Polar Opposites (In Aeternum Book 4) (22 page)

“Ivan, good to see you.” He offered his hand.

Not the man he remembered from before. That Gio had had a chip on his shoulder and had been seconds away from beating the shit out of him for daring to offer marriage to Jaydee. This one seemed relaxed. Calm. Happy.

Taking the hand, he shook it. “And you.” He slid an arm around Bailey and said, “This is Bailey Hyde. Bailey, Giovanni Cassano.”

“Come on in. Honey,” he hollered. “Ivan is here. It is nice to meet you, Ms Hyde.”

They entered and the door was shut behind them.

“Bailey, please.”

Even though the man was married, Ivan wanted to snarl when Gio took her hand and shook it.
How long does he plan on holding it?

Jaydee walked into view and Ivan realized just how much he had missed her. Her grin was wide and welcoming. He brushed by Giovanni and went to her.

“It’s so good to see you again, Jaydee,” he whispered in her ear as they shared a hug.

“You too, Ivan. It’s been far too long.” Her grip was solid and true. “I have missed you.”

He kissed her cheek and stepped back. “I agree. Look at you. You’re beautiful. I like your hair short like this. You look so happy, Jay, I am so glad.” It took him a moment to recall they’d been speaking Russian and made sure to switch to English. “I want you to meet Bailey. Bailey, this is Jaydee.”

“Nice to meet you,” Bailey said without offering her hand.

“And you.” Jaydee didn’t make an offer either. “Please come and sit in the living room. I have some refreshments waiting. We can talk before the trio wake up from their nap.”

Ivan squeezed Bailey’s hand then followed. He stopped by a picture on the wall depicting an image he’d not thought about for a long time.

“Jaydee? Is this what I think it is?”

She stopped at his side. “The shot of us when we made it back from our flight. They had one and my father found it. He had it sent to me for Christmas last year. He took out the flashing lights of the police who were there.”

He chuckled. “Look at us.” They were scrawny teens.

“You seem a bit green.”

“Can you blame me? You’d just stolen a chopper and taken it out for a test flight. Of course I’m green. I was petrified.”

She shook her head in playful disdain. “I was a perfect pilot. I don’t know what you had a problem with. There wasn’t any reason to assume I wouldn’t be able to fly it. Besides, no one made you come along.”

“You dared me. Besides, I wasn’t about to let you go up there alone. It’s not all green, though, that suit I’m wearing wasn’t a good look on me.” He crossed his arms.

Her laughter was so familiar it made him join in. “You always did find excuses.”

“Humph. I don’t think so, it was the facts.”

“You never were much of a daredevil.”

“Because I respect the laws of gravity and all those other rules you wanted to break.”

“So much is available if you’re willing to try.”

“As was obvious by my joining you, I was willing. Doesn’t mean I wasn’t scared shitless. Besides, I can’t just ignore such things.”

“You could,” she countered. “You just chose not to.”

“Sorry, doll. I don’t have your ability. You always were better than I was.”

In true Jaydee fashion, she just shrugged it off. She wasn’t impressed, she knew it was fact. He was smart as hell but this woman, with how she processed stuff, put him to shame.

Jaydee shook his arm. “You do. You didn’t do that bad in the chopper. I still think you should have come base jumping with me. I believe you would have enjoyed it.”

“Careening to my death at that speed? No thank you.”

“You always did have a flair for the dramatics.”

He nudged her. “So I did. Now, tell me how you’re doing?”

“I am finding motherhood to be an acceptable state. I love my children and my nephew and niece.”

He shook his head. “Wait, Lexy? She has children?”

“No, Gio’s other brother Enzo has two with his wife, Halyn.”

“I was about to wonder how Lexy had wound up pregnant.”

She turned her head and looked at him, deadpan. “Surely by now you know how that works with the sperm and egg?”

Ivan laughed, head back. It was good to be back with her. “I see you’ve not lost your sense of humor.”

“Most think I don’t have one.”

“Most don’t know you like I do, sweetie.”

They continued catching up and talking about past exploits. Some with and some without Lexy along for the ride.

