by Linzi Basset
“Rebecca.” Danton handed him a folder. “We found proof that the two of them never ended their relationship. They’d been having an affair throughout Yale’s marriage to Veronica.”
“Then why not divorce her? He would still have walked away with billions.”
“As I said, greed. He wanted it all and to achieve what he was after by funding SPEONUS, he needed full access to the money without her interference.”
“Are you telling me they had been planning this for the past ten years?”
“That’s what it looks like.”
“And his children? I refuse to believe that David killed his own children.”
“We’re still looking into that. From what Shane and Stone said, they believe they’re still alive but probably with completely new identities. When we first investigated Yale’s disappearance we found out that he had transferred ownership of five properties he owned to people with names associated with each of his four children and wife. At the time we believed he did it for sentimental reasons … now, we’re not so sure.”
“Their kids adored their mother. If he made them believe the government was responsible for her death, it would be easy to turn them into terrorists,” Grayson mused.
“How old would they be now?”
“If memory serves, their ages range from twenty-five to thirty-five.”
“Perfect age to assist their father in his schemes.” Danton studied Grayson with a guarded look. “How are you doing, Mr. President?”
“Physically, I’m well, but emotionally?” He fingered the ridges of the uneven scar marring his left cheek. “I miss my wife and kids … so much. God, I’d even give anything to play with that damn dog again.” Tears formed in his eyes. “The worst is that I can’t ease their torment and end their mourning by telling them I’m alive.” He waved away Danton as he opened his mouth to speak. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid. I would never put their lives in danger, and should anyone catch on that I’m alive, they would become the perfect targets to draw me out.”
“It’ll be over soon, but this time we have to make sure we destroy their entire operation, and that means …” He hesitated briefly. “It might end up in a bloodbath, sir. Your friends might be in the center of flying bullets.”
“I never thought I’d say something like this but for all the violence and deaths they caused … it’ll be their just deserts.”
Danton nodded, satisfied that the president’s mindset was at the right place. “I need to get back to BSE. The key is to find Yale’s kids. If we do that, we’ll gain some advantage.”
“I’ll give you an added advantage.” Grayson stared sightlessly out over the ocean. “I made an oath that I’d never disclose this, but he’s a traitor—not just to our country but to me and against our friendship.”
“I’m listening.”
“Yale’s oldest son isn’t Veronica’s child.”
“I thought you said they got married as soon as he graduated. LG is thirty-five, isn’t he? That means he was born two years later, while he was married to her.”
“He claimed it had been a moment of weakness, a one-time mistake, and it happened after Rebecca came back from a grueling tour in Iraq.”
“Jesus, this entire situation is becoming a complete cluster fuck. How the hell did Yale convince his wife to accept the child as hers?”
“She had just found out she was pregnant with their first child when he told her. Veronica grew up very protected. She was one of the richest young women in the States but she was a very insecure person. Raising a baby on her own went against the beliefs ingrained into her growing up in a very loving family. Her biggest failure was her love for David. It was his flesh and blood. If it meant he wouldn’t leave her, she was willing to bring the baby up as her own.”
“That was very noble of her.”
“I used to think so too, but I wasn’t blind to David’s faults. He was a selfish bastard and knew just how to play on her emotions. He used her feelings for him against her and played on the fact that she was about to become a mother. Leon had just turned a year at the time. Rebecca was ready to go back to work. Having a baby so early in her career thwarted her ambition. She gave David an ultimatum. Either he took the child or she was giving him up for adoption.”
“I suppose that’s the hold she had over Yale.”
“Or he over her. In the end, Leon was more than a mistake. He is their love child, and based on everything you told me, it’s evident they never severed their ties. I should’ve realized as much when he funded her path into politics.”
“So, the two of them are after power … to rule the country. How fucked up is that?”
“What’s fucked up is the thought that you might be right. That the two of them murdered Veronica to gain control of all her money and manipulated an entire military team and the president at the time to cover it up.” He looked devastated. “The perfect murder … and they walked away scot-free.”
“Not for long. We’re going to find them and then they’ll pay. Not only for her death, but for all the others they took over the years.”
“I hope so, Danton. I sure as hell hope so.”
“This can wait, Shane. I have important intel to discuss with the team,” Danton grumbled as Shane cut the engine of the rental in the underground parking garage of Brodie Clinic on the border of Anacostia Park. He stared around morosely.
“A couple of hours aren’t going to make a difference. Besides, we’re here now and Ethan went out of his way to arrange with one of the best neurosurgeons to be here.”
Danton cast a sharp look at him. “I thought they were only going to do tests?”
“They are, but he has to establish exactly which ones are required. Stop being so negative, Danton. This is a good thing.” Shane sighed. Danton’s expression remained stoic. “Those headaches have been getting worse. You can’t go on like this, my friend.”
“I’m fucking scared, Shane! What if it is a tumor and—”
“Speculation is the devil’s spear. The only way we’re going to know what is wrong is to do this. You know it.” He squeezed his shoulder. “No matter what the problem is, remember that we’re your family and we’ll support you no matter what.”
