Thicker Than Water

Chapter

Nine

SHE COULD HEAR the murmur of voices, a low wash of sound that mixed soft clinks and footsteps. It sent a wave of familiarity over her, bringing up memories of growing up in this house and hearing those sounds so very often. Kerry soberly regarded her reflection in the mirror. Her charcoal gray, wool suit jacket fitted precisely across her shoulders and draped over the slightly lighter silk dress. She wore her hair clipped back into a knot, and had on only a sober dusting of makeup. “You doing okay?” Her eyes lifted to the mirror, and watched Dar’s reflection in it as she walked to her.

“I’m fine.” Dar eased her collarless black silk jacket over a simple yet elegant dark bronze sheath. The jacket covered the ugly bruising and provided a somber draping to Dar’s tall form.

“Got plenty of drugs in me.” She glanced at Kerry’s profile. “You doing all right?”

Kerry nodded. “I’m fine.” She removed two jade studs from her small kit and inserted one into her right earlobe. “Sounds like a crowd’s finally arrived downstairs.”

“So I hear.” Dar put her own jewelry case on the dresser.

“When you have a chance, it’s tough for me to reach up—could you...?”

Kerry smiled a little. “Sure.” She finished putting in her earrings, opened Dar’s case, and took out the beautiful blue dia-monds that were her favorites. “Sit.” She indicated the low, padded bench. “Make my life easier.”

Dar did as she was asked, stifling a small yawn with her good hand as Kerry moved her hair aside and tilted her head a little.

She felt the warm touch of fingers against her earlobe, then the faint pressure as the posts went through her skin. “I like that dress on you.” She touched the soft fabric that covered Kerry’s hip.

“Thanks,” Kerry murmured, attending to the other ear. “I got it to wear to that executive convention next month in New York.”

Thicker Than Water 133

She straightened and observed her work. “Those are so pretty.”

“Should be, for what they cost,” Dar said, jokingly. “Mind getting that necklace, too?”

Kerry fished in the bag and drew out the glittering crystal on its golden chain, then opened the catch and fastened it around Dar’s neck. It matched the one already around her own neck and, with a tiny grin, she settled it into its spot above the hollow in Dar’s throat. “Are we ready?”

Dar tilted her head and peered up. Kerry’s face was grave but composed, and there was a peace about her that had been sorely missing for several days. “I think we are.” She stood up and twitched her jacket straight. “Let’s go.”

They met Angie and Richard on the stairs, and walked down together. Richard had on a dark suit, and Angie had chosen a simple, dark gray dress. Dar was the last on the stairs and had the best view of what waited below. There was a small crowd in the foyer, men mostly, with a few women, and a local television reporter. As they descended they were spotted, and Dar watched the reactions.

Interesting. Eyes fastened on her, and she coolly returned the stares. The television reporter broke off his speech with an older man and turned and hurried in their direction. “Here we go,” Dar murmured, giving Kerry’s back a tiny scratch.

Kerry’s shoulder blades shifted and she stiffened as they reached the foot of the stairs and were met by both the reporter and the stares of the gathered crowd. As she expected, the reporter made a beeline for her, and she met his eyes steadily as he advanced.

“Ms. Stuart?” The man seemed a little more excited than the situation warranted. “Can I get a word with you?”

Kerry sighed inwardly. “Sure.” She stepped to one side and allowed the others to move on. Dar, naturally, didn’t. Angie gave her a sympathetic look as she edged past. “What can I help you with?”

The man glanced at a piece of paper, then obviously organized his thoughts. He lifted his eyes and started to speak, then paused, his gaze drifting up and a little to the left. He blinked, then cleared his throat. “Ah…I know this is a very sad occasion, Ms. Stuart, but there are many people who are surprised to see you here.”

“Really?” Kerry asked. “Why? My father died yesterday. Did you really think politics could interfere with my being here for my mother and my family?”

The camerawoman edged around, getting a better shot. It gave the reporter a moment to regroup. “Ms. Stuart, we’re aware 134 Melissa Good that there have been some strained relations with your family, and—”

“And?” Kerry cut him off again with genteel politeness.

Another shift of his gaze up and to the left. “And…ah…I’m…I mean, it’s good to see the family giving each other support during this horrible tragedy.”

“Thank you.” Kerry rewarded him with a warm smile. “It’s been a very difficult few days. Now, if you’ll excuse us?”

“Uh…sure.” The reporter backed off, with a nervous glance behind Kerry. “Thanks for speaking with us.”

Kerry smiled and ducked around the camera. She waited until they were halfway across the foyer and almost to the large reception room before she paused and lowered her voice as Dar drew even with her. “What were you doing to him?”

“Me?” Dar’s low, musical voice asked. “Nothing. Why?”

Kerry just gave her a look. “I can’t wait to see this on the eleven o clock news.” She glanced ahead and saw several of her extended family near the door to the reception room, and the coldness of their stares was almost a physical blow. She squared her shoulders. “C’mon.”

Angie spotted them as they cleared the door and she hurried to them. “Hey, that didn’t take long.” She latched on to Kerry’s arm and steered her away from the hostile crowd. “Mom’s over there.” She pointed to their mother, flanked by two aides, with a short, stocky older man opposite her. “Chatting with the governor. I think she could use some support.”

“Sure,” Kerry replied. “Aunt Mary looks like she wants to spit nails at me anyway.” She gave her aunt, a chubby woman dressed in unflattering black crepe, a smile, which wasn’t returned. “You’d think she hadn’t spent the last twenty years telling everyone what a bastard our father was.”

“Mm.” Angie snorted softly. “Or that she’d been a flower child who burned her bra and voted Democratic just to spite the family.”

“Hm,” Kerry said. “I wonder if that look’s for my lifestyle or the company I work for, then. Maybe I’ve got her staring daggers all wrong. She’s been fighting big business since the Stone Age.”

Dar chuckled softly.

“Don’t laugh,” Kerry murmured. “She thinks the high techs are the worst things that ever happened to the Earth.” They arrived at Cynthia’s side before Dar could answer, and they met the glares of the aides.

“Ah, Kerrison.” Cynthia welcomed her warmly, ignoring the frosty expressions of the two men on either side of her. “Splendid.

I was just discussing you with the governor.” She turned. “James, Thicker Than Water 135

this is Kerrison, my eldest daughter.” Then she paused, almost infinitesimally. “And her…partner, Dar Roberts.”

“Kerrison.” The governor extended a hand to her with surprising good nature. They shook, then he turned and met Dar’s eyes, a tiny smile crinkling the corners of his own. “Ms. Roberts.”

There was, Dar realized, something faintly familiar about the man. She returned his strong grip and tried to figure out where she’d met him before. “Governor.”

“And you know Angela,” Cynthia continued. “The governor and I were just discussing—”

“Mrs. Stuart, a word with you.” One of the aides tugged at her sleeve. “There’s a phone call.”

Cynthia looked very annoyed, but she gave the governor a graceful nod. “Excuse me a moment.” She allowed herself to be drawn off to one side, where two other aides were standing, one holding a wireless phone.

“Kerrison,” a male voice chimed in from behind them.

