We admit we just realized while typing that this is gonna be much longer than LWL…we haven't even gotten into the story yet! Anyway thanks for the reviews everybody. Thanks goes to: BunnieOMoon, ser, iluvboys, serenity, silvermoongoddess1, zubunaba, supersaiyanx, ffgirlmoonie, oni isis, arjeta, sereNendy, Endy's Girl, Channah, serenity11287, dragoneyes5000, moonqueen, moon titan, daisy31, mangadreams, Ilene, lunaeve, rockiegirl, moonbunny2, lyngreentea, starangel07, venusgoddess, innocent angel, cosmocrystal 96, ichikokiitsunekoumorri, moon titan and everybody else for all the positive feedback…we're glad you guys love the story.
Okay and as for the rest of you…you kno who you are . constructive criticismis appreciated, but c'mon now…if you don't like the story don't review. PM's only serve to make me want to upset you more…and sadly yes I am that childish…have a nice day ;) Kaci
Chapter 7
The Shields hose was in Pacific Heights, a prestigious section of San Francisco where most of the homes where surrounded by brick walls or high wrought-iron fences. Joan's house looked like a palace. Broad steps led to a massive front door that was in scale with the rest of the building.
As they got out of the car that Saturday, Matt clutched Darien's hand. "Is this where your mommy lives?" he asked in a subdued voice, staring at the Italianate mansion.
Serena stared in awe as Darien opened the iron gate and led them inside. She'd known he was wealthy, but this was serious money. It became even more apparent, when a butler in a dark suit opened the front door.
"Good afternoon, sir," the man greeted Darien, flicking the barest glance at Serena and Matt. "Your mother is waiting for you in the morning room."
"Is he your daddy?" Matt asked Darien.
"No, this is Joseph." He smiled. "Joseph has lived with us since I was a boy. This is Miss Tsukino and Matt," Darien said to the older man.
The butler nodded gravely to Serena, but his formal manner softened as he looked at the child. "He's the picture of his father, sir."
Darien squeezed the man's shoulder in a silent moment of shared emotion before saying, "You don't have to announce us."
Serena stared avidly at all the beautiful rooms opening off a central hall, as she and Matt accompanied Darien to the back of the house. The rooms were furnished elegantly, which she had expected, but they were also filled with light. This house was no museum where the drapes were kept drawn to keep the delicate fabrics from fading.
The morning room was the sunniest of all. The octagonal-shaped area was filled with greenery and the sparkling glass windows looked out on a large walled yard. Joan was sitting at a round marble table, reading the morning paper. She looked up with a smile that included all of them, as Darien kissed her cheek.
"Here we are, Mother, right on time," he said. "I know Estelle has a fit when guests are late for meals."
"You aren't a guest, darling, and she's always too delighted to see you to make a fuss. Estelle is our cook," Joan explained to Serena. "She's been with us for years."
"Your house is lovely," Serena said. "And what a luxury to have such a big backyard in the heart of the city."
"I think that's part of the reason I never wanted to move. Even though the house is much too big for me now," Joan acknowledged.
"Don't let her fool you. Mother isn't some lonely recluse rattling around here alone. She entertains constantly, and not just stuffy affairs for the geriatric set," Darien teased. "Some of her friends are my contemporaries, friends of mine actually."
"They're married and have children," Joan replied. "If you won't provide me with grandchildren, I have to settle for being a surrogate grandmother."
"I should have quit while I was ahead." He laughed.
His mother was wise not to wait for Darien to provide her with grandchildren, Serena thought cynically. He liked playing the role of father—but not husband.
Matt was bored by the adult conversation. "Can I see Uncle Darien's toys?" he asked.
"Of course you may, darling." Joan rose and extended her hand to the little boy.
"I'd like to come, too, if I may," Serena said. She didn't care about the model cars, but it was a way to see the upstairs without asking.
"By all means," Joan answered. "I haven't used that wing since the boys left, but I think it's reasonably presentable."
