They talked over the specifics for about an hour. Christy liked Morgan's quick mind and dry humor. She was efficient, witty and a little ruthless, which was a good quality in a lawyer, and Christy thought perhaps, she'd made a new friend in the young were woman.
CHAPTER 9
The next evening, right after sunset, Sebastian and Christy headed to her old house by very conventional means, taking one of Sebastian's cars-a midnight blue Lamborghini-and driving the forty-five minutes from Sebastian's estate to her old neighborhood. Christy had lived in a very nice upper middle class section, but it was nothing like the exclusive area Sebastian called home. Seeing his estate from the outside, she was once again amazed by the simple majesty of his home. Just driving down the winding driveway that led from the seven-bay garage building to the front gate was impressive.
After seeing the way Sebastian lived, it was a little embarrassing to worry so much over the money Jeff had stolen from her. Though a huge amount to her, it was probably pocket change to Sebastian. Still, it was her money and she'd also paid for the house Jeff had bought after the wedding. Standing on principle, Christy wanted what was hers back. She deserved at least that after putting up with Jeff.
Christy clutched the papers Morgan had drawn up and left with her the night before. All she had to do now was work up the nerve to give them to Jeff. He'd heard about the divorce, which was what had set him off, but he'd yet to be served the papers. Sure, they could've hired someone to give him the papers, but it was important to their plan that Christy see Jeff in person. It was also important, on a personal level, that she confront him.
After his last blowup, Christy feared Jeff's reaction, but another part of her-the brave part that gained strength every day from Sebastian's loving care-was looking forward to seeing how she'd do against Jeff now. She almost relished the idea of giving him a little back of what he'd dealt.
While not a violent woman, Christy had been pushed beyond her limits and she figured it was healthy to fantasize about planting her fist in Jeff's face. Not that she'd ever do it. Well, not unless he swung first. She felt a surge of excitement and fear mixed together. If he tried to hurt her, she wondered if she'd freeze or if she'd have the wherewithal to defend herself this time. Now that she knew how to do so and had the power to back it up.
Sebastian reached over the center console and placed one warm hand over hers. She was gripping the envelope with the divorce papers so tightly, her knuckles were white.
«I'll be with you, Christina. Kinsey will never be able to harm you again.»
«Is it bad of me to want to punch his face in?» Christy turned in her seat to watch Sebastian's strong profile as he drove with confidence down the streets of her old neighborhood.
He laughed. «Not at all. And if you don't, perhaps I will.» Sebastian lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles before releasing her to downshift.
Within moments, they pulled up in front of her old house. It had never really been a home to her, though she'd tried her best. It was a beautiful place, but she wouldn't miss it.
«Are you ready?» Sebastian shut off the engine and turned to her.
Christy took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. «As I'll ever be, I guess.»
Sebastian got out and came around to open her door, ushering her from the low-slung sports car. His manners were impeccable and Christy smiled up at him as she stood, though inside, she quaked with nervous excitement. The coming minutes would set events in motion, both in her personal life, and in the plan the men had devised to deal with the magical threat.
Christy had been taken to the hospital with little more than her bathrobe, so she had to dig up the spare key from the side of the house to enter. She considered ringing the bell, but dammit, it was still her house. She could enter it if she wanted to. And she could bring a friend inside as well.
Christy opened the door and stepped inside. Sebastian waited outside until she turned. «Please come in, Sebastian.»
Sighing, he stepped over the threshold. «Glad you said that.»
«So those old myths about having to invite a vampire in are true?»
«It's tradition, love.» He tugged at his collar and looked a tad uncomfortable. «We are creatures of habit and after living so long, sometimes tradition is all we have left.»
«Well, consider yourself permanently invited into this house. It's still mine and I can damn well invite whoever I want inside.»
Sebastian placed one warm hand on her shoulder, squeezing with gentle pressure. «Well said, my love. Feeling independent, are we?»
«I'm preparing to do battle.»
Sebastian chuckled as they moved down the hall toward the back of the house. «Good for you, Christina. Remember, I'm here for you if you need me.»
She stopped to look up into his eyes. «I'll always need you, Sebastian.»
«Well, look who's decided to come crawling back.» Jeff stood in the light from the kitchen, a beer in one hand.
Christy spun to face him, her heart in her throat. Sebastian's warm presence behind her gave her courage.
«Jeff.»
«Is that all you can say? Where the hell have you been for the past week?» His voice rose. «Who is this guy? One of your friends' wacko husbands? Is that who you've been with? One of your weirdo college friends?»
«Jeff, you nearly killed me.» Christy's voice was pitched low, but the words cut across the dim hall.
«You don't look hurt to me,» he sneered.
«But I was,» she whispered.
«Courage, my love.» Sebastian's voice in her mind steadied her.
She moved forward, and incredibly, Jeff fell back, moving into the kitchen. He put the island in the center of the room between them, placing his half-finished beer on the counter. Christy and Sebastian stayed on the other side of the large kitchen, but the lighting was better in here. Jeff's eyes followed them with rage and suspicion. Christy remembered that look, but this time, she didn't have the same level of fear. In fact, the more time she spent in Jeff's presence with Sebastian beside her, the more she saw how pathetic Jeff really was. All the fear he'd taught her in recent months dropped away to be replaced by contempt.
«You've abused me for the last time, Jeff. I came here get my stuff and give you these.» She slapped the papers on the table between them but he made no move to retrieve them.
«What's that?» Jeff eyed the folded stack of papers, anger causing color to rise in his face.
«Divorce papers.»
Jeff swore, but didn't touch the papers, eyeing them, and her, with building rage. «You little bitch!»
He stormed around the table and raised his hand, but the blow never landed. Christy was long gone and Jeff's balled fist struck empty air, throwing him off balance.
Everything happened in slow motion. Christy saw Jeff's fist coming at her face, frame by frame, as she moved lightning fast out of the way. She went low, as Hiro had taught her and used a sweeping motion of her leg to drop Jeff to the floor, easy as pie. Jeff hit the table leg on the way down and lay on the ground, a look of surprise on his face as he clutched his side.
«What the hell was that?» Fury shone in his eyes. Fury…and fear.
«That was me not taking any of your crap anymore, Jeff. I came to get my things. I expect you to stay out of my way while I do it.» She smoothed her shirt as she spoke, trying to control the trembling of her hands. She'd just stood up to Jeff's anger and it felt good. Damn good.
«In fact,» Sebastian spoke for the first time, «you should probably go have those ribs looked at. That was a nasty fall. How clumsy of you.» Sebastian's chastising tone increased Jeff's anger, but she wasn't afraid anymore.