Page 10 of Ciao Bella

“Babe,” he said, lifting his hands, “I was just saying don’t talk about it, and it won’t happen. That’s all.” Kari laughed at them, shaking her head.

“You good, Kari?” he asked sweetly.

“I am. I was just remembering how you helped me when we met. The way you shielded my body from seeing my father after he killed himself.” Tailor smiled at her, nodding.

“I remember. I didn’t want you to have to look at that. You asked me a question. Do you remember what it was?” Kari tilted her head, not remembering it all. Probably from the shock, she’d blocked a lot of that day out.

“You asked me why they called me Tailor. I told you the story, then you cried like nobody I’d ever seen before. Tore my heart apart. I hope to hell I don’t ever see you cry like that again, or I’ll have to kill a whole lot of people,” he frowned.

“The answer isn’t always killing someone,” she smirked.

“Who says?” he scoffed. Miller nodded with a wink at his friend, gripping Kari’s hand. Their start was rough, for sure.

“This is from the woman who called me a gargoyle,” he smiled.

“I’ve apologized for that many times over,” she smirked. “Besides, gargoyles are good as well. They protect, and that’s what you were doing with me.”

“You damn sure didn’t mean it in a good way,” he laughed. “It’s alright, chére. I deserved to be called that and worse. I was actin’ like an asshole. I knew the moment I walked into your father’s office, I was in trouble. I expected a daughter of his to look like, well, to look like him. Maybe a bit of a gargoyle himself but definitely not someone with a body like yours. Shit, you looked good in that suit.”

“I loved that suit,” she smirked. “I didn’t love your bossiness. You came in and took control without even asking me any questions. Of course, we were both blind as to what my father was really doing.”

“It all worked out for the best. The best we could hope for anyway,” he said, staring at her. “Your father chose his path.”

“So did Mama,” she said. “She went off to some island and never returned. Left me to clean up the mess she and my father had made.”

“I almost did the same,” said Miller. “I’ll never forgive myself for walking away from you. I’m grateful every damn day that you were pregnant. And I’m grateful to Sid for calling you and giving you a job. I miss that woman.”

Sid had been their friend, mentor, and attorney for years. She was stubborn, tenacious, and an absolute terror. Barely five feet in shoes, she came in like a tornado and out like a hurricane. The widow of a veteran, she found the boys when they needed her most. Her unbelievable legal skills kept them out of jail, out of trouble, and on the right path.

But stubborn was her middle name. She refused to move to Belle Fleur, not wanting to leave her precious East Coast. They missed her, but Kari had done a damn good imitation of her while leading the legal team.

“She was something else,” smirked Tailor. “She used to get so pissed at me when I lifted her up and swung her around.” He started laughing, and the others around laughed as well.

“She was something else,” nodded Kari. “By far, the best legal mind I’d ever encountered. She knew a little about every aspect of the law and always seemed able to answer my questions. She definitely made me a better lawyer.”

“We’ve had some great years,” smiled Miller. “An amazing, smart, wonderful son that I couldn’t be prouder to call mine.”

“I agree. Although, at times, Frank gave us a run for our money, but he finally came around,” smirked Kari. “I’d say he had a lot of his daddy in him.”

“That might be true,” he laughed. “Lord, that boy thought sex was a right, and he was going to get the maximum of his rights. I guess all of us did the same at some point in our lives.”

“I know that’s true,” nodded Jean. “I mean, not me, but the rest of you.”

“We can’t help it that you were a choir boy,” frowned Miller.

“I wasn’t a choir boy. I just wasn’t a man-whore.”

“Whatever. Frank was definitely giving me reason to worry,” said Miller. “God, when Frank found Lane, I thought someone had finally answered my prayers. He was going to figure his shit out. And he did. Having Pierre has been great for both of them.”

“How is he doing?” asked Tailor.

“He’s great,” he smirked. “Rangers got their hands full with him. That boy is all in and gives a thousand percent every day. I think he’s the first Ranger they’ve had to tell to slow down.”

“Damn, I’m glad to hear he’s doing well. We were fucking lucky to have found him in Haiti before those assholes really got their claws on him,” said Wilson.

“Yep. We owe Jak for that. And probably my mother,” frowned Miller. “I’d rather not know about that.”

The entire plane laughed at that comment. Whatever her magic, her skill, her calling was, she damn sure showed up when they needed her most. But not one of them ever thought she would show up in Haiti during a military and political crisis, ward off a self-proclaimed voodoo priest, and help Jak find the love of his life and a little boy who just needed a chance at life.