"Serena won't look under the bed for dust bunnies," Darien said as he trailed along after them.
She was sure there weren't any. The upstairs was as sparkling clean as the rest of the house. Darien's former bedroom was actually a corner suite. The furnishings had evidently been changed. It looked more like a guest room than a boy's room now, but his toy cars were still arranged on the upper shelves of a bookcase, and there were other reminders of Darien as a youngster.
He picked up a trophy that sat on a desk. A gold figure of a man with a tennis racket was attached to a wooden base. "Don't you think it's time this got tossed out, Mother? I won it back in high school."
Matt's attention was attracted to the statue. "My daddy's got one of those," he said excitedly. "He lets me play with is whenever I want."
Darien's gaze met his mother's over the little boy's head. He cleared his throat before saying to the child, "You can have this one if you like."
Matt was ecstatic. "Then me and Daddy will both have one. I'll show it to him as soon as he comes home."
Serena knew how painful this must be for Darien and his mother. If Mina's story was true, Matt would never get that chance. Before Matt could ask again when his father was coming home, she said quickly, "Look at those cars, Matt, aren't they cool?"
His attention was instantly distracted. While Darien and Joan lifted them down for him, Serena drifted to the door. She was looking down the hallway when Darien came over to join her.
"This can't be very interesting for you," he said. "Would you like to go downstairs?"
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"Never. I used to dream about having a girl like you in my bedroom."
"Now you're grown-up and it's a reality," she said lightly.
"I didn't picture having my mother and my nephew here at the same time," he joked. When Serena's smile faded, he said, "How can you still have any doubts about Matt?"
She evaded the question with one of her own. "Was you brother's room up here, also?"
"He had the other corner suite. Come on, I'll show you."
The doors opening off the hall led to guest rooms, and upstairs den and various utility closets. Seiya's former room was a duplicate of Darien's, except it hadn't been converted to a guest suite.
It was exactly as Serena imagined it had been when Seiya left home. There were vestiges of his college days, pennants and posters, as well as the more contemporary books and paintings he would have acquired as a young adult. On one wall was a bulletin board filled with tacked up photos from years past, judging by the clothes and hairdos.
"Mother never wanted to change anything in here," Darien said soberly. "She always hoped…" his voice trailed off.
Serena moved over to look at the snapshots. "Which one is your brother?"
Darien pointed silently to several photos of a young man who was either laughing or had a smile on his face. Seiya Shields was a handsome and obviously personable. There was a slight family resemblance to Darien, but Seiya's hair was slightly lighter and he wasn't as tall. Serena looked for some resemblance to Matt, but she couldn't see it in the small, not always in focus snaps.
"These are pictures of Seiya when he was little." Darien said. Next to the bulletin board was a long frame containing a montage of studio shots of a small boy at various ages. "Mother hung it in here after I persuaded her to take it out of her own room."
Serena now understood why Darien was so convinced that Matt was his nephew. The little boy in the photographs looked strikingly like Matt, the same laughing eyes, the same bright smile.
"Seiya's eyes were the same blue as Matt's when he was that age," Darien said gruffly. "They darkened as he grew older."
"He was a beautiful child," Serena remarked noncommittally.
"Can't you see the resemblance?" Darien exclaimed.
"Children tend to look alike when they're little. They're all sweet and cuddly—like Matt," she added deliberately.
"I give up!" Darien's strong face was filled with frustration. "You refuse to believe your own eyes."
"And you find it impossible to be objective," she said quietly. "I agree that Mina contacted you in good faith. But has it occurred to you that if she was mistaken about her relationship to you, your brother might still be alive somewhere?"
"Don't you think I want to believe that? I'd give anything if it were true! But there are too many indications that Mina was telling the truth. Why would she have called me, if she didn't have good reason to think Seiya was my brother?"
"I wish I had the answer." Serena sighed.
"Lunch is ready, children," Joan called.
"They aren't children," Matt giggled. "They're big grown-up people."
