by Faith Gibson
“How do you know Troy’s at work? He just went on second shift today.”
“Like I said earlier, I know people, so I called in a favor.”
“Where will you take us?” she asked, pulling away from him.
“My place would be safest, but if you don’t feel comfortable staying with me, I have several cousins you could stay with, or I can put you up in a hotel. Anywhere you decide to stay will be secure.”
Abbi bit her bottom lip between her teeth, thinking. Frey had to look away. He needed to keep in mind what she had been through. Even though she was his mate and he knew they were fated to be together, he had to give her time to get to know him. Having waited almost six hundred years for his mate, he could afford to be patient a few more months, or years even. The first thing he had to do was get her away from her abusive bastard of a husband. Once that was accomplished, she would be free to spend time with Frey.
“I don’t know your cousins.”
“You don’t know me either, but I would prefer you and Matt stay at my home. I have plenty of room, and that way, I will worry less.” Frey would worry regardless, until Troy was completely out of the picture.
“Are you sure you can protect me from Troy?” Abbi was frowning again. “Once he finds out I’ve left, he’s going to be hell bent on getting me back. He’s going to cause trouble wherever I go.”
“I’m sure. I will drive you to and from work. I’ll have someone drive Matt, too. Trust me; he won’t get close to you as long as I’m around. But Abbi, I need you to do what I ask. You have to file a restraining order, and you have to see a doctor to document the abuse.”
“I need to call Matt, see if he’s okay with this, but yes, we’ll stay with you.” Abbi walked over to her bag and pulled out her cell phone. While she was punching in numbers, Frey noticed her phone was an old one. “He’s not answering. I’ll leave a voice message.”
“Tell him to meet us at the gym.”
Abbi blinked at him while listening to the message. “Hey, it’s Abbi. I need to talk to you. Meet me at Geoffrey’s gym as soon as you get this. And Matty, whatever you do, don’t go home.” She hung up and put the phone back in her bag. “Now what?”
Frey walked over and picked up her bag. “Now, we go get your stuff.” He motioned for her to precede him out the door. Abbi locked up behind them and headed to her car. It was an older model sedan that had seen better days. One day soon, she would be driving something more reliable. “I’ll follow you to your house. While you pack your bags, I’ll stand guard, just in case. If he happens to be home when you get there, just drive on past and meet me at the gym.”
“Okay,” Abbi nodded and took a deep breath.
“Breathe, Gorgeous. I promise everything is going to be all right.” Frey tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingertip lingering. Her body shivered. Whether from his touch or the thought of leaving her husband, he didn’t know. As soon as she was safely in her car, he shut the door. Frey climbed into his Jeep and fired it up. Letting out on the clutch, he followed Abbi the few miles to her house.
Luckily, there was no sign of Troy, and Abbi was able to get her and Matthew’s clothes with little trouble. Apparently, the only trouble she had was finding something to put them in. When she walked out the door with several plastic grocery store bags, Frey asked, “Where is your suitcase?”
“We don’t have one. We’ve never been on vacation so…” her voice trailed off as she tossed the bags of clothing and toiletries into her trunk. Frey couldn’t imagine not having any type of bag to tote stuff in. He probably had ten gym bags thrown in the back of his closets. First the old phone, and now, no luggage. Did she have anything new? After a few more trips into the house, Abbi assured him she had everything she and Matthew needed as well as some items they wouldn’t want to leave behind. He was glad to see she changed out of the baggy sweats into jeans and a UGA sweatshirt.
They drove to the gym with Frey parking in his reserved spot and Abbi parking next to him. He jumped out of the Jeep and hurried around her car to open the door for her. He held his hand out, and she took it. He didn’t want to let go but knew better than to be affectionate too soon. When they reached the front door to the gym, he held it open and couldn’t resist touching the small of her back, ushering her in.
