“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Was it a vital piece of information missing from your life?”
“No, but you could have said something.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why? I'm—I just thought you might mention it.”
Helena “whatevered” him under her breath. “So how did you find out?”
“She gave my name to some gay organization for criminal justice employees.”
“She did?” Helena's eyes got wide.
“Which then begs the question—how did she know about me?”
“Is that a leading question because you already know the answer?”
“You told Chris Callas I was…” Evan paused, glancing over at Helena.
“Gayishly bisexual because you had a wife and now you have a boyfriend.” Helena lifted her chin defiantly.
“Gayishly bisexual?” Evan rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand.
“What? You can't even discuss it without stuttering, and we all know how you hate labels,” she said—complete with hand-gestured theatrics. “I needed to come up with something.”
“They want me to join the group.”
“Then join! Chris said they're nice people, and they do good work. It's a nice support network.”
Evan sighed as he pulled into a parking space in front of the precinct. “Being…out…at work is something I didn't really consider, Helena. You knowing, Vic knowing…”
“Moses knows. So does Kalee. And Nicole in Records—her dad is friends with Lenny.” Helena started ticking people off on her fingers. “And if Nicole knows that means Gina in the lab knows, and quite frankly if Gina knows, people in Alaska know you live with a man.”
Evan banged his head on the steering wheel.
“What? Who cares? They knew you were married.” Helena got out of the car, completely cutting off Evan's “it's different” argument.
He kept it to himself, because he knew what her response would be.
“Why is it different?”
Evan followed her into the building, glancing here and there at fellow cops and office workers on the sidewalk and in the entranceway.
Did they know he lived with a man?
Did they care?
Chapter Fourteen
Matt managed to leave a quick message for Evan about being home late, then did the same with a call to the house phone and a text to Katie's cell. Everyone had keys, walking wouldn't kill any of the kids—it would be fine.
He stopped fussing and followed Bennet through the shopping mall he called an apartment.
The thing was huge, the entire floor of a pre-war on the Upper West Side. Their footsteps actually echoed on the hardwood floors. Matt tried to remembered to keep his jaw from dropping open.
There was also the matter of the limo that drove them here—and the doorman, the housekeeper, the “staff” who helped Daisy get settled into her suite and offered Matt an assortment of food and beverage while he waited in the foyer for Bennet to make sure Daisy was resting comfortably.
This guy probably took baths in money like Scrooge McDuck.
“She's drifting off. The sedative helped,” Bennet said as he entered the room. The dark suit jacket and tie were gone, giving Bennet what Matt guessed was his “casual rich dude look.”
“Good to hear. She's, uh—she's had a stressful few days, huh?”
Bennet sighed. “Yes, she has. Shall we go into the parlor?” He led Matt one room over into an ornately gold and black-schemed sitting room. “Daisy has lived a bit of a sheltered life. I have to fight myself not to fall into that same overprotective trap.”
Matt glanced around the magazine-layout mansion and cleared his throat. “Right, gotta keep it real.”
The other man snickered as he sat down across from Matt on one of the sofas. “It's okay to think I'm ridiculous. Sometimes I think I am as well.” He crossed his legs. “Believe it or not I grew up in a Philly housing project with my mother and brother.”
Matt whistled. “You're pretty young to have gone from that to this.”
“I was extremely fortunate. My mother had very strong opinions on education and focus. She made sure my brother and I lived up to that expectation.”
“What does he do?”
“He's a heart surgeon.” Bennet grinned. “Which makes me the very rich, very successful runner-up in my mother's eyes.”
“I'd say it sucks to be you but…”
“It doesn't.” Bennet winked. “And now that you know a bit about me, I'd like to make you an offer.”
“Don't you want to know about me?” Matt rested his elbows on his knees. “I mean, you just met me…”
“I had my assistant run a background check on you this morning.”
“Wow, you don't mess around.”
“No, I don't. I'm very careful about whom I allow in my inner sanctum. It's part of the reason for my success, quite frankly.” He brushed his hand across his trousers. “I like the way you assessed the situation the other night. I like the way you offered suggestions based on your concern for Daisy's safety. That impressed me.”
Matt shrugged. “Once a cop, always a cop.”
“Which is why Daisy is unharmed right now—because Jim was there, and his reflexes, his eye for the out of place. A former cop would be ideal for this job. Not to mention a background in security as well. You're perfect.”
“I've never been a bodyguard, and I—I don't know if I'm looking for a full-time gig.” Matt resisted the urge to check his watch or cell phone.
“You have other responsibilities?”
“You're the one who ran the background check,” Matt said flatly. “You have to know I live with Evan Cerelli, and he has four kids.”
“So you're the main caretaker. That's very interesting,” Bennet said conversationally. “Have you adopted them?”
“Huh? No.” It hadn't even occurred to Matt why he would do that. “They have a father.”
“True. But he's a police officer. If something happened to him in the line of duty…” Bennet put up his hand. “Please excuse me. I shouldn't have said that. It was unthinking of me. Honestly I have this on my mind because of a situation a friend went through.”
“What sort of situation?” Matt thought about Evan being injured a few months after they met. How his in-laws had swooped in and taken the kids; he had no say, the kids had no say.