"That's true," Joan said as they all walked down the stairs. "But your Uncle Darien will always be my little boy. Even though I can't tell him what to do anymore," she added with a smile at her son.
"What do you want him to do?" Matt asked.
"Nothing much." Darien chuckled. "Just get married and produce lots of grandchildren."
"One would be a nice beginning," his mother said dryly. "Preferably before you have to bring him to see me in a nursing home." When they reached the ground floor, she said to Matt, "Come into the kitchen with me. I want you to meet Estelle."
"I'll say hello, too," Darien said, taking Serena's hand to bring her along.
The large kitchen was as well equipped as the ones in top restaurants. The six-burner stove had a stainless steel hood and long counters held every kind of small appliance.
Estelle was a short, plump woman with graying hair. She was about Joan's age and had her employer's assurance, if not her elegance. This was clearly Estelle's domain, but she unbent for Matt.
Touching his hair lightly, she said in a softened voice, "It's like seeing Master Seiya all over again."
After giving Serena a triumphant look, Darien introduced her to the cook. "What are you giving us for lunch, Estelle?" he asked. "Your mushroom crepes with mornay sauce? Or did you make my favorite, lobster soufflé?"
"Those aren't suitable fro a child," she scolded.
"What's wrong with teaching him to be a junior gourmet?"
"Whatever Estelle made will be delicious," Joan said. "Let's go sit down and get out of her way."
Lunch was served in the morning room rather than the large, formal dining room. The table was set with colorful place mats and a centerpiece of fragrant sweet peas in a ceramic pot.
Joseph served the first course, a delicious cream of tomato soup in thin china bowls. But Darien raised his eyebrows at the main course. The plate Joseph set in fro not him held small triangular sandwiches with trimmed crusts, surround a molded fruit salad on a lettuce leaf.
"This is a ladies' lunch, not a meal for two he-men," he complained.
"I like it," Matt said. "Will you cut my sandwiches like this, Serena? They don't lose their insides like the big ones."
"It won't hurt you to eat lightly for one day," Darien's mother told him. "You look as if you've gained a bit of weight."
Serena couldn't imagine where. Darien's tight jeans clung smoothly to his flat stomach and lean hips. The Princeton sweatshirt he wore over them was baggy, but there was no bulge underneath it. He looked fit and trim.
Staring at the finger sandwiches disdainfully, he said, "I didn't have to play handball all morning for this."
"Is that how you keep in shape?" Serena asked. "I keep promising myself I'll join a gym, but I never seem to find the time. And that was before Matt came into my life."
"It must be difficult to work and take care of a child," Joan remarked. "I don't know how you young women do it."
"I guess you become more organized," Serena said. "And of course most women have time to plan for a child. I'm still just sort of playing it by ear."
"That's something we need to talk about," Darien said. "Things can't go on this way much longer."
She cast a covert glance at Matt, who was happily digging into his fruit salad. "I don't think this is the time to discuss it."
"You always have some excuse," he said sharply.
"They aren't excuses, they're reasoned judgments," she answered, just as sharply.
Joan also glanced at Matt, who had looked up at their raised voices. "Serena is right," she said. "This is not the time."
"I've tried being reasonable and it doesn't work." Darien's jaw set grimly. "You might be willing to wait indefinitely, I'm not."
"That will do, Darien," his mother stated firmly.
Matt looked at him doubtfully. "Is Uncle Darien mad about something?" he whispered to Serena.
"No, sweetie," she said reassuringly. "Grown-ups sometimes talk loud, but it doesn't mean anything."
When Matt still seemed uncertain, Darien smiled at him. "How would you like to throw a ball around in the yard after lunch?"
Before he could answer, Joan said, "One of my friends has her daughter and grandson visiting from New York. He's about Matt's age and I thought it might be nice if the two boys played together for a bit. Nancy only lives a block away, and David, her grandson, is rather lonely here. Would you mind if I took Matt over there for a short time?" she asked Serena.
