FLEE E-Book

Mary E. Thompson

• Herausgeber: BluEyed Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Enjoy the 7th book in the steamy BBW romantic suspense series from USA TODAY Bestselling Author Mary E Thompson. 

Becoming an instant billionaire should have made her happy. Instead, it made her a target. 
Caring for others kept Dawn from falling apart completely. She made mistakes, big ones that took her family from her. Giving back made her feel like she was doing something right. She never expected to be named in her patient’s will. Especially when she discovers the sweet man she shared all her secrets with had a few of his own. Like he was a billionaire, and left his company, estate, and billions to her instead of his only son. 
Gage tried to talk his dying client out of the changes to his will. Leaving everything to the beautiful, curvy nurse he barely knew instead of his dangerous, hot-headed son was sure to send the son into a tailspin. Gage wanted to protect Dawn, but he knew his client was capable of making the decision, and had to believe he had a good reason for cutting his son out of the will. 
Dawn’s life turns upside down when she’s named the heir. She’s being watched. She’s being followed. She’s being stalked. She didn’t ask for the life she was given, or the money. Everyone wants a piece of her. Except the one man she wished she never met. Gage. 

Leseprobe

FLEE

A CURVY GIRL ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

F-BOMB: CURVY VIGILANTES

BOOK 7

MARY E THOMPSON

FLEE

F-BOMB: Curvy Vigilantes, book seven

Copyright © 2023 Mary E Thompson

Cover Copyright © 2023 Mary E Thompson

Cover Photo from depositphotos, Copyright © AndrewLozovyi

Break (Mask) from depositphotos, Copyright © K3star

Published by BluEyed Press, All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, businesses, locations, and events are either products of the author’s creative imagination or are used in a fictitious sense. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-953879-44-8

Print ISBN: 978-1-953879-45-5

Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-953879-46-2

Created with Vellum

F-BOMB: CURVY VIGILANTES

Say hello to the Curvy Vigilantes, a group of plus-size women who protect their city. They have no training, but they don’t need it. All they need is the desire to right wrongs and to protect the ones they love… and maybe some help from the men strong (and smart) enough to fall for these kick-ass curvy women.

F-BOMB: CURVY VIGILANTES

Forsaken (subscriber exclusive)

Fury

Framed

Feign

Fierce

Fatal

Fear

Flee

Fracture

Faith

SUBSCRIBE NOW AT MARYETHOMPSON.COM

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

FRACTURE

About the Author

To being brave enough to accept what is yours… and to know you deserve every last bit of it, no matter what anyone else says.

1

Dawn Patterson blinked away tears as she read the latest text from her ex-husband.

Savannah doesn’t want to go to dinner Friday night.

Her first instinct was to threaten Owen with a call from her lawyer, reminding him of the custody agreement they had and that she was entitled to one dinner a month alone with their daughter, but Dawn was trying to be better. It wasn’t easy, but she was trying.

Okay.

Dawn shoved the phone back into her pocket and drew a deep breath. Making a fourteen-year-old to do something she didn’t want to do would only create bigger problems. Dawn needed to be patient.

And she needed to focus on work. She always saved her favorite patient for last, and today, she needed the confidence and joy from the man more than most days.

Dawn waved her hand beneath the automatic hand sanitizer dispenser and rubbed her hands together as she walked into the room.

Robert Davis laid in his bed, his head propped up with too many pillows as he struggled to breathe. His pale skin was wrinkled and weathered, but his light brown eyes were still bright and full of life. It was like his body was trying to drag his mind out of the world and into the afterlife.

“Jeez, what did they do to you?” Dawn asked, hurrying to Mr. Davis. She pulled one of the pillows from behind his head and lowered the head of his hospital bed.

“You just take my breath away,” Mr. Davis said with a wheeze and a smile.

Dawn chuckled with him and shook her head. “You’re good for my ego.”

“If only I were five decades younger…”

Dawn laughed at the old joke. It had become his favorite line with her over the last year. A year where Dawn had fought with everything she had to begin to rebuild her life.

A life where her daughter still wanted nothing to do with her and her ex-husband was the eternal good guy.

“How are you feeling now that you can breathe again?” Dawn unwound the stethoscope from around her neck and checked his heart and lungs. Still okay, but slower. Every day they were getting slower.

“Like I’m fifty years old again.”

Dawn grinned. She knew he didn’t feel fifty again, but he never complained. She sat on the edge of his bed. “How do you really feel?”

