“Oh for God’s sake, you’re here?” a feminine voice filled with snark said as a beautiful woman in her early thirties came out of the living room area. “That’s it, I’m leaving.” The woman paused, her large hazel eyes assessing Mackenzie, and then yelled down the hallway, “Ryan, we’re leaving. Jackass has arrived.”
“Lynn,” Derk drawled. His features lightened as his mouth drew up in a smirk. “How lovely you are. Still with that idiot, Ryan? You know, if you ever decide to dump his dumbass…”
The gorgeous woman raised a brow. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back as she flicked a lock over her shoulder to reposition a baby onto her hip. “Are you propositioning me in front of your girlfriend, because that’s pretty shady, slick.”
Derk shrugged. “She’s dumping me after today.”
The woman turned to Mackenzie. “Smart girl.”
“Mackenzie, this is Lynn. Lynn, this is Mackenzie Hiland.” Derk motioned between the two. She couldn’t quit decipher his tone. Respectful? Amused? Playful? Or sarcastic?
“How old is your baby?” Mackenzie asked, her eyes bouncing back and forth between Lynn and Derk.
“This is Brady, he’s nine months. The little beast. He’s going to be a big boy just like his father,” Lynn groused.
“I thought you like your boys big?” A man said, his tone full of innuendo, as he sauntered down the hall.
Mackenzie gasped. He was stunning. Amazing sapphire blue eyes that sparkled with warmth as he approached Lynn and Brady. Over six foot tall of nothing but pure muscle that bulged out from a tight US Navy tee shirt, he moved with a stealth grace.
Derk cleared his throat and cocked a brow when he caught her staring. “Yeah, that jackass is Ryan Millen. You still haven’t made an honest woman out of her yet? Figures.”
Ryan smirked. “Just wait.”
Derk didn’t bite.
“For what?” Mackenzie did bite.
“Just…wait.”
Lynn smacked Ryan’s shoulder. “Stop it.”
Mackenzie stared as Ryan leaned down and kissed Lynn gently on the lips, holding their embrace for a long moment. She noticed the gentle hand Ryan laid on Brady’s head, creating a triangular connection between them. A pang of jealousy and hurt tore right through her that she had to look away.
“Hello, Mackenzie,” a soft yet strong voice said next to her.
Jumping at the closeness, she found Smith, Derk’s friend standing beside them. He smiled, his features transforming into that devilishly handsome man a woman could get wrapped up in.
“Hi,” she squeaked.
“Derk never said you were joining us today.”
“He made me.”
Lynn laughed sarcastically. “Well, that’s not a surprise, honey. Probably the only way he could get a good girl. Me caveman. You woman.”
There was that damn term again. Good girl. Would an innocent woman be out with a man who’d been questioned for murder? Numerous times.
She shook off the stupid thought.
Suddenly ear-piercing screams filled the hallway as two children, a beautiful little girl and an adorable little boy, barreled down the steps, ran past them and down the hall, burst through the sliding glass door at the end of the house. On their tails, two enormous hunks, who couldn’t have been much younger than her.
“Gape at them any more and you’ll catch yourself a cold,” Derk angrily whispered into her ear.
“Who are they?” This house was filled with gorgeous people. A sarcastic remark of The Stepford Wives played at the tip of her tongue.
“The mannies,” Ryan said, laughing.
Lynn elbowed him. “The big one in front is my brother, Russ, and the one behind him is our cousin, Jarrett. They’re the caregivers for Caitlin and Daniel.”
She stammered. “Caregivers?”
“Salacious, right?” Ryan said, a mocking hand flew to his chest.
“Are all of you going to stand at the front door all day or are you going to get your asses outside and join everyone else?” a tall, oversized man in his fifties yelled as he stepped out of a room. His gaze zeroed in on her. “Well,” he said, sauntering down the hallway. “Who do we have here?”
Lynn and Ryan silently slid away from the group and went outside.
“Mackenzie,” Derk said, pulling his cigarettes out of his jeans’ pocket.
“I see,” Jack said, his eyes raking her over. She took a step closer to Derk. This man was definitely a clichéd version of a mobster movie villain with a loud suit, gold jewelry, and slicked back hair. It was almost comical, and would have been, if she didn’t know what these people did for a living.
