The Bailey Brothers Box Set- the Complete Trilogy

by Melissa Devenport

  As if by coincidence, there was a knocking on the door and Rachel looked up to see her uncle standing there with his usual serious demeanor apparent on his face. John Evans had always wanted to be a lawyer and was the object of admiration in Rachel’s life. After seeing her uncle succeed she had known she was going to follow in his footsteps, regardless of her parent’s disapproval. She knew deep down, her uncle cared about her. But even after the deaths of her parents, he was devoid of emotion. John would never be seen in anything but a suit and today was no different as he was dressed in an expensive gray one paired with perfectly polished black shoes.

  “How are you settling in? I’ve seen you’ve got your office cleaned up. I must say the last man I had in here seemed to be an unorganized mess. One of the reasons I let him go. Just as well for you that a space conveniently freed up after you passed your bar exam. Everyone treating you okay here?”

  Rachel could hear his voice tinted with concern, but as usual his emotions were kept thoroughly in check.

  He would be brilliant at poker with a face like that.

  “Everything is fine, thank you for asking, uncle. I got that filing done yesterday like you asked me to. Maybe today I might be able to look at a case?” she looked hopeful.

  “As you know, we are very selective about which clients we take on and right now we have nothing suitable for someone of your experience to take on. Until then, maybe you can help Maria at reception with some of her administration duties?”

  Rachel felt her face heat up.

  I’ve worked relentlessly for years to get where I am today. I am one of the youngest lawyers in the state, because I devoted my entire childhood and teenage years studying. My parents died while I was in law school and I only stayed off for a week to attend the funeral. I always did my very best to pursue my dreams. And what are you giving me? Reception work and filing duties?

  “Sure uncle, I’ll go help Maria now,” Rachel bowed her head and stood up.

  Her uncle nodded and headed back to his office, unknowing of Rachel’s raging pulse. She wanted to bang on his door and demand she be taken seriously. If the Evans firm was so prestigious and the lawyers only selected on their high skills, why was she being treated like a child? Rachel knew she had earned her spot at her uncle’s firm, not through association, but through hard work and the highest results from her exams.

  Rachel closed her door behind her as she headed towards reception. Maria lifted her head up from where she was staring at the computer screen and smiled knowingly at the newcomer. Rachel was pretty sure that everyone at the firm was already aware of how her uncle was treating her and that only flamed the fuel of embarrassment even further. After talking to Maria, Rachel found herself back in the archive room filing as she had been yesterday. She wondered what Alyssa would think seeing her back in.

  I know exactly what she’d think. She’d tell me to grow a pair and stand up to my uncle. If he doesn’t give me a case and treat me with respect then I should just pack up and go. She’s right, nearly every other firm would be chewing at the bit to have someone like me with my grades. I don’t need to be treated like a child just because I’m related to the old bastard.

  As she was angrily fuming and filing, she didn’t notice the door open behind her and someone slip in. It wasn’t until she turned around with a handful of papers she did notice her uncle. She slammed directly into him, sending the documents scattering everywhere. Rachel groaned inside, she was going to have to deal with reorganizing them all later.

  “Rachel, something has come up. Can you come talk to me in my office?” his voice was strained as he tried to regain his breath from where she had bumped into him in the chest.

  “Sure, I’ll be right there. Let me just pick up…”

  “No, leave this for Maria. I require your assistance urgently. I have a case for you.”

  The words made Rachel’s heart flutter in her chest. It was finally her time to shine. She was so excited, she almost tripped over herself, as she followed her uncle out of the archive room and across the building to his office.

  Her uncle obviously had the biggest office in the firm and he had spared no expense on its décor. All his furniture was made from a dark mahogany with cream upholstery. His desk was polished and gleaming as she sat down. Behind him was a large cabinet with glass panes, so you could peek inside and see glimpses of his leather bound law books and crystal decanter. Everything in his office oozed of wealth and decadence. She always felt herself draw in her limbs when she entered the room, afraid she might accidentally break something that cost a fortune.