He sighed, the sound pulling his eternal grin down just a touch. “I’m tired, honey.”

“I know.” Dawn patted the man’s hand. She loved the work she did. What started as a penance enacted on herself became work she had a passion for. A part of her felt guilty for enjoying the job when she went into the work to atone for her many, many sins, but she knew what she was doing was helping people.

“How come you’re still here? I thought you got off at five.”

Dawn shrugged. “No reason to rush home.”

“That’ll change one day. Owen and Savannah will realize what they’re missing by keeping you at arm’s length.”

The kind words brought tears back to Dawn’s eyes. Not because she wished Mr. Davis was right, but because he had such faith in her, even though he knew everything she’d done. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. Savannah just canceled dinner for Friday night.”

“I thought that was court ordered,” Mr. Davis barked. He tried to push himself upright, indignant that her life wasn’t going as planned.

Dawn pushed his shoulders so he’d lie down again. “It is, but I can’t force her to have a relationship with me.”

Mr. Davis shook his head. “You can’t give up on her. I gave up on my sons. Both of them became people I didn’t recognize. I put all of myself into work and didn’t pay enough attention to them. I wish I’d made different choices. It’s my biggest regret. I don’t want you to have the same one when you’re on your deathbed.”

“You’re not on your deathbed just yet,” Dawn told him, not wanting to think about the man not being around.

“Dawn,” he said, gripping her hand with far more strength than she expected from the frail man. “I know you think I’m a crazy old man, but please listen to me. Do whatever it takes to fix your relationship with Savannah. If you’re not interested in getting back together with Owen, don’t think twice about that, but Savannah matters.”

Dawn nodded, knowing the man was speaking from experience and not just offering bland advice.

“When my wife died, I let myself get lost in work. I let myself ignore my sons. If I could go back, I would, but I lost them both a long time ago. By the time I tried, it was too late to reach them.”

“I will. I promise.”

Mr. Davis nodded, relaxing once more, his grip failing as he sank against the bed. His face relaxed, sleep coming for him. “I apologize. I hate to see you repeating my mistakes.”

“Thank you. I know. I’m not sure Savannah will ever forgive me, but you’re right. I need to try. I need to make sure she knows I’ve changed.”

Mr. Davis nodded. “Good. I apologize for fading on you, but I know I’m not going to be awake much longer.”

“You never have to apologize to me for anything. Rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Mr. Davis nodded, his eyes falling closed as he fell asleep just that quickly.

Dawn finished her work for the day and headed home. Her apartment was empty and lonely and depressing, but it was one more piece of her penance. One more thing to remind her she owed her life to others. To the nine-one-one operator who kept Savannah calm that night, and to the firefighters and paramedics who saved Dawn’s life.

Rock bottom hurt. But it worked. Dawn turned her life around after that night, but she couldn’t erase all the pain she caused. All she could hope for was forgiveness one day.

Clearly, not today.

* * *

Gage Stevens reached for the phone as he keyed in his password to unlock his computer. He’d barely made it into his office and had just spoken to his assistant, Betsy.

“Yeah?” Gage asked into the phone.

“You have a call, Mr. Stevens.” It didn’t matter how many times Gage told her to call him by his first name, the older woman refused. Said she’d never called a boss by his first name and didn’t intend to start now, even though she claimed to be old enough to be his mother.

“Can you take a message?”

“It’s Mr. Davis.”

Gage sighed. Mr. Davis was a longtime client, and he was nearing the end of his life. Gage knew it, and Mr. Davis knew it. Gage never refused the man’s calls. Not when any of them could be the last one.

“Line two,” Betsy said, knowing Gage was going to take the call.

“Good morning,” Gage said into the phone.

“I woke up, so I guess I’ll agree with you for now,” Mr. Davis said. Robert was a friendly man, and a wealthy man. Over the years, Gage had grown to respect him.

But Mr. Davis had secrets. Secrets Gage had never been able to get out of him.

“What can I do for you today?” Gage asked, knowing Mr. Davis didn’t tolerate small talk or beating around the bush.

“I need to make an amendment.”

“Excuse me?”

“I want to change my beneficiary.”

“You can’t possibly be serious,” Gage said. As much as Gage hated it, Mr. Davis’s only son was his heir and would inherit a seven-figure company. They’d spoken many times about it, and Mr. Davis was reluctant to hand that kind of money over to his son, but with no other family, he had few choices, and had eliminated all of them.

