Sins of the Father (35 page)

Brad repressed the
emergency button to release the lift. He was impatient to get his
hands on her, but they seemed incapable of finding a private spot.
It occurred to him that Alicia was in a compromising position, so
he pulled her away gently.

“
Perhaps we
should take this to your apartment before I lose my mind and ravish
you on the floor of this lift.”

She laughed wickedly,
standing as he did. “Maybe I want to be ravished.”

“
Hold that
thought.”

The subtle ping of the
lift was like sweet music. It may have been a private elevator but
he didn’t appreciate an audience, no matter how far
away.

The door opened into a
small alcove just behind what he presumed was the living room.
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her forward, blind to anything but
Alicia and his own desire to take.

“
This’ll do.”
His voice was rough and impatient.

It sent a thrill racing
up her spine. She’d never seen him like this; without a rein on his
control. He looked glorious; dark eyes shining as he stood by the
couch.

“
I knew there
was a reason I bought this. It always seemed so big-”

She broke off when he
pulled her towards him, his hands winding into her hair. His lips
were as urgent as he was. She answered his demands willingly,
falling with him onto the soft couch and sinking into him. She was
seeking a different kind of comfort now and he was more than
willing to give it to her.

***

They made it to the
bedroom eventually. Alicia lay snuggled into the crook of his arm,
drifting in and out of sleep.

Her eyes flickered open
when he started to stroke his hand up and down her arm. “Can I ask
you a question?”

“
Mm,” he
answered, skirting on the edge of sleep himself.

“
Is JJ
okay?”

Brad opened one eye as he
considered the question. “Yes, JJ’s okay.”

“
It’s just
that I didn’t see him earlier and I wanted to. There’s something I
need to say to him.”

“
He’s having
a few days off.” Brad propped himself up on his elbow. “It’s a
difficult time for him. He’s still struggling with what he views as
a failure in protecting-” When she started to protest he shook his
head. “It’s what he does. It doesn’t mean he’s right. He’s also
going through something personal. It’s the anniversary of his
sister’s death this week, so he normally takes a few
days.”

He saw the sympathy cross
her face and though he appreciated it, he knew JJ
wouldn’t.

“
I’d really
like to talk to him. Do you know where he is…please, it’s important
to me.”

“
I can hazard
a guess, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. We usually steer clear
for a day or two.”

She considered that,
weighing it up in her mind. “Can you tell me where he’s likely to
be? I want to see him.”

“
Why?”

“
Just trust
me on this. I know we’ve known each other less than a month, but he
feels like family and I need to set something straight.”

It touched him more than
he could tell her. Because he didn’t have the words he leaned down
to kiss her. “Okay. I have to warn you, though, he might not like
it.”

“
Just leave
it to me,” she said, nipping him lightly on the chin.

The subject was
forgotten, as was everything else when she began tracing
opened-mouthed kisses down his neck. He was fully awake
now.

“
I can’t seem
to get enough of you,” she murmured against his skin, setting his
blood on fire.

He was incapable of
speech. Her hands were exploring his body with an urgency that
stole his breath.

Alicia slapped at his
hand when he started to reach for her. It was her turn to give
pleasure and she intended to obliterate any thread of his remaining
control.

“
Al…”

“
I want you
to forget about everything but me…” She travelled briefly up to his
mouth to tease his lips with hers. “I’m going to blow your
mind.”

He didn’t have the
strength to tell her she already did, that under normal
circumstances all he saw was her.

What she was doing to him
now, with her slow journey down his chest, was as painful as it was
pleasurable. He wanted to touch her, too. When he thought he could
stand it no longer, he reached for her and this time he didn’t
allow her to distract him.

They rolled together on
the bed, laughing as their need for each other made them both
fumble. There was nothing else now.

***

Alicia walked through the
cemetery, trying to calm the voice in her head that was her doubt.
She could see JJ ahead of her, making her nerves flutter
uncomfortably in her stomach. He was sitting on a bench, slumped
against the backrest, his eyes downcast. His whole aura was dark
and unapproachable. It only made her more determined.

He didn’t acknowledge her
presence, but that didn’t deter her either. She would say what she
needed to and leave him in peace.

She noticed that his
hands were resting in his lap, so she reached out in the only way
she knew how and took one into hers. JJ didn’t object; although the
grip was loose he curled his fingers around hers.

They sat that way for a
time. She somehow sensed he needed the contact and nothing
more.

“
You told me
once that I hadn’t earned the right to know you, and I accepted
that,” she began, speaking softly so as not to disturb the peaceful
tranquility. “What I’ve learnt anyway, is that you’re a loyal man
who feels a great deal of responsibility for those in his care. You
might have earned a name among your comrades, and I’m sure you had
a hand in finding me, but I only see you as the
guardian.”

She paused for a moment,
her eyes lingering on the grave a few yards from where they sat.
“The only reason Paul Meeks succeeded is because I made the mistake
of letting my fear prevent you from doing your job.” Alicia sighed,
trying to get the image of JJ’s unconscious form out of her head.
“I’m responsible for my own safety too, JJ, and I’m sorry if I let
you down. I should have trusted you enough to let you help, and I
won’t make that mistake again.” There were tears in her eyes when
she felt JJ’s hand tighten around hers. “I hope you’ll still allow
me to get to know you,” she whispered.

“
You know me
well enough.” His voice was so low that the wind carried it away,
but not before she allowed it to wash over her.

