Page 1
A nthony was focused on his laptop when his twin, Tabitha, tossed one of her many designer purses onto her desk at Steele Securities where they both worked as private investigators and, when needed, security specialists.
“You’re never going to believe who was at the gym this morning.
” When Anthony didn’t bite, she huffed. “Tony!”
“What? I’m writing my report.” Anthony hated typing out summaries of their jobs. He’d rather be in the field chasing down criminals.
“Trista Bellinger.”
That got his attention. Trista was one of the most stunning actors to grace the silver screen. “What’s she doing in Atlanta?”
“Filming, of course. But get this. She’s portraying a badass heroine this time, and she hired Joey to train her.”
Joey Palamo ran his family’s business, Palamo Training. His dad, Malakai, was well-versed in several martial arts as well as boxing, and he’d taught Joey from a young age. “Why was she at Hartley’s Gym if she’s hiring Joey?”
“Joey was there leading a beginning kick-boxing class.”
“What were you doing there?” Tabitha was one of the best female fighters in their Clan.
“One of Jon’s new classes is for abused women, and he wanted a female with him to assure them they could trust him.”
Mason Steele, owner of their agency, knocked on the door of the office Anthony shared with his sister. “Good morning. Tabitha, I have an assignment for you. I just got off the phone with Trista Bellinger’s manager, and they want to hire us for security while she’s in town filming.”
Anthony eased away from his laptop, reclining in his ergonomic chair. “I’m not on a case.”
Mason leaned against the doorframe. “You are now. Besides, Miss Bellinger’s manager requested a female, and Tabitha’s up since Cailín’s busy. Finish your report while Tabitha and I talk, then come to my office for your assignment.”
“You got it, Boss.” After Mason walked away, Anthony narrowed his eyes at his twin. “Did you set this up?”
“Nope, but I did hear her manager ask Joey about private security in the area.” With that, she strode out of their office.
Anthony returned to his laptop, reading over the notes to ensure he hadn’t left anything out.
Even though he didn’t get the job guarding the actress, Tony was thrilled to be given another case.
He hated sitting around the office. By the time Tabby was finished getting briefed, Tony had submitted his report.
Tabby stopped by her desk for her purse. “Let’s hope Trista isn’t a diva.”
Anthony smirked at his twin. “Yeah. It’d be bad having someone try to one-up you in that category.”
“Damn straight.” Tabby flipped her long red hair over her shoulder. “Call me later?”
“You know it.” They might not look like twins, but there was no one Tony was closer to. Not even his cousin and King, Sebastian, though he did come in a close second. “Stay safe out there.”
Tabby blew him a kiss as she sashayed out of the office on her five-inch heels.
Anthony stood and stretched, then entered Mason’s office.
Mason was on the phone and held up one finger, indicating Anthony should wait, so he walked to the window and looked outside.
The sun was shining, but being late January, it was a crisp day.
When Mason ended the call, Tony walked past his boss’s desk, glancing at Mason’s laptop.
The screen glitched, giving Tony pause. As quickly as it shimmered, it righted itself, showing a lithe blonde with.
.. What the fuck? He continued around the desk and took the closest chair, wondering if he was losing his mind.
Mason leaned back in his own chair and clasped his hands across his stomach.
“The Trio was asked to investigate a series of bank thefts. A female approaches the teller to make a large withdrawal from her account, only it isn’t truly the owner.
The issue is that this woman hits different banks in different cities but somehow matches the identification she gives the teller.
When she leaves, she disappears from the feed.
The cameras have supposedly been tampered with. ”
The Trio was the collective name given to two of Tony’s cousins, Carleigh and Harlow, along with a dire wolf shifter, Nikita. They owned H3, a cyber security company, and they were some of the best hackers in the world.
“You said supposedly. Was that not the case?”
“Not that they can find, and when they tried to locate her on CCTV cameras afterward, she isn’t anywhere in the vicinity.”
“So what? They think she’s a ghost? Or is it possible she’s put on some type of clothing that obscures her appearance on the cameras? Is that why your laptop glitched? And why not hide her face inside the building?”
“If special clothing were the case, she wouldn’t be seen inside the bank either.
She’s on camera, all the way through the lobby, until she’s out the door.
When they cut to the feed at the front of the building outside, she’s gone.
I want you working with the Trio to find this female.
And what do you mean my laptop glitched? ”
“When I looked at your screen, the image... shimmered or something. Maybe you have a virus?”
