Episode 5 ^2/4: Wait till you meet him, you’ll repeat yourself.

“We just dropped our stuff off at the hotel,” Geo was on the phone. “You at the track?”

Jaz and Ty glanced over.

“Text me the address. I’ll come by as soon as I can. Thanks Emmett, see you soon.”

“Am I going to get to finally meet Emmett?”

“Emmett and his boyfriend, Vince. They’re at the racetrack. You coming, Ty?”

But Ty declined, “Peyton’s set up a meeting with Nicky. I’m going there.”

The offer was easy to make, “want us to come?”

“There’s time. Just come by when you’re done at the track.”

“Then what are you doing till you meet her? You can’t be alone,” Jaz clearly didn’t trust him not to do something stupid.

Ty grinned at that, “I’m going to call my boyfriend.”

“You haven’t even been apart for three hours,” he let his annoyance show.

“He’s alone with that friend of his,” Ty was instantly sulking.

“Peyton is not a threat,” he pointed out.

“But Sam likes it when I’m insecure. And I want him to reassure me a lot when I get back. Are we sure there isn’t a return flight tonight?”

Jaz laughed, “Pey looked. There isn’t.”

“You’re calling him Pey now too?” He didn’t like that at all.

“It’s catchy,” she shrugged with an upbeat tone.

He let Ty know, “we won’t be long at the track. We’ll meet you at the restaurant.”

Ty waved a parting. He claimed his bed and had his cell out. He and Jaz left the room. They made their way down to the lobby.

As they walked to the front doors, Jaz was asking, “do you think this woman will know something?”

“She agreed to meet, so hopefully.”

“Do you think we should have told Sam?” It was clear that Jaz was having second thoughts.

As they stepped outside, he took up her hand to reassure, “definitely not. If Sam hasn’t told his friend anything in the years they’ve known each other, he isn’t going to tell us.”

“I guess,” she was hesitant.

“We’ve already come all the way here,” he reminded her as he hailed a cab. “Ty isn’t going to go back now without talking to her.”

“That’s true,” she nodded.

The cab pulled up and he opened the door for her, “and what kind of friends would we be if we let Ty come alone.”

She scootched over so that he wouldn’t have to go around.

She was buckling up when he said, “besides, you’re Sam’s favourite. He won’t be mad at you for a moment.”

“I am!”

He gave the driver the address. Sitting back, he looked sourly at her, “he gives you a free pass for everything.”

“Tell me that’s different from you,” she teased. And she was right, so he grinned without remorse. She beseeched, “tell me about Emmett and Vince.”

“I met Emmett when mom went through her first rounds of treatment. His sister was going through the same thing.”

Jaz looked sad. She didn’t hesitate to hold his hand.

“Court wasn’t in a good place and didn’t make the best impression. But Emmett and I got along really well. While his sister and our mom rested, Emmett and I spent a lot of time just hanging out. I met his boyfriend Vince over a video call. We haven’t actually met in person. But since then, the three of us have kept in contact.”

“So, this is the first time you’ll be meeting Vince.”

He nodded, “but I feel like we already know each other. He is a good opposite for Emmett. Vince is confident and focused. He’s been on a pit-crew since high school. That’s why we’re meeting them at a track.”

“Emmett isn’t confident or focused?”

He chuckled, “oh, he’s confident enough. But he’s not focused at all. Blames that on a large family. Says that he’s always had to jump between conversations. But when Vince talks Emmett is an adoring statue.”

“That’s adorable,” she cooed.

“Wait till you meet him, you’ll repeat yourself.”

They pulled up to the track. He paid the driver, then got out so that he could hold out his hand for Jaz. She took him up on the offer. To his pleasure, she didn’t pull her hand away as they began walking up to the building. He gave Emmett a call to let him know they’d arrived. He’d already given his name to security, so they were allowed to walk in.

“It’s weird being at a place like this when there isn’t an event,” she commented.

“It is,” he agreed. It was odd hearing the echo of their footsteps.

They navigated the maze until Emmett appeared. Form hugging V-neck and jeweled cargo pants drew the eye in an intentional way. He waved broadly, and even from this distance that dazzling smile caught them.

“Ok yes, he is adorable,” Jaz conceded.

He had expected as much. He led her over and only released her hand when Emmett came in for a hug. Emmett was one of the exceptions to his stance on hugs. His mom and Jaz were the other two. Lean arms were surprisingly strong.

“You’ve been working out,” he pulled out of the hug.

“You flirting, cutie?” There was a flare in all of Emmett’s movements that added to his charm.

“You’re still not my type. And tragic news, Ty’s got himself a boyfriend.” Dropping that little bomb was fun.

Emmett’s face fell comically, “I knew a hottie like that wouldn’t stay single for long. What’s his type?”

“He’s more artistic and surly, not big and burly,” he teased his friend.

“Whatev,” he shrugged playfully, “I got my rugged and sexy. I’m tickled. And you’re being rude. Who is this delectable treat?”

Emmett held out his hand to Jaz. When she slipped her hand into his, Emmett pulled her hand up for a delicate kiss on perfect knuckles.

Jaz was charmed, “I’m Jaz.”

