Web of Secrets: Secrets, #1

By Terry Poole

Brilliant surgeon Nathan Kirkfield comes face-to-face with his childhood demons when his parents' deaths force him back home to settle the family estate. Sent to oversee the sale of the house and contents is former FBI Agent Kelly MacNiel, now of the MacNiel Auction House. Kelly couldn't possibly have imagined that he'd find the young man from a youthful encounter gone horribly wrong now grown into a devastatingly attractive man. The two of them discover a connection built in the ruins from that tragedy. 

Now Nathan must decide if he can accept the changes in his life that this relationship will bring while struggling with his boss's harassment and her threats to destroy his work. To complicate matters, unexplained break-ins lead to an attempt upon Nathan's life. If Kelly doesn't conquer the monsters that besiege him, the man he's come to love will pay the ultimate price.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Poole
• Release date: Oct 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215376843

Terry Poole

I write MM (or Gay) Suspense and Paranormal Romances and live between the two massive lakes that bisect central Canada. I've always written in one form or another. My very first book, at the tender age of five, consisted of stick figures drawn upon a roll of adding machine paper. When I'm not writing (which isn’t often), I'll be crocheting, making handmade soap or hanging out on Facebook.My stories often draw upon my medical experience, so doctors and medical situations feature frequently in my stories. Police and military are also a staple, because there are so many in my extended family. The old adage,write what you know, is very true. The rest however, is pure imagination.My mind has been compared to a train station filled with runaway trains. The trick is to catch one and hang on for the ride. So many stories, so little time.

Book preview

Chapter One

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Nathan Kirkfield stood before the imposing, heavy, dark oak doors to the house of his dreams...or rather nightmares that had haunted him since he was sixteen. He wasn’t sure how long he lingered, staring at them, suitcase by his side as the setting sun darkened the wood even further. A sudden shudder rippled down his body, which may or may not have been caused by the late September chill trying to work its way through his coat.

He couldn’t continue to stand here. Well, he could, but that wouldn’t accomplish anything. Nathan pulled the key from his suit coat pocket. Quietly cursing his trembling hand, he dragged in several deep breaths to calm himself before he managed to finally insert the key into the lock on the third try. After another calming breath, he gave it a sharp twist, then firmly grasped the handle, the brass uncomfortably cold under his hand. Nathan shivered again, then pushed the huge door open.

Growing darkness cast eerie shadows that curled against the wall, specters patiently waiting for him. Breathing became difficult as fear gripped him, steadily paralyzing his body. His heart banged against his ribs like a wild thing trying to escape.

Nathan jerked in alarm when the sudden sound of his cell phone broke the spell. He fumbled it out of the inside breast pocket of his suit and took two tries with his still-trembling fingers to swipe the screen to accept the call.

Hello? His too-dry mouth made his voice harsh.

Nathan? Is that you? Are you all right?

He cleared his throat. Annabeth.

Are you okay? His older sister’s voice, heavily coated with static and filled with worry, washed over him. It was usually difficult for her to get a signal from her location in the middle of nowhere. Just the sound of her voice settled him better than any tranquilizer.

I’m all right. He paused. "I’m in the...their house."

Are. You. Okay? She stressed each word this time.

I think so. It’s just a little hard. A huge understatement.

"I know, hon. I know it is. But you can do this. You need to."

If you say so. I would have been perfectly fine not having any involvement at all. He didn’t bother to hide his frustration and tension. She knew full well how much he didn’t want to be there.

"Nathan, I’m sorry they both died in the car accident. I’m sorry I can’t be there to take care of everything myself. You know what I’m dealing with here. But for some God-only-knows reason, they left us the house. I don’t want it. You definitely don’t want it. Just sell the damn thing. We’ve been over and over this." She rarely lost patience with anyone or anything, but this was stressing both of them.

I know. I’m sorry, he said quietly. He really was the only one who could take care of it.

Annabeth’s heartfelt sigh came over the static. Hang in there, okay? It will all be over in a couple of weeks.

I know. When is the appraiser going to show up? Nathan asked in a not so subtle attempt to change the topic.

Annabeth had made all the arrangements before she and her husband, Michael, both doctors, had been urgently and without warning shipped out by Doctors Without Borders. They were stationed somewhere in the Philippines after a horrific typhoon had devastated the islands.

