by Ali Vali
“I’m so happy you think so,” Emma said, unbuttoning her shirt for her.
“Muriel will be here in a bit, lass, so why not let me take care of you?”
“No.” Emma kept unbuttoning until she reached her belt buckle. “I want…no, I need to feel you,” she ran her hands over her shoulders then up her neck to the base of her hair, “everywhere. Baby, please.”
Cain stood and finished pulling her shirt out and unbuckled her pants. She exhaled so hard her nose flared when Emma stepped around her, lay down, and spread her legs and her sex open for her. The act was so sexy that Cain stood and stared, admiring how white Emma’s fingers were next to the rosy pink lips. Emma was so wet she was dripping.
“Blessed was the day I was baptized in beer,” Cain said softly before lowering her head between Emma’s legs.
Pregnancy changed Emma’s unique taste because of the different foods she craved, and with the first swipe of her tongue, Cain knew she would’ve guessed pineapple even if she hadn’t watched Emma consume a large serving of the fruit at almost every meal. It gave Emma a sweet taste that Cain craved as much as Emma did pineapple.
Using a flat tongue was going too slow for Emma, who slapped her on the shoulder with her bare foot. “Baby, I love when you dawdle, as you say, but this isn’t the time…please.” Emma lifted her hips as if showing Cain where she needed her attention. She brought her hands down again and spread her sex so her clitoris was easy to see.
“You’re so wet,” Cain said, and almost laughed at the only thing her mind could come up with since Emma’s actions were turning her head to mush.
“Put your fingers inside.” Emma lifted her head off the pillow as much as she could and looked at her. “I need you to make me come.”
Cain closed her lips around her clit as her fingers slid into the hot folds as far as they’d go. The way Emma bucked her hips and moaned made it difficult to keep pace, but she never let up the pressure of her mouth or the motion of her hand.
Emma lasted longer than she thought before the walls of her sex clamped down and she stopped moving while the orgasm she’d been so desperate for swept through her. Her body heaved one last time and Cain used just her tongue until Emma begged her to stop.
While Emma caught her breath, Cain moved up to her pillow and opened her arms so Emma could press against her.
“I love you,” Emma said, wiping tears from her face. The overload of emotion happened often when they made love but was more frequent when she was pregnant. “I wish I could find the words to tell you how lucky I am that I found you, but whatever I say will fall short.”
“That was a good way of putting it, love.”
“Not really,” Emma said, wiping away more tears. “My life would be so empty without you.”
“Then your life will always be full, because I’m not going anywhere.” Cain kissed Emma’s fingers, then used the corner of the sheet to dry her face. “I’m not a fortuneteller, but fate has a lot planned for us. Some of it will be bad, most good, but the one certainty is longevity. You’re mine, wife, but for a lifetime. One that I plan to fill with as much happiness as I can manage, and at its end, you’ll know no one could’ve loved you more.”
“Do you promise?” Emma placed her hand on her chest over her heart.
“I do.” Cain wanted to stay and prove how she felt again, but the world would stop spinning for her only so long, then her time was up.
Chapter Ten
Cain took a shower while Emma slept and dressed in a pair of chinos Emma had bought for her to relax around the house in. Emma had argued that casual clothes were easier to play with the kids in, so she chose the new cable-knit sweater that was now part of her wardrobe.
Downstairs Muriel was waiting in the study looking out the window at the building rainstorm that lit the sky. For the first time in her life Muriel appeared defeated.
“Do you remember when your dad and mine let us share a drink in here with them?” Muriel asked, moving her glass in a small circle so the ice would clink against the side. “Up till then the study and their meetings had been off-limits to us.”
“I thought Billy would drop a load of Irish crystal on the floor when Da asked him to pour,” she said, sitting behind the desk where Muriel had placed her drink. “Mum would’ve had him shot in the yard. These glasses have been in her family for six generations, seven now that they’re mine.”
“Do you ever wish you could go back?”
Cain took a sip and replaced the heavy etched glass on the coaster. “No,” she said, after weighing the options. “Life isn’t always perfect, but my choices, and those circumstances I couldn’t change, have led me here.”
“And where’s here for you, cousin?” Muriel asked as she poured herself another drink.
“Home,” Cain said, placing her hand over her glass when Muriel started to refill it. “A place where a woman I love and I are raising the children who’ll carry on for us and drinking out of glasses that some distant relative contemplated the same questions over, I’m sure.”
“No regrets?”
“You know better than that, Muriel,” Cain said, trying to bite back the anger building in her gut. “I don’t think anyone alive knows exactly what all my regrets are better than you.”
“I do, and now I’ve gotten my taste.”
Cain wasn’t looking forward to adding to hers, but it was better to say something now than after their relationship was destroyed. She wanted to protect their family by eliminating a threat, but still make Muriel feel a part of the Caseys.
“We’ll miss Uncle Jarvis, that’s a given, but you shouldn’t add regret to the load you’re already carrying. You didn’t get to see him right before he died, but a lifetime isn’t summed up in one moment.” She moved next to Muriel. “Please believe me that his mind was on you and how proud you’ve made him.”
