Questing (Cosmis Connections, Book One) (24 page)

“Are they always like that?” she asked, still overwhelmed.

“Oh no, usually they’re loud and excitable,” Jordan managed with a straight face. When she began to laugh, he added, “They really are good people. They’re so proud of their daughter.”

“I could tell. And they do seem nice. I’m just not used to that much fuss.”

“They settle down somewhat eventually. I think they’re half the reason people shop there. Where else can you find great stuff and that kind of entertainment?” Jordan pulled out his phone. “I have an idea, since you look like you could use a break.” When whoever he was calling answered, Jordan said, “Did you eat? Don’t. We’ll be there in five.”

In not much more time than that, they had a fully-loaded sandwich from the deli on the next corner. Walking another block, Kiley was curious when Jordan pulled out his keys and let them into a stunning house. After hanging her coat on the rack with his, Kiley followed Jordan down a hallway, passing what she looked like an amazing living room, dining room and den.

They found Brett in the kitchen. “Hi, kids. I’m surprised to see you out and about.”

“Hey, bud. We needed provisions.” Jordan put their steaks in the refrigerator and snagged three beers.

“I can’t drink in the middle of the afternoon!” Kiley exclaimed.

“Sure you can.” She watched Jordan take some oranges from one of their other bags and peel them, offering slices to both her and Brett. “Live dangerously.”

When she took a sip, Brett grinned. “Uh-oh. He’s corrupted you already. No more sweet and innocent…”

“Sweet, definitely,” Jordan interrupted. “Innocent?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Jordan!” she gasped.

“Relax, Kiley. He’s just teasing you.” Brett was openly enjoying them. “Jordan is too much of a gentleman to provide details, even to me. Besides, one look at the two of you and everybody can see you’ve just had mind-blowing sex.”

Kiley groaned and hid her face. “Oh God. Do you think Gina and Artie—”

“You took her to Gina and Artie’s? Are you crazy?” Brett was shocked. “And no, Kiley. I’m just teasing you. I’m sure not everyone you passed could tell. Just the ones who know Jordan.”

They heard the quiet chirping of Jordan’s phone. “Damn, that’ll be about Winslow.” He left them to answer it.

While Jordan was out of the room, Brett picked up the large tablet next to him and began to sketch. “Seriously, I’m glad to see both of you looking so happy. You’ve made a big difference already.”

“Difference how?”

“Jordan is smiling again. He’s relaxed. He’s back to being himself.” Brett shrugged.

“What?”

“Let me tell you something. Jordan is the most generous guy I’ve ever met. But over time, I’ve watched him be forced to hide that. When we were kids he’d do anything for anyone. Then Shane got to be hard-nosed and Jordan began to not be able to share with him. After the car stunt you heard about, he learned that some people wanted to be around him for what he could do, not who he was. Once people started noticing his success, it only got worse. He used to come to the gym with me. He stopped when a guy had his girlfriend come on to Jordan to try to get him to do some investing.

“When we go out and ladies realize who Jordan is you can see them start to calculate what they can get from him. Men we used to know have shamelessly hit him up for hot stock tips and actually got mad when he wouldn’t tell them anything.”

“That’s horrible,” Kiley commented.

“Yeah, especially to someone like Jordan.” Brett looked at her closely. “Do you know what he said when you walked away after seating us that first day?” She shook her head. “He told me that we’d just met his future.”

“You didn’t think so.”

“Not really but I wanted to. After we came back a few times, I could see you really were different.”

“But you still warned me.”

“Only because I care.”

“You still don’t believe it.”

“Maybe, maybe not. I admit that I’m a cynic. Besides, Jordan believes it and that’s what matters most. Let me get to the point. Jordan is generous. He’s thoughtful. When he gives you something, please don’t argue.”

“But I don’t want anything.”

