Chapter 20 #2
“Me too. I thought after all this time I would finally get my happiness. I should have known better. Donnel Crowley doesn’t get to do happy.
Someone always takes it away from me. I have a son who doesn’t know I exist. Well, he does, but he thinks I’m one of his brothers.
I have no idea what happened to Zola, his mother.
She was my first love. I never thought I’d find that again.
What’s the saying? Lightning never strikes the same place twice?
But it did strike again with Carmen. She helped me get off drugs.
And before you remind me I was smoking weed, it’s not illegal.
She got me off the hard stuff. Haven’t touched it in almost a year.
I did it for her and the baby, but I mostly did it for me.
I wanted to be there for both of them. I wanted to be a husband and a dad.
” Daniel choked back a sob and blew out a harsh breath.
Tabitha felt Major’s presence just outside the door, but he didn’t interrupt. “Daniel, does the name Corvus mean anything to you?”
“Yes, that was our family’s surname several generations ago. Where did you hear it?”
“When we were at the rental in Stone Mountain, a package of cocaine was delivered to the dock. It was addressed to Don Corvus.”
“What? I didn’t order any drugs, I swear it. I promised Carmen I would stay clean, and I meant it. Even if she’s no longer here, I wouldn’t disrespect her honor by going back on my word.”
“I believe you, but I have to ask. Did you ever share with Carmen your true identity?”
“Absolutely not. As far as I’m concerned, Donnel Crowley died the day my father shipped me off. Craig might still be his lapdog, but I want nothing to do with Buchard or Ilga or anyone in that family.”
“Not even your son?”
Daniel shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to him. I wouldn’t tell him his whole life has been a lie. He’s twenty-one now. A young man. I just pray they were better to him than they were to Craig and me.”
Tabitha didn’t tell him what she’d overheard, that his son was causing trouble for the elder Crowleys. “What’s his name? Your son?”
“I have no idea. I’m sure it’s something as equally ridiculous as Kreegon or Donnel. My father insisted we have unique names. If Craig knows it, he’s never told me. I didn’t want to know.” Daniel stood and stretched. “Is the offer for food still available?”
“It is. There’s a plate on the kitchen counter, and there are plenty of drink options in the fridge. Help yourself.”
“Thank you, Tabitha. I have no doubt you think I’m as messed up as Craig does, but I was on the path to getting myself together.”
“And now?”
“I have enough money saved that I don’t need Craig to keep holding my hand. Once we are no longer in danger, I’m going to do a bit of traveling. Maybe take up photography. I do know I will no longer be Craig’s agent.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“I did. He said he understood, but whether he really does or not?” Daniel gestured toward the door, and Tabitha stood, leading the way down the hall. Major turned the corner heading toward the den, so she followed him instead of accompanying Daniel to the kitchen.
Tabitha retook her seat at the poker table, tossing in a chip to ante in.
Tessa dealt the hand, and they resumed their trash talking and bluffing.
Daniel finished his supper and joined them.
Since they weren’t playing for real money, the stakes continued getting higher until Tessa had wiped them all out.
“Damn, you’re fierce,” Daniel told her.
“As good as she is at poker, she’s even better at shooting pool,” Gregor praised. Tabitha was good too, having learned from one of the best, but she was nowhere near as good as her mother. Tessa could make a month’s salary from one night in a pool hall.
Daniel stood. “Can someone show me which room is mine? I’d like to turn in.”
“I will.” Tabitha led him to one of the empty bedrooms and bade him goodnight. When she returned to the den, Tessa and Gregor had cleaned up the poker chips and their empties.
Gregor wrapped Tabitha in a hug, brushing a kiss to her hair. “You two turn in. Your mom and I are going to sit by the fire and keep watch.”
“Where’s Zane?”
“He’s getting some shuteye.”
Major shook Gregor’s hand, told Tessa goodnight, then took Tabitha’s hand and led her to her bedroom.
He closed and locked the door, not pretending he was going to sleep anywhere else.
At some point during the day, he had moved his toiletries into her bathroom, so they brushed their teeth together.
Once they had changed into sleep clothes – her in one of his T-shirts and panties, him in his briefs – they slid under the covers where he held her close.
“I’m not having sex with your dad in the next room,” Major whispered against her ear.
Tabitha nuzzled his bare chest. “You think I haven’t heard them going at it more times than I can count over the years?”
“Same. Not your parents, but mine. Still…”
“I get it. Though if we did, my mother would high-five me in the morning. She’s a nut.”
Major ran his hand under her shirt and slid his fingers down the back of her panties, palming her ass cheek, and leaving it there.
If she moved a fraction, his fingers would make their way to her happy place, but since they were not having sex, Tabitha remained still.
Sex with her mate was out of this world spectacular, but snuggling was good too.
His heartbeat was strong under her cheek, and her Goyle rumbled in contentment. Major’s Gryphon purred in return.
After a few minutes, Tabitha broke the silence. “I feel sorry for Daniel. I can’t imagine losing as much as he has. I don’t blame him for going off the rails. That’s a lot for one person to go through.”
“It is, but it sounds like he’s in a better place now. Getting away from Craig will be good for him. He’ll be able to find himself without Craig’s notoriety overshadowing him.”
Tabitha pressed a kiss to Major’s chest before settling in. “Sing for me.” Major didn’t have the best voice in the world, but it was soothing when he chose his favorite love song.
She hadn’t been asleep long when Major shook Tabitha’s shoulder. “Wake up, Sweetness. Something’s going on outside.”
Tabitha threw the covers back and rolled to her feet.
Major, who was already dressed, tossed her jeans to her.
She slipped them on before removing his tee so she could put on a bra.
She wasn’t fighting with her boobs swinging.
Once clothed, they rushed through the house to find Tessa standing in the middle of the living room with a sword in her hand.
“What’s going on?” Tabitha asked as she called forth her own weapon from the bracelets on her arm. She chose two short swords.
“A helicopter keeps flying over the manor. Your father and Zane are outside. He’s already called Mason, and I’ve alerted the Trio.”
“I’m going to patrol in my Eagle and see if there’s anyone lurking on the ground.” Major took off through the back of the house.
“Get our guests in the saferoom,” Gregor called from outside.
Tabitha went to Craig’s room first since it was closest. She returned her weapons to her bracelets, then knocked on the door and pushed it open. “Craig, I need you to come with me.”
“What’s going on?” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
“A helicopter is flying around. We’re taking precautions.”
When Craig stood, he grabbed his pants and pulled them on. He followed Tabitha down the hallway to where she woke Daniel. He didn’t question her, just followed quietly. She led them to the panic room. “Hopefully it’s nothing, but wait in here, just in case.”
Once they were inside, she closed the door behind them, and the locks clicked in place.
Tabitha detoured to her room and removed her handgun from the closet where she’d stowed it the first night.
Mason had given it to her after hers had been taken in the homicide investigation.
When she returned to her mom, Tessa grinned. “You look good as a badass.”
Tabitha rolled her eyes. Looking good was one thing, but taking on the bad guys was what she’d trained her whole life for.
So was protecting those she loved, and right then, two of the most important men in her life were outside facing an unknown threat.
Gregor was a Goyle, so she wasn’t worried about him, but Major was vulnerable, and Tabitha didn’t like it one bit.
Her phone rang. Considering the early hour and the helicopter flying around, it couldn’t be good.
“Carleigh?”
“Oh good, you’re awake. We have a problem.”
“Yes, we do.”
Carleigh’s fingers were flying over her keyboard, but they paused when she asked, “What’s going on?”
“There’s a helo flying above the property.”
“Shit. Then he’s already found you.”