Chapter Six #3
“Yeah, I just moved back from working in Atlanta. All my paperwork is up to date.”
“Then, yeah, it’s that simple.”
Kiera shook her head. “Was it all for the money?”
“Or he’s just an asshole. That happens way more than you might think,” Meryn added.
“Meryn, can you add notes as if you were a rep?” Connor asked.
“Yeah.”
“Can you put in there that Kiera Sorrel called in to inquire about the accounts and that she had no idea she was entitled to the money. Say that she is flying out to come to their branch in person and to monitor the accounts closely until she arrives,” he advised.
Meryn blinked. “We’re going to be best friends.”
“I had a feeling,” Connor replied.
Meryn began typing.
Seconds later, her laptop pinged. “I was fucking right.”
“She was watching it, wasn’t she?” Connor asked.
“She sure as fuck was. All four accounts have been locked. I can’t even add more notes without arousing suspicion.” She turned to Kiera. “You should take her brownies.”
Connor sat back down. “Kiera, do you have custody?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“When you moved the kids in with him, did you sign anything? Like a payment agreement or partial custody?” he asked.
“No, nothing like that. There wasn’t any paperwork.”
“Was the custody paperwork filed with the Elder Council?”
“Yes,” she swallowed hard. “That was a hard day. I had only just graduated and was so numb. He was established, it just made sense for them to go to him.”
Hunter took her hand. Keran took the other. She smiled at both of them.
Connor turned to Marshall. “Elder, we need to file a case against… what’s his name?”
“Ellar Sorrel. My father’s brother,” Kiera answered.
Marshall sighed. “You know we’re having issues with the Witches’ Council.”
“This only needs to be filed with the Elder Council, it’s a civil matter. Now that Kiera is mated, she can provide a stable home with two parental figures. Your uncle is now the second-best option,” Connor clarified.
Caiden, Marshall, and Kendrick all sighed.
“What?” Augustus asked.
The three men exchanged looks.
Caiden looked to Myra and Johann.
His parents stood. “Did you kids get enough to eat?” his mother asked.
Keran looked down and nodded.
“I will pack some for them now,” Ryuu said, going to the kitchen.
Myra pulled the little boy to his feet and hugged him fiercely. “No more fibbing. If you’re hungry, you can say so.” She pointed to Hunter, then his cousins. “There’s no way you can eat more than those gluttons.”
Keran smiled. “I could maybe eat some more.”
“Me too, grandma,” Nicol added.
“Let’s head back to the house, finish dinner, then I’ll make you hot chocolate.”
“Yay!” both kids cheered.
Eoin sighed. “I love Aunt Myra’s hot chocolate.”
His ma looked at Keran, then pointed to Eoin. “See what I mean!”
She winked at Eoin. “You boys can stay with us if you want. We’ll figure out space. I’ll make you hot chocolate later.”
“Love you, Aunt Myra.”
His dad stood and picked up Nicol.
“She’ll forget how to walk if you all keep carrying her,” Kiera fussed.
“Nonsense. I’ve never had a baby girl, let me spoil her,” his father pouted.
Kiera smiled at him. “I guess it’s okay.”
Nicol leaned down and kissed his dad on the cheek. “I like it when grandpa carries me.”
Hunter stared. He had never seen his dad look so poleaxed. “Maybe it’s a good thing we haven’t had any baby girls ‘til now,” he observed.
Ryuu came back in carrying a canvas bag. “Containers are in here.”
Myra and Keran walked around the table and accepted it. “You boys don’t be too late,” she yelled, as they walked toward the front door.
“Don’t worry about us, Aunt Myra,” Augustus called back.
Once the door was shut, Caiden sat back. “Ryuu, can we have…” he looked at Kiera, then his cousins. “Five shots prepared?”
Ryuu nodded, then headed back to the kitchen.
“Shots?” Eoin asked.
“Me too?” his mate asked.
Hunter nodded. “We’ll be lucky if you don’t pass out again.”
“You make me sound weak.”
“Not weak, but with what you’ve had to deal with today alone, it would be too much for even the best of us. I’m actually impressed by your resilience. It’s probably where the kids get it from,” Hunter commented.
Meryn shuddered. “Trust me, accept the shot.”
Kiera paled. “How bad is it?”
He squeezed her hand. “We’re safe here.”
“Oh, my gods,” she whispered.
While they waited for Ryuu, Hunter turned to Kendrick. “Keran feels magic the same way Kiera does.”
Kendrick brightened. “Really? I do love a good mystery.” He eyed Kiera. “After your banking excursion, would you be available for some testing?”
“Sure. If both Keran and I are the same, I need to know what kind of magic we have, if only for his sake.”
“We need to find out for your sake too,” Hunter added.
Ryuu walked in with no less than a dozen shots. “I thought more is better than less.” He set the tray in the middle of the table. “Can I assume you will be soundproofing?”
Kendrick nodded.
Ryuu gave a half bow. “I’ll be in the kitchen starting the dishes.”
Augustus stood and placed a shot glass in front of each of his brothers and finally one in front of his own plate. “Alright. Tell us what we don’t know.”