by Faith Gibson
Her thoughts turned to the divorce. Both the doctor and the police chief guaranteed her she would come out the other end fine, but they didn’t know Troy. Even the chief who was Troy’s boss didn’t really know him. When she asked Miss Kane about Troy’s work ethic, the woman had skated around the truth. Maybe she knew him better than Abbi realized. Troy had a way of getting what he wanted. When they were in high school, Abbi had her sights set on someone else, but Troy was always there to interrupt anytime Abbi was talking to Brandon. She never did get to date her crush. They were both busy with their extracurricular activities, and Troy was always up in her business.
Brandon was an exceptionally good football player. He had received a scholarship to play for the University of Georgia. He was their star quarterback for three years before he went on to be drafted early by some NFL team. Abbi bought a second hand UGA sweatshirt at a Goodwill store and wore it whenever she could. If Troy ever found out the true meaning behind the shirt, he’d have ripped it into shreds. Abbi tried to catch the games Brandon played in on television, but Troy hated football. Abbi was pretty sure it was because he was kicked off their high school team for fighting.
Troy had a way of showing up wherever Abbi was, even if he was just sitting in the parking lot in his car. She ignored him as best she could, but he had been relentless. When her parents died and her aunt Judy had been made her guardian, he was always around. Her parents had never let him come over; it was as if they knew what kind of person he was. Her aunt was another story. She seemed to really like Troy. Abbi would find them laughing in the kitchen together. Thinking back on it now, Troy was probably hitting on Judy.
Abbi finally lost her will to fight Troy. When her parents died and Judy took over, the only thing she had the strength for was Matthew. If it hadn’t been for her brother, Abbi would have curled up and died from grief. When it was time for her to go to college and her aunt told her all the money for school was gone, Abbi woke up. Her grief induced fog slowly dissipated, and Abbi saw Judy for what she was: a gambling, druggie whore. Abbi found her strength once again, and applied to a small school in town where she could receive grants and scholarships.
Instead of staying on campus and being able to get away from her dreadful home life, she lived at home so she could take care of her brother. That meant not being able to get away from Troy. Even at school, he had his best friend George follow her everywhere she went. Abbi had no idea how he managed to get an education. Thinking about the grown George who was always coming around, she doubted he did. He was always at their house, eating their food, drinking Troy’s liquor, sleeping on their sofa.
After she graduated, Troy promised Abbi if she would marry him, they would buy a house where they could start a family. When he made her that promise, it seemed like a good deal. She would finally get Matt away from the hellhole that used to be their home. She agreed, but it didn’t take long after the vows to see that Troy had lied. He hated Matt for some reason. Abbi figured it was pure jealousy since she doted on her brother. He was the only one she doted on. So, a broken promise had sealed her fate, and now, five long years later, she was finally getting free.
Even if Troy somehow managed to get everything in the divorce, Abbi would start over from scratch. If it meant getting Matt away from her husband, she’d do whatever it took. She’d had nothing when they got married except her clothes. She could do it again.
“Abs,” Matt whispered from his bed.
“Hey, Matty,” she smiled at his bruised face. When he reached his hand toward her, she took it. “Don’t worry about anything. You just rest and get better.”
“I need to tell you what happened,” his eyes pleaded.
“I know Troy did this. Don’t worry, I’m getting away from him. This should have never happened, but it did and I’ve filed a restraining order. I’m also filing for divorce. Matt, there are nice people helping us out.”
“No, Abs, Troy didn’t do this. Please, you can’t.” Matt was getting agitated.
“Of course he did this. Matt, maybe you have a concussion, or you didn’t see him attack you.”
“Abbi, no, you can’t…” Matthew couldn’t sit up without the pain in his ribs hurting too much.
“Shh, Matt, it’s okay. Lay back down.” Abbi was confused. Matthew was adamant about Troy not causing his injuries. She felt a presence behind her and when she looked up, the big guy, Uri, was standing there. He had closed the door.
“May I?” he asked Abbi, gesturing to the chair. She rose and moved out of his way.
Uri sat down and picked up Matthew’s hand. Her brother instantly calmed down. “Hey, Buddy, listen to me.” When Matthew looked at him, he continued, “We made a promise to keep you safe. We weren’t expecting Troy to find you taking out the garbage. Now, you will be covered twenty-four seven, no matter where you are. Abbi is covered too. Until this is over, neither of you will be without a guard. I’m pretty sure the bastard threatened Abbi since you are trying to convince her he’s not responsible, am I right?” Matthew nodded. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You are going to stay home from school. We will bring your homework to you and take it back so you won’t fall behind. If there is anything you need help with, we will video conference a session with your teacher if one of us can’t help you.”
Abbi couldn’t believe that was possible. “How do you know his teachers will agree to that?”
“Because Frey knows the principal, and he assured us they would cooperate.” He turned his attention back to Matt. “Your two week notice at the restaurant has turned into an immediate notice. You are now employed by the gym. When you are well enough, you will begin your new job. While you are recovering, you will receive a paycheck same as if you were there. While you are recuperating, we feel it best if you continue to live with Frey. His home is secure. Abbi, if you wish to stay with Kaya that is your prerogative.”