“Ignore him, he’s an old man who’s going senile,” Derk said, grabbing her by the elbow and escorting her down the hall.
When they stepped outside, the true wealth of the family living in the home hit her. The backyard of the house represented a paradise oasis. An Olympic size in-ground swimming pool, an oversized deck, and a yard that screamed a landscaping company paid weekly visits.
A group of around thirty people were scattered about in different tiny congregations. Caught up in the scenery, it took Mackenzie a minute to notice all had grown quiet and stared her direction.
Suddenly, the stunning blonde woman who’d she read about online stood directly in front of her. The web pictures didn’t do her justice. Large sapphire blue eyes that were similar to Ryan’s, long wavy blonde hair that glistened off the sunlight, fair skin that resembled a porcelain doll, and a tiny figure were something women spent thousands of dollars to obtain. But Mackenzie knew each feature on this woman was natural. What kind of gene pool ran in this family?
“Hello,” the woman said, her voice soft yet confident. “I’m Courtney Murphy. You are?”
“Mrs. M, this is Mackenzie. Mackenzie, this is Mrs. Murphy,” Derk said.
When she looked up at him, a small smile played at those sexy lips. She rolled her eyes.
“Please, call me Courtney.” She stuck out a hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Mackenzie. I didn’t realize Derk was bringing a guest.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t want to intrude,” Mackenzie said quickly, feeling her face flush.
Mrs. Murphy waved dismissively. “You certainly aren’t intruding. Do you know how many people come and go from this house? It’s ridiculous. I should have a revolving door put in. Well, I would except that Mr. Murphy might not appreciate it, and my kids may escape.”
Derk snorted.
“Derk Forester, you never told me you were dating anyone,” Courtney scolded.
He shrugged and lit his cigarette. “I’m not. She’s dumping me after the party.”
Courtney’s surprise registered clearly. She looked back and forth from Derk to Mackenzie.
Mackenzie wanted to die of embarrassment and kill Derk at the same time. The ass. He set her up.
“Derk,” Courtney snapped. “That’s rude. Apologize.”
Derk outright laughed, leaned down and kissed Mackenzie on top of the head. “Sorry, Mac.”
Courtney rolled her eyes. “What a horrible nick-name.”
“I know,” she agreed.
“Please,” Courtney grabbed her hand and pulled her over to a large patio table, “come meet my husband. You plan on staying right? The men will go off after a while to do whatever it is that men do, while us women get to gossip.” Courtney stopped and spun on her so quickly, it surprised her. “Lynn and I get along well, but the moment my crazy sister-in-law gets into the gossip mix, everything tends to get out of control. With you added, maybe she’ll behave. Doubtful. But we can hope.” Courtney grinned and nodded.
Mackenzie found herself nodding along. This woman didn’t know her. Not one minute detail. Yet she opened her arms and immediately welcomed her into her home and was already planning a trio army to combat an obnoxious sister-in-law. No looks of shame or pity haunted her. This woman didn’t have to be friendly toward her. She didn’t even have to introduce herself. She was on an e
ntirely different social class than Mackenzie, yet with Courtney’s approach, you’d never it. She blinked back the sting in her eyes.
“Derrick,” Courtney said, guiding her to the table. “This is Mackenzie.” She turned to her. “I apologize. I didn’t get your last name. Here I am calling Derk rude and where have my manners gone?”
“Hiland,” she softly answered.
Courtney spun back around, but her husband was already standing from his chair. Again, Mackenzie gaped. And again, the web pictures didn’t do anything for the man before her. He wasn’t just handsome. He was striking. As he stood, his tall, lean body moved gracefully. His dark, chocolate eyes never left his wife as he rounded the table, where a group of men gathered, beers in hand. She watched Courtney focus in on her husband, a tiny smile curled at her lips and her chest inflated with a long inhale. As if she hadn’t seen her husband in months. When Mackenzie looked back to the man, his piercing eyes were focused in on her. She didn’t know whether to fall to his feet or run screaming. His chiseled features softened as he grinned knowingly at her. Though she couldn’t decide if the look was sinister or amused, or both.
