She was sad that Will didn’t have a chance to see the final product, spray tan and all. It was just as well. She didn’t want things to get any worse between them than they already had. They had some amazing moments. Perhaps it was best to leave it at that.

  The Knights’ Disciples were apprehensive about letting the brother and sister board the plane without them.

  “Don’t worry,” assured Lucas. “I am on watch.” The two Disciples glared at him. “I deserve that and more,” said Lucas, “but I will prove myself if it is the last thing I do. I will take care of her.”

  Laura felt safe. The plane ride became the perfect opportunity for them to rebuild their relationship. The one topic though they avoided was what had happened that fateful night when Laura and Will returned to find an eerie scene and that everyone had vanished. She still did not know where he had been all those months, but she didn’t feel like getting into it on the airplane.

  As they chatted, Laura noticed that Lucas was staring at her. “What?” she asked.

  “I don’t know whose idea it was to make you a blonde, but it was a good one. You don’t really look like you,” he said.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I think.” She reached up and mussed his new short haircut. “You look almost respectable.”

  “I will be respectable. I swear,” he said. “I see that you and Will aren’t getting along. I guess I ruined a lot of cool things in my campaign of destruction.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I think he likes my hair dresser,” she said wanly.

  “You mean Becky? The girl who did our hair?” Lucas asked.

  “That would be the one,” she answered.

  “Well I hope not,” said Lucas. “She belongs to me. I’m the one who suggested her.” Laura made a face. “What?” he asked.

  “How old is she?” Laura asked.

  “She’s a little old. Okay she’s about ten years older, but Will is old enough to be her dad just about,” Lucas smiled.

  “I don’t think that’s a deal breaker for either of them,” she replied sadly. Will was a little bit older than she was, as well. Suddenly it occurred to her that it might be his thing, going for younger women.

  Lucas covered her hand with his. “Trust me,” he said.

  Trust me, thought Laura as she looked at this young man she hardly knew – her sweet, young, once little brother. She wondered what he had been through in the short time he was associated with a vicious gang – if he hurt anyone...killed anyone. His time with the gang obviously changed him. “Lucas, we are going to California,” she said. “Will and the hair dresser are back in Baltimore. I don’t care how much she likes you; she isn’t with you. He isn’t with me. They are with each other,” she said.

  Lucas guided her head to his lips and kissed her. “Get some sleep. You have to go to sleep to see what tomorrow will bring.”

  He said something that she had always said to him, tucking him at night. It was something their mother and father had said to both of them. It warmed her enough that she could recline in her seat, pull the blanket up, and close her eyes.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  To her surprise, the short amount of intensely deep sleep Laura got on the plane was restorative. Thoughts of Will and the turmoil her life was still in pained her, but the good sleep and the fabulous California weather made for good band aids.

  Laura wore some form-fitting capris and her top was short sleeved and slightly cropped at the waist. The sun was so warm when they landed that its heat pinched her bare midriff. The world in California was literally golden and it lifted her spirits immediately.

  Laura and Lucas ambled into the airport. He seemed to know what was going on, but she didn’t have a clue until she spied a familiar, handsome, lanky biker-type leaning against an airport chair.

  Will. And there was no Becky with him.

  Without thinking, Laura rushed up to him and threw her arms around him. She was emotional.

  He lifted her and made a little spin. He kissed her hard on the side of her face. “Hey there, Goldie Locks,” he murmured.

  “Hi,” she said, still gripping him tightly.

  “Let’s go get your bags,” he said, to both Lucas and her.

  Laura withdrew from Will feeling a little awkward. She avoided eye contact. She was quiet as they gathered their bags. Lucas and Will chatted, though Laura felt the tension between the two. Will did not like her brother; she could see that.

  Outside in the parking lot, a small crowd of bikers greeted them – the Ocean Beach chapter of Knights' Disciples. Laura had been mindlessly drifting along, following the guys' lead. She felt a pair of hands on her hips.

  "Come back to earth, Goldie Locks," Will murmured. He fussed over the fit of her helmet once it was on. She was to ride with him. He straddled the bike first and waited for her. He hooked the backs of her knees and drew her up against his backside snugly. He situated her arms around him in a hug. Before they took off, he glanced around to meet her eyes through the space in the face-guard with a brooding, smoky look.

  The swarm of Knights' Disciples roared down the Coast Highway towards San Diego. Ocean Beach was not too far from Lindbergh Field. The warm air brushed softly against them alongside a spectacular view of the ocean. There was nothing ugly about the terrain.

  Laura had imagined a different sort of house. Something grander looking, like the Disciples’ house on the East Coast that they had been to a time before. Instead they pulled in front of a greyish, unremarkable, rectangular structure that rose straight up from a plainly landscaped lot. It sat very close to its neighbors. With its series of sliding glass doors and balconies, Laura thought it looked something like an apartment building. The bottom of the house was dug out. This was the garage. Its door opened by remote control. Up the door raised and down the bikers went, smoothly.

