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“What do you know about me, Aurora?” he inquired softly.
“Not much,” I replied, taking a bite of the sandwich.
“Nobody knows much. Not because they don’t care but because I didn’t share. Truth is, honey, a woman did me a severe wrong. Met her when I was seventeen, and she was six years older than me. My father left me five hundred thousand dollars, and I inherited it when I was twenty-five. She didn’t know this and thought I inherited it outright. The bitch seduced me right out of the gate.
“And me being desperate for love and mourning my parents’ death, fell for it. What I wasn’t aware of was Dad had been married before and suffered a very bitter divorce. Dad’s ex-wife ran with their daughter.” Gauntlet swallowed hard.
Oh no, no, no. I could see where this was going and shoved my horror deep inside.
“It’s a fact I was unaware of who she was. Until we applied to the court to get married, and then I discovered her real name. The judge noted the fake documents and ordered her arrested. And the shit hit the fan. Bitch was my half-sister and had willingly seduced me for the money. The judge at the trial later gave her life and said she was a disgusting piece of work because she’d also been poisoning me.
“My identity was protected because I was still classed as a minor. I couldn’t believe I’d been fucking my half-sister the entire time, Aurora. The disgust I felt caused me to try to take my life. The judge ordered me into protective custody, and I wound up in a psychiatric hospital for six months. Docs forced me to work through the fact she’d knowingly fucked me knowing she was my sibling and that she planned to murder me.” Gauntlet stopped talking and searched my face.
“Where is it, Aurora Victoria?” he whispered as he stared harder. Gauntlet was searching for my disgust aimed at him.
“That fucking bitch!” I exploded. “I hope someone slits her damn throat!”
Gauntlet reared back in surprise, and then a dry chuckle left him.
Ares and Luna both growled at Gauntlet’s sudden movement, and I spotted them coming out from behind the counter where they’d been napping. Gauntlet shot them a wary look before offering them some ham. Ares, easily bribed, ran forward while Luna moved at a slower pace.
“Not the response I was expecting. Where’s the disgust and horror?”
“Oh, it’s there, but not for you. You were an innocent and a victim. That bitch, however…” I broke off and mimed strangling her myself.
“That’s why I don’t believe there is love for me. Who’d want me knowing my backstory? I fucked my sister,” Gauntlet said and shook his head.
Shit, I could taste the pain and agony he felt after all these years. The shame and disgust Gauntlet felt at himself remained present. The emotions seeped from his pores, and I knew it would take a remarkable woman to heal Gauntlet. After a betrayal like that, no wonder he kept himself private. Shit, how could one even begin to treat Gauntlet’s sadness? Sailor sniffed and climbed Gauntlet’s chest as Gauntlet’s large hand cupped the kitten. Purring Sailor pushed his face into Gauntlet’s, offering comfort.
“Aurora, it’s okay. I make the decisions about my life now, and I am no longer that gullible fool. I’m happy watching my brothers earn their happiness and their forever. Good men getting rewards. That may not be my course, but I can enjoy watching the guys I call brothers settle down. And I’ll be a fucking perfect uncle to any kids born,” Gauntlet said, sensing my pain for him.
“You’d be a wonderful father,” I whispered.
A flash of Gauntlet laughing and swinging a little girl up in the air crossed my mind. Maybe everything wasn’t as lost as Gauntlet thought. I heard a murmur of a woman’s laughter, and I smiled.
“What?” Gauntlet asked.
I patted his hand. “Never give up,” I said and finished eating my sandwich.
Gauntlet stared at me in puzzlement before shaking his head. His mystery woman had a lot of work to heal Gauntlet, but the results would be well worth it. Gauntlet may have buried it, but he had love to give. She had to unlock the padlock and chains protecting his heart. And God help her because Gauntlet was deeply entrenched behind his own walls.
“Anything you need?” Gauntlet asked, deciding to change the subject.
“No, just a matter of putting items in their rightful places. Most of my stock is in, and I’ve had to order from my old supplier. But we can't devise our line until Casey’s shop is back up and she’s making things again. And that’s what’s going to sell well,” I replied.
Gauntlet nodded as if he knew what I was talking about. It was apparent he didn’t, but at least he listened.
“One of Hawthorne’s men is on guard, and Harley is picking you up tonight. Don’t go anywhere alone, Aurora,” Gauntlet said and dropped a kiss on my head.
I locked the door behind him. I waved as he rode past the shop, and my eyes narrowed on a black and white parked down the street. Resisting the urge to flip them the finger, I returned to stacking my books. But the intense feeling of eyes watching didn’t fade.
Klutz
Watching Calamity work through his physio was painful, but I was damn proud of how dedicated he now was. Precious would join him, sitting on his shoulder, screeching encouragement while Skippy watched from a carrier on my chest or bounced around Calamity. Sometimes I brought Sailor, and other times Mischief, although she’d definitely bonded with Aurora. A grin crossed my lips as I thought of how Mischief was Aurora’s shadow.
Hayleigh finally let Calamity rest, and he wiped the sweat off his brow and face. Calamity turned to me with a wry smile and sat down heavily.
“Your movements are more fluid,” I said, praising him for his hard work.
