Defiance and Dedication (Untouchable Book 9), page 20
"Oh, I trust you," I promised him. "I'm just glad Rachel's not in that class with you." She wanted a teacher affair, I had a feeling Rachel would take one look at this chick and it would be on.
Kurt, from my econ class, found us at one of the last parties we stopped at, last because I was dead on my feet and really, all I wanted to do was go home and soak in a bath and hang out with my guys. All four of the guys gave him assessing looks as Kurt swayed in my direction. He'd definitely had way too much to drink.
Also, thank fuck for Ian's and Jake's swift reactions cause Kurt nearly threw up on me. Ugh, no thank you. Jake got Kurt turned away while Ian pulled me to him. Between Coop and Jake, they got him wrestled into the bathroom and Archie found some friends to look after Kurt and we all called it a night. That was a wrap for Halloween.
In the car on the way back, Jake said, "I vote we either have our own Halloween party next year or we just go to some clubs."
Murmurs of agreement all the way around. Partying campus life and getting drunk until you puked just didn't do it for me. Especially since he nearly puked on me.
Back at the brownstone, we all got out of our costumes, showered, and changed into comfy clothes. Archie and Jake raided the kitchen for food and then everyone met back up in my room and for the first time in months, we snacked, watched movies and everyone slept in there together.
I had no idea how much I needed that until I woke very early the next morning to the soft sound of their breathing. Archie was sleeping right up against my back, with one arm around me. Coop snored softly on his other side. Jake was in front of me, one arm up over his eyes and the other was stretched down my side so he could grip my knee. On the far side of him, Ian slept with his back to Jake, but they were all still here.
We needed more nights like last night. I yawned and Jake murmured something before leaning forward and kissing my forehead, He snuggled my hand to his chest and dropped right back off again. I hadn't been able to make out the words, but the feeling was there.
The guys didn't wake up for another hour and no matter how much my bladder complained, I didn't move. This was my idea of Heaven.
And all too soon
we'd be up to our eyeballs in work again.
Chapter Twenty-Three
My Father’s House
Archie
"You sure you're gonna be good?" Jake asked for the fourth time, and I glanced over at him from where I was packing the overnight bag.
"Unless you know something I don't, then yes, I'll be fine." The Standish men were going to have a sit down for the next two days, hence why I was packing a single bag. I was meeting Grandpa Ted and Edward at a neutral location. Honestly, we would be close enough I could just come back to the brownstone, but I got the idea of what Grandpa wanted to do. For the next forty-eight hours, we were talking to Edward about business, about Maddy, and about the future.
As in, if Maddy was in his future then he didn't have one with us. Clearly, he'd bent to the pressure before, but that was when I was on the way. There were no small children or babies involved this time—or at least there better not be.
Ice crawled up my spine at the idea of Maddy being pregnant. Just. No. Frankie would back me and I'd do everything I could to get that kid away from her. We got lucky that she didn't destroy Frankie, I would not allow her to do more harm to another child, much less to someone who would be our sibling.
Shoving that unpleasant thought away, I glanced at Jake again. There was still tension between us. As much as I tried not to react to any criticism from him, it always sounded like everything he said had a double meaning. Erring on the side of caution, I'd stopped avoiding him, but I hadn't rushed to be in the same room either.
We had one class together again and that seemed to be going well. Better to not look a gift horse in the mouth. Anytime the subject of Maddy or the accident came up, we were both instantly on edge and I wasn't imagining that. Jake still blamed me, even if he wasn't verbally or physically, bashing me anymore.
I still blamed me. So at least we agreed on that.
"I just worry about your dad," Jake admitted.
"I can handle Edward." Frankly, he'd been much easier to deal with since discovering Frankie wasn't his child than he had been in my entire life. Maybe the knowledge that I was his only kid had sunk in. Maybe he had grown up. Maybe he'd developed a conscience. I didn't know and I didn't care. The next two days were about business. Business and figuring out if he knew where Maddy was.
