tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34867518696484478792024-03-05T09:50:31.330-05:00Night Tempest: Welcome to the Dark SideNightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.comBlogger336125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-33711346581394146632015-01-21T12:55:00.001-05:002015-01-21T12:55:18.226-05:00Hey all,<br />
<br />
I know you have a lot of questions and some of you are mad and worried that I haven't said anything until now, but there is a reason for that.<br />
<br />
Fall rolled around, which is basically preparation for our busiest season of the year at work (Thanksgiving and Christmas). At first I stepped back from the blog because work was picking up, and frankly, I was exhausted by the time I got home and didn't feel like writing. But come late October when my wrist popped, making a very audible sound, followed by immense pain that sent me to the hospital immediately, writing was like the absolute furthest thing from my mind.<br />
<br />
Turns out Carpal Tunnel caught up with me. In the back of my mind I knew I had early symptoms and would eventually have to have the surgery. Some of my fingers would fall asleep while at work, which wasn't anything new because of nerve damage I have in my pinkie from a previous injury. But now an entire side of my hand would just go numb, and shaking it out to wake it up felt like pins and needles stabbing me repeatedly.<br />
<br />
Yes, it was partly my fault for not alerting my doctor to this earlier (so take this as a warning if you're doing the same with your physician) and I should have been taking precautions other than doing exercises I found online and hoping for the best. So when I found out that not only would I need immediate surgery on one hand, but two, because of the stress I'd caused my right hand from relieving the left of it's duties over time, I was kind of upset to say the least.<br />
<br />
My doctor told me writing was out of the question and that I'd be off work for about a week.<br />
<br />
Okay. No big deal. Right?<br />
<br />
Wrong. I have the surgeries back to back. I wear the ugly braces on my wrists. I get back to work for about three days, taking it easy with clients and giving myself more time, before a massive storm rolls through town, bringing with it snow demons and the icy breath of the devil himself. Everyone was told to stay inside. My boss shut down the salon. And all I wanted was orange juice. Because on top of everything else, I'd come down with the flu and orange juice was the only thing keeping me from spontaneously exploding.<br />
<br />
So my stupid ass bundled up before the worst of the storm hit and ventured out to visit the grocery store LESS THAN TWO BLOCKS AWAY. <br />
<br />
Needless to say I never made it out of the driveway. I slipped on ice and went down, using my hands to catch myself instead of my face. You want to talk about pain? I'd had the surgery less than two weeks prior. I was still healing, barely healed in fact because of the intensive damage I'd done to myself, and then...to conclude all of the drama by hurting all the work done to me for a stupid bottle of orange juice?<br />
<br />
Yep. Just my luck.<br />
<br />
And now I have to wear what my doctor is calling "The Chastity Braces of Doom" because he's evil like that. I can only take them off to shower and typing this out took like three hours because of how they get in my way, and because I'm down to plucking at keys like my grandmother without her glasses.<br />
<br />
It's torture, but it's reality, and hence my absence from the blog or any social media. Pinterest is about all I can do because my phone has a stylus and I can tap with ease without the braces chaffing. So I'm sorry if I'm not around or if you were concerned. And no, I can't promise you any updates right now or promise you anything really. I have no idea how long it will take for me to get my stride back and type more than half a page before it hurts. And I'm sorry, because this all totally sucks, for you and for me.<br />
<br />
But I thank you for your love and for being worried about me. Just know I care about you guys as much as you care about me. Thank you so much.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
NightNightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com102tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-42339955887729261682014-09-02T21:21:00.003-04:002014-09-02T21:21:48.412-04:00Gage: Part 2
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Hello all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So sorry it’s been forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
in a wedding that was put together in two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not joking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A storm came through and part of my attic caved in while we were in the
middle of construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ve been
working six days a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is chaos,
but I have been working on this for you guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Now about the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know some of you are confused by Gage’s
fear of being gay or the very least bi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But in the real world there are people scared of their sexuality and I
wanted to touch on that, especially in a setting where sexuality doesn’t
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was bound to happen, and Gage
totally fit the bill.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">There’s a lot going on in this chapter, which is
why it took so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m famous for
rewriting pages upon pages until I stop questioning it and just post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I hope you all like this and thanks for
sticking around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Much love,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Night<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Part 2 Playlist:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Taking You There – Broods<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">And the World Was Gone – Snow Ghosts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Hounds – Valleys<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Like A Lie (Daniel Farley Remix) [Ft. Helen
Corry] – Jetski Safari<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Cast a Shadow - Coves<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;"><o:p><u>PART 2</u> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Chapter 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Joseph wasn’t the biggest
guy he knew of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However he wasn’t what
anyone would call small either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
somehow he managed to cram his entirety in the small space next to the
window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted as much room between
him and everyone else in the SUV that seemed to be shrinking by the
minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if it wasn’t for Gage’s
easygoing body language next to him, he’d have already poked out the woman’s
eyes, the one staring at him from the front seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he meant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">staring</i> at him like he was an extinct species kind of staring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Gage must have sensed
Joseph’s unease, because he snapped his fingers at the girl and she scowled
back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Em, cut it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll give him a heart attack.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“I was trying to guess his
age,” she said as if that was normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like Joseph was the victim of some serious carnival swindling, that
whole let me guess your weight and birthday bullshit with the added bonus of,
guess what, I’m a also vampire and you’re not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isn’t that hilarious?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Gage shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Normal people would ask.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And as you can tell, she isn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Em, the one that gave
Joseph the creeps, rolled her green eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her eyebrows disappeared momentarily under her short, choppy bangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She flicked one of her long dark pigtails
over her shoulder, and then clunked her platform boots onto the dash and reared
her seat back until it smashed into Gage’s knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s normal anyway?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“Emma, fuck off.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage kneed the back of her seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re right, you’re anything but
normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re damn near suicidal,
because do that again and I’ll unleash the fucking kraken back here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Emma howled with
laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is that an ironic pseudonym
for your tiny dick?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Gage pounded on the back of
her seat with his fists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“Children, don’t make mama
pull this car over.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other woman
teased from the driver’s seat. She looked just like Emma, identical really,
except her hair was short and messy as if she was some femme fatale who’d just
come out of the rain, and she didn’t have the whole teenage girl act going on
like her other half. “Don’t mind them, Joseph, they’ve always been like this
with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emma didn’t mean
anything by it, and Gage is well, he’s nervous because everyone back at the
compound is either pissed or worried about him, mostly both, and if there is
one thing you need to know about Gage, it’s that he doesn’t like the unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never been any good with change.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“Gee thanks, Hannah. Want
to pull up my Fangspace profile for him too?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage scrubbed a hand over his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He rested his head against the window, but peeked at Joseph out of the
corner of his eye and looked away just as quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Like he needed to know that,” he muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“It’ll be like one big
family reunion,” Hannah continued in a syrupy, singsong voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was enjoying this way too much. “You’ll
have the pleasure of Isaac and Knox under the same roof as you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your brother too, you know the one you’ve
been avoiding, the one who didn’t do a damn thing to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there’s Cade. Let’s not forget him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s pretty excited to see you again, and by
excited I mean livid that you’ve missed out on three months of training so near
‘the year’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“What’s the year?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph scooted over to see Hannah in the rearview
mirror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Hannah’s eyes slanted at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The year he’s supposed to
turn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t they teach you anything in
baddie vampire 101?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Overlooking the jab,
because he didn’t feel like talking about dealers until he absolutely had to,
Joseph asked, “What do you mean <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">turn</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“Didn’t you know you’re
seated next to a celebrity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph here,
or maybe his brother Axel, will be the first <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">born</i> vampire to carry Guardian blood since Cade was born in the
late eighties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Gage turns, he might
very well be equal to the Original.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“The who?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m lost.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Hannah was interrupted by
her sister, who turned to stare at Joseph from the front seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, he was going to have to get used
to her staring, as it seemed to be her favorite pastime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cade, the Original is the one who carries
the Guardian gene in his blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
the last of his line until he turned three other men into vampires with his
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of those ‘others’ had two
boys with his mate the queen, and those twin boys are Axel and Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a race to see which of them turns first
and answer the decades long question as to whether or not they’ll be
Guardians.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“So Gage isn’t a Guardian?”
Joseph had no idea why, but he didn’t oust his backseat companion just
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept the question neutral like a
curious little human. Although there was no denying the spark of betrayal that
festered in his chest, but he’d save that bit of pent up betrayal for
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something told him listening to
Hannah and Emma cut Gage down would be worse than him slapping Gage on the
wrist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Emma squinted at them both before turning back around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But we are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">great</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Joseph spared Gage a
look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a quick conversation with
their eyes that left Gage red faced and staring at his knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a minute later that Joseph felt
Gage’s stare on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up to
find Gage biting the inside of his lip, his eyes carrying this pitiful puppy
dog expression, some quiet thank you for Joseph keeping his mouth shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">But Gage changed his tune
pretty quickly when they arrived at what amounted to a fortress gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph pressed his face against the window to
peer up at the tall, stone wall, and then back down to the men trapping them in
place on either side of the vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wondered if this was a military base or a secret government facility disguised
as a sprawling, historical compound of sorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">At least a dozen men,
geared up and armed, let them through the gate after Hannah rolled down the
window and stuck out her middle finger to the head gate attendant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it was a Guardian thing, the crass
demeanor they aimed to achieve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
‘they’ he meant everyone but Gage, because he was just a punk liar with a queen
for a mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Terrible anxiety surfaced
when Joseph thought of mothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His was
probably still lying on a hotel room floor, staring at the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph rested his head on his knees and took
slow, deep breaths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he should
have told Hannah or Emma about his mother over an hour ago, but Joseph still
had to come to terms that his mom was dead before he would possibly share that
information with anyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">He had to put to bed the
memories of his past, the beautiful homemaker Margaret Sadler, along with the
bad memories of drugs and a broken family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had to deal with being a kidnapping victim, make sense of the
situation he was now in from the one he was in hours ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to understand that those dealers were
still looking for him, had tried to kill him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when he felt full to bursting with nerves and sadness, a warm body
pressed against his side and a hand rested on his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“You don’t have to be
scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents will take good care
of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re safe here,” Gage
whispered in his ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">The girls up front choked
on stifled laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph didn’t care
about them because they didn’t know, and neither did Gage, but he still sought
to comfort Joseph for some unknown reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Up until now, Gage’s behavior was borderline maddening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was arrogant and cocky, yet he somehow
retained a boyish charm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A spark of care
that was probably buried under his snobbish, poor little rich boy exterior gave
Joseph hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“Just stick by me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more lies from here on out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Joseph lifted his head,
putting them almost at eye level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It
was only a half truth, I suppose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Gage’s lips spread into a slow
grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think you’ll fit in just fine
around here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Hannah did a break check in
front of a gothic monstrosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph
nearly lost his stomach as he slammed into the backseat, but Gage’s thick arm
caught his head from breaking over the headrest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hannah, for fuck’s sake, was that
necessary?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Emma twisted in her
seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her fingers curled around the back
of her chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Beware of his tricks,
Joseph Sadler, for he has many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was
your one and only warning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“You’re kind of twisted,”
Joseph said while arching his back away from the seat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Emma smirked at Joseph
before she got out and disappeared up the stairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Gage helped him out of the
vehicle; the feel of his hands quickly becoming familiar, and Joseph wasn’t
sure if he liked it or if it made his skin crawl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage wasn’t scary in the traditional spook
show sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He frightened Joseph because
there was something about him that made Joseph want to stick close, forced him
to question everything Gage did or said with the utmost scrutiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">It was hard to ignore his
presence as they hit the staircase outside the main house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage was well built with thick thighs and
long arms, hands that encompassed the whole of Joseph’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smelled good too, like his natural scent
was a cloak he’d thrown over Joseph until he was nearly suffocating on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">His golden eyes were
unnerving but cast a warm, delicious look at Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all his years, Joseph could count on one
hand the people, including celebrities he’d seen with eyes that peculiar in
color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d seen a blue so bright they
appeared lit from inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A grey the
color of gunmetal and brown eyes that bordered on burgundy with flecks of gold
and yellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But never had Joseph seen
eyes the color of poured honey that penetrated him deep enough to leave scars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Joseph shivered when Gage’s
hand shifted up his spine; an unmotivated skim of his fingers that wrecked
Joseph inside but meant nothing to Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The pretend Guardian kept his gaze straight ahead, his feet continued to
climb the never ending stairs, and only when Joseph stopped did he seem to care
that Joseph was there at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“I’ve got this,” Joseph
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brushed Gage’s hands away as he
climbed the stairs to the front door, desperate to get control back from his
body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Gage’s golden eyes slid
away from him quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stuffed his
hands in his pockets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whatever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Whatever?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph couldn’t help the disappointment he
felt, but just as quickly as it came, he let it go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t know what Gage was or what he
meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, Joseph had much more
pressing problems to figure out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage
could wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or actually, he didn’t have
to be anything at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">So yeah, whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph sighed and shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">It would be the last thing
Gage would say to him for a while because Gage took one look at Joseph’s arms
wrapped around himself defensively and the calculating look in his eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he turned on his heel and walked into
the darkened hallway off the foyer, leaving Joseph all alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“Gage?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph called, voice echoing down the stone
corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage didn’t answer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was already gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">“Mr. Sadler, if you’ll
follow me please.” A handsome older gentlemen with bright green eyes gestured
for him to continue into the foyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
man cast a look at the dark hallway and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He took a step closer to Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He’ll be alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage is just
Gage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Kalinga;">Joseph nodded because it
seemed to be the proper response, when in fact he knew very little about Gage,
certainly not enough to compare Gage against himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And who are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tend
to the house, to our guests, and make sure everything runs smoothly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And if they don’t?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because this wasn’t what Joseph would call smooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This entire situation was rocky at best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">George chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Have no fear, Mr. Sadler, I suspect your fears will be put to bed
rather quickly around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you’ll
see, despite being vampires, the people who live here are rather normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like one big family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as much I try to keep the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">children</i> in line, they have a way of
slipping up time and time again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“They have kids here?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph looks past George, glimpsing a massive staircase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well yes, but I was referring to the overgrown ones in
leather.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George winks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Queen is taking tea downstairs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“With the Guardians?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Guardians at tea?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>George throws his head back and laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You are quite the comedian, Mr. Sadler.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph failed to see the hilarity of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, when he thought about it, he
guessed if the other Guardians were anything like Hannah and Emma, he imagined
they wouldn’t be at tea, unless it was steeped in gunpowder and involved a
heavy game of Russian roulette.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You know, I’ve been where you are, the newness of it
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather hard to wrap your mind
around, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You could say that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“May I call you Joseph?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well Joseph, I have to say you’re taking this all
rather well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m not really.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You are, because you’re in shock.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George put his hand on Joseph’s shoulder and
Joseph shivered again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I want you
to know that you’re safe here, safe to stay and safe to tell your secrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all of their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charming</i> ways, the Guardians really do keep your safety and well-being
at priority number one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are family
after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph
cocked his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Family?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I mean, you’re one of us now that you know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George waved him off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph
followed George to an elevator past the theatrically large staircase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got the chance to spin around, face lifted
towards the ceiling to observe the stained glass dome with angels and
demons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And back down to the swirling
patterned tile that pivoted out from the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where the hell am I?” he whispered to
himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Welcome to the compound, my boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your Queen thanks you for your stay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George pulled Joseph into the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph yelped and the doors shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter
6<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage stormed up to his old rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took the hidden staircase off the foyer
hallway and headed to the top floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Guard at the third floor rolled his eyes at Gage, but said nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nice to see you too, fuckwad.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage sneered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His boots pounded against the stone floor until he stepped onto one of the
many plush runners lining the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
the smell of home made him angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
little musty, old like a box of books that hadn’t been opened in centuries, and
the faintest hint of vanilla that Gage suspected was Maggie’s doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There was a cleaning cart in the hallway when he arrived
at his door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage looked from the
pungent scented bottle of cleaner to the figure moving about in his rooms and
growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The fuck are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A trim male looked up in surprise and dropped the pillow
he was fluffing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Master Gage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The man wasn’t much older than Gage, skinny and clipped
dark hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wide brown eyes feigned
shock for only a second before they narrowed and his lips thinned as they
pulled into a wicked smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Been a
while.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He threw the pillow across the
bed and waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Was wondering when
you’d get homesick and come looking for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t have time for this shit, Yardley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Or what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yardley stretched his arms above his head like he belonged in Gage’s
bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like he was comfortable, but he
shouldn’t be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the closest thing
to Yardley being in Gage’s rooms was him living vicariously through his younger
sister that Gage used to bang on occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was well known the siblings had gotten around the compound ever since
they were brought here about six years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A rave party gone wrong or something that ended with both of them turned
and choosing servitude over city life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ever since then Yardley had made it his mission to get
into Gage and his brother’s pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
Axel was oblivious to anything with genitals, Gage was all too aware of
Yardley’s offers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And right now he was
angry and revved up enough to possibly accept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Or I’ll beat the ever-loving shit out of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sounds like fun.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yardley licked his lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You are seriously the worst slut ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yardley shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s working isn’t it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
pointed at Gage’s bulge, the one growing harder in his pants with every passing
second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Or are you being mean because
you’re scared you might like it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage swallowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He stood his ground as Yardley sauntered over, all saucy lips and slender
hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a well-known fact Gage
didn’t get with guys because of his self-imposed mating rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to be a father by blood, by
planting his seed into one female that would be his forever. He would carry on
his bloodline the natural way and no amount of feelings for a male, sexual or
emotional would sway him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But lately, his morals had been shaken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing with Isaac, coming in his pants at
the mere sight of those stocking covered legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The way Joseph looked at him, his smell and the shiver that had wracked
his body as Joseph touched him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now
this—the male in front of him, running his hands up Gage’s hard chest as if he
knew every inch by heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage was close to breaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come on now, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know you want it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve missed
you,” Yardley husked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Something snapped in Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything falling apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
didn’t even know who he was anymore, what world he lived in or anything else
for that matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shoved Yardley off
of him, hard enough to send the young vampire to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I hate you,” Gage hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hate everything about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yardley sucked on his bottom lip as he debated his
options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of running, he got to
his knees and pushed his hands up Gage’s firm, spread legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You can’t hate what you’ve never had.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shut up!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage
sank his fingers into Yardley’s hair and tugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he</i>
winced at how hard he yanked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fuck me, Gage,” Yardley pleaded, aware he was winning
Gage over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sadist, Gage thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage released Yardley’s hair and went to the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He all but tossed the cleaning cart into
bathroom near the front door and locked them both into his bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yardley was still on his knees, skin pale
against the black rug taking up the middle of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was taking off his shirt, dusky nipples at
attention from the rush of cold against his skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And Gage’s warring arousal smashed his morally sound
five year plan to pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fuck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yardley was breathing hard, watching Gage come to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was in his eyes that he’d won,
but there was also a bit of fear, a tinge of hesitance at what Gage was about
to give him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This wasn’t about love or
feelings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a wall breaking down
inside of Gage, it was about the anger in his heart swelling to maximum
capacity until he couldn’t think clearly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I hate you,” Gage repeated as grabbed Yardley by the
back of the neck and roughly shoved his face into the rug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And you’ll never be mine, you slut.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yardley tensed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage proceeded to unbuckle his belt with one hand, the other still
firmly around the back of the servant’s neck, grinding Yardley’s nose into the
fuzzy fibers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you wanted this,
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No take backs now, Yardley.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why are you doing this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yardley did his best to look at Gage, tilting
his head to the side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t act all innocent now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what happens to people that push me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a threat, a punishment, not pleasantly
rough sex come to fruition and Yardley understood that in an instant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yardley squirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not in a way that said he couldn’t stand a second longer without Gage
inside him either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He whipped his head
up with his vampire strength and threw Gage off of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fuck</i>
is wrong with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage got to his feet and had his gun out in a split
second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s wrong with me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laughed coldly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“People like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what’s wrong with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tempting me to be something I’m not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tilting my world on end just for your entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what you all want, to tear me into a
thousand directions until there’s nothing left!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love that guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congratulations, you’re in the next line of
warriors to save the world, but you’re not leaving this house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t think for yourself, Gage, that’s
dangerous.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maybe it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put
the gun down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yardley lifted his
hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please, Gage, you’re scaring
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You could take it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And if I couldn’t, you’d be a murderer and an attempted
rapist.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yardley inched closer to the
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You couldn’t live with that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maybe I don’t want to live anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe there isn’t a point to all this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage followed Yardley with the gun still
targeting his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe I’m done
wondering why me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“There’s nothing wrong with wanting things, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Different things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t want to be different!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage picked up a wrought iron candelabra from
his dresser and sent it crashing into the mirror in the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yardley’s eyes flashed with terror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A vampire scared of a pre-turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took his escape before Gage could turn
back to him and the door slammed loudly in his wake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage sank to the floor with his gun in his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was losing his mind, slowly but
surely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was probably going to turn
out like his Uncle Thomas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bad seed.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crazy one that no one really liked
to talk about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A psychopath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cold blooded killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A freak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the basement kitchen, Joseph sat across the table
from Nina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Queen wasn’t wearing her
crown or anything to punctuate her status, in fact she had on pajamas and an
old Army sweatshirt that hung to her knees, but her power was felt by the
heaviness in the air; a probing sensation Joseph tried not to brush off his
arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Go ahead and eat while it’s hot.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maggie, a caretaker and George’s lady friend,
put a bowl of soup in front of him, some bread and a glass of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s plenty more if you’re up for
it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She rubbed his back before brushing
his hair away from his neck, twisting it around her finger until his long blond
locks settled into a limp curl at his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Her fingers were warm against his neck until they moved
away, and Joseph almost caved to her mothering touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes pricked with tears as he stared at
his soup, eating it as fast as he could because it tasted so good and he couldn’t
remember the last time someone had cooked for him like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before he could ask, another bowl was there
and this time there was a cookie on a napkin next to it like he was a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, did he look that bad to warrant
homemade cookies and soup?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He glanced up to find Nina working on a knitting project
in her lap and Maggie washing the dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was normal, too normal, and why hadn’t they asked him anything
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why weren’t they saying anything,
period?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Uh…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just eat and relax, darling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have questions, go ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not here to push you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nina smiled at him and lifted a little pink
bootie for him to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A hobby I’m
trying thanks to Maggie here. I’m going to be a grandmother in a few
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a little girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Congratulations,” he murmured, then thought about who
Nina was and who her children are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So
is… Axel excited?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the father to
be couldn’t possibly be Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
no way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why wouldn’t he be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s been following Jessica around for
months, recording her every move in the name of science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet he refuses to go into any medical
field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you believe it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to be an artist now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He changes his mind all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year it was a psychologist. Poor Daniel
was over the moon to have a student too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She chuckles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The needles in her
hands click together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Axel just likes
information, likes to study things and share his findings so everyone else will
be aware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he does with it all is
anyone’s guess, but at least we know he’s smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all very proud of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s double majoring at NYU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Masters and all.” She beams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Must be nice, Joseph
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mother who’s proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So Jessica is Axel’s wife?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Maggie glances over her
shoulder at Nina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both erupt in a
fit of laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Darling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re hilarious, oh heavens no.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph frowns at his
soup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way Nina would be getting
a grandchild was if Gage and Jessica…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph went back to his earlier assumption of no freaking way was Gage
going to be a father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it would
explain his attitude, the slight fear he carried with him, his rough and tough
attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Jessica is my son-in-law’s
sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you met Daniel yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Son-in-law?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Gage’s boyfriend?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph drops his spoon into the bowl and
tries to breathe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has no idea why
Gage’s baby momma threesome with another dude troubles him this way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina shakes her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, Daniel is my eldest son Rowen’s
mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessica is their surrogate and
she’s due in a few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First
surrogate we’ve ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, we’re
very proud.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh.” Joseph should be
relieved, but his stomach feels as if it’s bottoming out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s lightheaded and shaking like he’s a
caffeine addict without coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
panics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It grips him so suddenly he
knows he’s going to be sick if he doesn’t fix something...something he doesn’t
understand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Joseph?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you alright, darling?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph scoots his chair
back and stands on wobbly legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gulps for air and sees a
fearsome man with white blond hair and violet eyes studying him from the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Something’s wrong,” he tells the man as if
he’ll somehow make sense of it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“This is him?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man comes to his rescue, holding him up by
his arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowen, this is Joseph Sadler, Isaac’s
friend.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In an instant Nina is taking
one of his hands and rubbing his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Joseph, does it hurt anywhere?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph pants for air. What is with these people and rubbing him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He could have sustained internal injuries
and the shock is wearing off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should
get him to Theo.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something’s wrong,” Joseph repeats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He doesn’t know how or why,
but he forces his feet to move, and by sheer instinct he presses on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately he yanks Nina and Rowen with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has to make it better, whatever <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it</i> is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Darling, you need to sit
down.” Nina urges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tries to coax him
back to the table, but he flails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It hurts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She demands and proceeds to handle his body
again, checking for injuries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Stop it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t touch me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s gasping for air now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart is running a marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second she lets go and Rowen backs up,
staring at him like a crazy person, Joseph bolts out of the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maggie, call a
lockdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alert the Guards he’s not a
threat,” Nina yells behind her and then follows Joseph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He knows she’s there, close
on his heels, but he’s pretty fast for a human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The narrow hallways form an underground labyrinth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph has no idea where he’s going until he
sees the elevator opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George nearly
falls over as Joseph pushes past him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph
looks at the security keypad and nearly screams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Take me upstairs!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rowen catches up to them
and smirks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well if this isn’t déjà
vu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and my mate would get along like
two peas in a pod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could bond over
your hatred for the lift keypads.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Rowen!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nina glares at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rowe turns his palms up
innocently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s just realized where he is, what we are,
and what he’s been through this evening and you’ve chosen to lock him up
underground without an escape while you knit booties and feed him cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not injured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s being realistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he looks quite terrified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You are not helping, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">darling</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">George looks to Joseph and
winks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll handle it from here, Your
Grace.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes pity on Joseph and enters
in the code while mother and son begin what looks to be a heated argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph smacks the third floor key because he
needs to reach fresh air at the highest point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being in the basement is complete torture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina screeches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look what you’ve done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come on. Come on
dammit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph leans against the metal
door, tapping his foot and shaking his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the
most compulsive, anxious, depressive pain he’s ever felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So dark and scary that he accepts George’s
hand and squeezes his fingers as the door shuts on Nina’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please breathe,
Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re almost there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George grips his hand back, brows furrowed in
deep concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s almost—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The elevator dings open and
Joseph runs for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one where three people are…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Gage, open the fuck
up!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another man with white blond hair
just like Rowen’s pounds on the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hannah and Emma are behind
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hannah whipped out her gun and
pointed it at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gage, move away
from the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m coming in!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you out of your
fucking mind?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man pushes Hannah
back with a monstrous sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He throws
his sunglasses to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shoot that
door and I’ll skin you alive, Hannah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It was just a
thought!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hannah’s eyes swirl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">George is right next to Joseph
as he ignores the three others and jiggles the knob.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who is this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you doing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unidentified man pulls Joseph’s shoulder
back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">George growls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac’s friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why does everyone keep
saying that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m more than Isaac’s
friend!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph starts kicking the
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gage</i>!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The name leaves his tongue
and he seizes back from the door, astonished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His mouth hanging open, his body restarts without his consent and goes
for the door again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh my god,” he
whispers, clawing at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gage,”
he screams like demons are scratching through his stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What the hell…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man next to him starts to help him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether he’s fascinated with Joseph’s banshee
worthy pipes or if he’s really committed to the cause, Joseph doesn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he fights next to him until the door
swings open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage is there, eyes
bloodshot and Mohawk sweaty over his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s shirtless and while he looks good enough to eat, he also looks on
the verge of never coming back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
a gun in his hand and Joseph meets Gage’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Put it away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph backs him into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He gains anger when Gage doesn’t put the piece down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t make me repeat myself, Gage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No seriously, who is this
guy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Axel!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nina scolds her son and suddenly she’s in the
room, Rowe with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And Joseph doesn’t
care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stalks Gage, moving him toward
the weight bench in the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve
been there,” Joseph says loud and clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I know what this is now and I’ve been there for years, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did you do wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why are you not worth it and you have no idea what you even want to be
worthy of, but you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i> it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage nods slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What is going on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you two know each other before
this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Axel steps too close and his twin
brother is there, warning him away from Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Gage, come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is over the
line, even for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“There is no line where he
is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph turns Gage to him, his
muscular arms sweat slicked and solid beneath Joseph’s hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My mom got addicted to Rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took every penny I’ve had since I was a
teenager and spent it on drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
grandfather tried to help her after he got his head out of ass, but she was
already done for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad stepped out on
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else but me was there to look
out for her because she’s my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mom</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she died tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched her die before I ran and I left her
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left her there alone and I
promised I would never do that to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
left her with those dealers who killed her…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph is met with silence
and the only thing that keeps him going is Gage’s unwavering stare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes another step and Gage lets him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to admit I’m scared right now
because I don’t know any of you people, but I do know that I almost died
tonight and I wouldn’t have had any place to go if you had never found me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to die until you saved my life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage absentmindedly put the
gun on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked back to Joseph
and just snatched him to his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
stood amidst the group, pressed as tight as two people could be in a hug that rivaled
all others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of it made sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One minute Joseph is eating soup and the next
he feels this inconsolable drive to find this man and share in his pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m fucked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i>
fucked up,” Gage finally says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And
everyone knows it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I don’t know what
to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph nods into Gage’s
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wasn’t going to hurt
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why you care, but I
wasn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please don’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage pulls away to stare at Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay,” he says, softer this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I just got your text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s going on?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dark haired man with bright blue eyes joins
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another man follows him inside
the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that guy has a power about
him that even Joseph takes note of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
it’s the dark haired man that boggles Joseph’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks just like Joseph’s grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Younger of course, but this guy could be his
spitting image.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Micah, this is Joseph
Sadler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friend of Gage’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s also our witness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Everything clicks for
Joseph; this man, Micah—he knows that name; the reason he looks like Adam
Derenger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Micah seems to catch on too,
or known, he’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">obviously</i> known
judging by his expression that Joseph is his…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re Micah Derenger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Micah lets out a slow
breathe and nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re my uncle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Micah nods again like he’s
holding back, as if he wants some heartfelt reunion with his long lost nephew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And the rage unfurls,
stampeding out of him with the force of a thousand wild horses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And you knew this whole time and you did nothing to
help your own sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s dead!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph lunges at Micah but Gage catches him
around the middle and swings him back to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You fucking coward!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Enough!” Gage puts a hand over Joseph’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everyone out except for Rowe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph struggles against Gage, mad as hell and there’s
no stopping it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was his uncle and
he knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew his sister was killing
herself and he left them both to suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had the strength, the resources to take her away and help her and he did
nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He didn’t know,” Gage murmurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He had no idea.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But he does now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph glimpses Micah’s heartbroken face before the man he arrived with
carts him into the hallway, Micah dragging his feet like he can barely stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no idea what his sister was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now he finds out she’s dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was happening?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where the hell was he?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph slumped in Gage’s arms before he realized what he
was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The adrenaline was wearing
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was slowly regaining control of
his thought process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now he was
being held by a guy he couldn’t stand a few hours ago, held like a lover would
be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As everyone smartly gave them space, leaving as Gage
demanded, Nina stayed near the doorway and watched her sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph caught one last fleeting look from her
before she closed the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are they gone?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage turned to Rowe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rowe squinted, listening for something Joseph couldn’t
hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“On the elevator, headed down…
Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re all gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you lying to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Honestly, Gage, is that really of concern right now?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe plopped into the only other seat apart
from the bed and crossed his ankle over his knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This one rushes up here like the solution to
the end of the world is in his pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re locking yourself in your room, holding a gun like a man with an
endgame and you’re questioning my trust?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It just looked bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It looked exactly how it looked, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And why does it reek of sex in here?” Rowe
sniffs and then wriggles his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph gently detangles himself from Gage and sits on
the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sex?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He keeps his hands on his knees to avoid
whatever soils the blanket under him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hadn’t
been here for a few hours and already Gage was getting some action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Figures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He seemed the type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph
clenched his knees as the idea sat wrong with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone else with Gage…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage trying to hurt himself… Too much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well that’s interesting,” Rowe commented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph looked up to find Rowe smirking at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s your problem?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s not my problem, Daniel Junior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s your problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His problem.” He points at Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You see, it’s all very strange to me how you
ended up here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some might say it was
Fate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Here you go again with the bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cut the crap, Rowe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t even want to know what you mean by
that and I don’t care.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage sat next to
Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spread his knees and rested
his elbows on top of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And don’t mess
with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God, you really are an
asshole.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll take that over hated any day of the week.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe saluted him with a hand to his
forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now you asked me to stay and
I did, but for what purpose? Other than to make sure you don’t try to…” Rowe
inhales deeply and shakes the idea of his brother hurting himself off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Stop that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage
scrubs a hand over his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just tell
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you know everything, more
than Micah does because you try to keep him out of it, but tell him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t leave shit out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He deserves the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tell me what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph looks from Gage to Rowe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It started with a phone call from Cousin Felicia to
your Uncle Micah when your grandfather passed away,” Rowe begins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“How do you know Felicia?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph is seriously close to crawling out of
his skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things these people
knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lies they’d kept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nefarious plans the dealers had for all
of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was becoming too much for
even him, a bonafide survivor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And to involve Felicia?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was in her sixties and had a Doxin named Chubs, nothing more than a
sweet lady who sent him gas gift cards on his birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why the hell would any of these people drag
her into this mess?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can tell by the face you’re making you think we have
Felicia’s body in the basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assure
you she knows nothing about our world and is safely tucked away at her cottage
with Chubs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe rolls his wrist as he
talks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, know about Chubs too, and
far as we’re aware he’s not involved in any political wars between vampires at
the moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Real smooth, Rowe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage shakes his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The body part was a bit much?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s always a bit much where you’re concerned.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shut up and tell me the rest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph stands to alleviate some of the
nervous energy working its way through his body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“So as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted,
Cousin Felicia was the one who took your uncle in for a few months after your
grandfather disowned him for his sexuality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Micah had kept in contact with her over the years, much to our shock,
and she was the one who called him to notify him of your grandfather’s passing.
And…I’m very sorry for your loss.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage looked ready to beat the crap out of his brother
until he heard the apology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
shoulders drooped and he nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah,
sorry about your grandpa.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thanks,” Joseph muttered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know he changed a lot after Micah left,
or so I was told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was born a few weeks
after Micah was gone, so I didn’t really know my grandfather during that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do know he was good to me and that he
regretted what he’d done to Micah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
he never once hurt me when I told him I was gay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did all he could to help my mom, and I
know he would have done more if I’d let him…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s not your fault, Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of what has happened is in any way your
fault.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe sits next to him on the
bed, trapping him between the two brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Things happen for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
Micah had never left his family, he would have never met Cadence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would never be the team we need them to
be to help our people fight those like the ones who hurt your mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you had never left her, thought about your
needs for once out of all those long years you spent helping her, then you
wouldn’t be here, alive and willing work this out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what she would have wanted for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why you are supposed to be here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But she’s dead,” Joseph whispered with all the anguish
of a heartbroken little boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I have
nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That is up to you whether you want this or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay here and work with us to find those
dealers who ruined your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or we can
send you away where they will ever find you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph’s eyes welled with tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand was encompassed by strong fingers
and he looked up to see Gage staring intently at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph swallowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good choice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rowe ruffled his hair, a fond smile on his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you wish to hear the rest?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I was saying, we had no idea of your involvement with dealers, and we
had no idea you were Isaac’s teacher until Isaac recognized you at Adam’s
funeral…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph sat back and listened as the tale unfolded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac was his cousin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Micah was married to a man that led the
Guardians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had been searching for
Joseph for months, searching tirelessly for his mother too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They loved him and they didn’t even know
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had been looking. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had been trying to help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But as Rowe said, Fate had other plans for Margaret
Sadler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as she was called home,
apparently Joseph had been too, just in a different capacity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now he sat with two princes, in a bed
that cost more than his life, huddled with protective arms around him as they
let him cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He told them everything between gasps for air and to
wipe his eyes of salty tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Told them
about the kidnapping, the hotel, the names and faces he’d encountered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Told them about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i>; the mystery woman who headed the entire operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He informed them of the systematic
blackmailing of prominent men and women along the east coast for monetary and
social gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Something big was coming and Joseph only had a few key
pieces of information to help them find out what it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I never played Isaac like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just his teacher and sometimes the
older brother type when he needed one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was the closest thing I had to a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t really have time for anything else,
and the night he auditioned at his boyfriend’s club, it was the first time I’d
been out in years like someone my own age.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With every word Joseph realized how much he’d given up, how much had
been taken from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And through it all
he never blamed his mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t
bring himself to dig deeper into the wound her death had left him with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because even on her worst days, she had
always said she loved him back, and that was enough for him, until it wasn’t
anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rowe kept a hand on Joseph’s shoulder as he pulled out
his phone and dialed someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ve got
a lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three or four blocks down from
the informant bodega in the West Village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Boutique hotel from the sounds of it and it’s packed with dealers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hunch tells me we’ll find other human hostages
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call Oliver and tell him he’ll
house any witnesses until we can place them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rowe keeps nodding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph keeps a tight grip on Gage’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can… Are you bloody serious right
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well this just keeps getting better
and better.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flashes his fangs at no
one in particular and Joseph scoots into Gage until he’s practically sitting in
the guy’s lap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I have a bad feeling about this, Valjana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do what you can on your end and I’ll ask the
boy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe hangs up and looks to
Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t mean to frighten
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Temper gets the better of me
sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Used to be worse…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Until Dan fucked it out of you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage snorts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, in fact, he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Erm… well I… did him, not that it’s any of your business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll have you know it’s called making
love, something of which you’re unaccustomed to doing with all these no name
bed vagrants you’ve got in and out of here at all hours of the night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What the fuck?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dan told me you were a total man whore before you got mated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you judge me!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Was</i> a man
whore, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t say man
whore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s disgusting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The point is because of my past party boy indiscretions,
I am now able to bestow you my wisdom and lead you on a more righteous path due
to the errors of my ways.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe tries to
hold back his laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage has no idea that he’s practically squeezing the
life out of Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s just
bullshit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s called being the oldest of the brood, I’m afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My responsibilities are many.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe tugs on his suit jacket, brimming with
evil pride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, you’re deflecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What did King say?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rowe rolls his eyes and huffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s been a death that could be linked to
Joseph.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I didn’t murder anyone!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I mean linked, not that you did the actual
killing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Calm down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe pats his knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“By chance have you heard of a man named
Ronald Egan?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph’s eyes widen and he pushes Gage’s arms down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That was grandfather’s best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We called him Uncle Ronny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rowe nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
thought as much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King just informed me
that he passed away tonight and our guy down at the coroner’s office can’t find
a natural cause of death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The official
statement to the press will be that he had a heart attack, but we all know
that’s not the case.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You think he was murdered?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage puts his arms back around Joseph and it
feels so right, but extremely uncomfortable at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe watches their interaction with
amusement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph turns his head when
his cheeks heat up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve been doing this long enough to know that when my
spidey senses begin to tingle, I’m usually right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now you two have had enough excitement for
one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll expect you both downstairs
for breakfast in the morning, and Gage, don’t give me that look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You came here willingly, now it’s time to
face the music.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe looks over his
shoulder at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I’ll give you
a free pass for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
breakfast?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage grumbles and puffs hot air down the back of
Joseph’s neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rowe grins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He winks and heads for the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he opens it, Joseph sees hawkish gold eyes staring at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man is bigger than any of the other men
he’s encountered tonight and he wonders what the hell they eat around here that
turns men into Titans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then he looks
at those eyes again, back at Gage’s downcast eyes, and then to the door again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of a kind…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Goodnight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe
waves and shuts the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That was my dad,” Gage offers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is still hugging Joseph to him, unwilling
to let go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph rubs his lips together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I haven’t seen mine in years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard he got remarried and they have a
baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t be, he’s a jerk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But he’s your dad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You say that like you don’t have father issues
yourself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph smiles softly, his
fingers playing over Gage’s when he realizes Gage isn’t going anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mine are kind of the opposite, but yeah I guess you
could say that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Want to talk about it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage brushes the backs of his knuckles along Joseph’s
legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t make sense if I tried anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph laughs at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Wouldn’t make sense?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do
realize who you’re talking to, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thing is, Joseph Sadler, I don’t really know you, but I
feel like I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph crawled around until he kneeled in front of
Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage’s mop of hair hung limply
over one eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His sharp gold eyes
tracked Joseph’s every move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have no
idea.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter
7<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Unsure of how long he’d been out, Gage’s eyes opened to
darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A warm body was pressed along
his side, face buried under his arm and huffing warm air against his skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was weird to wake up like this and not
bolt for the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only person Gage
had ever slept with through the night in the same bed, that wasn’t family, was
Isaac, and even then it’d been platonic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the time, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph in his bed, cuddled up against him, holding onto
him like an anchor was the first time a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">man</i>
had slept in his bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage experimented
by leaning down to sniff Joseph’s hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sure enough, he stilled smelled of Gage’s shampoo and the collective
warmth of his sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph smelled
like him, and the scary part was Gage liked it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He liked how relaxed Joseph was, long legs sprawled out,
one hitched over Gage’s to keep him from leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He liked how his old basketball shorts
twisted around Joseph’s hips and left little to the imagination as they
stretched over Joseph’s groin before bunching up around his slender yet firm
thighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best part was Joseph’s face;
the serenity of blissful sleep and peace of mind knowing he was safe in Gage’s
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Safe in this house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Safe with Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Safe from what he’d seen, even if only until
he woke up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After what felt like an eternity of watching Joseph
sleep, Gage snapped out of his reverie, feeling like a total creep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slowly extricated himself from Joseph’s
arms and legs and stretched out next to the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torn between staying and leaving Joseph to
possibly wake up alone, Gage knew he couldn’t sit there awake for the next few
hours, because try as he might there was no way he could go back to dreamland
once he was awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was drawn away
from Joseph, the thought that Joseph was now a thing for him motivation enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It put him on edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He liked it and he didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage quietly left his bedroom, happy to see the Guard
posted outside his room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They exchanged
tired nods to each other before Gage took the elevator down to the ground
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People were still up in the
house, which was pretty standard for their kind, not to mention the amount of
people in the house in general.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They threw him exhausted hellos or rolled their eyes,
and he caught a couple of glares along the way, but no one really bothered
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s why he hated to admit
it, but he loved his older brother because Rowe got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Royal family needed space, that is
what they got, and Rowe and his threats to the others to leave his baby brother
alone seemed to do the trick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He thought about visiting Axel, but they’d already
texted each other before bed and Gage would see him at breakfast anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there was the fact that Axel wasn’t the
first person he’d thought of when he’d woken up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope, subconscious guilt had flashed golden
eyes at him and like a good little daddy’s boy Gage let his feet take him
towards the old cathedral at the back of the estate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What was once a place of worship had since been
converted into a state-of-the-art gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage remembered when he was little, looking up at Knox and asking,
“Won’t God be mad?” And Knox had responded in kind, “Nah, guy said our body is
a temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t sweat it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as he hated Knox, Gage could
appreciate his answer as an adult now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Because if he ever needed anything, he knew at least one
of the Guardians would be in the gym, worshipping their temples to the fullest
extent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s how he found his dad,
Hill, eyes unforgiving in the mirror as he watched himself do pushup after
pushup like a machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His back muscles
flexed, rippling the names of his fallen brothers in service across his
shoulders and spine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eagle tattoo on
his arm bulged with every movement and his calves were full to bursting,
trickling sweat down to his ankles and onto the carpeted area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He kept on; fully aware Gage was there by now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pushing up and down in time to a classic rock
song Gage would call ancient, but after some time, he stopped arguing the fact
with his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because to insult the
classics in his father’s presence was to start a fight he would never win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d name Axel after Axl Rose for crying out
loud and look how opposite of the badass rocker he’d turned out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage was just glad he didn’t get named Dr.
Feelgood or something stupid like that, and he was just Gage because his dad
loved the name off of some baby name list for tough guys online.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But now they were far from the simpler days, when the
twins were just two babies waiting to be named.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now they were all grown up with serious fucking issues that sometimes
couldn’t be solved with Google.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage flinched as his father got up and went to the free
standing chin up bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hill jumped and
caught the bar in his hands, lifted his knees and pulled up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His entire body moved in one fluid motion,
chin over the bar before he brought his body down, over and over, staring at
Gage the entire time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His dad wasn’t mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d seen his dad mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact,
the last time they’d spoken, Gage thought his father was going to kill him over
what he’d done to Isaac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And hell if it
hadn’t worked Gage over something fierce since that day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He regretted all of it, but he was too
stubborn to apologize. And that’s why his dad was waiting in silence, waiting
for Gage to make this right because it was Gage who needed to, not his dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After several reps, Hill let go of the bar and landed on
his feet with a resounding thud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
chugged some water, wiped his face with a towel, and said nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He was going to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage itched to hug him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry,” Gage whispered and Hill stopped in his
tracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m…I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Got that, but for what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hill pierced him with an emotionless look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“For…everything?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hill sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
sat at the end of the weight bench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And
what is everything?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you really going to make me do this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Absolutely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because I have waited for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">months</i>,
Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Months</i> to hear what suddenly made you man enough to leave us, man
enough to break us and worry over your safety when you weren’t fucking ready to
leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How man enough you should be to
own up to what you’ve done to this family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Night after night I come in here and wonder why you hate me for being
the best father I know how to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wonder, shit, Gage… I wonder if you’re eating enough, if you’ve got enough
money, if you’re sleeping, if you’re dead somewhere…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Dad…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage takes
a step but his father puts a hand up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know you know about the tails we sent out, and if
that made you angry I don’t give a shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you weren’t going to let me be a part of your life anymore, then it
was within my rights as your father to make sure you were still okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you know what I saw, Gage?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage shook his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I saw myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
saw a guy that didn’t know where he belonged so he tried to carve out a place
to fit and it still didn’t work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sucks
being alone, doesn’t it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hill chuckles
darkly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It sucks more being the dad of
a child you promised yourself you would give a better life to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A kid you said you wouldn’t let turn out like
you, would give him the moon if you could just so he wouldn’t know how much
your childhood hurt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hill looks up and his eyes are glassy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage has never seen his dad cry, didn’t even
think he was capable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And here you are,
my spitting image, trying to fight your way to something that doesn’t exist
instead of being patient for that something good to find you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I signed up for this life thinking it was my
last option and if it didn’t work, I was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then you two came along…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hill grinds his teeth together and wipes his eyes on the back of his
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You two are the best,” he chokes
up, “best thing that has ever happened to me and you hate me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why, Gage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What did I ever do to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nothing,” Gage whispers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He goes to his father and kneels at his
feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t hate you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad, please…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hill lifts Gage’s chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Talk to me, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me what
the hell is going on. Am I so hard to talk to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You never…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage shudders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
hangs his head, trying to find the words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I… I failed you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hill puts
his hands on Gage’s shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve always wanted to be just like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make you proud of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no matter how much I want my problem to
go away, to give you the big family you deserve, I can’t do it…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Gage, what are you talking about?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hill shakes him until he lifts his face to
see his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Spit it out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m gay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage’s mouth opens wide as he coughs a shaky breath and
stares in horror at his dad’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
words are like poison, something that will kill him, and he can’t bear the look
of confusion on his father’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Others of their kind wouldn’t care about sexuality, but Gage always
has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He’s always wanted to be a warrior like his dad with a
pack of children running around that look just like him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wanted a soft yet powerful female mate that
would be his equal, his anchor, just like his mother was to his father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he failed because he wants… he wants hard
where there should be soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants a
man where there should be a woman, and it has been such an affliction, he
almost raped a vampire hours ago to get what he wanted, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">needed</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Until Joseph had come along and saved him from doing the
unthinkable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You think I wouldn’t be proud to see you happy,
Gage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think just because I created
you the natural way that you couldn’t carry on our line with alternative
methods?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think that I would give you
up because of who you are?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you have
every right to hate me, because I am not the father I thought I was.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage keens and sobs against Hill’s leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though they are near evenly matched in
size, Hill surrounds him like he is a child again, rocking him in his arms, the
love he carries breaching the pain in Gage’s heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s gonna be okay, kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is gonna be just fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage doesn’t know if that’s true, but it must be if his
dad says so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because his dad is his hero,
and he doesn’t know if he’ll ever be strong enough to tell him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Her fair skin contrasted starkly against the night, as
did her waist-length, shocking purple fur coat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She carefully stepped down the roll away stairs in studded platform
ankle boots, the same snowy white as her mess of silken curls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The male vampire at her side had no name as
far as she was concerned, but he was delectable to look at, so she allowed him
to guide her down by the elbow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lights blinked down the runway, welcoming her to the
states for the very first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
journey from her hideaway in Tokyo had been a long one, but the New York City
skyline in the distance was worth the long travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stopped on the last step of the stairs to
take it all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The air wasn’t full of smog here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People weren’t bustling along every square
inch of walking space with a population that rivaled NYC altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although she would miss the colorful sea of
lights from her penthouse near Tokyo Tower and the sparkle of the Rainbow
Bridge, she saw NYC becoming her home far quicker than she’d expected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A plum colored Rolls-Royce Wraith sat a few yards away with
another larger utility vehicle parked behind it to collect her many trunks and
treasures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lifted her heavily
jeweled fingers away from the male vampire’s arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do they know we have arrived yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tall and thin, the Japanese male smirked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They believe you to be dead, Atarah. They
would not expect a ghost to travel the ocean and haunt them, much less make it
home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Home?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
licked her fangs, careful not to smudge her bright red lipstick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is this not where you plan to call home?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Atarah scented fear under his stoic appearance like a
fine wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took the last step and
put her hands on her leather clad hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She smiled wickedly over her shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It isn’t home until we do a bit of cleaning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The male’s cheeks lifted to return her scandalous
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then let us clean house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maybe I’ll keep you after all,” she purred, extending
her jeweled hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A golden tiger ring
flashed against the blinking plane lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I do so love a good teacher’s pet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His eyes swirled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Whatever you wish, my lady.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
took her hand and barked at the man idling next to the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keys were thrown in his direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He caught them and opened the passenger door
to the Wraith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“After you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Goodie, a man who knows who comes first.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She winked and slid into the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I cannot wait to show you off to my
sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’ll be stunned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe we can pit our pets against each other,
although I shall warn you, he’s a former Seal from what I hear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The male closed the driver door and started the
car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have no doubt the queen will be
more than stunned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as for her mate,
don’t you worry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kissed her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Atarah swatted his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not that good looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get a big head.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Atarah’s new man servant eyed the men carrying the dead
human bodies out of the plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were put into black bags and zipped up like leftovers to be disposed of
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I meant—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, you stupid man, I know what you meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just drive before I decide I don’t like you
anymore. Onward!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She slapped the dash,
and then synced her phone with the speakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thumping house music poured out of the sound system and Atarah buzzed
the custom moon roof open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lifted
her hands with a giggle, and squealed in delight as the car sped over the
tarmac and onto a private drive towards the main road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve always wanted to be mayor,” she shouted into the
night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter
8<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph woke up alone, but there was a note on Gage’s
empty pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thoughtful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Gage was out for a run before
breakfast, Joseph wandered into the bathroom, thankfully sans cleaning cart
this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found his new toothbrush
from last night, scrubbing the early morning grime away until he felt human
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throwing his hair up with the tie
from his wrist, he set out barefoot to find his way to breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What he found instead was Isaac chatting up the Guard
outside his door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Guard was slim
with coppery curls and the bluest eyes he’d seen around here yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a patch that said Donohue over his
bullet proof vest and by the expression on his face, Isaac was making him very
uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spotted Joseph in the
doorway and sighed with relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh thank god you’re okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wouldn’t let me see you and no one is
saying a damn thing about what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knox has been in meetings all night and won’t answer his phone.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac crushed Joseph in a hug until Joseph
tugged on Isaac’s ponytail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Too much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Right. Sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
forget sometimes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac flashed a set
of fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph sniffed his shock but
smiled anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph
glanced at the Guard, who shook his head and shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m supposed to be at breakfast?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s all you’re going to say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You almost died last night and you end up
sleeping with Gage and that’s all I get?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He looked Isaac up and down to make sure he had the right person standing
in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Isaac, did you ever
think maybe I’m still processing this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just…chill out, okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaac blinked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re
really not going to tell me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially
the part about Gage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because come on,
Joseph, what the hell?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe Joseph felt bad somewhere deep inside about what
was going to fly out of his mouth, but he didn’t like the way Isaac was so…blunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You want the truth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom died last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost got shot up and Gage saved my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then he tried to kill himself
after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t fuck if that’s
what you want to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were just
there for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s your
headline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph sought out the Guard again and he hitched a thumb
at the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“First floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Follow the scent of food.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Joseph?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do
you mean he tried to kill himself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph put his hand up to stop Isaac from following him
into the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I mean he’s going
through something that I understand and it’s not my place to talk about it
further than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you want a
scoop, talk to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And thanks for your
condolences, I appreciate it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaac’s eyes swirled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m so sorry, Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been
worried sick all night and no one is telling me anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mean it to sound cruel or that I was
fishing like some gossip. You guys are my friends, my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I care.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need time to get used to this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing at a time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaac stepped away from the elevator, taking a key off
the ring in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, if you need
to relieve some stress there’s a door off the sunroom you might be interested
in.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tossed Joseph the key with an
unsure smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When you’re ready come
find me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be around.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph turns the key over in his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And I am sorry about your mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know Pop is torn up about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can only imagine what it must be like for you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isaac laces his fingers together and looks at the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“How is he?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaac shakes his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Won’t come out of his room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
Da convinced him to video conference in on the meetings about the hotel, but
that’s about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won’t let me in
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I know it’s just because he
doesn’t want me to see him like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After our… well, your grandfather’s funeral, I think seeing him fall
apart once was enough for me anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m glad he was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My grandfather would have wanted it that way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“We tried to find you, Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear we did.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac holds the door open when it starts to
shut again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
your fault.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But I feel like you’re mad at me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re alright.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph leaned in for a side hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just need to cool off today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No questions. I’ve never had time to myself before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I need that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac patted his arm and stepped
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll see you later, okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph
lifted a hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph watched Isaac vanish behind the elevator
doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rode down to the first
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scent of food wasn’t that
hard to follow, but before he reached his destination, he caught sight of Gage
sitting on the stairs, bare chested and sweaty from his run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was leaning back, staring at the ceiling
and no one passing by bothered him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Except for Joseph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He couldn’t help himself as he sat next to Gage and mirrored
his position, leaning back on the stairs to stare at the stained glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I saw this last night but I didn’t really
get the chance to enjoy it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage didn’t answer at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tilted his head, scanning Joseph for a
second before he looked back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a
replica of a painting one of the first vampires did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom had it commissioned in glass once they
took over this place.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage took a deep
breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So did Joseph. “It’s beautiful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s tragic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Same could be said for half the art the Middle Ages
pumped out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least here we don’t have
demons spit roasting babies on swords or something equally disgusting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage laughed, deep and full and Joseph bit his lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spit roasting babies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where’d you
see that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Books, duh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s
the matter, Gage, not as cultured as a prince should be?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nah, I’m only a prince by title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m plenty cultured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live with a house full of people that are
over a thousand years old.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s some moisturizer they’re using then.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage laughed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph was going to start keeping count of how many times he could make
Gage smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked good on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It isn’t moisturizer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell you that much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is the rest a secret?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph knocked their knees together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“First rule of Fight Club is there is no Fight Club.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage winks at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But for you, I might make an exception.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then tell me, Gage, do they buy the moisturizer in bulk
or is it a secret family recipe?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
batted his lashes dramatically and Gage rolled over with laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Dude, Dan is gonna love you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage rubbed his shoulder fondly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Anyone who can quip like that can go up
against Rowe any day of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan always
needs more backup.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I guess I’m going to have to hang with Dan then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe said the same thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He isn’t lying.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage was still rubbing his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
sleep okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mean to leave you
for that long, but I left the note just in case.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph sighed into Gage’s touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I slept pretty hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I feel better this morning, not okay, but
if this is it, I want it to work, you know?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage pushed a stray hair behind Joseph’s ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph tracked Gage’s fingers with his eyes until Gage
realized what he was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Uh… I’m
sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a freak.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph took his hand and pulled them both up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not a freak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I happen to like different, and you, good
sir, are anything but ordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still trying
to figure you out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nothing to see,” Gage mumbles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lets Joseph lead him closer to the dining
room, both of them nowhere near ready for breakfast but they’ll have to do
because Joseph is starving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s where you’re wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone has something special inside them—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s corny, Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Come on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve got something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to know what it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll let you know when I find it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage stares at him, a weird smile tugging at his
lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But first, I want whatever is being served in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smells like orgasms with syrup on top.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage choked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
cheeks reddened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re crazy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Crazy hungry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph tugged Gage along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
opened the door to find at least twenty vampires staring at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Or not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gage leaned in close and whispered in his ear, “How
about that syrup now, crackpot?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can see why you avoid large groups of the pretty
people,” Joseph hisses back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do they
always have to stare at me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“They can hear you by the way, and don’t worry they’re
trying to see if your bones will grind up for their moisturizer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage flicks Joseph’s ear and walks to the
empty end of the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiles at
Joseph and shakes out his napkin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph slumps into a seat next to Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Very funny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Add to that my life journey traits when you find my
inner self enlightenment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage is funny.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage takes a piece of French toast off the
tray offered to him and puts it on Joseph’s plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t notice he’s doing it, but Joseph
does, and so does every vampire seated at the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking a special interest in Gage’s breakfast
serving abilities is Nina, eyeing them from the end of the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A smile passes over her face as if she’s
witnessing a miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s not until Joseph’s plate is stacked with more than
he can eat does Gage start eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
eyes Joseph’s plate and frowns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t
make yourself sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever hear that your
eyes are bigger than your stomach?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But you put this…” Joseph sees Rowe shaking his head
across from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Never mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe smirks into
his fork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage is still oblivious to
what he’s just done, like he stepped out of his head for the past few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph bites into his eggs, thinking what the
fuck the entire time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-27554268112191197152014-07-27T17:50:00.001-04:002014-07-27T17:50:50.175-04:00Interview with me!<p dir="ltr">I was honored to be asked for an interview over at another blog run by my friend Wolf Writer. You can check it out on her blog <a href="http://wolfwriterga.weebly.com/author-interviews/author-interview-nighttempest">HERE</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Enjoy!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Night</p>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-23776300938175329522014-07-23T12:58:00.000-04:002014-07-23T12:58:31.412-04:00New Series! Gage: Part 1
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Hello all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">I’ve been working hard to get this
first part ready for you guys, so excuse the lack of Nanny Tale the past few
weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My FFF piece has been giving me a
hard time; had some technical issues because we all know auto save is my enemy,
and then I had the bright idea to throw in some serious content to shake things
up, making my life a little bit harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lol Comes with the territory, I suppose.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Anyway, I have a few things to point
out before you read, because I’m changing the series by putting Gage up to bat
next, and I’m sure many of you will have questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here goes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">1. It is now Gage, not Cage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reason?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every time I wrote Cage, I tried to write Cade, and it was pissing me
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So from now on, past works included
but not edited to reflect the change, he shall be known as Gage.</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">2. I
have put Gage next in the series with the end of Knox and Isaac’s story ending
differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, not completely
different, but the bit where Henri comes busting into Knox’s office to
interrupt sexy time never happened in Gage’s story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Ghost and his Carmen San Diego mate,
Gabriel, are still off playing Cat and Mouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>SO PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND BEFORE READING.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">3. For
all of you asking me about when I will try to publish:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer is I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no clue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure I have the time in my life to
take that on at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am trying,
slowly, to get things together, but Cade is over 400 pages long and that’s a
lot of editing, a lot of beta work, a lot of everything to be honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Publishing is not off the table, it’s just
not a big priority to me right now.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">I hope that helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you all lots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me know what you think in the comments
section.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">XOXO Night<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage: Part 1
Playlist<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Words I Never Said
(feat. Skylar Grey) – Lupe Fiasco<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Drift – Emily Osment<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Who You Are – Ed Sheeran<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gold Gun Girls –
Metric<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Pendulum – The Island<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Start Shootin’ –
Little People<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage: Part One<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";"></span></b> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Bold red
letters emblazoned across a blue screen heralded Jerrica Reynolds seated at the
nightly news desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is a breaking
news report from WKNY TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We go live to
Jerrica Reynolds at WKNY studios.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Jerrica,
notably exhausted and unkempt compared to her standard immaculate appearance on
the nightly news, frowned before she locked eyes with the camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is Jerrica Reynolds coming to you live
from the WKNY studios in Times Square with breaking news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not twenty minutes ago, we received confirmation
that former New York Governor and retired Supreme Court Judge, Ronald Egan, has
been pronounced dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Egan was the guest
of honor this evening at a patron’s gala held at The Metropolitan Museum of
Art, where the sixty-nine year old father of four was said to have delivered
the most moving campaign speech of his life, promising as mayor to give our
city deliverance from the war on drugs and to give the next generation hope during
the rapid downfall of our public education system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was said to be stepping down from the
podium when he suddenly collapsed on stage and could not be roused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Police have established that EMTs at the
scene tried several times to revive Mr. Egan, but we are told he was
unresponsive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">The veteran
anchor’s eyes hardened, as if she harbored emotions that only years of practice
could keep at bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In attendance at
tonight’s gala was Police Commissioner Malachi Haynes, who will be issuing a
statement to the press within the hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
we wait for further updates, Marianne Dobbs is live at The Met now to talk with
guests of the event, and see if any sense can be made in the wake of the city’s
heartbreak now that one of New York City’s most beloved public figures is gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">His older
brother sat across from him, fingering the hole-ridden arm of Blaze’s favorite
thrift store chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage wasn’t usually
one to crack a smile, but he fought not to now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rowe had come all the way to Queens to sit in his and Blaze’s two
bedroom apartment and try to get him to come home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately for the prince, Rowe suddenly
found himself speechless over the disarray of the place, the mismatching
furniture and the realization in his eyes that his little brother was slumming
it on purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
brought a cigarette to his lips, waiting for Rowe to come back to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His golden eyes, courtesy of his father, watched
his brother’s violet irises slant at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Gage was very much amused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
exhaled a steady line of smoke and flicked ash into a glass tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As much as I want to stare into your eyes
all night, I got shit to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Oh fuck
off, you little punk.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe fiddled with
the knees of his slacks, to alleviate tension in his fingers and then leaned
forward as if to get his point across with his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mother is worried about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“It’s mom,
Rowe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mother</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it freaks me out,
like you command a band or rats and make voodoo dolls out of hair in your spare
time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage rested his elbows on his
knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His ciggy fingers twirled
indifferently at his brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I’m
not going back to that house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This</i> is home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure you get her the message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Write it all curlicue on Chanel scented
stationary with a coupon to Bloomies stapled in the corner and maybe she’ll
read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You
fucking—you could tell her yourself, you know, sans the insolent jibes at our
mother’s good name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You left, Gage,
without a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bloody</i> word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You packed your shit on a whim and moved in
with Blaze… in Queens, might I add. Have you any idea what you’ve done to your
family?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I’m glad
you can add, Rowe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage crushed the end
of his cigarette in the dish on the coffee table and got to his feet. He pushed
his faded green bangs out of his eyes and cracked his neck, fronting like he
didn’t have a care in the world, typical Royal style. “That’s not my home anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it never felt like home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s stuffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">suffocating</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s everything I’m not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a kid anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not some child prodigy ass kisser like
Axel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a lot of things and it’s
better for everyone, myself included, that I’m here and not there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, I’m getting more hands on training
in the city than I’d probably ever see back at the compound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Queen’s kid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah fucking right they’d put me on the
field, even when I turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They barely let
you out of the cage and you lead them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe rested
his head against the chair and sighed at the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A guttural groan charged up his throat before
his eyes met his brother’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t
lead our warriors, Gage, Cadence does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
might fight with the best of them, but our people count on me to be much more
than that these days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Yeah,
well, Cade doesn’t really like me all that much anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I’m not hip to hip with Isaac he
could give a shit about me or my Guardian training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, we don’t even know if I’m going to be
one, but I gotta do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cade
turned Em and Hannah, and they’re nothing but wild cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac already bit the bullet and now he’s
wasting his new existence being tied to things and spanked like a little girl,
and fucking Nanette is off feeding the homeless with Jaska, yet another
waste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and Axel are the only chance
you guys got at a new generation of Guardians because I don’t count on Hannah
and Em to take orders, and I’m pretty sure they’d rather be mated to each other
than continue the bloodline like other females. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if Ax is gonna spend his life holed up in
a library or frequenting tea shops, I gotta pick up the slack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this is my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get the fuck over it, Rowe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You want
me to go home and tell our mother to get the fuck over it, in those exact
words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Possibly before giving her Chanel
stationed stationary like the blade that ends her life?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage noticed Rowe’s jaw tick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His older brother straightened in his chair
and narrowed his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Well…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I won’t be
your little messenger, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
tell her yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can ring her and
tell her you’ve chosen to distance yourself from her during the most turbulent
time of your life, so she might worry herself to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also tell your father he’s done nothing
wrong, because right now he thinks he’s the reason you left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thinks you hate him because he reprimanded
you, and so he should have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I not
been busy that day, I would have possibly kicked your head square off your
shoulders for laying hands on Isaac.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“What the
fuck does everyone see in him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac
this, Isaac that, while everyone ignores me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage chucked the glass dish across the room, his temper reveling in the
crash and explosion of glittering shards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“None of you give a shit about my problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you want to do is keep me under your goddamn
thumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you realize not once did you
ask me why I did it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why I left,
Rowe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just wrote me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, he probably deserves what’s coming
to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Party boy with obedience issues
flew the coop to play lost boy in the big city, oh well, we still have the good
twin.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage threw his hands up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get out, Rowe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pay half the rent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is on the lease now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m pretty sure I have every right to tell
you to get the fuck out if you want to argue about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe lifted
himself out of the chair and shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Gage, I’m not blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never
asked you what this was about because I already knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve watched over you since you were
born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might not think I care about
you, but I’ll have you know, you and Axel are very special to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe turned away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And as the only one you talk to anymore, I
figured you come to me when you wanted to share.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You have
no idea what my problem is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage
rounded the coffee table, getting in Rowe’s face. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to snap, wanted to throttle his
brother, but somehow the bond between them stopped him from lifting a finger.
“Not a fucking clue,” he hissed through clenched teeth instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you’re not upset over Isaac finding his
mate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not upset because the man
you found yourself attracted to now belongs to another?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe softened his posture, attempted to look
as approachable as possible for a man of his towering stature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage didn’t want to fall for it, but he sort
of kind of did every freaking time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rower just had this way about him, like when he melted for you, you were
supposed to return the favor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage’s face
fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not like that, Rowe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Isn’t
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This all started the first time
Isaac made his intentions clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wanted Knox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wanted Isaac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You pushed him away because in the back of
your head you knew Knox loved him equally as much, however fucked he may have
shown it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that everything is said
and done, we all should have known and done something to help you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe reached out, sulked as Gage moved
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No one can fault you for loving
Isaac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of you were very close
for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You shared everything
until Isaac decided to take a different path, and you’ve never been any good
with change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is why I’m so worried
about you, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This,” he gestured
around, “is a very big change.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I’m not in
love with him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage shook his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’re going
to have to elaborate, Gage, because I know what love looks like and I’m sorry,
little brother, but it’s written all over you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Backing
away, Gage put his hand up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
wouldn’t understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Try
me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe continued to corner him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Don’t do
this to me, Rowe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trying to forget
all of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to move on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“From
us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that it, Gage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you want to forget your family and be the
lone ranger?” Anger manifested in his Rowe’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The former playboy didn’t mess around these
days when something threatened his family, whether the enemy was purely
emotional, a demon inside, or physical like an assassin or dealer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You would forget us and the life we all worked
hard to provide for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“No,” Gage
murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to forget how fucked
up I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe grumbled,
shoulders sagging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not fucked
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re young and confused, and
pushing away any means of help you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why not get it out, Gage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me
what it is and I’ll guard your secret with my last breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, talk to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage was
numb from head to toe, not really, but his feelings and words seemed locked in
the stronghold he’d built in his head and he couldn’t make sense of what he
felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Rowe was asking of him was
nearly impossible, so much so, Gage was pretty sure he had no idea what the
actual problem even was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never told
a soul his theory of why he was fucked up, except for Knox, and even then it
had been in broken words and out of fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knox hadn’t appeared to understand what he was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been in another zone, trying to protect
his mate, scaring the literal piss out of Gage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I can’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage rubbed his hands together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gun oil from his earlier cleaning session
with Blaze still lingered on his fingertips as they pressed against his palm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Sure you
can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One word at a time, Gage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage shook
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">He flashed
Rowe a glimpse of his pained face before hanging his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t love him!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Then who
do you love?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has my baby brother in such a bloody panic
he would push me away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to
make you hate us?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe smacked his fist
onto the back of the chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is
it?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what</i>!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage purged
himself of air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He trudged to the other
side of the room and collapsed into Blaze’s chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I got off,” he breathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Off of
what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe queried, slipping into the
opposite chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You got off of what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this about drugs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please tell me this isn’t drugs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">off</i>.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">The light
went on in Rowe’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You, er, came
then?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raised a brow, not truly
following, clear when his eyes screwed up and he rested his head against his
fist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s normal I suppose, but what
does that have to do with—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“To
him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d just fucked that chick from … I
don’t remember where, came back to get Isaac for movie night and saw him
playing with his lacey shit and got off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Right there in the damn hallway, I just came in my pants seconds after he
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">women</i>, Rowe,” Gage persisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I like them so much I now try to find ones that look like him,
because…it’s the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">idea</i> of him, not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him</i> that gets me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so… He was just… I couldn’t stop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe nodded
carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You see
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me what’s wrong with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“There’s
nothing wrong with you except for you, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Denial is a tortuous prison.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I’m not
gay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage slapped the arm of his
chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will have children with a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will carry on my father’s blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not some pansy-ass flame boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like women,” he decreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll mate with a woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Pity:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was written all over Rowe’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Unless Fate is preparing you for a man,
Gage—you can’t argue with Fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m
going to refrain from taking the flame boy comment personally because it’s
clear you’re someplace in your head I can’t reach.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Fuck Fate
and fuck you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not gay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t love Isaac and I don’t want to go back to that place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe
exhaled through his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes
widened and he was half out of his chair before his brother could move
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gage, I love you so much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I hate
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe’s face
paled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gripped the armrests of his
chair, mid standing to action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed
his eyes, breathed it out, and then locked eyes with Gage once more as he stood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love you more than you could ever
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope this hatred you carry for
yourself will fade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you can see
that your words affect me and my mate, and my brothers, and my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you snap out of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you find the one that settles this
upset in your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don’t you ever
say you hate me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll kill before you
utter the words again, because I love you that much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’d kill
me because you love me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage sneered,
lighting up another cig with shaking fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Your death
would be a far better end at my hand than the death you’ll bring down upon
yourself if you continue this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll wither and turn into a speck of the man you once were,
undistinguishable to anyone who cares for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I refuse to watch you do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love you too much to let you go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Whatever,
go back to Princess Dan and baby Mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
they’ll actually give a shit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage was
stunned to the spot in mere seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
cigarette burned a hole in the carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His hand was still outstretched, fingers clenched where the tobacco
stick had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cheek burned from
the slap of Rowe’s hand hard against his flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Wake the
fuck up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you do, ring me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe snatched up his coat and left, slamming
the door so hard it cracked down the middle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
crumpled in Blaze’s chair, admitting failure as a bad ass when he started to
cry like a little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is
bullshit,” he sobbed to no one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hate
this,” he growled, curling his fists closer to his chest like he could rip his
heart out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">No one
understood Gage, least of all Rowe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
brother’s mating legend was the crap fairy tales were made of; a prince rides
into danger, scoops up his wounded, needy mate and together they drive off into
the urban sunset in the latest edition Jag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage’s story was a far cry from a fairy tale, more like one of those sad
inserts in the local Sunday paper that offered the scariest collectible baby
doll of the month that looked like she was sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage was so
bottled up and hadn’t a clue where to start unscrewing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">And that’s
how Blaze found him, in the chair, talking to himself like a legit crazy
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blaze scanned the broken door as
it thudded to the floor on one remaining hinge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He raised a brow at Gage, and then pursed his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s lucky I own the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try telling a super you need a new door in
this neighborhood and you’d be on the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or worse, they’d try and throw you in jail.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
stilled for a second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he moved, he
swiped the back of his hand over his eyes and slowly turned to Blaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did you just say you own the building?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I said
Rowe’s lucky I own it… Shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage, chill
out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blaze lifted his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decked out in leather and chains, with his
spiky red hair sweaty from a night of chasing bad guys, or attending a punk
rock show, Blaze couldn’t appear innocent if he tried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the bespectacled poster boy for males
not to let into your mama’s house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage mulled
over the last twenty minutes in silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He rested his elbows on his knees and tried to breathe through the pain
in his chest, but it kept flaring up when everything seemed to be crashing down
around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The latest news, Blaze’s big
fat lie, hit him hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just when he
thought he’d found a friend in one of the older vamps, someone to trust,
someone to hide with, Blaze laid it on him: Blaze owned the building, which
meant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">someone</i> had given him the money
to do so; someone like the queen and her fat sack of money, she who wanted tabs
kept on her wayward child all hours of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Which meant
he was being watched by more than just Blaze, even though Gage thought he’d
finally found freedom on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
signed an official looking lease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
dropped the packet in the super’s mail months ago with Blaze at his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d bought resale furniture, they’d made a
day of it, went to lunch and the shooting range right after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all a lie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’re as
bad as the rest of them, you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a
minute I thought… Fuck what I thought, doesn’t matter anymore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage pushed to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He headed for his bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Blaze was
hot on his heels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know what you’re
thinking, but it’s not like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“It is like
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always like that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage yanked his duffle bag out from under his
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It smelled of gym sock funk from
yesterday’s workout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t matter, he
still stuffed it with everything of importance to him in that moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like two Desert Eagles, one a six inch barrel
and the other a ten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cocked his head
and checked the clips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Blaze
clinked his way over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you think
you’re doing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
stuffed a pile of underwear into the bag, the blended silk kind that hugged his
junk when he actually wore the stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Going to a slumber party, what does it look like?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phone charger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh, the laptop. A box of snack cakes—were those expired?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Gage, hold
the fuck up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s talk about
this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blaze made the mistake of trying
to take Gage’s knife away, the way lying on the mattress, before he tucked it
away too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Grasping
the handle, Gage directed the sharp point at Blaze, a feral gleam in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m done talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m done being a part of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve just proved to me this is all a lie,
something I’ve been trying to sort out on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But thanks for not wasting more of my
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got it from here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’re
being a dick and you know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re
family—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">With a few
black Henley shirts and some pants packed inside, Gage zipped his bag up and
turned around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only one who made the effort to come see
me in three months was Rowe, and he just came to yell at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one gives a shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’re
mom—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
shouldered his bag and made for the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“My mom this and my mom that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where is she now, Blaze?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where the fuck is she if she
is so goddamned worried about me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Blaze
blocked the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He bared his fangs.
“She’s been sorting out that sex trafficking case with the Guards and you know
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got thousands of kids being
shipped to the city with nowhere to go and the Guard Bureau is up to their
necks in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be selfish.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Selfish?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry asking to be important to my family
makes me selfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry my mom can
be the queen but not my mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
sorry my dad is too busy fighting crime and saving everyone but me to be a part
of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry I’m not good
enough to have a real friend.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage
flicked the collar of Blaze’s leather trench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But you were a good actor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
should think about a going into a different line of work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Wherever
you go, they’ll find you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blaze’s eyes
glistened behind his glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You may
think I’m faking it, but you are a part of my family too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“No, you’re
just doing a job with the added benefit of staying away from your old
bestie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching him fuck Isaac is just
as hard for you as it is for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re
good at hiding a lot of things, which is why I guess you’re perfect for this
kind of covert work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gold star, Red.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Blaze’s
eyes swirled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His jaw clenched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed the front of Gage’s shirt. “I’m
not in love with Knox.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“That’s it,
Blaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep lying to yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know how much you like it underneath
him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage continued to push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted Blaze’s punch to hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to think about anything besides the
pain in his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I like
being used, doesn’t matter who it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone has their own thing, isn’t that right, Gage?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blaze’s grip loosened just like the cool
exterior Gage thought he’d mastered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
floundered for a superior response, but came up short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">like</i> that? But… you’re a warrior…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You—you’re not supposed to bottom when you’ve
got a kill count bigger than the military!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Blaze’s
scowl lifted with a grin. He choked on his own laugh. “And you’re young and so
sure of how everyone works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bottom—what
are you, like five?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy submitting
behind closed doors because most of the time I’m the predator, and sometimes it’s
nice not to have to be the tough one for a change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like playing with guns and building
explosives as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also like to
ravage a box of oatmeal cream pies and then jack off to the late night news,
but that doesn’t make me weak. Not by a long shot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“The fuck
are you talking about?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage slapped
Blaze’s hand away and retreated a few steps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“There is
nothing wrong with men liking men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
race embraces it, in fact, in case you’ve been living under a rock your entire
existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the strongest men
among us are gay, but we’re not quick to label our sexuality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So what if you get off to guys in panties and stockings and let them
call you daddy when you’re barely twenty four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who the fuck cares except for you and whoever is wearing them?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blaze shrugged and leaned against the
doorjamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What we care about is you
going out there when shit is getting more dangerous by the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You grew up with vampires, but you aren’t one
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re strong and trained to kill,
Gage, but you aren’t strong enough to take on the world by yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage pulled
on his leather jacket, an act of defiance, but certainly a childish and
rebellious point against him to Blaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
can make it on my own.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Physically,
it’s a possibility, a slight one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But emotionally,
Gage, you’re likely to lose your mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re planning to abandon the family you think you’re a burden to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re giving up so many relationships and
memories to prove a point that doesn’t exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Give it up, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
fruitless.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Blaze
offered a smile and closed the door behind him, because they both knew Blaze
was right and that Gage didn’t have the guts to just run off into the
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also both knew that, well
Blaze might have known and Gage was just coming around to it, that all the
signs were there that Gage’s family hadn’t really abandoned him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">He’d left
in a huff, made a statement when he moved in with Blaze, and oh wasn’t that
just a convenient opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
freedom he’d always wanted right there for the taking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d pounced like a kitten on a puddle of cream
and turned his back on the watchful eyes all around him for the sake of glorious
bachelorhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When really his mother had
no intention of letting him out of her sights, his father either, and all of
this false security Gage thought was his own doing, was really due to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They watched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They gave him space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Gage had
been given three months to think and play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">God, he
really was young and stupid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage sat
down on the edge of his bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ended up
on his back in no time, staring at the ceiling, something he’d done for
countless hours the past few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was as though there was this great mystery inside his head just waiting to be
solved, and if he stared at the popcorn drywall above him long enough he would
get the answers he needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a
beacon calling every teenage moment of angst in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">After an
hour of collecting his thoughts, because his ceiling wasn’t some kind of oracle,
he pulled out his phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac’s number
lingered under his finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With one tap,
Gage could very well get the answers he needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seemed easy enough, but it would be hard to hear Isaac’s voice after all
this time, after the way they left things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then again, maybe Blaze was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe he was being selfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was being selfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t understand because he didn’t
understand, and it wasn’t fair to any of them if he didn’t try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He decided to text Isaac instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hearing</i>
his former best friend’s rejection on the phone wouldn’t help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to text and wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Meet me at White Plate in two
hours?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really need to talk. Please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll beg if I have to.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">It wasn’t
five minutes later that Isaac texted him back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Make it three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m doing inventory with Frank.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">K<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">See you soon.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage put
the phone down and rolled over on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was going to see Isaac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
three hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Face to face with
Isaac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy shit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Chapter Two<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph held
his mother’s head in his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foam
spilled over her chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes
widened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hands squeezed his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Run,” she choked to the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Run.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“No,” he
whimpered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nowhere left for
him to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing he could
do to save his mother either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
overdosing on Rush and not a cure in the world would stop it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was going to die and the only thing he
could think to ask was, “Why, Mom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“So you’d
run…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her body began to convulse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Mom!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph rolled her over and clapped her on the
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she went limp, her lifeless eyes staring
up into his after she collapsed onto her side, Joseph sat back on his
heels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mom?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">He shook
her several times, checked her pulse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
sign of life in her at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat there
in her room for a long time, staring at her dead body, and nothing came to
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went blank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all he’d been through and all the
damage she’d done to get them this far, this was how she repaid him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">At one time
Margaret Sadler had been a loving mother, a doting wife, and a model of the
American dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would make blueberry
pancakes and baby her rose garden in the back while Joseph played catch with
his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d been great until she
found out her husband was cheating on her with several different women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as their family was in the middle of a
campaign, with her husband running for state senate in her father’s footsteps, she
couldn’t do a damn thing about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
remembered overhearing his grandfather talking her down from the legal
ledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to file for divorce until
he’d secured his seat and then they could part on amicable terms with no blood
shed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That he’d set her up financially
for the rest of her life and she could devote her time to Joseph and whatever
else made her happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Her ‘whatever
else’ came in the form of prescription drugs, and not the kind the doctor gave
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She started on uppers, and took
them once a day with her morning coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By the next year, she was taking them like candy with any liquid she
could find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tequila became her favorite
chaser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>House robes were her fashion of
choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
became less of a son and more of an innocent bystander, the one who was left to
clean up when his dad bailed and chalked up his wife’s absence on the campaign to
a failed pregnancy, and Joseph’s to needing to be with his mother during such a
turbulent time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The media ate it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voters made serious sympathy donations to
their ultra conservative candidate because of his stance on abortions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave Margaret the privacy she needed to
deteriorate behind closed doors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Only she
wasn’t alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had Joseph, who was no
longer a child, but a man with responsibilities in a child’s body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He mopped up the spilled alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held her hair when she rushed to the
toilet to throw up her sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rolled
her onto her side so she wouldn’t suffocate in her own vomit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shook her to make sure she was still
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took her tirades, her
slaps when he tried to pour the pills and alcohol down the toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took every bit of it, because to him this
was his mother and he refused to see the monster inside of her when he’d seen
the good in her for many years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">That was
his life, until he grew up and it all got worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She started coming to him for money to feed
her addiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After seeing her
lifestyle firsthand, Joseph’s grandfather cut his daughter off financially and
paid their household bills via his secretary for Joseph’s sake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That worked for a while, but then Margaret
went through another phase: rage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">She flew
off the handle at the drop of a hat, was paranoid and didn’t listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That led to her packing up all of their
things when Joseph was at school, because her father was getting too involved,
trying to put his foot down and assert some dominance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He threatened rehab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Margaret lost her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made Joseph driver her to the bank in the
city that afternoon and forced him to tap into his available inheritance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With 300,000 dollars now in her possession,
she dropped 50,000 on a shitty house in the ghetto the next day and found
herself in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With 250,000 dollars
in disposable drug money, what addict wouldn’t be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph’s
grandfather, Adam, begged him to come live at the Derenger estate or with his
father, the ultimate prick, but Joseph was eighteen by then and who would look
after Margaret if he left?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time,
Joseph had the naïve idea he could get his mother to come around to rehab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could fix her by sticking around, by
loving her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">But as the
years ticked by and his mother showed no signs of change, Joseph began to seek
affection elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found it in a
slummy dive bar right off the highway, a strip joint where the male dancers
seemed sleek and polished to his young, eager eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his perceptions were clouded by pretty
lights and cheap, glittering thongs, because behind the scenes, a much darker
operation worked the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Strangers,
travelers and the like streamed through the place and expected more than just a
dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And who was the owner to argue
when they offered at least a thousand cash to bang the pretty blond boy in the
back alley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Joseph turned twenty,
he gave in and lost his virginity between two dumpsters to a guy without a
name. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph gave up on his dreams and
gave in to their touches; affection he’d never received elsewhere, and he
started to feel accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">He knew it
wasn’t ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knew he wouldn’t make it
like this forever when he lost his looks, so he started to save money in secret
because what he really loved was to dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was what drew him to that bar in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A glance through the window as a scrawny
teenager had done something to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
way the dancers channeled any song thrown at them, the way their bodies moved
fluidly like water around the pole, the freedom to be someone else up on
stage—that was what he fell in love with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">He signed a
lease on a studio in Harris, a small town about twenty minutes from home, and
started to teach what he loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure it
was mainly horny housewives and college girls looking to keep up with all the
rage in pole dancing exercise, but it paid the bills after his mother
squandered away every penny of his available inheritance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">That was
until she got into a drug that Joseph had never heard of: Rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She started hooking up with strange men,
bringing them to the house, and when she began to come down after being
sexually sated, she would nearly die if she didn’t get another fix of her
precious Rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was more than
dependency, it was necessary to keep her heart beating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph had seen it for himself; this was
nothing he’d ever encountered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Strapped
for money and scared for his mother’s life, Joseph started offering private
lessons for a higher rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rush
dealers began to deliver to the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They started offering more and asking strange questions about the Derenger
family, the finances and their connections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Margaret was in debt to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They started making threats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
never saw the worst part coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">One night,
during a class with Joseph’s favorite pupil, Isaac, he received a terrifying
call from his mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed to
deliver what she owed to the house by midnight or they’d kill her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He withdrew money from every ATM he could
find to come up with the necessary sum that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when he returned…he found himself smack
dab in a nightmare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vampires were drug
dealers and they’d just found themselves the best kind of prey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Vampires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were. Real.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">They forced
him to call his grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made
him lie and say he wanted out of his mother’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to go to Europe, sell his studio,
and live abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do that, he’d need
the rest of his inheritance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d need
Adam’s full cooperation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was
exactly what he got from a man who didn’t like scandal; a man who loved him,
but didn’t really know how to love unless he was signing the bottom of a check.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Every
month, a check was mailed to a privately owned residence in France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every month, the check was sent back to
be signed and cashed by Joseph because he was required to do it in person
through his bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one asked
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam’s accountant never
phoned about the checks being cashed in the states because it was likely he
didn’t care about Joseph above what his employer required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph was
trapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was wasting away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They held his mother hostage and pumped her
full of Rush as collateral if he didn’t continue to do what the dealers told
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">And then the
vampires paid his grandfather a visit once they found out about a trust in
Joseph’s name, available to him upon Adam’s death. It was enough to see that ten
generations of Derengers lived the good life. That was the night Adam Derenger
had a heart attack and died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died
alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all Joseph’s fault.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">To make it
all worse, the dealers thought it’d be a good show for Joseph to attend the
funeral and put on a grieving face for his family, when really all they wanted
was more money, more connections and more information about the Derenger brood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now they had them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
wasn’t the only one in this situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The dealers worked countless leads for debts and usable information for
blackmail, dating back decades, and involving many politicians, people of
status, and even business owners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">They were
gathering money for something big, or supporting their operation as a whole,
but Joseph knew something larger was at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They didn’t seem to mind when their leaders were killed, like there were
others who would come to the city and pick up the slack whenever need be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never stopped creating their labs even
though they were shut down on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were always careful to call their true leader ‘her’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And whenever they mentioned ‘her’ they became
excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if she was coming to the
city very soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph knew
he had to get out of here before whoever they worshipped arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things could always get worse than worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">The proof
was his dead mother lying mere feet away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her death finally sank in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother, the woman he had tried to protect
for many years was now gone, and for what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She left him in danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She left
him penniless and scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had told
him…to run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
finally gathered his situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
looked around the lavish hotel room that had been their home for almost four
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were thugs guarding the
hallway and they would check in every three hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no phone or computer in the
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there was a window with a fire
escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank the heavens for city
codes, because it was still a servicing hotel, and that was the only reason it
hadn’t been nailed shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Up until
now, Joseph had never tried to use it because his mother had been too drugged
to gather the coordination required to climb down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the only reason he stayed was so they
wouldn’t kill her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now she was
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than truly grieve, he had
to get up and go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to give up on
the only person that stood between him and freedom, and leave this life behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph knew
they would chase him down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he had to
do was find the bane of the dealers’ existence, the ones they called the
Guardians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d heard talk from the
dealers about a place called the Bureau and their agents called Guards, who
policed the vampires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what he really
wanted was these Guardians, because from what he’d overheard, they were the top
of the chain, the ones that would make these fuckers pay for his mother’s
death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph took
his mother’s prized necklace from the nightstand, one that had been passed down
through the Derenger family for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He slipped it into the back pocket of his jeans and then tugged on his
boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he had his thin jacket
zipped up, he turned around tearfully and looked down at his mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry I couldn’t fix you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get some rest now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">It was all
he could say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you was at the tip
of his tongue, but if he dared to utter the words, he’d lose his strength
because she would never repeat it back to him again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even high, she’d always said it back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
carefully eased the window open and stared down five flights of narrow fire
escape stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a deep breath and
climbed outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the agility of a
cat, he slipped and danced his way down the thin ladders without a sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When his feet hit pavement, he ducked behind
the first dumpster he could find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
searched the dark for any trace of movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">A dealer he
recognized kept walking past the alleyway and then the coast was clear. Joseph
took off as fast as he could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hit the
main street in a rush of adrenaline and fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No idea where he was, as he wasn’t all that familiar with New York City
unless he had a cell phone to guide him, Joseph ran until he found a 24/7
bodega.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">He knew it
was risky, as a lot of the dealers tended to hang out around places like this,
but he had to get information, and bodega workers knew everyone’s business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept his head down as he entered, shying
away from the two guys sharing a smoke out front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lights buzzed as he entered and a small
bell at the door attracted the attention of the massive black guy behind the
counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph got
a lift of the guy’s chin as he approached the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sup?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Smokes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Um, no,
actually I wondered if you could tell me where the nearest all hours pawn is
around here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">The guy’s
attitude changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He crossed his dark
skinned arms and pushed out his generous bottom lip as he scanned Joseph up and
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You lookin’ to lighten your
pockets, son?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I
just…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph turned around and searched
the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just need the money.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Damn
crackheads.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man blew a huff of air between
his lips and rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get outta
here with that bullshit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
fisted his hands in his jacket pockets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He gritted his teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t do
drugs, but if I did, I wouldn’t be talking to you about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d ask those two outside your place, now
wouldn’t I?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Damn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Them fools out there again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t do none of that, son.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy grabbed a bat from underneath the
counter and started to come out from around his station. His sneakers squeaked
and his eyes narrowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Wait!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph put his hands up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please
don’t draw attention.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">The man
lowered the bat and frowned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like
before, his attitude abruptly changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He glanced over Joseph again, sniffed the air once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he went to the door and flipped the sign
to ‘closed’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He locked the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You in trouble?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I don’t do
drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph backed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Not what I
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You in some kind of trouble?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph had
nothing left to lose except for his life, and at this point, he wasn’t sure
what it was worth to anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clung to
the pockets of his jacket and nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“These people are after me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I hear
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something you can’t go to the cops
about.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man nodded as if he really
did understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You steal something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You kill
somebody then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“God, no.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Then what
you do that has me closing my shop?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
man’s thick brows lifted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“The vam—I
mean these people killed my mom for money and now they’re after me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph took a deep breath to keep it all in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“That’s
some serious shit, son.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man pointed
his bat to a picture taped to the wall next to the Mega Millions marquee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little black girl with pretty braids posed
for her school picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of her front
teeth was missing, but it didn’t stop her from smiling as wide as she
could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s Deidre, my baby
sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They shot her up on her way home
from school to teach my older brother he couldn’t just walk away from their
crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what it’s like, son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel you and I’m sorry about your moms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I’m sorry
about your sister.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph toed the tile
floor and fought not to cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You don’t
have a place to be, do you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
shook his head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know the city
well and I can’t have my extended family involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t know how deep my mom was, so it’s
safer to keep them out of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You ain’t
got friends who could hook you up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I don’t
have friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not anymore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph lifted a shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Aight. Baby
Jesus be holding my brownie points, so I’m a be a nice guy and hook your
scrawny butt up myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ain’t no one got
the right to take a life like that, and in good conscience I can’t send your
fool ass out there unprepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On your
life, Deidre.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man kissed his
fingers and patted the picture of his sister as he took up the counter again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know how to work a prepaid or what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“A phone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“No, a
candy bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, a phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know, like the key to survival in this
fucked up world?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chubby man laughed
and put a plastic case on the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This
here is like the boss of prepaid cellular devices, son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got your text, your minutes, your data—all
covered for thirty days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Comes with a
case, too—supposed to be waterproof or some shit, but I ain’t dropped it no
toilet to test it out, you feel me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shit
back there is nasty, son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I can’t
pay for that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">said</i> I was hookin’ you up, so shut your
mouth and take it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man cut the case
open and handed it to Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Number is
on the back and it’s all loaded for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you gotta do is charge it when it dies
and feed it another thirty dollars at the end of thirty days by SmartWallet, of
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there you have it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man whipped out his own phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now, about gettin’ your ass off the
streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a guy, owns a diner over
in Gramercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always takes in strays.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“This is
too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t repay you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph clutched his phone to his chest like
it was the most important thing he’d ever owned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Hush, son,
and let me work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held up a finger
while he waited for someone to pick up on the other end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, sweet thang, it’s Humpty, let me holla
at Dwight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Packin’ in them Guards tonight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well tell his ass I’m
sendin’ him a cat to feed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humpty
grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, I’m a big ol’ softy,
girl, you know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send it round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll holla at you later.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hung up and did a little dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Damn that female is fine, son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wait and see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put in a good word for me as payment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Did you
say Guards?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph was practically on
top of the counter when Humpty turned around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Humpty
squinted and sniffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What you know
about it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“What do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> know?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph squinted back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leaned away from the big man when he realized
he could be trapped, that the dealers could be on their way this very
minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That was them, wasn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was dealer code and they’re coming for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fuck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Slow your
roll, white bread.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humpty snorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ain’t no code for a fine ass female—she just
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smelled them fuckers on you before
you walked in my door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like you been
rolling in their dirty, Rushy laundry or some shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph’s
eyes widened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You smelled them on
me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Yeah,
smelled them because I’m a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fool, you gettin’ dumber by the minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, I’m real sorry about your moms, but
fuck me with your lack of smarts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
think they the only fangers around here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two sides to every story, son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two sides.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’re a…
vampire?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Humpty
smiled and two fangs glistened on his top row of teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was capped in gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We ain’t all supermodels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I sure as hell can eat me some
cheeseburgers without gaining another pound on this thick middle.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He patted his plentiful stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They tell me it’s gonna keep getting smaller
with my metabolism, and then no one will recognize me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be like one of them females on them
commercials, holding my drawers up big enough to sail a ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll start lifting weights soon, look like
one of them brothers all the females climb on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
blinked at Humpty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Humpty simply
laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, I know some Guards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come in here for the breakfast burritos every
few hours like clockwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should just
call them egg burritos because they ain’t just breakfast anymore, you feel me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Sure… And
this guy at the diner?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Dwight’s diner,
White Plate, is the happenin’ place for the Guards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bring him informants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gets more business because he helps the
Bureau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I get to chat it up with his
beauties all day, son, with the occasional meal thrown my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a win win for everyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’re
gonna take me to the Guards?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Sweet
Thang just sent a car in the area to this address, so yes I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
gripped the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears flooded his
eyes as he sagged against the cheap Formica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Thank you,” he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank
you so much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Don’t wet
the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just doin’ some good, son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“More than
you know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph closed his eyes and
waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Chapter 3<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">A fresh
faced reporter in a sharp black pantsuit faced the camera with sparkling green
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is Marianne Dobbs reporting
live from 5th Avenue at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where Police
Commissioner Malachi Haynes has just finished addressing the press.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commissioner Haynes has stated that Ronald
Egan’s death appeared to be of natural causes, but while police continue their
investigation, Egan is being taken to the Coroner’s at this very moment to shed
some light on the actual cause of death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Egan was the frontrunner of the four strong candidates vying for the
mayor’s seat, and although the race is still in the early stages, Egan’s death
is sure to shake things up for both opposing parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Citizens of New York City are left wondering
who to side with now that Egan and his strong platform are gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">The camera
did a close up of Marianne, cutting out the chaotic traffic of guests in the
background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“On the coattails of Adam
Derenger’s abrupt passing, who was Egan’s oldest friend, and two candidates
pulling out of the race only a few weeks prior, Egan’s tragic death might have
some calling this a curse on what was said to be the race of a lifetime for New
York City’s mayor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
caught the tail end of the news before a commercial for the latest smart car
packed the screen and nearly blew his eardrums with crappy dubstep that was
supposed to be appealing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waitress
snatched up the remote and cut the volume down, a scowl on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I could have this on mute and the
commercials would still sound like I’m at The Garden on opening night for the
Knicks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ almighty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
gulped when she leaned in with a fresh pot of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had eyes that drew out secrets and lips
so red they were painted with the blood of her enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You still doing good on that cup or what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I-I’m
okay, I guess.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph put on a smile,
one that twisted when she raised a brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“On second thought, maybe a refill would be good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“That’s
what I thought.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She poured and he held
his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Eat your fries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dwayne’ll be over to get you in a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lot of traffic through here tonight, mouths
to feed and all that, but when Humpty calls and says he’s got a stray, you take
precedence—after the pancakes, of course.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pancakes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph stuck a fry in his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He snuck a look at the tables full of Guards staring at him from the
right of the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had to be
Guards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just had this… this look
about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph hurriedly turned away
and leaned over the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are
those…you know?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">His
waitress, Mona, rolled her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
bloodsucking Five O?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yeah, honey, oh
yeah”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Order up!”
