Smoke & Fire - Adult Paranormal Romance Series, Book #1

by Michele Wesley

  He told the president of their doctor’s discovery, and although the president wouldn’t say anything over the phone, Drake noticed that he hadn’t said no either. Instead, he extended the brothers an invite to attend the next presidential gala.

  CHAPTER 6

  Beam me up, Scotty!

  Sori was greeted by the president himself for her debriefing. Her newest assignment, babysitting a governor, had been a long three months, but it had been a welcomed break. Something was wrong, the president didn’t usually debrief anyone unless it was a national security nightmare. Sori spoke to him on the phone on occasion, but she never saw him unless it was absolutely necessary.

  When he walked into the room, she could tell he shouldered some troubling news. She jumped to her feet, stood at attention, and held her salute until he saluted and told her to stand at ease.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. President,” Sori spoke excitedly but with a hint of question in her voice.

  The president embraced her, something he did each time he saw her. He then directed her toward a seat directly in front of him. “It’s always nice to see you, young lady.” He presented an unreadable look, “I have never been one to beat around the bush, so I’ll get straight to the point. I have some news for you. It’s some personal news, and I’m not sure if you’re going to see it as good or bad.”

  There wasn’t much that made Sori nervous, but his words made her wonder if it was time she flip her switch. Personal news? She couldn’t think of anything. Other than who she may have killed in the name of duty, she didn’t have a personal life. I hope he isn’t going to bring up all that sex I had with Archer Santos over the airwaves. That case was months ago. I know my morals are a bit shaky, but I am working on them.

  “Sori, based on blood evidence, you have two brothers.” The president paused to gauge her reaction.

  “Mr. President, sir, you don’t look like you’re joking… sir?” Shocked didn’t come close to describing what she’d allowed herself to feel, but maintained a calm demeanor.

  The president replied, “I know this sounds crazy. Not even I saw this one coming. This was discovered by total accident, but it has been confirmed by a pretty reliable source.”

  She was speechless, something she hadn’t been in a very long time. The president smiled at her expression. “I know you’re shocked, but it can be a good thing to have family. I don’t know what I would do without my family. And, I know you think it is a bad idea because of your job, but look at me, married, with kids, and living a life that is in grave danger every minute of every day.”

  As a thousand questions ping-ponged through her mind, she looked around the room unsure. “Sir, who? Where are they? How?” Since she’d never known her biological parents, she tried to accept the realization of this being possible.

  “They live here, near DC, believe it or not. And law and order must run through your blood-line because they are agents—of the top secret variety.” Giving her a peculiar look, he asked, “You remember when you were shot while working the Micky Banks and Truleta Cartel case?”

  She nodded her head slowly, putting all the clues together.

  The president continued, “Well, you left some blood behind, which usually doesn’t mean anything because you can’t be tracked. But this time, it meant everything. You worked with an Agent Jones on that assignment. Long story short, he tried to track you using the blood you left behind. He wanted to thank you for saving his life. Somehow your blood was accidentally compared to his, and it was confirmed that he and his twin brother are your brothers.”

  She couldn’t find and flip her metaphysical switch so, shock remained a nuisance. Sori shook her head in disbelief, trying to soak it in. “Drake Anderson. I knew he was trying to find me. He wanted to know if I was okay and now you’re telling me he is my brother?”

  As the president talked, Sori’s thoughts drifted for a few moments.

  The president would never tell me something that isn’t true. I feel like I am on an episode of Maury Povich… “Ms. Knight, the test results are back and you are the sister!” She tried to make logical sense of this news. When I first met Agent Jones, I thought there was something about him that was strangely familiar. But my brother? No fucking way!

  President Thompson pulled her out of her own reverie. He said, “They would like to meet you. I made sure you were clear for at least a month. I want you to meet them, even if you decide you don’t want a relationship with them.” He continued with a worried expression, “Sori, sometimes I worry about you. The fact that you’re not connected to anyone is a quick way of desensitizing your humanity. I know we ask for no connection in your line of work, but we also try to promote a social and personal life. The Anderson brothers would treat you like a queen, they are good guys. I have known them for over twenty years and will always consider them true friends.”

  Sori didn’t know what to say as the president handed her a card. “This is one of their business cards. I know you well enough to know that you probably already know where they are, especially if you knew that Drake Anderson has been looking for you.”

  She smiled genuinely for the first time during their conversation. The president walked over, took her hand in his, and stared into her eyes. “I want you to go and see your brothers. They are interested in getting to know you. I know you love your job and sacrifice a lot for it, but I don’t want you to sacrifice a relationship with family.”

  * * *

  Sori had been so used to going at it alone, it felt strange knowing she had siblings. Finding out where they lived was easy, but she hadn’t quite worked up the nerve to drop in on them. She’d been watching the house for a week now, too afraid to go up to the door and knock like a normal person. It was funny that she wasn’t afraid to die, but meeting people she shared a bloodline with was terrifying. She didn’t want to turn her emotions off and present herself to them as a robot, so she waited until she was ready.

