Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 138522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
I touch her arm. “Go, mom. Take care of the animals.”
She nods and rushes away while I join Gabe as he hands the two men each one of his cards. “Name is Gabe Maxwell, of the Maxwell firm. We’re representing the shelter as of today.”
One of the men takes the card but doesn’t look at it. “I know who you are. You’re expensive.”
“My services are free to the shelter,” Gabe says, and I know why. They’re basically assuming we can’t afford him for long. “Lucky for the shelter, I’m a sucker for a cute Golden Retriever and they happen to have a whole litter of those cute pups.”
“Cute pups and your name can’t save this place,” the older of the two men says, his gray hair slicked back. “The list of violations is too long and the fines are too big. Unless you plan to donate the fees.” He looks at me. “Who are you?”
I ignore his question. We both know he knows who I am. My ex sent him. “We’d like a full list of these violations in official format.”
“Of course,” he says. “All twenty-five thousand.”
It’s all that I can do not to gasp with the magnitude of that number and thank God Gabe steps in and takes control. “Do you have identification and cards, gentlemen?” Gabe asks. “Because I’d like to know whose ass I’m kicking in court, even before I kick it.”
Meanwhile, my mind is playing the number in my head: twenty-five thousand, twenty-five thousand.
“I don’t seem to have a card on me,” the man taking lead says, but he doesn’t even make an effort to look.
The other man, younger by about twenty years, with pitch-black hair, pats his shirt pocket. “Me either. I guess you’ll have to wait for the court filing Monday morning.” He glances at me. “Or wait. I think that’s when the documentation proving your mother’s been defrauding the non-profit system hits the DA’s office.”
My anger is instant, a charge in the air, I cannot contain. This is Kenneth’s doing. This is him setting us up, destroying us because I wouldn’t lay down for him. Because we didn’t just give him the property. I’m about to explode on these men when Gabe grabs my hand, a warning in his touch, a calming effect right along with it, that I don’t expect.
“Defrauding the non-profit system,” Gabe says slowly. “And you two bozos know about it before we do? Which department are you with, exactly?”
“Regulations and licensing department,” the younger of the men replies. “And the regulation abuses in this place are absolutely insane.”
“Sounds like someone is doing something dirty, but it’s not us,” Gabe says dryly, still holding onto my arm. “There’s good news here.” He looks at me, understanding in his eyes. He gets the panic I feel. He knows I’m about to blow. “Really good news, Abbie.”
“What’s that?” I ask, following along.
“You know I’ve been bored lately.” He turns his attention back to them. “I love playing these kinds of games and nobody has wanted to play with me.” He smiles. “I’m in. Let’s do this.”
The older man’s eyes harden. “You don’t want to play this game.”
“Yes,” Gabe says. “I assure you, I do. Now, it’s time for you two to either go to the back and help dry off some wet dogs, or leave. Take your pick.”
The older man glares at Gabe and then the two men eye each other and turn to leave. Gabe and I watch them until they exit and the minute the doors shut, I turn to Gabe. “My mother didn’t do what they said. This is going to destroy her in all kinds of ways.”
His hands come down on my arms. “I won’t let that happen. I know she’s being set-up. I just need to find out why. And if you know anything that you aren’t telling me, tell me now. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.”
“There’s nothing more to tell,” I say, and I want that to be the truth. I don’t want to lie to Gabe. I’m not. I’m not lying. “I know this is my ex. I know he’s behind this.”
“He is,” Gabe confirms. “Give me a few minutes, Abbie. I need to make some calls. Go help your mother while I protect you both. Okay?”
“How? How are you going to protect us from this monster of a man?”
“Ah now, Abbie,” he says softly, brushing my cheek. “You underestimate me. I am, without question, my father’s son, which is exactly why your ex is going to hate me, and then lose.” He kisses me. “I’ll be back in a few.” He releases me and heads for the door.
I watch him exit and then it hits me that I’ve forgotten something larger than life here for just a minute. My ex now knows that Gabe and I are together. He will go after Gabe. He will hurt Gabe. I can’t let that happen.