Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles)

by Talia Carmichael

  “What are you all doing here?”

  “Came early to set up the furniture that’s coming today. After, we’ll go to the amusement park. Oh, Alex can’t make it. He had to go out of town,” Gerald replied.

  “I didn’t ask….” He trailed off, thinking about the man upstairs in his bed. “Harper.” Del laughed.

  “Nope. He didn’t ask. The boys did. They’re good at mimicking your horrified expression. They could be actors, the way they showed us how you looked when they mentioned you setting up the furniture. They knew you would need help, so here we are. Even brought some tools, since the boys couldn’t seem to find any.” Gerald slapped him on the shoulder, then grinned. “They invited us all to the amusement park too. Don’t worry, though. They said we had to pay for ourselves since you spent so much on them yesterday.”

  “They were figuring out chores they could do to pay you back for what you bought them,” Bur added.

  “I’ll talk with them,” Del said.

  “Let them find things to do. It will make them understand responsibility,” Gerald suggested.

  Del nodded, glancing at the people milling in his kitchen.

  “We’ll set up in that formal dining room you have. Fifteen minutes, and I’m coming upstairs to get you and Harper,” Gerald stated.

  Del didn’t even respond, heading toward the doorway. He was at the stairs when the doorbell rang. Del turned and went toward the front door, placing the tray he held on a table before he opened the door. Del studied the man on the doorstep, who he didn’t recognize. His shoulder-length, jet-black hair with red-tipped edges framed a captivating face. His various piercings and the look in his dark-green gaze reminded him a lot of Bur.

  “It’s a travesty what you’ve done to your Escalade. For peak performance, you need to take care of your vehicles.” The man pushed past him, carrying a foil-covered pan.

  “Hey—”

  “Sorry about Leslie. That’s just him in his Maestro mode.”

  Del glanced at Mackenzie, the owner of Bacchus Sloan. “Who?”

  “My brother. He gets snippy when people don’t take care of their vehicles… well, anything you can ride or drive in. He’s a master at them. Where is your garage opener?” Mackenzie asked.

  “Why?”

  “Because I don’t think you want Leslie to break into that too.” Mackenzie shrugged.

  “Too?” A suspicion made Del glance past Mackenzie.

  He moved around Mackenzie, disbelief filling him. Del closed his eyelids, then opened them, sure he was imagining it. No. It was still the same. All the doors, hood, and trunk of his Escalade were open. It was on jacks, and all his tires were removed.

  “What the hell did he do to my car?” Del turned to Mackenzie.

  He wasn’t behind him. Del headed inside, but changed course, going to Harper’s SUV and retrieving his bag. Del stomped back up the stairs. He glared at the man calmly sauntering down the steps.

  “Fix my car before I have you arrested.” Del pointed to the Escalade.

  “I was planning to. You can go ahead and call the cops. They won’t arrest me.” Leslie shrugged.

  “They will when I get through with them.”

  “I help service the police fleet as well as the police chief’s personal vehicles. But go right ahead.” He looked unconcerned, glancing off to the right.

  Del followed the direction he was looking.

  “What’s the code for your garage?”

  “I’m not telling you.” Del continued up the steps.

  “No matter. I’ll let myself in.”

  Del gripped the doorknob, resisting the urge to throttle him. “Family. They are Harper’s family.”

  Del repeated those words, putting the strap of the backpack over his shoulder and grabbing the tray. The sound of voices came from the direction of the dining room as he went upstairs. Del held the tray over his forearm and opened his bedroom door, going in. He locked it after him, then placed the tray on the dresser and the backpack on the floor. Del walked toward the bed.

  At the sight of Harper now face up on the bed, all his ire vanished. Del shucked his robe and crawled up the bed. Harper stretched, blinking, then focused on him, a smile curling his lips. Del slid his body over, then kissed him. Harper returned it, rocking against him, causing their erections to rub together. Del groaned, rotating harder, hugging him tightly. Harper’s hold was just as fierce. They moved together, cocks sliding along each other. Del stiffened, grunting as he came. Harper wrenched away from their kiss.

