TOTAL ECLIPSE: The Evolution (Sin City Heat Series Book 7) (43 page)

Darrell watched Jerra go with a thoughtful frown. She’d been jumpy ever since they’d gotten back from the burial. He supposed it could be nerves, but something told him it was more than that. He made a mental note to find a quiet spot as soon as she got back so that he could find out what was bothering her.

His mind still on his wife, it took a moment for him to realize Isaac was headed his way with the obvious intention of speaking to him. Darrell tensed. He had deliberately avoided him since the encounter they’d had before the service, but had felt the man’s gaze on him for most of the evening. As far as Darrell was concerned, extending an invitation to Isaac to attend Tina’s funeral, then come back to his home was enough. That was as far as he was willing to go for now, but apparently it wasn’t enough for Isaac.

Once he reached Darrell’s side, Darrell shook his head, stopping him before he could say a word. With Carl’s mother still standing next to him, as well as the others in the group, Darrell struggled to keep his voice as evenly keeled as he possibly could.

“Whatever it is you want to say, now’s not the time,” he told Isaac. The look he gave him was quick, but hard and intense.

“It won’t take but a moment. Joseph and I will be leaving to go back to our hotel soon, but there’s something I’d like to discuss with you first.”

Lucas watched them quietly, as did everyone else, but made no move to intervene. However this played out, it was between the two of them.

Darrell shook his head again. “And you’d like to do that here? Right now?”

“Yes. I would. Is there somewhere we can speak in private?”

Darrell heard the determination in Isaac’s voice. For a moment, he didn’t move. His first instinct was to tell Isaac to go straight to hell, but then he saw Gabrielle staring at him with an anxious expression. The last thing he wanted to do was give her something else to worry about. Sending her a reassuring smile, he excused himself and shot Isaac a burning hot glare as he brushed past him and led them from the room.

A couple of minutes later, they were standing in the middle of Darrell’s office. “You got five minutes.”

Isaac’s chin lifted a notch as he stared at his son. “How are you holding up?”

“Well, let’s see, my mother was murdered, and up until a couple of hours ago, I was the prime suspect. Not only that, but my sister’s life has just been turned upside down and will never be the same. Other than that, I’m great,” Darrell snapped, his voice full of sarcasm.

“Son, believe it or not, I’m not trying to complicate things for you. I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry about your mother.”

“Bullshit.”

His patience rapidly disappearing, a ferocious scowl crossed Isaac’s face. “Would it hurt you to at least try to meet me halfway?”

“For what purpose?”

“Because you’re my son. We’re family.”

“Blood don’t make a person family. I learned that a long time ago.”

Lips pinched in frustration, Isaac did his best to stifle his frustration. “I understand that. And I’m sorry for everything you went through growing up. You never should have had to experience that type of life. I take full responsibility for not putting forth the effort to find Tina and bring you home where you belonged. I can’t change the past, but if you’re willing, I’d like a chance to be a part of your life now. A part of my grandchildren’s lives.”

Darrell immediately shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“That’s it? You won’t even consider it?”

Darrell’s lips parted to bring the conversation to an end, but for some reason he hesitated. Head cocked to the side, he studied Isaac through thinly slit eyes. “Maybe. Depends.”

Isaac’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “On what?”

“Earlier today, when you first got here, I asked you a question. You remember that?”

Isaac’s expression grew wary when he realized where Darrell was headed, but was silent as he let him finish.

“I told you and Joseph both, since you continue to insist that we’re all ‘family’, I’d like a show of goodwill. I want you to tell me what Tina knew.”

“Darrell, look–”

Darrell shook his head. “If you’re not gonna tell me what I want to know then we have nothing else to discuss.” His gaze met Isaac’s head on. “Let me tell you something, if you want there to be even the slightest chance that I’ll
think
about allowing you into my life one day, you’ll tell me what I want to know, because once I walk out that door, the deal’s off the table.” 

The silence stretched out between them, but Darrell made no move to break it. Isaac sighed. Standing tall and upright with his chin lifted, chest thrust out, and legs planted apart, he held his son’s gaze. “I never thought you would be one to play games.”

“You think that’s what I’m doin’?” Darrell frowned. “Goes to show you don’t have the slightest idea of the kind of man I am. I don’t play games, especially if it could involve my wife and my son. Quite honestly, you ain’t gotta say a damn thing. It’s up to you. But I mean what I say. Once I walk out that door, don’t contact me again.”

