“Ohmygod.” Kit reached up to touch his cheek. “I’ve been waiting to say this for years; Kit Boston, Mrs. Jake Boston. Let’s get married, Jake.” She threw her arms around his neck. “I don’t much care when or where or how.”
He wrapped her up, touched his mouth to hers. “I love you, Kit.” He handed her the box. “I went with a traditional rock. But if you don’t like it, if you’d rather have something else, you can always…”
“I want this one.” Her vision blurred with tears. She sniffled and took the box, opening it in one motion. But nothing about the ring was traditional to her. Tucked inside was a white gold ring with an emerald setting surrounded by a cluster of diamonds.
“Jake, it’s beautiful.” She held it out to him and said, “Here, you slip it on my finger.” Kit snuffed back tears. Just then, a woman with long black hair and exotic looking almond-shaped eyes stepped into the hallway. When she saw Kit crying, the woman shot Jake an accusing look and asked, “What’s this? What did you do to her?”
Kit held out her hand. “Quinn, it’s official. We’re getting married.”
Quinn pulled her in for a hug. “Make it an outdoor wedding on the lawn at Crandall House. Fall would be perfect.”
About that time Reese Brennan walked up to the open doorway, joining the crowded foyer. He’d overheard just enough to add, “I call dibs on best man. I say Dylan gets to ride shotgun as the lowly groomsman.”
The groomsman in question appeared peeling the paper back from a bottle of champagne. “It’s time to get this party rocking. And we’ll see who gets to stand up as best man after we go one-on-one in a game of horse.”
“Like you could beat me,” Reese snorted, as he leaned in to Jake’s ear so only he could hear. “You sure about this?”
Jake’s grin was wide when he answered, “Never more sure of anything in my life.”
Kit beamed. “I like the idea of an outdoor wedding at Crandall House. What better way to christen the entire place than with our very own wedding?”
“Okay, now that we have the mushy stuff out of the way,” Quinn suggested, “let’s eat.”
Over steak fajitas outside on the deck, the six of them bounced around ideas for the wedding, discussed the renovations on the Crandall House, and came up with the idea of having a painting party there as soon as possible to make the move-in go a little faster.
After the meal, they all collectively cleared the table and dealt with leftovers. But when it came time to talk among themselves they did what men and women have been doing in social gatherings since junior high; they split up into gender. The women hovered in the kitchen to talk, leaving the guys to drift back outside on the deck using the excuse that they needed to clean up the grill.
As soon as they’d settled down in deck chairs, Reese turned to Dylan. “How’s it working out with Baylee and Sarah in the house? I can’t believe you offered her your place.”
“I knew it would be different having a woman in the house, but it’s a whole other planet with a baby. Sarah woke up this morning at four o’clock. Four o’clock. She’s often awake in the middle of the night. The key is to sleep when she sleeps. Sarah’s a good baby, though, even the way she cries is kinda cute.”
Jake exchanged a disbelieving look with Reese that said, “I’ll bet that wears off in a couple of days.” But he dropped the idea to needle Dylan about it when Reese wanted to know, “Do you think this little get-together was such a good idea? What if we were followed?”
Reese gave a nod in the direction of the strip of beach behind Dylan’s house. “What if the bastards are out there lurking, watching, waiting to make their next move?” He knew it sounded paranoid, but after the last few weeks, he was beginning to think all three of the Boyd sons might have a screw loose.
“Then they’ll know we’re right here and not going anywhere,” Jake uttered convincingly. He took a swig of his beer. “Kit wants to act like business as usual, go on like nothing’s happened, thinks I can’t be with her every single minute of every day. But there is no more business as usual. That just isn’t going to happen until this thing is settled.”
“Yeah, same here. Baylee’s jumpy. She reacts to every little thing, every little sound.” And now that Dylan knew why, it explained her demeanor. “It’s sad to watch.” Then to Reese, he asked, “Did you take care of that restraining order?”
“Sure, Baylee officially has a protective order against one Connor Morgan Boyd, for all the good it did Kit with Collin.”
