by Y. L. Stokes
Jack quickly grabbed Nicole and headed out of the room.
Tears blurred Ashley’s vision. Keeping her back to him, she stared out the patio doors, trying to keep the tears at bay. “I can’t believe you’re trying to keep secrets from me. I thought we agreed not to keep secrets.”
“Sweetheart, I was only trying to protect you. Ashley, it’s my nature to protect what’s mine. You and Marcus belong to me, and I’ll do everything in my power to protect the two of you. Maybe I was wrong for trying to keep Peter’s threat away from you, but it’s what I felt was best.”
Ashley sensed the tension radiating from him, and her anger receded. What he was saying sounded true and from the heart; Nicholas loved her, and he was very protective of the people he loved. Letting out a deep sigh, Ashley leaned back against him. Nicholas put his arms around her, pulling her deeper into the embrace.
“Nicholas, honey, I know you want to take care of me and protect me, but I’m not a little child like Marcus. This marriage has to be equal. You have to learn to share your worries with me, not carry the weight all on your own.” Ashley turned to face him. Taking his face in her hands, she brought his mouth to hers for a brief kiss. “Now you’ll tell me about the threat and what we plan on doing about it.”
Nicholas looked beat. “Okay, honey, you win,” he said.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jack tried unsuccessfully to get Nicole to talk about her feelings regarding her father’s latest sin. “Nicole, please talk to me,” he said as he held her in his arms.
“I had no idea that he hated her so much. My God, Jack, what if I turn out to be like him?”
“Honey, there’s no way you should even think that. You’re nothing like your father. You’re the most caring and loving person in the world, and there isn’t a vengeful bone in that beautiful body of yours.”
Nicole smiled, and Jack swooped down for a kiss.
Nicholas came to the door, cleared his throat, and invited them back to join him and Ashley. Jack reluctantly ended the kiss and glared at his brother.
After Nicole related the conversation with Peter to Ashley, her aunt frowned.
“What is it that you aren’t telling me, Nicole?” Ashley asked.
Nicole cringed. “That’s everything.”
“Nicole Miller, you know that you can’t keep secrets from me, now spill it!”
Nicole jumped at the tone of her aunt’s voice. “Peter said that my dad set you up.”
“Set me up? How?” Realization dawned—her brow furrowed further, and her mouth opened and closed before she said, “You mean he knew about that night?”
Nicole nodded. “He…my father set the entire night up. Apparently he knew all about Peter’s little parties and set it up for you to be there.”
“And the rest is history,” Ashley finished and looked at Nicholas, her eyes blazing with anger. “So which one do we go after first?”
“I think we need to stop Peter first. We don’t know how desperate he’ll become now that Grandma and Grandpa are married.”
“Married?” Nicole and Jack exclaimed.
“Yeah,” Nicholas said. “That’s what I was calling you about last night—or this morning—but you wouldn’t answer the phone.”
Nicole blushed. Nicholas laughed at her discomfort, but his smile faded when he caught sight of the anger still smoldering in his wife’s eyes.
“Jack, why don’t you and Nicole go and check on Mary and Phillip since we haven’t heard anything from them since this morning?”
Jack noticed how his brother’s eyes never left his wife’s and knew that he wanted him to get Nicole out of here as soon as possible.
“We’ll decide what we’re going to do later,” Nicholas added.
Jack was able to get Nicole out of the house without her questioning him.
As soon as the door closed behind Jack and Nicole, Nicholas opened his arms to his wife, and without a moment’s hesitation, Ashley threw herself into them.
“How could he hate me so much?” she said through her tears.
Nicholas held her tightly, comforting her while she purged her system of all the pain her brother’s treachery had caused. This is the best thing for her. He whispered loving words in her ear, telling her how much she was loved, especially by the two people that mattered—him and Marcus. Nicholas scooped her up and carried her to their bedroom. After placing her on the bed, he lay down beside her and pulled her back into his arms. Her tears had subsided, but progressed into hiccups. He stroked her back until she fell asleep.