Dwayne called from the line and pushed another stack of pancakes through the
window.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Duty
calls,” Mona grabbed the plate, pocketed the ticket and sauntered over to
another table with as much finesse as her little white sneakers would allow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph’s
knee bounced under the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
stuffed fry after fry into his mouth, washed them down with thick, black coffee
and tried not to think about the situation he was in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If these people couldn’t help him, and he
couldn’t go to the human cops, then what the hell was he supposed to do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">It was like
a dark cloud had taken up residence over his head, a sign of his ominous
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t help but shake the
feeling that none of this was that easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That he couldn’t just be rescued and never hear from those people again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d gone to great lengths to secure the
Derenger inheritance, the connections they gained with money and the gossip
that Adam’s old staff was more than willing to supply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">They would
come after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t end here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew it deep in his bones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Every time
the bell on the door jingled, Joseph flinched, and he made sure to keep his
face hidden with his long blond hair in case it was the wrong kind of customer
looking for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next time someone walked
through, he nearly put his hands over his face and screamed at the tension
eating him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boots pounded the tile,
squeaked as they turned and settled under a table behind Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A light, sexy laugh came next and Joseph discerned
the boots didn’t match the laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were two of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two more people for
him to worry about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Curiosity got
the better of him and he started to peek over his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Get in the
back,” a voice commanded from the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph gave up on seeing the mystery couple behind him and looked up
into the face of a gruff man in his late thirties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that he had on an adorable flame
printed bandana only upped Joseph’s fear factor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Dwayne?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“The one and
only, now get in the back before I change my mind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dwayne hitched a thumb at the swinging door
off the kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Okay.” Joseph
slid down from the stool, took his time putting his feet on the ground, and
pondered what awaited him on the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">It all
happened in the blink of an eye, or maybe time slowed down in his newfound
alternate universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph saw Isaac,
his old dance student, sitting at a booth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their eyes met and Isaac’s jaw dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A blue haired beast turned to look at Joseph and his eyes widened
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph’s heart raced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked away because it was all too much to
take in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes fell on the front
door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">A tall, muscular
figure with a limp green Mohawk stared at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A biker’s face mask, depicting the bottom of a skull, covered his mouth
and chin, wrapping around to the back until only his piercing gold eyes and
strong nose were visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand was
wrapped around the door bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
knuckles were white as if he too sensed the danger Joseph knew was coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">And then
the diner windows shattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph dropped
to his stomach as someone unloaded bullets on the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bell screamed for mercy, taking its last
jingle before it clunked to the floor and a large body rolled through the
broken glass to safely cover Joseph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Dwayne
crawled across the floor from behind the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got to one knee, aimed a shotgun and let
it rip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get him out of here!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Casings hit the tile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dwayne reloaded with as much ease as flipping
another pancake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Skull man,
who was currently squeezing the life out of Joseph, pushed him behind the
stools and pulled two guns out of his leather jacket. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slurred a round of words not meant to be
heard by mothers and small children, and then cocked his body to the side to
get a better shot at the fucker running past the window outside. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who’s the stray?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Dwayne shot
him a disgruntled look from the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
dunno, but they took out my motherfucking windows with a diner packed full of
Guards to get him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some mighty large
balls they have and I’m looking to make me some eunuchs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">said</i>,
get him out of here, Gage!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Donohue,”
Dwayne screamed in rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Talk to me,
dammit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Good over
here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A head peaked out from the other side
of the bar—dark eyes, dark hair, the strange Guard looked somewhere between a
hawk and a male model with his sharp nose and calculating eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Called it in, Dwayne.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Call it in
some more, dammit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my baby,”
Dwayne cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Looks like
you’re gonna have to call it the Broken Plate now, huh, Dwayne?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skull man took down a dealer from a good shot
through the front door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Fuck off,
you rich asshole.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Have some
respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’re a
shitty tipper, that’s what you are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Skull man
flipped Dwayne off and got into a crouch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He leaned away from Joseph, just a little bit, to zero in on the couple
under the table across the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Isaac,
that you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the man called out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Shut up,
Gage!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blue haired mammoth of a man
called back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I got him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You always
do, you ugly fuck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You jealous,
little boy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">More
gunfire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The screech of tires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something was burning, Joseph smelled, and it
was probably a shit ton of pancakes laced with bullets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But burnt pancakes were the least of his
problems, he surmised as he took in the bullet holes not ten inches from his
head, like a circular pattern shot into the counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I prefer
my jockstraps to panties, so nah, you can keep him,” Skull man replied with a
hint of rage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Gage!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the voice was smaller, definitely
not the blue beast with tattoos covering his skin. Joseph recognized Isaac’s
voice in a heartbeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cut it out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Make me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Real
mature, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thought you called to
talk, not be your dickish self.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I have the
right to be a dick when these fucktards are trying to kill us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph’s
focus was jumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes flicked back
and forth between the one to Isaac, and then to the guy covering Isaac like a
shield, the one they called Gage, and back to the guy who was staring a hole
into his head and baring his fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joseph turned away quickly from Isaac’s man blanket, because it was too
intense to keep looking at the blue haired sun, and he didn’t need to go blind
on top of the assassination attempt at hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">It was all
piling up—this, running, the money, his mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bile rose to the back of his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He brought his knees up to his chest and put a hand over his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Dwayne
struck Joseph with a look, an ‘oh shit’ look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Gage, I swear to Aunt Jemima that if I have to clean up puke covered
glass shards tonight, your ass is grass.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“My ass is
nothing but defined muscle—oh, fuck, he’s gonna be sick.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gold eyes turned on Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His stomach churned again, probably the coffee
and fries—because who the fuck does that combination—and he panicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t you fucking puke on me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
whimpered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushed a stool down on its
side and started crawling behind the rest of the stools to get to freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dwayne had promised safety on the other side
of that swinging door, and even if the chances of a happy life outside this
diner were dwindling fast, Joseph was willing to risk whatever he had left to
offer just to get fresh air and possibly a place to puke in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“He’s running,”
Gage blurted, like he wasn’t crouched in the middle of a diner with bullets and
glass everywhere, like he was talking to himself during some shitty made-for-TV
movie in the comfort of his living room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Dwayne
slapped him upside the head just as the first sirens could be heard coming at
the diner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go, you dipshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted him for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a stray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They usually pack hard information, and I’d say this one is top of the
list.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Stop him!”
Donohue bellowed from the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We
need him for questioning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Fuck all
of you crazy people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph pushed
through the swinging door and took off running.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I am not
crazy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage squinted and gave chase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Others
would say differently,” Blue Hair shot back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And don’t think I’m not calling your dad in on this, you arrogant
little punk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Be my
guest, Cookie Monster.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Chapter 4<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage liked
to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He liked the burn in his chest,
at the back of his thighs, liked the wind through his Mohawk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had different playlists for different
types of runs and favorite places he liked to run by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night or day, he didn’t care, as long as he
could run until his heart felt like it would explode.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">What he
didn’t like was running after someone he couldn’t shoot, because right now he
felt like shooting things, lots of things, people in fact, dealers if he was
getting specific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that he was some serial
killer or anything, he just liked getting to the end, his end, knowing he was
the one who could take credit for the kill count, the number of people he put
in the vamp slammer, or those little whiners he got good info out of after he
scared the piss out of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">He liked
feeling bigger and badder than the rest, because when he did, he forgot how low
on the food chain he really was—royally speaking, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he didn’t get to run the field much like
the others, because he was neither a Guard nor a Guardian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was, in fact, somewhere in the middle, and
he was also the Queen’s precious baby boy, so his chances of being that all
powerful warrior like his dad and the others were slim to none at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">And that
was why he was pissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, he could
attribute his anger to many things—Knoxtian fucking Montesego covering Isaac
like they were about to give a live fuck show to pay for pancakes, Dwayne
calling him a rich asshole when he didn’t have a clue, Blaze being a fat sack
of shit for a friend, his parents playing Big Brother with his life—but what
stood out the most, what he chose as the target of his irritation, was the
athletic blond giving him a run for his money in the thigh pumping department.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Would you
just slow the fuck down?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage chased
the witness around a corner and headed towards the real Gramercy Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grunted at the blond guy’s ignorance as he
saw him trying to scale the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s
locked for a reason, you dumb shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hello</i>, private park and all?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blond flicked his gaze to Gage before
hopping over to the other side like it was nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who the fuck is this guy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">His phone
was going crazy against his hip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
what timing Isaac had as Gage was straddling the park fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This better be good because I will not risk my
balls to this fence for anything less.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“His name
is Joseph Sadler,” Isaac rushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Something
tugged at Gage’s memory, and continued to cause him a problem when he awkwardly
landed inside the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know that
name.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Uh yeah,
you do, he’s my cousin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s Micah’s
legit nephew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he was also… He was my
dance instructor before I got into the club.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Before you
became a gigolo?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I am a
mated dancer, not a gigolo, Gage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
searched the darkened park for any sign of the elusive Joseph Sadler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They pay you to get people hard, same fucking thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“No, it’s
not the same thing, you jerk, and we’re done talking about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re talking about Joseph.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I remember
the name now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You guys saw him at the
funeral and him and his mom took off with some baddies, am I right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“How you
can make light of all things serious is beyond me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I hadn’t already seen your dick, I’d think
you were compensating your humor for inches.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
stilled and looked at his phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac
talking about his dick was… not cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not cool at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll just bet
you liked looking at my dick.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Oh here we
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, you would think everyone is
out to molest you with their eyes, because oh my god, the gorgeous Gage
Gerard-Hill is so fucking amazing, why wouldn’t we.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come off it, you prick, just because you have
a thing for me and can’t admit it doesn’t mean you have to be a hellacious
bastard to me every fucking time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
Knox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have loved him since forever and
he loves me back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why can’t you just be
happy for me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Issac nearly screamed
into the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
swallowed the thick clump of nothing down his throat and lowered his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Isaac…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“No, fuck
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fuck you ten million times for
being such a horrible person to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
were my best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trusted you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the fuck happened to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage didn’t
realize he was on the move until he reached the giant tree in the middle of the
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up into the dark foliage
and immediately spotted the cause of his being here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph Sadler was tucked between two thick
branches, huddled in a ball, and staring back at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I was
going to ask you the very same thing,” Gage murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why I’m like this…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a mess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You can
say that again,” Issac came back hotly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“And now I
know it’s not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">us</i> anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and I, I never wanted it like that, like
how you’re thinking, I wanted my friend back, but you weren’t the same person
anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll never be that person
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll never be like I was either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Gage?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac’s voice came softer this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gage, you’re scaring me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You and
everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodbye, Isaac.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage’s stare dropped to the ground as he
disconnected the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t give
Isaac a chance to say anything more, to make things better or worse, because
truth was, he deserved every second of what Isaac had to give him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been a horrible person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still a horrible person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he had left was to do something right,
even if it pissed him off to pull a stray cat from a tree and return him to his
proper place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Don’t make
me get a ladder, Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if I
have to call that in, I am gonna be way more pissed than I already am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“How do you
know my name?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>came an anxious reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I’m a
psychic, you know, like the celebrity kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’re even talking about giving me my own reality show.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage laughed at his own joke, and then
stopped when Joseph didn’t bust a smile or even blink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look, I don’t know what bug crawled up your
ass or what those dealers want from you, but we, the uh…good guys?—we’ve been
looking for you for a few months now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Who are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And who the hell are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage tipped
his head back to look Joseph in the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He mulled it over for about two seconds, in a true Gage don’t-think-before-speaking
manner, and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m Gage, and I’m a
Guardian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
perked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushed a stray lock of
hair behind his ear and shimmied down the branch, closer to where Gage stood on
the ground. The soles of his boots curved on top of the branch, and he balanced
there like a monkey at the zoo. “You’re one of the Guardians?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage played it cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brought his chin up, hoped his eyes looked
empowering, and crossed his arms to make his chest appear bigger, and okay, he
wanted to show off the nice piece of lead in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ladies liked a badass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was hoping this guy, monkey man, fence
climbing fool was in to it as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph hit
the sidewalk without a sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage
wondered how he moved like that, but was too insecure that his act wouldn’t
hold up to ask such trivial questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
Guardian would never ask such a thing, and as Gage was supposed to be one, well…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Then take
me to the rest of them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage bobbed
his head, a smirk on his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Take you
to our leader, huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You have a
leader?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I was
making an alien joke…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph’s
brows drew closer together, as if he could spot Gage for the poser he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage thought Joseph’s expression was sort of
funny, adorable like an angry cat, and he also wondered if Joseph did tricks,
like run and jump into boxes he couldn’t fit in, but somehow managed to pull it
off anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re staring,” Joseph
interrupted Gage’s daydream about YouTube videos of hilarious Japanese cats
with funny names.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Oh?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph nixed the grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s rude.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“So is
shooting up a diner for one little Barbie boy, but I was nice enough to protect
you, now wasn’t I?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage cleared his
throat and tried to stand a bit taller.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are all Guardians like
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Like how?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Arrogant?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
scowled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am not—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph pulled out a crappy throwaway
phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know, if you just give me a
number to reach the others, I could wait here for them to come get me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“It doesn’t
work like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sent <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i> to collect you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
cocked his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, Dwayne, the diner
cook, sent you to get me.” He narrowed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i>
a Guardian?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
snarled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not what you pictured, sweetheart?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage immediately wanted to spit the endearment
out of his vocabulary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded him
of Knox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hated Knox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All things Knox, in fact, like whips and
chains, and fucking Isaac, and pimping out innocent vampires to do his pole
dance bidding. Fucking evil villain, and what the hell was up with his blue
hair?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not try red or pink, or fuck’s
sake black with all that woe’s me brooding he did all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I’m sorry…
I didn’t mean to piss you off.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph
backed up so he could lean on the tree, but Gage knew by the look on the guy’s
face that his anger for Knox had overtaken his eyes, his body language, and
turned it into Joseph’s source of fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">He couldn’t
very well scare away the only hard information they had on the diner shooting,
a person of interest they’d been trying to find for months to boot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone would be hella pissed at him if he
let Joseph get away, or worse, scared him away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage huffed under his breath and let his arms fall to his sides, like,
see I’m not a terrifying badass after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because he wasn’t, a badass that is, not by a long shot. “No, I’m
sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t mad at you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight’s been a bit fucked all around.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage pushed his sweaty, green hair away from
his forehead and tipped his head up to the night sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Yeah,”
Joseph all but whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It has.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Something
in Joseph’s voice made Gage look at the guy hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been trained to notice details on a
person’s face, a skill he used as a pre-turn because he wasn’t able to scent or
feel a person’s thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he didn’t
even have to be an expert or a vampire to notice how Joseph’s adrenaline high
from the last half hour was beginning to come down, and leave other emotions to
deal with the fallout; sadness, for instance, heartache if they were nailing
things down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Something
bad had happened to Joseph, something really bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You okay?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph put his gun away, but not before
scouting the area again to make sure they were alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I mean, you want to talk or something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Why were
the Guardians looking for me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage put
his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t think I’m the one who should tell
you that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Well, can
you tell me how you know Isaac?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean,
you know him, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was there, I saw
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“He’s a… He’s
a friend, I suppose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Didn’t
sound that way to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Yeah,
well, I have a shitty way of talking to my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a shitty kind of guy, or so they tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“But you’re
a Guardian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sagged against the tree and turned his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Never mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we just get out of here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really tired.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Joseph?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage took another step closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What happened to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Joseph
looked up with glassy eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not right
now, okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Then—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Tires screeched
up to the park gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage had his guns
out and Joseph covered at his back before the first door to a black SUV popped
open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He groaned when he saw Hannah step
up the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yo nut sack, your
carriage awaits.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She flipped him off
and got back in the driver’s seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Yeah, I
can see you have a lot of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">friends</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph eyed him suspiciously as he slipped
out from behind Gage and led the way to the SUV.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">To be
continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-68693464192366139742014-07-10T22:31:00.000-04:002014-07-10T22:31:50.099-04:00Whispers in Silence Finale and a Special Preview
Well hey there!<br />
<br />
It's been a while. I missed you guys and I'm sure you've been wondering what the heck I've been up to. Well, for starters I've been renovating a new place I bought. I haven't touched my laptop in almost two and a half weeks and I've literally been dying to update you with something. But unfortunately, I just didn't have the time until now, so here we are.<br />
<br />
I bring gifts, though, and this will be the last installment of Whispers in Silence. Damn, this is it. The freaking finale. 167, 540 words and 428 pages later and I still don't want to let these two go. It was a wild ride and I got to do something different, but now I'm ready to turn up the heat.<br />
<br />
After you finish this story, I've included a preview into the next piece I'll be working on for the blog. Many of you may have wondered what the heck happened to the Ghost and Gabe story, and I tried to keep things quiet for a while, but the real reason I didn't post it was because I wasn't sure I wanted it to come next in the series.<br />
<br />
I've been thinking a lot about the bigger picture of this series, where I wanted it to go, and my mind went nuts with ideas, but ultimately I think I knew from the beginning of Knox and Isaac where I wanted all these mini wars between the Assassin Leaders and the Guardians and Royals to lead. The big villain, the granddaddy of evil will be revealed, and I can't tell you who it is or you'll gut me through the computer, but trust me you want to stay tuned. You want the preview's story to come next because then Gabe and Ghost's story will all make sense after that.<br />
<br />
The posts might be shorter, but that will be because this story will be pretty intricate. Lots of small details that will cast a net for other books in the series and introduce new... Well, I can't tell you that secret! But you'll like it. Many of you have wanted it. I will leave you to guess what my uber super secret is.<br />
<br />
For now, just enjoy the Whispers finale, because I absolutely loved writing this story from start to finish. BTW, don't be sad. We will see Adrian and Wes again. Trust me. :)<br />
<br />
Later,<br />
<br />
Night<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><u>The Finale Playlist:</u></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Right Here Right Now - Fatboy Slim</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The Day the World Went Away - Nine Inch Nails</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
I Am Dust - Gary Numan </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
The Courage or The Fall - Civil Twilight</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Surrender (Piano Version) - Digital Daggers</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Train - Chris Arena</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><u>Whispers in Silence: Finale</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wesley wondered
if this kind of silence compared to being deaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From someone without hearing problems the association was unfair and
selfish to think, but he still thought about it. He heard nothing else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a mouse scurrying through the concrete
gateway to hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the breathing of
the overexerted vampires at his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not even a whimper from the human glued to his side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">It was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">too</i> quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Something isn’t
right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes held up his fist to halt his
team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">His human
captive clucked his tongue and rubbed his arms to warm up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Took you this long to figure that out?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes glared down
at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fierce words at the tip of his
tongue melted away at the fear in his prisoner’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keep your mouth shut.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swiftly
addressed the German, “Why would Niles head back to the lodge at this
point?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s where this leads if the
signs back there are correct.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The German’s
stare flicked to the darkness ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He
could have come to the earlier conclusion as your mate did about the map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lack of a cabin sixteen would be of
significance to a trained tracker such as Niles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And maybe he realized, as we now all have,
Halverson bet on our people writing off the lodge as his hiding place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be seem too easy, when really it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been scripted from the beginning,
Detective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can say for certain we are
walking into a well laid trap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niles had
to be smart enough or brave enough to know this and still keep going.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought as much, but at this point we’re
out of options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So long as we’re all
aware of the risk going in and as long as we’re all on the same page—by that I
mean shoot to kill this bastard—then we have no choice but to proceed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“This would not
be the first time we have gone in blind, Detective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You grow accustomed to fear of the unknown as
a child of our upbringing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The German
shared a look with his comrades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
all stared at Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had walked right into that one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course they were more than able to do
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d endured worse in the past,
well, without an army of zombies chasing them, but… “Gear up for anything,
boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have no idea what we’re walking
into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t know if anyone else can
get to us with the shit going on up there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But right now we’re the only chance of rescue Frederick has if he’s
still…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The human
grunted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He has to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Freddy’s a smooth talker, even when he’s got
the shit beat of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still runs his
mouth with the right words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d know if
he was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel it right here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put a hand to his chest and fisted his
shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s still out there waiting for
us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Then we waste
time standing here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The German surveyed
the hallway around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I smell
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fresh blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are very near our destination.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Everything in
the underground tunnel reeked of death, mildew, chemicals and blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact the German claimed he smelled
something fresh was laughable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
those dark eyes were serious and when Wes stopped to smell the roses, he got a
whiff of it too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Female,” Wes
hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He crouched to the ground and
inhaled again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swiped his gloved
finger through a small drop on the floor and brought it to his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“An hour tops.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Move out,” the
German ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes shot to his
feet and aimed his scope light into the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He took his post next to the German, secured the human in the middle of
their team and then headed onward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
the while he ached to hear his mate’s voice in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how many times Wes had tried to
communicate so far, he’d received nothing but radio silence from Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every second became harder to cope, to
function, knowing those things were up there with his mate… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever vigilant, Wes had to keep trying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Adrian,
if you can hear me, he’s headed for the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please talk to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are you?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He would have
continued if it wasn’t for the pungent smell of gasoline; sliced up his
nostrils as if he’d gone for a swim in a fuel tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had about two seconds to decipher what
that meant before all hell broke loose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“It’s all over
the floor,” the human screamed and began running away from them as they noticed
the gas leaking from the ceiling as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Get it off me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Their lights
bounced around from floor to ceiling until they saw that two large metal barrels
had been emptied and splashed on every inch of the place. Flooded the floor
around them. Rained from the concrete heavens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The stuff was everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes spotlighted
Halverson’s face with his light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
fugitive was covered from head to toe in dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The white of his teeth blared against his muddied face as he flashed a
cruel smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">There was no
need for an explanation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d come too
close for Halverson’s comfort, which meant they were being watched the entire
walk through the tunnel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson
flicked open a shiny gold lighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
flame danced near his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked
right at Wes when he said, “It’s a present from my stepfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you like it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He’s nuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s legit crazy</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">,
Wes admitted to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He really and truly has lost his mind.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Halverson, close the lighter and hand it
over.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“That’s the
problem with you people—always telling me what to do when you have no idea how
insignificant you really are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you
had to do what tell me if you liked it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Halverson shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a
pity you won’t live long enough to even consider it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">There was no
hesitation in Halverson’s vacant eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever humanity he had being born a human—which was saying something
to a vampire—was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson was
ready to end everything around him, whoever he took with him just a gift to
take with him to the grave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes gripped his
gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a split second decision, as
Halverson flicked the open flame to the ground, Wes shoved the human at his
German crew member and demanded they run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fire licked at the walls in a flash. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heat blazed over the floor, rushing at
them with no time to spare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The German
hauled the human over his shoulder, spared Wes a quick look and took off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as Halverson ran up the stairs leading
into the lodge, Wes thought of Adrian’s beautiful blue eyes one last time;
their innocence and anger; the love inside them; the devotion that filled them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Holding tight to
his memories, Wes ran into the flames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
pain took his breath away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Agony ripped
through Adrian’s soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the torture
of a thousand souls channeling his energy but Wes’s pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their bond was fuzzy, sifting in and out in
broken fragments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian roared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His screams sliced up the war raging before
him like a machete clearing his path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The undead heard his call, mirroring his pain by quickening their pace;
taking lives, snapping bones between their spindly fingers like twigs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian’s minions
descended on cabin sixteen with vengeance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Swarming the structure with the dedication bees had to their hive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They covered every surface, dug at the
foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing would stop them
until they had done their master’s bidding: finding and destroying Halverson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Through a tangle
of skeletal limbs and blood spatter, Adrian saw the German’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand slapped the glass in a desperate
plea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wide eyed stare found Adrian
and the silent begging grew louder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">High on his
talent, Adrian pushed his way through the throng to meet the German through the
glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stop,” he commanded to his army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">All at once, his
undead soldiers crumbled into piles of bones around the cabin and the woods
were quiet, except for the distant chatter of Sutton’s men rushing the
property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wouldn’t make it in time
for what needed to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all
up to Adrian now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">It was up to him
to swim above the high and do the right thing, which was the hardest thing he’d
ever done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like telling a heroin addict
to put down the drugs and step away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Donohue!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the German screamed from the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He covered his mouth and coughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian gasped
when he realized the German had been with Wes last time Adrian saw his
mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mate was all he thought
of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An anger born of hell rushed through
his veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From his side, he yanked on
the cabin door as someone on the other side worked to free the blockage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He met the frantic faces of Wes’s team just
as smoke began to billow through the tiny room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The German carried
a skinny human male over the threshold and into the fresh air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He uncovered the male’s face with an old
t-shirt and patted him on the back as he coughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are we safe here, Donohue?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Where is
Wes?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian turned in circles, counting
each team member and checking over their faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Where is he!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“He… He went
after Halverson when the fire broke out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He ordered us to go back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were too many of us to make it up the stairs in time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Fire?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian pushed the cabin door wide open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flames ate away at the old hatch in the
floor, slowly climbing up the walls of the cabin to consume it whole. Just as
his heart was trying to crawl up his throat at the very thought of a fire that
magnitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t do flames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another thing he didn’t do?—his mate burning
in flames. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wes is down there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“He’s in the
lodge with Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We assume, that
is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The German tightened his arms
around his human cargo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am prepared
to go back around with the Captain’s team you called in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it would be wise for you to take the
rest of our team with you and continue—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“No,” Adrian
barked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You take the team and lead
Sutton back here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can guarantee your
safety because anything working for Halverson is long dead by now, I assure
you,” he practically screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The German
scouted the ground around him with a careful look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can see that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“My mate might
very well be joining them as we speak, so you got a problem with how I do
things?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question flew out of
Adrian’s mouth before he had a chance to think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The undead might have obeyed his command to stop, but their whispers
still retained a hold on his heart and mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was what Annie had meant by greed; allowing these things to take
over; mask who Adrian really was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mean to… This is new to
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I would say
this is new to all of us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The German
lifted a brow at a rattling pile of bones near Adrian’s feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly looked away from the dismembered
body of one of Halverson’s men next to that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was staring at him. “Are you certain you
can continue this way?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I can do
whatever I damn well please.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
narrowed his eyes and took a step forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The boney mounds of his soldiers in waiting quivered to be released with
a single command.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“That is what
troubles me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You know what
troubles me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mate is in pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea what Halverson has done to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m pretty sure I’m losing my
mind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian combed his fingers through
his hair and paced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not trying to
be a dick here, but this is about Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is about so much more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The German’s
hard stare softened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Of all the people
you could preach to, we understand exactly what you mean, friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many of us have suffered, yet we don’t
seek pity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We seek change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We seek a new world in which this never
happens again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We seek safety and love;
things we’ve never known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for you to
have found all of this in your mate, only to face losing him in the next
breath—we understand your anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do
not claim to understand this…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
German gestured around him in a wide circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But if becoming a monster helps you to kill the other monsters, none of
us will stop you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian gritted
his teeth and tilted his head down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of his eyes twitched with rage; like this man could possibly understand the
fear and confusion, the need to save the only thing in his life worth living
for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he had to do was a catch a
glimpse of the terrified human shaking in the German’s arms to be brought back
to reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Being angry
blinded him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Becoming a
monster by letting these souls suck him dry and control him was not going to
save anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would only kill Adrian
in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was his turn to take
control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was his turn to decide what
was right and what was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saving
people was his goal, not total mass destruction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Unless he was
talking Halverson, and then destruction was totally back on the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I’m sorry,”
Adrian muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Go,” the German
murmured in understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We will be
sure to lead the others there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I’m sure you
will, Boy Scout.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes lifted his palms
and gave the German a hint of a nod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But thanks all the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>German.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian cracked
his fingers, extended them from a fist and the undead clicked together again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Adrian on controls now, he ignored the
remaining team to focus his efforts in redirecting his army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sensed his ambition, his renewed purpose,
and for some strange reason they approved of his mission. Maybe they understood
his motive having lived once before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or
maybe they were bored and wanted to face off with Halverson; the living,
breathing Boogie Man while they still got paid with blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wherever the cause,
they obeyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first line in Adrian’s
defenses scurried through the forest floor like rats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon after, the entire army rushed in a wave
around trees and up rocky formations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian pushed himself to the limit to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was fast, newborn vampire fast, but he was
no match for the speed at which his army operated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He had no sense
of time or direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His saving grace
the ability to sense the undead from behind, he eventually caught up with no
air to spare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian lifted his head
slowly from where he regained his breath with his hands on his knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to blink a few times and give his ears
a few minutes to work out what was happening in front of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">This
lodge—otherwise known as a sprawling, dated, expensive house—was covered in
undead bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a snow storm
plaguing the sky, this situation had achieved maximum horror status. Adrian
stood there in a clearing that was meant to be the lodge’s front yard and gaped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His bloody hood blew away from his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His curls followed next, tickling his
forehead and then stuck to his skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He hadn’t
realized how much blood was shed until he wiped his face with his glove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much more had to be shed to get what he
wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he had no problem admitting
there would be more, not when Wes was involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’d come so far—to a place Adrian wasn’t sure existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not exactly bliss, but safe and warm and
still his definition of quality care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">And fucked as it
was, Adrian let the hungry minions sniff out their prey as he walked up to the
front door and kicked it open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
he was in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian fucking Donohue
loved that asshole and it wasn’t fair Wes was trying to go on ahead to the
afterlife without him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, it was like
that—even dead Wes was his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
partners forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“And I’m not
getting a fucking necklace or some shit either,” Wesley told a frosty
foyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cracked his neck, his eyes
twitching again as he lost himself to the Hunter inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he’d cased his target, gotten
comfortable enough do his thing, he moved in and let himself be known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian wasn’t worried about getting caught, his
enemies were always wise enough to at least try and run first, because they
knew he wasn’t getting caught either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian picked up
a tacky, cement sculpture from a side table and hurled it at a window opposite
the front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He splayed his
fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His army flooded the foyer
before rushing through the house, all with the same destination in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Locked and
loaded, Adrian carried his weapon through the staff hallway, slowly aiming it
from side to side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His army decelerated
to show him the way, because they had promised him Halverson’s last breath
would be his to take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes slowly surfaced
from a pain induced haze to find he was standing in the kitchen, huddled over a
sink he’d thrown up in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His skin
crackled as it fell off and his wounds began regenerating with fresh, delicate pink
tissue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every second of it was
excruciating, but the fact it was growing back at all was a blessing, a very <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">painful</i> blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Mentally ready
to start finding Halverson, Wes forced himself to lift his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked right into the eyeless sockets of a
decaying corpse and whirled around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian was staring at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
mate was surrounded by a horde of zombies and didn’t move a muscle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seconds ticked by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fire progressed nicely; the stairs to the
tunnel, the pantry and the now underneath the kitchen door were engulfed in
flames.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Are you
alive?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian finally asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a step forward, avoiding the fire at
their doorstep, and reached out with one hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His pupils were blown, as was his astonished stare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you real?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">It dawned on Wes
how he must look to his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
burned from head to toe; his wounds mending, ashy and bloody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention Adrian hated fire because his
father had been lost to it, and now here Wes stood an almost exact replica of
Davide Donohue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Adrian, it’s me,” Wes
rasped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m real.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian danced
away from the flames as they crawled up the cabinets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped close to Wes and put his hand near
Wes’s cheek but thought better of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ashes fell into his palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
eyes were full of involuntary tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You sure you’re not dead?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I know what it
looks like, but I’m sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God I wish I
could touch you right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just not… not
here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes backed away from the
kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The undead shifted with his mate, somehow
slowing the flames from following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
tried to think of anything that might distract his mind from the hungry ghouls
clogging the joint and something that might help Adrian as he was finally faced
with his fear of fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You have no
idea how much I want to touch you back.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian’s hand hovered near Wes’s, but stopped from making contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to touch you as we lie on a beach
somewhere unheard of and finally hear what sounds you make when you’re
underneath me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“That’s good,
baby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes licked his sore, chapped
lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, we’ll go on vacation after
we get done here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First plane out to
someplace nice and warm that serves cold beer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian backed
into a wall near the entrance of the dining room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How about a nude beach?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never been to one of those.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You’ve been
everywhere.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes risked the pain and
took Adrian’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And you’ve never
been to a nude beach?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not my idea of
sexy, because it’s usually a bunch of old, naked men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if that’s what turns you on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You turn me
on,” Adrian automatically replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
groaned with Wes as their bond strengthened and Adrian was able to finally feel
the epic pain Wes was in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Good to
know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes kissed Adrian’s gloved
fingertips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now I know shit seems rough
right now, like you command the dead and I look extra crispy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry that was a terrible joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But baby, we got to get out of here and stop
this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You always got
a plan, Durren.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian edged them back
down a smoky hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I have a reason
to have a plan, Donohue.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian exhaled through his teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I have a reason there are a bunch of
corpses on the ceiling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I was hoping we
were getting to that part.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes yanked
Adrian back from a skeleton getting a little too close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pain shot up his arm where his tender wounds
ached.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian targeted
Wes with a concerned look over his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We’re past getting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
thing now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just gotta keep going at this
point because they’re not done until we catch our mouse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I don’t have a
plan for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Halverson’s endgame
is to take everyone out who took attention away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a thing now too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“So he’s crazy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“The worst kind
of crazy comes from those who believe what they’re doing serves a purpose—one
they can’t be talked out of.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Halverson,” a
corpse whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the rest of them
caught wind of the name, they immediately began a chorus in appreciation of the
serial killer on the loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted
to hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes didn’t know if he was part
of the menu or what.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You sure you
got a tight leash on these things?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes winced
as he reached for the gun at his hip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Pretty sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“But you’re not one
hundred percent sure?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“No, I got
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I do.” Adrian mustered the
courage to look Wes in the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you think
you can live with this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe not be
repulsed by me tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Baby, when it
comes to you repulsed is not in my vocabulary. This is just a little different,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, we don’t have to deal
with raising a legion of dead bodies on every case we work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes lifted his brows and got in Adrian’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Am I right, Adrian?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian looked
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Guess we’ll find out soon
enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Their tense,
comical banter ceased when the first barn wood beam in the dining room crashed
to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll hold that
thought.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes gave Adrian’s hand a
squeeze before he let go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do your thing
as long as it gets us the hell away from this place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian searched
out the only other first floor exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because there was no way <span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson would have any chance to end things
from upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To confirm his logic, the
corpses raced down the hall and smacked into panes of frosted glass enclosing
some type of common room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Windows
shattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boney, decaying minions
of the earth poured through the open space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">As an outsider
to Adrian’s new power, Wes’s skin crawled at the sheer sight of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How those things bypassed him and his mate to
find the source of Adrian’s command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
they listened to him, how they were really fucking dead yet not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t wrap his head around it, but he
tried to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian needed him to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">For Adrian, Wes
would try not to throw up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">They followed
the undead through a conference room. Windowed doors opened up to the fierce
storm outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flood lights illuminated
an icy porch and two sets of stairs leading out into the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the swarm of hungry ghouls hopped the
railing and set their sights on the woods beyond, Wes knew Halverson still
intended to escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if he had
hostages with him, then he also had backup with him too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">After all,
Halverson was human, and lugging around two vampires and a heavy Detective was
impossible for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Fuck,” Wes
hissed through his teeth as he dropped to the ground from over the
railing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everything hurts."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian helped
him to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You okay to do
this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could always wait for
Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want you to get hurt
worse than you are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I’m healing,
not crippled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And nice try there,
rookie, you’re not leaving me out of this to protect me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially not with these things leeching off
you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes avoided their rotting faces as
they crawled through the snow, looking up at him while they went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One ghoul’s head twisted all the way around
to taunt him. “Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is like some
fucked up zombie marathon I’m living in, Adrian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You think this
is a cake walk for me, Wes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can feel
them in my head.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Uh, yeah,
bonded to you—remember?” Wes rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even his eyelids hurt in punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But I’m trying to focus on sandy beaches at the moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“And I’m trying
to hunt a murderer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“We’re trying to
hunt a murderer, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We—as in you
and I.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes frowned at his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched Adrian scrunch up his eyes and
scratch his head like he was trying to get the hoodoo out of his brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stop that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian gasped as
Wes took his hand and forced him to focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We’re close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sense him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes searched
Adrian’s flitting eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wide and
unseeing, Adrian’s blues appeared to look through him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Baby, can you hear me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“He’s
close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They smell him now too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smells like blood.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian yanked his hand away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">There were times
when Wes thought he knew everything, had seen everything, and then there were
times like now where the unknown came rapping at his door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mate was either in shock or had succumbed
to his new role as commander of the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Probably both and neither sat well with Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian had been through so much in his short
life, more than most vampires that were hundreds of years old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He’s lost
everything. Turned his brain off for many years to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when the end seemed near, Wes had come
along to make things better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Adrian
had never faced his demons head on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
never grieved the loss of his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d never been his own person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just when he finally started to see the light, life had thrown him a
curveball and piled the shit on him so high, Wes wasn’t sure Adrian would be
able to dig himself out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">That was why
Adrian was vulnerable to these creatures and what they took from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing his mate burned from head to toe did a
number on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was why he took off
and ran like the wind across the snow, leaving Wes to hightail it after him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">His mate was
losing the battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was giving
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Wes was ready to take the pain
his body gave him to rescue him mate from his past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Adrian,” Wes
screamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stop!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian looked
over his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes swirled red
in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes bared his teeth and ran
harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would probably spend a week
at the Bureau clinic if they lived through this, but every minute would be
worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The undead swam through the
snow, climbed trees like squirrels and traveled deep into the woods after
Halverson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes knew they
were close when gunshots rang into the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Halverson’s remaining men covering his ass as he ran to safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That didn’t last for long once Adrian’s army
rained down upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Wes caught
up to his mate, he found Adrian gutting a man in the chest over and over until
his parka was stained red in the moonlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All around him, the undead feasted on bodies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Adrian,
stop!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes grabbed his mate and grappled
with him for the knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flattened
Adrian onto his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knife inches
from his face as they struggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red
eyes glared up at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Adrian, listen
to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Their bond was
there but muted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whispers had taken
Adrian’s ability to hear him, making him mindless and hungry like the rest of
his army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thing was, short of throttling his mate back
to sanity, there was only one option left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes sucked in air and said, “Forgive me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He punched
Adrian right in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood spurted
from his mate’s nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s head fell
back and he closed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worse than
waiting for Adrian to come around pissed as a bull in a cage was the army of
zombies that stopped their mission to look at Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Oh shit,” he
cursed under his breath and shook his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Adrian, wake up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes dragged his mate into his lap as Adrian’s
minions closed in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian
coughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He groaned and opened his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blue</i> eyes to look up at Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You punched me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I’ll grovel
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now I think it would be
nice if you called off your hellhounds.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“My
what—oh...”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian wiped blood off his
chin and looked at his glove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s the
blood they want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Is that
all?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes shook his head and
growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not giving these things
anything else, you hear me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearly lost
your mind a minute ago because of them, so don’t even think of…Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian, I mean it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes took Adrian’s bloodied hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I’m not as
strong as I thought I was,” Adrian confessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I have a limit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“We all do; doesn’t
make you weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Makes you smart to know
when to stop.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes held Adrian’s hand
tightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now call them off, baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t need them anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You did enough for us already.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Not part of the
deal,” a skeleton hissed, nearly scaring Wes out of his skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Halverson.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Yeah? Well,
listen up, Bone Brigade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your duties
have been fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way I see it,
his blood doesn’t belong to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
belongs to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So fuck off to whatever
seventh hell you came from.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“We don’t take
orders from you,” the skeleton spat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Yes, you
do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian rubbed his face and hung his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because I’m a part of him, and he
has a part of me I can’t ever take back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He owns my sanity.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The army
protested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their anger mounted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes got to his feet and put up his
hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood on his glove began to
glow and he looked down at his palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Zombies backed away from him and Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This is unfair!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No good at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Keep going,
Wes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian pressed into Wes’s
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Make it stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re doing it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Hooray, we can
wield the dead together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that just
the most romantic thing you’ve ever seen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian elbowed
his mate in the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes rolled his
eyes and pushed the army further into the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your mission is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I uh… I command you back to your
graves.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes leaned down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That what I’m supposed to say?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I don’t fucking
know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian shot him a bewildered
look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Am I supposed to be an expert at
vampire necromancy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Looks like
you’re one now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes hugged Adrian to
his chest as the bodies and bones of each soldier were swallowed into the snow,
into the roots of trees and under icy patches of earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’re gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“So is
Halverson.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian pulled away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe if you wouldn’t have stopped me…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“If I wouldn’t
have stopped you, you’d be gone to me forever and you know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That what you want?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to keep going it solo and get
yourself killed, or worse, kill me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can’t do it alone, Adrian, and neither can I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s why we fit together and you know it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes shouldered past his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now you can stand there and pout and lick
your wounds, or be my partner and we can capture Halverson together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because where I come from we don’t need the
second coming to catch a bad guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
just need skills and brains.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I knew you’d be
mad.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian pulled his knife out of his
chest holster and marched ahead of his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Can’t handle my freaky mess after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Can’t handle
your mess?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you shitting me,
Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes harrumphed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed a blade from over his shoulder and
ran after his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t say you
having powers or whatever was a bad thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian whirled
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t trust me to do it
alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not once have you let me do my own thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Because you
don’t have a right to your own thing anymore, you prick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m your goddamn mate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trusted you enough to let you go raise the
dead and save three quarters of our men from being slaughtered by Halverson’s
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But excuse the hell out of me
for trying to stop you from turning into the king of flesh eating ghouls so we
might have a chance at a future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just excuse me for that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“But you’re
mad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Yeah, I am
mad.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes stared at his mate with
disbelief in his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Because I’m a
freak.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes dropped his
blade hand to his side and blinked rapidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Say what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Because you got
shackled with a freak that can raise the dead and doesn’t understand what the
fuck it means to be human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You knew
going in I was like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And here you
are throwing it in my face.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Oh
Adrian…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had no idea this was what
their fight was even about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stormed
over to his mate and gathered Adrian in his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s blade fell from his hand as he clung
to his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are not a freak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are anything but.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Then why are
you mad at me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Because I was
scared shitless that something was going to happen to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like when you turned off earlier because you
saw me all fried and couldn’t process that, to see you lose it like that to
those bony leeches terrified me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
ever want you to look through me like that again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian shook in
Wes’s arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put his face in Wes’s
neck and his entire body sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m so
sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I was mad, not
at you, but because you had no way to protect yourself from them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“But you
protected me in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s clear I
have no idea what I’m doing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
lifted his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Neither do I
when it comes to raising zombies.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And that’s why we stick
together from here on out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can look
out for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ain’t gonna be any
sandy beaches if one us is dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Don’t say
that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian narrowed his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“It was a
joke.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes lifted his lips to show
Adrian his fanged smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You tell
horrible jokes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Part of my
charm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes crouched to the ground,
retrieved Adrian’s blade and handed it back to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Partners?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I think we’re
past that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian sniffed and wiped his
nose with his gloved hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How are we
losing to a human, Wes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes
smirked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Baby, I’m sure many a vamp
asked themselves the same damn thing when you came knocking on their door in
the past.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian cocked
his head at Wes, his brows scrunched up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I never knocked.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“No, you’re
right; you probably scaled up the side of their house and used a laser beam to
silently cut through the window before you hacked them to pieces.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">They trudged
through the woods together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silent until
Adrian shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t usually hack.
Despite what you may have imagined, I just put a bullet through their head and
their heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sever the neck and cock it
back so it can’t mend together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saved
the hacking for those who deserved it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“How sweet of
you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes chuckled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Their banter
relaxed Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although still on high
alert, he had no idea how much he’d needed his mate’s stupid jokes to ease the
throb left behind from the undead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
idea how terrified he’d been until the adrenaline had subsided and he had time
to reflect on what he’d done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s
sister had given him an outlet to cut Halverson down to size, and she’d warned
him not to be greedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was hard to
know what greed looked like when Adrian had never experienced it before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">His emotions
were amplified as a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The undead
knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d latched on to his
untrained human reactions and sucked him down like a milkshake until only the
cherry in the bottom remained. What’s worse is he’d let them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d known something was wrong, but was too
weak by that point to stop them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
like he had any instructions going in to his new role as a dead raiser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless he’d finally detected the
difference between right and wrong; tapped into his humanity at some point and
was scared he’d lose it forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I don’t want to
feel like that again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Like
what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes grabbed his hand and hoisted
him up a rocky step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Like someone
else now that I know who I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes played
listener and kept walking next to his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And who is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Someone I want
you to be proud of.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I’d say,” Wes
took Adrian’s hand again and squeezed it, “you’re doing just fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Yeah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes readied his
one word reply, but the scent of human carried on the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stench rendered him speechless except for
a growl that bubbled up his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He’s here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Halverson.”
Adrian took an instinctive step forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes’s hand shot
out to stop Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a game to him and so far we’ve played
right into his trap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re separated
from our team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others are still a
few miles out and they have no idea of our exact location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has something planned, Adrian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“That’s what he
wants you to think.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian bared his
fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s outnumbered now and the
only thing he has against us is a hostage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe two if he kept his mother alive but I doubt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s playing us because he’s scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s all alone now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Anger funneled
through their bond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s lust for
revenge brought his demons to the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He lifted his hands, only to have them smacked down under Wes’s force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re gonna have to work on this later, but
for now, can you leave the zombies out of this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Shit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wasn’t…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“It’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got your back now, remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay, well if I can’t bring out
the big guns, and we can’t stand here like sitting ducks, then what do you
suggest?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“We do this the
old fashioned way and hope for the best.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes clapped him on the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We
run him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We take him down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope Frederick is still breathing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I can do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes gripped
Adrian’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He let go and pulled
his gun from his holster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll let you do
the honors.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Thanks,
dearest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He caught Halverson’s scent again and his
gaze snapped to the north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I like it when
you’re bossy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian
grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I like it when you obey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Kinky.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes wagged his brows and followed Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Halverson stood
in the middle of a snowy clearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
five foot drift created a wall behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His short hair was tipped with ice as if his sweaty locks had succumbed
to Mother Nature’s unrelenting winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As if he didn’t care about the cold or the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if he cared about nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">the wind’s command,
but still Halverson was unmoved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So was
the crumpled body at his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Frederick?”
Adrian barked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept his gun level
with Halverson’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took another
step into the clearing with Wes a few feet behind him, still in the shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Frederick, can you hear me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“He can hear you
just fine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson extended his torch
to his right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But whether he continues
to live is up to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“What did you do
to him?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian took another step
despite the cold warning in Halverson’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I would think
that obvious, Adrian.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson waved
the torch to ward Adrian off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
then that Adrian smelled the gasoline everywhere, pungent, burning his
nostrils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glanced down at Frederick’s
prone body, noticed how his eyes were open and flicking around, how his chest
rose and fell slightly, but the rest of his body was as lifeless as a rag doll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian glared at
Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“R190.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You paralyzed all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s how you were able to take two mature
vampires hostage without a fight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Smart thinking,
Detective.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson’s lips lifted in a
feral smile. “I only had use for them to leave the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your dearest Frederick here is all I need
now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“And how did you
smuggle R190 out of the academy?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
crunched through the snow behind Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Halverson lowered
his torch near the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brows
clenched together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would think twice
about coming closer, Detective Durren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is between me and Adrian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“And what are
you gonna do to me, human, hurt me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
flashed his fangs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, maybe break your heart a little.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson tossed the torch in the snow next
to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flames jumped to life and spread
like the speed of light in a circle of gasoline, enclosing Adrian, Frederick,
and Halverson inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Adrian!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes reached for his stunned mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">All around Adrian,
fire crackled in the snowy storm, unable to be stopped by Winter herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gasoline burned heavy where it had been
doused on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian was trapped
inside the circle with the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
many demons and yet he couldn’t stop to face a single one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian listened
to Wes’s roar, but it was a distant echo against the pound of his heart. It
wasn’t close enough to do damage against the psychopath who loomed closer every
second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson smiled in the face of
Adrian’s greatest fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too good for a human.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He was Adrian’s
reflection, like his evil twin if he’d chosen the darker path. And even though
Adrian was a vampire, Halverson had found his greatest weakness, the fire that
consumed him when the lights went out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d tapped into his past and taunted him for pure entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“It has been a
long time, Hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have waited for
this moment for years.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson
stroked the barrel of his gun like a precious pet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was no ordinary gun; a tranquilizer to be
more precise, and probably filled with R190.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Seconds seemed
like years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian tried to find his
voice, some reason, but all that came out was a strained, “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Because my
mother asked me to do a job and I failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I never fail and my botched mission disappointed her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson cocked his head and blinked
once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might have been human, but the
life in his eyes wasn’t there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He</i> wasn’t there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You took your
mother hostage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You killed her mate.
You’re a sick fuck,” Adrian hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“That woman who
gave birth to me threw me away, so I did the same to her and that man she
called her mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t want
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t want my father either
after she learned how talented he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mother told me the truth not long ago, and she didn’t want to because
she knew it would hurt me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m
strong enough to take it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother
tells me I’ll be the strongest of them all after I turn.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tear ran down Halverson’s cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can still hear her voice, even though you
took her from me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian realized
he’d dropped his knife when the flames burst to life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached for his gun, while keeping his
gaze locked on Halverson’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You mean
Camille?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s not your mother,
Sasha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She used you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Don’t call me
that!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson took a hard step toward
Adrian and waved his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t talk
about my mother that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t even
think about reaching for your gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get
on your knees, Hunter!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Through the
flames, Adrian saw Wes preparing to jump through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed his eyes for a split second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t
do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me… Let me handle this. </i>Adrian opened
his eyes.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i>Wes hesitated through the fiery barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian thought he saw Wes grab his phone
instead and start to pace the ring of fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He could do
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian focused on Halverson
instead of the flames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the hostage who
was part of his team, paralyzed and vulnerable inches away from the fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had too much to lose to give up now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian looked at Halverson and took a deep
breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t get on my knees for
anyone except my mate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You will if you
want your mate to live.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“And who is
going to hurt him, Sasha, you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way I see it, you’re just
as fucked in here as I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is
coming to save you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took away all of
your protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bureau is about to
come storming down on your parade in a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all you have left is a grand finale so
you can go out as the famous freak, which finally finished his job for some
twisted bitch that used you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I
can’t blame you on the twisted part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
did grow up with a boy butcher as a father and a mother who was blackmailed
into leaving her son with him. No wonder you killed them both.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian came
closer to his human prey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s why
you did all of this, took their hearts out, because that’s how your father used
to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you want to put me down to
take my heart out too, because I took your heart from you when I sent your
mother to hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, you took my heart
from me first when you killed my father, but unfortunately for you, taking my heart
won’t make us even.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But me taking your
life will.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Halverson
screamed his rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leveled the
tranquilizer gun at Adrian’s chest and time slowed down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of the corner of Adrian’s eye, he saw the
spirit in the flannel cap run into the circle of flames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spirit collided with Halverson’s body,
invaded him long enough to drop the gun before the spirit was forced out
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian rushed Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands connected with Halverson’s coat and
pushed him to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian didn’t
know the exact moment they hit the ground or when his fist hit Halverson’s
jaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lost all sense of time and his
surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t feel Halverson’s
nails slice down his face or the crack of Halverson’s arm as it snapped under
his punishing grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t notice his
blood as it splattered to the ground and summoned every demon he’d been trying
to keep away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He blacked out,
zoned in to Halverson’s utter destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The human flailed beneath him, actually begged with incoherent words for
his useless life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boney fingers played
with Adrian’s hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They touched
Halverson’s terrified face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The undead
crawled to their master and soaked up his rage, his craving for death and
darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Adrian!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It came as a small voice in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Adrian, stop!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian delivered
blow after blow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used his nails to
dig into Halverson’s chest until he ripped skin from muscle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Adrian!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hands pulled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fought back until strong arms locked his
head and shoulders in a strong embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was pulled away from the object of his utmost hatred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson was still alive, but barely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian struggled to finish what he’d started.
He howled like a wounded animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
deserved this revenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father deserved
it too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“No,” Wes
bellowed from behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This isn’t
you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop and look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The whir of a
chopper breeched the storm around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Floodlights swirled over the snow from above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guards in full tactical gear swarmed the
clearing, but stopped around the circle of undead figures piled around
Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the distance, sirens
headed for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thick black smoke
sliced up the moonlight from the lodge fire a few miles away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian started
to remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The red drained from his
eyes and his fight emptied into Wes’s embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He dragged in air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked
around at the sheer number of Guards who had come to their aid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Found Niles with a medic, both of them
hovering over Frederick and tending to his wounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saw Feist storming over the snow towards
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of their team hot on his
heels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">But the major
focus of tonight’s entertainment centered around the undead army still waiting
for their master’s command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Guards
were pulling up their helmet shields in shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some were snapping pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Others were backing away, clutching their rifles close.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Let them go,
baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s over now,” Wes whispered in Adrian’s
hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’ll get his for what he did to
your family, to you, to his victims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This isn’t the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you let those
things take him, you’ll be no better than the monster he is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make me proud, huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“He can’t
just…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian keened through his fangs
and gripped Wes’s hand to stay upright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“He won’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never will again and that’s all you need
to worry about. It’s done, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can all rest in peace now.”
Wes’s kissed Adrian’s temple and lowered them to their knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell them to rest now too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell them you’re not their master any
longer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian struggled
with letting go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Releasing the rage and
vengeance he’d carried like a sack of bricks on his back for ten years was
harder than he’d thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d imagined
a victorious moment, the minute he could breathe again and start something
new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now all he wanted was to kill
Halverson over and over, but that wouldn’t bring his parents back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That wouldn’t supply him with closure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The only one who
could bring him his happily ever after was the man at his back, and that was
only if he was willing to accept Wes’s instruction and call off his army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Through tears,
Adrian gazed upon the undead and lifted his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rest now,” he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like his
voice was the wind and his command was the greatest force of winter, the undead
crawled away from Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Into the
dirt they burrowed, swallowed by snow and soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Into the trees they slithered, twining into roots and under rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And some simply disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Guards rained
down upon Halverson once the coast was clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their voices carried, shouted, and commanded as the Bureau sorted out
the mess Halverson had created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all
the while, Adrian buried his face in Wes’s neck and sobbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surrounded by his team, by the safety they
offered with their very lives, they gave Adrian the family he never thought
he’d have again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Three months
later, on a crisp February night, Adrian hung his coat on the hook by the front
door and took off his formal service cap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He put it on the trunk in front of the couch and sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night’s festivities left his body buzzing
with alcohol and warmth swept over his tired limbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He toed off his shiny dress shoes, wiggled
his toes, and then propped his feet up on the trunk to wait for his mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">So much had
happened between that night and this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lots of good things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things
Adrian hadn’t had time to reflect on because they’d been so busy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Feist had been
promoted to Senior Detective for his work on the Sinclair case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every one of his team members had been given
medals of Honor for their efforts to bring down those involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niles had been given a job on their team,
because after they were separated, he’d played an integral part in helping
Sutton locate them in the clearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was now in charge of the His Children Refugee Operation and was climbing the
social ladder, but in a good way, a position he actually deserved because of
his passion to help and care for the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The German, whose real name was Jack, had been promoted to Task Force
Leader on some dealer case that was blowing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Turns out he was a real son-of-a-bitch that the dealers became afraid
of, and most ended up coughing up names and locations like vomit in his
presence. He became Frederick’s new partner, and from what Adrian heard, the
two of them were having a grand old time busting chops and taking names.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian had kept
his promise to the spirit in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After they’d cleaned up the mess at the lodge with the local PD and made
sure that night was silenced and swiped from all human memory, Adrian had
located the body and placed an anonymous call to the local sheriff’s
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spirit had been a man named
Samuel Miller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been a father to
three girls and a grandfather to two boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d been a husband, a loved one, and a simple accident had left him out
there alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the minute he knew his
family could move on, and they learned he hadn’t left them after all these
years, Samuel Miller stepped over to the other side and never came back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Halverson had
been taken into the Queen’s custody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was more than likely he’d ended up in the same prison as his so called mother
after an intense and forceful round of questioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But thankfully, Nina had spared Adrian the
details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want to know any more
than he already did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was part of Adrian’s
self-imposed therapy—let it go when there was nothing more to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No good would come of it, and these days he
was trying to focus on the positive side of things, and be thankful for what he
had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be thankful for all the progress he’d
made to become the man he was now and make his mate proud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Speaking of his
mate, Wes had become a little softer around the edges, but mostly for his team
and especially for Adrian behind closed doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His aggressive side only came out once or twice within the past few
months and it was usually provoked by some rookie who didn’t know how to make
coffee the way he liked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or when
Adrian got a little too wicked for his own good and deserved to be punished,
something they both enjoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes didn’t
push, Adrian didn’t shove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
cohabited, as they called it, but once in a while they both admitted their
sappy, romantic feelings for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian had never been more secretly elated than when Wes flat out told
him he loved him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Every now and
then, the emotions built up and needed an outlet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And like Wes had taught him, they were still
human on the inside, and that meant expressing themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian would spend a lifetime learning how to
feel if it meant sharing every shred of his findings with Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">And it seemed
they were all finding something…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Maloy had met a
female, his mated match, who happened to be Feist’s little sister and only time
would tell if Maloy would keep his balls after the mating ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton and Wes were back to being BFFs, getting
drinks here and there, catching a pick-up basketball game when they could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s Aunt Tina found a way to push Adrian
into the fold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had started family
meals on Sunday afternoon, cases permitting, and things were becoming less
awkward with every passing week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
had cleared out his shoebox of a bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had upgraded to Wes’s bed upstairs, their bed, and the nightmares
hadn’t touched his sleep since.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Nothing was
missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a strange feeling
to be complete, or as whole as one could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that left Adrian smiling a lot these days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">But his smile
was always bigger when Wes was around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For instance, the moment Wes stumbled through the front door with a
drunken grin of his own, Adrian felt his jaw almost pop with the smile he returned
to his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s hat fell to the
floor, but he didn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held up a
fifth of rum and lifted a brow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“I’ll give you a
treat if you meet me upstairs in nothing but your hat and that medal around
your neck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian traced
his fangs with his tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What kind of
treat are we talkin?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes looked at
the bottle and then back at Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
kind that involves a Captain flavored blowjob.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian snorted,
but got up from the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll take
it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took the bottle from Wes and
opened it up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He poured a good amount in
his mouth and took it down like a champ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But only if I get to return the favor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Game on, baby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes pecked Adrian on the lips and disappeared
around the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian drunkenly
ran his hand over the wall, taking his sweet time and gave Wes a head
start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His gaze landed on the shadow box
hanging next to the flat screen television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His two ivory handled daggers were mounted together, and underneath them
it read: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">We are two of a kind.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
never will we part.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
one us is lost,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">the other lost his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“We are so
fucked,” Adrian whispered with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He shook his head and laughed to himself before he grabbed his hat off
the trunk and trotted off to the staircase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">An hour later the
Captain had been long forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
collapsed on top of Wes, his mate still buried inside of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their kisses were slower now, not as hungry
as when they’d first come upstairs, but Adrian enjoyed the moments after almost
more than the sex itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he
didn’t have to get up and put his clothes on, sneak out in the middle of the
night and go back to a lonely hotel room somewhere in the dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">These kisses
were real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This bed was theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was their home and together they shared
it with respect, love, intimacy, and sometimes anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was his life now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it took a minute to accept the
realization all over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes stroked his
cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His broad chest rose and fell,
and a rumble vibrated in his throat as he got comfortable with his mate
sprawled out on top of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easy
to fall asleep now, easy to feel safe, and for Adrian to let his guard down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to him, that was his happily ever after.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">At least he
always thought that until their phones went off in the middle of the
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes snatched his off the
nightstand and groaned a hello to Sutton on the other end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you got for us, boss man?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian smiled
into Wes’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nipped his way down
Wes’s chest and flashed his swirling eyes up at his mate. Wes glared back, but
his lips couldn’t lie as they turned up with a sexy grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be there in a bit. Wait. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make that an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gotta get some coffee to kill this
buzz.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes dumped his phone on the
nightstand and flipped Adrian over with a growl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coffee could wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could all wait for another minute of this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">It was well
after midnight as they waited at the corner to cross the street from where the
taxi dropped them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bureau
headquarters looked dark on the outside, but it was definitely alive behind
closed doors if you had a badge to get in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The city was still a hub of activity on the street, not as strong during
the day, but populated all the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian stood
close to Wes, his coffee in his hand, and listened to his mate talk about the
case details they’d been emailed on the way over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s attention strayed to a siren in the
distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not sure I’m up for going
out to the boonies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, leaving the
city is pretty foreign after being here for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this case does sound interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vampire street racing, redneck Rush dealers,
twin go-go dancers, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> a murder
suicide?—that’s like movie crazy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Adrian sipped
his coffee and watched the bus pull up to the corner across the street. “I’d
have to agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fontine texted me and
said he’s pretty excited to go undercover on this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, we’re only doing this to keep an eye
on the queen’s kid, but this is like celebrity body guarding. I could use a
change of pace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes looked over
at him, amusement arching his brows higher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I could get down with you in some flannel, maybe some of those tight,
ripped up jeans.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“You could get
down with me in garbage and still be happy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes knocked
shoulders with him and winked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well
sure, but this is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could
get into this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes kept talking
but Adrian didn’t hear what he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Across the street, a little girl with windblown dark hair looked back at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She held hands with a man who stood
out of the light. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie smiled at him,
waved her hand like any excited little girl would do, and then dragged the man toward
the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian caught a glimpse of his
father’s approving smile one last time before the bus doors closed them
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the public transport had passed them by,
gone were the last of Adrian’s doubts that he was on the right path.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">He had his
closure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had everything he had ever
needed and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Adrian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You hear what I said?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes looked at him with warm charcoal
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His dark brows knitted together as
he waited for an answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">“Flannel.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian took Wes’s hand in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I heard you loud and clear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">Wes leaned in,
the smell of coffee on his breath, and whispered his version of I love
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">The End</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"></span> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><o:p><u>An Unedited Preview for Our Next Story:</u></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><o:p>P.S. SO EXCITED!</o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<o:p><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">His older
brother sat across from him, fingering the hole-ridden arm of Blaze’s favorite
thrift store chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage wasn’t usually
one to crack a smile, but he fought not to now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rowe had come all the way to Queens to sit in his and Blaze’s two
bedroom apartment and try to get him to come home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, Rowe had suddenly found
himself speechless over the disarray of the place, the mismatching furniture
and the realization in his eyes that his little brother was slumming it on
purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage
brought a cigarette to his lips, waiting for Rowe to come back to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His golden eyes, courtesy of his father, watched
his brother’s violet irises slant at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Gage was very much amused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
exhaled a steady line of smoke and flicked the ash into a glass tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As much as I want to stare into your eyes
all night, I got shit to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Oh fuck
off, you little punk.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe fiddled with
the knees of his slacks, leaning forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Mother is worried about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“It’s mom,
Rowe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you sandy “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mother</i> “ it freaks me out, like you
command a band or rats and make voodoo dolls out of hair in your spare time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage rested his elbows on his knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I’m not going back to that house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This</i>
is home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure you get her the
message.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You could
tell her yourself, you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You left,
Gage, without a bloody word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You packed
your shit on a whim and moved in with Blaze… in Queens, might I add.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I’m glad
you can add, Rowe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage crushed the end
of his cigarette in the dish on the coffee table and got to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s not my home anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it never felt like home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s stuffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s suffocating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s everything
I’m not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a kid anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not some child prodigy ass kisser like
Axel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a lot of things and it’s
better for everyone, myself included, that I’m here and not there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, I’m getting more hands on training
in the city than I’d probably ever see back at the compound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Queen’s kid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah fucking right they’d put me on the
field, even when I turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They barely let
you out of the cage and you lead them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe rested
his head against the chair and sighed at the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t lead our warriors, Gage, Cadence
does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I might fight with the best of
them, but our people count on me to be much more than that these days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Yeah,
well, Cade doesn’t really like me all that much anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I’m not hip to hip with Isaac he
could give a shit about me or my Guardian training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, we don’t even know if I’m going to be
one, but I gotta do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cade
turned Em and Hannah, and they’re nothing but wild cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac already bit the bullet and now he’s
wasting his new existence being tied to things and spanked like a little girl,
and fucking Nanette is off feeding the homeless with Jaska, yet another
waste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and Axel are the only chance
you guys got at a new generation of Guardians because I don’t count on Hannah
and Em to take orders, and I’m pretty sure they’d rather be mated to each other
than continue the bloodline like other females. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if Ax is gonna spend his life holed up in
a library or frequenting tea shops, I gotta pick up the slack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this is my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get the fuck over it, Rowe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You want
me to go home and tell our mother to get the fuck over it, in those exact
words?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage noticed Rowe’s jaw
tick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His older brother straightened in
his chair and narrowed his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Well…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I won’t be
your little messenger, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
tell her yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can ring her and
tell her you’ve chosen to distance yourself from her during the most turbulent
time of your life, so she might worry herself to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also tell your father he’s done nothing
wrong, because right now he thinks he’s the reason you left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thinks you hate him because he reprimanded
you, and so he should have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I not
been busy that day, I would have possibly kicked your head square off your
shoulders for laying hands on Isaac.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“What the
fuck does everyone see in him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac
this, Isaac that, while everyone ignores me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage chucked the glass dish across the room, reveling in the crash and
explosion of glittering shards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“None
of you give a shit about my problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All you want to do is keep me under your goddamn thumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you realize not once did you ask me why I
did it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why I left, Rowe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They just wrote me off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well,
he probably deserves what’s coming to him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gage threw his hands up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get
out, Rowe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pay half the rent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is on the lease now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m pretty sure I have every right to tell
you to get the fuck out if you want to argue about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe lifted
himself out of the chair and shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Gage, I’m not blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never
asked you what this was about because I already knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve watched over you since you were
born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might not think I care about
you, but I’ll have you know, you and Axel are very special to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe turned away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And as the only one you talk to anymore, I
figured you come to me when you wanted to share.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You have
no idea what my problem is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage
rounded the coffee table, getting in Rowe’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not a fucking clue.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you’re not upset over Isaac finding his
mate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not upset because the man
you found yourself attracted to now belongs to another?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe relaxed his body, attempting to look as
approachable as possible for a man of his towering stature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage’s face
fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not like that, Rowe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Isn’t
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This all started the first time
Isaac made his intentions clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wanted Knox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wanted Isaac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You pushed him away because in the back of
your head you knew Knox loved him back, however fucked he may have shown it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that everything is said and done, we all
should have known and done something about it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rowe reached out, frowning as Gage moved away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No one can fault you for loving Isaac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of you were very close for a long
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You shared everything until Isaac
decided to take a different path, and you’ve never been any good with
change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is why I’m so worried
about you, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This,” he gestured
around, “is a very big change.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I’m not in
love with him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage shook his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’re going
to have to elaborate, Gage, because I know what love looks like and I’m sorry,
little brother, but it’s written all over you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Backing
away, Gage put his hand up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
wouldn’t understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Try
me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe continued to corner him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Don’t do
this to me, Rowe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trying to forget
all of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to move on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“From
us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that it, Gage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you want to forget your family and be the
lone ranger?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe’s anger manifested in
his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You would forget us and the
life we all worked hard to provide for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“No,” Gage
murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to forget how fucked
up I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe groaned,
shoulders slumping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not fucked
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re young and confused, and pushing
away any means of help you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
not get it out, Gage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me what it is
and I’ll guard your secret with my last breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please, talk to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage was
numb from head to toe, not really, but his emotions and words seemed locked in
the stronghold he’d built in his head and he couldn’t make sense of what he
felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Rowe was asking of him was
nearly impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never told a soul,
except for Knox, and even then it had been in broken words and out of
fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knox hadn’t appeared to understand
what he was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been in another
zone, trying to protect his mate, scaring the literal piss out of Gage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Sure you
can. One word at a time, Gage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage shook
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No,” he hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I don’t
love him!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Then who
do you love?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has my baby brother in such a bloody panic
he would push me away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to
make you hate us?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe smacked his fist
onto the back of the chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is
it?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what</i>!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Gage purged
himself of air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He trudged to the other
side of the room and collapsed into Blaze’s chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I got off,” he breathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Off of
what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe queried, slipping into the
opposite chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You got off of what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this about drugs?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">off</i>.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">The light
went on in Rowe’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You, er, came
then?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raised a brow, not truly
following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s normal I suppose, but
what does that have to do with—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“To
him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d just fucked that chick from … I
don’t remember where, came back to get Isaac for movie night and saw him
playing with his lacey shit and got off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I like women, Rowe,” Gage persisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I like them so much I now try to find ones that look like him,
because…it’s the idea of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him</i> that gets me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so… He was just… I couldn’t stop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe nodded
carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You see
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me what’s wrong with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“There’s
nothing wrong with you except for you, Gage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Denial is a tortuous prison.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I’m not
gay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will have children with a
woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will carry on my father’s
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not some pansy-ass flame boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like women,” he repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll mate with a woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Unless Fate
is preparing you for a man, Gage—you can’t argue with Fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m going to refrain from taking the
flame boy comment personally.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Fuck Fate
and fuck you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not gay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t love Isaac and I don’t want to go back to that place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Gage, I
love you so much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“I hate
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Rowe’s face
paled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gripped the armrests of his
chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed his eyes, breathed it
out, and then locked eyes with Gage once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I love you more than you could ever know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope this hatred you carry for yourself
will fade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you can see that your
words affect me and my mate, and my brothers, and my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you snap out of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you find the one that settles this
upset in your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don’t you ever
say you hate me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll kill before you
utter the words again, because I love you that much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“You’d kill
me because you love me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage sneered,
lighting up another cig.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Your death
would be a far better end at my hand than the death you’ll bring down upon
yourself if you continue this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll wither and turn into a speck of the man you once were,
undistinguishable to anyone who cares for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I refuse to watch you do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love you too much to let you go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Whatever,
go back to Princess Dan and baby Mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
they’ll actually give a shit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gage was
stunned to the spot in mere seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
cigarette burned a hole in the carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His hand was still stretched out, fingers clenched where the tobacco
stick had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cheek burned from
the slap of Rowe’s hand hard against his flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">“Wake the
fuck up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you do, ring me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rowe snatched up his coat and left, slamming
the door so hard it cracked down the middle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Kalinga","sans-serif";">Cage crumpled
in Blaze’s chair, admitting failure as a bad ass when he started to cry like a
little girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</o:p><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-81035418156945510472014-06-13T20:00:00.001-04:002014-06-13T20:00:58.072-04:00Flash Fiction Friday! A Nanny Tale: Part 8
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I know I’ve been quiet for a bit, but there’s a good
reason behind that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
try to see the positive in packing up everything into boxes and taking trips
back and forth to the new place, but damn I absolutely hate moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new place is like a little dream, but
seriously, I still hate moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would like to clarify that by no means does this mean me
and Dan are on the outs or anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
I knew that question would come up eventually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re just at that point we
knew would come where we both have new things to look forward to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got a really good man that is whisking
him off to another city and I finally got the condo I’ve been salivating over
for almost two years now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although I will miss him terribly and he’s made it clear I will
be using the guest room for their frequent visitations, it is time for my own
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me, living with two boys
who are into each seems hot, but they are still men and it’s like having two
brothers nagging on you constantly for food or to find their runaway shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will not miss gym clothes laundry
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry, D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I will miss James Dean in the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lost him in a custody dispute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty sad about that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, while we rent out our house to some friends and
become landlords again, I will be moving about 45 minutes away to a condo on
the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yes, I said waterfront
property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, it’s not like
millionaire glamorous, but it’s cool and in the historic district and I had the
ultimate hookup from one of my clients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I’m feeling blessed right about now because without this person’s
help there is no way on this green earth I could have afforded to live there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s a fixer upper because while it might be in a strict
historic district, the elderly lady who lived there wasn’t into updating the
place and got a bit of leeway due to her health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I spent the last two weeks removing ducks
in heart basket wallpaper and burgundy carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then there was the hunter green tile in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And let us not forget the posters in her son’s
old bedroom that had been there since about 1994.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Baywatch bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, actually it was worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a fossilized sock in the closet I’m
still trying to forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*shivers*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To say I’m remodeling is an understatement, so when I get
the chance to write it’s a huge stress relief these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which brings us to this week’s FFF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t give out a prompt this week and we
might not have any this month because I’m overloaded, but here it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You guys are the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hugs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our other bloggers:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.elainamroberts.com/" target="_blank">Elaina M. Roberts<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://purplesnowstorms.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Winter<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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</o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Nanny Tale: Part 8<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It didn’t take long to get rid of my shorts, to be naked on
top of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After an eternity of wanting
him and not realizing how much I truly did need this since the moment I laid
eyes on him, we were finally together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some people say their first sexual experience is to be held in the
highest honor, as if two fumbling teenagers would understand how to pleasure
each other in a way that would outrank any other intimate moment spanning their
lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recall being sixteen in my friend’s bedroom, but the details
are fuzzy and perhaps they’re meant to stay that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time with Chris, our first time, this is
the experience I’ll treasure forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even if the doubt still has a way of creeping into my thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if we slip up and fall and it’s not like
the movies, my heart still pounds like it never has before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes are still wide and trying to take in
every inch of him; every move and every muscle that tightens under my hands
because he wants nothing more than for me to keep touching him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And while to look at me you wouldn’t think I had a
possessive bone in my body, I want to crawl inside him, to mark him, to cover
him with all of me and claim him as mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want to shelter him from the dark shades of the world that have left
him cowering and trap the man he so desperately is trying to be underneath me
for the rest of our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But he needs to breathe, to stretch his wings, and if I
denied him that… he’d suffocate and resent me forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I pull back, kneeling between his legs, caressing his thighs
to find him squirming before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
fingers reach for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take them in my
hand and kiss every single fingertip, his palm and then his wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pauses to watch me do so, like never in a
thousand years could he fathom a man performing such a precious task.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s a lot Chris doesn’t know or he assumes; ideals
embedded deep within his brain that tell him one of us rutting and the other
one submitting is the only masculine way two men can have sex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was left out of his societal teachings
was just like any other couple, two men desire love and intimacy with or
without sex as much as anyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
same could be said for how we love in the privacy of our own home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No two couples are the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why should we have to be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The only thing that matters is the delivery of the message
and making sure the recipient knows how much they’re cared for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I bend down to press a kiss to the bridge of his nose where
two little red marks were made from wearing his glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kiss the spot on his jaw where he cut himself
shaving this morning because he was nervous from the minute he woke up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kiss the scar on his shoulder where he told
me he’d fallen from a tree when he was a teenager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kiss every spot that makes him human to
remind him he is, in fact, normal and this is okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is just us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His arms encircle my neck, fingers feeling about my hair
until he builds a slow massage that has me practically purring for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I glance up to find him staring at me
expectantly, waiting for whatever I have planned next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He trusts me to guide tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He trusts me enough to allow me whatever I
wish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it’s not about what I wish; it’s about him tonight,
about breaking down the final wall of his fortress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I trace his nipple with the tip of my tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Run my hands up his sides, putting emphasis
in the heel of my palms to let him know how much I want this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His answer is a rough moan I didn’t know he
had in him, but its fuel to the fire and the room is growing warmer with every
passing minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His mewls of pleasure become broken and half strangled as I
take his hips within my hands and bath his stomach with searing kisses and vigorous
licks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cock is thick and heavy when
I take it in my hand and stroke it down, pulling the foreskin away from the
slick head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It twitches in my palm, much
like his body does upon releasing all the stored up sexual energy he’s
entrusted me with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan,” he hisses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I say nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s not a word in the English language that can suffice a reply to
my name rolling off his tongue in the throes of passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s simply enough to know I’m doing this
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s more than enough to hear his
sharp gasp as I take the head of his cock into my mouth and suck the flavor of
him down my throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve always loved giving head with willing partners in the
past, but none of them compare to Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To Chris’s engorged dick in my mouth, straining my lips and pressing at
the back of my throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To each salty
drop of him that glazes the roof of my mouth before my tongue can swipe it
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To each ridge and vein I want to
memorize like a map to buried treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More than anything, I love sucking on Chris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The way he begins thrusting into my mouth is unholy; a
fragmented cadence of his hips, that lifts his ass enough for me slither my
hands underneath him and squeeze each fleshy mound with my fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His unabashed chant for more as he forgets
himself and gives into me is wicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
give him what he wants, what he needs, and take him to the root.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My air is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My throat relaxes and Chris forges down my throat
only to pull away again with each bob of my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each time he retreats from my mouth, I miss him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He takes matters into his own hands, squeezes the base of
his cock because we both know he’s near the edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with glossy lips, I withdraw from his cock
to peer up at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan,” he repeats and it’s all the explanation I
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulls me down on top of him,
kissing me senseless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wraps his legs
around me once more to be as close as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We roll over one too many times until we’re half off the
bed, breathless and sticky from being stuck together for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it will never be close enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not yet anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I soothe Chris onto his stomach and run my
hands over his body until he relaxes enough to listen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Comfortable?” I whisper in his ear and he nods against the
pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ll tell me if it’s too
much?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He nods again with his eyes screwed shut as if he’s focusing
on the sound of my voice and nothing else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With his permission, I put a plush pillow under his stomach and guided
him to open his legs wider and draw his knees in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a position only a man who trusted me
would take, and with that, I vowed to make this as good as possible for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might have had a few guys in the past, but
it was obvious Chris had never been on the bottom before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact he automatically wanted to tonight,
made me feel special, and I would spend hours tending to him if he needed
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would do anything to make him feel
my… love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I close my eyes and take a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is really happening to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This man and his life had wrapped me up and
choked me with affection until I’d been forced to realize the very thing I was
missing this entire time: him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With a towel from the floor placed between Chris’s legs, I’m
ready to give him everything he’d been missing too: me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His ass grinds against my hands as I spread
him wide open. His back arches as I encircle his entrance with my thumb,
testing his sensitivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And oh, did he
like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wiggles his ass for me and
I smile, placing a kiss on one cheek and then the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I pop the top on the lube and hold it above his
entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With one squeeze, the clear
liquid dribbles down his crack, a cold sensation rolling over his backside, and
Chris groans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon he allows me the
honor of stretching him open with a single finger, working it in and out until
he whispers, “More.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A single word had never empowered me like this. His pleasure
in my hands, a work of art in the form of his adult yet inexperienced body
twisting and pushing against me, it is too incredible to describe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To ignite his nerves with delicate touches
and murmur encouragement against his skin is breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheathing my length in latex, taking his hips
in my hands, knowing he has given me this right after all the things he has
been through—no man will ever make me feel as privileged as Chris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I give him a few minutes, keep pressure on his entrance with
the head of my cock and massage his lower back until he nods into the pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reaches out and covers my hand with his, clutching
for strength as he bears down and I push inside his body for the first
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Control doesn’t come easy in this
position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s instinct when wrapped
inside a heat like his to thrust in and bury myself deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Excruciating to be patient because this
moment isn’t about me, it’s about the person beneath me who is taking the brunt
of the experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I gage his reaction, his profile crisp against his
pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eyes tightly shut and mouth open
as he pants for air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand is cutting
off my circulation but I think that’s mostly due to shock, not pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m positive of this when he signals for
me to continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t hide his face
like he would if he chose to continue only because stopping would upset me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He knows he has the power to stop this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows I would never be angry with him if
he wasn’t ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inch by inch I fill him from behind, slipping inside this
heat where no one else has been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fill
him with love and respect, with passion and lust, with everything I am that
supports him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bottom out and ease away,
watching his face for any sign he can’t handle this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I see is a mix of emotions, the first
and foremost is surprise, trailed by an open mouthed smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His breath catches with every thrust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A single sound over and over to punctuate the
thought he’s trying to convey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And soon
he brings his hips up to meet me and he’s rolling his ass, tightening around
me, dancing against my cock in a way that almost makes me lose it right then
and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need this to last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need him to lose his mind as I come inside
my latex prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want him to pull his
hair and tilt his head back, my name a shout from his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we have to be quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to take satisfaction in what we are
given: a chance to be together no matter the circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But he’s become wild and unforgiving in his time of
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He likes this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He really likes this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know because he squirms until he’s able to
carefully roll over onto his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
his knees pulled up, he lets enter him again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s better this way; face to face so I can see his eyes and every
flicker of fire within them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buried all the way inside of him, I cover his body with mine
as he hooks his legs over my shoulders and slants his mouth over mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kisses are slow like the push of my
hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His nose is sweaty as it brushes
against mine and his breaths taste of candy flavored with minty mouthwash. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s so very real to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to say he wasn’t real to me before, but hell
I’d be locked up if this was all in my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now as he looks into my eyes from inches away and holds me
in a cocoon of arms and legs, he is so very real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll be damned if he doesn’t see me
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take his cock in my hand between
us, using what strength I have left to prop myself up against the wall with one
hand and stroke him off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He gets this look on his face, so sweet and lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes are focused on me but it’s like he’s
looking at the face of heaven—a cocktail of fear and awe—and I know he’s about
to spill over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His neck and shoulders
are splotchy over his summer tan, heating up to a deep scarlet hue when the
blood rushes to his cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His body
seizes up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tightens around me—fingers
and toes curling into my skin. His back arches and his mouth opens wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He exhales in sharp breaths. Once, twice, and then he moans
so loud I hope it’s only our close proximity that makes the sound rattle my
eardrums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize it’s my name on his
tongue, seared into my mind like the vision of his eyes snapping open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blues sparkle as he climaxes in my hand
and on his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe the noise I’m hearing is actually me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because before I can make sense of the tidal
wave crashing over me, my throat is vibrating with nonsense and I’m gripping
his shoulder tight enough to leave a bruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I ache everywhere, in a good way, and for a few seconds I experience one
of the most powerful climaxes of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And yet my hips are still moving as my dick softens inside him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m still in heat, still with this drive to make him feel
me; let him know this is real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m real.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t
think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can only let my elbow lock as I
hold myself up on the wall and hang my head to see his face, his eyes staring
up at me like a well fucked man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After minutes of learning to breath, to make sure my heart isn’t
going to implode, I pull out and hold onto his knees for support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is it so quiet in here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A second ago I thought the world was coming
down around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where did the noise go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why am I freaking out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why isn’t he saying anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I hurt him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has never
happened to me before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m panicking
after sex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does this mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did he break me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris, I…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I had no idea how much I needed that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He puts a hand over his eyes and grins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris blushes across his cheeks and nose as
he bites his bottom lip and sighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
then he’s laughing softly and I feel my hope die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is funny to him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just made love to him and it’s a joke?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever erection I had left flopped and
fizzled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get off the
bed and pull the condom off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tie it up
and dispose of it in the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
not sure how long I stand there, clutching the sides of the sink and looking at
myself in the mirror, but it feels like forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His footsteps are light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His presence is huge, looming and stressful as he leans in the
doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Logan, you okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe it’s because I was hoping we’d have one of those
moments just like at the end of a romance movie and secretly set myself up for
failure that I’m freaking out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe
it was my greatest fear to be rejected by the man I fell in love with that I
had never done this before, fallen this hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But his laughter hurt me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
reminded me of the laughs cast my way my entire life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like a punch in the face I’d felt a
million times but thought I’d never feel again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You know, I’ve never been told I’m bad in bed, but I’ve
never had anyone laugh at me after the fact either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was supposed to mean something, what I
just did, what we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you just—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He takes my lips before I can say anything else to out me as
a softie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom always said I wore my
heart on my sleeve and the littlest thing could make me or break me, but she
never told me how to protect myself from this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She never told me what being a grown up in love felt like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s like being a wreck, because I am right now and I don’t
know how to fix it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I did
something good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i> had something good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never cared about someone else’s needs
like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never… been kissed like
this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan, look at me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He tips my chin up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a hard
time meeting his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wasn’t
laughing at you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was laughing because
it felt good to get it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You</i> made me feel good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m a fucking mess, dammit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
can just tell if me I sucked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not a
big deal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brush it off and reach for
some tissues because I’m uncomfortable and I have no idea how to tell him how I
really feel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You sucked like a champ,” he teases me near my ear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His tongue traces my earlobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon his arms are around me and his warm cock
is pushing against my ass. “And now you have me saying cheesy shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Must have done something right because I
could care less about it too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I swallow hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
didn’t hurt you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not saying I won’t be sore tomorrow, but that’s supposed to
be a sign of a good night, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Logan,
please look at me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He urges me to turn
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had no idea you’d be this
nervous after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, you sure knew
what you were doing in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never
had anyone… It was never like that before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well, I’ve fucked, but I’ve never made love to anyone
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it’s a night of firsts for
both of us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I only get to see his eyes for a mere second before he’s
claiming my lips again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time my brain
shuts down and I stop thinking about my petty insecurities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time he doesn’t laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mouth burns against mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His tongue traces my taste buds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands tighten in my hair and I know, I
just know, he gets what a big deal it was me for to say that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow I’ve managed to fuck the nervous out
of him and take it all inside me because he knows exactly how to soothe my
worries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His kisses take him down my jaw and up to my ear where he
whispers, “I love you too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I harden all over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He takes my hand and cuts me a heavy lidded look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leads me back into the bedroom, cuts off
the lights and invites me under the covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words are futile as his hot mouth searches
out mine in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand glides
over my cock and he pulls me against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We taste and explore until we’re sated and drowsy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until I get that he wants to protect me
within the safety of his arms and silently vows to cherish me back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He gets that my heart is just as mortal as his and sometimes
I don’t do and say the right things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
gets that I’m human, reminds me it is okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He understands me because he’s lived in my shoes, just a different style
off the shelf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How could I not have seen that coming?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey is glaring at us from across the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He holds a crayon in one hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stick of red wax hovers over his paper
kid’s menu with malice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tomorrow</i>?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stabs the puzzle he’d been working so hard
to elaborate on for the sake of corporate, because their idea of a maze was too
childish and according to him, not challenging enough for their five to ten
demographic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not a big deal, buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mrs. Vargas just wants to talk about stuff with you and show you around
the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll probably take an hour
tops.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris looks at me over glasses
and pinches my leg under the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I rub the burn away and plaster on a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Joey, you should see this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your dad and I were cruising around there a
few days ago and these kids were chillin’ on the grass, reading to each other
and having snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sounds like daycare.” Joey’s eyes become slits and he drops
his crayon to cross his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not a
baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Tsk. Who says you’re a baby?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re talking fourth grade here. Guess what
fourth grade has?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A reading club and
they write stories too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought of you
the minute Mrs. Vargas let that slip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’d dig it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I relax against
the booth and rest my arm along the back cushion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did we mention we’re going to buy you
sneakers today?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s bribery.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey lifts a blond brow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How do you know these words?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris lifts his palms and blinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Demographic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now bribery?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t handle this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris exhales and puts his hands on the
table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey shrugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I read
a lot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So did I at
your age and I never picked up that kind of vocabulary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the heck every happened to the Hardy
Boys?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey rolls his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Boxcar Children?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey blinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Never mind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris
sighs over his coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our waitress brings over a tray with our breakfast and puts
Joey’s pancake special in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s
older, smiles a lot and reminds me of the grandmotherly type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never saw Joey’s attitude coming;
probably was the last thing she ever expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He took one look at the chocolate chips, whipped cream, and cherry that
made up a smiley face on his pancakes and slowly looked up at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m not a baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No you most certainly are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re a big boy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiles again and sets down the rest of
our food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A big boy is a stupid label grownups call boys who are
still in daycare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not going to
daycare.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey pushes his plate away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Joseph Wyzak, you apologize right now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris cocks his head and waits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“For what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
want a smiley face on my pancake because I’m not very happy right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What you are is a rude and you will apologize to her
immediately or we are going home and you can eat cold cereal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the marshmallow kind either.” Chris
raises his hand and starts to count down his fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey huffs and looks up at the waitress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry my dad and his boyfriend tried to
bribe me with pancakes and sneakers because they want me to go to daycare.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh no.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cover my
eyes with my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Evelyn is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
terribly sorry for my son’s rudeness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Normally he has manners but I guess he left them at home today, which is
where he’ll be spending the rest of the day with no books and no television and
no marshmallows.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You can’t do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t do anything wrong.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey leans
over the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s unfair.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’ll have a bit of time to yourself to reflect on what
you did, I assure you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris pulls two
twenties out of his wallet and hands them to Evelyn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Again, I apologize for the outburst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so embarrassed. Please keep the change
and can we get this to go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stay
strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re doing it right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pats Chris on the shoulder and wanders
off to the register. Chris is either comfortable with me being called his
boyfriend now, or he’s too wrapped up in Joey’s tirade to care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just an innocent bystander until Chris
rings the bell and lets me into the ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I didn’t do anything wrong.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears gather in Joey’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re just trying to get rid of me like you
always do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to put me in another
stupid school so you can go to work and I never see you again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish Logan was my dad.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey slides out of the booth and runs for the
front door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris’s breath catches in his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closes his eyes behind his glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bell has tolled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My turn now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I push Chris
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You stay here and I’ll go after
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, I should…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris, I got this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He thinks I’ll give him hearts and flowers for being a brat and he’s
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he sees we both agree he was
being a little shit then I think he’ll get the point.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m not a bad father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But that’s the beauty of being in a relationship with your
nanny. I got your back on this and I know what I’m doing on occasion.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gestures for me to go with defeat in his eyes.
