by Faith Gibson
“I hear you’re a teacher. That must be so exciting, to be around little ones all day.” Priscilla was a pro at keeping Abbi out of her own head. Anytime Abbi got lost in thought, her new friend would bring her right back out into the present.
“It really is. Too many of them don’t get the attention and nurturing they need at home. I try to fill that void as much as possible. It’s hard not to get attached to them, though.”
“I know exactly what you mean. I never had children of my own, but I have Rafael and the boys.”
“So, you never married?” Abbi hoped she wasn’t being rude by asking.
“No, I knew my place in the world, and it was always here, taking care of the manor. I have Jonathan. I know he’s my brother, and this may sound strange, but I never needed anyone else. He and I have taken care of this household for over thirty years now, so it’s sort of like he’s been my husband. In a purely platonic way, of course. He and the boys have given me so much love that I haven’t missed not having a romantic partner.”
Abbi admired this woman deeply. She reminded Abbi of her mother, full of love. Frey and Dane came into the kitchen. “Abbi, may I speak with you a moment?” Dane asked.
“Of course.” Abbi washed and dried her hands and followed the men outside.
Frey moved behind her, placing her back to his front, and wrapped his arms around her waist. While it should seem like a sweet gesture, she had a feeling he was offering her strength. If he thought she needed it, she probably did. She placed her hands on his arms and held on.
“Abbi, it has come to our attention Troy was the one driving the car that attempted to run you and Frey off the road. While we assumed he was at home, it seems he borrowed his friend’s car. What can you tell us about George Novak?” Dane was in full detective mode, flip notebook and pencil in hand.
Abbi was shaking. She knew Troy would come after her, but try to kill her? Frey tightened his arms around her. “He and Troy have been friends forever. I think they even went to kindergarten together. You rarely saw one without the other. They went on double dates together, and George spent a lot of time at Troy’s house while they were growing up. When we graduated high school, George went to the same local college I did. I think he did it just so he could keep an eye on me for Troy. If he’d had a decent father figure, he might have turned out different. Him and Troy both. Anyway, he graduated college, but he never really pursued a career in anything. He’s gone from one odd job to the next.
“He was married for a short spell, but it didn’t last. He cheated on his wife the whole time. When she found out, she left him. He spends a lot of time at my house on the couch, mooching off us. I mean…”
Frey tightened his arms around her. “It’s okay, Sweetheart.”
Dane asked, “Is there anywhere you know of that Troy could hide out, other than George’s house? Do either of them have any other property like a hunting cabin, or relatives they would go visit?”
“Not that I know of. The only family Troy has left is his mother, but she pretty much disowned him after high school. She lives in a trailer park down in New Valdosta. George never knew his dad, and his mom died a couple of years ago.” The hickey on Troy’s neck came to mind. “Troy often comes home smelling of other women. One of them might hide him out, but I wouldn’t know where to tell you to start looking for them.”
Dane snapped his notebook shut and sighed. “I’m sorry, Abbi. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Thank you for the information.”
“Sorry I couldn’t be more help. You’d think I could tell you more about the man I’ve lived with for this long.”
“No, I think it just proves you’ve been living with the wrong man. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got an asshole to locate.” Dane walked down the steps and disappeared around the house. She was still pressed up against Frey’s body, and she didn’t want to move. She felt safe in his arms. Content. Abbi leaned her head back against his chest and closed her eyes. Frey pressed his lips to her temple.
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt.” Abbi opened her eyes to yet another member of the tribe.
“It’s okay. We probably need to get going anyway. Abbi, this is Deacon. He helps run the penitentiary. Deacon, Abbi.”
Deacon fisted his heart and bowed his head slightly. “My honor, Abbi.” At the other man’s words, Frey tightened his grip and placed another kiss to her hair.
“It’s a pleasure,” she responded. By now, she was getting used to the men in Frey’s life all being massive and all treating her like she mattered.
“You two not staying for supper?” Deacon asked as he took the steps to the patio.
