Protecting Justice (The Justice Series Book 4) (28 page)

“What?” she finally asked.

“Those shoes. They’re so…”

“Call Girl Special? It’s the latest fashion for political fixers.”

“Sparkly was the word I was going for, and God strike me down, I can’t believe I just said ‘sparkly.’ There’s just no other word for them. They look like the princess shoes my nieces wear when they play dress up.”

That pulled a laugh from her. She gave him an exaggerated thumbs-up. “Your mother will think I’m a tramp, but I’ll be in good with the five-year-old segment.”

He grabbed her hand in mid-air and pulled it to his lips. “My mother will love you,” he said against her knuckles, brushing a kiss over them.

And, oh boy, didn’t that make her ovaries do that now familiar dance.
I want to have your baby.

Hold the phone. That was so wrong. She didn’t want kids, didn’t have time for a husband. God knew, she didn’t know thing one about being a mother after her own had lit out.

What is wrong with me?

She’d spewed all her stress on the walls and floor at Heather’s townhouse last night. Gotten all the bottled up shit out. Then she’d slept like a baby for twelve solid, blissful hours. She’d showered, eaten, had sex with her boy toy, showered again. Her makeup was on, her hair was decent, and she had shoes on her feet.

Life was good. Or at least manageable once more.

So what excuse did she have for her current thought process? Tony and babies. Ayiyi. “You did tell your mother why I was tagging along, right? She didn’t have a problem with it, did she?”

“Stop being nervous. I didn’t share specifics, but yes, I gave her the gist of the situation. She’s used to keeping mum about my work. I had to tell her enough to prep her and my sisters. It’s not like they won’t recognize you. Your face has been all over the news.”

“I still feel like I’m crashing the party.”

“Believe me. Team Estrogen will love having you show up.”

“Team Estrogen?”

“Growing up in a house with four women is amazing, but daunting. I had to grow big balls or I would’ve been wearing shoes like those everyday. I love them, but they gang up on me constantly. Hence, I often refer to them as Team E.”

She laughed and it felt good. No wonder he oozed testosterone like a wild stallion. “I promise to behave myself and stay in the background as much as possible.”

“That sounds boring, and there’s no way my sisters will allow that. I apologize ahead of time, but you’re about to experience the Spanish Inquisition.”

Great
. She could hardly wait. Good thing she had on her sparkly princess shoes because with the level of emotional fatigue currently invading her body, she needed all the sparkle she could muster.

Teeg had found nothing else buried in the tablet. He’d made a clone of the tablet’s hard drive so Tony and Fallyn would pick it up after the party. Dani had texted to say she was almost done decrypting the USB video. Fallyn should have it within the hour. The really good news for the day was that Grey was recovering from his surgery, although he continued to go in and out of consciousness. Still, optimism for a full recovery reigned and Fallyn said a silent thanks for guardian angels.

She’d called and checked on her dad again. He was back to work at the restaurant, which was a good sign, so she left a message with his office gal. She’d heard nothing further from Hollister or Bronco and hoped they were playing nice together, along with the Capitol Police.

A half-hour after they left the city, Tony took a couple of turns and they ended up at a long paved road with white fencing running the length of it. Balloons and a happy birthday sign hung at the entrance. As Tony pulled up the lane, Fallyn saw immaculate barns in the distance and a big, old rambling plantation house at the end of the lane. Horses grazed in the green pasture to her right.

“This is beautiful,” she said. “Did you grow up here?”

“I did. Actually, my mom grew up here. When my grandparents died, she inherited the property. She’s done a lot to it over the years. It used to be a lot smaller. A ranch. After my dad died, Mom needed a distraction and renovating the house was it.”

“She turned a ranch into this?”

“Yep. Added the second story plus some.”

“Wow. Did you love having all that extra room?”

Tony looped around the curved drive, parked and stared up at the house for a second.

“I should have loved it.”

“But you didn’t?”