“And you’re anything but a bad father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I knew you wouldn’t have a stroke, I’d kiss you on the spot to make
everything better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll bank it for
later though. Count on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris sags back into the booth and stares at the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His kid told him he wished he had another
dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though Joey didn’t really mean
it, Chris thinks he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy looks
like he had his heart ripped out of his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I find Joey trying to yank the Rover’s door open despite the
blaring alarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has tears streaming
down his cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moment he sees me,
he tries with all his might to get into the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turn the alarm off and gently grab him by
the shoulders as I crouch in front of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What you just said to your father was awful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it weren’t for that man in there you
wouldn’t be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t have been
born, or have a roof over your head, or books to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t be loved to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t have food on your table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could have been born during the French
Revolution you love to read about so much and died of rat disease or whatever
it’s called, or had your head chopped off for stealing bread because you were
too poor to feed your eight brothers and sisters.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tipped his chin up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I love you so much, Joey, but I will
never be that man in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
protect you and guide you and be the best role model I can be for you, but I am
not Christopher Wyzak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not the man
who raised you to be a good person with kind words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not the man whose heart you just broke
when you said such rude things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I take his hands in mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He cries harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He has done
nothing but try to make your life better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wants the best for you, not to throw you away or put you in daycare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found a school that fits you, that will
make you feel as special as you are to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you know how much your dad loves you, Joey?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know what he’d do to make you happy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey sniffs and nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wipe his tears away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then tell
me why you would say a thing like that to your dad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me the reason you were mean to Evelyn
back there when she didn’t deserve that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He hiccups and rubs his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t want to go to a new school.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Would you rather go back to the old one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’m telling you, Joey, it ain’t
happenin’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between you and me, and don’t
you ever say I told you this because I’ll deny it to the very end, Sister Grace
is an evil witch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey smiles through
his tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wipes snot from his nose
and looks at the offending splotch on his arm like he’s contracted a flesh
eating virus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pull a tissue out of my
pocket, because kids, and hand it to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This school, buddy, it’s amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s everything you ever wanted and it’s far from daycare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s only for kids with the right stuff—you know what I’m sayin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shakes his
head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s for kids who want more than normal schools have to
offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s for boys and girls like you who
need good friends and great teachers and opportunities I can’t normally give
you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris puts the food on the Rover’s
hood and joins me at Joey’s eye level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But I can’t send you there to see Mrs. Vargas with that kind of
behavior, and it’s not because I don’t love you, but because you are a
reflection of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether you like it or
not, you are my baby and I did not raise you to be cruel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not to anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you can’t
act like a young man then I’ll have to find you a public school to go to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I have to work to pay for our house,
for our food, and because I love where I work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I don’t send you to school or tell Logan to watch you because I
don’t want to be with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a perfect
world, Joey, I would spend every second I had with you, but this is real
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s never going to change—no matter
how much you hate me right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t hate you,” Joey sobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then why did you say that back there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris takes his glasses off and rubs the
bridge of his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey wraps his arms around his skinny chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m scared they won’t like me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one ever likes me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s my fault for keeping you at that school for so long,
Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry I did wrong by you, but
I’m trying to make up for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The minute
we took you out of there things have been good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You made friends at Sabine’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
smile more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You talk to me more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So do you think I’d send you to another
school like that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not gonna happen,
buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise you that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris puts his glasses back on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He opens his arms and Joey stumbles
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clings to his dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m sorry, dad.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey mumbles into Chris’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Please don’t be mad at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
eat the smiley face.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris surprises me with a smile over Joey’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey sure does know how to get to his
dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has him wrapped right around his
little finger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So we good?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more
losing our manners, even when we’re upset?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tap Joey on the nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey
nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I take Joey’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
need to go back in there and tell Evelyn you’re sorry too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey hangs
his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then maybe we’ll see about those sneakers,” Chris adds
because his kid is still freaked out and Chris is still a dad who wants to make
everything better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But after that,
you’re grounded to your room until dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey bites back his smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Okay,” he murmurs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walk Joey back to the restaurant door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know how you do it, kid, but you
better thank the stars you have a good dad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey struggles with the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he achieves victory, using his entire
body to prop the heavy glass open, he looks over his shoulder and smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Duh.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kids—what the fuck sometimes, am I right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-8749695937136905082014-06-05T21:58:00.000-04:002014-06-05T23:52:38.208-04:00Guest Author Elaina M. Roberts and The Fox's Mate! <div dir="ltr">
Hey all!<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Most of you have been following us every week for Flash Fiction Friday and will recognize my fellow blogger Elaina M. Roberts. Today she’s taking over the blog to share with us her latest release <i>The Fox’s Mate</i>. And while this is a M/F tale I am sure, like myself, you will appreciate Elaina’s wicked style of writing, juicy characters and overall amazing talent no matter the genre. So be sure to read all about it and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYg1UWakSzkgnIryMTGoAq4lnGxThdtX8f8eMjpk9bHiGc6j-sGm4NvMFHtp-ZJipAAa2lH7hX0tu4UmQwQQwmDYqBESs7mbWPDArHQg7oi54WnpdZZX7nkdsAU1Wf3RkIU4bdnlsp6Hv/s1600/The_Foxs_Mate-Elaina_Roberts-500x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYg1UWakSzkgnIryMTGoAq4lnGxThdtX8f8eMjpk9bHiGc6j-sGm4NvMFHtp-ZJipAAa2lH7hX0tu4UmQwQQwmDYqBESs7mbWPDArHQg7oi54WnpdZZX7nkdsAU1Wf3RkIU4bdnlsp6Hv/s1600/The_Foxs_Mate-Elaina_Roberts-500x800.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
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<b>Blurb:</b><br />
<b><br />
</b></div>
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Alpha Draike Weatherby has enjoyed many years of peace in his districts. He’s made agreements with the various shifter races as well as the Vampire Lord of London to keep crime down and their existence safe from human knowledge. Until now. A loyal gang of nonhuman runaways are systematically losing members. Rat shifters have grown bold, increasing crime in his area and risking their secret. Then there’s Olivia. Naked, bleeding, and fleeing a trio of unsavory characters, she runs straight into his arms…and stirs his most protective instincts.<br />
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As he digs deeper, he discovers an interconnecting web with a single common thread: Olivia. To uncover the truth, he must gain the trust of the terrified woman who entices his fox. But she guards a secret that could destroy or save her.<br />
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<b>Excerpt</b>:<br />
<br /></div>
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“I fucking hate you sometimes.”<br />
<br /></div>
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“I’m wounded. Stop complaining, Franklin.” Draike grinned and slung his arm over his young friend’s shoulder as they approached the doorman of The Phoenix nightclub. He reached over and ruffled Franklin’s hair with his free hand, laughing when the boy elbowed him in the ribs. “Ooof! Come now, Benson is always pushing us to do more together.”<br />
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“Somehow I doubt that being your date at a gay bar is what your housekeeper had in mind, sir.” Franklin ducked his head so his long brown hair covered his eyes, and his growing blush. “If any of my mates are here, I’ll catch a rash of shite.”<br />
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“If any of your friends are here, Franklin, and you didn’t know of their proclivities, then I’m certain they’ll be equally reluctant to draw your attention. Otherwise, feel free to blame it on losing a bet.”<br />
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“Damn straight, I will.”<br />
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The pair nodded to the doorman and squeezed past him into the darkened building. The thumping techno beat and kaleidoscope of light from the glitter ball collided with the scents of cologned, perfumed, or unwashed bodies to create a veritable hell for the shifter. Draike gripped Franklin’s arm until he found some measure of equilibrium. He kept it there to lend truth to their charade. They pushed their way through the press of half-naked men to the bar to order a round of drinks and make initial, discreet inquiries.<br />
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The large, flat-screen monitor above the narrow bar played the best in gay pornography in vivid Technicolor. The four men on the screen were enjoying an adult version of naked Twister on an oiled mat. Hands slipped and slid along the mat to land on various parts of the other players’ bodies, much to the delight of the watching crowd, until they dispensed with all pretense of the game. A shout went up from the crowd when the game on the screen grew more explicit, and moaning joined the loud music. Franklin watched with shocked fascination until Draike pulled him from the bar and along the edge of the dance floor.<br />
<br /></div>
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The fox looked for seats closer to the kitchen where the furniture, equipment, and architecture buffered some of the noise. A pair of young vampires caught Draike’s eye and slid from their booth. The youngest of the pair looked Franklin up and down as if he was a scrumptious treat in a candy shop. He even licked his lips.<br />
<br /></div>
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“What the fuck?” Franklin jerked his vest closed and turned to the side. “Back off, mate. I’m not on the menu. Any menu.”<br />
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“Such a pity.” The young vampire walked his fingers up Franklin’s bicep. He leaned forward with an appreciative sniff. “You should be on everyone’s menu, beautiful. Whaddya say you and me do our…business…on the dance floor?”<br />
<br /></div>
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“Think with the big head, fang-face, before you’re drinking through a straw.”<br />
<br />
Draike plucked the pliers from the young man’s hand with a chuckle. He caught Franklin around the waist and pulled him against his chest. “How the hell did you get that past security?”<br />
<br /></div>
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“Feisty.” Franklin’s admirer hissed. “I like that.” At Draike’s low growl, he raised his hands. “’S cool, mate. But if you’re ever in the mood to share…”<br />
<br /></div>
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The older vampire smacked his associate on the head. He turned to Draike and gestured to the table. “Courtesy of Lord Maximus, Mr. Weatherby. He’ll join you later this evening.”<br />
<br /></div>
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Draike murmured his thanks as they left, certain they would hear above the thumping bass. The pair nodded as they left, passing on either side of his companion.<br />
<br /></div>
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Franklin jumped as they brushed against him on their way into the sinuous slide of male chests and leather-clad rears on the dance floor. Reaching behind him, he pulled a business card from his pocket. “Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Crumpling the card, he threw it at Draike’s head.<br />
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The fox shifter caught it, flattened it on the table, and burst out laughing. The card contained the young vampire’s name and telephone number.<br />
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“If one more bloke grabs my arse, I’m going to start the mother of all bar brawls.” Franklin flopped into the booth and glared at his chuckling mentor. He turned in the booth, stretching his legs along the cracked and patched seat. “I hate having my back to the room.”<br />
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“I know you do, and you’ve been a fine sport to play along. If we discover nothing tonight, at least you’ll have a date.” Draike held the crumpled paper between his fingers. Though his voice was teasing and his smile genuine, he scanned the packed dance floor.<br />
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“If I get a call from that guy, I swear I will smother you in your sleep,” Franklin grumbled as he slouched deeper into the seat.<br />
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<b>Book Info:</b><br />
Title - The Fox's Mate</div>
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Series - Children of Jarilo, Book One<br />
genre - romantic Urban Fantasy<br />
release date - June 5th<br />
publisher - Taliesin Publishing - <a href="http://www.taliesinpublishing.com/">http://www.taliesinpublishing.com/</a><br />
length - novel (87K+ words)<br />
cover art - attached<br />
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<b>Author Links:</b></div>
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Website: <a href="http://www.elainamroberts.com/">http://www.elainamroberts.com/</a><br />
Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elainawrites">https://www.facebook.com/elainawrites</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/mazuri_es">https://twitter.com/mazuri_es</a><br />
Goodreads Profile page: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7135629.Elaina_M_Roberts">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7135629.Elaina_M_Roberts</a><br />
Amazon Profile page: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00DGTH5U0">http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00DGTH5U0</a></div>
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Goodreads<br />
<br />
<b>Purchase Links:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.taliesinpublishing.com/the-fox-s-mate-by-elaina-m-roberts-p54.php" target="_blank">Taliesin Publishing</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Foxs-Mate-Children-Jarilo-Book-ebook/dp/B00KQQ6FUC" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-foxs-mate-elaina-roberts/1119664051?ean=2940149213740" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></div>
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<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-63978008371914923682014-05-30T19:37:00.000-04:002014-05-30T19:37:00.780-04:00Flash Fiction Friday! A Nanny Tale: Part 7<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week’s prompt was: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something happens in your story to make what was once
impossible now possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In this week’s installment, Chris finally feels comfortable
in his own skin and very close to Logan, enough to do something he hasn’t shared
with anyone in a long time; something that from the beginning seemed nearly
impossible for the both of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll
have to read to the end to find out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">~Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our other bloggers:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.elainamroberts.com/" target="_blank">Elaina M. Roberts<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://purplesnowstorms.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Winter<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Nanny Tale: Part
7<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris and I dropped Joey off at Sabine’s house for the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabine’s husband was more than
happy to watch him along with their youngest child, Mila, who is only two years
younger than Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pair was engrossed
in some video game while they sucked from tubes of yogurt before we left, so
Chris felt better leaving his son in good hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was good for Joey to be a kid again, and the change in
him in the past couple of days did everyone else some good too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris wanted to keep his son out of anything to do with Our
Sacred Heart, especially the talk we were about to have with Sister Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smile his son gave him before we walked
out the door this morning was a reminder that what Chris was about to do was
the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey was on both our
minds as we sat in Sister Grace’s office, staring holes into the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I gave Chris’s hand a quick squeeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He doesn’t look at me, but he curls his pinky around my
finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to get this over
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The longer we have to wait here,
the faster I’m losing my cool, ya know?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah, I do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pat his
hand and release his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t
give in to her, no matter what she says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean it, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you plan to get
a lawyer over this don’t give her ammunition against you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know. I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
it’s so hard not to just…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Throttle her?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
chuckle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Right there with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiles
at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a nervous smile, yet sincere
and I want to wave a magic wand to whisk his fears away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We have a plan,” I remind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stick to it and we’ll be fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His cheeks deflate of air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris rubs his hands along his knees and nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His stare is fixated on the table as Sister
Grace enters the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She carries a
cold swish of air when she passes us, along with the smell of antiseptic and
trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you for coming,
Christopher.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello to you to, Evil one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nice to know I exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you
for coming, I mock in my head, wanting to scrunch up my face and stick out my
tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of pulling a Joey, I hit
record on my phone and make sure the microphone is free from under my thigh on
the chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sister Grace sits down at her rolling chair throne and gives
us a grave look with her unsympathetic, small eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wish this visit was under happier
circumstances, but I’m afraid I’ve called you here to talk about Joseph’s
unpleasant performance last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
before we continue, may I ask why you’ve brought your nanny along to this
meeting?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If this concerns Joey’s performance in school, Logan has a
right to be aware of the situation,” Chris replies calmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside, I cheer for his ability to conjure
some tactful backbone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I met this woman under different
conditions, I would have told her to go back to hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I fail to see your logic there, Christopher, but it is your
choice to bring another man into your child’s life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She glances up from where she opens a file
folder on her desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She waits for Chris
to unravel at the innuendo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her smile
fizzles when she receives no such reward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Very well, as I’m sure you’ve heard, there was an incident last Friday
where Joey used violence against three of our students.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris’s jaw ticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
reels the anger in and crosses his ankle over his knee, ever the model of
perfect parenting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, I’m aware,
Sister Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What astounds me as a
parent is that I was neither informed of the incident the day it happened by
you, nor was I able to get all sides of the story from the other students and
their parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s pretty standard in
these situations, and according to your school handbook, that is in fact
protocol.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sometimes protocol does not cover every situation,
Christopher.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister Grace tilts her
head with a sickening smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’d prefer for you to address me as Mr. Wyzak, Sister
Grace.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris sits up straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only hint he’s pissed is the way his
hands seek to grip the edge of his chair, otherwise his performance is as flawless
as a Chinese acrobat from Cirque de Soleil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And as the head of this institution, I fail to see where your black and
white protocol couldn’t help you help my son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If my child is sick, you call me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If my child is in trouble, you call me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If my child is injured in any way, you call me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my child is verbally threatened and then
attacked for trying to avoid being harmed, you put a stop to that and then call
me because I am his parent and I have every right to know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sister Grace scoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Threatened?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I think not, Mr.
Wyzak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your child is the threat
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t the first time he’s
preached his tolerance for homosexuality to the student body, and as you know,
I overlook your lifestyle because your grandfather was a fine patron of this
school and his church, but after Joseph laid hands on another child to put his
point across, I don’t think I can overlook you or your family any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I know I can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But you can overlook my child being attacked because he
deserves what he gets, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris’s
nostrils flare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your doctrine states
two men who partake in the sacred union of marriage are unholy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have done no so such thing, not that it’s
any of your business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, your
prejudice against my child, who is innocent in all of this because he told
another child to stop calling his father a faggot, is the only unholy thing
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took pictures of Joey’s
injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also be filing a
complaint with the church, where there are people who will willingly speak to
me on behalf of my grandfather’s patronage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know?—the people who oversee this entire establishment and its
funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris sucks in air, his face beet red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because I have it on good authority that you
stood by as three boys twice my son’s size pushed him to the ground, kicked him,
and then proceeded to pull him down from a six foot fence when he tried to
escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then they hit him some more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All because he told them to stop saying
hateful things; words the church would deem inappropriate and scornful from any
person’s mouth, especially a child’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was not preaching homosexual tolerance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was sticking up for his family against a gang of bullies. A situation
you allowed to continue because of your personal beliefs, not the church’s or
this school.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sister Grace sneered as she sat back in her chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her icy eyes darkened and she closed the
thick folder with a whack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s it, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christopher</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no choice but to relieve your child of
his position as a student at Our Sacred Heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will no longer tolerate these incidents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I cannot in good conscience, however
close your grandfather was to my heart, maintain relations with your immoral family
as part of our program here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will have
a staff member gather Joseph’s things and you can retrieve them from his
teacher before you leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, do
not step foot on these premises or I will have no choice but to call the
authorities.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I take Chris’s hand and pull him to his feet as I stand. I
know he’s about to say something that he will regret, something she can use against
us later. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister Grace’s eyes widen and
her chest rises to action, full of hot air. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She expected an enraged comeback, not us
holding hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like water to the
Wicked Witch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s either melting or
about to have a coronary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thank you for your time, Sister Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our lawyer will be in touch,” I manage, when
really I want to bang her head into a wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But then, I’d be no better than her, and I want to walk out of here
guilt free and proud with Chris on my arm, because we deserve to be human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our little family unit deserves better than
this place has to offer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Lawyer?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your child has been expelled indefinitely from this school and he will
not be returning as long as I run this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Neither will the two of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I smile and open her office door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Goodbye, Sister Grace.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I leave, I hold up my phone for her to
watch me press the stop button.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And
thank you for everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had lunch at this summer beachfront restaurant Chris
apparently loves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a red shack on
stilts, surrounded by a rickety patio with chairs, but the fish and chips are
amazing and the beer is cheap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better
than the menu is Chris’s easygoing smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the way he wears his dark shades atop his toothy grin and let the
breeze ruffle his short hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His laugh as it carries over the water. The sound deep and
soft around me before it trickles off to be swallowed by miles and miles of
lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His chilled out posture as he
lounges untroubled in his chair with his feet resting on the banister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I pull my phone out of my back pocket and snap a picture of
him before he can gripe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I get is
one good shot and several of him playfully reaching for me as beer sloshes onto
the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Stop it,” he begs on a laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No way.” I put the phone out of his reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need a new background for my phone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He sighs my name because he has no idea where to begin with
that one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m caught up in his tranquil
mix of windblown hair, sand and surf, and feel comfortable enough to tease him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Logan…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to show the other nannies my hot new
boyfriend when we get together for book club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’ll start to think you’re imaginary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His brows hitch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He puts his beer down seriously and swivels in his chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Book club?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Laughter bubbles past my lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ve been going at this for how long and
you still don’t know when I’m joking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seriously, Chris, you believe I go to book club?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about it. ”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So you don’t secretly go to book club?” The corner of his
mouth twitches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I lean in until our noses are nearly touching, a sparkle in
my eyes that is reflected in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
only thing I secretly do is climb into bed with you at night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He licks his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Looks over my shoulder to make sure we’re alone. His irises darken and a
rasp lowers his voice as he says, “That’s not exactly a secret anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have anything juicier to get off
your chest?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing I
could tell you…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The other ones you’ll have to pry out of me by force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not one to just kiss and tell.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I touch my nose to his. Close my eyes and
sneak a kiss from his lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Those must be some dirty secrets you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would it cost me to find out?” he
whispers against my mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d give him
anything for free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My hands slither over his knees and dip under the bottom of
his shorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you offering?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His Adam ’s apple bobs up and down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slides his rough cheek across mine as he
dips his head to graze my neck with his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Hopefully something you want.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris, you’re giving me exactly what I want right this very
second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re giving me the real you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I open my lips across his cheek, intending to
take our affection a little further.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately a bang followed by a child’s high pitched cry captures
our attention, sucking the sweet moment into oblivion and really pissing me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A young family exits the restaurant with a
large stroller that nearly rolls over Chris’s toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They apologize profusely, smile and wave, and
then take their small circus down the ramp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We watch as they shove countless bags into the back of their station
wagon, and wrangle their three kids into their car seats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s a minute where I struggle to recapture my
boyfriend’s focus, as if he’s silently reliving those first few years with
Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way a parent looks at their
teenager and wonders where the time went, wonders why they aren’t tiny and
fragrant any more, all swaddled up and asleep in their arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wait
for Chris to retreat into himself now that our moment is gone, to snatch onto
those years where I wasn’t a blip on his radar and run towards the life he used
to have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As fast as the trance swept him away, he snaps back
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The edges of his blue eyes
crinkle and he gives me this strange smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You know what, Logan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do feel like me right now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
spins my chair to angle us side by side, facing the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve been afraid of this life for a long
time and I don’t know why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, I do,
but now that I’m here all of that seems pointless to be scared of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being aware is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hiding myself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not okay and I feel like I have a lot
of apologizing to do for all the years I kept my family from being a part of
this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spreads his arms to encompass
the soul of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Part of what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Is there a word for it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He grins at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shrug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not sure,
but I think I get what you mean. Glad to have you with us, Chris, even if it
took a shitty beer and a haggard old nun to get there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hand him his beer and I clink my bottle
against his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Congratulations.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He gives me a peck at the corner of my mouth that tastes of oranges
and the end of this lakeside summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After lunch, Chris and I drive back into North Holland to
visit a potential school for Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the birthday party last week, Chris opened up to the Tetterings about Joey’s
situation and Demarcus was quick to recommend a liberal arts academy his niece
goes to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A private school about five
minutes from the house, Blue Ridge Academy is a far cry from Sister Grace’s
fortress of intolerance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Set back from the main road, Blue Ridge is situated on acres
of meticulously kept lawn space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colorful
flowers add a punch of color around the main building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blue and white school flag waves proudly
in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all around us, children
sit on the lawn in small groups with their teachers for what looks to be story
time or reading hour—whatever they call it these days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Joey would love that,” Chris comments. “I haven’t been
inside yet and it already feels right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like one of those puppy farms where all the little buggers run around,
all happy and shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Uh… When have you been to a puppy farm and how far away is
it from here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He elbows me in the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Shut up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is nice, that’s
what I meant.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I still want to see the puppy farm,” I grumble, but
understand his meaning just by the tone of his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had to agree with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is peaceful air to the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even the main building looks more like an old bed and breakfast than it
does a school with wide, shaded porches and bright blue shutters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children lounge on their tummies to enjoy
a good read with their classmates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lady
near the front door hands out bottled water and orange slices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of it feels good, a place Joey would
thrive instead of shut down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All the place was missing was a spontaneous rainbow arching
over the roof and a catchy theme song to reach ultimate perfection status.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hate to break it to you, Chris, but you can’t take a tour
from the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t like a child
safari.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wink at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Being late for our appointment probably
won’t help us out either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah, yeah, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s do this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris fusses with
his hair in the visor mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he
adjusts the sleeves of his button down shirt until they rest just below his
elbows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I look like the kind of dad
whose kid could go here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You look like the kind of dad that cares enough to change
out of his sweatpants.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pat his
knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t freak out on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You look like a walking, talking ad for the
Gap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chill.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The Gap?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that
good?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I blink at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laughing
in his face would kill the mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a good thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh, alright, I think I’m ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I roll my eyes, getting out of the car, because his nerves are
justifiable but comedic at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So we
should go over our approach before we go in,” I say as we stroll up the
sidewalk to the main building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are we
out now, or am I still a nanny for public appearances?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before he can lose his mind, I hold up my hands to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not mad in the least, Chris, if we’re
still keeping this on the down low with people we don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just want to have your back when we’re in
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what we are now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all that matters to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He puts his hands on his hips and swishes his bunched up
lips from side to side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lets go of a
deep breath and reaches for my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m in the business of teaching my kid to be himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do that, I have to be a role model and
walk the talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Joey is okay with
us and we’re okay with us, then that means we’re together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tell them that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I put my hand in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Confidence pours through me from his fingers into my palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I think I have Chris’ next move
pegged, he shocks me by going the other direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have known he wasn’t as average as I
perceived him to be in the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His spontaneity and passion are just small things about Chris that keep
me coming back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love how one moment I’m leading and the next he takes the
reins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, right now, he’s
made me a part of his future by taking me with him to hunt down good schools
for his child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s big—really big,
actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means we’re committed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That he expects me to stick around for a long
time—not that I have any intention to run, but I guess I never realized how
many things Chris had to change to fit me into his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now he expects me to do the same, to settle down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be a part of Joey’s child rearing, and not
as a nanny anymore, but as a man who adores him and will teach him and
discipline him as if he were my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
schooling is just as important, and a sudden fierceness grabs me by the balls
and refuses to let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This school has
to be good enough for Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it isn’t,
we’re moving on to the next one because no one is going to put Joey Baby in a
corner again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re hurting my hand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris wiggles his fingers in my grasp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sorry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Guess I’m as nervous as you are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Nothing to be nervous about,” the orange slice lady greets
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully she wipes her hands off
before she offers us a handshake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
Mel Vargas, the principal here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had
to take a guess, I’d say one of you is Mr. Wyzak.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris shakes her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Uh, this is my… This is my partner, Logan
Davis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for having us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not a problem.” Her round cheeks lift with sincere
happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a pleasure to have you
both with us today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me hand snack
duty over to one of the aides and I’ll be happy to show you around.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While she meets with one of the helpers, I turn to
Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His stare holds mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hands find their way back to each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess after Sister Grace, it’s
hard to hide the relief from our faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That Mrs. Vargas didn’t flinch or stutter in our presence spoke volumes
of the attitude here at Blue Ridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We’re all set.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
tucks her apron into one of the patio chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Let’s start inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s getting
hot out here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She opens the front door, one that reminds me of the door at
home, and walks inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, George,”
she addresses a twenty something man in a security uniform at the front
desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I saw those teenagers hanging
around the parking lot again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“On it,” he says and grabs his hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They keep hopping the fence and leaving
those cigarette butts behind the bushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I told them if I saw them again I was calling their folks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Good idea, George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t even want to think about what would happen if the kids got ahold of one
of those nasty things.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mel fans her
face and grins up at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Teenagers,”
she groans, rolling her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They all
have to grow up sometime.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s a scary thought,” Chris jokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m just now learning how to handle my son
being nine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mel cackles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now
that’s a rough age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son was so
dramatic back then I had a hard time keeping a straight face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rule number one: don’t laugh at them or
you’ll lose your edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laugh at them
when they’re teenagers and you’re looking at a possible nuclear explosion.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll remember that.” Chris tugs me along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For a curvy, little lady, Mrs. Vargas must have a smidge of
long distance runner in her because she walks like she’s on fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attribute her speed to the fact she has to
keep up with the kids, but it’s still pretty mesmerizing to watch her cushy
loafers race over the tile like we’re in a power walking competition. I drag in
air when we stop at the back of the main building only to hear her call it the
Big House.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The kids have always called it that, easier on the little
ones because it does, in fact, look like a big house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the school is connected by
enclosed hallways that lead to smaller buildings for each grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, they used to be houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This entire place was an assisted living
facility about twenty years ago, but we got a grant to buy it and renovate it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I feel like I’m in someone’s house,” I say without
thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trace the molding in the
doorway and then stick my head into one of the classrooms that used to be a
bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Little hands cut out of brightly colored tissue paper are
stuck to the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students’ names
scribbled across them in amateur handwriting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ten small desks are arranged in a semi-circle around the teacher’s desk
and the scent of vanilla permeates my nose in a comforting way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a room where young minds are eager to
learn, eager to return every day to see their teacher who obviously cares for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re eager to get messy with
finger paints and learn their numbers by bending pipe cleaners and gluing them
to a board in the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the way I fantasized school being, only better and
without processed mashed potatoes and the scent of sawdust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris is thinking the same thing, because
without hesitation he strokes the back of my arm and kneads my shoulder with
his strong hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The Big House is for first through third grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fourth through seventh each has their own
buildings out back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our kindergarten and
young fives program is located down the street at our sister school, the Little
Red Barn, and our new high school facility is a few streets down the beach at
the Blue Opus Academy for Fine Arts.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mel
continues down the hall, waving her hand for us to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure you had time to research our
program here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A little bit.” Chris takes my hand again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His palms are sweaty like he’s being interviewed,
because he is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She smiles over her shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No worries if you’re not up to speed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stops in front of a room with large
windows facing the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Our program
was designed for children who like to be challenge; those who are on fast track
above the public school system and need to be put on a higher path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
For instance,” she lifts her hand to the room, “our school boasts a fully
recognized orchestra program that is affiliated with many of the top colleges
in the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have regular, acclaimed
guests from the industry come in on a weekly basis to help the children hone
their craft, and at the end of the year our orchestra participates in a
national competition, which is the highlight of their year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those children looking to make music a
career in the future, the program helps them get noticed and eventually leads
to college offers and paid studies abroad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh.” Chris looks at me for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Joey doesn’t play an instrument.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not all children here do, Mr. Wyzak.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pats his arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Some children are just gifted and don’t fit
into a category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here at Blue Ridge, our
purpose isn’t to define a child by a program, it’s to nurture their talents and
help them feel accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we both
know being a child in today’s world is almost harder than being an adult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And being a child with a passion for higher
education in a school that doesn’t help them get that is stressful and most of
them time causes them to feel as though they’re different, a black sheep that
has to nowhere to fit in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s ironic
this school used to be a home, because that’s exactly what it is to children
that have no place left to turn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was the moment every bit of stress exited Chris’s body,
as if he’d been waiting to hear those exact words from Mel’s mouth for Joey’s
entire life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His child could be a child
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His son could have a home away
from home, a place no one would tell him he was different from any other boy
his age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a sign that Chris coming
out to the world was okay and his son wasn’t being punished for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You mentioned Joey loves to read on the phone,” Mel says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Does he happen to love writing too?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris twines his fingers with mine, craves to be closer to
me so that I might literally feel the joy he’s experiencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I…don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll ask him in the interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a wonderful creative writing
program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of those students read
books like we drink water.” She ushers us through the double doors to the
fourth grade wing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris turns his head to the side to wipe away tears the
moment Mel turns her back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been a long day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sister Grace, Blue Ridge and checking up on Grumpy have taken their
toll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey is twisted up in his sheets,
purring into his pillow and out like a light from a day of playing his heart
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll sleep easy tonight because we
haven’t told him about Blue Ridge yet, or the interview he has with Mel on
Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey stresses about everything
from the soap in the bathroom being out its tray to the stocks section in the
paper—even though he has no idea what any of it means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We decided to tell him Wednesday morning over breakfast and
bribe him with a trip to the mall, so he can pick out a pair of sneakers that
don’t adhere to a dress code. Hopefully he’ll be too involved choosing lime
green shoelaces over blue ones to notice how scared he is to go to a new
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And pass the interview
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or worry about tuition or how
his hair needs another trim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We want him to be himself when he goes to meet with
Mel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want him to be a kid, a right he
deserves like any other boy his age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris and I back out of Joey’s room and close the door to
stare at each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not sure what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know what I want to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want
to be closer to Chris, share in this euphoria even if it’s one of those moments
that doesn’t happen often in real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because life isn’t perfect, it’s never been this perfect for me or for
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guys like us don’t get this
lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But right now, everything is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s most certainly good as he puts his hands on my shoulders and traces
the slope down my arm with his thumbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My entire body channels him, every hair rising to greet his tough palms
and calloused fingertips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I search his
eyes, wondering what this means, what he wants of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How far can we go from here to express ourselves
the way we want without him shying away and calling it a night?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Want to watch a movie?” he asks as though his throat is
made of sandpaper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know now that our code has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s in his eyes, in the way his tongue darts
out to wet his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his fingers as
they draw me closer to him under the dim light above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one told me hallways could be so
sexy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wood floor under my feet is
slick, cold and stiff against my toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An air vent kicking on around my ankles, sending licks of freezing
flames up my calves and straight to my spine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another one of those damn plugins that smells of Hawaiian Breeze or Tropical
Voodoo or whatever the hell it’s called, tickling my nose like love potion no.
9.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what makes the hallway sinful is Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris in his daily uniform of sweatpants and
a college t-shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris with his dirty
blond hair that catches the light like spun gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris with his weathered blue eyes that have
stories to tell and I’m the only one who can understand them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
never wanted someone like this in my entire life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m scared to make a move because if I screw
up, I could push him away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tension so
thick, my lungs malfunction with the desire to suck all the oxygen out of the
house just to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fist my hands
at my sides, needing control over myself when all I want to do is touch him
everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He chose me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the one he wants to be a family
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the one who gets to love his
kid alongside him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the one he now
runs to when he can’t handle it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the
one he yells at and apologizes to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
the one that takes it because I know how to give it back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the one he looks at from across the room,
a look he makes me feel down to my toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m the one he touches ever so gently like he can’t believe I’m real.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lift my
hand to take his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He leads me into his room, our room, and this time the
atmosphere is foreign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s still the
same room, still home, still smells like him but something has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stops me at the foot of the bed and looks
me over before meeting my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
nervous as all hell and so am I because I feel as though he’s going to tell me
something good or something bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Something that changes us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve already dealt with so many changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s bad, I can’t deal with it right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t deal with losing my fifteen
minutes of perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not ready to
leave yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My worries seem slight compared to his, which only scares me
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand trembles in mine as he
darts a glance at his side of the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
his nightstand is a small box of condoms and his plan for the evening hits me
like a freight train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t move or
blink as he shuts the door and locks it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t think when he takes my hand again and urges me to sit next to
him on the bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 191.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He wants me too, the little voice
in my head screams through a megaphone.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris turns the television on low and sets the remote on the
floor before he moves to face me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve
only done this twice before and not since Joey was little, so I have no idea
how this works in a relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I
know this isn’t romantic and it’s not how I pictured it with you, but… I really
need you right now, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He sits back to pull off his shirt like it’s a sacrifice to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands go to his knees, unsure of
where to touch me and his vulnerability is naked in its rawest form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For him to admit to me his deepest desire and his fears in a
roundabout way...Shit. It’s almost feral, the feeling that tornados through my
chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remove my shirt to even the playing field, so we’re equals
and he doesn’t have to be afraid anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My hand finds home around the back of his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His soft hair toys with my palm as I claim
his mouth, before he can work himself into a corner with other things he doesn’t
want to admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike our previous
kisses, this one tastes endless and neither of us have anywhere to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My tongue spears into his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rise up on my knees, tugging him along and
then drive him onto his back in the center of the mattress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His hands love the feel of my hips, my shoulders, my chest
because he traces each spot like he’s writing words on my skin he can’t speak
out loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tension pours out of us in
soft moans, urgent gasps for air, in his fingers as they clench the bedding in
tight fists because I press my weight on top of him and he’s crazy for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heels lock around the back of my knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hips drive up into me, back arching and
muscles flexing; a slithering eruption of longing below me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">longs</i> for me; I
taste it in the sweetness of his tongue and hear it in the way he whispers my
name in two breathy syllables against the corner of my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fuels</i> me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our bare chests catch and pull our skin as we
begin to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hands and feet scrabble
to find the perfect spot where we click.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And we do; we click as I inhale against his lips, my hands almost
ripping the tie of his sweatpants to take them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We click as our eyes meet and he doesn’t shy
away from my stare, instead begging me to continue, begging me to touch him; to
release him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unravels</i>
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tie comes free of its stubborn
knot as does my mind when it veers off the beaten path and into the unknown
with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His pants slip down his hips and
my fingers hook around the waistband of his briefs, another garment lost to the
growing pile of fabric on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Naked before me, Chris is not just sexy; he’s beautiful because I know
he’s mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with his eyes, he tells
me I belong to him too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I dive in because there is no going back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m deep in the fire, lost to the flames and
no amount of water will put me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
right now the burn is worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I get
hurt in the end, I will wear my scars like battle wounds because I know they
were worth every bit of heartache it took to get them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-48370978242971408142014-05-23T18:39:00.001-04:002014-05-23T18:39:47.475-04:00Be Back Next Week!<p dir="ltr">Hey all! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Sorry for the short notice but I'm not going to be posting my FFF today. I got stuck with late appointments at work tonight, so I won't be able to reach my laptop in time and typing a long post from my phone is no fun. :( But I'll try to get something up by Monday night for you. Thanks!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Hugs,</p>
<p dir="ltr">Night</p>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-31053088686942576102014-05-21T20:39:00.001-04:002014-05-21T20:39:31.162-04:00Whispers in Silence: Part 12
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The vault in the Sinclair home would have been hard to find
had it not been for Mr. Sinclair rewarding the Bureau with its exact
location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After removing a painting on
the wall near Camille’s bed, the team faced off with what appeared to be
nothing more than charming wallpaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nevertheless, they had been assured there was a panel, and after
painstakingly tracing over the flat network of scroll and lace paper, they
found a lip in the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it turned out, the busy pattern hadn’t been chosen to
accentuate the room’s extravagant theme, but rather to conceal the outline of
the hidden compartment containing the vault’s keypad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The combination was punched in and a seamless entrance
slipped away from the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoever had
installed the vault was a pro; a foot thick wall created from layers of steel,
glass and a boltwork system with a series of combination locks, swung open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover, the elaborate space inside had been
concealed well, and fit into the Sinclair home’s layout like it never existed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two walls on either side of a control desk were filled with
flat monitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And once the system had
been booted up by Davis, the screens flared to life with video feeds from all
around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The team crammed into the hidden vault to watch the big
reveal of each and every home belonging to His Children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their IP addresses and coordinates were
logged into a register on the main computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And as the computer belonged to Camille Sinclair, along with every bank
account and transaction made between each home and her routing number, Camille
Sinclair had officially been made in black and white, as had countless
pedophiles all over the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Millions of dollars in child trafficking, thousands of
clients, and every one of their home addresses were there for the picking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Davis solemnly turned in his chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Feist, this is your call.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Feist perused the monitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He put his hands on his hips, deep in thought with his bottom lip
protruding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He regarded Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Captain gave him the okay with a nod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist said, “Text Nina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send our people out to shut every single one
of them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we have to use the
Guardians to make it happen, bring them in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This will require more manpower than we have by ourselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And the kids?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davis
picked up his phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They go into our custody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t care how many of them there are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist’s jaw ticked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll cram fifteen of them into my apartment
if I have to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better than those fucking
homes they’re in now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“True that,” Davis mumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His thumbs worked overtime on his phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And what of Camille’s security detail?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton casually asked Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’re a threat now and if they regroup
under Halverson’s command, we’ll have a terrorist cell right here in the city.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Feist offered a diplomatic answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If they refuse to cooperate, they get no
second chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to know each and
every one of their situations before we hand out death sentences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They should be on file in Camille’s system
here, so round them all up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sounds like a rather extensive job, Detective Feist.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton leaned in the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He struck Feist with an inquisitive look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes knew exactly what Sutton was doing, but
Feist didn’t; the Junior Detective licked his lips and hit his Captain with a
dark stare as his leadership was questioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It is, but it needs to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you suggest we simply kill men who
could’ve been forced onto Camille’s payroll?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m all for swift justice, but not of the pointless variety,” Feist
replied carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“With all due
respect, Captain, I thought we stood for the same thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We do.” Sutton tipped his head to the side to rest against
the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The faintest smile touched his
lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wasn’t suggesting we hunt them
down like animals, I was merely pointing out you have a lot on your plate now
that your team has more than one grueling objective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my job as your Captain to guide you,
Detective Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my job to teach
you how to wear more than one hat at a time and instruct you on how to make
hard choices, because one day you will have to make them yourself, and I’d like
to think you knew how when the time came.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist
bristled and turned his back on Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Refresh my team,” Feist recited, straight from Academy 101.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Formulate a plan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sutton closed his eyes briefly instead of nodding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist looked at every member of his team to
make sure they were all paying attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Davis?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Message has been sent out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nina’s people are organizing it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She says that if necessary, if you have no other options, she and the
prince will welcome the kids as guests to the compound if we need the room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s a last resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t want it on my shoulders if something happens under the Queen’s
roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So get it out of your heads.”
Feist scratched his chin. He moved around the small space he was allowed with his
hands on his hips, his eyes trained on the floor, and nodded to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes knew he was searching for his next move,
one that wouldn’t make him look like an idiot in front of Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did she think we should do with the kids?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Davis continued scrolling down his phone as messages poured
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shelters are being notified across
the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll have to prepare for
arrivals within the next 48 hours. Administrators and board members have been
called into a mandatory meeting. That’s all I have for now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Feist chewed the inside of his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want you and Fontine to choose a team of
Guards and shelter workers that can be trusted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I need them to greet the kids when they arrive, register them, and see
that they are delivered to a shelter safe and sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a big job—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No shit,” Fontine interrupted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We don’t have time to be organizing teams
for this right now, Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t very
well deliver those kids to shelters when our people are on lockdown because
Halverson is out there hunting whoever pissed him off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Smaller than his teammate, Feist still had the confidence
and a larger-than-life attitude that more than made up for any height difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He peered up at Fontine with cold, hard
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re right, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i> don’t have time, but you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re a team, this is a big case, and there
are many aspects being ignored because you are currently arguing with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This team will always work together, even
apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all have different skill sets
and that is what makes this unit flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So because you are charming and funny and a good judge of character—the
perfect person to welcome scared fucking children home—and because your partner
can spot a security risk from ten miles away—the perfect person to keep them
all safe—I am putting the both of you on this whether you like it or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And last time I checked, I was in
charge.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You certainly are,” Sutton murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He peeked at Wes with glittering dark eyes;
the approval of an impressed Captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes winked back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Feist glared at Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Knock it off, Durren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw
that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up at Fontine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you have a problem with that, Detective
Fontine?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist cocked his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not at all,” Fontine replied automatically and stepped away
from Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So do we need to go pack a
bag?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is pretty short notice to get
shipped out, away from our team when a serial killer is on the loose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Feist slapped Fontine upside the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s for being a dick when I’m trying to
be a good boss here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop fighting me
and listen, you asshole.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Jesus.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fontine
rubbed the back of his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You better pray, moron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one is getting shipped out unless you keep running your mouth and I
get sick of hearing your voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said
we work as a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes teams have
to branch out to make the unit run as one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need to tie up loose ends here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can’t very well do that with you nipping at my tit like a baby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maloy and I will be heading up the search
for Camille’s security detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
safest place to work them through the system will be the Bureau, so we’ll be
starting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And have a cow, Fontine.
You’ll be in the same fucking building as Mama Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hooray!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Fuck off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about
Halverson?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fontine narrowed his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m leaving that to the two people in this room most suited
for the job, the double D’s—Durren and Donohue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What better way to find a man who’s spent his life chasing ghosts than to
use the two people who can see them?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist put his hands on his hips and raised a brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Going to question my logic now, dumbass?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fontine huffed but smartly kept quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davis patted his partner on the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Feist has you there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That he does,” Sutton agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Remarkably done, Detective Feist.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thanks,” Feist bit out while still locked in a staring
contest with Fontine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s turn this
room over to the techs so we can pack these computers up and send them to the
Bureau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian and Wes, start digging up
everything you can find on Halverson’s mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If that’s what he wanted badly enough to kill for Camille, then that is
what he still wants no matter what.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes, sir,” Wes returned and bumped shoulders with Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Focused on the screens behind them, Adrian drew his finger
over one screen in particular, where a lady sat at a front desk and a skinny
boy huddled in a chair in what looked to be a waiting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Understood,” Adrian finally said after Wes
nudged him again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all on
the same page. Lucky me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist walked
to the vault’s entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m calling in
the techs. Meet me downstairs in five, and for fuck’s sake, don’t break
anything on the way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mama Feist
out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He snapped his fingers and
sashayed out of the vault.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fontine stuck up his middle finger as he followed after Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton grabbed the offending digit and shook
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I asked him to lead,” he
whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And now he’s leading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please do him a favor and let him have
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might turn out well for
everyone if <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everyone</i> cooperated,
understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes, sir,” Fontine grumbled and lowered his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made a shameful escape from the vault.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Davis took off after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This team shit is new to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Always been just him and me, and now he’s kind of attached to everyone
and this structure we got going lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A lot of changes get to him,” Davis offered up an apology to Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll talk to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Wise man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton
pushed Davis out the door gently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll
be downstairs, gentlemen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Be there in a few,” Wes called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they were alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m okay, Wes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
lifted his hand for his mate to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After Wes slid his palm into Adrian’s, they both relaxed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why so quiet then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian turned his head to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m still not used to feeling this way for
victims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My job was to be detached from
anything personal but now I’m with you, I have teammates to worry about and I
give a shit about what happens to these boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s a lot to deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guess seeing him,” Adrian pointed to the lone boy in the waiting room, “and
knowing there are potentially thousands more just like him, alive and surviving…
I hurt for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how we’ll
make each and every one of them feel better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Adrian…” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes exhaled as he put his arms around his mate’s waist from
behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a slow process to
make Adrian aware of the humanity inside of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But once Adrian grasped onto that thread, he
rode a wave to the person he was now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His heart overflowed for others while he grappled with the man he used
to be, straddling the fence between safety and danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes was honored to hear such gentle honesty
from his mate because he knew he’d played a part in Adrian’s transformation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You mean make them
feel better like you do now?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes rested
his cheek against Adrian’s head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They need to
feel important, to have a place, a community that understands them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a lot of baggage and no one who
will know how to put it away, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
will we possibly make them human again?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian clutched at Wes’s hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You were able to do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I meant human as in taking back the good life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We aren’t human and as soon as those boys,
some of them very human, come into our world they won’t have a choice to go
back, to heal among their own kind or be embraced by people like them.” Adrian
sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I still remember, Wes. I
remember the things I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember
their faces when they took their last breaths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I remember the last time my father looked at me and I knew my life would
never be the same again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some
things none of us can forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
some things that will always haunt us, but those boys will never heal if
they’re thrust from one scary situation into another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll be traumatized beyond what they are
now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes turned Adrian in his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will never forget being chained up in that
basement, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never forget
the way they kicked me and punched me until my bones snapped or the way they
touched me when their boss wasn’t looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A day never went by I didn’t forget until I met you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes put his forehead to Adrian’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One day, each and every one of those boys
will meet someone that makes the pain bearable, someone who gives them the
strength to move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then, we have
to be those people for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to
prove to those kids we are their safety, we are their family and we will never
betray them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I did with you and
just as you did with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are my safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the one who pulls me back from the
edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is possible to go on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re proof.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian’s blue eyes filled with warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These moments were few and far between with
Wes’s mate because Adrian was still growing into his own skin, but he was
trying and that was all Wes would ever ask for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He didn’t need to hear his mate return the sentiment because Adrian had
a hard time voicing how he felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t
mean his face wouldn’t always give him away, which was as good as any sappy
reply he could have voiced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead,
Adrian said, “We prove it to them by taking out the biggest threat to their
safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one thing holding us back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Halverson,” Wes replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian’s eyes sparkled with danger as his grip on Wes’s
hands tightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No mercy this time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t think that bitch’s end was very merciful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It will be compared to what Halverson is in for.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian flinched as the monitors began to
crackle with static.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The images turned
snowy like the channel had gone out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes let Adrian’s hands go to spin in a slow circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The fuck?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Wes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes pivoted
to his mate, only to find him staring at the same screen Adrian had been studying
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian squinted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
leaned in to make sense of the blurry image forming on the monitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large number sixteen popped into focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rolled over on the fuzzy monitor like it
was on repeat before every single monitor went black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sixteen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
know what to make of that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
glanced at Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes snorted. “And you think I do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Stranger things have happened.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian lifted his shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes sharply inhaled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His gaze shot to Adrian again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Like
when ghosts send us pieces to the puzzle?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian took one last look at the black screen before he
grabbed Wes’s hand and marched them out of the vault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They were back in the Cage with two techs buzzing about the
computer’s helm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian crowded the
senior tech, Jin, at the keyboard until the tech looked over his shoulder in
warning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes pulled his mate away with
an apologetic smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They’re working as fast as they can,” Wes assured Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not fast enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could do this, you know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not technologically
challenged.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jin snorted quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes growled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t push
your luck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Happens to be a very lucky day for me, boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I’ll take my chances.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jin spun around in his chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Roberta Halverson, now Roberta Glein, mate
of Drew Glein, was scheduled for a dentist appointment three days ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Second City Insurance was billed and she
paid the copay with her credit card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>None of her funds have been touched since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No ATM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No activity on any of the
Glein accounts, period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strange for a
couple who can’t go a few hours without pounding the transaction pavement like
their money is going out of style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
mean, an hour before her appointment she wracked up nearly three thousand
dollars at Saks on her card, and another hundred at some gourmet bake shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people thrive on their plastic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Definitely a red flag right there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one living that lifestyle suddenly starts
using the cash under their mattress.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
sat in a chair across from Jin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He urged
Adrian to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Glein?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t he a committee chair on the Shelter Board?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other tech, Romero, was getting off the phone when he
approached the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glein was supposed to be in the meeting that
Davis and Fontine set up to sort out the new arrivals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hasn’t answered his cell and the Bureau
can’t pinpoint his location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks like
someone took the battery out of his phone, or he did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And Roberta?” Adrian asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Same deal,” Romero responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If Roberta knew about Sinclair being booked,
and she had ties to this mess, I bet she took her mate and hightailed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely after hearing about her boss…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I think you mean after number fifty-one went down?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian glared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Romero shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Techs
were a different breed altogether; they lived inside a computer and existed for
the high of dissecting a crime scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They dealt in secrets and the aftermath of violence and they were the
most jaded employees the Bureau had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romero
was no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s my professional opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
only other thing we have is the location of some property Roberta and Drew
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an old hunting lodge upstate
that dates back to the late 1800s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems
it got a makeover about ten years back and we’ve got some paperwork here filed in
Essex County for a newer renovation permit, but it looks like it never went
anywhere because the service quarters are considered historic or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Odds are the Gleins didn’t have much time to
finish any remodels as busy as they were covering Sinclair’s ass.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes grabbed Adrian’s hand under the table to keep him from
launching himself at the oblivious tech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sutton had mentioned some property up there,” Wes said to Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We ruled it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way
Halverson walked out of the city undetected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s hard enough for humans to get in and out with all the security
checkpoints these days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Uh huh, and the Gleins suddenly developed teleportation
abilities,” Jin muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m going to deck him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian stood and cracked his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His menacing eyes targeted Jin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Before you do that, you might want to think about what he
just said.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes tapped the edge of his
laptop to get Adrian’s attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
if Halverson took the Gleins for a ride upstate and they acted as his cover by
force?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one was looking for the Gleins
a few days ago and Halverson knew that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What if he took Frederick with and he’s got them all locked up in an old
hunting lodge until he decides how to escape for good?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that’s the case, Adrian, he’ll be getting
itchy by now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not stable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll kill all of them if he hasn’t already.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jin’s phone buzzed next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeung.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He nodded and gestured for Romero to copy a license plate number he
recited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll let them know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Romero punched the number into his computer and sat
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a commercial fleet car registered
to Sinclair Security, the only one out of the sixty vehicle fleet that hasn’t
been impounded by the Bureau in the last few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plate was flagged in Essex County for a
speeding ticket about five hours ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s what they wanted to know, if someone had tagged it
but hadn’t brought it in yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jin
turned in his chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Still think your
boy didn’t cross the city line?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Gleins would have swiped a police officer to get out of a ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson is still human, which means he’s
got his hostages drugged or dead in that car and he now knows he’s going to be
traced after being pulled over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least
he didn’t kill a cop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’d be hard for
any of us to cover.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian fisted his hands. “Where’s Essex County?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Might want to bundle up, you’re headed near the Adirondacks
and it is fucking cold up there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jin
gave Adrian a mock salute before turning around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll email you the details.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll call Sutton.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes moved as quickly as his body would allow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart raced as he called his best
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They fucking had him!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sorry, Durren, you have to make this quick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m five minutes from the SoHo Shelter—they’re
rounding up the kids from the operation within the city and the place is
flooded from what Greg says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got
so many Royal males being booked we don’t know what to do with them. And I’m
about out of coffee.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton took a deep
breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We know where Halverson is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pull over
here,” Sutton demanded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tires screeched
in the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Near Lake Placcid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We think he took his birth mother, her mate Drew Glein, and Frederick,
and headed for the Gleins’ vacation home in Essex County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a town called North Elba.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s near
the mountains, Wesley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man like
Halverson could be anywhere in the Adirondacks by now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Which is why we need to move fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian and I will take the lead on this
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the team is stretched thin
already, but we’ll still need some backup.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sutton was quiet for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Take Niles.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you
out of your mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He’s a tracker, Wesley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is what he does—track, kill and run.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And he’s also on lockdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You want me to call up the Pope and Mickey Mouse to come with us too?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If you think it wise.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sutton clucked his tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll
have some reinforcements sent to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the meantime, pull up a map of the area, pinpoint the residence, and locate the
safest point of entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call me back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This is bullshit,” Wes shouted to the dead line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up to find two blinking techs and
his mate looking at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He wants us to
take Niles for a spin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why
is that a bad idea?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Are you kidding me right now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian lifted a shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He tracked Halverson for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knows how he thinks outside the Academy. Niles knows how he hunts
when given the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know how he
fights. You’re an experienced Detective with a brain full of protocol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t see why we can’t make this work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s kind of perfect, actually.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sometimes you annoy me, in a bad way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes grunted as he stood up and walked out of
the Cage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian tagged along with a
smirk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian trailed Wes two floors up to where they were holding
Niles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Word had spread around the Bureau
they had a lead on Halverson and everyone wanted to know the details, wanted to
be a part of the great hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of
Adrian wanted to suit up and charge into battle like he used to, but the other
part of him knew that wasn’t how things were done anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not as a Detective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Innocent lives were on the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They needed a plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were rules on how to save a life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He thanked the stars Wes had the rule part on lockdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where Adrian was wild, Wes was tame and that made
them the perfect team, although now Adrian had to be the one to reel Wes
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes wasn’t Niles’ biggest fan, so
surely there would be a showdown once they reached him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What Adrian didn’t expect was Niles to be surrounded by at
least a dozen Guards in full tactical gear like Niles was a ticking time bomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Wes stopped short to make sense of the
scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can I help you gentlemen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Niles looked up and tucked a piece of dark hair behind his
ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wriggled his long nose and
sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’re with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“With you,” Adrian repeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niles stared
back in challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What do you mean, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with</i>
you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s brows drew closer together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I mean this is your backup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My backup.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niles sat back in his
chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Word travels fast, Detective,
and these men are all too eager to finish the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, the big guy ordered reinforcements,
did he not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It took Adrian a second to comprehend what Niles was getting
at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he did, he stiffened and
searched the men’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d known
Niles had people on the inside, Guards who were once scared little boys working
for Camille, but never in a thousand years could he have imagined the men they
were today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few thousand pounds of
muscle and anger packed the room; boys who were now men looking for the revenge
they’d earned with service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They’re…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Indeed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niles
stood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian turned to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“They’re…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You all wait here.” Wes cursed through his teeth and then
dragged Adrian into the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Should
we call Cap?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t think he knows about this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
scoffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah. Right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian looked over his shoulder at the men staring at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They weren’t going anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not with force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not if they were hit by a train right this
second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were going with them to
Essex County and that was that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whether
they were approved or not, I don’t think we have a choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You think they have a right, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian shot Wes’s question back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes sighed loudly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
hate this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m not exactly having a field day either, Wes, but if we
think about it, these guys are probably the best backup we have next to our
real team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want this and they’ll do
anything to get it, but they still take their job seriously.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian searched the hall for any spying eyes
before he pushed Wes out of sight of the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rubbed Wes’s arms because he craved the
touch and then kissed Wes at the corner of his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s get this over with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You got somewhere to be, princess?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian snorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes rumbled with approval.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Yeah, that sounds nice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We’re not much closer to the end with you standing there
pouting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s go get him, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s end this for real.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes looked both ways before he kissed Adrian hard and
fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lock and load, baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Fuck yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
licked Wes’s lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushed him away
and walked back into the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After being in the city for a while, Adrian almost forgot
places like this existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>North Elba was
situated along the rolling hills of upstate New York.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clear lakes, fresh air, inches of crisp snow
already accumulating in the treetops and on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He understood why someone would choose to get
away to this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded him of
the reason his father preferred the great outdoors to the cramped, eclectic
life in the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was room to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when Adrian took his first big gulp of
clean, cold air, he stepped back in time to the free agent he used to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only this time he couldn’t just disappear
into thin air, into the trees never to be seen again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This time he didn’t want to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This time he waited for Wes by the Jeep and allowed his mate
to finish gearing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Niles spread a map across the hood of another vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their team gathered around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“These are the blueprints Jin was able to get
from the county records.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re about
ten years old and not very specific, but they’ll help us understand the
property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From what we know, we have about
forty acres of ground to cover and the lodge building sits on one and a half
acres that butts up against the northern property line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As easy as that sounds, it’s not the only
structure on the land.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What are those?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian pointed to the small squares dotting the property.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Niles put a finger near to the map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This used to be a hunting lodge and now it’s
the main house.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He touched a medium
sized blue square well away from the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Those are guest cabins and the smaller ones in red are treetop
structures used as deer blinds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hunters need
them to stake out from above and watch the deer unnoticed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So what you’re saying is he could be hiding them anywhere
on the property.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes secured his rifle
strap over his chest and shifted the weapon onto his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I wouldn’t hide in the lodge if I was him—that’d be too
easy. He also has the advantage of the Gleins’ knowledge of the property.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niles looked to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll have to track the old fashioned
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You up for that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian sniffed the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A myriad of smells and tastes filled the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He immediately recognized the scent and
direction of wildlife in the area, heard them running through the woods, but he
also sensed something else; something familiar to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Wes?” Niles stared at the Senior Detective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
glanced at Adrian out of the corner of his eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knew that look all too well by now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They weren’t alone out here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We’ll split into two teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
lead one and we’ll lead the other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
team will cut into the property here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes tapped the southeast barrier line where a creek was outlined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your team will come in through the northern
barrier to give you space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re
sure he wouldn’t be in the lodge, then we’ll surround him on the property that
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might have the Gleins, but we
have the advantage that Halverson is human.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He won’t see or smell us coming,” Adrian agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We got this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian snapped a few shots of the map with
his phone and pocketed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whoever is
coming with us, we head out now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light
will be gone soon and the snow is supposed to pick up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m texting Sutton that we’re going in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got guys on standby near the county line
in case we need help.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes walked next
to his mate as they crossed the deserted stretch of road from where the
vehicles were parked in the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We won’t need it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian pulled up his fur lined hood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Follow me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He felt Wes in his head as their bond began to channel each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian was the first to walk into
wood lined barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There are bodies out here.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes caught up to his mate, but didn’t look at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The men to either side of them fanned out
without noticing their silent conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our vics?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nope.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyone we know?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nope.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian reached the creek and stopped along its edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m
going to try something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me, okay?</i>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Are you summoning dead
animals now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Wes cleared his throat
and gave one of the men a nervous smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Adrian peered up at him with
disgust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cross the creek and start
sniffing, boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re looking for
anything out of place—blood, perfume, sweat, anything not animal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Understood,” a large male with a heavy German accent said
as he splashed through the creek with his boots. The man shouldered through a
pair of trees and continued into the darkening forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brothers followed him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes crouched next to Adrian, his eyes still on the men
making their way into the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
gonna tell me what’s up now or do I have to pry it out of your head?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There’s a male, forty to fifty, died by gunshot to the
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it was a self-inflicted hunting
wound, an accident, but they never found his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian skimmed the water with his glove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It happened at least sixty years ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Can you hear him?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes looked around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian gestured to the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“There are points of this creek that feed into ponds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If winter iced the water over after his body
drifted away, they would have a hard time finding him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just wants to be found.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And if you help him, he’ll help you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian cut his eyes to the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s generally how this works now that
I’ve got a grip on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only this time, I
don’t want to hear him and lose all of my energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just want him to understand and work with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I can do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think if he’s already here, reaching out, I
don’t have to waste energy summoning him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You said bodies as in more than one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if he wakes others in the area and you
have no choice but to hear them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
can’t have you out of the game right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A spirit told me one time that they have a way of
communicating with each other, and that if I just stopped fighting it, they’d
get in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we get this guy on
board, I’m confident he’ll tell the others not to mess with me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian stood up and offered Wes a hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once Wes was on his feet, he put a hand to Adrian’s
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I trust you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
cracked a smile and then closed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He pictured the man in his head, piecing together images the spirit had
been sending out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man’s desperation
ceased, making the air easier to breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a deal for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Adrian opened his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind Wes was a tall man in a red checkered
Lambswool jacket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A billed cap with ear
warmers covered most of the wound to his head, but blood still dripped down his
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gun fell from his hand and the
ghostly echo of a shot rang out in the woods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Help me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Wes, don’t freak out when you turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian turned Wes to see the man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes put a hand over his mouth but said nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian did the talking for both of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With every word the ghost said, Adrian’s
hearing would start to fade, so he needed him to understand quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know you want to tell me everything and I
will listen, and I will help them find your body, but I need you not to talk
right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need you to help me
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nod if you understand because
when I have to focus on hearing you, I lose energy and that doesn’t help either
of us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ghost’s gun snapped back against his palm as if someone
had pressed rewind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One minute he was a
few yards away and the next he was breathing in Adrian’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Listen to me carefully,” Adrian continued despite the smell
of decay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shake your head for no and
nod for yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to ask you a few
questions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ghost nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Did you live here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ghost nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“At the lodge?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ghost shook his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do you know of the lodge?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ghost nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then you’re familiar with the area?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ghost nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need you to
help us find someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s holding three
people hostage on the property and we need to save them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you help me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ghost nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“One condition: If there are others like you, tell them not
to bother me unless they want to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can’t save everyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was the first time Adrian had uttered the words
aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He really couldn’t save
everyone—even though he’d tried many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The world was just too great and he was only one man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spirit seemed to understand the very same
thing and attempted a soft smile and a gracious bow of his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood immediately evaporated from his
face, allowing the blue of his eyes to shine through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although Adrian wasn’t able to save everyone, sometimes
saving one person had the same effect on his heart as if he’d rescued countless
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moment of pride he shared
with the spirit was another step in the right direction, and given time, all of
these new emotions would make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Right now, he had a killer to catch and his new friend would lead them
in the right direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The spirit gripped his shotgun, turned towards the woods and
disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian shared a look with
Wes and followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They eventually caught
up to the rest of their team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Anything?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes searched
the woods, no doubt looking for their spirit guide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The German nodded to the east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We found numerous discarded shotgun shells,
but they are old.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Means there’s a deer blind near here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes looked up and spun in a circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They saw the wall free structure a few yards
away and were able to clear it of activity just by looking at it; the treetop
blind had a floor, a roof, and nothing else except for the ladder style rungs
nailed up the tree trunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian sought out the sky through the trees and grew anxious
now their light had faded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A murky gray
storm was moving in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temperature
dropped half an hour ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We need to
start marking our way out in case we have to move fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything will look the same once we go
completely dark.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They’d heard nothing from Niles yet, which wasn’t exactly a
bad thing, but it didn’t make Adrian any happier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Halverson knew how to monitor radio
signals, they’d left their basic communication equipment in the vehicles,
relying on their phones instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
had to disable the GPS feature in case Halverson had a way to track them that
way, and that made their situation even more dangerous, but most of them had
been trained to navigate treacherous terrain without technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to Adrian’s extent, but that was why he
was leading them alongside Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They had this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
least Adrian hoped they did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To keep himself distracted from paranoid thoughts, Adrian
took a plastic bag of beads out of his pocket and squished one through the
dispenser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dripped the fluorescent fluid
onto the side of tree in a line to mark where they’d come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“These will show up with night vision when we need to make
our way back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They aren’t charged with
natural light, so they can’t be seen by anyone without the goggles.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian patted the side of the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Where were you trained?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t recall this practice in the Academy,” the German piped up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Trust me, you don’t want to know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian nudged his chin to the north and said,
“Split into teams of three and space out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We want to cover the property quickly and comb through any hiding
places. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t turn your lights on unless
absolutely necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, we have
the advantage here. Let’s keep it that way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As vampires, they weren’t able to penetrate the dark with
their eyesight completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless,
they had more enhanced vision than humans and were able to traverse woods like
these better than Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
followed a rocky slope down, feeling around with their hands and feet until
they touched down on a snowy, flat strip of terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mixture of snow and rain started to trickle
through the trees, smacking against them in big, fat drops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the temperature plunged again, the woods
would ice over and slow them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
had to get going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You see anything I don’t?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes startled Adrian from behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not yet,” Adrian whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Starting to think I’ve been duped, led out here in the middle of this
crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to be hard to see soon
through the storm and the accumulation on the ground isn’t helping us move any
quicker.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was then Adrian saw a handprint form a few yards down, in
the same liquid he’d used on the tree earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gone in a flash, the handprint was still a sign from the spirit to head
that way instead of walking north as planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What confused Adrian, or maybe he’d imagined it, was the handprint was smaller
than any adult male would have made, even from afar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He grabbed Wes’s arm as they walked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Did you
see that?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was small.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s what I was
afraid of.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guess word does travel
fast</i>. Wes sparked a whole new level of paranoia in Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Relax,
baby. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they just want to help.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How can you be so, I don’t know, you? It was a child,”
Adrian hissed under his breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And this land has been here for a very long time, longer
than before I was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before a lot of
people were born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death happens.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes squeezed Adrian’s arm before letting
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And if I were you, I’d take a kid’s
help before anyone else’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re the
most honest people you’ll ever meet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes would know; he’d had a little sister who died of illness
when she was rather young—nine or ten if Adrian remembered correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to trust in Wes’s advice and move
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the little one wanted to help,
who was he to deny them the excitement when they’d been alone out here for who
knew how long?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Over here,” one of the men’s voices rang out softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A coyote echoed his call in the distance,
making their surroundings all the more real to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This place was about as much of a vacation
retreat as hell was and while it had been scenic and nostalgic for a minute, as
night settled in the woods revealed their true colors and released the
predators unto their prey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was not about to become people Alpo for the furry beasts
shuffling about the grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What is it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
pushed through the small crowd to see a cabin nestled in the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The closer he got, the more vivid the number
fifteen painted on the door became.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Surround the perimeter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll go
in first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Is it locked?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
leaned over his shoulder to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Door’s open.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
readied his rifle and toed the door open a few inches with a creak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled his goggles down from under his
hood and turned them on, illuminating the cabin in green, black and glaring
white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Bureau Guard,” Wes called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We are armed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is anyone
in there, show yourself now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No one answered back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes nodded to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They pushed inside the tiny cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The space wasn’t more than ten square feet, big enough for a
twin bed, a fold down table, a cabinet and a metal toilet in the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that wasn’t what he was looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian pivoted quickly to secure the space behind
the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Along with Wes, he looked under the bed, checked the rafters
and knocked on every floorboard to make sure there wasn’t a sublevel to hide a
killer and his three hostages. “Clear,” he sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You notice the number on the door?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes asked as they filed out of the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah. Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Same print as the number we saw in the vault.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s eyes glowed with the help of night
vision as he looked at Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t
take much to get Wes’s brain going, and with his mate’s memory, Adrian refused
to let the detail slide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it came to
the facts, Wes remembered every last one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian marched outside a few yards and scanned the area for
the next cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From what he’d seen on
the map the cabins weren’t all that far apart from each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were secluded from the lodge for
privacy, but still in the same neighborhood, probably so guests were able to
enjoy each other’s company while on vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was even a fire pit smack dab in the middle of some wooden benches
a few yards away, covered in snow now, but they were still visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judging by the fresh accumulation in the fire
pit, this place hadn’t been used recently, which meant Halverson was still out
there somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Cover me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going
to use my phone and I don’t want to broadcast the light.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian turned his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes and two others surrounded him as he
pulled up pictures of the map he’d taken earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The cabins all flow in a half moon pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one is fifteen, but the next one is …
seventeen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Where is number sixteen?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the man to his right asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An owl above them answered with a hoot, scaring all of them
half to death as it took flight to another tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That about summed up the extent of their
findings, nothing but going tree to tree with zilch in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian scowled as he broke another bead and
made an angry slash across the cabin’s door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t know, but we need to find out fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t bring any food because of the bears
out here and I’m not down for hunting myself a snack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So move out and stay focused.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian slung his rifle around to his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Keep your eyes peeled for a big, fat
sixteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s important.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just as they were about to head out again, Adrian’s friend,
the male spirit was waiting at the edge of the cabin’s clearing, waving his
arms wildly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped to point over
and over towards the direction they’d come from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put his fingers to his lips and
disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Take cover,” Adrian urged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No one questioned his plea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His team moved with lightning speed, keeping their toes light through
the snow to find shelter behind trees and behind the cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes pulled Adrian behind a cluster of boulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They peeked over the rocky surface as the
first wave of voices reached their ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Flashlights bobbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four figures
descended the rough slope of jagged rock towards the cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This is so stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We could’ve been gone by now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We can get three million each, free and clear, and you want
to run while he’s still out here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go
ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See if they don’t catch you when
you try to take a plane out of New York.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’re taking those idiots into the Bureau right and left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to end up like that bitch
Sinclair?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think so.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Three mill and we can split to Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a plane out of there and go wherever the
fuck we want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a brother who lives
in Tokyo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Says his boss pays really well
and they’d be willing to take me on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could live like a king there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They got room for one more?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What the hell about us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not sticking around when Halverson loses his shit all the way and
puts a bullet in my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to grab
him, get our money and get the hell out of here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“True that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bring
him the supplies, call this in to make sure it goes down, take the money and
run together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tokyo it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah, we should stick together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always been that way anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I want to get as far away from these
fuckers as possible—they ain’t like us, man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They did this because they wanted to…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian stood up, aiming his rifle at the group when they
were about to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is the
Bureau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay where you are and put your
hands behind your head.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ah shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you for
real?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Very,” Wes snarled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He moved out from behind the rocks with his weapon steady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t even think about reaching for your
weapons.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their team swiftly closed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their targets went down to their knees with
their hands behind their heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
the group of four had been patted down, Adrian stared down at two handguns and
an industrial box cutter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were headed deep into the woods,
knowing we could be here at any moment, and knowing you could be stuck in a
storm at the base of a mountain with two handguns and a box cutter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must be highly skilled or very stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure it’s stupid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We weren’t planning on sticking around to do anything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We swear,” one of their captives
squeaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked barely twenty and
ready to piss his pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was also the
only human out of the four, which intrigued Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something didn’t sit right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian made sure Wes was on top of their prisoners before he walked to
where the supposed “supply boxes” were sitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His men frowned at the contents and one held up a satellite phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is the only thing in this one besides
food and water, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other one
has a change of clothes and a few passports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Picture is Halverson’s.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He really was planning to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And since the boxes didn’t have anything that
suggested he was taking guests with him that meant his hostages were expendable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was using them as his last line of defense
if push came to shove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But why
here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not just run on his own after
he got out of the city?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Nothing else?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian’s skin crawled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The squirming beggar on his knees crawled forward until Wes
pinned him with the end of his rifle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re Adrian?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What the hell do you care?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes pressed steel to the kid’s temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Man, you shouldn’t be out here—he wants you to come!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll tell you everything if we can get a
deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t do this for fun,
man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson has our brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We owe Freddy our lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Nice try, kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
heard you talking about the money.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
pushed the kid back in line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Money we were going to steal as payment from that bitch
Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the account information
from Sinclair’s private account in the Caymans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s in the process of wiring to our account right this minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were going to run as soon as we got
Freddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson said we could have him
back if we did one last drop for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
the time we were gone, we knew Halverson would be picked up by the Bureau and
none of his other teammates would know where we were.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did it ever
occur to you that Halverson had no intention of letting any of you live after
you brought him his escape kit?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
marched over to the blabbermouth and grabbed him by the hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What others?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The ones coming to protect Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ones that got out before your people
started the raids today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guys
Camille hired outright instead of plucking from the homes once they got too old
to turn tricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re monsters and
that’s why Halverson sent them out here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To find you because he knew you’d come, and when he runs, he doesn’t
plan on you coming after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hates
you, man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Adrian…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes stared
into the dark woods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian looked up to see the male spirit readying his rifle
at the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ghost hadn’t been
warning them to watch out for the four punks in their captivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d seen the others coming for miles and
tried to protect them from an all-out war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How many?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
grabbed his phone and started dialing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“More than you have here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A lot more.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kid started to
cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please don’t kill us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian handed his bag of beads to the German.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When we run, take point for the rest of the
team and start marking like your life depends on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it does.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Niles answered his phone, clearly out of breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian warned, “We’ve got company and it’s
not our guys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of mine
just spotted them from a blind near the road, said we’re looking at about ten
vehicles.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re moving
deeper into the property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are
you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian tugged the kid to his feet
and handed him back his box cutter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
might actually need it for something other than a delivery from UPS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The others were let go and surrounded by their men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes directed them to follow the German as Adrian
walked past the fire pit and into the area cabin seventeen was supposed to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Niles’ heavy breathing filled the other end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cleared the lodge and we’re about ten minutes
out from the cabins if we take it at a dead run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do me a favor and call in those boys you have
sitting at the county line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t feel
like dying tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian looked at his mate through night vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The possibility of losing Wes put him in a
different frame of mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll do you
one better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of our guys are biting it
tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“See you soon, Hunter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Niles chuckled and the line went dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m calling this in and then we run like hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need room to take them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can smell them now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian became lightheaded when he took a deep
drag of air into his lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many new scents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes herded two of the captives along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And if you can smell them, they can smell
us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The spirit’s rifle shot was loud enough to ring in Adrian’s
ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’re here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Adrian. Run.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
shot a look of terror to his mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Run with me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
slapped one of his treasured daggers into Wes’s palm to let his mate know that if
something happened they’d always be together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two of a kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of a pair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A ferocious smile overtook Wes’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gripped his new dagger and ran like hell
with the rest of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We’re biding time like sitting ducks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t we fight?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the German scowled from his perch above in a
tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian looked up at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Because good hunters are patient, something you need to learn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Now is not the time for teaching, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fight for our lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to walk to
the edge of those rocks we saw back there and see what I can get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snow is too heavy to carry their scent
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need a visual.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mate nodded back because he trusted
Adrian to hold his own, and Wes knew if he protested in front of the guys,
Adrian’s mood would take a turn for the worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be careful.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian winked as he walked by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Only
for you.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I like it when you
talk dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll make good on that when
we get home.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You wish.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’ll make you beg… </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian exited their hiding place to the sound of Wes’s
laughter in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was grinning
from ear to ear when he advanced on the rock formation near the eastern edge of
the property line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crouching down in the
snow, he searched the woods for any sign of Niles or his crew, but they had yet
to show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using their phones was out of
the question with so much activity on the grounds, so Adrian had to be patient.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He put his rifle down on the flat of rock underneath him and
lay out on his belly to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was
when he sensed someone next to him and yanked his hood down to find a little
girl sprawled out on her stomach next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said nothing, only smiled at him, looking at him with stormy grey
eyes that reflected the pale winter moonlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wisps of her waist length black hair swirled in the wind, as did the
fluttering hem of her long, linen nightgown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She lifted a tiny palm to show him that it was covered in
bead paint before she rested her chin on her folded arms to watch with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He knew he shouldn’t waste the energy, but she was broken
and lost, lonely and needed the company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More importantly, she was dead and that just about tore him in two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What’s your name, honey?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She shook her head and put a finger to her lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You can’t talk?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She shook her head and smiled wide like they were playing a
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, she started to write in
the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Annie?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
traced a line under her name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She nodded and pointed to herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she wrote another name in the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She pointed to Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do I know you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She beamed and grabbed his hand in her sweaty, smaller
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie leaned forward and kissed his
cheek with her cold lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian was
overcome with love for the little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forsaking
everything he’d learned about his gift thus far, he pulled the little girl into
his lap and hugged her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
forehead was burning up as it brushed his cheek, yet her lips were cold as they
rested against his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If he didn’t know any better, he’d say she’d died of a fever,
but she didn’t give him any information to go by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t send him images or whispers or
visuals of any kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like she
didn’t care about the past or her death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like she didn’t have any messages to pass on or any troubles linked to
her passing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She simply wanted to be
here for him, with him, to hug him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t you have anyone to take care of you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where’s your mommy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Annie sat back and put a hand to his cheek, using the other
one to point to the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Is that where you’re from?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She nodded and crawled off his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stood and offered him her hand, gesturing
for him to follow with the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s not safe out there, Annie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to stay here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She smiled and shook her head, insisting with her hand that
he come with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her doll-like eyes and childish smile made him cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay, but we can’t go far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to leave soon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Annie did something that caused Adrian to smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lifted her hands and signed, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have to show you something before I go
home too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I came to you.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How did she know to sign to him instead of talking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did she know how to sign at all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would this little girl come back from
heaven, separate from her family to seek <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him</i>
out in particular, to help him like this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Come on!”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grabbed his hand and towed him
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The snow bank slowed him down as they descended the other
side of the flat rock formation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
struggled to keep up with Annie’s effortless gait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few minutes later, she stopped and kneeled
in the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian crouched next to
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waited for what she wanted to
show him, but all he saw was two plus feet of snow and a little girl able to
somehow sit on top of it like she weighed nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“My mama took care of a
friend who was a slave before she escaped to the North during the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People said she brought a curse with her,
folks getting sick and all after she arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mama said that wasn’t true and the Lord was just taking people when it
was their time, and we needed to listen to M-I-R-I-A-M because she had a
gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like you.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Annie, I don’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What does that have to do with me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who is Miriam?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“People said Miss
M-I-R-I-A-M was a witch because she saw and heard things that weren’t there,
but sometimes people came from miles away to pay her to talk to their dead
loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t do none of
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Said if the dead wanted to talk,
they’d come do it themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That she
didn’t have no right to it unless the dead gave her permission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she did talk to them, she’d get real sick
after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thought she was going to sleep
for days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes she wouldn’t be able
to talk for a week too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Said she had to
give something to get something.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Like my hearing…” Adrian stared at Annie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached for her hand and took it in
his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What happened to Miriam?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Bunch of men came to
chase her out of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted to
hurt her, and me and mama because we was protecting her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t have anyone to defend us because
my big brother was gone, so M-I-R-I-A-M defended us the only way she knew how.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She called them spirits to help us.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“To scare the men away?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They done wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wouldn’t be chased away that easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d hurt others before and M-I-R-I-A-M wanted
it all to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She used dark magic to
make them hurt too.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There’s no such thing, Annie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magic isn’t real.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Annie looked up at him with shining eyes<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then prove it like this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>She took the knife from his belt and
slashed a gash across her palm in the blink of an eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian had never seen a ghost take something
from him before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was both scared and
intrigued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Some things have no choice but to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With a little help from the living, they can be free again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that what you do?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Annie, give me the knife.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian slowly moved toward her as she crawled away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She twisted to him and laid the bloody knife in the snow
near her knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If you want something bad enough, there’s always someone willing to
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just got to give them
something in return, something that means a lot to you.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Annie, I mean it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Give me that knife.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Dark magic isn’t bad
like it sounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s dark because death
is dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t change that, but you can
change what happens to them people after they die because you are magic,
whether you want to believe it or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And right now, you don’t have any choices left but to believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what M-I-R-I-A-M would have called an
emergency, so I’m sorry I got to make your mind up for you, but he don’t
deserve to die like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s been
through enough.” </i>She picked up the knife again and slashed Adrian’s
outstretched palm.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He hissed and retracted his hand, but not before blood
dripped onto the crisp snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is
wrong with you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought you wanted to
help me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m helping all of you.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sat back on her heels and held out the
knife to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Look.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian dropped his gaze to the snow again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small droplets of his blood expanded and reached
through the snow like veins in a large body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They spread, slithering out to the woods, where they started to hum a
glowing red light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s happening?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You gave something
important to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something you can
give without wasting yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you
have to do is tell them what you need, like M-I-R-I-A-M did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all there is to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who are you talking about?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The dead</i>.” She
stretched her arms above her for a moment to encompass the world as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You
won’t last long out here without them and neither will he.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think outside yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about him.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t understand!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The dead don’t need
more than you have already given them unless you become greedy and start
raising hell over this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be
scared, A-D-R-I-A-N.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be who you are.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie reached out to touch his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was closer now than before and something
about her eyes were familiar to Adrian, something he couldn’t put his finger
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Save
them the best way you know how.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Save him
for me.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And how is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hunt,” she punctuated the silence in a deep voice and then
disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Annie, wait.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian’s hand sliced through thin air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He got to his feet, scrambling around in a circle to find himself alone,
but not for long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes emerged from the
other side of the rocks, practically stumbling over his feet to get to his
mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What happened?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
felt you panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought… Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes shook his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s going on? Did you find something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian looked up at Wes’s moonlit grey eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew for sure why Annie’s eyes had looked
so familiar to him, why her plea had been so passionate and urgent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew who Annie meant by save <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he now knew why Annie had come to him when he was alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian wasn’t supposed to tell Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would break his mate all over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian was quick to slam his mental blocks in
place because Wes had a way of digging in his head now that they were both
vampires, mated ones at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes could not find out his little sister was out here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He just couldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It would be as if he had to bury her all over again, and
both he and Annie wished to spare Wes that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe that Miriam lady had the right idea all along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t demand of the dead because some things
are better left in the past to right someone’s future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except in this case, an emergency, Adrian was
granted permission from spirits who had come to his aid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And like Miriam, this time he had no choice
but to answer their call and pay their price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dark magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old blood magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myths and legends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian would have been called a witch too had he lived in
Miriam’s time, in Annie’s time, but these days people like him were sought
after, had their own reality shows, worked to cleanse people of demons who
couldn’t let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interviewing dead
witnesses was one thing to accept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
this, giving into his true nature, his amplified talent as a medium—this was
hard to take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You said you trusted kids more than anyone else because
they the most honest people on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dread grew in his gut as the choice he had to
make became clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie hadn’t come to
Wes because Wes wasn’t a part of this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they swore they’d never part, it was Adrian
who had to take the reins this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes pulled Adrian to him and looked around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian sensed his unease at being in the
open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because they’re innocent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have nothing to hide yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re pure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because you trusted her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes snapped his attention to Adrian’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My sister?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“With all my
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do you ask?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And you would trust me with all your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if I did something I couldn’t explain
away, something I have no way of knowing how to control?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Adrian, what are you hiding from me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Would you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah, I would.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian pushed back from his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then take the others and follow the eastern
perimeter north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find Niles because he
hasn’t shown up yet and that means he has to be in trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes pushed his hood back with force to give Adrian a good
look at the anger in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not
leaving you by yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian lifted his dagger for Wes to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I won’t be alone.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hoped Wes understood his meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the deep sigh from his mouth and the slump of his
shoulders, Wes got the message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
are you going to do, Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes tried
to wade through the snow as Adrian backed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For some reason, he didn’t see the glowing veins like Adrian did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t meant to see this part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Go, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take them
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll meet you in the middle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Absolutely not.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian’s heart pounded in time with the veins in the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clenched his fists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gunshots started to pop through the
trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes hissed and bared his
teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Adrian, we have to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go and
help Niles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wind howled deep as it swam through the treetops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snow blew in harsh, icy sheets, slicing
them to the bone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The storm was upon
them in more ways than one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Trust me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
pushed Wes away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just fucking trust me
to do the right thing on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">am</i> coming back to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And what if you come back to me as a ghost, Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes pushed back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His phone lit up in the mesh pocket of his
coat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Answer it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell them
where to find you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s Sutton,” Wes snarled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m not going to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sometimes teams have to split up to make the unit flow as one,”
Adrian recounted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We all have a job to,
so let me do mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was hard enough knowing he would have to bear this task
alone, without the safety of Wes beside him, but in his heart Adrian knew this
was the way it had to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to
focus and Wes was a distraction better suited to keep those young detectives
and their captives alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes let the
call go to voicemail anyway and got in Adrian’s face like the stubborn man he
was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You end up dead and I will dig a hole to hell with my own
two hands to find you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you hear me,
Donohue?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed Adrian by the ears
and tugged him close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You fucking hear
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the gunfire became louder, closer, Adrian gripped the
back of Wes’s neck and kissed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
hear you loud and clear, you son of a bitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes’s phone went off again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian smelled bodies on the wind, both dead and alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His men in the woods began to shout their
alarm and the explosion of bullets from the other side of the rock formation shook
them both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes put his phone to his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes watered, but he turned around and
ran, taking Adrian’s heart with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t know what you got me into, Annie, but I swear to
all that is holy if he dies I will kill you all over again,” Adrian cursed the
air around him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He pulled his gun from the holster, checked the magazine and
headed for the trail of glowing veins that led deeper into the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alright, I’m here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You got what you wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now show yourselves!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amidst the echoing fight, Adrian heard the first snap and
crackle from the ground. “Hello?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An animalistic rumble poured through the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snow fluffed as if something was making
its way through from below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over and
over, all around him, the creaks and groans sounded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What the fuck?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian pointed his gun at a skeletal paw, complete with dagger sharp claws
emerging from the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bony hand with
bits of tendon pushed between the roots of a tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spun around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On his other side, the ivory cap of a skull
breached the earth and he nearly screamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Zombies,” he breathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Motherfucking Annie!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not one to fear much of anything, Adrian was currently
scared shitless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All around him, bodies
in different stages of decay, human and animal, began to rise from the
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he understood this was why
Miriam hadn’t used dark magic unless she was desperate, because the scene
before him was straight out of a horror movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He couldn’t count how many of them twisted and looked at him, walked to
him with uneasy steps, limbs clapping through the snow in a twitchy,
uncoordinated way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He backed into a tree
until he had nowhere to run, and as they were already dead, his gun was
pointless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They growled and groaned, and formed a circle around him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missing eyes and limbs, complete skeletons,
and some had flesh dangling from their mouths or chests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coyotes with entrails lagging behind and bears
with only a patch of hair left on their bloody muscles—every monster from every
story ever written looked to him now for guidance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or they were going to kill him; that was also a distinct
possibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A tall skeleton pushed through the others and snapped his
jaw at Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fissures in its bones blazed
with the red of Adrian’s blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as
Adrian looked around at the rest of them, they too carried his spirit inside
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why do you wake us?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the skeleton asked with a breathy voice; the sound of a nightmare coming
to life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I… I need help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
made me do it,” Adrian argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Help how, Hunter?” Another body, smaller than the first,
clicked its bony fingers together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian sucked in air and maneuvered out its reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to fight them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to find someone before he gets away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Too many things.” the first shook his head and the others
growled in agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Pay us more for
our troubles.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian shied away from a bony hand that touched his
hood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Pay you how—with blood?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Blood,” the word reverberated through the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unlike the ethereal spirits Adrian usually encountered,
these were physical bodies with only remnants of their souls left behind to
anchor them to this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They needed
power to be controlled, to come to life—power he had in the form of blood he
again gave from his hand with his trusty dagger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook his hand before the wound began to
heal, spattering the snow with scarlet rivulets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that what
you want?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes,” they echoed. “Blood.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He watched them relish the current of radiant liquid that spun
through the throng, filling what was left of their repulsive bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A collective murmur of delight swirled around
him like wind through a pile of leaves, licking the inside of his ears with the
scratchy sound until he wanted to crawl out of his skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Enough,” he murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His eyes closed because he needed to clear his irises of this dream for
a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their whispers simply grew
louder, more haunting and greedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
afraid to move, to speak, and more than anything else he was scared to open his
eyes in case they were inches from him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Demand what you will, fleshy one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had our fill.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hard, sharp fingertip grazed down the slope
of Adrian’s nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He opened his eyes to find them just as he’d left them, and
thankfully they’d allowed him a few feet of personal space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t stop him from rubbing away the awful
sensation along his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Continue to dawdle and more of your friends will meet their
end.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tall skeleton raised one bony
finger to the north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They drop like
flies to the snow, where they will wither and freeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eyes unseeing the dark sky above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fate we all have shared as Mother Nature
intended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it seems you wish to
change her course today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A risky gift
you exercise, fleshy one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The skeleton’s hollow chortle would forever grace Adrian’s
dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t afford to be afraid
right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a part of who he
was, nor would his fears aid him in getting Halverson’s head on a stick to
bring back to the Bureau.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m in control,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For whose benefit, he wasn’t sure, but he had to get it off his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It would appear so, yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another head cocked in his direction with a sickening crunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voice this time was female, like an old
woman with a smoky scratch at the back of her throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have paid you’re price, now use your
gift so that we may rest again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Show us
your desire.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She extended her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A scrap of dirty, intricate lace clung to her
wrist, a cuff of a distinguished dress that once made her beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian lifted his hand from his side, all the while keeping
an eye on her splayed, grayish fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His glove was full, fleshed out in contrast to the hard, thin bones that
settled in his palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She curled her fingers
around his with a surprisingly strong grip, immediately drawing his gaze to the
eyeless sockets in her skull.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Show us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adrian closed his eyes and told his new army what he
desired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes hauled the human captive up by the shoulders, dragging
him off his knees from where he’d fallen over a tree root.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bullet grazed a mighty oak’s trunk above
their heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson’s men were hot on
their tails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes cursed the kid for being one of the unfortunate few
Camille hadn’t turned before she bit the dust. The rest of the human’s crew was
holding their own in the trees, which helped them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But still, this kid was the most
uncoordinated being he’d ever encountered. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again, Wes’s job was to protect the
innocent, the sort of innocent, and everywhere in between—which meant he had to
get this kid out of here or it would eat him alive for however long he had left
to live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From out of nowhere, the German stepped away from a tree and
shot into the darkened woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
deafening pop of each bullet lit up the shadows for a nanosecond, and the
reward was the repeated thud of several bodies hitting the snow somewhere
behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Found Niles,” the German murmured
as he helped Wes up with one hand and kept his gun hand pointed to the
south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Three of our men are down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to keep the others going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are too many out here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes noted the tinge of rage and sadness in the German’s
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those were his brothers, his
friends, and the ones he’d trained with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were bonded in a way that had nothing to do with mating and
everything to do with tragic circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes showed his respect for their loss by clasping the German’s hand and
relaying a sharp nod as he stood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They were ambushed on the way here and had to take cover
near the creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They found something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on, we have cover.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recovering his captive to awareness was hard, but had to be
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held the poor kid around the
middle and made him keep walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
scent of blood and urine, the tremble of the kid’s shoulders as he shook with
fear nearly stopped Wes in his tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ever the good soldier, Wes forged on and sheltered the human under his
arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was aware of their men in the treetops now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their smells familiar from the journey out
here, and thankfully they had night vision to give them a lead over their new
enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of that mattered when the
woods suddenly quieted and not even the wind made a sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a quick rustle of leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then something heavy dropped to the ground
with a loud crunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bloodcurdling scream of a man in pure agony lit up the
night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The German looked to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes looked to his captive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
all looked behind them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes’s heart leapt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Adrian</i>…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Run,” Wes whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like someone had injected adrenaline into his chest, his heart kicked
into overdrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His night vision goggles
became his only hope of making it out alive as he basically dragged his captive
through the trees behind the German.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something
bad was coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every fiber of his being
knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His bond with Adrian was alive
and busting at the seams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Run. Run. Run.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard Adrian clog his ears, his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What’s happening?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The kid screeched when another scream was sucked into the snowy silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound of bones being feasted on reached
them in a timely manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They pumped
their thighs at a dead run with no sure destination unless the German knew
exactly where he was going under pressure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hell if I know!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
threw the kid over a fallen tree and pressed his hands to the bark to swing his
legs to the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get the fuck
up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Move it,” he barked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh my god,” the kid screamed. His eyes were nothing but
huge white orbs to the goggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
wasn’t about to turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No fucking way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a… It’s a…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Get off your ass and run if you want to live, you
moron!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes felt the kids shoulder pop
as he pulled on his arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d worry
about setting it right later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There’s something out here,” Captain Obvious shouted from
the German’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Smells like…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Death?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes threw
the kid over his shoulder and booked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Over their heads, their boys were tree jumping like flying monkeys to
keep up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fate be with them</i>, Wes thought just as the very same men opened
fire on whatever was chasing them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was like a herd of wild animals tearing through the
trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pounding the forest floor as if
the snow was no obstacle and their feet were the size of a titan’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snap of teeth and the pop of bones were
demonic, as was the scent of fresh death that rode the air like a tsunami ready
to flatten the entire property. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes was
seized with panic for his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew
this was the reason Adrian left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever followed them was Adrian’s doing and there was no going back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes had to trust his mate like he’d promised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to endure this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to be strong for both of them because
if this was scary, whatever Adrian was going through had to be ten times worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their light at the end of the tunnel came in the form of the
male spirit with his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He appeared
like a soft glow in the night vision and waved his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes coughed his relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed the German’s coat sleeve and
tugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s not—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Shut up and follow me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes huffed and hoisted the kid back up on his shoulder to run
faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the near distance, a flashlight penetrated the dark,
followed by another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As none of their
men were dumb enough to do such a thing, Wes knew the enemy had found Niles’
hiding spot and was preparing to attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He made a mental list of things to do before he even thought of setting
the kid down to reach for his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
didn’t have much time to prepare with the demons gaining speed behind them, but
Wes had his gut to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No sooner had he looked at the German to make sure he
understood when one of the flashlights was snuffed out and another scream
wailed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the men pointed a flashlight at his fallen comrade,
only to spotlight the skeletal form of some kind of animal ripping the man’s
body apart with his teeth and claws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
decaying corpse rose from his crouch and leapt onto the man holding the
flashlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Mother of God,” the German breathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Adrian, what have you
done</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s heartbeat filled his
ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was only reminded to breathe
when the kid on his shoulder yelped and kicked at something brushing by them. Not
something, but rather a bunch of someone’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A strange sense of relief poured over Wes as the creatures
of the undead filed past them as if they were nothing but another cluster of trees
in the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dead descended on the
enemy; ants to sugar left out like a treat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There,” the German choked and pointed to the side of what
looked to be another cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large
number 16 was printed across the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes held the kid to him hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched the male spirit look at him and
then poof through the cabin door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
German was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where they
were supposed to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They slowly weaved through the zombie army, careful not to
look them in the eye or touch them for longer than necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Putting hands on the cabin door was like finishing
a marathon; every one of them was out of breath and gasping for air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was left of their men dropped from the
treetops with the other captives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of
them wore the same haunted look as Wes and his small crew of refugees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes pushed at the door, at first thinking it was locked, but
the harder he pushed the more he realized something was blocking the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the help of two others, men who ignored
the feast going on around them, they finally got the door open enough to shimmy
through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A twin bed was flipped over to bar their entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in the corner where the bed had been
was a hatch with a circular pull in the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A slash of glowing liquid had been streaked across it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thank fuck, Niles,” Wes said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everyone get inside and help me push the bed
back against the door.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kid clung to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What about Adrian?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He’ll be okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
kept a straight face. Inside he was dying to know if that was true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A bed won’t hold those things,” the German argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It will give us time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their crew firmly inside the small cabin’s confines, they
pushed the bed back against the door easily and then surrounded the hatch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They know we’re here now, no point in
tiptoeing around.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes turned on his
scope light and aimed it at the hatch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Open it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The German gave the pull a good yank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hatch creaked open on rusted hinges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s scope illuminated a rickety staircase
in brilliant white light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dust clouds
puffed into the stale air and cobwebs fluttered with a cold breeze from below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The German patted his gloved hand around to
make sure the stairs were sturdy and to see if there walls on either side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Footprints going down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Concrete walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d say this is a
tunnel judging by the cold air coming through.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“To where is the question.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes put his feet on the first step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The human hugged himself tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Anywhere but here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Good point.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
aimed his rifle and descended the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His feet hit solid ground a minute later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His light spotted a point on the wall that
got tugged at his memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In white block
lettering, faded to the point it was almost illegible were a list of
directions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Service entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pantry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Jin said the Gleins had a permit denied for work at the
lodge due to the service quarters being historic. These are the service
quarters that gave servants access to the cabins from the lodge, I’m betting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So then what the hell did the Gleins have
planned for down here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’m
guessing it wasn’t a sauna.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes swept
the area with light, and soon the others helped him out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Door after door lined both sides of the hall
until their scope lights were unable to pierce the area beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wes was the first to open a door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put a hand to his mouth and fought not to
gag at the smell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bloody mattress and
a metal toilet were all that filled the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He rushed to the next door to find the same scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The team tore open door after door, getting an eyeful of
Camille’s extended criminal activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not
only did the Gleins know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
aiding in the operation in more ways than one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes growled low in his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
stormed down the hall, sniffing out the scent of anything alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While his mate took care of business topside,
Wes was going to find Halverson and tear his heart out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And whatever was left of the Gleins, he was
going to burn with the fire of ten thousand suns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Drawn to Wes’s determination, the male spirit shifted away
from the dark and led the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To be continued…</span>NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-19137735663837691152014-05-15T21:41:00.000-04:002014-05-15T21:41:13.518-04:00Flash Fiction Friday! A Nanny Tale: Week 6
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m posting this a tad early because I’ll be out of town
tomorrow for a work event, so I hope you guys like this week’s installment!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week’s FFF prompt was:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of your characters has lost something important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do they find it easily and stop what could
have been a disaster?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do they go on a
quest to find it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is a relationship put
through the ringer because of the lost “something” in question?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided for Logan to lose his faith in Chris. Just for a
little while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just because, here’s a mini playlist that
I used to write this week for you all to enjoy:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lorde – Ribs (Ryan Hemsworth “Let’s Have A Sleepover”
Version)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fitz and The Tantrums – The Walker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Miami Horror – Real Slow ft. Sarah Chernoff<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sam Smith – Latch (Acoustic) ****SOOOO GOOD!!!! Unngggggh
his voice! Damn…****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hugs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That is all,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">P.S. It’s just me posting this Friday. Wynter is taking a
week off and Elaina might post this weekend, so check up on blog later. Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Nanny Tale: Week 6<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His mouth is soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His lips slow as he claims his kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His rough fingertips from years of cooking and baking graze my cheeks,
trace my stubbly jaw down to my chin, where his fingers meet and start a path
back up to my temples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My muscles give
into his laidback treatment; my upper body deflates of power as he presses his
weight on top of me, pushing me into the mattress in the most delicious way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fitting our
limbs together, his firm thighs finding home between mine, we stretch out with
toes and ankles rubbing against one another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His kiss is stronger than I would have imagined, strong in
the sense that he knows what he’s doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe he’s dreamed of what he’s wanted for so long that he’s finally
able to bring it to fruition, or there’s a possibility I’m not the first man
he’s tried this on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever the reason
for his talented lip lock, he has me entranced and kissing him back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not jealous of his fumbled past encounters because they
don’t fit in this bed with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
matters to me is Chris is acting like the man I know he is, not the coward he
hides behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives in to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives into himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s pretty fucking beautiful if you ask me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know what’s even better than giving in? Making out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slow, lazy kind of kissing and touching
that’s reserved for Sunday mornings, when you first wake up and neither of you
care if you’ve brushed your teeth or if you hair looks like you’ve just put
your finger in a light socket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the
brand of making out two people who know each other on a deeper level share when
they just want the other to know how they feel, how glad they are to wake up
together, next to each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While it’s not Sunday morning, he kisses me like it is, like
the only thing we have to worry about is how comfortable the bed is and what
kind of coffee to make in an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or
two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He kisses me as if my tongue tastes of cotton candy; the
warm, wet flat of his muscle licking at mine to receive another taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when the one lick seems insufficient to
him, he steals another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explores my
mouth and I return the favor until I’m barely breathing or just forgetting how
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, air is overrated anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve never been kissed like this; like I matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like my pleasure is a gift and if he puts in
a bit more effort, the reward will be greater for both of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to drink him dry of the heat flowing
out of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want him to pull me as
close as he can, no space between us, and be held in his arms until the sun
rises the next day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s a scary feeling; being this deep with someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know when or how it happened, but I’m
there and he’s snagged me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t let
go now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if he decides in a few
minutes this was an epic mistake… I’ll still be here because my legs are
boneless underneath him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t run
away if I tried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As his lips drift from mine and he moves lower to sample my
neck, I burrow the back of my head into the pillow and let those heartbreaking
what ifs drift away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hasn’t left me
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has no intention to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope and pray this lasts forever, that my
gut is wrong and this is right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want him—all of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will pay whatever price he asks to buy another second with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a goner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re more,” he whispers in my ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So much more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His hands snake under my shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He snares me, embraces me, let’s me feel
everything he’s feeling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tremble in
his body, a tremor fashioned not by sorrow but relief—that’s when I know he’s
mine too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He sags against me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Settles
his body around my side so he won’t crush me after he decides he’s taken his
kisses as far as he’s ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
he gave me was enough for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
never push him into anything he wasn’t prepared for, and his kiss was such a colossal
step that I’m left dizzy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truthfully, I
don’t think I could physically or emotionally handle more than kissing right
now anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most guys would call bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But most guys have never been kissed the way
I just was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hmm?” he rumbles in my ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What am I to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He’s quiet to the point I think he fell asleep on me, but
then he surprises me by saying, “Can I let you know in the morning?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t forget,” I whisper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Kind of hard to.” He smiles against my neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His lashes tickle me as he closes his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m the first to wake up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I do, it’s to a scene I never imagined I’d find myself in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris is still wrapped around me on one
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, on the other side, a gigantic
stuffed fish is shoved under my arm and a skinny little leg with astronaut
print pajamas is slung over my calf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
lift my head as far as I can to find Joey sprawled out like a starfish, half
off the bed with his head lolled to the side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When he came to join us, I have no idea, but he’s so cute I
can hardly bring myself to move him, despite my need to relieve myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The need grows until I have to carefully
start prying limbs off of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tangle
sorts itself out and just when I think I’m free, Joey stirs and sits up like
he’s risen from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blond hair
is sticking straight up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blue eyes
are unfocused but wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hoping he’s
still asleep and will keel back over and pass out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’re both startled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We stare at each other—him with this bleary eyed expression of confusion
and me with the horror that he’s not asleep and has realized where he is and
that I was in bed with his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s way
too early for this talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not the one
who is supposed to have it with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s for the man passed out a few feet away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I have to pee,” Joey says and rubs his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Will you hold him?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey gets out of bed and gives me his stuffed fish before trotting into
the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closes to door to the
master bath and I look down at his fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What the hell do I do now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wake Chris?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few minutes after Joey’s sleepy bathroom
break and the kid is going to notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s going to ask questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
think about this part of the relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being a nanny was safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crawling
into bed with Chris after childcare hours were over was definitely safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This part… I didn’t factor this part in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris,” I hiss and shake his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not be left as a sacrifice when his
kid starts asking how men make babies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris groans and rolls onto his stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris, get up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
shake him harder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What?” He flops onto his back to squint at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His pats around the nightstand for his
glasses and then puts them on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he
sees the fish, he props up on his elbows in full blown parental mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why do you have Babel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where’s Joey?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Babel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hitchhiker’s
Guide to the Galaxy</i>—one of Joey’s favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevermind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where is he?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I point to the bathroom as Joey toilet flushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He knows, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knows</i>,”
I repeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He takes a look at the fish again, then at me, and then at
the bathroom door opening before he scrambles to sit up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, buddy,” he forces out through his teeth
with a horrified smile that would scare the pants off a carnival clown any day
of the week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thanks,” Joey mumbles as he takes his fish from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabs the remote from the nightstand then
perches at the end of the bed and turns the television on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting Indian style on the bed, Joey finds
some cartoon about Japanese robots fighting each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hugs his fish and happily sighs as if he
could fall over and go back to sleep again, but decides the transforming mech
bots are way cooler.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris eyes me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
scoots across the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did you have a
bad dream last night, buddy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey shakes his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I woke up and couldn’t fall asleep again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your bed is comfier, so I slept here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh, to be nine again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The logic…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah, that happens to me when I have a lot to think about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll stay up pretty late sometimes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris rubs Joey’s back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Uh huh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey is
glued to the television.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t want to talk about this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“About what?” Joey frowns at his dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wait for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris is
thinking too hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might throw up any
second now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh… He’s opening his
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s gonna do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s really gonna…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That me and Logan had a slumber party together?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris holds his breath until he’s forced to
let it out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh… No.” Joey shrugs and goes back to his show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But Logan snores real loud.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey puts a hand over his mouth and laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris chuckles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
child has a way of putting him at ease in a precarious situation, which is all
new to me compared to other child/parent relationships I’ve seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most parents would be pulling their hair out
at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not Chris, not with his
Joey. “Joey, can we talk for a minute?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey nods, but doesn’t look away from the screen. “Buddy, this is
serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need you to look at me for
second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The robots will still be there
in a minute.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay,” Joey groans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris narrows his eyes and crosses his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Joseph…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sorry, Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Better.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris
ruffles Joey’s hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We didn’t get to
talk about what happened yesterday and I want to make sure you’re okay before
we start making some changes around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your opinion matters to me, buddy, and I need to know what you’re
thinking.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“About what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey
squeezes his fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rests his chin on
the stuffed monstrosity with one sagging button eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“About changing the way we do things here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Change how?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we
moving again?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, buddy, we’re not moving.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey bows his head and sighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I like this house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m glad you do.” Chris motions for me to sit next to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to know how you feel about
Logan being a part of this family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know he’s your nanny and your friend, but I want to know if it’s okay that he’s
my friend too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey looks at Chris like he’s grown a crater between his
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why can’t he be your friend too?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris is afraid to say what kind of friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He licks his lips a few times, rubs his jaw,
and then looks at me for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I’m
scared of this too, the fact that Chris is serious enough about us to talk to
Joey entices me to venture into the unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we’re supposed to be together or whatever this is, I have to help him
out where he’s lacking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I lean forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Joey, your dad and I are special friends, different friends than you
and me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey looks between us, still
lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I like your dad a lot and he likes me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">like</i>
like him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know what that means.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey’s sucks on his bottom lip and glances at his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cheeks redden before hides his face in
his fish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris taps Joey on the head until his son peers up at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And that’s why we had a slumber
party last night, because we want to sleep together in the same bed every night
and we need to know if that’s okay with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sister Grace says grownups sleep together when they’re
married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you married?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey’s bottom lip trembles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did you get married without me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh, buddy.” Chris pulls his son to him and hugs him
tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sister Grace doesn’t know what
she’s talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t have to
listen to her anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, no, I didn’t
get married without you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would never
do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh that’s good,” he mumbles and clings to his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was going to be so upset.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I swallow my laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not one to use the word precious, but for Joey I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Upset because your dad could be married or
because he wants to marry a boy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dad can marry a boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He likes boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right, Dad?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey looks up at his dad, the confusion
blooming over his face again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris kisses
Joey’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And that’s okay with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t care if you marry boys.” Joey shrugs and gives his
dad his fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you going to marry
Logan?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Uh… Not yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
about that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then what are you doing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey’s question is so innocent, so broad, yet right on point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are we doing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris takes his turn hugging the fish. “We’re dating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As in he and I care about each other and we
want to be together like boyfriends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan is your boyfriend?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes,” Chris answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My heart leaps and then does a fist pump.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey takes
his fish back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And it’s okay if he sleeps in here with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Does he
need a pillow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have one in my closet
he can use.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tears form in Chris’s eyes at his son’s adorable
consent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, buddy, I have plenty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You sure?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always
take all the pillows.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey looks at
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He hogs them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He really does.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks
for the warning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I squeeze Chris’s
shoulder and he puts his hand over mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I want you to understand that because I’m with Logan now,
there are going to be a lot of changes, Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re not going back to Our Sacred Heart because I don’t like how they
treat you there, and I don’t like how they teach you to hate others because of
who you care about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not right and
you don’t deserve to be pushed and teased over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want you to know that when two men care
about each other like Logan and I do, there is nothing wrong with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want you to love everyone because that’s
what I taught you to do, and I want you to love yourself, so I’m going to start
loving myself too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being different is
okay, Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what you makes you
special.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s
what makes you special too, Dad.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey
hugs his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are we done now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah, we’re done for now, buddy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Great.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey turns
back around to watch his show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris looks up at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t help but lean down and press my lips to his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t flinch away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey doesn’t notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris looks happier than I’ve ever seen
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks like a new man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t want to go,” Joey squeaks from the back seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clutches his beach towel to his chest and
brings his sandaled feet up to the seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Can’t we go to a movie instead?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We already
told Sabine we’re going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, this
will be good for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll get to play
with other kids your age, swim in the pool, and Sabine promised tons of sugar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t care.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
glares at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Joey, cool off back there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you go into this party acting like a grouch then you might ruin Gerritt’s
birthday and that’s not nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give them
a chance, would ya?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris cranes his
neck to get a good look in the rearview mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Did you bring your new noodle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You were excited to use it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“His <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what</i>?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gawk at Chris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The floaty thing he was carting around this morning. Foam.
Blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost got you in the balls.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey cackles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turn
around to make a face at him but find myself smiling mischievously
instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris pats my knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s called a noodle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re weird.” Joey sticks his tongue out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Joseph!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knock it
off.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wink at Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
giggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Both of you!” Chris grumbles as we turn on to the highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes, Dad,” I mock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t encourage him,” Chris quietly hisses. “He’s all worked
up because he didn’t get enough sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No sleep equals a cranky child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
do not want to present a rude kid to these people I don’t know from Adam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe we should just go home and call Sabine,
say Joey’s sick or something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Now who’s being rude?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I roll my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s only acting
this way because he knows you’re nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kids feed off that crap, Chris.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hey, Dad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I am not nervous,” Chris argues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dad!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You so are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You got
dressed up like you’re going for ice cream with Brad Pitt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sniff him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Cologne for a kid’s birthday party?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leather mandals you
probably just pulled out of a box your mother gave you for your birthday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I know if I touch your hair there’s gonna be product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t lie to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know how freaked out you are, Mr. King of
the Sweatpants.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dad!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What</i>?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris grips the wheel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Christopher Wyzak, don’t you what me,” Joey shouts and
mimics his father by crossing his arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I laugh until tears roll down my cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this is what it’s like to be part of this
family, count me in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Constantly
entertaining—that’s what it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey is
his father’s son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris is an
attractively scented fuse about ready to blow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I’m stuck in the middle, trying not to lose my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Joey, you’re killin me here kid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris slouches in his seat and focuses on the
road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do we really have to go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s the sign grandma uses to go home.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He points to the green sign on the side of
the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We’re going to this birthday party and that’s final.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How you choose to act when we get there is
entirely up to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can behave and
have fun, or you can not behave, and when we get home you go to your room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sounds good to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey shrugs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And I will take every book off of those shelves and box them
up for an entire week.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey huffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s
more books in the house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Joseph, push your luck with me and the only thing you’ll
have to read when we get home is the back of the shampoo bottle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I would get real if I were you,” I say to Joey as I turn in
my seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just relax, and when we get
there I promise you’ll forget all about this conversation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Highly unlikely,” Joey replies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris scoffs at the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Where did you even hear that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He looks over at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did you
hear what he just said to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He’s nine,” I say in way of explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sabine’s place is nice, really nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From my understanding, her husband used to
work for a pharmaceutical company before they had kids, and when the babies
came along, he cashed out and became a stay at home dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it wasn’t like Sabine was having any
financial problems at the agency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
office suite she rented was on the boardwalk for crying out loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big money right there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The house featured a sprawling green lawn and a long,
cobblestone drive packed with cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Blue, black and yellow balloons were attached to the mailbox due to the
Batman theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few adults gathered
inside the open garage with cocktails, watching us get out of the Rover Chris
insisted we drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m kind of glad he
did right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This neighborhood….
Geesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was relieved to see someone I knew right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprised was more like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janette had gone through the training program
with me a few years back and I thought she’d gone to live with a family in
Vegas after leaving Chicago, but there she was, coming at me like bullet train
with her arms open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh. My. God!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She squeals
in my ear as she hugs the life out of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My arms are trapped, so I awkwardly pat her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Been a while, Janette.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She wrinkles her pierced nose and pushes her purple bangs
back into her pixie cut in an effortless manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A while?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What’s it been, two years?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus,
look at you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pale white boy has a tan,
dropped that baby weight and what is with this shaggy hair? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growing it out for your man, Lolo?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Shut up.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not all of us were gifted with a natural
tan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Please, boy, I’m chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not tan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bobs her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you look good, Lo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shoot</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You look good too, so stop fishing for compliments because
you already know you do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wink at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She fakes a hair flip and grins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You got that right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So who is this trying to hide in the
background here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be shy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t bite.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you look up awkward in the dictionary, Chris’s picture
will be right there next to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
shuffles Joey along like his legs don’t work and stares at Janette with the
blankest expression one could ever have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s getting cold feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might
just toss Joey to me and make a run for the Rover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hey there, cutie.” Janette bends over and offers Joey her
hand. “I’m Logan’s friend Janette, but you can call me Netty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m Joseph, but people call me Joey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You got people?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh
you are grown, huh?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She beams up at
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He yours?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Partly business.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Partly not?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
stands up to offer Chris a hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I take
it you’re the latter half?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris shakes Janette’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Uh… Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Janette, this is my boyfriend Chris Wyzak and this is his
son Joey, who you’ve already met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris,
this is my old friend Janette from my agency training days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved out to Chicago together when we got
our first assignments from Sabine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Nice to meet you.” Chris is swallowing hard every few
seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s squeezing Joey’s shoulders
hard enough that Joey glares up at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Likewise,” she returns and then pegs me a questionable
stare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He okay?” she whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Our first outing as a couple,” I mutter under my breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So,” she claps her hands and winks at me, “let me bring you
out back to where the kids are, Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bunch of tired ass parents around the cooler for you too, so don’t worry
about a thing, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can meet my
employers also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re fun.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You still with the same family?” I ask Janette as I put a
hand to Chris’s back and force him along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She glances over her shoulder and raises a brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please, those people were crazier than the
Kardashians and I couldn’t keep up with that mess.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re around here now, then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yup, staying over in Grand Rapids with the new family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guest house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nice wheels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Puh-recious little
baby girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait until you see her,
Lo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, she looks like a damn doll.
Like they took her right out of a box or something.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She waves her hands at Sabine when we emerge
onto the backyard scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look who I
found.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan, I’m so glad you came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Chris!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She hugs Chris and then pats his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You look rested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey does good
work, does he not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sure,” Chris manages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He pleads with his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
isn’t his scene and he’s trying to make it work, but he’s drowning without a
noodle of his own to float on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey blinks up at the adults, noodle under one arm and towel
under the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His swim trunks with
anchors all over them are starting to turn colors in the sun, because kids need
things like color changing swim trunks to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or so Joey tells me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabine can
spot his boredom a mile away and takes the lead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Blake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come here,”
Sabine shouts for her middle son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
comes running over the grass, soaked to the bone from the pool and a little
sunburned across his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His white
blond hair and blue eyes reflect Sabine’s side, as does his smile when he stops
in front of Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Joey, this is my son,
Blake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s nine too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hey,” Blake nods at the noodle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I got one of those too, but it’s green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Want to swim?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I miss the simpler days when meeting someone new was
uncomplicated and trading peanut butter and jelly for a fruit roll up made you
awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blake gets it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey on the other hand, doesn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey hesitates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
looks up at his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is new for
both of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey has probably never
been asked to play before in his life, and Chris is stunned, more like
emotional that the time has finally come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Give me your towel and you go swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be careful, okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey bites his lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He nods and hands off the towel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know he’s expecting the worse, but this is Sabine’s kid we’re talking
about here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t raise no bully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Blake, introduce Joey to the other kids, especially your
brother because this is his party, and make sure you both put on some sunblock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are going to look like fried chicken by
tonight if you don’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blake and Joey giggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“My mom is weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“My dad is too.” Joey laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Come on, Joey, this is boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sunblock is over there and I got these
sticks we can throw at the bottom of the pool and dive to get ‘em.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you swim that far down?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I can swim pretty good,” Joey boasts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sweet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll race ya.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No running,” Sabine calls as the two of them take off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I find Chris staring after them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He called me weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Better than last week when Blake said he hated me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will take weird over that any day of the
week.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabine pats his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love and hate this age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They still need you and want to snuggle some
days, and then think they’re all grown up and you are cramping their style the
next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hate this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll die if they can’t do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when they have a bad day, all they want
is to be is attached to your hip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
exhausting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A little bit,” Chris agrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think I need a beer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Give me the keys. Your turn to have fun today.” I hold out
my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You sure?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I kiss his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m positive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It isn’t until I pull away that I notice the terror on his
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not looking at anything in
particular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he’s trying to
avoid being noticed, because I’ve just kissed him in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take the keys still in his hand and put
some room between us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janette catches my
gaze before it falls to the ground. She’s noticed his momentary fear as well
and is trying to calculate her next witty quip to bridge the growing gap in
conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But Sabine beats her to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Netty, you take Chris to meet your family and get him a beer on the
way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Perfect.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janette
snatches Chris’s hand up before he has time to protest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before he has time to look back at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, if he even wants to now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On some level I should have known things wouldn’t be that
easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t get a boyfriend, have
the kid talk, and go to some event like we were together forever all in one
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still stubborn and scared on the inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some things were workable in a relationship,
and sadly, some things were not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that we weren’t in the comfort of our own home, Chris
couldn’t be as carefree with me as I wanted him to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t really be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with</i> me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Want to tell me when this started?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabine loops her arm through mine and guides
me to a few empty plastic lawn chairs facing the pool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t know where to start.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kick back and sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids splash around in the pool, at least
fifteen of them ranging from around four to twelve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey and Blake are just getting in, doubling
up on their noodles to swim together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
kick over to an older kid I recognize as Gerritt and join him and his friends
in a round of pool basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
happier for Joey than I am sad for Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This day was about Joey anyway, so I try to decide not to dwell and have
fun instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Doesn’t matter, it’s just
a thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan, I can tell when something is just a thing and when
it is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is no little
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw how you looked at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not one sided.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s only been what, a month?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not that serious,” I lie to myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then why is he staring at you like that?” She looks over to
the covered patio where Janette and Chris are sitting with two men at a
table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone else is engrossed in
conversation, except for Chris who is ogling me from afar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because I’m the only person he knows here and he’s
uncomfortable in social settings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple
as that, Sabine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wouldn’t be here if
I hadn’t practically begged him for Joey’s sake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She snorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
kissed a man in front of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not
a simple matter, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is showing
affection for someone you care about, someone you are proud enough to claim in
front of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop lying to me and
get out with it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I huff and shimmy around in my seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t want to talk about it because it
makes me mad, okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me mad that
everything about him is complicated and I already come from a boatload of difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to come here today and just be with
him and I fuck it up because he’s scared of a kiss in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What am I supposed to do with that, Sabine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll tell you what I do: I act like it didn’t
happen so he doesn’t hold it against me later and decide this is too much for
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why do you care if he does?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smirks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ll tell you why, Logan, because you care about him more than you are
ready to admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t take long to
know you want someone for the long haul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went on two dates before I eloped with my husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds crazy, and some people think love at
first sight is bullshit, but it exists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s real. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when you find it,
complicated or no, you keep it at all costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be patient.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She taps me under
the chin and gets up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The crazy ones
are the best ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me on this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What if I go crazy trying to fix him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
can’t fix someone, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are them
and you are you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You coexist, you give
and take, you call them on their bullshit and they either love you for it, or
they move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he was ready to throw
in the towel, he wouldn’t have come here today with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wouldn’t be staring at you like only the
two of you were here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wouldn’t have
brought his child into this at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
what if he’s scared of a kiss?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kiss him
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he gets used to who you are,
he won’t be scared anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll feel
safe to be himself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why don’t you go see for yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop being a baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to check on the ice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sabine,” I growl, but she’s already headed toward the
slider door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damn her and her genius
advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wave at Joey, who wants me to
see how many points he and Blake have in the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His joy is infectious; it’s all that keeps me
from losing my ever-loving mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
go to face my boyfriend of a whole five hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This should be good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I get to the table, Chris acts like he’s been in on the
conversation the entire time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He frowns
as I sit down on the other side of Janette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Excuse me if I’m not ready to be set on fire if I accidentally touch him
again, but I need time to sort this out in my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There you are,” Janette intercepts Chris’s glare by turning
to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Logan, this is my family,
Demarcus and Harry Tettering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this
is their widdle baby Grace.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janette softly
rubs the back of her hand over the newborn’s cheek. Grace could care less.
She’s a passed out ball of pink ruffles snuggled into her father’s chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yeah, she’s cute as fuck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harry is middle-aged with big cheeks, almond eyes that give
away some sort of Asian heritage and he sports a thick crop of black hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nods at me because his hands are busy
holding Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good to meet you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Same here,” Demarcus reaches around Harry to shake my
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got large hands that cover
mine and a grip that could break my neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s definitely younger in face than his partner, but the seriousness
his large body carries makes him seem more mature, more alert than his contented
counterpart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seem like a good pair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She’s really beautiful,” I say because what parent doesn’t
want to hear that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in this case,
it’s totally true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thanks, and to think we just found her in a basket on our
doorstep,” Harry jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demarcus sighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We
bought her on the black market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t
let him fool you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris gawks, because that’s what he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no changing his interior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s kidding,” I say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Lighten up, man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just a joke.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Demarcus chortles
and takes a swig from his bottle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Haven’t
got a word out of this one since he sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How do you manage?” he asks me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fancy that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can only get him to talk in bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris turns white as a ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Demarcus and Harry erupt with laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janette dribbles beer down her chin when she
coughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m just kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not complaining.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I hear that.” Demarcus raises his beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This one can go on for hours if I let him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Nice.” Harry shakes his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Love you too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Eh, you love it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Demarcus kisses Harry’s temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t look at Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It hurts too much to know that other couples get it and he can barely
get with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also know I’m selfish and
I’m wanting too much too quick, but he said we were together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moment he got out of that car, he started
acting like we weren’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flinched at
the word boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He locked up after a
peck on the cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks like he just
wants to die right now and I don’t know how to help him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really hurts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I realize this is a big step, being out in public, but I
thought that’s what he wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he’d
just talk to me, let me know what to do then I wouldn’t feel so alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It was nice to meet the both of you, but I’m off in search
of the little boy’s room.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t sit
here with him and do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won’t say
a word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won’t smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just exits across from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Down the hall to your left,” Janette calls after me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The guest bathroom is where I choose to hide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because I can’t deal, but because I need
a few minutes alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some space to
breathe it out and decide my next move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who knew every day would be a game of chess with Chris?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I certainly didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know I wanted to play at all, yet
here I am holed up in a bathroom, wondering if he wants me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe I should have brought some stolen Virginia Slims and
flask of shitty bourbon to complete my bathroom episode of teenage angst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would make the rack of magazines in
front of me a whole hell of lot more interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t care so much about Chris if I
reeked of smoke and got shitfaced in the bathtub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again, getting smashed at a kid’s
birthday party was so not classy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was imagining the poor child who’d find me in a tub of my
own puke when someone knocked on the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Someone’s in here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan, open up,” Chris calls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to say juvenile things like, “Why, so you can fuck me
over again?” or the classic, “Go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hate you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m an adult and that’s
not how we’re supposed to do things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead
we have to deal with shit we don’t want to talk about and make up and blah
fucking blah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sue me. I’m not in the mood to do this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I open the door for him anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s all yours.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He pushes me inside and closes the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s new.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So is all of
this to me, so stop acting like a fucking child for one second and think.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rubs his eyes under his glasses and drops
his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t talk to me like that,” I sneer at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But it’s okay for you to talk down to me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see how it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t get past the fact that I’m not used
to being in a relationship, that this is all scary for me, and I’m not used to
someone introducing me as their boyfriend and laying one on me in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you get mad and huff off to talk shit
about me to Sabine and then hole up in here so you don’t have to deal with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that how this boyfriend thing
works?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I could scream at the top of my lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I never talked shit about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And you never gave me a chance to talk to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were the one who stepped away from me and
let me be dragged off.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris rests his
head against the tile wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because you looked ready to die on the spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry I didn’t get the memo that said I
wasn’t allowed to show any PDA with my boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you think I was gonna follow up by
sucking your dick for the grand finale?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris cuts me a look straight from hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, the Logan I like would’ve kissed me
again because he knew I had no idea what to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“So you could what, explode into a thousand tiny
pieces?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I want my boyfriend alive and not
covering the patio with body matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m still your boyfriend?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The question slapped me upside the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You ran away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
thought this was you breaking up with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“After five hours?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is this, middle school, Chris?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course you’re still my boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t believe I had to just say that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I can, because you’re sure as hell not liking we’re in a
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you can’t stand an
amateur as your boyfriend, you better pipe up right now because I just told my
kid we’re together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t do that for
just anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’ve never had anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He puts his hands over his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This shouldn’t be this hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I am too screwed up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or maybe I’m pushing him like I promised I wouldn’t do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a selfish asshole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not everyone moves at the speed of
Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came after me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, he came back even though he
thought I didn’t want him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He really
wants this to work. He just doesn’t know what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Shit… Chris, I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He puts up a hand and shakes his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s get back out there before Joey freaks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris, stop.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lock
the door and sit on the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We
need to talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And here it comes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He blows air out of the side of his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I tug on the bottom of shirt and drag him forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re not done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me not to kiss you in public and I’ll
try my best to remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want this
work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I want… I want you to kiss me and I want the strength to
kiss you back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want people to know I’m
with you, but I’m scared, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I
know I’m a grown ass man as you put it and I know this should be easier than it
is—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It is easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
kiss me when you feel like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop
worrying about what other people think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you see Harry and Demarcus out there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one said a thing about them being here
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not saying it’s always
this perfect, but the more you ignore everything else except me and how you
feel about me, the easier it gets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You said
you want to love yourself more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Show me
that Chris and I will keep him safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He takes my face in his hands and kisses me until I’m forced
against the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike last night,
his kiss is hard and fast. His hands move to my back, under my shirt and I
almost bite his lip trying not to moan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He forces himself between my legs and pulls under my knees, yanks me
against him to show his true strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I tilt my head and open my mouth to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hair filters between my splayed
fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m about ready to rip his
clothes off and devour him inch by inch, but someone knocks on the door and
douses the flames.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Gotta pee,” comes a squeaky voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hurry!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On autopilot, Chris rights my clothes before his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sets me on my feet and pushes my hair out
of my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I readjust his glasses and
straighten his collar as my body buzzes with whatever the fuck <br />
Chris did to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When another knocks
comes, we both look at each other and start laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is to crazy not to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That was…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fan my
face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Good enough for now?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>he asks with a blush to his cheeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Gotta go bad!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chill out, kid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
shake my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not like there isn’t a
pool full of children out there to pee with or anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s disgusting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris
frowns at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think that
water is clean out there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Piss city, my
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t set foot in that
thing if you paid me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember being a
kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t act like you never did it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">would</i> bring
up kids peeing in the pool after making out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He rolls his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s get out
there before this kid has to explain to Sabine why there’s a puddle in her
hallway.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes my hand and opens the
door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A blur of curly red hair races around us and slams the door
shut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can hear his sigh of relief as
we retreat and we share a laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
notice Chris is still holding my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
ready myself for the moment other people cross our path and he lets go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he doesn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laces our fingers together before we hit
the backyard and holds on tight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we find our way back to the table, he holds my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he sits down in his chair next to
Demarcus, he holds my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as he
pulls me down to sit on his lap, he only lets go to put his arm around my
waist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No one at this table knows how big of deal this is for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will never know because I have
to admit to myself that this relationship isn’t some show that I direct for a
public audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a personal journey
between the two of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I silently shout
my joy to the rooftops and put my arm around Chris’s shoulders. This time, he
doesn’t flinch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, he smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The way he looks at me when everyone else is busy chatting
melts my insides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing will be safe
from here on out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will bumps and
twists I can’t erase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if I’m in
this, I have to buckle up and take them as they come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as Chris holds my hand, I will hold
him back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-60424130836083660752014-05-09T21:55:00.000-04:002014-05-09T21:55:30.383-04:00Flash Fiction Friday! A Nanny Tale: Week 5
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Late night tonight, so I’m going to keep this short and
sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week’s prompt was:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Use one of the seven deadly sins this week: Wrath, Greed,
Pride, Lust, Sloth, Envy and Gluttony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I chose to reveal Sister Grace’s greed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">~Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">P.S. Elaina, you totally beat me to it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LOL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our other bloggers:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.elainamroberts.com/" target="_blank">Elaina M. Roberts<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://purplesnowstorms.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Winter<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>A Nanny Tale: Week 5<o:p></o:p></strong></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to tell you the next morning with Chris was the kind
where we lazily snuggled and eventually I got up to make pancakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it wasn’t and I’m not sure either of us is
ready for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m starting to like Chris
a lot more than I used to, and on the opposite side of his mighty wall, he’s
beginning to see me in a different light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we’re working on this thing we’ve got going at a slower pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have yet to give it a label.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s pretty much terrified to do it too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s okay with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Actually I woke up to someone calling me; karma for waking
up Max yesterday, I suppose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hello?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I whisper
and quietly get out of bed so I don’t wake Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t move an inch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a suspicion it was some of the best
sleep he’s ever had, because it was damn good on my end too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I hate to leave before it’s over,
but if one of us is going to do it, I would rather it be me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s his bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s used to waking up alone in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Morning, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sabine…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not even
… Oh fuck, it’s already ten?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Did I wake you?” She sniggers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, not at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What’s up, my lady?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
want it now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This is rather short notice and I’m sure you’ll have to talk
to Chris, but my son Gerritt is having a birthday party on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s turning eleven, so all of his
schoolmates will be there, but there will be quite a few nannies and their kids
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it would be good for
you to make some friends around here, and if Chris wants to bring Joey, they
could make some acquaintances too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
took a quick breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t worry about
bringing a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just a pool
party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring bathing suits instead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes is on the tip of my tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, that’s not how this works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It sounds like fun but I’ll have to talk to
Chris. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His dad is still in the hospital,
we’re not sure what they’re going to do with him yet and Joey is at his
grandmother’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll have to let
you know later today, but thanks for the invite.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God, the possibility of getting out and
meeting people yanked my inner social butterfly to attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better yet was the chance for Joey to make
some friends that weren’t those assholes he went to school with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Chris… Yeah, he needed to get the hell
out of his bubble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I completely understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t forget to call me back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
need to know how many people are coming to prepare food.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Will do, Sabine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll talk to you later.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Bye!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I put the phone down on the kitchen island to set about
making coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell must have lured
Chris from his cave because not ten minutes later he pads barefoot and sleep
rumpled into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hey.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He adjusts his
glasses and scratches his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have jitters forming in my stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What to say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How to act?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He puts a hand on my shoulder as he leans into the fridge in
search of sustenance. Such a simple gesture, but the way he does it is beyond
comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, the fact that he
doesn’t notice he’s doing it is more surprising than anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who were you talking to?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sabine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She invited
Joey to her son’s birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She invited
all of us actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her we have a
lot going on, but that I’d talk to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His warm breath skates over the back of my neck as he stands
up straight and sets some eggs on the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That was nice of her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It was.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hand him
a bowl to crack his eggs in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiles at
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like this side of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really, really do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Like I said, I know we have a lot going on
but I think it’d be nice for Joey to go at least for an hour or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are going to be so many kids there, a
lot of nannies too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good chance for him
to hook up for playdates or slumber parties or whatever regular children
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been a while since I had one in
my care.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Scrambled okay?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
turns the stove on and looks at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, no
since pushing him if he’s going to ignore the idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a stubborn guy; one thing at a time with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s probably not a good
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll call her back to tell her to
count us out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wants all of us to go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I twist to look at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The hesitation on his face has nothing to do with extenuating
circumstances at home, but from his fear of being in strange, social settings.
His fear that people will see him for what he is and they will shun his son
because of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s so medieval that
sometimes I think he doesn’t know what year it is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes, Chris.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Um, maybe you could take Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds like a nanny thing anyway.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dips his head as he turns away to the
stove.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She wants all of us to go, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a pool party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be other adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other men to talk to...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He gives me this wide eyed look of horror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you trying to set me up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Is this some…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris, you’re crazy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I laugh because I can’t help it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I meant men as in other fathers you could talk to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure you’re not the only one having
difficulties with a nine-year-old boy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I roll my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thought it
sounded nice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cheeks are flushed as is the back of his
neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I can respond, he’s near me
again, our forearms brushing as we work side by side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toast and eggs and words not needed between
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t need to be set up, okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He’s touching me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s so close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s looking over
at me and I’m trying very hard not to look back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trying to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A smile touches my lips at his slightly
possessive behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay,” he whispers in a lighter tone and bumps me with his
hip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How do you feel about yard work
today?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t have a yard.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I peer up at him to see him grinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Unless we’re mowing sand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A storm is coming through tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to store all of the patio furniture
and get the potted plants inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we
don’t, we’ll be picking them up off the beach for the next month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey and I call it yard work, sort of our
joke.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He claps me on the back and
starts cooking the eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll visit
dad after we’re done and talk to the doctors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wait to know is stressing me out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’ll be okay, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ll get through this,” I say without even thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll get through this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s as surprised as I am, but the way he
looks at me curls my toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently,
that was exactly what he needed to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Call Sabine and tell her we’ll be there. I think we could
use a break.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chews on his lip, but
there’s a smile there as he makes our breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I could live every day like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toast and eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it turned out, Grumpy’s recovery was going to take longer
than expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t too thrilled to
hear he’d be taken to a nursing home for his rehabilitation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d have thought we were sending him there
to die the way he reacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nurses
already hated him, but kept smiles on their faces for our benefit, and the
doctor endured Grumpy’s foul language just like the rest of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We thought he would’ve taken the news better after we snuck
him some sausage patties from home, but he wasn’t buying it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was also heavily medicated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At one point he asked us where baby kittens came from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he started laughing hysterically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was too out of his mind to
understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sort of felt bad for him,
but I knew his son would be there when he woke up in a new place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That had to be scary for anyone, especially
for a man with no one else to rely on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After Chris talked with the doctor and signed all of the
necessary paperwork, we left Grumpy sleeping and headed over to Chris’ mother’s
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey would be getting out of
school any minute, so we waited in the living room with Chris’ stepfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geoff was a nice enough guy, kind of quiet,
but then again I could see why Chris’ mom would choose Geoff’s type after
living with Grumpy for all those years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Chris’s mother Margo came through the front door, the
atmosphere changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gets up and hugs his mother tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She beams at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t know you were coming.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Change of plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’re putting Dad in a home for recovery and I thought it’d be nice to
spend the time off with Joey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How is he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
to visit him, but…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She eyes Geoff and
smiles sweetly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris squeezes her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He’s fine, although the doctor feels it will be better if we put him in
an environment he’s forced to recover in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She smirks and nervously plays with the drawstring of her turquoise
colored linen pants. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Margo looks like
she’s just spent the day yachting instead of tending to her grandson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is flawless. “I do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dad!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey comes running
into the room and smacks against Chris to attack him with a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hey, buddy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris
ruffles Joey’s hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s mid hug, so he
doesn’t see what I do, not yet, but after a quick scan of Joey’s uniform, I meet
Margo’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her expression goes slack
and then she looks at her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t
until Chris put Joey at arm’s length to get a good look at him that Margo takes
on a defensive stance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris’s brows furrow atop his glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He crouches down to brush his fingers over
the rips at Joey’s knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grass and
dirt stains along his shins and the scuffs on his new dress shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a small bandage on Joey’s jaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not good at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey manages a brave face, a mask most kids can pull off
effortlessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gran, did you meet
Logan?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not officially,” she says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris’s face reddens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A tightness forms around his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Joey, who did this to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan’s my new friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He watches me when Dad is at work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey’s lip trembles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Joseph, look at me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris guides his son’s chin to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You are not in any trouble, buddy, but I know something happened
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at this.” Chris tenderly
traces around the bandage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to
know who did this to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I fell,” Joey whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Down a cliff?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“At recess.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears
form in Joey’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what he’s
doing; he doesn’t want to add stress to his dad’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he’s hurting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s being bullied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t realize his dad is willing to do
anything for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I crouch down next to Chris and take Joey’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you remember what I said a few weeks ago,
Joey, how you can tell us anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
don’t deserve to be treated like someone’s punching bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are better than that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey sniffs and tries to pull away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hold tight to his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Was it those boys, the hall monitors who did
this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris gawks at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What hall monitors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s going
on?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They pushed me down at recess and I ran to get away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to climb the fence and I tore my
pants,” Joey confesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I got a red
slip from Sister Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t have recess
for a week.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris practically
shouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where was Sister Grace when
they did this to you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could she
think this was your fault?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She was right there the whole time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw her before I ran away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the office, she said I pro… prov…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Provoked?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
provoked them because I said they were jerks. They called you bad names, dad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris shudders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulls
his son to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey sobs into his neck
and clings to his dad for dear life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s okay, buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is
going to be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not going back
there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Christopher,” Margo gasps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You know—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He is my son, mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Would you send me back there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris glares up at Margo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh,
yeah, you would because I had to go there until I was old enough to go to
another school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know exactly what it’s
like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You of all people know how bad it
is and I’ve tried to forget how hard it was, how you kept me there, but I’m
done.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Margo sniffs back her guilt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It is a prestigious—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You know what, that’s been my line since he was in
kindergarten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what I’ve told
myself for years, that I owe my grandfather this, that I owe Joey this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t care about the tuition money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll make it work on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is not going back there and that’s final.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris stands with Joey in his arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I pick up Joey’s schoolbag. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris made that very clear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was nice to meet you Margo.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She says nothing as her son storms out of the house and
slams the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geoff offers me a hand
instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve been waiting a long time
for him to do that, so tell him not to worry about the money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needs anything, he can call me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to meet you, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shake Geoff’s hand and give him a tight smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Margo scowls at me from the other side of the
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know who you are, but you
seem close enough to my son to talk him out of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is Joey’s money and he’s just going to
throw it away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s his college,” she
hisses and throws her scarf on the sofa before she thunders down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This family, I swear, they were born with the
drama gene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Listen, Logan, Margo isn’t as selfish as she appears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s scared is all, because she knows what’s
coming next and she never wanted that for Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sure as hell never wanted that for Joey
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if this is what Chris wants,
it’s his life and his son, and we just want them to be happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So like I said, if he needs me to write him a
check for a different school, I’ll do it in a heartbeat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have no idea what he’s talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea what any of this means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is all about money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris isn’t like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ll pass the message on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I walk out to the Tahoe to find Chris in the backseat with
Joey, hugging the life out of his child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t say anything as I get into the driver’s seat and start the
engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t say a word the entire
way home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The storm rolled in about an hour after we got home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris made macaroni and cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey ate two bowls while snuggled up against
Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched three hours of Animal
Planet because it seemed to calm Joey, and a calm Joey meant a relaxed
Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the night, I
cleaned up and Chris carried his passed out son to Joey’s room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually I walked down the hall to make
sure everything went smoothly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey is tucked into bed, fast asleep and oblivious to
anything other than the safety of his dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He looks so much smaller and innocent all curled up next to the wall
with a stuffed fish against his chest, however, the hefty Charles Dickens novel
open on the nightstand gives away the scholarly old soul living inside of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris puts the book away because Joey has a tendency to roll
around in his sleep and sometimes things on the nightstand take a tumble and
scare us both awake. We all need a good night’s sleep tonight, and so Chris
turns off the light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stops next to me
in the doorway and whispers, “You want to watch a movie in my room?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I nod and take his offered hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time it’s him that leads the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s the one who parts from me first to take
off his shoes and his shirt, to change into sweatpants right in front of me
like I don’t find the idea of his half naked body attractive and comforting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He acts like we’ve done this many times
before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He tosses me a pair of gym shorts and goes into the bathroom
as if this is a routine we created last night and he doesn’t want to make a big
deal out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he doesn’t realize:
this is huge deal to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s one thing to comfort someone in their time of
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s another thing to become needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needs me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As he slips into the bed next to me and pulls the covers over both of
us, and I drown in his scent and his warmth, I understand that I need this too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are the product of convenience, I tell
myself because I know this will not last. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are a means to an end, arms that fit around
each other when shit gets rough and no one else is around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are toast and eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One day maybe he’ll want pancakes instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Geoff told me to tell you if you need tuition money, he’ll
pay whatever you need,” I blurt because it’s sitting on my chest like a demonic
gremlin scratching its talons over my throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because I can’t cope with the silence he finds so enticing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I bet my mother loved that,” he says to me as if I should
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rolls to his side and props up
on one elbow to look down at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
did she say?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She’s scared for you, Chris.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh that’s crap, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What did she really say?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She wants me to talk you out of it, whatever that
means.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swallow hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever goes down hurts my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know another plot twist is coming and I’m
not sure I have any tricks left in my bag to deal with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do you remember when Joey said his gramps pays for his
tuition and you freaked out a bit?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris brushes my hair away from my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I did not freak out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I’m freaking out now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I close
my eyes briefly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His touches send
shivers over my body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You made a face,” he whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My eyes snap open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay,
your point?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“When my gramps passed away, he had a will that divvied up
his assets and accounts to all of his children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max, Mom, Joey and I, and
some set aside in case we had any more kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because Joey is a minor, my grandfather put his share into a prepared
tuition plan with another portion given to him on his twenty-first birthday,
and the rest when he turns thirty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I fight not close my eyes again as he plays with my
hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then what is the problem?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There were stipulations to the will regarding Joey’s inheritance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My grandfather loved me, I don’t doubt that
for a second, but he was also a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i>
religious man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He donated to Our Sacred
Heart for many years because it was his church’s pet project, and as such, he
secured Joey a spot there before he was even old enough to walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Joey leaves that school, the rest of his
tuition will be donated to the school and church and Joey will have to wait
until he turns twenty-one to claim the rest of his inheritance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what my mom was talking about.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sit up because lying down just doesn’t seem satisfying
anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My body is buzzing with shared rage
for this man, his son and their situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And that’s why Sister Grace is trying to get you to pull Joey from the
school, so she can get rid of the bad image a homo leaves on her reputation and
get Joey’s inheritance to fund many more years of hell for poor children who
don’t know any better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris scoots
up against the headboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s about
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I get it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get
it more than ever before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he’s gone
through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he’d endure for his son’s
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why he doesn’t sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the first thing I can think of, the only
way I know how to help… “I have fifteen thousand dollars in my bank account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want you to take it and put it away for
Joey’s college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t much these
days, but it’ll be enough to get him on his feet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He pins with a stare I can’t quite decipher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No way, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll put it in your bank myself if I have to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What am I going to do with it, buy another
crappy t-shirt or a video game?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He rolls to his knees, towering over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I said no, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He needs it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want
him to have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was never mine in the
first place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He puts his hands on either side of my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Absolutely not,” he murmurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes soften.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That you would even think to…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes a deep breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Kind of like you think about him more than yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kind of my job, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me make this easier on you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why do you care so much how I feel?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes glass over as he searches my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because you’re dying inside and it hurts to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because that kid is amazing and he doesn’t
deserve this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my hands around his
wrists and draw him near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You asked me
to be your friend, so let me be one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t think you’re my friend anymore, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At first his words pain me, but all I have to do is look
into his eyes and feel his lips press against mine to know exactly what he
means.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To be continued…</span>NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-56414631947155629852014-05-01T23:18:00.001-04:002014-05-01T23:18:13.558-04:00Flash Fiction Friday! A Nanny Tale: Part 4<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m back with another round of FFF this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to take last week off as it was the
beginning of prom season, and as many of you know I work in a salon, so things
can get a bit hectic for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I
tend to have the sweetest, most loyal clients during this time of the year I also
get a few lemons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, I remember
when I was 16 or 17 not long ago and prom was all anyone thought of in the
spring, but these days some girls are just… growing up too fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can recall being that age and wanting nothing more to be
an adult and have some fantasy life, but I was also raised in a house that
called for manners and respect, that demanded I act my age and not above it
because I would only be young once and I’d regret wishing to be grown later on
in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I ever walked up into a
salon with my mother and demanded over $200 in services like I was Beyonce and
could afford it, and bitched like a little queen until my mother caved… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sorry, that wouldn’t fly with my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d laugh until she was blue in the face
and then drag me out of there by the ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’d probably also make a scene to humiliate the hell out of me so I never
tried that again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These days I’m shocked with how submissive some mothers are,
how they allow their daughters to walk all over them and drain their wallets
and dress like baby hookers dipped in Dorito orange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to work ethic? Why aren’t these
spray tanned princesses paying for this crap themselves, or at the very least
half of it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are they so orange?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are they above please and thank you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes them so important that they can
disrespect someone offering them a service, like we’re peasants instead of
people?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t know, but I’ll tell you what, I have no problem
stopping what I’m doing to look them in the eye and set them straight with
every bit of southern tact my mother raised me with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are a beautiful girl and I know you know
that, but beauty isn’t just skin deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s your mother and you might want to thank her for treating you
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some girls don’t have mothers
like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, some girls don’t
have mothers at all.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I said that to a girl yesterday after she yelled at her mom
for not bringing her the correct latte from the shop next door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This after her mother already endured her
daughter’s wrath over choosing a cluster of nail polishes that weren’t the
right shade of salmon to match her blinged out dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This after her mother was worn down into
paying $100 for false eyelashes that she knew her daughter couldn’t keep up
with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And this was a mother that clearly didn’t have the money to
do any of these services herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
when I said that to her daughter, her eyes lit up like finally someone else had
just told her daughter the same thing she’d been trying to tell this brat for
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To her, that was worth every
penny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this because after her
daughter sat there silently in my chair for an hour, and proceeded to thank me
quietly afterwards, the mother asked for my card and thanked me for standing up
for her.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know not all teenagers are like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there are brilliant, gorgeous girls
and boys who have hearts of gold and dreams of prom like anyone else, but there
are still a few who need to be set straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Words hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have respect, even
for strangers, and especially for those that love you and would deny themselves
anything so you could be happy, which leads me to this week’s installment of A
Nanny Tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We didn’t have a set prompt this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My fault!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, yesterday’s incident tied in with Logan and Chris’s journey, so
I used that for this week’s prompt:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be mindful of the person you want to be before your words
and actions hurt those around you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hope you all have a wonderful week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m back to the grind tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m not back from the war that is prom by
next week, send coffee and glitter and maybe a rope to pull me out. I’ll be the
one throwing makeup brushes and nail polish at the enemy. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hugs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our other bloggers:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.elainamroberts.com/" target="_blank">Elaina M. Roberts<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://purplesnowstorms.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Winter<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Nanny Tale: Part
4<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris hasn’t talked to me much since I confronted him at the
restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sweeps past me when I
open my mouth to ask if we need milk from the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He busies himself with menial chores I
usually do for the reason that he needs to have the upper hand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ticks off final things from his never
ending list of stuff to do before Grumpy’s surgery tomorrow morning, which
includes spending time with the man himself—something he never does but now
that he isn’t talking to me, Grumpy is the only adult around he has.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then Chris does something that hurts me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has his mother come to get Joey for a few
days because he doesn’t trust me anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Doesn’t even give me a chance to say goodbye to Joey or to meet his
mother who he chats with outside, he just pushes the knife deeper into my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants me to hurt, to be lonely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He intends to make me as miserable as I have
made him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He succeeds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where I was once apologetic—thinking I’d been in the wrong—I’m
not sorry anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a grown man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not need this and won’t play games with
someone who refuses to get their shit together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I pack a bag and call Sabine, who had once offered me use of a
cottage her family owns if I ever needed to get away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can only hope the offer still stands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, Motel 6 here I come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plastic ice buckets and the smell of a dozen
people before me can’t be worse than this place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Of course!” she squeals with delight into the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We were there last weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all clean for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come get the key from me at the office.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her enthusiasm should have lightened my mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her genuine delight lifted anyone’s
spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet despite my sour frame of mind, I retained an unruffled politeness
for her sake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thanks, Sabine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sound
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is something wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything sucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m failing at life right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Of course not, just thought I could use some
alone time while Chris deals with his father’s surgery.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assumed you
would take care of Joey during this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thought so too, but as it turns out, Sabine, Joey’s father
is being an enormous bag of dicks at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Uh, the family has it covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris gave me a few days off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Huh,” she sums it up with one word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, I pray everything turns out good for
him and his family, and you are always more than welcome to the cottage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you like some company?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband can grill and I can bring wine!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it does sound good; real adults who genuinely enjoy my
company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who want nothing in
return except for my friendship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
sounds like a dream, but what I really need is nothing, a whole lot of nothing
and quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s okay, Sabine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just need the downtime, but thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing you would do that means a lot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You sure you are okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe I should call my mother and tell her she has a
twin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe all mothers are this
perceptive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike my mother, I know
Sabine won’t call my bluff and tell me to pack it in and run for the
hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I placate her with a soothing,
“Mm hmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll see you at the office in a
bit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hang up and zip my bag closed before I talk myself out of
this spontaneous getaway for one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Someone clears their throat behind me and I whirl around to find Chris
standing there. His blue eyes seem dangerously on edge behind his glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His arms seem bigger as they cross over his
chest, but I know he isn’t that buff and it’s only my imagination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The door was open,” he says like that makes it okay to just
sneak up on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t seem to care
either way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shrug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your
house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Going somewhere?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My fingers shake as I shoulder my backpack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is not good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
good at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He bites the inside of his cheek and
nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fingers dig into his hips as
he makes for the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll call
Sabine and let her know I need a new nanny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three. Two. One. Word vomit…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Fuck you,” I finally snap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I never mean to say these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t go into conversations with such bitter intentions, but he just …
he just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">infuriates</i> me to the point
that my filter turns off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d take Tori
Rice over this pre-teen hormonal bullshit any day of the week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He freezes on the bottom step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slowly turns his head to glare at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my mind I hear the sound of a guillotine’s
sharp blade zinging into the back of my neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Excuse</i> me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t stop throwing up words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re crawling up my throat!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You heard me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fuck.
You.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I toss my bag to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey would probably punch me for this
offense, but he wasn’t here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His dad had
made sure of that. “You’ve been itching to get rid me of all week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This how you want to do it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go tell the only person who cares about my
job that I suck at it and tattle on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fine, but just to let you know, Chris, I was just going to Sabine’s
cottage for a few days because it was made very clear you didn’t need me at the
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sending Joey off to your mom…
That was fucking low and you know it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I pick up my bag again and kick my feet into my flip flops,
sure I’m going to break the cheap plastic thongs as they snap between my toes. The
angry monster Sister Grace created inside me is back with a vengeance and it’s
got its eyes set on Chris Wyzak and his mind boggling emotional baggage. “Now
you’ve made it clear I have no reason to be here at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re a jerk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re a bully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I may be some freeloader as you so
callously put it, but there are plenty of other families that would take me in
and treat me with a shred of respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plenty
of families without a dad who has so many issues that not even the world’s greatest
therapist could sort them all out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His face falls and his eyes shimmer as he realizes his
mistake; one of many and surely not his last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m done with his act, this poor little lost boy who has everything and
shits on it routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who gets hormonal
at the drop of a hat because he keeps it all bottled up inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can get a fucking tissue, have an ugly cry
and move on with his life because he’s taken it all out on a victim like me and
now he’s feels better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m so glad you know my name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now if you’ll excuse me I have to pack more than
I thought.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I didn’t know you felt that way,” he says so quietly I
barely hear him. “You should have—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I laugh in his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
would have heard me loud and clear if you cared about my feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this isn’t all about me, it’s about
your family and the job I’m supposed to do, but you’ve done nothing but make me
feel unwelcome since we initially met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You don’t see it from my side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t have any friends here, no family to help me out when I need
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m completely alone and
there is nothing worse than being alone and having your boss, your supposed
friend, piss all over you every chance he gets. This isn’t me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m more than this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scrub a hand over my face to wipe away the
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sick of crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate crying, but at least they’re angry
tears, tears that will take up arms in the war I’m about to wage if he doesn’t
do something to stop me. “You don’t want to talk to me—that’s fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not as forthcoming as I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not as out as I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re scared and you don’t know what to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don’t you dare take it out on me
or your son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So yes, Christopher Wyzak,
fuck you hard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He stands there like a department store mannequin, face
fixed in the same hopeless expression and unable to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally he tries to say something, but as
usual it isn’t enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Logan, I…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on, Chris, be honest with me for once.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I creep across the carpet towards him,
feeling a bit like some theatrical Disney villain who is missing his scepter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell me something that makes you look like
anything other than a selfish asshole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tell me one good reason I’m here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tell me why you want me to be your friend when you’ve damn near made
that impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re driving me insane!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He reaches for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m pretty sure he’s going to punch me because I’ve crossed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> line; the one of no return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead he tugs me against his chest to hug
me tight and I can’t help but open my mouth in shock as my eyes bug—so not what
I was expecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His chin rests on my
head as he’s a step above me, and it’s a rather awkward embrace, but I’m
overwhelmed by his sincerity; the yearning for another’s touch as if he’s been
starved for years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’re both in limbo at this point, both trying to decide
what this means and where to go from here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s as astonished as I am, I think, that he’s hugged me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That he gave in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes I wish I was heartless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris makes our situation, our relationship more specifically, dangerously
intricate as time goes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m on edge
with how complex things are between us because I have no idea how he feels, I
never do, and most of the time I don’t think he does either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t go,” he whispers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m not who you think I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then who are you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
lean back to look up at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need the
room for my lungs to expand and fill with air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To see his eyes when he’s showing me what he’s really made of and not
the bullshit he fronts for everyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He shakes his head. His stare strays from mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eye contact and honesty just aren’t strengths
he possesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not ready to answer
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure he ever will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That hurts and I don’t know why. “Just don’t
go yet, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may be surrounded by
family and friends, but you have no idea how alone I really am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With that, he drops his arms to his sides and walks up the
stairs as if his feet are made of stone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am more lost now than I was before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are we friends?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we still in a
business transaction?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I nanny?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I more?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More importantly, who is Christopher Wyzak and why does he want to keep
me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite the whiplash, I am somehow lured back into Chris’s
silken web of pity and heartache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guess that means going to the cottage is out of the question, because I do in
fact possess a heart and it tells me now isn’t the time to cut and run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I call Sabine immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time as a friend because she’s the
closest thing I’ve got at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
she has a crystal ball to see into Chris’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One she’s willing to loan me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris left early in the morning with his father for the
hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never heard them leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one even told me, unless you count the
sticky note stuck to the coffee pot that said Chris would be gone for the day,
and there was stuff for lunch in the fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The house is clean and quiet, nothing for me to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey is gone…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The silence is eating me alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to get out of here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to… No, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i> to be there for Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For all of his flaws, some of mine are worse, and the ugliest of them
all is my need to care for others no matter the cost to myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When he doesn’t answer his cell because they probably don’t
allow them in the hospital, I take drastic measures and go to the emergency
contact list on the fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris’s
brother Max has a number listed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely
the guy will be there for his father’s surgery, and maybe he’s taking a break,
or having a smoke—anywhere he can answer his phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I hope he is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris’s older brother Max answers his cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wyzak.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Uh, is this Max?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The deep rumble of a sleepy beast groans into the
receiver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who is this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This is Logan Davis. I’m Joey’s nanny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking for Chris.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Something happen to Joey?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He rustles around on the other end and I hear a woman whisper in the
background.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shut my eyes and wince.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know I’ve woken them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate
when people do that to me, so I sympathize and silently berate myself for my
shit timing. “He’s fine,” I rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s
with your mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just needed to get a
hold of Chris and he’s not answering his phone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Max grunts and flops around in bed to reassure his
wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s fine, Katie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go back to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what time it is, Logan Davis?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Eight?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And is this an emergency?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You just woke me on my only day off this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this isn’t an emergency, please don’t
call.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t call?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I’m
some persistent telemarketer from hell?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t think so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I see where he gets it from.” I scoff without thinking, and
like a vacuum, I guess I need to replace my filter because it must be broken,
just like my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sorry for waking you
up when your father is having surgery and I’m trying to get a hold of your
brother because I want to know how he’s holding up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that you’d care because you’re obviously
more concerned with sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t call
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Max chuckles on the other end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He said you were a spitfire, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">damn</i>, I’m not awake enough for
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad’s at Holland Hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call them and they’ll get a hold of Chris for
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now if you don’t mind I’m going
back to sleep with my wife, because we’ve been up all night with a colicky newborn
after I worked a twelve hour shift on highway patrol, and I was planning on
getting up in a few hours to visit dad after he’s out of surgery.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to
bang my head into the fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
should bury me now and get it all over with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m hopeless at this thing called life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m hard to offend; it’s the cop in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodnight, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think he means good morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ends the call and I stare at my phone—something
I find myself doing often these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I make
a note to work on my people skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Talk about night and day with the Wyzak brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Chris’s brother might have been a jerk
at first, at least he had a reason to be, but in the end he helped me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than I could say for his brother, who
was sitting in a waiting room somewhere, sort of hating on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, the caregiver in me had to get
dressed, go get some real coffee and then head to the hospital for some much
needed comforting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was beginning to think Joey wasn’t the one I’d been hired
to look after.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A nice nurse brings me back to the waiting room where Chris
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His head rests against the chair
next to him as he somehow contorted his long body to curl into his chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mouth is open as he snores. He didn’t
bother to change out of his sweats and flip flops for the occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t really blame him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The nurse smiles at me and pats my arm before she goes about
her business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few other families are
spaced around the room, but Chris has chosen the most isolated corner he could
find, distancing himself from others as usual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I ease into the chair he’s resting on, manage not to wake
him, and without hesitation I set down our coffees and put my arm around his
shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what I’d want if I was
alone, dealing with this shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d want
to know someone was on my side, supporting me even in my sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He shivers half awake and peers up at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he realizes what I’m doing and where he
is, he gasps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His head swivels from side
to side, eyes darting around the waiting room like he’s heard rabid wolves are
loose in the hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is terrified of being seen for what he is—a gay man being
touched by another man in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
stress level is ready to rocket through the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can feel his rapid heartbeat where my hand
rests against his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chill,” I murmur and hold tight to his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No one cares here, Chris.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a minute of struggling with his situation, Chris
cautiously puts his head on my shoulder and lets himself be held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closes his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I play with his hair, gently raking my
fingers through his soft blond locks until I know he’s asleep again, or at the
very least resting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder how often
he does sleep; if he gets any at all; if his self-imposed burdens keep him
awake every night and if that’s why he’s so easily rattled and angry all the
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s a wall around Chris he’s built all by himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a small crack I’m able to peek through
because he allows me to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m curious if
he’ll ever break the wall down enough to let me on the other side
completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he rests his hand on my
knee in his sleep and I continue to caress his hair, I feel him reaching out to
me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He’s letting go just a little bit and it is so sweet it
hurts to breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to hold him tighter because I know now what he
needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not all about the job or
about Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris has been reaching out
for someone this entire time, someone who can lift him up and show him what’s
outside his bubble because he’s too scared to risk it alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he’d fight it, but he’s so desperate
for affection he’s willing to take the risk if someone holds his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My job is to be patient with him, to hold
back a little and protect myself from his pain until he’s ready to let go all
the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t threaten to run away every time he throws
punches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s how he protects
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s waiting for me to walk
away to prove he’s right about the world, because he’s the kind of guy who’s
been rejected into thinking he’s worthless and that this is all he’ll ever
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was at that point years ago, so I
know how it is, but I’ve learned how fragrant the air is at the top and I want
him to take of whiff of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He relaxes into me until his head is in my lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one stares or points fingers or starts
picketing in the waiting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one
knows us or what we’re going through. Sister Grace’s minions aren’t here to
whisper the sins we have committed in her ear; sins to her but love to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nothing is out to get us right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He doesn’t see that because his eyes are closed, but the
fact that he gives in to what he needs without care of repercussion makes me
happy. Means he feels safe and means I’ve done the right thing in coming here.
I scratch his back and close my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A part of me hopes the surgery takes forever so we can sit
here like this as long as we want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other part of me knows this will end and I’ll have to find a way to get it
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris doesn’t only want to keep
me, now I want to keep him too … I think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Returning home is like coming back from a long
vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is tired and
disheveled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s nothing quite like
breathing in the scent of home and then collapsing onto the couch with no plan
to move for hours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many things to do
but neither of us care when they get done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since Grumpy has to stay in the hospital a few days, before
they decide whether to release him into the care of a home nurse or to take him
to a home for his rehabilitation, Chris and I are all alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris, tired as he is, starts making phone
calls to his mom to check on Joey, to his brother to update him because Chris
just told him to stay home, to the nurse to make sure everything is set in case
things go as planned, to anyone that will pick up so he doesn’t have to deal
with what happened between us at the hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m used to this behavior now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t take but a few times to understand
how Chris is going to react.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I roll with
it and kick my shoes off, stretch out on the sofa and then grab the
remote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he’s going to ignore me, he
can ignore me while I watch some crappy television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Midway through a cooking show, when I’m starting to drool
over the lemon tart this lady is making, Chris stops in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is this what you’re gonna do all day?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I mute the TV and look up at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did you want me to watch it downstairs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll gladly go if you make me one of those.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I point to 42 inches of tart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure yours will taste just as good, if
not better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He glances at the carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His cheeks flush a bit, or perhaps he’s sweaty from working himself into
a panic with phone calls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know
anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We could watch a movie,” he
says instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My brows lift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We
could.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The flat screen in my room is bigger,” he comments, never
once making eye contact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Never one to beat around the bush, I say, “You want me to
watch a movie with you in your room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Together?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>,”
he gruffly replies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know what he means by “that”, although, “that” was never
implied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, Chris, when are you going
to quit? “Like what, Chris?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want something, just tell
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His blue eyes widen at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m reminded of Joey’s innocent expression of surprise when I sneak up
on him reading past his bedtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just
wanted to stretch out and … I thought maybe you’d want to watch a movie with
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s the same shit with different wording—that’s Chris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sure, Chris, I’ll stretch out in your bed with you and
watch a movie.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I roll my eyes as if
this means nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, my heart is
racing as I bypass him for the hallway, to go to his room where we will lie
side by side on his bed and watch a movie together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s childish in a way—him asking me in code
for companionship when he needs some badly—but the fact that we’re both adults takes
something simple like sharing a bed for a movie far beyond his comfort level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it makes me a tad uneasy too, I have to
be the stable one for both of us and take the initiative, walking into the
bedroom first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s sort of clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not Joey’s standard of clean, but rather a lived in kind of clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s dirty laundry at the end of his bed
and the covers are rolled into a wad on the sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, it’s cozy and warm and has large
windows to watch the rain as it begins to drizzle outside. It smells like the
plugin scented thingy that masks the smell of his kitchen uniform on the floor.
I shuck off my hoodie and toss it on the dirty clothes pile for later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then crawl into the bed without looking
back at him—even though I know he’s there, watching me take over his bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He stands there for a moment, studying me as I unroll the
covers and neatly spread them across half the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pick up the remote, turn on his television and
then push my feet under the covers as if I’ve done this a thousand times before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did you want to watch?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks like you’ve got some recorded stuff if
you want to go through those first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t care,” he mumbles as he slowly gets into bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lays back, stiff as a board, and makes
sure to keep a few feet of room between us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He folds his hands over his chest and crosses his ankles on top of the
covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s terrified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably because he’s never done this—that
much I’m sure of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay, we’ve got an alien takeover with a hero who works at
a drive-thru burger place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s one
about a woman who builds orphanages in Africa and ends up falling in love with
a teacher who is accused of murder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh,
this one sounds good—I love anything with zombies, especially comedy
spoofs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look over at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you say, up for some undead action?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
never seen the allure of zombie movies and TV shows, but that’s probably
because I never had the time to get into them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He yawns and put an arm under his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although he’s trying to appear at ease, his eyes are glued to the screen
instead of looking at me like I know he wants to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Alrighty then, zombies it is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I press play and yank on the covers until his
legs have no choice but to push underneath them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air kicks on. He shivers and I don’t
think it has anything to do with the temperature, but instead the fear of sharing
his bed with another man, the fear that he’s wanted to do this all along but
this isn’t how he pictured it to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
fantasies are most likely a bit steamier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As it stands, the only steam he’s getting is the kind that fogs up his
glasses because of how his head is angled down on the pillow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s about three hours later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’ve braced ourselves for a second wind, managing not to
fall asleep even though it is perfect napping weather and we’re warm under the
covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s an older movie I’ve
wanted to see on TV but always forget to record it when I see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I begin to press play when Chris snatches the
remote from me and starts flipping through the channels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to
watch that,” I tease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The look he strikes me with is not amused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t like that movie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won an
Oscar. I think…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I just don’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s not a good enough reason.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lift a brow and he slaps the remote down on
the bed and sits up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Stop pushing me, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For fuck’s sake, I said I don’t like it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sit up next to him and groan into my hands. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gear up for round one million and
fifty-five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ding. “Is this how it always
is with you?—hot or cold and never in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can’t answer me like a normal person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just get upset with me when I haven’t
done anything wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sure know how
to kill the mood, Chris.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I peel the
covers back to get up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bed sounds
pretty nice right now, away from this shit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And you just run away from everything because you’re one of
those normal people that I’m not,” he snarls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what you’re good at.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I close my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
fingers curl around the edge of the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m not running away, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
giving you time to sort out whatever that was because I know you’re not going
to elaborate, and I really don’t want to be the butt of your anger while you do
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wait for an eternity for his reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand connects with the small of my back
as he shifts across the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is his
version of an apology now that he knows he can touch me and not get rabies. “It’s
not just the movie,” he says near my ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ve seen it before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I nod, waiting for more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel as though our roles have been reversed; I’m the one scared of how
close he is, how at ease he is this near even if he doesn’t realize it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time, I like him close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like how warm he is against me, how I could
lean back and he’d catch me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He elaborates, “It’s about a girl no one knows is on drugs
until she runs away to live with her dealer boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They end up in prison because of a deal gone
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They killed a bunch of people.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m nervous to ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His version of a synopsis is so plaintive it’s like he’s lived that life
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Chris…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey’s mom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Holy crap… Oh, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I crawl around until I can see his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He puts his hands in his lap and glances up at me through his lashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put a hand on his knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know how big this is for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How big this is for me. For us. “I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He shakes his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Don’t be, wasn’t your fault.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Is she…?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dead?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dead to this family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris takes a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’s
serving two life sentences in Ohio after her and her boyfriend knocked over a
gas station and killed two people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
did it barely two months after Joey was born.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sat back in shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To carry that on your shoulders, to know that was the mother of your
child—a monster—would eat <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i> man
alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of it made sense, but if
those were the cards life dealt you, you had to play with what you were given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wasn’t expecting Chris’s hand to be so
extreme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew Joey had to come from
somewhere, but from her?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris was tougher than I gave him credit for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re probably wondering what the hell I was doing with
her, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris snorts, but the humor
is far from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She wasn’t always
like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She used to be a good person
when we were younger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Good people make mistakes,” I reassure him and squeeze his
knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But all you need to know is that
Joey was not a mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I don’t
know you that well, but I’d say he’s the best thing you could have ever
received from that relationship.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know that,” Chris says adamantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And Trish and I were never in a
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just the one time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah, we don’t have to talk about this.” He shifts
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry I freaked out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I grab his arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
here to listen, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think need to
talk about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That might help both of
us, actually.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He keeps his body angled, back to me to hide his face. “So
you can know where I went wrong and why I’m so fucked up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, so I can know you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The real you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He looks over his shoulder, sending a case of the feels
straight to my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The real me is a
coward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, the real you has sacrificed his life to raise that kid,
to give him the best of the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I
said at the restaurant, I had no right, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was wrong.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I run my hand down
his arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m so sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You were right, though, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so afraid to step out of the box, not
for me, but for Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to
ruin what he has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want him to
hate me in the long run for not being like every other family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made the mistake of trying to be myself
once and Trish ended up a drug addict, I ended up with a newborn, and my world
flipped upside down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran away to my
dad’s because I didn’t want everyone to know what I was and my son be turned
out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And what did running get you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Nothing,” he murmurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The same shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because wherever you go, Chris, there are always going to
be those people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will always be
risks and incidents, but as long as you are true to yourself none of those
things can hurt you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only you let them
hurt you.” I began to massage his shoulders and press myself against his
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whatever you said or did to
Trish, it was her decision to take drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was her decision to
take those lives and leave her son behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are the bigger person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
kept Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You raised him on your
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have done wonderful things and
you don’t give yourself any credit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He bends his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His shoulders shake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She was my
best friend since we were about sixteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She didn’t have the family I did, so I let her be a part of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know she loved me like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never saw it coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she told me, I tried to be good for her,
because that’s what everyone wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
did it the one time and that was all it took for me to know I didn’t want her
that way, and that was all it took to get Joey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You told her you were gay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“After she told me she was pregnant, and then
she took off with my unborn son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one
would help me because technically she had the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey wasn’t born yet, so I couldn’t take her
to court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only one who would help me
was my grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was well
connected in the area and pulled some strings to find her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we found her…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She was using, wasn’t she?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I slid my arms around him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He clutched at me with his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, and because of that we were able to put
her in a home where they monitored her all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so scared something would happen to my
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wouldn’t let me see her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t go to the doctor’s visits with
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She punished me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Did she get clean?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“For the last six months of her pregnancy from what I
understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next time I heard about
her, the lady that ran the home, a woman from my grandfather’s church, called
him to say she was in labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took me
to wait in the hospital until Joey was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s when we found out Trish didn’t want to keep the baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was going to give him up for adoption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That Joey might be addicted and she just
wanted to leave him there alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I held him tighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His tears dripped onto my arms, but I didn’t let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had needed this for a long time, someone
to help him understand, to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
was ready to do anything to get my son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hadn’t seen him yet, but I knew he was mine and I loved him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was young and scared, but Logan, I would
have done anything…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
nuzzled my face against his neck and rocked him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have him now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Only because my grandfather made it happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were just going to give him away without
telling me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s the reason I have my
son, and he’s the reason Joey is getting the best education money can buy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s the reason I have this house and my job
and everything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I owe him my life,
Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I owe him everything, and that’s
why I will shut my mouth and put up with Sister Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I don’t have a boyfriend or a love
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before I can stop myself I place a kiss on his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stiffens as I bring my mouth to his
ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He couldn’t have foreseen your
life being like this, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he did
all of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that for you don’t you think he
loved you enough to care about your happiness or Joey’s for that matter?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brush a hand over his face to wipe away his
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re scared of change and
that’s okay to admit, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What isn’t
okay?—hating your life when you have the power to make it better for both of
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could have someone to love
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could have someone by your
side, to help raise Joey, to give you support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In time, the rest would fall into place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not saying you can please everyone by being who you are or loving
who you want, but that’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
question is whose life do you want to live, yours or theirs?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He noisily exhales and leans to the side to take both of us
down to the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He squeezes my hands
and I curl around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m with you,
Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever you need, I’m your
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just ... Please don’t shut me
out anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hurts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I know,” he whispers and closes his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He threads his fingers through mine as though he’s signing
the dotted line, giving his permission to proceed on the path we’ve embarked
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve no clue what our destination is
or how much will be left of us by the time we arrive, if we even get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what my rights are or my title
in this relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I know is
everything is moving quickly and that the worst is yet to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m in bed with him, holding him, listening to him breath
after he’s cried in my arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not many
people move that fast in a relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, not many have been in my shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And while a lot have experienced tragedy, along with life’s little
trials and tribulations, only a few will be willing to stand beside a man like
Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those born into the fear of being who they
are because the world around them can’t cope with different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But in my book different sets you apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Different makes you strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Different is beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All my life I’ve tried to prove myself much like he
has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lived my life backwards from Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting in hell and digging myself out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His story isn’t the same, but we’re alike in
many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the reason I continue to
hold him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the reason I’ll stay with
him while he sleeps even though I know when he wakes he’s going to act like
none of it happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But he won’t forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People like us can never forget the moment our life changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When that one person out of millions gives a
shit and is kind beyond words with no judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they lift us up and drain the toxins from our bodies to give us a
fresh perspective, taking a risk on us even if there is chance we’ll let
ourselves drown again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To Chris, I’ve been that person today, and he’s not the only
one who had a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made me special
the minute he confided in me, when he allowed me inside for just a second
because he trusted me enough to share his grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s put the ball in my court because I know
how to play and he doesn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He trusts me to show him the next move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Offense and defense, we’ll dance around each other until
someone wins or we call a truce and play on the same side for once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m willing to stick this out, because after
today I think he’s worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For what he’s
been through, and for what he denies himself for fear of messing up his child’s
life, I think he’s worth every second of my time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every second it will take for me to fix his broken heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-72322924202013215552014-04-25T20:55:00.002-04:002014-04-25T20:55:47.110-04:00Flash Fiction FridayHey!<br />
<br />
I'm using one of my FFF passes this week and taking the night off. *Hugs*<br />
<br />
~Night<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmiqPkWgAL_rZIB4ih4ySG9Cim_O_5nayMk4bjLglLFj8NkGfGhJbpvkxzc2BXVDQeAOeMSWATCOHc_9cyoANlj_UHzkgz_c__3Yey20u5kngVxJLnRECNs3pqrbnr5mqGTwa8UcKcrSV/s1600/seeyou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmiqPkWgAL_rZIB4ih4ySG9Cim_O_5nayMk4bjLglLFj8NkGfGhJbpvkxzc2BXVDQeAOeMSWATCOHc_9cyoANlj_UHzkgz_c__3Yey20u5kngVxJLnRECNs3pqrbnr5mqGTwa8UcKcrSV/s1600/seeyou.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-64369863807736595352014-04-22T20:54:00.000-04:002014-04-22T20:54:40.285-04:00Whispers in Silence: Part 11
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s up, everybody?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now that the dreaded tax monster has come and gone,
I’ve spent a few days relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
because the weather was seventy friggin degrees outside yesterday I was able to
sit on the patio and enjoy the sunshine, which also means I was able to finish
writing this installment of Whispers because I was so damn happy it was WARM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently sunshine and coffee makes Night a
happy girl, and that produces inspiration to write terribly morbid chapters
about sex and death, sex during death, and all that fucked up nonsense. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sort of joking. Not really. My search history probably makes me look like a drug addict hipster who likes to take online quizzes, owns multiple weapons, keeps males models captive in her basement, and is also a major nympho. I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> make sure to add in a few grammar and spelling searches to ease Big Brother's mind. In reality, it's a writer's life for me. What can I say? The Man is just going to have to understand.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyway, I actually had to chop a few pages of this chapter because they were
a bit over the top in the WTF department, and we all know I’ve got plenty of
WTF up my sleeve, but… Not even I was cool with those pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Must have put the wrong cream in my coffee or
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lol<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But now that we’re back on the right path I'm going to stop rambling and let
you enjoy this chapter in all its crazy glory.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hugs from your resident Google nympho,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">~Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Whispers
Part 11 Playlist By Scene<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Adrian and Wes go to see Camille)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fresh
Blood – Eels <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">(Adrian
reveals a new power)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Stripped
– Shiny Toy Guns<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Later, bitch)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">How’m
I Supposed To Die – Civil Twilight<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sealed in stone)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">No
Trace – MS MR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">(Letting
go to let them in)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Bedroom
Hymns – Florence and The Machine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">(We’re
fucked up together, but that’s okay.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fade
Into You – Mazzy Star<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Whispers
in Silence: Part 11<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Less than two days had passed since Adrian began his
turn, but as he walked into the sublevel at headquarters it seemed like he’d
been gone forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably had
something to do with the increased security milling about and the smell of
bleach they used to clean out the feral cages, which meant the cells had been
emptied out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the blocked entrance to
evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And GERT in full tactical gear
guarding the hallway that led to interrogation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The place was a far cry from the pizza filled nights
of silence Adrian’s team had spent in the cage working this case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">While millions of people bustled around topside, and
Guards filed paperwork upstairs, there was a circus going on right under their
feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian fought exhaustion to keep
up with his orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held back his
beast, and strained to differentiate his own sounds and thoughts from those of
others around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing was both a
blessing and a curse, and on top of his new abilities he was having trouble
staying focused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes sensed this easily with their bond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s mate had been near him at all times
since they’d left Elle Franco’s safe haven in Brooklyn for the likes of
Manhattan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Senior Detective kept his
professionalism in check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put a hand
on the small of Adrian’s back as they navigated the crowd, instead of carrying
Adrian over his shoulder like they both knew he wanted to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes masked his expression when Adrian shook hands
with the Guards in charge of security, and when Feist put an arm around
Adrian’s shoulder, and when he had to brush by other Guards, putting their
bodies in close contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes held up his
end of the bargain once he realized the problem; they were mates, but they
couldn’t act as such during work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
jobs were too important to risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian leaned into his mate when the Guard flow in
the hallway was too thick to merely push through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once upon a time he wouldn’t have given two
shits what another person needed from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now he had a mate, the holiest bond two people could share, so he had to
give a shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wanted</i> to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes glanced at him out of the corner of his
eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A barely perceptible sigh rumbled
against Adrian’s hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Adrian was
trying to fool himself into thinking the touch was just for Wes, he’d be a
rotten liar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brushed Wes’s hip with
the back of his hand, and latched onto his scent with a heavy intake of air
before the crowd thinned out and only their task force lingered outside the
first interrogation room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian pushed his unruly curls out of his face and
joined them. Parting from Wes’s side in Adrian’s new state was hard, but he
couldn’t be coddled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not in this line of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he’d always done things, Adrian jumped in
head first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded at the two way
mirror and put his back to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She
talk yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feist approached the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The queen paid her a visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think? Although I can’t say we
have much to go on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Through the window Adrian observed Camille
Sinclair—what was left of the woman he’d encountered prior to today anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hair had been a dazzling shade of ruby
when she’d led a regal life. Forced down among the commoners, Camille’s tresses
were now matted with blood, soaked with sweat and limp around her slender
shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She’d been stripped of her fineries and made to wear
a baggy navy blue jumpsuit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t
Gucci, but it sure did make her bloodshot green eyes pop against her pale face
and draw out the bluish black hollows in her cheekbones and near her
collar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked just as she was meant
to; a disgrace; like yesterday’s trash; used up and alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nina put her through the ringer, man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tremble in his voice and the cut of his stare to the rest of their
team said it hadn’t been pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Camille’s lucky she still has a scalp.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian then noticed the stray clumps of red hair
strewn about the table and the newly healed patches near Camille’s hairline
that were still a light pink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist’s reaction
had been dead on; whatever went down between Camille and Nina hadn’t been
pretty, but Camille was lucky where the Queen was concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian wouldn’t be so nice to Mrs. Sinclair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What did she say when Nina was with her?” Wes moved
in next to his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian rested his
elbow against Wes’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else would
notice the simple touch for what it really was—comfort to a newly turned
vampire who was trying to be headstrong and get shit done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“She doesn’t know where Halverson is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never killed anyone,” Davis spat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We know she’s full of shit, but the craziest
part is that she was telling the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nina and Sutton grilled her and not once did she fuck up. Nina pulled
her hair out and zapped her with power like she was a microwave burrito and she
didn’t once give it up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian put his hand to window to get a grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like his spine twisted in his back as
adrenaline coursed through him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this
was anger as a vampire, he didn’t know if he could handle it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, he had to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to be in control at all times from now
on, unless he was with Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In private.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far, far away from this joint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You cool?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes shoved his hands in his pockets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His jaw clenched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">After a few seconds, Adrian nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve got it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned away from where Camille stared at
the glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She wasn’t lying because no
one asked the right questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think
she didn’t prepare to be brought in at some point?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that’s exactly what she was doing
when she sent Halverson into the academy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finding out Niles had boys in the Bureau, and finding me in France was
just a lucky break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sent Halverson
into the academy to learn the ins and outs of the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew what to expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew the right answers to the usual
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s been watching us from
the inside this whole time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fuck.” Fontine kicked the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We gotta get her to talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, we will.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian swiped his badge and pushed open the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t have to ask if Wes was coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His partner was already on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When the door closed Camille looked up through her
damp hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes lit up beneath her
slanted lids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stretched her fingers
from where her wrists were cuffed and chained to the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Detective Donohue, it is so nice to finally
meet face to face.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian slid into a cold metal chair and took a deep
breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her voice crept over him like a
sharp blade to his throat; fluid and with intent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trained far beyond Camille in the art of
keeping face, Adrian drew on his past and merely cocked his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, come now, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that any way to treat your guest of
honor?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She opened her mouth and traced
a fang with her tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if she had
something to offer them other than information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her desperation smelled of sour milk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes slid Adrian the envelope full of belongings the
Bureau had confiscated from her earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian dumped them on the table and fingered her pearl necklace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, it was he who graced her with a
sardonic grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lifted the pearls for
her to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think we’re past
niceties, Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her nose hitched as she bared her fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Stealing now, Adrian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adding
robbery to murder are we, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hunter</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes put his elbows on the table and rested his chin
in his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look how angry you’ve
made her, Adrian,” he taunted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I apologize, Camille.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian put a hand over his heart and feigned
sincerity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We wouldn’t want anything to
happen to your precious necklace, because that’s all you care about are your
pretty things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s a kid’s life worth
when you have fancy possessions like this instead?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian stood, dangling the necklace from his
finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held it up to the light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six numbers were cast upon the table through
the pearls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed her a mouth full
of fang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not much if you’d kill your
own child over the combination to your safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille lunged at him hard enough to break the skin
along her wrists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pushed air through
her fangs with enough force to spit across the table and it was then Adrian saw
the true demon inside Camille Sinclair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He smiled, enjoying the rattle of her chains and the haunting howl of
hatred she relinquished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small room
echoed her temper, but Adrian and his mate were exhilarated by her outburst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her reaction meant they were getting
somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now, as our guest of honor, it’s only right to have
a seat at our table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d just love to
catch up, Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting with
this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian spun the necklace around
his finger on the table’s surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bits
and pieces of the combination popped up here and there along the walls, teasing
Camille until she complacently dropped into her seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She reminded Adrian of a murdered spirit the way her
eyes were so narrowed they were almost nonexistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her shoulders rose and fell as she hunched
over the table and fogged the surface with her hot breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Give that to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s the matter, Camille, did you think we
wouldn’t find out and that you’d just walk out of here with your pearls around
your neck?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think so.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes folded his hands on the table and
chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What I do think is you’re
going to tell us everything we need to know before we start taking blows at
your mate’s face while you watch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille snorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through her messy hair she quietly laughed until she threw her head back
and downright cackled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You think I
fucking care about that worthless male?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s weak,” she lashed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
think I might have loved him once, but as you said, I might have fallen in love
with his money instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t complain
about the sex either because as I’m sure you’ve found out, mated sex is so much
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to miss the way he
fucks me when he finally finds his balls and leaves me for his mother, but there
are other fish in the sea, yes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Not
where you’re going, bitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian
tempered his beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t bat an eye
at her knowledge they were mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d
been watched after all, so it wasn’t exactly news she was well aware of their
personal lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What pissed him off was
how she would throw her bonded mate to the wolves, how selfish and corrupted
she was, and how he couldn’t lay a finger on her until they knew everything
they needed to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Since her mate was useless as bait, and Adrian knew
for sure because there wasn’t a trace of a lie in her confession, he had to
resort to other methods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you going
to miss the children you created together?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know, the two daughters you had killed to cover your dirty
secrets?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess you really hated Red
for betraying you, couldn’t forgive your own daughter for shacking up with one
of your old throwaways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How sad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her hands jerked against the cuffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She whipped her head to side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A flash of regret swirled in her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Red killed herself,” she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This was a lie she believed or had told herself so
many times that it became true in her mind because her scent never
wavered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes shared a look with Adrian
before he shook his head and said, “No, Red told me what you did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you sent Halverson to do your dirty
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may not have killed her with
your own hands, but you ordered it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Didn’t you, Camille?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Not a word. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t reply to tell him that was bullshit
or that Red was dead. She huddled to the side as much as her chains would
allow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes continued, “She told me how you cared about
Halverson more than you cared about her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How you chose power and your little lapdog over Tabitha too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha loved you so much until she saw what
a monster you actually were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw what
Halverson did to your baby girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How he
cut her open and took the heart she was born with, the heart you made inside
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like he continued to do for
you to those boys after his father <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">retired</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both know Igor didn’t end up in a condo in
Florida, Camille.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian nodded to Wes when he saw Camille
flinch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room bloomed with the scent
of sorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes leaned across the table and snapped his
fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You listening to me,
Camille?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said Halverson carved Tabitha
open like a pumpkin and left her to rot in that stuffy little room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last face she saw before she died wasn’t
yours, not her mother’s caring eyes, but the face of a monster <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> created.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille snarled as she flipped her hair back and
lunged at Wes again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She ripped my
heart out too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would betray me like
Francis did…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is unacceptable. No
child of mine would do such a thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He killed her,” Adrian murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Broke through her ribs and scooped out her
insides until he found what he was looking for.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Stop it,” Camille screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You told him to make it hurt, didn’t you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He made it as painful for her as possible by leaving the heart in until
the very last second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did it to make
you proud of him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I said stop,” she roared and yanked against her
chains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stop!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Something overcame Adrian as he stood up from his
chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Power filled his veins and his
vision went blurry around the edges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
screams were merely an echo in his ears as the words and sounds began to
die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You praised him for his
efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Promised him things like
immortality and sex because he’s in love with you, he looks up to you, because
he’s easily manipulated without a strong female in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t know the difference between love
and trust because you took that away from him a long time ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants everything from you that he doesn’t
understand how to get because you broke his wings before he could fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he has to crawl at your feet and do what
you say because he doesn’t know any better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He watched Camille thrash around, silently screaming
for help, for him to shut up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walls
around her thrummed with an invisible barrier, an opening for beings no one
else but Adrian could see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You loved
your daughters, but you would kill them because you love yourself more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s worse is you’re a coward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You couldn’t do the deed yourself because it’s
not your mate that’s weak, it’s you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille reached for him, pleading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mouth opened and closed so fast Adrian
couldn’t read her lips, but Wes encouraged Adrian by squeezing his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
stop. She’s talking. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Their bond grew stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s voice flooded Adrian’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The power in the room built, stemming from
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ghostly shadows bled through the
walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You ended up with Halverson
because you had hired his father Igor Ryznaki to be your little boy butcher for
the ones who wanted out of your twisted scheme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You made sure they never talked again to the people who tried to help
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You killed my mother and my father
and others like them who tried to stop you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You killed your own flesh and blood because you favored riches amassed by
young children who couldn’t fight back instead of the family you had right in
front of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wasn’t having your mate
and your children enough, Camille?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille was banging her head against the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood splattered onto the surface, drawing
the spirits of her victims close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
filled the room, slowly taking shape and showing their faces to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camille stopped trying to kill herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes grew wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She screamed when she saw them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes was no longer squeezing Adrian’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mouth had dropped open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His weapon was drawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw them too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full to the brim with their need for revenge,
Adrian slammed his hands on the table to send their feelings across the table
into her open hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you see what
you have done?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pain you have caused,
do you feel that, Camille?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your own
fucking kids.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha and Red stepped forward from the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They showed themselves to their mother as
they’d died, in all their gruesome glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Blood gushed from their wounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their faces were fixed with a demonic expression, eyes black and lips
blue, fangs sharp as they grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Turning to Adrian, Camille’s tear streaked face
showed remorse, something Adrian wasn’t sure she was capable of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clenched his fingers against the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell me where Halverson is and I won’t kill
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille shouted something, but Adrian’s vision was
rapidly dimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of giving in to
his fear, he put his hand out to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His mate squeezed it twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She
doesn’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really doesn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian cleared his throat and snarled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where is the notebook?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one you killed Tabitha for.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes squeezed hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Halverson has it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t return to her after he killed
Tabby.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What does he want from all of this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He should have contacted you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s grip on the table was slipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His legs shook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His body was near collapsing from holding the
spirits in this world, from the power they needed from him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This time Wes picked up him by looping his arms
under Adrian’s shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s gun
rested against Adrian’s chest, against his hammering heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She was
going to give him everything she had on his birth mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was getting hard to control, so she
blackmailed him in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give it up,
baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let them go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have what we need.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian took their energy into his body with a long
inhale and let them all go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Power ripped
from his body and slammed the spirits back to the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gasped and nearly fell into the table if
not for Wes’s strong arms holding him up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lowered into his chair, his first instinct was to
put his fingers to his wrist to calm himself, but his heart rate leveled
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hearing returned like the
volume was being turned back up, and the first thing he heard was Camille’s
sobs from the other side of the table, her mumbled apologies and undignified
sniveling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Was it worth it?” Adrian rasped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She looked up and tossed her hair back because she
couldn’t push it herself. Bloody pieces still clung to her forehead and
obscured some of the terror from her eyes, but not all of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Was it worth it? Adrian repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Seeing what you’ve done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She checked over her shoulder and pulled her knees
up into the circle of her arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t kill me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I—I…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ll what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian stood to make sure he still could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled as his feet held him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t worry, Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I already told you I wouldn’t kill you if you
helped us, but I didn’t say they wouldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>See?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not the only one good
at crafting well-worded lies.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,” she moaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You promised me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We take care of our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is our way and not even you can kill
that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian took Wes’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He led his mate into the hall where their team,
Sutton, Nina, and Mr. Sinclair waited for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A Guard shut the door to the interrogation room, cutting off Camille’s
frantic screams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Sinclair’s tears were explanation enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Our bond is broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She killed my children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way to conquer that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I am so sorry for your loss, on both accounts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will pay for what she’s done and I know a
punishment fitting for her crime.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can’t… I cannot watch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Sinclair bumped into the Guards at his
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’d prefer to leave now, to
distance myself for the real severing of our ties.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian frowned at Wes and then sought an explanation
from Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Uncle looked at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mr. Sinclair will be transported
to Monet where he will serve out a lengthy house arrest under proper
supervision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he was not directly
involved, he knew of the basics of his wife’s operation and chose to keep her
secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot overlook that, Adrian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I will serve my time because I am guilty of what he
says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is punishment for not keeping
my children safe and I will always have that on my conscience.” Mr. Sinclair
hung his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you for finding my
children some peace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian actually felt bad for this male standing in
front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Sinclair thought all
along Camille stayed because she loved him, because they were mates through
thick and thin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When in reality she had
only loved his money and his reputation, which in the beginning had constructed
her empire and her close circle of clients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With him, she had built-in security dogs to watch her flock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With him, she appeared to be a happily mated
female with everything within her reach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Sinclair was now a shell of a man, and Adrian
only hoped he would eventually be able to be whole again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silence reigned as Mr. Sinclair was led away
to his new existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian watched him
go, reminded of his own father and the similar heartache Davide shared with Mr.