“Hadn’t expected to see you here.”

Kerry turned to see one of her younger uncles on her mother’s side standing there. “Hello, Brad.” She exchanged wry looks with him. “I didn’t expect to see you, either. Guess I took your place as the black sheep, hm?” Brad still had his earrings, though he’d taken out the one he usually sported in his nose for the occasion.

Kerry was glad to see him, though they’d never been close.

“Made my life a little easier, yeah.” Brad laughed. “’Specially after my band got busted for possession last year.”

Dar watched the interchange, satisfied that Kerry wasn’t going to get bushwhacked, then turned her attention to the governor, who was standing quietly, watching everything. Their eyes met. “Political minefield, eh?”

He shrugged lightly. “Aren’t they all?” He cocked his head.

“Roger was a bastard, but he knew his job and he was damn good at it. Lots worse could have been in that seat, though I’m betting you’d disagree.”

Dar glanced around, surprised at the governor’s candor with a relative stranger. “He wasn’t my favorite human being, no. People who wish me, and those I love, dead and in Hell rarely are.”

She met his eyes evenly. “It’s a fairly common attitude, though.”

The faint smile returned. “That’s damn true, Ms. Roberts.

Damn true. Some of my closest friends feel that very way, matter of fact, and I’m not known as a liberal in many circles. Makes an already dicey decision even tougher now that Cyndi’s publicly stated her support for young Kerrison, there.”

“I bet.” Dar smiled humorlessly. “Does she even want the job?”

136 Melissa Good

“Not particularly.” The governor shrugged. “S’why she’s probably going to get it.” He rocked back and forth on his heels a bit. “Hasn’t got much time left on this term anyway, and anyone else I choose would just cause me other problems.”

Dar’s eyebrows rose. “Despite the,” she paused deliberately and put a sting in the word, “complications?”

The governor chuckled for no apparent reason and looked at his laced leather shoes. “Y’know, Ms. Roberts, I gotta tell you something.” He looked up at her. “I made the mistake of assuming things about gay people once, and I got my ass dragged into a tor-pedo locker and the bs kicked right out of me for it.” He grinned at her visibly startled reaction. “I surely don’t intend to make the same mistake twice, and have Andy Roberts coming after my ass again. I’m too old for that now.”

Dar blinked, then chuckled a little in pure surprise. “You know, I thought I knew you from somewhere. You captained that hunter sub he went out on for two tours.”

“That I did,” the governor said. “Besides, I’d be a half-brained old sea salt to piss off someone who might prospectively bring more private sector jobs into my state, now wouldn’t I?” He gave her a rakish grin. “Got any plans for expanding in Troy?”

Cynthia Stuart returned at that moment, having shed the two aides. “My apologies, Governor, but I see you were well accompanied.” She gave Dar a nod. “Is Kerrison…? Ah, there she is. Kerrison, perhaps we can speak with your uncles now. Are you free?”

Kerry and Dar exchanged glances. “Sure. I don’t honestly know what good it’ll do, but I’m willing to try.” Maybe, she considered, in this very public venue, they’ll at least be civil. She put a hand on Dar’s arm. “You’d better—”

“Stay here?” Dar completed the statement with a faint smile.

“All right, but if voices start to get louder, I won’t be responsible for my reactions.” She watched Kerry walk to a knot of her family, relaxing a little when Michael slid in and put an arm around Kerry’s shoulders.

The governor gently cleared his throat. “Chip off the old block, aren’t you?”

Dar kept her eyes on her lover, but smiled with pride. “That’s what they tell me.”

“THAT THERE MAN is not worth this here suit.” Andrew folded his arms over his broad chest and reviewed the passing countryside. “Ah will tell you that.”

Ceci glanced at him, then returned her attention to the icy road ahead of her. “No, he’s not worth a potato sack. But Kerry’s Thicker Than Water 137

worth that suit, and besides, I like you in it.” She caught a pair of pale blue eyes reflected against the windshield and smiled. “Not as much as the white one, but still…”

Andrew merely grunted, shifting his shoulders inside his dark blue uniform jacket. “Spent enough time decorating it, now didn’t you?” he rasped, giving her a wry look.

Ceci chuckled smugly. “Wasn’t it a coincidence that box of medals from the Navy showed up yesterday? Amazing, I tell you, just amazing.” She turned carefully onto a smaller road, grimac-ing as she felt the wheels slide under her touch. “Lovely.”

“You want me to drive?” Andy asked.

“Honey,” Ceci struggled with the wheel a moment more, then got the car straight, “I’m sure Kerry and Dar would like to see us in one piece sometime this evening.” She accelerated cautiously.

“Ah. That’s better.” It really was hard to believe they were actually there. Certainly it was only marginally their business, and their presence would not, she suspected strongly, be a welcome one.

That one shot of Dar and Kerry coming out of the hospital the night before, both faces strained to an almost scary extent, made their decision for them, for better or worse. Ceci exhaled and nodded to herself. They had the means, they had the method, and by the goddess, here they were about to turn into the driveway of the Stuart family manse.

“Think we should have warned them?” she asked, waiting in line behind a maroon Jaguar.

An unexpected smile crossed Andy’s scarred face. “Nope.

Better to just do it and fill in the paperwork later.”

“Mm.” Cecilia pulled up to the guard and opened the window. The man leaned over and peered inside as she marshaled several well thought out arguments to gain admittance, prepared to bombard the man with inescapable logic and plain intimidation if she had to.

“Go right ahead, sir,” he murmured courteously. “Ma’am.”

The gate opened. Ceci glanced at her husband who looked back at her, equally puzzled. “Well.” She pulled the car through the opening gates. “I’m not looking that gift donkey in the ass.”

“Musta been taken by your pretty face,” Andy said.

“More likely by the glare off your chest, sailor boy.” Ceci patted the front of his uniform, which was liberally bedecked with medals and ribbons. “He probably figured you run the Navy.

C’mon.”

They got out and Ceci pulled the lapels of her coat closer as the cold wind chilled her skin. After a second, Andy was next to her, and he put a hand on her back to steady her steps as they 138 Melissa Good headed up the icy walk towards the house. “Stuffy looking, isn’t it?” she commented as they rang the bell.

“’Bout what I expected,” Andrew grumbled as the door opened. The staff member immediately retreated and allowed them to enter, offering to take their coats with a quiet word. They accepted the offer, and continued towards a large, crowded room off to the left.

Ceci checked out the house with a knowledgeable, patrician eye. The Stuarts occupied roughly the same social class as her own family, but there were differences. This was conservative, stolid, Midwestern money, concerned with presence and stability and tradition.

Ick. Ceci had a sudden, almost irresistible urge to throw a bucket of paint over the stately white walls. With an effort, she controlled herself and concentrated on studying the room full of dignitaries, searching for familiar faces. It was tough, being the height she was, but she managed to find Dar’s tall, elegant form almost immediately. She had her back to the door and was speaking to a tall, silver haired man. “There’s one.”

“Yeap. Easy to spot. Prettiest girl in the room,” Andrew noted with complete seriousness.

Ceci chuckled softly. Then she stopped laughing when she saw Kerry off to one side, ringed by a number of older men and women.

