He was gratified beyond measure when her reply came, quickly and emphatically. “I’ll meet you in Atlanta. Don’t worry about anything, darling, she’ll be fine. I love you.”
Mac was actually smiling when he made his next call. Out of habit, he called his oldest son first, telling him to get his brothers and get to his house within thirty minutes. And less than twenty minutes later, all four men arrived at Mac’s home in New Orleans’s historic Garden District. There was a comforting semblance of normalcy as he could hear his sons arguing loudly over some inconsequential thing or another. His high-spirited, hot-tempered sons rarely missed an opportunity to blow off steam, even when the topic was of no importance whatsoever. Tonight, it seemed that Philippe and Lucien were of the opinion that the comedienne and actress Mo’nique was finer than Jill Scott, something that Wade heartily disagreed with.
“Man, you’re just stupid. You have no taste at all,” Lucien said hotly. “Just look at those shoes you’re wearing, that tells me all I need to know about your ability to judge what looks good and what doesn’t. Mo’nique is foine, man. Her skin, her eyes, those lips,” he argued.
Philippe backed his twin up enthusiastically. “That hair, those curves and that beautiful smile, man, how can you say Jill Scott is finer than that sister?”
“Jill has beauty, sophistication, depth and soul, besides having a remarkable singing voice, how does that compare to Mo’nique?” Wade said angrily.
“Seeing as how none of you has any possible chance of meeting either lady, much less attracting her attention, why don’t you all shut up,” Julian said with dry amusement. “Judge must have something important to say or we wouldn’t all be here. And besides that, you’re all wrong. Queen Latifah has them all beat.”
The uproar was about to ensue in earnest when Mac entered the living room. “Sit down and pay attention. I have something to tell you and I don’t want any histrionics. We have a crisis on our hands and it’s time you were made aware of it. Before I go any further I must insist on your full cooperation because we don’t have time for foolishness. Got it?”
The men were already seated and watching their father with the respect he was due. In short, clipped sentences he explained about the threatening letters Paris had been getting and the steps her cousins had taken to protect her. He also explained what had transpired that evening. “I suppose I owe you an apology for not bringing you into the loop earlier, but we can debate that some other time. Right now I need to get to the airport. Clay is sending the corporate jet to pick me up and I’ll be in Atlanta shortly to see about our girl.” He looked at each of his sons in turn. “I know how much you care about your sister and perhaps I should have told you about the situation when it first arose. I thought I was doing the right thing because I was hoping it would die down. I was wrong.”
“Look, Judge, don’t worry about it. You were right not to tell us, those monkeys would have gone to Atlanta and clowned, so you did the right thing,” said Julian. The fact that his brothers didn’t try to pound him for the monkey remark was indicative of the gravity of the situation. “I’m going to go home and get a few things. I’m going with you,” Julian added.
“See, you should keep a bag in the car the way I do. I’m always ready to go at a moment’s notice. I’m going too, Judge,” Lucien said.
“You keep a bag in the car because you’re a hound,” Philippe said with a short laugh. “You need extra clothes because you sleep around so much. It won’t take me long to pack, Pop, I’m coming, too.”
Wade, the quietest of the group, had little more to add, other than to say he’d be back in thirty minutes. “I just hope whoever did this knows what’s in store for him,” he said in a stony voice.
Mac wouldn’t have believed it possible, but the presence of his sons and Ruth’s reassurance actually made him relax a little, although that wouldn’t be accomplished until he saw his daughter with his own eyes. And short of knowing that Paris was safe from harm, nothing could make Mac feel better than seeing Ruth again. Despite his anxiety, he could actually smile at the thought.
***
Sylvia was a friend to Ruth in so many ways she couldn’t begin to imagine her life without her. After she took Ruth back to her loft, she got busy. It was Sylvia who called her son Carmine, who was an executive at O’Hare International Airport and expedited getting her a seat on the next thing smoking to Atlanta. Sylvia also packed for Ruth while Ruth took a shower and put on fresh makeup. She smiled when she saw that Sylvia had laid out clothes for her to put on, an outfit that included another turtleneck, this one purple cashmere.
