by Faith Gibson
“How would you like to visit California?” he asked, stepping closer.
“I don’t know. I’ve never been anywhere except Florida when I was younger. Our parents took us to the beach the summer before my senior year. We were supposed to go back when I graduated but…” Ten years later and Abbi still had a hard time talking about it. “I would like to see another part of the country, but I have school. Besides, I can’t leave Matt.”
“We could wait until school is out for the summer. Then both you and Matt could go with me,” Frey said as he closed the distance between them. He reached for her hands, holding them gently in his big ones. “You don’t have to decide now, but at least think about it. Abbi, I was serious when I said I want you in my life. I want to show you the world. Hell, I want to give you the world.” He raised her hands to his mouth and placed soft kisses on her knuckles. The stubble around his mouth scraped at her skin. The two different textures, soft lips and rough whiskers, together ignited a fire somewhere south of her stomach.
“Can you really help me get away from Troy?” Abbi whispered, afraid if she said it too loudly, someone would hear.
“I can. I have a lot of contacts in this city. You say the word, and I’ll help you start the process. I’ll set up round the clock protection for both you and Matthew. I’m not saying it won’t get messy, because I have a feeling Quinn won’t go away quietly. But I will make it as easy on you as possible. You’ll have to leave your house for the time being. We’ll go get your clothes and anything else you want while he’s at work. I’ll get you and Matt set up in a secure location where you’ll be safe.”
There was that feeling again: hope. Then another feeling overrode it: fear. Abbi placed her hand on her stomach, the nausea rolling through. “Oh, god. Oh, crap.” What if he’d already knocked her up? What if this was the one time her body decided it wanted to cooperate and she carried a baby to term?
“Abbi, what is it? Look at me, tell me what just went through your head.”
“What if I’m pregnant? He’s trying to get me pregnant. He’ll never let me go. He said so.” Abbi tried to pull her hands away, but Frey gripped them tighter.
“Then you will be a wonderful mother, and he’ll never see the child if that’s what you wish. Abbi, no judge is going to grant that abusive motherfucker parental rights, including visitation. You need to document the abuse, starting now. That means you need to go see a doctor, show him or her the bruises and tell them how you got them.”
“I’ve been to the hospital plenty. Troy’s a cop. Everyone believes his lies when he tells them how I got the injuries.” Abbi had seen the knowing looks from the doctors and nurses every time she visited the emergency room. If she didn’t corroborate Troy’s story, she’d be in for even more pain once she was back home.
“That’s going to change, starting now. I happen to know the Chief of Staff at New Atlanta. One phone call is all it will take. You go see him, he’ll look at your file, and the appropriate documentation will be noted. If you don’t want to see him, my cousin’s ma… girlfriend is a doctor. She’s in Greece right now, but as soon as she’s back, you can go see her if you prefer.” Frey drew her close and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. In that moment, Abbi felt safe. She allowed herself to melt into the big, strong body holding onto hers. Turning her head, she placed her cheek on his chest, his strong heartbeat loud in her ear. That sound, life thumping, was the sign she needed. She was alive, but she wasn’t living. Abbi was ready to start living.
Chapter Twelve
Troy was beyond pissed. Not only was he stuck on second shift, he’d been given a different patrol. Instead of being close to home and the community center, the bitch Chief had stuck him on the north side of town. He should just say fuck it and drive by the center anyway. When too many calls kept him from being able to do a drive-by, he called his buddy George. Troy had promised his friend a case of beer if he’d keep an eye on Abbi while Troy was at work, especially on the nights she stayed late at the Community Center. Now that Troy wasn’t home waiting on her, she could stay later with no reason to be home on time.
When George answered, Troy barked, “Where are you?” instead of saying hello.
“Sitting outside the center. She’s still in there.”
“Is she alone? At this time of night, she should have already left. Fuck!”
“I see two vehicles in the parking lot. One is hers. Don’t know who the other one belongs to, but it’s a sweet looking Jeep with about a four inch lift kit, KC lights, big mud tires. I’m getting a hard-on just looking at it.”
