The Wells Brothers: Luke (27 page)

“The fact that no one wanted to
come with us wasn’t going to stop us from doing what we wanted.  We took some
risks, but we played it as safe as we could.”  She looked at him searchingly. 
“You really will come with us?”

“Of course I will.”  He
straightened.  “Red, I’m not here to fight, curtail your fun, or preach to
you.  I’m here to say I’ll come with you, I’ll protect you.”  He grinned. 
“I’ll be your muscle.”

The smile that lit her face was
worth more to him than any material possession, and then she threw herself into
his arms and hugged him tight.  “Thank you.  Thank you so
much
.”

He hugged her back.  There was a
lot of relief running through him right now, but let her think he was in
control and graciously accepting her gratitude.  And feeling damn manly again. 
Something about Mikki just fired up those man instincts.

“But there are stipulations,” he warned.

“Mmm?”  Her face was buried in his
neck.

“Only a couple of times a year, I
can’t take too long from the business.”

“Agreed.”

“I need a lot of advance warning,
like sometimes a couple of months.  It may have to wait a time, but we will do
it.  Okay?”

“Okay.”  She paused.  “Do I still
need to go to the races with you each time?”

“Oh yeah,” he said with supreme
satisfaction.

“Deal.”

He did a mental brow wipe.  Bewdy,
one argument won without too much trouble.  Time to strike while the iron was
hot.  “And tonight we fool around.”

She started to laugh, her lush
body shaking against his.  “No.”

He sighed.  It was worth a try. 
“I really have to get rid of Aaron and his trusty side-kick.”

She just laughed harder.

Reluctantly, he finally left her
to continue his work.

Several hours later he was sitting
on what was left of a broken rock wall, pad on his knee as he jotted down last
minute information.  When Aaron appeared, he lowered his sunglass down his nose
to peer over them at his older brother.

Aaron looked serious, which could mean
anything, but he wasn’t that mysterious that Luke didn’t know he wasn’t happy.  He
was, after all, still his brother.  “Problem?”

“There are footsteps near the graveyard.” 
Reaching behind him under his coat, Aaron hooked his thumbs into his back
pockets.

Luke scrutinised him.  “I’m
guessing these footsteps aren’t Mikki’s, Elspeth’s and mine.”

“Nope.”

“And since you’re fronting me up,
I’m guessing they’re not old prints.”

“Not old at all.”

A bad feeling stole over Luke as
shoved the sunglasses up onto his head.  “How old?”

“I’d say last night.”

“Crap.”

“The prints were next to a broken
branch, you can see where someone has been kneeling before leaving on a
pushbike, the trail of which stops at the main road.”

“So someone was out there.  Why?”

“Not sure yet.  Could be a simple
sticky-beak, could be an opportunist.”

Concerned, Luke stood abruptly. 
“The girls can’t wander around outside at night alone.”

“Agreed.”

“I’ll tell them.”

“They’re in town, remember?”

Luke frowned.

“Ryan’s with them.”

“He’s at the pharmacist.”

“He knows where the women are.”

Luke regarded Aaron curiously. 
“Exactly why are you here?  Why do I feel like you’re not telling me
everything?”

Aaron smiled slightly.  “Not
everything about me is circumspect.”

“Uh huh.”

Aaron’s smile widened.

Luke pointed the pen at him. 
“We’re out here, Elspeth hires you for security, and you just happen to be here
when someone is lurking around.  Plus you told me to keep an eye out for
anything strange.  That’s gotta mean something.”

“Elspeth bought a dilapidated old
mansion, I’m here to scout out the security for her. Simply put, I came up to
have a good look around before Dad and his mob come and start restoration.  I
like to get a look at the original grounds.”

“Uh huh.”

“You were out here with two women
alone in an old mansion half an hour from the nearest town, I’d expect you to
watch out for them.”

“That was never in question.”

“Nope, it wasn’t.  Me telling you
was habit.”

“Habit,” Luke repeated sardonically.

“Habit to tell a man to watch my
client.”

“And Mikki?”

“Family friend, and also a woman
with my client.”

“And the strange stuff you wanted
me to be aware of?”

