Free Black Lace by Beverly Jenkins Page B

drug rings. That case ended with Myk’s wife, Sarita, being shot and Nelson killed. Sarita had been hospitalized for weeks but made a full recovery.
    Myk closed down the discussion on Parker, then reported on some of the other investigations NIA was involved in. One that caught Drake’s attention was a request from Adam Gary, an old friend of his from med school. Gary was now a celebrated metallurgist working on a revolutionary polymetal that had the Defense Department salivating over the metal’s unique properties. Apparently, the Defense Department wasn’t the only group interested. According to Myk, a few weeks ago Adam Gary had almost been abducted in Madrid after giving a lecture on his preliminary findings. The DOD wanted him protected until he finished his final analyses and they took possession of the prototype.
    Myk opened the floor for comments, and Drake asked, “How about sending Max Blake?”
    “Is she back from the Middle East?” someone asked.
    No one knew. Maxine Blake was one of their best operatives. They decided to check on her status, and if she was available send her to protect the scientist. After that, the discussion moved to the next item on the agenda.
    An hour later the meeting ended and Drake and Mykal were the only ones left in the room. Like their third half brother, Saint, they shared the same father but had been raised apart. Growing up, though, Myk and Drake spent summers together in Louisiana withtheir paternal grandmother. They hadn’t known about Saint until a few years ago.
    “So,” Drake asked, “how’s the little mama?”
    Sarita was due to deliver in September. “She’s doing fine. Me, I’m a basket case,” he admitted as he put away the projector.
    “Why?”
    “I worry about her 24/7.”
    “Pregnancy is a natural thing.”
    “Maybe for women.”
    Drake grinned. “How are the Lamaze classes coming?”
    Myk shrugged. “Okay I guess. I just hope I remember what I’m supposed to do.”
    “You’ll be okay. Older men than you have come through it.”
    Myk shot Drake a look.
    Drake just grinned.
    Myk said, “Speaking of old men, what is this about you and Burton running some poor woman off the road?” He began gathering up his papers and reports and sticking them in a black leather briefcase.
    Drake told him the story.
    “Is she gonna sue?” Myk asked.
    “I don’t think so, but man…”
    Myk looked into his brother’s eyes. “What?”
    “She is so fine.”
    Myk chuckled. “Oh, really.”
    “Yes, Lord, but getting her to talk to me is like trying to put shoes on an orca.”
    Myk’s handsome face showed his smile. “Anywoman who can resist His Fineness is one I want to meet. Wait until I tell Sarita.”
    It was Drake’s turn to shoot Myk a look.
    “Wait until I tell Sarita and our little brother,” Myk teased.
    Not sure he liked being teased, and hoping to turn the conversation to something else, Drake asked, “Speaking of little brother, how’re Saint and Narice doing?”
    “She hasn’t put him out yet, so I guess they’re doing okay. Last I heard, they were looking at a villa in Tahiti.”
    “Tahiti?”
    Myk shrugged. “You know Saint. But he promised they’ll be here for Gran’s birthday party next month.”
    Gran was their father’s mother and the woman who had raised Myk from infancy.
    Myk added, “If you can get that woman to talk to you, you should bring her along as your date. Can’t wait to meet her.”
    “I’ll bet.”
    Myk laughed. “Have you had dinner?”
    “Nope.”
    “Sarita’s making jambalaya.”
    Drake paused a moment. “Let’s see, Sarita’s jambalaya or pizza? Hmm.”
    Myk grinned. “Get your coat and let’s go.”
    Drake didn’t have to be told twice.
    After sending Malcolm home, Drake joined his brother for the ride to Indian Village, where Myk andSarita lived. “How old is Gran going to be?” he asked.
    Myk shrugged. “Two hundred.”
    Drake laughed. “She’s going to get you for that.”
    “Only if you