Disgusted and annoyed, Chloe’s visits became less frequent, until finally stopping altogether. Her anger had mounted, then overwhelmed her. How dare the woman trash such a wonderful family? A family who had welcomed them with open arms, cared for them unconditionally.
It had been Chloe’s father who was the evil one. Her mother’s ravings had caused a deep void between them. Only her death and a direct command from James had brought her back. She would have preferred the past be buried with her mother; it would seem that would not be the case.
“Aren’t you a bit big for dolls?” came a deep voice.
“Salvator!” Chloe screeched, the doll forgotten. She launched herself into Damien’s strong arms. She clutched his short, thick blond hair, pulling him close. She had missed the feel of his broad chest pressed to her own as his powerful muscles bunched and flexed, and the way his six-foot-three and a half frame towered over her protectively.
* * * *
Damien chuckled at the use of his old nickname. She was the only one to ever call him that. He hadn’t heard the name in over three years.
“I’ve missed you,” Damien said, lifting her slight form from the ground to cuddle her. He wrapped his hand in the generous length of her dark locks. He tasted her soft, sweet skin while he breathed her in. Time stood still while their past raced to connect them with their present. When the two collided, an overwhelming sense of life-complete enabled them both to breathe easier as mathematics ceased and conceded with its confusion—two separate beings formed one whole.
Damien claimed her mouth with his. Breath to breath, reviving one another. Remembering one another. When the passionate kiss ended they clung to each other, foreheads pressed together. Fingers entwined into each other's clothing.
“I’ve missed you, too. I’m sorry I haven’t been around. Mother just became too much. The last time I was here it was awful. Dirk came into the house to invite me for dinner, and Mother freaked. She cried at him not to hurt me, calling him James. I told her neither Dirk nor James has ever harmed me or anyone and would never harm her, but she was on her knees and weeping, begging him to leave. The nurse finally gave her a sedative and Dirk carried her to her room.
“She made him sound like a saint, when he wasn’t, that he loved and protected us, when he didn’t. I remember the awful abuse. I had been confused when he died. I wasn’t sorry he died. I hated him. I was growing to hate Mother too. Do I sound horrible?”
“No, you don’t sound horrible,” he replied, setting her back onto her feet. He gazed into her anguished face flushed with a longing to be forgiven. He knew of her confusion concerning her mother. Often enough he had listened as she cried herself to sleep as a child, feeling helpless at her misery, inadequate, not knowing how to offer her comfort as he had seen his father and Dirk do in the past.
“Your family took care of me after my father died. James provided us with everything, and paid for my schooling. If it wasn’t for your mom and dad and Dirk and you, I would have been so terribly alone and lost, especially after Granny died. We would have starved to death; we would have had to beg in the streets. I would have been taken away and placed in a home. You know I have no other family. We had no one, nothing to call our own.”
Chloe looked up into his eyes. He smiled down into her almost frantic expression. “How long can you stay this time, sweetheart?” he asked. He ran a cool finger down her silken cheek, wanting to soothe her, and felt disconcerted. He was still unsure as to what to say, even after all these years.
“A while. Damien, do you think James will allow me to stay at his home? I don’t want to stay here all alone. There are too many memories. Too many ghosts.”
“I think Dad will like that. But it’s Dirk’s home now. Dad handed the reins over to him just over a year ago. He takes care of everything and all within now. He’s good at it too.”
“Really? I never thought James would step down. He always seems in such control. I can hardly believe it!”
“Wait until you see all the changes,” Damien said, laughing at her amazed expression. “Dirk finally got married. His wife, Candy, just had a baby boy, cute little guy, of course named James Dirk Flare, Junior for family tradition. We call him Jamie. He has Dirk’s eyes and temper, and his mother’s mountain of dark, curly, blue-black hair.
“You can meet Carrie, Dirk’s long-lost daughter and her husband, Tyr, and their twins, a little girl Sammy, named after my mom and their son, named for both Tyr and Dirk. We call him TJ for short. Best of all, guess who’s here for a visit?”
Chloe just stared up at him, mouth open, and shook her head. “Dirk has a long-lost daughter? How old? And she’s married with two children? Dirk’s a grandfather? At his age? Who, who is here?”
“Wolf.”
“Oh, I haven’t seen Wolf in years and years. Is he still handsomely scary?”
Damien laughed. He remembered Chloe’s first encounter with Wolf. She had been home for a visit, a young awkward teenager of fifteen, already remarkably beautiful.
While helping to decorate the Christmas tree and reaching to hang an exceptionally high ornament, she had lost her balance and fallen from the ladder she was on, landing in Wolf’s arms. She had stared at him, wide-eyed, while Damien had hovered anxiously; she could have been seriously injured. Wolf had grinned down into her flustered, embarrassed expression. His eyes had traveled down the length of her gazelle-like legs.
When he had placed her back onto her shaky feet, he had pressed her body to the length of his own. Chloe seemed smitten instantly with the young, tall, powerfully built, devilishly handsome man with soulless dark, almost black eyes. Damien had battled jealousy all Christmas whenever Wolf had appeared to see his father or brother. Chloe had added Wolf to the list of men she was going to marry.
