Page 43 of Creed

Felicity looked around Josh and at me. “If Creed says he’s going to Louisville, then it’s vital you never call him. Instead, you will call Axton with any emergencies.” She spoke but Josh walked over and put his pointer finger over her lips. I giggled, unable to hold it back.

“Shush…it’s okay to stop talking. Creed did not send you, and I’d say it’s in your best interest to just shut up, at least until I finish my coffee.” He removed his finger and took another sip. “Creed makes the rules for his house, not you. I’m also pretty sure you’re not avoiding drama, but creating it.” Josh then looked at me. “Creed has no girlfriend, he’s free to do as he pleases without the permission of anyone. Just ignore everything she just said to you.” He turned around and leaned against the counter then took another sip of his coffee. “So damn good.” He breathed in the aroma.

“Fine, I will go, but when things blow up around here don’t come crying to me. He will break her heart, that’s howthings go when women aren’t fully informed.” She stomped off and I heard the door slam shut before I looked at Josh.

“What the hell just happened?”

He shrugged. “That’s just Felicity being Felicity. She can be a little too protective of us.”

I sighed. “And she’s madly in love with Creed?”

He shrugged his shoulders again. “Who knows? I don’t really keep up. Ready to go?” He put his mug in the sink and turned to leave but I cringed.

“Yeah, just a second.” I rinsed all three mugs, put them in the dishwasher then wiped off the counter. “Now I’m ready.” I walked to my handbag, slipped on my sunglasses, then walked through the front door Josh opened for me. I was glad to see he drove his truck instead of the bike.

“I need to get my rental from the motel.” I said as I buckled my seat belt.

“There’s no need. You can’t leave the gates by yourself, so Creed called the rental company and had them pick it up last night.”

I gasped. “Are you fucking kidding me? I have a rental agreement with them! He can’t just snap his fingers and have my contracts ended! It might not be safe for me to drive myself around right now, but this will be over soon, and I want a car!” I was pissed.

“Your mom seems to think you’re looking for real estate and if you’re going for custody of this little girl you’ll need a car of your own anyway. I can always take you car shopping.” He turned the truck around then started down Creeds long driveway.

That was a good point. “I get that, but it’s not the point. I will not be controlled by anyone ever again. That was my call to make, not his. How was he able to do that anyway? It was a rental agreement I signed, not him.”

He shrugged again. “How does Creed do most of the things he does? It’s a mystery to us all, so welcome to the club.”

In those last forty eight hours, I lost my best friend and my freedom. Witnessed something very traumatic, then taken to some cult like community where a slut master tried giving me rules. I had a funeral to plan and a custody battle ahead of me. The last thing I needed was some entitled asshole making decisions on my behalf.

Josh stopped at the gates, and I was confused as to why we were being searched. Yet again, a dog sniffed through his vehicle, we both got felt up, and they scanned the visitors pass I had in my handbag. They told me I had to wear it when inside the gates, but did not tell me that when I arrived. At least, not that I could remember. It was a crazy few days. Once back in the truck, Josh explained there were top secret documents and weaponry that were not meant to ever cross outside the gates. That was why we were searched.

When we arrived at Brett’s office, I was shocked to see Leslie in the waiting room. She was sitting on a chair with a tissue in hand, but stood when she saw me. “Morgan, Thank God you were in town.” She hugged me, which not only felt weird, but she smelled like cigarette smoke and a lifetime of regrets.

“Leslie, I thought we were meeting at the funeral home?” I was confused.

She let go of me then stepped back to blow her nose. “Brett called last night and asked me to come here this morning. I think it’s about Callie’s money.”

Callie’s money? What money? “Leslie, I don’t think attorney’s call people to their office to discuss money before there’s even a funeral. This is probably about Addie.”

She tilted her head. “Addie? Honey, the social workers said they would meet with me later today, after we meet the funeral director.”

My heart sank. “What are you trying to do about Addie?”

“Well, I’m her grandmother, of course I would get custody of my grandchild.”

Wanting to avoid a dramatic scene, I dropped it. “Alright, let’s just have a seat until Brett comes for us.”

We weren’t sitting for more than a minute when Leslie spoke up again. “There are assets that belong to Addie. I’m sure that’s why he wants to go over my daughter’s will.”

Assets? Callie couldn’t even pay her tab at the general store, so I knew she didn’t have assets that amounted to anything. Shane pawned any expensive gifts I gave Callie, so I knew it wasn’t in the form of jewelry.

“I think it’s just about her last wishes.” How Callie afforded Brett was a question I had since seeing Leslie. I thought we were just meeting for me to hire him, but I realized I must have been wrong as soon as I heard it was Brett that called Leslie.

“The social workers told me yesterday morning there are government benefits Addie would qualify to receive. As herguardian I would need to apply for them. My best guess is that Brett wants to help me file those papers.” Leslie said.

Then why was I there? Leslie did a lot of drugs through her life, and I had a feeling she had no idea how things really worked.

“Morgan Rossi.”

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