Malicious Intent (Soulscape #5)

CH 32

NOTE: Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been having major issues with my internet, but it's fixed now. I hope :)

________________________________

Maybe someone should scare them. Frank subconsciously drew Alec closer to him, holding him tighter, and pressed his face to his hair. Fear and frustration at the possible trouble they faced with the bikers culminated in an unsettling sensation in the pit of his gut. Alec's "retaliation" to those who threatened Frank's safety and wellbeing—tended to be swift and violent. And now Dennis had entered that circle of people Alec meant to protect... by any means necessary.

What frightened Frank more than Alec's potential retaliation against the bikers... was that tiny something, way deep down inside Frank, that wanted them stopped "by any means necessary." He refused to entertain that presence and tried to deny it was there at all. He couldn't start thinking that way—couldn't encourage Alec's violent nature.

Another fear burrowed in—fear for Alec. He was a deadly force in his own right—but what if he came up against a gang of bikers? What if Silas' entire clan showed up? Despite having Alec in his care since the boy was six, Frank didn't know the extent—or the limit—of the young man's "abilities". He wondered if Alec even knew. Apart from his ability to switch bodies, Frank had never witnessed any other "supernatural" type capability. His actions against the bigots at the Chicago bar and the two men at the rest area weren't super-human. They were violent actions—but ones any normal human could have executed.

What if Alec couldn't handle a "group" of assailants?

The notion scared the hell out of Frank—not for his own safety, but Alec's... and Zeke's. Frank had never met "Zeke", but a part of him loved the boy, regardless. Just as he'd loved Alex before ever meeting him. Alec would protect Zeke as much as possible, but if Alec became overwhelmed... what would happen to them both?

Alec shifted and laid his head back on Frank's shoulder, his eyes on Dennis. "Are staying the night, Sheriff?"

Dennis, who had fallen silent after explaining to Ron and James about the bikers, looked at Alec, his gaze skipping to Frank also. "Do you want me to?"

"You don't ever have to ask that," Frank said. "We always want you here."

Dennis smiled and nodded. "Then I'll stay." He took out his phone. "I told Marlene I would call and let her know if I was staying here or coming home." He made his call and spoke to Marlene, then paused, listening. "Did he say what he wanted to talk to me about?" Another brief pause. "All right, I'll give him a call. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call or text."

"Everything all right?" Frank asked when he hung up.

Turning his phone over in his hand, Dennis looked uncertain. "Deputy Wilson stopped by looking for me, but he didn't say why."

"Are you concerned?"

"Not sure," Dennis admitted. "He doesn't usually come to my house. He either speaks to me at the station or calls. Not sure why he would show up at my..."

Frank exchanged looks with the other men. "What?"

"Uh..." Dennis shrugged and cleared his throat. "Nothing. I'll give him a call and see what he needed." He called the deputy. "It's Hawkins. Marlene said you stopped by the house?" He went quiet, a slight pinch to his brow. "Can it wait till tomorrow, or do you need to speak to me tonight?" Dennis nodded, the cinch in his brow holding. "All right, then. Bright and early, in my office." The sheriff sighed and tucked the phone away.

"Trouble?" Ron asked.

"I don't know," Dennis murmured. "He said he didn't want to talk about it over the phone, but that it could wait until morning." He glanced at Frank and Alec. "I guess I'll be leaving early in the a.m."