MemoriesErasedTreachery (15 page)

"Oh…sweet. Kieki will have a bedroom, a play area, and a bathroom."

"Yep. Moreover, she won't be a baby forever. She'll need her space as she gets older."

"What's this in the hallway…a door?"

"Emergency exit only. It will be invisible from outside."

Ewyn turned away from the computer and wrapped his arms around Devin's neck. "You've thought of everything. Love you, Devin Nilsson," he whispered against firm lips before giving Devin a quick kiss. "Is dinner ready?"

"That's my baby. Focus on the important stuff," Devin teased. "Yes, the food is ready. Veal parmesan, fresh asparagus with butter sauce, and your favorite, five-cheese garlic bread. It's warming in the micro."

"Do I have time for a shower?"

"Oh yeah,
we
do. Thought you'd never ask."

Devin shifted Ewyn from his lap, grabbed Ewyn's hand and tugged baby-boy along beside him into the bathroom. After turning on the shower, he helped Ewyn out of his clothes, dropped his own sweat pants, and hustled them into the enclosure.

"What are we going to do with the rest of the condo, Dev?"

"It's a surprise. Tell you later." He pulled Ewyn close and slim arms snaked around his neck.

"You're not right, Dev. You know I don't like surprises."

"Yeah, you do. You just can't stand being the one surprised."

Ewyn giggled. "True. And today, I'm going to let you slide because I need to discuss my visit to Pepperdine."

"We'll talk over dinner. Right now, I have something else on my mind."

Head lowering, Devin's gaze focused on Ewyn's slightly open mouth and the tantalizing tip of the little pink tongue barely visible behind the smooth lips moving closer. Damn. He so wanted to go slow, but he couldn't resist the temptation.

Diving into all Ewyn's heat, tongues dueled and teased until he trapped the tip of Ewyn's tongue with his teeth. Lips curling, inch by inch, he sucked tender flesh into his mouth and feasted on his favorite taste. The soul-stirring kiss had cocks pulsing as their bodies brushed together.

Devin worked his hands down over the water-slicked skin, and, settling on the firm ass, he tugged Ewyn closer while licking a trail along Ewyn's jaw to that singular spot just behind the ear. He nuzzled the slim neck and inhaled the distinct musky-sweet scent, before his mouth latched on to the vulnerable pulse-point.

"Oh…shit, Dev!"

"How do you want it?" he whispered against Ewyn's ear.

"Hard and fast…"

"Oh yeah."

Devin seized the slim wrists, jerked them from around his neck, then grabbed Ewyn's shoulders and roughly reversed his position. He shoved baby-boy against the wall and pinned him with his body. Lips nudging Ewyn's ear, he growled, "Spread them."

Ewyn placed his hands flat against the wall and adjusted his stance, moving his feet apart. He shivered when the stimulating touch of Devin's hands glided down his sides and across his ass. Devin's eager mouth kept pace, moving down along his spine…kissing, the lips pulled and sucked, while the hot tongue licked and teased sensitive skin.

Devin squatted behind him and trailed his thumbs down the crease of his behind. Pulse quickening, Ewyn squirmed, his fingers curling against the tile, he pushed back into the touch. His cock throbbed and his asshole puckered in anticipation when a rush of warm air swept across his butt. "Damn, Dev," he whimpered.

"Want me to stop?"

"Hell, no."

Devin grinned and eased the cute symmetrical orbs apart. The sight of the tiny aperture, beckoning--an invitation
he
couldn't refuse--his cock twitched. Leaning forward, he inhaled the familiar heady scent before his tongue breached the snug opening, lapping and circling, darting in and out. Ewyn's hips picked up the tempo and kept pace with the rhythmic assault.

"Dev."

"Oh yeah, I hear you."

Sucking on the quivering flesh, his fingers grazed across the perineum as his hand slipped between the firm thighs. He palmed the ball sac and his fingers grasped the root of the rock-solid cock as he licked, kissed, and nibbled his way up along the trail he forged earlier.

He came to his feet, released his hold, and reached for the lube. His body pressed against Ewyn while he coated his dick and whispered, "Ready?"

"No doubt," Ewyn mumbled.

Devin slid his prick up and down the crease of the dimpled cheeks, teased the puckered opening, then pushed forward and penetrated the tight heat. His hands roamed over the firm globes and up along the sexy body shuddering within his grasp. His fingertips skimmed along well-defined arms, his hands coming to rest on the backs of Ewyn's hands. Fingers linked Ewyn turned his head and mouths fused together.

