Redemption’s Inferno (Inferno #3)

Chapter 19

T here were cars parked in the driveway and up and down the street as the taxi dropped them off in front of Viggo and Jamie’s house, and Chains looked at Emilie curiously. Her pretty face was tilted up at the sky, a smile on her face .

“I missed Las Vegas,” she sighed. “I love Europe, but this is home.” She paused to look at him. “Is that weird ?”

“Not at all—this is where you live, work and where your daughter is. Stands to reason you missed it .”

“It appears that Jamie and Viggo have made our house a gathering place…and based on the cars, it’s the usual suspects, except for a couple .”

“That’s Dante’s truck,” Chains nodded. “And the blue Mustang is probably Joe’s—he always rents a convertible if he can .”

“I don’t recognize the white car,” Emilie frowned. “But the black SUV is Karl’s .”

“The white car looks like another rental,” Chains said, tossing his backpack over his shoulder and pulling their suitcases to the front door. Emilie followed with her carry-on bag, digging her keys out of her purse .

“As long as there’s food, I don’t care how many people are here!” she said, grinning up at him and he paused to bend his head and kiss her. Spending a week alone on a beach in Greece had been so much better than he’d imagined it would be. They’d been completely off the grid, living in a tiny local hotel in Sounion near the Temple of Poseidon and riding around on a rented Vespa. It had been the most romantic and emotionally intense time he’d ever spent with a woman and he was almost dreading coming back to reality. They were here, though, and she’d just unlocked the door, so he was going to have to man up .

“They’re out back, by the pool,” she said. “Come on, let’s put our stuff in my room and then go surprise everyone .”

He nodded. “This was your idea—I’m just the hired help .”

“You are not!” she laughed, pausing to wrap her arms around his neck. “Stop saying that !”

“You going to make me?” he grunted, lifting her off the ground and putting her legs around his waist .

“Not today,” she whispered, moving in for another kiss. “But maybe tomorrow …”

“Good luck with that!” he murmured, burying his tongue in her mouth and gripping her ass tightly .

“Em?!” The bathroom door opened and a voice that was familiar to her startled them .

“Oh!” Emilie jumped down, staring up at her twin in shock. “Bas!” She only hesitated a fraction of a second before throwing her arms around him .

“Where have you been?” he demanded, hugging her. “And who the hell is he ?!”

“Bas!” She smacked his arm. “This is Ch—Darryl. Darryl Carruthers, my twin brother, Sebastian Martensson .”

The men shook hands, eying each other warily .

“I meant to surprise everyone!” she tried to explain. “I had no idea you were here .”

“Obviously not!” he chuckled. “We’re all here—Karl and Kate, the twins, Mum and her new boyfriend — ”

“Her new what?!” Emilie was gaping at him .

“You’ve missed a lot. I’ll go back into the bathroom so you can go surprise everyone—go on then and I’ll join you !”

She turned to Chains and pointed to her bedroom door. “Let’s drop off the bags and go .”

“All right, love.” He did as she asked and smiled as she tugged his hand, dragging him out to the large patio area. She could already hear Viggo’s hearty laugh and music coming from the outdoor speakers. The smell of something on the grill made her stomach growl and she forced herself to slow down .

“Ready?” She gave him a quick kiss before opening the sliding glass doors and stepping outside. “Surprise!” she called out. She almost laughed at the looks on everyone’s faces. Her mother was the first to react, though, jumping off the chaise lounge where she was sprawled and practically running to Emilie .

“Darling, you’re home! I’ve been so worried about you!” Anya Martensson threw her arms around her daughter .

“I’m okay, Mama!” she whispered .

“Em!” Viggo had Simone in his arms as he turned .

“Mommy!” Simone’s shrill voice cut through everyone else’s and Emilie snatched her out of Viggo’s arms, burying her face in her daughter’s soft hair and holding her tightly .

“Mummy missed you so much!” she whispered in her daughter’s ear. “Did you miss me ?”

“Mommy sim!” Simone pointed to the pool and Emilie smiled .

“Mummy has to eat and then we’ll swim, okay?” She kissed her face four or five times, until Simone giggled and batted at her mouth to stop her .

“Let Mummy eat, yeah?” Viggo gently took his daughter back, pausing to peck Emilie’s cheek. “Good to see you, love .”

“You too .”

They were immediately handed plates and drinks, and Chains and Emilie sank into chairs under an umbrella-covered table. Introductions were made and Emilie had to hide her shock her mother was dating Ken Lerner, Karl’s biological father. She had a million questions, but there was no chance to talk to her mother privately right now. Everyone wanted to know where she’d been and what had happened and she knew before she could do anything else, she had to tell them. Everyone pulled up chairs, with Karl and Kate each holding one of their infant twins and Anya holding Simone. Chains was on Emilie’s left and he reached out to lazily rest his arm on the back of her chair. It was a subtle motion, but she knew Viggo and Dante zeroed in on it instantly, Dante’s eyes narrowing slightly and Viggo’s widening in surprise .

“My journey over the last six weeks has been…eventful,” Emilie said after she’d practically inhaled a cheeseburger and was now picking at a salad .

“We can see that,” Becca murmured, giving her a grin .

Emilie flushed, glancing at Chains, who merely winked. “Yes, well, that’s part of it.” She glanced around at her friends and family. “So before you all start gossiping, Chains and I are romantically involved. Try to be somewhat civilized when you pounce on him for details, gentlemen, after the ladies and I go inside .”

They laughed, and Joe reached over to slap Chains on the shoulder .