Sinclair—the loss, the regrets, the emptiness inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon, that pain would be given an antidote—Camille’s
demise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nina lifted his chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mr.
Sinclair held the power to decide his mate’s end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He passed that to you when he walked
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have lost as much as he
because of Camille, so tell me, darling, how would you wish to avenge your
family?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Staring into her calm eyes, Adrian mustered the
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would do to her as she did to
her victims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave her alone to rot in
the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let her demons decide what to
do with her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“As you wish, darling.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nina leaned forward and kissed his
cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is caring for your own,”
she whispered in his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You honor
them well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now that Adrian understood his amplified talent and
his bond with Wes, he knew why he ate the way he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four drive-thru burger meals later and he
felt something close to normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Summoning spirits was a draining experience, and if he was about to do
it again on a much larger scale, because it was the right thing to do, he
needed to satiate his other hunger as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">That meant getting a bit unprofessional with his
mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That meant going to the place he’d
once been threatened with before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
fuck he’d turned his life around and was now on the outside looking in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Wes by his side, Adrian would never know
what it was like to have his heart turn to dust like Camille’s had so long ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They rode a secure elevator down to a level Adrian
hadn’t known about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The password had
required Nina’s eye scanned by the system, a prick of Sutton’s finger, and four
badges of the Guards who worked this particular level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To enter the Hell’s Gate as Sutton called it,
Adrian had to step onto a scale, be weighed and scanned from head to toe,
identified by the system and logged into a register that fed to the Guardian’s
hard drive at the queen’s compound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They were taken to an all-white room with a single
chair to watch the beginning of the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Camille was seated in the chair and strapped down so they could shave
her head, a symbol of her freedom, of her personality—things this place didn’t
allow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things she wouldn’t need where
she was going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Here, she was not free to be her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would be a number that eventually faded
from the door to her last resting place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A tear ran down her cheek, but Camille said nothing as the last of her
hair fell to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her face was
cleaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remains of her makeup washed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They cut off her jumpsuit and left her naked and
cold as they prepared the last step of the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is when Nina crossed the room and stood
before Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“After this, you will no
longer exist as a person, as a vampire, or a name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be erased as if you never were
because your people refuse to claim you as theirs and there is no place left for
you in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your punishment is
not just to die, but to die with all you have done sitting heavy on your heart,
an organ that will cease to work after you have endured the pain you have
caused others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It is our opinion you are not worthy of a swift,
merciful death for your transgressions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead your end will reflect your crime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will perish alone and scared, in the
darkest of darks with no hope of survival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The terror will consume you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
hunger will wrack your body with an agony not even Lucifer could summon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be no way to right your wrongs, no
one to call upon, because you will be forgotten, but your victims will forever
hold a place in our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have
any last words, number fifty-one?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille shot a look of terror to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her breath came in short pants as she craned
her neck to hold his stare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t do
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t deserve this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even humans would do this to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian threaded his fingers through Wes’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He squeezed his mate’s fingers for the
strength he needed to swallow back the humanity, that for but a moment, he
wished he could spare her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
punishment was indeed cruel, yet fitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We aren’t human, number fifty-one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one will save you here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She sputtered and started to cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shrieked and squirmed against her bindings
when a Guard put on thick gloves and produced a dental gag from a surgical tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two Guards held Camille’s head back and mouth
open as the gag was fit into her mouth and cranked open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They strapped her neck around the back of her
chair so she could not move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian held fast to Wes’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought he might throw up the food he’d
shoved down less than an hour ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still, no matter his nausea at what was to happen, he had to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to watch her stripped of what made
every vampire part of their race; their means of survival; the most intimate
part of them because she had done far worse to those that were no longer
alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For them he would watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille cried out and gurgled as they extracted her
fangs one by one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her fingers splayed,
tensed and curled into her palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
toes pointed into the ground and her feet jerked as they finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood ran down her chin, down her naked body
as a reminder of the blood she had on her hands from the lives she ordered
taken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And minutes later, she was dragged by two Guards
across the room to the only door besides the one they’d come through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dark corridor carved out of the stony
caverns below New York City made up the last resting place of their race’s
worst criminals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vampires that deserved
worse than death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who could not be
redeemed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Guards holding Camille stopped and turned to an
open hole in the hallway’s wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
single torch lit the crypt-like room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian and the others stood outside Camille’s cell as the Guards hoisted
her up onto a stone and locked her wrists above her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The manacles were strong enough that no
vampire would ever break them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same
locks were applied to her ankles, her neck, and around her waist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When they stepped away from Camille, she was
entrapped and suspended from the stone wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Please,” she coughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t do
this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Said every one of those children before they were
defiled one last time,” Nina replied coolly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Guards, seal her in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What? No!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Camille found herself unable to struggle an inch against her bonds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears streamed down her face as the first heavy
stone was placed at the entrance of her cell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Please,” she begged again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll
do anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina turned her back on Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wore the face of a queen undeterred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ignored Camille’s sobs and eyed every one
of them gathered as if to warn them to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It will only take a few minutes before she
is gone to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian, are you sure you
wish to carry out the rest?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille’s begging turned to pure screams of
terror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Adrian, it didn’t seem
enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spirits he’d encountered
renewed his absolute hatred for Camille Sinclair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They deserved closure too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Four Guards had the entrance almost sealed with
stone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once they blasted it with
sealant, it was up to Adrian to finish it; to release her victims for
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound of the sealant being
sprayed grated on Adrian’s nerves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
turned to Wes, and he didn’t care about professionalism right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked into his mate’s open arms and hugged
him around the middle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This was like the funeral he’d never had for his
parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a conclusion for the
scared little boy that lived inside him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Camille being erased and left for dead was morbid, but it was
necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A person like that would
never change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d always be
unsatisfied, require more than necessary to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d take and take and take others with
them to accomplish that momentary high that always waned after a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what a true criminal was made of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s done,” Wes murmured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not yet,” Adrian whispered back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at his team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feist clapped him on the back with a tense
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked ready to jump out of his
skin, troubled even. “We’re going topside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ll see what they’ve found regarding Halverson’s birth mother and her
whereabouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Camille was blackmailing
him over his mother, he had to go after her, and he’s got Frederick with him
wherever he is as collateral for escape when it’s all said and done.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Davis inched away from Camille’s prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, man, I’m all about going back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This place…” He rubbed his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not that I don’t support your inner hoodoo
or what not, Adrian, but I just…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Trust me, it’s not that I don’t want you here
either, but I kind of don’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
smirked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The humor faded from his lips
when he noticed how Maloy had distanced himself from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lone figure in the shadows, Maloy’s
shoulders were pulled low, his posture hunched and his eyebrows were gathered
in close together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maloy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The blond detective lifted his head, but didn’t move
any closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian knew his colleague
wasn’t squeamish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d proved himself
tolerable throughout this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still,
something weighed on Maloy’s shoulders and Adrian had a feeling he knew what it
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked to Maloy, stopping when
they were facing each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maloy shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maloy, seriously, I can smell your bullshit from
miles away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Adrian did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maloy’s small lie filled the air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m … sorry for what she did to your family,
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For what my uncle did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I known what he was up to, you have to
know I would have done something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You would have gotten yourself killed, Maloy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would have known you knew and taken you
out without a second thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss …
my family, but none of what happened is your fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your uncle paid for what he did and Camille
is paying for her crimes right now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian lifted his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
hesitated for only a second before doing the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took Maloy’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Showing sympathy, hell, showing emotion at
all still surprised him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t claim
to know how you feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m having a hard
time understanding what I feel right now too, but I know we both lost a lot to
Ulysses and Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That said, just because
we lost our blood ties, doesn’t mean we can’t make new ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not alone anymore,” Adrian whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And neither are you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian sensed the floating feeling from Maloy’s
body, like all his troubles had evacuated his system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maloy looked up and sighed. “Thanks, Adrian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I never blamed you for a second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hated you in the beginning and wanted to kick
your ass, yes, but I never blamed you for any of this once I knew who you were.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian knocked shoulders with him and smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The new you is going to take some getting used to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maloy sniffed and took his hand back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Trying to console me outside the most fucked
up prison in all the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a bit
weird, but I’ll take it coming from you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian lifted a shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Like I said, I’m still adjusting to it all
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t expect me to start tucking
you in at night or anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maloy chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I can try and deal without you singing me to sleep, Donohue, but
thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maybe Maloy can adjust elsewhere,” Sutton
offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I believe you aren’t finished
here, Adrian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wanna be as far away from here when you open the
hoodoo gates with that blood sex magic,” Davis said as he walked past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fontine!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hold your panties, princess,” Fontine called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded to Adrian as he jogged by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do your thing, buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be waiting for you topside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maloy backed away with a smile on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You sure you’re going to be okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian waved him off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I got this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maloy nodded and lifted a hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See you up there, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, Wes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Leave it to you to find your inner Dr. Phil in the
middle of vampire Alcatraz, Donohue.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist snorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who?” Adrian frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nobody,” Wes rumbled from behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re old, remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feist winked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m not old, you geezer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
just young at heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You two have fun
with your little voyeuristic circus act from beyond the grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m gonna get some tacos.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina rolled her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Really, Detective Feist, must you have a
quip for everything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I already get
enough of that at home if you don’t mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s my thing, your highness.” He bowed low and
shot a grin at Wes and Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Be
waiting on you two where the fresh air roams.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He stood up and narrowed his eyes at the stone wall erected in front of
Camille’s cell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have fun, number
fifty-one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear it will be quite the
show.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton dragged Feist off by the arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good luck, gentlemen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feist shot a smile over his shoulder with his thumb
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes put his hands on his hips and
shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who made that guy head
of the task force?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m surprised he
remembers to put his underwear on right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina clasped her hands in front of her and looked
between them both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Despite his
immaturity at times like this, he’s taken well to his new role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he has managed to accomplish during this
case and his dedication to his team is noteworthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I didn’t know any better I’d say he uses
his humor as a coping mechanism for the things he’s unable to say out loud,
such as how proud he is of the two of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah, well, I guess we kind of like him too. He’s
still a clown, though.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes eyed the
Guards that had lined up behind the queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He shifted from foot to foot and cleared his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We should get to it then.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,” Nina agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She put a hand to Adrian’s cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No matter what you thought of me in the past, Adrian, how you might
have believed I didn’t care… This is what I wanted for you all along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I predicted this exact moment, but
this is the life I wished for you to have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Know that I support you in everything you do, everything you did, and I
am grateful you have chosen to continue the legacy your parents left behind—because
you are, continuing their purpose, even if in a different capacity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take great pride knowing I have you and
your mate by my side, protecting our people in only a way the two of you can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her hand fell away and she turned around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good luck, boys, although I know you don’t
really need it.” She lifted her hand as she walked away with the Guards behind
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian turned to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stared at each other until the vault
door finally sealed them in and left them alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s slow smile, his nearness and his scent
lifted Adrian up to a place he needed to be in order to do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new way they interacted came easily now,
which startled Adrian to some degree, but overjoyed him more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina’s words left him with a rightness in his chest
that his new abilities, however complicated they were, were meant to be his,
meant to be shared with Wesley Durren because only Wes truly understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His talents weren’t a weakness or a
defect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were all a part of Fate’s
magical web that threaded each and every life together with purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And now their purpose was to close this chapter of
the book and move on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You get enough to eat earlier?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes pushed a hand through Adrian’s hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You didn’t look so hot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian stepped into his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Trust me, I ate enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You tired?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We don’t have to do this right away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes ran his hands down Adrian’s back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I mean, you barely slept for a new turn, and I don’t want you to pass
out on me in a sealed crypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can hold
my own, but not in this place, and certainly not with you down for the
count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t tell anyone this, but I’ve
been spooked since we came down here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You weren’t the only one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me, when I’m on you, I don’t plan on
passing out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite the opposite,
actually.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian stared at the wall
Camille was imprisoned behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I plan
on opening the biggest fucking portal the other side has ever seen.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian shifted Wes’s shirt collar to the side
to nuzzle his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes tilted his head for Adrian’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not that I’m complaining about this, but are
you sure this is the way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, I’ve
never pictured doing it in a crypt this close to middle earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not exactly romantic in my book.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I thought I was the closet sap.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian looked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You and I are team, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When do mates exude the most power?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“When one of us is in serious trouble from what I’ve
heard.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes clenched Adrian’s shoulder
and let his head fall back as Adrian kissed his neck. “But I could be mistaken,”
he slurred through his fangs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“When they have sex, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You felt that power when we were
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know how strong I was when
I opened the portal in the interrogation room, and that was only because you
were with me, in my head, talking me through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I can hold it for longer if we really let
go together, if we connect in only the way we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re scared of what will happen, trust
me to keep you tethered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be scared
of them, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not of me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes grabbed Adrian’s face between his hands and put
their foreheads together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He searched
Adrian’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s what Red told me,
not to fear them when the time came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
did you know that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I didn’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian licked his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything was falling into place; all the pieces to the puzzle, all
they had worked for to get to this moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian never thought he’d be giving into to his ability, calling it
forth like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s more, he never
imagined it’d be with Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let go,
Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s your turn to trust me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I trust you above all others,” Wes whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He peeled Adrian’s jacket off and let it fall
to the dirt floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m just having a
hard time forgetting where I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Let me help you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian pulled his cotton t-shirt over his head and backed against the
wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stone was cold and smooth
against his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spread his legs,
waiting for the darkness to cloud Wes’s gray eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Wes stood there, conflicted, Adrian
yanked on his mate’s tie to draw him near.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">His mate stumbled forward, barely catching himself
by putting his hands on the wall to either side of Adrian’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m telling myself this isn’t an act of prostitution
because technically we’re on the clock.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tell yourself whatever you need to hear,” Adrian
whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fact is I want you, and I want
you right fucking now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care
where we are, I’ve been itching to touch you all day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">His past came back to him in a dark wave, fueling
the fizzle in his veins until it was a wicked storm that rolled throughout his
limbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he’d lived on adrenaline and
action, on nightfall and rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
tasted and touched many to play a part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d played so many roles that it was hard to choose who he wanted to be
in the end, but now that Adrian felt comfortable being himself, he was still
attracted to bits of his former life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was that part that had lured Wes in whether his mate would admit it or
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The mystery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian pushed his hands under Wes’s coat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He unwrapped his mate slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbuttoned Wes’s shirt with nimble fingers and
tugged it from his pants in one swift yank. He got rid of the tie with a toss
of the silken strip to the ground. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s
chest fit against his palms as he slid his hands up and over Wes’s nipples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You make it hard for me to remember much of
anything,” Wes rumbled in his ear and stepped in close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He threw his shirt to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes never strayed from Adrian’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell me one last time, this what you really
want? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I start, there ain’t no going
back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t stop,” Adrian hissed while working off Wes’s
belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes licked up Adrian’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Bossy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s apprehension made sense to Adrian all of the
sudden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a time in Wes’s past
where he’d been prisoner to the enemy, held captive in a basement where the
floors were made of dirt, where it was dark and frightening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where the door was sealed shut to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where he’d been chained up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The need to make Wes forget overcame Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He forced Wes around until his back hit the
wall and kissed him hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feel me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing will hurt you
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes grabbed onto Adrian and yanked his jeans down
until Adrian was forced to kick off his boots and the rest of his clothes while
Wes did the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The message had been received
loud and clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their bond flared to
life, once a gentle ribbon between them was now a thick rope on fire, tugging
them closer and closer until they burned for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trust, the emotion and the beat of their
hearts were aligned as they gave over to their primal need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian allowed himself to be pinned to the wall and surrendered
control of his hands to his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
closed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He moaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gasped for air as Wes reached around to
handle his cock with rough strokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
dry friction was eased when Wes spit into his hand and initiated a rhythm that
had Adrian grinding back against him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The end was near for all things that needed to be
put to rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bubble of power started
in Adrian’s chest as Wes squirted a packet of lube onto Adrian’s hole and
rubbed the liquid around with his finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes’s need to prove he wasn’t weak and Adrian’s need to console him fit
perfectly together, as did Wes’s cock when he pushed inside without
warning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spell of their bond needed
to no foreplay or sweet nothings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d
been rough from the start, and rough was how they liked it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian lifted his ass and splayed his hands on the
wall, but Wes was there to hold him steady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As he always was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he always would
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How had they come to be here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did everything feel so right these days?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Because people had died to bring them together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Adrian did the right thing and
stayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because he’d proven himself
worthy and brought his mate back to life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Overwhelmed with the emotion riding him, Adrian took
Wes’s hand and put it over his heart as his mate pounded into him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The power mounted, filling the stale hallway
with heat and their love for one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian’s hearing began to fade, although this time his vision was
strong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s starting,” he panted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Barely hear you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes put his face
between Adrian’s shoulders and thrust in deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do it.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As Adrian’s hearing faded completely, Wes pulled out
and turned him around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lifted Adrian
like he weighed nothing and pinned him against the wall, pushing right back in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do it,” he mouthed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian grabbed onto the back of Wes’s neck and
yanked him close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We do this together.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He bit down and took the first sip of his mate’s
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The power between them exploded
into the cavern-like hallway, shooting down to each end until every square inch
of air rippled with the presence of the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian closed his eyes when he glimpsed the
first shadow pushing through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped
concentrating on who it was and focused on his mate instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes it mattered that the spirits who needed revenge
had come to see to Camille’s demise, but holding his bond with Wes mattered
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was Adrian’s new motto.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He hugged Wes tighter and drank until he the first
tingle of orgasm hit him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gasping off
his mate, Adrian slid his lips over Wes’s to share a kiss that would seal their
fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used his strength to look into
Wes’s eyes one last time before he climaxed, forcing the power he held over the
spirits into Camille’s sealed off cell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There they would spend the last of her days with her
until she wasted away, and then they could rip apart her soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There her daughters would get their revenge
for Camille taking away their lives, their happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There the boys she made suffer would turn the
tables and take joy in her pain and suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There Briggs would undoubtedly guide them back to a place that was no
longer in between, because he was a leader and only wanted what was best for
his pupils, a happily ever after.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They would no longer come to Adrian because they no
longer had to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were where they had
wanted to be all along, and with the amount of power he had given them, they
could stay and haunt her in the dark as long as they pleased until it was
finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until Camille had paid for
every drop of blood she owed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian dug his fingers into Wes’s back as his mate
unloaded inside of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes stood there
with his face buried in Adrian’s neck to catch his breath, but when his legs threatened
to give out, he gently lowered them to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I saw them come through.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes shivered around Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I heard her scream through the walls.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shifted in Wes’s lap to stroke his mate’s
hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you regret it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Leaving her in there for them?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes kissed Adrian softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not a bit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For
once, I’m okay with you saying that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you okay with this, with what we can do
together?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes took Adrian’s hands in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m already part of the supernatural,
Adrian, and as they say, go big or go home, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But this is really big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
one of a kind shit right here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You and me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m okay with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing else
matters.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What if I they start coming to me and I didn’t even
summon them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I start hearing
shit all the time, or worse lose my hearing again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if this is only temporary because I’m
still new at being a vampire?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian clutched
his mate’s hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What if—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Doesn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ll get through it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just had sex in a place that
should make me sick to bring spirits from the other side to get their revenge,
and I had a grand time doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
I can deal with just about anything at this point.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’re pretty messed up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I like our brand of messed up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes kissed the corner of Adrian’s mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You know what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do too,” Adrian whispered and kissed his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the dirty floor, in a vampire prison, after
bringing spirits into their world for good so they could get some peace, because
that’s just how he and his mate rolled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were a tag team of fucked up, but as long as they were together
nothing could stop them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-80433316433516903402014-04-18T22:25:00.001-04:002014-04-18T22:25:47.096-04:00Flash Fiction Friday! A Nanny Tale: Part 3
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome back
to Flash Fiction Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week’s prompt was:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5YJYRG-LMTNuBI2oq-jXCIWEjZwMDdishcb80onYDjp1vkH9mb7m4KAnizAY-pP4gdaADbVsPigX59RrZVDlPgAY9NsPbixjSuLSgp7Ff0ue3sZ0hlJZ5B4UzQhikKfse17HUzU4RA4C/s1600/618f7200e85342f92f256ea1d70ce8e6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5YJYRG-LMTNuBI2oq-jXCIWEjZwMDdishcb80onYDjp1vkH9mb7m4KAnizAY-pP4gdaADbVsPigX59RrZVDlPgAY9NsPbixjSuLSgp7Ff0ue3sZ0hlJZ5B4UzQhikKfse17HUzU4RA4C/s1600/618f7200e85342f92f256ea1d70ce8e6.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I spun this prompt into my story to work with what I have
planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me this subject is touchy,
and by that I mean religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just want
to remind everyone that in no way does this story reflect my own personal views
and this is a work of fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
you like this week’s installment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">~Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit our other bloggers this week:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.elainamroberts.com/">Elaina M. Roberts<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Nanny Tale: Part 3<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris is having a hard time leaving for work this
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s Joey’s first day of
school, and while most fourth graders are excited to reunite with their friends
and show off their new backpacks and haircuts, Joey is not one of those
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He whines and pleads and tries to
fake sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tugs on his dad’s arm and
begs for mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris is nearly in tears
when he makes his last attempt to walk to the front door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grumpy doesn’t help matters in the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sits in his chair and barks out things he
needs from the store to Chris while Joey is mid meltdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris locks eyes with me. So many unsaid
things go between us with a single look. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve got this, I swear.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hold Joey around the shoulders as tight as
I can so he doesn’t make a mad dash for the front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’ll be there on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll get the stuff from the store on my way
back and take your dad to the doctor at noon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“All of the papers for Joey’s school are on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad’s insurance card—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris, we’ll be fine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I yank Joey back a few steps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
continues to fight me. “Have a good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll call you later to tell you how it all goes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris’s brow puckers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His eyes close for a mere second before he glances back up at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not even six thirty in the morning and
he looks dead on his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When he
calms down, would you take a picture?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
always…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“First day of school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Got it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey reaches for Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Dad, don’t go!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Joey…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris groans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to tell Chris to sit down, take off his kitchen
bandana, and talk his kid down from the ledge, but I know he had two servers
and a cook go back to college this week, and the morning shift hostess went on
maternity leave as of two days ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
has to get everything in order before Grumpy has his surgery in two days,
before Chris takes a week off from his restaurant to help his dad adjust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has got to be the worst timing ever for
all of this to go down, but like with everything in my life I take it in stride
and blast Chris with a reassuring smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Go,” I order of Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Leave while you still can, man,” I tease and use all my strength to
hoist Joey up over my shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I must
tame the beast.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dad!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Love you, Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have
a good day at school,” Chris calls as I walk away with his freakishly strong
offspring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No!” Joey bellows and it’s game on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The front door shuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grumpy chuckles like a jackass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
set Joey down on two feet in his room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We stare at each other, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So,” I begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How do you want to do this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m not going and you can’t make me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not the boss of me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He squints and huffs from his nose like a
tiny, chicken-legged dragon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh yeah?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Want to bet
I can’t make you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ain’t my first
rodeo, kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why do you not want to
go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought your school supplies. You
got new shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You got a haircut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You seemed excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now suddenly you don’t want to go and you’ve
yet to give me a good reason.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He pushes out his bottom lip and tosses his sweatshirt onto
the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hate that place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a
tour of your classroom and met your teacher last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought you wanted to go to school.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey looks at me over his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picks up his sweatshirt because he
realizes he can’t stand to have something out of order in his pristine
bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once it’s folded on his bed,
his shoulders lift and fall with a heavy exhale and he becomes silent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Joey?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk to me here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey shakes his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Doesn’t matter what I say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re gonna send me there anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have an inkling of what’s wrong, but in my experience it’s
best to get a child to tell you what the problem is outright and save yourself
the energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s the first day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever you didn’t like about last year can
be different this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a whole
new start.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I touch his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He yanks away from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That’s what dad said too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
what he always says and it never gets better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hate</i> me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He says hate like it’s a weapon he’s been stuck with many
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel his pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I share those same wounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re kind of like kindred spirits, Joey and
I, but now I’m grown up and no longer stuck in Bumfuck, Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the experience under my belt needed to
guide my little protégé through the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s the getting him to understand he doesn’t always have to be a target
that will give me trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids never
think you were a child once too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
think you came out of the womb fully grown with a mouth full of bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Telling a bullied nine-year-old it will get
better in time is like telling them leprechauns live in their sock drawer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They think you’re fucking nuts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why would anyone hate you, Joey?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re such a cool kid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sit on the bed next to him and put an arm
around his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure you have
some friends there you’d like to see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, Joey shakes his head. God, that’s devastating. “They
don’t let anyone be my friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He glances up with those big blue eyes and my heart
lurches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Those jerks Sister Grace made
hall monitors for this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They suck
up to her and she treats them special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They get away with everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First the Great Hell Speech of third grade and now with
this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was beginning to think this
Sister Grace was a maker of nightmares. “Sister Grace seems to be a household
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure if you just talked to her
about people bullying you then she would make sure it didn’t happen again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you need me to talk to her for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He rockets off the bed and put his hands up like he’s trying
to stop a fast approaching train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I capture his hands in mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Joey, you can’t let people walk all over you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It will hurt worse in the long run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can go to school and see how things go today, and if someone messes
with you, you tell a teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that
doesn’t work, and you’ve made it clear you don’t like their behavior and a
teacher isn’t helping you, then you come to me or your dad and we’ll take care
of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t understand,” he huffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulls his hands from mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sister Grace hates dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why they can be mean to me, because
she doesn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only acted like I
wanted to go back because I didn’t want to make dad mad, but when I woke up
this morning, I got scared.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hug him closer and squeeze him tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s okay, buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did Sister Grace tell you she hates your
dad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She said he lives in sin,” Joey whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She said what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
stood up from the bed like my ass was on fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh hell to the no, bitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did
she say that to your dad or to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey’s eyes snap to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s as infuriated as I am, as pissed as a nine-year-old can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She told him that during conferences last
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she was worried I would
turn out the same way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why would she say that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tread carefully, Logan Davis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This kid might not even know his dad likes men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey sighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because
dad likes boys and she says Jesus doesn’t like that and that he’s going to
hell.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I blink a few times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t wrap my mind around this witch and her opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What shocks me the most is how she would try
to turn a young child against their own parent for the sake of religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Joey, get dressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re dad isn’t going to hell because he
likes boys, but Sister Grace might if she says another word about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His eyes widen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
clutches the hem of his t-shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are
you going to say something to her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please don’t, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I stop at the door and turn to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I promise not to say anything if she doesn’t
bring it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deal?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He bites his lip and nods once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“But … if something happens, you have to promise to tell
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care if those little
heathens threaten you, you come tell your dad and I if they give you trouble,
and by heathens, that includes Sister Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t you ever think that just because someone is an adult that they
have the right to treat you like dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s not okay, Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re a cool kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t deserve that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can see it in his eyes—that look; the one where someone
other than his father has told him that he’s worthy and he just might believe
it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll tell him every single day
just to see some hope on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
mom was the one who did it for me when I was Joey’s age, and although Chris
tries, Joey needs more reassurance than a simple here and there pat on the
back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Be dressed in five minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We gotta roll out now if you want one of the good donuts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He hisses in quiet glee and runs to his closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shut the door and sag against it in the
hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister Grace and her minions
are on my mind all the way to breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And as I look over at Joey, quietly eating his donut about twenty
minutes later, I can tell they’re on his mind too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey keeps his head down as he walks away from me to
class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His bony fingers are wrapped
around his backpack straps with a white knuckled grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He weaves through the packed hallway without
saying a word. Not one kid waves at him or calls his name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey takes a piece of me with him, a little chunk that this
time I am willing to give away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
he trusts me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope he knows that I’m
only a phone call away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Breaking away from the tragic scene, I walk the hallways of
Our Sacred Heart like an outsider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
not like I haven’t been in a school before, and I wasn’t opposed to expanding
my already open mind to the prospect of a religious school, but this place gives
me the creeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most elementary schools had tacky paper borders around
stained bulletin boards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those schools smelled
like lemon floor cleaner and sawdust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were supposed to be teachers waiting in the hall to greet their
students, teachers who wore happy little sweaters with kittens on them and
necklaces made of wooden blocks that were gifted by past students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh no, not this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were nuns in baggy polo shirts tucked into their pressed floor
length skirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their eyes were cold and
calculating as they marked off names on a clipboard as each child entered their
class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There wasn’t an air of welcoming
excitement or a nurturing vibe, just a drafty hallway full of kids in pristine
uniforms who composed themselves far beyond their years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fact that parents were paying for their kids to go to
prison stunned me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that Chris
thought this was where his son would thrive nauseated me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With that thought, I hit up the door marked Front Office and
walked inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A plump woman with a
crucifix bigger than my palm around her neck looked up from her computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Welcome to Our Sacred Heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I help you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I put on a charming smile and lean on the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slide the folder containing Joey’s
paperwork to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m here to turn this
in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And your name?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan Davis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
Joey Wyzak’s nanny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father wanted me
to update his information to make me a designated ride to and from school, and
an emergency contact for Joey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I see.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looks
over the information and glances up at me from behind her lashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brace myself for a flirty smile or a coy
look, but I get a fat sack of nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She doesn’t seem pleased in the least that a man is trying to give her
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again, she is a nun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will you wait here for a second?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be right back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Of course.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She wanders down a hall to her right where I assume more
offices are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She takes forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I start to worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe even sweat a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never liked school offices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I’d ever been in one I’d always
been there to get a detention or a scolding from the principal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This kind of felt the same, like they were
intentionally holding me up to feel the wrath of the Virgin Mary on a poster
behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I glanced over my
shoulder, she was staring at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Mr. Davis, I presume?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I met the eyes of a nun in a suit coat and it was then that
I knew I was looking at the female Voldemort. I’d take Flavor Flav with her
crucifix over this lady any day of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Uh, yes, that’s me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do you have a moment to spare?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s holding the envelope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crucifix looks guilty as all get out as she
slides back into her rolling chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is not going to be good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Of course.” I flash her my beauty pageant smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is for the kid, I remind myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are doing a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not fuck this up, Logan!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She crooks a finger. I expect it to fall off like some rotting
appendage of the Crypt Keeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Follow
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Less than a minute later I’m seated across from Sister
Grace, Our Sacred Heart’s principal and resident witch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She glowers at me with eyes the color of ice
before she looks down her pointed nose to the paperwork across her desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hope you don’t mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always take a minute to introduce myself to
our students’ caregivers when they come into the picture.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Have a few nannies I take it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Unfortunately, yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I anticipate
fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get what look to be
dentures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Children are not raised the
way they used to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It saddens me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m sorry?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh don’t apologize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re merely an employee doing your job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not your fault you don’t have a family
to tend to of your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Father has a
role for all of his children.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mouth gapes open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel dirty words rolling up my throat like wild stallions on a mission
to trample this woman and her blackened soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I see you’re working with Joseph Wyzak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you a friend of the Wyzak family?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She threads her fingers together and stares a
hole into my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I begin to squirm in my seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The back of my neck is hot as I scratch it. “Not
until recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just moved here from
Illinois.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her brows lift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ah,
so you aren’t familiar with Christopher’s grandfather and all the wonderful
contributions he made to this institution?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m sorry, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
been a crazy few weeks and I’m still getting up to speed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She points to a matted photo collage on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Top row, third from the right, that is
Franklin Wyzak, Christopher’s grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He faithfully served the church for many years before he was taken from
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spoke highly of his grandson, and
simply adored Joseph when he came along under tragic circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without Franklin’s presence in Joseph’s life,
I fear he would already be a lost cause.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you know how hot your skin gets when you’re really
angry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How your hands shake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How your head seems light and your ears are
burning and probably red?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that
feeling?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worst part about being angry at this
moment is there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it, or say about it, because
my anger doesn’t belong here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t just voice my opinion, go off on this woman like she
deserves because that would create problems for Chris, for Joey, and my job is
to keep the balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not tip it in one
direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for that reason alone, I
have to curb my nasty tongue and come up with a response that will both nip
Sister Grace’s opinion in the bud and leave a tactful taste in my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have to be the bigger person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to delve deep and hold strong to the
little boy down the hall who is counting on me to make things better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have to push away the little boy I
used to be, who like Joey, faced demons like Sister Grace for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t be scared of people like her
anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve come too far to let my
fears hold me back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Excuse me, Sister Grace.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stop her from digging her hole any bigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“While it’s nice to hear about Christopher’s
grandfather, I think I know where this is going and I don’t feel comfortable
continuing this conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
wish to talk about Joey and his education, then by all means, let’s talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything other than that and you’ll have to
speak with Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, I’m just an
unfortunate caretaker.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her scowl is minute, and it slips away with her next breath,
replaced with a smug, porcelain smile I want to shatter with a baseball
bat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It seems you already know of the
problems this institution finds with Christopher in regards to raising Joseph
with such liberal views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our doctrine is
very clear, Mr. Davis, homosexuality has no place in the church, and certainly
no place within view of impressionable young children. Whatever your opposition
to our doctrine might be, our teachings at this school are mandated by the
church and they are firm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you will be
spending a great deal of time with Joseph, I thought I might make things very
clear from the start.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because I’m a nanny?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sorry, Sister, but I don’t believe your doctrine has anything to do
with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here to bring Joey to
school, bring him home, and feed him dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever problems you have with Joey’s upbringing can be directed to
Chris.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stand up and point to the
paperwork she’d taken from Crucifix up front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“As I’m sure you and I will be seeing a lot of each other, I thought I’d
make things very clear from the start.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’d say you offended me, but you’ve chosen your words very
carefully, which means you’re a smart man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hope you don’t do anything foolish to ruin my first impression of
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be rather detrimental to
Joey’s future here at Our Sacred Heart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She stands and offers me her wrinkled hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s soft and warm as I fit my palm against
hers, but the strength of her grip proves she isn’t some delicate grandmother.
“One last warning, Mr. Davis, if I may...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And what would that be?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I have to say I find it disappointing for one of our
parents to be homosexual in nature in the first place, but I find it stranger
still he employs a handsome man to watch his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said, we have a no tolerance policy for
homosexual couplings at this school, and that includes parents, as well as
caretakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should we gain such a
reputation in the Catholic community for upholding what our doctrine states as
a disgrace, things will not go well from there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She squeezes my hand and releases me, leaving
behind a chill in my palm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’ve made yourself perfectly clear, Sister Grace.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I step away from her desk while keeping my
eyes on her hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have a wonderful
first day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You as well, Mr. Davis.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her curdled grin is so sour I almost taste it in my mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I throw up across her desk, I storm
out of her office and shoot Crucifix what I hope is the vilest scowl she’s ever
seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has the decency to scoot back
into the wall and put a hand over her heart as if her necklace holds magical
powers of protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would say she had
the grace, but that word has been spoiled for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like it had been ruined for Joey a long
time ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I worked out my anger by doing the shopping after leaving
Our Sacred Heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that I mean running
into other carts, glaring at innocent shoppers, and throwing Grumpy’s Rolaids
into the basket like I was pulling a slam dunk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I worked it out some more by taking Grumpy to the doctor, sitting with
him in the waiting room, and not budging when he almost tripped and went down
in the lobby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nevertheless I gained some satisfaction from the terror on his face when
he had righted himself and looked at me like he knew I could have just let him
break a hip and would have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wouldn’t have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was less than a foot from him, but that wasn’t to say I didn’t think about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He deserved it, didn’t he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the way he’d shunned his own son, just
like Sister Grace, just like countless others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe he deserved it for breaking Chris down in front of his son, for
trying to show Joey how much of a fairy weakling his dad is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I knew Grumpy didn’t deserve the pain of breaking a hip and
Chris would never forgive me, but for that single second I thought about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That meant Sister Grace was winning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d somehow attached herself to me and was
eating away at my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was ruining
any chance I had at fixing this family because she’d become one of the main
problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That much was clear to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The only way I could give myself peace of mind was to
confront Chris head on, and after dropping Grumpy off at the house, I headed
over to the restaurant to do just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was between lunch and dinner, and I’d chosen the perfect time to
arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a dozen patrons were
seated in the three open dining areas and there were more than enough to staff
to handle them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found Chris hurrying from one counter to the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushes out a grin like a dollar from an
ATM to some lady browsing the bakery display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For whatever his smile is worth, this one wasn’t the real thing so it
was worthless, yet it said everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are bags under his eyes in this lighting that tell of his restless
nights and tossing and turning, of his stress and baggage he can’t let anyone
put away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But he works that counter like a pro, sending the lady off
with three white boxes of treats for her bible study class that night. The
moment she hits the exit, and the door chimes with her passing, Chris exhales
heavily and put his hands on the glass top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hey,” I greet him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He glances up and goes straight to attention, no doubt
cracking his spine the entire way up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“H-hey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you doing
here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something wrong with Joey?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well that remains to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s fine for now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I approach the counter with caution, one foot
in front of the other because I have to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It isn’t my line to walk, but if I had another choice and the devil
wasn’t feasting on my soul I would have taken a detour to spare him the added
grief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What does that mean?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His eyes flick back and forth, searching mine for a clue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He puts up a hand to me and says, “Hold
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s talk outside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He goes to the young guy at the register and whispers something
to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy nods and waves at me
like we are somehow acquainted, but I return the gesture out of respect for
Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been shot down so many times
today that maybe I was being a dick for not recognizing kindness when I saw it,
instead instantly scrutinizing anything nice because I was paranoid and pissed
off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris comes around the counter and shows me out to the
porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes his time walking around
the side of the building to find us a perfect set of rocking chairs tucked back
into a corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This small haven nestled
away from the busy road symbolizes a lot of Chris’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was hiding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything. Because he had to be someone else in private and what
everyone wanted him to be in public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Which is why I feel terrible being the one who has to draw
him out to face the facts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I met Sister Grace today.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He stiffens in his chair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moments later he pushes off with his toes and
begins to rock back and forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I turn in my seat and stop his rocking with a hand to his
arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why, Chris?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would you subject your family to that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Are we talking as friends or as boss and employee?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’m not really sure what you are to
me anymore and I’m certainly confused as to how you think this conversation is
any of your business—even as my friend.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He nudges my hand away and resumes rocking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He refuses to look at me, keeping his eyes on
the back of a minivan in the parking lot instead of facing me head on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I guess not as your friend, because I don’t have friends
that would knowingly stick their son in that fucking place.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The silence after dropping a bomb that you can’t take back is deafening.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His chair comes to a halt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The weight of his stare is like a thousand pounds ready to crush me at
his command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you want from me,
Logan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re getting paid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve got a sweet little setup in my
basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You got a free fucking Rover,
your insurance paid for, and you don’t offer a dime for food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I asked you to do was watch my kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sniff at his defenses and point a finger at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You can make me sound like a
freeloader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can push and push and
push me away, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact still
remains that although that’s what you asked of me, that is not all you want
from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You say you want me to watch
out for your kid, well, I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
place, Sister Grace, they will haunt Joey forever because eventually they will
burn him out and he’ll always wonder what kind of person he could have been had
he been given a chance to be himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
chance to choose, not be told, who his father is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And I’ll tell you right now, I’m not gonna hide who I am
for that bitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I’m not going to go
and flaunt a rainbow flag up and down the halls, but eventually I might find
someone who loves me and I won’t turn that down because I’m Joey’s nanny and
his school’s code of ethics states I should be stoned for seeing another man in
public because I’m associated with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He runs a hand through his hair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His chest works overtime as his breathing
comes faster. “Logan, you don’t understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I lift my hands and let them fall into my lap with a
slap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand more than you ever will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was younger, I was you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was kicked and punched and oppressed
because I was different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hid it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I denied it in public to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually I had to get out of there because
I couldn’t breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t live
another damn day hiding who I was for the sake of other people’s opinions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be people like that everywhere you
go, I know that, but now that I know who I am, I will never be forced back into
that dark place, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how
much I care for Joey, no matter how much I’m starting to care for you, I won’t
do it and neither should you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s your
kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the person who should look
up to you for the rest of his life because you are his hero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heroes don’t run away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stand and they fight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re wrong, Logan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris stands and puts his hands on hips as he looks down at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am his hero.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No.” I stand up and get in his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You do the standing part just fine, but
you’ll never fight for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d take
in your bigot of a father, yet you won’t save your own damn son, the one thing
in your life that supports you no matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever ties you have to your grandfather and that school, they’re in
the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey doesn’t have to be
dragged down with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hold my breath as he fists the front of my shirt and yanks
me forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His nose is inches from
mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His breath hot on my face as he
faces his demons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have no idea what
I sacrifice for my son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have no
right to tell me how to parent my child or what’s best for him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears surface in his eyes, magnified by his
glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His grip tightens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you’re right,” he whispers and his
fingers loosen from my shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re
right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris turns his face away and heads back into the
restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It starts to sprinkle out of
nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clouds move in from across the
water to blanket the sky a murky gray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The small drops of water turn fat as they splatter the parking lot,
soaking me to the bone as I walk to my car at a languid pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel every single drop pummel my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel every single thump of my heart in my
chest and I know that somehow this rain is a sign from the powers that be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Someone knows I’ve broken the ultimate nanny rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone wants me to feel that pain, because
as a nanny, thou shalt not tell a parent how to raise their child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will undoubtedly get burned and others
will be broken as punishment for your offense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-18570226314447854032014-04-13T00:10:00.000-04:002014-04-13T00:10:05.485-04:00Whispers in Silence: Part 10
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hey!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks for stopping by. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to keep this short and sweet tonight
because I’m sure you’re anxious to get reading, and because I’m in the middle
of doing taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Without further ado, I give you vampire sexy
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Forgive me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m kind of cracked out on coffee right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True story.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hugs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Part
10 Playlist<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Bloodstream
– Stateless<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Skin
– Rihanna<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wonderwall
– Oasis (Because Wes is his wonderwall dammit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>*feels* lol)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Artificial
Nocturne - Metric<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Whispers
in Silence: Part 10</span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 25<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Beyond tired, Wes trudged up the stairs of Elle
Franco’s now quiet townhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Nina
had left, taking Sutton with her to the Manhattan office to have a chat with
Camille Sinclair, Wes ordered every Guard outside to watch the entrances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fuck, there was even a team on the roof to
head off anyone trying to get in that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For all the people they had outside, no one was allowed in the
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not with what was about to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It was almost time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes felt it in his bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Felt Adrian
in his chest and in his head like a force to be reckoned with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes browsed the mess of weapons in the first floor
hall as he ascended the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d
all been torn apart for the USB drives that were now in Sutton’s
possession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having been decrypted by his
teammates, the information would be used to interrogate Camille Sinclair, to
make her face all the wrongs she’d done and get her to confess if she was smart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Once they had that notebook in their possession and
Camille tied to the house in Surik, and tied to everything on the USBs, Camille
could take those smarts and die with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes would make her screams taste like fire, and when she screamed, he’d
pull her fangs out by the root and shove them into her eyes so she’d forever be
in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place she’d thrown all
of her victims for eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He had to bite back his snarl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes needed to be calm when he went to
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In time, he’d deal with
Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, every second of his
attention was to be devoted to his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God, he couldn’t say or think that one word enough: mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s body quivered in anticipation, to slide his
naked skin against his mate’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To enfold
Adrian in his arms, cover him with his body and make Adrian feel every bit of
him from the inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To show him care;
to cut through Adrian’s beast and find the man he loved beneath his newfound
strength and aggressive needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes was well aware he reeked of sex and possession
when he arrived at the second story landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knew he was sporting one hell of an erection when he stopped in front
of the last remaining Guard in the joint. And you know what? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes didn’t give a rat’s ass what the guy
thought of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s more, the rookie
didn’t even seem to notice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Guard at the bedroom door pounded his fist over
his chest and stared over Wes’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A good, clean cut boy who Wes could’ve eaten for breakfast had been
assigned to watch over Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This had
to be some joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had stepped away
for all of five minutes to wash his face and take a piss, only to come back to
this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Detective Durren,” the Guard
nearly shouted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All is secure on the
second floor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes patted the Guard’s shoulder to put the brownnosing
rookie at ease; it wasn’t his fault he’d been made to stand here. Fuck whoever
had thought this was funny; probably a parting gift from Feist before he left
for Manhattan. “Thanks, newb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can go
downstairs now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got this from
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“But I was told to—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And I’m telling you that when my mate wakes up soon
you’re not gonna wanna be around to hear what I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I find you
still here when he does wake up, I’m not gonna be happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither will the newly turned vampire on the
other side of that door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why don’t
you go outside and get yourself a cup of coffee, and some earplugs, sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s gonna be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">long</i> day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um… Yes, sir,” The Guard said in an uncertain
tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mouth opened as if he were
ready to say something, he thought better of it, and his lips pressed together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he got with the program and smartly went
downstairs to join the others outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the poor rookie got to the bottom step, he halted and turned his
face up to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you mean,
you’ll <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> to him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re going there right now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think so, kid.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Apparently your mama didn’t you give a much needed
talkin’ to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fuck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes rolled his eyes and went to Adrian’s door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A red gift bag hung on the handle with Wes’s
last name marked in capital letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
snatched it up, opened the door and poked his head back into the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Go away,” Wes boomed and closed the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did he want?—me to tell him where to
put his dick when the time comes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where babies come
from, or if you like dudes, hopefully they never come from,” Wes mocked to the otherwise
quiet room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In his frustration he practically ripped the bag
open to see what was inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A drugstore
receipt between his fingers, Wes pulled it out and read Feist’s chicken scratch
scrawled across the flimsy paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To
tame the beast inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy
Mating, motherfucker. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">~Feist<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips
when he pulled out a big bottle of lube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist was such a shit, but at the same time, the team wouldn’t be the
same without him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, okay, maybe the
lube wasn’t such a bad idea—even if it was from Feist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It was awkward enough everyone outside knew what was
about to go down, because when Adrian woke up to his mate right beside him, no
one was going to be able to stop Wes’s mate from getting some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was long overdue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian would be hopped up on raging vampire
hormones, and Wes was going to be right there with his mate when he caught a
whiff of Adrian’s pheromones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes was
already hard as a rock and every second without Adrian’s touch was driving him
mad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A little lube would go a long way for a long day,
because he had every intention of nesting in this room until both he and Adrian
were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">boneless</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes dumped the lube on the nightstand and slumped
into the chair he’d moved next to Adrian earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raked his fingers through his short
hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wait was making him crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d started to talk to himself once everyone
he cared to talk to was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now left
to stare at his mate, Wes was about out of his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Touching Adrian only made things worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes would get a little weepy, a little
hornier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d have to reel himself back
in from losing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fact: Adrian was going to wake up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, Wes’s patience was running out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He craved to see those blue eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yearned</i>
to kiss his mate properly, let Adrian know the bathroom incident wasn’t a
one-time thing and that he’d never be alone again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes wanted to tell his crazy ass mate all
sorts of things he’d never told anyone, like he … like he loved him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes was slowly seeping into madness just looking at
Adrian’s chest rise and fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushed
the covers back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fingertips brushed over
Adrian’s hot skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes leaned back and
ached to run his hands, palms flat over Adrian’s toned chest, over his neck,
run his thumb over Adrian’s barely parted lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Circle his tongue over Adrian’s nipples and…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Dammit,” Wes swore under his breath and pinned his hands
under his arms so he wouldn’t violate his sleeping mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, although Adrian wouldn’t object had
he been conscious, getting all up in his mate’s business when he was passed out
felt dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the good kind of dirty, either.
It was like those bad pornos where some creep was trying to stick it to a
sleeping victim who pretended to be passed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes never got off on that shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How the fuck did those actors not make some kind of reaction when a dick
was being stuffed in their ass?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Uh,
hello, earth to sleepy twink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to
wake up now! Oh my God, what am I doing thinking about terrible porn at a time
like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get it together, Durren.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of getting lost in his mind, Wes started to
talk to his mate as a distraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
words rolled off his tongue without much thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were so many things he couldn’t keep
bottled up anymore. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s kind of crazy, huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was okay when you didn’t talk at
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved it, actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First partner that hadn’t made me want to
punch him for being obnoxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
again, you were annoying in your own way—I like your kind annoying,” he
rambled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes smirked when he caught up with himself, and then
he moped when Adrian didn’t stir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
useless as it was to talk to his mate, Wes didn’t stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t see it at first, the way you
changed around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How you started to
use your voice because I wanted to hear it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I noticed how you waited to see what I would do before you made a
mistake, how you … how you looked up to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not like those Academy fanboys, either, but like you knew who I really
was, that I’m not really an asshole who fights crime with a machete or whatever
bullshit they say about me these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You saw me for me, and you thought the real me was good enough to imitate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you ever tell anyone this, Adrian, but
that made me feel… You made me feel special.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes licked his lips and rubbed sleep from his eyes before
he started blubbering like a baby. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
know you had to come here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know in
your eyes you were forced and you didn’t want to leave your old life behind, but
you stayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You stayed because … because
of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That changed me, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t deal well with emotional shit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well neither do I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You made me feel, which made me uneasy at
first, but it also brought me back to life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just like you came back to life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You made an impression on me too, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started talking to my team more because you
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to smile more, because
you gave me reason to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I
dragged you upstairs to my room that night, I felt you everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt how scared you were, yet you were
willing to take a chance on me because you trusted me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You trusted me with your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You trusted me to not break you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry for not doing right by you and
telling you that second how fucking beautiful you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have turned around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have given you that security, so you
knew all along everything was the same for me, that I wanted you back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How it wasn’t about sex or sleep or more
locks on the door; it was about comforting each other, because, Adrian,
sometimes assholes like me need to be held too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes let his breath go in a rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wiped the back of his hand over his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can you just wake up now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s killing me over here. I want to hear
your voice, even if you yell at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can even point a gun at my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
you like to do that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes slid to his
knees next to the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran his
fingers over Adrian’s jaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Please</i>,”
he begged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know what’s
happening to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m seeing shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re hearing shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re a fucking mess and I can’t get through
it with you unconscious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t do
anything without you now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you hear
me, Adrian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really need you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes rested his head next to his mate’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need you,” he whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Cold air danced over the back of Wes’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shivered and whipped his head around to
find the source. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The windows were shut
tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vent in the ceiling was
closed because it’d been hotter than Hades in the room just minutes ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes held up his hand to the window to search
for a crack in the seal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When that
didn’t provide anything, every hair on his body stood on end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he couldn’t debunk the strange breeze to some
natural cause, then that could only mean one thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hello?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
asked of the silent room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is someone
there? Red, is that you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Another gust rushed past Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s curls fluttered for a second and
then fell back into place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes
moved behind his lids like he was in the middle of a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
touched his mate’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you
doing this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Another breezy warning made Wes sit back on his
heels. Definitely not Adrian’s doing. Wes stared at his mate’s face, waiting
for something the presence in the room was trying to tell him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far nothing the presence had done was all
that scary, but the fact of the matter was, a ghost was undeniably trying to
focus on Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A cold spot hunkered down on Wes’s left side like
someone had just sat on the floor to watch with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, Wes was terrified to ask who was
there; a part of him confident Red Sinclair wasn’t the invisible intruder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This spirit felt different, not like Red at
all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes kneeled next to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He listened to his own heart racing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A puff of air hit his ear, and Wes nearly
jumped out his skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You break my son’s heart and I will haunt you
forever. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only is that my boy, but we
take care of our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is our way,” a
man whispered in Wes’s ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hurt him,
and I’ll bring the whole of the afterlife to your doorstep, Detective.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Holy shit,” Wes breathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">An echo of laughter faded away with the cold
spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the room had a spirit vacuum,
all of the ghostly energy was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your son?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes blurted when it hit him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No
way...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes looked at Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blue eyes with piercing silver swirls
narrowed back at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian surfaced from his comatose state at the sound
of Wes’s voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each word tugged him
into awareness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each low rumble broken
up by pained breaths lured Adrian back to his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no idea what Wes said, but the words resonated
with his body, having more impact than he’d been ready for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A smell manifested around Adrian, choking him with
lust until he had to wake up, had to find out what the fragrance was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His throat was raw and dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His stomach growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mouth stung, pulsed over and over near
his gums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something sharp was cutting
into his bottom lip, producing a sweet, metallic scent that tasted good on his
tongue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian opened his eyes to find the world under his
own personal microscope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colors pierced
his retinas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Details snapped into focus
with every dart of his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
trembled, fearful and overjoyed in his cocoon of blankets that smelled of …
female.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This place reeked of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He growled low in his throat, seeking her out only
to find the female long gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had she
touched what was his?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had she dirtied <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his</i> mate?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Rage and jealousy raced to the forefront, making him
bunch the covers between his fists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
look at the man kneeling next to him dulled Adrian’s anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes with his gray eyes; rings around his
pupils the color of a brutal, ocean storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes, the owner of that smell that engaged Adrian like a person of
interest he couldn’t allow to get away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mine</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian faltered after he pushed up onto his elbows
in one fluid motion, like every muscle in his body was attached by rubber
bands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the performance of his
newly turned body shocked and amazed him, it was hearing Wes’s voice, his name
from Wes’s lips that gave him pause.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">One word had never been so important to him. It
echoed in his ears, ears that had never heard something so sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes reached out to touch Adrian’s face, bringing his
wrist too close to ignore. Adrian purred, rubbing his nose against the soft
skin of Wes’s wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nuzzled his
cheek in a circle over the beat of Wes’s pulse, warming the scent until it was
like a perfume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before he knew what he
was doing, he attacked, latching both of his hands around Wes’s meaty
forearm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian bit down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes gasped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He groaned loud enough for Adrian to want to suck the noise right
through Wes’s veins and into his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took Adrian a second to understand what he was doing, how he now had
fangs inside Wes, how his mate’s blood was flowing into his mouth to nourish
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Blood dribbled down Adrian’s chin as he pulled
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He licked up what he could, his
stomach screaming for more but his shame winning the fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian, come here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes offered his wrist again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s okay, baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s weird at
first, I know, but you have to drink.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Want it so bad,” Adrian slurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hurts. Can’t…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He covered his mouth and curled into a ball on the
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes nearly rolled back into
his head when Wes began to take his shirt off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The scent of his mate exploded onto the scene, no longer a subtle
perfume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once a silent endeavor to
Adrian’s ears, Wes’s garment hit the floor in a louder than possible rustle of
fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s heart slammed against
his ribs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">His nostrils flattened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He inhaled deeply and arched his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The need inside him itched under his skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tortured him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Burned up his temperature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
mate was the only cure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s belt buckle hit the floor and Adrian
stiffened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come here, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want you,” Wes growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tears pricked Adrian’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not the voice of a spirit, but the sound of his mate talking to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so beautiful not even
Adrian’s beast could deny him this moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes crawled over the bed in nothing but his
underwear; a large, powerful man that prowled over the blankets like an animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pried Adrian’s hands away from his face
and Adrian lost all control at the sight of his mate’s body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes looking at him like that, the heat in his
eyes and the rumble from his throat that seemed to travel the length of his
body—it was all too much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian bared his aching fangs, flipped Wes onto his
back and struck deep into his sweet flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His legs straddling Wes’s hips, Adrian buried his fingers in Wes’s thick,
short hair and fed from his mate’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He moaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swallowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian quivered from the flow running down
his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gripped Wes’s head with
commanding hands and brought Wes as close as possible to his lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Out of his mind with need, Adrian ground against his
mate, brushing his erect cock against Wes’s stomach over and over until his dance
became rough; more rhythmic; more friction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The blood should have scared him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Blood formerly connected to the death he’d dealt to countless unworthy
souls in his short lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that he’d
tasted Wes’s flavor, blood took on a new meaning for Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It was everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was delicious in a way that made him want to come with a single drop
against his tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than that,
Wes’s blood joined them, bonded them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
cemented their want for each other beyond some cosmic force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bled their souls and twisted them into one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes already fed from Adrian, had seen into his mind,
but this time it was Adrian’s turn to bring the bond full circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within Wes’s thoughts, Adrian saw Wes eyeing
at him from afar, silently vowing to protect Adrian with everything he was. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw Wes scurrying about the kitchen to make
sure Adrian had dinner for when he got home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So he was fed and rested because Wes cared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He saw Wes brushing curls away from Adrian’s hair in
the middle of the night, their one night together, and he placed a tiny kiss on
Adrian’s neck before he snuggled closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian was consumed by the heat he felt in Wes’s loins every time Adrian
was near and the twinkle in his eye when Adrian got frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The patience he had to control around Adrian,
and how worth it Adrian was in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">How Wes loved him as a partner and a friend, as
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much Wes liked Adrian filling
the hole in his life, in his heart, as he became the family Wes craved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lonely void he’d never admit to anyone; no
one except for Adrian because the wall between them was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes showed him all of this because he wanted
Adrian to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needed him to feel it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian growled into Wes’s neck and licked away the
blood he’d fetched to the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
man was his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He intended to drench this
bed in their scent and make that fucking female who dared to sully these sheets
with her stench sob in jealousy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mine,” Adrian hissed and grabbed Wes’s chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fingertips bit deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You. Are. Mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Wes husked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He exposed his fangs on a ragged breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was startin’ to worry about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian nuzzled Wes’s hand and sucked a finger into
his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His nicked it with his fangs
to lap at the blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was gonna fuck
Wes stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, that’s what he
wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His beast overtook his body, seeping
through his skin until he was sweating profusely and his eyes were burning with
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The alpha part of him covered Wes
with his body, stating his dominance as he locked his knees around Wes’s hips
to keep him still.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Gonna be so much fun,” Wes teased. He played his
tongue over a fang. “You have no idea what you’re in for.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian cocked his head a split second before Wes tossed
him onto his stomach and grabbed his hips, pulling back until Adrian’s ass was nestled
against Wes’s hard cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
snarled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His beast was not okay with
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was supposed to stake his
claim, not the other way around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The moment Wes dug his fingers in, biting into Adrian’s
flesh as warning, Adrian found he liked the pain, or rather his beast did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, he refused to submit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He whipped around and smacked his mate in the chest,
pushing him off the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian ripped the
underwear off his body and roared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay,
a bit dramatic because Wes was laughing from the floor, but Adrian wasn’t going
down easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His beast intended to show
his mate who was stronger, that he was the lead in this relationship no matter
how much he loved Wes when he wasn’t half crazy with need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was burning up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His straining dick needed a home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was going to combust soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You want this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes pulled his underwear down his legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He kicked them off and stroked his thick cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Come and get it, baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian followed his mate’s hand up and down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wet his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mine.” He stalked around the bed, aggravated
with his Wes’s little game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes had hopped back on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sprawled out with his upper body resting
against the headboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pumped
something in a bottle next to the bed and took a glob of shiny gel in his palm
to show Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come play with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian leapt over the footboard and landed in a
crouch on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Taste.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No one’s stopping you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taste this right here, baby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes nodded at his cock and then crooked an
available finger at Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian narrowed his eyes at his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pursued his target.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something in the back of his head knew Wes wouldn’t
submit to him that easy, so he approached with caution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flicking his gaze at Wes, Adrian slowly
lowered his head to Wes’s cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
tongue darted out, lapping at the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once he was sure the taste was exactly what he’d wanted, Adrian sucked
Wes inside his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">His mate groaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes canted his hips forward to drive deeper into Adrian’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian whined when his fangs struck into Wes’s
flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes slapped Adrian’s shoulder and
yelped. “Holy fuck!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian hummed, retracting his fangs to suck his
prize up and down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes tensed as Adrian
put a hand to his stomach to push him back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then his mate melted into the pillows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was only a matter of time before Wes gave in, and Adrian was just
waiting for the right moment to gain entry to the warm entrance between Wes’s
legs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">His plan of attack was dashed when Wes opened an
eye, raised his hand with the lube and smirked at Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian narrowed his eyes and raised his ass
like a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were gonna duke
this out until one of them came inside the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thrill of the fight was almost as good as
the impending sex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian sucked harder, hollowing his cheeks and
taking Wes down to the root.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
struggled to keep a straight face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
eyes widened as did his open mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
would suck until he had Wes right where he wanted him, dumbstruck with pleasure
and vulnerable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian had newly turned strength on his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes was bigger, and almost as strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, they were evenly matched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Game on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian smiled wickedly around Wes’s cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A scrape of nails on the back of his neck
made him lift his head to see his mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes leaned forward until his lips nearly brushed
Adrian’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Loser buys dinner, cause I’m
a be fucking starving when I’m through with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Never through,” Adrian hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Yeah, you’re right, baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m</i> never gonna be through with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian purred and lifted his head an inch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes twisted and Adrian found himself on his
back, staring up at his massive mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His breathe caught in his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes’s chest filled with air before he yanked Adrian’s legs open and
locked his boy’s knees around his thighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Stay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes widened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A moan ripped from his lips as cold liquid
was spread between his legs, rubbed over his hole and massaged into his
balls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Evil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes nudged Adrian’s knees up as he scooted in
closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian felt how much strength
Wes expended just to keep him put.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Maybe a little,” Wes conceded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You want me to stop?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian thrashed his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian, I’m talking to you, not to your beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want me to stop?” He demanded by pushing
a finger inside Adrian’s ass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian rolled his body like a wave, ending with his
toes curled into the blanket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No,” he
whimpered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh fuck, he really didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then look at me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Opening his eyes, Adrian found Wes looking at him
differently than before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mate’s
amusement was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There in the depths
of his eyes was passion and love and everything else that should have made
Adrian uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian had awoken
with a need he didn’t know what to do with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When he’d been human this kind of interaction had
always been about getting off; being the stronger one that controlled the
situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Always in control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Playing a part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Never seeing their face in the dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">With Wes looming over him, this time was
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes wanted Adrian to be aware
of what they were doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted him
to tell his beast to fuck off and give over a part of himself he’d never shared
with anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes needed him to
experience something he’d never done before because Adrian had never allowed
himself to feel it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This was trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This was love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This was his mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian thrust back against Wes’s finger and let his
head fall back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave up and gave in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His otherworldly aggression faded to a
manageable throb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The half of himself he
was still discovering trusted the man above him to make it all better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s it, baby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes lowered his head and hovered above Adrian’s lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There you are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian undulated on Wes’s steadily moving hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slippery and hot, Wes’s finger penetrated him
slowly, over and over until Adrian was ready to burst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lifted his hands to Wes’s shoulders,
making contact with Wes’s bare skin, and stars exploded behind his lids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shuddered as he came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tingling pressure blindsided him,
provoked by a simple touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
contracted around Wes’s finger as his cock unloaded between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes stroked Adrian’s cock with languid pulls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fuck, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian’s cock was still remarkably stiff in Wes’s
grip. Before his turn, Adrian always had a healthy sex drive, but never like
this—never raring to go after less than a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ramped up on hormones flooding his body, together
with the overactive libido all vampire males had, Adrian knew he could go all
night with Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mate was thinking
the exact same thing; Wes’s dripping dick against Adrian’s thigh evidence
enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They were no longer fucking, Adrian surmised through
his lust-filled haze as he looked up into his mate’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were consummating the feelings between
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were both excited and scared
as they traveled into unknown territory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian couldn’t put his pants on and walk out of
this after they were done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d walk out
of here with his mate and partner at his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were unbreakable now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
scared him shitless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned him on
more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian dragged Wes down for a kiss. Their fangs
clashed with enthusiasm, clacking against each other as their tongues fought
for dominance in each other’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sharp points scored their lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their blood mingled in a cocktail of foreplay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They licked and tasted, sucked and kissed
until their mouths were swollen and their eyes were blown wide with shock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes pushed another finger inside of Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian moaned into Wes’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clung to Wes’s broad shoulders and lifted
his ass for more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stretch was so
good Adrian’s balls lifted for another round, but Wes must have sensed it and
eased back onto his heels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He sat down on the bed and grabbed onto of one of
Adrian’s hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slow it down for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian mourned the loss of Wes’s body on top of him,
but he was more than eager to return to Wes’s arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat on top of Wes’s thigh and braced
himself by holding on to Wes’s shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian lowered his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
couldn’t stop himself from getting another kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were becoming an addiction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes put his hands on Adrian’s ass, encouraging him
to grind atop his thigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lube made
the skin slick and perfect for creating the friction they both wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes kissed Adrian back, slow and deep yet hot
and heavy until they both had to gasp for air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian held on to Wes as his mate dipped his head
and licked a nipple with the flat of his tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The texture and warmth instantly hardened Adrian’s
sensitive nub. Made it hard to breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Made his cock fill and swell to epic proportions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made Adrian hiss until his fangs bit into his
lip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He gathered power in his hips, thrusting against Wes
until his mate’s thigh was coated in glossy fluid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian lifted Wes’s face to him and kissed
him harder than before, insistent they do something about the pang of need
growing in Adrian’s belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes obliged by smacking Adrian’s ass before he laid
him out on the bed and crawled between his legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You trust me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“With my life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes nodded as if the answer was hard to swallow, but
also like it gave him a sense of pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian smelled his mate’s joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Heard it whispered in his head through their bond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I care about you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes stroked Adrian’s cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A
lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You scared me, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still scared about what’s happening, but
if you stick around, I’ll be okay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Think I’m gonna leave?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian lifted his hips and groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I hope not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I need you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes put their cocks
together and pumped them in his hand, slicking them up with another dose of
lube.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian put his hand behind Wes’s neck and pulled him
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If I never have to sleep another
night in that fucking closet of a room, I’ll stay with you forever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian grinned, despite the growing
desperation for Wes’s cock inside him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was even harder to maintain the nagging beast in the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed something to sate it, and soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fuck that room,” Wes growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You sleep in our bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian liked the sound of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cupped Wes’s ass and hooked his ankles
over Wes’s shoulders, drawing his mate snuggly against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This isn’t our bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do we look like we’re sleeping?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian felt the head of Wes’s cock pressing against
his ass, not forcing inside, but there all the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No,” he purred.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s my line.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not anymore.” Wes pushed inside of Adrian and it
was like a light had been switched on in Adrian’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One moment he was coherent and quipping it up
with Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next, Adrian swore he felt
every muscle in his body scream “Fuck yes,” and drown in the Wes-induced flood
that tore through his body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian roared as Wes drove deep, and then he gulped
for air, the breath knocked from his lungs with his mate’s powerful
thrust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s beast swam to the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Wes wanted this to between them,
Adrian’s beast was a part of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
that Wes understood the trust they shared, Adrian welcomed his aggressive
nature back into the fold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He raked his nails over Wes’s ass, dug them into his
mate’s muscled backside until he was sure he’d left marks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s heavy panting was music to Adrian’s
ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian heard every breath, every
grunt and every curse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt without
any regret of giving over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All was right
between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even his beast agreed to
this turn of events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Their roles were reversed, the hunter was now the
hunted and he had no problem being captured if this was his punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up at his mate’s gray eyes to find
the same feeling in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes didn’t do
this to appease Adrian’s need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t
pity him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just wanted him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fuck me,” Adrian growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes grabbed onto Adrian’s ankles and thrust home,
hitting all the right places inside Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They both groaned in pleasure, but as with every newly turned vampire,
sex wasn’t all that Adrian needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">On Wes’s next withdraw from his body Adrian pushed
his mate to his back, managing to keep Wes inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fell onto Wes’s cock and planted his hands
on Wes’s chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gritted his fangs and
rode his mate, loving the new angle almost much as Wes’s blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes held onto Adrian’s thighs as Adrian
lowered his upper body onto Wes’s chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes kissed him, accepting Adrian’s tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gently yanked on Adrian’s hair to look him
in the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re still thirsty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay. Take from me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t want to drain you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You won’t.” Wes smiled and thrust up into
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slid his hands up Adrian’s
spine until he coaxed Adrian down to his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s all yours, baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian rubbed Wes’s cheek with his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved Wes’s whiskery jaw, the scrape along
his skin as he licked his way down to Wes’s throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pulse drew him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell captivated his senses, held him
prisoner until he was forced to pierce Wes’s skin with his fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood entered his mouth, traveled into
his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mate’s magic worked him
over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian felt powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could do anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s voice was a constant moan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands were everywhere and his cock drilled
Adrian’s ass on repeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sheer
strength in Wes rivaled even the newest turned vampire as he rolled his hips
and held Adrian against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, Adrian
allowed himself to be confined in Wes’s arms, but he knew if it came down to
escape, Wes would put up one hell of a fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The thought made him smile and suck harder at his
mate’s throat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More importantly, Wes’s
strength made Adrian feel safe—an idea that under no circumstances he thought
he’d need to feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ache in his belly
and chest were almost gone, which meant he was nearly full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had the other end covered, and Adrian
wanted to make Wes come without the aid of bloodlust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He knew all too well how easy it was to be whisked
away during Wes’s feedings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time,
they both needed to be aware.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian withdrew his fangs and lifted his upper body
to look down at his mate, to allow Wes to see the power he now had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was proud of it and wanted to flaunt it to
his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes didn’t disappoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fawned over Adrian’s body with his hands,
aiding Adrian’s hips as they moved to ride his cock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A tempo built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The pressure mounted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian dug
his fingers into Wes’s muscles and rode his mate to the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s eyes swirled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian knew his mate was close, closer still
when Wes grabbed his ass, flipped him onto his back and thrust in deeper than
ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes bared his fangs to the ceiling and roared his
claim as he filled Adrian with his seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian would have been scared by this had he been completely human and
susceptible to disease, but thankfully his DNA was stronger than a human’s and shielded
him from mortal troubles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He sighed and welcomed his mate’s warm intrusion as
Wes continued to bury it farther inside of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The next thing Adrian knew Wes was at his
throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fangs sank into him, a familiar
feeling he had accepted from his partner many times before this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His body buzzed with Wes’s comfort, his satisfaction,
his happiness. Inundated Adrian until he was so high he could have crawled out
of his skin had he been able to catch his breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The last thing he remembered before he passed out
was Wes’s red coated lips and Wes’s hand stroking him to orgasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His own cum splattered onto Wes’s chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So
fucking hot</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ran down Wes’s well-defined
belly, where his fingers caught a thick dribble and brought a taste to his
lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes groaned around his finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You taste like sin, Adrian,” he rasped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian let out a contented sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was lights out in his thoroughly
satisfied head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian awoke to a new day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least he was pretty sure it was morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been certain the last time Wes had
roused him it wasn’t all that dark out anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There wasn’t a clock or a phone near him to tell the time, but there was
a giant of a man propped up in bed next to him, reading a tablet and eating
what looked to be French fries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The scent of salty, fried potato sticks woke his
stomach up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He snatched the fry from
Wes’s hand before he could eat it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian had no recollection of how it tasted going down, but he knew he
wanted more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Christ, hold on, would ya? I got you something
right here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian huffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Wes, if this is a dick joke, I swear I can’t take anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My ass is numb after the last round and there
is no way you have anything left in your balls to give.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes stopped reaching for the bag on the nightstand
and stared at Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian sat back and sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
didn’t mean we couldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just
hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry if it sounded—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s not it at all.” Adrian looked up to see Wes
grinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was surprised when Wes
kissed him softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m just glad you’re
back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian raised a brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve been here the whole time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you of all people know that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s just … just
different this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, you’re awake, like really awake, and
you remember everything, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah.” Adrian patted down his overgrown bangs to camouflage
his blush. “Stop being weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian, we’ve far surpassed weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can hear me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a fucking miracle in itself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes put the tablet down and scooted over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not trying to have some bare it all talk
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just been thinking about this for
hours, and I don’t have anyone else to talk to about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian stopped concealing his emotions for a second
to let Wes’s words sink in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i> hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard every word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that they weren’t sexed up and all over
each other, that fact hit harder than before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He cleared his throat and turned away before he cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian,” Wes murmured and pulled him close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian didn’t put up a fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leaned back into Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What does it feel like to hear all the
sudden?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Impossible—that’s how it felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Adrian was dying as a human, he thought
he’d been able to hear his mate because he was dying and he clung to the memory
of Wes’s voice in case he never heard it again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During sex, he’d been too unfocused to make sense of his new ability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now, as he dealt with it head on, Adrian
had no real words to offer Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He closed his eyes and crossed his arms, twining his
fingers with Wes’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Say my name.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes snorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You sure are hot and cold, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That wasn’t an invitation to my ass.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian took a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Say my name,” Adrian pleaded on a whisper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears gathered in his lashes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s scent changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian was overcome with his mate’s compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes lowered his lips to Adrian’s ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Adrian,” he rumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Three syllables would never sound as beautiful from
any other lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Again?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
rubbed his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goose bumps formed
along Adrian’s skin. “Adrian,” he repeated, even softer this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian kept his eyes squeezed shut, learning Wes’s
voice for every letter, every single breathe and noise, before he woke up and
it was all a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Want to hear something amazing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian tried to turn to see Wes’s face, but his mate
had already leaned away to grab his phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes situated himself behind Adrian and settled his
mate back against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave Adrian
his phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Pick one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes munched on a fry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put the bag in Adrian’s lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the phone screen was what looked to be a music
playlist of some sort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian had never
had a need for an app like that before and he always deleted them when they
came preprogrammed in his phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
that he could hear, thanks to Wes’s bond or at least he thought that was the
reason, Adrian didn’t know what to choose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were so many options, and only one first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You choose.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian shoved the phone at his mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“How about we hit random?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
pressure that way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian shoved a few fries in his mouth and settled in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The first notes hit the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian closed his eyes and tried to breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d often wondered what those notes would
sound like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wondered why people wore
headphones everywhere like they couldn’t get enough music in their system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he knew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It could have been the national anthem and Adrian
would have cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could have been
someone humming in the background and Adrian would have lost it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes held him while he sobbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t tell him not to cry or make some
hushing noise to quiet him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He let
Adrian blubber like a baby because he knew what this meant to Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Because of a simple song, Adrian foresaw a future
he’d never thought he’d have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw his
mate, their home, and the happiness they could have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because he could hear, although that was
nice too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because he had it all and he
hadn’t even known he had it to begin with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This was the start of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was his whisper in the silence, his
invitation to keep going because great things were on the horizon. Through his
tears he began to laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued as
Wes maneuvered around to face him, concern drawing his eyebrows close together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian looped his arms around Wes’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hi.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes rubbed away Adrian’s tears with his thumbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hi?” Adrian smiled and leaned in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s grin lit him up inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did you develop multiple personalities
during the turn, or is this just … something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just something.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian kissed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m done
now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Done with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Done being haunted by shit I can’t change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We move forward from here on out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to learn who I am, and I want to do
that with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I don’t want to feel
weird about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes took Adrian’s hands in his and kissed his
knuckles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not gonna be pretty, but
I accept your challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We might want
to include a weird clause because I can’t promise you anything there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fucker.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian tried to pull his hands away, but Wes wasn’t having it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re having one of those moments. People
who … <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">like</i> each other like this get
to have those moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was supposed
to be normal and you wrecked it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes put his forehead to Adrian’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His grin was full of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Normal is overrated, baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one fits the ever changing mold that is
unattainable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and I work as mates
because to each other our flaws are some of our best assets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the jerk with the good looks and you’re
the secret assassin with a closeted sappy streak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s never gonna change, and I don’t want it
to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want you to grow, and I
won’t to grow with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if that isn’t
your idea of a “moment for people who <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">like</i>
each other” then I don’t know what is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes kissed the corner of Adrian’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“If you were looking for an “I love you too” then you already know I do
or you wouldn’t have put yourself out there like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m in this, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re stuck with me, like eternally.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Smiling felt better than scowling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It lifted stress from his body and allowed him to see the good things
he’d pushed away all his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I guess
I love you too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You guess?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
made that beautiful speech on the fly and you guess? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh no, that won’t do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wear the pants here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You don’t have pants on.” Adrian hit Wes with a
pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mate retaliated and shoved
him back. The mattress bounced under their combined weight and Adrian laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes covered Adrian and kissed him soundly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So we’ve got cold fries to eat, or we could
take our mini mob downstairs and go get some real food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give you a chance to acclimate to civilian
life before we get back to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes
some getting used to—the millions of heartbeats, the smells, and acting human
when you’re not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Work…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mm hmm, you remember you have a badge and a gun and
you get to chase bad guys? That kind of work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes trailed kisses down Adrian’s neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian sat up straight, shoving Wes out of the
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Holy shit, Wes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, my boner is officially gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes rubbed his chest where Adrian had pushed
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We have to get dressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still out there, isn’t he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t been out for a week, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian searched the room for his clothes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get up and help me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes padded over to Adrian and turned him
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Breathe it out, boy scout. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The minute you leave this room it’s going to
be nothing but action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gotta be
professional, partners, and we can’t take moments to ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think this through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another couple of hours with me and I update
you in private, give it time to sink in, or you can go running in blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s up to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I think there are things you need
to know before you jump the gun.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Things like what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Things like right before you woke up Red Sinclair
paid me a visit, a full body afterlife vision kind of visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things like Quinton performed hypnotherapy on
you and made you remember that night in Surik, which provided evidence that
Halverson was there that night and he killed your dad and Red Sinclair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things like Redding is Red’s mate and he was
there to save you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things like Camille
Sinclair had your mother put down…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian’s vision went red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook in Wes’s embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t voice how he felt he was so mad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s why I need you to sit down and take some
deep breaths before you do something scary you can’t take back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re a vampire now, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything you feel comes out like a goddamn
storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think it through, baby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes guided Adrian to the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Give me a sign you understand what I’m
saying.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He refused to let go of Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s good, baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tell me what you’re thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
mean, I can feel it, but I need black and white here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me what you need from me and I’ll make it
happen.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes crouched between Adrian’s
legs as he sat on the bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tell me everything.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s fingers cracked as he let go of
Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To his relief, Wes got up and sat
on the bed, putting an arm around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everything</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Four hours and a pizza later, Adrian walked down the
steps of Elle Franco’s townhouse a changed man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With his mate right behind him, Adrian emerged onto the front steps
where the Bureau’s Guards were gathered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sutton got out of a vehicle parked at the curb and Davis and Fontine
followed him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Everyone looked to Adrian and started clapping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passerby traffic shot a few looks their way,
but thankfully a small round of applause wasn’t even close to unusual behavior
in Brooklyn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Congratulations, Adrian.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton offered his nephew a hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You look well,” he mouthed out of habit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shook his uncle’s hand firmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled back when he realized just how firm
he’d been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can hear you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No shit?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Davis’s jaw dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His deep
voice was exactly what Adrian had pictured in his mind, minus the raspy
undertone that gave Davis an edge with the ladies no doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No shit,” Wes confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We got superpowers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Guards rumbled with laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their breath rolled out of their mouths with
the chilly weather, and for once, foggy breath had nothing to do with spirits.