“He’s here with his wife, Casey, and their daughter, Rhea. His brother, Tyr, is Dirk’s son-in-law,” Damien said, and felt the recurrence of jealously when Chloe looked momentarily heartbroken.
“Well, I guess you’ll just have to do, since both Dirk and Wolf are taken, unless you’re hiding a wife in that mammoth house?”
“Gee, thanks. And no, I’m still happily single.”
“How is James?”
“He seems content to be the doting granddad, most of the time. Occasionally he gets antsy and Dirk gives him something to distract him. The house used to be so empty. Especially after Mom died and you left. Now it’s hard to find a quiet moment while maneuvering around squeaky toys and spit up cloths!”
“Sounds fabulous. Do you think James will be able to squeeze me into his hectic schedule?”
“Are you serious? Who do you think sent me here, demanding to know if you’ve finally arrived?” Damien said while rolling his eyes. His father had practically shoved him out the front door when he had seen a car pull into the tiny driveway down the road from them.
* * * *
Damien ushered her into his red Porsche and drove up the long, winding driveway through the huge, black wrought iron gates. Their massive, white, three-story home with pillars and black storm shutters lay in the distance. As always, the open, rolling, hunter-green hills of grass were meticulous. Chloe squeezed her eyes and breathed deeply once the car stopped.
“You okay?” Damien asked with concern. His warm hand settled onto her own.
Chloe opened her eyes and smiled at him. “So many memories, Salvator. It’s nice to be home.”
“Chloe!”
James was already at the car door, pulling her into his arms and crushing her to his chest. The man never seemed to age or change. He was an older, handsome image of his two strapping sons. The same neat blond hair, his graying at his temples, and striking, clear blue eyes. A man of definite power and wealth. When wrapped within his embrace she felt like a small child, safe in the arms of her protector.
“James, I’ve missed you,” Chloe declared, then sobbed, clutching him to her. He smelled of cologne and whiskey.
James ran a hand over her hair. �
�You could have visited more often.”
“Please, James, not now…not here. Just let me drink in the sight of you while I say now that Mother is gone I won’t be such a stranger.”
“I’m sorry about what happened to your mother, sweetheart. If I could undo the past…”
“Even you aren’t that powerful, James. Although that must come as a surprise,” Chloe said cheekily, while taking a quick swipe at her eyes.
* * * *
James chuckled at her sweet, impish expression, remembering that for the longest time in her childish innocence and awe, Chloe thought he could move mountains on a verbal command alone. Perhaps at one time he could. Now he was happy to dandle his new grandson on his knee. Dirk’s overwhelming pride and happiness with his new family had James elated. Now that Chloe had returned he felt complete. Nothing was more important than family.
“Well come inside, my dear. Let’s get you introduced to our newest additions,” James said excitedly. He ushered her through the double doors of his home that led into a huge, open-concept hallway. The bright living room, adorned with two massive chandeliers, was situated off to the left up a small flight of stairs, and seemed bursting with people.
* * * *
“Chloe!”
“Dirk!”
Chloe was in tears once more as Dirk swept her up off her feet. He held her to his chest, soothing her with words as he’d often done in the past. Each year he became more handsome. She had missed his encouraging words, the sound of his deep voice. She had hated having to stay away for so long, but she felt positive it had been for the best.
“Well, give the rest of us a turn!”
Chloe returned Wolf's eager embrace. Her head was spinning by the time she was introduced to everyone else; she wondered if she would ever remember all the names. The family had certainly grown in her absence.
“He’s so adorable!” Chloe exclaimed when Dirk’s son was settled into her waiting arms. She fondled his tufts of silky black hair, so like Candy’s. Already his notable size, even for one so young, gave testimony to the fact he was his father’s son. No doubt one day the boy would be built as impressively as his father and uncle. He would indeed be a force to be reckoned with when the time came.
Baby Jamie slept quietly, oblivious to all the fuss and the commotion the other three young children were making.
“He looks just like me,” Dirk declared, puffing with pride and gazing fondly over Chloe’s shoulder into the face of his newborn son.
“He’s much better looking,” Tyr declared dryly, and everyone laughed, including Dirk.
“Well, maybe a little,” Dirk conceded with a wry grin.
“I think you’re both equally handsome,” Chloe said, smiling down onto the baby’s sweet, angelic face.
“Sorry, Chloe; remember, my brother’s taken,” Damien pointed out.
Chloe chuckled, remembering how often she declared she was going to marry Dirk or Wolf and how upset Damien would become that he always seemed to fall third in line.
Chloe sighed as though resigned and gazed up at Dirk. “Damien couldn’t wait to inform me both you and Wolf are now happily married to beautiful women and have children. I told him I would just have to settle for him now.”
Damien turned beet red when everyone howled with laughter at his expense.
“Who says I even want you?” Damien grouched, though he smiled down at her.
“Who else would there ever have been, Salvator?” Chloe said sweetly.
“I think it’s time I take Chloe up to her room. She’s had a long drive and needs to freshen up,” James interfered.
