Her Three Liberators [The Hot Millionaires #6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (5 page)

“You’d be right,” Daniel said, sharing an amused smile with his sons. “We do tend to be rather direct. And I know you’ve been too busy helping me to think of something like that.”

“Well,” Jonny said, “at the risk of being branded bad mannered, I’ll give the Standishes a call tomorrow and ask what happened. I know them personally, so it won’t seem odd.”

“Know their daughter, more like,” Harry said, grinning. “Careful she doesn’t take it as a green light to rekindle your hot, steamy affair, big brother. For some reason that escapes me, she seemed pretty cut up when you dumped her.”

“No chance of that.”

“That would be helpful,” Daniel said. “Talking to the Standishes, I mean, not the resumption of hot, steamy affairs.”

“Make up your mind, Daniel,” Brad said, winking at Steffi.

Daniel pointedly changed the subject and they spoke on general topics for the rest of the meal. As soon as it came to an end, Daniel’s male nurse appeared and their father excused himself. Steffi stood and kissed his cheek, a gesture that Daniel appeared to appreciate.

“Goodnight, boys,” he said from the doorway, “and welcome home.”

“He’s really glad you’re all here.”

Steffi’s soft voice broke the air of despondency that prevailed following Daniel’s departure. Jonny felt as though he’d been playing a part all the time their father was present, pretending to carry on like nothing had changed. Hell, everything had changed and Jonny wanted to hit something, or someone—anything to vent his inchoate anger at the injustice of it all.

“This calls for a real drink.”

Brad got up and produced a bottle of fine cognac from the drinks cabinet. Without asking who’d like one, he filled four snifters and handed them round.

“Tell us everything you know about his illness,” Harry said. “We tried cross-questioning his nurse this afternoon, but he wouldn’t tell us a damned thing we didn’t already know.”

“Stage five of a brain tumour,” Steffi said, taking a fortifying sip of her brandy before speaking. “A glioblastoma multiforme, if you want the correct name. By the time Daniel realized he was sick and got the diagnosis, it was too late for surgery.”

“What treatment’s he getting?” Jonny asked.

Steffi sighed. “He’s refused chemo. He reckons it wouldn’t give him much longer and he hates the idea of all the side effects.”

“He would,” Brad said. “Probably doesn’t want to lose his hair.”

“That’s what he said to me,” Steffi agreed with a wistful smile.

Brad looked at her from the opposite side of the table, his eyes full of despair. “And they definitely can’t do surgery?”

“There’s an outside possibility.”

All three of them perked up. “They why doesn’t he—”

“The tumour is very close to the brain stem and he’s been told that the risks outweigh the chances of success. And even if they are successful, they probably wouldn’t be able to get it all, which would only delay the inevitable.”

“He should still consider it,” Harry said, stealing the words from Jonny’s lips.

“He won’t.” Steffi shook her head. “I tried to convince him, but there are no guarantees, and I think he’s just accepted his lot.”

“That doesn’t sound like Daniel.” It was Brad’s turn to shake his head. “He’s an out-and-out fighter.”

“He’s been feeling low for longer than anyone realized,” Steffi said pensively, “and simply finds it too much of a struggle. He’s a methodical man, as you well know, and wants to die on his terms, with everything arranged the way he wants it.”

The brothers exchanged a glance. “That’s probably true,” Jonny conceded.

“Even so, I’m going to look into this surgery option,” Harry said forcefully. “And if there’s even a remote possibility of giving him a few more decent years then I—we, that is,” he amended, encompassing Jonny and Brad with a sweep of his eyes, “are going to make sure that he takes it.”

Steffi flashed him a grateful smile. “I’m glad. Perhaps he’ll listen to the three of you. Nothing I say makes any difference.”

“You should have gotten in touch with one of us,” Jonny said, glowering.

