Keep Me Wanting

by Angela Addams

  I pause. She’s put on weight. She’s eating like a fiend. She’s acting weird. My jaw drops. Oh my—

  “What? Do I have ice cream on my face or something?” She starts wiping at her chin.

  “Uh, no.” I don’t want to blurt it out, but I’m pretty sure that my sister, Ms. Career-Before-Kids, is pregnant. Does she know? If so, why hasn’t she told us?

  She’s looking at me like I’m growing a second head. I clear my throat to break the silence. “Liam had a family emergency. He had to go.”

  She frowns at me, looking concerned.

  “It’s okay, he’ll be back,” I say with a forced laugh. “Something came up with his brothers that he had to deal with.”

  She doesn’t get a chance to comment because Doug swoops in front of her so they’re chest to chest. He gives her a big kiss, and it’s really sweet to see…and also really uncharacteristic of them. They’re usually so serious, all about the work, not a lot of touchy-feely stuff going on. Makes me wonder if I’m right. Maybe they have something to celebrate or maybe this place is having a romantic effect on everyone.

  I wander off, leaving them to their intimacy. It makes me happy to see Charlotte happy. Her smile always lights up a room, and I miss seeing it.

  If I’m going to be honest, the last few months I’ve been avoiding her. The last time I saw her was at a Sunday dinner, one that I tried to beg off, but my stomach had growled so loudly over the phone that Dad actually heard it and insisted I come. Even though I was starving, the roast sat like a lump in my stomach by the time I was through eating.

  Mother, Amelia, and Charlotte had all gone to work on me at the same time. Why haven’t you been headhunted? What’s happening at the interviews? Maybe you should quit those jobs you’re working and spend more time in your field? Show us your portfolio. Make something of yourself, Maggie! It was like standing in front of a firing squad, and all I could do was shove one piece of meat after another into my mouth to keep myself from screaming.

  My dad looked suitably mortified during the entire ordeal and took me home before dessert was served. We stopped for an ice cream on the way back, didn’t speak much, but I could tell he felt bad.

  They want what’s best for you, Pumpkin.

  I know, Dad.

  Too bad they don’t understand what is best for me is up to me and not them.

  Both my sisters work hard, and they should be proud of their accomplishments. They both always talk about their five-year plan, as if life only works in perfectly divided chunks. And for some reason, even though they’ve known me my whole life, they think I should have a detailed, step-by-step five-year plan as well. What’s your five-year plan, Maggie? You have to have goals if you’re going to accomplish anything in life.

  Get a job in my field. That’s my five-year plan. Not detailed or overly complicated. One thing on my to-do list and I can’t quite seem to reach that goal. Despite my best efforts.

  “Hey, wait up!” Charlotte chases after me, leaving Doug to move off and help Dad with the projector set up.

  I do a bit of a double take at seeing Charlotte actually wanting to spend time with me, without the usual frown on her face.

  “Mom told me that you had an interview Friday.” She’s slightly out of breath, which I would find odd if I didn’t have my suspicions, since she’s run like five million marathons in the last two years.

  “Yep.” I’m bracing myself for the inevitable dig about wasting my time, the oh-so-helpful advice to write my LSATs, and the usual follow up reminding me that I can get a job in the mailroom at her firm, which undoubtedly pays more than both of my jobs.

  “I’m so proud of your persistence, sis.”

  We’re walking side by side, and I actually trip on my own feet when she says this. I catch myself before I hit the dirt, but I can’t help but look at her with shock. “W-w-what?”

  She laughs then motions to some of the blankets that have been laid out. “It’s nice seeing you so happy this weekend.”

  I stumble onto the blankets and shift myself into a cross-legged position. “Okay, what the hell, Charlotte? You drink a little too much rum punch or something?”

  She leans forward and brushes my leg, still smiling. “Life is too short to worry all the time, don’t you think?”