So far, he'd sworn to me he didn't. But he could just as easily tell me that and then turn around and provide her with attorneys and cover because of some decade’s long obsession. I didn't think he could lie to both me and Grandpa. Then again, I couldn't have pictured him believing that Frankie was his kid either.
What kind of blinders did he have to wear to think Maddy would have kept quiet about that for almost eighteen years?
"Jake," I said after zipping up the bag. "Look, Edward wants detente with Grandpa and with me. But we have terms for that. One of those terms is ending that relationship with Maddy. I know if I were in the same position, with them telling me it was the family business or Frankie, I'd tell them to stuff the family business."
"You don't think Edward will?"
"I think Edward's already halfway out the door, if he hasn't kicked her to the curb completely. I want to tell myself he's never seen her behave the way she did at graduation and that her lie about Frankie cost him." But I wasn't a fool. "That said, he's had decades to get over her and apparently that didn't happen, so, we'll just play it by the numbers."
"If you want backup, I can go hang out in a lobby or something."
I chuckled, because Jake meant that. Even ticked at me. "I appreciate it, man. I do. But you have an appointment to get to work on that tattoo and I'll be fine."
"Call," he said. "I mean it. Call. Even if you just need someone to get drunk with."
I nodded and then clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Well, hell," Jake called after me. "With latitude like that, sky's the limit."
I was still laughing as I descended the steps. Frankie and Coop left for school early, and Bubba hadn't been that far behind them. I'd already said bye to Frankie. Jeremy waited with my coat by the door and he gave me a stern look. "You should take Mr. Benton up on his offer."
"I appreciate the advice." I set my bag down and let Jeremy help me into the jacket. "But we're doing this as a family and while Jake's family to me, he isn't family to them. Better he's here to keep an eye on things with Frankie and the boys."
Also, Jake had a temper and I was going to have to keep mine in check. We still had a week to go before the Thanksgiving break and there had been some debate on whether to fly home for the holidays—or stay here. I'd just as soon stay here. We'd had more snow flurries, but no real stickage yet and it would be fun to watch the tree go up at Rockefeller Center. For that matter, we could head into the mountains up north or in Maryland to go skiing.
"Can you make plans for Thanksgiving here in case not everyone heads back down to Texas?" If Frankie elected to go down, I could have the house opened or she and I could get a hotel with the boys and we could visit all the families. But I also had a couple of projects I needed to finish up, so I didn't want to be there long.
"I can, when will you five decide on what you're doing?"
"By the weekend," I promised. "They’re only hesitating because I offered the jet to fly them down if they wanted to go for a couple of days." That meant they didn't have to worry about last minute plane tickets. Jeremy gave me a firm nod.
"Be careful, Mr. Archie. Mr. Edward and Mr. Ted are both crafty businessmen and they have not achieved their success by forgiving weakness."
That I know.
"I will. Look after my girl."
"Of course."
He opened the door and I grabbed my bag. There was a car waiting for me at the curb already. Time to get this show on the road.
I sent a message to Frankie once I was in the car. The driver knew where we were going so there was no need for conversation.
Me: On my way. Miss you already.
Frankie: Love you, be safe. Tell Edward to behave or I'll kick his ass.
I chuckled. She would, too. Another reason I hated leaving, but I wouldn't be leaving her unprotected.
Me: Done.
The next was a kiss emoji from her and she'd probably already focused back on her class again. The fact she enjoyed economic theory and introduction to business amused me. Frankie liked to know things, she liked to know how they worked and whether it was contract language or dissecting poetry, she thrilled to the challenges.
I'd bet even money she'd make it to the Fortune 500 all by herself. Well, if she didn't donate more than she banked. Then again, could one really find fault with such a generous heart?
My phone vibrated and I checked the caller ID.
Pax.
I answered before it could ring twice. "Is everything all right?" Since putting him on the job, he'd only reached out once, and that was to confirm the parameters of my expectations.
