lincoln’s turning up when everything’s kicking off that worries me.”

  “You think he could be behind the posts?” Dillon’s hazel eyes grew wide. “Wouldn’t he be better off trying to get in your good books? Play the long-lost brother card? What would he hope to gain by attacking you?”

  “Jealousy.” Adam said matter-of-factly. “Seth’s about to cash in selling Shazad. Lincoln’s got a healthy bank account, but we’re talking enough for a large house deposit, not millions of dollars. He’s been alone for years while Seth had brothers.”

  “Maybe.” Seth lifted his face to the sun and closed his eyes. Could the culprit be his brother? Then he remembered what Lincoln had shared. He looked over at Adam. “But when was his opportunity? Wasn’t he on a mission when this started?”

  “That’s if he didn’t get someone to do the work for him. Don’t forget his self-confessed contacts.” Adam shut his laptop. “Dillon’s pulled apart your company’s server in his attempts to track the ISPs on those posts. No luck. It’s a never-ending maze of multiple hosts around the globe. Whoever did this is skilled. I’m not talking some teenage hacker sitting in his room eating microwaved pizza pockets and sculling Red Bull.”

  “True.” He knew that. Seth wanted to kick himself.

  “Nobody has an alibi,” Dillon stated. “Fox could have been having heart bypass surgery, but that wouldn’t mean he didn’t hire the hacker.”

  They all remained quiet for a minute, caught up in that somber thought. Harper and Heath’s voices grew louder as they walked toward the guys.

  “Hey, sweetness.” He put out his hand and snagged hers as she sat in the chair next to his.

  “Hi, handsome. You caught up with the guys?” Her open smile let not only Seth, but his brothers know Harper had guessed they’d needed time alone. The conversation had moved on from Tollison. No need to exclude her further. Seth understood including Harper in all other family matters would send a subtle message to his brothers.

  “Yes. We’re discussing Lincoln.” He switched his gaze to the group in general. “Where do we go from here?”

  “Wait for Lincoln to contact you again.” Heath sat in the empty chair between Zach and Dillon. “He’s SASR. Not the type of guy to come all this way and turn tail when ordered by you. He’s going to fight for what he wants.”

  “And what’s that?” Seth wanted to think it was some kind of brotherly relationship, because the alternative to that would be, what? An attack, as Adam suggested?

  “No idea. But we’ll find out soon enough.” Heath rested his elbows on the arms of the chair and studied Seth. “I can’t believe you asked him to give you time.”

  Seth’s body went rock solid. Harper’s hand tensed in his grip, while Dillon straightened in his chair.

  “Heath.” Zach’s deep voice sounded a warning.

  “I’m not trying to be a prick. I’m saying this guy came a long way, sucked up his fears and approached his big brother.” Heath met Seth’s angry stare with a level look. “If you hadn’t been a victim of those posts, and therefore removing any suspicion regarding Lincoln, would you have still told him to back off?”

  “I don’t know.” Seth answered honestly. “I’m guessing I’d still need time to get my head around everything.”

  “There’s my point,” Heath said in a quiet voice. “You can’t guarantee you’re not holding back because of what happened with your grandparents.”

  Seth felt the muscle tic in his jaw. “You’re shitting me?”

  “Man, this isn’t helping.” Dillon scowled at Heath.

  “Guys, let’s take a breath, okay?” Harper pleaded.

  But Seth wasn’t backing down. “Easy for you to judge,” he fired back at Heath. “You don’t have any siblings from your previous life ready to haunt you.”

  The cop’s eyes hardened to icy-blue chips. “Bit hard since my family died in a car accident.”

  Seth should have felt a stab of guilt, but he couldn’t stop. As if each lash he laid into Heath’s flesh somehow assuaged his own pain. “Then cut me some slack, arsehole.”

  Harper gripped his arm. “Honey, don’t do this.” Concern masked her face.

  Seth wanted to reassure her, kiss her forehead, and say what she wanted to hear, but he couldn’t let this go. Heath’s words festered inside him.

  Zach intervened. “Heath, you’re trying to help Seth but for the wrong reasons.”

  Everyone’s gaze landed on Zach, including Heath’s, who glared at his brother. “What?”