“Tell me you’ve snatched this morsel up,” he still held her hand.

“Not yet,” she played well with Emmett.

“Oh,” he shifted to holding her arm, then led her down the hall, “give me every dish!”

Eyes rolling his head fell back. He’d just lost Jaz to Emmett. Or Emmett to Jaz. It was hard to tell. He followed them as they gossiped about him within earshot. They moved outside to where the team was busy preparing things. A half dozen bikes were lined up with some of them being worked on.

“Babe, Geo’s here,” Emmett called out, “and he brought a treat.”

A head of dark hair popped up from behind one of the bikes being worked on. Grease was smudged onto round cheeks as the back of a hand rubbed across it. Full lips broke into a bright smile. Vince stood up revealing that he’d put on muscle. Strong shoulders were showcased in a tight tank top. Emmett’s tongue ran over his bottom lip as the sun added a golden kiss to Vince’s dark skin as he walked over.

“Geo,” that smile made his eyes sparkle, “I’d offer a hug but I’m a mess.”

“A gorgeous, hot mess,” Emmett amended with hungry eyes.

Taking Emmett’s jaw between greasy fingers, Vince bestowed a light kiss to willing lips. From his back pocket he pulled out a kerchief to wipe the grease off Emmett’s chin.

“Vince, this is Jaz,” he introduced with an arm at her back.

Emmett’s hands were raised to make air quotes, “they’re just friends.”

“I’m glad you could make it. Sorry I have to work, but I can show you two around.” That offer was taken up quickly. Vince began walking them around, “we’re about to do a test lap. This’ll be Tam’s first time here, so I want to get a feel for what the track is like.”

“That’s why his shoulders are so hot! He’s the lead mechanic for Tam so insists on testing the tracks out himself. Those bikes are heavy.”

Vince had a small smile that hinted at a secondary reason for him working out.

“Are you two out here by yourselves, or did the family come too?” Vince knew. Not every detail, but he knew who Geo called family.

He shook his head, “just us and Ty.”

“You said Ty had a boyfriend,” Emmett reminded.

“Ty has a boyfriend?” Vince was pleasantly surprised.

Jaz took the lead, “Ty’s perfect match! I’ve claimed him.”

“He’s a pain in the ass,” he said without humor. “But yah, Ty is hooked.”

“You haven’t given this boyfriend a name,” Emmett pointed out suspiciously.

Geo only stared back.

Emmett leaned towards Vince, “so much like Dasai.”

Which got a laugh out of Vince, “then just drop it babe. If there’s anything you need help with, just ask.”

“Thanks, but we only came here to see you two. I’m really glad the timing worked out.”

“I’m really glad we get to meet Jaz,” Emmett swooped in to take her arm again, which she willingly allowed. “I get the sense we could gossip for hours.”

Brightly she asked, “can we exchange numbers?”

“Already happening!” They had their phones out. “We’ll make these boys jealous of what we have.”

“That is the hope, but Geo loves bikes, so he and Vince could probably outtalk us.”

“You bike?” Vince eyed him up.

With a nod, he explained, “have for years. Sold the bike and got the car when mom got sick. Easier getting her to and from the hospital.”

Emmett’s hand landed empathetically upon his shoulder.

Vince accepted this, “vintage or sport?”

It was an assumption to gauge the person Geo was. With a grin, he admitted cryptically, “both.”

Vince gave a laughing smile, “you up for a lap?”

“Really?” He wasn’t going to hide that the idea excited him. It had been so long since he’d been on a bike, and he missed it.

“You can join him Jaz, if you’re interested.”

“I am!”

“Then we just need to suit you two up.” Before Geo could say anything, Vince was calling over, “Steph, can you lend Jaz a suit for the track?”

“Your boyfriend is standing right next to you, dude,” she called back.

With a laugh, he assured, “I’ll take care of my boyfriend. Just look after our friend.”

“Sure thing,” she was laughing.

She waved Jaz over, and just like with Emmett and Vince, Jaz was making instant friends with Steph.

“You going to take this chance?” Emmett was looking at him pointedly.

“She’s above my league,” he was ready to refute.

Vince and Emmett shared a chuckle. Emmett nodded at Jaz, “she’s a hottie who’s about to be in leather straddling a bike. Of course she’s out of everyone’s league. But you should probably ask her what she wants.”

Vince had his arm around Emmett, “and if she tells you she wants big and burly, you got to show her what she’s missing out on.”

Emmett, smitten by the words lost upon Geo, leaned into his boyfriend’s side to claim a kiss. It was as adorable as the two of them were.

Vince leaned a little closer, “show her what she could have, and own every bit of it.”

Vince had eyed Geo up with that comment. Seeing it, Emmett pulled him closer by the collar, “you looking elsewhere?”

“What?” Vince was toying with him. “He’s totally my type.”

“Really? Because I thought your type was ridiculously cute.”

“Mmm, but you should see ridiculously cute in bed. My knees go weak!”

Emmett looked proud and definitely swayed.

“Let’s get you a jacket and a helmet,” Vince pointed him in the direction of the items. “I’ll be riding parallel. Just match my speed.”