“That don’t look so good,” Andrew said. “Think I’ll go scout.”

“I’ll go clue in our daughter,” Ceci replied, and they moved off in opposite directions.

“WELL.”

Dar turned her head and found a most unwelcome sight. Kyle Evans was standing there with a slightly mocking expression on his face. “Ah. What rock did you crawl out from under?”

One silver eyebrow lifted. “Not even a pretense of civility?”

“Not for you.” Dar met his gaze evenly. Of all the members of the late senator’s staff, this was the one she had the most reason to hate. And she did, with a completeness that allowed for no mitigation. Kyle had been Kerry’s persecutor, the man who had carried out her father’s rigid policies, and a nightmarish tormentor who had scarred her gentle lover’s psyche in ways it horrified Dar to think about.

“Well.” Kyle examined the room with cool eyes. “Finally got what you wanted, didn’t you?”

“No. I’ve always had what I wanted.” Dar met his sudden Thicker Than Water 139

look with an icy smile. “But he finally got what he deserved.”

Kyle didn’t answer. Instead, he continued to study the room.

“Pity I was out of the country,” he purred. “I’d have made sure you didn’t join this little family reunion.” He turned and smiled at her with no humor at all. “But look, there’s the little prodigal. Let me go pay my,” his lip twitched, “respects.”

“I don’t think she wants them,” Dar said.

“I’m sure she doesn’t.” Kyle smiled again. “Maybe we can talk over…old times.”

He turned and glided away, leaving Dar with an icy facade over wild inner turmoil. She felt her blood pressure rise, sending a surge of warmth to her skin and muscles as her body interpreted the emotion she felt with uncanny accuracy. Her hands twitched, and it was only by the barest of margins that she held herself back from going after him.

“Dar?”

Her head snapped to one side, and it took a few seconds for her rational mind to recognize the voice and register the sudden, completely unexpected appearance of her mother at her side. Her glare melted as she took a breath and blinked. “Mom? What are you doing here?”

“Well…” Cecilia eased closer, now that the impending erup-tion seemed to be under control. “Up ’til now I’d have said we were here just to piss everyone off and give you two some friendly faces.” She studied her child with concern. “But after that little scene, I’m not so sure that moral support is the only kind you need. Who the hell was that?”

Dar’s eyes darted over the crowd. “Dad’s here?”

“Yes,” Ceci said. “He was heading over to thump Kerry’s relatives a moment ago. Why?” She put a hand on Dar’s arm. “Dar, are you all right?”

Dar closed her eyes and took firm control of herself. “Yes.

Thanks.” Now that she knew they were safe, one worry was done away with. And she had another to take its place. She finally turned and regarded her mother. “I’m glad you’re here.” She drew a deep breath before addressing the question. “And that was Kyle Evans. He’s…he was Stuart’s chief bastard and whitewasher.” Her lips twitched. “His personal assistant.”

“Uh huh.” Ceci relaxed a little. “Tight-assed looking creature.

Sorry about the surprise. We saw you two on television last night and you looked like you could use a little support.”

“I tried to call you earlier.” Dar felt her pulse slow. “Colleen said you’d gone out of town, but she didn’t know where.” She scanned the crowd again and immediately found her father’s tall form as he slid into place beside the unsuspecting Kerry, just as 140 Melissa Good Kyle approached from the other side of her.

An unexpected smile crossed Dar’s face, which vanished just as quickly. “It’s been a rough couple of days. Most of her relatives are giving her hell.”

“So I gathered,” Ceci murmured. “Shall we go rescue her?”

Dar glanced around the room. It was full of dignitaries, most of whom were watching the cluster of people around Kerry with thinly disguised interest. She watched a camera flash and saw the reporter angle for a better shot of Kerry’s face as she stood holding her ground against her various aunts and uncles. She was tense; Dar could see that in the way she held her body and in the careful, controlled hand motions as she fought to remain civil.

“Yeah,” Dar said. “Let’s go do that.”

KERRY RETURNED THE thin smile from her youngest aunt.

Viciously polite. That was the term she was looking for. So far, though, she’d done all right. Even her uncles, aware of the cameras and the outsiders’ stares, were behaving themselves. “Sorry, what was the question?”

“What’s the social life down there like for you?” Marcia repeated. “I’m sure you participate, don’t you?”

“Not really,” Kerry replied quietly. “I do on a corporate level, naturally, but we have other interests besides parties.”

“Oh, really?” Her aunt was a slim, hawk faced woman with silvered dark hair. “Like what, cooking?” she asked with a touch of sweet sarcasm.

Keep cool, Kerry, she reminded herself. “I dabble in it, sure.

But mostly outdoor sports, really. Diving, underwater photography, that kind of thing.” She smiled. “And a little distance running and martial arts.”

“Funny,” Aunt Marcia sniped. “You were never interested in those things before.”

“Well, you know, there’s a limited amount of scuba diving available in Lake Michigan,” Kerry replied. “Miami’s a little more climactically friendly to outdoor sports. It’s been great for me. I’m having the time of my life.”

“Well you certainly look different,” her aunt said. “You definitely…filled out.”

Kerry refused to view that as the insult her aunt undoubtedly intended it to be. “Thanks. You look good yourself.”

“Yes, she certainly has changed.” A voice came from Kerry’s left, sending a chill down her back. She turned to find her worst nightmare looking back at her through cold, gray eyes.

“Hello, Kyle.” Her stomach lurched as she remembered the Thicker Than Water 141

last time they’d met. She felt someone brush lightly against her on the right side, but she remained in place, warily watching her old adversary. She honestly hadn’t expected this confrontation. Her mother had told her Kyle had been sent overseas months ago, and she’d figured… Damn.

“Yes, didn’t expect me, did you?” Kyle laughed. “I’ve just arrived. I’m so glad to see you.”

Kerry felt like throwing up. “Feeling’s not mutual.” She resisted the urge to look around for the comfort of Dar’s presence.

A thousand childhood fears reared their heads, a hundred memories of that smiling face echoed in places she’d thought well cleared. “Excuse me.”

“Oh, but we’ve only started to talk.” Kyle moved closer, very aware of the watching eyes. “Do tell me what you’ve been up to, Kerrison. I want to hear every detail.”

Feeling trapped, Kerry studied him to give herself a moment to think. “Nothing you’d be interested in, Kyle. I don’t think there’s much for us to discuss.”

Kyle put a proprietary hand on her shoulder. “Come now, is that any way to talk? Let’s—”

A hand covered his and removed it from Kerry’s arm with a power evident even in that brief contact. “Ah do believe this here young lady has other things she’d be liking to do.”

Kerry whirled in startled, disbelieving shock. She tipped her head back to take in the tall, grizzle haired man in a Naval uniform right behind her, his scarred face set in watchful stillness.

“Ya’ll might want to just let her get on with them,” Andrew drawled.

Kyle’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me, but I don’t think this is quite your affair…ah,” he glanced at Andrew’s chest, “Commander, is it?” Then he looked again. “Roberts. Ah.”