Isaac pursed his lips as if weighing his options before coming to a decision. Unbuttoning his suit coat, he sat down in one of the armchairs and crossed his legs. “Very well played,” he said quietly. His eyes held an odd hint of pride at Darrel’s strategic move. “What was it you called it earlier, an act of faith? Fine. I can do that. Let me begin by saying at one time, I cared for your mother very much. I…allowed her to get closer to me than most. I admit I let my guard down, and that’s something I never do with anyone other than my family. As a result, she was privy to the more delicate parts of my business. She knew about one deal in particular that Joey and I were involved in which had the potential to make us a couple million in a short amount of time. Back then, that was a lot of money, but the risk was very great. Long story short, I found out someone working for me was an undercover agent planted in my operation to gather evidence against me. When I discovered this, we methodically extracted whatever information he’d passed on to the feds. He was, of course, taken care of. Tina knew about everything. To this day, the authorities have never found the agent’s body. After Tina left New York, she contacted me, used what she knew as insurance to guarantee her safety.”

Darrell waited, but when Isaac shrugged his shoulders in an unconcerned manner, he asked, “That’s it? You’re sayin’ Tina held that over your head for all these years? That’s what she wanted to tell me?”

“I can’t be sure, but that would be my guess. She’s always been a scheming, vindictive woman. I’m sure she hadn’t changed. My guess is that she became upset when she found out I’d told you the truth about her past. She felt I’d exposed her, that I was the reason you cut her out of your life. She was determined to make sure the same happened to me.”

Darrell thought about it then shook his head. “That doesn’t make any sense. If she wanted to hurt you, she could’ve just gone to the authorities with what she knew.”

Isaac’s cool smile held little amusement. “She did, or at least she tried. Let’s just say I have friends in very high places who are paid very handsomely to protect me and my interests. When she saw that wasn’t going to work, I guess she decided to go to you. If she couldn’t take my freedom then she at least wanted to make sure I never had a chance to get to know you.”

“And you’re sayin’ that didn’t bother you?” Darrell asked, his voice full of skepticism. “Her possibly tellin’ me everything and exposing you.”

“For a brief moment, it did. Then I thought about something.” Standing, Isaac walked towards Darrell. Stopping in front of him, he placed a hand on his shoulder and looked him directly in the eye. “I don’t know you very well, but I’d venture to say you are your own man and not easily influenced. I took a gamble that whatever Tina told you about me wouldn’t necessarily come as a huge shock, and I think I was right. As far as a future relationship between us, at the end of the day, if you decide it’s best to permanently cut all ties with me, that’s not something I could ever hold against you. You have to do what you think is best for yourself, your wife, and your son. Family above all else.” Isaac was quiet for a moment then patted Darrell’s shoulder before removing his hand. “Take care, Darrell.”

Darrell remained silent as he watched Isaac leave. Part of him was confused, the other part distrustful. He didn’t know how to take the man, and right now he couldn’t afford to let it bother him. Isaac Pattel was not his priority.

Besides, he’d already been burned when it came to one parent. He wasn’t in a rush to let it happen again.

Jerra, Aleesha, and Keisha sat outside by the pool underneath the covered entertainment area talking quietly for a few minutes. Jerra was glad they’d pulled her away because she’d needed a moment to get her thoughts together.

“Honey, are you sure you’re okay?” Aleesha asked her. “You haven’t stopped going since we got back.”

“You do look tired, J.” Keisha added. “I know it’s hard, but try to take it easy. You don’t want to overdo it, especially in your condition.”

“I won’t,” Jerra said, kicking her shoes off, but even as she uttered those words, she felt the weight of her fatigue almost overwhelming her. Neither she nor Darrell had gotten much rest since they’d received the news about Tina.

“This baby is just what your family needs right now,” Keisha said softly, placing her hand over Jerra’s. “I guess it’s true what they say, a life is created every time someone leaves this world. But…” Keisha sat up straight and leaned closer. “Enough of that for now. We brought you out here for a slightly more pressing matter.”

Aleesha scowled in disbelief. “Very tactful, Keish.”

Ignoring her, Keisha continued. “Have you had a chance to tell Darrell that–”

“No,” Jerra cut in. She already knew what Keisha was getting ready to ask. “Not yet. Every time I try to, he’s either in the middle of a conversation or I get stopped before I can get to him.”

