The Ties that Bind (Kingdom) (23 page)

Finally, Steve acknowledged his feelings, he was jealous that Jason had found others with whom he could share what they had for all these years. He was also anxious that Jason and his brothers were much more alike than he and Jason could ever be. While he could hang with the best of them in a fist fight or talking smack, when it came to absolute ruthlessness or knowing the right people to complete the task at hand, he was at a loss.

“Which brother?”

“Jake.”

“The twin?”

Jason’s reply was a simple nod. The slight movement, his way of reaffirming the question whether Steve was comfortable with involving another in what he needed to accomplish.

“I trust you, so I guess if you trust Jake then let’s do this.”

With a nod of his head, Jason turned to his computer and pressed a few buttons. A series of beeps and high-pitched whirls later, Steve heard the sound of a voice coming from the speakers surrounding Jason’s desk.

“Hey, my man. I’m still working on the...”

“Steve’s here.” Jason said, smoothly, cutting Jake off in mid flow.

“Okay.”

The one word response immediately got Steve to thinking, the disjointed voice didn’t trust him.

“We need your help.” Jason told his brother.

Steve could tell something had passed between them, his current position behind the monitors meant he was unable to see Jake’s expression. Jason’s face gave nothing away.

“Of course, what can I do for you?”

At Jason’s beckon, Steve stood and pulled his chair with him so that he too could see Jake’s image on the screen. He was immediately struck anew by the similarity of the two men, now that he had made the association he wondered how he hadn’t seen it before.

Jason looked over at Steve and nodded, his indication that he should begin speaking. Although he still had his reservations as to whether he could trust this Jason lookalike, he placed his trust Jason.

“There is a man by the name of, Nixon Clement. He has in his possession documents that I need in mine.”

“Okay.”

Steve was surprised that Jake didn’t ask any more questions. Jake’s one word acceptance of the request threw him off his stride, and for a moment, he just stared at the image of the man reflected on the screen.

“You’re going to have to fill me in a bit more on who this man is and how I can help you.”

Still acutely aware of the look that was being directed at him, Steve glanced over at Jason who he found was watching him without expression.

Making up his mind, Steve filled Jake in on Nixon’s identity, the papers he held, and what he needed.

“He sounds like a sixty year old turd.” Jake said as Steve came to an end.

“That statement sounds apt.” Jason added, his face still showing no expression.

The two men were somewhat bewildering to Steve. He was used to Jason, had grown up with him, but being faced with the two of them threw him off.

“When do you need this done?” Jake asked, his green eyes boring into Steve.

“As soon as you can get it done.” Was Steve’s response. He knew this man didn’t trust him and he was curious as to why. But that was for another time. Right now he needed those papers, and if Jake could make it happen, assuaging his curiosity would have to wait.

“I’m going to need the blueprints of his home. Can you get that for me?” Jake asked Steve.

“I already have them. I also know exactly where his safe is located. What I don’t have is someone who can get into the safe.”

“I’ll be there in two days’ time. Is that an acceptable time frame for you, Steve?”

“You’re going to do this yourself?” Steve asked, unable to hide his surprise that one of the Kingdoms was going to break into Nixon’s house and crack his safe.

“Now I didn’t say any such thing. I only said I would be in California in two days’ time.”

“So you’re not going to do this yourself?”

Steve was suddenly aware of the change that came over Jake. Where he had only been emanating an element of distrust beforehand, now he was downright cold.

“Because you’re sitting there with my brother, you have my word that you will have the documents you require as soon as I can make it happen. How and who will retrieve the papers is something you don’t need to know, ever.”

Steve didn’t like his tone, and he knew that he had to make sure that Jake understood he wasn’t the type of man that was going to be spoken down to. He and Jason were close, and by extension Jake would probably be a part of his life. That didn’t mean however that his request was something that would put him at a disadvantage with this man.