“We both know the end is coming for me, Gage. And Trevor is getting more and more erratic. I can’t. I have no proof, but we both know what he’s doing isn’t good. I can’t sit back and know my company is going to be used for criminal activity. My name will be tarnished, and my employees will be out on the streets. If they survive.”

“He’s going to be furious,” Gage whispered. Trevor Davis was a crazy son-of-a-bitch. The man was unhinged and deadly. Gage had no proof either, but he had every reason to believe Trevor was involved in some of the events happening in Niagara Falls recently.

And attorney-client privilege kept him from sharing his worries with the police department because everything Gage suspected was based on conversations Gage had with Robert.

“Yeah, he is. But with my money, he’s going to burn the city. It won’t be safe for anyone.”

Gage sighed. Robert was right. Gage knew he was right. But it was going to be hell when Trevor found out. “Okay. Who do you want to leave everything to?”

“Dawn Patterson.”

“Who is that?”

“She’s a nurse here. She’s had a lot of shit happen in her life, and she’s a good person. She deserves this more than Trevor. She will honor my company.”

“Trevor is going to go after her.”

“That’s why you’re not going to let him know about her.”

Gage sucked in a breath. “I’ll draw up the paperwork and come by in an hour.” There was no time to waste when the client was so close to the end. “I need witnesses.”

“I’ll have the doctor here,” Mr. Davis said. He understood. Someone had to be there to confirm Mr. Davis was of sound mind when he was making a decision like the one he proposed. Otherwise, it would all be for nothing.

“See you then.” Gage hung up the phone and dropped his head into his hands. Dealing with clients at the end of their lives was always tough, but this was pushing it.

Gage pushed aside his thoughts and started on the new paperwork. He made all the changes that needed to be made and printed out everything Mr. Davis needed to sign.

An hour after their call, Gage walked into Mr. Davis’s room. Both a doctor and a nurse were in the room, talking to Mr. Davis.

“Mr. Stevens?” the doctor asked.

Gage nodded and shook her hand.

“Dr. Walden. Mandy and I were doing the cognitive exam, and I can certify that Mr. Davis is of sound mind and capable of making this change of his own free will.”

“Thank you, Dr. Walden. And Mandy.”

The nurse nodded.

“Will you both be willing to sign as witnesses to Mr. Davis?” Gage asked them.

“Of course,” they said at the same time.

Gage went through the changes he made, including the name of the woman Mr. Davis had chosen as his new beneficiary. At her name, the doctor and nurse both gasped.

Gage spared them a glance, but Mr. Davis didn’t flinch.

“Sign here, sir,” Gage told Mr. Davis. They’d been through this before. Every few years, Mr. Davis updated his will with his current assets, ensuring nothing was left out. He signed his name with the familiar care he always used, his hand moving slowly so there was no mistaking his signature.

Gage took the paperwork from him when he was finished and set it on the table in front of Dr. Walden and Mandy. “If you would both sign beneath his as witnesses to his signature.”

Dr. Walden signed first, then slid the paperwork in front of Mandy. When both were done, Gage confirmed their signatures and names, then stamped it as the notary of record.

“I will file this with the court today and keep the originals, as always.”

Mr. Davis nodded, understanding what Gage wasn’t saying. If it was only in his office, and Trevor got to it, he could destroy the updated will and claim he was the sole heir.

“Do you need anything else from us?” Dr. Walden asked.

Gage shook his head. “Thank you both for your time.”

They nodded and excused themselves from the room, their whispered voices disappearing when they were outside.

“I take it they know Ms. Patterson?”

Mr. Davis nodded.

“Is there something I should know about her?”

Mr. Davis shook his head. “All you need to know is she’s the best person to do this. It won’t be easy for her, but Dawn deserves a break.”

Gage sighed. Mr. Davis had a big heart. He was always giving back, donating his entire salary to local charities for the last decade he worked. With no major expenses and plenty of savings, he insisted on helping others. He was generous with his bonus structure and rewarded loyalty and exceptional work.

Gage took his answer to mean Dawn Patterson had some trouble, and Mr. Davis decided she was his latest charity project.

Maybe he’d change his mind. Maybe she’d never know about the lottery ticket he would be handing her.

But like any lottery ticket, it came with strings. Ones that could either set a person free or kill them.

Gage hoped the woman knew how to free herself.