Geo smiled, turning his attention back to Jaz. In her hands she held a helmet, listening to the instructions given to her. Taking the opportunity given, Geo walked over.

~~~

“That was so much fun!” Jaz clung to his arm. They were on their way to meet Ty. “No wonder you love biking so much. Have you ever gone that fast before?”

“I’ve never raced, but Vince was holding back. I would have pushed him, but I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

There was a note of reprimand in the gaze she gave him now.

He defended, “Court’s not the only one with a competitive side.”

They were at the restaurant before Ty was. The host showed them to a table and took their drink order. Taking matters into her hands, Jaz texted Ty. When he moved to sit opposite her, she again took control by pulling him over to sit next to her.

“What is it?” She didn’t look upset or worried, though it would be understandable if she were. They were about to meet someone from Sam’s past without him knowing.

She surprised him, “thank you for introducing me to your friends.”

“I appreciate you being there. Seeing Emmett is good, but,” he trailed off uncertain how to formulate this thoughts properly.

A waitstaff came by with their drinks. When they walked away, Jaz composed his thought, “but you met each other when your loved ones first got sick. Seeing each other reminds you of that.”

How had she known?

“I saw the same look in Emmett’s eyes when you and Vince were talking. The memory is hard for him too. He says Vince gets him through when the sadness overwhelms. He’s worried about you.”

“I’m fine,” it was easy to brush this away. Or just easier than dealing with the fear he felt.

“You’re not,” her hand was on his arm. “And I’m worried about you too.”

“I don’t want you to worry about me.”

“And I want you to stop worrying about everyone else,” soft yet firm. Knowing that he would argue, she posed one first, “I could give you a dozen examples of you putting others first. But what it comes down to is that you don’t put yourself first, ever.”

“I’ve got to take care of them,” it was a weak defense, but it was what he knew was right.

“And what about me?”

Slowly, he looked at her. The words he wanted to say couldn’t come out.

“If you’re too afraid to say it, then I’ll say it first,” she now held his hand in both of hers.

“You can’t. Court needs this family because ours is falling apart! If I screw this up, what is Ty going to do? You know how bad he is being alone.”

She stopped him with a finger upon his lips, “I do because Ty and I grew up together. He was there when my parents went through a bitter divorce. I was there when his family was torn apart.”

“That’s what I mean…”

“I can’t change our past,” her easy smile was meant to reassure. “But just because we’re family, doesn’t mean we can’t have our own relationship.”

“If we fight,” he began to argue.

“When we have fought, what’s happened before?” A reasonable argument.

He gave a soft sigh, “everyone takes your side.”

“That’s not even true,” she laughed. His look had her amending, “that’s mostly not true. We can’t even call what we’ve had fights. Because I’m too worried about not being my mother, and you’re too worried about losing a moment with people you love.”

“You’re right. Which is why I have to put you all first.”

Both hands upon his cheeks stopped him short. She leaned closer to say, “your brother didn’t hesitate to go after Crys. And you don’t see Sam and Ty being insecure. They’re changing the dynamic of our family, but it’s not a bad thing.”

“It’s not the same,” he argued softly. “Crys will always have her sister, and Sam has an exit plan, you just know it.”

“That’s because he’s scared. And so are you,” she held his hand with both of hers. “But we’re always going to have our family, no matter what we decide. Someday Sam will see that too. Ty will make sure of it because he knows Sam is the one he’s willing to work every day for.”

“Ty’s willing to put in the effort because he’s very insecure about Peyton,” he was trying to deflect.

“That’s only because he knows he’ll get the response he wants from Sam when he is,” she laughed. “Ty’s got him figured out. They aren’t insecure about their relationship. Or about relationships around them. And when they fight, they figure it out like adults and the rest of us are fine.”

“Come on, Sam’s clearly hiding from something. We wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t.”

“And that has nothing to do with what we’re talking about,” her soft argument stalled him. “I want to date you. I’ve wanted that for a long time, and I’m tired of not being able to say it.”

He looked at her, hearing her. Still, his head shook, “I can’t wreck what we’ve built unless I’m ready to walk away.”

“What about us makes you think that anyone is willing to walk away?” She challenged with a look, “no matter what we do, this family stays together. And I would rather do that honestly.”

Geo’s eyes narrowed as he put thoughts together, “so, you’re saying that you’d rather fail honestly than not try at all?”

“I guess what I’m saying is that I’d rather be unhappy with my family, than unhappy alone.”

“You are the most unromantic person,” he pointed out.

“Just like you,” it got her to laugh. Her hand holding his, she asked, “are we dating now?”

And that got a breath of a laugh out of him, “okay, we’re dating.”

Applause from the tables around them got their attention. One hand in his, the other now a perch for her chin, she looked dreamily at him as she asked the other patrons, “adorable, isn’t he?”

Hearing their encouraging laughter, Geo ran a hand through his hair, “I suddenly feel bad for Sam.”

“Why?”

Glancing at her with his hand still in his hair, he pointed out, “you could be Ty’s twin sister.”

That only made her laugh more!

The other patrons were back to their own meals and conversations, leaving the two of them alone once more. Jaz picked up her iced tea and drank delicately. He toyed with the mug holding his coffee.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” he hoped that he was not overstepping.

“What is it?” She was light and bold.

“What did Kurt do to you?”

“Geo,” the way she spoke his name told him that she would try to protect him from something he wasn’t going to like.

“Don’t try to protect me.”

