Chapter 15 #2
"He wants his money. He told his son to try and get your location and get the money that's due to him by any means necessary. I told him I had no idea where you were."
Kenneth crept closer, a dangerous expression on his face. "Where's this Jack?"
"Huh? Who's this?"
Placing a hand on his arm, Aria shook her head. "This is Kenneth." She cleared her throat. "We're, er, involved."
This time the pause was longer. And it was Kenneth who broke the silence. "The name is Kenneth Tierney and I'm assuming this is Amelia." He sent Aria a disgusted look.
"Aria has a way of downplaying our relationship. She's about to become my wife. Now where can we find this Jack?"
"You're Kenneth Tierney. The Kenneth Tierney."
"You make it sound like I'm famous. I assure you I'm just a simple small-town guy who grew up in a farming community. Now, please continue the conversation. What else did this guy say?"
Amelia had to clear her throat and even then questions were tumbling around inside her head. "He wants to do the right thing. Aria, he said you have always been a friend to him. On top of that, you're the only one who knew he was gay and never said anything to anyone about it."
"It wasn't my place. We were both in the same position. Pressured to be like our fathers." She glanced at Kenneth.
"He wants to meet you. He has an idea how to get his father off your back."
"When does he want the meeting?"
"As soon as possible."
"We meet here."
"No. I could go back to Boston--"
"We meet here." There was an uncompromising slant to his lips, and his eyes were dangerously bright.
"That's non-negotiable. Tell him we will fund his trip.
A plane will pick him up at a private hangar in Boston and transport him here.
He will not be told the location, in case he's reporting back to his father. "
Aria stared at him in shock. "You're sending a private jet for him?"
"I am." He gave her a brief look before speaking back to Amelia. "Let us know as soon as you can, when he's ready."
"Yes, of course, Mr. Tierney."
"Kenneth." His smile was faint. "Any friend of the woman I love and all that."
Amelia cleared her throat again. "I'll call tomorrow."
"What are you doing?" She demanded as soon as the call was disconnected.
"Taking care of you."
"You're sending a private plane for a man you don't even know. I think your father and uncle will have something to say about that. And I don't need anyone to take care of me. How dare--" She broke off with a gasp when he hauled her up against him.
His expression was fierce, his eyes glittering, reminding her of emeralds.
"You're mine and I take care of my own." He shook her a little.
"I promised you that no one is going to hurt you again and I bloody well mean it.
We're going to clean up this mess and be done with it once and for all.
Then we're going to start our lives together.
I've changed my damn mind. I don't want to just live with you anymore. We're getting married."
The outrage was immediate and had her eyes flashing. But the minute she opened her mouth, he clamped his lips on hers, causing her protests to die inside her throat.
He gentled the kiss after the first rough onslaught that sent her body soaring. The anger died out of her as his tongue searched her mouth with a thoroughness that had her sagging against him in complete surrender.
*****
"Are you certain this is a good idea?"
Kenneth paused in his pacing to glance at his uncle. "Aria thinks I've gone mad." He responded with a grim smile. "But it needs to be done. The photo of us at the Easter parade made its rounds and reporters are swarming in and seeking out a story. Dad was right, they are out for blood."
They were outside in the cool of the night, lounging at the pool. He had finally persuaded Aria to pack up and move in with him. It was a timely endeavor as a very innovative reporter had discovered where she was staying at the cottage.
"We have ways of dealing with outsiders." Kevin grinned in anticipation. "I've already spoken to the mayor and the sheriff. Both of them are on team Aria. They only had to hear that she's yours. Or ours and that did it. I suppose they cannot afford to offend the most important people in town."
A thin smile curved his lips as he dragged on the cigar, blowing smoke towards the velvety sky that was scattered with what seemed to be a million stars.
Upstairs in his bed, Aria was fast asleep after a very hectic bout of lovemaking.
Kenneth had discovered he was too restless to follow suit.
Mr. Jack Moore Jr. would be here first thing in the morning and he wanted to be prepared.
He had told Aria he was going to take care of the situation, and he meant it.
