Tudor Redemption (Tudor Dynasty Book 4) (4 page)

“Thank
God.” I heard Zara mutter as she sat down next to A.

“If
it was going to happen, I’m grateful it happened before you married her,”
Mother added.

“The
only thing further I’m going to say on the matter tonight is that Daniel was
right all along. I was blind, too much in what I mistook for love to see it.
Alana only uses people to get herself ahead. She tried using him and his
celebrity, but he knew what she was up to.”

“For
a violinist, he’s a pretty smart dude,” Angus quipped.

“Yes,
please don’t rush next time,” Mother said.

“If
there ever is,” I muttered.

“To
a new beginning then.” Zara raised her beer in a mock toast. “Dame, you’re
welcome to spend the night if you want,” she added softly.

“Thanks,
but I think I’ll catch a ride back with the girls. I really need to make sure
Alana didn’t do anything rash like trash the place or take off in my car.”

“I
understand, but the offer’s there.”

“Ashley
and I could go check your place out if you’d rather stay,” Angus added.

“Thanks,
man, but I’ll sleep better if I see it for myself.”

“Someone
needs to tell Daniel,” my mother whispered. “Before Alana gets to him and tells
him all sorts of lies.”

I
glanced at the clock on the wall. It would be nine in the evening in New York.
Daniel would be awake. “I’ll do it. He needs to hear it from me.”

Taking
my cell out of my pocket, I left the room. I locked myself in the bathroom.
About the best place if you want any privacy from the Tudor clan. I noticed no
texts or calls from Alana. Not that I was expecting any. Finding my
brother-in-law’s number, I called him.

“Damien,
hello. To what do I owe the pleasure of this late night call?”

“Sorry,
Daniel. I need to tell you something before you hear it from anyone or anywhere
else.”

“Alana?”

“Yeah.
Did she call?”

“Nope,
haven’t heard a word. What’d she do?”

“You
want the truth or the scrubbed version?”

“I’m
a big boy, Dame. I don’t think my sister can do anything to surprise me
anymore.”

“I
broke it off. There won’t be a wedding. Ever.” I hesitated for a second. I know
if this were one of my brothers, they’d want to hear the truth. “She cheated on
me, Daniel.”

I
heard him suck in a deep breath. “You did the right thing, Damien. Don’t ever
doubt that.”

“I
know I did.”

“I
hope to hell you didn’t catch her.”

“No,
nothing quite so dramatic. Ever hear of some dude named Tony? Can’t recall his
last name off the top of my head.”

“Yeah.
Sounds vaguely familiar. Like I’ve seen pictures of her somewhere with some
dude named Tony. That’s who you suspect her cheating on you with?”

“I
don’t suspect, Daniel. I know for a fact. Trust me. Alana got all in my face
about staying home and having a crab dinner. You know Seattle. We’re famous for
crab. Anyway, she left, went to dinner and some club on the eastside. She came
home drunk, tried to seduce me. Didn’t take too much to figure out she’d been
with someone.”

“Geez,
man. I’m sorry, but I’ll sleep better knowing she doesn’t have her claws in
you. She’s got some serious problems, dude. Did she meet your family?”

“Oh
yeah, acting all put out about having to be here. I tried to show her some affection.
She told me to get my hands off her, and it escalated from there. Whole thing
took a minute. She hauled ass to the house, got her stuff, took my car, and
left.”

“Good
riddance. Dame, if you’ve got her on anything, get her off now.”

“Thanks
for the warning. I had better sense than to let her have access to my money.
Not the way she was spending it. If any bills come in, as I figure some will, I’ll
refuse to pay. Tell them she didn’t have my permission. Which, by the way, she
didn’t.”

“She
have access to your place when she got back?”

“Nope.
I realized I have the key to the condo in my pocket. Alana would have to sweet-talk
the security desk, and I shut that down the second I heard she’d left in my
ride.”

We
talked for a few minutes. By the end of the conversation, I felt better. Daniel
was no fool. He called it the way he saw it, and he was right on the money.

“What
are you going to do now? I know you aren’t going to want to work with her.”

“No
way. I think she already had someone in mind. As for me, there are lots of
other, more appreciative artists out there. Until then, I’m going to enjoy the
summer, take my boat out, and spread the word that I’m looking.”

“If
I hear of anyone, I’ll send them your way.”

“How’s
Mary?”

“Bigger,
if that’s at all possible. I’m going to call your mom tomorrow. She might want
to think about getting back here. The doctor doesn’t think she’s going to make
it to her due date.”