“I wanted to, but he specifically asked me not to.” She paused. “It put me in a difficult position. Even operating at half his capacity, Daniel is still a hard man to disobey. Besides, I didn’t feel I could betray his trust.”

Jonny merely grunted.

“Do you know where his medical records are?” Harry asked. “I’d like to see them. I have a buddy who’s a cancer specialist. He might be able to shed some light.”

“There are copies on his computer. I have access to it because I handle all his personal stuff for him now. I’ll e-mail them to you. I have your address on his PC.”

“That would be good.” Harry blew her a kiss. “Thanks, babe.”

The discussion broke up not long after that, and the guys headed to their rooms. Jonny deliberately hung back when he noticed Steffi making excuses to linger. When she thought they were all clear of the ground floor, she glanced over her shoulder and then disappeared in the opposite direction to the bedrooms. Where the hell was she going?

When she opened the side door that led to the barns, he understood. She was either going to see that damned horse of hers or was meeting someone. Jonny needed to know which.

And so he followed her.

“Damn it!”

Steffi paused to examine the damage—to herself and her expensive shoes. Discovering that she was none the worse for wear, she struggled on along the gravel walkway in her high heels, almost turning her ankles several times more. She should have nipped back to her room and changed into paddock boots, but she hadn’t wanted to run into any lurking Malone brothers and explain herself. What she did was none of their business, but that probably wouldn’t stop them from wanting to know. She had caught Harry and Brad looking at her with a predatory air on more than one occasion during the course of the meal, and that had made her both suspicious and uncomfortable.

Suspicious of what, exactly?

Steffi had no idea, but something was definitely going on between them and she had a feeling it involved her.

She wobbled a few more times but reached the barn without breaking any limbs. Marius would wonder where she’d gotten to. She usually called to say good-night much earlier than this. His whicker of recognition echoed from the stallions’ barn before she’d even opened the door. Her heart lifted, driving all thoughts of brooding Malones temporarily from her head. Steffi was glad that someone was pleased to see her—someone who wanted nothing more from her than a handful of mints and his ears tugged.

Harry and Brad were okay, she supposed, returning her thoughts to the brothers, but Jonny Malone seemed positively opposed to her. Not that she cared, but she resented him jumping to conclusions when he didn’t even know her. She grinned when she thought of Daniel’s threat to make her Mrs. Malone mark four. Good job Jonny didn’t know about that.

“Sorry I’m late, darling,” she said to Marius, bestowing a kiss on his soft muzzle and delving into her bag for a roll of mints. “It’s been such an odd night. Daniel’s sons all arrived and they kind of took the wind out of my sails.”

Marius’s nose nudged her hand, more interested in the mints than her recount of the night’s activities. Even so, she was convinced he listened to and understood every word she said to him, so carried out verbalising her thoughts.

“Here you go, babe.” Marius scooped the mints from her palm and crunched them noisily into submission. “They’re quite a sight for sore eyes,” she said. “The brothers, I mean. All muscles, dark hair, and far too much testosterone. I was worried that they might not care that much about Daniel, but they were devastated.” She stroked the stallion’s neck and supplied a couple more mints. “At least they’re not waiting for him to die so they can inherit, which I thought they might be.” She expelled a wild giggle. “A lot of people are like that, so I don’t feel too guilty for suspecting them.”

Steffi briefly left Marius and distributed mints to the other two stallions.

“Anyway,” she said, returning to Marius. “Harry’s going to look into the possibility of surgery to prolong Daniel’s life. That means I’ll be able to stay here with you for a bit longer.” She flung her arms round his neck and Marius nudged her shoulder, probably looking for more mints, but Steffi preferred to believe that he understood her anguish at having to leave him and empathized with it. “That sounded very selfish,” she said, feeling guilty. “Obviously Daniel’s health is what matters the most, but the thought of leaving you breaks my heart.”

