Chapter 19 #2
“True. Corona has a small police department who was ready to say, ‘case closed’, but Everett convinced the sheriff to let H3 help with this case. The suicide note was typewritten, so Nikita and Madsen are going to search Carmen’s personal computer as well as her laptop at work to look for evidence she wrote it.
They have set up an algorithm to detect similarities between her previous letters and emails to the note. ”
“And they’re okay with releasing Daniel into Zane’s custody?” Tabitha asked.
“They were after he voiced them. They think Daniel is being taken to the Atlanta PD. Since we still don’t know who leaked Craig’s whereabouts to ESN, I’m leaving Zane with you to help guard the brothers.”
“Tessa and Gregor stopped by to visit, so we have Gregor’s Goyle to help,” Major admitted.
“Even better. You and Tabitha are capable security specialists, but having a male Gargoyle there is ideal. It would make me feel better if you keep both Kilbrooks inside for the time being, prosthetics or not.”
“We can do that.” Major disconnected and tossed his phone on the sofa beside him.
“Do you really think Carmen committed suicide?” Tessa asked.
“I’m not sure what to think, since I didn’t know the woman.
What if she thought Daniel was Craig but then found out he wasn’t?
Daniel has been riding Craig’s coattails since they arrived in the States.
Maybe she was distraught when she found out she’d been lied to?
Then again, there’s too much that has happened that doesn’t add up, like who ordered the drugs to be delivered to the rental at Stone Mountain?
If it wasn’t Daniel, then someone knew he was there and was aware of his past drug usage. ”
Tabitha dropped her feet to the floor and set her empty cup on the coffee table. “And someone put a professional hit on Craig. The Trio is positive it wasn’t Cabretti, so who else has that kind of money?”
Gregor cleared his throat from the kitchen. The three of them looked that way to see Craig walking toward the den. Gregor followed. “Anyone else hungry yet?”
Major waited for the females to answer before saying, “No, thank you. I’m still full from breakfast. Craig, we have good news. Daniel is on his way here.”
Craig stopped walking and rubbed the back of his neck. “How did you manage that?”
“Everett Murdock called the sheriff in Corona and convinced him Daniel is going to a safehouse until this case is solved.”
Craig walked over to one of the armchairs and dropped down. He leaned his head back, closing his eyes. “This is a fucking nightmare.”
“That it is, but at least now you don’t have to worry about Daniel,” Tabitha offered.
Craig lowered his head and glared at her. “I always have to worry about Daniel. That’s my job.”
Major tensed at his tone, but Tabitha set her hand on his knee. “Don’t kill the man.” Aloud, she said, “I understand you’re upset, Craig, but your brother is hurting. He lost the woman he loved along with his unborn child. Maybe show him a little grace.”
“How do you know that?”
“He told Zane that’s why he was drunk at her grave.”
Craig ran a hand through his unkempt hair. “He still lied to her about who he was.”
Tabitha stood and walked closer to where Craig was seated.
“And you know that as truth? Or are you speculating because of the suicide note? Let’s look at the facts.
” Tabitha ticked each one off with her fingers.
“Neither you nor Daniel killed Carmen. You didn’t give her the drugs that caused her death.
Someone is after you, so it goes to reason that whoever it is caused her to OD, then either typed the note or convinced her to before her death.
” Tabitha crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t believe this is a case of mistaken identity because someone put a tracker under your skin, not Daniel’s, before Cabretti even knew of your existence.
Who had the money to put a contract on your life?
Who hates you enough to go to all this trouble? ”
Craig jumped to his feet and screamed, “I don’t know!”
Gregor was in front of his daughter before Major could get there. “Sit down,” Major demanded, and Craig dropped to his ass. “Don’t you ever raise your voice to Tabitha again. Or any female for that matter.”
“I’m sorry. I…” Craig closed his eyes, shaking his head back and forth. When he reopened them, they were wet. “I don’t know, okay? I’m not a bad person. Yes, I can act like a jerk, but I’ve never hurt anyone. Fuck.”
Tabitha stepped between Major and her dad.
“You’ve never hurt anyone physically, but I’d venture a guess that somewhere along the way you have hurt someone with your words, and emotional trauma can be just as painful as physical.
Maybe when Daniel gets here, the two of you can sit down and talk about your past. Maybe see if either of you can come up with the answer to who is doing this.
I would say I can’t imagine growing up as a royal, but I can, because I know a few men in power, and their kids are well-adjusted and love one another.
Maybe you can try to see this from Daniel’s point of view as a man who’s lost someone he loves and not the fuck-up he’s always been.
You have Olivia to go home to, but who does Daniel have? ”
Tabitha stepped back, taking Major’s hand. “I need some fresh air.” She led him through the back of the house and out onto the patio. “I shouldn’t have left Craig alone with my parents. Mom is probably going to tear into him.”
“Let her.” Major stepped behind his mate, pulling her back to his chest and wrapping his arms around her middle.
Tabitha rested her hands on his arms and leaned her head back against his shoulder. “Where are we going on vacation? I need something positive to focus on.”
“Where would you like to go? A cabin in the woods? Somewhere tropical? The fjords of Norway?”
“Have you ever been to Norway?”
Major pressed a kiss to Tabby’s neck. “No, but I hear they’re stunning.”
“They are. We’ve been there a few times to visit Urijah and Banyan and their brood. If we go there now, we’d get to see a dragon since Brent is mated to Cassi.”
“Did I tell you what Marshall’s reaction was when I told him about dragons and the fae?”
“No. Is he excited?”
“About the fae? Absolutely. Dragons? Not so much. He hates dinosaurs, and to him, dragons are nothing but dinosaurs with wings.”
Tabitha chuckled. “I can see that. How would you feel about an Italian villa? Or a private Greek resort?”
“Let me guess. Your family owns both?”
“Yes, and we would have either one all to ourselves.”
“My only caveat is we can stay naked and be as loud as we want. You saw how quiet my Lion was when we sealed the bond.”
Tabitha snorted, and Major grinned at her cuteness. “Yes, and Craig thought he was dreaming. I guess it’s a good thing he was drunk before going to bed.”
Major turned Tabitha so he could look at her face. “My love, as long as we’re together, I don’t care where we go.”
“I like that, being your love.”
“You are my everything,” Major admitted before leaning down and kissing his fiery redhead.