  “I’m assigning you a case but it is a highly-sensitive matter and I need you to treat it with the utmost secrecy and skill. I haven’t always been completely honest with you or your parents on how the firm got to how it is today. How I can afford all this,” he waved his hands around, gesturing at the expensive furniture around him.

  Rachel felt wary of what was to follow, but nodded her head for him to continue. She decided to keep her mouth shut, should he decide to give the case to someone else if she misspoke.

  “Now what I’m about to tell you does not leave this room, do you understand me, Rachel?”

  “Yes, uncle,” she kept her answer short.

  “Throughout law school I was involved in some rather shady practices. I never had the best attention span as a teenager and found that things such as Adderall, Ritalin and Modafinil helped me study. It was quite difficult to get hold of these study drugs, unless you were prescribed, and eventually I found that I could buy them from other students. After talking to several of the students at my school, I discovered that there were other substances I could take, which would help push me even further in my studies. It just so happened they weren’t exactly legal. I may have made a mistake with some of the people I got involved with, but then the mafia helped me get out of trouble. They said they could use someone like me and they sponsored me throughout the duration of my school life and then afterwards, starting up the firm. Because of the investment they’ve made in me, we help them out whenever we can. That’s why I’ve called you in. I’m in heavy with quite a few cases lately and Pearl Romano has just called me up to ask me to get one of her guys out of jail. He got involved in a bar fight with some of the Martinez gang members, who had overstepped their boundary, and now he’s being charged with disturbing the peace, assault and probably battery too. It appears you might be in luck though. The man arrested was a local at the bar and one of the Bailey brothers. Once you get to know how the mafia works, you’ll realize how important the Baileys are to them and the reputation that follows. Basically what I am trying to tell you is that there will be no witness statements to hold him there. As your first case, this should be quite easy and I know you’ll keep this whole situation a secret. Evans never betray one another.”

  By the time her uncle had finished, Rachel was leaning back in the chair, her mouth wide open in shock. She still couldn’t believe what had just come out her uncle’s mouth.

  So the high and mighty John Evans, who constantly looked down on my parents, isn’t so angelic after all? Does that mean the man I respected and idolized is actually a fraud? Worse, he’s involved in the fucking mafia? So as a lawyer, one of the people who are meant to uphold the law and protect others, he is literally helping the lowest of the low to escape jail and wreak havoc on our streets? And I signed up for this… However, my uncle is putting his trust in me to take this case on and can I betray him? I’ve waited all this time to get a case and I’m not going to throw it away because the fool has made some bad choices. At least it will give me some insight into the world my uncle has thrown himself into.

  “Are you okay, Rachel? You haven’t spoken in over a minute?” John looked at her warily.

  “Fine, I’ll take the case. I’ll just gather my things and head over to the station now. Can you get Maria to pull up a case file on the man for me?”

  “No. I can’t have anyone here looking into the mafia’s
people. Pearl said, she’d come by personally to give you a run-down on the situation and ensure you have everything you need to get the man out of jail. She’ll be here any minute. You’d better get yourself ready in your office.”

  Rachel had just stood up and started adjusting her skirt, when a shrill voice pierced through the office.

  “John! We need to get going, I promised Red I’d have him out in a couple of hours and he’s been there all night. Where is this woman you were talking to me about?”

  The source of the noise entered the room. Rachel couldn’t help but stare at the bodacious woman in front of her. She was curvy and her clothes were so tight-fitting, her breasts almost burst from their seams. She had a round face, plastered with makeup, lash extensions and raven black pin-straight hair. The woman was wearing a long-sleeve leather snake-print dress, with a silver zip running down the middle, only zipped just enough to keep her giant breasts from spilling out.

  “Ah, hello Miss Romano,” he quickly stood up from his chair, “Miss Romano, this is Rachel. She will be handling this case and addressing any issues you may have in the immediate future. Would you like to discuss this in my office? I was just leaving for an appointment. Please call me if you have any issues.”