Nicholas hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but realized that he had when the sound of Marcus’ voice came through the door. He placed a quick kiss on Ashley’s forehead then eased out of bed to collect his son.
“Damn right, he’s my son.”
Marcus’ excitement at seeing him always warmed his heart.
“How’s Daddy’s big boy? Ooh, someone’s stinky,” he exclaimed. “Let’s get you in the tub before Mommy wakes up.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Mary and Phillip had just started up the stairs after Jack and Nicole had visited to tell them of the latest events. Peter’s voice stopped them.
“What in the hell were they doing here? Why was he calling you Grandma? You aren’t his grandmother! You may be claiming that other bastard, but you can’t be claiming him.”
“If you must know, Peter, Nicholas and his brothers are our grandchildren and are welcome to visit here anytime that they wish,” Mary said.
They left him standing on the stairs sputtering. Peter realized the implications. That’s why they went to see the lawyer. I bet she’s added them to her will. The scream he let out could have shaken the pictures on the wall. Peter headed towards the front door. Flashing lights shone through the glass. It seemed his heart dropped to his stomach.
“What the hell?” he muttered as he slunk out of sight to see what they wanted.
Phillip answered the door and allowed the police detective to enter.
“We have a warrant for Peter Remington’s arrest in connection to the murder of Trisha Potts,” the detective stated.
“He was just here,” Phillip said.
Damn! I have to get out of here.
Peter remembered the servants’ entrance. He slipped out of the house and into the woods behind.
I’ll have to make it to Raymond’s place to get my car. That bitch will have to come up with my money so that I can get the hell out of town. Hell, that’s all I want anyway. I damn sure don’t want that little brat, whatever the hell his name is.
Nick had put Marcus in his walker to play around while he cooked dinner. He now saw what his mother had told him was true: the little scamp was getting into everything. Every time he placed an item down he made sure not to put it close to the edge. He was doing good until he placed a pan of hot rolls on the table. He closed the oven door and switched the oven off. As he turned back to the table, his son pulled on the tablecloth. The hot pan slid towards him.
“Marcus!” Nicholas yelled, snatched the hot pan up, and tossed it on the counter. Fear scurried through his veins. Coming down on one knee in front of his son, he pried the tablecloth out of Marcus’ hand.
“That is a no-no, young man,” he said, his voice stern.
Marcus reacted as though someone had just beaten him with a belt. Nicholas couldn’t stand it, though, and immediately picked him up to soothe him.
“Honey, you’re confusing him,” Ashley said as she entered the kitchen. “You can’t tell him off—if that’s what you call what you just did—and then soothe him.”
Nick scowled at his wife.
Ashley bit back a laugh, clearing her throat in an attempt to cover it up. “Let me see your hand,” she said after she put Marcus back into his walker.
“My hand is fine,” Nicholas said.
Ashley looked up at him. “Nicky, he’s not hurt by that little scolding you gave him. Look at him, he’s already forgotten it.”
Sure
enough, Marcus was banging on the patio door. Nicholas smiled and shook his head.
Ashley tongued the palm of his hand. “Did that make it feel any better?” she asked.
Nicholas growled low in his throat and kissed her.
“Could you two not do that here in the kitchen? We have to eat in here!” Jack said, walking into the room with Nicole.
Nicholas glared at his brother. “Honey, I think it’s time we changed the locks and the security code.”
“Nicole, it looks as if we’re just in time for dinner,” Jack said.
Hearing his uncle’s voice, Marcus quickly lost interest in the outside. He whipped around and headed straight for Jack, bouncing up and down, his arms stretched up for Jack to pick him up.
“I see someone’s been causing trouble again, huh?” Nicole said, looking at the table.
Over dinner, Jack told them about his call from Rick concerning the warrant for Peter’s arrest. Nicholas frowned, as did Jack.
