Chapter 5

Mike stepped onto the porch and took stock. On his left was what appeared to be the lobby of a hotel, and around the corner to the right, he spied a bar.

“We can talk in here.” The guy opened the door to the hotel and stood aside, tut-tutting as Mike and Ashley went inside. “You are dripping like a leaky faucet. Use the mat, for God’s sake. This floor is in a bad enough state as it is.”

Mike stamped his feet on the worn mat, and started to remove his hooded jacket. He paused. “You got someplace I can hang this where it won’t be dripping on the floor?”

The guy rolled his eyes and thrust out a hand. “Give ’em here, both of you. Now sit your ass down and I’ll fetch the others. Because we need to have a conversation.”

“Sounds good to me.”

The only conversation Mike intended on having was a one-sided one, that began with pack your bags, you’re leaving and ended with there’s the door. Goodbye .

He handed over his jacket and Ashley did the same. The guy looked her up and down. “And who are you, girl?”

“His best friend. And don’t let my size fool you. If you’d gone for him with that rolling pin, I’d have knocked you on your ass.” She glared at him.

The guy stared at her for a moment, then burst into deep, rich laughter. “Oh honey, you could sure as hell try.” He grinned. “You’re feisty. I like that. What’s your name?”

“Ashley. I’m assuming you have a name. Probably at least two.”

He arched his eyebrows, his lips twitching. “Call me Anthony. I’ll be right back.” He headed for a door behind the front desk, his slim hips swaying.

Ashley shook her head. “I’d kill for that figure. And those cheekbones. Not to mention those hips.”

Mike gazed at his surroundings. The gray front desk sat in a corner, stools along one side of it, and off to the left was a staircase lined with white balustrades, the treads covered in carpet in the same shade of gray.

He wandered over to the far corner of the lobby where a white sheet covered a large object. He pulled it back to reveal a baby grand piano, its case dark glossy wood, and a padded bench. Mike lifted the key lid and tinkled a few keys.

“Needs tuning,” he remarked.

“So you’re a piano expert?”

He turned to find a slim, toned man staring at him, arms folded. His jet-black hair was stark against his pale complexion. Dark eyes focused on Mike. He wore a tee and sweatpants, a plaid shirt open over the tee, his feet swathed in thick socks.

Mike ignored the question. “And you are?”

“Elliott. Elliott Goldman. Ant says you’re Mike, Nick’s nephew.” He narrowed his gaze. “You don’t look like him.”

Beside him, Ashley scowled. “Damn. He’s prettier than I am, and believe me, a lot of people would consider me pretty.”

Elliott’s eyes twinkled. “I’ll take that as a compliment. You want some tea?”

What Mike wanted was to gain the upper hand in this conversation, but he sensed he had a way to go before that could happen.

Assess the situation first. Then issue an ultimatum.

“Sure, I could use a cup. It’s been cold as a freezer in that truck.”

Elliott smirked before shivering. “It isn’t much warmer in here. I’ll switch on the space heater.” He crossed the floor to where it stood and bent down to flick the switch.

Behind them, the door opened, letting in a waft of cold air, and Mike turned to see the new arrival.

“Who the fuck are you?” A guy of about average height stood there, his arms full of damp brown paper grocery bags, his hair damp too, his jacket dark from where the rain had soaked in. He glared at Elliott. “I’m at the Stop & Shop for five minutes and you let someone in? Girl, you are one lousy guard dog.”

Mike gazed into blue eyes that went perfectly with the man’s creamy complexion. “If anyone needs a guard dog around here, it’s me.” He set his jaw.

“Meet Nick’s nephew, Mike.” Elliott sighed. “Look, we knew he’d turn up eventually. Let’s try to deal with this calmly.” He smiled. “I’ll be right back with the tea.” He went over to the newest arrival, arms outstretched. “Here, give me those. You play nice with…” He bit his full lower lip. “I was going to say with our guests, but that would be us, wouldn’t it?” And with that, he turned and went in the same direction Anthony had taken.