There was worry in her gaze as she made eye contact, “I knew Ty wouldn’t tell anyone else, but I really thought he’d have told you. You and Court hate Kurt so much.”

He shrugged, “there’s a lot to hate.”

She nodded as she looked away.

A light touch on her chin coaxed her to look at him again. He was asking for more.

Understanding the silent request, she held tighter to his hand as she moved a little closer. “It was late. I was on my way to meet you guys after cheer tryouts. The parking lot was mostly empty and dark, but it was the quickest way to you all.”

Sensing the direction of the story, Geo shifted so that his arm was around her back. He held her as she continued to explain.

“Kurt and his friends were there. You know how good they come off, and we were still new then. I had no idea who he really was.”

She leaned her head upon his shoulder. It was the equivalent of her burying her face in his chest to hide tears she was ashamed of. His hand ran slowly over her arm, offering warmth and protection.

“If Ty hadn’t been coming to get me…He’d turned on the brights on his car. Next thing I knew, he was there beating the hell out of Kurt and his friends. Three to one, but that didn’t matter to Ty. That’s why they hate each other so much.”

Geo held her, “it’s why he won’t let you go anywhere by yourself.”

She gave a teary laugh, “he’s always been that way with family.”

He nodded because he knew it was the truth. With his cheek lightly upon the top of her head, he noted, “you didn’t report Kurt.”

She sniffled delicately, “if I had, Ty would have been in trouble too. I’m not exaggerating when I said he beat the hell out of them.”

“I know, because Court and I would have done the same. And we wouldn’t care about the outcome of charges any more than Ty does.”

“Which is why I will do everything I can to keep all my boys safe,” she was adamant.

“Kurt’s not going to be a problem anymore,” he wanted to assure. She looked at him in question, so he answered the best that he was able to, “your boy took care of it.”

Confusion darkened her gaze, but she silently uttered Sam’s name.

His nod confirmed, and he said, “you know Todd was using Kurt.”

A nod.

“Short of the murder we talked Ty out of, we had no clue what to do with him. Your boy solved the problem without violence. Just a warning that Kurt took very seriously. I think Kurt moved in a very big hurry.”

She barely breathed the question, “why?”

Joining them at the table, Ty answered, “my boyfriend knows how to problem solve mob-style.”

Jaz had questions. Before she could ask, Geo intercepted, “he said Kurt shouldn’t have crossed the line with our family.”

“Wait,” Jaz was quick to pickup on something, “he called us family?”

“He did,” he affirmed with a soft laugh which had Jaz clapping her hands. He looked at Ty, “Sam suspect anything yet?”

“Of course,” the pleasure softening Ty’s eyes was baffling. But then, Geo didn’t understand the two of them at all anyway.

A woman was being directed to their table. Pencil skirt, high heels, and a blazer were accented by polished nails and dyed hair.

As she approached, “Mr. Darling?”

Ty stood up to take the proffered hand, “thank you for coming, Miss Eykel.”

“It’s ok, please call me Nicky,” she took the seat he was waving her to.

Ty reclaimed his, “then feel free to call me Ty. This is Jazmin and Geo; family.”

They exchanged pleasantries before the waitstaff came up and took the order for Nicky and Ty.

“Let me get right to it,” Ty sat back, adopting his own style to conduct business. “We’re here because of the Carada family. I know you were involved with an investigation into their deaths.”

“Even though the case is closed, there is a lot that I won’t be able to tell you,” she cautioned.

Ty’s anger bristled, “then get me in contact with someone who can.”

“Ty,” Jaz scolded him!

“Not now Jaz,” Ty didn’t even look her direction. He was intent upon pressuring Nicky.

“I get where you’re coming from, but it won’t kill you to have manners,” he chided Ty. Looking at Nicky, he explained, “family is the most important thing to Ty. And if there’s any information you can give us about the Carada’s, it would be greatly appreciated.”

Though her legs were folded primly, she looked relaxed. Perhaps Ty wasn’t her first angry family member demanding answers. Nicky smiled, “a small family that became even smaller after a violent tragedy. I assume you’ve read the articles that came out then?”

They all nodded.

Nicky continued, “then you’ll have read about Robert who was a young adult at the time.”

Ty interrupted, “why is a child advocate involved with a murder investigation of two adults when their son was also legally an adult?”

Though he was being rude, Nicky’s smile only grew. With patience that was remarkable, she explained, “because the Carada’s had two sons, not one. Robert, age 18 at the time of their murder, and Taevan, eight years old.”

“Taevan?” Jaz was as lost as they were.

“Because of his age and the nature of the murders, the police wouldn’t allow a child’s name to be published. I was brought on to help Taevan.”

That made sense. He and Jaz nodded acceptance.

Ty did not, “why did he need help?”

The smile she’d carried till now vanished. She maintained eye contact with Ty, “he was hiding in the room where his parents were murdered.”

Jaz moved a hand over her mouth in shock!

Remembering the circumstances, Nicky had an unsettled look, “both parents were shot in the dining room along with one of the gunmen. Twenty-two bullets from three guns. It would have been deafening!”

“One of the gunmen means someone got away,” he had his arm across Jaz’ shoulders.

“Not for long. His fingerprints and blood were everywhere including on the gun left at the scene. Not exactly a smart criminal, he went to the nearest hospital for treatment, but gunshots are reported. He died from his injuries without saying anything.”

“Taevan was hiding in the room?” Ty was putting something together. “Somewhere dark, where he couldn’t be seen.”

Nicky was confused, “a cabinet in the dining room. A few shots came really close, but somehow he wasn’t hit.”

“It’s a miracle,” Jaz breathed!

“That it was,” Nicky was in agreement. “Sadly, because of the trauma, that little boy stayed hidden inside the curio until someone noticed urine slowly dripping out. It had been hours by then. There was a lot that little boy wasn’t ever able to say to us.”

