TOTAL ECLIPSE: The Evolution (Sin City Heat Series Book 7) (16 page)

Darrell held Lorenzo’s gaze and then nodded with satisfaction. Yeah. Maybe the guy wasn’t so bad after all. “Most definitely.” 

CHAPTER 16

Less than ten hours later, Darrell and Lorenzo were pulling up in front of the Pattel estate. The flight from Vegas to New York had gone smoothly and without incident…for the most part at least. The conversation between Darrell and Jerra had been far from pleasant.

Darrell had waited until he was in the air before calling her and telling her where he was going. Needless to say, she’d been speechless at first, but that state of shock hadn’t lasted very long.

“You’re on your way there with
Lorenzo
on his
plane
?”

“Yeah. We should be landing in a couple of hours.”

“I don’t understand. You didn’t say anything about going to New York when you left last night.”

“It’s not something I planned. I was just riding around thinkin’ about everything. Just somethin’ I feel like I need to do. Renzo extended an offer to go to New York with him when we were at Angel’s, I decided to take him up on it. Simple as that.”

“There’s nothing simple about this, Darrell. This is what I’m talking about. Don’t you think you should’ve at least mentioned it to me
before
you were half way to New York?”

Frustration ate away at Darrell at the mixed signals he kept getting. Glancing at Lorenzo who was on his laptop, Darrell stood up and walked towards the back of the plane. Lowering his voice, he said brusquely, “Exactly what is it that you want, Jerra? Are you ready to try and work things out or aren’t you? You need to make a decision.”

“Please. Me being indecisive about working things out or not didn’t stop you from coming over here and fucking my brains out in the shower last night, did it? And what about D.J.? He’ll be home later today. We were supposed to sit down and talk to him.”

“I’m not staying long. We can do that when I get back.”

“I’m glad your son is so high up on your list of priorities.”

Complete silence followed Jerra’s dig. Jerra sighed, regretting the words the moment they slipped past her lips. “I’m sorry,” she said in a quieter tone. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

It was still several moments before Darrell trusted himself to respond. When he did, his voice was chilly but alarmingly calm. “No matter what happens between you and me, my son has always been and will always be my top priority. You understand me?”

Jerra’s tone was notably subdued. “When do you expect to be back?”

“I asked you a question. Do you understand what I just said?”

This time, her voice was just as cold as his. “Yes. Perfectly.”

Darrell took in a deep breath through his nose and slowly blew it out. “I plan to be back in a couple of days. Give D.J. a kiss for me and tell him I’ll call him tonight.”

“Fine. I’ll talk to you then.”

Before Darrell could say anything else, Jerra hung up. He stood in place and rubbed the back of his neck for a few moments as he went over their conversation. No matter which way he turned, it seemed like he couldn’t catch a break. The main reason he was doing this was for his family. Hopefully, meeting with Isaac would give him answers and put a lot of questions to rest. Maybe once he was able to let go of the hate and resentment he’d harbored his entire life, it would make him a better man and in turn, a better husband and father.

Climbing out of Lorenzo’s Aston Martin now, he stared at the sprawling mansion in front of him and hoped he was able to get the answers he sought.

“Just as I suspected, the gang’s all here,” Lorenzo drawled, rounding the car to stand beside Darrell.

Darrell followed his gaze to the array of expensive cars parked in the circular driveway. There was a Lamborghini, a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible, a Porsche 918 Spyder, and a Jaguar XJ. He mentally calculated the total worth of the vehicles in front of him and knew he was looking at almost two million dollars worth of cars.

“Does everybody still live here?”

Lorenzo shook his head. “No. Although we might crash here once in a while, King, Hawk, and myself have apartments in the city. Lucas has a house not very far from here.”

“So I guess I’m gonna get a welcome committee after all, huh?” He flexed his shoulders and stretched his neck. “Might as well get it over with.”

He followed behind Lorenzo, but instead of going through the front door, they took a flagstone path that led them around to a side entrance.

“You grew up here?” Darrell asked. There was little emotion in his voice as he glanced at the meticulously kept grounds of the Pattel estate. 

Lorenzo glanced over his shoulder at Darrell while opening the door he and his cousin’s usually came through to get in the house. “Yeah. We all did.”

Once they got inside, Darrell looked around and took note of the expensive paintings, statues, and furnishings. “Could get lost in a place this damn big,” he commented as they walked down a long hall-like corridor and took a right.

“Yeah, as kids, we were always into something, creating our own adventures, whether it was turning the attic into a ‘spaceship’ or fighting fierce ‘sea creatures’ in the pool.” Lorenzo laughed softly as he thought about his childhood. “I tell ya’ we got our asses beat many a day for some of the crap we pulled. It’s amazing we all managed to reach adolescence with no major injuries.”