“I know that, Kiley. I’m not talking big things although I’m sure he’d willingly give you just about anything in the world if he thought you wanted it. I’m talking about little things, like the clothes. He didn’t want you to have to face us this morning in his robe or your clothes from yesterday. He’s like that. If he chances on a trinket that reminds him of something you shared, it’ll appear on your podium, no thanks wanted. He’ll show up at your door with a sandwich and peel oranges for you, making sure you know you’re part of his life even though he did just get together with the woman he’s been dreaming about. He’ll save all the sketches you’ve done over the years and have them framed and hanging in both your homes one day as a surprise.”

“Oh.” Kiley was beginning to understand. She had noticed the drawings at Jordan’s. Now she looked around and saw similar ones in Brett’s kitchen. “They’re all yours?”

“Yeah. I didn’t even know he kept them. Just wait. You’ll see, I’m sure. Jordan’s already relaxed around you. He’s told you more about himself than practically everyone else. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he starts to share things with you.”

“But I don’t want anything! And what could I possibly give him in return that he doesn’t already have?”

“There you go. You don’t want anything, which will let Jordan feel free to be as generous as he used to be. Just don’t ever offer to pay for something, okay? And as to what you could give him, you’re already done it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“This morning. When your cousin said it was time to go. You announced your intention to spend time with Jordan in front of all of us, showing him that you’re willing to include him in your life somehow.”

“While you guys were downstairs I told Lyssa I think I’m falling in love with him.”

“Are you?”

“Yes.”

“Did you tell him?”

“Well, not exactly but I think showed him how I feel.”

“No wonder he’s so happy. Kiley, I hope you don’t take any of this the wrong way. I’m just looking out for my best friend. I sincerely hope you turn out to be exactly what Jordan believes you are. You obviously listened to him when he talked to you last night.”

“Yes, I did. I can see why you have doubts. I never thought about what it would be like to be successful, wealthy and powerful. You probably are treated differently. The first day, when you were leaving and Jordan introduced himself to me, he shook my hand and held it slightly longer than was necessary. That brief touch was when I decided I wanted him. I’ve had trouble talking to him all this time because I couldn’t accept that someone like Jordan McKade could ever be interested in someone simple like me. At first, I thought he was flirting out of pity. Then I decided he honestly liked me but I still didn’t get it.” Kiley smiled. “Now I do. Jordan could see that with me, what you see is what you get. He actually likes that I’m uncomplicated, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah and I’m glad that you’re not furious with me.” Brett relaxed.

“Brett, I know how important you are to Jordan. I don’t intend to come between you.”

“I never thought that. Jordan’s heart has plenty of room for both of us. I just need to be sure about all this. You say you are starting to love him. But is it the same way he loves you? When he says forever, he literally means forever. The thing that gets me is you could thoroughly trash his heart and his life and I know he’d still love you. Are you sure you aren’t going to abuse the power he’s giving you?”

“Are you sure you’re not exaggerating?”

“No. Honestly, I hope I am. I hope I’m being completely ridiculous and we’ll be able to laugh about my paranoia. But,” he looked up from his sketch, “what if I’m not? Loving you makes him vulnerable.”

“Have you ever been in love, Brett?”

“No. That’s probably why I’m so skeptical.”

“I wasn’t either before Jordan. It makes all the difference in the way you see things. I will think about all you’ve said though. For now, all I know is that I don’t feel like I’ll ever be able to get close enough. I’m not talking sexually either, although I don’t think I’ll ever have enough of that.”

“Good answer, Kiley. I even believe you.” They heard Jordan returning. “Thanks for talking to me. Now be a good girl and grab us another beer.”

She turned from the refrigerator just as Jordan joined them. When he stopped beside her, Kiley gave him a spontaneous hug.

“Hey, what’s up?” He looked back and forth between them.

“Nothing.” Kiley surprised him with a kiss. “I told you last night. I’m done keeping my hands to myself around you.” She kissed him again. “You said you didn’t mind.”

Jordan responded with a more lingering kiss.

