She shrugged, shook her head, and blew another bubble. An even bigger one this time. Tucker popped it with a snap, his impatience growing, along with the apprehension in his stomach.

"Hey! Damn it!" She worked to clean the sticky mess off her face.

He gripped her upper arms and yanked her closer. That got her attention, and a hopeful smile.

"Tell me where he is, Shelley. Now! I'm not playin' a game with you!"

"He left on business!" She struggled a bit, and he eased his grip on her. "Why the hell do you care?"

Tucker shook his head and snorted. "What the hell kind of business? He doesn't work." Unease ratcheted in his gut.

"I don't know, Tucker!" She broke free and backed away. "I'm not his mother!"

"Well, you're sure as hell shacked up with him! So tell me where he's at!"

"New York, okay! You happy now?" Shelley's face drained of color as the hulking menace towered above her, his body pushing her against the wall.

"Are you sure about that?" He spoke the bitter string of words slowly, his tone low and threatening.

She nodded stiffly and swallowed hard, fear on her face. Then her eyes darted to the letters on his hat. She squeaked out the next words. "He said he had personal business to take care of in New York."

Tucker's fists slammed against the wall as the bottom dropped from his world.

Parker deliberated at the window in his study, arms locked confidently over his chest, as the clouds scratched across the glinting moon, the shadow play mirrored on the Hudson below, his lips drawn in cold satisfaction.

"You handled it perfectly, Mother." He glanced back over his shoulder, then took a few steps and perched himself on the desk corner, nearer her.

"I don't want you to worry about this. I doubt she has anything. She's guessing, speculating, based on an inadmissible dying declaration." His face turned smug. "The evidence went missing, as I recall."

"But what if it didn't?" Sarah sounded nervous.

"Meaning?"

She eased forward and lowered her voice. "Meaning, what if your father recovered items from the scene." Her palm pressed to her chest as if to stop the spread of panic. "Or later, by other means."

A pointed sliver of anxiety stabbed at his certainty, threatened to poke holes in his heretofore unshakable conviction as he ruminated the heart-pounding prospect of her worrisome words. A chess-like game unfolded in his mind, the necessity to play his side of the board and his opponent's, never more critical. Then, equal measures of hubris and vindictiveness quashed the disconcerting doubts. He smirked and leaned back in casual confidence.

"Father never would've taken that risk. Can you imagine the fallout if he had somehow lost control of it and it landed in the wrong hands, even after his death?"

Sarah gasped, mortified.

"No. He destroyed all of it, just as he told us he did, if for no other reason than to protect himself." Parker's chest swelled with a surge of confidence. "She's bluffing. And the news story was simply an attempt to rattle us, nothing more. Even if there is a bit more to it, I can handle it." His long finger tapped at his temple. "I'm always several moves ahead. I'm not worried."

He reached out and patted her slumped shoulder as she sat pale and bereft before him. "You shouldn't be, either. So stop looking so moribund. Sit up straight. Stand tall. And face the world as you always have, Mother, with dignity, strength, and grace."

He rose to stand behind her, hands reverently at her shoulders. "You're the only reason this family still has a name worth anything. Your sacrifices are the glue that's kept this family together ever since Father tried to destroy it all those years ago." He bent down next to her jeweled ear, an edge of malevolence in his voice. "But we didn't let him, did we?" Sarah James had regained her self-righteous demeanor and shook her head, lips tight. "And we will not let her do it now."

His fingertips skimmed across her rigid, cashmere layered shoulders as he slipped around and repositioned himself in front of her. He angled back against the desktop and gripped the edges.

Their eyes locked, reaffirming their heinous pact.

Blue-veined hands, attenuated by time, pressed together as if praying, beseeching. "I never wanted you involved back then, darling. You never should have had to take on such a role-"

His raised hand ended her mea culpa and he shook his head in admonishment. "Someone had to stop the madness. The utter insanity of what he was proposing could not be tolerated." His eyes lit with satisfaction at the memory of the harsh punishment meted out. "Actions and consequences. Someone had to put Father in his place, make him understand his responsibilities to you, to the family." The sharp angles of his face softened. "You and grandfather understood. You both stood by me when I needed you most. And for that, I will never abandon you.

