Chapter 16 #2
“Father? Father! Shit.” Craig threw his phone across the room, at least that’s what Tabitha thought the thud was. “He’s not my fucking brother.”
Tabitha wondered if he was referring to Daniel’s child.
If he was, the boy would be at least twenty since the scandal was twenty-one years ago.
When Craig went silent, Tabitha returned to her task of texting the Trio about the drone.
Many years ago, her uncle Julian had somehow rigged the area around the compound so that it couldn’t be spied on.
Tabitha didn’t understand how it all worked.
Since there weren’t other houses around, someone must have been trying to get close to the manor, and that didn’t give her the warm fuzzies.
No one was supposed to know where they were.
If, somehow, Cabretti had located them, Tabitha wasn’t ready to move again.
While she waited for a response, Tabitha decided to fix the boxed pasta salad she’d seen earlier in the pantry. If she started now, it would be chilled by the time lunch rolled around. She was almost finished when Craig came out of his room.
“Why is Major running through the trees? And why isn’t he wearing a coat?”
“He’s doing a perimeter check. Who were you talking to? We asked you not to call anyone.”
Craig’s face turned red. “How did you know I was on the phone? Are you spying on me?”
Tabitha placed a lid on the bowl before putting it in the fridge. “I was in the pantry getting a box of pasta, and I heard you.”
“I called my father to see if he knew of anyone in the States who could help look for Cabretti.”
“And since you didn’t lead with that, I’m assuming he doesn’t?”
“He had other things to worry about, so even if he does, I wouldn’t know.”
Tabitha’s phone rang. “Hey, Cuz,” she greeted Harlow.
“Have you looked at what’s on the card yet?”
Tabitha hadn’t because she didn’t know if it would fry her laptop. “Not yet. I didn’t know if it was safe.”
“It should be. The worst that could happen would be that it’s encrypted somehow.”
“Okay. I’ll do that now.” Tabitha moved to the large table where she, Anthony, her parents, and grandparents had shared many meals. She stared at the slots on her laptop. “Crap, it won’t fit. My card slot is twice as wide.”
“I was afraid of that. I’ll overnight you an adapter. I would have one drone-dropped if you were anywhere else.”
“Or we could go get one?” Tabitha countered. “I would rather not wait. Just in case.”
“That’s up to you and your hottie. Let me know either way.”
“Will do. I’ll text you as soon as I talk to Major. He’s still outside patrolling.”
They said their goodbyes, and Craig asked, “Where did the SD card come from?”
“There was a drone flying around, but it crashed out back. We want to look at the SD card to be sure someone wasn’t trying to spy on us.
” Major entered through the back door, and Tabitha held up the small disc.
“We need an adapter for the SD card unless you have one.” When Major verified he didn’t, Tabitha said, “We can either go to the store, or Harlow can overnight one.”
“I want to see what’s on the card, but I’d rather we have one delivered so neither of us has to leave.”
“Okay. Let me check availability.” As Tabitha searched the internet, Craig went to the fridge and grabbed a soda.
He popped the top and leaned against the counter drinking it.
Tabitha wanted him to go back to his room so she and Major could speak freely about what he found during his flyover.
“Okay, it should be here within an hour.”
“Is it safe to have things delivered here?” Craig asked.
“It is. I have a company credit card in someone else’s name.”
“Is it that odd for a drone to fly around here?”
Major subtly gestured for Tabitha to answer. “We’re not taking any chances. Have you called anyone other than your father?”
“I’ve tried calling Daniel, but he’s still not answering.” Craig finished his drink, then tossed the can in the garbage bin. “Is it okay if I walk around outside?”
“As long as you wear the prosthetic and stay within the boundaries. I wouldn’t venture toward the front gate, but walking out back among the trees gives you cover and can be peaceful.”
Craig huffed. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ll be finding any peace until this shit-show is all over.
” Craig went into his bedroom and donned the mask, his thick coat, scarf, and gloves, then made his way out the back door.
He slowly made his way toward the garage.
It no longer housed all the vehicles her grandparents owned, but he stood on his tiptoes, trying to see inside.
The only things he would find if he were to get in were lawnmowers and tools.
The once majestic gardens were dormant. Since the estate was now a safehouse, the grounds weren’t tended to as they had been.
Tabitha turned away from spying on Craig. “Did you see anything during your flyover?”
Major closed the distance between them and picked up her hand, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.
“I didn’t see any cars on the side of the road.
Whoever was flying it could be staying in a nearby house, and when it crashed, went inside.
We’ll know more once we see what’s on the card.
If it is someone spying on us, that means Cabretti somehow found us again.
If so, I think we need to call in reinforcements. ”
Tabitha agreed. What they needed was an army of Gargoyles, and she knew just who to call.
“What was that about Craig calling his father?”
“He called to ask if Buchard had any contacts that could help with Cabretti. His dad told him it was Craig’s mess.
Craig’s mom yelled in the background, so Buchard said he needed to go deal with Craig’s little brother, then hung up.
Craig got mad and muttered, ‘He’s not my fucking brother.
’ The brother, if it’s Daniel’s kid, is a young man, so I wonder what kind of trouble he’s causing? ”
“He probably got dirt on the royal floor. Who knows what constitutes trouble with those kinds of people?”
Tabitha grinned. “Kreegon, you scuffed the floor. The maid is going to demand a raise,” Tabitha joked in an awful Italian accent.
Major tossed his head back and laughed. “You’re a mess.”
“Yes, but I’m your mess. You sure you want to tie your life to mine? You’ll have to put up with me for hundreds of years if nothing happens to me.”
“Definitely. We’ll seal the mate bond, enjoy each other for a while, have a bunch of kids, enjoy them a while, then enjoy their kids.”
Tabitha scrunched her nose. “A bunch? Just how many children do you want, Mr. Lazlo?”
“As many as you’re willing to give me, Miss Stone. Are you going to become a Lazlo, or would you prefer to keep your last name? I’m okay either way. You’ll still be mine.”
“I’d love to be a Lazlo, but I want to keep Stone too. I’ll tack Lazlo onto the end. Instead of TES, I’ll be TESL.”
“Did Tessa name you Elizabeth so your initials would be her shortened name?”
Tabitha snaked her hand behind Major’s head and toyed with his hair.
“Nah. It’s my grandmother’s name. But instead of giving Anthony our grandfather’s name, his middle name is Andrew.
That’s Tamian’s middle name. Then she went and named our little brother Andrew Tobias.
It’s like she couldn’t come up with something unique.
I would like to name one of my kids Xavier if we have a boy so he doesn’t feel left out. ”
“What about Anthony? You don’t think he would want to use it?”
“I have a feeling his and Elle’s kids will have unique fae names. I could call dibs, but I won’t. If he wants to use the name, I’ll be just as happy. As long as our grandfather is represented.”
Tabitha’s stomach rumbled. “How about I scrounge up some lunch while we wait on the delivery.”
“I could eat.” Major tugged Tabitha’s head back and kissed her soundly. Taking advantage of having a minute alone, they continued making out until Major’s phone alerted them to someone at the gate.
“You get the package. I’ll fix lunch.”
Major pecked her lips and took off through the house. As always, Tabitha admired him as he walked away.