Page 50 of Sins of the Fathers
Grady knew Colt and Knox had grown closer over the past few months and spent nearly all their time together. He hadn’t heard that they had formally moved in together and gave his brother the stink eye.
“I was going to tell you,” Knox said with a shrug. “Not like it’s a secret. It just didn’t come up.”
“His lease was done at the end of last month, and my place is newer and has more room,” Colt said, patting Knox’s hand and giving Grady a smile to smooth things over. “So it’s very new. Not like he wasn’t staying over most nights anyhow.”
Did Knox think I’d disapprove or not believe he was recovered enough to make a decision like that? Or have I been so wrapped up with hunting and rebuilding what Daw and I have that I wasn’t paying attention? Knox is my brother. I need to do better. I’ll make it up to him,Grady promised himself.
“We’re going in to the hardware store,” Knox said, raising his head as if expecting pushback. “I need to talk to the staff and see the damage. I’d like to hire a security guard—we just have to make sure they’re not HDF or SPS.”
“I’m going with him,” Colt said. “We won’t take any chances—I swear.”
“Not going to argue with any of that,” Dawson said. “We’re heading to the auto body shop in Kingston to make sure the staff are okay. I’m planning to hire security as well—we’ll get Gibson and Tucker to vet them. I’ll snag one more for you.”
“Thanks,” Knox replied, and his pleased look of surprise broke Grady’s heart a little.
* * *
Spendingthe day at the shop cleared Grady’s head. They were as candid as possible with the employees, all of whom knew about the King’s “other” business. Dawson didn’t go into more detail than necessary, only that the fire at the hardware store was case-related and a vendetta against the family.
When he put it up to a vote whether to stay open with added security or close for the rest of the week, the staff all voted to keep the shop working. Grady saw how overwhelmed Dawson was with their trust and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
By evening they had a short list of security candidates for round-the-clock-shifts at both the main auto shop and the hardware store, starting immediately, that were cleared through Gibson by the TBSI. Thanks to Colt, they also had security cameras installed at the two businesses, and after some debate, at their houses as well.
“It’s not bulletproof, but having guards and cameras is a damn sight better than not having them,” Dawson said once the security officer was in place. “I wish it were as simple protecting the houses.”
Grady understood. Since the Kings were already well-armed and seasoned monster hunters, anything coming against them at their homes was likely to be fueled by magic, not muscle.
“Denny’s upping the protections. And if we can figure out this case, maybe all the extra precautions won’t be necessary for long,” Grady replied, trying to be hopeful.
Dawson leaned back in his office chair. “Fuck, I hope so. Our cases don’t usually disrupt business, which screws things over for everyone else. I want to stop Ophelia and get back to normal.”
“Doubt it’s going to be quite that easy, but I’m ready to be done with this case as well,” Grady agreed.
Outside, dark skies and high winds gave the evening an ominous feel that Grady couldn’t shake. Dawson had bought pizza for the whole crew, an additional “thank you” for their support, and the workday ended on an upbeat note. Now that everyone was gone for the day except him, Dawson, and the new guard, Grady felt uncomfortable and exposed.
“What’s on your mind?” Denny asked, jostling Grady’s shoulder.
“Everything,” Grady admitted. “The storm’s got me jittery.”
“Let’s see what Gibson and Tucker have learned from their sources and what Denny’s hunter contacts have come back with. We might find exactly what we need to crack this case wide open and get rid of old Ophelia once and for all.”
“I wish we were married,” Grady blurted, saying aloud what had been on his mind all day. “I know we can’t right now, but with what we do—it feels like tempting fate to put it off. We’re it for each other, always have been. I guess I’m just scared that something might happen before we get the chance.”
Dawson pulled him into his arms. “Hunting’s dangerous. But we’re not reckless. We’ve got allies. We’re taking precautions. I haven’t had any new visions—I’d tell you if I did.”
I’m afraid one of us will get killed protecting the other. I’m afraid the witch will find a way to keep us apart. I’m afraid that now that I’ve finally got the thing I wanted most, something might take this away from us.Grady didn’t know how to put any of that into words, so he just leaned into Dawson and trusted the other man to read his body language.
“Hey,” Dawson said, tilting Grady’s face up so that their eyes met. “We’re going to fight this witch and win. Settle the score. And we’re both going to walk away from it—together. I believe in us.”
Grady managed a smile. “I believe too. It’s just that this time, the attacks are personal.”
“And we’ll make sure the payback is too,” Dawson vowed. “Don’t let the fear get to your head. We’ve got this.”
Chaz, the new night guard, came on duty, and Dawson double-checked him against the information Gibson had vetted.
“I’ll check all the doors once an hour and keep my eyes on the exterior security cams,” Chaz promised. “I’ll take good care of the place.”
They went out the front door, and Chaz locked up behind them. A crack of thunder and lightning flash shook the world, and rain came down in bucketfuls, drenching them before they’d gone two feet toward where the Mustang was parked.