As if suddenly realizing how insensitive that all sounded, he looked at Darrell. There he was, casually recounting memories that sounded more like those of an over-privileged brat, while Darrell’s life had been just the opposite.

“Hey, I’m sorry, man. That was an idiotic thing to go on and on about, considering.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout it, it is what it is. Can’t nothin’ change it. The way I grew up helped shape me into the man I am today. Can’t knock that.”

“Yeah, but–”

“But we wouldn’t trade those times for anything in the world, would we, Cousin? Family above all else, right?”” A voice coming up behind them prompted Darrell and Lorenzo to both turn around.

Once they did, they saw Hawkins Pattel sauntering towards them with a confident, unhurried gait. Although he directed the comment towards Lorenzo, his guarded eyes had a secure lock on Darrell.

Well over six feet, Hawk possessed a natural grace and fluidity, his movements flowing smoothly like running water. Power and strength was evident in every inch of his lean, muscular frame. The intense, predatory gleam in his eyes along with a firm, square jaw, were the perfect foil for the thick slash of lashes, and high cheekbones. Hawk was a handsome man, extremely charismatic and personable when he chose to be. His father and uncle had both thrown up the possibility of him running for office one day, but it wasn’t something Hawk was interested in. At least not yet.

Once he reached them, he gave Lorenzo a wide grin as they exchanged a brief hug of affection. With his arm still thrown around his cousin’s shoulder, Lorenzo turned back to Darrell and made the introductions.

“Darrell, I’d like you to meet your cousin, Hawkins Pattel. Everybody calls him Hawk. Hawk, this is my brother. Darrell Monroe.”

For several tense moments, Darrell and Hawk maintained direct eye contact. Neither of them made an effort to move or speak. Finally, when the grip Lorenzo still had on Hawk’s shoulder tightened in a subtle squeeze, Hawk reluctantly extended his hand.

“You’ve caused quite a bit of a stir around here,” Hawk said in way of a greeting. He studied Darrell and Lorenzo with interest before saying, “You two are definitely brothers, I will say that. Wonder how many other long lost Pattels Uncle Isaac has roaming around out there that we don’t know about.”

Darrell stared down at the hand Hawk offered him before he just as reluctantly accepted the brief handshake. “I wouldn’t know about any other Pattels. I’m a Monroe.”

Hawk’s eyes swept over Darrell with a soft snort, but he didn’t issue a comeback. Instead, he turned back to Lorenzo, his face relaxing into a mischievous grin.

“By the way, Lo, how was the Caribbean? Hope you accomplished a little work while enjoying the multitude of pleasures Aruba had to offer. One delectable pleasure in particular, I’m sure.”

Lorenzo’s mouth tightened in a disapproving grimace. He shot a quick glance Darrell’s way, noticing that he was watching them with mild interest. Scowling at Hawk in warning, Lorenzo caught him off guard and gave the side of his head a hard mush. It was a habit that lingered from childhood. The shove pushed Hawk back a few steps, earning Lorenzo a scowl of his own as Hawk smoothed his hand down over his low cut fade.

“Lo, you gonna make me beat ya’ ass, man. Don’t do that shit.”

“The day I let you beat my ass is the day I cut my balls off and carry them around in my pocket,” Lorenzo fired back before switching his attention back to Darrell. “Ready to walk into the lion’s den?”

“‘Course,” Darrell answered confidently, unbothered.

Lorenzo studied him intently for a moment before a slow smile crawled across his lips. A lesser man would’ve been intimidated, but Lorenzo had no doubt Darrell could hold his own against his family. That said a lot.

“Alright, let’s do this, then.”

Cutting his eyes at Hawk one last time, Lorenzo led them to the monstrous great room, which is where they’d been on the way to before Hawk stopped them. It was more or less the meeting area where everyone gathered when they were home. Sort of the unofficial crossroads of the mansion, it was a virtual showplace that never failed to impress.

Exquisite Swarovski chandeliers hung from high, cathedral ceilings, the crystal pendant lights sparkling brilliantly against the morning sun. The room was decorated in elegantly masculine tones of crème, tan, and brown. Bay windows allowed views of the meticulously kept gardens and grounds, as well as the Olympic sized swimming pool in the backyard with crystal blue water. A large flat screen television over the fireplace was hidden behind a specially built panel that merged seamlessly with the wall when not in use. The furnishings were expensive, but chosen to ensure comfort.

