Page 42 of Frayed Owner

I felt like I willed that poor familiar’s death into existence.

“Let’s go,” Homer said firmly when I roughly wiped my eyes. He shoved me towards the door, but I had to grab my stuff from the locker room first.

“You’re buying whatever, asshole,” I bitched.

“Yeah, we are, and we’re doing this at your brother’s new place.”

“What new place?” I demanded.

“Get your shit and we’ll talk,” Homer answered.

Dickhead. Not really, but I wasn’t in the mood for games.

After I had my stuff, we went for the guard station instead of the normal spot where the school sent us via circles. We were allowed to use it for free so many times a month, but then we could pay extra after that. Plus, tips were encouraged since it was students who powered them up. It might seem shitty to only slip them a dollar each time, but those added up.

And there were some really rich kids who went to Morrigan. I’d seen most slip them twenties each time they sent them via circle, so that job was a good one.

One that a lot of people wanted. I knew first-hand. I’d tried to get it but couldn’t.

We arrived at a large farmhouse with one right next door… But the vibe was off. I glanced around and saw we were out in the boonies.

So why were the houses pretty close together?

I did a double take when I saw Link there talking with some guys and pointing over to an area without a house. “Why is Link here?”

He lifted his head when he heard his name and raised an eyebrow at me before taking in who was with me. “I thought this place was kept a lid on, not a tourist destination.”

“You’re such a dick sometimes,” Kevin said as he came jogging from the house next door. “He’s my brother, and one of his friends said he’s interested in learning more. If he’s got the juice to get into Morrigan, that’s someone Taylor might want to hire.”

I put it all together fast. “This is housing for Taylor’s company and people?”

Kevin nodded. “Yeah, he bought the land and first house when he got out and started the company. Had a few put in since, and whoever was on a local gig or between gigs watched over everything. That’s changing now.”

I grabbed the front of his shirt and shook him. “You almost just died. Now you’re joining his company and jumping back in? What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you want to destroy Mom and end up like Dad?”

Worry was thick in his eyes as he waved others off. “Kel, you need to get a grip, man. I’m fine. I know the risks of this job. Mom does too and she knew—she’s accepted that I want to do good. Don’t take that away from me like I’ve already lost being a cop, okay?”

Shit. Just… I felt my lower lip quiver as I let him go.

Kevin pulled me in for a hug, not releasing me when I tried to shove him away. “Thank you for loving me so much that you’re this worried and upset. Thank you, Kelton.”

I hugged him with all that I had. We’d lost Dad, and—Kevin was more than my older brother sometimes. He’d done his best to step into Dad’s role when he could while still being a kid too. It was all too much, and—I really could have lost him.

Because of Bevin.

But he was only saved because of Bevin too.

How fucked up was that?

“I can’t find my feet. I can’t fucking lose anyone else,” I choked out. “And I can’t stand that she didn’t even like look at me yesterday when I was working right next to her.”

“I know. I know,” he whispered as he rubbed my back. “She’s drowning, Kel. She’s in a lot of pain and drowning. It’s not you. She’s—there’s more going on, and you can’t handle it right now. So it’s not you. You just can’t help her and she can’t help you.”

“I want to help her. I want to be with her, but I’m angry.”

“Yeah, you are,” he sighed. “Come on, let me show you the house. This is an upgrade, and I’m not working for a corrupt boss now. Some of my buddies got new gigs—better-payinggigs, and they were in rough spots too.”

“Okay, not to be an asshole, but what are we going to do if all of the good cops leave our police?” Homer wondered. “Like, seriously?”

---