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10. Gabby
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
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B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 11. Hayden
I stayed off Lana’s radar for three days after my failed attempts to find the proof I needed to destroy her. That gave my private investigator more time to gather all the information we needed to turn Fin Tin in to the authorities. So I had an appointment with a detective at the police department this very afternoon after work.With the evidence I had for him, there was no way he could be a good cop and not pursue the issue. He’d at least try to contact Finley. And if he did that, Finley would no doubt roll over on Lana and reveal her part in all this. Before that happened, however, I wanted to have at least another true search through her things to see if I could find as much proof as I could about her involvement in any misdeeds.My biggest obstacle was finding the time to search.She hadn’t seemed to realize I’d been the one rummaging through her desk on Saturday, so I still had a key to her place. I just needed to wait for the right opportunity to visit again, when she wasn’t ho
Last Updated : 2024-10-29B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 12. Gabby
He was back. One day after I called the idiot out for being a liar and a thief, then demanded he leave me alone for the rest of eternity with every ounce of energy I had in me, and here Diego was again, back at Trudy’s.This was becoming creepier by the minute, especially when he appeared at the opening of the alley when I stepped out the back door of Trudy’s and into the alley with a bag full of garbage, almost as if he’d been watching and waiting for a moment to corner me somewhere alone.He didn’t have a bouquet of bloodred roses this time, however, just a dinky, half-wilted weed infested mess of daffodils that he appeared to have pulled from someone’s flower bed on the way here.I wasn’t sure if the daffodils were because of my visit to Rosewood the day before, where they must’ve refused to sell him anymore bouquets, or because he knew he no longer had to pretend to be rich for me. In either case, I wasn’t amused.Tossing the trash into the dumpster, I let the heavy, metal lid
Last Updated : 2024-10-29B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 13. Gabby
He remained at the café.Sitting at the end of the counter in his suit and tie as he waited for me to finish my shift, he stuck out like a sore thumb among the crowd of blue-collar workers, kids fresh from school, and homeless junkies popping in for a cup of coffee after they found enough change on the sidewalk outside.But he paid the others no attention, too busy on his phone, rescheduling an appointment with some guy he called Gutierrez.“…Because something came up and I can’t make it tonight,” he bit out sternly. “Why do people usually reschedule appointments with you?”After waiting a beat for the answer, he rolled his eyes. “Well, that’s not the case with me. When’s the next time you’re available?” He obviously didn’t like the answer he received because he said, “No, that’s not acceptable. It’ll have to be sooner.” One eyebrow lifted. “Then clear more room and make time.”I could tell Gutierrez on the other end of the line called him a sour name because he pulled out that co
Last Updated : 2024-10-29B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 14. Hayden
She surprised me.Again.For some inexplicable reason, Gabriella always seemed to jolt and throw me off my game. How the hell did she do that?I studied the spitfire before me, perplexed. My head was still spinning over the fact that I’d just told her I was going to pursue her—even though I had repeatedly tried to convince myself I was done with women and relationships entirely.And she didn’t even know my name yet?That didn’t seem like it should be possible.“Hayden Carmichael,” I said, holding out a hand because I wanted to feel her flesh against mine as well as appear more professional and in control of my faculties than I actually was.“Hades Carmichael?” she murmured, making a face and nodding before saying, “Hmm. Makes sense.”“Hayden,” I corrected. “Not Hades. Which reminds me, I never got your surname.”“Salazar,” she returned, furrowing her brow as she shook with me. “Didn’t Kaitlynn mention that?”“Kaitlynn and I don’t speak, so no.”“But—”“And I’d appreciate it
Last Updated : 2024-10-29B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 15. Hayden
With a gasp, Gabby whirled around to scowl. “I thought I told you to stay outside.”“I ignored you, obviously.” Stepping into the room so I could move to the side and make eye contact with her father again, since she’d successfully blocked him from view when she’d spun to face me, I told the man, “My name is Hayden. And you are…?”“Oscar. What’re you doing in my home?”“Your home?” Lifting my eyebrows, I let out a degrading snort. “And what have you done to make it in any way yours?”“Excuse me?” Gabby growled, marching toward me, her eyes flashing with rage. “What the hell is your problem? This man is my father. Have some damn respect.”I sent her an amused glance. “But he hasn’t earned my respect. From what I’ve seen, he has you hand deliver his meals to him every night so he can sit in his room on his lazy ass, watching television, while he lets you sleep out on the couch. And take care of your brother by yourself. Or maybe you think I should respect the way he’s let you be the