Matt came walking up from the back of the gym, a load of towels in his arms. “Hey, Abs, what’s up?” He laid the towels on the counter and began folding them. Frey laughed at the look on Abbi’s face.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Folding towels, duh. So, what’s going on? Why’d we need to meet here, and why the cryptic message?” He grabbed the pile of now folded towels and looked between his sister and boss.
Frey took the stack from Matt. “Why don’t we go to the office to talk?” He didn’t wait on them to follow.
As soon as they reached the back, Frey stored the towels in the bin. He walked around to his chair and took a seat across from his mate and her brother. As Abbi explained to Matthew what Frey had suggested, he took the time to observe them together. He knew what it was like to have a younger brother you wanted to protect. Both his siblings would soon be in Egypt, and he wanted to go protect them. Rafael was like a brother, and Frey looked up to the King as the great ruler he was. Frey would lay his life on the line for any of his Clan, blood relative or not. Now he had the opportunity to protect his new family, and he’d lay down his life for them, too.
Frey realized they had stopped talking. “So?”
Matt answered for them both, “Let me grab the garbage, and we’ll be ready to go.”
Frey nodded, and Matt practically bounced out of his chair.
“Who was that, and what have you done with my little brother?” Abbi laughed.
“That is a young man with a purpose,” Frey grinned as he stood from his chair.
Matthew came back, and they all headed for the front door. Urijah was manning the counter as they passed by. He held a fist out and knuckle bumped Frey then Matthew before fisting his heart and bowing his head slightly to Abbi. Frey’s heart skipped a beat when his fellow Goyle honored his mate. He grinned again at the look on Abbi’s face. One day they would look back on this moment and laugh.
As they approached the parking lot, Frey said, “Abbi, please follow us. Matt, you ride with me.”
The teen laughed, “You got a step ladder with you? What does this thing have, a four inch lift kit?”
“Five, and you can climb.” Frey turned his attention to Abbi who was shaking her head at her brother. “My place isn’t too far. I’ll see you there.” Once she was securely in her car, he stepped into the tall vehicle and buckled up. If Matthew was going to ride with him, he’d have to remember to put the doors back on.
“Are you going to be okay, or do you want a jacket?” Frey kept extra clothes with him at all times. All of the Gargoyles did. They never knew when they would encounter Unholy, or need to cover up the fact any wounds they received healed rapidly.
“I’ll be okay. Man, this is so freaking cool! I’ve never driven a stick before. Do you think you could teach me someday?” It was a good thing the kid was buckled up. He was looking in the back, twisting and turning to take in the jacked-up ride.
“I’ll teach you anything you want to know.” There was so much Frey was willing and eager to teach Matt. If Abbi ever accepted Frey as her mate, they would be family. He wanted both of them to know how the man was supposed to treat those in his care. If Matt wanted to learn to fight, he’d teach him. If he wanted to learn to drive a manual transmission, he’d teach him that, too. The most important thing he’d teach him, though, was the right way to treat a woman.
He pulled into his drive with Abbi right behind him. He spoke into the security box, and the gate swung open. “Holy shit! That’s some high-tech gate you got.”
Frey laughed at the kid but kept his eyes on the rearview mirror. He had driven the whole way home looking behind them more than in front o
Frey laughed again and shook his head. “No, I own a gym.”
Abbi didn’t drive into the garage, so Frey shut the Jeep off and hopped out. He walked outside and motioned for her to pull in beside him. Instead, she shut her engine off and parked outside the garage. “Don’t touch anything,” he yelled to Matthew, not having to look to know the kid was eyeballing the helos. Abbi’s eyes were wide when she noticed the contents of Frey’s garage. He opened her door and held out his hand. She took it, not looking at him. She, too, was staring in disbelief at the two helicopters. “Come on,” he gestured toward where her brother was walking around each one.
Frey opened the door to the Blackhawk, and motioned for Matthew to climb in. “Just don’t…”
“Touch anything, I know,” Matthew finished. He sat in the pilot’s seat, looking at all the controls.