“Well we’re getting ready to fix that problem now. You stay here while we go and get him. You need to let him know so that he won’t be blindsided. Unless…” Keisha peered at her closer. “Unless that’s what you want to happen.”

“Keisha, no! Of course it’s not,” Jerra exclaimed. “I wouldn’t do that. I trust him,” she said softly. “The opportunity to talk to him just hasn’t presented itself. I got the phone call while Darrell was going at it with his father, then the detectives came. In between making sure D.J. and Giselle were okay, and keeping an eye on Gabby...”

“We know, sweetie.” Aleesha squeezed Jerra’s other hand before standing. “But as Keisha said, we’re going to steal Darrell away and bring him out here to you.”

Keisha stood up as well. “Yes, we’ll be like football players trying to get the football across the net for a touchdown. It’ll be like…” Keisha lifted her arms up in the air and flipped her hands as if shooting a basketball into a basketball net.
“Swoosh!”

Jerra and Aleesha looked at her in confusion.

“You know,” Aleesha said slowly. “For a woman whose husband loves football as much as yours does, how do you know absolutely nothing about the game?”

“I don’t have to, Leesh, duh! I can’t stand sports.” Keisha rolled her eyes. “Dominick usually watches with the fellas, but when he happens to be home and the game is on, all I have to do is put on my cute little jersey, sit beside him, and cheer when he cheers, and curse the players out when he does. Simple.”

As tired as she was, Jerra couldn’t help but laugh. “I love you two so much.”

Keisha grinned. “We love you too, mama. Now. Sit tight and we’ll be right back with–”

The doorbell rang before she could finish. Jerra looked at her girls. Their eyes were as big as she was sure hers were.

“Oh no!” Aleesha said. “You don’t think that’s them, do you?”

“Oh God, I hope not!” Keisha screeched, flapping her hands and jumping from one foot to the other. “Hurry
up
, Jerra!”

“I’m trying, dammit!” Jerra scrambled to slip her feet into her shoes. Once she’d done so she took off for the house with Keisha and Aleesha right behind her. Entering the living room, they fast walked a path through the crowd as inconspicuously as possible in their rush to get to the front door.

When Keisha and Aleesha passed their husbands, both women tried to ignore the suspicious looks on their faces. Marcus and Dominick exchanged identical expressions of uneasiness. Something was up. Wordlessly, they followed behind the women.

Lengthening his stride, Dominick called out to Keisha. “Hey, Kee.” When she sped up instead of stopping, Dominick’s voice turned a bit more forceful.
“Keisha!”

Keisha came to a halt and slowly turned around with a look of complete innocence fixed on her face. “Hm? Yes, baby?”

Dominick shook his head. “Ah, no. Don’t even try it. What’s going on? And don’t tell me nothing because I know better.” He looked beyond her and watched as Marcus caught up with Aleesha and grabbed her hand.

“I…uh…well…”

Dominick grimaced. Placing a hand at the middle of Keisha’s back, he urged her forward into the foyer beside Marcus and Aleesha. Jerra hurried to Darrell’s side just as he got to the door.

Glancing over his shoulder at the five of them standing there, Darrell frowned. His eyes landed on Jerra while reaching for the doorknob. “Okay. What?”

“Can you w-wait a minute?”

Darrell flickered a gaze over their friends again then tilted his head back to his wife, his grey eyes tired and reflecting his exhaustion. “Jerra, what’s goin’ on?”

“I-I’ve been trying to tell you something since we got back.”

“I know, but baby, it’s been a little–” Darrell blew an impatient breath when the doorbell rang again. Turning the knob, the polite mask he wore relaxed into a welcoming smile when he saw Bryan standing on the other side of the door. “Hey, Bry. I was wondering where you were.”

Bryan stepped into the house and gave Darrell a brief hug and patted him on the back. “Sorry, buddy. I hate that our plane landed too late to attend the funeral service.”

“No problem.”

Darrell turned to embrace Bryan’s wife, Sylvia, but a movement behind her captured his attention before he could. When he saw who was standing there his eyes widened with disbelief. Darrell prided himself on being able to hide his emotions and never let anyone see what he didn’t want them to, but there was no way he could do that this time because the person in front of him was the last person he’d ever expected to see. She, at one time, had been his reason for living, for breathing. His everything. However, now, she was just…

“Roni?”