"Not at all, if he wants to go," Serena answered. "Would you like to play with a little boy down the street?" she asked him.
His face lit up. "Yeah, I wanna do that! I used to play with my friend Sean, but I haven't seen him in a long time. Can we go right now?"
"As soon as we have dessert," Joan promised.
"I don't want any. I wanna go now."
Matt was such a good child that Serena hadn't realized how much he missed his friends, as well as his parents. This situation was hardest on him, although he rarely complained.
The little boy was persuaded to have dessert, after Joan explained that David was still having his own lunch.
When Matt was finished and impatient to leave, Joan said to Serena, "You're welcome to come, of course, but it isn't necessary. I promise to take good care of him."
"I don't have any doubts about that." Serena smiled at the older woman.
"Splendid, then why don't you and Darien relax in the garden until we return?"
Serena didn't expect to relax with Darien after his outburst at lunch. She was prepared for a battle when they went out on the terrace after Joan and Matt had left. But Darien confounded her, as usual.
"It was very nice of you to let Mother spend a little time alone with Matt," he said. "I know she appreciates it."
"I'm not trying to be difficult, Darien."
"You mean it just comes naturally?" he teased.
"That's better," she said dryly. "For a minute I though you were beginning to like me."
"I don't know how I feel about you." He gave her a puzzled look. "One minute I want to knock some sense into your stubborn head and the next minute I want to kiss you senseless."
"Do I get a choice?"
"That depends." He moved closer. "Which would you choose?"
"It's a tough call." She grinned.
He cupped her cheek in his palm. "Would a sample help?"
She was mesmerized by the glow in his eyes, seduced by the sun-warmed scent of his skin, the hand curving around her cheek. As his head descended slowly, she could see each spiky black lash that fringed his dark blue eyes. It wasn't until his arm curled around her waist that she summoned the will power to move away.
Attempting a light tone, she turned toward the garden saying, "What would the neighbors think?"
"They can't see over the wall." He snaked an arm around her waist and drew her back against him. Lifting her long hair, he strung a line of kisses across the nape of her neck.
The intimate contact with his hard body made her legs tremble. How long could she keep on resisting him? But then Darien said something that brought her to her senses.
"I just decided I'd rather kiss you than try to reason with you," he murmured.
Serena removed his arm and turned to face him. "It doesn't pay to get overconfident," she said acidly.
He looked at her blankly. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't pretend innocence," she snapped. "We both know why you're being so seductive all of a sudden. It's quite a change from the temper tantrum you threw at lunch. But you can knock it off, because it won't work. I'm keeping Matt until I have a good reason to turn him over to somebody else."
"Who appointed you judge and jury?" Darien asked furiously. "You won't believe the evident when it stared you in the face."
"You have no hard evidence," she answered, just as angrily. "Only a few photographs, a tennis trophy and an alleged phone call."
"Are you doubting my word?"
"Let's just day, I'd have a lot more respect for you if you didn't try to use dirty tricks to get what you want."
His eyes shot sparks of blue fire. "When I tried to kiss you just now it was because I wanted to—although at this moment I can't imagine why."
"Forgive me if I don't believe you."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" he asked witheringly. "You wouldn't believe today was Saturday if I told you."
"You'll have to admit you did try to influence me."
"Not the way you're accusing me of."
"Oh, no? When we first met, you found it difficult to say a civil word to me."
"You weren't exactly gracious, yourself."
"Maybe not, but I didn't do an about-face overnight. You expect me to believe you changed your mind about me that fast?" Serena demanded.
Darien looked uncomfortable. "I will admit my attorney advised me to…be pleasant."
"And you decided that making love to me would be even faster," she said scornfully.
A muscle bunched at the point of his point of his square jaw. He forced down his anger and looked her over insolently. "It's been known to work," he drawled.
Serena had been aware of his motivation from the beginning, but it hurt to hear him admit it. "At least you're finally being honest. I appreciate that," she said stiffly.
