“Doubtful. You have no friends, and the crew that you hung out with are all in prison, where you should be.” He said that he’d been released. “No, you escaped, and that’s a big difference. And the police have said that we might handle this in any way that we wish. Nice of them, don’t you think?”
“I want to go back to jail.” The dragons took a step toward him and he felt the ground rumble with their weight. “I don’t want you to kill me like this. I have no idea how you think you’re going to manage this, but you can’t do it.”
“Oh, but we can.” The dragons were standing around him, each a different hue of blue. He might have thought it was pretty but for the fact that he was about to piss his pants. “Walton Conrad, the last of your family, the worse man that I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting. I hereby sentence you to death by fire—the only way that my family can be safe, the only way to rid this world of your reign.”
The first flame of fire touched his face. It wasn’t so bad, but he felt the heat of it on the rest of his body before he could laugh in their faces. Then they all sprayed their heat at him, and it was then that he realized he was going to die. When they suddenly stopped, he lay on the ground; there wasn’t a part of his body that didn’t hurt. And when Ginger or her sister, he could no longer tell, came to stand in front of him, she threw cash at him.
“This is all you wanted. Blood money.” He tried his best to grab it all up before she laughed at him again. “Even with your own death staring you in the face, you cannot let a little of the money you fought so hard to steal get away, can you?”
“Son,” he said as best he could, and she only shook her head. “Want. Son.” His lips no longer worked. He couldn’t even lift his hands to see what was the matter with them. He was going to die, and he wasn’t sure right now that he cared. He hurt that badly. “Son.”
“You have no son. He will never know of you. For as long as I live, I will never tell him that you were his father. He’ll never be like you. Never be the man that you are. He’ll be good and kind. He’ll be my son, and I’ll raise him the way I want.”
The flames hit him again; this time he was sure they were making him suffer. The pain was incredible. He hurt so badly that he wasn’t sure there was anywhere they’d missed. As he lay there, his body on fire, he thought of his son and wondered if he’d remember him despite his mother. No, no one would remember him at all.
Closing his eyes, or attempting to, he could still see the dragons. They were finished, he thought—no more fire came his way. As the biggest came forward, he prayed for help, but was sure that the only help he was going to get was death. Walton didn’t think anyone could come back from this much fire.
The shadow of the dragon’s foot covered him. In that last moment of his life, Walton thought of his son, and wondered once again if he’d remember him fondly. Then nothing.
~~~
Grace went to find her sister after the body was taken care of. What she had done, said to the man, was the bravest thing she’d ever seen. She’d stood up to her tormentor and then walked away. But Grace knew what it had cost her, and when she found her on the back deck, she didn’t say anything but sat down beside her.
“What do you suppose my son will say when he finds out that I had his father killed?” Grace was trying to think of an answer when Ginger continued. “Not only did I watch him be killed, but I denied him his dying wish.”
“Do you think he would have done the same for you had you been dying by his hand? You think he would have shown you any mercy at all when he murdered you and Mattie?” Ginger said that he’d have not hurt her. “Yes, he would have. She was in his way. He would have taken her, used her to get you to bring him Wendall, then he would have killed you both. He hurt her before.”
“But I stood by while he suffered.” This time she didn’t answer her. “He killed a lot of people, just to get to me. And he would have done more too, wouldn’t he?”
“Yes. He was determined to get his little boy, as he called him. And to get back at you. I’m serious when I tell you that he would have taken Mattie and killed you both.” Ginger laid her head on her shoulder, just like when they were kids. “I’m glad that you got to have closure with this. And to know that he’ll never bother you again. I’m so proud of you, Ginger.”
“I’m proud of you as well. My little sister is making a name for herself.” Grace pointed out that she was only twenty minutes older than her. “Yes, well, having two kids and a maniac chaining me to a bed, making me service him all the time, makes me considerably older than those lousy minutes.”
They were both laughing when the men and women joined them. Winnie commented on how even she was proud of Ginger, and that she’d done a very good job of making sure he knew who was boss. Carson said that she might not have been able to do something like that and was jealous of her bravery. All in all, Grace realized that having support like this was the best thing to have.
Ginger went in to feed Wendall and Grace headed out to the studio. Yesterday the men had finished putting in the insulation for her to have warmth in the winter months, and the air conditioner and furnace were done as well. Going into the drying room, as she’d begun to call it, she looked around at the empty area. The paintings had been picked up last night.
Someone was coming in today to make her several large canvases. And she was excited about getting a start on the next series. The muse was being quiet for a change, so Grace painted what she wanted, and that was her sister and her two children. It was fun for her to be able to make this gift for her, and she wanted it to be perfect. By the time Lincoln joined her, she had them marked and ready for detail to be put in.
“There was a phone call for you. Ginger took it. It was your parents.” She turned and looked at him, the painting forgotten. “They just read about your sister being a new mom and seemed to have not known about Mattie. How is that possible?”
