“I didn’t mean to, but your father is a powerful attorney. He kept badgering the witness, and I didn’t have anyone here to object. When I told him you needed time to recuperate, he kept on until I told him to back off or he was going to lose you. It snowballed from there.”
Josie closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. Yes, she was well aware of her father’s tactics. “Well, the good thing is he knows. But so does Presley. That might explain why I feel the need to get a restraining order against her.”
“What? Did she threaten you?”
“Oh yes. First, she said I couldn’t quit. That I owed her. It progressed from there to her saying she would ruin me. Something is seriously wrong with her.”
“You know she’s used to winning, honey. Not only is she losing Malakai to you, but you’re the reason she’s so good at her job. You make sure she has everything she needs when she steps into a courtroom. If you leave, her winning record could take a hit.”
Josie bristled, and for the first time in forever, Josie was angry with her mother. “Mom, Presley can’t lose Kai because she never had him to begin with. And after this morning, there is no doubt I’m leaving the firm. Not if, when. And that will be sooner than later. I’m sick of being her verbal punching bag.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I honestly didn’t know she was so bad.”
Josie started to tell her it was because she didn’t look hard enough, but Josie was already losing two of her family. She didn’t want to alienate her mom too. “Don’t worry about it. But for the time being, don’t expect me to come by for Sunday dinner. You and I can meet up for lunch instead.”
“Now don’t be rash. Your father loves you, and that will hurt his feelings.”
No, it really wouldn’t. Josie wasn’t the daughter he was proud of, and she had come to terms with that a long time ago. And what about Josie’s feelings? Now that Josie had her own man, she knew he would always come first, but would she still take his side if he treated one of their children the way her father did her? No, because Kai would never put her in that position. He was going to be a wonderful father.
“We can figure that out later. Kai has breakfast ready, so I’m going to enjoy it while it’s hot.”
“I’m surprised he found anything in your apartment to cook. You never eat breakfast.”
“That’s because I’m at his place. I didn’t stay at the apartment where everyone in my family has a key to let themselves in.” Josie wasn’t worried about that, because if things went the way she expected, she would be moving all her stuff out and terminating her lease. “I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”
“Josie… I love you too.”
Josie disconnected and flopped back on the bed.
Josie?
Josie grinned at the voice in her head. It amazed her she knew the difference in who was speaking.
Yes, Mr. Gargoyle?
Josie felt the chuckle, and it was enough to get her moving. She turned her phone off and left it in the bedroom. She would deal with her father later. There was no dealing with her sister.
When she entered the kitchen, Kai was leaning against the counter. He held his arms open, and she didn’t hesitate to walk into his strong embrace. Josie tucked her forearms against his chest and turned her cheek so her ear pressed against his heart. She loved hearing the strong beat. It was soothing.
“Let’s eat.” Kai pressed a kiss to her hair, and Josie tipped her head back so he could take her mouth. When he did, it was the sweetest kiss in sweetest kisses ever.
True to his word, Kai took Josie to the patio after they finished eating and told her all the trouble the Clan had encountered over the last year. Josie sipped her coffee while stretched out in what she now considered their chair and listened without interrupting. Her mind took note of those mates who had been kidnapped, thrown in jail, and on one occasion both. Josie couldn’t wait to meet the other mates and hear their stories firsthand.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“I should have shared all this before we mated.” Kai threaded their fingers together.
“Do you think it would have changed my decision about being with you?”
“I’d like to say no, but the threat is serious. These males don’t go after other Gargoyles; they go after our mates.”
“And children.” Josie was in awe of little Connor. For such a young child, the boy was brave and strong. “If this Drago is such a threat, why doesn’t Rafael go on the offensive? I mean, I’m no King, but if someone were threatening my Clan, I’d hunt the bastard down and take him out. With everything you told me, it doesn’t sound like his army is that big, even if they’re mostly Unholy.”
“That’s a great question. I think Rafael is waiting until Isabelle has the antiserum perfected so we can save as many Unholy as possible. From what I’ve been told, the humans who become Unholy are men who feel they have nothing to live for, thus nothing to lose. With Drago’s second-in-command in custody, there will be no one left to lead the army. Yes, there are other Greeks who have joined him, but they are nothing more than foot soldiers. Without a leader, the Unholy would be left to their own devices, and that would endanger the cities where they live – namely, New Atlanta – since this is where they’re the most populous. We already have our hands full patrolling the city for the ones who venture out at night. They’ve been uncommonly quiet over the last