Speaking of spirits, Adrian grew anxious to get out of this place and start
finding Halverson, if he hadn’t gone ghost already—no pun intended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fontine put his arm around Adrian to lead him to the
vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes growled low in his throat
and Fontine stopped dead in his tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
looked over his shoulder to see Wes groaning into his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sorry,” his mate apologized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just … fuck, I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re … me and him … gonna take some getting
used to. Could you just not touch him for a bit, at least while we … work some
shit out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fontine winked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I got you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything you need,
man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we get the fuck out of this weather,
though?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s cold as a witch’s tit out
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re a fucking baby, bro. It’s snow, not the end
of the world,” Davis said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Since you love it so much, you can walk back and
get shriveled dick syndrome while you’re at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rest of us will go watch Adrian and Wes interrogate Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could you and your raisin balls pick us up
some popcorn on your way in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure it
will be one hell of a show.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fontine
tapped his foot on the sidewalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I take
that as a no?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Some things never change.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes sighed and got into the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on, Adrian, we’ll leave them both here
to duke it out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian slapped Fontine upside the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get in the car, both of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t have time for this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sir yes sir.” Davis saluted Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Still bossy I see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Still looking for a fucking serial killer I see,”
Adrian replied with deadly calm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davis chuckled nervously and slid in next to
Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fontine glanced sideways at Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re really going to let them in to talk
with her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton looked at Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hatred in his eyes at the mention of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i> was shared by Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Captain’s lips lifted on one side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She should have thought of that before she
fucked with my family.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked over
his shoulder at the remaining Guards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Four
on the townhouse, and I don’t have time to decide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of you report to Yuri for your new
posts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fontine lifted his brows at Davis before he rounded
the car to get in the front passenger seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Papa bear en route to the honey,” he spoke to dispatch via his
Bluetooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All clear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The doors shut and locked after Sutton was safely
stowed in the back with the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gun
it, Fletcher.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, sir.” the driver responded from the front.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The car pulled away from the curb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton folded his hands in his lap and
regarded Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Surik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last known owner was named Igor Ryznaki.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rap sheet a mile long, sexual predator, assault priors, and only did
about two years in lockup because he had an excellent attorney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his younger days, he was a med school student,
wanted to be a surgeon, but then he got locked up and there was no going back
for him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He tied to Camille?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes hooked his pinky around Adrian’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The same attorney used to bail out Igor is a prominent member on the
board for His Children and Ryznaki was a patron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The deed for the house was transferred to a
private party when Ryznaki went missing a few years back, and guess who the
account belongs to now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“His attorney,” Adrian growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Bingo.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sutton nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s not
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ryznaki kept records in the
basement walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One document in
particular peaked our team’s interest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sutton flipped his phone around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Birth
certificate for a Sasha Robert Ryznaki.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mother is listed as Roberta Halverson, the attorney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She signed rights to Igor at birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks like a cover up on both their
parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A female with that kind of pull
couldn’t have a child with a lowlife like Igor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not in Camille’s circle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fuck her circle.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian gripped Wes’s pinky like a lifeline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you saying Sasha is…?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Halverson,” Sutton finished for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-54412662655684145042014-04-11T21:15:00.000-04:002014-04-12T07:42:56.995-04:00Flash Fiction Friday! A Nanny Tale: Part 2<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’re back with another week of FFF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry if you’ve been checking all day for
this post, but it’s here now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week
I chose to use my own prompt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of
you may have had the childhood tradition of Sunday breakfast in your
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my house it was very much a
weekly routine, and with all of us kids, we loved when my mom would make
biscuits or something special for us because we knew how hard she’d worked and
how good they were going to taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I took this tradition and twisted it a bit for this week’s
prompt because I was actually making wheat-free biscuits a few days ago and
they turned out disgusting ( or rather how they were supposed to taste) and I
got to really missing the good old stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So this is homage to the biscuits I cannot have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*pouts*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hope you enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">~Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit the other FFF bloggers:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.elainamroberts.com/">Elaina M. Roberts<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://purplesnowstorms.blogspot.com/">Winter<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Nanny Tale: Part
2<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You’re never going to believe what I’m doing today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All right, maybe my next step isn’t that far
beyond your grasp, but I’m still excited about it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the new job and today is officially
moving day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now we’re at the Rice’s and Chris has
his Tahoe packed up with my stuff—my clothes, my television and my Xbox,
Sterling the body pillow, and what few things I’ve managed to carry with me the
past couple of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might not seem
like a lot of stuff to everyone else, but how much do I really need to get by?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris doesn’t complain about my lack of material
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, he seems to be
impressed by my small, nomadic collection of possessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’ve mesmerized him with my box packing
abilities and that’s why he’s being civil to Torri, although I know he wants to
openly cringe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who the hell wouldn’t?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I mean, she’s touching his shoulder, giving him a
flirtatious smile that’s such a sham her teeth look ready to shatter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s wearing nothing but a white bikini top
and some gauzy wrap thing around her hips like it’s perfectly normal to greet
strangers at the end of your driveway in next to nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I do know, though, maybe that’s a thing
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, not at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a slut and I hate her for trying to
feel up Chris while her soon-to-be ex-husband watches her desperate attempt to
make him jealous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something in Jacob Rice has changed since he made the
decision to expunge Torri from his heart. He walks taller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiles more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t look tired as he carries the last
bag of my stuff to the Tahoe, shuffling along in flip flips like he isn’t some
bigwig sales guy in the corporate world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jacob doesn’t spare Torri the time of day as he helps Chris
shut the back door and then shakes his hand. He refuses to turn around at the
loud snort she produces to seek his attention. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torri glares at her husband’s back and then
huffs off without so much as a goodbye for me—not that I ever expected one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You won’t see me crying about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as I’m concerned: Good riddance, you
she-demon hoe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The guys are deep in conversation when I approach with my
set of keys for Jacob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris is nodding
to Jacob’s top secret tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My new boss
has his arms crossed over his chest, appearing rather serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Jacob turns his palms up and smiles like
it’s the punch line to the best story Chris has ever heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris shoots me a look of excitement as if
Jacob has just told him he has the power to make his dick twice as large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waves me over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Guess what Jacob just told me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What’s that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jacob grins; a slow lift of his upper lip to reveal a
million dollar double row of pearly whites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fuck I’m gonna miss that look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Chris tells me he’s looking for something reliable you can drive around
town because he only has the one vehicle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look
between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris didn’t mention this
to me at all, but he is almost bouncing with joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob, however, is as cool as a cucumber,
some new adopted personality he got from a good night’s sleep, or maybe Torri
has driven him to start smoking pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
dunno, but it suits him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jacob continues, “And since Torri is keeping the Lexus, and
I already have the company car, and we’re going to sell off everything anyway...”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His smile deepens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Butterflies attack my insides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob eyes the garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d rather you have it; someone I know will take care of it, instead of
Torri taking a baseball bat to it when I’m not looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the prenup, what’s mine is mine
and all that jazz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She doesn’t like that
little detail.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Jacob, I can’t possibly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I exhale noisily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart thuds
in my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fifteen thousand dollars
had been one thing, and I was still thinking about giving it back because it
was too much, but the vehicle in that garage is Jacob’s summer toy, his little
pride and joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scratch that, his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">big</i> pride and joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jacob squeezes my shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It was a gift from a client.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t pay a dime for it, so don’t give me that look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take advantage of the fact that I don’t give
a shit anymore and indulge me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No way, this is too much.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stand there open mouthed as he takes the house keys from my hand and
replaces them with a shiny key fob.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone imagines winning the lottery at least once in their
life; what they would do with all that money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The reality is you know you’ll never be that lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You grieve the good life you’ll never have
for a split second before you get back to the middle of the road life you do
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You learn to appreciate the small
things and have pretty much conceded to live paycheck to paycheck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You also learn to be kind in a bitter world, even though
nine times out of ten your kindness will never be returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when someone hands you not only a check
for fifteen thousand dollars, but the keys to a vehicle that’s paid for free
and clear and tells you just to take it, no strings attached, you don’t know
what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never pictured the
minute you discovered you’d won the lottery or how you’d react in that very
moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll tell you what I’d do, because right now I feel like
I’ve won the lottery and I don’t feel worthy of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to turn away to hide my eyes because no
one has ever been this kind to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
one will probably ever be this kind to me again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attempt to keep calm and wipe away the burning
tears in my eyes because I cannot let Jacob or Chris see me cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was growing up it was instilled in me by grandparents
and the village idiots around us that men didn’t cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears that were caused by anything but a
serious injury made you a pansy or a weakling—some “only the strong survive”
methodology that was hammered into my brain from a young age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men existed to donate their sperm for the
repopulation of the world, to fix broken disposals, kill spiders, bring home a
paycheck, and sit in silence as their women barked orders because they had
nothing better to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like me, my mom was a black sheep of our community, and she
always told me that was horseshit; that I could cry if I wanted to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, even my mom’s assurances never
seemed to stick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was still that
fear that I wasn’t man enough if I showed emotion and it was times like this
that made the fear rear its ugly head to make me question myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I know I’m a man because I have the correct plumbing,
the past is still always there at the back of my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only times I cry are in private, and not
because I was lying around, swimming in depression and working through my
non-existent daddy issues or some crap like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because I’m gay and alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because I still haven’t “accepted” myself
either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cry for three
reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time some godforsaken women’s
movie channel plays Steel Magnolias, and Shelby’s husband comes home to find
her brain dead on the floor, and that poor baby is crying for his mama,
and—what the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fuck</i> did they have to do
that for?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every time I get sucked into a viral video marathon and I
can’t stop clicking, I somehow end up on those Coming Home videos where
soldiers return home to surprise their loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is crying and there’s always some
elaborate setup or that man has never met his baby or this lady hasn’t seen her
giant ass dog in three years and he runs to her open arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those fucking videos are the devil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And last but not least—and I’m not proud of this—is the cat
dressed like a shark riding around on a Roomba video. It gets me every single
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really not that funny, but
for some reason it is to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laugh
until my stomach hurts like I’ve done a thousand crunches, which will never be
the case because crunches are for people who can do them without injuring
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the cat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny as shit, I tell you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So right now, dealing with my emotions and crying over
something other than a movie or a stupid video brings it all back to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s painful and scary and I’m not sure how
to accept this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do know, however, know
that I can’t lose it completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would
be unprofessional, and damaging to any shred of masculinity I need to be able
to stand next to these men, and not look the part of sloppy nanny boy with
shaggy hair and converse sneakers that cries like he just won a mini cooper on
Oprah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hey,” Jacob’s soothing voice washes over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laughs and puts his arm around my
shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I owe you bigger than a car,
Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You stuck around through it all,
and no matter how terrible my kids treated you, you still kept them safe when I
was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, that’s worth all the
money in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Money I can’t take
it all with me when I’m dead, so I figure pay it forward when I can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s a car!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just
any car, a really expensive car!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally
snap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My face is a mess I can’t hide
from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure there is snot
on my upper lip and no one says anything about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can they look at me like this is not a
big deal?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am snotting for fuck’s sake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s your really expensive car now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob hits a button on his keys and opens the
garage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There sits his glossy black Range Rover with all the
trimmings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my metaphorical mini
cooper and Jacob Rice is my Oprah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh
fuck this is really happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I choke on my breath upon seeing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not my most glamorous moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a phlegmy noise and some serious
blinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, no one points out my
snotty nose or my bloodshot eyes and splotchy cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just allow me a moment to comprehend
that I’m getting a fancy set of wheels for free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You have to understand where I come from to know that never
in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever own something this nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you tell people you’re from Illinois,
they automatically think Chicago and big money and all that goes with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry to put a damper on your
imagination, but Chicago isn’t all that Illinois is, and a lot of people who
live in the city actually struggle to make ends meet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not originally from Chicago, but rather a small town in
Southern Illinois that is a few hundred people above village standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up in a room in my grandmother’s
house, me and my mom shacked up with my aging, strict grandparents, and
together my grandmother and my mom ran a gas station left behind to them by my
grandfather when he died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my mom
and I moved out of my grandmother’s house, we moved into a trailer just down
the road that had one bedroom and a large closet that was big enough to fit my
twin bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mother drove a beat to hell Chevy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rode a bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only graduated high school because I knew
it was the only way I could get the fuck out of that place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have gone to college, but it was too
damn expensive and the loans would have eaten me alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when my hopeful eyes saw a want ad from
the paper in a larger city next to us seeking a nanny, my fantasies drove me to
seek out a world beyond the dusty, trailer filled roads of my hometown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And by some karmic fate, I was now being handed keys to a
car only rich people drove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me, the
dirty, poor boy from the wrong side of the tracks would roll around town in a
Range Rover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t believe
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only cry and hope Chris
doesn’t think I’m insane and dump me and my emotional baggage on the side of
the highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jacob hugs me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
shake in his arms and grip the key he’s given me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you,” I whisper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He pulls away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
deserve it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like I said, you never know how you’ll react to someone’s
simple act of kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it be
receiving a winning lottery ticket from a stranger, whether someone gives you a
meal when you’re starving, or the shoes off their feet when you don’t have any
to keep walking, or even being handed the keys to a car for nothing in
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some people care about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those are the people you will always remember above the hate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are the people who give you a reason to
keep going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jacob Rice is a kind man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve put him on my favorite’s list right under my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will always remember what he’s done for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thank you,” I repeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wipe my eyes to see Chris staring at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes are a little watery too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the warm and fuzzy look a parent gives
to their young child who is fucking up during their first Christmas pageant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t feel so ashamed anymore if he’s
chosen to look at me that way, like I mean something to him, like this is just
as big of a deal to him as it is to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Follow me home?” he asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah,” I murmur like I’m in a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I still have one of those too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
feel like the luckiest guy alive because I’m not being abandoned by the Rice
Family, I’m just extending my family by three more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll drop off the title this week before we start clearing
out the house.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob nods at the
Rover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Make sure to look into insurance
soon. I have the number to my guy if you want it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’ll take care of it,” Chris assures Jacob, and then shakes
his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thanks for everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll
be in touch.” Jacob steps away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See you
around, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my book this means he isn’t cutting me out of the
picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m Jacob’s friend, not his
employee, and I can call on him if ever the need arises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a good feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good ending to this part of my past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you
around.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lift my hand and watch Jacob
Rice go inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the front door
shuts, I look helplessly to Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He
gave me a car.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I see that.” Chris chuckles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re going to be Joey’s new best friend
with that beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s gonna look like a
celebrity when you drop him off at school.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He looks down at the ground, his cheeks burning up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe you wouldn’t mind giving me a ride
later too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This makes me smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Uh, yeah, I look forward to it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He clears his throat and shifts from foot to foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blushing schoolboy look is gone, but his
smile is still there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will you get in
already and come home?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grumpy is going
to pitch a fit if I don’t get the grill going soon, and we might come home to
Joey imprisoned under his recliner as ransom for steak.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Get in the car, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Whatever you say, boss.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I dangle the keys, biting back a girlish squeal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He points at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And
don’t you forget it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been a week since I moved into the Wyzak house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of living above a garage, I now live
in a basement with a walkout to the beach. Talk about an upgrade. There’s a lock
on every door of my basement apartment, and they all work—not that I have to
worry about Chris barging in to feel me up, although I admit I’ve thought about
that, and wouldn’t exactly dread it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grumpy on the other hand…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thank my stars he can’t walk down stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So far things are stressful and crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re getting into a new routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m an addition that plays a pivotal role to
this little family of three and no one is sure of what to make of it, myself
included.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey wasn’t lying when he said
Chris works all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect he’s
trying to keep everything perfect at the restaurant he inherited from his late
grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a reputation
attached to Wyzak’s Restaurant and Bakkerij.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A forty-five year legacy that is a piece of local history Chris can’t
stand to screw up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He has trouble managing his personal life on top of his
business, and things just escape him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Which is why I think Joey is neat and orderly; he wants to bridge the
gap between father and son, and make his dad’s life easier so he gets a bit of
attention at the end of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
painful to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so many
opinions, but it’s not place to offer them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s the hardest part of this job: knowing you are considered family,
but not blood, therefore you have no real say in anything important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Somehow I manage to drag myself out of bed with these heavy
thoughts on mind first thing in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I credit my survival to my own coffee pot in my new kitchenette,
courtesy of Chris and the freshly ground beans he brings home from the
restaurant for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m able to sip my
coffee at five in the morning and stare out at the lake as the sun is just
opening its eyes from the other side of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After that moment of bliss, I trudge upstairs in my sweats
to a quiet house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way I pick
up a few things, tidy this and straighten that before I get to the refrigerator
to make breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had yet to do
this since coming to the Wyzak house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve never been able to make a proper breakfast since I’ve been a
nanny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually everyone skips the meal
or grabs a bowl of cereal before heading out these days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This day is rare to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This day reminds me of my mom and the Sunday breakfasts she somehow
managed to make every week for the two of us, no matter how busy she was or
what obligations she had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was so
much food we never ate it all, but the fact that we had extra always made us
feel rich and always left us happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thinking about her got me to call her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’d been a while anyway, and with everyone asleep, I knew I could tell
her anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hold the phone between my shoulder and cheek as I pull
things out of the fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She answers
without hesitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How’s my boy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making
breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scoop some flour out of the canister into a
bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m making biscuits for Robbie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s gotta make a run to Louisiana this
afternoon, so I thought he might want some for the road.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My stepfather Robbie is a truck driver and he’s real sweet
on my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She returns the favor by
making him fat every chance she gets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
loves it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re good together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell him I said hi.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He’s right here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
want to tell him yourself?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No thanks, I called to talk to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m making biscuits too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She hums in that curious way and the sound is like a hug. Sometimes
I really miss her. “For those kids?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wouldn’t waste my time, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s what I called to tell you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not working for the Rice family anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She sniffs, kind of gasps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You on your own?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need some
money, baby?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can come get you in a
second if you need me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, mom, I’m fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
swear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m … I’m really good actually.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She pauses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her smile
is silent but there. I know my mom well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You meet a good boy and you didn’t call you mother?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When were you gonna tell me, when I was
dead?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I chuckle softly and begin to work the dough in the
bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not a guy, mom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“My God, Logan, are you with a woman?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to shack up with some broad
for a roof over your head, and don’t start with me that you love her or I’m
gonna have a heart attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a talk
about this when you were ten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You swore
up and down that girls didn’t do it for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Mom,” I laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
not shacking up with a broad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m working for a new family and I’m making
them breakfast because it sounded nice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It sounded nice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
don’t make breakfast for just anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s our thing, unless we’re talking Pop Tarts from the toaster.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I guess if they deserve biscuits they must be doing something right for
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shrug even though she can’t see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I like them, mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re very different from my last gig, but
in a good way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dad, Chris, he owns a
really popular restaurant here in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He works a lot, but he’s a nice guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His dad lives with him and he’s a real trip, nothing I can’t handle,
although I think he’s a homophobe or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I get that vibe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That asshole say something to you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom growls like only mama bears can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He says a lot of things, nothing of them nice, but he’s
never called me anything outright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just feel it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He treats Chris like shit
and I suspect that’s why.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh,” she says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That’s new.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What’s new?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You into him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This Chris guy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ah, Jesus, mom, just because he’s gay doesn’t mean I’m
automatically attracted to him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I huff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Defensive tone, making biscuits for a man who is most
likely still sleeping, and already hating his dad—you like this guy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sniggers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m telling you like it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I roll my eyes and punch the dough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s good looking, alright?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
caught me.” I snort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mom, it ain’t
gonna happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a touchy
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure he’s not
comfortable talking about his sexuality, much less hooking up or dating or
whatever your imagination is plotting over there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he’s got this super smart kid that has a
lot of social issues and he needs help getting out there and making
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there’s Chris’s dad,
everything’s complicated on that end, and he’s about to have surgery and Chris
is pretty stressed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Whoa, darlin’, slow it down. I was just teasing you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pauses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Baby, that’s a lot to handle by yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you sure this is right for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I can do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
just making breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No big
deal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pinch off a piece of dough,
shape it into a ball, and put it in the pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Is that why you called me, to tell you that you can, or to
talk you out of it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can do anything
you set your mind to, Logan, but the question is will you be okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worry about you, you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always trying to prove yourself, take it a
step further, and I know this gig means a lot to you, but what do you get out
it in the long run?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where’s your future
in this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t like these talks because she’s always right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This career choice of mine isn’t going to
hold me long term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t pay for my
retirement, or get me a husband, or help me get a kid of my own, a house and
the life I really want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, I
feel I’m needed here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m like Mary friggin
Poppins and one day I won’t be needed anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When that time comes I’m not sure what I’ll do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then I’m going to make the best of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I got a car,” I announce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’ll distract her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How the hell
did you afford that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It was a gift from my last employer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She groans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Logan…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He gave it to me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t want it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to tell him no,
I swear it.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sigh and lean against the
counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can just imagine what’s going
through her head right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a
Range Rover,” I supply because she’ll ask me anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Christ on a cracker, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What did you do to make him give you a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rover</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I need to shut him
down?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he shady like that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is he like your… sugar daddy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ugh. Mom, I didn’t have to blow him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sorry.” I wince.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He’s getting divorced and was going to get rid of it before his wife went
all Carrie Underwood on the poor thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he gave me those keys, I cried like a little bitch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Language, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sheesh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She blows out a long
exhale into the receiver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So a
Rover?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t see those around these
parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re gonna make a metrosexual
out of you yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty soon you’ll be
sporting Gucci loafers instead of sneakers and I won’t recognize my own baby
when he decides to finally visit his poor mother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Don’t worry, I’ll keep the sneakers when I actually join
their cult.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chuckle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her tone was softer, as if she was on the verge of
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I miss you too, mom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I miss you more, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Call me after he’s had your biscuits, I want to hear what my future
son-in-law sounds like when he’s been properly satisfied.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That sounded so wrong, and he’s not—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She cut off my next line of defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Meh, you get to be my age and you take it
where you can get it.” She cracks up laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Bye, darlin’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Love you too, mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bye.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I put the phone down and stare at the darkened hallway where
Chris’s door is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s probably in a coma
at this point with all the hours he put in this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of thinking of his sexy, sleeping
form, I put my focus into making the best damn biscuits he’ll ever taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So good my great grandmother will dance in
her grave and throw confetti to congratulate me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If there was one thing my mother was right about, it was
that I could do anything I put my mind to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The repercussions of my actions didn’t matter because biscuits always
had a future and Sundays weren’t going to stop coming just because I made him
breakfast once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
By the time Chris shuffles down the hall, I have two loads of laundry done, the
kitchen is clean, coffee is going, and breakfast is on the coffee table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stops in the middle of the living room,
blinks a few times, and then checks out all I’ve done while he’d been asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What’s happening?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He takes his glasses off and rubs his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glasses back on, he looks at the tray of
eggs, bacon, and biscuits and then back to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Am I awake?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’d be some kind of dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me making you breakfast, I mean.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hand him a cup of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Or do you always dream about your
nannies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that Mel—what’s her
name—wasn’t far off about you coming on to her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He chokes on his coffee and coughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not…” He wipes his face on his forearm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wasn’t…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That was a joke, Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sit down before you hack up a lung.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He sits between two piles of clothes, squirming until he
appears at ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he wrinkles his
nose and shoots me a disturbed look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Did you fold my underwear?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m sorry, do you not fold them?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smirk as I finish wiping down the counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You folded my underwear,” he says now as a statement, not
as a question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They’re just underwear, not anything I haven’t seen
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not like you put your leopard
G-string in the wash, so don’t get all flustered.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course he gets flustered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s looking at his underwear like they’re going to bite him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks up at me and adjusts his
glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God, he’s adorable all sleep
rumbled and confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creep of red
across his cheeks is something I’m not used to seeing, but it’s there and I
find it rather attractive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
sheltered from what I can tell, and the idea of his nanny touching his
underwear either arouses him and he’s trying to hide it, or he’s seriously not
okay with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m inclined to believe he secretly digs it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You want jelly or honey for your biscuits?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t have to do laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not the maid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I clamp my lips together with my back turned to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laughing when he’s so embarrassed would be
bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thing is, he shouldn’t be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those were some of the cleanest undies I have
ever washed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anything he should be
proud to show them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Chris?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I living here or am I some rent boy
fixture that just watches your kid and gets stowed in the basement when night
falls?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What? No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course
you’re not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, yes, you live
here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He puts down his coffee and
grinds his nose into the heel of his palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fuck,” he whispers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alrighty then—he’s not that good with words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can deal with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can talk enough for the both of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If I live here then I’m going to pitch in
and do some laundry, and cook some food, and take the trash out to the end of
the mile long driveway when it needs it on occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what I do when I live somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not a job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s part of being a member of the household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a big deal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh.” He unclenches a little and turns around on the
couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just don’t want you to think
that’s what I hired you to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s that word again: hired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always jump into the pool without a care of
what I’m landing in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case, I got
a dose of the warm fuzzies and thought I was family because that’s how it
felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting hit with the H word always
brings me down a few pegs, always reminds me that this isn’t really my family,
but my place of work and I should act accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people just don’t get me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought he got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s okay. I’m used to having pipe dreams
that never go anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Got it,” I mutter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I said I hear you loud and clear, boss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eat your breakfast before it gets cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure you have a lot to do today.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He squeezes his eyes shut and rubs his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fuck?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does he have a cold?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not going in until noon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shrug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His schedule
only matters to me when it’s written on the fridge calendar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not really true, I do care about his
schedule, but right now I’m feeling a little bitter and trying not to let him
in on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This relationship is fresh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently I’ve already fucked up by folding
his underwear and making him biscuits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s a job for someone’s husband, not their nanny, and I just realized
that I’ve made him so uncomfortable in all of ten minutes that it’s probably a
world record somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My mother is right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m in over my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The job
title should have read “father seeks someone to walk on eggshells,” and I’m
nothing but a shell crusher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go figure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m sorry, Logan, thank you for doing of all this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You kind of surprised me, is all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not the first time I’ve heard that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From now on I’ll stick to the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sorry to make you uncomfortable.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How fucking pathetic does that sound?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Very—that’s how pathetic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He plays with his thumbs and looks up at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can we talk before they get up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been one thing after the other here
lately and, well yes, you just landed in my lap… I mean, shit, that sounded
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You came into our lives and we
haven’t really had time to discuss a plan or what I need from you and Dad is
going to be out soon, and the nurse and the PT will be in and out of here, and …
Logan, can you please sit down?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He hadn’t been up for long and already he was about to have
a nervous breakdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d been wrong to
snip at him in my own way, however casual it may have come across, because he
didn’t deserve my petty remarks when he had the weight of the world crushing
his shoulders as it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sit down in the chair opposite him and rest my hands in my
lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay, here it is, and you just
need to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you do that for
me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s uncertain, but nods anyway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For starters, yeah this was fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I agree with you there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
other hand, you’re posting at Sabine’s office was desperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what we in the nanny biz call a red flag
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means you’re in trouble
and you need someone who can handle what you’re offering.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh my god,” he groans into his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Chris, look at me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sagging into the couch, his neck bent down, he manages to
make eye contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smile to ease his
pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your predicament isn’t pretty, it
isn’t perfect, and it’s not ever going to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What it can be is manageable and painless if you have the proper
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I use the term help loosely
because I hate to be known as part of the staff because I’m helping this family
by taking care of your child when you can’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hold up my hands when he opens his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re a great father and if your
circumstances were different, I know in my heart you would be with Joey every
second of the day, but the fact is you can’t be because you are continuing to
run a part of your family that has been around for several generations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s special and it’s noble of you, but
while you’re doing that, I’m doing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey doesn’t need me to shadow him everywhere he goes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s fully capable and smart and a little odd
at times, but he needs down time too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he doesn’t need me, I work on helping you when I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that means folding underwear, getting
Grumpy a drink, or fixing a meal, then I’m happy to do it for no extra charge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Since I’m living here and I’m going to form a relationship
with each and every one of you in some way or another, you can consider me a
friend. Hell, I’ll be happy to be considered family if you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you need something, I will do whatever is
in my power to help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you
understand that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a nanny has it
limits and it’s not very glamorous, but I’m a person too, and I have a heart,
and I want to help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t pity,
Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is real life and this is
what you hired me to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t
feel the same way, then tell me now before it’s too late and I lose out on
finding another family that gets it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t believe I got that out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe he’s still looking at me like
he doesn’t want to kill me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was over
the top, my speech, and parts of it I wish I could take back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d never had the balls to talk to an employer
like this, to negotiate in not so subtle terms that this was how things went
when working with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to
immediately apologize, but I’m not sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean every word of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He shakes his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh shit, please don’t
let it hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t need you to nanny
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a grown man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some things I need to do around here because
it makes me feel like I’ve done my part when I get home, that not everything in
my life is about running the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know I set myself up for failure by taking in my dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do know that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I work long hours and I neglect my
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought by having you here I
wouldn’t feel as guilty about it, but now I feel even worse that someone else
has to see this mess for what it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I let my bottom lip go from where I was sucking on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nod slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ll pack my things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got
enough money to get by at a hotel for a while until something else comes
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll try and be out by tomorrow,
the sooner the better because I have no intention of bonding with your child if
you’re gonna do me like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
fair to Joey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan, I’m not firing you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I cross my arms and cock my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because that’s what this sounds like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sooner or later you’re going to resent me for being there for your child
because you’re so deep in self-loathing that you don’t know how to accept
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally, I wouldn’t be telling
you this because you’re my employer, but this entire situation isn’t normal and
like I said, I’m as human as the rest and can only deal with so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t get why you have so much trouble
letting me help you fold some clothes because you’re so tired you can barely
keep your eyes open, but if you want to do it on your own, fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan,” he growls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s not about the damn clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s about me having a hard time coming home to everything done,
everything already happened and I missed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s about you stepping in and me stepping out and I feel like I’ve done
something wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I need your
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yeah, Sabine told me you were
the only one who would even look at my offer. She also told me to expect you to
tell me like it is and to trust you even when it didn’t seem like you knew what
you were doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That you always have a
reason.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then what the hell do you want from me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m such a loud-mouthed, amateur nanny,
that—oh my god—folds a freaking pair of underwear and makes you homemade
friggin biscuits, then why the hell would you want me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wipe my nose on the back of my hand and
realize what I’ve said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How mad he’d
made me and I didn’t know why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris is
attractive, but he also has deep seeded issues that not even glitter and
unicorns can fix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not what I
signed up for and I would not continue to feel unworthy to this man during my
stay simply because I did something nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I want you stay,” he murmurs and I can tell I’ve broken
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s such a terrible feeling I
can’t even begin to describe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
again, he’s also broken off a chunk of me and I fear it’s the first piece of
many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t think I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t think you really want me here, and it’s good you’ve realized
this now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan, I really need you here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re good with Joey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re better for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know what he needs, not me, not the nanny who isn’t you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Logan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stands, punctuating
my name with all six-feet-whatever of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I follow
suit, standing to lean over the coffee table like we’re about to engage in a
gun fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He lets out all of his hot air as he deflates a few inches
and turns his palms up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t hate
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, it’s quite the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want you stay, not because you look like
you’re about to cry, but because we all want you here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else came knocking on that door except
for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was for a reason, because
you click.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t entirely get your
style, or the way you talk to me like you’ve known me forever and have the
right, but I needed to hear that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t need a nanny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need help, plain
and simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to be friends, I
need that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I like my biscuits
plain,” he tacked on and sniffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can
you deal with that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Whatever you say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eat your breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to change
the laundry over.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turn around and
leave him there, knowing it’s cruel and childish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’d wanted to be a part of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I signed a paper agreeing to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d told my mother I could do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d changed everything for this, and for
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To live in another place where I
felt unwelcome even though Chris claimed I was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He’s a fucking mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel like I’ve been dragged down with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I’m really mad about is that I have no
idea how to fix this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going back upstairs to tell him everything was
good and I would stay wouldn’t change a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His kid was still going to miss the hell out of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grumpy was only going to get worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris was going to work himself into an early
grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d have to stand there and watch it all
happen because I wasn’t welcome to help, not really, not when Chris secretly
hated the fact I was doing everything that he should be doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He wanted a friend?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want anyone
near his little bubble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He wanted me to stay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like a hole in his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He liked his biscuits plain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who the fuck does that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But a couple of hours later, when the dust had settled and I
knew I had to surface before I screamed, I found the family of three sitting
around the coffee table, eating and watching the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey’s face lit up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Biscuit crumbs ringed his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got up and hugged me around the waist, and
it was like a sign from the powers that be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey isn’t enthusiastic over the food, although I know he
likes my breakfast just fine because his plate is dirty and empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He simply says, “You folded them right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kid is excited I folded his underwear right because he’s
a neat freak and that matters to him, and by extension I now matter to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never knew with kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re weird little critters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every last one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I look to Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
eyes are no longer angry or shamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’re warm and accepting as he nods to me and takes another drink of
his coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever strangeness is between
us has been put on the back burner because Joey is happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what matters to Chris, and again by
extension I now matter to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Glad I could help, buddy,” I say into Joey’s hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I am too,” Chris murmurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He smiles and closes his eyes, resting his head against the back of the
sofa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joey tugs on my arm until I lean down for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dad’s gonna stay home with us today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that cool?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sure is,” I whisper back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it was very cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris instantly begins to doze off, more relaxed than I’d seen him all
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey goes to his dad and curls up
under his arm, buzzing with delight that only a child can keep bottled up
inside them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never seen a child
so excited and content to sit with his father while he sleeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s one of the most beautiful things I have
ever witnessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fucking hell, I have to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hooked on this family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Especially when Grumpy glances over at me and says, “You
make good biscuits, Fudgie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take
another.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why yes, master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anything you want,” I reply in my best southern accent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With his eyes closed, Chris’s lips tug up with a smile,
making my heart do this little pitter patter shit that I thought I left behind
in junior high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grumpy just holds his
plate out to me and says, “Well?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I
have to crawl over there and get it myself?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-43167521275605562232014-04-04T10:40:00.001-04:002014-04-04T10:40:33.597-04:00Flash Fiction Friday: Prezzies for all!<p dir="ltr">Hey everyone!</p>
<p dir="ltr">In lieu of FFF this week (because all of us used a free pass) I decided to leave you guys a little list of some of my favorite fan fiction pieces. I'll leave a brief overview of each one above the link for you so you know what you're in for.  Hope you love them as much as I did. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Hugs,</p>
<p dir="ltr">Night</p>
<p dir="ltr">Turn is a story set in the Potterverse (Harry Potter) after all of the characters have grown up, had children, and most of them married. This is a Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy love story and it's very, very good. I mainly like this piece because while the characters and setting are borrowed, the author made me forget Rowling's work and gave the maturing characters a new spin. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://m.fanfiction.net/s/6435092/1/Turn">Turn - by Sara's Girl</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">This one is a Teen Wolf fan fic centering around alpha Derek Hale and his new omega Stiles. Even if you haven't watched the show you'll catch on quickly. For those of you who <i>have</i> watched the show, this is, of course, loosely based on the show's timeline. A quick Mpreg warning for all of you. It's done really well, so don't be afraid, but I just wanted you to know. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://archiveofourown.org/works/962085/chapters/1885632">Tiny Houses - by ohmyjetsabel</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">*Squee* This is a really good Merlin fan fic that doesn't follow the show at all. Instead Merlin is given a scholarship to the same university that Arthur is attending. It's a modern day romance but has the same magical elements we've come to love from the series. You'll enjoy this one for sure.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/91885?view_full_work=true">The Student Prince - Fayjay</a><br></p>
<p dir="ltr">See you all next week! </p>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-76476344678306536822014-04-02T20:39:00.000-04:002014-04-02T20:39:16.420-04:00Whispers in Silence: Part 9Hey everyone!<br />
<br />
Thanks for checking in this fine Wednesday. How's everyone doing? I'm doing just fine. Pretty psyched actually. My blog reached over a million views this week! Woohoo! So this deserves a quick note of appreciation to you guys, my readers and commenters, for keeping me sane through this weird little journey of mine. We've had a lot of ups and downs, but you guys stayed right there with me, and for that I thank you.<br />
<br />
Now onto something kind of important about this chapter. I wanted to give you all a heads up about the content in this posting. For those of you who have read up until this point, you know that this story does in fact deal with child prostitution, abuse and trafficking. I didn't choose to use these strong elements in the storyline because I found them to wrought with entertainment.<br />
<br />
I used them because they are real life things that happen to real children every single day in this world. I'm not here to solicit some specific organization dealing with child endangerment or worldwide trafficking. I just wanted to let you know that it's real and it's sad and if you so wish, there are organizations devoted to freeing children of these hellish situations that you can look up.<br />
<br />
I just wanted to warn you that some of this might be a little graphic. And in that I mean, I guess it all depends upon what turns your stomach. Because this chapter was pretty hard to write for me. So I thought it might be hard for you to read. Besides Camille and Halverson, these realities are the true villains in this story.<br />
<br />
That said, if you're rooting for Wes and Adrian to pull through this mighty shit storm of an investigation, I got one thing to say. Camille... girl, you better watch your back because they're coming for you.<br />
<br />
Have a good night and enjoy the read,<br />
<br />
Night<br />
<br />
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<strong><u>Whispers: Part 9 Playlist</u></strong></div>
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</div>
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Presumed Lost - Splashdown</div>
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</div>
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Empire - Alpines</div>
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Soldier On - The Temper Trap</div>
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</div>
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Red Arrow - Gem Club</div>
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</div>
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Last Things Last - Rachel's</div>
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</div>
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<u><strong>Whispers In Silence: Part 9</strong></u></div>
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<strong><u></u></strong> </div>
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</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quinton released Adrian’s hand as if he’d been
electrocuted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blackish eyes stared
through Wes; a haunted stream of emotions blazing through them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton’s son sniffed and cleared his throat
in an attempt to regain his composure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
knew what Quinton really wanted to do was throw up; the things they’d both seen
in Adrian’s head—how was it possible for Adrian to walk around like it never
happened?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Neither Wes nor Quinton could possibly forget those
memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again, neither of them
had actually lived through what Adrian had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But if given the chance to reverse their roles, Wes would’ve spared his
mate that kind of pain and taken that night upon his shoulders instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt in his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quinton counted down from five in a steady, low
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re back at Elle Franco’s
house now, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is trying to
hurt you. You’re safe here, and everything is calm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded to Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Situated behind his mate, Wes held Adrian in his
arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gently took Adrian’s
hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s fingers were shaking as he
twined his digits with his beloveds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
looked down at his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hoped he was
able to form words after the experience he’d been through not minutes before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re safe in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can sleep now, and when you wake up you
won’t be afraid anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian whimpered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His face was drawn tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
bared his fangs when he opened his mouth in a wordless cry for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes murmured anything that came to mind, any
sweet nothing he had stored in his head to make Adrian’s discomfort melt away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’ll all be over soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all right, baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The pet name came quick to his lips, and not for the
first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naming Adrian as his own in
front of the others was the most natural thing in the world, and yet, Wes
wished more than saying it, that Adrian was awake to hear it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quinton sought out his father for help, being thrust
into the awkward aftermath with no amount of training to aid him now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton patted his son’s hand, swooping in to
offer what moral support he could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Captain scooted over on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
eyes bore signs that he was as shaken as the rest of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian, it’s me, Uncle Sutton. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be here when you wake up,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice carried a tinge of hesitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He withheld the part where he feared what
Adrian would do when he did in fact open his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elephant in the room—who would Adrian be
as a vampire?—grew larger by the second.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve got you,” Wes whispered, because it was the
only thing he knew to be true at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He held onto Adrian until the last of his mate’s tremors subsided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get some rest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian went slack with a final murmur as if he
understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he did, although they
weren’t really sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His head lolled to
the side and he relaxed against Wes’s chest, content to press his cheek atop
the sound of Wes’s heartbeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s eyes
fell on Redding, who stood at the end of the bed with three weapons aimed at
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It had been four hours since Sutton first arrived to
find Redding helping Wes bring a kicking and screaming Adrian upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And another thirty minutes after Sutton
showed up for the Queen to arrive from looking around the crime scene once
she’d gotten into the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet another
hour for Quinton to be called in because Adrian was shouting that he didn’t
want to remember something, and what better way to get answers out of Adrian’s nonsensical
demands than from a highly trained vampire in the field of psychology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When Quinton stepped foot into the house, he was
given a vague breakdown from Sutton, as it was an ongoing investigation and
only imperative details were necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Going with his gut, it was Quinton who begged Nina to allow Redding into
Adrian’s room to make contact, and to fill in the blanks between Adrian’s screams
for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And oh did Redding fill in the dark places in Adrian’s
memories, throwing all of them for a loop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Although Redding was allowed in the room, no one
trusted him, hence the reason he had guns pointed at his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes never let him touch Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what Redding said, or who he
claimed to be, or how much he yapped that he cared about Adrian’s welfare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had he laid a finger on Adrian, Wes would’ve
taken Redding’s head and then dismembered him piece by piece with his bare
hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes stared down one of their prime suspects with all
the menace of a mate on edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding
frowned and shifted nearer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes bared
his teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You may have helped me put
him in bed, but that doesn’t make us friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would’ve put a bullet in you had he not gone down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You remember that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I would’ve taken it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not here to hurt anyone,” Redding replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held his head high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fingers itched to comfort Adrian like he
was some long lost brother, but as it was his wrists were handcuffed behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes wasn’t buying the doting renegade routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hissed and pulled the blankets up to
Adrian’s chin, burying Adrian’s clammy upper body under yards of fluffy comforter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t like the way Redding looked over
his mate, especially while Adrian was exposed and defenseless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the platonic cast of Redding’s expression
gained him no favor with Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina walked to the foot of the bed, her heels
thudding over the solid maple floor with a regal step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put herself between the two men and
raised a brow at Redding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please escort
Mr. Redding downstairs and make sure he doesn’t move,” she commanded the men
situated along the wall, a mix of both Bureau and Royal Guards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, Your Highness.” A Guard bowed with a subtle
bend at the waist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is Elle still down there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton grunted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, sir, she’s been taken to the Manhattan office
as you asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All suspects and witnesses
are being held at headquarters until further notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Separately, of course,” the Guard added for
good measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tipped his head and
continued to hold his hands behind his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Keep me updated.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Guard motioned his men forward and they pushed Redding out of the
room with his wrists handcuffed behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He never resisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept his
eyes forward and didn’t so much as peel at the Royal Guards left behind to
protect the queen, although they watched him like he had a target on the back
of his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Detective Durren, we should let Adrian rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll talk next door.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nina smoothed out the comforter on the bed as
a mother would for her sleeping child and then smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes didn’t want to leave his mate unattended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shit, he didn’t even want to lift his hands
away from Adrian’s skin, but Nina was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was no point in hovering over Adrian if he was unconscious and
couldn’t tell them anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was also the matter of what Adrian had seen, and that would take some time to
sort out amongst them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes needed to
keep his wits about him so he didn’t go stir-crazy playing the waiting
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to do what he could to help
his team out while he had time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I want him protected while I’m out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not some rookie detail either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Of course,” Nina assured Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My Royal Guard will see to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once in a while you’ll find I’m perfectly
capable of stepping a few feet away from them, especially if it is for the
protection of one of my own.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She beckoned two men over with her fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them was the queen’s mate, Hill, and
he was a Guardian, one of the best warriors of their race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other Wesley knew in passing from the
Bureau, but hadn’t seen in about a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Malachi Rew, Wes remembered his name in an instant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy had caught a lucky break and been
assigned to the queen, so that meant he knew what he was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention he was around seven feet tall,
had a gun in his hand at a relaxed yet alert position, and his eyes trained on
the bed like he wouldn’t let Adrian leave his sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The guy was definitely not some rookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank fuck for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You won’t leave this room?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes growled to the men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I swear on my life,” Hill replied and put a hand
over his chest, marking his words as true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes nodded and extricated himself from behind
Adrian. It was like ripping his soul in two just moving that far away from his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to close his eyes when Adrian’s
fingers unfurled from a fist and reached for him in his sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing he had to leave, even if for his own
sanity, Wes tucked Adrian’s hand back under the blanket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He adjusted his mate’s head on a pillow and pushed
his sweaty hair away from his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Normally, Wes wouldn’t be caught dead showing affection in public, but
this was his mate and he would be a tender as he damn well wanted to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kissed Adrian’s forehead and inhaled his
mate’s scent deep into his lungs to carry with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll be back,” he whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes paced with his arms crossed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One hand scratched his chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He heard every word.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quinton nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His arms fell to his sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">heard</i> us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It would appear that way, yes.” Quinton sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve never seen anything like this in all my
experience.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And you say you both saw what he saw?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton leaned against a wall, blowing smoke
through an open window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes were
fixated on the opposite wall, staring at nothing and everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone in the building had prescribed to a
certain brand of numb that made each revelation in this investigation no
shocking than the next, and Sutton was no different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not exactly; I was
able to picture it in my head, and I certainly felt Adrian’s emotions as if
they were my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all seemed very
real when Redding began to speak to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I didn’t sense anything untruthful from the man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quinton paused to prepare his words as if
they were a loaded gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“In my opinion, I
believe he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> there that night to
save Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he said about the other
boy and everything else, none of it makes sense to me, but then again I don’t
know all that you do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quinton took a
sip of water and pushed his hair back from his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It felt like there was
someone else there with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard
another voice and it wasn’t yours or Redding’s.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes took a cigarette from Sutton and lit it
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nicotine hit him hard and he had
to fist his hand to keep it from shaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had to let it go, the fact that Redding might be on the up and
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he just couldn’t shake it from
his system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully his answer was a
distraction for all of them because Quinton looked up quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He rubbed his lips
together before he said, “I didn’t want to say anything at first, but yes, I
felt another person with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps
this thing, I mean Adrian’s ability, isn’t so far out of the reach of reality.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes held out his hands,
desperate to get some answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So what
does this mean, Quinton?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian can
hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see what he sees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we both have our guard down, we can let
you see too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I going crazy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quinton huffed and put
his hands on his hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wes, this is a
night of firsts for me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One, I’ve
never performed hypnosis to unblock a repressed memory on a turning
vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And two, I’ve never witnessed a
mating like this in my life; the two of you are able to share abilities by
being near each other, much like mates are able to mentally contact one another
when in distress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s like… It’s like if
the need is great enough your mate’s ability becomes accessible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have a feeling that if this sharing
capability is possible now, it will only grow once Adrian awakens because in
every turning, once a vampire turns their self is magnified tenfold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“But I’m already
turned, have been for a long time,” Wes argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quinton drew his hands
down in a swift motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was getting
frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, but you’ve never been
mated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You possess the ability to
remember everything you’ve ever seen, ever read, ever heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And tonight you held onto Adrian’s hand and
focused with him, allowing him to remember every single element about the night
his father died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even being there,
Adrian wouldn’t have been able to recall that night in such detail without your
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you wouldn’t have been there
without his either.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quinton regarded his
queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thank you for allowing me to
be here tonight, Your Grace. I’m grateful for the experience, really, but I’m
exhausted, and I need to process all of this before I shut down completely.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re just gonna
leave?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes barked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stomped over to Quinton and got in his
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You need to—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quinton eyed him
slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am not good with violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing about it and working through it with
my patients is one thing, but seeing it firsthand, being there beside him as
people with holes in their chests attacked him—I’m not good with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m mentally exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I need
to go home and rest, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did what I
came to do, I got him to talk, but now it’s your turn to play Detective. I’m
not a Guard, I’m a therapist.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wesley,” Sutton
warned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes took a couple of
steps back from Sutton’s son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nina rubbed
Quinton’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go home,
Quinton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get some sleep and we’ll be in
touch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your Highness,”
Quinton said and bowed his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
turned on his heel and left the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes sucked on his
cancer stick to tame the beast trying to crawl up his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What am I supposed to do now? How do we know
what’s what anymore?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton addressed Wes’s
concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We fill in the gaps with what
we know and what Redding knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
queen didn’t just come here on holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She drove all the way to the city to bring us evidence to do just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We start there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and me, we start this, we send what we
have to our team, and we make somebody pay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Like Redding?—because
I am itching to fuck him up right now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started to pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina stopped him on his
next rotation and held out a folder for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I don’t have all the answers, and I intend to get some out of Redding,
but he isn’t the one responsible for these deaths, Detective.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes stopped burning a
path in the floor long enough to flip the folder open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dark haired beauty looked up at him from an
old photograph clipped to one side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Monet Sinclair?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This the grandmother?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nina nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Widow of Ezra Sinclair and the recipient of his Royal wages after he
was killed in the line of duty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I knew Ezra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d worked with him,” Sutton whispered as he
pushed away from the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had no
idea he was related.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even know
he had a family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He was very tight
lipped about personal details, and only left his family’s information to me in
a formal capacity in case something happened to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his connection to this case goes farther
than his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to thinking about
the last name he used when I was notified of Camille’s involvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t heard from Monet in a long time, so
I called her this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all,
she was the one who brought Red to me in the first place.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nina tapped at the bottom of the first
page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“These are printouts of
correspondences between Ezra and Monet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you see the name there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Leonardo Grant,” Wes
read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart skipped a beat,
recognizing the alias for what it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Ezra tells Monet that Leonardo, aka Redding, is a trusted contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would he do that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hunters don’t do that, do they?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina gave a
half-hearted shrug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ezra was scared for
his family over something he was working on, which was strange to me because
his assignment at the time was general watch, intelligence only. But to him, his
job was dangerous and he wanted his loved ones protected should something
happen and I couldn’t reach them with the network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the only explanation we have, and Monet
herself thought the same.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes looked at his
queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When did he send this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Two days before he was
gunned down in Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A day later, his
assignment contact, Adrian’s mother, was killed in her hotel room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only evidence we had to go on was a
plastic bag of boy’s clothes—a small boy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nina’s fingers fell away from the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her eyes roamed the window as if she was remembering every detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Her connection with children was
extraordinary, and it was why I’d tasked her to be Ezra’s aid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d been stationed at an orphanage, gaining
information from the locals about a string of child kidnappings that led back
to an enemy coven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ezra was following
the leads for her…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes wanted to be angry
all over again, but this was the biggest lead they had yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like putting a key in a lock to a room
he’d been trying to open for years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
heart yearned to step over the threshold and know what really happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For fuck sake, this was now about Adrian’s
family too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You think they came across
Redding and got involved in more than a simple mission, and that maybe they
were protecting a witness, a kid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We weren’t ever able to track the child
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were careful to hide him away from whoever was hunting him down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monet didn’t know about the child, but she
does know about Redding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sought her
out and told her what really happened to her mate, what was really happening to
her remaining family overseas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
when she began to try and coax her son back home, because she’d learned Camille
was a monster who took little boys and pimped them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that when one tried to tell on Camille,
she had everyone who tried to protect him killed, taking two of our Hunters out
of the game for good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton joined them in
the middle of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His dark eyes
glittered like slivers of polished onyx.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And when Monet couldn’t convince her son to leave his mate for good,
she convinced Red to avenge her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Red didn’t become a Hunter to take down enemy covens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did so knowing she’d have the resources
to take her mother down, and along the way she met up with Redding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is this guy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I dunno, but we’re
about to find out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes dumped the file
on the desk near Nina and stormed out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a suspect to interrogate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He couldn’t help it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The anger had to go somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
stress was eating him alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes drew
his fist back and let it rip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
knuckles cracked against Redding’s jaw and the man went down without a
fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll ask you one more time,
asshole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who do you work for?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I work for no one,” Redding wheezed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What I do, I do for myself and for the
others.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes wrapped Redding’s long hair around his hand and
yanked, exposing the man’s pale neck and lackluster eyes to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What others?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The other boys she used just like she used me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding stared up at him, his pointy chin
like an arrow to the exit he longed to escape through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Submitting on his knees like a monk who had
enough faith to carry him through a death blow that would send him to his
maker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Letting go immediately, Wes stumbled back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He caught his balance and planted his feet
shoulder width apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man on the
floor hung his head, shamed by having to reveal his past out loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only took a second for Wes to see Redding
in a different light; a man who had been dealt a shitty card, who had played a
slave to Camille at a point in his life when no child should’ve been touched
that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When Redding lifted his pitiful stare to Wes, the
Senior Detective regretted ever having touched him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You were one of her…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whores?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can say it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s true.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding rubbed his aching jaw on his shoulder
because his hands were still cuffed behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Victim,” Wes corrected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You were a victim if what you say is
true.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He signaled the Guards to release
the handcuffs from Redding’s wrists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Have a seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sympathize and I’m
sorry about the…yeah. But you better damn well tell me what the fuck is going
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you lie, I’ll know it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He hitched a thumb at the queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was perched on the arm of the sofa in
Elle’s living room like a model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More
than just her refined appearance, the queen had power that only came from being
the child of the first vampire to walk the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her father’s power was part of her DNA, and
the air around her crackled with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
Redding lied… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes didn’t want to be on the receiving end of that
kind of blow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">With the room full of Bureau and Royal Guards,
Detectives, their Captain, and their Queen, Redding was still brave enough to
show his face and lift his chin like he had the dignity of a gentleman and the
courage of knight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you want to
know?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he coughed as he was lifted by
his upper arms to stand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ezra Sinclair—you were his contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That was a long time ago.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding grimaced as his bruises began to
heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carefully sat in Elle’s chair
and proceeded to rub his aching wrists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
repeated, narrowing his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding sighed deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sinclair and Donohue were working a
kidnapping case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orphans were
disappearing, homeless boys were being reported missing by their friends and
the cops weren’t doing a thing about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s when they were sent in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because if it wasn’t enough for the humans to take notice of over fifty
boys vanishing into thin air, then it was a job for the Hunters, because
obviously there had to be a local coven taking their dinner to go, am I right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t get cocky with me,” Wes warned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fuck off,” Redding finally bit out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d paid a price for Wes’s anger, and now he
was angry too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes couldn’t blame him. He
let it slide. “They were never supposed to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t an enemy coven popping up. It was
Camille’s first overseas His Children home taking victims. Donohue and Sinclair
didn’t know a thing about it until they caught me on the run with one of the
boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They thought I was kidnapping him,
but the kid told them otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
even four hours before that, the boy had lost his virginity to three vampires
who had a thing for tying down their prey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He still had the bruises to prove it, and the DNA evidence dried to his
body.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The venom in Redding’s eyes was enough to leave a
sting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had to look away and seek
solace from his queen before he could continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She nodded once, her signal that Redding was completely, one hundred
percent telling the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her stony
profile spoke volumes of her feelings on Redding’s tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So did the hairs at attention all over Wes’s
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that Camille’s operation
had gone on for so long, with so many victims, and all while right under Nina’s
nose left her silently enraged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“They took the boy into protective custody as a
witness against Camille,” Wes said without looking at Redding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah, and I went back for the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was too late. Camille’s little guard dogs
had the place on lock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t get
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They knew I’d been there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding rubbed at his eyes when Wes finally
faced him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When I went back to check in
with Donohue, to see how the boy was, she was dead and he was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sinclair didn’t pick up his phone, and I knew
he was out too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got out of there and
took care of those Johns as a gift to Camille before I went on to the next home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And you’ve been taking <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">care</i> of her people ever since.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes shook his head slowly, mentally doing a tally of all the men and
women Redding had done in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why didn’t
you ask for help?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not enlist the
Royals to take down Camille instead of leaving behind a public trail for the
humans to see? An ambassador, Redding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
fucking ambassador.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding shot Wes a dirty glare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So they could what, help me like they did
that boy? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were the best of the best
and they got their heads blown off over one kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How the fuck do you think they could manage to
protect hundreds, maybe even thousands these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“They traffic kids, Detective—not even the humans
have managed to snuff that business out completely and look at how many they
have on their side. Rats have a way of surviving just about anything, and they
breed like wildfire…Just like these assholes.” Redding dug his fingers into his
knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know of a few Royals that
tried to shut Camille down, high circle Royals with the power to do it, but
even they didn’t have sufficient proof that she was doing anything under the
table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just speculation and maybe a
little boohoo story from a homeless kid looking for scraps and attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know how this works.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No you don’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes snorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Else you would’ve
nabbed Camille by now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“How about you, Detective?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have Camille in custody, but do you
actually have any evidence to keep her, other than hearsay from people that
just don’t like her?” Redding asked pointedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes was getting tired of Redding’s volleying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He huffed through his nose, somewhere between
a snort and a growl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to you should have never
happened at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want revenge and
all that goes with it, the satisfaction that she’s off the streets and not peddling
any other boys to those perverts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why
not kill her right out then?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not blow her brains out and leave
everyone else, like Red Sinclair, out of your personal vendetta.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The eyes of an animal targeted Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding snarled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because where this is one, there are more.
And we wanted to make her suffer like she did us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wanted to take away her money, her power,
her boys, everything she cared about until she was left with nothing but her
own fear and the public shaming she deserves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just like us when we had nowhere to run, no one to call for help, no
place inside our head quiet enough to escape their hands and their disgusting desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wanted her to beg,” Redding boomed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">His finger’s splayed and a vein popped near his
temple to insist his outrage. He sagged in his seat, his entire body bowing
over as he dragged in a deep, noisy breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes wouldn’t let Redding give up this early in his statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d gone from throwing punches to stunned,
and now desperate to hear more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What about Monet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How did you get involved with her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ezra told me before he went AWOL that if I couldn’t
find somewhere safe for the boys I was taking out of His Children, then I could
send them to Monet because she had the room and the resources to care for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I never thought I would
contact her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would only bring
trouble to her doorstep, but after Ezra was confirmed dead by one of my guys, I
did what I had to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to see her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nina stood up and walked over to where Redding
sat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Monet said she never housed any
boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said the two of you worked on
a plan to get Camille.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding’s smile was feral as he graced Nina with his
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She didn’t have to take them
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a better place to put them,
somewhere they’d be protected twenty-four seven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And where was that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nina glowered at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Guard Prep School until they were old enough to
serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave them new identities and
got them the training they needed to get into the academy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ones who wanted to get their revenge, I
mean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">All the color from Wes’s face drained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You mean to tell me that Camille’s boys are
in our system?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like right now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who do you think was watching Elle when I was
away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stray mutt in the alley?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding scoffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They are my eyes and ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are my backup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the ones who level the playing field
when Camille’s dogs come sniffing around to make things complicated.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes wanted to smack Redding until he bled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt like he didn’t know what was up and
what was down anymore. Then again, what was so bad about those boys being
Guards for their queen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d earned
their stripes and then some if they put up with Camille’s torture for that
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they were taking care of
business on the sly, something most Guards did off duty without giving it
another thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If shit went down, they
put their life on the line to protect regardless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is that what Halverson is, one of Camille’s boys
gone wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You couldn’t control him and
he turned on you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He licked his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s Camille’s little pet, has been since the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night he killed my mate, he played the
victim and Red and I were going to do a pickup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The guys working with us were supposedly ex-prostitutes trying to help
the kid out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, they’d worked with us
for weeks to get those boys to that plane and take them to the states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Turns out it was all a con.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That boy wasn’t a boy at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was there to take me and Red out because
we were so close to shutting her down she could taste it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And after the fiasco in Spain, she wanted any
Hunters working near us out of the picture, so Davide was on Halverson’s radar
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian just happened to be a witness…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you say your mate?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding turned his palms up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His nostrils flared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why the fuck do you think I want to take her
life by my own hands so badly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">deserve</i> this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I earned the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red was my heart, and Camille fucking took
that from me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding had a scary
temper that quickly evaporated when tears began to flown down his cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put his hands over his face and sobbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will never get that back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never touch her or hold her or hear
her voice ever again!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So about that brand of numb that allowed nothing to faze
them anymore?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, that was
bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding and Red, the misfit
duo who rescued children during the midnight hours, they were bonded, mated,
and in it to win it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is until Red
died and Redding lost his shit, creating his own little army with the Bureau to
cover his tracks. Wes pushed a hand through his hair and sat back in his seat,
mulling over the facts he knew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Red Sinclair was a Hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was Redding’s mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was why she strayed from her network, from
her queen—to help her man to find the justice he needed to move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To heal him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She had sent what evidence she had to Elle, unbeknownst
to her friend so that Redding’s men could protect it until the time to use it
came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made sense to Wes—Elle’s house
wasn’t on the radar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elle wasn’t of
concern to Camille’s as a person of interest; she was simply a grieving best
friend without any say in the matter and she had the sense to stay out of
Camille’s affairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Halverson was one of Camille’s boys, and not in a
prostitute sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Adrian had been
trained young to kill, so had Halverson, and he had taken countless lives to
cover up what Camille was doing, all in the name of being something to someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had seen it many times; a young victim
without legs to stand on brainwashed into thinking they were special, pledging
servitude to a criminal so they had a family of their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When really they were being used…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding had crumbled under the weight of his
memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He threaded his fingers behind
his head and put his face between his knees, crying his heart out for his love
long gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing wrong with
grieving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was something wrong with
watching a grown man’s heart break, and not a thing could be done about it, and
not one person was going to stop him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton nudged Wes out of his trance and motioned for
him to follow into the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
pushed up out of Elle’s cushy sofa and tromped behind, the weight of the world
on his shoulders and nothing left to do but listen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m feeling useless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have everything and yet we have
nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m about to lose it,” Wes whispered
to his boss and friend when they were safely out of range.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re not useless,” Sutton assured him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re barely holding it together, there’s a
difference.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah, well, I’m busting at the seams here,
Sutt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need something—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anything</i> on this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just keep getting more victims, not
answers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton gave him a crooked
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes swirled a bit and Wes
cocked his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There is no way you
are smiling at me right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure about
it, but I have something for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
something your team’s been working on since I filled them in on Adrian’s episode
upstairs, so you be sure to thank them for their efforts.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton produced his phone for Wes to
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nina released Adrian’s file to me on
her way to the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had her send it
to Feist to take a look at, see if anything jumped out at him, maybe a
connection to the night my brother passed that backs up what we’ve heard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“They recorded Adrian’s location that night when he
sent an SOS text to Nina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
coordinates of the house he was found in, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Actual black and white coordinates.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sutton fingered down the screen to show Wes confirmation that a team was
currentlh in route to the outskirts of Surik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“They’re going to link us to video when they arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re getting answers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In a rush of excitement, Wes threw his arms around
his best friend and pulled him into a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn’t the best news he’d heard, but it was news all the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That house had something buried in it with
Camille’s name on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a step in
the right direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can’t breathe,” Sutton grunted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes sighed and stepped out of the embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton clapped him on the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know, Wesley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take five and we’ll try to reconvene when
Redding gets his shit together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
office upstairs is empty if you need some quiet, and there’s coffee set up in
the hall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His fingers slipped from his friend’s arm and Sutton walked back into
the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Guard at the top of
the stairs didn’t even blink as Wes made his way up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t look away or move or seem to be
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least the rest of the guys
were taking this case seriously, especially when it involved being on Adrian
duty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes walked a bit further and got a little Styrofoam
cup of coffee from the pot plugged into a hallway socket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took his Joe to go, and found a chair in
the office across from Adrian’s room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With the door closed and his feet resting comfortably on the windowsill,
Wes closed his eyes and enjoyed the silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wouldn’t last long, but sometimes during intense cases he needed to
take a moment to himself, just to breathe if nothing else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He opened his eyes to find the window beginning to
chill over from the cold outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snow
had started to fall and stick to the angled roof next door, which meant winter,
was really here to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not Wes’s
favorite season, but he could deal like the rest of the East Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What he found strange about the view from his window
was the way the glass started to frost over too quickly for Mother Nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A delicate crinkling noise joined the rapid
trails of ice that swirled over the glass, painting the window with intricate
designs that only snowflakes could produce when joined together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A chill ran up Wes’s spine, and not from the early
arrival of winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he noticed the unusual
appearance of ice forming on the window, he felt rather than saw someone behind
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll warn you,” he growled to the uninvited
guest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m armed and pissed off right
now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Says every vampire male everywhere,” came an amused
female voice that echoed throughout the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Must be the testosterone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes spun around in his chair so fast he spilled his
coffee onto the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A double door
closet had opened in the wall, and a pitch black square that should have held
files and supplies only showed an endless abyss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hello?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His breathed rolled out of his mouth in a wisp of white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then he knew he wasn’t dealing with
just any intruder; that was to say if the closet from hell hadn’t offered him a
warning to start with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No sense in asking pointless questions when you
know I’m already here,” the female whispered, yet her voice carried with the
force of a drum, and enough boom reverberate down Wes’s spine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Care to join me, Detective?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A slender, pale hand extended from the darkness,
tethering this world to the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whoever was on the other side offered Wes an invitation that should have
come with a bottle of pills and a straightjacket, because there was no way in
hell this was happening to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
like “Oh, hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to go the
through closet and grab a beer, see some fucked up shit, and then maybe be so
messed up after that you can’t sleep for years?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, he
did not, thank you very much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Getting a visit from Briggs in the Cage—okay, yeah,
spooky as fuck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing into Adrian’s
head like he was in a live action movie—that was pretty damn close to his limit
of whatthefuckery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But actually seeing a
damn hand poke out of a dark closet, a hand belonging to a spirit inviting him
to God knew where—yeah…nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can go if that’s your wish, but it’s you who wants
answers, not me.” She laughed; a floating bobble of noise that made Wes want to
run for the hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If not for you, then
for your mate,” she coaxed with exactly the right words for Wes to stand from
his seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s over there?” he asked without thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A slip of red hair swished into sight as the hand
retreated into the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why don’t you
come and find out, Detective?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The doors started to close at an achingly slow
pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was taunting him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had a second to decide, but he knew what
he wanted to do from the start, however crazy that made him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curiosity was a bitch he couldn’t give a
wrong phone number to and never speak to again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Dammit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
was saddled with his need to know for the rest of his life, and he wasn’t about
to try to shove it down now. He dashed across the room, a thunderous run over
the floor that anyone would have heard, and leapt into the blackness before the
doors shut for good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When Wes was able to focus on his surroundings, he
was standing in some hallway that connected to a packed ballroom of Royal
socialites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A band played atop a white
on white platform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decked out vampires
danced the waltz or whatever old moves they had to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sipped champagne and shimmered with
diamonds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eating salmon puffs that
looked like shit and probably tasted the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All for some charity event marked with elegant signs, front and center
on golden easels at each entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The silver leaf embossed posters read His Children
in some highfalutin curly cue script that not even Princess Diana would have
been okay with. Then again, what did Camille Sinclair know about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> class?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes was graced with a familiar churn of his stomach.
He went to grab a bottle of Perrier from a passing waiter’s tray, but his hand
went right through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was when he
remembered jumping through the closet to follow a spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This wasn’t the real world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a memory, but whose?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sucks, doesn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d kill for a martini right about now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A tall redheaded woman wearing skintight ripped up jeans, a fishnet
sweater, and pearls around her neck sauntered past him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She walked right through a crowd of Royals
enjoying their event and carried on down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t worry about your stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll pass,” she called out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red
Sinclair?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes held up his hand to flag
her down, but she kept going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave up
and ran after her, sickened at how he could move through bodies as if they were
made of air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Red finally stopped at the end of a long corridor,
where the lights had been dimmed and only a few of the waitstaff lingered about
with empty trays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It took him a long
time to get her to agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had the
means to get the dirt he needed to bring His Children into the light,” Red told
Wes like he knew what she was talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Not like he was a selfish bastard—far from it actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cared about her enough to end it once and
for all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Apparently Wes was about to find out what Red was
going on about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kept on walking to a
service entrance at the end of the connecting hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pushed on the metal bar to open the door
to the outside, and there on the rickety steps were Tabitha Sinclair and
Redding, arguing like they were in a lover’s spat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Wes knew differently as Redding’s
dead mate stood next to him in silence, nonplussed by their interaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha wiped the tears from under her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t get it, Niles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ulysses might be dead now, but everything in
his office went to my mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her guys
came to clear it all out a few weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I already looked for the notebook and it’s gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She took everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows I
know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I need you to look around the house when she’s
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the staff will help
you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took her hand in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please, Tabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know I can’t get in there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabby pushed him away and turned her back on
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Robert is coming around again now
that he’s back in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he finds
me snooping through her stuff… Jesus, Niles!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’ll kill me, and that’s only if my mother’s guys don’t find me first
and take me to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t,” she
whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please don’t ask this of me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s okay, Tabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You don’t have to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled her
into a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His downcast eyes spoke of
shame and exhaustion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry for
asking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve already done so much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sometimes I think I’m dreaming,” she murmured and
hugged him back like he was the only person she had left in the world, like
Redding was her big brother, her knight in shining armor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sometimes I don’t know why I don’t just run.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Because you loved her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because you’d do anything for your sister and
so would I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we’re gonna get you
out of here to a safe place, somewhere you’ll never have to run from.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“When?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have the notebook,
so we aren’t done here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked up
with innocent eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something changed in
a split second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabby took a deep
breath, and then let it out slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ll do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t be weak now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t ever weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niles… Tell me what to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding, or Niles, whatever his name really was,
looked conflicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A minute ago he’d
been ready to send her into battle, but as Tabby fell apart, he was reminded
that she wasn’t her sister and had no experience in espionage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just… Where do you think Camille would stash
the notebook?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The safe—that’s why there’s no point in snooping
around and risking my life for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
haven’t a clue what the combination is either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hate this,” she hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hate
having no control.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You will, Tabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I promise you I’ll give you the life you deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The life you all deserved.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding hugged her one final time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Touch up your makeup before you go back out
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep a brave face, and know that
my guys are always watching you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re
safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A truck rumbled into the service alley and Tabby
flinched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hurry before someone sees
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding winked and straddled the railing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t worry about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m invisible.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leapt off the railing and his feet hit the
cement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a blur as he ran away
into the fading sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Red tugged on Wes’s arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave him a sad smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He tried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God knows he always tried to protect them all, and it was his heart that
snagged me.” She winked at Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But
sometimes it’s not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes
loving someone so much can’t protect them in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are always people whose hate outweighs
the love of others.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes understood her remark when they reentered the
service hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He caught Halverson
retreating into a room marked staff only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had barely shut the door when Tabby walked inside and headed for the
bathroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Red didn’t pay Halverson any mind. After all, this
was a rerun of sorts, and she’d probably seen this many times. “My mother might
be my mother, but her real children are the ones who serve her well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They serve her greed for phony smiles and
syrupy words of praise in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
would do anything to please her, going to the ends of the earth if she
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson was the worst of
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He knew Tabby was meeting with Redding, which means
Camille knew too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes gripped Red’s chilly
arm as the hallway darkened and another black hole came upon them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,” she whispered with such anguish it made Wes’s
heart break.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes was sitting in a taxi next to Tabitha Sinclair
when the darkness faded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red was in the
front seat, messing with the cabbie’s radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her spirit had to have been with her sister that night, because the
cabbie started to bang on the radio to get it to work properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it ended on a jazz channel, he gave up
and grunted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“She loved jazz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought it would be soothing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red
looked over her shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was drawn
to Tabby that night from the other side, the side that isn’t dark and scary; the
place not in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew this was
her last night alive and I had to stay by her side no matter what.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s when Wes knew where they were headed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started to recognize the Flatiron
District’s landmarks and streets and his stomach bottomed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the night Tabitha Sinclair was
murdered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha’s phone went off and she answered
immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I got away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The date lasted longer than I’d hoped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just some guy my mother’s trying to pawn me
off on, definitely not one of her dogs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have the notebook,” she
whispered, checking the rearview mirror to see if she was being watched by the
cabbie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re never going to believe
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She left her pearls in the
bathroom after she went to bed, and she never does that so I was just looking
at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The combination is engraved on
the clasp, Niles.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Red fingered her necklace with a wry smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was trying to help Adrian see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Briggs hadn’t taken away so much of his
attention during Adrian’s turn, he would’ve understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A female never hunts in her fine jewelry, and
she especially doesn’t wear pearls like this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The pearls were a clue,” Wes murmured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mm hmm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red
leaned her head against the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
kept tripping the downstairs alarm that night so my mother’s guards would be
preoccupied when Tabby went into the safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You should have seen her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
so fearless.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red’s eyes glittered with
tears as she looked at her sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Fearless until the end.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha gasped quietly on the phone, oblivious to
their presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m leaving tonight?”
She bit her bottom lip, a huge grin on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay, I’m almost there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name is Frederick?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes turned to Red in shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Frederick?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“My mate told you he had people on the inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frederick was supposed to meet Tabitha that
night at one of Maloy’s old properties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was to take her to the airport to meet with my mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niles was going to take her to stay with my
gran, who was heavily protected by his men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She would be happy there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why the abandoned office, though?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not go straight to the airport?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No one watched that place anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was bug free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No street cameras to see the vehicle switch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frederick would give her something to change
into and get ready to go and they’d be off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“But she never got to meet Frederick,” Wes
concluded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Red shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He got stuck in traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
showed early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson was waiting
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He killed my baby sister and
left her there to stare out that window like a puppet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes darkened to a forest green, and deep
golden swirls manifested from within her pupils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Promise me you will not shut us out when the
time comes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put aside your fears, his
fears, and we will honor our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
dead,” she growled, “it is our way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Red, I…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes felt his meeting with Red coming to a
close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cab jerked to a stop at the
building where Tabitha had already died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Red’s little sister swiped her phone over the pay screen and smiled at
the cabbie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The cabbie scratched his head and turned to the back
seat with a frown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You sure this is the
right place, sweetheart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s pretty
dark out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want me to wait
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No charge, I promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Itching to grab Tabitha and hold her close so she
never entered that house, Wes had to sit there and let it happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it had already happened and there was
no changing the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frederick wouldn’t
show up in time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson was already
up there, waiting for his prey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even
the sweet cabbie up front could feel something dark in the air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha logged a hefty tip onto her bill and smiled
at him like she’d won a million dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“See that place there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pointed
to the office space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s where I
change the rest of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because
it’s dark out there, doesn’t mean it is on the other side.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The cabbie sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Deep thinking aside, doll, I can still wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Scuse my French, but this area at night is a
fucking cesspool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t wanna see
somethin’ happen to ya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not on my
watch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re very kind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She put her hand to the glass partition like a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I need to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a good night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha slipped out of the car and clicked up the
sidewalk in her strappy date heels. Little did she know she’d never go on
another crappy blind date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d never
find a mate and have 2.5 children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d
never put those expensive shoes back in the closet either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The cabbie waited until she was inside before he
muttered, “Cute little thing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tapped
the crucifix air freshener around his rearview mirror as he pulled away from
the curb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Keep a watch on that one, top
dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a feelin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Even if he stayed there on the curb, he wouldn’t
have saved her,” Red broke Wes away from staring at the spinning disc with a
cross on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now promise me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Promise what I asked of you and you’ll get
what you need.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Without hesitation, Wes said, “I promise. This ends
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Red reached through the glass and cupped his
cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her swirling eyes grabbed his
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched the small golden
spirals until everything else faded away and the dark took him somewhere new.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Durren,” a male barked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They shook his shoulders with force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s waking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shit, he was out cold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes groaned and leaned forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elle Franco’s office chair squeaked under pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes rubbed the back of his head and opened an
eye to see Feist looming over him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“My God, you’d have thought you’d never slept
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was about to call a clinic or
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You doing okay?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist crouched down and held up a finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Follow my finger so I can make sure—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes snatched Feist’s finger in his larger paw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You get your damn finger out of my face.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feist yanked his finger away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tsk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chill the fuck out, man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came
bearing disturbing yet insightful news.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“So do I,” Wes murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed Sutton standing in the
doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It happened again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What happened?” Feist looked between them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It,” Wes repeated in not so many words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You were visited?” Sutton asked cautiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ah, no way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man, you sure you’re not
just tired and—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes pushed Feist away when he stood to stretch his
legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not making this shit up,” he
yelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just got off the ghost phone
with Red Sinclair.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll be damned—did she leave you a message?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist puckered his lips to hide his laugh and
Wes nearly slammed him into a wall if not for Sutton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Captain was there to keep them apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did she want, Wesley?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes scrambled to remember the most important
elements of the visit in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Redding’s real name is Niles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Red confirmed him as her mate and that he was to be trusted. Niles is
the one who contacted Tabby before she died, the time Adrian told us
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were trying to get the
notebook back she’d tried to use against Ulysses to now pin on Camille, since
Ulysses was already dead and they shared the same contacts as business
partners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camille’s name has to be in
that book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A book now in either
Camille’s or Halverson’s possession.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“So Halverson did kill Tabitha according to
Red?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist put his hands up to ward off
Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes sighed and let his arms fall to his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah and it gets worse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“How much worse?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sutton sulked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The night Tabitha died, she was meeting one of Niles’s
contacts at the old office to give up the notebook, and then he was to take her
to the airport to hop a plane to her grandmother’s place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contact got stuck in traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She arrived early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson knew all about the plan and killed
Tabby before the contact could arrive.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes chewed on his bottom lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The contact is Frederick.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Serious?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist’s eyes bugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sutton said
Redding’s been sending boys through our system, but this… Frederick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might have been Redding’s at one time, but
he took an oath, man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s one of our
boys now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton went into Captain mode on the spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rolled his shoulders back and lifted his
chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This Halverson fucker is
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dead, you hear me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I hear you loud and clear.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes squeezed his friend’s shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It didn’t take much time for Sutton’s second boss,
Yuri, to pull some strings and get a team to Surik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the area was near Yuri’s hometown, he
had plenty of connections willing to do him a favor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The overseas GERT team moved in around the
house much like SWAT would for the human authorities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes braced himself next to Sutton on Elle Franco’s
couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The living room swarmed with
their guys, the queen, and everyone except for the men upstairs guarding
Adrian. Oh, and Niles who was in the hallway with his knees drawn up to his
chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes didn’t blame him for a second
for not wanting to revisit that night again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once was enough for anyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yuri stood near the big screen television that had
been hooked up to the live video footage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He plugged the phone into the Bluetooth speaker system and set it on a
shelf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’re all here and we can see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you hear me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, sir,” came a fuzzy echo through the speakers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yuri put his hands on his hips, making his impressive
stature seem larger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His skull tattoo
birthed a fearsome presence, as did his pitch black eyes that narrowed at the
screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do we have?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No signs of anyone being here recently, but the
snow hasn’t let up, so that could hide any real evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two track road next to us has some
traffic, but the only people we’ve encountered were locals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me—Grandma and Grandpa “we don’t speak
no English” aren’t any threat to us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Guard stood up straight with the camera mounted to his GERT
helmet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re going in the house now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Take it easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Slow and steady,” Yuri instructed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Roger that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The camera moved around with the Guard’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Keep your toes light, boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could be traps.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The rustle and shuffle of a pack of Guards
descending on the little old house in the snow was much louder with the high
tech microphone the Guard sported.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
was about ready to scream “Get on with it already!”—but that wouldn’t do anyone
a bit of good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far the Guards had
made it to the porch, and the camera was now feeding them a view of the front
door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Porch is clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No signs of life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached out
nand touched the handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Even the
fucking handle is frozen in place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Another Guard handed his superior a thermos from his
pack containing hot coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
commanding Guard slowly poured the liquid over the handle and gave it another try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door creaked open to reveal a different
side of hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“God, do you smell that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Guard put his forearm over his nose,
obscuring a bit of the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What the
fuck <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes eyed his new friend Niles near the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You smell that when you were there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah, I took time to smell the daisies when I was
up that way,” Niles spat back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I didn’t mean—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niles
rolled his eyes and dropped his head back against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There wasn’t a scent so horrible I had to
cover my nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It smelled like rotting
house, like mildew and rat shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing
I haven’t smelled before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ah, so Niles was watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least Wes wasn’t the only curiosity whore
in the room, although Niles had better reason than most to want to know the
whys and hows surrounding the old house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Quiet,” Yuri barked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hissed through his fangs and returned to
the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Clear the living room,” he
ordered through the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Entering what looks to be the living room,” the
Guard replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The screen revealed what appeared to be a space that
couldn’t be flipped or flopped, renovated, or even condemned it was so
bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holes pierced the main walls from
where the drywall had given out under constant weather changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Icicles hung from the windows where a broken
pane had let in snow to melt and then freeze with the chilly nights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What used to be furniture had become part of the
house—just as broken, moldy, and ancient as the rest of the place. “We’re
clear,” a voice called from somewhere behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yuri, we’re clear of any electronic signals in the
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living room is good too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yuri rocked from heel to toe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He studied the screen for anything out of
place until he agreed with Command’s opinion. “Fan out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check the rest of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re looking for old files, boxes perhaps, a
hiding place for things that don’t want to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You hear me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Loud and clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fan out, boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You heard the
man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Guard’s hand motioned the rest
of his team into the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I gotta
tell ya, the smell… It’s like… It’s like the death stench of an army left to
die in the sun.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It hit Wes like a ton of bricks; Adrian’s memory of
being in that living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
spirits of those boys had come at his mate there had been a fire going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was one of the scariest things Wes had ever
seen; the boys’ silhouettes, fire leaping through their missing hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As with everything in this case, Wes had to think
outside the box, just like a creative criminal mastermind would do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like fucking Camille Sinclair did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the pearls were a clue from Red, then
those boys had been leaving a clue for Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Check the fireplace,” Wes whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton shot him a worried look. “What did you say?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Check the fucking fireplace,” Wes repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slid from the couch to his knees just to
be closer to the screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do it,” Sutton told Yuri.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yuri frowned at Wes and then rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Command, check the fireplace, would you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Got it.” The camera panned around to the fireplace as
the Guard descended upon the crumbling hearth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The inlaid bricks were disintegrating and the mantle
was totally gone to dust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cobwebs were
frozen in place around the hearth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few
discarded tools like a poker and brush were strewn about the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That smell,” Command whispered and crouched
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s stronger here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He put his head into the hearth and coughed. It took
a second for a cloud of dust to dissipate and give them a clear view, but when
it did, a hole was found in the hearth’s floor, leading to a dark pit that not
even the Guard’s flashlight could shed some light on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s not normal,” Command relayed their
thoughts exactly. “Need some real light over here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Command, we got another level to this place?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yuri started to rock his hips, his way of
dealing with his building anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
could relate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not sure yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Guard turned his head to his team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Think we got an entrance to a sublevel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“—trap door?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“—mechanism?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You want us to break that shit down and—?” came the
replies from Command’s men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Command’s camera shook from side to side with his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look for a point of entry
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that don’t fly, we’ll knock it
all down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A dozen hands shifted in and out of the camera’s
view, feeling, dusting off, prying and pushing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then there was a glorious and equally terrifying sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A slow hiss had been activated somewhere near
the fireplace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Back it up, boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Weapons ready.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gun appeared in
Command’s hands, aimed at the fireplace as the entire brick structure popped
out of the wall a few inches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About two
feet above where the mantle had been was a plastic covering that looked like
just another brick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The covering had
been pulled away by a GERT member and somehow an entrance had been exposed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thermal?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Command boomed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Other than our own movements near the fireplace, we’ve
got nothing alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frame of the hidden
entrance is reading around forty degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever is down there is insulated from the weather,” someone off
camera read off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yuri, it’s your call.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yuri turned to Nina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“My Queen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do as you see fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want answers, but not at the risk of their lives,” she said with the
utmost calm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s heart thudded against his ribcage like it was
playing one hell of a concert with only him as its audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gripped his knees; reminded of a little
boy in front of the television on a Saturday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t wait to see what was next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this time lag, shit, it was the most god
awful commercial he’d ever witnessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Proceed,” Yuri said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Command didn’t waver; he moved in as he’d been
trained to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His team was with him all
the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His gloved hands reached up to
touch the rubber seal around the hidden door’s frame and he said, “Keep me
covered.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, sir,” came a unified shout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Carefully wedging his fingers into the rubber
lining, Command pulled gently at first and when that didn’t work, he pulled
with his otherworldly strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door
came away quickly, revealing a black hole to nothingness—a rectangular abyss
that made Wes quietly gasp in awe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ah, fuck that’s bad,” Command groaned and coughed
in the other direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The smell…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The spirits had been trying to tell them the entire
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was another clue to the bigger
picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs came to them from the
shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha pulled Adrian through
darkened doorways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red and her pitch
dark portals of hell, in which she dragged Wes from this place to the next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They had no right to reveal the ending from the
other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t their place, it
was fate’s verdict and that of their mysterious maker’s to decide what they could
and could not say or do. They were just messengers, and Wes heard their message
loud and clear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The door is a portal from this place to the next,”
he whispered absently to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton joined him on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Talk to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes rubbed at his chin as he watched Command test
the depths of the hole and search for a way to get down there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The doorways…I thought they were portals and they
are metaphorically speaking,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton put his hand over Wes’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re scaring me, old friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You should be scared. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When those boys crossed through that doorway,
they left this world and went on to the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a mass grave, Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
fucking mass grave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yuri was staring down at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For an inexpressive man such as himself, his
hard eyes softened as the horror sank in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes knew the man was a father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
knew what Yuri was thinking, as were they all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those boys had been defenseless, used, killed—all in the name of what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Greed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Camille
Sinclair’s greed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Those boys had died scared and alone, with only the
face of their murderer to see them off to their final destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only, they would never rest without closure,
without justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hadn’t been trying
to hurt Adrian; they had been trying to save his life that night because they
thought he was in mortal danger from the beast that haunted that house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The man without a name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man that searched for his precious Sasha
in the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man who was really a
monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The sounds of the GERT team taking turns to vomit
off the porch made Wes close his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears
pricked at his closed lids, wetting his lashes as he opened his eyes to face
the discovery GERT had just made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sir,” came Command’s rough voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is with deep sadness,” he began in such a
formal tone that died off on a whispery choke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That I confirm this on video.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton gripped Wes’s hand in his, bringing it to his
chest and never letting go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team
gathered in close around them, every single one of them holding a hand to their
mouth or having tears in their eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Command signaled his men with two fingers and three thick beams of light
illuminated the grizzly scene that Wes would never forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“My God,” Nina cried and fell to her knees,
forgetting herself in the presence of those she trusted most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Command slowly panned the camera from left to right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">At least a hundred corpses in various stages of
decomposition were piled along the walls, in giant heaps where they had been
forgotten after being discarded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Command
paused at the sight of smaller body near the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They heard the Guard’s sobs as he came across
the little boy that couldn’t be over four feet tall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yuri shakily exhaled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed his eyes and said, “Call in the
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Document the scene thoroughly
and then…” He couldn’t finish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We will care for them as if they were our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be honored,” Command whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yuri gave a sharp nod that Command couldn’t
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to know everything about
that house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who owned it or who still
owns it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i>,” he roared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Command took off his helmet and looked directly into
the camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears streaked his wind
bitten cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We will not stop until
we have a name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will not fail them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As the feed ended, Wes reached for his inconsolable queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled her under his arm and huddled next
to Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three of them traumatized
to the core.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">One thing was for certain, an understanding that had
its own scent and taste had been born of the people in Elle Franco’s living
room: Camille Sinclair and her little pet Halverson were going to wish they had
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i> been born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-28539427023721990612014-03-27T23:34:00.001-04:002014-03-27T23:34:52.018-04:00Flash Fiction Friday! A Nanny Tale #1<strong>Warning: Post formatting WTF ahead. Lol Sorry!</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Happy Friday!</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After a much needed break, we're officially back on track for
Flash Fiction Fridays. I'm happy to see everyone has enjoyed these posts
as much as we do, and we're grateful you've allowed us to take a break from our
normal blog content to bring you snippets of our imagination.
In my experience doing these installments, I've been able to stretch my legs
and run with these prompts in ways I never imagined, or saw coming if you want
the truth.</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This leads me to the story I'm starting today. It's
different for me. It's sweet. It's sad. It's real life with a
touch of silly drama thrown in. And I'm going to be completely
unapologetic for anything that pops into of Logan's head, because he has
opinions all his own that I can't control. That said, I hope you enjoy
the new story and work with us as we start a new format to FFF.</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hugs,</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Night</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Because
even you as readers know the mood hits us writers harder some days and leaves
us hanging on others, we've broadened the FFF word count. <b><u>Instead
of a maximum limit, we now have a minimum of 800 words for each post.</u></b> That
way if we feel our post should continue we can write our little hearts out, and
if we don't want a long post 800 words is managble for all of us.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><b><u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If we
don't feel like posting that week, or simply can't? </span></u></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> We'll use one of two
skip passes we've been allotted for each month. This also means
we can post bi-weekly if we want, or just take a week off.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="color: black;"><b><u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To
use our own prompt or to use the one given.</span></u></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> If that
week's prompt is too out there for our story, and will ultimately ruin
what we have going, we will share with our readers our own
prompt inspiration for that week's post. It can be anything as long
as it is crucial to the story. (Song, poem, movie, youtube clip, picture,
quote, place) </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;">These
are the new rules, and they will make writing so much easier on everyone's
schedules. Don't worry, we will keep you posted every week to let you
know if we're posting or not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="background-color: #999999; color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">FFF Bloggers:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.elainamroberts.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Elaina M. Roberts(m/m)</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://purplesnowstorms.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Winter (m/m)</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><u><span style="background-color: #999999;">A NANNY TALE #1</span></u></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Days like
today I consider jumping out the window to my death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wind rushing through my hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few glorious seconds of freedom when a
child isn’t grabbing at my junk or whacking the back of my legs with a toy
baseball bat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is screaming at the
top of their lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is smearing
peanut butter across my feet because it’s funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not seeking shelter in my head, going to
the “me zone” to get a reprieve from my surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I would be
a grown man freefalling through the air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But then I
remember the death part with an inevitable smack to the ground, and my daydream
vanishes as quickly as it came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure
this is how most mothers feel at the end of a long day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m not a mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a nanny—a word uttered like a slur for
those who can’t get a real job and freeload off of rich people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Screw what everyone else says because I am
neither of those things, and that’s why I prefer the term childcare
professional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, putting my
preferred title on a resume tends to confuse potential employers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh,
you’re a childcare professional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have
you taught anywhere before?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What was
the last daycare you worked at?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you
even certified?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What is
your degree in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t see one here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The list
goes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It would
be easier to be a teacher, honestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sure I’d be responsible for twenty-some brats all day. But that’s the
key word: day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could give them back to
their parents and say “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">adios</i>” until
Monday rolled around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have
nights and weekends to do as I pleased, which would include hours of recorded
television and me in my underwear on a worn-in couch somewhere far, far
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least in my head this is how I
envision myself as teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m under no
delusion I’ve created a fantasy position.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don’t
mean to disrespect teaching professionals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know your job is harder than it looks and you’re under constant
pressure from the powers that be and rotten parents and curriculum deadlines
and… Well, you get my point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I’m
sayin’ is it would be easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
would be help, structure, people around to witness the children’s insane
behavior so I wouldn’t look like a lying fool when I confronted their parents
and said, “Your kid is licking other kids in class and he’s peeing in the class
plant.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not Jimmy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s an angel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not one child is perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parents
are just really good at denial, and kids these days should be given Oscars for
their “I’m completely innocent” performances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So teachers of the world, this is me giving you mad props for your will
to go on and mold young minds that fight against you every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m still just a lone ranger armed with nothing but my creativity and
the patience of the Dahli Lama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But back
to the joy that is my real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a
man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a full time nanny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m gay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I currently live in an apartment above my employer’s summer home
garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have a car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have about three thousand dollars in my
savings account and maybe a hundred in checking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time, if I’m not imagining a
different existence while lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, I can be found
at the ballet studio watching six-year-olds attempt to pirouette, pull each
other’s hair, and plop to the ground and cry when their teacher chooses Beyonce
over Lady Gaga for freestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ll be
the one in the corner fending off the divorced mothers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because
when you’re a relatively attractive man under thirty, and you’re gay, that
means it’s perfectly all right for women to think you’ll be:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One: their best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two: an experiment in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’m just going to agree to that,
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or three: the guy that will make
their husband jealous should the two of you just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">happen</i> to be seen together at the gym, you all sweaty and fawning
over their wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear to God it never
ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their little movie inspired
fantasies… Please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get something with batteries or shave your
legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe your husband will get with
the program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And get it
through your head, ladies, not every gay man goes to the gym to get buff and
cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So when
I’m not at ballet with Sophia Lynne—not Sophia or Sophie, or heaven forbid
Soph, but Sophia Lynne—I can be found ripping apart two twin boys in the
grocery store while they fight over frozen chicken nuggets and ice cream
flavors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jack and Rory fight all the
fucking time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s natural, I suppose,
for brothers to fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But fuck me, all
the time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even fight in their
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes
I imagine slamming one of their faces into the wall while the other one
watches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they would know who the big
dog is in this house, but yes, that’s cruel and considered child abuse in
almost every country on the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
I don’t plan on spending the rest of my days behind bars or being on one of
those “When Nannies Snap” reality shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not even remotely worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I can
dream, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you dare judge me
until you’ve spent a day with these hellions disguised as cute little blonde
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to call them children,
and love them and bond with them like all good nannies do, but if you’d met
their mother you’d side with me on the fact that they’re actually demon spawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then why
do this, you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it was a way
to escape small town life without going into student loan debt like every other
guy my age, or being forced to work in a factory where the sweating would make
me chafe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Answering
a want ad for a summer nanny was probably the best and worst thing I’ve ever
done. In all honesty I didn’t think I’d get the job because I’m gay and most of
the people looking were on the super conservative side of the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, yes, the political climate of the
world has changed since I was kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
yes, a decent percentage of people are more accepting of same sex lovers as
natural human beings with sexual interests that differ from their own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then are
some people that don’t agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
twenty-eight-year-old gay man that wants to watch your small children while
you’re gone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gasp!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s
ludicrous.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s
against God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I don’t
want my child to be gay too!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s…
bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The first
ad I answered turned me down without so much as an interview after I
confidently relayed I was gay and asked if it would be a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second mother actually agreed to meet in
person for lunch, but when she caught me checking out the waiter’s butt her
interest fizzled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she’d let me
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never heard back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He was
cute!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the hell was I supposed to do
when an ass like that passed six inches from my face?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a lot of control, but not that much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an artless glance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her eyes I must have been on my knees
wearing a dog collar while I licked his bare ass cheeks. Because I got dumped
with the bill and a cursory look that made me feel I’d just been sent to the
principal’s office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Did her
opinion change me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, but not in the
way you’d think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From there
on out I made it my mission to get a nanny job just to prove bitch one and
bitch two wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all I could
think about between eating, sleeping and breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be a nanny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me, I wanted to take care of children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time it seemed perfect for me—a free
place to stay, use of a car sometimes, a day off here and there, traveling on
other peoples’ dime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what I never
fully realized was that I would have to be responsible for someone else’s
children almost every hour of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not that I really had a life prior to childcare, but I was still free to
be myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What the
hell had I been thinking?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m an
average guy, okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not the party boy
type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think clubs are revolting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever been in one of those bathrooms?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One drink and I have to piss a gallon, but
I’ll hold it until I get home just so I don’t have to step foot in one of those
stalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A toilet seat swabbed in any
fluid other than bathroom cleaner is not my idea of a good time, neither is
having to explain that I hate tight jeans because they squish my balls and that
I loathe Britney Spears because I’m not into schoolgirls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have an ass to speak of to even fill
out a pair of those hundred-dollar denim skinnys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And why do I need to enjoy a woman who wears
latex, airline uniforms and sings in a nasally voice with the help of
auto-tune?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple. I don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Apparently
I’m not a very good gay man according to the Chicago party circuit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don’t
have a boyfriend, so I don’t run the risk of exposing the kids to anything with
a hairy backside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, I wish I had
a boyfriend. Before this gig, I could have had a boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, well, I have a body pillow if that
counts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name is Sterling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What Sterling and I do on our own time is private, okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that rules out rubbing my gay cooties off
on the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To all those on the outside
I’m just a single guy who gets paid to watch three kids who hate me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the inside, it’s pretty much the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before
this life I chose to shackle myself to, I was able to lounge in bed until I was
awake, enjoy a good below-the-equator scratching, and take the world’s longest
shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it’s a race to get out of
bed before the alarm goes off so I can get in a decent cup of coffee and a
quick shower before Succubus comes knocking on my door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yeah, you caught that, I said Succubus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remember
our little chat about ballet moms?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ballet moms have nothing on Torri Rice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The woman should’ve been born with a penis she’s so sexually aggressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband, my employer Jacob, is away a
lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does something with solar
storage I can’t really attempt to understand, but I know the job takes him to
China, Denmark, and occasionally Germany every few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This leaves Torri to fend for herself with
her battery operated boyfriend and hump my leg when no one is looking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
doesn’t even knock on my door for crying out loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My earlier comment about being a succubus
wasn’t all in jest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the lock has
conveniently never been fixed, Torri throws open my door like she’s just
finished having marathon sex, chest heaving and hair frazzled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes get all dark as if she’s summoning
the second coming and she checks me over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just stand there for a second, shocked and thinking “Seriously,
woman?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m lucky if I have pants on
before I get treated to her tenacious eye-fuckery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saunters in like “Yeah I’m that bad
chick” and I fight not to gag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every.