“So…” Emilie started at the beginning, retelling the story of Adam’s death, only leaving out a few of the more intimate details. She kept the specifics of the evening at Cuddy’s minimal as well, though she knew Becca and Kate would ask her about them at some point. She told them everything else, though, ending with their week in Greece. The only thing she left out was her pregnancy, and she could tell by the look on Jamie’s face he was disappointed, but that was private. He deserved to know before anyone else. Chains only knew because he’d been with her when she found out, but she would tell Jamie and Viggo tonight when everyone else had gone .

“You kept that hidden all these years,” Anya said sadly, “letting it eat at you. I wish you’d come to one of us, darling .”

Her lilting British accent held so much sadness Emilie reached over to squeeze her hand. “Mama, this wasn’t anyone’s fault. At first I was afraid, and then Therese was blackmailing me and I was overwhelmed and embarrassed. But it will never happen again—I know better now. Though I hope I’m never in a situation like that again .”

“Amen to that,” Karl muttered .

“This Therese person gives me the willies,” Misty spoke up, wrinkling her nose .

“Me too!” Emilie murmured .

“And you dated her for three years!” Kate smacked her husband’s arm .

He laughed. “I was 17 when we met! Geez. I got rid of her as soon as I realized that she wasn’t you .”

Kate rolled her eyes. “You didn’t know I existed when you were 20 .”

“But I knew my soul mate was out there and it wasn’t her.” He gave her a sweet smile that made everyone laugh .

“So tell me what I’ve missed!” Emilie said, hoping to change the subject .

“Well, duh…” Jamie held out his left hand, showing the wedding ring on his finger .

“You got married without me!” she pouted, giving Viggo a look .

“You left without warning and I proposed without warning,” he chuckled. “But we’re planning a party—a reception of sorts, for friends and family who weren’t there and because we didn’t have one .”

“And because we like to party,” Jamie said dryly .

“That too,” Viggo grinned .

“How’re things at the club?” Chains asked Joe .

“Good. Definitely too much work for a guy my age,” he laughed. “Those late nights are not for me .”

“Lots of new things happening,” Becca said to Emilie. “In a couple of days, when you’re not jet-lagged, we’ll have to meet and catch up .”

Conversation changed to other topics and everyone dispersed into smaller groups. Joe, Dante and Viggo moved off with Chains, obviously ribbing him about dating Emilie, and Kate and Anya took the twins inside to change their diapers. Emilie changed into a bathing suit and took Simone into the pool, anxious to spend time with her and get back into their normal routine .

“She missed you,” Jamie said, sitting on the edge of the pool and letting his legs dangle in the water. “She asked for you every night .”

“I know.” Emilie hugged the toddler again. “I missed her like crazy, but I had to figure out what I’d done—or didn’t do—because I wasn’t able to function anymore. It was nothing but nightmares and guilt and pain and insanity .”

“I know, doll. I’m sorry you had to suffer like that .”

“You and I need to have a private conversation,” she said under her breath. “With Viggo and Chains, of course, but I don’t want to do it when we have guests. Later tonight, just the four of us, okay? Don’t look so sad. What I have to say will make you happy. Promise .”

He looked like he was going to protest but he simply nodded. “Okay. Tonight then.” He started to get up but she put her hand on his knee. “Stay. Talk to me. How’s your back ?”

Jamie sat down again but looked away. “Ugly as fuck .”

“Have you started the tattoo ?”

He nodded. “Yeah, but to cover my whole back will take time.” His attack earlier in the year by a group of men disgusted he was involved with another man had carved the word “faggot” into the skin on his back. It was fully healed now, so he was getting his entire back covered in tattoos but he still hated it and always wore a shirt now unless he and Viggo were alone .

“I have an idea for that,” she said. “But we’ll talk about it later. Can I see what you’ve got so far ?”

“Later,” he said. “I just… I’m not comfortable with it yet. My back, not the tattoos .”

“I know.” She rested her free hand on his leg. “Jamie—what is it? You look so sad .”

He shook his head. “The usual—don’t worry about me .”

“Of course I’m worried about you.” She paused, squinting in the bright sun so she could look into his face. “Are you not ready for hockey ?”

“My body is ready for hockey. Unfortunately, the wrist isn’t. The strength just isn’t there yet. I can’t get the angle to shoot the puck right .”

“It will come,” she promised softly. “You’ll see .”

“I hope so .”

They both ducked as Sebastian and Misty did side-by-side cannonballs into the water right next to them, dousing them with water .

“Bloody hell,” she muttered, shaking the water out of her eyes and wiping Simone’s face .

“Those two have been fucking like bunnies,” Jamie chuckled, watching them frolic in the water .

“How do you know?” she asked, her eyes widening .

“They’ve been at the club,” he said. “Put on a show the other night that had half the men in the place jerking off .”

“She got on the stripper pole?” she asked knowingly. Misty had been a stripper when Jamie met her .

“Oh yeah. So did Sebastian .”

“Bas got on the stripper pole?!” Emilie was gaping now .

He laughed. “Yup. And Karl was there—just hanging out at the bar but available to help out because Franny called in sick. After the multiple incidents that one night, Joe was ready to call in some guys from New York but Karl, Dante, Viggo and I have been hanging out on the weekends just to keep an eye on things .”

“Karl must have died seeing Sebastian like that.” She grinned impishly .

“When Sebastian was shirtless and Misty unzipped his jeans, Karl went down to the dungeon and sent Joe up to the dance floor .”

“No one is supposed to have sex on the dance floor!” she protested, immediately switching back into her role as manager .

“They didn’t…” Jamie laughed. “Joe sent them to a scening room and half the club followed to go watch. It was hot .”

“You watched ?”

He shrugged. “I was sleeping with her up until the attack—nothing I haven’t seen before. And your brother is hot .”

She slapped his thigh. “ Yuck !”

He laughed .