Andy put a long arm around Kerry’s shoulders. “Ah’d say you were wrong. This here young lady is very much mah business.”

Kerry exhaled her tension, and threw her arms around him in a hug. Kyle had truly rattled her, and to have Andrew show up at just the right moment… “Wow,” she whispered, squeezing him hard before she released him and turned back around. Kyle was watching Andrew with wary dislike, and the rest of her relatives were frankly staring at him. “Sorry. This was kind of unexpected.

This is my father-in-law, Andrew Roberts.” She almost enjoyed the flinches. “A very welcome surprise.”

“I’m sure,” Kyle murmured. “For you, at least.”

Andrew eyed him steadily for a moment, then looked around at the gathered relatives. “Hi there.” His Southern accent dripped 142 Melissa Good out like molasses. “Good t’meet y’all. This here’s mah wife, Ceci,”

he added, as Cecilia joined him.

“Hello.” Ceci smiled with charming frigidity at the crowd.

“Moments like this make even a rationalist like me seriously doubt Darwin.”

“Hi.” Kerry was hard pressed to restrain her glee at seeing Ceci, someone who could meet her relatives on equal footing and boot them in the rear with exquisite courtesy. It was seriously like having the cavalry riding over the hill. “When did you guys get here? Did you see… Ah.” She felt Dar’s presence at her elbow, and a warm hand touched her back. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Dar said. “Now the puppy-sitting makes sense.”

“Hm.” Kerry regained her balance. With Dar and Andrew bracketing her like a pair of sturdy bookends, life had gotten much better with startling rapidity. It wasn’t that she didn’t have confidence in Dar alone, but Kyle’s specialty had always been intimidation, and Andy simply was who he was, his scarred, yet potent strength making her old adversary seem almost childlike in comparison.

Maybe Kyle felt it. Certainly, he backed up a few steps, pretending to take more interest in obtaining a glass of wine from one of the servants. Then he looked up as a cluster of people approached and grimly smiled.

Kerry turned, only to be face to face with her mother and another pod of relatives. “Ah…uh…”

“Kerrison…Oh.” Cynthia Stuart stopped a little short, blinking at her unexpected guests. “Why, Commander, it’s good to see you. And Mrs. Roberts, how nice it is to have you here.”

Ceci’s eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly. It wasn’t quite the reception she’d expected, given their last meeting. However, one took what one could get, and if she got caviar instead of fish turds, all the better. She dusted off her annoying company manners and presented them, knowing she’d get no help whatsoever from her beloved spouse. “Thank you so much for welcoming us in such a distressing time. We always do seem to be meeting under the worst of circumstances, don’t we?”

Cynthia pursed her lips. “You know, that’s very true. Perhaps we could invite you to a Christmas party or something in the future?”

“Well, I’m a pagan. Solstice, perhaps?” Ceci smiled charmingly and watched the comment fly over Cynthia’s head and splat against the white walls.

“Of course. Lovely,” Cynthia answered vaguely. “Ah…”

Dar was having an absolute ball watching the expressions on the faces of Kerry’s family. Their reactions ran the gamut from Thicker Than Water 143

puzzlement to outrage. Dar made sure she smiled at each of them.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kyle slip away as a curious cameraman approached, drawn most likely by Andrew’s tall, uniform clad form.

Having had enough fun for the moment, Ceci took Cynthia’s proffered hands. “We knew it was a rough time for everyone.

Glad we could be here to give you our sympathies in person. You have a beautiful home.”

A camera flashed.

“Why, thank you,” Cynthia replied warmly. “Oh, do come and let me introduce you to my brother Anthony. I believe he collects your work.”

“When he finds out who I am, hopefully he’ll continue to do so.” Ceci smiled politely and held a hand out to Andrew. “We’d love to meet him.”

“One less thing for you to have to worry about,” Kerry murmured, turning her head so that only Dar could hear her. “What a gorgeous surprise, and what perfect timing.”

“Mm,” Dar grunted, giving the press a polite smile. “I could use a drink of water, how about you?”

Amazing how dry that suddenly made her throat. “You bet.”

Kerry edged out of the view of the press, who seemed intrigued by their new target. “Dad looks great.”

“Yeah,” Dar whispered back. “I’ve never seen all those decorations before. I can’t believe Mom got him to wear them.” She eyed them and gave her father a pointed look before she gently steered Kerry through a nearby doorway and into a small alcove just off the reception room. Here there was a linen draped table with glasses and a pitcher of water. She poured two glasses and handed one to her lover.

For a moment, they sipped their drinks and regarded each other. Then Kerry sighed. “Night of surprises.”

Dar nodded. “Some not so good.”

Kerry stared into the depths of her glass and swirled its contents. “Yeah. Damn. I forgot how much I hated him.” She was surprised to see her hands shaking, then realized the rest of her also shook. “Wow.”

Dar took the glass out of her hand and put it down. She took Kerry’s cold hands in her own and warmed them. “It’s a little chilly in here.”

“Yeah, it is.” Kerry felt lightheaded. She took some deep breaths and the shakiness subsided as her racing pulse slowed and steadied.

Dar noted the pale tinge to Kerry’s normally golden complex-ion. “You all right?”

144 Melissa Good

“Yeah.” Kerry nodded, relaxing a bit. “It was so good to see Mom and Dad.” She smiled at Dar. “When we heard they’d left Miami, I should have guessed they’d be coming here.” She turned her head and spotted a nearby bench. “Sit for a minute?”

Dar took a seat next to her, and they let out simultaneous sighs. “Here.” Dar handed Kerry back her water and watched her take a swallow. “Tough crowd.”

Kerry rolled her eyes.

“They make my family look like the Waltons,” Dar continued.

“On Thanksgiving.”

Kerry snickered, almost spitting out some of her water.

“If one more of them had made one more snippy comment about your weight, I was getting ready to spill a glass of that disgusting dry champagne down their backs,” Dar went on. “Especially since the last time most of them saw a gym was high school.” Another snicker from Kerry encouraged Dar to add,

“And even then, they probably just danced in it.”

Kerry cleared her throat. “Very true. They’re not much into the physical fitness scene; that was one subject that never really came up. It was fine and accepted to starve yourself into rapier thinness, but to actually consider…ugh...sweating, forget it.”

“I think you’re very cute when you sweat.” Dar crossed her ankles and swallowed some water.

“Let’s not go overboard,” Kerry replied, giving Dar a wry look. Then she sighed. “Okay, I’ve had my Dar break, I’d better get back out there. I think my other cousins just got here.” She stood up and twitched her dress straight. “Want to come meet them?”

Dar put her glass down and joined Kerry near the doorway.

They paused and looked over the gathering, spotting Andy and Ceci near a cluster of older guests. As they were about to step forward, Dar felt Kerry hesitate, and she glanced around to see what the problem was. Kyle was watching them from near the elegant bar, his arms crossed as he spoke in a low voice to two men in dark suits. “I don’t like the looks of that.”

“Me either. C’mon.” Kerry deliberately turned and walked in the other direction, towards two younger women looking self conscious and trying to be casual in black lace dresses neither did any justice to.