  “Hold on a second, is this the woman you were talking about? I was expecting an older woman. How old are you? Like twenty-two?” Pearl scrutinized her.

  “Actually, I’m twenty-five. Pleased to meet you, Miss Romano.” Rachel extended her hand.

  Pearl stared down at the offering in a mixture of disgust and bewilderment before turning and talking to her uncle once more.

  “You know we are putting her on a case with Red? Are you sure, this is the only person you have that’s suitable for the case? Why aren’t you available?”

  Rachel was surprised to see a glimpse of fear in her uncle’s eye before replying, “Truth be told, Miss Romano, Rachel is my niece and I have no doubt in her ability to fulfill this role. Regardless of Red’s reputation, my niece is professionally and highly skilled. She will not succumb to his ways. As for me, I am unavailable, because I’m dealing with a couple of murder and arson cases at the moment, which your brother has called me in for. I believe these take precedent over one of your boisterous goons gone wild.”

  “I would watch how you talk to me, John,” Pearl snapped, “You’d better be going now. It’s nice to see things kept in the family.”

  Pearl swung around to look at Rachel, her eyes snapping her into place. Her uncle gave her a warning look before dismissing himself from the room, closing the door behind him.

  “Shall we take a seat?” Rachel offered limply.

  “I prefer to stand, we need to get going soon anyway. So did your uncle use his powers to get you a nice little set-up here? You’d better be as skilled as he claims you are, or I’ll have his head. Right, so tell me what you know already, so I’m not wasting time.”

  “My uncle has given me the bare details involving a bar fight between a Bailey brother and the Martinez gang. I believe this Bailey is now being charged with disturbing the peace, assault and potentially battery but there are surprisingly no witnesses.”

  “It’s not surprising at all. No one would cross a Bailey brother, let alone the Romano mafia. The man we need to get freed is called Red Bailey, the middle of the Bailey brothers. His reputation tends to proceed him mostly in the sense he fucks everything with a pulse. I’m pretty sure he’s had his hands down every woman’s knickers within a ten mile radius. That’s why I’m unsure of whether I should let a pretty girl like you near him. He’s going to eat you right up,” her smile was cold.

  “With all do respect, Miss Romano, I keep my work life and personal life entirely separate. I would never jeopardize a case for a man, especially a criminal…”

  Only after the words came out, did Rachel realize what she had said. She looked across at Pearl scowling at her.

  “I wouldn’t be too judgmental on criminals considering you now work for the mafia. Your uncle is just as crooked as the rest of us and now you’re joining the family business. Welcome to the dark side, little girl. You’ll find we’re a lot more fun,” she licked her lips before laughing.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say…”

  “Just don’t say it again and we’ll be just fine. You look a bit too prudish to end up fooling around with Red, although I know he’s going to turn his charm on with you. At least you know the basics of the case and I think that’s all you need. The less you know the better. Once you’ve got Red out, take him back to the bar, I think his bike is still there. And let your uncle know, he’s released and he’ll call me. If you manage to get this case sorted out quickly, there will be a generous reward waiting for you. I presume you can find your own way to the station?” she raised her eyebrow.

  “Yes, thank you for the case, Miss Romano. You won’t regret it!”

  “You better pray I don’t,” her voice was devoid of warmth as she turned on her heel, threw the door open and clipped out in her stilettos.

  Rachel’s pulse was pounding in her ears as she collapsed into the nearest chair. Her head felt dizzy and she tried to gather her thoughts. This newfound information about her uncle was still settling, when Pearl had burst in and blew a new hole into her life.

  Everything I had always admired in my uncle was a damn lie. Now he is what I feared most – a crooked man, no better than the criminals he serves. And what does that mean for me? I’ve just followed in his blackened footsteps. Am I now a criminal too?

