“Like there was any doubt of that. I’m not letting you or Bernie go without me. Harper can come if you want,” Tomas said.
“Nah, that’s okay.” Bur shook his head, hunching.
“Doesn’t he know?” Tomas frowned.
“He knows I found Dillard. But… not about the other stuff. That I’m in therapy. There’s no reason for him to know.” Bur shrugged.
“Harper’s a good listener.”
“He doesn’t need my shit.” Bur lowered his gaze.
In his doing that, Tomas saw Bernie. His heart softened. Bur reminded him of himself—arrogant and opinionated. In the last few weeks, Tomas had seen that Bur genuinely cared about Harper, and they had developed a close friendship. Bur was the one who convinced Harper to come to the poker games and hang out with the guys again. He’d fixed the rift between Malik and Harper by getting Harper to stop pushing Malik away and finally talk with him. He’d even put up with Ramirez being an ass. Well… he’d taunted Ramirez, but when Harper was ready to cut Ramirez out of his life, Bur had convinced him not to. Tomas knew this because he’d seen Bur do it. It had shocked the hell out of him. But Bernie had explained that Bur wanted what made Harper happy.
“Maybe someday you’ll think differently. I’m a good listener too.” He put his hand on Bur’s shoulder and squeezed.
Bur glanced at him, shocked. “Why would you want to listen to me?”
“You’re Bernie’s brother. And although you’re sort of a jerk, I like that. Don’t let that go to your head. I still want to kick your ass half the time,” Tomas grumbled.
“I feel the same way too. Yet the fantasies of my kicking your ass fill my dreams. I get all giddy with it.” Bur laughed.
“We’ll have to compare them sometime.” Tomas chuckled.
Bur sobered and then said, “Do you think Dillard hates me? Us?”
“Even if he does, you and Bernie have each other. And my family is there for you both. The men inside the house are your friends. They’ll be there for you all too.” Tomas gripped his shoulder.
“Even Ramirez?” Bur smiled, a devilish curl of his lips.
“Even him. Although he might act like a bear about Harper, he’s someone who will help you if you need it.”
“Hmmm… that’s good to know.” Bur looked contemplative.
The sound of footsteps made Tomas look up.
“What’s going on?” Bernie looked suspicious.
Bur glanced at Tomas with apprehension.
“Come here, honey,” Tomas said, opening his arms.
“Oh boy. This must not be good,” Bernie said, coming over to him.
Bur stood behind Bernie, and Tomas saw the unease in Bernie’s gaze.
“We’ve found Dillard,” Tomas said gently.
Bernie stiffened. “Is he dead?”
Tomas studied the lines of strain on Bernie’s features. When he had told Bernie and Bur about the woman and the message from Dillard, Bernie had seemed to accept it. Bur, on the other hand, had hired investigators to find Dillard. With each report of no leads, Bur had become more determined to find something, but Bernie had started to lose hope of finding Dillard. Even though Tomas had told him often that it would be fine, Bernie had convinced himself the worst had happened.
“No. He wants to see us tomorrow,” Bur said softly.
“Do you think he hates us?” Bernie turned to Bur.
Bur hugged him tightly and said, “As a certain smart-ass pointed out, even if he does, we have family.”
“Tomas is smart, and an ass.” Bernie chuckled.
“Hey. I resemble that remark,” Tomas quipped.
“At least you admit it,” Bernie said.
“No matter what happens tomorrow, you have me. You both do.” Tomas hugged Bernie, pulling Bur in with him.
They snuggled into his side.
THE NEXT day, Tomas glanced at Bernie sitting in the passenger side of the vehicle. Bernie was sitting quietly, staring at the passing scenery. He had been very withdrawn since they had told him about Dillard wanting to see them. A hand appeared beside his shoulder. Without looking at Bur sitting in the backseat, Tomas took the paper with the address from him. He read the address.
Frowning, Tomas said, “I know that address.”
Bernie looked at him sharply. “You do?”
“Yeah.” Tomas gritted his teeth.