The two were the very definition of soul mates. Although Nathan loved both of them dearly, he couldn’t help sometimes being envious of the love they shared. He tried to firmly tamp down the aching emptiness inside him before the emotions overwhelmed him.

The MacNiel Auction House is handling the sale, she continued, interrupting his pity party. Kelly MacNiel will be at the house early tomorrow morning. He will stay with you for the rest of this week and probably all of next week too while he does his thing to get ready for the sale. His brother, Finn, runs the auction house and went to high school with Michael, so be nice to him.

I’ll be a good boy, I promise, Nathan told her wryly, trying and almost succeeding at sounding at ease, but he was pretty sure he wasn’t fooling her one bit.

Be good, but not too good. Michael says Kelly is bi, single, and very hot.

Annabeth, don’t.

Nathan, you have been alone for far too long. I know how much you hurt, how lonely you really are.

That’s enough, please, he ground out, chest suddenly tight. You know why... I can’t jeopardize my work, especially now.

Well, what’s happening to you is wrong!

I’ll figure something out, he told her with false confidence.

More quietly, she said, It’s not fair, and it’s definitely not healthy. Her voice became stronger. "You really need to decide if your work is worth it. Talk to Uncle Matt...please. He might be my uncle, but he is your dad and he loves you."

I got into this situation by being naive and foolish. I will deal with it, Nathan told her stiffly. You said you wouldn’t tell when you got me drunk and I spilled my guts to you.

I did, but I’m worried sick about you.

Don’t be. I said I’ll figure something out.

The static crackled over the connection as neither said a word for several seconds.

My airtime is almost up, she said finally, first to break the silence. I’ll call in a couple of days or as soon as I can. And don’t forget to eat. I swear your blood is more caffeine than plasma.

Nathan couldn’t help the chuckle. Yes, dear, he drawled into the phone. Take care, Annabeth, you and Michael. I love you both.

I know, hon. We love you too. Give Uncle Matt and Aunt Vicky my love as well. I don’t have enough airtime to call them right now. And please, please seriously think about telling them what’s going on.

He sighed. Fine, I promise that I will consider it.

That’s something, at least.

The telltale beep signaled the end of the call, and he put the phone back into his pocket. He knew his adoptive family was worried about him. He’d call them later, after he’d settled. They had no idea of the trouble he was really in, and no matter what Annabeth said, he was not going to involve them. He would handle it on his own...somehow.

Nathan straightened his shoulders, then moved forward with new resolve, past the foyer, deeper into the house itself. Surprisingly, he still remembered where the light switch was. He flicked it on and swallowed as the entire area was bathed in a harsh, glittering light from the crystal chandelier.

It was a house. Just a house. Nathan had to keep reminding himself there was nothing here that could hurt him anymore except for maybe a dust bunny or two. Now if only he could make himself believe that.

Nathan retrieved his suitcase from the doorway before heading up the stairs. He bypassed his old room and paused in the doorway to Annabeth’s. It looked as if she had just stepped out and would be right back.

The shelves were surprisingly dust-free. Childhood knickknacks warred with books that stood at attention on the shelves. An old Garfield telephone perched on one end, its large, unblinking gaze overseeing the room. Movie and concert posters still lined the walls, much to their biological parents’ disapproval. Not that Annabeth had ever given a damn what they thought.

Nathan left his suitcase at the door, sat on her bed, and hung his head, staring at the plush cream carpet beneath his feet. He ran both hands roughly through his dark curls, the tug slightly painful but grounding, before letting his body fall limply backward onto the bed. The quilt by his nose still smelled like her, like the lavender she always wore. It was comforting. If he closed his eyes, he could almost pretend he wasn’t alone.

Bury your emotions and find your strength, he repeated to himself.

He rose to stand before the bookshelf and ran a finger along the spines of the books, each one a classic child’s story. Next week he would box up her room and donate it all to a local charity, make some children happy. She would appreciate that. Annabeth was so much like their Uncle Matt, the man Nathan considered his real father.

Nathan had been barely sixteen when his biological parents had rejected him and found him irredeemable, permanently flawed, and useless to them. His Uncle Matt had taken Nathan in and raised him as his own son.

