Sixx (The Stone Society, #7) (19 page)

“I can understand that. I just wish Rae had had that group of females by her side when she was pregnant with Desi. Her holier-than-thou parents disowned her, so she was practically alone.”

“Damn, Brother.”

“Tell me about it. Listen, I wanted to give you a head’s up on the photo before I sent it to you. I’m headed back there in about an hour. If it’s too late, I will save it until tomorrow.”

“Sixx, I think by now you know with me there’s never such a thing as too late. Send it on so we can get started.”

“Thank you, Jules. Oh, before I forget, do you have Jonas’s phone number? I need for him to make a mask for Rae. She never leaves the house, afraid someone will recognize her.”

“Of course. I’ll text it to your phone.”

“Thank you again. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Later.”

Julian did as promised and sent the phone number. As soon as it came through, Sixx called Jonas and told him what he needed. The older Gargoyle didn’t hesitate in agreeing to help him. Ever since Isabelle and Connor had been kidnapped, the scientist was more than willing to do anything he could for the Clan.

Sixx hadn’t been gone all that long, but he decided if he got back sooner rather than later, they’d either forgive him or add it to his list of transgressions. He turned the Jeep into the parking lot of the local grocery store and found a spot near the front. It wasn’t crowded for a Thursday night. Pulling the list out of his pocket, he was amazed at how little Rae needed. She had yet to agree to come back to his house, so he decided to stock up on a few things that he liked. By the time he made it to the checkout counter, the cart was full. He paid for his purchases and loaded them into the back of the Jeep.

He stopped by the restaurant where he’d called ahead and grabbed their supper. When he arrived back at Rae’s, he was almost half an hour early. If they were still working on the sketch, he could busy himself putting away the groceries, even though he had no idea where they would go. He knocked on the back door, and Desi unlocked it, taking the food from him. “Good timing. We just finished with the sketch. I didn’t know my mom was so good at drawing,” Desi gushed.

“Talent runs in the family,” Sixx replied to his son.

“What’s your talent? Are you a singer, too?”

Sixx laughed. “Hardly. I guess my talents lie more in the financial realm. I am skilled at investing money. I do a lot of purchasing for the Clan. I do love music, though. Nikki Sixx is my all-time favorite, or at least he was until I heard your band. My nickname is Sixx.”

“Seriously? I guess I can see that, though. You looked more punk in the photos going around the internet. Your hair was spiked, and you could have passed for me on a bad day,” Desi joked. 

Sixx reached out with his senses for Rae but still asked, “Where’s your mom? I want to see the photo.”

“Right here. I was doing a little shading around her eyes,” Rae said as she walked into the kitchen and held out the picture.

“Doll, I’m telling you. You are in the wrong line of work. Your drawings are phenomenal.”  Sixx stared at the face of the pretty younger woman, taking in the shading Rae spoke of. Even though the likeness wasn’t in color, it was obvious she was of mixed heritage. “Do you recognize her?” he asked Desi.

“She does look familiar, but she isn’t someone I am in contact with on a regular basis. At least she’s pretty.”

“Desmond Michael Rothchild!” his mother scolded.

“Michael?” Sixx asked. “You gave him my name?” He couldn’t believe it.

“Yes. He is your son, and I wanted him to have your name. I hoped you would return one day, sooner than you did. What is all this stuff? I had about five items on my list.” Changing the subject, Rae began shuffling through all the grocery bags, pulling items out and looking them over.

“You never agreed to come home with me, and I figured if we’re going to spend time together here, I needed to chip in on groceries.”

“Go home with you? Where’s home?” Desi asked.

“I’ve just recently moved back here from New Atlanta. I have a house up in New Malibu. Perfect for a couple of surf bums. It has a separate guest house. If you ever want to visit and need your privacy, it’s all yours. But you’re welcome to stay in the main house, too.”

“Damn, Old Man. A house in the hills
and
a Bugatti. What else are you hiding up your sleeve?” Desi wasn’t grinning, so Sixx didn’t know if he was being sarcastic or not. He didn’t know him well enough to tell.

“I told you, I’m good with investments, and as old as I am, I’ve amassed a small nest egg. Put it this way – your great grandchildren will be set.”