A child’s whimper filtered down around them and he turned in time with Jaydee to see a dark-haired boy totter into view, one hand rubbing his eye as he moved.

Ivan watched Jaydee walk to him and pick him up in a smooth motion. The love on her face told Ivan she’d made the only choice she could have when she’d married Gio. He was the one who completed her.

With a glance at the couch, he saw Bailey and Gio talking amongst themselves quietly. He was ashamed to realize he’d totally forgotten about her while he reminisced with Jaydee about some of their adventures.

“Who is this?” he asked, walking toward mother and son.

“Dante. The middle one.”

The child looked up at him and blinked. Then much like his mother had done to many who watched her, he looked away, dismissing Ivan without a thought.

“Down,” Dante said, struggling. She complied and he made his way over to Gio, who swept him up easily.

Ivan returned his attention to Bailey and noticed she was continuing to carry on her conversation with Gio, not paying much attention to the boy who was on the man’s lap.

“Tell me about her,” Jaydee said.

“Bailey? She’s special, Jaydee. Really special.”

“You look happier than I remember seeing. Especially out of the lab. But it makes sense for her to be special for you moved to Chile for her.”

“How do you know that?”

“I asked where you were and they said you’d gone there to start up a new lab.”

“I could have just wanted to get away.”

“Russia is where you would have gone, Ivan. I know you well enough to know that.”

“Who’d you ask?”

“Gio’s brother, Valentino.”

“And he just told you?”

“I don’t blurt stuff out. Besides, I asked. I believe he was so shocked I asked for his assistance he couldn’t bring himself to say no.”

“Why check on me?”

“You are my friend and I was concerned for you.”

This was why he loved this woman. Right there. She didn’t say it in a way to attempt to make him feel guilty for withdrawing and taking some time to himself, she just said why she’d asked and left it at that.

“Thanks for that, Jaydee.”

Two more kids stumbled into the room and she grinned at him. “Come on, meet the other two. Michael and Cynzia.”

As he went with Jaydee, he heard Gio tell Bailey, “That’s how they are when together. They forget the world around them and that not everyone speaks Russian.”

Bailey, bless her, responded, “They appear to have a wonderful friendship. That’s precious to have in this world.”

Ivan peered at Bailey. Dante had gone to her lap and was playing with her hair. He didn’t blame the little man, Ivan loved the feel of it on his skin as well.

* * * *

Bailey stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. The evening had gone much better than she’d anticipated. Enzo, Halyn and their children had also come by for dinner. The house had been noisy and full of laughter.

This was the only place she’d been able to get some privacy. Splashing some water on her face, she dried her hands and face before leaving. Everyone was in the backyard enjoying the mild weather. The children ran and played while the adults drank and talked.

A deep breath then she stepped back out into the fray. A tall man stood in her way and she went to sidestep him.

“I was told you were here.”

Bailey blinked and stared up at him. Valentino Cassano. The legend himself. Or one of them.

“You were looking for me?”
Why is he looking for me?

“I was. Good to see you again, Bailey.”

“And you, Valentino. Something I can do for you?”

“I’d like to talk to you, if you have a moment.”

“Sure.” They walked to a pair of chairs a bit to the side from the main group. “Something wrong?”

“Anabelle Lee said she saw you in London and said you’d mentioned feelers out for anything on Ethan.”

She put one foot up in the seat with her and rested her chin on her knee. “I did. As of yet I haven’t heard any more. There was a rumor of something in South America and last time I was in Chile I did some more digging with contacts.”

“And?”

“I don’t believe they knew where he was. Are you sure he’s out of the country?”

Valentino shook his head, fist flexing. “I don’t know shit. You know how it is when someone’s been gone for a while.”

She nodded. “I can put out more feelers if you—”

Laughter broke out and she looked over to see Jaydee, Ivan and another woman in the middle of it.

“Those three are amazing friends. I was shocked that Lexy and Jaydee were friends at the start. Add in Ivan and… Crazy things happen.” He cleared his throat and turned his back on the joviality. “Please. I don’t have much left to turn over. I know it’s wearing on Anabelle Lee.”

“He’s her brother. It should be. Maybe they’re moving him around?”