“What happened?” Jaz barely breathed the question.

“Even without that boy speaking, the case was solved quickly. After that, Robert, being the only living relative, took on the responsibility of raising his brother.”

“Sounds like something you do for family,” he shrugged, but he knew something wasn’t sitting right.

“It seemed to be for him,” she nodded agreement. “The courts want to keep families together whenever they can. And given the circumstances, they didn’t want to add more trauma. Add to that a very charming young man with a stable job and no record, the courts were quick to grant him custody.”

Ty leaned on his arm, “did you think it was a good idea that the brother got custody?”

“On principal, yes,” she nodded. Her coffee arrived. With a nod of thanks, she accepted.

“But not this time?”

After a sip, she slowly shook her head, “Robert was granted his parents’ house, as well as the sizable inheritance. He would have been the beneficiary of his parents’ life insurance too, but since they were engaged in illegal activities at the time they were killed, I understand there was no pay out. The legitimate family business became Robert’s as well upon graduation, though I understand the board of directors retained controlling interest.”

“Was the intention always that they would?” Ty picked up on something.

“The business was their maternal grandparents’ that was handed down when they passed away. It was less than controlling interest. So, when Robert’s parents passed away with no will in place, the board could have cut him out entirely without legal fallout.”

“Public image is everything for businesses,” he spoke from experience.

She nodded, “A drug scandal leading to a quadruple murder is hard to recover from. But people will sympathize with a clean eighteen-year-old who was left to raise his little brother. The community rallied together over a story like that. I think the business was pressured into their decision. As far as the public eye was concerned, everyone was looking out for the future of those two boys.”

“But?” He heard the leadoff.

Again, she nodded, “no one was asking about their past. It was like they figured that since the parents’ died, the past did too.”

“It didn’t for you,” Jaz noted softly.

Nicky held her gaze, “it didn’t. But I was being relocated and pulled onto new cases. And let’s face it, no one cares about the deaths of drug dealers. My job was and is to assess the child in question and assist the investigation. I make recommendations on long-term care, but I’m gone before it’s setup.”

Ty was glaring out the window in deep thought, “did Social Services check in when you left?”

“They did, but only a small handful times over the years. And each time the reviews were great. Robert was a loving older brother doing his best for an introverted little brother that had become unmanageable after losing his parents in a violent manner.”

Ty was looking intensely at her in question, “why did you keep looking at the reports?”

The cup touched her lips, but then lowered again to answer, “because some cases stick with you more than others. And there was something about this one that never sat well with me. And then, when Taevan was fifteen, he disappeared.”

“Runaway?” He was making the connection. Jaz slid her hand into his.

“It was thought so at first. He’d exhibited this sort of behavior unsuccessfully in the past. It seemed this time wasn’t a trial. And since it was the school that reported him missing after a two-week absence, it raised flags.”

“His brother didn’t?”

“Nope,” her mug set down with a soft clatter. “He said it was just his brother acting up. Robert was always the charming one. Perfect grades, perfect smile, perfect elocution.”

“Taevan was the brat,” he surmised.

“Exactly,” Nicky confirmed. “I really think Robert just expected that everyone would take his side. It baffled me that he didn’t even try to come up with an explanation, and he didn’t try to hide anything.”

Ty’s eyes narrowed, “what do you mean?”

“A big part of my job is working with law enforcement when things get bad. I see the very worst, and deal with the aftermath of the children who have lived it.”

“What did you see?”

“I inserted myself back into the casefile and saw that the fire department had been called, which was at the same time Taevan went missing.” Looking back stole the softness from her eyes, “do you know, his room was perfect.”

There was sorrowful understanding in Jaz’ eyes, “staged.”

“Yes, like a child who was sullen and withdrawn hadn’t spent a day in that room. I know the places to look when things look that perfect. The curio in the dining room never left my mind. At the time of the murders, I’d only seen photos. This time,” she shuddered at the memory. “The smell from it was horrendous! When the police opened it, we found feces and urine stains. Little human fingers had scratched the inside. Years worth of little finger marks.”

Ty closed his eyes against the image that brought up. All Geo could do was hold Jaz.

Nicky toyed with her cup, “strangest thing was that it wasn’t scratches of someone trying to get out. They were drawings in the floor.”

This had the three of them looking sharply at her!

She continued, “my investigation turned up bloody clothes, stashes of junk food in unusual places, and all the typical signs of neglect and abuse. He hadn’t even tried to clean any of it up. He really expected us to think he’d been in the right. Maybe because no one noticed it at the time of the murders. Maybe because his star was rising. Maybe because he knew there’d be no one to testify against him.”

“So, what happened to Robert?”

Frustration pursed her lips, “he blamed their parents. Said he didn’t know how to deal with his brother’s trauma, so he couldn’t stop him from staying in the curio even now. Without Taevan there to give his side, Robert could say pretty much anything he wanted. Charges were never going to stick without Taevan.”

“But he was running,” Ty looked darkly at the world he couldn’t begin to imagine.

“And this is where we end the conversation,” she looked pointedly at Ty.

“We’re not done,” Ty’s intensity held a frightening edge.

“I did tell you there would be things I cannot say even though that case is closed.”

Geo understood what that meant. He set a hand upon Ty’s shoulder. When Ty glanced, he shook his head minutely.