Her mobile face expressed more than she realized. Darien stared at her moodily for a moment, before jamming his hands into his pockets. "I don't know why we always end up in a shouting match. We both want what's best for Matt. We just have different opinions on what that is."
"I'm glad you realize it's nothing personal."
After a moment's hesitation he replied, "On my side, either. But we can't go on like this. Matt's future has to be decided."
"I keep hoping Mina will come back or the police will find her."
"That's beginning to seem unlikely. So where do we go from here?"
"After meeting your mother and seeing you home, I have to agree that Matt will be better off with you," Serena said reluctantly. It was one of the most difficult decisions she'd ever made. Matt had become very dear to her, but she had to think of him rather than herself.
Triumph blazed on Darien's face. "We can have him?"
"I don't have the authority to decide that. Your attorney can advise you, but I'm sure you'll have to go to court. It won't be a slam-dunk, either. Jadeite is almost certain to make an opposing claim. He's been pressuring me to let Matt stay with him for a few days."
"You don't honestly believe his story?"
"No, I never did. It's too bizarre. I can't imagine why he wants Matt, but it makes me uneasy."
"Don't worry about it. My lawyers will have him laughed out of court—if it goes that far, which I doubt."
Serena smiled wryly. "I know it's silly, but I fell like a mother who's giving her child up for adoption."
Darien looked at her curiously. "Did you really plan on keeping Matt? I know there are a lot of loving single mothers, but children require a big commitment."
"I guess I didn't really think that far ahead. I simply got attached to him very quickly. He's a cute little kid."
"Matt's a charmer, all right, just like his dad."
"There's one thing that bothers me," she said slowly. "If for some reason Matt isn't who you think he is, what will you do then? I won't allow him to be put into foster care, where he might be bounced from family to family like a tennis ball."
"I don't share your doubts about his identity, but if I should happen to be wrong, it won't make a difference. You aren't the only one who's become attached to him. Matt will have all the love he deserves."
"That makes me feel better."
Darien gave her a dazzling smile. "Then we can call a halt to the hostilities?"
"I'd like that. Contrary to what you think, I always wanted to be friends."
"From the very beginning?" he teased.
"Well, maybe not." She smiled. "We got off to a bad start, and everything went downhill from then on."
"It wasn't all bad. We had a lot of fun together when we weren't fighting—at least I did."
"Winning had made you charitable," Serena observed dryly.
"I don't think of it as winning or losing," he protested. "My personal feelings never entered into it."
"I know." She turned away and walked onto the lawn. "I suppose you'll want to speak to your attorney first thing in the morning. I know how impatient you are, but he'll probably tell you that Matt has to remain with me until the court approves custody of him. I hope that won't cause problems between us again. I'm sure with your connections it won't take long, and then this whole thing will be over."
He gave her a dissatisfied look. "You're making me feel as if I'm taking advantage of you. I thought we were in agreement."
"We are. I just meant our lives would return to normal."
"We'll still keep in touch." He glanced at her obliquely. "I know you'll want to see Matt."
"I'd like to, but you never know what will happen," she said vaguely.
"Is it because of me? Have I made you life so miserable that you don't want to see me again after this is all settled and you're no obliged to?"
"No…no. Of course not. But there won't be any reason for us to see each other."
"I thought we agreed to be friends. We've been through a lot together. You don't just drop a friend for no good reason."
Why did Darien want to be friends? Maybe because he'd never had a female friend and it was a novelty, Serena thought cynically. Or perhaps he could only be friends with a woman he wasn't romantically interested in. Neither reason was very palatable.
"We could go out to dinner once in a while," he said persuasively.
"Sure, why not?" It was easier than arguing, and if Darien did call it wouldn't be for long.
Joan brought Matt home a short time later. The little boy couldn't wait to tell Serena what a good time he'd had.
"David and me played hide-and-seek and I won! I found him three times and he only found me twice. Then we played some more games and after that Mrs. Ailen gave us ice cream.