Jake pointed out, “That’s why it can’t be business as usual.”
“Connor isn’t getting near Baylee while I’m around.”
Jake sent a sad look toward Dylan. “Yeah? That’s what I said about Collin and look how that turned out.” It still irked him that he’d been stupid enough to walk into the house blind like that.
“You can’t let your guard down for a minute, Dylan, not for a second. That’s what I did. Kit could have been…” His voice trailed off as he stared off in the direction of the water. The memory of waking up and finding her gone would stay with him for some time. He needed to be the one that kept her safe, not some stranger, or rather some faceless killer. “I called Holloway this morning. The ballistics confirmed his suspicion. Collin wasn’t shot by Auslo or Taft, that’s for sure. According to Holloway, he had to coerce a very uncooperative doctor into talking. The doc who treated Collin dug out a large caliber slug from his chest that matched the ones from Auslo and Taft.”
Dylan nodded. “That means the same man who saved Kit’s life, the one who showed up and played hero, shot all three of them. Wow, that’s like gunslinger city in the twenty-first century. The man has to be a pro—with something to prove. And since he left one of those toy cowboys in Kit’s hand, it links him to not only Alana’s murder but the others as well.”
“Exactly. That means Kit’s savior hero is also a ruthless killer with a grudge, a man who is responsible, by my count, for six murders. And if he’d been a better shot, if he hadn’t missed his mark, Collin would have made it seven. Not exactly the hero type ready for a medal ceremony.” He paused before adding, “But I owe him for saving Kit’s life.”
Reese couldn’t believe this latest bizarre turn. “Depends on who’s pinning the medal, don’t you think? Who is this guy?”
“No idea. But I think he has some connection to the Parkers. What connection I don’t know exactly. The scary thing is he had his chance to hurt Kit but didn’t take it. With her connection to Alana he could have easily taken his grudge to the Second Generation thing. I’m thinking he didn’t for some reason.” At least he hoped that was true. “He had the perfect opportunity that night. Instead, he charges in and saves the day, saves Kit.”
Jake was both eternally grateful for that and irritated as hell that it hadn’t been him doing the saving. Ego, he supposed, was a fragile thing. But as he watched the waves, he knew he was indebted to a man he wouldn’t know if he passed him on the street. “I just hope he knows who the good guys are in all of this.”
Reese looked like he had something on his mind. “Collin’s violating the restraining order pales in comparison to the kidnapping charge. His pre-trial hearing’s set for July. Jacob Gatz got it moved up on the docket. Kit already knows her testimony and yours could put Collin away for a long time. This isn’t over, guys. Not by a long shot. And then there’s Connor to consider. Why doesn’t the man just leave Baylee alone? You’d think he would want nothing more to do with her after what he did. He’s gotten away with it, why doesn’t he just move on?”
Dylan shook his head. “That’s what I can’t figure. Jake and I saw the guy’s eyes. I think he’s unhinged. But it’s like the rapist is infatuated with his victim. If it isn’t that, I’m not sure what his angle is. All I know is he can’t find out about Sarah. Did you have time to take care of that other matter?”
“That’s something else I wanted to talk to you about in person, face-to-face. Are you sure you want to go through with this, Dylan? O
nce I amend the birth certificate naming you as the father, you are committed financially, buddy, for now and all eternity. That’s a big step up from offering the two of them a place to stay.”
This was news to Jake. He turned to stare long and hard at Dylan, knowing he was a nice guy, but even nice guys had their limits. “I’m with Reese on this, why would you want to do that? You’re stepping into the middle of what could be the custody battle from hell if Connor ever finds out she’s his daughter.”
Rare irritation showed on Dylan’s face. “You’re kidding me, right? Weren’t we just talking about how deranged this guy is? Are you saying that you want that baby to split time with him where he gets her on weekends? In terms of custody, isn’t that the norm? Try to picture that guy picking her up on a Friday night and willingly returning her every Sunday afternoon back to Baylee like the nice reasonable sort he is. Does that sound like we’re talking about the same guy who raped Baylee? You guys talk a good game, but I’m not letting that man win here, not when it comes to Baylee, or that baby.”