Fully entrenched, with the aggression of unrestrained passion, Devin gave Ewyn what he wanted--hard and fast --satisfying both their needs.

"That was delicious, Dev."

"Oh?" Devin leaned back in his chair. "The shower or the dinner?"

"Both."

"Thank you. I aim to please." Devin removed the dirty dishes from the table. "So, you're on the same page with Patterson as far as Calabria is concerned."

"Oh yeah. The son of a bitch knows something."

"Good enough. I'll let Patterson know we agree with his suppositions."

Ewyn took the bottle of wine and glasses from the table, set them on the counter, and joined Devin at the sink. He snatched the dishcloth from Devin's hand. "Sit. You cooked, I clean, house rules."

Devin bent, kissed the slim column of Ewyn's neck, and went to the refrigerator to get a bottle of water. "Do you want one?"

"No, thanks. I'll finish off the wine."

"You said Tag ran a check on Calabria's family."

"Only to find out if they had any known syndicate ties."

"Hmm." Devin pulled out a counter stool and sat down. "I'll suggest Patterson do a background check on Calabria."

"I can do that."

"Uh-uh. We want it to be official, in case it turns out he's involved and we have to prosecute."

"Understood."

Nibbling his bottom lip, Devin nodded while aimlessly rolling the water bottle between his hands. "So the roommate didn't mention Cecilia. Not that it eliminates her from the equation, but it's something."

"What do you mean?"

"Ewyn. The girls were close. As Jennifer said, they were family. Niki and Caro told their roommates about their dislike for Cecilia, about Cecilia's loathing for her daughters, and they told their friends everything about the turmoil in the family. Even going so far as to brag about Uncle Ewyn, their hero." Devin laughed and ducked the wet dishcloth. "Hey! Their words, not mine." He tossed the cloth back. "My question is why wouldn't they tell their best friends if their deceased mother suddenly showed up?"

"You've got a point." Ewyn put the utensils in the dishwasher and started the machine, then came around the counter and climbed on the stool beside Devin. "Maybe CeCe didn't show herself until it was too late for the girls to say anything about it."

"What would be too late?" Devin asked. "Jennifer said they checked in on occasion, and they saw them on the day they died…"

"Okay. Maybe she, or someone she hired, followed the girls and waited for a chance to ambush them. Their going away and isolating themselves probably played right into the perp's hands."

"Yeah. I considered that. Not the Cecilia's involvement thing, but the perp waiting until the girls isolated themselves. Maybe the perp is watching Calabria and he knows it. Could be the reason for his reticence."

Wine glass halfway to his mouth, Ewyn paused, brow puckering. "Never considered that, although it would serve the asshole right." Ewyn explained about Calabria asking if Gregorio attended the funeral. "If Cecilia is our perp, she and Calabria deserve each other."

"Ewyn, I'm only speculating. I don't believe Cecilia is alive. So any involvement on her part would have been by proxy, set up in advance."

"But why would the perp wait until now?"

"Gregorio," Devin stated. "The arrangements for Greg's disappearance were designed to create conjecture. Outsiders believe the syndicate disposed of your brother, but insiders believe he stepped down because of illness, the story your family put in the street. How many people who know your family would dare go after the girls if they thought Greg were alive?"

"None." Ewyn stood, took his glass to the sink, returned to the counter, and scooted between Devin's legs. "So Patterson's theories could be right." He wrapped his arms around Devin's waist, snuggling close.

"Not necessarily," Devin stated. "Keep in mind, all of this is supposition. Because, in the scheme of things, if Cecilia could have prearranged the deaths, who would be so dedicated. Cecilia's dead, why bother."

"Okay, I'll give you that one. No professional would take on a contract without money up front."

"Exactly. So, until we find Kieki's father, he's our prime suspect."

"By the way, Dev. Caro's Beamer wasn't on campus."

"Probably left it wherever they were staying. Find the car and we'll know where they were for those six months."

"True, unless it's been stolen."

"I'll give Patterson a heads up in the morning. Ask him to put out a Be On the Look Out."

Ewyn yawned. "I'm wiped."

"So am I." Devin's tongue teased Ewyn's lips before forging its way inside. "Mmm. A few more days, then vacation time. Two whole weeks, I won't know how to act." He kissed Ewyn's temple. "Ready for bed?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

* * * *

Brrr.