“My client’s property I’m to provide
security for, I’d want to know anything strange happening around it.”

“You expected a prowler, didn’t
you?”

“You never know.  You can never be
too prepared.”

“You live in a seriously suspicious
world.”

Aaron’s eyes were steady, suddenly
solemn.

“I don’t think I’d like the world
I suspect you walk in.”

His older brother regarded him
intently.  “And what do you suspect of my world, Luke?”

Okay, this was a little intense
but he didn’t back down.  “I think your security might be just more than hiring
out bodyguards and security guards, and setting security alarms.”

“It’s what I do.”

“But are those bodyguards and
security guards just for the shopping malls and rich and famous?  ‘Cause I have
to tell you, mate, I have yet to see one of your men or women working in the
shopping malls or building sites.”

Aaron’s expression didn’t alter. 
“They work on building sites.”

“Such as the spy base that went up
fifty miles out of the city?”

“No secret.”

“No.”

“Anything else?”  Aaron continued
to watch him calmly.

Luke watched him back.  “You going
to tell me more?”

“If I did that, I’d have to kill
you.”

Luke laughed.

Aaron didn’t.

Perturbed by the lack of his
brother’s emotion, Luke stopped laughing.  “You’d really kill me?”

Aaron smiled.

“You are freakin’ scary, mate.”

Laughter lines fanned out from the
corners of Aaron’s eyes.  “I couldn’t kill you, Luke, you’re my little
brother.”

“That’s a big relief,” Luke
replied ironically.

Passing him, Aaron reached out to
ruffle his hair affectionately.  “I might have to make you disappear, but I’d
never kill you.”

“If you make me disappear, be sure
to send Mikki, Dog and Duchess, too.”

Stopping, Aaron turned to face
him.  “You and Mikki.  It’s about time.”

Luke’s eyebrows shot upwards.

“Anyone could see that you two had
a spark.”  With that, Aaron continued walking.

“Wait.”

Stopping, Aaron glanced back over
his shoulder.

“Seriously, did you expect a
prowler?” Luke asked curiously.

“It’s always a strong possibility
when something new happens involving money, and it did happen last night.  We’re
going to take steps to ensure the girls are not alone outside, at least until
we know for sure if it was just a sticky-beak and nothing more sinister.”

This was sounding worse by the
minute.  “How sinister?”

“No idea.”  Aaron strode off. 
“But better to plan for the worst.”

Watching his brother return to the
mansion, Luke wondered, not for the first time, just what Aaron’s security
company did.  Aaron never said much, but some of the people he had working for
him weren’t the average guards.  But Luke’d learned a long time ago not
question his brother, he never received a satisfactory answer in response, and
as his dad always said, ask a man no questions and he wouldn’t tell lies.

So Luke went back to what all his
family did - minding their own business and getting on with their own lives and
interests.  Besides, if Aaron ever felt like talking - big joke - he  knew his brothers
and father were there for him.

Luke was perfectly happy landscaping
and enjoying the simple things in life.  The only blight right now was
wondering if whoever had been in the bushes the previous night was simply a
sticky-beak or, in Aaron’s not-so-comforting words, someone a little more
sinister.  The thought that someone had spied upon them was bad enough, the
thought of what might have happened if Elspeth or Mikki had been there alone
curdled his guts.

At least Ryan was with Elspeth and
Mikki, he’d keep them safe until they were back at the mansion with all three
men to watch out for them.

Yeah, he had to admit it, he
trusted the brooding man to care for the women,  but he’d feel a hell of a lot
better when Elspeth was back with all three of them and Mikki was by his side.

Chapter 10

Pushing the shopping trolley,
Mikki couldn’t help but wonder just why Ryan didn’t go to the pharmacy but the
man had a small basket of his own, wandering behind her and Elspeth, putting a
few odd assortments in it and nothing more, seemingly content to just stroll
along in their wake.

Elspeth seemed not to notice,
consulting her list and filling the trolley.  Dog food, kitten food, extra
meat, vegetables, fruit and bread, it all went in.  Maybe Aaron and Ryan were
staying for the rest of the week, they’d already spent one night in sleeping
bags on the floor of one of the other servants’ rooms.   Elspeth wouldn’t mind,
she loved cooking, but Luke wouldn’t impressed.

