Rulers of Deception (24 page)

There was Grant’s idiot wife arriving at the clinic, nervous and fearful. And Linc’s bimbo whore, lunching in the park with her sleazy jackass of a boss. He’d captured both moments with hundreds of photos, though he’d only sent the best to the husbands. He hoped they enjoyed them as much as he did. Creating drama was becoming one of his favorite pastimes.

Soon he hoped to bring that drama to the public. But again, he had to be patient. There was a plan greater than his own in the works.

His cell phone vibrated in his pocket, startling him. He reached for it and smiled as he read the caller ID. “
Qué pasa?
”

As the person on the other line began to speak, Daniel’s expression went from pleased to tense to irritated. His fingers clenched over his phone, knuckles white. “I’ll make it happen.”

When the phone went silent, he shakily set it aside and did another line of coke. Then two. It was all that could keep him from an all-out panic attack.

The second meeting
took place on the Hudson River Greenway. A line of stone benches flanked one side of the walkway, backed up to a thick row of hedges and trees. The benches faced the river and gave visitors an ideal place to people-watch.

Behind her dark sunglasses, Veronica’s eyes were vigilant. She wore a scarlet sunhat low over her face, shielding her from the sun and curious onlookers. To anyone who didn’t know, she’d appear to be nothing more than a beautiful woman enjoying a rest from her walk on the Greenway. In reality, she was a thirsty reporter itching for information and hungry for the truth.

As anxiety and nerves skipped over her skin, she thought of the fresh bottle of Xanax hidden inside her purse. The urge to partake in just one little pill clawed through her, restless and urgent. But no, not here. Not when the world was watching. She couldn’t risk it.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of her man. He sauntered along with his hands in his pockets and his fedora covering his shock of curly black hair. Perfectly round, silver-rimmed sunglasses were perched on his generous nose, which shifted as he grinned.

When he settled onto the bench beside her, he rested his arms over the backrest and tilted his face up to the sun.

“Beautiful day, ain’t it?” Jimmy sighed, glancing over at Veronica.

She glared at her own reflection in his glasses, all business. “Did you get what I asked for?”

“That’s a great hat. Looks like something Wyatt’s old lady would wear,” Jimmy replied easily. “Though I gotta say, she’d wear it better.” He reached down to scratch his knee through his worn-out jeans, then dug into his pocket for a wad of cash. Handing it to her, he smiled again.

“What’s this?” she asked, brows creased as she tucked the money out of sight. She couldn’t guarantee there wasn’t someone watching.

“The extra five hundred you gave me to wear a wire and get Wyatt to confess on tape about Franco and the cartel.” Jimmy looked out at the river, his eyes following a sailboat that cruised through the water. “It didn’t take.”

“What do you mean it didn’t
take
?” Veronica snapped. “I showed you how to use it.”

“I know. And I thought I did it right,” Jimmy went on casually, nodding at a pretty blonde who passed by pushing a stroller. “But when I got home nothing had recorded. Oops.”

Veronica gritted her teeth. “You have to talk to him again. I need this audio.”

“Why don’t you just ask him yourself?”

“Because I don’t have access to him and Madison refuses to discuss it.” Veronica scowled and sat back against the bench. “If I give you back the money, will you try again?”

“No can do, Miz Diaz.” Jimmy chuckled. “Wyatt made it very clear he doesn’t wanna see me again. That ship has sailed.”

“Damnit.” Veronica chewed on her lower lip. “Have you heard anything more about the cartel? When are they going to make their move?”

“Don’t know, but Wyatt’s received a threat directly from the cartel, written in blood and everything. It’s got him all out of whack.”

“Are you serious?” Veronica’s eyes widened as she gaped at him. “Does Madison know?”

“Probably. She’s not stupid.” Jimmy tilted his head to face her. “I’d bet money she knows and has a plan to save her family. Not that it’ll do much good. Franco’s not gonna give up until they’re all dead.”

Veronica’s face blanched, a sick feeling passing over her. “Yikes. They’re in deep shit, aren’t they?”

Jimmy turned away, a sad smile shadowing his face. “Now you know why I gotta keep my distance. Anyone caught dead with the Vassers now could wind up dead for real.”

Haunted by his words, Veronica got up without another word and left.

“Is it bad
that I’m a little bit nervous about this?” Quinn asked Grant sheepishly as they walked into the lobby of the hotel. Her hand was clutched tightly in his, her eyes glued to his face. “I mean, I still can’t believe it myself.”

Grant’s mouth upturned in a warm smile. “And here I thought you’d be happy.”

“I am, don’t get me wrong,” she argued with a quick huff of breath, brushing aside stray strands of her hair with her free hand. “It’s just really freaking big news.”

