The Devil's Revenge (The Devil's Eyes) (13 page)
Kayla smiles with my admission, “I love you and I will watch your back whether you want me to or not, Nick. Since we are being honest, I need to tell you something.” I moan an indiscernible
what
as I keep kissing her. “I’m pregnant, Nick.”
My smile disappears and I sit her down in shock. “What?”
“Now I have confessed my secrets too.” She smiles.
Brady calls me early this morning in a panic. He is demanding to see me now, so I tell him to come over while Nick is out of the house. I can’t imagine Nick wanting to deal with Brady these days, or at least I don’t want to imagine the two coming face-to-face.
Brady’s anxious pacing is only amusing for so long. “What is wrong with you? Talk, before you ruin the rug.” I say, trying to stop him from moving.
“I was put on probation today.” Brady sighs.
“What? Why?”
“Because I was trying to investigate your case on my own, and when I turned up some suspicious evidence I turned it in, they accused me of taking bribes from you and …
him
!” Brady sits, fisting his hands. “Kayla, you are in real trouble, and I am sure someone is setting you up. It has to be someone with some major connections because the evidence they say they have on you … doesn’t exist. I tried to question the so-called witnesses. They could barely tell me what color hair you have, one called you short and stocky and another said that you wear glasses! Then, I went to check out the gun that was allegedly used and the other evidence, and there is nothing there. This huge box, and there is nothing in it. What the hell is going on?” Brady looks at me as if I can answer his question. “You are not going to tell me are you? Why did I even bother to come over here if you aren’t going to help me? Kayla can you not tell me anything? You can trust me.” For his own good, he doesn’t need to know any more than he already does. He continues to wait for me, getting more and more frustrated as I ignore his questions. “You know, they are investigating me now. The chief says he expect things to smooth over if I remain clean for the next few months.” I remain silent, jumping when he jumps up huffing. “This is bullshit! I hate Jayzon more than anyone, so the last person I would take money from is him! You, however, yes I have a … well, it’s hard to hide the fact that I feel protective of you. I feel like you’re my little sister, Kayla. I only wanted to …”
I sit next to him and hug him. “I know, and I love you too despite the crazy bitch you’re seeing.” I say with a hard smile as he rolls his eyes at me.
“She’s wonderful, and you would know that if you would give her a chance.” Brady says with a lighter tone.
“So, maybe we can double-date one night?” I ask with a wink.
“Or maybe not.” He huffs back. “I couldn’t dislike anyone more. He is lucky he cleared her from any responsibility with his supposed death. Still, can’t believe he kept his own uncle a secret, or that he himself was not dead. And don’t you dare tell me that he was really lost in a jungle somewhere unable to get in contact with anyone. That is the biggest bullshit I have ever heard. You would think he could come up with a better story than …
Oh, I’m sorry. I got lost on my impromptu safari and didn’t realize people thought I was DEAD!
Jackass. Where is Mr. Wonderful anyway?”
“Out. He has business to take care of today, and now that I am pregnant again he thinks he is going to hold me back from handling business anymore.” Brady looks nearly as shocked as Nick did.
“Oh, sweetie, what?” He hugs me with a slight sigh. “I am happy for you, but I wish like hell it was with someone else.” He tries to laugh before he catches a glimpse of my expression. “Well since we are sharing big news … I’m getting married.” He smiles wide. My mouth drops open. “I know you two don’t get along, but if you would give her a chance you would love her as much as I do.”
“I am sure I will, Brady. Oh wow! When did this … wonderful thing happen?” I say, stumbling over my own words as I begin to worry that Nick may come home and already be aware of this
great
news.
“I planned a little getaway for us a few weeks ago and did things right. I would have told you sooner, but then you were arrested and …”
“Yes, I know. So any idea when the big day is?” I ask, keeping an eye on the front door.
“Not yet. I thought she would be pulling out bridal magazines galore by now but she hasn’t done that. I think it’s all this Jayzon mess causing her stress. Just one more thing to make me love him all the more,” Brady says with a smile until Nick walks in. “Okay honey, I think it’s time for me to go. I will let you know if I find out anything.” Brady hugs me before eyeing Nick with disgust.
“Oh please, don’t leave on my account. Hell, stay for dinner … please.” Nick says obnoxiously.
“No thanks. I have plans already, but thanks for your sincere generosity.” Brady says with a huff.
