Aries

by WL Knightly

  “Yeah, there is a gala with the art society, but I thought if you put in an appearance before the other event, you’d be good.” Gretta’s eyes moved up and down his body as a slow smile spread her lips.

  Seth thought it best to change the subject. “Would you like a drink?” He got to his feet and crossed the room to the bar.

  “Could you make a martini? Extra dirty?” Gretta’s voice was so sultry that Seth hoped he’d be able to go the night without popping wood.

  “Oh, I’ll have the same, honey.” Kari checked her phone. “The lasagna still has a few more minutes.”

  “I’m rather excited about the schedule,” said Seth. “It’s going to be crazy giving all of those speeches.” He finished the drinks and walked them over, laughing to himself that he was serving them both at once.

  Kari took the drink and sipped it. “I’m glad you’ll make it to the charity event this year, Seth. It means so much to our family.”

  Gretta’s brows rose as she turned up her glass. After finishing the mouthful, she turned to Kari. “Was there someone in your family who was affected by violence?”

  Kari looked down to her glass and rolled the olive around the bottom. “Yes, my brother, Aiden. He was killed in a carjacking. The case is still not completely solved, but one of the men is in prison.”

  “I’m so sorry. That must be horrible for you and your family.”

  “Well, it was a few years ago, but yes, you never get over it. You just learn to live with it.” Kari sat forward in her seat, squaring her shoulders. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring the whole mood down. I think that it will be a great opportunity to have Seth speak at the event this year.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. Having your brother’s story, it will make him even more relatable. I’d like to use that angle for the campaign. We can certainly build his platform around the violence and try to get funding for programs that support crime victims. Why didn’t you mention this, Seth?”

  “I guess I just didn’t think about it.” Seth hadn’t wanted to drag her brother into the campaign or make him into an issue. The family had gone through enough pain, and aside from the hypocritical aspect, he had to live with Kari, who probably wouldn’t like the daily reminder at every event.

  “Do you think it could raise awareness? I mean, maybe even help to find the others involved?” Kari shifted in her seat and rested her elbow on the back of the couch.

  “It could,” Gretta said. Suddenly, the two women were focused on the subject.

  Seth cleared his throat. “I believe the lasagna is done, Kari. You might want to check on it.”

  Kari sprung to her feet and hurried away, making apologies all the way into the kitchen. “I’m so sorry. Give me a second.”

  When she disappeared around the corner, Gretta took another drink and moved forward in her seat. “She’s perfect for your image. All the look of little miss Susie Homemaker, and a brain to boot. If you had told me that she had a dead brother, we’d have gone from that angle from the start.”

  “He’s not an angle. He’s a very touchy subject, and as for brains, I don’t think she realized just how much her brother’s name would be dragged into the campaign if we go that route. Let’s keep things simple. And I don’t want to go to that damned charity event.”

  “Tough shit. You’re going to that. Nick Ballard lost his mother in an accident, so he’s already one-upping you in the sympathy vote. This could be your chance to steal that. No one cares about some old bag running off the road in the middle of the night, but a beloved brother struck down too soon, the victim of a violent crime? That’s winning shit.” Her voice was stern, and while that usually turned him on, it fell flat at this particular moment.

  Seth wanted no part of that. “It’s a delicate subject,” he said, going quiet as Kari walked back into the room.

  “Dinner is served. If you help me, Seth, then we can all move into to the dining room.”

  Gretta stood and walked around the couch toward the kitchen. “Here, let me give you a hand, sweetheart.” She gave Seth a hard look and then turned to Kari. “Tell me more about your brother.”

  The next few minutes passed by while they sat at the table and settled in. Kari went on about her brother and his life, his dreams that were snuffed out in a blink, and the businessman he’d never become.

  “Honey, why are you looking so glum?” Kari asked, finally shutting up long enough to see that he was not entertained.

  “It’s just a lot of sad talk is all.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I should have been more sensitive.” She turned to Gretta, who had given him a dead stare over her wine glass. “He’s probably a bit tired of the whole subject of death. One of his friends was shot recently.”

  Seth’s back stiffened, and Gretta dropped her fork. “Why didn’t you say anything? It seems there’s a lot that your husband hasn’t told me, Kari.”

  “That’s not what’s bothering me, and the man was barely a friend. Much like Kari’s brother.” He pegged Kari with a look that dared her to challenge him. She sank into her chair, looking like a whipped dog as the conversation quieted and they finished their meal.

  After dinner, Seth took Gretta to the living room for another drink while Kari cleared the table. The silence was awkward and didn’t get any better when Gretta spoke. “Look, Seth. I’m only going to ask this once, but is there anything else that’s happened that you haven’t told me about?”

  “Nothing important.” Seth gripped the base of his neck and sighed.

  “Good, because I don’t want any surprises, good or bad. This campaign is only going to work if you’re honest with me, and if we use every means necessary. Like the baby angle. I hope you’re already working on that one.” Gretta rolled her eyes and turned up the last of her dinner wine as Kari cleared her throat.

