Page 52 of The Flame Game

Then again, love had never been a part of my childhood. Coming to terms with that helped almost as much as my husband’s willingness to be patient with me while I figured out how to navigate a world where people actually wanted me in it. I still embarrassed myself when I became emotional, but I got a little better every day about not running away and learning to face my new circumstances.

“Do you think my father would mind bringing Sunny, Blizzard, and Avalanche?”

“He seems like the type to enjoy flouting the rules as much as he can, as he views the world as his, so I don’t see why not. You can also ask for advice about our kids if you want. He’s been around long enough he can probably help on that front, too.”

“But he’s probably with my mother right now.”

Quinn checked the time, and then he shook his head. “The moon set about twenty minutes ago.”

My poor parents. “Tonight, don’t let me go to sleep without calling my mother.”

“I called her on your behalf, so don’t worry. She seemed happy. You’ll get a chance to talk with her tonight. You needed the rest yesterday, and you were stressed enough after the incident with the assholes.”

“Think we should tell my father?”

“I’m sure he already knows, so confessing would show him you trust him. That said, if the assholes are wise, they’ll never bother you again.”

“Okay. I’ll call him. Are Beauty and Sylvester too young for pets, really?”

“If they’d been brought up traditionally, I would say yes, but they weren’t. We’ll have to take some care with their snakes, but our pets should be fine. We’ll have to train them and the children so everyone gets along well.”

“Okay.” I got my phone and dialed my father’s number.

“Bailey,” my father greeted. “How are you this morning?”

“I’m good. The asshole parents tried to torch the house, but they didn’t anticipate Sam’s overprotective tendencies and inability to handle things like a normal man. They damaged my roses, but his uncle and grandfather saved them. We’re on vacation, except in reality, we’re working. I wanted to ask you if you could bring Sunny, Blizzard, and Avalanche over right after we get checked out. And possibly cart off an obscene number of unicorn stuffed animals my husband bought for the kids.”

“I would be honored to do that for you. I can take the stuffed animals to your little ones as well, that way they have something while they are being taught by your grandfather.”

“Oh. That’s a great idea. Thank you. Thank you for the suggestion about looking at Audrey before she married Sam. It was very helpful. I learned a lot.”

“It was a small thing, but I am glad you found the advice useful. Your mother told me she talked to your Sam last night, as you were indulging in a nap in front of the fire. You definitely get that from me.”

No kidding. “I may have jumped on the assholes’ car and totaled it. I’m not all sorry about that. Sad, really. I make a lot of mistakes, but I learn from those mistakes. I’ve gotten smacked with a transport once, so I jumped on their car rather than in front of it.”

“Wisdom reveals itself in strange and disturbing ways at times.”

“Sam was telling me that gorgon whelps don’t usually get pets until they’re twelve or so because they can be dangerous to animals. Do you know of any pets that might be safe for them? To help teach them responsibility?”

My father chuckled. “I would be honored to handle that matter for you. With your blessings, I will discuss the matter with your grandfather, and I will introduce them to possible candidates. That will keep them amused until you have made a safe home for them. A suggestion, if I may?”

“Of course.”

“Recruit your children to help you with your search. They are smart, and I can provide them with supervision and the machines they need to do this. It would help them feel a part of the hive and home.”

I wondered what my life would have been like if only I’d had my divine parents rather than my asshole ones during my childhood. I would never know, but my children would find out. Changing the past remained outside of the realm of possibility, but I could secure a bright future for my children. “Can you handle that matter and tell them you’re doing it on our behalf while we handle the dust and rabies situation?”

“Of course. I will recruit your mother to help as well. She is more nurturing than I am. I will come with your animals as soon as you are checked out, so that the hotel will not be displeased about animals in their facilities.”

“Thank you.” My father hung up before I could embarrass myself, and I set my phone on the coffee table. “My father is going to arrange for pets for the kids, and he’s going to take two of the stuffed animals to Beauty and Sylvester so they have them while we’re handling this matter. He’ll bring Sunny, Blizzard, and Avalanche over after we check out.”

“That sounds good. Go check the facial recognition database to see if you can get an identification on that man you spotted while I grab a quick shower, check over the room, and get dressed. I’ll leave a change of clothes out for you so you can grab a shower while I’m making sure everything else is ready.”

“Sounds good.” I went to the laptop, opened the portal to access the NYPD’s system, and checked on the status of my picture, which showed as complete. I clicked to look, scanning through the names of those captured in the image. I struck gold halfway through the list.

According to the notation, Alexander Hautlin was the illegitimate son of ex-Chief Morrison. Hautlin’s mother had, a year after his birth, disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving Morrison as the sole caretaker of the boy. Rather than raise his son, Morrison had sent him to boarding school, where he’d spent the entirety of his childhood.

I wondered about Hautlin’s last name. Had his mother wanted to erase Morrison from her son’s life? Had Morrison known about his son before her disappearance?