THE STUDY WAS very quiet, almost somber. Kyle ignored the ghosts watching from the corners and strode across the rich carpet, swung behind the desk, and sat in the leather chair with stolid arrogance.

Thicker Than Water 145

For a moment, he hesitated and laid his hands on the surface, then he shook his head and opened the center drawer. There were a few papers on top, and these he pulled out, impatiently flicked his eyes over them, and then tossed them on the desk, one after the other. “Nothing there.”

He put the papers back into the drawer and closed it, then went to the first file drawer on the right hand side. Inside, a series of hanging files were lined up in a typically neat row, labeled with the senator’s projects.

Most were empty. Kyle frowned, thumbing through them. “I know these weren’t finished. Don’t tell me someone’s come in to get them already. I’ll have them skinned.”

He shoved the files towards the back, then hesitated as he felt resistance. Pulling the folders forward, he craned his neck to see what was blocking them in the back of the drawer. “Maybe they fell down in there…Eh, what’s this?”

He tugged out a manila envelope, its edges frayed and par-tially split. It was fairly thick, and he put it down on the desk, opened it, and looked inside.

The scent of paper and laser ink hit him. Curious, he removed the first few pages and tilted them towards the light on the desk to see better. “Ah hah,” he whispered and chuckled softly under his breath. “Now here’s something I can use.”

He read further, a look of consternation appearing on his face. “Where in the hell did he get this?” he wondered aloud, then his eyes narrowed. “And why didn’t he tell me about it?”

He drummed his fingers on the desk, then picked up the envelope and tucked it under his arm as he got up to leave.

“Maybe that’s why he put a stop to my plan of stripping those contracts.” He chuckled as he headed for the door. “Now I can kill two jackasses with one grenade.”

MUCH LATER IN the evening, Dar found a moment to pause and lean against the wall, hoping the ordeal was almost over. It had been a very long night, with a lot of stress, and her shoulder had gotten so painful, it was hard for her to move her arm without screaming.

But now, people were leaving. That was good.

Good riddance. Dar felt very little empathy for the wool suited, hostile eyed people who surrounded her beloved partner with appraising stares and veiled comments. Family, yes, but almost all of them either resented Kerry for what she’d done to her late father, or for her current lifestyle. Or for her choice of life partners.

146 Melissa Good Fuck them. Dar mentally enunciated the words with grim satisfaction. She then looked up as she felt someone approaching. Ah.

“Hi, Dad.”

Andrew Roberts found a spot on the wall next to her and claimed it. “Hey there, Dardar,” he rumbled softly. “You don’t look so hot.”

Dar sighed inwardly. She’d never had much luck in fooling her father about when she wasn’t feeling well. “No, you’re right.

I’m tired and grumpy, and my shoulder’s killing me.” She saw Kerry walking across the room towards her with a forceful and determined stride. “Uh oh.”

Andrew chuckled. “Hey, Dar?” He eased closer and motioned with his jaw to the reception room doorway where Kyle was standing, just watching Kerry. “Who is that feller?”

“An asshole who deserves to be run over by a Mack truck,”

Dar replied without thinking. “A total bastard who made Ker’s life a living hell for a long time.”

“Yeah?” Andrew’s voice was gentle.

“Yeah,” Dar answered, before she greeted Kerry. “Hi. Bet you have a headache.”

Kerry had opened her mouth to speak, and this statement derailed her a little. “Um...yes, I do, as a matter of fact. How did you know?”

“Same way you know it’s time for me to go get more drugs,”

Dar replied with a faint smile. “Unless you’re ready to retire for the evening.”

With her back turned to the room, Kerry looked up at Dar, and for a moment her determinedly cordial mask slipped, revealing a rawly anguished expression. Her voice, however, remained quiet. “I think I’ve had about enough for the night, yeah. If I have to hear one more person come up with one more euphemism for you and me being lovers, I may have to kill someone.”

There was an awkward silence. Kerry glanced up to see Andrew scratching his jaw. “Sorry, Dad. I figured you already knew.” She peeked at Dar, almost smiling at the faint blush. “I mean, you are a sailor and a man of the world and all of that stuff.”

Andrew chuckled. “I surely did know, kumquat. I just usually call you two sweethearts, is all.”

That coaxed a smile from Kerry. “Did my mother invite you two to stay over?”

”Yes.” Ceci appeared on Kerry’s other side. “Now that I’ve spent the evening bludgeoning your relatives with highbrow art talk. Good goddess, Kerry—you have a more annoying family than I do, and Andy will tell you that’s quite the radical state-Thicker Than Water 147

ment.”

Kerry sighed. “Thanks.” She looked around. “I hope you insulted the hell out of them. They deserve it.”

“Yes, they do,” Ceci said. “Tell you what. Let’s plan on getting your people together with my people some time, and we’ll bus them off to the Dade County Fair. I’ll take pictures.”

Andrew snorted and chuckled under his breath.

“They don’t deserve the funnel cakes,” Kerry said dryly.

“C’mon, let’s get out of here, Dar.”

Angie stuck her head around the corner of the doorway.

“Kerry, they want to get one more set of pictures, then we’re done.”

Aggrieved, Kerry sighed again. “For what? This is supposed to be a solemn occasion, Angie. I feel like we’re performing s…”

she glanced at Andrew and half smiled, “…bears.”

“The local paper.” Angie gave her an apologetic look.

“They’re doing an entire special section on him.”

Kerry closed her eyes. “Great.” She opened them and looked at Dar. “Why don’t you go on upstairs; I’ll meet you there in a few minutes. I need to have a word with my mother, anyway.”

Dar considered for a moment, then nodded. “All right.” She pushed away from the wall, and gave Kerry a gentle rub on the arm before she circled around her and headed for the door.

After a moment, Andrew caught up to her. Dar started to say something, then just decided to conserve energy and remained silent, ignoring the curious looks as they left the reception room and headed for the wide, open staircase. Cameras popped in the foyer as they crossed it, and Dar winced at the bright light. “What the hell’s that for?” she muttered.

Her father merely looked at her and snorted, shaking his head.

“Ms…ah…Roberts.” One of the reporters stepped into her path. “Can we get a moment to talk with you?”

Several choice replies came to mind, but then Dar recognized the lapel badge as one of the major business papers and decided Alastair didn’t deserve all the grief. “Sure.” She put a hand on the stair banister and waited. “What can I do for you?”

The man and his companion closed the distance between them as he took out a pad. Dar was mildly relieved no cameras were involved and decided to be patient and wait for him to get his act together. “Did he really rate the Wall Street Journal?”

The man looked up and gave her a half grin. “He was involved in a lot of behind the scenes issues.”

“Ah.”

“For instance, we know he’s been promoting an investigation 148 Melissa Good that calls into question the government contracts ILS has been given this past year. Did you know that?”

Dar took a moment to absorb the unexpectedly public information. “I did. But I try to stay clear of political entanglements—

our legal department handles that.”

“Your company would have been badly hurt if it’d been successful,” the man said. “So I guess that makes this an opportune event for you, huh?”

Dar remained quiet for a few breaths, balancing her inner feelings with her responsibilities. “People dying is never an opportune event, mister. No matter what he was up to, and no matter how he felt about ILS, he was still my partner’s father.”

