Risk (The Men of Matiz 1)

"Mr. Miller?" Her face flushes bright red. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I had a meeting with Miller the other day. He brought up your legs three times, Eda and he's always hanging around your desk." I resist the urge to grin. "Why do you think I keep sending you to marketing? Your husband died more than four years ago. It's time to get back in the game."

She fans herself with her hand. "I did have coffee with Mr. Miller yesterday."

"Coffee?" I arch a brow. "You two are moving at a snail's pace. If you weren't with Miller this morning, where were you?"

"I went to the airport."

I tilt my head, studying her face. She looks like she's about to burst. "Do you want me to ask why, Eda?"

"Yes." She nods vigorously.

Three of her four daughters live out of state. If one flew in for a visit, I'm giving Eda the week off. I'm not going to limit her time with her daughters. Since becoming a parent, I now understand why my assistant uses her allotted vacation days to spend when her kids are here. "Which one of your girls is here?"

"I haven't been called a girl since I got sacked in the Super Bowl back in seventy one," a deep voice says from behind her.

"Jersey?" I stand when I see him walk up behind Eda. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Watch the mouth, Rigs." He closes the distance between us before he pulls me into a warm hug. "Your granddad would take you to task for that language."

He's right. Jersey was my grandfather's closest friend for most of his life and is more like him than anyone I know. I never heard a curse word leave my grandfather's lips. He'd threaten to wash my mouth out with soap if he heard me doing it. "When I saw you in Vegas you didn't say anything about coming to New York. Is the family all right?"

"I'm back for a shotgun wedding." He steps back and rests his hands on my shoulders. "You're looking at an almost great-grandpa."

"Congratulations." I tap his chest. "Who's having a baby?"

"Caroline." He shakes his head, his deep blue eyes filling with tears. "Can you believe it? My sweet Caroline is going to be a mom."

"She'll be a great one." I bite back the urge to tear up too. My grandfather, Emmanuel Black, held May only twice before he suffered a fatal stroke. He would have been a defining force in her life. I wish every single day that she could have known him the way I did.

"That she will." He turns to look over his shoulder. "Janine called Eda to pick us up so we could surprise the kids. You're treating Eda well, aren't you?"

"I couldn't ask for a better boss, Wally." Eda leans against the doorjamb. "I'm still grateful that you and Janine got me this job."

"We may have got your foot in the door." He pulls back and reaches out to Eda. "You've kept it there."

She takes his hand and squeezes it. "You've kept my sister happy for most of her life. You're the best brother-in-law a woman could ever ask for. We're both lucky."

"That we are." He kisses the back of her hand. "Janine brought you a gift. She picked up a handbag at an auction. I don't get the appeal, but she's got one and said you'd love one too. That's a surprise, Eda, so don't blow it."

"You just blew it." She drops his hand. "I'll act surprised. Janine spoils me."

"That's what big sisters are for." He turns back to me. "I got May something too."

"You got May something?" I scratch my chin. "You don't need to bring her a gift every time you're in the city."

"I do, Rigs."

I would never tell Wally he can't give my daughter a gift. He's an important part of her life. Since he moved to Vegas, we don't see him as often, but when he's in New York, he makes time to see May. He tells her stories about the great-grandfather she'll never know and answers her questions about whatever she's curious about that day. Their bond is special and important to my little girl.

"I was at a magic show on the strip and they had junior magic kits for sale." He chuckles. "The cape, top hat, magic wand, the whole nine yards. She's going to love it."

She will. It'll mean the world to her and her dream job will morph from artist to magician in the blink of an eye. I grab my jacket from the coatrack. "We can head over to see her now if you've got the time."

"I'm here until my great-grandchild arrives. I've got all the time in the world for May." He pats my cheek. "For you too, Rigs. You ever need anything, I'm here for you. Rain or shine; night or day."

Rain or shine. Night or day.