He took his young grandson from her arms, kissing his pudgy cheek, before handing him over to Dirk. He then clasped her hand onto his arm and led her from the room, after promising to bring her down in a short while for dinner, as the others were loath to allow her departure so soon. Yet it was apparent James wanted some alone time with her.
Happily the two walked up the massive staircase, then down a huge hallway that ventured off into numerous wings. Chloe was surprised an entire wing had been added in her absence; James explained it was Dirk’s wedding present to Candy. Chloe smiled. Dirk was always overly indulgent with the people he loved. Nothing was too expensive or out of his reach.
Once Chloe was in her old room, she sat down on her bed and asked James to sit with her. James complied. Once more he took her into his arms and held her close.
* * * *
“How are you, Chloe, have you been well? I’ve heard from you once in the last six months and I’ve been worried. It was hard to send word of your mother to you when I couldn’t find you. You’re supposed to keep me updated on where you are at all times. You know how I worry.”
James didn’t mention he had finally acquired the services of a trusted employee to seek her exact whereabouts. For some odd reason she had seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. James had been frantic, envisioning all sorts of horrid scenarios; he was well aware of all of the evil people out in the world.
“I’m fine, James, and I’m sorry about that, but we need to talk about a more pressing issue. It’s important we talk.”
“Why do you think I sequestered you away so quickly?” James said, smiling.
He kissed her forehead and cupped her chin in his hand as he had often done when she was younger and needed to discuss personal things. He had a feeling she was in need of his wisdom, and he hoped she would confide in him about her strange and sudden disappearance, yet her more pressing issue seemed foremost in her mind. Her absence and lack of communication could wait for a while, now that she was home and in his arms once more.
“You have a lovely family,” Chloe mumbled into his shoulder. She seemed a bit hesitant, which bothered James. They had never had a problem discussing anything in the past. He loved her openness with him.
“You are family, too, Chloe. Stay with us, with me. I took care of all of the funeral arrangements. It was a small but dignified service; you would have approved. Now that your mother is no longer with us the pressure will be gone. I understand how difficult it must have been for you to listen to her insane ranting, how confused and hurt you must have been by it all, but it’s over now, done with. I promise things will get better. You need the love and support of your family during this time.”
“James, I love you. I always have, I don’t remember a time that I didn’t love you. I love Dirk and Damien. You have always accepted me into your home, and I do feel like I’m home. You will never know how important you all are to me. How much I appreciate your willingness to include me as part of the family. But I’m an adult now. No more secrets, James, please. It’s time for real closure. It is time for the truth. My mother wasn’t ranting when it came to you and some of her fears, was she?”
James held her at arm's length and eyed her critically. “What do you mean, sweetheart?” he asked with trepidation.
“My mother wasn’t mistaken or insane, at least not entirely. I remember that night, James, when I was eight. I remember hearing you talk about the explosion. I know it was you who killed my father. I also know it was you who covered it up.”
Chapter Two
James studied Chloe thoughtfully for a moment. He glided his hand down her cheek in a loving gesture. “How long have you known, sweetheart?” he finally asked, resigned. Somehow he had always known this day would come.
“A long time, James, a very long time. I know what my father was, I knew before he died. He would pull out his gun, drunk or not, and tell me he would shoot me if I didn’t make my bed or clean up my toys.” James winced, but she continued. “You both may have been in the same profession, but he was nothing like you. You never harmed or frightened Damien like my father frightened me.
“Children learn from example. I knew what he did was wrong because I had you to compare him to. Damien has always respected and admired you, and so do I. It was you who kept me and my mother safe. I’m just sorry Mother never understood that.
&nbs
p; “I remember my talks with Dirk, our own secrets of things I or Damien had overheard. I’m not afraid of any of you, James. My father was cruel, evil. Why did you ever employ him? Was he the type of man you needed? It’s hard to look at you, knowing how caring you are, and yet feel so confused about what you do and why. Please, James, tell me why.”
James sighed. He rose from the bed to pace the large room. He stopped in front of the dresser and ran his hands over an oak and glass jewelry case he had given to Samantha for their tenth wedding anniversary.
When his wife had died, James had given the jewelry and its case to Chloe, knowing it would have made his wife happy. Closing his eyes, he could envision Chloe as a small child, poised directly beside his wife and trying on each piece of jewelry, mimicking his wife’s actions with precision.
Samantha, laughing happily when Chloe propped the tiara onto Damien’s head. Damien, always the clown, dancing around the room, curtsying to make Chloe and his mother howl with peals of contagious laughter.
“Your mother was pregnant with you when your father came into my employ. He was a good man in the beginning. His brother, your uncle, was a good man and recommended him. It was a shame your uncle died; it was shortly after you were born. He was killed in a tragic accident. He would have kept your father in line; they were always paired together.
“Your father loved you, really he did. We worked well and became close. For a while he respected what I taught, and my values. We accepted him into our fold and made him one of us.
“Or at least I thought we had. The money and the power went to his head after a few years. Life became nothing to him, including yours and your mother’s. He killed for fun, sport, petty things, revenge, and no one was safe when he was drinking, evil or innocents alike. His gambling got him so far into debt he could no longer afford to put clothes on your back or food on the table.
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