“Many people figure by now we’re looking for a body, not a missing person,” her sigh was filled with heavy sadness. “So can I ask, since we’re talking about Taevan, does that mean he’s alive?”

Ty pulled out his cell. He brought up the image of him holding Sam. This he handed over to Nicky, “he goes by Sam now. My boyfriend.”

“He still has his curls,” she smiled at the image. “Do you know, there isn’t even a picture of him growing up. Not a single one.”

“Family photos are a lie anyhow,” Ty seemed to be channeling Sam with that comment.

She handed the phone back, “from a prosecution standpoint, a body would be a better find than a missing person.”

Ty didn’t like that insinuation at all!

Nicky continued, “but from an investigative standpoint, a living person is a much better outcome. And from where I’m sitting, I’d like to see Robert get what’s coming to him.”

This seemed to appease Ty. He put his phone away and asked, “I heard he’s the CEO now?”

She nodded, “he’s a cruel but intelligent man. I believe everything he’s ever done is to take over that business. He now has controlling interest.”

“He’s setting his sights on a political career now? That’s what the company profile shows,” Geo sat forward.

There was something Nicky seemed to be silently weighing. Sensing the importance, they waited. Finally, she nodded to herself. Looking over at them, her voice low, she invited them in on her thoughts, “since he was a child, Robert has set goals and achieved them. He geared his education for a business degree when other kids were just beginning to dream about what they’d be when they grew up. I think he always knew that he wanted his grandparents’ business. I could never prove anything, but there’s never been an explanation for why the rival drug dealers were in the home that day. And there’s no doubt in my mind that Robert capitalized upon his little brother not being killed that day.”

“If you’ve had these thoughts, surely others in the police force did too?” Jaz shook her head.

Nicky seemed to verbally shrug, “possibly. But the Carada’s were a blight upon the town. A very rich blight the community kept turning a blind eye to. There’s a lot of people in that town that still believe they’ve earned that money staying in the community. And Robert’s face was a much better image than his parents’. They were gone, and no one wanted to look deeper.”

“That’s why you were pulled away to other cases,” Ty was savvy to the way of politics and careers. “Don’t pull at the bow of a pretty package.”

“I’m sorry that you know that at your age,” there was genuine sorrow in her expression.

“Doesn’t matter,” Ty waved it off. “If Robert’s going for a political career, he can’t have loose ends threatening him. He’ll come after Sam now.”

Geo sighed as he revisited Nicky’s earlier words, “Sam being alive means that statute is a concern. Are we past that with the charges Sam could bring?”

She set her elbow on the table with hands folded before her mouth, “it changes our focus. But it doesn’t change Robert’s.”

“What would someone need to make charges stick?”

“This isn’t like television,” she cautioned. “It could take years to get up enough evidence that the courts will accept. The Defense will look at discrediting every action and every piece of evidence against their client. Walking carefully…”

“I’m not interested in the long game,” Ty cut her off.

“We may not have a choice, Ty,” he hated to admit it, but it was the truth.

“The law is clear,” Nicky was apologetic.

“The law is clear,” Ty reiterated with emphasis. “It’s the political bullshit of lawyers and the court system that isn’t. If the law was followed, we wouldn’t be talking about Sam.”

That was going to be a hard point to argue.

“Our work isn’t done. So, I’d like to keep in contact with you all. And if he’s willing, I’d love to see…Sam. But only if he’s ready for that,” her kindness was noted.

Ty nodded, “we’ll be in touch. Right now, I need to get home to my boyfriend.”

Nicky pulled out a business card, “here, my work number. Please use it for anything on the books. Don’t misplace my other number, but that one is just for personal use. Though I’m rather curious how you got your hands on it.”

Enigmatic grins were the only response that she got. Accepting this, she got up which ended their conversation. She bid them a polite yet warm farewell.

Perhaps because of the volume of information, he was at a loss, “so, what do we do?”

Ty had a plan, “Crys is right that a person like Robert doesn’t have one victim. We leave Crys and Court to keep looking into it. Tanner can keep Sam busy until we get back. And Peyton keeps an eye on Robert.”

“I don’t want to have doubt in the legal system, but how much is it going to be able to help if they haven’t done anything yet? We know how much weight money carries in this world.” It really did bother Geo to point this out. Jaz was nodding.

“I say we take a page from Sam’s playbook,” Ty was shaking his head.

“You got a plan for that?”

“No, but we’re going to need to think of one. We leave the law alone to do its thing. And we cover our asses carefully because I’m not willing to be without Sam.”

“Maybe we should ask him. Who would know his brother better than him?” Jaz offered.

But Ty shut that suggestion down with a hard edge, “Sam gets any wind of his brother, and he’s going to try to run. I just said I’m not willing to be without him.”

Ty’s cell was ringing stalling their conversation. He placed the call on speaker.

“Ty,” Crys’ voice was lit with excitement! “We found someone about two hours from you!”

“Send me the address,” he stood up.

Jaz had a hold of Ty’s arm as Geo offered, “we’ll go with you.”

“You have a plane to catch in the morning. If I make it back in time, I’ll join you,” he shook off the hold. “Get back and watch over my boyfriend. I don’t know what Peyton’s doing with him.”

Court’s voice came over the phone, “Pey says he’ll push your tickets out to tomorrow afternoon, but he says not any longer cuz Sam’s getting grumpy without you.”

Smug was Ty’s look. Jaz let him go this time.

He held out his hand to Jaz, “let me take you on our first date.”

Her smile could warm the arctic! “We should see if we can get in to see the race.”

“I could probably make that happen,” he agreed. They walked away with money left on the table.

