The Midnight Hour - Brenda Jackson [39]
Trevor grinned when he thought about how Corinthians and Ashton's wife, Nettie, had managed to wiggle their way under Drake's tough shell-more than either Trevor or Ashton had seen Drake allow since Sandy's death.
"So who do you think Rio looks like?" Trevor decided to ask. The last time he'd asked Drake that question Rio had been a couple of months old and the answer Drake had given him had almost gotten him slaughtered.
Drake chuckled as he studied the face of the sleeping baby he held in his arms. His godson. The little future marine looked so much like Trevor it was ridiculous, although he would never admit that to his friend. He liked ruffling Trev's feathers by claiming that his son looked like his wife's brother. Joshua Avery was a brother-in-law that Trevor could very well do without. He doubted that either Trevor, Ashton or he would forget what a pain in the ass Joshua had been during that time a few years back when they had been frantically trying to rescue Corinthians from the clutches of a madman.
He glanced up at Trevor. "Do you want to know the truth?"
"Not if your truth will want to make me knock the hell out of you."
Drake smiled. "Then I have nothing to say." He then looked down at the baby again, fascinated with how peaceful he looked.
Moments later, Drake looked up and caught Trevor's inquiring gaze. He knew his friend had questions and intended to get answers. The concern in his eyes was genuine. Ashton was a man of few words. Trevor, on the other hand, always had a lot to say and had used his big mouth to badger Drake into doing what he needed to do.
There was an intense alertness in Trevor's eyes and Drake knew he didn't miss seeing much. It was what had made him such a damn good marine. "I think Rio will be more comfortable in his bed now," Drake said, cutting through the silence that had filled the room.
Nodding, Trevor stood and crossed the room, gently easing the child from Drake's arms. "When I get back, we're going to talk, Sir Drake."
Drake nodded. He'd known that they would.
When Trevor came back into the room a few moments later, he noticed the tension now lining Drake's features. Something had changed. There was a vulnerability there mat he had never seen in Drake. What the hell had gone down to bring about such a reaction in Sir Drake of all people?
At the sound of the doorbell, he watched Drake glance up. "That's probably Ashton," Trevor said, making his way to the door after picking up his unfinished cup of coffee off the table. "It wouldn't surprise me if Corinthians contacted Nettie to let them know you're here."
Drake nodded and gave Trevor a half smile. "Just as well," he said, his voice low. "There's something I need to talk to you both about. I have a problem."
"A problem? What kind of problem?" Trevor asked, over his shoulder when he reached the door. He knew it couldn't be money problems since Drake owned that huge track of land in the Tennessee Mountains, not to mention a number of smart investment moves, thanks to Jake Madaris, who, besides being a wealthy rancher, was also an expert in investments and finance.
"Well," Drake hedged, "It's a woman problem."
A woman problem? Shocked, Trevor whirled around, almost dropping the half-empty cup of coffee from his hand.
He strengthened his hold on the cup at the last moment. He stared at Drake. "A woman?" he asked in disbelief. At Drake's slow nod, Trevor shook his head and studied Drake anew, ignoring the sound of the doorbell ringing again.
Had he finally found someone to love? And for him to feel the need to travel all the way to Texas to talk about it with him and Ashton meant it was pretty damn serious. Trevor blinked relief from his eyes and hoped fervently that this was a sign that Drake had finally put the past to rest and was embarking on a future.
Trevor smiled tentatively, not wanting to jump to any conclusions where Drake was concerned. He