The shadow hanging over her was going to be removed. He wanted her in his life, and he wanted it now.
"What kind of torture are you planning? Pliers to the fingernails, broken kneecaps, hot poker to the eyes? What?" His uncle grinned when he sent him an exasperated look.
"This is not a joke."
Kevin shrugged. "Felt like one. Now tell me what you found out about Jack Moore Senior."
*****
Kenneth had decided to have the meeting at home. On his own turf. Aria kept assuring him that the man was a friend, but he wasn't taking her word. The guy's father had threatened the woman he loved from behind bars. He was not taking any bloody chances.
Jack had been met at the private hangar and whisked there by one of the drivers. Both his father and uncle were also here for the meeting. Kenneth was humbly grateful that they had taken the time off to support him and Aria.
When Jack walked into the large and comfortable white and gold parlor, he immediately felt small and fearful when he saw the three men facing the doorway. They were all standing, tall frames erect, and three identical pairs of green eyes boring into his.
"That will be all, Jennings. Thanks." Kenneth dismissed the butler and beckoned to Jack to come further into the room. He focused on Aria, who had just stepped inside the room from another door.
Her smile was bolstering and gave him some measure of comfort. So, they were not going to kill him, he thought in relief.
"Jack, I'm so happy you could make the trip." Ignoring the icy stares from the three men, Aria hurried over to give him a hug. He returned it awkwardly, aware of the younger man's eyes on him. And did not remind her that he had not been given a chance to say no to the 'invitation.'
"Why don't we commence?" The man he recognized as Kingsley Tierney gestured to a chair facing the three. As Jack sat, he saw when the younger man took Aria's hand and drew her to sit next to him. The intimacy between them was hard to ignore and he felt his armpits sweating.
"Mr. Moore, are you aware of who we are?" The man who had remained silent so far inquired.
"Yes." He bobbed his head nervously. "Of course. I've read of your beautiful town and, and my father knows you, sir." He nodded towards Kingsley.
"Good." Kevin continued. "This will make it easier. We've been in touch with the warden of the prison and the police precinct as well. Threats were made and they tend to take that sort of thing seriously. Your father is being transferred to isolation immediately."
"Yes, sir." Jack wetted his lips nervously and wanted to shrink through the hardwood floor. "I've cooperated and given them what I have. A, a statement. When I refused to do what he said." His eyes darted to Aria.
She looked so different but was still as lovely as he remembered. He also recalled as a young boy how enchanted he had been with her. They had both been so unhappy in their childhood, it had bonded them together. "I would never do anything to hurt you, you know that."
He was grateful when she smiled in understanding. "I know."
That bolstered him enough to finish his story to the men's satisfaction. As soon as the meeting had ended, Aria insisted on having a private moment with him.
"We'll take some refreshment by the pool. It's too lovely a day to stay inside." She sent Kenneth a warning glance. "I'm sure you have some things to tie up."
Flicking a loaded gaze towards Jack, he cupped her face between his hands and kissed her softly. "I'll be out shortly."
"It's a lovely home." Jack murmured as soon as they were settled beside the oval-shaped pool, enjoying the pate, fruits and sandwiches that had been brought out by a uniformed maid.
"It is." Aria agreed as she sipped her lemonade. Kenneth had been high-handed, but they had got results and for that, she was grateful.
"A far cry from the one you left behind."
She smiled at his observation as she looked around. The scent of freshly cut grass mingled with that of flowers blooming. A cool breeze stirred the trees lining the grounds. Wafting pleasantly over her skin.
"I hope you will accept our invitation to stay for supper and spend the night."
"I'm afraid not to." He said with a quiet laugh. "It's so peaceful here."
"Will you be okay?" She asked anxiously. "I know you went against your mother's wishes."
He shrugged thin shoulders. "It was the right thing to do. And yes, I'll be fine. I'm moving to Alabama. I have an aunt there who needs help sorting out her estate." He smiled.
"A new start for both of us." He lifted his glass in a toast. Aria clinked hers to his and felt the pressure easing from her chest. He was right, she had been given a fresh start.