“They are usually too into whatever they’re doing to realize that they have children. Ginger and I left home when we were sixteen. We’ve not been back to see them since. So, it’s been twelve years.” He asked what they were doing. “Whatever shiny thing that came along. They weren’t good to us, thinking that since we were no longer requiring them to feed us or change our diapers, then we were old enough to fend for ourselves. So, we did. It’s small wonder that they even took the time to call.”
“That does not sound like a loving grandparent, or even parent for that matter.” She said they weren’t and put her brushes away. “I’ve ruined your mood. I’m so sorry.”
“No, I am sorry. I don’t want them to come here. And I’m betting that Ginger doesn’t either. I’d expect them sometime, but they’ll neither stay long nor will they be very proud of either of us. Not my accomplishments, nor the fact that Ginger has money.” Lincoln asked if they’d try to take money from them. “Oh no, that’s not their style. They won’t even ask, even if they thought that they could convince us to give it to them. They just don’t care about anything we do or what we might have that they don’t. They’re cold, heartless people.”
“Wow, I’m truly sorry.” She smiled at him. “That doesn’t look like a friendly smile, love. What are you planning in that head of yours? Trouble?”
“No, but I’m betting that Ginger wishes she’d not taken the call for me.” He laughed. “Garrett wants me to be at the gallery at five for a preview of what he’s done. I told him that I trusted him and he’s happy with that, but wants me to come in. He’s also told me that he wants the wolf paintings too.”
“I’ve got a photographer coming in the morning. Are they dry enough to move? I think he wants to take them outside for better lighting.” She said that they’d be all right. “And I have the drywaller coming tomorrow as well. They’ll hang the last of it while we’re in town if that’s okay with you.”
“Yes. I’ll make sure that everything is covered so that no dust gets onto anything. And thank you for the garage door. It’ll make getting som
e of the smells that linger out of here faster. Not to mention I’ll be able to move my work to the doorway when it’s not too cold out to paint by natural sunlight.” He bowed to her. “Have I told you lately that I love you? I do. Very much so.”
“And I love you. Very much so.” He hugged her, and she wrapped her arms around his waist and let him hold her. “So, we’re done talking about your parents?”
“Yes. They aren’t in our lives anymore, and that’s the way we’ll keep it. If Ginger doesn’t get talked into inviting them here.” He asked if she would. “I don’t know. She’s still on a pretty good high about Walton being gone. Not that he’s dead, but the freedom of not having to worry about him any longer.”
“All right then. We’ll deal with it if we have to.” She thanked him. “Mark is coming next week. He is excited to see the Conrad estate. If this works out for him and Ginger, he said that he’d travel to the other homes and deal with them as well. I don’t know that he has any idea what sort of things are in this house in town, but you can bet he’ll make her the best deal on it all.”
“I thought they were going to have an auction.” Lincoln said that Mark was going to buy some of the pieces himself and then have an auction. “That’ll be good. She said that whatever she makes off this, she’s going to set up a fund at the high school in Molly’s name, the Molly Conrad Foundation. Whatever it is, I’m going to donate to it as well from the sale of my paintings.”
“We will as a family too. Cooper has been talking about college funds for a couple weeks now. This will be a good one for us to start on.” She moved to clean up her area and he sat down on the table. “Sadie is coming over when we get back. She’s talked to Winnie—I guess they knew each other before she helped my dad. Winnie has convinced, or partially so, Cooper that she really has something of our dad’s and wants to make sure that he gets it. I’m curious what it could be.”
“I would be too. I mean, your father has been gone for a very long time, hasn’t he?” Lincoln told her more years than they could count. “I hope whatever it is brings you all joy. To have something from someone that loved you that much would be amazing. Especially after all this time.”
Ginger came out to talk to her about their parents, and Lincoln said that he had to go into town for some projects he had to get going. Grace asked her what they wanted now. And were they coming here.
“I didn’t get that they wanted anything. They read about your showing and told me how they knew you had talent. I don’t know how they would have, but I didn’t say anything. And they are coming, but only for a day or two. They have other commitments.” Ginger laughed. “They want to drive on out to the coast before it gets too terribly cold, then they’re headed back home. I guess Dad finally got a job, and he worked until he retired and they’re spending all his pension on travel. And I’m quoting her here, ‘they only have a few years left to do all the things they want.’ I asked about seeing the kids and they said if they have time—they’ve never really liked children.”
“Good old Mom; never be tactful when being rude can do it so much faster. Did she hurt you with that?” Ginger said no, she had expected it. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I don’t care if they come or not. If they do, then okay, we’ll see them, and they’ll move on. If not, what are we out? Nothing. They’re the ones that did this to us, and I’ve no desire to see about patching things up with them now. I’m a bigger person, and a much better mom.”
“You are at that. The best mom there is, as a matter of fact.” They both laughed, and it felt good. “Did Lincoln tell you that Mark is coming next week? You’ll be able to get rid of all that crap now. And I heard that the local used clothing store is taking all the clothes from the house for you.”
“Yes, it’s really nice how they’re even going to come get them. Someone needs to be there. They prefer a police officer, just so we can’t say they took something that didn’t belong to them.” Ginger snorted. “Whatever they wanted to take, I’d be glad to get rid of it. It’s all going anyway.”
