TOTAL ECLIPSE: The Evolution (Sin City Heat Series Book 7) (21 page)

CHAPTER 23

“You sure you won’t stay another day?”

Darrell zipped his bag and hoisted it up on his shoulder before answering Lorenzo. “Nah, I need to get home, man. Gotta make sure my wife and son are okay.”

Lorenzo nodded as they walked into the living room. “I understand.”

“Things are just too unsettled. Doesn’t feel right. This shit with Tina is unresolved, Jerra’s going back to work in a couple of days, and most importantly, we still haven’t had a chance to talk to my son to explain everything that’s goin’ on.” Darrell’s eyes were dark with worry. “D.J. is my main concern right now. Everything’s going to hit him all at once. On top of that, he’s going to be shuffled from one home to the other for a while. It’s like his family is breaking up all around him, and he’s not gonna understand why.”

Lorenzo rested a hand on Darrell’s shoulder. “If nothing else, D.J. knows how much you and Jerra love him. Just take things one step at a time.”

Darrell shook his head slowly. “I never wanted this for him, Lo. Never. I always wanted a stable home for him, something I never had growing up.”

“This is just a blip on the screen; you’ll get through this and come out stronger because of it.”

“I hope so.” Darrell blinked and took a deep breath before changing the subject. “Wish I could be here to introduce you and Gabby when she comes back from her trip. Seems like the conversation between the two of you went pretty good last night.”

Gabby had called Darrell after he returned from dinner last night. After he told her what was going on, she’d been as upset as he’d expected but understandably worried about Tina. The two of them were very close. Darrell couldn’t fault Tina for being a good mother to his sister, but that didn’t mean he had to associate with her any longer. In order to live peacefully, there were just some people you couldn’t have in your life; for him, Tina was one of those people.

After they’d talked for a while, Gabby had asked to speak to Lorenzo. The last thing Darrell remembered before he’d dozed off on the couch an hour later was Lorenzo laughing like he and Gabby were the best of friends.

“She’s cool as hell,” Lorenzo grinned now.

“Yeah, she is. What did she say to you about your family?”

Lorenzo’s smile faded. “She was curious. A little shocked.”

“She knew who the Pattels were as soon as I mentioned the name.”

Lorenzo shrugged. “Living in New York, she’d have to be residing under a rock not to.” He hesitated before adding, “D., I know you’re still worried about her being associated with my family, but I meant what I said, I’ll make sure nothing touches her. No one will even know she and I are related if I can help it.”

Darrell gave a short laugh. “You’ve gotten a taste of how Gabby feels about family. She may not go to the rooftops and shout it out, but she won’t deny you either if it ever comes to that.” He eyed Lorenzo with an intensity that was palpable. “I’m trusting you not to let anything happen to her.”

“I won’t. You have my word.”

They stared at each other for several more moments before Darrell reluctantly nodded. Even though they hadn’t been aware the other existed until a couple of days ago, there was a connection between the brothers that neither could deny. Darrell had felt it with the rest of the Pattels last night as well. Dinner had in no way been awkward or uncomfortable like he’d expected it to be. They’d easily touched on an array of subjects, some serious, some entertaining. It almost felt as if he’d known them his entire life.

Isaac, however, was another story completely. Darrell didn’t know what to think about him, and he wasn’t going to stress about it. His concentration needed to be on his marriage and his family.  It was best that Isaac’s role in his life be relegated to one similar to Tina’s. He didn’t have the time, room, or energy for either one of them.

Darrell headed towards the elevator. “Well, the car’s waiting for me downstairs, so I guess I’d better get goin’.”

“You sure you don’t want to take the plane? I could have the driver take you directly to the airstrip.”

“Nah, I appreciate the offer, though. Commercial might be a pain sometimes, but it’s fine.”

“Alright. Keep in touch. I’m here if you want to talk.”

“Same here. Let me know how things work out with your ‘insurance policy’.” Darrell smirked, pushing the button to call the elevator up.

Lorenzo stopped in his tracks. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Just sayin’.” Darrell stood with his back to Lorenzo to hide his wide grin.

“I don’t know what you think is going on with me and her, but…” When Darrell snorted and stepped into the elevator a low growl unfurled from Lorenzo’s throat. He placed a hand against the steel frame to stop the doors from closing. “Okay, I do know what you think, but you’re wrong. This is just business. That’s it.”