“Syl, I can’t thank you enough for this. If you weren’t here I’d still be trying to figure out what to take with me. If anything has happened to my girl, I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t know what Julian will do, either. That young woman is a huge part of his life. He adores her, Syl, he really does. He just dotes on her,” Ruth said in a muffled voice as she put on her silk camisole and her sweater. She added a spectacular pair of earrings, a pair so beautiful Sylvia had to come investigate.
“Woo-hoo, those are something else! What kind of stone is that?” she asked.
Ruth blushed. The earrings were cushion cut ovals of chrysolite with an eighteen-carat gold bezel, with smaller ovals of tanzanite dangling from the base of the bigger stone. The chrysolite was a unique shade of pale yellow-green that contrasted beautifully with the purplish-blue tanzanite and also made her eyes look even more gorgeous than usual. “They’re my Valentine’s Day gift from Julian. He has good taste, doesn’t he?”
Sylvia’s devilish sense of humor came to the fore as she responded. “Yeah, he has good taste all right. Real good taste. But does he taste good? That’s what really matters, sugar.”
Both women were still laughing as they went into the living room. The buzzer rang and it was Franco, who had come to take them to the airport. He looked at the laughing pair as he picked up Ruth’s bag. “You girls need to shake a foot if you plan to make that flight,” he cautioned.
Sylvia kissed him on the cheek. “It’s shake a leg, sweetheart. Shake a leg means to hurry, not shake a foot.”
Franco kissed her back. “Shake anything you like, just get going, cara.”
Ruth loved her niece’s husband for any number of reasons, but tonight it was his sheer efficiency that endeared him to her. Not only were he and Titus Argonne waiting when she got off the plane, but Clay had a car at her disposal, too.
“Aunt Ruth, Judge and the boys will be coming in at Charlie Brown Airport on the family plane. Titus wanted to meet with him to explain what’s been going on, but I figured you’d want to see him as soon as possible. So he’ll take you out to the airport and Marcus and I will follow you out there so you’ll have your own transportation. And before you ask, she really is fine. She’s resting comfortably and they’re going to discharge her in the morning and you and Bennie can fuss over her all you like. She really is fine,” he promised her.
Ruth hugged him tightly, thinking once again that Deveraux men were a breed unto themselves. Her niece had certainly gotten a wonderful husband in Clay Deveraux. And for the moment the thought that she, too, had a devastating Deveraux man hot on her trail didn’t cause her stomach to knot up. Instead a comforting warmth spread through her like the glow of her own private sun.
The flight into Atlanta was quick and comfortable, two things for which Mac was profoundly grateful. He was even more grateful that his sons went to sleep so they couldn’t think up something else to banter about. It was just Mac and Julian, quietly conversing in the rear of the luxurious plane.
“Judge, if Clay says Paris is going to be fine, she is. That’s the end of it. Clay isn’t going to give you his word on something that he doesn’t believe to be true,” Julian said comfortingly. “I don’t know if that Titus person is on the job or not, but we’ll find out about that in just a little while,” he added with a lethally feral grimace.
“Julian, I’m only going to say t
his once. Don’t start any mess with Titus, okay? The man is a consummate professional, extremely capable and, more to the point, he has some very, very strong feelings for your sister. He knows what he’s doing and we need to let him do what he does without any interference.”
Julian gave his father a skeptical look. “You act like you know this man or something.”
“I wouldn’t claim to know him, but when Paris informed me about the threats, I came to Atlanta to make sure she was okay. She made dinner for me and Bennie’s aunt, Ruth Bennett, and Titus was there. I had an opportunity to talk with the young man at length and I’m convinced he has a vested interest in Paris’s safety. He cares about her very much, son, and whoever tries to hurt her better be long gone before Titus finds him. It’s that serious,” Mac said as Julian continued to look doubtful.
“Love is an amazing emotion, son. Aside from your mother there’s been no one on this earth I love as much as my children. Your safety, your well-being and your happiness have always been paramount with me, I hope you know that,” he said quietly.
