Page 97 of Stepson

"That little prick thought he could get out of his debt with a prison stay, but he can't. Let him know that Tony is looking for him."

He releases me just as fast as he grabbed me before they all walk back to the Cadillac, get in, and tear away from the curb.

My breathing is erratic, and I finally let the sobs break free. I bawl my eyes out in the car as fear consumes me. This wis just too much to add to the already growing list of problems in my life, and I don't know what to do.

The black man who knows Gabe comes running to my window, startling me.

"Holy shit. Are you okay?!"

I wipe at my tears, trying to gather myself. "Who the hell were those guys?"

He flinches as he looks in their direction. "Those were Tony's men. Gabe used to run drugs for the guy and it wasn't pretty."

I feel the blood run from my face as I watch the Cadillac disappear into the horizon. Not only are we faced with dealing with Marcus's shit, about to be parents, and figuring out our lives, but now we have a drug dealer after us too? What else can go wrong?

"You probably shouldn't be downtown any longer. The only place I can think Gabe would be at is the Tenth Street Bar. He used to visit there when he didn't want to be found by Tony, Jeff, or any of his otherfriends."

I swallow and nod at him. He’s right, I shouldn't be downtown any longer and the sooner I find Gabe, the sooner I can get the hell out of here.

Chapter fifty

Bentley

As I drive away from the Kitten’s Lair, I’ve calmed down enough to change my plans. Gabe clearly doesn't want to be found, and I’m sick of hunting him down. If he wants to talk about this, he'll have to come find me. And if he doesn't? Well, then I'll figure that part out later.

Tony's men may have scared the hell out of me, but I won't let them guide my next move. It’s obvious they were looking for Gabe, who apparently still owes them money, and I'll make sure they disappear like Marcus as well. I’m on my way to Kurt's office, and I know he'll know how to help us. He's done it before.

Kurt’s law office building comes into view, and I’m instantly nervous for some reason. Without Gabe by my side, I’m a wreckand can only pray this will be a positive meeting. I don't think I can handle any more bad news today.

After parking Maggie's car along the curb, I run inside and I’m met by an elderly woman behind the desk. She smiles warmly as I approach the counter.

"You must be Bentley Price?" I nod as she continues. "Very good. I'll let Kurt know you're here."

I nervously step away from the counter toward the seats behind me, but before I can even sit down, Kurt appears in the lobby and calls me back. Seeing his familiar face after what had just happened to me instantly calms me down. I trust him and know I'll be safe here.

"Come on back." His eyes move around the lobby before his brows pinch together. "No Gabe then?"

I shake my head. Gabe is MIA, and I have no idea where he is. That man back at the sex club mentioned a bar but I’m in no place to keep hunting for him. I’m tired.

"Very well. As I said on the phone, he's not needed at this meeting. Are you ready?"

I follow him through the dark mahogany door into a long hallway lined with other mahogany doors and glass panes with black lettered names etched across them. We enter through a door with Kurt’s legal name and title on it and into a beautiful office with leather chairs, a wall of books, and a fern plant in the corner. I don’t know Kurt very well, but this room seems to fit him perfectly.

“Please, have a seat.” He points to one of the plush leather seats in front of his desk before he rounds the desk and takes his own seat.

He shuffles through several folders before he seems to have an ah-ha moment and starts pulling out paperwork from one folder in particular.

“I’ve been trying to wrap my brain around what you could possibly have me sign and I’ve got nothing. Does it have to do with my divorce to Marcus? Because I thought that was finalized.”

Kurt chuckles as he shakes his head. “Don’t worry, your divorce is finalized and you’re a free woman, Bentley. These files have to deal with the estate and accounts while you were still married to him. After much deliberation with the judge, we came to an agreement. You might be divorced from Marcus now for good reason, but you endured a lot while you were still married to the man.” He starts shuffling through the papers before he slides one over to me. “Does this look familiar to you?”

I lean forward and study the piece of paper. My full legal married name is at the top of the page, but I haven’t ever seen this before. As my eyes scan over the document, I see a large number at the bottom of the page and look up at Kurt with confusion etched in my brows.

“I’m not understanding. I’ve never seen this document before.”

“I was afraid of that. Well, it looks like Marcus Price set up several accounts in your name, Bentley. He was clearly trying to hide money, and what better way than to put it into your name? I have…” he pauses as he flips through several pages, “seven accounts here in your name.”

My mouth falls open as I gawk up at him. “Seven? For what purpose?”

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