Nathan tapped Garfield’s nose. He couldn’t resist the smile as the cat’s eyes jiggled. At least this bereavement leave farce took him away from the hospital for a while. Always the perfect doctor, the perfect scientist, always toeing the line, always forced into someone else’s mold. Did he even know who he was anymore? When had his life spiraled so far out of his control?

Annabeth was right. The stress was killing him. Had he even eaten today? Nathan absently rubbed his stomach. He wasn’t sure.

He dragged his suitcase into the guest room next door where he would stay for the duration. Next, he decided to check how well the lawyers had stocked the kitchen. He needed coffee.

His adoptive parents would support him, no matter what he decided to do. He knew that, but was he willing to give up everything he had worked for in the past six years of his life? Something had to be done soon; otherwise, something or someone was going to break, and he feared that it would be him. This time he wasn’t sure he would survive it.

* * * *

Early Monday morning, Kelly MacNiel drove past the wrought-iron gates, up the short tree-lined driveway to the large house. He didn’t mind the five-hour drive. He enjoyed the scenery, how the trees stubbornly clung to what leaves they could before they gave up and allowed them to coat the ground in color.

He stopped his SUV alongside an obviously expensive sedan already parked before the main doors. It couldn’t be anyone else’s but the owner of the house. But why was it here in visitor parking? Kelly flipped open the file on the seat beside him. Yep, there it was, a multiple-vehicle carport located around the side. Curious. Also curious was the fact that the house looked hauntingly familiar even though Kelly was sure he had never seen it before.

Kelly glanced at the dashboard clock. He was a few minutes early, so he decided to review the file once more. If there was one thing they taught at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it was read and reread files. His life at the Bureau seemed a lifetime ago, but old habits were hard to break. He pulled the file onto his lap as he rolled his sore shoulder to relieve the stiffness that had settled into it from the drive. Other than a few items to be donated at the discretion of the owner, the house was to be sold after the contents were auctioned off. Everything had to go, right down to the bare walls. Someone was definitely cleaning house. His job for the next couple of weeks was to organize the auction and make sure the owner got what he wanted.

Simple...and boring. Kelly sighed. This was the sad state of his life now.

Another glance at the clock and he figured he may as well knock. The sun would clear the treetops soon to give him the best natural daylight for the website pictures. He climbed out of his SUV and reached into the back for his bags. One contained his clothing and personal items, the other his equipment and computer.

Kelly automatically examined the front of the house, filing away the locations of entrances, exits, strengths and weaknesses. Old habits did die hard. That odd sense of déjà vu surrounded him once again as he pressed the buzzer located to the right of the doors. Just as one of the doors opened, the sun broke from between the branches. Kelly promptly forgot how to breathe as the man in front of him was wreathed in a golden aura.

He was taller than Kelly by maybe three inches and slender, but definitely not skinny. His expensively tailored suit stretched across broad shoulders that led to ridiculously slim hips. A blue button-down shirt open at the collar allowed a brief glimpse of pale skin at the base of his throat.

Raven hair loosely fell around his head in untidy curls to below his ears, framing a strong jaw and a full, luscious mouth. Long dark lashes that had no business being on a man fringed his large chocolate-hued eyes. The two men stared transfixed at each other for a minute outside of time. Then this gorgeous creature smiled shyly. It was a blow to Kelly’s midsection that would have made his martial arts instructor proud.

The man looked like he had stepped right out of Kelly’s dreams—dreams of the kiss his sixteen-year-old self had shared with another boy that still haunted him. It couldn’t be... Could it?

Kelly gasped as the need for air forced his lungs to drag oxygen past his lips, and took an involuntary step back. The sound broke the spell holding them. The smile fell from the man’s face, replaced by a cool aloofness. What was obviously a well-practiced mask locked firmly in place.

Can I help you? he asked Kelly politely, his voice a deep baritone rumble Kelly felt right down to his toes.

He doesn’t remember me, Kelly thought. No wonder the house had felt familiar. He stifled a groan. He needed to remain professional here. Do the job he was hired to do and try not to crush the man into his arms like he wanted to do.

Kelly cleared his throat. I’m sorry. I’m looking for a Mr. Kirkfield?

Dr. Kirkfield, and you’re looking at him.

