Josh wanted to laugh as he watched what was going on behind Camille’s back. She might be his father’s date, but even he could see she was completely wrong for him. There was no doubt she was a beautiful woman, but Camille had their mother’s dead eyes.
He and Lux were finally at a good place and they were working on their relationship. They still had a way to go, but each day he could feel them moving closer towards what they once had.
That Aviva wanted that for his father made Josh happy. He didn’t know the woman Aviva was attempting to insinuate into Jackson’s life, but he trusted her.
When he agreed to help her out, he hadn’t given much thought to what he was supposed to do with Camille if she began to irritate him. Which was exactly what she was doing. Catching Aviva’s gaze, he silently warned her that he was done.
A nod later, she and Delphine began to make their way towards him. Just then Ronson, their butler appeared at his side and whispered in his ear. Every muscle in his body tensed. Replying to the butler, and without waiting for the women to arrive, he walked away.
What he didn’t notice was the exchange that passed between his father and brothers. Without comment, Jason and Jake also strolled from the room.
Needing time to cool down, Josh allowed the chill of the night air to wash away some of his rage. He knew this confrontation was coming. That they had the gall to attempt it in the midst of a party his family was hosting angered him so much his temples pounded. He’d warned those fools about coming back to his house uninvited. Josh knew their presence here tonight was for no other reason than to humiliate him and his family.
“You need to calm down,” said an ambient voice.
It took him a moment to recognize the words as Jake’s. Exhaling, Josh attempted to do as his brother suggested.
“That’s kinda hard for me right now. If we hadn’t amped up the security, I’d be marching out of here in handcuffs.”
“Well, it’s a good thing we did, and you’re not.” Again the voice of reason, Jake tried to placate him.
“I need to deal with this once and for all.”
“Whatever it is we’ve got your back.”
For the first time, Josh became aware that Jason was also present. Somehow, in his anger, he’d missed his mostly silent brother’s presence.
“How do you want to play this?” Jason asked.
“Let me make a couple of quick calls then just follow my lead,” Josh replied as he walked away, in no doubt they would do as he asked. Never in his life did he want to put a beating on anyone the way he wanted to at this moment. The jury was still out on whether he’d be able to hold back from doing exactly that.
When he set off, Josh headed towards the guesthouse. The lights were already on and he knew everything was as he’d instructed. Opening the door, he saw that detectives, Saunders and Bonetti were already there and madder than hell at being thwarted in their plan.
“Thank you, gentlemen, that will be all,” Jake told the four security guards. They all ignored the detective’s shouts about being the law, and how they were going to throw the book at them. With a nod of acknowledgment, the guards trailed out and left the brothers with the detectives.
Jason moved with a suddenness that caught Josh unawares. In a series of twisting hand movements, he removed a gun from Saunders’ hand. The detective’s face showed shock at how quickly and effortlessly he’d been disarmed, as he looked from his hand and Jason’s.
“If it were up to me, I’d make you eat this.”
“Well, it’s a good thing it’s not, and just for the record, neither you nor Josh are going to even think about shitting on our doorstep,” Jake warned.
“How about pissing,” Jason asked. “Much less detectable.”
“That I can live with,” Jake replied.
Josh couldn’t help but laugh at their double act. With his attention on his partner, Josh shouted, boo, in Bonetti’s ear. He jumped so far in the air, all Josh had to do was give him a small push and he landed in a chair. Regarding the sweating detective for a moment, he turned his attention back to his brothers.
Jake still stood by the door with his arms folded and his face expressionless. Jason on the other hand stood towering over Saunders as though still undecided about what to do with the gun.
When he finally spoke, it was in a measured voice. “Take a seat; I believe my brother has something to say to you.”