“Now wait a minute, I’m Matthew’s guardian. He is going to stay with me where I can keep an eye on him.” Who were these people who were trying to take over her life? They were almost as bad as Troy.
“Yes, you are, and as such you want what is best for Matthew. Are you going to quit your job? Take a vacation? Be there around the clock for your brother? While we prefer you actually did take a vacation, we realize it probably isn’t feasible. You have responsibilities.”
“What about your responsibilities? Frey’s? The police chief’s? You can’t put your lives on hold for the two of us.”
“We can, and we will. Our only responsibility at this point is to keep you and Matthew safe. I know it may seem odd to you now, but one day you will understand. You are family, regardless of whether you feel that way. We do whatever it takes to protect our own.”
“You’re right, I don’t get it.” From Frey wanting to be in her life, to the chief taking her in, to this man standing sentry, none of it made sense. People were nice, but they didn’t stop everything to be this nice.
“Whether or not you accept our assistance, you’re getting it. You may as well be onboard. Abbi, there are those in this world whose kindness overrides the evil. We are reaching out a hand of goodness. Please grab hold.”
“Uri,” Matthew intervened.
“Yes, Little Man?” Uri responded with a softness foreign to his size.
“I want to live with Frey. Abbi, you should, too. I mean, our stuff is already there, and I want you to be where I am. I don’t know the chief, but I do know Frey. Please, think about it.”
Abbi never could tell her brother no. She didn’t trust Frey, not after he let Matthew down, but she really didn’t know the police chief, and she didn’t want to be separated from her brother. She may be upset with Frey, but if Matthew felt safe there, then that’s where they’d stay.
“Okay, Matty. Whatever you want.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Frey stared at the screen before him, taking in all the information Sixx had dug up on Quinn. How could one man be so fucking vile? Sixx had already prin
“I can’t figure why the aunt would give him half the money. The only thing that makes sense is they were in on it together from the beginning. What if they both plotted the accident, knowing Judy would be the sole guardian? He sabotages the car, she oversees the estate, and they split the cash,” Sixx said as he continued to type, looking at home in Julian’s chair.
“But can we prove it? That was ten years ago.” Frey wanted to kill someone. Since Judy was already dead, Troy’s face came to mind. He vowed then and there Troy Quinn would never get anywhere near Abbi again. He would find a way to ruin him, his reputation, his name, his face. He was going to make the man suffer in ways he would never recover from.
“Frey, man, reel it in,” Sixx said as he rolled his chair backwards. Frey had phased without realizing it.
He retracted his claws and fangs, licking his lip where blood trickled. “Fuck. I really need to patrol tonight. Find some Unholy and let loose.”
“I get it. Uri said Matthew will be in the hospital overnight. Normally he would have already been sent home, but Jonas is calling the shots on this one.”
“Good. If he’s still there, Abbi will be, too. I don’t have to worry about either one of them.”
Sixx was concentrating hard on a picture on the computer monitor. “What the hell?”
Frey glanced at the screen. “When did you join a band and not tell anyone?”
“That’s not me. That’s…” Sixx flipped the screen to a website. “I’ll be fucked sideways.”
“Would you care to explain?”
“I’m not sure I can. I mean, fuck. I think that’s my son,” Sixx said as he read the article in front of him. “Desmond Rothchild, twenty-three, lead singer of Cyanide Sweetness, was born in New Atlanta before moving to the west coast…” Sixx trailed off, reading silently.
“What makes you think he’s your kid? You can’t have a child with someone other than your mate.”
Sixx paled. “Oh, shit.” He looked away from the screen. “I bit her. I bit Rae thinking it was safe because she was human. Fuck, man, I didn’t realize it was possible back then.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I guess I’ll call her and say, ‘Hello Rae, remember me? Michael? You had my kid and didn’t bother telling me.’ I’m sure that’d go over well. And why didn’t she tell me? I have a son, and she’s kept that from me for over twenty years.”
“If he’s your son. Don’t jump to conclusions until you know for sure.” Frey was just as shocked as Sixx that he could have mated all those years ago.
“Yeah, you’re right. Besides, I need to keep looking into Troy. If Desirae is my mate and this Desmond is my son, I’ve been in the dark this long. A little while longer won’t do any more harm.”
Frey’s phone rang, interrupting their conversation. “Uri, is everything okay?”
“Yes, Brother. Matthew is awake and talking. He tried to convince Abbi that Troy wasn’t responsible, but Troy had threatened to harm Abbi if the kid told the truth. I spoke to him and gave him the rundown of how things were going to go. When he’s released, he wants to come back to your home. Abbi’s agreed to come with him.”
“Holy fuck, are you serious?”
“Yes. She was going to stay with Kaya and Rafe, but Matthew talked her into coming back to your place.”
“That’s wonderful news. I’ve spoken to Lorenzo. He’s willing to relieve you from guard duty this evening.”