Mikki grinned.  The man had a
libido and a half, but he was sweet with it.  And protective.  Now that had
been a surprise.  She’d always known he was, all the Wells men were, but she’d
never suspected to what extent though she shouldn’t have been surprised.  But
what really made him shine in her eyes was the fact that he’d actually volunteered
to go with her and Elspeth, rather than try to stop them.  Now that was love.

What?  No.  No, it was simply give
and take and consideration.  Love?  Sheesh! 
She gave a mental head shake. 
Consideration that she returned by agreeing to go with him to car races, which
bored her socks off.  But it was only fair.

Rounding an aisle, she almost ran
into Wally DeOvert, his lanky body bent over as he studied the tins of coffee. 
Spotting them, he straightened with a dour smile.

“Hello, Wally,” Elspeth greeted
him.

“Mrs Arkwell, Mikki.”  He looked
behind them to Ryan.

Ryan just gave a brief nod and
stood, feet slightly braced apart, shopping basket in one hand, other arm loose
by his side.

“Friend,” Mikki supplied.  “Ryan.”

“Ah yes.”  Wally turned back to
Elspeth.  “So, did you discover anything from the journal?”

“Apart from the fact that it
smells?” she quipped.  “No.”

Satisfaction practically oozed
from his pores.  “Like I said, no secrets.”

“Ah, not quite true.”  Mikki held
up a finger.  “Wilford did have a lover, he wrote it himself.”

Wally’s mouth thinned.  “I’m sure
it was a misprint.”

“Wally, I know it breaks your
heart to think that scandal was attached to the mansion, but it’s not the first
time it’s ever happened, and it won’t tarnish his reputation.  I’m sure a lot of
men of worth had mistresses in those days.”

Nope, that definitely didn’t
appease him.  His nose went a little higher in the air.  “I don’t see any
reason to spread that kind of thing around.”

“Now, now.”  Elspeth patted his
arm.  “Let’s not get upset about these things.  There’s more to think about
right now, so much to do.”

“Of course,” he said regally, for
all the world as though he was already standing at the restored mansion’s door
greeting guests, back ramrod straight, clad in a butler’s uniform.  “And how is
it all progressing?”

Elspeth chatted with him for
several moments while Mikki let her thoughts drift.

“Scandal?” Ryan murmured from
beside her.

Mikki jumped, not having heard him
shift closer.  She glanced up to find him watching Wally and Elspeth.

“Oh yeah.”  She nodded.  “The last
owner of the mansion was having it off with a local wealthy married lady.  He
mentions her in his journal, and I’m going to find out who it was.”  When his
face showed no expression, she added, “In fact, I may have already discovered
the lady’s identity,” just to see if that made an impression.

Nope.  He just quirked one eyebrow
so slightly she wasn’t sure if it had actually happened or was just a figment
of her imagination.

“Just wait until everyone finds
out,” she couldn’t resist continuing.  “Everyone likes a bit of gossip. 
Right?”

Ryan slanted a look at her out of
the corner of his eye.

Wally gave her a disapproving
glance.

She smiled at Wally.

“Not making friends,” Ryan said.

“Aw, you think?”

He just went back to studying
Wally.

Man of few words, was Ryan.  She
was just about to try and tease a few more words out of him when Elspeth bid
Wally goodbye and started walking away to go on with the shopping.  Mikki fell
in behind her while Ryan brought up the rear with his basket of a mere few items.

They were packing the groceries in
the car when she spotted a familiar-looking car drive past.  Now where had she
- she snapped upright.  “Aunty!  The car!”

“What, sweetie?”  Aunt Elspeth
asked distractedly.

Ryan straightened from where he
was handing Elspeth the grocery bags.

Mikki pointed to the corner around
which the car had disappeared.  “I just saw the car that abandoned Duchess!”

“What?  Where?”

“It went around the corner.”

“Probably long gone by now,” Ryan
observed.