“Of course we know that, Pop. As a matter of fact, you may have spent a little too much time with us. You haven’t had a serious relationship since Mom died and that’s a long time. There should’ve been something more in your life than your kids and the law.”
“What I had was more than enough,” Mac said with a quiet finality. “When you become a father, you’ll understand what it’s like to have that kind of love. From the time you hold that little baby in your hands for the first time, your life becomes totally different. Ask Clay, ask any of your cousins about how it feels to have that kind of love in the palm of your hand. You have to remember, son, I loved your mother beyond measure. I didn’t really want to be involved with anyone after she died, not on a permanent basis. What I wanted was to make sure my children were clothed, fed, comforted, loved and grew up to be productive and successful adults. I hate to say it, but I was really concerned about Paris the most because she was my baby girl,” Mac admitted sheepishly.
“Men are always proud of their sons, they love their sons, but those little girls just wrap their fingers around your heart and don’t let go. Just wait until you have one of your own, you’ll know what I’m talking about.”
Julian looked out the window at the impenetrable night sky before answering his father. “Pop, the chances of that are slim to none. After the Maya debacle I have no interest in that kind of involvement. Your marriage may have been idyllic, Clay and his brothers may have all found fabulous wives, but that doesn’t mean that marriage is for everyone. It’s not for me,” he said firmly. “Pop, I don’t have to tell you how torn up I was after Maya left me. You know, probably better than anyone, what I was like after she was gone. If you think I’m putting myself through that kind of hell again, you’re crazy,” he said fiercely. “No disrespect intended, sir, but I think I’m just like you. I’m a one-woman man and when that woman is no longer attainable, the game is over. Period.”
“Look, son, I don’t want you to think I’ve been pining away from a broken heart for all these years. Your mother was a unique and vibrant person. She was an exciting, unconventional and a totally remarkable woman. And if she thought I was sitting around whining because she was gone she’d come back and kick my butt six ways to Sunday.” Mac laughed softly. “I’ve dated my share of women since I stopped grieving for your mother. I just never met anyone I wanted to make a permanent part of our lives. I had my children to consider, Julian. I couldn’t risk getting too involved with someone who couldn’t deal with a houseful of you hooligans and my Paris. But I haven’t been a monk, either,” he said defensively.
Julian grinned at his father. “Well, Judge, since we’re all grown now you don’t have us as an excuse anymore. So when are you going to start looking for someone special?”
“What makes you think I haven’t found her?” Mac enjoyed the stupefied look on his oldest son’s face before he relented.
“I’m still seeing Ruth,” he said smugly. “She’s a beautiful woman with a personality to match and we’ve been enjoying ourselves tremendously,” he said with a smile.
For the rest of the short flight to Atlanta Julian deftly questioned his father about Ruth, and Mac just as deftly sidestepped any question he didn’t want to answer. By the time they had safely landed and were getting ready to head into the airport, Julian was ready to concede that his father’s reputation as a wily and formidable attorney was well-earned; he had gotten very little information out of the older man. But he did get answers to some of his questions in a most unexpected manner. As they entered the airport, a sultry voice said “Julian,” which made both father and son turn to the source of the sound.
It was Ruth, looking elegant, enigmatic and fascinating—at least the younger Deveraux men thought so. It was quite obvious that Mac was thinking something else entirely as he went to her at once, bending his head for a long, welcoming kiss.
Chapter 10
After capturing her eager lips in a kiss, Mac had very little time to actually talk to Ruth. First, he had to introduce her to his sons, who wasted no time in surrounding the couple. Ruth didn’t seem uncomfortable in the least; she just leaned against Mac with a smile while she greeted each man in turn. Mac’s arm tightened around her waist as he did the honors.
“This is Julian, my oldest son. This is Wade, the next oldest. The youngest are Philippe and Lucien, as you can see they’re twins. This is Ruth Bennett,” he said, unaware that he was revealing his heart as he looked down at her. He fixed his sons with a steely glare and warned them, in the voice they all recognized meant business, to behave themselves.