“I know that and I realize that the future is an unwalkable road. Even if we tried it would be a journey into a land devoid of hope. It’s one thing to look back and realize you had been engulfed in darkness, it’s quite another to look ahead and believe your days in the sun are numbered.”
“Stop being such a doom prophet. Until we have the results I choose to believe you will grow old alongside me.”
“Always the optimist.” Danton threw open the door and got out. “Well, then … let’s get this over with.” He elbowed Shane in the side as they rode the elevator to the second floor. “Growing old, my ass. We’re already fucking old.”
“Fuck off. I’ll have you know, I’m still in my prime.”
“Yeah … and if you keep treating Alexa with kid gloves, you’re gonna step out of your prime a decrepit lonely old man.”
“Says the man who doesn’t even have a single prospect in sight. If anyone is going to become a hermit in his dotage … it’s you, my friend.”
Danton didn’t respond but the way his eyes darkened, gave Shane the impression there was a woman he had in his sights. The fact that he had been keeping mum about her, triggered his curiosity.
“Ah, there you are,” Ethan Brodie greeted them as they stepped out of the elevator. “Good to see you, old friend.” He shook Shane’s hand. “Danton Hill … about time we meet. I’ve heard a lot about you from Shane and Kane.”
“Likewise.” Try as he might, Danton couldn’t force a smile out. His jaw was taut with tension.
“Relax, Danton. Jeremy Saunders is the best surgeon in the States. If anyone can help you, it’s him.” He looked at Shane. “You know the way. Wait for me in my office, I’ll be right back,” he said as he started in the opposite direction. “T
his way, Danton, he's waiting for you.”
Hours later, Danton and Jeremy Saunders walked into Ethan’s office. Ethan introduced Shane and gestured to the two men to join them in the informal seating area.
“Danton requested your presence when I give him feedback on the tests,” Jeremy said as he sat down. Ethan politely excused himself and closed the door as he left.
“Your suspicions were correct, Shane. Danton has increased intracranial pressure or ICP, probably caused by the hard hit he got on his head from the accident.” He shook his head as he glanced at the morbid man. “How he managed to cope with the headaches I have no idea. Be that as it may, you should’ve come to me a lot sooner.”
“How serious is it?” Shane sat forward.
“From what Danton said, the headaches have been getting excruciating which is a major concern. The cross-sectional X-ray images of the head and brain from the CT scan clearly indicates there is a growing pressure just behind his ear.” He took out the images and indicated the relevant areas as he explained in detail. “Now, look at the MRI images. You can clearly detect subtle changes in your brain tissue content in these areas here and here.” He looked at Danton with a somber expression. “If we do not relieve that pressure quickly, I’m afraid the prognosis could be fatal.”
“How? What treatment do you propose?” Danton’s voice sounded strained as he studied the images.
“First of all, you need to realize that ICP is an emergency condition. In light cases, the swelling could be treated with medication but since you waited so long … I’m afraid it’s too late for that. We are left with two options. First, to drain the extra cerebrospinal fluid or bleeding around the brain. If that doesn’t work, we’ll have to perform a craniotomy.”
“Which is what?” Danton asked sharply.
“Surgery to remove a part of your skull in an effort to ease swelling, but we won’t consider it unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“So, I’ll end up with a hole in my brain?”
“Only temporarily. The piece of skull is kept in a freezer or in a small pouch on your body so that it can be put back after you recover.” He leaned forward to say earnestly, “I know it sounds daunting but the sole purpose of a craniectomy is to decrease ICP inside your skull. If draining the fluid doesn’t help and we leave it untreated, the pressure can compress your brain and push down onto the brain stem. That can be fatal or cause permanent brain damage.”
“If it becomes necessary to perform the procedure, what are the complications?” Shane had a good idea, but Danton needed to know what lay ahead.
“Complications exist for any invasive surgery, and of course, neurological and brain surgery carry the highest risks. Statistically, your chances are very good to recover fully.”
“I’d still like to know what could go wrong.”
“The serious risks are permanent brain damage, the loss of ability to speak, partial or full-body paralysis, lack of awareness, a permanent coma, and brain death.”
Jeremy allowed it to sink in. It was a shock to anyone left with such a choice.
“So, what are my chances?” Danton kept staring at the images he clutched in his hand.
“Apart from this injury, you are a healthy man with a strong body. In my opinion, you have a seventy-thirty percent chance of full recovery.”
“How long does recovery take?”
“If we manage to relieve the pressure by draining the fluid, a couple of months at the most before you’re back to your usual self. With a craniectomy it can take anywhere from two months to a year, depending on how advanced the problem is by the time we operate.”
“Based on the scans, how serious is his condition at this very moment?”
“I don’t wish to make an assumption until I have the results of the spinal tap, which measures the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid. Once I have that, I’ll have a clearer picture.” He looked at Danton. “Make no mistake, Danton. Your condition is serious and we have to start treatment sooner rather than later. You need to decide what you want me to do should the draining not produce the necessary results. It’s better to be prepared so we can react immediately and perform the surgery without delay.” He got up. “I’ve asked them to fast track those results. I’ll contact you as soon as I have them. You have my number, but I have to urge you to consider the draining procedure immediately.”