* * *

Trevor Davis walked down the hallway toward his father’s room. He hated the place, but it was the only way he could see his father anymore. And the only way the grumpy bastard would give Trevor money.

Trevor stepped into the room, spotting a fat nurse sitting on the edge of the bed.

“It’ll get better,” his father said, patting the woman’s hand like she was important. Like she mattered. Instead of like she was the damn help.

“Dad,” Trevor growled, letting them know he was there.

The fat nurse jumped, spinning to face him with a guilty look on her face. She smoothed the purple scrubs over her chunky stomach and pressed her hands into wide hips.

Trevor let his gaze trail over her. He liked the big ones. Once they got hooked on drugs, they lost weight, forgetting to care about food and choosing drugs only. She’d be a good fuck. Fat bitches had tight pussies because no one else liked to fuck them.

“Trevor,” his father said, the encouraging tone he’d used with the fat chick replaced by one of disdain. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ll just let you two talk,” the nurse said. She made her way around Trevor, giving him space like she couldn’t bear the thought of touching him.

Trevor stepped in her path and ran a hand down her cheek.

She swallowed roughly. “Excuse me.”

“Let her be,” his father barked.

Trevor smiled, letting his gaze run down her chunky body again. Yeah, he’d enjoy a go at her. It had definitely been a while since a man put his hands on her. Trevor would pound her into submission.

She stepped around Trevor and hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Trevor sneered. He delighted in making others uncomfortable. Made him hard. If his dad wasn’t glaring at him, Trevor would have stroked one out right then and there, but the miserable bastard was watching him. “What?”

“You’re the one who showed up at my home. What do you want?”

“Money. I’m almost out. I need ten grand.”

“I gave you ten grand last week.”

“And I spent it. Now, I need more.”

“What are you doing with all this money, Trevor?”

“What the fuck do you care? You haven’t worried about me since I was nine and mom died. Fuck, you probably didn’t worry about me then. She did.”

“I always worried about you.”

“Could have fucking fooled me,” Trevor spat. He hated his father. All he’d ever done was disappear. Trevor and his older brother, Clyde, had to learn to take care of themselves. And they did. By taking what they wanted.

Their father never gave a shit. Not until Trevor no longer needed a father.

“One day you’re not going to be able to get my money,” his father said, almost sounding sad at the admission.

“Because you’ll be dead? Yeah, I’m counting the days, old man.”

His father grimaced. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and eased himself upright. He walked across the small room to the dresser where he kept his cash. He unlocked the safe and retrieved rolls of bills. He counted it quickly, then locked the box again and turned to Trevor.

“I’m sorry I was such a horrible father.”

“Whatever. When I inherit all your money, I’ll appreciate the fact that you only cared about your company and never about me.” Trevor turned to leave.

“You’re not going to inherit my money,” his father whispered.

Trevor stopped halfway to the door. He had to have heard him wrong. “What did you say?”

His father straightened when Trevor turned back to him. He held himself upright, but the exhaustion on his face betrayed the false bravado of his posture. “I said you’re not going to inherit my money. I changed my will.”

“The fuck you did.”

“It’s already done, Trevor. I can’t have you destroying my company. You’ll⁠—”

Trevor was on his father so quickly he didn’t even remember moving. He wrapped a hand around the man’s throat and guided him to the bed. “You never cared about me. That company was all that ever mattered to you.”

His father shook his head, the movement just enough to break Trevor’s hold. His father sank to the bed, knocking a pillow onto the floor. “That’s not true. I loved you and your brother. I would have done anything for you two.”

“Except give me your company. You are treating me no better than a dog in the street, rejecting me and refusing to give me what I’ve earned.”

“How did you earn it? You’ve never worked there a day in your life!”

“I earned it by being born. I earned it by surviving. I earned it by sharing your blood. And I will have what I earned.”

Trevor picked up the pillow from the floor. He held it between his hands and pressed it over his father’s face.

The old man’s feet kicked. He fought against the pillow. He tried to scream, but the pillow drowned out the sound. He grabbed at Trevor’s hands, but Trevor held still.

Until his father stopped fighting.

Trevor removed the pillow from his father’s face. Terrified eyes stared up at him. Vacant. Hollow. Dead.

It was the most loving look his father had ever given him. The one Trevor would remember for the rest of his life.

He fluffed the pillow and put it behind his father’s head. He positioned him so it looked like he was sleeping. Then Trevor left the room with his money and a promise to himself that he would get what he deserved. Every last penny.