  “You’re seriously freaking me out right now.” I wave my arms up and down her body. “What’s gotten into you?” Although I’m pretty sure I know.

  She shimmies closer and whispers, “I’m going to have a baby!”

  I make my eyes go wide, playing it up as I look at her stomach then at her face. Her eyes are sparkling, like no shit, literally sparkling, and I think she’s going to cry. Charlotte doesn’t cry. I couldn’t be happier for her. “That wasn’t in your five-year plan, though!”

  She pulls me into a hug. “You’re going to be a wonderful auntie!”

  I push her back, holding her steady. “Charlotte, I’m so thrilled for you guys! Shocked, too! I mean, all you talk about is your practice. All you do is work.” I don’t mean it as a dig, but she seriously has been completely consumed by her career for as long as I can remember.

  She’s laughing at me, little bubbles of laughter, and for a second, I think maybe it’s all a joke. But then I see her hand on her belly and I realize she’s laughing because she’s happy.

  “I haven’t told Mom or Amelia yet. Doug and I just found out last week, and we were waiting on some test results to come back. He brought them with him yesterday. All clear. The baby is healthy. What a relief, huh?” She laughs. “And yes, I know it wasn’t part of the plan, but you know what? I’m totally okay with that.”

  “You’re totally okay with having a baby?”

  “I am. I wasn’t at first. Hell no, I was really upset and in a deep state of disbelief. We always used protection, didn’t take any chances. But after the fourth pregnancy test came back positive, there was no denying it. I went to my doctor, and she did a proper blood and urine test and make sure everything was fine, except something came back a little wonky. The idea of losing this baby so soon after discovering he or she existed did something to me, like a switch was flipped, and suddenly that’s all I want—a baby. But like I said, Doug came up with great news. Everything is fine.”

  She shrugs. “And sure, it’ll be an adjustment, but Doug is going to take some time off of work once I’m up and about so he can take care of him or her, and I’ll pick up my practice wherever I leave it. It’s really no big deal.”

  “Doug is going to leave his thriving surgical career to stay home with the baby?”

  “Yep.” She’s beaming.

  “And you’re going to alter the crazy work schedule? Possibly limit your career? Definitely obliterate your five-year plan?”

  “Guess so.” She shrugs again. “There’s time for all that. Can’t live for work.”

  I let my mouth hang open.

  She laughs again.

  “It’s good to have plans.” She touches my knee, and her smile wavers a bit. “But sometimes plans derail for the most wonderful reasons. Doug is so happy. I’m so happy.” Tears spring to her eyes. “I didn’t realize how much I wanted this until it happened.”

  She’s crying so now I’m crying, and we’re hugging, and I’m so damn happy about everything right now. It doesn’t feel real—not the pregnancy part, that is totally weird but strangely something I can accept—but it’s the reality that in this moment I have a different version of Charlotte, one that isn’t obsessed with work and success and my future, and that feels really great.

  “I am so going to spoil this kid!”

  “Damn right! That’s what aunts are for!” She pulls back and grabs my shirtsleeve then wipes her tears and snot up with it.

  “Eww, Char! Stop!”

  But we’re both laughing too hard to really care about snot or tears or anything.

&n
bsp; “So, seriously, I want to hear about your interview. How’d it go?”

  I lean back on my elbows and think back on the interview Friday. “I’m pretty sure I’ll get a call back. But…” My smile fades somewhat. “There’s a possibility that they won’t offer the paid position. They’ll probably detail a very extensive intern program and expect me to be excited about it.”

  “I’ve got a proposition for you.” She raises her hand when I start to protest. “It’s not the usual proposition.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She leans back, too. “I got a new client the other day who is looking for someone to run his marketing department. He can’t afford to pay much, but he’s an old-fashioned kind of guy who believes in paying a fair wage for work done. I showed him some of your projects, the ones you shared with me when you were in school.”

  I cringe. “Char, those were awful!”

