G-Men: The Series (109 page)

“Well, you and I both know that’s bullshit. We should talk to Taz about it.”

“No, we should not,” I barked. “This is BFF stuff and I don’t want Taz to know about it.”

“Why not? Maybe he could shed some light on why Easton’s the way he is. Aren’t you the least bit curious?”

“Well, sure,” I replied, shrugging. “But, I mean, they didn’t exactly grow up together, from what I gathered.”

“Look,” she said firmly, “it might help to know and Taz may or may not be able to shed any light, but it’s worth asking. There’s no reason for you to feel uncomfortable about it with him. He should be home soon and you’re staying for dinner, no argument.”

Lindsey had her way and we spent the rest of the afternoon looking at her wedding and honeymoon pictures, playing with Harper, and catching up on everything else. When Taz arrived home, he immediately drew Lindsey in for a long, passionate kiss, and then greeted me. Harper was on my lap and immediately smiled upon seeing her daddy.

She was three months old and starting to seem less like a newborn. I couldn’t tell just yet who she favored. Taz took her from me, giving her hugs and kisses. It warmed my heart to see their interaction. I wondered if I’d ever have what Lindsey had. I was happy for her, yet part of me couldn’t help feeling envious. Having someone love me the way Taz loved her was something no amount of money or power could ever buy.

At dinner, Lindsey did a fine job of giving Taz just enough information, without totally humiliating me in the process, of what had transpired between his half-brother and me.

“Oh hey, Darcy,” he said, reaching over to pat my shoulder, “I’m really sorry if Easton hurt your feelings like that. I mean, we’re not close, you see. He spent some summers with us while I was growing up, but I have to tell you, I don’t really know him all that well.”

“I told Lindsey that, but she thought maybe you knew about this Bianca Templeton or maybe something about his mother,” I replied, now hopeful maybe he could shed some light.

“I don’t know anything about this Bianca,” he said immediately, “but there are some things I do know about his mother, none of which are good.”

“Really?” Lindsey and I both asked at the same time. He nodded.

“My father was really torn up that Easton wasn’t able to spend much time with us. I was just a kid, so all I really remember were discussions I’d overheard between my mom and him, or Dad being on the phone with Sophia, arguing about her keeping Easton from him. Over the years, as I got older, it was very clear to me that Sophia was a wealthy, controlling, psycho-bitch. Instead of envying my older brother, I felt sorry that he didn’t have a normal upbringing like Paige and me. That’s about it,” he finished.

I was disappointed. As much as I had initially resisted Lindsey’s suggestion of going to Taz for info, I’d held out hope it would enlighten me somewhat, but it had proven fruitless.

“Taz, you did that very well,” Lindsey said, a sly grin on her face.

Huh?

“Not following, baby girl.”

“Baby,” she said her eyes twinkling, “you’re a senior FBI agent. You’ve got access to even the most classified information, which in this case, isn’t what we’re asking for. Now, despite the fact your half-brother isn’t part of any past or current investigation to my knowledge, you can’t tell me Trace Michael Matthews that you’ve never, out of simple curiosity, ran a full background on him. Are you going to deny this to your wife?”

“Shit, Lindsey,” he said, “you think you know me so well, don’t you?”

“You tell me.”

“Christ, alright. Let me see what all I can remember, it’s been a while.”

Lindsey and I sat waiting for only a few seconds.

“Easton Jamison Matthews, Born in San Francisco, California, November 15, 1980 to Trace Matthews and Sophia Windsor Matthews, who has since returned to her maiden name of “Windsor,” due to some royal bloodline connections. Sophia’s never re-married, and claims that Easton lays claim to the title of “Baron” through British peerage records, as she’s the only daughter of Clive and Lillian Windsor, whose pedigree can be traced upward to the royal family.”

I looked over at Lindsey and her mouth was hanging open, matching mine. Taz continued as if this whole biography was etched in his brain. I was impressed.

“Trace Matthews, my father, and Sophia divorced in 1982, due to irreconcilable differences. Sophia returned to England with 1-year old Easton, briefly living with her parents until she was deeded a large estate adjacent to their property in Kensington, an upscale suburb of London. Easton was schooled in private schools until third grade. He was home-schooled by a governess for less than a year, and then sent to boarding school in Switzerland, until he was ready for college. He graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2003 with a B.S. degree in Humanities, and completed his Master’s Program at Oxford in 2005 with a degree in Business Finance. Shortly thereafter, his maternal grandparents, Clive and Lillian Windsor were killed in an automobile accident while vacationing in Madrid. The beneficiaries of their estate were Sophia and Easton, splitting a $1.6 billion coffer 50/50.”

Now Lindsey and I both gasped.

“I know, hon,” Taz said, looking at Lindsey with sad eyes. “It appears you picked the wrong ‘Matthews,’ eh?”

“Oh, Taz,” she giggled. “I’m sure your lack of wealth is made up for…in other places.” She gave him a flirty wink.

“Don’t be so sure, Linds…”

They kissed again like the ‘in-love’ fools they were and Taz finished up.

