by Chloe Lang
Kyle was his only family. He loved his brother. He was proud of his brother. Giving him half of SCSS had always been the plan, but he’d revised it. Kyle needed to be ready to take the company over. In the last several months, he’d seen him get serious and prove himself well.
They went into the room.
“Is this my room or yours?” Gya asked.
He answered flatly, “It’s our room.”
Kyle placed the bags on one of the beds.
Her cheeks reddened. “I can’t possibly sleep in here with you.”
“Have you forgotten the rules, Gya?” He checked the window, and was happy to find it was sealed completely shut. Outside was the parking lot with a bright security light. Access this way wasn’t impossible but unlikely. “We will be perfectly respectful, but you cannot have your own room. It’s just not safe.”
“There are two beds,” Kyle said, clearly hoping to ease her concern. “It will be fine.”
“One of us will be awake while the other sleeps. That’s the drill.” He grabbed up the local diner’s menu, which was sitting on the tiny desk by the phone. He passed it to Gya. “Pick what you want.”
“I already told you what I wanted.” Gya’s aggravation at the current state of affairs had returned. Gone was the softness he’d seen earlier in the car.
“Pancakes. I remember.” He thought if she saw him as an asshole it would make it easier for her to lean on Kyle for support. A perfect plan. “Anything else?”
She shook her head.
Kyle asked for a cheeseburger and fries.
Without a word, he walked out the door. They needed time alone. Despite how hard Gya tried to show otherwise, Aaron knew she was an amazing and wonderful woman. Once you cut through all the layers, you found she was really quite sweet and innocent.
Were it not for that little spot the doctor had found, he could’ve seen him and Kyle claiming her as their own. But that spot existed, and Kyle still deserved a chance at happiness with Gya.
I can do my job and keep her safe. Once we get the stalker, it will be time for me to step aside for good.
* * * *
As the door shut, Gya turned to Kyle. “What’s wrong with your brother?”
“I’ve noticed he’s been a little too serious lately. Once you get to know him you’ll see he’s a good guy. Just give him a chance.”
“I am giving him a chance by even being here.” She sighed. “You think I have time to clean up a bit before he gets back.”
“I’m sure you do.” He smiled. “You need me to carry anything into the bathroom for you?”
“Just hand me that small case over there. That’s all I need.”
When he did, she entered the bathroom and shut the door.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror, trying to keep her feelings in check but having a difficult time of it. The two brothers were alike in so many ways. Both were attractive. Both were trustworthy. Both were honorable. But they were also different. Kyle was warm and mischievous. Aaron was determined and serious. She was attracted to both of them. Good God, Gya. What’s wrong with you? You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.
Still, she wished it were possible to meld Kyle and Aaron into one. That would be a Frankenstein book she would enjoy being a part of, one where she would lose her heart completely to love.
But this wasn’t pretend. This was real life. Besides, one of the heroes of the story didn’t care for her one bit.
No doubt about it. Aaron doesn’t like me. That’s for certain. But I haven’t given him much to like, have I? If she were honest, she’d been on edge for a very long time.
Maybe this is a change I need.
Chapter Five
Walking between Aaron and Kyle, Gya stepped up to the wraparound porch of the country house. It looked so warm and inviting. The kind of home she wished she’d grown up in.
Aaron unlocked the door and swung it open. “After you.”
She walked inside and found the interior was just as charming as the exterior.
“Whoever designed this place has to be a lovely caring person.” Wherever her eyes landed they found soothing colors, inviting fabrics, and charming patterns. “It’s absolutely perfect. I love it.”
Kyle said, “Our mom was the designer in the family. She always had such a unique way of making everyone feel welcome the minute they walked in the door, not only with her decorating skills but with her charms. She would’ve been pleased that you liked the place.”
“This is your mother’s house?” She walked to the fireplace. On its mantel she saw several photographs. One was of Kyle graduating from high school. He looked so young. Another of Aaron, also young, holding a fishing pole with his arm around Kyle. In the middle of all the pictures was a beautiful-looking woman with long dark hair. “Is this her?”
“That’s our mom,” Kyle answered.
“Where is she? What’s she going to think when she learns you brought me here?”
“It was our mother’s house, Gya.” Aaron walked right in front of her. He towered over her, making her feel so tiny. “Our mother died several years ago. This is mine and Kyle’s house now.”
“Oh I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay,” Kyle said. “Although we miss her every day, it’s less painful now.”
“There isn’t a moment that goes by that we don’t think about her.” Aaron’s tone held such reverence that it was shocking to her. The hard edge that he presented most of the time seemed to soften at the mention of his mother. “Kyle, can you take Gya to the guest room? I need to leave for a while.”
“I’ll be happy to get her settled in,” Kyle said. “Where are you going? Aren’t you tired from that long drive?”
She was glad Kyle had asked, because she wanted to know, too.
“I need to go talk to Sheriff Champion and Austin Wilde. We can use their eyes and ears while we’re in town.”