Steffi took a deep breath. “The thing is, darling, the talk came round to all those misinformed people who decided not to bring their mares to you and something was said that I hadn’t considered before.” Marius’s ears flickered. “Yes, it surprised me, too. It’s probably nothing to do with you, babe, but with me. Someone’s spreading rumours about you because they want to get back at me.” Steffi ground her jaw. “There’s only one person that could possibly be. Bloody Richard! But how’s he doing it? That’s what I’d give a fortune to know.”

“Who’s bloody Richard?”

* * * *

Steffi physically jumped in the air. Marius threw his head up, disturbed by the interruption, pawed the ground, and kicked at his door.

“Jonny, what the hell are you doing here?” Steffi clutched a hand to her breast. “You scared me half to death.”

“Just taking in the night air.”

“Like hell,” she fumed. “You followed me.”

“I was curious to see this stallion.”

“Well, you’re upsetting him.” Marius moved restlessly round his stall, lending truth to her words. “He doesn’t like strangers.”

Jonny sent her a cocky smile, walked up to the stallion’s door, and cast an expert eye over him. He certainly looked the part. A chestnut coat that gleamed with health, clear eyes, great conformation, and, apparently, the ability and willingness to cover all the mares that were sent to him with encouraging results. So why weren’t the mares being sent in droves?

The stallion snorted, stamped his feet, and bared his teeth at him. Jonny ignored his fit of pique and remained right where he was, dropping his shoulders in a submissive position that definitely didn’t come naturally, avoiding all eye contact with the beast. Marius continued to show off, but when he realized Jonny wasn’t impressed, curiosity got the better of him. He lowered his head over his door and snorted into Jonny’s outstretched hand. Jonny blew softly on the horse’s muzzle and it immediately had the desired effect. Marius stopped playing up and passively allowed Jonny to smooth his neck.

“I’ll be damned,” Steffi said softly. “I’ve never seen anyone do that with him before.”

“It’s just a case of showing him who’s in charge.”

She followed Marius’s example and tossed her own mane. “Yes, well, I’m sure you’d know all about that.”

His chuckle had an intentionally wicked ring to it. “Trust me, I do.”

“I’m going back to the house.”

“Not so fast.” He rested one hand on either side of her head, trapping her against the wall to Marius’s stall. Panic flashed through her eyes before she lowered them, making it impossible for him to read anything more into her expression. What was she hiding from him? “You haven’t explained who Richard is yet.”

“It’s none of your damned business.”

“It’s absolutely my business if it’s affecting Daniel’s stud.”

“Are you always so arrogant?”

“Only when the situation calls for it.”

“Marius is
not
a situation.”

“But your relationship with this Richard could be.”

She treated him to a cool stare from beneath thick, lowered lashes. “You have no right to pry.”

“I thought you were fond of Daniel.”

Her head shot up. Finally, he had her complete attention, even if it meant that the hostility radiating from her eyes almost scorched him. “That was low, even by your standards.”

“Baby, you know absolutely nothing about my standards.”

“Lucky me.”

“But you will.”

Having a woman fighting him for reasons other than game playing was a real turn-on, and Jonny was starting to enjoy himself, even if he still didn’t trust her. She was a lively sparring partner and he was beginning to understand why Daniel thought so highly of her. She continued to glower at him, but when he made no attempt to break the silence that lay heavily between them, wariness crept into her expression. It was as though she sensed the charged atmosphere and wondered what was about to happen next. She remained frozen against the stall wall, regarding him with a mixture of curiosity and anger. Jonny removed one hand from the wall and ran his fingers gently down the curve of her face.

“I’m glad to know that you liked what you saw in my brothers and me.”

She expelled an indignant breath. “Has anyone ever told you that it’s bad manners to eavesdrop?”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re too damned cute for your own good when you get mad?”

“Don’t patronize me, Jonny. I’m not one of the bimbos you date.”

His hand worked its way down to her shoulder and lingered there. “No, you’re not,” he said softly. “You’re an enigma and you intrigue me.”