“Fuck the Jeep. I want to know what she’s doing there so late. Get your ass in there.”
“I’ve already been in. All she’s doing is listening to fucked up Christmas music and writing stuff down. I’m done with this shit; I got a date. Debbie Cranston’s hooking me up with a big-tittied redhead that likes threesomes. When you get off you should come find us. We’ll be at Debbie’s. I promise not to wear them out before you get there.”
“Fuck, at least get the license plate off the Jeep before you leave.”
Troy disconnected and quickly forgot about what Abbi was doing. His thoughts turned to after work. “This second shift might not be so bad after all.”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t… Is this a case you’re working on because that…” Trevor didn’t finish. Was Jasper into pain? Trevor was pretty vanilla when it came to sex, mainly because he didn’t have sex. His sex life up to this point was practically non-existent.
“Something like that.” Jasper didn’t elaborate, but he also didn’t put the photos back in the envelope. Instead, he walked to the stove and stirred the sauce. He was quiet while he put water on to boil for the noodles.
“I’m sorry if I overstepped. The reason I looked at all is because I’ve seen this guy before.”
Jasper’s head snapped around, “What? When?” He forgot the water and was right in front of Trevor. He picked up the stack and handed it to Trevor. “Please, make sure Trev.”
Trevor didn’t have to look again, didn’t want to look again. “I’m sure. He was outside the gym Tuesday when I went in to sign up. When I walked back outside to my car he was looking in the side window. I thought he was getting his rocks off looking at the women working out. Guess he gets off a different way.”
Jasper blanched. Trevor had to wonder if the detective got off that way, too. Jasper took the photos and shoved them back in the envelope. Trevor knew the truth of the photos. “It’s not a case is it? This is personal.”
When Jasper wouldn’t look at him, Trevor had his answer. “That’s the ex you were telling me about. That’s Craig, isn’t it? That’s Craig, and he’s here. He was watching you at the gym, not the women.” Trevor’s stomach roiled. Jasper’s ex was in town, and he was into some kinky shit. Stuff Jasper was probably into. Stuff Trevor definitely was not. He didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell with this man. “I should go…” He stood, but Jasper was in his space, between him and the door.
“It’s not what you think, I promise. Give me a chance to explain before you bail on me. Please,” Jasper pleaded. He had his hands on Trevor’s arms, squeezing his biceps. He was standing so close to Trevor. Too close. When he was in the same room with Jasper, things were strained. His jeans were strained, always, with a cock ready to burst through the zipper. With him this close, though, Trevor couldn’t think. His dick was throbbing, and his brain was absent of blood. Trevor couldn’t stop himself. He licked his lips. He wanted this man standing in front of him, but he would not make the first move. Would not make a fool of himself just in case he’d read the signs wrong.
He didn’t have to make a move. Jasper’s eyes flashed to his mouth, and he took the invitation and R.S.V.P.’d immediately. Tentatively he touched his lips to Trevor’s. Trevor wanted more. He wanted to taste this man. Before he got the chance, a cell phone rang. It wasn’t Trevor’s ringtone, so that meant it was Jasper’s. “Fuck,” Jasper swore as he pulled h
“Jenkins,” he practically barked into the phone, his eyes never leaving Trevor’s lips. “I was getting ready to eat... No, I got it; I’ll be there in a few.” Jasper disconnected, still staring at Trevor’s mouth. His eyes drifted up to Trevor’s as he asked him, “Can you boil noodles?”
“What?” Trevor was ready to leave since Jasper had to go back out.
“Can you boil noodles? I have to go to work, but hopefully I won’t be gone long. I don’t want you to leave. If you can boil the noodles, you can go ahead and eat, and I’ll eat when I get back. There’s salad stuff in the fridge.”
“I can boil noodles,” Trevor said, not sure if he wanted to, though. He didn’t feel comfortable staying at Jasper’s house without him there.
