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A shudder runs through me and we’re quiet for the rest of the trip. My anxiety is high as we pull through the gates of the St. James estate. The property is so vast that I can’t see the Bishop house from here. Zeke parks the SUV and the front door opens before Zeke has even killed the engine. Jericho steps out, leaning against the door frame. He folds his arms across his chest and watches us. Well, he watches me.
I don’t exactly feel welcome, but I can’t blame him really. I’ve brought trouble to his doorstep.
“Blue,” Jericho says in greeting before stepping aside and gesturing for me to enter.
A ruckus of noise greets us as soon as we’re in and the door is closed behind us.
“Daddy, we’re having an ice cream party!” a little girl calls out as she comes barreling into the hallway. She’s incredibly cute with a mass of wild dark curls. She must be eight or nine. She’s wearing a yellow bathing suit and is dripping water everywhere. When she sees me, she stops, then looks over at Zeke and her face breaks out into a huge smile as she hurls herself at him. “Uncle Zeke!”
I watch as he crouches down to catch her, lifting her casually, like he’s done this a hundred times before. His smile is as wide as hers and I can’t look away from him, from how he looks at her with genuine affection.
“Ice cream party, huh?”
“You want some? We have strawberry and chocolate pops.”
“Maybe.” The little girl turns to me, and I notice how her eyes match her father’s exactly. She clears her throat like a little adult.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” she asks her uncle and I have to hide my smile behind my hand.
“Of course, pardon me. This is Blue. Blue, this is Angelique, Jericho’s oldest child.”
“And his favorite,” the little girl says in a loud whisper as Zeke puts her down and she reaches out to shake my hand. “She’s pretty. Is she your girlfriend?” she asks Zeke, eyes on me.
Zeke looks at me and I look at Zeke and it’s Isabelle to save the day when she comes into the hall with a baby in her arms and two younger boys trailing her.
“You shouldn’t be carrying much with that arm,” Jericho says and takes the baby from her.
“It’s fine, I can do everything. Besides, I was going to have a revolt. We need ice cream. Hi Blue, it’s really good to see you.” She comes to squeeze my hand. It’s the first time we’re seeing each other since that night. “You good?”
“I’m fine. Nice cast.”
“I picked the color,” Angelique says.
“Blue was just saying she’d love ice cream. She’ll join your party, if that’s all right,” Jericho says. “Zeke and I have a meeting.”
“Of course she can have ice cream with us but why do you always have meetings, daddy?” Angelique asks. “Even Uncle Dex is taking a break to have ice cream.”
Isabelle sighs and looks between the two men. “Come on and help me, will you honey?” she asks, the little girl. “Blue, will you take Adan?”
“Oh. Sure.” I’ve never actually held a baby before, I realize. This one is wet and wriggly, a little unwieldy with the inflated flotation devices on his chubby arms, but he’s sweet, making all sorts of noises and reaching for the shiny lock on my collar. I make a mental note to ask Zeke to take it off.
Zeke tells Jericho he’ll be right in and Jericho walks toward the study. Isabelle and the kids disappear into the kitchen.
“Go to the pool and relax a little. I’ll be back soon.”
I nod because there’s nothing else to do although I won’t be relaxing. I want to tell him that I’m sorry for all the trouble. That I never intended to lay it at his doorstep. Yet here we are.
“Please be careful, okay?” I ask him because if something happens to him, to either of them, I won’t forgive myself.
He pulls me in, the baby making cooing sounds between us as he kisses my forehead, then he disappears into the study after his brother.
16
EZEKIEL
The gates stand open at the Augustus estate, which is about a half-hour drive out of town. I don’t miss the fact that they close once Jericho drives in. My brother and I exchange a glance.
In the distance, beyond the house, I glimpse the building which must house Girard.