Mr. Murphy wrapped an arm around his wife’s thin waist and pulled her into his body. “Mackenzie, it’s a pleasure.”
Struck stupid, she stood mute.
Courtney tilted her head. “How did you and Derk meet?”
Derk, the devil, slid up next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “She kissed me at the bar one night.”
She gasped. “I did not.” She turned to Courtney and Mr. Murphy and tossed a thumb Derk’s direction. “He decided to assault my mouth, caveman style.”
Everyone within earshot chuckled.
Courtney giggled and shook her head. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Please, help yourself to food and drinks. Dinner will be served in about an hour,” Mr. Murphy said, his tone polite but cool.
“Thank you.”
“Come, let me introduce you to everyone. I’m sure Derk will be fine without you for a bit.” Courtney grabbed her hand and led her away. She heard Derk laughing behind her. The bastard.
***
Before dinner, Mackenzie went through a whirlwind of new names and faces. Every single person at the party was polite and courteous to her. No one made her feel like a stranger amongst them. No one made her uncomfortable. Well, except for Derk when he thought Russ, one of the mannies, took too much of a liking to her.
He yelled over the top deck to the backyard, where they stood by one of the small trees that lined the back of the property, “She’s taken, manny. Go find yourself a nice little college girl.”
Russ’s reaction was to snort and shake his head.
Mackenzie knew her color had turned as red as an apple.
“Jerk,” she muttered.
“Can’t argue with that one, Mackenzie,” Russ said. Clearly he was trying to hold back his laughter.
Dinner turned into a light affair with scrumptious food Mr. Murphy had catered. He’d specifically told Mackenzie he didn’t want his wife to worry about cooking for thirty people. Especially when he’d been the one to invite everyone. That conversation preceded what felt like some sort of inquiry on his part. But she wasn’t quite sure. He seemed polite yet standoffish. He also put out an aura of absolute power. The man was fully aware of himself, his environment, the people in his home, his family, his children, and specifically his wife. Mackenzie frequently caught herself staring at the couple and their interaction. Even across the yard from one another, they seemed to be well aware of each other’s presence. If Derrick was speaking to someone, his eyes would always search for his wife. If Courtney went into the house for something, she always asked her husband if he needed anything. They went out of their way to take care of one another. It was awe inspiring and depressing at the same time.
After dinner, while the men set up for a poker game, the women gathered inside the house to gossip and cackle about anything and everything. There was a lot of talk about romance novels and what everyone was reading.
“Mackenzie, do you own an eReader?” Lynn asked.
She shook her head.
“I have an extra one you can have,” Courtney said, excited. “Then you can join us on book night.”
“What do you do for book night?”
“Oh, the best night of the week,” Lynn said. “No men. No kids. Plenty of alcohol and food and sexy books. A woman’s dream.” She sighed.
All the women laughed and agreed. Courtney rushed out the room and returned with an eReader. “Here. There are plenty of books downloaded onto it. We get together every week, either someone’s house or at a restaurant. It just depends if we need a girls’ night out.”
“I can’t accept this.” Mackenzie knew how much that electronic device cost. She’d looked into purchasing one for herself last year but couldn’t afford it.
“I have three of them. What could I possibly do with that many? Derrick indulges my love of erotica romances by buying me a new reader every time the latest model comes out. He insists I have only the best technology. Which is how I ended up with three.” Courtney shrugged. “It’s going to a good home.”
How would Courtney know if her electronic device was going to a good home? She knew zero about her, but the woman openly placed her faith that Mackenzie was a good person. How did Courtney know she might not sell it for some extra cash? Not that she would. She'd honestly treasure the item. It was extraordinary, overwhelming, and soothing to be in her presence.
“This week we’re meeting at Murphy’s,” Lynn said, pointing at Mrs. Murphy. “Because this one’s husband wants to keep an eye on her. Apparently, she disappeared shopping for a few hours the other day.”
Mackenzie looked at her quizzically. Why would that matter?
“I ditched security.”
So?
“Yeah, Derrick’s a bit paranoid since I was kidnapped a few years ago,” Courtney said nonchalantly.
“What?” Mac gasped, horrified.
“Another time.” Courtney waved off the subject.