“Let’s see, oh yes, Easton invested a portion of his heritance in a newly-formed venture capital group that hit the mark on mergers and acquisitions. Within a year, he spun off on his own with his own newly-formed venture capital firm titled “Baronton Holdings, L.L.C.” and has proven to be quite the successful entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio of both manufacturing and service industry holdings that cater to government and commercial contracts of all sorts. In 2008, Easton backed an up-and-coming fashion model by the name of Bianca Templeton, a Brit whose family was average, middle-class, taking her to A-List fame with some of the top global agencies. In 2011, Easton severed all ties for personal reasons with Ms. Templeton. Shortly thereafter, her modeling career went south. Sources indicate that Easton had planned to marry the lovely, dark-haired beauty in the near term. However, upon learning that Ms. Templeton was sleeping with her photographer, the relationship was terminated. Since that time, Easton Matthews hasn’t been involved in any long-term relationships, continuing to build his empire and live a life of private solitude.”

Wow!

“Wow,” Lindsey said, leaning in toward Taz. “When you talk like that it’s so
hot
, Trace.” They kissed again.

Oh geez…yeah, I can probably kiss goodbye another night’s sleep after this.

“Hey, Taz,” I interrupted. “Thanks for the bio, but that still doesn’t tell me why he’s so fucked-up. Sorry—I mean I know he’s your brother and all.”

“Half-brother,” he corrected. “Darcy, the worst thing you can do is think it’s something you did, because I guarantee you, it wasn’t. Dude has some baggage going on, and it’s up to him to realize it and do something about it, unless he’s happy with the status quo. My money, or lack of it, I should say, is on him. I think, once he realizes he needs to fix things in order to have you, he will. I mean, besides my Lindsey here, you’re the whole package, girl.”

I knew Taz, in his own sweet way, was trying to make me feel better. It didn’t. I still believed there was more to it than simply Bianca breaking his heart. There had to be.

“Thanks,” I replied. “Lindsey, thank you, too. I’m glad you convinced me to share this with Taz. Listen guys, I’ve got to head home. Oh, Taz, by the way, did you know Easton just bought the majority share of my father’s company?”

I watched Taz get that slow, shit-eating grin on his face. “See there? What’d I tell you? He just needs to figure it out.” I hoped he was right.

It had been a little over a month since I last saw Easton. True to his word, he’d departed for London. The following Monday, his acting replacement, Colin Devers, was in Easton’s office chatting on the phone when I arrived. I’d furnished my office to blend with Easton’s, only a bit more eclectically. He’d approved my requisition before he left. I’d found it on my temporary desk when I finally returned to work after he’d told me “good-bye.”

Colin seemed more British than Easton, if that made sense. He was mid-thirties, medium brown hair, not quite as tall as Easton, but muscularly built. I figured they probably worked out together when both in London. He had a sexy goatee as well, but don’t worry, I wasn’t about to go there.

I got the feeling that Colin went way back with Easton, just from little things he mentioned here and there. I knew they communicated by phone and e-mail frequently because Colin stuck to the training program Easton had outlined to a “T.” He’d periodically tell me Easton was pleased with my progress. He was pleasant enough and we got along well.

Lacee’s treatment of me had become benign since Easton’s departure. We interacted when necessary at the office, and were civil with one another. My father and mother had left two weeks ago for a 6-week cruise. Neither of them had an inkling anything had gone on between Easton and me. Thank God!

I was feeling better about it every day. It was the right thing for us. I knew it, and he knew it. Still, I found myself thinking about him during quiet hours, admitting to myself that during the small time I’d known him how much he’d managed to infiltrate my life…and during even quieter hours, my heart.

I just needed something to keep me distracted, something that would fill up
all
hours of the day. As if my wish was granted, Colin came into my office with a folder for me.

“Darcy, will you please book flights for both of us to London on the dates listed here in this file?”

“Both of us?”

“Yes, there’s a meeting of several competing contractors for contract renewal for Scotland Yard on all security software and electronic monitoring. Baronton currently holds the contract, but information Easton has gathered would indicate that an automatic renewal is not a given. Therefore, you’re going to get your first opportunity to create a presentation, and to personally pitch it to the sourcing contract administrators for Scotland Yard. It’s in three weeks, so you’ll have plenty of time to prep. I’ll coach you as needed. Contact Baronton’s travel agency, and get the flight and hotel dates confirmed immediately, since it’s not that far away.”

I nodded my head, numbly. He continued, as if he hadn’t noticed.

“In this file, there’s also contact information for Baronton U.K. Since we’ve not consolidated this entity in the U.S. yet, you’ll need to reach out to the R & D Director there. His name is Nigel Cranston, and he’ll need to provide you with all of the latest tech information pertaining to devices used by the client. According to Easton, the competition will be pitching some cutting-edge technology to the client. Easton requested you get with Cranston and get information on ‘Night Moves’ the yet-to-be-released tracking software Baronton Research is developing. Keep in mind that those individuals in R & D are a bit salty about the merger. So, if they pose any reluctance in helping you or providing information, I need to know straightaway.”

He paused momentarily to assess me. “Darcy, I’m acquainted with Nigel Cranston. Pardon my boldness here, but perhaps video conferencing with him might be your best approach in turning salty to sweet.”

I gave him a smile and a wink. “I’m on it, Colin,” I said self-assuredly.

Darcy and Easton: Take Two.

I’ll be ready for him this time.

^{chapter 23}