~~~

A date with Jaz was even better than he’d dreamed of! It could have been awkward, but maybe because they had history it was easy to move past that. They didn’t have to power through small talk. They shared jokes familiar to them. It was just easy being with Jaz. He was glad she’d had the courage to ask him out.

They walked back into the hotel well within a friendly debate.

“Ty’s almost aggressive-protective,” he noted with a grin. “How’s that going to work?”

“Mm, Sam seems to like Ty’s approach to things. And maybe he secretly likes being protected.” Jaz was daydreaming again.

“Some people like to be protected and catered to,” he worked through their thoughts as they headed back to the rooms. “But I don’t think Sam does. He’s been independent so long that I’d think he’d resent it.”

“What if he just doesn’t know how to accept it?” Her thumb ran warmly over his bicep. “If he’s been homeless, at the very least he’s learned to be self-reliant. If Sam really was Taevan…”

She had trailed off, unable to complete the thought.

Her daydream had turned quickly to a nightmare, “what he ran away from is unimaginable! I wouldn’t know how to cope with that.”

They stepped off the elevator. Holding hands, they moved together.

Jaz told him something he didn’t know, “I overheard my mom once say that she never wanted me. It’s something that I can’t forget. What did Sam hear growing up in that house?”

“I don’t think he’ll ever tell us.” He let go of her hand so that he could slip his arm around her back, “but I think he’ll get around to telling Ty.”

“I hope so. They need each other,” she sighed.

“They deserve each other,” his quip earned him a light slap on the shoulder.

They turned a corner. Her fingers lightly toyed with his jacket. It was almost clingy, a side Jaz didn’t show.

He couldn’t hide his curiosity, “do you want to be protected and catered to?”

Delicate fingers tucked her long hair behind a jeweled ear, “sometimes I do.”

She now took his hand in hers. Their fingers laced together.

“Mostly,” she continued her thought, “I just want to be cherished by someone who knows that I’ve got more than one mood. Who can accept that, though I like being held, I don’t need to be touched at every moment. Who can accept that I’m an independent person who isn’t anyone’s mother.”

Geo smiled, “I’ve always liked that about you. But you’re more of a mom to those guys than you may want to be.”

“Because they all need it,” she smiled back. She placed a warm hand over their enfolded hands, “but you never have.”

“If we don’t need each other to take care of us, what do we get from this?” He hated the question the moment it came out!

She didn’t disappoint him, “you’re right that we’re both strong. You’re always there for your mom, and I will always take care of my dad. Our family comes first before either of us, and we won’t ever feel that it’s a sacrifice. With or without each other, these things will always be true. But not needing you doesn’t mean I don’t want you.”

They stopped before her room. His fingers felt the weight of her hair, “I want you too.”

Light was the touch of their first kiss. A delicate scent of cotton candy teased his senses. Her soft lips embraced his. Fingers, certain in their actions, ran up his shoulders to hold his neck. The tenor of their embrace quickly changed when Jaz pressed against him, her delicate touch pulling him in. He held the back of her neck with one hand. Their kiss revealed a burning desire they shared. Her breath gently caressed his cheek. Every touch of hers held magic he was bound to!

“Spend the night with me,” her words reached out to him.

It could have been a question. Or it could be a demand. It didn’t matter, because he was her willing partner. He let her know, “you’re texting Ty.”

Her musical laugh was enchanting! Reaching into her purse, she gave him the keycard to the room while she texted Ty. Her phone chimed back before he’d unlocked the door.

He noted, “he responded quickly.”

“Oh I took a page from your brother’s playbook and texted Sam to tell Ty,” she was reading the reply. “Sam says it’s about time.”

