«Why do you think I asked you to escort her, Matt? She needs her own kind, even if she doesn't quite realize it yet. Take it slow, my friend. Tonight you've met. Next time, perhaps you can take it a bit farther. Believe me, it was hard enough to get her to agree to outing herself even this much. She would rather have stayed hidden for the rest of her days, but that's no way to live. Not when there are other were like her nearby, willing to accept her for who she is. Just tread lightly. That's all I'm asking.»
«Heard and understood, my friend.»
Christy checked her watch and realized enough time had passed. She stood gracefully and gave Sebastian a peck on the cheek before excusing herself from the room full of men. Following Matt's scent, she found him pacing outside a door in one of the far hallways.
«She's changing,» he said quietly, a hurt and troubled expression on his face. «Ordered me right out of the room with an imperious tail wag. This little kitty isn't used to being around other shifters.»
Christy went up to him and hugged him. It was the comfort she would offer any friend. Regardless of how they'd met, and the intimacies they'd shared, she knew they would always be friends. He'd given her a part of himself and she would be forever grateful to him for his generosity of spirit, loyalty, and incredible strength of character.
With a reassuring smile, she stepped back and knocked on the door. «Morgan? It's Christy. Matt's here too. May we come in?»
The door opened and a gorgeous young woman stood there, looking a bit nervous as her topaz eyes darted from Christy to Matt and back again. When they made no move forward, she relaxed a bit and seemed to get a hold of herself. She stepped back for them to enter.
Christy went in first, but stopped Matt just inside the door. «Matt's not staying, but Sebastian thought you should meet.»
The woman nodded, swallowing hard. «So he said on the phone. I'm Morgan Chase.»
Matt towered over both women, though Morgan was quite a bit taller than Christy. He held out one hand to the woman and gave her his best roguish grin. «Matt Redstone.» They shook hands and Morgan seemed to ratchet down her nerves another notch. «I want to extend a little invitation to you, Ms. Chase. My oldest brother is Alpha of the cougar clan in these parts. Your breed is like a cousin to ours and you'd be welcome in the clan.
If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to call.» Matt reached into his pocket and fished out a business card, handing it to Morgan. «You can reach me or any of my brothers through Redstone Construction at any time. All of the office staff are were, so you can talk freely to anyone who answers the phone.»
Morgan examined the card then tucked it away in her pocket, her expression thoughtful. «That's very kind of you, Mr. Redstone. I can't say for certain whether I'll take you up on the offer, but I'll definitely think about it.»
Matt nodded, not entirely happy with the answer, Christy could tell from the tightening of his mouth, but willing to move in slow steps, as Sebastian had requested. He backed toward the door, leaving the women to their business.
«I'll be here all night either talking with the guys or prowling the perimeter. Perhaps I'll see you on your way out?»
Morgan nodded, seeming not entirely pleased by the idea. «Perhaps. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Redstone.»
«And you, Ms. Chase.» Matt winked at Christy then headed back down the corridor toward the living room. Christy closed the door and leaned against it.
«I understand you're Sebastian's lawyer.» Christy opened the conversation with an innocuous observation, hoping to get the tense woman to relax a bit.
Morgan nodded as she moved toward the small sitting area that had a low table and several chairs. «Sebastian saved my life when I was a teen. He put me through college and law school.»
«I know.» Christy moved nearer the other woman and took a seat, satisfied with the surprise on Morgan's face. «Sebastian and I are joined. It's very new to me, but I can read his memories, and I've seen you in them. He's very fond of you, you know.»
Morgan seemed troubled as she sat opposite Christy and pulled out a large brown folder, setting it on the table between them. «It's nothing romantic. He's like an older brother or father figure to me.»
Christy decided to cut Morgan some slack. «Oh, I know that. Don't worry. I can access his feelings too. I know he loves you like a kid sister. It's very different from the love he and I share. I just wanted you to know where we all stand. This vampire business…and the were…it's all very new to me. I didn't know a thing about any of this supernatural stuff until a few days ago.»
«When your husband beat you to death.»
It wasn't a question and Christy realized this woman didn't pull her punches. Her momentary good mood shattered, Christy nodded.
Morgan opened the big envelope and started sorting through papers. «Well, the good news is, we have a good case for divorce. Even with the altered medical reports, there's still enough evidence to prove he mistreated you, and your testimony will clinch it, if he wants to fight you in court. Any lawyer worth his salt will tell your husband to give you what you want because you could easily pursue criminal charges against him, not only for the assault and battery, but also for raiding your bank accounts. Did you know he's made you a pauper?»
«What?» Dismay filled her. She knew Jeff was a rat, but she wouldn't have thought he'd be bold enough to rob her blind.
Morgan nodded. «I've followed the paper trail and it's pretty clear he's been setting this up for a while. He's been siphoning money off the trust your parents left to you for the past year or so, but now he's come out in the open and started making huge withdrawals. If you were a corporation, I'd call Jeff Kinsey an embezzler. But since you're still married, the law is tricky.»
Christy sat back in her chair and puffed out air, trying to control her anger and dismay. She was angry at Jeff and even angrier at herself for being so stupid.
A perfunctory knock sounded before Sebastian opened the door and entered. He moved straight to the small loveseat Christy sat on and pulled her into his arms, kissing her temple and drawing her close. A knowing look passed between the lawyer and Sebastian. He'd known what Morgan had discovered already.
«It'll be all right, my love. We'll fix this. Don't worry.»
«But all my money-«
Sebastian shushed her with soothing strokes of his hands down her arms. «I have all the money we'll ever need, Christina, but Morgan will see to it that Jeff makes restitution. Won't you, my dear?»
Morgan nodded, a cunning feline smile lighting her tawny eyes. «With pleasure. Sebastian's right, Mrs. Kinsey. Your husband wasn't very smart about the way he took your money. I have more than enough evidence to get him to do pretty much anything we want.»
«Don't call me that. Call me Christy, okay? I don't ever want to be called by his name again.»
Morgan smiled, an understanding light in her tawny eyes. «All right, Christy. Shall I start the paperwork to change everything back to your maiden name then?»
«No,» Sebastian objected. «She'll be taking my name. As soon as possible, we're getting married.»
Congratulations were offered by the young attorney and Christy basked in the fond feelings Sebastian directed her way. She also reveled in the idea this would be no quickie wedding like the one she'd had with Jeff in Las Vegas. No, this time would be for keeps. Forever. With their friends gathered to witness their happiness.
Sebastian left a few minutes later and the women got down to the nitty gritty of the divorce papers. There were certain provisions Christy wanted to insist upon and others that didn't really matter. The house for example. She didn't want anything to do with that house. Jeff had chosen and bought it without her input and it held nothing but bad memories for her.