“I’ll
have her call you. I guess I better go. If we’re going to head back to Seattle,
we need to get going. The ferries won’t be running much longer.”

“Okay.
Thanks for calling, Damien. Don’t ever feel sorry for dumping my sister. You
did the right thing. You’re too good for her. You’ll find the right woman again
soon. Just keep your head up.”

I
said goodbye and sat on the edge of the tub for a minute, trying to get my
emotions in check. I wasn’t hurt, I was mad. Mad at myself for letting yet
another woman con me.

A
few minutes later, Amadeus knocked gently on the door. I opened it and tried to
put on a happy face.

“Looks
like you’re stuck here man. Bad storm coming in. Ferry’s have shut down for the
night.”

“Wonderful.
Have you got another bottle hidden in your studio?”

“I’ve
got a fully stocked bar out there, bro. Let’s get Angus and Peter and let the women
have their hen party. I think you need some man time.”

The
four of us ran through the driving rain to Amadeus’s studio. At one time, it
had been a guest house. My brother’s use of the space made much more sense. We
were all musicians, after all.

After
we all settled in with our drinks, talk came right around to projects everyone
was working on. Every single one of them had something going on. Even Angus.

“You
could hook up with one of those oldies tours, Dame. Or even a cruise. I bet you’d
have no problem getting on. Your stuff is legendary.”

“I
don’t know if I’d go as far as to call it legendary, Angus,” I replied. “No, I
don’t want to tour. Truth is, I have no idea what I want to do now. All I know
is my track record with women sucks. This makes twice.” I shook my head and
took a hit off the bottle on the table beside me.

“Don’t
be so hard on yourself, Damien. You’ll meet the right one when the time is
right. Maybe you’re supposed to be doing something else right now,” Peter
remarked, sitting across from me.

“You
know, Peter’s right,” Angus quipped. “You’ve got three songs on the charts.
Write some more. Maybe you should go to some of the clubs in town. Check out
the local talent. If nothing grabs your attention, put feelers out.”

“We’ll
see,” I replied. “Right now, I just need some time for me.”

“Take
the summer like you were talking about, Dame. Take your boat out, sail the
islands,” Amadeus said. “You know as well as me, it’s a great way to clear your
head.”

“And
that’s exactly what I’ll probably do. Say, what do you guys think of that Jake
character my daughter’s hanging with?”

“Are
they serious?” Angus asked.

“Who
knows? They’re kids. He’s wants to go to vet school. Personally, I don’t see it
lasting. Courtney’s not ready to settle down. There’s too much she wants to do.
Then again, what do I know? I’m just her dad.”

“He
said he’d been accepted to Auburn University,” Amadeus added.

“I
definitely do not see my daughter moving to southern Alabama.”

“I
don’t think you need to worry about that,” Peter interjected, smiling. “She
told Granny Grace she’s not interested in a serious relationship right now.”

“Thank
God. I certainly don’t want to think about giving one of my daughters over to
some dude.”

“Speaking
of Court,” Amadeus said. “Have you heard her sing lately, Dame?”

“No,
have you?”

“Yeah,
I have.” He walked over to the control panel, looking for something. He pressed
a few buttons. “Listen to this.”

Over
the speakers came my daughter’s voice. I was amazed, but then, I’m her father.
Courtney had never showed any interest in singing apart from family stuff.

“How
did you get this, A?”

“She
asked me if she could record something for Jake’s birthday, which is the end of
the month. I said sure, and we came in here. She had the song picked out. She
did the piano and vocals. I was blown away.”

“Damn,
she’s amazing.”

“Maybe
your talent is before your very eyes, Dame.” Peter chuckled.

“I’ll
most definitely keep this in the back of my head.”

It
didn’t take long before we were all jamming on old favorites. The weather might
be wild outside, but inside we were smokin’.

Chapter
Five

The
storm may have passed during the night, but it was still cloudy and drizzly.
Typical weather for the area. Somehow, I’d managed to fall asleep on the sofa
in the studio. I stood up, stretched, and, seeing Angus asleep in a chair,
mouth wide open, I had to do something. The situation was begging for it. Yes,
little brother, payback’s hell.

Finding
a cigarette butt, I quietly dropped it in his gaping mouth and ran like hell. The
last thing I heard as I shut the door was him cussing and his threats about
getting me back.

I
went in through the kitchen and found Zara sitting at the table with a cup of
coffee. I glanced at the clock. Five-thirty? No wonder no one else was up.

“Would
you like a cup? I just made it.”

“Thanks.
I can get it,” I replied. “What are you doing up so early?” I found a mug and
poured, sitting down across from her.