Freaking. Morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where most
employers of nannies would kindly come over in the morning to confer about the
children’s schedules and what was important for the day, Torri just doesn’t
seem to care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s one of those people
who had kids because it sounded nice, but when the twins arrived they were too
much to handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she has another one… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Instead of
dealing with the many problems her children have, teaching and nurturing them
to the fullest extent, she chooses to dump them on me to get her mani pedis and
have drinks with the girls at the hottest new lunch spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she likes to hunt with stilettos and
Chanel number five as her weapons of choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s like
living every day in that story <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Most
Dangerous Game</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know the one
where the man brings another man out to his rich-as-fuck island to hunt his ass
to death?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like that, but instead of
a gun, she thinks using her lady parts will snag me in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I refuse to go out like that. I will not be
consumed by her adulterating fanged nether region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So I dance
around the coffee table to avoid her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
accidentally pour hot coffee on her toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d even tried a more flatulent tactic before she arrived one time,
involving ten microwave burritos for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But apparently, her husband beat me to it, because she didn’t even bat
an eye at the smell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Damn
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish Torri Rice and her wicked
children would just leave me alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, I once again realize, I am at their mercy because Jacob Rice
provides my source of income and I know I’ll never go back to that sad ass
existence in that small town in the middle of nowhere I grew up in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just won’t do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how much I love my mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thus I am
forced back into my current situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rory is bent over in the kitchen, trying to fill every gap in his lungs
with air, attempting to mimic some kid at school back in Chicago who could make
himself pass out and get sent home sick for the rest of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jack is using his mother’s two hundred dollar
candle sticks to jab into the air like swords.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He grunts in concentration, and then wails a battle cry as his invisible
enemy attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sophia Lynne is slapping
the counter, demanding my attention from her perch on the barstool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She throws a celery stick at my face when I
don’t come out of my “me zone”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,
Sophia Lynne?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I can do for you, you
tiny little...”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grind my teeth
together, holding back that word that is too adult for her wee pierced ears;
ears that hold diamonds bigger than my mother’s old engagement ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I said I
want strawberry milk in my glitter cup with the special straw!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her little fist curls hard enough that I’m
not above thinking she can call upon the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her bottom lip covers her top one, giving her the impression of a grumpy
old man wearing a zebra-print leotard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s
not the magic word.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
telling mom you’re using magic!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Go right
ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then you can tell her
to…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I refrain from using my
adult vocabulary on her pretty little ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you ask for something,
you need to say, “Please” afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when I give you your milk you say, “Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I do what
I want,” she mimics her mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rory
becomes bored trying to make himself pass out and appears at my side with the
Nerf bat again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wails on my leg and I
just stand there, numb to it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Rory,
give me the bat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I want my
milk!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another fist slam from the
bite-sized Cruella and I laugh through my teeth, slowly losing my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
candlestick drops onto the glass coffee table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hear the crack before the shatter and I comb my fingers through my
hair in an attempt not to throttle a little neck instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jack!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Milk!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whap!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bat hits me again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jack looks at me with a smile from the other
side of the room, dangling the other candlestick over the already broken table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Jack,
don’t you do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re already in big
trouble, mister!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Make me,”
he says and I lose it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I rip the
bat from Rory’s hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I throw it to the
other side of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank god it’s
made of foam and plastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sophia Lynn
screams at the top of her lungs for milk like it’s a martini to an
alcoholic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reach Jack just in time to
catch the other candlestick before it falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This is not a toy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you
understand?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This coffee table costs more
than your piggy bank could ever hold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How are you going to replace this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why did you do this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I look
around at the three of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why do you
all do these things?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is wrong with
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The front
door to Hell’s Palace opens and in walks Torri Rice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell of lavender massage oil and tanning
lotion announce her arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her heels
click across marble, white pants swishing around her feet to a stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder
and lowers her large black sunglasses in surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her coral shaded lips form a perfect circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My table!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What have you done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Out of all
the mess happening around her—her screaming daughter, Jack now hitting the
plant with his Nerf bat, Rory giving me the finger—she points to me, the one
holding the candlestick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What the hell
did you do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is an original Lugar
Morrisey!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fuck Lugar
and his ugly ass table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about your
kids, lady?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Torri, I think you mean
what did Jack do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She shakes
her head, glossy lips rubbing together in rage, and then she crouches down,
holding her arms out for her precious Jack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Oh, baby, are you all right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jack simply
points to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He did it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I know,
sweetheart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She fusses
with his hair then gives him a disgustingly fake hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torri stands up and stomps her heel at Sophia
Lynne who instantly quiets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rory drops
the bat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blue eyes widen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has enough sense to look guilty, even
though he knows no punishment will come his way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like a movie, a constant reel of
terror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This house is its own campy,
horror show and I’m an unpaid actor, the one who will be killed off by the end
because I’m not a virgin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stand there
gawking at Rosemary and her babies, thinking about my plan of escape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then I
wonder why Torri Rice is upset with me and not trying to weasel her way into my
pants in her husband’s absence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hits
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torri went to pick up Jacob from the Grand
Rapids airport because he just flew in from Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob appears behind his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His lackluster eyes scan the living room from
a foot above his wife, towering over her in his rumpled suit from hours of
travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He eyes me wearily and sighs,
and then brushes a hand over his chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Normally I’d be fantasizing about the sleepy, six-foot-something man
with dark hair and a fantastic ass, but not today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks sad, downtrodden to point of no
return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
gestures for me to follow him with a tilt of his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One bored housewife and three blonde children
watch me like I have a target between my eyes as I move into the foyer and
follow Jacob into his office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like the
rest of the house, Jacob’s office is over decorated, fluffed and filled with
chintz and pizazz that would give the Home and Garden Network reason to throw
in the towel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob hates it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can tell by the way he carefully brushes
aside the vase of fresh flowers on his desk as if it will bite him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He melts
into his rolling throne behind his desk and whirls about once in thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Close the door, would you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Sure.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I close the door and sit on the teal
“Stirling” sofa with its creepy floating leg frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet another Torri touch neither of us guys
enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good trip?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
grunts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I suppose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Not what
you wanted to talk about?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Unfortunately,
no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would talk to you about it in the
morning, but now is as good a time as any.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He scratches his head and looks at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“In no way is this about your performance with the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God knows you try your best and we haven’t
had a nanny stay this long since, well, forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That said, our situation has changed, and
more changes are coming, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It doesn’t
take Sherlock to figure this one out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Am I being sacked?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Not
sacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I knew
this day was going to be crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew it
from the moment I woke up and discovered I was out of coffee, the regular stuff
that I could pour into a filter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the
bitter cartridge packs Torri loads into that beast machine in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew the day wouldn’t get any better when I
couldn’t find the mate to my favorite pair of green socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew… Who was I kidding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day sucked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So why did
I feel like shit being let go from a job I hated?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be because I was supposed to see
this through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d wanted to prove
everyone wrong and become a nanny, a real fucking childcare professional for
kids so I could one day say I had a part in shaping their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God knows I wasn’t about to pop out any kids
of my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the only vicarious
living I could muster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
sucked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being let go from the job I’d
wanted so badly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really blew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Logan,
Torri and I are getting a divorce.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Say
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He snorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Like you didn’t see that one coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what she does when I’m not here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not the only one she tries to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">persuade</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t say that
coming at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Torri is
going to a retreat in Napa for six weeks to “find herself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s under the misconception I’ll stay with
her if she can calm down a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you
believe that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob chuckles wryly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She doesn’t get that I married her because I
loved her at one time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She doesn’t see
that all of this,” he gestures to the bigger picture, his house and life, “was
for her and my children because I love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She doesn’t understand the sacrifices I make, not being there to see my
children grow up so I can support her frivolous lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She just doesn’t care about me anymore, and
frankly, the only ones I care about now are my children and what’s best for
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
nod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of all the Rice clan, Jacob could
hit the nail on the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He isn’t a
dumb man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t be dumb to acquire
this kind of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I envy him in a way
and I pity him in another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some other
life, Jacob would have made my perfect gay husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that was just my imagination, and I was
being let go of my job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These kids were
being broken apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their parents were
splitting up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This house wouldn’t be a
home anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would just be an awful
memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The kids
act out for attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They miss me and
I miss them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They imitate their mother
because they’re desperate for her affection, when she obliges them with what
time she can spare between laser treatments and shopping trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t take a therapist to see, and I’m
sorry I’ve put you in the middle of all of this, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For what it’s worth, one day I think you’ll
be a great father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have the patience
of a saint.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob nods while drumming
his fingers on the desk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
fucking uncomfortable is this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob
speaking to me on the level as if we were equals and I wasn’t the help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me sitting here trying to internalize the
baring of his soul, and the fact that I was being let go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I look at
my lap, at the peanut butter stuck under my fingernails and further down to the
dirty laces of my Converse sneakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
unexpectedly overwhelmed with sadness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The more he talked about the kids, the more I realized not only was he
losing his family, but so was I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Rice’s, for all their demonic impressions, had been my life for a while
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know where I would go or
what I would do now that they were breaking up with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t
worry about the money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve got a fat
severance coming your way for the shit you’ve put up with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really sorry, Jacob.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His
apologetic blue eyes don’t make me feel any better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I twiddle my thumbs to help with the need to
cut and run from his office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ll
write you a glowing letter of recommendation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe put out some feelers at the agency we used to find you and give
you a couple of weeks to pack your things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can use Torri’s Lexus as if it were yours until you can find another
placement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think you’ll want to
stick around before she leaves for her trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It won’t be pretty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And the
kids?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My mom
and dad are coming down from the U.P. in the morning to come get them for a
while, until the lawyers work out something. I’ll be working from home for the
time being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when they get back I’ll
have them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For
good?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jacob
lifts a shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes mist over and
I squirm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not the kind of talk
you wanted to have with your employer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Torri signed a pre-nup before we got married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father talked me into it and now I’m
glad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll give her something to get her
on her feet, but if she fights me for those kids, I’ve got the means to take
them away completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most courts side
with the mother in these cases, but Torri lost any defense she had when she turned
her back on our marriage and sought another lover, many others, and some she
approached right in front of our children. I hope it doesn’t come to a fight
where I have to shut her out completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not that guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to
be that guy. She’s still the mother of my children and I want them to have a
relationship with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t want
them to be her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I hope it
works out for you,” I say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What else is
there to say? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He nods
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Me too, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want you know you’ve been a joy to have
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t thank you enough.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulls out a checkbook from the desk drawer
and starts scribbling on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You don’t
have to do that right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll start packing my stuff first
and put in a call to the agency tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe you should get some rest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jacob
keeps writing. He rips the check at the perforation and slides the paper to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe you should too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a few days to yourself, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve earned them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jacob
Rice’s blue and gold embossed check teeters at the edge of the desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slowly take it, scared to look at the
rectangular slip of paper. When I do look my entire world changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A check for fifteen thousand dollars rests in
my palm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I hope
it’s enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He hopes
this is enough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he kidding me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s almost a year’s pay for me, and if I
didn’t have free accommodations and use of a car, I’d be practically homeless
in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
continues, “It’ll float you for a few months until you can find something back
in Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll probably try to find a
seller for this house before the summer is up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You might want to get a quick start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know it will sell well.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob
turns around to look out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
pristine view from Jacob’s office window makes my heart ache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lake Michigan, warm and blue, laps at the
swaying beach grass from where I’m sitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For some reason, I know I’ll miss this place a lot more than I’m willing
to admit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I stand
from my chair and pocket the check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would not let my emotions get to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would go out with my dignity intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
best get started then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, Mr.
Rice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If you
ever need anything…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
nod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And I do
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob Rice is a good man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man I wasn’t likely to forget in the
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave me the affirmation I
needed—that I was a real nanny, that I could do this, that I could move on to
another family after the initial upset subsided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smile and push open the French doors to his
office and walked out a free man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Helping Hands Agency was where I’d landed the job with the Rice family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a few offices up and down the
lakefront, mainly in largely populated summer communities for the wealthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>West Michigan boomed during the few months
that lacked snow, so I still had time to latch on to a family looking for long
term help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had everything I needed
above the garage back at the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wouldn’t miss the two boxes of crap I’d stowed at the Rices’ townhouse in
Chicago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surprisingly,
I wanted to stick it out around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>See where the wind blew me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
all else failed I could go back to the windy city with my tail between my legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I had a good feeling as I opened the door
to the agency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something was waiting for
me, or rather someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabine Vander
Zwaag was the head of the agency at only thirty-two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d been my contact since I first decided
on becoming a nanny and I was happy to find she had settled in the small
tourist town of Grand Haven, Michigan after tiring of Chicago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I leave
the sweltering heat and the smell of funnel cake behind me on the boardwalk and
walk inside the air-conditioned office suite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sabine motions me into a chair while she continues to nod to someone on
the other end of the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has this
way of gesturing during a phone conversation that makes her appear to be
conducting an orchestra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her chin length
white blond hair is immaculate as she moves; never stirring it’s so perfectly
cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her intense blue eyes roam the
window space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sit atop her full,
flushed cheeks so she looks like an elegant baby doll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her red lips pucker and she sighs irritably.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It says
here,” she enunciates every word, dragging out “here” for a long ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have a water park at your hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I look at these pictures and I don’t see
a water park.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I hide my
laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Dutch accent is so cute it
always makes me smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sounds like
she’s getting ready to break into song, each word a bouncy note separate from
the rest unlike born Americans who race to get to the end of a sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her face
scrunches up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is a water slide?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This doesn’t make a water park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My children wait all summer for a water park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, I live on the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want a water park, not the lake. They
already have the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She slaps the desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sir, I can put a carousel in my garden, but
it doesn’t make a carnival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water slide
doesn’t make a water park.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She shakes
her head at me, pointing at her phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I do not think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No reservation with you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She puts the phone on the cradle before
settling her gaze on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Idioot</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing is going right today for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tell me you have better news, or that I can do something right for
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was surprised to get your call.
Coffee?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No
thanks.” I wave her back into her chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I got let go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She clucks
her tongue. Her blue eyes soften.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
thought you got along well with the Rice’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apart from those <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kinderen</i> being
nasty little things, I hoped you could do them some good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I did not hear from you for so long, I
thought…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She frowns and puts her hand
under chin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It wasn’t
the kids, Sabine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lot of
things, but honestly, it wasn’t the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Torri and Jacob Rice are getting a divorce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re going to sell the summer home here
and the kids are going up north to their grandparents until things get
settled.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kick back in the chair,
letting the weight of the Rice’s misery pull me down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
boardwalk outside is full of happy tourist families coming and going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A majority of them have ice cream cones in
hand, they’re wearing chino shorts and flip flops, moms push strollers, and
everyone is smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me, the
supposedly uncaring nanny, sad for the Rice children and the boardwalk summers
they would be leaving behind, the summers they had never actually had to begin
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would be shipped up north to
their aging grandparents and life would never be the same again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Tragic.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabine stares at the window too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I see this all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is part of what makes my business
thrive—parents who do not adequate have time for their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kinderen</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I first start
this business I thought it made sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alleviate stress from parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone can enjoy their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this generation is too focused on themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They forget what really matters, their
babies, and how their little ones depend on their parents’ love for them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shrugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“All I know for certain is that my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kinderen</i>
are loved and my man makes sure they know that when I am gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is one thing Sabine has
a handle on it’s her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s kind
of a big sister to me, even though we aren’t especially close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the wisdom she imparts upon all of her
nannies that makes us feel connected to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s the earnest sentiment she puts behind her business and that’s the
reason we as nannies feel comfortable coming back to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have no doubt they know that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“So, got anything for me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hums and looks at her computer
screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Although, I do not think it
wise to dip your toes in another red flag situation after you have only just
come out of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a temporary
position for you, yeah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need something permanent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think… I think I’m going to stay
here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My smile grows as hers does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Really?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She beams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No one ever stays here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always
do long distance work after September and I get lonely, Logan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She claps her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wonderbaar</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will find you something good to keep
you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stands and comes over to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She leans down to kiss me several
times on the cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all of her
business composure with clients, to people she considers friends, Sabine is
honest with her true, colorful self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unlike most of the American-Dutch people in the area, Sabine isn’t quite
as reserved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gasps off of me and
grins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will find you something right
away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And she
does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a blunt and passionate
argument on Sabine’s part, I still take the red flag offer to nanny a nine-year-old
boy with a single dad and a grouchy grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t make sense to me why the
grandfather wouldn’t watch the boy, but it sounds nice and different from my
last job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabine sends me over right
away for a quick chat with the dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently he’s in the middle of some project and doesn’t have a ton of
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prepare myself for the worst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
family lives in the city of Holland, a straight shot down US31 from Grand Haven
in Torri’s zippy little Lexus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
travel this way much unless I’m with the Rice clan going home to Chicago or
coming up for the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a
lot of blueberry fields, factories, and wide, open spaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and traffic—there’s plenty of that too,
but it still isn’t anything compared to back home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other visiting Illinois license plates weave
in and out of the steady Michigan traffic, forgetting they aren’t at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The longer I drive, the more I realize
Illinois drivers are kind of assholes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guess it isn’t exactly news to me, and at least they’re better than the Ohio
guy in front of me going ten under the speed limit like he has all the time in
the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I wonder
what the locals think of all the tourist flow this time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They probably love the rise in local business
sales, but hate their roads being subjected to large groups of bikers, flatland
bound minivans, and fancy sports cars in on a weekend from Chi-town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things seemed to run at a different pace
around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt the locals like
everything at a slower speed, hence a highway with a 55 mph speed limit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I make my
way into Holland, surprised at all the well-known chain stores I’m used to
seeing back at home, intermingled with smaller ones I don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traveling farther west proves to be a
nightmare as the streets become narrower and mostly one way towards “the
beach”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d quickly learned during my
short stay on this side of the state that calling the water “Lake Michigan” in
these parts ousted you as a tourist, if your “accent” didn’t give you away
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything on the lakefront was
“the beach”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like I
said, this place is a different world as far as I’m concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I guess different is what I need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I take the
longest road ever towards the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
factories in this part of the city are fewer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mostly residential plots, colorful little one story and sometimes two
craftsman style homes with yards full of green grass and either U of M or
Michigan State flags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further evidence
these people take their college football very seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, really seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eventually
waterfront cottages begin popping up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stretches of sand decorate each side of the winding road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tall tufts of beach grass sway as I drive
by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seagulls perch like sentries on
aluminum guardrails lining the sandy sidewalks, watching me go with their beady
black eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">People not
from the area would think beach and imagine wide open views of the water
straightaway, possibly some palm trees to go with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Michigan is very different in that
aspect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thick clusters of trees—and no,
not palm trees—block most of the water views from the road, unless you’re at a
state park where you’d get the open scenery you would have imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While pretty, I’m not here for the beach or
to take pictures of the landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
here for a job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The GPS
guides me into a more secluded area of the neighborhood, a richer area where
the cottages are bigger and more spaced apart with their own private drives and
hanging signs out front with family names or, if they were really someone
special, the name of their house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
GPS tells me to take a right to my destination and I get a little rush of
excitement, gazing out the windshield at the steep uphill drive before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the
hill levels off about a quarter of a mile later, I find the two-story house in
perfect seclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a bright,
welcoming white with a weathered, beach wood paneled bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An open porch in the front and a screened-in
porch to the side give it relaxing retreat look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the no-fuss landscaping, other than
the U of M flag waving proudly in the yard that tell of the hardcore fans
living here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Frankly, I
like how the place feels like home the minute I get out of the car and step
onto the gravel drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waves crashing in
the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fresh air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jetskis hitting the water nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all so different than city life, yet
absolutely amazing. I already can’t wait to see the inside, to meet my possible
employer and get the hell out of the situation with the Rice family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I almost
skip up the porch I’m so eager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rap on
the red front door a few times, anxious to get this meet and greet over with
and start something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can do this,
I tell myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a damn good nanny, I
chant in my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I start to lose
courage when I’m still standing here a few minutes later with no one to talk
to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Whaddya
want?” someone finally asks on the other side of the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Uh… I’m
here from the Helping Hands Agency?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
supposed to talk with Chris.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lean
over to peek in one the windows framing the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My name is Logan Davis.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t
know any Davis’.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door opens a
bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An older man squints at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You a man nanny?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Uh… Yes,
sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a nanny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t
know any man nannies.” He eyes me up and down before pushing the door wide
open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man stomps his cane between us
like a warning not to come closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You’re here because of my son?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well to hell with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take
care of Joey just fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be on
your way now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His thick
Michigan accent is a bit hard to decipher because of how fast his words slur
together, but I gather from his tone and the anger in his eyes that I’m not
welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sir, if I could just speak to
Chris—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Damn
Fudgie to boot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lookitya, all city and
what have you. You smell like a tourist.” He grinds his cane into the black
hardwood floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Was that a
gay joke?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A Fudgie?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sir, I’m from Illinois.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Even
worse.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ancient One shakes his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No grandson of mine is gonna be
watched by no Illinois Fudgie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What the
hell is a Fudgie?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lose my cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gramps is starting to piss me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and his cane are blocking me from what
could be a great opportunity, one I can’t afford to pass up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One I refuse to walk away from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Look—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You look here, son—you get in your fancy car
and be on your way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be lookin’ for
trouble now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man squints until his
wrinkle framed blue eyes are barely visible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Dad, who
is at the door?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabine called and said
to expect Joey’s new nanny.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A tall
blond man rounded the corner from down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His steps increased in tempo as he nears his
father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacob Rice had been hot, taken
daddy kind of hot, but this guy was a different kind of sexy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that he could see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t like he sported some suave outfit,
just black board shorts and an old Western Michigan t-shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the rest of him had it going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not ripped by any means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More of the lean body of a swimmer, but he
still has power to his long legs and tanned arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I especially like his black-rimmed
glasses, which magnify the blue of his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What can I
say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m an observant kind of guy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must be Logan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daddy dearest offers me a hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shake on it just to feel those fingers wrap
around mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a strong, sure grip
that pumps blood into my cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man, either
I’m riding out the high of being a free man, or it has been a long damn time
since I’ve gotten any action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And you
must be Chris,” I manage to say without looking like an idiot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
shakes my hand one more time before letting go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Chris Wyzak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nice to meet
you, Logan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t
matter who he is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa waves his
cane, narrowly missing his son’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Don’t need ya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a fact.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
slants a glance at his father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re
having knee surgery in three weeks, Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ve fallen twice already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
takes you an hour just to find the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Joey is faster than you can keep up with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m done talking about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So please go sit in your chair and
relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not supposed to be on that
knee for Pete’s sake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“He’s a
Fudgie!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old man’s temper flares.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“This
isn’t the U.P. anymore, Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop saying
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People around here will get the
wrong idea.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris ignores his dad’s
irate expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiles at me
instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on in, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a bit warm out there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Gettin’
warm,’ The Ancient One sneered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Back in
my day we—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You had
to walk five hundred miles through the Sahara Desert to get to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris pats his dad on
the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go sit in your chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Game’s on and you’re missin’ it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why
didn’t you say so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kripes Almighty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we on the board yet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old man shuffles down the hall as fast as
he can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I notice the grimace on his face
as he falls into his chair and slowly stretches back in his recliner to relieve
the pain in his knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Joey boy, the
game’s on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I don’t
care,” a small voice flitters through the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How can
ya not care?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the Wolverines, you
little heathen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I root
for State!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A door slams somewhere in
the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
turns a wide eyed look on me and holds up a finger for me to wait as his father
barks a series of colorful curses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently, rooting for State is a sin in this house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Make yourself at home in the kitchen. I’ll
be right there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Sure
thing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had no
idea where the kitchen was, but I used my sleuthing skills to find it through
the makeshift office in what was supposed to be the dining room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was definitely a home belonging to men;
white walls, a little dirty, no one cared if anything matched or if the place
was decorated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then I went into the
kitchen and the place popped as if it were the heart of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blue and
green glass tiles splashed between the white cabinets and the smooth, cement
style counters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wide open windows looked
out over the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell of cookies
hung in the air and my mouth watered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was an absolute mess on every single surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The kitchen looked lived in with bits of recipes and bills and bowls
full of ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A child’s artwork
and school pictures clung to the refrigerator with tacky magnets made out of
macaroni and those little puff balls from the craft store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Toto,
we’re not in Kansas anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this
certainly isn’t the Rice house either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d landed in another dimension compared to their Crate and Barrel
palace of extravagance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through
the kitchen I saw Chris bent over his father, whispering to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His dad seemed to quiet once he was given a
drink and full use of the large flat screen television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything was so normal in this house, the
open arguments and the mess around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was unlike anything I’d ever pictured a nanny client’s lifestyle to
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I loved
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like one of the guys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Sorry
about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad’s a real treat sometimes,” Chris says
as he joins me in the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I lean
against the counter, trying to keep up with his intense eye contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everyone has a father story for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t sweat it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I suppose
that’s true, but he’s fussier than most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We just moved him down here from the U.P.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uh, that’s the Upper Peninsula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Way up north.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris smiles and picks up a bowl of
flour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sets it down near his work
station and sprinkles a bit on the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m both shocked to see him baking and to find him at ease doing
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what Sabine must have meant
by project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s lived up there his
entire life and he hates this part of the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Says beaches should have rocks, not
sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says a lot of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he’s not used to being around kids much
anymore, hence the reason you’re here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You don’t
have a problem with my being here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
man, I mean.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waves are too alluring not to look at,
and I want to hide my face when the other shoe drops and he tells me I’m not
what he needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Chris has changed
his mind after meeting me in person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Should
I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabine recommended you, talked you up
so much I had to beg her to stop.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
chuckles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like his uneven laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s awkward, yet sexy and infectious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People probably make fun of his laugh at
first, and then smile because it’s the genuine sound of a happy man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hope you don’t mind Sabine saying, but don’t
worry about the gay thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t
bother me a bit. Nothing new in this house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nothing
new?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brows climb and I itch to hear
what he means by that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still can’t
look away from the sandy slope of beach in the backyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nothing like the shoreline back home in
Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even better than the view from
the Rice’s summer home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost lose interest
in his reasoning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Never
mind, I only meant don’t worry about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So tell me about yourself, Logan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I’m supposed to leave my kid with you all day, I think I’d like to
know something about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I finally
was able to turn around and walk to the kitchen island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris is still flouring the surface in
preparation for rolling out the dough he’s made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching him work gives me the idea he’s
somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to baking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is perfectly measured, spaced, and
ready to go before he ventures on to the next step. “I was a small town
Illinois boy who wanted to escape and move to the Chicago to be somebody.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smirk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Ah, makes
sense now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can always smell a
foreigner.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m just joshin’ ya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What brought you to the beach then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The
family I was working for summers here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have a home in North Muskegon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Big money
then, those parts…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glances up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m caught off guard by his bright blue eyes.
I have to look away, because although he means nothing sexual by looking me
straight in the eye, I find it too intense to keep up with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I let my eyes wander instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flour dusts his jaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His large hands are covered with it too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I notice his ringer finger is virginal, no
tan line or callous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hadn’t been married
then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clears his throat and I blush a
bit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He asks,
“Why did you decide to stick around these parts if you’re from a big city
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t promise much action here,
unless you get your entertainment from a grouchy old man and Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son, Joey, he’s a little, well…
unpredictable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s just the
age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ nods to reaffirm this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a phase.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh
no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A phase?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That could mean anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time I heard the word phase I was ten
and my grandmother was sure I would grow out of liking boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hoped Chris wasn’t under the same
impression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gay is not a phase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sabine said he’s nine?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Mm hmm,
nine is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whole</i> lot of fun.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris works the dough over the island as if
it’s an extension of his body that needs to be relieved of tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has nice hands, tan with long fingers and
traces of fine blond hair near his knuckles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just watching his fingers rub the soft mound makes me relax like he’s
working my shoulders instead. “School is about to start up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey still hasn’t made any friends since we
moved into this house from the old one on the Southside last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve tried to help him find some at school,
but… He’s just different, is all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His eyes
storm behind his glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kneads the
dough harder like he’s trying to make it moan for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen enough angry in my years to know
he’s about to let something loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And
don’t get me started on those yuppie parents at that damn private school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christian my ass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those people make my life harder than
necessary. And then my dad, taking him in was a big commitment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother refused to have him and my mom’s
been remarried a long time now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, I
don’t even know why I said yes, because my old man has hated me since as far
back as I can remember.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This guy had been itching for someone to pop
the lid on his bottle of messed up for a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fizzes around the edges with barely
concealed failure and exhaustion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either
that or he’s teeming with need for adult talk with an easy listener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let him go and keep any judgment from my
expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth is I enjoy his casual
flow, like nothing is private between us, even though he’d only laid eyes on me
ten minutes ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best part is Chris
doesn’t realize how captivating he is while he talks and works, pouring his
heart out in a way that doesn’t send me running for the hills or worse, handing
him a phonebook to look up a therapist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My Dad
and Joey don’t see eye to eye and Grumpy’s health isn’t the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t trust them alone together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t know what I’d come home to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I need some help.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shrugs, but it’s a forced nonchalance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see a micro-flash of fear in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He plays it off, stiffening his shoulders and
rolling them back to get the kinks out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The timer
on the oven goes off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris looks at his
doughy fingers and curses under his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After turning the timer off, I steal the oven mitt from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think you just might.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pull a tray of sugar cookies out of the
oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I will totally stick around to
help if I can have one of these.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ll save
you boys some later,” he says without looking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure there will be plenty of oddballs
that I won’t be able to box.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Later?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a later?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That had to be a good sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe it wasn’t since he’d called me a
boy, and he couldn’t look me in the eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And after
they’re iced,” he finally explains, giving me a tired look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I need three hundred of these ready to go by eight in the morning and
another two hundred chocolate chip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of my clients is having her son christened tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to be at this all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the walk-in at my restaurant went out
some time during the night, so I’ve been dealing with that all morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Walk-in?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A big
refrigerator at the restaurant.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I knew that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He grins,
taking years off of him instantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fine
if you didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, yeah, it’s out of
commission until I can finagle the repair guy down a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A grand is pretty steep, seeing as how I’ve
done him plenty of favors in the past.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Favors?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heat crept across my cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, so maybe I deserve to be called a boy
because sometimes my mind is a dirty gutter full of penis jokes and sexual
innuendos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He has
enough grace to pretend not to notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I catered his daughter’s open house, my repair guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of those graduation parties the kids have
for high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also gave him three
sheet cakes free for his mother’s ninetieth birthday party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I didn’t wring his kid’s neck when he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">accidentally</i> hit Joey in the face that
time the garbage disposal went out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
kid is a bigger asshole than my father,” he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A self-entitled mama’s boy, if you ask me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Garbage
disposal?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
rolls his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had a leak in the
roof of the restaurant dining room and my repair guy brought his kid along
because he didn’t have anyone to watch him on such short notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey was there with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boys got to playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The repair guy’s kid stuck a few of Joey’s
plastic dinosaurs down the disposal and flipped in on, and when Joey tried to
stop him, the kid hit him in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Blamed the entire thing on Joey too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can you believe that crap?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was
pissed off for Joey and for the ugly death of his plastic dinosaurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just not right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If that was my kid he hit, and he didn’t get
in trouble for it, I’d find a new repair guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not only does it sound like he’s playing you cost wise, he sounds like
he needs to get his kid in line too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wouldn’t put up with it, and I certainly wouldn’t be giving his mother free
cake.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately regretted sharing
my opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris just stared at me
until I felt like I had to say something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I mean, that’s just my point of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris’s
eyes smile for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sniggers under
his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, you’re right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know he’s taking advantage, and I know I
should’ve let him go years ago, but when you run a business like my family has
for this long, you have to do things a certain way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have the repair guy that is the son of
the old repair guy your grandfather used to do business with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a deal going. You have to continue
this deal so you don’t step on toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
repair guy’s grandmother is remarried to a guy who is also my produce supplier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives me fresh ingredients at the best
price in town, delivers them every day before open, and he never fails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“His
cousin runs a kitchen supply warehouse in Grand Rapids where we buy our
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cut me a discount because
we’re all connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let go of the
repair guy and shit hits the fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Word
will spread through the grapevine, and I’ll probably have my car repossessed or
something like that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laughs
harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s so ridiculous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like blackmail.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laugh with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire ordeal is too funny not to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take ease in his sated sigh and the warm
smile he gives me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You must think I’m
crazy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No
crazier than the rest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hand him a box
of parchment paper that he reaches for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Well, some people are crazier than the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take my most recent employer for
example.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell him about Torri Rice
and he grips his bowl to steady himself as his eyes widen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She
actually tried to… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Really</i>?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he asks with deep concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh yeah,
she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those poor kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, they were pretty horrible to me, but
it wasn’t their fault they acted that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were taught to act like that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I shrug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He nods
passionately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Divorce was probably the best option for all
of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No reason to stay in a
relationship just for the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
bull in my opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not like those
kids don’t know what is going on, even that young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think they were happy watching their
mother hate their father, and trying to flirt with other men?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I don’t
know much about divorce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom wasn’t
married when she had me and she didn’t even get married until about seven years
ago, wasn’t to my biological father either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Worked out well that way I guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
looks at his dad in the living room, and then back at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know plenty about divorce, and let me tell
you, it worked out better for all of us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I take it
you lived with your mom?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother and I had to spend summers with
him up north until we were both over eighteen, and then we decided not to
anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Can I ask
something personal?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Haven’t
you already?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wraps some dough
up to put in the fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why did
you take him in if you don’t like him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
froze with his back to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His shoulders
slump a little and his hands fall to his sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because no matter how mean he was to me, he
never hit me, and he still went out of his way to defend me when others started
talking crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I freaked out after
Joey was born, I had to get away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
took me and my son in without asking any questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I owe him for that, no matter how small
a favor it was, I won’t turn him out when he doesn’t have anyone else to run
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t let him die in some home
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And because he’s my dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the way it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s
nice,” I murmur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walk around to his
workspace and steal a chocolate chip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’d do anything for my mom too, no matter how crazy she is
sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love her to pieces though.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My mom
always says you can tell a lot about a man by how much he loves his mother,”
Chris remarks in passing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He makes sure
to push the chocolate chips out of my reach, but winks as he does so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There are men who love their mother more
than they should, and I’m supposed to leave those alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are men who accept all of their
mother’s flaws and praise their talents, who fall somewhere in the middle, and
those are keepers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there are the
unfortunate few who shun their mothers for no damn good reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are the ones without a heart, and no
matter how much you try, you can’t spread your heart thin enough for the both
of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never works.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
bestows his mother’s wisdom graciously as he puts warm cookies on cooling
racks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he doesn’t realize is that
he has linked two crucial pieces of information together for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe he intended to do so to put me at
ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever his plan, I now know
Chris has no problem with me being gay because he is too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way he shared his sexuality was new on
me, like it shouldn’t be a secret, but being gay wasn’t all that he was and not
as important to him as it was to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
him, he was simply Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, being
gay was the first thing I put on a resume, like a skill of the trade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This man
I’d met twenty minutes ago, this man in his board shorts making cookies for
some baby who would never eat them, he made me think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put his life into perspective and somehow
made my life appear artificial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was I
pushing myself on people too hard, being too outspoken about my sexuality that
if they hadn’t been put off by the idea before, they were now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was I that guy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
sincerely hope not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You look
a thousand miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I upset
you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushes a warm cookie over on a
napkin as a peace offering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He adjusts
his glasses right before I can fully study the anxiousness in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing is certain, Chris knows what I’ve
just put together and the comfortable air he’s casted in the kitchen has
changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Of course
you didn’t upset me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just thinking
about a million different things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
been a long day already,” I assure him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He’s not
quick to accept my half-truth, but doesn’t dwell on it by forcing everything
out of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris gives me a flat smile
and wipes his hands off on a towel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Well, how about you meet Joey and we can take things from there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You don’t
want to see my resume first?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Sabine
already emailed it to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen what
I need to see, and heard from you in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey will be your jury today.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris’s brilliant smile returns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“So be warned, he’s picky.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I take it
he’s had other nannies before me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
follow him through the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>U of
M makes a touchdown as I pass the television, but Grumpy is already snoring up
a storm in his chair. He misses what looks to be the play of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We’ve had
two actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first was Melanie,
and she was a babysitter looking to be a nanny during the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was too flaky and sometimes didn’t even
show up before I went to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when
I told her she could have the guest suite downstairs if she promised to wake
Joey up on time, she thought I was crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think she thought I was coming on to her or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dunno.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris waves the thought off and stops at the end of the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She lasted about a month, and then we tried
Mrs. Stittler who lives down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s been watching Joey up until now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
steps away from the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Joey hated
everything about that one, and truthfully so did I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s nosey, gossipy, and she hates the fact
that Joey would rather read a book than be, and I quote, “normal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you believe her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nerve.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yeah,” I
agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That is pretty shitty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Language,”
he warns with a playful wag of his finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Joey’s
room.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knocks on the door twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, Joey, can I come in?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Enter,”
comes a quiet reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
opens the door to the cleanest room I have ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like it was straight out of a decorating
magazine, Joey’s room is immaculate, colorful, yet somehow more mature than any
nine-year-old boy’s bedroom should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Painted a stormy blue, his room has a distinct nautical theme, complete
with a collection of anchors hanging on the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not a
speck of dust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not an item out of
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even the large area rug
strays from the parallel lines of the floorboards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s perfect—too perfect if you ask me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The boy
sits at his window seat, leaning against the warm glass as he curls up with a
thick book that could be a volume of the encyclopedia for all I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has the same dirty blond hair as his
father, and the same innocent blue eyes as he looks up at me, but that is where
the similarities end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His childish scowl
is nothing his father could achieve if he tried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a look I’m familiar with having worked
with the Rice family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the look of
hate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear
powers that be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t let this be a
repeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Fine,”
Joey says and returns to reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
draws his knees up to his chest and curls his fingers around the book’s edges,
hiding from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can I read now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Joey,
could we please have a moment of your time to talk?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise I’ll let you read all you want
until bed time, if that’s what you want to do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris smiles at his son, but his body reads like he’s already
frustrated, like he’s been through this before and knows the answer he’s about
to get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I said
he’s fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re gonna get a new nanny
for me anyway, so what does it matter?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joey cuts a look at his father, and then thinks better of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does this cute little thing where he puffs
his cheeks out and lets his breath out in a whoosh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>What</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What did
I tell you about the attitude?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t
what me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care if we have a
guest, you know better.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris puts his
hand on his hip and scrubs his other hand over his chin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, this
is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torri would’ve let her
children get away with that for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris didn’t, and he wasn’t afraid to upset his child for the sake of
manners and respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could get used to
this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
happens next kind of startles me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey
puts his book down carefully and hangs his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry, Dad,” he whispers like it was a
last plea on his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
shoots me a pseudo panicked look before he kneels in front of his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not in trouble, buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wish you wouldn’t cop an attitude with
me like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the
verge of tears, Joey nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He accepts
his dad’s hand like it’s made of gold and squeezes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah,” his voice catches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What the
hell is this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know much about
abuse, and I didn’t think Chris had it in him from what I’d seen, but never in
all my years had I witnessed a child nearly fall at their parent’s feet to get
back into their good graces over something so small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either Chris was a lot stricter than I saw,
or Joey wasn’t like any child I’d ever known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris can’t be hitting his kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There isn’t a mark on him that I can see. I refuse to believe my
first rash suspicion. It just can't be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris hugs
Joey close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turns his head and mouths
“later” to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nod because that’s all
I can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not a baby anymore,” Joey
appeals quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Grandpa’s here if
something happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can do it, Dad, I
swear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Grandpa
can’t take care of you, Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hurts
for him to move these days, let alone keep up with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to be to school on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to get picked up on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to get out of this house once in a
while when I’m at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you have
homework questions and I’m not here, you think Grandpa is gonna help you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey, it’s not fair to ask Grandpa to do
things you know he can’t do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needs to
rest and you need to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Logan is here
to help everyone out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’re
always busy.” Joey pouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joey tried
hard to keep up the fight, but in the end, he knew Chris had won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It broke me a little to hear how much he
missed his dad. Most of the time, kids in my line of work had grown up with a
nanny and didn’t know any better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
kid knew the difference, and he was vying for his father’s affection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris had plenty of adoration for his little
boy, but he didn’t have all the time in the world to show Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world sucked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Think of
it this way,” I butted in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When your
dad gets home from work, everything will already be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll have homework done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll be fed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll get your clothes ready for school the
next day and get you cleaned up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chores
will be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa won’t have
anything to nitpick over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by the
time dad walks through that door, the only thing left to do will be to spend time
with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll see him before
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll see him after
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the weekends for sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Uh…”
Chris grimaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I work weekends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joey
reached out to me with a pitiful stare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“See?” his poor little eyes asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He doesn’t have time for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
he really said was, “That’s okay, Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know you work hard for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh my
god.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about your heart being ripped
from your chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did this little
read-aholic know about the realities of the world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how painful was it to watch Chris silently
accept his fate and know he couldn’t do a thing about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a business to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His kid was a severe introvert who worried
the entire family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa made things
worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
negative energy finally catches up with me and now I have a clear picture of
what is really going on here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And isn’t
it so perfect that my job is made for this exact situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Joey, I’m Logan, and I’m going to be your
childcare professional.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Is that
like a psychologist, the doctor guy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
don’t look like one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey peels away
from his father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You been
to one?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sit down next to him at the
window seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joey
nods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They think I’m weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Are you
weird?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I run my finger up the spine of
his book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Tale of Two Cities</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
nine-year-old was reading this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He gently takes his book away from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His skinny legs swing against the bench seat in a slow rhythm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Good
answer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I raise my fist and casually
wait for the fist-bump to be reciprocated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A minute later, bony little knuckles knock against mine and I
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, Joey who isn’t weird at all,
do you go by anything else or is it just Joey?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joey
shrugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My Pa used to call me
Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s dead now, but he still pays for my
school.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before I
can question what the heck that means, Chris puts his hands up with a
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He has an inheritance that was
part of my grandfather’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gets
used for Joey’s private school tuition.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
see.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank fuck we weren’t dealing with
“Pa writes me checks from heaven” or some other bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lying to kids about anything other than the
three biggies—Santa, the Tooth fairy, and the Easter Bunny—wasn’t good for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least that’s how Sabine had
trained us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So what are we gonna do for
the next two weeks while Dad is at work and you don’t have school yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Read?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey shrugs again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How the kid doesn’t pull something I have no
idea, but he’s unsure about everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We could
do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or we could go to the
movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe go to mall and get school
shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You done that yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joey
shakes his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks up at his
dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris groans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I totally forgot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey, do you know where I put that sheet with
the new dress code on it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It changes
every year, I swear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joey slips
down from the bench and goes to a cabinet in the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulls out a file, yes a file, and opens it
carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Fall Winter sheet or the
Spring Summer one?” asks Chris’s nine-year-old secretary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Fall, I
guess.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris takes the page from
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He groans again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All white tennis shoes for fall and
winter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are they kidding with this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah,” he purrs happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Black dress shoes or boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That we can do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Why can’t
I wear tennis shoes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Because
they’ll get dirty when it starts to snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ll get you some for gym class, okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But you can’t wear them around all the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I hate
dress shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hurt my feet,” Joey
whines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I look dumb.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You do
not look dumb.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris tries to tuck the
paper into a pocket he doesn’t have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
sighs and settles for holding onto it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I bet the
guys in this book wear cool dress shoes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I held up Joey’s book, trying to persuade him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I bet they look great.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joey puts
a hand on hip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everyone gets their
heads chopped off in that book, and they didn’t have tennis shoes to buy back
in the old days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Okay…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris
huffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Joey, what are you reading that
people get their heads chopped off?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
that why you haven’t wanted to sleep in your own bed this week?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want you reading about people getting
hacked up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s
history,” Joey cries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And Sister Grace
said Jesus died the most vicious death of all, and we we have to read about
that every day!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Joey,
don’t start with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Sister Grace
gave you all the hell talk you had to sleep in my bed for almost two
weeks.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris snatches up the book,
reads the title and cuts Joey a warning look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This is not on the list we agreed on, and it may be related to history,
but this is fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not real.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Dad!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Joey!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I decide
then that there is no way Chris is an abusive parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey is purely a kid who desperately wants to
please his father and is struggling between wanting to be an adult while still
being a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is torn and somewhat
broken, but still young and viable enough to be taught in the ways of
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is his father’s son, of that
there is no doubt in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching
them yell at each other, it’s like seeing a man split in two on either side of
a mirror—one part older and wiser to the world, and one young and teetering on
the edge of puberty, pleading to grow up too fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They are
so alike it’s hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Father and son
carry on for another fifteen minutes as if I’m not in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow I feel like I’m spying on a private
moment in Joey’s childhood, spying on Chris as he learns the ups and downs of
parenting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet I also discover how
needed I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much Chris needs me to
continue his teachings while he’s at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How much Joey needs me to learn to loosen up and have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How they need me to make this work before one
of them snaps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is
the moment I have dreamed of since making the craziest decision in my life—to
become a nanny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This right here, wrapped
up in this beachfront home, breathing in this family’s love for each other and
the struggles they’re facing, this is what I signed up for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know this is what I wanted until a
minute ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first it had been about
proving myself—making others see me in a different light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But that’s
not what this job is about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about
lending your heart to a family, putting your needs aside for their needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about that little boy right there being
different and thinking that’s a bad thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s about his father who wants nothing more than to spend every second
of every minute with his son, but circumstances prevent him from doing so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So you
know what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to make this
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to put on my childcare
professional hat, ditch my “me zone” for a little while, and do something
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because from the moment I stepped
into this house, I knew it was where I belonged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To be continued...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-58572344229195374332014-03-25T18:46:00.000-04:002014-03-25T18:46:06.454-04:00Whispers in Silence: Part 8
What's up, everybody? <br />
<br />
So I'm excited to start getting to the juicy part of this story, but I have to tell you that this installment will be shorter than normal. What had happened was... lol... I wrote a really long piece and I knew it needed adjustment, and after giving it to a friend to look over, she agreed. That said, I'm taking the really long piece and turning it into a bunch of smaller ones so your brain doesn't explode. :D So expect more to come. We aren't done yet!<br />
<br />
On an even better note, I'm happy to say that we will be resuming Flash Fiction Friday after a wintery hiatus, and I'm starting a new story that is totally different than anything I've written before. This has been nagging at me for months, and when faced with deciding between two stories for FFF, I went ahead and gave into my gut to go with this new one. So on Friday I hope you stop back and visit to check it out.<br />
<br />
Well, on with Whispers! ;)<br />
<br />
~Night<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Part 8 Playlist:</span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lose Your Soul - Dead Man's Bones (This is weird one, but it worked perfectly for me. lol)</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In My Veins - Andrew Belle</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Heaven Knows - The Pretty Reckless</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Deep Shadow (Vocal Version) - T.T.L.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Last
time on Whispers:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She fisted the bottom of her sweater in her
hand, and stared at her lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sinclair
isn’t their real surname, but no one else but Red and her grandmother knew
that, and Red didn’t know until about a year before Tabby’s birthday that
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her grandmother wanted to keep
them safe, but she also wanted Red to carry out family tradition because she
believed Red, even above her son, could handle the job.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian
slowly turned to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither of them
had to say it aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s horrified
face spoke volumes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“She
wanted Red to be something called a Hunter, and that they were many others like
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said they would help her take
down Camille.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Whispers
in Silence: Part 8<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She stopped playing with her buttons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hands stilled and Elle lifted her
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t the first time you’ve heard this,
is it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian swallowed loud enough for them to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned helpless eyes to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was he supposed to say that wouldn’t
compromise the others still out there in the field?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did this mean for him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed Wes to fix this, obviously, as
Adrian’s lips opened and closed yet nothing came out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes got a glimpse of the Adrian he’d first met; the
man who didn’t know how to ask for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But when he did these days, he always turned to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Senior Detective softened his expression
and put his hands to his wrist for Adrian to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just
breathe.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Elle, it’s not that I
don’t want to tell you, it’s that I can’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes offered her a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
sorry I can’t give you more when you’re being so generous.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She sniffled and nodded, taking his response in
stride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re very polite for a
Detective.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And you’re a very strong woman for holding it
together to help your friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not
trying to placate you here, I’m being honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Took some serious cojones to tell us what you just did. More
importantly, I’m glad you trust us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
slid his hand beneath a pillow to touch Adrian’s leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elle didn’t notice, but Adrian did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s partner breathed a sigh of relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Elle’s forced smile waned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reached up and twisted her short braid
between her fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then I’ll tell you
what I know and help them the best I can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We would appreciate that very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything you know, Elle.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes exhaled as Adrian’s hand slid over his, their
touching camouflaged by the pillow between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I suppose Red took her grandmother up on her
offer?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is that a real question?” Elle smirked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes lit up in a way that could only make
her friend’s memory genuine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Red was
the most adventurous person I ever knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She loved a challenge, and I always felt bad for her that she didn’t get
to do more of what she wanted under Camille’s watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time for her to get out, to do
something worthwhile, she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
never hold her back from something like that, no matter how scared I was for
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So yes, she left one week later and
that was the last I saw of her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did anyone else know she left?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Elle shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“She received a new passport and a ticket in a black envelope a few days
before she flew out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember being
nervous when she showed it to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
very James Bond and cloak and dagger kind of stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew she was going to be in danger.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She glanced up and shrugged halfheartedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But that was Red, the ultimate thrill
seeker, and what better way to get a high than to take down the one person you
hate the most while doing something you enjoy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes pictured Red Sinclair waltzing through that
airport like someone important, a big smile on her face as she embarked on a
top-speed ride into her new life as a Hunter. The complete opposite of her
sister, Red Sinclair would have made the perfect James Bond if she was trained
anywhere close to how Adrian was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although unlike Adrian, Red chose that life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t programmed into her brain to be some
ultimate super spy for the queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
loved her role, just like a real life James Bond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Good
for you, kid. Good for you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The classics never die,” Wes murmured with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, nothing—so Red left under a fake identity and
that’s how she was able to disappear with no one the wiser.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A car was sent to the hotel she stayed at the night before she
left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t be seen at the hotel
with her because of the cameras, so I could only wave goodbye from the other
side of the street.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elle rubbed her
eyes and took a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is harder than I thought
it’d be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, I think about her every
single day, but this is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
never told anybody the whole story.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Take your time, Elle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She wrinkled her nose and straightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, I can do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the last time I saw her, but it
wasn’t the last time I heard from her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
being gone for a long time, she started sending me the gifts from PO boxes
around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was her way of
telling me she was okay, and where she was or had been at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to track her by the addresses
because I was going a little crazy when I wouldn’t hear from her for a
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was strange to me that I
suddenly get these gifts after years…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s curiosity stirred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cocked his head and squinted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you mean track?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Elle held up a finger and got up from her
chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She went to a large bookcase and
crouched down to open the cabinet at the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pulled out a thick, black photo album and
then brought it to Wes and Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
sitting down she opened it to reveal the book wasn’t a photo album at all, but
a scrapbook instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I have a page for every shipping label from the
packages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I researched them a bit, the
labels, and they looked strange compared to the ones I found online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was scared to take them to a professional,
in case they somehow saw something they weren’t supposed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I stopped looking at them because maybe
I was being paranoid, you know.” She handed the book over to Adrian who
immediately reached for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He skimmed page after page with his finger, always
going straight to the barcode with a set of numbers underneath. Finally he
looked over at Elle, considering her for a long time before he said, “Thank you
for not showing this to anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were
considered very trustworthy to receive these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You were an ally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There aren’t
many of those, and usually the title is reserved for mates.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I…I wasn’t involved with her like that, but we were
very close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We understood each other
like no one else.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elle folded her hands
in her lap, fingers clenching and unclenching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Please tell me I’m not crazy and that those mean something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re they messages for me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never received any letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was always dying to hear from her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian checked with Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elle Franco had waited too long to know the
truth, and Wes saw Adrian had answers to give her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had hidden Red’s secret for many years,
and Wes knew she wouldn’t betray her friend’s true identity, even after Red’s
passing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go ahead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian put the book in his lap and pointed to a
barcode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The first three digits of
every barcode were not printed by the post office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re signatures used by Hunters when
sending evidence to the queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had Red
sent these all by herself there would have been the same three numbers every
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She used the Hunter network to
help her, undoubtedly because she was working undercover and didn’t want the
packages to be all from the same location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Had these fallen into the wrongs hands, she would have been made.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then they aren’t messages?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They aren’t even from her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her grandmother said they were important when
she phoned me about Red’s… when Red died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said to keep the gifts safe until it was time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then Robert showed up—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shoved the book into Wes’s lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hold that thought for me, Elle. Stay here,” he
said. He jogged through the living room and seconds later the front door
opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came racing back inside with
a tech kit from the escort vehicle outside, and then crouched down in the
hallway and opened the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wes, I
need you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Coming,” Wes yelled back stupidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While his partner didn’t hear him, Wes still didn’t
need to be told twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be right
back,” he said to Elle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When Wes entered the hallway, he found Adrian had
taken some of the weapons off of the wall and was inspecting them closely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He crouched next to Adrian and tapped his
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We couldn’t always send messages by phone or letter,
and computers are especially dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were enemy eyes everywhere—they worked at the bank, at the post,
at fucking restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had ways of
monitoring all electronic activity like phones and GPS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to hide everything, had to go old
school to get anywhere. You’ve seen my suitcase.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian turned the spear over and looked up at
Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nothing is as it seems.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You think there’s something hidden in the weapons.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, and I think that’s why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Robert</i> showed up in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson is not just some graduate from the
Academy, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither am I. And people
like us will wait as long as we have to, to do our job right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian brought the spear up for closer inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Someone is guarding Elle and guarding
whatever is in these weapons because the information is important, and so was
Elle to Red otherwise Elle would be dead by now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a Hunter goes down, we protect what they
have left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we go after whoever
killed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s our way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian squinted at the weapon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put it in his lap and reached for the
black light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Elle, I know you’re
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hit the lights.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The lights went out and Wes tensed when Elle stopped
next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the eerie glow of candle
light, Adrian turned the device on and shined it at the spear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A blue band appeared where the arrowhead met
the wooden shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes, find the rest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He handed the black light to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll work on getting this open.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian fished out the flashlight, held it between
his teeth and used a knife from the kit to pry the weapon open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes paused at the swords, amazed how deep
he’d fallen into Adrian’s world when more blue bands appeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Got it,” Adrian tugged a slim USB from a
crevice in the spear’s shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Elle, get
the driver to give you our laptop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurry
up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That won’t be necessary,” a voice boomed from the
top of the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stay where you are,
Elle.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lights from the top level
flicked on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There stood Leonardo
Redding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 23<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding descended the stairs casually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made no point in disguising his appearance
for them because it was apparent he had no intention of anyone alerting the
security outside to his presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
have a gun on me, but I’m not going to use it,” he said to Adrian and Wes who
both had their weapons drawn and aimed at his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I knew we’d catch you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, I didn’t think you’d just waltz up
to us and turn yourself in,” Wes spat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding snorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You say that like I’ve done something wrong, Detective.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You murdered an innocent man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve taken out countless others.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding’s hold on the banister tightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes wondered what this son-of-a-bitch could
possibly be angry about, but it was clear Redding took Wes’s accusation
personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you’re referring to
Briggs, I did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> kill him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for the others, the men and women that
took enjoyment from defiling and killing children, then yes I’m guilty of their
deaths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by your Royal law, I am
clear of prosecution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For as it states
under the queen’s decree: any vampire or human, male or female, who harms a
child shall be put to death without trial.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes stepped to the side where Adrian could see
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s not how it works in the
human world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are laws,” Wes
growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s not human, and neither are we,” Adrian reminded
Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes bared his fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He stepped in front of Elle to protect her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So if you didn’t kill Briggs, then who
did?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have you on camera at the
ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t even think of lying to
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I was there, but not to kill Briggs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding looked at Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And not to kill you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes tried to get a feel for Redding, to catch him in
a lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one blip of untruth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then why were you there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“To get the last piece of evidence against Camille
Sinclair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was meeting with Ulysses
that night to finalize his new security detail and set up a new home for boys in
town, so they could offer services to visiting vampires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was there to kill Ulysses Maloy also, but
that was taken care of for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite
well, I might add.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, Redding met
Adrian’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And it was all fated,
because the primary reason I came to France was to watch you all graduate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Excuse me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian faltered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His gun hand
shook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I have followed you for many years, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In part, to punish myself and watch you
grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as it was my duty with your
father gone, I needed to make sure you were safe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding took the last step down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such emotion ran through his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The last time I was this close to you, you
were so small and scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to
give you a blanket, but you kept screaming and covering your ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You said I was dead, that I wasn’t real.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shook his head and backed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve never met you in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shut up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I was there the night your father was killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of you were on enemy watch in the
woods, but I had no idea you were supposed to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would’ve taken another route to spare you
harm had I known what was really going on. But as it were, we were bringing a
boy from one of Camille’s homes to safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were going to take him out of the country along with others we had
waiting at a private airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I
wasn’t your enemy that night, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were and I had
no idea at the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re a fucking lunatic,” Wes hissed and was about
to pull the trigger when Redding took another step down, but Adrian prevented
him from doing so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian started hyperventilating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put a hand out to Wes’s arm, trying to
steady himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes wasn’t quick enough
and Adrian went to his knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torn
between keeping his gun on Redding and cradling his mate, Wes made the hardest
decision of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put his gun
away and pulled Adrian into his lap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian started to convulse and make noises like a
wounded animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s worst fears had
come to pass. He slid his phone across the floor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Elle, take my phone and call Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He should be the last one dialed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell him Adrian is turning and then bring in
our guys from outside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She put her arms around her middle and backed
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Redding pointed at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do it. Now!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes held Adrian close, settling him chest to chest,
heart to heart, so he could share his mate’s pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s pupils dilated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes now bloodshot and glassy were filled
to the brim with unshed tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He choked
on every breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fingers dug into
Wes’s shoulder as he tried to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
lost himself in Adrian’s agony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
hugged his mate for all he was worth and whispered in his ear, “Everything will
be alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here, baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Promise?” came a slurred reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes leaned back to see Adrian’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did Adrian hear him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes nodded in shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gripped Adrian’s free hand when another
tremor stole Adrian’s last breath as a human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian’s fingers went slack and slid from Wes’s hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
shook his mate gently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he knew
Adrian wasn’t gone forever, Wes still mourned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was natural for his emotions to be everywhere at once when he was
forced to sit back and wait, hope and wait for Adrian to wake up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To feel his mate’s dead body in his arms was
the most agonizing moment of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In a few minutes, Wes would have to take the next step and feed his mate
or else he would never get up again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes looked up at Redding, who was kneeling not a foot
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears slid down Wes’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued to hold his limp mate close to
his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Someone who takes care of the one’s they left
behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Red’s way, and now it is
mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian came to the understanding he was no longer
alive, but not quite a vampire yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was somewhere blissfully in between and grateful the pain had stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t so delirious he didn’t remember
where he’d died a mortal death, in Wes’s arms, somewhere in Brooklyn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he wondered where he was, because this
place was definitely not New York City, and nowhere near Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian was bundled up in a puffy blue coat, a bright
and vibrant color he would have never chosen for himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his gloved hands was a cup of coffee like
he’d just taken a walk and purchased one from a vendor on the street. In the
distance a group of rowdy school children tossed a ball across a snow covered
playground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And behind them was a church
with a large bell and a stone steeple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It connected to a massive, similarly fashioned building Adrian presumed
was a school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The bell rang and the children continued to
play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They overlooked Adrian as he
walked the tree lined path towards the open area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rays of sunshine crested over the trees,
playing off their joyful faces, and Adrian smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he was confused and somewhat angry
inside that he had no idea where he was or what was happening back in reality, this
place brought him a sense of peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It helped to elevate the stress of not being near
Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not being near the man who was now
his home, his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not being able to
comfort Wes when he was probably flipping out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet somehow, Adrian sensed the tether between them like his lifeline
back to the world he knew to be real. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The closer Adrian came to the playground, and the
nun keeping guard over her rambunctious flock, Adrian spotted a man seated on a
bench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had his fur lined hood pulled
up to cloak his identity, but he seemed very at ease watching the children
play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rested an arm around the back
of the bench, one leg stretched out and the other bent at the knee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian heard his chuckle when one little girl raced
away from a group of boys, a large grin on her face and the ball in her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, Adrian heard everything around
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard the birds in the
trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind when it blew past him in
gentle gusts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard the bell’s mighty
toll when it struck on the hour and the nun blow her whistle when the boys got
out of hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And he heard the man’s voice when he said, “Take a
seat, Adrian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian’s wondrous smile faded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that voice, had only heard it once in
a nightmare and always wondered if he’d ever want to hear it again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The hooded man turned his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davide Donohue lowered his hood and patted
the space next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No burns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just Davide’s healthy normal self, seated before Adrian like a
dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hey, kid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Davide returned his attention to the playground, knowing Adrian would
sit when he was ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“This isn’t possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I’d only see you again when I died,
if that’s real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is an afterlife...”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian sat down quickly, scanning his
father’s face like he’d forgotten what it looked like after all these years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was his father, his flesh and blood that
had been dead for ten years just sitting next to him like nothing had
changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian wanted to cry, to
scream, to shout his joy to the heavens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nevertheless, something inside of him gave him strength and peace of
mind, told him everything would be okay and not to question this gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Everything is possible, and technically, you are
dead.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davide grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For a little while anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He didn’t get it, why he was here, how his father was here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>he blurted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He deserved to know
something, anything really. Silence be damned, he’d lived too long not asking
questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The dying part?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happens to every vampire when they turn; they
have to give up a part of themselves to make room for the beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curse and a blessing, I suppose.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davide shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I meant—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Davide put his arm
around Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know what you
meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was messing with you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davide smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He actually smiled, as if years of death and
destruction had been lifted from his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although he’d never looked a day over twenty-four in life, Adrian always
saw his father older than his years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was nice to see him looking strong and handsome, carefree and relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Davide leaned into his
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re here because you live in
both worlds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see things others can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here because you needed me, and I
promised I’d always be with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wasn’t that terrible of a father, was I, that you think I’d break my promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you did just fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re sure, Adrian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You didn’t ever wish you were one of
them?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davide pointed to the kids
playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now that I’ve had time to
think, I wish you were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I
could’ve given you a better life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
should have let Sutton take you when he begged.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian put his coffee
down and turned his body towards his father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Don’t say that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like who I
am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And who is that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davide searched Adrian’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m still figuring
that out,” Adrian admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I may not
have been one of those kids, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you were with me, I was happy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I told you, I’m always
with you. There’s nothing wrong with being happy now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s not the same.”
Adrian whimpered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father’s hand
cupped his shoulder as they sat in silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I remember you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember
everything and you’ll always be a part of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when you left me, when they took you from
me, I wasn’t ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian, no one is
ready to lose their father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t
ready to let you go yet either, but here we are, somewhere in between and only
one of us is leaving here alive.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davide
reached up and ran his fingers across the nape of Adrian’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s kind of a gift to both of us, this
right here, you and me and no danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
never really got the chance to breathe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Dad, what if I’m
scared to wake up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I can’t do
it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian tensed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father’s approval meant everything to
him, even in this place when nothing was alive or dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want to appear weak or afraid, but
if this was the last time he had with his father, he had to ask if it was okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it okay to be happy and not be a
Hunter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was feeling okay to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it okay to be happy without his father?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You were scared to me
ask me that question but you did it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fear is a normal emotion we have to work through, it’s not a job,
Adrian, that’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was scared every
single day after you were born, and I raised you still, because you were mine
and you were my world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was scared to lose
you like I lost your mother, so I raised you to be strong and smart and
self-sufficient in case anything happened to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I was scared you would turn your back on
me, resent me for losing a part of yourself to be a Hunter, and yet I kept
going because when you looked at me for approval, I knew I was your world too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With fear, there is always reward, believe it
or not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You were, Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were my world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Davide patted Adrian’s
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stared at the children as
he smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know, kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even though I’ll always be with you,
Adrian, you have to wake up because you’re someone else’s world now. It’s time
you remember what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time
you grieve and move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes needs you
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frederick needs you now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your team needs you more than ever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t want to go
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t remember, but I know I’m
scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something bad happened to me,
or…maybe someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to
know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian gripped his father’s
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t make me go there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ll never be alone,
Adrian.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davide leaned forward and
kissed his son’s head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t leave me
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know even know where I
am!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian rose from his seat and
stared down at his father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Davide suddenly stood
alongside his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My idea of heaven is
where I met her, the pretty nun who wasn’t a nun at all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davide grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waved to the nun and she turned to face
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian caught a glimpse
of his mother’s blue eyes beneath her habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She lifted a hand and waved back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian took a step forward, entranced by the vision of his mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lifted a hand to her and then the sun went
down and night stretched across the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A tree lined wood sat
off to the right and miles of icy tundra to Adrian’s left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snow fell from the sky, blown this way and
that by a forceful wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amidst the open
land was a barely visible two track road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian’s stomach
lurched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want be here anymore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a step back just as an all-terrain
vehicle’s headlights hit the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian,” a man said to
his left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian jumped at the
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to find Briggs standing
there, healthy as he’d been in his final days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like Adrian, he wore a white parka and his hands were gloved, one of
which he extended to his pupil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come
with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian tried to pull
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He yanked and yanked to no
avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want you here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, you do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs tugged him close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He bear-hugged Adrian around the middle and
forced him to watch the vehicle begin its trip across the tundra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Think back, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think back to this night and remember the
details for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I might have trained you
to be a Detective, but you were already prepared to see the world from the other
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think hard, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No. I can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You can do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need you to remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vehicle came into sight and what did you
do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian sobbed, sagging
in Briggs’s arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I lined up the shot
because I was supposed to take out the tires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An enemy coven was trying to breach Surik and escape to the states by
plane.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who told you to do
that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs hugged him tighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shots rang out into the night from a gun
belonging to fourteen-year-old Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tires blew—a deafening noise in Adrian’s ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“My father!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And who ordered him to
do so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shuddered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His teeth chattered. “W-we were contacted by
other Hunters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were meeting a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Th-they checked in by radio that night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did you know them by
name or number?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t watch this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, make it stop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Four men exited the
side of the vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They searched the
night for their target and then one lifted the cannon onto his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“When they got out with
weapons, prepared to strike back, you knew something wasn’t right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen to what you could not hear
before.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs pointed to the men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A man tumbled out of
the vehicle on the side Adrian couldn’t see before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He helped a smaller boy out and covered him
with his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We can make it on foot
if we hurry,” a voice Adrian recognized rang out in the distance. It was
Redding. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She must have found us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fuck that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll follow us if we let them live.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy with the cannon let it rip without
listening to Redding’s shouts to cease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soon enough, a fiery being danced in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s father was engulfed in flames.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What have you done,” Redding roared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian fell to his
knees and howled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stop this. I beg
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Briggs dug his fingers
into Adrian’s arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was a setup,
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all a trap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t know there were two of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted your father dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you figured that out, you went for
revenge.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Redding did this,”
Adrian wailed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Briggs turned Adrian to
face him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No. Redding was tricked too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Briggs hugged Adrian to
his body and the scene changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small
café on the outskirts of Surik sat open after normal hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian swallowed back vomit when he laid eyes
on the sign hanging above the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was the café the Hunters were supposed to meet at, the one where the enemy
contact waited for his colleagues to show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian dragged his
feet, forced inside by an invisible hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knew Briggs was with him, even if he chose not to show himself at the
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly, fourteen-year-old
Adrian walked right through him, leaving behind an ire laden taste in Adrian’s
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boy was so mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had locked onto the one emotion that would
carry him through the tragedy he’d just lived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian slid into a seat
just inside the door and watched his former self eye the only employee
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man raised a brow at him,
snorted because he knew the boy wasn’t there to buy anything, and continued to
wash the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That left the one
customer in the place, a red-headed vixen with black, ripped up jeans and
pearls—an odd outfit for anyone, especially in these parts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She checked her watch, regarded Adrian for the
child he was, and then sipped her coffee without another thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Young Adrian pulled out
the chair at her table and sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
put his gun on the table and cut her with a stare that could blow the world
into smithereens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who do you work for?
I want to know before I kill you,” he said with a deadly chill to his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The woman looked at his
gun and then back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s a big
piece for a young man like you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Cut the shit,
lady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will blow a hole in you the size
of this country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who. Do. You. Work
for?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian cocked the gun and stood,
aiming it at her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The employee began to
shout in Russian. He scrambled to the backroom and locked the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The redhead checked the young Hunter over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Older Adrian knew she was looking over his
gear, his face, and reading him for the Hunter he was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’d heard talk about a
young one, but I never thought you were this young.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She straightened in her seat and looked
around uneasily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We take care of our
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is our way,” she recited the
motto in case he was on her side and Young Adrian faltered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nice try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who else did you kill to get that
information, someone else’s father?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Father?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you talking about?” she hissed
quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“My father,” he
spat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Hunter you ordered taken out,
traitor!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Visibly upset, the
redhead whipped out her phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
checked it for something urgent and then shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He should have been here by now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did something happen to him?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She appeared out of breath, reaching for her
gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to call the queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay near me, something isn’t right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Young Adrian lowered
his gun, confused that she wasn’t threatened by him, while the real Adrian waited
for what he knew would happen next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Hunter lifted her phone to her ear, turned to Young Adrian, and then a melee of
slugs hit her in the back, pumped all the way through her body until a giant
hole was fashioned through her chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Blood covered Young
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to the door, hands on
his gun, but fingers trembling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
thought he caught a glimpse of a boy in the doorway before the room fell
silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the distance sirens
rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The employee had called the cops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Young Adrian’s bottom
lip trembled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He studied the blood all
over his front and started to cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was fourteen and alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone was out
to get him, and no one knew to come to his aid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His father was gone forever, the only one he really trusted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was out of options, out of contacts, and
out of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did the only thing he
knew to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian grieved for his
younger self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He blinked rapidly, his
eyes burning with tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scene
shifted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs held Adrian’s hand through
the woods, the moon lighting their way now that the snow had lightened up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came upon Young Adrian kneeling naked in
the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was shivering and gulping
for air as he patted the snow into place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I buried everything
except for my knives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to die,”
Adrian confessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was going to kill
myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“But someone wasn’t
giving up on you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs pointed to the
east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The silhouette of a man hit the
snow where he hid behind a tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
watched Adrian cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched him throw
up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched the young boy drag
himself off the ground to continue on his journey to the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As Young Adrian moved
along a snowy path towards an old abandoned house, the man trailing him
followed at a safe distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moonlight bathed
the man’s face, revealing Redding to be the man tagging behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why is he following
me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian looked to Briggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where’s the boy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You know why,
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think hard and everything will
make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman, the boy, Redding,
your father—they are all connected.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Briggs gave Adrian’s hand a squeeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Are you ready to remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
hold the key to bringing Camille down, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You just need to remember what it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The house,” Adrian
moaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t let him go into that
house.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached out to his younger
self, but couldn’t stop the boy as hard as he tried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Briggs turned Adrian to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This has already happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot interfere with the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You went into that house ten years ago, but
why, Adrian?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I was so cold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You were scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You thought ending it would be better, but
when you saw the house, you couldn’t go through with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something changed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs rubbed Adrian’s back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“There was a man,”
Adrian whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Redding?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes glazed over, haunted by
what he now understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“An old man came
out of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was looking for
someone, calling out for him, but he saw me instead and took my hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“There wasn’t an old
man there, Adrian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian wasn’t going
through this again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was bad enough he
was stuck here in this place, at his stress limit, being forced to relive this
night like a punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would not
have Briggs think he was crazy on top of it. He wasn’t crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew what he saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never…forget it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, there was.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian wrenched away from Briggs’s protective
arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He took my hand and called me Sasha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the one who brought me inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was terrified, but I was too far gone to
argue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d been walking for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too cold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sasha?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs narrowed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where did you hear that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“From the man!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told you already.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian whipped around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched his younger self reach out to the
man, the old man with tears streaked down his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He let the man bring him inside from the cold
and the door shut behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding
moved in, crawling slowly over the porch to a window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kneeled down, curling his fingers around
the window sill, and peeked inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Redding saw him
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Briggs shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding never saw a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He only saw you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Putting two and two
together was easy for someone like Adrian, but in the face of this kind of
four, he was left spinning and dizzy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
one else saw the man because he’d been dead for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old man that led Adrian inside, the
reason he called him Sasha and the blocked memories, all came rushing back to
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He’d relied on a spirit
to save him, because the old man was the only one who listened to his cry for
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, what lay inside that old
house wasn’t safe or comforting, and that is what scared Adrian the most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There was no way the old
man had helped him with good intentions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian had been so far gone that night, he’d allowed something evil to
lure him inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d given up and let
his guard down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How was what he saw in
there supposed to bring Camille down?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
didn’t want to go inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want
to remember.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian stood with
Briggs at the front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding
watched through the window, unaware of their presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door opened with a groan, letting in a
dusting of snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You were never alone,
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding was there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian closed his
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It wasn’t Redding I was afraid
of.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When Adrian opened his
eyes, he was inside the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
dark and damp, old and musty, abandoned for many years, and never taken care of
when it had been inhabited by a living being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Somewhere in the shadows, a rat squeaked and scurried across the
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere deeper inside the
house, footsteps thudded down a hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The most important part
of the house to Adrian was his younger self hiding in a corner of the living
room, shaking and quietly sobbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
took a step closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can you hear me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Briggs appeared beside
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A crack in the caving roof allowed
moonlight to illuminate his profile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He
can’t hear you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs ran a hand over
Young Adrian’s hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boy didn’t look
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What happened after this,
Adrian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was this old man?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He… I don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you were the only one to see him, where
did he go?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs sat down in a chair
that was on its last leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t make
a sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His profile remained passive,
like a therapist in the middle of a session.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He told me to wait
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That he was going to make
everything better when he returned.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian regressed, slipping back into the familiar fear he’d blocked out
for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spun in a slow
circle, taking the house in beyond the walls and furniture, to the bare bones
and the sense of dread that dripped from every corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He didn’t come
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian backed away from the crumbling
fireplace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I heard him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard him everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was humming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he was crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Calling for Sasha.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What do you mean you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">heard</i> him everywhere?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I should have known,
but I was tired and sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have
known that if I heard him he must be dead.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian backed into the wall next to his boyish counterpart and slid down
to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I knew they were dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briggs kneeled next to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who else was in the house with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The fireplace roared to
life, outlining at least a dozen silhouettes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian instinctively sheltered his younger self with his arms, but his
hands went right through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can’t see this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will mess him up forever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian tried to get Briggs to help him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to where his mentor was only to
find a boy’s ghostly face next to his, mouth stretched open in a scream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The other boys stalked
toward Adrian, hands outstretched as they closed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young Adrian screamed at the top his
lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could he not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was anyone’s worst nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The group of dead boys
with their hearts missing, with blood running down their bodies, swarmed both
Adrian and his younger self until they both had no choice but to close their
eyes and go to another place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A deep,
dark place they could hide from the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But they never stopped screaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-85852232902215587272014-03-21T16:02:00.000-04:002014-03-21T16:02:30.586-04:00Flash Fiction Friday! The Great Mage Finale
<br />
Hey all. Sorry this was so late, but I'm working on revising the FFF
format this week and just wanted to push this finale out. I'm going to be
changing a few things for our Flash Fiction Friday segments, and this week is a
solo post, so I won't leave any links to the other bloggers. But next
week or the next week for sure, I'll be starting a new story, and we'll get
back to the normal schedule. Thanks for sticking with me when things were
pretty up and down on the blog here. I appreciate it. *Hugs*<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Enjoy the finale!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Night<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong><u>The Great Mage Finale<o:p></o:p></u></strong></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fia leapt from their magical portal onto dry
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was setting in the woods
as she galloped through the trees, wind rippling through her flamed mane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris held fast to her, smiling like an
idiot at the figure walking through the woods up ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Killian,” he all but screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The muscular Dragon Shifter turned in surprise, his
dark hair slapping his back as he spun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His face contorted with surprise then awe at the duo racing toward
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mage!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris held out his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart raced with pure adrenaline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No time to explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Killian hesitated for only a second before he
gripped Aneris’s forearm and swung onto Fia’s back with the sheer force of her
speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What… I thought you were
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire kingdom thinks it so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where have you come from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The questions were endless from the large
warrior seated behind Aneris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Doesn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m back now,
Killian.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He patted the Dragon Shifter’s
thigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And we have to get you somewhere
before she offs me for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t break
a deal like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Offs you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You mean another enemy seeks to kill you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killian growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will burn this witch to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fear not, Mage, we have been blessed to have you again, no one will take
you away from us this time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Relax, once she sees you, she won’t be drowning anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the deal—I bring you to her and she
stops the death threats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Piece of cake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Killian started to panic behind Aneris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You would enslave me to some witch?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not the Mage I thought you to
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a demon, not Aneris!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No one is enslaving anyone, Killian!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris let go of Fia’s reins and balanced
astride her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He let golden ruins
flow from his fingertips to trail behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“See?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What demon do you know that
can do that kind of magic?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Golden light,” Killian proclaimed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He blinked over and over, following the ruins
as they slowly disappeared into thin air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You are who you say you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
why are you taking me to a witch?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do
not understand your ramblings.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“This female I’m talking about, she is no witch,
Killian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the White Lady, the
baddest lady in the Silver Realm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or she
would be if she could get out of the lake.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good luck once she
does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s got a mouth on her, that’s
for sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The</i> White
Lady?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Trolls speak highly of this
female.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killian put his arms around
Aneris’s waist and held on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hummed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She is closely related to the Water
Elemental Priestesses I once protected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Trolls say she is the one responsible for ending the witch who
depleted my Valley of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
Aneris, what do I have to do with her grace?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris leaned forward in case Killian attacked him when he found
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So I’m sure you’ve heard the legend
then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What legend do you speak of?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Trolls didn’t get to that part, huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sucks for me,” Aneris muttered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It goes like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White, the White Lady, but I call her White,
well, uh… She’s stuck in the lake because the water needs her magic to keep
from disappearing because of the witch’s curse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“By the King!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s horrific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is well and
truly stuck there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killian huffed a bit
of smoke. “That <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">witch</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris leaned into Fia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned his head and said, “Trust me, White
feels the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, White can’t
step foot on dry land until someone comes along to separate her from the power
keeping the water there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blah, blah,
blah, you know?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Killian hunched over Aneris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you not saying, Mage? And what is
this blah you speak of?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some sort of
sorcery?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The blah isn’t important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, well, um, you see…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mage,” Killian warned, “I am not above forcing
information out of you, friend or not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The same witch who took the water from the temple’s
valley under the Black King’s command is the same one who tried to kill
White.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your water was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hers is keeping her there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have that Elemental sign on your chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a Water Elemental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re… You’re pretty much that someone she
needs to get out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Killian sat back and grunted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Seems fairly plausible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I must help this female escape her prison,
I don’t see why I should not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“How noble of you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris flashed a brilliant grin over his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s just a tiny catch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chuckled nervously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just a really small one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mage,” Killian groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re her one true love and your power will
combine with hers and free her from the water so your lovey dovey bond will
allow her to walk beside you on dry land for eternity.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris gulped in air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I had to make the deal to get the pearl
from her that pretty much saved your life, and if I don’t get you there before
the full moon peaks then she’s gonna drown me because she’s kind of a bitch and
we don’t get along.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Claws sprouted from Killian’s fingertips around
Aneris’s waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you saying,” he
growled, “that you made a deal upon my heart without my knowledge, forcing me
into a mating with this woman you proclaim to be cross with you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A woman, whom by your own admission, is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bitch</i>, which I presume is something foul
in your Othersider language.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris covered his mouth and laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Say bitch again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was great.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I will not!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Killian snarled, threatening Aneris with a warm huff that nearly singed
the ends of his hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geez,
will you knock it off?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris sighed
and guided Fia southeast where he sensed the lake would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not saying you owe me for saving your
life or anything, but can you at least meet her so I don’t like, I dunno, die?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Killian grumbled something like a curse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do owe you, I suppose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had it not been for you and your mate I would
have probably been consumed by dark magic and lost myself to a fate worse than
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">suppose</i> I can repay your kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will meet this foul woman
who saved our realm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond that, I
promise nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“All a guy can ask.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris groaned in relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Thanks, Kill.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do not call me that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whatever you wish, King of the Fire Breathing Scaly
Beasts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do not call me that either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris pouted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You’re no fun.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And you are annoying me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris grinned, high on his own magic, and the
Silver Realm’s fresh air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High on the
knowledge that soon he would see his Seth again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, Killian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wanna hear the most annoying song in the
world? Because as you said, your savior is really annoying, meaning me. ”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Spare me this torture, Mage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I beg you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What fun would that be?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris kicked Fia into high gear. “It goes
like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Join in whenever you get the
hang of it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the top of his lungs,
Aneris belted, “This is the song that never ends…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mage!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Killian’s shout could be heard throughout the realm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The lake glittered at night, reflecting a vast sky
full of stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moon was high and
full, mirrored against White’s watery lair as Fia emerged near the lake’s
edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She trotted and then stopped,
bowing her head for Aneris and Killian to depart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It is a beautiful night,” Killian hummed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Would have been better if I was able to
erase that dreadful song from my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
cannot stop thinking of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s the point, big guy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris sniggered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe you can serenade your lady friend when
she comes topside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d love it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Killian cast him an evil look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There is no female, dark or light, that
would be wooed by such a melody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
not blame them for striking me dead upon hearing it from my lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as you thought it funny to try and
convince me that bitch is in fact the White Lady’s true name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see past your antics for the immature boy
you really are, Mage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had not seen
your bravery and power for myself, I would not understand why an army would
follow you, let alone a man such as Setherum.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Gee, thanks there, Kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should just call you Sir Kills the
Mood.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lighten up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or maybe I should conjure you a stiff drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re gonna need it when she comes swimming
up here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“How I shake in my scales to meet this female you
think so highly of.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killian
snorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where is she anyhow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dragged from my walk to mourn those lost to
us in war only to brought here to seal my fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will not wait a second longer for the climactic ending I was promised
with my one true love,” he mocked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“On second thought, maybe you two will get along
just fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re kind of nasty to me
too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris kneeled next to the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I am only nasty because you caused me to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That song…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whatever, Kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be pissy about it forever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris
slapped the water, his version of knocking on someone’s door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yo, White, come up here and get your party
pooper of a mate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A school of glowing fish curved along the water’s
edge before swimming away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An owl hooted
in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris was about to start
counting crickets when an orb of light appeared beneath the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Finally,” he whined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have things to do too, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Her fingers appeared a few feet away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris startled away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You gotta stop doing that shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you have a bell you could put around
your neck, or maybe just not emerge like the undead every single time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No wonder she is rude to you,” Killian remarked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shut up, lover boy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris flicked him off and followed the hand
that beckoned him near a group of rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris crawled away from the Dragon Shifter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t you dare try to drown me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brought you your man candy, now show
yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Once hidden from Killian’s eyes, White emerged with
her creepy glowing eyes and matching blue robe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her hair had been twisted into a sort of braid and a few shells dotted
her ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Keep your voice down,” she
hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You didn’t give me much notice
to dress for a suitor, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Seriously, you were primping that whole time?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She sniffed in a dignified manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You so were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you sit at the Little Mermaid vanity and braid your hair with a fork
and sing to your fish?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris almost
lost it if not for her deep scowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Okay, that was mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“An apology?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Impossible.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She worried her bottom lip with her teeth and
looked up from her lashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Am I
hideous?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She fingered her braid and
adjusted her shell earrings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What if he
doesn’t like me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you sure you
brought the right one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, he could
just look like the right one, and then I’d be so very pissed off.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A neon blue tear fell from her eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t
cry, White.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris felt like a
dick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He peeked over the rock to see
Killian pacing the lake’s edge before he hunched back down to White.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I promise he’s your one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew it the second I saw him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re gonna get out of here tonight, and
he’s gonna think you’re the most beautiful female he’s ever seen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She smiled bashfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You really think so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know so.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Plus, he’s hot—like
ripped, trashy novel cover sexy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long
dark hair and he’s got a deep voice, and Dragon Shifter power galore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Girl, you got it made.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shifter?” Her brows went up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A delighted grin made her eyes sparkle even
brighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She curled her fingers into
the grass near Aneris’s feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve
heard they make excellent lovers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“They do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris laughed with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay,
so we have a deal?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He unclipped the
pendant from his sash and held it out to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She rubbed her lips together and nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If he is my one, then yes, we have a deal,
Mage.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took the pendant and it
disappeared in her palm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, and make sure he sings for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a beautiful voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell him you want to hear <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> song, the one I taught him earlier.