  “Del.”

  Del slumped as he went boneless from his release. His breath slowed as Harper’s did.

  “Morning.” Del kissed him, then studied him.

  “I’m fine. Actually, I couldn’t be better.” Harper smiled, then rolled them until he was on top.

  He straddled Del, moving back and forth. Del held Harper’s hip, guiding their movement as his shaft hardened again.

  Del jerked at the pounding on the door, holding Harper still.

  “What the hell—”

  “Del, your time is up. Morning, Harper. Now get your asses out here,” Gerald called from beyond the door.

  “What is Gerald doing here?”

  “The boys invited him to help their brother, who can’t set up furniture. And it’s not just him. Almost all of them from yesterday are back, and they brought even more people with them. They’re all downstairs having breakfast. Then they’re coming to the amusement park.” Del placed his arm over his eyes.

  “Awww… that’s sweet. The boys invited them to the amusement park.” Harper rubbed Del’s stomach.

  “Go lower,” Del said.

  “I would, but Gerald isn’t going to go away,” Harper replied.

  “I hear the amusement in your voice. It isn’t funny. They are your people, and in my house.” Del lifted his arm. “And they fucked with my Escalade.”

  “Ah… Leslie came too.”

  “For you to even know who I’m referring to tells me a lot about this Maestro fellow. I thought Gerald was irritating, but nope. This guy is even worse. He didn’t even say much to me, and I want to deck him.” Del glared. “And you. You say his name so calmly, like it’s a normal thing for someone to take apart your car.”

  “Wow. You’re really calm if he took it apart. I just thought he had taken off the tire or something,” Harper said.

  “No, he wouldn’t take my car apart.”

  “Yeah, yeah he would. But don’t worry. He’ll put it back together, and it will be as good as new.” Harper patted Del’s chest.

  Del moved him off, stood, grabbed his sweats from last night, and dressed. He grabbed his T-shirt too, as Harper also dressed, a slight smile on his face. When Harper was fully clothed, Del kissed him briefly before leading him to the door. Del unlocked and then opened it. Seeing what Gerald was up to, Del glared at him, looking at what he held.

  “Give me that screwdriver.” He took it and pushed him out of the way. “What were you doing with it?”

  “Probably taking the door off the hinges,” Harper replied.

  Del glanced between the two of them in disbelief, then strode away, shaking his head, muttering, “I’m in the middle of a really weird dream. It has to be. I ate something bad, and that’s why I am having these delusions.”

  He descended the stairs, going to the front door. “My car.”

  “He’ll put it back together. Morning, Leslie,” Harper called.

  “Morning, Harper,” Leslie called from beneath the car.

  Del went and stood beside the Escalade. He looked around at all the pieces on the ground by the vehicle. He circled the SUV, shaking his head as he saw there were more pieces all around it.

  “Ohh… someone broke Del’s car,” Rey said.

  “It wasn’t us,” Dar said.

  “No, it was Leslie. But it isn’t broken. He’ll put it back together, and it will sound and work much better,” Harper said.

  Leslie slid from under the vehicle. “
It’s pitiful what your mechanic is doing to this beautiful machine. All of your vehicles need fixing. I sent the rest of them to my garage. You can pick them up in a few days. I’ll let you know when they’re ready. I’ll get this one ready in time for us to go to the amusement park.” Leslie pointed a finger. “From now on, come by my garage. Don’t make me have to come to get your cars.” He pushed himself back under the vehicle.

  “He guts my car, then threatens me.” Del went around the husk of the car, clenching his fist when he viewed the open garage and empty bays where his vehicles should be. “And then steals the rest of them.”

  Del ruffled the boys’ hair as he passed on his way back inside.

  “Where are you going?” Harper asked.

  “To call the cops.” Del pivoted and got in his face. “Your people stole my car. He gutted my SUV.”

  “You can act all blustery, but they’re your people too. And he’ll fix it.” Harper patted his cheek, then took the boys’ hands, leading them toward the voices in the dining room.

  Del thought of everything that had happened since yesterday, then started to laugh.