As if Jasper read his mind, he said, “I want you here, Trev. I want you to get used to being here, making yourself at home when you are. I wouldn’t have given you your own code if I didn’t trust you.” Jasper grabbed his belt loops and pulled him so they were chest to chest. He slid his scratchy cheek along Trevor’s, the rough friction sending shivers down his spine. Jasper’s lips were warm on Trevor’s ear as he whispered, “Please.”
“Okay,” Trevor whispered back.
“I really want to kiss you right now, but if I do, I’ll never leave. Thank you for staying.” Jasper backed away and headed toward the door. “I’ll be home as soon as I can manage.”
Trevor’s heart had never beaten as hard or as fast as it was now. How was it possible this badass wanted him? He wasn’t hungry any more, at least not for spaghetti, but Jasper would be when he got home. Trevor turned to the pot that was bubbling with boiling water and added noodles.
He wanted to look at the pictures of Jasper’s ex, then again, he didn’t. His curiosity got the better of him, and he took them out of the envelope, spreading them on the island. What had Jasper called it? Kinbaku? He pulled out his cell phone and opened a search engine, typing the term into the blank field. As soon as the pages were populated, Trevor closed his phone. He would read about it later, when he had time to digest it properly. A million questions were going through his mind, most of which stemmed from the photos. Trevor studied every picture of Jasper’s ex- his very good looking ex. Each position was more intense than the previous one. His balls shriveled up and tried to crawl back inside his body. There’s no way in hell that could be anything but painful. Torturous. There were people who got off on that kind of stuff. He’d seen bodies come across the slab from sex play gone wrong.
He put the pictures back in the envelope and stirred the noodles. He turned the heat down so the water wouldn’t boil over onto the stove and then he took a good look around the kitchen. Last time he was here, he hadn’t seen more than the living room and bathroom. He took advantage of being alone and explored Jasper’s home. The house was similar to the warden’s. Trevor hadn’t seen much of Gregor’s lodge when he helped get Tessa from the hospital to Gregor’s bedroom, but he’d seen enough to know this home was built along the same floorplan, only on a smaller scale.
One would never know Jasper was gay by looking at the interior of his home. With the leather furniture and the wooden accents, this house boldly stated male. Trevor’s home wasn’t flaming, but it definitely had more feminine qualities than this log structure. He had pictures of Travis and him all around his apartment. Jasper had no photos anywhere, except those on the kitchen island in an envelope. Trevor didn’t think those would find their way into a frame anytime soon.
After inspecting every room in the house, he ended up in Jasper’s bedroom. He could have found that room if he were blind. The scent was spicy and manly, all Jasper. The bed was made up, just barely. Trevor closed his eyes and imagined the gorgeous detective spread out on the sheets with Trevor straddling his large body. His cock was once again stretching the limits of his jeans. Inhaling one last time, he walked back to the kitchen.
Trevor searched the cabinets until he found a colander. He strained the noodles and returned them to the pot. Deciding he should probably eat something, he fixed himself a plate and settled in to wait on Jasper to get home. Just as he sat down at the table, his cell phone pinged with a text message.
Normally Jasper enjoyed patrolling for the Unholy. Tonight was not one of those nights. He had his mate waiting at home for him. Now that he knew Trevor was gay, he was looking forward to the future. He still planned on being patient with him, especially after seeing his reaction to the photos of Craig. The pictures would be a shock to most anyone not associated with the lifestyle.
When Deacon called, it was all Jasper could do not to tell him no, but it was his duty as a Gargoyle to help patrol and fight the monsters that threatened the humans. Now that several of the Clan were out of the country, he was really needed. He met up with the others and set about corralling the science experiments gone wrong. When the Unholy fought in the streets, the Goyles had to be careful about keeping their shifter selves hidden from the humans.
A couple of hours later, the Unholy were either dead or cuffed and subdued to be taken to the Basement. The special area in the lowest level of the Pen where they kept the monsters was getting full. Rafael had informed them earlier that Gordon Flanagan, “maker” of the Unholy, was dead. Hopefully there would be no more of the creatures created, and they could finally get a handle on them. Jasper was helping Mason load the dead bodies into a van for transport when his cell phone rang. Thinking it was probably Trevor wondering where he was, he answered it. “Jenkins.” There was no answer, so he repeated his name, “Jenkins. Hello?” When he didn’t receive an answer, he looked at the caller I.D. Unknown. Who the fuck kept calling him?