Jake slapped Dylan on the back. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. Reese, can you do it?”
“Yeah. I’ve already set the wheels in motion, sent someone to Denver this morning before the weekend. As Dylan’s attorney, I just wanted to make sure he knew what he was getting into.”
“Thanks, but I’ve thought this through. It’s the only way I know to keep Boyd at bay if he gets wind of Sarah and starts nosing around birth certificates.”
“Then congratulations, daddy. You’re the proud father of a blonde, blue-eyed baby girl that looks amazingly just like you. How you managed that without all the perks is classic Dylan Burke.”
They toasted the occasion by knocking their beer bottles together and then draining the last drops. Dylan looked out over the water, grew serious though. “This isn’t the way I planned to become a father.”
Reese slapped him on the back. “No perks yet, huh?”
“I’m working on it.”
“Well then, that’s different. It’s just a matter of time before the woman succumbs to that infamous Burke charm and drops down at your feet like every other female does within ten feet.”
“Yeah well, she’s a little different there.”
Reese grinned, enjoying himself. “Yeah, I noticed. I like her. She’s been through a helluva ordeal.” He left it unsaid that the same statement could be applied to Quinn, who was turning out to be an intriguing challenge. Or Kit for that matter. They were almost like three identical peas in a pod.
“Just because we’ve figured out the birth certificate angle doesn’t mean this is over. Connor Boyd might be a raving lunatic but he’s a damn cunning lawyer. If he finds out about Sarah, the recently amended birth certificate won’t fool him for long. The man isn’t stupid,” Reese stated.
“I know that. But next time it won’t be so easy. I don’t intend to let my guard down.”
“None of us will,” Jake agreed.
While the guys plotted on their own, Quinn and Kit cornered Baylee in the kitchen wanting to know every detail about her living arrangement with Dylan.
“Is he as nice as he seems?” Quinn wanted to know. “I’ll bet he has women coming out of the woodwork. I bet he doesn’t even surf; it’s probably an act just to hang out at the beach and add to his score card.”
Kit shook her head. “No. I saw the surfing photos in his office. The guy’s been all over the world, surfed the best beaches.”
Determined to keep Baylee from walking into quicksand where Dylan was concerned, Quinn stubbornly added, “Let’s face it, surfing allows him to have his pick of women lazing at the beach, sample all the pink taco he can get without buying the meal.”
Baylee couldn’t help it; she spewed out the Diet Coke she’d been sipping. “Quinn, you never cease to put things in perspective. I really love that about you.”
Just like they’d done when they were younger, when they’d first discovered boys weren’t completely gross, Baylee took the conversation in stride. These two were like sisters, the closest thing to family she had.
“Since you insist on the deets, I’ve overheard a few phone conversations. Women call the house, leave messages on his machine, his cell phone, and leave assorted TM’s day and night. That doesn’t even address the e-mails he must get. I know they aren’t all work related, either. But guys, Dylan’s unattached, a free agent. He’s playing the game. No single guy in L.A. lives the celibate life. Why he asked me to move in is a mystery to me. Go figure.”
Kit sighed, remembering those days of L.A. dating. “God, I am so glad I’m off the market. I wouldn’t go back to that world again for anything.”
Quinn bumped her shoulder. “You finally landed The Jake. Come on, Kit, admit it. You were never into the game the same way Baylee and I were. We knew you always held out hope The Jake would come around.”
“Maybe,” Kit agreed as she took a long look at Baylee. “When I was in the hospital Dylan asked me about you,” Kit admitted with a wide grin.
“He did?” Taken aback, Baylee crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the counter, feeling a lot like this was junior high again. “Are you sure he meant it that way, maybe he just wanted to know because he…” Her voice trailed off as she stared at the comical look on Kit’s face.
“He wanted to know if you were with anyone.” Kit jabbed Baylee in the ribs. “He’s definitely relationship interested.”
“More like interested in another conquest,” Quinn added.
