Inferno

Chapter 5

  Taylor’s hold on his arm tightened the minute they walked through the restaurant doors. Stealing a quick glance in her direction, Sebastian watched the wonder and amazement play across her beautiful face. He couldn’t help but feel a small sense of accomplishment and pride. He’d grown up poor, but he’d been enjoying the finer things in life for so long that he’d almost forgotten what it was like to experience them for the first time. Taylor was far from jaded or immune, and he truly relished the perspective she offered. It was like seeing the world all over again through her eyes. The view was so much more innocent and pure.   Her wide gaze trailed over the rich burnished wood and brass rails before flickering to the overhead canopy of white lights that spanned the ceiling and graced the lush potted trees. True to form, he felt her hesitate beside him. Her free hand instinctually smoothed over her sleek silver dress, seeking to erase any imperfections, and deep lines of worry creased her face. Leaning over, Sebastian brushed a thumb across the swell of her bottom lip.   “Relax, baby. You look amazing,” he murmured. “There isn’t a restaurant or woman alive that could compete with you. Especially not in that dress. ”   A flush settled over the high ridges of her cheeks, staining them with rosy hues. Bowing her head, she lowered her eyes with a demure sweep. “You don’t have to flatter me, Sebastian. ”   Wrapping a hand around her chin, he forced her gaze to his. “It’s not flattery, Taylor. Suck it up and learn to accept a compliment. ”   Her face scrunched with her efforts not to laugh. Unable to help it, her slender shoulders started to shake and her worry lines started to fade. Winking, he wrapped his arm around her waist and steered her toward the back of the restaurant.   Josh and Monique were already seated and waiting. Candlelight flickered across their faces, accenting the coziness of the setting and the intimate padded booth. He paused as his sister glanced up and turned her radiant smile their way. The shimmering cream gown she’d chosen accented her pale beauty and she’d gathered her sleek honey on top of her head in an elegant sweep, like the movie stars of late. It struck him in that moment just how much she looked like their mother.     The notion brought an unwelcome stab of pain and longing to his chest. Doing his best to ignore it, Sebastian forced a smile of his own. Whatever sorrow he felt faded as Aiden sprung to his feet, his face lighting with excitement as he threw his arms around him in a bone-crushing hug.   “Hiya Uncle Seb!”   “Hey there, little man,” he laughed, ruffling the boy’s dark hair. “Who let you out of your cage?”   “My dad,” Aiden said with more than a hint of pride.   “Hmm. Last I heard, they didn’t allow heathens here. ”   Aiden scoffed. “I’m not a heathen, Uncle Seb! I’m a kid. ”   “Same thing,” he teased with a wink.   Grinning, the little boy rounded his attention elsewhere. “Hi, Taylor. ”   “Hi,” she repeated with a husky laugh.   “Alright, devil spawn. That’s enough. Take a seat and let them breathe. ” Josh tried to mask his smile, but his amusement shone in his eyes. “Sorry about the third wheel,” he said, hitching a thumb at his kid. “I wanted to leave him behind, but your sister here insisted there was some law in place demanding kids eat. ”   The corners of Sebastian’s mouth quirked as he slid into the booth beside Taylor. “I believe she’s right. ”   “Well, that’s a first,” Josh quipped. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t go to her head. ”   “It won’t if you don’t let it,” Sebastian said pointedly.   Monique cleared her throat and gave an exasperated shake of her head. “You two do realize I’m sitting right here?”   His partner flashed a shameless grin. “Yep, sure do, gorgeous. That’s what makes it so much fun. ”   Taylor’s shoulders shook silently beside him and, settling against the back of the padded booth, Sebastian pulled her closer with a knowing smile. It was nice to see her happy and enjoying herself for a change. The last few months had put her through so much both physically and emotionally. The thought sobered him, and his face tightened on a frown. They still had no leads on who was responsible for sabotaging her car. No leads and no revenge.   “Earth to Baas. ”   He glanced up at the mention of his name. Josh raised an eyebrow and ceased his experimental wave from the other side of the table. Any smart-ass comments the man might have made fell silent as the waiter stopped by to take their drink orders. Not missing the way the portly gentleman’s attention lingered on Taylor and his sister, he pinned the server with a blistering glare. Fleshy jowls blanched white and, noticing Josh’s heated glower was just as unforgiving, the man muttered a promise to hurry and scuttled for the relative safety of the bar.   Josh grunted in amusement before turning his attention back to them. “There you are. Everything okay, buddy? You seemed a little lost in thought earlier. ”   “I’m fine,” Sebastian stated softly. “I was just trying to enjoy the evening. ”   His partner grimaced, his face contorting with a skepticism and reproach. “Right. Since when do you enjoy anything?”   “Have you ever considered it is your company that makes me so irritable?”   Josh shrugged and leaned back, draping his arms across the top of the booth in a relaxed sprawl. “Nope. Can’t say that I have. I figured this wonderful disposition just came natural for you. ”   He snorted beneath his breath. “I should have hit you when I had the chance. Perhaps then you wouldn’t be so eager to run your mouth. ”   Monique shifted in her seat, her startled gaze darting between the two men in an effort to assess the situation. Beside him, Taylor hung her head and traced the rim of her napkin. Sebastian sighed. Just like that, all traces of happiness fled her beautiful features and the dark shadows of worry had returned.   “Hey. Chin up, girls,” Josh ordered, giving Monique a playful jostle with his elbow. “It might be a bit hard for you soft and sensitive womanly types to understand, but this is how Sebastian and I play. It’s how we bond. Isn’t that right, buddy?”   He mulled the question over until he became all too aware of Taylor’s uneasiness as she studied him. “Sadly, I suppose it is,” he conceded with a rueful smirk. “Josh needles me incessantly and, somehow, I refrain from killing him. ”   “Seb…” Monique pleaded, her voice taking on a quiet desperation as she glanced Aiden’s way.   His cheeks heated at the gentle admonishment. He’d forgotten there were innocent ears at the table. Filtering words and actions were something he was going to have to get used to and soon. Flushing, he aimed a lopsided smile the kid’s way. “I’m sorry, little man. I would never hurt your dad. I know how much you love him. Besides, he is a very important man to me. Your father and his talents would be…impossible to replace. ”   Aiden’s face lit with pride and his bright grin deepened. “S’okay, Uncle Seb. ”    The look the boy aimed toward his father afterward was nothing short of absolute admiration. Josh’s face became pensive in the aftermath.     Turning his attention to the table, he cleared his throat and slumped a little in his seat. “Thanks, Baas. That was really nice of you. ”   Uncomfortable with the sudden shift in atmosphere, he shrugged. Seeking distraction, he rubbed the soft silk of Taylor’s thigh beneath the table. This was much more familiar territory for him. This was safe. He was grateful when the waiter stopped by to drop off their drinks and take their orders. This time, the man made quick work of things and left in a hurry.     “When are we gonna tell them, dad?” Aiden asked, all but squirming with impatience in his seat.   Sebastian’s head snapped up at the question. Tension crept into his shoulders as he glanced between his partner and sister in search of an explanation. So there it was. The real reason they’d wanted to go out tonight. Frowning, he watched as Josh chuckled and scrubbed the top of his kid’s head in a gruff noogie.   “Tell me what?”   “Nice going, sport. I was going to wait until after we ate, but I guess the cat’s out of the bag. ”   Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. “Which cat would that be, Joshua?”   “Monique is going to adopt me,” Aiden blurted with another blinding smile. “Isn’t that cool?”   Stunned, he stared at his sister. Tonight was the first he’d heard of any of this, and he couldn’t help but wonder why. While the news wasn’t bad, it certainly caught him off guard, as did the secrecy surrounding the entire situation. His gaze narrowed again, this time in suspicio