“Uh, Geoffrey, why do you have a military helicopter?” Abbi was on her tiptoes, peeking in. Frey grabbed her around the waist and lifted her into the bird.
“I was a helicopter pilot in the military. That one over there belongs to the Stone family. I’m their pilot, so I keep it here. Faster access if they need it. This baby, now she’s a different story. Maybe I’ll tell you some day. For now, we need to get all your stuff inside and get you both settled.” When Abbi and Matt climbed out, Frey told Abbi to open her trunk. He handed Matthew as many bags as the boy could carry, and he grabbed the rest. He led them along the path from the garage to the back deck. When they reached the door, he gave Abbi the code to the alarm and asked her to do the honors. Once inside, Frey passed through the kitchen and headed to the staircase leading up.
“I have four spare bedrooms. They all have their own bathroom, so you won’t have to share. Pick any room you want, and we’ll get you settled in.” Frey waited in the hall until they’d both chosen a room. Abbi’s was across the hall from his with Matt’s being on the other end of the house. He deposited the bags of clothing onto the bed and took the others into the bathroom. “As soon as you’re ready, I’ll be in the kitchen. Come find me, and I’ll show you the rest of the house.”
Frey left Abbi and Matt to put away their things. Once in the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator and removed leftover lasagna. He wasn’t the best cook in the world, but his food was edible. He stuck the dish in the oven and turned it on. It wouldn’t take long to heat up, and there was plenty to go around. He went back to the refrigerator and took stock of the contents. Finding it mostly empty, he made a mental note to go shopping. It would be stupid to do, but he wanted Abbi to go with him. If they were seen in public together too often, word would get back to Troy, and the man didn’t need any more ammunition against Abbi. No, as much as he’d love to play the domesticated couple, he’d have to go alone.
He had just popped the top on a beer when his two houseguests came downstairs. “I was just seeing what I had in here,” he said, pointing to the fridge. “I’ll need to go to the grocery store tomorrow. For now, I have lasagna heating in the oven. If you don’t want that, there’s sandwich stuff. As far as drinks go, I just have beer and milk.” Frey opened a drawer and took out a pad of paper and a pen. “Abbi, please make a list of items you and Matt like. I’m not a very good cook, so if you want to take over the kitchen, feel free. I can grill like nobody’s business, I’m just lacking when it comes to using an oven.
“I want you both to make yourselves at home. I don’t know how long you’ll be staying, but while you’re here, I want you to feel free to be yourselves. There’s over two hundred acres with a five acre lake, plenty of room if you need privacy. Matt, I have a few older gaming systems, but if there’s something different you would like, just add it to the list. Whatever either of you need, I want to provide for you both as long as you’re here.” Frey stopped talking when he noticed the looks on their faces. “What? Did I say something wrong?” They both looked like they were going to cry.
Matt spoke up first, barely whispering, “We’re not used to getting what we want, it’s always about what he wants.”
Frey had to control his temper. He wanted to find Troy and stomp a mud hole in his ass. “That stops now. While you’re here, you will be treated the way a family should be treated. Matt, I expect you to keep your room clean, put your dirty clothes in the hamper, hang up your wet towel. You will need to help with the laundry and dishes, not watch your sister do them all. I already take care of my things, so there’s no need for you to worry about that. Abbi works hard. We don’t need to make it harder on her by having to pick up after us when we’re capable of helping out. Abbi, if you want to cook, please do. If you don’t, just tell me. I’m not expecting a cook and maid while you’re here. I’m offering my home as a safe haven for you both.”
Frey was shocked when Matt walked up to him and wrapped his arms around Frey’s waist. Automatically, his arms encircled the teen. How long had it been since the boy felt anything other than scorn from the man in his life? Even if Abbi didn’t fall in love with him, Frey knew he would remain in Matt’s life as a positive role model. Abbi stood watching her brother, tears leaking from the corner of her eyes. Frey held an arm out, and she stepped into his embrace. He had never been one for hugs, but if this is what it felt like, he could get used to it.
