Page 52 of Fight
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to imply that you don't.It's just that I've been talking to Bill, and I don't know how much of it he's shared."I looked down at my hands folded together in my lap, then back up at her."Do you know if Bill's talked to Devon today?"
Karen nodded."As a matter of fact, I do.Devon called early this morning and let Bill know what had happened."I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, a weight lifting off my chest.It hadn't occurred to me this morning to make sure Devon would call Bill and I hadn't been able to reach him this afternoon.
"Good.I came by to make sure Bill knew about it, and to ask for help.I was all right with everything when Brandon was pestering me, or it was just notes.But this is the second time that they've destroyed something of Devon's, and I'm not sure how much more I can put up with."I knew I sounded a bit hysterical, but things had gotten to the point I was afraid to leave the office for lunch.I refused to live like this, not of I could do something to stop it.Especially if it was something as small and simple as asking for help.
"You don't have to take it, Nickie."She said."You're not the only one who's had enough."
"Oh?"I asked.
"Bill called Brandon in this morning.He gave him twenty-four hours."
"Twenty-four hours?"I was confused.
"Twenty-four hours to pack and leave.He's been banished."
"Oh."I didn't know what else to say.I felt bad for his parents, but I couldn't help being glad he wouldn't be around to harass me any longer."What does that mean exactly?"
"It means he's no longer allowed in our territory.He has to find somewhere else to live."
"But what about his family?"I had to ask.
"They're welcome to stay, but if they want to see him, they'll have to go to him.With the possible exceptions of major illness, or death in the family, he won't be allowed back even to visit."
I took a deep breath while I thought about that.I let it out in a rush."I wish I could say that I'm sorry it's come to this, but I just can't help feeling relieved.I've been worried about what he would do next, and if he would try to hurt my parents to get to me."
"You don't have to worry about that anymore."Karen said gently.
"But what about until he leaves?"
"Bill has an enforcer following him.He won't go anywhere without our knowing about it and by noon tomorrow, he'll be gone."
"That's great news."I sat for a moment, letting the news sink in, and trying to regain my composure after the weight suddenly lifted off my shoulders.
"How are things going with you and Devon?"Karen changed the subject.
"Great, we're doing really well.His mom's finally stopped trying to set him up with every girl she can think of.He's appreciating that."
"How are you handling the possessive streak?"
"It's not bad."I said.Karen lifted one brow, as if challenging the statement."It's not.It surprised us with Gabriel, but he thought we'd been dating before.We got that straightened out."
"Anything else?"she asked.
"We're still negotiating some difficulties with the enhanced strength but it's nothing we can't handle."I said carefully, not wanting to say too much and embarrass us both.
"He freaked out about bruising you, didn't he?"she grinned.
I nodded, my cheeks pinkening at the memory."He didn't hurt me but it freaked him out that he'd done it, and that I'd let him."
"How long did it take for the bruises to fade?"
I shrugged."A few hours."
"Did that help him deal with it?"
"I'm not sure, but it seemed like as long as there were bruises he felt guilty."
Karen nodded."He probably doesn't realize that it's not just the enhanced strength that's responsible.Even if he'd shifted as a teen, and was completely in control of his strength, he'd likely bruise you sometimes."