Mike peered at the newcomer. “And you are?”

“James, but no one calls me that, not if they want to stay upright. Call me Jim.” He glanced at Ashley as he peeled off his jacket. “This your girlfriend? Your wife? Your beard?” He dimpled a smile at Ashley. “No offense, hon.”

“None taken.” Ashley snorted. “Been called worse.” She shivered. “You mind if we continue this conversation closer to the heater?”

Jim gestured to the armchairs and the two couches. “Pick your spot.” He divested himself of his heavy boots.

“There’s a fireplace,” Mike commented. “Couldn’t we just light a fire?”

“Sure.” Jim indicated the door. “Go buy some wood. Or else I’ll find you an ax and you can go chop down a tree. Because those are the only ways that fire is getting lit tonight.”

The door behind the front desk opened again, and a bearded guy walked out, dressed in jeans and a sweater.

Ashley chuckled. “You’re a drag queen? You have to be all of five-feet-five.”

He glared. “There’s this brilliant invention, maybe you’ve heard of it. Heels?”

She snorted again. “More like stilts. I have to ask, do you shave the beard off every time you perform?”

He folded his arms, his shoulders tense. “Not that it has anything to do with you, but the beard is a huge part of who I am. And no, I don’t shave it off. Actually, I dye it blue. To match my hair.”

Mike didn’t want to antagonize any of them. “Who are you?”

“The name’s Sam. And you’re Mike.” He glanced at Ashley, his eyes glinting. “And you are—”

“Going to keep your mouth shut,” Mike interjected in a firm voice, giving Ashley a hard stare. He knew she had a sharp tongue and could be abrasive as fuck.

He also knew this situation called for negotiations, and Ashley didn’t have a diplomatic bone in her body.

Ashley opened her mouth as if to retort, then clammed up. A moment later, she offered Sam a polite smile. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me.”

Good girl.

Elliott appeared, carrying a tray laden with a tiny creamer, a sugar bowl, a teapot, and several mismatched cups, one of which had a tiny crack in the handle. Mike glanced at each one, noting how unique they were.

Not unlike the people in the room with him.

“It’s Earl Grey. Sorry if you don’t like it, but it’s the only tea anyone around here drinks.”

Mike stilled. “That’s what my uncle used to drink.” He couldn’t hide his smile as Anthony swept into the room.

He sure knows how to make an entrance.

Sam smiled. “Who do you think introduced us to it?”

Jim toed off his boots and headed for the couch, and Elliott placed the tray on the small table near the heater. Mike took the armchair on the other side of the heater, and Ashley sat at the end of one of the couches.

When everyone was seated, Anthony cleared his throat. “Okay, the way I see it is—”

“Uh-uh.” Sam shook his head. “That’s not how we start this.” He inclined his head toward Mike. “It’s his house, after all. I think he gets to speak first. Then we’ll let him know how the land lies.”

Mike blinked at the unexpected courtesy. Ashley nudged him, giving him a pointed stare.

It was time for the gloves to come off.

“Thank you for that, but I know exactly how the land lies. You’re on my property. Illegally.”

Anthony’s eyes flashed, but then he took a deep breath. “This is our home. We have no place to go.”

“It stopped being a home when we lost the heart of it,” Elliott murmured. He met Mike’s gaze. “And that was Nick.”

Mike’s breathing hitched to see the sorrow in those dark eyes.

“We loved your uncle,” Jim added in a low voice.

“Preach.” Sam let out a sigh. “He talked about you. Said you were a good guy. And we hoped—”

“Before we get to that part, can I ask a question?” Anthony pointed toward the street. “What’s in the truck?”

“Everything I possess in this world,” Mike said simply.

“Then… you’re gonna live here?”

“That was the general idea.”

Sam stared at him. “What are you going to do with the place?”

He chuckled. “I hadn’t gotten that far.”

The four men gazed at each other, and something passed between them.

It looked a lot like hope.

And a fair amount of desperation.