“Holy shit. Seriously? So if I need a new tour bus...”

Rae was studying a box of flavored crackers when she turned around and chastised their son. “Desmond, stop it. Your father didn’t show up so you could start begging for money.”

“Sorry.” Desi didn’t look sorry. He looked distant.

Sixx thought it best to change the subject before mother and son had a go at each other. “Do you have a scanner? It would be better to email the photo to Julian than try to send it via my phone. If not, I can take it home with me and send it from there.”

“Yes, there’s one in my bedroom.” Rae continued pulling random food items out of the bags. Sixx wasn’t about to go into Rae’s room. Even if Desi hadn’t been there, he wouldn’t risk it. Not yet. He found the pencil she’d used to sketch Desi’s dream girl and wrote Julian’s email address on the back of the food receipt.

“If you would please, scan the photo in. Here’s the email address for Julian. He’s expecting it.” Rae turned around, frowning. “Please. Then we need to eat before the food gets cold.” Rae took both the drawing and receipt, and disappeared to her bedroom. While she was gone, Sixx pulled the food from the bags and placed it on the kitchen table. He rummaged around until he found everything he needed – plates, forks, spoons, and napkins. He felt Desi’s eyes following him as he moved through the kitchen. He started to tell his son if he wanted a new tour bus, he’d get him one, but he stopped the words. Even though Sixx had more money than he’d ever be able to spend, he didn’t want to buy his son’s love. He wanted it to come naturally from talking things out and spending time together. “Do you want to eat in here or in the living room? What do you usually do?”

“We normally eat in there. Mom sits on the sofa, and I sit on the floor. It’s been that way as long as I can remember.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. I picked up a few more selections than the ones you both chose, so help yourself to any of it. I never can decide on one dish when it comes to Chinese food.” Sixx filled his plate with several different options. He grabbed a set of chopsticks as well as a spoon. He hated trying to pick up rice just to have it spill either back on the plate or in his lap.

Rae returned from her bedroom and announced, “There. All done. I waited to make sure it sent with no errors. How long do you think it’ll take this Julian to find the girl?” She placed the picture off to the side and began filling her own plate.

“It all depends. I’ve used the program several times, and each time the results came back differently than before.”

“Why have you used it? Who were you looking for?” Desi asked.

“That’s part of what I wanted to talk to you both about. Let’s get our food, and while we eat, I’ll fill you in on what’s been happening.” Sixx wasn’t looking forward to this part. He didn’t want to finally have a chance at a family only to push them away with talk of possible war, but they both had to hear the truth. All of it.

Plates piled with food, and glasses filled with the drink of their choice, Sixx and his small family sat in the living room. Desi on the floor with his back to the sofa. Rae on the sofa with her feet curled under her. That left Sixx to sit in the arm chair so he could see their faces while he spoke. He didn’t immediately go into talk of Alistair. Between bites he filled them in on the Clan happenings, starting with Jonas meeting Caroline.

“Poor Isabelle. First, she finds out her mom has been around all those years, then she finds out she’s a half-blood,” Desi said.

“But the worst part had to have been when Connor was kidnapped. I can’t imagine if something were to happen to you,” Rae told their son.

“Don’t worry, Pretty Momma. Nothing’s going to happen to me.”

Sixx prayed his son was correct. He continued with the bad things that had happened recently, concluding with Jasper taking Theron’s head and the Clan sending his body home to Greece. He’d waited to share those details until after they were finished eating. Rae had never had a weak stomach before, but a lot of time had passed since they were together.

“Sinclair is working on getting extra security for Cyanide Sweetness. Our own kind of security. I don’t want to take jobs away from the men who currently watch out for you, but there’s no way I’m going to let you travel around without a Goyle watching your back at all times. All of the mates and children are being guarded around the clock until we know for certain Alistair will stand by his truce.”

“Do you honestly believe someone who’s had a vendetta against Jonas for over two hundred years will just throw up the white flag? Especially when his son was slain?” Desi stood from the floor and came to stand by Sixx.

“Not really, no. But we couldn’t let the Greek continue on as he had been with no recourse. At least now he knows Rafael won’t sit idly by while he continues to cause chaos for our family.”