  “Harper, I think Del has cracked!” Gerald yelled.

  Del ignored him, heading for his office.

  “He’s heading to his office. You want me to get him?” Gerald said loudly.

  “No, he’s calling the police,” Harper said.

  “I am the police,” Gerald retorted.

  Del leaned against the wall by his office, too weak from laughing to go on.

  Chapter Seven

  “DILLARD.”

  Del composed his face, then turned to greet the man. “Chief Sanders.”

  “Chuck. I told you to call me Chuck. Any friend of Maestro is a friend of mine.” He held out his hand.

  Del placed his in it, shaking the police chief’s hand. He loosened his grip, but the chief held on.

  “Do you still want to press charges?” His smile widened.

  Del reluctantly replied, “No.”

  “Ah… so your Escalade is running better. Did he return the rest of your vehicles?” The chief’s tone clearly said he already knew.

  He waited, and Del nodded.

  “So I was right to tell you to wait and see how your car was working.” The chief laughed and moved on.

  “He’s a car thief. How was I to know he really did know the police chief?” Del muttered.

  “You’re the one who called the cops,” Harper pointed out.

  “Because he stole my cars,” Del retorted.

  Harper laughed, putting his hand on Del’s back. Del chuckled. He’d been outwitted by a man who did indeed know how to fix anything that moved on wheels.

  “And he sent me a bill,” Del grumbled.

  “He needs to be paid for his work. Stop your blustering. You know you enjoy Maestro’s company,” Harper said.

  Del scowled. Harper was right, at least since the day about a week ago he’d made peace with Maestro. He’d invited Del to his garage and shown him what he was working on. Even showed him his collection of fully restored classic cars. Harper had been pleased, since Maestro only did that with people he liked.

  “And don’t think I don’t know you matched him with a new mechanic for his garage,” Harper said.

  “Blabbermouth.”

  “I didn’t say anything,” Rey protested.

  “I wasn’t talking about you, Rey.” Del knelt to fix his shoelaces, then Dar’s, before standing. “Are you all enjoying your first Paget Weekend?” He rubbed the top of each boy’s head.

  “Yes,” they said simultaneously, bouncing in place.

  Rey stilled, wrinkled his nose, then biting his lip.

  “What is it, Rey?” Del asked gently.

  “I’m having fun, but I don’t remember what Harper said Paget Weekend is for.”

  Dar piped in before Del could speak. “Paget Weekend happens on the fourth weekend during the months of April through September. Every year, everyone in Mapson looks forward to the fun.” His voice rose in excitement. “It’s one of the few times of year Paget Street is blocked off, and you can walk in the streets without worrying about stupid cars. It’s a huge street fair.” Dar spread his hands wide, then lowered them, placing a hand on Rey’s shoulder. “Remember, Harper said it’s a local event for businesses and organizations from all around Mapson to join in. They set up booths in the center of the street that have yummy foods, games, and things you can buy.” Dar lowered his voice. “Like the candy Uncle Gerald got us that we’re not supposed to tell Del about because it’s his favorite and he’ll eat it all.” Dar glanced at Del, who acted like he hadn’t heard him. Dar went back to explaining to Rey. “Others who don’t have stores on Paget have to apply for a spot, but those that have a shop on Paget Street get a booth every weekend of the fair. Harper has one ’cause 2H Book Nook—Uncle Harper and Uncle Kenton’s store—is on Paget. That’s why it’s set up in front of their place.” Dar pointed towards the building and then looked at Del. “Right, Del?”

  “Right, Dar.” Del placed his hands on Dar’s and Rey’s hair. “You remembered what Harper said better than I did.”

  “I remembered too.” Rey smiled. “I just wanted to see what analogy you would have come up with.”

  “That’s cheating.” Dar glared at Rey.

  “Clay didn’t say we couldn’t get an adult to help us,” Rey protested then returned the glare. “You’re just mad you didn’t think of it.”

  Del stifled a chuckle and made a mental note to mention to Clay he had to be more specific when instructing the boys. Analogy was their word for the day, and they had an assignment to come up with a story that correlated to it. Since Clay had come to work for them, the boys’ vocabulary had become even stronger.