  The sensation of going down the short hill to the lower level tugged at Laura's stomach like she was as on a roller coaster. She shrieked. When they came to a complete stop, she was breathing hard. Her chest rose hard against his back. She couldn't help it. He reflexively reached behind himself and patted her thigh. The garage door lowered and Will and the others, including Lucas, took an elevator to the first floor.

  "Your house has an elevator?" Laura remarked.

  "It does," replied Will, staring her down.

  His gaze was piercing, smoky. She pressed her back against the elevator car, sweetly disturbed by him. Her attraction to him made her tipsy. Laura staggered as she stepped out of the elevator into an elegantly appointed living room.

  Big picture windows lined the wall looking out over the ocean. The floors were huge planks of lightwood and the furniture was white or butter cream with big knit throws. It was a home decorated for comfort. She had an irresistible urge to lie down on the sofa facing the sea and take a nap.

  As usual, Will was in tune with her. He guided her to the butter-yellow, leather sleigh bed. All the guys plopped on the furniture and took a load off. A housekeeper came out with a tray of hors d'oeuvres.

  Lucas made a face. "Hummus?"

  Darren scowled. "Dude you're a Californian. Better act like one."

  “Sure, I just wasn’t expecting it,” said Lucas.

  “You mean our gracious hospitality isn’t second nature to you by now?” asked Pete facetiously.

  “No, I think he meant he wasn’t expecting it,” Laura replied acidly. “Guys, look. To say that the Knights’ Disciples have been the icon of chivalry to my brother and me would be an understatement. There are no words, but if you are put out by helping us, please, by all means, just stop.”

  “Laura,” Lucas countered softly. “I was in the wrong. I am a big boy –”

  Will’s voice was like steel. “You’re not a boy. You are a man. You have had a series of breaks I’ve never seen anyone get before. I think from here on out, you ought to keep your mouth shut and keep your mind open.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Lucas.

  Will fired back, “And don’t think you’re fooling anyone with that crap except for maybe her. You know what?” He stood up. “You,” he said to Laura. “You’re coming with me.”

  Lucas began to protest. Laura was confused. “This is between us,” said Will. He looked at her. “Please,” he said.

  Exhaustion from the little bit of sleep from the night before and the flight were catching up with her, but a discussion between them was long overdue. There was so much unresolved between them. She rose and instinctively scanned the room for her coat.

  Will knew. “It’s ninety-one degrees outside. I don’t think you’ll need it. But bring your sunglasses.” His voice was void of any warmth. He too was tired.

  Laura followed him down the flight of stairs to the front door. The sun was glaring. She had to look at the green shrubbery and not at the walk, which was of light sandstone, because everywhere she looked bounced sunlight into her face.

  “A little while out here and you’ll get some real color on top of your fake color. She did a good job, though,” he said of her spray on tan. Those were the closest things to kind words she thought she was going to get from him. Despite his iciness, he took her by the hand and hand in hand, they sprinted across the street. They wound their way to the shore by way of a public set of stairs that ran between two residential lots. The California beach was much different from the Carolina beach. It was bright and vivid and sprawling.

  There were a few sunbathers, but it was the middle of what should have been a workday. The beach was fairly empty. Once they almost reached the water, he stopped. He took a deep breath. Laura was frightened. Even though she had taken so much for granted, she left him in the dust; she was afraid of what he might say. She didn’t want to face a permanent break-up speech from him.

  She didn’t want to hear that he had left Becky behind because he wanted this time alone, just the two of them to finalize things. That after he finally, finally got Lucas settled, he never wanted to see the two of them again. He started to say something but she cut him off. She was going to say it for him.

  “I know what you’re going to say,” she interrupted him.

  “You do?” he replied wearily.

  Will had this strange quality that, no matter what environment he was in, he seemed perfectly suited for it. He was made for biker clothing, so as Sergeant at Arms of the Knights’ Disciples, he was perfect. When they were in the Carolinas in cutesy southern communities where everyone knew and loved him, Laura swore he had Southern roots somewhere, despite being from Baltimore. And now she thought he would be mouth-watering on a surfboard. He could blend in with the beach town and no one would be the wiser.

  “Yes, I do,” she said choking up. “I don’t blame you. I have been horrible. And you have been great. Your generosity –”

  “Stop,” he said. “This is not about you and me. This is about the Knights’ Disciples and Lucas. Period.” His toned was uncharacteristically tough and unfriendly. This man didn’t like her one bit; she was sure.

  “Okay, I am sorry for interrupting you,” she said.

  “Don’t do it again,” he ordered. “While you’re here, don’t run interference for your brother again. Am I clear?”

  “Yes,” she replied, though she wasn’t sure if she could do it.

  “You’re enabling him is what has gotten him to this point so far. Cut it out or I will separate you two. And I don’t want to hear any ‘fine then we will leave’ garbage either. We have stuck our neck out for him. We have special deals worked out so he can assist the government with these gangs. From this point forward, this is none of your business.”

  “I am his guardian –” she began to argue, regretting it instantly.

  “You are not his guardian!” Will snapped. “If you weren’t so out of it these past couple of months you would realize that boy turned eighteen. He had a birthday, Laura. That means he is an adult. And you have no say.”