Chapter Fourteen
Abbi was dreaming; she had to be. The three of them stood in a group hug until Matt broke the moment.
“Are there fish in your lake?” Matt asked, bouncing from foot to foot. The solemn boy was back to his natural, wired up self.
“Yes, there are, and yes, I have fishing poles. I usually meditate on the dock, and that is where you will learn as well. Saturday morning, we will walk down to the lake. Abbi, you’re welcome to join us. While you are here, I want you both to enjoy the serenity this land offers. We’ll have all day Saturday to look around. Since it’s late, I will show you the inside.”
Frey was confusing Abbi. She thought back to their earlier conversation at the community center. He asked her to give him a chance, but now he was talking about this being temporary. Maybe he was helping them long enough to get Troy out of their lives, and he expected them to move back home. That made sense, more sense than them just moving in and never leaving. They didn’t know each other. He was being a gentleman by letting them stay with him for the time being. Once she was free from Troy, she would move back home. If Frey was still interested, she would agree to date him. She jumped into a bad relationship before; she didn’t need to do it again.
After Frey had shown them the downstairs, he declared, “I’m hungry. There’s plenty of food if you want to eat. If you aren’t hungry, feel free to watch television or enjoy the deck.”
Abbi was trying to take it all in, but she just couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that she was in this stranger’s house, and it felt more like home than her house with Troy ever had. Frey pulled the lasagna out of the oven and turned it off. He set three plates on the counter and grabbed a spatula, dishing himself out a huge helping. Abbi couldn’t let him serve them, she wasn’t wired that way. She began opening drawers, looking for the silverware. “Thank you,” Frey told her as she handed him a fork. He smiled his beautiful smile and set his plate on the table. He opened the refrigerator, grabbing another beer and the parmesan cheese.
“Would you like a beer?” he asked her.
“No, thank you. I’ll have water.” Abbi opened a couple of overhead cabinets before finding the glasses. She took two down, handing one to her brother. Abbi filled hers with ice and water from the freezer door while Matt found the milk and poured himself a tall glassful.
“I’m sorry I don’t have bread or salad to go with the pasta. I wasn’t expecting company.” Frey seemed embarrassed at the lack of food. Abbi had no doubt when he woke up this morning he didn’t imagine he would have her and her brother sitting in his kitchen.
“Please, don’t apologize. You’re already being too kind by letting us stay here.” Abbi took a bite of lasagna, her eyes getting big. “This is delicious,” she said around the food. Quickly, she covered her mouth, realizing she was talking with her mouth full.
Frey laughed, “I’m glad you like it. I make it all the time. It’s one of those dishes you can make a lot of and it reheats well.”
It would take a lifetime to get used to someone like Geoffrey Hartley. He reminded Abbi so much of her father, it was almost unreal. The man, even though he appeared to be early thirties, oozed timelessness. She chalked that up to him being in the military. Abbi couldn’t imagine seeing the horrors of war. While they ate, she took advantage of the silence to look around. If there had ever been a woman in his life, there was no evidence of it. The furniture was all male. There were no decorations on the walls that weren’t something to do with the military. She really wanted to know if there was or had been a woman in his life.
“Frey, please forgive me if I’m overstepping, but have you ever been married?”
He swallowed the mouthful of lasagna he was chewing and took a swig of beer. “Nope, haven’t found the right one, yet. I’ve spent a lot of years traveling the world, fighting wars. That kind of lifestyle isn’t conducive to marriage. It’s one reason I retired and opened the gym.”
“Speaking of the gym, my car’s still there. How am I getting to school tomorrow?” Matt’s plate was clean, his glass empty. He was probably still hungry, but wouldn’t dare ask for seconds. If Frey really was the nice guy he claimed to be, he wouldn’t mind Matt getting more food.
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