Loch & Key (Miracle: Salvation Isle #7)

19. CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 19

Everyone had been working their asses off for months to get things ready for people to move to the new town, Redemption. It had taken time to not only buy the land, but to get approval from the county and state to build homes there.

The mountains in Colorado may have been the ideal place to move to, but the state wasn’t exactly easy to work with to do so. Admittedly, it hadn’t helped that they were extremely vague as to shifters living there. The last thing they needed was for the government to know they were there. It would have defeated the purpose of having a haven away from prying eyes.

But with enough money, the Council, and a lot of it was Yosi’s billions, greased the right wheels, and they had begun the arduous task of tearing down the old, rotting structures. It was made even more difficult as winter was quickly approaching.

“I’m telling you; we need to get as many foundations poured as we can,” Chadwick insisted. He was their lead builder and knew what he was talking about, so Nessim didn’t understand why anyone was arguing with him. “Trying to start new builds on frozen ground with snow everywhere would seriously slow us down.”

It made sense to Nessim, but apparently not everyone agreed. Mainly, an Alpha named Jack, who had recently moved to Miracle and thought he should become Alpha of Redemption. For some odd reason, the idiot thought taking on the Chief Council’s mate was the way to prove himself.

Tired of the conversation, Nessim headed back to the tent he and Aban called home. He wasn’t certain how much longer they’d have to live there, but he was really hoping not too long. He might have lived in Scotland growing up, but that didn’t mean he wanted to freeze his ass off every night either.

It might have only been mid-September, but that high in the mountains, it was already getting cold, especially at night. His only saving grace was that his mate was like a furnace when he slept, which helped Nessim stay warm.

Pulling back the flap of the tent, he stopped dead in his tracks as he stared at the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen, his mate’s naked body, as he wiped the sweat and dirt from a long day of construction from his body. “Damn, love, this is something I’d like to come home to more often,” he said as he walked up to the man he loved and kissed him.

Strong arms wrapped around him tightly until their bodies were pressed as close as they could get, with Nessim still wearing clothes. If he were lucky, they wouldn’t be on for long.

Aban chuckled softly as they came up for air. “Let me guess, Jack is still arguing with Chadwick, and you walked out of the meeting again.”

There was no point in hiding his scowl of irritation at the reminder. “I swear that man is a menace to this town. We will not have anything to live in if he keeps it up.”

Aban pressed another kiss to his lips as his hands tugged Nessim’s shirt up and over his head. “No worries, sweet one,” his mate assured him. “Jack can argue all he wants. We’ve been following Chadwick’s plan the whole time. We already have thirty foundations poured and ready to build on.”

“I know.” Nessim had seen their progress and was happy they were moving forward despite Jack’s objections. “It’s just irritating that he’s taking up the time of Chadwick, who would be better on-site helping, as well as Saber, Terrence, and Edrick. Every one of them could help with the construction instead of sitting around because Jack’s got his panties in a twist.”

Aban tilted his head back and laughed. Then he leaned back down and kissed Nessim again. “True.” Deft fingers flicked open the button on Nessim’s jeans and pulled down the zipper as those talented lips kissed a line along his jaw. “Why don’t I see if I can’t help you relax?”

That was something Nessim could get on board with. There was nothing better than being in his mate’s arms. Between still seeing as many patients as he could each day, and listening to Jack tell everyone he knew better how to build Redemption, he was beyond stressed.

Calloused hands landed on his ass and tugged him closer to his mate until their bodies molded together with nothing between them, not even air. A shiver worked its way through Nessim as he wrapped his arms around Aban’s neck so he could hold onto something solid.

He loved that his mate knew exactly what he needed as those strong arms lifted him, turned, and placed him on their bed. It was more a glorified cot, but at least it fit them both and kept them from sleeping on the ground.

“I swear I don’t mean to interrupt,” Nole called out from just outside their tent. “But we just rescued twenty shifters, and they were badly abused. They are about to land, and we were hoping Nessim could be there to talk to them.”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Aban muttered even as Nessim got up and reached for his clothes.

“I’ll be right there,” Nessim called out.

“Where in the hell do they plan to put these people?” Aban asked as he reached for his own clothes. “We have no buildings, and all the tents are full.”

Nessim shook his head. “No clue. But it’s not as if I can stay here when they need someone.”

Aban sighed as they pulled on their boots and coats. “I know. And I appreciate your dedication to others. Hell, I’m proud of all your sacrifice, but I don’t think bringing them to a town with no electricity or buildings is exactly the right thing to do.”

The only thing Redemption had going for it at that point was Chadwick had got a well dug and given them running water. It wasn’t much, as it only went to the one building they had built for showers and toilets. It wasn’t ideal and most of them tended to just bring water to their tents and rinse off with a washcloth like Aban had been doing when Nessim walked in. Still, it was better than nothing.

“Come on.” Nessim went to his mate, leaned up, and kissed him. “I’m certain there is a reason they were brought here instead of Miracle of Salvation. If I had to guess, they’re in pretty bad shape and wanted a place to hide.”

Nessim did not know just how right he’d been. When he walked into the medical tent, the helicopter had just landed and every one of the shifters were terrified, malnourished, and appeared to have bruises over most of their bodies. It sickened him to see it, especially since four of them were kids ranging from eight to fifteen.

The haunted looks on their faces were devastating. “They were too scared to be around an big group of shifters,” Saber told him. “They feared the humans would capture them again. Only the assurance that I was here convinced them even to agree to come here.”

Nessim closed his eyes for a moment to try to find the courage to hear their stories. He knew none would be easy, but he was also determined to help.

Like the truly amazing mate he was, Aban sensed his hesitation, and put an arm around his waist and pulled him back until he was leaning against his mate. “I love you, sweet one. Whatever you need, I’m here.”

Knowing Aban was there for him gave him the strength he needed. “I love you, too,” he whispered before pulling away to head all the way inside. It was time to pull his big boy panties on and do his job.

Later, when he had done all he could, Aban would be there to hold him as he fell apart.