For Darrell, however, the décor of the room faded into the background; he barely noticed any of it. His eyes immediately locked onto the four, impressive looking men watching his approach with expressions as guarded as Hawk’s. The two younger ones, who Darrell automatically concluded were Lucas and King, stood by a table that had been set up buffet style, offering a variety of foods for breakfast and brunch. The conversation they’d been engaged in ceased the moment Darrell, Lorenzo, and Hawk entered the room.

Two older men sat in chairs in front of the unlit fireplace. They too, had been speaking in low undertones but were now quietly waiting as the trio came their way. Darrell’s attention lingered on only one of them, though: the man he instinctively knew was his father.

Isaac Pattel.  

CHAPTER 17

As Darrell studied Isaac Pattel, he thought about some of the things he’d discovered about him online. From what Darrell gathered, there was a hype around the man that made him seem invincible. Most crime bosses tried to stay out of the public eye, away from any type of publicity that might shine a spotlight on their unsavory dealings, but Isaac Pattel was just the opposite. It didn’t seem as if he intentionally invited the attention he received, but he sure as hell didn’t shy away from it either.

The authorities had long since made it their mission to bring the Pattel family down, but had been unable to make anything stick. It irked the hell out of them that Isaac continued to flaunt his wealth and power the same way he wore his $2,500.00 suits: with ease and confidence.

A myriad of emotions assaulted Darrell as he stared at his father. Some of those emotions he’d expected, curiosity, anger, disdain. However, he hadn’t expected to feel resentment and something else bordering on hatred.  Emotions were subjective and based on individual perception. Resentment and hatred meant a part of him was bothered by the fact that the man in front of him had known he had a son out in the world somewhere, but hadn’t cared enough to even find him.

Glancing around, Darrell noticed that everyone’s attention was on him, but he felt the intensity of Isaac Pattel’s gaze more than anyone else’s. Darrell kept his expression intentionally blank but wasn’t aware that his uninjured hand was clenched into a fist until he saw Isaac staring at it. Inhaling deeply, Darrell forced himself to relax. He wouldn’t be here long, and after today, would never have to lay eyes on this man again.

Lorenzo had been watching the silent exchange between his father and Darrell. Stepping forward, the greeting he gave his father was cool and stiff.

Isaac stood, trying to catch his eldest son’s eye, but after Lorenzo greeted his uncle and nodded to Lucas and King who came over to join them, he then turned to Darrell and made the introductions.

“Pop, I’d like you to meet…well, your son. Darrell Monroe.”

Lorenzo’s sarcasm wasn’t lost on anyone in the room…especially Isaac. His eyes narrowed in disapproval. When Lorenzo returned the stare in kind, Isaac’s lips tightened in annoyance before giving Darrell his full attention.

Isaac’s chin lifted as he regarded Darrell stoically. Long seconds later, an expression of subtle pride covered his face. It was obvious he approved of what he saw. “So finally we meet. Hello, Darrell.”

Darrell’s eyes drifted over him with an air of cool indifference. “Wassup.”

Isaac stiffened at Darrell’s greeting. Hawk, who was standing beside his father, frowned. He glanced at Lucas and King then back at Darrell.

“Wassup?” Hawk repeated. “How about showing some respect when you talk to my uncle?”

“Hawk.” Joseph Pattel called his youngest son’s name in admonishment, but Hawk remained focused on Darrell.

Darrell’s anger surfaced just as rapidly as Hawk’s.  His temper had been simmering for a while now; Hawk’s attitude was the catalyst that fanned the flame.

“Respect?” Darrell spat sneeringly. “I don’t know how ya’ll do things here, but where I come from, respect is
earned
not
given
.”

“It don’t work like that in
this
family, so I suggest you rethink your position.”

Darrell’s eyebrows shot up quickly. “Or what?” he asked mockingly.

Lorenzo saw the inevitable explosion readying itself to ignite. Although he’d made up his mind to let Darrell handle this situation himself and not interfere, he didn’t want everything to go to shit before they even had a chance to get around to the reason for his visit.

He made a move to step between Darrell and Hawk, but Darrell shook his head to stop him. “Let your cousin speak his piece, Renzo,” Darrell muttered, his eyes never leaving Hawk. But just as quickly, he seemed to change his mind. Shaking his head, he took a couple of steps forward and stopped directly in front of Hawk. “On second thought, save it. I ain’t in the mood to hear it.”

Hawk arched his brow. “And that matters because…”

The Philly in Darrell jumped out before he knew it. Even if he wanted to, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to reel it back in.