  “Didn’t Seth tell you?” Kari asked. “I’ve decided that I’m not having a baby. Sorry if it doesn’t fit into your plans. I guess my dead brother is the only angle you’ll get from me.” She turned and stormed down the hall to their bedroom where Seth heard the door slam.

  Gretta’s face paled. “I’m sorry. I thought she was in the kitchen.”

  Seth shook his head. It was going to take a whole lot of convincing to get her back to where she was. “Her brother is off limits.”

  “She didn’t seem bothered before.”

  “She was being polite and trying to help, and if she thinks it will help find his murderers, then she’d be willing to sacrifice everything for that. I, on the other hand, have finally gotten them to shut up about the whole thing. It’s not easy living in the shadow of a dead man. But the baby, she doesn’t want it. So before you think you can run the show all on your own, I suggest you take a good look at me. I’m a man who likes to get my way.”

  Gretta’s face broke with a smile that quickly erupted with laughter. “You men are always so clueless when a woman has you by the balls. You see, Seth, I know all of your secrets, including the one where you’re fucking me, so if you want to keep all of this together, you’ll do what the fuck I tell you to win this election and if you think it ends there? Think again. Are you blind enough to think I’m setting you up for victory with no payoff? I don’t do this for the shitty salary or the sex. It’s going to take a whole lot more than that to make me happy.” She placed her drink on the table and then made her way out.

  As all she said sank in, Seth eased back in his chair, cursing himself for getting played yet again.

  20

  Bay

  Bay peeked over his file as Mia’s phone sounded out another YouTube makeup tutorial. He had heard enough about foundation and highlighter to do his own demonstration. “Can you turn that shit down? Why do you watch the same mindless shit over and over?”

  “Because I’m bored. Maybe if you gave me a little attention, I wouldn’t have to watch videos all day.”

  “I have work to do, Mia. There are some things I can’t delegate, and if you’re that bored, g
o to the cabinet under the bar and find a dust rag. You can earn some of the money I’m giving you.”

  “I just had my nails done, and there’s no way I want to smell like lemon furniture polish for the rest of the day. I’ll smell like a maid.”

  “Watch your mouth. Your sister might talk like that, but I’ll remind you that I was raised by a working woman, and she held the power of my entire family in her hands.” His Rose Marie had been the only one to give a shit about him, and she’d used her wiles not only to take charge of the household but to push Bay’s own mother, who he despised, out of her own home. It took great skill to mastermind such a plot and to gain control over a man as mighty as his father.

  “You know I love Rose Marie. Even if she does creep me out with her stories.”

  Bay laughed, remembering the tales she used to tell him as a boy. “That means she likes you.”

  “If she likes me, how come she threatened to put a curse on me if I didn’t donate half my closet to charity?”

  “Did it motivate you to do so?” Bay knew all of the old woman’s tricks.

  Mia groaned. “Yes, and I gave away my best pair of jeans by mistake. Is she a witch?”

  “You should ask her.” Bay smiled, knowing that Mia would, and Rose Marie would have a lot of fun with it.

  A knock sounded at the door, and Bay turned to see the monitor over his door. “Let him in.” He sat up in his seat and prepared to welcome Darek.

  Mia swung the door open. “Oh, it’s you. Did you have fun the other night?”

  “It was fine, thank you.” Darek looked over her head to Bay and made his way over as Bay got to his feet.

  Bay had never seen him so buttoned up outside of a courtroom, and he had worn the same suit to his divorce hearing. “You’re looking nice today. Did you have a date with that hot partner of yours or did you meet someone at the club?”

  “You know I met someone, and she’s the reason I’m here.” Darek stood at the back of the chair.

  Bay waved Mia over. “Take the man’s coat, Mia.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “I insist,” Bay said with a smirk, snapping his fingers at Mia.

  Darek took his phone from his pocket and slipped off the coat. “Guess it could be worse, unless you’d like to do a strip search.”

  “No, you just look so stuffy, I hate to look at you. Now, we’re both relaxed. Have a seat and tell me what this visit is all about.” Bay closed his file and leaned back in his chair. He brought his hands up behind his head just to show Darek he wasn’t fazed by the drop in.

  “You lied to me, Bay.”

  “Have I?”

  “About a couple of things, but most importantly, you know Raven.”

  “Not as well as you know Raven, though I’ve considered slumming a time or two.” He hoped he rattled Darek, and he searched his face for any change in expression that might signal Darek’s irritation with the insult. But his face was as blank as a slate.

  “My point is, she said you and Seth were both involved in what she referred to as an orgy. So, I’d like to ask you now if there’s any reason you lied about it?”

  “Other than the fact that it was private and an orgy? You really have to ask?”

  Mia giggled, and Bay looked up at her and grinned.

  Darek rolled his eyes in his direction. “You know what I mean. And since when did you become so modest?”

  “Look, I didn’t want to make a big deal of it because I know Seth’s running for office.” Bay held up his hands and shrugged.

  “And since when did you start caring about the reputation of others?”

  “We’re old friends, and you never know when I’ll need his political influence. I was protecting my assets.”

  “Is that why you said you bailed Logan out by purchasing the clockwork heart?” Darek paused, and Bay had no reaction to him. “Finn bought that heart. His girl Edie told me all about it. So, why take credit?”