"It's fine," the man answered easily. "I'm letting you know I'm bringing in three more bodies to handle the rotations. I've got a lead and I want to follow it. Do you want the files and the background, or do you trust my judgment?"
Nice. I exhaled. I trusted Pax. I wasn't so sure about the others. "Do you trust them?"
"Yes," he said. "All of them."
"How long do you plan to be gone?"
"Depends on what I find," Pax answered in his typically enigmatic fashion. The man committed to nothing until it was an absolute certainty. "Tell me what you want me to do, Standish. I can stay on this and run the risk of the lead slipping or I can bring in these guys and let them do the job while I find your target."
My target.
Damn right she was my target.
"Do it, make sure you send me any details I need on them and remind them we want a low profile."
"Done and done." With that, he hung up. Not chatty. I couldn't even remember the first time I met Pax. It had been a while ago, even before I met Frankie. His younger brother had been at school with me and there'd been a scandal. Pax showed up and took care of it.
All of it.
He gave me his card and said if I needed anything all I had to do was call. At the time, I'd thought it was just a favor for a favor, but Pax said loyalty was for life. He'd asked me for a favor a year ago. I'd done it, no questions asked.
It was a good relationship.
The drive took us north and out of the city toward Westchester County. I expected a hotel, but apparently Grandpa had elected another destination. I should have known. Scarsdale wasn't that far and the grand ole dame of a house on old Duck Pond Way was still there. I hadn't even realized we still owned that house. My grandparents used it for entertaining when they'd enjoyed city life more. It was somewhat picturesque with a dusting of snow we hadn't seen in the city, though it was only on the grass.
A gentlemen met the car and opened the door for me. He had the look of a butler, but I didn't know him. He also took my bag, and the driver pulled away, leaving me to follow him inside.
"Mr. Standish Senior and Mr. Standish Junior are taking coffee in the solarium while they waited for you, Mr. Standish."
I rolled my eyes. If he insisted on calling us all Standish it was going to get confusing. "You are?"
"Reginald Wentworth, sir."
"Thank you, Wentworth, please call me Mr. Archie if you need to refer to me at all."
"As you wish sir, would you like me to show you to the solarium?"
"Nope, I know right where it is." Sliding my hands into the pockets of my jeans, I made my way through the house. Nana hadn't cared for this house as much as the one in Massachusetts. She liked quieter living without the pretentiousness of a huge house designed specifically around the idea of entertaining house guests or house parties.
The solarium opened off the ladies' sitting room and included the warmth of the sun without the chill of the air beyond. It wasn't quite as humid as a greenhouse, though there were a great many plants decorating the room.
"Sprout!" Grandpa Ted greeted me, standing as soon as I arrived. "There you are. I was worried you couldn't tear yourself away."
I clasped his offered hand and gave him a brief hug. "I'm sure the driver notified you the moment we pulled away from the brownstone."
He laughed, but didn't deny it. I glanced at Edward with a nod and then took a seat opposite them. We formed a loose triangle. I couldn't really remember the last time it had been the three of us in the same room together, alone with no buffers.
"How is Frankie, Archie?" Edward asked. "Fully recovered?"
"She's fine," I told him. "She appreciated your flowers, but we're not here to talk about her." And as much as he'd shown care and concern for Frankie after the accident, we had boundaries. She was firmly on my side of that line, not his.
"Of course, I just wanted to know how she was doing since the police don't seem to be any closer to an answer on what happened with your Ferrari."
"And they're being damned stubborn about letting us have it back to do our own work."
"Not that it's stopped either of you," I pointed out as I poured my own coffee. It certainly hadn't stopped me. Frankie had shared the report. The tampering with the brake lines was obvious and inexpert. They'd clearly been cut though, not severed. The damage would have weakened them, and the driving did the rest.
"Of course not," Grandpa Ted said. "But the one person we all have questions for appears to be missing and cleverly avoiding any attempts to find her." He eyed Edward on that last and I took a sip of the coffee, more than curious about Edward's reaction myself.
