Chapter 23 Chapter 23
Audrey
Gabriel was gone.
It has been weeks and I hadn’t seen or even heard from him. It was almost like it had all been a bad dream. But I knew it wasn’t. I only had to stand naked in the mirror to know that is was all real.
The brand on my skin. Red but healing under the hair I was now letting grow over it was enough to tell me that.
A & G
Wrapped around each other in elaborate cursive.
It was beautiful in a completely perverse way and I never knew how I felt about it when I saw it. Which was I was regrowing my downstairs hair.
I’d prob have to have a bush forever now because how was I ever going to explain it to future partners? It wasn’t like it was a stupid tattoo that could be lasered off. The brand was permanent.
He had branded me as his forever.
And then he had left me alone.
I should have been happy. I had my life back. My home was full of friends and laughter and Johnny was-
Well Johnny was everything I had ever wanted. Sweet and kind and doting.
Two weeks after Gabriel had left and not gotten back into contact I had let him take me out. We were taking it slow, not because he wanted to but because I did.
I missed my ghost, who was really a man. I shouldn’t but i did and it was something I struggled with every single day.
It was like living in purgatory. I expected his hand around my throat at every turn and my stomach knotted with anticipation every night when I went to sleep.
But he didn’t come.
And I hated myself for wanting him too.
What the hell was wrong with me?
Bethan was right, I needed to give Johnny a real chance. I didn’t even know what Gabriel looked like, let alone when he would be back.
Gabriel was gone, he had disfigured my body and then left. Yes I had his diary and that was hard reading and it made me feel sorry for him but he wasn’t here.
He hadn’t even called.
Like magic the phone on my bed rang and I grabbed it , my heart skipped a beat to see the number was unavailable.
“Gabriel?” I whispered and mentally kicked myself. What the hell was I doing? Why was I craving him? “I mean hello this is Audrey.” I amended quickly.
“Audrey, this is Michael.”
I let out a shaky breath. “Hello Mr King, what can I help you with today?”
A pregnant pause filled my ears. “I wanted to know why you are dragging your feet with signing the sale papers. It’s been weeks and my solicitors say you haven’t signed yet.”
His voice was sharp, almost angry.
I sat down on the edge of the bed. “I sighed them the day they were sent and emailed them back. You didn’t get them?”
“No. That son of a bitch. I should have known.”There was rustling and then the sound of another call being made. I stayed on the line because I didn’t want to hang up on a man like Michael King.
Yes I’d done some research, only a little before I’d had to close the laptop down and take a deep breath.
The Kings were dangerous. Not just Gabriel but all of them.
I didn’t want to piss the head of that particular family off. Having one King after me was more than enough.
Except he was gone.
“Finn.” Michael’s voice boomed down the phone and confused I frowned before I realised he wasn’t talking to me.
“Finn you geeky asshole did you do something to lose the sales papers?”
“No.” The other male's voice was full of laughter. He didn’t even try to hide it. “I have no idea what you mean.”
Liar liar pants on fire I thought silently and a smile curved up my lips.
“Maybe it was Gabriel.”
Michael grunted. “Gabriel is capable enough but we both know you’re the tech guy. What the fuck did he bribe you with?”
“He didn’t. I don’t know what your talking about Michael. I’m just here trying to get ready for taking the kiddo out trick o treating tonight and your shouting at me for something I have no clue about. It’s not my problem if Audrey has changed her mind.”
“No one mentioned Audrey you god damn son of a bitch.” Michael groaned. “I mean it Finn, fix it.” There was a pause and then he was talking to me again. “Sorry about that Audrey. There seems to be a mix up my end.” He let out a shaky laugh. “You don’t have any brothers or sisters do you?”
“No, I’m an only child.”
He grumbled down the phone. “Count yourself lucky. I have four younger brothers and they all drive me insane even now. Anyway,” he paused. “I’ll get this sorted so you can get out of that house and back to your life asap.”
“Gabriel asked one of his brothers to-“
“You already know the answer to that Audrey but you don’t need to worry about Gabriel anymore. Enough is enough and I am going to get him the help he needs.”
He probably should have got Gabriel help years ago, but I wasn’t about to say that.
“Where is he?”
“Who?” Michael’s voice was sharp.
“Gabriel.” I mumbled quickly. “Where is he?”
Michael fell silent. “He’s away Audrey. Doing something for the family. He won’t be back.”
“Not ever?” A lump had formed in my throat. Why was that?
Fuck, what was wrong with me.
“Audrey.” Michael murmured in a soft voice. “I know you two have some sort of- well something between you but this is your chance to be free of him. Date your handsome mechanic , take the money I’m wiring into your account and live a happy life. Thats what Gabriel would want if he was in his right mind. You need to -“
“Is he dead?”