  “Maybe Edie is wrong. Maybe I’m the one who gave him the money?” Bay glanced up at Mia who had dropped Darek’s coat to the sofa beside her and was quietly sifting through its pockets.

  “But you didn’t. I checked Finn’s bank records; he wrote a check to Logan. It even stated in the memo what the check was for.”

  “What are you fishing around for, Darek? Who killed Finn? I wouldn’t have a reason, but Seth would. Maybe you should go and harass him.” He wasn’t worried about Darek and his goose chase. With any luck, the man would be driven to the brink of insanity, and his fragile mind would break.

  “I intend to. I’ve got a string of murders and suddenly the MO changes. I have to start looking in other directions to figure it out. It’s not enough that I have to worry about the killer and how to stay on this fucking tightrope, but now I have to worry about your lies and wonder if one of the people I’m risking my career to protect is the one killing us off?”

  “Why would I do something like that? I’ve been honest with you from the start of all this, and you know I protect my own. Hell, I’ve taken care of half of these guys for years; little loans here and there for some. Advice and free legal counsel for others. Why would I stir it up? You already know some asshole is out there making waves, and it’s not me.”

  “I think you can’t stand that someone else is in control for a change; that someone else is calling the shots. You and Seth both have valid reasons.”

  Bay had to give him credit for accuracy, but he wasn’t going to have himself cast in a bad light when he had a perfectly good scapegoat. “And as I said, I have a million other reasons why I wouldn’t. You’re barking up the wrong tree, Darek. As much as I hate to say it, Seth has more to lose. If his father-in-law ever found out about his daughter and Seth’s habits, not only would he have to forget his dreams, but his livelihood as well. If you want to put this on one of us, I’d look in other directions. In your case, down, lest you forget you’re standing ankle deep in shit yourself.”

  Darek’s mouth opened to argue, but then his phone rang, choking him off. Bay smiled as Darek showed his frustration and answered. He pegged Bay with a hard stare and stepped away to the bathroom. “I’ll just be a minute,” said Darek. He closed the door.

  Mia rose from the couch to hurry over. “Why does anyone need two phones?” She held up the spare she’d gotten from his pocket, and Bay quickly snatched it from her hand. He turned it on, and thankfully, it didn’t have a lock. His eyes widened as he read the messages, and he listened for Darek to touch the bathroom doorknob, hoping he’d have time to see what he was up to.

  Bay grinned as he realized what he was reading. The fucker had a direct line to someone all along. But how? He had to have gotten it from Tad’s phone.

  Bay quickly jotted the number down on his desk calendar and then passed the phone back to Mia. “Put it back where you found it.”

  Darek opened the door so fast that Mia didn’t have time to. “I’ve got to be going,” he said. “But we’re not done here.” He took his coat, and as he turned around, Bay gestured to Mia to speak up.

  “Excuse me, you dropped this.” Mia extended her hand with a slow, sly smile that barely parted her lips.

  Bay would have given his fortune to see the look on Darek’s face in slow motion replay. His angered expression suddenly looked like he’d just shit himself as he reached out and took the phone from Mia’s delicate hands. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” Mia shrugged, but when Darek turned his eyes to Bay, Bay could see the question in his eyes. Had Bay seen? Bay gave his devilish smile as the detective turned away. He made his way to the door, and the room remained silent for a moment after he was gone.

  Bay loved moments like that.

  “Did I do good?” Mia walked around, and he pulled her into his lap and pinched her cheek.

  “You did perfectly. You’re my special girl, indeed. Always quick to the game, sneaky, manipulative. I’ll have to keep my eye on you.” He would also wait until she was gone to make his call. He moved his
pen to cover up the number.

  “What was that all about anyway?” She scrunched up her nose and then kissed his cheek.

  “You’ll learn everything in time, Mia. Don’t be so quick to hear about things that could only put you in a bad place. You have to trust me on that.”

  She quickly nodded. “I do.”

  “Good girl. Now, for being so clever, I’ll reward you.” He reached into his pocket and then handed her his wallet and keys. “I’ll let you take what you want to cure your boredom.”

  Mia took the wallet and opened it. She thumbed through the twenties and hundreds and then turned her eyes to him and grinned as she pulled out his credit card.

  “Smart choice.” He laughed. She was no fool.

  She tossed his wallet on the desk and got to her feet to smooth out her short skirt. “I’ll buy something sexy for you.”

  “So thoughtful.” He caught her hand as she turned away and pulled her back into his arms. She kissed him hard and deep and then strolled away.

  Bay picked up his phone and added the number to his contacts. As tempted as he was to send a message right away, he wasn’t sure it was time to show his hand. Everything in time.

  21

  Darek

  Darek had exited the building before he let himself show any reaction to what had just happened. That little bitch had most likely gone through his pockets, but no matter how it happened, he was screwed.

  He’d wanted to make a power play of his own and show a little control, but now he knew it was all for nothing. Whatever Bay was up to, he would continue.

  Darek tried to focus on his task at hand but couldn’t help wonder if Bay actually looked through the phone or if he’d just been suspicious about Darek having two. No, he had to have looked; the smirk on his face said so.