“What’s big news?” Linc asked, overhearing them from his position at the front desk. He leaned over the counter and winked with a cocky grin. “Let me guess, you’ve decided to name your kid after me. Shucks, guys, you really shouldn’t have.”

Grant frowned as Quinn burst into a fit of nervous laughter, her hand instinctively going to her abdomen. She held it there as she met eyes with her brother-in-law, her smile brilliant as starlight. “Well I guess we could name
one
of the babies after you…we’re having twins.”

Linc blinked back the shock as his mouth fell open. “No shit?” His eyes immediately went to Grant, and seeing his brother’s proud smile confirmed the news. “Well, hot damn. Congrats, guys.”

He rounded the desk and went to them, pulling Quinn in for a tight hug before shaking his brother’s hand.

Grant let out a quiet sigh, his gaze drifting to his wife. “The doctor warned us that twins tend to come early. It’s raised a whole host of concerns…”

“I’ll be fine.” Quinn waved off his comment with a sunny smile. “She gave us all these pamphlets to read over and recommended some books to buy, including this amazing sounding cookbook that has all the best recipes for optimal prenatal health. I can’t wait to dive into that one.”

Amusement flashed over Linc’s face. “I’m sure you can’t. Hey, why don’t we get Mads down here so we can celebrate?” He paused and pointed an index finger at Quinn, eyes narrowed. “Just juice for you, though. Sorry.”

Quinn beamed, glowing with humor. “Hey, we have some sparkling cider tucked away somewhere. Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy something bubbly.”

Within minutes, Madison, Clara, Charlene, and Marshall joined them inside
Cherir,
where Linc was busy handing out champagne and cider and boasting to anyone who’d listen that he was going to be an uncle and that his brother was going to be a proud father.

Clara and Charlene hovered over Quinn like giddy, overprotective hens as they admired the ultrasound, already having claimed one baby each. Quinn simply shot Grant a humored look as he shook his head exasperatedly.

Marshall swept Grant away for a manly heart to heart that, from what little snippets Quinn could hear over the preening of her mother and mother-in-law, included tales of delivery room joy and the importance of sports and military in a young man’s upbringing.

Lynette breezed in awhile later, having gotten the call from Linc. She joined Quinn at the table and hugged her tightly.

“Congratulations, honey.” Lynette sighed wistfully, her envy in full swing.

“Thank you.” Quinn clasped her friend’s hands in hers. “Linc’s already talking about kidnapping one of the babies for you guys. He says I’ll have enough on my plate with just one.”

Lynette’s brows rose dubiously. “He did, huh?”

“I told him in no uncertain terms to lay off and get his own baby.” She winked, resting her hands over her belly.

Madison suddenly slid into the other seat, her hand finding Quinn’s shoulder affectionately. She met eyes with Lynette. “I’d say my poor brother has caught baby fever.”

Lynette paled, wringing her hands together in her lap. “He’ll have to wait a bit longer. He knows that.”

Madison’s lips curved into a sly grin. “His competitive side won’t let him wait for too long, darling. He’ll want to prove he’s just as worthy of fatherhood as Grant is.”

Lynette said nothing, contemplating her words guiltily.

Quinn squeezed her hand. “You’ll be ready when the time’s right, Lynette.”

Lynette managed a smile and a nod. “I know. Though, Lord, is the time seeming more and more right every day.”

Quinn let out a delighted laugh. “Good. He’ll be a great father. And you’ll be a fantastic mother.”

“I know,” Lynette repeated, confidence filling her eyes. She let out a soft breath and turned to Madison. “Is Wyatt coming?”

Madison stiffened, the burden she couldn’t share with them bearing down on her like an ominous storm. She rolled her shoulders and tried to pass off her irritation as carelessness. “He’s very busy. I’m sure the next time he’s at the hotel he’ll come by and give his congratulations.”

Quinn looked disappointed, but kept it to herself. When she spotted the rest of her family pouring into the restaurant, she let out an excited yelp and jumped up to greet them. Lynette was swept off by Linc a second later, leaving Madison by herself.

She silently watched the exchange between Quinn and her family, pleased for her sister-in-law. Quinn deserved all the happiness in the world, as did Grant.

As for herself, it seemed the current troubles in her own life were some kind of karmic retribution for all the misdeeds she’d committed in the past. There would be no escaping them or the future she had no choice but to face head on.

Having had enough
celebrating for one day, Madison slipped upstairs for her belongings. Despite not wanting to remain with her family, the last thing she wanted to do was go home. It was an alien feeling to her, a thick ball of lead that settled in the pit of her stomach and made her ill. She knew the reason for it, of course. Home was where her husband was. Where the liar was.