“How?” Bur demanded from the back seat.
“We did their landscaping a few months ago.” He drove to the address.
Tomas got out of the car and joined Bernie and Bur, facing the house. The landscaping job he had done on the challenging house looked good. It had turned out even better than the plans he had come up with. They walked up the driveway, then up the slight incline to the steps to the door. As they reached it, it opened.
“Nice to see you again, Tomas. And you must be Bernie and Wilbur. Come in,” Megan said, gesturing.
“What the hell is going on?” Tomas glared at her.
Megan was unfazed. “If you’ll come this way, it will be explained.”
Megan stepped back into the house and walked away. They followed her. Tomas clenched and unclenched his fist. Bernie put his hand over it, and Tomas laced his fingers with Bernie’s. Megan stopped in a doorway. Entering, they didn’t see anyone. A sound made them glance to the left. A glass door slid open, and a figure stepped in from outside. The lanky man strolled toward them in a relaxed gait. He was in jeans and a T-shirt, yet a feeling of power was in his carriage. When he was close, the man pushed back the shades holding back his shaggy brown hair. The features were identical to Bernie’s, but those pale green eyes were shrewd, not missing anything.
“Tomas, it’s good to see you again,” Dillard said.
“We’ve never met, Dillard. Or is it Del?” Tomas glanced at Megan.
“He prefers Del.” She smiled a small grin.
“We’ve met a few times,” Del replied.
Tomas studied the man. “I don’t remember meeting you.”
Bernie’s hand was tight on his. Tomas squeezed his hand gently. Del looked down at their clasped hands, then back at his face.
“Think of a gangly kid asking lots of questions about seven years ago.” Del’s smile was smug.
Tomas studied him, eyes narrowed. A tickling of a memory came to him.
“The sponge,” Tomas said.
“Yep. I learned a lot that summer.” Del laughed.
Tomas explained to Bernie and Bur. “It was when we did Jerrod’s property about seven years ago. He was always going away on business. One time, he came back with this really skinny beanpole. Shy thing, until Jerrod got him working with us. Then he wouldn’t shut up asking questions. He remembered everything we said. Hell, even came back some days after doing research on the Internet. Kept us on our toes with what he knew.” Tomas looked back at Del. “How’d you know about Bernie? You used Jerrod to have us take the job. What? Were you trying to get close to Bernie?”
“No one uses Jerrod. Jerrod is the one who came to me, about a year ago, demanding to know why I hadn’t told him I had a twin brother. I told him I was a triplet, and asked how he’d known about my brother. He filled me in on this man he met through Tomas—a good friend. I couldn’t believe it. After all these years.” Del shook his head.
“Why didn’t you just come to me?” Bernie asked softly.
Tomas held his trembling hand tighter.
“You weren’t even supposed to know I was here. Except, as usual, the mid-bro couldn’t keep out of things. Had to keep digging. You just had to ride in and stir things up, right, Wilbur?” Del sighed.
“Then you shouldn’t have sent me the letter, you manipulative fucker,” Bur replied.
Tomas looked at him in shock.
“It had to be him,” Bur said. “He always liked to control shit. This is just like when we were kids. He’d find a way to make things his way and convince you that was what you wanted all the time.”
“I don’t do that any
more, except when it comes to my business dealings. And I’m not the one who had to come in boots stomping, inserting himself and handing out money.” Del’s tone was mild.
“So how much money did you set aside for us?” Bur’s tone was snide.
“This isn’t about me.” Del’s tone was still mild.
“Always your response,” Bur said.
“Brat.”
“Whiner.” Bur sneered.
Bernie pulled Tomas back and led him into the hall. “I need to talk with them alone. Pull the big-brother card. They tend to bicker.” Bernie glanced at Megan. “Is there somewhere he can wait for us?”
“Yes,” Megan said.
“Are you sure?” Tomas cupped his cheek.
“I am. Te amo,” Bernie said, kissing him softly.
“Okay. Come find me if you need me.” Tomas didn’t want to leave him, but it was Bernie’s choice.