  ***

  The overhead lights were blazingly bright in the station and were starting to agitate Rachel as she sat on the hard plastic seats, waiting for someone to take her to her client. She watched as the station continued as usual around her. Officers walked around, the receptionist chewed on the end of her pen and somewhere a phone was ringing incessantly. She could smell the scent of freshly brewed coffee waft through every time one of the internal doors opened.

  “Miss Evans? Mr. Bailey’s attorney?” a woman in a bright green cardigan looked over her spectacles in front of her.

  “Yes, that’s me,” Rachel practically leapt out of her seat.

  “Bit jumpy, aren’t you? Is this your first time?”

  Rachel tried to take control of her nerves, “Yes it is, thank you for asking but can you please show me to my client? I need to have a word with him before we talk to the prosecutor.”

  “Certainly,” the woman looked slightly taken aback by Rachel’s change in attitude.

  The woman led the way while Rachel clutched onto the visitor’s badge she had been given when signing in. The walls were devoid of any color and the same irritating lights lit their way down the corridors. It was almost mid-day, but the natural sunlight could hardly filter through the dusty blinds hanging in every window they passed. After so many twists and turns, Rachel was certain she would never find her way out again. The woman unlocked the door to a room. She gestured for her to enter and closed the door behind her, leaving her all alone with the person at the table.

  “Hello? Mr. Bailey? My name is Rachel Evans and I’ve been assigned to your case,” Rachel approached him.

  “With a voice like that I must already be free and gone straight to heaven.”

  Rachel froze in her tracks. In front of her sat the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes upon.

  Holy shit! Pearl wasn’t joking when she said this man has charms. All he had to do was look at me and my legs have turned to jelly. Look at those muscles, I just want to reach out and bite them. And damn, I’ve never thought someone would look so good covered in so many tattoos. If I had known I was going to see him today, I would have put on one of my nicer suits.

  “Are you okay, Miss Evans?” Red stood up and started to walk over to her.

  Rachel shook her head, suddenly aware she had been gaping at him for the last two minutes in silence. It appeared that Red realized what was going through her mind when he started laughing. Rachel’s face lit up
and she could feel a blush blossoming on her cheeks.

  How embarrassing! He must think of me as some unprofessional little floozy.

  “Don’t worry, I’m used to having that effect on women. Although not on one so absolutely stunning,” Red started to move closer.

  Rachel took a step back, distancing herself from this hypnotic creature and gaining her composure. She wasn’t going to screw this case up over some man. She had promised not only her uncle and Pearl but also herself.

  “Please, Mr. Bailey, take a seat. We have a few matters to discuss before the prosecutor comes in. I want to get your side of the story straightened out, so we can have you released as soon as possible.”

  “As you wish, Miss Evans,” he shot her a grin before pulling out a seat for her.

  She debated sitting opposite him before allowing herself to accept his offer of the seat to the right of him. At least then they would look like a united front when the prosecutor came in. She could feel his body heat, as she pushed herself forward into the table.

  “So, Mr. Bailey, as far as I’m aware, they have still not pressed charges. As they were unable to establish who caused the fight, due to so many injured members of the public, it appears they have come to a dead end. There are also no witness statements. I hear this might be because of your reputation and connections within the community.”

  She felt him glance over at her.

  Rachel continued, “If I put it quite frankly, I don’t think they have a leg to stand on. Once the prosecutor comes in, I will explain to him the situation and hopefully we should have you out within the hour. Does that sound good Mr. Bailey?”

  “Please, call me Red. And that sounds perfect to me. You lead the way.”

  The door handle turned as someone started to enter the room.

  Chapter 3

  RED

  The man across from him looked worn out and tired. His shirt was wrinkled and his suit crumpled. It almost looked like he had slept in it. Stains dotted his lapels and his face was unshaven. He had bags under his eyes and generally had the look of a man who had given up on the world. Sitting next to him was the arresting officer from last night, in contrast looking perfectly well-slept and ready to go on with the day.