“We thought of that but part of me wonders if he’s not being hidden right under our noses and we’re looking past the forest for the trees.”

Bailey knew he was concerned. This man didn’t show emotion but there was no hiding it now. Still, it didn’t detract from the man he was. She picked it up each time she saw him. The cool calculating end that would do whatever it took. She was the same way.

“I will ask again. I have some contacts here as well, I can tell them to keep an ear to the ground.”

“Thank you.”

* * * *

When she crawled into bed that night, her mind raced with the day’s experiences.

“What did you think?” Ivan joined her and drew her into his chest.

“They are a loud, happy family.” She wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Very much so. I saw you and Valentino talking. I didn’t know you knew him that well.”

She sniffed and rotated her ankle before closing her eyes. “I don’t. He wanted to ask me for a favor.”

Ivan stiffened. “What?”

“Does it matter?”

“What did he want?”

Apparently it did matter. She fought another yawn and was unsuccessful. “It had to do with a missing person.”

“I thought you said you weren’t doing any more retrievals.”

Bailey pushed away from him and clicked on the light so she could see his face. It was drawn with anger.

She sat up against the headboard and canted her head to the side. “I’m sorry, is there a problem here?”

“There is if you’re doing more work for him.”

“I think we need to come to an understanding here. You don’t get to tell me who I talk to, much less what work I accept or refuse. I fail to see what your problem with Valentino Cassano is. You brought me to a house I’d bet anything you used to fuck your ex-girlfriend in. I’ve been nothing but understanding about that you two have a past relationship and are still friends. However, that doesn’t mean you have the right or the damn permission to begin judging who I talk to.” Her words vibrated with anger.

“I do when I’m concerned.”

“For what?” Her heart hurt further at the realization he hadn’t denied fucking Jaydee here.

“He’s one of the famous ones in Theta Corps.”

“Oh my God. You’re officially insane.” She climbed out of bed and went to her bag.

“What are you doing, Bailey?”

She pulled on her pants and glared at him. “What does it look like? I’m leaving the room. I need to take a walk or something. Go somewhere where you’re not.”

“Don’t be foolish, come back to bed.”

Yeah right
. “Listen, you Neanderthal. I don’t get jealous a lot, I don’t have time for it, but I don’t tolerate behavior like this. Again, need we go back to you bringing me to a house where you fucked the woman living here? How she can do no wrong in your eyes and let’s not forget how you wanted to marry her. I can deal with that but you are going to go all Tarzan on me because I speak to a fellow operative about something he asked to discuss with me? Hell no. Fuck you, and fuck your insane belief in what’s equal.”

Bailey pulled her sweatshirt on over her head. Her hands were shaking she was so pissed off. She sat on the chair and reached for her footwear.

Ivan got up and walked toward her. “Bailey, don’t be like this.”

“Right, I’m the one who’s being a certain way.” She finished tying her shoes and stood toe to toe with him. Even as angry as she was, it was hard to ignore the specimen before her. Ivan was just too damn hot.

Digging in her pocket for a hairband, she met his gaze and shook her head. “I can’t believe this and yet, I should have known it was coming. It’s okay that you do what you do but I can’t even have a simple conversation with someone without you coming unhinged.” She made a quick ponytail. “Find your own way home.”

She turned her back on him and swung her bag onto her shoulder. He gripped her arm and stopped her.

“Don’t do this.”

Refusing to look at him, she shrugged. “I don’t have a choice. I’m not going to explain myself to you while you attempt to judge my actions. Much less when you feel you have the right to do so.”

“So instead of talking, you’re just going to turn tail and run?”

She pulled free and went to the door. “Call it what you want. Goodbye, Ivan.” It wasn’t easy for her to do but she wasn’t about to go down a road like this with a man. She walked down to the first floor and found Gio in the living room.

“Everything okay, Bailey?”

“I just have to go,” she said. “Thank you so much for your hospitality. Please, thank your wife as well.” Without a look back she went to the door and exited the large A-frame house.

In her vehicle, she sighed heavily before starting the engine and backing up and turning around. She drove away and made her way back up to Seattle, where she returned her car, changed her flight, then went to her gate to wait.