Last Updated : 2024-10-29B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 16. Hayden
“You’re early,” Lana accused harshly as she opened the door to us with an unwelcome frown.So I smiled and shot back, “That’s because we just couldn’t wait for the pleasure of your company.”While my mother scowled over my obvious sarcasm, I grasped Gabby’s hand in a show of solidarity with her, ignoring the twitch of surprise in her fingers over the contact, and smiled even more tightly to our host as I stepped into her apartment.She wore all white and nearly blended into the room around her. If it weren’t for the aura of evil emanating off her, I might’ve missed her completely.Next to me, Gabby shifted uneasily closer, saying nothing.I gripped her fingers more firmly, hoping to reassure her.“Well, dinner isn’t ready yet,” Lana announced irritably. “We’re going to have to wait.”I shrugged. “That’s fine. It’ll give us plenty of opportunity for you to tell us why we were blackmailed into coming tonight.”Choking out a sound of surprise, Gabby glanced up at me as if I’d lost
Last Updated : 2024-10-29B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 17. Gabby
I marched down the hall, glaring at Hayden’s rigid back and stewing, so mad I could barely see straight. What pissed me off more was how ticked off he looked about the appearance of Diego.I mean, where did he get off, acting all indignant and churlish after merely seeing someone irritating from my life? I’d just spent the last half hour with his fucking mother from hell, being played and controlled. I had more right to be upset here than he did. Especially after he’d just thrown me under the damn bus and haggled over a deal for me to remain trapped in her clutches.The bastard.Unable to keep my anger in check a second longer, I jogged ahead to catch up with him, muttering, “Way to have my back, back there. I mean, thanks a fucking lot. Really appreciate it. Asshole.”He’d been reaching out to open the door to the outside, but my words caused him to drop his hand. Spinning around so fast that I jumped in surprise, he barged forward, right into my personal space until he was loomin
Last Updated : 2024-10-29B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 18. Gabby
The next morning, I found myself tiptoeing into my father’s room before anyone in the apartment was awake. I slipped the key to our family safe from the ceramic candy house with the hinged lid on his bureau and kneeled next to his bed. After easing out the small fireproof box he kept under there, I snuck both items out and retreated down the hall to the front room. There, I sat on the couch and perched the mini safe on my lap. After unlocking it, I popped the lid open.There was no money or monetary valuables inside, except some Venezuelan coins Papá had saved as keepsakes and Mama’s wedding ring. Most of the contents were paperwork. I found my and Miguel’s birth certificates, along with our social security cards near the top. After a bit of digging, I found Mama and Papá’s marriage license and Mama’s birth certificate. And then there, Papá’s certificate of naturalization, proving he was an American citizen, lay folded under that. It had his registration number and signature on it and
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story About the Author
Linda writes romance fiction from YA to adult, contemporary to fantasy. Most Kage stories lean more toward the lighter, sillier side with a couple meaningful moments thrown in. Focuses more on entertainment value and emotional impact.Published since 2010. Went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children’s literature from The Institute of Children’s Literature. Then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.Now she lives with her hubby, two daughters, cat Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas, USA. Farm girl. Parents were dairy farmers. Was youngest of eight. Big family. Day job as a cataloging library assistant.Harry Potter House Gryffindor, Patronus White Stallion, character match Hagrid. Supernatural Team Dean. Game of Thrones Team Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. The Walking Dead Team Daryl. Outlander Team Jamie Fraser. Teen Wolf Team Stiles. Avenger Team Thor...or Hulk (can’t
B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story The Hansel and Gretel Story
Hansel and Gretel – B & E EVER AFTEROnce upon a time, there were two children named Hansel [Hayden] and Gretel [Brick].Their stepmother was very cruel.She took them deep into the forest [a foreign country] and left them there.But clever Hansel [Brick] had some breadcrumbs [Skittles] in his pocket [backpack] and had [accidentally] dropped them on the path so they could find their way back home [to their villa].[Twenty Years Later:]Alas! The birds ate all the crumbs and they couldn’t find the path that led back home. Hansel and Gretel [Gabby needed money. So she went to find some at Preston Estates where she] went deeper and deeper into the forest, hoping to find their way [building, searching for help]. They were hungry [She was desperate] and tired.Finally, after walking for a long time, they [she] saw a cottage [door] made of chocolate, candies, and cake [sparkly bling]. Gretel [Gabby] cried out in delight and ate [reached forward to touch] it hungrily [reverently].