“I shouldn’t, considering Carleigh monitors my systems.”
Anthony rubbed his eyes. He felt off, so maybe he’d not seen what he thought he had. “And you want me to find her how?”
“I don’t know.” Mason leaned forward and turned his laptop around. “This is the female.”
Anthony scowled. Why did the crazy ones have to be the most beautiful?
And what was this female playing at? Maybe she enjoyed video games or some shit.
“That’s no ghost. That right there is a fucking angel.
A fallen angel if she’s the culprit, but damn.
” His stomach rumbled, and his breakfast threatened to come up.
Maybe he should’ve paid attention to the expiration date on the frozen sausage biscuits instead of considering it a mere guideline.
“What? Who are you looking at?” Mason stood and came around the desk, pointing to the female in the middle of the screen. “She’s the frumpy looking brunette there.”
“Frumpy? Man, you need your eyes checked. She’s a babe. And her hair’s blonde, not brown.” Tony didn’t mention the pointed ears.
Mason gaped at him. “Is this like one of those internet tests where different people see different color dresses or some shit? Because that woman looks like someone’s tired mother.”
“You aren’t disrespecting Willow by saying someone is gorgeous, Mason. That female is stunning. She’s tall, lithe, and her hair looks like spun silk.”
“I know I’m not disrespecting my mate, but you and I aren’t seeing the same female.
Fuck. I wish I’d shown this to Tabitha before she left to get another opinion.
” When Anthony opened his mouth to protest again, Mason held up a hand.
“I’m not saying you aren’t seeing what you think you are, but why is it that our versions are so vastly different? ”
“Hang on.” Anthony pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts.
“Hello, Trouble. What’s up?”
“Carleigh, I’m in Mason’s office, and we’re discussing the female in the bank.”
“Ugh. Don’t get me started on this. None of us have gotten any sleep since this came across our desks.”
“What does the female look like to you?”
“Like someone’s mother who needs a wardrobe update? I mean, she doesn’t look like a mastermind, which would make her the perfect suspect, amiright? But why are you asking that? Was the file corrupted?”
“No. I see someone completely different than you and Mason.”
“Who do you see?”
“A gorgeous female with long blonde hair. She’s... what’s the word when someone looks like an angel or a fairy? Ether—”
“Ethereal?” Carleigh snorted. “Are you fucking with me right now?”
Anthony rubbed his temples. “I wish I were. Why do I not see her the way you and Mason do? Is something wrong with my brain? Do you think it’s a tumor?”
“There’s definitely something wrong with your brain, but we’ve always known that,” his cousin joked.
“Funny. Seriously, though. Why does she look like a fairy to me?”
“Hmm. Certain Gargoyles have specific abilities that none of the rest of us possess. Maybe you can see through, I don’t know, disguises or something?”
“If that were the case, wouldn’t I see Tabitha’s real face when she’s wearing a prosthetic?”
“Fuckin’ hell, T. I don’t know. I’m spit-balling ideas here. But if you see someone none of the rest of us do, then you’re the perfect one to find this woman.”
“But how? If she’s hitting different banks in different towns, where would I start?”
“Why don’t you come here so you can look at all the footage? Maybe where it seems like she’s disappearing into thin air, you’ll actually see her.”
“Yeah, I can do that.” First, he was going to stop by the pharmacy for antacids. “See you soon.” Tony disconnected the call and caught Mason’s eye. “Tell me I’m not crazy.” Mason hesitated, and Anthony threw up his hands. “Don’t you start. I get enough shit from my family.”
“Sorry, but sometimes you open the door, and it’s hard not to step through.
” Mason clapped Anthony on the shoulder.
“Carleigh’s right. Some of us do have special abilities, so maybe this is yours, and it’s only now coming into play.
Head on over to H3 and see what you see. If it’s nothing, we’ll regroup.”
H3’s office was located in the same building as Stone, Incorporated.
Since the Walnut Street Towers were only a few blocks from the Steele Securities office, Anthony walked the short distance.
His stomach was no longer rolling, which had been unusual in the first place since Goyles didn’t get sick, so he didn’t bother looking for a pharmacy.
Travis exited the elevator as Tony approached. “Hey, Anthony. Were you coming to see Grace or me?”
“Nah. I’m helping the Trio with a case. One that includes a bank robber who looks like a fairy.”
Travis narrowed his eyes. “A fairy, you say?”
Table of Contents
- Page 1 (Reading here)
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48