Page 24 of Guarding Fable

“Hey, it’s normal to be shaken up like this.”

She nods, but the tears spill down her cheeks. Mirabelle leaves us, backing quietly out of the room.

“I’m so sorry. My family is so toxic, and you could have been hurt.”

I wrap my arms around her. “Everything will be okay.”

She shivers against me, then wraps her arms around me, squeezing me tight. “Thank you.”

I want to take her home, give her a bath, and spoil her, but first, we have to figure out who this guy we’ve detained is.

We walk out, my arm still draped over her shoulders.

Frank comes up to us.

“Tell me about the guy.”

He shrugs. “Seems that his background is real, former NYPD. And the weird thing is, he said he had no problem waiting in the jail cell until Fable got here.”

I look down at her. “Are you ready?”

She squares her shoulders and nods. That’s my angel.

When we step into the small jail area, we only have two actual cells. The man in question studies us. When his gaze lands on Fable, a relieved smile curves his lips. He stands and approaches us.

“You’re Fable.”

She nods, even though it wasn’t a question. “Do I know you? I don’t think you work for my father.”

He shakes his head. “No. And no offense, but there is no way I would work for a man like that, no matter how much money he offered.”

“So, why are you looking for me?”

He glances at Frank, then me, then back to Fable. Something close to chagrin fills his expression.

“It might seem odd.”

“Believe me, it will just seem normal,” she says with humor.

He nods. “Grimm.”

Fable gasps. “Let him out. Let him out!”

“Angel, what is going on?”

“That’s the code word. Grimm is Destiny’s code word for me.”

Tears are streaming down her face again, and she’s smiling at me.

Frank hesitates, and even though I don’t want any men near her, I allow it. As soon as the cell door swings wide, Fable moves out of my arms before I can react. She wraps her arms around the older man, and I growl. The man looks a little surprised by it. When she pulls back, they smile at each other.

“She’s okay?”

He nods. “She’s at the house you two bought.”

She claps her hands, happiness shining from her eyes. “Destiny is fine. We need to go to her.”

“Now, wait, I need to know what’s going on.”