Page 88 of Takedown

“My guess is they bought it,” Adam whispers like we’re not the only two people in the car.

I whistle again. “At the very least, that’s a ten-million-dollar brownstone. I’ve researched them. Well, I’ve researched your brother’s fiancée. Do you know that she’s black?” I ask.

“I saw her two days ago, Mel. And why are we whispering? We’re the only ones in the car.”

I playfully punch his shoulder. “She has an MBA from Columbia, and she met him when he bought her family’s toy store chain. Rumor has it, they have no prenup and are planning a multi-million-dollar wedding.”

This time, it’s Adam who lets out a loud whistle. “Can you imagine how long their wedding spreadsheet is? They might even have more than one.” He laughs when I pinch his side.

“Well, I’m not getting rid of my spreadsheets so don’t get any ideas. We’re still keeping track of every penny, and I’m still going to pack you a lunch because I like to do it. And if you tell anybody I like packing your lunch, I’ll deny it.” He leans over and gives me a soft peck on the lips.

“I wouldn’t change a thing about you, Melanie Elyse Flynn. Not a single thing. And nobody would believe you, my little liar.”

“Jason will,” I taunt.

“Probably. That’s why I don’t ever want to hear about how smart doctors are.” He opens his door and hops out.

By the time I get my own door open, he’s already at my side. Not sure how to dress for the occasion, I went with a pair of fitted black pants and a purple top. Adam intertwines our fingers and before we reach the first step of the house, the front door swings open.

“Ethan! They’re here!” a young woman yells. As soon as we step over the threshold, she wraps herself around Adam in a tight hug. His arms hang to the side, and he looks straight ahead. She pulls away and grabs his face. She runs her hands on his skin almost as if she’s trying to make sure that he’s really here and not just a figment of her imagination.

“This is my wife, Mel,” Adam says slowly while he extricates himself from his sister. They look alike, but not as much as Adam and Ethan. She looks away from Adam and offers me a genuine smile. I relax and smile back.

Ethan’s frame fills the entryway. There’s a little boy hiding behind his legs and poking his head out. The three-legged dog Adam told me about comes shuffling through and starts to sniff my hand.

“That’s Ralph,” the little boy says. I offer him a smile, but he ducks behind his father’s legs. “Hi, Uncle Adam,” I hear him say.

“Hey, buddy,” Adam says back.

“Melanie, so nice to meet you. I’m Elizabeth.” She takes me in a bone crushing hug while Adam offers Ethan his hand. Ethan shakes it but pulls Adam into a hug too.

“Come in the kitchen. Tara and Vincent have been cooking all day,” Ethan says. That’s when I notice the little boy is wearing an apron over his clothes. We follow them down a long hallway. The house is beautifully decorated and inviting. The walls are lined with family pictures, and in the middle, there’s a picture of Vincent, Ethan, and Tara. They’re all wearing matching shirts and smiling happily.

“He’s here,” Tara says when we step into the kitchen. “I’m Tara, and you must be Melanie.” She hugs me and turns to Adam. She puts her fists up and playfully punches his arms. “Keep your hands to yourself unless you’re cruisin for a bruisin,” she jokes. A laugh escapes, and some of the tension leaves.

Adam raises both hands in surrender and smiles for the first time in hours. “You guys didn’t have to go through all this trouble,” Adam says, looking around. The island is covered in food, and the smells coming from the kitchen make my stomach growl.

“No trouble,” Tara says. “I love to cook, and I have my little sous chef and a bonus chef. And we’re really happy you two are here. We’ve been looking forward to getting to know you both.” As soon as the words are out of Tara’s mouth, another little boy wearing an apron comes running into the kitchen. He doesn’t stop until he bumps into Vincent and they both start to giggle. “This is Evan. He’s staying with us until we go back to New York on Sunday,” she says.

Evan is Vincent’s best friend and he and his father live in their building. Evan’s dad is a basketball player for the Manhattan Mischiefs and is on a series of away games.

“Can we go watch my dad play?” When Tara tells them yes, both boys take off their aprons and run out of the kitchen. Loud silence follows once the kids are gone, and the five adults stand awkwardly in the kitchen. Adam throws an arm casually over my shoulders while everyone looks at us.

“How about some wine?” Tara asks. “Ethan! Wine!” She snaps her fingers at him while she laughs. Ethan takes a predatory step closer to her, but she stands to her full height. “I’m not scared of you,” she says.

He leans down and gives her a loud kiss on the cheek before going to the fridge. He pulls out two bottles of white wine and grabs a bottle of red from the wine rack above the fridge.

After pouring white for me and Tara and red for everyone else, we all stand and look around the kitchen. Adam, who’s never been much of a drinker, downs his wine in one large gulp and pours himself a second.

“Tara, do you need any help?” I ask to try and break the tension. “Whatever you’re cooking smells amazing.”

Tara sips her wine while she contemplates what to say. She puts the glass down and offers me a smile that lights up her face.

“You know what? Yes, I do. You’re not a guest. You’re family, so I’m going to put you to work.” She walks to the pantry and comes back with an apron for me. “And Ethan is useless in the kitchen. And never ask Elizabeth to help. All she does is taste and drink wine.”

“That’s not the room I excel in, baby. Now, go make my dinner.” To prove his point, Ethan slaps her ass before he pulls her close and kisses her lips. He then grabs the bottle of red and fills his own glass before refilling Adam’s.

The similarities are undeniable. Adam’s a little bit taller, but Ethan is still an incredibly tall man. Ethan might be a little leaner, but their body types are the same. They even stand the same. The only difference other than the height is a touch of gray at Ethan’s temples. They’re even dressed alike. Both are wearing a blue button-down shirt with gray pants.

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