2

Gage fell to his chair and put his head in his hand. “I was just there two days ago. I just saw him.”

“I know, Mr. Stevens. And I am sorry. It’s clear you cared about Mr. Davis,” the care facility administrator said. Gage had already forgotten her name. It wasn’t as important as the news of Mr. Davis’s passing. “The doctor said he went peacefully, likely when he was sleeping.”

“Have you notified his son?”

“Yes, sir, we have.”

“Okay. Thank you. When can I make arrangements to collect his belongings?”

“Um, well, his family⁠—”

“I am the executor of the estate, and I will need to collect Mr. Davis’s belongings.”

“I wasn’t aware of that.”

“Has his son already come to collect items?”

“Uh, no, not to my knowledge, but when I spoke to him, I asked him to let me know when he would like to.”

“Did he give you a time?”

“No. He just said he’d be in touch.”

“Okay, good. I will come this afternoon. I will also claim Mr. Davis’s body and take care of the funeral arrangements.”

“We will need to see a copy of the will naming you as executor, Mr. Stevens.”

“I’d expect nothing less. I’ll be there at one.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Gage hung up the phone and immediately pulled up another number. He needed help. Now.

“Patrick,” the captain of the police department said.

“Marcus, I need a favor.”

“That’s not like you. What can I do for you, Gage?”

“I have a client who just passed away. His son was written out of his will two days ago.”

Marcus whistled. “Cutting it close.”

“He was. And he had his reasons.” Gage’s tone didn’t hide his opinion, and Marcus picked up on it.

“Reasons I should be aware of?”

“Reasons I would assume you’re already aware of.”

“Um, okay. So, what do you need from me?” Marcus’s tone was no longer friendly. The police captain was in charge.

“As the executor of Mr. Davis’s estate, I need to collect his belongings. I am going to Angel’s Grove at one today. Is there a way you could send me an officer or two to help me collect the man’s things and take them to his home?”

“Mr. Davis? As in Robert Davis? Owner of Davis Developments?”

“The same.”

“And Mr. Davis’s son is Trevor Davis. His son Clyde died years ago.”

“Yes,” Gage said, knowing he was giving Marcus just enough information without violating attorney-client privilege.

“Okay. I will be there myself, and I’ll bring another officer with me. Maybe two. Do we need to secure Mr. Davis’s home?”

“I’m not sure as of yet.”

“Well, you sure know how to make for an interesting day.” Marcus chuckled mirthlessly.

“Don’t I know it,” Gage said wryly.

“I’ll see you in a few hours, Gage.”

“Thanks, Marcus.”

Gage hung up and called the moving company he always used when he had to relocate a client. Andy agreed to be there at one when Marcus and Gage would arrive. Everything was set.

Gage just hoped Trevor Davis didn’t show up and try to get something that didn’t belong to him.

* * *

“Pretty easy assignment,” Marcus said to Gage as they watched the last of Robert Davis’s belongings get loaded onto the small moving truck.

“Cross your fingers it stays that way,” Gage told him.

Andy closed up the truck and confirmed the address with Gage, then climbed into the van with his employee. Gage and Marcus watched as the truck pulled out of the lot, a police car following them.

“No Trevor Davis today,” Marcus said.

Gage shook his head. “No, but he’ll show up. He’s not going to be happy Robert wrote him out of the will when he finds out. He’s probably going to be angry when he shows up here and finds his father’s things are gone.”

“I’ll keep an officer stationed here until after the funeral.”

Gage nodded. “Probably a good idea. Especially since the new beneficiary is an employee.”

“Of this place?” Marcus hitched his thumb toward the one-story brick structure. The sprawling campus it was on made for a peaceful environment, but it wasn’t exactly a happy place. The people who lived there were at the end of their lives. They were well cared for, but they were still dying. And they all knew it.

“Robert was a very generous man, and he made it seem as though this nurse was someone who would do well with his company and fortune.”

“Do you know the nurse?”

Gage shook his head. “Dawn Patterson. I’ve never met her.”

Marcus’s brows went up.

“I take it you know her?”

Marcus shook his head. “Common enough name that it might not be her, but about eighteen months ago, we responded to an overdose. Woman’s daughter called. Found her mom passed out and blue. Saved her mother’s life, but can’t imagine at what cost.”

“What do you mean?”

“The kid was only twelve. Couldn’t have been easy.”