“That’s a good idea. Nothing goes on around here without one of them knowing. Ever.”
“I won’t be gone long.” Aaron turned to her. “Make yourself at home, Gya.” And then he left without another word.
“You’re with me, sweetheart.” Kyle offered her his hand. “You’re on the second floor.”
She took his hand. “Lead the way, Prince Charming.”
They walked up the stairs and into a gorgeously appointed bedroom that was just as inviting as the rest of the house. Against the far wall of the room was the most comfy-looking bed she’d ever seen.
Kyle squeezed her hand and warmth shot up her arm. “This okay for you? I know it’s not Houston’s Crystal Dream Hotel.”
She looked into his blue eyes. “It’s so much better.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Kyle bowed at the waist, pretending to be from another era, where ladies of leisure received all the attention. “There’s a bathroom through that door. It is for you alone and no one else, my dear.”
“Thank you, my lord. The accommodations are beyond my expectations.” Trying to keep from giggling, she continued the act. “I am forever in your debt. How in the world will I ever repay you for allowing me to stay in such a glorious and elegant castle?”
Kyle burst into laughter. “The Castle Strait. I love it. I think I’ll get a plaque made and put it on the front door.”
She fell on the bed in a fit of giggles.
After they finally were able to breathe normally again, Kyle said. “My dads built this place, Gya. For my mom.”
“Dads?”
“Yes.” He smiled and sat down next to her. “Dad Leon and Dad Gene. They were brothers and they both fell madly in love with my mom.”
“Oh my God. Seriously? How could she marry them both?”
He shrugged. “There’s something about Wilde Aaron and I should’ve told you. It’s not like anywhere else. Our hometown has many unique families. Have you ever heard of polyamorous relationships, Gya?”
She shook her head.
“It’
s a romantic relationship that involves more than two people, and in my family’s case it was between my two dads and mom. They’re all gone now, but they were crazy about each other.”
Does that mean I actually could have both Aaron and Kyle? Stop it, Gya. Don’t be ridiculous.
“The kind of family I grew up in, two dads and one mom, is the norm in Wilde, though there are a few of what the outside world calls ‘traditional’ living here.”
“Really? You’re serious?”
He nodded and brought out his cell phone. He clicked it a few times and then handed it to her. “That’s my mom and dads on their wedding day.”
She looked at the photo on the screen. She recognized the woman from the picture on the mantle. In this one she wore a bridal gown and stood between two men in military uniforms.
“Your mom and dads.” She didn’t look up but continued staring at Kyle’s and Aaron’s parents. They looked so happy. So in love. “This is so new to me. I would really like to know more about Wilde. Has it always been this way here?”
“Yes. Wilde is a mining town. Silver. Back in the eighteen hundreds, when it was founded, there weren’t very many women who ventured out this far. The first family, who were the namesakes of the town, began the tradition. Unlike so many other mining towns, which became ghost towns, ours continued. The original Wilde brothers married a lovely woman who had many children. So the mine remained in a single family, never being divided up to others.”
“So do you have a museum?”
“Actually, the founders’ original homestead is still intact. The members of the Wilde Historical Society are the caretakers of it for the town. I’d love to show it to you while you’re here, Gya.”
“I would love to see it.” Her mind was spinning. So he and Aaron had grown up in a house with two dads and one mom. Maybe it isn’t so bad that I’m attracted to both of them. “This is the most interesting story I’ve ever heard. But you’re not Wildes. You’re Straits. How did this poly…what did you call it?”
“Polyamorous relationships.”
She nodded. “Polyamorous relationships take off with the other families in the area.”
“The people of Wilde are about love in all its various shades and colors. They really don’t put limitations on it. Back in the old days, the townsfolk had to really stick together to survive. That spirit has continued to this very day.”
“You sound like you should head the Wilde welcome committee, Kyle.”
“I do love my hometown.”
“Then why did you and Aaron leave?”
“Our dads were killed in action in ‘89 down in Central America. And when our mom died while I was still in high school, Aaron and I both felt lost and adrift.” Kyle’s tone softened as he described his past. “Aaron postponed his college until I graduated. Being the oldest, he took on a ton of responsibility. Mom was so sick. The treatments the doctor prescribed were hard on her. Aaron took care of her and still made sure I got to school on time. Maybe knowing this, you can understand why he is so serious most of the time. It was how he survived all we went through. After I got my diploma, Aaron left Wilde and never returned. Until now.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, thinking about all they’d been through. “This is the first time Aaron’s been back to your hometown, to your parents’ house? Maybe he was just overwhelmed and had to leave.”
“I never thought about it that way. I just thought he was ready to get on with his life.” Kyle sighed. “He’s an incredible brother and friend to me, Gya.”
“I can tell. How long did you remain in Wilde?”
“Until a year ago. I stayed but the town and this house seemed so different without our parents and Aaron to me. The color and vitality of life turned gray and cold. For years I searched for something that would bring back the feelings I’d once known, but I never found anything.”
Hearing the sadness in his voice was breaking her heart, but she wanted to hear more. She reached out and grabbed his hands. “Go on.”