They talked about nothing much while she gathered up her list of supplies that she needed ordered. She had applied for a sales license and gotten it. Now she was ordering in bulk, and it was really nice to have so much on hand that she didn’t have to not finish a painting because she didn’t have the right color or brush.
“I was thinking about this showing tonight.” Grace asked if she was going. “I am. But I wanted to ask if you had a dress I could borrow. I want to look fabulous tonight. I have no idea, but you know how it is, you want to look pretty for yourself.”
“Yes, you can borrow anything I have, you know that—and you are pretty. Beautiful even. And you are an amazing person. You don’t treat yourself like you know that anymore.” Ginger thanked her. “You’re very welcome. And I think I have the perfect dress for you. When I was trying some on for this thing, the lady sent out a bunch of them for me to try on. I took the black one, and you can wear the white that looks just like it.”
“You think that’ll be all right? I mean, we’re twins. Won’t it be childish for us to wear matching clothes?” Grace told her that they were adults, and they could damn well do what they wanted. “You’re right. I’m game if you are.”
Going up to her room, Grace got the dresses and took them to Ginger. They were going to start getting ready for this thing anyway; they might as well make a girls’ afternoon of it. She told Lincoln what they were doing. Not the dresses, but that they were getting ready.
Mark has made it early. He’s going to the gallery with us. I hope you don’t mind. She said that she didn’t. Good. Also, flowers arrived for you from your parents. I read the card because—well, I didn’t know who would be sending my girl flowers. And I understand now about them.
What did the card say? He read it to her. Yes, well that’s them in a nutshell. All right, we’ll be ready in a couple hours. You will be completely blown away by how beautiful we are.
I am every time you come into a room. And it doesn’t matter what you have on either. I think you’re the most gorgeous creature ever created. She told him she loved him. You are my heart, Grace, and will be forever.
Closing the connection, she told Ginger that Mom and Dad weren’t going to come after all. Then she told her what the note said. They both got a good laugh over it.
“They actually said, ‘We’ve thought it over and we don’t want to see the children. They’re very messy. Maybe next time we come through.’” Ginger shook her head. “Not even a love, just a simple Mom and Dad. They’re so wonderful, aren’t they? Not really.”
Tonight, they were going to have a good time, despite their parents being assholes. Messy indeed. As they got dressed, she wondered about her sister and finding someone to love. She of all people deserved it.
Chapter 11
Lincoln couldn’t believe his eyes. Ginger and Grace looked like bookends, and they were stunning together. Not that they weren’t apart, but when they stood side by side like they were now, he couldn’t think beyond the exquisiteness.
“Holy shit, Lincoln, please tell me that the one in white isn’t seeing anyone.” He glanced at Mark and asked why. “Because, my dear friend, she’s my mate.”
“No way.” Mark nodded and looked like a man who had been given all his Christmas gifts early. “She’s not, but has two children and has had a rough time lately.”
Lincoln told him briefly as they posed for pictures what had happened. Mark listened and asked a few questions, like was the guy taken care of. After telling him about that, he told him that she was as fragile as a rose and could be just as thorny when pushed.
“I’ll take care of her. And I will go easy too. I can’t even imagine what she’s gone through and come up on the other side of it. That shows you how smart and brave she is.” Lincoln knew that he would too.
Mark wasn’t a dragon but a tiger, like Garrett. That was how he’d met him. He knew some about the other man, but not enough to form an opin
ion one way or the other. Lincoln decided to talk to Garrett when things settled down at tonight.
They took separate cars to the opening. It wasn’t like they’d fit in the limo anyway. So, as they were driving over, he told Grace what Mark had said about Ginger.
“If he hurts her, what happened to Walton will be nothing compared to what I do to him. I’ll hire Winnie if I need to. I’m to understand that she has some experience in making people suffer.” He looked at her then back at the road.
“You’ve become quite protective over the last few days.” Grace asked what he meant. “This morning I was holding Wendall and you told me if I dropped him you’d do the same to me from the top of the house. Then when we were in the hallway, you tied my tie too tight and told me that you’d see me hanged if I stepped out on you.”
“That would be the muse. She’s really aggressive in getting what she wants.” She laughed and told him she’d have a talk with her. “I don’t think she has had a good relationship with men. But she does have an eye for art. We’re working on a scene now that is going to be epic. I am excited.”
He had long since given up on trying to figure out why she had this other person inside of her that spoke to her when she was working. When she talked about them, it was as if they were real, someone that she had to listen to or the painting was all wrong. He’d been watching her one day, while she’d been in the studio, and heard her talking with the muse or whoever was guiding her. And it was the strangest thing he’d ever witnessed. It was like listening to a phone conversation and not knowing what was being said on the other end of the call.
The gallery was empty when they got there. Lincoln walked around with Grace to see how the paintings looked now that they were in this setting. The large painting was front and center, and he had an idea that there was going to be a great deal of talk about it when people arrived. The sold sign on it was small, but the price that had been paid was still visible. His brother had gotten a great piece.
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