The Cain Casey Series

Chapter Twenty-Two

The steward gave final instructions for landing, and grumbling, sleepy passengers complied, bringing their seats forward and refastening their seat belts. Emma scanned the familiar marsh surrounding New Orleans and prayed for the best. She planned to confront Cain with the truth and hoped her ex wouldn’t add her to the marsh’s treasures as a food source.

Her father, stern but supportive when he delivered his pep talk on the way to the airport, had been confident Cain would accept the news of Hannah with nothing short of happiness. No one who treated one child with such caring could reject an innocent who was part of her.

“For the rest, Em, you’ll have to be patient. She loves you. Her heart knows that, but it’ll just take some convincing to get her head to agree.”

“If only it were that simple, Daddy.”

“There’s nothing simple about this, and you’ll need to deal with your son as well as Cain. Hayden isn’t going to let you into his good graces when he finds out. You have to commit yourself to not giving up.”

“Having you think I can do it makes me feel better.”

“You’re a parent, Em, like me. No matter what, you love your children and have to fight for their happiness. Hayden is missing what you can bring into his life, and our Hannah’s being cheated out of what Cain can add to hers. The most important thing missing here, though, is the completeness only you and Cain can bring each other.”

“How’d you get to be such a fount of wisdom living out there on that farm?” Emma reached over and squeezed her father’s arm with a smile, to let him know she was teasing.

“I watch Oprah when you aren’t looking.”

After her luggage finally appeared on the conveyer belt, she arranged for a cab to take her to her first destination. If her luck held, this course of action would be as successful as the first time she tried it. Of the very few avenues available to get to Cain, her uncle Jarvis was the only one she was sure wouldn’t just toss her out at first glance.

The kindly older gentleman strongly resembled his older brother Dalton and had always gone out of his way to make her feel like a member of the Casey clan. One of his niece’s most trusted advisors, he was one of the only people in the city not afraid to rail against Cain’s famous temper. She usually accepted his gentle rebukes because she knew Jarvis thought only of her best interests and those of the family.

Jarvis stepped to the front room of his house and hugged the woman whom he had come to love, regardless of how Cain felt. “Clara, please put Emma’s bag in one of the guest rooms upstairs. What brings you back so soon, child?”

“I come asking forgiveness again, uncle Jarvis.”

“Of Hayden? Surely your visit didn’t go that poorly?”

“No, of Cain this time. I’m not forgetting Hayden, but I’ve done something that hurt Cain more than anyone.”

Jarvis sighed and waved to one of the chairs. If what she said was true, he could do only so much for her. “Emma, I never asked Cain what made you leave so suddenly, and I’m not asking you now, but you’ve got to realize what’s happened since you’ve been gone. Cain isn’t the same person you knew four years ago, and Hayden, he’s completely different. Cain is, and always has been, strong and proud. What you did, or your reaction to something she did, ripped holes in the very essence of who she is.”

“Don’t you think I sit up nights thinking about that? That I miss her more than I can stand before I’m a teary mess again?”

He put up a big hand to silence her. “I didn’t say all that because I think you insincere, Emma. You and I will come to an understanding today, or else I’ll drive you to the airport myself and wash my hands of you.”

“Just ask and I’ll do it.”

“It isn’t that simple, lass. My brother and I had the good fortune to find and marry women who loved us with a fierce devotion.” The more passionate he got, the more his brogue slipped into his conversation. “They loved us and were able to turn a blind eye when the situation warranted it, because they knew what loving us meant. What acceptance they had to bring to their commitment of marrying a Casey.”

“You think I’m not capable of that?”

“I’ve lived this long and enjoyed the fruits of my work too many years by not reading too much into any given situation. To survive, I accept only what’s there. And I’ve seen you running away from your spouse and your son. Add to that not one phone call to check if they’re doing well or if they need you. So no, I don’t think you’re capable of that kind of commitment.”

His honesty stung, but she couldn’t come into his house and argue with him over the truth as it had played out so far. “You have my word, uncle Jarvis. Get me one more chance, and I’ll never give you reason to doubt the depth of my commitment. Four years is a long time to learn a lesson, but I belong with Cain, and I’ll die by her side.”

“I took a chance on you already, Emma, and it cost me a little of Cain’s respect. If I do what you’re asking and you renege on your word, I’ll lose my place with my niece. If that happens, Cain will be the least of your worries.”

She knelt in front of his chair, put her hands over his, and gazed steadily into his eyes. “I give you my word as a Casey.”