“I should’ve been there, and our last conversation shouldn’t have happened. The last thought on his mind was probably what a traitor to the family I am. You know how much pride he had in the name we carry.”
“Sometimes it’s as much a burden as a gift, though, isn’t it?” Cain said softly, putting her hand on Muriel’s shoulder. “Sometimes it means we have to put aside something we want because it simply won’t fit into the lives we lead.”
“I don’t think I could give her up, if that’s what you’re talking about.”
“Shelby is who I’m talking about, but I’m not about to tell you what your relationship with her should be. We’ve been over this already, and please don’t think I’m trying to add to what you’ve been through, but it looks like Shelby is important to you.”
“She is, and it won’t interfere with my job here.”
Cain shook her head and put her hand up for Muriel to keep her mouth shut. “It already has. Tell me what today was about. Sanders had done the job earlier today by keeping the Feds outside, but that changed after you got there.” She kept her voice as even as she could and watched Muriel to see what kind of response she would get. “Give me an explanation so I’ll understand.”
“We don’t have anything to hide in the office or in Emma’s.”
“That’s your explanation? Are you kidding me?” She stopped and took a deep breath. “Since when do we invite anyone like the FBI team trailing us every day to enter anywhere they don’t belong for any reason?”
Muriel raised her voice. “When we have nothing to hide.”
“As of tomorrow I’m putting Sanders in charge of the office,” Cain said, deciding that being blunt was the best way to deal with the situation. “You need to take some time off and decide what your role will be, but whatever that is, it has to be different from what it is now.”
Muriel stood and clenched her fists, but Cain didn’t move. “Are you forgetting something important?”
“What?”
“You can’t take away my birthright.” She hit her chest with her fist and moved closer to Cain. “I’m a Casey, and that’s my o
ffice—my firm.”
“I agree that what happened today was minor, but you stand there and tell me you were thinking clearly when you asked Shelby’s team in for a guided tour? Tell me your relationship with her and her team didn’t taint how you handled that.”
“It didn’t,” Muriel said, too quickly for Cain.
“I love you, Muriel, and you’re one of the few people in my life that I’d do anything for with little or no questions.”
Muriel threw her hands up in obvious frustration. “Then why are we having this conversation?”
“Because this doesn’t just affect me. My birthright gives me the responsibility to keep us all whole.” She stood and placed her hands on Muriel’s shoulders. “Shelby, like I’ve said, is not someone I’ll try to push out of your life no matter how I feel, but choices have consequences. This is yours.”
“That’s it? You’re cutting me off from the family?”
“Listen to what I’m saying. Your working role with our day-to-day operations will have to change. We’re more than bootleggers and attorneys. That is what we do, but what we are is family.”
Muriel turned away from her and took a deep breath. “Where does that leave me?”
“Free to live your life knowing that I love you and want you to be happy. I’ll take care of you, Muriel.”
“I don’t need your charity.”
The words stung and shocked her. She’d never questioned her relationship with Muriel because it was like what she’d shared with her brother Billy. They didn’t always agree but at their core was a devotion forged through blood and time.
“In my position what would you do differently?” Cain asked evenly.
“I would trust you and know that betrayal wasn’t in your makeup.”
“Is that what you think, that I don’t trust you? I’ve earned more respect than that.” She stood and moved back behind her desk. “I trust you with my life and those of my family.”
“But not enough to keep my position with you.”
“I don’t trust Shelby and I don’t think this is the right choice for you, but I don’t count in this decision,” she said, her frustration growing.
“I love her.”
“And I love you, but this is the end of this discussion. Enjoy your time off, and when you’re ready we’ll redefine your job.” Cain sat with the desk between them, delineating the parts they played within the family as clearly as she could. “I’ll be here for you no matter what you might think of me right now.”
Her head fell back and she swiveled toward the window when Muriel left without responding. “Uncle Jarvis, if Emma’s right and Shelby isn’t with her for the right reasons, bend Muriel’s path back to my door. If we’re both wrong, then I’ll keep my promises to you no matter if she moves away from me or not.”
Jarvis’s funeral popped into her head, and despite the many things she was upset about, one topped her list. Perhaps other people’s cultures allowed them to act differently in certain situations; then again, her annoyance might contain the solution to this particular problem. She picked up the phone and called someone she thought could give her the answer.
*
The French Quarter was full of tourists wearing name badges, though Remi couldn’t make out what convention they were with as she walked down Bourbon Street with Simon slightly behind her. It was late, but she’d told Dallas she’d stop by.
“Mano’s going to be at your father’s by ten,” Simon said, loud enough for her to hear over the music and people.
“After we get to Dallas’s door you can take off, and I’ll drive back later. Dallas took my car earlier when Emil drove them home.”
“Do you remember what happened today?” Simon asked, coming shoulder to shoulder with her. “Someone out there has a problem with us, so I’m not leaving you alone.”
“I love you, Simon, but you need to relax. Kristen just got here and I’d like to go more than a day before I freak her out.”
“I love you too, so don’t expect me to let up.” They stopped close to the entrance of Pat O’Brien’s across the street from Dallas’s place. “Those girls,” Simon pointed to the plain door that led to the patio Dallas loved so much, “are survivors. Don’t forget that.”
