Drake Sisters 06 - Turbulent Sea

left for you.' She glanced at Brian uneasily as she placed the tea in front of the plate of food on the table. 'We've gotten a couple more disturbing letters, Joley. Jerry had Prakenskii look at them, and he also faxed copies to Jonas. He said that was standard now, to copy Jonas on everything.'
    Joley nodded. 'Jonas is more than a brother-in-law, he's also like a brother. I've known him my entire life and he's bossy when it comes to safety. All the men in my family are.'
    Brian sat down and leaned his chin onto his hand watching her eat. 'That's good.'
    'I suppose,' Joley agreed.
    Tish touched her hair with a gentle hand. 'I've got to check on the baby. You don't have much time for the sound check, Joley. You've only got about two hours before the performance, and you're going to have to get ready. The band did the check, but they need you.'
    T know. I'm sorry. I was just so tired. It was dumb to double up on that stuff. Next time, believe me, I'll know better.
    I'm sorry I scared everyone.' Joley caught at Tish's dress. 'Are you okay with taking care of the baby, Tish? I should have told Logan it wasn't a good idea. I knew he wanted you back with him, and I did, too. It was wrong of me - of all of us. We were thinking about ourselves, not you.'
    'I'm taking one day at a time. I won't let Logan push me into anything before I'm ready, but I missed everyone - and him. Especially him. He's treating me like a queen right now.'
    'He should, Tish. He doesn't deserve you, none of us do.'
    Tish's eyes went soft, her smile gentle. T love all of you. And little Lissa is the sweetest, most beautiful baby in the world.'
    Brian sighed as she went out. 'Lissa is the one who will get Tish back for Logan. We're all crazy about that kid already. She has too many 'uncles' who are going to spoil her rotten.' He leaned his elbows on the table and shoved his hands through his hair in agitation. T have to say it, Joley. I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have talked to you that way the other night. You're my best friend. I just lost it there.'
    She took a sip of tea and nudged the other cup Tish had made closer to him. 'Why did you? What's going on with you? And don't say it's jealousy, because you don't think of me that way. I know we joke all the time, but I've never felt your interest, not once.'
    'I love you, Joley.'
    'I know that, but not like that. So what got you so upset?'
    'It's that man. Prakenskii. He just irks me. And then Jerry decides to hire him without really giving any of us a choice. What the hell is that about?'
    Joley's stomach knotted. She put her fork down. 'Why do you dislike him so much?' And why hadn't he told her before she made such a fool out of herself?
    'It's the way Nikitin is with him.' The words burst from Brian as if he'd been holding them in forever. T think he's involved with him somehow.'
    Joley frowned and rubbed her temples. 'I have no idea what you mean by involved. Prakenskii works for Nikitin as a bodyguard. Everyone knows that.'
    Brian shook his head. 'It's more than that. Seriously, Joley, something's going on with those two. And suddenly Nikitin loans him to us. Did Nikitin send him on purpose? Does he want something? I think those are legitimate questions we have to ask.'
    'You've sure changed your mind.' Joley pushed away from the table, taking her tea with her. She needed the soothing chamomile. 'You defended Nikitin before.' Although he'd never liked Prakenskii, she recalled.
    'After you talked to me, I thought a lot about the time I'd spent with him, the things I saw and heard, and although I didn't want to admit it, I think there's a possibility that you're right about Sergei.'
    Her eyebrows shot up at the familiar way Brian said the Russian's name. 'You've spent more time with Nikitin than I realized. I'm sorry if you thought he was a friend, Brian. I should have told you my concerns about him earlier. I just thought you all went to his parties for the benefits.'
    Brian jumped up, knocking hard into the table, sending the plate skittering across it. He righted it, avoiding her eyes.
    'Yeah. I spent time with him. And I don't trust Prakenskii. Nikitin is weird about him. Really weird.'
    She wanted to hear but she didn't. The mention of Prakenskii sent pain crashing through her. Pain. Guilt. Shame. She hated feeling stupid. 'In what way?'
    'At first I thought they had a thing - you know -a sexual thing.'
    Joley spewed tea across the room, choked and coughed, gasping for air. When she managed