Kelly MacNiel, MacNiel Auction House, Kelly replied, extending his hand. Please, call me Kelly.

How do you do, Kelly? Long fingers wrapped around Kelly’s hand, and he barely suppressed the jolt he felt at the contact. He wouldn’t have been the least bit surprised to see sparks fly into the air like fireworks where their skin touched.

NATHAN WASN’T SURE what he had expected an appraiser to look like, but the man standing in front of him was not it. The sun brought out strong red highlights in his sandy-colored hair. Solid muscle beneath tight jeans and a snug T-shirt that more than hinted at the built body beneath. He looked like a supermodel or a walking advertisement for a gym.

But it was the brilliant green eyes that captivated Nathan the most. Had he ever seen eyes like that before? Penetrating emeralds fixed hungrily on him. Nobody had ever looked at him like they wanted to devour him where he stood. A shiver streaked down the length of his body.

The man gasped, straightened, and took a step back. Nathan breathed an involuntary sigh at his foolishness. However, it didn’t stop his dry mouth or his voice dropping a full register lower than normal when he spoke to Kelly.

I’m Nathan, he replied before pushing the door wide open and indicating that Kelly should enter. Do you need any help with your things?

No, I’m good, thanks, Kelly answered. He picked up the bags and brushed a little too close as he passed Nathan and entered the house.

Nathan caught a whiff of the other man’s cologne when Kelly moved past him, the scent reminiscent of a forest after a rainfall. Without thinking, he closed his eyes and breathed in the intoxicating fragrance. He shuddered, flabbergasted by the urge to push up against Kelly, a complete stranger, and bury his face into Kelly’s neck just to smell that mind-numbing essence once more. Nathan couldn’t stop himself from hardening. What was wrong with him? He quickly buttoned his jacket to hide the telltale bulge in his pants.

Kelly paused in the foyer and gave the area a quick once-over. Nathan sighed in relief since Kelly appeared oblivious to the tumult he had caused.

I’ll show you to your room, and then I guess we should get started if you are up to it, Nathan quietly said.

Sounds good. Please lead on. Kelly’s voice held a faint lilt to it. Irish, probably, but with a name like MacNiel anything was possible. It was a barely there accent, but Nathan knew he could get addicted to the sound of the man’s voice very easily.

Nathan led him up the staircase, and try as he might, he couldn’t stop his rambling commentary on the rooms on each floor. Since when did he suffer from nerves like this? Since a quick glance over his shoulder revealed that the stunning man behind him was staring fixedly at his backside. Kelly licked his lips, and Nathan missed the top step. Strong hands gripped his hips, keeping him upright. Heat flooded Nathan’s body, rising up from the contact. He mumbled his thanks, then awkwardly stepped away, forcing Kelly to lower his hands.

Nathan opened the first door to his right. This is one of the guest rooms. The linens are fresh, and if you need anything, please let me know. I’m in the bedroom across the hall. Of course he would have to be nearby to assist Kelly, but why had he felt the need to share that he would be sleeping only a few short feet away? Hopefully Kelly wouldn’t think Nathan was offering an open invitation to join him in bed. Um. When you’re settled, come downstairs. I’ll be in the kitchen.

That works. Just give me five minutes to get my gear sorted out, Kelly replied.

Unable to look Kelly in the eye, Nathan briskly nodded, turned, and left Kelly to his own devices.

KELLY COULDN’T HELP but stare at Nathan’s lovely ass at his eye level as he they climbed the stairs. He listened to Nathan’s chatter with only half an ear, more interested, at least for now, in the play of Nathan’s shirt across his back and the way his trousers kept pressing tightly against his very fine form as he walked ahead of Kelly. Nathan tripped, and Kelly grabbed his hips to stop him from pitching forward onto the landing. Pink bloomed on Nathan’s skin as he glanced back with a quietly murmured, Thanks.

Kelly grinned. An embarrassed Nathan was too cute.

Nathan refused to look at him, then walked quickly away, turning Kelly’s grin into a frown. The man probably would have run if he could have gotten away with it. Kelly shook his head. He entered his room, put the file on the bed along with the laptop and digital camera, then parked himself with a huff beside his gear.