  “You want him to make the most of his second chance,” Zach said in a calm voice, but it was the sadness in his gaze that had everyone quiet. “The one you’ll never have with your own family. You’re not thinking if it’s right for Seth, but on the fact you’d do anything to be in his shoes.”

  Heath flinched, his face going pale under his tan.

  Seth held his breath. Jesus, he hadn’t thought…but Zach’s words made perfect sense.

  Except Heath wasn’t about to admit anything. “So now you’re the wise man handing out advice?”

  Zach tilted his head back to the sky and let out a heavy sigh. “No, man, and I’m not going to do this tit-for-tat shit that happens each time we’re all together.”

  Seth felt Harper’s fingers tighten on his arm, but he couldn’t take his gaze off Zach. The big gruff bastard was right. The passive/aggressive point scoring they’d been playing for years now had gouged defensive lines in their relationships as brothers. Created distance. Created distrust.

  Dillon crossed his arms over his chest. “Then let’s clear the air. Get this sorted once and for all, especially since we need to be united against whomever is trying to tear us down.”

  Not in front of Harper. Seth sliced a warning look at Dillon. “Now’s not the time.” Things could get ugly fast if they all unleashed on each other.

  “When then?” Dillon glanced at Harper. “Honey, you’re seeing us at our worst. But if you’re going to have a future with Seth, that’s probably a good thing. Get the ugly over with and work out if you want to stick around.”

  Harper fidgeted in her chair. “I don’t think—”

  “Shut up, Dillon. You’re talking out of your arse.” Adam slugged back the last of his beer.

  Dillon snorted. “Whereas you’re the expert at not sticking around.”

  Seth closed his eyes. Now things were getting ugly.

  “Meaning?” Adam’s voice had gone dangerously soft.

  “Nothing,” Dillon muttered.

  “No, you don’t get to play that shit with me.” Adam slowly rose to his feet and glared down at Dillon. “This is about Aurora, isn’t it? I left before she died, and you think I was a coward, couldn’t hack watching her suffer.” He turned and roved his angry gaze over all assembled. “You all think that.”

  “I don’t think you’re a coward, Adam.” That was true. Seth was still pissed his brother left when the going got tough, but he guessed Adam had his reasons. He could have claimed compassionate leave, but instead he’d gone back to his base. For a man who’d never run from a fight, Adam’s retreat made no sense.

  “Dillon, you’ve go
t it all wrong,” Zach said.

  “Christ, Zach,” Dillon’s face twisted with anger. “He could commit murder, and you’d stick by him.”

  Zach didn’t blink. “Absolutely.”

  Dillon threw his arms out wide. “Why?”

  “Because a long time ago, he took my back when nobody else would.” Zach spoke in a deep voice, his face free of anger. The bastard’s composure stood in stark contrast to everyone else’s around him. “And he’s done the same for every man here. Even you, Dillon. He saved your life, for fuck’s sake.”

  Zach stood and fixed an unflinching stare on each brother in turn. “This is what we’ve become? Five men tearing each other apart? What would Aurora think if she could see us now? Her boys? Acting like a bunch of hormonal bitches verbally slapping each other.” He faced Adam. “Tell them.”

  Adam’s jaw clenched so hard, Seth thought it would crack. “No.”

  “Too proud?” Zach scoffed. “You’ll take the punches, walk away and lick your wounds in private?” He faced the others. “Aurora told him to go. She knew he was needed elsewhere, that he could make a difference doing his job as part of his team, whereas he couldn’t prolong her life.”

  Seth swallowed. That was so like Aurora. Generous. Unselfish. But why the secrecy? “Why didn’t she say anything to us?”

  “Because Adam made her promise not to.” Zach frowned at Adam. “I only found out the night after that imposter fucker made those posts. We were staying with Heath, had drunk a few beers. After Heath went to bed, we drank a few more, and Adam shared. Remember this.” He punched the air with his finger. “In agreeing to her wishes, Adam put Aurora first. And I’m guessing she assumed her sons wouldn’t be caught up with resentment after she was gone. And he”—Zach shoved a thumb in Adam’s direction—“didn’t make it any easier with his bullshit manly code of silence.”

  Heath turned his shocked face toward Adam. “I wish you’d told us.”

  “I wished you’d never doubted me.” Adam’s lip curled. “But hey, since now I’m absolved of ditching Aurora, I guess all is well.”

 

‹ Prev