Shadows of Deceit (A Series of Shadows) (29 page)

“Dad, how do you think Aunt Shevaun has felt having to keep this all from us? Then Lou?” Liam was clearly not happy with his father at the moment.

Max sidled up to Lou and whispered in her ear. “We went around for about four hours before your mother called Nora and Liam to come up. Seamus has been getting progressively more inebriated ever since.”

“You think it’s about Vinny?” She whispered.

Max nodded. “I suspect so. To be honest I think him more than Nora or your cousin.”

Lou watched as her uncle paced around the kitchen. She understood the crisis of conscience he was having over the need to lie to Vinny. They had been best friends since the Sheriff’s academy, despite Seamus being older by seven years. It was a tough position to be put in but when Lou had considered everything, it was the best thing for Vinny that he be left out of the Sanguinostri loop.

“Listen to me.” Lou walked up to her uncle and poked him in the belly, making him wince. “Your son is a cop now. Vinny’s kid has yet to be born! He is not retired, you are. His entire family is not a part of this world, yours is.”

“Dad...” Liam put his hand on his father’s shoulder. “I listened to everything very carefully. I am telling you right now that if there is a way for me to be a better cop and have less of a chance of dying in the process, I am taking it. End of discussion.”

Nora looked at her son and smiled then looked back to Seamus. “Are you even considering it in those terms?” She asked her husband.

So there it was. The bottom line. The most important thing to both Seamus and his wife. The safety and security of their son. Seamus looked at his wife for several minutes with an expression that Lou knew all too well. It was the look of both resignation and pride that Seamus and Joe often gave their wives when they knew they were right.

Seamus turned abruptly and looked at Dillon. “So you are part of all this?”

“I am, sir.” Dillon nodded. “I was inexplicably lucky to be given this new life.”

“You like coffee?” Seamus asked him.

“I do, sir.” Dillon smiled.

“Since you are outside of the family loop, let’s have some coffee and you give me your take on all this.” Seamus ushered Dillon into the other room.

Lou could hear Seamus asking Dillon how he came to be Sanguinostri and Lou knew that Dillon would explain everything in great detail just as he had done a little while ago with her. She expected it would be about twenty minutes or so before they were finished so she decided it would be a good time to go through any questions her cousin and aunt had while they waited. Lou hopped up on the counter and let the Q and A begin.

Max was gentle and patient running through it all for what Lou expected was the tenth time. Lou listened very carefully when he explained to her aunt and cousin what her role as Principate was and how critical it was to him and his council. Lou thought she had the gist of it before but hearing him explain once again in very fundamental points made Lou feel a little more secure than she had been feeling lately. Liam was enthralled by all of it, asking about the different agents, stewards, the various roles they played and then the option of turning versus not was rehashed again for the both of them. Lou knew that it was a huge risk to turn even with the tests they had. She also knew that it was something her mother and Joe were having intense discussions about lately. What Lou didn’t know was that her mother had already submitted her blood for testing and was waiting for the results.

“When did you do that?” Lou was stunned.

“Last week.” Shevaun replied rather sheepishly. “I was going to tell you once I had the results back.”

“Well at least you weren’t going to tell me after you were turned!” Lou scoffed.

Shevaun frowned at her daughter. “Listen young lady! This is my life and I will decide what to do with it as I see fit. You are a grown up now! Not a child that I need to take care of. I realize this impacts you but it is still my choice and I do not need your permission!”

Lou was taken aback by her mother’s scolding. “I know it’s your life, I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”

“You are seriously considering turning?” Nora asked her sister-in-law. “Aren’t you scared?”

“Now that you know the benefits, aren’t you considering it?” Shevaun asked her point blank. “What about for Liam? Don’t you want him to consider it? Hell, don’t you want him to just do it?”

As the two women discussed the situation, Lou looked at Max with worry. She knew that a turning needed to be approved unless there was special dispensation. “Can they if they choose?” She whispered to him.

“Of course.” Max answered quietly as he scooted closer to her. “Your family has my endorsement. I told you that when you were indoctrinated.”