“Jason contacted you because you have the means of accomplishing my goal. For that, I thank you. However, if you think I’m going to be a bitch that you can speak to in the way you just did, you are mistaken.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. You or someone of your acquaintance has a certain skill set that I require. Tell me the price and I’ll pay it. But don’t ever assume that you can speak down to me, because I won’t allow it... ever!” Steve finished, throwing Jake’s finishing salvo back at him.

Jake’s laugh was so reminiscent of Jason’s, dimples and all, Steve briefly forgot his rising anger. The total change that came over Jake’s face made him realize he was being tested. But he hoped his message was clear. He may not be an overt bad boy, but he could and would hold his own. Just as they demanded respect, so did he, and the sooner everyone realized it the better.

“You and I need to have a talk, Mr. Blackman, and from where I’m sitting the sooner the better.”

“When you’re ready, you know where to find me, Mr. Kingdom.”

“Well if you two have finished testing each other, let’s bring this conversation to an end.” Jason told them, not even trying to hide his affectionate amusement at their circling of each other. When Jason looked up, he was confronted by Jake’s piercing regard, and realized immediately how much he had lowered his guard. Both men were staring at him as though they had just read his mind.

“I’m out.” Steve said, rising from his chair. The abrupt nature of his statement didn’t surprise Jason in the slightest. “Jake, let me know if you need anything else from me.” At Jake’s nod of agreement, Steve transferred his attention to Jason.

“Later.” Was his final word as Steve took his leave.

**********

Jason watched as Steve walked from the room, his thoughts on what was truly going on with his friend. Because of what had taken place over the last few weeks they had drifted apart. But Steve’s willingness to ask him for help, Jason hoped was a step in the right direction of them regaining the ground they had lost.

“What are you thinking?” Jake asked as he observed the introspective look on his brother’s face.

Jason remained silent for a few more moments while he gathered his thoughts. “This is important to me. That man and his family were all I had when I was a child. His happiness means a lot to me. I will do anything I can to ensure his happiness. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

At Jake’s reply, Jason slowly rose his eyes to meet those of his twin. They were in accord, between them they would do what they could to ensure Steve received the outcome he sought.

“Thank you.”

“No thanks necessary. I’ll see you on Friday.”

“Why?”

“I’ve decided to hang out with you for a few days.”

“Why?”

“Do I have to have an ulterior motive to want to spend time with my brother?”

Jason didn’t have to give Jake’s comment any thought before he spoke. “Yes!”

“You’re a very cynical man, Jason. What can I say, I miss the General, so I’ve decided to come and stay for the weekend. Now seems as good a time as any.”

Deciding not to pursue the issue any further, Jason changed the subject. He was pleased that Jake wanted to spend time with them. The reason behind his decision didn’t matter. Jason was willing to allow Jake to keep his thoughts to himself; they would come out in the end, of that he was sure.

“Hi Honey, I’m home!”

The sound of Aviva’s voice immediately pulled Jason’s attention away from the screen. Without fail her presence always managed to kick his heart into overdrive.

“Hey, Angel.”

“Did you miss me?”

“Of course.”

“Good, I’ve been having the most salacious thoughts all day. I’ve been wondering what you would do if I came home without a stitch of...”

“Hi, Aviva.” Jake said, cutting her off before she could finish her comment.

“Oops, hi Jake.” Aviva said, coming around the desk to look at his image on the screen. Plunking herself on Jason’s lap, Aviva smiled at Jake, her look saying she was thankful he had intervened before she had embarrassed herself. Poking Jason in the side, Aviva made her feelings known that he should have been the one to stop her before she made a fool of herself.

“What?” Jason told her, his eyes turning from their usual green to black, making his intention clear. “You’re kidding right? All I had to do was press a button, and the dude was outta here. I can still do it. If you want to finish your thought it can just be you and me.”

“Ignore him, Jakey darling.” Aviva said, rolling her eyes at Jason. “How are you and the other delicious Kingdom men? I miss you all.”

“We’re doing fine. I was just telling Jason that I’m coming to spend this weekend with you guys.”

“Yay!” Aviva shouted with a fist pump. “Why?”

“What is the matter with you people? I say I’m coming to visit and immediately you both think there has to be an ulterior motive.”