"I hope it didn't spoil your appetite," Darien commented. "I'm looking forward to an early dinner."
Matt barely heard him. "And tomorrow Auntie Joan is gonna take me to a birthday party. She says it has to be all right with you, Serena. It is, isn't it?"
"I thought we were going to the circus tomorrow," Darien reminded him.
The little boy was torn by indecision. "Could we go the next day? I wanna see both places."
"I supposed that could be arranged," Darien said indulgently. "We can't go on Monday, but we can postpone the circus until next weekend."
"Awesome!"
"Matt had such a good time today, that I thought he'd enjoy being with a group of children," Joan said.
"Yes, it's something he's obviously missed," Serena agreed. "I think it'll be good for him."
"I'm glad you agree. You're welcome to come, too, Darien. The party is being given by your friends, Andrew and Rita. A lot of the fathers attend."
"I'm not a father. Or is that the point you're making?" he teased.
"Not at all. I simply thought that since…" Her voice trailed off as she glanced at Matt, reminding Darien that the boy didn't have a father.
"I'll be happy to come," he said soberly. "How about you Sere?"
"I lack the same credentials you do. But I'm a pushover for birthday parties—as long as I'm not the one who's getting older." She laughed.
"You're just a youngster," Joan assured her. "Have you ever seen such beautiful skin?" she asked her son.
"Never. It's positively pearly. I believe I mentioned that to her once." Darien grinned.
"That's nice," Joan said approvingly. "It's always pleasant to get compliments."
"He's quite good at making them. He must get a lot of practice," Serena remarked with an innocent expression.
"Can I go inside and play with the cars?" Matt asked.
"Darien looked at his watch. "For about half an hour, and then we'll go out for an early dinner."
"I'm not hungry," Matt said.
"He had a big dish of ice cream and several cookies at Nancy's," Joan said. "I'm not surprised that he isn't hungry."
"Oh, great!" Darien groaned. "That minuscule lunch you gave me wore off long ago."
"Can I go now?" Matt asked impatiently.
"Yes, run along, dear." When the little boy had gone inside, Joan said to Darien, "Why don't you take Serena out to dinner? I'm not hungry, either, so Matt and I can have something to eat later on. He can even stay the night," she added causally.
Serena looked doubtful. "It might be a little too much excitement for him. He's going to have another big day tomorrow."
"Serena's right. Maybe tomorrow night would be better," Darien said.
"I hate to keep saying no, but that would be a problem for me," she said. "A friend of mine takes care of Matt during the week. I won't have time to pick him up here and take him to Amy's before going to work."
"I didn't know he spent the day somewhere else," Darien exclaimed.
"You were the one who told me an office was no place for a child," she answered evasively, not wanting him to know she'd concealed the fact deliberately.
Joan looked disappointed, but she said, "You two can still go out to dinner. It would really be a favor to me," she told Serena. "I don't want to hear Darien complain about his lunch anymore."
"Okay, I've said my last word on the subject." He chuckled. "I'll go home and change clothes, as long as we aren't going to a pizza parlor or the equivalent."
"I have to change, too," Serena said.
"I'll drop you at home first, and come back for you."
As she thanked Joan for lunch, Serena wondered how she'd let herself be maneuvered into dinner with Darien. She knew the older woman's motive; Joan wanted Matt all to herself. But why had Darien gone along with her plan? Because he wanted to make his mother happy? Probably it was because he decided it was expedient to maintain friendly relations until the court appointed him Matt's guardian, Serena thought sardonically.
Serena took a quick shower when she got home. The telephone rang while she was rushing to apply her makeup and get dressed. She only answered it because she thought Darien might be calling with a change of plans—hopefully to say he'd be a little late. She could use the extra time. When Serena heard Jadeite's voice, she was sorry she hadn't just let it ring.
"I've been trying to get in touch with you," he said in a flinty voice.
"I know. I've been terribly busy. In fact I'm getting ready to go out in a minute."
"How long do you think you can get away with brushing me off?"