  “No, they really weren’t. You’re too hard on yourself. They show potential. Any idiot can see that.” She smiles. “Anyway, he wants you to come in for a working interview. See if you can run a small campaign for him.”

  “Paid?”

  “Yep. Like I said, it won’t be much, but he’s willing to do a trial run and see if things work out.”

  I let that sit for a minute. Is this charity? Am I accomplishing something on my own here or is my sister bailing me out?

  “I know what you’re thinking, but this is what’s called networking. It’s not me pulling strings. He’s starting something here that I think is going to be big. You could help him build from the ground up, and he’s the kind of guy who will stick with you, you know, loyalty even if he gets big.” She puts her hand on my hand and squeezes. “Think about it, ’kay?”

  I let it roll around in my head for a few seconds then nod. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

  She drapes her arm over my shoulder and pulls me closer. “I like Liam. He’s a good one. I can tell. He’s also pretty freakin’ hot!”

  “Charlotte!”

  She laughs. “You know what I saw about an hour ago?” She leans in conspiratorially.

  “No, what?”

  “I saw Amelia sneaking into the woods with Teddy, probably trying to get a little forest action out there. You know she couldn’t stop talking about you and Liam doing it in the woods.”

  I gasp and cover my mouth. “No way!”

  “Yep, she might be all stuck up around us, but I bet she’s a beast in bed.”

  I shudder. “I can’t believe you just put that image in my head.”

  “Total Dom if you ask me.”

  “Stop!” I cover my ears. “You’re going to make me barf.”

  “I bet she whips him—”

  I jump up and run toward the mini bar. “Time for booze!”

  “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all evening!” Uncle Bernard shouts back, waving his glass of wine in my direction.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Liam

  I don’t own a gun—that was never my style of business—so I know I’m going into this fight at a disadvantage. I’m not an idiot, though. I texted Shawn ten minutes ago and told him to meet me outside. No fucking way I’m going into a warehouse of his, not with the type of goons he’s got with him. And as much as daylight isn’t protection against death, I know Shawn well enough that he’ll want a piece of me by fist rather than by bullet. Besides, he has no reason to kill me. Yet. As far as he’s concerned, I’m pissed about Ronan’s face, but I’m not getting in the way of his shady business deal.

  All of the money I’ve made, and it is considerable, I’ve done legally, well, mostly anyway. I never dabbled in the dark shit, I didn’t take on clients I didn’t personally vet, and if there was any moral fuckery beyond my threshold of what was acceptable, I wouldn’t take them on.

  I wanted nothing to do with Shawn’s kind of business. The money I’d made was nestled away in an off shore account or two, and I’d done it on my own, my own way, and with no damage to all concerned parties. I paid my taxes and also funneled portions into various charities in need. It was good for the conscience and for the community. I might not be the most upstanding citizen on the surface, but underneath it all, I tried to do right by Boston.

  I wasn’t cool with Shawn’s version of business, but I hadn’t really planned on sticking around for long. I’ve got enough money to retire on, to move anywhere I want and start a new life, a comfortable life. What kept me here was Ro and Mac, and what kept them here was a fucked-up sense of loyalty to Shawn and family, especially now that Dad is in a nursing home, barely coherent most days.

  I pull into the side alley one street past the warehouse driveway. I don’t want to take any chances with Detective Chandler’s sweet ride, but I also want a getaway vehicle that won’t be tampered with by anyone associated with my brother.

  Just as I predicted, Shawn is waiting for me out back, sitting on a stack of crates, smoking one of his rank cigars.

  “You walk here?” He motions to the driveway.

  “Got a lift.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? One of the Detective’s people drive you?” He glances around with a smirk. “Your sweet girl, what’s her name? Maggie?”

  I narrow my eyes, not liking the sound of her name on his lips. “Leave her out of this.”

  His eyes go wide, and so does his smile. He jumps down from the stack and brushes his pants off. “You finally got your dick wet, I see. Feel like you remember it?”