She scowled.  “Damn, I wish they’d
pull up here.”

“Did you get the make or model or
anything?” Elspeth queried.

“Just a blue station wagon with a
sticker of some kind in the back window.”  Mikki grimaced.  “Ooohh!  If I ever
find out who it is, I’m going to smack his lights out.”

“You and me both,” Elspeth said. 
“Never mind, Mik, he’ll turn up sooner or later, then we’ll get him.  Or her.”

Ryan looked between the two women
but didn’t comment.

They crossed to the pharmacy where
a bright-eyed assistant gave Ryan a wary glance while serving him.  Mikki could
understand her reaction, but really, if one took a step back and observed him,
he could pass for…who was she kidding?  He still looked dangerous.  There was
just that aura around him.

Now there was a thought - maybe
she could con Aaron into sending Ryan on a scouting mission for the driver of
the car.

Her mood was dimmed by the
reminder of the cruelty of some people, and she was content to just sit in the
back seat and have Elspeth’s bright chatter to Ryan wash over her.  It was,
however, a moment of amusement for her when Ryan, just before they got into the
car to return to the mansion, silently took Elspeth’s keys from her hand, placed
a hand at her elbow and firmly led her around the car to the passenger seat. 
As usual, she didn’t take offence and simply got in, buckled-up the seatbelt
and started chatting happily while Ryan took over the driving.

Luke would get a laugh out of that
when she told him.

Back at the old mansion, Luke and
Aaron came out to help unpack the groceries before they all sat down to lunch,
shutting the kitchen door so that Duchess could scamper around without
escaping, Dog sitting right in the middle of the floor so he could snuffle her
as she bounced up to him before scurrying away again.

“You all right?”  Luke quietly
asked, leaning close.

“I’m fine.”  She smiled as she
watched the kitten bounce around, full of the joys of life.  “We saw the car in
town.”

“The car?”

“The one that stopped and chucked
Duchess out on the side of the road.”  She looked at him.  “It just makes me so
mad.”

“Me, too.”  Luke’s lips tightened
a little.  “Did you find out who it belonged to?”

“I didn’t have enough details,
just that it was a blue station wagon with a sticker in the window.”

“Huh.  Okay.”  Luke glanced at Aaron
while giving her hand a little squeeze.  “I’m sure we’ll find out soon.”

“I hope so.”  She buttered her
bread roll a little savagely.  “I want to make his bells ring.”

“I hear you, Red.  Don’t worry,
he’ll get what’s coming to him.”

“I hope so.”  She added ham and
lettuce to the roll, topped it off with cheese.  “Bastards like that need their
necks wrung.”

He squeezed her hand again.  “So,
what’s your plan for this afternoon?”

Geez, he couldn’t mean fooling
around, could he?  She shot him an incredulous look.

Luke choked out a laugh.  “No,
Red.  Geez, get your mind out of the gutter!”

“Hey, it’s you, I just assumed -” 
Suddenly very aware of everyone at the table listening with unashamed interest,
Mikki stopped, cleared her throat.  “I’m going to cruise the internet, check my
emails, maybe slack off and do a bit of reading.”

“Of the journal? I thought you’d
finished that.”

“I did.  Nothing to be gained from
there.”  She sighed.  “I thought I’d get the names of all those at the graveyards
and see if there’s anything on the ‘net that wasn’t at the museum.”

“What a good idea.”  Elspeth buttered
another bread roll.

“What are you up to?” Aaron
queried.

“I was hoping Luke would have a
few more ideas to share with me.”

“Absolutely,” Luke replied.

“And have you ideas for the
security?” she asked Aaron.

Aaron plucked the kitten off his
jeans, gently placing her down on the floor.  “I do.  I’d be happy to talk to
you about it.”

“I think you, Luke and I should
get together and check out all the ideas,” Elspeth said, switching from happy
chit-chat to business.  “Make sure the security will spread to the grounds,
cover the main areas without interfering with the landscaping.  And what about
the chapel?  That needs security, and I think the graveyards, too, you never
know what weirdos those things attract.”

Luke’s lips trembled.

Mikki kicked him under the table.