In spite of that kiss they’d shared, Baylee didn’t want to admit she’d had doubts that a man like Dylan could really be interested in her of all people, a single mom. Why would he be when he could have any woman he wanted?
Although he seemed to like Sarah well enough and enjoyed being around her, the fact that he had women calling him all the time was something she couldn’t ignore. She wouldn’t. The guy was a major player. It seemed to her that if Dylan had so many women in his fan base, women of his own choosing, women he didn’t even have to work to get, he certainly wouldn’t zero in on her.
Before she’d had Sarah, she knew firsthand the L.A. dating scene could be brutal. She’d seen Dylan’s kind a hundred times. The typical player didn’t own a beating heart where women were concerned.
Quinn narrowed her eyes, stared hard at Baylee. As if reading her thoughts, Quinn warned, “Don’t go there. You can’t change a guy like that. You’re here in his house temporarily. Don’t start getting ideas that you can tame him. It’s not possible. If you’re uncomfortable here, say the word; you know you and Sarah can bunk with me.”
They’d already had this discussion, but it was nice to hear the offer again. “I’m fine. The idea of moving again makes my stomach hurt. I’m not falling for Dylan. He’s a nice guy, but that’s it. I have to think of what’s best for Sarah. That’s first and foremost. And not just in that arena either. Besides, this is nonsense, a guy like Dylan is not interested in someone like me.”
Sensing a dip in Baylee’s self-confidence, Kit shot a quick look toward Quinn before reminding Baylee, “Hey, he’d be lucky to get a woman like you.”
“Damn straight,” Quinn agreed. “You’re too good for him.” Then just as they’d done since they were eight, Quinn held out a curved pinky on each hand, the gesture a symbol of their unity. Kit held out hers and Baylee did the same. In a circle, in unison, the three repeated the chant. “Together we let no one hurt us. We are most powerful when we are one. We draw strength from each other. One.”
They fist-bumped each other as they always did.
“You guys are the best.”
Quinn laughed. “We’re fucking awesome.”
But the idea that Dylan could be attracted to her niggled at the back of Baylee’s head the rest of the afternoon and refused to budge. Surrounded by her friends she tried to concentrate on why they were there, and put Surfer Boy completely out of her mind.
By the time they’d all gathered around the di
ning room table, Jake had opened up the boxes of stuff they had acquired from Alana’s attic, the stuff Quinn had used to develop her timeline.
As they all turned their attention to Quinn, Baylee decided that Dylan was just a nice guy trying to do a good deed. The fact that he seemed to be a giving and generous soul cemented her belief that he obviously felt sorry for her and was more than likely confusing pity with attraction.
Baylee forced herself to focus on Quinn, who remained standing. They were there to go over the evidence she’d memorized in her spare time. When Quinn picked up a whiteboard that she’d brought to make her points and adjusted it on an easel, Baylee settled down to listen.
“After our last meeting at Gloria’s, I didn’t feel comfortable with Reese’s ‘sheer speculation’ remark. Let’s face it, I took exception. It hit too close to home and got me to thinking about all those times, all those steps you have to take to convince the authorities a crime has taken place. I know from personal experience how skeptical the powers that be are when it comes to looking at someone who has wealth and power as a suspect—for anything.”
An image of her stepfather flickered through her mind. Years of practice had her quickly pushing the memories out of her head. “So, I redid the major points on the timeline—twice. It took me some time before I felt good about linking Alana’s cashier’s checks worth half a million dollars to the same timeframe as the settlement the Parkers received from the lawsuit against McKetrick Construction. But then I called Reese and asked him to get me the exact date of the court win and when they actually received their first payment. He provided the dates you see here.” She pointed to the figures written on the whiteboard. “May 1967, the Parkers were awarded a fifteen-million-dollar judgment to be paid out over three years.”
Reese took it from there. “But the first five million didn’t hit their bank account until December. The second came in November of 1968, and the final payment was delivered in August of 1969. Even though by that time the Parkers were deceased, the money went directly into the Parker trust, which we now know Jessica Boyd controlled.”
Deeper Evil (The Evil Secrets Trilogy Book 2) Page 11