Too damn cold this early in the morning to keep up surveillance throughout the winter. Opening the car door and hopping inside, trembling hands snatched the blanket from the passenger seat. Glad I remembered to bring this to wrap around myself for the extra warmth.

Looks as if they've beefed up security on the estate. They couldn't possibly know about me, could they? Slouching down on the seat and peering into the darkness through binoculars, a flurry of activity detected in the front drive had the powerful lenses homing in on the Escalade.

"Perfect timing."

Servants loading the truck with baby items, more stuff than Uncle Ewyn normally takes to his place. Hmm, I wonder. Could he be taking the little brat out of their comfort zone? This might be my chance to catch him unaware. Uh-oh, the partner. Uncle Ewyn isn't going alone, and who is the woman carrying the baby. Shit. Maybe they do know.

Okay, here we go. The partner is driving, and I need to maintain a safe distance, which shouldn't be hard to do in this traffic. Hmm. They're heading for the--
son of a bitch!
Where did they go? Took my eyes off them for a few seconds to make the merge, damn it. Fucking rush-hour traffic.

All right. Let me think. If I lost them at the CA-210 and CA-330 connection--they have property in Palm Springs, Big Bear, and Lake Havasu, Arizona--going in that direction could take them to any one of those places. I could pick one at random and end up spinning my wheels.

Oooh, no
. My head, it can't, not now. I took the damn pills. I need sleep.

Guess I'll have to chalk this up to another missed opportunity. At least freezing my ass off on these little jaunts wasn't a total waste of time, since I've learned the baby is most vulnerable when Ewyn takes her to his place. Conversely, after checking out the condo, I realize I can't get to the little rugrat inside the building. Too restrictive and no easy access, so my best shot at her would be in the parking structure.

Wonder how long they'll be away.

* * * *

Even with the Santa Ana winds buffeting the vehicle, the drive up the mountain had been uneventful. Ewyn and Mycelia dozed off and on, while Kiera slept the entire trip. Hell. Must be the cool fresh air, because despite the early hour, Devin was ready for a nap. No sooner had he stopped in front of the Calderone chalet, than the front door flew open, and several members of the staff rushed from the house toward the SUV. He leaned over and kissed Ewyn awake. Sleepy green eyes opened and homed in on Devin.

"
Mmm,
nice." Ewyn sat up and stretched. "Are we there yet?"

"Cute. And yes, we've arrived."

Ewyn opened his door, climbed out of the Escalade and took several deep breaths before turning back and opening the rear door. Mycelia transferred Kiera into his arms and he headed for the house with Mycelia close on his heels. "Need to get Kieki out of this wind, Dev," he called over his shoulder. "Meet you in the kitchen."

Devin nodded and remained outside to supervise unloading the vehicle. Opening the hatch, he shook his head, still amazed at the amount of stuff they needed for a two-week vacation. Ewyn had duplicated all the baby necessities Kiera would need for this trip, and any future visits, and he'd had the necessary baby furniture--all new --delivered. He insisted the nursery furniture at the chalet would be too old and musty.

Once Devin removed the skis from the top of the SUV, he left the staff to unload the things from the cargo space. He entered the house and the combined aromas of fresh brewed coffee, bacon, and newly baked bread broadsided his senses. Damn, he was hungry. He paused and inhaled deeply while looking around at the first floor layout.

It was an open floor plan. Two steps down, most of the space consisted of a huge family/living room with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and a built-in entertainment center and a bar area along one wall. A pool table and a game table stood in front of a wall of windows and sliding glass doors. Beyond the living room, two steps up, there was a formal dining room setup, and beyond that, a doorway into the kitchen where he could see Ewyn moving about. Next to the kitchen entrance, a powder room door stood ajar.

Off the foyer, an open stairway led to the second floor, and beneath it, he noticed an alcove, the size of a walk-in closet without doors. He peeked inside and discovered two racks, one for coats, one for skis, and a Parson's bench. He hooked the skis on the rack, shrugged out of his leather jacket and hung it up, then walked into the powder room.

Devin entered the kitchen to find a buffet breakfast had been set up, and Ewyn had prepared two plates piled high with home-fried potatoes, eggs over-easy, sausages, bacon, and slices of chilled melon. A breadbasket with hot flaky biscuits sat in the middle of the table along with two glasses of orange juice setting on the placemats.