B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story Epilogue
I looked down at the ring on my finger and sighed happily.Married. I couldn’t believe I was freaking married. For a full twenty-four hours now. To the man who pissed me off as much as he made my heart pound in double time with love.“Your first book club meeting is today, right?” he asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and kissed the top of my shoulder.“Yep,” I answered, smiling as I leaned back against him to feel more of him against me. “And yes, Kaitlynn will be there. So…” I turned to face him and fluttered my lashes dramatically as I silently asked for permission to—“You want to tell her,” he guessed. “Don’t you?”“I mean, if you want to tell her,” I started on a wince, “that’s fine by me. She’s your stepsister, but…?”I would let him decide, even though I kind of wanted to be the one to spill everything.It had been months since I’d met Hayden in Lana’s apartment on Halloween night. In that time, Camille had started an online group that she was calli
B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 30. Hayden
I felt sick to my stomach.After the big reveal, where I’d gathered my brother, stepsister, Ezra, and a couple lawyers into a room and told them about Lana being a murderer, about how she’d changed the will, and how Kaitlynn actually owned half the company alongside Nash, they had each eventually gone their separate ways to absorb the shock of the news.I hadn’t been able to tell Brick about his true paternity though. That would have to wait for another time. I just didn’t have it in me to report any more shocking news today.It had been a tense enough scene earlier between Ezra’s lawyers and the ones I’d called in to support Kaitlynn. She looked so blindsided and overwhelmed. I had an awful, sinking feeling I’d handled it all wrong.Telling them my suspicions about Lana and the secret investigation I was conducting on her hadn’t seemed necessary at the time. But now that it was all out in the open, I felt like a shithead for not divulging any of it sooner.Sitting on my couch in
B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 29. Gabby
We’d had it. We’d had the proof I’m sure we needed to put Lana away. It was in our very grasp. And we’d lost it.The blow hit Hayden the hardest.He took me directly home after we left Lana’s apartment, and he didn’t say a word the entire way there. When he parked at the curb, he just stared ahead, out the windshield, and methodically tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, his mind a million miles away.“You want to come in?” I asked softly, thinking I sounded like a clingy, insecure girlfriend, but not even caring. I wanted to help him so bad; I just didn’t know how.He glanced at me shortly. “No. Not today.”“Hayden,” I started on a sigh. “Don’t let this get to you. It was just one little setback. We can—”“I know.” He finally sent me the ghost of a smile, as if he was at least grateful for my attempt to cheer him up. “Don’t worry. It’s fine.”But it wasn’t. Not to him. And I didn’t know what to say to make it better.Seeing my concern, he tipped his head towards my b
B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 28. Gabby
“Strange fact,” Hayden panted, slipping his hand over my hair as I began to climb off him, my legs as weak as jelly and heart still racing with a mixture of fear and panic.Because I loved him, I realized. Holy shit, I loved this aggravating pain in the ass. Dazed, I licked my dry lips and mumbled, “What’s that?” hoping he couldn’t tell what I was feeling.“I didn’t much like walking in the door to find my brother in bed with you,” he answered casually, seemingly unaware of the crisis that was happening inside me.But fuck me, I loved a man who drove me crazy, who had insane family issues, who could piss me off like no one else. And, holy hell, I think I liked loving someone who was so messed up.I lifted my face to peer into his eyes. At the moment, he didn’t seem too upset about seeing Brick and me stretched out on the bed together. But he’d also just come so hard he might’ve broken all the blood vessels in his medulla oblongata, preventing him from experiencing anger ever again.
B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 27. Gabby
When I opened my eyes the next morning, I found myself staring at a stranger.As I blinked at him, trying to figure out if he was real or not, he grinned pleasantly. “Well, hello there, gorgeous.”“Oh my God!” I shrieked.He was definitely real.Lurching upright, only for the sheet that had been covering me to slip down, I gasped out another yelp and scrambled to catch it before I showed off all my bits.Who the hell was this guy?Once I had the covers firmly tucked up under my armpits and had shoved dark locks out of my face, I focused on the man who hadn’t moved a muscle, except maybe to widen his devilish, handsome grin as he watched me fumble about.Waving his fingers, he added, “Good morning to you too.”I glanced around the room. Hayden was nowhere to be found, but this guy had no qualms about being in his room apparently.“Who’re you?” I said, coming back around to blink at him.“What a coincidence.” With a delighted chuckle, he plopped onto the bed beside me, still fu
B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 26. Hayden
When we finally made our way to my room, Gabby curled into me on the cool mattress and tucked her face under my chin before she stroked her hand up and down my arm.I banded an arm around her shoulders, holding her close, and kissed her hair.This was nice.I’d never felt this complete and satisfied before, as if I was a piece of a puzzle who’d just found its misplaced half.Gabby gave a contented sigh and glanced up at me, smiling lazily. I knew we should probably finish going through everything we’d found at Lana’s earlier. Or I should decide what to do about the Isaac-Brick situation. But for the life of me, I couldn’t muster a single care about any of that shit. I just wanted to keep lying here, looking at Gabriella.“I missed you today,” she murmured, walking her fingers up my bare chest.My eyebrows lifted. “You missed me?”“Yeah, you know, after work,” she went on. “I know getting picked up by you and driven home two days in a row doesn’t in any way qualify as a routine,
B & E Ever After: A Hansel and Gretel Story 25. Hayden
Reluctantly tearing my mouth from Gabby’s, I peeled one of her hands from the front of my shirt, where she was holding me tight, and I jerked my gloves off before taking her fingers again to squeeze them warmly.Because seriously, if I let her keep kissing me the way she was, we’d never make it home.“Let’s go back to my place,” I said.Her eyes glittered with awareness, and the color in her cheeks heightened as she nodded eagerly. Jesus, she wanted me. She really wanted me. My body stirred and jeans grew tight.I began to forget about our original mission for the evening and all the evidence we had collected on our phones as I towed her down the hall toward the exit, pausing once at a trash receptacle to dispose of our gloves. Nothing seemed as important as getting inside this woman.Once we reached my car, I stopped completely, turning toward her before I opened her door. After kissing her hair, I pressed my brow to hers and simply breathed her in, enjoying this moment of simply