“It’s okay.” Bernie squeezed his hand.
Megan walked away. He followed her, glancing back at Bernie. Bernie smiled at him, then went back toward the living room, where Bur and Del were still bickering. Megan led Tomas to the back patio. She sat, and Tomas took the chair across from her.
“I don’t appreciate being used,” Tomas growled.
“I don’t give a fuck what you feel.” Megan’s tone was cool.
“If Del is planning to fuck with them, I don’t care who he is. I will bury him.” Tomas leaned his elbows on the table.
“Better men than you have tried. And all failed.” Megan sounded snotty.
“He must be paying you a lot to instill such loyalty,” Tomas sneered.
“He doesn’t have to pay me.”
“You’re his assistant.”
“He’s retired, leaving me the CEO of his holdings,” Megan said flatly.
“So the assistant thing was a ruse too. You people—”
“What? I needed to make sure you were the right man for Bernie.”
Tomas sat back in shock. “Excuse me?”
“Despite what you think, Tomas, Del has his brother’s best interest at heart. And he wanted to see what sort of man his brother was involved with. It just happened to work out that your company is the best landscaper in the area, which gave me an opportunity to work with you. To get a feel and see the sort of person you were up close. If I felt you were not right for Bernie, I would have told Del.”
“And what the hell could he have done?”
“He would have ruined your business and reputation until no one would give you work. Then those of your family. And that’s only for starters. It’s a good thing you’re a good man. And before you ask, no, he is not a criminal. He’s just a very powerful man who you don’t want to fuck with.” Megan smiled viciously, stood, and went into the house.
Tomas breathed out. “I hope Bernie is okay.”
BERNIE LEANED in the doorway as his brothers traded barbs. His heart ached with how familiar it was. Bur provoked, and Del was calm. Bernie went over to them. He gripped the back of each of their heads and squeezed.
“Knock it off,” he said affectionately.
Del glanced at him cautiously. Bernie released Bur and pulled Del into his arms. Bur’s hands slid over Bernie’s, caging Del between them. He was stiff, not returning the hug. Then suddenly, Del shuddered.
“You don’t hate me, Bernie?” Del’s voice sounded lost.
“I could never hate you,” Bernie said.
“You should. I left you there.” Guilt colored Del’s tone.
“You did what you had to do. I didn’t protect you,” Bernie said softly.
“I hope therapy gets you over that guilt,” Del said.
“How’d you know about that?” Bernie glanced at him, shocked.
“I like to know things.” Del smiled slyly.
“Controlling,” Bur griped.
“Beats bulldozing,” Del countered.
“Before you all get started again, can we enjoy the moment of us being together?”
“Sorry, Bernie,” Del and Bur said together.
He laughed at their contrite tones. They had always said the same thing when they were kids.
“Come on. Sit. I want to know all about what you all were up to. About this community center you all are working on getting off the ground. Triumvirate is a good name for it. I’ve never forgotten what we called each other.” Del touched the leather band around his wrist and smiled softly.
Bernie studied the band, curious. It was a beautiful band of braided rope, and in the center was a flat piece of what looked like leather with some sort of writing on it. It wasn’t in any language he had ever seen. “What does it say?”
“Not something I can share yet,” Del replied.
Bernie raised his gaze, pushing down his shirt showing his tattoo. Del mirrored him, showing the tattoo identical to his own. Bernie heard shuffling beside him. He looked over at Bur and saw he was also showing his.
“Brothers,” they all said together.
They hugged each other silently for a bit.
Del spoke first. “You’re not going to have to use so much of your money for Triumvirate. I’ve got some donors lined up.”
“Controlling,” Bur griped.
They disentangled and sat on the floor, legs crossed under them, forming a triangle.
“We’ll be glad for your help. Right, Bur?” Bernie stressed.
“Yeah, yeah. Help and all that. Why didn’t you want us to find you?” Bur demanded.