“Yeah but I thought that meant just us, mom, Joe and me.” Lou had been in denial about a lot of things and didn’t want to ask questions in case she was going to get an answer she wouldn’t like.

“No.” He placed his hand over hers. “Whatever you need is always yours, you should know that by now. That extends to your entire family, Lou. I know they mean everything to you.”

Lou turned her hand and laced her fingers with his. This man made her heart swell to an almost painful fullness. Yes, he scared the crap out of her on occasion when she considered his power and position but he was so humble and generous to her and her family that it made her want to weep. The simple fact that the sight of him made her knees weak only exacerbated the issue. In that moment with their fingers entwined, staring into his warm honey eyes, Lou could barely breathe. Neither of them saw Liam approach so when he spoke it gave them both a start and they quickly pulled their hands apart. They hadn’t done anything wrong but they both were acting like guilty teenagers.

“Uh, sorry to interrupt but I wanted to ask you a few things if I could?” Liam was asking Max so Lou decided it was time to check on her uncle and Dillon.

When she walked in to the other room she saw Joe, her uncle and Dillon all huddled together in deep discussion. As soon as Seamus saw her come in he waved at her to come and join them.

“You know what this kid has been through?” Seamus asked her.

Lou smiled. “I only just found out today..”

“Really?” Her uncle was surprised.

“Really.” Lou confirmed. “He wanted to get the job based on his own merits, not because he was Sanguinostri.”

Seamus looked even more impressed with the man. “Good for you!”

“I bought a house today too!” Dillon grinned from ear to ear.

“Really?” Joe asked. “Where abouts?”

“Just a few minutes away, down the hill in the equestrian community.” He was very proud of himself.

“Terrific!” Seamus slapped Dillon on the back. “You need help moving in? Liam and I would be happy to help!” The men were clearly bonding and it made Lou smile.

“Oh, to be honest I don’t have anything but a duffel bag.” Dillon seemed a little embarrassed. “The place comes fully furnished with all new stuff so I am good to go. Thank you for the offer! I may need some advice on buying a barbecue though. Maybe you will all come over for a cook out? Help me celebrate?”

“Damn right we will!” Seamus chortled. “We need to come up with some sort of a code though in case I start slipping around Vinny.”

In that instant Lou knew it was all going to be fine. Seamus had made his decision by virtue of what he had just said.

“You might want to let your wife and son know that you are good with this then. So they can stop stressing.” Lou suggested.

Seamus blinked a few times, acknowledging he had indeed decided without even realizing it. “You are absolutely right!” He got up and marched into the kitchen.

“Whew.” Joe sighed with relief. “Thanks Dillon, we owe you one. Or two.”

“Me?” Dillon was unsure of what he had done.

“Yes, you.” Lou knew what Joe meant. “Telling Seamus your story showed him the greater purpose in things. The nobility and goodness in the Sanguinostri as opposed to the serious draw-backs.”

“I just told him what I told you earlier.” He looked at her, still confused.

“Exactly.” Lou grinned at him. “Now come on you two, I’m sure Max needs to formalize this so let’s get in there and help him pin Seamus down.”

Lou’s new partner and her step-father got up from the bar and followed her in to the kitchen where they saw Seamus in a group hug with his wife and son. Shevaun was tucked securely under Max’s arm, crying and giggling at the same time. He gave Lou a wink, indicating all was well in the McAllister universe once again. It was a major hurdle they had just cleared and a huge weight off Lou’s shoulders.

“Group hug?” Abby shouted as she walked into the kitchen carrying a huge pot of something. “I want in!” She set the pot down on the stove and headed straight for Shevaun and Max where they obliged her.

Niko and Frank came in behind her carrying big boxes which they sat on the counter next to the stove.

“You bring everything?” Max asked and they nodded in the affirmative. “Excellent. Seamus, Nora, Liam, let me introduce you to...” Just then the rest of the Council filed in carrying more pots and boxes with Marta, the housekeeper behind them.

“We missing anyone?” Lou chuckled. “This is the Aegis Council, Niko, Yuri, Connor and Finn...” Lou introduced everyone to everyone and the greetings began while Marta and Max started setting the table.