n, as he studied Monique. Lowering her head, she squirmed beneath the scrutiny. When she finally found the courage to meet his eyes, hers were miserable and full of pleading.   He released a low exhale. His stare never left his sister’s as he cocked his head to the side and a smile he didn’t quite feel crawled across his face. “Congratulations,” he stated, spreading his hands in question.   “Thanks!” Aiden exclaimed, not missing a beat. Oblivious to the confusion and tension hanging over the table his grin widened even more. “We’re making it official next week. ”   Scrubbing a hand across the stubble spanning his upper lip and chin, Sebastian nodded. “Congratulations are definitely in order then. You are a very lucky young man,” he said, finally pulling himself together. “You happen to be getting one of the very best mothers on the face of the planet. ”   “I know. ”   Tears welled in Monique’s eyes as she glanced his way. The slender column of her throat bobbed with her swallow as she mouthed a silent ‘thank you. ’   “Sorry we kinda just sprung this on you, Baas, but it needed done. Like you said, your sister is one hell of a mom. The kid adores her, and I can’t think of anyone else I would rather raise my boy if something were to happen. ”   “You don’t have to explain your reasons to me, Josh. They, along with your feelings for my sister, have always been quite clear. Just answer one thing. Is there anything else? Any other reason why there is a sudden rush to make sure everything is tied together and secure?”   Josh shook his head, a slight frown crossing his angular features. “Other than the fact that I love them and want what’s best here? No. ”   The words hung between them for a long moment. There was no missing the defensive edge in his partner’s voice. It cut deep, reminding him of his own struggles with Marx. Wresting his focus from the glossy tabletop, he considered the situation with Taylor and his own child—how there was nothing he wouldn’t say or do to keep them safe and out of harm’s way. The truth was, blood or not, Marx had succeeded some in pushing Monique away. As much as the distance between them hurt, as much as it stung his pride to see, Josh was the center of her world now, the sole anchor keeping her in place. He had that with Taylor. It was time to trust them both and let it go.   Blowing out a heavy exhale, he shook his head in an attempt to lose the conflicting emotions crashing through him. His hooded gaze settled on Monique once again. Some things were easier said than done. Lifting his chin, he regarded his partner with a curious tilt of his head.   “Let me get this straight. You expect my sister to take on the responsibility of being a fulltime mother to your child and raise him as her own should something happen to you. ”   “Seb, please. I want to. ” Monique’s voice shook as she fidgeted with her silverware.   “I wasn’t finished,” he stated coldly. His attention swung back to Josh. “My sister takes care of you. She tends to your home and warms your bed. She does all of this, and yet you offer her nothing in return?”   “Baas…I…”   “You what? I put a ring on Taylor’s finger months ago. Is there a reason why my sister isn’t deserving of the same? She’s not a toy for you, Josh. She’s not your maid or your built-in babysitter. ”   “Jesus! Would you calm down for a second and let me explain?”   “I’m waiting. ”   Josh winced and raked a hand through his hair. “It’s not like that. I love Monique with everything I have. You have no idea how bad I want to make her my wife. She means everything to me. I’ve wanted to do that for a while, but truth be told, I wasn’t sure how you would react. Marx hasn’t exactly been gun-ho about you running off and starting a family. ”   “That’s him. Not me. ”   “So you’d be okay with us getting hitched?”   His cheeks tightened. The conversation had definitely taken a turn into the uncomfortable and strange. Still, he forced himself to meet his partner’s eyes. “I want my sister to be happy, Josh. I want her to have the life she deserves. ”   “I will give her that, Baas. Ever since the first time I laid eyes on Mo that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. ”   “That’s all I needed to hear. ” Lowering his head, he shrugged. “Enjoy each other. Be happy and enjoy your family. You deserve it. ”    “Really?” Josh asked. “That’s it? No threats? No menacing glares, just be happy? What is that? Like the kiss of death?”   