“I ain’t a part of this family, man, and I ain’t lookin’ to be. You would not believe the magnitude of the fucks I do
not
give ‘bout respectin’ a man who never gave a rat’s ass about me a day in my life. I bows down to
no
fuckin’ body. You understand me? Miss me wit’ the bullshit.”

Another step put him so close to Hawk’s face that when he exhaled, Hawk inhaled the same breath. There was no mistaking the tumultuous storm brewing in the depths of his grey eyes as they locked onto Hawk.

“I’m only gon’ tell you this once. Mind ya’ business, youngin’, because you messin’ wit the
wrong
mu’fucka today.”

“Is that right? This ain’t Vegas,
Cousi
n.” Hawk taunted Darrell like a cat toying with a mouse. “You rollin’ with the big dawgs now.”

“Hawkins, that’s enough.” Isaac didn’t raise his voice, but he didn’t have to. The authority in his tone brooked no argument.

Hawk’s jaw twitched. He didn’t move for several long tense moments. Finally, he took several slow steps back, but still eyed Darrell with a ferocious stare. Hawk sent an amused look towards Lorenzo that did little to camouflage his growing anger.

“Thought you woulda schooled ya’ brother before you brought him home, Lo. He ‘bout to go ghost up in this bitch. Make his ass disappear faster than a New York minute.”

Darrell lunged towards Hawk before he had time to blink. Lorenzo had been waiting for it, and grabbed Darrell seconds before he snatched Hawk up. Hawk rushed forward to get a piece of Darrell, but King jumped in front of him to hold him back.

Kingston Marks knew his stepbrother well. As soon as Hawk and Darrell started going at it, he and Lucas had exchanged looks, silently asking who was going to be the one to step in. King had grimaced in resignation when Lucas shook his head and gestured for King to have at it. He’d quietly gotten within arm’s distance of Hawk for this very reason.

Darrell struggled to get around Lorenzo to Hawk. “You threatenin’ me, boy? Huh?”

It took everything Lorenzo had to hold onto Darrell. “D., calm the hell down!”

“Get outta my way,” Darrell growled. “I’mma show this lil’ shit not to fuck wit me.”

Isaac’s cool gaze observed the scene playing out in front of him for several moments before his eyes crawled towards Lucas, who still stood by the buffet table watching with his arms folded. The silent message that passed between uncle and nephew was unmistakable.

Lucas exhaled before coming over to stand between Hawk and Darrell. “Alright, that’s enough!” When Hawk continued his efforts to get to Darrell, Lucas moved King aside and grabbed Hawk’s shoulders in an ironclad grip. Holding him still, he waited until his little brother came out of his anger zone and focused on him.

“Did you not hear what I said?” Lucas’ lips barely moved as he pushed the words out through tightly clenched teeth.
“Enough.”

Hawk looked as if he wanted to argue, but finally grunted in anger and roughly pushed himself away from Lucas. Pacing with restless energy, he glared at Darrell and muttered quietly, “Another time, Monroe.”

“Got dammit, Hawk,” Lucas snapped.

Darrell’s lip curled up in disdain. “This ain’t Dominick. I kick ass first and ask questions later.”

“Darrell, bring it down a notch,” Lucas said, his tone as uncompromising as the glint in his eye. “We’re not the enemy.”

Darrell nodded in Hawk’s direction. “You coulda fooled tha’ fuck outta me. I didn’t come here to get into no beef, but I won’t run from it either.” Still glaring at Lucas, he pointed at Hawk. “Your brother don’t know me. He better make this the last time he jumps in my face like that.”

“Or what?” Hawk stopped his restless pacing and spread his arms out along side him.

Lorenzo had had enough as well. “Or I finish it for the both of you, that’s what!” He divided his attention between the two of them. “Hawk, cut the crap. Like Lucas said, it ends now. You too, D. I already told you what to expect. You need to control your temper instead of letting it control you.”

Chest heaving, Darrell rubbed his injured hand which now throbbed incessantly and hurt like a son of a bitch. Ignoring the pain as best he could, he turned to Isaac. “I came here for one reason and one reason only. You said you wanted to tell me about Tina in person, said you had proof that she wasn’t being truthful.”

“That’s right. But we have time to get into all of that later. Why don’t we–”

Darrell cut him off before he could finish. “We do it now. Later I plan on being on a flight back to Vegas.”

Lucas frowned. “I thought you were staying a couple of days.”

“This isn’t a social call. I didn’t come here to establish close family bonds, or turn this into a long awaited father/son reunion.” The statements were issued with straightforward candor and with no invitation for discussion. Darrell’s eyes landed back on Isaac. “Either you show me the information you claim you have about my mother…or this visit is over.”