It was becoming a family tradition to seal deals with a big feast and Abby and the guys had brought the goods. The huge pot was filled with some sort of simmering beast and the men started unloading foil trays and setting up a buffet style assembly line. Jokes started flying as Dillon was introduced to the rest of the Council and Abby looked at Lou sheepishly from across the kitchen. Lou just blew her a kiss to let her know that everything was alright and Abby beamed a smile back at her.

Just another day in the new life, Lou thought to herself as she marveled at the hoard that was her whole family now. As much as she wished Vinny could be a part of it, that was not what was best for him. She opted to take Dillon’s attitude on things and be grateful for having as much as she was already given. It was a lot, after all.

“The oath should only take a little bit, then we can eat and talk afterward.” Max whispered, having snuck up behind her.

“We can talk tomorrow.” She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled.

“No, Frank told me you needed to talk to me and that it was important.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “I just wanted to make sure you knew I hadn’t forgotten.”

“I know you wouldn’t forget.” She needed the time to gather her thoughts on everything from her conversation with Inspector Dunhill anyway. “We may need an impromptu Council meeting.”

Max raised an eyebrow. “Very well then. Let’s get things started.” As Marta began ushering people out of the kitchen, Max took her cue and led everyone into the family room where the indoctrination ceremony could take place.

Max had Shevaun assist him through the ceremony which made it all the more special. Seamus was good and sober as he made his vows alongside his wife and son. Lou couldn’t help but cry. It was extremely moving and powerful, reinforcing Lou’s own vows that she had taken just a short time ago. The meaning to the words grew richer and deeper as she listened to her uncle recite them. It was not as formal and solemn as her mother and her ceremony had been which to Lou’s mind was a good thing. Her family deserved some joy and levity after everything they had been through. It was all very good.

For the first time ever, Lou was grateful that her mother had insisted on having such a huge, custom built, dinning room table. Lou had always thought a table that seated eighteen was ridiculous, but between her parents, Dillon, Marta, her aunt, uncle, and cousin, then the oversized men of the Council and Max, the table needed every inch to seat them all. Joe once again insisted that Max take seat at the head of the table, with Lou sitting to his right. Joe had used the excuse that he knew they had business to discuss but she had caught him winking at her mother afterward and knew they were playing match maker again. Lou would never admit to them that she appreciated their efforts.

As plates were passed and stories were shared, Lou filled Max in on everything that Inspector Dunhill had told her. She noted that his expression had grown more serious as she relayed Dunhill’s concerns over his Dominor and the issues of the blood born.

“Dunhill said he has evidence?” Max asked.

Lou nodded as she rushed to take another bite of the delicious chicken masala that Abby and the guys brought. She swallowed prematurely and nearly choked but quickly regained her composure. “He said that he and a few agents have evidence to support Esterhuizen smuggling a blood born out of the country.”

Max set his fork down and folded his hands. “They informed their Council of all this?”

“That’s what he said.” Lou told him as she too sat her fork down. “He said that his Dom wanted it handled in house but that was months ago when Esterhuizen left Cape Town on the freighter. It was only when we found Esterhuizen dead in Arcano’s house that their Dom ordered the Council to do a head count.”

“What the hell is he thinking?” Niko chimed in from half way down the table. He had apparently been listening the whole time.

“I don’t know.” Max replied, then grew quiet for several moments before he turned to Frank at the other end of the table. “Frank...”

“Already done.” Frank cut him off before he could finish. “He’s faxing everything to you at the hotel.”

“How much longer are you guys going to have to stay there anyway?” Lou asked. “Hell, Dillon just got here and he’ll be moved in to his own house before you.” She grinned and took the opportunity to resume eating.

“Very funny.” Abby scoffed. “We had a little technical set back because of the rain but a few weeks at most until it’s ready to move in.”

“Are you all going to be living at Max’s home?” Shevaun asked.

“Frank and I will be there for a while.” Abby explained. “Some of the guys will be moving in to the Ops center when it’s done but that won’t be for a while.”

“Your neighbors, the Davies, they are moving back east.” Finn broke into the conversation. “So they are letting us lease their place until Ops is done.”