He shoved his phone in his pocket and finished helping Mason. Deacon and Lorenzo had the live ones locked up and ready for the Pen. Lorenzo said, “You get back home. I’ll take care of the bodies.”
“Thanks, Lor. If Trevor wasn’t waiting for me I wouldn’t put this off on you.” Jasper gave the other Goyles a fist bump and took off toward his car. If Trevor hadn’t been at his house, he would have just flown. He wasn’t ready to explain how he got to work without a vehicle.
As Jasper neared his car, he slowed his steps. There was a tall, well-built man leaning against it; hands in his pockets, feet crossed at the ankles. Motherfucker.
Jasper was livid. Why was his past coming back now? How had his ex even found him? Jasper didn’t need to get any closer to know the man was Craig. If the way he leaned against the car wasn’t enough of a tell, the cologne he wore was a dead giveaway. He always sprayed it on too strong, something that never really bothered Jasper before. Now, it made him want to throw up. He preferred the clean, subtle scent Trevor wore. Trevor. Jasper smiled as he thought of his mate back home, boiling noodles. At least that’s what he hoped he was doing. That or playing video games, or wandering through the house, becoming acquainted with it. Anything except looking at those fucking pictures. He wished he’d thought to bring them with him.
Jasper willed his claws to stay sheathed so he didn’t take a swipe at the man standing before him. His smile fading, he asked, “What do you want, Craig?”
“Is that any way to greet me? Jas, I’ve missed you, Baby.” Craig smiled, stepping away from the car, but Jasper took a step back.
“Stop. You’ve got about ten seconds to tell me what the fuck you’re doing here. After that, we’re done.”
The smile was replaced by a frown. “I’m in trouble. I’m in big trouble, and I need your help. Please Jas, you have no idea what I’ve gotten into, but there’s no one else I can turn to.” Craig’s eyes were dilated, his pulse was racing. The man was nervous, but not in the way he wanted Jasper to believe. Jasper was pretty good at telling when someone was lying. Craig was lying through his straight, white teeth.
He opened his car door and fished out a clean shirt, hoping to mask any blood before Craig could get suspicious. He slid the tee over his head and turned around to find Craig in his space. Before he could stop him, his ex hauled him into his arms and sealed their mouths together. Jasper was surprised, to say the least. He opened his mouth to protest, and Craig took advantage to slide his tongue into Jasper’s heat. Jasper jerked away and grabbed Craig’s biceps, giving them a hard squeeze.
“If you’re referring to being tied up in pretty little knots and then strung up on a hook for someone to have their way with you, I know all about it.” Craig’s eyes widened. He tried to recover, but he wasn’t quick enough. Jasper could see the bullshit being formed before it was able to leave his ex’s lips.
“Save it. You walked out on me when I needed you most. I have a new life now, one that doesn’t include you. Whatever you’ve gotten yourself into, you can get yourself out of.” Jasper stepped around Craig, but didn’t get far before Craig grabbed him from behind, wrapping his arms around his waist.
His cologne was seeping into Jasper’s clothes. He turned and with more force than necessary, shoved the other man away from him, sending him sprawling onto his ass. Jasper walked to where Craig was on the ground and seethed, “Listen to me and listen well. You are nothing to me. I have someone in my life now, someone who will be around for the long haul. You need to get the fuck out of town, out of my life. Do you get me?”
Craig glanced behind Jasper and grinned. When he returned his attention to Jasper, he snarled his lip, “Yeah, I get you.”
Jasper left him sitting where he was and headed home. First he needed to find a way to wash the stench of his ex off his body.
Chapter Thirteen
Standing in the quiet room of the community center with his arms encircling his mate, Frey didn’t want to push Abbi, but he didn’t want to give her too much time to think, either. “Abbi, if you really want to get away from Troy, let’s go get your stuff tonight, while he’s at work. You can grab Matt’s things for him while you’re there.”
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