by Ali Vali
Giovanni thumbed the bottom of his signet ring as they drove through the gates of his office building. He could somewhat understand that his eldest son needed some time after what had happened with Eris, but the other boys’ absence had built a ball of fire in his gut that was growing by the hour.
Just that morning he’d taken some calls from some of Stephano’s men who’d all but admitted that his two sons had an ongoing operation in Biloxi. They were starting to feel the heat from some of the other dealers in town and wanted permission before doing anything to rectify the situation.
His sons liked to indulge in women and a good time, but Giovanni had always taught them business came first. If their business was under fire and they were nowhere to be found, there was a problem. And if that problem turned out to be Cain Casey, the streets would run with her blood.
*
Emma glanced around the room and tried to suppress a chuckle. The other people in the waiting room were scrutinizing them as if trying to figure out exactly how the odd conglomeration of people fit together. Next to her Cain sat patiently reading a golf magazine, not saying anything. She and Cain hadn’t talked much when Cain had returned the night before, but after seeing the fourth ring, Emma didn’t need to know anything else.
“How are you doing, lass?” Cain dropped the magazine and took both of Emma’s hands in hers, as if she didn’t want Emma to feel she was being ignored.
“Trying to conjure up good thoughts.”
Thinking about the exam rooms beyond the door was making her nervous. After Cain’s recent injury, Emma didn’t want to see any more doctors.
“You don’t have to do this.”
Emma knew that only the curious people in the room kept Cain from pulling her onto her lap.
“I’m just nervous, honey, but I really want this.”
Emma knew that Cain and their guards must have really glared, because suddenly the onlookers found their magazines fascinating. When she looked up from Cain’s shoulder, she found the same charming smile she’d fallen for.
“Mrs. Casey,” a nurse said quietly from the doorway at the end of the room.
Five people stood up.
“Guys, I appreciate your concern, but I think Cain and I can take it from here.”
The actions of Katlin, Merrick, and Lou touched Emma because she knew they’d once again come to accept her place with Cain.
“How are the fertile Caseys today?” Dr. Ellie Eschete said. She and her partner had a great following with couples just like Emma and Cain. “And I see from your chart that your birthday surprise for Ms. Casey worked out, Emma.”
“The surprise’s name is Hannah and she’s four, so thank you. Now, we’re hoping to make it three for three, so give me some good news.” Emma held up her crossed fingers. She was no expert, so she couldn’t begin to guess how the gift that Cain’s brother Billy had given her had fared after being in the deep freeze for more than four years.
Billy’s gift had lived on past him, giving Cain the legacy she’d come to want. Emma just hoped it was still as potent as the man who had proved his love for his sister in such a thoughtful way.
The door opened again, admitting Sam Casey, Ellie’s partner not only in business but also in life. When the greetings were done she sat on the edge of the desk, folded her hands, and rested them on her lap.
“You live with this bad weed and think there would be bad news?” From the first time they’d met, the luck of sharing Cain’s last name gave Sam more leeway to joke around, even if they weren’t related.
“What the comedian means,” Ellie interjected, “is how ready are you to try again?”
“We’re in the middle of some things right now, so we just want to check on the viability of another Casey baby. I did, though, start testing so that I can track my ovulation. Then when the time’s right, we’ll be ready. Right, love?”
“You know me. I’m ready every eleven months.”
“Aside from the fact you’re ready to try again,” Sam said, “your donor’s swimmers are doing great after their long nap. We tested just a small sample to be sure, but if you want another Casey baby, you’ll get it.”
She laughed when Cain pumped her fist at the news.
After Cain slapped Ellie on the back, she reminded Emma again of the things she should do to improve their chances of conception and gave her a chart to track her ovulation.
“It was great seeing you two again. Just remember that whenever you’re ready, we’ll be waiting.”
As soon as they were completely alone in Ellie’s office, Emma released the tears she’d been holding back, surprised when she found Cain crying along with her. “I never thought I’d be blessed like this again.”
“Today’s our new beginning…right here and now.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then it’s time to put the past behind us, Cain. What you started to protect us—it’s time to finish it. I want more than anything to come back here and try for this baby. When we do, I want it to be born with nothing hanging over its head and no one looking over its shoulder.”
Emma kissed Cain with the same passion she saved for their most intimate moments. She knew she was asking Cain to unleash the devil inside that Cain feared would drive them apart, but by doing so Emma declared herself as true a Casey wife as Therese Casey had been.
“Swear to me that’ll you’ll finish it.”
“On my mother’s grave, I’ll finish it or die trying.”
“Oh, no, my darling, dying is a long way off for you.” Emma brushed back a lock of dark hair and smiled. “And when she comes calling, I’ll be just a step behind you.”
Emma finally trusted Cain to use any means necessary to finish what needed to be done, and when she did, Emma would be there with the love that would heal what haunted her.
Chapter Forty-Four
“What’s going on now?” Joe telephoned to ask Shelby. He and Lionel were helping to canvass the Bracato brothers and babysit Anthony. Because Cain had become a virtual saint overnight, Agent Hicks had cut them loose from tailing her.