Ruth was smiling and shaking hands with all of the men when Titus cleared his throat and made a subtle gesture to indicate he needed to talk to Mac alone. While his sons all fawned over Ruth, Mac, Clay and Titus moved to the side to confer.
“Mr. Deveraux, I can’t tell you how sorry I am this happened. I was hoping that the letters would be the end of this, but on the chance I was wrong, I kept Paris under surveillance,” he began.
Mac waved his hand impatiently. “I understand that, son. And please, call me Mac or Judge. I told you, nobody calls me Mr. Deveraux. How is Paris doing?”
Titus’s face gave it all away as he reported that Paris was sleeping soundly when he left the hospital. His usually stoic face softened into a sweet expression Mac would’ve wagered that no one had seen in years.
“They gave her something to help her sleep. She got a pretty good bump on the head and she’ll probably be bruised and sore tomorrow, but she’s tough, sir. She’ll be fine. I know you want to see her tonight, but I think it would be a good idea if you and I talked tomorrow. And her brothers, if you think they’ll listen to anything I have to say.” His eyes turned a stony gray as he looked at the four Deveraux men approaching with uniformly unfriendly expressions on their handsome faces. Apparently they were finished charming Ruth and decided to go on the attack.
“Mac, I’m going to take you and Ruth to the hospital,” Clay said tactfully. “I’m ninety percent sure there won’t be any trouble here tonight, right?” He looked at his cousins, who were still focused on Titus, the man they considered to be responsible for their sister’s condition.
Mac put his arm around Ruth again as he shook Titus’s hand. “We’ll talk tomorrow, son.” He turned to his sons and gave them his usual farewell. “Don’t call me if you get locked up. I’m not posting any bail for grown men. And if you’re smart you’ll leave Titus alone because he looks like he can take you.”
Clay escorted them to a waiting Chrysler 200 and, as promised, got in his Jaguar to lead them to Piedmont Hospital, where Paris had been admitted. There wasn’t a lot of conversation in the car between Mac and Ruth, but words weren’t needed to express what Mac was feeling. Instead there was a comfortable quiet as they held hands and just relished being together. When they arrived at the hospital they were allowed to see Paris for a few minutes. Ruth went to the be
d and Mac was stunned to see tears gathering in her luminous eyes as she leaned over to kiss Paris’s slightly swollen cheek.
“Sleep well, baby, we’re here,” Ruth murmured.
Mac looked down at Paris and for a moment it was like being in the nursery looking at her innocent slumber. She really hadn’t changed too much from the time she was a little girl; to him she often looked exactly the same. Right now he was just glad to see her looking rested, albeit a little bruised. Ruth took his hand and held it tightly, seeming to sense what he was feeling. He kissed her brow and brushed her long hair away from her face.
“We’ll be back in the morning, Cupcake.”
As they were leaving the room, the nurse assured them they would take excellent care of her. “Don’t worry about a thing, Mr. and Mrs. Deveraux, she’s in good hands.” Ruth looked helplessly at Mac when she heard her referred to them, once again, as a married couple, but it didn’t seem to faze Mac at all.
“Thank you for saying that,” he said graciously. “We’ll be back in the morning to get her. And I warn you, her brothers may be here later. If they cause any trouble, well, do what you have to do,” he said dryly.
***
The hospital wasn’t very far from Paris’s home, so in a very short time Mac and Ruth were there; alone at last. Conversation was still at a minimum as Mac busied himself bringing in the luggage and Ruth hung up her coat and went into the kitchen to make a pot of tea. Mac followed suit, hanging his overcoat in the closet next to Ruth’s and then joining her in the kitchen. He washed his hands as he watched her removing two large mugs from the glass-fronted cupboards that lined the kitchen walls.
“Tea? Can you add a drop of bourbon to mine? This has turned out to be one hell of a day,” Mac commented as he slid down onto one of the tall stools next to the work space in the center of the room. Ruth stopped what she was doing and turned to face him.
Before the Storm (The Cochran/Deveraux Series Book 9) Page 9