“Even after those hearings? Pretty nasty,” the man said. “No one’d blame you for holding a grudge.”

“I don’t waste my time on grudges,” Dar lied in a sincere voice. “I don’t think he did, either. But it makes good press, doesn’t it?” She redirected the attack with a smile.

The man’s eyebrows quirked. “Someone else could pick up the ball there, y’know. Those contracts are worth a lot of money.”

Dar shrugged. “All our contracts are worth a lot of money, and that’s why we pay the legal department. I suggest you talk to them if you need any more details.” She lifted her hand off the banister and took a step back. “Excuse me.”

“Thanks for chatting, Ms. Roberts. Have a good night,” the reporter replied courteously. “Sir.” He gave Andrew a nod, before he turned and rejoined the milling crowd.

“Pansy ass,” Andrew grunted.

“Shh.” Dar muffled a short laugh. “C’mon.” She turned and walked up the stairs, shaking her head.

Dar was glad to get away from the noise and the crowd. She didn’t like them to begin with, and the pain was shortening her already ragged temper. “Damn, I wish I was home.” She sighed as she reached the door to the green room.

“Ah bet.” Andrew opened it for her. “Let me take a look at that there arm of yours.”

Dar’s brow edged up.

”Don’t you give me that look.” Her father scowled at her.

“Git.”

“Yes, sir.” Dar entered the room with Andy and closed the door. The room was dark, as they’d left only one lamp on, and she let out a silent sigh as she absorbed the quiet, dim peace. She kicked her shoes off first, then pulled her jacket off and froze in mid motion, clenching her jaw against a gasp.

“Easy there, Dardar.” Her father caught up to her and gently eased the jacket off her shoulders. “Lemme see that…Good Lord.”

Thicker Than Water 149

Dar glanced at her arm. “Looks worse than it feels,” she lied.

Andrew turned her into the light and touched the bruised skin with gentle fingers. “Looks a sight worse than it did back down south. Thought you been taking it easy.” He lifted his eyes and studied her face. “That does not look good to me, young lady.”

Dar managed a rakish grin. “Yeah, well, it’s your fault.”

Andrew blinked at her in astonishment and pointed a finger at his own, medal bedecked chest. “Mah fault?”

“Yep.” Dar walked to her bag and dug out her bottle of pills, then opened it and spilled one out onto her palm. “I did something yesterday I shouldn’t have.”

Her father snorted. “Are you telling me ah taught you to be a dumbass?”

Dar swallowed the pill and washed it down with a little of the bottled water she kept in her overnight bag. “Nope.” She put the bottle down and faced him. “You taught me chivalry. Kerry was sick as a dog and couldn’t stand up, so I picked her up and carried her to the bed.”

Andrew covered his eyes. “Lord.”

“Yeah, well.” Dar trudged back to him and turned. “Mind unzipping me?” She felt a light touch, then the fabric around her shoulders relaxed. “Thanks.” She glanced back at him. “And you would have done the same damn thing, so there.”

“Huh.”

Dar picked up her nightshirt and ducked into the bathroom.

She peered at her reflection and grimaced at the spreading extent of her injury. No wonder they freaked. Damn, that looks almost as bad as it feels. With a sigh, she slid her dress off and carefully got into her nightshirt, trying not to lift her arm more than she had to. “I’ll be damn glad when this is over,” she called out.

“You and me both, Dardar,” Andrew answered.

Dar went back into the room and sat on the bed. Andrew sat in the chair facing her. They regarded each other in silence for a moment, then Dar exhaled. “I hate what this is doing to Kerry.”

She hesitated. “And I hate that it’s because of us, because of our relationship that it’s so bad for her.”

Andrew mulled that over for a bit. “Yeap,” he finally exhaled.

“It was like that for your ma and me too. Her folks, my folks…Hurts like hell sometimes.”

They both thought about that in companionable quiet.

“Dar?” Andrew finally looked up at her, the dim light glint-ing off his pale eyes. “What’d that feller do to Kerry?”

Dar studied his face. “Kyle?”

“Hm.”

150 Melissa Good

“Just a lot of things. Why?”

Andy shifted. “’Cause that young lady ain’t afraid of much, and she’s scared of him; and I want to know why that is. And

’cause he makes mah eyeballs itch.”

How should I answer that? Dar wondered. So much Kerry had told her was so very private, and she knew her lover had kept it that way for a reason. Would she want anyone else to know?

Would she want anyone else to hear the things she’d finally told Dar, getting past that one last barrier before she committed herself to their relationship?

Maybe not.

There had been shame in Kerry’s eyes when she’d told her. It was a secret she’d held inside for a long time, and something she’d offered up to Dar in a trembling voice, as though somehow it might have made her feel differently about Kerry. Instead, it had just made her angry she hadn’t been there to stop it.

As she considered, Dar peered down at her hands, clenched together and tensed. Her mind went over Kyle’s vaguely threaten-ing manner. Would he try to hurt Kerry further? Her brow creased, then she nodded a tiny bit. He’d try to make her as miserable as he could, wouldn’t he?

She lifted her eyes and found her father patiently watching her. “I think…I think the worst thing he did to her…” She paused, trying to find the right way to phrase her thoughts. “I think the worst thing he did was he forced Kerry to see just how little she counted as a person with her own parents.”

“Mm.” Andrew considered that. Then he glanced sharply at her. “How?”

Her father sensed something, Dar realized suddenly.

“He…did something to her, and when she told her parents, they didn’t believe her.” She hesitated. “They believed him and made her apologize to him, and he laughed at her.”

Andrew got up and sat on the bed next to Dar. He looked into her eyes with a serious expression. “Paladar, did that man hit her?”

“No.” Dar felt suddenly back in adolescence, facing the one person she had never lied to, and had always trusted more completely than anything or anyone else in her life. “He raped her, Daddy.”

Andrew went very, very still, not even breathing for a long, long moment.

Dar blinked and was surprised to feel the warmth of tears rolling down her cheeks. She wiped them away with an irritated swipe of the back of her hand. “How could they not believe her?

Damn! I could never understand that.”

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Andrew remained very quiet for a moment, then he exhaled and took Dar’s hand, carefully folding his fingers around hers. “I thank the good Lord that you cannot understand that.” His voice was low and a touch hoarse.

Dar studied the scarred hands holding hers. “Dad?”

Andrew looked up at her. “Hm?”

“Sorry I gave you such a hard time when I was a kid,” Dar said. “I didn’t realize how lucky I was.”

Andrew shifted, then circled her with one long arm and gently hugged her and brushed his lips over her hair as she tucked her head against his shoulder.

“KERRISON, A MOMENT, if you please?”

For a long beat, Kerry almost said no. Then she exhaled and walked to her mother. The press had disassembled their equipment, and the hall was almost empty, and she wanted nothing more than to escape and find Dar and just get a hug. “Yes?”

Cynthia glanced around, then looked at her. “I know this evening was terribly upsetting for you.”

Kerry shrugged. “It was more or less what I was expecting. I don’t think we’ll be staying for the service tomorrow.”