Shane and Danton followed him to the door.
“In the meantime, you need to do what I said and get some bedrest. No work, no strenuous activities, and absolutely no weightlifting or any kind of exercise.”
“Yeah, I heard you.”
“I’m serious, Danton. The slightest bump at this stage can and most probably will be fatal.”
Danton was quiet all the way to the airport. They were already in the air with him at the cyclic stick of the helicopter before Shane spoke up.
“You have to discuss this with him.”
“Fuck, Shane!”
“You are the only father he has ever known, Danton. He’s out of his mind with worry as it is.”
“Yes, and I don’t want to exacerbate it,” he grumbled.
“You were given the most amazing gift when Ace came into your life, Danton. You have a son, something I would give anything for. Don’t destroy the relationship you have by excluding him. Besides, he’s levelheaded and probably the only one of us who would give you the kind of advice devoid of emotion.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Remember what you told me at the waterfall a week ago, my friend. You have too much to live for to give up now.”
“What about Grayson and SPEONUS? I can’t walk away now.”
“You’re not walking away, but your health comes first. We’ve got this. I promise you; I’ll make sure the president is kept safe. What is important now is that you get well … come on, Danton. You can’t deny Ace’s children to one day have the best grandfather ever.”
Danton didn’t bother shielding himself from picking a tear from his eyes.
“You’re right. It’s no use procrastinating. I’m damned either way. If I don’t do it, I die. At least I have a seventy percent chance at life on the other side of the coin.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“But I have to tell you, Shane. I’ve never been so fucking scared in my entire life.”
“Nor have I, Danton. Nor have I.”
Chapter Twelve
“This is a waste of money, Shane. I’ve got tons of kink clothes,” mumbled Alexa as he guided her inside the discreet and quaint little store on a side street in Key West.
“Are you presuming to tell me what I can or can’t do with my money?”
“Even I wouldn’t dare to be that forward.”
“Hm … and here I thought it’s exactly what you did.”
“On time as usual.”
Alexa glanced up at the sultry voice floating toward them. As a rule, she was a confident woman, secure in her looks and femininity, but in comparison to the sensuality that oozed from every pore of the gorgeous silver-haired older woman, she felt drab and even smaller than her usual petite frame permitted. Tall and statuesque, this woman portrayed a confidence Alexa had rarely encountered from other females.
“I know the repercussions of such tardiness, little one.”
Little one? Really? Is he so enamored by her that he missed the fact that she’s probably six feet tall!
Well, that’s a gross exaggeration, the voice inside her mind mocked her as she stared at the woman hugging Shane … and wouldn’t you know it. Against his tall, muscled physique, she indeed appeared like a little one.
The obvious mutual affection between the two confirmed that they shared a history of intimacy. Alexa did her best to curb the jealous monster that reared its head. She’d witnessed Shane scening and caring for numerous women in Castle Sin over the years and she’d never experienced anything remotely similar to the emotions that seared through her watching him with this one.
; Possessiveness.
A sense of belonging.
Mine!
“Alexa, I’d like you to meet a very special friend of mine, Mira Garcia. Mira, this is my sub, Alexa Silver.”
“Your submissive? Well, well, miracles still happen it seems.” Mira smiled engagingly at Alexa. “I’m honored to meet the woman who finally managed to catch the elusive Master Fox.”
“I love your shop.” Try as she might not to be, Alexa was immediately drawn to the woman. She was friendly, open, and had a calmness that cloaked her entire being.
“I love designing and making clothes.” She shrugged as she gestured around. “The fashion industry doesn’t lend itself to calmness and nowadays, this is where I find the peace and quiet I yearned for all those years.”
“Mira Garcia? Good god! You’re that Mira? The Mira Collections are still huge all over the globe.”
“Strange isn’t it? I haven’t launched a new line in ten years and there’s still a demand for those same designs.”
“Because they’re ageless. I own a couple items myself.” Alexa’s smile widened. “It’s an honor meeting you.”
“Well, it seems my presence here isn’t needed,” Shane said dryly. He placed a warm kiss on Alexa’s forehead as he headed toward the door. “I’m meeting Kane and Zeke. We have a couple of errands to run. Mira, you know what I’m looking for. I’ll leave the two of you to get on with it. I’ll be back in an hour.”
Alexa stared after him as he left. Her cheeks burned red as she realized Mira was watching her with a knowing smile.
“He’s got a hot ass, doesn’t he?”
“He sure does,” Alexa laughed with her. “Look, I don’t know why I’m here. I have loads of kink clothes.”
“And I’m sure they’re all sexy, but you should know once Shane’s made up his mind, nothing will sway him.” She headed toward the fitting showroom in the back. “We better get started before my usual customers become impatient about the closed sign.”
“Closed? Surely that’s not necessary?”
“I know the importance of subtlety and remaining incognito on an island this size. I always close shop when one of the celebrity cousins brings their women shopping.” She removed a cover from one of the garments she’d prepared for the showing. “Let’s start with this one.”