"This is no different, Mother. She needs to be put in her place, just like him." He paused, allowed the weight of his judgment to sink in. "She has done nothing but treat you with disdain and disrespect. Defied you at every opportunity. Embarrassed you from the beginning. Embarrassed you-like him." He waited, a scowl marring his face. "Even after you took her in at Father's urging and raised her as your own-in exchange for my freedom, my redemption." He leaned closer, his voice lowered in deference. "She has no idea the price you've paid, nor would she care if she did."

Then his head cocked as if he'd heard a whisper in the corner, and his eyes shifted to some faraway place. "And Father thought he could renege on his bargain, from the grave." Parker pulled back with a deep breath and brushed away the nonexistent lint on his wool trousers. "But I simply won't allow that to happen."

He straightened and folded his arms with the sanguine air of an unchallenged fleet admiral. "I've had years to plan for just such a scenario, in the event it should become necessary, which it clearly has.

"That was my mistake before, you see. I was young and fueled by rage and injustice. I lacked the control to think clearly, plan methodically." His empty eyes drifted above the silver-haired woman seated before him. "This time it will be three birds ... one stone ..." His words muttered to the distant shadows, triumph illuminating his features. He no longer seemed mentally present.

"I don't understand, Parker. What do you mean? Are there others ...? Parker, answer me," she said, her voice shaky, maybe even fearful, on the cusp of a demand.

His eyes skipped back to hers, and she flinched at the icy connection, the total lack of humor, warmth, or compassion. Only barbarity lived in those dark, bottomless eyes.

"Don't ask questions, Mother. The less you know the better. My job is to handle this, make it go away. All of it. Your job is to support me in that endeavor. Your blind faith is required and expected."

He bent forward like a doctor delivering a dire prognosis. "No matter the outcome. No matter the price."

He made sure the black Town Car with his mother settled safely in the back was out of sight before he dealt with the smoker skulking in the shadows. He'd smelled the familiar foul odor as soon as he'd descended the steps. He scanned across the street and up and down the block. Then his attention turned to the large potted topiary behind him, and he made quick strides to reach his target.

"About damn-"

He blocked the next word with a swift, well-placed strike to the man's throat, then shoved the trespasser into the shadows and listened with keen interest as the man gagged and choked. Parker reveled in the intruder's bewilderment, the disorientation, and most of all, the palpable fear his next breath might not come. The only disappointment, the late hour and poor lighting partially obscured this buffoon's contorted, oxygen-starved face.

Parker's chest swelled with authority.

The power to end another's life. The power to restore it, if only for a bit longer. There could be no greater thrill. No better demonstration of both courage and control. And Cameron Diamond had tested Parker's steely resolve the past few days with his utter lack of discipline. Tonight's risky call had interrupted dinner with his mother and family. The unseemly approach on the street not twenty-four hours ago, in broad daylight no less, with the taint of swirling tobacco fumes. And now this foolish move. The wretch had no idea his life teetered on the brink-until now.

"I told you in no uncertain terms to never come to my home. And yet, here you are." His tone was calm and low, marked with menace. "You have no idea who I am. Your imbecilic stunts could prove hazardous to your health." Parker swept a loathsome gaze over Cameron's crippled form as he ever so slowly regained an upright posture. "You lack self-control and sound judgment. Your childish rampage at her apartment the other night proves my point. Your actions were sloppy and unnecessary and brought the police to my door." The hiss of words hung in the chilly night air.

Parker pushed Cameron deeper into the dark, damp corner where he slid up against the cool concrete, finally standing at his full height. "Our alliance ended when you failed to take care of this matter on your home turf. Now you further complicate an already complex situation by arriving in my city, against my express instructions." Parker ran simulations in his head. Could he make use of Cameron? Tie up all the loose ends ...? "If I involve you in this, it will be for my benefit, not yours. Anything you might gain from this is secondary to achieving my goals. You would be wise to remember that."

Parker tucked his hands in his pockets and stepped back, listened for any nearby foot traffic. Satisfied with only the distant wail of sirens and rustling leaves, he rejoined Cameron under the cover of darkness.

His finger jabbed Cameron's chest. "You will do exactly as I say from this point forward." His nostrils flared with the fetid stench of nicotine and cheap whiskey. "You will never come to my home again, nor will you initiate contact with me again. I won't bother to ask how you got my number; you obviously have too much time on your hands. And now thanks to you, we have a link to explain, should it become necessary."