“Shit.” Gage scrubbed his face. “Do you know what happened to her after that?”

Marcus shook his head. “I hope she turned her life around and came here to work, but I’m not sure. Why would Davis have given everything to someone he didn’t know that well? I thought he was only here a year?”

Gage shrugged. “He was. And no clue, but it sounds like something he would have done. He gave back more than anyone knows. And he would have seen someone with a past like that, especially if she turned her life around, as someone he wanted to help.”

“I hope she did turn her life around. And I hope Trevor Davis doesn’t find out who she is.”

“Will is already filed at the courthouse. Original is safe, too. There’s no way he can contest it. No way he’ll win.”

“Doesn’t mean he won’t try something.”

“Hopefully, he’s smarter than that.”

Marcus gave Gage a look that said he clearly didn’t think that was possible.

Gage chuckled. “Okay, well, hopefully she can take care of herself. Or is married to someone who can.”

Marcus nodded. “We can hope. Ready to follow that truck?”

“Yep. Let’s go.”

Gage went to his SUV and followed Marcus out of the parking lot. Mr. Davis’s house wasn’t too far from Angel’s Grove, and when they arrived, the truck was parked and open, and the two officers were walking out of the house.

“Everything good?” Marcus asked the officers.

They exchanged a glance. “Front door was unlocked when we got here. We went through the house. It looks clear, but big houses like this could have all kinds of places for people to hide.”

“You agree with Murphy?” Marcus asked the other cop.

The second one nodded. “I do. We checked the garage, and the vehicles are cool to the touch, but that doesn’t mean someone hasn’t been here for a while.”

Marcus turned to Gage. “Do you know who has access to the property?”

“Employees and his son, to my knowledge. Mr. Davis hasn’t lived here for a year, but he kept up the property. There’s a caretaker who lives here. He could be out somewhere, though.”

“Can you give him a call?” Marcus asked.

Gage nodded. He called Cole, the caretaker, who answered on the first ring.

“Mr. Stevens. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, Cole. I’m at the estate with Mr. Davis’s belongings. The front door was unlocked when we arrived. The police officers I’m with asked me to confirm everything is okay.”

“Oh, no. I apologize, sir. A package was delivered this morning, and I went out the front to retrieve it. Phone rang when I was on the porch, and I rushed back inside. I must have forgotten to check the door.”

“But everything is okay?”

“Yes, Mr. Stevens. Absolutely. I’m at the grocery store at the moment, but I will be back in about thirty minutes if you’d like to wait. Or I can leave now and be back in ten minutes.”

“No, I think we’re okay. Just wanted to double check. Have you seen Mr. Davis’s son?”

“No,” Cole breathed. “Thankfully. I worried that was why you were calling.”

“Are you aware of the change in the will?”

“Yes, sir. Mr. Davis called me to let me know. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone. We just spoke a few days ago. He sounded good.”

“I agree. Thank you, Cole. I know I’ll see you soon.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you.”

Cole hung up, and Gage looked at his phone. Something was off, but Gage couldn’t put his finger on what it was.

“Are we good?” Marcus asked quietly.

Gage looked up and smiled. “Yes. Sorry. The caretaker said he grabbed a package this morning and must have forgotten to lock the door.”

“Let’s get this stuff inside,” Marcus told the others.

Gage watched the activity as Mr. Davis’s life for the last year was returned to the home he’d lived in for the decades before. When Robert made the choice to leave his home, he knew he wouldn’t ever see it again. But he also felt staying there wasn’t an option for him. His health had been declining for years, and after a fall a little over a year ago, he accepted that he needed more regular care.

He considered hiring someone to come to his home, but he didn’t want to put that on Cole and the other staff. Instead, he made the decision to move to a long-term care facility that was staffed with people who would be able to help him.

Gage spoke to Mr. Davis at least once a week for the last year. He genuinely liked the man. Gage knew Robert had regrets, but he was trying to make up for what he considered his failures. He ran out of time to do more.

“All set, Gage,” Andy said, bringing Gage paperwork to sign that everything had been delivered.

Gage signed and shook Andy’s hand. He handed Andy a check for twice the quoted amount, something Gage knew Robert would have done if he were there. “Thank you. It means a lot that you were able to jump on this today.”

“Happy to help.”

Andy and his guys loaded up their truck and left. Gage turned his attention to Marcus and the two officers he was speaking to.

“Thank you all for being here,” Gage said. “It appears as though it was an unnecessary precaution.”