He dropped his chin to his chest with a rueful laugh. “It’s my job to ensure our team performs the way Marx would expect. I am your boss, Josh. Nothing more. Believe it or not, I have no desire to micromanage your personal lives, nor is it my place as long as you continue to do your job. ”   “Yeah, well, Marx might disagree with that assessment. Nothing is off limits to that man. Hell, if he had his way, none of us would ever get married or reproduce again. ”   Sebastian’s shoulders rolled with his shrug. “Things have a way of changing with time. It may have to wait until the dust settles a bit, but nothing ever stays the same. ”   Josh lifted his glass of scotch and tipped it in acknowledgement. He took a long swig and wiped his mouth with a grimace. “Yeah. I’ll drink to that. Cheers, buddy. Let’s just hope you’re right. ”   He studied his partner, watching the candlelight play across his face. There was a sorrow and tension there he couldn’t quite place. Maybe Josh was closer to accepting the truth. Though he knew it would be hard on the man, he hoped that was the case. He needed Josh on his side.   Warmth brushed the top of his leg and Taylor gave his knee an affectionate squeeze. The gesture drew his thoughts away from the grim pallor SKALS managed to cast over their lives and gave him something better to focus on. Leaning over, he palmed the back of her neck and nuzzled the warm pulse behind her ear.   “I can’t wait to get you home and have you all to myself again,” he whispered.   Taylor leveled him with a playful look of exasperation. It made him want to gather a thick fistful of her hair, sink himself deep, and turn that look into one of desperate pleasure. Not for the first time, he cursed his decision to join his partner and sister for dinner.   “Is that all you ever think about?” she asked, scrunching her nose.   God help him, he was going to lose it. For a moment, he pondered dragging her to the bathroom, but she deserved better than some tasteless romp in a toilet stall. Letting his head fall back to rest against the padded ledge, he regarded her with a raised brow. “Are you saying you never think about it?”   “Yeah, right. Of course I do. ”   “Mm. That’s good to know. I am always up for a challenge, darling, but it would be exhausting to have to double my efforts. ”    She blushed as he brushed his knuckle across the slope of her cheek. Squirming slightly in her seat, Taylor swung her wide gaze up to his. Her eyes shone like quicksilver in the candlelight and danced with the promise of things to come.     “Does that mean we’ll be skipping dessert tonight?” she whispered before kissing the side of his neck.    “What happened to you crying if I touched you again?” he whispered back, trying to shield his amusement.     “I got over it,” she admitted with a sheepish look.   Running his thumb over the pouty swell of her lips, he fought a smile. “We will see. ”   “Please?”   Laughing softly, he shifted away from her before things got too out of hand. His cock was already hard and throbbing painfully against the seam of his pants. “Behave yourself before you end up in over your head, darling. ”   “Yeah, about that. Why don’t you do all of us a favor here and get a damn room?” Josh teased.   Monique’s laughter wafted across the table. “Leave them alone,” she chided. “My brother just gave us free reign to enjoy ourselves. Let them do the same. ”   “I’m just trying to hold onto my appetite, babe. ”    “I know. ” She traced the hard outline of Josh’s bicep through his sleeve. “But he’s been more than gracious about things. Let’s just enjoy the night. ”   Sebastian fought to contain his amusement as his partner’s stony expression faltered and caved. The man had it bad.     His smile faded as the red glow of taillights shone through the restaurant’s tinted windows like a flickering beacon to his trained eye. Unease raked across his skin with razor-sharp talons upon spotting the slowing van. His hand lingered, fingers twitching near the pistol holstered at his hip. Only the outline of the vehicle was visible through the dark glass, but its size and bulk did nothing to alleviate his fears.   Something was wrong. Very wrong.     Sebastian’
s stomach clenched as the van’s door swung wide open. In one fluid movement, he shoved Taylor face down across the booth and lunged for his sister, his partner’s name flying from his lips. Josh didn’t have time to react. The world around them exploded into a volley of gunfire and shattering glass. Flipping the table, Sebastian hit the floor, dragging Taylor to the ground with him as the restaurant erupted into a chorus of frenzied screams. Wood splintered, its shards flying left and right. Glass rained down around them, pelting his skin.   Cursing, he crawled over Taylor, trying to shield her with his body as he frantically searched for his sister.     “Monique!”   He screamed into the chaos, his voice breaking with panic, but there was no answer. The table rocked in front of them, buffeted by the endless onslaught of bullets. The shooters held nothing back. His heart hammered, slamming with brute force. The flimsy table shielding them wasn’t going to last much longer. Beneath him, he could feel Taylor’s body shake with her sobs.   