Chapter 7
Creed
I snorted when I stepped off the bus and saw almost a copy of Aurora and knew it was her daughter.
“Yeah, I called this one right.” I gave her the once-over and she accurately proved my point that beauty wasn’t everything.
She looked almost exactly like Aurora, but I wouldn’t ever want to go near her with a hundred-foot pole.
“Stay away from Aurora,” she said firmly, getting right to the point.
“No, and it’s shitty you’re trying to keep her from having someone to care about her,” I said as I led her away from everyone else getting off the bus. “And you’re seriously out of line for doing this at my job when your sister is my fucking boss.”
She flinched but narrowed her eyes at me.
“I didn’t go inside or find you during your shift or talk to your manager.
I haven’t talked to Ellie about this. I didn’t go to your residence or speak to your PO.
This is about the only way to handle this delicately and with respect.
Especially with the time difference. I’ve been standing here in the blasted Georgia sun for thirty minutes. ”
That made me a bit happier.
Not that she didn’t make a bigger scene, but to know she was sweating in her fancy suit waiting for me.
“Fine, you said your piece, but I’m not going to listen,” I mumbled, as I took a step past her. “Have a nice day.”
“But I could,” she said firmly, her threat clear.
I spun around so fast that I startled her. “Is this some revenge? You don’t think she’s paid enough, so you’re going to isolate her and abuse her now?”
The horror in her eyes was real and made me chill. “What madness are you uttering? I’m helping her. I—”
“Are you?” I challenged, eyeing her over. “Because from where I’m sitting, you’re doing a shit job of it.” I leaned in a bit. “I was a fancy attorney too. You know that if you looked into me.”
“For the mob,” she snapped. “Aurora doesn’t need a criminal in her life or—”
“Oh, stuff it. I bet you did a lot to survive that you can’t be prosecuted for,” I interrupted. “And I only care what Aurora thinks. She’s a good person—”
She snorted. “What lies has the abused little—”
“This is why you shouldn’t be representing her,” I bit out.
I jabbed my finger in her face. “And you fucking know it. You’re checking off a box in your conscience or some shit or making sure no one else fucks it up to save your own ass, but it’s not for Aurora.
I’ve been looped in for twenty seconds and I—I want to go for your fucking license. ”
She grabbed my arm when I went to leave but immediately dropped it. Gone was the anger and fear was all over her expression.
But not for Aurora.
For herself.
“Disgusting,” I bit out.
She instantly realized what I meant and the cold mask came back.
“Yes, well, you’re fighting for a life for yourself, and I did a lot to build what I have.
I value it. I value my reputation and I don’t fail clients, so—this isn’t to hurt her.
I’m in it to set her free. She got me free even if it was a disaster and I will set her free. ”
I snorted. “Sure you will.”
“What am I missing?” she demanded.
I ran my tongue over my teeth, riding a fine line because Aurora would never forgive me if I betrayed her confidence. “I can’t tell you.”
Theresa’s eyes widened slightly. “You truly care for her. Aurora won over another—”
“Stop,” I snarled. “You don’t know the truth of the shit you throw at her and it kills her soul.
But she does it for you. You and Ellie. She would eat shit for the rest of her days if it made life easier for you.
And I don’t see any reason why she should.
I think she should tell both of you entitled brats the truth so you can choke on your righteous indignation. ”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Aurora lies like water and you’re a mob attorney. I won’t be lectured by either of you—”
Unfortunately, she hit the right nerve with me and I snapped.
“The fact you don’t know what I do and didn’t see her medical records after she was abused and suing for damages from that abuse is negligence, counselor.
And if Aurora lied to me on this and I’m that bad of a judge of character, I’ll fucking kiss your toes and do your bitch legal work for two years. I’m that sure.”
I got about ten feet away before I cursed under my breath, knowing my temper just made me easier to play. I didn’t outrightly betray Aurora, but I gave Theresa the path to find out what Aurora didn’t want her to know.
But she needed to know as Aurora’s attorney. She really did and… Fuck.
I was a ball of nerves when I arrived for lunch. Aurora was already sitting there looking so forlorn that I cursed myself several times.
“What happened, beauty?” I asked gently as I sat down.
She flinched and quickly met my gaze but then gave me a sad smile.
“I found out I’m really as stupid as everyone has always accused me of.