“He and his partner were raising a child, biologically his partner's… Well, his partner was killed in an accident, and in the middle of all the grieving, his partner's parents announced they were taking the child back to Florida.” Bennet's voice cracked. “It was awful. There was nothing he could do. They have the rights; he did not.” He sighed. “Again, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm tired, and it's been on my mind.”
Matt felt numb. His hands tingled, his ears buzzed.
“No, I'm glad you said something, actually—it's important to think about,” Matt said, trying to regain his equilibrium.
“To get us back on track—I'm willing to offer you one hundred fifty thousand dollars a year plus expenses and insurance to come work for me. You'll be solely responsible for Daisy's well-being.”
Matt blinked. “That's a lot of money.”
“I have a lot of money. I spend it on what matters most.”
“I have to think about this. It's going to involve late hours, traveling. That might not be workable.”
Bennet nodded, sitting forward. “Of course. I don't expect an answer right away. In the meantime, I'd like you to assist me on a retainer basis. When you have time.”
“Sure.” He gave into temptation and checked his watch. School was just getting out. “I really need to go home and shower, change my clothes. I'll give you a call tonight.”
“Good enough.” Bennet stood and offered his hand. “We'll talk later. Let me call the driver so he can take you back to Queens.”
It started raining halfway through Matt's limo ride home.
He knew the twins didn't have umbrellas and hit the auto dial for Katie's cell phone.
“Hi, where are you?” Katie huffed without even saying hello.
“Stuck in traffic. Where are you?”
“Waiting for the twins. It's pouring. God, my hair is a mess.”
Matt cursed under his breath. “Stay at the school. As soon as I get to the house I'll pick up my car and drive over there.”
“Too long to wait. We'll walk. It'll be fine.”
“Katie, please just wait for me. I'll be there as soon as I can.”
She agreed begrudgingly, and they hung up. Matt leaned forward and tapped on the glass.
“Hey, listen, you think Mr. Aames would mind if we made a detour?”
Any guilt about being made to wait in the rain was erased when he picked up the kids in the limo.
They delighted in pressing buttons and stealing soda from the fridge. Katie caressed the lush leather seats and squeaked.
“I need to talk to the career counselor at school,” she said.
“Why?”
“Because I need to know what major I have to have to make this kind of bank.”
“This kind of bank?” Matt stopped Elizabeth from standing up and hitting her head. “No more urban music for you.”
“So you're friends with a rich guy now? Can we have a pony?” Katie took a Pellegrino from the fridge.
“He asked me to work for him; this is my ride home from the interview.” Matt shifted in his seat. He wasn't expecting to have this conversation with the kids before a) thinking it over and b) talking to Evan. Their wide-eyed stares made him nervous.
“You're getting a job?” Elizabeth asked. She looked decidedly unhappy.
“Hey, people work while their kids are at school, you know. It's not like we're babies,” Katie said helpfully. “I'm sure it wouldn't be too much of a difference.”
“What about summer time? Or after school?” Elizabeth looked at Matt. “What about if we get sick?”
“I'm not going to some stupid after-school program,” Danny announced, and that was all he had to say on the matter.
“Hey, slow down. He made an offer, and I'm supposed to think about it.” Matt didn't mention the traveling or late hours. “No one is going to any after-school program just yet.”
Elizabeth seemed mollified, but Katie's appraising look made him glance away out the tinted window.
People with kids worked all the time. If he wanted to they could figure it out—and it would be something that was just his. Separate.
“Mom didn't work,” Katie said as she sat down next to Matt at the kitchen table. He was trying to drink a cup of coffee and read the paper, but she brought a can of diet soda and clearly wasn't leaving until they talked.
“I'm not your mom,” Matt pointed out.
Katie traced a pattern on the table. “You sorta are.”
“No, actually I'm not.” Matt pushed the paper away and reined in his tone. “I'm not legally anything.”
“Who's talking about legal? I'm talking about you being the person who's here for us.”
“Well maybe I need to do something else and remind everyone I'm not the mom.”
Katie frowned. “That's stupid. I thought you enjoyed it.”
“I like taking care of you kids—I do.” Matt rubbed his eyes. He hadn't slept enough to have this talk with Katie. “I'm just thinking about getting a job, that's all.”
The frown deepened. “Are you and Daddy breaking up?”
“No, of course not! Nothing's wrong.” Matt laid his hands over hers. “I'm not going anywhere.”
“Right, okay.” Katie's hands were cold under his. “Okay. Well—good luck with deciding about the job.” She pulled her hands out from under his and got up, leaving her soda behind as she drifted upstairs.
Matt sighed. The television was blaring as Danny played his Xbox. Elizabeth he could see on the deck, kicking around in the puddles left by the sudden rainstorm.
He had dinner to get ready and things to consider. Like whether there was enough money in the world to lever him out of this house.
A nap sounded like a great idea, until he heard a key in the front door lock, and Miranda Cerelli—the eldest and most dramatic of all of Evan's children—flew through the door with a fierce look on her face.
“My grandmother is going to try and get custody of the kids,” she seethed, slamming the door behind her.