"I'm sorry I haven't had time to talk to you, but you don't have to be unpleasant about it," she said coolly.
"You don't know just how unpleasant I can get, lady!"
"Are you threatening me?"
Jadeite tried to control his temper. "Maybe that was a little out of line. But wouldn't you be steamed? First you tell me I can have Matt for a few days, and then I find out it's all a con. I can't even get you on the phone."
"Perhaps I should have talked to you," she admitted grudgingly. "But I never promised to let you have Matt. I merely said I'd think about it."
"That's not the way I heard it. I'm through dancing around with you. I want the kid!"
"You have no right to him. You haven't provided me with a shred of evidence to back up your highly unbelievable story—and that's putting it charitably." Serena was having trouble controlling her own temper.
"I suppose you believe every word Shields tells you," Jadeite sneered. "Money sure talks, doesn't it?"
"Not to me. Darien's money or lack of it doesn't concern me."
"Give me a break! Is that why you and the kid went out with him last night and again today?"
"How did you know that?" she demanded.
"It doesn't matter. If you're not playing house with him you'll give me the same consideration you're giving him."
"Your crude insinuation is both insulting and untrue," Serena said icily. "It also reinforces my opinion of you. I wouldn't trust you to lead Matt out of a burning building!"
"You better reconsider or you're going to be one sorry chick," he said furiously. "I'll give you until tomorrow to change your mind." He hung up before she could answer.
Serena replaced the receiver slowly. The change in Jadeite was chilling. She'd never cared for him, but it hadn't occurred to her that he was potentially dangerous. He must have been the one who searched her apartment and had her followed. She hadn't imagined those things. How else would he know where she went and who she as with?
The problem was, she had no proof. She hadn't told anyone but Amy about the break-in, and she hadn't even told her about being tailed. The police might think she was being dramatic. Even if they believed her, there was nothing they could do without some evidence besides her say-so.
She could tell Darien, but his reaction would be predictable and immediate. He'd beat Jadeite to a pulp. Not only would he get into trouble, it would ruin his chances of convincing the court that he was a responsible guardian for Matt.
There didn't seem to be a solution, at least not one she could think of at that moment. It was an unpleasant situation, but what could Jadeite actually do? The courts had given her temporary custody of Matt, and even had she wanted to, she couldn't just hand the boy over to Jadeite. He must understand that. She intended to be on her guard—that was only sensible—but there was no need to panic.
Serena would have changed her mind had she heard Jadeite's conversation with his boss…
Jadeite's phone rang only moments after he'd hung up on her. He answered it with a snarl, ready to vent his anger on the first person her encountered. "Yeah? This better be important because I've got other things on my mind."
"I hope one of them is concern for your health," Malachite answered ominously. "I'd say it was in a very precarious state."
"Oh…hi, boss. I didn't know it was you. Some guys have been calling me to whine about their gambling losses. I was just giving them the brush. We're taking in a bundle at the club," Jadeite said eagerly.
"Two million dollars?"
"Well, no. But give us time." He forced a laugh.
"I've given you more than enough time and gotten nothing back to show for it. You've run out of time," Malachite stated.
"We agreed on a week!" Jadeite said in alarm.
"That was your idea, not mine."
"But you said it was okay. You went along with me. It's only been a couple of days," Jadeite babbled. "I just need a few more."
"How long do you think you can string me along? If you'd made any progress you would have reported it to me. Instead of that, I have to track you down. You don't even give me the courtesy of returning my phone calls."
"You mean the one you made to me at the club last night?" Jadeite pretended innocence, although he'd been ducking the other man's calls. "I was just about to call you when the phone rang, honest to God! It must be mental telepathy or something."
"That would involve to fully functional minds," Malachite said bitingly. "How about the other messages I left for you?"
"Did you leave more? I didn't get them, I swear! I'll have somebody's head for this. It's just goddamned incompetence and I won't put up with it!"