Darrell tossed a look of utter disbelief towards him. “Fine. Keep tellin’ yourself that.” He gestured for Lorenzo to move his hand, which he did reluctantly. Before the doors closed, Darrell taunted him with one last jab. “But it ain’t gon’ make it true. Talk to ya’ lata, bruh.”

After an unexpected delay in Detroit, Darrell finally pulled up in front of his house around five that evening. Unfolding his tall frame out of the car, he glanced curiously at the snow white Mercedes parked in his driveway. It didn’t look familiar, but he guessed he’d find out whom it belonged to soon enough.

Unlocking the front door, he walked inside and tossed his keys on the mahogany colored table in the foyer out of habit. Picking up the stack of mail, he flipped through it while ambling to the family room in search of Jerra. No one was there, but Darrell did a double take when he saw the controller to D.J.’s game sitting in the middle of the floor.

Any other time, he would’ve found D.J.’s little butt and marched him back in the room to pick up the controller, accompanied by a lecture on the importance of taking care of his things and putting them in their proper place. However, seeing it lying there now meant his son was home. Darrell was too happy to think about chastising him for leaving it out.

The weight that had been resting heavily on his chest since he left New York instantly lightened. Hurrying to the stairs, Darrell took them two at a time and went to his son’s room. He stood in the doorway with a smile on his face for several seconds, observing his little mini-me in silence. D.J. was lying on his stomach in bed with his head on one hand, kicking his legs while watching TV.

Sneaking up on him, Darrell started tickling his ribs to get his attention. “Uh huh, caught ya’ slippin’!” He laughed when D.J. jumped in surprise.

“Daddy! You’re home!” D.J. stood up on the bed and threw himself into Darrell’s arms, hugging him around the neck.

Darrell grinned as he squeezed him tightly. He closed his eyes and released a big sigh, enjoying the moment until D.J. started squirming in his arms. Kissing the top of his head, Darrell patted him on the back one last time before letting him down on the floor.

“I missed you, buddy. How are you?”

“Fine.” D.J. kept his arms around Darrell’s waist and hung his head back to look up at him. “Where’ve you been?”

“I had to go out of town on business. Why? You weren’t here,” Darrell teased.

“I came back today, though. You were gone and Gran’ma Tina was gone.” D.J.’s mouth turned down at the corners. “Mommy says she moved back home. Did she, Daddy?”

Darrell sat down on the bed and pulled D.J. to him. “Yeah, she did, buddy. You knew your grandma was going to eventually move back to Philadelphia. Remember we talked about that?”

“Yes, but she didn’t even say bye.” D.J. wiped his eyes with the heel of his hand, but as soon as he blinked a tear fell down one cheek.

Darrell tried to curb his anger. This was exactly what he’d been hoping to prevent by trying not to let D.J. get too close to Tina. He’d wanted to avoid D.J. getting hurt, but looking at the sadness in his little boy’s eyes, he knew that’s exactly what happened.

“Something came up where she needed to leave right away. She told me to tell you she loves you, though, and to be good for Mommy and Daddy.”

“When can we go see her?”

Darrell took a deep breath. “Tell ya’ what. Why don’t we talk about that later after you tell me how your sleepover went? Where’s your mom, by the way?”

“She’s downstairs talking to a man.”

Darrell frowned. “Who?”

D.J. hunched his shoulders. “I dunno. She said they had to talk about some homework for grownups.”

“Hmph.” Still frowning, Darrell stood up. “Come on. Let’s go and find her and see what’s up. Wanna ride on my back?”

“Yeah!”

Darrell bent down so that D.J. could jump on his back then headed out the room. “You hungry?”

“A little.”

“Okay. Let’s find Mommy, then we’ll see about getting something to eat.”

“Pizza?”

Darrell turned to look over his shoulder at D.J. once they got to the bottom of the stairs. “Don’t you ever get tired of pizza?”

“Uh uh.” D.J. shook his head emphatically to drive his point home.

Darrell laughed as they headed towards the study. “We’ll see what your mom says.”

“Ah, Daddy. She’s gonna say no and make me eat vegetables.”

“What did I say about that? Vegetables help you, what?”

“Grow up to be big and strong,” D.J. automatically parroted the answer.

“That’s right. But Daddy will see what he can do about talking your mom into pizza for one more night.”

“Yeah!”

Darrell smiled at D.J.’s excitement. He nodded in all the appropriate places as D.J. told him about his sleepover. When D.J. asked him about his hand that still had the splint on it, Darrell explained that he’d had an accident but it wasn’t that serious. Once they got to the study, he pulled up short when he saw Jerra sitting closely on the couch next to a man with dark hair dressed in an expensive suit. She seemed to be paying rapt attention to something he was pointing out in a stack of papers. Neither of them was aware that Darrell had walked in until D.J. called out to her.