  Laura staggered. Had she really been so out of it? Had her drinking been that all-consuming? “Okay,” she said, nodding. Letting it all sink in. “Okay. Your way. However you call it. I will do my best to take a back seat. Thanks,” she said. Waves of emotion greater than those crashing the beach at the moment, threatened to break and she wasn’t of the mindset to let him see. “I need to take a walk,” she announced. But she was wobbly from the gravity of what he had just shared with her. How he had just shared with her. “I can find my way back to the house,” she said.

  Will was up and behind her. He took her by the arm firmly. “When are you going to finally learn to rely on others? When are you going to admit it's too much instead of always sucking it up?"

  "You've done so much already. I can see the strain it's put on you. I didn't want to be dramatic that's all."

  "Just once I wish you would say 'this is what I need. This is what I feel' instead of always putting on some kind of act."

  "Act?" she repeated, completely wounded. And then what came out was completely unplanned. "Oh does Becky show her true feelings?"

  The expression on Will's face said it all. He clearly had no idea what she was talking about. Lucas said Becky was his girl but Laura kept going.

  "Yes Becky. You made me look just like her. Is that why you hugged me at the airport like you were going to go for it right there?"

  Will cocked his head to convey is total confusion. He put his hands up to stop the conversation. "Okay well I've said all I have to say.” He took a step. "Except to say, you're hot because you're you. Except for right now because you are clearly not yourself. Not because you look like some kid Lucas has a thing for. For God sake, she's a kid."

  "She's older than Lucas and you just told me he's an adult," she replied, playing wounded.

  "Come on," he said. "Really?"

  "I think I need a nap," she said. "You're right. I'm not myself."

  Those were magic words. Will eased up. They went back to the house, through a side entrance and again took the elevator, this time all the way up to the top floor. He took her to a beautifully finished room, a dorm room with sloping walls, and a tiny fireplace. It was well lit with sunlight with western exposure. But the room was small. Not too small for lovers hot for each other, but too small for people with so much history between them. Not that she ever really needed it, but Will didn't do his usual fussing over her. He just dropped her off.

  "Okay?" he asked politely before letting her alone.

  If Laura weren’t so wiped out, she would have cried herself to sleep. She climbed atop the velvet bedspread that was wickedly comfortable. She covered herself with the velour throw, and slept.

  SLEEP WAS GOOD TONIC. Laura awoke in a much better mind set. She rose, checked out the contents of the dresser in her room just to see if there was something she could change into. And there was. Her stuff had been unpacked for her. It was official this was her room. Will hadn't officially said so, but they were done.

  She drew out a well-worn jean skirt and T-shirt along with a sweet bra and panty set, and placed them on the bed. She went in search of a shower.

  The only other thing on this floor of the house besides the elevator door, a closet, and her room was a beautiful bathroom. It appeared that they opted out to have a very large bathroom instead of another small bedroom. The bathroom was as luxurious as her little room. The bathtub was a deep, claw-foot. Beside it was a basket of various oils. Laura stripped and placed her clothes in a wall hamper just outside the bathroom. She closed the door and drew a bath.

  Every toiletry that Laura used smelled incredible. Beautiful, fresh, and extraordinarily different scents spilled out of simple bottles into her palm. She had a field day. She shampooed her hair with patchouli soap and slathered on every bottle of oil there was. She was glad she had washed her hair first because she realized that in all her playing, she had become super oily. Depending on how well she toweled off, she may have needed to take another bath.

  She got out of the tub carefully, very conscious of how slippery she was. Though the floor was tiled, there was a lovely and very secured lambskin rug on the ground. She stepped onto it and realized that there was no towel hanging up. She checked under the sink. Nothing. In fact, it was completely empty. She would have to get something from her room.

  Only she couldn't open the door. Her hands were too slick. She had no clothes and no towel. She could use the rug? Laura tried to grip the knob with the rug and that didn't work. She wiped her hands on the rug thinking it would work, but the rug itself had oil on it, just a hint. The only thing she succeeded in doing was making her hands hairy.

  Toilet paper! Only there wasn't a roll on the rack. Laura began to panic. The only thing she could think of was to run another bath and rinse off. There was no regular soap in the bathroom. And while she had been hopeful, she was frustrated all over again when she saw globs of oil floating on the water.

  She pounded on the door and yelled for help. Then she sank down knowing that was useless. She was on the top floor of a house with four floors. Will was not very fond of her at the moment. He wasn't going to miss her. She sank down on the lamb rug. She released the second tub of water and just waited for a solution.

  As the tub was almost empty she thought, of course, a shower. She felt dumb she hadn't thought of that at first. She started the shower only to discover she had no hot water. She was furry from the rug, covered in thick oil, and locked in a bathroom.

  And now she was hungry.

  At this point, the only thing Laura wanted to do was wait for the hot water and to shower off. She was getting chilled naked, though. Nothing was comfortable. Just as she was fully resigned to her situation, she heard the elevator operating. It sounded like it had come to the top floor.