  After a couple of weeks of battling her mind, she finally managed to work up the courage to ring the doorbell. Mrs. Ruth answered the door. She’d never met Mrs. Ruth up close but had spied on the family long enough to know everyone’s names and some of the things they talked about. Sori had learned to read lips fairly well, it was eavesdropping with your eyes. She knew the family had been expecting her.

  Mrs. Ruth greeted cheerfully, “Hi, dear. You wouldn’t happen to be Sori, would you?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I am,” Sori forced a smile. When she went crashing into the older women, Sori’s entire body went rigid, unintentionally fighting the embrace. She didn’t know how to react, so she just stood stone-still with her arms dangling at her sides.

  Fuck! They are huggers.

  Sori hated the idea of strange people touching her, even if they were nice. Never having experienced that phase in life where hugs and kisses were freely passed out to her, she found the act an unwelcomed intrusion.

  Mrs. Ruth was a slightly overweight motherly type—hair, graying at the roots, in a tight bun—with perfectly smooth brown skin, and looked forty, although she probably was sixty.

  “I’ll go get your brothers. Come on in and have a seat, dear. Make yourself at home,” Mrs. Ruth said excitedly.

  Sori scanned the large living area as she walked slowly toward the giant creamy leather couch. Everything in the place looked expensive, and before her eyes made it completely around the room, a pretty lady ran towards her. Sori fought off the urge to hold her arm up like a cross to ward off the incoming intrusion.

  The lady took Sori’s hands instead. “I am so delighted to meet you, Sori. I am Laci, your sister-in-law, Drake’s wife.” Laci was almost unbelievably pretty, a living Barbie doll. She had a head of long, thick red hair, light and smooth porcelain skin, eyes the deepest green Sori had ever seen, and a figure that most women would kill for. She was a few inches taller than Sori, but her slim frame and heels mad
e her look tall and statuesque, like a runway model.

  Again, Sori was thrown off guard when Laci drew her into an unexpected hug. When she was let loose, Sori stared at Laci like an idiot, knowing the woman felt her rigid posture.

  Sori planted herself in place as soon as she saw Drake rushing down the stairs with his look-alike on his heels. She was literally tackled as both men threw long muscular arms around her at the same time. Sori and her two brothers were a sibling sandwich, her in the middle of two skyscrapers. The brothers could have been models in any magazine. The pair were about six-two, hazel eyed, medium muscular frame, very short dark hair, and creamy skin that would keep you guessing about their ancestry.

  Torn between hugging them back and pushing them away, Sori fought to maintain a friendly posture. This was all so foreign, too much for her to handle. She was a woman who didn’t interact with others unless necessary, so her nerves were overloaded.

  Beam me up, Scotty!

  On the verge of shutting herself off so she wouldn’t have to feel anything, she fought for control. She definitely didn’t know what to say to any of these people.

  I am not cut out for this shit. Still sandwiched, she took a deep breath trying her best to relax.

  Laci noticed her discomfort. “Guys, back off and give her some space. She doesn’t know you like that—yet. Give her a chance to get to know you. You two are acting like two kids with a new toy.”

  Damon and Drake backed away. “We’re sorry,” They spoke at the same time. Laci felt bad scolding them when she’d just done the same thing.

  Sori finally said, “I have never had family, so I’m not used to the idea. Forgive me if I’m a bit distant, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around this.”

  “We are just as surprised as you are,” Damon stated with a smile.

  Drake stared at her with what looked like admiration and pride on his face. “You saved my life and I have been wanting to say thank you in person.” He reached out his huge hand, and she took it. “Thank you, Sis. I will forever be grateful to you.”

  Not used to hearing anyone refer to her as “sis”, she didn’t know how to feel. She looked down at Drake’s hand still holding on to hers. “You’re welcome.” She released his hand, but he didn’t let go of hers.

  He said, “You know, I felt an immediate connection to you. You reminded me so much of Mara.”

  Drake stopped and Damon finished his brother’s words. “Mara Isabella Anderson is our younger sister. She was murdered nearly seven years ago.” Damon looked so sad when he spoke of Mara, Sori could easily see he loved his sister.

  “I am sorry about your sister.”

  Drake took up were his brother left off. “We all have different mothers, except for me and him, of course.” He playfully punch his brother on the arm and continued, “I am certain the connection we all share is our father, so Mara was your sister also.”

  Sori was at a loss for words; not only did she have brothers, but she’d had a sister as well.

  Mrs. Ruth volunteered, “Why don’t you join us for dinner, Baby? You guys can sit and talk over a good home cooked meal. I’ll get the table set.”

  Not having a chance to decline, Sori’s mind had obviously been made up by Mrs. Ruth. She sat on the couch and quickly became surrounded by her brothers and Laci. They were all talking to her at the same time, and she didn’t know who to answer first. They didn’t seem to care if she talked or not; they all seemed genuinely happy to have her around. Sori was overwhelmed by all of the attention, but managed to keep calm. After all, calm was what she did well. She gave them all quick, short answers to their questions and finally managed to loosen up enough to ask them some questions of her own.

  At the dinner table, Drake asked, “How did you get into this business? It’s quite a coincidence that we are all somehow involved in trying to uphold law and order.”