Tell him you love it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll be unsure
about it, but he’ll know what you mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seriously, he has the voice of an angel.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris kept a straight face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s hot <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i>
he sings?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heavens above, he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must</i> be the one,” she whispered
seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love to sing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally alone, but that goes without
saying.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hitched a thumb to the lake
she’d been imprisoned in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris inhaled through his nose before he laughed in
her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Completely
understandable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, enjoy him,
White.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a real catch and you look
perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could go wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nothing I hope.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She sighed wistfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Here goes
nothing, Mage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bowed her head and suddenly Aneris wished
he could take back the singing comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was being really nice to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was her moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there
was no going back now as she swam over to Killian and emerged from the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You are he who seeks to free me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris heard White’s delicate voice ask
Killian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He peeked over the rock to
where Killian stood dumbstruck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had
Aneris been into women, he probably would think White was gorgeous too. But he
wasn’t, so he left the lady ogling to the Dragon Shifter that kneeled before
White.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I am he.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
took her dripping hand and brought it to his lips, entranced since she first
emerged from the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She turned away with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do it already,” he hissed quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“My lady, I hope I am not too bold in saying you are
by far the most beautiful female I have ever witnessed,” Killian rumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am Killian, Dragon Shifter, and protector
of the ancient water temple in the valley.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh yes you are,” White breathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris swore he saw drool leaking down her
chin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You know of me then?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killian smiled and puffed his chest out with
pride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Uh… Yes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, of course I do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She faked a
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Great protector,” she almost
growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris slapped a hand over his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears pricked his eyes he was laughing so
hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shall we test our bond?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gripped her smaller hand in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See if I am the one?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Honey, I don’t doubt you for a second,” she
blurted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He hummed his approval.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That is a name I can live with, if it be
from your lips.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kill me now,” Aneris muttered from behind his rock
hiding spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He put his nose to the rock in anticipation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killian closed his fingers around White’s
hand and pulled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water symbol on his
chest began to glow as the lake did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was a brilliant flash of light, and then Killian pulled White from the lake
like she’d just been taking a dip and nothing more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m free,” she cried and spun in a circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her dress clung to her, much to Killian’s
delighted eyes as they roamed her body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m fucking free!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She laughed
wildly and thrust herself at Killian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He grunted and then growled as she stuck to his
body, his little female all revved up and wet against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is true then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and I are meant to be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fuck yeah, we are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She pushed onto her tiptoes and kissed him hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Too good to be true,” she panted against his
mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Killian disagreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He hoisted her up against him and ate away at her mouth like he’d been
drugged by her taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris stood and held a finger in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Uh, guys?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ignored
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killian gripped White’s ass and
Aneris cringed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fia, look away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll be scarred for life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The horse trotted over to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t keen on sticking around
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bowed her head when she
reached him and Aneris mounted her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We’ll, uh, see you later then.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">White detached from Killian’s face for a
second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gasped for air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White slid down Killian’s body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Our deal is met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll live another day, Mage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now get out of here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned to her new mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sing for me,” she husked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh no,” Aneris whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sing for you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Killian grasped for words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I…I’m
not sure about that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I love that song Aneris knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my favorite,” she growled, slipping her
hands around his neck. “Sing it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Really?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Killian’s mouth hung open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That
is your desire, to hear <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> song?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will stick with you forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I hope it does,” she purred and grabbed his ass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh,” Killian barked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If that is my lady’s wish, then I
must.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ground against her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay, we’re gonna go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See ya later!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris yelled over his shoulder as Killian
began to sing in the most terrible off-key voice Aneris had ever heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jumping into another portal, Aneris heard his name
being cursed in one loud roar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
laughed and hoped for the best. He really did wish them well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fia landed near the outskirts of a mountainside
village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torches illuminated the rocky
cliff path and smoke billowed into the night from the dozens of well-lit
structures below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Above them, two Dragon
<br />
Shifters circled, their wings flapping languidly as they guarded the others
below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris’s heart raced as he sensed his mate
near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This had to be Seth’s home
village, where his father was the Tribe Leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris was undeniably nervous to appear out of nowhere and greet his
mate’s people, but he was more nervous to see his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hoped too much time hadn’t passed between
the real world and this realm that Seth would move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t think so, but he at least hoped
Seth would still be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still want
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris smelled his mate, tasted him on his
tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was consumed by Seth’s
presence nearby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who goes there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A Shifter departed from the shadows and folded his arms over his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I…I am Aneris, the Great Mage for the White King.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have come to see the Tribe Leader’s son,
Setherum.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris swallowed hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Shifter’s scaled cheeks rose when he
smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You live.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That a good thing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“A very good thing indeed, Great Mage.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Shifter bowed low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“May I escort you to his home?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You don’t have to bow to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just need to see him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Shifter rose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His yellow eyes twinkled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
should think he needs to see you as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We all…we thought you departed, Mage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Poor Seth has taken this news hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I fear what will happen to our Leader’s son if he goes on this way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What are you talking about?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris dismounted Fia and guided her by the
reins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is Seth okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Shifter shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You must see for yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fear he’ll go mad soon from the anger he
holds.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Take me to him please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I shall.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Shifter smoothed a hand over Fia’s back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This one has been acting up as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See why now; must’ve sensed you before he
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome back, little lady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your master will be pleased to see you as
well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sure he will.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris walked alongside the Shifter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“May I ask you something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Anything, Mage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you sure it’s okay for me to be here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t think my kind was trusted by you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely they wouldn’t be too fond of Seth and
I…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris worried as they approached
the village gate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No matter your kind, Mage, you are a great hero of
this kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And because of you,
Setherum has become a great man too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
name will bring pride to whoever hears it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He slayed the Black King in your name, and as you are the one who
inspired his courage, and his shift, you are always welcome among us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve no doubt they will all embrace you
warmly, but forgive their initial shock for it will subside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
will they accept me as a war hero or as Seth’s mate?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris chanced a glance at the hulking
Shifter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“As both, Mage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As both.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Shifter stopped at
the gates and yelled to someone pacing the walkway on top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Safe passage for the Great Mage who is
Setherum’s mate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m tired, Delfee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No jokes tonight,” a gruff voice replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not a joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Great Mage lives,” Delfee bellowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Open up, you lazy fool.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Claws clicked over the top of the gate and a half-shifted
Dragon peered down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He scrambled to the pulley crank and worked
the gate open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thought I was pulling your leg, didn’t ya?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our people know your name and they respect
it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delfee clapped Aneris on the
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on, Mage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take you to your mate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris breathed in and out slowly to stay calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glanced about, spotting the Shifters who
had heard the gate opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t
blame them for coming out to see the fuss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Delfee took pleasure in escorting Aneris through the crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked tall and proud, nodding to stunned
onlookers like he was taking a prince to his coronation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s really him,” he said to one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yep, Setherum’s mate has returned,” he added
to another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let him through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make some room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris stuck close to Delfree, not because he wasn’t
capable of handling his own, but because the closer they came to the last stone
house at the end of the winding road, the harder it was to breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Fia was excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She yanked her reins out of Delfee’s grip and
took off running to her stall next to the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stuck her nose into an open window and
whined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris stopped cold in his tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hand reached through the window and patted
her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hand with a smattering of
red scales around the wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hand with long fingers and a large palm
Aneris remembered holding on several occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That hand belonged to his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It belonged to Seth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Leave the rest to me, Mage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will make sure you are not disturbed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delfee winked at Aneris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I bid you goodnight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Delfee… Won’t he be mad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delfee’s eyes glittered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There is no one who will bring that boy more
joy than you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded and spun
around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Delfree left Aneris standing in a dirt covered yard,
staring at Seth’s window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The front door
creaked open and Seth stepped outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Fia, you can’t just run away when you want and then beg me to feed you
when you decide to come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re all I have now, stupid
horse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fia whined again and clomped around to face Aneris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And don’t you turn your back on me, girl…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth looked up to see Aneris standing
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gasped and held his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His back hit the doorframe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brilliant yellow eyes closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Seth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris took a step forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth gulped in air and bent over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can’t be real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go away, demon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Seth, it’s me,” Aneris pleaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice came out a sob.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right, Fia?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your master has lost his mind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth clutched his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s not real.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris ran to his mate and covered his back,
enfolding Seth within his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If
you’re crazy, then so am I.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth keened and dragged them to their knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He choked up and bowed his head, a crying
mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I saw him die.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m not dead.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris crawled around his mate and lifted his chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m very real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s over, Seth, all of it except for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose here with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth gripped Aneris’s cape and pulled him
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can touch you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can smell you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His nostrils flared as he inhaled Aneris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is a dream.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Take me inside and I’ll prove you’re awake,” Aneris
whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth looked down at Aneris with such heat in his
golden eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He yanked Aneris to his
feet and all but dragged him inside the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The house was small but cozy, not that any of the
decorations or layout mattered to either of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was enough wall space to slam Aneris
against and that was what mattered most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seth moaned into Aneris’s mouth as he reached for the curtains without
success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris grinned and lifted his
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With his magic, the curtains
closed, and the kissing resumed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth was hungry for more, seeking any skin he could
find with his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sucked at
Aneris’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands ran flat
against Aneris’s chest, finding passage to his leathers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His tears bathed Aneris’s skin along the way,
running down his face and chest, dripping onto Aneris’s cheeks and shoulders
where Seth nuzzled him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Newly formed
scales along Seth’s collarbone rubbed across Aneris’s body, causing him to
quiver with need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Seth,” he moaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re real.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seth stopped to stare at Aneris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You live.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He took me away to make me choose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the Gamemaster I would always choose
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would always choose this place
because this is my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You</i> are my home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re not dead,” Seth cried softly and gathered
his mate in his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought I would
die.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I woke up on the other side without you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you think I felt?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris clung to Seth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Never again do I want to miss you that bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You will never leave my side again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t allow it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth stepped back to run his hands over
Aneris’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Show me how much I’m yours.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth’s mating scent bloomed all around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached behind Aneris’s neck and pulled
him close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I intend to.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Seth, please.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris unfastened his cape and sash, letting them fall to the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris laced his hands together behind Seth’s head
and moaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth took him deep into his
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands pried Aneris’s legs
wider apart, fingertips digging in to hold him steady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris lifted his ass, rolling his hips and arching
his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His spine twisted in a way
that wasn’t human, but he really didn’t care about reality anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth was real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was about all that mattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pumped his cock into Seth’s wet heat and
was sure he would die of pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
returned the torture, yanking on Seth’s hair to ride out the bliss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth lifted his head, breaking Aneris’s hold on his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hissed at his mate and licked
his lips in a way one savored stray icing from a cupcake of the most delicious
kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You taste so good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good enough to eat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Keep eating then,” Aneris groaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Suck me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth dipped his head back between Aneris’s thighs,
and flattened his tongue up Aneris’s shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He tilted his head, tracing his tongue around the head of Aneris’s
cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled wickedly against
Aneris’s skin and then took him back down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He bobbed his head, taking with him the sweet suction of his soft lips
up and down until Aneris was near insanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His cock throbbed and pulsed, swelled until he wanted to burst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And from the look Seth gave him when he
appeared again, that was what the Shifter was going for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth reached
over and produced a glass vial from beside his bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look familiar, my little mage?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris gulped, recognizing the vial to be the same
liquid the Gamemaster had given them last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Where did that… What are you gonna do with that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth tipped the vial upside down on his erect cock,
coating himself before he dribbled the remaining liquid over Aneris’s sensitive
entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh fuck yes,” Aneris groaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched his mate slide his slippery cock
up and down his hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching Seth lose
himself in the act was foreplay in itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Dragon Shifter focused on gliding his hard cock just right over
Aneris’s tight entrance like he was marking him somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dominance in Seth’s body and the same
strength that lit up his eyes made Aneris weak, and yet, he felt safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris lifted his knees to give Seth exactly
what he wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Seth lowered his
weight on top of him, he began to grind harder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“This what you need, Mage?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth’s eyes flickered with fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His newly shifted claws tore into the
sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Me inside of you, making you
mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris’s eyes rolled back into his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shivered from head to toe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fire built inside him, roaring and raging
until tiny sparks pricked his skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
had a fever with no cure, and truthfully, he didn’t ever want it to go
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mate pushed and he pushed
back, building friction that would soon bring down the walls around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris drew his knees back as far as his body
would allow, fully exposing him to whatever Seth had planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth squatted over his mate, his abdominal muscles
tensing for Aneris’s viewing pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With his powerful thighs holding him up, Seth sighed deeply. He locked
eyes with Aneris as he guided his cockhead around Aneris’s entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell me yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,” Aneris panted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth pushed inside without giving it another
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris threw his head back
against the bed and groaned a tortured sound that only to their ears would
sound like pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had fully
expected the sex, but not like this, not for it to be this fucking good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth teased, dipping inside until only the
head disappeared, and then he pulled back to watch Aneris tighten again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He liked to be in control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He liked to the screams Aneris made, the
begging howls for more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Patience, my mate,” Seth insisted in a throaty
command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held Aneris’s ankles until
he found the angle he sought, and then pushed inside halfway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris squeaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Words were beyond him upon feeling the incredible sensation of his mate
filling him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The angle was indeed
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room was near boiling from
the magic Aneris created and the heat that naturally encompassed Seth’s
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth decided to turn up the heat
further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His yellow eyes burned
gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat down on his mate and
penetrated him all the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A gravelly moan ripped from Aneris’s throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gazed up at Seth, pouring every thought
and feeling he had into his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
loved Seth, and Seth loved him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loved
everything about Aneris, including the way he fit inside him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he loved more was the way Seth never
left his eyes as he used his thighs to bring himself up and then sat back down
in one fluid motion, like he was dancing over Aneris’s ass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris would stay in a pretzel for hours, back on
fire and his thighs screaming just to watch Seth move like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to feel Seth’s cock slip into him so
seamlessly it was nothing less than fated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris moaned a constant sound that only fluctuated when Seth dipped
deep inside, so deep it was like he was reaching for Aneris’s heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth wrapped Aneris’s legs around his hips and
lowered his body onto Aneris’s chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
kissed him and pushed inside again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
tongue pried open the seam of Aneris’s lips, licking his way inside while he
thrust again and again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris snaked
his arms around his lover, keeping his close as their bodies moved like
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dug his heels into Seth’s ass
and moaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Harder,” Aneris demanded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Make me feel it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His magic beat against his chest, spreading
to his dick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was going to come like
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never been so turned on his
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth nipped at Aneris’s shoulder, grazing his
half-shifted fangs over his porcelain skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He thrust forward with force and Aneris screeched Seth’s name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As you wish, my little mage,” he growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You only have to say my name and I will give
you anything your heart desires.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris’s breath quickened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Seth…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Louder.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seth panted, picking Aneris up by the shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Seth!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Louder,” Seth roared, and slammed into his mate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Setherum,”Aneris cried, head falling back as he
came between them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth drove into Aneris, holding onto his mate’s
shoulders with a painful grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His body
tensed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His roar peaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He unloaded into Aneris at the mere sight of
his mate’s undoing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magic curled around
them, tucking them together in a tangle of arms and legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They clung to each other, to the bond they had
formed, and removed any trace of war and death from their minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together, they were strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together, they made an unstoppable team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And together, they created a love so blinding
it outshone the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made each
other heroes because they found a passion worth fighting for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They held each other up when no one else was
there to support them if they fell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They were made for each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There can never be an
end, just another beginning…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">6 Months Later</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Damn you, Seth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris landed in a puddle of thick mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He lifted his boot away from the sludge and groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fia trotted up to Aneris and stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth sat astride her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flipped up the visor of his helmet and grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Having problems today, my little mage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bit unfocused, perhaps?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“My first day on the job and I had this all planned
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wake up early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have some breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read a few magical requests before I had to
leave.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris smacked his hands
together irritably, itty bitty ruins puffing out from between his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And then you seduce me and I lose all track
of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My head is a mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m covered in mud and I’m going to be
late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, yes, I’m unfocused, you sex
fiend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What a poor baby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seth put a hand over his chest and stuck out his bottom lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Want me to come down there and make it all
better?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, you’d like that too much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth wagged his brows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That I would, and so would you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ve had enough for one day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris pointed at his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now give me the horse before I accidently
teleport off the side of a cliff because I’m thinking of your damn ass.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“To know that you are thinking of my ass all day is
worth anything you ask of me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth took
his time dismounting Fia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made sure
Aneris watched him slide to the ground and then did a little wiggle to fan the
flames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He handed the reins over to
Aneris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And you might want to do
something about that there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded
at the mud on Aneris’s feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’ll wash later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m already late and I’m not about to accidentally turn my boots into
squirrels or something.” Aneris gave his mate a quick kiss out of habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t stay mad forever, not after that
sexy shimmy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he allowed Seth to
help him onto Fia’s back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t think I fucked all the sense out of you
that you couldn’t handle cleaning up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And yes, it might wash later, but I don’t think Fia enjoys wearing Troll
excrement.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth held up his hands and
stepped around what had looked like a puddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Just saying, my love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ve got to be kidding me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What intelligent creature just shits wherever
they please?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“They’re part of the earth, love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only natural.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth threw his head back and laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Troll shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sex brained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your magic is all
wonky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would not miss your first day
for anything in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sure to
be the best entertainment of my life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“If I was sure you wouldn’t stay that way forever,
I’d turn you into a toad,” Aneris spat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Shit on my boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
disgusting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ll live.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seth cackled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“On the plus side,
at least I won’t touch you when you smell like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris wanted to be mad again, but he couldn’t bring
himself to scowl when Seth flashed him a beautiful smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris rolled his eyes and shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He focused, had to because all
he’d thought of was Seth since dawn; his lips, his skin, his scent, his
taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris felt his magic flow in a
tingling rush down his legs to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he opened his eyes, he looked down to find his boots clean again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth hummed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“See?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good luck, my little mage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll see you on the other side.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris snorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He watched his mate leap through the Otherside barrier and then took a
nice, deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, Fia, are you ready
for this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The horse bobbed her
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So am I, girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fia tensed and then rushed at the barrier. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris reveled in the powerful magic that
slammed into his body, filling him with golden light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fia landed on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a full run, she weaved through the trees,
and leapt over a trickling stream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris
pulled back on her reins when he was near his destination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whoa there, Fia.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fia slowed down and trotted up to a grouping of boulders next to a tall
pine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is where we wait.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the distance, the LARP Gamemaster blew his horn,
signaling the beginning of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
rumble preceded the players as they ran deep into the woods to begin their
mission, but most were headed to the east, whereas Aneris stayed north near the
realm’s boundary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waited a good
twenty minutes until finally he saw a curtain of long blonde hair swing around
and White’s silvery robe spin in the sunlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Behind her tagged along a girl with frizzy auburn hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poor thing came maybe to White’s shoulder
she was so short, but that didn’t hold her back from running as fast as she
could to keep up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Her shoulder armor clinked against her breastplate,
a sign of an ill-fitting costume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
boots were nearly unraveling at the seams. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And her rosy cheeks were damp with sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not once did she stop running or checking
over her shoulder with determined green eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She reached behind her and grabbed a massive battleax almost as big as
she to defend herself against the group of boys chasing them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You go ahead, Priestess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can take them,” she yelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get to the temple.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By temple she meant the boulders guarding a blue
water flag that symbolized sanctuary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris had to smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this girl
knew what the real temple looked like, she would probably pass out with
excitement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">White grabbed the girl’s skinny arm and tugged her
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We stay together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admire your courage, but there’s safety in
numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who’s to say they have not
surrounded the temple already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
need your strength then.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The girl tugged her arm back like she already knew
she was being tested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do not fear for
me, Priestess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am more than I
look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will cut them off while you run
for safety and meet you there shortly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But you will be alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be no one to protect you should
you fall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“There is no one to protect me at home when I fall,”
the girl called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am my own
protection.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris smiled sadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The girl running with White had been chosen for a quest for many
reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One being she didn’t really
have a home or anyone to call family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The group home she lived in was awful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The light she carried inside was in danger of going out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The strength she held and the pride she
carried were too great to be ignored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was destined to be a great warrior, not a throwaway in the system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris had chosen her above all others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been right to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brave little warrior swung her plastic
axe around and tapped one of the boys in the neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clutched his throat and went down as the rules
dictated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She brought the axe back
around and yelled at the top of her lungs, uncaring of the way her frizzy hair
popped out of its tie or the sweat pouring down her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t there to make boys like her like
the other girls who played the part of princesses and fairies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She was there to prove herself in the only place
that would have her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris was about to
show her another place that would not only have her, but give her a hero’s
welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl grunted, blew her hair
out of her face, and then made a low move to take another boy off at the
legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He faked a scream and fell to his
back with his hand outstretched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“For the Priestess!” the girl shouted through the
woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pumped her axe in the air and
took off running to the makeshift temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her smiling face was the only payment Aneris required.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When his newest charge stopped at the boulders,
White was there to greet her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have
done well, Lavina, the Battleax of Lorbridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For your bravery, it is my duty to grant you a reward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavina squinted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What reward?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know anyone
except the King could give rewards and that’s just a piece of paper.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What I can offer you is much more valuable than a
piece of paper.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White turned to Aneris,
and Lavina gasped when she saw him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Holy shit, is that a real horse?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lavina walked to Fia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reached out to touch Fia, but hesitated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How’d they let you get in with this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris kept his magic in place, concealing Fia’s
true appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Lavina, Fia looked
be to nothing more than a normal horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I have a hookup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you
worry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Cool.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
bit her bottom lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can I… Can I touch
it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It is actually a she, and you’ll have to ask her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavina gave him a goofy grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She can’t understand me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“How do you know unless you’ve tried?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Because horses can’t talk and I can’t fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple as that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She crossed her arms and snorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just try it and you’ll see.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavina rolled her eyes, but came closer to Fia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can I touch you or not, horse?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fia bobbed her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’d let the devil pet her if he asked because she loved
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lavina jumped away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did she just nod?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Like I said, she understands everything we
say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, let’s get down to
business…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fia interrupted him, nuzzling
Lavina’s hand to beg for more petting time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Fia, really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me speak to her
first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fia huffed and shook out her mane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lavina giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’s a diva, huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You have no idea.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris clucked his tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As I
was saying… Oh hell, it’s pointless now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She ruined my speech and I’d worked for weeks to memorize it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll sound like a pompous ass now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so very much, Fia.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What speech?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lavina backed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked
between White and Aneris with growing unease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We should get back to the game. I only have three hours and then my
guardian gets back from her volunteer shift at the church and she’ll know I’m
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to give my last pack of gum
to the boys to keep them from telling on me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That simple statement said enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a pack of gum was held with such high
regard to a child of her age, a girl who in a more fortunate situation would
take gum for granted, then Lavina deserved a place with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What if you never had to go back to that
place?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if you could be who you
really are and no one would turn you away?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavina sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Look, if I turn up at the home wearing this, my guardian is gonna flip
and kick me out. Which means I’m gonna have to go to another place I don’t like
with more people I don’t like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
have time for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you’ll excuse me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She tried to walk away. White grabbed her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lavina, what if you didn’t have to go back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Answer that and we’ll get back to the quest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavina turned angry eyes on White.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She snatched her hand back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If I didn’t have to go back to that home,
that means I’d have a family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I
don’t, I wouldn’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Of course you do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aneris leaned over Fia with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What if your family had been waiting for you for a very long time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if they were just over there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pointed to the trees behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What would you do then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Her eyes filled with tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one who seemed to get emotional easily,
the girl wiped at hers angrily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lavina
said, “I’d run as fast I could to them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And if horses can answer you, what makes you think
it isn’t possible to fly?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you on drugs?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lavina backed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You people
are nuts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“If we’re crazy, then so are you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris snapped his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magic pooled within his palm much to Lavina’s
horror and curiosity. “And you, my crazy little battleax, have been chosen for
a quest that will fulfill your wildest dreams and rescue you from this life you
hate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavina’s eyes bugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That isn’t real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh god, I think I’m gonna be sick.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s only nerves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I should know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris grinned.
“Once upon a time, I was in the very same situation you find yourself in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now that I know everything there is to
know, I can tell you it is all very real, and what I’m offering you is worth
the risk you fear of taking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to
save a Priestess?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can make that
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to ride the back of a
Dragon Shifter and feel the wind in your hair?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know someone who would be delighted to help you out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Care to dine with your King in the Great Hall
after your quest is done?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider it a
deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what you must ask yourself is:
are you strong and courageous enough to accept and fight through the ride of
your life?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris imagined Lavina as she had no doubt imagined
herself many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used his magic to smooth her messy curls
into satiny waves down her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
adorned her head with a silver helmet with sharp tipped horns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her armor bent and twisted until it formed to
her perfectly, blasted with a silver wash and speckled with emeralds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tattered boots peeled away to reveal new
boots underneath that laced up her legs all the way to her thigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in her hand was a new battleax, one sharp
enough and dangerous enough to behead any beastly foe she’d encounter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think you are perfect for the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris tilted his head and winked at White.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavina fingered her hair and looked at her new
weapon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She studied herself for a long
time until she gathered the words to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This isn’t happening.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ran a
hand down her arm, sliding her fingers over smooth metal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But if it was… I would never have to go
back?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris was shocked at how calm she was. And then he
looked at it from her point of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
child who’d no doubt conjured a fantasy world in her head many times, who
dreamed of getting out, of a family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
she was presented with the opportunity, and even if it was a dream, she was
still hopeful. “That is for you to decide.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve never been given a choice,” she murmured and
looked up at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He smiled warmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Then come and choose your destiny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Alone?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
eyes glittered with tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">White took her free hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Never.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavina looked down at their clasped hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I must be sleeping, because there is no way this is real.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But if I’m gonna dream, I’m gonna dream big.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">White chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That’s the spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tugged Lavina
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just don’t get stuck in a lake
forever, right, Mage?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavina turned horrified eyes toward Aneris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“She’s kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris rode Fia alongside them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who got stuck in a lake?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I gonna drown?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you people really crazy and I’m not
sleeping?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I being kidnapped?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh my god!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lavina screamed as White ran, holding onto her hand tightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White just laughed and broke through the
barrier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I better get an A for effort,” Aneris whispered to
the Gamemaster, who was never far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He leapt through the barrier just in time to see Killian in his Dragon
form whisking the girls into the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another player, another adventure, and never a dull moment—Aneris had
been successful on his first try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You are going to give that girl a heart attack,”
Seth teased as he pushed through the barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Reminded me a bit of you when we first met.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Meh, she’ll be fine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris waved it off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Aneris, you have to keep an eye on her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go after her!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What have you been doing while
the Gamemaster teaches you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Daydreaming?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth looked
absolutely appalled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris busted up laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m just kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relax.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He slipped from Fia’s back and landed on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go home, girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be home in time for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you worry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rubbed between Fia’s ears then gently
slapped her side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fia took off running into the woods, happy to be loose
for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris still had work to
do, unlike his carefree horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wonder
how I’ll follow her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tapped his
chin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Magic?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth
lifted his brows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’d
be too easy. How about a ride, Seth?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Aneris,” Seth warned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, I think you owe me one for this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I don’t want to tire myself out hopping
from this place to the next.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris
faked a yawn and patted his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You idiot.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seth smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You tire me out
just by watching you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris gave Seth a playful shove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Quit stalling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m not your trick pony, Aneris.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth backed away. His eyes flickered gold with
heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved every second of Aneris’s
taunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he enjoyed more was
showing his mate his Dragon form, the form he’d fought to discover with blood,
sweat, tears and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seth was always
proud to shift for Aneris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No, but I want to see my mate shift.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He licked his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My big, bad Dragon mate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What I do for you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seth sighed dramatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
flashed Aneris a wicked look and winked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever you wish, my little mage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth’s eyes glowed gold and his armor melted from
his skin in an instant. The scales on his naked body spread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His muscles bulged and flexed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His jaw snapped open and his fangs glinted in
the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And before Aneris could squeal
in delight, a fully shifted Dragon with crimson scales padded over to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He bent his head for Aneris to climb on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What a fancy ride, Setherum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wherever did you get it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Dragon snorted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Smoke huffed from his nostrils.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aneris climbed on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He laid his cheek on top of Seth’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Why should I go anywhere by using my magic when I can ride with my mate
off into the sunset? That is true magic to me,” he whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth stretched his thick neck and turned his large
eyes on Aneris. The Dragon appeared to smile at his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nothing brings me greater joy,” Seth
rumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hold on, my little mage, it is
going to be yet another wild ride.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth spread his wings, pushed off from the ground,
and soared into the open air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aneris
balanced on Seth’s back and opened his arms to the sky as they flew over the
woods and toward the sound of Lavina’s screams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Another wild ride indeed!” he yelled and allowed his true love to take
him away to the place dreams were made of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">THE END</span>NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-38256671867936574242014-03-11T19:21:00.001-04:002014-03-11T19:21:28.152-04:00Whispers In Silence: Part 7
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s up, my readers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Night here with another thrilling installment of
Whispers in Silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we begin,
many of you have asked where the intros have been and how it’s going over here
in reality land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, a lot is going on—not
that this is unusual or anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
asked to help with a wedding, a small wedding that turned into something else
entirely and now I’m scratching my head, wondering if America suddenly adopted
a queen when I wasn’t I looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">No, I’m kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My friend is the best, and I know everything will work out, and that
every bride has a “moment” when she thinks of throwing in the towel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just say there was a terrible
experience at the dress store she made an appointment at (a well-known bridal
shop I might add) and she did NOT want to ring the bell every time she found a
dress she liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think putting on a
sombrero at a Mexican restaurant on your birthday and being forced to stand on
a chair while the staff shakes silverware and sings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not her thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*laughs*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The other reason I’ve been away is…a new guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of you might have guessed the man I referred
to as “boyfriend” is no longer around and hasn’t been for some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish him well and what not, but things
weren’t working out, and I wasn’t up for dealing with his issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll leave it at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, my friends conspired against me and
set me up on a blind date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I
thought this was because they hated me—I abhor blind dates due to past
experience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they forced me to go, or
rather I was having a terrible time the week of Valentine’s (fuck you Hallmark)
and in my girlish vulnerability gave it shot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And instead of slumming it the day before Valentine’s
Day in my jammies and watching a gut-wrenching chick flick, I went out with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out he’s a pretty cool guy. He’s
also not the kind of guy I would have picked out of crowd to be attracted to,
but he’s different, and different is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was hooked when I asked him about the scar on his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought for sure he would say he used to be
a thug and got it during some drug deal gone wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my writer’s imagination at work, of
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He laughs, obviously knowing what I’m thinking and
says, “Got in a fight with a can of veggies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not good with metal lids.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What did you do, make out with it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He winks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Corn
turns me on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It was probably the best date ever for someone like
me, who thought his quirky quips were absolutely hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m sure his sense of humor will be
constant inspiration for my writing, so for now we’ll continue hanging out and
see what happens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, that’s what’s going on around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll keep you all updated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Onto the story!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hugs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><u><strong>Whispers in Silence: Part 7<o:p></o:p></strong></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 20<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Cap says you two can’t go back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not after this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist delivered the news to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood a good three feet away and kept his
face passive. His hands stuffed inside his jacket pockets moved around like he
was ready for a fight from Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fight
he didn’t want to get in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist was only the messenger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
also saw Sutton’s point; if Halverson was in with Redding, home wasn’t a safe
place anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truthfully, it hadn’t
been since Adrian walked in the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
damn if Wes didn’t want to take his partner home and let him sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed to watch over Adrian and feed him
and make sure all the creepy crawlies Tabitha Sinclair had left behind were
gone for good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian swore up and down he was fine, that his time
with Tabitha had been different from the other spirits he’d encountered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He claimed he was able to go on and meet up
with Sutton at the Sinclair residence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes wasn’t so sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
Adrian’s experience could have been worse and he hadn’t come out of his spirit
coma looking like he’d been through hell and back, Wes was worried about his
partner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian kept looking at him funny; kept leaning in
like he was listening for something when he couldn’t hear a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes felt like a science experiment all the
sudden, an unnecessary stress on top of everything else. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not how he pictured his day going with Adrian
after the kiss they had shared earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes told himself Adrian was fine, that the kiss
meant something and Adrian was all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But something tugged at his detective instincts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something was different about Adrian that had
nothing to do with sexual attraction and more to do with bodily chemistry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes didn’t say it aloud for fear of scaring Adrian,
but he sensed all the recent developments were coming to a head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any minute now, he was sure Adrian would turn,
leaving him in a tight spot with two bad guys after his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Back to the matter at hand, he didn’t have any fight
in him for Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was saving it for
Halverson when they found him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Grab
some stuff for us when you roll by?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
can stay in one of the crash rooms at the Bureau if shit goes down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You can stay with one of us, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to sleep on those cots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurts my back every time I think about taking
a nap there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks
for the offer but we’ll manage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes sat down on the curb and lit a cigarette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed his mouth and inhaled deeply
through his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist looked down at
him, something on his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can I ask
you a question?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Open book, Feist.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He really the one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean…how do you know?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’d write a book for the next poor bastard in my
position if I could explain it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want the hearts and flowers
version—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not really.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist kicked gravel with his boot and chuckled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes lifted a shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s like a slow game of connect the
dots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You believe you know what the
picture is, and you dive in thinking you know something, like you’re real
smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then your hand gets heavy and
the pencil drags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lines you’ve done
already don’t make sense and you start to get scared that you’ll never
finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then one day all those lines
click into place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All those strokes
meant something along the way and prepared you for that final move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then bam, there it is in black and white
and that picture is nothing like you thought it would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the end result is perfect, different, but
perfect.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That is officially the corniest thing I have ever
heard.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist snickered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry, Durren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re either whipped or you’re fucking nuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connect the dots…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist put his hands on his hips and
laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The hell you come up with this
shit… Oh, damn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can’t be whipped if you haven’t had sex.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes tapped his cigarette, letting ash fall to
the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t believe he just
said that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feist stopped laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Seriously?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We thought…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wasn’t joking when I said we were just
sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m pretty sure I should
kick your ass for walking in that bathroom back there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had no idea why he was being so open with
Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps because it felt good to
talk to someone on the outside, and maybe he was going a bit stir crazy in his
head keeping it all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes would talk
to Sutton if he wasn’t such an intricate part of Adrian’s life, making it weird
to chat about sleeping with his nephew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist was different; he was one of the guys and this was bro talk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep
telling yourself that, Durren. Since when do you talk about anything personal
with Feist?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can’t believe you haven’t been with your own…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist sat down next to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held out his fingers and Wes passed him
the cigarette.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First
time I said it out loud.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Heavy shit, man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist nodded and passed the cig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Adrian get it yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t know what’s going on in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try and read him and there’s so much to
sift through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used to block me out
when we first met, but he’s not trying to anymore and still I’ve got
nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there’s stuff he hasn’t
told me yet, but he’s got to know by now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know he feels it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Looks like he felt you just fine in the
bathroom.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist smirked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes slugged Feist in the arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Screw you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe if you told Adrian straight up what’s going on between you two,
then you could screw him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist winked
and stood up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s a step ahead of us
in a lot of ways, Durren, but he’s also a step behind us in other
departments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a possibility he might
know and just doesn’t understand how to show you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You go and he follows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You say something and he starts to speak up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You kiss him, he kisses you back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re the Senior Detective in the
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take the lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Train your partner where he’s lacking.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feist snagged the cigarette from Wes’s fingers,
winked, and then walked to the stairs where Adrian was being checked over by a
tech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes locked eyes with Adrian.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The team sat in a circular booth at the back of a
twenty-four hour diner near the Sinclair residence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The White Plate was a popular vampire hangout
just outside Gramercy Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coffee
was hot, the pancakes out of this world, and the waitresses knew when the
Guards wanted their privacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially
when files were spread across the table, laptops were open, and six exhausted
males were hunkered down over their breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“So much for keeping this quiet,” Fontine muttered
between bites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Sinclair’s butler spread
Tabitha’s death across the city with a single phone call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now every maid, driver, and doorman belonging
to a Royal knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now so do their
employers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bureau dispatch is blowing up
and soon we’ll have a damn war on our hands.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maybe we’ll get a lead on Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is looking for him and we’ve got men
and women stationed at every city exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He won’t be able to plane, train, walk, or teleport out of here without
us knowing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist had no sooner
finished speaking when he got a text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sutton says the butler is ready to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parents won’t be joining us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Because the mother is a cunt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian stabbed his pancakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feist put his phone down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feel like talking to us there, champ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You haven’t said a word since we left Flatiron and—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian cut him off with a cold, hard stare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I told you everything relevant at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the mother has become relevant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She won’t speak to us, and yes I understand
she just lost her daughter, but wouldn’t that make her more determined to help
us out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t it make sense if she
knew Halverson when he called her daughter Tabby?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killers don’t suddenly adopt nicknames for
their random victims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows
something. And if she isn’t willing to spit it out, I say we squeeze the butler
for all he’s worth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“This is starting to sound like Clue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrs. Sinclair in the library with a
candlestick,” Wes teased, trying to lighten the mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian scraped his fork across his plate, a
high pitched noise that made everyone grimace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes knew Adrian wished he could stick a fork in Halverson instead of a
pancake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What are you talking about, Durren?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maloy raised a brow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes turned his palms up and emitted a shaky laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Popular board game?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maloy scratched his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Uh…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Before his time, Durren,” Davis reminded Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re old, remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Right. We’re old.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes sagged in his seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As much
as I love discussing my age, we have work to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree with Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and I will take the interview and see what
we get.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There wasn’t a need to
elaborate on why he wanted the interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With Adrian there, who knew what they could find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You up for that, Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist snapped his fingers to get the brooding
Detective’s attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I asked if you
were cool to interview the butler with Wes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian nodded slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stared at his coffee cup like it was about
to attack. “Wes does the talking while I watch this guy squirm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Butlers know everything.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One second Adrian seemed to be his old self,
a fire in his eyes and a menacing grip on his pronged utensil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next he was back to his breakfast like a
starved man, leaving the team a bit lost as to do what to do with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Slightly disappointed his pasta wasn’t that special,
Wes watched Adrian chow down on his pancakes and wash them down with coffee as
he did with any other meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just
the way Adrian ate, Wes learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian
was a high energy person, eager to fill his depleted battery and then return to
his task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was both admirable and
scary to behold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian caught Wes watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He licked his lips of syrup, arousing Wes to
no end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes had no idea if Adrian knew
what he was doing, but he’d bet money his partner didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, their eyes locked and Wes was
treated to a flash of need scrolling through Adrian’s blues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian glanced at their teammates, and then wiped
his mouth with a napkin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In a flash the connection was gone as Adrian shut
his laptop and scrolled through his phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They definitely needed to talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately for Wes, they had no privacy to do so and going home
wasn’t an option anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Less than an hour later, they walked through the
front doors of the Gramercy Park Hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
the hotel was officially sold to the Sinclairs in 2018, they converted the
guest rooms into eight luxury residences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Normally, one to two doormen would be adequate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the fact that eight Royal families
lived at the hotel now, appeared to require a lot more than just your average
doorman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As if they thought they were potted plants or unnoticeable
pillars in the lobby, at least a dozen bodyguards dotted the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large males that looked like hired muscle and
didn’t belong to the Bureau raised Wes’s suspicions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All the families accounted for in the
building?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Seven in total, and yes, they’re all here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to check in with our Guards and see
what they’ve heard from the neighbors while you two visit Sutton.” He sized up
a bodyguard near him and rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Had I known they had this many watchdogs, I would’ve brought some
treats.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Weird, huh?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s always weird, Durren.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist chuckled and pointed to the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Top floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Sinclairs have it all to themselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fancy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
lifted his brows and gestured for Adrian to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once inside the lift, Wes took one wall and
Adrian took the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them
tried not to look at each other, making things very awkward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s
up?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He watched the lighted numbers near the ceiling go up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes waved his hand in Adrian’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Did I
do something wrong?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s not you,
alright.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then
what is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The elevator hit the fourth floor and kept going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian tapped his foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It is
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a lot to deal with right now.” </i>Adrian
pointed to his temple.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can only deal with one thing at a
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d rather save you for later when
we don’t have to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, this
is work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m on my game, so don’t mess
with me.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
later?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“God, Wes, chill out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re worse than most women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to focus right now, and we need to
learn to work together at work and do…whatever it is in private.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep the two separate.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian put his fingers to his wrist and
continued to tap his foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He huffed,
flicking his stare to the carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
not angry with you if that’s what you think. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s that I’m not use to this attention, being
in the spotlight all the time, and being a critical part of a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a lot of pressure in this job when
others are counting on you to use skills they don’t have. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s Redding and Halverson on the
loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got bodies piling up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then there’s you and me, and the thing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian glanced up. Wes smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
thing?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, I’m calling it the thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what you want to hear, but I’m not
comfortable naming it for what it is in an elevator when we don’t have time to
discuss it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not how I
operate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry if you were hoping
for more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes leaned against the wall, grinning from ear to
ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not a hearts and flowers kind of guy?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He
knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh god he knows.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian stuck up his middle finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is work, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you get that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He reveled in the sound of Adrian’s rapid heartbeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hear you loud and clear, partner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your favorite word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kind of like when women say everything is “fine” but they don’t really
mean it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I intend to work it out of your
vocabulary.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes winked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He strode to the other side of the elevator
before they arrived at the eighth floor and stole a hard, fast kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lifted away from Adrian, happy at the
blitzed look in his partner’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now
I can work, and with the promise of later, I’m more than happy to step up my
game for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When the elevator opened, Adrian stormed out,
glancing over his shoulder with a flush to his cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a strong and powerful addition to the
team, tall and lean muscled, weapons all over his graceful body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when kissed, Adrian was nothing more than
a hissing kitten, an adorably ferocious fluff-ball to Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A kitten that turned into a prowling panther the
moment he entered the Sinclair residence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was no mistaking his mission; Adrian went straight to Sutton and
started signing with his back turned, but even though he seemed preoccupied, Wes
watched his partner study the living room like he had microscopic lenses for
eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nothing escaped Adrian Donohue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">While Adrian made imaginary lists in his head and signed
with Sutton, Wes took a more languid approach to the scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He counted Bureau badges and took note of the
Sinclair’s private security trying to stake some claim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bodyguard count was absurd for the small
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure they were Royal, but this
wasn’t the Queen’s quarters or anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why would they need this many?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t touch that,” a female hissed across the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes laid eyes on a tall, redheaded woman who was snatching
away a framed photo from a Bureau Guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sutton immediately intercepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He put a hand up to the fearsome female and ushered the Guard away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Camille, you should be resting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“While these animals ravage through our private
things, Captain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should think
not.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She let loose a disgusted huff and
placed the frame back on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Haven’t we suffered enough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
it too much to ask you to leave us be during our time of grief?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Camille, you and I both know this is standard
procedure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You said you’d give us your
full cooperation to find Tabitha’s killer, and so far you’ve hindered us every
step of the way. I will ask you again as politely as I can to go and sit at
your mate’s side until we need you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“This is my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will not be told what to do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She stomped a heeled foot and growled like a rabid beast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I realize you are suffering, Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That said, I must tell you that any other mother of a deceased child
would do anything in their power to find the one that took them away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter if that meant sitting and waiting
for answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter if that meant men
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ravaging</i> your materialistic
possessions for clues.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton cocked
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes darkened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you are not at your mate’s side, your
mate who in his grievance nearly lost his mind and had to be sedated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are here, holding me up, worried about
which cabinets I search through and what picture frames I touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does that not seem strange to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She put a hand above her breasts, taken aback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mouth opened when she gasped
theatrically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you implying I do not
care about my daughter?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That remains to be seen, Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now if you don’t mind, I’d like you to go in
the other room and comfort your mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll be sure you to keep you informed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille Sinclair’s nostrils flared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her long nails bit into her palms, her
fingers clenched tightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Very well,
Captain,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be sure to
comfort my mate even though he is out cold at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How nice of you to grant me such an important
task.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As Camille departed the living room, she passed the
butler, who was being escorted in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
eyes narrowed and she followed him with a glare for as far as her neck would
turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mrs. Sinclair,” a Guard warned
her to keep moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The butler was a small, sheepish man who would most
certainly go unnoticed in a household like the Sinclair’s. But now he was in
the hot seat, receiving death glares from his employer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a small, cornered animal, his heartbeat
quickened once brought in the living room full of Guards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His beady black eyes darted from face to
face, and he tried to make himself smaller by stuffing his body into the corner
window seat he was shown to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“This is good as I can do right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We haven’t cleared all the bedrooms yet, and
the staff is being held in the kitchen, so it’s a bit crowded in there,” Sutton
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re taking the hired guns into
the hall to give you some privacy, and our badges will continue searching the
bedrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll give you twenty minutes
with him, and then the techs will have to take over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need as much fresh evidence as possible.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes looked at Adrian, trying to get his take on what
had just occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s eyes flicked
to the muscle being moved out the door and then he raised a brow at Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just what I was thinking too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get anything from the security around
here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton grinned tightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re gonna love this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re contracted through a private firm
we’re attempting to locate now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it
appears we need an order from the Queen for them to divulge confidential client
information—including but not limited to the reason why they’re here in the
first place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Bullshit.” Wes gaped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You contact Nina?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Seeing as how I report to her, yes, I did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“She’s en route to the city as we speak; something to do with sealed
records from before I was Captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
didn’t wish to say over the phone, but she made it very clear the security
detail was not to leave the premises.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did she give you permission to swipe the staff?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No need, they’re all turned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I’m hoping you can talk some
sense into this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest refuse to
speak with us, more like they’re scared they’ll be offed should they confess
anything with Camille around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
turning out to be a nightmare.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton
gestured to the butler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll leave you
to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to check in with Feist.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 21<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">With the room clear of people, Wes pulled up a chair
to the window seat and sat next to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For a minute he allowed the butler to breathe, to acknowledge he was
safe from harm, and free to say anything he wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When that didn’t work and the butler looked
ready to jump out of his skin, Wes tried another approach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I like your shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Italian?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The butler, caught off guard, looked at his
footwear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Uh, yes, a gift from Miss
Tabitha for Christmas last year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Custom or off the shelf?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you have to break them in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always wanted a pair but I don’t have
the money to go custom and I don’t have the time to break a cheaper pair
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the footwork we do as detectives
would give me blisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice, though,
those are really sharp.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The butler smiled back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They were handmade for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A truly thoughtful gift from Miss Sinclair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was always thoughtful, though, and such a
warm hearted soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe she’s
gone.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His smile faded as he looked at
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s partner wasn’t about to
offer this stranger any type of consoling at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes cleared his throat, yanking the butler’s
attention away from Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mister…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Marcus Sitz, sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve been with the Sinclairs the longest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good butler is very hard to find, and I
suppose I’ve done my job well enough to stay as long as I have.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And the Sinclairs rewarded you for your effort by offering you the
turn?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, sir, before the Queen’s law dictated formal
permission to do so.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He twiddled his
thumbs, looking guilty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re not in any trouble, Mr. Sitz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no intention of turning you in over
how you came to be a vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you did
so willingly, that’s fine by me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Sitz let out a breath he seemed to have been
holding in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I believe you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a good judge of character…most of the
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose I panicked when the
Bureau invaded tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still am a
little overwhelmed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Understandable,” Wes agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I also understand the tight spot you’re in,
wanting to please your employer, your family here, by keeping certain details to
yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you must see my side, and
Tabitha’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Detective Donohue and I are
here only to find out what happened and get justice for Miss Tabitha.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who’s to say I’ve withheld details?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Sitz swallowed his own fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His question was worded perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a fib and it wasn’t a whole truth,
just somewhere in between that wouldn’t raise a red flag for a vampire with a
built in lie detector.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“There are always secrets in every house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one seems to hold a lot more than
most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to know what you know, Mr.
Sitz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything helps.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes tried to maintain a nonthreatening
presence, keeping his body relaxed and away from the butler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled, putting as much warmth behind it
as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“They will let me go for sharing such things,
Detective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure where I could turn, or who would
employ me if I was terminated. No Royal would have me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is that what she told you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camille, I mean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Sitz was silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He turned toward the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And if I find your employer to be more than a
suspect in this investigation, what house will be left for you to run?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s more complicated than that, I’m afraid,” Mr.
Sitz murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I…I fear for my life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wouldn’t telling me what you know benefit you if
Camille was taken out of the picture?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The butler turned back to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such sadness overcame his face, the look of a
man who had spent his entire life putting on a smile when everything around him
was a tragedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure you’ve seen our
security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t end there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mr. Sitz, please.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes leaned forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know something,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I do,” Mr. Sitz whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes shivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A cold spot appeared on his left and every hair rose on his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His partner stared at the empty wingback
chair along the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while Adrian
kept calm, he still put his fingers to his wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That alone let Wes know, a sign from one partner
to another that a spirit was sitting next to Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Sitz dug for a tissue and dabbed at his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrapped his arms around his torso.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She didn’t deserve this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t deserve to be born to that woman
and her doormat of a mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not
understand why fate would pair them together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why not leave Mr. Sinclair alone and let him live a happy life with
someone else?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then I think of the
girls and how they would have never been born. Such sweet children.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You mean Tabby?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at the
butler.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The butler whipped around to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why did you call her that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Because that’s what you called her, right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You called her Tabby when Camille wasn’t
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You called her older
sister…Red.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian curled his fingers
around the armrests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His chest rose and
fell rapidly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes was torn between comforting Adrian and
continuing to question Mr. Sitz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
mention of Red threw him for a loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red
like Redding immediately came to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If he was thinking it then so was Adrian, and that sent Wes’s partner into
a damn near panic attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
put his hand over Adrian’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is he alright?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can get him some water.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr.
Sitz started to rise, but Adrian stood and pushed him back into his seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian glared down at the butler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You stay here and suffer until one of those
guys gets the order to kill you, or you start talking and get protection from
the protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything Camille told
you was a lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t your family
anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabby is dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red is dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one here will save you except for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Get out while you can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No one will save you except for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what Red use to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never had the chance to take her up on that
offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She disappeared fourteen years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now Tabby… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh god.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mr. Sitz wiped his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I feel
like they’re here with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know
how you know these things but… Fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve lied for so many years that I’m afraid to know the real truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve speculated and heard bits and pieces,
but if anything I know can help, I’ll tell you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Start with the beginning,” Adrian said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat back down and flexed his shaking
hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Sinclairs lived in Europe, eventually
relocating to the states in 1989 when the Queen had settled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frances was only two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry—I mean Red was only two when they
settled here in the city the same year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was hired on a few months later and was told here and there about the
life they led in Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently Mr.
Sinclair’s mother wanted them to stay but Camille didn’t get along with her,
disapproving of her ways, and dragged Mr. Sinclair here with all of his money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I thought it odd how she acted towards him,
belittling him all the time, how selfish she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on the other hand, she was charitable and
did so much for the community that at first I wondered if maybe there was
something very wrong with Mr. Sinclair that I did not see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he did not treat her right behind
closed doors, if you understand my meaning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maybe he was abusive and she acted out because of
it,” Wes offered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr.
Sitz nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But after some time I
learned he was a good father and tried to be a good mate, and really it was
Camille who was a terrible person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
thought of leaving many times but Red was so young and Mr. Sinclair needed
someone for support, even if he never said so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stayed after that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes crossed his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When did things start to get worse?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mr. Sinclair started to drink and gamble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was depressed with his mating, and refused
to break away from Camille because of the blood bond they shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the early nineties when he almost
depleted their accounts to repay his debts, and his security firm went
bankrupt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearly a hundred of his
employees lost their jobs and were angry, but found work guarding newly
immigrated families in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
before the Bureau was in place and families were scared of another war.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What did Camille do when she found out the money
was gone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“She nearly lost her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A woman like that doesn’t gracefully fall
from the top and hand over her diamonds to pay the mortgage. She liked her
lifestyle and her status and refused to be the source of talk within her circle
of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she put a leash on her
husband and made her presence in the charity community bigger than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted everyone to know how perfect her
family was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted them to trust
her, to give her their money.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes had no clue where Sitz’s story was headed,
Camille’s possible embezzlement from a charity, an affair with a criminal, or
maybe she killed her daughter because of something to do with a scheme gone
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He checked with Adrian to make
sure he was okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His partner’s vacant
expression told Wes that Adrian was listening to something no one else
heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temperature dropped when Sitz
had started speaking, a game of hot and cold from the spirit sitting next to
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha, in her own way, was backing up Sitz’s
testimony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Wes watched a cloud of
air roll away from the butler’s mouth, he knew they were near the story’s
climax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“But nothing is ever perfect,” Wes urged Sitz on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
the appearance of perfection is one of Camille’s many talents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grew close with Behruz Franco, the head
of the Royal Campaign to End Hunger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps she was drawn to his easy going temperament and his passionate
fight to feed the poor, but I believe it was his money, his influence, and his
family’s pristine image she wanted to sink her teeth into. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever her reasoning, Camille pushed her way
into his circle and the two families became fast friends, when Mr. Sinclair
played his part, of course.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Franco was into something illegal and Camille
struck a partnership,” Wes tried to finish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Heavens no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mr. Franco was and still is a very generous and all around good
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he discovered Camille and
her mate had fallen on hard times, he paid for Mr. Sinclair’s rehabilitation
and Red’s private schooling so she could be close to his daughter, Elle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those two were best friends from the start.”
Mr. Sitz shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, it was
when Ulysses Maloy entered the picture that things took a wrong turn for this
house, worse than before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes tensed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Maloy?” he nearly spat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
up and coming in Franco’s circle, but most were leery of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, I understand most vampires do as
they please, sexually and otherwise, but the older families still maintain a
conservative attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believe that
what you do behind closed doors is wonderful and natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That said, in public and especially in the
finest of Royal circles, they keep those private moments to themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want their sons and daughters to be
respectful of each other’s minds and bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They believe in setting an example for the next generation, helping the
less fortunate even if only by monthly check without so much as lifting a
finger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And Maloy was a sleazy bastard who didn’t care
about what they thought.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He did to an extent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whisking a male’s mate off to have a
private chat wasn’t condoned and considered suspicious when he and Camille made
a habit out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maloy leering at
their children wasn’t condoned either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone agreed, even the staff, something wasn’t right about that man.”
Sitz rubbed his hands up and down his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s freezing in here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did they
turn the heat off?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re supposed to
have snow today.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We won’t be much longer, Mr. Sitz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please continue and then I’ll talk to someone
about the heat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ulysses began coming over to the house when Mr. Sinclair was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would meet on the rooftop so no one
would hear them, but it didn’t take much for me to figure out what was going on
when they announced plans for a new charity called His Children, a global
organization to take homeless boys off the streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when Franco started funding them, other
Royal families began sending their checks in as well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes paled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
looked to the empty wingback chair and wondered what horrors had gone on in
this house, what those poor girls had endured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever had happened, Adrian must have sensed it because he reached out
without hesitation and grabbed Wes’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He sighed deeply and closed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes threaded his fingers with Adrian’s just like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes mixing work with personal matters
was necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was one of those
times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you sure he’s alright, Detective?” Mr. Sitz
straightened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s been a long day already.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Quite understandable.” Sitz seemed satisfied, yet
still curious as to why they were holding hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As I was saying, His Children quickly
blossomed into a mixed race organization, with Camille and Ulysses working
behind the scenes, and a collective staff of both humans and vampires in the
field setting up homes for the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
the time Red was around eighteen, Camille had fifty locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the fact that the boys they helped kept
turning up at events and private parties, and not for anything charity related,
that started to scare me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What do you mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Sitz checked both sides of the room before
leaning in and whispering, “They were there with unmated, mature vampires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camille and Ulysses swore up and down the
boys were simply under the care of a vampire who was thinking of adopting them
and taking them into their home, but it just didn’t feel right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The touches and whispers were…not platonic,
and the way the boys would sometimes sit on their laps, or disappear early with
a group of men…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew what was going
on, and so did Red.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I need to clarify what you’ve just told me, Mr.
Sitz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you saying these boys were
being hired out of the organization to offer unmated males company?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Company as in pleasure.” Wes gripped Adrian’s
hand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian squeezed back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What did Red do when she found out?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“She got into a fight with Camille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told her mother she’d seen one of those
boys leaving a male’s house the next morning with a bloody lip and
bruises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She threatened to tell Franco if
Camille didn’t stop, and if that didn’t work she’d make her father move them
back to his mother’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her grandmother
had been fighting for years to get Red and her father back to Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She always hated Camille and rightly so.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did anyone else begin to notice?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
the number of boys at parties began to increase, Franco and his mate grew
suspicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came to the house when
Camille was gone and questioned Mr. Sinclair about Red’s allegations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He claimed he knew nothing of the sort, but
he’s never been a very good liar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Franco
tried to offer him money to leave Camille and bring Red to live with them,
because he planned on withdrawing his donations and pursuing the matter
further, but Mr. Sinclair declined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was foolishly in love with his wretched mate, and planned to follow her to
hell.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What happened then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Franco made a spectacle of Camille and threw her
out of his circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to shut her
down by tarnishing her name, along with her anyone who donated to her cause,
but it was too late and His Children already had international funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camille didn’t need Franco any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she rewarded her mate for his loyalty by
giving him another child, or maybe that’s just the time Tabitha came along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Red was nineteen, scared, and angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she loved her father, pitied him, and
with a little sister to look after, she wouldn’t leave Tabitha to fend for
herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took the baby out often,
told me she went to the Franco’s so she and Elle could watch her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as time went on, it became clear Tabitha
favored her mother’s affection more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Camille created Tabitha in her image, dressed her in the finest things,
gave her the best of schooling, and prepared her to be the perfect mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha and Red were polar opposites, not to
say they didn’t love each other very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’d do anything for each other, much to Camille’s dismay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes knew the feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was years older than his little sister
when she’d been alive, and they were different in every way, but he’d have done
anything to keep her safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he had
tried, even if it meant going criminal to keep her healthy and fed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t imagine his mother being a
criminal, though, and he gave Red credit for sticking around when all she
wanted to do was run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did Tabby hang around a boy called Halverson?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe it was Red?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sitz raised a brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I don’t know that name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes pulled out his phone and showed Sitz a
picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The butler gasped and looked
from Adrian to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s Robert.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Around the Bureau he’s known as Junior Detective Matthew
Halverson.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s a Guard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My god.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think he did this,
don’t you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he had it in him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d always been so strange, always watching
us, always so infatuated with Tabitha and Camille’s praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just comes in here one day and stakes his
claim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew it.” Mr. Sitz panted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clenched his knees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tell us how Robert came to live here and why.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“After Red went missing,” Sitz murmured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When did that happen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The front door opened and Sutton led a team of
Guards into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The butler cowered
into his corner, buttoning up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
cursed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He let go of Adrian’s hand,
immediately cold again, and crouched down next to the butler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need to know what happened to the girls.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The butler bowed his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He darted a glance at the Guards before
whispering, “Find Elle Franco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
Red’s best friend and she was very close to Tabby after Red went missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows everything you need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to make sure the staff is
alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They frighten easily.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You don’t say,” Wes muttered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He caught himself from falling when Sitz
hurried across the living room and disappeared behind the swinging kitchen
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes stood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Talk
to me</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I know she was here.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have to make this right.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not
by yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
don’t think he was after me all this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think I’m just involved somehow in the bigger picture.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why
do you say that?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Because
everything I think I know is a lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
what she told me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have this all
wrong, W-E-S.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Durren,” Sutton said from behind them, startling
Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You get anything from the butler?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I would have gotten more if you gave me some
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was about to tell me something
important before you guys barged in here without any warning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even get twenty minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton ignored him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Last bedroom on the left, boys,” he directed to two techs entering the
bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sorry I cut this short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is leaving here, so you can interview
him more later on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, we’ve got
a missing Detective and blood at his apartment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Halverson, yeah, we know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes gestured for Adrian to join him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What gives, Sutt?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His Junior partner, Fredericks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The techs over at Tabby’s crime scene identified a few samples of blood
belonging to Fredericks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They alerted dispatch,
a car was sent over, and there’s more blood around the apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Signs of a struggle also.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian’s eyes widened at Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I didn’t
see the guy who caught Halverson killing Tabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe it wasn’t Redding after all.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
rubbed a spot between his brows and sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Being a Guard, Wes saw his fair share of twisted
cases but this one competed for the worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every time they thought they knew what was going on, evidence led them
in another direction, to another person and another victim with no end in
sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes cases took years to
solve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t have years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had another victim out there fighting
for his life, if he wasn’t already dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton cleared his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put his hands in his pockets before he addressed
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Has Frederick tried to...to
contact you yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What he really meant to ask was if Frederick was dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the bond growing between him and Wes,
Wes knew, like Adrian, that Elle Franco was the one who would connect all the
dots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Camille Sinclair cannot leave, Sutt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When this is all said and done, I want her to
face the Queen for her crimes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The butler talked then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes and Adrian shared a look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He pinned her as the head of His Children, along with Ulysses Maloy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were pimping out those kids for money,
and we have reason to believe she took out of her eldest daughter because she
knew too much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton scowled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“She won’t be leaving here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
promise you that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton lost his son
under tragic circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would get
revenge for a child that was taken by choice, by their own mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The neighbors said as much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also talked about the Sinclair’s son,
but there is no registered male offspring in the Queen’s database.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He lived here with them and he wasn’t blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure why or when, but we have a lead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian glanced at the empty wingback chair, his eyes
haunted, before he turned to Sutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Elle
Franco.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Surely the Francos had nothing to do with
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behruz is an upstanding Royal who
has helped many people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You remember he
threw me a party when I took the Captain’s seat.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton appeared shocked at such an
accusation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I was kind of drunk that night, but I’ll take your
word for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The butler cleared Behruz
and his family of any wrongdoing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said
Behruz pulled away from Camille’s charity when he found out what she was
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to stop them, but by
then His Children had more money and power than he could fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to speak to his daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was close with both the Sinclair girls,
and the butler said she’d know everything we needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also think she might be in danger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sutton inhaled sharply through his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll make the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea if the Francos are in the
country so close to a holiday, but I’ll do my best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until we can pick up a trail on Halverson, or
get more information out of Camille, I’m using my pull here and sending Feist
and Maloy out to hunt Halverson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davis
and Fontine will stay here and head up the interviews with the staff…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton looked over Wes’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glared at some unseen evil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No one says another word.” Camille came walking
into the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve called my
Royal Defender and because these are my employees, they are under the same
protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have no evidence against
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not be made into some criminal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’ll see about that,” Sutton hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Queen is on her way here to speak with
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have nothing to hide like
you claim you don’t, then there won’t be a problem.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille’s eyes widened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She closed her mouth and tugged on her
bodyguard’s arm, whisking him off to the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton growled softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That female has made her bed, and the beds
of many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No Defender will help
her now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll make some calls and be right back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 22</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Elle Franco declined her father’s presence for the
interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever the good father, Bezhur
still sent armed security to sit outside her townhouse in a cozy part of
Brooklyn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where Wes expected a bit more
grandeur, Elle shocked him by living among the rest of the middle class in a
quaint, two-story townhome situated between two others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The youth of today always surprised him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Elle rolled her eyes at the bodyguards on the
stoop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one but the homeless would
hang around outside when it was this cold and now snowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She muttered something under her breath and
blew a few strands of black hair away from her forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You two plan on joining them or did you want
to come inside?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yep, Elle Franco was a complete surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t match anything Wes had depicted Elle
to be in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m Detective Durren
and this is my partner Detective Donohue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sorry to just barge in here like this, but it’s…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her eyes misted over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she was strong enough to fight her
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one was a tough cookie and
Wes could see why a firecracker like Red Sinclair had been friends with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sniffed back her emotions and pushed the
door open wider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know why you’re
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been waiting for the Bureau
to show up for a long time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes caught Adrian’s approving expression and smiled.
“We’re here now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for having us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held the door open for Adrian and then
followed him into the incense clouded hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sorry about the smell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know most vamps hate it, but I’ve never had
a problem with it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gestured to a
small table near the living room entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A few sticks of incense and two Roman candles burned next to a picture
of Tabitha and another redheaded beauty that could only be Red Sinclair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The smell burned Wes’s nostrils, whereas Adrian was
unaffected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned away from the
picture that most likely harbored spirit energy for him and took interest in
the collection of worldly weapons hanging on the wall. A decorative spear,
Japanese swords with beautiful ribbons and beads hanging from the handles,
daggers with intricate, ivory handles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Elle smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Those
were gifts from Frances.” She frowned when Adrian kept looking and didn’t
respond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He can’t hear,” Wes told her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He can read lips, though.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s…That’s
refreshing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She placed a hand on Adrian’s
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They were gifts from Frances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sent them to me the last few years before
she died.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A wrinkle formed between Adrian’s brows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She traveled before she went missing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The butler made it sound as though she was
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Elle smirked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“She didn’t travel for fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
went to get answers, a way to bring down her mother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“She disappeared…” Wes breathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He checked with Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His partner was teeming with excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The butler had been right to send them here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wouldn’t have told you if Tabby was still with
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was for her protection that no
one knew what had happened to Frances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wasn’t even supposed to know, but Red and I were very close, and she wanted me
not to worry or come after her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
have, you know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She paused in
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s sit down and talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure you don’t anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She could say that twice, Wes and Adrian were lost
in this case with no way of finding an exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They followed her into the living room, a small room with three
overstuffed red chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She plopped down
in one and tucked her feet underneath her, totally at ease, or past the point
of caring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the lamplight, Wes was
able to see how red her eyes were, how puffy and splotchy her cheeks were from
crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a hard day for
everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“How about you tell us who Robert was,” Wes started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“How about you wait until he came into the picture,
Detective.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ran her fingers over her
sweater button while staring a hole into Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I have plenty to say about him later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First you need to know there came a point when Red was done with her
mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d tried for years to get her
mother to see the light and realize her family was enough, but I think it’s
obvious how that turned out. Camille is a selfish bitch, who never cared about
her mate or her children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To her, they
were just belongings.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Rather than allow Elle to get off track with her
Camille hate train, Wes redirected the conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What happened when Red decided to call it
quits?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It was at Tabby’s twelfth birthday party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camille had gone all out, invited everyone
still willing to associate with her, and made a disgusting spectacle out of
Tabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have been fine had Camille
left her male escorts off the guest list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When she saw that, Red was livid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That her mother would bring underage prostitutes to a child’s birthday
party did her in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Was there a fight?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“There were words exchanged, but Red didn’t say
anything to end the party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night
she called her grandmother, knowing nothing would change with Camille, and
asked to live with her. At first I was angry she would up and leave her sister
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was mad she would leave me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then Red told me the entire story, and
made me swear on my family I would never tell another soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t believe her when she told me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought she’d finally lost her mind after all
she’d been through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she was adamant,
and she’d never lied to me before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What did she tell you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian was on the edge of his seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes knew this was the key to everything, and
once she told them there was no going back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Elle took a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You can’t tell anyone you don’t trust with
this information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m very serious.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Elle, you can trust us,” Adrian assured her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She fisted
the bottom of her sweater in her hand, and stared at her lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sinclair isn’t their real surname, but no
one else but Red and her grandmother knew that, and Red didn’t know until about
a year before Tabby’s birthday that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her grandmother wanted to keep them safe, but she also wanted Red to
carry out family tradition because she believed Red, even above her son, could
handle the job.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian slowly turned to Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither of them had to say it aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s horrified face spoke volumes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“She wanted Red to be something called a Hunter, and
that they were many others like her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
said they would help her take down Camille.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><em>To be continued…<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
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<div align="center">
</div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3486751869648447879.post-55147179630754141802014-03-05T16:49:00.001-05:002014-03-05T16:49:15.071-05:00Whispers in Silence: Part 6
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 18<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her name was Tabitha Sinclair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years turned and twenty-six in human
years, she hadn’t lived a long life. However, she’d lived a full one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In part to her family’s affluence and their
drive to help the poor, afflicted people of the many charities the Sinclair
clan had a hand in, Tabitha was a very busy woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of her duties as a volunteer, Tabitha
managed to go to college, graduate top of her class, and then…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian briefed himself on Tabitha during the ride
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More like he prepared, got
acquainted with Tabitha’s brilliant green eyes that would forever haunt him
like the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran a finger over his
phone screen, tracing the vivid scarlet tresses that cascaded over Tabitha’s
shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a happy photo, one
taken in a park on a sunny day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She held a small dog in her arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her smile beatific and pure as she helped the
humane society raise money, according to the t-shirt she wore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian didn’t understand why anyone, even
Redding, would want this woman dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
wasn’t linked to any crime organizations, didn’t have a shady past, and didn’t
fit into Redding’s killing spree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Why
her?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian rubbed his chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why kill an innocent woman when Redding
seemed to be out to protect innocents?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian figured Briggs had been some sort of trigger to their killer, a
direct link to Adrian, and Redding might have misunderstood their relationship
completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But something nagged at him,
this wasn’t right and he still had yet to put together the pieces Redding had
left for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha Sinclair would have to talk if they wanted
to nab Redding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian just hoped she
was coherent enough in spirit to make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From what Feist said, she’d fought back with all she had and went down
suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian didn’t know whether to
fear Tabitha Sinclair’s spirit or welcome her so they could put this case to
bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Twenty-four hours ago he’d been ready to take the
spirit world by storm to catch Redding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now he didn’t have the support he needed, the support that birthed his
confidence in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
front seat, Davis and Fontine’s attitudes were cold enough to turn water into
ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sutton couldn’t be reached as he
was with Tabitha’s parents and her father had to be sedated over the loss of
his baby girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And Wes… Adrian glanced at his partner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes stared out the window, glaring at the
steady stream of vintage façade office suites that made up the Flatiron
District.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t look back at Adrian,
nor did he offer him a reassuring touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was like he’d taken a step away from his partner, turned around and
then ran in the opposite direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
left Adrian all alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They were liars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First they said they’d have his back and now they were ostracizing him
because of something he didn’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mates? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian wasn’t that compatible with anyone,
not even Wesley Durren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if in some
backwards universe they were mates, and this is how he was to be treated,
Adrian didn’t want anything to do with being one half of a whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Still, it hurt to be shunned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being alone for so long, Adrian thought he
could endure it, but it really hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d grown accustomed to these people and this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d let his guard down and allowed himself
to feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shouldn’t have let himself
become weak and vulnerable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">How could he have done this to himself?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When they arrived at the four story office building,
it stood out from the others on either side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was old with dark brick and a weathered red door that reminded Adrian
of some house on the Cape, not a residence turned office smack dab in the
middle of New York City’s new technology district.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Three Bureau vehicles were neatly parked along the
curb, no two the same make or model so as not to call attention from curious
humans walking by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily the Bureau
had no need to call in Constance to work her magic; she was in charge of
cover-ups that overlapped into the public eye as Head of Public Relations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The boys covered the area just fine on their own; the
office they stood outside of was wedged between an old insurance building for
sale and an around-the-corner facing social network headquarters that was definitely
closed until eight am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four Guards
manned the entrance and adjoining sidewalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They nursed their coffees, silently acknowledging Adrian as he headed
for the front door on his own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If his team didn’t want him anymore, he’d protect
himself and figure this case out alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redding
was the only person left who wanted to socialize with Adrian, and it was
Adrian’s intention to solve these murders so they could meet face to face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the front door, Adrian was given cloth
booties and a pair of latex gloves to wear by some no name from Forensics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But just because Adrian didn’t know the guy,
didn’t mean the tech didn’t know him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Apparently his reputation proceeded him as stares
and whispers came his way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
technician nodded and turned his attention to the rest of the team with a
little too much interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Adrian
wasn’t “with” them any longer, he snapped his gloves on, pushed his boots into
the elastic holes of his booties, and then started in the first floor main room
where Feist was standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The leader of the task force had his hands on his
hips and eyes focused on a flat screen television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed Adrian come in and lifted his
chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Got any reads yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That all I’m good for?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian didn’t miss a beat. “Good morning to
you too.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stepped up to the flat
screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A video played, seemingly in
real time if not for the short blip in the crisp picture to reveal the film’s
pieced-together editing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What looked to
be a line of snow-capped pine trees guarded the beginnings of a wild forest and
a blanket of white was laid out like a welcome mat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian thought the video would’ve been
serene for clients had this place been a waiting area, had there been any
furniture or employees, and had this so-called office been an office at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From what he could see, there
wasn’t anything except for this flat screen and its mighty tree video on the
first floor, which meant the video had to be set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It had to be important to Tabitha’s death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Still nothing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist said after Adrian turned around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah, he felt Tabitha on the fourth floor like a buzz to his
bloodstream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also felt the spirit of
a homeless guy across the street and an old woman where the insurance building
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And despite his heroic intentions
today, Adrian wasn’t ready to acknowledge any piece of the afterlife right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed to know all he could
about the scene before he allowed himself to be taken over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shook his head at Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He coolly passed Wes and headed for the tiny
kitchen where two techs were searching the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you have there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The techs startled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They immediately recognized Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Someone probably had a Facebook page devoted to his freakishness, warning
others not to come near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Blood…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have blood.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tech turned and whispered something to
his buddy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fuckers</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian glared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You may not have heard but I can’t
understand you unless you look at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now that you know, is the blood hers?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The older tech rolled his eyes, probably used to the
abuse in both directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Traces of female
here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vampire tech sniffed the
cabinet and clicked shut a plastic vial containing a swab of the woman’s
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A few spots of male blood near
the sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not much on the surface, but the
drain reeks of bleach. He was definitely wounded when he walked out of here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Run that and see if we get a match on his
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not a local, so think
global, and human.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No… Vampire.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tech sniffed again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Definitely vampire. But there’s plenty of
human residue around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
residence, after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m interested in the vampire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A vampire who’s wanted by international human
authorities, and probably did some time before he turned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need proof this is our guy before I kill
him according to the rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
likes rule, right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
older tech eyed his colleague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unspoken
dialogue passed between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, the
real show is upstairs, might want to head up there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah, wouldn’t want to take up any more of your
precious time,” Adrian sneered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
shouldered through the Guard traffic in the narrow hallway and made for the
stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes was waiting for him. “Get anything in there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Evidence I’m not welcome, seems to be a theme
around here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian ignored his
partner, stepping around the bulk of a man to take the stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A hand tugged him back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes looked up at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I meant… You know what I meant.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian looked from Wes’s hand to Wes’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I did, and like a good little spirit hunter
I’m on my way to see the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now get
your hand off me before anyone thinks you care.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
gritted his teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Knock it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know I—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, you knock it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have time for this, nor do I want to
do whatever this is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m done,” Adrian
leaned in, “like you’re done with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good with you, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">partner</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s face fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He removed his hand and took a step down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Great.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without another word, Adrian jogged up the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he came to the second floor, he realized
he was shaking, uncontrollably so. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
goodness for the massive distraction his current surroundings provided or else
he’d go mad thinking about Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
relationship had become very important when Adrian wasn’t paying attention, and
this emotional turmoil he found himself in, this ache in his chest was
something Adrian declined to dwell on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He stuffed his hands in his pockets and started to
wander around, studying the yellow evidence tags along the banister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually the tags led him to a framed
picture on the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Upon closer inspection, the framed picture was a
black and white shot of a house in the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The frame lacked dust or marks like others would, but the most
disturbing point of the entire set up was how Adrian knew for certain it was
placed there by the killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No furniture
or decorative touches on the second floor either, this frame was supposed to be
the focal point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A pine tree lined wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dilapidated house sitting in the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dead girl who’d somehow entered this
twisted game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian rubbed the sleep
from his eyes, blinked a few times, and then gathered the courage to ascend the
stairs to the third floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The higher he
climbed, the worse he felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more he
sensed Tabitha Sinclair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Unlike Briggs, Tabitha’s presence surrounded him
immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted to be known
whether she knew she was dead or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her spirit began to manifest like cold, invisible tentacles penetrating
the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha sought him out, was
drawn to that subconscious part of Adrian he left unguarded to the spirit
world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian braced a hand on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took deep breaths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stared at the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The photograph, when it made sense, hit him like a
ton of bricks and left him breathless and afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a long time Adrian had tried to
forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d blocked out the hardest bits
and pieces, allowing his brain to form walls of protection around his horrified
fourteen-year-old self.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian grew up fast in the last ten years, but still
he carried with him the child he’d once been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two had never formed a bridge to recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d been at odds for a decade, swimming
through rough waters as the child tried to reach out to be saved, and the man
Adrian was now watched him drown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The house in the picture was a place Adrian never
wanted to return; a cold, dark shanty that held so much pain and
suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian rubbed his arms, able
to recall the chill of that night, and mad as hell he had to remember it
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked so hard to forget!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d pushed that night away, burying it deep
enough not to remember the details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
was Redding making him remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who was
this man and what did he want?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian lashed out at Wes when his partner tried to
touch him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d forgotten where he was,
what he was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushed Wes away
and flexed his fingers so as not to give in to the urge to rip the picture down
or punch Wes in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
something he had to deal with alone now that he’d been cast aside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of this morning, he no longer had a
confidant or anyone to hold him up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian had to once again fend for himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He scowled at Wes, on the verge of breaking, and
stepped away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A-D-R-I-A-N?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>If Adrian didn’t know better, he’d have
thought Wes did care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those charcoal
eyes burned with worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those large
hands reached for Adrian again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
Adrian was no fool. Wes was a liar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t touch me again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian eyed the eavesdropping Guard that
stood near the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See anything
good over there?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sorry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Guard lifted his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flinched when
Wes stomped over to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words were
exchanged between them, not that Adrian heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But he did catch the Guard’s quick agreement and his swift exit up the
stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes faced Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why did he look mad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no
right to be mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why was Wes looking at him like that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes moved in closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian tried to take a step away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes snatched Adrian’s wrist between his thick
fingers and tugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian pushed at
Wes’s back this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no
intention of following an angry vampire off to a dark corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was too mad, too scared, and he’d probably
do something he regretted very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Besides, it wasn’t as if Wes was suddenly going to apologize and make
Adrian’s fears go away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes took every hit and kick Adrian had to give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t react to the childish fight until
he reached the last door in the third floor hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Wes looked like he knew where he was
going, he actually had no idea; clear to Adrian when Wes frowned at the
bathroom he found himself in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The big man
shrugged and pushed Adrian into the tiled room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He locked the door and faced off with Adrian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
do I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What am I supposed to do to
make you better?” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes paced the three stall bathroom like a lion
in a cage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped feet from
Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face so pained Adrian felt
Wes’s agony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do care!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I care enough to keep you safe and I am not
safe for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s bullshit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian pushed at Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You just
want an excuse to get rid of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want you anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes shoved back, Adrian’s spine slamming into the
tile wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve wanted you since the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I care enough about you to put you at
arm’s length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever since you met me
you’ve changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like it, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like how open you are, and how close we’re getting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But your life is in danger and you can’t
afford to be distracted by me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something
happens to you… I’ll blame myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You should blame yourself!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian slid down the wall and landed on the
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought we were partners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t think I was supposed to do this on
my own anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you just walked
away, Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If something happens to me,
it will be your fault because I don’t have anyone on my side, and I don’t know
why.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes got down on one knee in front of Adrian. He took
Adrian’s hands in his and squeezed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
don’t know how to do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think I
have all the answers but I don’t, Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t know how to help you sometimes and it scares me because all I
want to do is protect you, and if protecting you means waiting until this case
is over, I will wait.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, you threw me away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is mad at me and I don’t
understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t get how I feel…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian tried to breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between Tabitha reaching out to him and Wes
cracking his soul wide open, Adrian was ready to pass out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I won’t let you go back out there until we’re
okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you tell me what you need.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian thought about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed his eyes and pressed his cheek
against the cool tile wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sick as his
stomach was, nauseous as his head made him, Adrian was still alive and
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tuned everything out,
everything except for Wes’s scent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian sniffed at his realization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">smelled</i> Wes, not a passing
whiff of cologne or sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smelled
the man in front of him like Wes was a piece of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian opened his eyes to find Wes very close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curiosity killing the anger he held for his
partner, Adrian leaned in and ran his nose down the length of Wes’s jaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes rolled back, lashes fluttering as he
huffed Wes into his body. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s arms went around Adrian, hands roaming his
back, forcing Adrian between Wes’s open thighs; an awkward position in the
corner of a bathroom for two men of their stature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how awkward it was, being close to
Wes was right in every way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One minute
Adrian was pissed and fighting this development between them, and the next he
was nearing Wes’s lips, staring into his partner’s seductive eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d both wrestled it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d both made excuses because like Adrian,
Wes was just as confused. Neither of them thought they deserved it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They were wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes grabbed the back of Adrian’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fuck it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m a selfish bastard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“So am I,” Adrian whispered before he kissed Wes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">At first their lips were closed, a simple press of
their mouths to test the waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
then Wes opened his mouth over Adrian’s lips, dragging in air as the room
warmed around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian had never had
a kiss like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, he never
kissed his sexual partners at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lip
action was an attachment, a promise for more, a signature of the feelings both
parties felt. He’d never felt a thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But kissing Wes… Kissing Wes changed his opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He didn’t hear the shuddering groan bubble up his
throat, but Adrian felt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He opened
his mouth to Wes and let him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More
than that, Adrian let Wes in to a place no one had ever been allowed before:
his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kissed Wes with vigor,
tilting his head to deepen their connection, to seek and play with Wes’s tongue
and to taste the man he called partner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Every echo of ghostly presence ceased, evaporating
with Wes’s arms protectively around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian’s fear and nausea dissipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His body filled to the brim with unknown feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a tether had formed between them, Adrian
refused to break away for fear his world would shatter without Wes near.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">His partner’s raked his nails up Adrian’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They tingled along his scalp until Wes twisted
his fingers within Adrian’s curls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes’s
lips were soft, so soft for a man who thrived on wearing such a stony mask. His
body was made to punish, Adrian noticed, tracing up Wes’s shoulders and around
to the broad plane of his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wanted to climb this man and stake his claim, scream from the top that Wes was
his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">That scared him shitless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And though the chaos remained, his fears of now
losing something so precious he never knew existed, Adrian knew he would fight
to keep Wes rather than give in to what everyone else thought was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anything, his guard would be higher than
the highest point of Mount Everest because now he had to protect the man in his
arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything or anyone who stood in
their way would pay the price of everlasting hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Including Leonardo Redding, if that was his real
name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian’s aggressive side peaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He snatched Wes by the collar and pulled him
into the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He growled into Wes’s
mouth and parted his legs for his partner to come closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes was all for it, pushing Adrian against
the tile to kiss him harder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mine</i>,”
came a growl in Adrian’s head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fuck
off. Go away!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian held onto Wes, scratching his partner’s neck with his nails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ghosts could just fuck off for all he was
concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I said shut up!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes leaned back on his heels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes swirled with arousal and
concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian looked around the
bathroom, trying to catch his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
nothing came jumping out at him or whispered his name, Adrian grabbed for Wes
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether Wes thought he was crazy
or not, he didn’t say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put his
forehead to Adrian’s and whispered, “Mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">That time Adrian heard him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">heard</i>
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not from a ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard Wes speak to him, heard his throaty
growl in a rich voice Adrian had longed to hear for weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh. My. God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
touched his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This time Adrian didn’t hear him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pretty sure he’d lost his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I… I…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The bathroom door slammed open and Feist
appeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the team crowded
him from behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was shouting at
them, talking so fast Adrian didn’t catch a word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the look of things, they’d been caught
fucking around and the team wasn’t happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then again, when were they ever happy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes got up, blocking Adrian with his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands were working overtime, gesturing
this way and that while he yelled back at Feist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever he said to the team did the trick
because they backed off slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feist
pointed at Adrian, then at Wes, said something and left them alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes turned back around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He offered Adrian a hand to help him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We have shit timing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian nodded, still reeling from hearing a living
person speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it was a heat of the
moment thing, where he wanted it so bad he imagined it perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stranger things had happened, like a deaf
vampire being born<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A deaf vampire who spoke to the dead</i>, he
corrected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian, you okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not really,” Wes answered honestly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
thought it was just me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You regret it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes
looked up and his expression told Adrian he was just as lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Talk later?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sure…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian grabbed Wes’s arm before he could open the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wait.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They may hate us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may tell us were idiots and that what
we’re doing is dangerous, but as long as you have my back I’ll have yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You walk away from me again and I will end up
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay with me, and I’ll deliver
that fucker’s head to the queen on a platter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes turned around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He smirked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Adrian, I’m not
going anywhere now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or ever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You sure?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes leaned in and kissed Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian wiped his mouth and stepped back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now let’s go meet Tabitha Sinclair.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He walked around Wes and pushed open the bathroom door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was tired of being fucked with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 19<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The room was clear of Bureau employees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire floor was left to the task force
with the promise they wouldn’t touch any evidence without a tech present. The
techs hadn’t asked why because they hadn’t been given a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one was to know of Adrian’s ability except
for his team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian had to give Feist credit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For being such a dick sometimes, and still
mad at Adrian and Wes, he shadowed Adrian down the hall with his kid gloves on.
Did he need anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was he sure he wanted
to do this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did he need candles or
incense or holy water?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Honest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian put a hand to
Feist’s chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I got this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can we watch?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist rocked from heel to toe, hands behind his back, and glanced at the
rest of his eager teammates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian checked with Wes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t sure why he needed Wes’s
reassurance, but things had changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
partner was half his mind these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wes shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your call.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha was waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The moment he opened that door she’d slam into him like a wrecking ball
and all hell would break loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
probably lose his shit, weep like a little girl, vomit, or any number of
embarrassing things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he’d
already lost it in front of these men before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when he woke up the last time, they’d been there to make sure he was
okay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Would they do it again was the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or were they still pissed enough to walk out?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You can watch, but if you’ve got a problem with me
or partner, you leave it at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You watch, you stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deal?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maloy smiled from behind Feist. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What problem is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Davis punched Maloy in the arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They could’ve told us, man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Bureau partners you know of that go
together and still have a job?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s a risk, a big risk what you two are doing,”
Fontine agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We just don’t want the
team broken up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We kind of like things
the way they are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And we don’t like wondering if you two are dead
when you don’t answer the door or your fucking phones,” Feist butted in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I don’t think you two are going
anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because we haven’t had mated
partners before at the Bureau doesn’t mean we can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at the Original and his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They fight side by side, so if anyone is
gonna argue professionalism and that bureaucratic bullshit, take it up with
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Fontine chewed on his bottom lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We don’t want details, okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d just like to know what’s going on, so we
know what to expect and who to fuck up if they have an opinion on the
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s how we roll.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’re family.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feist smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So Kumbaya and all
that shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We done now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to get the fuck out of here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place is cold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As soon as Feist mentioned it, his breath rolled out
of his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian slowly turned to
the closed door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s because she
knows I’m here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He put his hand on the doorknob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t pull me back until I’m ready this
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to know everything she
knows.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He twisted the knob and walked
into Tabitha’s nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha Sinclair was situated in a chair next to a
café style table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A candlestick burned
in a wooden holder next to a glass of red wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A lipstick print rimmed the crystal as though she just taken a drink and
died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If her heart hadn’t been missing,
a giant hole right through her pretty black dress, and her eyes weren’t milky
and fixated on the window, she would’ve looked like any other girl waiting for
her date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian shivered as he approached the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noted Tabitha’s one wrist tied to the
chair with a red ribbon, probably to keep her hand from falling away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her other hand was positioned next to the
wine glass, fingers on the stem with poise and the only thing that took away
from her elegance was the lack of fingernails on a few of her fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A strip of metal ran up her back and her
pearl necklace around it to keep her head in place and her body aligned with
the chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Whoever had done this had put effort and thought
into his work of art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed care for
the victim as though her sacrifice was appreciated and her death not in
vain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian had no doubt Tabitha hadn’t
been sexually assaulted before her death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The killer liked this victim too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She meant something to him, or her likeness meant something to Leo
Redding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And yet the bigger picture escaped Adrian’s skills
as a trained profiler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pines trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house he knew but didn’t want to
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha in her pearls and pretty
dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leonardo Redding and his
madness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did all mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did he know Redding?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian struggled not to blow out the flame on the
table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pooling wax and the hours of
slow burn, evidence of how long she’d been sitting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he wasn’t in this room to fight his fear
of fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was here to talk to the
women without a heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With his team at
his back and his support system in place, Adrian reached out and touched a
gloved hand to Tabitha’s shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The flame flickered from an invisible breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air thickened, making it hard to
breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian backed away, a sense of
urgency told him not to disturb the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She didn’t like anyone touching what was left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Tabitha hadn’t been raped, she’d
been defiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She refused to be touched
again—even in the afterlife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hand lingering inches from Tabitha’s corpse, Adrian
was struck in the gut by an unseen force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His body seized, back arching and hands reaching blindly for something
to hold onto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The edges of his vision turned
black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha was pulling him under and
she wasn’t stopping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes appeared around the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Adrian!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t touch him, Durren,” Feist yelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice echoed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian heard him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard him!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Then everything went black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time faded away and the smell of decay was
pungent in the dark place Adrian found himself in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No walls or floor or ceiling to be touched,
this place didn’t exist, and yet it did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was new to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
never been pulled into a spirit’s realm before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then again he’d never willingly or openly sought out a ghost before
either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A loud click sounded from above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A spotlight bathed a single rickety chair in
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it was the only thing in this
place of significance, Adrian walked to the chair and sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His breath rolled in a thick cloud away from
his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His teeth chattered from the
chill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha was here, somewhere in the dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian looked around, knew he was being watched, but
he had only to wait for what was next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another click sounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time
it came from in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A moldy
canvas screen burst to life and a countdown began with the help of a projector
that didn’t exist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The screen beeped when it reached one and Adrian gasped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a blink, he found himself in a lavish
dining room overlooking Gramercy Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How he knew that he had no idea, but he suspected Tabitha knew the area
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His suspicions were confirmed when
the victim, healthy and alive, walked into the room and sat down at the dining
table that was spread with china for what looked to be high tea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She fixed her brilliant red hair, smoothed the skirt
of her dress, and straightened her shoulders before another woman joined
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mother,” she acknowledged the
woman who sat across from her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mrs. Sinclair didn’t respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She unfolded her linen napkin and placed it
over her lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked angry, like
nothing Tabitha did would diffuse her unleashed temper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I received a disturbing call this morning,
Tabitha.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t play stupid with me, girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How dare you interview for that fashion magazine
job like I wouldn’t know about it!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrs.
Sinclair glared at her daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Writing
smut for the humans and glamorizing filth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Staying out all hours, God knows where to schmooze with bachelors who
have only one intention and call it networking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dressing the way they do, exposing nearly everything… You are a
respectable girl with a status to uphold, Tabitha!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha gripped the hem of her skirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bowed her head in shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m of age now to make my own
decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m two years turned, Mother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Still a child in our world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrs. Sinclair clucked her tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“An immature child who obviously can’t make
the right decisions for herself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mother, I…” Tabitha closed her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Like Tabitha’s opinion didn’t matter, Mrs. Sinclair
started to pour the tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Since you seem
to need a bit of structure, as if your volunteer work doesn’t keep you busy
enough, I’ve contacted a few friends of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mr. Maloy was kind enough to mention he needs a daytime secretary at his
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very good family, pureblooded
Royal, and lots of influence—working under him will be the right path for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t need to be a secretary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked hard to get my degree and I want to
write.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha leaned away as her
mother stood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was terrified of her
own flesh and blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You will do as I say and report to Mr. Maloy’s
office on Monday morning or I will send you to stay with your grandmother in
the old country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No self-respecting
Royal female of your status will go traipsing about like a whore with an
opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will work for Mr.
Maloy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will do as he says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And maybe, just maybe, we’ll find a male willing
to have you, and once you’re mated he can decide what’s best for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha’s bottom lip trembled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tear
hit her teacup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian’s eyes widened when
Tabitha turned to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No longer green,
but a milky white, her eyes focused on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Blood filled the teacups, leaking over to stain the lace tablecloth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stood up, the bottom of her skirt now
bloody and tattered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mrs. Sinclair was paused with her teacup to her lips
as Tabitha gestured for Adrian to follow her through the kitchen door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reluctantly, he trailed behind her and pushed
the swinging door open to see another pitch black space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adrian…” Tabitha called in singsong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, Adrian. Come and see,” she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">His heart racing, Adrian stepped into the dark and
let the door swing shut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha was sitting at a desk outside a door
with Maloy’s name on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The office
space was expensive, large glass windows with a view of Central Park, and
artwork on the walls worth more than Adrian’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha was dressed to the nines like a secretarial
doll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hair twisted up and eyes
sparkling with the help of makeup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
she didn’t look happy to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, she looked scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put her
hand to the wall and leaned in like a child eavesdropping on her parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian heard, “What do you mean he’s dead?” Maloy paused.
“He’s getting too close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want the
protection you said you’d get me with that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">donation</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha put a hand over her mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pressed her cheek harder against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fine, I’ll take it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send someone over, and I’ll see you in
France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bye.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha pushed into her desk and quickly pulled a
notebook from the bottom drawer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
Adrian came closer, he saw the pages of notes she’d been keeping about
Maloy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Numbers she’d put through to his
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last names from the Caller
ID.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Code words she suspected were types
of boys Maloy wanted sent over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Transactions he’d asked her to make, copies of checks he’d signed over
to a particular charity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha Sinclair had built a case against Ulysses
Maloy with adequate proof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew who
he really was and what got him excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it made her sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But between
her home life and her place of work, she was always being watched and always
degraded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would believe her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if they did, where would she run after
the truth came out?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha slammed the notebook shut and shoved it into
her laptop bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian could tell this
was her moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time she had the
name and number she needed, the head of the operation she’d labeled him, and
she would leave Maloy to fend for himself when the authorities came knocking. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put on her coat and buzzed Maloy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sir, I’m stepping out for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve forwarded your calls to voicemail.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“See me first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha took her bag into his office and closed the
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sir?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maloy lifted a gun from under his desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You never go to lunch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always bring something in that little bag
of yours.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sir, I… please don’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You don’t think I heard you wheezing against the
wall, listening to my private conversations. “<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maloy smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s in the bag,
Tabitha?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“My laptop,” she cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I swear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Open it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha shook her head and started to cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please let me go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t tell anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He got up and approached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Won’t tell anyone what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha was forced to let go of her bag when Maloy
slapped her across the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
notebook slid across the floor, Maloy’s eyes going straight to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That doesn’t look like a laptop, Tabitha.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He picked it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He skimmed the pages before dropping the book and pressing the gun to
her forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If I kill you right now,
I can’t explain it away. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cameras all
over the place I don’t have access to. But one phone call and I could explain
your father’s death, or your mother’s, or your brother’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple robbery, Assassin attack, maybe your
father had a few screws loose after your older sister went missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone thinks he did it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why your mother is such a bitch and
obsessed with reputation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maloy grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“So here’s what’s going to happen, my little charity case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re going to go back to your desk, pull
out your lunch bag and eat your sandwich like none of this happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You smile and take phone calls and keep your
mouth shut, and maybe I’ll let you all live.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her evidence gone and death threats on the table, a
teary Tabitha went back to her desk and tried to deal with the shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hands shook on the desk surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes were blank and glossy as she stared
at the closed elevator door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally
something clicked and life came to her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Very quietly, Tabitha fished her phone out from the
middle desk drawer and texted:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m in.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her now black eyes flicked up to Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grinned, flashing fangs, and then pointed
a finger to the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doors
dinged open to another dark hole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian didn’t hesitate this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he was close to something big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d shown him so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How she was involved with Maloy, linking her
to Redding as a victim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her family life,
which Adrian was sure, meant something important beyond a connection to her
employer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian walked onto a sidewalk from the
darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spotted the insurance building
with the For Sale signs stamped everywhere and knew exactly where he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha pulled up to the curb in a taxi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got out and Adrian noticed the pearl
necklace and her pretty black dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She wasn’t here to meet Redding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was here to meet someone she cared about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But why at a place Ulysses owned?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did she know he owned it at all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever her reasoning, she kept going
inside, and Adrian followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked
the stairs forever like they refused to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when he reached the top, he heard her screams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian threw the door open, but the killer
was only a black shadow against Tabitha Sinclair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Either Tabitha couldn’t deal with her killer’s
manifestation, even in the afterlife, or she wanted Adrian to focus on her pain
instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She fought back, ripping her
nails down his arm and kicking as hard she could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bit him when he pinned her, and screamed
for help when he rolled her onto her stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He overpowered her by sticking a knife into her
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The killer withdrew the
blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood splattered his shadowy
torso and he stuck the knife in again, piercing her heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life faded from Tabitha’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood spilled from her lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tabitha Sinclair’s killer began to sob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flipped her over and shook her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Stupid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
slapped himself in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t
mean it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wake up, Tabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mean it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The door flew open behind Adrian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What have you done?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halverson, what did you do!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian couldn’t turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His body seized, breath stolen from his
lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabitha rose from the floor,
blood matting her hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sat down at
the café style table that hadn’t been there before and lit the candle with her
fingertip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Everything you think you know is a lie,” she told
him ominously, and then Adrian passed out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He awoke in Wes’s arms, surrounded by his teammates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes smoothed Adrian’s hair away from his
forehead while Feist kneeled down with a bottle of water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Stay down for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You hit your head on the table when you
fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just relax,” Feist said slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Adrian lifted his hand to his head and felt the sting
under his fingertips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large bump had
started to form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did he have a
concussion and imagine everything when he was passed out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, definitely not, and now that he had a key
piece of evidence—a name—he needed to get moving as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wes’s arms tightened around him when Adrian tried to
get up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, you don’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to find him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Feist pushed Adrian back down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Rest for a minute, buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, he’s gonna get away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We don’t know where Redding is right now anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not Redding.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adrian pushed Feist away and sat up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Halverson. He’s one of the rookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Halverson is the mole and he killed Tabitha Sinclair.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Everything
you think you know is a lie…</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adrian looked up at Tabitha’s lifeless eyes
and knew they were in for a hell of a ride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
NightTempesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04160344739434664109noreply@blogger.com17