  “I’m not doing your assignment for you,” Del told Rey, then said to them both, “Go help Kenton.”

  “He’ll help us,” Rey said.

  They went to the other end of the booth. Until Harper had mentioned it, Del hadn’t known anything about Paget Weekend. The already busy area of Paget Street had even more customers. Lots of people perused the booths set up along the street and looked as if they were having fun. “Del, we’re ready to go,” Bur said.

  Del nodded, then said to the boys. “I’ll see you all later tonight.” He looked at Kenton. “Don’t help them with their analogy story.” Kenton laughed and nodded while the boys pouted. Del tweaked them on their noses, then moved towards the other man. “Clay, I’ll be home late, so if you could keep—”

  Clay Garrett, the boys’ nanny, cut him off. “No problem. I’ll put them to bed.”

  Del hugged the boys, then walked to Harper. Harper waved to Kenton, and they left. Strolling along the busy street, Del thought of how much things had changed in such a short time.

  “Thanks for coming with me.” Del glanced at Harper, walking by his side.

  “Don’t thank me.” Harper bumped his shoulder.

  Del strolled along, sliding his hands into his pockets. In the parking lot, they got in his SUV and continued their journey in silence. Del made the turn onto the paved driveway. He slowed, gaze locked on the massive archway with the name Triumvirate Deuce on the top. He pressed the gas pedal and drove through the gates, breathing out as he viewed the completed center. The massive building was a visual architectural dream. All over the building was a mosaic design that had been done by hand. On each side of the doorways for each of the four entrances, the logo and name of the center was worked into the design. Del parked and got out of his car. He waited for Harper, and they joined Bur, Gerald, Tomas, and Bernie just beyond the building. Del glanced at his brothers, and they nodded.

  They strode toward the building, and Del pulled out the key, slid it into the lock, and opened it. They turned, beckoning the men to join them. Together, they went inside and checked over the building, top to bottom. Del, pleased with how everything looked, returned to his vehicle, then followed Bur’s SUV. They turned onto the main road and drove, passing Bur
’s and his bandmates’ estates. Farther down the road, they turned, then came to a simple, yet elegant gate. It looked like someone’s home. The gates opened, and Del drove through when it was his turn. In ten minutes, they crested a slight incline, and then, when they came over the rise, Treble Duo came into view. It was the same design as the main center, but on a smaller scale. Parking, Del gripped the wheel.

  Harper placed his hand on Del’s thigh. Del gripped his hand, then released it and got out of the vehicle. He stared at the mosaic with Treble Duo’s logo. Harper touched the small of his back. Del moved forward, very aware of that comforting touch. They again stood staring at the structure, and then he and his brothers went to the door. Del held the key, then put it by the lock. His hand shook. Two hands covered his, and together, they unlocked the door. Holding the key in their three clasped hands, together they stepped into the safe haven. A sense of comfort swept through him.

  “In August, we’ll have all the pomp and ass-kissing when we open, but to me, today is the official opening. Also, I think since we haven’t had any leads on finding our sister’s body, we should have a ceremony for her. Something for us to say goodbye.” Del glanced at his brothers, and they nodded.

  “Triumvirate,” they said together.

  Bur, then Bernie, released their holds on his hand. Del put the key back in his pocket, then walked beside his brothers while they looked over the safe haven they had built to help children who needed it. Del rubbed the leather band on his right wrist, then caught himself and stopped.

  LATER, HE rested his head back against the couch, absently stroking his finger along Harper’s chest.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Harper asked.

  “They abused us; we survived. It’s done. Move on.” Del pushed himself up and stood.

  At the window, he looked out onto Harper’s street. The sun was just going down, and the neighborhood was quiet. Harper hugged him from behind. Del placed his hands over Harper’s on his waist.

  “If you ever want to talk about what’s bothering you, I’m here to listen,” Harper said softly against his ear.

  “I know.” Del turned in his arms. “I feel like some ice cream. Take me to this Flavor Shoppe.”