You were right and Alexis didn’t judge me.
Apparently, elders of covens did the same to many women she’s known.
” She looked at the picnic basket and started pulling things out. “I’m always such the fool.”
“You’re not a fool. You have a good heart, and this world is too harsh for that,” I said gently, swallowing loudly. “And I hate to add to your day, but I made a mistake. I have to tell you and I hope you don’t hate me.”
She froze and let out a slow breath. Then she handed me two containers and nodded. “Okay. Tell me.”
So I did. I told her how Theresa showed up and what happened. “I’m sorry, Aurora.”
“I’m sorry she harassed you when you didn’t do anything wrong.
It’s me. I’m wrong. I’m the one who…” She quickly wiped her face.
“Please excuse me. I’m not feeling myself today.
” She stood and grabbed her picnic basket so fast that I wasn’t ready for it.
She was out of the garden area before I’d even realized what had happened.
I chased after her and almost caught her by the main entrance.
“What do you mean she might have lost her immortality?” a loud female voice demanded, death in her tone. “And you didn’t think to tell me that?”
Aurora froze in her fleeing and slowly looked over her shoulder towards the commotion.
I followed her gaze and mentally cursed when I saw it was Ellie and Theresa Reed talking with two people in lab coats and another woman I didn’t know.
Shame covered Aurora’s face and she shot me a look of pain before she fled.
I couldn’t get my body to work, torn between yelling at my boss a few times removed for making a scene right there and going after Aurora.
By the time I decided to go after her, she was already in the back seat of the car and the bodyguard gave me a shit look before he slipped into the driver’s seat.
And then they were gone.
“Fuck,” I growled. I stormed back inside ready to knock some heads but found two pissed vampires focused on me.
“Oh, stuff your shit. I just found out yesterday and you both have been neglecting her in your care all this time. And you just announced it like that. Awesome. Great. So glad—I didn’t even get to explain now. ”
“Don’t,” Ellie muttered as she held up her hand to someone. “He’s right. I’m the asshole here and this is personal.”
“I hate him, but he’s right,” Theresa admitted. “I should have known this, and it could have bit us in court.” She rubbed her face and sighed. “How could she not tell us?”
I snorted, glancing between their confused faces when they focused on me. “You’re kidding right? I’ve missed the beginning act of this, but she is the parent and acts like the grounded kid around you. I’m sure that comes from a place where she feels able to speak up and was listened to.”
“He’s right, and as much as it’s going to chap both of your asses, I need to tap in on her case even if I’m not licensed in Europe,” the woman said.
“She talked to me this morning and confessed things she didn’t want her daughters to know, but it could blow everything up.
It also probably explains the delays on the divorce that should be simple. ”
“Alexis?” I checked, sighing when she nodded. “She said you didn’t judge her like I promised no one sane would, but that she was a fool again, and—I don’t like what I smelled from her. What did you say to her?”
She went pale—like really fucking pale. “That it would come out in court. That if her parents had a spy in the Reed coven or were in communication with one of the elders that they knew and would use it as ammunition. That they were pushing for court and so was Theresa and they would bring it up.”
I didn’t realize I’d dropped what was in my hands until I heard the glass containers shattering on the stone floors. “She was coming to say goodbye.” I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “That was the grief. We have to get to her now.” They all frowned. “Now!”
“You’re not making sense,” Ellie argued before looking at Alexis. “What was she keeping from us?”
I moved fast and reached for Alexis, but Theresa blocked me, thinking I was going to hurt her.
I wasn’t, just needed her focused on me.
“She said the only way she kept getting out of bed and living was because her daughters didn’t know her shame.
Please, she was—I smelled the grief. She came to say goodbye. Please.”
“Gods above, Aurora’s going to kill herself,” she rasped and raced towards the front door and I was right there with her. “I didn’t under—she accepted it. She said she understood and would handle it. I thought maybe she already had thought of it because she seemed done with the topic.”
No, she’d been done with fighting and life.
“I can’t get Xavier on the line,” Ellie worried. “Here, we can take a security vehicle.” She called to whomever and they nodded as she got behind the driver’s seat.
“Don’t even think it,” I growled as I got in the passenger’s seat.
She tossed me her phone. “Keep trying Xavier at least then.”
Fine, I could do that.