He took her phone from her as the door closed behind them, “I’ll deal with him later.”

Her bag hit the floor. Holding the back of her head, he guided her body back to his. Eagerly compliant, she molded to him, her fingers reclaiming his neck. The taste of her blocked out all other thought. The scent of her had a hold of him. With his hand holding her head, he guided her onto the bed. His fingers in her blouse began unbuttoning it. Hers ran along the skin of his neck drawing shivers until her arm, secure upon his shoulders, pulled them closer. When his fingers touched her skin and slid around to her back, she arched in need. His touch found her bra just as her lips reclaimed his.

“Are we really crossing this line?” Yearning had him breathing these words.

The inside of her thigh pressed against his hip, “I’ve been wanting us to for a long time.”

He pulled her back up off the bed so that he could take her shirt off. Her shoulders rolled at his touch, and her lips embraced him. He could feel the delicate pressure of her breasts against his chest, and he wanted to pull her closer while at the same time pushing her away so that his lips could claim them. It was her lips that claimed his chest once she’d opened his shirt. The sweet sensation of her kiss pulling at his skin had his head falling back. Hands in her hair held her head to his body. The button on his jeans had come undone. The demand rested both within her direct gaze and within the hands which pulled at his waist. Compliant to her every want, he removed his shirt and pushed down on his pants. She was over him when she pushed his shoulders to spin him off her. It was her hands that removed his pants. His hands reclaimed her body the moment she had returned from mindlessly tossing his clothing away. Satin skin was under his fingertips. Those same fingertips found the way to the straps of her bra. Lightly, his teeth scored the smooth skin of her shoulder, and he heard her moan. He kissed her skin. Those kisses moved to the breasts he had freed. The way she trembled fueled his need! Rolling her to her back, he laid over her. Their lips were engaged once more. Her hands were on his body. His arms kept him from crushing her delicate body. She undid the clasp on her skirt. Without moving from her position, she shimmied out of the clothing.

Though the line was crossed, he knew that keeping Jaz safe would always be his top priority, “we need protection.”

“I told you,” she held his face, her lips caressing his, “I’ve been wanting you for a long time. Get my purse.”

Since she’d dropped it next to the bed, it was only a moment that he left her. That moment had been too long. Desiring hands had a hold of him leaving his to rummage blindly through her purse. In a moment he had it, the condoms she was carrying.

With a grin, he accused, “you’ve been plotting this.”

“You’re on my mind a lot,” she laughed with confidence he adored!

Their lips met again.

When he’d been given the name, Margorie, the image that sprang to mind was not this. A teenager with braided pigtails took a seat opposite him. The place was public, something she’d demanded on. Though Ty would have insisted upon it anyhow. Nervous hands clutched painfully tight to the purse within her lap as she introduced herself as Margo.

“Your friends are welcome to join us, if you want them.”

“My friends?” Her voice trailed off because she’d been caught.

He smiled, the one he reserved for his little brother. But seeing this child sitting frightened yet determined before him reminded him very much of Don. He let her know, “I’m glad you didn’t come alone. And if they want, they can join.”

Her friends didn’t wait. From the table to his left, they picked up their chairs. The two young girls chose to flank their friend. Arms were held reassuringly.

Seeing the matching bracelets with the identifiable charms, the next move was clear to him. He pulled out his phone and once again brought up the image of him holding Sam. This picture was only for Ty, but this was only bending the rules a little for a very good reason.

He turned the phone over to them with an explanation, “this is Sam, my boyfriend.”

“OMG you two are so hot!”

He smiled, and silently thanked Jaz. If not for her obsession with Boys Love, those charms would have gone unnoticed. “I need to ask for your help, for him.”

“How come?” Margo had finally released her death-grip on the purse.

“Because the same man that hurt you, hurt him.” It was a simple, effective statement that didn’t require further explanation.

Margo glanced at Sam’s face, “he r…”

But the word was too difficult for her to get out. Ty wouldn’t press. He shook his head, “no. Robert’s focus was a little different from you. At the time, that was the only family Sam had.”

Margo had a hand lightly over her mouth in shock, “he wouldn’t be able to get away!”

“He did,” Ty helped pull her back from the fear. When she was looking at him again, he said, “and he found me, and became my family. He’s okay, and I’m going to make sure he stays that way.”

Margo nodded tearfully, “what can I do? I already went to the police, but they said that it’s just a he said – she said and I couldn’t file charges.”

He ran a hand through his hair hoping to temper his reaction. His decision came quickly. From his back pocket he pulled out a business card, “call this woman. She’ll want to hear your story, and she’ll want to help. I think maybe she can. Do you think you can do that?”

Tentative fingers took the card. Her friends were looking at it as they pressed in closer to their friend. Margo slowly nodded, “was it really bad…what he went through?”

His gaze fell sadly to the side, “he doesn’t talk much about it, but whenever he dreams, I just hold him till he’s done crying.”

Tears fell from Margo’s eyes. She held the business card close to her chest, “I’ll call her right away.”

“Thank you.” He stood up, “I’ll do everything I can.”

He left the rest of the incriminating sentence trail off. Margo and her friends understood. There were grateful nods and a tearful wave. He left the three of them sitting at the table.