Cynthia’s lips compressed. “Oh dear.” She sighed. “Perhaps if I speak with them—”

“No.” Kerry lifted a hand. “Don’t bother. I’ve paid my respects and said my good-byes.” She paused, considering her words. “Anything more is just a farce, and we all know it.”

“But—”

“Besides,” Kerry brushed aside the objection, “I’ve had about as much of Kyle’s slimebag presence as I’m willing to take in this lifetime.”

Cynthia remained silent for a moment. “His return was unexpected. Your father did depend on him so. He placed great value on him.”

“I know.” Kerry looked her right in the eye. “More so than on me. I remember that very clearly.”

Cynthia fell silent, visibly biting her lip.

“Excuse me.” Kerry stepped around her and walked towards the foyer. She met up with Angela and Michael as they came out of the library, almost as though they’d been lying in wait for her.

“Hey.”

“What a bitch of a day, huh?” Michael fell in at her side as they walked towards the stairs. “Think tomorrow will be better?”

“I don’t give a damn,” Kerry replied. “We’re out of here in the morning.”

152 Melissa Good

“Oh,” Michael murmured.

Angie put a hand on Kerry’s back as they started up the steps.

“If it’s any consolation to you, the snarky comments got nicer as the night went on. Even Marsha had to grudgingly admit you take grace under pressure to new heights.”

“Fuck them,” Kerry said. “They can all collectively kiss my ass.”

Her siblings maintained a slightly shocked silence for a few steps. “Well,” Michael finally said, “okay. But I bet Dar would start throwing them out the windows if they tried.”

“That might be fun to watch,” Angie said.

Kerry gave them both pointed looks, then she exhaled, her shoulders dropping and losing some of their tension. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay, sis.” Angie put her arm around Kerry’s waist, and Michael did the same from the other side as they walked up the steps together. “Did you know the governor knows Dar’s father?”

No, Kerry hadn’t known that. “Really? Small world, I guess.

Oh, wait. He’s ex-Navy, isn’t he?”

“Yeah,” Mike said. “He said Dar’s father is one of the scariest people he’s ever known.”

“Mm.” Kerry shrugged. “I don’t think so; not now anyway.”

“I like him,” Angie said. “And I like Dar’s mom. She’s so funny.”

“Funny?” Michael snickered. “You didn’t hear her talking to Uncle Edgar. He had no idea who she was. I mean, he knew she was a famous artist, but he had no clue. I guess he didn’t make the connection because she doesn’t look anything like Dar. So he’s going on and on about how horrible everything is, and man, she took him to pieces.” He moved his free arm in a slashing motion.

“Whack...whack…whack. Just ripped him to shreds. It was great.”

He laughed. “She told him having met him only confirmed her theory that you should have a license to enter the gene pool.”

Kerry felt a tired laugh emerging and she allowed it. “She’s really sharp. I know that’s where Dar gets it from, but Dar isn’t wicked like that. Ceci goes right for the jugular in small words she’s sure are going to be very clearly understood.” She smiled briefly. “I’m sorry they decided to go back to the hotel tonight.”

She glanced at the top of the stairs. “Maybe we should have too.”

“Hey,” Angie gave her a squeeze, “I know it sucks, Ker, but don’t begrudge us the few minutes we’ve spent with you, okay?

We do miss you, regardless of what the rest of these jerks say.”

They were at the top of the stairs. Kerry stopped and regarded them both, then she pulled them into a hug. “I miss you guys, too. I’ve hated losing that part of my life.” She swallowed back tears.

Thicker Than Water 153

They stood blocking the landing in a clump for a long moment, then they all released each other and exchanged glances.

Angie pursed her lips and put a hand on Kerry’s cheek. “Get some rest, sis.”

“Thanks. You too.” Kerry managed a smile, then walked away.

THE RINGING OF the cell phone made her jump. Dar turned from where she’d been standing at the window watching the odd snow fall and went to the side table. She picked up the phone, opened it, and checked the caller id before she put it to her ear.

“Evening, Alastair.”

Alastair released a long breath before he spoke, and that alone put ice cubes in her gut again. “Evening, Dar. How’s everything there?”

“Sucks,” Dar replied succinctly. “Her family sucks, my shoulder sucks; about the only good thing I can say is that her damn father’s dead.”

“Saw the news. They sure put a show on there, eh?”

“Jackasses. I had the Wall Street Journal sniffing at me about those damn contracts. I sent them to Ham.”

“Good thought. Guess they wanted a sound bite.”

“Guess they wanted me to admit I was glad he was dead.”

Alastair remained silent briefly. “Ah. Well, then, I’m sorry it has to be me to add more misery to your night, Dar, but this call couldn’t wait.”

Dar sighed. “Now what?” Her mind ran over the possibilities and she didn’t like any of them.

“Just got off the phone with the general,” Alastair said. “It’s gotten public that Stuart had that information.”

Dar’s eyes closed. “How did that happen?”

“Someone told someone, who told someone else. You know how it is.”

“Shit.”

“Mm.” Alastair sounded more resigned than upset. “I’d say that describes this entire situation to a T. But regardless, the deal’s off if that stuff’s still out there, and apparently the general’s heard it is.”

Dar was silent, her eyes focused on the soft pastel wall opposite her. “Well, it’s there somewhere, since I gave it to him and I doubt he burned it. Want my resignation in person or via a letter?

I can’t change what I did.” Her throat caught a little on the words.

“I’m not even sure I could say I’d do it any differently, even now.”

Alastair absorbed her statement in pensive quiet. “Any 154 Melissa Good chance you could get those papers back? I mean, you’re right there, Dar. I’m sure he kept them close. If those were recovered, the general said he’d be all right, I think.”

“He probably made copies.”

“Dar, don’t make it more complicated than it is,” Alastair said. “If he said he’d be satisfied with the damn papers, then let’s give them to him, all right?”

She accepted the fact that he hadn’t rejected her offer of resignation with a curious sense of personal loss, mixed with a rueful pride that at the very least, she’d done it her way. “I doubt I could find them, Alastair. People are crawling all over this place. I’m sure my rummaging through his office won’t be a viable option.”

“I see.” Alastair sighed. “Well, tell you what, Dar. Why don’t you come see me after this whole thing is over, hm? Just let Bea know when you’re headed out.”

Dar’s chest tightened. “Okay.” She managed to keep her voice even. “I will.”

“Goodnight, Dar. Take care.” Alastair’s tone gentled. “And give Kerrison my sympathies, too, hm? She looked a bit put upon on the tube.”

“Okay. I will. Thanks, Alastair.” Dar closed the phone and stared at it, then she simply shook her head and tossed it onto the table. Now what? She’d thought they were okay, and now…

Well, hell. “Screw it. Screw them, screw Gerry, screw it all.

This is one damned decision I refuse to regret,” she announced to the uncaring green walls. “All of them can kiss my ass.”

She walked to the window and watched the damn snow fall as she waited, trying to dismiss the conversation from her mind.

Kerry didn’t need to deal with all this now. Neither of them needed to. They’d get out of there, and go home and then…

There’d be plenty of time for them to think about it later.