He looked at her, his eyes a little sad. “Not without my Dad. We would do stuff together all the time. Fishing, dealing with the horses, throwing a ball. Whatever. It was manly time in a house full of women and sometimes we both needed a break. Then he was gone.”

Gone? Just like that? “Stop it.”

“Honest to God. I was outside playing. Shooting hoops. I kept thinking it was the best day ever. The sun was out, we’d been out on the boat fishing that morning and I was loving life.”

Fishing. Boat. Sun.

“Your tattoo. It’s for your Dad, isn’t it?”

He looked over at her and grinned. “Very perceptive, Ms. Pasche.” He smacked at his arm. “The compass is a copy of the one he carried whenever we went on the boat. The sun is for that perfect sunny day and the roses are from his funeral. Anyway, I was shooting hoops and came inside for a drink and there he was on the kitchen floor. Massive heart attack. Boom. Gone.”

“Oh, Tony. I’m so sorry.”

He lifted one shoulder. “Eh. I adjusted. My uncle—Dad’s brother—helped. I’d have been screwed without him.” He laughed softly, the sound filled with sadness. “I’d have drowned in estrogen without him. Thus, the Team Estrogen line. My uncle gave me that one.”

A gaggle of kids emerged from the front door and ran down to greet them. “Tony! Uncle Tony!” they yelled, squealing and laughing as he picked up each girl and boy in turn and flew them up into the air.

One of the little girls—maybe four or five years old—stood off to the side, chewing on a nail and eyeing Fallyn.

She’d handled diplomats, actors, and leaders of first world countries, but she wasn’t sure what to say to a small human.

She stuck out a hand. “I’m Fallyn. What’s your name?”

“Esme.” The girl stopped chewing her nail and glanced down at Fallyn’s shoes. “It’s short for Esmeralda. I’m a princess. Where are your wings?”

“My wings?”

The girl pointed at Fallyn’s shoes. “You’re wearing fairy godmother shoes.”

Of course. She’d take fairy godmother over princess any day. “I left them at home. They needed cleaning.”

The girl nodded solemnly as if this were a serious, but common occurrence. “Oh.”

Tony had finished greeting his nieces and nephews and took her by the elbow, scruffing Esme’s hair. “Ready for the next wave?” he said to Fallyn under his breath.

Not really, but what the hell? All she had to do was play the part of his client, not his lover. Besides, she wanted to know more about him and what better way than to be immersed in his family’s world? “Lead the way.”

The house was as impressive on the inside as the exterior. A tall, circular staircase met them in the generous entryway. Dark wood floors, ivory walls, plenty of family portraits and antique furniture met her gaze everywhere Fallyn looked.

The birthday decorations were fun but elegant. As Tony led her through the throngs of people, she spotted a dining room where music flowed and kids ran around the table, sneaking cookies. A large three-tiered cake sat in the center, surrounded by gifts.

Someone pressed a cup of punch into her hand as they passed through a den where a group of men gathered around a college playoff game on the big screen TV.

Fallyn had always been good at remembering names. By the time they’d gotten through the main living areas, however, she’d begun to lose track of the multitude Tony had thrown at her. He was like a magnet, drawing everyone to him. Kids, teens, adults.

He’d make a great father
, her ovaries insisted.

The sisters came at Tony all at once, emerging from what Fallyn guessed was the kitchen. He had to bend over to hug each of them, all four much shorter than him.

Amber had hair the color of her name. She threw her arms out and gathered Fallyn in a hug when Tony introduced her. Fallyn tried not to flinch at the sudden and uninvited intimacy, but instead found it rather nice. She gave Amber a smile once she could breathe again.

Rachel was quiet and shook Fallyn’s hand like a normal adult, her dark eyes a match for Tony’s. “We’re sorry about your sister.”

“Thank you,” Fallyn said.

“It must be terrible to lose your sister.” Faith was the youngest and pregnant. Her hair was braided and she held a sleeping toddler in her arms.

“I can’t imagine it.” Amber touched Faith and Rachel on their arms. The fourth sister, Tony introduced her as Shannon, closed ranks with them and nodded.