“What, is it all you can eat beef at the
Cattle Trough
tonight? Teaching some new young and stupids how to throw darts?” Nick popped off with a sarcastic chuckle to follow.
Brady stops and turns, changing his anger to a smile, “You know, you used to get under my skin, but not anymore. You might want to spend more time taking care of your family and making sure they are safe, rather than running off into a jungle and pretending to be dead. Who knows what Amazonian woman you were fucking while you were … dead. What a great Daddy figure you are for your son.”
Nick makes a move towards Brady and I immediately grab hold of him, “Nick, you started it. Brady, thank you for filling me in on what you know. We appreciate your help.”
“Oh now he is helping us? I’m so sure. More like he is here to try to get more evidence against you.” Nick huffs.
“Nick, he was put on probation today for investigating my case on his own. He is my friend and trying to help. Please don’t be so awful to him.” I say still holding onto Nick’s arm and meeting his eyes briefly.
“Don’t worry about it Kayla. Mr. Wonderful wouldn’t know how to trust anyone, which is another great father quality, I am sure.” Brady smirks.
Nick slides to Brady, “You wouldn’t know anything about family … would you?” Nick smiles, causing a twitch within Brady.
“I’ve got family. Maybe not parents and what most would consider brothers and sisters, but I have friends that are as close as anyone could be to family. Kayla is one of them.” Brady glances my way but Nick slyly slides between us. “Don’t you worry about me Jayzon, soon I will be just as much of a family man as you … more even, because I will love them and I will
never
leave them.”
Nick laughs, “A family man? You and your right hand getting close these days?”
“Ha ha, real funny Jayzon. No, I’m engaged to a beautiful woman. One I know you haven’t been with and that makes her even more perfect for me.” Brady says, not realizing the fireball that he has just ignited.
“Nick!” I yell, grabbing hold of him quickly and trying to get him to look at me. “Nick, look at me!” I yell, trying to pull his face towards me.
“Did you know about this? He yells at me.
“I just found out, my love.” I say, holding tight to him and trying to ease his anger back down.
“Unfuckingbelievable!” Nick turns to Brady, “
You
, don’t move!”
“Excuse me? Who the hell …” Brady steps towards him.
Nick takes out his phone, still holding his finger out strong towards Brady, “Get your ass over here. Now! Don’t argue with me. Lena damn it, I was just informed of the good news and I have your fiancé right here.” You can hear Lena screaming at Nick through the phone. “Then get your ass here or I will hurt him!”
“What the fuck is going on? How do you know her number? How do you know her?” Brady grabs Nick without thinking, and I have to hastily step between them.
“Nick, go cool off and let me talk to Brady alone.” I manage to squeeze between the two, pushing Nick away with everything I have. “Damn Nick, why do you have to be so hotheaded? You’re going to get her into trouble.”
“I am keeping her from trouble!” He yells, still raging in Brady’s direction.
“Will someone tell me what is going on!” Brady yells impatiently.
Looking at Brady I take his arm. “I think it would be best if we wait for Lena and let her explain.”
“I’ll tell him.” Nick says happily, before I drag him off into another room. “Don’t look at me like that Kayla. He should not be with my sister and I will be damned if I will let her marry that fuck.” I continue arguing back and forth with Nick until …
“Nick, you fucking ass!” Lena yells. Nick comes running out facing off with Lena. Brady angrily pushes him away from her, starting a scuffle that only Dwayne is able to get in the middle of and stop. I approach Nick again, trying to make him focus on me only, but Lena jumps over my back and starts smacking Nick.
Taking hold of her hard, Nick picks her up and wisely sets her down far away from my reach, “Watch what you’re doing … Kayla is pregnant.” Nick says tensely.
“Oh beautiful!” Lena rolls her eyes in my direction. “The princess is vulnerable again.”
“I’m not arguing with you right now, so tell this fool it is over and we can talk about your issues after.” Nick motions back towards Brady while wrestling me behind himself and away from Lena.
“I will not! I love him Nick.” They continue arguing while Brady slowly pieces things together. I watch him as his heart begins breaking in two and I have to chase after him out the door.
“Get out of my car Kayla.” Brady says with a stubborn pout.
“No. drive. Let’s get out of here and talk.” I persuade him.
“I want to be alone. Please!” He insists once again.