“No, we need to get back home to Matthew,” Frey told the new guy as if he should know who Matthew was.
“I feel ya. Broken ribs are nothing to sneeze at. Listen, tell Lor if he needs a break to call me. I’d be happy to hang out with the kid.”
“Will do. Thanks Deacon.” Frey and the man knuckled bumped each, and Deacon disappeared into the house.
Abbi turned in his arms and looked up at him. “Just how big is your family, anyway? And I don’t mean how tall. I realize the gene pool was very selective when it came to you and those you know. I mean, how many of these Amazons are there?”
“Honestly? There’s a whole Clan of us. A Society of thousands ready to lay down their lives for you and Matthew. Now, let’s go say our goodbyes and get home to our patient.”
In that moment, Abbi believed Frey’s words to be the truth. They returned to the kitchen where Rafael had Kaya wrapped up much the way Frey had been holding Abbi. The only difference was his hand was protectively placed on Kaya’s stomach. Abbi observed the police chief’s face and realized she was pregnant. Abbi prayed that was another difference between them.
Before they left, Priscilla dished out plenty of food for them to take home. “We’re on the bike, Priscilla; we can’t carry all these dishes.”
“Here,” Deacon tossed his keys to Frey. “Take the truck. I’ll bring the bike later.”
“Thanks, Brother.” Frey didn’t hesitate to let the other man ride his motorcycle. He must really trust him. Frey and Abbi grabbed the food and headed out the door. When the food was secure on the back floorboard, Frey opened the passenger side door and helped Abbi into the tall four-wheel drive. She liked the way his hands gripped her waist, firmly while still being gentle. While he was walking around to the driver’s side, their morning deck encounter came back to her mind. She had never acted so wanton in her life. With Troy, she had no desire to rub against him. Even in their earlier days, he’d never made sex anything other than a means to an end, either him getting off or her getting pregnant.
With Frey, just being in his arms had her wanting to lose her clothes as well as herself. When she first met him, she couldn’t imagine being with someone so big. Now that she knew him a little better, she had no doubt he could be gentle while making her feel good. Just thinking about her orgasm had Abbi’s core coming to life. “Abbi,” Frey husked from the other side of the truck. She started to ask “what” but the feral look in his eyes was the same one she’d seen when she was rubbing against his erection. Could he possibly know what she was thinking about? Instead of answering she bit her lip. A deep growl sounded from his chest as his eyes landed on her mouth. Before she knew what was happening, Frey had her across the cab of the truck, straddling his lap.
His mouth clamped down on hers in a kiss that stoked the fire between her legs. God, the man knew how to kiss. The dance between their tongues was a sensuous samba. Abbi pressed her breasts to his chest, rubbing back and forth. Her nipples ached with a need to be touched. Frey’s cock grew hard between their bodies. She wanted to unzip the jeans that held him prisoner and give him pleasure. Sucking Troy had been a chore, especially when he held her head down making her gag. Taking Frey in her mouth would be like worshiping at the Amazon altar.
“Abbi,” Frey warned again, breaking the kiss.
“What?”
she did ask this time, a little frustrated that he pulled away.
A horn blew answering her question. “Oh, crap,” she said as she tried to scramble off his lap. His strong arms banded around her waist, holding her in place. Frey didn’t roll the window down to speak, but he did throw up a two finger salute to yet another member of that Society he spoke of. As soon as the man was out of sight, Frey kissed her gently, pecking her lips several times.
“Let’s take this somewhere a little more private,” he said with a grin.
Abbi climbed off his lap, moving to the other side of the truck, and buckled up. What the hell is wrong with you? She took a look at the profile of the gorgeous man sitting beside her, and realized that’s what was wrong with her. Frey turned the radio on, and asked, “What kind of music do you like?”
“Classical, of course, but that’s just to dance to. When I’m in the car I listen to mostly rock, some country. What about you?”