  “You fucked Ro up pretty bad.” I brush aside his comment and get right to it. “You trying to give him brain damage?”

  Shawn shrugs. “He had it coming. Fucked with the deal and now I have to change the location.” He waves his arms around. “Not ideal for a meet but you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess.” He slips the cigar into his mouth and cracks his knuckles. “Ro needed a lesson or two in loyalty. You might want to talk to him about keeping his head down and his mouth shut.” He moves up next to me and whacks my shoulder.

  His knuckles don’t look battered, and I do a quick glance around the lot. “They’re done. Ro and Mac are out. I’m moving them both once Ro’s stable.”

  “Nah.” Shawn laughs. “You’re not.” He pulls the cigar from his mouth and squeezes my shoulder painfully before letting go. “Those two have work to do.”

  “Ro is unconscious, you dick.”

  Shawn moves to the side and blows smoke in my face. “He’ll wake up eventually. I didn’t work him over that bad.”

  I shake my head. “You didn’t work him over at all.” I grab his arm. “Which one of your goons hit him, Shawn?”

  “Why, little bro? You going to get revenge?” he mocks, his eyes flashing with anger. “Take your fucking hand off of me if you know what’s good for you.”

  “Or what? You going to get one of your men to work me over, too? Too weak to fight your own battles, as usual.”

  He doesn’t like that, and I see his punch coming from a mile away. I drop my hand from his arm and take a step back, ducking as his fist comes flying toward my face and taking him around the waist, pushing him back with as much force as I can. He grunts as we collide, and I drill my fist into his ribs, not a direct hit but enough to knock him on his ass.

  As he’s going down, he catches me with his elbow across the jaw, pushing himself off of my face as he rolls back to his knees. It’s enough of a hit to make my eyes water and knocks me back a step as I try to regain my balance. He jumps up, rage burning in his eyes, and comes at me. I roar and dive toward him, and then it’s fists to bones, and blood splatters everywhere. Hit for hit, we go a few rounds, out of breath and bleeding on one another. I’m surprised none of his guys come out to stop it. I get him good across the eye, a gift from Ro, when he nails me in the mouth. Blood drips past my lips, and I split my knuckle on his jaw.

  “You doing this to prov
e a point?” he pants, bent over double, as I do the same.

  “I’m taking Ro and Mac,” I repeat then fake a left hook while I drill my right into his hip.

  We both groan as I connect with bone. The vibration goes up my arm, jarring my shoulder painfully.

  “You take them and I’ll go after your girl.”

  Full stop.

  All I see is red. “You fucking touch her and I’ll kill you.”

  He laughs. “Found a soft spot, eh?” He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “You better kill me because the second you leave with Ro and Mac is the second I go after your little detective’s daughter.”

  Shit, he knows who Maggie is. He’s been watching me the whole time.

  He can’t know how much this terrifies me. He can’t know what she’s come to mean to me.

  Boots on concrete have me glancing over my shoulder. Shawn’s guys are there suddenly, moving like they’re caging me in.

  “You leave her out of this.” I turn back to Shawn, trying to figure out how to lay him out without ending up with a bullet in the back of my skull.

  He wipes his mouth, waves his guys back, then straightens. “I will, no worries, bro. You just do what I want. Keep the family together and it’ll all be fine. I have no interest in your sweet Maggie or her dad, not if you play the game like I want you to.”

  He has me backed into a corner. I was a fool to think that I could keep Maggie safe from my family.

  “I’ve got a deal happening tomorrow at noon, and I need Cormac back here to run it with me.” He lifts his hand to pull out a cigar. “You run along and see that the detective stays put. You fuck your girl’s brains out and then you get your ass back here and continue with your sorry excuse for a life. Wake up, go get coffee, fuck around doing whatever, and keep the God damned police watching you while I sort out the next shipment.”

  “The next shipment of what?”