  She gave them the short version of how she grew up, joined the military, and was recruited by the government. Their faces reflected hints of pride, and they seemed impressed by her journey so far. She felt genuine happiness knowing they appeared proud of her—definitely a new experience.

  Finally getting her to laugh and loosen up, the group took turns telling her funny stories. Like the Temptation’s song, Sori found out that their “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” The brothers explained that their father hadn’t stuck around after any of their births. They had only seen him a few times throughout their lives, and they didn’t know if he were still alive or dead. The brothers found out about Mara because their mom and Mara’s mom were good friends. Sori learned that she was only a few years older than Mara.

  She noticed her brothers’ disappointment when she announced her departure. They offered her a room, gave her a key, and told her she could stay with them whenever she wanted. Flattered by their generosity, she declined the offer but they didn’t take no for an answer and made her keep the key anyway.

  Over the course of months, the brothers made genuine attempts to include Sori in their lives, and she promised herself she would do the same.

  The twins really struck a good nerve with Sori when they started asking for her suggestions on some of their MIA cases.

  They had found the ultimate communicator—work. She wasn’t very keen on the idea of brotherly love, hugging, or being sentimental, but she promised herself that she would keep trying. As time passed, she didn’t visit as often as her family would have liked, but she had taken a giant leap into a totally unknown world.

  Her new family had unknowingly given her a big piece of her humanity back, a part that she realized had been slowly slipping away.

  CHAPTER 7

  Mycale

  Mycale Thomas Phillips had been working with MIA for three months now and had never heard Drake and Damon mention having a sister. As a matter of fact, they told him that MIA existed because their sister had been murdered. He loved working for the twins. They weren’t like any other bosses he’d ever worked for, both approachable and informal in the way they ran things.

  The world in which he worked was never boring and lived up to its reputation. Mycale loved that fact. It’s a world where secrets really could be kept, and you didn’t find out a thing until you needed to know or had a clue as to what to look for.

  At twenty-four, Mycale was the youngest MIA recruit, but he’d earned his place among this elite team. All he’d ever wanted to be when he grew up was an officer of the law, someone to help rid the world of bad people and crime.

  A childhood abduction had picked at the delicate fabric that wove together his mentality and as a result, Mycale had to work hard at appearing normal. He sometimes found it difficult to distinguish between pain and pleasure and hurt and care, and he carried an overwhelming amount of rage that he aimed at catching criminals. He didn’t play well with others and disliked most people. He found most selfish, spoiled, and ungrateful. Fortunately, in his line of work, things that would pose as a problem for a normal person were handy tools or examples he used to improve his social ineptness. Looking at him and interacting with him, you would never know that just below his cool, calm surface was a rage-fueled madman.

  Agents he worked with in the past said he was all fire—merciless, menacing, and would stop at nothing to get the bad guy. Taking mental notes over the years, Mycale tried to incorporate things into his life that would make him seem less hostile, like the nonprescription glasses he wore to take the sting out of his eyes, or the smile he plastered on his face no matter how he felt.

  Instead of coming off as stiff and uncaring, he concentrated on being more attentive and friendly. Instead of presenting his natural aloof nature, he aimed to be more outgoing. Instead of being the quietest person in the room, he tried to be more actively engaged. It was hard work trying to be normal when your mind constantly reminded that you were different.

  Mycale studied and received a Bachelor’s De
gree in Criminology, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Psychology. He had chosen Psychology as a means to try to understand himself better. He volunteered for anything related to upholding the law and joined the Navy at nineteen. He excelled at every mental and physical test put in front of him and it didn’t take long for him to be recruited into one of the Special Forces divisions. By the end of year three in the Navy, he was looked at by three different government agencies.

  His family was against his choice in occupation, hoping he would choose a safer career. His father, Thomas Wade Phillips, was one of the wealthiest men in the country and although he didn’t understand his son’s choice in career, he respected it. Thomas knew about the secret world in which his son worked because he helped fund a few of the organizations. Mycale’s abduction had spurred his father to participate in cleaning up crime, but Thomas never anticipated that his son would be one of the forces fighting it.

  Prior to working for MIA, Mycale worked with a group known as the Renegades. The group was known for losing agents faster than they could replace them. They were the best of the best, but they were cocky beyond belief. Their cockiness had some of the members thinking they were invincible, and some paid with their lives.

  After surviving a gunshot to the chest while working with the Renegades, Mycale spent two weeks in the hospital recovering and jumped right back into work. Since his father was the only one who truly knew and understood what he did for a living, he voiced concern on behalf of the family. The rest of Mycale’s family thought he was a detective and were flabbergasted that he would return to work so soon after suffering a serious injury. Although he wasn’t sure how to show them, Mycale loved his family and took heed to his father’s concerns.

  The abduction had pushed Mycale beyond his mental limits. A man that wasn’t afraid to die was a danger to himself and others so, Mycale kept his distance from his family, only venturing to see them once or twice a year. However, he vowed to do everything in his power to be more considerate of their feelings by making better decisions. He started by accepting the offer to join MIA.