“I’m not a fucking soldier, arsehole. Whatdoyou want to call me before seven in the morning.”
“Memphis. Or more specifically his ex, Simon Mansbridge. It seems he’s a bit too angry over Memphis ending their relationship.” I explain the rest of what Memphis told me. “Now that he knows my boy is back in the city, I think he’s a potential threat to Memphis.”
“Sounds like a nutjob. These kinds of guys don’t usually plan to hurt their target. Normally, it’s just to frighten them enough they’re prepared to meet them again. But with him, I doubt that’s the case. The banning from his BDSM club shows he’s losing, or lost, his reasoning over your boy. Which brings me to my next question, does this have anything to do with the other guy, Matt Bennett? Because I have info on him now.”
“He sounded scared last night; I would’ve been in my car and on my way before he’d finished speaking, if I could get away from school, and you know it. I managed to piss him off though by going all alpha shit, but we’re okay.” I’m pissed off with him, even though I know he’s not playing with me; he hasn’t said anything that isn’t true.
“Give me as many details as you can, and I’ll check him out. It will only be a computer search to start; I can’t get over there for a couple of days. I may be able to find enough on him to send him a message, telling him to back the fuck off. It’s very easy to empty a bank account and crash his credit rating without getting out of my chair.”
“Fuck, I’ll be sure to never fuck you over. You’re scary.” I laugh at him.
“I already have all I need on you, Royal.” His laugh is deep and a little bit dark. Just what the hell does he do? “I’m guessing Memphis doesn’t know about this.”
“No, I don’t need him to right now. I’m happy to tell him if he’s at risk, but not yet.” I give him all the details I know about Simon, and it seems exceedingly little. Drake seems to think it’s enough to start.
“Let me know if Memphis gives you anything more on him.”
“I will and thanks. I’m keeping this from our dads. You know what Pops will be like if he thinks one of his brood is in danger.”
Drake is momentarily quiet. Then when he speaks, it is soft, melancholy even. “Why do you think I don’t discuss my work? I can’t have his worry on my mind when I’m out in the field.”
“I’m kinda worried now that I know you’re not always safe.” This proves the ignorance is bliss policy, and I’ll have to be careful I don’t let anything, not that there’s much, spill.
“You don’t have to be. I’m out of a lot of that stuff now,”—he pauses. “I’ll get back to you in the next twenty-four hours.”
We say our goodbyes, and while I should be getting breakfast and my lunch ready for the day at school, I’m thinking of all the things Drake could be or could’ve been. What does Saint know? Probably more than me, the two brothers are close,not like the two of us, but he took the younger teen under his wing. Their wish for an alternative lifestyle more in tune than mine and Knox’s desire for our more ordinary, but valid, jobs.
I’ll try to make time to call the studio on my way home. I wonder what Noah’s take on Memphis’ situation is. I’m pretty sure he’ll be livid for Memphis and will have Saint in the car as soon as they close for the night. It was a surprise to me to find out that Memphis and Noah had become friends and would spend time together. I can imagine the conversations they have, especially after the punishment Noah was put through at Sunday dinner.
School turns out to be one drama after another. Teenagers with drama only an excess of hormones can cause seemed to be around every corner I turn. Tears over exams, over boyfriends and girlfriends, having periods, not having periods. I don’t know why I’m the go-to target for all the problems they have or believe they have.
A knock on my office door makes me groan, mumbling What the fuck now? under my breath.
“Is this a bad time?” Noah asks as he pops his head around the door.
“For you, no. For any more students with problems, yes. They can go away and work the problem out. I’ve become the school’s unpaid counsellor.”
“Ah, the problem of being the sexy schoolteacher. You shouldn’t be so approachable or good-looking.”
“Fuck off, you’re hardly one to talk. The whole school has a crush on you. Leaving all that behind, I was going to come and see you and Saint tonight. You more than him, really.”
“What’s up? Is it about Memphis?” Concern is written all over his face.
“Yeah, kind of. Did he tell you much about his ex?” I hope I’m not breaking any trust between them.
“A little, he was a bit of a bastard. A bit rough with his hands outside of any scene. It’s strange because I thought Memphis said Simon was his Daddy, but he never acted like one. Or let Memphis be little. Has he started calling him again?”
A flash of fury runs through me. I don’t know about this. What else has he been keeping from me? My face obviously shows my surprise when Noah speaks again.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Royal. I thought you knew.” His face turns fiery red with embarrassment.
“What else did he do? Because this arsehole knows Memphis is back in Lincoln.”
The phone call goes as I expected. Royal wanting to race down to protect and get me out of here as fast as possible. What I didn’t expect was for him to go all bossy Dom. He should’ve been a boyfriend not a Dom. But mainly due to the late time of day, it was settled for now. I’m sure the calls will be coming thick and fast tomorrow.
I wake up with that groggy feeling that hides the real life for a few more seconds. Then the events of last night come crashing in on a wave that would have even the top surfers spitting out water and sand.
Fucking Simon. Then the crappy conversation with Royal going all Dom and shit. He really isn’t happy about me being here now, and I understand his point, but I’m an adult and allowed to make my own decisions. I am taking his concern for my safety on board, and I don’t plan to go looking for trouble. Unfortunately, it does have a tendency to find me. With all of that, I’m going to have to find out what Finn’s intentions are with Matt, because if he’s going to take him back, then there’s nothing I can do about it.