“Good. I’m ready to hit the skies and find some Unholy to decimate. Seeing the kid’s face and what he’s gone through has my beast ready to fight. If I don’t take out some of the monsters, I may have to find a different monster and take him out.”
“Truth, Brother. I feel the same way. I’m leaving the lab now. I’ll see you in the air later.”
“Later.”
When Frey put his phone away, Sixx asked, “I take it you and Uri will need a clean-up crew tonight?”
“Fuckin-A, we will. The Pen is getting too full. Let’s let Deacon rest tonight,” Frey said as he stood and stretched.
“I’m going to stay here and see what else I can come up with on Quinn. Call me later, and I’ll round up the bodies.”
“Thanks, Brother. For everything.” Frey wanted Sixx to know he wasn’t mad at him.
“Don’t. I know you said it’s okay, but it’s not. He was my charge, and I let him down. I will make it up to him. To you.” Sixx was a big ass Gargoyle, but his emotions were evident on his face. Frey would feel the same way, so he let him have that.
He held out a fist for Sixx. Reluctantly, he bumped knuckles then turned back to the computer. Frey left the lab, his heart warring with itself. He was happy Abbi agreed to come back to his home, but when she found out what Troy had been about all along, he was afraid she would be way too hard on herself. At least he could put the bad news off a while. Right now, though, he had something else he had to take care of.
Trevor knew Dante hadn’t been home long, but he really needed some time alone. Dante had promised him a vacation after he helped get Tessa home from the hospital. He hated to ask for that time now, but he had to get away. Away from the morgue with all its death. Away from Jasper and all his lies. Away from New Atlanta where nothing good had ever come his way. Well, didn’t come his way and stay. He felt so stupid getting his hopes up that someone could have feelings for him. Especially someone like Jasper.
The man was a god. He was in a league of gods. A league of gods who hung out together, worked out together, had sex with other gods. It did not include someone like Trevor. Jasper had fooled him once, made him believe he wanted to spend time with him. Maybe he had just used Trevor to make his ex jealous. No, that didn’t make sense. Trevor wouldn’t make anyone jealous. He picked up the note that had been included in the photos and read it again.
Did you honestly think someone like him would want someone like you?
For a split second Trevor had. He had allowed himself to believe the impossible.
He read the other part:
Do you even know what he is?
What did that mean? Trevor’s mind was racing and his heart was hurting. He made up his mind to call Dante. He would take a week off as soon as Dante was ready to come back to work. It wasn’t fair to ask to leave immediately. His boss had been too good to him already. Speaking of his boss, the door to the morgue opened and the man walked in. Okay, that was just creepy.
“Trevor, how are you?” Dante was part of the league.
“Honestly, not too good. I know you just got back in town, but I was going to call you. I need to take some time off.” There. He said it, and there was no taking it back.
“Do you want to talk about it?” His boss pulled up a stool next to where Trevor was sitting. Sitting staring at a piece of paper on a stainless steel slab. A slab that was bare except for the paper. Instead of working, he had been staring.
“Not really. I just need to get away, clear my head. I’m not asking to leave today, but as soon as you are ready to come back to work and feel you can do without me, I’d appreciate it.”
“How long do you need?” Dante glanced at the paper on the table then back at Trevor. Even though he was sure Dante couldn’t have read the note from that far away, he folded it and put it in his pocket. The move was probably rude, but he didn’t want his boss to realize just how pathetic he really was.
“I don’t know. A few days, maybe a week?” How long did it take to heal a broken heart?
Dante looked around. “It doesn’t look too busy now. Why don’t you go ahead? I’ve got this covered.”
“Are you sure? I mean, you just got back.” Now Trevor felt bad for asking.
“I’m sure. But I want you to remember something while you’re off. I’m here for you. If you feel like talking, I’ll listen. No judgment, no words of wisdom, just an ear to listen. Whenever you’re ready, come back. I need you here. You are the best assistant I’ve ever had, and I finally feel comfortable taking a few days off here and there, because I know I have you here taking care of things.”
Trevor didn’t know what to say, so he didn’t say anything except, “Thank you. I’ll not be gone more than a week, I promise.”
“Take your time. When you get back, I will fill you in on my trip. I think you’ll find it fascinating. At least I hope you will.” Dante rose from his stool, clapped Trevor on the shoulder and left the room.
Huh. Dante was different somehow. Lighter, happier. Even if Trevor didn’t know what true happiness felt like, he could recognize it in someone else. He stood from his spot behind the table and read the note one more time. Yeah, he was doing the right thing by leaving.
Jasper shouldn’t mind stakeouts. He was a full-blooded Gargoyle who could sit still for hours at a time and never get tired. Watching Troy Quinn’s house for movement, however, was not his idea of a good time. No, the way he felt right now, a good time would be barging into the bastard’s house and beating him to within an inch of his life. It didn’t bode well for the human that all of the Gargoyles felt the same way. Sure, his responsibility as a Goyle was to protect humans. But when the humans were scum like Troy and Craig, Jasper didn’t feel goodwill toward their kind.
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