MemoriesErasedTreachery by Charlie Richards Page A

to his actions, just straddling Devin's lap and sitting there, unmoving.
    "Ewyn, what is it? Talk to me."
    "Sorry. It's been hard. The emotions are still raw, close to the surface."
    Ewyn turned and looked down at the baby, who had started to fret. "Hold on." He lifted the child and held her cuddled between his body and Devin's chest. She snuggled in and closed her eyes. "Dev, meet the newest member of our family. Kiera Alanna Calderone."
    "Member of…whose child?" Seeing the tears in Ewyn's eyes overflow onto his cheeks, Devin tilted Ewyn's face up. "Baby-boy, what is it?"
    "Niki and Caro…" Ewyn's breathing caught on a sob. "They died in a car crash almost four months ago."
    "My God, Ewyn…both girls," he whispered, tears blurring his vision. His arms tightened around Ewyn and the baby. "What the fuck happened…where?"
    Ewyn looked up, eyes widening. He reached over and swiped a tear from Devin's cheek. "I tried to contact you. The company said you and Tim were under the radar. I am so sorry, Dev."
    "No, baby. I'm the one who's sorry I wasn't here for you."
    "It's been hell." Ewyn inhaled sharply. "I was afraid for Gemma."
    "I can imagine." Devin sighed. "How's she doing?"
    "That's where this little cutie comes in. Wait until you see the changes in Gem."
    Devin looked down at the sleeping baby, her little lips pursed and her thumb stuck between them. He reached out, ran a finger over one soft cheek and up to her brow. He toyed with a springy tendril of jet-black hair, looked at Ewyn and smiled. The resemblance was remarkable. The hair and the thick black lashes, the stubborn chin…he wondered what color her eyes were.
    "Want to hold her, Dev?"
    " Hell no!" He snatched his hand away. Green eyes sparkling with irritation glared at him.
    "Why not?" Ewyn snapped.
    "Hey. Don't get all over attitude with me." He glowered back. "Look at me, Ewyn. My size, my hands…sometimes I'm still afraid I'll hurt you with my big paws."
    "Oh." Ewyn smiled sheepishly. "My bad. Sorry."
    "Wait a minute." He grabbed Ewyn's chin. "What did you think?"
    "Well, if the texture of her hair is anything to go by, you've probably noticed she's part black--"
    "Ewyn Kelley! You thought… If you weren't holding Kiera, I'd…hell," Devin growled. "I don't know what I'd do, but you wouldn't get any pleasure from it."
    " Ooo, rough stuff. Let me put Kieki in her crib."
    "Kieki? I like…what crib?"
    Ewyn nodded toward the window alcove. Devin looked across the room to where the table and chairs should have been, a crib and a dressing table with baby supplies on the shelves had replaced them. Shit! He hadn't noticed the changes. So much for his keen skills of observation.
    Shifting Ewyn from his lap, he made sure baby-boy was steady on his feet before releasing his grip. Even with the tight little ass encased in pajamas, Devin's gaze followed the enticing outline as Ewyn sauntered across the floor.
    "What's with the pj's?"
    "I thought I should get into the habit of wearing them when Kieki is with me." Ewyn shrugged. "As she gets older, just in case…hell, I don't know. It seemed the right thing to do."
    "Not a problem. I can get used to it, when Kieki is with us."
    Devin watched Ewyn gently place Kiera in her crib, smoothly tuck the covers around her little body, and tenderly kiss her forehead. Turning back, Ewyn rushed across the floor, and when he reached the bed, he unfastened his pajama bottoms, let them drop to the floor, then threw himself on Devin, straddling his lap. Sloppy kisses, babbling--Ewyn pulled away and stared into Devin's eyes.
    "Dev, I've missed you something fierce."
    "Back at you, babe."
    "It's been hell. Mick and Tag have helped. They spend quite a bit of their spare time with Gem and Kieki." Ewyn paused for breath. "After the accident, they contacted Mac for me, yet I still haven't heard from Greg. Although, I could have sworn I saw him at the funeral."
    "Doubtful. It's too soon for him to show himself openly."
    "Mick said the same