KERRY TRUDGED DOWN the hallway and reached the door to their room with a sense of definite, finely drawn relief. She turned the knob and poked her head inside, finding pale blue eyes alertly watching her from the bed. “Hey.” She entered and closed the door, then leaned against it. Dar was sprawled on one side of the plush, canopied bed, her laptop resting on her thighs and her dark hair in appealing disarray.

“Hey,” Dar replied. “I was about to come looking for you.”

Kerry had to smile. “Like that?” She indicated her lover’s state of undress.

“Mmhm.” Dar nodded. “Barefoot and all. I figured I couldn’t possibly attract any more attention than I already had today, so Thicker Than Water 155

what the hell?” She held out a hand. “C’mere.”

Kerry shed her shoes on the way to the bed as Dar shifted the laptop, and they somehow ended up in a warm tangle of limbs and bedding in the middle of the comforter.

“Uhrg,” Kerry groaned.

Dar pulled her closer and rubbed her back with her fingertips. “Kerry, Kerry, Kerry,” she murmured on a breath. “It’s over, sweetheart. It’s over and done with.”

Kerry kept her eyes closed and went almost limp, just absorbing the feel and scent of her lover. “We’re leaving in the morning.

We’re going back to the hotel, getting Mom and Dad, going to the airport, and getting on the first plane larger than a crop duster headed south.”

Dar smiled faintly. “You got it.”

“And I’m never coming back here again,” Kerry whispered.

“Ever.”

Dar just hugged her closer.

“Ker?”

“Mm?”

“You want to take that dress off?”

“No. Do you?”

Dar studied the figure curled up in her arms, her face buried into Dar’s nightshirt. “Well,” she smoothed Kerry’s hair a bit,

“normally I’d jump at the chance, but I’m kinda handicapped on that side.”

Kerry slowly lifted her head, her eyebrows scrunching together as she blinked in the dim light. “Oh, damn. I’m sorry.”

She peered at Dar’s chest. “Why didn’t you say something? I must have been killing you.”

“Nah.” Dar shook her head. “It doesn’t hurt when you press there.” She patted the front of her shoulder. “Only when I lift my arm up.”

“Mmph.” Kerry raked her hair back out of her eyes, rolled onto her side, and gazed down at her now rumpled clothing with a look of sleepy displeasure. “Yeah, I guess I’d better. Damn thing’s uncomfortable as heck anyway.” She squirmed off the bed and stood up, then unzipped the back of her dress and pulled it over her head.

Dar merely sat back, enjoying the view. Kerry had a gorgeous back, a cute little V shape that sloped cleanly down from her compact, but smoothly muscular shoulders, then flared lightly through her slim hips and powerful, lean legs. She had a faint golden tan, and the low lamplight caused shadows to form across her skin as the muscles moved visibly under it.

She could see tension there, too, though. “Aspirin’s in the 156 Melissa Good right front pocket of my bag, if you want.”

Kerry paused in the act of pulling on her Tweety T-shirt. “Did you take your drugs?”

Dar nodded. “Oh yeah.”

Kerry finished pulling down the soft cotton fabric, then fished the bottle of aspirin out of Dar’s bag, along with her bottle of water. “Did I ever mention how much I love how prepared you always are?” She swallowed a few tablets and took a sip of the water. “How did everything work out with the lines in Chicago?”

Dar grimaced. “Maybe we should change planes there tomorrow instead of Detroit, so I can go and kick that bastard’s ass in person.”

Kerry smiled as she trudged back to the bed and climbed back into it. “No, sweetie. You’re going back to Miami with me, and right to Dr. Steve’s.” She laid a finger on Dar’s nose. “He’s going to spank you.”

Pale blue eyes mildly regarded her. “All right, but you’re coming with me. While he’s taking pictures of my insides, he can run some tests on yours.”

Kerry took a breath, obviously caught by surprise. “I don’t think I…”

Dar lifted an eyebrow and smirked.

Kerry sighed, dropping her gaze, then she returned the smile.

“Okay.” She crawled over Dar’s body and nudged her to the left.

“Move over. I don’t want to take chances.” She waited for Dar to comply, then snuggled against her lover’s right side and put her head on her shoulder.

Dar gently massaged the tight muscles in Kerry’s back. A warm puff of air penetrated the fabric on her chest, and she glanced down to see a somber, bleak expression on Kerry’s face.

“Hey.”

Kerry blinked, and a few tears rolled down her cheek to soak Dar’s shirt. “I’m so tired,” she breathed. “My soul hurts, Dar.

Those people trampled all over it.”

At a loss for words, Dar relied on touch instead. She pulled Kerry closer and cuddled with her, wincing as she brought her other arm over to stroke Kerry’s face with light fingertips, catching the tears that continued to fall and brushing them aside.

“Don’t let them get to you, Ker,” she finally said, very softly.

“They’re just assholes.”

Kerry drew in a shaky breath and sniffled. “I know. I just feel like I spent the day as an archery target.” She spread one hand out flat against Dar’s stomach and absorbed the warmth of her skin as it moved with Dar’s breathing. “I feel as bruised as you look.”

“Well,” Dar tenderly kissed her on the head, “we’re both Thicker Than Water 157

gonna head south to heal, then.” Kerry relaxed against her as the tension eased from her body. “You know I felt like taking out a fire hose and spraying that room tonight, doncha?”

Kerry remained very quiet for a moment, then she gave up a surprising giggle.

“Yeah,” Dar went on, her voice a low drawl, “I would have loved to just blast those suckers right down and watch them slip and slide and crack their asses on that parquet floor.”

That image elicited another giggle. Kerry sniffled, rested her chin on Dar’s chest, and gazed up at her through tear filled eyes.

“Can I tell you something?”

“Sure.” Dar gently wiped her face.

“I love you.”

Dar hugged her again. “I love you, too.”

Kerry exhaled and put her head back down. “You know what the worst thing was?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“Kyle?”

Kerry nodded against her shoulder. “Yeah.”

“The rest of them are just ignorant bastards. Him, I’d like to put a rifle bullet through.” Dar’s temper rose a little, and her nostrils flared.

Kerry slid her hand under Dar’s shirt and stroked her thigh.

The muscles were tense, and she rubbed her thumb in a tiny circle over them as she considered Dar’s words. Seeing Kyle had been a definitely unpleasant shock. It had brought back a lot of bad memories she’d consciously pushed out of her consideration after she’d broken most ties with her family and thrown herself into her new life with Dar.

It had been easier that way. After all, she had in truth left that part of her past behind her, and the reassuring solidity of her relationship with Dar, along with her ever expanding new job, had filled her wants and needs quite nicely, thank you.

It hit her suddenly. Kerry went very still and almost stopped breathing.

He was gone. Her father was gone.

Her world reversed and turned upside down as an unseen weight came off her. She was aware of Dar’s snug hold, but she floated in limbo for a long moment as she adjusted to a new reality.

He was gone.

Kerry closed her eyes, and all the tension drained out of her, leaving her limp as a dishrag draped comfortably over Dar’s tall frame. Sleep gently overtook her, refusing to erase the smile that now shaped her lips.