Shelby laughed along with Claire at the sheer boredom that faced them if their day continued on the same slow scale. “We’re sitting outside the clinic and guessing Cain’s just finished one more follow-up visit, since Merrick and Lou are back down here. I doubt they’ll be deserting their charges in broad daylight.” Running off a couple of eager security guards and an overzealous meter maid had provided their only excitement so far. “How’s it going on your end?”
“Lionel’s thinking of shooting Agent Surly if he makes one more snide comment, and we both agree the grim brothers four can give lessons on how to drop off the face of the planet.” Joe stepped out of a café some of the agents assigned to the Bracatos said Gino liked to frequent and looked for the car the three of them were in. “Why do I feel we’re always two steps behind these guys with no hope of catching up?”
“Because we’re always two steps behind these people with no hope of catching up,” Shelby said, making him laugh. A knock on the back door of the van cut short her razzing. “Joe, let me call you right back. If it’s that woman again, I may shoot her this time instead of showing her my ID.”
“Shelby, heads up. Our targets are mobile again,” Claire said.
Shelby was so busy watching Cain and Emma that it took her a while to realize Merrick had walked up to the van.
“I see our company isn’t the meter maid,” Shelby said. She was seriously considering ignoring the knock, but Merrick and Lou weren’t moving.
Merrick merely smiled as the back door cracked open. “I hope I’m not disturbing anything, but I come bearing gifts.” She held up two cups of coffee but didn’t try to come closer and peek in. “My boss thought a nice warm drink might make all these boring hours pass faster.”
“Make sure and thank Cain on our behalf.”
“Actually, Cain would let you rot out here, but I’ll tell Mrs. Casey you appreciate her thoughtfulness.” Merri
ck had begun to head back across the street when she snapped her fingers as if she’d forgotten something. “She also wanted me to inform you she was going shopping again and there was a great sale on suits, if you were interested. In case you lose us, we’ll be in the designer section.”
“Thanks.” Shelby made sure the sarcasm was hard to miss. “Tell her no one likes a smart-ass,” she added in a whisper.
It wasn’t soft enough, she realized, when Merrick laughed and shook her head.
“Then perhaps you should ask to be reassigned. Smart-ass seems to be her specialty.” With that, she walked back to her waiting car.
As pissed as Merrick had been when she was first assigned to Emma, she was starting to enjoy her company. Cain, she’d found through the years, had a wicked sense of humor, but after only a few weeks she was finding that Emma rivaled her.
“What, they aren’t coffee drinkers?” Emma laughed at Merrick’s still-shaking head.
“More like they’re still in shock that they’ve run across someone who actually likes to mess with them more than Cain does.” They all looked at the van, which had an electric company name on the side. “After all, you’re not supposed to notice them because of the convincing camouflage.”
“Kind of hard to miss a big-ass electric truck following you around all day. They’d be less conspicuous if they rode around on a huge pink elephant playing a couple of banjos.” Emma waved one last time before accepting Cain’s help into the car.
Even if the FBI was monitoring her every movement, Emma felt too good to be upset about it. A majority of the prayers she’d uttered in the quiet of the Wisconsin nights while she’d been apart from Cain had been answered in the last hour, and nothing was going to ruin that for her.
“Keep this up and your file may be thicker than mine,” Cain said, once the door closed.
“I’m bad, but I’m not that bad, lover.”
The car headed back downtown since Cain hadn’t planned on separating from her partner that day. Even though Emma was going to the mall for a final fitting of her new outfit for the club opening, Cain had vowed to tag along.
“You’re sure you want to watch me try on clothes?”
“I’m more looking forward to you stripping down for me, but I’ll live. Everything for tonight is done, so I freed up my day. Just call me the official bag carrier.”
“You do a good enough job, and I might hire you on a permanent basis.” Emma leaned in closer and ran her index finger down Cain’s chest. “But if you come with me, I won’t be able to surprise you later on tonight.”
“Then how about if I sit outside with the help and admire you from afar?”
Emma trailed her finger back up and was delighted with the shiver it caused. “Just as long as you’re not too far away.”
They both had to laugh at the gagging noises coming from Merrick in the front seat.
“Enough from the peanut gallery, thank you.”
“I’m just thinking.” Emma looked at Cain. “Any more of this, and you’ll have to retire and become a florist or something equally romantic. At least those guys might leave you alone if they hear you spitting out all this mush.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling them all these years, but no one ever pays attention to me. I’m just a big mushball.” Cain kissed the tip of Emma’s nose.
At the mall Emma headed into the dressing room with Kevin leading the way after she introduced him to Cain.
Shelby and Claire stood outside close to the elevators, sipping the last of their cappuccinos and trying to blend in with the other shoppers as best they could, envious when they saw Cain hand Kevin an invitation to the opening of the club that night.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you and Ralph there tonight, Kevin,” Cain said, putting her hand on his shoulder after handing him the envelope. “Any man who’s that talented in choosing lingerie should be rewarded.”
“Judging from Emma’s comments about you all these years, I didn’t think you’d disapprove.”