“I sowed some oats after high school for quite a while. Aaron offered me a job and I jumped at the chance, knowing it was time to make something of my life. I love my job. He wants me to become his partner. Fifty-fifty. Can you believe that?”
“I’m beginning to.” Hearing Kyle’s story, she was seeing Aaron Strait in a different light. The man was much more than a tight-lipped, egotistical, control-freak. Aaron was loving and loyal, self-sacrificing and kind. “How is it working for your brother?”
“It’s the best job I’ve ever had.” Kyle squeezed her hands. “So here I am. Keeping an eye on a superstar named Gya Gaynor.”
“Doing a damn good job of it, too.” She looked into his deep blue eyes, thinking about the struggles he and Aaron had been through. They’d survived by supporting each other. How she would’ve loved to have them in her life during her dark years. “I’ve never felt so safe and so comfortable in my life.” Lost in the moment, she kissed his cheek. Shocked at herself, she leaned back. “I’m sorry. That’s not like me, Kyle.”
“It was just a kiss on the cheek, Gya.”
“I’m not the touchy-feely type normally. I don’t even like to hug people.”
He didn’t say a word, but his unblinking eyes mesmerized her. What was he thinking? Did I overstep the line? Of course you did, Gya.
“Kyle, can we just forget this ever hap—”
He pressed his lips to hers, silencing her and sending a shiver up and down her spine.
She placed her hands on his chest, trying to find the courage to push him away, but the courage never came. Instead, she found herself melting into his arms.
* * * *
Aaron stepped into Sheriff Champion’s office and found the lawman, who he’d never met before, sitting behind his desk, and three others, who he knew well.
The Taylor twins sat in two chairs facing the sheriff. Adam and Bane had been on the high school football team with him. Even though they’d been a couple years older, they’d been good friends.
Austin Wilde stood next to the sheriff, looking over his shoulder at some files.
They all turned his direction.
Adam stood and came up to him. He patted him on the back, giving him a manly hug. “Good to see you, buddy.”
He smiled. “Good to see you, too.”
Bane came up beside them, smiling broadly. “How long has it been, Aaron?”
“At my mother’s funeral. You two got leave, as I recall.” Something about seeing his old friends spoke to him in a good way, but it also reminded him of the loss that had driven him away from Wilde. He still missed his parents, but especially his mother.
“Too damn long, that’s for sure,” Adam said. “But we all look pretty damn good for the wear, don’t you think?”
“Sure as hell do. I heard from Maude you two are back for good.”
“Yes we are,” the two Marines said in unison.
“Working for the FBI?”
“Yep,” again in unison.
“And I heard you are engaged to Norma’s daughter, Emma.”
“That’s true, too.”
“Though you haven’t been back since you graduated from high school, it sure seems like you have kept up on everything happening in Wilde through my Aunt Maude.” Austin Wilde extended his hand to Aaron.
He shook his hand. “Maude Strong has always been good to me and Kyle.”
“I’ve learned how good a woman Maude is since I moved here.” The sheriff sported gray hair and looked to be in his sixties. Not a native of Wilde, but from Elko, which was the closest town. “All the women in town are the best of the best, that’s for sure.”
They all nodded in agreement.
“Maude told me how hard it was on you and your brother losing your mother at such a young age.” The sheriff motioned for everyone to have a seat. “I’m Wayne Champion.”
“Pleased to meet you, Sheriff.” He sat down. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“And I have hea
rd a lot about you, too. Quite the resume you have. Your company is one of the best.” Sheriff Champion handed the folder over that he and Austin had just been looking at. “After your man Sam called me, the four of us did some digging into this Vincent Scarpelli character.”
Aaron looked over the file, which was full of data of Scarpelli. “How did you get this much information on him?”
“I have this amazing contact in Destiny, Colorado. Jena McCabe-Dixon is a miracle worker when it comes to data mining.”
“Apparently so. There’s government records in here that should be sealed.”
“They are sealed for most, but Jena is with the CIA. She’s a good friend.”
Aaron read one of the records from the United States Treasury Department that stumped him. “This says Scarpelli hasn’t left Chicago in several weeks. He’s under constant surveillance.”
“We contacted the team lead on the task. He assured us that the report is accurate. They haven’t been able to collect enough evidence on Scarpelli for money laundering, but they are certain he is involved in a national operation working with several crime organizations.”
“That means Scarpelli couldn’t have been in Dallas when my client was shot at.” Then who is Gya’s stalker? “And he couldn’t have been in Malibu when her house burned.”
“Vincent Scarpelli doesn’t have to be on location when something goes down, Aaron,” Austin stated. “He’s got reach far beyond Chicago.”
“Good point.” He’d always respected Austin, but now even more so.
“In fact, we believe he might have connections with a drug lord we’ve been searching for. We think Scarpelli is laundering for him.”
“Ricardo Delgado. Yes. Maude gave me an update the other day. The guy still has a hard-on for Wilde?”