Fighting the Flames (Firefighter Romance #1)(77)



The other woman's eyes narrowed. “How do you know about Gabriella? Did Toby tell you about her?”

“Yes. He told me the whole story about how the wizard bloodlines aren't supposed to mix and how the Brotherhood wanted your husband to kill the baby. Only it came out stillborn.” Jacqueline watched Matilda. The old woman seemed surprised to hear that her son had shared part of his painful past. “Afterwards, Gabriella rejected Toby, but I think there was more to it. I think something else happened.”

“Like what?”

“What if Gabriella had been under a command spell, one that would not allow her to have anything to do with Toby?” Jacqueline paused. “It also wouldn't let her talk about who took her newborn baby.”

“The baby was born dead.”

“No. I don't think so. I think it was very much alive, but her brother, Derek, took it.”

“Toby didn't make her give the baby away?”

“Of course not.”

What was Matilda talking about?

“My theory is that Josiah put a spell on Gabriella. She could remember everything, but couldn't talk about it,” Jacqueline explained. “Maybe that's why she killed herself.”

Tears filled Matilda's eyes.

“Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be insensitive, Matilda. I know that was your grandson.” Jacqueline rubbed Matilda's arm. “But you see, he's still alive. He could be part of your family.”

If he isn't completely evil because of Derek's influence.

Jacqueline kept that thought to herself.

“Part of the family? After what this family put him through?” Matilda jerked her arm away. “I was better off being raised by strangers than with Toby.”

Shocked, Jacqueline could only stare at Matilda.

The truth hit her. This wasn't Matilda. Just like Angela, the real Matilda, a wizard had replaced her.

“Gabe?” she whispered and glanced at a busy Toby counting receipts.

“Come with me,” Gabe instructed. “Unless you want to kill the two women Derek and I stashed in the back office.”

Angela and Matilda. At least they were alive.

She followed Gabe to a booth in the back corner, one just out of Toby's sightline.

“What are you planning to do?” Jacqueline asked.

“Use you to kill Toby, of course.” Gabe rolled his eyes at her. “Don't tell me you hadn't figured out that part yet, Nancy Drew. Honestly, you and your little friend Angela are so dumb. I'm shocked that I got away with pretending to be Derek during the last half of that miserable dinner I had to share with her tonight. But she never suspected a thing.”

“Toby is your father. I don't know what Derek did to you all these years, but Toby had no idea you were alive.”

“Don't lie to me. Derek saved me from the Williams clan. Josiah was going to kill me.” Gabe leaned forward. “What the hell kind of grandfather does that? And he had my father's blessing. Derek told me everything.”

“He lied to you. Toby knew nothing.”

“If it weren't for Derek, I would have died. He snuck me out of the hospital and made sure the Harrington family adopted me. He visited me from time to time, and when my parents died in a car accident, Derek became my official guardian. That's when he told me the truth about my father, how Toby killed my mother and took away every chance I had to grow up normal.” Gabe's Matilda persona dissolved as he angered. Good. Maybe if his guard was down, Toby would catch wind of what was going on.

“These are all lies,” Jacqueline whispered. “Derek only took you because he wanted to hurt Toby. He didn't even care about his own sister.”

“You weren't there.”

“But I've seen it.” An idea came to her. “Listen, I saw a memory of that night. You can't fake a memory, Gabe. Can't you use your own wizard powers to see it?”

Gabe contemplated the request.


“What do you have to lose?” she pressed.

“Give me your hand.”

She did so and a sharp jolt flared through her hand as Gabe closed his eyes and rifled through her brain. An odd sensation like an itch she couldn’t scratch but one she hoped was worth it. Around her, the bar started to shut down. People were stumbling to the door as the usual Mumford and Son anthem of “Little Lion Man” began to play.

Soon Toby would come to check on her.

Would Derek command her to do something beyond her control?

Gabe's eyes opened, but she couldn't quite read the expression in them.

“This proves nothing. The Williams family still wanted me dead.”

“But not Toby.” She squeezed his hand gently. “Please, Gabe. Help your father. He wanted you desperately. I don't know who put the spell on your mother, but I do know that Derek has been lying to you.”

The bar was almost empty now. Her heart pounded faster. Whatever Derek's plan was, the time had come for it to unfold.

However, she wasn't going to wait for Derek to make a move.

She was going to use a little magic of her own.

Jacqueline stood and took a deep breath. Gabe didn't notice. He stared at the table, deep in thought.

Toby wiped the counter of the bar in slow circles, a slight frown on his face while Angela stood slightly behind him. She smiled at Jacqueline.

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