“You definitely thought right.”
The day had been so boring up till now, especially listening in on this drivel, that Shelby was almost tempted to leave, but she figured Cain would use the opportunity to pull off a major hit while they were out helping Joe and the others.
“Still watching the world pass you by, eh, Agent Phillips?”
The voice caught Shelby so off guard, she almost dropped her cup over the railing. “I’m thinking about retiring if one more person sneaks up on me today.” Trusting Claire to keep things under control, Shelby focused on the subject of more than one thought over the weeks. “How’ve you been, Muriel?”
“Busy, actually.” Muriel looked at where Claire was staring and laughed at Cain, who was making a face at her and crossing her eyes. “I’d ask what you’ve been up to, but I can see things haven’t changed much.”
“It’s a job.”
“I’m sure it is.” Muriel opened her mouth as if to add something, but just as quickly she clicked it shut. “I’ll let you get back to it, since it looks rather riveting. With any luck Cain’ll start some sort of illegal cock fighting in designer shoes just for kicks. If not, I don’t want to think what a waste of my tax dollars this is.”
“Muriel, please wait.”
Shelby’s request stopped Muriel before she got too far away.
“It’s my job. You may not like it, and you can play stupid and not try to understand it, but it’s my job.”
“Why do you care how I feel about it one way or another?”
“Because I thought we were becoming friends.” Shelby eased closer, glad that Claire acted as if nothing was happening.
“I thought so too. Then something reminded me of the enormous gulf between us. As much as I’d like to, I think that gulf is too wide to breach.”
She pointed to Cain. “In the end it’s like you said—it’s a job to you, but to me, it’s my family. My loyalty is to her and my name.”
“Even if that loyalty sinks you, Counselor?”
“Shelby, a word of advice.”
Muriel’s demeanor changed as her voice lowered, making Shelby understand she’d overstepped her bounds.
“Never speak of things you can’t fathom. One of my greatest possessions is a book of family history that goes back generations. It teaches that the Casey clan, for as much as you have watched us, is exactly that to you—unfathomable. We have survived for hundreds of years because we know no other way than to be loyal to our own. So to answer your question, yes, my loyalty is hers even if it sinks me.”
The rebuke was quiet but scathing, yet for some reason it impressed Shelby and clarified something about Cain and Emma’s relationship. No matter how many Barney Kyles came into Emma’s life, she would never again betray her loyalty to Cain, because that loyalty undergirded their relationship.
“I wonder what belonging to something like that feels like.”
“Did you say something?” Claire asked.
“Nothing important.” Shelby took her post at the center railing and watched not Cain, but the cousin who’d joined her. “Think we can finagle one of those invitations for tonight?”
“It’s worth a shot, because something tells me tonight will be exciting only if we’re in the middle of the action.”
Chapter Forty-Five
“Make sure you keep an eye on your sister. Hannah’s an angel with a streak of mischief.” Emma put her hand over Cain’s where it was resting on her abdomen. “She inherited that from your mother. She’s always been a little hard to control too.”
The soft laugh from behind her tickled her ear as Hayden replied to her from his end.
“When are you coming to get us? It’s fun up here, but I miss you.”
“I’m not sure what Cain’s timetable is, but it should be soon. We miss you just as much.”
That was true, but during the three weeks she’d spent with just Cain, the last of the doubts between them had faded and they’d reconnected so str
ongly Emma was still amazed.
“Nothing’s wrong, is it, Hayden?”
“We’re fine, Mama. Stop worrying. I just didn’t want you to forget about us.”
Months before, the statement would’ve sent Emma into tears, but now she heard the teasing in his voice.
“The Caseys are mischievous, son, but forgetful they’re not,” she said right back. “Stay warm, and I’ll see you soon. I love you, baby.”
“I love you too, Mama.”
That she had come so far in that relationship too choked Emma up, and she had to pass the handset to Cain, though she kept the speaker on.
“How’s it going, buddy?”
“Bet I can milk a cow better than you.”
The greeting made Cain laugh. “I bet you can too, so I think I’ll pass on losing any money to you.”
“Tonight’s the big night, huh?”
“Don’t worry. When you get back I’ll take you for a walk-through, and I’ll make sure one of the men takes some pictures tonight so you can see how beautiful your mama looks.”
“I wish I was old enough already.” He laughed, cutting off any advice from Cain. “I know, I know—don’t rush it.”
“Damn right. How about we make you a deal? When you turn twenty-one, we’ll open a new place and you can go with a pretty girl on your arm.” Emma laughed, and Cain kissed her forehead.
“I forgot to ask. How did Mama like her surprise?”
“He knew you’d named the club after me?” Emma asked, coming up from Cain’s side so she could look at her.
“I may have let it slip when you were in the shower last week, but he agreed that it was a good idea. What, you think you’re the only one sneaking in extra phone calls during the day?”
Trying to appear innocent, Cain ignored the laughter coming from their son. “Kiss your sister for me, and tell Mook to keep his eyes open.”
“How about you do the same?”
“Will do, buddy. I love you and we’ll see you soon.”