"I've told you both, I have no idea where Maddy is. I haven't spoken to her in months. After the incident at graduation and the fact she lied to me about Frankie, among so many other infractions...I thought it time to cut ties."
Squinting, Grandpa stared at him. "You trying to bullshit a bullshitter, Eddie?"
"Dad," Edward said with a sigh. "I understand you've never liked her. You warned me off her again and again, and I did the right thing in marrying Muriel, even if it ultimately wasn't fair to her or to you Archie. I love Maddy, I can't change my feelings on that subject, but I can change my responses."
"So, you agree with me," I said slowly. "She's probably the one who sabotaged the car."
"I don't want to agree with you. The idea of her climbing under a car and cutting brake lines is patently ridiculous. First, I can't imagine she would even know how, much less where, and second that would have put her at the Hamptons estate, and she is not at all fond of her parents."
Grandpa scrubbed a hand over his face. "You still have blinders on where she's concerned. She's a danger to your son and her daughter. What more proof do you need?"
"I need to know she did it," Edward stated in an almost cold tone. "Incontrovertible proof. That said, I have still cut her out of my life and cut off the cards I gave her. I left her the condo in Texas that I purchased."
"The place you were planning to move her and Frankie into so you could be one happy little family?" I wasn't bitter, not really. But I did take some pride in turning the knife.
"Yes," Edward said, meeting my gaze without flinching. "Maddy has a habit of landing on her feet and as angry as I am with her, I couldn't leave her homeless."
Grandpa made another derogatory snort. "She was never homeless, not from the moment she up and left school. Whether she had to work or to manipulate or both, she managed quite fine. Stop looking at her as some fragile heiress without the skills to her name. While she may not have accumulated wealth, she was far from starving and somehow managed to raise a child worth a thousand of her."
"I don't think I'd give that credit to Maddy, but she did teach Frankie fierce independence from a young age. That said, I want her found. If she wants to come after me, fine, bring it." I'd cheerfully accept any opportunity to defend myself and end the issue with self-defense. The fact I'd been thinking about it more and more of late wasn't lost on me. "I won't allow her to harm Frankie. Not anymore."
"On this, we mostly agree, Sprout," Grandpa said. "But I'll not have her gunning for you, either." He cut a look toward Edward. "I asked you once to choose your child over that woman. I'm not asking you now, I'm telling you there's a time when a man must choose who he will protect."
"Archie," Edward said without hesitation and I swore I blinked. "I may be stubborn and thickheaded, Dad, but I would never forgive her or myself if I let her harm him."
"Then we're agreed." Grandpa Ted nodded his head as if that was that.
"Except what are we agreeing to?" I asked. "Because what happens if we find her, but we have no legal proof?"
"There are always options, Sprout." Grandpa pointed to the coffee and to the croissants. "Help yourself to some more. We have a lot of business to discuss."
Chapter Twenty-Four
There Be Dragons Here
Jake
Finding time with Frankie took a lot of planning, lately. Not because she didn't want to hang out, but more because our schedules clashed so badly, and that was my own damn fault. Throw in the workload she'd tackled and if she wasn't with one of us, she was doing homework. Rachel had even cornered me on campus to demand that we find a way to lighten her load, she was stressing out.
I didn't need Rachel, of all people, telling me to look after our girl better, but what the hell had I missed that sent Rachel around to chew on my tail? Speaking of which, what the hell was up with her? She'd always been in rare form in school, but she'd been particularly biting. When I asked Coop, all he'd said was that she was juggling a lot with her classes and maybe we could all make home life a little less stressful.
I thought we had. Fuck, Archie and I were talking. It was still strained, granted and the school hadn't been thrilled with my request to change classes for a second time and I'd only managed to swap back to one he and I shared. But we were lab partners for that one. As long as we focused on the work it was easier. Try as hard as I could, I still couldn't get past the fact he hadn't fucking been there when she'd been in that accident.