Frey turned the channel to a classic rock station. He put the volume at a level where they could enjoy the music and still hear each other. He reached for her hand and twined their fingers together. “Just about anything really. Depends on the mood. I think I surprised Matt when he turned on some heavy metal and I didn’t make him change it.”
“Yeah, he’s all about that new Cyanide group. Their music’s a little harsh for me.” Abbi was surprised Frey listened to the same stuff her brother did. She would have pegged him for a country lover. “What’s your favorite dessert?”
“Banana pudding. Priscilla’s is pretty good, but there was this one housekeeper I wish I’d got the recipe from. Hers was the best.”
“Another housekeeper besides Priscilla? You must have been pretty young then. How old are you? I know that’s a rude question, but I can’t figure you out. Sometimes I look at you and think you’re thirty, but you have an old soul, if that makes sense.”
Frey smiled and said, “I’m five hundred seventy-one.”
Abbi laughed. “Seriously, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I’m twenty seven, but you probably already knew that. You seem to know everything else about me.”
“I just don’t want you to dismiss me because I’m an older man.” Frey rasied her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.
“Whatever.” Abbi couldn’t dismiss him now if she tried. He was worming his way into her heart one moment at a time, and she didn’t know how she felt about it.
“Before we go home, I want to stop and get Matt something. Do you mind?”
Unless it was a bunch of nudie magazines, of course she didn’t mind. Then again, if Matt had asked for the magazines, who was she to say no? “I don’t mind.”
Abbi had no idea where they were going, but when they pulled into the parking lot of a big sports store, she was confused. “Uh, Matt doesn’t play sports.”
“No, but he likes basketball.” Frey got out of the truck and walked around to her side. He opened the door and put his hands on her waist, helping her down.
“You do remember he has some broken ribs, don’t you?”
Frey grabbed her hand, not caring who could see. They walked across the parking lot like any other couple. What if someone from school saw her? She pulled her hand away and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Are you cold?” Frey asked, wrapping his arm around her. He just couldn’t keep his hands off her. Before they entered the store, she stopped.
“No, I’m not cold. I’m just afraid someone will see us.” She didn’t miss the hurt look that flashed through his eyes. “I don’t mean…”
“No, I get it.” Frey walked into the store without waiting on her.
“Shit,” she muttered and ran to catch up with him. “Frey, please stop. Geoffrey!”
“What, Abbi? You don’t want to be seen with me yet you yell and bring attention to us. Make up your mind.”
“It’s not that, at all. It’s just, I’m still married.”
“Not for long. Are you afraid someone will see you and it’ll get back to Troy? I’ve already told you I’ll protect you.”
“No, I don’t care if he finds out. God knows he isn’t faithful to me. But cheating is wrong. What happens if you and I decide to try this thing between us? If you cheat with me, what’s to say you won’t cheat with someone else?”
“You think I’d actually cheat on you? Abbi, I want you. Forever. When you and I try this thing between us, I’m going to make life so sweet for you that you won’t ever remember a time before us. I get that you aren’t a cheater. I appreciate that.”
“Okay then.”
“Okay.” Frey’s mouth twitched. Abbi was sure he was holding back a grin.
“Okay. What exactly are we here for?” She looked around and saw they were in the section that held basketball goals.
“One of these.” Frey pointed at a portable stand. A young sales girl wearing short shorts walked up to them and totally ignored Abbi. She had eyes for Frey though.
“Well, hello. What can I do for you?” Her voice was dripping with sugar, and Abbi wanted to choke the bitch.
“I want that one right there,” Frey pointed to the goal and portable stand behind the girl. While the girl turned around to see what he was pointing to, Frey pulled Abbi to him, snaking an arm around her waist. As soon as the girl turned back around, Frey tipped Abbi’s chin up and kissed her. It wasn’t a kiss full of tongue, but it was hot enough to let the salesgirl know where his attention was. When he released her lips, Abbi was grinning. Frey continued to lay it on thick, “It’s for our son. Isn’t it, Sweetheart?”