“I thought it best not to let Bernie know I was in Mapson. He made a life here, and I didn’t want to disturb it.” Del paused briefly glancing between the two of them, then continued. “And after I sent you the note telling you about our parents, I knew you would at least find Bernie. The two of you would have each other,” Del said softly.
“We need you too,” Bernie insisted.
It was just like Del—always thinking of others before himself and thinking he wasn’t needed. Del gave his all when he loved you, but never expected anything in return.
“Butthead,” Bur said affectionately, cupping the back of Del’s head.
Bur cupped Bernie’s head too, and pulled them together. They rested their heads on each other’s, breathing together. Bernie sighed, breathing deeply. After a few moments, they sat back.
“Did you ever plan on telling us you were visiting Mapson?” Bernie asked.
“He always misses the obvious,” Bur said.
“Yeah. That hasn’t changed.”
“What’s so obvious?” Bernie pouted.
“Do you really think he set up this place for a visit?” Bur gestured to the room.
“Okay. So he’s living here,” Bernie grumbled.
“Yes. I’m in Mapson permanently,” Del acknowledged.
Bernie was elated, but both Bur and Del moving here seemed a little convenient. Suddenly, it dawned on him why.
“They’ll be coming looking for me,” Bernie whispered.
When Bur first arrived and mentioned he had been giving their parents money because of him but stopped because they had duped him about Bernie’s location, it hadn’t dawned on him then. But now it registered that the reason they had come after him to bring him back was at the time, they wanted the money Bur had been giving them to keep coming. It had, and they left him alone because of it. He knew how his parents thought. Bur’s money was basically payment for leaving him alone. They had no need for him. As long as they had money, they had no reason to pursue him. Now that they were cut off, they would come after him.
“No. They’ll be coming after me, because of the money. I cut them off.” Bur sounded certain.
“You’re both wrong. They’ll be coming for me. I cut them off too,” Del said.
“What? You were paying them too?” Bernie cried.
“Yes. After I left, I picked the pocket of a powerful man. Jerrod, instead of turning me in, showed me how to make money. Once he figured out what I could do, he fed my knowledge and gave me the tools. I took them, mak
ing us both lots of money. I set it up for them to get money for you, Bernie. I eventually left Jerrod’s businesses, then went out on my own and made even more money. Until a year ago, I thought they had done as I wanted and taken care of you, Bernie. Once I found out they hadn’t, I cut them off, then found Bur to tell him, too, as Bur already figured out. I sent him a letter anonymously.” Del’s voice went cold. “Money can be a powerful motivator, but they’ll be coming for me because I did the one thing they always feared.”
At the icy look on his face and in his eyes, Bernie shivered. Bur stared at Bernie, then back at Del.
“What did you do?”
“I exposed them for the monsters they are.” Del closed his eyes, then opened them. They were bleak. “We have brothers. Twins. They’re six. They did… the same thing to them they did to us.”
“No… that’s not possible. I was in the house. She wasn’t pregnant. Couldn’t have been.” Bernie shook his head.
“I looked into it. She was when they almost… killed you.” Del’s voice quivered with rage. “For that alone, I could kill them.” Del drew a breath, then continued. “My investigators gathered evidence against them, and my lawyers gave it to the Frances, Connecticut, DA yesterday. They were arrested this morning. The investigators are still trying to find out what they did with Olivia’s body. Until there is some proof of her being dead, the DA can’t prosecute them for her death.”
“They need to be punished for what they did to her, too. When they find her body, we’re going to give her a proper funeral. Show her that we love her.” Bernie’s throat was tight. His brothers nodded, their faces showing pain as he was sure his was. Bernie cleared his throat, then asked. “What about our brothers? What are their names?”
“Humphrey and Darwin. They’re on their way here. I’m their legal guardian,” Del replied.
Bernie stood, stumbling away. “I left them there with them. Oh my God. That’s why they said I should come home to protect my brothers when they came to see me in the hospital. I thought they were talking about the two of you. But you were long gone. I should have gone back.”
“You didn’t know.” Del gripped him.
“I should have gone back.” Bernie shook his head wildly.
Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles) Page 28