“I’m still waiting for that story,” Lynn complained. “So don’t think you’ll hear it anytime soon.”
Derrick’s sister, Diane, handed her a glass of white wine and the ladies continued their hen chatter, including her in on every topic discussed, which ranged from clothing designers, The Walking Dead series, the neighbor’s new housekeeper, and anything else that could be shoved into the women’s alone time.
Mackenzie loved it. She felt like one of the girls. Courtney, Lynn, and Diane weren’t just women who were related, they were family. And for some reason, they acted as if she part of that group. Yes, she had Kayla and sometimes visited her relatives, but they always treated her like she was a piece of the room, never a person. They weren’t rude but they weren’t inviting. The Murphy family was entirely different. For the first time in her life, she was given a taste of what being in a large family was about. What being cherished within a close-knit unit felt like. Her emotions conflicted. Part of her was on cloud nine and relished the attention. Part of her feared that happiness because it wouldn’t last beyond tonight. No matter what, these people were the mob. She kept reminding herself of that every time she felt herself get swayed to the “dark side.” They were sucking her in to be a part of their black hole, and throughout the night she felt drawn to it. But she always reminded herself to keep a distance.
Now she stood on the back deck, looking out over the yard that had soft white lights strung from the canopy, creating a serene ambiance as the men battled over their card game. Mackenzie noticed that Derrick sat at what would be considered the head of the table, and all the men took their cues from him. He was silently commanding. Not quite domineering, but she had a feeling it was because it wasn’t necessary this evening.
“He’s my soulmate,” Courtney said softly, surprising her.
She turned, embarrassed she’d been caught stealing a look at Derrick.
“I’m sorry. I just find Mr. Murphy’s mannerisms and the way you two are with each other fascinating,” she admitted.
Courtney tilted her head. “How so?”
“You’re both so…aware.”
Courtney smiled, it reaching her eyes. “We are. He’s very self-aware, and he’s taught me how to be the same. It’s been a blessing. I went through too many years of self-doubt, questioning everything from the loaf of bread I bought, to what he was doing while gone during the day. We’ve been through too much together. Keeping close has saved each other and our marriage. Not everything was roses a couple years ago. But we worked through it and came out stronger. He’d do anything for me, and I’d do anything for him.”
Mackenzie’s stomach turned at that heartfelt admission. In only a few words, Courtney managed to nail what was missing from her life. What she’d never had. An all encompassing love. Would she even recognize love if it slapped her upside the face. She’d never had parents, siblings, or a family to guide her in what love should or could look like. But standing on the deck of the home of a man who was supposed to be dangerous, love and loyalty saturated the air.
It was obvious between the man and woman of the house, and they showered it onto their two children. It was clear by how Courtney took care of her widowed mother. Love radiated from Derrick’s parents, who adored their son and even their crazy daughter, who constantly gushed over Courtney. It was evident in the friends that surrounded them in the form of verbal jabs, slight shoulder punches, small gifts that were passed around for no other reason than they were friends.
“Hey, can I talk to you?” Ryan asked Courtney, interrupting them. His son lay sound asleep on his shoulder.
“Sure.” She turned to Mackenzie. “I’ll be right back.”
“No hurry.”
As soon as Courtney left, Derk slid up next to her. “Amazing aren’t they?”
“Who?”
“The Murphys.” Derk casually waved. “Courtney and Derrick and their family and friends. The people they surround themselves with.” He faced Mackenzie directly. “There isn’t anything this family wouldn’t do for one another. There isn’t anything they wouldn’t do for me and vice versa. When Mrs. Murphy’s father passed, who do you think made certain she got to the hospital safely? Smith and me. For that, her husband is eternally grateful. As he should be. I would if the roles were reversed.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “They have each other’s backs, they love one another, and support one another no matter what. You judge them and me, thinking you know who they are. But you don’t have a clue, Mac. These are good people. And I’m not the monster you think I am.” He took a step closer, his arms snaked around her waist and pulled her flush against him. She braced her hands on his rock hard chest. “You’ve gotten under my skin, Mac. I’m sick of this cat and mouse game between us. I can’t take you home and walk away.”
Dangerous Love Page 13