“What are you doing to prepare? Other than keep the women and children guarded?”

“We are training. As I told you earlier, we can only be taken out with certain poisons or a blade to the neck. Urijah is our resident swordsmith. He has forged new weapons that include a special coating Julian concocted. It uses those poisons we are susceptible to. If an opponent is cut using these swords, the poison seeps into his bloodstream, slowing him down considerably. Urijah is here in California updating the armory with new equipment so he can begin working on swords for the Clan members on this side of the country.”

“Can I train with you?” Desi asked.

“Absolutely not! You aren’t a fighter, Dez. You’re my baby,” Rae demanded.

“And I’m half Gargoyle, Pretty Momma. If we’re going to war, I want to be prepared.”

“What about touring? Are you going to give up music?” Rae’s eyes were filled with tears.

Sixx interrupted their argument. “No, he’s not. Desi, I will be more than happy to work with you. I will even have Urijah forge a weapon for you. But you cannot give up your music. You will continue on with your tour, and someone will be with you, watching your back. Whenever you have a break and come home, I will teach you how to defend yourself. You will never be as strong as a full-blooded Gargoyle, but with your shifter half, you are already stronger than before. Rae, I’m asking you again to consider moving in with me. Not as mates, but so I can keep you safe. If you prefer to stay in the guesthouse, then so be it. We may be worrying over nothing. Alistair could be telling the truth.”

Rae didn’t give him an answer. She looked between her two men, and tears started falling down her face. Sixx was on his knees in front of her before she could blink. He placed his hands on her legs, but kept them from roaming. This was about offering assurances. “Doll, I promise I will take care of you. Both.”

She shook her head and wiped her tears. “Why did you have to come back now? If you’d have left us alone, we wouldn’t be in danger. You should have stayed in New Atlanta, and this Alistair wouldn’t have been the wiser. You’ve brought this war to our door.”

“Rae, it was only a matter of time until someone else saw Desi and put it all together. He and I look too much alike to not be related. To the human world, we can be brothers. But in the Gargoyle world, where I’ve been around over five hundred years, the truth of who he is wouldn’t be hard to figure out.”

“For Desi’s sake, I’m glad you came back when you did. At least now he knows what was wrong with him. And I know the reason for not aging all these years. I appreciate you putting extra security on our son, but I won’t go with you. I spent twenty-four years getting over you, Michael. I can’t allow you back into my life only to lose you again. I barely survived you leaving the first time. If something were to happen to you, I wouldn’t survive it again. The best thing for me now is to go back to living my life without you. I know why you left, and I forgive you. Whatever happens between you and Desi is up to the two of you. Now, I’m going to bed; it’s been a long day. Desi, I’ll see you in the morning. Michael...” She didn’t finish her thought. Without another word, Rae walked out of the living room, not sparing him a glance. This time, Rae walked out of
his
life.

A
chilles hated waiting. Waiting for Alistair to give him his next missive. Waiting for Novik to do as instructed. Waiting for the full moon to disappear so he could take to a darkened sky. Waiting for his mate to figure out the truth and take his head. Or try to. The male was a strong one. Older than most and more adept at wielding a sword than anyone he’d met in a long time. Eventually, they would meet on the battlefield, and it would leave one of them headless. Why had the godsdamn fates thought the two of them would be good together? Maybe they hadn’t. Maybe this was his punishment for being a bastard most of his life.

Staring at the full moon shining across the water was doing nothing to help his mood. If he didn’t need to monitor his computer so closely, he’d go get laid. He’d find some willing man to bend over for him. Women were too soft and fragile. He’d been there, done that. Never again.

His computer sounded, indicating that at least one wait was over. He touched his mouse to bring the monitor to life and smiled at the results of his latest program.
Take that, Julian
. Competition was a good thing. Especially when you were smarter than your opponent.

“Why are you still working for the Greek?” he asked himself aloud. Achilles had more money than most of the Gargoyles combined. His computer skills allowed him to amass a fortune he’d never be able to spend. Maybe he should tell Alistair to go fuck himself. The King didn’t know who he was, and without someone who had Achilles’ computer skills, he never would.