Abbi lost the rest of her heart to Frey right there in the sporting goods store. The salesgirl got the message. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll get someone to check you out.” Abbi couldn’t hold back her laughter. The girl had definitely checked Frey out. He picked Abbi up and swung her around, bringing on more laughter. The salesgirl couldn’t help but smile at their playful antics. Anyone on the outside looking in would swear they were a couple in love.
“Miss Quinn, Miss Quinn!” A small voice coming from a small person wiped the smile right off Abbi’s face. Frey put Abbi on her feet just as one of her students yelled her name. Standing behind the little girl was her mom. Debbie Cranston’s smirk let Abbi know she’d witnessed the whole thing. Well, damn.
Chapter Thirty
Jasper’s mind was spinning. Too much was happening at one time, and he felt like he was going to have a meltdown. Did Gargoyle’s do that? Were there psychiatrists who handled the stress of life when it got to be too much for shifters? If there weren’t, there should be. He didn’t care that Craig was dead. Hell, he’d threatened to do the deed himself. That’s what made the situation so bad. Had anyone heard him?
Dante’s initial assumption that Craig’s neck had been broken led Jasper to believe that their mutual friend was involved. Nobody else knew about Jasper’s past. Had Craig somehow found out and contacted him? Or had he sought out Craig knowing he and Jasper had been lovers? If so, why now? It had been over a century since Jasper had heard from the man. Even longer since they’d been intimate. Jasper had changed his identity several times since then. None of it made sense. The timing was wrong.
How the fuck did someone find out about Trevor? The only time they were seen together was at crime scenes, and that was in a professional capacity. They had been at the gym at the same time, and Trevor had seen Craig lurking at the window. But they weren’t together then, not really. No, someone had been watching Jasper.
Kaya and Dane decided it would be best if Jasper went on administrative leave, pending the investigation. He wasn’t suspended since there was no evidence other than the circumstantial video. Everyone in the room knew Jasper was innocent. He had been staking out Quinn’s house all night. Now they needed Dante to prove time of death coincided with the hours Jasper had been in his car.
“Jasper, would you mind watching over Matthew tomorrow? Frey will want to keep an eye on Abbi,” Rafael requested. Jasper knew it wasn�
��t really an option, but he didn’t mind. The kid was funny, and would hopefully keep his mind off Trevor.
“Don’t mind at all. As a matter of fact, I might go on over there tonight, if Frey doesn’t mind.” After the shitty day he’d had, Jasper really didn’t want to be alone.
“I don’t see why he would. He has plenty of room, and if I recall correctly, about a thousand video games.” Rafael preferred shooting pool or throwing darts to video games, but he was well aware of who played what during family day. The competition got pretty fierce.
Normally, Jasper didn’t mind being by himself at home, but with Trevor gone, the memories would drive him batshit crazy. “Then I’d say Matthew and I will be able to occupy ourselves quite nicely. I’m just going to go call Frey before we eat. If it’s okay, I’ll head that way after dessert.” Jasper’s head might be reeling, but it wasn’t bad enough that he would skip one of Priscilla’s meals.
Frey had no idea who the woman was, but by the smirk on her face, she was not a fan of Abbi’s. Dammit! This was just what Abbi had wanted to avoid. Frey had been so caught up in the moment, he couldn’t help himself. Now, Abbi had to deal with the fallout.
Abbi squatted down so she was eye level with the girl. “Hello, Amelia. How are you today?”
“Fine,” Amelia replied as she looked up at Frey. She almost fell backwards having to crane her neck so far back. “He’s really tall,” she said looking back at Abbi. “Who is he?”
If the little girl’s mother had not looked at Abbi like she was going to eat her for lunch, Frey would have let Abbi handle it. As it were, he took over answering the little girl but kept eye contact with her mother. “I’m a good friend of Miss Quinn’s. She and I haven’t seen each other in a long time, and I told her some really good news. She was happy for me.”
The answer seemed to momentarily throw the woman off track, but Amelia was like most children- nosy.