Nathan didn’t remember him, didn’t know who he was. Had Kelly changed so much in twelve years, or was he simply not that memorable? Kelly, on the other hand, would never, could never forget.

Kelly had been suspended from school for a fight—totally not his fault, that time at least—and his da had forced him to come with his uncle and crew to deliver several pieces of furniture. Unable to actually help, Kelly had amused himself by checking out the rest of the place, going sightseeing as it were.

He’d stumbled on the library with its mesmerizing array of books and startled the cute boy curled up in a huge wingback chair, book forgotten on his lap at the sight of Kelly. With a cocky grin, Kelly had flopped into the chair beside him. The boy nervously returned his smile, and before Kelly knew it they had talked for what seemed like hours about anything and everything. Yet, somehow, they never got around to telling each other their names. Kelly had felt drawn to the boy, a tangible connection between them, and he was pretty sure the boy felt it too in the way he leaned his body toward Kelly’s, the way he smiled at him not just with his mouth but his eyes. Beautiful large brown doe eyes looked at Kelly like he was something amazing.

They’d both risen at the sound of Kelly’s uncle’s voice outside. The shy sideways look the boy gave Kelly had gone straight to his chest to hold his heart hostage forever. Kelly had gently gripped the boy’s chin and pressed his lips to the boy’s in a tentative kiss. The boy had slanted his mouth, pushing himself closer with a small sigh, both hands on Kelly’s hips. Kelly had wrapped his arms around the slender body and drawn him flush, chest to chest, hip to hip. They’d both moaned as their bodies came into full contact. Kelly was wider, more muscular than the boy. He’d loved the way he could completely envelop the other boy with his body, and from the way the boy had melted into him, he loved it too. Kelly had captured the boy’s avid lips again, and they’d eagerly explored each other’s mouths with soft kisses, reveling in the touch and taste. So this was what love at first sight felt like, Kelly remembered thinking.

The door abruptly opened, and they’d stood frozen for a second before they broke apart. The boy had lost all color when he saw his father in the doorway, staring at him in cold fury. Kelly’s uncle stood just behind the boy’s father and, after a glance in the other man’s direction, rushed forward to hurriedly shepherd Kelly out of the room. The last thing he heard was the man’s voice raised in anger.

His uncle had hustled him into his truck without a word. Worried for his new love, Kelly tried to get the boy’s phone number from his da and then his uncle. They both refused him, but that didn’t stop him from hounding them for two days. He’d finally snuck into his father’s office when no one was about, taking the information from the filing cabinet. He called, his voice shaking with apprehension, asking to speak to the unknown boy. His answer had been a sharp click as the phone slammed down in his ear. Eight more times over the next three days he’d called. After the eighth time, he was angrily told that no boy lived there. Heartbroken, Kelly finally stopped trying, but he never forgot the boy with the unknown name.

Now, here Kelly was—in the same house, with the same boy, now a man. Nathan hadn’t remembered him. Kelly wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that.

Aw, Finn, what have you gotten me into? he cursed his brother with a heavy shake of his head.

Chapter Two

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Kelly pulled out the paperwork that he and Nathan had to review before Kelly could actually get to work. He checked the charge on the digital camera, then inserted a fresh memory card. The date and his signature were already marked on it to ensure the accuracy of the listings and prevent disputes.

Although legally he couldn’t start until the forms were signed, that didn’t stop Kelly from being curious. He took a minute to look around and give the room he was in a closer examination. Original paintings hung on the walls. The furniture was solid wood of exquisite make. Even the linens were high-count Egyptian cotton. He ran his hand down the smooth fabric of the window curtains. It was all fine quality and would sell high, no question about it. Kelly couldn’t give a dollar figure, but that wasn’t his job. His job was to photograph everything and send it on to Finn and the girls, who were the real experts.

Kelly pulled the curtains aside. The large acreage behind the house would be perfect for him to run and do his daily workouts. He made a mental note to ask Nathan’s permission. Letting the curtains fall back into place, Kelly picked up the forms and the camera and headed downstairs. Nathan’s angry voice alerted Kelly to his location, and Kelly followed it to the dining room.

I’m on leave! Nathan practically growled into the phone before angrily pressing the End Call button.

Nathan stood there leaning against one of the wooden dining room chairs, his chest heaving. He looked as though he