Read Online Inferno by Stormy Glenn - Free Book Online Page B

someone other than Danny felt wrong, disrespectful.
    It made Abe’s skin crawl.
    He wouldn’t do it.
    That made for a very lonely existence, one he thought was coming to an end when he arrived in town today with his brother. Now, he was wondering if he would be lonely for the rest of his life. Granted, he had no idea what he was doing or how he was going to bridge the gap between him and Danny, but he had to do something. He was just a little confused on what. And he didn’t have Ben’s smooth taking abilities so that was out.
    Maybe finding the kitten had been a blessing in disguise.
    And maybe it was his ticket to hell.
    Trudging up the stairs was like walking to his execution. His stomach knotted tighter with every step. Danny was so much smaller than him, barely reaching Abe’s chest. He weighed at least a hundred pounds less. He was a mite compared to Ben and Abe, and yet the man terrified him, and over something so simple as the gift of a kitten. Abe’s heart pounded so fast it was on the verge of jumping right out through his ribcage.
    Some warrior he was.
    “I’m here,” he told his brother before he knocked and opened the door. His jaw dropped as he stepped inside the tiny apartment and took in Danny’s meager living conditions. The place was immaculate and Abe could see that Danny had attempted to hide the faded condition of his furniture with bright throw pillows and knickknacks. But nothing could hide the dismal conditions.
    “This is where he lives?” he asked when he saw his brother.
    Ben’s features were grim as he nodded, a smoldering rage burning in his amber eyes. “I’d really like to know what happened to all the money we sent to Charles.”
    “You know what happened to it, Ben.” Abe’s jaw clenched as he remembered the opulence of Charles’s mansion. He was so angry he had to talk through his teeth. “It went into that fancy house he lives in and that new young wife of his.”
    Ben pulled out his phone and dialed a number before holding it to his ear.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Putting a stop on O’Shay’s final payment. The terms of our agreement said he was supposed to use the money we sent him to care for Danny.” He waved his hand around to encompass the small living room. “That obviously didn’t happen. I’m starting to wonder if Danny ever saw any of the money.”
    Abe couldn’t argue with his brother’s logic. “We also need to get an accounting of just exactly where that money went to. While I understand some of it went to his housing when he was growing up, the bulk of the money should have been turned over to him when he moved away from home. He shouldn’t be living in this hovel.”
    “Well, as soon as we convince him to move back to Pacific Cove, that won’t be a problem.”
    Abe winced, feeling his stomach start to churn again. “How hard do you think that is going to be?” After Danny’s response earlier, Abe just couldn’t picture Danny agreeing to go home with them.
    Ben still had the phone held to his ear as he shook his head. “It shouldn’t be that hard. Danny’s not happy here. He’s merely existing.”
    “He said that?”
    “Not in so many words, but that was the impression I got from some of things he said.” The cell phone creaked in Ben’s tight, angry grip. “He lives in this hovel because that is all he can afford on his paycheck and still be able to go to school.”
    “But we paid for his education,” Abe insisted. “O’Shay even called and said he needed more…oh hell!” Abe’s tension was like a whip against his skin, hard and painful. “He called and said Danny wanted to enter a special program and needed more tuition money.”
    “I’m thinking Danny had nothing to—yes, hello. This is Benjamin Lake. I need to stop payment on an account transfer.” Ben turned away and started talking into the phone.
    Abe walked through the living room—it took four steps—and peered through the doorway into Danny’s bedroom. The