The warm, sticky rush of blood pooled beneath his arms, as he tried to pull them both across the floor. The overhead lights and mirrors lining the booth behind them exploded in a savage hail, forcing him to still and cover his head. When he lifted it again, he found his sister sprawled across the floor, her slender body curled around Aiden’s in a protective hunch. Josh was trying like hell to cover them both but it wasn’t enough. Panic stabbed hard and deep. The meager shield the table offered was almost blown.   “Jesus Christ! Monique!” he screamed again. Another heavy assail forced him to bow his head. “JOSH!”   They were losing ground. Chunks of wood were starting to fly on both ends, leaving gaping holes in their wake. Rapid bursts of gunfire continued to pepper the night, flashing as bold and bright as lightning. All of it aimed their way. They had to move, and the desperation etched on his partner’s face said he knew the same.   Keeping his back to the barrier, he rolled Taylor over. Blood was everywhere. Hers, his. It was too hard to tell. His heart slammed even faster as he grabbed her face.   “Stay with me,” he ordered. “I need you to stay with me. ” Something sharp and burning gouged his shoulder, making him wince. “We have to move. Do you hear me?”   The blank terror in her eyes was numbing. She was bordering on shock, but she nodded into his hands.   “Good girl. On two. ”   Deathly silence reigned.     He drew an uncertain breath, then another, his ears straining. The slamming of a van door and the shrill squeal of tires searching for traction broke the spell and brought a much needed bid of relief. Springing to his feet, Sebastian scrambled over the table and charged toward the shattered building front, his gun in hand. His partner’s labored breathing sounded beside him as he scanned the empty street.   “What…the…fuck…was that?” Josh panted. He slumped over to rest his hands on his knees, his shoulders still heaving, his breath bordering on sobs.   “Are you okay?”   “Yeah. You?”   The question fell across his back. Turning, he assessed the damage. The shooting had left a scene of carnage in its wake. Their waiter lay stretched face down in a pool of blood. A waitress was sprawled lifelessly before the bar. Two more patrons lie dead. Several wounded, but the worst was the elderly couple in the opposite corner. A tiny, frail little woman hung slumped across the table. Her wounded husband was screaming in anguish as he stroked her crimson-soaked head. He pleaded, howling and repeatedly begging her to wake up. Steeling his jaw, Sebastian strode past them.   Monique was forcing herself to her feet, her willowy legs trembling beneath the strain. Her hands shook as they fluttered over Aiden time and again. That was all Sebastian needed. Spinning, he turned to search for Taylor. She’d stumbled to her feet, presumably to head in his direction, but didn’t make it far. His heart stopped as he watched her drop onto the shredded leather remains of their booth. Her eyes were bleak and empty, her chest barely moving.   Rushing back to her side, he crouched in front of her, his hands racing over every inch in search of injury as the keening wail of sirens broke in the distance.   “Baby,” he choked. “Talk to me. Are you hurt? Are you okay?”   Her eyes flickered to his before darting back to the bodies and blood.   “Taylor?” He swallowed. His throat was closing off. She didn’t look like she’d been hit. He didn’t see any entry wounds or holes in her clothes, but the blood made it so hard to see. Was he missing something? Fighting tears, he lifted her chin and pulled her bewildered stare back to him. “Baby, please answer me. Please…”   “I…” She trailed off with a silent shake of her head. “I’m okay. ”   “Are you sure?” he asked, searching her face.   Unable to help it, he cradled her abdomen, spanning it with his fingers. The gesture seemed to pull her out of her daze. Recognition mingled with the horror dimming her mercurial eyes. A deep shudder wound through her, and he rocked back on his heels as she lunged forward and threw her arms around his neck. Her hold was tight, constricting, and her teeth chattered violently beside his ear. It wasn’t much reassurance, but she was alive.     Wrapping her in his arms, he kissed the top of her head and held on for dear life. “It’s okay now, baby,” he murmured. “Everything’s okay. I got you. ”