"Spare me the histrionics. We both know you've been avoiding me, which means your bumbling attempts to get the boy have failed. I approve of using him as bait—it's the one good idea you've had."
"It'll work, boss!"
"I know it will, but now by sweet-talking some bitch. From now on we'll do this thing my way. Is that understood?" Malachite asked in a steely voice.
"Sure, boss, anything you say," Jadeite agreed hurriedly.
"It's very simple—just snatch the boy."
"We talked about that as an alternative—" Jadeite began.
Malachite cut him off. "I said do it—now!"
"If you say so, but that might take a couple of days, too. The only time Serena took the kid out at night, she had that Shields jerk along with her. He's a big guy, looks like he used to play football."
"Why do you have to wait for her to go out with the child? Simply take him from her apartment at gunpoint. Do I have to tell you how to do your job?"
Jadeite was fairly certain Serena would refuse to let him in after his recent tirade. Why had he allowed himself to blow his top? Besides that, Malachite's plan had one big flaw. Jadeite couldn't do the job personally, because Serena might recognize him—even in disguise. He didn't intend to jeopardize his own sweet operation, but of course he couldn't tell Malachite that.
"Okay, boss, I'll handle it your way," Jadeite said.
"And soon," Malachite said in measured tones.
Serena's nasty confrontation with Jadeite made her late. When Darien rang the bell, she ran to answer the door in her bathrobe. He raised an eyebrow at her bare feet and the long blonde hair pinned haphazardly on top of her head.
"Weren't we supposed to be going to dinner?" he asked.
"I got a phone call that held me up, but I'll be ready in a couple of minutes," she promised.
"I thought maybe you had more interesting plans for the evening." He grinned. "I'll be glad to swap my plans for yours."
"You've been complaining about how hungry you are, so there's no danger of that." She took the pins out of her hair and it fell in a shining curtain past her shoulders.
"A man had other appetites," he murmured, moving toward her.
"If you don't stop clowning around I'll never get ready." She turned and went into the bedroom. "Where are we going anyway?" she called.
"I made a reservation at the Topaz Room. Is that all right?"
"It's fabulous!" The restaurant he'd chosen was one of the most expensive in the city. "I just wish you'd told me sooner. I don't know what to wear."
"Whatever will take the least time. It's only dinner. You don't have to get all gussied up."
"Are you always this cranky when you're hungry?" she teased.
"No, mainly when I can't get anywhere with a beautiful woman." He chuckled.
Darien was watching the news on television when Serena joined him. She was wearing a short blue dress draped to one side, nude colored panty hose and spiked-heeled sandals.
"Wow!" he exclaimed. "You looked positively incendiary."
"Is that good or bad?"
"It's fantastic." His eyes traveled over her admiringly.
She handed him a strand of pearls and turned her back to him, lifting her long hair. "Will you fasten these for me? They have a tricky clasp. I always have trouble with it."
Darien had difficulty, too. As he fumbled with the clasp, Serena began to have second thoughts about asking for assistance. His breath warmed her skin as he lowered his head for a closer look, and his long fingers felt seductive on her neck. She was uncomfortably aware of how close their bodies were.
"Stop fidgeting," he commanded. "This thing really is tricky."
She forced herself to stand still, but when he finally got the necklace clasped, Darien leaned down and kissed the nape of her neck. A ripple ran down her spine and Serena skittered away as if he'd branded her.
He looked at her with amusement. "Is that a ticklish spot?"
She nodded, grateful to him for providing her with an excuse. "I don't like my ears nibbled, either."
"It's nice to have all this information. I only hope I get to use it someday," he remarked dryly. Before she could reply, Darien put an arm around her shoulders and led her toward the door. "If you're finally ready, let's go eat. I'm starving."
whew…okay just moving along now…I'd say we're a little more than halfway into the story line…hope u guys like it so far…btw, starting within the next few chapters until the end Kam and I will be welcoming a new co writer into this story...we've been in talks with a fellow reader keezy and she's agreed to help us write an ending…thanx again and happy reading…Kaci