“Shit!”

Elspeth glanced inquiringly at
Luke, Aaron gave him a knowing look, and Ryan simply dropped his gaze from the
wall behind Luke to his face.  Mikki kept eating sedately.

“Are you all right, dear?” Elspeth
queried.

“Oh yeah,” he replied.  “Got a
sudden pain in my…leg.”  He cut his eyes to Mikki.

She smiled sweetly at him.  “Poor
baby.  Does that happen often?”

“Just lately?  Yeah.”

She made a small moue of sympathy.

“You should get it seen to,” Elspeth
advised, concerned.

“Don’t worry,” Luke replied.  “I
intend to take care of the problem later.”  He shot Mikki another meaningful
look.

She grinned.

The conversation quickly turned
back to the work planned, and she cleaned up the table and put everything away,
leaving them to discuss business.  Finished, she slipped out the door, amused
to see Dog torn between wanting to follow her and staying with Luke and
Duchess.  The dog had really gotten attached quickly to the kitten.  She saved
him the bother by shutting the door behind her, leaving him in the kitchen with
Luke and Duchess.

The afternoon passed sedately,
Mikki sitting on the veranda while Aaron, Luke and Elspeth got into the
nitty-gritty of a lot of details, ironing out issues and differing opinions,
coming to amicable agreements with some give and take on all sides.

Except security.  In that Aaron got
his own way, but only because he had cameras small enough that he could
discreetly mount them out of sight of guests, and in security he wasn’t budging
an inch.

Luke, however, was able to be more
flexible with the landscaping, and by dinner time there’d been a fair amount of
details sorted.

Sitting on the veranda, sneakers
propped up on the rail as usual, book in her lap, Mikki looked up as Luke
kissed the top of her head and sat down in the chair beside her.

“How’d it go?” she queried.

“Elspeth has a mind like a steel
trap.”  Taking her hand, he placed it on the arm rest of his canvas chair,
tracing his finger tips idly up and down her skin as he studied the yard.  “I
bet she’s hell on wheels in a board meeting.”

“You should see her in a business
suit.”

“Really?  She wears business
suits?”

“You think she goes to business
meetings in floaty dresses?”

“To be truthful, I never thought
of her having a head for business at all.”

“Never underestimate the power of
a woman.”

“Or at least Elspeth.”

She laughed softly.

They sat in companionable silence
for several minutes before Luke leaned over to pluck the book from her, turning
it over to read the back.  “Romance?”  His eyebrows shot upwards in surprise. 
“I figured you’d be reading about vampires or zombies or stuff.”

“I read a lot of different
genres.”  Not in the least perturbed, she lazily rocked her knees lightly
towards each other and back out, repeating the motion over and over as she had
been doing before he’d come out.  “I’m in a romance mood right now.”

He flashed her a grin.

“Not because of you.”

“Sure?”

“Well, maybe a little bit.”  She
put thumb and forefinger together with the tiniest gap between them.

“Aw, I make you feel all
romantic.”  He flipped the book open.  “Let me see if I can find out something
to impress you with.”

“You impress me a lot already.”

His grin was wolfish.

“Don’t get too big-headed,
Lukey-boy.”

Suddenly he placed the book down
on his lap, turning to regard her seriously.

“I meant that nicely,” she said.

“No.  I’ve got to tell you
something, and you’re not going to like it.”

A little unnerved by the sudden
change of mood, she stopped rocking her legs.

Luke gave her hand a reassuring
squeeze.  “Red, we don’t want you or Elspeth to go to the graveyard or chapel
alone.”

He had the air of a man waiting
for her to leap down his throat.  Well, he was in for a surprise because she
was ready to listen if he had a good reason.  “Why?”

“Remember the sound of that branch
breaking last night?

She nodded.

“Aaron had a look around the
graveyards, a branch was broken and nearby he found footprints.”

“Footprints,” she echoed.

“Fresh footprints, they had to be
made sometime last night.  There were also signs of someone kneeling down and
riding away on a pushbike.”

Mulling over this slightly disturbing
information, Mikki frowned.  “Someone was watching us?”