Chapter Fifteen
Evan knew something was wrong three steps into the front door. It was ridiculously quiet at half past seven, and Miranda was sitting on the sofa, an angry expression on her face.
“Oh God, what?” he asked as he dumped his briefcase.
His eldest folded her arms over her chest. “Grandma came to see me at the dorm.”
An inward groan subdued, Evan took his suit jacket. “What happened?”
“She said that her and Grandpa wanted the younger kids to live with them, and I quote, 'Get them out of this house of sin.'” She air quoted. “And she wanted to know if I would testify.” Miranda tsk-tsked. “She wanted me to talk to her priest.”
“Now she's got her church involved. Wonderful.” Evan muttered to himself as he sat down catty-corner to Miranda. “Can I ask what you said in response?”
Miranda smirked. “I feel vaguely powerful right now.”
“This is kind of a serious matter, so I'm not joking,” Evan said quietly. “I need to know what you said.”
His daughter looked surprised and then a tad offended. “Like I would testify against you? Whatever I think about you and Matt is an opinion, but I wouldn't put the younger kids through something so ugly.”
“Whatever you think about Matt and I?” Evan's fingers wound tightly together. “Can you elaborate?”
“Sure—it's weird and confusing since you were married to Mom for like—ever. You have no idea what sort of stuff people say behind your back and what they say to Katie and Danny and Elizabeth at school. It's not easy, okay?” Miranda's arms tightened, and she gave herself a hug. “But I still don't think Grandma and Grandpa should be raising the kids.”
“Thank you.” Evan cleared his throat. “And I'm sorry this hasn't been easy for you.”
“It's fine. Whatever.” She jiggled her legs nervously. “It's weird coming home and it not being home. No, Mom, no same old house.”
“I know. Sometimes I miss it too,” he said, honest and raw as his throat began to hurt.
“You have Matt now, and the kids have someone to take care of them, but I—I don't have Mom. I can't call her to talk about stuff that's going on like…like boys and school and the future. Who am I going to go to when I get engaged or married? Who's going to plan my wedding with me and…” Miranda's voice cracked. “I miss Mom and I hate Grandma for putting me in the middle.”
Evan got up and sat down next to Miranda, sliding his arms around her. He caught the first tear against his shoulder and rubbed her back in gentle circles. The process of comforting her kept his own tears at bay.
They sat in silence after her crying jag ended. He realized somewhere in the middle of the quiet that no one else was home.
“Where're Matt and kids?” he asked finally.
Miranda blew her nose on a tissue. “Matt took them to dinner. When I got here I was all pissed, and I told Matt what Grandma said.” She bit her lip. “He was kinda upset.”
“I'm sure,” Evan murmured. He patted her shoulder and got up to get his phone. “He didn't call.”
“I think he just wanted to get the kids out the door.”
“Right.” Evan scrolled down and hit Matt's name on his contact list. It rang a few minutes, then went right to voice mail. Evan redialed.
“Maybe he shut his phone off?” Miranda said helpfully.
Voice mail again. Evan hung up and glanced back at his daughter. “You know I need to call your grandmother about this.”
Miranda sighed. “I know. She's going to be pissed at me for telling.”
&
nbsp; “She has no right to be. She also has no right to come to your school and bother you about this.”
“I think she means well, Dad. Seriously. She just misses Mom so much, like we do. But she can't move on.”
Evan scrolled up and hit Ellie's number. He needed allies before making the next call.
“I know, and I'm sorry for that. But this isn't about her or me or your mom. This about what's best for my children.”
Ellie was exasperated as Evan explained the day's events to her. He could hear her relaying the story to Walt through the phone.
“There's a new priest at her parish. He seems to be a bit more radical than Father Deckard. Maybe he's pushing her for this custody thing.”
“Ellie, seriously—I'm not going to let it get to that point.” Evan's nails dug into his palm as he paced the living room. “Katie and the twins are not going through the spectacle of a court case because your parents can't accept facts.”
“Evan, I know. I'm on your side,” Ellie said. “I don't want it to get to that either. I'm just saying—she's… It's all she's got right now. My dad is barely sober these days,” she added, sadly. “The hope that she might get the kids is what's keeping her going.”
“That is not my problem.” Evan glanced around to the kitchen, where Miranda was making tea and listening to the conversation. “The kids are well taken care of, loved, and healthy. The only problems are in her head. I don't want to do this, but I will end contact between her and the children if it comes down to her not abiding by my wishes.”
Ellie went quiet. “That would be cruel. The kids are all she has left of my sister. They're her only grandchildren.”
“I don't want to be a jerk here, Ellie, but the threat of a custody battle is unacceptable.” His teeth gritted. Everything in his body hurt from the strain of keeping his temper in check. “Asking Miranda to testify against me? Un-fucking-acceptable.”
A car pulled into the driveway; Evan looked out the window and saw the twins and Katie getting out of the minivan, with Matt not far behind.
“I know.”
“The kids and Matt are home. I'll talk to you in the morning.” Evan hung up on Ellie, knowing he'd be apologetic the next time they talked, but for right now, all he could see was bright red fury.
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