“No such thing,” one of the officers said.

“Officer Pryce Murphy is studying to be a detective. His girlfriend is Edie Warren,” Marcus said.

Gage knew the name from the papers and the story of what she’d been through. “Edie Warren? It’s good to know she’s found some happiness.”

“Thank you,” Pryce said. “She is still haunted by what she went through. What Trevor put her through.”

“Trevor?” Gage barked. “Did you say Trevor?” Gage looked between Pryce and Marcus.

“Edie doesn’t know Trevor’s last name, but she said that’s the name of the man who had her,” Marcus provided.

Gage rocked back on his heels. “What are the odds?”

Marcus pressed his lips into a smile. “Not a very common name, is it?” Marcus looked up at the house they were all standing in front of. “Strange that a very wealthy man, who just died, has a son named Trevor.”

“And that he just changed his will,” Gage said.

Pryce and the other officer both raised their brows.

“What are the odds?” Marcus repeated Gage’s words.

A vehicle coming up the driveway stopped the conversation. They all watched as the car crept toward them and the garage opened. Gage waved when he recognized Cole behind the wheel.

“That’s the caretaker,” he told the others.

The three police officers relaxed.

“We might need a patrol,” Marcus told the other cops.

“On it,” the one whose name Gage didn’t know said.

“Thanks, Foster. I’ll see you two back at the station,” Marcus said, dismissing them before the caretaker came out of the garage.

Foster and Pryce went to their vehicle and waved before heading back down the driveway and out of sight.

“Foster and Murphy are two I know I can trust. Invaluable. And involved with all of this.”

Gage nodded, understanding what Marcus meant. They would look into Trevor Davis and find what Gage didn’t have proof of.

“Mr. Stevens, I apologize for the oversight. Was anything taken?” Cole asked, approaching them with a quick step.

“All good, Cole. Just a concern. We’ve moved the furniture back into Mr. Davis’s rooms. I am hoping to get the funeral set for Saturday.”

“That quickly?” Cole asked.

Gage nodded. “Mr. Davis already prepaid for everything and has it all set up. I just need to confirm it can be done in two days. He didn’t want things to linger. I’ll be in touch with funeral arrangements once I have confirmation, if you’d like to attend.”

“Of course. Mr. Davis was a very kind man. I wish he’d felt like he could stay here. I always felt guilty enjoying this large home when he wasn’t able to.” Cole looked up at the house wistfully. “Do you know what’s going to happen to the home?”

Gage shook his head. “No, I don’t. The beneficiary of the estate will have that choice.”

“And do you know who that is?”

Gage exchanged a glance with Marcus. Marcus raised his brows, indicating it was up to Gage what he shared.

“I do, but until I’ve had a chance to speak with them, nothing is confirmed.”

“Understandable. Hopefully it’s someone who will honor this home and Mr. Davis in the way he deserves.”

“I’m sure it is. Mr. Davis wouldn’t have selected the person if not.”

Cole smiled. “True.”

Gage and Marcus spoke to Cole a few more minutes before Cole excused himself to bring in the groceries. Marcus and Gage said their goodbyes and left the estate.

Gage had work to do. And so did Marcus.

* * *

“He’s dead?” Dawn squeaked. Her voice wobbled and rose sharply. “When?”

“Wednesday. Night shift found him,” Ali said. “He was nice. We’re all upset.”

Dawn nodded, unable to stop the emotions from welling up. Mr. Davis wasn’t just her favorite patient, he was someone she thought of as a friend. Someone she trusted and liked speaking to. And he was gone. She was alone.

Dawn’s throat was tight. She tried to remember the last time she spoke to Mr. Davis. When the memory came to her, she shivered. It was the day his son showed up. “Wait, night shift found Mr. Davis?”

Ali looked up from her paperwork. “Yeah, why?”

“When I left, he was with his son.”

“Okay?”

“Just… don’t you find it strange his son was here, and then Mr. Davis dies?”

“I hope you’re not saying you think his son killed him. Dr. Tacker said it appeared to be natural causes. The guy was old, Dawn. And sick.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Ali glared at her. “I wouldn’t tell anyone else what you just told me.”

“Why not?”

“That could get his son into a lot of trouble. An accusation like that. It could get Dr. Tacker into trouble, too. Unless you have some kind of proof, you don’t need to say things like that.”

