Sons (Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

“Likes to be called ‘Cutter’ because he fancies himself an expert with knives, ex-Navy Seal, likes to bat his women around, makes him feel real big even though he’s below average in that department.  No family that’ll claim him, but he has a brother who does some sort of computer work in South Carolina.  Both parents passed away years ago.  You’re a real classy fellow, aren’t you, Morris?”  He stared at me with slack-jawed contempt, startled that I knew this much about him.
    “Where would you like to be dropped off, Mr. Calhoun?” I asked the Marshal.
    “Wh-what?” Calhoun stammered.  “I don’t know.  What do you mean?”
    “We’re in Ireland, at the moment, Mr. Calhoun,” I said, grinning at his confusion.  “I need to know where you want me to leave you, though your choices are extremely limited in New York.  Basically, you’ve got the Customs office, the room where Harris gave us the passports, or wherever Ethan opens a door.  That and a few clothing store changing rooms.”
    “You can open a hole across the world?” he asked in surprise.
    “Well, yes, is that difficult?”  I listened to him sputter a moment with incomprehensible syllables.  “I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’ then,” I said, shrugging.  “Well, I guess that explains why Ehran rode the ley lines.”
    “What?  That’s not possible!” Calhoun exclaimed.
    “Really?” I asked.  “Maybe you should tell him that.  Where do you want to be dropped off?”
    “JFK,” he decided quickly.
    “Have a good day, then,” I said and opened the portal into the passport room.  Then, turning to John, I said, “Sorry to interrupt your day, John.  Will it be any bother for Ian to stay for a bit?”
    “You mean you’re giving me someone who’ll keep Martin occupied for hours and you think it’s a bother?” he said, smiling.  “I think not at all, Seth.”
    “Will overnight be a problem, too?” I asked, “Ethan said something about a late dinner in our honor somewhere.  I’m not sure how late that’s going to run.  It’s not a problem if he wants to come, but he’s really got to be able to stay up if he does.  We’ll be in someone else’s home.”
    Seth, are you done yet? Ethan called across the anchor. 
    “Yes, Ethan, we’re about done,” I whined back, both verbally and projecting through the anchor.  “What’s your hurry?  You got a date?”
    No, but we have to leave in an hour .
    “What?  It’s only three-thirty there,” I said.  “How far away is this place?”
    Don’t know.  Get a move on .
    “Rain check?”
    Move it!
    “Ugh,” I said, leaving Ethan out this time.  “I don’t think I like the political life.”
    “Better get moving, Seth,” John said, chortling.  “Before they find out you’re here downstairs.  Then you’ll really hate the political life.”
    “Why?” I asked, regretting the question before I finished.  “No, don’t answer.  Mike, you get in touch with Ian?”
    “Yeah, he’s gonna stay with Marty till tomorrow,” Mike said, standing up from the bed.
    “Thanks, John,” I said, then buzzed Ethan.  “Let’s go, Blondie!”
    Stepping through the portal that opened a foot in front of me, I found myself in a two-bedroom hotel suite.  Kieran stood in front of a dresser tying a bow tie with thick fingers and having a rough time of it.
    “It’s been quite a few years since I’ve had to do this,” he muttered.
    “Oh, God, you’re wearing that?” exclaimed Peter from behind me.  Mike and I turned to look at Peter, dropping our jaws at him. 
    Peter looked good, damn good.  It was the most comfortable-looking and dressiest suit I’d ever seen.  A chocolate brown silk jacket hung loosely over a cream-colored shirt clasped together with white buttons bearing the sigil of Daybreak.  The shirt seemed skin-tight but slid so easily with him that every move was seductively powerful, even through the jacket.   His pants weren’t particularly