Laughter filled my ears. “Legally my baby brother died ten years ago. Forget him Audrey. He won’t be back now.”
He ended the call without saying anything else, but for several long minutes I sat there with the phone still to my ear.
His words echoed in my head. Gabriel wasn’t coming back. I’d heard it from his brothers mouth. I was free of him and like Michael had said I could get on with my life.
It should have made me happy, so why did I feel like I wanted to scream.
“Fuck you Gabriel King.” I whispered to the quiet room. I had no clue if the hidden cameras were still working or even if he was listening but I really wanted him to be.
“Fuck you, I don’t belong to you and tonight I’m going to prove it to you.”
Or maybe I was going to try and prove it to myself.
Tonight was Halloween and I planned to have fun.
Jumping up , I almost skipped to Bethan’s room. I could hear her moving inside.
Pushing it open without knocking I grinned. “I’ve decided tonight is the night me and Johnny.”
Freezing I took in my best friend's form, her heavy breast bounced as she rode Duncan.
“Audrey.” Duncan saw me first and called my name but I was already retreating.
What the hell had I just seen?
“So-“ Behind me Bethan pulled the ribbons of my corset closed , and I lost the ability to breathe. “About what you saw earlier.”
I met her eyes in the full length mirror for a second before my eyes danced away. “It’s none of my business.”
“I want it to be your business Audrey, I wanted to tell you,” she trailed off.
This time my head snapped up. “So today wasn’t the first time?”
“No.” It was her turn to avert her eyes. “We met up to talk about you and well-“ she waggled her eyebrows. “And then we didn’t know what was happening so we kept it quiet.”
“You kept it secret.” I snapped and watched as her eyes widened. It was just for a second before anger settled over her features.
“Well that makes two of us doesn’t it?”
Staring at our reflections I saw the hurt in her face. It was hidden under the anger but it was there. I had caused the rift between us.
“I’m going to make it official tonight with Johnny.” I blurted and hated myself for sounding like a teenager.
Her brown eyes widened. “You are?”
She didn’t sound like she believed me.
Scanning my reflection I smiled. “If you think he would want to take things further?”
Behind me, in her red shiny body suit and her curls pushed back with some sequins devil horns Bethan beamed. “Are you seriously asking that? Jesus Audrey, Johnny is walking around with a permanent boner. He’s going to take one look at you in that outfit and blow his load-“
“Who is going to blow their load?” A males voice spoke from the doorway. We turned together to eye Duncan and a red faced Johnny behind him.
Blushing, I went to Johnny and curved my body into his. The dark hooded robe he was wearing stood out in contrast to the whiteness of my corset and fluffy tutu skirt. Wrapping my arms around his throat I kissed him.
Not just a peck, not even a snog. This was the kind of kiss that I hoped told him exactly who we had been talking about.
When I finally settled back on my feet, I grinned at him. His cheeks were red, his lips parted in a smile that he was ok with my plan.
Around my hips his fingers flexed.
“So-“ Duncan sounded bored. “Is everything ok now?”
I went to him next and Bethan stiffened like she was expecting me to kiss him to. I just hugged him.
“Of course it’s ok. Two of my favourite people have found each other and I couldn’t be happier. And tonight is Halloween. We are all going to have so much fun.”
“Then grab your wings, and let’s get going.” Arm around Bethan waist they walked away. Leaving me facing Johnny.
He was on me in a rush and for a big man he moved fast. Crushing me to him, he found my lips in a kiss that almost took my breath away.
“Does this mean you have finally chosen me?” He whispered against my mouth.
“There was no one else to choose.” Reaching up I went to run my hands through his hair but it was covered by his mask.
“Do you mean that?”
“Yes Johnny. Now show me this mask.”
Stepping back I watched as he slipped the deep Red Devils mask over his face and pulled up his hood.
“I know it’s not as good as everyone else but it’s all I could do at short notice.” He yanked it back up. “And you didn’t exactly invite me earlier.”
Crossing the room, I grabbed the huge white wings from the bed and heaved them up over my arm. “I know Johnny and I’m sorry about that. I plan on making it up to you tonight.”
His eyes twinkled. “Is that right?” Cocking his head to the side he let his eyes undress me. “And are you going to do that dressed like that?”
Flouncing passed him, I flicked my hair over my shoulder. “That’s the idea. If you want to.”
In answer he ran his hand over my ass. “I like that plan. Let’s get our of here.”
Tonight I would have fun with my friends and Johnny and I would put this whole Gabriel saga behind me once and for all.
Michael had said he wasn’t coming back and it was time I started living my life again.
So what if I was just swapping one masked man for another.
Gabriel was gone and Johnny was right here.