Page 137 of Forget

“They’re very active in the community, so that tracks as well,”Dad says.“Now, looping back to your signature being forged, why are you still at their house exactly?”

“I don’t want to go home, and when I made a run for it two weeks ago, Hayes caught me and dragged me through the snowback inside,” I tell him. “Please, feel free to put a bullet or two in him. He’s going to have a fancy new scar from where I threw my knife at him. I had no idea who he was during my heat. The asshole wore a mask the entire time. Now, they’re my shadows, asking too many damn questions and insisting on driving me everywhere. I also have no idea where my fucking car is.”

“It’s here,”Dad says.“One of them brought it back and then left. I found it when I came back from a meeting and called you, but you never called me back.”

“I didn’t listen to the messages,” I admit. “I’m too pissed off.”

“I see,”he says. I can imagine him now, staring down at the leather pad he keeps over his fancy desk. It’s something he does often when he’s processing something. Fuck, I miss him.“What’s the name of the delivery service?”

“Tricut Delivery Services,” I tell him. “They said they’d make it right when Hayes took the phone from me and threw out your name.”

“Now they’ve disrespected me and my daughter knowingly,”he growls.“I’ll make this right. How are you on food now?”

“It’s all spoiled, and had to be thrown out,” I explain. “I was charged for this delivery, along with some bullshit service charge. Our budget isn’t bottomless, so the fact that this is happening continually is concerning.”

“I got it,”he says.“I have the address of the shelter. I’ll send someone with food. It’ll be a beta, I promise.”

“Wait, you don’t need to?—”

The line is dead as I’m saying the next word, and I stare at the wall in front of me with the poster that talks about healthy pack styles and shake my head. The irony is not at all lost to me.

Chapter 25

Aisling

Hayes:

Are you done yet?

Rolling my eyes as I throw my coat over my sports bra and leggings, I continue making sure everyone leaves the warehouse with a smile.

Me:

I’m still working. Amazing concept, don’t you think? I’m closing up.

Hayes:

It’s late, Princess. Your ride is going to turn into a pumpkin soon.

Me:

Boo hoo, old man. Too bad I’m not Cinderella and you’re certainly not Prince Charming.

Hayes:

I can be beastly, Princess. Stop pushing your luck. Get your ass out here.

“Are you okay?”Gabriel asks as I shove my phone into my cross body purse.

“I’m fine,” I tell him with a nod. “Long day, and my shadow is currently being a jackass.”

“Since when do you have a shadow?” he asks.

“A little over two weeks.” I sigh. “Scent matches suck.”

“Only if it’s each other’s dicks,” Gabriel says with a smirk, making me giggle.

“I mean, they’re all together, so that happens,” I confirm.

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