Parker took a step back, revulsion contorting his features. He yanked a monogrammed silk handkerchief from his pocket, inhaled the freshly laundered scent into his lungs, and wiped any trace of Cameron's imagined slime from his hands.

Before he even had the chance to properly tuck the soiled linen away and straighten his tie, Parker found himself in a struggle with the topiary he'd been shoved into with unforeseen and unexpected force.

Cameron's form darted past, liberated and standing in the open, safe. He basked in the warm incandescence of a streetlamp, defiance marking his stance, goading his attacker. Parker regained his footing, shored his balance, and reclaimed his dignity as he locked down the fury ready to explode inside him.

Cameron pointed an accusatory finger at Parker and punctuated his bitter soaked words. "News flash, James! I'm not your bitch!" Then he stormed off, hand cradled at his throat, expletives and threats muttered under his angry breath.

Parker, outraged, watched helplessly as the fly escaped the web-this time. A new move to ponder in the ultimate game. His lips parted in a sneer, his vow whispered, transported by the cool evening breeze.

"Four birds ..."

"Have you called my guy back home yet?" Tucker asked.

"Yeah, he sent me everything I need. There've been some small purchases, sporadic, no pattern I can see-yet. Your brother's definitely here, I just don't know where. I'll need more time if he's staying with someone he knows, or if he's paying in cash at a hotel. It looks like he's staying under the radar as much as possible."

"I can't believe he's smart enough to think ahead like that ..." Tucker's words faded away as his vision wandered over the now-tidy apartment. Not what he'd expected after the mess Kat had described.

Then his eyes landed hard, got tangled in the pillow and messy bedding on the couch. The heat from the rise in his blood pressure pricked at his skin. He wrestled with the part of himself wanting to string up Dan Walsh, put him in his place. But it wouldn't be fair. The man had not disappointed him; he'd done exactly what Tucker knew he'd do. What he'd bet the ranch he'd do. Dan Walsh had stuck to Kat like a man who still wanted her. Anybody else would've set up shop outside in a car.

His lip rolled over his bottom teeth, and he clamped down. Kat's safety was more important than his male ego, his jealousy. Most important of all, he reminded himself, he trusted her and what she'd told him about Walsh, about it being over, about it being one-sided. Kat James was a woman who said exactly what she meant, and he could take her word to the bank.

His eyes yanked away from the couch. "You're done now. I'll take it from here. We'll meet you at the attorney's office tomorrow." Tucker noticed the break of dawn and glanced at the wall clock. "I guess that's later today."

"I can have you both shadowed. Nothing obtrusive or obvious. Just to see if you're being followed by anyone. It could be our best bet for finding your brother until I can figure out where he's at." Tucker nodded in agreement. "You really think he's the one who broke in here?"

"It's a real possibility. He and Kat had a run-in back home. Plus his favorite pastime is fucking with my life and the people in it." Tucker extended his hand. "Thanks, Walsh. I appreciate everything you've done."

He read the hesitation, the discomfort. With a tight expression and a strong grip, Dan shook his hand.

"Let me show you how to work the alarm before I-"

"Tucker?" Kat's sleep-swollen eyes darted back and forth between the men as she tried to adjust to the light in the room. "Did you know he was coming?" she said to Dan, her tone accusatory.

Before Dan could answer, Tucker did.

"I told him to let you sleep, sweetheart."

"You told him?" She clearly wanted to say more, but didn't, her little fists parked on her hips.

Then her exasperation drained away with a sigh. She marched straight for him, threw her arms around his neck, and leaned up on tiptoes until he lifted her up level against his chest.

"Yeah, well, I'll get out of the way. See you both later."

The door clicked shut on their mumbled goodbyes.

"I thought he'd never leave," Tucker said, with a grin.

They giggled, squeezed each other closer, nose to nose, then Kat planted a kiss on him that made his knees lock tight, his heart hammer something wild. God, she felt good. Like home. The home he'd never had, but had always wanted.