Dawn looked at the other nurse. Ali was young and cute. Compared to most of her coworkers, Dawn felt like she was the old lady of the group at forty-one. Ali was smart, but she was innocent and inexperienced.

The way Trevor looked at Dawn and touched her cheek still made her skin crawl. She wouldn’t be surprised if he killed his father. The look in his eyes said he was capable of it. He was capable of anything.

Ali would have giggled if Trevor had treated her the way he did Dawn. Ali would have thought it was flattering. She made no secret of her goal to find a husband and have a family.

It wasn’t the goal that was the issue. It was the way Ali would throw herself at any single man in her vicinity. She didn’t care who fathered her children as long as he also supported her.

Trevor Davis was not the kind of man who should have children. There was evil in him. Darkness that made Dawn shiver.

“Promise me you’re not going to say anything to anyone about Mr. Davis’s son,” Ali said. She had been working at Angel’s Grove for three years and outranked Dawn, which meant Dawn answered to the younger woman. And she respected the tentative authority.

“I promise, Ali. I was just⁠—”

“You weren’t doing anything. We never had this conversation.”

Dawn nodded. “One thing. Do you know when the funeral is?”

“Two o’clock, I think. Why?”

“Today?” Dawn gasped.

Ali nodded. “Yeah. There was no reason to do an autopsy, and the lawyer who’s in charge of everything said it was all set up and paid for a while ago, so he made it happen on a Saturday when it was easier for people to get there.”

Dawn looked at the clock. She’d only been there an hour, and asking to leave four hours early so she could make it to the funeral of one of their residents was not likely to be approved. Especially the day of when she hadn’t lined up someone else to cover for her.

“Do you⁠—?”

“No,” Ali said before Dawn could finish her question. “I know you liked Mr. Davis, but there’s no way you can leave to go to the funeral. You’re already filling in for vacation. On top of that, Megan called in, and Becca is sick. We’re beyond shorthanded as it is.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Dawn said, knowing Ali was looking out for her.

“Stop by the cemetery after work tonight. I’m off tomorrow and was going to go then. Say goodbye.”

Dawn nodded. “Yeah, I will. Thanks, Ali.”

“Yep.”

The younger woman walked off, a tablet in her hand. She stuck the tablet on the cart outside one room and knocked before walking in.

Dawn needed to do the same. Start her day and focus on the patients who were still there. She had a job to do. She could grieve Mr. Davis later.

3

For days, Gage was on edge. He kept waiting for Trevor to go off on someone. For him to lash out when he learned he wasn’t going to be getting everything of his father’s.

But things were quiet.

Quiet made Gage anxious.

All the arrangements were made for the funeral. Gage had followed Robert’s detailed instructions. Gage stood at the entrance to the church, greeting visitors and thanking them for coming.

What Trevor should have done, but Trevor wasn’t there.

Gage called the man the day after Robert died to let Trevor know Gage was handling things. Trevor didn’t argue and dismissed Gage as quickly as he could. Gage debated telling Trevor he was no longer the heir to his father’s fortune, but he decided not to do that over the phone. Telling Trevor Davis in person was a risky move, but it was what Gage would have done in any other situation and he wasn’t going to change things just because Trevor was dangerous.

That one conversation was the last time Gage spoke to Trevor. Trevor didn’t show up at the viewing the night before. And with the funeral starting in ten minutes, Gage had his doubts about Trevor showing up for that, either.

Another noticeable absence was Dawn Patterson. After his conversation with Marcus, Gage looked the woman up. The story Marcus told him was definitely about the woman who was about to inherit billions. From what Gage read, she’d indeed turned her life around. She was an exemplary employee and well-respected by staff and patients. There had been no rumors or concerns about drug use since her time in rehab.

But there was a notice of divorce. And a custody agreement that said she did not have custody of her fourteen-year-old daughter.

With the funeral almost behind him, Gage knew he needed to contact Dawn Patterson. Even though she didn’t know she was the beneficiary of the Davis Estate, Gage still half-expected her to attend the funeral.

The minister approached Gage and asked if they were ready to get started. Gage agreed and took his seat. Gage invited Cole and the other staff to sit with him, but they all said they didn’t feel right doing so, leaving Gage alone in the front row. He tried not to think about the last time he sat alone in the front row at a funeral.

The minister performed a nice ceremony. He was an old friend of Robert’s and shared stories about the man that Gage had never heard. Robert was praised for his generosity and kindness and for the overall way he treated his employees.