“Okay, sorry. Of course, it will be lovely to see you. You can come to the party with us and keep Jason company.”

“A party you say?”

There it was, Jason thought. Jake couldn’t act worth a damn, and now he knew why he was coming to visit.

“That’s right... a party... at the record company.” Jason answered, giving his brother a narrow eyed look.

Ignoring him, Jake smiled at Aviva and accepted the invitation.

“I’ll leave you two to do whatever comes naturally. See you both in a few days.” Seconds later Jake’s image disappeared from the screen.

“What’s going on? Why is he coming here?”

“Leave it, Aviva.”

“Leave what?” Aviva asked, having no idea what she was being warned against.

Knowing the best course of action was to distract her, Jason pulled her close. Looking deeply into her eyes, he saw the exact moment she connected the dots.

Placing her hand against Jason’s chest, Aviva pushed away from him. “MacKenzie. He already knew about the party, and he’s coming because he wants to see, MacKenzie. That’s it, right?”

“Stay out of it, Aviva.”

“Oh, my. What’s he said to you about her?”

“He has said nothing and I haven’t asked.”

“Oh, for goodness sake. Stop being such a blinking bloke!” She told him, sucking her teeth and rolling her eyes.

“I am a bloke, Angel, and you are going to stay out of their business. Do you hear me?”

“Geez, of course I hear you, you’re practically shouting down my ear.”

Jason wasn’t fooled for one minute. She had agreed way too quickly.

Giving his cheek a pat, Aviva stood up. With her fingers on the top button of her coat, she gave Jason a knowing smile. “Now, do you want to see what I have on under this Mac or not?”

Chapter 25

Jake had arrived the night before. The three of them had gone out and shared a lovely dinner catching up with each other.

When they arrived home he and Jason had disappeared into his office. Aviva knew they were up to something they didn’t want her to know about, and she wasn’t bothered in the slightest. She knew she could probably get it out of Jason if she really tried.

This morning when she awoke, Jason was nowhere to be seen. It wasn’t until she was nearly ready to leave their room that she noticed the note he had left for her. Somehow in her restlessness she had managed to disrupt its position. The note said that he and Jake were out for the day and would be back in time to get ready for the party.

Having the whole house to herself was a little unsettling for Aviva. It was huge, and they no longer had a live in staff. When she and Jason had returned home from their vacation, they had decided that there was a need for a change of household personnel. After hours of discussion, she had persuaded Jason that having a cleaning service come in twice a week was enough to keep the house in order. Since the Drakes, having live in staff was just too unsettling for her.

Jason had understood, not wanting her to attempt taking on the responsibility for the inside maintenance of the house. She had agreed, she wasn’t a fool, there was no way she was getting involved in the cleaning of a house this size. So far the arrangement was working extremely well.

They had also spoken about moving. Neither of them had grown up surrounded by this type of wealth. She suspected that Jason had purchased this house for no other reason than because he could, which in itself was fine with her. He had worked hard for all that he had, and she supposed he had every right to enjoy his wealth. Although for her, the mansion wasn’t home because, she didn’t truly feel comfortable with the size of the place.

Laptop in hand, Aviva made a detour on her way to the pool, bent on getting some writing done. It had been a while since she had seriously written any music. With all that had transpired, she hadn’t really been in the right frame of mind to give herself over to what had been her constant companion throughout her life.

Grabbing a large bottle of water from the fridge, she settled in by the pool. It only took a short while for her to know that she had to revisit the song she had started when Jason had interrupted her.

Just as she began to analyze what she had created so far, her cell started ringing. Cursing under her breath, Aviva picked up the phone and saw that MacKenzie was on the line.

Her brain started shifting around trying to decide if she should mention that Jake was in town or heed Jason’s words.

As soon as she greeted her friend, Aviva knew she wasn’t going to say anything about, Jake. Jason had told her to keep out of their business, and somehow that was what she was going to do. Although she knew something had gone down, MacKenzie hadn’t told her what had happened between her and Jake when they were all in New York, and she hadn’t asked.