Page 6 of Gambit's Property

I lock my computer and then head back to her campus in my truck this time. I don’t want to attract attention with the noise of my bike. I can’t be away from her for long. I need my fix.

As I watch her building, I notice she’s pacing in front of her window. She must have woken up. She lifts her hand to her mouth and puts a pill on her tongue before swallowing it down with water. I know she’s been struggling with nightmares the last few nights, and I wonder if she’s taking a sleeping pill. I’d rather we find out what’s bothering her instead. A small part of me knows it’s because of what I said and did. I was mean. I wanted to make her mad at me.

I wait until the building is mostly quiet and she turns out her lights before sneaking in, using my app again. When I reach her room, I use the application to slip inside.

The room is quiet and silent as I watch her sleep. I stare down at her as she spreads out across the bed like a starfish. My lips tip up, and I stand back, afraid that if she wakes up, she’ll see me. The light is on in the bathroom, providing a perfect nightlight. I’ve noticed over the last few nights that she leaves it on. After reading her file, I now have a good idea why she struggles to sleep and be in the dark. She hid in a dark cupboard for hours before she was found and attacked too. Thank goodness Rogue stopped them from raping or hurting her worse than smacking her around a bit.

CHAPTER 4

FRANCI

Fall semester is now in full swing. My GPA didn’t take too big of a hit from the summer term, even though I sucked at keeping my focus the last couple weeks of school. I haven’t seen Gavin in a month and a half. I’ve tried flirting with other guys and moving on, but for some reason, they’ll talk to me for a bit and then suddenly cut off communication. It’s nerve-racking.

I’m still struggling with my sleep. It’s been so bad that I got a prescription for sleeping pills from the campus clinic. I’ve taken them a few nights, and I swear I wake up with the most vivid dreams of Gavin. One morning, I could have sworn he was in my room. I could smell his cologne in the air and even dreamed he was holding me, making the nightmares go away.

I feel like I’m constantly being watched. I’ve always had a security team on me, but for some reason, it’s now bothering me. I’ve decided I need to spend some time with Ley. Maybe I can convince her to pull the detail for a bit. I need some time to myself.

I pull my car into the garage and try not to focus on everything else that’s going on. I take a deep breath and gear up for what’s going to come. She’ll question me. She will knowas soon as she sees me that I’m not getting enough sleep, but I won’t tell her about the pills. Ley will make me go back to counseling, and I don’t want to do that.

I fake the extra spring in my step as I bound up the stairs.

“Mom, I’m home,” I holler and chuckle. I don’t normally call her Mom. She is my mom, but then again, she isn’t. She’s taken care of me like a mother, and I love her, but there have been times when she’s felt more like a big sister.

I come to a stop when I see a large man sitting at the breakfast bar. When he turns, I recognize him instantly. His blond hair is cut in one of those Viking styles popular right now—shaved on the sides and long enough for a man bun at the back. I’ve wanted to meet my other new family members for years, but Ley thought it would be safer for me not to. Plus, she and her father don’t even speak. She’s mad at him and doesn’t talk to me about it.

“Franci,” Ley says in an exasperated voice as she drops her head.

“Daughter?” Gray’s head swings between the two of us, and I can tell he’s confused.

She didn’t want the men after us to go after her family. I only met my grandma because she came to take care of Ley after she was attacked in Chicago. Since then,Babushkaand I email and talk all the time.

“You’re Gray,” I say softly, finally excited about something. I get to meet him. Maybe I’ll get to meet Andrei next.

“I am.” Gray smiles at me before he turns back to Ley and stares her down.

“Gray, meet my adopted daughter, Franclynn, or Franci for short.” She introduces us. I’m practically bouncing inside. I needed this, a distraction from the phone calls and Gavin.

“Franklin? Like F-r-a-n-k-l-i-n.” He spells it out as he looks at me in shock. Everyone questions my name. I nod at him.

“Benjamin Franklin was awesome, and when Ley gave me a choice in my name, I wanted a guy name like her,” I explain.

I love her name and think it’s beautiful and fitting. Her full name is Ridley, but she goes by Ley. I’ve never told her that’s why I chose Franclynn, but now she will know. Her brows drop as she tries to work it all out in her mind.

“But we spell it F-r-a-n-c-l-y-n-n,” I continue. “I go by Franci, like the guy’s name, but spelled with a C instead.” I laugh as he moves toward me.

“I have a niece,” he says softly with a big smile on his face.

I nod again, so afraid that I’m dreaming this encounter. I had a huge family once, but it was taken from me. Then it was just Ley and me untilBabushkacame in. She always tells me about Gray, Andrei, and the other guys she helped raise. I’ve always wanted to meet them all. My greatest wish is to have a large family again. I love studying sharks and finding ways to protect them, but I want a family more.

“Welcome to the family,” he says louder and hugs me. I melt into him. I have an uncle.

“Babushkasaid you were in town. I was hoping Ley would let me finally meet you,” I say against his broad chest. He’s not as big as Gavin, but he’s still big. Most people are bigger than me since I’m so petite.

“Franci, go get comfy while I talk to Gray,” Ley says, and I release him and move toward her. I hug her, needing some motherly or sisterly tenderness with everything going on. “Love you, kiddo.” She kisses the top of my head. I can’t help the sigh. I needed that. Fighting back tears, I turn away and spot the slow cooker in front of her.

“Yummy. Stuffed peppers. What’s the occasion?” I love stuffed peppers. Ley learned to make them almost as good as my mother used to.

“My kiddo came home for the weekend. Plus, we have the latest episode ofSurvivorto watch.” She smiles at me. “I love you.” She has a funny look on her face as she brushes her hand down my cheek. I turn away, afraid she can read me too easily, and head for my room.

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