| |
Gray held me by the elbow as he ushered me out of Frank’s office, into the elevator, and then out of the hotel. I kept my mouth shut until we were on Las Vegas Boulevard and walking toward the Bellagio.
“It’s like they gave a dog a bone. And then when he sunk his teeth into it? They wrestled it away,” I said.
“Are you comparing yourself to a dog?” Gray asked.
“Yes. No. I don’t know.”
“I fought them not to get involved and Passion begged me. Begged me. And then, what? Eight hours later? They fire me! I wasn’t even being paid!” I talked with my arms flailing. I jumped and twisted while making my points. I stabbed at the air with my index finger.
Gray stopped walking in front of the fountains. I grabbed the rail and pulled back. I bent my body, stretching my arms and back. With my head facing the sidewalk, I took deep breaths until my anger subsided.
“I’m quitting.”
“You were fired.”
I glanced up at Gray, shooting daggers. “I know. I’m quitting the article. I’m done. Finished. Those two have pulled my last nerve.”
I straightened up and leaned against Gray. His solid body helped to center me more. Gray wrapped one arm around my waist pulling my back to his chest. The fountains erupted in a dazzling display.
“What would you like to do now?” Gray asked.
“I don’t know. Honestly.”
Gray rested his chin on the top of my head. We sat in silence until the show was over. I pondered what I wanted to happen.
“Is the dog ready to give up the bone?”
“No, but it is, technically, our honeymoon. I will give up the bone for that,” I said. I wrapped my arms over his.
“What’s stopping you?” Gray asked.
“Passion.”
“She fired you.”
“She’s flighty. It takes her awhile to figure out what she wants.” Gray heard the smile in my voice.
“Must be a family trait.” Gray kissed the back of my neck. Another plus to the short hair? No obstruction for Gray to kiss me there whenever he’d like.
“I think I’m worried about her. She’s with Frank a lot. She was with us when the pool blew and when my hair was fried. If the ‘prankster’ is escalating she could end up getting hurt.”
Gray didn’t respond right away.
“You know this is one of the things that drew me to you in the first place?”
“My terrier-like persistence?” I laughed.
“Your love of family. All of you are loyal to each other. You fight, but you will join forces to protect one another at a moment’s notice. Even if one of you is wrong.”
“Isn’t your family like that, too?” I asked.
“My family is kill or be killed. Always.”
“Not anymore.” I rubbed the back of his hand. “Am I wrong on this? Wanting to find out what’s happening?” I tilted my head sideways to look up at him.
“No. I don’t think so.”
“There’s more to consider than just my family,” I pointed out.
“Like?” Gray asked.
“Yours.”
“My family isn’t like yours, Regan. I wouldn’t even consider us a family in the conventional sense. They’re more just people I happen to know.”
“I get that. Kind of. But, are you prepared to face the fact that it could be your dad? Your mom?” As the thought occurred to me, I added, “Your uncle?”
The silence stretched again. “As of yesterday, you became my family.”
It was an answer, but yet, it wasn’t. I turned to face him. I wanted to make sure he understood the implications before we proceeded.
“Gray, are you really sure you want to know your father is a bad guy? It’s one thing to know the stories, it’s another to face them.”
“Regan, I’ve been facing them my whole life. I know who, and what, he is. If he is involved? Then so be it.”
I searched his face for understanding. I looked for any clue that he wasn’t ready to really see who his father was. His face was open and honest, full of love. I decided to trust him and take his words at face value.
“What’s the next step?” I asked.
“Surprise visit to my father to ask a few questions. You’re supposed to meet Grace today. That’s a start.”
“Do we split up?” I asked.
“No. We are a unit now. Together for all of it.” Gray linked his hand in mine confirming his comment.
“Okay. I think we should seek out Tony and Sal, also. Is there anyone else at the top of the list?” I asked.
“I think that covers it. Dad, Sal, and Tony.”
“What about Guy? He was never found. Frank does have what was originally Guy’s life.”
“I think Frank is right. Guy has to be dead. Why wouldn’t he have come back otherwise?”
“Maybe he couldn’t?” I suggested.
“After thirty years? Come on. You’re letting your imagination run wild. You’ve always been a sucker for a good story.”
“If he were dead, wouldn’t someone have stumbled upon the body by now?”
“Someone may have. Bodies are found all the time without ever being identified.”
“You have an answer for everything,” I said.
“Regan, we have to let the clues lead us. We can’t force a square peg into a round hole because you like the idea.”
I let it slide for now. We had three strong suspects to start with. Gray had a point. I did tend to jump to conclusions and my imagination had a tendency to flow freely. Just recently, I used Gray’s credit card to order a call girl because my imagination had run away with me. Of course, my hunch had been right.
“What do we do now?” I asked.
“We eat.”
“I like to eat.”
“You do.” Gray smiled and pinched my side affectionately.