Giovanni flipped the watchers off as he got into the back of his car, where agents observed his growing frustration with the situation through the camera lens pointed at him.
As soon as the small convoy left, the agent in charge called in for backup for the tail, needing to stay behind and wait for the rest of the Bracatos to show up. With all of the sons falling off their radar, the surveillance teams had adopted different modes of operation. Some were watching, and a larger group was out investigating.
Giovanni thumbed the bottom of his signet ring as they drove through the gates of his office building. He could somewhat understand that his eldest son needed some time after what had happened with Eris, but the other boys’ absence had built a ball of fire in his gut that was growing by the hour.
Just that morning he’d taken some calls from some of Stephano’s men who’d all but admitted that his two sons had an ongoing operation in Biloxi. They were starting to feel the heat from some of the other dealers in town and wanted permission before doing anything to rectify the situation.
His sons liked to indulge in women and a good time, but Giovanni had always taught them business came first. If their business was under fire and they were nowhere to be found, there was a problem. And if that problem turned out to be Cain Casey, the streets would run with her blood.
*
Emma glanced around the room and tried to suppress a chuckle. The other people in the waiting room were scrutinizing them as if trying to figure out exactly how the odd conglomeration of people fit together. Next to her Cain sat patiently reading a golf magazine, not saying anything. She and Cain hadn’t talked much when Cain had returned the night before, but after seeing the fourth ring, Emma didn’t need to know anything else.
“How are you doing, lass?” Cain dropped the magazine and took both of Emma’s hands in hers, as if she didn’t want Emma to feel she was being ignored.
“Trying to conjure up good thoughts.”
Thinking about the exam rooms beyond the door was making her nervous. After Cain’s recent injury, Emma didn’t want to see any more doctors.
“You don’t have to do this.”
Emma knew that only the curious people in the room kept Cain from pulling her onto her lap.
“I’m just nervous, honey, but I really want this.”
Emma knew that Cain and their guards must have really glared, because suddenly the onlookers found their magazines fascinating. When she looked up from Cain’s shoulder, she found the same charming smile she’d fallen for.
“Mrs. Casey,” a nurse said quietly from the doorway at the end of the room.
Five people stood up.
“Guys, I appreciate your concern, but I think Cain and I can take it from here.”
The actions of Katlin, Merrick, and Lou touched Emma because she knew they’d once again come to accept her place with Cain.
“How are the fertile Caseys today?” Dr. Ellie Eschete said. She and her partner had a great following with couples just like Emma and Cain. “And I see from your chart that your birthday surprise for Ms. Casey worked out, Emma.”
“The surprise’s name is Hannah and she’s four, so thank you. Now, we’re hoping to make it three for three, so give me some good news.” Emma held up her crossed fingers. She was no expert, so she couldn’t begin to guess how the gift that Cain’s brother Billy had given her had fared after being in the deep freeze for more than four years.
Billy’s gift had lived on past him, giving Cain the legacy she’d come to want. Emma just hoped it was still as potent as the man who had proved his love for his sister in such a thoughtful way.
The door opened again, admitting Sam Casey, Ellie’s partner not only in business but also in life. When the greetings were done she sat on the edge of the desk, folded her hands, and rested them on her lap.
“You live with this bad weed and think there would be bad news?” From the first time they’d met, the luck of sharing Cain’s last name gave Sam more leeway to joke around, even if they weren’t related.
“What the comedian means,” Ellie interjected, “is how ready are you to try again?”
“We’re in the middle of some things right now, so we just want to check on the viability of another Casey baby. I did, though, start testing so that I can track my ovulation. Then when the time’s right, we’ll be ready. Right, love?”
“You know me. I’m ready every eleven months.”
“Aside from the fact you’re ready to try again,” Sam said, “your donor’s swimmers are doing great after their long nap. We tested just a small sample to be sure, but if you want another Casey baby, you’ll get it.”
She laughed when Cain pumped her fist at the news.
After Cain slapped Ellie on the back, she reminded Emma again of the things she should do to improve their chances of conception and gave her a chart to track her ovulation.
“It was great seeing you two again. Just remember that whenever you’re ready, we’ll be waiting.”
As soon as they were completely alone in Ellie’s office, Emma released the tears she’d been holding back, surprised when she found Cain crying along with her. “I never thought I’d be blessed like this again.”
“Today’s our new beginning…right here and now.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then it’s time to put the past behind us, Cain. What you started to protect us—it’s time to finish it. I want more than anything to come back here and try for this baby. When we do, I want it to be born with nothing hanging over its head and no one looking over its shoulder.”
Emma kissed Cain with the same passion she saved for their most intimate moments. She knew she was asking Cain to unleash the devil inside that Cain feared would drive them apart, but by doing so Emma declared herself as true a Casey wife as Therese Casey had been.
“Swear to me that’ll you’ll finish it.”
“On my mother’s grave, I’ll finish it or die trying.”
“Oh, no, my darling, dying is a long way off for you.” Emma brushed back a lock of dark hair and smiled. “And when she comes calling, I’ll be just a step behind you.”
Emma finally trusted Cain to use any means necessary to finish what needed to be done, and when she did, Emma would be there with the love that would heal what haunted her.
Chapter Forty-Four
“What’s going on now?” Joe telephoned to ask Shelby. He and Lionel were helping to canvass the Bracato brothers and babysit Anthony. Because Cain had become a virtual saint overnight, Agent Hicks had cut them loose from tailing her.
Shelby laughed along with Claire at the sheer boredom that faced them if their day continued on the same slow scale. “We’re sitting outside the clinic and guessing Cain’s just finished one more follow-up visit, since Merrick and Lou are back down here. I doubt they’ll be deserting their charges in broad daylight.” Running off a couple of eager security guards and an overzealous meter maid had provided their only excitement so far. “How’s it going on your end?”
“Lionel’s thinking of shooting Agent Surly if he makes one more snide comment, and we both agree the grim brothers four can give lessons on how to drop off the face of the planet.” Joe stepped out of a café some of the agents assigned to the Bracatos said Gino liked to frequent and looked for the car the three of them were in. “Why do I feel we’re always two steps behind these guys with no hope of catching up?”
“Because we’re always two steps behind these people with no hope of catching up,” Shelby said, making him laugh. A knock on the back door of the van cut short her razzing. “Joe, let me call you right back. If it’s that woman again, I may shoot her this time instead of showing her my ID.”
“Shelby, heads up. Our targets are mobile again,” Claire said.