“Mommy, Mommy, Daddy’s home!”

Jerra lifted her head in surprise and stared at Darrell. Her lips parted as she stood up. “Hi. I…you’re home,” she said, repeating D.J.’s statement.

“Yeah, I decided to cut my visit short and fly back.”

Darrell’s warm eyes ran over the casual outfit she had on. The black pants, white button down silk shirt, and black pumps may have looked simple and basic on anyone else, but Jerra had accessorized it with gold earrings, a long gold chain, and several gold bangle bracelets. With her hair pulled back in a twisted chignon that rested on the nape of her neck, her overall look was fashionable and effortlessly chic.

Darrell’s gaze shifted pointedly to the man who was now standing beside her and eyeing him with intense curiosity.

Jerra quickly got over her shock and made the introductions. “Excuse my manners. Justin, this is my husband, Darrell Monroe. Darrell, this is Justin Sullivan of Sullivan, Baker & Lewis. I’m sure you remember me telling you about him. We were in law school together.”

Darrell let D.J. slide down then stepped forward to shake Justin’s hand, careful of the splint he still wore. Darrell observed Justin curiously as Justin stared at him. The man looked more like a model than a lawyer at a stuffy law firm like Sullivan, Baker & Lewis. Young to be the head of one of the largest law firms in the country, Darrell remembered Jerra telling him that Justin’s grandfather and father had been well-known lawyers who’d defended a lot of high profile clients. Tall, tan, and lean with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, Justin looked to be in his mid-thirties.

“Of course I remember. Nice to finally meet you, Justin,” Darrell said.

“Likewise, Darrell. I’ve heard a lot about you. Very nice to meet you as well. I hope you don’t mind the intrusion. To say that I’m extremely excited to finally have Jerra on board would be a vast understatement. I’m sure you know how long I’ve been after her to join our firm. I wanted to personally drop off a copy of her contract to look over before she changed her mind. ”

“I don’t mind at all and I completely understand.” Darrell smiled as his eyes caressed Jerra’s face. “I’m very proud of her.”

Jerra tried not to beam at all of the praise. “Okay, I suggest you both ease up on the compliments before my ego takes over the room.”

“It’s very much deserved, Jerra, believe me,” Justin said. “A lawyer with your talent is a welcome addition to Sullivan, Baker & Lewis. I don’t know what changed your mind because you seemed so adamant when we had lunch a couple of months ago, but I’ll be damned if I look a gift horse in the mouth.”

While Justin was talking, Darrell’s eyes had remained on Jerra, his expression one of inordinate pride. However, when he heard Justin’s comment about the two of them having lunch, his eyes flew with lightning quick swiftness from his wife to Justin. When they finally swung back to Jerra, she silently implored him not to make a scene.

Justin appeared oblivious to the tension as he continued. “We’re looking forward to adding your name to the letterhead as partner,” he smiled. “But we can talk about that later. I think I’ve monopolized enough of your time. I’ll let you get back to your family. If you have any questions about the contract, don’t hesitate to call me.” He switched his attention back to Darrell. “Again, it was nice to meet you. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of one another in the future.”

Darrell nodded. “I’m sure. Take care, Justin.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Jerra said. Her eyes met Darrell’s for a brief moment as she passed by him and left out the room with Justin following behind her.

Several minutes later, she came back and found Darrell and D.J. in the family room watching television. When Darrell saw her, he stood up and met her halfway before she made it to them.

Jerra looked at the splint on his hand. “Is it broken?”

“Nah, just fractured.”

An awkward silence fell between them before Darrell commented, “So that’s Justin Sullivan. Seems like a pretty cool guy.”

“He is.”

“I didn’t realize you and he were still such good friends.”

“I...we…we’re not. Not anymore.” Jerra stumbled a bit over her words, squirming slightly under Darrell’s dissecting stare. “I mean, I told you I knew him from law school, but that was a long time ago.”

Darrell continued to take note of her reaction. “You and he had lunch a couple of months ago?”

“Yes.” Impatience seeped into Jerra’s tone. “It was a chance encounter so you can stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like I intentionally kept it a secret for some reason,” she murmured in a hushed tone so as not to attract D.J.’s attention.

Darrell laughed, but his eyes never lost their intensity. “Did you?”