Step One was complete. Jake had gained entry, offered up a gift of Kane’s favorite whiskey, and probably most important of all, joined Kane in silent and mutual acknowledgement that the world just sucked ass sometimes, plain and simple.
The process took time. Kane could not be pushed or prodded. If it wasn’t important enough to take that time, to observe the unwritten rules of engagement, then it wasn’t important enough, period. Jake made sure Taryn and the others knew not to expect him back until the next day at least.
Step Two involved the offering of food, to be attempted only after at least an hour had passed and their bellies were deep in the slow burn of the whiskey. Kane’s eyes followed Jake as he rose from the sofa, went out to his truck, and returned with an insulated box the size of a small refrigerator. He set it between them, and opened the lid. Inside were no less than 24 large containers, each one containing a full meal.
There was quite a variety – several different kinds of chicken, steaks, ribs, chops – and all the sides – stuffing, four different kinds of potatoes, pasta, breads and lots of freshly whipped butter. Kane took it all in.
“Lex?” he asked, his voice rough from not being used for a while.
Jake nodded. Kane grunted his approval. No matter what, Lexi was one hell of a cook. Unless Jake was mistaken, Kane probably hadn’t had much of an appetite or a desire to prepare a meal for himself lately.
Step Two was complete when they had each eaten their fill, and went hand-in-hand with Rule #2: never speak of anything of importance on an empty stomach.
Jake had seen to Steps One and Two. The third and final step was up to Kane. Either he would talk to his brother or he wouldn’t.
Jake settled back, switching from whiskey to beer. He was prepared to go the distance, but as it turned out, he didn’t have to wait as long as he’d thought.
“Satisfied?” Kane asked finally.
Jake turned a questioning glance his way, his identical blue eyes locking in. Looked like Step Three had been initiated after all.
“Obviously I haven’t taken a gun to my own head,” Kane said dryly. He gestured around the room. “Nor have I lured unsuspecting victims to my lair.” He pinned Jake with his laser glare. “So what the fuck do you want?”
Jake was unfazed. He’d been on the receiving end of Kane’s death stares more times than he could count. He’d perfected the art himself. He shrugged. There was no way he was opening with the heavy stuff. They’d work up to that.
“Just checking in.”
*
Kane snorted. Jake could have checked in any of a hundred different ways, none of which involved a personal trek up the mountain and leaving his wife and daughter back in Pine Ridge. Jake didn’t leave his family often. They must be really concerned.
It was a waste of time, though. Kane could have saved him the trip and told him to stay the fuck home. Hell, if he’d known Jake was going to show he would have gone hunting for the day.
Which is probably exactly why there had been no prior notice of his pending arrival. Shit. He could sense an ambush well enough.
“Kier says you haven’t been to the gym. How’s the hip?”
It ached like a bitch, especially first thing in the morning. Too bad he hadn’t had the motivation to install that hot tub Rebecca had suggested. Instead he just spent hours in his regular tub after his routine trek around the perimeter, just so he could keep moving, and made good use of the steam sauna, willing the heat into his joints. It sucked.
“As good as it’s going to get.”
“Mick says to stop by next time you’re down, he’ll check you out for clearance.”
Kane nodded, but he already knew there would be no more missions for him. He might not be a doctor, but he sure as hell knew his own body, and he’d be worthless in the field without a total replacement. He might have considered it a few months ago, but not anymore. He’d shut himself down so completely he just really couldn’t bring himself to give a shit about anything.
“Maggie wanted me to invite you for Thanksgiving. We’re all gathering at Mick’s this year.”
Another nod. Not likely.
“Taryn and I are expecting again.”
“Congratulations.”
“Yeah,” Jake grinned. “Riley’s going to have a little brother to pound on.”
Deep down, Kane was happy for his brother. It wasn’t all that long ago that Taryn lost their first child – a boy - at the hands of the psycho that stalked her for ten years. Jake had been devastated.
“That’s great, man. Give Taryn my best.” He wished he could summon more feeling into his words, but except for the pain, Kane felt dead inside.
“I will. Lexi’s due around Christmas. Ian’s driving her crazy. Won’t give her a moment’s peace the way he hovers.”