“They’ve been alone too long, though, and it’s time for someone to take care of them. I want Dallas to believe that’ll be me.”
“She’s a smart woman, so don’t try so hard for something you already have.” Simon cut her eyes toward the patio door. “Concentrate instead on getting the rest of what you want.”
“Thanks, Simon,” she said, hugging her. “And if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll call you in a couple of hours when I’m ready to go.”
“I’ll be waiting, but I’ve got odds on that you won’t call until tomorrow morning,” Simon said, waving over her shoulder.
Remi laughed as she pulled her key out of her front pocket. They might not be living together, but Dallas didn’t want her to wait outside either. She scanned the street and no one really stood out as a threat, but something made her look once more.
Another glance behind her still didn’t locate anyone who seemed dangerous in the crowd of tourists mixed with locals. The ones to watch out for were the people anxious to look you in the eye and those who couldn’t. Here, though, everyone appeared to belong, so she stepped into Dallas’s sanctuary and left the noise of the street behind when she relocked the door.
“I thought I’d been stood up.”
Dallas was standing in the middle of the space, having changed into her favorite jeans. With her hair around her shoulders and no makeup, she didn’t look like a budding star, but she was the most beautiful woman Remi had met. Though Dallas was still keeping secrets from her they were making progress, and from what little Dallas had hinted about her father, she understood why Dallas had trouble sharing the whole truth.
“My father says that only idiots keep beautiful women waiting.” Remi closed the gap between them and kissed Dallas slowly as she wrapped her arms around her. “I may be an idiot, but I love you.”
“I love you too and no one, especially me, would think you’re an idiot, baby,” Dallas said, wrapping a lock of her hair around her finger. She was wearing it a little longer because Dallas had asked her to. “Is everything all right?”
She looked at Dallas in the soft light and ran her fingertips along Dallas’s brow. “Where’s Kristen?”
“In her room unpacking. It’s like all those years we were apart were the dream, now that she’s upstairs. Do you know what I mean?”
“Considering what Mano means to me, you’re a stronger person than I am for having the willpower to stay away from her. I don’t know if I would’ve lasted.”
Dallas took her hand and led her to the lawn furniture. “If it would’ve kept Mano safe you wouldn’t have had a problem.” When Remi sat back into the chair Dallas snuggled against her. It felt great to have her so close, but at times Dallas seemed to do it so she wouldn’t have to look her in the eye while they were talking.
“Anything bothering you?” she asked, combing through Dallas’s hair.
“Does it bother you that everything you know about me was mostly made up after I became Dallas Montgomery?” Dallas made air quotes.
“The only thing that would bother me, querida, is for you to hold back because you think I’d be disgusted or ashamed of you.”
Dallas bunched the front of Remi’s shirt in her fist, then went back to the rhythmic circles she’d been making with her palm, as if she craved touching her as much as Remi wanted to in return. “I don’t think that.”
“Good,” she said, kissing the top of Dallas’s head.
“I know it.”
“Today while we were at the funeral someone delivered a box to my place with the body of one of our new bartenders from Pescadors inside. She died, I suspect, because of who she collected her paycheck from.” She encouraged Dallas to look up at her, surprised to find tears in the blue eyes. “This
girl didn’t ask for what happened, but someone for their own selfish reasons decided to lash out at me.”
“That’s horrible, but you can’t take the blame.”
She kept her thumb under Dallas’s chin. “It is, but you should think about it as a lesson. Whatever happened to you that wakes you up because of bad dreams wasn’t your fault either. I’ve told you to take your time, but I’ll be here no matter what it is.”
“You’re sweet, and I believe you won’t leave me. I want more than anything for you to stay with me because you love me, not because you pity me.”
“A story only has the power to hurt you when you keep it inside and let it eat at you, but I won’t force it out of you.” She never took her eyes from Dallas’s but she heard the screen door open slowly.
“It’s okay if you want to tell her, Dallas,” Kristen said, obviously having overheard their conversation. “This is our chance.”
From what little Dallas had told her and after researching the town Dallas and Kristen had run from, Remi had some theories of what had happened. She had declined when Cain offered to hire one of Muriel’s friends who practiced law close to Sparta to investigate what the sisters were so afraid of.
The papers she’d gotten from Bob Bennett’s house didn’t refer to what he had on Dallas to control her for so long. But as an attorney Remi figured Dallas couldn’t have broken too many laws simply because of the profession she’d chosen. The few movies she’d made had been shown all over the world. If Bob’s blackmail had a legal component, someone would’ve taken advantage of it when they recognized Dallas onscreen.
No, the whole story had more to do with the monsters that children ran from, made more terrifying by a sick fuck like Bob. Eventually the only way to stop the nightmares was to open the doors and flip the lights on to expose the ghoulies to the light. All Remi wanted was to have the patience to move at Dallas’s pace.
“Kristen, come over here.” She put her hand on the empty space beside her. “You and Dallas already have your chance, and I won’t be the one to take it from you. When Dallas is ready she’ll share what she can, and if she can’t, you both will be part of my family. You can move out on your own only when you’re ready.”