Page 57 of Hidden Desires

She stood on the back deck with the slight breeze blowing in her face. She’d cried enough over the past few days and simply refused to cry anymore. She needed to figure out how to get rid of Frank’s threat and get her life back to normal. It wouldn’t be easy with her family breathing down her neck, but it was something she had to do.

Nick stepped outside and Autumn scowled at him. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

“Because. You’re not the only one that needs fresh air in there.” Nick stood beside her, quiet as he normally was.

“It’s not fair, you know? I thought my life was pretty great up until now. But then Jackson comes crashing in. Frank decides to destroy my dream. I lose my second baby, although this one I really wanted.” She shook her head. “And I miss Mom now, more than ever.”

“Me too, Autumn. Me, too.” Nick leaned against the side railing. “I’ve been on active duty since as long as I can remember, and I still keep Mom’s notes she wrote to me when I first joined the Marines. She wrote one for each day to help me overcome the stupid shit I had to go through in boot camp. She even wrote a few poems and stuff, Mom did that all the time to make me laugh or remind me of home when I was away. Of course, I hid them from the guys because they would have crucified me if they knew my mom wrote me notes, but I miss that about her. She was always there even when you didn’t think you needed her to be.”

Autumn sighed. “When all this is over, I want us to visit her grave as a family. I haven’t been since her birthday, and I think we all need to make the time to go as a complete family, just the five of us.”

Nick nodded and turned toward her. “Are you really okay, sis?”

“I’m doing what I’ve done since I left home. I’m surviving.”

* * * *

Frank Gallagher smiled as his plans slowly unfurled. One by one, the incidents he created in Autumn’s life happened like clockwork. She didn’t take to the bomb he had planted so he vandalized the property. Autumn knew it was him, no point in denying that much, yet the police didn’t need to know that tidbit of information.

Ever since Autumn graduated, she’d been recognized for being at the top of her game. She had the personality that went with the job, the ability to make friends and explain dire circumstances to unsuspecting clients. She cared, which was usually long forgotten by the time you receive your diploma and are on your own.

Frank hated how much his parents liked her. He hated how much they wanted him to be like her. He never wanted to be a veterinarian, yet his inheritance would be cut short should he choose to go a separate way. Now he was stuck in a dead-end job that did absolutely nothing for him and he was still being compared to Autumn Callahan, the woman he should have married.

He tipped his glass to his lips and let the soothing whiskey slowly burn its way to the pit of his stomach. Nothing had worked so far and he was about to take matters into his own hands. He turned in his chair and reached for the bottom drawer of his desk. Inside was a 9 mm handgun that fit perfectly in his hand.

Soon. He rubbed the barrel of the gun against his thigh, almost in a caress. If Autumn couldn’t take his blatant hints, he’d have to put an end to her “good” charade once and for all.

* * * *

“That was Summer.” Autumn threw the phone down on the bed and stared at Jackson, who arched his eyebrow at her. “Gallagher’s got all my patient referrals. He’s even running some kind of deal where my patients get a discount for coming to see him. Can you believe that?”

“He’s just a dickwad, Autumn. Don’t let him get to you.”

“Why aren’t you getting mad? Normally, you’re the one I have to hold back and you’re sitting there placid as can be.”

Jackson rolled his neck. “I think you have a little bit of anger to unleash.”

“A little bit?” Autumn started pacing. “He’s taken everything from me. My name, my clinic, my damn career. Now he has my patients and is offering a damn discount for the referral. I’m not angry. I’m pissed.”

He nodded. “You have every right to be.”

“Stop being nice! Get angry or something.”

Jackson chuckled and stood. He pulled his bag out and grabbed his gun from the side pocket. “Let’s go kick some ass.”

Autumn stared at him, a few seconds passing before she finally smiled. “I swear I’m so pissed off and you have me smiling. What the hell is with that?”

“It’s my charm.” He replaced the gun in his bag.

“Maybe.”

“Autumn”—the Major appeared in the doorway—“this just arrived.”

He handed her a package and waited patiently for her to open it. Davis and Nick crowded around the door. Autumn looked at the writing, noting immediately it was Frank’s. What does he want now?

Inside was a note, a newspaper and some photos. Autumn chose the note first.

Your days are over. Pack your bags and get out of the city.

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