“
Thank you. I
know in our own way, we all take responsibility for what happened,
and I understand that part of you always will. I just wanted you to
know that I don’t blame you for putting your trust in the men that
should have had your back.” She squeezed his hand one last time and
released it. After a few moments she stood. “Brad told me what you
said earlier, and I’m going to hold you to it. I’m back, JJ, I’m
okay, so we’re good.”

She saw a smile play at
the corner of his mouth and that was enough. Silently, she made her
way back to the car, relieved now that she had unloaded some of her
guilt.

Brad was resting lazily
against the passenger door, watching her approach. He had a camera
in his hand.

“
Where did
you get that?” she asked.

“
It seems we
didn’t arrive here alone after all. I found a reporter taking shots
of you, so I relieved him of his equipment for a while.”

She smiled, trying, but
failing, to feel sorry for the person who had trespassed on his
friend’s privacy. “He got off lightly, then.”

She stepped easily into
his arms, and laid her head against his chest. “Thanks for bringing
me. It means a lot.”

“
How did it
go?” he asked, resting his cheek on the top of her head.

“
Better than
I expected. I found some peace, and now I’ll leave him to
his.”

Brad laughed lightly,
giving her an affectionate squeeze. “Then let’s get back. I have
the day off for good behaviour and I’m feeling pretty
tired.”

“
In that
case, we’d better get you straight home to bed. Don’t worry, I’ll
take good care of you.”

He brushed her lips with
his. “I trust you completely.”

She grinned when he
opened the door for her, and knew better than to touch him until
they were somewhere a little more private.

Epilogue

Sarah straightened the
scarf around Alicia’s neck, fussing with the collar of her jacket.
“I can’t believe this is the last time I’m going to be here with
you at one of these gigs,” she said, wringing her hands now that
she had nothing to do.

Alicia hugged her
tightly, struggling with her own emotions. “Just because you won’t
be working with me anymore, it doesn’t mean you can’t come along
for moral support every now and again. We’re friends, first and
last.”

“
I know, but
I already feel lost, and I haven’t made it through my last day
yet.”

As they were given a
two-minute call, Alicia walked with her friend so they could have a
moment of privacy. “That’s why the holiday is a good idea. A few
days on a beach, and you’ll be filling the spaces with plans to
organise other mere mortals.” She paused to wave at Jack who was
right on cue. “I’m going to miss you too, though, honey. I might
ring at the most inappropriate times with the lamest excuse I can
think of.”

“
You can
always come and work with me,” Jack said, judging their mood and
trying to lighten it.

“
Now that
would be a challenge,” Sarah said, looking at his outfit with
critical eyes. “Go on, the pair of you, I’ll be fine. I just had
last minute nerves. I have to go if I’m going to catch my
flight.”

They were doing an
interview on the Joe C. Ross Show, the last on the tour to promote
the film. “Then go. Jack and I have this covered. We could answer
the questions in our sleep now.”

Sarah glared at Alicia.
“Don’t get complacent. You have to treat every interview as though
it’s your first. Have I taught you nothing?”

“
You taught
me everything, dear friend. Now go, before I spend the whole
interview worrying about you.”

“
Nicely
done,” Sarah said, kissing her cheek. “Make it a good one. I’ll get
to see it eventually.” She gave Jack a quick hug and walked away
before she could change her mind.

“
Are you
ready, sis?” Jack asked, turning to her as their names were
announced.

She nodded once. “Let’s
do it.”

They walked onset hand in
hand, to the sound of applause from a live studio audience. Alicia
stood for a few moments, allowing the welcome to flood over her.
Then she was being swept up into a bear hug by their host, Joe
Ross.

“
Great to see
you,” he said, giving Jack’s hand a quick shake. “Come and sit
down.” He led them to a leather sofa, part of the new design for
his show.

“
It’s great
to be here, Joe,” Jack said, relaxing against a surprisingly soft
backrest.

“
We’ve just
seen a clip of the film and the audience loved it.” He paused to
wait out the applause. “I saw it yesterday, and have to agree. It’s
brilliant.”

“
That means a
lot. We don’t have to tell you how many challenges we faced with
this project.” Alicia gave Jack a wry smile. “But the end result is
worth it, especially for us.”

“
Will there
be other projects together?” Joe asked.

“
Eventually,
yes. I don’t think many people expected us to finish this one after
everything that happened. But we actually had a lot of fun.” Alicia
paused, thinking about the months they’d spent completing the film.
“I would love the opportunity to work with Jack again.”

“
Yes, you’ve
certainly had an interesting few months. I’m sure you’re tired of
talking about it by now, but it must be a relief to work without
all the controversy surrounding your relationship.”

Jack grinned at their
host, not blaming him for steering them towards the hottest topic
of the moment. “There’s always a little controversy when you do the
kind of work we do. It was just a matter of getting to know each
other again without being under a microscope. I agree that there’s
a certain joy in sharing with the world how much I adore my
sister.”

The audience burst to
life again, the applause so loud it made Alicia’s head ring. “I
think we always intended to explain our relationship before we
finished the project. The hardest part was timing. It’s inevitable
that we were accused of using the announcement for free publicity.”
She shrugged, demonstrating her acceptance. “And, sure, the
publicity doesn’t hurt, but I hope the film can be enjoyed on its
own merits.”

Joe nodded
enthusiastically. “It felt right that I knew before seeing it. The
characters you created have a few things in common with you. Did
you purposely write them as brother and sister?”