distant from Alexa or childhood nightmares. Cursing as he started the engine, Axell decided not to think about that either. They still had to get through the twin tempests of Cleo and Stephen. Why had he ever thought life with Maya could be handled in a rational manner?
"Told you so," she mocked through the darkness, apparently reading his mind. "Ready to throw me out yet?"
"You're just waiting for that, aren't you?" He understood her that much, anyway. "One wrong word, and you'll be gone. You're not a kid anymore, Maya. You can stand up to the grown-ups on equal terms now."
"Equal." She snorted inelegantly. "Like you don't have it all. There's nothing equal about this relationship. Once the sex grows boring, what will you do? Run for governor and live in Raleigh?"
"Don't start, Maya," Axell warned. "I'm not in any humor to handle your baggage right now. I've got enough of my own to deal with. Just concentrate on how quickly we can get Cleo and Stephen out of the house."
"One thing at a time," she said, her humor restored if the amusement in her voice was any indication. "Sometimes life doesn't let you do things the way you like them done."
"Well, until that happens, I'll do things my way, thank you." He already had the plan formulated. Get rid of nuisances, check on kids, seduce Maya. Worked for him.
Every light in the house blazed as they turned up the driveway. Axell cursed under his breath. Maya remained blessedly silent. The kids should be asleep by now. Lights were not indicative of sleep.
"It's still sort of early," Maya said carefully as they pulled into the garage. "The kids were probably just overexcited."
"If hyperactive kids are all I have to handle, I wouldn't be worried."
The instant they walked through the door into the kitchen, a babble of excited voices greeted them.
"Muldoon scared Kitty!" Matty shouted.
Looking more like a harassed mother and less like a dispassionate murderess, Cleo grabbed his pajama shirt. "Matty, get back to bed. I told you we'd take—"
"Right, like pulling down the drapes helped. The damned cat will come down when it's ready." Obviously steaming, Stephen strolled into the kitchen pressing a wet cloth to cat scratches on his bare arm.
"Daddy, he's been saying dirty words. And Alexa spit up all over Mommy's rug."
Taking a deep breath and counting to ten, Axell thanked God there were no police or fire engines involved. He fixed a glassy gaze on Maya's beaming, expectant face, and exhaled. He could deal with this. Months of sexual frustration had finally found a divine source of release, and he hadn't had his fill yet. He could move the Great Wall of China if it meant landing in Maya's bed. He'd been rude, crude, and uncouth the first time, and he desperately needed to make it up to her.
"Constance, back to bed! Matty, take your cat and get back to your room." Axell swept the rest of the room with a look that he used to clear brawlers from the bar. "Out! The lot of you. Visiting hours at the asylum are over."
Belatedly, as everyone scrambled, Axell wondered what they'd done with his reliable baby-sitter.
July, 1946
As you may have heard, I have been visiting in the country with cousins. I wish you well with your new bride, although I do hope you've developed a taste for sheep since sticking it up her ass is about the best you can hope from her. Her type certainly would never welcome you with open arms.
Be that as it may, your daughter was born July 1st. She will stay with my cousins where she cannot cause you undue embarrassment, or I cause her the same. Should you wish to contribute to her upbringing, you may send what you will to my cousins at the enclosed address. As she reaches the age of understanding, I will refrain from telling her of her origins for fear she will recognize how very small a man her father is.
Chapter 28
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice, doggie' until you can find a stick.
"Your mommy will see you after school tomorrow," Maya reassured the tearful five-year old as she led him back to bed.
Axell had all but thrown Cleo and Stephen into his car and driven them to town when the local cab couldn't arrive soon enough to suit him.
"Don' wanna go to school," Matty replied sullenly.
Oh, great. Loving, obedient Matty had turned on her, too. Sometimes, she had to wonder if she'd started