Against his wishes, she broke free and stepped back, now alert. "Don't take this the wrong way, but what the hell are you doing here? Why did Dan know you were coming back and I didn't?" She raised her hand before he could speak. "Wait. I need to back up. The way our call ended last night ... I'm sorry about the way I spoke to you, hung up on you. I just-"

"Hey." He grasped her hand, lifted her chin, and settled his eyes on hers. "We're both knee-deep in shit right now, darlin'. It's okay. You know I've got thicker skin than that or I wouldn't be standin' here right now. Hell, I never would've made it past drinks with you if I scared off that easy."

That worked. The recognition on her face and in her smile of their first meeting. He circled his arm around her waist and cupped her face in his hand.

"I came back a little early because of what I found out. Cameron's here, somewhere." She stiffened in his arms and got real quiet.

"It was him, wasn't it?" She gestured around the apartment.

"That's what I think, now. But I don't know for sure."

She broke free from his embrace and retreated to the bedroom in quick steps. She reappeared with a bent picture frame. She held up the mangled picture and a chill streaked up his spine. Their faces had been slashed, made unrecognizable.

"This looks personal to me, Tucker. Not random. And as much as Parker hates me, I don't think he'd do something as obvious as break in here and slice our picture up like this-and this isn't the only one."

He laid the broken frame on a nearby table. Then he pulled her close, her soft curves just what he needed pressed against him. They weren't going to be apart again. He could lose everything, the business, the ranch. None of it mattered, except for her.

She was the one thing he couldn't lose.

"Walsh is trying to track him down now. That's why I called him. You were already asleep and I was already on my way here." His hands skimmed her body, then came to rest around her face, his thumbs brushing against her cheeks.

"So, we both have crazy brothers. Literally certifiable."

"Kinda looks that way." Her hands gripped his face, her eyes determined like the first time he'd set sight on her in the rain.

"We're going to beat both of them, Tucker. I'm not settling for less."

He warmed from the inside out and could feel the energy surging through her, the force of nature thundering in his arms.

His hellcat.

"Never thought you would, sweetheart."

Sharon Carter, a former prosecutor, listened, asked pointed questions, and then laid out the game plan going forward. Based on Kat's evidence, Sharon predicted a grand jury indictment. No doubt there would be motions to suppress and evidentiary battles, but she remained confident her contacts in the DA's office, and elsewhere, would see justice prevail this time.

The start of an election cycle loomed in the near future, and this was exactly the kind of high-profile case the DA would flaunt to ratchet the influence of his narrative, to demonstrate his commitment to fairness and equal justice-for all. Sharon promised to make Parker's indictment her mission, make sure the story gained traction and momentum in the media and elsewhere. There'd been no effort on the brash attorney's part to mask her contempt for the immunity and special favors money could buy and the corruption it could foster. Then and now.

The trio now sat in a noisy Midtown diner waiting for their sandwiches and drinks. Dan's eyes swept around the space, always working, always looking for something or someone who didn't belong. He'd been unusually silent since they'd left Sharon's office. Kat hadn't missed the shock and alarm on his face as she'd recounted the contents of the storage unit. She figured he must be digesting everything he'd heard.

Tucker patted her leg. They exchanged easy smiles, and she covered his hand with hers, giving it a squeeze.

"One down. One to go." He winked at her, then his eyes swung to Dan. "Anything on my brother yet?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." His hand slipped inside his suit jacket to retrieve his smartphone. Then he tapped open a file and directed the screen at Kat while focusing on Tucker. "He made some purchases last night. One at a liquor store: whiskey and cigarettes." Tucker snorted, shook his head. "Then he went to a pharmacy and bought a neck compress and a bottle of Tylenol."

"I can only hope the son of a bitch was tryin' to OD." Tucker crossed his arms and shifted his attention to Kat. She'd taken the phone from Dan and now zoomed in and out, scrolling up and down the screen. Then her eyes lifted and locked onto Dan's.

"You're thinking the same thing I am, aren't you?" Dan said, searching her tense expression.

Tucker leaned over to look at the screen with its circles of red and green and matching colored lines connecting them all on a city map. "What're you thinking, Kat?"

Her attention dropped to the table in thought and then she glanced to Dan before turning to Tucker. "Parker and Cameron know each other. That's how he knew who I was before he sat down with me outside Firetower. Parker had to have contacted him."