*

“I’m sure it is important, uncle Jarvis. I just can’t tonight.” As Cain put her shoes on, she paused to listen to him ask again. “No, it’s not a hot date. I’ll call you tomorrow, I promise, but tonight I’m meeting someone to go over something important. If I could reschedule it I would, but I’ll have to ask your cooperation and flexibility on this one.”

“I have your word you’ll make time for me tomorrow?”

“You got it, and thank you for understanding. The way we left things the last time we talked has been bothering me, so I’ll look forward to tomorrow.” She hung up and hoped Shelby had been able to get the night off.

Jarvis tapped the receiver against his chin and closed his eyes. Oh boy, she feels bad for screaming at me. Somehow I’m thinking she’s going to forget her remorse really fast when I show up bearing gifts of small blondes again. He heard Emma behind him, waiting to hear the verdict. “Tomorrow will have to be soon enough. She had dinner plans that she couldn’t change.”

“I’m not too late, am I?”

“Like I said earlier, Emma, four years is a long time. But if it makes you feel better, Cain hasn’t had any encounters I’ve been able to confirm. With her reputation that’s hard to imagine, but I don’t think anyone’s standing in your way. No one, that is, but yourself.”

The thought of someone else pressing her naked skin to Cain’s sent a swift pain through Emma’s heart that just as quickly turned to anger. It was irrational to expect Cain to abstain until she came to her senses, but that was what she had done. As for Emma, no one else had remotely come close to engaging her in a long conversation, much less making her share herself in such an intimate way.

*

The object of Emma’s jealousy walked into an office supply store, sure that no one had followed her. What luck for the award-winning Emeril’s Restaurant to share a wall with such a mundane business. The aisle with the pens and office paper was just where Cain said it would be, and at the end was a door. Shelby knocked and stepped back a little when Merrick opened it outward.

“Welcome, Agent Daniels.”

She frowned when the woman called her by name. Cain had promised not to share it with anyone.

“I’m the only one here, and I’m the only one aside from Vincent’s men who knows your name, ma’am, so don’t look so worried. If you’re ready, Cain’s waiting.”

Cain was seated in a beautiful private room waiting for her. As always she looked incredible in the custom suit she was wearing, and Shelby was glad she had put a lot of thought into choosing her own outfit.

Cain stood up and nodded to Merrick, who went to wait in the office of the business next door.

“Welcome, Shelby. I hope you’re hungry and curious.”

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you? If you ever decide to leave your life of crime, you can write a book on interesting tidbits in New Orleans.”

“I would, but I hear a life on the straight and narrow path really doesn’t pay,” Cain joked back as she moved forward to kiss the agent hello.

“Isn’t it a life of crime doesn’t pay?”

“Bite your tongue, Agent Daniels.”

“I’d rather you do that.” She blushed. “I can’t believe I said that. I really do need to stay away from you before you convince me bank robbery might be a good hobby.”

Cain laughed and lowered her head. Since Shelby hadn’t hesitated about her method of greeting, Cain lingered a moment longer and enjoyed it. “Why don’t you try a curried shrimp, and I’ll pour you a glass of wine?” Cain pulled Shelby’s chair out for her and tried to squelch her libido.

“This is very nice. Thanks for asking me.”

“My pleasure. Maybe after your big promotion you’ll be the one to treat me to dinner.”

“And why am I going to be getting a big promotion?” Shelby tapped her glass against the one Cain held over the center of the table and smiled at her before taking a sip.

In lieu of an answer Cain passed her a large file and sat back to enjoy her appetizer.

Twenty minutes later a waiter appeared with the next course, noticeably upset when he found Shelby’s plate untouched and papers spread out around her chair.

“Leave it, Julian. I’ll cut it up and feed it to her in small pieces so she won’t choke while she’s reading.”

“Another twenty minutes or so before the soup, Ms. Casey?”

“That sounds about right. Why don’t you bring that with a straw?” Cain teased.

Shelby finally looked up, an expression of total shock marring her features. “I’m sorry for zoning out like that, but there’s no way this is true.”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Just because I gathered the information, it’s bogus because it suits my interests?”

“No, Cain, because of what it implies. This is a serious allegation against someone who up to now has been beyond reproach.”

Cain lifted a shrimp off Shelby’s plate and held it up for her to take a bite. “I’m a Casey, Shelby, which makes me a bad guy in the eyes of the law. What you just finished reading doesn’t make him any different from me because of who he works for. I asked you for a favor—for you to do your job. You have the rest of tonight and most of tomorrow to do it. Verify the information and then make your decision. That’s all I ask. Forget now that you owe me your life. Your being here tonight has paid your debt. As your friend I’m asking you to do this. If you refuse, I still have options, but I wanted to give you first shot.”