Sadness welled in Fallyn’s chest. She pushed it down and changed the subject. “The house is beautifully decorated for the party. I hope I’m not imposing.”

“Don’t you worry about that,” Amber said. “We’ve got enough food to feed the whole county and you’ve made our day by being seen with our brother.”

Shannon had a quick smile and gave Fallyn a wink. “We’re telling everyone you’re his girlfriend. I hope you don’t mind. It’s just…well, he’s a bit of an embarrassment after the Kimberly fiasco.”

Fallyn arched a brow at Tony. “Kimberly?”

Three sets of hands clamped onto her, pulling her toward the kitchen. “We’ll fill you in about Kimberly,” Shannon said, “after you meet Momma.”

“No, no, no.” Tony followed, getting shut out by the four women propelling Fallyn forward. “We’re not filling her in on a girlfriend I had in 8th grade!”

Fallyn laughed as she was shuttled into the kitchen. A short woman with beautiful platinum hair leaned against a counter with a glass of wine in her hand, laughing at something a friend was saying.

“Momma,” Amber called. “Tony’s here with his
girlfriend
.”

Fallyn waited for Tony to raise his voice and argue. He didn’t.

“Oh, I’m not…” Fallyn started but then stopped as Jacqueline Gerard’s friend moved out of the way and the woman regarded Fallyn with a cool stare.

Her gaze dropped from Fallyn’s face to her shoes, back up to her face.

Ho, boy. Look out.
Mamma Gerard didn’t like Fallyn being called Tony’s girlfriend one bit.

Pulse jumping, Fallyn flashed her a big smile. “Mrs. Gerard, it’s lovely to meet you.” Why hadn’t she bought a gift at that box store?
Damn it
. “Happy birthday.”

The stare moved to a point over Fallyn’s head and off to the left. A smile that warmed those cool eyes broke over the woman’s face.

“Tony.” Jacqueline ignored Fallyn and went to hug her son. “I was getting worried. Was traffic bad?”

Tony wrapped his mother in a bear hug. “Happy birthday, Mom. Sorry we’re late. Had to make a pit stop.”

For shoes. Her shoes.
Why didn’t I pick something more conservative?

Gads, this could be a nightmare, but then, why did she care what Tony’s mom and sisters thought of her? It wasn’t like this was a permanent thing between her and Tony.

Although, that thought wasn’t exactly horrible. The man loved his mother and was good with kids. He was supportive, he understood her insanity, and he was good in bed. What more could she ask for?

“I waited to cut the cake,” Jacqueline said to Tony.

“You didn’t have to do that, Mom.”

The love between them was obvious and jealousy sparked in Fallyn’s chest. Where was her mother, especially now when she needed her?

Water under the bridge
.

“Tony’s her favorite,” Shannon whispered in Fallyn’s ear. “But I’m next.”

Amber swatted Shannon on the butt with a dishtowel. “No you’re not! I am.”

“I’m her favorite,” Faith yelled, laughing.

Jacqueline blushed and waved all of them off. “Stop it. You’re all my favorites and you know it. Now, let’s cut that cake. The natives are restless.”

The cake was a big ole’ monstrosity that could feed a lot of guests. Good thing since there were at least fifty people there. After everyone sang, she blew out the candles, cut the cake, and the sisters began passing out pieces.

Tony was constantly engaged with friends and family and Fallyn found herself shuffled between the sisters until the cake was gone and people started filtering out.

Needing a break, she was on the floor, shoes off, playing with Esmeralda in the kids’ room on the second floor when Jacqueline found her. “Ms. Pasche, would you help me clean up, dear?”

“But we’re playing Cinderella, Grammy,” Esme said.

Jacqueline picked up the girl and kissed her cheeks. “I only need her for a moment. She can come back when we’re done.”

Cleaning up was not what the woman really wanted, but Fallyn was game. Where were the sisters? Surely they hadn’t left the mess for their mother. “It’s your birthday, Mrs. Gerard. You should sit down and relax. I’m happy to clean up after you were so gracious in letting Tony bring me.”