Trouble in Hell (Hell Night 1)

I chuckle and shake my head. “I feel sorry for him.”

She shrugs. “He’ll live. It’s a rite of passage for parents to embarrass their kids.”

The smile slips from my lips, and I turn away from her toward the door. Having normal parents is one thing I wouldn’t know about.

Pulling the door open, I turn back. “Mick should have the parts in a couple of days. Have a safe trip.”

She opens her mouth to say something, but I’m already walking away. The more time I’m around the woman, the more weird shit I think about and the more my body reacts to her.

Thankfully, this visit is the last I should see of her.

I POCKET MY PHONE and walk into the dark interior of the bay. Spotting Mick hunched over a car, I make my way over to him. Sensing my approach, he lifts his head from under the hood and grabs a rag from his back pocket to wipe his hands.

“Howdy, Trouble. What brings you by?”

I jerk my chin to the car. “Is that a sixty-seven Chevy Impala?”

He stuffs the rag back in his pocket before running his hand over the top of the hood with a glazed over look. “Yep. Tyler got it for a steal down in San Antonio. Engine needs rebuilt, but the interior looks damn good.”

“Tell him if he ever wants to get rid of it to call me.”

Mick laughs and pats the front fender. “That ain’t happenin’. He’s been itchin’ to get one of these for years.”

I lean my hip against the bumper and get down to business. “The car that came in for the new woman in town. I need you to get those parts asap.”

“Can’t do that.” He scratches the side of his head then rushes to add when I raise a brow, “Her car ain’t one I can find parts for easily. It’s an older style Audi and not many stores carry parts for it anymore. I’mma have to hunt for ‘em.”

“I really need you to do this for me, Mick. She was supposed to leave tomorrow. You know what Monday is.”

“I do, and if I could make it so, I’d have her out of here today, but it’s just not doable. I already have a few guys lookin’ for parts for me.”

My jaw hardens, and Mick notices, looking a bit nervous as he takes a step back. I wouldn’t hurt him—I reserve that for the people who deserve it—but he knows what I’m capable of. I may be a doctor, and I may be quiet and calm most of the time, but what me and my brothers do for this town, among other things, puts me in the beware category.

“Just do what you can, as fast as you can,” I tell him.

Nodding, he pulls the rag from his pocket again and mops the sweat from his forehead. I leave him and walk back out to the street. Anxious vibes have my body twitching with each step down the sidewalk. It looks like Miss Stone will be staying after all.

“Goddamn it,” I growl to no one and fist the phone in my pocket. This is the very last thing we need. Judge is going to be pissed, not that I blame him. Her being here is too risky, but there’s not much of a choice in the matter. I could cart Remi to the nearest bus station, but for some reason I don’t think that’ll go over too well, judging by the fact her car is full of her shit. From the looks of it, shit she’ll probably need when the baby comes.

“Dr. Trayce?”

I come to a stop and turn at the familiar voice. A woman is walking toward me, one child on her hip, and another holding her hand. I glance down at Brittney, and I’m glad to see she’s looking good and healthy.

After her exam, I made a few phone calls and an hour later, Misty and her husband, Derek, were at my office to pick up Brittney. Jacob was brought to them later the same day. With what happened to them both, and them having no other family in Malus, we decided to place the kids with Misty and Derek. They’re a middle-aged couple who lost their daughter a couple of years ago to a rare medical condition. After looking into their medical history and some tests, it was discovered the mixture of both of their genes was what caused the condition. Since then, Misty and Derek have been reluctant on trying for another child, although they desperately want one. They happily opened their home to Brittney and Jacob. It was the best choice for the children.

I get down on one knee in front of Brittney. “Hey there.”

Her eyes are downcast, but when I speak, she looks up. “Hey,” she says in a quiet voice.

“How are you doing?”

She plays with the front of her dress, swinging the material back and forth. Her pigtails bounce with her movements.

“I’m okay.”

“How do you and your brother like living with Misty and Derek?”

She looks up to Misty, who smiles down at her, before looking back at me. Her eyes light up. “They’ve been very nice. I even get a room by myself.” She leans forward, like she’s going to tell me a secret, but the words aren’t very quiet. “I still sneak in Jacob’s room at night though. There’s a blanket and pillow he doesn’t use, so I make a bed with it.”