“Why aren’t the two of you excited about the police being after Peter?” Nicole asked.
“Because as soon as Peter finds out that there’s a warrant for his arrest, he’s going to get desperate—maybe even desperate enough to come after Ashley, and or Marcus,” Nick stated.
Jack’s phone rang, and he answered. “Tell me you got some good news, my friend.”
“I wish I could, buddy, but apparently we just missed him at the Remington Estate. Nick’s grandmother saw someone heading for the woods behind the house, but by the time my men got back there he was either long gone or well hidden.”
“Damn! Do you have any idea where he could be?”
“Nope, I was calling you hoping you could give me some ideas, but don’t worry, Jack, we’ll get him.”
“I know you will, but until you do, my sister-in-law and nephew are in danger.”
“What do you mean?” Rick asked.
Jack explained the threat from Peter.
“Shit!” Rick exclaimed.
Jack stood and paced the kitchen. “Wait, do you still have those photos?”
“Yeah, but what good will they do?”
“My guess would be that the only place for him to run to is the guy that he’s with in the pictures. Have the pictures blown up. Maybe you can get an ID on the guy to get an address.”
“I knew calling you would help; I’ll let you know what we find out.”
Jack ended the call.
“So I take it that he’s still out there?” Nick asked.
“Yes, and he knows that they’re looking for him.”
Nick slammed his hands on the table, startling Nicole and Ashley. Marcus laughed. “Sorry, ladies, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Ashley stood behind him and massaged his shoulders.
“So how do you want to handle this?” Jack stared at this brother for a moment.
“How’s the rest of your week at the office?”
“I have to catch up, so I’ll be in meetings all day,” Ashley said.
Jack smiled. “It’s okay, sis, I meant Nick’s schedule.”
“I don’t have any meetings, just a couple of conference calls, why?” Nick asked.
“Good, I was thinking that instead of Marcus going to the babysitter’s, I think it would be best for him to hang with the two of you at the office until this is finished. What I’ll do is put a couple of my guys down in the lobby with George just for added protection.”
“Good idea,” Nick said. “I want this over as soon as possible.” He lifted Marcus out of his highchair. “Come on, son, it’s Daddy’s turn to give you your bath.” Nicholas gave his wife a quick kiss before he left the kitchen.
Nicole frowned at Ashley. Jack noticed and turned to look at Ashley, a frown forming on his own face.
“Hey, Ashley,” Nicole said, “you look a little beat. Why don’t you go on up and soak in the tub? Jack and I will take care of cleaning up down here.”
“You guys don’t have to do that, I got it,” Ashley protested.
Nicole walked over to her aunt and gently steered her out of the kitchen.
“I guess this mess is really wearing on her,” Jack commented behind her.
“No, I think it’s something altogether different,” Nicole said, smiling.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
So tired of jumping at each and every shadow, Peter flexed his jaw. That bitch is going to pay through the nose. He crouched down in the driver’s seat and watched the babysitter’s house. He checked his watch again and sighed in frustration. Where in the hell are they? I know this was the right house. Hell, Al’s goons followed the old bat just in case. He went over his plan again. He’d wait until they dropped the brat off, then he’d go in and beat the hell out of the old bag (wishing that it was his grandmother), and then leave with the kid.
Once I have the kid in the car I’ll call that bitch at the office just so she can hear his cries. Then I’m going to demand that she get that rich cousin of mine to pay me to disappear. I’ll have to take the kid with me to use against the police. Hell, I hope he’s not a crier.
Peter frowned. The old bag came out of the house dressed as if going to the gym. What in the hell’s going on? Maybe she’s going to pick him up? Peter followed her, and to his utter frustration, she went to the gym. Maybe Ashley’s still sick. Picking up his cell phone, he called his cousin’s house. No answer. He tried the office. Ashley answered, and he hung up the phone.
“Damn!” he said, his palm connecting with the steering wheel.