“Drive and let’s talk. I think you need a sister to talk to right now.” I insist.
He slowly puts the car in gear and leaves the arguing siblings behind. “You knew and didn’t tell me.”
“I wasn’t sure until Nick came back, and it certainly isn’t my place to tell you.”
“The hell it isn’t! You’re my friend, you’re supposed to tell me.” He fights back.
“Okay, you’re right, but how could I? How could I tell my best friend that everything that is making his world perfect right now is all a lie? I couldn’t do it. I wanted to, but I was hoping that somehow …”
“That what … that I would suddenly not care that the woman I love is a … is a Jayzon?” Brady laughs harshly. “A fucking Jayzon! Only me! Only I would be so stupid. Well, I guess the wedding is off. Will you do me a favor and get my grandmother’s ring back from her?”
“No. You love her and you should work this out with her.” Brady gives me a sideways glare. “I know how you feel about Nick, but you know Lena and you fell in love with her, not Nick. Wasn’t it you that told me that just because your family is screwed up doesn’t mean that you have to be? She is successful and beautiful and if I recall from what you said …
perfect for you
. How has any of that changed because her blood is Jayzon?”
“She lied to me, Kayla. You know how much I hate that.”
“She feared telling you that your biggest enemy is her brother. Can you blame her?” I ask him.
“Yes! I don’t like to be lied to!” He yells, but immediately feels guilty and begins to calm.
I wait for his final big exhale before taking another approach. “You know, Nick has been insane over you two dating. Drives him crazy. You should have seen his face when you said you were getting married.” I laugh while I mock Nick’s expression until finally Brady laughs.
“I have to say, that was kind of funny, now that I think about it,” Brady laughs even harder.
“She is the same woman. She was scared. Don’t judge her, give her a chance like you did me. Who knows, maybe your reward will be finally getting back at your worst enemy. Think about it, Nick is going to hate every second of you being married to his sister, having children with her and building a happy, beautiful life together. I would say that is the biggest revenge there is … wouldn’t you?” I smile in his direction.
“Well, I’m not hating the idea. I do love her, but I hate him.” Brady calmly takes another deep breath. “I’m not promising anything but your right. This is about her and me. I won’t give him the satisfaction of running me off.” I take his hand and ride back home with him. Lena runs to him as soon as we walk back in, apologizing and professing her love for him like a crazy woman in love.
“Lena, let him go!” Nick yells, taking me in his arms to check me over as if I could have been harmed somehow.
“Shut up Jayzon. This isn’t about you, this is about me and my fiancé.” Brady says, smiling back at Lena. “We need to talk honey.” Lena nods with tears in her eyes and a smile slowly forming on her face.
“I am not allowing this!” Nick yells.
“You don’t get a choice!” Brady points back at him. “Face it Jayzon … we are going to be brothers.” Brady says, taking Lena’s hand and leading her out of the house.
The steam coming off Nick is ignitable. I know enough to leave him be for now, but after an hour goes by I feel confident enough to bring Nicky to him. Nick’s demeanor changes instantly. Nick will do anything for his son, even if that means lowering himself to playing a silly game. Something only I or Nicky will ever be privy to see. Nick briefly catches sight of me and smiles.
“So Princess, are we going to have another son or ….”
“I don’t care … I don’t care at all as long as we are all together.” Playing with Nick’s hair, I nudge him and smile with him as he shares a kiss with me. “You are going to have to get use to the idea of Brady you know?” He refuses to say anything. “Wow, a cop for a brother-in-law … hmm, I wonder if that could be useful somehow? Silly to think so, I’m sure.” I kiss him once again before shutting up and letting the seed I planted simmer in his head.
Welch is determined to not let this case against Kayla go, causing my old connections and enemies to begin questioning my strength as their fears of me begin to fade. I have spent much time these last few days crafting the perfect game plan for putting us back on top and hopefully forcing Welch to back the
fuck off
. My plan became clear, there is only one way to regain our hold. Dwayne, Reginald and Ryan all meet me to talk about our next steps. They are eager and up for anything to relieve them of their current boredom. I roll out a map of the city on the table. “We can’t get to anyone without force and there is only one way to get that right now. Estrella is too strong for us to battle. We need to attack smaller and work our way up. I know him well, and he will begin to break down watching us come for him. We start with Coles, then Briggs and then after we turn their men to ours … we go after Ellis.”