“Can I get some help from some of the other agents?”

“If you trust someone else, then knock yourself out.”

“Cain, would you be terribly offended if I skipped the rest of dinner?”

“Eat one more shrimp to make Julian happy. Then get out of here.”

Shelby ate the shrimp, gathered all the paperwork, and jumped up. She kissed Cain good-bye and was almost to the door before her benefactor stopped her.

“Is there room in your sensibilities for me to ask one more favor?”

“I’ll owe you more than one favor if this checks out. What else do you want?”

“Tomorrow night is the one night your boss has been waiting for.”

“Cain, it’s not too late to call off whatever you’ve got planned.”

“I don’t want to call it off. I want this to finally come to a head, and I want you to be there. I’d like to live out the night, and with you there, I’ll feel better that’ll happen.”

Shelby put her hand on Cain’s cheek and nodded. “I’ll be there. I promise no one will harm you.”

“Thanks. Just one more thing. Do you want the video and audio tapes that go along with that file?”

“You have film to go along with all these pictures?”

Cain pointed to the box near the door.

“If you were a man, I’d have your baby, gangster or no.”

Shelby kissed her and jumped a little when the door opened again and an acne-faced teenager from the office supply place waited to carry her box out for her. Cain had even thought to put it in a box from the place to make it look like a purchase.

“I’ll keep that baby thing in mind, but it’ll have to wait. You have work to do.”

Merrick walked in, pulled the plate of salad in front of her, and accepted a glass of wine from Cain. “All done?”

“That should keep her and her friends busy for the next twenty-two hours or so. Anything more and it’s just overkill, since we did most of the work.”

“Are you sure about all this, Cain? I have the worst feeling.”

“Merrick, nothing in life is a guarantee, but I promise you I’ve worked out all the angles. I’m through with playing by someone else’s rules. I’m ready to take control of the game again.” Cain lifted her glass and pressed her lips to the rim. The next question wouldn’t come easy. “There’s something I want to ask you. Actually it’s something I want you to promise me.”

“You know you don’t ever have to ask me. Just tell me and I’ll see it gets done.”

She shook her head and reached across the table for Merrick’s hand. “No, sweetheart, I want to hear you say it.”

“What do you want?”

“If something should happen to me, I want you to take Hayden to Emma, and I want you to walk away. He’ll have more than enough money, and I don’t think anyone will go after him in Wisconsin.”

“Honey, he’s never going to agree to that. Maybe with your uncle Jarvis?”

“No, Merrick. Promise me you’ll take him to Emma. I love Jarvis, but Emma’s his mother. No one will fight harder to keep him whole than she will. He’s young and maybe doesn’t understand completely what’s best for him, but if I’m no longer around, she’s what’s best for him. I’m counting on you to tell him that if I can’t.”

For one of the only times she could remember, Merrick’s eyes filled with tears, which fell silently down her face.

“Please don’t talk like that. I’ve never known you to plan something that didn’t include survival ahead of everything else.”

“I don’t want to repeat the mistakes of my father and go without planning for all the possibilities. I loved Dalton with everything I was, and I’ve thought of all the ‘what ifs’ because he was taken from me so soon. I want better than that for Hayden. He needs a sense of himself other than what he is with me, and I think his mother is the best person to give him that. Trust me, sweetling. I don’t ask this without biting back a whole bunch of feelings, but I have to do what’s right for my son.”

“I may have to tie him to the wing of the plane to get him there, but if that’s what you want, that’s what I’ll do. Will you promise me something now, boss?”

“Anything.”

“Promise me this is just one more cog in the wheel you’re putting together and not a real possibility. Because if you’re thinking like this, I’ll tie you to a chair all day tomorrow and be damned with the consequences.”

“There’s no one you’ll meet who adores life more than I do, Merrick. I put tomorrow together because I want to enjoy the years to come as much as possible. When this is all over, there’s a girl I want you to meet.”

Merrick lifted her brows in surprise. Having Cain mention anyone was cause for celebration. “The one who left just now?”

“No, I don’t want to chance prison time every time I exchange pillow talk. This girl, she’s special, and when you lay eyes on her you’ll understand why.”

Merrick lifted her glass and waited for Cain to do the same before she made her toast. “To life.”

“And its infinite possibilities,” Cain added, before she tapped her glass to Merrick’s and took a sip.