Raymond had told him his plan wouldn’t work well. Unfortunately, Raymond won’t be giving his opinions to anyone else. Peter smiled. How easy it had been to kill him. Closing his eyes, he remembered the power and the adrenaline that coursed through his body while he had his hand around Raymond’s neck. He pictured doing the same thing to that little bitch his cousin had married. Thoughts of what had gotten the argument between he and Raymond started filtered through his mind.
After Peter had fled his grandmother’s house, he showed up at Raymond’s and informed him that the police were after him. Raymond damn near panicked.
“Look, Peter, I have money saved. Let’s just take that and get out of town, cut your losses.”
“I’m not going to let that cousin of mine have it all. If he’s getting what the old bag has then he can compensate me out of his own pockets,” Peter had yelled, frustration flowing like a lava river. He lashed out and slapped Raymond across the face. Fear filled his lover’s eyes, and blood pounded in Peter’s ears.
“Get out!” Raymond yelled and scooted back up against the wall.
Liking the feel of power he felt watching Raymond huddle before him, Peter pulled him up by his hair and slung him across the room. The begging and whimpering coming from Raymond was almost erotic. He enjoyed it immensely—until the prick had the nerve to try and fight back. The punch Raymond threw landed on Peter’s right cheek, sending him into a blinding rage. Peter grabbed him around the neck and pinned him up against the wall. Squeezing the life out of him, as Raymond’s body jerked, Peter had an orgasm. He collapsed on to the floor soon after releasing Raymond’s limp and lifeless body.
The sound of someone tapping on his car window brought Peter back to the present. A parking attendant signaled for him to roll down his window. Peter started the engine and quickly drove off, leaving the attendant staring after him. Checking his speed and trying not to draw attention to himself, he headed back to Raymond’s house to come up with another plan.
A queasy feeling swirled in Ashley’s stomach again. It had happened this morning too. About to get in the shower, a wave of nausea hit her. She quickly made it to the toilet. She couldn’t let Nicholas find out or he’d confine her to bed. Thankfully he’d already showered and was downstairs feeding Marcus. Now, after her first client had left, the nausea returned.
Searching her desk, she found a pack of saltine crackers and took a gulp of water.
Nicholas walked in her office with Marcus. “Ashley,
are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, just a little overwhelmed. Once I get caught up I’m sure I’ll be okay. What did you two need?” she asked, changing the subject.
“I was wondering if you were hungry, considering you didn’t eat anything this morning. If you want we can go ahead and order lunch.”
Just the word lunch made her stomach flip-flop. “Um, I’m not really hungry right now, but if you want to go ahead and order, just get me a salad and I’ll eat it later.”
He frowned. “Honey, are you sure you’re okay?”
Her phone rang, signaling her next client waited downstairs. Ashley stood a little too quickly, and the room began to spin. She caught hold of the desk to keep from falling. Luckily, Nicholas had turned to walk out of her office. Once the dizziness passed, she went to collect her client.
By the time her last client had left, the nausea had passed. Though still a little tired, she could handle that better than she could the queasiness. She sat at her desk to go over the drawings. Marcus called her, and she looked towards the door. He crawled into the office. Her drawings forgotten, Ashley rose and picked up the very special little man in her life.
“What are you doing in here? I thought you were keeping Daddy company.” Ashley walked over to Nicholas’ office and, just as she expected, Nicholas was on the phone. He glanced up and smiled.
“Look, you guys, I need to wrap this up. My wife and son are waiting on me. We’ll get together again next week to go over what’s needed for the next set of projects coming up.”
Peter paced, trying to come up with some way to get his hands on that bitch and her brat.
“Since it appears that they’re going to the office as a family, maybe I’ll just have to find some way to make it into the office. Don’t you think that’s a sound plan?”
He walked over and stood over Raymond’s body. Bending over him, Peter searched the cadaver’s pockets for the key to the safe.
“Ray, man, I’m so glad you didn’t believe in banks.”