“You know,” Brett spoke up, “I’ve always wanted to do a study of nudes. I don’t mind if you two want to continue.”

“Knock it off, Brett,” Jordan said mildly. “Kiley explained that that’s why she’s had trouble talking to me.”

“And of course you’re so considerate that, in the interest of conversation, you told her do whatever she wants.”

“Of course,” Kiley giggled. “Can we see that yet?”

“Nope, not ’til it’s done.” Brett nodded, showing his appreciation of her affectionate play with Jordan. “That Frank?”

Jordan shook his head. “Jesse.”

“Next you’ll say their last names are James,” Kiley laughed.

“No but both their middle names are. They’re brothers too,” Jordan stated.

“And their cousin’s name is Wyatt,” Brett added.

“Wyatt as in Earp?” she asked.

“Yeah, I think their dads had a thing for the Old West.” Jordan turned serious. “They’re sort of private investigators.”

“Sort of?”

“My infamous sources.” Jordan shrugged. “Wyatt is an inventor. He creates surveillance stuff. Frank and Jesse test it for him. They’re not exactly people you ask a lot of questions, Kiley. I suspect they’re with some government agency or at least they were at some point. I assure you that they’re the good guys. I trust them implicitly. They’re the ones keeping tabs on Winslow for me.”

“What’s he up to?” Brett asked as Kiley paled.

“Nothing. He slithered home around one a.m. and is still there. He hasn’t called anyone. He hasn’t even turned on his computer,” Jordan hesitated, sharing a look with Brett that Kiley noticed.

“What else, Jordan?” she urged.

“It seems we’re not the only ones waiting and watching. Jesse said Samuels’ guy showed up about half an hour after they finished installing Wyatt’s gadgets. They found something interesting. Winslow has money in the bank.”

“How much?” Brett wondered.

“More than he owes Samuels.”

“So why doesn’t he just pay?”

“I have the horrible feeling that he’s even stupider than I thought. My hunch is that he’s going to try to take the money and run.”

“What’s going to happen to him if he does?” Kiley asked in a little voice.

Jordan was quiet. Finally, he asked, “What do you want to happen to him, Kiley? In an ideal scenario, I mean.”

“Ideally,” she began after some thought, “I’d have spent the night with you after we all enjoyed the hockey game and celebrated Alyssa’s birthday because I worked up the nerve to tell you I wanted to.” She held his gaze.

Jordan caressed her cheek. “Yeah, that would have been ideal. Last night you said you wanted to hold him down and make him drink whatever he gave you.”

“It’s not that simple anymore, is it?”

“It never was.”

She nodded and glanced at Brett, who was still sketching. “Okay then, I guess I want him to go away forever.” She realized how that sounded. “Not as in dead forever, just move away. And I wish there were a way to make sure he’d never do this to anyone else.”

“Okay, so you want him gone, so there’s no chance of ever bumping into him and you want him reformed,” Jordan repeated.

“Yes,” she confirmed.

“You’re too good, Kiley,” Brett stated. “I’d want him seriously hurt.”

“What would that prove? Other than that we’re as bad as he is,” she countered. “Is this Samuels guy going to kill him?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Jordan answered grimly. “There are rumors of people disappearing after they’ve crossed him but nothing’s ever been proven.” Jordan opened his phone. “Hey Jesse…yeah, exactly what I thought…I’m counting on it…thanks, stay in touch,” he sighed. “They’ll do what they can. Wyatt froze Winslow’s account so he can’t get the money. That should keep him from taking off.”

“Froze it how?” Kiley asked.

“Jesse said it’ll appear to have been initiated by the IRS if the bank checks.”

“But won’t they talk to the IRS?”

“I’m told it’s all in order and they’ll be no questions if they do. Kiley, for all I know it really is coming from the IRS. You have to trust me. They are going to do everything possible to make what you want to happen, work.”

“Are we out of it now?” Kiley hoped.