“Woke
up, kids asleep. And you?”

“Woke
up, pulled a prank on Angus, and fled.”

“Oh
my.” She quietly giggled.

About
that time, Angus came wandering into the house. I dared not say a word. Not the
way he was glaring at me. “By the way, very funny, Dame.”

“As
you would say—thank you, thank you very much.”

He
glanced at the clock. Shaking his head, he turned and walked out of the room. “I’m
gonna find a corner to crash in. It’s too damn early.”

Hearing
Wolfgang, Zara went to get him. When she returned, he was wrapped around her
legs. He wasn’t an early morning kid.

“Do
you know where Wolfie’s father is?” she asked as she poured milk into a sippy
cup.

“Last
I saw of him, he was asleep on the floor of the studio.”

“Do
me a favor? If you go back over there, and he’s still out? Pour cold water on
him.”

“Ouch.
You’re cold, girl.”

“Yeah,
well, he always finds a way to get out of early morning dad duty. It’s the
least I can do to repay him.” She bent down and handed the child the milk. When
she stood back up, she had this look on her face. “Would you mind watching him
for a minute or two? I think I’ll wake Dad up myself.”

“Of
course. Go tend to your wayward husband.”

She
pulled a bottle out of the refrigerator. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” Zara
picked up Wolfgang and put him in my lap, kissed him, and walked out the
kitchen door, armed with her water. Surprisingly, Wolfie never cried. He just
sat on my lap, drinking his milk.

****

After
dropping Jake off at his place, the girls and I headed home. Alana had indeed
attempted to gain entrance to the condo, but had no luck. She had not been a
happy lady when she’d left, empty handed. One reason to be thankful I lived in
a secure building. Still, Alana hadn’t bothered to even text me. She had my
SUV.

When
we got inside the house, I told the girls what I was trying to do. I sent Alana
a text, demanding to know where my vehicle was.

I want my fucking
stuff, Dame.

Yeah, I just bet
you do, sweetheart. As soon as I get my SUV back, you can have it.

It
didn’t take her but a second to reply.

You’re so
pathetic. How do you want to do this?

I
told her to drive the SUV to my building and park it. Then, go to security and
give them the key. When they verified it wasn’t trashed, they would give her
the two suitcases.

Fine. Be there in
thirty minutes.

I
couldn’t resist. I had to have one last zinger.

Need a ride to the
airport, or is Tony following you?

A
text that was filled with swear words followed. I smiled at the girls and
called down to the security desk.

A
few minutes later, Britt and Court brought out Alana’s stuff. By the look on
their faces, I knew I shouldn’t ask what they’d done.

“Britt
and I will take this down for you. We’re going to go across the street and get
a coffee. Want to come watch the fireworks?”

“Sure,
why not? I could use a good laugh.”

The
three of us went across to the coffee shop. Sure enough, Tony parked in front
while Alana went in through the garage. A few minutes later, she came through
the front door carrying two pieces of luggage. Tony didn’t even get out of his
rental car to help her. Instead, he just popped the trunk and let her fend for
herself. Good for you, dude.

“Slut,”
Court blurted out.

“Good
riddance,” Britt added.

“I’m
not even going to ask what you two did to her stuff. I’m sure the bitch will be
burning up the text line.”

“We
didn’t do a thing, Daddy,” Court innocently replied.

“How
is she even related to Uncle Daniel?” Britt added. “They are nothing alike. He’s
so cool, and giving. She’s a complete bitch and user.”

“Maybe
she got switched at birth.” Courtney snickered. “Her parents got an alien baby,
and the real Alana is somewhere out there.”

“Or
she got dropped on her head. That would explain a lot,” Britt concurred.

“Okay.
Show’s over girls. I don’t know about you two, but I think I’d like to go for a
sail. Either of you game?”

“Daddy,
we’re all running on zero sleep. You especially. Let’s save sailing for
tomorrow. Britt and I have to start looking for a woman for you. You know, play
matchmaker.”

I
stood, picking up my coffee. “Thanks, but I don’t think I need any matchmaking
for a while. I think it’s time for me to recover from that drama. A nap? Now
that sounds like a totally great idea.”

We
walked back across the street, and as soon as I had the key, the girls went
rushing out to my SUV to make sure nothing had been done to it. Me? I went
upstairs and stripped the sheets off my bed, and the one’s in Britt’s room. I
wanted no reminder of Alana. A can of Crisco sat on Britt’s dresser. I shook my
head as I walked out of the room with an armful of laundry. I didn’t want to
know any of the greasy details, though I would throw it up to the girls to see
their reaction.